Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/254

 ===CCXIV=== TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON

Luther begs him to tell Justus Jonas of his child’s death.

May 15, 1530.

Grace and peace! I ordered this letter to be given to you, for I knew of no other way of letting Justus Jonas hear of his son’s death.

Communicate it to him very gently. His wife and famulus certainly prepared him for it. My people wrote that they stood over his death-bed, and he died of the same illness which so lately deprived him of his first Fritz.

The child was always sickly. I shall delay writing in case of increasing his sorrow. I am tormented on all sides, but we shall not let our courage sink.

This is our hour of sorrow, but, like the woman who rejoiced when her son was born, we too shall look forward to a joyful time. So let us bid adieu to our foolish lamenting; for our cause, prayers, and hopes rest with Him who is faithful to His promises. Speak comfortably to the man who, in the world’s eyes, is bowed down with sorrow, causing it to rejoice in our affliction. The Lord be with you! MARTIN LUTHER.

CCXV
TO THE ELECTOR JOHN OF SAXONY

The Elector would not permit the preaching to be stopped.

May 20, 1530.

Grace and peace! Most Serene Prince! I have delayed answering your most gracious letter from Augsburg, with all its news and admonitions not to let the time hang on my hands. It is most kind of you troubling about me, and here we are most anxious about your Serene Highness, and pray constantly for you. I do not find the days long. We live like lords, and this last week seems hardly three days.