[533] See vol. iii., p. 175 ff.
[534] Erl. ed., 60, p. 129 f.: “Break out at once into abuse, particularly if the devil attacks you with justification! He frequently assails me with an argument that is not worth a snap, but in the turmoil and temptation I do not notice this; but when I have recovered I see it plainly.”
[535] Köstlin-Kawerau, 2, p. 515.
[536] To Chancellor Brück, Jan. 27, 1524, “Briefwechsel,” 4, p. 282.
[537] Erl. ed., 60, p. 129.
[538] To Melanchthon, Aug. 3, 1530, “Briefwechsel,” 8, p. 166: “My head is indeed obstinate as you fellows say.”
[539] Paul Pietsch, in the preface (p. xxi. f.) to vol. 32 of the Weim. ed.: “His annoyance and his tendency to see only the darker side of things show plainly enough … that Luther was suffering from that deep depression to which great men are sometimes liable. In later life, for instance in 1544, this depression again overtook Luther, and he even resolved to quit Wittenberg, and it was only with difficulty that he was dissuaded from doing so. In 1545 again something similar occurred. Yet in 1544 and 1545 his discouragement had again no real cause.”
[540] Cp. Paulus, “Köln. Volksztng.” (Lit. Beil.), 1906, p. 355, on vol. 32 of the Weimar edition.
[541] To Link, Dec. 1, 1530, “Briefwechsel,” 8, p. 326.
[542] “Si quid hic iocis aut conviciis excedit.”