These are not devotional writings in the sense of being edifying discourses or daily meditations for the cultivation of general spiritual sensitivity. Rather they are concrete expressions of evangelical faith and piety written by Luther the Pastor to deal with specific and burning life situations. In a very real sense they are "letters of spiritual counsel." The contents of this volume cover the years between 1522 (the year after the Diet of Worms) and 1545 (the year before Luther's death).