Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/265

 thus nullifying my prayers. As for me (whether it proceed from God’s Spirit or from stupidity, my Lord Jesus knows) I do not torment myself about such matters. God can raise the dead, and He can also maintain His cause, although it looks ready to fall; and He can even raise it up again if it has fallen. If we do not lend our assistance towards its maintenance, others will; and if we do not console ourselves with the promises, who then can give us consolation in the world? More of this again, although I may only be carrying water to the sea. May Christ comfort, strengthen, and teach you by His Spirit.

If I hear you are still desponding I shall scarcely be able to prevent myself hurrying to you to see how dreadful it is to be in the fangs of the devil, as the Scripture says, “Wilt thou play with him as with a bird ?” MARTIN LUTHER.

CCXXVI
TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON

Luther tries to cheer his friend after hearing the joyful news of the public reading of Melanchthon’s Apology.

June 29, 1530.

Grace and peace, dear Herr Philip! I have read the beautiful speech in which you apologize for your silence, and meanwhile I have sent two letters satisfactorily explaining my not writing. Today your letter came, full of unmerited reproaches, as if by my silence I had increased your work, danger, and tears. Do you really imagine that I am sitting in a garden of roses and not sharing your cares? Would to God that I could indulge in tears. Had your letters not come the evening they did, I would have sent a messenger at my own expense to find out whether you were dead or alive.

Herr Veit can testify to this. I have received your Apology, and wonder at your asking how far one may yield to the Papists. For my part I think too much has been conceded. If they do not accept it, what more can we do?

I ponder this business night and day, looking at it from all sides, searching the Scriptures, and the longer I contemplate it the more I am convinced of the sure