To George Bruck, Chancellor to the elector of Saxony - Martin Luther
TO GEORGE BRUCK, CHANCELLOR TO THE ELECTOR OF SAXONY
Myconius said that Bruck was more learned in the Scriptures than all the theological doctors, although only a lawyer.
August 5, 1530.
Grace and peace in Christ! Highly esteemed lord and sir — I have written several times to you and others, as if I fancied I experienced more of God’s help and consolation than was afforded to his Electoral Grace. But I was impelled to do this through the depression into which some of our friends had sunk, as if God had forgotten them. But He cannot do so unless He forget Himself first. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.” Lately, I saw two wonders. First, as I looked out of the window I saw the stars shining in God’s beautifully vaulted heavens, and yet there were no visible pillars supporting this firmament, and still the heavens fell not. Now there are always some who search for those pillars to grasp them, and, failing in their quest, they go about in fear and trembling, as if the heaven must fall because they cannot grasp the said pillars. If they could, then all would be right, they fancy. Second, I beheld great clouds hovering over us, borne down by their great weight, like unto a mighty ocean, and yet I saw no foundation upon which they rested and no shore which bounded them, and still they did not fall, but, greeting us stiffly, fled on apace. But when they had vanished, a rainbow feebly lit up earth and sky, till it too disappeared like a mist among the clouds, making us fear as much for the foundation as for the watercharged clouds above. But in very deed this almost invisible mist supported the heavily
charged clouds and protected us. So there are some who pay more attention to, and are more afraid of the waters and the dark clouds than give heed to the tiny bow of promise. They would like to feel the fine mist, and because they cannot they fear a second flood. I write in this jocular way to your Excellence, and yet it is no jest, for I am much pleased to hear how courageous you are, and what a deep interest you take in all that concerns us. I hoped we would have been able at least to maintain worldly peace, but God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts, and this is well, for St. Paul says He hears us, and does above all we can ask for. Were He to hear us when we plead that the Emperor
might grant peace, then it might redound to the Emperor’s honor, and not to God’s. So He Himself will procure peace, so that He alone may have the glory. These bloody men have not done half the mischief they intended, and have not yet reached their homes. Our rainbow is weak and faint, but we shall see who conquers. Your Excellency will pardon my garrulity, and comfort Magister Philip and the others. Christ will comfort and support our most gracious lord, to Whom be praise to all eternity. Amen. I commend your Excellency to His loving faithfulness.
From the desert. MARTIN LUTHER