burning night and day, and not, as in Zwickau, inhale such damp fumes.
You know the proverb, “Imagination often makes things appear real.” I thank God you feel a little better. But lay aside these fancies, which have made you think you had many serious illnesses. I have often to contend with these fancied ailments also, for our adversary the devil winds himself about us, not only to devour our souls, but to martyr our bodies with tormenting thoughts. Knowing well that the health of our soul depends very much on that of the body — “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones” — I can talk beautifully to you, but do not follow my own counsel. Farewell in the Lord. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)
=CCLXX
TO THE CHRISTIANS IN ZWICKAU
Letter of consolation.
June 21, 1531.
Grace and peace in Christ! I know well, God be praised, that many among you are deeply grieved that your two preachers are being so badly treated.
Truly they have learned the gospel wrong when they act thus towards their pastors. But it must ever be so that God and His servants are treated thus, outwardly through tyranny, inwardly by false brethren and ungrateful people. My advice is, let the creatures muddle themselves with drink while you possess your souls in patience. They are God’s enemies, and so God is their enemy, and it is punishment enough for them to have so powerful an enemy, whom they at present despise, but who will in His own time let them feel His wrath. As for you, remain true to the doctrine you have embraced, and wait on the ministrations of your faithful pastor and the sacraments till you see what the Prince will do.
Go to St. Katherine’s to service and for the sacrament, or put up with the preacher in the Pfarr Kirche, as it suits. Listen to them in so far as their preaching is pure,
