Luther's modesty. Scheurl espousedLuther's cause, though later he became estrangedfrom it,when practising law in N I have received your letter,my excellent
Christoph, which was most agreeable, and yet displeasing to me.
Why knit your brows over this ?
What could pleaseme more than to hear you praise our Staupitz, or rather the Jesus,who dwells in our Vicar-General, so highly?
Nothing could rejoice me more than to hear Christ's voice resoundingthroughhim, and bearingfruit.
But, on the other hand, what could be more disagreeable than that you should strive for my friendship by loadingme with praise}
I will not be your friend,for my friendship can be no credit to you, if the proverbbe true, '' Friends must have all thingsin common."
I have became yours, you would only be richer in sin, folly, and ignominy. For these are my possessions which you dignifyby very fine names.
I know you mean to say, "It is not you, but Christ who is pure righteousness dwell alongside sin ?
And is not this the greatest pridewhen a man imagineshimself to be the temple of Only an apostledare boast of this.
I wish you joy in the friendship of our Vicar-General, but do not drag yourselfdown through my friendship.No doubt our honoured father praises me everywhere,to my great griefand peril,saying it is Christ he lauds in me, and peopletry to make me believe this.
The more of such eulogists one has,and the closer theycleave to us, the more hurtful theyare.
'* A man's foes shall be they of his own household," etc.
God's favour decreases as that of man increases.
God will either be all or nothing. And the worst of it is,the more thou humblest thyself, and puttest