To Philip Melanchthon letter 20 - Martin Luther

TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON

Luther calls Tambach his Peniel, for there the Lord delivered him from his sore distress, for the time at least.

February 27, 1537.

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercy and all consolation, who saw your prayers and tears, and in the second watch of the night, my dearest Philip, contrary to all expectation, gave the deliverance which had been so long looked for in vain. . . . I send you the news

at once. Let my beloved lord and the others know. For I know how gladly they would have helped me. I am now prepared for whatever God may send, be it life or death, because I am now out of the pit and have reached our own land; therefore I feel impelled to write those hurried letters. The rest you will hear from the messenger Tipontius, who was so elated that he wished to flee to you at once. Thank, with me, the Father of all grace, that the dear God may perfect His work, that through this experience we may learn to pray and look for help from heaven. May God protect you all, and crush Satan under His feet along with all the monstrosities of the Roman Court. Amen. At half-past two in the night in Tambach, the spot where I was delivered, for this is my Peniel, where the Lord appeared to me.

MARTIN LUTHER . (Schutze.)