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 communicants, begging our spiritual Junkers and tyrants to permit those simple creatures to enjoy it in peace, and showing them how their tyranny has almost put an end to confession....

But they will not listen to reason — well — well! I have seen more bubbles than they — and even once — a dreadful smoke, which threatened to obscure the sun, but the smoke has vanished long ago, and the sun still shines. I shall continue to declare the truth fearlessly. Neither of us is yet over the mountain, but I have one advantage, I am single.

God make the truth victorious. I commend Ulrich you Hutten and Martin Bucer to your Worship. Given in my Patmos. MARTIN LUTHER.

LXIV
TO GEORGE SPALATIN

Luther sends Spalatin some writings to be printed.

June 10, 1521.

All hail! I have not only received your long epistle, dear Spalatin, but that of OEcolampadius, and now send you the “Magnificat” complete, with the pamphlet on Confession dedicated to Franz von Sickingen, which I should like printed first. The 21st Psalm is off to the printers. See if no alterations be necessary, for I do not yet know if I shall annex the 119th Psalm to something else, but I shall decide when I hear what you all think. I must also answer Latomus of Louvain, who makes so much of his lord the Pope.

I marvel greatly at OEcolampadius, not because he is pleased with what I do, but that he is so full of joy, and so bright and Christ-like. God maintain and strengthen him. I am at one and the same time both idle and very busy.

I study Greek and Hebrew, and write without ceasing. My present host entertains me much better than I deserve.

The illness from which I suffered in Worms is worse, so that I almost despair of recovery. The Lord tries me