I am only too willingto serve your Jesus Christ be with your Highness at all times.
Luther's opinion of the combatant at Forgive a short letter,dear Yours, telling me that you were faithfully fulfilling the duties of your office in reconciling
Morlin with the Arnstadt people, gave me the greatest pleasure. For this misunderstanding placedme most awkwardly at a time when unanimity and prayer are so necessary.
Do not trouble consultingme, for I am quitesatisfied with your mediation.
Whomsoever you forgiveis forgivenby me.
I quitebelieve some preachers are too ready to flare up, but I also know that in towns there are many despoticpeople,and very many nobles who torment their pastors.
I wish you were stronger, but when you feel you cannot speak,I beseech you think of your health.
It is better that you should live, even if half dumb, than die with a clear voice.
You can, even if half dead, serve the Church through your counsel and position.And you must see how necessary are the old and tried combatants for Christ, that through them the growing and still tender generations, who are one day to fillour place,may receive strength. For althoughthe Holy Spiritdoes not need our help, still it was not for no purpose that He called us to office,but to make us
His tools to carry out His designs. Farewell in the Lord, and pray for me.
(Myconius's Life^by Ledderhose.) Luther comforts her under her husband's absence at Speyer.
To the Serene High-bornPrincess and Lady, etc.
My most graciouslady, grace and peace I would most humbly thank your Grace for askingso particularly after my health and about my wife and children, and also for all your good wishes.
God be thanked that thingsare much better with us than we deserve.
That my head should at times be good for nothingis not to be wondered at.
Old age bringsmany ailments with it.
The pitcherthat goes long to the well breaks at last.
I have lived longenough. God grant me a peaceful end, so that the useless,moth-eaten carcase may come under ground to its people,and the worms not be done out of their due.
I shall ever see upon earth,for it looks as if evil times were at hand.
Highnessfinds herself very solitary in the absence of her husband I can easilyunderstand,but seeingit is necessary for the good of Christianity, we must patiently submit to the Divine
And with others we have our dear God's Word, which comforts and sustains us in this life,and promisesus blessedness in the life to come.
And we have also prayer, which Grace writes) we know is well pleasingto God, and will be heard at the righttime.
Two such unspeakablegems neither devil,Turk, nor Pope can have, and thus they are poorer than any beggarupon earth.
For these great blessings we must thank Father of all mercies in Christ He has given us such a costlytreasure, and called us through His grace, unworthy as we are, to such an inheritance so that we may not only be able to endure patiently the passingevils of this blinded,miserable world, but may have compassionon those exalted heads who have not been considered worthy to partakeof such grace.
God yet enlightenthem, so that they also may, with