To Hieronymus Baumgartner’s wife - Martin Luther

TO HIERONYMUS BAUMGARTNER’ S WIFE

Luther comforts her under her husband’s imprisonment. July 8, 1544.

Grace and peace in our dear Savior, honored and virtuous lady! God, who hears my sighs, knows how I

grieve over your misfortunes. Yes, all feel deeply for the good man who has fallen into the hands of the

enemy. May God hear our prayers and those of all pious hearts. For many supplications are ascending for him, and such prayers are always answered, being agreeable to God. Meantime let us comfort ourselves with the Divine assurance that He will never forsake His own. The Psalms are full of this, and we know that our Hausherr is strong in the faith that is in Christ Jesus, being adorned with many

lovely fruits of the same. Therefore it is impossible that God should cast him from His presence, having called him through His sacred Word, so He will ever keep him under His protection. He is the same God who has protected him all his life long till this misfortune befell him, and remains the same, although for a little He may appear otherwise to try our faith and patience. He said in John, “Ye shall weep and lament,” etc. And our sufferings are nothing in comparison to those of His dear Son. We would not be true Christians if we did not suffer with Christ. The devil and his angels, who now rejoice over our misfortunes, will one day have to howl and weep, while ours will be the glorious assurance that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” Therefore, dear lady, suffer and be patient, for you do not suffer alone. Many godly hearts sympathize with you, who will fulfill Matthew 25:43: “In prison, and ye visited me.” Yes, truly, thousands of us visit dear Baumgartner in captivity — that is, we cry unto the Lord, who is taken captive in His member, that He would deliver him, and let us all rejoice with you. May the same Lord Jesus comfort and strengthen your heart, through His Spirit, in a patient endurance to a blessed conclusion of this misfortune and all misfortunes, to whom be praise and

honour and glory to all eternity. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)