To Ambrosius Berndt - Martin Luther

TO AMBROSIUS BERNDT

Berndt, an M.A. of Wittenberg, a widower, who afterwards married Luther’s orphan niece. November 1537.

You are aware, dear magister, that God’s mercy is much greater than our misfortunes. Although, as you observe, you have good cause to mourn, yet it is only a little vinegar mixed with your good sugar. For your wife it is far better, for she has passed away, and now lives in Christ. Would to God I too were that length! I would not long to return here. Your suffering is only temporal, viz. the natural longing for your dear one. Although your wife is dead, she has left pleasant memories behind her, the memory of

a pious, loving, obedient inmate of your house. You must comfort yourself with such thoughts, and let it be seen, by not forgetting her, that you were an affectionate husband. You are a good dialectician, and teach it to others, so now you have an opportunity of practicing the same, and letting your friends see it being exemplified in your present behavior. When you compare your misfortune with that of others, you will perceive that your wife’s death is not in itself a circumstance to be deplored, except as it affects the deepest feelings of your heart, which is ever the case when people are deprived of parents, children, and such-like. One would do well to recall what the Emperor Maximilian said in

trying to comfort his son Philip over the loss of a faithful, brave, and pious man who fell in battle: “Dear Philip, you must accustom yourself to such trials, for you will still lose many who are dear to you.” So Christians must do the same; there is no other way.

MARTIN LUTHER .