To Katherine, Luther’s wife letter 13 - Martin Luther

TO KATHERINE, LUTHER’ S WIFE

Luther again teases his wife as to her useless worrying over him, and the narrow escape they had made. He says that he is well, but longs to return.

February 10, 1546.

To the saintly, anxious lady, Katherine Luther, owner of Zulsdorf, at Wittenberg, my gracious dear wife. Grace and peace in Christ! Most saintly lady doctoress, we thank you kindly for your great care for us, which prevented you sleeping, for since you began to be so anxious we were nearly consumed by a fire in our inn just outside my room door; and yesterday, doubtless on account of your anxiety, a stone fell upon our heads and almost crushed us as in a mouse-trap; and over and above, in our own private room, lime and mortar came down for two days, and when the masons came — after only

touching the stone with two fingers — it fell, and was as large as a large pillow, and two hand-breadths wide. We had to thank your anxious care for all this, but happily the dear, holy angels guarded us also. I fear if you do not cease being anxious, the earth may at last swallow us up and the elements pursue us. Is it thus thou hast learnt the catechism and the Faith? Pray and leave it to God to care for us, as

He has promised in the 55th Psalm and many other places, “Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Thank God we are fresh and well, except that we are getting tired of the whole business, and nothing would satisfy Dr. Jonas but to have a sore leg also, having knocked it against a chest; so great is the power of human envy, that he would not permit me to be the sole possessor of a lame leg.

I herewith commit you to God. We would gladly be free and set out on our homeward journey, if God permitted it. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Your obedient servant, MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)