Grace and pece! I have silent for a long time, my dear Amsdorf, and the reason being the illness in my head which now for over a month has hindered my being active in writing, reading and teaching. What you recently have written me concerning securing a pastor in the place of Melchior Mirisch and thinking about M.Hausmann I am thinking in this way: M.Georg the Deacon of our church cannot easily be moved to change his position; what M. Hausmann has for an opinion I will endeavor to learn. There is also M.Leonhard Beier here who was released from Guben rather left there. On of these both seem to me to be most suited for you. I believe that you also know M. Leonhard.However,because he is wanted in Zwickau as a preacher and here in Wittenberg as a temporary substitute in this city since Pommer hasn't returned and M.Hausmann is wanted by Schneeberg when the agreement is concluded (since Schneeberg is in agreement with us and all articles have been ageed to with the Prince except that of the so-called mixed award for services and that is being worked on. When that is made firm then everything is settled and this is also with the consent of Duke Georg. This I have from the Prince's own mouth and heard it with my own ears from D. Brueck and Riedelsels and earnestly searched it out.: thus I make this request of you that will pardon (me) for a bit concerning this whether God will order either Hausmann or Leonhard there. But listen! Is a man also to beg? Tell us how M. Mirisch had to live.
Our Prince, Thanks to God, is already improving. Twice I have visited him and been present at his bedside to talk about what the LOrd has said and comfort him with talking and stories intermixed. It was feared that his illness in the big toe of the right foot would turn to the cold fire (sacer ignis) however that has been encountered and forestalled, thanks to God! and he is getting better and better.
I believe that your marriage case with the barren wife has been settled. It is difficult for it to be decided since one of the midwives has testified that there was no fault of yours only that the publicizing of the shame was a little too deep while everything else was in order. Perhaps both are not aware of the manner and way of testifying. They may request for the Council women who are experienced in this matter. If she is now discovered to be absolutely barren the judgemnt may be clear. Be it right well with you in Christ. On the Tuesday of Easter (2 April)1532. Martin Luther.
NOTES: Not sure whether in the marriage case "verschlossen" means the wife was incommunicado or shut out by some one and not sure what part Amsdorf had in it. ML probably knew about it from being at the court in Torgau during the illness of the Prince.
For what they do in Schneeberg now see the post below. I believe this is in the Austrian Alps.
Just saw that in Genesis 16:2 Sarai says :"The Lord has restrained me from bearing."
The German has : der herr hat mich verschlossen, das Ich nichts geberen kan." So it looks like the midwives determined that the wife was barren and perhaps Nicholas announced it publicly to disolve the marriage. What do you think?
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