Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/507

 I wanted to tell you this that you might know what our friends are thinking. I myself scarcely got home, for the angel of Satan buffeted me so that I despaired of getting home alive and well to see my family. But Christ triumphs over these "powers of the air," * so pray for me even more diligently. Perhaps even the Turk, or, at least, his god — ^the devil — is a part of what I have to bear and to overcome in this struggle. In a word, it seems to me that these men are not bad, but rather have slipped into the wrong way of thinkiog through error or by accident, and would be glad to be helped out of it if they could. May God, Who has begun this work, have pity on them and bring them back. Amen.

We have heard that the Turk has fled, but Daniel says that he will fight against the saints until the judgment shall come and the Ancient of Days shall sit upon His throne. We Ger- mans should do well to give heed to that* I am publishing a warlike sermon to arouse the army against the Turks. Fare- well, with all of yours, and pray for me.

Yours, Martin Luther.

859. LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR JOHN OF SAXONY.

DeWette, iii, 526. German. (Wittenberc), November 18, 1529.

After the Diet of Spires, the project of a league of Protestant princes in Germany was taken up anew and energetically urged, espe- cially by Philip of Hesse. Cf, von Schubert, BekenntnisbUdung und Religionspolitik, 1529-30, pp. 183^. The Elector had asked the opinion of the Wittenberg theologians, and the following is Luther's reply.

Grace and peace in Christ. Serene, highborn Prince, gra- cious Lord. The reverend and learned Doctor Gregory Bruck has brought us thf ee * a document from your Grace, and after learning your Grace's views from him we have put in writing the best advice we can give your Grace. I beg your Grace to receive it graciously.

Our conscience will not permit us to approve or advise any such league, for we remember to what it may lead, and that bloodshed or some other great misfortune may result, so that

^ Epbesians !i, 2,

'This in German.

' Luther, MeUnchthon and Bugenhagen.

�� �