A MAN ASKED - Hannes Zegement Grove

TO WOLFGANG CAPITO, DOCTOR OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE CHURCH IN STRASSBURG.

July 9, 1537.

My beloved brother in Christ, grace and peace in Christ! I intended answering your letter, dear Capito, and sending it through the Frenchmen to whom you introduced me, but they may perhaps tell you what they have seen and heard themselves. It is a great effort to me to arrange the different parts of my books; indeed I would rather see them destroyed, for I scarcely care to own any of them, except

that on the bondage of the will and the Catechism. But I have remitted the matter to Cruciger, who will see if anything can be done. I heard that you would help also, but at the same time I prayed that the Lord Jesus would not permit you to work in vain. I have heard about the Augsburg devil, but we shall look to Him who began his work. He will appear at the right time and not tarry. For I am convinced

that you and Bucer are acting honestly, and all who speak or write to me think the same. My Katherine thanks you for the gold ring, and I have never seen her more annoyed than when she found it was either stolen or lost through her own carelessness (which I hardly believe, although I always cast it up to her), for I assured her that this present was sent as an omen that your church was at one with ours, and this is a great sorrow to the poor woman. I write thus to you to let you see our hearts are set on unity. May Christ Himself conclude the matter. Amen.

But one thing I must add, do not send anything else to my wife, in case of aggravating her sorrow. For Christ is sufficient for both parties. Greet all belonging to you warmly, and bid them think the best of us, as we do of them. May the Lord Jesus set His seal on this desire, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory to all eternity. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER . (Walch, 21. 1278.)