Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/25

 as we wished; but the people are so stirred up that I hardly think we shall save our own lives unless we light our candles and seek him everywhere and bring him back." He was jest- ing; but what if the jest should turn to earnest? "Speak upon your couch, and be stillJ

��479. LUTHER TO MELANCHTHON. Enders, iii, 148. Land-of-the-Birds (Waribusg), May 12, 1521.

Greeting. What arc you doing these days, my dear Philip ? Are you not praying that this retirement, to which I unwill- ingly consented, may work some great things for the glory of God ? I was afraid that I might seem to be deserting the battle, and yet I saw no way of resisting those who wished and advised this course. I desire nothing more than to oppose my bare throat to the rage of my adversaries.

Sitting here all day long, I picture to myself the state of the Church, and see fulfilled that word of the 89th Psalm, "Wherefore hast Thou made all the children of men in vain ?" * God, what a horrible spectacle of the wrath of God is that kingdom of the Roman Antichrist ! I loathe my own hardness of heart because I am not melted to tears, so that I, too, might weep fountains of tears for the slain sons of my people.' But there is none to arise and lay hold on God and oppose himself as a wall for the house of Israel ^ in this last day of His wrath. O kingdom of the Pope, worthy of the end and the dr^s of time ! God have mercy on us !

Wherefore, minister of the Word, be steadfast and strengthen the walls and towers of Jerusalem against the day when they attack you too. Be mindful of your calling and of your gifts. I pray for you as for no other, if my prayer can do anything, which I doubt not. Do you render me like service, and let us bear this burden together. So far, we stand alone in the battle ; they seek you after me.

Spalatin writes me that an edict' is being printed of such trruel tenor that they are going to search the world for my books,, and thus quickly compass their own destruction. Re-

^ Psalm iv, 4.

'Psalm Ixxxix, 47. 'Jeremiah ix, i. « Exekiel xiii, 5.

•The Edict of Worms. Cf. Vol. I. p. 564, Smith. 120. P. Kalkofl[: Die Ent- stehung des IVomuer Bdikts, i9t3> Text in Kidd, no. 45.

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