#2274-The Cloister at Ploetzkau to Luther

To begin with,grace and peace through Christ our Redeemer and Savior. Honorable,highly-celebrated and respectable ,favored Herr and Patron.
Since our worthy Kunegundis von Bavaria,formerly our dear Domina, on the Tuesday after Quasimodogeniti (25 April) fell asleep in God the LOrd and departed from this vale of tears (Jammerthal) we were addressed by written order of the worthy and honorable Johann Talnorden,Probst, and Andres Coelen, co-commandant, of our Cloister at Ploetkau and severly admonished that all the letters of the Cloister,the privileges and righteousness to be reviewed (? inventiren); and although we previously earnestly appealed to the above named Lord Probst and co-commander as we have done heretofore in the decease of any Domina that also another Domina might be chosen of which they assured us with earnestness to provide and set forth. Thereupon we were well disposed according to their wish and according to their command to present letters and privileges and permit a review. Afterward we found that their neglecting the choosing of and that we without a superior and authority made it difficult and resulted in manifold opposition as EAW can well ascertain being highly understanding so that the youngest, not preferring the honorable way, to hearken to the eldest as in all the other places and assemblies where there is no head or position of authority.Now it is for us poor children (as without comfort in this present world)that there is the opinion, on the other hand, that we desire some papistry Domina again be chosen and exalted among us especially after the order from the worthy,celebrated lord visitors gave that the church usages,songs, and distribution of the true Body and Blood of our only Redeemer and Savior which is without any of our poor sinful works and additions which we previously have been granted through divine probidence and have been, as muuch as possible, obedient and follow at all times and we hope that the care-taker of souls will provide and be of no other persuasion. After the above mentioned lord visitors and electoral authority assented to the same we have forsaken the Papists and their orders and placed,accepted and followed according to the external regiment and honorable Christian order and the ancient privileges and customs left in tact. Therefore it is our humble and earnest plea to Your worthiness that he would make for us poor, consoleless children a sufficient appeal to our illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Lord Johann Friedrich etc.,etc.,our most gracious Lord, that ch.G.(electoral grace?)would choose, as has always been done,and that it be according to the worldly regimen and honorable and not contrary to the
Word of God and graciously grant in our assembly a head as above mentioned and so that we may live, as God the Almighty grants, according to God's Word in honorable discipline; that the Almighty will graciously reward without doubt.Thus we want the highly mentioned EFG and Your worthiness be prayed for with our poor prayers before the Almighty with all earnestness. Date at Ploetzkau with the seal of our Cloister on the Monday after Laurentius (14 August) Anno 1536 and requesting a gracious, written electoral response. Your worthy,obedient entire assembly of the Ploetzkau Cloister.
NOTE: These sisters,like the electoral court, write very complicated sentences so check the above out with the experts. The Benedictine Nonnenkloster is in Anhalt=Bernburg.

#2272-To Hieronymous Weller

I have written to you previously (#2266)my dear Hieronymous,about your wedding that there was not place for it at Wittenberg but that you following the example of Cruciger and others bring the wedding party here for an evening meal with two or three tables.Now it is about your reputation, to be decided with your friends, whether you want have an evening meal here or the wedding. I understand something different between a meal and a wedding. If you should celebrate the wedding here you must consider what originally motivated my advice,namely, that the University is in Wittenberg, a well-known place of which I am the host and thus necessarily many must be invited who otherwise could be passed over honorably if the wedding could be at another place and there must consideration be given to the city and academy as well for the sake of your and my reputation(Ehre). I am sending therefore the Register so you can see what a great number would have to be invited (although several could be deleted) if you and your friends honor should not be diminished and at the same time your honor-worthy friends could be served with some ostentation which the present difficult circumstances do not permit. With 100 Fl. you can scarcely fund a wedding and that is something different than the doctorate meal(Doctoratus). However,it is best that you or your brother come here so that we can confer as soon as possible on this matter. By letter and messengers one cannot reach a conclusion and meanwhile the time is expiring. Therefore send therto that the matter may be certain. I do not want it to be looked upon as bringing about dishonor. Summing up, you may either come yourself or send someone in your name so that we are not unprepared. I am bothered by the thoughts about your honor and my name (reputation); otherwise if you do not come or send some one I cannot by myself undertake anything at all because I am very concerned about you as I always have been. Be it well with you in the LOrd and greet your bride and all the friends. On the Sunday after Laurentius (13 Aug.)1536.

#2271-Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther

To begin with, our greetings.Honorable,dear, devoted one! We have present Tilman von Heussen, Licentiat,with specific letter which he,in writing to the high-born Princess, Frau Sybilla, born in Cleve,Duchess in Saxony, a wife dear to us, has done, telling how because of the salvific,divine Word had to yield to be put out of Julich (Gulich) making humble requestfor him to be brought here to our Princedom. Because we gladly wanted to provide for him and further him graciously as a preacher of the divine Word we have extended to him 10 Fl.our of our treasury and slso commended 10 Schock of corn from our office in Wittenberg so that he might be temporarily supported.Therefore it is our gracious wish that you would learn of his ability and find a place where he may be a suiting and fitting preacher of God's Word as we respect him and ask that you would apply all diligence to consider whether in time he might be brought to our Princedom in Saxony where people would receive him and that in time he would learn the dialect and might be supported. Thereto may you do our gracious pleasure and want your gracious opinion. Dated at Lochau, the Tuesday after Sixtus (8 August) Anno 1536.

to Johann Forster in Augsburg

To the worthy and blessed man, Herr M.Joh.Forster, the faithful and clear servant of the church in Augsburg, his very dear brother in Christ.
Grace and peace in the LOrd! My little Margareta (Marussula) thanks you for your present, my dear Forster. I am surprised that you write that Musculus has so spoken that the Magistrate should be stirred up against the main (church-Stiftsherren) leaders while the opposition among us is surely concluded and accepting. However, you may determine and watch whether they want to continue or not; then we will open the entire Council with complaints. Meanwhile it is sufficient that they know that here the opposition party has concluded that they here have stood against and contradicted our opinion (although it is not true). Thereby they will finally be demonstrated to be a people who want division and a hypocritical union. For the rest it is our opinion that what was dealt with here should be kept secret but rather we have requested that it should be reported to all the churches,pastors and authorities so that the opinion of all might be heard and announce the same and only until the opinion of all has been made on the concluded Concord should it be published by the printer lest that before the victory an untimely triumph is sung and many might cry out that everything has been done without their knowledge and in a corner. Thus I await the consent of all will be written and sent to us as you and your authority has sent yours to us so that with public consent a public harmony will ensue and be openly published.

Recently a woman in Magdeburg has instigated a disturbance with Herr Nicolaus Amsdorf so that he has very little hope of establishing harmony. I believe that you know the little woman (Weiblein),namely the wife of Doctor Cubito, "the Hummelsheimin von Leipzig" (the bumblebee of Leipzig?).She has related to Amsdorf many and great things of your "Master Michel" against us and our opinion etc."It doesn't make for good blood if she will not cease". I am yet bearing everything with patience and have also not made it known to your Council until the outcry becomes greater. Be it well with you in the LOrd and pray for me. My Kaethe greets you and all of yours. The 7th of August 1536. Your Martin Luther.

NOTE: Michel is Michel Keller a Zwinglian-evidently from Augsburg.Looks like the wife of Doctor Cubito (Curio) was the widow of the Bartel of Hummelshain a little town with a castle. Maybe this is where they make the Hummel figurines?

#2269-To the Council at Augsburg

To the honorable and discreet Lords, the Mayor and Councelors of the city of Augsburg, my gracious Lords and Friends.

G.u.peace in Christ. Honorable,discerning, dear Lords and Friends! I have received your writing along with that of your preachers and with joy understood that the pending Concord pleases and want to announce the same to my most gracious Lord and others and that they will also, as God wills, be pleased thereby. Your F.(you discerning ones) will stay with it and proceed until it finally comes to a conclusion and meanwhile help so that with the people in time and with reasoned instruction the truth will prevail and where there is yet error and misunderstanding in someone's heart it will be dispelled. Herewith be commended to God, Amen. Martinus Luther.

#2268-To the Preachers in Augsburg

To the,in christ, highly-honorable men, the leaders and shepherds of the church in Augsburg, his sincerely loved brothers.

Grace and peace in Christ. In Christ,highly-revered men! I have received your letter with joy and thank God the LOrd that you have unanimously assented to the Concord. Christ grant that as you continue that we may increase with you in sincere love. And I hope that through you these our dealings will be made known to all pastors as much as you can so that all will be strengthened by this peace unanimously agreed to. Therefore we request that you with us will take care that the people also will know the clear opinion and finally this harmony will be complete and all considerations and doubts of conscience will cease. I will announce your agreement to all of ours and they will rejoice with us and that they will more easily that this will be a sincere accord after all offense has been removed. The LOrd direct our hearts in the love and patience of Christ, Amen. Given on the 7th of August 1536. Your Martin Luther.