To Katherine,Luther’s Wife - Martin Luther

TO KATHERINE, LUTHER’ S WIFE

Luther was seriously ill. Myconius, the Elector, Melanchthon, and Spalatin prayed earnestly at his bedside, and he was taken in a royal carriage to Tambach with Bugenhagen.

February 27, 1537.

Grace and peace in Christ! Meantime you must hire horses, dear Kathie, for what you require, for my gracious lord will keep your horses, and send Herr Philip home with them. I left Schmalkalden yesterday and drove hither in ——’s own carriage. I was very ill in Schmalkalden, not three days well; could neither sleep, eat, nor drink. In short, I was almost dead, and commended you with the children to God and to my dear Lord, never expecting to see you again. If God had not had mercy upon me, I would have been in my grave. But the earnest prayers and tears of so many people have effected what medicine was powerless to do, and last night I got relief, and feel as if I had been born anew.

Therefore let the dear children, with Tante Lene, thank God, the faithful Father, without whom this father would certainly have been lost. The pious Prince sent messengers flying in all directions for help, but it was of no avail. Your remedy was useless. Verily God has done wondrous things for me this

night, and will continue to do this through the prayers of pious people. I write all this to you, because my most gracious lord ordered you to be sent for, fancying I would die on the road, and wished you to see me; but now it is not necessary, so you can remain at home, for God Himself has abundantly helped me, and I can look forward to a joyful home-coming. Today we are in Gotha. I have written you four times, and wonder that nothing has reached you.

MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)