grounds; when these things happen, then the philosophers and physicians do say, it is natural; they ascribe it to the planets, and shew I know not what reasons for such misfortunes and plagues as proceed and fall thereout.

XXVIII. THAT THE ANGELS ARE LORD'S PROTECTORS.

It were neither good nor fitting for us to know, how earnestly the holy angels do strive for us against the devils, how hard a strife and combat it is; for, (said Luther,) if we should see that one only devil made and prepared work for so many angels, and put them to it, then we should be discouraged. Therefore the Holy Scripture, with few and plain words, saith, "he hath given his angels charge over thee," &c. Also, "the angel of the Lord campeth himself round about those that fear him," &c. But, said Luther, thou, whosoever thou art, that feareth the Lord, be of good courage, take thou no care, neither be faint-hearted, nor make any doubt of the angels' waking, watching, and protection; for most certainly they are about and by thee, and do carry thee upon their hands. But how and in what manner it is done, take thou no care for that. God saith it, therefore it is most sure and certain. In Job it is written, "Behold, among his servants there is none without wandering And in his messengers, or angels, he findeth foolishness, namely, in the evil spirits."

Concerning angels (said Luther,) this is my opinion, whereupon I stand stiff and stedfast. I do verily believe, that the angels already are up in arms, they are putting on their harness and girding their swords about them. For (said he) the day of judgment draweth near, and the angels prepare

themselves for the fight and combat, and that within the space of a few hundred years they will strike down both Turk and Pope into the Bottomless Pit of Hell.

XXIX. HOW AN ANGEL PRESERVED A CHILD.

In a place not far from Zwicka, in Franconia, (said Luther,) where I lay at that time, it happened that a child (which scarcely could go or speak) in winter time lost itself in a wood near unto Zwicka, and was constrained to remain in the wood three nights and two days; in which time there fell a great snow, insomuch that the child was covered therewith. But every day there came a man, and brought it something to eat, and to drink, and went away again. On the third day, the man came and brought meat, and led the child from the place where it lay, into the road-way, by which means it got home, and told the parents, plainly, what had happened. I heard the child relate it myself, as significantly and plainly, (which neither before, nor in three years' space after that time, spake any word that might well be understood,) as I myself could have related the same. This man (said Luther) that attended on the child, was an angel.