Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/344

 304 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER 1534 I plead that for Christ's sake you would not disdain per- forming the Christian office of helping the poor little heathen out of her sinful state by nature into the most blessed new birth, thus becoming her spiritual father through the sacred waters of baptism. And the weather being so cold, I should like to spare you the risk, if you could send some one instead from Dessau or elsewhere. M. Philip and M, Franciscus are not at home. Your Grace knows how to perform your good pleasure. God will requite the service. I should like the baptism to take place to-morrow. May God be with your Grace ! Your gracious Highness's obedient Martin Luther. (De Wette.) CCCXVIII To Eberhardt Brisger A house was offered to Luther for purchase. December 20, 1534. What shall I write to you about the selling of your house, my Eberhardt ? For you know that in such trans- actions I am a very novice, and you have many around you who can advise you much better than I, not to speak of yourself, who know so much of such matters. I can only say that I shall not as yet reply to your offer, although 1 do not wish to boast of my poverty, but cannot refrain from saying that it would be impossible for me to bring together even the half of that sum. I make a great appearance with the treasures entrusted to me, but I should not like you or any one else to be in my place (Hciul). Therefore you will not find a pur- chaser in me, even if you offered it a hundred times. But I would suggest Bruno to you, and if my opinion has any weight, I would like you to sell it to him for four hundred and forty gulden, which 1 hear is the valuation. Why should you wish to drive such a hard bargain with your good brother, seeing the Lord has blessed you with this bit of property, a fact you should remember in