Monday, September 24, 2007
#2133-To Justus Menius in Eisenach
To his very dear brother Justus Menius, the very faithful and energetic Pastor in Eisenach.
Grace and peace in Christ! I am very sorry, my dear Justus, about that old man Thomas,and much more marvel over your synpathetic talk (misericordias) which fills your letter and yet you all agreed to set him aside. I have not researched or asked about the reason; I have little difficulty enduring his uttering several petty things and easily tolerate that others engage in slander. There is now no position vacant here. For this reason I have sent him for awhile to his children but still I want him to be paid from the church-treasury or something from elsewhere from you so that he is not bare and needy put out. You can easily imagine if we accepted all the exiles from the provinces in this very needy city (we ourselves are barely nourished here and should we send to you those with whom we are burdened) what would happen. You take care that you care for your own land and do not exempt yourself from the burden which you want to put on us. If I can do something I will gladly do so but you and Captain Eberhard take care meanwhile that Thomas is not in danger of hunger as he has suffered enough from that dishonor. You have there the inheritance of Draco if nothing else with which he can be nourished.
I do believe that the Office of Visitation is difficult for you but you also should believe on the other hand that also for me the business of every Visitiation is difficul so that I could in great exasperation wish that all evil ones in our churches were Papists. We must suffer so many offenses and it is not possible to dispose of every evil. Thus I have learned the meaning of the ancient proverb: The rule of souls is an art above all arts; yes, a concern above all concerns, and burden above all burdens. However, because Christ bears us and our weakness we must likewise bear the weakness, offenses of the world, the devil, yes also God Himself,and also the little ones on the shoulders of the Christ-bearer (Christophorus). Be it well with you and pray for me. On June 7 1535. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Eisenach the stomping grounds on ML in his early days and also stayed at the Wartburg above Eisenach following the Diet of Worms. Eisenach is the birthplace of J.S. Bach, a Luther fan.
Grace and peace in Christ! I am very sorry, my dear Justus, about that old man Thomas,and much more marvel over your synpathetic talk (misericordias) which fills your letter and yet you all agreed to set him aside. I have not researched or asked about the reason; I have little difficulty enduring his uttering several petty things and easily tolerate that others engage in slander. There is now no position vacant here. For this reason I have sent him for awhile to his children but still I want him to be paid from the church-treasury or something from elsewhere from you so that he is not bare and needy put out. You can easily imagine if we accepted all the exiles from the provinces in this very needy city (we ourselves are barely nourished here and should we send to you those with whom we are burdened) what would happen. You take care that you care for your own land and do not exempt yourself from the burden which you want to put on us. If I can do something I will gladly do so but you and Captain Eberhard take care meanwhile that Thomas is not in danger of hunger as he has suffered enough from that dishonor. You have there the inheritance of Draco if nothing else with which he can be nourished.
I do believe that the Office of Visitation is difficult for you but you also should believe on the other hand that also for me the business of every Visitiation is difficul so that I could in great exasperation wish that all evil ones in our churches were Papists. We must suffer so many offenses and it is not possible to dispose of every evil. Thus I have learned the meaning of the ancient proverb: The rule of souls is an art above all arts; yes, a concern above all concerns, and burden above all burdens. However, because Christ bears us and our weakness we must likewise bear the weakness, offenses of the world, the devil, yes also God Himself,and also the little ones on the shoulders of the Christ-bearer (Christophorus). Be it well with you and pray for me. On June 7 1535. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Eisenach the stomping grounds on ML in his early days and also stayed at the Wartburg above Eisenach following the Diet of Worms. Eisenach is the birthplace of J.S. Bach, a Luther fan.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
#2132-Stephan Roth to Luther
Salvation in the LOrd. Scholarly Doctor and, in Christ, beloved father! Master Leonhard Beier,our pastor, has shown me your letter wherein you yet consider me to be banned. My heart was highly astounded as I read the same because I thought for a long time that I was reconciled with Your Worthiness in that my repentance was known to you for two years from my letter as also the pleas of several friends and women. If the matter stands thus, as your letter indicates, I request of you for the sake of Christ that you lift and modify the ban until the public officials are permitted to visit your Worthiness which I hope will be in a short time. So that meanwhile I can have a restful heart I plead very thatyou will console with one word or another. I cannot suffer that Your Worthiness is in the slightest way disturbed with me to say nothing that you would be angry with me or think something evil of me. I am not as many have suggested to Your Worthiness. God and my conscience are my witnesses. Bernhard Ziegler is very sick with the gout. May it be well with your wife and dear children in Christ, our Savior to Whom pray for me a poor sinner unceasingly. Given on the 7th of June in the year 1535. Stephanus Rodt
#2131-Recommendation Letter for Theobald Diedelhuber
I Martin Luther, Doctor and Preacher of the Gospel in the church in Wittenberg, plead for the sake of Christ, our Hope, and would that every brother in Christ, especially to the Pastors and Servants of the Word and the churches to whom the bearer and presenter of this letter, Herr Theobald Diedelhuber, who is near us in our land a faithful and energetic Pastor, comes to you or requests advice because of need on his journey that you would express love to him or fulfil the law of Christ since he is worthy and if my witness in Christ means anything you would be honoring Christ Himself in one of the least of His members. He has right and necessary reasons for his journey and I,myself, approve. The grace of Christ sei mit euch allen. Given at Wittenberg on the day before Pentecost (15 May)Anno 1535 with my seal and my own handwriting as witnesses.
NOTE: With names like DIEDELHUBER AND THEOBALD he can hardly lose, right?
NOTE: With names like DIEDELHUBER AND THEOBALD he can hardly lose, right?
Sunday, September 09, 2007
#2130-To Erhard Schnepf in Stuttgart
To Erhard Schnepf, servant of Christ in Stuttgart.
Grace and peace in Christ! My Theobald, who is pastor at a certain church near us here,comes to you, my good Erhard not out of any outrage or boldness in order to change his place but because he was encouraged by a certain neighboring Pastor Jackob that there were be a prospect there to being cared for in some sort of preaching-office especially in a village. It is a case of body and life because it appears that our damp and very northly air cannot be endured by the Austrian body which is accustomed to a southerly and milder air. Otherwise, if not not forced by the health of the body he could stay here in the completely passable position(as he himself asserts)which he presently has. I commend therefore to you the completely upright and reliable man, a true Nathanael,a very righteous Israelite without guile,and do not doubt that what you verify, Christ also verifies. Thus I say nothing of myself; I wish that he would likewise concerning me.
Here in this corner there is no news. The defense-writing of Ambrosius Blauer I have read and it pleases me and I wish that it will be properly understood. Many are offended that he so anguishly disputes as if he never had a different opinion which one holds is very difficult to believe but yet I allow it for the sake of harmony as just and well pleasing. Those who thought so from their hearts whether they are lukeward now or enemies I completely forgive. Be it well with you in Christ, dearest Erhard; May He complete in you the work which He has begun to His glory, Amen. On the day of Pentecost (May 15) Anno 1535. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Blauer was under suspicion of being a Zwinglian Duke Ulrich of Wuertenberg had him and Schnepf working on Reform there and Ulrich eventually forced himself to declare himself as a Lutheran.
The reference to Nathanael probably came from the reference to Pastor Jacob. The OT Jacob=Israel was a little tricky.
Grace and peace in Christ! My Theobald, who is pastor at a certain church near us here,comes to you, my good Erhard not out of any outrage or boldness in order to change his place but because he was encouraged by a certain neighboring Pastor Jackob that there were be a prospect there to being cared for in some sort of preaching-office especially in a village. It is a case of body and life because it appears that our damp and very northly air cannot be endured by the Austrian body which is accustomed to a southerly and milder air. Otherwise, if not not forced by the health of the body he could stay here in the completely passable position(as he himself asserts)which he presently has. I commend therefore to you the completely upright and reliable man, a true Nathanael,a very righteous Israelite without guile,and do not doubt that what you verify, Christ also verifies. Thus I say nothing of myself; I wish that he would likewise concerning me.
Here in this corner there is no news. The defense-writing of Ambrosius Blauer I have read and it pleases me and I wish that it will be properly understood. Many are offended that he so anguishly disputes as if he never had a different opinion which one holds is very difficult to believe but yet I allow it for the sake of harmony as just and well pleasing. Those who thought so from their hearts whether they are lukeward now or enemies I completely forgive. Be it well with you in Christ, dearest Erhard; May He complete in you the work which He has begun to His glory, Amen. On the day of Pentecost (May 15) Anno 1535. Your Martin Luther.
NOTES: Blauer was under suspicion of being a Zwinglian Duke Ulrich of Wuertenberg had him and Schnepf working on Reform there and Ulrich eventually forced himself to declare himself as a Lutheran.
The reference to Nathanael probably came from the reference to Pastor Jacob. The OT Jacob=Israel was a little tricky.
#2129-Poverty-Witness
To all blessed and good and chiefly those men who honor and confess Christ and to whom this man who is delivering this letter comes, grace and peace! The matter commends itself as does the evidence of this man to all who know the love of Christ and have human reason. No serious admonition is necessary. Everyone should do and carrry out what his conscience prescribes until this troubled and afflicted man by God's mercy comes to peace and rest. Life and salvation to you all in Christ,Amen. On the day of the Ascension of the LOrd (6 May)1535. Martin Luther,D.
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