Will your Antioch not contribute a Silas, Paul, or Barnabas to help the Spirit’s work? I tell you plainly, that although I love to be with you, I would settle in Erfurt, Cologne, or wherever God might graciously open a door for me, to proclaim the Word. One must not think of oneself, for the harvest is great.
I know nothing of my return. You know with whom that rests.
Spalatin writes that the Prince commands a part of the Confession to be kept intact, at which I am much displeased.
Pray do not regulate your actions by the will of the Court, which I have hitherto done.
The half would not have been accomplished had I always listened to such counsel. They are only human like ourselves.
I shall make Spalatin speak out.
Such complaisance encourages our opponents and shows our cowardice.
My best wishes for your health. This letter has long been finished, but he who promised to take it has forgotten. All of you pray for me. For I shall be immersed in sin in this solitude. From my desert. MARTIN LUTHER, Augustinian. ( Walch, 5:15-75.)
LXVI
TO GEORGE SPALATIN
Luther relates his experiences at a hunt.
August 15, 1521.
I have received the third sheet of Confession, dear Spalatin, Philip sending it along with the first; but the printing is execrable. Would that I had sent nothing German. See he does not print my German postils, but rather returns what I have sent you, and I shall get them done elsewhere. For why should I work so hard only to have things turned out in so slovenly a manner? I should not like the Epistles, etc., to be so sinned against, so shall send no more at present, although I have ten large sheets
