To George Spalatin letter 35 - Martin Luther

TO GEORGE SPALATIN

Luther accounts for delay in printing a little book, etc. January 30, 1544.

Grace and peace! You sometimes write in an annoyed tone, dear Spalatin, as if you did not know where your little book was. I do not take your love towards the fruit of your humor (witz ) in bad part, seeing you joke about your love for me. But I must inform you that the book is in the hands of the printers. But the press is so full that it cannot be finished as quickly as you wish. You perhaps do not know how we are driven, but I may tell you that never in my life have I had more worry in connection with the gospel than in the year upon which we have entered. For I have a very hard battle with the lawyers over secret engagements. And it is from those whom I regarded as the truest friends of the gospel that I have had most opposition. Is that not enough to annoy me, dear Spalatin? Therefore, have patience with my remissness, if that is what you mean. For if I did not love you dearly, I would not be writing you now with so much to worry me. But your little book shall be seen to as far as I can, for I like it well. Farewell, and pray for the church — that is, ourselves. Our enemies in our midst do more harm than outward foes, like Judas among the apostles. But the crucified triumphs and the crucifiers perish. Greet your dear wife. My Kathie sends you those roots, which you may not have, and

I think them a very good remedy against stone. It has helped me and many others. Once more farewell, and be assured I do not despise your book. You are my oldest and best friend, and would be the last to be lightly esteemed by me, and I wished to explain to you all my worries, and if I may apparently sometimes be found wanting in regard to what is due to you, still you are very dear to me, and will always remain so. Again farewell in the Lord.

MARTIN LUTHER . (Walch, 21. 1329.)

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