have else what he will, so is he, notwithstanding, more miserable
than was Lazarus, that lay at the rich man's gate and was starved to
death. But it will go even so with them as it went with the
glutton, that they everlastingly must hunger and want, and shall not
have in all their power so much as the least drop of water, etc.

If, then, said Luther, the almighty and liberal God in such wise
doth heap blessings upon his worst enemies and blasphemers, with all
manner of temporal goods and wealth, and gives to some also
kingdoms, principalities, etc., then may we, that are his children,
easily conceive what he will give unto us, who, for his sake must
suffer-yea, what he hath already given us. He hath given unto us
his only-begotten Son, and with him hath bestowed all things upon
us, so that through him we are God's children, and also heirs of his
celestial treasure, and are co-heirs with Christ according to hope.


Court Cards.

God regards ungodly great Potentates, Kings, and Princes even as
children regard playing at cards. While they play, and have good
cards, they hold them in their hands; then, afterwards, when they
have bad cards, they are weary of them, and throw them under the
bench. Just so doth God with great Potentates. While they are in
the government, and rule well, he holds them for good; but so soon
as they do exceed, and govern ill, then he throws them down from
their seat, as Mary sings, and there he lets them lie. Ut Regem
Danioe.

The Queen of Denmark, that was sister to the Emperor Charles and