Grace and peace in Christ!
I have received two letters from you, my dear Hieronymous, both of which were very acceptable to me, but the second was very much more pleasing to me, in which you write about my son Johann that you are his schoolmaster, and that he is a very industrious and eager student. If I could, I would very like to do something for you in return; if I can do very little, Christ will repay.
Magister Veit has indicated to me that from time to time you are accustomed to be afflicted by the spirit of sadness. This tempatation damages most of all young people, as the Scripture says [Proverbs 17:22]: "A grieving dispostion dries up the bones," and everywhere the Holy Spirit forbids this sadness, as the Preacher Solomon, 11:9: Rejoice young man in your youth and permit your heart good things in your youth," and, shortly thereafter [v.10]: "Remove the sadness from your heart and the evil from your body." So Sirach says also, Ch.30,22-25: "Don't make yourself sad and do not afflict yourself with your own thoughts. A joyful heart is a man's life, and his joy is a long life. Do good to yourself and comfort your heart, drive sadness far away. Sorrow kills many people and serves no one." So says Paul also to the Corinthians [2 Cor.7:10], that the sorrow of the world works death. For this reason, above all, you must be firmly confident that these evil and sad thoughts are not from God but from the devil, for God is not a God of sadness but a God of comfort and joyfulness as Christ Himself says [Matt.22,32]; "God is not a God of the dead, but of the living." What is life other than to be joyful in the Lord? Therefore, get in the habit of immediately driving out such thoughts and say: The Lord has not sent you. This persuasion is not from Him who has called you. The beginning of this battle is difficult, but with practice it becomes easier. You are not the only one who suffers these thoughts but all holy people; however, they struggle and prevail. So don't yield to evil but confidently oppose it. The main task in this battle is not to regard these thoughts, not study them and follow their objections [objecta], but despise them as the whistling of a goose and go beyoond them. Whoever learns that becomes victorious, and whoever does not learn that will be overcome. To regard them and dispute with them until they cease or freely yield only incites and strengthens them [the sad thoughts]. The people of Israel serve as an example of this, who overcame their serpents not by looking at them or struggling, but by turning their glance to the brass serpent, and thus prevailed. That is the right and certain victory in this battle. Therefore, see to it, my dear Hieronymous, that these thoughts do not dwell in your heart. This is what a certain wise man who was so tempted said: "Just as these evil thoughts have fallen in!" Say: "So let them fall out again." Learn this for a very good pronouncement. And another [wise man] said to someone who had this question: You cannot prevent the birds from flying over your head, but you can defend from having them make a nest in your hair. Therefore, you would do right in joking with others about these things or doing something other acceptable, and don't let your conscience trouble you about jesting. God is not pleased with this nothingness of sadness. Sorrow over sin can be brief and acceptable through the promise of grace and the forgiveness of sins, but the other [sorrow] is from the devil and without promise but bald encumberances of unuseful and impossible things relating to God. More about this when I get back [from Coburg].
Meanwhile, greet your brother to whom I have started to write but the messenger is in a hurry. I will write to him , Schneidewein [in Greek: oinotomo], and others at another time. I commend your pupils to you. The Spirit of Christ comfort and rejoice your heart, Amen. The 19th June 1530. Your Martin Luther.
[Translator's Notes: Evidently, the quote cited from Ecclesiastics (Prad.Sal.) is also from Sirach. Ecclesiastic, instead of Ecclesiast. The messenger waits for a letter to brother Peter Weller which follows.]
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