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 3i6 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER 1535 the King to make an end of the butchery and burning. Therefore, if these people are deprived of their consola- tion, then the bloodhounds may begin their bloody work afresh, so I do not see how Herr Philip can, with a clear conscience, desert them in their deep need, and rob them of their much-needed consolation, especially as it might make the King and those about him very mis- trustful of all of us, for he has graciously written himself requesting Philip's presence, besides sending a messenger. Your princely Grace will, by the grace of God, permit Philip to leave for three months. Who knows what God may mean to do, whose thoughts are at all times higher and better than ours ! P or my part, I should be very sorry were so many pious hearts deprived of the comfort lor which they so touchingly and so con- fidently cry and wait. And one could not wonder if they and many others thought badly of us. There- tore I plead once more that your Electoral Grace would most graciously grant Philip's request. We pray daily to God for your Electoral Highness, and by our diligent labour try to promote your cause. May God lead and strengthen your Highness by His Holy Spirit to do His good and gracious will ! Amen. Martin Luther. (De Wette.) cccxxx To Justus Jonas Luther contradicts the report of epidemic in Wittenberg. August 19, 1535. Grace and peace ! I wish you joy on your recovery, my excellent Jonas. The report of an infectious disease here is most unfounded. But Heaven seems to will it that the devil should succeed in separating us at least bodily, and who knows by what means. Philip has been called to France by the King, and he would gladly have gone, but the Elector would not permit it. He then went off in rather a bad humour to Jena. We had a small gather- ing of doctors on the Feast of the Holy Cross, and a