Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/353

 1535 LErXERS OF MARTIN LUTHER 313 the Reformation than to see an end ot the lamentable division, and at length to hope for an entire agreement. Herr Gereon tells me, and your letter forces me to believe this, so that my wound, viz. my distrust, is so far healed that not even a scar remains. Therefore I beseech you, through Christ, who has begun such a work in you, to persevere in this fruit of the Spirit. Doubtless you will manifest such heartfelt Christian love towards us, which shall be responded to on our part with true love and fidelity, and lay nothing upon us which we cannot joyfully accept. When this concord is ratified, I shall sing with tears, '* Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace ! " For I shall leave peace to the Church, God's house, and the punishment of the devil, etc. May Christ perfect this work among you, so that my joy may be full, and I may look forward, after so many crosses, to a joyful dying hour. Amen. Pray for me, as I pray for you. Martin Luther. CCCXXVIII To THE Elector Albrecht, Archbishop of Mayence The Elector threatened Ludwig Rabe for having spoken at Luther's table of the unjust fate of Hans Schanz. Jufy 31, 1535- Repentance and forgiveness of sins. Most High-born Prince and gracious Lord ! I address this letter to you, not in the hope that anything advantageous will come of it, but to relieve my conscience before God and the world, in case my silence should be construed into acquiescence of the injustice perpetrated. Ludwig Rabe allowed me to read the letter in which your Grace threatens and forbids him again speaking of the glorified Hans Schanz. As he is my boarder and sits at my table, I can testify, and doubtless your Highness is also aware, that this is not true, so I can only conclude that your Grace is stabbing me through a fence, being angry at what good people hear talked of ; for I can testify that Ludwig Rabe sits at my table like a maiden, and often speaks more good of his