Luther (Easter Week, 1529) commenting on Christ's prayer, "Father forgive them..."

"There are two kinds of sinners. The first are the evildoers, who do not believe, and the arrogant saints. The second are those who believe in forgiveness through Christ. We are indeed sinners but under the shadow of Christ's merit and prayer, which he has performed as our High Priest. Consider this word well and do not skip over it, namely, that the prayer spoken over you with tears was prayed by a true High Priest and is heard by God. For this reason no one is excluded from this prayer except those who are unbelievers or arrogant saints. Other preachers make only an example from this prayer as they did with Christ's suffering."