take this presumptuous letter in good part, for thus does God command us to be solicitous for others.
Grace and peace in Christ Nowhere else is peace to be found till the Lord comes and overthrows the archenemy of peace.
^ has shown me your petitionto ; also,that you have lightedtwo torches to the devil,^for this will bringgreat confusion on that stubborn head.
If you cannot procure a certificateof your upright walk from him, stillyou have achieved much, seeingboth God and the world, also
George'sadherents, testify that you suiFer all this because of him, and solely for Christ's sake,for all know that you are beingpersecuted because the Emperor has grantedpeace to the Lutherans, which is a great griefto the miserable creature.
Christ beginsto reign,and will put an end to the drama.
Here no one will taunt you with being banished,or hinder your business,for our graciousLord stands firm by the Confession
Therefore,pray speak only good words to the madcap, and forgivenothing " even as you have so well expressed matters in the petition.If it help,good ; if not, it will do no harm, but rather further your cause in God's sight, who will soon make short work with the devil and his followers.
Lord hath respect unto the lowly,but knoweth the proud afar off."
So take comfort, dear friends !
He only can appreciate what is sweet who has tasted the bitter.
Before attaining to glory,the heart must suffer deeply.
*' Ante gloriamconteritur cor." strengthenyou through His own Christ,and not in Herzog George.
This is certain,and will soon be proved.
Luther congratulates him on his settlement in Dessau.
I have allowed this letter to lie so long,dearest Hausmann, hoping to get it sent away any hour, but Aurelius always said he had no reliable messenger, tillin my absence the ink-bottle was spilt over it,as you see.
Christ who permittedyou to reach your destination in good health, and receive a graciousreceptionfrom the Thank him from me, not so much for the wild boar as for his love to Word, which is a remarkable trait in this great hero.
God in your prayers, and afterwards to this excellent Prince.
Justus Jonas, Philip,Pommer, and Crucigerto dine with me as you wished,to celebrate the birthdayof St. Martin, of Martin the son, and Would that you, too, could be present.
There is nothingnew here,except that,by the Prince's command, the church visitation will beginanew, and JustusJonas is one of those chosen.
Afterwards the sequestration will be set about in earnest, and I fear it will be too stringent.May our dear Lord cause it all to turn out for good.
Luther counsels him how to combat his satiety of life.
Grace and peace in Christ Dear sir and friend "