Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/229

 Greeting. You write me often, dear Martin, and suspect my constancy. To which I reply: My faith in Christ and the Gospel keeps whole, even if I need prayer that Christ may help my unbelief, and that I may divorce all human interests and embrace the Church warmly. My love for you is most constant, passing the love of women, always unbroken. Spare me if, on account of the slowness of my mind, I do not grasp all your ideas and so keep silent about them. Vlt seems to me that you condemn mere externals which profit nothing to faith and righteousness, but are indifferent, and, when done in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not burden the con- science at all. Why, therefore, should simple hearts be dis- turbed, and why should the monastic garb be a stench in your nostrils, when many wear it in the holy faith of Christ ? Alas, abuses creep into all things human, and there are few who measure all things by faith, but there are some, nevertheless, who do, and the substance of a thing is not to be condemned on account of some accidental evil which is found in it. You abrogate all vows at once, for the sake of a very few, or, perhaps, only one. Therefore I pray you, dearest friend, to remember the little ones, and not disturb fearful con- sciences. Please do not condemn what is indifferent and can exist along with sincere faith. Cry out and never cease against what is really repugnant to faith. We owe you much, Martin, for having led us from the husks of swine back to the pastures of life and the words of salvation. The Lord give you increase as far as the Gospel is served thereby. This we see to be the case, and many tell us of it, howbeit I see the Gospel message abused unto the liberty of the flesh. But the wind bloweth where it listeth; we owe you thanks for planting and watering, saving the glory of God, to Whom alone we attribute the power of making sons of God. I have written enough; I wish that I could talk to you even one hour and open the secrets of the heart.

I commend to you, brother, the bearer' of this letter, that you may make him your disciple in industry and ability, and that he may receive the master's degree and so return to me. I hope he may bear good fruit to the honor of the University

'A certain George Fuhrer given an M.A. on April 30.

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