#1748-To Johann Sutel, Pastor in Goettingen

To the highly-honorable man, Herr Master Johann Sutel, the faithful servant of God in Goettingen, his brother in the LOrd.
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus! See, coming there is a preacher, dear brother, whom I have previously promised,with the name of Johann Birnstiel; the second will follow in a short time. He is hindered by his farming-existence by which he has been previously sustained. He could only with great difficulty come away before his goods are sold from which he can only slowly get himself free from. I plead with and with all that you urge the cause of Christ harmoniously and that in matters that do not violate the faith do not cast aside any questions. You know that the crude rabble will sieze every opportunity to despise the Word. And though no ceremony is necessary for salvation they are useful to stimulate obtuse dispositions. I am speaking chiefly about the ceremonies of the Mass and the altars,garments,lights and this sort of incidentals; if these cannot be done away with they remain as we are doing here in Wittenberg. If they have been abolished I would wish that they would slowly be re-introduced yet so that the Word prevails through which we can free consciences. These benefit children and the simple; whom one must also serve. Still the band of completeness, love, must rule and peace triumph; Christ grant this Who has called us, Amen. In Him be it right well with you and pray for me. Wittenberg on the 11th of January 1531. Martin Luther.
You will cooperate that M.Philip is reimbursed for travel expenses which is equitable.
NOTES: Sutel was born in 1504 in Altenmorsch, studied in Erfurt, was rector in Melsungen, came to Goettingen on the recommendation of the Landgraf of Hesse and served at Nicoali and Johann-churches there starting in 1530. In 1542 he was called to Schweinfurt but returned to Goettingen at the start of the Schmalkald war in 1547 briefly and then to Allendorf and back to Goettingen at St. Albans-found at Nordheim in 1555 and died in August of 1575.
Melanchton had helped set up things in Goettingen.