To the elector John Frederick letter 14 - Martin Luther

TO THE ELECTOR JOHN FREDERICK

Luther begs for a post for his wife’s brother. November 17, 1541.

Grace and peace, and my poor paternoster, Most Serene High-born Prince, gracious Lord! Lately I gave my dear brother-in-law a letter to you, which he lost, so I must write again, and if the other be found, and if in every word it does not agree with this, you will graciously point out the difference, for I keep no copies of my letters. The matter is this. I humbly beg your Grace to provide him with a post, however small. He is faithful and pious, that I know, also active and industrious; but he has not

enough to keep himself and child in a proper manner. He was superintendent of a convent in Leipsic, and although they tried to injure him, his accounts were found correct, and his enemies’ mouths were shut. I made them admit this. They wished to add what belonged to the nuns, as they used to do. Perhaps he suffered on my account, as Dr. Pistorius was again in power, and might remember the book of stolen letters. But your Electoral Grace will deal kindly with Hans, and give him a comforting answer. Your Grace’s obedient

MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)

The Bishop of Naumburg died in 1541, and the town being Evangelical, the Elector appointed Nicolas Amsdorf, rejecting the Cathedral clergy’s choice, Julius Pflug, in spite of Luther’s remonstrances and the opposition of Charles V. On January 18 the Elector, with Amsdorf, Luther, and Melanchthon, his brother John Ernest, Herzog Ernest of Brunswick, and a stately retinue, entered Naumburg, and on the

20th the new bishop was consecrated. The Reformation in Halle now made rapid progress under Dr. Jonas. War broke out in Germany. Ferdinand asked help against the Turks, but the Schmalkaldischen Princes refused, unless an abiding peace were secured. Luther’s daughter Magdalena died this year, to Luther’s deep grief.