"To the deeply learned lady Katherin, my gracious consort at
Wittemberg, grace and peace.
"Dear Kaethe,--We sit here and suffer ourselves to be tortured,
and would gladly be away; but that cannot be, I think, for a
week. Thou mayest say to Master Philip that he may correct his
exposition; for he has not yet rightly understood why the Lord
called riches thorns. Here is the school in which to learn
that" (_i. e._, the Mansfeld controversies about property).
"But it dawns on me that in the Holy Scriptures thorns are
always menaced with fire; therefore I have all the more
patience, hoping, with God's help, to bring some good out of it
all. It seems to me the devil laughs at us; but God laughs him
to scorn! Amen. Pray for us. The messenger hastes. On St.
Dorothea's day. M. L. (thy old lover)."
Dr. Luther seems to be enjoying himself in his own simple hearty way, at
his old home. Nobles and burghers give him the most friendly welcome.
The third letter Mistress Luther has received is full of playful tender
answers to her anxieties about him.
"To my dear consort Katherin Lutherin, doctoress and
selftormentor at Wittemberg, my gracious lady, grace and peace
in the Lord.
"Read thou, dear Kaethe, the Gospel of John, and the smaller
Catechism, and then thou wilt say at once, 'All that in the
book is said of me.' For thou must needs take the cares of thy
God upon thee, as if He were not almighty, and could not create
ten Doctor Martins, if the one old Doctor Martin were drowned
in the Saala. Leave me in peace with thy cares I have a better
guardian than thou and all the angels. It is He who lay in the
manger, and was fondled on a maiden's breast; but who sitteth
also now on the right hand of God the Almighty Father.
Therefore be at peace."