in Hungary ; for I received the good news that your Royal Highness was inclined towards the gospel,but that godlessbishops,who have all the power in Hungary, tried to hinder it spreadingand turn you away from it.
Also, that theyhave shed innocent blood,^and set themselves in array againstthe truth of God.
But seeing,alas,that the matter has taken another turn throughthe providence of God, and the Turk has caused so much misery by slayingthat noble young monarch
Majesty'sbeloved husband, I now regardthings otherwise.
Had the bishopsallowed the gospelto spread,all the world would have declared that these evils came upon Hungary because of the Lutheran heresy,and what a scandal that would have been
We shall see whom theywill now blame, for God has mercifully preventedsuch an accusation beingmade.
St. Paul writes that the Scriptures were written for our learning, that we, throughpatienceand comfort of the Spirit, might have hope,so I have publishedthese
Psalms to comfort your Royal Highness (with such comfort as God pleasesto give)in this great and sudden affliction with which the Almighty God has seen fit to visit you, not in anger, as we have every rightto hope, but as a chastisement so that your
Royal Highness may learn to trust only in the true Father which is in heaven, and to be comforted by the one Bridegroom,JesusChrist,who is also our
Brother,nay, our very flesh and blood,and to find your delights with your true companions the dear angelswho ever surround and care for us.
For althoughit was a bitter trial for your Highnessto be left so earlya widow, and robbed of your dear husband, stillthere is much consolation to be found in the Scriptures, particularly in the Son will show you abundantlywhere everlasting lifelies hidden.
And truly, to whomsoever it is given to see and feel the Father's love towards us in the Scriptures can easily endure all the miserywhich may be in the world,while whoever does not really feel this can never be trulyjoyful,
A bookseller in Pesth was burned with his books in 1524. althoughhe may be revellingin all its pleasuresand delights.
No such affliction can overtake any one so great as what God endured in seeingHis beloved Son rewarded for all the miracles and good deeds
He did to sinful man by beingmaligned,scorned, and at last subjected to the most shameful death on the cross.
Each thinks his own cross the heaviest,and takes it more to heart than the cross of Christ,even althoughHe had endured ten crosses.
This may be because we are not so patient as God is,therefore a much smaller cross is infinitely more painful to us than
Father of all mercies and the God of all consolation will comfort your Royal Highness in His Jesus Christ,and through the Holy Ghost, so that you may soon forgetyour present misery or be able to bear it bravely. Amen.
Wittenberg at the first winter moon.
Majesty'sobedient servant, The church visitation.
For long I have asked nothingof your Grace, so the requests have accumulated, therefore your Grace must have patiencewith those
I proffer.The complaintsof the cJergyeverywherehave reached a climax.
The farmer will give nothing,and there is so much ingratitude among the peoplefor the God that there is no doubt He will send a plague
And if I could reconcile it with my conscience,I would prevent them getting a pastor at all,and letthem live like swine, as they are doing.
There is neither fear of God nor discipline because of the Papalban, and every one does as he likes.
But as we are commanded, especially those in authority, The plaguecame the next year.