Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/384

 when Christ is blasphemed. But we have been sufficiently warned ; he that perishes, let him perish. By its contempt for the Word the world has long since merited this wrath of God Who brings in devastating divisions, as Paul predicted : * "God will send them a strong error, that they who have not received the love of truth may believe in iniquity." The fulfillment of this prophecy has begun and it will be fulfilled, that the elect may be approved and the reprobate condemned. The grace of God be with you.

741. LUTHER TO NICHOLAS HAUSMANN. Enders, v, 398. (WrrrENBEBG), October 14, 1526.

Nicholas, for this bookseller to bring, for the book about war " is not yet finished, though it is going through the press day by day.

I intend that Zechariah shall follow Habakkuk and Jonah.

Grace and peace. There was nothing new here, my dear Ecclesiastes is making me a great deal of trouble, as though he did not wish to be read, nevertheless he is being compelled to be read, so much has this book been neglected heretofore.

You say truly that the world is going to ruin, and I hope that the day is near at hand when the advent of the great God will appear, for all things everywhere are boiling, burn- ing, moving, falling, sinking, groaning. Farewell, and pray for me. Martin Luther.

742. CARLSTADT TO LUTHER. Enders, v, 405. German. Berkwitz, November 17, 1526.

Reverend and learned doctor, gracious and dear father. My willing service and best wishes. Your reverence doubt- less remembers the matters of which I have many times com- plained and why I must leave this farm at Berkwitz. My horses continue to do badly, and a great, strong wagon-horse, and another horse that I would not have sold for fifteen florins, both died in one week, and so I made haste and sold the farm

^11 Thessalonians ii, xoff., freely quoted.

' Ob Kriegslente ouch in seligetn Stande sein kdnn^n (Weunar, xix, 624ff.)» published between this date and January i, 1537.

�� �