Luther congratulates him on his marriage.
I have delayedwishingyou happiness on your marriage,esteemed sir,and am sure you believed I had cause for this,and I have been ill, and had books to publish,letters to write,friends to help, etc., and, in addition,the thingsmost nearlyconcerning the house and " not to speakof the worries caused by Satan and my enemies.
I have remembered you in my prayers, and rejoiced over your happiness, and trust you may receive much blessing in this estate ordained of God, and therefore see clearlythat it has been instituted by Him who will maintain it to For where were the kingdoms and rulers of the world when
Adam and the patriarchslived simply as married men For how many kingdoms have come and gone since then,and marriagecontinues over all}
God for bestowingthis privilege upon you, and conductingyou out of the stormy billows into the haven, and from the world into In such a relation there may be trouble in the flesh at times, as St. Paul says, but there is consolation of the spirit, and, as Solomon says, he will receive joy from the Lord.
And why are the powers that be so averse to marriage?
Is it not because theydread the troubles which may ensue The world is cowardlyenough to avoid it for that reason, but by and by they will most surelyexperience that evil in themselves which they always considered peculiarto matrimony.
Christ give us a better spirit, and enable us to overcome tribulation, disregarding drawbacks,because of the many benefits it bringswith it.
Many so love a littlegloryor worldlyadvantagethat they are insensible to the countless evils of celibacy.
They resemble the soldier who is so prodigalof his life, yet prizesa goldenguldenmore than his temporal and spiritual welfare.
So let us enjoypresent blessings, that when misfortune comes we may consider it a blessing in disguise.
My pen runs away with me when Lord bless you, and ever remember me in prayer.
Give my kindest regardsto your ; the rest she will understand for herself.
Written in great haste at supper, so forgive me if I have eaten too much, or been too prolix.
This letter acted like the dew of the morning on his friend.
Grace and peace in Christ,who has said, In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but in me ye shall have peace.
; I have overcome the world."
I write this to you, dear Frederick, as one stranger to another, because I would gladlyshare with you all the consolation
Christ has overcome the world,then all which is done, except by Him, is mere outward show ; and the victoryis His alone,and His will be the glory, when the world with all its pomp has passedaway.
No one who believes in Christ can really doubt this.
Him to counsel you with Spirit,and strengthen you and yours by His Greet and admonish my 1518 the new teachingwas proclaimedin Dantzic, and Johannes Knade, preacher in the