Although I believe that all I have written to Philipand the others has fallen into your hands, still1 seem to feel that since my departuremy friends have almost become strangersto me, which I write direct to yourself. Accept my best love, and meditate on these words,
The servant is not greater than his Lord."
Greet all your relations and your wife from me.
Lord be graciousto her.
I am a wonderful prisoner, for I sit willingly, and yet againstmy will here " with good-will, because it is the will of the ; againstmy will,because
I long to be free,in order to defend the gospel,although not worthy of this honour.
Wittenbergis hated by its neighbours, but the Lord will laugh her enemies to scorn.
Write about the preaching,and what part each takes,so that I may know what to hope or fear regardingthe gospel.
But you that have been called to preach to the children, see that you do it faithfully, and bear what May you and yours prosper
In the abode of the birds.
A comprehensive letter.
I wrote in my sealed letter, so will justanswer yours.
I am unwilling to answer Jacob Latomo, for I preferpeacefulstudies,and it is most annoying to have to replyto such a prolixand ill-written document.
I intended to expound the German, but you have not sent me the postils, which are now in print. I send you the psalm which was sung today at our great feast,which, if the press is empty, you can print,for I worked at it justto occupy my time as I had no books, or give it to good friends and Aurifaber to read, or place it in do not grudge Dr. Lupino a blessed exit out of this life, illwhich, would to God, we did not live.
Still I feel his loss deeply,and think of The righteous perisheth, and no man layethit to heart."
CEcolampadiushas been before us with the Sermon on Confession,havingwritten a bold treatise on that subject, which will be a fresh trialto
Antichrist and his crew.
I fancied Spalatin would have sent it to you, or I should have done so, with von Hutten's letters to the Bishopsand I shall,if possible, supplement it with somethingin German.
I am surprisedthat the new husband in Cambray has so fearlessly stepped into the fray. May God mix some pleasurein his bitter cup.
Why have you not sent me your {Lehrart)now that it is printed^ I wish to know who fillsmy pulpitoftenest,and if Amsdorf is stillsleepyand idle }
God maintain and increase the progress of learning Do not be anxious about me, for I am very well,but my weak faith still torments me.
My withdrawal from the scene of conflict is of no great moment ; for,althoughgladto be excluded from the heavy responsibility connected with Word, yet for the honour of that Word we would rather burn amid fiery coals,than rot solitary and half-alive, if it were
We have often talked of faith and hope,so let us try for once to put our theoryinto practice, seeingGod has broughtit all about,and not we ourselves.
If I perishit will be no loss to the gospel,for you far surpass me, and as Elisha was endued with a double portionof Elijah's spirit after his ascension, so may you be enabled to follow on.
Do not be troubled in spirit ; but singthe Lord's song* in the night,as we are commanded, and Let us onlybe concerned about the Word.
If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant If any man perish, let him perish!
But we must see that no one can laythe fault at our door.
Let the Leipsicpeopleboast ; this is their hour.
We must go out from our land, and our kindred,and sojournfor a time in a strange land.
I still hope to come to you again; but if the Pope seize all who