right defender for Eck. Let them defend each other, there- fore. I am sending you a poem of Justus Jonas/
Ferdinand's legate (or something else) has been here to see what kind of a man I am and what I am doing. He said it was reported at his master's court that I went about armed and with an escort, and spent my time in the taverns with harlots and dice, and that I was adorned with all sorts of other honors at that court. But I have got used to lies. Fare- well in the Lord, and pray for me.
Martin Luther.
6io. LUTHER TO LAMBERT THORN.
Enders, iv, 280. WrrrENBERC, January 19, 1524.
Lambert Thorn (or von Thorn) was probably the third of the trio of Augustinians who were arrested at Antwerp and tried for heresy. The other two, Henry Voes and John Esch, were burned at Brussels (vide supra, no. 596; Thorn was imprisoned, and it was reported at first that he, too, had suffered martyrdom (c/. Erasmus to Zwingli, supra, p. 196^ n. 2). The text of this letter has rather an interesting history. It was written in Latin, and translated into German, after which the Latin original was lost, but it was retranslated into Latin as early as 1525.
Grace and peace in the Lord. Christ has given me abundant testimony of you, dear brother Lambert, that you do not need my words, for He Himself suffers in you and is glori- fied in you. He is taken captive in you and reigns in you, He is oppressed in you and triumphs in you, for He has given you that holy knowledge of Himself which is hidden from the world. Not only this, but He strengthens you in- wardly with His Spirit in these outward tribulations and consoles you with the double example of Henry and John.* Thus both they and you are to me a great consolation and strength, to the whole world a sweet-smelling savor, and to the Gospel of Christ a special glory. There is little need, then, to burden you with my consolations. Who knows why the Lord was not willing to have you die with the other two? He will preserve you for another miracle.
Therefore I rejoice with you and congratulate you with my whole heart, giving thanks to our faithful Saviour, the
> Probablj fVo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hSlt, a versification of Psalm cxzIt.
- Voe8 and Escb.
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