Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/368

 jt:], LUTHER TO NICHOLAS HAUSMANN. Enders, v, 328. Wittenberg, March 27, 1526.

Grace and peace in the Lord. Thank you for the vase, my dear Nicholas. I did not think it would be so elaborate; one enclosed in wicker-work would have been enough. But now )rou have made my Kate too fond of it; that is the wo- man's way. I admire the minerals, but do not like to deprive you of them. You have others to give them to, if you have any over, without wasting them on my curiosity.

I have given this brother a carefully written letter to the Elector; I hope he will profit by it.

You ask me to prepare a general order for the conducting of ceremonies, but how can I do it in the midst of so many occupations? I wish you would sketch a form and send it to me, so that you, too, would be doing something in this matter according to the gift which God has given you. Farewell, my dear brother. My rib sends you greeting.

Martin Luther.

728. LUTHER TO SPALATIN AT ALTENBURG. Endcrs, v, 328. (WmENBERG), March 27, 1526.

Grace and peace in Christ. It is true, dear Spalatin, that your letters to me and mine to you are very rare, but be sure that you have a good excuse for this. I have one which is very good indeed. I do not wish to interrupt the joys of a newly married brid^^om, especially as what I have to write is not very pleasant.

Joking aside, I should long since have sent you these sad missives of King Qiristian, now the most miserable of men,* living in wretchedness for Christ alone. Perhaps God will call this rare bird (as the proverb hath it)* to heaven; this king, above all, of whom one would have least imagined it! Thus strangely can Providence deceive our judgments.

You can hardly believe how Satan strives by means of Duke George and the bishops.* I shall soon give you an account of

in April, 1523, spent nine years in exile.
 * Christian II of Denmark, deposed by his uncle, Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein,

•German proverb: Kings are rare game birds in heaven.


 * A reference to the so-called 'Troposal of Mayence." The bishops in the

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