For althoughI have nothingagainst the Testament, whose contents the rascals have wickedly stolen from me (forit is precisely my text, with a few harmless alterations), yet since he has reissued it, so scandalously mangled with his annotations,and accompanied by a glossarywhich prevents it bearingany fruit,but rather does harm,
Grace graciously to present this petitionto the highly esteemed Heinrich,and let us have the answer by the messenger who bringsthis,for as much as in us lies we must defend ourselves againstthe devil.
Grace to all eternity Luther promisesa gospel sermon.
I see from your letter to me how earnestly your heavilyladen conscience longsfor an Evangelical sermon of consolation,and, if possible, in your own church in Rossla.
I am delighted to hear this,and have made up my mind, in God, to come to you on the approachingChristmas Eve, and to preach,with God's help,the first gospel sermon at Rossla as a memorial.
Greet your husband and the little Margaretta,to whom I shall bringsomethingwith me.
(Date doubtful,as it is improbableno gospelsermon had been preached there so late as To the much honoured in Christ,Herr
Friedrich, superintendentin St. CEgidius,Niirnberg,my superior in the Grace and peace in Christ I have nothing,and yet a very great deal to write to you, my honoured friend in Concerning myself I have nothing,except to commend myself to your sacred prayers, but in regardto the bridegroom,your fellow-citizen, that most excellent young man,
Doubtless your largeheart will know that were I to write a letter at all commensurate with the greatness of this burning love which has been kindled in the bridegroom's heart, perhaps the whole world could not contain it.
I am only joking in order to gain your sympathy for Mauser's marriage. For he desires through you to gain his parents'consent to his happy union.
This will certainly be accomplished if you can make the father see that his son has reallychosen a pretty and, what is even better,a capableand virtuous maiden, and Christian,if the value of the term had not sunk in the estimation of the people through its indiscriminate use, althoughit is not so with us.
And the bride's father is not nearly so badlyoff as the most of the burghers are here, but is a member of the Council and well-to-do
" in short, a most honourable man, who looks well to the ways of his household, and has a most industrious wife,who is universallyloved because of her amiability.
You will have the goodness to bring all this to the knowledge of Mauser's father when you have the opportunity, so that he may not grievehis son, but cause him to rejoicethrough his consent, without which he will not marry.
It is much to be desired that the father,to show his approval,should appear at the wedding.
And we are most anxious to have your presence also,but we fear to present an impossiblerequest to you.
May the kindness of your heart prompt you to do what is rightin your eyes, and may you prosper in Christ