To the elector John Frederick letter 16 - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOHN FREDERICK

Concerning the Hebrew Chair in Wittenberg. December 3, 1543.

Grace and peace in the Lord, and my poor paternoster, Most Serene Highborn Prince, most gracious Lord! The Hebrew Chair is now vacant through the death of Aurogallus, and as some may be applying for it, I would most humbly beg your Electoral Grace to bestow it upon M. Lucas Edenberger, not only because he has difficulty in maintaining himself in these times, but because he is well known to your Grace and all of us as a faithful and industrious man, and zealous for the purity of the faith, all of

which are very necessary for one who is to teach Hebrew. For there are many Hebrew scholars who are more Rabbinical than Christian, and yet the fact is, whoever does not see Christ in the Old Testament and in the Hebrew tongue sees nothing and talks like the blind about color. Now M. Lucas is a thorough theologian and well qualified to teach Hebrew, and has served your Grace. Now who knows or has proved those recently arrived here? Your Electoral Highness will graciously grant my humble request, asked with good cause and from no wrong motive. I commend you to God, who will help you and all

pious princes and lords in these difficult times, when Satan is so full of evil devices. Amen. Your

Electoral Highness’s humble

MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)