To Someone unknown letter 3 - Martin Luther

TO ONE UNKNOWN

In Social Germany in Luther’s Time we learn that the recipient of this letter was Nicolas Sastrow, who, because of the Bruser- Leveling lawsuit, had for many years absented himself from the communion table.

April 14, 1540.

Your dear son, Magister Johannes, after expressing his sorrow at your having kept away so long from the holy communion, which absence is a bad example, requested me to rescue you from that dangerous path. Not one hour of our lives really belongs to ourselves. His filial solicitude, therefore, induced me to send you these lines. Let me, therefore, exhort you in a Christian, brotherly fashion, as

is my duty, to change your mind, and consider that God’s Son, whose sufferings were so much greater, forgave His executioners. Remember that, at your last hour, you will have to forgive, even as a thief on the gallows forgives. Await the decision of the court, before which your suit is pending, but never

forget that nothing should prevent you participating in the Holy Supper. Were it otherwise, I myself and our Princes would require to keep away from the Lord’s Supper till our differences with the Papists were settled. Leave the lawyers to arrange matters, and meantime appease your conscience thus, saying: “It is the judges’ place to decide who is right, so meanwhile I forgive those who have wronged me, and shall partake of the Holy Communion.” Thus you do not approach the table unworthily, for, considering yourself wronged, you have appealed to the law, and are willing to abide by its decision. Nothing can be more simple. Pray take this admonition, prompted by your son, in a friendly spirit. I

commit you to God. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER .

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