Bridegroom is a blood-stained Bridegroom.
Therefore pray that the Jesus may strengthen the confidence of His faithful sinners.
I preached the other day upon the tyranny of the officialsand vicars,etc.
The peoplemarvelled that they had never heard anything of this before.
We now wait to see what I shall have to endure on this account.
I have lighteda new fire, but the word of truth does this also,the sign that shall be spoken against. I do not concern myself about the faultfinders.
I shall defer in the ministry.
Melanchthon was only twenty-one when sent by Reuchlin to teach George Spalatin, my faithful friend in What you wrote of our
Philiphas all come to pass, and will also be verified in the future,as you know.
The fourth day after his arrival he gave a learned and eloquentaddress,to the delightof all who heard him, so you need not laud him to us, for we have alreadyformed the highestestimate of his person and intellect, and are most grateful to the Prince for conferring him upon us, and also for your services in the matter
; and see how skilfully you can praisehim to the Prince.
So longas he lives 1 desire no other teacher in Greek.
I only fear that our coarse food will not suit his delicate constitution, as I hear he is gettingtoo small a salary, so that the Leipsicpeopleare alreadyboastingthat they will depriveus of him.
For they wished him at first.
I,and others,fear Herr Pfeffinger has been too faithful a steward, as usual,to his PhiHp as little as possible.Therefore,dear
Spalatin(I speakfreely, for it is with my best friend I talk), see that you do not lightly esteem his youth and boyish appearance, for the man is worthy of all honour.
I do not wish that we and our Universityshould do such a mean thing,therebycausingour detractors to speak evil of us.
I send you my hurried opinion of the coarse and rude Sylvestrum (high officialin the Pope'shousehold),my sophistical opponent, for I scarcely deem him worth my attention.
God and you for protecting me and my cause.
Farewell,and love me in Christ.
Preached in Weimar before the Elector on the way thither.
There is nothing new here, only every one is talkingof Dr.
Luther who has lightedsuch a great fire.
Show yourself a man, and teach the young people what is right, but I go hence to offer myselfup for them and you, if God wills it.
I will rather die and be deprived of your dear society, hard as that would be for me to alleternity, than be the means of ruiningthe liberal studies and elegant learning, thus causingthe enemy to triumph. Italyis,as Egypt was long ago, enveloped in thick darkness, being entirelyignorantof Christ and all that appertains to Him, and yet we must submit to them rulingover us, and teaching us in their own way both faith and morals.
His wrath towards us in the lament of the prophet, I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them."
Farewell in the Lord, dear Philip,and turn away the wrath of God through your fervent and earnest prayers.