Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/210

 pings of Doctor of Theology. Do as you like, for it matters little to me whether game is eaten at these festivities or not, but they want to do honor to the guests from Nordhausen who will be there. The only thing in these shows that pleases me is that they know themselves that there is nothing in them and only decorate themselves this way for the ministry of the Word because of the effect it has on the people. Farewell in the Lord. Martin Luther.

603. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Enders, iv, 244. (Wittenbebg), October 12, 1523.

Grace and peace. I remember perfectly what I wrote the Elector from Borna/ my dear Spalatin, and would that he could believe it, for you have been given clear evidences of the hand of God, by which, contrary to everybody's expecta- tions, I am still living after almost two years have passed, and the Elector is not only safe but feels the rage of the other princes far less than he did a year ago. It is not hard for Christ to keep the Elector in safety so far as my cause is concerned, for he was brought into it without any reason and solely by the providence of God. If I knew any way by which I could get him out of the matter without injury to the Gospel, I would not spare my own life to do it. I had expected that within a year I should receive the death-penalty. This was the way by which I expected that he would be let out of it, if, indeed, he would be let out by my death. But we are not able to discover and to understand His provi- dence, and, meanwhile, we shall be safe if we say, "Thy will be done.'* I have no doubt that the Elector will go un- harmed so long as he does not publicly espouse or approve my cause; but why he should be compelled to bear my re- proach, God knows; unless it is because there is no loss or peril in it for him, but rather great gain for his own salva- tion, and that is certain.

I do not care whether our priests of Baal* keep up their

1524; pMtor at Orlamfinde, a suitor of Catbarine too Bora, wko rejected him. He turned out rather badly.

^ Supra no. 529.

iog tiiem to stop saying masses for souls and had attacked them from the palpit
 * Tlie clergy of the Castle Church. Luther had written them on July 12, wam-

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