To Nicolas von Amsdorf letter 25 - Martin Luther

TO NICOLAS AMSDORF

Luther wrote this letter while in great suffering. June 15, 1545.

Many thanks, my honoured father, for the present of wine. I neither slept nor rested the whole of last night, the pain caused by Satan’s executioner was so intense. Hence I am good for nothing today, and the pain has not yet gone; for, this thorn in my flesh still lies concealed in my body, but not without letting itself be felt. I do not know when I shall get rid of it, for I abhor this agony. Nevertheless, if it

be the will of the good God that I should depart amid such pain, He will give grace to bear it, and if not to pass away pleasantly, still to die cheerfully. Enough of this. If I live I shall see that the painter,

Lukas Cranach, exchanges this indecent painting for a more becoming one. I had commenced the second part of the book against the Papacy, and also the pamphlet against the Sacramentarians when, behold, I am seized by my illness. Would to God that the Pope and all the Cardinals had a taste of

what I suffer, so that they may learn that they are human. Farewell in Christ. Your devoted MARTIN LUTHER . (Walch, 21. 1546.)