Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/320

 I humbly commend him to you. He is an excellent man of the highest character, and a faithful expounder of God’s Word, which he loves with his whole heart. May Christ cause him to bring forth much fruit.

Amen. I do not doubt you will cherish him. I commit you to God, and if my poor prayers are of any avail, they are ever offered on your Graces’ behalf. MARTIN LUTHER. WITTENBERG. (Walch, 21. 1242.)

===CCLXXXVIII TO SOMEONE UNKNOWN

On July 25 the Emperor and Ferdinand most unwillingly signed a religious truce, knowing it would strengthen heresy, so the Elector succeeded in having the Protestant Church recognized for the first time.

August 19, 1532.

Grace and peace, honored friend! Herr Christoph Stroebel and Herr Nicolas Hausmann have told me how God has not only blessed you in temporal things, but what is a thousand times better, has quickened you spiritually with love for the gospel, which I am delighted to hear, and pray God to strengthen and maintain you in this gracious condition till His appearing. For these are dangerous times, owing to seditious persons, false doctrines, and teachers. These mischievous persons creep about everywhere, and Satan does the same, trying to overthrow our faith; and at all times our reason blindly struggles against the truth, annoyed that our cause rests solely in God’s power and strength. I can only write a few lines now, for we are all in deep grief at the departure of the pious Prince from this vale of tears.

I commend you to the grace of God our Savior, and beseech you to help poor Christoph Stroebel in any way you can, which Christ will requite as done to Himself, and I shall thank you when told of it. MARTIN LUTHER. WITTENBERG (De Wette.)