Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/329

 perfect the offering to the praise of God. I shall ever be ready to requite the obligation. I commit you and yours to God.

Amen. MARTIN LUTHER. (De Wette.)

CCXCVII
TO JOACHIM, PRINCE OF ANHALT Luther exhorts the Prince to cleave to the gospel, despite the efforts of great Princes to detach him from it.

March 28, 1533.

Grace and peace in Christ, Most Serene High-born Prince! Your Court preacher, Herr Nicolas Hausmann, has told me of your heartfelt leanings towards the gospel, and how hard it is for you to be faithful to it, not only from long habit, but on account of several powerful Princes writing to try and detach you from it.

It is no doubt true that two such things as these, old habits and the persuasion of great people, have influenced more deeply-rooted Christians than your gracious Highness is yet; but we must learn through time, if we cannot do so at once, that Christ is above all these, and that God the Father will have Him honored over all. A council or pope may have the Holy Ghost, and through it achieve much, but Christ has no devil. So I pray God to teach your Grace this one thing, that Christ and His Word are higher, greater, and more to be relied upon than a hundred thousand fathers, councils, and popes, for the Bible classes them all under the name of sinners and lost sheep. Therefore be bold, and not fear earth’s potentates, for Christ is greater than all devils, and more to be feared than Princes. I commend you to His mercy. Your Grace’s obedient servant, MARTIN LUTHER. (De Wette.)

CCXVIII
TO WOLF WIEDEMAN Herzog

George of Saxony was incensed at a letter of Luther’s to his Leipsic adherents, and he asked the Burghermaster to inquire if he acknowledged it.

April 27, 1533.

To the highly respected Burghermaster of Leipsic,