Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/237

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them in Strassburg. On September 30, Luther, Melanchthon, Jonas, Cruciger and Myconius, Osiander, Brenz, etc., also came.

October 4, 1529.

Grace and peace in Christ! Dear Kathie — Our friendly conference at Marburg is almost ended, and we have agreed upon nearly all points, except that our opponents maintain that only the bread and wine are present in the sacrament, although admitting Christ’s spiritual presence in the elements. Today the Landgrave is making every effort to unite us, or at least to make us consider each other brethren and members of Christ’s body. He is doing his best to accomplish this. But although we object to be brethren, we wish to live at peace and on good terms. I fancy we shall set out tomorrow or next day, and go to your gracious lord in Vogtland, whither His Electoral Grace has summoned us.

Say to Herr Pommer that Zwingli’s argument was the best: “Corpus non potest esse sine 1oco, ergo Christi corpus non est in pane”; that of OEcolampadius was: “Sacramentum est signum corporis Christi.”

I consider God has blinded them, that they cannot achieve anything good. I have much to do, and the messenger waits. Good-night to all, and pray for us. We are all well and lively, and living like princes. Kiss Lenchen and Hanschen for me. Your obedient servant, MARTIN LUTHER .

P.S. — They are all quite excited over the sweating sickness.[1] Fifty were seized yesterday, of whom two have died.

CXCIV

TO JOHN LANGE

October 28, 1529.

Grace in Christ! I commend Magister Wolfgang to your love, my Lange, so that if possible you may help him to a situation. He is a good man, and well up in the sciences, and thoroughly grounded in our faith, so is well

  1. English Sickness.