Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/292

 ===CCLII== TO KATHERINE, LUTHER’S WIFE

September 24, 1530.

Grace and peace in Christ, my dear Kathie! I hope, by God’s grace, we shall be with you in fourteen days, although I fear our cause will not remain uncondemned. Efforts are being made towards this end. They will have difficulty in forcing the monks and nuns to return to the cloister.

Still —— has written; he hopes all will end peacefully in Augsburg when they disperse. It would be a mercy if God granted this, for the Turk is determined to be at us.

I herewith commit you to God. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER.

CCLIII
TO THE ELECTOR JOHN

On bidding the Elector adieu at Augsburg the Emperor said: “Ohm, Ohm, I did not expect this of you!” And it was most courageous to oppose Charles V., whom twenty kingdoms obeyed.

October 3, 1530.

To the High-born Elector John. Grace and peace, most gracious Lord! I am delighted that your Electoral Highness is emerging from the Augsburg hell, and although the eye of man may be displeased with this, still we hope that God may finish the work He has begun in us, and strengthen us more and more. You are in God’s hands, even as we are, and our enemies cannot hurt a hair of our heads except God wills it. I have committed the matter to the Lord, who has begun it, and will complete it, I fully believe.

It is beyond man’s power to bestow such a gospel (Lehre), so I shall watch to see who dare defy God in these things, for “bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days.” They may threaten, but to carry out is not in their own power. May your Electoral Grace be strong in the spirit of joy and steadfastness. Amen.