What a dreadful journeywe have had, but we have done it in two days,having crawled rather than travelled, for we were determined to sup with you to-night.
I write this in order that you may excuse us to the Prince.
For, the letter demanding our presence only arrived the other night,and we hurried as much as we could, but the roads,wind, and cold hindered us.
So, ifGod will, we shall breakfast with you to-morrow.
Jonas are my travelling companions, as theydid not wish me to go alone.
May you prosper in the Lord Luther sends books,and tellsof the Electress of Brandenburg's flight.
Hoffmann copiesto distribute among you, againstthe God grant that theybringforth much fruit,for I have resolved to stop writingagainstthem, for they do not understand logic, so it is impossible to bringthem to reason or convince them that they have been refuted.
Electress has, with the help of her brother the King of Denmark, fled from Prince here, her uncle ; for it is said the Elector intended walling her up on account of her havingpartaken of the sacrament in both kinds.
The pious and good-hearted man is much plagued,and deserves the help of our prayers.
May you prosper with wife and child!
Consolation to one doubtinghis election to eternal life.
Dear sir and friend "
I wish you above all the grace and mercy of God throughhis Son Jesus, our sole Saviour.
Some days ago, my brother,Caspar Cruciger, doctor of the Holy Scriptures, informed me that you were afflicted with strange thoughts as to God's omniscience, and had become quiteperplexed, so that it was feared you might take your own life (whichmay
You find difficulty in believingthat the Almighty knew from alleternity who should be saved, whether they were alreadydead, alive,or as yet unborn.
Now, all must admit this,for He knows all things,and nothing is hidden from Him who counts the stars in the heavens, the leaves of the trees, nay, even the hairs of men's heads, from all which you seem to fancyyou may do what you will,good or evil,for if God has ordained whether you shall be saved or not (which is true)your thoughtsare more taken up with damnation than salvation, and you sink into despairand become a prey to despondency. So Christ's servant, send this letter of consolation to let you know
God's thoughtstowards you, whether you be destined to blessedness or perdition.
Although the Almighty knows everything, and no one can go againstthe decrees of His will,stillit is His earnest desire,nay command, decreed from all eternity, that all men should be partakersof everlasting joy,as is clearly seen from I any pleasureat all that the wicked should die ?
; and not that he should return from his ways, and live ?
SeeingHe desires the salvation of sinners,who swarm beneath heaven's loftyvault,why will you with your foolish thoughtsprompted by Satan separate yourself from them, therebycuttingyourselfoff from the grace of God
For as the heaven is highabove the earth,so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him," and cry for help.
He is rich toward all who call upon But it is only strong faith which can drive away such despairingthoughts as in "Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto alland upon all them that believe."
Mark these words: unto all, and upon all.