Of Comfort against Envy.

A certain honest and God-fearing man at Wittemberg lately told me,
said Luther, he lived peaceably with every one, hurt no man, but was
still and quiet; yet notwithstanding, said he, many people were
enemies unto him. I comforted him in this manner, and said: Arm
yourself with patience, and give them no cause of envy. I pray,
what cause do we give the devil? What aileth him to be so great an
enemy unto us? but only because he hath not that which God hath. I
know none other cause of his vehement hatred towards us. Therefore
when God giveth thee to eat, then eat; when he causeth thee to fast,
have patience; giveth he honour, take it; hurt or shame, endure it;
casteth he thee into prison, murmur not; will he make thee a lord,
follow him: casteth he thee down again, so care thou not for it,
nor regard it.


That Patience is necessary in every Particular.

I, said Luther, must have patience with the Pope; I must have
patience with heretics and seducers; I must have patience with the
roaring courtiers; I must have patience with my servants: I must
have patience with Kate my wife; to conclude, the patiences are so
many, that my whole life is nothing but patience. The Prophet
Isaiah saith, "In being silent and hoping consisteth our strength;"
that is, have patience under sufferings: hope, and despair not.