the church in Pomerania. Once Bugenhagen had returned to Wittenberg at the end of August, Luther’s preaching load was again lightened somewhat. Then in 1536 Luther’s health declined severely. A cold and nasal congestion early in the year could not compare with the life-threatening illness that he suffered from kidney stones and angina in 1536 and 1537. In April 1536 Luther felt so sick that he wanted to die. On December 19 he suffered a severe heart attack. Then in February 1537 it seemed as if his