To Jacob Probst - Martin Luther

TO JACOB PROBST

Luther complains of bad times, and speaks of his daughter’s illness. December 5, 1544.

Grace and peace in the Lord! I shall write you very shortly, my dear Probst, to let you hear from me in case you might fancy I had forgotten you or did not esteem you. I am weary, tired, and chilled; in short, an old man who is of no more use. I have run my race, and nothing now remains but that I should be gathered to my fathers, and the worms and corruption receive their prey. I have lived long enough, if this be life. Pray for me that the hour of my departure may be well pleasing to God and salutary for me. The Emperor and the whole kingdom does not concern me, except that I commend them to God in prayer. It appears to me as if the world itself were approaching its end, and, as the Psalm says, waxing old like a garment that is soon to be renewed. Amen. The Princes are no longer inspired with the courage and virtues of heroes, but are filled with godless hatred and discord, greed and selfishness. The State can no longer boast of possessing men, and its head and members resemble those described by Isaiah in the third chapter of his prophecies. So there is nothing good to hope for, except that the day of our great God and our redemption should speedily dawn. My daughter Margaretha thanks you for your gift. She, along with all her brothers, took measles, but the latter are well long ago, while she has been combating an attack of fever for ten weeks, and it is still doubtful whether she may recover. I shall not rebel against God if He take her to Himself, away from this

devilish world, from which may He soon release me and mine. I long for this everyday, and to see an end of the fury of Satan and his followers. Farewell in the Lord Jesus Christ. A greeting to you and yours from my Kathie and all our folks.

MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.) WRITTEN IN NICOLAS OEMLER’S BIBLE To my good old friend, Nicolas OEmler, who more than once carried me in his arms to and from school, neither of us then being aware that one brother-in-law carried another.

Anno 1544. MARTIN LUTHER .