To Nicolas Hausmann letter 23 - Martin Luther

TO NICOLAS HAUSMANN

Luther invites his afflicted friend to visit him. October 31, 1531.

Grace and peace in Christ, who dwells above all the Zwickau disturbances! Yes, my excellent friend, the reason I have not written sooner to comfort you is as much due to the difficulty of sending letters as to the multiplicity of my concerns. I am sorry that you will not return to me, as I like so much to have you with me. Once more I plea with you to return. You would be no burden to me, but a true source of consolation and help. I shall have a room prepared for you and arrange everything. What distresses me most is the ingratitude of the Zwickau people in withholding from you what is your due after you have exhausted your means and strength in their service, which devotion they rewarded by

giving you less and less every year. Christ will deliver you from them, and requite them as they deserve. And this same Lord, our hope and crown, our life and peace, will encourage and rejoice your heart, and enable you to despise their poisonous backbiting. It is an honour to be hated of the godless. The grace of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.

MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze and Walch, 5:21. 1398.)