Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/221

 worthy of us. It is rather worthy of our enemies, for you see that they have cooled their rage on you and taken their re- venge, and are glad for it, and have consoled themselves splendidly. But what sort of consolation is it? Is there any hope in it? Is there any patience in it? Is there any Scripture in it? In place of God they have put violence; in place of patience they have shown vengef ulness ; in place of hope they plainly give vent to their own will, and they feel that they have got what they wanted. Whence comes such consolation as this? It is not of God, and, therefore, it must certainly be of the devil, and that is the truth. But what is the end of the devil's consolation? Paul tells us. Quorum gloria in confusionem^ "Their glory will have a shameful end."

Now see what a rich, proud comfort grows up for you out of this tribulation. Be certain, in the first place, that these outrages and ignominies are for the sake of God's Word. What does it matter that they call it heresy? You are sure that it is God's Word, and they cannot be sure that it is heresy, for they will not listen to it. They have not proved, nor can they prove that it is heresy. And yet, on this im- certain ground, they go on to blaspheme and persecute that which they do not know, as St. Peter says;" therefore they cannot have a clear conscience in the matter ; but you have the sure and certain knowledge that you suffer for God's sake. Now who can ever tell what a proud and blessed consolation it is when one is certain that he is suffering for God's sake? For who is it that suffers? Whose concern is it? Who will avenge it, if we suffer for God's sake? Well says St. Peter, "Blessed are ye, if ye suffer for righteousness' sake." If a man were emperor of all the world, he ought not only will- ingly to give up his empire to gain that suffering, but even count himself as dung in comparison with such a treasury of consolation.

Therefore, dear friends, you have no reason to desire re- venge or to wish evil to your enemies, but you ought rather to pity them from your hearts. For your revenge upon them — save for that which will come to them at the end — ^is

U PUUppiani tii, X9. *I Peter Hi, 14 (?)•

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