The other thing I have to add is that Luther's comforting writings are to be read diligently before others when the soul comes into such a state that it is eager for comfort and in need of it. For there is great power in it to satisfy a troubled mind, and it is clear from it that Luther received a very special measure of grace to comfort others. He always knows how to derive reasons for consolation from the right source, and by leading the afflicted to the Gospel, he vividly presents to them the merciful love of God and His fatherly care for His own, the example of Jesus Christ, whose suffering was far greater and more severe than all that men together could endure, and the divine order according to which we are to enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation. He lays the most powerful and important words of consolation on their hearts, wisely directs his encouragement according to the nature of the persons to whom he writes, everywhere shows his heartfelt compassion, speaks from experience, and thereby reveals a special humility and poverty of spirit. The blessing that such letters of comfort have had is not small. Many hundreds of sorrowful souls have been powerfully lifted up and brought to rest by them. When the pious Hieronymus Weller lists the reasons why Luther's writings should be read diligently, he brings up the following
He also justifiably put these forward: because he had masterfully known how to give good counsel and comfort in all kinds of distress and adversity, had well understood the means against the fiery darts of Satan, and had learned from his own experience how to deal with distressed souls. His own words are these:
Lutherus in erudiendis et confirmandis adflictis mentibus mirus fuit artifex. - Novit enim omnes rationes, quibus sauciata mens ignitis telis diaboli possit sanari, atque illud poetae saepe usurpare solebat: non ignarus mali, miseris succurrere disco. Conflictatus est ipse cum omni fere tentationum genere. Τά παθήματα fuerunt ei μαδήματα. Suae ipsum tentationes erudierunt, quomodo adflictas et pavidas mentes erigeret et tractaret (i.e., "Luther had a truly wonderful mastery in the art of instructing and raising up afflicted hearts. He knew all the consolations by which a mind wounded by the poisonous darts of the devil might be healed, and he often used the poet's saying: Knowing well the evil, I learn to come to the aid of other unfortunates? He himself was afflicted by almost every kind of affliction. The πα^ματα (sufferings) were for him μαδήματα (teaching aids). His temptations taught him how to raise and treat afflicted and timid hearts"), in ,,Judicium de doctore Martino Luthero", which is in his "Opera latina" published in 1702, sect. IV, p. 167. Thus, not without reason, Conrad Porta (in "Pastorale Lutheri", Cap. VII, p. 323) wrote: "Before all other scribes and teachers, the man of God, Dr. Martin Luther, has also placed such manifold and rich consolation now and then in his spiritual books and writings, that in the noblest and most difficult cases, teachers and preachers have sufficient instruction, how they are to be taken with consolation, and in addition find marvelous instruction and news, to experience in the same or others.