By such words and thoughts, and by none other, let your heart be moved, dear Mother. Above all be thankful that God has brought you to such knowledge and not allowed you to remain caught in papistic error, by which we were taught to rely on our own works and the holiness of the monks, and to consider this only comfort of ours, our Savior, not as a comforter but as a severe judge and tyrant,12 so that we had to flee from him to Mary and the saints, and not expect of him any grace or comfort. But now we know it differently, [we know] about the unfathomable goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father: that Jesus
Christ is our mediator,13 our throne of grace,14 and our bishop15 before God in heaven, who daily intercedes for us and reconciles all who believe in him alone, and who call upon him;16 that he is not a judge, nor cruel, except for those who do not believe in him, or who reject his comfort and grace; [and] that he is not the man who accuses and threatens us, but rather the man who reconciles us [with God], and intercedes for us with his own death and blood shed for us so that we should not fear him, but approach him with all assurance and call him dear Savior, sweet Comforter, faithful bishop of our souls, etc.
To such knowledge (I say) God has graciously called you. You possess God's seal and letter of this [calling], namely, the gospel you hear preached, baptism, and the sacrament of the altar,17 so that you should have no trouble or danger. Only be of good cheer and thank [God] joyfully for such great grace!
For he who has begun [his work] in you will also graciously complete it,18 since we are unable to help ourselves in such matters. We are unable to accomplish anything against sin, death, and the devil by our own works. Therefore, another appears for us and in our stead who definitely can do better; he gives us his victory, and commands us to accept it and not to doubt it. He says: "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"; and again: "I live, and you will live also, and no one will take your joy from you."19
The Father and God of all consolation20 grant you, through his holy Word and Spirit, a steadfast, joyful, and grateful faith blessedly to overcome this and all other trouble, and finally to taste and experience that what he himself says is true: "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And with this I commend your body and soul to his mercy. Amen.
All your children and my Katie pray for you; some weep, others say at dinner: "Grandmother is very sick." God's grace be with us all. Amen.
[Wittenberg, end of May, 1531] As a result of the negotiations among the evangelicals, the Smalcaldic League was organized at the end of December 1530.2 Though a defense alliance, it was sufficient reason for the propapal Estates of the Empire to worry. Consequently the Archbishop of Mainz and the Count Palatine (who already during the Diet of Augsburg had been opposed to any forceful action against the evangelicals)3 began negotiations to bring about a compromise between the Emperor4 on the one side, and the Elector of Saxony5 and the Landgrave of Hesse6 (the leaders of the Smalcaldic League) on the other side. Asked for his opinion,
Luther urges negotiating in good faith on the basis of the materials which had been prepared for earlier negotiations. Luther justifies his position with the saying: "Gain a night, gain a year."
On Gregory Brück, see LW 49, 51 f.
Text in German: WA, Br 6, 108.
My dear Mr. Chancellor: I am of the opinion that the negotiations proposed by the Cardinal of Mainz7 should not be rejected.8 On the basis of prior negotiations9 it can easily be established at which points one may or may not give in.10 If one could work for peace, and a decision on our case could be postponed,11 then one should certainly accept this [proposal], according to the saying: "Gain a night, gain a year"; [or,]
"Another day, another way,"12 etc.