To the illustrious,high-born Prince and Lord,Herr Johann Friedrich,Duke in Saxony,Arch-marshall of H.R.(Holy Roman) Em[pire and Elector, Landgraf in Thuringia and Markgraf in Meissen,my most gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ. Illustrious,high-born Prince,most gracious Lord! M.Johann Weybringer etc.,parish-head of Hildburghausen is here,recently deposed from the parish with great shame and dishonor as ECFG may understand from his report and as written to me by the Superintendent and several others that everything has been done and settled out of great envy and hate as I.myself, also accurately look at it, and they of Hildburghausen are also with great cry that they not long suffer the lack of a parish-head etc. So it is my humble appeal that ECFG will require an earnest report and witness from the whole Council and citizens what they yet hold or know of their parish-head or what one can or should order; and what is determined as right ECFG can comfortably proceed. It is true that we preachers are not somewhat pious; however, because someone is an enemy of ours,so teaches St.Paul,(perhaps,also prophesied),that not everyone's complaint should be accepted. Yes, previously he has been an honorable ,pious man as all of here know; should he now suddenly be something different? That I hope not. There is also no substantiation except only several indications of suspicion which are elaborated and which I myself could encounter. There might be something more behind it. ECFG will consider that with so few persons present for church service we should also not the same dispose of unjustly and with shame and that would be very terrible. If they do unrighteous things they should suffer more than all the others. ECFG will well know how to proceed graciously. Herewith be commended to God,Amen. Midweek after the Assumption of Mary (16 Aug.)1536. ECFG's humble Martinus Luther,D.
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