Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/152

 ===XCI=== TO NICOLAS HAUSMANN

Hausmann, like Bugenhagen, had the gift of Church organization, and insisted on the inseparable connection between doctrine and life. He died when preaching his first sermon in Freiberg in 1538.

Deeply mourned by Luther.

May 24, 1523.

Grace and peace! This man returns to you, and brings as much as I could spare, but insisted upon having a letter to you. Do then as Christ teaches.

As to the rest I am well in body, but outwardly so occupied with business, that my soul is well-nigh quenched for want of time to attend to it.

Pray that I may not be swallowed up by fleshly concerns. Greet all our companions in the faith, and may you prosper in the Lord. MARTIN LUTHER. TO THREE BANISHED YOUNG LADIES Luther comforts the three Freiberg young ladies who had been banished from Court for reading his books.

June 18, 1523.

To the honored and virtuous Hanna von Draschwitz, Milia von Olsnitz, and Ursula von Feilitzin, my special friends in Christ. Grace and peace!

Honored ladies. Herr Nicolas vou Amsdorf has told me of your disgrace because of my books, and begged me to write you a letter of consolation.

But although I do not like writing to people I do not know, and you do not need comfort from me, still I could not refuse his request. First, I beg you, as a friend, to let your hearts rest in peace, and not wish evil to those who have brought this upon you, but “being reviled bless,” as St. Paul says. And Christ says, “Bless them that curse you,” etc., so do the same, seeing you are illumined by the grace of God, and they are blinded and are injuring their own souls by running against God, not seeing how they are destroying them