fession^ by the publication of his bold book on easiness of confession ; ' he will be a new vexation for Antichrist and his army. If I had not hoped that Spalatin had sent or would send you a copy, I should have sent it myself along with Hutten's letter to the capped and hatted hoopoes at Worms." Still I shall try to add something to it in German. I marvel at the new bridegroom of Kemberg;* he fears nothing and is in something of a hurry in these troubled times; may the Lord be over him and mingle delights with his bitter herbs; He will do it even without my prayers. I am displeased that not a single copy of your Method,' so far as it is printed, has come. I should like to know who is filling my chair; is Amsdorf still snoring and loafing? May the Lord preserve and increase the well-being of the university, of which you write. Amen.
I do not wish you to worry about me at all. As regards my person, everything is well, except that my mental trouble has not ceased and my former infirmity of spirit and of faith continues. As for my retirement, it is nothing at all; my employment in the exposition of the Word was never my own choice, and therefore my exclusion from that work brings me great peace of heart. That is the state of affairs so far as I personally am concerned. But for the glory of the Word and for the strengthening of myself and others, I would rather burn in live coals than rot here alone, half-alive and yet not dead. But who knows whether Christ does not will to accomplish more this way, not only in this case but in all others? We have spoken so often of faith and hope in things not seen ; now let us for once make trial of some small part of this doctrine, especially since the trial comes at the call of God and not on our own motion. Even though I should perish, the Gospel will lose nothing, for in the Gospel you are now greater than I, and are the Elisha, who succeeds Elijah with a double
- Vide supra, no. 483, p. 28, n. i.
'The Paradoson, published at Augsburg, April, 1521.
'This it Luther's paraphrase of the title. The letter was addressed to "The Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots and the Whole Council of Priests." Text in Boddng, ii, aiff.
'Bemhardi (ef. Vol. I, p. 41, n. 5). He had just married. Vide infra.
- The Loci Communes, published 1521. On their origin and history see O.
Qemea in SuppUmgnta MelanchthofUana, i, 1910, pp. xiiiff.
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