Request for the mayor M. Oswald Losan in Zwickau in a scholarship matter.
Reprinted, as it seems, from the original in Job. Christian Hasche's Magazin der Sächsischen Geschichte aufs Jahr 1789. Sechster Theil, p. 542 and at De Wette- Seidemann, Vol. VI, p. 715. - The electoral approval, which Elector Moritz repeated on April 24, 1551, is from July 9, 1545. Probably Melanchthon is the author of the letter, which Luther only signed. (Seidemann.)
To the by!, high-born. Prince and Lord, Lord John Frederick, Duke of Saxony 2c. 2c., our most gracious Lord.
God's grace through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, our Savior, beforehand. Sublime, highborn, most gracious Prince and Lord! The honorable Oswald Lasan, mayor of Zwickau, will hand over to E. C. F. G. a subservient application, in which he will give an urgent account of how the fief is
S. Jacobi and Laurentii at Zwickau, from his forefathers and kinsmen, namely to the descendants Lasan and Jungnickel, which Jungnickel now died without heirs, so donated that it should be given to them with this duty, that they should study in a university for a named time, and this fief has remained with the Lazans until now, according to the foundation, and has only been relinquished this past year, because of which the common caste of the church in Zwickau intends to take it. Since this fiefdom is not just founded on fairs, but expressly endowed to the studio forever, so that some of this family will be Lasan, he asks in submission, S. 1) C. F. G. will graciously decree that the said fief be used for the studio of the poor youth and children of the Lasan family, as it has been held here in Wittenberg with a fief of Zülsdorf 2) and otherwise, has also requested us that we may, on the authority of E. C. F. G., request that the fief be used for the studio of the poor youth and children of the Lasan family. which we therefore did not refuse, first of all that we do not consider that his request is contrary to the visitation, especially because the common caste has otherwise received large, stately endowments, namely four fiefdoms, from its forefathers, and we ourselves held it in the visitation in such a way that we left something to the families, from which something stately came to the common caste, although no report of the study was made. - Thus, E. C. F. G. of this man in Zwickau knows that he also took on the task of raising his brother's eight poor orphans, and by God's grace he himself has five sons and two daughters, whom he diligently raises to God's honor, and several of his sons are well-suited for the studio. Therefore, we ask in submission, S. C. F. G. will graciously show themselves in this, and for the promotion of the studies and preservation of these good pious people, who have been so long in Zwickau, and have borne common burdens, namely at three and a half hundred years, leave this help to their children for the studio.
1) So further down still twice. But probably misprint for "E.". (Seidemann.)
2) In the text: "Julsdorff" is a printing or reading error for "Zülsdorff". Cf. Album, p. 20: Dominus Martinus Czulstorff albiorenus. 1507. (Seidemaun.)
to them. In return, we hope, they will also do their due diligence to serve their church and fatherland faithfully. The eternal God, Father of our Savior JEsu Christ, always graciously preserve S. C. F. G.. Date Wittenberg, on the day of the happy meeting of Mary and Elizabeth [2. Julias Anno 1545.
E. C. F. G. subject Martinus Luther, D. Johannes Bugenhagen, Pomer., D. Philippus Melanthon.
No. 3235.
To Duke Philip of Stettin, Pomerania 2c., together with the other theologians. 1)
Intercession for two displaced persons, Peter Schwabe and Simon Wolder of Stolpen.
A simultaneous copy is in the. Weimar Archives, Reg. C, fol. 427. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 472.
God's grace through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Savior, before. Sublime, highborn prince, gracious lord! E. F. G. knows without a doubt himself all the opportunities of the trade, how Peter Schwab and Simon Wolder of Stolpen, by evil reports, have come into disrepute with the noble, highborn prince and lord, Mr. Barnim, Duke of Pomerania, our lord. H[errn], in disgrace, and that subsequently takes place, that they cannot again be safe in their estates. Although we do not make ourselves judges, we nevertheless consider this matter to be one in which the honorable Barnim reports badly, and that the men of Stolpen are being treated unfairly. However, after we had asked Duke Barnim for remembrance and intercession, we did not know how to refuse this "out of Christian compassion": We also considered writing to E. F. G.. For even though E. F. G. has nothing to do with this matter, E. F. G. can nevertheless kindly remind us that 2) these people will be released from the unjust burden. For this reason, we request that E. F. G. graciously promote such a thing, as you yourself will indicate that it is possible and fruitful to do. We can well
1) Bugenhagen, Creuziger, Major and Melanchthon.
2) "that" put by us instead of: "of".
that the harshness did not originate from Duke Barium's person, therefore to hope, if S. F. G. would be better informed, they would show themselves more merciful. Thus, the F. F. G. know by which persons 3) a better report should now be made. In this, the F. F. G. want to mean that the work is primarily pleasing to God, to promote right things and to prevent unjust oppression, as it is written in the Book of Solomon Prov. 24, 11, you shall help to save (speak) those who are unjustly led to death, for God will reward such. Thus the noble princes and dukes of Pomerania have always been considered lovers of justice, and are now praised in the confession of the Holy Gospel as Christian, benevolent princes. Therefore, they should be all the more diligent in preventing injustice and trouble. Let the F. F. G. command them in the matter as much as possible, and God will reward them for it. May He always graciously govern and preserve the F. F. G., Amen. Datum Wittenberg, am Tage Visitationis und der fröhlichen Zusammenkunft Mariä und Elisabeth [2. Julia] Anno 1545.
E. F. G. willing and subject Martinus Luther, D. utsupra. 4)
No. 3236.