your hand, but in the hand of Him who is greater than the Prince of this world, and from whom no one can rend us, so that we may verify His Word. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, . . . to eat the bread of sorrows, for He gives it to His friends sleeping, or in sleep” (Luther’s version).
Cast your care upon God, who raises the dead and heals the broken in heart. The God of all consolation, into whose hands I commit you all, has chosen us to spread abroad His honor and glory. From the castle so full of devils, but where, nevertheless, Christ reigns in the midst of His enemies.
Farewell. MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze and Walch, 5:16. 1067.)
CCXXXVII
TO JUSTUS JONAS
Luther admonishes his friend to industry at Augsburg.
August 3, 1530.
I send my nephew Cyriac to you, my excellent Jonas, to seek Hans yon Irene in Augsburg. Help him to find him.
I could not permit the young man to return, when so near, without getting a glimpse of the pomp there, so that he might be able to tell about it, the Germans being so slow at writing history. P. Weller told me how much time you have at present. “Then why does he not write an exposition of the Psalm, ‘Blessed are all’?” “I do not know,” he said.
But what are you about? Make use of your head while you can, before you are afflicted with stone and unable to work. I too have much leisure, but my head prevents my using it. Hitherto I have overlooked your shortcomings in this respect because you write me often, for which I am most grateful. I still expect the exposition. Do not presume to leave Augsburg empty-handed.
I am busy with the 117th Psalm, “Praise the Lord, all ye nations.” It will be a channel for my eloquence, as I had to stop translating the prophets. I only finished
