To Philip Melanchthon (in Wittenberg)

(From Martin Luther at) Wartburg, August 1, 1521

Luther’s Works (AE)Volume 48, pages 277-282 (actual quote is on 282)

Here is the paragraph in which the quote occurs:

“If you are a preacher of grace, then preach a true and not a fictitious grace; if grace is true, you must bear a true and not a fictitius sin.  God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners.  Be a sinner and sin boldly, but bbelieve and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for He is victorious over sin, death, and the wolrd.  As long as we are here [in this world] we have to sin.  This life is not the dwelling place of righteousness, but, as Peter says, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  It is enough that by the riches of God’s glory we have come to know the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.  No sin will separate us from the Lamb, even though we commit fornication and murder a thousand times a day.  Do you think that the purchase price that was paid for the redemption of our sins by so great a Lamb is too small?  Pray boldly—you too are a mighty sinner.” (end of letter)