Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/102

 ity; for although we cannot always obey the human powers that be, as, for example, when they undertake to do things that arc contrary to God's commandments, nevertheless they are never to be despised, but arc to be honored. Thus the Lord Christ did not justify or praise Pilate's decision, yet He did not cast either him or Caesar from the throne, and did not despise them.

Now these are my reasons for coming to Wittenberg in these my tribulations. First, it cannot be denied that I began this matter, and I must confess myself the humble servant of the Wittenberg congregation to which God sent me, and, there- fore, I could not remain away from Wittenberg any longer without failing in Christian love, fidelity and duty; and this would be a cause of trouble to others as well as myself. To be sure, there may be many people who look upon this whole thing as the devil's work, and condemn it, and they will re- gard this reason as of no importance and think it right that Wittenberg and everything that has been done there should be allowed to go to destruction. But this does not excuse me, for God will not judge me by the faith of others, whether they be many or few, but by my own conscience, and I know that my word and what I have done are not of myself but of God, and neither death nor persecution will teach me other- wise*

In the second place, during my absence Satan has fallen upon my flock at Wittenberg, and as all the world knows — and it is true — has done certain things that I cannot stop with any writing, but must deal with in my own person and with living mouth and ears. I could not reconcile any further postponement or delay with my own conscience. There- fore I was obliged to disregard not only your Grace's pleas- ure and displeasure, but the wrath and the pleasure of all the world. For Wittenberg is my flock, commended to me by God; they are my children in Christ; there was no disputing the question whether I should come to them or not come. It is my duty even to suffer death for them, and by God's grace I shall do it willingly and joyfully, as Christ commands in John X. If I could have helped matters with what I wrote, why should I not have contented myself to stay away from

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