Let the adversaries rage and swell their fills, said Luther, and as
long as they can. God hath set the sea her bounds; he suffers the
same to beat and rage with her waves, as if they would over-run,
cover, and drown everything; yet, notwithstanding, they must not
pass the shore and banks, although God keeps the waters in their
compass, not with iron, but with weak walls of sand. This discourse
Luther held at that time when letters were written unto him from the
Assembly at Frankfort, concerning the Papists, with their practices
and exploits, intending to fall upon the Protestants in all parts.

The second Psalm, said Luther, is one of the best Psalms. I love
that Psalm with my heart. It strikes and slashes valiantly amongst
the Kings, Princes, Counsellors, Judges, etc. If it be true what
this Psalm saith, then are the allegations of the Papists stark
lies. If I were as our Lord God, and had committed the government
to my son, as he hath done to his Son, and that these angry
gentlemen were so disobedient as they now are, I would, said Luther,
throw the world into a lump.

Mary, the poor child-maid of Nazareth, also combateth with these
great Kings, Princes, etc., as she sings, "He hath put down the
mighty from their seat," etc. No doubt, said Luther, she had an
excellent undaunted voice. I, for my part, dare not sing so. The
tyrants say, "Let us break their bonds asunder." What that is, said
he, present experience teacheth us; for we see how they drown, how
they hang, burn, behead, strangle, banish, and torture; and all this
they do in despite of God. "But he sits above in heaven, and
laugheth them to scorn." If, said Luther, God would be pleased to
give me a little time and space, that I might expound a couple of
small Psalms, I would bestir myself so boldly that, Samson-like, I