5 August 1628

I spoke to my cousin, and showed him my father’s letter.  I must keep it with great secrecy, for were it ever made known my father would suffer even greater torments, but he said I might show my cousin (Apps and Gow, 164).  I find myself quite calm, now that I know the worst is to come.  I only wish I knew that my father would see a priest before he dies, that he might unburden his conscience to one with the power to absolve him.  I cannot bring myself to trust the court to have any decency in this matter—they have already refused him a priest many times, and I fear greatly that they might continue to do so.

Cousin Stamer has advised me to do as my father says and leave Bamberg for a time, but he agrees with my wish to remain for a few days so that I might pray for my father's soul during the execution.  Then I will make a pilgrimage to pray for his soul and my mother's, that they be at peace with our eternal Comforter in the everlasting house of our Lord.  I have written to Anna Maria, and she also prays for our dear parents.  Hans is to remain here with my cousin, bless their souls.  My cousin has been so good to us, and has even offered to find me travelling companions among a group he knows to be leaving for Nuremberg.

When I received my father’s letter I was so distraught I went to the priest to be absolved of having dishonoured my parents in my thoughts.  He said there was nothing to absolve me for—that God approved of children who recognized and turned away from their parents’ evil.  I could not think of a response, but left with my soul still heavy.  How do I explain that he is in error, that my father is not a witch, nor my mother?  My father’s confession made it true, at least to those with the power to decide on guilt or innocence.  Blinded by the Devil as they are, they will destroy us all, or provoke the Almighty to sweep us away as he did Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Yet I must not despair, nor leave any means for the Devil to enter my own heart.  With such proof of his machinations all around us, only faith is any defence.  What truth in those holy psalms!  My lord is my light and my salvation, of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27.1)  I pray that my father also finds such courage at this time.