This Comfort the Gospel Gives Me

Martin Luther

Taken from Martin Luther's Christmas Book, Roland H. Bainton (ed), printed by Augsburg with permission from The Westminster Press, 1948, p. 66.

"I could never have believed there could be such evil in the heart of man as I find now among peasants, townsmen and nobles.  I risked my life and never dreamed of this.  I thought:  "I will preach to them the true way, that they may be free.  They will take it to heart."  Had I known their hearts, a hundred horses could not have dragged me to it.  I have often been sorry that I ever started to preach, but that is not right.  As long as we live, we will preach to the honor of Christ and the comfort of the faithful, and let the world dance for gold and goods.  Go on, my dear world, swagger while I laugh at you.  We will see who comes off the better.  For you this is a sign of the falling but for me of a rising.  The secrets of your heart shall be revealed.  This comfort the Gospel gives me."