To Wenzel letter 14 - Martin Luther

TO WENTZEL

Luther tries to dissuade his friend from coming to Wittenberg. April 25, 1535.

Grace and peace in Christ! Your letter, dearest, did not depress me so much as you expected, especially as I saw from it that, although Christ was letting you be led into temptation, He had not forsaken you. I am grieved to hear that the old tragedy is beginning anew, but if you would only believe that this misunderstanding is not caused so much by you as through the tattling of a third party, incited by Satan, you would easily be enabled to set aside the annoyance thus caused.

Perhaps Christ is punishing us for our sluggishness in this way for not besieging Him with our prayers. Truly He never slumbers, even when we sink into deep sleep. You cannot think how much we have to endure from the insolence and intrigues of the Junkers and rabble, so that I am sure that were you here you would have more to endure from the many than you have there from the calumnies of a single man. I am certain that the Papacy is the devil’s kingdom, which God in His anger has sent upon the world; and what kingdom could be more in unison with the world, for the world wills to have the

devil for its god? Once it seemed to be the duty of the Bishops to suppress this tyranny, but the means used were too violent. For in humbling this abomination the Christian Church would speedily have been extinguished. Now this fury is again raising her head, but there is no lack of courageous men who

could take those tyrants captive in the very chains they have forged around the Popes. Only I do not wander in the counsel of these people, but cleave to those who fear God, for our kingdom is above. I write this to you to show how my heart beats in unison with yours, and to beg you not to leave your congregation. Think of St. Paul’s words to Titus: “For this cause left I thee in Crete,” to proclaim the Word to God’s elect and elsewhere, all for the sake of the elect. Let this be your aim. You are a servant of God’s chosen ones, and the target of the reprobate. If we only could render good service to the elect and the least of Christ’s servants! Oh that you could endure to the end, dear Wenzel! And although there is no man on God’s earth I would rather have near me than you, not only because of our old brotherly friendship, but because I ever found in you a comforter, a man full of faith in God, whom I would like to have by my side in my dying hour, still I would rather sacrifice myself than see your congregation suffer. Who knows what advantages God is preparing for you through this trial? Let us only pray and arm ourselves in patience. You ask our Prince’s opinion of your proposal. What if I came, or rather fled, to you? He is the best of Princes; but excepting him, there is no one who would not suspect me. From this you may see what a zeal there is for God’s Word in the world. Meantime sing

this psalm, “Wait upon the Lord.” Ah, it cannot be otherwise! We must elbow our way through glory and shame, through reproach and error, through evil and good, through — and ever through — devils and angels, to that only One who alone is good. Therefore I beseech you, dear brother, listen to no

one, but commune solely with Him alone. All others, although they may be the best of men, have more sense of justice than endurance. For we are all human, and the flesh combats the spirit on the battle- ground. But if it gets the length of defying you to your face, and openly showing their hatred to you, then it will be time to think of other remedies. God help us! How strong God permits the devil to be, and us so weak! Do not be offended with me, and consider that God is perhaps proving us, and that it

is not perhaps a blessed thing to trust in man, even if he be a prince, while it is shameful for a Christian to fear men. May Christ, our life, salvation, and glory, be with you and all belonging to us. God grant it.

Sunday cantata. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)