To Anton Lauterbach letter 3 - Martin Luther

TO ANTON LAUTERBACH Luther asks help for a preacher with a bad wife. June 15, 1540.

Grace and peace! George Schaumer, for whom you have got a church, asks a letter of introduction to you. But he has a very bad wife. If she remains here, and does not follow her husband, as she threatens to do, we shall give her a bath in the Elbe, or dignify her with an admonition. Should she really follow, you will treat her as befits your office, most decidedly, thus coming to the man’s help. And should she run away, all the better, for he will get rid of the godless woman. See to it that she does not injure the gospel nor unfit her husband for the pulpit. Here nothing is talked of except the strange story of the Landgrave, which some excuse, others deny, while some give it a quite different aspect. The sister of the Landgrave, the Princess of Rochlitz, is much blamed; but time will declare it. Farewell, and pray for us, and let your church plea the cause of the gospel, now being discussed at Hagenau, and for M. Philip, who has been sent into the midst of the enemy, that God may give His angels charge over him, and keep him in all his ways. Amen. He set off very sad and depressed. May the Lord comfort him. My wife sends greetings. The Bible for Magister Latomus is waiting, but I have no one to take it to him.

Farewell. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)