Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/88

 experiences have been smooth, bland, devout (as they say) and ceremonious, do not approve them even though they say they have been caught up to the third heaven, because they have not the sign of the Son of man. Who is the touchstone the only prover of Christians and the sure discerner of spirits. Would you know the place, the time, the manner of God's talks with men? Then listen: — "As a lion He hath broken all my bones";* "I am cut oflf from before thine eyes";" "My soul is full of troubles and my life hath drawn near unto hell." * The Divine Majesty does not speak "imme- diately" (as they call it), so that men can see Him; nay, "No man shall see me and live."^ His words are like the stars: Nature bears no small one.* For this reason He speaks through men, because all of us are not able to endure Him when He speaks. Even the Virgin was terrified by the angel, and so was Daniel, and Jeremiah complains,* "Correct me, but with judgment," and "Be not a terror unto me." Why say more? As if the Divine Majesty could speak familiarly with "the old Adam," and not first slay him and dry him up, so that the evil odor of him might not be a stench in His nostrils ; for He is a consuming fire.' Even the dreams and visions of the saints are terrible, at least after they are understood. There- fore do not try to hear the voice even of the glorified Jesus until you have first seen Him crucified.

But you say, what has this to do with the matter in hand? This only refutes others, it does not prove our own case. But what else can I do when I am absent, and do not know what they are trying to do? If they are only quoting the text, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," and 'alleging that infants cannot believe on their own account, that does not influence me at all. How will they prove that they do not believe? Because they do not speak and declare their faith? Fine! By that reasoning how many hours of the day will

' Psalm xxxi, 22.
 * Isaiah xxxvUi, 13.


 * pBalm bcxxviii, 3. «


 * Exodus xxxiii, 20.


 * Steliam parvam sermonis ejus. There was a proverb, "Nature bears no small

' Deuteronomy ir, J4.
 * Jeremiah x, 24; xrii, 17.

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