LUTHER: Letters of Spiritual Counsel Library of Christian Classics Vol. XVIII

We have here a selection from among the 3000 or more extant letters of Martin Luther all translated anew from the original Latin or German. As it is not widely appreciated that Luther was as much a spiritual counsellor as a controversial theologian, these letters will be of especial interest to students of Luther and the Reformation. The letters are grouped according to subject matter: comfort for the sick and dying, consolation for the bereaved, cheer for the anxious and despondent, instruction to the perplexed and doubting, admonitions to steadfastness and courage, intercession for those in trouble or need, encouragement to the persecuted or imprisoned, advice in time of epidemic and famine, counsel on questions of marriage and sex, suggestions for problems facing clergymen, exhortations concerning rulers and the State. Throughout the letters Luther's theological point of view, his spiritual passion as well as his pastoral interest in individuals are clearly depicted.