To Elisabeth, M. Agricola's wife. 1527.
To the honorable and virtuous Mrs. Elisabeth Agricola, schoolmistress at Eisleben, my dear friend, grace and peace.
My dear Elsa! I was willing to write to you the next day. I was willing to write to you the next day, but Mr. Matthes was gone before I knew it. Your master has also come home again, so that, God willing, it will be better with you. But you must not be so fainthearted and timid, but think that Christ is near and will help you bear your evil. For he has not abandoned you as your flesh and blood would have you do. But if you only call with earnestness from the heart, then you are
be sure that he will hear you, because you know that it is his way to help, strengthen and comfort all those who desire his.
Be of good cheer, then, and think that He Himself suffered much more for you than you can ever suffer for His sake and yours; so let us also earnestly pray that God will accept you in and through His Son Christ and strengthen you in such weakness of body and soul. Hereby commanded by God, Amen. Greetings to your Master and all yours from all of us. Given on Pentecost Monday, Anno 1527.
Martin Luther.