#1817-To the Elector Johann of Saxony

Grace and peace in Christ. Illustrious, high-born Prince,most gracious Lord! Several poor people, among them Magdalen von Staupitz; the Visitors have set-up the same in a little house in the monk's cloister and made her school-mistress for the girls in Grimma (Grym). However, the Lord "Sequestor" , as people call him, has come and wants to take it away. Now it is said, believably to me, that neither ECFG nor the people of the area are of the opinion that the Ordinance of the Visitors should be annuled but rather everyone says and urges that it is not only the sincere opinion of the Prince but of the entire area that the Visitiation should deal with it. Therefore it is my most humble request, if ECFG cannot do more, that at least the sequestration be temproarily suspended and postponed for further consideration. It the decision is reached that the sequestration should supercede the Visitation that would be an insufferable disgrace to ECFG. I say nothing about all the pastors and ecclesiastic offices that would be brought down; for me personally I would rather that ECFG take such properties for himself and do whatever he wills, namely those cloisters over which there is an unnecessary great outcry and about which foreign princes are being served highly. I want to help and be responsible before God and the world. What should it be if one were to strain out the gnat and swallow the camel and burden the of ECFG with such losing vain matters. I want to give ECFG my faithfulness and have no desire to bring him sorrow. The merciful God give ECFG His Spirit and even a gracious wrath possesing him which you rightly and capably yet should have, Amen. ECFG's humble Martinus Luther.