Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/303

 aOO LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let 6^

woman kindled and kept alight, which cannot be restrained by vows or laws. For it is God's law and doing. Let him who will be alone cast off the name of man and prove himself an angel or spirit, for God does not permit such an estate to a man. We do ri^t when we sing of holy virgins that their life is not human but angelic, that though in the flesh they could be without the flesh by God's high grace. Our body is in great part woman's flesh, for by them we were conceived and grew, were borne and nourished, so that no one can keep himself entirely free from them. This is God's ordinance, Who made it and had it so. Even the impotent we see are full of natural desire; yea, the more impotent they are the more they desire to be with women, which is natural, as we always desire most what we can least have.

Therefore we see that it is true that whoso will live alone undertakes an impossible task and runs counter to God's Word and the nature God gave him. Those who wrestle with God and nature fall and are full of fornication and all uncleanness until they are drowned in their own vices and driven to despair. Therefore such a vow against God and nature is impossible and void. God condemns it, just as if someone should vow : I will be God's mother, or, I will make a heaven.

Secondly, that a vow may be yalid, it must not be against God and the Christian faith, and ever3rthing is against that which relies on works and not on God's grace, as is said in Hebrews, chapter twelve. One must ground one's heart on faith and not on food ; that is, on works and laws which relate to food, drink and the like. Of this sort are all monastic vows which build hearts and consciences on works and not on grace, by which reliance on works they lose and deny Christ and the faith.

I believe, honored sir, that you are convinced of what I say, and that you are not troubled by such scruples, but I fancy that human fear and timidity lie in your way, as it is said thaf he must be a bold man who dares to take a wife. There is then the more need to encourage, counsel and urge you, making you eager and bold. Dear and honored sir, why should you torture yourself and strive with your own thought?

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