Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/39

 34 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let ii

Jesus Christ Dear Brother George : — I want you to know that I sold some of your things for two and a half gulden,* i. e., one gulden for the coat of Brussels, half a gulden for the larger Eisenach work, and one gulden for the cowl and some other things. Some things are left, as the Eclogues of Bap- tista Mantuan* and your collections, which you must consider a loss, as hitherto we have not been able to dispose of them. We gave the two and a half gulden you owe to the reverend father vicar* in your name; for the other half gulden you must either try to pay it or get him to remit the debt. For I felt that the reverend father was so well inclined to you that he would not object to doing so.

Now I would like to know whether your soul, tired of her own righteousness, would learn to breathe and confide in the righteousness of Christ. For in our age the temptation to presumption besets many, especially those who try to be just and good before all men, not knowing the righteousness of God, which is most bountifully and freely given us in Christ. Thus they long seek to do right by themselves, that they may have courage to stand before God as though fortified with their own virtues and merits, which is impossible. You your- self were of this opinion, or rather error, and so was I, who still fight against the error and have not yet conquered it.

Therefore, my sweet brother, learn Christ and him crucified ; learn to pray to him despairing of yourself, saying: Thou, Lord Jesus, art my righteousness, but I am thy sin ; thou hast taken on thyself what thou wast not, and hast given to me what I was not. Beware of aspiring to such purity that you will not wish to seem to yourself, or to be, a sinner. For Christ only dwells in sinners. For that reason he descended from heaven, where he dwelt among the righteous, that he might dwell among sinners. Consider that kindness of his, and you will see his sweetest consolation. . . •

If you firmly believe this (and he is accursed who does not believe it) then take up your untaught and erring brothers, patiently uphold them, make their sins yours, and, if you have

^"Semitres." an unclassical translation of the German "halbdrei.** 'A late poet (1448-1516) whose eclogues were great favorites at this time. Thcj have recently been reedited by W. P. Mustard. Johns Hopkina* Preaa, 19x1. 'Staupitz.

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