Lord with harp," etc.
Thou shall bind them for a signupon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes : and write them upon the posts of thy house."
Word to be ever before men's eyes, and this cannot be more easily attained than by means of such plays,which are at the same time serious and modest and free from the jugglerywhich tainted them in Papal times.
Such plays have often more influence over the peoplethan publicpreaching. In Evangelical preachingis forbidden,many have been led to receive the gospelthrough such representations of the law and gospel.
When given with a desire to further the progress of truth,and representedin a serious and modest manner, they are by no means to be condemned.
May you prosper with your excellent Princes,whom I hope God will longspare to you for the sake of His Concerninghis friend's second marriage.
Grace and peace in the I have no intention, my excellent Jonas, of standing in the way of your marriage, or of anythingpertainingto your prosperity, but would rather try to promote both.
I only pleaded for delayin my last letter, and this solely because of the calumnies of the enemy and of those who try to blacken our actions
; and althoughsuch scandal does not injure us, still, as Cato says, it is a heavy burden to bear without any cause.
Still,if you feel yourselfstrong enough to rise above the ill-willof the devil and his friends,then go on in God's name and do not dream of delay. Give up every dream of shuttingpeople'smouths and of winning their favour.
You need not hesitate because of our ; he spoke very kindly of you lately.Still I wish you to stir up as littlemalice in our opponents as possible.I have heard your bride highlypraised.God grant she may possess the many virtues of your
" nay, surpass her whose memory is sacred.
May the children and stepmotherlove each other dearly, and may she make up for the loss of the best of mothers.
Luther pleadsfor one behind in his payments.
I can quitebelieve that you require your money.
On the other hand, I also see that with the good Bruno, I know not how, nothingseems to succeed.
He requiresassistance from all quarters.
The farmers are so greedythat they grudge their pastors a bit of bread.
I therefore plead with you " especially as you can do without your money with littleinjury to yourself " to have patiencewith
We are planning,if possible, to have him transferred to a richer living.I would not trouble you with this request did I not think you could do me this favour without damagingyourself
I also beg you, as far as you can, to be patientwith this,in other respects, so good and excellent man.
Satan once upon a time appeared among the children of God " nay, even among the angels in heaven " what wonder then if he mixes among us to sift and winnow us
Spalatinold age is beginning to tellupon him, and especially the want of the repose which he enjoyedunder three Therefore he must be treated with the consideration due to an experienced man, and not as a novice who can be twisted like a branch.
Old stems can be broken but not bent; and old dogs cannot be bridled.
So in order to live in peace, patience is necessary.
This is merely a reminder.
You know best yourselfwhat to do.
I herewith commend you to