,this e,book was prepared by ,les ,bowler4 ,picture3 ,book cover ,,cassell',s ,,national ,,library 99 99 99 99 99 ,,selections ,,from ,,the ,,table ,,talk ,,of ,,martin ,,luther4 ,,translated ,,by ,,captain ,,henry ,,bell4 ,picture3 ,decorative graphic ,,cassell ,,company1 ,,limited3 ,,london1 ,,paris1 ,,new ,,york ,,melbourne4 #ahhf4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,introduction4 ,,martin ,,luther died on the #ahth of ,february1 #aedf1 and the first publication of his 8,table ,talk0--,tischreden--by his friend1 ,johann ,goldschmid 7,aurifaber71 was in #aeff1 in a substantial folio4 ,the talk of ,luther was arranged1 according to its topics1 into eighty chapters1 each with a minute index of contents4 ,the whole work in a complete octavo edition1 published at ,stuttgart and ,leipzig in #ahcf1 occupies #a1cij closely printed pages1 equivalent to #b1ghj pages1 or full fourteen volumes1 of this ,library4 ,the nearest approach to a complete and ungarbled translation into ,english was that of ,captain ,henry ,bell1 made in the reign of ,charles the ,first1 under the circumstances set forth by himself2 but even that was not complete4 ,other ,english versions have subjected ,luther's opinions to serious manipulation1 nothing being added1 but anything being taken away that did not chance to agree with the editor's digestion4 ,even the folio of ,captain ,bell's translation1 from which these ,selections have been printed1 has been prepared for reprint by some preceding editor1 whose pen has been busy in revision of the passages he did mean to reprint4 ,in these ,selections every paragraph stands unabridged1 exactly as it was translated by ,captain ,bell2 and there has been no other purpose governing the choice of matter than a resolve to make it as true a presentment as possible of ,luther's mind and character4 ,at least one other volume of ,selections from the ,table-,talk of ,martin ,luther will be given in this ,library4 ,johann ,goldschmid1 the ,aurifaber1 and thereby true worker in gold1 who first gave ,luther's ,table-,talk to the world1 was born in #aeai4 ,he was a disciple of ,luther1 thirty-six years younger than his master4 ,luther was born at ,eisleben in #adhc1 and his father1 a poor miner1 presently settled at ,mansfeld1 the town in which ,goldschmid afterwards was born4 ,johann ,goldschmid was sent by ,count ,albrecht of ,mansfeld1 in #aecg1 to the ,university of ,wittenberg1 where ,luther had been made1 in #aejh1 ,professor of ,philosophy1 and where1 on the #cast of ,october1 #aeag1 he had nailed his ninety-five propositions against indulgences to the church door at the castle4 ,luther had completed his translation of the ,bible three years before ,johann ,goldschmid went to ,wittenberg4 ,in #aedj ,goldschmid was recalled from the ,university to act as tutor to ,count ,albrecht's children4 ,in #aedd ,goldschmid was army chaplain with the troops from ,mansfeld in the ,french war2 but in #aede he was sent back to ,wittenberg for special study of theology4 ,it was then that he attached himself to ,luther as his famulus and house-companion during the closing months of ,luther's life1 began already to collect from surrounding friends passages of his vigorous 8,table ,talk10 and remained with ,luther till the last1 having been present at his death in ,eisleben in #aedf4 ,he then proceeded steadily with the collection of ,luther's sayings and opinions expressed among his friends4 ,he was army chaplain among the soldiers of ,johann ,friedrich1 of ,saxony2 he spent half a year also in a ,saxon prison4 ,he became1 in #aeea1 court preacher at ,weimar2 but in #aefb was deprived of his office1 and then devoted himself to the forming of an ,eisleben edition of those works of ,luther1 which had not already been collected4 ,in #aeff he was called to a pastorate at ,erfurt1 where he had many more troubles before his death4 ,aurifaber died on the #ahth of ,november1 #aege4 ,h4 ,m4 ,,the ,,testimony ,,of ,,jo4 ,,aurifaber1 ,,doctor ,,in ,,divinity1 ,,concerning ,,luther',s ,,divine ,,discourses4 ,,and whereas hitherto ,i have caused certain tomes of the ,books1 ,sermons1 ,writings1 and ,missives of ,luther to be printed at ,eisleben1 so have ,i also now finished this tome of his ,discourses1 and have ordered the same to be printed1 which at the first were collected together out of the ,manuscripts of these ,divine ,discourses1 which that ,reverend ,father ,anthony ,lauterbach himself noted and wrote out of the holy mouth of ,luther1 and afterwards the same by me were collected into sure and certain ,loci ,communes1 or ,common-places1 and distributed4 ,and whereas ,i1 ,joannes ,aurifaber1 in the years #aede and #aedf1 before the death of that most famous ,divine1 ,luther1 was much with and about him1 and with all diligence writ and noted down many most excellent ,histories and ,acts1 and other most necessary and useful things which he related3 ,i have therefore set in order and brought the same also into this tome4 ,now1 forasmuch as very excellent declaration is made in this tome of all the ,articles and chief points of ,christian ,religion1 ,doctrine1 and ,faith2 and also therein are found necessary ,rules1 ,questions and ,answers1 many fair ,histories1 all sorts of ,learnings1 ,comforts1 ,advices1 ,prophecies1 ,warnings1 and ,admonitions3 ,i have therefore thought it a thing fitting to dedicate the same to your ,highnesses1 ,graces1 ,honours and ,worships1 etc41 as special favourers1 protectors1 and defenders of the ,doctrines which ,god1 through ,luther1 hath cleared again1 to the end that by diligent reading therein1 you may be president1 and give good examples to others1 to your subjects1 citizens1 etc41 diligently to love1 to read1 to affect the same1 and to make good use thereof1 as being fragments that fell from ,luther's ,table1 and therewith may help to still1 to slake1 and to satisfy the spiritual hunger and thirst of the soul4 ,for these most profitable ,discourses of ,luther1 containing such high spiritual things1 we should in nowise suffer to be lost1 but worthily esteem thereof1 whereout all manner of learning1 joy1 and comfort may be had and received4 ,,dr4 ,,aurifaber1 in his ,preface to the ,book4 ,given at ,eisleben1 ,july #gth1 #aefi4 ,,captain ,,henry ,,bell',s ,,narrative3 ,,or1 ,,relation ,,of ,,the ,,miraculous ,,preserving ,,of ,,dr4 ,,martin ,,luther',s ,,book1 ,,entitled 8,,colloquia ,,mensalia10 ,,or1 8,,his ,,divine ,,discourses ,,at ,,his ,,table10 ,,held ,,with ,,divers ,,learned ,,men ,,and ,,pious ,,divines2 ,,such ,,as ,,were ,,philip ,,melancthon1 ,,casparus ,,cruciger1 ,,justus ,,jonas1 ,,paulus ,,eberus1 ,,vitus ,,dietericus1 ,,joannes ,,bugenhagen1 ,,joannes ,,forsterus1 ,,and ,,others3 ,,containing ,divers ,discourses touching ,religion1 and other ,main ,points of ,doctrine2 as also many notable ,histories1 and all sorts of ,learning1 ,comforts1 ,advices1 ,prophecies1 ,admonitions1 ,directions1 and ,instructions2 and how the same ,book was1 by ,god's ,providence1 discovered lying under the ,ground1 where it had lain hid ,fifty-two ,years2 and was a few years since sent over to the said ,captain ,henry ,bell1 and by him translated out of the ,high ,german into the ,english ,tongue4 8,i1 ,,captain ,,henry ,,bell1 do hereby declare1 both to the present age1 and also to posterity1 that being employed beyond the seas in state affairs divers years together1 both by ,king ,james1 and also by the late ,king ,charles1 in ,germany1 ,i did hear and understand1 in all places1 great bewailing and lamentation made1 by reason of the destroying and burning of above fourscore thousand of ,martin ,luther's books1 entitled ,his ,last ,divine ,discourses4 8,for after such time as ,god stirred up the spirit of ,martin ,luther to detect the corruptions and abuses of ,popery1 and to preach ,christ1 and clearly to set forth the simplicity of the ,gospel1 many ,kings1 ,princes1 and ,states1 ,imperial ,cities1 and ,hans-,towns fell from the ,popish ,religion1 and became ,protestants1 as their posterities still are1 and remain to this very day4 8,and for the further advancement of the great work of ,reformation then begun1 the aforesaid ,princes and the rest did then order that the said ,divine ,discourses of ,luther should forthwith be printed2 and that every parish should have and receive one of the aforesaid printed books into every ,church throughout all their principalities and dominions1 to be chained up1 for the common people to read therein4 8,upon which divine work1 or ,discourses1 the ,reformation1 begun before in ,germany1 was wonderfully promoted and increased1 and spread both here in ,england and other countries besides4 8,but afterwards it so fell out that the ,pope then living1 viz4 ,gregory ,,xiii41 understanding what great hurt and prejudice he and his ,popish religion had already received1 by reason of the said ,luther's ,divine ,discourses1 and also fearing that the same might bring further contempt and mischief upon himself and upon the ,popish ,church1 he therefore1 to prevent the same1 did fiercely stir up and instigate the ,emperor then in being1 viz4 ,rudolphus ,,ii41 to make an ,edict throughout the whole ,empire1 that all the aforesaid printed books should be burned2 and also that it should be death for any person to have or keep a copy thereof1 but also to burn the same3 which ,edict was speedily put in execution accordingly1 insomuch that not one of all the said printed books1 nor so much as any one copy of the same1 could be found out nor heard of in any place4 8,yet it pleased ,god that1 anno #afbf1 a ,german gentleman1 named ,casparus ,van ,sparr1 with whom1 in the time of my staying in ,germany about ,king ,james's business1 ,i became very familiarly known and acquainted1 having occasion to build upon the old foundation of a house1 wherein his grandfather dwelt at that time when the said ,edict was published in ,germany for the burning of the aforesaid books2 and digging deep into the ground1 under the said old foundation1 one of the said original books was there happily found1 lying in a deep obscure hole1 being wrapped in a strong linen cloth1 which was waxed all over with beeswax1 within and without2 whereby the book was preserved fair1 without any blemish4 8,and at the same time ,ferdinandus ,,ii4 being ,emperor in ,germany1 who was a severe enemy and persecutor of the ,protestant religion1 the aforesaid gentleman and grandchild to him that had hidden the said books in that obscure hole1 fearing that if the said ,emperor should get knowledge that one of the said books was yet forthcoming1 and in his custody1 whereby not only himself might be brought into trouble1 but also the book in danger to be destroyed1 as all the rest were so long before2 and also calling me to mind1 and knowing that ,i had the ,high ,dutch ,tongue very perfect1 did send the said original book over hither into ,england unto me2 and therewith did write unto me a letter1 wherein he related the passages of the preserving and finding out the said book4 8,and also he earnestly moved me in his letter1 that for the advancement of ,god's glory1 and of ,christ's ,church1 ,i would take the pains to translate the said book1 to the end that that most excellent divine work of ,luther might be brought again to light4 8,whereupon ,i took the said book before me1 and many times began to translate the same1 but always ,i was hindered therein1 being called upon about other business1 insomuch that by no possible means ,i could remain by that work4 ,then1 about six weeks after ,i had received the said book1 it fell out that ,i being in bed with my wife one night1 between twelve and one of the clock1 she being asleep1 but myself yet awake1 there appeared unto me an ancient man1 standing at my bedside1 arrayed all in white1 having a long and broad white beard hanging down to his girdle-stead1 who1 taking me by my right ear1 spake these words following unto me3--#8,sirrah6 will not you take time to translate that book which is sent unto you out of ,germany8 ,i will shortly provide for you both place and time to do it2' and then he vanished away out of my sight4 8,whereupon1 being much thereby affrighted1 ,i fell into an extreme sweat1 insomuch that my wife awaking1 and finding me all over wet1 she asked me what ,i ailed4 ,i told her what ,i had seen and heard2 but ,i never did heed nor regard visions nor dreams2 and so the same fell soon out of my mind4 8,then about a fortnight after ,i had seen that vision1 on a ,sunday1 ,i went to ,whitehall to hear the sermon1 after which ended ,i returned to my lodging1 which was then in ,king ,street1 at ,westminster1 and sitting down to dinner with my wife1 two ,messengers were sent from the whole ,council-board1 with a warrant to carry me to the keeper of the ,gatehouse1 ,westminster1 there to be safely kept until further order from the ,lords of the ,council1 which was done without showing me any cause #ag at all wherefore ,i was committed4 ,upon which said warrant ,i was kept there ten whole years close prisoner1 where ,i spent five years thereof about the translating of the said book2 insomuch as ,i found the words very true which the old man1 in the aforesaid vision1 did say unto me3 #8,i will shortly provide for you both place and time to translate it4' 8,then1 after ,i had finished the said translation in the prison1 the late ,archbishop of ,canterbury1 ,dr4 ,laud1 understanding that ,i had translated such a book1 called ,martin ,luther's ,divine ,discourses1 sent unto me his chaplain1 ,dr4 ,bray1 into the prison1 with this ,message following3-- 8#8,captain ,,bell1 8#8,my ,lord ,grace of ,canterbury hath sent me unto you1 to tell you that his ,grace hath understood that you have translated a book of ,luther's1 touching which book his ,grace1 many years before1 did hear of the burning of so many thousands in ,germany by the then ,emperor4 ,his ,grace therefore doth desire you1 that you would send unto him the said original book in ,dutch1 and also your translation2 which1 after his ,grace hath perused1 shall be returned safely unto you4' 8,whereupon ,i told ,dr4 ,bray that ,i had taken a great deal of pains in translating the said book1 and was very loth to part with it out of my hands1 and therefore ,i desired him to excuse me to his ,grace1 that ,i could not part from it2 with which answer he at that time returned again to his master4 8,but the next day after he sent him unto me again1 and bade him tell me that1 upon his honour1 the book should be as safe in his custody1 if not safer than in mine own2 for he would lock it up in his own cabinet1 to the end no man might come unto it1 but only himself4 ,thereupon ,i1 knowing it would be a thing bootless for me to refuse the sending of them1 by reason he was then of such great power that he would have them1 nolens volens1 ,i sent them both unto him4 ,then1 after he had kept them in his custody two months1 and had daily read therein1 he sent the said ,doctor unto me1 to tell me that ,i had performed a work worthy of eternal memory1 and that he had never read a more excellent divine work2 yet saying that some things therein were fitting to be left out2 and desired me not to think long that he did not return them unto me so soon again4 ,the reason was because that the more he did read therein1 the more desire he had to go on therewith2 and so1 presenting me with ten livres in gold1 he returned back again4 8,after which1 when he had them in his custody one whole year1 and that ,i understood he had perused it all over1 then ,i sent unto his ,grace1 and humbly desired that his ,grace would be pleased to return me my books again4 ,whereupon he sent me word by the said ,dr4 ,bray1 that he had not as yet perused them so thoroughly over as he desired to do2 then ,i stayed yet a year longer before ,i sent to him again4 8,in which time ,i heard for certain that it was concluded by the ,king and ,council that a ,parliament should forthwith be called2 at which news ,i did much rejoice4 ,and then ,i sent unto his ,grace an humble petition1 and therein desired the returning of my book again2 otherwise ,i told him ,i should be enforced to make it known1 and to complain of him to the ,parliament1 which was then coming on4 ,whereupon he sent unto me again safely both the said original book and my translation1 and caused his ,chaplain1 the said ,doctor1 to tell me that he would make it known unto his ,majesty what an excellent piece of work ,i had translated1 and that he would procure an order from his ,majesty to have the said translation printed1 and to be dispersed throughout the whole kingdom1 as it was in ,germany1 and as he had heard thereof2 and thereupon he presented me again with forty livres in gold4 8,and presently after ,i was set at liberty by warrant from the whole ,house of ,lords1 according to his ,majesty's direction in that behalf2 but shortly afterwards the ,archbishop fell into his troubles1 and was by the ,parliament sent unto the ,tower1 and afterwards beheaded2 insomuch that ,i could never since hear anything touching the printing of my book4 8,the ,house of ,commons having then notice that ,i had translated the aforesaid book1 they sent for me1 and did appoint a ,committee to see it and the translation1 and diligently to make inquiry whether the translation did agree with the original or no2 whereupon they desired me to bring the same before them1 sitting then in the ,treasury ,chamber4 ,and ,sir ,edward ,dering1 being ,chairman1 said unto me that he was acquainted with a learned minister beneficed in ,essex1 who had lived long in ,england1 but was born in ,high ,germany1 in the ,palatinate1 named ,mr4 ,paul ,amiraut1 whom the ,committee sending for1 desired him to take both the original and my translation into his custody1 and diligently to compare them together1 and to make report unto the said ,committee whether he found that ,i had rightly and truly translated it according to the original3 which report he made accordingly1 and they1 being satisfied therein1 referred it to two of the ,assembly1 ,mr4 ,charles ,herle and ,mr4 ,edward ,corbet1 desiring them diligently to peruse the same1 and to make report unto them if they thought it fitting to be printed and published4 8,whereupon they made report1 dated the #ajth of ,november1 #afdf1 that they found it to be an excellent ,divine ,work1 worthy the light and publishing1 especially in regard that ,luther1 in the said ,discourses1 did revoke his opinion1 which he formerly held1 touching ,consubstantiation in the ,sacrament4 ,whereupon the ,house of ,commons1 the #bdth of ,february1 #afdf1 did give order for the printing thereof4 8,thus1 having been lately desired to set down in writing the relation of the passages above-said concerning the said book1 as well for the satisfaction of judicious and godly ,christians1 as for the conservation of the perpetual memory of ,god's extraordinary providence in the miraculous preservation of the aforesaid ,divine ,discourses1 and now bringing them again to light3 ,i have done the same according to the plain truth thereof1 not doubting but they will prove a notable advantage of ,god's glory1 and the good and edification of the whole ,church1 and an unspeakable consolation of every particular member of the same4 8,given under my hand the #crd day of ,july1 #afej4 8,,henry ,,bell40 ,a ,,copy ,,of ,,the ,,order ,,from ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,commons4 #bdth ,february1 #afdf4 ,,whereas ,captain ,henry ,bell hath strangely discovered and found a ,book of ,martin ,luther's1 called his ,divine ,discourses1 which was for a long time very marvellously preserved in ,germany3 the which book the said ,henry ,bell1 at his great costs and pains1 hath translated into the ,english out of the ,german ,tongue1 which ,translation and substance thereof is approved by ,reverend ,divines of the ,assembly1 as appears by a ,certificate under their hands3 ,it is ,ordered and ,ordained by the ,lords and ,commons assembled in ,parliament1 that the said ,henry ,bell shall have the sole disposal and benefit of ,printing the said ,book translated into ,english by him as aforesaid1 for the space of fourteen years1 to commence from the date hereof4 ,and that none do ,print or ,re-print the same but such as shall be licensed by the said ,captain by ,authority under his hand4 ,,henry ,,elsyng4 7,vera ,copia47 ,,luther',s ,,table-,,talk4 ,,of ,,god',s ,,word4 ,of the ,word of ,god2 or the ,holy ,scriptures contained in the ,bible4 ,,the ,,bible1 or ,holy ,scripture1 said ,luther1 is like a fair and spacious orchard1 wherein all sorts of trees do grow1 from which we may pluck divers kinds of fruits2 for in the ,bible we have rich and precious comforts1 learnings1 admonitions1 warnings1 promises1 and threatenings1 etc4 ,there is not a tree in this orchard on which ,i have not knocked1 and have shaken at least a couple of apples or pears from the same4 ,proofs that the ,bible is the ,word of ,god4 ,that the ,bible is the ,word of ,god1 said ,luther1 the same ,i prove as followeth4 ,all things that have been and now are in the world1 also how it now goeth and standeth in the world1 the same was written altogether particularly at the beginning1 in the ,first ,book of ,moses concerning the ,creation4 ,and even as ,god made and created it1 even so it was1 even so it is1 and even so doth it stand to this present day4 ,and although ,king ,alexander the ,great1 the kingdom of ,egypt1 the empire of ,babel1 the ,persian1 ,grecian1 and ,roman ,monarchs1 the ,emperors ,julius and ,augustus1 most fiercely did rage and swell against this ,book1 utterly to suppress and destroy the same1 yet notwithstanding1 they could prevail nothing2 they are all gone and vanished2 but this ,book1 from time to time1 hath remained1 and will remain unremoved1 in full and ample manner1 as it was written at the first4 ,but who kept and preserved it from such great and raging power2 or1 ,who defendeth it still8 ,truly1 said ,luther1 no human creature1 but only and alone ,god himself1 who is the right ,master thereof2 and it is a great wonder that it hath been so long kept and preserved1 for the devil and the world are great enemies unto it4 ,the devil doubtless hath destroyed many good books in the ,church1 as he hath rooted out and slain many saints1 concerning whom we have now no knowledge4 ,but1 no thanks unto him1 the ,bible he was fain to leave unmeddled with4 ,in like manner ,baptism1 the ,sacrament1 and the ,office of ,preaching have remained among us against the power of many tyrants and heretics that have opposed the same4 ,these our ,lord ,god hath kept and maintained by his special strength4 ,homer1 ,virgil1 and suchlike are profitable and ancient books2 but1 in comparison of the ,bible1 they are nothing to be regarded4 ,by whom and at what ,times the ,bible was translated4 ,two hundred and forty-one years before the humanity of ,christ1 the ,five ,books of ,moses1 and the ,prophets1 were translated out of the ,hebrew into the ,greek tongue by the ,septuagint ,interpreters1 the seventy doctors or learned men then at ,jerusalem1 in the time of ,eleazar the ,high-priest1 at the request of ,ptolemeus ,philadelphus1 ,king of ,egypt1 which ,king allowed great charges and expenses for the translating of the same4 ,then1 one hundred and twenty-four years after the birth of ,christ1 his death and passion1 the ,old ,testament was translated out of ,hebrew into ,greek by a ,jew1 named ,aquila 7being converted to the ,christian faith71 in the time of ,hadrian the ,emperor4 ,fifty and three years after this ,aquila1 the ,bible was also translated by ,theodosius4 ,in the three-and-thirtieth year after ,theodosius1 it was translated by ,symmachus1 under the ,emperor ,severus4 ,eight years after ,symmachus1 the ,bible was also translated by one whose name is unknown1 and the same is called the ,fifth ,translation4 ,afterwards the ,bible was translated by ,hieronymus 7who first amended and corrected the ,seventy ,interpreters7 out of ,hebrew into the ,latin tongue1 which translation we use to this day in the ,church4 ,and truly1 said ,luther1 he did enough for one man4 ,nulla enim privata persona tantum efficere potuisset4 ,but he had not done amiss if he had taken one or two learned men to his translation besides himself1 for then the ,holy ,ghost would more powerfully have been discerned1 according to ,christ's saying1 8,where two or three be gathered together in my name1 there will ,i be in the midst of them40 ,and1 indeed1 said ,luther1 translators or interpreters ought not to be alone1 for good and apt words do not always fall to one single man4 ,and so long as the ,bible was in the ,church of the ,gentiles1 it was never yet in such perfection1 that it could have been read so exactly and significantly without stop1 as we have prepared the same here at ,wittemberg1 and1 ,god be praised1 have translated it out of ,hebrew into the ,high ,german tongue4 ,of the ,differences between the ,bible and other ,books4 ,the ,holy ,scripture1 or the ,bible1 said ,luther1 is full of divine gifts and virtues4 ,the books of the ,heathen taught nothing of ,faith1 ,hope1 and ,love2 nay1 they knew nothing at all of the same2 their books aimed only at that which was present1 at that which1 with natural wit and understanding1 a human creature was able to comprehend and take hold of2 but to trust in ,god and hope in the ,lord1 nothing was written thereof in their books4 ,in the ,psalms and in ,job we may see and find how those two books do treat and handle of ,faith1 of ,hope1 of ,patience1 and ,prayer4 ,to be short1 the ,holy ,scripture1 said ,luther1 is the best and highest book of ,god1 full of comfort in all manner of trials and temptations2 for it teacheth of ,faith1 ,hope1 and ,love far otherwise than by human reason and understanding can be comprehended4 ,and in times of troubles and vexations1 it teacheth how these virtues should light and shine2 it teacheth1 also1 that after this poor and miserable life there is another which is eternal and everlasting4 ,what we ought chiefly to seek for in the ,bible1 and how we ought to study and learn the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,the chief lesson and study in ,divinity1 said ,luther1 is well and rightly to learn to know ,christ1 for he is therein very friendly and familiarly pictured unto us4 ,from hence ,st4 ,peter saith1 8,grow up in the knowledge of ,christ20 and ,christ himself also teacheth that we should learn to know him only out of the ,scriptures1 where he saith1 8,search the ,scriptures1 for they do testify of me40 ,we ought not1 said ,luther1 to measure1 censure1 and understand the ,scriptures according to our own natural sense and reason1 but we ought diligently by prayer to meditate therein1 and to search after the same4 ,the devil and temptations also do give occasion unto us somewhat to learn and understand the ,scriptures by experience and practice4 ,without trials and temptations we should never understand anything thereof2 no1 not although we diligently read and heard the same4 ,the ,holy ,ghost must be the only master and tutor to teach us therein1 and let youth and scholars not be ashamed to learn of this tutor4 ,when ,i find myself in temptation1 then ,i quickly lay hold and fasten on some text in the ,bible which ,christ ,jesus layeth before me1 namely1 that he died for me1 from whence ,i have and receive comfort4 ,that we should diligently read the ,texts of the ,bible1 and stay ourselves upon it as the only true ,foundation4 ,whoso layeth a good foundation1 and is a substantial ,text-man1 that is1 he that is well grounded in the ,text1 the same hath whereupon he surely may keep footing1 and runneth not lightly into error4 ,and truly1 said ,luther1 the same is most necessary for a ,divine2 for with the texts and grounds of the ,holy ,scriptures ,i dazzled1 astonished1 and overcame all my adversaries2 for they approach dreamingly and lazily2 they teach and write according to their natural sense1 reason1 and understanding1 and they think the ,holy ,scripture is a slight and a simple thing2 like the ,pharisee1 who thought a business soon done when our ,saviour ,christ said unto him1 8,do that1 and thou shalt live40 ,the sectaries and seducing spirits understand nothing in the ,scriptures2 but with their fickle1 inconstant1 and uncertain books which they have devised1 they run themselves into error4 ,whoso is armed with the ,text1 the same is a right pastor2 and my best advice and counsel is1 said ,luther1 that we draw water out of the true fountain1 that is1 diligently to read in the ,bible4 ,he is a learned ,divine that is well grounded in the ,text2 for one text and sentence out of the ,bible is of far more esteem and value than many writings and glosses1 which neither are strong1 sound1 nor armour of proof4 ,as when ,i have that text before me of ,st4 ,paul1 where he saith1 8,all the creatures of ,god are good1 if they be received with thanksgiving40 ,this text showeth that what ,god hath made is good4 ,now1 eating1 drinking1 marrying1 etc41 are of ,god's making1 therefore they are good4 ,but the glosses of the ,primitive ,fathers are against this text1 for ,st4 ,bernard1 ,basil1 ,dominicus1 ,hieronymus1 and others have written far otherwise of the same4 ,but ,i prefer the ,text before them all1 and it is far more to be esteemed of than all their glosses2 yet1 notwithstanding1 in ,popedom the glosses of the ,fathers were of higher regard than the bright and clear text of the ,bible1 through which great wrong oftentimes is done to the ,holy ,scriptures2 for the good ,fathers1 as ,ambrose1 ,basil1 and ,gregory1 have ofttimes written very cold things touching the ,divine word4 ,that the ,bible is the ,head of all ,arts4 ,let us not lose the ,bible1 said ,luther1 but with all diligence and in ,god's fear read and preach the same2 for if that remaineth1 flourisheth1 and be taught1 then all is safe4 ,she is the head and empress of all faculties and arts4 ,if ,divinity falleth1 then whatsoever remaineth besides is nothing worth4 ,of the ,art of the ,school ,divines in the ,bible4 ,the art of the ,school ,divines1 said ,luther1 with their speculations in the ,holy ,scriptures1 are merely vain and human reasonings1 spun out of their own natural wit and understanding1 of which ,i have read much in ,bonaventura1 but he had almost made me deaf4 ,i fain would have learned and understood out of that book how ,god and my sinful soul had been reconciled together2 but of that there was nothing to be found therein4 ,they talk much of the union of the will and understanding1 but all is mere phantasy and folly4 ,the right and true speculation is this3 8,believe in ,christ2 do what thou oughtest to do in thy vocation10 etc4 ,this is the only practice in ,divinity4 ,also1 ,mystica ,theologia ,dionysii is a mere fable1 and a lie1 like to ,plato's ,fables4 ,omnia sunt non ens1 et omnia sunt ens--,all is something1 and all is nothing2 and so he leaveth all hanging in frivolous and idle sort4 ,true and upright ,divinity consisteth in the practice1 use1 and exercise2 her foundation is ,christ2 she taketh hold by faith on his passion1 death1 and resurrection4 ,all those1 said ,luther1 that concur not with us1 and have not this doctrine before their eyes1 the same do feign unto themselves but only a speculated ,divinity1 according to their carnal sense and reason1 and according as they use to censure in temporal causes2 for no man can divert them from these opinions1 namely1 8,whoso doth good works1 and liveth an honest and civil kind of life1 the same is an upright ,christian1 and he is well and safe20 but they are therein far deceived2 for this is the truth indeed1 8,whoso feareth ,god and trusteth in him1 the same most surely will be well and safe at last40 ,therefore1 said ,luther1 these speculating ,divines belong directly to the devil in hell4 ,they follow their own opinions1 and what with their five senses they are able to comprehend2 and such is also ,origen's divinity4 ,but ,david is of another mind2 he acknowledgeth his sins1 and saith1 8,miserere mei ,domini10 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,at the hands of these sophisticated ,divines1 ,god can scarcely obtain that he is ,god alone2 much less can he find this favour of them1 that they should allow only him to be good and just2 nay1 very hardly will they yield that he is an immortal ,god4 ,the ,depths of the ,bible4 ,the wise of the world1 and the great ones1 said ,luther1 understand not ,god's ,word2 but ,god hath revealed it to the poor contemned simple people1 as our ,saviour ,christ witnesseth1 where he saith1 8,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 ,lord of heaven and earth1 because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent1 and hast revealed them unto babes10 etc42 from whence ,st4 ,gregory says well and rightly1 that the ,holy ,scripture is like a water1 wherein an 8elephant swimmeth1 but a little sheep goeth therein upon his feet40 ,i remember a ,fable1 said ,luther1 which fitteth very well for these times1 and for this purpose1 discoursed of before4 ,a ,lion1 said he1 making a great feast1 invited all the beasts thereunto1 and with them also he invited swine4 ,now1 as all manner and sorts of dainties were brought and set before the guests1 the swine demanded if ,brewer's grains might be had for them4 ,even so1 in these days it is with our ,epicures2 we ,preachers bring and set before them in the ,church the most dainty and costly dishes1 as ,everlasting ,salvation1 ,remission of ,sins1 and ,god's ,grace2 but they1 like swine1 cast up their snouts1 and root after ,dollars1 ,crowns1 and ,ducats2 and1 indeed1 said ,luther1 8what should a cow do with nutmegs80 ,she would rather content herself with oat-straw4 ,when we have ,god's ,word pure and clear1 then we are secure1 we are negligent and regard it not1 we think it will always so remain2 we do not watch and pray against the devil1 who is ready to tear the ,word out of our hearts4 ,it goeth with us as with travellers1 who1 so long as they are on the right way1 are secure and careless2 but when they go astray into woods or by-ways1 then they are careful which way to take1 whether this or that way be the right3 even so are we secure by the pure doctrine of the ,gospel2 we are sleepy and negligent2 we stand not in ,god's fear1 nor defend ourselves with prayer against the devil4 ,but those that entertain errors are highly busied1 yea1 they are very careful and diligent how to keep and maintain the same4 ,of the future ,want of upright and true ,preachers of ,god's ,word4 ,in a short time1 said ,luther1 will be such want of upright ,preachers and ,ministers1 that people would be glad to scratch out of the earth these good and godly ,teachers now living1 if they might but get them2 then they will see what they have done in molesting and contemning the ,preachers and ,ministers of ,god's ,word4 ,of ,physicians and ,lawyers there are enough1 if not too many1 to serve the world2 but a country hath need of two hundred ,ministers where one ,lawyer is sufficient4 ,my most gracious ,lord1 said ,luther1 the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 hath enough of twenty ,lawyers in all his territories1 but he must have near six thousand ,preachers and ,ministers4 ,that ,people1 out of mere ,wilfulness1 do set themselves against ,god's ,word4 ,had ,i known1 said ,luther1 when ,i first began to write1 what ,i now see and find1 namely1 that people had been such enemies to ,god's ,word1 and so fiercely had set themselves against the same1 truly ,i had held my peace2 for ,i never should have been so courageous as to have fallen upon the ,pope1 and to have angered him1 and almost the whole ,christian world with him4 ,i thought at first that people had sinned ignorantly1 and out of human weakness1 and not of set purpose and wittingly to endeavour to suppress ,god's ,word2 but it pleased ,god to lead me on in the mouth of the cannon1 like a bar-horse that hath his eyes blinded1 and seeth not who runneth upon him4 ,even so was ,i1 as it were1 tugged by my hair to the office of preaching2 but had ,i then known what now ,i know1 ten horses should scarce have drawn me to it4 ,moses and ,jeremiah also complained that they were deceived4 ,of the ,archbishop of ,mentz1 one of the ,spiritual ,princes ,electors1 his ,censure of the ,bible4 ,anno #aecj1 at the ,imperial ,assembly at ,augsburg1 ,albertus1 ,bishop of ,mentz1 by chance had got into his hands the ,bible1 and for the space of four hours he continued reading therein2 at last1 one of his ,council on a sudden came into his bed-chamber unto him1 who1 seeing the ,bible in the ,bishop's hand1 was much amazed thereat1 and said unto him1 8what doth your ,highness with that book80 ,the ,archbishop thereupon answered him1 and said1 8,i know not what this book is1 but sure ,i am1 all that is written therein is quite against us40 ,that the ,bible is hated of the ,worldly-wise and of the ,sophists4 ,doctor ,ussinger1 an ,austin ,friar1 with me in the ,monastery at ,erfurt1 said once unto me1 as he saw that ,i diligently read and affected the ,bible1 8,brother ,martin1 what is the ,bible8 ,let us10 said he1 8read the ancient ,teachers and ,fathers1 for they have sucked the juice and truth out of the ,bible4 ,the ,bible is the cause of all dissension and rebellion40 ,this1 said ,luther1 is the censure of the world concerning ,god's ,word2 therefore we must let them run on their course towards that place which is prepared for them4 ,of the ,errors which the ,sectaries do hold concerning the ,word of ,god4 ,bullinger said once in my hearing1 said ,luther1 that he was earnest against the sectaries1 as contemners of ,god's ,word1 and also against those who attributed too much to the literal ,word2 for1 said he1 such do sin against ,god and his almighty power1 as the ,jews did in naming the ark 8,god40 ,but1 said he1 whoso holdeth a mean between both1 the same is taught what is the right use of the ,word and ,sacraments4 ,whereupon1 said ,luther1 ,i answered him and said1 8,bullinger1 you err3 you know neither yourself nor what you hold2 ,i mark well your tricks and fallacies4 ,zuinglius and colampadius likewise proceeded too far in this your ungodly meaning2 but when ,brentius withstood them1 they then lessened their opinions1 alleging they did not reject the literal ,word1 but only condemned certain gross abuses4 ,by this your error10 said ,luther to ,bullinger1 8you cut in sunder and separate the ,word and the ,spirit2 you separate those that preach and teach the ,word from ,god who worketh the same2 you also separate thereby the ,ministers that baptize from ,god who commandeth it2 and you think that the ,holy ,ghost is given and worketh without the ,word2 which ,word1 you say1 is an external sign and mark that findeth the ,spirit1 which already and before possesseth the heart4 ,insomuch1 according to your falsities1 that if the ,word findeth not the ,spirit1 but an ungodly person1 then it is not ,god's ,word2 whereby you define and hold the ,word1 not according to ,god who speaketh it1 but according as people do entertain and receive it4 ,you will only grant that such is ,god's ,word which purifieth and bringeth peace and life2 but seeing it worketh not in the ungodly1 therefore it is not ,god's ,word4 ,you teach that the outward ,word is like an object or a picture1 which signifieth and presenteth something2 you measure the use thereof only according to the matter1 like as a human creature speaketh for himself2 you will not yield that ,god's ,word is an instrument through which the ,holy ,ghost worketh and accomplisheth his work1 and prepareth a beginning to righteousness or justification4 ,in these errors are you drowned1 so that you neither see nor understand yourselves4 8,a man might vex himself to death against the devil1 who1 in the ,papists1 is such an enemy to ,god's ,word4 ,the devil seeth and feeleth that the external ,word and preaching in the ,church doth him great prejudice1 therefore he rageth and worketh these errors against the same2 but ,i hope ,god ere long will look into it1 and will strike down the devil with these seducers4 8,a true ,christian10 said ,luther1 8must hold for certain1 and must say1 ,that ,word which is delivered and preached to the wicked1 to the dissemblers1 and to the ungodly1 is even as well ,god's ,word as that which is preached to the good and godly upright ,christians4 ,as also1 the true ,christian ,church is among sinners1 where good and bad are mingled together4 ,and that ,word1 whether it produceth fruit or not1 is nevertheless ,god's strength1 which saveth all that believe thereon4 ,and again1 it will also judge the ungodly1 as ,st4 ,john saith in chap4 v41 otherwise they might plead a good excuse before ,god1 that they neither ought to be nor could be condemned2 for then they might truly allege that they have not had ,god's ,word1 and so consequently could not receive the same4 ,but10 said ,luther1 8,i say1 teach and acknowledge that the ,preacher's words1 his absolutions1 and the sacraments1 are not his words nor works1 but they are ,god's words1 works1 cleansing1 absolving1 binding1 etc42 we are but only the instruments1 fellow-workers1 or ,god's assistants1 through whom ,god worketh and finisheth his work4 ,we10 said ,luther to ,bullinger1 8will not endure these your metaphysical and philosophical distinctions and differences1 which merely are spun and hammered out of human and natural sense and reason4 ,you say1 ,it is a man that preacheth1 that reproveth1 that absolveth1 comforteth1 etc41 and that the ,holy ,ghost worketh2 you say1 likewise1 the ,minister baptiseth1 absolveth1 and administereth the sacraments1 but it is ,god that cleanseth the hearts1 and forgiveth sins1 etc4 ,oh1 no10 said ,luther1 8but ,i conclude thus3 ,god himself preacheth1 threateneth1 reproveth1 affrighteth1 comforteth1 absolveth1 administereth the sacraments1 etc4 ,as our ,saviour ,christ saith1 #8,whoso heareth you1 heareth me2 and what ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven1' etc4 ,likewise1 #8,it is not you that speak1 but the spirit of your ,father which speaketh in you4'0 8,i am sure and certain10 said ,luther1 8when ,i go up to the pulpit1 or to the cathedral1 to preach or read1 that it is not my word which ,i speak1 but my tongue is the pen of a ready writer1 as the ,psalmist saith4 ,god speaketh in the ,prophets and men of ,god1 as ,st4 ,peter in his ,epistle saith3 #8,the holy men of ,god spake as they were moved by the ,holy ,ghost4' ,therefore we must not separate nor part ,god and man according to our natural reason and understanding4 ,in like manner1 every hearer must conclude and say1 ,i hear not ,st4 ,paul1 ,st4 ,peter1 or a man speak2 but ,i hear ,god himself speak1 baptize1 absolve1 excommunicate1 and administer the holy sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper1 etc40 ,bullinger1 attentively hearkening to this discourse of that holy man1 ,luther1 fell down flat on his face to the ground1 and uttered these words following3 8,oh1 happy be the time that brought me hither to hear the divine discourse of this man of ,god0 7,martin ,luther71 8a chosen vessel of the ,lord to declare his truth6 ,and now ,i abjure and utterly renounce these my former errors1 finding them convinced and beaten down through ,god's infallible ,word which out of his divine mouth0 7,martin ,luther71 8hath touched my heart1 and won me to his glory40 ,after he had uttered these words lying on the ground1 he arose and clasped his arms about ,luther's neck1 both of them shedding joyful tears4 ,ah1 ,god6 said ,luther at that time1 what an unspeakable comfort a poor1 weak1 and sorrowful conscience might have and receive1 if it could but believe that such words and comforts were the words and comforts of ,god himself1 as in truth they are2 therefore we conclude1 short and round1 that ,god through the ,word worketh1 which is an instrument whereby we are instructed to know him in heart1 as by this present and happy example of the conversion of this our loving brother1 ,bullinger1 we apparently see and find4 ,but whereas1 said ,luther1 the ,word produceth not fruit everywhere alike1 but worketh severally1 the same is ,god's judgment1 and his secret will1 which from us is hid2 we ought not to desire to know it4 ,for 8the wind bloweth where it listeth10 as ,christ saith2 we must not grabble nor search after the same4 ,if1 said ,luther1 ,i were addicted to ,god's ,word at all times alike1 and always had such love and desire thereunto as sometimes ,i have1 then should ,i account myself the most blessed man on earth4 ,but the loving ,apostle ,st4 ,paul failed also thereof1 as he complains with sighs of heart1 saying1 8,i see another law in my members1 warring against the law of my mind10 etc4 ,should the ,word be false because it bringeth not always fruit8 ,truly this art of determining and knowing the ,word hath been in great danger from the beginning of the world1 and hath endured much3 few people there are that can hit it1 except ,god1 through his ,holy ,spirit1 teacheth it them in their hearts4 ,the ,sectaries understand not the strength of ,god's ,word4 ,i do wonder1 said ,luther1 that they do write and teach so much of ,god's ,word1 seeing they so little regard the same4 ,ferdinand1 ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 used to say he had well discerned that nothing could be propounded by human reason and understanding1 were it never so wise1 cunning1 or sharp1 but that a man1 even out of the selfsame proposition1 might be able to confute and overthrow it2 but ,god's ,word only stood fast and sure1 like a mighty wall which neither can be battered nor beaten down4 ,which are the best ,preachers and the best ,hearers4 ,i1 said ,luther1 esteem those to be the best ,preachers which teach the common people and youth most plainly and simply1 without subtlety1 screwed words1 or enlargements4 ,christ taught the people by plain and simple parables4 ,in like manner1 those are the best ,hearers that willingly do hear and believe ,god's ,word simply and plainly1 and although they be weak in faith1 yet so long as they doubt not of the doctrine they are to be holpen forward2 for ,god can and will bear with weakness if it be but acknowledged1 and that we creep again to the ,cross and pray to ,god for grace1 and amend ourselves4 ,david saith1 8,i hate them that imagine evil things1 but thy law do ,i love10 and will show therewith that we ought diligently to regard the strength of the ,word of ,god1 and not to contemn it1 as the enthusiasts do1 for ,god will deal with us by such means1 and by the same will also work in us4 ,therefore the ancient ,fathers say well touching this point1 namely1 that we ought not to look to the person baptizing or ministering the ,sacrament1 but we must look to ,god's ,word4 ,our ,lord ,god electeth from hearts1 to whom he revealeth his ,word1 and therewithal he giveth them mouths to speak it2 preserveth and maintaineth it1 not by sword1 but through his ,divine ,power4 ,that we ought to direct all our ,actions and ,lives according to ,god's ,word4 ,god1 said ,luther1 hath his measuring-lines1 and his canons1 which are called the ,ten ,commandments2 they are written in our flesh and blood4 ,the contents of them is3 8,what thou wouldest have done to thyself1 the same thou oughtest also to do to another40 ,for ,god presseth upon that point1 and saith1 8,such measure as thou metest1 the same shall be measured to thee again40 ,with this measuring-line1 or measure1 hath ,god marked the whole world4 ,they that live and do thereafter1 well it is with them1 for ,god doth richly reward them in this life2 and a ,turk or a ,heathen may as well be partaker of such rewards as a ,christian4 ,where ,god's ,word is loved1 there dwelleth ,god4 ,upon these words of ,christ1 8,if a man loveth me1 he will keep my ,word1 and my ,father will love him1 and we will come unto him1 and make our abode with him10 ,i say thus1 said ,luther3 ,heaven and earth1 the castles and palaces of all ,emperors1 ,kings1 and ,princes1 are no way sufficient to make a dwelling-place for ,god2 yet1 in a silly human creature that keepeth his ,word he will dwell4 ,isaiah calleth heaven his 8seat10 and earth his 8footstool10 but not his dwelling2 therefore1 when we long to seek after ,god1 we shall be sure to find him with them that hear and keep his ,word1 as ,christ saith1 8,he that keepeth my ,word1 ,i will come and dwell with him40 ,a man could not speak more simply and childishly than ,christ spake1 and yet he confounded therewith all the wisdom of the worldly-wise4 ,to speak in such a manner1 said ,luther1 is not in sublimi1 sed humili genere3 if ,i should teach a child1 ,i would teach him in this sort3 8,he that loves me1 will keep my ,word40 ,here we see that ,christ saith not1 ,abstain from flesh1 from marrying1 from housekeeping1 etc41 as the ,papists teach1 for that were even to invite the devil and all his fellows to a feast4 ,that true and upright ,christians are ready to suffer ,death and all manner of ,torments for the ,gospel's sake1 but ,hypocrites do shun the ,cross4 ,not long since1 said ,luther1 ,i invited to my table1 at ,wittemberg1 an ,hungarian ,divine1 named ,matthias de ,vai1 who told me that1 as he came first to be a ,preacher in ,hungary1 he chanced to fall out with a ,papistical ,priest4 ,now1 he was complained of by that ,priest to a ,friar that was brother to the ,vaivoda1 or ,governor of ,buda1 and they were both summoned to appear before him4 ,the one much accusing the other1 insomuch that the ,friar could not reconcile nor take up the controversy between them1 at last1 and after long debate1 the ,friar said1 8,i know a way soon to discover the truth of this cause10 and commanded that two barrels of gunpowder should be set in the midst of the market-place at ,buda1 and said unto the parties1 8,he that will maintain his ,doctrine to be right1 and the true ,word of ,god1 let him sit upon one of these barrels1 and ,i will give fire unto it1 and he that remaineth living and unburned1 his ,doctrine is right40 ,then ,matthias de ,vai leaped presently upon one of the barrels and sat himself down thereon2 but the ,papist ,priest would not up to the other barrel1 but slunk away4 ,then the ,friar said1 8,now ,i see and know that the ,faith and ,doctrine of ,matthias de ,vai is the right1 and that our ,papistical ,religion is false40 ,and thereupon he punished and fined the ,papist1 with his assistants1 for wronging ,de ,vai1 in four thousand ,hungarian ducats1 and compelled him for a certain time to maintain one hundred soldiers at his own charge2 but he licensed ,matthias de ,vai openly to preach the ,gospel4 ,the ,friar himself1 recanting his religion1 was converted and became a ,protestant2 whereupon ,luther said1 ,never yet would any ,papist burn for religion1 but our people go with joy to the fire1 as heretofore hath been well seen on the holy ,martyrs4 ,by what ,god preserveth his ,word4 ,god will keep his ,word1 said ,luther1 through the writing-pen upon earth2 the ,divines are the heads or quills of the pens1 but the ,lawyers are the stumps4 ,if1 now1 the world will not keep the heads and quills--that is1 if they will not hear the ,divines--then they must keep the stumps--that is1 they must hear the ,lawyers1 who will teach them manners4 ,that in ,causes of ,religion we must not judge according to human ,wisdom1 but according to ,god's ,word4 ,when the ,pope and ,emperor1 said ,luther1 cited me to appear at ,worms1 ,anno ,domini #aeba1 at the ,imperial ,assembly1 they pressed and earnestly advised me to refer the determining of my cause to his ,imperial ,majesty2 but ,i answered the three spiritual ,electors1 ,maintz1 ,tryer1 and ,cologne1 and said1 8,i will rather surrender up to his ,majesty his letters of safe-conduct which he hath given me than to put this cause to the determining of any human creature whatsoever40 ,whereupon my master1 the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 said also unto them1 8,truly no man could offer more40 ,but as they still insisted and urged me touching that point1 ,i said1 ,i did not dare to presume1 without great danger of running myself into ,god's wrath1 and of the loss of my soul's health1 to refer this ,cause1 which is none of mine1 but ,god's ,cause1 to the censure of earthly counsel2 for the same1 before all ages1 hath been had in consultation1 hath been determined1 censured1 concluded1 and confirmed by the great ,council in ,heaven1 to be and remain the infallible1 most certain and true ,word of the ,high ,majesty of ,god2 and therefore altogether needless1 yea1 most presumptuous now it were1 either to receive or to deliver it to the determination and censure of human and natural sense1 wit1 and wisdom1 which is subject to nothing more than to error1 especially in and concerning ,god's ,word and divine matters4 ,and ,i told them flat and plain1 ,i would rather expose myself to endure all the torments that this world1 flesh1 and the devil were able to devise and prepare than to give my consent thereunto4 ,that in former ,times it was dangerous studying the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,in times past1 as also in part of our time1 said ,luther1 it was dangerous studying1 when divinity and all good arts were contemned2 and when fine1 expert1 and prompt wits were plagued with sophistry4 ,aristotle1 the ,heathen1 was held in such repute and honour1 that whoso undervalued or contradicted him was held1 at ,cologne1 for the greatest heretic2 whereas they themselves understood not ,aristotle4 ,the ,sophists did much more darken ,aristotle than illustrate him2 like as that ,friar did1 who wasted two whole hours in a sermon about ,christ's ,passion1 and concerning this question3 ,utrm quantitas realiter distincta sit substantia--whether the quantity in itself were divided from the substance8 ,he showed this example1 and said1 8,my head might well creep through1 but the bigness of my head could not20 insomuch that1 like an idiot1 he divided the head from the bigness thereof4 ,a silly grammarian might easily have solved the same1 and said1 ,the bigness of the head1 that is1 the big or great head4 ,with such and the like fopperies were petty brains troubled1 said ,luther1 and were instructed neither in good arts nor in divinity4 ,antipho1 ,chusa1 ,bovillus1 and others were likewise miserably molested and plagued about bringing a thing which was round into four square1 and to compare a straight line with a crooked4 ,but we1 ,god be praised1 have now happy times2 and it were to be wished that the youth made good use thereof1 and spent their studying diligently in such arts as at this time are green1 and flourish4 ,that the ,jews have better ,teachers and ,writers of the ,holy ,scriptures than the ,gentiles4 ,when ,i read in the ,psalter1 said ,luther1 ,i do much admire that ,david had such a spirit4 ,oh1 what high enlightened people were among the ,jews6 ,this ,david was a married man2 he was a king1 a soldier1 and a preacher2 he was busy in temporal affairs1 yet nevertheless he wrote such an excellent surpassing book4 ,the ,new ,testament was written also by men that were ,jews1 and the ,apostles themselves were ,jews3 ,god would signify thereby that we should adore his ,word1 we should preciously esteem thereof1 reverence1 and love the same4 ,we ,gentiles have no book that ruleth in the ,church1 therefore we are not comparable to the ,jews2 from hence it is that ,st4 ,paul maketh a very fine distinction or difference between ,sarah and ,hagar1 and the two sons1 ,isaac and ,ishmael4 ,hagar was also a wife1 but nothing near like ,sarah2 therefore it is a great pride1 presumption1 and wilfulness of the ,pope1 in that he1 being but a human creature1 will presume1 without ,scripture1 to set himself against the ,scripture1 and will exalt himself above the same4 ,of ,luther's ,complaint of the ,multitude of ,books4 ,the multitude of books1 said ,luther1 is much to be lamented2 no measure nor end is held in writing2 every one will write books2 some out of ambition to purchase praise thereby1 and to raise them names2 others for the sake of lucre and gain1 and by that means further much evil4 ,therefore the ,bible1 by so many comments and books1 will be buried and obscured1 so that the ,text will be nothing regarded4 ,i could wish that all my books were buried nine ells deep in the ground1 for evil example's sake1 in that every one will imitate me with writing many books1 thereby to purchase praise4 ,but ,christ died not for the sake of our ambition and vain-glory1 but he died only to the end that his name might be sanctified4 ,that ,god's ,word will not be truly understood without ,trials and ,temptations4 ,i1 said ,luther1 did not learn my divinity at one only time1 but ,i was constrained to search deeper and deeper1 to which my temptations brought me2 for no man1 without trials and temptations1 can attain to the true understanding of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,st4 ,paul had a devil that beat him with fists1 and with temptations drove him diligently to study the ,holy ,scripture4 ,i1 said ,luther1 had cleaving and hanging on my neck the ,pope1 the ,universities1 all the deep-learned1 and with them the devil himself2 these hunted me into the ,bible1 where ,i diligently read1 and thereby1 ,god be praised1 at length ,i attained to the true understanding of the same4 ,without such a devil1 we are but only speculators of divinity1 and according to our vain reasoning we dream that so-and-so it must be1 as the ,monks and ,friars in monasteries do4 ,the ,holy ,scripture of itself is certain and true enough2 but ,god grant me the grace that ,i may catch hold on the right use thereof2 for when ,satan disputeth with me in this sort1 namely1 whether ,god be gracious unto me or no8 then ,i must not meet him with this text3 8,whoso loveth ,god with all his heart1 with all his soul1 and with all his strength1 the same shall inherit the kingdom of ,god20 for then the devil presently objecteth1 and hitteth me in the teeth1 and saith1 8,thou hast not loved ,god with all thy heart10 etc41 which1 indeed1 is true1 and my own conscience therein witnesseth against me2 but at such a time ,i must arm myself and encounter him with this text1 namely3 8,that ,jesus ,christ died for me1 and through him ,i have a gracious ,god and ,father2 ,christ hath made an atonement for me10 as ,st4 ,paul saith1 8,he is of ,god given unto us for wisdom1 for righteousness1 for holiness1 and for redemption40 ,tyrants1 sectaries1 seducers1 and heretics do nothing else but drive us into the ,bible1 to make us read more diligently therein1 and with more fervency to sharpen our prayers4 ,of the ,advice of the ,bishop of ,salzburg1 how to qualify the ,controversy between the ,protestants and ,papists1 propounded to ,luther shortly before his ,death2 touching which1 ,luther discoursed as followeth3 ,at the ,imperial ,assembly at ,augsburg1 in the year #aecj1 the ,bishop of ,salzburg said unto me1 8,four ways and means there are to make a reconciliation or union between us and you ,protestants4 ,one is1 that ye yield unto us4 ,to that you say you cannot4 ,the second is1 that we yield unto you2 but that we will not do4 ,the third is1 that the one party1 by force1 should be compelled to yield to the other2 but thereupon a great combustion and tumult might be raised4 ,therefore the fourth way or means were to be applauded and used1 namely1 that now being here assembled together1 the one party should strive to thrust out the other1 and that party which shall have the advantage1 and be the stronger1 the same should put the other party into a bag and expel them40 ,whereupon ,i1 said ,luther1 answered him and said1 8,this1 indeed1 were a very substantial course to settle unity and peace1 wonderful wisely considered of1 found out and expounded by such a holy and ,christian-like ,bishop as you are40 ,and thereupon ,i took letters out of my pocket1 which shortly before ,i had received from ,rome1 and gave the same to the ,bishop to read1 which letter related a pretty passage that fell out there five weeks before1 between some ,cardinals and the ,pope's ,fool1 written as followeth3-- ,the said ,cardinals had been in serious consultation how1 and by what means1 the ,protestants in ,germany might be convinced touching their error1 and suppressed2 but they saw the difficulty of it1 in that the ,protestants1 in their books and writings1 powerfully against the ,papists1 cited the sacred ,scripture1 and especially they opposed and withstood them with the doctrine of ,st4 ,paul1 which were great blocks in the ,papists' way1 insomuch that they found it a business not so easily to be accomplished4 ,then said the ,fool unto the ,cardinals1 8,i know how to give you herein an advice1 whereby you easily may be rid and quitted of ,st4 ,paul1 that his doctrines shall not be approved of2 as thus3 ,the ,pope10 said the ,fool1 8hath power to make ,saints2 therefore let ,st4 ,paul be taken out of the number of the ,apostles1 and preferred to be a ,saint1 as then his dicta1 or sayings1 which are against you1 shall no more be held for apostolical40 8,this and your proposition10 said ,luther to the ,bishop1 8are of equal value40 ,,of ,,god',s ,,works4 ,that human ,sense and ,reason cannot comprehend nor understand ,god's ,works4 ,in all things1 and in the least creatures1 yea1 also in their members1 ,god's almighty power and great wonderful works do clearly shine4 ,for what man1 how powerful1 wise1 and holy soever1 can make out of one fig1 a fig-tree or another fig8 or1 out of one cherry-stone1 can make a cherry or a cherry-tree8 or what man can know how ,god createth and preserveth all things and maketh them grow8 ,and truly we find and see printed the ,holy ,trinity in all good arts and creatures1 as the almighty power of ,god the ,father1 the wisdom of ,god the ,son1 and the goodness of ,god the ,holy ,ghost4 ,neither can we conceive or know how the apple of the eye doth see1 or how understanding words are spoken distinctly and plainly when only the tongue is moved and stirred in the mouth1 all which are natural things1 as we daily see and act4 ,how then should we be able to comprehend or understand the secret counsel of ,god's ,majesty1 or search it out with our sense1 wit1 reason1 or understanding8 ,that no ,man understands ,god's ,works4 ,no man1 said ,luther1 is able to imagine1 much less to understand1 what ,god hath done1 and still doth without ceasing4 ,although we laboured and sweated blood to write but only three lines in such manner as ,st4 ,john did write1 yet were we never able to perform it4 ,what1 then1 should we any way admire or wonder at our wisdom8 ,i1 for my part1 said ,luther1 will be a fool1 and will yield myself captive4 ,when one asked where ,god was before ,heaven was created1 ,st4 ,austin made answer thereunto and said1 ,he was in himself4 ,and as another1 said ,luther1 asked me the same question1 ,i said1 ,he was building ,hell for such idle1 presumptuous1 fluttering spirits and inquisitors4 ,after he had created all things1 he was everywhere1 and yet he was nowhere2 for ,i cannot fasten nor take hold of him without the ,word4 ,but he will be found there where he hath bound himself to be4 ,the ,jews found him at ,jerusalem by the ,throne of ,grace 7,exodus xxv474 ,we find him in the ,word and ,faith1 in ,baptism and ,sacraments2 but in his ,majesty he is nowhere to be found4 ,it was a special grace in the ,old ,testament1 when ,god bound himself to a certain place where he would be found1 namely1 in that place where the ,tabernacle was1 towards which they prayed2 as first in ,shiloh and ,shechem1 afterwards at ,gibeon1 and lastly at ,jerusalem in the ,temple4 ,the ,greeks and ,heathens in after-times1 said ,luther1 did imitate the same1 and did build temples for their idols in certain places1 as at ,ephesus for ,diana1 at ,delphos for ,apollo1 etc4 ,for where ,god built a church1 there the devil would also build a chapel4 ,they imitated the ,jews also in this1 namely1 that as the most holy was dark and had no light1 even so and after the same manner did they make their places dark where the devil made answer1 as at ,delphos and elsewhere4 ,in such sort is the devil always ,god's ape4 ,but1 said ,luther1 whereas the most holy must be dark1 the same did signify that the ,kingdom of ,christ no other way was to be taken hold of and fastened1 but only by the ,word and by ,faith4 ,that the ,superfluity of temporal ,wealth doth hinder the ,faith4 ,god1 said ,luther1 could be rich soon and easily if he would be more provident1 and would deny us the use of his creatures4 ,if he would but keep back the sun1 that it should not shine1 or lock up the air1 detain the water1 or quench out the fire--ah6 then would we willingly give all our money and wealth to have the use of his creatures again4 ,but seeing ,god so liberally heapeth his gifts upon us1 we therefore will claim them as by right1 in despite of him1 and let him deny them us if he dare4 ,therefore the unspeakable multitude of his innumerable benefits do hinder and darken the faith of the believers1 much more of the ungodly4 ,that ,god doth purchase nothing but ,unthankfulness with his ,benefits4 ,god giveth sun and moon1 said ,luther1 stars and elements1 fire and water1 air and earth1 and all creatures2 body and soul1 and all manner of maintenance1 of fruits1 grain1 corn1 wine1 and all that is profitable for the preserving of this temporal life2 and1 moreover1 he giveth unto us his all-saving ,word1 yea1 himself he giveth unto us4 ,but1 said ,luther1 what getteth ,god thereby8 ,truly nothing else than that he is wickedly blasphemed2 yea1 that his only ,son is pitifully scorned1 contemned1 and hanged on the gallows2 his servants plagued1 banished1 persecuted and slain4 ,this is the thanks that he hath for his ,grace1 for creating1 for redeeming1 sanctifying1 nourishing1 and for preserving us3 such a seed1 fruit1 and godly child is the world4 ,oh1 woe be to it6 ,of ,god's ,power in our ,weakness4 ,god1 said ,luther1 placeth his highest office very wonderfully2 he commits it to preachers that are poor sinners and beggars1 who do utter and teach it1 and very weakly do thereafter1 or live according to the same4 ,thus goeth it always with ,god's power in our weakness2 for when he is weakest in us1 then is he strongest4 ,howsoever ,god dealeth with us1 it is always unacceptable4 ,how1 said ,luther1 should ,god deal with us8 ,good days we cannot bear1 evil we cannot endure4 ,giveth he riches unto us8 then are we proud1 so that no man can live by us in peace2 nay1 we will be carried upon hands and shoulders1 and will be adored as gods4 ,giveth he poverty unto us8 then are we dismayed1 we are impatient1 and murmur against him4 ,therefore nothing were better for us than soon to be conveyed to the last dance1 and covered with shovels4 ,of the acknowledging of ,nature4 ,adam had no need of books1 said ,luther1 for he had the ,book of ,nature2 and all the ,patriarchs and ,prophets1 ,christ and his ,apostles1 do cite much out of that book2 as1 touching the sorrows of women bearing children1 of the fellowship and community of the members of man's body1 as ,st4 ,paul relateth such parables1 and saith that one member cannot miss another3 if the eyes did not see1 whither then would the feet go8 how would they stumble and fall8 ,if the hands did not fasten and take hold1 how then should we eat8 ,if the feet went not1 where then would the hands get anything8 ,only the maw1 that lazy drone1 lies in the midst of the body1 and is fatted like a swine4 ,this parable1 said ,luther1 teacheth us that mankind should love one another2 as also the ,greeks' pictures do teach concerning two men1 the one lame and the other blind1 who showed kindness the one to the other1 as much as in them lay4 ,the lame guided the blind in the way1 which else he neither knew nor saw1 and the blind carried the lame1 that else could not go2 so that they both were helped and came forward4 ,of ,god's ,goodness1 if we could but trust unto him4 ,once1 towards evening1 came flying into ,luther's garden two birds1 and made a nest therein1 but they were oftentimes scared away by those that passed by4 ,then said ,luther1 ,o ye loving pretty birds6 fly not away2 ,i am heartily well contented with you1 if ye could but trust unto me4 ,even so it is with us3 we neither can trust in ,god1 who1 notwithstanding1 showeth and wisheth us all goodness4 ,that ,god made all ,things for ,mankind4 ,god's power is great1 said ,luther1 who holdeth and nourisheth the whole world1 and maintaineth it2 and it is a hard article where we say and acknowledge1 8,i believe in ,god the ,father40 ,he hath created all things sufficiently for us4 ,all the seas are our cellars1 all woods are our huntings2 the earth is full of silver and gold1 and of innumerable fruits1 which are created all for our sakes1 and the earth is a corn-house and a larder for us1 etc4 ,that ,god's creatures are used1 or rather abused1 for the most part by the ,ungodly4 ,the wicked and ungodly1 said ,luther1 do enjoy and use the most part of ,god's creatures2 for the tyrants have the greatest power1 lands1 and people in the world2 the usurers have the money2 the farmers have eggs1 butter1 corn1 barley1 oats1 apples1 pears1 etc42 but good and godly ,christians must suffer1 be persecuted1 must sit in dungeons where they can see neither sun nor moon1 must be thrust out into poverty1 must be banished1 and plagued1 etc4 ,but certainly it must be better one day2 it cannot always so remain2 let us have but patience1 and steadfastly remain by the pure doctrine1 and1 notwithstanding all this misery1 let us not fall away from the same4 ,that ,god1 and not ,money1 preserves the ,world4 ,god only1 said ,luther1 and not money and wealth1 maintains and preserves the world2 for riches and much money do make proud and lazy people3 as at ,venice1 where the richest people are1 a horrible dearth fell among them in our memory1 so that they were driven to call upon the ,turks for help1 who sent twenty-four galleys laden with corn1 all which1 as they almost were arrived1 went down into the sea and sank before their eyes4 ,therefore1 said ,luther1 great wealth and money cannot still the hunger1 but rather occasioneth more dearth2 for where rich people are1 there it is always dear1 and things are at high rates4 ,moreover1 money maketh no man right merry1 but much more pensive and full of sorrow2 for they are thorns which do prick people1 as ,christ calls riches2 yet is the world so mad that they will set thereupon all their joy and felicity4 ,that ,god's corporeal ,gifts are but little regarded4 ,one evening1 ,luther saw cattle going in the fields1 in a pasture1 and said3 ,behold1 there go our preachers1 our milk-bearers1 butter-bearers1 cheese and wool-bearers1 which do daily preach unto us the faith towards ,god1 that we should trust in him1 as in our loving ,father2 he careth for us1 and will maintain and nourish us4 ,that ,god nourisheth all the ,beasts4 ,no man1 said ,luther1 can account the great charges which ,god is at only in maintaining the birds and such creatures1 which in a manner are nothing or little worth4 ,i am persuaded1 said he1 that it costeth ,god yearly more to maintain only the sparrows than the yearly revenue of the ,french ,king amounteth unto4 ,what then shall we say of all the rest of his creatures8 ,that ,god is skilful in all ,manner of ,trades4 ,god1 said ,luther1 is skilful in all occupations and trades1 in a most perfect and excellent manner2 for1 like a skilful tailor1 he makes such a coat for the stag1 which he wears nine hundred years together1 and of itself it is not torn2 also1 like a good shoemaker1 he gives him shoes on his feet1 that last longer than the stag himself1 etc4 ,god gives this world1 with all his works1 to those people who1 as he knows before1 will anger1 contemn1 and blaspheme him4 ,what1 then1 may we think1 will he give to those that through faith are justified1 and do know that they1 so justified1 shall live and remain with him everlastingly8 ,that ,god will be praised in all ,languages4 8,all that hath breath1 praise the ,lord10 saith the ,psalm2 thence it followeth that in all and every language1 speeches1 and tongues we should preach and praise the ,lord4 ,why then1 said ,luther1 have the ,pope and the ,emperor forbidden to sing and pray in the ,german tongue8 ,that ,god is willing we should make use of his ,creatures4 ,our loving ,lord ,god is willing that we eat1 drink1 and be merry1 and make use of his creatures1 for therefore he hath created them4 ,he will not have that we should complain1 as if he had not given sufficient1 or that he could not maintain our poor carcases2 only that we do acknowledge him for our ,god1 and thank him for his gifts4 ,that ,god fills the ,bellies of the ,ungodly1 but he gives the ,kingdom of ,heaven to the ,good and ,godly4 ,we believe1 said ,luther1 that ,god will give to us no better things than he giveth to the rich ungodly wretches in this world1 to whom he gives an overplus1 and the fill of good wine1 money1 wealth1 power1 honour1 and all things that they would have or can desire4 ,but the best wealth and treasure1 which they do not desire1 he denies them1 namely1 himself4 ,but he that hath not ,god1 let him have else what he will1 so is he1 notwithstanding1 more miserable than was ,lazarus1 that lay at the rich man's gate and was starved to death4 ,but it will go even so with them as it went with the glutton1 that they everlastingly must hunger and want1 and shall not have in all their power so much as the least drop of water1 etc4 ,if1 then1 said ,luther1 the almighty and liberal ,god in such wise doth heap blessings upon his worst enemies and blasphemers1 with all manner of temporal goods and wealth1 and gives to some also kingdoms1 principalities1 etc41 then may we1 that are his children1 easily conceive what he will give unto us1 who1 for his sake must suffer--yea1 what he hath already given us4 ,he hath given unto us his only-begotten ,son1 and with him hath bestowed all things upon us1 so that through him we are ,god's children1 and also heirs of his celestial treasure1 and are co-heirs with ,christ according to hope4 ,court ,cards4 ,god regards ungodly great ,potentates1 ,kings1 and ,princes even as children regard playing at cards4 ,while they play1 and have good cards1 they hold them in their hands2 then1 afterwards1 when they have bad cards1 they are weary of them1 and throw them under the bench4 ,just so doth ,god with great ,potentates4 ,while they are in the government1 and rule well1 he holds them for good2 but so soon as they do exceed1 and govern ill1 then he throws them down from their seat1 as ,mary sings1 and there he lets them lie4 ,ut ,regem ,dani4 ,the ,queen of ,denmark1 that was sister to the ,emperor ,charles and ,king ,ferdinand1 died at that time when her husband1 ,king ,christian1 was taken prisoner1 who was kept in prison twenty years4 ,and his son1 who was the only heir of the kingdom1 and was in the ,court of the ,emperor1 died also at the ,imperial ,diet held at ,ratisbon the same year1 #aeda4 ,god hath taken up and gathered together a fine and glorious game at cards1 all of mighty ,potentates1 as ,emperors1 ,kings1 ,princes1 etc42 they scuffle and fight one with another2 touching which1 said ,luther1 ,i could show many examples done in our time1 etc4 8,the ,pope10 said ,melancthon1 8for the space of these certain hundred years1 hath been held for the principal ,head of all ,christendom4 ,when he did but wink or hold up one finger1 so must the ,emperors1 ,kings1 and ,princes have humbled themselves and feared2 insomuch that he was ,lord of all ,lords1 ,king of all ,kings on earth2 yea1 he was an earthly god4 ,but now comes ,almighty ,god1 throws down the ,pope1 and wins that great king with the ace 7,luther71 and there he lies4 ,this is ,god's government1 as ,mary sings in her ,magnificat3 ,deposuit potentes--,he puts down the mighty from their seat1 etc4 8,if ,i were rich10 said ,melancthon1 8,i would have artificially made me a game at cards1 and a chess-board all of gold and silver1 in a remembrance of ,god's game at cards1 which are all great and mighty ,emperors1 ,kings1 and ,princes1 where he always thrusteth one out through another4 ,n4 is the four of diamonds1 the ,pope is the six of diamonds1 the ,turk is the eight of diamonds1 the ,emperor is the king in the game4 8,at last comes our ,lord ,god1 divides the game1 beats the ,pope with ,luther 7he is the ace74 ,but the ,pope is not yet quite dead2 ,christ hath begun to slay him with the spirit of his mouth1 so that he is dead in the hearts of believing ,christians4 ,i hope it is almost come so far that1 in less than two hundred years1 ,god will quite make an end of him1 and of that antichristian idolatry1 by his glorious coming40 ,whoso from his ,heart can humble himself before ,god1 he hath gained4 ,whoso can earnestly humble himself from his heart before ,god1 he hath gained4 ,for ,god can do nothing but to be merciful towards them that humble themselves4 ,for if ,god should always be stern and angry1 so should ,i1 said ,luther1 be afraid of him as of the executioner4 ,and seeing that ,i must stand in fear of the ,pope1 of the ,emperor1 of the ,papistical ,bishops1 and of other tyrants1 which are ,god's enemies1 to whom then should ,i fly and take my refuge1 if ,i should also be afraid of ,god8 ,that ,god preserves ,nurture and ,discipline4 ,god's works and actions will be where good nurture and discipline is maintained1 especially in wars1 where a good government is settled2 otherwise it goeth strangely1 dissolutely1 and ill1 as in this time we see too well4 ,when ,god will confound the wisdom of the wise1 he makes them first mad and furious in their proceedings1 as he dealt with the ,popish ,princes and ,bishops at the ,imperial ,diet held at ,augsburg4 ,let the adversaries rage and swell their fills1 said ,luther1 and as long as they can4 ,god hath set the sea her bounds2 he suffers the same to beat and rage with her waves1 as if they would over-run1 cover1 and drown everything2 yet1 notwithstanding1 they must not pass the shore and banks1 although ,god keeps the waters in their compass1 not with iron1 but with weak walls of sand4 ,this discourse ,luther held at that time when letters were written unto him from the ,assembly at ,frankfort1 concerning the ,papists1 with their practices and exploits1 intending to fall upon the ,protestants in all parts4 ,the second ,psalm1 said ,luther1 is one of the best ,psalms4 ,i love that ,psalm with my heart4 ,it strikes and slashes valiantly amongst the ,kings1 ,princes1 ,counsellors1 ,judges1 etc4 ,if it be true what this ,psalm saith1 then are the allegations of the ,papists stark lies4 ,if ,i were as our ,lord ,god1 and had committed the government to my son1 as he hath done to his ,son1 and that these angry gentlemen were so disobedient as they now are1 ,i would1 said ,luther1 throw the world into a lump4 ,mary1 the poor child-maid of ,nazareth1 also combateth with these great ,kings1 ,princes1 etc41 as she sings1 8,he hath put down the mighty from their seat10 etc4 ,no doubt1 said ,luther1 she had an excellent undaunted voice4 ,i1 for my part1 dare not sing so4 ,the tyrants say1 8,let us break their bonds asunder40 ,what that is1 said he1 present experience teacheth us2 for we see how they drown1 how they hang1 burn1 behead1 strangle1 banish1 and torture2 and all this they do in despite of ,god4 8,but he sits above in heaven1 and laugheth them to scorn40 ,if1 said ,luther1 ,god would be pleased to give me a little time and space1 that ,i might expound a couple of small ,psalms1 ,i would bestir myself so boldly that1 ,samson-like1 ,i would take all the ,papists away with me4 ,by reason of our stiff-necked ,hardness1 ,god must be both harsh and good too4 ,i was1 said ,luther1 very lately sharply reprimanded and taxed by a ,popish flattering ,courtier1 a ,priest1 because with such passion ,i had written1 and so vehemently had reproved the people4 ,but ,i answered him and said1 8,our ,lord ,god must first send a sharp pouring shower1 with thunder and lightning1 and afterwards cause it mildly to rain1 as then it wetteth finely through4 ,in like manner1 a willow or a hazel wand ,i can easily cut with my trencher-knife1 but for a hard oak a man must have and use axes1 bills1 and such-like1 and all little enough to fell and to cleave it40 ,what that is1 ,god is nothing1 and yet he is all ,things4 ,plato1 the ,heathen1 disputed of ,god1 that ,god is nothing1 and yet he is all things2 him followed ,dr4 ,eck1 and the ,sophists1 who understood nothing thereof1 as their words do show1 which no man could understand4 ,but1 said ,luther1 we must understand and speak of it in this manner3 ,god is incomprehensible and invisible1 therefore what may be seen and comprehended1 that is not ,god4 ,and thus a man may speak also in another manner and wise3 ,as ,god is either visible or invisible2 visible he is in his ,word and ,works1 but where his ,word and ,works are not1 there a man should not desire to have him1 for he will be found nowhere else than where he hath revealed himself4 ,but these and such-like will find and take hold of him with their speculations1 so that instead of ,god they take hold of the devil1 and find him1 for he will be also a god4 ,but ,i do truly admonish and warn every one that they abstain from such speculations1 and not to flutter too high1 but remain by the manger1 and by the swaddling-clothes wherein ,christ doth lie 7in the ,holy ,scriptures71 8in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the ,godhead bodily10 as ,st4 ,paul saith 7,col4 ii474 ,there a man cannot fail of ,god1 but finds and hits upon him most certainly4 ,i would willingly that this rule might be observed after my death1 namely3 ,human comfort and ,divine comfort are of two sorts3 human comfort consisteth in external visible help1 which a man may see1 hold1 and feel2 but ,divine comfort consisteth only in words and promises1 where there is neither seeing1 hearing1 nor feeling4 ,that ,children are ,god's special ,blessings and ,creatures4 ,dr4 ,jonas1 inviting ,luther to a dinner1 had caused a bough1 with ripe cherries1 to be hung up over the table where they dined1 in remembrance of the creation1 thereby to put his guests in mind to praise the glorious ,god in his blessing and creating such fruits1 etc4 ,but ,luther asked him why he did not rather remember the same by his children that were the fruit of his body4 ,for1 said he1 they surpass and are far more excelling creatures of ,god than all the fruits of trees4 ,by them we see ,god's ,power1 ,wisdom1 and ,art1 who hath made them all out of nothing1 hath given them in one year life and all members1 so exquisitely hath created and will maintain and preserve them4 ,yet1 notwithstanding1 we do not much regard it2 nay1 we are in such gifts of ,god blind and covetous1 as commonly it falleth out that people when they have got children grow worse and more covetous2 they rake and rend all they can1 to the end enough may be left for their children4 ,they do not know that before a child comes to the world1 and is born1 it hath its lot2 and already is ordained and determined what and how much it shall have1 and what shall be thereout4 ,in the state of matrimony we learn and find that begetting and bearing of children stands and consists not in our wills and pleasures1 for the parents can neither see nor know whether they be fruitful or no1 nor whether ,god will give them a son or a daughter4 ,all this is done without our ordaining1 thinking1 or foreknowledge4 ,my father and mother did not think that they should have brought a superintendent into the world2 it is only ,god's ,creation which we cannot rightly understand nor conceive4 ,i believe1 said ,luther1 that in the life to come we shall have nothing else to do than to meditate of our ,creator1 and of his celestial creatures1 and wonder at the same4 ,,of ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,of the ,world1 and of the ,manner thereof4 ,the world1 said ,luther1 will neither have nor hold ,god for ,god1 nor the devil for the devil4 ,and if a man were left to himself1 and should be suffered to do after his own kind and nature1 then would he willingly throw our ,lord ,god out at the window2 for the world regards ,god nothing at all1 as the ,psalm saith1 ,dixit impius in corde suo1 non est ,deus4 ,on the contrary1 the god of the world is riches1 pleasure1 and pride1 wherewith they abuse all the creatures and gifts of ,god4 ,the ,monks and ,friars1 in times past1 boasted much of their contemning of the world1 and they made use of that speech of ,st4 ,paul 7,rom4 xii471 8,be not conformed to this world20 from whence they would touch no money1 as if it were against ,god to make use of riches1 money1 and wealth2 whereas ,st4 ,paul and the whole ,scriptures forbid but only the abuse of heart1 wicked lust1 desire1 and inclination2 as there is ambition1 incontinency1 revenge1 etc41 which lusts do hang on the world2 yea1 they altogether flow and flourish4 ,of the ,manner of ,people in ,eating4 ,we have the nature and manner of all wild beasts in eating4 ,the wolves eat sheep2 we also4 ,the foxes eat hens1 geese1 etc42 we also4 ,the hawks and kites eat fowl and birds2 we also4 ,pikes do eat other fish2 we also4 ,with oxen1 horse1 and kine1 we also eat sallets1 grass1 etc4 ,the ,unthankfulness of ,husbandmen and ,farmers4 ,the husbandmen and rich farmers1 said ,luther1 are not worthy of so many benefits and fruits which the earth doth bear and bring unto them4 ,i give more thanks to our ,lord ,god for one tree or bush than all rich farmers and husbandmen do for their large and fruitful grounds4 ,yet1 said he1 we must except some husbandmen1 as ,adam1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 and ,isaac1 who went out to see their grounds1 to the end they might remember ,god's gifts in his creatures4 7,gen4 xxiv47 ,the world will have night owls1 said ,luther1 that is1 sectaries1 seducers1 and unbelievers1 about whom the birds do fly2 that is1 the world wonders at them1 entertains them with great honour1 and gives them money and wealth enough4 ,the ,gospel discovereth the ,wickedness of ,mankind4 ,as the cold1 said ,luther1 is always greater and more piercing in winter when the days begin to lengthen1 and when the sun draws near unto us1 for that maketh the cold thicker1 and presseth it together3 just so the wickedness of mankind is greater1 that is1 more visible1 and breaks out when the ,gospel is preached2 for the ,holy ,ghost reproveth the world of sin1 which the world neither can nor will endure4 ,the ,world's ,unthankfulness towards the ,servants of ,god4 ,he must be of a high and great spirit that undertaketh to serve the people both in body and soul1 and nevertheless must suffer the utmost danger and highest unthankfulness4 ,therefore ,christ said to ,peter1 ,simon1 etc41 8,lovest thou me80 and repeated it three times together4 ,afterwards he said1 8,feed my sheep10 as if he would say1 8,wilt thou be an upright ,minister and a ,shepherd8 then love must only do it2 thy love to me must do the deed1 otherwise it is impossible40 ,for who can endure unthankfulness8 to study away his wealth and health1 and afterwards to lay himself open to the highest danger and unthankfulness of the wicked world8 ,therefore he saith1 8,it is very needful that thou lovest me40 ,the ,pope and ,turk1 said ,luther1 have thoroughly revenged our cause1 and have done to the world a great deal of right1 as by scourging experience they have thoroughly been taught1 for so the world will have it4 ,upright and true servants of ,god they will not endure1 nay1 they murder them1 therefore they must have such fellows1 yea1 and moreover1 they must maintain and hold them in great honour and esteem1 and yet nevertheless must by them be cursed and deceived4 ,the ,world must have stern and fierce ,rulers4 ,the world1 said ,luther1 cannot be without such stern ,governors1 by whom they must be ruled4 ,king ,ferdinand1 with his ,popish tyranny1 is even a fine liquorish bit for the world2 therefore said ,god1 through the ,prophet ,samuel1 to his people of ,israel that prayed for a ,king1 ,he would give them a ,king1 but this shall be his rule3 8,he will take your sons1 and appoint them for himself1 for his chariots1 and to be his horsemen1 and will take your daughters to be cooks10 etc4 ,as ,ferdinand1 the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 returned home from the election of the ,emperor ,charles at ,cologne1 he asked me how ,i liked the news1 that they had elected ,charles1 ,king of ,spain1 to be ,roman ,emperor4 ,i answered him and said1 8,the ravens must have a kite40 ,the ,world's highest ,wisdom4 ,the highest wisdom of the world is1 said ,luther1 to trouble themselves with temporal1 earthly1 and vanishing things2 and as it happeneth and falleth out with those things1 they say1 8,non putram0 7,i had not thought it74 ,for faith is a certain and a sure expectation of that which a man hopeth for1 and maketh no doubt of that which he seeth not1 as the ,epistle to the ,hebrews saith3 ,faith looks to that which is to come1 and not to that which is already present4 ,therefore a true ,christian doth not say1 8,non putram0 7,i had not thought it72 but he is most certain that the beloved ,cross is near at hand1 and will surely come upon him2 therefore he is not afraid when it goeth evil with him1 and he is tormented4 ,but the world1 and those that live securely in the world1 cannot brook misfortunes2 they go on continually leaping and dancing in pleasure and delight1 like the rich ,glutton in the ,gospel4 ,he could not spare the scraps to poor ,lazarus1 but ,lazarus belonged to ,christ1 and he took his part4 ,the ,language and ,doings of the ,world4 ,albertus1 ,bishop of ,mentz1 had a physician attending on his person who was a ,protestant1 and therefore the less in the ,bishop's favour2 the same1 being covetous and puffed up with ambition1 recanted his religion and fell to ,popery1 uttering these words3 8,i will1 for awhile1 set ,christ behind the door1 until ,i be grown rich1 and then ,i will take him to me again40 ,such and the like blasphemous words do deserve the highest punishments1 as befell that wicked dissembling wretch1 for the same night he was found in his bed in a most fearful manner1 with his tongue torn out of his mouth1 as black as a coal1 and his neck wrung in twain4 ,myself1 said ,luther1 at that time coming from ,frankfort to ,mentz1 was an eye-witness of that just judgment of ,god4 ,if1 said he1 a man could bring to pass1 and at his pleasure could set ,god behind the door1 and take him again when he listed1 then was ,god his prisoner4 ,they were words of a damned ,epicure1 and so accordingly he was rewarded4 ,luther's ,comparison of the ,world4 ,the world seems to me like unto a decayed house4 ,david and the ,prophets are the spars2 ,christ is the main pillar in the midst that supporteth all4 ,the ,world seeketh ,immortality with their ,pride4 ,whereas all people do feel and acknowledge1 yea1 do see1 that they must die and vanish away1 every one therefore seeketh here on earth immortality1 that he may be had in everlasting remembrance4 ,sometimes great ,princes and ,kings sought it by causing great columns of marble stone and exceedingly high pyramids1 buildings1 and pillars four square to be erected1 as at this time they do with building great churches1 costly and glorious palaces and castles1 etc4 ,soldiers do look and hunt after great praise and honour by overcoming and obtaining famous victories4 ,the learned seek an everlasting name in writing books1 as in our time is to be seen4 ,with these and such-like1 people do think to be immortal4 ,but on the true1 everlasting1 and incorruptible honour and eternity of ,god1 no man thinketh nor looketh after the same4 ,ah6 we are poor1 silly1 and miserable people6 ,what is to be considered in the executing of ,offices4 ,if1 said ,luther1 the great pains and labour which ,i take sprang not from love and for the sake of him that died for me1 the world could not give me money enough to write only one book1 or to translate the ,bible4 ,i desire not to be rewarded and paid of the world for my book2 the world is too poor and simple to give me satisfaction4 ,i have not desired the value of one penny of my master the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 so long as ,i have been in this place4 ,the whole world is nothing else but a turned-about ,decalogus1 or the ,ten ,commandments backwards1 a wizard1 and a picture of the devil4 ,all contemners of ,god1 all blasphemers1 all disobedient2 whoredom1 pride1 theft1 murder1 etc41 are now almost ripe for the slaughter2 neither is the devil idle1 with ,turk and ,pope1 heresies and other erroneous sects4 ,every man draws the ,christian liberty only to carnal excess1 as if now they had free liberty and power to do what they list2 therefore the kingdom of the devil and ,pope is the best government for the world1 for therewith they will be governed with strict laws and rights1 with superstition1 unbelief1 etc4 ,the world grows worse through the doctrine of ,god's ,grace and preaching of the ,gospel2 for when they hear that after this life there is another1 they are well enough content with this life1 and that ,god should keep the other to himself2 if they may have here but only good days1 honour1 and wealth1 that is all they care for or desire4 ,at the time of my being in ,rome1 said ,luther1 there died a ,cardinal very rich1 and left behind him great store of money2 shortly before his death he made his will1 and laid it in a chest where the money was4 ,after his death the chest was opened1 and therein1 by the money1 was found lying a bull1 written on parchment1 with these words3 ,dum potui1 rapui2 rapiatis1 quando potestis4 7,i extorted and oppressed as long as ,i was able2 while ye have power1 get what you can47 ,oh6 said ,luther1 how finely1 think you1 must this ,cardinal have departed and died8 ,the ,world is full of ,dissemblers and ,blasphemers3 ,how many ,sorts there be4 ,luther discoursing1 in the presence of the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony and other ,princes1 of the many sorts and differences of wicked persons1 said3 ,colax1 ,sycophanta1 ,cacothes2 these sins and blasphemies are almost alike the one to the other1 only that they go one after another1 as a man going up the stairs and steps ascends from one to another4 ,colax1 in my opinion1 is he that in ,terence they name ,gnatho1 an ear-scratcher1 a dissembler1 a trencher-licker1 one that talketh for his belly's sake1 and is altogether a man-pleaser4 ,this is a sin of mankind1 whose intent is to get all they can though others are hurt thereby4 ,sycophanta is such a dissembler1 traitor1 and backbiter that would earn a grey coat4 ,this sin is nearer allied to the devil than to mankind4 ,gnatho acts his part in the comedies1 but ,sycophanta in the tragedies4 ,phormio1 in ,terence1 is a very honest person1 nothing1 or very little1 stained with the other two vices4 ,cacothes is a wicked villain1 that wittingly and wilfully prepareth mischief4 ,of the ,wealth and ,treasure of the ,world4 ,the ,fuggars #ig of ,augsburg1 on a sudden1 said ,luther1 are able to levy one hundred tons of gold 7one ton of gold is one hundred thousand rix dollars1 making1 in ,english money1 two-and-twenty thousand pounds sterling1 and more71 which neither the ,emperor nor ,king of ,spain is able to perform4 ,one of the ,fuggars1 after his death1 left eighty tons of gold4 ,the ,fuggars and the money-changers in ,augsburg lent the ,emperor at one time eight-and-twenty tons of gold for the maintaining of his wars before ,padua4 ,the ,cardinal of ,brixen1 who died at ,rome very rich1 left no great sum of ready money behind him1 but only there was found in his sleeve a little note of a finger's length4 ,this note was brought to ,pope ,julius1 who presently imagined it was a note of money1 and therefore sent for the ,fuggars' factor that was then at ,rome1 and asked him if he knew that writing4 ,the factor said1 8,yea1 it was the debt which the ,fuggars did owe to that ,cardinal1 which was the sum of forty hundred thousand rix dollars40 ,the ,pope asked him how soon he could pay that sum of money4 ,he answered and said1 8,every day1 or1 if need required1 at an hour's warning40 ,then the ,pope called for the ,ambassadors of ,france and ,england1 and asked them if either of their ,kings1 in one hour's space1 were able to satisfy and pay forty tons of gold4 ,they answered1 8,no40 8,then10 said the ,pope1 8one citizen of ,augsburg can do it40 ,and the ,pope got all that money4 ,one of the ,fuggars being warned by the ,senate of ,augsburg to bring in and to pay his taxation1 said1 8,i know not how much ,i have1 nor how rich ,i am1 therefore ,i cannot be taxed20 for he had his money out in the whole world--in ,turkey1 in ,greece1 at ,alexandria1 in ,france1 ,portugal1 ,england1 ,poland1 and everywhere1 yet he was willing to pay his tax of that which he had in ,augsburg4 ,covetousness is a ,sign of ,death2 we must not rely on ,money and ,wealth4 ,whoso hath money1 said ,luther1 and depends thereon1 as is usual1 it neither proceeds nor prospers well with that person4 ,the richest monarchs have had bad fortune1 and lamentably have been destroyed and slain in the wars2 on the contrary1 poor and unable people1 that have had but small store of money1 have overcome and had great fortune and victory4 ,as ,emperor ,maximilian overcame the ,venetians1 and continued wars ten years with them1 who were exceedingly rich and powerful4 ,therefore we ought not to trust in money and wealth1 nor to depend thereon4 ,i hear1 said ,luther1 that the ,prince ,elector1 ,george1 begins to be covetous1 which is a sign of his death very shortly4 ,when ,i saw ,dr4 ,goad begin to count his puddings hanging in the chimney1 ,i told him he would not live long1 which fell out accordingly2 and when ,i begin to trouble myself about brewing1 malting1 and cooking1 etc41 then shall not ,i drive it long1 but soon die4 ,the ,popes' ,covetousness4 ,the covetousness of the ,popes has exceeded all others'1 therefore1 said ,luther1 the devil made choice of ,rome to be his habitation2 for which cause the ancients have said1 8,rome is a den of covetousness1 a root of all wickedness40 ,i have also read in a very old book this verse following3 ,versus ,amor1 ,mundi ,caput est1 et ,bestia ,terr4 ,that is 7when the word ,amor is turned and read backward1 then it is ,roma71 ,rome1 the head of the world1 a beast that sucketh out and devoureth all lands4 ,truly at ,rome is an abominable trading with covetousness1 for all is raked to their hands without preaching or church-service1 but only with superstition1 idolatry1 and with selling their good works to the poor ignorant lay-people for money2 therefore ,st4 ,peter describeth such covetousness with express and clear words when he saith1 8,they have an heart exercised with covetous practices40 ,i am persuaded a man cannot acknowledge the disease of covetousness unless he knoweth ,rome2 for the deceits and jugglings in other parts are nothing in comparison of those at ,rome2 therefore1 anno #aeba1 at the ,imperial ,diet held at ,worms1 the ,state of the whole ,empire made supplication against such covetousness1 and desired that his ,imperial ,majesty would be pleased to suppress the same4 ,at that time1 said ,luther1 my book was presented to the ,german nobility1 which ,dr4 ,wick showed unto me4 ,then the ,gospel began to go on well1 but the ,pope's power1 together with the ,antinomians1 gave it a great blow1 and yet1 notwithstanding1 through ,god's ,providence1 it was thereby furthered4 ,the ,pope's power was above all ,kings and ,emperors1 which power ,i opposed with my little book2 and therewith also ,i assaulted the ,bull on the ,pope1 and1 by ,god's assistance1 overthrew it4 ,i did not write that book on purpose against the ,pope1 but only against the abuses of ,popedom2 yet nevertheless it startled them quickly1 for their consciences accused them4 ,princes do draw and tear ,spiritual ,livings unto them4 ,the proverb is1 said ,luther1 8,priests' livings are catching livings10 and that 8,priests' goods never prosper40 ,this we know to be true by experience1 for such as have drawn spiritual livings unto them are grown poor thereby1 and become beggars1 therefore this ,fable ,i like very well3 ,there was an ,eagle that made amity and friendship with the ,fox2 they agreed to dwell peaceably together4 ,now when the ,fox expected from the ,eagle all manner of good offices and turns1 he brought his young ones and laid them under the tree on which the ,eagle had his nest and young ones2 but the friendship between them lasted not long1 for so soon as the ,eagle wanted meat for his young 7the ,fox being out of the way71 he flew down and took the young ,foxes and carried them into his nest1 and therewith fed his young ,eagles4 ,when1 therefore1 the old ,fox returned1 and saw that his young were taken away1 he made his complaint to the great god ,jupiter1 desiring that he would revenge and punish that injury of ,jus violati hospitii4 ,not long after1 as the ,eagle again wanted meat to feed his young1 he saw that on a place in the field they sacrificed to ,jupiter4 ,the ,eagle flew thither1 and quickly snatched away a piece of roast from the altar and brought the same to his young1 and flew again to fetch more2 but it happened that a hot coal hung to one of the pieces2 the same1 falling into the ,eagle's nest1 set it on fire2 the young ,eagles1 not able to fly1 were burned with the nest and fell to the ground4 ,even so it usually fareth with those that rake and rend spiritual livings unto them1 which are given to the maintaining of ,god's honour and service2 such at last must lose their nests1 that is1 they must be left destitute of their temporal goods and livings1 and besides1 must sustain hurt of body and soul4 ,spiritual livings have in them the nature of ,eagle's feathers1 for when they are laid to other feathers they devour the same4 ,even so1 when men will mingle spiritual livings 7per fas aut nefas7 with other goods1 so must the same likewise be consumed1 insomuch that at last nothing will be left4 ,i have seen a pretty dog1 at ,lintz1 in ,austria that was taught to go with a hand-basket to the butcher's shambles for meat2 now1 when other dogs came about him1 and would take the meat out of the basket1 he set it down1 bit and fought lustily with the other dogs2 but when he saw they would be too strong for him1 then he himself would snatch out the first piece of meat1 lest he should lose all4 ,even so doth now our ,emperor ,charles1 who1 after he hath a long time defended the spiritual livings1 and seeth that every ,prince taketh and raketh the monasteries unto himself1 doth also now take possession of bishoprics1 as newly he hath snatched to himself the bishoprics of ,utrich and ,luttich1 to the end he may get also partem de tunica ,christi4 ,a fearful ,example of ,covetousness4 ,a covetous farmer1 well known at ,erfurt1 said ,luther1 carried his corn to sell there in the market2 but holding it at too dear a rate1 no man would buy of him nor give him his price2 he being thereby moved to anger1 said1 8,i will not sell it cheaper1 but will rather carry it home again and give it to the mice40 ,as he came home therewith1 an innumerable number of mice and rats flocked about his house and devoured up all his corn4 ,and the next day following1 going out to see his grounds1 which were newly sown1 he found that all the seed was eaten up1 and no hurt at all done upon the grounds belonging to his neighbours4 ,this certainly1 said ,luther1 was a just punishment from ,god1 and a token of his wrath against the unthankful world4 ,wealth is the least ,gift of ,god4 ,riches1 said ,luther1 is the smallest thing on earth1 and the least gift that ,god hath bestowed on mankind4 ,what is it in comparison of ,god's ,word8 yea1 what is it to be compared with corporeal gifts1 as beauty1 health1 etc48 nay1 what is it to the gifts of the mind1 as understanding1 art1 wisdom1 etc48 ,yet are men so eager after it that no labour1 travel1 nor danger is regarded in the getting of riches2 there is in it neither ,materialis1 formalis1 efficiens et finalis causa1 nor anything else that is good2 therefore our ,lord ,god commonly giveth riches to such from whom he withholds all ,spiritual good4 ,giving to the ,poor that truly stand in need of our ,help4 ,st4 ,john saith1 8,he that hath this world's goods1 and seeth his brother have need1 and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him1 how dwelleth the love of ,god in him80 ,and ,christ saith1 8,he that desireth of thee1 give to him20 that is1 to him that hath need and is in want4 ,he saith not to every idle1 lazy1 and wasteful companion1 which commonly are the greatest beggars1 to whom although one gave much and often1 yet were they nothing helped thereby4 ,in this town1 said ,luther1 no men are in greater want than the students and scholars4 ,the poverty here indeed is great1 but idleness and laziness are far greater4 ,a man can scarcely get a poor body to work for money1 and yet they will all beg4 ,there is1 said he1 no good government4 ,though ,i were able1 yet ,i would not give to those idle beggars1 for the more one helpeth and giveth them1 the more and oftener they come4 ,i will not cut my bread away from my wife and children1 and give it to such2 but when one is truly poor1 to him ,i will give with all my heart1 according to my ability4 ,and no man should forget that ,scripture which saith1 8,he that hath two coats1 let him part with one10 etc42 for the ,holy ,scripture1 in naming a coat1 meaneth all manner of apparel that one hath need of1 according to his state and calling1 as well for credit as for necessity4 ,as1 also1 by 8the daily bread0 is understood all maintenance necessary for the body1 therefore 8a coat10 in ,scripture1 is signified to be all usual apparel4 ,the ,world will always have new ,things4 ,before ,i translated the ,new ,testament out of the ,greek1 said ,luther1 every one longed after it1 to read therein1 but when it was done their longing lasted scarce four weeks4 ,then they desired the ,books of ,moses2 when ,i had translated those1 they had enough thereof in a short time4 ,after that they would have the ,psalter2 of the same they were soon weary2 when it was translated1 then they desired other books4 ,in like manner1 said he1 will it be with the ,book of ,ecclesiasticus1 which they now long for1 and about which ,i have taken great pains in the translating thereof4 ,all are acceptable1 so long and until our giddy brains be satisfied2 afterwards they let them lie1 and seek after new things2 therefore in the end there must come errors among us4 ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,christ4 ,that ,christ warreth with great ,potentates4 ,on the #ahth of ,august1 #aece1 ,luther1 receiving letters from ,frankfort relating to the great preparations of the ,emperor against the ,protestants1 said3 ,our ,saviour ,christ will not wage wars with beggars1 but with great and powerful ,kings and ,princes1 as it is written1 8,kings of the earth stand up1 and the rulers take counsel together against the ,lord1 and against his anointed40 ,well1 on1 said ,luther1 they will find their counsels altogether vain and frivolous1 for ,christ shall win the field4 ,we see also how the ,prophets contended and strove with ,kings1 as the ,kings of ,babel and ,assyria1 etc4 ,in like manner ,daniel1 one of the chief ,prophets1 wrestled and strove with ,kings1 and they again resisted the ,prophets4 ,all those ,kings are gone1 and lie in the ashes1 but ,christ remaineth1 still1 and will remain a ,king for ever4 ,that it doth not follow because ,christ did this and that1 therefore we must also do the same4 ,at this time1 said ,luther1 there are those that allege ,christ by force drove the buyers and sellers out of the temple2 therefore we also may use the like power against the ,popish bishops and enemies of ,god's ,word1 as ,muntzer and other seducers1 in the time of the common rebellion1 anno #aebe4 ,christ did many things which we neither may nor can do after him4 ,he went upon the water1 he fasted forty days and forty nights1 he raised ,lazarus from death after he had lain four days in the grave1 etc4 ,such and the like must we leave undone4 ,much less will ,christ have that we by force should set against the enemies of the truth1 but he commanded the contrary1 8,love your enemies1 pray for them that vex and persecute you10 etc4 ,but we ought to follow him in such works where he hath annexed an open command1 as1 8,be merciful1 as your ,father is merciful20 likewise1 8,take my yoke upon you and learn of me1 for ,i am meek and humble in heart10 etc41 also1 8,he that will follow me1 let him deny himself1 take up his cross and follow me40 ,that the weak in ,faith do also belong to the ,kingdom of ,christ4 ,the weak in faith1 said ,luther1 do also belong to the kingdom of ,christ1 otherwise the ,lord would not have said to ,peter1 8,strengthen thy brethren10 ,luke xxii42 and ,rom4 xiv41 8,receive the weak in faith20 also #a ,thess4 v41 8,comfort the feeble-minded1 support the weak40 ,if the weak in faith should not belong to ,christ1 where then would the ,apostles have been1 whom the ,lord oftentimes 7also after his resurrection1 ,mark xvi47 reproved because of their unbelief8 ,that ,christ is the only ,physician against ,death1 whom notwithstanding very few do desire4 ,a cup of water1 said ,luther1 if a man can have no better1 is good to quench the thirst4 ,a morsel of bread stilleth the hunger1 and he that hath need seeketh earnestly thereafter4 ,so ,christ is the best1 surest1 and only physic against the most fearful enemy of mankind1 the devil1 but they believe it not with their hearts4 ,if they knew a physician who lived above one hundred miles off1 that could prevent or drive away temporal death1 oh1 how diligently would he be sent for6 ,no money nor cost would be spared4 ,hence it appears how abominably human nature is spoiled and blinded2 yet1 notwithstanding1 the small and little heap do stick fast to the true ,physician1 and by this art do learn that which the holy old ,simeon well knew1 from whence he joyfully sang1 8,lord1 now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation10 etc41 therefore death became his sleep2 but from whence came his great joy8 ,because that with spiritual and corporeal eyes he saw the ,saviour of the world--he saw the true ,physician against sin and death4 ,therefore it is a great trouble to behold how desirous a thirsty body is of drink1 or one that is hungry of food1 whereas a cup of water1 a morsel of bread1 can still hunger and thirst no longer than two or three hours1 but no man1 or very few1 are desirous1 or do long after the most precious ,physician1 although he lovingly calleth and allureth all to come unto him1 and saith1 8,he that is athirst1 let him come to me and drink0 7,john vii472 so1 8,he that believeth in me1 from his body shall flow streams of living water40 ,of the ,temple of all the ,gods 7except ,christ71 at ,rome1 called ,pantheon4 ,in the year #fjf1 ,emperor ,phocas1 the murderer of that good and godly ,emperor ,mauritius1 and the first erector of the ,pope's primacy1 gave this temple ,pantheon to ,pope ,boniface the ,third1 to make thereof what he pleased4 ,he gave it another name1 and instead of ,all-,idols he named it the ,church of ,all-,saints2 he did not number ,christ among them1 from whom all saints have their sanctity1 but erected a new idolatry1 the ,invocation of ,saints4 ,in my chronicle1 said ,luther1 ,i expound the name of ,bonifacius thus3 ,bonifacius is a ,popish name1 that is1 a good form1 fashion1 or show1 for under the colour of a good form and show he acted all manner of mischief against ,god and man4 ,as ,i was at ,rome1 said ,luther1 ,i saw this church2 it had no windows1 but only a round hole on the top1 which gave some light4 ,it was vaulted high1 and had pillars of marble stone so thick that two of us could scarcely fathom one about4 ,above1 on the vault1 were portrayed all the gods of the heathen1 ,jupiter1 ,neptune1 ,mars1 ,venus1 and how else they are called4 ,these gods were at a union1 to the end they might fool and deceive the whole world2 but ,christ they cannot endure1 for he hath whipped them out4 ,now are the ,popes come1 and have driven ,christ away again2 but who knoweth how long it will continue8 ,that the ,world knoweth not ,christ1 nor those that are his4 ,even as ,christ is now invisible and unknown to the world1 so are we ,christians also invisible and unknown therein4 8,your life10 saith ,st4 ,paul 7,coloss4 iii471 8is hid with ,christ in ,god40 ,therefore1 said ,luther1 the world knoweth us not1 much less do they see ,christ in us4 ,and ,john the ,apostle saith1 8,behold1 what love the ,father hath showed unto us1 that we shall be called ,god's children0 7#a ,john iii74 ,therefore we and the world are easily parted2 they care nothing for us1 so we care less for them2 yea1 through ,christ the world is crucified unto us1 and we to the world4 ,let them go with their wealth1 and leave us to our minds and manners4 ,when we have our sweet and loving ,saviour ,christ1 then we are rich and happy more than enough1 we care nothing for their state1 honour1 and wealth4 ,but we often lose our ,saviour ,christ1 and little think that he is in us1 and we in him2 that he is ours1 and we are his4 ,and although he hideth himself from us1 as we think1 in the time of need for a moment1 yet are we comforted in his promise1 where he saith1 8,i am daily with you to the world's end20 the same is our best and richest treasure4 ,of the ,name ,jesus ,christ4 ,i know nothing of ,jesus ,christ1 said ,luther1 but only his name2 ,i neither have heard nor seen him corporeally2 yet notwithstanding ,i have1 ,god be praised1 learned so much out of the ,scriptures that ,i am well and thoroughly satisfied2 therefore1 ,i desire neither to see nor to hear him corporeally4 ,and besides this1 when ,i was left and forsaken of all men1 in my highest weakness1 in trembling and in fear of death1 when ,i was persecuted of the wicked world1 then ,i oftentimes felt most evidently the divine power which this name 7,christ ,jesus7 communicated unto me2 this name 7,christ ,jesus7 oftentimes delivered me when ,i was in the midst of death1 and made me alive again4 ,it comforted me in the greatest despair1 and particularly at the ,imperial ,assembly at ,augsburg1 anno #aecj1 when ,i was forsaken of every man2 insomuch that1 by ,god's grace1 ,i will live and die for that name4 ,and rather than ,i will yield1 or through silence endure that ,erasmus ,roterodamus1 or any other whosoever he be1 should too nearly touch my ,lord and ,saviour ,christ ,jesus with his ungodly false doctrine1 how fairly coloured soever it be trimmed or garnished1 ,i say ,i will rather die2 yea1 it should be more tolerable for me1 with wife and children1 to undergo all plagues and torments1 and at last to die the most shameful death1 than that ,i should give way thereunto4 ,that ,christ and the ,pope are set on1 the one against the other4 ,i1 said ,luther1 have set ,christ and the ,pope together by the ears1 therefore ,i trouble myself no further2 and although ,i come between the door and the hinges and be squeezed1 it is no matter1 though ,i go to the ground2 yet notwithstanding ,christ will go through with it4 ,of the ,pre-eminence of ,god's ,word4 ,christ once appeared visible here on earth1 and showed his glory1 and1 according to the divine counsel and purpose of ,god1 he finished the work of redemption and the deliverance of mankind4 ,i do not desire that he should come once more1 neither would ,i that he should send an angel unto me2 and although an angel should come and appear before mine eyes from heaven1 yet would ,i not believe him2 for ,i have of my ,saviour ,christ ,jesus bond and seal2 that is1 ,i have his ,word and ,spirit2 thereon ,i do depend1 and desire no new revelations4 ,and1 said ,luther1 the more steadfastly to confirm me in the same resolution1 and to remain by ,god's ,word1 and not to give credit to any visions or revelations1 ,i shall relate the following circumstance3--,i being on ,good ,friday last in my inner chamber1 in fervent prayer1 contemplating with myself how ,christ my ,saviour hung on the ,cross1 how he suffered and died for our sins1 there suddenly appeared upon the wall a bright shining vision1 and a glorious form of our ,saviour ,christ1 with the five wounds1 steadfastly looking upon me1 as if it had been ,christ himself corporeally4 ,now1 at the first sight1 ,i thought it had been some good ,revelation3 yet ,i recollected that surely it must needs be the juggling of the devil1 for ,christ appeareth unto us in his word1 and in a meaner and more humble form2 therefore ,i spake to the vision in this manner3 8,avoid1 thou confounded devil2 ,i know no other ,christ than he who was crucified1 and who in his ,word is pictured unto me40 ,whereupon the image vanished4 ,that ,christ is the ,health and ,wisdom of the ,faithful4 ,alas6 said ,luther1 what is our wit and wisdom8 for before we understand anything as we ought1 we lie down and die2 therefore the devil hath good striving with us4 ,when one is thirty years old1 so hath he as yet ,stultitias carnales2 yea1 also ,stultitias spirituales2 yet it is much to be admired that1 in such our imbecility and weakness1 we achieve and accomplish so much and such great matters2 but it is ,god that giveth it4 ,god gave to ,alexander the ,great1 ,sapientiam et fortunam1 ,wisdom and good success2 yet1 notwithstanding1 he calleth him1 in the ,prophet ,jeremiah1 ,juvenem1 a youth1 where he saith1 8,quis excitabit juvenem0 7,a young raw milksop boy shall perform it3 he shall come and turn the city ,tyrus upside-down74 ,but yet ,alexander could not leave off his foolishness1 for oftentimes he swilled himself drunk1 and in his drunkenness he stabbed his best and worthiest friends2 yea1 afterwards he drank himself to death at ,babel4 ,neither was ,solomon above twenty years old when he was made ,king1 but he was well instructed by ,nathan1 and desired wisdom1 which was pleasing to ,god1 as the text saith4 ,but now chests full of money are desired4 8,oh60 say we now1 8if ,i had but money1 then ,i would do so-and-so40 ,,of ,,sins ,,and ,,of ,,free-,,will4 ,of the ,fall of the ,ungodly1 and how they are surprised in their ,ungodliness and ,false ,doctrine4 ,our ,lord ,god1 said ,luther1 suffereth the ungodly to be surprised and taken captive in very slight and small things1 when they think not of it1 when they are most secure1 and live in delight and pleasure1 in springing and leaping for joy4 ,in such a manner was the ,pope surprised by me1 in and about his indulgences and pardons1 which was altogether a slight thing4 ,the ,venetians1 likewise1 were taken napping by ,emperor ,maximilian4 ,that which falleth in ,heaven is devilish1 but that which stumbleth on earth is human4 ,of the ,acknowledgment of ,sins4 ,it can be hurtful to none1 said ,luther1 to acknowledge and confess their sins4 ,have we done this or that sin1 what then8 ,let us freely in ,god's name acknowledge the same1 and not deny it2 let us not be ashamed to confess1 but let us from our hearts say1 8,o ,lord ,god6 ,i am such-and-such a sinner10 etc4 ,and although thou hadst not committed this or that sin1 yet nevertheless thou art an ungodly creature2 and if thou hast not done that sin which another hath done1 so hath he not committed that sin which thou hast done2 therefore cry quittance one with another4 ,it is even as one said that had young wolves to sell2 he was asked which of them was the best4 ,he answered and said1 8,if one be good1 then they are all good2 they are like one another40 ,if1 said ,luther1 thou hast been a murderer1 an adulterer1 or a drunkard1 etc41 so have ,i been a blasphemer of ,god1 because for the space of fifteen years together ,i was a ,friar1 and have blasphemed ,god with celebrating that abominable idol the ,mass4 ,it had been better for me that ,i had been a partaker of other great wickednesses instead of the same2 but what is done cannot be undone2 he that hath stolen1 let him henceforward steal no more4 ,what our ,free-will doth effect4 ,i1 said ,luther1 oftentimes have been directly resolved to live uprightly1 and to lead a true godly life1 and to set everything aside that would let or hinder2 but it was far from being put in execution1 even as it was with ,peter1 when he swore he would lay down his life for ,christ4 ,i will not lie nor dissemble before my ,god1 but will freely confess ,i am not able to effect that good which ,i do intend1 but must expect the happy hour when ,god shall be pleased to meet me with his grace4 ,,of ,,the ,,catechism4 ,of the ,virtues and ,vices concerning the ,ten ,commandments4 ,the ,decalogus1 that is1 the ,ten ,commandments of ,god1 are a looking-glass1 and a brief sum of all virtues and doctrines1 both how we ought to behave towards ,god and also towards our neighbour1 that is1 towards all mankind4 ,there never was at any time written a more excellent1 complete1 nor compendious book of virtues4 ,the duty of the ,first and ,second ,commandment is to fear ,god1 to love and to trust in him2 the contrary is sin and vice1 an ungodly life1 contemning of ,god1 hatred1 despair1 etc4 ,the duty of the ,third ,commandment is to acknowledge and to preach the doctrine of ,god's ,word2 the contrary is blaspheming of ,god1 to be silent and not to confess the truth when need requireth4 ,the duty of the ,fourth ,commandment is the external service of ,god1 as the preaching of ,god's ,word1 hearing1 reading1 and meditating on the same1 to the end we may make proof of our faith2 the contrary is the despising of ,god's ,word and the outward service of ,god1 as the ,holy ,sacraments4 ,the duty of the ,fifth ,commandment is obedience towards parents1 tutors1 and magistrates in those things which are not against ,god2 the contrary is disobedience and rebellion4 ,the duty of the ,sixth ,commandment is meekness1 not to be desirous of revenge1 not to bear malice2 against this is tyranny1 rage1 hatred1 envy1 etc4 ,the duty of the ,seventh ,commandment is continency and chastity2 against the same is lasciviousness1 immodest behaviour1 adultery1 etc4 ,the duty of the ,eighth ,commandment is to do good1 to give and lend willingly1 to be liberal2 the contrary is covetousness1 stealing1 usury1 fraud1 and to wrong in trading and dealing4 ,the duty of the ,ninth ,commandment is to love the truth1 not to backbite and slander1 to speak well of all men2 the contrary is lying1 backbiting1 and to speak evil of another4 ,the duty of the ,tenth ,commandment is righteousness1 to let every one possess his own2 the contrary is to be miserable and unjust4 ,the duty of this ,commandment is to be without all covetous desires in the heart1 to be content with that which one hath2 against that are the lustings of the heart4 ,st4 ,paul saith the end of the ,commandment is charity1 out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned4 ,,brief ,,sentences ,,of ,,the ,,catechism1 ,,according ,,as ,,luther ,,used ,,to ,,teach ,,and ,,instruct ,,his ,,family ,,at ,,home4 ,of the ,ten ,commandments of ,god4 ,as the ,faith is1 so is also ,god4 ,god stayeth not quite away1 though he stayeth long4 ,despair maketh ,priests and ,friars4 ,god careth and provideth for us1 but we must labour4 ,god will have the heart only and alone4 ,idolatry is the imagination of the heart4 ,god giveth by creatures4 ,god's ,word placeth before our eyes the world1 to the end we may see what a fine spark it is4 ,god's ,word is our sanctification1 and maketh everything happy4 ,works of obedience must highly be regarded4 ,all that govern are called ,fathers4 ,shepherds of ,souls are worthy of double honour4 ,magistrates belong not to the fifth ,commandment4 ,wrath is forbidden in every man1 except in the magistrates4 ,all occasions of death are forbidden4 ,matrimony proceedeth freely in every state and calling4 ,matrimony is necessary and commanded4 ,matrimony forbidden and disallowed is against ,god's command4 ,matrimony is a blessed state1 and pleasing to ,god4 ,to steal is what one taketh unjustly4 ,unfaithfulness is also stealing4 ,thieving is the most common trade in the world4 ,great thieves go scot-free1 as the ,pope and his crew4 ,falseness and covetousness prosper not4 ,backbiting is meddling with ,god's judgment4 ,censuring1 and to speak evil behind one's back1 belongeth only to the magistrates4 ,we must censure and reprove no man behind his back4 ,we must judge charitably in everything4 ,there are no good works without the ,ten ,commandments4 ,to fear ,god1 and to trust in him1 is the fulfilling of all the ,commandments4 ,the first ,commandment driveth on all the rest4 ,of the ,creed4 ,the ,creed teacheth to know ,god1 and what a ,god we have4 ,in all cases we must make use of faith4 ,god giveth himself unto us with all creatures4 ,we must always drive on the article of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,holy ,ghost bringeth ,christ home unto us2 he must reveal him4 ,where the ,holy ,ghost preacheth not1 there is no ,church4 ,the works of the ,holy ,ghost are wrought continually4 ,of the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,to pray is to call upon ,god in all need1 which is made precious through ,god's command1 and necessity stirreth up earnest and devout prayers1 which are our weapons against the devil4 ,the devil1 the world1 and our flesh is against ,god's ,will4 ,the devil hindereth and destroyeth the daily bread and all the gifts of ,god4 ,god careth for our bodies daily4 ,no man can live in the world without sin4 ,no man can bring his own righteousness before ,god4 ,we must forgive1 as ,god forgiveth us4 ,to forgive our neighbour1 assureth us fully that ,god hath forgiven us4 ,we are tempted three manner of ways--of the devil1 of the world1 and of our flesh4 ,temptations serve against the secureness of our flesh4 ,temptations are not overcome through our own strength4 ,the devil would hinder all that we pray for4 ,the devil goeth about to bring us into all manner of need4 ,of ,baptism4 ,faith is annexed to ,baptism4 ,faith must have before it some external thing4 ,faith maketh the person worthy4 ,baptism is not our work1 but ,god's4 ,baptism is right1 although no man believeth4 ,no man must build upon his faith4 ,unbelief weakeneth not ,god's ,word4 ,of the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper is of ,god's ordaining4 ,the ,word maketh a ,sacrament4 ,christ in the ,sacrament is spiritual food for the soul4 ,remission of sins is obtained only through the ,word4 ,faith receiveth the forgiveness of sins4 ,the ,sacrament consisteth not in our worthiness4 ,faith and human understanding are one against another4 ,faith dependeth on the ,word4 ,as we hold of ,christ1 even so we have him4 ,faith is a ,christian's treasure4 ,the ,gospel is the power of ,god4 ,good ,works4 ,good works are nameless4 ,a ,christian's work standeth for the good of the neighbour4 ,faith in ,christ destroyeth sin4 ,the ,holy ,scriptures only give comfort1 they forbid not good works4 ,christ is a general good4 ,christians do pray for and desire the last ,day of ,judgment4 ,the ,church heareth none but ,christ4 ,christ is of a mean estate and small repute4 ,in adversities we should show ourselves like men1 and pluck up good spirits4 ,our whole life should be manly2 we should fear ,god and put our trust in him4 ,faith maketh us ,christ's heritage4 ,we should aim at celestial honour1 and not regard the contemning of men4 ,christ spareth us out of mere grace through the ,word4 ,the ,gospel is altogether joyful4 ,grace condemneth all people's own righteousness4 ,salvation is purchased and given unto us without our deserts4 ,regeneration is the work only of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,human reason cannot comprehend nor understand the goodness and benefits of ,god4 ,good works are the seals and proofs of faith2 for1 even as a letter must have a seal to strengthen the same1 even so faith must have good works4 ,faith hath regard to the ,word1 and not to the ,preacher4 ,the ,preacher and the ,word are two ,persons4 ,this natural life is a little piece of the life everlasting4 ,own imaginations and conceits spoil all things4 ,the ,gospel cometh of ,god1 it showeth ,christ1 and requireth ,faith4 ,the ,gospel is a light in the world1 which lighteneth mankind1 and maketh children of ,god4 ,false ,preachers are worse than deflowerers of virgins4 ,righteousness is obtained through faith1 and not through works4 ,works make faith strong4 ,a ,preacher is made good through temptations4 ,a ,prince is venison in heaven4 ,a person must be good before his works can be good4 ,we must not be dejected1 but believe and pray4 ,no ,state or ,calling is of any value to make one good before ,god4 ,faith endureth no human traditions in the conscience4 ,the ,saints oftentimes erred like men4 ,we must distinguish offices from the persons4 ,we hate punishment1 but we love sin4 ,god preserveth the sanctified1 yea1 even in the midst of errors4 ,no great ,saint lived without errors4 ,a ,christian's life consisteth of three points--of faith1 love1 and the cross4 ,we command a ,christian in nothing1 he is only admonished4 ,we must curb ourselves in our own wills and minds4 ,all revenge among ,christians is taken away2 they must grow up and increase in the fruits of the spirit1 among which love is the greatest1 for she goeth about with the people4 ,human reason comprehendeth not1 nor understandeth that ,christ is our brother4 ,christ is given unto us that believe with all his benefits and works4 ,christ cometh unto us by preaching1 so that he is in the midst of us4 ,without the ,cross we cannot attain to glory4 ,the ,gospel cannot be truly preached without offence and tumult4 ,the ,holy ,ghost maketh one not instantly complete1 but he must grow and increase4 ,we lose nothing by the ,gospel1 therefore we should venture thereupon all we have4 ,to believe the ,gospel1 delivereth from sins4 ,works belong to the neighbour1 faith to ,god4 ,those that censure and judge others1 condemn themselves4 ,such as is the ,faith1 such is also the benefit4 ,to doubt is sin and everlasting death4 ,we know ,christ when he himself is a schoolmaster in our hearts1 and breaketh bread unto us4 ,god's ,word kindleth ,faith in the heart4 ,faith is to build certainly on ,god's mercy4 ,christ requireth no seeming godliness1 no hypocrisy nor dissembling1 but the godliness of the heart4 ,we are saved merely by grace and mercy1 if we trust thereupon1 but ,god must alter our hearts4 ,the ,law is nothing but a looking-glass4 ,christ carrieth us upon his back before his ,father4 ,love regardeth not unthankfulness4 ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,and ,,the ,,gospel4 ,that we ought to beware of ,sophistry4 ,if1 said ,luther1 we diligently mark the world and the course thereof1 we shall find that it is governed merely by weenings or conceits1 ,mundus regitur opinionibus4 ,therefore sophistry1 hypocrisy1 and tyranny do rule and have the government in the world4 ,the upright1 pure1 and clear ,divine ,word must be their handmaid1 and be by them controlled2 this the world will have4 ,therefore let us beware of sophistry1 which consisteth not only in a double tongue1 in doubtful and screwed words1 which may be construed any way1 but also it blossometh1 and flourisheth in all arts and vocations2 it will likewise have room and place in religion2 it hath usurped and got a fine painted colour1 under the name of holy writ4 ,nothing is more pernicious or hurtful than ,sophistry2 every one knoweth it not2 moreover1 we are by nature prone and willing to believe lies rather than the truth4 ,few people do know what an evil sophistry is4 ,plato1 the ,heathen writer1 made thereof a wonderful definition4 ,for my part1 said ,luther1 ,i compare it with a lie1 which is like to a snowball1 the longer it is rolled the greater it becomes4 ,therefore ,i do not approve of such persons as do pervert everything1 do under-value and find fault with other men's opinions1 although they be good and sound2 ,i like not such brains which can dispute on both sides1 and yet conclude nothing certain4 ,such sophistications1 said ,luther1 are nothing but crafty and subtle inventions and contrivances to cozen and deceive people4 ,but ,i like and love an honest and a well-affected mind1 that seeketh after truth simply and plainly1 not to go about with phantasies and cheating tricks4 ,whether we should preach only of ,god's ,grace and ,mercy1 or not4 ,philip ,melancthon demanded of ,luther whether the opinion of ,calixtus were to be approved of1 namely1 that the ,gospel of ,god's ,grace ought to be continually preached4 ,for thereby1 doubtless1 said ,melancthon1 people would grow worse and worse4 ,luther answered him and said3 ,we must preach ,gratiam1 notwithstanding1 because ,christ hath commanded it4 ,and although we long and often preach of grace1 yet when people are at the point of death they know but little thereof4 ,nevertheless we must also drive on with the ,ten ,commandments in due time and place4 ,the ungodly1 said ,luther1 out of the ,gospel do suck only a carnal freedom1 and become worse thereby2 therefore not the ,gospel1 but the ,law belongeth to them4 ,even as when my little son ,john offendeth3 if then ,i should not whip him1 but call him to the table unto me1 and give him sugar and plums1 thereby1 indeed1 ,i should make him worse1 yea1 should quite spoil him4 ,the ,gospel is like a fresh1 mild1 and cool air in the extreme heat of summer1 that is1 a solace and comfort in the anguish of the conscience4 ,but as this heat proceedeth from the rays of the sun1 so likewise the terrifying of the conscience must proceed from the preaching of the ,law1 to the end we may know that we have offended against the ,laws of ,god4 ,now1 said ,luther1 when the mind is refreshed and quickened again by the cool air of the ,gospel1 then we must not be idle1 lie down and sleep2 that is1 when our consciences are settled in peace1 quieted and comforted through ,god's spirit1 then we must show also and prove our faith by such good works which ,god hath commanded4 ,but so long as we live in this vale of misery1 we shall be plagued and vexed with flies1 with beetles1 and with vermin1 etc41 that is1 with the devil1 with the world1 and with our own flesh2 yet we must press through1 and not suffer ourselves to recoil4 ,against the ,opposers of the ,law4 ,i do much condemn1 said ,luther1 the ,antinomians1 who1 void of all shame1 reject the doctrine of the ,law1 whereas the same is both necessary and profitable4 ,but they see not the effect1 the need1 and the fruit thereof4 ,st4 ,austin did picture the strength1 the office and operation of the ,law1 by a very fit similitude1 namely1 that it discovereth our sins1 and ,god's wrath against sin1 and placeth them in our sight2 for the ,law is not in fault1 but our evil and wicked nature1 even as a heap of lime is still and quiet until water be poured thereon1 but then it beginneth to smoke and to burn1 not that it is the fault of the water1 but it is the nature and kind of the lime1 which will not endure water2 but if oil be poured upon it1 then it lieth still and burneth not4 ,even so it is with the ,law and ,gospel4 ,it is an exceedingly fair similitude4 ,of the ,children's ,faith4 ,the little children1 said ,luther1 do stand on the best terms with ,god ,almighty concerning their lives and faith4 ,we old doting fools do torment ourselves and have sorrow of heart with our disputings1 touching the ,word1 whether it be true or not3 8,how can it be possible80 etc4 ,but the children with simple pure faith do hold the same to be certain and true1 without all doubting4 ,now1 if we intend to be saved1 we must1 according to their example1 give ourselves only to the ,word4 ,but the wicked and crafty spirit1 before we be aware1 can1 master-like1 draw the same away from us1 by presenting new dealings and business to keep us in action4 ,therefore best it were for us soon to die1 and to be covered over with shovels4 ,the loving children do live innocently1 they know of no sins1 they are without malice1 wrath1 covetousness1 and unbelief1 etc4 ,therefore they are merry and possess a good conscience2 they fear no danger1 whether wars1 pestilence1 or death4 ,they will take an apple rather than a crown2 what they hear concerning ,christ1 of the life to come1 etc41 the same do they believe simply and plainly1 and prattle joyfully thereof4 ,from whence ,christ speaketh unto us old ones earnestly to follow their examples1 where he saith1 8,whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of ,god as a little child shall in no wise enter therein40 ,for the children believe aright1 and ,christ loveth them with their childish sports4 ,on the contrary1 he is an enemy to the wisdom of the world 7,matt4 xi474 ,of an ,example of ,faith in the ,time of ,dearth4 ,at ,eisleben1 said ,luther1 ,i was well acquainted with a godly matron1 who1 in the time of the last dearth1 with two children1 had suffered extreme want and need4 ,now1 when she had spent all her provision1 and had nothing more to live upon1 she trimmed herself with her children1 and went towards a well or fountain to drink4 ,in her going she prayed that ,god would be pleased to preserve and keep her in that fierce time of dearth4 ,upon the way a man met her1 questioned and disputed with her whether she thought to get something to eat at the fountain4 ,she said1 8,yea1 why not8 for all things are possible to ,god and easy to be done2 he that fed the great multitude of the people of ,israel forty years with manna in the wilderness1 he can also preserve me and mine with drinking of water40 ,now1 as she remained steadfast in that mind1 the man said unto her1 8,behold6 seeing thou art so confident in faith1 go home1 and thou shalt find three bushels of meal10 etc4 ,and according to the man's word1 so she found it4 ,that ,faith is the only ,rule in ,divinity4 ,there is but one only rule and article in divinity4 ,he that knoweth not well the same is no divine3 namely1 upright faith and confidence in ,christ4 ,out of this article all the others do flow and issue forth1 and without this article the others are nothing4 ,the devil1 said ,luther1 hath opposed this article from the beginning of the world1 and would long since willingly have rooted it out1 and instead thereof have laughed in his fist4 ,sorrowful1 broken1 tormented1 and vexed hearts1 said ,luther1 do well relish this article1 and they only understand the same4 ,of the ,consequences of ,faith4 ,believest thou8 then thou wilt speak boldly4 ,speakest thou boldly8 then thou must suffer4 ,sufferest thou8 then thou shalt be comforted4 ,for1 said ,luther1 faith1 the confession thereof1 and the cross do follow one after another4 ,that the ,enemies of the ,gospel must bear ,witness to the ,doctrine of ,faith1 that thereby we only are justified before ,god4 ,john ,frederick1 ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 told me himself1 said ,luther1 that as ,prince ,john1 the eldest son of ,prince ,george1 was near the time of his death1 he desired to receive the communion under both kinds4 ,but when his father was informed thereof1 he caused an ,austin ,friar to be called to his son1 to give him good instructions for his soul's health1 and to advise him to receive the ,sacrament sub una specie1 or under one kind1 and that he should tell his son he was the same ,friar who was privately acquainted with ,martin ,luther1 and was very conversant with him2 and1 the better to make the ,prince believe him1 the ,friar said that ,luther himself lately had advised certain persons to receive the communion under one kind4 ,now1 when this good and godly ,prince was thus pitifully induced to give credit to the ,friar's false information1 he then received the communion under one kind4 ,but when the ,prince1 his father1 saw that his son drew near to his last gasp1 and must needs die1 then he comforted his son with the article of justification by faith in ,christ1 and put him in mind to have regard only to the ,saviour of the world1 and utterly to forget all his own works and deserts1 and also that he should banish out of his heart the invocating of the saints4 ,now1 when the son in his conscience felt great solace and comfort by these his father's admonitions1 he asked his father why he did not cause the same comfortable doctrine to be preached openly through all his countries4 ,his father answered and said1 8,loving child1 we must say thus only to those that are dying1 and not to the sound and healthful40 ,whereupon1 said ,luther1 ,i told the ,prince ,elector that his ,highness might perfectly discern how wilfully our adversaries do oppose the known truth4 ,albert1 ,bishop of ,mentz1 and ,prince ,george do know and confess that our doctrine is according to ,god's ,word1 and yet1 because it proceedeth not from the ,pope1 they refuse it2 but their own consciences do strike them down to the ground1 therefore1 said ,luther1 ,i fear them not4 ,of the ,love towards the ,neighbour4 ,the love towards the neighbour1 said ,luther1 must be like a pure and chaste love between bride and bridegroom1 where all faults are connived at1 covered1 and borne with1 and only their virtues regarded4 ,respecting ceremonies and ordinances1 the kingdom of love must have the precedency and govern1 and not tyranny4 ,it must be a willing love1 and not a halter love2 it must altogether be directed and construed for the good and profit of the neighbour2 and the greater he be that doth govern1 the more1 said ,luther1 he ought to serve according to love4 ,of that ,sentence1 8,give1 and it shall be given unto you40 ,this is a true speech which maketh people poor and rich2 it is that which maintaineth my house4 ,i ought not to boast1 said ,luther1 but ,i well know what ,i give in the year4 ,if my gracious lord and master1 the ,prince ,elector1 should give a gentleman two thousand guilders1 yet he should hardly maintain my housekeeping one year1 and ,i have but three hundred guilders pension per annum2 yet ,god giveth sufficient and blesseth it4 ,there is in ,austria a monastery which in former time was very rich1 and remained rich so long as it willingly gave to the poor2 but when it ceased in giving1 then it became poor1 and is so to this day4 ,it fell out that1 not long since1 a poor man came thither and desired alms1 which was denied4 ,the poor man demanded the cause why they refused to give for ,god's sake4 ,the porter belonging to the monastery answered and said1 8,we are become poor20 whereupon the poor man said1 8,the cause of your poverty is this3 ye have had in this monastery two brethren2 the one ye have thrust out1 and the other is gone secretly away of himself4 ,for after the one brother1 #8,give' 7,date71 was put out and cashiered1 so hath the other brother1 #8,so shall be given' 7,dabitur71 also lost himself40 ,and indeed the world is bound to help the neighbour three manner of ways--with giving1 lending1 and selling4 ,but no man giveth1 but robbeth1 scrapeth1 and draweth all to himself2 would willingly take and steal1 but give nothing2 neither will any man lend but upon usury4 ,no man selleth but he over-reacheth his neigbbour1 therefore ,dabitur is gone1 and our ,lord ,god will bless no more so richly4 ,beloved1 said ,luther1 he that intendeth to have anything1 the same must also give2 a liberal hand was never in want nor empty4 ,that giving must be done with a free ,heart1 without expecting a ,requital4 ,in an evening1 ,luther1 walking abroad to take the air1 gave alms to the poor4 ,doctor ,jonas1 being with him1 gave also something1 and said1 8,who knoweth whether ,god will give it me again or no80 ,whereat ,luther1 smiling1 answered him and said1 8,you speak as if ,god had not given you this which you have now given to the poor4 ,we must give freely and willingly40 ,of the expounding of the ,prophet ,isaiah's ,speech3 8,in ,quietness and in ,confidence shall be your ,strength40 ,this sentence was expounded by ,luther in this way3 ,if thou intendest to vanquish the greatest1 the most abominable and wickedest enemy1 who is able to do thee mischief both in body and soul1 and against whom thou preparest all sorts of weapons1 but canst not overcome1 then know that there is a sweet and loving physical herb which serveth for the same1 and that herb is named ,patientia4 ,but thou wilt say1 8,how may ,i attain to this physic80 ,answer--,take unto thee faith1 who saith2 8,no creature can do me mischief without the will of ,god40 ,now1 in case thou receivest hurt and mischief by thine enemy1 the same is done by the sweet and gracious will of ,god1 in such sort that the enemy hurteth himself a thousand times more4 ,from hence floweth unto me1 a ,christian1 the love which saith1 8,i will1 instead of the evil which mine enemy doth unto me1 do him all the good ,i can2 ,i will heap coals of fire upon his head40 ,this1 said ,luther1 is the ,christian armour and weapon1 wherewith to beat and overcome those enemies that seem to be like huge mountains4 ,in a word1 love teacheth to suffer and endure all things4 ,of ,comfort against ,envy4 ,a certain honest and ,god-fearing man at ,wittemberg lately told me1 said ,luther1 he lived peaceably with every one1 hurt no man1 but was still and quiet2 yet notwithstanding1 said he1 many people were enemies unto him4 ,i comforted him in this manner1 and said3 ,arm yourself with patience1 and give them no cause of envy4 ,i pray1 what cause do we give the devil8 ,what aileth him to be so great an enemy unto us8 but only because he hath not that which ,god hath4 ,i know none other cause of his vehement hatred towards us4 ,therefore when ,god giveth thee to eat1 then eat2 when he causeth thee to fast1 have patience2 giveth he honour1 take it2 hurt or shame1 endure it2 casteth he thee into prison1 murmur not2 will he make thee a lord1 follow him3 casteth he thee down again1 so care thou not for it1 nor regard it4 ,that ,patience is necessary in every ,particular4 ,i1 said ,luther1 must have patience with the ,pope2 ,i must have patience with heretics and seducers2 ,i must have patience with the roaring courtiers2 ,i must have patience with my servants3 ,i must have patience with ,kate my wife2 to conclude1 the patiences are so many1 that my whole life is nothing but patience4 ,the ,prophet ,isaiah saith1 8,in being silent and hoping consisteth our strength20 that is1 have patience under sufferings3 hope1 and despair not4 ,,of ,,prayer4 ,what ,power ,prayer hath4 ,no human creature can believe1 said ,luther1 how powerful prayer is1 and what is it able to effect1 but only those that have learned it by experience4 ,it is a great matter when in extreme need1 as then one can take hold on prayer4 ,i know1 as often as ,i have earnestly prayed1 that ,i have been richly heard1 and have obtained more than ,i prayed for2 indeed1 ,god sometimes deferred1 but notwithstanding he came4 ,ecclesiasticus saith1 8,the prayer of a good and godly ,christian availeth more to health1 than the physician's physic40 ,o how great and upright and godly ,christian's prayer is6 how powerful with ,god2 that a poor human creature should speak with ,god's high majesty in heaven1 and not be affrighted1 but1 on the contrary1 knoweth that ,god smileth upon him for ,christ's sake1 his dearly beloved ,son4 ,the heart and conscience1 in this act of praying1 must not fly and recoil backwards by reason of our sins and unworthiness1 and must not stand in doubt1 nor be scared away4 ,we must not do1 said ,luther1 as the ,bavarian did1 who with great devotion called upon ,st4 ,leonard1 an idol1 set up in a church in ,bavaria1 behind which idol stood one who answered the ,bavarian and said1 8,fie on thee1 ,bavarian02 and in that sort oftentimes was repulsed1 and could not be heard3 at last1 the ,bavarian went away1 and said1 8,fie on thee1 ,leonard40 ,but when we pray1 we must not let it come to1 fie upon thee2 but must certainly hold1 conclude1 and believe1 that we are already heard in that for which we pray with faith in ,christ4 ,therefore the ancients finely described prayer1 namely1 that it is1 ,ascensus mentis ad ,deum1 a climbing up of the heart unto ,god1 that is1 lifteth itself up1 crieth and sigheth to ,god3 neither ,i myself1 said ,luther1 nor any other that ,i know1 have rightly understood the definition of this ,ascensus4 ,indeed1 we have boasted and talked much of the climbing up of the heart2 but we failed in ,syntaxi1 we could not bring thereunto the word ,deum2 nay1 we flew from ,god1 we were afraid to draw near unto him1 and to pray through ,christ1 in whom the strength of prayer wholly consisteth2 we always prayed in ,popedom conditionaliter1 conditionally1 and therefore uncertainly4 ,but let us pray in heart1 and also with our lips2 for prayer1 by our loving ,god1 supporteth the world2 otherwise1 without prayer1 it would stand in a far more lamentable state4 ,of the ,power of ,prayer1 and of the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,our ,saviour ,christ1 said ,luther1 most excellently1 and with very few words1 comprehended1 in the ,lord's ,prayer1 all things both needful and necessary2 but without trouble1 trials1 and vexations1 prayer cannot rightly be made4 ,therefore ,god saith1 8,call on me in the time of trouble10 etc41 without trouble it is only a cold prattling1 and goeth not from the heart2 the common saying is 8,need teacheth to pray40 ,and although the ,papists say that ,god well understandeth all the words of those that pray1 yet ,st4 ,bernard is far of another opinion1 where he saith1 8,god heareth not the words of one that prayeth1 unless he that prayeth heareth them first himself40 ,the ,pope is a mere tormentor of the conscience4 ,the assembly of his greased and religious crew in praying was altogether like the croaking of frogs1 which edified nothing at all4 ,it was mere sophistry1 and deceiving1 fruitless1 and unprofitable4 ,prayer is a strong wall1 and a fort of the church2 it is a godly ,christian's weapon1 which no man knoweth nor findeth1 but only he who hath the spirit of grace and of prayer4 ,the three first petitions in our ,lord's prayer do comprehend such great and celestial things1 that no heart is able to search them out4 ,the fourth petition containeth the whole policy and economy1 or the temporal and house-government1 and all things necessary for this life4 ,the fifth prayer striveth and fighteth against our own evil consciences1 against original and actual sins1 which trouble the same1 etc4 ,truly they were penned by wisdom itself2 none but ,god could have done the like4 ,we cannot pray without faith in ,christ the ,mediator4 ,the ,turks1 the ,jews1 and the ungodly may rehearse and speak the words of prayer after one1 but they cannot pray4 ,and although the ,apostles were taught this prayer by ,christ1 and prayed often1 yet they prayed not as they should have prayed3 for ,christ saith1 8,hitherto ye have not prayed in my name20 whereas1 doubtless1 they had prayed much1 and spoken the words4 ,but when the ,holy ,ghost came1 then they prayed aright in the name of ,christ4 ,if praying and reading of prayer be but only a bare work1 as the ,papists hold it to be1 then the righteousness of the law is nothing worth4 ,the upright prayer of a godly ,christian is a strong hedge1 as ,god himself saith1 8,and ,i sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge1 and stand in the gap before me for the land1 that ,i should not destroy it1 but ,i found none10 etc4 ,therefore1 said ,luther1 when others do blaspheme1 let us pray4 ,david saith1 8,he doth the will of them that fear ,him1 and heareth their prayers40 ,that we must daily go on in ,praying4 ,i1 said ,luther1 have every day enough to do to pray4 ,and when ,i lay me down to rest1 ,i pray the ,lord's ,prayer1 and afterwards take hold on two or three sentences out of the ,bible1 and so betake myself to sleep1 then ,i am well satisfied4 ,that ,preachers ought to join their ,prayers together4 ,dr4 ,aepinus1 ,superintendent of ,hambrough1 coming to ,wittemberg to speak with ,luther1 who1 after his dispatch1 and at his taking leave1 said1 ,i commend myself and our church at ,hambrough to your prayers4 ,luther answered him1 and said1 ,loving ,aepine1 the cause is not ours1 but ,god's3 let us join our prayers together1 as then the cause will be holpen4 ,i will pray against the ,pope and the ,turk as long as ,i live3 and ,i like it well that you take such course at ,hambrough1 earnestly to pray against ,mahomet and the ,pope4 ,of the ,power of ,prayer4 ,god always giveth more than we pray for2 when we truly pray for a piece of bread1 so giveth ,god a whole acre of land4 ,when my wife1 said ,luther1 was sick1 ,i prayed to ,god that she might live1 so he not only granted that request1 but also therewith he hath given us a goodly farm at ,zolfdorf1 and hath blessed us with a fruitful year4 ,at that time my wife said unto me1 ,sir6 how is it1 that in ,popedom they pray so often with great vehemence1 but we are very cold and careless in praying8 ,i answered her1 the devil driveth on his servants continually2 they are diligent1 and take great pains in their false worshipping1 but we1 indeed1 are ice cold therein1 and negligent4 ,of ,luther's ,prayer for a gracious ,rain4 ,in the year #aecb1 throughout all ,germany was a great drought1 the corn in the fields in a lamentable way began to wither4 ,on the ninth of ,june the same year1 ,luther called together the whole assembly into the church1 and directed his prayer1 with deep sighs1 to ,god in the manner following3 8,o ,lord1 behold our prayers for thy promise sake2 we have prayed1 and our hearts have sighed1 but the covetousness of the rich farmers doth hinder and hem in thy blessing2 for seeing that through thy gospel they are unbridled1 they think it free for them to live and do what they please2 they now fear neither death nor hell1 but say1 #8,i believe1 therefore ,i shall be saved2' they become haughty spiteful ,mammonists1 and accursed covetous cut-throats1 that suck out land and people4 ,moreover1 also1 the usurers among the gentry in every place deal wickedly1 insomuch1 as it seemeth1 thou1 ,o ,god1 wilt now visit us1 together with them1 with the rod2 yet1 nevertheless1 thou hast still means whereby to maintain those that are thine1 although thou sufferest no rain to fall among the ungodly40 ,after he had said thus1 he lifted up his eyes towards heaven1 and said1 8,lord ,god1 thou hast through the mouth of thy servant ,david said1 #8,the ,lord is nigh unto all that call upon him faithfully2 he doth the will of those that fear him1 and heareth their prayers1 and helpeth them in their distress4' ,how is it1 ,lord1 that thou givest no rain1 seeing we have cried and prayed so long unto thee8 #8,thy will be done1' ,o ,lord6 we know that although thou givest not rain1 yet1 notwithstanding1 thou wilt give us something better1 a still1 a quiet1 and a peaceable life4 ,now we pray1 ,o ,lord1 from the bottom of our hearts4 ,if thou1 ,o ,lord1 wilt not be pleased to hear and give us rain1 then the ungodly will say1 ,christ thy only ,son is a liar4 ,for he saith1 #8,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,whatsoever ye pray the ,father in my name1 the same he will give unto you1' etc4 ,insomuch that they will give thy ,son the lie4 ,i know1 ,o ,lord1 that we do cry unto thee from our hearts1 with yearning and sighing1 why then dost thou not hear us80 ,now1 even the same day1 and within the space of half an hour after the people went from church1 it began to rain so sweet and mildly1 which continued for a whole fortnight1 so that the grounds thereby were changed and refreshed in a most miraculous manner4 ,this happened ,june #i1 #aecb4 ,of ,papistical ,prayer4 ,the praying in ,popedom1 is a mere tormenting of the consciences1 it is only a prating and tongue threshing1 no praying1 but a work of obedience4 ,from thence proceeded a confused sea-full of ,horas ,canonicas1 the howling and babbling in cells and monasteries1 where they read and sang the psalms and collects without all spiritual devotion1 insomuch that they neither understood the words1 sentences1 nor the meaning4 ,in what manner1 and how ,i tormented myself1 said ,luther1 with those ,horis ,canonicis before the ,gospel came1 which1 by reason of many businesses ,i often intermitted1 ,i am not able to express4 ,on the ,saturdays ,i used to lock myself up in my cell1 and accomplish what the whole week ,i had neglected4 ,but at last ,i was troubled with so many affairs1 that ,i was fain oftentimes to omit also my ,saturday's devotions4 ,at length1 when ,i saw that ,amsdorff and others derided such manner of devotion1 then ,i quite left it off4 ,it was a great torment1 from which we are now delivered by the ,gospel4 ,although1 said ,luther1 ,i had done no more but only freed people from that torment1 yet they might well give me thanks for it4 ,innumerable laws and works were taught and imposed upon people without the spirit1 as in the book1 ,rationale ,divinorum1 many abominable things are written4 ,to ,pray for ,peace4 ,luther receiving a letter written unto him1 from the ,imperial ,assembly1 by ,philip ,melancthon1 after the reading of it1 he said1 ,what ,philip ,melancthon writeth hath hands and feet1 hath authority and gravity1 it is of weight1 contained in a few words1 as always ,i have found by his letters4 ,but1 ,i perceive1 we must have wars2 for the ,papists would willingly go on1 but they want a good stomach1 neither may we endure the case to stand upon these terms4 ,let it therefore proceed in nomine ,domini2 ,i will commit all things to ,god1 and will be ,crito in the play4 ,i will pray that ,god would convert our adversaries4 ,we have a good cause on our side4 ,who would not fight and venture body and blood1 pro ,sacris1 for the ,holidom1 which is ,god's ,word8 ,and1 besides1 the temporal laws and statutes of policy do also concur and agree with our proceedings2 for we always have desired and called for peace1 but our ,princes are provoked and drawn to defend themselves and their subjects1 and of necessity must resist their power2 our adversaries will not suffer us to live in peace4 ,this letter1 said ,luther1 was written ten days since2 by this time it is concluded what shall be done4 ,the everlasting merciful ,god give ,his grace thereunto6 ,let us watch and pray1 for ,satan sleepeth not4 ,of ,temporal ,peace4 ,worldly and outward peace is one of the highest gifts of ,god2 but we abuse it too much2 every one liveth after his own will and pleasure1 against ,god and the ,magistrate4 ,oh1 how soundly will our gentry and farmers1 in ,germany1 pay for this before one hundred and fifty years come to an end1 as already they have done in ,hungary and in ,austria2 but afterwards ,god will restore them again1 and beat down ,popedom4 ,let us not cease to pray4 ,of ,unity and ,concord4 ,through concord small things and wealth do increase1 as the ,heathen said2 but dissension is dangerous and hurtful1 especially in schools1 in professions1 high arts1 and in the professors thereof1 wherein the one ought to reach the hand to the other--should kiss and embrace each other4 ,but when we bite and devour one another1 then let us take heed lest we be swallowed up together4 ,therefore let us pray and strive2 for the word of faith1 and the prayers of the just1 are the most powerful weapons2 moreover1 ,god himself sendeth his holy angels round about them that fear him4 ,we ought valiantly to fight1 for we are under a ,lord of ,hosts1 and a ,prince of ,war2 therefore with one hand we must build1 and in the other hand take the sword--that is1 we must both teach and resist4 ,it is now time to watch1 for we are the mark they shoot at2 our adversaries intend to make a confederacy with the ,turk2 they aim at us1 we must venture it2 for ,antichrist will war and get the victory against the saints of ,god1 as ,daniel saith4 ,we1 said ,luther1 stand outwardly in the greatest danger1 by reason of treachery and treason2 the ,papists endeavour with money to grease and corrupt our captains and officers4 ,an ass laden with money may do anything1 as ,cornelius ,tacitus writeth of us ,germans2 we have taught them to take money2 there is neither fidelity nor truth on earth4 ,of the ,power of ,prayer4 ,the prayer of the heart1 said ,luther1 and the sighs of the poor and oppressed1 do make such an alarum and cry in heaven1 that ,god and all the angels must hear the same4 ,o1 our ,lord ,god hath a sharp listening ear4 ,of the ,sighing of the ,heart4 ,when ,moses1 with the children of ,israel1 came to the ,red ,sea1 then he cried with trembling and quaking1 yet he opened not his mouth1 neither was his voice heard on earth by the people3 doubtless1 said ,luther1 he cried and sighed in his heart1 and said1 8,ah1 ,lord ,god6 what course shall ,i now take8 ,which way shall ,i now turn myself8 ,how am ,i come to this strait8 ,no help nor counsel can save us3 before us is the sea2 behind us are our enemies the ,egyptians2 on both sides high and huge mountains2 ,i am the cause that all this people shall now be destroyed10 etc4 ,then answered ,god1 and said1 8,wherefore criest thou unto me80 ,as if ,god should say1 8,what an alarum1 a shrieking1 and a loud crying dost thou make1 that the whole heavens must ring therewith60 etc4 ,but1 alas6 said ,luther1 we read such examples as dead letters2 human reason is not able to search this passage out4 ,the way through the ,red ,sea is full as broad1 and wider far 7if not further7 than ,wittenberg lieth from ,coburg1 that is thirty ,dutch miles1 #abj ,english at least3 doubtless the people were constrained in the night season to rest1 to bait and eat therein2 for six hundred thousand men1 besides women and children1 would require a good time to pass through1 although they went one hundred and fifty in rank and file4 ,god's hearing ,prayer4 ,it is impossible that ,god should not hear the prayers which with faith are made in ,christ1 although ,god giveth not according to the measure1 manner1 and time which we dictate unto him2 he will not be tied4 ,in such sort dealt ,god with the mother of ,st4 ,austin4 ,she prayed to ,god that her son ,austin might be converted1 but1 as yet1 it would not be2 then she ran to the learned1 entreating them to persuade and advise him thereunto4 ,at last1 she propounded unto him a marriage with a ,christian virgin1 that thereby he might be drawn back1 and brought to the ,christian faith2 but all would not do as yet4 ,but when our ,lord ,god came thereto1 he came to purpose1 and made of him such an ,austin1 that he became a great light to the ,church4 ,st4 ,james saith1 8,pray one for another1 for the prayer of the righteous availeth much10 etc4 ,prayer1 said ,luther1 is a powerful thing2 for ,god hath bound and tied himself thereunto4 ,christ taught the ,lord's ,prayer according to the manner of the ,jews--that is1 he directed it only to the ,father2 whereas they that pray in the same manner1 are heard for the ,son's sake4 ,this was done because ,christ would not be praised before his death4 ,of the ,power of ,prayer4 ,as the ,king of ,persia1 said ,luther1 laid siege to the city ,nasili1 the bishop that was therein saw that he was too weak 7by man's help7 to defend the city against so mighty a king2 wherefore he went upon the wall1 lifted up his hands to ,heaven1 and prayed1 in the sight of his enemies4 ,whereupon immediately the eyes of the horses in the whole army in such sort were pestered with an innumerable multitude of flies stinging them1 that with their riders they ran away1 and so raised the siege1 whereby the city was preserved4 ,in such a manner could ,god divert the wicked enterprises of the ,papists against us1 if we would diligently pray4 ,that a ,true ,christian ,prayeth ,always4 ,the prayers of upright ,christians are without ceasing2 though they pray not always with their mouth1 yet their hearts do pray continually1 sleeping and waking2 for the sigh of a true ,christian is a prayer4 ,as the ,psalm saith1 8,because of the deep sighing of the poor1 ,i will up1 saith the ,lord10 etc4 ,in like manner a true ,christian always carrieth the cross1 though he feeleth it not always4 ,of the ,strength of the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,the ,lord's ,prayer1 said ,luther1 bindeth the ,people together1 and knitteth them one to another1 insomuch that one prayeth for another1 and together one with another2 and it is so strong and powerful that it even driveth away the fear of death4 ,,of ,,the ,,confession ,,and ,,constancy ,,of ,,the ,,doctrine4 ,the word and article of justification 7how we are justified and saved before ,god7 expelleth and overcometh all sorrow1 all perplexities1 misfortunes1 and adversities2 and without this article there is neither help nor advice4 ,we read in the histories of the ,church1 said ,luther1 that ,julian the ,emperor forced his servants and soldiers to deny ,christ2 but when many of them refused to do the same1 he caused them to be executed with the sword1 and they went joyfully to their deaths4 ,among them was a proper youth1 for whom earnest intercession was made1 that he might be the first to die4 ,but ,julian commanded to release him1 in order to try whether he would remain constant or no4 ,now1 when he kneeled down and offered his neck to the block1 the executioner was charged not to strike1 but to let him rise again4 ,then the youth stood up1 and said1 8,ah1 sweet ,jesu6 am ,i not worthy to suffer for thy sake80 ,these were words of a great faith1 which overcometh the fear of death4 ,when governors and rulers are enemies to ,god's ,word1 then our duty is to depart1 to sell and forsake all we have1 to fly from one place to another1 as ,christ commandeth4 ,we must make and prepare no uproars nor tumults by reason of the ,gospel1 but we must suffer all things4 ,what ,christ ,requireth of us4 ,christ requireth nothing more of us1 than that we should confess him1 and speak freely and undauntedly of him4 ,but here thou wilt say1 8,yea1 if ,i do so1 then ,i shall be struck on the lips40 ,christ answereth thereunto1 and saith1 8,call upon me in the time of trouble1 so ,i will hear thee1 and thou shalt praise me40 ,and 8,he shall call upon me1 and ,i will hear him1 yea1 ,i am with him in trouble1 ,i will deliver him1 and bring him to honour10 etc4 ,there is no lighter nor more easy work on earth than the upright and true service of ,god1 to do what ,god commandeth in his ,word2 we should only believe and speak1 but then certain it is that we shall suffer and be humbled with persecutions2 but ,christ hath promised to be with us1 and to help us4 ,that every ,christian is ,bound to ,confess ,christ4 ,every ,christian1 especially those in offices1 should always be ready 7when need requireth7 boldly to stand up and confess his ,saviour ,christ1 to maintain his faith and always be armed against the world1 the sectaries1 the devil1 and what else he were able to produce4 ,but no man will do this1 except he be so sure of his doctrine and religion1 that1 although ,i myself should play the fool1 and should recant and deny this my doctrine and religion1 which ,god forbid1 he notwithstanding would not yield1 but say1 if ,luther1 or an angel from heaven1 should teach otherwise1 8,let him be accursed40 ,,of ,,imperial ,,diets4 ,of ,imperial ,diets and ,assemblies in ,causes of ,religion4 ,in the year #aeah1 the #ith of ,july1 when ,i1 said ,luther1 was cited and summoned1 ,i came and appeared3 ,frederick ,prince ,elector of ,saxony having appointed me a great and strong convoy and safe-conduct4 ,i was warned in any case not to have conversation with the ,italians1 nor to repose any trust or confidence in them4 ,i was three whole days in ,augsburg without the ,emperor's safe-conduct4 ,in the mean time1 an ,italian came unto me1 and carried me to the ,cardinal ,cajetan2 and by the way he earnestly persuaded me to revoke and recant2 ,i should1 said he1 need to speak but only one word before the ,cardinal1 namely1 ,revoco1 and then the ,cardinal would recommend me to the ,pope's favour so that with honour ,i might return safely again to my master1 the ,prince ,elector4 ,after three days the ,bishop of ,trier came1 who1 in the ,emperor's name1 showed and declared to the ,cardinal my safe-conduct4 ,then ,i went unto him in all humility1 fell down first upon my knees2 secondly1 all along upon the ground2 thirdly1 when ,i had remained awhile so lying1 then the ,cardinal three times bade me arise2 whereupon ,i stood up4 ,this pleased him well1 hoping ,i would consider1 and better bethink myself4 ,the next day1 when ,i came before him again1 and would revoke nothing at all1 then he said unto me1 8,what8 thinkest thou that the ,pope careth for ,germany8 or dost thou think that the ,princes will raise arms and armies to maintain and defend thee8 ,oh1 no2 where wilt thou remain in safety80 ,i said1 ,under ,heaven4 ,after this the ,pope humbled himself1 and wrote to our church1 yea1 he wrote even to the ,prince ,elector's chaplain1 and to one of his counsellors1 ,spalatine and ,pfeffinger1 that they would surrender me into his hands1 and procure that his pleasure and command might be put in execution4 ,and the ,pope wrote also to the ,prince ,elector himself after the following manner3 8,although1 as touching my person1 thou art to me unknown1 yet ,i have seen thy father1 ,prince ,ernestus1 at ,rome1 who was altogether an obedient son to the ,church2 he visited and frequented our religion with great devotion1 and held the same in highest honour4 ,i wish and would that thy illustrious serenity would also tread in his footsteps10 etc4 ,but the ,prince ,elector well marked the ,pope's unaccustomed humility1 and his evil conscience2 he was also acquainted with the power and operation of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,therefore he remained where he was1 and returned thanks to the ,pope for his affection towards him4 ,my books1 said ,luther1 in a short time went1 yea1 flew throughout ,europe2 therefore the ,prince ,elector was confirmed and strengthened1 insomuch that he utterly refused to execute the ,pope's commands1 but subjected himself under the acknowledgment of the ,scriptures4 ,if the ,cardinal had handled me with more discretion at ,augsburg1 and had dealt kindly with me when ,i fell at his feet1 then it had never come thus far2 for at that time ,i saw very few of the ,pope's errors which now ,i see4 ,had he been silent1 so had ,i lightly held my peace4 ,the style and custom of the ,romish court in dark and confused cases1 was this3 that the ,pope said1 ,we by papal power do take these causes unto us2 we quench them out and destroy them4 ,i am persuaded that the ,pope willingly would give three ,cardinals1 on condition that it were still in that vessel wherein it was before he began to meddle with me4 ,of ,luther's ,journey and ,proceedings at the ,imperial ,diet at ,worms1 ,anno #aebj4 ,on ,tuesday in the ,passion week1 said ,luther1 ,i was cited by the herald to appear at the ,diet2 he brought with him a safe-conduct from the ,emperor1 and many other ,princes1 but the safe-conduct was soon broken1 even the next day 7,wednesday71 at ,worms1 where ,i was condemned1 and my books burned4 ,now1 when ,i came to ,erfurt1 ,i received intelligence that ,i was cast and condemned at ,worms1 yea1 and that in all cities and places thereabout it was published and spread abroad2 insomuch that the herald asked me1 whether ,i meant to go to ,worms1 or no8 ,although ,i was somewhat astonished at the news1 yet ,i answered the herald1 and said1 although in ,worms there were as many devils as there are tiles on the houses1 yet1 ,god willing1 ,i will go thither4 ,when ,i came to ,oppenheim1 in the ,palatinate1 not far from ,worms1 ,bucer came unto me1 and dissuaded me from entering into the town2 for1 said he1 ,sglapian1 the ,emperor's confessor1 had been with him1 and had entreated him to warn me not to go thither1 for ,i should be burned2 but rather that ,i should go to a gentleman there near at hand1 ,francis ,von ,sickingen1 and remain with him1 who willingly would receive and entertain me4 ,this plot the wicked wretches1 said ,luther1 had devised against me1 to the end ,i should not appear2 for if ,i had contracted the time1 and staid away three days1 then my safe-conduct had been expired1 and then they would have locked the town-gates1 and without hearing1 ,i should have been condemned and made away4 ,but ,i went on in all simplicity1 and when ,i saw the city1 ,i wrote presently to ,spalatine1 and gave him notice of my coming1 and desired to know where ,i should be lodged4 ,then they all wondered at my coming1 which was so far from their expectation2 for they verily thought ,i would have stayed away1 as scared through their threatenings4 ,there were two worthy gentlemen 7,john ,von ,hirschfeld1 and ,st4 ,john ,schott71 who received me by the ,prince ,elector's command1 and brought me to their lodging4 ,no ,prince came unto me1 but only ,earls and gentlemen1 who earnestly looked upon me1 and who had exhibited four hundred articles to his ,imperial ,majesty against those of the spirituality1 and desired a redress and a removing of those their grievances1 otherwise they themselves should be constrained to remedy the same2 from all which grievances they are now delivered through the ,gospel1 which ,i 7,god be praised7 have brought again to light4 ,the ,pope at that time wrote to the ,emperor1 that he should not perform the safe-conduct2 for which end all the ,bishops also pressed the ,emperor2 but the ,princes and ,states of the ,empire would not consent thereunto3 for they alleged that a great tumult thereupon would arise4 ,i received of them a great deal of courtesy1 insomuch that the ,papists were more afraid of me than ,i was of them4 ,for the ,landgrave of ,hesse 7being then but a young ,prince7 desired that ,i might be heard1 and he said openly unto me1 8,sir1 is your cause just and upright1 then ,i beseech ,god to assist you40 ,now being in ,worms1 ,i wrote to ,sglapian1 and desired him to make a step unto me1 but he would not4 ,then being called1 ,i appeared in the ,senate ,house before the ,council and ,state of the whole ,empire1 where the ,emperor1 and the ,princes ,electors in person were assembled4 ,then ,dr4 ,eck 7the ,bishop of ,trier's fiscal7 began1 and said unto me1 8,martin1 thou art called hither to give answer1 whether thou acknowledgest these writings to be thy books or no80 7,the books lay on a table which he showed unto me47 ,i answered and said1 8,i believe they be mine40 ,but ,hierome ,schurfe presently thereupon said1 8,let the titles of them be read40 ,now when the same were read1 then ,i said1 8,yea1 they are mine40 ,then he said1 8,will you revoke them80 ,i answered and said1 8,most gracious ,lord and ,emperor1 some of my books are books of controversies1 wherein ,i touch my adversaries3 some1 on the contrary1 are books of doctrine2 the same ,i neither can nor will revoke4 ,but if in case ,i have in my books of controversies been too violent against any man1 then ,i am content therein to be better directed1 and for that end ,i desire respite of time40 ,then they gave me one day and one night4 ,the next day ,i was cited by the ,bishops and others1 who were appointed to deal with me touching my revocation4 ,then ,i said1 8,god's ,word is not my word1 therefore ,i know not how to give it away2 but in whatsoever is therein1 besides the same1 ,i will show obedience40 ,then ,marquis ,joachim said unto me 8,sir ,martin1 so far as ,i understand1 you are content to be instructed1 excepting only what may concern the ,holy ,writ40 ,i said1 8,yea20 then they pressed me to refer the cause to ,his ,imperial ,majesty2 ,i said1 ,i durst not presume so to do4 ,then they said1 8,do you not think that we are also ,christians1 who with all care and diligence would finish and end such causes8 ,you ought to put so much trust and confidence in us1 that we would conclude uprightly40 ,to that ,i answered and said1 8,i dare not trust you so far1 that you should conclude against yourselves1 who even now have cast and condemned me1 being under safe-conduct2 yet1 nevertheless1 that ye may see what ,i will do1 ,i will yield up into your hands my safe-conduct1 and do with me what ye please40 ,then all the ,princes said1 8,truly1 he offereth enough1 if not too much40 ,afterwards they said1 8,yield unto us yet in some articles40 ,i said1 8,in ,god's name1 such articles as concern not the ,holy ,scriptures ,i will not stand against40 ,presently hereupon1 two ,bishops went to the ,emperor1 and showed him that ,i had revoked4 ,then the ,emperor sent another ,bishop unto me1 to know if ,i had referred the cause to him1 and to the ,empire4 ,i said1 ,i had neither done it1 nor intended so to do4 ,in this sort1 said ,luther1 did ,i alone resist so many1 insomuch that my ,doctor1 and divers others of my friends1 were much offended and vexed by reason of my constancy2 yea1 some of them said1 if ,i had referred the articles to their consideration1 they would have yielded1 and given way to those articles which in the council at ,costnitz had been condemned4 ,then came ,cocleus upon me1 and said1 8,sir ,martin1 if you will yield up your safe-conduct1 then ,i will enter into dispute with you40 ,i1 for my part1 said ,luther1 in my simplicity1 would have accepted thereof4 ,but ,hieronimus ,schurfe earnestly entreated me not to do the same1 and in derision and scorn1 answered ,cocleus and said1 8,o brave offer1 if a man were so foolish as to entertain it60 ,then came a ,doctor unto me1 belonging to the ,marquis of ,baden1 essaying1 with a strain of high-carried words1 to move me1 admonished me1 and said3 8,truly1 ,sir ,martin1 you are bound to do much1 and to yield for the sake of fraternal love1 and to the end that peace and tranquillity among the people may be preserved1 lest tumults and insurrections should be occasioned and raised4 ,besides1 it were also greatly befitting you to show obedience to the ,imperial ,majesty1 and diligently to beware of causing offences in the world2 therefore ,i would advise you to revoke40 ,whereupon1 said ,luther1 ,i said3 8,for the sake of brotherly love and amity ,i could and would do much1 so far as it were not against the faith and honour of ,christ40 ,when all these had made their vain assaults1 then the ,chancellor of ,trier said unto me1 8,martin ,luther1 you are disobedient to the ,imperial ,majesty2 therefore you have leave and licence to depart again with your safe-conduct40 ,in this sort ,i again departed from ,worms with a great deal of gentleness and courtesy1 to the wondering of the whole ,christian world1 insomuch that the ,papists wished they had left me at home4 ,after my departure1 that abominable edict of proscribing was put in execution at ,worms1 which gave occasion to every man to revenge himself upon his enemies1 under the name and title of ,protestant heresy4 ,but the tyrants1 not long after1 were constrained to recall the same again4 ,of the ,imperial ,diet at ,augsburg1 ,anno #aecj4 ,the ,imperial ,diet held at ,augsburg1 #aecj1 is worthy of all praise2 for then and from thence came the ,gospel among the people in other countries1 contrary to the wills and expectations both of ,emperor and ,pope2 therefore1 said ,luther1 what hath been spent there should be grievous to no man4 ,god appointed the ,imperial ,diet at ,augsburg1 to the end the ,gospel should be spread further abroad and planted4 ,they over-climbed themselves at ,augsburg1 for the ,papists openly approved there of our doctrine4 ,before that ,diet was held1 the ,papists had made the ,emperor believe that our doctrine was altogether frivolous2 and when he came to the ,diet1 he should see that they would put us all to silence1 insomuch that none of us should be able to speak a word in defence of our religion2 but it fell out far otherwise2 for we openly and freely confessed the ,gospel before the ,emperor and the whole ,empire4 ,and at that ,diet we confounded our adversaries in the highest degree4 ,the ,imperial ,diet at ,augsburg was invaluable1 by reason of the ,confession of ,faith1 and of ,god's ,word1 which on our part was there performed3 for there the adversaries were constrained to confess that our ,confession was upright and true4 ,of the ,confession and ,apology which at ,augsburg was exhibited to the emperor4 ,the ,emperor1 said ,luther1 censured understandingly and discreetly1 and carried himself princely in this cause of religion2 he found our ,confession to be far otherwise than the ,papists had informed him--namely1 that we were most ungodly people1 and led most wicked and detestable kind of lives2 and that we taught against the first and second tables of the ,ten ,commandments of ,god4 ,for this cause1 the ,emperor sent our ,confession and ,apology to all the universities2 his council also delivered their opinions1 and said3 8,in case their doctrine were against the holy ,christian faith1 then they thought fitting that ,his ,imperial ,majesty should seek to suppress it with all his power4 ,but if it be only against ceremonies and abuses 7as now it appeareth to be7 then to refer it to the consideration and censure of learned people10 etc4 ,this1 said ,luther1 was good and wise counsel4 ,dr4 ,eck confessed openly1 and said3 8,the ,protestants cannot be confuted and opposed out of ,holy ,scriptures40 ,therefore the ,bishop of ,mainz said unto him1 8,oh1 how finely our learned ,divines do defend us and our doctrine60 8,the ,bishop of ,mainz10 said ,luther1 8holdeth our doctrine to be upright and true1 but he only courteth the ,pope1 otherwise long before this time he would have played strange pranks with his ,holiness40 ,of the ,strength and ,profit of the ,confession and ,apology of ,augsburg4 ,god's ,word is powerful2 the more it is persecuted the more and further it spreadeth itself abroad4 ,behold the ,imperial ,diet at ,augsburg1 which doubtless is the last trumpet before the dreadful ,day of ,judgment4 ,how raged the world there against the ,word6 ,oh1 said ,luther1 how were we there fain to pray the ,pope and ,papists1 that they would be pleased to permit and suffer ,christ to live quietly in heaven6 ,there our doctrine broke through into the light in such sort1 that by the ,emperor's strict command the same was sent to all ,kings1 ,princes1 and ,universities4 ,this our ,doctrine forthwith enlightened many excellent people1 dispersed here and there in ,princes' courts1 among whom some of ,god were chosen to take hold on this our doctrine1 like unto tinder1 and afterwards kindled the same also in others4 ,our ,apology and ,confession with great honour came to light2 the ,papists' confutations are kept in darkness1 and do stink4 ,oh1 said ,luther1 how willingly would ,i that their confutations might appear to the world2 then ,i would set upon that old torn and tattered skin1 and in such sort would baste it1 that the flitches thereof should fly about here and there2 but they shun the light4 ,this time twelvemonths no man would have given a farthing for the ,protestants1 so sure the ungodly ,papists were of us4 ,for1 said ,luther1 when my most gracious ,lord and master1 the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony1 before other ,princes came to the ,diet1 the ,papists marvelled much thereat1 for they verily believed that he would not have appeared1 by reason 7as they imagined7 his cause was too bad and foul to be brought before the light4 ,but what fell out8 ,even this1 that in their greatest security they were overwhelmed with the greatest fear and affrightments4 ,because the ,prince ,elector1 like an upright ,prince1 appeared so early at ,augsburg1 then the other ,popish princes swiftly posted away from ,augsburg to ,innsbruck1 where they held serious counsel with ,prince ,george and the ,marquis of ,baden1 all of them wondering what the ,prince ,elector's so early approach to the ,diet should mean1 insomuch that the ,emperor himself thereat was astonished1 and doubted whether he might come and go in safety or not4 ,whereupon the princes were constrained to promise1 that they would set up body1 goods1 and blood by the ,emperor1 the one offering to maintain #f1jjj horse1 another so many thousands of foot-soldiers1 etc41 to the end ,his ,majesty might be the better secured4 ,there was a wonder among wonders to be seen1 in that ,god struck with fear and cowardliness the enemies of the truth4 ,and although at that time the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony was alone1 and but only the hundredth sheep1 while the others were ninety-and-nine1 yet1 notwithstanding1 it so fell out that they all trembled and were afraid4 ,now when they came to the point1 and began to take the business in hand1 then there appeared but a very small heap that stood by ,god's ,word4 ,but1 said ,luther1 we brought with us a strong and mighty ,king1 a ,king above all ,emperors and ,kings1 namely1 ,christ ,jesus1 the powerful ,word of ,god4 ,then all the ,papists cried out1 and said1 8,oh1 it is insufferable that so small and silly a heap should set themselves against the ,imperial power40 ,but1 said ,luther1 the ,lord of ,hosts frustrateth the councils of ,princes4 ,pilate had power to put our blessed ,saviour to death1 but willingly he would not2 ,annas and ,caiaphas willingly would have done it1 but could not4 ,the ,emperor1 for his own part1 is good and honest2 but the ,popish ,bishops and ,cardinals are undoubtedly knaves4 ,and forasmuch as the ,emperor now refuseth to bathe his hands in innocent blood1 therefore the frantic ,princes do bestir themselves1 do scorn and contemn the good ,emperor in the highest degree4 ,the ,pope also for anger is ready to burst in pieces1 because the ,diet1 in this sort1 without shedding of blood1 should be dissolved2 therefore he sendeth the sword to the ,duke of ,bavaria1 to proceed therewith1 and intendeth to take the crown from the ,emperor's head1 and to set it upon the head of ,bavaria2 but he shall not accomplish it4 ,in this manner ordered ,god the business1 that ,kings1 ,princes1 yea1 and the ,pope himself1 fell from the ,emperor1 and that we joined with him1 which was a great wonder of ,god's providence1 in that he whom the devil intended to use against us1 even the same1 ,god taketh1 maketh and useth for us4 ,oh1 wonder1 said ,luther1 above all wonders6 ,of the ,assembly of the ,princes at ,brunswick1 #aeca4 ,when the ,princes 7professing the ,augustinian ,confession7 held an assembly at ,brunswick1 then ,luther received three letters1 wherein was shown that the ,prince ,elector of ,saxony journeyed five days through the ,marquisate of ,brandenburg1 whereas ,prince ,henry of ,brunswick would neither give him convoy nor permit him to go through his country4 ,but the ,prince ,elector of ,brandenburg1 in his country1 gave him princely entertainment in every place1 and many went out of ,brunswick to meet and to receive him4 ,but the ,landgrave of ,hessen went on the other side1 through ,goslar1 without a convoy4 ,christianus1 ,king of ,denmark1 the second day of the assembly1 delivered up the ,confession of his ,faith1 and was held and esteemed a second ,david4 ,whereupon ,luther said1 ,god of his mercy assist him for the sanctifying of his name4 ,but1 said he1 the pride of the ,duke of ,brunswick may easily redound to his own hurt and prejudice1 who1 contrary to all law and equity1 denied a safe convoy to one of his best and truest friends4 ,moses likewise desired a safe convoy to the ,king of the ,amorites2 but being denied1 he thereby took occasion to raise war against him4 ,the ,lord of ,heaven grant us peace4 ,the same day other letters came to ,luther from ,brunswick1 showing that the ,king of ,denmark in person1 the ,ambassadors of ,england and ,france1 and of many ,imperial cities1 were arrived there1 among whom1 some carried themselves very strangely towards those of the ,protestant ,league4 ,luther said1 under the name and colour of the ,gospel1 they seek their own particular advantages1 but in the least danger they are afraid4 ,these politic and terrestrial leagues and unions have no hand nor share in the ,gospel3 ,god alone preserveth and defendeth the same in times of persecution4 ,let us put trust and confidence in him1 and with him2 let us erect and establish an everlasting league1 for the world is the world1 and will remain the world4 ,of the ,convention and ,assembly of the ,protestant ,state at ,frankfort-on-the-,main1 #aeci4 ,god1 of his infinite mercy1 said ,luther1 assist them at ,frankfort-on-the-,main1 that they may ,christian-like consult and conclude1 to the end that ,god's honour1 the good and profit of the commonwealth may be furthered4 ,indeed1 it is a very small assembly2 it hath a strange aspect to be held in an ,imperial city2 but forasmuch as they are thereunto constrained by the adversaries1 they must be content4 ,the ,papists1 void of shame1 do unwisely undertake to possess themselves of the cities1 and by fraud to draw thereunto their adherents2 then they make show of keeping peace1 but in the meantime they contrive how to separate and confuse the whole body1 and of the members to make a massacre2 they secretly fall upon ,hamburg1 upon ,minden1 and ,frankfort4 ,they might more wisely go to work1 if by open wars they assailed us4 ,at ,augsburg they openly condemned us2 and if those of our party had not been patient1 it had presently gone on at that time4 ,anno #aeci1 the #afth of ,february1 ,luther commanded public prayers to be made for the day at ,frankfort1 that peace might be confirmed4 ,for if the ,landgrave be incensed1 then all resistance will be in vain4 ,the ,landgrave neither provoketh nor giveth occasion to wars2 but1 on the contrary1 when he is provoked1 he still seeketh peace2 whereas1 notwithstanding1 he is better furnished and provided for wars than his adversary is1 by #b1jjj horse1 for ,hessen and ,saxon are horsemen2 when they are set in the saddle1 they are then not so easily hoisted out again4 ,as for the high-country horsemen1 they1 said ,luther1 are dancing gentlemen4 ,god preserve the ,landgrave2 for a valiant man and ,prince is of great importance4 ,augustus ,csar was wont to say1 8,i would rather be in an army of stags1 where a lion is general1 than to be in an army of lions where a stag is general40 ,the #beth of ,february1 ,luther prayed again with great devotion for peace1 and for the day at ,frankfort1 that through civil wars 7which are most hurtful71 the religion1 policy1 and ,god's ,word might not be sophisticated and torn in pieces4 ,wars are pleasing to those that have had no trial or experience of them2 ,god bless us from wars4 ,,footnotes #ag ,whatsoever was pretended1 yet the true cause of the ,captain's commitment was because he was urgent with the ,lord ,treasurer for his ,arrears2 which1 amounting to a great sum1 he was not willing to pay2 and to be freed from his clamours he clapped him up into prison4 #ig ,the name of a rich family4