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LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE

AND OTHER

CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

Tranblated akd Edited by
PRESERVED SMITH, Ph. D.

Ftllov efAmlurst CoUtgt

VOLUME I

I 507- I 52 I

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

THE LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY
1913

C\U2.ir^5

rq'KnD~CoCtj

NOV 25 1913

ComiioBT, 1913, ar

TBS LDTHXmXN PCBUCATION SOCIXTV

DKDICAnD
TO

HERBERT PERCIVAL GALLINGER

*lrOS TUI NON DECKT IHUEHOSftSXT INGBATOS
ESSE PER QUEU FUMUU COEFlT KATIONIS
LUX DB TSKEBUS SPLBKQBSCEU
IN CORDIBUS NOSTBIS."

PREFACE

History is now read more than ever before from the
original sources. Contemporary documents give l>oth the most
vivid, and in tlie deepest sense, the most veracious narrative.
Even when they arc mistaken in point of fact, or intentionally
falsifie<l, they reveal imjioriaut trutlis, showing what the author
believed, or wanted to lie lielieve<l. If they distort fact they can
never belie the spirit of the times. But even objective error
h far kss commt)n than mlg^ht be supposed. If a man has
auilicntic information to give, the strongest bias on his part
is a matter of secondary importance. He may color facts,
impute wrong motives, shade here and lighten there, but the
free invention, or even suppression of imporiani facts by
strictly contemporary witnesses i* almost unknown. Minor
misstatements can easily be corrected : the total impression
is more true to life, and therefore both more veracious and
more graphic, than that which can be given by any secondary
narrative, no matter how great its erudition and art.

By tlie great Ranke and his school the sources of history
most esteemed were public documents — the treaty, the legisla-
tive act, the contract, the charter, the edict. There is now a
reaction from tliis method. The memoir, the journal, the
private letter are coming into favor again, if only as the neces-
sary interpreters of the pubh'c a«. But beyond thi.i they are
seen to convey a deeper psychological and personal meaning.
The epistle, in particular, enjoys the double advantage of being
written, like the public document, on the spot, and of revealing,
like the memoir, the real inward attitude of an actor in the
drama.

The present work aims to set before the public the histor>-.
as told by the participants and eye-witnesses themselves in
all the unreserve of private correspondcoce, of the most
momentous crisis in the annals of Europe. It is impossible

(6)

PREFACE

here to appreciate the importance of tlic Reformation ; I have
done it, partially, elsewhere, and hope to return to it in future.
Suffice it to say that the revolution which goes by this name
wrought an upheaval in the political, social and relig-
ious structure oi Europe and prepared the ground for our
modem civilization. Every clement of the movement is re-
flected in these letters: the return to the Bihlc, the revolt
from ecclesiastical abuse and from papal autliority, the ceo-
noniic and social reform, the growing nationalism and awaken-
ing subjectivism. The launching of the Ninety-fwf Thetts is
described and their working on the minds of men portrayed ;
the summons of Luther before his ecclesiastical superiors first
at Heidelberg and then at Augsburg, the great debate with
Eck at Leipsic, tlie trumpet call to spiritual emancipation in
the pamphlets of 1520. the preparation of tlie bull of excom-
munication and the biirning of the same, and finally, as a 6ttiiig
climax, the memorable appearance of Luther before tJic Em-
peror and Diel at Worms, are all set before our eyes.

In onler to present faithfully all sides of the movement I
have given not only the correspondence of Luther, but the most
imponant letters relating to him by his contemporaries. Among
the writers are the Popes Leo X. and Adrian VL, the Emperors
Maximilian and Charles V'., and many of the Princes, Spiritual
and Temporal, of Germany. Humanists and artists are among
the writers; Erasmus, Hutlcn and Dürer. The great reform-
ers are represented by Capito and Bucer, 0£colampadius,
Zwingli and Melanchthon. Nor are the least interesting letters
those of the Catholic champions, Aleander and Eck.

But the dominating personality in this work, as in tlie age, is
Martin Luther. To many the chief value of the book will be
the revelation of his inward life. His early spiritual struggles,
the things by which he profited and grew, his failli, his devo-
tion to conscience and to truth as he saw it, and his indomitabte
wilt, &tand out in his unconscious autobiography. No man
in history lias mere thoroughly represented and more com-
pletely dominated hts time. And these earliest years were the
most beautiful in his life; a desperate bailie and a momentous
victory for progress and tor the right. There have been more
faultless men than Luther, but there have been none who have

PREFACE

fought harder for the good cause. Oars is an age that trusts
life; that scorns a cloistered virtue, idle if stainless, but loves
the wirrior who rushes into the thick of the forces of evil to
overthrow Xhem, even if he is at times mistakeu snd dow and
then wrong. And in Luther wc have the most active brain,
the most intrepid wilt and the most passionate heart of his
centaiy.

It remains to say a few words about my own part in tlte
present work. I have not included all of Lutlier's extant
letters, but have omitted a few which were citlier uminportant
or repetitious or which were already translated in my "Life
and letters of Martin Luther" (1911). The original of the
greater part of the epistles is Latin, and may be understood to
be so when not otherwise stated. Other letters from the Ger-
man, Ejigliäh, Greek, Italian and Spanisli have been included,
the original language being duly state«] in every case. I have
not translated directly from the Italian and Spanish, but have
used cither the English version ofTcrcd by Bcrgcnroth and
Brown in the "Calendars of State Papers," where available,
or else have retranslated from the German of Kalkoff
despatches relating to Luther written from the Diet of Worms.
When convenient, I have, however, compared my transla-
tion with the original. Adopting Luther's own wise principle
(see below, ep. no. 344). I have not tried to give a slavishly
literal rendering: I trust that I have never altered the sense
cir the spirit of my original, but the means employed have
been such as were, in my judgment and according to my
powers, the best adapted to reproduce in our idiom the liter-
ary quality, flavor and effect of tlie document in question.
The fact that in some cases, particularly in Bucer's letters,
the text is uncertain and the phrasing at times ungrammatical,
has given me the more justification for rather drastic treat-
ment.

In the notes I have endeavored to give all necessary light
for the comprehension of the text: explanation of allusions,
corrections of mistakes, and short biographical notices of per-
sons mentioned. The basis of my work on Luther's letters has,
of course, been the edition of Enders, but with the results of
thirty years' scholarship since tlie 6rst volume of this wa$

8 PREFACE

published, at my command, I have naturally been able to sup-
plement and improve upon the work of the German editor. I
have even been able to add several letters by and to Luther
which escaped him.

I am proud to acknowledge the personal assistance of several
distinguished scholars. The Rev. Professor Gustav Kawerau
(Oberkonsistorialrat and Probst), of Berlin, has obligingly
answered several questions I have put to him. Professor Gil-
bert Murray, LL. D., of Oxford, and Professor H. DeForrest
Smith, of Amherst, have aided me in the restoration and con-
struction of a Greek letter of Melanchthon. Professor Stan-
ley L. Gatpin, of Amherst, has interpreted for me one Spanish
letter. Professor Clarence W. Eastman, of Amherst, has
occasionally given me the benefit of his studies in early new
high Gennan. My wife and Miss Helen Alice Hocheimer
have read large portions of the proof. In thanking these
friends for such specific services, I am but expressing my obli-
gations for the least part of what I owe them.

P. S.
Amherst, Massachusetts, March 4, 191J.

LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS AND OF
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

The name of Martin Luther is omitted. All other writers
and receivers of letters are listed with the number of these
letters opposite their names. In addition to this, the number of
a letter in which a man is first mentioned is given in paren-
theses. On the first appearance of a man I have given a short
bic^aphical note, save in a few cases where nothing is known
of him, or in cases of persons sufficiently famous not to
require it.

Accoiti, P. (253)-
Addmann, B. (88).
Adelmann, C, 88.
Adrian of Antwerp (37).
Adrian VI., Pope, 202, 443.
Adrian, M. (230).
Agricola, J. (150).
Agricola, R., 395.
Agrippa, H. C, 153.

Alcandcr, J., 318, 3'9, 330, 358, 359. 362, 363, 394, 396, 397. 40t, 407,
416, 424, 42s. 432, 437. 444 447. 452, 453, 454, 464, 46^ 473, 474, 475,476.
Alexander, Secretary of Nassau, 423.
Alfeld, A. (254).
Alvarez, J. (192).
Amman, J. J. (338).
Amerbach, Basil, 316, 339, 384.

Aracrbach, Boniface, 179. 3i6. 31?. 332, 339, 371. 374, 384.
Amsdorf, N. v. (27), 169,
Anhalt, M. v., 193-
Anseim, T. (239).
Aquensis, P. (254).
Ardraboldi, J. A. (393)-
Armslorf, P. v. (441)-
Auer, J. (99)-

Augsburg, Christopher v. Stadion, Bishop of (83).
Aurogallus, M. (400).
Baden, Philip, Margrave of (464)-
Bamberg, George, Bishop of (328).

(9)

10 LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS

Banntssius, J. (393)-

Basle, Christopher v. Uttenheim, Bishop of (127).

Bavaria, William. Duke of (4S9)-

Bayer, C. 248.

Beatus Rhenanus, S7. »68, 333, 371, 374 421. 428, 438.

Bcckman, O. (27), 131.

Benedict, M. (240).

Berauld, N., 39g.

Berghes, M. de (iS?).

Bemhardi, B. '(20).

Beroald, P. (135).

Bessler, N. (372).

Beymann, P. (21Q).

Biel, G. (20).

Bild, G., 8ia, 103a, 247a.

Blaurer, A., 373.

Blaurer, T., 373. 398.

Bock, J. (470.

Bösschenstein, J. (103a).

Bossenstain, J. (89).

Botzheim, J, v., 398.

Bragadin, L., 238.

Brandenburg, Jerome Scultetus, Bishop of (50), 63.

Brandenburg, Joachim I., Elector of (378).

Braun, J., i, 2.

Breisgau, John of (205).

Breitenbach, G. v. (198).

Breslau, J. v. Thurzo, Bishop of (249).

Briard, J. (245)-

Briselot (187).

Bronner, J. (220).

Brück, G. (397), 434-

Brunswick-Liineburg, Margaret v., 184.

Bucer, M., 57. 168, 219, 299. 340, 438. 44t-

BQnau, G. v., 30a

Bünau, H. v., 262.

Burckhardt, F., 160.

Burckhart. P. (164).

Busch, H. v., 472.

Casar, J. (207).

Cajetan, Thomas de Vio, Cardinal, 73.

Calvus, F. (125).

CamerariuE, J., 442.

Campeggio, L. (253), 351.

Cantiuncula, C, IS3-

Capito, W. (49). 78, 94. 127, 349. 352, 375, App. III.

Caracciolo, M. (3i9>> 4^

LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS U

Carmelite, Prior at Augsburg (347a).

Carlstadt, A. (20), 64. 66, 85, I23, »5ft »T»-

Carondelet, J. de (362).

Carvajal. B. (253).

Catharinus, A. (414)-

Collarius. J. (150).

Charles V., Emperor, 255. 342. 361, 364, 368, 381, 4»». 413. 4^ 430.435.

443. 465.
Chicvres, W., 341, 357, 367.
Chircgatto, F^ 298.

Christian II., King of Denmark (414), 460.
Cistein, see Ende.
Claude, Queen of France (447).
Oeen, D. v (471).
CItvanus, R., 33S.
Cochlaeus, J. (464). 474.

Cologne, Hermann v. Wied, Archbishop Elector of (23).
Contarini, G., 459, 463, 466.
Comaro, F., 456, 466.
Cowper, G., 23S-
Cowper, T., 235.
Crafft, A. (259).
Cranach, L. (414)-
Crautwald, V. (265).
Creutzer, M. (414)-
Crotus Rubeanus, 1S6, 190, 251, 3Sa
Croy. W. de, Archbishop of Toledo (383).
Croy, W., see Chievrcs.
Dandolo, M., 463.
Demuth, N. (247).
Dieroc, V. (312), 3I4-
DoU, J. (254).
Dolzig, J. V. (4).
Döring, C. (31).
Dorp, U. (24t}.
Draco, J. (281).
Dressel, M., 17.
Driedo, J. (312), 34S.
Düngersheim, J. (52), 201, 264.
Dürer, A., 221.
Einer. J. (41).
Eck, John, of Ingolstadt, 29, 61, 64, 66, 96, loi, iia 113. 129. 139. 160,

164. 165, I9S, 2S3, 401.
Eck, John, of Trier (452).
Egmond, N. (187),
Egranus, J. S., 52, 124-
Eichstädt, Gabriel, Bishop of (loi).

12 UST OF CORRESPONDENTS

Einsicdel, H. v., 310, 389.

Emser, J. (117).

Ende lum Stein, N, v. (394).

Eobanus, Hcssus, H. (87),^Jee ^ ^/^ V' y/" > ■

Erasmus, D. (9), 22, 87, n(i7i42. I4S. i4ft iSS. 156. »87, 188, 192, 21s,
245. 257, 258. 273. z8i, 285, 294. 297. 298, 311. 312. 313- 314. 331. 33ft
345. 346, 351, 352. 356, 38s. 399. 422, 429. 439. 477. App. III.

Erfurt, Augustinian Convent of, 3, 7.

Erfurt, University of, 211.

Eschaus, T. (240).

Faber, J., Dominican Prior of Augsburg (333).

Faber, J., Bishop of Vienna, 253, 255a.

Fach, B. F. (200).

Feige, J., 462.

Feüitzsch, F. v. (302). 306, 310, 347-

FeiliUsch, P. v. (103).

Fisher, J., 188.

Fleck, J., App. II, I.

Fontinus, P. (178).

Franck, A. (140).

Freisingen. Philip, Bishop of (120).

Froben, J., 125.

Frosch, J. (95)-

Fuchs, A. V. (186).

Fuchs, J. V. (186).

Fuchs, T.v. (186), 20&

Fug, J. (272).

Führer, J. (178).

Gambara, C. de (393)-

Gattinara, M. (358), 469, 47b.

Geroldseck, D. v. (127).

Gcyling, J. (301).

Ghinucci, J. (73).

Giglis, S. de, Bishop of Worcester, 361.

Glapion, J. (359).

Glarean, H., 324.

Glaser, M., 154-

Code, H. (228), App. II, 2.

Goniaga, F. de (416), 448. 455.

Gradenigo, A., 260, 268, 423-

Gramaye. T., 334.

Greffendorf, J., 321.

Grünenberg, J. (34).

Gutdennappen, W. v. (ifi).

Günther, F. (284).

Hauen, G., i60u

Hausmann, N., 427.

UST OF CORRESPONDENTS IS

Hecker, G, 75.

Hedio, C, 308, 365.

Hegeniiorfinus, C, 35&

HdJingen, see G^yliaf.

Hcit, C im).

Hennigk, J. (iifi).

Hennigk, M. (115).

Hcnriquez, F^ 443.

Herholt. J. (151).

Herkmann, J., 433.

Hermannsgrün, L. v. (436).

Hess, John (of Breslau). (186), IQ7, 249. 250. 265, 267, 282, 400.

Hess. John (of Wittenberg), (200).

Hesse, Philip landgrave of. 461.

Hildesheim. John, Bishop of (425).

Himmel, A. (39).

Hirscbfeld, B. v. (449).

Hispanus, see Johannes.

Hochstraten, J., 165.

Hugwald, M. (433).

Hugwald, U. (432)-

Hummelberg, M., 214, 415, 433.

Hump, H., 236.

Huttcn. U. V, 189. 318, 233, 265. 291. 29^ 336- 340, 354, 37ft 403, 430, 4Sft

451. 457. 470, 473.
Hutter, C. (i).
Isolani, I., 199.
Jacobacci, D. (253).
James, an organist (161).
Jessen, F. v. (359).
Jessen. S. v. (359).
Joachim of Flora (83).
Johannes, a Spanish Augustinian (253).
Jonas, J. (140), 245. 45i, 477-
Kammerer, J. (183).
Kirschberg, H. t. (404)-
König. C (230).
Kotter, J., 317.
Kunzelt. G., 270.
Lang, J., 5, 9, 10. '4. 16, 18, 20, 30, 37,39- 43. 49. S'. 81, 87, 140. 156. I57, 158.

l66, 170. 175, 197. 207, 220. 240. 259, 272, 286, 343, 4". 417. 431-
Langenmantcl, C. (85), 99.
Lantschad, J., 320.
Latomus, J. («3). 37a
Lefevre d'fitaplcs. J. (21),
Lehnin. Valentine, Abbot of (50).
Leiffer, G. (3), 12.

14 LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS

Lcipsic, Theological Faculty of the University of, 105, 109.

Leipsic, University of, 118, i2t, 126, 139.

Uo X, Pope, 70, 73. 74. 90. 91. 92, 137. *74, 397, 318. 3>9. 323. 33D, 381.

Liege, Bishop of, see Marck.

Lindenau, A. v. (449)-

Link, W. (3), 62, 69, 279. 372. 377, 39«* 4io>

Lipsius, M., 187, 312.

Lohr, A., 3, 7.

Lonicer, J. (254),

Lotther, M. (175).

Louvain, Theological Faculty of, ao2.

Lupinns, P., 123.

Luther, J. (i).

Luther's sisters (344)-

Mansfeld, Albert, Count of (69), 471.

Mantuan, B. (ti).

Manuel, J., 255, 426, 435.

Marck, £. de la. Bishop of Liege (155).

Marck, R. de la (434).

Marlian, A., Bishop of Tui (359), 429, 439.

Martens, T. (345).

Martin, a bookseller (24)-

MascoY, G., 25, 26, 36.

Maurer, M., 315.

Maximilian, Emperor, 70.

Mayence, Albert, Archbishop Elector of (42), 44, 193, 232, 231, 313.

412, 413-
Mayence, University of, 44.
Mayr, G. (372).

Mecklenburg, Albert, Duke of (378).
Medici, Jerome de', 448, 455.
Medici, Julius de'. 358, 3S9. 363. 393. 394. 396. 397. 407, 416^ 42* 425.

432. 437. 444. 447. 452, 453. 454. 4Ö4. 468, 473, 475-
Medici, R. dc', 393.
Mclanchthon, P., 82, 84, 97. >02. t". 122, 136, 138, 142, r5<^ 163. 167,

170, 174. 218. 232, 34IS, 250, 258, 267, 282, :^ 310, 329, J92. 400.
Merseburg, Adolph von Anhalt, Bishop of (64), 115.
Miltitz, C V. (90), 113, 148, 289, 302, 307.
Minio, M., 79, 223, 224. 336.
Miritzsch, J. (117).
Moibanus (249)-
Monckcdamis, R. v., 37a
More, T. (49). 3i3-
Mosdlanus, P., 157, 204.
Mühlpfort, H., 337.
Münier, T, (262).
Mumar, T. (349), 366.

LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS 16

Untian. C. lo, 13, 205, 259, 373,

Mrconiua, O., 244, 325. 338.

Nut, Clans (108).

Nauau, H., 341, 357.

Nithin, J. (7).

Nesen, W, 213.

Neastadt, Augustinian Convent of, 17.

Noviomagus, G., 394.

Occolampadins, J., 163, 257.

Pace, R. (49). 446.

Palatinate, Frederic, Count of the Rhenish (441).

Palatinate, Wolfgang, Count :of the Rhenish, 58.

Palencia, P. R. de la Mota, Bishop of (407).

Pahx, J. y. (7).

Pappenhein, J, v. (467).

Pappenfaeim, U. v. (449)-

Paris, University of, i80| 334.

Pascha, Dr. (242).

Pelican. C. (254), 4o8l

PcUigrini, F. de, 404.

Peter (441).

Petri, A. (432).

PeUcnsteincr, J, (447).

Pcutinger, C. (85). 333.

Pfcffinger, D. (4).

Pflug. C. v., 114.

Pflug. J. v., 204.

Philip, M., 405.

Phrygio, P. (394).

Finder, U. (40).

Pirckheimer, W., 215, 309, 470.

Platz, L., 381.

Pomerania, Barnim, Duke of (160).

Pomcrania, Bogislav, Duke of (391).

Prierias, S., 68, 72.

Probst, J. (293).

Pucci, L. (253), 362.

Rab, H., 112.

Reifenstein, W. (241).

Reinecke, J. (241)-

Reinhard, M. {414), 46a

Reissenbusch. W. (304), 306.

Raiie de France, Duchess of Ferrara (447).

Reuchlin, J. (s), 104, 214, 331, 403-

Reuter, K. (.33).

Rhadinus, T. (316).

Riario, R., 276.

16 LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS

Riccius, P. C150).

Rosemund, G., 311, 313.

Rosso, A., 369.

Roth, S., 405.

Rovcre, Leonard Grosso della (253).

Rozdalowsky, W., 161.

Rubeus, i. (182).

Rubel, J. (103).

Ruthall, Tbomas, Bishop of Ehirham (44<S).

Sadoleto, J. (73).

Salmonius, B. (125).

Salzburg, Matthew Lang, Archbishop of (80).

Sander, M. (444)-

Sasseta, A. della, 404.

Saum, C, 301.

Saxony (Albcrtine), George, Duke of, go, loi, 105, 108, 109, iiOi 114,

115. 118, 119, 121, 126, 128, 132, 143, 144. 147, 152. 15* 180, 209, 210, an.
Saxony (Albertine), Henry, Duke of (414)-
Saxony (Ernestine), Frederic, Elector of (22), 58, 74, 76, 86, 91, 98, 108,

120, 134. 141. 145. "46. 164, 172- 177. 19s, 2og, 210, 274, 376, 288, 292. 296,

302, 307, 320. 322. 341. 342. 348. 357. 361. 364, 367. 368. 380. 386, 387,

388, 409, 420, 436, 440, 445. 458-
Saxony (Ernestine), John, Duke of. 243, 288, 380, 386, 436, 449, 458.
Saxony (Ernestine), John Frederic, Duke of (378). 4i9-
Schart, M. (191).
Schaumburg, A. v. (256).
Schaumburg, S. v. (256), 269,

Scheurl, C. 27, 28, 29, 32. 35. 40, 41. 6?. 82, 89, 107, "6, 122, 130.
Schinner, Matthew, Cardinal Bishop of Sion (393), 469-
Schlcinitz. H. v. (198).
Schleinitz, John, Bishop of (117).
Schlcupner, D. (230).
Schleusingen, G. (14).
Schmicdberg. H. (335)-
Schneidpeck, J. (464).

Schönberg, Nicholas. Archbishop of Capua (394)
Schott, J. (233)-
Schurff, J. (4IS4).
Schwartzenburg, C. v. (474)-
Schwertfäger. J. (97).
Seligmann. M., 183, 241.
Serralonga, U. dc (83).
Sickingen, F. v. (218), 326.
Sieberger, W. (33)-
Solms, P. V. (218).

Spain, Governors and Grandees of, 443.
Spalatin, G., 5, 6. 8, 9. 10, 15, 19. 21, 22, 23, 24, 31, 33. 34. 38,. 43. 45. 46.

LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS 17

47- 48. 50, 53. 55. 56. 60, 71, 76, 83, 88, 89, 92, 93, 95. 100, 102, 103, 103a,
106, 117, 131, 133. 1:35. 136. 150. "SI. 163, 167, 16ft 171. 173. 181, 182,
185. 191. '94, 198, 300, »3, 306, 216, 217, 221, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230,
233. 234, 239, 242, 246, 247. 248. 252, 254, 256, 263, ^ 271, 273. 27s. 277,
278. 283, 284, 287, 290, 293, 295, 299, 3Q3> 304. 305, 3». 3*8. 3^ 335,
344, 348, 353, 355. 360, 378. 379. 382, 38?, 388, 391, 392, 400, 406, 414,
417, 421, 428, 434. 440, 441, 445, 467-

Spengler, G. {303).

Spengler, L. (303), 337.
^^ Spcnlein, G., ii.

Standish, H. {258).

Staupitz, J. V. (3), 54, 65, 77. 80, 86, 178, 237. 372, 37«, 4«».

Stehelin, W. (230).

Stolberg, L. v. (414).

Stolberg, W. v. (414)-

Strassburg, William, Bishop of (425).

Stromer, H. (160), 162, 309.

Sturm, C. {431).

Sturz, G., 442.

Swaven, P. V. {447).

Symler, J. (60).

Tapper. R. (213).

Tartaretus. P. (57).

Taubcnheim, J. v. (263), 3ta

Tauler, J. (20).

Tetzel, J. (105), App. 11, 3.

Teutlcbcn, V. v.. 292.

Tiepolo, N., 459

Tischet. W. (14).

Trier, Richard v. Greiffenklau, Archbishop Elector of (120),

Trieste, Peter Bonomo, Bishop of (358).

Tnitfctter, J. (30), 59-

Tücher, J. (89).

Tunatall, C, 383.

Turnhout, see Driedo.

Ulrich, J. (253).

Ulsccnius. F.. 375.

Urries, H. de (434)-

Usingen, B. A. (12).

Vadian, J., 255a. 395. 4I5, App. II, 3.

Valentine (438).

Vehus, J. (464).

Velenus, W. (391)-

Venalorius, T., 215.

Venice, Signory of, 79, 223, 224, 236, 260, 268, 423. 4S6, 466.

Vogt, James (23).

Vogt, John (16).

18 UST OF CORRESPONDENTS

Volckmar. C (ii6).

Volta, Gabriel della, 75, 237, 23&

Wägclin. G. (aos).

Warbeck, G. (97). 449-

Warham, William (257), 41&

Watzdorf, R. v. {471).

Weisseetadt (117).

Wdler, A. (35!)).

Werthem, D. v., 119.

Wick. J. V. <278).

Wimpina, C. (31).

Wimpfcling, J. {57),

Wittenberg, University of (3), gS.

Wittiger, M. (265), 28a

Wolsey, T., 149, 261, 383, 4"8. 446.

Würzburg, Lawrence von Bibra, Biihop of (56).

Zasius. U. (ISO), 179, 196, 205.

Zeschaa, W. (166).

Ziegler, N., 412, 413.

Zwingli. U., 196, 213, 244, 3cft 384. 335. 305.

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations are used:

Allen — P. S. Allen: Opus Epistolamm Erastni. Oxford.
iyo6fF. Vols, I. 2. 3.

Bcrgcnroth — Cal«ndar of letters» despatches, and stale
papers, relating to the negotiations between England and
Spain . . . edited by G. A. Bergenroth, P. de Gayaogos and
M. A. S. Hume. London, 1862^.

Bocking — Epistola« Ulrichi Hutteni, ed. E. Böcking. Lipsiae.
1859. 2. V.

Brown — Calendar of stale papers preserved in the archives
of Venice, cd. R. Brown. London. i867ff.

Burckhardt- Biedermann — Bonifacius Amcrbach und die
Reformation, von Th. Uurckhardt- Biedermann. Basel. 1894.

Corpus Rcformatorum — Volumes i-io contain P. Mcian-
thonis cpistolac, cd. C. G. Brctschncidcr. Malis. 1834-42.
Volumes 94fF contain Zwinglis Briefwechsel, cd. E. EgU,
G. Finster, W. Krihler. Leipzig. 191 itT.

De Jongh — L'ancienne faculte de theologie de Louvain, par
H. de Jongh. Louvain. 1911.

Dc Weite— Luthers Briefe, cd. W. M. L. de Wette. Berlin.
1825-8. 5 V.

De Wctte-Seidemann — Luthers Briefe. Band vi., ed. W. M.
L. de Wette und ,1. K. Seidemann. Berlin. 1856.

EndcTS — Luther's Briefwechsel, bearbeitet von E. L, Enders.
Vols. 1-14. i884fF. (Volumes laff continued by G. Kawerau.)

Erlangen — Luthers Sämtliche Werke. Erlangen edition.
German works 68 volumes. Latin work.s 33 volumes, and,
separately numbered. Opera latina varii argiimenti, 7 volumes.

Gess — Akten und Briefe zur KirchenpoÜtik Herzog Georgs
vwi Sachsen. Hg. von F. Gcss. Band I. Leipzig. 1905.

Grisar — Luther, von Hartmann Grisar. Freiburg in Breis-
gau. 191 1-3. 3 V.

(19)

ABBREVIATIONS

Kalkoff: Ateander — Die Dep«schen des Nuntius Aleander
von Wormser Reichstage i$2i. Uebcrsetzt und erläutert von
P. Kalkoff. 2d cd. Halle. 1S98.

Kalkoff; Briefe — Depeschen und Berichte über Luther
vom Wormser Reichstage 1521. Uebersctzt und erläutert von
P. Kalkoff. Halle. 1898.

KÖstlin-Kawerau — Martin Luther, von Julius Köstlin.
Fünfte neubearbeitete Auflag, fortgesczt von G. Kawcrau.
Berlin. 1903. 2 v.

Krause — Der Briefwechsel des Mutianus Rufus, bearbeitet
von C. Krause. Kasse!. 1885.

Lutheri 0]>era varii argument!, see Erlangen.

Rcalencyclopadie — Rcalencyclopadic für protestantische
Theologie und Kirche. 3d edition, Leipzig. 1 896-1909.
22 voh.

Reichstagsakten— Deutsche Reichstagsakten unter Karl V,
Hg. von. A. Kluckhohn und A. Wrcde. München. 1893^.
(Volume ii. only referred to.)

Smith — The Life .ind Letters of Martin Luther. By Pre-
served Smith. Roston, New York and London. 1911.

Walch — Luthers sammtlichc Schriften, herausgegeben von
J. G. Walcb. Halle. I744ff. (Volume 15. containing supple-
mentary doaimcnis is chiefly referred to.)

Walcli' — The same. 2d much improved edition, published by
tlic Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis. MissourL The
letters, all in German translation, by A. F. Hoppe, are in vol.
xxi, published in two parts at St. Louis, Missouri, U. S. A.

1903-4-
Weimar — Luthers WerVc. KritLscbc Gcsammtausgabc.

Weimar. 1883fr. As yet have appeared volumes i-i.x, x, part i,

half i and parts ii and iii, ix-xvi. xvü part i. xviii-xx. xxiü-

XXX, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvi-xxxviii, xl part i. xli-xUü, xlv-xlvii,

and Deutsche Bibel, volumes i-iü, and Tischreden, volume i.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE

APtD

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

I. LUTHER TO JOHN BRAUN, VICAR IN EISENACH.»

E L. End«»: Dr. Merlin Lathtr's Britf-
wtchstl (Franklun am Main. 1884- ) i. (. Ewust, April 22, 1507,

Martin Ltithcr wa« bom at Etsl<h<D, November 10, 1483. Soon
afierwwdt his father mnvcii to Matisfcltl. 1497-6 Martin attended
the school of the Brethren of lUe Common Life ai Magdeburg. 1498-
IJOI be attended the school of St George at Eisenach. 1501-5 he was
at the univcrMly of Erfurt. July 17, 1505. he entered the monastery
of the Angiittinian Hermits at Erfurt. See Preserved Smith: Life attd
Letttfs of ifartiu Lutktr (Boston. 191 1), chap. i. and ii.

Of John Braun nothing is known, rxeept that he was priest of the
Church of the Virgin at Eiienach, and thai be wa» sttll living in i;i6.
Enders, i. 4& Luther had made his acquaintance durins the years at
Eitenach.

Greeting in ChrLst Jesus our Lord. I should fear, most
j];entlc friend, to trouble your kindncM by an importunate let-
ter, did I not consider your heartfelt affection for mc proved
by the many benefits you have conferred upon mc. Where-
fore, relying on our mutual friendship, 1 do not hesitate to
send this letter, which I am sure will find you attentive and
aflTable.

God, glorious and holy in <ill his works, ha.g deigned to ex-
alt me, wretched and unworthy sinner, and to call me into
his sublime ministry, only for his mercy's sake. I ought to be
thankful for the glory of such divine goodness (as much as
dust may be) and to fulfil the duty laid upon mc.

'EMhn t>cviia tlic Ictui «ttli tbc »nrd "jr<etii«," whictt. according to Hoppe
i» DM 1*111111 in Ihr culler eililloni. Dr. Uarli» LHlktr'j SämmIlUht SchrtfUn.

, . . Band XXI. Die BHcfc (St. Loub. 190)), p. 1.

(2t)

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

La. 1

WTiercfore the fathers liavc set aside the Sunday Caniate
{May 2] for my tirst mass,' God willing, 'fliat day I shall
celebrate mass before God for the first time, the day being
chosen for thcconvcnicnccof my father.' To this I made bold to
invite you. kind friend, but certainly not as tliough I were doing
you any favor deserving the trouble of such a journey, nor
that I think my poor and humble self worthy of your coming
to me, but because I learned your benevolence and willingness
to oblige me when T was recently with you, as I have also at
other times. Dearest father, as you are in age and in care
for me, master in merit and brother in religion, if private busi-
ness will permit you, deign to come and help me with your
gracious presence and prayers, that my sacrifice may be ac-
ceptable in God's sight. Vou sliall have my kinsman Conrad,'
sacristan of the St. Nicholas Church, or any one else you wish
to accompany you on the way, if you are free from business
yourself.

Finally 1 ask that you come right to the monastery and stay
with us a little while (for I do not fear you will settle douTi
here), and do not go to the inn at the cross-roads. For you
ought to be a ccllcrcr, that is, tlic inhabitant of a cell. Fare-
well in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Brother Martin Luther or Mansfeld.

P. S. — Those excellent men of the Schalbe* Foundation ccr-

iPrlailu; LMbcr bad be«n onlaiii*il ptirU not lanf t>«(ort, tlw exact due
bdni unkiinrn.

*Jnlia (Hini) Luthpr. oriipnally of HAhn. a htmlpi about Kfltm mil« sauih
of KUmacli. A» • juuDB man h( nunkd MatMCH Zicslcr. of Eiimach. am]
noml 10 the Couniy a( Miotrdd. finl Id the loon of Manilcid and then lo
Eialebcn. line be (aun<l cairJor»":»! In ibc tben necnü]' tUMcJ profcMiva *f
MlnUig ict. Ctmbriift MoJfm Hiittrj, L 50(1, In »bich be gradually «en a
imall pToprfiji, iiid aiiaincd a '«ptct«] ^lilion in tkc torn,. He wu bSiteilr
OpfMVil lA Martin'» entctins (Iie monwlcry. for as Uiia wn <h» aeeoad) be re-
lied to make a hrillianl eaic^r. Hji ibii timr b« icrik 10 hav* btcome rMOnciled,
and app*><Eill> bECanr ■ convinced Lutheran in later life. He di«l May jq, 1510.

The ■lory fir« circulated by l.uthcr'* eoniemfior^ry WItirl ibat lUn* «ai obliged
to leave Ewntcb becuux be had cummttled a muriJer. thouNh itill rrtwalcd in aome
qoattm. 1* almui ceriainly (alu. It bai lecrnlly becume known Iboi Ibcre «it
at Ibis licnc aiinihrc Ittna I.aihn al Uanafcld, a toush ctiaiaclvr lo wbum (be
anenlott nuf hive applied. Bucbvrald: LuHtnkaltndar, igro.

■Conrad Iluuer, a rdaiiTc by mairiact of bit moUicr, «ho came fram Ktenacb.
O. Clemen: Bttirige m*i Kttarmttio'ittKkuklt. ii. L

>Tbli was a liill* Franclacan cddvcdi al lb« foot of tb« Waiibutg, probably
neat tb« prcMiit BarlüoeiMiaMc. Fraa Cotta, LulJicr'a boalo» «hue be a«-

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

tainly deserve well of me, bui I dare not burden them with
much astcing, for I am persuaded that it would not be suitable
to their order and rank for me to inviie them to my humble
affair, and molest them with the wishes of a monk now dead
to the world. Nevertheless I am in doubt whether they would
be pleased or annoyed by an invitation. Wherefore kindly
(to not mention it, but when occasion offers, tell them how
fratcful 1 am to them.

f. LUTHER TO JOHN BRAUN IN EISENACIL

Eodcn. i. 4> WnrtMBEitc, March 17, 15C9.

Lulhcr was called lo the university of WitttnUerg (founilcd 1501)
to teach Aristotle's Ethics and Dialectic at the beginning of the winter
term (drca November i>, 1508, and remain«! thvre about a year.

Brother Martin Luther sends you greeting and wishes you
salvation and the Saviour himself, Jesus Christ.

Cease, master and father, even more loved than revered,
cease, I pray, to wonder, as you have been doing, that I left
you secretly and silently, or at least would have so Icf( you,
were thcrq not still a tic between us, or as if the power of
ingratitude, like a north wind, had chilled our love and wiped
the memory of your kindness from my heart. Indeed, no I
I have not acted thus, or rather i meant not to act thus, al-
though I may have been forced to act so as unintentionally lo
give you occasion to think evil of me.

1 went, I confess, and yet I did not go, but left my greater
and better [yart with you still. I can only persuade you that
this is so by your own faith in me. As you conceived it of
your own kindness and favor only, I hope you will never suffer
it to be slain or diminished without my fault, as you have never
done before. So I have gone farllicr from you in body but
come nearer to you in mind, provided you are not unwilling,
which I hope you are not at all.

To come to the point, that I be not longer compelled to sus-
pect that your friendship doubts ray constancy (would that
the suspicion were false !) behold how hard I have tried to

itti^ti tAoci at ^Miuch, ■
het that kc met the OMolis.

■ Sehalbe by Urth. and it may krr« b««a (hrmith

LUTHEK'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. 3

steal this time from my many and various affairs to write you,
especially as niessengcrä are scarce, antl were they plentiful,
could rarely be used on account of their ignorance and care-
lessness. My only purpose in writing is to commend myself
to you, and to express my hope that you will continue to think
of me as you would wish to have me think of you. Although
I cannot be, and do not think I am, equal to you in any good
thing, ncverlhclcss 1 have a great affection for you which I
cannot give yoii now as 1 have so often given it to you in the
past I know that your generous spirit expects nothing from
me save the things of the spirit, that is, to have the same
knowledge of the Lord, and one heart and soul as we have one
faith in him.

Wonder not that I departed without saying farewell. For
my departure was so sudden that it was almost unknown to
my fellow monks. I wished to write you but had time and
leisure for nothing except to regret that I had to b'cak away
without saying good-bye.

Now I am at Wittenberg, by God's command or permission.
If you wish to know my condition, I am well, thank God, ex-
cept that my studies are very severe, especially philosophy,
which from the first I would willingly have changed for theo-
logy; I mean that theology which searches out the meat of the
nut. and the kernel of the grain and the marrow of the bones.
But God is God ; man often, if not always, is at fault in his
judgment. He is our God, he will sweetly govern us forever.

Please deign to accept this, which has been set down in haste
and extemporally, and if you can get any messengers to me
let me have a share of your letters. I shall try to do the same
for you in return. Farewell in the beginning and the end,
and believe me such as you wish me. Again farewell.

BxoTUER Martin Lutubb, Auifiutinia».

3, LUTHER TO THE PRIOR ANDRI-W LOHR AND THE CON-
VENT OF AUGUSTINIANS AT ERFURT.

Enderj, i. 7. Wittcs-biwc, September 33, 1513.

Lather returned to Erfurt in the late autumn 1509, where h« re-

nuincd Uircc semesters lecturing on the Senicnces of Peter Lumtnrd.

He made a ioumey to Romo is the winter of 1510-11, rctumins to

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

Wittenberg lo lecture on the Bible in the same year. Smith, chap. IV.
The occasion vt the procnt letter ia to invite his brothers lo the cere-
mony of taking the degre« of doctor of divinity, un Octoher ig, 1512.

Greeting in ihe Lord. Reverend, venerable and dear
Fathers ! Behold the day of St. I.uke h at hand, on whicli, in
olhcdicncc to yon and to our reverend Vicar Slaiipitz,' I shall
take my examination in theology in the hall of the university,
as I believe you already know from the letter of our Witten-
berg Prior Link.' J do not now accuse myself of unworLhiness,
lest I should seek praise and honor hy my humility ; God and
my conscience know how worthy and how grateful I am for
this public honor.

First of all I l)cg you for Christ's sake to commend me lo
God in your common prayers, for you know yoti arc tny
debtors for this hy the law of charity, that his well pleasing
and merciful will may be with mc. Then I beg that you will
deign to come and be present at the celebration, if convenient,
for the glory and honor of religion and especially of our chap-
ter. I sliould not dare to ask you tu undertake the trouble
and expense of such a journey, except that the very reverend
father vicar has done it, and because it would seem indecorous,
unworthy and scandalous for you not to be with me on such
an occasion of honor, as though you were ignorant of it or
uninvited.

■ JftbA TOB SUipiU inalritii1at«i] at Lcipsic in i^is: ■" <4$r d' >• lound m*
rtiiitw in Ihttilfy lud M. A. at tlif Auguilinlan convent it Tübtngrn. In tyrj
ht <ru elected Vitar of lb« Cetniin Prnvlne« cf Aucii*l>nian Hermi«. and in
tht use jiar <•■* called br Preileria the Wise ta be dean of the ihealoEleal
facalir b( th* »'* iinlr*nlly of WltlcnbccR. where lie tack hli tCoctoral* in
diviiiitr in isio. Lullier*i teUtinr* ailb liini wrrv vtijr close, and il U lo him
thit the jiaiiDK monk owed bii two call* 10 Wittenberi. Slaupiu wu unable la
tnlln« him in tUr rrvoll ttaat Rome, aiiil nn Atigt»! it, ijio, iild ilown Ibc
olKce of Vicai »nd Kticcd Iv Saltbuis. emiriaf diipcnMtion 10 Jcate Ihc Aug'»'
tiiUan lat ibc Ucncdiciice ordci. Here bo lired litl bii death by apaplciy on
t><«cab«( 18, i(»-4. C/. Tb. Koldei Die ientttUe Angmtirnr C'>ni)rrgi»iiot> wnJ
/. t-, Slüif''* CGcilia. 1S79). anJ in Rtolf'cytiofiiiit.

■ Woiael Link (Januiry 8. iiSj-March li, IS47). »f Colditc, mitfieuULeJ at
I.«i{iBic 1498, and at Willcohctf i}0). wbrre he wu called la Inch philDsof hy
in (sol, and beeanip I>. I>. in tsti. In 1516 be l»ft Wiilenherg fnr Munich. Ai
an AurHIJBlan he auendcd ihe Keneral chapter «.t Heidclbetc, April, ijit, where
lir <■&■ clrclvd Uitldcl VIcir lo cuccecil Liilher. \a AuBiitt, it>a. he wm
elected Mcar a( Ibe Crman PcDvitirp to iiicceeil Staupilz, bul under the tnflupnc«
itl the rvanKellc laitb rcalincd Cbe TJciiiaic. became i>aiiat of 1 lerornieil cbuicb
al Atimbuii and married nii- Two rraii later be wit called I« Nuiemlictii,
wbcre Ik apcnt ibe tt*l of bii life in utetal scrricc and in frcijucni cDmmunicittua
■riib Lulbci. Cf. W. Rnndcll: W. Ltnt vom CaiitiU Uaod I, i^Sj-ISi«. 4)lar>
burg. iSt*-) •^tM Rt^racyctetSdit.

OTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LCL4

Moreover if the venerable reader, Father George Leiffer,*
is able and willing to come it would please me; but if not, the
Turd's will be done. Please, dear fathers, show yourself in
this equal to the high opinion I justly hold you in. I shall
rcmcmher and be grateful for your attention. Farewell in
the Lord, my brothers, each and all of you; to him we com-
mend ourselves in prayer.

Bkothes Maetin Lutuer, Augustittiau

4. LUTHER'S RECEIPT.

Enders, I. 9. (Lkifsic). October 9. ijia.

Luther w-a» called to Wittenberg a second time apparently in the
summer of 1511, in order to take the chair of Biblical exegesis hith-
erto occupied by Kiaupiti. To lit himself for ihis he took, on October
18. 151*, the dcsTcc of Doctor of Divinity, The cast of llie promo-
tion was borne by the elector. Luther was obtJKcd to walk to Lcipsie
(which, Strange to say, was not in the eteclor'i territory) to get the
money from ilic EOvemment's agents, Dohjg and PfclTingrr. In the
Weimar archives tlii^rc it a list of the cxpcnBcs of these gentlemen at
the "Michaclismarkt" (fair held on Si. Michael's day), October 5-ltij
1512. Amung the expense» is iniy guldai for Siaupii/, "which Martin.
Atiguitinian friar at Wittenberg, received »gaiitst liis own written
receipt. These fifty gulden our most gracious Lord kindly commanded
to be given to the said friar for his doctorate, which he will receive
at Witicnbcrg shortly after this fair, in return for which Dr. IStau-
piti| lias undertaken that the said Martin shall during his life-time
lecture on the suhjcct assigned him at Wittenberg," II, Stcinlein:
t-Hlliers Dolitorat, Leipsic, toil. Sondtrabdruck aus der Neuen Kirck-
Jic/nfH Zfltimg. Page of Errata preceding p. L In general on the
doctorate, sec diis work.

I, Martin, friar of the Order of Hermits at Wittenberg,
acknowledge with this my own hand that I have received
on account of the Prior at Wittenberg, from the honorable
and trusty Dt^enhart Pfcflfingcr' and John von Dolzig/ cliam-

* Kothinx m known ot Ldffer •**( tbBt he was «o AuiuttinUn at Eriuit, «ko
ktid ikc poiitlgn of icadct »t tnc«b. Litttlicr wi«lc bim on ApiD ij, i)i6 Ütfr*
on. ■>), knJ RKDiien«] him inddmUlIjr in ■ l«tt<-i of Oclvbcr ij, 1516.

H'he chunlwrlain, tmMurct and iiiRumtiat ouricillur vi Fieilerk ihc WIm.
He il>«l J0I7 ), ij'9. He i> frrqumtly ipokeB of by Lülbtr u ■ Mnnewhkt class-
i>tt<] trdiridiMl. EBder*. i. *7.

■A irrituTtf ttnS rcMlver of Usm (not cbimttiTliTn) who hiit h«cn \n VttA-
eric'« terrlce ^lobatilr bHore itoo. In >{>;•> h« tn*dt a piltrimict M PalcMlne.
In Ml« ti* bccaine mareliat a( Ihe coorl. He wat it AugmbiiTf Is lijo. Re
HDdcftQok m nÜMWo 10 Enflawl in isjg. Hade gercnmr of Saatfeld 1S4J. Died

Let. 5

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

bcrlains of my most gracious Lord, fifty gulden,' on the Satur-
after St. Francis' clay, anno domini 1512.

?. CI

S. GEORGE SPALATIN TO JOHN LANG AT WITTENBERG.
Endcrs, i. 11. (End of 1513.}'

George Burlchardl. o( Spalt (i4fi4-January 16, 1545). always known
as Spalalin, one of Lwlher's best fncnd!, to whom more of his letter»
arc addressed than to sny othri pniraon, had studied at Erfurt. 14^
1502, when he wcni to Wittenberg. Herv he ftnt learned to know
Luther, Aboul 1513 he was nwdc chaplain to Frederic the Wise,
«chote iTuKcd ci-iiil'idaiit he was imlil the elector's death in 1525. In
iht* year Spalatin mamed. and was appointed pastor of a ehurch at
Altcnbui^, where he lived the test of his life, Cf. Rtattntyclofadit,
Bering: Sfatalin tind srin yerkältnis :» Luther.

John Lang, another good friend, matriculated at Erfurt, ISOO, en-
tered (he AuKustinian convent 1506. was forced lo kavc Erfurt on ac-
count of the quarrel of that convent with Stau|Hli, and to went to teach
al Wittenberg 1311-16. when he returned to Erfurt, became prior of
Ihe monastery 1516, and District Vicar 151&. Left the monastery 1533,
and became pastor of a church at Erfurt, where he icmutned till his

I death. 1548. He married twice, in 15^2 and 1524. S. Paulua;
VsiMff/n yb. Furstemaiin & Günther: Britft an Httumus (1904}, p.
3;& Rfatencyclof'ddie,
The subject of the following letters is Ihe Reuehlin trial Pfeffer-
korn, a converted Jew. proposed to destroy all Hebrew books jave
Ihe Old TeUanieiit (1509). This proposition was submitted to Rcuch*
lin, a noted Hebrew scholar, who replied in a memorial, mentioned
betow, October 6; 1510, advising against this. This memorial was
made the basis of a charge of here&y brought by the Dntiiinii.'an3 of
Cologne The case was appealed to Rome, and was argiied with
heal in a host of pamphiets on both sid« iii Germany. The most
famous of these, one of the world's great satires, was the iifixiola
ObicvTOfum Virontm, ridiculing the monks. The first scries appeared
in the autumn of 1515, and was by Crotus Kubeaiins; tins was fol-
lowed by an enlarged edition in 1516. the ajdilional letters being fay
Ulrich von Hunen. and by a new series from Hurten's pen in 1517.
The best aecoant of the affair in English is V. G. Stokes: Hpitiola
ObKurorvm I'iromm. Loudon, 1909, with l^tin text, translation and
fall inlrudiiction.

. . . Moreover I woald like to know from you whether

April •. iitr. fif «u • cv«] fririid uf Lnthcr, to «rhotc msrilagc be vu In-
Tilnl' /trcAii' li' Httorman-3iite<*t^Klitr, *i. 404-

*A Buldcn wii worih fiftr cinu or iwn ihillinic* mtHniicallr. bul tfac pnrcliH-
IbC r«*"*' o' niancT ww *^ui twtniy limn then wbu it is now.

■On the date att EiiJcii. L ii-i), utd Kostliii-IUwciau, i, /Ji- iwU tup. It».

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ui. 6

Dr. Martin has seen the memorial of our Dr. RcucMin* on
destroying the books of the Jews. If he has not read it. I
beg nothing more at present than that he shall read it and give
me his opinion un it. Although [ doubt not tliat wc all know
how good and learned is Keuchlin, yet it is proütable to be on
guard. . . .

ÖL LUTHER TO GEORGE SPAI^TIN.
Enden, i. 14. WirrexBEno (January or February, 1514).

Peace be with you. Reverend Spalaiin! Brother John lyang
has just aj^kcd mc what I think of the innocent and learned
John Rcuchlin and his prosecutors at Cologne, and whetlicr he
is in danger of heresy. You know that I greatly esteem and
like the man, and jwrchance my judgment will be suspected,
because, as I say, I am not free and neutral: nevertheless as
you wish it I will give my opinion, namely that in all his writ-
ings there appears to mc absolutely nothing dangerous.

I mueh wonder at the men of Cologne ferreting out such
an obscure perplexity, worse tangled than the Gordian knot
a-i they say, in a case as plain as day. Reuchtin himself has
often protested his innocence, and solemnly asserts he is
only pmposing questions for debate, not laying down articles
of f.iith, which alone, in my opinion, absolves him, so that had
he the dregs of all known heresies in his memorial, I sliould
believe him sound and pure of faith. For if such protests and
expressions of opinion are not free from danger, we must
needs fear lliat these inquisitors, who strain at gnats though
they swallow camels, should at their own pleasure pronounce

•Luther prabibly did nol know Bpuchlin per»on»tly, hut know hi* workt. ind
MlxtUltr li*<l uu'l 111« Ot Ruilmtmlu Uibratcii lisabl a Ki'itmir and dicttonarr
la «n«. fie menlioni lht> In hit marfintl notn un Lambärd'a Stmltnttt (1509),
Werkr, Wrtmat, ii. 31.

Joba Rciicyiii <Fcb. fi. instJune jo, is**) of Pforiiheim, mttiiculiieil «r
FrcibuTS I47°. went lo-on to Pirii, tben. t474, to Battt, wbere he tnok liit B. A.
14^^ «n*! U' ^ '^TT. iltcn tciuiticil ID Pact», Mudled Uw, touk LL. B. •! Orluiu
1479, b«c*n>* licrnliitc ■( Puiiitts uBi, >nil ilnclcn at Tübinntn ume )-<*t.
■«Btfo be »pent in Italy undei pilrofiage of Ebcihird ol Würtemberf. M«cIit
fiebl« 1491. About ifir «aiar time br^^n Itj Hludy Hrbm» ; wvnt io Hridelbcrf ^
f«ft. and und«( pdlranlit* of Rillip Count Ptlaltn« to Rom« 1498. Re rt<um*d
I» Stititt*it IMO. vhere he spent iwenty yort. Mmnf at Triumvir of the
Swibbn l-tisuF iini-i.|. lie retired brlofe the armie* of ibe Leucoe to lagal-
lUdt. vbete he tpeni ifi9*ii «tlh Eck. after which be reiumrd to Stattetet. Sm
fall tifc h) GtljteT. ftntriK-filafäiiU and Stnk«». op, til, Intioduflion.

LcL «

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

the orthodox heretics, no matter how much Uie accused pro-
tested their innocence.

What shall i say? that they arc trying to cast out Beelzebub
but not by the finger of God. I often r^ret and deplore that
we Christians have begun to be wise abroad and fools at home.
A hundred times worse blasphemies than this exist in tlie very
streets of Jerusalem, and tlie high places are filled with spiritual
idols. \Vc ought lo ihow our excessive zeal in rcniovmg these
offences which are our real, intestine enemies. Instead of
which wc abandon all that is really urgent and turn to foreign
and external affairs, under the inspiration of the devil who
intends that we should neglect our own business without heij>-
tng that of others.

Pray can anything be imagined more foousii and imprudent
than such zeal? Has unhappy Cologne no waste places nor
turbulence in her own church, to which she could devote her
knowledge, zeal and charity, that she must needs search out
such cases as this in remote parts?

But what am I doing? My heart is fuller of these thoughts
than my tongue can tell. I have come to the conclusion that
the Jews will always curse and blaspheme God and his King
Christ, as all the prophets have predicted. He who neither.
reads nor understands this, as yet knows no theology, in my
opinion. And so I presume the men of Cologne cannot under-
stand the Scripture, because it is necessary that such things take
place to fulfill prophecy. H tlicy are trying to stop the Jews
blaspheming, they arc working to prove the Bible and God
liars.

But trust God lo be tnie, even if a million men of Cologne
sweat to make him false. Conversion of the Jews will be the
work of God atone operating from within, and not of man
working — or rather playing — from without. If these offences
be taken away, worse will follow. For they arc thus given
over by the wrath of God to reprobation, that they may become
incorrigible, as Ecclcsiastcs says, for every one who is incor-
rigible is rendered worse rather than better by correction.

Farewell tn the Lord ; pardon my words, and pray the Lord
for my sinning soul. Your brother,

MARTtN LUTHBS.

lERS CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. 7

7. LUTHER TO PRIOR ANDREW LOHR AND THE ELDERS
OF THE AUGUSTINIAN CLOISTER AT ERFURT.

Enders, l l<x WittekbeiiCj June 16, 1514,

In the early dftys of universities s degrc« meant no nioie than a
ttcense to teach, ami for some centuries it was expected that a man
itiould te:ich, for a time at any rate, at the institution where he had
taken Iti^ dcgicc. or had prepared far it. An oalh to this effect was
exacted at Paris until 1452 (II. Rashdall; Universities 0/ Europt,
i. 45sn. The practice had (alien into disuse, but was appar-
ently revived at Erfurt, which was extremely jealous of the sud-
den growth of Wittenberg, When Luther left Erfurt for Witten-
berg and look his (loccnratc there, his enemies at Erfurt represented
it as a breach of oath. This is his answer. Cf. KöstUn-Kawerau, i,
135, and Harlinanu Urisar; Luther (Freiburg im Breisgau. t91[), 1.
aSff. Hanard Theologicai Rnviv. October, ujij.

Grctting in Üic Lord Reverend Fatlicrs, I Iiavc heard and
read much evil spoken by some of you about us and especially
about me, reccolly from the letter of Dr. John Nathin' as
though writing for all of you, and I was so mucli moved by his
trenchant lies and bitter, fal.ie provocations thai I almost imi-
tated the example of Dr. Paltz,* and poured out on him and
the whole convent a vial of wrath and indignation. For which
reason I sent two stupid letters to you (I know not whether
they reached you) and would soon have sent a key to their
meaning had not the mouth of the reviler been first stopped by
the general chapter. Therefore I am oliligcd to consider many,
or rather most of you excused. Wherefore 1 beg you, if any
were offended or mentioned in my letters, to forgive it, and
impute my action to the furious writings of Dr. Nathin. For
my emotion tliough excessive had a just cause.

But now I hear worse: tliat he proclaims me perjured and
infamous, I know not [or what reason. Wherefore I pray if,
as I fear, you are unable to stop his mouth, you at least pay

>Ot Neitkifehcn, nalricuUlcJ ■( Tübingen («Bj. b<pn Ircluriiig on tkpat»(7
I4B4, D. D. 14II6 al TilbingCD »r 1493 at Rrfuit'. cr linlb. Taking llir Mmc
ll«tr«c (■'. /., llccnle to l«ifh) at iFote than an« univeraity «M and «till [•
lrf<vulsr fa GemunT: N«ihln, therefore, wai Kuilty of daing what he iccuwd
Lntbpr of. H« rcinainNl can*«rvativr. an<] «hen l1if> cUiiilpr il KrtuM wat A\%-
aolveil in is>), lie Mceded. Kohl«: Avo*i'*nr'Ci»ti/tttaiii'n. 137, 391.

»I*hn Z«nttf (Jenwf, Grnwr) van falii. ["rtot of NcuMjJt i«7t. D. D. at
Erfurt t4l<j. tuiwrlnlenOcnl of the monlu' vinAitt al Erfurt MO). ■!">■ ISAS-B.
H( died Match i|. 1 p 1. Kolde. ef. cit.. Inilcx and W4-ta;: Kt*t*ntytl»piUit,
Rl» milinc* enjoyed murli rcimtati"", Luther's lotcrcacc 10 him here i> obtcorc
B* «u ■ ttronc defender of IndtilKeocek

Ua 8

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LlTTTERS

no attention to him and teach otliers to do the same. For I
am not perjured because I took my degree elsewhere. For
both universities and all of you know that I never lectured on
the Bible at Erfurt, on which occasion it is customar)* to take
an oath, nor am I aware that I ever took an oath in the whole
eourse of my acadenuc career. 1 did lecture on the Sentences
at Erfurt, but I believe no one will affirm that I took an oath
at that time. ... I write this, excellent fathers, lest the Erfurt
doctors of theology should consider me a despiser of the uni-
versity to whom, as to a mother, I owe everything. . . .

But whatever men have done I am peacefully disposed to-
wards you all, however much I may have been offended. For
God has blessed mc richly, unworthy as 1 am. and I have no
cause to do ought but rejoice and love and bless even tliose
who have deserved the contrary from mc, just as I have
deserved the contrary to what I receive from the I^ord. Wlicre-
fore please he content, and lay aside all bitterness, if there is
any, and let not my removal to Wittenberg provoke you, for
thus the Lord, who Is not to be resisted, willed. Farewell in
the Lord.

Brothek M. Ludeb.

a LUTHER TO SPALATTW.
Eaders, ü 287. (1514?)*

Greeting. I would most willingly comply with your wish,
which is also mine, gond Spalalin, but that you ask something
which is beyond the mediocrity of my powers. 1 frankly con-
fess my ignorance, for I do not know the meaning of those
refrains* nor can I even conjecture it.

I am sure that the psalms, Ixxx. and Ixvii. which you

*TliU MIrr ha* nn date In the DTi&lnal. »nd vm piil. far «ii unknown rcawn.
bt Ibr flnt editor in ifiq. All niccr»Ar> hurt Mlowcl him. »IthCMic'h Pr Wettc,
F.nditi and Ih« Sc L*ai* edilot nil tblnk tbai it prapFtl]t bclongi lo an earlier
itate. Th» main |i«k;I at Ihli i» ilic tijfiiiiiutr '■Luilcr," a (orm (ounil aotihttt
clat »Uti SfpiembtT ii. isr?. Moicoicr a parallel jiafuagc hut beta (ounil to the
Oittala /Kfvr Paaherium (ivcn by Luibcr ijijä. tfe'ltt. Wclntar cd. iii. doC;
Rodcn, Ii. rfq- iTheie ii a mppknitnt to ih« DicUia. Weimai ix. ti8, but no
(■ttkcr {laiallcl ) Spalalta frequently lurned lo Liicb«( for «CK«*!! of Üic Bible,
«tnch be i»d read tbiouflb in 150E. On gentrat dating tf. KniiitntUwcrao, L 7S4<
note a lo i^ t66, anl Tk^eyii<ht Sttidin ttmä Kntiitn i9S9, p. jg5.

^LnÜK-r wii thinldoit of ibe "Sriah" which occur* in Pnalm I.XVII and el*e-
■bvrt. Thia waa not printod in Ibc Vallate, but «u tfi. the «rigical and lo in
fk< «filiaa «f l«fsvr« d'RiaplM «bieh be used.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

note, are the most beart-felt' prayers of the faithful congre-
gation for the coming of Christ in the flesh. But you, who
excel me in acumen of judgment and in weaUh of learning,
consider whether the author did not wixh those refrains to
point out that the psalms were choral,* tilcc that eclogue of
Virgil' wliich says, J forget how many times ;

Ducite ab urbe domum, mca carmina, ducitc Daplmim. . . .
You now know as much as I do. Farewell and pray for me.
From the monastery,

Bkother Martin Luder, AHgustinion.

9. GEORGE SP.ILATIN TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
K. Krause: Epittolae aliquot (Etnladungsichrifl . , . 2cibst>, i88j,
P- 3- March S (ISIS)-*

. . . Please commend me to Dr. Martin. For I think so
much of him as a most learned and upright man, and, what
is extremely rare, one of such acumen in judging that I wish
to be entirely his friend as weli as yours and of all learned
men. Farewell, excellent brother, and remember me in your
prayers, and also remember our Rcuchlin laboring against
the hatred and intolerable malignity of evil men, or rather of
tacodemons^ Farewell again. I read your letter hastily. Our
Erasmus' has relumed as amiable as one stuffed witli plenty.

I'Sttiplfloilulm»": Lutbef ccminir nicana Mimethlns like (he tnnitation
■JvcDj allhcuib the word be i]m«, both In cUwimI anil medlcv«! Laliii, propeclr
mcJiiB 'Vuihnaiic." "ttKhlng."

■Th» word Umi Lutlivr u*ri hvrf.anri I wo oihrr {ilncrt In On Mtfr, "tnitra'sllim"
U fOHDil ntjlhrc in Harpct'i clutaical nor in Hu Canicf'* tnislievil I.aliti dirlionarjr.
WbMhcr hp wu thinking of Ihr word "intercaUra," m tbt Arit cdllfi fut(<«li.
«t not. the meiniiiB ik pcitcctlr ctcat frotn the coMcn.

*Tb!> letter I* A*\tA by KrauM anil Ernten (i. ij> 1514. but ib« true dale !■
xir«» br Ihr tentrixe "ErMUM softer r«dlti quam aaabllii ui qui aiipalua bia
Cupi»." KraRmu* T«ttirrnl rrom * firv-jeai ■»iouin in Kniland in Jul^, >3>1. anJ
In tb« followinf Drc«inlieT Schürrr [xibllabed at Straialrurit a nrw «ililion of hit
Dr Ctfi*. >0 which P.tumn« prrfactd ■ nott «■(■ble Idler (cf. P. S. Allen: Ofttt
EfiiManttn Erittmi, L p. nü, Ü. pp. J. 1;). Sf«Ulin ruiIif« a punnlnf rtfertnca
Id ilii* work, which he doubllot« l«nl with the Utter (Ufa).

■DMtdvritia ErHmni «f Roilerdam {nrinh«T il. nMJuljr tt. luft), the natl
noted Kbobtr of Ihe dar. attended tchao} at I>e*efitt( i«Ti-8«. at Hertoccnbiucb
I4I4-6, wiwre d tb* Doniairrr fit Ausuuinixn Canoi» al Slela 14M. proffucd
I4n, aradied al Pani i49t-0. (Ulced Enfland )49g'ttoo. i)ai-ilo6 and ijov-i«:
tlalT ifoA-g; lived at tjinrain MU-ai. Oaalc Ijii-B. Prdbuic in Brdiiau ts>t-ssi

L»t. II

OTHER. CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

For whjr should he not have the horn of AnuUtheiaf^

Yours.

Spalatim.

10. ;OHN LANG TO CONRAD MUTIANUS RUFUS.

Hekcl: Manipului ftim»t rputoUirum.

1698. p- KM. Endcrs, i. 36. (May 2, 1515.)

On May i, 1515, Luth« wa» elected Distria Vicar oi his order »t
th« Chapter held at Gotha. On that occasion he delivered a rousing
lenaon acattut the vices of the monks, ihc sermon prob.iljlj- being tlmt
printed Weimar, i, 4+ agxiiist backbiting. Cf. Köstlin-Kiwcraii, 1.
132. The Mrmon attracted the aitcntioii of Mutian. and the ncjci day
Lui£ aent it to him with the folIowiiiK letter

Conrad Muth. usually* knou-ti as Mulianus Kufus (October 15, (471-
Miidt 30, I5j6>, aflcr attending scliool at Dcvcaicr [aälcicuUtcd
at Erfurt, i486, taking tlic ilcaree of il. A, in i49i- From i4<)5-iso2
he was in Italy. He took the degree of LL.D. nt Bologna. In 1503
he received a canonry at Gotha, where he spent the rest of his life
in leartietl leisure, exercising great influence on the yoiing'fr human-
t»ts mid teaching that all ruligiona are essentially the same. His let-
ters, published by K. Krause and K. Gilbert, life in fttaUncyclo-
pädit, and ef. P. S. Allen, op. tit, ii. 416. He did not join the Refor*
maiion and Luther considered his death, reported to \k a suicide, aa
a judgment of Cod. Cf. Wram[iclmeyer: CoriaUu' Tagtbuch, no.
SO*

Vou ask aboul that sharp orator who yesterday inveighed
unst the morals of those brothers who [lass for little saints.
He is Dr. Manin. with wlioni I have lived intimately at Erfurt,
and who formerly helped me not a little in good studies. Our
Spalatin venerates and consults him like Apollo. . . ,

II. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPENLEIN AT MEMMINGEN.

End«rs. i. aS. WiTTCNDmu, .April 8, 1516.

Spcniein wu an Augutttnian brother, who later htrcame erangelical
putor at Arnstadt, in whidi capacity Lulher wrote him a letter, June
17, 1544. De Wette, v. 66$.

Grace and peace to you froin God tlie Father and the Lord

*bm b« (cIuiikJ 10 BmIci Hi* |ifincl|<*l wvtVt »,fk: Enchiniivn MHilit Ckrit-
ham 4iS"]l. Emeonimm Moria» <ijit). AJagia (t].a<i), an »diiicin of the Greek
H«w TnldBcnl (Haicb. iSiA). Live« of bim by A. J. TfauJe C'Sv)} ■nd
EL Em«Tl««i fiaftfl, Hu inSacnc« on I.ulhtr wt> inui»nw. Cf. t»pt<i»üf'.
A. it*ftf Htud* eriHqu* itt rUtH^tt d'£r«mir rr it Lmhrr. Pari*, titf.

LUTHEK'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

L«L II

Jesus Christ. Dear Brother George : — I want you to know that
1 sold some of your things for two and a half gulden/ ». t.,
one (fuldcn for tlic coat of Brussels, half a gulden for the
larger Eisenach work, and one gulden for ihe cowl and some
other things. Some things are left, as the Eclogues of Bap-
lista Manluan' and your collections, which you must consider
a loss, as hitherto we have not hcen able to dispose of them,
Wc gave the two and a half gulden you owe to the reverend
father vicar* in your name; for the other half gulden you
must either try to pay it or get him to remit the debt. For I
felt that tite reverend father was so well inclined to you tlut
he would not object to doing so.

Now I would like to know whether your soul, tired of her
own righteousness, would learn to breathe and confide in the
righteousness of Christ. For in our age the temptation to
presumption besets many, especially those who trj' to be just
and good before all men. not knowing the righteousness of
Cod, which is most bountifully and freely given us in Christ.
Thus they long seek to do right by themselves, tliat they may
have courage to stand before God as though fortified with
their own virt^ies and merits, which is impossible. You your-
self were of this opinion, or rather error, and so was I, who
still fight against the error and have not yet conquered it.

Therefore, my sxveel brother, learn Christ and him crucified;
learn to pray to him despairing of yourself, saying: Thou,
Lord Jesus, art my rightcousncs5, but I am thy sin ; thou hast
taken on tliyself what thou wast not, and hast given to mc
what I was not. Beware of aspiring to such purity that you
will not wish to seem to yourself, or to be, a sinner. For
Christ only dwells in .«iinners. For that reason he descended
from heaven, where he dwelt among the righteous, that he
might dwell among sinners. Consider that kindne&s of his,
and you will sec his sweetest consolation. . . .

If you firmly believe this (and he is accursed who docs not

believe it) then take up your untaught and erring brothers.

, patiently uphold them, make their sins yours, and, if you have

'"Smimt," an unelaMJc»! tramUtion of Ih« Ccmikn "hattHlfci."
>A lile p«ct (t44l-l5l6l irh«*e tclogUM were frtti. firaHIfi al Ihi* tba«. T^ri
htTt rM«RiIir b««» reiditcd by W. F, Uacliril Johai Hopkini^ PrcM, igii.

1^ la OTHER CONTKMPORARY LETTERS 35

any goodness, let it be theirs. Thus the apostle teaches;
Receive one another even as Christ received you, for the
glory of God,* and a^Jn: Have this mind in you which was
also in Christ Jesus, who, when he was in the form of God,
humbled himself, Ac* Thus do you, if yo« seem pretty good
to yourself, not count it as booty, as though it were yours
alone, but humble yourself, forget what you are, and be as
one of them that you may carry them. . . . Do this, my brother,
and the Lord be with you. Farewell in the Lord.
Your brother,

Martin Luther, Auguslinion.

11 LUTHER TO GEORGE LEIFFER AT ERFURT.
Enden, I 31. WiTTKNBEac, April 15, t5i&

Greeting in the Lord and in his Comforter. Excellent father
and sweet broilicr in tlie Lord. I hear that you are templed,
shaken by the whirlwinds and disquieted by the variou;; floods,
but blessed is God the 1-atlier of mercy and (k)d of all conso-
lation, who has provided for you a comforter and consoler as
good as any man may be, the Rev. Dr. Usingen.' Only let it
be your care to throw away your own ideas and thoughts and
make place for his words in your thoughts. I am certain from
my own experience and yours, or rather from the experience
of all wliom I ever saw perturbed, th;u prudence alone is the
cause of our emotion and tlie root nf all our unquiet. For our
eye »8 Tery evil, and, to speak of myself, atasi how much
misery has it caused me and docs it cause me yet.

The cross of Christ is distributed through llie whole world.

to every one certainly comes his portion. Do yon therefore

not cast it aside, but rather take it up as a holy relic, kept not

in a golden or silver case, but in a golden, that is, gentle and

*Komuv, av. 7,

■PbiHpfaan, ii. g. &

iBtrlbolMDcw Arnoldi «f LVngen. Imrn li«tw««n 14*» and 146;, «iilered Erfurl
1434 ««J »alt tu* M. A- !«<• H« Uughl pWtnoH'K «t ihr tlnivcnily, btinfi ■
foDewer of AHalOtt« in ill Ihins«. He cnlcreil Ihr Anautlinian cWlii«r tbouC
ISli. •rpamOy nnder Loihcr'ii mflomi:«. onil lock hii D. D. m tji«. Ht <|ii1
not. knwtvcr. fallow tulh«f in llle r«-otI. althcuiifa. notwilhttindine a <l«I<al* in
Majr. 1518. tkey naiiin«d «n frlenilly tenni tiiiiil ijit «h«n Utingen ran* eat
ttraiifllir i«mlnM tfcc RrCnrmition llr mitt olilianl in Umve trfarl In tfJ4. joing
» Wörthutt. *l»nr he 'lied ScfKnbci 0. tssi. He WM at Ihe Di«l of AugiburK.
'SJO- Liit by N. I'tutua. iSgj.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let 14

loving heirt. . . . i-'arcwell, sweet father and brother, and
pray for me.

Brother Martin Luther, AHgusfinian.

J3. LUTHER TO CONRAD MUTIANUS RUFUS AT GOTHA.
Enders, i. ^. Gotha, May 39, istlSt

L-ulhcr was now on :i journey throniih the vanous cloUtrrs of bis
dUiiict. While ai Gotha, he ihoUKlit best to excuse hinitelf for not
callids on Mutian, whot« opinion o( liis icimon the ycAv before he hkd
licani from Liing, who secin'S, moreover, to have introduced them.

tjrtxting in Üie Lord. 'ITic reasons, most learned and kindest
Miitian, why I have neither visited you nor invited yoxi to visit
mc, are first the hurry of my trip and the pressure of my
business, and secondly the great opinion and true reverence I
have for you. For our mutual friendship is too recent for me
to dare to bring down to my mediocrity your excellence as it
is in my eyes and in fact.

But now I would not leave you unsaluted, for [ felt it my
duty to do so, even though I feci shame for my ignorance and
unrhetoric, if I may use the word, Affection for you conquered
and this rustic Corydon, this barbarian Martin accustomed only
to ci^' out among geese, salutes you, a man of the deepe-st and
most exquisite learning. But I know, t am sure or at least I
assume, that Mutian prefers the heart to the tongue and the
pen. and my heart is sufficiently learned In only being your
friend. Farewell, farewell, excellent father in the Lord Jesus,
and be mindful of me.

Brother Martin Luther, Vicar.

P. S. — I would like you to know that Father John Lang,
whom you know as a Grecian and I^itini.st, and, what is more,
a man of sincere heart, has recently been instituted by mc as
prior of the convent of Erfurt. Favor him before men and
pray for him to God. Farewell, iti haste, as you see.

14. LUTHER TO jülIN L.\NG AT ERFURT.

Enders, ). 44- Wirrtxiintc. June ys, }$l6.

Greeting in the Lord. I wrote you from Sangcrshausen.
excellent father, that if you have any brother of undisciplined
mind you should send him there for punishment. I am writ-

Let 15 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS W

lag again not to command but to request you not to deliver
over, but to yield to Eislcbcii George Schlcusingen and William
Tischcr until the reverend father (.Staupitz) rctiims. For
ilitu necessity demands ; and you should say to ttiat brother and
to all that this is not done by mc from violeiic-c, but because all
of us, and 1 especially, arc bound la uphold the honor of the
vicariat«, and especially of the reverend father Vicar. . . .

Brother Martim, District Vkar.

P. S. . . . A thunderstorm at Dresden so cut down (he
vineyards of our convent that the loss is estimated at two or
three hundred gulden, besides other damage. This is my news.

IS. UTTHER TO SPALATIN AT WITTENBERG.
Eodcrs, i. *Gt WiTTENBEHC, Augial 24, 1516t

Greeting. I am going to beg a service of love and faith
froin you, sweetest Spalatin. that is, that you either send me a
copy of Jerome's epistles' at once, or that, as much as you can
in a short time, that you copy for nic from the book of Famous
Men (which I greatly desire) what that saint says about St.
Bartholomew the apostle, sa that I may have it before noon,
for r am going to preach to the people.' I am much offended
with the foolish lies of the Catalogue and the Golden Legend.'

Farewell, excellent brother,

nROTIlKR M,^RTIN LuDER, v4«^Jlim*OB.

P. S. — Don't be surprised that a theologian iike myself should
not have Jerome. For I am waitmg for the edition' of Eras-

'I hti« taoktd ibrouch Jttoat'% ttitüt* wtihonl &n4io(| anylliitif on 9x. Bar-
ihofMotw, Lulhrr quous one at Ihrai. M'linur, ii. %ii.

Tkii MrMUB, in «hkh [.uihri ttrimxly ciiikim Ihe Imvnd of SL Barlholonnr,
!■ pruit«! in Weimar i. 79. Fur a icrcrc opinion o( ihir Itiiniul« of ilw uinii.
!■ tte fcai I \A*. <t- Kiokei: L»lh€rt TittlirtJtm in dti Maiikititehtn SJitmluiig,
l.cipik. 190s. no. 6«i.

Tke imtka releiitd M arc: Ptul in KaUttbui: Ctlaltf" Mnctvnm (which
•M «ililcd al Lt«iMi ijdB) «hkli Lullicr slluJ» to in hia Ihtiutf« on Romana,
t4. Fitlicr, StKilitn, ^ ati, and lacotil * Vora«In«, Lttt^J4 omtm, from which
Liilfcar q»*tM in hi« tectum on Pm)«)«, Weimar, ir. sf^.

Tke «4llkin In nif« volomra wUth wat p»lhli>hF<t hy Prnl>«n lht«uihout the
fMr isrt. KnmiM «rfiied lb» £rM fftur ToluiaitL. con-taining Iha (piillcai iha
Aaarbacha. RlHRanaa and alhera mtn r*apontibl< (nr thr atter worlu. Tlie
■ledinlion lo the what«, hy Eraiaiu lo Watbain. i> dii«d April 1, 1)16. FmilMr
Uilnnnaiion 1« M be found In P. S. Allen; O^i *fiiMantm Erati^ <Oaonll,
19«6' ) ii. »IB.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. i6

mus and tttat which I use in comnion with others has been
taken away by John Lang.'

16. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Eoders, t. 48. Wittenbehc, August 30 (1516}.

Greeting. Venerable father, 1 am sending you the oration
which I delivered at our chapter at Gotha' and 1 trust you lo
fulfill my promise, namely, to send it as quickly as possible to
John Braun, priest of the Holy Virgin at Eisenach, or to
Wigand of Guldennappen,' priest at VValierhausen. For I
promised it to them, and 1 also promised to let George
LeifFer, the reader, see it, and show it to his friends. Not that
I think it worth reading, but I must yield to tlie wishes of
others rather than my own.

You are certainly too much moved against John VogL I
know nothing, nor have I heard any secrets, but I heard titc
prior of Magdeburg* complaining about it, and just the äame
as he was at Eislebcn, that is, desperate about sustaining the
school, and several of the older brothers agreed with him. . . ,
Now it is your duly to receive this blow on your right clieek

Jeron* m* ona ol the (»TOrlu aathon o( UiU period, >■ Ih« namvroiu cdltioB«
■nU even liin&litions o( hit NltM« ibo«. If w* majr truit mn inicripllun In ■ hook
[a the BiMliin Public U.t>e»rr, which ho been idenlilied •> Lulh«r's hand, (ba
tcfomer bi<r owwd the dtticn ivhieh came out m Lynnt, ijiR. Tblt idenljfi-
cMion bnwevtr U retf doubiful. Sec Frtttrrti Smith. Lifr and LttUrt •/
Uariin Litl\tr. p. 47t-

■Tlic tcKt. ifier a timn*, addi "an<l inlJ."

rrb« icicpon held a( Cotba, M«r 1, is'Ii '/■ «"fra. no. 10.

*A fonn^r IMdicr ol I.iilhct al tliienaci). I.utlin l«ter inltrctded (m hxm «rilh
foh-n Trcrlcilc, May i«, ijiä.

*Jahn Vot\. An tnieiuU»! notioe of tiim iiovu ih; old chiunici» Drrkmaan of
Pomcmuia, put \j kim in llic jcar >3iS, probably a miitak« for rsi&. 1*
4<ioieil br- I>t WcttC' Seidemann. *i. ijo, noii 3. "He Invlicd Di. Uarün
Linbcr. vhom the Ma cdtbur giant ncorleJ wtib ciKbteni boncmcn. and be ume
«n JuTj 16, at tba «oticitalian at I>r. Vogt, wilh Thonamrn, an aid man In tbc
AunafttUkfan cloitter. wbft YitA eboten Dr. Uarlin as bU ic^n. And wbffii h< eould
nM give cciumd atklntt lb« wmng docltin« h« wn« aecusloinrd to «ay; 't viU
complain of it 10 «j »iMt Martin.' for he Itne* «h»i una io b'ln- For (hey wrr«
bMb from Kit1"ht«. Th*« Martin prracheil ihfie abont a w<«k. and while h<
WM ih*re nftlhtn« wm don* wiib induleencra.*' Seven! •ermoiia ol 1514 ai-raninM
lndulc*>^<'*. '. t: WriRit 1. As. Ju'v 17. 'Si<^. *"d Weimar 1. 0*. Octsbtr }i. ijiS.
Vevt liter became evanaelical juilor at Mifdehu'tE. Kob*?; Attuvititrf-Canftfy».
fm- in- Itia derotiiMi to the cause la thus amutintly portrayed in tbc table-till::
"Wben a ccitain Pt. Vogt «role to bin, 'Uy Luihri, I will to with you up to
Ihe Are — but sot quit« tnt« il. Only idvance bravely I' he anawcied, '.Sncb
oiarlTt* Clitlil Ica^d* up to bearett — but not quilt iato it.*" Titthrtitn, Weimar L
no. 34 a.

UL 17

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

and also lo turn the other. For this will not be your
greatest nor last temptation, but God's wisdom is preparing
you for serious war, if you live. . . .

Brother Maetin Luthek.

17- LUTHER TO MICHAEL DRESSEL AND THE AUGUSTIK-
lAN CHAPTER AT NEUSTADT.

EadcTs, j. $0. WiTTEHBOta. September 25, 1SI&

Greetii^ in the Lord. I hear with sorrow, as I ought to
hear, excellent fathers and brothers, that you live williout
peace and unity, and that in one house you arc not of one
mind, nor according to the rule do you have one heart and one
soul in ihc Lord. This miserable and useless manner of hfc
comes from tlie infirmity of your liumility, — (or where is
humility there is peace — or from my negligence, or certainly
from the fault of both of us, that we do not weep before
the Lord who made us, nor pray that he would direct our
ways in his sight and lead us in liis justice. He errs, he errs,
he errs, who would guiJe himself, not to say others, by his
own counsel. . . ,

Therefore I am forced to do absent what I would not like
to do present, though I greatly wish I could now be present,
but I am not able. Therefore receive my command in salu-
tary obedience, if perchance the Lord will deign to work his
peace in us. For the whole of your strife, or rather its root,
is your discord with your head, the prior, which is more harm-
ful than a quarrel between brothers. Wherefore, by the
authority of niy office, 1 conmiand you, Brother Midiael Dres-
sel, to resign your office and seal; and by Ihe same authority
I absolve you from the duties of the prioratc. in the name of
the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
And these letters shall have tlie same force as if I were present.

I would not have you complain that I have judged you
unheard, nor would I receive your excuses. I willingly
believe that you have done all with the best intentions in the
world, nor can I imagine that you have purposely and
maliciously fomented discord; you have done what you had
.^race to do. For this I thank you, and if your brothers do

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDEKCE AND

Urt. 19
tlnstruc-

not thank you ihcy will greatly displease me. .
tions for electing a new prior.] . . .

I beg iliat >*üu will be diligent and faithful in the instruc-
tion of youlh, as in that which is the 5rst and main business
of the convent. Farewell and pray for mc and for all of
us. . , . Brother Maktin Luther,

Dittrict Vicar of the Augustinians.

1«. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG.
EndcTS, i. S9- Kembcbc, October s. 1516.

... It is quite clear that that nonsense you sent me about a
supplication' to the pojie against theologs has been cooked up
by some rash person, for it smells of the same oven as the
Epistolae Ohscurorum Virorum. I imparted it opportiuicly to
the faculty, which had met to license two physicians, and they
were alt of the same opinion in regard to it. . . .

You have rightly sought the reverend father Vicar- at
Munich. He wrote me on September loth from there. I do
not know whether he will come to «s, but I hope so. He wrote
me that he was forced to reinaiii there on account of poverty.
. . . Brother Martin Luther.

19. LITTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTEMBURG.
Endcrs, L 61. (Wittenbeig, circa October s. 1516.)

Greeting. Yesterday I received your letter and the gulden
you sent me. Let it be as it must.

John Lang, prior at Erfurt, has sent mc Supplication against
Theologs. As it contains no manifest tnith. it must he by the
author of the Epistolae Ohscurorum Virorttm or someone who
apes him. 1 approve his intention, not his method, because
he docs not forbear from reviling and contumely, in short,
he was laughed to scorn by all when I recently exposed him.
Take the lx»k and read it with your accustomed moderation.
Farewell.

*rr»»* lufflitcticitii Pui^nUlünaf, in PaianUlut Uarraim rtul (isii). tff r[nl«d
In B^dclni: ttutlrmi epna. nftlrmtaium, i. (a;. Fnttbir denili on it In
0. CleiDen: flritrJtr tur RrfvmtttiaiuBftcAKhU (i«oi>). 1. 120. He holib Uul
ibe luThoT c( tbe Tttigr «u one ol ibe Erfurt butMnitt*.

'Staupil«.

LcL »

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

aa. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.

fanden, i. S4> (Middle of October, I5I6-)*

. . . Therefore, take care, as your Tauler' commanrls, lo

persevere, keeping yourself apart and yet accessible to all men,

as is hefitting the son of llic same God and tlie same dmrch.

There is nothing for your schoolmen* to rnar\cl at in my
;>roposiLioas,* or rather tliose of Bartitolonicw BcrnliardJ,*

[aliliough my on-n schoolmen have expressed wonder at them.

'And the propositions were not composed by me. but by Bern-
hardt, moved llierelo by tlic cliatter of the detractors of my
lectures. He did it so that, by a public discussion held, excep-
tionally, under my presidency, tlic moutlis of llie chatterers
might be stoppe*! or the opinions of others be heard. I
offended all very much by denying that the book on true and
false penitence was Augustine's." It is bungling and inept,
nothing if not different from Augtislinc's opinions and learn-
ing. I knew, indeed, that Grattan' and the Master of tlie
Sentences" had taken a good deal from it, which was not
medicine, but poison for consciences. But I offended them
implacably, especially Dr. Cartstadt* because, knowing this,

'Tib IclKr, «ilioul d«l«, It piMcd hj Ea^rs ia Scptcnibcr, Vul tb« tbtc kcrv
girco U nNire IIIkIt. C(. WtJmai, i, itj. and St. Louii, ul, no. 44.

*Tbia ii tbc Eni »lliiuon to Tiiul«, tlie d rnuin.fiiyiilH: <tt]Cl) who influenced
kim •* Mucii. 1 Iwliciri. hnvcvcr, Ihat ihin« n( Tanl«! can be founil in the
Uttrn d( ll*)r 1. »nd jane 11, and per1ia|is April 8 ei thia ftil. Accordirs to
Ik* prrtrnl notk* it »** l^at *i^'> inirnduc«d him in tlii« itril«r. Tnwarili (he
tai of ijtS Laihcr edited in Knoriymaui tract of thii seliiiDl. 10 whieh tic txrr
ikr a>iDe "A Gcrnian ThroloBT-" Cf. Snilb. p. >;. KMilin-KiwerBu. 1. iii,

*Cib>icii*t*c, tollfiwcd of Gabriel B<«l. Ihc lul »I Ibe steal scbaolmrn, iTnoni
«ba*c Aecxiiac* UiU «( Ibr free will wm piominvnl.

*TbMe IbMt». defended \tj Bernbuidi an Sri'lemher ij, ifie. under Luther't
vrtKioKj, deny the pouibilily ol a man*! fulfUllnn God'i commands by Us Ifce
wfll attboal psrc. Weimar, i. uf- K^siltn-Kewefsu, i. iig-jc

■Ot Ftldkirclien in Swabla (■487'i5S>). iiadent si WittenbcM »aA sficr is'fl
patior ef KnnlkCT^

*l.«lbcr mi qniic liglil in dcnjrina in aulbcnticity. Be had a fcccn aenae o(
Mjte. sod vai aCaa cancel in ui(>üiiiig anotber wvik wrong]]' Btiti1>utid t4
AvgoatiBe:.

'Tb* l>Mretuin of UaMer Graiian, compoicd In iW Iwelflh century at lt(>1o|[na
fr«K the d«cmi of ctiaacila and poix*. became Ihc fBundalion of the Caixiii I-iw.

'Peter Lonbard. on wlintr SfHinuu. the ebief text boolc of tncdievtl thcolon,
abo a twetfih century mtlc. Lulhcr hid lectured ijos'ii. For rcferercei i»
Uulr quotatlans fTnin Lamhatd. Ender«, L si.

*Aadrcw BodenMein of CailatadI (-c i48o-i54i) Mudlfld at Erfurt i4gg-is»J. at
Celofn« isoi'4. «hen be wrui 10 WlUenberR wbere be look the doctvfiie of

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENC

Let 31

I dared to deny the authenticity of the book. Therefore, teil
these wondering, or rather wonderful theologians, that they
need not dispute with me what Gabriel said, or what Raphael
said, or what Michael said, i know what Gabriel Biel says,
and it is all very good except when he speaks of graee, charity,
hope, failh and virtue; I have not time to tell in these letters
how much, with his Scolus, he is a Pelagian.'

[Here follows a defence of one of the propositions, with
some dclaib of business.) . . .

21. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Eodcr», (. Ö«. WiTTCNueKG, October 19. iSi6-

Greeting. What displeases me in Erasmus, though a learned
man, is that in interpreling the apostle' on the righteousness
of works, or of the law, or our own righteousness, as the
apostle calls it, he understands only those ceremonial and
figurative observances. Moreover, he will not have the apostle
speak of original sin. in Romans, chapter V, though he admits
that there is such a thing. If he read Augrtsttne's books against
the Pelagians, especially the one on the Spirit and the Letter,
abio the one on the Deserts and the Remission of Sins, also
the one against the two epistles of the Pelagians and like-
wise the one against Julian, almost all of which arc contained
in the eighth volume of his works,* he will sec how little he

dtiinity itis, tMcame Itoctwr and ctnon. ijig visited Roire. S«pl«inb«r itt6 at
Wittnbcni piibli>li«4 iji thart (UstMnc AtiitstI« «nd the (fholutiM, »nd
•Mtrltnc tht dnctrin« of ditcrminiim. In ritS «n«wcrp<l Eik'i MMck ati I.ulltrt
tnd fair. iStQ. drbiwd «ith E^k al L«iptjc n did Lulhcr. Ue wu «tcoauniuu-
uttrd «Itb Lulber hj the tull Eiiurot Demiiv of isjo. Duilni Lulbet'i ftu
ai the Watttmrs nii-j, C*tltU4l led a «cfie» of rrfoUitionaty innoratioi«. On
thr rc(o(Ritr'i iciiirn hv na diacrtditcil, Miihdrcw to UtUmündc t jtj and wm»
Dbli>ed iq leave Suwny in isi4- After a «anderins llfr. in vhicli bt iwbttihcd
■iiu<b on Ihi Mcnment agalnat l.uihtr, Iir wat cillcd in h*ilr in !S)4 ftnJ lived
there ai pnrfcaaor -aniil bii dealli. Hi* llf« In two volum» br H. B*ri:t, isdj.
('/• KOIIcr; LM^rr -•■J C«rI«r«A. 1907.

<TW Ptbciant mn tkc vppgacala o( AnrnttiiM «bo naiatsbwd ataolaU tret
«rtll «Rilmi bla detcnulnhdk

ILulber i> referring ta Erainwi' not«* on At Now Tnluncnt, wbkh «iipcaiied
wtlb Itic Cr<cli cdilion «lioiit Mar«b, I5i(. Lulhei «UaineJ the work aoon
afl«f It wu aut. u my be xea by bla 1«cli>r«a on Bocaa«* (Fufcer: Ltih^rt
Vt»i*twng Hf it* Nöm^hriff, ipoS). Thcae laMc4 fr«n the Mitrnmer *f tft}
la Ibe autumn of 151^ Lntbet'* ti»ttCM of Cnaoua bctla with A« otMb ebapM».

■li^tHon al Kult. ■{•« Tl« D/ j^mra rt mtrt tafojvd a tr*M re^staiien U
Witteaberc. being ediied by Catbladt. Cf. A. Bnaibcft! Oritintt dr la tbMoffr
a» «ion» . (Paiia, ■•■■>. p. a^flT.

Let »I

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

foßowa not only Augustine's opinion, but that of Cyprian.'
Nazianzen,' Rhcticius.' Ircnxns.* Hilary,* Olympius* Inno-
cent,* and Ambrose.* Perchance tlicn he will not only under-
stand (he apostle artght. but will think Augustine deserving
a higher opinion than he now does.

I have no hesitation in disagreeing with Erasmus, because
in intciTircting the Scriptures I consider Jerome as much
inferior to Augvistinc as Erasmus thinks he is superior.' I
ain not betrayed into approving Augustine because I am an
Augiisttnian, £or before I read his books he had no weight
with me whatever, but because 1 see that Jerome, as though
on purpose, saw nothing but the historical sense of the Scrip-
tures, and. strange to say, interpreted them better in hts
vUter dicta, as in liis epistles, than when he set about to do it
in his works.

By no means, therefore, is the righteousness of the law or
of works to Im: understood only of ceremonies, but rather
of the whole decalogue. For whatever good is done outside
the faith of Christ, even if it makes Fabricii and Reguli, men
who were righteous Inrfore men, yet it no more savors of
juslilication than tlo apples of iigs.*" For we are not, as Aris-

itle thinks, made righteous by doing right, except in appear-
ance, but (if I may so express it) when we are rigliieous in
essence wc do right. It is necessary thai tlic character be
changed before the deeds; Abel pleased before his gifts. But
of this elsewhere.

I Ix^ you to do the office of a friend and a Christian and
inform Erasmus of tliis," for as I hope his authority may be

■fas^- ^'* •"■"<■ '"'< citled at Rone u^t, at Venice 1471, and •! Pari» l|tx.

*t^iv«d ■■ the lime of CAnilaatin«. Non« at bii wriKnti an «xtanl; t.ulhrr
fcneii feim only (rfim duUcna bjr Aucuallne.
•or LyMw. 119».
KM Faüiv». Ijfiy.

*STanl*b Bitkoit of dnp ot Con«l*nt[n*. known only (rain AuKu'llne'e ctUtJniu.
'pEtw Innocml 1 t4A>iT) of wime Efia*la ad Comcilnm Carlliaei'mtt Lnllicr
'h thiakiDg.

■Dithap of Milan. IkT-

■On t.ulfacr^ DN^OMihin ot Jerome and Aimviliii«. fliuabert. »f. til. p. iColf.
■Tbl» fa a realniscrace cf ,^ut|u■t{ne. C/. Ititiiack; UUtery u/ Dngina. Tlie
I-knovii Myiuc "tlst the virtues ol llie faealhrn «cie but >i'Iniiil vice*,**
•Itrlbulcd la Aa|E<')*'"*> reel'y Anl «ecu» In Ileacaitpt' Tkt»ditit. C{.
ft«nUU: turtcr iiarf Lathtrikimm.
»C/. Mr*, no. ■■■

TÜfHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut. 2S

great and famous, so I fear lest through it some will be led lo
defend the literal, that is the killing, sense of Scripture of
which Lyra and almost all the commentators after Augustine
are foil. For even Lcf^vre d'Etaples' a man otherwise,
Heaven knows, spiritual and sincere, lacks this proper under-
standing of the Scriptures when he inteqjrets them, although
he has it ahnndantly in his own life and in exhorting others.

You would say that 1 am rasU to bring such men under
the rod of Arislarchus ;* did you not know that I do it for the
sake of thcolog>' and the salvation of my brothers. Farewell,
my Spabtin, and pray for me. In haste, from a corner of our
monastery, on the day after St. Luke's feast, 1516.

Brother Martin Ludi^r, Aufjustinian.

22. SPA1.ATIN TO ERASMUS AT BRUSSELS.
P. S. Allen: Opux <fis\<tlatun
Hrasmt (Oxford, ig«)- ), ii. 415. LociiAt;,' December it, 151&

Oil the occasion of thit Icltcr, r/. supra, no. ai. Erasmus received,
but did not antwer it, and Spatatin wrote again, in November, com-
plaining of his silciiGC, bill received no iTnrnediulc answer to this,
either. C/. Atlen, loc. cit.

... I have recently been asked by an Augusiinian priest,
not less famous for the sanctity of his life than for hig the-
ological erudition, and at the same time a sincere admirer of
3urs, to salute you. and I thought I would do wrong not to
^e the present occasion and write to you, 1>usy as I am, the
'more so because wc hope that the business which now' corn-
pells me to write will be of public interest both to contempo-
raries and to posterity. Therefore, although the Augustinian
monk, a man, believe mc. of the mo^t candid mind and the

■Jimei I..t(#«t«, of Klaplfi in l^caMv- "^h« I'Hle Luthrr." u MicKrlcl til1«<1
tin (c. i4SS-i53<t). afirr itudyjns in IIsIt. Cenuanir and Parü, Htltni in \voj
■I St. Grrm^n •(]?«• Prri (■ chuicti nnw on llx B'lvlcvaril St. Gvmiin m Parii)
■n<l devoltd tiinucll to Bibtical »tndi«. In ijog he pulilltbT<l a QtiMtuplirw
pMoUtfiuwi. or IHilitt in n«c lanfiias«!, of which Luiher ownni and anii^lai'^l a
<Opr (bi* ooi<»in Wdmat. i*. 46 j) in iirj-iA. tic pubtitb«! vtf fint complete tr«ni-
tatlon ot Ihr Bihlc <n f'tencb i^jo. In iszi *r>,l iS'j he w>» tllicl»^ hr 'he
Svrbonac for LuilietatuiiiD. and durlni Fianci* I'l capliritr in ifij trd m
StAMfcuTR, bill lairr rfiurned and fmithcd hll llle at ['arli. On hU ilnctrtnc cl
jmlificalioTi by («.itii. r/. ttuintwrt, ff, fit., j8j, and UarvatJ Theohgval Rnirw,
Uctobcr. I)»! J.

■A prov«fbiail]r Mpti«ua critic of the Mcond century B. C

'A cmO» tltMii mila »otHIiEait n! WlttmlinB.

Vn tfotttiatantm, u la led, U an^annatictl: I 4ucf>(' *» pruitnttrinm.

^Ry uetters

most faithful heart, has, a? they say, put a saddle upon an ox,*
yet moved by his kindness for me. I preferred, if need be, to
expose my rusticity rather than to deny a favor to my friend.
And if you have the goodness and wisdom to understand my
letter in the spirit in which it is written. I hope titat you will not
only take nie into the number of your clients and admirers,
but that since the matter is of some importance, you will
thereby greatly profit all students of the Scriptures and of that
ancient, pure, uncontaminatcd theolo^'. not only of our own,
but of all future ages.

Havtii£ prefaced thus much, I beg you for Christ's sake
lo take my letter in good part, which, God is witness, I have
written for no other puqxisc than that which I have explained
to you. namely, lo satisfy the wish of a very pious friend, to
profii posterity and to become known to a most learned man.
Far from there being any malice in my letter, all of us who
liave devoted ourselves lo tellers are your warm friends. The
monuments of your genius arc so highly esteemed by us that
notliing is sought more eagerly iii the bookstores, nor bought
^Minore quickly, nor read more diligently. My most clement
^Pprinoc, Duke Frederic, of Saxony,* Elector of the Holy Roman
Empire, who {»'not less distinguished for wisdom and piety
and learning than for fortune, has all of your books that we

i could find in his ducal library" and intends to buy whatever
■ \ clastka] proverb lor luianins a tide to one wbo it not fitted hi t«r(«nB it
Cirtro. «rv- ftd .Mikxiia, r. 15.
*EheUT Fmltrrir the Wi»* of Cmnttn« Suonr fu^sMsy s, rsis>. Beotine
•lector la I4>«. mad nade fcia dominion tbc omi pomtful In th« Koip'T- Hit
|<»T*d in imponaat |>tn in the dmioii o( Oiarln V. Jun«, i$i9. lie wa* a
■wrom ef ih« itts. and found«) (be UnWeimiiy at WlticnbriR tjoi. He wu
«•^7 pious, bdone'"* to manr brulheihiioil* iml makiiii a lar^c colleclion of
ttMia, He »■» th» miin luppori of Luihcr for ciahl ycnt». iS'J-'S. IhouBh he
•rrcT H« til» cnepi >t Wotmi. Lslhci ipTiüu ii( hlia In hieh term* in hii itc-
■wei oa RmmuM- Sth^lit, p. ajt (ciits June. i}i6}.

►T*l» vu ■■ WlllcnbttB Tittle U niant a litt of book» bou(]ii for it bf
St*'*'!"- Abiobi tboac of Ihc ynir liii, an Ih« folloirfnc: O/vra Eratmi
tptafcablr <be Lmnbraliane^lat, publiiticd « Antwerp 150J. ijoo and at TAbinfcn

J t5>>, b Bcant. BiHtel^nt Eraimmn^, 1. 1 ig). Vtil»'» Elfo^nliar at\ii AnmflMienrt

^^Bn A'n-Bi« Ttjtamtaimm (both edited by fltaamusl. Ibc Pitilery of Fabcr Stapulcralh

^^■ilkr wottit of Auguallnt, Fluurcb, Cicero, Niiiaiiieci, Jcivisc, Ainbiutc, Ililiry»

^^^ Ko«*>E«f Bi*. Cbrt*o«lsD, AnMlon, and Gene». In 1513 «to baittbl a BMi»

niw tl«ii» fSiiufia, Homtr'* Oifttfy. and Efatmiu' f!nc9»ittm Utriat. Anhiir

fir Ctttktc^l* dti Jeili^hri» BMthkamJflt, 11 iii. l^eiinic, iS^fi. Lnihvr had

•erw* lo Ihne ti<>nln; thnt ii oiw which tTohably belonged (o Fr«-lfTtt ■onotalcd

Rtfcer. It b the fMliehttm Ftbn Siapitlentit, ef. Wciniir. iv. 4^.

«I

LVTHER'S CORKESPONOENCE A>ID

el« you may publish. He recently saw with admiration the
works of St. Jerome so restored by your eclitoriat care that we
may say tliat prior to that we seemed to have nothiog less
than the works of Jerome.'

But why all this ? So that, most kind sir. you may tdicve
that 1 am writing to you with good intentions. My friend
writes mc that In interpreting the aposllc on llic righteous-
ness of works . . . [Here follows an almost word for word
quotation from Luther's letter, supra, no. 31, to . . .] that
some will take occasion by your example to defend the killing,
that is the hteral sense of Scripture, of which aEmast all since
Augustine arc full.

This, most learned sir, is what my friend thought ought
lo be referred to you as to Ihc Pythian Apollo. Pray hear
bim, if not for my sake, for that of the whole republic of
letters. Wherefore you will do what is most pleasing to us,
and also most worthy of your piety, if you kindly deign to
answer my good friend and me, however briefly. You will
thus gratify ray love for you, as my illustrious prince's zeal
and reverence for you and Reiichlin and all learned men. I
will never he the last in loving and revering you. Farewell.
most learned man. . . .

33. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Endert, I. Jt. WiTniinciio, Dcc-cmbcr 14, I5tfi.

... I have written twice to the venerable Franciscan
Father James Vogi,' the elector's confessor, first that he might
give my thanks to the elector for the gift of a gown, which
is of belter cloth than befits a cowl had it not been a prince's
gift; and, secondly, that he might make sure the affair of
the sacred relics, which he commissioned our most reverend
Father Vicar [Staupitz] to gel in the regions of the Rhine;'
but I know not whether tuy letters have arrived or will arrive.

">a ttiit rdiiinn, rf. raff«, n«. ij. rrtjcri« coaM rail llltle LaHb, fab admlrm-

■Ucntlgticd («ic« ot tbiicc in ikc*« Iclicn: be died .^pril is. i.iii.

*Frt4l«ric w» m cttat totlccl^t e( rttlc*. of vbkii be bad by tbi» time moc«
lino $ooff, tpu»ed Id Ui« Ciatle Cfcuich it Witlcnb*rB. Cf, Koldet yfufiu-
litrrc*ntrfg*lt»it, i68, «oSf; P. KUkolI: AUttt und Rel\quirtvrt4ii*fmg i» Jtr
SfUoiiNrtkr »H Wiltt^rrg, Goiha, 1907. I.ultiiir hiiJ eume (o dialika tiboa.

C/. leti«r 10 Spalttlo, Jun« S, isi(. uaniUtH. Snitb. »f.

IM. «J

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

Wherefore will you pl<asc find out about iL The reverend
Father Vicar asked for relics for the elector from the Arch-
bishop oE ColognCi' and the business of procuring tlicse relics
from the commissary of the archbishop was entrusted to the
nib-prior of our monastery at Cologne. But after the departure
^■of Siaupitz, when the chief nun of St. Ursula* was required
^^to hand over the relics, she alleged a prohibilion of the Pope
[ and said that she could not conscientiously comply without
^■ifais mandate or permission. And though a writ of Ihc licenser
was shown her, yet because she doubted its autliority and
signature she has not yet complied. If you wish, you may
tetl the prince cither to send thither a licenser of approved
authority or else to excuse Staupitr.

As to wliat you write alxjut tlie most illustrious prince
speaking of me frequently and praising me, it does not please

rme at -ill. yet I pray th.it the Lord God may give glory to
his humility. For I am not worthy that any man should
speak of me. stUl less tliat a prince stiould do so and least of
all that such a prince should do so. I daily see and expcri-
^^ence tliat those profit me most who speak of me worst. Yet
^■1 pray you permit me to tliank our prince for his favor and
^»kindness, though I would not be praised by you or by any
^V man, for the praise of man is vain and that of God only is
tme, *5 it is written, "not in man, but in the Lord shall my
soul make her lioasl."* and again, "glory not in your own
name, but tn his."' Not that ihey who praise us are to be
reprehended, but that they praise man rather than God, to
whom alone is laud, honor and glory. Amen.

You ask me for my opinion of your plan for translating
some little works into German,* but it is beyond my power

■Flvmiea to» WIed. ucbblihop isoi lo 1S46, wbtn ihe Pope dcpniwd hitn tar
fjttttlns tb« R((arn»tioti. in irbiib hr hid idUKlii <li« iJd of Ruccr mil Mvlancb
Aon. KAadin-IUwcna, ii. 541, 5K1.

■TIm (amou« cbuTcli «nd convent at Cnlusna wfaeic an cihibited tbe boo« at
Ik «ic«en ihoiuand ritxini.

*rMln auiv. 3.

•pHim c*. 3.

*Sp*litln. «bo later tranalaied M*Ian4liib»n'a teei Mmimnut and »trcral of
Lxlbtt'i thinsi, waa at üiia time tiunlting of lianilaiiiiR lome of ihe ihortcr «nKla
of Cruniu. The firit Ihlnc he äÜ iranaloie [tciu iliU nuilior wai a Utter M
Atnonj q( Bcthvii do react, dateil Martb 14. tti4, anJcr Ih« title: Hrrrt Bratmiu
M^trrodammg Btirtfi nt tirrr Atilamj iah Btrf, Aft m Sa'i Btrtin, vpm Jtn

48 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND l,«t. 24

to givt it. Who am I to judge what should either please or
profit the public, since it lies entirely within Cod's grace that
anything shouM do either? Or do you not know that some-
times the more wholesome a thing is the less it pleases? What
is more wholesome than the gospel and Christ? And yet to
most they seem poor and are an odor of death unio death, to
very few an odor of life unto life. Perhaps you will say that you
at least hope to please those who like good things. Here you
have no need of my judgment; the sheep hear eveiy call of
the shepherd, and dee only from the voice of a stranger.
Be assured, therefore, that whate\'er you do, if it is only
good and the voice of Christ, will please and profit, though
only a few, for sheep arc few in this land of wolves.

... Do not follow your own wishes, however good and
pious f for the common monk and priest err often and badly ) ,
but ask permission, or rather wait for a command to do this
or anything imless you wish your work to be straw. I will
add % piece of advice. If you delight in reading pure, sound
theology, like that of the earliest age, and in German, read
the sermons of John Tauler. the Dominican, of which I send
you. as it were, the quintessence.' I have never read either in
Latin or in our own tongue theology more wholesome or
more agreeable to the gospel. Taste and see. therefore, how
8weet is the Lord, as you have first tasted and seen how
bitter is everything in us. Farewell. ,ind pray for me.

nROTtiKR Martin Lutickr, Aitgustinian.

24. LUTHER TO SP.^LATIN.

Eadcrs, i. 36. Wrmxastc, December 26, 1516.*

mtaailfifSltigrti tr^dtn irt Kritft tinä wer Sbrh, naektryti »J «awfwiu mir it*
ffrlrrm irtpr;l>in. I'rinitd tn qmrlo «ilhoBi ptice. due at name of pnitlcr.
Mr. P. Ü. Alien (Ofrnj fpia^lamm Eraitui, L SJi] ;iuta ttiit iraniUtion in I(I4.
bat Ibr iaci Ihii ibe letnr nomU kardlr cireulair «> briiklr tnA ük [iiwii in
the Inter bcrc ■(■nilalcd, wmtld inilkitc ijiA or 1517 m ■ mare protMUe due.
That it evIdeiK« in a Itlter trom Luihcr iv SpalaUo, Deeeabcr »1, 1518, t«
•hav Ibai be knew tbU traniUiioa.

'On Tauler mc «bv*« no. bo. Lulhcr owned ■ tefrf of h{f Mtniims la lbs
•drlicn »( A*g>tBi»| i]«i »iid bit nBrsiml cwlei arc priMt4 Wrinar Ix. 9$.
Tfc« ".(M'lit*«»«!«" it tbe CfraiBB TttMloKr, ■ l'»H by '"< «^ T«uler*a ich««!,
whiti Lulhcr ficibipt kUrlbuled to Tinier, uii »bicb be Gral oJütJ in Ihii r<ar.
Mi* t^rtitr. Wdnur, i. us,

■ Thi« leiTrr 11 pvl by Enden in ijij «n ibc (round thai Luiber an4 lb«
Carwiai» of bla tuse dated tb« n«« jrmr fran CbtiaWAt. Tfc« rnne itaienenl ü
MMie br Knaakc OV«imw. L ig) and br BtMacbncadar of Mdtnebiboa. (Certmt

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

Greeting. Returning yesterday,' excellent Spalatin, I found
your letters somewhat late in the day. Please answer the
boolcseller, Martin,' on my behalf, that he cannot expect to
have my lectures on the Psalms. Though I would rather not
have them printed at all, I am forced to. I have not yet been
able to obey the command, but now, having tiaished lecturing

Ktf»Ttm4toram, L {14.) I lute «Mdpafcd all ihMc Irtltfa «I Luthef, to 1541. (a
vbich the diw IS derided by lb« <ort*nt> htfond dnubt, tnd find that nf i&. r|
aMUBe Ihtt tb« Nf« Vtsr be^n» on Chmttnu, &n<l j dsiD. i5>7, I5j8) (bat
It bettln «n Janmrj 1 or later, t.uthcr (utthrr •xplaiiu fait practU« in b »enimn
ON January '■ *U*> of abich Iha bevinnins ii iF;iori(d in Ibr i«o lollowins Forma:
(Wtimai. xnir. pari i. 1) "Uaa hem hadiEinuni diem <Ut Newcnjanuiic. <inan>
qoaiB no* ChrUlUni nnitrurn ncwrii J<)(tl4it anf.iiigcn, aictil rliani icfihilur 'Anno
■atiKilalu,' dock wallra wir diCMn iic«rn iarilai hinirtiirctAcn. guanquam inctpliu

■ Romania cl bic moi roan»! apui] titn, lub icmpoie Kuinanu »iiinu-%, t.l alii miilta ut
JyriMcrci md Babalun ein ttn atuclk Iirin accundum Romnnoruni boiDloEiuoi
ci ditfiini apprlation»." And: "Man bcj-il diat lag dci Neven jtura ag. in
«|ua circuniciaio CbriMi agatur, Wicwul wjt Clij-itlen beicbrn unHcn nnvjaii tat
an Cbrätlas, Immm illnm non rvUtivitini, qiii a mnrp Knmano hue «cnit. Solden
•fr an daa «eg ■erffcn da* vuo bcydeu bcr kummeC, toturn ji» cirile aC Papato*
trikicnda «airnf.'' Howner (hax (rxK have bren coirunt'd il <a plnin itam Ibin
thai Lulb'f kriFv nf the beginning of the year on January 1, though i( the lime
be >p«üu b* Uiougbi il moi« Cbiiiiian to briin on December if. Thia would
laid na l» ri|>*irl vjrar varialicin in hit practic«. juil aa wc have foutid to bf
tlK a*t, 1 ihefefore Ihlnk that thairKh the prciumritian i« ihat ihr or« ^mi waa
letniB on At laiirr il4le. ye\ Ihr wviiihl ii( pviJence Iruni Ihe contcai o( thr
letter abonld be drcisin. The tcasunn vbr I put ihii letter in 1576 ue lb« Eol
kving: I. LAilhcr »peaki of havii]g: httn onlcrcd thj whom U i> nut known, prob'
•Mr bv Sianpita or poaaiUj ih.t elector) 10 prim hia Dtciat« tfper Pnlitriam.
Tbcae Iccigrei «crc not Aniihcd imtll isi6. In ihc letter tu Lang of Oeltibcr »6.

■ 116, Lniber uya he li "eotltclor Palteni" IT.mitry i. 6j^. and in thia letter tbat
Ac Iccturei "nan ila c<>llceu lunt." Ltilhei'i rcvitli>n wutild be Biore tiMf t«
acciip7 two mcntht (ban ten. a. Lulbct titver iiubliibed the Dulila wbich firat
■pf tared in iB^A. bul in ibe (piins of <5t7 he did publiih a comfneniary on the
Setv» Pmi<eit*taJ Ftatmi. Ki^itlm-Kawcrau, t. i)6. 1 bcliev* ifaia wa* s aob.
Mitut# lor the piiblteali«Ti ol th* wiiDlt. fnr the time agree* caaclly with what it
Mid in tbii letter about being readjr to fiubliib hf Lent, j, Luibef apealcaofbariag
fifiubed Ueluring on I'nul. He 1> thinking nl hii lecluro on Roman« whieb
vrobabtir were finiihe^l by (he beginning cf (he «inter (crm tii6. certainly not
baNee. m th* nunieroua iiootatlona from Kraimui' (ir«rk Tettament (publiahed
Ma«tL i|i6) prove. Cf. Ticker: Lalkm Vorlnino ibrr dm Ritmerbritt, tsoS.
It U ime Ihat in (he letter (a Lang of IDciubei lü he mk> tliai he eipecti to
begin iKtarlng on Galtiiaii* ott ilic lultumiiig day. bui ihi*. ttiauith a difficulty,
n not ao grol aa would be Ihc alternative of phicing the letter in liij. Id may
Ml hare bctun lecturing *i aooii a> be eapected, ot il may be a simpfe ilip.

'The eapUnaticn of tbi« giiren in Linckc: Lalheri Reiteift^chuhu (i^gC).
f. jA, ikM LutbcT bad been called (a Cifuii lu acitlc the dUTicullJc* with Ibc
bctUlj thei^ mciilioned in Ihc leiten of 1114, would be iiaprobablc In any
«irewmatant««, doubly k ii tbi> )*iier !■ in ijii. Lu(her uailc a good many tiipa
00 bwahivaa o( bta order.

■"Marlio« M»MaI«ri," (he aecond word taken by De Wette «1 a proper name.
petbap« "Ktofnafln," Ko tueh bockteller ii Imixkn. Thecr WM a Martin
BetWpolenaUi «I Leifote. and T. Uaneni, '*tbe Aldiu of the Nciherlanda." whs
at Lourain, ifii-iy. SUnpila had frequent dealingi with (he NelhcrUada.

[.UTHER'S COKKESPONDENCe AND

UL ae

on Paul, I can give myself to this work alone. But even
when it is finished, it will not be in such a form that it can be
printed away from me. Moreover, the professors here wish
that it should be published by our phnler.' This cannot be
done before Lent. This also pleases me (if it must be pub-
lished at all), because it will thus come out in poor style;
for those things which arc worked up with good types and
by careful and able printers do not seem lo me to be worthy,
but arc for the most part trifles deserving the sponge. Fare-
well. Hastily,' from the monastery, the day after Cliristmas,
noon, 1516. Bkotiihr Maktin Luder, Augitslitiian.

25. LUTHER TO GEORGE MASCOV, PROVOST tN LEITZKAU.
Enders. i. 76. VViTTKHtiEittt (last month* of 1516).

Mucov, who later hccame erangdical pastor at Lcltitcau. was not
an AuKUtilinian, bul a Pracmontlratrntian whom Luthrr had perlu]>a
come to know throtiKh his biisin^t« relations with tlic town. Cf. letter
to LanK, October 26, 1516, transUletl. Stnitli, .^f.

TI1C <Iaie of ihh letter iectm to be fixed by the allusion to the
plague which raged in Saxony (lurinjt the autumn of i5t&

Be strong in Christ, nor be troubled because hearts and
bodies die. For these arc signs of grace rather tlian of wrath.
For God is most angry when he least shows it, as he says
through EzekicI, "I will he no more angry and my jealousy
shall depart from tlice."* This is to be most feared, for it is
only spoken to the reprobate. At the end of my letter I beg
you lo pray the Lord for me, for I confess to you that my
life daily approaches nearer hell, for 1 become worse and
more miserable all the time. Farewell.

An exiled &on of Adam,

Mabtin LxrritER, /tugustinian.

»6. LUTHER TO CEORCE MASCOV, PROVOST AT LEITZKAU

Ender», i. 77. (1516?)

Greeting. Like your order, [ believe all orders arc run-

■pTolMblir Jphn rnuiiciilwr«. wh» printed ih« Scrtn PtnSwntlal T^mIbib. t-utbcr
«pp*k( of him clHvhrri;, ■* ( pnor, *!•>« prinlar, hin at > GoJ-f(ari»8 mm.

■Tlie fact (hat ilic letter «u writlai hisliljr muiksi it inuie |itohahlc iluil,
lapIHMinc ha had orinl la dale ll I5lf, he «hauli) h*v< 4>lrd it 1J16, joct W
«« ultra put tb« d*t« •( tkt FMt f*u on th* lira dar* «' Juiuaty.

■>lli. t&

rHKR col

iRARY LETTERS

läog dovfn hill and aclUtg slothfully so tliat those n-bo ar«
placed as their guardians may act vigilantly. If, therefore,
you are not able to accomplish anything by peace and good-
ness, I do not advise you to fight ohstinatcly with all your
might againsc the majority of your monks. Give place to
wrath and let the tares ooiite up with the wheat ; it is better
to save the moderate in peace than to disturb all on account
of many. It is better to tolerate many on account oi a few
than to ruin a few on account üf many.

IBrothek Martin Lutheb.
27. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL TO LUTHER.
d«ri, i. 7ÖI NuREUBEUc, January 2, ijiy.

Schcurl (u8i-iM^). of Nurcmbers. visitcJ Italy 1900; LL. D.,
1504; lectured on jurisprudent:« ai Wittenberg 1507-11. Then lie re-
turned to N^uremberg and filled various hi^h offices, f. g., being sent
to rcprcjeni the cities before the Emperor in Spain. 1523, He wat a
warn friend both of the RefurnierB and com« of their oiiiionents.
especially John Edc, until >tK>ut 1523. when he rc-turnccl to the
Catholic Chuich. In i5J3 he passed cliruugh Wittcnbciv without icc-
ing Luther. AUgemeint Deulschf Biographit.

Honored Sir,' and reverend Father, the Augustmian pro-
fession, your splendid virtue and great fame have so made
mc your subject that I greatly desire to be your friend, and
to be inscribed in the catalogtie of your intimates. With our

^common parent and vicar I conversed as much as the bust-
less of each of us permitted, and during several days and

"a part of the night the subject of our talk was frequently
your CÄCcUcncc, goodness and learning. Besides Martin, we
especially desired Otto Beckmann* and Amsdorf.' (The rest
of the letier is chiefly concerned with Staupitz's sermon' on
predestination.]

'Otacquis pants."

»Of Warbvif, Btar P»d»fb»fn, itadied »t De»enl*T, matrieatalcd at L^ipiic tyt/ti:
ft- A, tjoj) eiilcrvd Wtiimfvrj ■S^7i U- A. ijnj, He received • canoinry «id
liimbi bfr« onttl ll>7, whFii bt (pent aome i>c«k* il ErfufI, tcMiicnlatins Utf
ol eiMt. In I!t4, havlnf remained Catholic, h« bicant pric't st Wsrbiirg, ini) m
■ S*r WM ntadi ffovott of St. Cum (Arflilltti) 11 Mäiuter. from which eity lie
«1« scni in ts)« a* delenle u (he Diet of AueibuFc- H« died (n 1)56. He
*u the «Bthne nf Mrtnl hnnli«. A'ckn fO' RtformaUom.iftifi'ithir, vü. I5(lf.

■Kichalu Ton Ancdoif (Detcinbcr j. t^gj-MiT 14. ts6s), I.utber'i noil detoted
faUOBer, hnm at Totiid. railticiilat«4 at t.«ip*)e iioo and at Wtrnnbarf 1501,

LVTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

L«L aS

28- LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG.
Enden, i. 81. Wittenbekc, January 27, 1517.

Greeting. Learned and kind Christopher, I received your
letter, which to me was both very pleasant and very sad.
Why do you frown? For what could you write inore agree-
able than the well merited praises of the reverend father, or
rather of Christ in his vessel, our vicar? Nothing can please
nie more than to hear that Christ is preached, beard and
received, or rather lived, felt and uiiderslaud. Again, what
could you write more bitter than that you <1estre my friend-
:>hip, and than the many empty titles with wbidi you load me?
I do not wish you to he my friend, for my friendship will
bring you not glory, but danger, if, at least, that proverb is
true that friends have all things in common. Wherefore, if
you partake of what I have by this friendship, you will find
yourself richer in nothing but sin. folly and ignominy. Such
arc the qualities in me, which, as 1 have said, you called by
such contrary epithets. But 1 know that you savor of Christ
and you will say: ! admire not you, but Cbnst in you. To
which I answer; How can Christ, true righteousness, dwell
with sin and folly? Nay, it is the height of arrogance to
prcsun^ie that you are the haliitation of Christ, excet^t that
this boast is easily permitted to the apostles. Therefore I
congratulate your happiness in hecoming the familiar friend
of our father. Staupitz, but I pray you spare your honor and
do not degenerate into my friendship, even though the rev-
erend father himself, not without peril to mc, boasts of nie
c^-erywhere and saya: "I preach not you, but Christ in you."
and r must believe it. Rut it is bard to believe. For this is the
unhappincss of this wretched life, that the more numerous and

hrrominff U. A. in ifa* anil liccntiat« in rTieoloaii rs>i. To bim Luiher dcdinlcil
ihc AUrtst (o Ih* Ctriuan Nobilily, 1510 (Smith, 79). In 1511 kc ■ccani|i«DMd
Lutbcr to Womit. I>i 1J14 he was called lu Mttd«burc In im bt tmk a
prajiiitirnl pin in Liitl>cr*i <|uBtttl with Krairaui, which bruuglil him inio irauMc
«lib llt-latietHbon inj ßuccc. In 1 )4> Lulbtt cgnircialcü him F.vanKelical &ishi>i>
ot Naumburg, wlikk jwiitinn he «<■ cbliicd <o vacate in convequeni;« of the
Schnulkalük war (1147}. In i}Si l>c nblainrd a potiliiin at Eiacnacti. tti» latt
7«ari «err ditlurWri by qiunel» «ilh o'htt l.iilhrrint. KfalfiytlafSdif.

*Dr Eriiul<«nt ttlrrntt frtdtilinaltonu, «hieb Scb«UFl (ra&italcd infa Ccraiaa.
On tbia work M<t T. K«1ibr AHgtttlinlr-CvnfrtgMuti», »Ha. and HuMbert:
Otigio*! lit la llitt>Ug^r m^itrft. It ihovi marked in)lii«D«e of I^tfacr'i idM»

Ml hii (omcr t««<her. K»lile. op. rti-, p- »Dfr.

Let J9

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

unanimous are the voices of our friends praising us, tlie
more hurtful they are, as it is written:' "a man's enemies
are those of his own household." and again, "tliose who
praised me conspired against nie.'** For God's favor recedes
as man's advances. For God will be your only friend, or will

I not be your friend at all. . . .
[ I do not write this, excellent Christopher, in scorn of your
Bprtght and kind intentions, but because I fear for myself.
Vou do the oflRcc of a pious Christian, who ought to despise
none but himiself, but 1 must also trj' lo be a Christian like
you (if our future friendship is to be solid), that i^, to despise
myself. For he is not a Christian who receives a man on
account of bis learning, virtue, sanctity and fame (for thus
iJie genliles do and the little poels.' as they call therisclvcs.
of our age), but he who cherisiics the destitute, the poor,
the foolish, the sinner and the wretched. . , .
Behold your verbose friend ; do you as a friend be a patient

rdcr.
Brother Martin LxmeA,
On« of the Hermits of the Sect of St. Augustine.
39. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL TO JOHN ECK AT
mGOLST.\DT.

• Christoph SthtnrU Britfbitck, bg. von Soden und Knaake, a v. Pots-
I dun. l8&7-7a, ii. a. Nubgmbwc. January 14, 1517.

John Maicr of Eck (November 13, 148fr Fchtuary 10, 154JI in
Swabia, irutrtcuUtcd ai Heidelberg in i+oS, at Tubingen in 1499. tak-
ing the dcifrce of B. A. there in the same year, and M. A. in 1501.
From 1502-10 he was at the universiij- o( Frcitmrg in Brcitga«. be-
cofDing D. D, in the latt named year. He (published several things,
amonji ihern t)ic Oiryssopassus (! r/. Revebtions, xai. 20). Front
1510 till hi« death he was professor at Ingolstadt. In 1514, at the
rajDcst of the banking house of Fuxser in Augsburg, he maintained
the juMicc fit taking intrrest at 5 per ceiit.. and debated (be «ubjcct
■n 1515 at Bologna, and in i;i~ st Vicuna. He was anxious to dis-
tinguish himself, and early in !i^^ atiarkcd Erasinus for saying that
the Greek of the Kew Testament was rot as good a.* that of Demos-
tbcncs. About tlie same time Scheurl tent him LuthcT's Theies,
wbicli be answered in a work called Obelisks. A debate bccwem faim

'»bitlK« I. it.

'TmJiii <il. 9.

Tic huBkaeJMs (tcqnMUj talM lbMn««l<m poeK.

LUTHER'S COTIRESPONDENCE AND

Let. JO

on one side and Luiher and CarlsiaJt on (li< oih« w« arranged at
L*ii)8ic. June and July, ifiig. In March, i^m, he was at Rome, where
be was target)- tnururarnul in drawing up ih« biill Ejrsurj/r Domine
againtt Luther. He was entrusted with the pubtication of it in Ger-
niajijr in the autumn of ihc same year. In 1530 he was the Catholic
pnMaKotii^t at the Diet of Augsburg, and after that in several rcliKiwn
conferences, notably that of Ratisbon. 1541. Cf. RtalencyctofädU;
Grcving: Heformationgejrhicluliche Stitdun und TtxU. Hefte L. i»,
v.; H. E. Jacobs, in Paptrj oj AmtrUan Svc. of Ck. Httlery, ad
Scries. iL, 1910.

. . . Among Lhc theologians [at Wittenberg) the most
eminent arc Martin Luther, the Aiigiistiiiian. who expounds
the epistles of the Tarsan with tnarvcUous genius. Carlstadt,
Amsdorff. Kcltkirchcn (Bcmhardi], and others. If you wish
to make die acquaintance of any of them, und out if wc can
do anything for you.

30. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enders, i. 87. Wittenboc, March 1, 1317.

. . . ]f the Psalms' translated and explained by me in
German please no one. yet they please me exceeding well.*
John Grünenberg, the printer, is waiting for you to fmish
those I sent you.

I am reading our Erasmus, and my opinion of him becomes
daily worse. He pleases me, indeed, for boldly and learnedly
coDvtcting and condemning monks and priests of inveterate
ignorance, but I fear that he does not sufficiently advance
the cause of Christ and God's grace, Jn which he is much
more ignorant than Lefevre d'ßlaples, for human considera-
tions weigh with him more than divine. I judge him with
reluctance, and only to warn you not to read all his works,
or rather not to accept all without scrutiny. For our times
arc very perilous and everyone who knows Greek and Hebrew

■J>i« nrb/D BwiiPfilmt*. WIncntKTit. tjiT. Thli «-u Luihci'i drat (■iiblictiliii
vritlm bT hiniwU (the rttj litit hannt beon ttar Ofraiaii Tlitahah prkiiod April.
I.vltier b peibai« )rTi<IInit tbcm i» Laii| (or rcvkion br IhM friend wIm ko««
Hebrew, fiqiniiied. Wnnxr, i. 1S4B.

'Lulher prabkltly mtani llial ility pltoar hiio huaujt lhr> «Itl pit»: iw oot
ct*e, (or hie conaidcied ihU tb« lurr«! *ifn of divin* fa*ar. Cf. the letter of
DK«IBb«r It, i)it. '■hrr« be ny* he fttlci* lo hi» Ibcm cana eat in poor
for«. Knaake (Wgitnir, i. isjI icfibi to min Uiii meanina oben he m^*: "Luther
hatM Mfaio bcMtklM t'reud* an ibDea.**

Let 31 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS S5

is nol (or that reason a wise Christian, seeing that Jerotne,'
with bis five languagirs. did not equal Augustine with his one,
aJlhough £ra<imu5; thinks him so superior. But the opinion
'of him who attributes something to man's will is far different
from the opinion of him who knows nothing but grace.* I
much prefer to conceal thi-s opinion for fear of confirming
ibe enemies of Erasmus; the Lord will perchance give him
understanding in his own time. Farewell and salute Uie pro- .
fcssors and Lciffer, and inquire whether Trutfelter" has
deigned to answer anything.'

feBKOTHER Martin Luther, Augttstinian Vicar.
31. LUTHER TO SP.-VLATIN.
8;». (Wrrn-NBEac, Spring of 1517.)

Ig. As you wish, excellent Sir. I am sending you
the Latin tract on predestination,' and if you wish it in
German, 1 send you also Schcurl's translation, which is more
omate than the original. Of all the books, I have kept only
The Itttitalion of Christ's Death* for myself, the others 1 have
given away. Therefore use my copy and I will sec if I can
get some more. The third book," the little Adam, is unlike

^^ 'II H intOMtine to ir< Ibal Ihc inbjfit cf th< great lirbalc liclw<^en Erooiui
and Lulhcf, iSM-s, »u (hut arly c\ttt\y defined.

'JnttMoi TtulfMOr (c. uta-e, Mtctmhtr i, tits) »f Eiaenach, nulrÄuUled >l
Efhitt 14;^ btcaine M. A. tdS«. lachilor of divlaity 1480 >nd O. 0. ijo«. He
UMghl lofiic on «tilch be (lubliiJttd a ■luinbrt o[ baoka of Ibe "madeni." i. f.,
OoclMiM Kboot. Id IS07 be vu c*l1ed lo teacli at Wliipnbert. where tm «u
cleeted Becior at once, an<1 on liaj 1. tsoR, Ucan of tbr throloaical laculif.
Allrt a Tlolcnl quarrel with »»mc of hit ciitlruiii*. lie returned C4 Erfurt in lb«
wmmoMT of 131D, wbtrc be t^maincd as profoior Ibc teal «i bU life. lAtt b^
G. nill. iB76>

Tli« refn* W a ItiUt of Lutbcr lu Lan«. Ftbiuary 8 (tniaUxed Snillli. a6J
in vbkb (be writrr cncltKed Mm« pToifoiiiloni cililcliiiig the prtralcnt tosk and
eipecially AiUtolle, «bleb be deaJred to have canaiinlcaicd 10 Trutfclter and
ttainpn.

*nEa it the wrmon of StaupiU. Lib*ltiit it eettulient »rlrrnat ^ratdittiiMitnit,
■MbMiMl br Scbeurl, Jinuary a, tfif. Stlieurl tnniUled it, and aJilcii both
the CcnBati, Jamiary so. and Ibe Larln, February 6. Cf. Hunb«n, of. eil., jiSff.

•Stiapiti' £■■ bmthltm ran dtr nachf^ltu't i" villiffnt lirrbnu Chtitti.
Uimic rtit.

•Lniber neaoa bli cJition of Üw Ctrmtn Tkrtlegy of iti6. of «hich tbe (iUa
*■■: Eyt> gryiUitk nSItt BucUfyin. von uthltr umti'jfhfyit und vtnUmd. Wbi
ätT all ■>• n«w M<MieA« «n>. Wat Adamr ■ni wai geltü kini iry. Uam irff
(filwa jnn ■■/ tterbtm iiaaJ ChryHms tnim tail. Cf. Wdinir, L ijj.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut ji

anything that has ever come into my liands {I lie not)
and most theological. I send it, but 1 shall be sorry 1 have
dcue so if you read it carelessly. Behold most learned
Erasmus and Jerome so much praised by him! I do not
know whctljer they could compose such a book, but I know
they have not done so.

I no longer have the Psalms, but the printer.' Truly, I am
sorry that you want tliem so much, for ihcy are not published
for choice minds, but for the simplest, of whom I have to
bear with many. Therefore they are not provided with
learned apparatus and are without parallel passages in Scrip-
ture, and, tliougli very verbose, strange to &ay, insufRciently
explained. For their subject is foreign to men, or rather they
are incapable of understanding it. So it is not for your mind
to cat prcdigcsted food like this. You already have enough
in the works just mentioned, or if they are not enough, I beg
you trust yourself to mc this once, and with all your power
lay hold on the book of Taulcr's scnnons, of which I spoke
to you before. You can easily get it from Christian Döring,'
a most theological man. From this book you will see how
the learning of our age Is iron, or rather earthen, be it Greek,
Latin or Hebrew, compared to the learning of this true piety.
Farewell.

My opinion of Wimpina's book on predestination' is the
same as Carlstadt's, namely, that he has labored in vain as
far as the subject goes. You can easily form an opinion of
the labored elegance of his style. Even if the theses he tries
to prove were true, he should not draw the conclusions which
he does from it.

Th» Stvtii FniltnlM PiiJmt.

>A RoldimLlh »bo wn> atM a prtnt«r tad b^okMlItr, raenttoned often %)r Luiber
at > frivnil 11c ilicd dm 1514.

*Df imma frevidtiuta. Fi»nkfon a. O. March t, isi6. Conrad Kocfc, kn»wn
as WimpIi-kB (c. i(4<i'MiT >7. MJ'). in*<iicula(cil ai l-tiruli H19, B. A. uSt.

M. A. I4t6, dMtoi ihcal. ijoi. At tbis time, or pcnhaps earlier, he T!iitc4
Rome. He wm involved in • '<iuarrel with Ti^llii;!), Col mtor nf Wln^nhcii-
Is i]o6 he vu calleil bf ibc dcctar a( BrBndeiiUura to be deto of t)i« new
nnlverticjr of FrnnWfotMnlhcOdor, wbtr« he ipcnl iht rr»i of hi» HI*. In 1517
ha had a conlrovrny with Kgnnua vhich wilt I» naliccd below. On January M".
ijil, John TtlieP. Ibe induUirte preath«r, t»oV Liithir't TXnti lo FiBnli(i>rt and
wd. Wintpina't b«lp conpotcd a Kply. In i;*s bt «rot« (be Aiattphtlaraiu
(prinwd i^iS) atainii Luther and in ttj« w» at the Dttt of AuRiburE- Ule br
J. Nes«^. tOB9-

let. 34

OTHER CONTl-MPORARY LETTERS

32. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL TO LUTHER.
Enden, L gs. Ndreuberc, April i, 1517.

Honored Sir; — I lold my friend, John Eck,' about your
virtue, which makes him desirous of knowing you. He does
not write, but sends you the book of his disputation.' I
doubt not that yoa will answer him and discharge my obliga-
tion. 3S you think it base to be conquered in love or over-
come in kindness. PIca.sc write him cordially, for I think
him wortliy of your friendship. The reverend father' speaks
of you often and hopea you arc well. I desire to commend
myself to your prayers. Beckinann will explain what the
Empcfor* is doing. Farewell.

Dr. C. S.

33. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

End«», i. 94. WrrTENBttfi, April j. 1517.

Good men have told me, excellent Sir. that you were the
trustee for the estate of the late Dr. Rcutcr,' to distribute
cIothioR to tlie poor. I have, therefore, been requested to ask
you for something for this youth Wolfgang,* whom wc are
maintaining her« from charity; he is an honest and promising

■ ■ « *

34. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
En<)«fa. i. «. (WiTTtSBEic, April 9, tst?.)

Greeting. I tliank you. dear .Spalatin. for your splendid
lination towards me. For I look at the mind only, which
is to be preferred to all gifts. You ask me to tell you what
>-ou ought to read these days; I advise Augustine on the
grace of the New Testament to Honoratus, in which he aläo

*Ct. titfra, no. n-

^Dtit'tUto Ja«a. Etta Thttloti Cirniur Pattnoniat Kabila. AiiE*tnirc Feb-
mur '■ 'f<7' ^ laklnf latcrcit.

■Sianplu:

*Ttril nftiB 10 ibe eodeiven of MuimilUn w ict bia trandion Chailci ekctrd
Uac of ibe Rcnikiu.

*lffliH Rct)t«T of Mclkr*iaiit, H. A. tri C«lpgne, nuiitcuUtMl v Wittenberg
Ifns, died isrfi.

■Wolfvuif fiicbcfgcf af IfiniMh. matricuUted 1513, In ijif WM Ulm inU ih«
BUck OaiiMr «kef« be beeaae • ton of a »ervsnt. After all Iht monka bad 1«tt
bsi LuiImt. he rpnuliwd *t hi« (aJthfnl wrrjnl for m»ar yttn. See Kraker:

1.UTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND

IA3S

treats Psalm, xxii., so suitable for this season, or else Hilary's
Explanation of the Psalms, or else Cyprian's not inept ser-
mons, or Augustine on John, beginning witK chapter xiü.,
which narrates the events of Easter week. I shall try, if I am
able, to-morrow to teach how Clirisl may be seen in every
man.' Farewell.

Martin Littues.

35, LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG.
Eoder«, J. 96. V/rmnBac, May 6, is>7-

Greeting. Dear Sir, I thank you for your gifts of Staupilz's
works, but I am sorry that the reverend father distributed
my foolish trifles' among you. For they were not written for
Nurembcrgcrs, that is, for delicate, discerning souls, but for
Saxons, rude people as you know, who need their Christian
doctrine chewed and predigested for them with all possible
care But even if I wished it, I would not be able to write
anything tolerable to I-alin ears, less llian ever now that 1
have chosen to devote myself to the service of tlie dull crowd.
Wherefore I pray you keep my book from the inspection of
ÜIC teamed as much as you can.

I have written a friendly and careful letter to our Eck as
you asked mc* but I do not know whether it has reached
him.

I am sending you these declarations, which they call Theses,
and through you to Father Wenzel Link, and to any others
who may care for this sort of tidbit If I mistake not, you
have here not tlie Paradoxes of Cicero,' but those of our
Carlsladt,' or rather of St. Augustine, which are as much
more wonderful and worthy than those of Cicero, as Augus-
tine or rather Christ is more worthy than Cicero. For these
Paradoxes convict of carelessness or ignorance all lliose to
whom they seem more paradox than orthodox, not to say
(hose who, having not read, or not understood, Paul and
Augustine, rashly judge them heterodox,' blinding themselves

T»o »ctmoni Dr piMicn» Chriiii, Wcimr, i, 3)5.

*/. »., the Srvrn Pntilmiiai Pietmi.

■CiccrenU Parana*» »4 M. Brmhnm.

«On CuUladt'* TktKt, t/. ^>^^r^. p. 4*. tte.

tCacodoxk.

and otliers. They arc paradoxes to men of metliocre ability,
»■ho had not thought of Ihem, but they arc good doctrine and
fair doctrine to the wise, and to me the best of doctrine.'
Blessed be God who again commands light to shine in the
darkness. . . .

Bkotker Martin Luder, Augustinian.

j6l LUTHER TO GEORGE MASCOV. PROVOST IN LEITZKAU.
Endcfs, i. g8. WiTTtwratRc, M.iy 17, 1517.

Greeting, ] sympathize, Reverend Father; I pity the fall
of your brother and ours ; he yesterday, wc to-day, or rather
be yesterday, we yesterday, to-day and always are sons of
Adam and, therefore, do the works of Adam, Yet wc mU3t
not despair of God's powerful hand. It is difficult for me
to judge and coimsel you what to do with him, especially as
I do not know your rules. H they do not punish such a
transgression with death or life-long imprisonment, it seems
to me that he should be made to suffer the full penally. For

»it is not you who punish him thus, but justice and the law
of which you arc not the judge, but the officer. Let not the
thought that you arc an equal or greater ainner move you.
It is enough to confess this to God. It is edifying to think
that wc must almost always correct those who arc better tlian
ourselves, teach those who arc more learned, help the worthier,
that the saying of the Lord' may be established, that the
princes of the nations rule over them as their inferiors, but
the princes of the faithful serve them as their superiors; for,
be says, whosoever is greatest amongst you let him be your
servant. Therefore keep your heart humble and gentle to
this man, but show the power of a. strong hand, since the
power is not yours, but God's, but the humility ought not
to be God's, but yours. Who knows whether he was per-
mitted to make the stench of his sin public because he could
not cure it in secret, but only by public shame. God is
wonderful in all hts ways above the sons of men. He cures
many of sin by sin, as poison is coimteracted by poison. Where-

<"Saitl igilui pandaxt modcttl*. ei qui non cb cognoTCtliil. led ciidojca ct
ealodom «cicntibiu. mihi vet« «rittodox»."
•Luke ixil. 11.

LUTHER-S CORRESPONDENCE AND UL »

fore ht not afraid; it is the Lord who does this. Praise
and love fiim and pray him for this poor man and for me
more devoutly. Farewell.

Brotiiek Martin Luthes, Auffuslinian.

37. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enders, i. toi. WiTTEKsexa, July 16, 1517.

I am preparing six or seven candidates for the master's
examination, of whom one, Adrian,' is preparing theses to
shame Aristotle, for whom I want to make as nian^ enemies
ami as quickly as I can. . . .

3a LUTHER TO SPALATIN AT WITTENBERG.
Ender», i. ros- (WiTTExatKC, end of August. I5i7.>

Greeting, Do you and the confessor,' with his friend, come
about nine o'clock,' If Christopher Scheiirl, as ambassador,*
is with you. let him come, too; otherwise. I have asked Beck-
mann to invite him. rarcwell. Try to get some wine for us,
for you know you are coming from the castle to the cloister,^
not from the cloister to the castle.

Brotder Maeitin Lutrea.

39. luther to john lang at erfurt.

■r>, i. «KSt WrrrrNnnic, September 4, 1517,

Greeting, t have sent to you by Beckmann' my Theses

against Schofastie Theology/ and my sermons on the Ten

Commandments,^ but I did not have time to write then, as

his departure was announced to me suddenly. But I am

'Adrian of Anlwcf|>. mcntionn) in Ihr Itttti of October, iji6. »tic died « mtitTT
(a ihr tviriBrlic (■■lb in I5]>. On the theiH tf. i»f'a. na. jg.

■Jftinca VoB<- H« ud Spaltiin wer« bolb •tHndini the cImiot u (b* eatti*.

■T*n in tbt f&omtnt oai the mual hour tm (he principal meal, (upper brint
•baul five p. m. tl mad be fcmcnbcrod Lulber and bi> eontempararii* roM •■
(our or Aie in the marniiiB.

*ll it nnl hnaiftn wbai Sebtarl** biulneti At Witl«ib«*g «u. He bad pi«vlA«wl|t
taut hi jur »prudence Ihrrc.

'Wbo maa now f,aint lo iWdlr «I Eriufi

♦Thi» wa» lUe ilitpulallon uiMer l.utbct'n nriidCRtr by Fiancia Giinthtr of
Ifnrdliiiiio on bii pivmulion lo ihe fiiM lbcoV>t>caI degree (baccstaurciu ad BibUa},
held 0(1 Ih« Tcrj day tbii Idler ma «ritDcK Printed, Weimar. L an.

*Tb* Dttrm Prettrfi* Wiitfhfrfrnti f»«»*S(«M piffnlo, lermon» detirercd (tota
ibe ■unraer of isiA l« 1-tnt iji?, but nut piinled until ijiS, Wtiaut, 1. jy^

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

waiting with Ihc greatest ragcrncss and anxiety to know what
you think of these paradoxes. Truly I fear that they will
seem not only paradox, but heterodox, to your teachers, which
can be only orthodox to us. Please let me know this as soon
as possible, and assure my truly reverend masters in the the-
ological faculty and in the other departments, that I am most
ready to come and defend the theses publicly, cither in the
university or in the monastery, so that they may not think I
am whispering in a corner, i f , indeed, they esteem our
university so meanly as to think it a corner,

1 am sending you the Ten Commandments in both Latin
and German,' so that if you wish you may preach them to
the people, for it is that I did according to the gospel precept
as I understand it. . . . Farewell.

Brothiui Maktin Luder.

P. S. — Please send back as soon as possible my lectures
on Galattans,' for the copy belongs to Brother Augustine
Himmel.' of Cologne.

40 LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG.
Endcrs, i. loR WamsNEEKc. September it, 15]/.

Greeting. Sweet Christopher, even if tliis letter has no
occasion worthy of a man so great as you, yet I thought I
had sufficient reason to write only in our friendship, not
rt^rding the titles with which you are worthily adome<l, but
only your pure, upright, kind and recent affection for me.
For, if ever silence is a fault, it is silence between friends.
for a little nonsense now and then fosters and even perfects
friendship as much as graviiy does. . . . Wherefore 1 pre-
ferred to write nonsense, rather than not to write at all. And

■Lulker't text U kiMwn only ir Latin: whrn ■ GermaB vemion kp»«ared at Bui«
[b iSMk it wm« mi4> !>)> S*lna!l>n MiinitlFr,

*T;b««e wr the Ircimr« on (•aliitsm bi-jiiin October »j. t{i6 (ff. mfnt. p. 49).
kot not firinTtil titillt isid. und thfo in ■ riviicil lotDt. A topf ot th* ori«lnal
tfciutc« by an unknown itililent it clill ]n raiitrmv. K'llllin-Kattrimti, i. tor.
nolr * Accördinf In Ihii ihr iMtuir« mt finishH March tj, 151;.

*IIo(n Bl Emmrrich am KliHn. oiatrlculiled >1 Wiltcribrrt iti6, returned ijii
to ColocnT* «hcie bis Icctutn wrn- fucbidiltn. ibcn Id WitletibcrE aialn. He ns
■I IjiUKr'i rrcnRinienilatJDn rnnile panci fir» o[ Keuiudt amOdor and Ibca »(
Coldlu 15*9- Bt siKtMdtd Sialatin <t5«i> at Ahnibiin and rfied (here isss-
Eader«. <ri >«■.

62 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let 41

how, ye gods, could that Brother Martin, falsely called a
theologian, write anything but nonsense, since he has Wen
reared amidst the hissing and frying of syllogisms, and has
had no time to cultivate his pen ? . . .

Of the valuable' books of Slaupitz, which you sent m« by
Ulrich Finder," I sold part ; part I gave to good friends
of tfie reverend author, and as you bade, 1 devoted the money
to the pour; that is, I spent it on my brothers and myself,
for 1 know none poorer. Please send mc, if possible, some
more books with the same command, worth a gulden, which
I will repay you. For some persons still want the books.

I am sending my propositions,* which will seem paradoxes, j
if not heterodox, to many, which you may show to our Icamcrl
and ingenious Hck, so that I may hear and see what he has
to say about thetn. . . .

Brother Martim Lüder,
Auguslinian of IVUtenberg.

41. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURI. TO LUTHER.

Endcrs, i. ill. Nuiuuboc, September 30. mj.

Greeting in Jesus Christ. You have certainly done well,
reverend and learned Father, to write and excuse your silence,
for it is known to many that I am an Augustinian who think
it base to be conquered in lo/e. Our special friend, Wenzel
Link, a good and learned man. bears witness to this. , . .
Among others, the most conspicuous for learning and sanctity
Is Jerome Ebner, the honey and darling of Nuremberg, a
duumvir.' and of all men the kindest and most upright, lie
is most devoted to your eminence, at table he hears and speaks
of you, he has, reads and admires your Decalogue, Proposi-
tion^ and other publications.* ... I will send you fifteen

'"FerBi pro » »utelt." wOflh aboul two (tulden. Or one dollar, Otn pgrchaÜnK
f^vft of innn*y it t}ul timr being neirl]r Iwrnly hmn whal it [■ now.

*Or Nitr«int>«rf. inairicttlucd at Wiit«nbert i;ii. sttidlfd Iaw, and (»eanv
ffoftsKtr of It 10 \%ts. Tte neitl j««r he ww »ent on vt embuiy by th« «leclo«
IS lb« Emptor In Srai"'

•On HfaelMtie phflMaphy. rt. \m*\ Irllrr.

*Nar*nb«rB. > fr«« dir, *>• ruled by i«o olScen call«) in C«r>n*n "T..iwtins«T.'*
E%n«T <Januu7 j. i4T7-Aututi 36, is»), bcmnc «econd ijMUBfvr 1115. Bnl
IjMiioit^ itid Iflilt« of the Kmpirc ii.*4.

*S(« Ihi letter.

*rbc Gtrmun T/iMiefy or the Snren Ptntltnlitl PmIhu.

I^eL 4*

OTHER CO!

)RARY LETTERS

copies of Staupitz's tract as soon as I can and for a gift. I
will send your Propositions oh Scholastic Theology to Eck,
and would like to scud them to the theologians of Cologne
and Heidelberg, for 1 know several of them. Farewell.

Eadcrs. L »t.

43. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

(Earljf in November, 1517.)

Greeting, I have determined, dear Spalatin, never lo com-
municate the Dialogue' to anyone. My only reason is that it
is so merry, so learned, so ingenious (that is, so Erasmian),
that it makes the reader laugh and joke at the vices and
miseries of Christ's church, for which rather every Christian
oufht to pray and weep. But as you ask for it, here it is,
read it and use it and then return il.

I do not wish my Theses' to come into the hands of the
illustrious elector or of any of the courtiers before they are
received by tliose who believe that lliey are branded by them,
lest perchance it be thought that 1 had published them at tlie
instigation of the elector* against the Bishop of Magdeburg,*

'F. A. F. Pettaf Stgii libtltut de obitu Juiii P. M. t jij. Kcprintfil In Backing:
Hwtttmi aftra <(S)i9-6t), i*. 4>r, >(i<l in Jailin'a Life a( Eratmiu <i7]!<-6a), ii.
Ao«'^». TriD*UI«l in Frouilc'a Brcimii4. Th« sn4hnr«hi|> i« much disputed.
^"■»fc" (Weimar vi- 30j) »n't PMtar: Hittery sf ihr Puprt. Entliib tranililion
tr Aniretai«. *1. 43)1. nolp. ailribuie it m Fiuitui Andrrllnui Karllvieiu^a;
JafMn. Ut. ri*^ ond Kichol«* EpulUt cf Eraimui dooi-*). li. «So, eive ii lo
III ni»iM. on Ihr (rmiiKl of a Ult« from Mar« to Kroimii*; to iIoH Allen: Opvi
fpistcltnim E*iumi, Ep. iot. Bui ef. Mr<rc*i itsicmenl. Jonia ii. 666. Luther
M ene liMc tkonihl of InnsUiini ihc iÜbIoeuc. but t^it It up Uuitit be eonlil
a«t d> li jmtict. Kroker: ttuhtri TitehrtJtti (190J) no. •$■ C/. infn,
Fdamwy »o, i;i9. do. ijd-

The ftmxit Kifictj'Ri'c ThcK* on tndulncncts. ürprlniH Weimar, t. aj], uid
is Lttthfrt fi'i'ir in AiumSl, cil. O. Ckmcn, ifjia. i. t. Th«T w«n firft printed
is Ocwbcl and «enl »ound to vnioi» Chiircli disnltuU«, loctudint Allwrt ol
thyvno«. On Odabn )i Lulfcer putrd Ihem en llie door of ihs CauU Churcfa.
Cf. Snilh, of ril.. 4i>fl.

VAIbcrl wa* a rival of Fredciic in other tnttter« bctidei toltcellnf reliu. tt(
«kicli Lather iftäkm In hit ]*eiaft-i an Romona. Xtkntia. ]«f, Lnih^r Mi«ral
lUDei dcfmda kiniclf ■riiiut ibe chirs« hert tDcntionod. «. g., in bU Wi4ir
How 14 nr)!. \na.

*Atlwrl rjnnc so. tiioo'Sefl ember 11. i;«;). wai tbf lecond ton of the VXtttm
|»b« Cirero of RrftiwIrattiirB and M>r|[i»rl. a ditmhter of William o( Saxonr-
Dtx^ned Eo ttie CbiiTch, hii fiRTily iRUunice caily «ccitrcd htm advincernmt.
I* liij he tM<an<e Atcbbimhop of JIaRdebiirt *n<l AdmlnNiraior of ttiltieniAitt.
asd on Uarch 0. 15)4. vav elected Atchbi9hi>i> and Kleciof of Mayener and
Pmoate o( Gennany. Fur parol confirmatiori in Ihew illcEal pluratiri» he had
10 o«r cav(in»ua «utu, far raisini whlcb Pope Leo X, in Auiruil, i;i5, itrKnicil
an IndulRtaec nie f°T ciiht jKvt. Luther, wht> iiad «trendy prtMhf^l asainn
IfH^'f***' My<ial lini«i, on (Jclobre 31, 1517. potted Ibr famout Nioftj-fvt

LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let.«

as 1 already hear some persons dream. But now, wc can
even swear that they were published without the knowledge oi
Frederic. More at another lime, for now I am very busy.
FarewelL Brother Martin Eleutherius/

Augustinian of Wittenberg,

P. S. — You wrote mc that the elector had promised me a
gown; I would like to know to whom he gave the commission.

43. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enden, i. 124. Wittenbeho, November n, IJJ?.

Greeting in Christ, Behold I am sending you some more
paradoxes,' reverend Father in Christ. Even if your theolo-
gians are offended, and say, as tliey all continually do. that 1
am rash, proud and hasty in condeinninig the opinions of
Others, I answer through you by this letter. 1 am much
plea.<icd with their ripe moderation and long-suffering sobriety,
if only they would show it now instead of blaming' me for
levity and hasty rashness. Em ! am surprised that they do not
look at their Aristoile willi the same eyes, or if they look at
him, how it is that they do not see that Aristotle in every
sentence and clause is nothing but Momus, the very Momus
of Momuscs.' If that heathen, in spite of his cutting bold-

Tktit* icalnM thrm (Wrinar, {. >ig) and cent Ihcm «rltb a leitet to Alli«n (<f.
Kmilb. r. »old. Thr prelate did niit anawer Ihc Idler, but began a proceii aitainai
Liilli*r which waa tnoo ilrnplwd In «icv of the proccii at Romt. In ifiS Albert
Ka< (nadc cardinal. At Itiia time lir paMd a» * ixitron of arc and iFiTnlnc. and.
fiom rniirtljr *arlill|r motive), took a mcdiaiini stand in ihr Lutlicran aflaif
t)itD;)Khoul ijio anil at tti« Diet cf Wotmi, is'i. In ijaj Ik liad thiruKlita ol
becORitoK I^tbctan in oriler lo turn bia bitboprict inM tcaip«tBl citatea, ■* hit
COii*in Albert at Pruisia bad done, but he d«lded aitaiTKt Ihia courac In 1530,
ai Aufffburs, fc« a^iB mediated twlwcr« the fau&tilc iiartiea. The Refonuatiop
Itraduallr eneroa<ht<l On hi! dominicn« and h« became tnor* eoniialciilly oppeved
lo it. Sec Rnltntrti^fii'f. D«eliiner; Lultifr tm LitMt in rte^rrtn PcrteKmrng
Il.eir«i2. »d «d,, 1910). p. 66fl, and Hre«ef«d Smith, chap, f

'F«>«n Ih* r.reelt IM^pof nieaninR Irtt. The eiutcim ol tufttint their name«
inii> t.atin nr Grerk wji very pre*alent anong tKt humaTiiiii. Ii his otten been
noticed thai Luiher adoiilnt ihit name itnnieiliately atier publtthiriK hii Thmea on
Indulgrncta. ihaugh he liiftr dropped it. Kutten adopted a almllar nam« in hii
fUtalhtrm Bytlia in teil**iu tncaiUum triunfhaiid CufmVni Jtcamlatam . . .
Prar/aJwt. (Capnio wa> Rtiicklin. Erasmu' alio wtole an apoibeoiia of Reuchtin,
ija^) Thh It put br Häcklnc (lluntiu cftra, i. ajt] in ijiS, So Hc*i inltea
I« L*nt fi'hi^. 110, iiil?k, "UutCCDua noitcr lauiu eat Elentbcrina."

The Ni^ety^rt Thelfi.

■According to Cfwrnnt' t4«sc, wbich Luttier welt tRiew, Momua waa tb« cotf of
(■nll.£ndi'v. bora of NtB^t and Sleep.

IÄ44

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

ncss, 50 pleases them and is so much read and cited, why
shottld I a Ginstian so displease them by ^ving them a ta$te
of something like their gentle Aristotle? Does a drtJp of vice
di&plcase in me. when a whole sea of it pleases in Aristotle?

Then I wonder that they do not hate and condemn them-
selves. For what arc those schoolmen of yours except critics.
Anslarchuses' and dumb Momuses? They may judge the
opinions of all, only to mc is it forbidden. Finally I ask. if
my judgment displeases them and they so praii^c moderation,
why do they still judge me and exercise moderation in waiting
for the end ? . . .

Thus you see that I do not esteem those ghosts of Momuses
more than the ghaits they are, nor am I moved by what they
think or do not think. ... I only beg from you and your
theologians, t>iat, apart from tlie faults of the author, you
would let me know what you really think of my theses, and
show roe whatever errors may be in tlicm. . . .

1 do not wish that they should expect from me the same
humility — that is hypocrisy — that they once thought I ought to
show towards their advice and decrees, for I do not wish that
what I produce "should be by the operation and advice of man.
but by that of God. For if the work is of God who will
forbid it? If it is not of God who will bring it to pass? . . .

Brother Martin I^i-eijtiiekius,
or rather the servant and captive. Augustinian of Wittenberg.

44. RECTOR AND COUNCILLORS OF THE UNIVERSITV OF
MAYENCE TO ALBERT. ARCHBISHOP AND ELECTOR
OF MAYEN'CE.

Ed. Henmann, Zeits<hri{l füf

Kirtkrngettkkhtr, xxiiiL 266. Mavrwce. December t7. 1517.

Albert on D««nb«r i sent Luther's Hinfty-fivt Thetft to the Utii-
rrrsity of Mayencc with a request £or an opinion, and received the
following answer:

Most reverend Father in Christ, most illustrious and gra-
cious Prince and Lord! We promise our devoted obedience.
We have received with due humility the theses posted at tlie
famous university of Wittcnbci^ by a professor of the order

tAaotbef ptvrtttnaUy terem eritie.
5

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

UL4&

oi St. Augwstine, wliicli were sent us by your Rtvcrcncc. Wc
have read them and among other tilings we find that they
limit and restrict tlic power of tlie Pope and the Apostolic See,
in which they contradict the general opinions of many blessed
and venerable doctors. Wherefore we offer your Reverence
the following humble opinion: {Here follows a restatement
of the same objection with citations from the Canon Law to
prove it] . . .

4S. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enden, i. 131. WiTrawBEitc, December 30, 1517.

[Luther answers a question about the women who visited
Christ's grave.] . . .

I hear that Conrad Wimpina is doing something or other
ajrainst the preacher of Zwickau' on the same question, for-
sooth he confutes the history of St. .^nna and restores those
three Marys. He seem& to me to liave been hardly able to
confute him, though I would not take the legend away cod>
tentiously on account of the people, but rather let it cool down
and cease, especially since an error like that, born of piety, is
not to be so severely condemned as that which leads men to
worship the saints for money. Farewell.

BROTiiEa Martin Eleuthe«ius, AuguslifiiaH.

Endcri, i, 135.

46. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

WiTTTMBEKo, DccembcT ji, 1517.

Greeting. You ask mc, excellent Spalatin, what I would
think of publishing some theses asserting that the worship of
the saints for temporal goods h superstitious. It was never
my idea. Spalatin, to call the veneration of the saints super*
stitious, even when they are invoked for the most worldly
causes. For this is what our neighbors the Bcghards* of
Bohemia think. At least it is )>ctter to pray God through his
.«aints for anything whatever, seeing that every gift is of God,
than to seek it, as some do, from the devil through magicians

'Jttkn Sylfiiu Ecruin* «lote agaliui ibe Iriend (bat St. Arini, Ihc molhcT of
(bt Virgin, fciil married tlirt« bu>1i*ii<l*, ^o»;hiiD, Clci^ib*! uiil SataDlc (t) and ktd
boin« • dauchlcr named Uary to ttxh «( tti«(n. Wlmplna iiuweied tliii snack.
ädtnUng Ibc Iccdxl. Cf. K>w«i«B, «rticlc Wtnpiaa ia ftt*lfmtj<Ufidif, 0*
EICTkn-n», ef. i'fra, no. 51.

■Tk« «nirtne UiukiMs.

[let. 4«

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

and «Fizards. But I would say that it is superstitious, or
niher nnpious and perverse, to pray Cod and the saints for
temporal goods excliisively. and not rather for the goods of
the soul and salvation and the wilt of God, as though forgetful
doubtful of his words: "Seek yc first the kingdom of God
'and all these tilings shall be added unto you." Indeed Christ
teaches us to despise our vile bodies and tlicir needs. If it is
lawful to seek such things, it is only permitted to those wlio
are of imperfect faith and live rather under Mo'^es than under
Christ Wherefore such worship of the saints is a thing to be
tolerated only on account of the weak, not to be extolled as a
thing worthy of a Christian life. Think a moment, whether
any saint is famous among the people for giving chastity,
patience, humility, faith, hope, charity and other spiritual
goods. Th«se Uiings are not souglit, nor have wc any saints
who, for the sake of such things, have crowds of worshippers,
churches and special services. St, Lawrence is worshipped for
fire, Sebastian for the plague, Martin and even that unknown
St. Roch on account of poverty, St. Anna with her son-in-law
and the blessed Virgin for many things. St. Valentine for
epilepsy. Job for the French itch: and thus Scholastica, Bar-
bara, Catharine, Apollonia, in short, all famous saints are
fan*ius for some temporal goods, and so famou.s that they arc
preferred to the apostles, though they would be little esteemed
if no one needed temporal goods nor cared for them,' Why
should we not invoke St. Paul to bring our minds out of the
ignorance of Christ, just as we do St. Christopher, for f know
not what nocturnal folly? Such worshippers 1 say. if they are
weak, are to be tolerated, and gradually instructed to know
better, condemn corporal and seek spiritual blessings, so that
wc may not always be children under Moses, but may at last

TM« «feok C4MHJC Ü ck«lr VI echo of Enirntw' F.wcAiritlhm mlKlii CS*ü-

roMitbcdfint lio), and often. Rcprlmril. Eraimi aprra fLuciluna Bmtiramm.

joj), ». tt. Thett «re stYeral pasaai:» tn Lmhfr'i wruinn» iivir»liel in \i. r g.,

cJnar, i. ijo-i <Pebriiair i, i ]■;>; Ir. Sj« «t (DMcmbcr 4. lJ>7^);(^d tiioftirit
•I •IW i. •**- tn this p4BHj[< Lnifaec lajs iliai ilic «orthip o( the hiiiij bas
fOD« wa l»t ()■■< )■ wou1<] be bellet (hai tfaeir naion wrn nut known and thcii
ftMIV sbolbdiccl, Tbc temoni ol which I hi* i* ddc were firvt fi^rn from thr
famoKt •( IJ16 to L<«l i}!?. but were nol pubtithtd until Jul/. ijtA. when they
«ere WKtrr or W«* retAt)che<!- I »m inclined 1u Af rve with Hirgi* 1/fut<WfA#r
iAUtlir\ft, it. *;i> thii piuac« like tbe onf Ju*t qttot«d *tn probkblj pal in
>i til« lattr (Um.

m LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let. 47

lay holii on Oirist a tittle. Tf the worshippers are of better
faith they are to be convinced that they seek unworthy things.
It is 3 mistake to foster the worship of the saints by the fears
of evil and desire for temporal goods. But this is not to be
taught to all at all times, but only to the little ones and to the
weak; the other should be taught to ask for just the contrary
things, punishments, diseases, scourges, crosses and divers
torments, as he says:' "Exaniuie me, O Lord, and prove me;
try my reins and ray heart." . . . Thus the Lord's prayer
teaches us to seek for spiritual gifts in the first three petitions,
and for the things of God. and afterward for our own. . . .
Brothek M.\rtik Eleutherius, Aiiguslinian.

47. LUTHER TO SPALATIN AT WITTENBERG.»
Endcrs. i. 1401 WirrENncRo, January 18. 1518.

Greeting. Hitherto, excellent Spalatin, you have asked n:te
things that were u-ithin my power or at least within my daring,
to answer, but now that you ask to be directed in those studies
which pertain to knowledge of the Scriptures you demand
something beyond my abililics, especially as I have hitherto
been able to find no guide for myself in tliis matter. Different
men think differently, even the most learned and most gifted
You have Erasmus who plainly asserts that Jcrumc is the
great, almost the only, theologian in the Church,' If I oppose
Augustine to him I wilE seem an unjust and partial judge,
partly because I am an Augustinian and partly on account of
the long established judgment of F.rasmus, since he has said
that it is most impudent to compare Augustine and Jerome.
Other men think differently. Among such judges of such
things I feci unable to decide anything on account of the
mediocrity of my learning and talents. But among those who

■pMlm xivi. >.

■I.uIImt mj» he antwcrs Spalalln'» Inter on Ibe iay II waa wiitlcn, «bleb
voulil implr il>*l SpftUlin tniut al Icut Ik vcrr near Willcnbert.

'Luther cKpiru«) *imiUr iboukiliti In bb letter of Oclobcr 19. ijiä. T\tt
T]ii.<[naioni in Uic pretriit kttcr icim Id indicate itial he had teai the Inimduc-
liuiu to lb« «dilton ol Jrtom* «tiicli apiwarcH id tjiA (P. S. Allen, «pp. ]]£, J91I).
Cf. Lvtber ta Spalatin, Auguil r-t, iji6. It it nAticMlilr (hat tbt direct Gtunpariion
al Aufiutine and J^iwnr. which I havt not (ounJ ci»vrh«e la Eraanua, waa
dearly 4*lifi#<l in Ibe Irlirr al tlic humanitt 10 Eck. May tg. ijiS <Atlfn. «p.
t44), 6ni publiihtd in AuBUM, ijiH. Tfaer* U ■ food dca] abaiu Jtr«me aad
Aufuatine in the Afehty nimtioned brloir.

OTHER CONTEMPOR-^Ry LETTERS

1 in

other hat* or sloihfully neglect good letters (that is, among all
men) I always praise and defend Erasmus a5 much as I can,
nd am very careful not to ventilate my disagreement wilh
im, lest perchance I should thus confirm them in llicir hatred
of him. Yet there are many tilings in Erasmus which seem to
m« far from the knowledge of Christ, if I may speak as a
theologian rather tlian a grammarian : otheru'lsc there is no
man more learned or ingenious than he, not even Jerome whom
he so much cxtolls. But if you communicate tins opinion to
others you will violate tlie laws of friendship. 1 warn you in
prudence. There arc many, you know, who search oiil every
occasion of defending sound learning. What 1 tell you is
therefore a secret Indeed you should not believe it until you
have proved it by reading. If ycni extort from me the result
of my studies E will conceal notliing from you. as my dearest

icnd, but only on condition that you will not follow me except
in using your own judgment.

In tlie lirst place it is most certain that tlie Bible cannot
be mastered by study or talent. Therefore you should first
begin by praying that not for your g3or>'. but for his, the

rd may be mercifully pleastd to give you some comprehen-

<n of his words. . . . You must completely despair of your
own industry- and ability and rely solely on the influx of the
Spirit. ExpcrtQ crcde. Then having achieved this humble
despair, read the Bible from the beginning to the end, that first
you may get the simple story in ynur mind {as I believe you
have already done) in which Jerome's epistles and commen-
taries will be of great help. Blit for the understanding of
Christ and the grace of God, this is for the hidden knowledge
of the spirit, Augustine and Ambrose seem to me far better
guides, especi-iJly as Jerome seems to Origenize, thai is, alle-
gorize, too much. This I say saving Erasmus' judgment, as
(•ou asked for ray opinion, not for his.

YoQ may begin, if you like my course of study, reading
.Augustine's The Spirit and the Leiter, which now our Cart-
>tadt, a man of incomparable zeal, has edited and thoroughly

11 annouted. . . . Finally I am sending you the Apology^ of

*At«tet^ cimira Pabtum Sl»»ltmtm. Antn-irp, Ktiittni < 1 1 1;>. Lettre
apka, in ii* editloo of Utbrtvi (ij") hid i>roiiuae<] rcKdinc "Ttaou but

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Erasmus, but I am very sorry that such a war should have
arisen between two such princes of letters. Erasmus, indeed,
conquers and speaks the better, even if a little bitterly, though
in some things he acts as if lie wished to keep his friendship
with Lcfcvrc. Farewell, dear Spalatin.

Brother Martin Eu^utuejuus.

4& LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enden, i. 153. Wrtenbemi. February 15. 1518.

Greeting. What you request, or rather command, exeellcnt
Spalatin, I now do, namely, send through you my thanks to
tlic most illustrious elector for the splendid and princely gift
of game donated by him to our students newly promoted to
the degree of master. I told them all it was from the elector.
And personally [ am wonderfully pleased by the kindness of
the clement and generous prince, for even a man lovcth a
cheerful giver.

You again subjoin two Httlc questions. First, as to what
should be the attitude of mind of one who is about to sacrifice^
or to do other pious works. I answer briefly: You shouht be
at once despairing and confident in doing any work, desp.iiring
on account of yourself and your work, confident as regard.«
God and his mercy. ... To speak plainly, whenever you
would .%acriüce or do a good work, know positively and firmly
believe that this work of yours will not please God at all, no
matter how good, great and difficult, but that it will be worthy
of reprobation. Wherefore judge yourself first, accuse your-
self and your work and confess before God. . . . Therefore
when you are thus desperate, and have humbly confessed be-
fore God, you must without hesitation assume that he will be
merciful. For he »ins no less who doubts God's mercy than he
who trusts in his own efforts. . . .

Secondly, you ask me how much indulgences arc wortli. The

atd« fcim ■ linU ItMrar llMn Tiod" iiulraid of "thin iIib inc«!*.** Knumut br
Njetlitia <>'*■ iniFtprrialion in hii Ntv Tnamcnl. had drawD down the uiiauid-
TSnioiu of tbt rcr'icb wli'ilir in thr Mconrl edition of riul'i Epiwlri. I'lrU. 1117.
•nd It is to Lbi* ibat hii Afattgy b dinct«!. Loibcr got (he waik vert Pfwaptly.
w h onir iMwartd l*i< In isiT. C/. BMielhtc» EtMmtant, «tdnMiiilt«, cK.
(Gio^ looo), p. BqH.

■Tbc RoRisn C^ibollc* regard tk« n*M m a Mcribc off«rt<l br tbe yrieit to
Ca4, «ad m a Koo4 »imIe.

■

Ul 40 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS n

matter is still in doubt, and my Theses overwhelmed witli abuse.
Yet I may say two tilings, the first tr. you and my friends
only, until the matter shaü be decided publicly. Indulgences
now icem to me to be nothing but a snare for souls, and are
worth absolutely nothing except to those who slumber and idle
in the way of Christ. Bven if our Carlstadt does nut share this
opinion, yet I am certain that there is nothing in them. For
the sake of exposing this fraud, for the love of truth 1 entered
this dangerous labyrinth of disputation, and arouseil against
tnyself six hundred Minotaurs, not to say Radamanthotaurs
and Aeacotaurs.'

Secondly I may say, what is not in doubt and what even my
adversaries and the whole Church are forced lo confess, that
alms and helping our neighbor is incom|)arabIy better than
buying indulgences. Tlicrcfore take heed to buy no indul-
gences as long as you find paupers and needy neighbors to
whom you may give what you may wish to spend for pardons.
. ■ . God willing, you will see more of this when I publish the
proofs of my Theses. For I am compelled to do this by those
men more ignorant than ignorance itself, who proclaim me a
herrtic in all their speeches, and arc so furious that they even
try to make tlie University of Wittenberg infamous and hereti-
cal on account of me. I labor umch more to restrain myself.
and not to despise ihem. though by thus doing T sin against
Christ, than to triumph over them. ... I am particularly
sorry to have to inform you that those brawlers and others
with ihcm liave constrncted another engine against me, by
spreading the rumor that all that 1 do is at the host of our
prince on account of his hatred to the Archbishop of Magde-
burg.» . . .

' 49. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.

Ender«. i, I57. WirrtKBEBC, February 19 (1518).

Greeting. Wolfgang Capito' writes, reverend Father, that

TkcK«» altw ihr Bull of Uinoi (Minotaur) la ike Libinimh ol CrcH. M'nM,
BadwaMlM» *nd Amcu* wrrt thr ihr«c juiltrt «f tlir inf«rii«l iFSion*; Lulbc*
mtma* Uul he lad eitiwd ill ilic muiutcrs ot bdl atiainit hlmicll.

'I. f,. Albert «f Uft)rtn«e. Lulbci rntntlon« tliii (tisiite el(««h«r<.

'Wolfctos PabriiiiM KSpM ol H&ceuu Curfl-'-iIiO. «ludicil m Freiburg amA
tiTltaUiblt, ■■boe 1» lonli hii ^«ctorit* in diTlnily tjr ijii. In iji] he m»! U
BuU, wbcie be bccaoM catlKdnl preacher uul ptofeiMr of Ibcoleoi la ike

L-

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let »»^1

Erasmus's Adages' are being reprinted in an enlarged edition,
besides the Querela Facis,' The Dialogues of Lucion* the
Utopia' of More' (nientioned by Richard Pace),*Morc's Epi~
grains, the Itistitutiortrs Ilrhraicae'' of Capito himself, and that
work on account of which I am now writing, Erasmus's
Apology against Lejh/re d'£tapUs.* I mention these books
that you may know what to recommend to your book-dealers
who are going to set out to tlie Frankfort Fair. 1 muth desire
Morc's Utopia and Capito's Hebraic I nsiitutioHs, but especially
the Apology, unless it is the same» that we have had here for
some lime. . . .

S» LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enders, i. 177. (Wittemukkk, middl* of March, 1518.)

The dating ni this IcUer is a putzlc RiiiWt dat^s "end of M:irrh
or beginning o{ April" and this is defended by O. Clemen : Luthtrs
Wttkt in AusimM. n)i2, i. p. 10. broinse llic letter assumu that the
Strmon oh ittdttSgettee and Grace hid already been pulOished ; as this

Vnncrtity. In ijjo he «i>tcr«d ih« M'rvi«« »I Archbithop AEh«rt of Mayrnc«.
Tbree retM later h« declared tar tbe Kefonnkti«« and went 14 Sltftidburf. mt
*hich place, in comf«n]i with Buccr, he ncciipi-N] ■ l«ading poKition tor the tut
of hit lile, UlrinM p»n in the Synod of Brfo in isj), ond in the Wittenhtrr
Conrnrd «f i <i)(i. Hli rfllcfaiii vl<w« avre ilrrady >.it**nrfd in i$>i. fmm which
(line on fur ir>-eral yari h« wai an ar<I«til admirer of Etanniii. Cf. Baum:
Capiio und Buurr (tHfio). P. Kalkcif: Cafiio im Difmlt Albrrcku fpn Woiar
(1907) and Rftilfwr yrliff all ir. Tht) Iclier to I.uthci if Icwi; Lulbtr aniwcrcd iu
(/. infra, Srvtcia1>tT 4. 1518. no. ;8.

'Tlir jldtt—- fi"' P'Iniwl In ijoiN were rtptmdlr rcvUed atid cnterttd^ the
cdilion hci« referred to bcinx tL»t of Proben. i]'S. Bibltrlhtca ErOMmiaia, i. a.

*rirtl Uncd 1516, rtprinMd by Ffoben, Pecembcr, iji)>: ef. <il., t(6.

*Luii»''i 5a'i""a'üa (( tomfiiirei JialPii Ermne üil/r/rfl«, ptiaicd M (be end
el the Qutrtla Pmii of is'J-

■TIiIb Ummn sark, 6r(l pubtiUicd at LoovBla, Ijitf, vai icprlnlcd *lth More**
Efigrtmi hj Fnthtn In March, ifiB.

*Th«aiaa More (i-t?? I!I5>. laler Ctianrrllor of Henry VIII. lie wu con-
•iuenily op[K>«e<1 tn ihr Rcformatinn. taking an activ* pan In Iha tvntrmtwwf
between hii hing and l-ulher. Livca by Brirelt and Hutlen and by Sidney Lm ia
Dtt%t»nAry of National Biat">phy,

■Pace (i48>?-iu6>. iluditd in Italy, «tirre tit mci Eraimut (ifoy-S), and then
cnlcred the diplomatic (crvice. Tic «ra> xnt on a million m Swttmland in
0<lobtr. ijiik While Bi Conxance he eompoünt hii Ue t'mtlu qwi e.t rfoririiM
ptrrifitar, Bailc. Frobtn. Oclober. ijiy. Lnrins Coniiance in October, ifiy, he
fa fonnil in England in January, 1511 ILttlert anj Paprrt of Htnry fill, ti.
tuitx), «a tbe Irlp *«ry probably p>»ini iliraugb EHuit (Endert, li>t, citi}.
Ilii nIctrBtt to MfiTt'm I'topU in»y h»»e been ai ih>» lime oralty or in bi)
Pr ftiKlm. tie w» «n|iln7«d by Henry VIII to netoliale for tbe imperial el**-
tloin In iji«. and b« Woliey In Ibe endcaroi to fcl Ih« Mpaty la ifsi aad t}S).
Dieti^nary of NoUomel Biofrapliy.

tBule. Kr»lefi. 1518.

*Afeliieia iiv. Faimn Stafatmi^m. AMmmf, ijiy: Bail«, tJlS.

■li wit 111; Mm«: tf. tfpra, no. ay.

htL S«

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

•cnnon contains allusions to the theses of Tetxtl-Wtntpina. defended
at Frankfort oa the Oder on January aoth. which Clemen Uiinka ar-
rived in Wittenberg not earlier than March 17th, the sermon and con-
Mqucntly ihe letter must be «oine lime after that dale, 1 think it
possible, however, that the Tetiel-Wimpina theses may have coit>c
to Luther's hands before they were ofTered for sale at Wittenberg
and fcixcd by the students, on which see next letter,

P. KalkolT. on the oihcr hand, puts the letter early in Mnrdi be-
«ose he believes that ihc visit of the Abbot of Lehnin, which Luther
says look place "yesterday," came soon after March 5, Zeitschrifl
fur Kirehrngtstkichtf, xxx\\. 411. note. As KalkolT, however, ad-
mits that the Strmo» on Indilgmet and Grace was published during
the Ust week in March, he must intrri'^et the passage leferrins to
that •ennon differently from my understanding of it. The tnatter is
further complicated by a letter to Spalatin, March 2Slh (.infra, no. 5j),
assaming that the visit here recorded has already been made. Pef-
baps "middle of March," makinic ihe sermon ns early atid the visit
of the abbot as late as possible, best saitsfies all requircmeiitt.

Greeting. Having received power of remission and absolu-
tion in all cases save a few. you should be thankful to him who
gave you this power.' I am glad about the power of judging
cases, but as to the remission of penalties, that is indulgences,
you know what I think of them, though even here I say nothing
positively. My opinion is the same about the weekly fasts* in
the city of Rome, since they arc nothing but indulgences. For
I think the prayers said or works done to acquire indulgences
worth more than the pardons themselves. , . .

Yesterday the Lord Abbot of lehnin' was with me on behalf
of the reverend Bisitop of Brandenburg.* from whom he
brought me a letter. He also expressed to mc the hope and
request of the said bishop Ihat I should defer for a little while
the publication of my Reiolution/ and of all other lucubra-

■ ll i* **tl knovn ibai f<-rul)i tin* mtTt Teim«4 Ut abtoluiloB by Ibr Put*.
*b* oeeMioBkTIr ()«ltriM>J Itiii tvwcr to other*.

vSudOMB." Cf. lti4ltKijeliiHdU' y. jjt.

■TW AU»M ValcnriM', »hinc fimily ntmp it UTiknown. of t^cHnin. ibca« lifmn
■wnbM«! of Wittftih««!. w*i nude aXihvt ifo«. «nd died i%tt. He to»k
»iwiili I iMi pan ifsiRfi ih* ltcti>rin>Iloii. In ihc employ ot tClMlor Joathlm I of
BrHidtnlNitg. Zrttiiknit fit KirtkrKcriihKhtr. xxxii. 410. note.

■Jcronte Scoltcdtt, «on of a viltitc jaisr (fkbulthris. brti» bti name} at
fTriiwrWlr la Ibc duchy of (>li<|au. wm mtilr Rishap nS Bnnilrnbuis in ijoj, inrl
U uxnllKrc «Ito in 1510. He died t$tt.

*fC*i«littirm4* dufiatio'itm, ■ defence «( the Ttttttt. Weimar, L (ij. A«
Wlttciihcra wa* In tbe dieecae «f Brandcnberc. Lulber (ubmitted thit work 10 U*
wlriival lupcrioT befon piAlttkioi it.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. 51

lions I might have on liand. Moreover he was very sorry that
J had published a Sermon on htditlgencei in the vernacular,
and he begged that no more copicä be printed or sold. I wks
overcome witli confusion to tliink that so great a bishop had
sent so great an abbot so humbly to me for the sake of this
only; I replied: "I am satisfied; I prefer to obey rather than
to work miracles even if 1 could," and otlier things to excuse
my 2cat For ahhough the bishop thought there was no error
in my work, but that all my propositions were catholic, and
although he himself would condemn the "indiscreet" proclama-
tions o( indulgences, yet for fear of scandal, he judged it better
to be silent and patient a little while. Farewell in the Lord.
Brother MARTtN Eleutherius, Augxtstinitm.

51. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enden, <■ 16S. Wittenberc, March at, 15

Greeting. Reverend Father. I sent you some sheets
Carlstadt's edition of Augustine's The Spirit and tht Letter,
as 1 did to some others, but 1 foigct to whom I sent which
ones. . . .

The false preachers of indulgences are thundering against
me in wonderful style from the pulpit, and as they cannot
think of enough monsters «-ith which to compare mc, (hey add
threats, and one man promises the people that 1 shall certainly
be burned within a fortnight and another within a month.
They publish Theses against me, so that I fear that some day
they will burst with the greatness of ihcir wrath. Everybody
advises mc not to go to Heidelberg' lest perchance wliat they
cannot accomplish against mc by force they will do by guile.
But I shall fulfill my vow of obedience and go thither on foot,
and I shall pass through Erfurt, but do not wait for me as I
can hardly leave here before April 13.' Our elector, with
great kindness, as he is inclined to favor our theology, unasked

V, r., lb« S4rmi i n wn Ahtait unJ Cm»df, «kicb La<li«i bid dpT«H«4 tkc
inleiriion ci pubtiihmn in > WHtt to Scbrud of Mitth 5. Uimiltlrd ia laj
Ltilktr, p. 4]( Tbc "Serraan" <•■■ r«>lt]r m *nit» of Qrraun llm«« on indul'
ftfae*t. Wrimir. j. »4j.

)A fciitril chapter of tb« Suon Pn>vin«« of Aafnitin iiai w«i u b* hdd u
HriiVtbni In April and Mir- Habrl«! <l«llm Volta. Onri«! of Ih« otitt, ki4
iaMnjclH SuuiiilE to force Luibn Id rccsDl M Ihit mrMinc- S«llfc, p. t/S.

>ln (ut L.»th(T IHt on Ssiid»]r. April 11.

;i8^

er. '

L«. sa OTHER CONTKMPORARY LETTERS W

took me and Carisladt complete!/ in his protection, and will
not suffer them to drag mt to Rome, which greatly vexes my
^^eacmics who know it,
^H If nrnior has perhaps told you anything about the burning
^^ of Tetzel's Th/'ses' lest anyone should add anything to the
^^ truth, as is usually the case, let me tell you the whole story.
^BThe students are remarkably tired of sophistical and anti-
" quatcd studies and arc tnily desirous of the Iloly Bible: for
this reason, and perchance also because they fa%'0red my opin-
ion, when they heard of the arrival of a man sent from Ilalle
by Tctzcl. the author of the Theses, they threatened the man
for daring to bring such things here ; then some students bought
copies of the Theses and some simply seized tlicm, and, having
given notice to all who wished to be present at the spectacle
to come to the market place at two o'clock, they burned them
without the knowledge of the elector, the town council, or the
rector of the university or of any of us. Certainly we were
all displeased by this grave injury done to the man by our
students. I am not guilty, but I fear that the whole thing
will be imputed to me. They make a great story out of it,
and arc not unjustly indignant. 1 know not what will come
of it except that my position will be made still more ijcrilous.
Everyone says that Dr. Conrad Wimpina is the author of
^_ tho.se Theses, and I think it is certainly so. I send one rescued
^Bfrom the flames lo show you how mad they have become
^^ against me. . . .

I V LUTHER TO JOHN SVI.VtUS ECRANUS AT ZWICKAU.

^■Endrrs, !. 17z. WixrENOEiiiti^ March 24, 151a

^H John WUdenhaucr (Sylvius) of Egcr in Rotittnia (fjune 11. 15.15)

^Bte^tncubted »t Leiptic 1500^ B. A, 1501, M. A. 1307. He wnx prncher

^^H ZwicVati IS16-1521, when a quarrel with Thoniai MiiriErr fore«!

htm lo leawe. For two years he pieachtrl at Joachimsihal, and ih«i

resumed a wandcrinK u'c At lir»t a warm friend of Ludicr he

aflenvardi became alicnainl. Allen, Üi. 40g. ^Hgememe deuttcht

lMhei'% TH*u* cut inio Teilet'« prolilt am} fortKl hifn (a ilop selling Indul.
■mces. Hoping lo cambal Atm on tbtir ourn irotind. he weni to tbe Unlvenlijr*!
FnAk(ort-an-ibe-Odcr. ind wiih thr brtp cif CunT*d Winipint roiiiiimcd a let
of counlcr ili»«. minlly rrvtinttd by W. Kohltr: Lmhtri 9) Th4im lani
Mtarm Rtt'lmtismrn, «eane dif GtgriuikrtiUn van Wimpiti»TtU€i, Eth «md
,/Ywriu, aitj iie AiUuxrltn L\ilhtri J«faa/. Lciptii. ■>«).

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Biüffrttfhit. Ltfr by 0. Demra in MitUilungt» det AUtrtumsvtreiv
fur Zntdan, rl, \ii. (1899. 190a). Cf. slso C. BtichwoM: Vngt-
irmeku Predigten des J. S. Egranus (at Zwickau 1519-22). Leipiic.
1911. C/. mpra, no. ^6.

GreetinfT. 1 have seen the theses of Dr. Düngersheim of
Ochscitfurt,' apparently directed against you, though wiihout
mentioning your nanie. Be strong and constant, dear Egranus,
as you ought. If theie things were of the world, the world
would love its own. Whatever is in the world must neces-
sarily perish in the world, thai the spirit be glorified. If you
are wise, congratulate mc, as I do you.

A man of signal and talented learning and of learned talent,
has recently written a book called Obelisks against my Theses.
I mean John Eck, doctor of theology, chancellor of the Uni-
versity of Ingolstadt, canon of Eichstatt, and now, at length,
preacher at Augsburg, a man already famous and widely
known by his books. What culu nie most is that we had
recently formed a great frlencUhip. Did I not already know
|hc machinations of Satan. I should be astonished at the fury
with which Eck has broken that sweet amity without warning
and with no letter to bid me farewell.

In his Obelisks he calls mc a fanatic Hussite, heretical,
seditious, insolent and rash, not to speak of such slight abuse
as that I am dreaming, clumsy, unlearned, and that I despise
the Pope. In short, the book is nothing but llie foulest abuse,
expressly mentioning my name and directed against my Theses,
It is nothing less than the malice and envy of a maniac. I
would have swallowed this sop for Cerberus,' but my friends
compelled me to answer it. Blessed be the Lord Jesus, and
may he alone tw glorified while wc are confounded for our

ijeromc Däiifnabfini (i46j'iS4')), sf Ochi^Iirurl on the Main, niilricuUteJ tl
LHptic 14K4, wu It. A, In I4)l{, H. A. uHo. Ori1ain«d pjitM 144S. »"I loi>l! a
detTBB in tliFoloay ■! Coloxnr in imS. afirr which he Itctttnd it Lririk ijai he
bManc |i[lcM 41 Zwickati. in 150^ «cnl lo Italr. iiog rrttimcd to Imurv at
Leipdc. He wrote «(*enl work*. Wrote la Eraimui abont Ui New Toiaaient.
March id, isir (Alton, op. lit., ep. sm). I-lte In tba AUt*mfimt DuMtk»
Bioiraphir. The thctc« ritcncl ta hcrr wet* dirrclcd aKatmt aome propontiona
■ada hr t^ranua In Ihc Zviduu puli'it. Entiniia simnirrd Ihcin In *n artiele
publlshol «ilhin iwu <K«eka afttt Ibia Idler vat wiiiicn, far which Luiber wnH«
an IntnittMtMB. Weimar, i. 3x5, On I>üinicr>h«iBi*» rclalinix» witb Luther,
■n/ra, IM.

*Aa ButIcc wold biT« »aid: "ThU honcjcd «pi*l« caiii|^uii<lc4 of trcaaon and
SBtdsr."

Let. 53

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

sins. Rejoice, brother, rejoice, and be not tcrriüed by these
whirling leaves, nor stop teaching as you have bcfun, but rather
be like the palm tree which grows better whtn weights are
fliung on it.

The more they rage, the more cause I give them. 1 leave
the Joctrtnc lliey harked at yesterday far one dicy will bark at
more fiercely to-morrow. ... I wrote to Dr. Düngersheim of
Ochsenfun tliat your assertions did not seem to me errors, but
truths, and that his propositions appeared to me for the most
Lpart erroneous, and ] dared say with confidence that you would
defend both your "errors" and mine. But if he offered argu-
ments from the schoolmen, I said that he knew he would only
[waste his words.

I vow there is hanlly any theologian or scholastic, especially

Bt Leipsic, who understands one chapter of the Bible, or even

le chapter of Aristotle's philosophy, which I hope to prove

triuniphamly if they give me a chance. Conning over the

words of the Gospel is not understanding it. Wherefore flee

not before the face of ignorance, and foi^t this clamor of

"doctors, universities and professors, for they are specters, not

mcr. but apparitions, which you would not fear if you could

see them clearly. The Lord teach and comfort you. Farewell

^Un him.

^K Maktin Luther, AuguslitUan.

t
I
(

Konc
tri'

do
m

53. LUTHER TO SPAL.\TIN.

.. i. 170. CWnTKNiiEw;, c, March 35. iSiS)

This letter i» placed by Endcrs "shortly btforc Easter, April 4,
1518." TTie more exact tbtc given ly Kalkoff, in ZeiUtlirifl für
KirchfttgftiuhithU, xxxii. 41t.

Greeting. Briefly, I will do all you write. For the reverend
lord bishop' has answered and freed me from my promise.
Only I do not know whether I can preach on these three
following days, but I will see; if not, my colleague Amsdorf
will supply my place.

Bbothrr Mabtin Eleutherius.

V. ».. of BrandcDbiir(. Tlla refer* la his probjbition la Lutbcr to prim Ui
_ an which ct. »■fra. no. 10, I.uchet »ppatcntly »cnl theni la Ibc picM
dnee; tt. 0. Clemen, to IÜ1 rdiiian <il lotArrj Wtrk*. 1. ij.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lrt. S*

54. LUTHER TO JOHN STAUPITZ.
Endcr», i. 175. Witten Buc, March 31, 1518.

Grecling. Dear Father in the Lord, 1 am so busy that I
must write Lricfly. First, 1 know perfectly well that my name
is in bad odor with many, so much have even good men found
fault with mc for condemning rosaries, tonsures, diantinf
psalms and other prayers, in short, all "good workä." St. Paul
had the same experience with those who said that he said:
"Let us do evil that good may come."' Truly I have followed
the theolog)- of Tauler and of that book' which you recently
gave to Christian Daring to print; I teach that men should
tnist in nothing save in Jesus Christ only, not in their own
prayers, or merits, or works, for we arc not saved by our own
exertions, but by the mercy of God. From these words ray
opponents suck the poison which you sec Ihcy scatter around.
But as 1 did not begin for the sake of fame, I shall not stop
lor infamy. God will se« to it My adversaries excite hatred
against mc from the scholastic doctors, because I prefer the
Fathers and the Bible to them ; they are almost insane with
their leal. I read the scholastics with judgment, not. as they
do, with closed eyes. Thus the apostle commanded: "Prove
all things; hold to that which is good."* t neither reject all
that they say nor approve all. Thus those babblers make the
whole of a part, a fire of a spark and an elephant of a Ry. But
with God's help I care nothing (or their scarecrows. They are
words; they will remain words. If Duns Scotus, Gabriel Biel
and others had the right to dissent from Aquinas, and if the
Tliomists have the right to contradict everybody, so that there
are as many sects among the schoolmen as there are heads, or
as hairs on each head, why should they not allow mc the same
right against them as tlicy use against each other? If God is
operating, no one can stop him. If he withholds hts aid, no
one can help the cause. Farewell and pray for mc and for the
triKh of God wherever it may be.

Bkotbeji Martin Eleittuerius, /lugustmüm,

'RonMiia iik 8.

m»<KtIr, SUopiti't ««ii beok. "Von 4cr Liebe G«ttM.'*

■i Tlieiuleokai, *. tt.

Let*

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

' me:

str

55. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enden, i. jSj. Cobukc, April 15, 1518.

On April tith. Lather set out 10 attend the General Chapter of the
Aoguttuiians at Hcitlclbcrg, whither he had been Humiiioncd by Slau-
pit£ at ()vc rtqurst oi the Gcncml VoJta. in hoprj of tnaking bim
recant. He did not do so, but rciigtied hi* office of District Vicar, to
which hia (ricad Lang was elected. Cf. supra, no. 51. a.nd Smith, p. 46.

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, i expect you have heartl from

r friend Pfeflinger' all that we said to each other when I
fDct him at Jtidenpach. Among other things I was glad to
have a chance to make a rich man a Utile poorer. For j-ou

low how picas«! I am, whenever 1 can do it conveniently,

be a burden to the rich, especially when they are my frieucls.

took care that he should provide supper even (or my two
jitrange cotnpanions, whicli cost him ten grossclieit apiece.
Even now, if possible, I would make the elector's steward'
at Coburg pay for us; if he will itot do so, still we sh.ill live
the elector's expense. I have not yet seen the man, nor
do I know whether I .Tm to see him. For when we arrived
in the evening verj* tired, we sent him the letters by a mes-
senger. But he went late to the castle nor has he returned
yet. I do not know why he did it : perhaps he la too busy to
take care of us. Urban himself, our messenger, remembers
perfectly that he was ordered to go to Würzburg with U!.
But whether he comes or not with God's favor we shall
tinue our journey to-morrow.

Everything else is all right, by God's grace, except that i

confess that I sinned in coming on foot. Since my contrition

!or this sin is perfect, and full penance has been imposed

T lU I do Dot need an indulgence for it. I am ternbly
fatigued, but can find no vehiclen free, and thus ] am abund-

Ktly, much, greatly and suf^ciently contrite and penitent . . .
Brotuer Martin ELi:tniiERius.
561 LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
den, i. 185. Wliuzburc. April iq, 1518.

Greeting. Wc arrived finally at Wiirzburg yesterday [Sun-

*1I« ma ftohMj amx by th« eicelec la nalcc «are that Ln(h«r would Iw
pcrtccllr *•(« 'n «"«"I '•> HeidilberK.

TrihMpt faul Bader whom LitUicf I«ain«l la know »bm in rjj» he (finil ii>
iha al tfc* A)tle «f Kmm Colurg.

1 iron*
^3or

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

ULS7

day], dear Spalatin, and the same evening presented the
letters of our illusirious elector. . . . Tlte reverend lord
bishop bim&elf,* when he had received the letters, sutiunoned
me. and having talked with me face to face, expressed the
wish tu send a messenger at his own expense to accompan/
mc to llcidclbcrg. hut as I found several of my order here,
especially our I£rfun Prior John Lang, 1 thanked the clement
bishop, but said 1 thought il was not necessary lo send the
messenger for my sake. I wish we could all get conveyances,
since 1 am very tired walking. I only asked that he would
deign to provide me with a letter as a passfiort (as it is called).
I have just received this, and will set out in a wagon. . . .
Farewell. From our monastery at Würzburg.

Brutue^h Mastin Luther. Augustinian.

57- MARTIN BUCER TO BEATUS RHENANUS AT BASLE.

Britfwethsel dft Beaiui RhenaHUi, geiammeil und htravigtgtbtn von
A. Horawiu ind K. llüttfeidtr. Lctpiig, iS8ä, p. io6ff.

Hejuelbocg, May t, 1518.
Martin Bucer wat born at Schlcttttadi, J4gt, and «mered tb« Domini-
can order there in 150& Aflcr hb transfer to tlcidclbcfK, he took
much intcrtsl in the humanists, and especially l^rasmiis. He met
Luther at the time this letter was written, und from then on was his
devoted follnwer. In 1531 he left the cloLsler and became chaplain
to the Elector Palatine, at Landsdihl, coiuini^ into cloae relations with
Hutlen and SickinKcn at Ihc lime of the Diet of Worms. From lSii3'49
he wat the leading Reformer af Strassbiirg, making it his particular
aim to retoncile the Lullieran and Zwingliaii branches of the Protestant
Church, in which h« attained partial success in the Wittenberg Con*
cord, 1536. In 154g he was called to Enjcland, where he taufdit a year
at Cambridge, dying in 1551. See J. W. Raum: Cap'tlo usui Butatr.
Eberfeid, i860', Harvey: Bnctr in EnyUinJ, 1907. Many of Ba<«r't
letters have been published in M. Leni: Briefwechsel des Landgrafen
I'biliff t*on Hessm mil Butstr, iSSofT, 3 vols., and in T. Schiess:
Briefwechitl der Blanrer, igoBfl.

Bealui Bild, of Rhetnau tt485<May », IS47>. malrfculaied at Paris.
ISOJ, B. A. 1504. M. A. 1505. He then bcKan wurkuig as proofreader
for Henry Esliennc; in 1507 returned to Schlcttstadt, and in 1506
to Stratsburg. From 151 1 to 1536 he worked at Bn&lc, publishing and
editing books for Krobcn. From 1526 to his death be lived at Schien-

'Lawrence ron Bibri. Bbiiop i4Qs-Febnu(r 6, ttio. wu a «im admirer af
LatbM. On one mcbiIqii. ituntlj tMdirr kii detth, be adraed the tlwtar not
to kl LuÜici b« ukou away (tan Wiiwnbcrg.

uts?

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

«1

■udt. Hit hiuorka] work was large and good (E. Fitcirr; GttcHrhu
dtr »eufrta Hislorivgrafhie (igii) l9o-a), and he was also a filcnd
and assistant of Erasmus, vrhoso rcliipous views he shared. His lettcfs
pablished, of <it. tvfra, with life by hi* friend John Sturm. C/. P. Si
AUcn, Of»t epist(^rnm Erasmi, ii. (n.

I have read your attack on our theologians, and I sliould
»avc been sorry had it been vain. Wherefore, lest you should
seem to yourself to have triumphed, after wc Heidelbergers
had deserted the cause tfor it fared otherwise with our elder
Wimpfeling,' although he defendctl us nobly), I will oppose
to you a certain tlieologian, not, indeed, one of our number,
but one who has been heard by «s in the last few days,* one
who has got so far away' from the bonds of the sophists
and the trifling of Aristotle, one who is so devoted to the
Bible, and is so suspicious of antiquated theologians of our
school (tor their eloquence forces us to call them theologians
and rhetoricians, too), that he appears to be diametrically
opposed to our teachers. Jerome, Augustine and authors of
that stamp are as familiar to him as Scotus* or Tartaretus'
could be to us. He is Martin Luther, that abuser of indul-
gences, on which we have hitherto relied loo much. At the
general chapter of his order celebrated here, according to the
custom, he presided over a debate. at]d propounded some
paradoxes, which not only went farther than most could
follow him, but appeared to .■iome heretical. But. good

1X*DC| Wiaipfflinj of Schlettaudl Cuso-November 15. isi8), matriculated si
f wi fcwoi. 1464. B. A. tibd. then in KrIuM. In i4Cio hv vreot lu Heitltlberit. wlirre
ba sttidicd and tauihc [<)ulft»|ib|r, ^ccclIIliIl|[ Rector in 1481. From i4S4-gB be wu
M Spin», «liilc Uere «ritins in favor ot (be ImmacuUtt Coccepiioa. The nrit
dlrec jcan be S|icnl at Sii&^iJiiitK. where be >rolc a hi»lor)' of Germany. Tben
kc IBUKbt al FteibuiE and IlfUIelberi: uniil tsio, when he rctutned In Sltusb-uiK
far five ixara. Frum \^i^ liU bi* dcatfa be hvcj at Stliletutadl. taking tume pan
1b *p9«aIiMi Lnlbei. Life br ], Kncvpci.

Tbc l>i(putaliDn look pUce April ij.

*l Frankly eanfii* I aia unahlt lo mtor« tb« etrtaioljr eoirupt lc>l of ■!>'■
yaaaacc, «f wbicb I belifr« I am eirinB <t>e wnM. For "volvcr* iiuiiit" I have
t&oMfkl o( futtinf "valsali* vt," but tbi* would tiuilijt do. Rucer'a hsml i*
«UrtiBetjr difficiitt to t**A, which cai»e< »nm» of the (eM of hi« leElcn lo be
BDcanai« N« h«lp lavttd« roeoBiinutinr thii piuinae li invon by Ibe eitremdy
tnt tnnttatlon ol ibe letter from tbc MS, in Baum'i CafUti und Buttir, p. «6.

*Diin< S«o<ui. ihr fanoui oppinient of Aitnina« (1174'ijoSI.

*PM«r Tvtarciua (TataTciiw) one of the moir emlnenr af the Uirr Staiiitt.
tMlgbl at Piril 1490. Eitit<4 coRimenUtiea on Ariitotle I4Q4. Etpaiilia in Sum-
—fill Priri Hiiftasi. first ed. wHbaui date, Ibcn tsoi and tsoi, ciniimemaTy on
Sconu' Quo4libtlic» ijtt. anJ on SoMu^ Miinmenlarjr on Ihc Stwitencn isi-o.
Wcucr und Weites: Kirt^tnitsitfrn, t. v-

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

U«, 57

Heavens! what real authentic theologian would these men
approve, whose touchstone in approving or condemning doc-
trines is Aristotle, or rather the pestilent poison disseminated
by his corrupters? Why should 1 not say this frankly of
the foolish trifling with which they drench and foul the divine
food of our minds, the holy oracles and their most holy
interpreters, and thus make men forget (he noWe artificer oi
celestial splendor? Uut 1 repress my most just wrath against
them lest they should make too much of sportive begin-
nings.

To return to Martin Luther; although our chief men
refuted him witli all their might, their wiles were not able
to make him move an inch from his propositions. His sweet-
ness in answering is remarkable, his patience in listening is
incomparable, in his explanations you would recognize the
acumen of I'aul. not of Scotu»; his answers, so brief, so wise,
and drawn from the Holy Scriptures, easily made all his
hearers his admirers.

On tile next day I had a familiar and friendly conference
with the man alone, and a supper rich with doctrine rather
than with dainties. He lucidly explained whatever 1 might
ask. He agrees with Erasmus in all things, but with this
difference in his favor, that what Hra.sntus only insinuates
he teaches openly and freely. Would that I had time to write
you more of this. He has brought it about that at Wittenberg
the ordinary textbooks have all been abolished, while the
Greeks, and Jerome, Augustine and Paul are publicly taught

But you see there is no room to write more. 1 enclose his
paradoxes and their explanations, as far as I was able to lake
them down during the disputation or was tanglit them by
him afterwards. 1 expect you will be much pleased to see
them; if not, take them in the spirit in which they were
acnt. . . .

(Among the Theses tor the Heidelberg Disputation enclosed
by Buccr. are the following:]

I. The law of God, that most wholesome instruction unto
life, is not able to justify a man, but rather hinders this.

HI. It is probable that the works of men which seem to be
specious and good are really mortal sins.

Let 59

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

XIII. Since the fall, free will is a mere name; when the
I'wilt docs what is in itä power it sins mortally.

5». WOLFGANG, COUNT PALATINE OF THE RHINE, TO
FREDERIC. ELECTOR OF SAXONY.

iMthwrs Sämlliehe Stitrifttn, hg. von J. G. Waldi, HaUcj 1745, xv., $17,

Gennao. HEiDEUBERr., Ma/ i, (518.

Wolfgang (1404-1558), broiher of the FJector Palaliiie Lewis V,

cduc&tcd for the Church, matricuUtciJ al Wittenberg in March, i5tS>

and ifl the followins summer was niiulc Rector of the University.

My kind set^-icc and love to you, highborn Prince, kind,
dear Lord and Cotisin: Wc have reecivcd and carefully
read your Grace's letter requesting us to heEp according to our
power Dr. Martin Luther, Augu.'itinian, lecturer at Witten-
berg, in case he should need it. We give your Grace kindly
to know that wc, as a member of the said university, at your
Grace's request, arc anxious to help the said doctor in all
that is in our power, should he desire anything, but that he
has shown us nolliing in which he needed our help, as you
wilt doubtless learn from himself. He has acquitted himself
so well here with his disputation, that he has won no sinall
praise for your Grace's university, and was greatly lauded by
many learned persons. This we would not withhold from

!your Grace, for wc arc always ready to serve you.
Wolfgang,
by Cod's grace Count PaiatiM of the Rhine and Duke of
Bavaria.
59. LUTHER TO JODOCUS TRUTFETTER AT ERFURT.
Enders, i. tS?. ExrukT, May 9. 1518.

, On itie reium journey from Heidelberg. Luther passed throosh
Exfart, where he 1ric<l to s«« his old profestori, who were noiw his
opponcntf. Usinsrn and Tnilfcllcr. His Ursi ailcnipl wa» unsuccessful,
«rhertapoa he wrote this letter to Tnitfetter. fiiily explaining his posi-
tion in regard to indulgciicca and other matters; Utcr he got an
mierview, b«i effected only a temporary tccom'itialioR. The most
iatcTCGting passage in the letter, showing how far he had already
prosrcssed in Ids programme for a general reformation of the Church,
» the foUowinj::

To explain myself further, I simply believe that it is irapos-

CORRESPONDENCE AND

utea

siWc to reform the Church unless the Canon Law. scholastic
theology, philosophy anj logi«, as they are now taught, are
thoroughly rooted out and other studies put in their stead.
I am so fixed in this opinion that I daily ask the Lord, as far
as now may be, tJiat the pure study of the Bible and the
Fathers may be restored. You think 1 am no logician ; perhaps
I am not, but 1 know that I fear no one's logic when I defend
this opinion. . . .

60. LUTHER TO GEORGE SP ALATIN.
Enders. i. it}i. WimNBEiir., May 18. 1518.

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, with Christ's favor I have
returned home, arriving at Wittenberg on Saturday, May 1 5th.
L who had gone out on foot, returned in 3 wagon, for my
superiors forced me to ride with the Nurembergers almost to
Würzburg, thence with the brothers, of Erfurt and from
Erfurt with those of Eisleben, who took me at their own
expense with their own horses to Wittenberg. I was well all
the way. The food and drink agreed with me remarkably,
so that some think I look stronger and fatter now.

[.^t Heidelberg] the most iilusirious Count Palatine Wolf-
gang and James Symler*^ and Haiius,» Master of the court,
received me. The count invited us, i. e., Slaupitz, our I^ng,
now District Vicar, and myself to a meal, at whicli we had a
very pleasant conversation. We saw tile ornaments of the
castle chapel, ami then wandered around that royal and noble
castle, surveying tlie armor and almost everything it contains.
Syniler could not sußiciently commend the letter given by the
Elector of Saxony in my behalf, saying, in his dialect: "By
God. you have a fine passport."* We lacked nothing which
kindness could supply.

Tlie doctors licard my disputation gladly, and answered mc
with such moderation that I was much obliged to them. For,
altiiough my theology seemed strange to them, yet Öiey
skirmished with it subtly and iiolitcly, except one, who was

>A frictid of Wimprdmi, «bo bad been tuioi to Count Wolffinc snil btd «Im
■««mponltd tim to Wilimüftg.

■Otberwi*« unknown.

*Dlcni« (ua Metcbircni linen: ibt lubi bj Godd cirm kjrtdkhU Crodeni.
(HtuMbwv i« OD tbe Ncclur.)

1^61

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

liie fifth and younger doctor, who moved the laughter of
t)ie whole audience by saying: "If the peasants heard this
they would stone you to death."

To Erfurt my thcolog)- is poison ;' Dr. Trutfcttcr especially
condemns all my propositions; he wrote me a letter accusing
me of ignorance even of dialectic, to say notliing of theology.
1 would have disputed publicly with them had not the festival
of the cross prevented. I had a conference witii Trutfetter
face to face and at least made him understand that he could
not prove his own position nor refute mine; rather that their
opinion was like tliat beast which h said to eat itself. Gut in
vain is a story told to a deaf man; they olistinatcly stuck to
leir own little ideas, though they confess that these ideas
are supported by no other authority than natural reason,
which wc consider the same as dark chaos, for wc preach
DO other light than Christ Jesus, the true and only light. I
talked with Dr. Usingen, who was my companion in
the wagon, more than with all the ntlicrs, trying to persuade
im, but I know not what success I had, for I left him pensive
and dazed. This is what comes of growing old in wrong
opinions. But the minds of all the youths arc tremendously
different from theirs, and I have great hope that, as Christ
rejected by the Jews went over to the Gentiles, so this true
thcoli^y of his, rejected by those opinionated old men, will
over to the younger generation. . . .

Brotueb Martin Elcutuerius. AugustiHtatt.

rfiass

6i. LUTHER TO JOHN ECK AT INGOLSTADT.
Oders, V. I. WlTTENntK«, May w, 1518,

Certain Obelisk/ have come to me by which you have tried
refute my Theses on indulgences; this is a witness of the
friendship which you offered mc unasked, and also of your
[tiril of evangelic charily according to which we arc bidden
warn a brother before wc accuse liini. How could I, a

'Hpf* and rl«cvibirf In the leiier l.ulhct u*n » provtrb wliicb ht found In
Enwanu' jidocfi. •» ihcie «re the firil <jiioi»liun» from that wotk I h«Te tioticed
In tiU Irlfni li is pcolutik tlul be bvl rcrrmlr bouihi the new cdLilnn which he
had «KihcB »t in bl* Iciier la Lanf ia Felj(uar)-| lufra, no. 49.

■lull K«Tc Üin nam« (liicrally wnall daeRcra with whkh nolo ace marked] ttf
ku Miack uD Lulktr'* Tkrm, Lvlhir mrlvtd ll from hi( fricoi) Usk n»l lonj
,fe*(e(c liarch 14- C/. Pfonvetl Sinilb, ^t^.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE A

simpl« man, believe or suspect that you who were so smooth-
tongued before my face would attack me behind my back?
Thus you have fulfilled the saying of Scripture: "Wliich
speak [icarc to their tieighbors, but mischief is in tlicir hearts.'"
i know thai yoii will not admit that you have done this, but
you did what you could ;' sec what your conscience tells you.
I am astonished tliat you have the effrontery alone to judge
my opinions before you know and understand them. This
rashness of yours is auflScient proof that you think yourself
the only theologian alive, and so unique that not only do you
prefer your own opinion to all others, but even think that
what you condemn, though you do not understand it, is lo be
condemned because it does not please Eck. Pray let God
live and reign over us.

But to ait the matter short, as you are so furious against
nic, I have sent some Asterisks against your Obelisks, that
jou may sec and recognize your ignorance and rashness; I
consult your reputation by not pubhshing tlicm, but by send-
ing them to yoti privately so as not to render evil for evil
as you did to me. t wrote them only for him from whom I
received your Obelisks, and sent them to him to give you.
Had I wished to publish anything against you I should have
written more carefully and calmly, though also more strongly.
If your confidence in your foolish Obelisks is still unshaken,
pray write me; I will meet you with equal confidence. Pei^
chance it will then happen that I shall not spare you, although
God knows that 1 should prefer to convert you; if anything
in me displeases you. write me privately about it, as you
ought to know a theologian is bound to do, For what harlot,
if provoked, could not have vomited forth the same curses
anil reviling against me that you have done, and yet so far
from rqienttng you boast of it and think that you have done
riglit. You have your choice; I will remain your friend if
you wish, or I will gladly meet your attack, for as far as I
can see. you know nothing in theology except the husks of
scholasticism. You will find out how much you can do against

(Pulia asiiii. j.

■Acconlini I« Knder* l!ic wriUnc o' Ihc only ixunl copj cif Uiii Iclur it vtrj
hard 10 lead; I ifaticturr vtittoit lo alter th« radinc of tbift «enMncc I» th«
folliminci "Sdo u nolle id • t« fieri, »cd fMimi >i pgtiiiuL"

Id. «J

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

Die when you begin to prefer war to peace and {uiy to

friendship.

Ma/ tlie Lord give to yon and to me good sense and may
he vouchsafe what is good to both of us. Behold, iliough
attacked, 1 lay aside my arms, not because I fear you, but
God; after this it will not be my fault if 1 am compelled to
defend myself publicly. But enough. Farewell.

6a. LUTHER TO WENZEL I-INK AT NUREMBERG.
tn, i. aij. ( \V nTENBEBc. Msy 19, 1518.)

Thia letter, the preface tn Lmher's Aiieritks, is «lalnl in Endcrs.
'August la 1518. This is a laic guess, as the AsleHjks were not printed
until 1545, when (he date was a<Idcd. Knaakc (Weimar, i. 2r}f } dates
this Idler Match 23. 1518. ami ihit la followed l>y the Sil. Imw* Wakh
edition. Clemen, in Ztiltekriff für Kirehtngftchithte, xxvii. 100,
arsucs for an mtcnacdiatc d^te. In my judemcnt, the tnic date is

ivcR by comparing this letter with that oi Luther to Eck, of (he
ic date. no. 6t.

^Kuni

It seemed g(Jod to mc to go over the Obelisks concocted by
r friend Eck agaJn&t tny Theses, which you sent me, one
one, and to add Asterisks to those of my propositions,
which arc a little obscure. If you wish, you may commu-
jcale them to Kclc,* clear as they now arc, that he also may
iderstand how rash it was to attack others' work, especially
hen he did not understand it, and particularly how treacher-
ous and unjust it was to provoke so bitterly an unsuspecting
friend, and one who assumes that everything will be taken
for the best by bis friend. But the Scripture is true: ".\ll
:»en are liars."* We arc men and will remain men. . . .

63. LUTHER TO JEROME SCULTETUS, BISHOP OF
BRANDENBURG.

Endcrs. i. 147. Witt«sbhic, May 33. 1518.

■ After writiag his RetoiMtions in defence of his Theses, Luther sub-
initted ihem to his nipcrior, the Bishoi) of Briiidenburg. Cf. supra,
no. 5a Oa the assumption that he sent this letter with them, the
date affixed to the letter has been disreeaidcd. and tlic nilisive put

■L,lllk shewed th« AtUiUhi t« PircVlieimei, but bfncd bini net to show thtB
to tnjonu «!•«, W. ItTind«!!: H*. Li-d, p. »57.
*fM>n oitI. It.

^^^m -B-aV^I VI

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

L«t.i

back to Ftbntary 13th bv Enders, and to Febniaiy 6lh by Knaalce in
tlic Wcimur edition, L 523, and Köstlin-Kawcrau, 169. KalkofT has
ihown. however {Zeiuthrifl für Kirclungesehichte, xxxii. 411), thai
the fir« letKr lent with the Retolutions has been Ifl« and that the
one hire tninitl.itcd is a second letter, intended by the author as an intro-
duction to that work, which h« was now at liberty to publish. Cf. sufra,
na 53. He later chanRcd this plan and subilitutcdl dedications to
Staupitz and Leo X.

Luther speaks in his Tischrräcn, cd. FÖrstcinann und Bindseil, iL 367
and iii. 315. of che reccptinn accoidcd his epistle as follows: "Tlie
BUhop of Brandenburg answered my letter, saying that 1 should not
go on with the thing, for if I once began I would gel plenty to do, as
the matter touched the Churdi. There spoke the devil incarnate in
this bishop!" KalkofT, loc. eil., 409, note, thinks this answer was given
when the bishop visited Wittenberg, in Fcbruar>% 1519.

Recently, excellent Bishop, new and utiheard of dogmas
about indulgences have begun to be proclaimed throughout
our regions so lliat many learned as well as unlearned men
are both surprised and moved. Thus it happened that I was
asked by many strangers as well as by many friends, both by
letters and orally, what I thought of their novel, not to say
licentious, doctrines. I put them off for a while, but finally
their complaints became so bitter as to endanger the reverence
for the Pope.

What was I to do? I had no power to decide anything,
and I feared to cross the indulgence sellers, for I only wished
that they might seem to preach the truth, and yet their oppo-
nents proved &o clearly that they only tatight false, vain
doctrines, that I confess tlicy completely convinced me. That,
therefore, 1 might satisfy both, the best plan seemed to be
neither to approve nor to disapprove, but to hold a debate
on the subject until the Holy Church should decide what to
believe. Thus I posted topics for debate, and invited the
public, and urged my learned friends privately, to give me
their written opinions on the subject, for it seemed to me
tliat my propositions were contradicted by neither the Bible
nor the leathers nor the Canon Law, hut only by a few
canonists who spoke without authority, and by a few scho-
lastics, who expressed their opinions without giving proof.
For it se«ncd to me most absurd that things should be preached
in the Church for which we could not give a reason to heretics

La 63

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

a»

— r
I an

wbo might ask it, and tliu« we would make Girist and his
Church a Kcrn and a mockery.

Moreover, it is established that wc owe no allegiance to
the scholastics and canonists, when they only give their own
opinions, for if it is coninionly said to be base for a lawyer
to speak without authority, it is surely baser for a tlicologian
do so, and by authority I mean not Aristotle (for they
give his autliority far too readily), but the Bible, the Canons
and the Fathers. Furthermore, 1 thought that it became my
profession and office to call in question such matters which
are both very doubtful and if false very dangerous, for during
centuries no Christian has doubted that the schools have the
right to debate even the most sacred and awful matters. . . ,

Since, therefore, no one has respondc*! to my universal
challenge, and since I see that my propositions for debate
have flown farther than I would have wished, and were
accepted everj-where not as inquiries, but as assertions. I
have been compelled against my hope and intention to expose
jny tack of eloquence and niy ignorance, and to publi.sh my
propositions with their proofs, thinking it better to jeopard
my reputation than to let the propositions fly about in a form
hich might lead people to think they were positive asser-
tions. For I doubt some of them, am ignorant about others
and deny some, while not positively asserting any, but
«ubmitting all to the Holy Oiurch.

And since, reverend Prelate, you arc by Christ's mercy
the bishop of this place, and since you not only warmly love
good and learned men, zi many are said to do, but even
venerate and cherish them to such a degree that you almost
risk your pontifical dignity (far be this from flattery, for I
praise not you, but Christ's gifts in you!) — it was most right
that I should offer my work especially to you. whose duty
it is to inspect and judge what is done here, and to lay at your
feet whatever I do.

Wherefore deign, most clement Bishop, to take these foolish
trifles of nune, that all may know that I assert nothing rashly,
and that I not only allow, but even beg your Reverence to
rikc out whatever you wish, or even to bum the whole; it

of no consequence to me. . . ,

tUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let 64

64. JOHN ECK TO ANDREW CARLSTADT.

J. G. Oleariti»: Scrinium /intiijttariitm,
Hille, 167:. p. 30. Ikrolstabt, Miy 38, 1518.

Most famous Carlstadt, I have heard that you and your
Wittenbergers are moved against Eck, because J wrote some-
thing privately for my bishop' against the opinion of our
common iriend Martin Lulher, thinking that tliis triHing
effort of mine would never be subjected to the criticism of
learned men. I suspect, though I do not know, how it slipped
out of the bands of my bishop and was laid before you.
Had 1 known this would hAve happened, I should not have
written tx tempore without consulting any books, just as roy
thought su^ested, nor should 1 have composed it in so hasty
and careless style. But as you know, we are all freer in
writing private letters than when publishing. Wherefore I
am much surprised that you are so incensed against your most
devoted Eck. They say tliat you charge Eck wiüi fawning
on the bishop. You do net know how incapable is Eck of
such a thing. All who know Eck freely confess that he is a
man who cannot be insincere. Nor, could I have flattered,
would I have done so, especially that bishop with whom, I
believe, from some accidental cause, indulgences have very
little weight. People also say that you are planning a single
combat willi Eck. I can hardly believe tliat. If it is true, I
wonder why you do not gird yourself against your neighbors
of Frankfort on the Odor, and against the inquisitor, who
intimates that Luther has erred a hundred times, or rather
that he is wild, mad and insane, and have expressed this
opinion in published writings. Truly, if I may presume upon
my recently formed friendship, I shall consider it a friendly
act if you will let whatever you meditate .igainst innocent
Eck fall into oblivion. For it was not my intention to hurt
Luther. If you think meanly of Eck's friendship, and
propose to disregard it. I neither can nor desire to impose
a rule on you : but you will do better to inform Hck as soon as
possible if you wish to publish anything. When I leam tliat

■Adolpli of Anbilt. Biihop of UcrMbunr ntti«. Hr> m» a brother of FmrM
Pi Aellatt (imtra, Novrmbtr 4, i[i9. do. 19]) and of Loou of Anluh, th« bcnins
ptincc wfaoni Luther hw » Magdeburf in 14^. Smith, p. 4.

Um. 65

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

i have erred I will willingly confess my error without shame.
But if I see you excited and bitter against me, I will try,
with the counsel of good teachers and of friends, to defend
mysdf, as much as truth urges, in those studies which arc
most regarded througliout Christenttoro. But I prefer tn
avoid this business. It will be yours to consider this. anJ
after due cunsidcratioit to advance. Farewell, Carlstatlt,
whom I truly wish to fare welL

ft:

ant
■grpt
^«ssii

65. LUTHER TO JOHN STAUPITZ.

ders, L tg6. WirrexBEac, May ^a 1518.

Thi* leher ü on« (»Tefacc to Luthtr's Rttoli'tiont, a defence of the
Theses, reprinted Wciiiiilt, L 522. Another [iTcfatory Icller was to
X., truiflated, Smith, pp. 44ff.

I remember, reverend Father, among those happy and
wholesome stories of yours, by which the Lord used
iidcrfully to console me. that you often nicntioncd the
ord "penitence,"' whereupon, distressed by our consciences
and by those torturers who with endless and intolerable pre-
X tatlght nothing but what they called a method of con-
ion, we received you as a messenger from Heaven, for
penitence is not genuine save when it begins from the love
justice and of God, and tliis which they consider the end
d consiunmatioQ of repentance is rather its commencement.
Your words on this subject pierced me like the sharp
arrows of the mighty,* so that I began to see what the
Scriptures had to say about penitence, and behold the happy
result : the texts all supported and favored your doctrine, in
50 much that, while there had formerly been no word in almost
all the Bible more bitter to me than "penitence" (altliough I
zealously simulated it before God and tried to express an
assumed and forced love), now no word sounds sweeter or
more pleasant to me than that. For thus do the conunands
of God become sweet when we understand that they are not
to be read in books only, but in the wounds of the sweetest
Saviour.

*~P«aflentlB' in«*iu bolb "pentiK*" uid "xpcatuiGc," il wmi mppannllT t4kca
bi tke (BcnKT mdm br tbc "tontircrt" and In ilic Utter br Staupiu. Prtaemid
SMA, «t. tit., p. 4*.

M LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Iä 6s

After this' it happened by the favor of the learned men
who taught me Hebrew and Greek Uiat I learned that the
Greek word is t^eränota from /uri and mw, i. e., from
"afterwards" and "mind," so that penitence or ttrdimta is
"coming to one's right mind, afterwards,"' that is, compre-
hension of your own evil, after you had accepted loss and
found out your error. This is impossible without a change
in your affections. All this agrees so well with Paul's the-
olog>-, that, in my opinion, at least, riothing is more character-
istically I'auline.

Then 1 progressed and saw that ^ttrdwora meant not only
"afterwards" and '"mind," but also "change" and "niind," so
that iirrdroea means change of mind and affection. . . .

Sticking fast to this conclusion, I dared to think that they
were wrong who attributed so much to works of repentance
that tlicy have left us nothing of it but format penances
and elaborate confession. They were seduced by the Latin,
for "pocnitcntiam agere"" means rather a work than a change
of affection and in no wise agrees with the Greek.

\\Ticn I was glowing with this thought, behold indulgences
and remissions of sins began to be trumpeted abroad with
tremendous clangor, but these trumpets animated no one to
real struggle. In short, the doctrine of true repentance was
neglected, and only the cheapest part of it. tliat called penance.
was magnified. ... As I was not able to oppose the fury
of these preachers. I determined modestly to take issue with
them and to call their theories in doubt, relying as I did on
the opinion of all the doctors and of the whole Church, wlio
all say that it is belter to perforin the penance than to buy it.
that is an indulgence. . . . This is the reason why I, reverend

'I^tbcr hai iutt bten «pMldBr of )ii( 6nt Mqnalnttn«« «ilk Suapiti during
\tr [lark fMri In Ibe Kcfort clot*t«f. iS<>S-io: il wst U Ihii lime thai be brg»a
(D (lady Hebrew, on »hieb iirthapa li« gat lome help (roat a Jev while ha waa at
Rome, Dcceinbcr, IS'«, tf. Smith, ep. tit., p. >6f, Criiar: Lathrr, I. ij. Gr««k
he fiiil txican to learn ftiim h» friend Lang dutinE :lie rcjiia tsij-iA, bul h« ia
ippuentlr referiinf to ifae attidr of tbc Nr« Teatuncnt la Greek «tiled br
ErMmu In Hanb, i)ifi. In thl» letter he follow) F.iancnat' nutc to Mstthrviu t.
*"lt«ai(üc«itla," Eraamui Itanalatt* /urai-miit "ReaiiiiKil«."
*Thc»< wardi in ihc Vulgatc int(t>'l mean cilher "Repent yc" er "Do penaace,"
and were ntuttllir tslien in the Utter aena« by Lulher'a c»ntciD(K>tiTic3. B. g., tc«
Tbamu y«ee, C»mitätun •/ TyxM* {i5J>) in I4'#rlw (•{!;}. r «tS. C/.
lufra, »«Ic >t

)THER CONTEMPORARY

Father, who always love retirement, have unhappily been
)rced into th« public view. . . .

I ask, therefore, ihat fou will receive this poor book of
mine, and forward it with what expedition you can to the
excellent Pope Leo X. ] ask this not to involve you in my
danger (for I prefer to lake all the risk myself), but that I
may have at Rome if not a champion, at least an answer to all

fy opponents.
. AN-DREW CARLSTADT TO ;OHN ECK AT INGOLSTADT.
G. Olearini: Sermium aniiiitaTium. Hdle. ]67i, p. 3Z
WlTIENOEHC, June II, isi8.
Greeting. Most learned Hxk, I am in receipt of your elegant
letter. I answer briefly to let you know tliat I am greatly
displeased with the taunts with which you have assailed my
^^lost learned friend, Martin Luther. For you have accused
^^lie man of the worst and greatest crimes, l^se majestc. heresy
and scliism. You have publicly called him a seditious Huss-
ite. You deny that you published this opinion? Well, your
own Scotus says tiiat whatever is written is ipso facto pub-
lished, and you certainly wrote it. Von not only gave us a
iJiance to reply, but you forced us to do so. Wherefore it
happened tliat I published a challenge, or rather an apologj-,
against some of your conclusions. This was printed and is
sold here at Wittenberg. I weep for the wound your human-
ity received in forcing on us the necessity of fighting you. If
things done could be undone, I should prefer to conquer your
accusations with patience rather than with battle. The reason
why I chose you particularly for an adversary, instead of
that unlearned inquisitor or someone like htm, was not envy
or anger, but was your elegance, industry and acumen, and
especially your own salvation and that of the people. For I
hope that you will come over to our opinion ; I believe that
from Saul you will be made Paul. For I would not have a
I wild ass or a balking ass, but a noble lion ILcoJ or an
^Bfoquent Mark. I thought it would nut hurt me to strive by
^^mitating your arts to become more elegant. Please pardon
' jrt you. But consider whether you oughl to

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let-

hurt me already wounded; think whether you will thereby
become the hostile disturber of a man or of the Holy Word.
I have determined rather to endure war and tyrannical siege
than a perverse jicace at the price of disparaging the divine
writings and of my own perdition. 1 will stick to this, what-
ever may happen to myself. But if you let me I should
prefer to enjoy your friendship. Indeed. I love you heartily.
May I perish if I desire you to perish or any evil to befall
you. It is my particular study by what means God's Word,
unfortunately for our unhappy skulking in a comer, may
daily become sweeter and better known, that is, as well known
as possible. Long live our Luther who gives us a chance to
extract the kernel of the law of God. Long live Eck, as his
friend. But if he be an enemy, let him at least be a sincere
lover of the truth. This is all J have leisure to write at this
time. . . .

67. LUTHER TO CKRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT

NUREMBERG.

Enders, ■■ 'vB. Witteksesc, June i^ 1518.

Greetmg. What you ask in behalf of our Eck, dearest
Christopher, would have been superfluous from such a friend,
had there been nothing to complicate the situation and had he
himself written before you did. But my suspicion that lick's
mind is alienated from me is confirmed by the fact that after
he called me such dreadful names, even though only in
private, he wrote mc no letter and sent me no message. And
now, since our Carlstadt's theses' have been published, tliough
without my knowledge or consent, I am not quite sure what
both of us ought to do. I know that we love the man's nature
and admire his learning; I am, moreover, certain and bear
witness to it. that what I did. at least, was done rather in
sorrow tlian in anger or envy. As for myself. I have written
him the enclosed letter.' which you see is friendly and full
of good will towards him. I am quite reconciled to him, not

■Wbil« Luitn «-u 11 llejilrlbcta C«rl*t(dl publUbcd loinc (bt*fi on free will
and Ihr lulboiilT of Scripture dircttcil •Kiinvl Kck. «ho »plied «Kb »«mr
toumcr-rlicBci. On ibu. uid on tbe "dnwlful n»inu" Eck ullfd Lutber, tte
Smitb. Of. tit., iil.

'Linker probtbl; nuat a iMIcr, now la«t, Kiit wttb tfan al CarlMMli, 00. 64.

i^tt. « OTHER CONTEMPORARY BETTERS W

only tor your sake, but because of his own candid confession
that it would displease hiin, if not me, to have anything
[untoward] happen by reason of someone else's guilt or
malic«. Therefore you have my authority to do what you
want in this matter, and so does Eck. I only charge your
kindness to see iliat he does not reply too sharply to our
Carlstadt, considering, as he ought, that the first fault was his
in stirring up a quarrel with friends. Since I sent my
Asterisks to him privately, I believe he will he under no ncccs-
»ly of answering them unless he wants to. But if he prefers
to answer, I am ready for him. though 1 should prefer peace.
Act liierefore so that wc may know that you grieve with us
that this temptation has been sent by the devil, and also that
you rejoice with us that with Christ's aid it has been overcome
and quieted. Farewell, I wrote you before, but 1 sec you
have not yet received (he letter.

Brother Martin Luther, Augiutinian.

68. SILVESTER PRIERIAS TO LUTHER.
Eadcfs, i. 163. (Rous. >iae, 1518.)

This IcOcr is dated by Endcrs "Erste Monat*. 1518." but as (he
Dialogvt. to which it it Ihe preface, nppearrd in Jnne (F. Lauchen:
Dit Italirnitthen tU. Ctgmr Lvtherj, g), it may be dated in that month,
and b daied by the SL Louis ctlition. xxi. no. Bi, "Zweite Hälfte
jBiii. I5i8."

Silvester \faizolini, of Priccio. in Piedmont (l456*t523), entered
the Dominican order at the age of 15, and was made priest eight
jnrs later. He taught 31 Bologn.i and Padua. In 1508, he was
decfed Virar oE the Lombard Province of his Order, and for the
thrc« following years wai a member o( the inquisition at Br«tia.
He wrote a good deal on scbobaitc topics. In 1514. he was called
by L«o X. to teach at komc, and in the following year was made
Matter of the Sacred Palace; or official Ihcoloiical adviser to the
Pope, in which capacity he look an »clive pan against Reuchlin.
Lather's Tktttt wrre sent to the Pupe by Albert of Mayence, rcach-
iflg: Rone before the end of 1317. Prierla» was asked 10 uiv« an
opinioo on thetn, which he did with Ktest thorough nri«, and which
he pabltihcd. of his own accord, nmlcr the title of Dialogut dt
fostfitalt Pafa*. in June, Iji8. Luther answered, and the controversy
continued. Life of Prierlas. by F. Michalski, ifSqo- CJ. Lauchen,
^^1^. tit., jS. and Rratentytlopidie.

^^ It has been long. Martin, since I have ceased writing. cVvvt^'^

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LCL69

because my powers are exhausted by old age, but the challenge
you vociferate to all athletes, as though you were another
Dares/ has impelled me again to approach the wrestling
ring to defend ihe truth and the Apostolic See.

Since I could not see the grounds of the notice which, it
is said, )-ou have published, and atUiough you have brought
no proof to your propositions, and some of them may bear
both a true and a false sense, I did not wish at hrst to contend
with you save by supporting and defending the opposite
sense of your false propositions, so that you may tell us 00
what grounds you rely. Wherefore, having run through and
balanced your opinions, I have prepared the way for oor
future contest by a DiaJogve, in which we. who are to con-
tend, are the interlocutors. Let us invoke God's blessing!
Farewell and learn better I

£9. LUTHER TO WENZEL LINK AT NUREMBERa

Endcrs, L ata

WiTTEKBERG. July lOi istS.

The date of (hit letter is a puzzle. It is not known in MS.; Ac
earllctt tdicion by Aurifabcr. followed by Dc Wcttc, dates "die ti
Fratrum." which would be September 1. Endcrs believe» that
"XII" was put by mistake far "VII" and dates accordingly "day of
the seven brothers," ». e.. July la As Luther always used Arabic
numerals tFiU mistake could bardly have been made by him, bat
rnaj' have been introduced by Aurifaber. But the letter «peaks of
Luther's leaving Wittenberg; if this refers to the proicctcd trip to
Augsburg, as EiidcTs thinks, the letter could hardly have been written
before September t. as Luther eeriainly did not know he was
tumnioned (hither until that date. Smith, op. cit., p. 47. If it refer«
to the summons to Komc, the letter could not have been written si
early as July lo^ for Luther lirst received the summons to Rome in
August. Smith, loe. cit.. and Endcrs. i. 2i4if. But 1 believe th«
reference is to a projected journey to Dresden, which Luther actually
undertook late in July, tf. infra, no. 117, and about which the Cotint of
Maosfcld would be more likely to be infonncd than about the citation 10
Rome For the earlier date also speak two facts: first, that th«
Rttolutiom were not yet very far along in the press, altbouxh they
were finished on August aS (infra, no. 7^), and that the 'Yecent"
•ermon on Ihe ban was one of the cause* of the citation to Augsburg,
which was determined upon on August ly

Greeting. I would have sent my Resolutions, reverend

XjK. 69

OTHER CONTEMPORARY I.KTTERS

»7

Father, but for the slowness of our printer. I myself am
much put out at this ticlay. Only eighteen of the Hesolutions
are as yet printed, which I now try to send. That trifle which
I lately published against my Timon' has be<n recently
republished. I was unwilling to republish it myself, in which
I followed the advice of my friends, although even so 1 did
not satisfy them. Others attribute it to my impatience,
although 1 meant it rather in sport than in anger. . . .

Our vicar, John I-ang. who was here to-day, says that
Count Albert.* of Mansfcld. has written him a letter warning
him by no means to let me leave Wittenberg. Snares have
been laid by I know not what great men,* cither to kill me or
to baptize me unio death. [ am simply, as Jeremiah says,*
that man of strife and contention who daily irritate the
Pharisees with what they consider new doctrines. But as
I am certain that I teach only the purest doctrine, I have
long foreseen that it would be a stumbling block to the most
holy Jews and foolishness to the wisest Greeks.* But I
know lliat I am a debtor to Jesus Girist, who, perhaps, is
saying to mc: "I will show him how much he must suffer
for my name's sake.'"' For if he docs not say this why docs
he make me so bold in defending his Word, or why does he
not teach me to say something else? Hts holy will be done.'
The more they threaten the bolder I am; my wife and chil-
dren are provided for, my fields, houses and whole substance
are tn order, my name and fame are torn to bits ; all that is
left me is my weak and broken body, of which if tliey deprive
me tliey will shorten my life by an hour or two, but truly

Tb« AlkaniMn cjntc W wbo« LuUier <eapare« TclicL Tb« "irilte" w«a £i'i*
Frrik**! 4*t SivmtnM.

'BarB i«8i>. ypunirr ton of Ermit I. S«e Cr4««le»i Grtf Albmht Vit i-»«
llm>*f»U. Zritickrili 4tM Hart-l'trrint, xvllL i6i. At ■ nirlv» of bl< dominion*
LadKT fell parlkul«!; Ii>r>l 'o tiii"' From ts*i to IS4S hr wrote him ■ number
of lm«Tt, and it va* II hii rrqucii thai in iMs »I'd IS4& he journeyed lo thr
covatr of Maiutcid to Kille a di^pule bclwcen Albeit and kli broibcr Cebhiril.
Snnk. of. tit; 417''-

*Oii L-BthcKa «Bplcu«i( eipcfitncei at Drodcn, «-hiibi* b« «a* ptannini id (o.
M»d irhiikcf b« ixiit wcni. CI*, ••t/'o. no, iir. Duke C»<it' li*d tUtvij tK^un in
be if^l'i'^^if w bin, tliou^ be could not liivc oieant (ü |iut bim t9 livatb.

'Jimnuk, xt. 10.
I »I C<»)alKiaaa, i, 33.

•Ac!s of the Ah^Im. Is. i(l

(RM-tbic "ixt" for "I^L" CI. EnifM. ». f|&

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let 70

will not talc« away my soul. I $ing with John ReuchUn:
Who 19 poor fears nothing, for he has nothing to lose, bm he
sits in hope, for he hopes to get something. . . .

I recently delivered a sermon on the ban,' in which, inci-
dcniatly. I taxed the tyranny and ignorance of the comnxm
herd of sordid officials, coinmissarics and vicars. All my
hearers exclaimed in sur])rise they had never heard such a
sermon before. Then, in addition to whatever evil is await-
ing mc, we expect that a new 6re has been kindled, but this
is the sign that the word of truth is being opposed. I wanted
to have a public debate on the matter, but minor anticipated
it and stirre<t up some officials, so that they induced my Bishop
of Brandenburg to send a messenger to put oft such a debate,
which I have done and still do, especially as my friends advise
it. Sec what a monster I am, since even my attempts are
intolerable.

Dr. Trutfettcr has sent me a letter full of jteal (for by
this name wc must dignify the man's ücrcc passion), a letter
much more bitter than the one you heard read in my presence
at the Chapter,' and one which says just what he said to me
at Erfurt. These men are goaded to madness, because they
are told to be fools in Christ, and because they are judged to
have erred by the whole world and the authority of so many
ages. I don't care a fig for those fools and their threats,
provided only that Christ be a propitious God to me. to wliom
I am prepared to yield the defence of the Word. I have
written at length because 1 like to chat with you. Farewell.

Brother Maktin LurBBit.

7a THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN TO POPH LEO X AT ROME.

U. LMlkeri Opera (alina varü argumtnti, cd. H. Sclimidi. Erlangen,

1865. ii. 345- At-fiSBUKt:, Augn« 5, 1518.

Most blessed Father and most revered Lord ! We have
recently heard that a certain Au^istinian Friar. Martin
Luther by name, has published certain theses on indulgences

>5«nM dr virtiiU »rt* mmtmliMlomii (Weiniat L tjrfff). w4at*d by LiAhcf in
AnraM. AcconJint ii> Ka*()ln-KAwcnii, L iv*. t^tlttr delnertd the Mrmwi on
liiT itA, bui thii lecmi too tarly.

■7. t.. 11 Ibc GcDMBt Chapitr at lleidctbtTs. April «nd H*y. Ob I.mhet^
iniemor with TmlfHIir U ItJiun «it Ibc «ar kosic. tf. tuft; no. 39 and t«.

Lrt. fo

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

9»

10 bt discussed in the scholastic way, and that in tliese theses
he has taught much on this subject and concerning the power
of papa) cxcnnununicalion, part of wliich appears injurious
and heretical, as has Ijctn noted by the Master of your sacred
^icc. This has displeased us the more liccausc, as we are
infonntd, the said friar obstinately adheres to his doctrine,
and is said to have found several defenders of his errors
anwng (he great.

.And as suspicious assertions and dangerngs dogmas can
be judged by no one better, more rightly and more truly than
!•>• ytMT Holiness, who alone is able and ought to silence the
lamhors of vain questioiu. sophisms and wordy quarrels, than
riviiich nothing njorc pestilent can happen to Christianity, for
Eöicse men consider only how to magnify what they have
taught, so your Holiness can maintain the sincere and solid
doctrine approved by the consensus of the more learned
opinion of the present age and of those who formerly died
piously in Oirisl.

There is an ancient decree of the Pontifical College on the
licensing of teachers, in which there is no provision whatever
against sophistrj-, save in case the decretals are called in ques-
tion, and whether it is right lo teach that, the study of which
has been disapproved by many and great authors.

Since, therefore, the authority of the Popes is disregarded,
and doubtful, or rather erroneous opinions are alone received,
it is bound to occur that those little fanciful and blind teachers
should be led astray. .-Ind it is due to them that not only arc
many of the more solid doctors of the Church not only
jlecled. but even corrupted and mutilated.
We do not maition that these authors hatch many more
heresies than were ever condemned. We do not mention that
Iwth Rcuchlin's trial and the jiresent most dangerous dispute
about indulgences and papal censures have been brought forth
by these pernicious authors. If the authority of your Holi-
ness and of the most reverend fathers does not put an end
^h|o such doctrines, soon their authors will not only impose on
^^ke unlearned muhitude, but will win the favor of princes,*

H^P ■?«%«?• ■ *p«ia1 allwion to tb« Elector Pr«4trk ol «bom Uulmlllut WM
^^fealoa*- U* ou iMw tuiMLac ilic linpcHjl Diet ■! AugstlUTK. H« VloXtWUf]

too LUTirER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND l>t 71

to their mutual destruction. If wc shut our e}'es and leave
them the field open and free, it will happen, as they chiefly
desire, that the whole worM will he forced to look on their
follies instead of on ttie best and most holy doctors.

Of our singular reverence for the Apostolic See. we have
signified this to your Holiness, so that simple Christianity
may not be injured and scandalised by these rash disputes
and captious arguments. Whatever may be righteously
decided upon in this our Empire, we will make all our sub-
jects obey for the praise and honor of God Almighty and the
salvation of Christians.

71. LUTHER TO SPALATIN AT AUGSBURG.'
Enden, i. aij. Wittensekg, August 8, 1518.

Greeting. I now need your help more than ever, dear
Spalatiii, or rather the honor of our whole university needs
it. 1 mean that I want you to use your influence with the
elector and Pfeßingcr to get the elector and his Imperial
Majesty' to request the Pope to allow my case to be tried in
Germany.' as I have written the elector. For you see how
subtly and maliciously those murderous Dominicans* are acting
for my destruction. I would have written on the same account
to Pfeffinger, to request his influence in obtaining this favor
for me from Kmperor and elector, but I had to write in
great haiite. They have given me but a short time, as you see
by the Citation, that Lernaean swamp full of hydras and
other monsters. Therefore be diligent, if you love me and

winle rhi> Idler at ih« iri*ti|t>(ian tti lh< Pap») Legt«. Cxjcttn. Lutfacr'i «<i«mi««
had taken naM* at hU Snnati an Ihr Btti Ut- *>•?'»• no. 69), wbkb tber bad
rciluceul 10 ■ aeriei of prcpotiHioni. and arm lo Cii«tan. C/. Smxlh, tJf

■Tb< Knptror MacfmlllBn hHd an ImpcrUI Diel al Au^iburi in ihc suramcf at
iji!. Spilalin wis iiiFirnt in altcisilanc» on Ihe VAtttat VnArrir,,

'Miiiinillaa t (llmixrot ftom ttti till bii dcxh, Januity ti. 1510). in tbli
cue a«t«l u LullieT wi»b«cl. geltinir the cue lianafcrrcd to Aufiburg. not
tram ihe deiire la help the Saion. bul trparcntlr bteauic tie fell be coulil deal
vilb bim more aurninaiily *t>. Smith, of. fit.: p. «a. .Vkfra, no. 70.

Vindlni tbat Lurbcr bad noi manKd M Hciilelberi, (he Caria Mimmoned bin
to Rome lu rtcnm vrlibin hxit d>TB, wbicb miimnioni. logeüicr «icb Prietiu'
Diai«gut {ftT'i no. <S), Luibcr b«d jittt receircd, Smiib, p. 47.

*"PiacJi(atoTci." Ii wDuld be pouible lo trsntUi* tbli "p(ia«ben of tnduV
Kciic<*," bul it I» mafi libel» tbx Luiher mtuii iLe "orSxt at pre«heTt,"* m tl«
DominicMiB were catlrd, for tbejr kid, Endnd. bp«n particularly acliva ^altul
him. Teuel, Exit anil Piieriu were all Di>mmi(«Da- Smith, tftii.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

lOL

hi« iniquity, to get the advice and aid of the elector at once,
«od when you have goi it, communicalt it to me, and sLlli
more to our re\'eraid fallier vicar Staupitr, who is per-
chance now witli you at Augsburg, or soon will be. For he
H in Salzburg, having promised to be at Nuremberg on
August 15. Finally, I pray you, be not moved or sad {or
tnc; with the trial the Lord will also make a way o( escape,
lam answering the sylvan and wild Dialogue of Sylvester
Priwias,' all o£ which you will have as soon as it is ready.
The same sweet man is both my enemy and my judge, as
you will sec by the Citation. Farewell, As I have much (o

I write I cannot say more to you now.

^m BRco-iiEK Martin Eleuthehius, Augustinian.

H 72. LUTHER TO SYLVESTER PRIERIAS AT ROME.

tinders. L 216. {WiTTENBEKd. about Augtiit m 1518.)

^m That supercilious Dialogue of yours, very reverend Father,
^pvritten in the tisual style of an Italian and a Thomist. has
reached me. You boast tn it that you, an old man. done with
fighting, are impelled anew by my words to the combat, but
nc^crtlicless, you say you will get the victory over mc in the
imcqual contest, as Etitellus did over Dares,* but by this alone
you show thai you arc vainglorious Dares rather than Entellus,
because you boast before you are safe and ask for praise
before victory.' Pray do what you can; the Lord's will be
done. . . .

Behold, reverend Father, I am sending your treatise back
qoickly, because your refutation seems trifling: therefore. I
have answered it ex tempore with whatever came uppermost
in my mind. If, after that, you wish to hit back, be careful
to bring your Aquinas better armed into the arena, lest per-
chance you be not treated as gently again as you are in this
encounter. I have forborne to render evil for evil.
Farewell !

ra- POPE LEO X TO CARDINAL CAJETAN AT AUGSBURG.

iMh^rs li'trke (Weimar), ii. 23. Roue, August 33, 1518.

By Ihi« bfcve Xhv Pope iraiufer» jurisdiction in Luther's case in
lOn ktm ud iIm Dialoffuc, tf, nfr«, ap. (8, and infr; no. 71.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Cajetao. A copy of it was secured by the Elector Frederic's agetitt
et AufftlniTs and lorward«! to Lutber, whom it reached «t Nufctn-j
berg Uie in October, infra, no, 93. October 31. Luther incorporsttd |
it in his ^cta ^ugujtana, und thu); it has reached poMcniy-
Rankc and olhcrs h.nvc tluublcd its Kenuiiiencss, but on insuftcient'
gmuiuls. CJ. Weimar, he. cit., p. 22, and Rtci4neycli>fädii, 3. n.j
SadolctOt I

Ciacomo de Vio. of Gicta (thenc« known at Cajetan and uiuallrl
as Thomas, the name he ai^umcd on becominK « monk; Fcbruar^i
20. 1.169-9 or 10 AuKuat, ISJ4). became a Dominican 11184. studied'
8t Naples, Bologna and Padtia; 1500 called to Komc ai Procurator
of his Order; 1507 began to teach at the University, and the nest
year was elected General of his Order. He was aciive against the.
schismatics at the Council ol Pisa 1511-3, Made Caidinal bj Leo»!
July 1, 1517, and Bishop of Palermo tsiS. In December. 1517, h«'
published a work on indulgences, which seems lo refer to I.uiher't'
Theses {Zeitichrifi für Kinkengesckichte, xxxU.. »i). In 1518 Iwi
was sent as legate to the Diet of Augsburg, and here saw Lather,^
tnfra, no. 85. In 1519 he was made Dishop of Cacia, and in im-
le^le to HuniiaT)-. t-'rom 1524. to llic sack of Rome. If37. he lived
in that city as councUlor of Clement Vll, and again from I5JO-4.'
Life, by A. Cossio (1002). RcalensychfäJU. Lauchen, of. eil., i^ff;
ZtiUchrifl für Kircktngrickutttt, jueiii. ZifiSl.

Beloved Son, greeting and the apostolic blessing! AEler
it had come to our ears that a certain Martin Luther, repro-
bate Augustinian, hau asserted some heresies and soitic things
different from those held by the Roman Churcli, and in a.ddi-
tion to this, of his own ra>hneäs and obstinacy, forgetting
the duty of obedience and not consulting the mistress of the
faith, the Roman Church, had dared to publish some slander-^
ous books in divers parts of Germany, wc, dcsiroua of
paternally correcting his rashness, ordered our venerabl»
brother Jerome,* Bishop of Ascoli, General Auditor of th«
Curia, to cite the said Martin to appear jwr.sonally before
him to be examined under certain penalties and to answer for
bis faith. The said Auditor Jcronic, as we have heard, issued
this citation to the said Martin.

But recently it lias come to our notice that the said Nfartin,
abusing our clemency and become bolder thereby, adding

*Jer*aie Ctitnuc«!. of Siini, tttrwrf ol JuTIiu 11.. br wbecn b« «ru maid*
Bbhop ot Ak«I> Bf 1^0 X. be wM oiitdc AvJitoT, (. I., Suprrafl Jvhkc o( tkt
Ptpat Curia, and urM >l oac tint u nuacin to KnftsniJ. In ijjS be ■>■■ «»•]*
ear^axt, UtA dJcd J«lr J, IJtI. Ditt^Mtrt* Jt Ermäinone {Vcaiec, lAff), /. p.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

evil to cvU ami obstinately persisting in his heresy, has pub-
lished some other propositions and slanderous books, contain-
ing other heresies and errors. This disturbed our muid
not a Utile Wherefore, agreeably to our pastoral duty, desir-

Iing to prevent such a pest from growing strong and infecting
the minds of tlie simple, we, by these presents, direct you
(in whose circumspection wc conRde much in the Lord, on
account of your singular learning, your experience and your
sincere devotion to this holy see of which you arc an honor-
able member) not to delay on receipt of this letter, but, since
the affair has become nuturious and inexcusable and has lasted
lonp, to force and compel the said Alanin, now declared to
be a heretic by (he said auditor, to appear personally before

I you. To accomplish this, call on the assistance of our most
beloved son in Christ, Maximilian. Emperor Elect of the
Romans, and of the other German princes, cities, corpora-
tioas and powers, both ecclesiastical and secular; and when
you have Martin in your power, keep him under a safe guard
until you hear further from us, as shall he determined by us
^^and the apostolic see.

H If he shall cnme to you of his own accord, craving pardon
Bfor his rashness, and showing signs of hearty repentance, we
■give you power of kindly receiving hini inlo the communion
of holy mother Cliurch, who never closes her bosom to him
who returns. But if, indeed, persevering in his contumacy,
and despising the secular arm, he will not come into your
povrer, then in like manner we give you power of declaring
in a public edict like those which were formerly written on
the praetor's bill-board.' to be posted in all parts of Gemiaiiy,
thai he and his adherents and followers are heretics, excom-
municated, anathematized and cursed, and are to be avoided
_by all the faithful as such. And in order that this plague
^■nay be the more quickly and easily exterminated, you may
^pdmonish and require, by our authority and under pain of
^Lxcommunication and other penalties mentioned below, all and
^pingiUar prebtes and other ecclesiastical persons, as well sec-

Tb« AlbiHn ptacloriam -wm the ptuc «htrc ihc pnelor uied tg puUUh bh
edict«. Duuiife, (. v. Tfat phiaa« tiioplT iiic>.na, ifacrcfort, notitM I« be p«it«d

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lei. 73

ular as regular of all orders, including the mendicants, and
all dukes, marquises, counts, barons, cities, corporations and
magistrates (except the aforesaid Maximilian Emperor Elect)
that, as they, desire to be considered Christians, they should
seize all his adherents and followers and give them into your
charge.

And if (which we deprecate and cannot believe) the said
princes, cities, corporations and magistrates, or any of them,
should receive Martin or his adherents and followers in any
way, or should give the said Martin aid, counsel or favor,
openly or secretly, directly or indirectly, for any cause what-
ever, we subject the dties, towns and domains of these princes,
communities, corporations and magistrates to the interdict'
as well as all the cities, towns and places to which the said
Martin may happen to come, as long as he remains there and
for three days afterwards. And we also command all and
singular princes, cities, corporations and magistrates aforesaid,
to obey all your requisitions and commands, witliout excep-
tion, contradiction or reply, and that they abstain from giving
counsel, aid, favor and comfort to the aforesaid. The penalty
of disobedience, in addition to that mentioned above, shall be
for the clergy deprivation of their churches, monasteries and
feudal benefices forever, and for laymen, except the aforesaid
Emperor, the penalties of infamy, inability to do any legitimate
act, deprivation of religious burial and forfeiture of tlie ficfs
held from us or from the apostolic sec. together witli what-
ever secular paialties may be hereby incurred. And by these
presents we give you power of rewarding the obedient with
a plenary indulgence or grace according to your judgment,
notwithstanding previous privileges granted and confirmed by
the apostolic authority to churches, monasteries and persons,
even if it be expressly provided therein tliat ihey cannot be
excommunicated. . . .

Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, under the fisherman's ring,
in the sixth year of our pontificate.

J. Sadoletus."

'I. t.. rioblbitloa of all rrlieJoui riKi eu«pt bipiiim ind Mtrcmr uncilon.
Tili« tbfcat. linitü (birlly at Ifac ClKtnr Ficilcflc, «u not carrjeil ODI for politiciJ
r«a»an>.

i|>copo Sadotcto, i47T-*SVi *■* ■ walltrBliwd ihialaitui, cnplored m ptfi»!

LA 74 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 1»

74- POPE LEO X. TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.
LmlM^ Ofera varii orgtimeHti (Erlangen, 1865), Ü. 353;

RoMK, Anfruil 33, 1516.
BcIov«(] Son, greeting and ihe apostolic blessing! ... It
has come to our ears from all quarters that a certain son of
iniquity, Friar Martin Luther, of the German Congregation
of Augustinian Hermit*:, forgetting his doth and profusion,
which consists in humility ami obedience, sinfully vaimts him-
self in the Church of God. and, as though relying on your
protection, fears the authority or rebuke of no one. Although
«re know tbis is false, yet we thought good to write to your
Lordship, exhorting you in the Lord, that for the name and
fame of a good Catholic Prince such as you are, you should
retain Ihe splendor of your glory and race unsoiled by these
calumnies. Not only that we wish you to avoid doing wrong,

I as you do, for as yet we judge that you have done none, but
ire desire yo\i to escape tlie suspicion of doing wrong, in
which Luther's rashness would involve you.
' As we are certain from the report of most learned and
religious men, and especially of our beloved son, tlie Master
of our Sacred Palace, that Luther has dared to assert and
publicly to affirm many impious and heretical things, we have
ordered htm to he summoned to make answer, and we have
cbarged our belovwl son. Cardinal Cijelan, Legate of the Holy
See. a. man versed in all theology and philosopliy, to do with
Luther as seems best.

As this affair concerns the purity of the faith of God and
the Catholic Qiurch, and as it is the proper office of the Apos-
tolic Sec, the mistress of faith, to take cognizance who think
rightly and who wrongly, we again exhort your Lordship, for
tbe sake of God's honor and ours and your own, please to

■MMtUT on aKoufil of bia rl«cant Latinity. He «nu bofn la Moilen*. aludJed

M K^mra. woil lo Rame tiat, wbere be look ordan uid «nltrtd tb« Mrric«

ef Cardinil Olivipro CarilF*. Leo X, iiniDpJisitIr on hia acctuiDii to tbe

papal ibrane named Sadolelo and Bemba lecrruflet of brcrn. lie «m

■ litl Biibap of C>tprni(iu iji;. «here be litnl ilurtnc Ihe pomiScaie of

A4rlaa VI.. *n4 Uitia after ibr xtx\ of Rome. lin. In ij.iA be «u mide cir-

tfnal Mid nexber of ibc C'ocnnluioii for Reform ifitHiintrd ti7 riiil III. He

coMrin un the Bible aniJ otber works, tncludini »ome afiinit Lutbci.

Laocbelt: DU Jltlumtilitn Ctvtr Luihfrt, jSjfl. I haec aoi Ken: S.

[7a «NMHUM titlvfi, /'Mdfw Stdeirit, Roma, 1911.

lOS

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let 73

give help that tliis Martin I.uther may be delivered into the
power and judgment of the Holy See, as the said l^ate will
request of you. . . .

Given at St. Peter's, under the fisherman's ring, in the sixth
year of our pontificate. y

James Sadoi-etus.

75. GABRIEL DELLA VOLTA. GENERAL OF THE AUGUS-
TINIAN HERMITS. TO GERARD HECKER. PROVINaXL
OF SAXON V.

Zeitschrift für KircheHgeschickte, ii. 4761

CoBi (near Rome), Angusl 35, 1518.

Gabriel della Volta of Venice (Veneius) was nomiruled General
0! th« Augusttnians by L«o X, at the beginning of 1518. He at üfil
declined, but was pcr>ti3<Icil by a IcKrr of Ecbruaty 3. i^xti (P. Brmbi
Efiflolarunt Itbri, xvi. Lugduni. [538, no. 18), chiefly b«aute Leo
thouifhi liini ihc bc.n in.iii lo ileal witli Lutlicr. In this tetter the
Pope beagcd liim to "quiet ih« man, for newly kindled flames are
easily qucni:hcd, but a. ercät tire ti hard to put out." Accordingly, at
the General CliariLT u Venice, in June, I5ir). Gabriel was elected
General. He had already cndeavorcd to get Staupilz to deal with
Lmhcr (Smith, p. 46} and failing in this turned 10 Hcckcr. Koldc:
^lugustiii^T-Conffrfgation, index.

Hcckcr, since 1480 Auguslinian at Lippitadt, lecturer at Bologna.
1488. In IS03 he c.ime to Erfurl. where he was Luther's teacher.
He was thrice Provincial of Thuringia and Saxony. In Ijai be
came out for the Reformation, going to Osnabrück, where he lived
untU his death, in 1536. Kolde, tac. cit., 474; Enden, vii. 8j.

You can hardly estimate into what a mass of evils a certain
Brother Martin Luther of our order and of the Congregation'
of the Vicar, has brought us and our profession.* Thinking
himself wise, he has become the most foolish of all who were
ever in our order. We had prcvioii-sly heard from the Rev-
erend Auditor* of the Apo.stolic Chamber, and as has now
tjccn communicated to us by our Supreme Lord [..eo X.. Lutlier
has come to such a degree not only of noxiousness, but also
of most damnable heresy, that he has not feared to lecture
and dispute openly against the Holy Roman Church and the

■T&c GMRian AutiatinUni were divided Into two bodin, tlie Canrrraaiioa of
ObtcfTUU. of vbkh Stmpiu *m Ticar, acd ib< Coortntaab, under tinker.
'"Ktlicj?" in ibc uiual nsnMtic Moat.
■Jcfomr (jhinucci.

Lei. 75

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

107

Supreme ^^ost Blessed Pontiff, and publicly to preach liis

false doctrine and many other propositions suitable not to a

monk and a Christian as he h. bm to a schismatic heretic and

to one whose name, perhaps, has been erased from the book

of life. Xow we have warned iliis rebel lo his profession and

this enemy of the cross of Christ to desist from his cursed

doings, and we have cited liira to Rome, either to correct or

to show reason for all that he lias said against Our Supreme

Lord' and the Holy Roman Clmrch. But as he was blind

enough in bis heresy to dare to lift up his face against heaven,

L^nd to rage and rebel against Our Supreme Lord, thus he did

^^■Dt fear lo show his rebellious contumacy against ]ü^ vow

^Bnd us. Now his iniquity has multiplied and his sin has grown

^^o such a degree that by the command of the Supreme I'ontiff

^^Our Lord, we ought to apply opportune remedies to this conta-

^kous pestilence, and. lest he should infect and ruin others, to

^^rocced against him as a rebel to his vow and a heretic towards

the Holy Roman Church. And as we cannot be everj'where,

[ we rely on your wcU-tried virtue, moderation and probity.

Therefore we command you under pain of losing all your

promolions. dignities and offices, when you receive this letter,

to proceed to capture the said Brother Martin Luther, have

him bound in chains, fetters and handcuffs, and detained imder

strict guard in prison at the instance of our Supreme Lord

Leo X. And as he belongs to that Congregation which thinks

itself free from your" government, that he may have no way of

escape, we give you in lliis matter all our authority, and we

inform you that our Supreme Lord, the Pope, has delegated

lo you plenary apostolic authority to imprison, bind and detain

this man. notwithstanding anything done to the contrary, all

, of which, in as far as concerns this business, his Holiness

expressly waives. Furthermore, he grants you power of putting

^the interdict on all places, and of excommunicating all persons

^■ry the apostolic auüiority, as you will see further in the

^n>ostolic breve, and of doing all things which seem to you

^fttcdful for imprieoning this scoundrel; all of this in the name

^^P ■Um«l dMifuii«!! «f ibc Pope.

of t^ CciKral. but Ütty lUd rvfu« ol>«licD<c (>> iS« Caoipiiluali lieadtd bjr
Bccicr.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

1^76

of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
We command all those under us, of whatever Prov-ince, Con-
gregation, title, dignity or oilice,' to help and advise you ia
this matter, and not only Uiis, but on their duty of obedience
and und«r pain of excommunicaiion, for which, tlioutfh
unwillingly, in this letter we give such persons the triple warn*
ing commanded by the Canon Law, that they should obey and
serve you as they would ourseif. Know that in this matter
you will not only do a great favor to us and to our profession,
hut will also put under a great obligation our Supreme Lord
Leo X., who of his own accord offers to pay you amply for it.
Know also that if you accomplish tiiis, no one in the order
will in future be dearer to us than yOu; by this one service
you will win for yourself more benefits, honors and dignities
than you could in all the rest of your life. Proceed, therefore;
look to God, the iiispirer of holy works, that men may recog-
nize in you a man who^e mind and heart are lit to do great
deeds. The whole order will praise you for this, and we
shall always be in your debt. Hereafter, our profession will
always consider you as the renewer of the honor of our order
and the zealous supporter of the Holy Roman Church. The
thing is too important to admit delay; tlicrefore we command
you to spare no labor, to refuse no expense to get this heretic
into (he hands of the Supreme Pontiff. We also command
you to write to us as often and as fully and as quickly as
possible, whenever you have any news in this business. You
will be paid to the uttermost farthing. Farewell.

76. LUTHER TO SPALATIN AT AUGSBURG-

Endcn, i. aiS. Wittekbim, August 38, 151a

This iMter. dated "sabbatho octavae Assumplionis D. Mariac," or
"Saturday week after the Assumption of Mary" (Auffu&l 15). is put
by Enders on AugHSl 21. The wortling is douljlful, but the letter
seems, ttom other reasons, to have been writlen a week later, i t.,
Aupiat 28. Cf. Zeitschrift für KirekengtJthieku, xvü. 167, note a,
and Luthers VVtrkt, ett, Oetnen. i, 15.

Greeting. The messenger I sent to the Ulustrious Elector

■Tbia wu Intcndrd paniciilaTlr >vr Suupili. wbo •]mp«ibU«<] «ritli Lullwr,
and bad fallrd lu makr bim Trcant ■! the Gm'rtal Cbuptcr beld al ticlildbcff In
Bfijr, alihouill be had been tniiltuclcd In do «a bl Volu.

77 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 1»

Frederic has not rcturncii, therefore I am still waJting to
know what the Lord will do in my caus« through you. But I
have heard that the Vcr)- Reverend Cardinal Cajetan has
been particularly commanded by the Pope to do everything
possible to alienate the minds of the Emperor and princes
from me. So much dues conscience make such popes cowards,
or rather so intolerable is the power of truth to worlu which

e done in darkness !

But as you know, Spalatiii, I fear nothing. For even if
their sycophancy and jrawer should succeed in making me
hateful unto all. yet my heart and conscience would tell me
that all things which I tjavc and which they attack, I liave from
God, to whom willingly and of my own accord I refer them
and to whom I offer them. If he takes Uiem away, !cl them
be taken away, if he preserves them, let them be preserved,
and may bis name be holy and blessed forever. Amen.

I do not see in what way I can escape all their censures
unless the elector helps me. On the other hand. I would
much prefer to be always under their censures tlian to make
the elector incur o<lium for my sake. Thcrcfiirc, as I formerly
offered myself, believe that I am still ready to be offered up,
and convince of this any other whom you may think fit. I
will never be a heretic; I may err in debate, but I wish to
decide nothing. Yet 1 would not be captive to the doctrines
of men. . . .

I send my Resolutions, very badly printed on account of my
rather long absence.' Pricrias' Diaiogue' with my answer are
bang printed at Lcipsic. . . .

Brother Martin Eleutherius, ytugustinian.

77. LUTHER TO JOHN STAUPITZ.
Eaders. i. aaz (Wittekkrc). September i. ijift

Greeting. Doubt not, reverend Father, that in future 1
»hall be free in examining and treating the Word of God.
For neither does that citation to Rome, nor do their threats

■Lsclicf bwl K«cnltr betn la Dre*d«n, on wbUh. (f. infra, no, iij, bavItlK
prcacbcd tkcre on Jutjr a, Sui lie it btrc prubalilr rtfcrring to bU trip to
Bctildbcrf, Apr!t ii-U>r ■;-

*I.t(t)>«r hiiDHlt printed I'ricriju' Dialegut, wilb bu mniiret. RcpTinled Wctmkr,

i^^, Cf. n^tt. DM. W. 7'-

^K >14. t-

m LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ul 78

move me ; you know that I suffer things infinitely worse,' which
would make me consider these teunjoral and passing' thunder-
bolls trifles, were it not that I sincerely desire to cherish the
power of tlie Church. If I am excommunicated by men my
only fear is of offending you, whusc judgment In these matters
I think is right, faithful and given with God's author!^. . . ,
My opponents strive, 1 sec, to prevent Christ's kingdom of
truth coming, and do all in their power to prevent truth being
heard and preached in their own kingdom. I desire to be a
part of this kingdom, at least with a veracious tongue and a
pure heart confessing the irutli, even if toy life does not
correspond. And 1 leam that the people are sighing for the
voice of their shepherd Christ, and that the youth hums with
great zeal towards the Holy Scriptures. . . .

Hrotmer Maktin Luther.

y&. WOLFGANG FABRICIUS CAPITO TO LUTHER.
Endcr^ I 226. Basle. Scpictnbcr 4. 15181

Greeting. Your last kind letter" I answered from Sirass-
biirg. telling you of Erasmu';' opinion of you, that is, how
honorably and frankly he admires your Theses' Since then !
have seen your Sermon on Penitence and that on Indulgences
and Grace, each of which declares open war against the cus-
toms of this age. I was seized with anxiety for the safety of
my friend, who cxijoses a naked side to dense throngs of
enemies, though, indeed, he seems well armed with the weapons
of truth. But 1 much fear that you will be attacked by far
different weapons, and that there is danger lest force be
resorted to. Wherefore, if you wit! give ear to a f.iiihful
counsellor, 1 xvam you, as one who knows, that you will play
the part of Sertorius.* Believe me, you will accomplish more
obliquely than by a direct assault in full force. You see they
occupy a fortress defended at all points. They sleep, as it
were, on their arms, sheltered beliind a triple rampart, the
authority of the Pope, that is, of the universal Church, the

>Lalhpr ref<r* t« tU ■iiiritua] InniiUIJot».

*Ct. taprt, no. 40-

Kt. infta. no. »t-

«Sertorius wu ■ Spknlifc rebel wbo p»inl>ined him »til for ■ tioie. Iiul «u

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

power of kings, and the obstinate agreement of the uni-
versities. Forsooth you will hardly ever easily break this thick
and triple cord of the cacoUemon. There is need of an Alex-
andier, to cut it, like the Gordian knot, with hi& sword; to
loose it by genius or reason is hard. Simple but pious men
stand at the beck and call of ihc fictitious Cliurch. The wiser
heads fear her tyranny. And especially wc theologians, who
sell the greatest of all things, the holy knowledge of Christ.
give lip Chris: for our pride, and, inveighing against all the
stains on religion, under the prctcKt of piety take care to lose
nothing by it. Wherefore, lest your splendid attempt should
turn out vain, I pray you use a little artifice, by which you may
fix your hook in the reader before he suspects that a hook has
l>een baited for him.

Thus tlie apostles urged nothing suddenly, nothing openly,
but always preserved decorum and courtesy. Witli what
strategy docs Paul ajiproach in the Epistle to the Romans !
What does he not do to keep their favor? lie simulates
one thing and dissimulates another, he winds in and out, he
displays his rich burden from afar, again lie conceals it, in
short, he weighs his words so that he may never arouse
hatred or disgust.

The Acts of the Apostles arc fui! of examples of his method.
Thus in a tumult St. Paul answers like a turncoat: he does
not say, "I do not speak against the law," but "Of the resur-
rection I am called in question."' thus with wunderfid pru-
dence diverting attention from the observance of the law. Thus
great things arc safely accomplished by oblique methods.
Thus I wish that you might always keep some window open
b>' which you might escape when you arc harassed in debate.

Recently I received Prierias' foolish pamphlet against your
Theses. If you answer him I hope it will be prudently and
according to the true example of Oirist in the gospel. Speak
expressly of religion in its inception and growth, of the cus-
toms of tlie ancients, the reason of old error, and tlic various

crees of the jropcs and councils, m) that your argument
lin credence as though drawn from ihc fountain of tnith.
fou can more frequently discredit single abuses by ridicule

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let. 7»

than by attacking them seriously. Carefully abstain from
abusing the Pope, but rather give all the blame to I'rierias,
as an impudent flatterer who only for the sake of his bell/
places ati unworthy burden on tlie poniiücal dignity. . . .

But behold how my friendship has made nie forget myself
in telling you what to do. Pray forgive my solicitude. You
have more than one cliampion, Carlstadt, Spalaiin, Egranus
and Mclanchthon, a wonderful aggregation of genius. If
you rely on their counsels, you will never publish anything
weak or ridiculous. . . ■

Erasmus greatly approves of Egranus' book,' with its nerv-
ous, rapid and clear argument. Ke wished that it might be
republished at Basle,' although he would have been angry had
it been printed here first. John Eck has written against Carl-
stadl. Do what you can you will not debate before an impar-
tial tribunal, but at lea.it con.'iider us safe. I am wrtiing a
free answer to Eck. in a private letter. . . . Farewell.

Yours, whom vou know.

79. MARCO MINIO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE.

R. Brown: Calendar of Slate Pafen , . . in . . . I'tntef. London,

1B69, ii. 1069. RoMK, September 4, 1518,

Minio was the agent o( the Venetian Government M Rome, 1518-9.
His letter, as given by me aft« Mr. Brown, i* abbreviated.

To-day in the consistory the Pope announced his intention
of sending the Rose' to the Elector of Saxony, as that prince
was a good Christian and one of the chief princes of Germany.
The Pope did this to try, through the medium of the Elector
of Saxony, to allay the heresy, as they style it, of a certain
Dominican ( f] friar, who was preaching in tliose parts against
the apostolic see, condemning the forms observed by the
Church of Rome, alleging moreover that the indulgences daily
conceded were of no value, and many other doctrines.

■HU Ate-lagttitm KtrfBtuia, for which Luther wrote i preface. Cf. Endvn, i.
tSin Wdmu, i. ]t6.

i\* vM ilonr, Kndrrt, iHa.

(The •noinird saldea riM«. * mucb priird tokni tent hj th< Pop« I« (uiUul
princr* Cf. Smith. «/. r«, S«. RodocaitMhi: Kamr «> Iraafj d* Imltt II. n 4t
Uot X„ p. xm(.

C. St

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

8a STAUPITZ TO LXTTHER.

Dder», i. 334.
Possess yoi

Saubukc, Sfptembef t^ 1518.

for sah

I have enough

r soul in patience
to write to fill a book, but will express myself bricflj". It
seems to mc that the world is exasperated against truth ; with
so great hatred was Christ once crucified, and to-day I see
nothing wailing for you but the cross. Unless I mistake, the
opinion prevails that no one should examine the Scripture
without leave of the Pope in order to find for himself, which
Christ certainly commands us to do. You have few defenders,
and would that they were not hiding for fear of enemies. I
should like you to leave Wittenberg and come to me, that we
ciay live and die together. This would also please the arch-
shop.* Here I finish. It is expedient thus to be, that
abandoned wc may follow abandoned Christ. Farewell, and

good journey to you.

Your brother,

John Staupitz.

Eadcr«, L 3J& (Wittsnber«;), September 16, ijiS.

. . . The most learned and perfect Grecian Philip Melanch-

^^tion' is teaching Greek here. He is'a mere boy in years, hut

^^ne of us in various knowledge, including that of almost all

' hooks. He is not only master of Greek and Latin, but of all

the learning to which they arc the keys, and he also knows

some Hebrew.

The most illustrious elector has written me that he has
brought it about that the Legate Cajctan has written to Rome
to ask that my case be referred to a German tribunal' and that
I may expect that it will he. So 1 hope that ] will not be
censured. But I displease many, most, almost all. . . .

■Matth«« IJtitl (t4t8-i540). of AuKi'I'im. «b« bad becone a truiled cauncfllor
of HioiMiliMu b*e«ma Bishop of Giirk it»!. CaMinil ijir, Coadiittor of Silihurx
tiM and AnkbtalMp of th»( »et is>0. Biiliop of Atbin« tsjs- He wm a mrm
trtaai of Snupiti. To bit tudgmrnt it «ru 11 one tim< propoxed la ttftt ttie
Lstbcran aSair. Smtih. tf. cti.. pi>. S5. 107. He w». bawerir. t1war> a bitter
■lip« »I II r «f the Rcfuimailan. ivrtecutlnii lu >fl)i«rrnt-i, Includinc Eraimiu, and
AMiaciriabioc himMtf hy bi* cructir in aupprcMinn xht Pcuanli' ScTult »t iWS-
ftrflard Baai FranMi* ft'ar. p. la.-ff. In gtnoal Rtaitmt'tihpHit.

•On ki* »c« kit«r no St.

*CJ. tmfr«, ao, }4, and in/r«, no. Sj.

LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND

L<t tu

Sia. GUY BILD TO LUTHER.
Zeitschrift des hislorischfn Vereins für Schwaben und Nritburg. iSgi},
Vol. xjc. p. 219. AuiiSBUkti, September 21, 1518.

Bild was born at Höchstädt 14S1, studied at IngoUudt, came to
Augsburg lyxK where he took a posiiion as parish clerk at St. Ulrick
In 150J in consequence of a teveie iUne&s he became s monk «t tint
convent. He died in tlie last halt oi 1529. A sketch of his life and
some of his ktierg, 0/. (il. supra, i^^CT. In 1518 Bernard Atlelmann
gave Bild some of Luther's works. At the Diet of Augsburg in the
same year, he had an interview with Spalatin on the subject ol
Luther. When the Wittenberger came to Augsburg in October,
however, Bild did not go to sec him.

Reverend Father in Clirist [1 wish yoti] Jesus the protector
of the just.* A few day& ago I received the theses inscribed
with your name, and have nuw been able to acquire a fuller
knowledge of the author. For it happened that ihat noble man.
George Spalatin. who is not only imbued with the rudiments
of all sciences, but is decked with a garland of all the virtues,
and is a dear and faithful friend of yours, having some busi-
ness with me on behalf of his elector,^ told me during the
conversation, at my request, what he could of your worth,
person and piety. As he knew my favorable opinion of your
Reverence, he talked freely about you; indeed, you were th«
alpha and omega of hi? discourse. Also the Reverend Father
Prior of the Convent of RamBau,*once your disciple as he said,
fairly made me dance with joy,' by instnicting me more fully
about your exemplarj' life (I speak without base adulation)
and thus he so inflamed my mind that I ani no less bound to
your Reverence ihan was Jonathan to his faithful David.
Our common friend George Spalatin will more clearly reveal
to you what I think of your Reverence's doctrines, learning,
instruction and defence. Wherefore, reverend Father, I
humbly beg and deser\"e pardon of you for wishing to approach
your Reverence with my inelegantly written letter. For 1
was assured of your mercy not only hy words, but because 1

*Ilutea<l it Ute uiual «tcdins^ "Salulem." mraniiiK: "TI wiili to«) bnllh."

Tbii w» to etdar iwclira tundiaU frnim Bild, wba wni an «upcrl (o maUnc
Ifccn.

■Bfiitia Clucr. on w)i«m, ef. tm/r», no. 154. lit bad tieta introdaccd I« BiUI
bf Sfalutn in a lMt*r dil«! St-rtemfctr 1.

*"Aceadi«Uvit fsudiU iripudu"; one mi7 iiMptcr 1 corrupt wxl.

Let. 92

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTKRS

115

^Th.

was not ignorant tliat you constantly, by good deeds, preached
the kingdom of God and salvation of souls. Wherefore I
decided, relying on the offices of a friend, to send you this
note m order that (tliough I astc it foolishly) I may be
inscribed in the register of your friends, even as the least of
them, so that aided by your prayers before God Almighty I
may rejoice to have meritc<l the kind friendshi]) of such a
man. Farewell, and be commende<l to God and to all the
saints.

Guy Bild of Höchst aot.

az. PHILIP MELANCHTHON TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL
AT NUREMBERG.

Corfiu Rtiormatorum, I 48. Wittenderc, September 24, 1518.

Philip Mebocblbon (SchwaiUerd) <)4Q;-I56o}. Luther's ablest

licntcnanl, ■ gmtd-ncphcw of Kcuchlin, bom at Itrctten near Pfori-

hcim. He malrirutntci) <it Heidelberg 1500, anil viai B,A. in 1511.

Thence he wert to Tubingea, where he took hi» M.A. in 1514. By 1516

bad already sltractcd the aiicntton oE Brasmus, and at the rccoio*

mdation of Kcuchlin was called in 1518 10 VVittcnticrg. His iiiaiiKU-
ral Bttdrcss, De coriigtndis jl-diis, was wannly received. From this
ttine on he became Luther's uarmesl friend and chief aid. After
Lather's death his position approached more nearly the Catholic than

Pany Protestants liked, and he thus caused a schism in the cvansclic
lid. Live« of him by G. Ellitiger and in Rfoiettcyclopmiit, and in
rigliih by Richard (1Ö98). His works in Ctfrfuj Kcftfrnoiorum, vols.
2S. to which several supplements have been added.
... 1 have begun to teach Greek and Mcbrew to the Saxons.
which undertaking I hope God will favor. I have also dctcr-
mined to publish a$ soon as possible some sacred writings
of the Greeks, Hebrews and Romans with commentaries.
Wherefore I pray you either for the love of these studies,
or for the honor of the Etecior Frederic or of our uni-
versity to order at my expense, from the booksellers of
Coburg, a Greek Bible, for we have the Hebrew Bible extremely
well printed here. You will understanrl how much thi.'i will
redound to the credit of the elector, the university and your
own name, and I would be the first to declare it, did you not
already have a witness in Luther, that honored, good and
learned leader of true Christian piety. . . ,

LUTHER'S C0RRF.5P0KDF.NCF. AND

UlSi

83. LUTHER TO CEORCE SPALATIN.
Enders, i. 23^ Early morning, Avcssui«, October lo» 151$.

Greeting. Dear Spalaiin. I arrived at Augsburg' on Octo-
ber 7. I arrived tired, for having contracted &ome grave
stomach trouble, 1 almost fainted by the wayside, but I have
recovered. This is the third day since I arrivctl, nor have [
yet seen the very reverend lord legate, though on the very
first day I sent Dr. Wenzel Link and anotltcr to announce mc
Meantime a sale-conduct is being secured for mc by my
friend» from the imjwrial councillors. They are all very
cordial to me for the sake of the illustrious elector. But
although the ver>- reverend cardinal I^ate himself promises
to treat me with all clemency, ycl my friends will not allow
me to rely on his word alone, so prudent and careful are
they. For they know tl»at he is inwardly enraged at me. no
matter what he may outwardly pretend, and I myself clearly
learned this elsewhere.

But to-day, at any rate, I shall approach him, and seek to
see him and to have my tirst inter\iew, though whether it will
so turn out 1 do not know. Some tliink my cause will lie
affected by the absence of the Cardinal of Gurk,* some say
tlie same of tlie absence of the Emperor, who is not far away,
but is daily expected to return. The Bishop of Augsbiiig* is
also absent from the city. Yesterday. I dined with Oinrad
Peutingcr,* a doctor (of law], a citizen and a man, as you
know well, extremely zealous in my cause ; nor are the other
councillors behind. 1 know not whether the most reverend
Ic^tc fears me or whether he is preparing some treachery.

Yesterday he sent to me the ambassador of Moniferrat,"

it^thcr*« Miatman* (o Rom« w*« rJii««nl in onr tn appext il Auetliurg bcfor«
r*fdin4] Cajttan TliU wu In aetordmrt v<ih hji own wliibci. and miih tbr
poK<^r of C>l*tin Smilh. of. eil,, ti-n. lupra. noi. 76 «id gi.

■Cbriiiopkrr «on Su4ian (BUhot» iii7-4]). lain a rr««t ftkni) of FraHnai.

•PmlinrM tnH-'i*7l- of Auiabrurt. tluditd in lialr, in t447. wu appolaird
IMm deTk of hi) n.iiivr citr. In ib« M-nricc of «bkh h« dlKliircFd taTiont
«talon*, and wai mad« imperial councillor br Uaxiniitlan. Hit paaiion wa* ibc
mnir of »liiiuitin, on «bltb he pradiiwil atfcrat w^rb. He va« a (rieod Pf
ETMmua *nd of iht ttcformatlnn, AU^mrint DrHit<S* OitfrafKir.

■VttaJi ila Srrraloaia, who had bctn »tnl w waJor at lie <lt<t«r*a coarl frv«
Counr WlllUm IX. of Hotiitcrrai. iitxiied hixMcir 10 Caj«» after WlUiaoi**
tlcalh in 1117. On kU tnMfTkw «itb Lutber, Snilb, of. eil., 4X.

Ut 83 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 117

w sound me on my position before the interview with liiniKlf.
All think that ttie man came to me suborned and instructed
by the legate, for he p!ead with me long, advancing arguments
for sanity (a$ he called it), sa>'ing that I should simply agree
with the legate, return to the Church, recant what I had said
ilL He gave me the example of the Abbot Joachim of Flora'
wbo, by acting as he [SerralongaJ advised me to do, deserved
to be considered no heretic, altliough lie had uttered heresy.
Then the suave gentleman dissuaded me from <lc fending mj
opinions, asking if I wished to make it a tournament. In
short, he is an Italian and an Italian he will remain. I said
that if I could be shown that I had said anything contrary
to the doclrine of the Holy Roman Church, J would soon be
my own judge and recant. Our chief difficulty was that he
cherished tlie opinions of Aquinas beyond what he can find
authoritj- for in the decrees of the Church. I will not yield to
him on this point until the Church repeals her former decree
on which I rely. "Dear, dear," said he, "so you wish to have
a tournament?" Then he went on to make some insane
propositions, as. for example, he openly confessed that it was

ight to preach lies, if the)- were profitable and filled the chest.
;>le denied that the power of the Pope should be treated in

icbate. but tiiat it should be so exalted that the Pope might by
his sole authority abrogate cverytliing, including articles of
faith, and especially that point we were now disputing on.
He also made other propositions which I will tell you when I
see you. But I dismissed this Sinon," who too openly showed
his- Greek art, and he went away. Thus I hang between hope
and fear, for this clumsy go-between did not give me the least
confidence. . . .

The very re\'erend Vicar John Staupitz writes that he will
certainly come when he hears that I have arrived. . . .

We know that the Pope has sent the Rose* to our most
illustrious elector, a favor they give to great men with lively

IJ^Mfcim «f Flora (i>«)-tinf) tlirttd >n »Khslaloe'''*' movement In Ilaly
wfai<b oixl* a «nit commMioti vhtn hia vorbi vtn pnbllihed hr non« of hi«
ioBiimm ilxrt tii) dnlk hiiIt ihr iiiitnt of "The Kicinal niiMifl'' (1154).

*Tk« C^eti who pniuidircl th» Tfüjini !u atlruit the wauilcQ bone icto tbeit
chf- Vircil. A*nnd, ii. ^u".

■C/. »W. <M. 70-

I.UTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND trt.

hope of reward, and that he promises him all good will. In
short, the Roman Church, if 1 may sav so, is insatiable for
gold, and increases her appetite by eating. Farewell fore\'er,
and thank the elector for me and commend me to him.

BuOTltER KIaKTIN LUTUEIE, AuffUStiniuH.

84. LUTHER TO PHILIP MEL.ANXHTHOK AT WITTENBERG
Eoders, i. 244. Aucsovkg, October it, 1518.

. . . Play the man, as you do, and teach the youth the
things that are right. If it please the Lord I am going to be
I sacrificed for you and (or ttiein. I prefer to perish, and,
what is my greatest sorrow, to lose your sweetest society for*
ever rather than to recant what has been well said, and thus
became the occasion for the ruin of tlic noblest studies.

With these enemies of literature and of learning, men as
foolisli as they are bitter, Italy Is cast into tlic palpable dark-
ness of Egypt.* They arc completely ignorant of Christ and
of the things which are Christ's, yet we have them as lord*
and masters of our faith and morals. Thus is the wrath of
God fulfilled against us. as he says:' "I will give children to be
their princes and effeminate men shall rule over them." Fare-
well, my Ptiilip, and avert the wrath of Gu<] with pure
prayers. Brother Martin Lutiiek.

85. LUTHER TO ANDRF.W CARLSTADT AT WITTEKBERG.
Enders, i. 249. De Wctic, i. 159. German*

Aucssusc, October 14, isiR.
I wish you happiness and salvation, Honored Doctor. I
must write briefly for time and business press me. At an-
other time I will write you and other people more. For
three days my affair has been in a hard case, so hard, in-
deed, tiiat I had no hope of coming to you again and saw
nothing aliead of me more certain tlian excommunication.

t~reti«bru pilpabilo" ttam Eiodiu. a. ii. "Itficbrtc un dmuc n» palpAti
<|U(aa(," in «ur «cr«ion, "dirknot nfeiclt aur t>« Mt." 1 bam kcrii Luifeer'*
thnt* rMMttXf, u it >> (ocnd in Miltan, Far«iitt L»i*, sll. lU.

Iwak, iU. 4, foUowios tlic Vulc>tc trsmlatlon.

■Thi« l(ii«r «u oticinaRr «rlitcs io l.«rln. but only dc Gemiit traiuUiüii
h^ snmnd.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

U»

Fcrr all the while the legate would not allow me to debate
y nor privately with him alone, meantime boasting that

Äe nil] not be my judge, but will act as a father towards me
in everything. None the less, he will hear nothing from me
except, "I recant, I revoke, 1 confess that I erred," which
I would not say.

Onr chief difficulty was over two articles, i. That I said
indulgence was not the treasury' of the merits of our Lord
^nd Saviour Christ. 2. That a man going to the sacrament
*>iust believe, etc*

Agamst these propositions the Legate hrnught forward the
decretal Uaiffenitus' relying on which he became extremely
presumptuous as though 1 were wholly refuted and wished
thereupon to force me to a recantation. He alleged for his
side tlic common, though insane, opinion of the schoolmen on
the power and effect of the sacrament, and also the uncer-
tainly of the recipient of the sacrament."

Since the legate wished to act by force alone, I have to-
day, through the intercession of several persons, obtained
permission to send in my answer in writing, in which the
aforesaid decretal Vnigcnitus is dealt with and turned against
the legate and his purpose, as I hope, by divine counsel. It
shamed the legate, who let all else go and during my ab-
sence desired to speak alone with the reverend father vicar
Dr. Staupiti. When the vicar came to him he was right
friendly. But we don't trust the Italian further than we can
sec, for. perhaps, he is acting treacherously.

But I have drawn up an appeal, as well drafted and
grounded as possible, and suited to the occasion. It is also
my intention, if the legate tries to use force against me, to
publish my answer on the aforesaid two points, so that the
«hole world may see his foolishness. For truly from his

inton various senseless and heretical positions may be de-

', t„ Lmktr ^uvntA that the «A<a«r «f tbe »iiCfinieni iru dtpcndent on ihc
frilk of ibe reciptcnt, wfc«[«M At Callmlic doctrine iru thai h acted lutomaticallr,
*^a «^r* ap«rata,"

■Caii«n Low, lib. j, lit. 9. up. 4. Repriat«d In B. J. BM: Dttmmtntt «/ IM
C*«'ia*"'4f RtfortKtIiott. p. i.

</. *,, Cai«lui »aid thai ««eoriling to Ltttli«'i «toettint ■ man wanld arrrr
iBww •belb«r h* hill tcAtl«!)! iaiib mü Ibtrifo« wlitUi<r the u<rani<nt did
Urn uiy fottd ar Bot.

SS»

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AKD

tet.»

rived. Perchance he is a 6ne Thomisl, but a puzzle-headed,
obscure, senseless theologian and Christian, as well fitted to
deal with and judge this business as an ass to play the harp.

Therefore my cause stands in so much the more danger, be-
cause it has such judges who arc not only bitter enemies, but
arc unable to understand it. But the Lord lives and rules
here as elsewhere, to whom I commend myself and all mine,
and I doubt not that some God-fearii^ people will help me
with their prayers, {or it seems to me that prayer is said
for me.

But whether I come to you again safe and sound, or
whether under the ban I go to another place, be brave and
hold fast to Christ and exalt hun.

Christopher Lai^enmantel* is so faithful to me that I am
ashamed of his great care for me. 1 have the favor and
support of all men except the crowd who hold with the
cardinal, alihou^ the cardinal himself always calls me his
dear son, and siid to Staupitz that I had no better friend
than h«. Bot, as I said above, 1 think he does it for the
sake of honor. I Icnow that I would be the most agreeable
and dearest of all, if only I would say this one word: "Rev-
oco," that is, "I recant." But I won't make myself a heretic
by contradicting the opinion which made me a Christian. I
will die first by fire, or be exiled and cursed.

Be of good cheer, dear sir, and show this letter to our
theologians, Amsdnrf, Mclanchthon, Otto Beckmann and the
rest, so that you may all pray for mc as I do for you. For
your business is being done here, namdy. the faith of Üw
Lord Christ and the grace of God.

e& JOHN VOS STAUPITZ TO THE FXECTOR FREDERIC OP

SAXONV.

ZtiUthrift für histvriselit Theologie. Leipstc. 1837. VII. Jüirgans.
Heft II., p. laa. Gcrman. T. Koldc: Die Augustintr-Congrtgit-
Hon, 443. Aocsbdk;, Octottcr 1$, 1518.

Serene, highborn Prince, my most gracious Lord I , . .
The legate from Rome acts as (alas!) tliey all do there: he

'A cwae «1 FnWnf lad la Imptrl«! ConMlIlor. wfco k»d ettrictditpd u
tninlMadt IJM^ 41 nWBfia it»6. Atmul is>a be bnMDc ircMitrcr of CudJn«!
Umhcv Lmc.

Let 87

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

IL'I

gives fair words, but all empty and vain. For his wliolc soul
is intent on making Luther recant, not considering that Luther
offers to $tay still and debate publicly at Augsburg, and to
give an answer and reason for this debate; yes, for every
word in it. But the unjust judge does not want him to de-
bate, but to recant. Nevertheless, Dr. Luther has in writing
so answered his fundamental argument, that the cardinal
is straightened thcrehi, and no longer trusts his own argu-
ment, but seeks here and there, tliis and that, how he may
extirpate innocent blood and force recantation. God will
be the just judge and protector of the truth.

He says also that there is in the land a letter* of the Gen-
eral against Luther. Dr. Pcutingcr has heard that it is ftlso
against me, with the puq)o;e of throwing us in prison and
using force against us. God be our guard! Finally I fear
our professor must appeal and expect force. God help him!
His enemies have become his Judges; and those who sue him
give judgment against him. Hcrewilli 1 commend myself to
your Grace and your Grace to the eternal God. I know
nothing as yet certain to write. But if the alTair shall take
a nwre favorable turn I will write in haste to your Grace.

Your Grace's humble, obedient chaplain,

Dr. John von Staupitz.

87. ERASMUS TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Allen, iii. 406. Louvai.v, October i? (1516).

Please believe, most candid of theologians, that if you van-
quish me in writing letters, I at least do not yield to you in
love. For Hess,' that man of alt accomplishments, stumbled
upon me first ill and then very busy. I love Staupit?,' the

*Smfr; m. Jj.

■H«Uk* Eobuint Hruus <i4SR-0ct»b('r 4. tsto), ptoperly Kocb. niatrlculated ■)
Effarl m ittit and Ihc n«ii( jttn publihli«! pucnx «n Ibe pUjuc anJ on ■
mmAnt brawl, of wbicii civractt ntr rrprinir«! hj Pr^At^rrrd Sanilb. &f, fd., 44'^'
AllbsUfh * hard diinlifr. in ijt; ir bfcimc pTufcuur of Latin » Cifurt. Ldc
tn ifit bi wmt to l^uvatn to m« Ei»aiu*. of wbicb br publitbd >n ■«ount in
U> JJ. £e(*M Hetit a ftottehunt ad D. E'amnm haioifertcen . . . Erfurt, 1119,
a tar« book, af which ■ eitfy i* at H»rr>rd. H« t«ok »itli faim ■«tit-ri from
Laag and oibtn. one of wbich Erumm ii her« aniwerinit- In rsi6 tie went to
•each 11 .Vuraatlieri. in 15]] tnurtwd lo Erfurt. *nd in 1J36 wai called fo lb«
UninnilT of Uarbitrs. whnc he )p«at bii renatninc rear*. Ailotmrint dnttttkt

Thi* U Eraamua' ftru «ItuMvn (a Slaupiii. Il ia pcatiblc thai he oicl bin at

ISS

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let 88

truly great, and for long I have despised tliose little syco-
phants. What else should I do? Ought 1 give them an
account of my conscience? It h äufHcicnt for me that
all the most promlnenl and bc3t bishops like nie: if I
saw any way of life which would please Christ belter I would
forthwith adopt it. For love neither of fame nor of itioney
nor of pleasure nor of life rules my mind, I will put your
little gift among *»y treasures,^ and among tlic more precious
ones. Egranus has learnedly answered concerning Cleopas.*
I hear that Elcutherius is approved by all good men, but it
is said that his writings are unequal. I think his Thest^
will please all. except a few about purgatory, which they
don't wart taken from them, seeing that they make their
living from i'/.' I have see» Prierias's bungling answer.* I
see that the monarchy of Ihc Roman hiyk pricsf^ (as that see
now is) is the plague of Christendom, though it is praised
through thick and thin by shameless preacdcrs. Yet I hardly
know whether it is expedient to touch this open sore, for
that is the dut)' of princes. But I fear they conspire whb the
pontiff for part of the spoils. I wonder what has come over
Eck' to begin a battle against Elcutherius. But what, cursed
love of fame, wilt thou not force mortal breasts to do?' I
have inscribed my Suetonius to the illustrious elector' who
sent me a medal. Farewell, excellent sir. and commend me
to Christ in all your prayers. Erasmus of IIottesaam.

88. CONR.AD ADELMANN,, CANON OF AUGSBURG TO

5 PA LATIN.

Walch. XV. 733. German, Aumbukc, October 18. 1518

Connd AJclmanii (i4fi2>t5j7), Mudird at Heidelberg 1475. Bisle

Botasna in i toj.tl, t>u( moic Ukclr tbu MulUn or »mae cumiaoa (dead had m\Ae
tb«ra Kqnaroied ijncc Eraaintu' rdufn to Gcrtnaar in 1114.

■The*c wordi In liallu ar« Cicck in lb« ericiaal.

*On tbis, supra, no. 4s.

MCrunit» Am ipoke of tbcm on Marcb s. ijift. Allan, iii, »n. 141. CI. nVra.
no. 78.

•GrMk. CI. Ai»gia. Iii. 4. ]i.

I1 WW Knt hrf Liitbct to L«n« {Enden, t. «jC), aad hj bin prnanibly to-
ll rum im.

*C.TX€V.

*0n lb« billlr of Pck «till Lulh<r, r-ft», do*, ti tad (1.
•Virjil; Atnfiä. iii. )67.
*Ct. An«a. cf. «<.. U. 57SR-

ULtt

OTHER CONTEKtPORARY LETTERS

L2S

t47^ Ferrar 147t >nd Tübingen 14;^, In 1503 he wu nudc Canon
of Auitsbunt. He was at first tironsly for Luther, then relumeit lo
tb« Cuholk Church. Hit brother lUrnhird (1457-1523) studied at
Kciddberg, Fcrrara and Tubinseri. He wai made canon of the
cathedrals at both Eicbstatt ajid Augtburg, tieiween which he divided
his time. He was a bitter personal enemy of Eck, and sided with
Lutber against him. 1-or thi& Eck had him excommutiicaied in i$jo.
Btmhard submitted and was absolved, but »ill favored Lutber unlit
hit death. Life by F. X. Thurnhafer. igoa

My dear Spalatin ! Your letter was welcome to my
brother and ni>'5c]f, as coming from a good fricn<l, but far
more welcome to us was the opportunity of seeing and speak-
ing to dear Dr. Ätartin Luther, so well endowed with both
virtue and learning. We often visited him, as one we liearcily
love, and showed him our good will.

You will pardon me for raying tliat he was not well guarded
when be left you, and was nui providc<l widi what he must
needed. But among others the imperial councillors gave
him safe-conduct, of which you should have thought first
When he had obtained tiie safe-conduct he appeared with
more courage and contidence before the legate. You will
learn from Luther himself, when, please God, he arrives
borne, what happened before the legate, so I won't bother
you with it, for it would be a long song to sing here. But I
will not conceal from you that Dr. Luther acquitted himself
before the l^ate as beseems a Christian man. First he of-
fered to lea*'e everything to our Holy Father the Pope, to
support what pleased his Holiness and to root out what did
not Secondly, he said iliat he had debated questions before
the universities, according to their custom, and if they de-
Mfcd he would debate further. And if any one came with
good reasons and arguments from Scripture he would abandon
bis opinion and embrace a better one. Further, that if the
Christian Oiurch desired to take exception to a single saying
of his he would at once submit to her. It was not his in-
tention and never had been to write or say an^-thiitg against
the holy see or against the honor or dignity of the Pope.

If, dear Spalatin, this seems to you to be Luther's opinion,
it will become you to use your influence with our most Gra-
cious Lord Elector Frederic, to get him to write or send an

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

UL!

embassy to his Holiness, requesting him to receive tliis sheep
commended to him, gently and favorably according to the
example of our Redeemer, and that he would let Luther ful-
fill his offers. For Pope Leo, as I have heard from seven)
people, is gentle and merciful when he is not influenced ly
his courtiers; wherefore I think he might well take Dr. Mar-
tin into favor again. . .

89. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURI, TO SPALATLM.

Chrijiof'h Schtvrit Bntjhufh, hg. von F. von Soden und J. K. F.
Knaakc Potsdam, 187;;, ii. 53. NukEMUKkc, Oclober 21, 151Ä.

Hail, Spalatin. I excuse myself for not going on with our
Luther* on account of my duties to the town council, and be*
cause your instructions were doubtful on tliis point. You
will learn from Luther's own letters what was done about
him. The favor of all for him is wonderful. When he ap-
plies to us wc will do all in our power to restore him safe 10
Saxon soil, and will omit no service wc can do him. To-day
Vicar Staupitz arrives, whom 1 consult, for yesterday Wen-
zel Link returned. I will write you what wc may decide to
do about Lutlier's affair after wc have taken counsel. In
the meantime, at your order in the presence and with the
consent of John Bossenstain,' the Augustinian prior, 1 paid
Luther four gold gulden; lest it should embarrass him, I took
care to have some coins struck wilh the image of the elector.
Farewell, and with your holy fame pray for me and lake
care of my son, John Tuchcr.* Again, farewell.

C. S., Dr.

9X POPE LEO X TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONV.

F. C«»: AkUtt und Briefe zur Kirekenfotilik Hetfog Ctorgt tion
Sachsfii. l-t'ipw, 1905, i. p. 45- Civitavecchia, Octotcr 34. isiÄ

George the Bearded, gnn of Albtrt the Brave of Saxony, born 1471,
well educated, cjpeciatly in theology, Duke of Albert inc Saxony
1500-ApriI 17, 1530, From ihc time when tie heard ihc Leipsk debate

'Linlitr Irit ABg>butK 0<iob«r », »nivinf »t Nurembtri •ppartnilr «n A«
dill, llcrc bt 'TM mlvrUined bjr Pitclültimcr.

*0n wboni I on find nothing flu. He wu nM tke Ucbre« prelMMr Joha

BOKbcntTriti rnrnlianctt MCUiftoUljr by LMhtf,

■Otbuwü« ucbnown.

Lei 91

OTHRR CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

125

(1519) 10 hu 4<Hh, b« wu Luther's most determined opponent, Life
n RttUncyctofoäie, and r/. Smith, op. cit., index.

Beloved Son, salutation and the apostolic blc^ätng! Not
[witboot pain we have learned from many letters and from
rramor what has been done among the faithful people of your
[pm of Germany, which was always considered a Catholic
ovince, and one most devoted and obeJient to lUe apostolic
We have heard that Martin Luther, a son of perdition,
ht the suggestion of that cruel enemy of our salvation, the
'«iHeviL has not blushed to say evil of us and of the said sec,
in preaching, or ratlicr in cursing. Now as this not only savors
of heresy, but is worthy of severe punishment, and should
not lunger be borne by your devotion and obedience to us,
desiring to extirpate this tare and coccle from the fertile
field of the Lord by your aid, fearing lest, should wc wink
at it, it would put forth deeper roots among the too credulous
people, wc have charged Charles von Miltitz,* onr notary,
secret chamberlain and nuncio in the Lord, and a cleric of
the Ouirch of Meissen, to do so. For the wickedness of
the thing demands it. and we hope it can be rightly and
swiftly done. Wc have enjoined the said Charles to expound
to you our paternal love, hoping that he can rely on the help
of your highness; and we charge you for the sake of all
the faithful and of the Catholic Church, and the unity and
dignity of our sec, that, considering [he gravity of the present
scandal and the rash and damnable error and boldness of the
said Martin, you should favor the said Charles and help him
to execute his commission. You will thus please God, whose
cause you defend, and will also win praise from us and the
said see.

pi. POPE LEO X. TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONV.
«Ich. ÄV. 8l3. (Spalatin's German transUtion of the Latin original.)

CnTTAVECcaiA, October 2^. 1518.

Beloved Son, noble Sir. Greeting, etc. We are the more

willing to send you, through our beloved son, our notary and

ismbcrlain, Oiarles von Miltitz. your Grace's loyal subject,

■A Sixan nebl* (i40a>Nor*inhcr aa, lj*g). tsuHcuIitrd si CoIocip u |uriM

)*S, M Koleen» iiio. in Roinc isisS, Mute chamberliin 10 tht Pop« is<4-

Is rsiS ke wB* uni to nceoctair viib Luibrr, hut wllhdUt «UCcm«. \Mn \ut

aas

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

t«L9t^

tlic lioly goldtn Rose, blessed with our hands, and nobly con-
secraitd on tlie fourth Sunday of last Lent, our nublest gift, a
thing of secret meaning and a splendid decoration for tbe
noble House of Saxony this year. The said Charles 'will
show your Grace what we have commanded him to undertake
against tbe dire foes of the Chri&tiiui man and against tbc
crime and presumptuous error of a friar Martin Luther.
Noble Sir and beloved Son. It seems to us more necessary
every day to take thought for a crusade against the Turk'»
unholy vvralh. . . . But while we were considering how to
bring this to pass, and were bending all our forces to this
end, Satan reveals this son of perdition or of damaatioo.
Martin Luther, of the order of St, Augustine, who has dared
in your territories to preach to the Christian flock against us
and the holy Roman sec. T^is not only savors of open
heresy, but merits heavy punishment, of which, as it is well
known both to us and to yoiv, we ^halI say nothing more. It
becomes us not to tolerate this any longer, both because of
our honor and that of the papal see, and because the credu-
lous people may be hereby led to evil doctrine wiili great
scandal. In order, therefore, that this infected, scrofulous
sheep may not grow strongin the healthy sheepfold of the Lord,
and in order that the boldness of this wicked Martin may
stop, and not send his root too deep and firm to be rooted out
of the field of the Lord given to our charge, and as we know
and liave no doubt that this trouble» your conscience not a
Utile, for the reputation and honor of yourself and of your
famous ancestors, who were always the hottest opiK>ncnts of
heresy, we have commanded the said Charles, our nuncio and
chamberlain, in another letter and bre\'e, to take cognizance o£
this alTair and to act against the said Martin and against his
followers, who support his scandalous opinions. This is fur-
ther explained in our letter of credence. We remind your
Lordship, and admonish you paternally, to act according to
your reason and the virtue of a Christian prince, on which not
a little depends, for the sake of your noble reputation, to

btcun« Mnon of Majcnct and Uriatca.
(EaglUfa tr*JHtition>, T9l, Till. n. A.
p. Kmlkofi: Du UiUHaadr. 191I.

L. von FmIoi: UUt^j #/ tht P«tti
Cnnttbrtg: K*rl r«« Miltüt, 1^7,

Let. 92

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

127

I favor and support the said Charles in whate^•e^ he may ask
ta^f you in our name not less than you wt^uld ourself. . . .

^B 93. POPE LEO X. TO GEORGE SPALATIN.

^jtjtfArri epm talina mm argvmenti, «1. H. Schmidt. ErlaniccTi. 1865.

ii. 448. Civitavecchia, October 24, 1518.

}3ere this len« it dated January 1, 1519. but according to W;ilck.

XV. ic^, tbc true date is October u. and this Is so probable that 1

have follotved it. Shnilnr letters were gent \a DeKenhardt Pfcfüciser

and other powerful men, and to the Wittenberg Town Council.

Beloved Son, gpreeling and the apostolic blessing! Con-
sidering the merits of the beloved and noble Frederic Elector
of Saxony, and the favor which, following the ciislom of his
famous anceslors, he has shown to us and the apostolic see,
and which he may show in greater measure hereafter, we
have decided, with much aflfccticn and ijaternal love, to send
him the most sacred golden rosc> annually consecrated with
mysterious rites on the fourth Sunday of Lent, and sent to
some powerful Christian king or prince. We send it by our
beloved son, Charles von Miititz. our chamberlain and servant.
We want you lo know some things which concern the dig-
lity and authority of us and of the aforesaid see.

For we know how much favor, and deservedly, you have
with the said elector, and how highly he considers your
wholesome and prudent counsel. Wherefore we exhort you
in llic Lord, and paternally charge you on your duly and
devotion 10 us and to the said see, that you consider how
great an honor and gift we are sending the said elector, and
that you also consider how detestable is the overhearing bold-
ness of that only son of Satan. Friar Martin Luther. Con-
sider also that he savors of notorious heresy, and can blacken
the name and fame of the great elector and his ancestors.
Take counsel then with our nuncio Miititz, and try to per-
suade the said elector to con-sult our dignity and that of our
see, and his own honor. I^t him crush the rashness of the
said Luther, for his erroneous doctrines, now. alas t widely
sown among the credulous people, can only be extirpated
by your aid and counsel. Your devotion to God. our Saviour,
whose cause is riow at stake, will be a special favor to us,

Itt

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let»

whose chief care is to weed out the tares and coccic from
the field of the Lord. You will always fiiid us grateful and
propitious to yoa, as you will leam more fully from Miltitz.
Given under the fisherman's ring, in the seventh year of
our pontificate. Evakgclista.'

gj, LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enden, i. 372. WnrtHMBtc, Octol>er 3t. ijtL

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, I have come to-day to Witten-
berg safe, by Gods grace, but know not how long i shall re-
main so, for my case is in such 3 state that 1 both fear and
hop«. I appealed from the Pope badly informed to the Pope
to be better informed, and thus I departed, having left be-
hind a brother to present the .ippeal to the cardinal in the
presence of a notary and witnesäes. Meantime I shall pre-
pare another appeal to a future council, following the pre-
cedent of the Parisians' in case the Pope from the plctitilude
of his power, or rather tyramiy, refuses my first appeal. 1
am so full of joy and peace that I wonder that many strong
men regard my trial as severe.

Certainly the cardinal legate showed great benevolence
and clemency to me. as he promised the illustrious elector,
but we did not understand him. He offered to do all
paternally, most paternally, and doubtless would have acted
accordingly, had I only wished to recant For our whole
difficulty was that I would not, and he ivould, nor do I think
he had instructions to do anything but condeimi me; there-
fore, I was obliged to appeal.

I shall publish my answer' to his arguments, together >vith
my Appeal and a theological commentary on the Apostolic —
or diabolic — Breve,* of which you often wrote nie fonnerly,
and of which you recently sent a copy, delivered to me. with
other letters of instruction, at Nuremberg on my return

■Oflc aX Ih« [iipil B»r«t*r9.-i, nnt c<rUinlf to ^^t iAeMihti. pcrbapt £Tins«lllK(
liiMiittii it C>podifcrra. a poet and hiitoTiin. ind <isi4} ■ mmiicipil officer ef
Rome. Cf. E. Ro^ocanvht: R«n« an ttrnfi dt Jult» II M it Imm X. Parla.
iQtj. tf. lie. aSs. 333.

1O0 H*rcb 17. t%'t, lb« Unlv«r»(t]r of r>.rü bid apiiritrd to a fulurc council
Lutb«r Miciwtd ibcir (orm of appeal to proirrt bimKK.

*Tta« Att» Aitotitana. Wclintt. il. 6<r. Smith, a.

*Tlie papal Brtvc la Cajrun »t Au[u»t «). ijiS, $mpr», >a. 7}.

^ OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS laj

loumcy. It is mcredibte that such a monster should come
from a pope, especially from Leo X. Therefore, whoever
the rascal was who. under the name of Leo X., proposed to
terrify me with this decretal, shall know that 1 also recognize
folly when I see it. But if it did com« from the curia. I wiU
teach them their impudent rashness and wicked ig:nor3nce.

Personally, the cardinal greatly pleased me. 1 suspect the
Romans begin to be afraid and to distrust their own strength,
and thus cunningly seek a way out. I will tell you more
another time. I hope, face to face. Commend me to the elec-
tor aad give him my thanks. . . .

W- WOLFGANG CAPITO TO CANDID THEOLOGIANS.

Icrminjzrd: Correspimdaiut det Rlformatcurs des fayt de la iaiifimt
fran(aw. <i8»ff). i 6i. (Baslk, October, 1518).

This ie the Preface to the first edition of Luthcr'a Worlu. printed at
sie, October. ISI8, by Proben. Thr anonymou» preCace wan written
Capito. Se« Baam: Capita unJ Butser, p. jj. It is reprinted by
Henninjxrd from the subsciiucnt edition, sine loco, 15^0. and conjcctu-
ralljf dated by him '■Wittenberg?, March. 153a"

Here you have the theological works of the Reverend
Father Martin Luther, whom many consider a Daniel sent
at length in mercy by Christ to correct abuses and restore
the e%'angelic and Pauline divinity to theologians who have
forgotten the ancient commentaries and occupy themselves
with the merest logical and verbat trifles. And would that
he might arouse all theologians from their lethargy, and get
them to leave their somnolent summaries' of divinity and
oosc the gospel rather than Aristotle. Paul rather than
;otU9. or even Jerome. Augustine. Ambrose, Cyprian, .^th-
iu8, Hilary, Basil, Chrysostom, Theophylact rather than
yra, Aquinas, Scoius and the rest of the schoolmen. May they
longer drag Clirisl to the earlli. as Thomas Aquinas al-
ays does, but may they instruct tlie earth in the doctrine of
OirisL May they cease saying one thing in their farcical uni-
versities, another at home, another before the people and
something else to their friends; and may they cease calling

■A pus. "onlMli MOiaii«, «tstnü dietnsi opariuii."

ISO LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND L<tfl*

good men who refuse to fool with tliem heretics as they now
do for small cause or for no cause at alL . . .

95, LUTHER TO GEORGE SPAL^VTIN AT ALTENBURG-
Endcf». i. 37S- (Wittenbiiig), Novembtr 13. isii

Greeting. Dear Spalatin. we tried to get some citizen to
offer Father John Frosch' his doctor's banquet.' but we fear
our efforts are vain. And so, not to turn away a worthy
man without honor, we have turned to our monastery, where
depending on the elector's promise, we will, at our own iu-
convenience, give him his banquet. For, indeed, we are
poor, and there are many of us, so that we cannot do it by
ourselves. Wherefore I heg you to ask the elector to pi*-
vide us with game for November 18. or rather üie 17th. If
this cannot be, make it next week, Monday [November 22].
And send me an answer by tliis messenger as quickly as
[wsstblc what is to be done, so that we may not make vain
preparations. Farewell in Christ.

Brother Mahtin LirrHER. Augustinian.

96. LUTHER TO JOHN ECK AT INGOLSTADT.
End««, i. 280, fWnTKNBr.Re), Kovemlicr tj. 1518.

On the debate planned with Eck, tf. supra, no. 61, and Sinilh. of>. cil..
pp. 58ff-

Greeting. My dear John Eck. Dr. Carlstadt is pleased willi
what we agreed at Augsburg, namely, that you should meet
at Leipsic or Erfurt and debate honorably for the discovery
uf the trut]i. thai there may be an end of contention and of
writing books. He begs, therefore, that you will fix the day
for the meeting, and the place, one of the two mentioned. He
would have fixed ihcm himself, but thought he ought to
defer to you because you Hve farllier away and are perhaps
busier than he. Therefore act so that I may not have per-

■Of B«mbccc. bad iludinl •) Erftirl liot, Ukcn bit bMcalaunaie al dicoiuiic
■I Tonlouic anil his lictnilaic ai WlIicnbcrE T5i<t. He tm viih Lethft «1
Atuibnii. Utna wbicb be rfluinni lo obtain ibc ilijctorai« a> bvtc tcUird Laicr
ke becant cvaonlical pTtacbn at AuRtbunt. Jtccping up a dctohvrir cane-
■pondciicc witb Luibci. EndcT*. L ijs, *■ 441.

Tk* takiai o( tit iloctoriK wu alwari tltc occuiod vi a fcalirc sical ItDQvn
a« ib< Oriif^tchinatit. Luibcr'* diplofna to bin. daivd Moveoiber tt, 151S, pfla«*il

Let. gS OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 181

sxiaded Caristadt in vain, or ratlier so that our adversaries

Ky vainly hop« that theologians will alwavs light among
mselves and never agree. Farewell. Hastily amidst divers
occupations. Yours, Martin Lutuer.

9?. LUTHER TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON AT WITTENBERG.
Ender», i. 301. (Wittckbehc, November 22, iJlS-)

To Philip Melanchthon Schw^arzcrd, Grecian, Latin, He-
brew, German, never BarbarLin, Greeting. May the Muse
and Apouo forgive you for despising me and the new doctor*
lo-day. Now, though it is not particularly my affair, I have
forgiven il, hut unless you instantly appear before Dr. Carl-
stadt and Liccniiatc Amsdorf, aiid especially the Rector,* not
even your Greek will excuse you, not to mention "that little
brother Nfartin," as Cajctan calls mc. The new doctor be-
lieves <as he says in joke) that he is despised as a Barbarian
by a Greek. Take care what you do. for I have most cer-
tainly promised that you would come at once. You will do
me a favor if you come alone, yet I greatly wish that you
would also bring with you Guy Warbeck-"' and John Schwert-
fager.* For this evening I shall be the host to my most in-
timate and dearest friends. Induce them to come by your
advice, and by my command, if "that little brother" can com-
mand. Farewell. Your little brother,
^V Marti.s' EicutherittJ.^

9SL THE RECTOR.« PROFESSORS AND DOCTORS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF WITTENBERG TO THE ELECTOR
FREDERIC OF SAXONY.

Jjilheri cpera varii atsumenti (Erlangen, 1865), ii. 426.

^H Witten »ESC, November 23, 1518.

^'lÄost illustrious anil clement Prince, that venerable man.

*Jnkn Frottb. Tfat diploma, dMcd Norcoibcr >i, liven bin br Lulbet, rcprialeil
T%^*t»vU€kr Sluiitn mud KtUtknt, tvi). p. lao.

*MfltiolMncir Bernh«cill, ai Fclillilrcb'fn.

■MMriculatctI al Wtlicnbcic in 15:4., fixt jt%n lairr tieoinc c»noft of SL
CcaiKc'i Cbuicb ai AlienbiiiK. anil \a the t-tmr ytn accümiitnicd Ibt FJcclur
la Uc lBp([ial Elrction at Frankfon, wbcn he made bimKlf iik(uI bT bis
k»uv1e<lce of rrcDCb. He ilicd iii is)«- Kl> daucbier married Lutlicr'a mo Paul.

*0f MtwacB. BBtricitlaml ai Wiumbng is»7. la 15J1 became proftsioi of
law, iUc4 IS«*-
JiTVia a-ord wrilloi in Crcvk tcltcnu *Jobn I-VoacIi.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ulm

Brother Mariin LuUier, M. A., D. D.. a noble and most fainoi»
member of our university, has relaltd lo us what the Very
Reverend Legate Cardinal Cajelan has written to your High*
ncss; namely, that lie urges you to send the said Luther to
Rome or to exile him from your territories, on account oi
certain propositions debated by him and long ago offered to
tlie Supreme PontilT. Luther adils that he ofTeied to debate
publicly or to gi%'e a private answer in writing, and that he
prayed that his errors might be pointed out to him in writ-
ing, with the reasons and authorities from the Scripture and
the holy Fathers added, so that by their light he might per-
ceive his errors, but that none of these requests was granted,
but he was simply ordered to retract what he had said
wrongly. Nor was the care of the faithful shepherd shown
to liim, £or the shepherd is bound to give a reason to every^
one asking it, and is even commanded to tcacli willing and
unwilling alike, in season and out of season.

llicrcforc Luther has asked and obtained that we should
intercede with your Highness, and should beg that your most
illustrious Highness should deign to write to the legate or
even to the Pope and graciously to intervene, requesting that
tlie articles and points of his errors should be shown him in
writing, and tliat reasons and authorities should be given, so
that he may know that he has erred and thus recant, not be-
ing forced to condemn opinions before he knows whether
ihey should be condemned. It was the ancient custom of the
Qiurch, as the examples of the Fathers show, to urge the
correction of error by reason and authority and not to con-
demn by mere assertion the sayings of anyone. , . .

99. LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER LANGENMANTEL AT
AUGSBURG.

Enders, i. 305.

WirreNBeiic, NovOTnlier 25, 1518.

Greeting. Excellent Christopher. I arrived safely and hap-
pily at home by God's grace. The ofüces of extraordinary
humanity and kindness with which you overwhelmed my
unworthy self, have made your name and fame a pleasant
and sweet savor to us. For I commended your Itdelity and

pVbat of Dr. Auer' as it deserved, not for the purpose of
I glorifyinp you, but of giving an example of such fidelity to
others. Moreover, the Lord Jesus, who made you think of,
will and do such things, will cecognix« and approve his own
works in you. Truly pure faith and sincere friendship is a rare
bird.

Recently the lo«! legate wrote' our elector accusing me of
leaving by fraud, and complaining that I had armed myself
with a safe-conduct and had appealed. lie condemns every-
thing I did, especially that I did not recant my cursed propo-
sitions, particularly those on indulgences, and blaming inc
for not sparing the Pope's Holiness, in saying tliat he abused
the Scripture. Finally he advises the elector lo send me to
Rome, or to banish mc, lest he should stain his glory for
Ui« sake of "one little brother." Thus also did the Jews act
against Christ before Pilate, wishing him to believe tliern
before they brought forward delinitc cliarges. Thus docs
Cajetan shout: "May your most illustrious lordship be-
lieve me; I speak from certain knowledge, not from mere
opinion. I will preserve the rule of Jesus Oinst, which I
know is being violated thus, for Luther seeks nothing but
to violate the truth." That golden rose which rumor said
was being sent to the elector is nowhere, nor has the elector
heard anything of it. 1 see that the Romans are determined
lo condemn me. I, on tlie other hand, am determined not
to yield. So I await tlieir censures. The Lord will be my
counsellor and helper. If they kill me they will cease pur-
suing 3 dead flea.* I answered the tetter of the lord legate
of which the elector sent me a copy, and I desired him to
enclose my answer in his reply to the legate. My /tela /iu-
gustana' is now being edited, for the elector dissuaded me
from publishing it before. You will learn the rest from the
recently promoted Father Prior John Frosch. You will rec-
U^lj^ize the signs agreed upon.' I hope my faithful protector,

^^f 'John A«4r. an Auftburc Councltlor, «rtio hplptrl I.uthrr rirxw ur hii Appeil.

'Hii kllcr, Otlobtr t;. tjiS. Endm, i. »6%. The clectof ml li (o Lulhcr,
•bo Am» up a rcplr on November ig, i^iR, Rnders, 1. i8j. which the etetlor
•ml to Cajcun wiiti a note oE bit own. December B, 1518. Eaden, t. jio,

*Ct. I Simuel txii. u.

'T^ accoant of ihc dolnti at Aarflmrg. Weimar, ii. 6ff.

■i'wiM inffront tagnentnda. An obtcur« »entence, appafcnilj reterrlnt to

Let- 99

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

133

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND L«. MB

Doctor John Auer, is strong in the Lord, and I desire to be
remembered to htm. Dr. Carlstadt, Anisdorf, Otto Beckntaim
and all yoiir friends heartily salute you.

Farewell in the Lord, may he keep you in eternity as he dots
in this world. Greet from me the truly noble John Schenk.
Brother Martin Luther, j^ugustiman.

ioa LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTENBURC
Enders, i. 307. Witteniiekc, December 3, 1518.

Greeting. Ilad not your letters come yesterday, dear Spata-
tin, I should already have left,' and I am yet prepared
for either alternative. The solicitude of our friends for me
is remarkable, and greater than I myself can bear. Some urje
me to give myself into the elector's custody, for him to keep
somewhere, in which case he could write the legate that I wai
being kept bound in a safe place pending my examination, I
leave tbi.<: plan to your wisdom, I am in the hands of God and
of my frieads.

One may surely believe that the elector favors me and the
university, as 1 recently heard from one who 1 know would
not lie to me. In the court of the Bishop of Brandenburg they
lately discussed what favor and whose support I had. Some-
one said: "Erasmus, Capito and other learned men fa\'or
him." "No," replied the bishop, "these men arc nothing to
the Pope; it is the University of Wittenberg and the Elector
of Saxony that really count." So I know it is commonly
believed that the elector is witti mc. which displeases tJiem.
I only wish they were as much afraid of the university.
Truly the suspicion cast upon the elector will compel me to
withdraw, if necessar)-, although the elector may excuse him-
self in his writings by saying that as a layman he is unable
to judge of such matters, especially as he sees that a university
approved by the Church docs not contradict mc. But these are
incidentals. If I stay here I shall not have much freedom o£

•an» ntHlc« Mnl in citi)i*T. Hoppf inntlitMr "£• Mvitil riMli iibris. dit A«f(-
xrlcknuBgeo kenntti tu krnm" which h« confnuu ii "cIwm dunlKl." LvlKftt
Wrrkt, Si, l/iuiK. i>i A. ii^f,

>Af(er Cajtun'i requnt 10 ibe ticcior 10 ci*e Luthrr up or 10 bftiüik bin.
tbmt «u «ame nik of doln« «n. and «tan of bldiar blm In ■ oad«, w wM
■lOH later dm-t) iit ibe Wuibur«. ct. Smitta, pp. cA-, p. s)-

htiL los

OTHER CONTEMPORARV LETTERS

135

writing and speaking; if I go I will pour out everything and
offer my life for ChrisL Farewell.

k Brother Martin Lutheb.

lot. ;OHN ECK TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.
ueu, i. 47. [kgol&tadt, December 4, 1518.

Your Grace doubtless knows that recenlly Dr. Martin
Luther, of Wittenberg, published some theses on papal indul-
gences and other main articles of the Oiristtan faith. And
when they came into my hands, at the re()iiest of my gracious
Ix>rd Gabriel, Bishop of Eichstadt' and Chancellor of the Uni-
versity of Ingolstadt. I wrote out an opinion explaining why I
did not consider some of them Christian. But when my writ-
ing came into the hands of the said Dr. Luther. Dr. Andrew
Bodcnstcin. of Carlstadt, at Wittenberg, attacked me in writ-
ing and undertook to defend Luther's propositions and doc-
trine. It then became necessary for me to defend my doctrine
according to the truth and the holy faith, and 1 did so with
more moderation than the said Carlstadt deserved of m«. But
I made the express proviso that, should he abide by his error
(as 1 consider it), I would challenge him to a debate before
the Pope, or the learned men of tlie university of Rome or
Paris or Cologne, hoping humbly and kindly that thereby
all offence and hatred (hat might have come from our
polemics be avoided. And when the said Carlstadt. to my
surprise, refused to debate at any of these places, I offered
to meet him at some other university, and he proposed Erfurt
or Leipsic. Wherefore, as I do not fear to debate before any
learned men, I beg your Grace for permission to debate at
Leipsic. . . .

loa. HELANCHTHON TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
VTfHi Reformaiomm. \. 56, Böcldng. Supp, ü. 789.

WrmsUBni« (Eirly in Dcccml>w. 1518).*

... I enclose Luther's Appeal to a General Council, nor

'Bl»b»p. 149^ISJS-

*Tk« dalt ia lirta br ihc (cftccncf to Luibct'i Affeal 10 • Conmeil, which h«
_drt' op on KsTtnbtr A, and vbi&b wm ^iaMd by Dccenbct ii. EAriIIa-
■■«iia. t. 4i8-

ISe LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND I,«, icg

is there any reason why you should fear much from the ragt
of the Romanists. This sort of people think that they are not
ruling unless they are acting like tyrants, although Heaven
knows that ruling in a Christian people ought to mean no more
than doing as the father of a household would.' But ambi-
tion and avarice bring forth all things. Luther clears himsdf
so entirely that they cannot pretend that he is guilty of a new
crime. For what he does has been done before and not blamed
by the Romanists. May God Almighty preserve his people.
Farewell. YouK Phiup.

103. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Endcrs, i. 313. tWiTTKKDzac). Dccccnber 9, isiS.

Greeting. What your letter, Spalatin, forbade me to do, is
already done. My Acta Auyustana is already published, writ-
ten with the freedom of much truth, albeit not with the whok
truth, for I see that in this as in all things [ am obliged to
hurry.

I heard yesterday from Nuremberg that Charles von Miltitz
is on the way, having three papal breves. They write me that
a trustworthy man has seen the breves and that they order
him to capture me and deliver me to the Pope. That doctor
of Eisleben,* who, with Philip von Feililzsch* stood by me
before the legate at Augsburg, has warned me through our
prior* to take care; he said that on a journey he had heard a
certain courtier asserting that he had promised to deliver me
to the Pope. I hear other things also, and whether tliey are
true or are invented to frighten me I do not think they are
to be despised. Therefore, lest they should kill mc uncx-

*QaiA dcbebac In rhH»Ii*nn pnpulo non «Mr »Mnii Imprrir« quam rS »lamiotitH.

tjotn Sdhcl. n frllaw-inwnimin of LucEicr, «ho became councillor ind tbrn
th»n«llor of Miin«('til. Lulhtr bci»m« qtilic tniiniKtc irilh birn tn is»!, iorini
vfalcb jtu be irrotc fain Kvcral Ictlcn, m wtll ■■ lome in lulucqueBi ycai* u

IM« u liJ9-

*One of tht ticeior'* c«nnci1Ior*, who «ppctra b Lwtbct'« Utten tut la
DfCcnWr, \i»t.

*C4n(a4 n«ti »f NurcDibert. in <M,t\ iMj fca Joined ih« Aofiullnlaii« m u
wrlj Vtt. UMrleuUtrd « Wlmnhefj ijij, hM^m« B. A. 1314 and M. A. 151«.
!■ ijiB fae *u *lreted prior, in wbich fiBiitian \t yiu nthrr lu. He followed
Lultff until Fclmiarr. iiii, when h» l»t( Wittentxr£ After «bort atar« ai
Nurtmbtrc 'id Xon^hanarn. be bMame prior of Ibc Anruitiniaa eonvcnt at
H«d«lberK. which potitlaii be beld nnta his itUh. AuguM 14, 1)48. Arikiw J^
RifarmetlaniffUeiiiMt. vü. 9<S4R.

Lri. 1*3» OTHER CONTEÄfPORARY LETTERS IST

pectedly or crush me with t>i«ir censures, I am waiting in all
readiness for the plan of God. I liave even appealed to a
future council. Tlie more lliey rage aiid seek my life the less
am I afr^d. Sometime I shall be freer against these Roman
hydras. Wiat you have heard about my saying farewell to
the people of Wittenberg is false; I said this: "I am an
uncertain and unsettled preacher, as you have found out. Mow
often have I left you suddenly without bidding you good-bye?
If llie same thing sliould ever happen again, in case I do not
come back. 1 wish to say farewell to you." Then I warned
them not lo be afraid of the furious papal censures against
rae, and that they should not blame the Pope or any mortal
for tliem, or wish anyone evil, hut should commit the affair
to God, and the like. 1 lecture and teach as before. Farewell-

Brother Martin Eleutherius.

(oja- GEORGE 5PALAT1N TO GUY BILD AT AUGSBURG.

Ztiitehrift dfs hittoritthtn Fereittg für Schivabfn und Neuburg. i89i^
XX. 330l ALrtNuuvb, December lo, 1518.

K. . . I am sorry you did not see our Dr. Martin Luther
THien he appeared before the very reverend legate at Augs-
burg, for as far as I can gueis you did not meet him. If you
ask how he is, for all I know he is well, and, as I who write
have found out, of too lofty and strong a mind to be turned
by any blast of furious fortune from doing what he has pro-
pD-icd and from the path he has set for himself. For the sake
of Christ and the truth he shuns no misfortune, he flees no
calamity, he fears no evil. His mind seems strengthened to
a perpetual pursuit of the gospel truth, or rather to propa-
gate the word of the Lord before so many Pharaohs. Now
farewell and pray for Dr. Luther and me. for we favor you.
In haste, Geokce Spalatin.

™*P. S. — ^That most holy, true and German theology, not
foaled by the dregs of metaphysics and dialectics, not polluted
by human traditions, not burdened with old wive.s' tales, but

'At tbii i* p(lnt*d il b nol quilc ceililn «h«th«T llili b ■ poMicrlpt \a lb«
•bOTt Inter, or in citrkcl fiou aooilicr IciKr. At u>f iiie, il laiut hare beta
ittea D»r tlif his« tim«.

Ui. 104

such as the primitive theolojpans kiicw, praised and extolltil
to hcaveti, this theology, I say, is taught (praise be to God!)
in the univcrsit)' of my elector at Wittenberg with such suc-
cess that those leametl doctors of theology, Martin Luther
and CarUtadt have full Ice lure- rooms and disciples not only
eager to learn, hut already proficient, who do not fear eren
the greatest of the sophists. Philip Mclanchthon lea.ches Greek
there to about four hundred pupils. There arc also not a few
scholars of Dr. John Bossclicnstein,' who teaches Hebrew. In
short, the best studies are 30 successfully taught at Wittenberg
that you would call it another Athens.

104. LUTHER TO JOHN REUCHLtN.
£nders, i. 3». WiTTEKBtar,, December 14, (5(8.

The Lord be with you, valiant man! Most teamed humanist,
I thank God tliat by his mercy you have at length stopped the
mouth of those .speaking iniquity. For you were indeed the
instrument of divine wisdom, although unconscious of tt your-
self, yet most welcome to all lovers of soimd theology. How
differently has God shaped your course from what you
thought! 1 am one of those who longed to be with you, but
had no opportunity. Yet was I always with you in prayer
and fervent hope. But what was then denied to me as your
ally, has been granted lo me as your successor [in persecu-
tion). For the teeth of these behemoth lay hold on me, ii
by any means they can avenge on me the sJiame that they
have received from you. I. uh*. fight them, though with far
inferior resources of genius and learning than you displayed
in both fighting and overcoming them, yet with a no less
steadfast mind. They avoid meeting my arguments, tliey
refuse to reply to me, but attack me murderously by mere
force and violence. Truly Christ lives, and I. who have noth-
ing, can lose nothing. For by your valor the horns of these
bulls have been broken in pieces. The Lord worked through
you, (hat the king of the sophists may learn to be more slow
and cautious in opposing sound theology, and Germany may

'BtwKbcsMrin (i47»ii]«) cam* rram ItiiDbrxli lo Wltlriibrrs ai tke ftrti
prof««Mf oi Hclmw. Be Isft ctwly in 1J19 bdiIm unpLcMant tirevatianem.
EaiUnh i. «w, ii. lai.

Let. »s

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

13»

breathe again after so many hundred years during which the
teaching of the Scriptures lay dormant or rather extinct.

But am I not bold to speak to you so familiarly without
any laudatory preface? My hearty iove for you has impelled
me to write, for I feel [although I have not met you] familiar
with you, partly because I think so much of you, and partly
by meditation on your books. Another reason for writing is
that our admirable Hiilip Mctanchthon. who has almost every
virtue known to man. and is my dear, intimate friend, has
urged me to write boldly, assuring mc that you would not
take my awkwardness ill. but would thank me. But do not
Uame him, if you must blame anyone, as I wish you to regard
this letter solely as a witness to my affection for you, which

•is nothing if not frank.
f Farewell and rejoice in the Lord, my truly venerable teacher !

^ros. THE DEAN AND DOCTORS OF THE THEOLOGICAL
B FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITi' OF LEIPSIC TO DUKE
■^ GEORGE.
^Kics4. i. 49- LEirsic, DccciiiImt 16. 1S18.

^P We send your Grace certain letters of Dr. Eck. We sur-

miK that he is ti^'ing to get from your Grace that which he

^jpoke about in his letters to our faculty. And that your Grace

^■Bay briefly comprehend the affair we give your Grace to

miderstand what happened last summer about the day of St.

John IJunc 24], when there was a dispute about papal graces

and indulgences between the Reverend Dr, Martin Luther,

■ttf Wittenberg, and John Tetzel.^ then of Frankfort [on the

^^)der], as your Grace doubtless remembers. Then Lord

■Jofcn Tcti«l. bora ilcul u^i M Pirn, «ludi^d «t LclpOi. mh*tt it took bia
B. A. In 14H7, «hortlr U\tt which h« betamc a Damtniran. Viiilcil RnTn« in
■4*7. Aj t nfinhfr of ibe ronimt *l Gl<iit>u ht -wu nijide InquliiiDr for Polnml
■|0(. In ij)6 ht «u prfacbcr ef indulR«ncp« for Arcirnbolili, itiiI Ibr followins
yw for An«*M of iltjmer It *«» hu pmchmir ibat w« »ttwkcd by Lmher
iii tb« Nimtly'fitif rkmi. Tftiet dtfenilrd himxlf br driwini up counter
Tkftfi vitb itir hdii n( ronrul Wlmpini. which he defended at Franlriorc on
ÜI« Oder. Jaawu; )4, 1S18. But fam bukinrM wu ruineil krti hi) 'Churicter
■iMillll In i)iS be <r(thdrcw to Leipiic, irhert he lircd until bit dcatli of
cbafito ia Animl, istf. In bis Imi i1iivi> I-uibec wrote h<n> ■ letter, now loti.
"not M be troubled, for the »ffair did not bcitn with him, but the ibild h*d
MMiher falber." N. PauSmi Ott üttiichtn Domntkantr im Kvnfle grgtii

*kn. 1903, if.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

IfCt. ig6

Albert, Archbishop and Cardinal of Magdeburg and Mayence,
sent an honorable embassy to us to inquire which side in Ibi*
dispute was nearer the truth and what our opinion on the said
difference was. But considering that certain imperial counsel-
lors at that time refused to give an opinion we did the same,
and sent his electoral grace our memorial testifying our good
will and to the lollowing cflfcci: Whereas both sides have
brought much scandal among the people and we £ear that
more will arise, and as each side h convinced that it is in the
right, our opinion would not make them lay aside theirs, but
would only impel them to assail each other with injury and
scandal. Moreover, as the affair concerns the Holy Father
at Rome, it is not fitting that we should meddle with it. But
we advised that his electoral grace should assemble a synod
and have the thing heard and decided by them. Otherwise, we
feared an increase in scandal, In the meantime John Eck. as
he informs us, gave his opinion on the same question to the
bishop of Eichstätt and thereby- fell into a dispute with Dr.
tarlstadt. of Wittenberg. And when he offered to dispute at
Rome, Paris or Cologne. Dr. Carlstadt declined. .And though
we were long ago requested by Dr. Luther in behalf of Dr.
Carlstadt, as well as by Dr. Eck, to interfere in this alTair,
we have ihought it best for sundry reasons to refuse both
parties. For we feared that otiiers, even laymen, might be
drawn into the quarrel and that the Elector Frederic might
lay it up against this university and that thereby there might
arise a quarrel between him and your Grace. Wherefore we
recommend Eck to commit the chief points of Dr. Martia
Luther's propositions to some bishops for decision, or to a
select board drawn from certain universities, for thus, by a
written or oral disputation between select commissioners the
thing might be ended. . ■ .

106. LUTHER TO GEORGE SP.AL.ATIN.
Ender«, i. 33a. (Wittenbwc), December at, 1518.

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, iE 1 rightly understand you, you
ask whether an expedition against the Turks can be defended
and commanded by me on Biblical grounds. Even supposing
the war should be undertaken for pious reasons rather tliao

■o6

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

141

jain, I confess that I cannot promise what you ask, but
rather the opposite. Recently at tlie rei|uesl of a friend I
published 3 scnnon on tliis subject, which has fallen into the
hands of the heroes of Brandenburg, on whose account I sus-
pected the request was made to me. In ibis I argued that
no such war should be undertaken.' I am still of the same
opinion until I sliall be refuted with better reasons. Erasmus
expresses the same opinion in many places, as you know
better than I.* It seems to me if wc must have any Turkish
war we ought to begin with ourselves. In vain we wage carnal
wars without, while at home we arc conquered by spiritual
battles.

Moreover, neither in the Old nor in the New Testament
was any war ever wa^cd by human might, save with an
unhappy and disgraceful issue; if it were successful it was
because of aid from heaven as I could amply substantiate.
Now that the Roman curia is more tyrannical than any Turk,
fighting with such portentous deeds against Christ and against
his Church, and now that the clergy is sunk in the depths of
avarice, ambition and luxury, and now that th« face of the
Church is everj-where most wretched, there is no hope of a
successful war or of victory. As far as I can see. God fights
against us; first, we must conquer him with tears, pure prayers,
holy life and pure faith. But of this elsewhere.

I remain at Wittenberg, awaiting without doubt the proof
of Roman wretchedness, although I hope the very fear of
conscience will prevent them acting with precipitate fury. I
win consult lawyers about drawing up my Appeal.*

Except for one scrap, I have completely forgotten the
sermon I gave at Weimar,' for which you ask. I am only
sure that I preached the gospel against hypocrites and self-
righteous men, as I always do. I know there is one such in
that court, whom you will know even if I do not name him.

■L^ibcr later chtnccd hU opinkn on iki* lubicct, wrillnv in (anrr of lbs
Tsikiik «ir In Iii7. C/. Sniiib. «p. til., »Af-

*Sl)iIsE{n hxi IruittaK<l Eraintiu' letter an peace t« Antony of Bencen. Marcll
I*. >tt4' Cf. nfr», December r«, t;i6, no. aj, an<l Aliens Opitf Eput*ianim
Ermim, I. 311.

'I, r.. W At CMincit I.uibr canaultcd ScKcurt about ih« prop«f form «( the
appeal t Sthemrl wrol« Um a) lenirtb »n thr iinbJMt. Drri>mhi>r 10 V.nAtn, i. }1|,

*Ob tb* louni<7 to Auiibutg Luibcr preached ai Weimar. SevtemlHt ig.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

UlKT'

Nothing is more harmful to magistrates and nobles than thiC:
sort of men, wiio, though they never learned anything, tcadm
all things, even the religion of the angels. I wish to do mir
b<st to oppose their ideas. . . .

Bkother Martin Luther, ^ugustinian.

lo?. CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL TO LUTHER.
Baden, i. 355- (Ncxeuberc, December 33. liA)

My friend Charles says that he has been soliciting the
rose' for three years, and demanded this province of right,
and that he is not a legate, but a simple commissioner, with
instructions to act on the legate's' advice. At Augsburg he
dispatched more than forty breves to the powers of Germany,
in which he asks aid against a helpless man. Those who gire
assistance are blessed, those who resist are damned forever.
He says that he will not use these powers, but will do what
he can to please the elector, and that he comes as a private
man; not a judge, but a friend, only to And out what the
elector decides, what Martin thinks and to win the favor of
all. He says he will inform the legate and the Pope that the
apostolic see has never had a harder, more anxious or more
delicate affair than this. He says you must do something, at
the very least correct the violence of your letter to the
cardinal, for he took your departure and that of Staujritz
very hard, since you did not say good-bye to him, as though
wishing to mock him. 1 excused you, and he confessed that
you could not have returned to him except in good will. He
denies that the cardinal is staying in Germany for the sake
of this aflfair. but says that he is waiting for the assembly of
the princes next Easter, at Worms or Frankfort. The Em-
peror has promised to come to .Augsburg on January 6, and in
my opinion the legate wilt also follow from Lintz. Mil-
litz says that you ought to come, too,' and if you do, everythir^
will be discussed kindly and that you will have nothing to
fear. In these circtunslanccs we must not fear the [papal]

I/. *.. (be inolnttd goldea tmc icDt tir the Pope 10 the Elector FrtdtfU.
>Cai«t«n.

)A mccdnf between UDiiti, SpmUiia and Luilier ww uraoaed M Ah«
Jtaauf 4-j Car t-6), oa «rhicb ef. Smith, p. mA.

«9

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

nor rashly Iwlieve everything, but must act with
r'niademtion, and strive hard that you get a hearing in
' Ctrmany, and that your university and town councillors
fificuld recommend you, and promise that you will be a true
iOn of the Church, and will do whatever you ought and can
with God's approval. I do not despair, for God will give his
grscc, which is never lacking to those who fear him. Again
fart:wcD.

'idR elector FUEDERIC to duke GEORGE OF SAXOm'.
^fcs», I 51. ALTtNBuac, December 29. 151S.

Bl , . I have with me a papal ambassador, Charles von M 11-
titz, who is not satisfied with Dr. Lutlier and has great power
to proceed against him. And it well might happen that he
would refuse to give me the golden rose unless I banished the
monk and said that he was a herelic. But I fancy I can do as
Claui^s N'arr' says, go on drinking my wine and beiitg a heretic
all my days. . . .

DÜKE GEORGE TO THE DEAN AND DOCTORS OF THE
THEOLOGICAL FACULTY OF LEIPSIC.

D« Wette-Seidcmann, vi. 638. G«sa, i, 52. December 30, igiS.

Honorable. learned, dear and trusty Gentlemen! We have
received your letter and one from our dear and trusty Dr. John
Eck of Ingolstadt, iu which he begged that he might hold a
public debate with Dr. Andrew Carlstadt of Wittenberg,
before you. And we have read the reasons why you refused
this, and wc consider tliat if instead you would do all you
could to further it. and would give these doctors of other
tmiversities a place to debate in, you would win no little
fame, praise and honor thereby. AntI if yo« did this you
would not therefore be compelled to give any assent or recog-
nition to the debate, but at need could recommend the decision
to the papal commissaries or other proper authorities who
stand ready to take the responsibility. Moreover you should

The <ouf( foot. "Drinking win«" wan prnirribial (or not Itrltinif anflhiRf
iraobl* onr. So LuiIict, in one of ifc» Ei^ki Srfmfni m Lmt, 'Th* Word,
wküe t tltpt aad itvtk bm with UHinchtlion ind Anixlarf, h&i broken the
FatMtcy «Ofe tbu) mit I""« of «mperot e»er dliL" Wtimar »iii. p. tSf.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND lA. ul

not be anxious lest any uproar or unpleasantness might aris«
from the proposilions, but when and if it should arise wc can
then deal with it. . . .

no. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO JOHN ECK.
De Wcttc-SciJcHianii, vi. 65S. Gcss, i. 53. December 31. 151!

Dear and inisiy Sirl W« have received your request to
hold your debate with Dr. Carlstadt at Leipsic, and have
graciously noted the same, being pleased that you have clioücn
OUT university. We trust to you that this debate may not l>e
dangerous, but only for the sake of elucidating the truth.
We have tlicrefore given order to our university to grant your
request. , . .

III. PHILIP MELANCHTHON TO LUTHER,
^fipdcra, i. 336. Greek. (Wittixuerc). January. 1519.

This poem, in iambic trinieter, was the dedication oi Melanchthon'i
Eiegantitsima qitanfam ofiHSCitla, Haganau, JanuaO'> 1519> &t\t\, like
most dcdicalions. was probably written »Iiorlly ticfore ihc work went
to press. As printed the text is so cornipt — some of the word» heing
impossible and some of the lines not scajining — at to have puxiled
not oitly myseU. but sutJi dintingiiislieil Greek sehulars as Prof. Harry
dc Forrest Smith, of Amherst. U. S, A., ati<l Prof. Gilbert Murray,
of Oxford. England. With the obhging help of the« Kenilcmen, 1
have radically restored and construed ihe text according to its apparort
RicaniiiS- I think the poem i» worth giving as testimony to the
reverence, almost idolatrj', in which Luther was thus early held by his
followers-
Holy Nazarite of Israel, offerer of peace-malcing sacrifices.*
elect servant of uncorruptcd truth, protector of souls, ruler of
pious desires, divinely inspired messenger of wisdom and of
motherless justice, happy priest of the divine vi^ord and of the
life-giving spirit, spreading abroad the sweet smelling balsam
of the anointed Church,' faithful and sleepless shepherd of
the temple of all-nierciful God. driving out the Ambian wolf
and the sophist Befial, thou champion of tnith. smile with the
wonder-working staff of Moses the doting brains of the enemies
of the Word, even the superstitious magicians; cauterize the

■r. r.. U prieii offerinit the MirlAcc of the mias.
*0r, '*of tk« eiKfcarui of the Clunb."

ita

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

14fi

unclean tongues with the juniper coals of the Word;' fight
steadfastly and unceasingly fuUow light-bearing Jesus; guard
the bless«! lot of the faithful.

112. HERMANN RAB TO CHARLES VON MILTITZ.

Tenliel-Cyprian : Hislcrisehtr Btrichl vom Anfang tind vom entin

»Fortgans der Reformation Lutheri (Ldpsic, 17>8). ii. io6. Quoted
by N. Paultii: Du dfflschfH Domintkaner im Kämpft gegen Luther
(Prcibuif i. B., igoj), p. lo.* Walcli, xv. Sby

PLtiPSir, January 3, 1519;
Henn^nn Rab, of Bamberg;, matriculated at Lcipsic 1486. soon after
«ibich be joined th« Dominican oider there, where he knew Tetael
In isii he became Vicar and in 1516 a incmlier of tlw theological
facDltjr. He visited Rome in 1518 and again in 1519. He took a fairly
aaivc part against Luther. He died in 1534. Cf. Paulu». op. tit., pp.
S*ff.

May tlic Lord forgive Martin Luther, who was and is very

ixious to involve us who are innocent in his affair, in order

to draw his own head out of the noose. Evcrjone who lias

read or heard the Appeal and other writings of the .said

^^^fartin, knows how he attacks and has attacked the Reverend

^Vathcr John Tctzcl, although the latter has defended and docs

^ftot cease to defend the authority of the Pope, even to his own

^■isadvantage, as his sennons prove and as all who have heard

^Püm bear witness. In fact, I cannot find anyone who has done

and suffered so much for the glory of the apostolic see. If

only our Holy Father knew this! I doubt not that he would

fittingly recognize his services. All the street corners echo

with the slanders and lies brought together to crush him.

Wherefore I recommend him to your Grace, as a true friend

and lord, and to the protection of the papal see. for which he

fights and suffers danger of imprisonment, Had your Grace

only heard the sermon which he preached on January r,' you

would know how he felt and feels towards the papal see.

Wherefore, I recommend him again to your Lordship.

■C/. iMÜk ri sr-

n Vn^/w tkia otlj in tt« ^aol>l!on* of PmiIm anil Wktck «rtilcli tt« In Ccrcnanj
At uiEJixal «*> pctauoiablj LatJD-

•TtlKl. who kad fc««fl n-»de rilf«n»ly tinpopulaf br Lulfcer'» attack on indal-
Crocn, bad aaw laken retucc in the Dora! nie in elaUicr at L«ip(ic. Faalua,

1«

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDEMCK AND

Let. tia

113. LUTHER TO JOHN ECK AT INGOLSTADT.

Enders, v. 4. Leipsic, January 7, 1519.

Aflcr ihc üiccting with MiltiCz at Altcnburs (gn which cf. jv^ro,
no. 107). Luther and Mdanchthoti went to Lcipsic lor a few dzyi to
see friends and make arrangements for the coming dcMtc with Eek.

My dear Eck, we did our best to get the Leipaic faculty to
grant us the favor of which you write,^ but they simply
refused, alleging that h was none of tlicir business to get mixed
up in this affair, but that jurisdiction belonged lo tlic bishops.
Th« dean of tlie faculty of theology answered my letter in
such a way that I fear cur debate will come to nothing unless
you Iwive some other plan.

I am, however, waiting with great eagerness to see you
show, as you promise, that in my RcsoUtttons not even the
foundations are vahd. You wonder that 1 have preferred
Taulcr alone ("I know not who he is," you say) to Aquinas,
Bonaventura and Alexander of Hales. It seems ridiculous
to you that, when I have rejected so many men, 1 should
demand that tliis one siiould be received by you, although be
is unknown to the Qiurcli. Before you make an end of this
dreamer, please deign to read him through, lest you, tratced
in habits of inveterate trifling, should prove to be one of those
tremendously wise men who call the Church the Pope, the
bishops and the teachers of the universities, and should say
that whatever they do not know is unknown to tlie Church.
Yet I wonder who told you that Taulcr was unknown to the
Church, i suppose you are the Church and know all things.
Be careful not to take immaturely considered premises for
granted, nor to judge from thetn, Wherefore if you wish
to admonish me, pray avoid bitterness and pay careful atten-
tion to the indivi<1ual propositions. Consider that I was not
ignorant that he was unknown to ymir Church when I said
that he was not to he h.i(l in the universities and did not write
in Latin. Then I gave my reason for preferring him to the

4P, Wk, 9, ). Verr litelT 1t>t> wroic « h[i Initlfailon. but ika inierTCBii«a diA
a* coed u Ifilliif cBin* Id Lciptic In ihe nNiQc d( Janiurj and, ai^srdlnt la
the ltft4lll«B, <*nnT«l liiiu >» nvrivlj ikai ht dicil ol tbictin oa tbc (olloviag
Auc«H 11.

'/. *; ftlvOag« of d«1i>(in|. Cf. n^fra, no. tog wid i lo.

Ut. lis

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

147

schoolmen, namely, that I learnt'd more from him alone than
from all the others. Very prutlcnt of you to pass over these
words of mine! I am at a loss to know why yon should
threaten so dire a castigation for my ignorance, accusing mc
of never having read nor understoml what you wrote, when
you say of my authority : "I know not who he is." Beware
of this ijrnorance; first, read the man, lest you should be
found a foolish judge, condemning what you do not know.
And not to demand what is bcjond your power, 1 do not desire
that you should gatlier together all your schoolmen in order
to find one sermon like one of his; I do not exact this, for I
know that you could not do it. I only urge you lo strain
«very nerve of your mind and scholastic learning to sec whether
you can rightly understand a single one of his sermons. After
that we will believe you, that he is a dreamer, and you alone
wide awake or at least .sleeping with open eyes. I write thus,
Eck. to Sparc you the trouble of admonishing mc vainly, in
hopes that you will put up something which J shall not be able
to tear down and which will not need to be changed, something,
that is, worthy of your genius and study, so that neilher of
lose our time. Farewell in the Lord, my dear Eck.

114. CAESAR PFLÜG' TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONV.

r. i. 53- Lursic, January 10, 1519.

. . The ilicologians at Lcipsic are extremely sorry to allow
the disputation between Martin Luther and the professor of
Ingolstadt, and beg that your Grace will be present at it in

fson. . . .
ADOLPH, BISHOP OF MERSE&URG, TO GEORGE, DUKE
OF SAXONY.
t, i. 54. MEScsEauRQ, Janiianr 11, istgi

We doubl not lliat your Grace well knows that many scan-
dalous writings and sayings about indulgences have recently
gone about, causing mtich offence among the common people
and much danger lo souls. Also, we have recently heanl from

'A ntwicH toiHiclll«r of Dulcr Ccnme. and falter of tbc »Icbtattd hlibbp bI
Nanvberv. Jntiua Fftut Accordinx lu a »rini In lb« itbl« idk <Biadi«il:
I. isi) be carei) little for ivliiioo.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let ti6

his Holiness at Rome that he will not suffer such matters to
be disputed, inasmuch as they are not doubtful or disputable.'
But we are informed by the worthy an<l teamed dean ol
Meissen and his brother» that Dr. John Eck, of Ingolstadt, has
begged of the University- of Leipsic the opportunity to dispute
on indulgences, as your Grace doubtless knows. But we
think, as the Pope expressly forbids the same, that we are
straightly bound by our oath to hinder in our diocese all that
might offend or disparage the honor of the Roman see.
Wherefore we have written and warned the dean of the
university. . . .

116. LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG.

Endcrs, L 34S. (WiTTXKBeitG), January 13, 1519.

Greeting. Though I steal tliis hour from myself and my
business, yet 1 write so that I may not seem ungrateful for all
your letters and never to answer ihem. Wherefore I thank
you heartily for your sincere and friendly advice and trouble.
I would willingly make an end of this disturbance if only my
adversaries would do the same. For as far as I sec, they
propose to end the affair not with gentleness, but with mere
force and clamor. So it happens that they arouse ever greater
trouble and labor in vain. For I know well that nothing is
ever quieted by force. I know the affair will hnd It3 end in
goodness.

It seemed highly unworthy in me to answer Prierias* trifies,
if indeed they are his, for they are childish and womanish
complaints of his own pain, nothing less.

I had a most friendly interx-Iew with Miltitz and agreed:
first, that silence shouUl be imposed on both sides, and secondly,
tliat the Pope should delegate some German l>ishop to pick out
the errors which I should recant. But unless God intervenes,
nothing will come of this agreement, especially if they press
me with that new decretal,* which I have not seen as yet, but

Thii (cferi M til« boU oa indulimcn ol Norenibcr 9. isiB. Kidd.
»t- "'■. *• M-

■t»bB Hcnnifk «u 4ean «( MtiMcn from ijefri?. Hu biothci Uattbcw wm ■
prnfcMor of tli<oIarr ■* L>«p<ic ia 1511-

*r. r., tht bull Cum fMttMM, MonnbM 9, ijiB. KHi, ef. dt., p. j«. Cf.
■•M lelEcr.

F «hich I have heard reals only on the plenary power [of Ihc
Pope], without the authority of the Bible or the Canon Law,
which certainly I would not allow even to the oldest decretal.
Who knows what God proposes to bring forth from these
monsters. As much as in me is I neither fear nor desire to
protract the affair. There are many things which mny move
this Roman slough, things which 1 will press home if they
will lei me. But if God docs not wish tlieni to let mc, his will
be done. I heartily desire to have the Ebners' as patrons,
and 1 thank them for ihe box* ihcy sent mc. I hope that
your Xurcmbcrgers" will answer to your hopes, since they
are under the best teachers and attend the choicest lectures.
Farewell in Ihc l-ord. and throw your care and mine on him,
lest you b« too an.xious for me.

Brother Martin Luther, Auffustiniait.

lij OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 149

n?. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTENBURG.
Enders. L 340. {Wittenbehg). January 14 (1519).

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, do not be suqiriscd that snme
people say I was conquered at a banquet in Dresden,' for Ibcy
have long been saying just what they pleased. While there
with our John Lang and our Dresden prior,' f was compelled
rather than invited b>' Jerome Emser* to attend an evening

■J*roaw Ebner aod bii (inllj-

•Wkal th« b»« wM I do nol knö«, Tltt w&rd "cmu!«'* uiuall; «««a« "Iiut,"
bat can hardly Aa io in tliii conlvil.

•J. /.. two Nu<«nibere boT» Mudyinit ai Wittcnbcnt. by namt Canfid Voleltmar
■fid /obn Tncbct.

«Lulfetr «rnt to Dtcaiko In Juit. isi^- prrachini there bef»re I>uke George
ot Su#or on JuIt 15. Tlie (nlltil acconnt of ibla irlp fa In Grbar: Lmihrr. L
jooC.

*Hclcbior Hiriticfa of I)T«»Ini tnairicvlatcd al Wlittnbcrt i {07- Prior at
Calocac ma, Uict Frlor si STuden and for a aboci lime in ibe NctlKrlantla.
In ijii b< wu Prtot of Uaidcbari, and ia ipoica of o<cailDnal)r In Lulhcr*B
Idlcn M a foltowrr of bU until t$ji. Enden, li. tfj.

■T<io«t Ea>>«t (iitJT or t art-November S, iji?) mairiculatcd al Tübinucn
'*93- bat misratfil tc Kiittr, wherr be looli hi« H. A. i^S and M. A. t^^q. lie
va* Ibea lor kiri* tini« in Ihe tcrvice ol Caidinal Ralmotiil Peraudi. In 15U4
IM lectured at Krfurt. l-iiihir bclnc one of hi4 (Tudrnti. but tnortd to Leitwic,
•ber«. jo ijes, h« wai raide leerurer in tbeolorr. and «raa later employed on
«wtooi ceeinlidaiu by Duke Ceorie. Prom ijif to ijt; be bad a bitter con-
troTTTir «itb LiHber, and in 1534 witli ZjriniH In r^i? he produced ■ Gennan
truulalio« of the Bible to correct ibe errotm of Lurhcr*«- See Mnitaphlea ttf
T. Moaen (1890) and G, Kairmu {iHXl- Co-fput Ktftrrmaletuai. xc. ijnfl.
/«^affMiia, i«tt. col. *tS. Hia conTrorcraial wotlu wilh Lulbcr of ijjt, jinb-
Ibfeed br L. Endeta. a Tela-, iSgo, iBgi.

UO LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND La. m

drinking party. Thinking at first that I was among friends,
I soon found out that I was in a trap. There was present
one little Leipsic professor,' a little Thomist, who thoi^ht
he knew everything. Though full of haired he spoke kinjly,
but later when a dispute arose inveighed against me bitterly
and loudly. All the while there stood outside, without my
knowing it, a Dominican preacher,* listening to all I said.
Later I heard that he said he was so much annoyed by what
I said that he could hardly restrain himself from coming in
and spitting in my face and calling me foul names. It tortured
the man to hear mc refute Aquinas for that little professor.
He is the man who boasts even to-day that I was on that occa-
sion so confused that I could not answer either in German or
in Latin. For because we argued as usual in mixed German
and Latin,' he confidently asserted that I did not know the
learned tongue. For the rest, our dispute was on rhe silly
trifles of Aristotle and Aquinas; I showed him ihat neither
Aquinas nor any of his followers understood one chapter of
Aristotle. At last, when he got boastful. I asked him to gather
together all the forces of his Thomistic erudition and explain
to mc what it was to fulBl the commands of God, "for," said
I, "I know that no Thomist knows that." This man of the
primary school,' conscious of his ignorance, cried: "Give him
some food, for thai is (he payment for schoolmasters." What
else could he say. since he did not know the answer? We all
laughed at his silly reply, and Icfi the table.

Afterwards the Dresden prior wrote mc how they boasted
and how in Duke George's court they called mc unlearned,
proud, and I know not how many other bad names, also how

>Hi* Mat *u WfiM«*MdI. Cf. Bindtcilr COtlo^im. L ij*. leiutknfl /Ar
KirrhfHfftjckteliit. uitiii, 3«.

'TrrimiiaTiin. 1. t.. a broibcr «fao wu appoinlcil to ptcub in tlic i&nricl
uailDcd lu ibe taavcnl tn wbUb lo cutltcl ftln». Du Caact, *■ v. KatkoS'a
tiaiulilion "AlmMcnaimmki" iZtif$chnfi fir Kirchtnarttlitckit, xxxia. 37) U a
Kitle vagut. Tbii penoo coU«lcd whai LuÜwt »id, totcihcr witli otbcr dung*
hr- bill latlcrei! in hin heiTnun *iid aomv tbinc* fronn hi» writings. >od SCDE tbta
promptly lo Ronir. »Ixr« tbrjr piodactA ■ grrac «fttct, Inittii. Uiii piobablj bail
freat vdthi in inducing Lca.if chine« Luthct'i luranatu to Rone lo « eiisiian
lo AofabOTK. «here tl wu Iboui^l tie could be nore rcptHiiieiitlr deati wlth-
KaUtoff. lee. r>(.

Tbe (able lallt abmn Ikat lltia waa Indeed Luther's uaual cuaiiM. Cf, Ft*-
•eraed S«nklh: lilkrr't TaMt Tali ti0o7), l>. gaR.

'Homo €* Ifeif, Knder« would transliic "man of Ihe aire««." raltbwinc Ibe

UL 117

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

161

ätty twbted my sermon given in the castle. I treated the

tfous history of the three virgins, and later tlie>' said in the

%urt that I had traduced the virgins. In short, 1 found them

a generation of vipers, wishing to do everything and able to

do nothing, and considering it a spot on their glory if they leave

a single word of mine unblamed. Despising these scare-crows,

I wrote hack to the prior to keep quiet and let me tiave my

Cain and Judas. But Einser earnestly excused himself at

the time, and lately, also, meeting tue at Lcipsic,' he swore

that he had not set any ambush fur me ; I told him I scorned

such futile fur>'. If they are so learned, they have ink and

paper, let them publish sometliing to show the splendor of

their magnificent erudition. My sermon was on July 25, the

day of Sl James the Greater, on the text:' "Ye know not

what ye ask." I animadverted on men's foolish prayers to

God. and taught what a Oiristian ought to ask for.

I wonder what has happened to the Bishop of Meissen.' I
sus))cct that he is finding out the truth of the proverb in
Ecclesiasticus : "Honors change the character,"' to which wc
commonly add "rarely for the better." I ne\er saw him, but
I know he was formerly a great friend of Staupitz. Do not
be surprised, Spalatin, to hear evil said of me. I rejoice to
bear it; were I not cursed by men I would not believe that
what I did was of God. Christ must be a sign* of contradic-
tion, set up for the fall of many, not of the gentiles, but of
Israel and of the elect. . . .

1 confidently despise that man of little scruples who thinks
I have become anathema. For as I do not fear those decretals,
mere traditions of men (which my opponents fear, though
they despise God without end), I shall boldly make war against
them sometime. The wrath of the decretals does not bind nor
hurt when the mercy of Christ protects. Would that this were

nrr clawlol uu|p. I brlErre lb* irftTcnoc btrr )■ va (be nedieT«! "irlTtuni*'
M prüiaiy <ourM of «ludin.

■/. t., January j, «t tbtreabouu. c/. lut ttRcr.

■Ukitkrw, UL. ion.

■](iha Vn. of Scblciniiz, biiboii since Oclotxr it, tjift. Letten and docu-
■nil «beul M« vbltitlt.s in Drctoril Soxooi' ijii-Jt mte pnbUikcil by K. Pallu
U ArtMf /Or Rettrmatifiugtithuhir, t. tiyS.

*1to«orea tntitasi Boro — f«(o in mel^ar»."

ab«, a. J*.

192 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut. il»

tlie greatest and only occasion {or him who docs God's work
to fear. . . . Martin Ei^utueiuijs.

P. S.^I do not think it worth while to answer Prierias. for
we arc agreed that one of the Obscure Men^ has inipersonaied
him, mocking the man by putting folly in his mouth to tempt
me to answer him.

II& RECTOR" AND DOCTORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OP
LEIFSIC TO DUKE GEORGE

G«9S, i SS- Leii-stc, January 15, 15191

We would have your Grace know that Dr. John Eck has
ask«d for a convenient time and place to hoUl his debate with
Dr. Carlstadt. , . . Wherefore we forward his prayer to your
Grace and ask that you will write us what you think on the
matter. We will labor diligently in this for the profit
of tlie university, not considering the earnest and written
protest of Lord Adolph, Bishop of Merseburg. . . .

119. GEORGE. DUKE OF SAXONY, TO DIETRICH VON WER-
THERN, VOR REPRESENTATION TO ADOLPH, BISHOP
OF MERSEBURG.

Gcu, i. SS. (Before January i?, 1519).

A Idler froir Duke George 10 Adolph, much to the same parpoK
a$ thi», dated January 17, I* B^ven in transration in B. J. Kidd:
Documtnls of the Contmtntai Reformation, p. 46. (Wrongly dated
Ihere June 17: rf. ibid., p. viil)

Dlcirith von Werthcrn ( 1468- September 4, 1536) Studied at Erfurt
i47Qi 3i)<l HI BqIok:u \jfi6, where tic got his cloctoiate in law in 149$.
In I498 he went to Pruisia, where he became Chancellor of the
Teutonic Order. Later he entered the service of Duke George, who9e
trusted councillor he was until his deatli. He was a strong Catholic
and particularly bitter against Luther. AUgemeint deatjcht BiografkU.

Dr. Eck has desired of us that he might debate after ilic
scholastic manner before the theological faculty of Leipsic
with Dr. Carlstadt, and has prayed that wc should »rrange
with the said faculty for a time and place, and that we should

'/, r., one of ibe auiborn of Usl ireit »alirc acaiott the ikt«lo(i«M, ibe
Epufotar 0^JCWT9r«m t'iriWHn,

■TV« Rector lot Ibc winter tcnnicr vu Joltu l-*ar« of LovrnVuia. C- Erkr:
Dir MMrikti 4tr Unmrniät LtH-tk, lia.

Lei. iJO OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS IM

be present in person lo hear the debate. We have no obje&
tion to the same, thinking that it will redound to the hräior
and glory of the university to have such able men dispute
before iL And we represented to the said faculty thai they
should not object to the same, considering that they were in
no wi&c conunitted to the st^jcct of the debate, but could take
what stand they chose in it, and moreover, as they were
doctors and teaclwrs of the Holy Scripture, tliat it was tlieir
duty to bring to light what is true and what is false. But the
dean of Meissen h»s informed me that it is not considered
welt that the disputation should take place, which I think he
did at the instigation of the faculty. For tliey are so small
minded that they fear they will get into trouble througli this
debate, or perchance, as they themselves confess, they are not
able to converse with such learned men. . . . But we think
that they should earn their bread by discharging the duty of
theologians, namely, bringing the truth to li|^t . . . For
otherwise 1 should have to tell the truth to Dr. Eck, namely,
that I found my tlieologians so unlearned that they were
afraid to dispute with such learned men. . . .

130. LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.
End«-», i. 368. De Wette, I. 575. German.

WlircKKxc (circa January 19^ i$i9).

Serene, h^h-bom Prince, gracious Lord! Humbly to serve
your Grace I hereby give you my opinion, the articles and
tneans^ pointed out by your Grace to settle tlie hard business
between myself, and the papal indulgence.

First, I am ready in all humility to honor the Ronuin Church,
and to prefer nothing to her, either in heaven or on earth, save
God alone and his Word; wherefore. I will willingly recant
any article proved to me to be erroneous. For it is impossible
to recant ever>-thing indiicriminatcly.

Secondly, 1 am not only willing, but eager, never to preach
or teach again. For I have neither pleasure nor love in doing
so, and get neither wealth nor honor by doing it. For I also
know well that the treatment of God's Word is intolerable

■Tlie*t vtre artklet propoMd br MJItl» to die «lector.

154

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

X.et. lao

to the world. But I have been and still am submusive to
God's command and will in this matter.

Thirdly, to have an impartial judge in the matter is all my
desire, and in my favor. And as such a judge, I would naine
the reverend father in God, the Archbishop of Trier,' or
the Ardibishop of Salzburg/ or the serene Lord Btahop Philip
of Freisingcn and Naumburg.'

Fourthly, it has long move«! me to think that in Pope Julius'
time, nine cardinals with all their followers were unable to
accomplish anything, and that also the Emperor and kings
were often humiliated by him ;* on the other hand, 1 have been
strengtheneri, because I am absolutely positive that the Roman
Church will not and may not suffer the inept and noxious
preaching which I pointed out in my Theses; she cannot bear it
nor uphold it. nor allow the poor people of Christ Co be
deceived by the specious indulgence.

It is small wonder that in these last, bad times, one or two
men should be crushed, when wc con3i<lcr that in the time of
the heretic Arius, when the Church was new and pure, all
bishops were driven from their churches, and the heretics,
with the support of the Empire throughout all the world,
persecuted the solitary St. Alhanasius. So, if God in those
blessed times so tried tlie Church, I shall not be much sur-
prised if a poor man like myself be suppressed. Bui the truth
remains and will remain forever.

Fifthly, the new decretal* just issued at Rome on indul-
gences, seems to me very extraordinary. In the first place,
it says nothing new. Secondly, it repeats in a dark and diffi-
cult form what the other decretals said. Thirdly, it does not
repeal the other papal laws on which I founded my ailment,
and thus leaves the matter in contradiction. Fourthly (and

■ Kithard von Grcllltnttaa. AretUihap E1«clor. isii-'SJi. wbo ptijrcd M
Imponanl part ii Wonni. Cf. infra, April «n<t M»t. IS".

■Miitlicw Lanjc-

■Philip. Count ?«l*liii( i>f thr Rhine Hithnp t^iT'Md

^Mllllli lud «riMtn (he ikcioT to tdl Luther to coiuldcr Ui*l In lb« line
of Tbr kte Pope Juliu* II,. "nine catJInnli. ibe Emperar, ike hlnti of Franc«,
EnjilBnil. Scoilaod. BuiipiniJir, rnil ihe whole o( lul; wcr< «Biiiut the Pop«, Uki
(«(■n ■ council, noi<rii)iatandlnc whkb ihr Pope hu iltpoMd ih« idd uidiiula
■n4 burned their itatiKi, ana Ihtl the UoXy Church hid ihu* «Iwari Iriiiaipk«^.'*
Cn^cn, i. J&f.

*C»m feitifiMm, Nortwhtt «, 151S. Kidil, ep. til., a.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

155

is üie most important point), it does not, as all other
decretals do, cite any word of tlie Biblt, the Fathers or the
Canon Law, or give any reason, but consists of mere words,
which have nothing to do with my request to be heard.

And as the Church is under obligation to give a reason for
!)er doctrine, as St. Peter command»,* and as it is frequently
forbidden to receive anytliing not proved, as St. Paul says.-
I cannot recognize the said decretal as an established and
sufficient doctrine of the Church, and must rather hearken to
God's commands and prohibitions. But though 1 will not

Fore this decretal, yet I will not wholly reject it. . . .
Your Grace's humble servant. Dr. Martin Luthel
i. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF
LEIPSIC
lies», i. 6j. Dresden, January i<>, tsig.

We have read your letter [January 15] and as Dr. Eck has
made the same request to us, we consider that honor, glory
and profit will come to the univcr&ity and to all of you from
this debate. And as our uncle aud friend, the Bishop of

erseburg, objects to this debate, we have written him a
letter, which we hope will make him change his opinion, and
we are glad to hear that you are all united in favor of the
debate now. . , .

133, MELANCIITHON TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT
NUREMBERG.

Tortus rrformatorum, i 60. (WmESBrw.'). Januao' 3a iS'l).

. . . Our Martin, thank God. is yet alive. Do not desert
the man. for he is sure that those men are the scourges, rather
tha.n the rulers of the Church,* and mighty only to oppose
justice,'

ia3. LUTHER TO PETER LUPINUS AND ANDREW
CARLSTADT,
ii. 1361 D« WctI«, i. 329. Wdinar, iL, 445.

(WiTTENBEM, Januarj (?), 1519,)

Peter Wolf (Ltipinu*), »f Radhem, matnculatc<l at Wittenberg ta

'i Peter, iii. tj-

'1 ThcutloeluH, r. at.

■Ho« F^tlrtixi sUoiT^fraf, drtUrwot ««in alion/iiini

■A Hebrr« word tumpfel«! in tbe neW.

LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND

laj

1503, and later became profe&sor of philosophy »ikI tbcologj- thvn.
He was < friend and follower of Luihcr until his death. May 1, 1521.
This letter is the preface to Luther's Cemmrntary on CaUtihiu,
which appcarcd in print early in September, 1519, This letter, how-
ever, was certainly composed consideiably earlier. Luther speaks of
Era*mus' Paraphrase to Galatianj, publiahcd August, 1519, 23 not j«
out. Moreover, the absence of all allusion 10 the debate with Eclc,
which began to play a considenhlc part in his thoughts as early ••
February. leads us to place this letter about January. The Ci^inmmiary
it reprinted Weimar, ii. 476!!.

Most learned Sirs, I have recently been clialring about
indulgences, trifling words, as I thought, about trifling matters,
but now, as I have found out, serious words about the most
serious of all matters. For, foolish and erring, I measured
sins and errors by the divine commands and the holy gospel
of Christ, but those friends of mine, in their glorious wisdom,
measured every kind of work by the power of the Pope and
tlic privileges of the Roman Church. This is the reason why
we think so differently, and why [ have raised such a storm
against myself among those most Christian and religious pro-
fessors of theology. Wliat I always feared has happened to
me, n.imely, that I should be variously judged; to some I seem
impious, to others quarrelsome, to others vainglorious, to
eveiy man something different. This is the common lot of
men who (as is commonly said) build in public and write for
the public. I have found almost as many teachers as readers,
and that gratis, under whose auspicious guidance I had to
leam, under penalty of becoming an obstinate heretic, that
no man could .<;in more gravely than he who doubts the opinions
of men and opposes their zeal for disputing, even if by not
doing so he meantime denies Christ and Qirist's faitli and
childish matters of that sort.

When I was at Augsburg I had, as you know, a paternal
and kind instructor in this matter. And the most illustrious
rule of these most illustriotis men has brought it to pass that
there now obtains a new and admirable Oirisiian liberty, by
which men may do what they like with impunity, provided
they do not sin against the only law that is left, namely, the
power of the Pope and the privileges of the Roman Church.
HcDCC. it is holy to connive at and consent unto all the crimes

I3J

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

157

comiptions which now, under the muocent and sacred
^ame of Pope and Church, flood evety land without cod; it U
even pious to praise them for the highest virtues, but it is
sacrilegious to murmur against them. So great is the wrath
of Almighty God, and so much has our impious ingratitude
deserved that the tj'ranny o£ hell has been bürne so
long. We see that it has long made men groan in vain, and
has made the holy and tctrihic name of Christ, in which wc
are justified, glorified and saiicti^cd, become a cloak for fou],
dirty, horrible nwnstcrs of avarice, tyranny, lust and impiety.
It has forced the na:ne of Christ into the service of vice, and,
what is the last of evib, has crushed the name of Christ by
itself, has laid waste the Church in the name of the Church,
and has altogether mocked, deceived and damned us by the veiy
instruments of salvation.

WTierefore, while they are occupied with these great mat-
ters, while they bile, wliilc they cut themselves witli knives'
before their Baal, while they sacrifice to the Lindian god,*
while they boast of their Extravangante/ and of those faithful
witnesses of Roman learning, their declaratory decretals, I
determined to betake myself to the least of things, tiiat is, to
the sacred writings, and among tliem to those of Paul the
Apostle, who, by his own leslimony, was the least of writers.
For he was not yet the chief of the apostles, or pontifex
[ maximus, but he proclaims himself the least' of the apostles,
not worthy to be called an apostle. So far is he from boast-
ing that he is most holy of all; he even says that he was of
the tribe of Benjamin,* the son of Joseph,* who was called
the least of all his brethren, and that everything might be
"least," he judges' that he knows nothing save Christ, and
him crucified, that is, the least and last of all things. For he
was well aware that it was not for an ignorant, unlearned

>t Wattf, ivlii' 39.

UMOfdl&B 10 EtanmiM* ASagti, t. v., tliU proverb U uard nf tho*e vho Vein
■ bolrcanK witb ■ b«4 omrn. Ilt-rtvlr* atule two oxen fraai a [inunt of Lindna.
and Äa Uttrr curied ktm wiib »i> tittle cflccc tbnl it otAj mi'dc llerculFii laugb.

•Fut «f the CaKin Law. Lutber baa ciii«liU7 In tnind the decretal C%m
fMi^wan of Komnbcr 9, 1J18.

•1 CorioiUAOi. XT- 9-

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let Hi

apostle, but only for thrice great theologians, to treat of those
greatest and chief of alt things, the power of the Roman
Church and her decretals.

I hope that this work of mine will have better fortune, be-
cause it treats affairs of no consc<iucncc, the power of Christ,
by which he is strong in us even against the gates of bcU,
and the privileges of the celestial Church, which knows neither
mighty Rome nor holy Jerusalem, nor any other place, nor
seeks Christ here or there, but worships the Father in spirit
and in truth.' Why should tliese great men be moved or
irritated by these trifles, since tliey are outside of ilwir
province? Wherefore I appear before the public the more
safely because I abstain from speaking of what irritates them,
and treat little matters suitable to my mediocrity. But if any-
thing is left of that old commotion over important matters. I
leave it to them, because I am one poor, weak man. and
while they stand idle all the day, I am very busy. Wherefore,
it is unnecessary for both parties to this quarrel to be hurt by
it, it is sufficient evil that one party grieve and be sad.

Speaking seriously, excellent sirs, I honor the Roman Pontiff
and his decrees. N'one is above him, without exception, save
the prince of this vicar of Oirist, namely, Jesus himself. Lord
of us and of all men. I prefer his word to tlie words of his
vicar, and liave no doubt tliat we should judge all the words
and deeds of the vicar by liis word. For I desire him to be
subject to this universal rule ol the apostle: "Prove all
things, hold to that which is good."' I will suffer none to
withdraw his neck from this yoke, whetlicr in the name of
the mother or of the mistress of all churches. I have the
more reason for this position as in our time we see some
councils rejected and others accepted,' theology treated as a
matter of mere opinion, the sense of law depend on the arbi-
trary opinion of one man. and in short, everything so con-
founded Uiat almost nothing certain is left to us. But it is

■i TbMMtoalxi*, V. tt>

tTlt aulhoritj of the Conncil at Bulc ni toranllj rrpsijlaicd ItT A« LftlcfU
CooMil »r tjt*, a rs«Mur« I»t(r <onfirm*i] b? Lev X.'* knll Pulor «fltrnut, Ea
StfilHu. Dterti. R>. ]. lit. ;. t. I. Luibct kxl quotcJ tlii* ulrtaij in ll>r Alt»
Jt*t*ita*» (Ociober, t]i>), knd tn ■ letter of .Vovtmlxr 19, tjtS. EciUn, L ilj.

124

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

169

clearer than day that niany decretals are repugnant lo the
gospel, so that we are simply forced to fly for refuge to tiiat
solid rock of Scripture, and not to believe anything, no mai-
ler what, that speaks, commands or does anything without this
ilhority. . . .

But to return to myself and to you, excellent Sirs; I refer
'to you, or, to use Paul's word,' ] lay hcfore you this &tudy of
mine on Paul's epistle, a small tiling, not so much i com-
mentary as a witness of my faith in Christ, unless, perhaps, I
shall have run in vain* and not have seized Paul's meaning.
In this point, because it is a mighty matter from God, I desire
to learn even from a boy. Certainly I should have preferred
to have waited for the commentaries long since promised us
by Erasmus.* that theologian too great even lo envy. But
while he procrastinates (may God grant it be not forever),
this fate which you sec, compels me to publish. I know I am
A child and unlearned, but yet, if I dare say it, zealous for
piety and Christian learning, and in this more learned than
those who have made the divine commands simply ridiculous
by the impious addition of human laws. I have only aimed
to make Paul clearer lo tliose who read my work, so that they
may surpass me. If 1 have failed, I shall h:ive willingly lost
^-jDy labor, for at least I shall have tried to incite others to
^Ktudy Pauline theology, for which no good man will blame me.
^H^arewcll.

lai. LUTHER TO JOHN SYLVIUS EGRANUS AT ZWICK.^U.
£n(lers, i. 407. (WimsNitEKt), Februarj' 2. 1519.

Greeting. Learn briefly. Egranus, my present situation.
Charles von Miliiiz was sent to our elector armed with more

an se\"cnty jKipal breves, all drawn up with the purpose of
liaving me sent alive and bound to that murderous Jerusalem,'
Rome. But on the way he was smitten to the earth by the

rd. that is, he was frightened by the numbers of those who
'avor me. for everywhere he carefully inquired what men

■CiImImu. U. j.
*i Corinikiknt. ix ti.

■CnMODa' Par%pht*tf to Calaliaiu. publlibed b; Frobcn. Bulc, Auguu, tsiQ,
'iNiothKO f-rwMuma. ■ 14J.
*")(mMlcn tkii kiUcM ibt iirtip&cu." UaiUicir, iilil. 37.

lAl

-XUTHEK'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. la«

thought of me and changed his violence into an easily assumed
benevolence, pleading witli mc at great length to recant for
the honor of the Roman Church. I answered him' to this
intent: Let the method of recantation be prescribed, and the
reason of my error given, and let it be such a reason as to
appeal both to the learned and to the people, lest a recantation
on suspicious grounds should excite more hatred against Rome.

We Iinally agreed to leave the matter to the arbitration of
cither the Bishop cf Salzburg or the Bishop of Trier, and
thus vfc separated amicably, with a kiss (a Judas kiss!) and
tears — i pretended that I did not know they were crocodile
tears. Thus far we got; I know not what they will do at
Rome.

Miltitz says that no affair has arisen for a hundred years
that has caused more trouble to that most idle crowd of
cardinals and of Rcimaniztng Romanists, and that they would
rather give ten thousand ducats' than let the thing go on as it
has begun. I rejoice and commend everything to God.

I wrote you before, advising you not to leave Zwickau, for
you can get plenty of leisure and books to study (ircek tlicre.
You owe more to God, that is, to tlie people of God, than to
yourself and culture. I desire to know what you dislike in the
doctrine of faith which seems so plain and open to nie. For I
do not separate justifying faith from love; rather we believe
on him who pleases us, and he in whom we helieve is loved.
Grace makes the Word pleasant to us. and makes us believe
it. which is the same as loving it. All the propositions recently-
put forward about faith, hope and charity do not please mc.
for those who discuss tliem seem to me to understand none of
them.

I saw our friend Eck at Augsburg and tried to get him to
meet our CarUtadt at I^ipsic to decide their dispute, and
after some demur he agreed. What does the man do then?
He takes my Theses, rips them up. and says not a word about
him with whom he is disputing. You might think it a carnival
ma^.* I am forced to engage the man at close quarters to

*Oii ibc mttüas wliL UUtlii «t A)tcnbuif eulr In fk&uwr. Snltb. mS.

■A dncal «u li'jo or ten iliillinsi.

■Al cirtitril linx In G»nnanr (juit b«f»rc Ltnc, (. «., ■boul tkt time Lutkcr

1^. 135 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 101

defend my ofnnions of inclutgences. Tlie boastful little beast
is most unfortunate. He promises a fight after liastcr. Some
say he is suborned by the Duminicans. ^^le Lord's will be
done. I would have sent a copy of his paper, but I only have
one sent me from Nuremberg. I send CarUtadt's booklet on
the JuslifUation of Ihc IVicked' and the conclusion of his
edition of Augasttnc's De spinlu et Utera' hoping' that you
have ibe lirst part. Farewell in Christ and pray for me.

Martin Luthsil

125. JOHN PROBEN TO MARTIN LUTHER.
Eflders, L 4M B^slc, February 14, i$t9.

John Proben (c i46(»>>S^). of Hammelburs in Franconia, siudicd
at Baslv. whr« he prinwd his fiiM book, a Bible, 1491. In 1500 he
made a paTtncrshtt> wiili John Amoibach. In r5t4 he formctl a con-
ncciion with Erasmus for the purpose of bringing out the Greek
Totarocnt and Jerome's works, toth of which appeared in 1516.
After (hit his relations with Erssmus were close until his death. Life
in AUgtmtttte dtuitche Biographie. Thü letter, which is of great
interest as showing how early Luther's books attained an inlcniBtional
r«iNita(ion, arrived at Wiitetiberg on March I2ih.

Blasius Salmonjus,* a printer of Lcipsic, gave me some of
your books, which he had bot^ht at the last Frankfort Fair,'
wliich, as they were approved by allthc learned. I immediately
reprinted.' We have sent si.K hundred copies to France* and
Spain;' Ihey are sold at Paris, and are even read and ap-

wu viiiinR tki«> ntwlu or p*nr»aiitnn were placed br nainmer«. Tbej *n

■knovn w "PutRacttipiilr."
' ^r.pilsuMt A. Carf:iiadit fV imfit i<utilU«ti«nt, Lci[>iic, ISIO-
*rf. tupn, no. 11 and A. Humlwft: Lt* Origintt At (a thittegit moitntt,

*OtlKiwiM anknoire.

•The ((•"t book'iB&tt of CcmimT. Cf, J. W. TbompsaD: Thr Prtitfon Bcek
Ptir: Iff FttntattfJitnjt Emftrtun ef Htnfi Eilirnnt. ChlCKfa. C«»i«n Club,
I«ti.

*!■ tbc dir* Ivtor« tofyrifflit book* wtr« (r** tor all. In lliit cat« tkt teamed
did Bot JBtlixIt Erunmi. vlto trremicd carnoEly *cain>t lb( ^nbliciUion ut
Lsikcf'a wbtki. Cf. ■"/•■«, "1. 140. rrob™'« v<>Ium' toniiiord Tkr fJinnyfiv*
Tktitt, ihe Knst»iiaiu. tie Anm-tr ta Prtfriar. and the «ermona on FtKttuM*
wmA »a tt< furkarixf. Abo Carlaucli'i Tktttj of Mar. tp8. D« Jonxh:
L'mncimiit FantlU rf« Thfeteji* d tmtCRin. p. ivi. Cf. t*lfa. no. Ol.

• So Qwran «tliH to Zwinsli on Nai^mbrf i, i;]r>. from I*ar44, tliAl no baak*

are tooffcl nore quitkly iban Luibrr'i. Corfui Pr/nrniUorua, xciv. 361. Thi:a

alu> Lcf^rt d*Piaplct Iramed to know Lutbrr. in nbam be icni a irrciint on

Aliril 9, I}I9 UemUnJard. Carr/jfoaifaRi'r liri ti'>»rmatfiiri, i. (^

^^m *An CMir [ndiE*lion of the iproad of LuEbrtaniisi aad prnbablir of Lulb«ran

1« LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut. Jrf

proved by the doctors of the Sorbonne,' as certain of our
friends have assured us; for some of the most learned say
that they have hitherto missed among those who treat Scrip*
y ture the same freedom t'lat yon show-
Francis Calvus,' also a bookseller of Pavia, a most learned
man, one devoted to the Muses, has taken a good part of
your books to Italy to distribute them among all iJic cities.
Nor docs he do it so much for gain as to aid piety. He has
promised to send epigrams written in your honor by all the
learned in Italy, so much does he like your constancy and
skill. . . .

We have exported your books to Brabant and England.*
We only printed three hundred copies of your Rrply to
Prierias. . . . We have sold out all your books except ten
copies, and never remember to have seid any more
quickly. We expect to bring out the second edition of Eras-
mus' New Testament much enlarged, within ten days. Fare-
well, reverend Father

I2& RECTOR. PROFESSORS AND DOCTORS OF THE UNI-
VERSITY OF LEIPSIC TO DVKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.

Gess, i. 69. Leipsic, rcbniar)- 15. 15191

At your Grace's written command, we have granted perrois-
sion to the honorable and learned doctors, John Exk and.
Andrew Carlstadt, to debate. Thereupon the said Dr. Ecfc
reduced to writing his conclusions on Dr. Martin Luther's
propositions conceniing grace, in order to give public notice
of the debate with Dr. Carlstadt at your Grace's universi^.

traotu in Spaninh dnmlniani \a lb* con il*ni nation ot a Luth^ifi •■ Ukjar«i In 13*}.
H. C Lea: Hülary ef Iht Spanuh Iti^MiMiiim U^oji, lii. ^ty C/. infrm,
April, isji. nc. 411.

>C/. Tttbitilt (0 Rbenanui. Mar I?» ISIO. Hcrminjard, i. 47. On April if,
ijji, I.iiibtr'i work* «ere tottnxHy condemnnl by ilic SoTbonae. Cf. Swtlu
Of. fil-, «53.

>ralrui l> ofieo tncnliomcd In Eraamiu' Idler*. On the >a1c nf Luther's «orki
in ViniM'. P«vi>, *nd HoIukik. ff. TaiiDr, Hülery ef tk€ Poprt (EnEliib tran»
Utlan by Kerr), a. joC, Also Benntli: ftftarmetiaH in yenriig, p. 1, wber<
for i)i8 read ■;■«- Alio Rtaltntytl<fpSiie, ix. 514. On CaUu«, FücilcniBnii-
Cvntber, i, v.

*CI. Oxford Uiit^rifl C<iHte'»mr9, i- till- Daybook of J«\ti Dome, book-
•rllcr of OifuFil. (or ijia. Amonc L«(li*('i worki the fallowinf trcn Aea told:
Ofrr*, a copjca; Lr^tir t)fhelf, 11 Cemtmnla*^ irn Calalitiu, i) Df /rrrftol«
Paft, 6 «r 71 Ke$eltifi»iu (for L«ip4ie d*buc). r: Ffptiut It Ptitriu, \.

la?

otheä contemporary letters

1«3

Straightway Dr. Lutlier,' compelled by this to mix in the
debate, thinking to defend and uphold Dr. Cartstadt. publishes
a letter in which he announces, contrary to your Grace's
written command and the decision of the whole honorable
I university, that the said debate is at an end, and, nevertheless,
^^irithout greeting your Gract or the university, he publicly
^■nd in writing Announc&<i that he will debate at your Grace's
^Rniversity. And as the said Dr. Martin touches the legal
^^ights of the Pope's Holiness, the said debate would be thereby
hindered, and cverj-one would be deceived by having the
^■trulh thus abandoned. Wherefore wc beg that your Grace
^■rill sec to it that Dr. Lutlier sliotild not announce debates
^^tilhout your Grace's or the university's consent.

" 137- WOLFGANG FABRICIUS CAPITO TO LUTHER.
Enden, i. 424- Basle, Fdiroary 18, 1519.

Switzerland and the Rhine country as far as the ocean, is
solid for Luther, and his friends in these regions are both
powerful and learncct. Recently, when it was rumored that
you were in danger/ Cardinal Matthew Schinner, the Count
of Geroldseck.* and a certain learned and much honored
bishop,* and not a few of our other friends," promised you
nol only financial support, but a refuge, in which yon might
cither hide or live openly. When it was noised .ibroad that
you were laboring in great difficulty, some men tried to send
you a large sum of money through me and they certainly
would have done so. But this evening we received golden
news, that Luther lives and will live always. Then we saw a
copy 01" the letter of the ilhistrious and truly princely elector
to Cardinal Cajetan, by which we know that you do not need
our aid.* But if we can do anything we certainly will. We

>Ob Ait ff. Smith, of. til., p. jg.

»/. f_ *r beinf «eiil la Ron«. wh«ii Lolhtr «u Ihlslcing of leivins Willenbef«.
twff*. Bit. >oo.

■Oletell III Ton GeroMaKli et Swabla. admiriitnior at rhe tlt>i«I«r of Eincle.
(ftln, m dnr frl«ail of Zwincli, «iib whom be dJtd *t th< ^ttle of Kappcl.

Octohti Tl. IIJI.

*nitlitoi?b«t TOO UlKfibHin. Bjthop of Bulc i50S>t5J6, irhen be mlcncd.

nf The neu year.
•Ipcludin« Zwiaiill, ihlslo R»niulT, Cerfui Srfermalentm. xäw. 40J. dow u
Bui 7*lnfl) h*i w fTl »hata »Binn imerenl in LuLtcr.

"Drcemtiei S. 1518. rffuaing lo lire Lulbcr up, tcijcn. i. ]io.

1 Oct

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut. 136

have printed your collected works, as yon will learn from
Froben's pft, and within six weeks after the Frankfort Fair
sent them to Italy, France, Spain and England, in this con-
sulting' the puhlic welfare, which wc think is udvaoccil by
having the truth spread abroad as widely as possible. Nature
by mean$ of truth allures even an enemy to love her. For-
give me for recently telling you of Erasmus' opinion,' which
was bringing owls to Athens,'

12a LUTHER TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.
Enders, i 43S. De Wctte-Seidenunn, vi. la German.

WiTTENDOc, February 19, 151^

My humble poor prayers and lowly service to your Grace.
Serene, high-born Prince, gracious Lord! The worthy Dr.
Eclc writes that he has applied to your Grace to permit and
graciously to favor a debate against the worthy Dr. Carlstadt
in your Grace's university at Leipsic. But although Dr. Eck
proclaims that he will debate against Dr. Carlstadt, yet he
hardly notices his articles, but falls with all his might on my
position. ITicrcforc, it would become me to meet this pre-
sumptuous giant' and defend my position or let myself be
better instnicted. Wherefore it is my humble petition to
your Grace, for the love of the truth kindly to allow such a
debate. For now the worthy gentlemen of llie university
have written that what 1 formerly heard they had promised
to Dr. Eck has been refused by them, for they lay it up
against me that I let my propositions for debate be published
before 1 asked permission of your Grace; this was because X
had confidence that your Grace would not forbid me, but
would be ready, as Dr. Eck has boasted you promised him.
I pray you graciously for^ve me, and may Goil mercifully
spare and uphold you. .^men.

Your Grace's obedient chaplain,
Dr. Maktin I-uther. jiuffustmian.

Kf. rwff*, no r»

•/. #.. "todli lo Ntwculk."

*"Dann unäarirtrnl''nn ryi»n tt\t cmpf hQ " f fnllaw IIntip«*i RioJ*mitMla)i -
"Den unvMT*»nn«n Rirtin »it »tnpf»hen" (Si. I.ou)ii Watch, nri. A. p. i«»), |
bivi mlM (houcbt (hu "rmen" nii«bl sund for "Reite," ä. t.. "undend« tbU
untxpMicd ioBiDvy.**

L«. 130

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

1«

139. JOHN ECK TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPSIC

Cess, L 73. Ingolstadt, February 19> 151%

I was somewhat troubled when I henrd that you did not
care to bear the burden of hearing and judging lis, although
I received your letter late, that is on February 4. But now I
am made more cheerfu], since 1 have learned that you have
changed your opinions, fur whidi I render you immortal
thanks. Concerning the time of the debate I should like it to
begin on June 27, for reasons given in another tetter to your
university, for I shall be obliged for urgent reasons to be
away from our University of Ingolstadt then anyway. . . .
I am writing to Luther to he present, for there is just as much
reason for his presence as for that of Caristadt, for in mv
poor opinion, both of thcni are equally in error. We shall
fold out by this debate. . . .

K^o. LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG.
^Hldtn, 1. 4J3. VViTfEKBEKC, February 301 I5I9-

Greeting. I blame myself, excellent doctor, for so rarely
writing in answer to your numerous greetings. But again I
excuse myself in that I am laboring with such a monstrous
mass of business. That learned Dialogue of Julius and Peter^
pleased me much, for it contains much fruit if read carefully.
1 tegtex that it is not known at Rome. I almost dared to
iranslaic it;* not that the author is the first to reveal the
horrors of the Roman nzrJa. but he confirms what has. alas !
long been known. Would lliat the Roman prelates might be
warned of their tyranny and impious rashness even by trifles
of this sort, which tliey Scc are spread abroad through the
world.

Eck, who has hitherto fairly dissimulated his rage against
me. now reveals it. See what sort of man he is. But the
God of gods knows what catastrophe he is planning for this
tragedy. In this neither will Eck act for his own ends, nor I

*Ka.^Aittg (fl ihc IIlIiIv lilk Lutlicf tticj to Ao ta but fsve it op rearing
h« c*liM aoi do tkc (Ijric Jutllcc^ In the »line uyinf Le itlribtilE* III* auilioTtblp
rJt&t'.T (a Eratna*. E. Rrek«r: Lnlhcrt TitckrtJ^n in d«r itaUhttucKeH
Stmrnluif, lft»3. B«. 4S-

1«

LUTHKß'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. ip

for mine, for I chink God's counsel is directing it all. I luve
often said that what I have hitlierto done has been mere pUy,
but that now I will act in earnest against the Pope atid Romaa
arrogance. . . .

Brothiir Martin Luther, Augustintan.

131. OTTO BECKMANN TO SPALATIN.
Koldc: /Inaltcta, 6. (Ekfl'«!?). Fcbruaiy 24, igl»

... I hardly know what to promise about our Elcutherius.
I wrote you before that ahrost everyone here approves what
should not be approved for the sake of seeming Lutheran,
even when they least agree with Luther, as, for example, on
(he power of the Pope, which can neither be assailed nor
ditninished by our barking. The common crowd like to hear
evil of ecclesiastics, especially in our time when, for our sins,
the ckrgy has become a byword in society. It is said that
recently while preaching in the church of St. Peter, he raved
I know not what folly about the throne of the Pope and the
power o£ the keys, all of which was dihgenlly written down
by enemies. You would do well to write to Amsdorf to
admonish Martin not to speak so angrily without cause in
public about the Pope and the other prelates. Some ixjrtent
is brewing; but may Christ grant that it come not among
us. We must go another road. The Church cannot be re-
formed by our contrivance, if it has to be reformed at all.
I write from my heart, knowing that you cherish the Iionor
of the university. Yours.

Otto Deckmann.

Note. — At tliis point Enden (i. 44a) inserts a letter from Luther to
Leo X., dated "(.XltCTihiirg), M.irch 3, 1519." and it is laltcn into Ih«
St. Louis edition (*xi. no. 155), dated Fcbniary, It was really com-
pojied in January, at Luther's interview with Miltit*. bv\ as it did not
satisfy tlic latter it was never sent, and U therefore not included in my
translation. Küstlin-Kawcrau, i. 324.

133. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXOVTV TO LUTHER AT

WITTENBERG.

Enders, L 44$. Dresdck, Mardi 4. 1519.

Worthy, teamed, dear and ptous Sir! We have rccdved

Ut. 133

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

187

your letter' about tlie debate allowed by us to be held at our
Uni%'er5ity of Leipsic, between Drs. Eck and Carlstadt, and
containing your excuses, all of which we have noted. Since
Dr. Eck wrote us that he had agreed on the debate witli I>r,
Carlstadt and prayed for peiriiissioti to hold it ai Leipsic,
wc did not wish to refuse him. If now you agree among
yourselves to debate, and then make a further request to us,
we will then, as beseems us, consider your petition and give
you a pnidcnt and gracious answer. This in answer to your
letter.

I3J LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTENBURC.
EnJcrs. >. 44& (Wittcndeiig), March S, 1519.

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, you have twice urged mc to
make nicnlion of faith and workiJ and of obedience to the
Koman Church in my German apology.' I think that I have
done so. although it was published before your warning!
came. It was never my inteniion to secede from the apostolic
Roman sec; indeed, 1 am content that the Pope should be
called, or even »hould be, the lord of all. What business is
it of mine? For I know that we must honor and tolerate
even the Turk because of his power, and because I know,
as Peter says,' that there is no power save what is ordained

lof Gotl. But I act for my faith in Christ, that they may
not treat his Word as they please, and contaminate it. Let
the Roman decretals leave me the pure gospel and take away
all else, 1 will not move a hair. What more can I or ought
I do? Moreover, most willingly shall T abide by the agree-

finent.' for I liope this debate will he a debate for the learned
only, and my instruction will be sufficient for the laity.
Farewell.

Vera desire to know who were the men who requested the
elector to change the course of studies.* They were the

'Febnnry 19, mfv«. no. tjA.

'VnlttTKAl *■/ rtlieht ArlittI, Wtlmar. II. 6i. Tbl* «u ■ paiKr ittwa w '■
(hr nqarM of Milliti, tf- Rrailk, g6(. PerbipB Spalslin had tw«n iaSatnuil hf
the kiler of tWrVmann, fl"". ■>«■ <]■.

*Cf. I Piter, ii. ij. Ihnufb Luther {iralMblr nwaM Paal** EpUlU ed tb*

R<Hft>M, xiit. I .

*J. t., witb MI1((M la Imp riltnee. tf. Smitb, fjf.

*Fm mm liin« Ltiihtr and bii (n>n()« bii4 b««n i(**in>a* of r«fonntni tb«
«vrrieiftlBdt hf canuliai tbe iMlarn on Ariifalle'i Fhytici Mid do AaninM*«

IM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut. J34

rector/ Carlstadt, Armsdorf and fT The protest does not
please many, though tliey have poor reason for objecting to
it, for tliey consider not tlie proßt of the students, but the
salaries of the professors. Conversing with one of them
recently, I said if tlie salaries were given for the sake of sup-
porting the professors, the university was changed into an
eleemosynary institution. Let the needy be supportetl in some
other way ; here we must consider proper studies alone. They
are blind and without judgment. I hope tlie most illustrious
elector will take good counsel in tltts matter.

Ekotheb Mabtin Lutiiek.

13* luther to the elector frederic of saxony.

Enders, L 448- De Wette, i. 2361 German.

WrrTESBERd, March 13. 1519.
My poor, humble prayer is ever for your Grace! Most
serene, high-born Prince, most gracious I-ord ! Your Grace's
chaplain, Spalatin, has sent to tnc certain points concerning
me, fonvarded to your Grace by the Honorable Charles von
Miltitz, commissary of the Pope's Holiness, demanding,
namely, that 1 should henceforth keep silence and not b^:in
anything new, as we agreed at Altenburg. Now God knows
that I am anxious and would be happy lo have the game end
tlius, as far as in me lies; and I liave kept myself so strictly
to the agreement that I have let Silvester Prierias' AnsTver'
go, although it gave me much cause to reply, and has given
my opponents much reason to mock me; yet have I kept
silence contrary to the advice of my friends. However,
Miltitz knows well that our agreement was that I should keep
silence on condition that my enemies did the same. But now
Dr. Eck has without warning attacked me, in such manner
that he seems to seek not my shame only, but the dishonor
also of your Grace's University of Wittenberg. Many re-
spectable people think that he was bribed to do so. It did not
become me to pass over his fickle, treacherous attack and

(ATt*(<>l]e**7> Lcgic, ilFvodng lb< MUri»« paiil for tbete eoano partlr V»
hacicutng UcluicbiliDD'i pi; iiid pully I» hifins ■ pnltaat lo Imtut« «■
Ovid'i Mrlomorfkatti. Cf. P« Watlt'Sciifintnn, vi. ij.

■BiHbalDmcw Bertihiirdi ol F«Idkinb.

'Ktflic« F. Syhtttri PrUriuit, iftt. on whkh tf, LtocAcrt, o^. eil-, itS.

135

rHüR CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

leave the tnith to be mocked. TIius they would gag me. and
open everyone else's mouth ; thus your Cirace can imagine that
in this case any man. who othcnv-ise perhaps would not dare
to look at me, might fall upon mc. Now with all my heart I
am disposed olieihently to follow your Grace's true counsel,
and always keep still, provided they will do the same, for I
have much to do, and do not seek my own pleasure. But if
^thcy won't keep silence. I lumibly pray your Grace not lo
ikc it ill that my conscience will not suffer me to abandon
the truth. And although my position touches the Pope's tloli-
ncss, yet was I obliged, in the course of the debate, to take the
opposite side [to Dr. Eck's], always reserving my humble
obedience to the Holy Roman See. God grant your Grace

Kvation. Amen.
Your Grace's humble chaplain,
Dtt. Martin Luther, Augustintan.
P 135. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.

Enden. I. 448. Witten REK«, March 13, ijig.

It win be beyond Melanchihon's power, dear Spalatin, to
VC so many extra lectures, when he already has more than
enough to do. Even if you tliink he should lecture alternate
days, yet he will have none the less anxiety. Moreover,
Aristotle's Physicis arc completely useless to every age; the
whole book is an argimient about nothing, and, moreover, a
begging of the question. His Rhetoric is of no use either,
DqIcss one wishes to become an expert in rhetoric, which is
mach as though one exercised his mind studying dung or
other stuff. God's wrath has decreed that for so many ages
(he human race should occupy itself with these follies, and
without even understanding them. I know the book inside
oot, for 1 twice have expounded it to my brothers, having
rejected the usual commentaries,' In short, we have decided
to allow these lectures to continue only for a short time, since
ercn an oration of Beroald* wouhl be more profitable, as

'LvrbtT Imuinl on Ailira(Ie*i Flhtti ini] PhyiicM ilurin^ hit ftril ynr it
Wiitmbtrs. i^li-9. Kii didike of the Stiaitii« bociQ ibout thu tiot. Cf, not«
10 Ancnirine, Wnour, is. 17.

*mbp ScrcMld. i4!J-tsos. IcciuKd on eloquence it Pmatt, Milan and PiHi.

Vn LUTHBß'S CORRESPONDENCE AND L«t. c^

Aristotle has not even an understanding of natural phenomctka*
Of like quality are his books on Metaphysits and the SouL
It is unworthy of the mtnd to wallow in such a stough af
folly; if he must be read to fulfil the requirements, he bacf
better be read without comprehension tliaii with.

I send the letter* of Eck, as boastful as if he were victor at
the Olympian games.

John Proben sent me my works printed by him. If you
wish to see them I will send tliem."

I am too busy to translate my Exposition of the Lord't
Prayer' into Latin. I daily expound to children and the
simple the Ten Commandments* and the Lord's Prayer, beside*
which I preach and am now getting out Paul's Epistle to the
Galaiians." Moreover, tliere are orations and lectures to be
given on special occasions, so I have not lime enough, much
less, time to spare. I am planning a sermon on the Medita-
tion of Christ's Holy Passicn,'^ but know not whether I shall
have leisure to write it, but 1 will try.

I am studying the decrees of the Popes' for my debate,
and (I speak it in your car), I kuow not whether the Pope is
Antichrist" himself or his apostle, so terribly is Christ, that is,
the truth, corrupted and crucified by him in the decretals. I
am terribly distressed that the people of Christ should be
thus deceived by the semblance of laws and of tlie Christian
name. Sometime I will make you a copy of my notes on the
Canon Law, tliat yon too may see what it is to make laws
r^ardless of Scripture, simply from ambition and tyranny,

■or Ftlruarr If- Enibra, i. 418. {

*Snprc, BO- iJJ,

Mu/lf^un; Jntliih dn Vattrumirri für it* tinfOlliafn Laifm. W«lri»r. ii, ?*.

*Dfffm Ptatctfta {■if»!» Willembtrgmti tratiicalo. Thli win lb« bcginnin( ot
Lulher'« C»wflviini (rtjfl). Cf. Wrlinar. mi. part i. inlmduction.

'CtfmoMMlary a« Calatiaiu, p(i1jliib«i] br l.uili*'> it tbia time. WeiraM, ii. 43t.

'Strmen ven it* Btira.tklang dri kWliorx Ltiimt Chriiii, Wcinir. ii. iji.

ir. f., lh( Canor La«, fur tbc L.«li>*ic t>cbai<. C/. Smitb. op. eit.. 6afi

■Til« iilri u( Anilchriii. tiken Irom tbe Apocalypic. bid bccnine gull« commoa
b; ibt* time, ini] bad been applied 10 tbc ?orc at Itaii *incc John Hiua'a
tit (?('Wr«M (iCrca 1400). t.uilicr tli<l nax know ibit wuiii till a year lalci, tuil
fcc probabi)' dill know > Buch van dit Endinhrüit Ltbtm ond fffairmnf,
Krfurt, t$i4. lit later «ottxd lb« idea out in tlctAil in bi* Rnponti» «4 Am-
(roii'km CatKarioitm, Weimar, tu. ^^Ji. (ij^O. Cf. II. rrtoia: Dit f'or/rWiaivra
wvm Antuliritt im rfiltrtu UiltittUrr, M Ltlhrr amJ im t«a/cni>arM<« P^rmik,
Ldp*l«. ■**(. U. Clriaw, «^. til^ iL ■ tjS.

Lr. ij6

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LHTTEHS

171

wt to mention the other works of the Roman curia, which
^ [Dct those of Antichrist. Daily there arises in me a
pater and greater aid and defence for tlic sacred books.

Our Erasmus has published a work on the method' of
Kudying the Bible, which Proben sent me. Please return
the letters of Frt^en, Kck and the oltiers. . . .

Brotukb Martin Luther, Augustinian.

[P. S.]*— I send a letter to the most illustrious elector on
the matter* which you wrote about, and I ask you to thank
iitni for me for his most kind care. I am very sorry and
unwilling that his Grace should be troubled by his anxiety
for me. I have answered Eck nothing except tliree words,
namely, that it wa? his fault, not mine, that he is hrande<^l
as a sophist throughout the wnrld. I do not wisli to treat with
tbe man at length; he is wholly faithless, and has openly
broken the laws of friendship.

136. MELANCHTHON TO SPALATIN.
Corpus Rtformaiifritm, 1. 74. Wittesbekc, Marcli 13. 1519.

Hail, most learned George. Luther has promised to send
the letter of Eck' when he had finished Paul,* in which he is

>RalM im temttKdium virn Ihrolugitt f«r Eraiftitm Ralfrtijimum. Bute.
Frofccn. iji».

*ThU pMlaciii» Rnilrm, U. iii, at thr »rciinil [>oiituripl to • leitet of Lulb«(
fo Sp4l>tin diced bf Enden carljr in NoTcmbfr, 151g itbe corrrcl ditf is October.
tf. iiir». BO. tS$). Endcft Infonru u\ bawevcr. thii ibU pniiucriiit ia on ■ KfAriic
•h««, «od nay not btlonc 10 itti* lellci' «I iM. Tbat ii unnvt bclona c» ibe
tctlcf ti »bown if tb< «ardi about F«k. Luihrr sari (bat be has amwctcd hliri
Milr- tbrrc «orda, wbidi weuM n«( apr'r <o ')>c «levenpaKE letter nf October, ijig
<End<r>. il. 114, D( Wr«>, i, Jjj). »id mlJa "he h» nprrily brolien ih« 1am of
fricxlttiif-,'' a pbiwe he wfluld frrlairif not ute of ibc avowed enmltx of the
I ri)iir drbal*. Thai the po>l>er>rl "lav brlonic to thli Inter af Uarch 13, !■
ahown by th« fan ibat the »riiri'iitla of ^DIb ar« in tbe Anhalt Cet. Archiv, and
Ikai «Kiani MS. rnpiei nf tmth ar< fnund. in the nme codri- That tbe paiticHpi
mmil br)o«c tu ibit Irtier of M»t(Ii i;i. i* «huwn by camcufins Iht pauisc un
»k. "Enlo nibil teiiiondi, nisi tiia >etbi, icilicel rum lOfibiitani per crbem n<tn
«in. *ed aua <ulps famari . . . lolua ftiAiluf r*i, ri aperte rii|ili amicltiav jart."
t-aikcT* Icttff to Eck of Fcljruarjr 18, ijiq (Enikrt, v 6): "Doleo, mi

ci. iBYttiirl landcm ilmuUi«m luam in roc amlciilftm (am manlfaiii at(u-

nila. ■ • , Prain^Ic quad nugator ct tufbitta noriE prr oiticm vucliaris. itimt

ritati Inpaubii, non mibi." Tbcse arorda ate aUDluicljr Inapplicable 10

letter of OctetKr, iji^, to Eck. AUa cote tbe alluiion to the Iciirr to tbe

*Cf. laat lrtt«r-

*FtttiiarT '». 'S'»' Enil*n, i, 419.

*ln f^lrlmm Pomti mi Catolai U. Lmllitri t^mmnUriut, htipth, L.ollber, 1J19.

'«our, 3. 436s.

172

LUTHER'S CORRESFONDtNCE AND

Ul 137

now wholly occupied. He intends to write a meditation on
the passion of the Lord.' Yesterday we received letters and
books from Basic* Every good raan thinks well of our
cause. FroLcn has sent a httle book ui Erasmus, the Method
of Theology' in which that celebrated man seems to touch on
many things, which have been touched by Luther, and he
scenis to be freer in his treatment of thetn because he has a
companion in this sacred and true knowledge. . . .

137. POPE LEO X. TO LUTHER AT WITTEXBERG.
Enden, i. 491. Vhxa Macliaha,' March 39, 1519.

Beloved Son, greeting and the apostolic blessing! We were
highly pleased to Icam from the letter* written by our beloved
son and nuncio, Charles von Mtltiti, to our beloved son, the
noble Frederic, Elector of Saxony, that what had been incor-
rectly written or said by you, was not done with the plan and
purpose of attacking us or the apostolic see or the Holy
Roman Church, but because you were provoked by a certain
monk commissioned by otir beloved son Albert. Cardinal Arch«
bishop of Mayence, to publish certain indulgences. We Icam
that it was while attacking him that you went further llian
you would have wished, and exccefled the bounds of decorum
and truth, and that when you had sufUcicntly considered what
you had said, you were heartily grie\'cd, and were prepared
to revoke cvcr)'thing in writing, and to notify the princes and
others to whom your works had come, of your error, and in
future to abstain from similar expressions. We also learn
that you would have revoked everything before our legate,
had you not feared that he would have favored llie monk
whom you consider the cause of your enx)r, and have too
sc\-erely reprimanded you.

Wc. therefore, considering that the spirit indeed is willing,
but the fiesh weak, and that many things are said in the heat
of anger whicli must later be corrected by saner counsel,

■ RrpriniFit. Wclm«, li. ijtff.

>/. ■>., fiom Frobcn. Cf. bin letter in I.«ih«r. Frbiuirr 14. isig.
■/t«ris ttu (omprtidi»m vtrer IkftUotar. Buk, Frobtn. Jiuauarr, ijip,
*ljit>'t bantinK lodfC on Ibf Tibrr. ten ml.!» Imm Romr,

*Tbt> Idler b I»>l. EvidcntiT Uilliti bsd wcilics oTct-Bauninaly o( bU ttxcc«
wiib Lutbfr. Smlib. sp. Hi., i6.

Uc. 138

OTHER CONTEHrORARY LETTERS

173

thank Almight}- God who has deigned to enlighten your
heart and to vouchsafe that Christians who rely on your
authority and learning may not be tefl into grave and pernicious
errors in those things which concern the salvation of their
souls. Wherefore we. who are the vic^crcnt on earth of
him who desirctli not tlie death of a sinner, but that he shail
turn from his wickedness and live,' with paternal love accept
your excuses, and because of the benevolence with which we
regard all learned men, c:ipccially ihose learned in divinity,
desire to hear and sec you personally, so that you may be
ble safely and freely to make before us, the vicar of Christ,
(hat recantation which you feared to make before our legate.
Wherefore on receipt of this letter prepare for a journey
and come straight to us. We hope, moreover, that you will
lay aside hatred and reconcile your mind to us, that you will
be filled with no passion, hut with the Holy Spirit alone, and
anned with charity, so that you will care for those things
which make for the glory of Almighty God. that we may thus
rejoice in you as an obedient child and that you may be ha,ppy
to fiml in us a kind and merciful father.

Given under tlie fisherman's ring, in the seventh year of our

Ipontiticate, J. S.MX>L.E:ro.

I 13& MELANCHTHON TO STUDENTS OF THEOLOGY.
Preface to Luther*! Optratients in Psolmot* Corpus Rfformalontm,
i. 7IX WlTTCNBEBC, UiTth, 13I9.

I [He coni^ratulates them on the brilliant scholarship of the
(lay, adorned by the names of Erasmus. Reuclihn, Capito,
Oecolampadius and Carlstadu] . . . Martin Luther has illus-
trated the sacred songt with a commentary, which we desire
especially to commend to the student, because, while many
things have been written on David, few have grasped his real
character. But how much this commentary excels may be
proved by anyone who will diligently compare it vfith the
very best of the old ones. Meanwhile, readers, it is your part
to make the most of Luther's faithful labor and to strive to
bring pure minds to the study of it, having laid aside all

■EMkUl,

■Rtfrintcd, Weimar, vol. *.

174 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut 140

haman prejudices; in short, to read Christ's book under
Christ's guidance. Farewell.

139. LUTHER TO JOHN ECK AT INGOLSTADT.
Enders, v. 7. WirrEHBEac, April 5, 1519,

I am writing again, Eck. for this reason. The most illustri-
ous Duke George of Saxony has answered' nie that he would
like to reply to my petition to debate with you at Lcipsic,
provided only that lie were certain that you and ] agreed on
tliis point, for your letters to him had spoken of Carlstadt,
but not o£ me. Since Carlstadt is properly disgusted with
your wily tricks, so that perchance he will not deign to meet
you, and because you also having learned to dread the man'*
power, have yet deceived the duke, declining battle with one
and challenging another, it is your duty to inform either the
duke or me what you want to do, so that we may not let
him longer be in suspense. Tlierefore, take care to send me
a letter* as quickly as [XJssiUe. that I may seek full permis-
sion to deliatc, for I already have the consent of the Uni-
versity in writing. Farewell, and try to 1)C a thcolc^an
instead of a sophist.

140. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enden, ü. 9- Wittcnberc, April 13. 1519.

Greeting. I rejoice and congratulate you, reverend
Father, on being one of tlios« who hear the cross of Christ
Be a brave man; thus do we go. or rather thus are we
carried to the skies.' We thank you for your gifts. Yoo
know wliy I did not come to your ceremony.' You should
not condemn my silence so much as the condition of the road,
whicii is such that we rarely or never have anyone going from
hence to Erfurt . . .

Eck has signified that our debate will take place on Jtuie
37; it will take place between him and me as you see by the
enclosed paper. For Carlstadt will not debate with him on

^Siifr», no 13a.

■C«li apparfnilf OH not antvtr Ih'u 1cil«r. Cf. tnfr*, mi. 14}.
*Sie ilur, i»a Ttbilur ad ulra. Cf. OrlJ, MtUm., is., *jt, xr. B^i.
*A pr«ni4liiia «f daetor« ■! Erftiit on Fibrairy t«.

LA 140

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

175

these points, partly because they are mine, partly because
that wily w^hist drags in the Pope. Tliis would either put
Carlstadl in danger oi ofTcndiiig the Pope (intulerable to
one who holds a prchcnd).' or else by scaring him in this
way would crush him without a real fight or a real victory.
But they will debate on other things, not on the power of
the Pope or on indiilgeoces. For these impious men, who
themselves foully transgress the commandments of God, con-
sider such things as the papal i>uwer nnd indulgences the
only thing against which a Christian man can sin. Alt fear
that I shall be worsted on my twelfth proposition.' But
although 1 do not expect to catch that crafty, loud-moutlicd,
arrogant sophist, yet with Christ's help t will defend my own
position. For this will give me 3 chance to expose publicly
the folly of these clumsy, impious Decretal/ by which we
Oirisiians have been terrified in vain, for, stuffed with tics
IS they are, thej- are recommended by the name uf the Roman
Church. Christ will expose these 'bngbears. and as Job says:
'He will pull aside the covering of his countenance, and will
enter into the midst of his mouth."*

The Lcipsic theologians and the Bishop of Merseburg have
done their best, and are still trv-ing to prevent the debate.
They would almost have moved their duke, but finally,
strengthened by a word from our elector, he acted authorita-
tively. My university has answered and consented. The
duke writes that he wilt let us debate as soon as I convince
him that Eck wants to debate with me. and I am now taking
measures to do so. For the duke thinks only Caristadt has
a dispute with Eck.

MeaniinK, the theologians are reviling mc. especially that
bull, ox and ass,' not the ox that knowcth his owner, but

iCarblftdl \tH • Wn^f« nf tkc Pept. C/ Snltb. of. eil., p. $4.

■AMcrlldt lliat ibe (U[>r«nM7 at Ih« Roman Churcb dalfd orlr foar crntnri«!
\mk. Cf. Smfrb, p. n).

■The CuMD Lj«. tultcb »1r*«dy vitilrd l-ullirr'« itiiliinaiion to * bitb dr(rt*.
Cf. Smitb. 61 r.

•Job. xii. 4. actonlinK (o <bc Valgiit liuulitlon, wblcb iliffer« (Otirily fro«
patt- In oar vnajon th« «crt« ii no. 13.

tTb» >!)ialon !■ trftttti bf Endcrs la Jcronc Diinicrihclni tdii Ckbscnturl.
•bo vrMc LiBlbcr wcnitl ledert, ibe firM of wblcb U ilalnl bj Enilcr* Janukry iS,
ll'O- i- JS5- tn nslitir itiii letter abvolil be dded October 7, 1 ftQ (Rnaslc in

tn LUTHER'S correspondence and Ul 140

one which cats chaff. They shout at the pwple of Leipsic
not to adhere to new heresies. Thus perhaps they will arouse
the people by hatred of us and fear of the Pope to exdutle
us. It is said that when Tetzel heard that the debate was
going to come ofT, he said: "That's the de%-il."' . . .

Cajetan has again wrillen about me to our elector, such
folly or insanity that I am glad his Italian ignorance will be
exposed to the laity. . . .

I am sending Carlstadt's U'agoni' by which he depicts the
folly* of theologians, and against which they arc raging at
Leipsic. Andrew Franck* writes me tliat one man publicly in
the pulpit tears his hands, and another inquires of youths in
confession whether they laugh at the Wagon or have Luther's
works, and that the>' fine those who confess to these faults.
See their darkness, their insanity, and ihey are theologians!

I expect that you have received the first of my lectures
on the Psalms.* I send another copy by which you can
correct yours. . , ,

r am publishing my commentary on Galatians at leipsic.*
3f two of my sermons, a Latin one on Double Justice'^ and a
German one on marriage,^ come into your hands, please help
me. They were published without my knowlc<lge, both taken
down and printed, to my shame, with great inaccuracy. I
also send my exposition of the Lord's prayer.' Melanchthon
tells yoti the rest. I believe you have seen Erasmus' new

»E umc one who li Indtlni ihe pcoiilr igalnii lilm. perhip* Tettel icf. ra^M.
av> III} ur Eniicr. cf. ffte, no. iij.

'"Do* wUc der Teufel," a luual Ccrtnin oath.

^1» 1517. ■' Au([»burit, John von Lconiofli putilulitd a woodcut rcpmcntlo)
tw wifORA, one tiarrytng iicoji!« Id bcAvcn. (kc orhcr to bcli. Carljtadc repub-
liib«d it in ijii) wilh an rcplanition tbat thr sMOnH wagqci wat (till of scliaolincn.

)"M«rik." (>«iha(ii in alliuian 10 Efkimu)' fjmaui linttrmum Uffriat, of «kick,
bowciTCT'. Lutbcr dot« not apeilc clirvtirr« uttltl mxnj^ jtart latu.

*Ani1mir Franck. of Cinifn;. t>n>f»sor of Ltiptit. st (bü time favorabi* (*>
Ihr rrfdrmen. ifainil whom hr inmcd about liia. He riivd ih6.

*Th« Oprteiiotift in P iixlin-ii . Wfimar. «nl. V. Mtluichtbm bad beoi Lanf a
CopT on April j. Cmfitt Rffprmalarum, t. -6.

■Welmai, ii. *j6. Tbe Rnl inliiioii wu by Udcblor Ixittber of Ix^tic.

^Sirmo de duplM i»ttiiia, WcErnar, 14J, Flrai piibli»licil in February or Watch,
IS>0, ij Siöcktl of Lcii>9fi'.

*£i>i Sertnon son itn e^tiithtH Sland, WctniAr, il i<j. I'uUUtied br Stbek«)
(lOoi a Kimon ilelivcred Iinuary 16, ijig,

*A*titgung Jtuliih Jfi Cal/runtf*!, Wtinitr, (i. 74.

Lei. ui OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 177

Method of Th<oiogy; 1 am «orry it came to an end so
soon.' . , .

Mciancthon and I liave written to Erasmus.'
Now I Iiave told you atl you wanted to know. The rever-
end father Vicar Staupilz has forgotten me, for lie writes
j»thing. . . .

In closing let me admonish you again about Hebrew, in
''the study of which let us assist the Lest youth», and those
wlio are tlic bcit theologians and the ones who are most eager

Pr sound leamif^. Farewell with your cross,* if Christ
M. Brother Martin Luther, Augustinian.

P. S. — Especially remember me to our Jonas,' and tell him
lik« him. . . .

Ut. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC

OF SAXONY.
Allen, iiL ja?. Antwerp, April 14, 1519,

Most inustrious Prince, allhoiigh I never happened to see
speak to your illustrious Highness face to face, which I
count not the least of my misfortunes, yet moved by the
report of all, who with one accord acclaim your splendid
talcnti as worthy even of supreme rule' and moved by the
praises of those who say that ynur mind is bent on promoting
the cause of sound learning, and is especially propitious lo
mc, I ventured to detlicate to you my edition of the Lives of
the Caesars,' desiring and seeking nothing else from your

'C/- I'tra, no. tj6. Whit Lulhrr mpsiu by th« lut pbrM» U not cfitain.
vfcdbcr tht hööV waa imii out 6f print, at t<Hi AorL

il.W^r'a letter. Enden. I. 4ISS. Uircb it. Smitb. 10a.

•Pof "ern»" I rwil "ttax." *r* Vainotnj of letter. Oib^rwite th« tenM would
b>. "ÄKwdl, «ni tn»r TfHT \tB gel better.'*

«JodocM Kotli <uoj-iSS1>. »I Erfurt 150S, M. A. is»«. pHe»! U14 or iju,
Lt. Dl ts'H- In ifiQ tie went to Louviin la lee Eraimat. In April, i;;), b»
r«lla«cd I.utbcT from Erfurt la Wotmt, rrccirins ibrrc 1 call lo leacb >t
WitwnbeiT. where be spent (he neil twenty-one j«««, liiin« > prominent p«rl
hi the Rclann«tlae- In tw be «cnl to lUtle. Ite wu wllb Liiiher at Eitleben
M Ljilbcr'* death In FEbruuy, im^- Alter tbc Scbaislkaldlc war Cif47). be wa*
toKti to IcsTi Halle, and wanderrit arounJ to rarioiu placcti. He wm three
|j»(a narrled. Lederf puUisbed by C. Kivemu. U.fc in RreUntyelBfUdit,
Always Imown u Jnalui JotlU.

(After th« dtiib n! the Kinprror Maxtniilian (Jan«ar7 ti, i}ig), FradcHe ws*
a prfinuiMitl candidate Im ihe peiilion.

■EnaniH» dedleaicd bl* edllijin of ibe Uitlarine Auai^iMt Sftiftam to ibc

STrednic and Dnk« tieoqe of Soatinr- It wu first primed bf Praben ia

17»

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut MI

Highness than to make the .sttidy of the "bcivt disciplines more
pleasing to you, and to show that 1 could repay the free
favor of so great a prince with mutual love

The reason why I did not »end you t)ie volume irom Bask,
wliere it was printed, was the long distance, for you were
then at Wittenberg, and the lack of a safe messenger. Later
it seemed superfluous to send a took which was published
everywhere. ' In the meantime, I may be permitted to send
this letter to inquire, as it were, whether my zeal were pleas-
ing or otherwise. If my boldiiess chanced to be unfortunate
I will take care that whatever mistake has been perpetrated
here shall he mended elsewhere. Nor do I doubt tliat your
singular and well-known clemency will easily pardon that
fault in one whose mind was certainly zealous and anxious
to please, and who, however much he may have lacked judg-
ment, certainly had the desire to please your Highness.

But if what we dared to do was fortunate, we ask no
other reward than that you should continue to favor the
cultivation of gond literature, which has now begun to flourish
everywhere throughout our Germany, and to defend tins part
of your fame, which, perhaps, will bring no less glory tu our
country or to her princes than war has hitlicrto done. This
felicity will come to us if benignant princes shall cherish the
best writers and the most promising yuullis, and if their
authority sliall continue by force of arms to protect us against
those enemies of the Muses and that tyranny of inveterate
ignorance. For what do the adversaries of sound learning
not attempt? Wliat wile;, what spies, what fraud will they
not use? What traps will they nnt set? What engines will
they not set up? What poisoned darts will they not shoot at
us? What a conspiracy, what an alliance they have formed
lo confound learning! Not having learned as boys, tliey are
ashamed to do so as old men. and yet they could learn with
less pains than they lake to destroy learning. How well agreed
ai^ Ihey who never agree save to destroy! How much genius
they show for this who are too stupid to leam anything

Job«, i<>B. but Era^iniis' fl«di<BCion ii dtlcd a 7«ar tarlicr. run« 5, 151^. Allan:
Otui tfiititlarMm Hraitnf, t). p. 578.
■AccooUnc to ib« BMiathre* firMmiana. ii. jt. It «u lint (vviUUktd in ti*i.

Let. 14t

OTHER CONTEMI'ORARY LETTERS

173

tictter! How vigilant llicj- are in this respect, ttiongli they
■>Ie<-p over alt else!

Recently some works by Martin Luther have been pub-
lished, and at the same time rumor says that the man was
beyond measure opprcssc«! by the authority of the very rev-
erend Cardinal Cajctan, who is now legate of the Roman
Pontif? in Swabia. How glad were these men, how did they
exult and rejoice when they thought that this gave them the
desired opportunity of hurting learning! For the Greek prov-
erb has it, that the wicked lack nothing hut opportunity, for
this gives them the chance to do the evil they always desire.
Immediately their sermons to tFie people, their universities,
their councils, their repasts, rang with the words "heresy"
and "antichrist." And to make tlictr course of action more
odious, these crafty men, csjJcciaUy when addressing women
or the unlearned, would speak of Greek and Hebrew, of
doqucncc and polite literature, as thougli Luther relied on
them for protection, or as thou^i from these fountains flowed
heresies. This more than brazen impudence displeased all
good men, especially as it furnished an excuse for war to
some men who consider themselves the champions oF theology
and the pillars of Christianity. Behold how purposely and
blindly indulgent we are to our own vices: we think it an
atrocious slander, a crime near to heresy, if anyone calls a
pettifogging theologian (of whom there are not a few) a vain
b^blcr. But we forgive ourselves when before a numerous
assembly we call any man we are ai^ry with a heretic and an
antichrist !

As Luther is absolutely unknown to me. no one will sus-
pect me of favoring him as a friend. It is not mine to defend
bis works, nor to disapprove them, for I have not read them,
save a bit here and there. No one who knows the man does
not approve his life, since he is as far as possible from sus-
picion of avarice or ambition, and blameless morals even among
heathen find favor. It is not becoming to the gentle char-
acter of theologians, immediately without reading a book, to
rage so savagely against the name and fame of a good man.
and that in tlie presence of the unlearned multitude, espe-
as he only proposes bis opinions for debate and stib-

180

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LeL l{l

mits them to the judgment of all, whether fitted to judge or
not. No one has admonishciJ hini, no one has taught him,
no one has refuted him; yet they bawl out that he is a heretic
and with tumultuous clamors incite the people to stone him.
Vou would say that they thirsted for human blood rather
than for the salvation of souls. The more hatefid to Christian
ears is the name of heresy, the less rashly ought we to charge
anyone with it. Every error is nut heresy, nor is he forthwith
a heretic who may displease this man or that. Nor are those
who make such splendid pretences always acting in the inter-
est of the faith. Rather ihe greater nuniber are acting in
their own interests, and for their own gain or power, when
with a hasty wish to wound they condemn in another what
they condone in themselves.

In short, $ince there are so many old and new writers, in
the books of none of whom there is not some dangerous
error, why should we quietly and placidly read most of them,
and fiercely rage against one or two? If we defend the truth
atone, should we not be equally offended by what is untrue
wherever it is found? It h a most holy thing to defend the
punty of rcligiou:; faith, but it is a most rascally thing under
color of defending the faith to serve our own passions. If
Ihey desire all that is received in the universities to be held
as an oracle, why arc there such differences between this school
and that ? Why do the scholastic doctors fight and fence with
each other? Nay, why iti the Sorbonne itself does one doctor
differ from another? You will find very few who agree,
unless in conspiracy. Moreover, these men will often be
found condemning in recent books what they do not con-
demn in .Augiisline or Gerson. as tliough triilh depended on
the author. They read what they like so that tlicy find
some excuse, however far-fetched, for everything; they
slander everything in what they don't like.

The best part of Christianity is a life worthy of Christ.
When this is found we ought not easily to suspect heresy.
But now they invent what they call new criteria; i. ^.. they lay
down new laws by which they teach that what they don't like
is heresy. Whoever accuses another of heresy, oiight himself
to show a character worthy of a Christian, charity in admon-

X«. 142 OTHER CONTKMrORARV LETTERS 181

ishing, gentleness in correcting, fairness in judging, mercy in
condemning. As none of us is free from error, why sliould
we be so hard on other men's slips? Why sliouUI wc prefer
rather tp conquer a man than to heal him, to crush him rather
than to teach him? Even he who alone is free from all error
docs not break the bruised rccd nor iiucnch the smoking flax.'
Augustine did not wish the Donalists, who were worse than
heretics, to be compelled, but to be taught, and he protected
from the sword of the magistrate the necks of those who
sought to assassinate him. But we, whose special business it

Lb to instruct, prefer to use force, for it is eas.ier.

^B I write this more freely, most illustrious Dulce, because I

[ have no concern in Luther's cause. As it is your Highness's
duij to protect Christianity, yoii should exercise caution not
to let an innocent man, under the protection of your justice,

I be sacrificed to the impiety of others on the pretext of piety.
Pope Leo desires the same, for he has nothing more at heart
than that innocence may be safe. He loves to be called father,
nor does he love those who under his name act tyrannically.
Nor does anyone better obey Leo's wishes than he who follows
justice. What they think of Luther at Rome I know not. Cer-
tainty I see that here his books are eagerly read by the best men,
though I have not yet had time to peruse them. Farewell.
May Christ, most good and great, long keep your Higiuicss for
us safe and prosperous.

tYour Highness's most devoted
Erasmus.
143. ERASMUS TO MELANCHTHON AT WITTENBERG,
en. jii 539, Corpus rtformalorum, i. 77. Louvaik, April si, 1519.
. . . Everyone here approves Luther's life; there arc vari-
ous opinions of bis doctrine. I myself h-ive not yet read his
books. Some of his criticisms and proposals are certainly
right, but would tliat he expressed them with as much felicity
as freedom. I have written about him to the illustrious
Elector Frederic,' at the same time taking occasion to ask
him how he liked my dedication to him of the Lives of the
rt. . . ,

qwiib. xtiL 3.

^Sufra, D». 141.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND L«. i«!

143. LUTHER TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.
Endeis, ii. 17. J3e WeCtcSeideniann, vi. ly German.

WiTTESBERC, April iS. 1519.
My poor prayer and endeavor be always at your Grace's
humble service. Higli-born, jerene Prince, gracious I-ordl
I have received your Grace's letter and kind answer, and have
commiinicatcd your Grace's opinion to Dr. Hck. and have
liitlierlo awaited liis reply. Inasmuch as the said Dr. Edc
has published a paper in wliich lie not only challcnKcs both
of ui, Carlstadt and me, but taunts us bitterly and perhaps
already sings a song of triumph over us, which, as I perceive,
concenis your Grace, therefore, it is now as fonnerly tny
humble prayer to your Grace, kindly to permit us to hold
our debate. And as the affair has brought nie danger to my
life and much enmity, I pray your Grace for God'.'; sake to
give me a safe-conduct. For I must not venture to tempi God
by despising human help, for which J requite your Grace
with tny humble prayer before God.
Your Grace's humble chaplain,

Martin Luther, Augusiitiian at IVUtettberg.

144. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO MARTIN' LUTHER.
Endcrt, ii. S7. German. Dbesdp.n, Maj 7, 1^19.

Worthy, learned, dear and pious Sir! Wc have received
your second letter and noted the contents. Considering that
if you wish to debate with Dr. Fiele, you must have his con-
sent thereto, we previously announced to you that you shoubi
agree with him, and that when you and he together request a
place for the said debate, we would give you a definite answer.
We still remain of this opinion, but did not wish to let your
letter lie unanswered.

14s. THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF S.^XONY TO ERASMUS.
Lutluri Optra lalina varii argvmtnti. Erlangen, ii. 4fio,
Allen, iii. 5/7- Grii*ma, May 14, I5i>

Although wc did not doubt, most learned Erasmus, that
you would ascertain from our letter recently sent to you by
Justus Jonas, that we were always most grateful for your
affection for us, and especially for the dedication of Suetonius

)THER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

and the other histories, yet we have decided to answer your
letter written to us from Antwerp April 14. It was a most
learned and elegant letter, and put in a stronger light what
we knew before of your theological eaidition and your pious
— love. There is, as you write, a strange conspiracy of the
Bkaters of sound learning who are ßt for nothing but to
injure the good, pious and well instructed.

Wc rejoice that the Lutheran cause is not condemned by
the learned, and that Dr. Lutherd works are eagerly read
by the best men. especially as the majority of good and
learned men, as well in our dominions as elsewhere, with one
accord praise the man's life and character as much as his
learning. That wc have allowed him to stay in our Saxony,
is not so much on account of the man as of the cause, for
we have no intention of allowing punishment to fall on those
worthy of rewards. Nor, with the help of God Almighty,
shall wc ever suffer by our fault any innocent man to be
given a prqr to those who seek their own ends.

Moreover, with God's help, we shall henceforth cherish good
letters and right studies as well as their cultivators, no less
than in the past. Our special gratitude to you has impelled
us to write this to you. Farewell, most learned Erasmus.

P146. LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.
Enders. ü. 35. De Wette, i. 2Sj. Gennan. (Wittknuekc, May, 1519.)

■ Most serene Prince, most gracious Lord ! We arc obliged
^o build a room,' and have humbly requested permission of
the town council of Witlcnbcrg to allow us to build out of
the walls on the graves, but they give us no answer. Where-
fore we pray your Grace kindly to give us leave for this
necessary addition, and expect a gracious answer, as, before
God. we deserve.

Also I pray your Grace to buy me at this T,cipsic fair a
white and a black cowl. Your Grace owes me the black cowl,
and I humbly beg the white one. For two or three years

"The lUick Cloiiter wm» hiitlt right atKintt ihe «Itr irill. oultitic at wticb wM
the Bank*' MOKtcry. EDd<n and Giiiar iLttikt*. i. jijf.) eonJKture tb»t ibi»
~ro«>n" VM a prlnr. for ihey were vaiutHj built an Ibc nalli U axrr Ibe («wife
•ttiaidc lit city.

IM tVTVESrS COBSESPOS-DEVCE AKD La. ur

ago yfxif Grace promised me one whkb 1 never goC For
ahhoogh PfeAnger spoke me fair, yet citfacr because of buti-
MM or because, as people say of fann, be is slow to spend
money, In pat off getttng it. So I was ofaUged to get mjsdf
another, which has lasted to the present and thus saved your
Grace'* promise. In this need I humbly pray your Grace if
the Pnltcr' deserves a black cowl, to let the Aposik' cam a
white one, and pray do not let Pfeffinger n^Iect it
Your Grace's humble, obedient chaplain,

Db. Mabtim, Augustinian at WUtenbtrg.

147. LUTHER TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.

Kfitlrra, ii. 52. De Wetlc-SddnnaRn, vi. t6. G«rmin.

WiTtENSEic. May 16k 151(1

My poor humble prayers for your Grace. Gracious, higb-
born f'fince and Lord 1 I humbly pray your Grace for God's
uke not to take it ill that I write to your Grace again. Your
Grace's last Idler compels me to write, for it greatly troubles
and horrifies mc. For J fear tliat 1 have done something to
dinplcnue your Grace, and to deserve your displeaäure. This
was unintentional and I greatly regret it.

I-'or your Grace granted permission to Dr. Eck to debate
with Cirlstadt on the simple request, or agreement, of the
latter, but you will mil grant the same permission to mc on
XiT. Eck's public letter in which he openly challenges me to
debate, and this in a printed jiaper, which clearly proves that
he forces me to debate with him at Lcipsic as I previously
wrote your Grace. And as, according to your Grace's first
letter. I wrote Dr. Eck to request your permission I do not
know what more to do. and can only think that I am in dis-
grace, Kow, my gracious Lord, 1 know that the world stood
before me and will stand after mc, whether I debate or not.
I have not forced it on Dr. Eck. but he on me. Wherefore I
pray your Grace for God's Mke to signify to tne what I ought
to da For I am perfectly willing to give it up. For I can-

ll.<iih«r WTM« to ikr tlrctor m lUi MhjMt ia Ntravater, istf. LRU* trw»
bwd la tmWk. «f. M,. p- >«.
TW Or«*«N««n n Fnlwtf, tkiKcMTd to Ac «)c«Mt, 3LtFA rj, in» Wdatf,

•flM Ci Mmmry m C tI M *-.

LcL 148

OTHER CONTEMPO£lARY LETTERS

18C

^Bot compel Dr. Eck to write to your Grace on my behalf.
^Dut I will write him again and request liim to do so. Will
"your Grace please forgive inc. and may God protect you.

^Your Grace's humble cliaplaiii,
D». JblARTlN LuTHEK, Auguslmiait of IViltetiberg.
148. LUTHER TO CH.^RLES VON MILTITZ AT COBLENZ.
idcis, i 53. WjrTE.siiKHG. May 17, 1519.

Greeting. Dear Sir. 1 received your Excellency's letter'
advising me that it vrould be to my advantage forthwith to
repair to Coblenz. Please listen to me patiently. In the first
place, when we came together at Altenburg, my presence did
not seem to myself necessary ; for a3 my books, in which I
most clearly opened my mind to all, were published, I thought
it sufncient if, after weighing my opinions, articles should
be determined on for me to revoke, and reasons should be
assigned for the recantation, so that it might appear efficacious
and praiseworthy, for otherwise men would say tliat it had
been extorted from me by force and the last state should be
worse than the hrst. I am of this opinion still.

But even if I ought to come, you yourself can see how
foolish those who have charge of this affair think me, since
you write that the mandate has not yet come from Rome, and
that the archbishop* does not summon me in virtu« of such
a mandate. I am not sure that tlie mandate will arrive, espe-
cially in this crisis in the Empire,* nor am I sure, should it
come, that the archbishop would receive iL How can I,
therefore, trust myself to such a doubtful and perilous situa-
tion, or how can so poor a man as I get the necessary money?
I have already spent so much in this matter that I have wearied
my patrons and am ashame<l to ask for more, not to mention
the fact that during the interregnum no one can give a safe-
conduct, particularly to a man with as many enemies as I
have.

Furthermore, the great debate, which the most reverend

*DMt4 CoMint. Uay ]■ Cndcra. li. it. Lmhrt wtoir Spilatln. Uay iC, llial
fee can*[<lcrtH] Ifiliiti** itropmal» ridiculous Endrrs. ii, j6.

T. »,, iht AixhbJsbop cf Trier, in itfaant jarbdl«lio«i Ccbltni ma. On nferriog
Laiker'i cau*c 10 biin if. tvfra, ro. 110.

*n« Enp<ror BluimilJan kail tticil on Jtaiurjr la, and a Bcv clecUoB >m*
sbMt U k b«td

LUTHER'S CORRESK)NÜENCE AND

Lrf.I4l

lord cardinal' refused to allow me to hold at Augsburg. \i
coming off at Luipsic. For I am challenged by John lick, md
sliould I decline, in so just a cause, to meet him, witli ho«
much shame should I brand not only myseU and all raj
(ri^ds, t)ut our most illustrious elector and our whole
order and my university. In this debate the whole case wiD
be examined by many learned men impartially, with gooJ
argumenta on both sides, which could not be the case before
either the archbishop or the cardinal. So that it is better that
your proposal should wait on the debate than that the debate
be hindered. . . .

But cornel Even if all these difficulties were met, yet
would I not wi^li to have the cause tried by the cardinal-
I do not want him present, for he is not worthy of it. He
tried to harass mc from the Christian faith at Augsburg,
wherefore 1 doubt whether he is a Catholic Christian him-
self. If I had time I would write to the Pope and cardinals
and expose him, unless he should retract all his rank errors.
I regret that tlie legates of the ApostoHc See arc men who
try to destroy Christ.

Thus, Sir, I think that I have justly excused myself from
coming. I might add that a certain spy. armed with many
letters, has been here, seeking first you and then me, and he
excited a lively suspicion that he was preparing some violence
against me/ finally he was obliged to flee, lest he should 1«
ducked in the Elbe, as he almost was and would have been
had not we prevented it, for men thought that he was your
agent, especially after we heard thai you were lingering in
Germany, though you promised us to go straight to Rome. So
it happened that although I exonerated you from this charge,
yet I saw that there were snares all around for me to fear. . . .

If what you write is true about having to come after me
with papal letters, may God grant that you come safely. I
am very busy, serving many men. .ind am not able to lose time
and wander .ibroad without causing loss to many. Farewell,

exce ent bir. Brother Martin Litther, Augustinian.

TajMu, of connt, la meant.

inu WW probaMr (kr m«n «( »ben Lather «poke *• Molnf M tUi kin aitk
rinumtt lawnt C/. Smirb. p. Si.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 187

14^ ERASMUS TO THOMAS VVOLSEV. CARDWAL
AKCHBISHOI' OF YORK.

All«!, iii. 587. Aktwdh-, May tS (1519)-

Tfaomas Wolscy (I471-IS30>. the faraous siaiesman and cardinal.
His lif« by M. Crciahton. On the part he look against Luther, ef-
Preserved Smith : "Lulhcr and Henry VIIL" English Hisiorical

AraVw, no. c. Erasmo» had known him for a long while, Cf. Allen,

O^. eis., i. p. 284, etc

^1 . . . They accuse me of writing every hateful book that
^■nues otit Vou might say that il was the very essence of
^^BUbmny to confound, as tiiey do, the cause of sound learnitig
with that of Reuchlin and Luther, when really they have
nothing to do witli each other. . . . Luther is absolutely un-
known to me, nor have 1 had time to read more than a page or
two of his books, not because I have not wanted to. but because
my other occupations have not given me leisure. And yet
they say that he Ixas been helped by me I If he has written
■well I deserve no credit, if otherwise no blame, since of his
writings not a jot is mine. Anyone who wishes lo investigate
the matter will hnd lhi.<^ absolutely true. The man's life is
approved by tltc unanimous consent of all, and the fact that
his character is so upright that even enemies find nothing to
slander in it, must considerably prejudice us in his favor.
So that even if I had abundant leisure to read the writings
of such a man. I would not have the presumption to judge
t}iem. although even boys nowadays rashly pronounce this
erroneous and that heretical. Moreover. I have sometimes
been opposed to Luther for fear lliat lie might make hate-
ful tlie cause of sound learning, which 1 am unwilling to
have more burdened than it is; nor has it escaped me that it
would be an invidious task to tear down that from which
^j)ricsts and monks reap their best harv'csL
^m First there appeared quite a number of theses on indnl-
^Kjences: two pamphlets, on confession and on penitence, fol-
^Blowed hard upon them; when t heard that some printers'

^^p iFrobpn; KrufitcM repMN Mveral linn tfcat b« triFd to pmeni bin piintfnr

^^^TMtkti'* worki- He did aol iiuMrd hnirrtn, lot Fr>>b«n broufhl «ul a volune

of I.inbir'i trorlu in Otiobrt. 1518. Tkia lnclad*d so* ol lb* panipMrra mm-

lioned «kOTt, SfTiH» de ftnamua [Weimar. I 3t;), but not. I think. At o(b«r,

Imttmrfia ptv rantrtrioHt fteealfrum fU'eimir, L >JT)- C/. nitro, no. I3|.

18S

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

were going to publish them, I tried hard to dissuade them test
tliey might thereby hurt sound learning. Eve» those who
wish Luther well will agree lo this. Then followed a whole
swann of tracts; no one ever saw me reading them or even
heard me express an opinion, favorable or otherwise, about
Üien. For I am not so rash as to approve what I have not
read, nor such a sycophant as to condemn what I du not know,
even if this is now the regular custom of those wlio are leait
fitted of all to pronounce judgment. . . .

ija MELANCHTHON TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Corptu Rcformatorum, i. Sen WrrrxMBERG, May 31, 1519.

Hail. Spalatin, my dearest friend in the Lord. 1 fear Icsl
you will not have time to read my trifles. You will greatly
thanic a man careful nut lo speak 3 little too much. We arc
reading Erasmus' letter.' Glory be to God who has given
the elector such a herald for his virtues, and Luther such a
rare, and, as the lawyers say. eloquent supporter,' It will
be your duty to commend us to Erasmus,

Yesterday there was with us a certain Hebrew scholar.'
moderately learned, who studied the grammar at Heidelberg
and Liught it afterwards and now expects to lecture at LcipMC,
but will come to us if the excellent elector wishes, I con-
ferred with Luther aboiit him and we both thought him
moderately good and likely to improve with practice. . . .

Riccius' has attacked Eck. who blandly boasts that he has
fought against Zasius' the lawyer. Luther the theologian and
Riccius the philosopher, so that he may seem to be a Hercules,

*J. t.. W ib< ElMlOT TttAtnc. cf. tupra. 00. i(i.

''SuRnxMornn prdiriura": ihc pidcrii wrre ■«niior« vb» uuld ipnk but
BM trote-

*Ialin CtlUriu*. of Kuntiadi, x nupparier ol Eck, wlia laict turned Zwlncllui.
■nd (till Iii«r Luihcran. Died al Ftankforl (, III . is««. Ercler*. ii. jS.

Tiiil Sicclui. «ho wioie tn April, 1510. ffatureha tl prppktlic» it annc fmM
tdvtrt»! Bckitm, !Ic ii sfolir" of in tlirc Tück'tdtt (Wtimar, L na. ao}) a*
baTlng bKB at ihr Dirt nl Raiisban, tsjj.

■LIHcfa Z&ii vi Coii»IancG fu^i-Kovembel 14, isjj), aiairkulatti] ai TÖbiiis«D
i^Ci, ificr loac jrcari (clurncil 11 liihoi)*! noury 10 Conriancc, in itqi went
10 FrclburR ifl Uii{>|[*ii a> town cktb, Hf ■tuilicd Uw, lakiat; hi* dottaratv in
l^do, IcciQfrc] on pitftrj ttll i^c^, «rhrn he obtained the |irofe»*UT>^ii» of jarl^
prud<Tic«, whirb be factd Itll ifat tnA of hit 1jf<>. IIU writing« an liif aubJMt an
namereui. AlUn. e^. cil., ii. p. ttr wu al fir*! favbrabl« M Uudier, ih«« 4ni*
buck. Hi* «piitlti aaid (o havr l««^ [iBbtiiibid by Klcncr. t;;«.

Let. J5i OTllER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS IW

equal not to two, but la three other men. Behold, this Chris-
tian moderation aad how the popes, theologians, princes and
people stand silently gaping at it! This is the fury of tlic
I-ord. 1 am wretched whenever I Ihink of iL I beseech you,
Spalatin, for aid. Lulhcr, the soldier of the Lord, has brought
this on himself. Stand fast and watch wi;h us. I write this
earnestly and in sadness thinking over the crimes of the the-
ologians. . . . Agricola' and 1 have boguri to take down
Luther's lectures for you, and I hope we shall all have a good
book from them, for the subject now begins to glow. All
your friends salute you.

Your Phiup,

I hoped that the printer would have finished the sermon on
arriage,' but his laziness is too much for mc.

ist. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.

idcTS, ii. s6. (WrriENBERc). May 22, isig.

Greeting. Era.smus' letter" greatly pleased mc and my
friends. Only I should have preferred not to have my praises
sung by so great a man. I know myself, at least this side of
oiysclf.

Before j*ou leave,' please tell us what the elector proposes
do about the professor of Hebrew. . . .' The number of
students is growing» and their quality is good. One of the
last 10 come was a Nuremberg licentiate in theology, a man
of mature age, preacher in the church of Si. Sebald.^ Our

■Jeba Arricol* ol E(>lel)«n (i4g«-is66). it WHtenbrrit t-tiA, M. A. 151S. in
«httli rtar br puhllkhr4 Utrni bit ovn net»* t-uthfr'i faarnilJM on llie Lord'i
prayer. He miriied i%m, ind Uuvhi ml Witwnticrii and Eiikbcn- He wm
9r«*rat >t the Dlela of 15J6, ISIQ, iljo. lie bi'il x tldtrnl Quarrel vltb I.illbtf
and llrlindillion. on tctounl of wbich he motcd to Berlin tboux 154». He look
an imponam part m the liticrlrn, 1548. Life hy G. Kawetau, iBSi. Cf. Stnlih,

4.aiii<T*> Srrm^m ten drm thetiehtn Stand, picaclicd jinour 16, 151»,
Weinar, U. til.

■To the Rl(ct«r Predni«. Swt'o, no. 141. ll wa> puUUhrd !n ijiq by Mclclilor
IjulAtt •( Le^ait. A* ifaj* printer did tome of [.uther't vork at (hi* lim«, w*
BU7 eanjecture IhM Erumua' epUlle wM publtifced by Lulbee'i friend*.

*FtiT FtanVfort on tbe Main, «berc ths elector wai («inf in take part in th«
l*|Mrlal tiertlan

«On thi* rf. Uit IMlef.

*Tlie nnmlier roie from 331 in 1S17 lo 4^8 in IS'Q *ni1 579 in isio.

■John tterbnli. «bo matrkalated K»r a&, ijig. Lnlbrr bad met hlo at
Knrtmberf In Ihe tiiliiDin of tjiS. Enden. L jtf.

IM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND I^ m

city is almost gfiving out of lodging houses. More at anoth«
lime. Farewell.

Bkotiier Martin Luther, Augustinian.

153. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO LUTHER-
Endcrs, i, sg, German. Dkesdcn, Majr zj, tsifi

Worthy, dear am! pious Sir! We have received your letter,
in which you speak again of die debate, and noted the con-
tents. We are not aware of having conceived any displeasure
for you. though indeed it is true that all sorts ot things have
come to our ears, on which we should not be sorry to speak
to you, but we will let them wait until some tiniewhcn you come
to us.'

Wc are much surprised that, after you had heard that no
good would come of .1 debate on these mailers, and that the
doctors of the theological faculty of Leipsic had refused 10
allow it. you should be so determined to hold the debal«.
It is tnie that Dr. Carlsladl did not ask us for permission,
but we were informed by Dr. Eck that he had agreed to debate
with Carhtadt If the same happens in this case, and if you
agree with one another, and if you then write us how you
stand, wc will, as stated in our last letter, then give you a
defmile answer. This in reply to your letter.

153. CLAUDIUS CANTIUNCULA TO HENRY CORNELIUS
AGRJPPA OF NETTISHEIM.
H. C. Agrippae ab Nttttihrym. . . . Opemm Pars Potltrior. Lugduni.
Per Berinßoi Fraires, j. c, p. 748. (Basle), May 3j. 1J19.

CanliuiKula (Chansonette), of Metz, a distinguished lawyer, met
Agriiipa at (his city in 151S while he wat stitt very young, [n 1517
lie went to Basle to study, becoming Dr. Juris and professgr there in
1519L Later (1533). he became one of Feidiiiand't financl.il oflicers,
a position he held until hit death in 1540. Cf. Claude Chansondlt et
sts Itttres inedUs. Bnixcltcs. 1878. Förslemann-Gfinther: Briefe an
Eratmuj, p. 318. A. Frost: Corneille Agripfa, Paris, 1881, pp. 307.
316. 345. 3Mf- Carpus Rrformalorum, xciv. 363.

Henry Correliuj Agrippa. of Ncitcsltcira (1486-1535), born at
Cologne, studied at Paris, was in Italy 1511-18. in Mets 1518-30. then
at ColoRne, Geneva. Freiburg, Lyons and Paris, and th« Netherlands.

<\Vhrn I.Bth«r came to LHpiic in Jul| lb« duk« kkd a prival« tiu«rnew witk
liiai, on wbicb cf. Stnilb. p 67.

!'
Ht «u chiefly noted for his skill in the occult aits, Init wrote a work
i>t Vanitatt Stieniium, showiitK an enlightened skepticitm. At thia
''■'* {'S'S)! •>* »ympaihiied strongly with Luther (Prost, op. til.,
>■ lOi). later became an Erajmiin. Life by ProsL
Agrippx. in a letter from Meli, apparcnily written early in May
\Ofrra, p. 744), had asked for Luther's wurks.
. . . Believe me, dear Agrippa, [ have scoured the whole
oi Basle without finding Liiliier's works, a> ihcy were all
sold long ago. They say tliey will soon bv printed again at
Strassburg. Neither could I find the legal work you asked
for. But I am giving yon Erasmus' Method of Theology, a
work, unless, Henry, I mistake, likely to please you. I also
send Luther's and Eck's Theses to be debated this year, and
some trifles about the Emperor.

ISI- LUTHER TO MARTIN GLASER. AUGUSTINIAN PRIOR

AT RAMSAU.
Endcrs, iL 62. (Wittekbu«;), May 3a 1519.

Martin Ctaser, of NurcmticTg, matriculaied at Wittenberg 1506. Then
be becanc prior of the AuguKtinian Convent at Ramsuu in the
Bishopric of Freisingen, near Munich. Later tie joineil the Auguttinian
cloister at NuTciabcfg, but at its dia&olutioa in 1524, he became
I evanfielical piitor at Krafisliof, nearby, and married. In 1530 he
'»as transferred to Hilpohstein. Endcrs, vii. 145, viii. 273. Cf. ntpra,
Sia.

Venei^ble Father, you are quite rightly surprised and even
indignant that I have hitherto written you nothing. Though
I have plenty of excuses, yet I prefer to confess my fault. T
hope you will be indulgent to a poor man like me in the affair
of your horse,' on account of the intercession of the Vener-
able Father Staupitz. Doubtless you gave it to God, not to
mc. I hope we may ."!cc you here again, as I am glad to learn
from Staupitz is likely to be the case. I believe that you
know about my coming debate at Lcipsic and all my other
doings. 1 am lecturing on the Psalter again, and the students
are enthusiastic. The town is full of students. Rome bums
to destroy me, hut I coolly laiigli at her. I am told that a
paper Luther was publicly burned and cursed on the Campo

'Perbap* • torac torrond br Luibcr on kaviof Auttburf for Uaftbtiia.

IU.154 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 191

IW LUTHER'S CORRESPONDEN-CE AND Uu

di Fiort' 1 am ready for their rage. My commcntaiy
Galatians is being printed; you will soon see it.

I am well and calm, and less poor than formerly, Oor
friend Hell' is a tine ruler and organizer— of the kitchen, for
he cares chiefiy for the belly; perhaps lie will care more for
his head later.

I read what you wrote about that Franciscan babbler, but
I am used to such hatred. The whole world is reeling, body
and mind alike. God knows the future. We propliesy dealb
and war. God have mercy on us. Farewell in liiin and pray
for poor me. Bkotiier Marti** Luther. Augustinian.

155. DESIDERIUS ERASMUS TO LUTHER AT WITTEMBERC
Enders, ii. 64. Allen, iii, 605. Loovaik, May jft 1319.

This letter was published ,it Lcipsic in June, 1519. and at Augsbsr^
It almost immediately got Erasmus into trouble. In the first place ibe
Bishop of Uege was indignant at the reference to himself as 1
favorer of Lutherj a matter at once inquired into by the theolo-
gians of Louvain. (Infra, no. 370. P. Kalkoflf: Die drpcsckf« itt
NuHlius AlfOJidfT, p. 220). The rumor even stimulaieit the process
asainst Luther at Rome- (L. v. Pastor: HUiory of the Popes, Eng-
lish translation, v. jfJO.) ,\ceordingly, when Erasmus himwlf pub-
lished the letter in the Farrago ol 1515 for "episcoput Lcodicnsi*."
he substituted "cximius quidara." which he claimed was what he
originally wrote (Btbliothrca Erasniiana. CoUoijuia. 1. 65). But tht»
did not end the author's troubles. The letter was found by Hochstraicn,
the inquiiitor, and made by him the base of an aixutation of favoring
heresy. (Itfra, nos. 187. 188.) To dear hiinselt. Eranau« wrote to
the Archbishop of Maycncc. Infra, no, i<w

Dearest brother in Christ, your epistle.* showing the keen-
ness of your mind and breathing a Christian spirit, was most
pleasant to me.

I cannot tell you what a commotion your books are raising^
here. Nor can these men by any means be disabused of the

''Vi't know nolhinir of Lath«'* bclns barnfd in effisy at Ron«: ki* wiiiiac«
wer« pobliclr burnc4 there on (be PUna Nbtohii abaot Jum ;, i}ii. £ndm
plicea IkU In i}>n, u doe* Kaitocanarlil; Kemr av trmfi it Julu H. n it
L#»n X., igii. V- lA*. On ilie true date tf. X.. Pulor: Hiittry «f tin P»f**,
F.nnlUb ir*D*UTlon b; R. Krrr. vill. ]7.

»Ht wM «t tbi« lim* prior it Wilteoliefi,

■M*nb jB, IUI. TranaUicil. Sccicb, of-, eit.. taal.

*Tti<* it (be true irftnslxiun of "lr«ior<t<j(i ru-iisrr," thouib u J. ft. Loplan
r«i3i«rk«. with demur« ■•rcum, "it Lm bn«»« ih« fuUoa" 10 tr»«iluc tk^
«ord«k "mke a tnitdr."

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

suspicion that your works are written with my aid, and that
I am, as they call it, the standard-bearer of your party. They
think tliey thus liave a good chance to suppress sound learn-
ing, which they hate mortally as if it ofEcnded the majesty of
thcotog>'. ... I have testified that you arc entirely unknown
to me, tliat I have not read your books and neither approve
nor disapprove anything. I only warned them not to vocif-
erate against your books without reading them, and not to
excite the hatred of the people against them, but to refer them
to the judgment of those wbose opinion would have most
weighL . . .

la England there are men who think well of your writings,
d they the very greatest. So do some here, among them llie
BisHc^ of Li^ge.* I try to keep neutral, so as to help tlie re-
vival of learning as much as I can. And it seems to me that
more is acaimplishcd by this civil modesty than by impetuosity.
Thus Christ brought the world under his sway. ... It if
more expedient to attack those who abuse the authority of the
Pope than the Pope himself; and similarly of kiagi. . . .
Wherefore, we must lake care not to speak arrogantly or
factiously. ... I have looked over your Commentaries on the
'sainu' which pleased me very much.

156. ERASMUS TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
AHen. iiL fiog. Loe^taik, May 30 (1519).

Reverend Father, do not judge my affection for you by
the paucity of the letters I write, for I am so overwbcUued
with letters that I hardly have time to read tliem. I greatly
like your Christian soul, inflexible for Omstian truth. I hope
that Chrfst will favor your plans, and those of men like you.
Here hitherto the papists, united to do their utmost, have

■rWrbard At ta UiKk, Prlnc Hiüiop n{ IMft tia^-ta», ■ ntmlkcf of ane
•( Ikr meat ifewtHal faniliM in Europe. H< wu ma/le csrilinal in Aoiiut, i}ii.
ItiMvltliilaaillnf Eraaniui' infnrinaHon, 1» slwa^a ipMart lo hai« bem lioilil«
t» (kr sew Biovmrnl, Lutbrr taUeil kin in itj5 "a nait pmllent otgvi at
thr dnil." ZoAtn. s. mj. •

<OPrrali*iw4 in Pmlmat, isio-isii. Tb« finl Sir Fnlmi puMiibrd «epaniely.
Mwdi »7, iiig. Wfimar, *.; Kostltn-Kawcran: Martin Lnihtt |B«rl[ii, ifuj).
i p. *7|. In Octcbri, is<*< t'rnW" hid ptiMltbrd a volumr of Lulbcr'i pimpblcta
which be acnt lo Erumtu. Endco. i i>[t. «lo-ii. Ilalloniu» lo Erumua,
DftK^hrt f, 151B. ^Iln, Hi. 44t-

Itt LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Iä 15I

raged furiously, but some are milder and I hope that th<
others will sometime be a^hnmed of their madness. All good
men love Luther's boldness. I doubt not that his prudence
will prevent faction and discord. I think we should mainly
try to instill Christ into men's minds, rather i!ian fight with
professing Christians, from whom no glory or victory will be
obtained until the tyranny of the Roman See and that of it«
satellites. Dominicans. Carmelites and Franciscans. 1 mean
only the bnd ones, is abolished. ] do not see how that can
be tried without serious disturbance. Farewell, «xccUcni
Father, to whose kindness I am aware tha.t 1 owe much.

Erasmus of Rotterdam.

157. MOSELL.ANUS TO JOHN L.\NG AT ERFURT.

Kolde: Analtaa. 8. Leipsic, May 30, 1519.

Peter Schad, or Schade (c t49j-April 19, 1524) of Bruttig on the
Moselle (hence MoscIUnus), mairiculaied ai Cologne 1512, taught U
Freiburg 1SIJ-4. i» April. 1515. settled at Leipsic, and became profesiM
at the Untveriity in 1517. Cf. Alleo, op cH., ü. 517. Muacllanus w«
a sapportcT of Luther at ihc Leipsic dcbaic. at which he presided.

Our Martin' has been again cited to Coblenz by Charles
von Xfiltitz without the authority of our bishop and to the ffreat
indignation of Frederic. May I.uther make it turn out badly
for the sophists. But Iheir plans are vain, for the elector will
not expose an innocent man (o this ambush, but will have the
whole thing judged by the Elector of Trier, and in his own time
will avenge this rascal deserter from liis native Germany. You
will soon see the letter of Erasmus commending innocent
Martin to Ihc hero Frederic. It cannot be had now. As far
as I ?cc, the debate will not be affected by the guile of these
men, for I have hitherto heard nothing about moving it. . . .

158. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.

ers. ii. 60. WrrnxBotu, Jone 6, 1519.

Greeting. We have heard of the death of Dr. Trut fetter,'
May God receive his soul, and forgive him all his sins and
us an ours. I send what you see, not ha\'ing anytliing else.

10« IkU. Satik. «f. nl., 95-

*A prcmalarc maot; TrulfelleT WM ill and died kbmt I>(««BA«r 1.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

I am now publishing my proof of niy thirteenth proposi-
tion,' on acconm of the hatred which is trj'ing to prevent my
appearance at Leipsic to defend it. Although I wrote three
letters, 1 could get no certain answer from Duke Geoi^c.
Rab of Leipsic has again gone to Rome for my sake, taking
nx>rc lies there and bringing more rasli folly back. Yet will I
go to Leipsic to offer to debate. It is all settled about CarUtadL

Another trial, greater than these, has come to me, by all
of which the Ixrd teaches me what a thing is man, although
I thought 1 knew it pretty well before. If yo« come I will
tell you more about it. . . . Karewell and pray for m«, a great
sinner. I need absolutely nothing but God's mercy. Thus
their liatrcd is fnistratcd, for they know I do not need otlier
things.

Greet the Fathers Xatliin and Usingen for me and all the
others. You will soon see my proof of my thirteenth propo-
sition about the primacy of the Pope, which I hope is irrefut-
able. Brotiieb .Martin Luther, Augujtmian.

^^^)UK£ GEORGE'S SAFE-CONDUCT FOR CARLST.^DT
^■p AND HIS COMPANIONS.

eeSn. 86. Weissenpeus, June lo, 1519.

At the desire of Dr. Carlstadt. we. George. Duke of

Saxony, grant to him and to those' whom he may bring with

him, fur tiie debate to take place at Leipsic with Dr. Eck, as

long as be may be with us and until he returns to bis own

home, free and safe conduct.

V iCot JOHN ECK TO GEORGE HAUEN AND FRANCIS
BURCKHARDT AT INGOLSTADT.

r, XT. HS6- Gcnnait translation o( Latin original.
Leipsic, July i. 151»

Hauen (i484-Ausniat 23. 1536). a priest, tiuglit Latin at f^ssau isi.J.
then went to Ingokiadt. where h< became professor of Canoa Law,
and in 1519 Prorcctor «ml in 1533 Rector.

*RtMtl»ti* LttlAttiatio tuftr tr^ttilhnt Jrtima ttrlia Jt felrtl*!* /«^**.
Wcirnar. ii. itv. TliJi w» itir piapoiilion ilatini that ibo papal poircr sro» trot
fear ccaiwrica prcTioiuly. qooUd ii Ihe twelfth propoMtion ibov«, ill« numlMr
luiTias brcB (L>na«>l bjr Iha InterpotLtlon of ooc tbou. Cf., do. t^a. Suiitb.

■t.uih«i*i nrar *u omltKil w. i inab vt blm. In jccordoiice wlik tbli ppf.
Csrictidt, Lutber, UcUiMbltaon and othrf Willentterien Mt out (or

IRESPONDENCE

BuTckhudt is otherwise UIlkno^vn to me, save tliat he was ats» t
profcSiOT of law at Ingolstadt, and possibly a relative of PtKf
Burckhar<lt, on whom ef. no. 164.

Greeting, Our frientlship demands that I should give yoo
news of myself. At first the strong, healing beer was bad
for me. From Pfreimd to Gera I didn't have 3 single good
drink. At Leipsic also the beer was bad for me, so I stoppet
drinking it for six days, and feci better. . . .

Luther and Carlstadt entered in great state, with tut» hun-
dred Wittenberg students, (our doctors, three licentiates, toaxiy
professors and many Lutherans, Lang of Erfurt the View.
impudent Egranu?, the preacher of Görlitz,' the p>astor of
Annaberg, Bohemians and Hussitej sent from Prague. an4
many heretics who give out lliat Luther is an able defender
of the truth, not inferior to John Huss. . . .

So far of Carlstadt, now of the other monster, Luther.
[On the margin Eck wrote : "I have done Luther a good
mischief, of which I will tell you orally."] At his arrival I
heard that he did not want to debate, and I moved everything
to get him to. We met in the presence of the ducal commis-
sioners and of the university; I left everything to them; they
w*anted l.uther to debate on the same conditions as Carlstadt,
but he said much atxmt instructions from his prince. I said
to him I did not want the elector as judge, though I did not
exclude him; tiiat he might choose a university and if Ger-
many were too small, he might take one abroad, in France
or Spain. But he would not have any judge, and was there-
fore not admitted to debate, for, according to the ducal in-
structions, no one should debate who did not allow a judge.
I desired at that time th,it the commissioners and university
should give me a testimony of this, although many of them are
Lutherans. Dr. Auerbach,' the physician of the Archbishop of

Lnpaic. •here thtf BrrJrrd June «4. Carlitadi *nd Eck cUbaitd June trJalj 3,
snd lf*in JUI7 i{ and ifi. Lulhcr ind Eck lUbiWd July ^■i^. Tfce bt>l iccoaitt
t>( Ae (oioum ai t^iiuic anil lb« dclMIe thrrt it '«nnd in « Ictief at I.a(bcr ts
Sp*lMln. cUiccI <WlltcnbctE). Ja\r 10. im. imMUctd in Smith, tf. eil., pp.
tt€i. Oiticr accaiind iir liien b«loir.

■Tb« KcforcnKcioD ww tuttrd at Cörlia in iti> b; ibe puiw FrucU ftolk*
bui; I onnni ur wbrther he tj rbe one bere meinl.

■11. Stremrr Kin Auctbicb (liSj-ftovenbcr 16, luf). Itmoaa ■* ibc trat haat
of "Aoectocb's Rdlcr" tcltbmcd fa Faiut. niatikuiiteiJ U l^pak 1447. M. A.
ISM. uogbt pbiluMphr, ftcftor pt lb« Uaivcnitr 1308. Tfacn be «udkd iac4icu)c.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 197

Mayence and the doctor of (he Counts of Mansfcld and many
others urged Luther on. as he would lose everyone's favor
if be would not allow any judge in the world. . . . Finally,
we agreed to decide on a judge .it the end of the debate, and
in the meantime that it should Inol] be allowed to have the
delate printe«!. . . . The Wittenliergers are full of gall, rage
and poison, and arouse odium against me. The Town
Council received so many threats from them, though none of
tbcm were definite, that on the same night they put a guard
of thirty-four armed men in the next houses, so that if there
was any disturbance its authors might get what they deserved,
People still put their hopes on Lutlier, but none whatever
on Carlstadt I-uther was not allowed to preach at Lcipsic,
but the Duke of Fonierania,' who is Rector of Wittenberg,
at ttie suggestion of the monk, got him to preach on tlie gospel
for the day in the castle, which he did. The whole sermon,
delivered on June 29. was Bohemian. On the next moniing,
Sunday, at the desire of citizens and doctors, 1 preached and
rebutted his hair-splitting errors. . . .

V 161. WENZEL ROZD'ALOWSKY TO LUTHER.

Ende«, ii. 7S. Psacck, July i;, 1519.

On July 16. John Poduska. a Hussite pnea, who h»<l already em-
braced Lolhcr's doctrine, wrote him a letter of cncourasunctit. On
the (oUowinj; day his assisiant, Rord'alowsVy. provost uf tlie Emperor
Charles's Collegium ai Prague, wrote the Itlter here iranslated. Both
Poditska and Roid'alowsky died of tlie plaGu«: in 1520. The letters
reached Luther on October 3, after having been apparently opened
and read by tome Catholich who reported the contents to Emscr, who
on Au£u«t tj forwarded this information to Zack, a Catholic ofücial
at Praf(uc- Lulhcr later <ame into dose t«uch with the Bohemian
Brettiren. tnauy of whom fdlowed him.

Dear Slariin Luther, I have read your works through and

b«c«nunr U. D. in i)(t, and In i]i6 vu etile (iroFnucr of paiKuIof?. In 1519
kc nuritd Ulli in <}>4 hicm« <i(>n al tbr miilicKl (aculiy. Uf wu ■ friend
«f ErMmiu «ad Rcuchlin. and t|i«ial phjxiriin 10 Atb«n of Mi^vnce. C Wimi-
tnaaa: Dfr Wirt ren Aanhceh4 Ktllrr. i«ni- O. Clemen In Stun Atth» fSr
tiekiiiikf Ctrrkickif, x\iv. 1903.

■ Duhc Uiritlni XI. of Pomrrania dsoi'ti;?.!). I)esan (c ceijTi In can Junction
■Itb kit elder tirather Ceotfr in October, 151]. He »twdird ■< WiiimtM-rj tn
tS'S- lAfio after «bicb be ww madt bonorarr Kcclor of the Inuitutlon, He via
• *>iiii (rictid of ihr Refftrmatkn, »tilcb vat ortnnlud In hi* donilolDiui by
■ofcnhatm In tfH AUarm^nt itultihr Biagratktt.

ÜB

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let tU

through, and daily discuss with my friends who you are, whii

you are doing, what you are trying to do. or rather what

Christ's spirit is doing through you tn the Oiurch. And

behold, while we were talking of these things, a ceruin

organist named James, who loves you much, came upon us and

toM us all that is now being done between you and Eck and

your other enemies. I cannot tell you, Father, how pleased,

happy and dchghtcd wc were when he told us of the glorious

victory you had won over your adversaries and especially

over Eck's scholastic and Aristotelian rather than Christian

theology. His narrative gave much praise both to you am)

to the most illustrious Elector Frederic, to you. because you

proved yourself worthy of admiration, to him because he

appreciates those virtues of which you seem daily to give the

greatest proofs, and by which your enemies are cast down

and your friends rejoiced. For are they not better thaji gold?

Wherefore I congratulate your Reverence, and I thank the

God of heaven, who has deigned not only to keep you safe

an^ldst so many perils and so many enemies, but also to give

I you a glorious victory in your just battle. Moreover this

same James told us that you greatly desired the books of

John Huss,' the apostle of the Bohemians, that you might Icam

what sort of man he was and how great, not from rumor

nor from the ill-advised Council of Constance, but from the

true mirror of his mind, that is. his books. So I am sending

your Reverence his book on the Church,' and I am sending

it the more boldly because I have read certain propositions

I which you are now defending against old and new errors at

i I.eipsic. which are also proved in this book. It is a small

I gift and one which might at first seem ridiculous, but, per-

l hsps, it will not be wholly unacceptable to you. especially if

I it comes in answer to your wishes and prayers, and also

\ because this was the one book on account of which the author,

*A1iBoM u Roidalowvkr m «riling iUi Luther wm d«c1*rliic In U* dcVaW m
Lciptic (hit "kmonK tite arlicl«* of job» Huh tbtrc an nanr *bi<h «re mom
fbrutian sixl o-initellc. «kjcb Ike unirenil Ckurcb !• n»l abl« la coAdma.**
O. S«ili: Lfifriftr D>j^Mli>n, p. A?.

■As tjiitn rould find na edition of tfeb fraw ■ Hiutitc preu friar t« tbü
lim* bt t«n(lii/lri thii thf bsolf «u in minuieTTiit. It wu printed if RoTUti
In GtrmtMj jn AncnM. 15J0. tl made ■ iremendtiiu latprtaMoa «m tatksr.
CY- till», ii". 'Vt. *B<1 Snttli. 7i(.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

199

during his liic-lime, was exposed to ihe contumely of all
the higher elerg}-, and for which he was hated, mocked, cursed
and railed a heretic by thctn, and for which, in short, he was
at last, though an innocent man and a splendid preacher of
the divine word, burned so unjustly by the Council of Con-
stance.

But enough of him now. If necessary and if you order it, I
will gladly &end you the record of his trial with other things.
I will only add that I am sure that what Jolm Huss formerly
was in Bohemia, tliat are you, Manin Luther, in Saxony.
What then do you need? Watch and be strong in the Lord,
and beware of men. Do not quail if you hear yourself called
a heretic and excommunicated, remembering what Christ and
the apostles suffered and what all men wlio wish to live piously
in Clirist suffer even to-day.

Farewell. Martin, and love me though unknown to you,
^JOT be sure that you are loved by me.

H ite. HEN'RY STROMER OF AUERBACH TO GEORGE
V SPr\LATlN.

C. Wurtinanii : Dtr Wirt von Auerbachs Ketltr Dr. H. Sfomtr x'on

■ Auerbach. Lcipsic. 1002. p. oo. Leipsic, July ig. 1519.

... At Leipsic in the castle I attended the theological
<tebate of Eck. Carlstadt and Luther. Eck, the loud the-
ologian, and Carlstadt disputed on free will. Martin Luther,
a man famous for eloquence, divinity and holiness of life,
disputed with Eck on the power of the Pope, on purgatory,
indulgences and the power of priests to loose and to bind.
whether they all have it or not. and on some other obscure
theological points, tt is extraordinary how much holy the-
ological teaming was modestly distilled by Martin. Ifc seems
to me a man worthy of immortality. He uttered nothing
but what was sound and wholesome, omitting all heathen
learning and content only with the majestic goüpel and writ-
ings of the apostles. Some, infected either with unbecoming
legality or with malice, reviled him : he was like a harmfess
sheep among wolves, and the more hostile they were to him
the greater and more holy was his learning. Did I not know
that you were already favorable to hira. 1 would write you to

900

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ltt ifij

commend him to the elector, but there is no need of spurriog
one running of his own accord. . . .

163. MELANCHTHON TO JOHN OECOLAMPADIUS AT
AUGSBURG.
C»rpu^ Reformalcrum, I 87. Witteitbeiu;, July at. 1519.

John Hussgcn <Hausschein<Oeeolampa(lius; 1482-1530.3 friend of
Zwintili iind leader in the Swiss HcfoTinaiion. He studiH at Keilbionfi
and Bologna, and in i^i/j louk up iheuiogy at Heidelberg, winning
hi» M.A. in 150J. In 1513 he matnculiilcij at Tübingen, where be
studied Greek with MdBnctithon. iSis-S lie vint, xt Batle helping
Erasmus edit (he New TcMament. From 1518 to 1S20 he wa» at Angt-
burg; in 1520 he entered a monastery to escape ihe religious contro-
versy, but in 1522 cmrrged and became the Evangelical pastor <►!
Ba^e. He took a piominrnt part in the Marburg Colloquy of tSt^
Rtalcncyclopiidie.

. , . And to begin at the beginning, Eck last year pub-
lished .some notes called Obelisks on Luther's Theses on in-
dulgences, and he wrote too bitterly for me to quote anything
from tliena. Carlstadt picked out some of Eck's propositions
in his Theses, which are pubhshed. Eck answered in an
Apology, wliich was somewhat milder tlian the Obelisks,
Carlstadt confuted the Apology in a pamphlet; it was a tedi-
ous accusation expressed at length. Omitting details, it was
determined to dispute on the chief point. The day was set.
Eck, Carlstadt and Lutlicr came together at Leipsic. Tlie
subject of the delwite wa« digested in a few propositions to
make it more definite. T think you will agree tliat it is proper
in a debate to have notaries take down the speeches and N>
have their reports published so that cadi may jutigc the
merits of the debaters. But Eck first told the judges ap-
pointed by Duke George of Saxony, that Maecenas of humane
letters, that he did not agree to this plan, for be thought that
the nature of the debate precluded its being reported, for
that the force of the debaters wa.t increased by speaking
ex tempore and would be decreased by the delay of writing,
that while minds were stimulated by rapidity they would be
cncn-atcd by delay. But it seems to mc that this is just
what is to be desired. . . . You know how Nazianzen ad-
vises this, and how Erasmus docs. [Follows a description of
the debate between Carlstadt and Eck on free will.]

Ut 1*3

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

201

Then Martin dcscendctl into the arena, for up to this time
it was uncertain whether he would debate, because he was not
able to appoint judges in such a delicate matter saving his
ri^t to appeal. However when this was settled he began lo
debate on the power of the Pope and on whether it could
be considered as existing jure diznno. For he frankly con-
fessed its existence dt facto, and only disputed the divine
r^ht. As the dispute waxed somewhat shari>, five days were
spent on this point. Eck spoke bitterly and discourteously
and tried every means to excite odium against Luther among
the people. Eck's 5rst argument wa& that the Church could
not be without a head, since it was a corporate body, and
therefore that the Pope was, jure dnAno, head of the Church.
Then \[artin said that Christ was the head of the Church,
which, being spiritual, needei! no other, as is said in Colos-
sians, i. [verse i8]. Eck replied by citing several passages
from Jerome and Cyprian, which he thmight proved the
divine right, ßut now certain passages in those writers whom
fae cited as sure supporters, were quoted as showing that they
were doubtful. He boasted the authority of Bernard's epistle
to Eugenius. as if it were Achilles in his magic armour,
although there are certain things in that very book which
support I-uther*s position. Moreover, who is so stupid as
not to sec what small authority Bernard could have had in
this matter? From the gospel Eck quoted the text. "Thou
art Peter, and upon this rock f will found my Church."
Luther interpreted tliat as a confession of faith ; said that
Peter represented the Church and that the rock on which
Christ founded the Church wag himself; and he proved this
by the order of the words. Again that text: "I'ced my
sheep," was said to Peter, alone and privately, as Luther
alleged, after the like authority had been given lo aJI the
apostles, in the words. "Receive the Holy Spirit, and whose
sins ye loose on earth shall be loosed unto them in heaven,
etc.'* With llwse words, he said. Christ showed what it was
to feed the sheep and what sort of man he wished the shep-
herd to be. .^gainst this Eck urged the authority of the
Council of Constance, where Luther's proposition had been

idemned as one of Huss's articles and where it was said

fl»

5»

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let [64

that it was necessary to salvation to bdicvc the Roman pontiS
WAS universal. He advanced several reasons to show that a
council could not err. Lullier prudently replied that all Lbe
condemned articles should not be considered heretical, and
he added more on the autliority of a council, which it would
be tiresome to report here. Plainly, however, a council can-
not found articles of faith. The audience did not care for
this proposition, because it seemed as if I.uiher were rcsistinf
the power of councils, whereas he really desires nothinf
more devoutly than their authority. He was therefore ac-
cused of heresy, Hussite opinions and crimes of that nature.
Eck conceded that the authority of all apostles was equal.
but that it did not follow that all bishops were equal. . . ,

After this they debated on the power of the Pope over
souls in purgatory, and Eck took a new tack and began to
prove from the text in Maccabees that purgatory' existed.
Luther, following Jerome, denied that Maccabees was autbori«
tativc. . . .

In Luther, now long familiarly known to me. I admire a
lively talent, learning and elo(|ucncc. and cannot help lo^'ing
his sincere and entirely Christian mind. Greet our commoa
friends. You know the Greek proverb, that there is much
vain boasting in war. Wherefore do not believe all that is
told you about the result of this debate. Farewell.

164. JOHN ECK TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.
Ecidcrs. ii. Qft German. Leipsic, Jul; 22. 151^

Serene. high-I>om Elector! My humble, ready service to
your Grace, together with my poor prayers to God for you.
Most gracious Lord I I humbly pray your Grace not to take
it ill nor with displeasure that I have allowed myself to
debate with your Grace's professors from Wittenberg, foi
I did not do it to hurt your Grace's university, but, on tbe
contrary, am much inclined to serve your Grace, as one who

■Mwctbe« xH. 4]-6. leidt in the Vulgate: "Et facia c«IUtion«, Auodnia
miT[)> dftchmu «rtcntl mUil JcrotalTmlm nffctW pt« pcccitii aoriaamw Mcri-
firium, bcnp cl r*Ii|iiaM de rnurrtcrione cociUns. (niii «nin «e*. qui ««cldetalri.
mutteciuroK ipmrpi. (uprrfluum viderpiuf. rt vinuin titxtt t>ra nuM-ttiU,) ri i|au
COntiiWubJI. quod hi, qui cum piclilr dnt nlllonrTn iicc«|>tianl. aplüuun httwnel
reTKHttam (riliam. Sancia ergo, d ulubrii rat coiilalia pro itrfiuiclia «lar^n,
Di ■ pncaib lolTMintr." On Luibti'a opinion o[ Mac«al>cn, in/r«. no. 194.

lÄ 164

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

is renowned before other princes of the Empire for cherish-
ing letters and learned men} But only for Ihc sake of the
uth of the holy faith have [ debated, and because Dr. Carl-
,dt compelled me to by printing and publishing certain Con-
clusions with many words of contempt and revihng against
me, although he had no cause to insiih people thus. As to
Dr. Luther, whom I pity because of the singular excesses'
into whicli his fair genius' has fallen in taking up this matter,
t was compelled to answer him because of his publication of
a great deal of stuff from which, in my poor opinion, much
error and scandal will arise. Your Grace may juitge tliat he
does not to this day in the least moderate his views, in that
on a certain matter he denies and repudiates the opinion of
the holy fathers Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Gregorj', l.eo,
Cyprian, Chrysostom and Bernard. It sounds evil for a
Christian to presume to say that of his own wisdom he under-
stands the sense of Holy Scripture tetter than the holy
Fathers. It is also hard to hear him say, as he did in the
debate, that many articles of John Huss and the Bohemians,
condemned by the holy Council of Constance, arc most Chris-
tian and evangelic' It is easy to imagine what joy the heretics
conceive on hearing such things He also says that St. Peter
did not have tlie primacy' over the other apostles from Christ,
and many otJier things. As a Christian prince your Grace
may judge whether these and similar things may be allowed
in Christianity. In my poor opinion they cannot be ; where-
fore, solely for the sake of the truth, I will withstand them
where I can.

Neither Dr. Luther nor anyone else can say that he has
received a pennyworth of his doctrine from our Holy Father,
the Pope, or from the great heads of the Church. Yet I,
although a poor parson, came here at my own expense to
meet your Grace's professors, and am still ready, if Dr
Luther thinks he has not yet debated enough, to go with him
to Cologne, Louvain or Paris. For I know just what tlicy
will do. Kor when they proposed to me the University of
Leipsic, they would have had it thought that they had refused
to debate there, but that I compassed it with the prince and

^Thc irar^ ia iulica art Lattn.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LCL ifif

the university. Most gracious Lord, I do not mean lo re-
proach Dr. Luther with all this, nor do I write to injure hini,
but only to excuse myself to your Grace, who would other-
wise hear untruths to my dishonor; and I also give your
Grace occasion^ to consider what you owe to Christ, the Oiris-
tian religion, the land and the people. Long ago I desiicJ
to excuse myself to your Grace, and came to your Grace's
court at Augsburg* six times, and I know not for what rcaÄm
I was not allowed to come before your Grace.

Although your Grace's professors departed with sundry
threats to write much. I debated in such wise that it would
be unnecessary to write anything. For we maiJe an agree-
ment to keep still* until judgment shall have been given by the
universities selected as umpires. Wherefore I left them free
choice of all llie universities which are in good repute in the
whole of Christendom, to take which ones they liked. Well, let
them write; I don't care much, only I wish they wrote with the
seriousness demanded by the subject, and not so frivolously,
impertinently and abusively, especially as I am sure your
Grace has no pleasure in such words. What is written Iqf
tlieologians should be in such language that anyone who reads
it may umlerstaml that a theologian has written it with the
purpose of seeking the truth, and not like a groom who 13
only able to revile people. . . .

Your Grace's obedient chaplain.
Dr. John von Eck.

P. S. — Most gracious Lord, it has just occurred to mc that
in debating with Dr. Luther on the power of the Pope,* I took
away the whole foundation of his argument. For his posi-
tion is not novel, many mistaken persons have held it before.
But if from mere suspicion he has conceived th« opinion that
some of your Grace's .subjects have given mc his recently
printed book' (as they have told Caesar Pflug that lliey thiiik
Dr. Peter Burckhart* has done so), let mc say that it is false

>Ulia.

■I>iiilnc ibe Dkt »f ijiB: LnAcr m« Eck •( AusitnirB i« OcMbcf. Cf,

*Bctore Ott dchot« «II ^dj«* afreed n»l lo puUith Ibe ■r(iia»nl* until the
judl«! had dt«ii]«<J. Endcf*. it. ;r.

*ktit}ttlio . , , dt PoUilcU P*t»*, Wttmir. ii. iB»

BSioce Sepienber, tjtS, profMMir «f amitcine ■< Wliteobcrt !■ l^ *iib-

t*». 165 OTHER CONTEMPOR.\Ry LETTERS 205

and that tliey do Dr. Burckliart and tlic otiiera wrong, for
he haä never mentioned the matter to mc and 1 have not yet
seen the book, unless, as I tliought, he read from it at the
debate. But I know well cnougli from similar writings what
it contains. Your Grace would do a praiseworthy act to bum
it on a bonfire.

^5- JOHN ECK TO JAMES KOCHSTRATEN AT COLOGNE
iMlheri Opera varii argmmenti (Erlangen. i866), iii. 4761

Ltirsic, July 24. 1519.
Junes Hoclislratcn (Hoog^raatcn) studied at Lovvain, where he
took his M. A. in 1485. He t>ccjiiic a DQmiiiic;in, was maclc prior
and eventually cliicf inquiHtor for many years. He was tlie leading
prosecutor of Rcudilin for licrcsy. lie loolc an active pari against
ErasRius {in/ra, no. 187J and Luther, who wrote ngsinst him, very
briefly, in 151Q. Weimar, it. 384. He wrote agaitut Luther Epitome
4t Fide et Optribus in 1525. He died in 1537. M. Paulus: Di«
deuttehem Domitikaner, p. S/T.

I would not have yoii ignorant, Reverend Father, how I
have hitherto withstood tlioac rash men of Wittenberg who
despise all the doctors of the last four hundred years, no
matter how holy and wise, and who disseminate many false
and erroneous ideas among the people, seducing and infecting
them chiefly by means of works printed in German.

Recently we disputed at Leipsic. before an audience of
teamed men, who had come together from ail parts, where
(praise, honor and glory be to God), their reputation, even
with the vulgar, was much diminished, and was completely
destroyed with most learned men. You should have heard
their rash assertions, how blind they were and bold to commit
crimes.

Luther denies that Peter was the prince of the apostles; he
denies that obedience is owed to the Church by divine taw,
but only by human agreement, that 15. by agreement of the
Emperor. He denies that the Omrch was built on Petcr.*^
When 1 cited on this point Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose, Greg-

■ef »f tfii b« w*nt 10 IfltnUttrtl. where he dirri In Ihe ■prlns of i;:6. H*
ftfrtmr a mronx oppotimi of Lnilier. He hid »tiKlird meclicine at Fetrara,
aaA Mii(bt It ai Inguliiadi alter 1497. Ztiueififi flif Kwekenfftichiehtt, xrlii.

tMatduir svL iB.

SOS

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

ULtti

ory, Cyprian, Chrysostom, Leo, BL*rnard and Tlicophnus, be
repudiated them all witliout blushing, and said itiat he akjne
would oppose all of them, relying only on the text that Christ
wa& (he foundation of the Church, and that other foundation
no man can lay.' I did away wjlh this by citing Revelation
xii.* about Ihc twelve foundations. Luther also defended
the Greeks and schismatics, saying that tlicy would be sared
even if they are not under the obedience of the Pope.

Of the articles of the Bohemians, he says that some of those
condemned by the Council of Constance are most Christian
and evangelic; by which rash error he frightened many, and
alienated those who had previously supported him.

Among other things 1 said to him: If the primacy of the
Pope is merely a matter of human law and of the agreement
of the faithful, where does he (Luther) get the dress be
wears? where docs he get the power of preaching and of
hearing tlie confessions of liis parishioners, etc.? He answered
that he wi&hed there were no mendicant orders, and many
other scandalous and absurd things, as that a council, con-
sisting of men, could err, and that purgatory was not proved
by the Bible, as you may see hy reading our debate, which
was taken down by faithful notaries. . . .

There were many of them; besides the two doctors, there
was their Vicar Lang, two licentiates in theology.* a nephew*
of Rcuchlin who assumes a good deal, three doctors of law,
several professors, who aided him privately and publicly even
in the course of the debate. But I atone, with nothing but
right on my side, withstood them.

To brothers of your order I committed tlie care of copy-
ing the debate and sending it to you as soon as posuUe.
Wherefore 1 pray you by him whom I serve, zealously to
defend the faith as you long ago undertook to do. I do rtot
wish you to involve yourself or make cither your person or
your order odious, but please aid mc with your advice and
learning. The Wittenbergers hesitated to debate; in fact, they

ll Corlotlllliu, HI. II.
iRsthct, isi. 14.

■A «unbtr of prattMut* aod two buBdrtd ilodeau ttoaifUMi Lulber ta
Incipaic; r/. ntfr», nO. 160.

Olctantbtben.

I.rt. I«6 OTHER CONTEMPORvVRY LRTTERS 20T

sought excuses. Luther was at first unwilling to take
MS judge any university in the world. The most Christian
Duke George of Saxony would not allow any dispute on articles
of faill) unl»s it should be referred for judgment to the masters
of our faith. Lutlier was therefore forced and spurred on
by hi* followers, for had he not debated and admitted some
judge, they would all have receded from him. When I then
offered him his choice of all the universities, he chose Paris
and Erfurt

As I know that your university has close rcbtions with
Paris. I bc^ you earnestly, for the sake of Christ's faith, to
write to your friends there, or even, if it seem good, to the
whole universiQr, that when the excellent Duke George shall
write them and send the debate with a request for judgment
tfaey may not decline, but should undertake it like champions.
as we have both agreed to them as judges, and 1 think the
matter is so plain that it will not need long discussion. . . .

On tlie day of St. Peter,* in the absence of the duke, Luther
delivered at court a sennon full of Hussite errors. Straight-
way on the day' of the Visitation of the Virgin and the day
after, I preached against his errors to a larger audience than
T have ever had, an<] I stirred up in the people disgust for
Lutheran errors, and J will do the same to-morrow when I
bid Lcipstc good-bye. . . ,

»166. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Rn, ii. 97- (WiTTENBEkG), July 26, IS19.

Greeting. Reverend Father, I found the Vicar General*
at Grimma, together with Wenzel Link, making a round of
visits to the convents under their charge. You did well to
abstain from visiting them. For be said it was his business
now. I fear that the prior' there will give up his place. We
re daily expecting the advent of his reverence' from Dres-

IJbiu 19. Oa Ikii <■/. Srailh, ep. ril., 6r-

«joir •

'Staapili. Luther ati bin at tic wn* rcluminf (ram (h( Ltl^tit debtte. Lotbar
apparratt)' lefl Lnpiic «fcti« Citlctidl w» •lltl dcbatlnl. oa Jiiljp i; or i<. H«
wu 11 Wirtenb«nt <*■> July ro. Hv dor* not now itricrib« the debaw noire (ullir
M Laac «M jireknif-

•WolfiofiE ZcMbiru. »poktii nt by l.tithrr. Nnrrmbrr t. ttiS Ender«, L ift,
teivT Murtr of ihc llaipicc of St. John »I Grimmi.

«M LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let iS

den or Htrzhtzg. He told me to notify you and all othen
that I coukl cf his arrival; please do tlie same. Eck is sing-
ing a song of triumph everywhere. He has been taken by
Duke George' to Annabcrg. perhaps to resuscitate indulgenca
there. More presently. I-arcwcll.

Bbothur Marhn LtTTHER, Augustimon.

167. MELANCHTHON TO SPALATIN.
Corpus Reformatontm, L iqj. July 29, 151^

, . . Here you have Luther's Resolution' written, as yon
think, bitterly, but as I think, prudently. You sec how he
repels hatred and transfers it all into this fire-brand and
author of the whole war. But I hope he will write more on
the other propositions and dedicate il to you. . . .

168. MARTIN BUCER TO BE.J\TUS RHENANÜS.

A. HonwiU & K. HartfeMcr: Britfwecktet dts Bntus Rktnammt.
ttS6, p. 165. Heidelboc, July 301 15191

. . . Behold, dear Beatus. how vigilant are these wicked
men. and how they conspire to murder, not Luther or others,
but Tnilh herself. I have read Erasmus' epistle' to Elector
Frederic of Saxony, deploring this. It was written from
Antwerp, and made inc suspect that he was so sick of the
quarrels with the professors of Louvain that he had left that
university. Certainly they are unworthy of so divine a genius.
Smitten with grief on this account. I wished to write it to
you. my only defence, hoping that you might have something
happier to write back. We have little hope left here. One
day when I was presiding at some stupid debates (for there
is a great dearth of learned men here), I made some proposi-
tions difTering from their rules, and barely escaped stoning.
My chief offence was that t defended the proposition that
charily was commanded to our neighbor. Next to that was 3
proposition on divorce, which was debated fiercely.

■ Oukc Ge«rt« went i* Ajtntb'rt (n the eMiHCritinn of 1 rhnreh ea July ■«.
Eck folloo-in« Mm aeitl day. An indulfcnc« wu prwluned en tbi* ««Maien.

^RritlmUtt Lmtttfriem* tuft» Pr^fuirum« mi Ttrtia tinima dt PoUttatt Pap**-
L.«l(nic 151a. Wrloiar. U. iSo.

*S*pTa, no. 141'

Xct ]6g

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

309

Not only Louvain' and Cologne, but Oxfonl' and Cambridge
have declared war on Luther, their purpose bcing^ to ruin
Oiristian philosopliy' and crush poUtc learning. The leaders
are »id to be Cajcian and .\<lrian, both cardinals.' For the
dcl^atcs of Louvain and Cologne agreed witli Cajetan at
Coblenz chat he should kcop the sak of indulgences as his
department and leave the rest to them. Tliey were going to
cavil at this, but he. much more courteous than tliey, yielded
to tlicm. for it was his opinion that it would Ire sufficient to
brand as error that which they attacked as the crime of heresy.
For I have learned from a trustworthy friend, in whom Caje-
tan confided, that there was almost no page in a book of
Luther's on wliich tliey had not written "heresy, heresy."
scvcra! times. They showed the book thus disfigured to the
cardinal, led perhaps by their own prejudice to hope that
he would endorse their judgment at once. But when he
bad examined llie book and their dirty notes, be said: "We
must not strike out too much. There is a very slight differ-
ence between some things which you have called heresies and
the orthodox view. They arc errors, not heresies. Let
amcs* be an example to you." . . .

iöql NICHOLAS VON AMSDORF TO SPALATIN.
Walch. XV. 1404. German. Wittkkbejh;, August 1, ISI9.

Greeting. Ft would be long and proli-x to relate the order
and procedure of the Lcipsic debate; much more proh'x and
tedious to de.'icribe the same. For as often 33 1 think of the
said debate. I am moved and kindled, not, as God knows, for
the love I hear Dr. Luther but for that I bear the truth. I
doubt not that tnnli is certain, unchangeable and eternal.
though hated by alt gross fellows. Even before this time I

'Cf. Aa JOKili; L'aneimn* Faeuitf it tVrltffie J Lauvain, p. anClt. Uvibtt^
«ork> irrired in th« NetlurUnd* m Ulcit esrlr in 1514, and (beir lale wu
JMMirtliTrlr lorUddcn by tbt Unirvnicy of Louvatn, which, xt tb« wtm« time,
4)»|iiinfcii1 * mcMenjcr to net tb< opinion ol ibe Univrraiir of Coloini; on Luibcr.
Tb« condoniution of bins by CdIordc folIowTd on AueuiI jo.
11 cm Und no oiber tetcrcncc 10 riily u iblii ti< iny wlioa of Ibe Ensticll
^^■Mveraldu Miaiiut Laltict. It wm nbtiniJantly trtic lairr.
^^fc" n ilnlintb I ■ Cbrbtl" wu the tiimc utoptt-d bj Kiumu« fof bl* *r*tcn.
^^PtPaBatiw: ibw ia rriikMly lAc tneanloi, ihuucb not t'lren in Du Cuec.

Trobalilr Ifocliitttiaa, or Jtuncs, iii. i. iv. 11. t. «a. Oa ttiii -wtiDlc affair, c/.
Jh Joiif b. fff. <il.

«4

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LcLitpl

knew that what Eck and his supporters brought forth w»
falsehood.

This is not remarkable, for Eck is eoiirely unversed in the
Hoiy Scriptures. And, what is more, he doe* not even kno«
as much sophistry' as a man who wants to be thought »
great a dehatcr ought, for he boasts and claims to be a father
and patron of sophistry. For I have smelled about a bltk.
and understand the affair rightly (although t have neither
reason nor discrimination), namely, that Eck speaks all thit
is in his mind and memory without reason, judgment or dis-
crimination, although he can utter the words he has learned
with great pomp and proper gesture. He docs not seek the
truth, but only to show off his memory and to defend the
teachers of hin school. . .

That you may believe that what I say is true, hear a tort
of the nible which, with the counsel of the inept and un-
learned sophists of l^ipsic, Eck cited and brought forward
to defend papal indulgence. It stands in Tsatah Ixi. i : "The
spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore the Lord has anointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to
bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim to the captives induJ-
gcnee."* that is. forgiveness of sins. See, my dear Spalatio,
this one word (indulgence), which these famous sophists of
Leipsic found in the large Concordance to the Bible, wrote
for Eck with chalk upon a blackboard and sent to him tlie
following day to support papal indulgences which have
recently been invented for the sake of gain. For the prophet'
docs not speak of the forgiveness of sins by indulgence, but
of our Lord and Saviour becoming a man. Just look at the
unhappy, .stupid sophists. But 1 am not surprised, for they
know tiothing. But 1 am surprised that Eck took the said
text into the debate and uttered it before so remarkable an
assembly, and dictated it to the notaries.

It is true, however, that Eck surpassed Dr. Carlstadt by far
in memory and delivery, so that I was sorry that the thing had
been begun, not because Eck won the victory, but because, had

'Amidaif ni^uif »cbolBtlit htitilng, bul the cfTKt it cuniic.
*"IitdiilKntiiio" in Ac Vnlgaicj "libtilr" in cui auib»ru«d reniaa.
*Aftcr ■]■. rAkh wM ib( mot« unhiitoirk«] «R«r, ikai of Eck «w ik« at
Antderf ?

171 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 2H

speeches not be«n taken down in writing, our champions

■uld have come oflF willi great sliame. For Eck argues and

ms around in tlie Italian manner with nine or ten argu-

by which he does not seek lo establish the truth, but

\y his own honor, just as all sophists, that is, all schoolmen,

. But the audience consider him the victor who shouts

the loudest and has the last word, and for these reasons the

men of Lcipsic honor Vxk as the victor. . . .

J do not consider Eck ccjual to Luther either in doctrine or
art, either in delivery or in mcmor\' ; 1 would as soon com-

^P 17a MELANCHTHON TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.

r Carpus Rfformatontm. \. ie6. WiTTEMaERG, August 11. 1519.

^K . . . Eck reviled us with fierce and uncivil calumnies, either
^^o indulge his own temper or because he thought himself in-
sulted and thus revenged himself. , . . After our departure
he disseminated a large number of false slanders about Luther
among the princes. What can you do to liim? I love and
cling 10 the pious zeal and learning of Luther aä much as I
do to any human thing. . , .

171. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
_Enders. ti, 124. (Witttnijerc, before August 18, 1519-)

Greeting. Please let me know, SpalatJn, if possible, what
you wanted done about the foundation for commemorating
the Passion,* I am not much in favor of binding a man to
certain stated services, unless it is a man who is profited by
such a rule.

We all b^ you to send us a copy' of the Leipsic debate by
ihis messenger. We have a reason for wanting it, which you
■rill learn in due time. As we ask you wc hiivc no doubt that
you win comply. Farewell and pray for me, a very busy

*Tlic EI<«lori il ibc (saSMtlcn of kla tonlcitor, Jam«» Vogt, in ($19, endowed
• (citniJalicn for hro piioli aai eitbt acolil» lo «D( PuJina on «cfUin dvt%
IB the WiitcnbcK CuiIp Cliurcl.

Tliti wu a maniLMiipl Copr of <>>« niaulM of tb« d«bsl«. wbich hnd bt«ti
.,^^1 bj McUnclitbOD to S^ilktln »n Aufutt 11.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LeL

sinner. May the Lord preserve our elector" for us. Acttl
HROTHEa Maktin LuTnica, AugusiiniaiL

173. LUTHER AND CAULSTADT TO THE ELECTOR
FREDERIC.

Enders, ii. 136. De Wette, i. 307. German.

WrrrewBisc, August 18. l;

Most serene, high-born Prince, most gracious Lord! Otf
humble, ol>edient service and prayers for your Grace, Mi
gracious Prince and Lord ! We have received your Gi
note with Dr. Eck's tetter* and noted the contenU. Dr. Edc
says he does not intend to slander us before your Grace, and
yet labors with his sophistry and habitual loose talk to get
your Grace, only on the strength of his letter and hasty juäg'
mcnt, to drive us out of the land. Wc are not :3iirpri!ved that
he considers your Grace such a person as he dares address
such a letter to. For we learn cverj- day more clearly tbtt
Dr. Eck is and remains Dr. Eck, do what he will.

May your Grace not take it ill that we have not ^ven you
an account of this debate before. For we esteem it an unfor-
tunate affair, carried on with mere hate and envy, wherefore
wc did not wish to he the first of whom people could say (as
Dr. Eck unnecessarily fears that they will) that we desired
with our gloo' to sliame others. But as we are forced by Dr.
Eck's letter, we pray that your Grace will hear the aßair
with kindly patience, although we are sorry to inflict so long
and unprofitable a story on your Grace. But the affair will
s;)eak for itself, and show whether Dr. Eck, with all his boast-
ing and protestation, iä inclined to serve or to hurt your Grace's
university.

In the first place, Dr. Eck complains that I. Andrew Carl-
sUdt, published certain theses against him, with sarcasms and
contemptuous words, although he docs not think that I have
any right to insult people. I reply: Dr. Eck can esteem roe
as he likes, but it would have mightily become him, had he,
along with his complaint, told how he attacked Dr. Luther,

>The ettetor vu 111 la rjio- To conwU hin Lulktr «rau A« Tnttraittm.

Sffiilb. «p. tH^ p. 7S-

L«L lya

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

31 S

to revile and shame us and your Grace's university. His
word* would liavc been loo much even for a bail woman, for
in his poisonous OMisks, he reviled him as a Hussite, a heretic,
a rebel, a shameless braivler. a ne^ü prophet* and everything
else he pleased, ttiore tlian twenty times as much as 1. who
was too moderate against his misconduct, ever called him for
the vindication of our honor.

For I think Dr. Eck has much less right, not only to revile
such a man, but to slander all of us, to the shame of your
Grace's university, and so criminally to libel us without any
ground or reason. And if ihe goad pricks Dr. Eck too hard,
the said Obelisks arc at hand, and we will publish them, which
hitherto, to spare his honor, wc have rcfrainc«! from doing.
We have deserved his great ingratitude by not paying him
back in kind. And if necessary, wc will also collect on paper
all the ugly, sharp, disagreeable words and gestures with which
he made the debate n .^^imple obstacle to the truth. . . .

May God reward him for pitying me, Martin Luther. I
would only like to hear what are the "singular excesses," for
which he so mercifully punishes me. But I can have nothing to
do with him on articles of faith, except perhaps in that of
penttcace ; as for my opinion on indulgences, purgatory and the
power of the Pope. I confess that, "according to his poor
opinion" (as he truly says). I have made much scandal and
offence, not for the conmion people, but (or tlic Pharisees and
scribes, for whom also Christ and all the apostles made ofifence.
Truly, 1 cannot stop doing this even now, whether it wins the
"good opinion" of Dr. Eck or not.

He blames me shamelessly for denying Ihe authority of atl
the holy fathers at once. Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Greg-
ory, Leo. Oirysostom, etc.. and for arrogating to myself alone
the understanding of Scripture. Thus it is fitting that a
doctor of divinity should speak out roundly and forcibly
before 3 prince. Your Grace may note how much inclined
Dr. Eck is to serve us, in daring cheerfully to write such things
about us. Had he said that I had contradicted some fathers,
he would have had a show of reason, but his own clear con-

Itne and eU«ttb«rf In tkla Itittr ibc «ordi pttni*<l itt tuljc* we Latia la
fU orl|{ut

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ul m

science knows that it is not true tliat I contradicted than all
Let me tell your Grace the exact truth : I did, indeed, set
one doctor, with the text of the Bible, against another, whom
Dr. Eck cited alone, naked and without the Iliblc, and I w3l
not cease doing this my life long. That is what Dr. Eck calls
contradicting all the holy Fathers, and says that it souniii
badly in the new Eckian Christianity. . . .

For I have said that when I had a clear text I would stand
by it even if the ex^esis of the teachers was contrar)* to th«
sense. St. Augustine often does this and teaches us to do \t
For, as the lawyers say. we should put more faith in one man
who has the Bible for liira, tlian in the Pope and a who!«
council without tlic Bible. From this, my dear friends. Dr.
Eck and the men of Leipsic conclude roundly that I ha«
repudiated all teachers. What can one do witli audi false
tongues and hearts? In like manner he has thrown up at toe
the Council of Constance, and accuses me of contradicting it.
I will answer this charge in due time, and show his false
heart to the world. . . .

[The rest of this letter is a long argument of ten pages on
the power of the Pope and other points which came up in
the debate with Eck.J

I7J. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enders, iL m- Vfj-msBao, AngaM 18. 1519L

Greeting. Behold, Spalatin, we arc sending letters lo the
illustrious elector, our patron, in .inswer to the calumnies
of Eck. We should be pleased if the illustrious elector will
deign to send them to Eck; but if not, God's will be done.
For the reverend Vicar Staupit^ has made us doubtful
whether the elector would have wished us to answer Eck in
this style, and not rather with the Latin propositions* on
which we are now working; wlierefore we are sending both.
But if the German tetter is to be sent, we desire that anything
in it be changed, which either the elector or you think
should be changed. I have looked for Eck's letter among
my papers without finding it; I will seek more diligently,

'Ktiatiiiioitti Luthirianot juptr propeiMonibiu nit, Wcinar. ij. j^i. Cf.
Eadct». li. lot.

t*t. VJ3

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

SIS

Eck (wliom now, without sin, we may Juoge and accuse)
is ever playing the part of neither a good man nor a gentle-
man. He gave the Bishop of Brandenburg a memorial on the
^Brticlcs which the brothers of Jiiterbogk have falsely cooked
F^p against mc' The man is impudent and shameless, ready
to assert or deny anything for a Httlc puff of glor>-. His only
aim is by right or wrong to hurt Wittenberg. I am opposing
him, and with God's help will expose the sycophant and his lies
to tlie public.

Meantime the Bishop of Brandenburg, without hearing
the other side, is spreading abroad Eck's falsehoods, and by
his name giving them, in the eyes of many, authority, thus
burling mc, and showing fairly tlie animus he has always
had towards me. I fear that t can hardly do anything with-
out involving him, and betraying how like liis ignorance and
rashness is to that of Eck. The Franciscans are working with
them; we are the only ones who&e press is too slow to publish
our answer quickly.

According to your wish I liave begun publicly to apply
myself to tlie foundation for commemorating Girisl's Pa*
sioD,* and the more I think of it the less 1 find to please me.
The Qjurcli is already overburdened with ceremonies, so
that almost all the serious concerns of Christiao piety have
degenerated into superstition. This means to have an easy
faith in external works and complacently to leave out the real
spiritual essence. Wlierefore I am not yet prepared to say
bow I can make this foundation at once seemly without and
fruitful within. It is difficult to combine both, since the gospel
has placed the most excellent piety in fraternal love and
mutual good-wrill, I will write more later. Farewell, and
commend me to my patron the elector.

Martin LtmiER. Aitguslmian.

■Fnncia Günditr b«kQ« prcatfaer *I JüleifcogL and in Pwdon Week. 1J19,
dcliTcred a Mric« of lermons containing vsriouf propoiilion* tonsidtted hcTCtical
1,7 tha FruiciuiiM at ikat rillaiv. Tfaue friere publiibcd a brcMiUidf «niiiird
Artieittt ffr Fratrii Uiwcrr/ if^ »birrvanlta ^'ofcitti . , , £fittapo Btöndr»-
bmfgiitti (tttira LMKtratiti, «rhich ttmt into LuiLcr'i bandi in Ulf «nd wu
uit««ted by bim or M>y 15. Ende», li je. When ibe Kkcior Jcictim or
Bnndrnburff vliiied Leii<üt tn ll)c »iinini^ »f Mtu, be tceiucMcI Eck** oiiinion
on ibcw cbMCU. «hieb WW flvcii ia * neinorial binded to Ibe Blibop it
BnndtotutK.

*Cf. t^fra, «»- ir>-

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut I»

174 PHILIP MELANCHTHON TO THE READER.

Corpus Reformatontm, i. 120. Wittenbebg (c. August), 151»

This is one of the prefaces, written under the pseudonym of OtlM
Gn'maima. to Luther's Ccmmenlary on Gotatians, which appraid
early in September.

... It seems, therefore, that we have very little true the-
ology left. But if any one calls attention to tills he is dubbed
a heretic and schismatic for his pains. Thus it happened td
Luther, a man rt^pected for his manner of Hfc 2Jid uncom-
monly learned in sacred letters. When he wa^ forced to
propose certain theses for scholastic dehate in order to resist
those who, under the pretext of reHgion abused the Scrip-
ture for their own desires, and when in doing so he had
differed from llieologians of indulgences and of Aristotle,
firKt he was cited to Rome under the grave suspicion of heresy.
Then, on account of the difficulty of the journey and moved
by the prayers of friends, he was allowed to go to Augsburg
instead; but when he had gone there he was tried by various
arts and sent away so that he does not yet know why he
went there. But, at least, it is certain that a man who deserved
well of Christendom on accuunl of his serious and fruitful
treatment of the Scriptures (as his numerous auditors can
bear witness), was treated as a m.idman by certain coxcombs.
If he speaks of this and complains of it in the following
epistle,' it may not be pleasant, but it will be necessary. More*
over, while he was llnis defamed and his life imperilled, he
composed, among other profitable works, this commentary on
the epistle of Paul to the Galatians. And being unable to
polish it on account of his preoccupations with his enemies,
he disdained to call it a regular commentar)', and it was
published by his friends against his will.* . . .

175. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.

Endcrs, ii. 138. (WiTTeKSKjtc), September $, iSIQl

Greeting. Reverend Father. I wonder why your Erfurt

'Lnüicr'i dedicator? rpUtI« to Lnpiou» ind CtrliUtli, Tanoirjr. iji«, u mcanl.
Stiff«, no. laj.

*7i^ Ctmmtnlary tn CtlaHaiU t», la fact, tbc atott policed of Lnitbcr^ c«n-
mrntuiri. t^e «lyl« bjlvtnf bctn prubablx rvviifd lijr M<J*AcbtboA. Cf. Rltl^vr:
Phthf UiltMhIktu, ICO.

«t- 175 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 217

irofessors arc so slow.' I await their judgment, although I
txpect that they will be too prudent to mix in these foreign
ind hateful causes. Meanwliik-, we have anticipated their
Kntence; we judge each uthcr and are judged by each otlicr;*
ignorant and learned alike, we all write pucms."

Eck impetuously scatters letter?^* around and distributes
triumphal crowns. Lripsic alone brings forth simple Hcrodoti,
critics. Aristarchi.' Monii,* and that kind of frogs without
number. Leipsic. who was always dumb, has only on account
of the delate begun to bark louder than many Scyllas. She
is driven by wretched envy to try to establish the victory of
our opponents by mere clamor. Truth will conquer.

I would send my little lectures on the Psaltery, but because
you ck> not write whether you want them, or how many of
them you have. I suppose you do not care for them. This
man' sells my last Kesoltitions against Eck. Lotther,' at
Leipsic, is printing for me an apology' against him. in which I
refute the thirteen articles charged against me by the Fran-
ciscans of Jiiterbok, and hatefully proved by Eck to be hereti-
cal ; on my part 1 charge tbem with twenty-four articles, and
the quarrel is getting warm.

They tell me my Commentary on Galatians is finished to-day.

Our illustrious elector is tempted by Millilz with the golden
Miltitz boasted in Dresden, "Dr. Luther is in my

*7. t^ in ffiirisg i«diin«BI on ib« Lci^ifi« ilcbolc.

•Tli» trteri la Uclanchiboa'* Idler lo 0«ci>Uinp*diot of July it (npn, iSj),
■sd I« Eck*» nylj.

'S<tiHmmt imdttti aettii-r ro^—^l» Fottin. cf. Juveail. wl. jj.

*C/. »•#»0, EA lo Eletior FRdtrk. no. rC«,

■a pr«Tcrbi«IIr bttirr critic.

•Accofdinc to Erarsui' Ada^i. t. v.. Mama* wm tfa« cbild «( Ni^l >nd SUrt,
*ho ilid BOthiaj bol And f.%u!t.

'/. *., ihe bT«rcr at iB« l«t*r.

*Of Auc !ii SkspATi fini fount) ai Lcipiic abooi ijna, u a prinirr. Pron
i^jS be primed a nunlKt ol Lutbci'i ibiasa, and idwiiiJ ihr «nd of iti4, witk
tTPf boutbt of Ftohtn, tnd with h\» raunitcr broibcr MUliacI (for Hclcbior
•nd Ukkatl Lotib<i ir«tc apparently noi old &tTlcliiei'i «ont. u End«r> tliinlcT,
Ü. a9). fc< »larttd • prtM M WiitrnlitTS- In i}t). on MCuunt »( ilandct* alout
btai, b* rolum«] tn I.*iiiiK, wherr Lr ilitil in i;«!. Endrr*, loe. ril., and t. it.

*Cntra mtiignitm Etiii inJItimm, W«lmBr, U. 4«i.

>*On ibt roldtn iom ef. mtra, Jannair >■ i)i0- MBlll« tot ibe roM tioM
ibc Fnn<ra at Aut^buTf and took it to Allfobuis. «bcrc. In tbi abatiue of the
«InlD«! who tar •Kk ■> L«cbBii, b< girc il, oa S«i>(«nit(i as. le On« of bt*

JTHER-S CORRESPONDENCE AND

hands/" but by God's grace he accomplishes nothing.
w<ll and pray for mc, a very busy brother.

Brothek Martin Lutues.

i;«. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enden, il 156. WirrENimtic. Septctober 22, 1519

Greeting. At length, Spalatin, my Tess^radeca/ is coming
lo you, !atc, indeed, but even thus hardly having weathered
the storms of all my other occupations. If you care to, you
may translate it and offer it to our most illustrious electot
with a prefatory letter. For I have begun to consider it too
minute a thing for a double epistolary dedication to the
elector, like a two-handed loving-cup.'

I am also sending my "foolish Galatians.'" preserved in the
brine oi wit.' Lotther, of Leipsic, sent them to be given to
you, as you see. My work against Buck Emser is not yet
done.* . . .

The bearer of this letter begs me to write to the elector
for him for license to exercise the baker's craft at Wittenberg.
For I hear that the bakers have forbidden him to do so because
he is son of a man who was once a bathman ; so exclusive is
the nobility of tradesmen. Lest I should annoy the elector,
I ask you to make this petition to him, in my name if yoa
wish.

But, dear me, I almost forgot to say that I would Hke to see
my copy of the Tesseradeeas again after it has served its time.
For I am wont to console myself with these trifles, nor do E
always have before me the considerations which I there set
down, if only for the reason that by thinking of them they
become ever richer. Farewell and commend me to the elector.

Martin Lutuer, Augustinian.

■Mitiiii*! wordi Id Gennan.

•Wtlmar. n. 99. Cf. Smtik. ff. fH.. 7*-

■A pun: *'in)pu1It" neaiu bot^ & cup wltfa tiro twndlea »ai bonWi.

*Ct. CaiHlui». ill I.

^'Uul'« «alp coni]!t<u": 1 »m "urit" in th* old-fubtan«! acoM nf f«a«rkl inttl.
Intual Icrninui, Prom (be «trli«li< (taadpoiat. the G»lMua* *M ibe a*U
ttrtfuVj prepired of ill Lutb«f'i tAmmmtkriec

*CaniT» A*fa<tT«trm Emtrrtim. mm of the wqaeU at t&« Letptle dtbatc
Wcunw, u. 6jJ-

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

319

177. LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.

ndcT». ii. 181. Dc Wcttc, i iS^ German.

WiTiKNBac, October i. 1519.
Most serene, high-born Prince, most gracious Lord! 1
humbly give your Grace to know that Charles von Miltili has
written me to appoint a day to meet him at Licbenwerda, as
your Grace may see by his enclosed letter. As i am better
aware of Mittitz's ptctcncc than perhaps he thinks. I did not
wisli to do this without your Grace's knowledge, but have
appointed him Sunday week, October 9, not having been
able to find an earlier date, I humbly beg. if it plea&e your
Grace, to send him my letter with your Grace's messenger.
I commend mysdf obediently to your Grace. May God long
and blessedly maintain you. Amen.
I Your Grace's obedient chaplain.

atn. II.

i;«. LUTHER TO JOHN STAUPITZ.
62. (WrrTEUBKic). October 3. 1519.

Greeting. I send two copies of "foolish Galatians,"' rev-
erend Father. I do not care for what I have written, as I
see the epistle could have been expounded so much more fully
and clearly ; but who can do alt things at once or many things
at the same time? I trust the work may prove clearer than
previous ones written by others, even if it does not satisfy me.
My commentary on the Psalms is in press, but is delayed by
the slow printer.

Our elector, now restored to health, remains at Lochau.
Charles von Millitz has appointed next Sunday to meet mc at
Licbenwerda; he has the consent of the elector and his letter
was honeyed, but I know him for a fox. I know not what will
happen at this inter\-iew. He has at length brought tlie golden
rose to Altenhurg, liaving tried to bring it to Wittenberg with
great pomp. The elector was absent when he arrived. . . .

»T have just received letters* from two utraquist priests of

»Cf GtlttUnt. ai I.

*SiifTt, no. i«i. n« RuMil*« 1^ gtthtnA m Ifc« tfipMC debate. I.uibor
te>4 ilie bM>h «( t(uc> turlj in ij*i>. it wm lb« D* Etflttim. For iu fttM influ-
mec an bin. ef. Smiib, «p. til., f\l.

CORRESPONDENCE a1

Prague, learned in the Scriptures, togelher with a book of
John Huss, which I have not yet read. They exhort me B
constancy and patience and say that I teach pure theology.
The letters were Erasmian in both contents and style. They
came to me through the court, having been forwarded by
Spalattn. Everyone knows of lliem.

You have seen Melanchthon's Theses,* somewhat bold, to
he sure, but most true. His answers are miracles. If Christ
deign. Atclancbthon will make many Luthers and a most
powerful enemy of scholastic theology, far he knows both
their folly and Christ's rock; therefore shall he be mighty.
Amen.

Letters have come from France reporting that Erasmus
eaid: "I fear Luther will perish for his righteousness." and
of Eck that his natne lacks one letter and he should be callc<J
"Jeck," which is the Dntch for fool.* Thus Christ beats down
vainglory, so that him whom Leipi^ic adores as Eck, all learned
men (they say) simply detest as "Jeck."

My Bishop of Brandenburg has brought forth a monster;
a Fine fellow he is, like Moab, boasting more than he can dou
It is reported that he said he would not lie down in peace,
until he had burned Luther, "just like this stick," at the same
lime throwing one on tlic fire. Thus have Eck's windy words
inflated this poor bladder.

So much for others, now about myself. What will you?
You arc leaving me. I have been sad for you to-day, as a
weaned child for his mother. I pray you praise the Lord
even inasinner like mc. I hate my wretched lifc;Ifcar death;
I am empty of faith and full of qualities which, Girist knows,
I should much prefer to do without, were it not to serve him
thereby.

Tile Franciscans are holding a chapter here and having
such a merr\- dispute about the stigmata of St. Francis and
the g!or>' of his order, that we, who formerly respected both,

'DcnriOJ iranautwtanitaiion. rd. K. ini] Vf. Krafi: Brir/r owl Dontrntmrr, f. C
Tte MOM pun vu naitr I7 Clitcan wrliinc tram Parii to Zwlaftl, Kov«wber>

1(40. Zminfiit iVrrii (Tq(i.|ff). vni, jKj. Alto b^ ZwtntU. IJI14. iktä, iii. St.

jMk It Ike itme u (be rare Encliih weril. g«k (fool) «i«d br ShalNtM*r**

CymhtUnr, *<l ▼., «ene It.. line tj, Cf. iIeq 0. Sdiadc; Suirtu *mi Fut^illi

(ISJS). i hB.

«TO

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

221

Dw hcgin to doubt both. For they bring up points which

tern more false than true, and the same fate overtakes them

their excessive praise of their founder as has happened to

le Dominicans who too greatly lauded St. Thomas Aquinas.

aired of this fellow Luther leads them into this dispute,

and they disseminate runwrs that I have preached against

pie sligmau. Thinking that this gives them a weapon ready

io their hand they h<^)c soon to take action against me. I am

ppy to see that they all love to attack me so that they even

,vcnt doctrines and attribute them to me in order to overthrow

era, but 1 regret that they needlessly bring ridicule upon

icir whole order. It was a man of Erfurt who started this

debate, indeed, a colleague of our friend Lang in the university.

To-morrow Peter Fontiniis' will delate, who intends to stab

me and all our little dabblers and sciolists by the theory that

•we ought to have the same insane day-dreams as the ancient

lathers. W'c shall see great feats frum these little Franciscan

prestidigitators. What needless tragedies such ignoramuses

ttuti I say "needless," because their baccalaureate James,'

who to-day spoke for the whole company, excelled them all

and both of our professors, too, because he was moderate

and stated bis llieses in good form. He is of Zwickau, edu-

cate«! at Wittenberg, equally good and talented. Christ

'htimblcs the proud and exalts the lowly.

Last night I had a dream about you; I dreamed that you

Were leaving me while I wept bitterly, but you waved to me

knd told me to cease weeping, for you would come back to

mc, which, indeed, has happened this very day. But now

arewcll, and pray for me in my wretchedness.

Brother Marhn Luther.

I7& BONIFACE AMERB.>CH TO ULRICH ZASIUS AT
FREIBURG.
'. Bnrdcfaardt-Bi^ermann! ßomfacius Amerbaeh und die Reforma-
tt'oK. Basle. 1894. P- IJ7- Basle. Octol)« 3 (rsi©).

Bonifftfc AmerlMich (October rr, i49S-April 5, 15$2), son of the

■Of ?«raa. bniiile (a the Kcfofinatlon nalU iti5. «ben lie mamedl and brcainc ■
VMtor M WokUu.

■JiBca Ftibt« vt ZirUlnn. took his ba<hclD('« desr«c u Wiiicnbeis Ociaber i,
ma.

Wn'HER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

I«eL ilD

Basle printer, matriculated there i509> M. A. 1513. He then ttodied
law with Zaüiu» at Frcibute:, and with Alciaii at Avignon May, i50>
1534, with an interval of May, i52t-May, 1522, at Baale. He lodc
his doctor's degree at Avisnon 1525. after which be spent his life
teaching and practiitng law at Basle. He was one «f Eraimnt' bat
friends, and liis executor. Allen, vf. eit., ii. 237.

. . . Martin eililK comincntahes on Galaliatis at Witten-
berg. It is said that he wilt Koon publish commentaries od
the Psalter. We already have in our native tongue his coni-
mentary on the Seven Penitential Psalms and his sermon on
confession. The speeches of the Leipsic debate are being
printed at Leipsic so that Eck, who as an unconijuered
Thraso. boasts of I know not -wliat triumph, may no longa
be able to claim the victory as he does. Indeed, he had the
egregious folly to tell Capito he found Martin's lungs full of
heresy. How sweet it is (o live, especially now, when all
sciences and especially theology, on which our salvation de-
pends, have left trifling and are brought back to llicir sister,
light. I send you Lutlier's pamphlet on the power of the
Pope. You will enjoy reading it. I know, for it is Christian
and cannot be assailed by the Pope's Batterers witli reason,
but onJy with scurrility, for this stiff-necked throng does what
cannot be done by reason by reviling and papal thunder. . . .

1801 DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF

PARIS.
Gcss. L loa DutsuEN. October 4, 1519,

Greeting. The Rector and Professors of our University of
Ldpstc arc sending you the acute debate of John Eck of In-
golstadt and \rartin Luther of Wittenberg, professors of
theolog>', which was held on some matters of theology and the
Bible a few days ago with our permission at the University
of Leipsic, and which was taken down from the mouths of
the debaters by notaries public. Both sides agreed to refer
judgment to the canonists and theologians of your ancient
tiniversity, excluding the Augustinians .ind Dominicans, and
we also desire this for the sake of the public peace and the
pure doctrine. . . .

2.a. i8a

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

S23

V, i8i. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Endert, iL 187-

^- <Liek:<wirda. October 9^ or WrmicBnc, October 10, 1510.)

^g First, he* bade me give his greetings to our most illustrious
dector. Secondly, he told rac to give his greeting to you.
Thirdly, he asked whether I would stand by the agreement
we made at AUenburg to have the Archbishop of Trier as
judge. I said I would. This was the last act of our farce.
At the end he said that by this conversation he had executed
the papal commission, and that, as he was soon going to Rome,
he did not wish to leave without having spoken with me about

ri conunission.
Martin Luther.
P. S. — Instead of a chorus' we had a comic dialogue on the
power of the Po[)e, in whicti we .Tgreed that the Pope did
not have by divine right that power which lie certainly did
have, but that yet he had a sort of commission from the other
apostles; and when 1 asked what other kind of power there
could be for the other apostles, he said that it was the same,
save thai the world had been given lo Peter in a different sense.

(Ah, we shall soon agree on this matter,"* he concluded.
lb. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
^näer», ii. i93- (WrrrENBERG), October 13, ijio^

Greeting. I never said a word, dear Spalatin, nor even
thought of going with Miltitz to Trier. 1 am surprised at the
man's impudence or foi^et fulness. When I was hardly
brought to come to him at Liebenwcrda. is it likely that I
should promise to make so much longer a journe}' in his
company? ... I believe that liecaiise be has been frustrated
in his hope he thus trifles without conscience, or else that
he simply romances according to his custom. A certain doctor,
a provost of Kollcrbni^ in Pomerania. who dined here yester-
day, told us that Miltitz was such a man. Tlie doctor, who
bad just come from Rome, went with us to dinner with our

*J. r., Ilillilt. wilk oboni Lalb#r btd ■ m<«lin( •! LJcbcnwcrda an Ouohet 4,
tmfn, tut. 177-

■Laih*r rrldmtlr tfeoiutbt of ibe charna u 1 urt «f «ntr**«!».
■MJItitc'i otarib in Gcnnmn.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

ULlfc

R«tor, the Duke of Pomerania, and told us that in Rome
people thought very little of Miltitz. They say he so boasted
of his relationship by marriage with tlie Dukes of Saxoay,
that he was always called by the Italians after his relative, the
Diike of Saxony, Tlie provost told other vain, ridiculous
things about Miltitz, concluding that the man was to be pitied,
for as he always had been mocked he always would be. . . ,

Please excuse my sudden departure. I did it because I
know the name of monks is in bad repute tn courts,' and also
because X did not wish to offend that man of whom I spoke
to you, who, I tliought, regarded me as an uncongenial guest
at table. You know that for the sake of one man we ou^t
to refrain even from lawful acts.' You also see how sharply
the men of Leipsic observe me. If that man had secretly
written to his friends at Leipsic that I had been gay and
frivolous, and had played at dice with our baker, would not
they have seized this chance to compare my life with the
Word, which my teaching makes odious to them, and would
not they have thus caused me to become a hindrance to the
gospel of Christ?" What would they not write, who through
Kubeus* have blabbed that at Leipsic I carried In my hand a
bunch of flowers," for the sake of their odor and beauty?
Had tlicy dared they would have said that 1 wore the flowers
on my head. I neither can nor wish to prevent all such
stories; I will give place, as far as I can, to weakness and
envy. Wherefore 1 did not hurry away in scorn, but £or
fear of oflfcnding.

A cruel pestilence is raging in Switzerland, having taken
off sixteen thousand men, not counting women and children.
The provost above mentioned told us this. . . . Vicar Stau-
pitz came safe and sound to Nuremberg on September 24,, and
thence went to Munich.

■ "Prapi«T autw et ollu," liiertltr "by ceuns md poi«,*' a dcrotMory wtf «i
•pcikina n( (oiiru rbirOir rrcotnorodcd by Iht poiu

'C/. I Connlhiaiu, riii. ij.

'Ct. I Carlntblani. ii, it.

'John Rubrtia. ■ Fianconian studrini at Lcip»t(, hid publlahnl an account of
the dcbalc UvoMblc 10 Eck. Pot tht till« ol bia work, and Montan ni'a anawn
ID it, cf. Enden, ii. 137.

^LuthtT vai vcTf [«od el flowarai »od U luualir Mid 10 bare Ufricd
of ibca ■( the Lpit>sl< dtbaie, Cf. Smith, p. fty Bat 4««a he «at K«ai
thii to (be paMage itte Iranatated!

i • bouiinn J

183

OTHER CONTEWPORARY LETTERS

£SS

Now I begin to wish and to ask that our answer to the
lector be sent to Eck.' He has written to the Pope, glorify-
ing himself, and telling how he left us two conquered and
prostrate at Leipsic. The man is boasting-, boastful, boastitied
and boastiferous. He even dared to ask the Pope to reim-
burse him for his expense in this matter. The above men-
tioned provost told ns this. Farewell, in greit haste.
^_ Brother Maktin Luthes.

^K 183. LUTHER TO MARTIN SELIGMANK AT

^r THALMANSFELD.

[ Endcr», iL 195. WirrEMBERG, October 14, 1$!^

Sdifintni) born at Hcilbronn. sympaihizcd wiih iJic Reformation,

I «nd for a whilf vfas a (r>IlowH?r of Müi«er. He died in 1548. He

wai in 151Q in a little vill^tge near Mansfctd, and wrote to 3sk

^L.mher it it were pemiissibtc lo flee from a plague-stricken town.

^f Greeting. I have received your letter with the questions,
excellent Sir, and I greatly appi^ve what you say about
fraternal charity and bearing the scourge of God strongly.
Would that all Christians were such as those you here describe.
But what shall we do if they are not all equal to all things?*
Ought we not to bear with and support the weak, as Romans
XV. teaches?* Wliat you say about the duty of bearing one
another's burdens* seems to me rather to pertain to those
against whom you quoted it. For tliose who flee death
are weak, rather than those who await it. Moreover, famine
and war are doubtless plagues sent by God as much as is
pestilence, as is said frequently by the Prophets. . . .

Wherefore, in my opinion, all men should be exhorted to
bear the hand of the T-ord with fortitude, but they should
not be forced to do so. or called sinners if they do not. or. if
thej are called sinners, yet they ought to be borne as weaker
brethren. Did not Girist bear with the apostles when, fear-
ing death, they woke him up,' and did he not bear with the
infirmity of Peter,* although he reproached him for fearing

^Sufra, IM. i;>. Il h«il *)rnily be» t*nl lo Eck on Oclobrr i*. Eoder» iL 191.

■Adapted Icoid Viriil'i "tum omnia irawunui omnu."

■ftmiMW, XT. ■ and ut, i.

•CalatJMi*. vi. i.

»Matikrv. vUi. tiL

■Uatlicw. aiT. a I.

tSB

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LetiS)

to walk on the sea? If the pestilence and all other scourges
of God are to be borne passively, it follows that we have ao
ri^t to pray the saints of God for bodily health. Tlien let
us remove all physicians and apothecaries, since we are dM
allowed to seek through theni an escape from or remedy of
the scourge of God, although even inßnmty is a scourge of
Goil. But the divine goodness provides such things for Ifae
weak in faith.

But the perfect, who spontaneously seek death, hare do
need of these things. For when the Church prays to be d^
livered from the plague, lightning and tempest, she does not
pray, as It were, for the weak, in trying to avert the scourges
of wrath. It would be an evil prayer, were it not allowable
to flee from, rqjcl and shun, as far as possible, the scourge
of Gcd. But when a man. of fraternal love, perseveres in
these as in other ills, his virtue is perfect and very praise-
worthy, and when necessary, is even commanded, as Ion
to one's neighbor. And it is necessary when there is no
one else to go to those who a.re dying of the pestilence, or to
ser\'c the sick. For I am sure that the priest who has tbe
cure of souls may not flee or appoint a substitute.

On this matter read the learned epistle of Augustine to
Honoratus, which is found in the eleventh part of his legend
written by Possidonius. towards the end.' He teaches that
the shepherd must be with the sheep of Christ, and lay dowo
his life for them,' as one whom it behooves to be perfect.
Wherefore let us who are strong bear the infirmities of the
weak,' and let us give them permission to flee and save llieir
bodies, even if we do not praise them for it. Take it in good
part tliat I write briefly. Commend me to Jonas Kammerer,*
and please all pray for me, a sinner. I also desire to be well
in body.' and 1 despise the barkings of my enemies. Farewell
in Christ. Brother Maktin Lutheb.

'PoMldoniiu. Dt vita ttmoutlimi, c^ap. utx.

■Jobn, X. II.

'Ronuiüi. iv. 1.

<Put«r ef the CfaunJi «f St Ccorn al Tbalin*iuf«ld.

'Eiid«t( r«f(n Ih« wcrdi "carDicm mcain quoque ratcre capio" to t-ulkrt't
limQj, wh« ÜTcd at Elflthn. nol • iixM dütancr from Tb>Iiii*njf<td. bat It !■
I3iit\j {» more nmtsrsl I0 r*(«r ifaem to tha IxHiilr fae«ltb o( wbkli Lntbcr ha*

iUM bwn t|>cakiiif •( Itnftli la iliia Itntt.

IÄ4

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

227

184. LUTHER TO MARGAKET, DUCHESS OF BRUNSWICK.

Endcis. Ü. 217, Dc Wett«, 1. 386. Gcnnan.

(WiTTEKBEBG, middle of October, isi(>)

Margaret, a daughter of Count Conrad oi Rictbcrg, married on
Novrnib«r lO, 148J, Duke Frederic of Bmnswick-Luneburg. wbo died
March 5, 1495. Lullicr liad never seen her, Jujra, no. 183.

Id dating this letter, the dedication to Luther's Sermoni on the
htroMtmlt, which in Enders is a&signed simply to October, with a
queation mark, I follow the St. Louii edition, vol. xxi., no. 226. Tbe
first »ermors appeared early in Noveiiil>er, and the dctlication must
have been written earlier See farther Luthers Werkt, ed. Clemen, i.

Mijh-born Princess, gracious Lady, certain of my friends.*
priests and gentlemen, have besought me to dedicate some
spiritual and Christian writing to your Grace, as a grateful
recognition of your gracious favor and pleasure in my un-
worthy self, and to show my humble service. My own sense
of obligation often urged me to do the same, but the di£S-
cutty was that I had ver)* tittle material ready with which I
might satisfy my desire and discharge my debt, especially .is
I am certain that Christ, the master of all of us. has long
since anticipated me. But finally I have allowed myself
for the sake of your Grace's pious love of the Scripture,
which has often been told me. to publish certain sermons* dedi-
cated to your Grace, on the holy, precious and comfortable
sacraments of penance, baptism and of Christ's Ixwly. For I
considered that many consciences are troubled and pained,
and I have found people here who do not know the holy and
full grace of the sacraments nor how to use them ; but
alas! presume to seek peace rather in their own works than
in tlie holy sacrament of God's grace. For doctrines of men
have hidden and taken from us the holy sacraments. I pray
that your Grace will recognize my small service and not take
my presumption ill. For \ am always humbly ready to serve
your Grace, whom I now and then commend to God. /Vmen.

'pMtkwlirtr OHo Bcckmuin. iifra, no. iSS-

'S*rm*fi4 v«n drr B*tat irr Täubt, »nJ <t(n Lrichnan Chritti. WcJour. (L
jiyB. On LuUi«r'* Mcmacniat iirddii. ämitb, vp. til., £«(.. Mta, ao, tai.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let i|j

185- LUTHER TO SPALATIN,
Eodera, ii. 22a Wittekbejcc (middle of October). 1519

Go the second postscript to this letter, which belongs to Luther*»
letter to SpaUdn. March 13, isia if. supra, no. I35-

Endert datei; thi« letter as late as early m November, 1519. becaiae
of the second postscript, without whicli, he ssys. the date might be
the end of October. But the postscript tioi belonging to thU letter.
the allusions to MiltitE and the dedication to the Duche» of Brum-
wictc. indicate the middle of October. The Sl Louis edition dato
October 15. Vol. xxi., no. 223.

Greeting. Dear George, 1 liave been asked by several people
for nothing more often or inore earnestly, than for that wbicli
you write the most illustriovis elector asks of me.' Of att
that I do there is nothing I would do more willingly than
that, because by this means alone I believe T could succor the
priests and monks, so that they might cut off and reject those
dirty fables of &ernion-writers, which rather proscribe than
describe Christ, and that they might have something by which
they miglit publish llie pure theology of Christ among Ihc
people, and expel those errors which flood the land like a
deluge. Would that the great prelates would care for ihw
matter, for it is their duty.

The more I wish to succeed in this matter the less I fear I
shall do so, for I am too busy to attend to this, or if T do it I
shall have to limit my puWic lecturing and preaching, which
will be diHicult. But I will tiy and arrange it; if it please
God. it will proceed, and \ only desire to scire him in this.
Farewell and commend mc to the elector. Stromcr's excelknt
advice pleases mc.

r think no answer should be .lent to Charles von Miltita.
The thing was done as I wrote and said, .xnd I cnnnot speak
Otherwise unless I wish to lie. If he played the riddler with
me. who attended only to his plain meaning, it was not ray
fault. Bkother Martin Luther, ./iu^ustinian.

P. S. — You will l)e surprised tliat I may dedicate my
sermons to the duchess; I am surprised, too, for I never saw
her, but I have been besieged by the prayers of our OttO
Beckmann to gratify so highly praised a woman.

V. «,. M wriM PmIW«, ot h«iiillic* m lb« losp«! sad eptulc lot San<Ur> and

Let. 166

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

S3»

l8& CROTLS RUBEANUS TO LUTHER.
End«r$. u. 204. Bologna, October 16. 1519.

John Jag« of Dorahcitn <Cro(us Rubcanus, 14S0-C. 1539). matricu-
lated at Effort. I4i>8, B. A, 1500t M, A, 1507. In 1510 he went wUh
Huttcn to Fulda. In 1515 he published the fust scries of the Eputolae
ObseuTorum l-'ironiin. From 1517-20 he was ai Bologna. 1524-31 with
Albcn of ärandenburg' (Duke of Prussia) at Königsberg, from that
mne on a canon at Halle. Until 1531 he was an cnthusiaMic
admirer of Luther, more from patriotic than religious reasons, but
after thi} he broke with the Kcformcr. Life in Aitgrmfw deuttcht
Biographie and cf. G. Slolces: Bpistotat Obscurorum P'trorum, Intro-
duction, pp. Ix.S, and W. Reindcll: Luther, Crottti ttnd iiutten.
Marburc i£^ The bearer of the letter was John Hess of NuTcni-
berg. Luther received it early in December.

Greeting. Two things, reverend and beloved Martin, have
kept my love for you strong: first, our intimacy while in
jfouih we were studyitig at Erfurt, an intimacy whicb time
and similarity of character made the foundation of a clusc
friendship; and secondly, because we have in you a splendid
defender of true piety, which you protect with the shield of
Scripture while others, in the main, try to destroy it. Where-
fore it has come to pass that I who have been so long absent
chat with you, cEasp your hand and dream of you more often
than those whom you have near you. I make our friend
Hess' witness of thi.s, who is my ambassador to you as well
as his own.

Martin. I am moved by your controversy with the Domin-
ns. who, with many others, conspire against your life.
And bad you not been sent by Heaven to this corrupt age,
and had not a celestial Hartd guarded you as a teacher of
Christian doctrine, we should long ago have delivered your
funeral oration, so great is the fury of those who prefer their
doctrine to that of Christ;* so great is Roman avarice that it
would find a thousand ways of poison and treason, if there

■)«ka H«M «( HattnhtTt (t490']annarr S. 154^1. (radl*d st L.rlp»ie igoS-io.
Ihm >( Witltab«Tg tit) t(I]* U« iI"« bpone iKrMary of Jobn Tuns. Biifaop »f
BrrdiB. In isi? b« wai in litly, in jjig back ai Wittenberg. Then be went
W BrMl4D. which he tclalmcd, tfe had a good deal to do «llh Citpar
Sch «rack (eld. la iju be irdC to Orl», in ifJJ t» Nutrmberi. and Ibeo back (»
Bmlan. «bcfe be tentaintd Ibe irii o( hi» lift. Dioirapby bjr KAMlIn In
Zntttkrifl fir Ctithukit und 4Uniiiin S(hltittiu, vl. 97II. 181II, ili. «lull.

■Gmk.

I as

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ltt iH !

were any gaiii Ihercin. While I was slill in Gemiany,' yoar
Punic war was nol yet heard of; a year afterwards, wh«
James Fudis,' a sincere admirer of yours, canie to St. Peter*»
on a vow, he brouglit us the first news of ihc captured armi.
The first thing from the literary battle which came into cor
hands was the Dialogue of Prierias, that acute tlieologiait,
whose scurrilous wit was so felicitous that it might even havt
broken your "iron nose."" After that, Andrew Fuchs,' dem
of Bamberg, sem us your Kesoiutions and your Acta Augvs-
fono. We read them eagerly and passed them on to man;
learned men at Rome in order to suppress the fal« rumon
about you circulated by evil men. We had to do this sccrctij.
that they might come into (he hands of the readers withoat
our names being mentioned, lest wc shoiild prepare for our-
selves in those places where the power of the priests is formid-
able, a misfortune by our imprudence, for at Rome thow
who have your books are esteemed heretics, and those who
import the books do it at the peril of their lives. Rome h
intolerant, proud and always fearful lest the truth should free
.tome of those over whom she tyrannizes. When your cause
was known the most prudent theologians discussed it with
their heart for you, but dissenting from you with Ihcir lips,
not so much because they feared the power of the Pope as
because they feared that detracting from his authority wouM
disturb the peace of Christendom. Let them answer for
the righteousness of this opinion; for my part I believe that
Christianity does not need fraud, and that he who says what
he does not believe in his heart is not the disciple of Chrift
who taught us that our words should be Yea, yea, and Nay,
nay.* And If the more recent theologians, who are as 6mi
as brass walls for Aristotle's decrees, had nol acted on thb
principle, we should not have come to the present state of
affairs, when we are forced to obey rather the will of the
Poi>e than the commands of Christ, nor would you, in this

■Cratui «u lui in G^rminr in tst^.

*Jatn» von Fuchi. k nohleoiin and caeao at B«mb«rf aed Würi^if. Afttt
ijij h« rcni>itn<*d bU ptitutj ttiBraeier utd mtmtd, dyioc tn IM«.
*A quoiaiion (torn tbe t>ial«tut,
*A brothn of ike fodDcr, alio canon of Bacnberg.
*IIaiib«w, T. tr-

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

23L

controversy, have been so harassed by the Pope's authority,
nor would Rome liavc yet changed the Catholic faith Into
another. For now the head of that faith, tliough a mere man,
allows divine honors to be paid to him, despising the example
of him, wlio. though he was God, emptied himself, talking
oa the form of a servant.* It is commonl/ said at Rome, even
by those who seem to have sense, tliat it is impossible that
anyüiing which pleases the Pope should not be most Christian,
even if it goes counter to a hundrett Pauls and the whole
Bible. For they say he is Oirist's vicar and is guided by the
Holy Spirit, and they bandy about some texts of Scriplurc
badly understood, by which tliey try to stop the mouths of
their opponents at the banning of the argiuncnt.

What good, tlierefore. will your controversy do us? What
fruit will tJie Scriptures bear us. whai we disregard all other
authority? None, forsooth, unless princes and bishops deem
it more holy to defend the Word of God than to pour out a
mighty quantity of gold for all their pallia, indulgences, bulls,
rifles and nonsense, to enable the holy fathers to support
beir harlots and male prostitutes. As, in conversation with
a certain Dominican master, I was once blaming the immoder-

I ate license of Rome, by which the people of Christendom were

I (pressed and their morals polluted, he replied that it was
alt done by divine Providence, and that wc should not question

I the will of God. I answered: "If crimes can be defended
under the plea of Providence, it would be much more holy
to cut them down by the authority of Scripture, the sword
of the spirit, which is the Word of God.' For we know the
will of God only from the testimony of Scripture, which has
issued from the mouth of the Most High."*

I I tell yoti this, Martin, that you may understand how little

it avails at Rome to say. "Thy testimonies. Lord, are wonder-
ful, therefore doth my soul keep them.™ For they have got

^Ud such a degree of impiety that the words "good Christian"

f Kf. C«!**»'« urine )h«t tb« Bib!» Bowfrf "ex IptiaMm» Drf et«." Tbe "Pto««^

' nut rniKip)*" »' t^ mivrtat tulberitr af tbe Blbl* wu tbu« utir ■»iolof

HXnf

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LeLiH

or "theologian" are epithets of extreme contempt, but il is
esteemed great good fortune to obtain the title of chamberlain
or buller to the Pope. The Pope holds the first place of
honor, Qirist the last. When the High Priest goes forth,
as many cardinals, protonotaries. bishops, legates, provosti
and attomies follow him as hungrj' birds gather around car-
rion. But Christ's cucharisi follows on an ass m the last
company made up of unchaste women and prostilvited boys.
1 was recently at Rome with our Hess; saw tlie ancient
monuments and the seat of pestilence ; I was glad I saw li,
and yet sorry. There certain persons, who thought ihenh
selves clever, attacked mc on the subject of indulgences and
the power of the Pope, as though I either could or wished
to dispute about them, especially at Rome. . . .

Wherefore, Martin, you do not conquer — although armed
witli the armor of Scripture and with the sword of the Holy
Spirit you seek the life of the enemy^for the judgment of
victory is with the Roman See, not with the Scripture, for,
witness your friend Prierias, the very Bible gets its authority
from the Pope. But your appeal to a general council saves
you from this clifßcully. The appeal itself is drawn up so
carefully, according to divine and human laws, that it de-
serves praise even from enemies. Yet it excites extraordinary
anger from the norcntinc faction,' which fears, if it loses
the power of giving indulgences for' the dead, tliat afterwards
similar arguments may deprive it of the power of issuing
pallia, reservations, bulls, privileges, and of its wide juris-
diction and other things to which have been ^ven the name
of ecclesiastical liberty, though they are really but nets for
catching the money of poor wretches. Germany will be blind
as long as she remains in her error, and as long as scholars
do not declaim and write against the bad morals with which
Rome infects us. Let ihem admonish the simple people of
the Roman guile, and that we, who have so often been de-
spoiled under the guise of religion for pallia, for confirma-
tions, for fighting the Turk, now suffer a greater wrong in

>/, *., tkc p*pat fnction. L«o X. b«lnff a F1or*ntiti? Il ncllfd all lb« mar«
wrklfc bMAtU« U«r« w» evta inonc Catholici' ■ l>r(« putr which «Ai>tlliL«d
Uat » Mnacil vu yattrUr t« Ike V^f«- C'f. SmLtb, Uc. <tl, p. ff.

Let. 186

OTHER CONTEMPORARY BETTERS

233

being forced to receive cardinals in the midsi of German;;
I for the event will soon show what this new step of the
^Jlorentincs means.

H Whenever you, Martin, arc mentioned, I am wont to call
"you the pater patriae, worthy of a golden statue and of annual
feasts, for having first dared to deliver the people of the Lord
from noxious opinions and to assert true piety. Go on as
I you have begun, leave an example to posterity ; for what you
' do is not without the inspiration of the gods. Divine Provi-
dence intended this when, as you were returning from your
parents, a thunderbolt from heaven prostrated you like an-
other Paul on the ground before the town of Erfurt and
forced you from our company, sad at your departure, into
the walls of the .\ugustinian fold.' After this time, even
thou^ I rarely saw you, yet my mind was always with you,
as you may have learned from the letter I sent you last year
at Augsburg, if you got it,' at which time I earnestly com-
mended you to Thomas Fuchs,' a knight esteemed by the Em-
peror. Vou arc now weary and have suffered much in body
and reputation, hut arduous deeds arc not done without hard
labor, and when your evil days come to an end, you will
remember them with pleasure and will say; "I went through
fire and through water and am saved.'" Then Germany will
turn her face towards you, and will hear with admiration
the Word of God from you. But by your kindness I pray
you, do not hereafter descend Into (he arena of public debate,
especially against rash men. Do you not know what boys
say: "Strive not with words against the wordy man"? De-
bate within your monastery, with the pen, (juictly ; that ar^-
mcnt is held most exact, which is set down on paper, but

'This pauofc !■ noBt inlfrvMint u l^lng ibe curliesl JUtEnel accDtinl of A*
•Wfm and "Ttilon" wbicb. irn July >, tsoi. decided Lulh«t lo cntti A* monu-
tefT- Cf. thr ucounU by Jook*. i5j9. le SrbHl; Doet$inmU ru Lulkert
Enlwicktlumfi, p. JO. lud hf Lutbcf. isjo. In H. K. 6ind>ail: Lutktri C»llagtiia,
iii. 'St. Alto Sieilli. rp. rit.. p. g. Amtrican Jewn^ of Piycheiaay, **iv.
(I9U). 3608.

*Not «Staat, cpctten of br Lutbet in a Inter of November 15, ijiS.

*A brother of }imt» and Andrew, a kitiihe of Schn«ebecg. lini>rrJaI cipnin
al R4lid«n. m (rffict olxajned artcr a conttorcny briwtcn Ibat tlly anil ibe
EnpcTor Uuinilian in isn- Cf. mfts. no 108. Aficr isn Fuchi icok a
■ctttnl aRllude totitidt tlic Rcfannaiian.

«nitm In. If.

LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut U?

that which h bandied to ami fro orally lacks judgmcnl and
often leads the mind of the debater from the truth, not to
mention tliat it is base for a theologian to descctid to strife
When wc first heard of jour debate w« were sorry for it, for
Bologna and Vienna well know Eck's character.' But the
epistles of Lang and Melanchtfion inform us that the debatt
resulted favorably to us.

Farewell and love me. 1 will not cease to love you. As
much as 1 safely can I will defend your honor here. Pardon
my haste; I preferred to write you at length and without
care, rather than to compose a aliort letter with elegance. 1
have hardly had a chance to reread it.

Crotus Rudcanus.

187. ERASMUS TO MARTIN LIPSIUS OF BRUSSELS.
Silsttnsjjberichte dfr phil.-hist. Ctasse der kaiserlickeu Akademit drr
Wustnschafleti. Wien. li&i. c 6Sa

(LouvAtx. middle of October, tstf.)
Horawit^. who piibijtiicd thi* leller, datcit ii 1520, but the true d»W
is given by comparison with that of October 17 to l-'uher (no. iS8>,
in & pan of which imt translated Erasmus speaks of Hochiiraten'i
visit, and still mor« ctetLnitely by the tninules of the thcnlogiul facultr
of touvain (printed by dc Joitgh, op> <>l., p. 43). in which it is itatei
that Hocbsiraten on October ta handed to Louvun the condemoatkn
of Luther bv Cologne

Martin Liptius, t>orii at Brussels, »pent his life as an .\uKiistimia
cani>n al Louvain. He died 1555. He was a gre^t-uncle of th« men
famous Junius Lipsius. His coneapondcn« has been publükcd tS
HorawiK. loc. tit. Life in Biographie Nationale de Belgitjue.

Hochstratcn is at I.ouvain. He found my epistle' to Luther.
and thinks it sufficient to convict me of favoring Luther, though
I myself am publishing* it to show how little Luther and I
have in common. If I favor him. what is there monstrous
in that? Hochstraten influenced the courtiers, especially the
Lord* of Bergen, but there were some who rightly an<ter>

■ick hid prerloualr iletulcd al bolb Salofiu and VIcnn*.

■I» lb* Parrfffo nn» of Otiobpi. i!i?-

'Ifailmilikn dc* IleF(hM. t.<HiI of TcrEnbcrgbea. onr sf the nmajra iu gMad-
(«na of John t.stK«, tbe wartiar oE Philip lb« Cood. Ilr t«c«aic( pfowtlanil M a
dipltmai at ibr rim« of Ibe «iMtion of Cbult*. Seaal nMkca of fcia ta
A. WalAcrt V>t Am/Jlmgi Kvit V.. 1911.

Let. 189 OTHER CONTKMPORARV LETTERS 236

Stood the aHair. Yet I suspect that Briselot' the suffragan
bishop of Cambray and Hochstratten have conspired with Es-
mond,' not 30 much against nic as against Luther. . . .

188. ERASMUS TO JOHX FISHER, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER.

Eratmi aftro (1703), ui. 511. Louv*ik, October 1?. 1519.

John Fiiher (14S9?-I53S), made Bishop of Rochesi« iso<. For

many years connected witb Cambridge University. In May, 1530, he

preached a£ainst Luther, and in tszj wrote two books against him.

Cf. BnglUh liitiorieal Revitw, c. 657, fiSQ. Fitter was put to death by

Henry for refusing 10 rccoKnixe the king as head of the Church.

Life by Bridge«, and in Dittionary of National Hiit^raphy.

. . . IThe first part of this letter is on various enemies of
Erasmüs, and on the death of Colet] . . . The Elector
Frederic of Saxony has written to me twice* in answer to
my one epistle. I.tuher is protected by him alone. He writes
that he has given himself to the cause rather than to the
perMin of Luther, and that lie does not propose that in his
dominions innocence should be oppressed by the malice of
those who seek their own profit and not that of Jesus Christ.
. . , (Follows a high eulogy of Frederic for declining the
imperial crown which he might have had.]

ig* ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO EOBAN HESS AT ERFURT.
E. BScking: ITutleni opera (Leipsic. 1859^), i. 313.

^L Stcckkmikrc, October 26. 1519.

^BJIrich von Huttcn (April zi, 1.188-AuKust or September,. 1523).

^Kd been forced by his father to enter the Benedictine monastery

^m Fulda in I4<H. but ctcaped six years Cater, and wandered to various
aniverstties in wretchal health and dire poverty for eiRbt years. In
1513 his brilliant defence of hi» cousin, Jolm von Hutten, who had
been murdered by Duke Ulrich of Würtcmhcrg, made liim prominent
He visiied Italy 1515-/. In tjiö he putilishcd the gt^cond series of the
Bpistolat Obtcuromm I'iromm in defence oE Rcuchlin. He embraced
Luther's cause with fervor, chiefly for patriotic reatont. His plan

■Jahn BriMlot (IScptcmbcr i>, iS">)- «tudlcJ at Parit, D. D. ijoi. H« ww a
CmmcU«, SuSrasan BJihop of Cambnj, and in bia tasl rcati Conftstoi of Ptiac«
Cba'lc* of Sp*in. Alle», lii. 4.

>Kkbela« Rsrchrcn of F![tnnn>l in HoIlanH, «Cildici) al L«uviln, then tiuilll.
Doctor «f lbcolD«7 1505, hetimt a Carjitcliie in ijo; al Uslinc*. In ijin h«
r«titrB«J ta Laavaia, ohrr«, cxupt tar tbr jrcir iji; at Brut*«)*, he ipeni tb*
f««t «( hU life qniil fail dcaib on Adkc»! a*. iJiS. He waa dean of ib« fatuity
i{>« and tjM, knd toqoUltot from it3t.& He waa 111« mnat decided «fKniy of
Craimiu and LnllMr. De Jonith. iS'R.
[.•No. 14s. The Mcond Itiwt 1» roi eiunt. For Eratitim' leuet, ef. nfrj, no. 141.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND ' 1^. 1^

was discT«ditftI by the fäll of Sickingcn, in May, 1523; and he 6^^
a lonely and broken exile. Life by David Friedrich StrauM. 4Cb rf-*
1B95 (English translation).

Scim« days ago, wbtii I told you what I was writing, *
asked to be informed what you were doing and whether yon
dared aught for the glory of tlie fatherland and the freedom
of this nation to be redeemed from the Roman tyrant!
Pray try something, and meantime let me know what it is,
that I may refresh myself with hope. I dare not adimi
Luther as an ally in this attempt, on account of Htccior
Albert, who is persuaded rashly that tlic affair pertains to
him. though I think otherwise and regret that this chance of
signally avenging the fatherland has been taken from rot
Even if I do nothing else meanwhile. I will do that, and pet-
chance more directly because by my own motion. Besid«,
Luther has in Melanchthon an author able to polish Im
works. . . ,

iga CROTUS RUBEANUS TO LUTHER.
Enden, ii. an. Bolocna, October 31. ip»

Greeting. At Rome Eck is celebrated as the victor ef
Lcipsic, So much is one's own testimony worth, when peo-
ple are already prejudiced in one's favor. I told them not to
be too hasty with their judgment, lest Rom« should again
suffer that which she lately suffered with shame, when she
awarded the Empire witli certainty to the French King, al-
though our princes elected Qiarles.' But let her have her
own opinion as long as it is clear that all her decrees arc not
just. But it is folly toth to decree the victory and to be in
doubt about it. Eck sent a letter^ to Rome, seen hy very few
besides the Pope and two theologians. While it was being
secretly read, a certain physician who is my friend overheard
it, and what he was able to retain in memory he communicated
to me with fraternal faith. I report it to you, Martin, in
the same confidential manner, asking you not to give it out
lest it harm the physician. The cpisllc was divided into many
headings, explaining the order of the debate at Lcipsic. and
telling the Pope what he ought to do. The bishops for

'Oa Jun« »6, t;i9, tlic elector« eboM Oulis of Spain Eatarari ikc dcftited
c«i4idal( b«Ing Francli I. of FrBD(t, »opporKd by Leo X.
■Lnt.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

iwing up your condemnation are appointed, with a certain
number of otJicr persons necessary for giving judgment; the
methcxl in which those whose opinions go counter to the
Church arc treated is shown, and some precedents are given.
You are held up to hatred first on account of the Bohemian
heresy and your appro%'al of Hussite dogmas; then poets
and cultivators of polite literature arc accused, my friend
Hutlen being mentioned by name, some of whose songs on
Florentine fraud are cited." As an additional proof of the
ifnmcdiate peril of the Cimrch, the new and daily increasing
study of I Jttin and Greek is cited. Then the Pope is diligently
admonished in this dangerous stale of aiTairs to lose no lime,
but 10 force the University of Paris and ours at Erfurt to pro-
nounce sentence : for if he delays, it is said that he will soon lose
Thuringia. Meissen and the Mark,' and soon after that, other
r^ons in which the people are embracing with all their heart
your "heresy" as Eck calls it. The pliysician did not remem-
ber the rest, and I can't tell you what 1 don't know, but you
can guess that it was something like what went before. As
it is no small matter, keep it deep in your mind, but keep it
quiet so as not to endanger me and the physician. When next
spring I come again into Germany, I can show my contempt
for the false apostles who devour us and smite us on the face;
but here I must dissemble. As a reward for his debate, Eck
asked to be appointed chief inquisitor over three dioceses,
but now he has changed his mind and asks for the parisli of
Ingolstadt, and in the aforementioned letter he lakes the Pope
severely to task for not quashing someone else's claim on the
parish in favor of himself who has suffered so much for the
Church. Salute Carlstadt In haste. . . .

191. LUTHER TO SPAL.ATIN.
Cndcfs, ii. 218. CWiTTENBERn). November r. 1510.

Greeting. Please thank Mark Schart,' dear Spalatin, for

>£pwramii«M Hmittni »i Cn*. Rub. it ttaiu Rnnaiio rr «rt« mitt*. Hulirni
Oht». «1. Bfickln«, ilL ty*.

*Tbr I>iKkr »f Ht-in«!). iroond ibe city of that nwne. wu the tar« «f Dnk«
Gtorgc'i donialoa ot Albcnln« Siutanr: Ae M»t1c li BrinilrnbUTi. TbcM
diurVii rmtlncd Catbolie tor Itrrnir tnd liilcrn Txin rtt[>cctircl7 >fMr the
dMc «rf ikb ktitr.

*A neblc m*it»cr at Tftdttit tb« VTut, vbo cruiled bin Gt(> In 1496 in

S88 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Utiji

the ten gulden, and send him some of these books.' Tru\yo!i
the same day on which 1 became rich, the need of ctruin
men to whom I was obliged to lend something made me pooret
than ever.

I am ashamed that among the people of Christ there is se
little charity left that those who have less than twenty gul<l«
are obliged to succor cacli otlicr. I think that the money *«
given to me because the Lord wished to help them throu^
me, but it was not enough. Wherefore, after consulting you.
I will even apply to the clement elector to relieve pover^.
By God's grace I ask nothing for myself.

Furious Eck has published a defence against my letter to
yoti.' I am answering him, having this week completed six
sheets and gi%'en them to the press. It is remarkable how the
man rages, stuffed with lies as he is. When he attacks me
hardest and most cle\'crly he imprudently forgets his hyp«-
risy, on which account alone, passing over other things, I
have laid hold on him to force him still further to hctny
himself and his Leipsic supporters. I will soon send a copf
of my book. . . .

Farewell in the Lord. Mabtiw Luthei.

193. ERASMUS TO ALBERT. CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP
ELECTOR OF MAYENCE.
Emmi optra. Hi. srj. Loitvain, Novemtwr 1, 1519

... In the first place, I must preface that I never had
anything to do with the cause either of Reuchlin or of Luther.
I never cared for the Cabata and Talmud, whatever they may
be. I was highly displeased by the violent collisions between
Rcuchlin and the party of James Hochstratcn. Luther is as 1:
unknown to me as any one can be, nor have I yet had time \
to read his works, except that I have glanced at them hastily, j
If he has written well I deserve no praise; if otherwise, there ''

rnum for tcrricu_ Liter be bcomt the tuior of Prrdrric'* n*turil mm,
Frt(l«ic ind .Vbuilan von Jc*»tn. *iib Khom he liycit in Inaca nRlü bij
duth on Mkrth ji. ijag- Atckm für fCe/amaiiomstickuhit, ri. p. M, utd ilil.
!>. ji. Scbarl «¥(»1 lim» cotc Lutbcr moncr. <f- Endti«. lil. 74.

'Tb«rc ■• eiUtll > tCfy o( Lilllict'» Sfrmen on Prtpmotifn for Dt^h, «tlh
fajt Own inscription. "Ta my Jfir fri«ntl Mark Scbart,"

■On A«(V*t IS Lutlitr d«di<>(«J 10 Spatktin bis KtivltäUnt» rtitrr prpftti-
lionibiii tiii, Ende», ii. ia>. Eck nplled on Scplenbcr i. LathtT"* nwnr,
Dt Wfttt. i as- fM^tn, lU *I4-

L«. 191

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

23»

is 00 reason to cliarge it to mc But I see that good men are
little offeflded with his writings ; not, I think, that they approve
everything, but that they read him in the same way that we
read Cyprian, Jerome and even Peter Lombard, winking at
many things. I was sorry that Lullier's books were published,
and when some of them began tu come out I did my best to
prevent it. principally because I feared they might cause a
tumult. Luther has written mc a right Christian letter, at
least 10 my way of thinking, and I answered, incidentally
warning him not to write anything seditious nor insolent to
tlie Roman pontiff, nor anything too proud or angry, but to
preach the evangelic doctrine with sincere mind and all gen-
tleness, i did it courteously so as to have more effect. I
added that this was the way in which he could best conciliate
the opinion of men ; which some liave interpreted to mean
that I favor him, although none of them ever warned him,
bat only I. I am neither the accuser, nor the defender nor
the judge of Luther; I dare not judge his spirit, for that is
most difficult, especially to give an unfavorable judgment-'
But if I did favor him as a good man, aa all, even his enemies,
confess that he is, or as a prisoner on trial, wliich even sworn
judges are allowed to do, or as otic oppressed, as humanity
would dictate, or as one overwhelmed by those who use
him as a pretext to crush sound learning, why should I be
loaded with so much odium? At least I do nut interfere with
the cause. Finally I think it is Christian .w to favor Luther
that if he is innocent he may not be condemned by wicked
faction, and if he is in error he may be rather cured than
<lc&troycd. This is most agreeable to the example of Christ,
who. according to the prophet, does not quench the smoking
flax nor break the bruised reed.' I should prefer that that
heart which seems to strike forth some splendid sparks ot
fOfpd truth should not be crushed, but corrected and called
bock to preach the glory of Christ. Now the theologians
whom I know neither warn nor teach Luther, but only traduce
him with wild clamors before the people, or attack him with
violent abuse, having nothing at their tongue's end but the

•"PruwrtlB fai parttn ptjotttt," or, "tapecMly tbc «orvl «14« of • Man"
lubk. idfl, ].

S40

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

ULt»

words Iieresy, heretics, heresiarchs, schism and antichrist.
It cannot be denied that these epithets arc odiously applied to
him before the people by those who have not read his boola
It has been found that some have expressly condemned what
they have not understood. One of their charges is this:
Luther has written that we are not bound to confess momt
sins, except those which are known/ meaning those which are
knowQ to us when we confess. But someone interpreted his
meaning to be tliat we need not confess any sins except what
were publicly known, and he made a tremendous ado about
this thing he did not understand.

It has been found that things are condemned in Luther's
boolcs as heretical which are considered orthodox and edify-
ing in Bernard and Augustine. I warned them from the b^
ginning to keep from clamor and to treat the affair in writ-
ings and discussions. First. I said, that should not be publidy
condemned, which has not been read, weigiied, and, if 1 may
say it, understood. Secondly, it was unbecoming for theologi-
ans to do anything by clamor, for their judgment ought to bt
mature; tliirdly, they should take heed how thc>' ran wild
against a man whose life was approved by all. IHnally, I said,
perhaps it was not safe to ventilate these matters before s
promiscuous multitude, among whom there were many who
did not like to confess their sins at all. If they should
hear that there were theologians who considered it unneces-
sary they might easily get a wrong idea. Although I only
told them what every decent man must think, they immedi-
atety conceived the suspicion that Luther's books were largely
mine, written by me at Louvain. although I never wrote a
little of them, nor were they published with my knowledge or
consent. Yet. on account of this false suspicion, without
the least warning they stir up commotions here which are the
fiercest I have ever seen in my life. Moreover, though it b
becoming for theologians to teach, I now sec many who try

'In the Stmt 4t PtrniUnHa OS'S. W«tm»r, t. 3»*), Uvthtt »»j»: "Do not
lalrt u|<on ^outsell la cunfn* a'l dalj •ifi*. nor rirgn all mortil »in», hi no on*
can knoiv all mofUl «ins. >nd tarmtrlj ni<n onir Coaletard poblie Bad Inowa
norul *>ni-" ThU wu eondrmrifd by Ih^ bull F.*t»r^t D^tmint, tnitlt 8, ia
15». Wken Crittnut wtnNi, li w» »n th« point «f b«*t eoadeoui«4 «Im bf
ihe Ibeoluitiui« of Loaviin. (Navnaber 7.)

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

241

to do nothing but compel, destroy and crush, although Augus-
tine, even against the Donalisis. who were not only heretics, but
Mivage robbers, docs not approve those who only compel with-
out teaching. The men who should be the gentlest of all seem
to thirst for nothing but hiuiian blood ; they only pant for
Luther's capture and death. But this is to be hangmen rather
than theologians. If they wish to prove that they are great
divines, let them convert the Jews, or those hostile to Christ;
let lh«n amend the morals of Christians, than which nothing is
more corrupt even among (he Turks.

How can it be right that he should be haled to punishment
who first proposed questions for debate, theses which have
always been debated in theological schools? Why should he
be chastiicd who wishes to be instructed, who submits him-
self to the judgment of the Roman see and to that of the
universities? It should not seem strange that he does not
care to entrust himself to the hands of those who would rather
see him dead than right. Let us examine tlie origin of this
c*-jl. The world is loaded down with human laws, with the
opinions and dogmas of the schools, with the tyranny of the
mendicant friars, who, though thej- are the retinue of the
Roman see, have become so powerful and numerous that they
arc formidable even to the Pope and to kings. When the
Pope docs what they want he is more than God ; when he
acts against them he has no more authority than a dream.
I do not condemn all. but there are some of this order who
snare the consciences of men for their own profit and tyranny.
And with brazen forehead they have now bcgim lo omit
Qinst from their discourses and to preach nothing but their
own new and impudent dogmas. They speak of indulgences
so that even laymen cannot bear iheJr words. By such means
the vigor of the gospel is gradually vanishing, and it will come
to pass that if things keep on going from bad to worse,
finally even that spark of Christianity from which charity
might be kindled will be extinguished, and the whole of
religion will be reduced to more than Jewish ceremonialism.
Good men, cvca theologians who are not monks, deplore this,
and even monks confess it in their private conversations.
These things, I belie\-e, have moved Luther to dare to oppose
l6

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

1^. (91

their intolerable imputlcncc. For what else can be the motive
of one who desires neither advancement nor money? I do
not now discuss the articles with which the)' have charged
Luther, I only speak of the cause of his action. Luther dam]
to doubt indulgences, but others ha<l too impudently as:
their power. He dared to speak imprudently of the
o£ the Pope, but others before him had written too imi
atcly about it on tlic otlier side, especially lliese three
icans, Alvarus/ prienas and Cardinal Cajctan. Luther
to despise the laws of Aquinas, but the Dominicans al:
preferred them 10 the gospel, tie dared to raise some scruj
about confession, but the monks had long abused it to snare
the consciences of men. He dared partly to neglect the scho-
lastic canons, but they had honored them too much, and,
moreover, differed about them among themselves, and these
canons moreover, they were continually changing, repealing old
laws and passing new ones. It tortured pious minds to hear
in the universities not a word of the gospel, and to learn that
the ancient and approved Fathers of the Church were ooB-
sidcrcd superseded, and that even in divine service not a
word of Christ was spoken, but a great deal of the power cf
the Pope and of the opinions of modern doctors. Their whole
speech was nothing but open avarice, ambition, flattery and
guile. I tliink it is their fault if Luther has written too
intemperately.

Whoever loves the gospel loves the Pope, who is the first
preacher of the gospel, just as the oilier bishops are. All
bishops are vicegerents of Christ, but he the chief. We should
believe that he cares for nothing more than the glory of Christ,
whose minister he is. Those >vho in adulation attribute
more to hlra than he himself recognizes or than is expedient
for the Christian flock, deserve ill of him. And yet some of
the authors of these tragedies arc not zealous for the power
of the Pope, but use it only for their own gain and arbitrary'

'John Atvarca {"48B-i;j7), a t>o(ninicin, Imnfb-t Hi Sitisum. No«in*lrd
bubop br Cluln v., bul dcclintd. Forced by Adrlin VI. lo take tke 5« et
Ca«lo». Cicatcd C'tdlnal i5j9l. Zealoiu Kgminit htrtty- Ditinario ii Entdif«**,
(d G. Uoroni, Venice, ifi^ufl What h« WTOt« aitiliial Luther 1 cMBOt And. lit it
•n«niion4d M I dMpie«bl« ihtolailan bj Ctotui Kub»nn* in • Irlltr lo
Konc, July i, isi». HtUltM «fm, i. at7-

ID Huttca. I

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

lower. We have. [ believe, a pious Pope, but one who does
not know all tliat is going on behind these tumults, and even
i( he knew it could not prevent it all, as Virgil says: "The
charioteer is carried along by the horses, nor docs the car olfcy
the rein»." His piety will be helped by those who exhort him
to tlo what is worthy of Christ. It is no secret thai tliey incite
his Holiness against Luther, or rather against all who dare to
mutter against their doctrines. But great princes should
rather consider what is tlie permanent will of the Fope than
the duly tliey owe to a. command wrongly extorted from
him. . . .

Thej- take it vcrj' ill that sotmd learning and the tongues
should flourish, and the old. worm-eaten, dust-covcrcfl authors
should revive to recall the world to its former state. These
men fear for their own failings; they cannot bear to sccni
ignorant of anything, and they arc afraid that something may
wound their dignity. They kept the sore spot covered for
a while, but at last pain has conquered their pretence and they
have iMd to show it. They, especially the Dominicans and
Carmeliies, whom I prefer to consider fools rather than
knaves, did their best even before Luther's books appeareil.
But when Luther did begin to publish they took his works
as a convenient excuse (o attack Greek and sound learning,
Reuchlin. Luther and even mc, confounding us all and not
separating the good from the bad. In the first place, what
on eartb has the degree of a man's learning to do with his
piety ? And then what have I to do with Reuchlin and Luther ?
Bui they mixed all things together so as to render all culti-
vators of sound learning invidious alike. One can see how
little candor ihey displayed when they themselves confessed
that there was no author, ancient or modem, in whom some
errors were not found. But they don't notice the many errors
of Alvarus, or Cajetan. or I'rierias. because they are Domin-
icans. Tliey only clamor against Retichtin because he knows
Hebrew and Greek, and against Luther because they think
him more learned than themselves. But Luther wrote much
rather imprudent than impious. . . .

Formerly a heretic was one who erred from the gospel
truth. . . . now whoever displeases ihem is a heretic. It is

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

utm

heresy to know Greek, to write a polished s^le, to do whai-
erer they do not. . . .*

193. LUTHER TO THE PRINCESS MARGARET OF ANHALT

MilUÜMngen des Vereins für Anhalliscke Geschickte vnd Altertum-
künde, x. 137 (1^)04). Wittenbe«;, November 4, tjij.

Margaret of Anhalt- Dessau, nee Duchess of Münstcrbcrg, mairici
EmKt of Anhalt in 1494. He <tied in 1516. She is not to be coo-
Jounded with Mar^irct of Anhalt -Co I hen, nee von Scfawanbnci
(Endern, xi. 327). or Margaret, wife of John of Anhalt, b>- birih of
the house of Bi^ndenbu rg (Enijcri, xt. 256). She wa& a friend of
Wenzel Link, who early in 1514 dedicated to her a tract 00 marnigt
anil on January 33, 1515, wrote asking her to send him some vetufoa
for a bftnquct he was to give. Dessau, where she lived, was cbI)
tweniy-five miles from Wittenberg, and Luther must ofien ha«
passed throuKh it on the road 10 Erfun. W. Reindcll: IV. Litck «w
Coldili. i809, p. 353. She was the mother of Luther's friends, Gtor^r.
Joachim and John. Willy and pious, she was at tnt inclined to tht
Reformation, btti turned awa>- before her death on June .2S, IJ311
V. Westphal: Fürst Ceorg ro» Anhalt, 1907.

My humble prayers for your Grace. High-bom, gracious
Princess! I( is long since 1 have been with your Grace, and
although I could give good reason and excuse for tliis, ytt
will I not do .so, for my heart and mind have never been away
from your Grace, and 1 have always been inclined to coire
to you. For the same reason I have rot written to you nor
conferred with you. It ia the fault of my pride that I do not
willingly blame myself to anyone. But that your Grace may
see my linmble devotion, I have charged this relative of mine
to offer your Grace my humble prayers and give you tliese
sermons.* I am sorry that I have nothing better; also
they are so many who give me a bar] name, that I hardly
dare publish my own sUtlT. but must let them burst forth
and hold myself in, and endure tt as well as I can. But if I
get a little peace and time I will return again, hoping to do
your Grace's pleasure thereby. God keep your Grace. But

■Tbi* Inter wu rninutcd for dtlJnrr to Ulricli von nntien. C/. Hfta,
Januur M>, t sm, no. ito.

^nue Mtmons »«t lia»e been tbit on Prtparation for Drvh. W<im*r. It. 681.
and ilie one uji Pttutnct dcdicatcil 10 Uarsurct u( Biun*wi(k, middle of Ottobrr,
MMfrt. no. lA^.

Let. 194

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

if on account of my bad name my pro^nce would displease
your Grace or any of your courtj please do not conceal it
from me, for I know well that my wind will not blow from
Leipsic or Merseburg. Herewith I commend myself to your
Grace. Your Grace's chaplain.

Dr. Martin Luther. Augustittian.

194. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enden, ii, 224. WirtENBcuG, N«yember 7, 1519.

Greeting. I am girt up for the labor of explaining the
Epistles and Gospels,' and am very busy, dear Spalatin. But
I senü what I can. . . .

1 know nothing nor have I ever beard anything of the au-
thority of Ecclesiastes' on purgatory. But the farthing men-
tioned in Matthew.' with which Eck attacked mc at Leipsic,
is as applicable to purgatory as to anything else. What will not
anything signify to those who take it apart from its context
rather than rightly consider it? But even by the text itself
Eck is evidently refuted by the adverb "till," which in bibhcal
use doe» not signify a definite time, as they think, as, for
example, in Matthew, ii.' "and knew her not till she had
brought fonh a son." See Erasmus* and Jerome. Secondly,
because Christ speaks of a man who would not agree with
his adversary, that is. who did not obey Christ's command,
and thus, as they themselves confess, sinned mortally.
Wherefore that prison is hell, from which no one is freed,
for even Eck and his friends send only into purgatorj' those
who have done all and have agreed with their adversary.
Therefore the te.xt is only valid against them, unless they
i^T^e that those who die in hatred, wrath and dissension with
their enemies only go to purgatory, which I hope even they

•n« («-caD««! Chuiih FcMIl», or Mmini on tbc Gotpcl and EptuU far
Sndap *mA Uux dir*. *hicb lirtt «ppcar««! in Harcb. ts*i. CI. tifra. n». tSj.

t^dwiitto. i*. 14, tit«d by Eck: mpra. no, ifij.

ntatlbcw, V. j6. tlted by Rrk. "Tbou ibah tj no nw» come out tbtnrr,
tfll (koa kcu paid Ikr mierniost farUint."

•Ruber Uuikcw, 1. 25. Luibrr «lw«rs tit» br chapict* alone, bccautc (b«
dlrblen idio Tttsr> wu aan ni4< until alifr bli lloic.

*Cf, Ciamiu' not« oa ih« .Vcw Tntammt (Oftra, 170J. tu p. it). Wllltam
Tyndak. In bii Iraiukrion e( tht Ntir Toltnicnt, »rt ilui ihr worilt did not
(■Bty ibal "Si. Jo*tpb knew Our L«<lx~ eves «der ahc had bocnc Jtmia.

LUTHF.R'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LeL iji

■will not have ihe brazen impudence to assert. Any boy caa
see that Christ speaks of such mer. The passage of the
apostle to the Corinthians* was taken from Eck, as it wm
by force, though he babbled about its being very clear for
him. Paul's words clearly mean that the day of the Loni
shall prove everyone's works, which day, he says, shall be
rcv-ealed by fire. Whence even an insane person can see th«
Paul's words speak of the last jiidginent, in which the worH
will be dissolved by heat; and that only by force or a figure
of speech (for which there is no evidence) can they be
applied to piirgatory. Christ's words in John,' about purg-
ing the Branch, have been applied to purgatory by a ecrtaia
Vincent," than whom no one ever twists the sense of Scrip-
ture more. If Ihe word "purge" always connotes the irfei
of purgatory, why don't they apply it to the text of Luke, ii.*
"When the days of her purification (purgationis) were ful-
filled," What can ihey understand who consider Vincent's
words articles of faith ? The text in Maccabees* is left, and
is quite plain. Dut that book docs not niakc articles of fatlh,
nor do the Fatliers consider it an authority; the second book
especially is several times rejected by Jerome. In short,
although I know that our Church believes in purgatorj-, I do
not know that all Christians do. It is certain that no one
is a heretic for not believing in purgatory, nor is it an article
of faith, .since the Greeks who do not believe it are never
considered heretics, except liy these new almormally keen
heresy hunters. And at ihc council of Basle the Greeks gave
a splendid account of their faith. Farewell and pray for me.

Mabtiv Luther, ^tigustinian.

195. JOHN ECK TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXON"Y.

Enders, if. 236. German. [vcoLsrADT, Novembtr 8, 1519.

This prolix letter of nearly thirty pages is mzitily a drtaitrd thr-
ological atgumait in aiitvrer 10 Luther's Irltrr. jufra. no. 173. I

'■ CvrintliHu, iii. i;. "It anj man'« wvrt dull be burned, be (kiD mtSit
lou: but lie himielf aball 1« i.i*«<l: ret m u b; fire."
'lohn. IT. I.

■ViiKeni d( Bcwj*ai*. died 064. treau af inirgMory In Ua Stttrntam
*Lukr. i). ta.
*i Bluubeci, lii. 46. «DDtcil Tk^a, no. itfj.

Let. 195

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

translate only two pauagcs, Ih« first, Enders, lines i»-ij7, expreu-
ing the Catholic doctiinc of the intcipret&tion of Scripture and the
second, lines 7IO-719, containiflg some personalities.

And as every Christian knows that the Holy Scripture is
prized and honored before all else, I have written that no
one should interpret Scripture according to liis own reason,
but should follow 1I1C doctrine of thc Fathers. Then here
cotnes Luther and calls it my own prating and sets up this
as his ^al, "that if he has a cluir text lie will abide by it
even ii the exegesis of the doctors is against it." May your
Grace note the impertinence tliat is concealed in his cowl!
That is the same principle which led all heretics astray,
namely, their own self-conceit, so that they won't follow
anyone else, but think tliat they understand better than all
the holy doctors. If the text is clear he will abide by it. Is
the text clear then? How, pray, did the sainted doctors
not understand it? How is it then, if one thinks he has a
clear text and yet errs as did the heretic Arius? I trust
much more in tlic dear saints titan in my own blunt reason.

I knovr not whether Luther had a devil in his box or under
his cowl; but no one at I.etpsic ever heard ine say anything
about iL It is true tliat he had soniellting on a chain, and a
silver ring on one finger which caused much talk. If Dr.
Luther thinks I am a slanderer and abuser of your Grace,
he does me as much wrong in this as in other matters. For I
was always desirous of serving your Grace, as much as I could,
as an honored and famous German prince, and I offered to
do so.

It is certain that the heretics rejoiced in his doctrine, for
they publicly prayed for him,* and certain of them were
secretly at the debate.' But now he throws up against me
this argument, and I lay it before your Grace to ask if you
conwder it good: The heretics in Bohemia rejoice in Luther's
doctrine and turn it against the Christians, but contrariwise
the pious Christians in Bohemia have conceived displeasure
against his doctrine, and are wroth with it and against tt.

*Eck IcaratJ ibl> (ion Paduika'i Imict to Luthrr, ef. tufr^, a*, iCi.
line; (/. Smltb, »p. tit., f- 6j.

1«

LUf HERS CORRESPONDENCE AKD Let i*

Can't anybody see from this that his doctrine is obnoxioiu
to the suspicion of heresy? . . .

196. ULRICH ZA^US TO ULRICH ZWINGU AT ZURICH.
Corpus Rtionnatorum. xciv. 218,

FuiBURC lit BmsGAU, Kovcinbcr i^ 151}

Ulrich Zwingli, the Reformer (Jsnuiry 1, 1484-Octobcr 11, 15J1).
was born on the Toggcnburg, studied it Basle, Berne, Vicniu uA
again at Basle, where he took the degree of M. A. in 150& Then lHb^
came parish priest ai Glanis. After some years here, and a short itü/u
Einsiedeln, he moved to Zurich ia 1519. where he remained as leader
o£ the Reformation till his death, He began hia rcEorms at once bj
an attack on indulgences, as had Luther, though hii movement ku
quite independent at (he start. Luther crossed his horicon VXA
after the posting of the 95 Theses. The present Iciicr is in answer
to one from Zwingli, lost, »king for information about Luther. It ii
doubljr interesting for this reason and as showing the cultivated,
consemtive opinion of Luther at this stage in his career. An excellent
life of Zwmgli in English has l^een written by Prof. Samuel M. Jack-
son. A new edition of his works is being published by Drs. E. Egli,
G. Finsler and W, Köhler, in the Carpus Refarmalorum, wU.
]xxxvtii.fr.

... I should like to say much to you about Matttn Luther,
if the brevity of a letter could hold it all. Much in him you
would praise and defend; but again there are some things
which seem a bit too strong. He has rightly taught that all
our good works are to be attributed to God and that nothing
but evi! is to be credited to our own will. He proves this
from many authorities, and especially cites the book of Psalms
in every possible place. The Church doctors teach the same:
Chrysostom in several places in his commentary on ^fatthew,
Gregory most openly in his sermons, and others whom I
have consulted and brought together with the purpose of
pleading the cause of this most upright man on this point,
if the Lord permit.' But as to indulgences, I have my opinion,
but I have notlting to say. For I have no wish to attack
dangerous men.* For it is an old complaint, and a doubtful
question, as the commentator says.* But the subject of pcai-

■Zaiiui nrrrt did to pulilicly, bat ellicr referenen hi bU worts ih«v tkM be
Baa tcalljr reading the Kttberi bn* n«nUan«d at thi« linw.

■Lil(isl))' "n»n will) hare ihejr bomt bottnd in hay." a igun taken [rom
canle atioic horni hail la be wraiiped ap. Horace, Soirn, L 4, a«-

196

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

2t9

tence and remission of sins needs the decision of a council.
not being of private interpretation. Our Luther has tried to
loOK the Gordian knot with more boldness than success;
yd many chink that what that learned man has written is
gospel truth. Imagine the rest! What Luther has written
on penitence and faitli I think quite salutary. For the whole
purpose of our life is that it may cast off vices and grow
in virtues, and wc must strive always to be armed against
our immortal enemy, to take up the cross, to buffet our body
and thus to improve, for this is the true business of a Chris-
tian. Who flees from it flees from salvation; who resists
it commits suicide. For' (his end nothing is more apt than
penitence. Wlio has dared to deny that faith is most potent
in the sacraments? But as it is not my profession to discuss
these things, I appeal to the theologians, I mean those who
love the truth.

In the aforesaid matter I follow and admire Luther, and,
as much as my legal studies enable me. 1 am prepared to
defend him on them. But there are blemishes in the Lutheran
doctrines which I dislike. His proposition that we sin even
when we do good, unless properly understood, is a strange
assertion. For in a certain sense wc can tolerate this propo-
sition, considering the doer of good not in the particular
good act. but in his general character, so that even a righteous
man sins, being imperfect and at fault in many things.' Thus
far 1 understand Ltithcr; I agree with his opinion and even
embrace it, for it takes aviay pride, cultivates humility, c.k-
ciies love and reverence for God, and is founded in the Holy
Scripture. But I see the Theses' of the Wittenbergers seem
to understand the aforesaid proposition in a complicated sense,
even of the very good act, as though he who did a good deed
sinned even In doing it I do not see how this can be so. or
else I do not understand their meaning. It seems to be mere
nonsense with what it implies, as I explain more fuUy clse-

•SMdlar "kd" for -M." p. MO, line «.

Tki* ■• a <otDp]c(« mwntxltntafidinf of Lutlter** peillion, wfaicfa wM IliM «ny
"saivfat" (S«d acl, uninipiKtl by G«d'i irxr. U wiufficienl to merit hii fiver.
•«■) tbu« onaot be coniiJcred sImtc At lutul levtl of O-ur imfol allure. Cf.

Stniib. «jt. fii., p. ee
'J, f.. ihc Thtut for ibe L«j|wie debate.

tUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lcl.196

where. It would be better to refrain from such deccpti«
propositions which lead tu sophiätical fallacies, and to stm-e
after those doctrines which give wisdom to the simple. Mor^
over Carlstadt, a learned and upright man, as I think, un1<ss
led astray by self-love, asserts in liis ThfSfS' that tliat cannot
by called the literal sense of Scripture which is gatliered sim-
ply by examining it, nor cveii that given by the meaning of
the words; in short, that that is not expressly stated whidi
appears from the intention of the speaker; and other prop>
sitions of that sort. ...

FinaÜy. in his laM book' Luther treats some fundamental
positions in which he thinks he proves that the Pope is not
by divine right tlic universal bishop. I can hardly say hovr
much this displeases me. In the first place, thai is repugnant
to the decrees of St. l.co" and other Popes, which Lutlier
makes light of and almost spits on, as "vain," altliough he
has no right nor ground for doing so. In short, supposing
that what lie says were true, which 1 do not concede (for I
intend to confute hnn on this point, thinking that it is one
in which a layman h competent to do so), yet what does he
gain by wearing himself out in these arguments, which are
fruitless and poisonous as well? We see how wretched is
the condition of man, how easily he falls and declines who
thinks he stands and can stand easily. Luther's case shows
us how much danger lurks in a bitter controversy. How mucli
harm will the dctcrminatinn to win at alt costs bring? The
VVittenbergcrs try to refute Eck even where he is right, and
thus they have hurt themselves almost as much as hinu How
safe it is to be humble, not to think loftily, not to strive
obstinately, hut rather to yield where you can conquer than
to try to annihilate your foe! On whom does the spirit of
the Lord rest, if not on the lowly and the peaceable? Would

'Carltiadt'a TKtttr on tbo autbotily of Scriptuie, LStcltcri f'cltitäidi^
fi(/«r>»afin>w Att» uitJ Csrvirnfa. t^lpjk, ijtotL, II!. St. fitrsc. KwrttMät,
t. 117. Zttilu tccin* »liKbllr to have mi*unilerita(i<l Catblxlt, the cuenc« of
wbiHc ponilicn wM ibit Ihr tilcrat (ncining of S<ri|>l»r* wtu uol ike tcB^iUnl
inckn Ing.

*KtirUtio Luthftiin* tuftr fr«f«taionr ra« ttreia dmm» at fflrtlatt t«tat,
Wciamr. li. iSt.

■la tlie work juit cited. Lotlicr cumlnea tks dicfee« a>f PtVC L«a I. aad athu*
I» ihnr "bow wcaUf Ihcf provr Aeir point."

tL 158 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

351

hat some upright man would urge Luther not 10 go so far,
It to keep the moderation he is always praising, and not to
lix dross with his gold! Then we shall name him Elijah,*
rftnd whatever else is greater than that. . . .
Yours,

Uuucu Zasius, Lin. D., Professor at Freiburg.

197. ;OHN HESS TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Koldc: Analttta, 9. Nurembcrc, November 19. 1519,

I returned to Bologna ( for 1 had been at Rome and would
lave gone on to Naples had not the robbers prevented it),
and there, dear Father. I found )-our letter, for which, Heaven
knows, I was thankful. I showed the account of the Lcipsic
debate to the lovers of Martin. o£ which there are a great
number in Italy, and they read it with pleasure, their joy
being proportionately greater inasmuch as the Reman indtd-
gcncc sellers, those evil speakers and spoiicrs* as the poor
Greeks of our age call them, liad previously triumphed, hav-
ing heard from Eck's letters that he had won. But I will tell
J-ÜU more when I sec you, which I hope will be soon. I left
Italy a few days ago, for two reasons : first, on account of my
health, and, secondly, to hear Martin. For that upright and
leame<i scholar, Crotus Rubcanus. and I. have both recently
become theologians. Therefore. 1 am now going to Witten-
berg, though alt my patrons believe I am still deep in Italy.

igfl. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Ender«, K. 363. (Wittenbehg), November 30, 1519.

Greeting. I am sending you the work for one Sunday,* as
^ sample, dear Spalatin, so that yon. who are more skilled in
polite letters, may more easily and happily point out places in
the others of my collection. I am too busy to do it myself,
but I might get Melanchlhon to do the work, by which he
would at least show his devotion to the elector.

*H«r* ZuLiu« employi ■ tenn from Zwinsl''! I«tt«t be !■ kniwtrint, for Zwincli
■w* Ibo pirMt in a Icltcr ol Jinuirr 4, ijto, Ctrti' Rtfarmttoram. »it. 151.

rnc ir«tiU in iialic* lie tn Greek.

*/. r.. the Foilitia, (I. tat**. nO' i9*- t-ulbet wanted SpaJMin lo cortccl them
•U «««rdinc to As laiBpIc bf (im in thm one.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE ANP

Let IM

Dr. Breitenbach' and Dr. Henry von Schleinitz' honored
me by an invitation to dinner. They were very civil to me;
I never knew tliem before. We talked of nothing but of the
Lcipsic tlieologians, of whom Breilcnbacli docs not seem to
think mucti. From him I learned one apothegm : "If any-
one," said he, "sees theologians of that sort, he sees tlie sc^-ca
deadly sins." See what reputation we carnal sophists bsw
given our profession of theology before the people. For,
except our belly, our purse and our pomp, is there anything
notable in us who are of this sort? For what good is it to
count envy, wrath, lust and sour laziness? May God have
mercy on us.

Eniscr pours out his fury,* but in such a manner that he
confirms my letter. I regret that such coarse, stupid, gross
bullies interfere in this business. If respect for my name, or
rather the fear of Christ, did not prevent me, I have not
found anyone who has given me a better reason for writing.
What mockery I could heap on this mole, and perhaps also
on the men of Leipsic! Truly I will keep silence and wait
for Eck. so that, if necessary. I can answer the lies and
curses of both at once.'

I send some letters received to-day from high quarters, so
that you can see what is being done there. Please return
after reading. Farewell, and please attend, as you promised.
to my petition for Melanchthon, though I made it against
his will. Martin Lutiibb, Augustiniam.

190. ISIDORE DE- ISOLANI TO LUTHER.
Ender», ü. 537- Creuoma, November 2z (1510I.

In Enders this letter is superscribed "Fr. 1. Iralus to Luther." the
pCTBon beiuft unknown to the editor, .tnd the dntc is given "November
30, iSMi" wiih a qucilion msrk. The "Novcml)« ao" is a timiile
miiprint, for the epistte iü dated on the day of Si. Cecilia, which is

■flrorGc Ton BfclicnbMh, s Ixlp*ic jutUi. in ■{>; [iToft-Mor it the aniTrniii'.
Ltlci lurncil asiin*! Lutbcr, «b« citlcd tiini ■ "dcrlllib Uwjcr," Id ijj9,
bew«vcr, *t tbt acccuiDn of Uie TroiMiant lIcnrT the Pioui (ef. Smith, tf. nl,
p. joi)> lie tatir fiicii<]i w!ib ibc R^tcrincr «(«in. In ■S4a be entered tkc aerTic«
of Joschini of llrandcnlKrE, He died toon after

tTW lltaA Uaiibal of Duke Ctaigs.

■ Cmut'i aniiw«r la Lultir'* AdJilio, enlitleil A frnaliimr Afgv<ereltt atttwtl».

•E<h*( Pro flirr. Smurr, 4ediei(e4 (4 thr Bi«bop of MctMcs and datad Otlobce

^^4ovcmbe

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

2S3

bvcmbcr 22. The "1520" is foun<l in the first edition of the epistle,
entitW "Revocatio Martini Lutheri ad Sanctam Se^lcm," but it is
certainty a misphnt here, as shown by allusiana Luther and others
make 10 it as early as August, 1520. Luther mentions it in the begin-
ning of bis Babyhnidn Cafttvity (Wcioiar. v\. 49S ; Wtrke. cd.
Clemen, i. 437).

The author of the work wa& simultaneously i<lenti6ed by Kalkof)
(Zfitsckrift für KircheitgeschUhte. xsxii. 49ß), and by F. Lauchen:
Dit ftaliemtehtn Gegntr Luihers, sood. Isidore Isolani of Milan en-
tered the Dominican cloister in that city, taught theology 15 ij at
Pavia. 1515 at Verona. 1517 at Milan. 1519 apparently at Cremona,
and iSzi again at Pavia. In thi« year he also took his doctorate at
Bolosita. He died between April 22 and July 4, 1528, at Milan. He
published various things, the first the /itii»iö«afi/y af the Soul jn 1505.
He attacked Luther again in his Diifutalioncs Catkolkae, 1522.

Amiable brother, I am greatly astonished that a man of
ch excellent i>arts as you, one who has penetrated the deep
ysteries of divine writings, and who has been initiated into
the family of the holy mendicant order, should be so obstinate
and &o bound by the chains of a mind wandering out of the
paths of salvation, and that, although publicly anathematized,
you should not amend, but should rely on the uncer-
tain protection of a future cecumcnical council. Unlearned
wise man, endowed with noble mind, do you really do tliis and
worse? Do you try to execute so mad a plan, O man of
candid mind and clear eloquence? Alas! alas! why, more
SAvage than any wild beast, do you turn your hand and sword
against your own bowels? Why do you hold douTi the truth
of God in unrighteousness?' When you know God, why do
jou not glorify him. instead of using up your powers in your
vain thoughts?* Your foolish heart is weeping and mourning
and quenched in hell. . . .

There is little light in your two letters to the very reverend
le^te.* Walk while you have the light, that the darkness
overtake you not.* . . .

Mb, LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
£r)ders, ü. 265. (Witttniictc. before November 2<>. 15T9.)

Greeting. First, if you cared at all for my opinion, you

*ltoi»*p«, L 18. *Roinani, ■ >i-

The t«a Ititcn of Ociabct 14 ind iB, ijiS, bad been puUisbcd In ihc Att»
A^guttatf, tjiS. 'Jobn, sil. jj.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

I,«L an

would see that it is beyond tlie power of one master aloot
to administer the school.' Secondly, if both Quinttlian aiuj
Aristotle cannot tw read on natural history, it is belter to
orait Aristotle, especially as I'liny will easily supply his pUa.
Quintilian is the only author who will make the best youth*,
or radier men. But above alt I beg that whether Fach' or
Hess* is made teacher of this subject, at least they shouM
have the same method. For myself, I prefer Quintiliia
to almost all authors, because, while instructing, he also
teaches eloquence; that is, he teaches the subject and style
most happily. Everything else is all right. Farewell.

Brot]ier iMartin LuTHEjt, Auyustinian.

»I. LUTHER TO JEROME DÜNGERSHEIM AT LEIPSIC
Enden, u 437. (Wittexberc, near Dec«n)l>er i, 1519.)

In ihe years i5i<>-30. Duiigetshei»i engagcsl in a long- winded priviu
controversy with Ltitlicr, which lie iniiiscIC printed in iMi- The iint
Icitcr is placed by Endcrs (i 355) on January 18. 1519. but ihould
rathrr hf d.itcd October 7, 1519. Sec KnMkc in Thtetttgiteke Studu*
und Kriliken, itjoa. p. z&j; Ki>»tlni-Kawerau, i, 158. Ltithct*» reply
came M>on after this. Enders. i. 365. Dungersheiin wrote again, lue
ill November. Endcrs, i. 373 (placed in January, 1519), and LuUkt
replied with the letter part of wbicfa is here translaied.

Greeting. Behold, excellent Sir, I have received your sec-
ond letter, in which you write again about the papacy, and
among other tilings again review the case of .^thanasius and
the statutes of the Niccnc Council. Pray take a brief reply,
for I am still waiting for Eck's answer,' which, having again
poured forth insane words, he Iiombastically promises. Pray,
what ought I to confess more than I have done? For [ al-
low that the Roman Pontiff is superior to all in dignity, aEid
is to be reverenced, from which It follows that he is con-
sulted in crises, althoufrh I do not know how I can defend
even this opinion against Ihe Greeks. Nor have you showed

■Tbii donbilraa refer) 10 the buy*' tcbool «moectcd «rilh ibc (gtnMicrr, «f
wfaltfc Luihcr vu ai on« llai« nMi».

Ilaltbaaar Fabrlciu* ron Fxli. ni>tricul*l«d al WillMiWrt (}ot. RMtor of Ikf
Vnirtraiir >}■? <■»(! is'i, Dran ijaB. Msriicil an ijjo. Atei |n)y 4, 154'' ^1-
Enden, >iv. itB.

■John He«. »Ua called Monianiu. al Wittcdberr, wai« Reetor «f Ihe UaiTrrnlT
If) I. He (lied, in (fee poaition of Cli»ac*I)«r of Ike UnlvenilT at Uarfaort, la
tfjl. Snden. il iM-

*Sut*t, no. i»8, luiir; Luihrr rccHvtd ti 0(1 DeMniter j.

L. aci

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LtTTERS

V to do so. It does not follow that be must be con-'
or that no bishop has any power without him in any
place, nor that nothing can be done in the Church exce]>t by
his command. . . .

In iliis manner, therefore, I desire that the süperiorily of
the Roman see be maintained, if necessary, aithougli, as I
said, ncitlier at Leipsic was I able to demonstrate this, nur am
1 able to-day. nor to ihow any text of Scripture to those who
oppose it. For thus I have no fear, le$t, in case a war arises
with heretics, we be exposed to mockerj- for having relied on
our commentaries and for having spoken without tbe authority
of Scripture, For tlie devil docs not fear the reed of Egypt,
but the sword of tbe spirit. In this matter you and all others
would greatly please me by examining the words of tlie
Fathers in the light of Scripture, as we read in Acts* that even
Paul's words were received by men who examined the Script-
ures to see whether these things were so. You and Eck arc
accustomed to accommodate the words of the Bible to the
words of the Fathers, as though they did not desire to draw
us to the Bible, rather than to themselves. Hut contrariwise
it is my custom, following tlie example of Augustine, but
reverently, rather to follow up the streams to the source, as
Bernard boasts that he did.

As to the second place, in Philippians, ii.,' which you think
t I, following Erasmus, have misunderstood, tt is really
you, who have cited not the text, but the opinions of the
Fathers. . . .

I It is necessary to defend theologians against Satan by the
one simple, sole sense of Scripture. This is my desire and
tlie essence of my controversy with Eck, who defends a

ulliplicity of senses, which does not please me. Finally, I
am glad that out of our debate has arisen the zeal for inquiry,
but I am sorry iJiai tliis inquiry is directed not to the ncccs-

ry things, but to this one point which is not necessary, in
which [ give up a good deal more than T am able to justify
by argument. But I sec quite well what many people seek in
this debate. But God lives. Farewell in him, excellent Sir.

'AcU, Krii. II.

TUllppüna, tt. it. Dunce rib«! 01 '■ artuaicai. Enden, 1- 391.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Law

302. ADRIAN OF UTRECHT, CARDINAL OF TORTOSA, TO
THE DEAN AND FACULTY OF THEOLOGY AT LOUVAIS.

Lutlieri opera- varii argumenti, iv, 176, P. Frcdericij: Cofpui mtpiär
tionis Stertandieae, iv. (1900). p. 17.

PAurcLUXA (Sfaix>, December 4. tS9

Adrian of Uirecht ( i4j')-Sepicml>cr J4, 1523), matncuUird »!
Louvain 147a. in ivii became professor of thcoloto*. In 1507 lu
was Appointed tutor to Prince CharteB. In 1516 he wu made Bishop
of Tortota, Cardinal June i. 1517. and Pope January 9, 153X Ai
Pope he tried both to rtform Ihc Church and supprcta Lutlieruisa
L. Patter: History of the Pcfes, EnglUh iranilation, vol. be, 1914
P. S. Allen, op. (it., i. 380.

Famou-i and learned Professors, and dearest Friendst
Your letter of November 7 was delivered to me on the 26dl
of the same month. In it you show plainly wliat affection
you have for Christ and what zcaI for his most Itoly faith.
I saw the errors which you copied from the divers writings
and tracts of Luther and sent to tne; they are such crude
and palpable heresies on their face that not even a pupil ia
theology of the first grade otight to have been caught bjr
them. '

He proves himself a heretic most of all by saying that he 11
is ready to undergo the stake and death for his opinions, and I
that anyone who thinks the contrary is a heretic. I pass fl
over the reasons which might be adduced to show the heresy '
of his single articles, so that I may avoid prolixity in matters j
not ambiguous or requiring it. I am greatly surprised that
one who errs so manifestly and obstinately and who scatters ||
his opinions broadcast, is allowed to err with impunity and
with impunity to draw others into his pernicious errors.

You certainly descr\'e praise for having resisted, as much
as you could, the pestiferous dogmas of the man. opposing
to them a doctrinal condemnation so tliat his errors should
not involve you, and that you should not be held guilty before
the Lord of souls, which perish by reason of Luther's perverse
doctrine. This would have happened had not you proved
the falsity and perniciousncss of his doctrine by your cen-
sure and by showing the plain truth, as the Saviour said:

L«. a04 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 2ST

Whoso is not with me is against me, and who gathereth not
with me scattcrcth.' . . .

203- LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Endcrs, ii. 371. (Wittt-Nwjic). D««inber 7. igig.

Greeting. I sec. Spalatin. that llie plan wliich we heard
from nunor and hoped was true, namely, that the whole
court was coming here, has been changed. But 1 see that
princes must first make and then see their works, for they
also are gods.* For what is said and expected before it
happens usually fails. I had much to talk of [willi you and
the elector], esjiecially about our curriculum. For I hear
that the course on Aristotle is not as successful as we hoped.

Dr. John Hess has brought from ftaly a mystic Aristotelian
theology,' recently, as they write, found in Syria, that is. as
I suppose, concocted by some rascal in order to dress up against
Christ more speciously this enemy of Christ. Hess also
brought letters of learned men.'

1 know not yet whether 10 publish my Tesseradecas, es-
pecially in Latin, as that sort of work, which savors of
Christ, is Tcry hateful to the sophists. . . .

Brother Martis Luthek.

301. PETER MOSELLANUS TO JULIUS PFLUG.
J. Joftin: Lift of Erasmus, ii. (1760), 353^.

Meissbk, D««mber 7, 1519.
Julius von Pflug (i^Q^-September 3, 1564), pupil of Moiellanu* at
Lcipsic, a modciatc Catholic who took a prominent part in the
rclisiouf conirovcTsiri of the day. In 1541 he was elected Bishop of
Nzun^nirs. but was prevented from takinx possession of the sec by
John Frederic, who installed .\msdorf. .'\fier the Schmalkzklic war.
io iM7t Ainsdorf wxi removed and Pflug given the position.

I see that you are desirous of learning the history of the
lusc of Martin the thcolt^ian, which has been brought to
ic point at which it now is by the emulation of the sophists.

'UaMkcv, lit 31: Lokc. XI. 33,

'PmIb Uuili. fr, "t fiid, V« »n aodi . . . ««vcnliela« r< •hkll die like men,
•nil fan lib« »nc «f lit pnK«a." LMber alirar* arplicd ibil rcne Io pilnce*.
>■ i«tmiti«l Atitit*. Ob "fin) iiul:ins, *nd ihcn Hvini ibcSr work*," tf.

CcMMl, I. J I.

*S*fttitiittimi PMotefin Aritl«trl'i Flaniriti« Ti'Mogm. Ron«, i}iy, Jna« i.

*f, t., of Crotiu Knbcam«, Mffa, no. tl6, t^a.
«7

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let.Jdi

Althotigli my opinion of it is such as would be unsafe l»
commit to any letter, no matter how carefully sealed,
not to seem to neglect my Julius, I will briefly and in
faith act forth llie whole tragedy. But ah.i, beware how yd
let anyone see this letter. Aiso remember that I was pres«!
[at the Leipsic debate] by chance.

In the first place, it is loo well known to need my repeatiij
it, how much hatred blartin has won from all who do
not know the impiety of the Romanists, £rom those who at
seduced by their vices, and from those who spend their whole
lives in trumpery sophisms. It is also known how both sides
fought by publishing theses throughout Germany, Luther ei-
ploding from tlie theater of the theologians Aristotle's phikwo-
phy to which they hold without understanding it, and thcj
defending it hke Üieir mistress, with what arms they coukl,
force and fraud, all fair in war. Not only did our Leipsic
professors oppose Martin's theses with their own, but Eck
also, the Bavarian theologian, walking on air and like Soeraits
despising even God from his basket,^ moved by the novelty
of Luther's propositions, he drew up certain deductions
against him and showed them to the Bishop of Eichsüdt.
When Luther heard of this from his friends, he sent Carl-
stadt, Archdeacon of Wittenberg, against Eck, thinking to
force the man (o retract. Eck answered once and again, but
in my judgment too coldly to win the confidence of any wise
reader. For Eck's pen is not as able as his tongue is prompt:
a terrible talker, but a weak speaker. Wherefore, despairing
of victory in a combat of reasofl, like a horse let loose in a
meadow* he challenged them to a public debate. The Wit-
tenbergers did not refuse. So they got permission to debate
in the thinking-shop.' rightly so called, of oor theologians.
beginning on June 27. Both sides arrived promptly. Ed(
came with only a .single personal servant, and with letters
of introduction to our duke from the Fuf^ers.' Luther and

'In Ibii IcKcr »11 noidi in itilict sr« Cr««li in the MlflaiL In Arialopkanwr
CItuAi. S«mtri vat drawn up lata Ihr air in > buktt.

*Gr«l[ proTrrh for mlrcnuf Fkitmni

*T%« eomlf ward applied bj Ariciopbanes fa Tht Clmdi lo Sociale*' »cbool

*The ir«at tunkert ol Auitburs, fur «bora Eck had ilebaied on lb* risfcl nf
tiUai lawre«! on moner.

304

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

250

irlsudt brought with them the greater part of their uni-
rsity, among their companions being Barnim, Dxilcc of
>racrania, a modest youth loving letters and particularly
racious to me. Men of every estate galhereü to see the
Ebatc, abbots, counts and knights, learned and unlea.med,
tliat this large university had no hall big enough to accom-
_ nodale such an audience. The duke showed his foresight
in providing a capacious hall in the castle for this event.
And as the Bishop of Merseburg, instignted by our tlieologians,
was unwilling to allow this debate, the duke took the whole
responsibility on himself. He charged the town council to
provide lodgings, and he had an armed force ready lc»t a
tumult should arise. All things were done rightly, especially
as your father (Caesar Pflug], at the duke's command, was
not only present at all the events, tut presided over them.

When the day set dawned, there was at six o'clock at St.
Thomas's a magnificent mass for the success of the affair.
Then in a splendid procession all hurried to the castle. To
prevent a tumult armed guards were stationed at the doors.
When all had come in and taken their assigned seats, I, poor
man, in a fever, came in through the back door and ascended
the platform, to speak, in the name of tl^c duke, to the
expectant audience. I confess that at first I was fright-
ened by so great a concourse of prominent men. all expectant,
and before so great a prince, whom I feared I would represent
unworthily. Yet I spoke, if not with great applause, at least
so that the duke and other grandees approved of it. When
I came to the peroration, and all were anxiously expecting
ine to finish (for I spoke almost twice as long .-is usuat),^ some
musicians, prepared at my suggestion, were introduced
through the same back door and started the hymn Vent sancle
Spiritus, which they sang sweetly while the audience reverently
kneeled. Tlic time until noon having been consumed with
these I" re para lions, we went to lunch. A trumpet announced
when to come back. All returned expectant.

Carlstadt and Rek, each asking the usual indulgence for
himself, descended into the arena. They debated on free
will, L e., what it has to do with the work of salv,ition. For

'Efluxwunt cnUn dutp prno cl-rptiyilrac.

«to

LUTHER'S CORRESFONDEKCE AND

Uiao«

Carlstadt sought to prove tliat whatever was meritoriou» in
the words or deeds of a man was due wholly to God, aad
that man, of his own accord, could will nothing good, unlesj
he received an influx of divine grace; in short, that God was
the smith and our will the hammer ^^'ilh which he forged our
salvalion. Eck rebutted lliis opinion, wliich, if I understand
aught in these matters, is by no means absurd. For almost
three days he argued that merii was due partly to grace,
partly to man's will. It finally came to this, that Eck con-
ceded the whole good work was from God, but not wholly.'
This fine dtstinclion Carlstadt not only confuted on tlie spot,
but afterwards, in a long public letter, exposed as an invalid
fiction.

Luther followed Carlstadt to sustain the thesis that it wis
only by recent decretals that the Roman Qmrch was proved
to be superior to other Churches, against which stood tbt
authority of Scripture and the Niccnc Council. Eck left
no stone unturned to overthrow this opinion; he summoned
all the forces at his command, spending eight days on it and
doing his best especially to make his opponent invidious by
dragging in some Hussite articles. Luther at once under-
stood the snare, and raged as though inspired by some spirit
at being thus insidiously betrayed on a side issttf. With great
indignation he rejected some of the dogmas imputed to him.
white embracing some of them as Christian, relying every*
where either on well weighed testimonies of Scripmrc. or on
the decrees of ancient councils. In short, his main effort was
to remove far from himself the suspicion of favoring the
Bohemian schism. Eck also bent his whole cnci^ on im-
pressing the audience with this opinion of Luther, no matter
how much the latter rejected it. In like manner they debated
on other things, the state of souls in purgatory, fear as the
root of penitence, and indulgences, consuming nearly twenty-
days in all.

When they had finished each side claimed the victory.
Eck triumphs in the opinion of all who like asses playing the
harp do not unilerstand the subject at all, men who from

■Tocu« wd not loiditcr. 0. Stiu: Dtr »utKtntiitkt Test in MHagtr IM>

204

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

281

1»oyhood have betn brought up on Peter Hispanus,' or who
have some reason (or wishing the Wittenbergers ill. The
victory of Luther and Carlstadt is less acclaimed, because
learned aad judicious men arc fewer and less confident in
proclaiming tlieir own opinions.

Vou have the story for which you asked, told briefly and
in desultory manner, for I left out much not to the point.
What? Don't you applaud? Perhaps 1 seem clumsy or
artifidal to you, or else you want more. I will fill you lo
repletion with these banquets, and I will give you portraits
of the leaders in tiiis war. Martin is of middle lieight with
slender body worn out both by study and care, so that you
can almost count his Imnes. Me is in the vigor of manhood;
his voice is sharp and clear. He is so wonderfully learned
in the Bible that he has almost all the texts in memory. He
has learned enough Greek and Hebrew to form a judgment
of Uic translations. He has no lack of matter to speaking.
for an inunense stock of ideas and words are at his command.
Perhaps you might miss in him judgment and method in
using his stores. In daily life and manners he is cuhivated
and atTable. having notliiiig of the stoic and nothing supercili-
ous about him ; rather he plays the man at all seasons. He
is a joker in society, vivacious and sure, always with a happy
face no matter how hard his enemies press him. You would
hardly believe that he was the man to do such great things
unless in.'ipircd hy the gods. But wliat most men blame in
him is tliat in answering he is more imprudent and cutting
than is safe for a rtformer of the Church, or than is decorous
for a theologian. I know not whether this vice is not also
common lo the pedants.

Carlstadt is like I-i«lier, hut smaller. He is shorter, his
face dark and burned, his voice thick and unpleasant, his
memory is weaker and liis .inger more prompt.

Eck has a tall stature, a solid, square body, a full, German
voice, strong lungs as of a tragedian or crycr. but emitting
a rough rather tlian clear sound. So far is he from having
that native sweetness of the Latin tongue, praised by Fabius

11* »•(Bot of 1 w«rli utUd Svmmultt. Lonf iclentifitd, bat wilLoal evitaiB
vtlh Job» XXI., Pop« 1176.7.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let m

and Cicero! His mouth and eyes, or rather his whole 13».
would make you think him a hiitcher or Carian soldier ralbc
than a theologian. He has a fine memory ; were his under-
standing only equal to it he would possess all nature's giftk
Tlie man cannot grasp a thing <|uickly nor judge it acutd).
so that his other talents are vain. This is the reason why tn
debate he brings together all his arguments and texts, of
Scripture and quotations from authors without any selection,
not considering that many of them are inept and impertinent
to the subject, and that some are apocryfihal or mere sophistrj.
He only tries to discharge a copious mass of mailer, thus
deceiving his audience, most ol whom arc älupid, and front
whom he thus wins the opinion that he is victor. Add to
this incredible audacity covered by admirable craft. If he
thinks he is falling into the snares of hb adversary, he turns
the debate into another channel, sometimes embracing his
opponent's opinion, clothed in other words, as his own, lai.
with equal guile, imputing his own absurdities to his
antagonist. . . .

»5. ULRICH ZAZIUS TO CONRAD MUTIAN AT GOTHA.
Krause, 647. FsEtBUitc. December 13, 1519.

... I should like to know your opinion of Luther, O most
candid of all men, for 1 know that you cannot judge good
men amiss. There is among our Germans a mar*xllous van«
cty of opinions about this man, whom I might well call a
hero. All those instructed in the pure docirinc folkjw Luther
without reserve. But the monks and scholastic theob^ans,
except a few good men, condemn him. Two of the best
approved and most learned theologians of our umvcrsttjr,
John of Breisgau and George Wägclin [Achaeus] receive,
bless and favor Luther and compare him to the ancient and
true theologians. The whole of Switzerland, Constance, Augs-
burg, and a good part of Italy adhere to Luther. If we dis-
agree with some ecclesiastical lawyers and some litigious
slaves of business, we have to fight for the man now in this
way. now in that. I accept Luther with reservations. For I
do not approve his calling the decretals "vain," by which he
intends to overthrow Leo's claims. And it is not necessary

1.306

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

2«3

Or human salvation, for which the good man so constantly
arSt to outdo himsdf in paradoxes and thus give occasion
his enemies to slander hira by saying that be is not very
Fercnt from a wicked Hussite. So, though I consider
ither the best of men, by whose doctrine 1 have learned to
foliow Christ more truly, yet I cannot agree with what he
says of the primacy of iJie pope, which can be easily con-
futed. But I wilt not write against him, and would consider
it a sin to wound him. Yet I pity ihc condition of humanity,
that we are so iragiie and so Ihlle that even those who are
most perfect deviate from the right way when they seem
to conquer and become powerful. . . .

ao6. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enden, u. 277. Wittesbkbg, December 18, 1519.

Greeting. There is a rumor that Cliarles MUtitz yester-
day passed through here. I am surprised at it, but let it
pass. 1 have read what you write of his mocking me by my
picture.

I do not know whether I can write sermons on the Gospels
and Epistles for Lent, as you urge me, for I have much
to do and am very busy. Don't you believe it^ My lectures
on the psalter require a whole man; my sermons to the people
on the gospel and Genesis need another whole man ; a third
is required by the little prayers and regulations of my order;a
fourth might do tliis work you ask. not to mention my corre-
spondence and my occupation with the afTairs of others, in-
cluding my meetings with my friends, which steals so much
of my time that I almost think it wasted. I am one man;
certainty I prepare for work, but if what you ask is to be
accomplished, all else must be omitted. Woukl that I could
give myself quietly to this alone. I should consider it a
great pleasure, so far am I from not wanting to do it.

But there is no reason why you or any man should expect
from me any sermon on the other sacraments,* until I team

'iMtei had alrcidr piFicbed oo btplisni- lb* cucbuul and penine«. dedlcitinc
U* «cmon* to Uartucc of Iliun*iirick, t¥fra. e.o. ifj, middtr ut Octubrt, Tit
CMbalk Cbrjrch alio rrcoiniivil as M<rin)enli, conümiitiaii. orden. «itrmic
■aetian and nutrinionjr* Luihet'i riewi nerc expanded in his work. On Ihe
SsAyteaitn C*ttivits cf th* ChMrOi. (i)»).) Cf. SsiUb. gp. til» tvt.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

htLm^

by what text I can prove that they arc sacraments. 1 csteea
none of the others a sacrament, for ihat is not a sacramcni.
save what is expressly given by a divine promise exerdsing
our faith. We can ha\e no intercourse with God save by Ihe
word of him promising, and by ihe faiili of man receiving the
promise. At another time you will hear more about their
fables ol the seven sacraments, . . ,

a07. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Endcrs. iL 280. Wmtttntxa, December 18. 151»

Greeting. Reverend Father, the money of Brother Cacsai"
shall be treated as you suggest. Caesar was not al home when
your letter came. You shall decide whether to leave him
here. Formerly you wrote for him to stay here until be
could return to you as lecturer. He give^ lectures on llie-
otogy, and his work is not bad, except that I am sorry I can-
not send all the brothers to Meianchthon's lectures on Mat-
Uiew at six o'ciock in the morning. This little Greek beats
me even in tlieolcgy.

1 do not know whether you have received both commentaries
on the Psalms, mint- and Meianchthon's. I expect that my
other trifles reach you without my sending them. I have re-
called my sermon on usury" after sending it to the press, as
the pure doctrine of Christ offends many. I send everything
else. Please let us have the report of the debate as soon as
it is printed.*

Eck threaten.«; .something dreadful to me and Melanchthoa
and Carlstadt and our whole university, not to say the elector.
He vomited up a chaotic German letter* to the elector; you
would have thought him God Almighty taUdng. It is lucky
that such a sophist has met such a prince.

Your Frfurt faculty are pleased to delay judgment. For
the debate is now vain, and it is vain to expect the judgment
of the Parisians, which, by God's favor, will give an opening

'J«bii Citaar, nn AucuMinUn, wbo mtlriculilcd it Willtnbtri in MkTt ISlS-
The Ofrratiaiuj in Pialmat.
tic Ilule lenDon on luuiy, WelmM. ri. i.

Tlic notrt of tbc Ltipaic debate »c» lubaiiltcd lo tbc Ethrt iacntty tm
Judgnrnl, tint piimcd cb(t*, |ii«b>blr nmlvr Luis'* cw*>
'Su/^a, no, igj.

1>t. aoS

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

286

for speaking against ihe Roman Antichrist. A tract by a
certain Bohemian, as is thought, is being circulated here. It
is writien, in both German and Latin, with great theological
learning against the tyranny of the Roman coiria.

1 did not quite understand your meaning when you wrote

reek, that it was due to your efforts that the debate was
sent back to Duke George, and why you and your theologians
and doctors were so amitlenJ'

1 shall not answer Emser in a separate book, for the man
is so clumsy that he affirms and admits what I chai^ him
with, and he doesn't speak to the point at all, but only reviles.
When Eck's prumised attack comes out I shall answer hini
and lünser leather.

Charles Millitz is doing his best, now at Toi^ii. now at
Lochau, to get me to go to Trier with him. My enemies arc
frightened and while plotting against me rage to tliink tliat
my destruction is yet unaccomplished. The bishops write to
Rome against me. I do not yet know what will happen.
Perhaps, under safe-conduct, and if summoned by the arch-
bishop, I shall go to Trier.

Our reverend father V'icar Staupiti is well and honored
Saliburg. He writes that Eck is everywhere courting
the favor of prominent men, but that liis "moderation"
displeases Cardinal T^ng.

Lx>tther of Leipsic is founding a printing establishment,
with Greek, Latin and German types, at Wittenberg,
^^ Study goes on apace, especially in thcolog>'. Leipsic is
^U>cipsic, according to her custoni. I am very busy. Farewell
and pray for me. . . .

^ Brother Martin Luthes, Augustinton.

908, LUTHER TO THOM.^S FUCHS AT RATISBON.
«k«, iL 263. De Weite, i. 3R1. Gtrman.
WinrKBCRc, December 23, 1519.
On December la, 1519^ Fuchs wrote Luther asking his advice, on
behalf of the Ratisbon Town Council, as to a strife with the local
bitfiO|L Eoders. li. a7& The present letter is his answer.

My poor prayers and good wishes for you. Noble, honor-

LUTHERS

tS PON DEN«

I.«. aoB

able, dear Sir an<! Friend : I have received and carefull/
7«ad your letter and question. Xow i know that 1 am bound
to serve your Honor, as I found you so true to mc at Augs-
burg, and, thcrtiore I should like to answer tins letter chsHj
and rightly. Uut llie gospel prevents mc, for in all such
matters Christ gives a short judgment, saying: And if any
man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, lei
him have thy cloak also.' Therefore, it becomes roe as a
tlieologian and is on my conscience not to give other advice
herein. No party among you will satisfy the gospel unless it
lets t)ie other do what It will. The bishop should let the
council do what it wishes, and contrariwise. The bishop is
not helped by his spiritual right, nor the council by its use
and custom, for the gospel supersedes everything, It is, in-
deed, true that the Pope has decreed that the third part of
such an offering should go to the bishop," hut I leave it to htni
to an.swcr for his power to make such a law. It makes no
difference to selfishness. For we are obliged to suffer violence
and even wrong. Wherefore it would be my advice and
prayer, that tlie bishop and council agree in friendly vnsc
without insistence on tlieir rights ; perhaps the bishop may be
prevailed upon to give in. But if not, tliey have no right to
reserve the case for the judgment of Komc, Take this opiaioD
kindly and in friendship from me as from a tlicologian, whom
it docs not become to advise strife and lawsuits, but peace
and patience. I am always ready to serve your Honor.
Bhother Martin Luthek. Auguslinian at IVitlenberg.

JOQ. DUKE CEOROE OF SAXONY TO THE ELECTOR
FREDERIC OF SAXONV.
Geji. i. ria Dkesdek, December 27. 151^

Highborn Prince, dear Cousin. On Christmas eve I re-
ceived a book containing a sermon' published by Dr. Luther
on the body of our Lord. When I had looked through it
I found that it was very Bohemian and had much heresy
and scandal in it, especially as it is in Cemian, and seetns

'Uattbew. T (fl.

^n Ihf Cinon Law, Decret. P. It, <au», lo, qu. i, c. j.

*WdBW. U. riS. On (hin complaEnt »nd I.utbcf'* anivcr, vkich wxt m^n
ndiMt Ah lliE ufwioal »(moD, t/. Smith, op. tU., jt.

t. 310

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

2d7

rac likdy rather to break down tlian to build up simple
Ik. As I know well tbat your Grace would not willinjfly
ivc strangers damage our holy iaiih, so was 1 sure that you
wQiild be still more unwilling for your subjects to do it. Es-
pecially as Dr. Luther is a famous man at your university of
Wittenberg, he will doubtless bring great notoriety to your
Grace and the land of Saxony, and do something contrary
to the Christian religion and favorable to the Rohemian here-
tics. For many already have thought tliat the Scripture com-
mands that the sacrament he taken in both kind^, and hold
many other articles which are unchristian.

9ia ELECTOR FKEDEKIC OK ERNESTINE SAXONY TO DUK"E

GEORGE OF ALBERTINE SAXONY.
Ceu, i. 112. LocRAU, December sg. 1519.

Highbom Prince, dear Cousin. I have received your
Grace's letter about a printed pamphlet published by Dr.
Martin Luther, which contains a sermon on the venerable
sacrament of the true body of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have
also received your Grace's notice and opinion of the same.
and in friendship to your Grace will not conceal from you
that I have never undertaken to defend or champion Dr.
Luther's sermons or disputations, and do not do so now, but
keep aloof from such tnalters as I told the papal cardinal
legate, and the nuncio Charles von Miltilz both by letters
and orally. -Mthough I cannot know how the said book will
be esteemed, yet I hear that hitherto Dr. Luther's doctrine
has been by many learned and wise men considered Chris-
tian. However I leave it to its merits and him to his reckon-
ing, for your Grace knows that Dr. Luther's aflFair and dis-
putation is awaiting judgment, for which he also offered him-
self to the papal nuncio, who commanded him to come forth
in the proper manner. Now, however this comes out, I will
act. God willing, so that no one can rightly blame me. for it
would be a heartfelt sorrow to me to have some error in the
holy faitl» appear in the lands of my brother.' your Grace and
myself, or in any other place, and still more would it wound
le to have it protected by me. from which may God guard

^Dulcr J (An.

LUTHER'S COT

L«. aiji

211. RECTOR. PROFESSORS AND DOCTORS OF THE UNI-
VERSITV OF ERFURT TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY.

Geti, i. 113. (Erfurt), December 39. 151^

We have received your Grace's letter recently sent us, con-
cerning certain articles and points which Dr. lick, Dr. Liithtr
and Dr. Carlsladt publicly debated at your Grace'.": University
of Leipsic, and staling your Grace's desire and the said tna-
vcrsity's friendly request that we should diligently examine
the sai'l disputation an(\ give you our opinion and judgmenl
on the same. In this as in all other matters wc desire lo
serve your Grace with all our power, but, after repealed con-
sultation, we find that in this case it is not fitting for us 10
decide and judge the contentions which were brought for-
ward between the aforesaid doctors in this debate, inasmuch
as the disputants did not agree to ask our opinion, either in
letters or otherwise. Moreover we are credibly infonncd
that they are not of one mind and accord on this matter.
Furtliermore it is not agreeable to us to exclude from the
decision the learned doctors of the two orders, Dominicans
and .\ugustiiiiaiis in our university, as your Grace requests.
Wherefore^ we humbly pray your Grace to excuse us. . . .

212. ERASMUS TO MARTIN LIPSIUS OF BRUSSELS.
£rMi»ii opera (1703). iü. 534- Louvain.' (Lalc>, iSlft

. . , They are starting a foolish and pernicious tragedy
against Luther. They will later know that I favor not Luther.
but the peace of Christendom. However Luther may have
written, this tumult does not please any wise man. . . .

313. WILLIAM NESEN TO ULRICH ZWINGU AT BASLE
Cvrfuf Reformatomm, xciv. 3?8. (Louvai». end of 1519.)

William Ncscn ()493-i524>. uf Nastättcn, matriculated it Bwle
1511. M. .A. 1515. Atioul this tim« he became proofreader (or Frobco
and met Erawnus, Early in 1517 he went 10 Pari* as ttiior to the
sons of Nicholas Stalbergcr, remaining with them till 1519 when, at
EratmtiV tnviiatlon, he came lo Louvain. His Icctiirr? were pro-
hititied 1i>- the university, so he undertook to teach a Latin mIiooI at
Frankfon 15203. He then viHitecl Ltithcr at Wiitcnbcrir. the Re-
Jortacr ilnlicating to him hi» Advtrsus arMalum Vintwt Cottilatum,
'Ex moK« nonro.

213

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

29»

ebruary. [$23 (Endet», iv. 8j, Weimar, xi. 393). He carried Lulhef'i
iter of April 15, 1524 (Enders, iv. $19), to Enunnus, and iJionIx
after his reiam, July 5-6. was drowned while boaitng for plcmsurc
on the Elbe. Life by Steitz in Archiv f. Frankfurts Gtstk. N. F. vi.
1877. Alien, ü. 65.

This letter was written about the end of 1519. alter the University
of LoQvaia had coadcmned Lulhcr (November 7), and before the
death of Briard. January 8. 1520. It was expanded 10 the length of a
pamphlet and published about a year later. C}. Kalltoff, in Corpus
Rrj.. toe. tit^ 419. no. s. I translate only the principal pa5»Kc about
Luther, pp. 384-7-

When Luther's works came out he JEgmond] terribly
feared for his gains, mindful of how much he had made from
papal pardons. lie had not yet read one page, and he wa5
so stupid that he would have read in vain, but over his cups
he heard from his gossips that there were things in those
writings which would injure that trade. So he lept into the
pulpit and confounded everything with his insane cries, call-
ing Lutherans heretics, seducers and antichrists, and pro-
claiming that the world would fall unless he propped it up
with his shoulders. I am nol the man, my dear Zwingli. to un-
derstand (he deep points in Luther's Ixjoks, nor do 1 mix in
his cause, especially as he has no need of patrons like mc. Vet
[ am not so dull as to admire Kgmond's stupidity. Here is
one example from which you may learn how well that ass
understands f.uthcr's dogmas. More than a hundred times
he shouted to the people that Luther taught thai it was not
necessary to confess mortal sins except those which were
known.* Luihcr meant, known to us. that is, which we judge
to be mortal, which is certainly, in my opinion, not in every-
one's power. But Litis beast thinks that he means known pub-
licly. What would you do with such silly brothers? He con-
stantly bawls against Luther, and only brings it to pass that
people all buy Lather's books thinking that there must b<
»omc good in them if the}* so displease this cheese-eater.*
Then they complain that some buy Luther's books, when they
not only stimulate (he appetite for them by their vociferations,
but also disturb the peace of the Church with a dangerous
luarrcl. This monk thinks he is very holy if he does ool

y*Ct. ntfr*, no. 191.

I*A canmoa lern uf G«atcapt (ot tlic nonlu m bunicri cf ililicaci«*.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let m

eat meat Wednesdays, but fills himself up to the point «
vomiting with eggs and fish, and yet he does not think it i
sin to attack the reputation of a good man with manifest bes
and wicked calumnies, and to infect the minds and ean
of his hearers with such sycophancy, Latomus' shouts, Es-
mond shouts. Ruard^ stammers against Luther as a heretic.
and an unlearned and stupid one, and no one admonish«
Luther, no one teaches him, no one refutes him, although he
himself asks to be taught, and desires to be heard and lo
hear. 1 do not know what kind of man Luiher is, except
that the books which he has hitherto published testify that
he is well versed in the writings of theologians, not so much
the ancient as the recent; moreover they show that his mind
is sane and his heart graced with many and various Christian
gifts. But I know these others to be such men that i£ there
were no other Christians beside them, so love me God, I
would not want to be one, so much are they given to am-
bition and a\'arice. They help none, and wish well to none
except themselves ; they hurt many and wish to be feared un-
der the pretext of religion. Luther does not offend them ty
treating the Pope's majesty too severely, of which they them-
selves do not think very highly, nur because he attacks in-
dulgences, which they themselves do not approve when they
are frank with each other. But they call Luther a heretic
because he despises Aquinas, whom the Dominicans take as
a fifth evangelist, because he rebukes the professors whose
authority Ihey want held sacred, because he docs not keep
before his eyes the scholastic dogmas, to which, putting it
mildly, the world owes so many monks* quarrels, so many
ceremonies, and, if not the extinction, at least the corruption

'Cf Di Jonib, p. 17J. Jam™ Uaitan (Laromtit) ©f C«nbroB, t. tin.. UTi-
»ludicd *t theColltB«»(^'"»^i:u at Pkrii, nioTed to LoUTntn is«a, «tier* b< bcx*a
lo Itich abaul IS'O. and »criirJ tha D. D. in isij. He died U*k1i 19, 1344-
Hc v>u ibc able»! of die oppanciiti of Luthtr and Kraimu* in lli« Nt Iherland«.
I-otbcr'a annvi to ti<> il«trnc( ot ilic Condemnation by Calofii« and Loural«.
■ Sii. icfirintcd, Weimar. tÜL 36!!. In tjij LaloiDU* vtol« on the p4irtr «f ik*

po^ agaltiit l^ibtr, an-d tutr attaeicrd W. Tyndal« and MElanchtliofi. XmI.

*Ct. Dr loflsb. p. iSn. Suard Tapper of Holland. B. A. at tannin tsa;,
tiu'Iml nndtT Adrian of tJtr*chT. D. D. 1)19. He lodt an aciirt part agiinat
■be Befonnera. parrienlarlT in ihvlr ra-ndnntiation b]r hit nniTeraitr im (Smitk,
p 41M}. and look pari in ihe Council of Treni. lie waa alao laoabtlor lor a tine.
He died Mactll *, ISS9. X *bc ttx of arvcnlT.

ai4

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

271

of the Christian religion. To these also the world owes the
cxUtcnce of unlearned tlieologians, and the neglect of good
authors, and on these dogmas Professor Latomus promised
a third book, but when he saw his first two received by all
the learacd with a loud laugh, he tliought it belter to suppress
il, rather than to disgrace the scholastic doctors by coming
on the stage again. . . .

Now hear how mad they arc. Listen! They expect Luther's
capture. WTiat is this but to thirst for human Wood? They
arc unable to teach hira. yet they want to destroy him. Is
this the role of hangmen or of theologians? How great will be
the indignation of posterity if they read that Luther was a
pood man, of a life miraculously pure, brilliant, learned, can-
did, a good Christian, and a German patriot, and yet that
when he first, in this age of perverse theologians and de-
testable monkish tyranny, dared to warn them and to vindi-
cate Christ, whose worship had been stained and almost wiped
out by human doctrines, he was crushed not by arguments or
texts of Holy Scripture, with which he always invincibly de-
fended his own innocence, but by a fraudulent and tyrannical
conspiracy of scoundrels? . . .

ai4. JOHN REUCHLIN TO MICHAEL HUMMELBERG AT
RATISBON.

SUruMgsberiehte drr fhil.-hiit. Clatsi der Akamedie der Wisstn-
ickajten. Wien., Ixxxv. (1S87). 175- Ingolstadt, Jaciuary 3, 1520,

Hammeiberg of Ralisbon (I4S7-I527). studied at Paris 1504-11,
aixl M Rome 1514-1?. his »pecially being Greek. Shorllr after his
return 10 Ritisbon he became a teacher, »ni! X'i sttch enjoyed much
reputation with the humanists. Some of his leite« published in J.
Paquicr's edition of Alcandcr's correspondence. Allen, Qp. tit., i. 515.
Attgemnnt dntschi Dtoffraphie

... I am holding Mclanchthon back lest he should be
blamed for being such a faithful Achates to bis Luther. But
youths have no prudence. Perhaps he is sorry for so learned
and so upright a theologian and takes it ill that Luther has
suffered so much reproach for the love of the orthodox
Church.* . . .

■Rciuklin. MrlvKbibon'i unck. mu irrinH ii ihii rime lo ftt hin to Ini«!-
na<li 10 witbdraw him from Lutbn'i influence. Eck alio look ptn in Ihia plan.

LUTHER'S CX)RRESPONDENCE AND Ul ji6

as. THOMAS VENATORIUS TO WILIDALD PIRCKHEIMER.
Pirckhtimrri optra, cd. Goldaat (l&lO), p. 333.

ErsTCTT, Jaauary 8, 15»

Venatorius (Gcchauf) b^ 14S8. al Nuremberg, Dominican in Ba-
raria, called to Nuremberg through Firckhdmer't influent« i$n
15^ the first Lutheran pastor at the New Hospice clturcli, 1544 ior i
while at Rothenburg, died at Nuremtirrg 1551. Kaders, vii. 301.

I'lrckhcimcr (i4;«-i5Jö), bom at EUhitädt, studied in Ilaly latjo-l-
After his rcium to Nuremberg became a councillor, and. having in-
herited wealth, a patron of the arts (Uürer) and learning, an<l himtdt
translated a Rood deal from the Greek. Ailacfueine deuitcht Bicff-
nfltir. He was »t first an etil:hu!iia).lic Lutheran, was aeaised of
writing a tatirc on Eck {Oi-r al'fjthifbelle Bck), and was cxcom-
tnunicaied by the bull Ersurge Dominr. afterwards making submistioa
to tite Pope and receiving abBOlulion. Sec a sketch by F. Roth in
Schriften der ytreins für Reformatiansgnchiclile, no. 21.

. . . Do not let what you wrote about that false theologian
Kck bother you. (or he is impious and seeks occasion to quar-
rel with all learned men. which is easy for hira to do. For
Rcuchlin and the best part of the University of Ingolstadt
disagree with him. Recently, when a bookseller had im-
ported some tracts of Martin Luther, Eck, together with
the university, decreed that they should all be burned. Bui
when he did this I cannot say how tnuch laughter be awak-
ened against himself, and how he departed alone covered with
blushes. His only triumphs are those of calumny. . . .

316. LUTHER TO SP.-VLATIN' AT ZERBST.
Endert, ti. 3901 WtmKaeac, January 10, 15301

Greeting. I send you. Spalatin, a letter' with some news,
by which you wilt see how unhappy is the hatred of Leipsic.
and how maligpnantly they abuse the simplicity of Duke
Gcorse, not fearing; to allcRc that it is a great error and here^
to communicate in both kinds.' And yet. although Christ's
gospd ordained this. I would not comm.ind it to be done ex-
cept by the authority of a cmincil. By this example alone
you can easily learn what they say in other matters. Please

■Ob tbli, Smiili, p. 78. and tn^o, no. mo.

*L«ith<r'» Srnn^n bad on ihc tiile-p»tc iwa motuHjUKet. vbkb Dnke Gccff
«iMMkrcJ a »yaAo\ ol c««a>uniaR in both hind*.

317

OtHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

273

id the rest about the mysterious meaning of the mon-
strances, and about my birtli, education and family. I hope
tfacy will soon pretcad that 1 have a wife and children in
Bohemia.'

I do not wish to send Eck's slanders published by him in
reply to my articles.' If you <lesire you siiall see it when you
are here. You have read The Unltarned Canons^ I think,
eloquently and loftily attacking ibc sophist. Farewell in
Christ, and may tlie Lord be propitious in this afTair of the
prblces.* Amen.

Brother Martin Luther, Augustinian.

317. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
"Enden, K. 29a. tWiTTEHDOtc), Jantiary 14, 15».

Greeting. I am very glad and thank God, dear Spalatin,
that my cause has gone so far that, other charges being dis-
missed, I am now accused of taking the eucharist in both
kinds' and with my family. I hope by the si^al mercy of
Christ shown to my unworthy self that I shall not lose on
account of any worthy opinion which has real weight, such
as my doctrine of free will, of grace or of the keys of the
Church. For now my enemies seem to despair of doing
anything against them, since they seek out such ridiculous
accusations. For just as Christ was crucified for the words
"king of the Jews," so am I on account of taking the sacra-
ment in both kinds, which I never either commanded nor
forbade, just like the schoolmen who treat of it.

On my family no one can speak more certainly than the
Counts of Mansfeld. T believe these heroes at least have so
much reputation and authority in the Empire, that they de-
serve to be credited on this subject. I believe that this (ic-

■ l^tb«r oion« lk4 ruaon ctrculaieil tt)~ \l» «ncini«i that b* wu of Bvlicmikn
oricia. uf wbicb, hawtv«r. th«Te ii nolhinft in Duke Ceorcc'a letter. SpiUlin
•IK-iJi* of Ilia firti in hi« Annclri, ep. Ucnclc. Li. ;.;q. Annthpr rumor ii found
about 1)3« '» ■ "TJiini of Ifntt Sylviui <Cri»r. ii. 6?5>. asd in Cotlilaem'
CemmttUtri«, qnoled here \>j Endera. Accoidlnit to this, Lutfacr wu brnottcn
by an iacvbiu.

■ Kelt's often-mniiiDned Ffo Hirr. Emttr.
*A aalirc agiiiut Eck hj Occalampadiiu.

•A mcctiuf of the Gemui pxincu at Zerb*t C>«« •nperMripilad of ihl* iMiet)
I» tcop tht war bciwcrn Bruotvkk ^aä. Läiicburg.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

tcLSi)

tion was cooked up by the Leipsic theologian Ochsenfart,' j
man who represenled that Eck was crushed, for the sake oi
spying on us, a mao who cannot stand peace cither for hii»-
self or anyone else, always ready to hurt, wretched and yO
impotent.

1 was born at Eisleben, and baptized in the church of St
Peter there. I do not remember this, but I believe my par-
ents and corapatriüts. My parents had migrated thither frora
Eisenach hard by. Hisenach has almost all my relatives, anij
there I am to-day recognized and known to most of tbei»,
since 1 studied there four years.' nor does any city know me
better. I hope they would not be so foolish, that one shouM
call the son of Luther nephew, another uncle, another cousio
(of whom I have many there), if Ihey knew thai ray father
and mother were Bohemians and other than natives of their
town. The rest of my life I spent at the university and
monastery of Erfurt until I came to Wittenberg, except one
year, my fourteenth, wlien I was at Magdeburg.

You have the story of my life and family. I should pre-
fer, as Christ did before Herod and .\nnas. to keep silence
on this matter, so these furious men could imagine anything
worthy of themselves about it until they blushed. For it is
a generation moved neither by song nor by mourning, in wham
we vainly seek a profitable man.

This same hour I have received your letter about Charles
von Miltitz, who, you say, swore that he had not seen me.
Why then did he confess to .\ndrew the barber, who ac-
companied him to Pretzsch' (as the latter openly boasts here)
that he both saw me and did I know not what terrible things
against mc? But let them lie, invent and be as wise as they
please. Everything is against me, and would that something
would happen quickly to free mc from the duty of lecturing
and teaching. For I desire nothing so much, as far as in me
lies. But if I must continue teaching, I do not understand

'Oeb*en/an bad juii written to Lntlirt u*in. Enden, t. 451, pUctd In Uartb,
■ $■«■ but thould br in Jtniury, ijio. Sifr», no. tot, In ibi* leirtr. hawcrtf,
ibcrc U n»illns ftb«ul LuÜKf'i fkioily.

*t497-is«i- Smilb. irf. lil., p. «(T. TbrM) (uU itxtiit Loiter** t^j life MC
w«11 known and »m^tf allcdrH, bul Ikii a«Mint it !Bler«atiaB. b«ii(, ■• far ■• t
know, tha «arlUal »lanl.

*A Ullle rfllkgc ba lb« KIKe ttrkt Wlitcnben.

Ut. ai8

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

27$

your council, SpalaiJn. and thai of your friends, that I might
teach sacred theology witlioul offending the prelate?. Script-
ure is especially hard on the abuse of sacred things, and
that is what the prelates cannot bear.

I gave and offered myself in the name ol the Lord, whose
will b« done. Who asked him to make me a doctor? If he
has made m< one. let him keep me for himself, or else, if he
repents, let him destroy mc. But my trouble does not so
wear me out as fill the sails of my heart with an incredible
wind, so that I now feel in myself why devils are in Scripture
likened to winds.' which empty themselves by their fury, but
(ill wlut they Mow upon with the intent of hurling it. My
only care is that the Lord may be propitious to mc in the
private affairs between him and me. Pray deign to help
mc, as you can, in this.

Let us in faithful prayer commit this hiunati cause Co
God. and let us be at peace. What can they do? Kill? Can
they raise up to kill again ? Will they brand me as a heretic ?
Christ was condemned with the wicked, seducers and cursed
men; whenever I consider his passion, I bum to think that
this trial of mine should not only seem to be something, but
should even be considered great by many strong men. when
in truth it is nothing, unless we would altogether do away
with suffering and evil, that is, with the Christian life.

Let them do as they please; the more powerful they are
the more securely I laugh at them, I have determined in
this to fear nothing, but to despise all things. Did I not fear
lo involve the elector, 1 would publish an apology full of
confidence in order to provoke those furies more, and to mock
their silly rage against me. . . .

Martin Lutheb, Augustinian.

«a ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON AT

WITTENBERG.
Corput Rfjormatornm, i, 131, Mavsmcb. January 30, rSKX

Perhaps you have already noticed how Francis von Sickin-
gen' by his own power, but at my instigation, has freed

*Hckrm. i J. [.atlicr t<g«rded the derll» U erll •nfd)-

'SKktsjm {ifBi-lfaf 7, iS'j), *^' ^* £1>crnburg n<ir KrctamAcli, k kntgkl

»« LUTHER'S COKRESPONDENCE AND Let »W

Reuchlin for us from those liarbarous scoundrels; to Sictdc-
gen they gave him and will be obliged even to pay the cosi^
Now the same hero bids nic write to Luther, that if he suffen
any mischance in the present affair and has do better ahcr-
native. he should come to him and lliat he will do what k
can. Doubtless he can do as much as he did for Reuchlin.
I have not done aä he asked for many reasons, but I write
to you in his name, to tell Luther what a protector he has.
who with such kindness offers his assistance, and that h«
should write to Sickingen. Believe me, there is no better
chance of safety anywhere. Would that you had seen whit
he wrote to the monks. I left him four days ago at McustalL
where he now is. I will also take care of Erasmus' business,
for he writes me tragic letiers about hU rivals. First, wt
must conciliate Ferdinand,' of whom Sickingen deserves well
After that it will be easy to frustrate tfie wicked. Sickingen
loves Luther partly because he seems good to him and to
others, and is therefore hateful to those men. and partly be-
cause one of the counts of Solnis' commended him in a letttr.
TeM him at once where his hope and safely lies, and farewcO.

219. MARTIN BUCl-R TO LUTHER.
Enders, ii. »98. HFAaa.ttt»ü. January 33, 15»

Hail, reverend Father, sincerest of theologians and strong-
est of Christians. When, in your debate here a year and 1
half ago.' you illuminateil our university with your Chris-
tian rather than quaint learning, L smitten by great love for
you, as though wounded by the sharj» arrows of your words,
or rather of God the Mighty, dared to have a conference
with you. If it was impudent to seek it, the result was as-
suredly happy. For received at dinner by you and your pious
superior. John Stsupitz. I was wonderfully and bountifully

whr> (u»*«!!«) bin fattier in ijoj lo Isrs* (tomiina. Ke hul a fcoil la ijij «Imi*!
Wormii. and onr uriih H«uc. On Oclot>«r 3j. T51Q, h# wM miiir Im^rül
r«unciI)or tnH rhsmherisin. Ht wu lelrreiird by Kutua in ihe eaiiM »I
Rcactili« and Luih«r. In (511 he «ii ntadr crncrat nt (h( amv iciin» Franet.
hut (lilfd TA aetntniktiiJi much, chiefly tbrounb Isck <>f fDiidi In mi he knacbc4
THvr »iih ibe purpoBv of Itadini >n iokurrntion. btti wu dtfraicd 4nil kiU>4 at
L.tnditiib]. Uf« by II. tJlniinn. id?), and ia Allgr. Otvuikr Biographit.

>Thr £nip«Tur's brolher (iSoj-64), dvcttd Kini of the RaaMt is]i,
pcfor. iSiS.

ipcrhapa Philip, count of Soln*. a couiticr of Altert «f Utrrace.

*On thl«, rf. nfrt. m. tj.

l«t SI 9

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

277

refresh«!, not only by the excelleni delicacies of the table,
but by ihe exquisite and sweet meat of the Scriptures, for
which, indeed, I came more hungry- tlian for the bodily food.
Among the other excellent gifts of your mind, thf genuine
humiiity of our Lord Jesu^ manifested itself with special
brilliance; your face, words, gesture and whole body testiäed
to iL This is the reason why 1 now dare to approach you,
»o great a priest of eternal wisdom, who perpetually sacrifice
to wisdom from the field of your genius richer and more
fertile than any Arabia, sweet incense, and to write you a
letter, not only in poor Latin, but inept and most unseasonable.
1 am sure that you will condone this sin.

The occasioo of my writing now for the first time is my
ioimense desire for your Commentary on the Epistle of Paul
to the Galattans. For I only liad a chance to sec it, when a
certain man brought it here from Nuremberg. By various
wiles I extorted it from him and sent it to Beautiis Khenanus,'
so that, if no one gets :ihead nf us, it can be reprinted by Laz-
anis Schürer.' For each of them is now at Schlettstadt, our
common birthplace. And having no little need of the com-
mentary, which seemed to mc a treasury full of the dogmas
of pure theology, I ordered someone else to procure roe your
works. Then, by chance, a certain messenger was starting
out hence from our prince to yours. But your Peter,' sec-
retary of Wolfgang Count Palatine, relieved him of this bur-
den, and transferred it to Spalatin,* a man who deserves well
on account of his learning and piety.

Peter also urged rae to write.' although unknown to him
and inexperienced in all polite literature. I had previously
given myself ahogcther to him, nor could T return to
my former state. Moreover I could not trifle with your
dogmas, or rather with the pure doctrine of Christ. 1 ap-

Brifhvrthtrl iu BtUtu

>Tkc trortla tn rialin arc Ctcck.

iWltfa ■ Iclict dMed Sviick Juuurj is. )SJa.
lUmkanta, p. svj.

•nil \ovt wai ptobtfaly not rulftlkd, WdnMr. II. 430- Sctaarat «u a pfinin
of SikleiKudi.

«Ptrbap« P«t*r Bcrnann. a client of Wolfiiartf, mHrknlatcd >t Widenbtn ijij.

>Fniat wbun Buc«r rcteived ■ copj hf Msrdi 19. Ci, BrirfwfciutI dtt Btatui
RAfna^mt, p. tti.

«Bocer'i iMttr 1* S^alatin. I*DU(ry ij. prirtrA in Rold«: Anattcta tulhrran»,
A17, M"i Slli«l<n- Brirft ami Jfr ReftrmiUtetueil, p. 6.

9»

l,UTHER*S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. tig

prove all your teachings without exception, but I am m-
pccially pleased at what you say about charity, rightly exe-
crating that always present curse of a Christian, the sayings:
Charity begins at home, and, Be your own neighbor. . . .
jBucer tells of a debate on this point held under his presi-
dency at Heidelberg.] . . .

You have here not a few disciples, though on account of
the Pharisees they have not yet dared to come out ofienl;.
1 pray your charity, most learned Father, to foi^ivc what I
have said amiss in expounding this charily, and please deign
to write me to lead me back into the right path. For ntxl
to the canonical Scriptures, I bold notliing more sacred than
your opinion or that uf Erasmus. You know what others
think of you, but your opponents need a physician no cleverer
than themselves. I hope, or rather I know, that Christ, whose
cause you are so strongly advancing, will never desert you.

Tell all who love learning, and 6rst of all your Philip Met-
anchthon, that Francis von Sickingen, a most noble knight.
by declaring war on our order, at length compelled our pro-
vincial vicar to make a treaty with that Phrenix, our Rcuch-
lin. For, as he promised, the vicar sent to Rcuchlin at In-
golstadt two professors,' who arc most hostile to Ilochstrat-
ten as far as this quarrel is concerned, to make peace with
him. If they do not succeed, the thirteenth of March is set
to have the matter decided by arbitration at Wonns. Hoch-
stratten's pen^erse zeal grieves almost everyone, but none of
us dared to olTend the majesty of the inquisitor. Thanks be
to God. who has at length forced better councils to prevail
by arms. This Is the fifteenth day since the legates departed,
uid wc hope they will soon return, and return with peace
made. For wc offer to write even to the Pope, to ask that if
he will do nothing else the provincial may at least end the
quarrel by imposing perpetual silence and keep Hochstratten
from reviling. I know that this will please Philip, and not
him alone, but all gocxl students.

tA falltr accoani of ibU busin»*, whicb tksppcncd in DM*nb«(. U iIt«« U
Bucci'a Itllrr ta Rkcnuiiu of Jaiiu«; ij. Tht prirfiHOn wer« Ar ktad «I lb«
thcotogical Khocil ai HiiilttlKrf and llic piior »f EMtlntcR. T\ej left Ml
jBDuarr 8. arrivinjc ai Inroliiadt juM ten daj* Ut«r. M Rcaehlto wrou Plrth-
B4iiB«r, Oftr* Fatthtimtri, p. ail.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

279

Farewell in Jesus our Lord, and may you always be superior

your cnetnics. . . .

Martin Bucer of Schlettstadt,
Your Reverence's son I'li Christ. . . ,

23a LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
anders, ii. 304. (WtTTEffDERc). January 26, ijao.

Greeting. We have no news, reverend Faiher. For you
liavc seen The Unlearned Canons. We shall print the Nurem-
berg German Apology'^ if we have time. I send an cxplana-
tioQ of my sermon on the eucharist against the men of Leip-
sic, who have scattered the rumor that I am a born Bohemian
with such confidence that they have persuaded even the courts
of princes. They have captured Duke George and made him
most hostile to me, for he warned* the Dresden brother* of
my expulsion, as they call it- . . .

Some people have in ihcir possession a nohlc epistle' of
Erasmus to the Cardinal of Mayencc. Perhaps it will be
printed sometime. Erasmus, who is very anxious about me.
nobly defends me. and yet in such a manner that he seems to
do nothing less than to defend me, so great is his habitual
dexterity.

The Spanish ambassador* is witli our elector. Philip and
I were invited to dinner with him and handsomt-ly enter-
tained. You will soon see Melanchtlion's oration delivered
yesterday printed. Farewell and pray for me. Greet from
me the reverend Father Barlholumew Usingen, and Nathin
and all.

TlBOTIlER MaRTTN LUTHER.

■IJuama Spmtler'* Sekuitrti*. tf. in/rd. no. 111

Tkia lerirr ii quoicd by Enilcr». Tbc Dreadcn dawMr appftmitlT kepi
fa*4M*yc lo Lmbei no(iri[h*ian4{njt.

*TUi tciiir. «Hfra, 110. 191, It bid bee» coiruiicd fgi ddiriir to tTlricb *»ii
Huncn, «bo *>■ doultiUn [c>(>on>iL1c tar opening it aiij thowiriK it atotmd, ind
■Iwr (or kaviDs ■■ piitilti. a* wa* den« 41 an«. Biblifthrca Enumiana, I. 9].
EiMtntu nAtaiatly took Ihia very ill. blaming ilulte« far hu "cnoie Ihui punic
perfiitjr" iErarmi tfiiieU*. I.andltil. 1^41, iKI. 41), ind MMriilly ih« liberiy
tkk'n. u he avow*, with Ibe teil in chaniini *'Luttipr" to "our Luther." IHJ.
xvii. I«. I( wu rerilnled al Wiilenbers in t;:o (according 10 Carpm Reffrma-
tfirvm. t til"), u well •* al ■ nm-nbei nt other place*. Biblitlheca Etaimtana.
til. Ci. tUo Smidi, cp. nt., v- 'ot.

■Jerome BtoDJier, Sccicurr and Couaclllor of tbc Emperor elect. Cbulea V.

280

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. ui

aai. ALBERT DURER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.

E. Heidrich: Albrttht Düren sthriftlUkr Nachhss. (Berlin. igc£),
p. tSo. German. (NuneuBtHC, about Februar;, t}jo.)

Dürer, the cekbiatcd arlisi of Nuremberg (I47i-isjfi) had tail
Luther loirie of his engraving» early in 1518, from which Umc tÜl bl
death he was an enthuMaslic Lutheran. Hii artistic works rcprodnod
in KloAiikfr der Kumt, iv., Miinchen, 1908. Hi« hterary works ednri
by Heidrich, op. cU. Life by Thausing with Englbti iransUuca
by Eaion. Cf. also Heidrich: Albrechi Dürer und die Reformatitm.
1910.

Honored and dear Sir: — I have already tlianked you in
my note for what you sent mc, tut had then only read the
little slip with the address. Your letter, being inside the
book, was overlooked, and [ have ju?;t found it and icata
tliat my gracious Lord Frederic is sending mc some of Luth-
er's pamphlets. Wherefore 1 beg your Honor to express my
highest llianks to his Grace, and humbly to commend to him
the excellent Dr. Martin Luther, on account of Christian
truth which concerns us more tlian riche» and power of tbii
world, for temporal things pass away, hut truth lives forever.
Jf God help mc I will go to Dr. Martin Luther and nute
his likeness in copper' for a lasting memorial of the Chris-
tian man who has helped me out of great anguish. I beg
your Honor if Dr. Luther writes anything more in Gi
please to send it lo me at my expense.

You wrote about Luther's Defence.'' but there are no more
copies to be had ; a second edition h being printed at Augs*
burg, and when it is ready I will setid you one. This pam-
phlet written here is called heretical in (he pulpits, and it is
said they will bum it, and they vilify it for being published
anonymously. They say Dr. Eck will bum it publicly at
Ingolstadt, as happened to Dr. Reiichlin's books.

I am sending my most gracious lord three copies of my
engraving of the Cardinal of Mayence. I sent the plate with
two hundred copies to the cardinal for which his grace

'tJn(Drtu[iMcl]r Dünr nctcr uirrlcd out ibia plan.

*LM>riM SptnsI«r*B S<>>uUrtdr utti CtirmiitKe Atinr^n. ncnlioncd br L^ikrr
<o a letter (0 Spalmin, tufra, no. tiv. Tki* pioMilr e-iuinl SpiUtin to «rriic 16
IKrcr aboat it, frora whicli we get At apprmimU« dai( of lllii teller.

äemu^—

223 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 281

^Kindly gave me two hundred gulden in gold and twenty ells

^pf damaslc for a coat. This I receive wiih pleasure, espectalty

F »s I am needy at this time. For his Imperial Majesty of ex-
cellent memor)', who departed Uiis life prematurely, Ivad given

I me a pension of one hundred gulden^ which my masters will
not pay me now. So 1 must want in ray old days and lose

I the reward of my work done for his Imperial Majesty. For
my eyesight and freedom of hand is going, and 1 cannot work
much longer. This I cannot conceal from you, my trusted

^_and kind friend.

^f If my gracious lord wishes to have something handsome
made out of the stag's antlers I can make a pair of candle-
l^sticks out of them. . . . Recommend mc to my gracious lord,
le elector. Your devoted,

Albert Dürer.

t2t. LUTHER TO ALBERT, ARCHBISHOP AND ELECTOR
OF MAVENCE.

a, ii, J07. WiTTENO£sc, February 4, 1520.

commend myself in the Lord with all subjection and rev-
erence. Most reverend Father in Christ and most illustrious
Prince, I, a man of the lowest condiiior, would never dare
to address your Grandeur, even in a letter, to which more is
allowed than modesty permits saying orally, were I not com-
pelled to do so for a great cause, namely, the profession of
Christian faith and truth, and our common care for tlic sal-
vation of all in Qirist. If I brought danger on these I would
be most impious to keep still. Moreover I have been credibly
informed that men who perchance praise and defend me
elsewhere, in your presence, most reverend Father in Christ,
excite hatred and envy against me. . . .

If the things with which I am accused are right and true,

will the grace of my Lord allow me to utter a complaint?

Why do the>' not teach mc better? Why do they not show

iC my error? Why do they condemn mc tn the presence of

■A prnrieui l«i(rr iptaVi of Iwo hnndrfd Eu]i]*n PrahiUf lb* liLindr«<l (ul<l*n tad
t«« fisnl«! fcefate, toi ib^ wu rkitti (o two bitndrcd >1 Ibc Dlirt of Auf*-
Vuif, 'SiS. boi th« intrfu« vm not rccHvtd b? tHrtr ovine t° Uuilinllikn'a
^a»% In Jinnuy, tH9

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE ANU

L«L UI

the great before they convict me, especially as 1 so oi'tca
promise to listca to instruction, and aä I am prepared to
yield on my opinion, or rather I greatly desire to be relieved
of the burden of teaching and to hide in a comer?

I am compelled to teach what I have learned and read ii
Holy Scripture, and 1 am blamed for teaching wliat ihejr
either will not or cannot blame. Would that my most gra-
cious Lord had leisure to read or hear read my works; yoor
Reverence would doubtless then learn how foreign to me
arc the charges brought against me. 1 have not yet heard
that my writings have been condemned by any except by
those who had not read or heard them, except by a few who
are moved by envy to pervert whatever they read, and pre-
tend that I said what I never thought of. Such are thoM
accusations about taking the eucharist in both kinds and
about the power of the Pope, in which, if they confess the
truth, they realty think as I do, though thcj' pretend other-
wise, as anyone can easily see who reads my writings.

Wherefore I Immbly pray your Reverence by your cele-
brated loving kindness towards sound learning and men of
letters, that your Lordship will deign to hear me more kindly
than those spies demand, not so much for my sake as for
that of your own salvation and the salvation of many others,
and for tlie sake of Christian truth, which must needs be
wounded if I am unjustly either condemned after hearing, or
before I am inslrucicd and heard.

Jesus Christ, the judge of all. is witness to my soul that
1 am conscious of having taught nothing save Christ and
the commandments of God, and, again, that I am not so ob-
stinate, but that ] desire to be instructed, and when I see
my error, to change my opinion. Would that I might owe
that favor to your Re%'erence. For hitherto I have been at-
tacked by many lies, and yet after the truth was revealed
shoum to be innocent. Therefore I am obliged to suspect
that those who attack me in other ways do not act sincerely,
especially as they will not teach one ready to be taught, but
only criminate him. . . .

Your Reverence's most devoted son.

Ma&tim Luthel

L«t. XH OTHER CONTEMPORARY BETTERS 283

23* MARCO MINIO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE.

Marino Sanulo: Diorü (Extracts on Luither, edited by G. M. Thotna»

ua<ler the title: At. Lttlher ttn4 ait KfformaUontbfwrgung. . . .

m .iu4sugfn aui Marino Saaulo'j Diarien. Anibacli, 1883). xxviiL

136, JiaJian. R, Blown: CaUndar of Slate Papers . . . [n Vtnitt.

LcodoD. 1869. iiL it. English, Roue^ February 4. 133a

llinio was Venetian amba&sador at Rome IJIO-IQ.

In Gcnaaay, an Austin friar, called Friar Matthew [ I]

Luther, had written works against the Pope and the Church,

and had preached publicly at Xurcmbcrg to that effect, which

hcts having com« to the knowledge of the Pope, he had

appointed a commission of learned Obscr\'ant friars, and

had appointed two cardinals as their chiefs, namely, the

ßishop of Ancona and Cajetan, who were very learned, that

they nught suppress tliis opposition in the Church.

324. MARCO MINJO TO THE SICNORV OF VENICE.
Sanato, xxriil. 141. Italian. Brown, iiL 12. English.

Home, February 4, isaa

Three days ago a commission of all the Generals of the
Mendicant orders was held, and such as were not present at
Rome were rcprewnted by the Procurators of such orders,
the chiefs of this commission being the Cardinals of Ancona
.ind Cajetan.

This Commission was appointed in order to condemn cer-
tain propositions of Friar Martin Luther, who had preached
in Germany against the authority and power of the Pope,
and has a considerable party and is much favored by the
Dector of Saxony. An attempt is thus being made to de-
prive l.uther of the protection he enjoys, and of his adherents,
and the bull is being drawn up ; but the course taken by the
Commission was injudicious for the said friar's propositions
were read and the voles on them demanded without any
deliberation.

This friar Martin founds his arguments chieRy on the
gospels: he acknowledges the doctors of the Oiurch. such
as St Augustine, but not the other doctors, and he scoffs at
St. Thomas Aquinas. Scolus and the like. It is a very
scandalous affair.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lettd

225. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Eodcrs. ii. 315. (Wittenbüig), Fcbmary 5, 15»

Greeting. At Icngtii I send my letters' to the bishops; jm
find out whether il is best to send them, especially after, in
[he manner of the Leipsic party, the Bishop of Meissoi has
posted up an inhibition- against my semion on the sacrament,
wich whom they hope many others will agre«. But 1 will
publish a contradictory notice, and with God's help will diovr
lip these silly carnival masks.

Insane Eck foully attacks Carlstadt and me in a new
pamphlet.* Carlsiadt is preparing to answer him. and in
such heat that he has given his reply the title: Against the
blockish ass and pretended doctor, etc. If possible, persuade
him cither to abstain from cursing back, or not to answer at
all ; for in his book that wretched sophist has made himself
sufficiently contemptible and disgusting, so thai no one could
make him more so by upbraiding him, and would only make
a cover for his baseness, by which it would seem less base.
For I have begun to despise the man as I never before (fc-
spi&ed anyone. Carlstadt will not suffer my advice in this
mailer, nor would it be safe for you to let him think I bid
spoken to you about it. for the man is very suspicious. . . .

I remember that I wished that Melanchthon had a wife
suited to his character, nor am I sorry for this wish. For 1
fear the fate which pursues great geniuses will overtake him,
especially as he is very careless about domestic matters and
his health. But I do not see that he is yet inclined to
matrimony. . . .

326. MARCO MINIO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE.
Sanmo, xxviii. 143. Icrgo. Italian. Brown, iii. 16. EneKsb.

Roue, February tt, ijak

The Commission of Franciscan Observants appointed by

the Pope against that Friar Martin Luther in Germany, had

' T^rtttr (o Aflxft oi Utyrnce, jvpra^ no. saj^ mt^d ^nc o' the tVBit At,tr HflJ
»intiUi pun>«ri 10 Adolph, Biibop nf Merseburg. Eoden, H. 311. Tl« lenen
nwrv ««Rl on hf Sr^lilAtm-

1)alc(l Sto1p«r, Itniitry 14- Prirt«d, Kilkn(*n Edition, 0^*rt t-*nV arftcmtmä.
It. 1}9,

*C*iilr» Uariimi UtiMrri ebtututti prottifffiMtrtm AmirMm. Me. DMtiralloa
dMcd InmlMlriT, Occrtnber ). 1119.

237

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

2)»

itcndcd to draw up a bull against him. but tlic^' subsequently
ide the Pope dctcnninc to discuss the matter more fully
making another Commission of other eminent men.

237. LUTHER TO SP.\LATm.
im, & 322. (Wittemberg), Fclruary 12, 1530,

Greeting. Here is the letter' of Bucer. 3 young brother
rho almost alone in his order gives some promise. At Hcidct-

rg he received me eagerly and simply, and conversed with
he showing himself worthy of love and trust, and also of

Your admonitions came late. All that in one lost day,
under the auspices of Mtlanchthon, I conceived, I am now
bearing, with the presses as midwives.- Suppose there is to
be a new and great conflagration, who can resist the plan of
God? They are raging so without cause from God or fault
from me; and unless God humbles mc I will despise tlietn, for
you yourself see how easily I can bear their learning and
noalice. Who knows whether they are predestined to be the
cause of revealing- the truth, and whether they are not pre-
paring for themselves the punishment of the hatred they have
so long nourished against us, namely, the shame which the
enemies of the truth ought to win. I have honored tlie
bishop, but if they go on I won't let a bubhie like him stop
my fighting for Christ's truth.

When his Inhibition wa.s posted up at Oschatz, some
brothers of Waldhcim who came hither yesterday, told me
that someone had written on it: "Behold the bishops of this
age post up their ignorance even on Church doors! Alas,
Bishop, reread the gospel T" And more. Pray let the matter
go its own way; God only is guiding it. We are carried along,
as I think, and are passive rather than active. FarcwcU and
pray for me.

Mahtjn Luther, ^ugusiinian.

'Smfra, m. ai«.

■The R«plr ID thr Biibop of MtiMcn'» Flicatd. infra, no 31$. It vu lilcm
>t Mice CO the Uiiliap It Slalpen l>r Ibe Kcccitrjr ol Marcncc. Idlebul RrrKb.
ind read br klm <o Ihr bitior »nd the "OfTicitl" (Cbritiopbcr HccucbiciV Thcr

re lUipleaMd, bul tbc more Ibc Official curitd the marc Rcrictt lausbcd.

tat

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND LO. 2i

ZÄ LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

£nd«ri, li. 337. Witteksesc (between Febmary 13 and rS), IJA

Eadcrs dates this "soon after February tS," but tolenial cvi<lcDn
*e«ins to me 10 make it more probable that the letter was wriitts
after tliat of i-'cbniar; 12, but before th«t of February 18. In thii
dating I follow Hoppe in the St. Loai* Walcb edttioii. vol. xxL. n.
363.

Creeling, Good Heavens ! Spalatin, how excited you aiel
More than I or anyone else. I wrote you before not to tt>
sume that litis atfair was begun or is carried on by your
judgment or mine or that of any man. It it is of God, it
will be completed contirary to, outside of, above and below,
your or my understanding.

But let mc tell you again that 1 would not have the least
part of this cause dcciilcd by your fate or by mine, and that
my only fear has always been that I should be left to myself
and tlius write what would please human wisdom. You must
beware of being too wise and I of being too foolish. Too
much folly, I confess, displeases men, but too much wisdom
Btill more displeases God, who has chosen the foolish things
of the world to confound the wise.'

You do not sec that itiy long suffering in not answering
five or six wagonloads of Eraser's and Eck's curses was the
sole cause why those bloated makers of placards* dared to
revile me with their ridiculous folly.

Secondly, I know that I do not care that at Leipsic my
sermon* was forbidden and suppressed in a public edict, for
I despise their suspicion, reproaches, injuries and malice.
Forsooth must we allow these bold men to add to their other
furious acts the publication of libels, stuffed not only will»
lies, but with blasphemy against the gospel trutli? Do yo
forbid us even to bark against these wolves?

The Lord is my witness, how much I have restrained my^
self for the sake of the bishop's name, not to treat th£j

'1 CorifiAiant, i. >7 Luther i» aniwcrlne Spkliltn'» obJMtioiu lo Ac K
|r««l Tiolcne« of kla aiuwet to Ibc Butu(> uf Mctucn. Cf. iMft», n». »tj.

*"ScbcdulKii.'* rtftrritijc to the "Scbtilnli" ■>( tbt Blabop of Udueo.

»Sfrm^u M tkr Sar*omtnt tf It/ Bi^y doi BI«m(. Wrinu, il. j^t.

238

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

287

I des

scd and impotent edict irreverently. I shall say elsewhere
,t their brains ought to hear, when they acknowledge that

y have published the edict and begin to defend themselves.

consider them impeaceable and in a future tract shall not

tain from treating them as vioIator.<i of law, gospel and

ion sense, fo that thvy may know how much I have

iherto spared their ignorance and mahce.

1 see that you have not read the edict willi siifTiciciit care.
If they were not more ignorant than any asses, ihcy would
know that nothing was ever written against me, or rather
against God's word, more venomous, pestilent, malignant and
mendacious. On this account should we exult, or change
our manner of writing, or suffer more? You know how I
despise that inconvenience.

If you think properly of the gospel, please do not imagine
I its cause can be advanced witliuul tumult, offence and
sedition. You will not make a pen from a sword, nor peace
of war. The Word of God is a sword, it is war and ruin
and oiTcncc and perdition and poison, and, as Amos says.' it
met the sons of Ephraim as a bear in the way and as a lioness
in the wood. I wrote much more vehemently against Emser,
Eck and Tetzel, and you never complained. What if even
the official' or the bishop himself docs not acknowledge pub-
lishing the edict?

They write in greater danger than 1 do, for ihcy have so
forgotten all gospel, laws, reason and common sense, tliat
they care for nothing but to condemn mc unheard, unwarned
and untaught. They do to mc what I have never done to
them, at least never to the bishop and the official.

Let them go on as they please. 1 f they have forgotten the
dignity of the episcopal office, or even that of his subordinate,
doubt not that [ will soon remind them of it by citing texts
of the Bible. God so carries me on that I cannot fear their
rash and untaught hatred. Let God see to it, for he ads
through mc, since I am certain that none of these things tia%e
been sought by nie. but that they were drawn from me. one
and all, by a fury not my own.

ntatb^ HoM«, liii. jf. Cf. Anos, iii. B,
*S«^ra. BO. ttj. Dole ■■

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut M»l

Be of good cheer, and do not brood over the appareol
facts. Faith is the proof of things not seen;' why, t!i«i, do
you judge according to what is seen? What is done, Spaialin,
and what is seen in this affair are different. I sc«k nothing; j
there is one that seekcth.* L«t it Stand or fall, I neither gain
nor lose anything. You have my opinion.

Our friends are not as much displeased as arc you and ts
you wrote. The provost' thinks that I have treated these brawl-
ers rightly. If everything which comes forth under the nam*
of hishops is to be received, what tyranny will reign I I am
sure that the Bisliop of Meissen is not the author of fliii
edict, and I firmly hope that he will not recognize it. Evt»
if he docs this I assume that my warning will make him act
more prudently and wisely in future.

Yet I cannot deny that I have beerj more vehement than 1
should; but as they knew that I would be, they should not
have irritated the dog. You know yourself how hard it is to
moderate an angry pen. This is the reason why I am scwrf
to be in the public eye; and the more I am involved in sodi
business, contrary to my monastic vow, the more sorry I im.
But tlicy act against me and God's Word so criminally and
fiercely, that were I not moved to write warmly, even a mind
of stone might be moved (o war by indignation. Far from
having such a mind, however, I am naturally warm, and hare
a pen which is not at all blunt. So I am carried beyond the
bounds of moderation by these monsters.

Moreover I wonder whence this new scrupulousness U
born, which calls all thai is said against an opponent scurillily.
What do you think of Clirisl? Was he scurrilous when he
called the Jews a perverse and adulterous generation, off-
spring of vipers, hypocrites and children of the devil? Paul
speaks of dogs, vain habhlers. seducers, unlearned, and in
Acts xiii. so rages against a false prophet lliat he might sccni
insane, saying: "O full of all guile and all villainy, thou son

tHrlH-evt. 11. I.

*Jahn. viii 54.

>Dr, Hrnninf CMe. prnfiMAr «I Frfurt till ija^. whrn ht wm\ 10 WiRM<
b*ri !• pfoitaior of esnan la« «nil croi-ml of Ibe Cltf CIiutcIi. )■ rji< if
iMornnl lo Erfnrt for two rrtn. vhtn he ttmt back t« Wiltpnbrrf, It» 4M
JiDiury, isii. lie ww ■jBinti cbe Ktformaiioii.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

of the devil, thou enemy of alt truth."' Why did not Paul
rather Hatter him to convert him than thus thunder? The
consciousness of truth cannot be patient against Che obstinate
and unconquerc<J enctnies of the truth.

But aiough of this trifiing now. I see that all demand
moderation froni me. even niy enetnies who least practice it.
If I am immoderate, at least I am simple and open, in which
I think I am iKttcr than they who invent »tories full of guile.
^Farewell and fear not Brother Martin Lutiieb.

,P. S. — You write among other things that your advice was
led. and don't rrmcmbcr that I wrote you that your
advice came late when the books were almost printed.

B 229. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Endcfs. ii 324. (WirreNsEsü), February 18, 15201

Greeting. Dear George, by God's grace 1 have courage
enough against the conflagration of Meissen,' and yoii will
see me obeying your advice to answer as gently as possible.
Indeed, I will let you and your friends see a copy of my
Latin answer before it is printed, which I stiould also have
done with the German answer, had it not hcen printed before

»your letter came. But neither in this latter have I touched the
ulcer of this edict on account of my reverence for the bishop,
although tniiy the edict is btasphemou« and more furious
against Christ's gospel than any heresy. I shall point this
out in future, and unless they beware I shall treat them as
lliey deserve in exposing their ignorance. I will not suffer

■ a condemned error to be assumed in God's gospel even by
all the angels of heaven, much less by the idols of one
terrestrial church.

If it seem good to you, let us do our enemies this favor.
Write them, if there are any there who will listen to you,
warning and begging them to act against Luther as prinJently
and cautiously as they can, for he took great care to spare
them in this pamphlet. Lf they bcpn to shun the frost, per-
haps they will be buried in snow. For unless God has de~

'A«t>, xni. 10-

*/. /-, <b« alTiiir o[ th« «JicI publitb«! hy Ihr Biikop of MtlKpn nl S'otpfTi,

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

lAZfi

prived me of all 5Pn!;e (whkh h« may do in his exceUeol
will), it will happen that the more they stir up this dung (»
to speak), the more it will stink. I would not threaten so
great and so many men. save that I grieve for and pity tbw
shame, which they have irrevocably fixed on themselves bj
this edict, and because I desire to offer them the same tenia
in this matter that I desire for myself. I would not take all
the wealth in the world to be found the author of such as
edict. . . .

23a LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
Enden, ii. 331. (Withnbuic), Fcbniiry 24, ijn

Greeting. ... I believe the men of Stolpen' will not keep
quiet; perchance the Lord will do something through than
which neither they nor I expect ; in the meantime, let them
find an interpreter of their pamphlet how they may. I htw
written the bishops' and am expecting an answer.

1 do not remember al>out my Sermon an Good H^orks; as I
have printed so much there is danger that I shall weary the
buying public at length. I do not know the German Apologj
which you say is a supplement to the one printed at Nurcro-
berg. Send it along if you have it. so that I may see it. Ld
the Anstver of the Unlearned Canon/ follow. . . .

Yesterday Matthew Adrian' sent me word by Dr. Conrad
König.' the son-in-law of Dr. Wolfgang Stehclin," requestjng
an answer. I think I have answered him. but the letter has
been lost. König also asked how much salary Adrian would
require to teach Hebrew here. For he thought ninety or one

'Sttfra. BO. »S7. ooie »,

■Of Marcnce and M«r>eburjt: Lulktt wt«le llicni. at tbi deetoT's micsc»»«».
in kiuirci 19 lb<ir cbtriv* ■■■inil hi* Srmon «n iht LrrJ^t Suffr, Smfr»,

•A work ol OetoUttipailiuK ro aupport I.iiihRr Mitainit Rck.

*A biplitcd Spaniib J««, a pbyiitian. He tait(lLl H'bfew al BbiIc, Ibca at
JlriArVbtrg, ihtn (i;ir1 at tlic Celltgium Tnlinate at Louvain, then In Wiiit«'
bcrr. wtcn be icmalned about a jtu (10 Fcbrnarr. tS'O- FuUet rcfcicwaa.
Enden. U. iiy

*0I SiiiUKan. dotior ai lair. Dean of tbe faculty of art« at WlKenWt ')a9>
and RtctoT IS 10.

>0( Rftlh«tiiU(. fame I« Wiltcaberr froot Tibia;« tn ijoi: iS»t-] ehanertlar
nl Duke Hrar? of Saiony at FriRMri. Lalvr as*lD«t Ibe R«forBati»n. Endef^
L t«o.

330 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS SOI

htinclred gulden would suffice, as I had already heard several
times from Adrian himself. Please teil us what you think
or hope in the matter.

I have at hand, by the kindness of Schlcupncr,' Lorenzo
Valla's proof (edited by Huttcii), that tlic Donation of Con-
stantliie is a forgery. Good Heavens! what darkness and
wickedness is at Rome I You wonder at the judgment of
God, that such unauthentic, crass, impudent Hcs not only
lived, but prevailed for so many centuries and were incor-
porated into the Canon Law, and (that no degree of horror
might be wanting), became as articles of faith. I am in such
a passion that I hardly doubt that the Pope is the Antichrist,
which the world at large expects, so closely do their lives,
acts, sayings and laws agree. But more of this when I sec
you. If you have Dot seen the book, I shall take care that
you read it.

I do not know what to say about the students and the
painters. 1 Icar it is a little thing artificially blown up to
look big. I spoke of it in a sermon, but did not satisfy all.
Some said I favored the students too mucii, and some the
contrary. This affair of the devil is so hard to manage that
it would have been better to let it cool off of itself, rather
than start putting it down with so much tumult and noise.
There are only a few actors in tlie tragedy, and they poor
ones, on account of whom the whole city and university are
disturbed. Indeed, it is impossible (as .'Vntiochus said to
Herod) that in a great sick body an ulcer or pus or some-
thing like it should not occasionally break out, which, i£ you
let it take its course, will die down of itself, but if you keep
it in and stop it up will infect and rutn the whole body. [
shall do what I can.

Farewell and pray for me. Our prior Helt went to Magde-
burg as soon as your letters came.

M.\HTiN Luther, ^rlugustinian.

■Donnsic Scblrupncr «t Rtrilau, mairlcuUicil at WIttcnbrrs i;ii> anJ Itlrr
bccuDc praacbcr at St. Scbatd iu Nurctnbcti. Spakto •>! by Lullicr last oo
DcccBibci t. t$ja. En<)tt*, vlll. ji4.

*Tb< brilUiDi Italian bunanlit Valla <i4«<-s;} bid pr«v«(] ibal iht »«.calkd
Donation «f Cnitianiln« t« lb« Pope vu a foritrr. Hultan publiibid ihli, 1J19,
Ou ibc inSueace of Üic walk on L.utl]tr, 1/, Smilh, 0^. cil., pp. jitl.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. tji

331- ALBERT. ARCHBISHOP AND ELECTOR OF MAYEN'CE.

TO LUTHER,
Endcrs, ii. 336. C.\lbe, February 26. 15a

Greeting in the Lord. HonorabI« and beloved in Chrisi,
we received your letter' in which you try to free us from
the danger of crafty suggestion and yourself from the perü
of being thought hatefully hypocritical and obstinate. We
could not but be pleased that you promised to listen to
better doctrine, and, if you arc taught, to give up your
own opinion. Although, as beßtting our office, wc profcsi
that all matters of Christian faith and piety are very close
to our heart, yet we have not hitlierlo had leisure give»
us to read or even to glance at your works which arc now in
everybody's hands. Wherefore it is not oiir intention to pass
Judgment on them, but to leave that to others wlio arc greater
than we, whom wc reverence, and to whom we rightly yieW
precedence, and who have already taken up the discussion of
tliese matters.*

But we do greatly wish that you as well as all others who
have undertaken a spiritual life, should treat sacred thing)
reverently, piously, modestly, without tumult, hatred and con-
tumely, as becoming. For not without serious pain of mind
and vehement displeasure we daily learn that distinguished
men professing to be Christians fiercely fight, as though for
a great, serious matter, for their own frivolous opinions and
notions, as, for example, whether the power of tlie Roonn
pontiflr is divine or human, and of free will, and many other
similar trifles, which do not concern true Giristianity.
Everything is treated as a. matter of vital importance, every-
one defends liis own opinion liaughtily not without re-
proaching and reviling his opponent. Thus, to the great peril
of inciting disobedience and sedition, many strange opinioos
are scattered among the fickle crowd and the unlearned peo-
ple, and much is rashly suggested to the cars of the latty con-
trary to the long established customs of the Church of Christ,

'Liithcr rncniril (hit rrfiual a( Albert la diKUM bis twain, m fci wrote kla
December i. iiu: "To mr Mcond tetlct 10 your CrtM. kumUT aikinc tm
iniiiruciion, I lai a b&td. imptorei. uncpiKvpal, unchrbtUn aeiwcr, ntcrrin« mt
10 bitb» pCFwcfi for lafuciDaiioti." Suitb, cf, rii., ^ 08.

Lei. 233

OTHER CONTEMFORAHY 1,KTTERS

2(0

forsooth that the venerable sacrament of communion should
be indiscriminately distributed in balh kinds to all assembled,
as well laymen as clcrg)-. Moreover wc have heard that some
men audaciously belittle the authority of general councils in
order to uphold and defend their own opinions.

We do not sec why it is expedient for you or others to
treat such matters, nor how it can make for the majesty,
purity and dignity of Christianity and for the peace and
tranquiUiiy of the Church. Perhaps these things could be
considered at a more convenient time and place by men skilled
in letters and to whom the duty should be assigned. This
method of discussion would yield more fruit and less danger,
without envy and incitement to di^obctlicncc and scandal to
tlie populace, and without insulting anyone. This would be
better than to have such matters rashly bandic<l about by the
unlearned and by the prating rabble.

Finally, we cannot disapprove your assumption to teach what
you read and have teamed in Holy Scripture, provided only
that you do it piously, gently, without bitterness and without
inciting to disobedience to the public authority of the Church.
{ your work be of God, it will be praiseworthy and fruitful,
and. as we say to you with Gamaliel. Acts v..* strong and
invincible; but if your work be of haired, pride and ill will,
it is of men and can easily be overthrown. For everyone is
in danger of abusing the benefits of God, and of fighting
against the Intlh and against God. May he grant that wc
and you and all other Christians may do right. Farewell in

irist.

333. ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO PHILIP MEL-^NCHTHON .*\T
WITTENBERG.

Corpus Rtforfuatarvm. i. 147. SitcrELBESO, February 38 (ISH>).

I enclose a letter^ I wrote long ago. wliich has been returned
to me, having been badly cared for by those to whom i en-
truste<[ it. Please tell l.uther at once and privately what I
MfTOte about Sickingen, but so that no one shall know that I
kve had anything to do with the affair. There is a rea<.on

lAcu, V. jSf.

V, f: Ami of Januirr w. n/ra, no. aiflL

9M LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AÜD Ut iß

not mentioned in the letter. If Lutlier is in trouble, and can
get help nowhere else, here is safety. Here he can mock
his detractors in perfect security. Sickingen and I lure
important reasons, which I woulil tell you if I saw you. I
fear that some evil will happen to the barbarians and to all
who support the Roman yoke. My dialogues, the Komon
Triad and the !nsf>icientcs are being printed ; they are vcfy
free against the Pope and the despoilers of Germaoy. I
believe you will approve, or at least not disapprove of them.
Above all things w;im Luther. If hh business is doubtful,
bid him at once without delay betake himself to Sickingeiu
Hc could see mc on the way, but I do not know if J wou!J
then be here. . . .

333. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPAL.\TIN AT ALTEVBURa

Enden, ii. ^3. WiirxNiiEfic, February 39, 15m

Greeting. At length the Bishop of Merseburg has sect
me back my messenger with a letter, after keeping him wail-
ing three days. 1 am still waiting for the answer of the
Cardinal Archbishop of Mayence. I have Mcrseburg's com-
munication and it does not displease mc except that he con-
fesses he was moved against my sermon by the letters and
reports of others. Perhaps he never read it himself, but
condemned it on vicarious testimony. Then he deprecates
the strife about the Pope, and very properly, as though I
delighted to be blown around by these whirlwinds and would
not prefer to live in peace as he writes that he would. Truly
while we are well we scorn the advice of the sick, as Terence
says, and yet if you would remain well you must give heed
to them.

It was hardly to spite me that the Archbishop of Mayence
forbade the monks Lo bef. Our Prior Held, just returned
from Magdeburg, is full of complaints ;^ainst him. For the
cardinal begins to tyrannize and dare all things, even offend-
ing the dignitaries of his own church. Who knows for what
purpose he lias been called to fill such a responsible position?
Doubt not that the Lord will use him for some future miracle.
As for me. I should much prefer to have tliis begging done
away completely; this is one of the opinions for which Edt

t. 2j6 OTHER CONTEMPORARV LETTERS tW

kcs me a heretic and boasts of so doing. For I hate that

shameful way oi life and siiould prefer to Icam a trade

to-day to support myself rather than live thus, and 1 shall

ic in this opinion, Eck notwithstanding.

I am surprised that my former letters have not reached

you.

I am glad to read of tlie conflicc of Emser and Schott.*
Farewell and pray for me.

MiUiTtN Luther, Augustinian,

234. LITTHER TO SPALATIN.

9«n, It. 346. (WiTTüNacBü). March z. 1520;

Greeting. I send some things* just out against Eck, dear
Spalatin. which please return after reading. You see how
Lcipstc and Eck are going to be another Cologne and Hoch-
strallen. In my judgment the Dialogve smells of Pirckhcimer,
for he is offended with Scheurl, and there are other Jadica-
tions. I am not pleased with this matter of raging against
Eck, for it is a libel, and an open attack is better than a bite
from under cover. Farewell and pray for me in the Lord.

f 235. G. COWPER TO HIS FATHER, THOMAS COWPER.
ass. of Ihe Shrewibury and Coventry CorfvraUoni, 1899^ p. 47.

Enslbh. (Shbewsburv or Coventkv), Marcli 3, is».

Thij frafnni^l i« interesting rs proving ific early spread of Lutheran
opiniont in England. Thomas Cowp«r is mentioned i]uite frcqwcnlly
in the State Papers &s a tax-collector and niiancial agrcnl of the
English government.

... As for newcs, therys none but of late ther was bery-
lykes here which did lake Luters opinyons. . . .

336. HERMANN HUMPIUS PHRYSO TO LUTHER.

Endcrs, ii. 350 Paris, March 14 (1520).

The author of this epijtie. identified as Hermann Hajo Fritius

((. /., of Holland), ia occasionally mentioned in the letters of Erasmus

and hia friends. Cf. Enihoven: Britft on Erasmus, p. 129. and De

*J«lin Scbott of Obeclindi made ■ pllErlaianc to Piloilnc isi7; «u with
Lnlber tt Worms isii; iR'cr an oStctt it CutiuiK. Emlnn. ir. 3JJ, I caa SniX
n«iUns of bU quaricl wiib Eidmt.

Tbi* reftt* 10 tbe Uctiut drilolatnt (* pun on Ech, wbidi in (krman mc«»
"(«rati.** tbc irbolc phrMc nt«inins, "The i>l>Bcil«f! tamer"). ■ breatUlda
pr«h«blT t>r Ptrckhein«r, IlKMRb be deaicJ tbe auiboithip of |b

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LtLSja

Vocht in Englische Studien, xl. 376. In 1532 lie was a jarist imi
impemi councillor. AlleD, iii. 444.

Inasmuch äs I could not explain to you, even at gmi
length and with much art, how much I favor your dißkult
as well as fair and pious undertaking, I shall certainly not try
to do so in this short familiar epistle. How much should 1
favor Luther, who, I »ee, is approved by all good men and
rightly extolled by the greatest, and who also is hated and
reviled by the wicked ! I obser\'« both these facts with the
greatest, that is, with equal joy, for I con&ider them equal
praise. Recently, when I was living with Erasmus (for al-
though unworthy I did so about eight months) I learned well
how high an opinion of Luther that man of most e:(quisite
judgment held, and which he would testify to his tabic com-
panions,^ among whom, as among faithful friends, he was ac-
customed to lay bare his mind. William Nesen- was of the
same opinion with him, for he all but adored Luther. But as
much as the deliberate judgment of these two pleased m«, M
much did that precipitous condemnation» of you by the soph-
ists of Cologne and Louvain disturb me. But again, when
I learned how unjust and unlearned their condemnation was,
I greatly rejoiced, and finally exulted and applauded, for I
saw that this would be as a branding -iron* by which both
of those Kakadcmicä ' would stamp themselves with a mark of
lasting infamy. And so a few days ago, when I was prepar-
ing to leave Louvain for Taris at the urgent request of the
theologians,' there came into my hands, I hardly tmow from
where, some marginal notes on that most beautiful book.*
By Hermes^ they were neither foolish nor unlearned; with
the aid of the Muses I will see to it that they are printed
at my own expense if necessary, and, if there !s anytliin{

'CfMk.

■Suff*. DO. •!).

•The Uniftrtily at Colainc coDilrnincd Luchcr'i dottrlnei nn AtiiuM jo. «fid
tbU wM rutfitd br LouTiiQ on riarcmtKr 7. tji«.

*An sntr*ntt(tiblc mi», cainblnlii( tb« CrMli wofAi for "^d** and f«T
"Made my."

OHcrmnnn w» eridrnlly oni! of th« youngfi tcliolar», «bo, Hke NcKO. «U

Mpt-IIetl from Louvain >li«ul tbii lime

*TIiii bouk wu pertii|)B ibc voJumt of Lulhcr'a Wofkt Iwurit 'by Frobea wbitfe
mm the DU< coadciancd \ij CeloBiic and Louvain.

Ut. aj7

OTHER CONTEMPORARV LETTERS

»7

lacking to them, I will supply h with my own pen. If Wolf-
gang Wilder, who is to carry these IcUtrs lo you, were not
in such a hurry that he cannot conveniently wait three (lays,
your Reverence should have a copy of them; hov/cvcr, you
will shortly sec copies of them everywhere. Finally, please
take my service for tlic best, and hereafter number this Dutch-
man, hitherto unknown to you even by name, among your
strongest supporters. Farewell, reverend Father in Christ,
and continue strongly to assert our faith. I pray that the
Holy Spirit may be your continual comforter and true para-
clete.* Hail and farewell a thousand times. . . .

237. GABRIEL DELLA VOLTA TO JOHN VON STAUFITZ.
nttchrift für K\r<htngtichichte, n. 4*8. March 15, ISSO.

We were very anxious to sec and speak to you at the gen-
eral chapter celebrated last year* at Venice. For wc had
need ol speaking with you about many things concerning the
bonor bf the Congregation, and particularly concerning Mar-
tin Luther's affair, for at that time the volume' which he
hiraself published on the virtue of indulgences began to ap-
pear, the doctrines of which, though they were a scandal to
small and great, would have been susceptible of easy treat-
ment, had we all agreed on one course. He himself con-
fesses in his writings that his respect' for you and his love
for the monastic profession is so great, that wc doubt not
that every old disagreement would have been settled and
under God's leadership have been extinguished and prevented
from growing worse. But as we were deprived of tlic ad-
vantage of seeing you for reasons which, as we believe, were
honorable, we thought it necessary to write you this letter,
10 infonn you what enormous evils threaten your Congrega-
tion and our whole Order unless Martin ceases from speaking
and writing about those matters which are either disagreeable
to the Holy Roman Church, or scandalous to her. As to the

•Cmk.

■In luDc, ijiv,

>Thc Rtt9\»iitn*§ iitptit*h*niim, which firat appvartd in September, 1518. arc

■leant.

*In 111« Ictler 10 SUspiU cl Uij jo, ijiS, pdaied ki ■ prvfac« |« lb« werk
«((iliotiid. Sttfrs. ao. 63-

IiUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LtLty.

hurt of the Order, you know that our profession is made
odious in the eyes of all, and the habit and name of the
Augustinians is so hateful, that we are, as ii were, insulted as
worthless by the apostolic see. We must appear to the pub-
lic the more slack, in that having been the only mendicMt
order never accused nor suspected of heresy, wc are now,
like heretics, forced to flee tlic face of men. The thing ought
to be the more intolerable to us as it secras to touch our tiu»t
innocent Pope Leo X., to whom our profession owes as much
as it could owe to any mortal. On account of the innuiner-
able benefits he has conferred on us it is our interest not to
cross him, but to please him and to be humble and, if neces-
sary, pour out OUT blood and lay down our Uvcs a huadrvd
times a day. . . .

We Iiavc heard that great men are turning their attention
to this affair, and that the ax is laid at the root. Wc hav«
b«cn credibly Informed that a bull is being drawn up against
a number of the writings of the said Martin, in which, bow-
ever, our Supreme Lord, out of respect to our profession,
has not decreed ttial either the name of the Order of St
Augustine or that of Martin Luther should be wiped out,
from which we can see how kind, gentle and benevolent to
the Augustinian family Pope Leo shows himself, who, though
he has been provoked for four years, can hardly be induced
to defend himself, not to mention taking vengeance. He
rather covers up the offence of the man, dreading our coni-
mon confounding, and only expecting improvement. . . .
Wherefore we conjure you by the bond of charity for these
reasons to use all your power, care, industry and diligence to
make Martin abstain from speaking against the Holy Roman
Church and indulgences, tliat he may not, relying on his own
genius, begin to move against her whom the Lord founded
upon a firm, rock, but tliat he may cease from publishing
books and keep silence when he sees that daily more danger-
ous offences arise, and that he may remember those words of
Christ: "Woe unto that man through whom the offcocc
Cometh."* . . .

Wherefore we write you praying hy your piety and pro-
<U*ithi>«, .tIIL J.

339 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 29»

»ion and love to God, if the zeal, honor, advantage and

1th of your profession and Congregation mean aught to

~yoti, that you should give all your care, study and thought to

this one thing, that Martin may hcip you and at length come

to himself, that with him our Order may be saved from great

infamy and calamity. Farewell in the Lord.'

aj8. GABRIEL DELLA VOLTA, GENERAL OF TE AUÜUS-
TtNlANS. TO LAWRENCE BRAGADIN. A VENETIAN
GRANDEE.

Sannto, xxvtiL 215. Italian. Brown, iiL zS. English.

kRauF., March 16, isaa
Bragadin was ainbatn;lor to France 1536, to Komu ijjs-?.
Nothing has been done about Martin save that alt the
theologians of Rome liave debated logcLiier three times, in
presence of the Cardinals of Ancona and Cajetan, discussing
I certain propositions of the said Matnin, part of which were
considered heretical, part scandalous.

AH the generals of the orders have in liice manner stated in
«'riting their objections, and llic reasons which cause them
to remonstrate. It is now said that a decretal will be drawn
up. reproving his said false propositions without naming him,
but I think he will be admonished by a private breve and in-
vited to retract, and should he not retract, but persevere in
his obstinacy, they will proceed against htm as a heretic.

^^£»1

330. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
den, it 362. WtTTENSCito, March ii). 153a

... I send you the work of the asses of Louvain and
Cologne, which I am now answering in print.*

Please read John Huss' and return him. lie not only
plea&ea me. tut both his spirit and learning seem to me mi-

■Thii Icitn' Bi*ir have dvcided Sttuplu to lay down bii office of Vicar. •* It*
did la ADtmt. lita. Lutbei vritu on Uiy s tbal Suupiu ap^cti 10 da to.

■nr Con lUni nation of Lulhcr'* diKirine bf Cologne (AtiRuit ji, t}(«). and
Lourain <[<orEcntKT t). ni printed in Fcbtuarir, isio, with ■ dcdicaton* cpiillc
\>f Adrian, Ciidinil ol Totlota. Ulrr fapc Adilan VI. Lulbcr'i aniwcr atiprarrd
ta xsio, Wtimu, ri, 170.

*I.ulhcr now read lluu'a Dt CdJfiia, acnl bini bf Roid'alonikr al tbe ttmc of
ikt litip*K debate (mfre, oo, ■$■>. Tbc effect It made «n bin ia bett paintttl
la a («Mr IraiubUd; Sraitb, ep, til., p- 7a.

tea LUTHER-S CORRESPONDENCE AND U. aii

raculous. Two thousand copies are being printed by Tboau
Anselm.'

It is said that at Vienna you saw visions iu the sky,' namdj
flames and conflagrations. I, too, wouid like to see Lhan;
perhaps my tragedy is contained in them, as it was in ibe
former ones. Farewell and pray for me.

Maktin Lutues, Augustinian.

240. LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Enders, ti. 364. Wittcnbcjic, Maich 21. 1530

Greeting, I think, reverend Father, that you received nj
letter from Brother Martin Benedict. We have no news. Mj
answer to the damning theologs is in press. My friend Eck
goes to Rome to arouse the forest of Lebanon.' But I be-
lieve that even Rome is subject to Christ, the Lord of all
who, if I am worthy, will act for mc there also, but if 1 am
unworthy will not act for me even here. Pray the Lord for
me that I may sometune become good and plead his cause
worthily in this unworthy age.

I commend to you the wife of Dr. Thomas Eschaus,* for
I think the woman has either already died or will die xo^ay,
as she has no hope of life. Farewell in Christ.

Brothek Martin LtJTHEK, Aut/ustinian

341. LUTHER TO MARTIN SELIGM.\KN AT MANSFELD.

Endcrs, it. 367. WrrrEKSBHc, March as. tsn

Greeting. Thanks for your gift,* dear Martin, The same
monster was sent mc before, and I am now answering ii.
expecting my pamphlet to be published to-morrow. There are
many here, and even in the elector's court, who think

tA puMiditr who eiirted it Stnitburr. 14SS. It«D retnoTCd to Ffonhtin tad
Tübin^p«, and *t i1i><l ilme wm ai KBg««au.

*TbcM «ere dcicriibed a> occurriog at Vlmna. J*nu«tT j-?, mi». In a kook
kij Jubn Virdunn o( llau[uri.

'Kcfcrcocc to Juilcrt. U. 15^ On Eck'* trip to Rome »itA Ut elfcct. Smlih. p vt.

*£ictiaiii or Kicb, nijiiriculilcd at CoIOfDc I4g>> cim« 10 tlw Uni*e<*llj ol
WilirabcTi in ijoi. where be Mied u nuiarT> *nd louk tcvecBl dcfreci. ladndlat
bachelor af canan la* ijoa-Si »ii ä«ttoi ot racdkin« September ij, t)te. Be
«tincinued pitiUtiiit and leatbinv prirutely until bit il«aih in 15J}. He Iroqucotlf
atitndcd Luibcr, sb« «onsidared him tbe bed local phTildan. Smith, p. «4.
A'tin- /■■' KtfefmalMr^lgtjtliit^lt, vit, i;6.

%v*

OTHER CONTEMPORARY 1,ETTERS

301

t this was made up by one of the Obscure Men, whom
als suborned to attack mc and seek an occasion. But
lorp's' letter will show you that the work is genuine. You
learn all from Melanchthon. Give my regards to your
tor,' Jonas, John Reineckc' and William;' also to my flesh
d blood. The men of Lcipsic and Meissen keep cawing
,way without getting anywhere. I hear that my sister Bar-
bara has died. May she rest in peace. Amen. Wc shall
I all follow her. Farewell and pray the Lord for mc.
^^ Maetin Lutheil

^^^ 242. LUTHER TO 57ALAT1N.

^Hnrt, iL 369. (WiTTENBDtb), March 36, 1530.

Greeting. Dear George, I recently forgot to send you the
letter of Dorp, which I received with others from Antwerp.
Read it and sec whether you can think the thing a fiction*
which was published there. For Dorp, as I think you know,
is the most learned of all the Louvanians, not only by the
witness of Erasmus, but by that of this, his letter, and the
other which Erasmus has Inserted 10 his Farrago.'

I thank the I^rd who has occupied my mind with other
things so that I should not read the Cardinal of Tortosa'
carefully, for he writes most impiously of all that divine and
natural law is in the hand of the man possessed of divine
authority. This is such a horrible portent that I could not
pass over it, were my mind present. Farewell and pray the
Lord for me. Martin Luther, Auffustinian.

'Uarlin ttjribolonK« rM Dorp <i4&;H«t jr, isaj), studied »t Louraln.
wk«(e be bcoTnt iiroffHor In 1504. IFe took bi* docioratc in ibcaloir t^<i-
Ftoa iji« till bit dratb be wBi, in »pile «f i»miior«fr diiaBCccmenM wiih Erumiu.
bb warn fiirnil and principal tuppoTirr ai (.ouvain. lie vit aitu tamrgblc lo
Lntbcr, (haujb caulioiulr. Tbii intii ii lail. C7. Allen, ii, ii, witb tefticnc»,
moA d* Joncli. r<.j [De Jnngb wranglT tbinln iliii )«i)rr wu ibe Jaa Acadrmtar
I.»vtiiun.m. whitb. u ii waa not coraitaitd unlil November, 15», ■■ iinp«i>(ib1t).

■Kanim«r(T.

)RFiB«eke mm IB «Id ■cboel ffimd of Litihcr, tIh mr af the Uaailcid BailiR,
Pftrr Rrlnrcltr, Ixtr fron-inait«r at Manafeld. Died July ij, iSjB. Enden. lÜ
4«*, «IL I, Snitb, i;of.

■ Krlfendrln a( a bapilivd Jei*'lib tamllT, Iroiii 1 {o> till bit dtatb, iSjS, cot.
iMtor of laxc* at Slolticrc. Endera. vi, j;8,

*SMpT«, no. ,t4l.

*I>i>rT to ErMcnni. Juir ■«• t)i3- i" tbe Farraoo nov9 *fi\stt\af%m Dtt.
Fiubm. Ocwber. 1519.

■ AdriiB, later A4rlae VI., no. ivi.

»S, cot. ^H

9oe

LUTHER'S CORRHSPONDEKCE AND

L<t m

24J. LUTHER TO JOHN DUKE OF SAXONY.

Endcn^ ii. 372. De Welle, i 434. Wnmar, vi 303. G«nii3n.

WimNfiEK, Mardi 39. ijaoh

This is the dedication 10 the ireaiiae On Good Works, Weimar, n
19t

Johit the Steadfast, born 1468, elector from the death of his brodxr.
Frederic, May 5. 15^5. lill liis own deaih, AuguKt 16. 153^ He wii
1 w&Tin supporter o£ the Kcfotmation from tfic lirst. Cf. RtaU»-
tytlapädic, and J. Becker; Kvrfurtl Johann vcn Sachsen mnd ttm
BtMtihungrn £m Luther.

Serene, highborn Prince, gracious Lord! Pray accept mj
humble service and poor prayers. Gracious I'riticc and Lord,
I have long been desirous of showing my humble service aoi
duty to your Grace with some spiritual goods which are at
my command, but considering my ability I have always foimil
it too small to undertake to otTcr sometliliig worthy of yoor
Grace. But as my most gracious Lord. Lord Frederic Dultt
of Saxony. Grand Marshal of the Holy Koman Empire.
Elector and Vicegerent, etc., has not disdained, but has gra-
ciously accepted my mediocre book' dedicated to his Grace,
which has now, contrary to my expectations, been printed;
1 have taken courage from this gracious example, and have
presumed to hope that, as the same princely blood runs in
your veins, you would have equal clemency and good will, and
accordingly that your Grace would not disdain my poor, hiun-
ble offering, which I think more important than any of my
sermons or tracts, in that it treats of good works. For good
works contain more poison and deceit than any other creature,
and the simple man is easily led astray by them, so that our
Lord Girist commande<l us to beware of the sheep's cloth-
ing under which wolves were hidden. For neither gold, sil-
ver, gems nor any precious thing has so much adulteration
and dross as have good works, which must all have one sim-
ple virtue without which they arc mere dissembling, hypocrisy
and deceit. 1 know well and daily hear some who despise
my lowliness say that 1 do nothing but make tracts and Ger-
man htHnities for the unlearned laity ; but I do not care for

*rJU TtunaitFU.

that charge. Would to God ihit in my whole life with all
my power I had helped one layman to improve ; I would be
satisfied with that and thank God and willingly after that
would let all ray boolcs die. I let others judge whether it is
a great art, and profitable to Christianity, to make books
wholesale. But I think, if I cared to make big txioks of their
sort. I might, by divine help, do it more quickly than they
could make a small sermon of my son. If success were as
easy as failure Christ would long since have been cast again
from heaven and God's throne itself turned upside down. If
w« can*t all write poetr>', at least we all want to judge it. I
am heartily willing to leave others the honor of doing great
things, and will not be ashamed myself to preach and write
German for the unlearned laity. And, though 1 have little
power in this, yet it seems to me that if we had hitherto ap-
plied ourselves to this and would apply ourselves to it hence-
forth, it would be more profit and improvement to Christian-
ity than all the big books and disputations of the learned in
the schools.

Moreover I have never compelled or asked anyone to hear
me, or to read my sermons. I have freely served the public
with that which God has given me and for which 1 am re-
sponsible; let anyone who does not care for it read and hear
Others. Also I do not care much whether they need me or
not. it is enough and too much for mc that some taymen, and
fine men. too, humble themselves to read my sermons. And
il nothing else impelled me, yet it would be more than enough
that I have learned that your Grace likes such German books,
and is vcr)' anxious for instruction on good works and faith.
It became me to do my best to serve such men. Wherefore
I humbly pray your Grace kindly to receive this testimony of
any good intentions until God gives me the time to write a
German exposition of faith.^ Even in the present work I
desired to show how we use and need faith in all good works.
and consider it the principal work. If God permit, at another

*Cla*t< U ihe nefnj»n for both "diili" >ad ■"cracil." Thr tt<Miat On G»oS
Wt^ki (ollOKdl Ihr iiidcr of ilic Ten CaniRiindincni», It U Inrernlini la tec
ko« ifce «Epaution oi thrw, vith iJic Ctccd irnl Ihr Lonl'i Prayer, «biEb laicf
bK«DC the >ub*ian<:e of ibe CaHcKirm (tsi«, cf. SmJtb, (14^.) w«c tkM cwljr
^ Wipi« cf Luciitr'k pickcbinit.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND ha. m

time I will treat the creed by itself as we daily pray, or speak
the same. I humbly commend myself to your Grace.
Your Grace's humble chaplain,

Dr Martin Ll'theh,
Augustinian at W^ittenberg.

244. ULRICH ZWINGLI TO OSWALD MYCONIUS AT

LUCERNE.

Corpitt Rtjormaiofum, xciv. 293. Zutaca, April a, IS»

Myconius (al»o Gcisshilskr and Müller), of Lucerne, matriculated
Bt BaUc 1510. B. A. 151J, ihni Tiecamc public reader. In 1516 ht
went tu Zurich, where ht wus instruniciital in gcttinK Zwtnglt. Ii
tlie autumn of 1519 he returned to Lucerne to open a school, «hidi
h« had to give itp when he joined Ilic Reformation in 1523. Afief
a year at Etnsicdcln he came cnrly in 1524 to Zurich, where he taught
school until after Zwingli'« death (1531), wh«n he went to Btsle u
successor to Oecolampadius. He died here in 1552.

... I would not have you ignorant, that, earnestly u
Zasius commended himself to us lie recently wrote that he
was so minded that he could do no other than write against
Luther,' because the latter had dared to make light of tbe
majesty of the sacred canons. Here you see the jurist dedi-
cated to his own profession! I not only warned Zasius not
to do this, but I even politely admoniihctl him to consider
this only: namely, that though, as I must admit, Luther lacked
moderation, ytrt by freely exposing and ccnsunng Ihc crimes
of the prelates, if tliey continued to be bad, he would ^naJty
frighten them and put some sense of shame into them. Zasius
was pleased with this advice. . . .

245. ERASMUS TO JUSTUS JONAS.

SitzvKQsberUitte der phii-hijl. Clane der kaiicrlükem Akademie der

ii-'istfis^hafUM. Wein, i88d, xcv. 59S. L.01:vain, April 9, 1530.

... I would not like the Dominicans to know what a

friend' of Luther they have made. The university has con-
ceived im-urablc madness; .\tcnsis' has perished, Init Eg-

^Stfra. no lofi, and the \ttt*r oT Za^u* (o ZwintK, FcbrtuiT ifi. is»o. Ctrfm»
Krf«rmalffTti'a, xcit. ;0s.

•Tr»t. ■■uoieuin,'* which I Ihinit coTf«t, btlicvinj (hat Etmoiu» rcfei» la Wb)-
•elf. Horiiriti, t«(. nl., tattttu "animuin," »hicli, in mit opüÜMi. would bt
leu unalUc.

■lob» BrUrd of Alhi ibnc« known H Aib«iiw» aad Hssa* {Arv brine

Let 24a OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 3ö5

mond and Latooius, the one blear-«yed, the other halt, act
more odiously than he.* . . . Your Erasmus.

346. MELANCHTHON TO SPALATIN.
Cer^ug Reformatorum, i. ijj. (Wirres bbiic, April 13, 15»)

As Luther has written you about the sentence in John,'
there is no need for my writing anything. For why, as
Gccro says, should 1 play the actor before Roscius? ... It
was about this very scntcnc« iliai a dispute arose widi the
French mailiematician. He said ilial he would give in some-
thing to the desires of the people if he profes&ed Luther's
doctrines, but that it was generally thought that even Luther
did iiot beUeve all his own dogmas. He meant to jay that ail
thai Luther said was not true' but thought that he could more
easily entice people wilh this circumlocution. Then I said
that I thought this was an evil purpose, and. what was t!ie
last thing an honorable man would consent to, underhanded.
A good man ought to say freely and boldly what he thought.
Truth does not need to be adulterated with cither art or
fraud. A suspicion of falsehood was a derogation to Luther's
doctrine. He whose life was different from hia doctrine
would t^' that very fact raise suspicion, and nothing ought to
be so entirely avoided as all suspicion of falsehood. The
authorijy of one teaching by fraud was impaired. For what
would the people think of one who taught by lies when they
found them out? I added much of the same sort Then he.
to guard against being thought to Iiave made a false or
captious criticism, took refuge, as it were, in these words:
That by no means was fraud to be used, but that he would
consent to be taken for a liar if all that Luther said, every*
where, by chance, seriously or in joke, were true, for every
man was said to be a liar.

th« Crvek for nejm). brs*it IQ l*4ch st Louaiin no't v» made doctnr of
iktolosT ijoo. Krlior 150s aod isio. ihc Icacllnc ibeoloKlan aftrt ibt tlrpariur«
of AdrUfl of UiKctit. H« bu ibc mnti detarTninvd o|iponnit of Erainiii. and
would luTC bwQ oi Luther, baij it not been lot his deaib on January 8, ijm.
O« Joncb. P' 'nil-
tOn tk> oaipaiKB of Ecmond and tdianitw acainat Lulher, taffa, aa. »ig,
■ Enden. U. JTV- The acnicnce wajh "Yc tan do noihinK irULoiit me,'* John.

Tke wvtda in inlju ate in Ceroian.

N»

tUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

I.«t aC

Now you can see. dear Spalatin, how absurd and clumt;
he was. For what on earth have Luther's jokes with hb
friends to do with his doctrine? Even thus it is my opioimi
that he never jokes, but that some serious meaning lies be-
hind ihe jests. O truly ridiculous Parisian! Yet he would
defend this opinion with his teeth! Farewell, Spalatin.

Your Phil».

247. LUTHER TO SPAL.\T1N AT LOCHAU
Endfrs, ii. 382, (WiTTENBtRti). .April 16. 15»

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, we have agreed with Adrian'
tJiat he should delay a little. He promised to wait eight days
in Berlin for letters from us. Now we must try to get an
answer from Werner of Bacharach as quickly as possible. He
demands a salary of a hundred gulden. In this whole af-
fair we must take great care not to fall between two stools
(as they say), by losing one. while the other is called by
Maycnce or goes of his own accord. Many of our professon
strongly urge me to keep Adrian for one year at least. i(
only, as they think, to prevent the shame of having him
called by eclipsed Leipsic ;- for there is a rumor that they
will take him to spite us. If you are not able to write briefly
what we should do, at least write to him at Berlin not to
mind this delay. I suspect that he will go as professor of
Hebrew to Frankfort on the Oder or to Leipsic if we turn
him down. Answer quickly.

There is a nimor" that the direst bull against me is about
to be issued. Thus the provost of Ncuwcrk* warns and
advises mc, as the saying is. Moreover, certain even of my
enemies who pitied mc have asked my friends in Halber-
stadt to warn me that there is a certain doctor of medicine,
who can m.\kc himself invisible by magic when he wants to

'TLü £ni pancrapti Txitn 10 ttv clloria of Willcnbcnc to iwturr a HcWr«
prufuior, the cuididiiu Uini Uiithcir Adilwa tnd Wcmw, of arbam itaikUiK

■An untrandauble pun borrowed fr«m Ettiut JfJvIalH«, as iht Latin kcbuiitc
Uifiitm (L^etpiic) «nd feUf-jiit,

*I*rtplT»tioi» f«r driwinK up k bull ocainii Lut]i<r Lid bean ■«••( «a u
Rixnc CTtt »ncr iht ^ng^nning t-l tbe year; \itj ovr« erollf ■Itaiulaled br ibc
aniTit in that ciiy of K<\ iowi,rdi ib< end nl Uarch. Cf. Snllb. of. tH^ 91I.

«Nicolai Dcmuili of Neuwrrlt, ntir Halle, In Ibc lervic« of Klhtrt of UaycBM-
Emttra, iv. ia](.

2*1» OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

307

pl\ somebody, and who has a command to kill Luther, and
he is coming hither next Sunday' when the relics are
This is a persistent rumor. Farewell.

■^

347X. GUY BILD TO LUTHER.
Ztit^krifl ties hutaristken Vtrctns /tir Sclnifabrn und Nttiberg.
i8a3. 3ix. MI. .i^uosHLw;, .April t6, 15»-

Greeling in Christ. Some years ago, reverend Father,
when I was wriiing to my intimate friend George Spalatin.
r included a note to be given by him to your Reverence, in
which among other things 1 humbly »ought to commend my-
self to your Reverence, so that by his mediation I might de-
serve to receive a little letter from your Reverence. But as
hitherto most merciful God has willed to try your Reverence
with various storms, that he might crown you victor with
the crown of righteousness, so at present all have not a little
hope that your Reverence wilt soon reach a port of quiet rest;
wherefore, relying on your kindness, I was not able to omit
pving a letter for your Reverence to our common friend
Geoi^c Spalatin. For I am bound by such love to your Rev-
erence that 1 do not believe any mortal could break the bond.
For neither by chance nor lightly (Spalatin is witness) did I
conceive great love for your Reverence, but it was in grati-
tude for a ser\'ice. For your Reverence's writings so changed
and renovated my mind oppressed as it was by the conscious-
ness of llie stuff over which I had formerly sweated, that
they instilled into my nostrils not only the sweet savor of
doctrine, but the splendor of it. I thank God greatly that by
you I desired to learn the words of Christ (which are the
words of life) and that I began under your guidance to weigh
and keep before my eyes the salvation of my soul. Your
friends and supporters. Bernard .Xdelmann. John Occolam-
padius and the Prior of the Carmelites, once your host,* know
with how much love and praise [ follow you. May your Rev-
erence accept the greeting of a poor little monk like me and
if possible when you plan writing to our Bernard Adelmann.

■April »1. Tbe dtctttr'i nlk» «ei« eibtbilcil eicry year on Ibl* Sundait.
pnors of •(Irai^iit »tiinii I.utket'» life wrrr toninian it this tin».
'While LuihM wu 11 AuiiborK in OtiotMr. i;ig, be \aift4 al the MnTcnl at
■kf CAr»cL>tc>, becauM iLerc wta m Auiu'lidin chapter in thai citr.

MB LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let a«

as you often do, or to Occolampadius, be mindful of me iM
do not disdain to write me a consolatory sheet.* For it wtll
be 3 perpetual memorial both of your friendship and of j'our
kindness. Farewell and be commended to God Almigtilj.
May he deign lo keep you long safe and sound for the coa*
mon utility of his Church. Amen.

Broth KK Guy Bild of Hachstadt.

348, GEORGE SPALATIN TO CHRISTIAN BAYER AT
WITTENBERG.
T. Kolde: Friedrich dtr Wtise (ErUngen, i88r), p. 41.

WiTTcfBEKc Castu, April 22. ijja
Bay» of LatiKbeiin rnairiculaicil ai VViueiilic-rs 1503. B. A. 150t
M. A. 1505, then became professor at the university and burgomaimr
About 1538 he became Clinnccllor ol Electoral Saxony, in wUdi
capacily he atlciideil (he Diet yA Augsburg 1530, and there re»d tke
famous Confession. He died October 21, 1535. Enders. vii. 135.

Peace. Dear Colleague, yuu have always been so ready to
please me Üiät I have cunceived the hope that nothing I ailt
will ever he refused by you, and especially when it concerns
my frirnd Dr. Luther. Wherefore please draw up and send
to nic to-day a memorandum as to how you think we shoulii
act in case Luther is crtcommunicated, either singly, or (which
God forbid !) with most clement and Christian elector, or
with this university and now illustrious city. You can do
nothing worthier of yourself or more pleasing to good men.
... G. Spalattn.

Greeting. Dear Hess, I will write more elsewhere; at
present 1 am very busy and must write brieflj' so that you
will at least not think that your letter to me was not delivered.
Moibanus' will fell you more. I thank you for the Emperor
Honorius* and more for the prayers you promise to offer up
for me, which, as I greatly need them, I rely on not a little.

'Lutbrr AiA «tilt lo Bild (irfra, no. 154), bul neither tbU letter bot tkow 1«
wrote ID Atktmaiin bare been prcoerrcd.

■I.«cer > cull'nitiic uf ll«u *i Hrfslau, where he ttuxbt Greek. Re bad ipcoi ■
ftbort lime ai VVIitcnbet«.

*P(oUtblT >■■ ol<l Rvoian («Id. »vch m Hcm eallccted.

Let. »51 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LHTTERS 30B

May the Lord have respect for your bishop* and keep him
long for us. Your colleagues will leach you what is necessary
for your ordinatio« as priest,' as far as ceremonies go; my
German homily* has someihing* to say about the spirit of the
faith, to which will be adde<l another sermon by me on tlic
use of the mass.' For in the mass no distinction ought to
be made between priest and layman ; there is one bread, one
faith, one communion, only the priest is the minister, the
layman is not. More of this elsewhere. Now farewell and
pray for me as you do.

Yours,

Mahtin l.tJTHEa.

•

»so. MELANCHTHON TO JOHN HESS AT BRESLAU.
Corpus Reformatorum, i. 155. April 27,' 1320L

. . . Luther is too busy at this time to write anything on
the prophets, but I hope, when he has finished some of his
work, unless God shall tear him from us, that he will be
moved to write a commentary on Genesis or Isaiah. Genesis
is more difficult tlian Isaiah, as I, who am now busy with
it. know. . . .

2SI. CROTUS RUBEANUS TO LUTHER.
Endcrs, ii. 3861 ßnMBKirt;. April 28. 152a

Having returned safe from Italy. I have been entertained
here by the noble Fuchses,* who are great admirers of yours.
A little later my friend Hulten came hither, although we had
no plan to meet, but. I am firmly persuaded, at the summons
of Christ, who, because he rejoices in no sacrifice as much
as in mutual love between men, thus unexpectedly brought
friends together. When then we celebrated Easter' together,
and sang: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we
will rejoice and be glad in it,"* our services were interrupted

IJoll« VI. Ton Tliufto. Biibap 1506 to Ausuil 1, ijio.

'lieu avia abfrul 10 b* i>riUin.t4 prifM. ■• he wa*. on Junm t,

*SrTiman ten harlivrvrdififn Sacramrnt. Weimir. ii. jji.

iSirmou vtt dtm iwiMn Ttxlmunt. d. %. ve« dtr khltatn Mtu*. Wrimir, vi.
J40. Auciut. liiD.

iThii K d*tfd "Aiiiil 17." but ihc Kft b tbe more likely diie. C/. LiitJi#r/
Wtrkt. ed. O. Clnr«r. i, 399.

•J«nM asd Andrew Fncb), cf. impta, no. tSt.

'April B.

•rwi« cavtll. M-

LUTHER'S COKRESPONDENCE AND

Let. tji

by the cursed pronouncement of Louvain and Cologne, sou
to Hüllen by Erasmus of RoHcrdarn. It gave us great nu-
terial Iwih for laughter and for wrath ; we mingled Ü!«
laughter with our festive and ptous joy, and we moduhtol
our indignation to the harp oF David, so that it should not
become so great as to be sin, although wc do not read with-
out sin, if everything is sin which f>rocceds from a mind movcil
by indignation. For wc are not such Stoics that wc can fr«
our minds from every malady, especially when wc see mtn
audaciously rage to mack (!^ermany, to hurt religion, to de-
stroy imiocence, men. too, who ought to be the ornament ot
Germany, the honor of religion and the last to hurt innocence.
In this opinion I always contained myself by a sort of happy
assent. If any wish to show the innocence of their life, to
hold burning lamps in their hands, to defend the cause of
truth with the sword of tJie Holy Spirit, to lay down their
lives for the salvation of their brethren, the>' ought to be th«
theologians. But it is far otherwise; hardly any more mon-
strous tyramiy rages among Christians than that of the the-
ologians, especially those who are commonly called monks
and inquisitors. Instead of light they show darkness and uo*
happy envy, instead of the lamp of virtue they breathe frwn
their nostrils fire, as the poet' says; the sword of the execu-
tioner has taken the place of the sword of Scripture, sophistry
the place of God's Word. For from caring for their brother's
salvation their mind is not a sweet savor of Christ" redolent
with the ointment of charity, but one which, clad in a deaUly
garment of foul hatred, attacks tlie vitals of one's neighbor.

I still remember how I heard at Cologne* a monstrotis and
more than bloody deed done by Ilochstraltcn in l^wer Ger-
many, which I shudder to think of. How much more, there-
fore, should you beware of false brothers thirsting for blood,
unless perchance you have decided to follow the example of
Huss and increase the number of Christian mart)'rs. I would,
if 1 could, dissuade you from this decision, for how can you
be a saint unless the Pope, who alone has the power a$ was

■Vlrfll. Atiutd. rIL all.
•t CoriniUwa. ii. i).

'CrMu* nulTicnliicd ■■ Coloenc Narcmbcr i;, ij«].

Let. 351

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

311

recently decreed,' presents you with the freedom of the city
of the saints? And wiU he, whose autliority you have weak-
I encd and whose indulgences your disputation has made go
^■bungiy, ^ve it to you? It will profit you nothing to wash
^^your robe in the blood of the Lamb.' For eternal life what
I need is there of a bull of the "representative Church"* and
I the a^ecment of the professors, witliout which you will ccr-
I tainly be non-suited before the celestial tribunal for deciding
I the right to be called saint O wretched Christianity ! O
primitive faith! Thus must all divine things depend on and
' be contaminated with human ones? Let anyone who can, now
I deny tliat the Church of God is smitten with a terrible per-
^P secutor. ...

^ In the judgment of all you have been condemned not ac-
I cording to sound doctrine, but according to Louvain. Even
^kso the Pope's thunder smites many not Christianly, but Ro-
\^ manly — for new word? must be coined to describe new er-
rors If, indeed, they have written anything, yet they sup-
press it expecting the agreement of their allies, so that they
can all rush upon you together and so crush you. They labor
much to accomplisti thi« plan both in Italy and In Germany;
and by delaying their refutation they win hatred for them-
selves for daring publicly to condemn a Christian without
giving their reasons for so doing. For it may come to pass
that their allies will change their opinion and not wish to
subscribe to the doctrinal condemnation, as it is now rumored
of our friends at Erfurt.' Dorp, whose authority with the
^■learned is greater than all the rest of the university, has re-
fused to assent lo xbs condemnation of you by Louvain.
Would that they would publish something less insane, so that
in the strength of Scripture you might break their frivolous
folly to shivers like the vessel of the potter,* and might slay
their foolishness with the sword of the Holy Spirit. You
■ would not have great ditHculty in doing this, but would add

'ta ifc« C^lcran Council cf iii6,
*Bcvttelioit. TÜ. 14-
■a «luiAtlon tiom rricriai' D\»iavmt.

*Tfcit probably rcfui tD tbc juismcai o( Eriurl in ilic Beucliliii cms; iL«
detir« at ibo uninnit; Id «ithdi«w tbii it rpoltm of in the Efiflel«* Obtcararitm

, a. «7

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDEN<

Lxt.iji

reverence to the most reverend Cardinal of Tortosa' whan
thos« old fools have found a worthy assistant, just like them-
selves, o babbler, a coward and a good-for-nothing.- When he
wislied to show the majesty of the "virtual Church,"* he
spoke thus, with moderation, in something he did not under-
stand: "I wonder much tliat a man entertaining such ob-
vious and obstinate errors in matters of faith should be per-
mitted to scatter his errors abroad with impunity and bring
others into the same pernicious opinions."* With like mod-
eration he said previously: "I saw Luther's errors; and they
seemed to me such gross, palpable heresies, that not even a
student in tlicology who had passed the first stage ought to
make such slips."* Who will call this man most reverend io
Christ, or who will respect his red embroidered hat and robe
trailing on the ground' Who will apply spurs to those who
run furiously of themselves? Since in his whole letter he ii
sordid, dirty, impudent and light, let the professors gather
from him flowers worthy of their nostrils, and let tlicm pluck
this one from him, unless he took it from them: "In this
Luther proves most of all that he is a heretic, in saying that
he is ready to die at the stake for his opinions and to be a
heretic against all wise men."* Martin, you have many com-
panions in that heresy, and if alone you tread the true wine-
press,' I think the number of those prepared to undergo the
stake with you depends on the gift of Heaven. Let sharp
men dispute and condemn as they please, they will never make
me doubt that any mortal justified by faith has access to
God.» . . .

Martin, most upright of theologians, guard the divine It(^t
now deserted by all, and show by the virtue which we cherish
in you, what is the difference between a creature of the Pope
and a creature of God. The King hath brought thee into bis

'Adrian of Utrrcbf. Uttr Pope Adfitn VI.
iCrcck, *fur tbe Iliad, i. sej.

'Quolstion from Adtian'i 1«(lti of Dn«inb«r 4. 1119, prc&x*d C» tkc Catid*wt-
natiuK ol Luihrr by Coiegnt omt Leitvtin. iti^ra, no. aat.

*nu,

•/tu.

K{. tuiih. Ixiii. ].
*Roniaa>, r. tf.

I.M: 35'

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

813

chamber* and hath given thcc the tongue of them that are
taught' to know how to refuse the evil and choose the good*
You are known to me, but you daily appear greater and
greater. After the clouds of passion the sun is risen; \vc sec
with what skill and diligence you confute the doctrinal con-
demnation of tlie Luther-scourges; we admire your learning;
we adore your genius; we are Iremendously pleased that you
temper serious matters wiih jokes, bitter with sweet, so that
when the wonnwood is drunk it is not tasted before it en-
ters the stomach; you draw and paint everyone to the life. I
do not well retain the image of my Martin on account of the
years since I have conversed with him. You were formerly
in our company a musician and a learned philosopher; but
lately i saw the boxer Entellus fighting old Dares in the
arena;* then you came forth as the swift hunter of the wild
goat;* DOW you paint in hvely colors the judgment of the
tbcologs ; what will you be next? In what line will you win
the prize? I think that of the sculptor is left Come then.
good Polyclctcs,* make us triumphal arches to commemorate
your vanquished enemies, and show us in living marble that
Jesus Christ. May he keep you from the moutli of the Lion'
and the horns of the sophist unicorns forever I"

Francis von Sickingcn, that great leader of the German
nobility, requests, as Hultcn tells me. tliat you flee to him, and
he will give you peace, a theological home, a servant, food
and protection against enemies, with all the necessaries of
life in abundance. Hutlen has written in full of this to Mel-
anchthon." Such kindness is not to be despised. The holy
fathers exercise their wits to no purpose more than to alienate
from you the mind of the Elector Frederic, so that destitute
of all protection you may finally be forced to flee to the Bo-
hemians, which they think would be the end of your fame and

^Rsooi

IS «( &«IIK», L 4.
*I**iah, I. 4.
*lMUb, *>i. IS-

•The de^ie wiili Prlcriu, lo deiignitcd by hJmMlf. nfta. «0. 6t.
*Th« <ant«o»»f«)r iriili KmMr, tcramoniy e»Ilfd •■the wild foiL"
*A D«i«ä ■ntienl i«u1piar.
TPan: Lm X
4V*alni KtM. 39-
Vnfro, ■>•- aiS, aj>-

LUTHER'S

tESPONDENCE AND

Utq*

doctrine. You know with what contempt these pet^e ait
regarded, and how strong is an age-long opinion. Eck ixnr
has his nail in your wound at Rome; wherefore we must be-
ware, and you should let me know your opinion of my advice
by letter. The favor of Sickingen should be kept, test he
should think his great kindness to you scorned, he who with
one letter for Reuchlin more terrified the Dominicans than
did all the breves of Emperor and Pope.' John Huks hu
come to life again at Uasle.* after having been so long dead
through the tyranny of the Thoraists. What, pray, will be
safe hereafter, when such holy writings dc5er\'c such a jodg-
menti' But he is not dead; he will live as long as truth lives,
bat he wasted away and blameworthy hatred passed to fail
ashes. Your letter* found various fortune with me; when
I return to Germany, that letter goes to Italy, but has a<X
gone yeL Farewell. Crotus Rubeanus.

P. S. — ^I send a letter to Hess,* but not to trouble you. If
he is with you. as some say, give it to him: but if the rumor
is false tear it up or keep it until he comes, for he will go
thitlier where he may profit by Martin's doctrine. liutten
is leaving, and asks to send his greeting, he is going to Fer-
dinand,* the brother of King Charles, in whose court, wc hop«,
he will fmd a place which will not be without advantage to
you and to good studies. He showed us an epistle" of Eras-
mus of Rollerdani commending you earnestly to the .arch-
bishop of Mayence. A copy will he sent to you; take it
and read the learned eulogy of this learned man.

353. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
EtMlcn, ii. 395. WiTTTJtiEBC, May 1, 15»

Greeting. 1 send the letters of your dean with those I
received from Nuremberg. Mallliew Adrian lliinks we should

Kf. mfr«, no. at«.

■5wiwa, no. jjg.

'Loii, Bnnwet to Clroiui'a kiitr at October }t. tvpra, no. i«a.

*TbU teller la fobn Rcu, Afrtl tOi prlntol ta KfBlIi: Btitft mti DakamtmU,
p. aa

'Hiiim WM diuppaiitlt^ lo irylns 10 irln bin orer t« (be tide of CcnMa
freedoin.

*Smtr», NoKubei I. tsifl, •>•• ■»'- Lalfcer i*i atftady M«a dK kner.

as3 OTHER CONTEirPORARY LETTERS 31»

rile to Dr. Pascha' at Magdeburg for Hebrew books. When

}U have done it first I will do it and quickly; please see to
I will look out for my own affairs.

The number of students increases daily, so tliat the little
city cannot receive them all, and many are forced to return.
We are not able to provide Adrian wiili a lodging äuilable to
him, nor are we pleased that others should be turned out
for him, which, however, he has begun to do. If in this af-
fair he has written anything or done anything (for he wished
to see you about it personally) you know my opinion and
Melanchthon's: we will not second him nor consent to his
turning out anyone unwillingly from the house of the ballilT
or anyone else; if they kindly wish to go. we shall be pleased
and thankful. . . .

I have received a letter from Staupitz at Nuremberg, prais-
ing me at last and more hopeful in my cau&e than he was
formerly wont to write. Wenzel Link writes that they have
received the "doctrinal asses,"' and that he has good hope.
Thus my ship is tossed; now hope, now fear is at the helm;
but it is nothing to me. Martin Luther, Augustinian.

253- JOHN ECK TO |JOHN F.-VBER AT CONSTANCEI.

Lmihtri opera van» argumtnU, ir. 236. RoHt, May 3, 1530,

Thi« letter i> addretscd simply "To a Vicar": Professor G. Kawerau
kiD<Jl>> idtniifics him for mc wilh John Hcigcrliii, callcii l-'abcr (1478-
May 21. 1541). wtio studied at Tijbiniien. took grclcrs and matriculated
at Frriburg by 1509. In 151Ö he was chancellor of the Bishop o(
Basic, in 151S lie became Vicar of the Bishop uf Constance, nnd in
1521 SufTragan Bishop: tS2j minister to rcrdinand, isaS-jS Coadjutor
Bishop of Neustadt, Bishop of Vienna iS3a P. S. Allen, a. l8gi

Greeting. Most worthy Vicar, your John Ulrich came to
me on the journey, and we went to Rome happily together.
I took our most holy Lord [the Fope] the book on the
Primacy of Petfr. I would rather tell you face to face than
write you on a dead paper, how kind the Supreme Pontiff
and tlie very reverend cardinals were and arc to me.

The first draft of a bull Kas been made against Luther, and

'Tbe idcRlltr of tbii p«fMn li sat errtiin; prrhiM Alre«l«bcB,
Tbv ('o0dcinn*Hon of L.tiihcr by Cologne isd LauvsIa

)RRESPONMN

L.115J

will bc brought before the next consistory of cardinals, ii
the most holy one follows the advice of Eck ; Üieii all tlic
cardinals and bishops will subscribe to it. It has been t
pood thing that 1 came to Rome at this time, because the
others did not sufficienily know the errors of Luther. At in-
olher time you shall hear what I have done in this cause.
Recently the Pope, two cardinals,' Dr. Hispanus- and I de-
liberated on this matter five hours; each was asked in loni
to give his opinion. The form of ihc bull will please good
men, for it is compounded according to the usage of Ac
councils and popes ancient and modem, and forty-one cnvs
are expressly condemned. . . .

Yesterday I was in counsel with our most holy Lord 00
the Lutheran business, telUng him what had been done hf
the cardinals appointed to consider it; to-morrow, again, I
am going to the Pope to ask on what day the consistory wäl
meet. etc. . . .

Farewell. Yours to command. Eck.

P. S. — The cardinals favorable to me are the Cardinals of
the Holy Cross,* of Ancona/ of Agcn,* of the Four Saints,'
Jacobacci,^ of St. Sixtus.* and Campeggio.' etc.

■Ciielin xnA Accolll. CJ. Smith. g<S.

Tht Spaniih AucuitiDian Jobumn. wbou lut name la ueltnftwa. Ct. SwA.
ibid., and Zeilichritl fiir KirchtHertcliichU. iit. oo. Prolowir Kiwmu nttn
nr on ilie litter a» a «bok to UlLlbcirn: V'bon Rhtfiui, wbicb. howner, I ttan
not bcca able lo obiBin.

■Stinarilino Carvajal of Placeniia. in Spain. Bialiop of Carth«sCDi and OitfiL
Mfdinal nnc« 1493- H< «as an <i[>p<inent of Julia» 11. al Üw Couatll of Ft«,
■nJ •• tticb dEclarn] by ttc rope uiiwoitliT of ibt icd bat «htch waa mlwtd
la him by he» X. He died I>c<E(i;bc[ i^, i^js. It bo* been conjcctartil ibal bt
on>uKi] ibe dcaiinatlon «f Lulbrt'i apptal 10 ■ conntll ■■ h«r^ka], Oa bii^
in/ra, no, iti. and Smilb, Luihrr, p. «;.

•Peter Aecolli of Amto, Bubop of Aneona, made cardinal by Jullua II. ia
g|>i. U« iru one ef the eommliuaa to inTC>l!ji*le Lutbn'a berciy, and draJud
(be bull Etimrfit D^fite, promulsalrd June 1 {, 1 jio. On Ihi* Smjlb** Luiker, fi.

tLeonaid Gtoiio della Rbvere, Biihep of Agen. made eardJoal by Jullna H
in rj«}. and taipr ttgate, liral at Vitcrbo and tben at P<TU(ia.

•Lawrence Pucel. i> prefeuor of law at Pita, t>4oal diury aad«r Jatlna II..
fivfii lb* red bat by 1.«« X. In i^iij. He «u at lb« u<k of Rom« in ipy.
and und» Clement VII.. CrantI Peniienliary.

TDowinlc Jtcobaccl ol Komc, a leartied canonbi. BiUiop of Koccra dti Paiant.
created cardinal July 1, 1517.

•Caiewn,

>l.awr(nce Caatpcceio of Uilan <i474-<jjv). auditor miac at Rooir 151t, bUbof
ift*. cardinal ijiy. He wu Iccaie 10 Ccmuny in tfiii »id acatn at tbe I>i*>

»54 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 317

35+ LUTHER TO SPALATiN.
Eoden, iL yyj. Whtesbehg, May 5, 15».

Greeting. I send a letter to Guy DUd. dear Spalatin, to-
gether with one of Peter Aquensis,' as he ordered. Both of
tis have written to Hütten, Capito,' Pelican.* Erasmus and
many others.

At last brother Augustine Aiveld' has come out with his
stuff; truly he is too stupid for me 10 lose time answering
him. His mind, brain. no»c. mouili and hair, in short, his
whole booic, reminds mc of that Leipsic ox,' for he uses fig-
ures and devices here similar to those the other used in his
vile lH>ok against the Bcghards.' Others* will answer him.
and I will give it as an exercise to my famutus*^ to make
verses and orations against this stolid ox.

Please thank the elector for me. For you know it is not
easy for mc to get his busy ear with my letters. Good Heav-
ens ! bow much has come to us and how much more is prom-
ised in the tetters of many men! Farewell and pray for me.

Maktin Luther.

»f Nurcmbcfc isi4. He ww 1<Rii« Id En(Und In tlic iffalr «f B«nry Vtll.**

(ÜTonc horn Catbirin« of Aracv". >ii?^.

■rntr Aq<KiMi* {t. r., ol Aiii-Ia-Chip4llc>, a Cknon of St. Martin*) ai Mvn^irf-
*Sr **in" (u<tiM|ue noaliutn) Lulhcr probablj meant htin<el( and UcUTicblboo.

X»n« «f th««c l*IUr( i* in print, but lliat to Capilo i> known Ut «lUl in US.
*Cttbrid Pflicaa (1478-1516) of Buflaeb in AUau. bccane > FtaneiKan in

t40j. Cmivt*! V'ltsr ttl Alu«( In 1*9.9. itudi«d H«brei» with R«u(ktin and Uittbf«

Adii*B; 151» htftn to iHIur« on lUbrcv at Ilule; iji; wen! to Rome, reiurclnt
to Batl« Ifio, 11 wbirb tim« b( bKime a follAw» of Lullxr. and i.U*r it>), >
vana friead of Occalamtudini. In tjij he betan to lecture on Ute 0!d Teiu-
mnl. In ij>7 he vai called bf Zwitifll to Zurich, wber« be rvmainot till hU
d(aih. C/. fnitber Föniemann-Gäntbcr. p. 40*. lie WTOte Luttier, Uvch is.
ISJO. Enden. II. jj«.
■Aufutrinc of Alrcld. a FraiKlxan, firat app«ar( In biiiorr u rtadcr of ibe

Dibit In tbc <laUlcr at Lcirrtlc in ijio. Al (hit timir b« was aakt'l by Bithof

A4olpk uf UcTttbuti 10 dffenil ihc primae)) of ibc Pop«, nlikb be did in lb?

h*T« mfDlMmtd br Lulber. Tbc Rcfnrmcf'a frltniU, Lonlcrr and Bernhardi

rti kilD. be rejoined and l.ulbcr ■uirtjotncd. The cotilrorcrsT canliaucd far'

yeati oa ibc »(ramenii. In ijiq AlvcM wa* elected FivrlncUI Vicar. Ite

died Mwa after, Ot1»t>Tr. ijjj. Lif« by L. Lcmmtna 18«.

K>cbHnfart.

In 1514 OcluenfafI wrolc Iwo bcrafc* agünal tba B«fbitda {tMrtme HwalMi),
for ttilei of «hick ef. Enden ii. t6sf.

If« «ai aniwcrtd bjr Brmbardi of rtldlcireben.

•Til« famuhti wa» a «tudent who walled »n a profcMor In relarn (sf tDIMlnf.
Lslket'a fatuntmt ■( ibli tine *aa John L«nic«r, a younf Aufuatinian, wb«
•todied in Wilienbefi till Derember. ttfi. iben w«n( a> teacher a( Htbm>. firat
M Sttaatburg iboa to Freibutf Ut. Easentinui 10 T. Blaurcr. I>eceniber 1}. 1511).

SSS tUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND ha. Jj^l

P. S. — Please return the letter of Aqucosis for me lo at-
5wer.

25S. JOHN MANUEL TO THE EMPEROR aiARLES V.

Caitndar of tellers, Despalchtt and Slate Pa^ert, relating I« tk
Nrifatiations bettveen England and Spain, ed. G. A. Rergmrotli,
London, 1866, ii-, p. J05. RoUE, May li, ipD.

(English tran»lation of Spanish origin,-»!.)

Manuel wai a Spanish grandee who had fkllcn into ditfkvor aod
bun imprisoned in 1513 for rendering bad servieca lo FcrdiBiDi
Later he became Imperial Ambassador at Rome, an office which bt
held [rem is^o-'J. when, apparently on account of the hostility ol
Pope Adrian, he >*fls removed.

If your Majesty go to Germany you ought to show some
favor' to a certain friar who calls liiinsclf Friar Martin, who
\% staying witli the Elector of Saxony. Tlie Pope is exceed-
ingly afraid of liim as he preaches openly against the an-
lliority of Rome, and in said to be a great scholar. 1 think
he would be a good means of forcing the I'ope to conclwlt
an alliance. I am, however, of the opinion that these meus
ought to be employed only if the Pope refuses 10 make an
alliance, or if he afterwards breaks it.

»Ssa. JOHN FABER TO JOACHIM VADIAN AT ST. GALL
VadianitcMe Brief Sammlung, hg, von £. Arbcne aad H. Warlmann, SL
Gallen, alioofl. ii. 377. Constakce, May 12. Ija

Joachim von Watt, known as Vadtanus Ct494-)SSO. ol St Gal
matricul.iled a1 Vienna 1502. After graduation he taught Latin ai
Greek tliere. He then look ihc (legrcc of M, D., and was rector of
the University. He was crowned Poet Lai]r*ate- In 1518 he rt>
turned to St Gall. He wrote history and |[cof{Taphical studies. In
wwrm tymiJiiihy with the Protestant inoverncnt. he cirri«! ihrough
the Reform of his native town. On his loil correspondence wilb
Luther, €f. Appendix IT. to this book. Ilis life by bis friend. J.
Kessler, pubtithed in the Inst edition of the hiter's Sabbala, tpt», pp-

vliich h* «la oiklleed 10 1e«ft in ^^ti either for Eulingen or StnMfanrr, «khl
be lefi in isj;. In lOO be wrote ■ «ork x(xin>i Alrcld. Knderi, ii. 394, iv. iit
'Str»IH« 10 •«J, Dr. PhIot: Hiilary of ikt Fafrt, riii 17I., bM cucttf
rrrctxil ibe mcuitnit of thia dcipaich, mtcrptciinK 11 "Yodt Halnry owckt la
refrain Iron »bDwinv f&vui." A marc Illeril liamlilitin at llw 5t«niA. kindlj
fuinisbcd mc by bit frimd, Prof. S. L. Calpin. of Ajnli«rM CoUcit, it:
"Aad your Maj'ctir iDay co-me to Otraanr, *< wLiib ttter «HI «siiD b« greulr
«Iraid, and a litltc favor mar »Mietl]- (be done) to a tflu «l>« t«lla knotclf
Friar Martin." Knib tht linjuag« and Ab ca nt« »! iiha« that Btrgvorolfa'*

tiAoaitiion li correct.

»55«

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

sig

Jiff. Modern life by E. Ggtiingcr in Seknfttn 6eM Vereins fir
XtfortnatiomgeickicHlf, no, 5a

Creeting.^ Dear Joachinij your commendation is to me the

5t possible commeniUtton. For you always recommend that
irhich approves itself without any recommendation. But were
the object in llie greatest jiossible need uf praise, yet would
your recommendation have so much weight with me,
that it could and ou^ht to illumine dark matters, and give
grace to things worn out.

You ask for Eck's works. I have none to send you .save
those of which you already have seen too much. Either noth-
ing of that kind is brought to Constance, or else the author,
out of respect to pontifical ears, lets his tndcfaligahle pen
rest a while. Me brought The Primacy of Peter to the feet of
Leo X., expecting not a roar, but applause. May God grant
that this learned man may spend his time better and turn his
by no means effete mind to belter studies.

I thank your kindness for sending me the report of Luther's
debate.* I also will send you anything new that ctjmcs to me.
That man's writings wonderfully please mc, but 1 regret that
he so rashly propagates ideas which are indeed true, but yet
too strong for the crude stomach of the populace to digest.
Take for example his tract on Confession,' which every old
woman on the street knows. Paul Iiad not a few things which
be hid away on account of the times, giving milk to babes
until they grew up in Christ, that he might speak wisdom
among the perfect. What Luther writes is surely most true,
tnit it is not expedient to lay such hard matters before the
whole world. For if Paul passed over part of the doctrine
of the gospel, in order to win the frail and fickle multitude,
how much more fitting is it nowadays either to connive at
that which cannot be changed without a revolution, or else
to heal the sick world by some entirely different meanst, for,
as you know, the medicine is strong for the times. It is by
no means sufBcient tu know what drugs to apply to a sick-

•Gfwk.

*Stitfäani dufitaiienü Lulhftianai, probtblr tthn lo th« minulu of lb«
Leipsk dcbHc vubliilicJ looa sttcr it Icok plac«, and rcprlnicd, WeinUi IL sf«.
It nay, fcownef, rrlir lo lit Ftifflu1i,«m (or dtbai?. Wrirs». ji, ifj,
,.9Eimt harat U-tmurimnf tri* man bt't^Un i^U, We'imtt, U. 57.

VS CORRESPONDENCE AND Uli^|

ncss, unless you also know -whtn and how to administer thoa
An ancient error eaanot be thus impetuously rooted out, tfli
must be treated patiently. The axioms which you sent about
penitence,' may please learned men, but they are a plague to
unlearned ears, for they almost extinguish a good part ol
piety among common people, who have neither the genius nor
the judgment to receive at once the rare paradoxes of our
most learned Luther. Indeed, they arc often a puzzle cvca
to men who are lolcrahly well educated. Nor are you ig-
norant that even if the good man wrote in Latin for the sake
of eliciting the truth, and not in the language of the Rhine
and the Danube, yet the printers, mindful of their own gain,
would immediately translate evcrj-thing into the vcmacuUr
and publish thousands of copies, so that no one, no matter
how illiterate, should be ignorant of the Lutheran tumult
Such men are like spider-webs, who catch whatever is pemi'
clous in Luther's doctrine. For how many people are ihert.
Vadian, who with true judgment can weigh antecedent and
consequent, which, I think, is of special importance in thii
matter? I write this not with disafifection. for I greatly Ktät
that all men were truly Lutheran, tliat iä, learnedly pious ioi
piously learned. . . .

«56. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enders, IL 40t. (WineMmatc), May ij. i;»

Greeting, I am very glad that 1 determined to answer
Alveld in the name of my brother.' For the man is so txi
beyond my capacity that I should not be able to answer his
folly worthily. I have never seen, heard of, nor read a book
so silly and stupid in everj- syllabic; in fact, I lack language
with which 1(1 describe It. Ti>-day I finished the notes to
give my brother for him to put into shape. The work wIH
soon be done. Likewise I hope my sermon on good works
will soon be done.

\Vc will pray for the elector; only do not begin to trust in
our prayers, but rather in the goodness of God who promises

'Probably the Sfrma it Frniifnit». Weini«r. L jt;. FoMibly baw«*t(, haA

ibl* itai tbe reference id ibc Sthtda 4i(^t«fi(iau ue I« tbe Kintiy-ftf TkrMi.

>L«aicciu>. tupra. no. *|4.

»S7

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

321

hear those who pray. I hope the Lord will prcserv« him

us, or rather for himself in these matters.

1 am not worr>*in(i about Millilz, the Elector of Mayen««

and the rest. I should like to see all the tyrants at Rome

Ul al ease that they might know that they are men who

have a God.

I know that Lucas Cranach has a cloth, but that he does
not know to whom he owes it, nor did 1 ask. I saw also
chamois-hair cloths, nor does he knnw lo whom he owes
these, nor were they inquired for, lest perchance there should
be some error, if the same thing should be sold to different
people- Perhaps they all have come to you to-day.

Day before yesterday I had a message from Sylvester von
Schaumburg,* a Francontan noble, who has a son* here com-
mended to Melanchthon. He promises me sure protection if
the elector should be endangered by my cause. While not
despising this offer I prefer to rely only on Christ as my pro-
tector, who perhaps has given Schaumburg this idea. Fare-
^rell in the Lord. Martin Luther, Augujlinian.

1^ 257. ERASMUS TO OECOLAMPADIUS.

Brtuim epiitotat (Load.), xxxiti. 3l. Erasmi Qfiera (i/Oj). iii. ^$$.

Lauvaik, May 14, 15»,'

. , . The kings of England and France are preparing for

a conference at Calais about June i.* The Archbishop of

Canterbur/ invites me lo be present. They almost burnt

Luther's books in England, but a humble, though seasonably

'A bni(hl of UänneHtiJl in Fmnconi», born b«!»«?« ibc jtim mSO (nd S4T'-
He ltd ■ wild life of (cud willi bi> nti^bbiit, lot •rbirh h« wu Ihriie out-
lav<d by ih< Vjppirt- lie «nt<r«d ifcv tervtc« of Ifac Caunt ol Hcnncbtfrji i^^'i
of ih« Bidiüp of ilimhrrg ijil, Utrr of tbr Ttvlanic Ordrr uiH of tbc Bithoi»
»f WOn-bnT« in i%i!- Tb« f*II of Sidcinfrn pndantetvt bim In ij'ji tboutb be
»M onlr tnilirrtllr concctnM with clir rMng- H« diid i()«. hilt hf
F, Ktvp. TO It.

■AabfOM ton Scbannburt. (hr aldiiit »nn of Sytinirr. at ihii timr fhrobsblr
betvccn it and iH yean old. la 15JO be wem on ■ cimpaijia aBÜnil <be Tuiki
In (oatpanr wilb bit (atbcr. He dlrd «bout itjj. KipD. of. ti>.
iWronflr diiFil in the Ofrra of croj. ti June 14.
*Od thu [/. rrtscrrcd Smiib, In iTniiluft Hitteritnl ffrvinv, «. <j7.
'WUton WaibtiQ (>4SO?-A(iiiisl it, t^ji}, iran ■dvanccmcnt bf bis les*l
•n4lnn«fil>. lU wu Uutct «f ibc Rolli 1491 m»i, BUhnp at Lotidun t^oi,
Arcbbbbep of ranterburr 'Joj, I.otd CbancelloT of Cnilan'] 1504-15; Chancelbj
of Okford VancraVljr i^ (ill bü dratb. Hi* atllludv t« tbc Rcfornutiaa ii
•bowo by oa« «f kia Utler« publiibcd belo«.

aa LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Lrt. ii

vigilant friend prcvcni«! it. Not that I can judge Lutitri
works, but this tyranny by no means pleased me. . . .

as8. ERASMUS TO WELANCHTHON AT WITTENBERG
Corfut Rtformalomm, i. 204. Louvain (May, 15»).'

. . . There is a variety of 'news about Luther. I favor the
aun as much a I can, even though they [my enemies] il
ways join my cause with his. It was decided tliat his booki
should be humed in England, but I stopped this by wiitiog
letters to Cardinal Wolsey. At my suggestion also, he im-
posed silence by a public proclamation on those who clamor
foolisiily before the people, mentioning Standish'by naiDt
He favors sound learning, and is offended by nothing in
Lulher except by the denial that the primacy of the Pope ii
of divine right. Those who favor Luther (and almost all
good men favor him) wish that he had written more dviSij
and moderately. liut it is too late to warn him now. 1 see
that there is going to be trouble, but I pray that it may be
for tlic glory of Christ. Perhaps it is necessary that scandaU
should come, but I should not like to be the cause of the
Ccandal. The plan of those fellows is truly diabolic, for
they desire nothing else than to suppress Christ and to reipi
in his name. Commend mc to Luther and to all your friends.
I have written tliis hastily, while ill and while the messenger
was waiting. Your Erasmus.

P. S. — Luther's Answer^ to the Condrmnation of Cologne
and Louvain wonderfully pleased me. At length they have
begun to be ashamed of their premature pronouncement. I
should have preferred that my name had not been mentioned,
for it simply compromises me and does not help Lulher. Hut-
ten i& here, soon to go to the court of Charles, which is now

'Tbii kricr wcmf lo be «bant Ihr tUB,t tjaie ai U.lt 10 0«calanp*diiu d
Mfty 14. 1^0. na. >iT.

■It<fii7 Siandith. D, D., died iSJJ. > FraneiKAii. ftadi<4 >l Osf«td mi
Caralifidge. preathtd al eoatt TnHom liaitt between ijii «ad is», m%ta ht
bMani* (he cbi>f »pirilual idiiirr of Hrnrjr VIII, Ht k** nsde But«* ^
Si. AuLpb. May iS. t]iR. Ht ti« b tiout r<HiiefTah*«, bi(t«ttr oyvoMd n C«M.
Erumui and th« Refomcf*. Di(. Sat, Btoiimphy,

TOircb, 15». Weimar, vi. iSj. Cf. Smilk, ef. tit., loi.i.

aru

OTHER CONTEMPORAKV LETTERS

323

copied by the beggar tyrants*
Philip.

Farewell again, dearest

H 259. CONRAD MUTIAN TO LANG AT ERFURT.

^BCrausc, 619. (Gotba.), May 15, 1520.

^H . . . Zasius extotls otir Luther to the skies. The illustrious
jHrirckhcimer has written of him, what I have just read to my
I dear friend Adam Craflft,' as follows: "All ages will remem-
I ber that the Wittenbergers were the first to see the truth, the
first to open their eyes after so many centuries, and to begin
to separate the degenerate from the Christian philosophy.
And who among those wise men is so eminent a preacher
^of Christ as Luther?" . . .

V a6a ALVISE GRADENIGO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE.
V^uiDto, xxxviiL jis. tCTKO. Italian. Brown, iii. 51. Eoglisli.

Howe, May 22, 1520.
^H Gndea'tgo was Venetian Ambasfador at Rome 1520-3,

A consistory has been held on the affair of Martin Luther
in Germany and nothing dclcrraincd. The matter was post-
poned in order not to render the scandal greater by showing
that importance was attached to his errors.

^^^Iters and Papers of Henry t'lll., ed. J. S. Brewer. London. 186?,
^^K iii, na £47. (Eii|[]i&h condensed translation of Latin origin^].)

^^ Rome, May sä. 1530.

Gigli (t46>ApTil 18. 1321). of Luc», succeeded liii uncle as Uitliop
of WofMSter and English agent at Rome in 149& From 1504-13 he
was on a mission to England, when he relumed as Ambassador to
the Pope, Dictionary of S'aiiotial tUoijraphy.

^M Some months ago the works of Friar Martin arrived.
Much of their contents is disapproved of by great theologians,
by reason of the scandals to which they might give rise, and

Text itV)*iTi>pavvct lot mu^ttripawot. Erumni* fiToiiic name for the racodl-
CMii ordtt».

'Kr*(l or Cr«w ot Fuld» <i4»jts5i), »n »dmiicr o( Etmibus, Ultr a ilronj
Lu(kcT*n, afltr ij:; pmtciMr M U*ibu(|. Eotkfi, tL tt, Tku Iclttr cf Pink-
bciaier ia boi Co C«ld«n.

Si. SILVESTER DE GIGLI. BISHOP OF WORCESTER, TO

WOLSEY.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lcii&t

part is condemned as heretical. After long debates it hu
been decreed by the cardiiuls lo declare Martin a heretic,
and a bull is in preparation on that subject, of which I will
send a copy.

363. LUTHER TO HENRY VON BUNAU, ARCHDEACON
AT OSTERWICK.

Enders, ii. 404. WimKBEiKi, May ja. 15»

Bünau later became pastor ai Camitz, where we find hint marmd
in I5J5- In this $Amc year lic was obliged to leave on this Becovnl,
went lo Silesia and became pastor at Hayn. where he died in isj6.

Greeting. Dear Sir, I also lenew that Thomas MfinztH
could not be moved from his purpose; yet I am glad tliat a!!
have become attentive to the work of grace. J will take
counsel with my friends and endeavor to procure cbaptains
for your Excellency. In the meantime let constancy be like
itself, that is, con&tant in the Lord. It is nothing new if the
world is now perturbed on account of the Word of Cod.
Herod and the whole of Jerusalem were disturbed only to
hear of Christ's birth;' why shall the earth not be moved
and the sun darkened when they hear of Christ's death?'
Truly to me it is a sign that our doctrine is sound, that many
and great and wise men are offended at iL For thus says
Psalm Ixxvii.* "It slew the fattest of them, and smote
down the chosen men of Israel." And, again: "He is set for
the falling and rising up of many*" not among the Gentitts,
but "in Israel," and among the elect. God always chooses
tlie foolish and wealc things of the world, and those things
which are naught", and it is written that the conversation oi

'Ufinur (i^go-Uar tf, is*f). natHeulMH 150S at L«ip«k, 15t« U Pr»BU«1
in 4tr OAtT. In ijij w*nt to Hill«, Lattr lie became prolnur &i L«jpM,
whirf bt probahl7 me\ Luibrr m ibe time of ihe d^bur. tjig. Earl; la (|>e
hf w«ni to Zwickau to take lb« iiUe« of Effranui, and here befi» in «RerffMk
[cfonn, fir more radkal tban Lutfaer'i, wblcb be lielltv»il ilioiiM ht (uti«d
Ihroush hf force. Kxpellcd hr tt>T «ulliurilit« in April, ts*i. )ie *mt U
Bohemia, «nd in 1513 to Alstcdt, wbere b« ajtaln prciched Inaumetioii. After ■
•hani C4imroTCTi7 witb Luiberhc wu acaln ciptlkd. igi4. and <rcn( to MQliIliaiUM.
He b«wnc a leader in tbt Peuanis' War, wai captund at Krankcnbauwn, Mar it.
ts^!. and afitr being forced 10 (ctini. cictuted. RtaSttnyclcpMu.

Ilattbear, Ii. y

■Uaitbfw, smii, i»; Lain, wtilL 45.

•PmI» luviii. )l.

■iLoke. 11. jf.

*l Connlbiani, ii. mf.

^Xec

36^

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

33S

wisdom is with those that walk simply.'
keep your Excellency. Amen,

Yours,

The Lord Jesus

Mastik Luthbe.

^^^^^^ 363. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

^'tnder«. iL 405. WlTTENuLm;, May 31, tS^O.

Greeting. I am sending leltcrs, Spalatin, to llutien, Sick-
ingen and our Taubenheim;' please let it be your care to
forward Ihcm. Let Taubenheim. in particular, have his at
once, for 1 have put off ajiswcring him longer than I hoped.
LoDtcenis will be done to-morrow. The Leipsic professors,
anxious 10 retain (heir scholars, boast that Erasmus is com-
ing to them. How busy and yet unliappy is hatred! When
^n year ago they insulted us as vanquished they did not see
that this cross was waiting for ihem. The Lord rules, as
we can feel. Och-senfart is said to be arming against Feld-
^Bdrchen by whom he is traduced. I have finished something in
'German against that ass Alveld; il will soon be printed.

Advise me whether I should write to the elector in be-
ilf of our state. Hver^thing is very dear, and enough is
>t brought in ; nor is anything lawfully regulated in tliis most
>nfused and neglected administration. Something could be
sne at Wittenberg, if there were any order in the govem-
rflunt. There is need here of the counsel and authority of the
Answer and farewell.

Martin Luther, Augustinian.

364. LUTHER TO JEROME DUNGERSHEIM AT LEIPSIC
Enden, Ü. 163. (Wittehb£iic> Jane. 1520.)

II Thi» lelter, placed by Endert in September. 1519, >« in answer to
•«nc of May, t^jo. placed by Endcre, ii. J41, in September, 1519.
Dungersheim aniwercd it at once with a sliorl letter %nd a long

*Pr(»*fb*, nU J I. 'Cocn •implicibus Hmoeinatia rju>." Votgatc.

t»n T*ubcnhelni, fn«nüoii«l la 1*90 is a page o-t rrcilerie ite Wb«,

at«d at L^ifiMc is^^, B' A. ijoj. At latul in ijii be CDtemJ the

[•criicf, bccaminx trraiutcr and cotlrctor of taaci. In ISIJ'G it (cHeclcd

Uta pitd itluln (Intludlnj iltDM of ihe prttftntaf} »t Wiltinlxfc. In

ke wu «nc «t tbr Churfh vititn-ri On bia «arm rtUtionii wiih t.utkrr

S«ilfc. ef. ell.. sSo. He died i<4[ or iS4J. /irchiv. fit RrformaiioHrgt'

kielUf. v3i. j^T.

ins

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

lÄ«<

Dialognf, both printed by Enders. iL t66ff. Tbis closed the mm-
spondcncc For tiatcs, cf. sttfra, no. aoi.

Greeting. Truly, my man. you lia%-« excelleni major pre-
mises, but very poor minors. You keep saying only "The
Church, the Church, heretics, heretics!" and will not alio«
tliat the Icxl "Prove all thioKs"' was said to one man. But
when we ask for the Church, you show us one man, the Pope
to whom you attribute everything, though you do not offer the
least proof that his faith cannot fail. But we find more
heresies in his Decretals than in any heretical book. Thus,
in what alone is to be proved by you, you perpetually li^
the question, as though you were ignorant that the worst
fault of argument was petitio priKcipi't. This, I say, you must
prove, that you have the Church of God, and that it is do-
whcrc else in the world. We wish to be judged by Scripture,
you wish to judge tt Please stop wearying me with suck
words, or, as you threaten, publish what you wish. If the
Fathers are to be read without selection and judgment, Ih«
Scripture is taken away. Of the form of God* and of the
papacy I think as I thought; nor do I doubt that I will easily
answer whatever you publish on these subjects. Don't be
impertinent, my man : for a whole year you have tried to do
much and have not greatly succeeded. Many words do not
move me, hut solid arguments; nor do I therefore accuse the
saints of falsehood, as you are wont to deduce from my
words, if I say that Scripture is sometimes twisted by ihcm.
Pray beware, i( you do write anything, not to deduce such
consequences and corollaries from my words and put youf
own construction on them. You will need sharp eyes. For
a good doctor should not say that one has lied who has barely
erred, since Augustine himself confesses that many obscuft
texts bear a manifold sense, although we must believe thai the
sense is simple. . . .

If you use such methods against me, you will succeed finely;
there will never be an end of writing and disputing. For
always when I say one thing you understand another, just

*t TbCHklonluu, V. at.

ThU tttm tv < dcteic oa Ifcc texi, PhilippUo*. n. ft.

a64

OTHER CONTEMPORARV LETTERS

327

as that ass* of yours does. I know not whether the nature
of Lcipsic men is such as to allow you to be such careless
readers, such audacious judges, and so slow in understand-
ing others. Believe me. I will have something to say to you.
Formerly you wrote against the Bcghards;^ you know with
what success I Take a friend's advice and write not so much.
but more to the point. I know that victory docs not depend
on the numbers exposed to slaughter, but on military art.
Vainly do you complain that you are betrayed by me. I con-
fess that I let some others read your letters, so as not to be
the sole judge in my own cause, which you are always com-
plaining of. If you are aggrieved herein, I allow you to re-
taliate, and I will not fight with you nor attack you on this
ground. If in matter of faitli concord were easy belwcen us.
no syllable would be written. Do you also consider how
much we have suffered and do daily suflfer from your friends,
which could not be done without your assent? Take care lest
God will repay it. This affair is none of your business, and
hitherto you have always declined to lake part. Now at last
you are coming in; take care lest you become involved. I am
perfectly well aware, my dear Jerome, how much you tried
to do me behind my back, as I wrote you at Leipsic,* which
I have always ignored and do still. But take care lest my
exhausted patience shall burst out. I am a man like you, ex-
cept that you secretly bite in leisure and quietly ; I, very busy,
am attacked by the teeth of all, and I am asked to be mod-
erate who alone am surrounded with so many ravenous
wolves. The world presses me down and gnaws me piece-
meal. Good God, how I am accused, and yet, if we are but
Z little moved thereby, you cannot bear it. I write this that
you may know that I prefer peace and concord; but if that ii
impossible the Lord's will be done!

You need not write me about the other matters, for I un-
derstand you. Take care to understand my propositions, for.

Ancwttnc AlTcld-
'Smfta, Rv. lit.

■Tkb 1(1H> b Icut and \i U difficutl to Mccnaia wticn ii could btvc brcn
ittca. Litlbcr ia «pvstciilly «lertinc lu the ■landen »baLit hitn, «hiclk fan
'vmbvied to Dungciibcini, cf. nfto, no. 117. Bui it U not knovn that he wa> at
l<dp*ic W tLU time or aaywhtr« ocar It. Tht time uf tht debate would ba

8S8

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ul M

as they cannot be overthrown by you, with Christ's aid I will
not suffer you to do it. Farewell and pray, not only that vt
may have the right opinions, but that we may live and U
saved.

263. LUTHER TO JOHN HESS AT BRESLAU.
Ender», ü. 411- (WtiTKKBrw:), June 7. ij»

Greeting. Although you salute me alone, dear Hess, I vlH
return more than you send, but briefly as my business ^^
quires. Crotus wrote from Bamberg both to you and to mt'
I wonder why his letter to you did not come. I think I wouhl
have kept it fairly and faithfully, although he wrote me to
tear it up if you were not here. My letters went to Italy just
as he was leaving it, and he did not know I had written him.

Eck is enjoying his wished-for glory in Rome. Presented
to the Pope by the Cardinal of the Four Crowns* he kissed
the blessed feet. Then, to the astonishment of all. the Pope
sitting in public view on the throne of his majesty, kissed
him. Let them lick, lap, spit on and bite each other thus!'
My correspondent writes: "Luther has propitious gods at
Rome, but no propitious men." What do you think will coine
of this? Perhaps the sky will £all and many pots will cd*
lide. Sylvester Pricrias has vomited up something more,' and
that so blasphemous that it almost kills me just to read it
We will publish the infernal pamphlet with notes by Luther
Meantime, do what you do, and greet Michael' and Craut-
wald" and all my friends. I wish the most reverend bishop'
the grace of Christ. Farewell in Christ.

Maktijj Lutheh, Aug«stinion.

2Ö6. LUTHER TO SPAL.A.TIN.
EndcT«, ii. 413. WirrcvHsair. (before June 8). is»

Greeting. I send letters from Nuremberg, dear Spalalin,

'C/. ttfr», no. 151.

*Lorciuv Pueti.

*1 bare lUtbtlr ch»n,ced Iht punctuation ci( ihii lu milt« bilter Hnw.

*Bt<t9m* rttfemtenu »d Ltttknitn, publikbcd bji I.ulhtr in Jon«, Ijao^ Wtiatr,
W. ,.f.

*Wlltit*r. a unen at BniUa.

(Valentine Crantwild, an aid friend of Hni mxA kIcliDtlilhoa, ■ Hike« nil
Creek acliol>r, liitr a ScbwinkdlilUii. and u (Uch. frequcnily ■••tiMMd mk
fcMlilttj bj Liitbirr ill tfis-fi. Cndeca, 1. i^, 3», ju.

>Jcbn «on Thiuu).

OTHRR CONTEMPORARY LETTERS Sffl

with Prierias' Epitome.'' which that barbarous Greek and
cooker of Latin" himself calls "Epithoma." Send it right
back; it will be printed" soon to tlie praise and glory of all
enemies of the truth, with my notes. / think that at Rome
they hope all become mod, silly, raging, iHsanf fools, stocks,
stones and devils of hell.* See now what we have to hope
from Rome who allows this infernal writing lo go out against
^the Qiurch. These portents overwhelm mc with the greal-
:ss of the folly.

While inveighing against the ass Alveld I am not forgetful
of the Roman PontiflF. though I will please neither of them.
1 am forced to write tlsus, for at kngth the secrets of Anti-
christ must be revealed. For they press on and will not lie
hidden any more.

] have the intention of publishing a broadside" to Charles
and the whole German nobility against the tyranny and wick-
edness of the Roman court.

My postilla to the Epistles and Gospels are being prepared
for the press.'

I am writing to the most illustrious elector in behalf of
the commonweal. Pray do what you can to help us. Otlier-

rris* we shall soon go hungry, or buy food at too high a
rice. Farewell and pray for me.
Brother Martin LuxnER.
367. MELANCHTHON TO JOHN HESS AT BRESLAU
orfus RefffrmalQrumi i. 201. (Witte-sbebc), June 8, 1520,

. . Wittenberg is not yet under the interdict, and things
id to be peaceful at Rome, except that Sylvester Prierias
publishing an Index of bis dialogue against Luther,' his

«Greek.

'So Ckllcd bccaiuc o[ bU title, u iriittcn on the beidliig ot bU Bfiltme,
"nMin (>nau«d ot maaulrH M<ri PoJoci/.'' "U*(irut" meant "<ook." TbU
b not • mUpiint. ■* Enden ibinln, tnit a rtfalar, tbvusb peculUr, fvnn, aia-
Bad«nlof>cl bf Lulbcr.

T/. ttifri, na. >6S'

'Cvrsia»-

*TIiit bccan»« tht tanoti« AJJren I0 lA/ .Votilii>, at wbich th« pr«f»c( «u
ll*d Juo« »J. IS»». Il »Ppeifed tit\j in Auitoil. Smilb. ep. til.. T»ff.
•TbcM Snt aptmred in Uircb, 1^1. Wrimnr. ?li. 4{B.

TTbe Etilem^ tttp^nttants ad Lmlknm», *iih tbe niblitlc: t»ttt 9*i4m Imgi»-
limmt M*4 brnittimum Epuema, Cf. tvpra, »^6.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let af«

purpose being, if I mistake not, to terrify the man by falw
watch-fires. You will see the book when it is prinied here,
Francis von Sickingen, the rare glory of German knightiuxid,
of his own accord invites Luther to himself. Hutlen is go-
ing to Ferdinand, the brother of Qiarles, to make way, wilk
the help of the greatest princes of the ^npire, for Gennu
liberty. What may we not hope? . . .

[ am $etiding Luther's tract on failh and Good Work»,
which, like all his books, you will read with pleasure.

Crolus has written to you here, and also to Luther. OttT
letters are on the way to Italy, although he is coming to Ger-
many.

Lulher is answering your question on Paul, and what is
more apt than his answer? No one known to me of all the
Greek and Latin writers has gotten nearer Paul's spirit. . . .

36S. ALVISE GRADENICO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE.
Sinuto, xxxviii. 360. Italian. Brown, iü. 7^. Roux, June 9. i$Xl

Friar Martin Luther in Germany is very much followed
by the Elector of Saxony and other lords, who have written
in his defence to the Pope, telling him to send anyone be
pleases to dispute with Luther, who will show that what he
preaches and says is perfectly true and based on the word)
of Christ.

369. SYLVESTER VON SCH.'VUMBERG TO LITTHER.
Endcrs. ii. 415. German. MuMN&Ksr.VDT. June 11, 15X1

My unknown service and friendship to you, learned, ex-
cellent, dear Sir and Friend t Many learned persons have
told me that your doctrine and opinions arc grounded on the
holy, divine Scriptures, and that you are opposed by unfavor-
able, envious persons, given up to greed, which is serviceaWt
to idolatry. And though you allow your opinion to be passed
upon by an cccttmenical Christian council, or by other im-
partial, wise and learned men. yet you suffer for it danger to
your life, and are compelled to betake yourself to a foreign
nation, probably to the Bohemians, who do not highly esteem
spiritual, arlntrary punislunent

l*t. 370

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

331

1 1 beg and admonisli you in God the Lord, m case the clec-
>r or any other government should expel you rather than dis-
obediently endure arbitrary spiritual punishment for you,
that you should not let such desertion trouble you, nor be-
take yourself to the Bohemians, from whom in former times
certain learned men obtained much contradiction and offence,
and thus increased ihe disfavor in which thcj' were held. For
1, and, I helicve. a hundred gentlemen whom I can bring to-
gether, will keep you safe and protect you against your op-
ponents, until your opinions have been canvassed and ex-
amined by a common Christian council or by impartial learned
judges, and you yourself better instructed; for you yourself
have agreed to submit in such a case. As you are one to
whom, though unknown, I am minded to show service and
friendship, I did not wish to conceal the above from you, for
you to comfort yourself witli.

Sylvester von Schaum beho.

zjo. LUTHER TO CEORGE KUNZELT. PASTOR AT

EILEN BURG.

EadcTS, iL 418. WmENBFJio, June 15, tsao.

NolfainK it known of Kunzelt, except that a little Utcr {December
10, 1530, Endcr», tii. ig), he r«qucMed permission I0 go away to study
for eight years, on the ^roand that he had been so much ordered

ant by bis superiors that he deserved a little leisure.

Greeting. You inquire, venerable Father, as to ray practice
in beginning and ending a sermon; ray usage is not the com-
mon one. Omitting wordy prologues I briefäy say : "invoke
the divine grace, and say an invjard Are Maria or Paternos-
ter, that the word of Cod *nay be fruitful to us and Cod ac-
cept us''* Then I read the text, without announcing the
topic. Then* I explain or propound doctrines from It. At
the end I say: "Enough of this," or, "Mart another time,"
or, "Having said this, we will pray God for his grace to en-
able us to do it," or thus: "God help us do it," Then most
briefly: "Let us commend to God the spiritual and temporal
estates, particularly so and so, for whom and for all, as we
ought, we will recite the Lord's prayer in camtnon." After

,*n« trvids in lialki art CtiDi«ii.
ntck^lnf "Deinüe" far "Dariilea."

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lm. tri

tliil at all rise: "The blessing of God the Father, etc. .-Vmea"
This is my manner of preaching. Farewell in the Lord.

Dkoih^ Maktin Luth£r, Augustinian.

371. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enders, ii. 433. (Wittenbej«;), June 25. IS»

Greeting. Dear Spalatin. I and many others think Mdanch-
thon should not be burdened wiih lecturing on Pliny on ac-
count of his lectures on the Apostle Paul, which arc so fniil-
fui. The hearers ought not to be deprived of this good, since
what they would get from Pliny would not be enough to com-
pensate them. It is to be feared thai some spirit who is not
rashly to be resisted impels him to do this, lest it should tan
out a device of Satan to prevent, on this excuse, the cultiva-
tion of good fruit. They think that if Pliny is to be pven at
all it shoLiW be by Professor John Hess.' I know not what
Melanchtlion will do about marrying, especially the girl you
suggest' I want him to take a wife, but wish neither to
dictate nor to advise whom he shall marry, nor do I sec that
he is particularly anxious to marry.

Although I hope Melanchthon will not go to Bavaria,' yet
I have always wished that he might have a larger sa!ar%'. so
thai they might lose the hope they have conceived of getting
him, since they sec that he is paid less here than he would
he there.* If there is any chance, be vigilant. For when op-
portunity calls, it is not to he neglected, for it is God callii^.

I will speak of the Strassburg tragedy* in a proper place.
To-morrow my Pricrias and German Romanist will be fin-
ished." Farewell. Martin Luthks, Auguslinian.

3?i CONR.^D MUTIAM TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
Krause. 654. <GoriiA), July 1, isax

. . . Who is that Martin Luder who together with John

'ThU wu nnt Jflbo Ilrta o( llrtilkiL, but the Wiiicnbrrttr.

'MclMicbtbun inuiicil Catbaiine Rnpp on KovcmtxT ij, ijio.

■InioIiiaJi >□(! RTU«btin w«« tiill ttylnj I» git McUncbthgo. Cf. nf^
no. ii4.

'Uthnchlkon gat ibc tncr««sc on lit* loantase.

■Tltu relet« (o tn tncicteal detuibcd In (he AAirwu (<• lA« Gtrma* K»Wit-
Iliibo^ WilliiiD of Sinubuig irM prtvoilcd frcs> refntminc kw dkcdrt] br
the Pope.

■Luilirr fDfxni ibe Fpitoie of PritrJM «n<t f«« Pafilllium rm A#m n*i*r 4M
RpmanUttK tu Lfi^na. Wdsw, vi. tnfS.

Let. a?^ OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

8$S

Fug and Wcnzcl Link follows John Lang and precedes John
Staupitz the head of your order? It is signal carelessness
and remarkable ignorance to put him who Iiad tlic first place
in chapter xlii. down among the following numbers. I will
Dot call it malice, for Luder and Luther might be different
persons.' . . .

Zasius does not think ill of Martin. Ife knows thai he is
quite learned in our theology both modem and ancient, he
knows that he is a luraiiiar)- of the Auguslinian order, he
knows that he sustains the attacks of many, in short, he knows
that the innocent man is wrongly bound by the curses of the
Pope. He is not ignorant liow mucli hatred is brought by tlie
Hussite name, and how much odium by blessed Bohemia.
Perhaps he thinks that it would be more for the peace and
concord of the people if Luther would keep within the fold
of bis gentle and taciturn monasticism. and leave to secular
priests the interpretation of the divine law. There arc some
men ndlher bad nor unlearned, whose names I refrain from
jiving, who think that it is wicked and impious for a doubly
consecrated priest thus to tear to pieces Leo. the head of
the apostolic sec. I agree with no authors of dissension, con-
tumely and strife. Let us Iiave fair play. If Ihey stir up
sleeping dogs, and revive the dormant folly of the Bohemians,
or for the sake of vengeance violate the majesty of the Ro-
man see. rubbing the scar from the old wound, their audacity
is nothing to me. 1 am peaceful, not for fear of oniward
foes, but for myself; my moderation is due to gentleness
rather than to prudence. Finally you ask my opinion of the
papa! decrees. 1 esteem the decrees of philosophers more
than those of priests. . . .

373. ERASMUS TO SPALATIK.

En$jmi optra, \\\. 559. Louvain. July 6, iSM

... I wrote recently to Mclanchthon in such a way that

the letter* was as much for Luther as for him, I pray that

Christ Almighty may temper the pen and mind of Luther so

Tkt* Mtct* 10 llie Ffftfrfif Ctrtnant&t by trcnicus. «tUb refer* to (ii. Ai'i
"Uanln l-albcr. prioi of Witttnbciit. * 1carn«il ihcoloitiaii and »plain of ib«
Germaiu.' mA iMcr eiin«eralu I«hn Lang, Jolin pus. Link, Lfitr *nd Suu^lu.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut m

tliat he may bring forth the greatest fruit to evangelic [nety.
and Uiat Christ majr give a better mind to some who sedi
their own glory at his expense and their own profit with bis
loss. In the camp of Luther's opponents 1 see many wbo
savor more of the world than oi Christ, and yet both sides
have sinned. Would that Hütten, whose genius I singulariy
love, had tempered his pen. I should prefer lliat Luther left
these tumults alone for a while, and devoted himself to the
gospel aluiie; perhaps dispassionate action would succeed z
little better. Haired of good learning is fatal to us and bar-
ren to him. There is danger lest the public corruption of
morals, which evcrj'one admits needs a public remedy, nuj"
gradually increase like the plague and become firmly estab-
lished. Truth is not always to be advanced, and it makes
much difference how it is championed. Farewell, exceUeat
man, and commend me to your prince.

274. POPE LEO X. TO FREDERIC. ELECTOR OF SAXONY.
l.utkrri opera varii artfumenli, v. ta Romr, July S, IJXI

Beloved Son, greeting and the apostolic blessing ! Grave
men have testified to us that your Lordship, according to your
surpassing wisdom and piety towards God and his orthodtioc
faith, and according to the nobility of your soul and of your
ancestors, who were always ready to ser\*e the Christian »tite
and the holy see, has alw.iys been hostile to the attempts oi
that son of iniquity Martin Luther, and has never either aided
or favored him. This ptca.«es us (he more in that it greatly
increases the opinion which we have of your splendid virtue
and our paternal goodwill towards you.

We cannot My whether we think you have acted more
■wisely or more piously in this affair. For it is singular wis-
dom to recognize that a furious man, by no means obedient to
his vow of humility, moved hy ambition to resuscitate the old
heresies of the Wyclifites, Hussites and Bohemians, already
condemned by the universal Church, one who manifestly
seeks the money of the people, one who by his interprciaticm
of Scripture gives occasion of sinning to tlie simple, one who
breaks the bonds of chastity and innocence, and by his pro-
fane words also confession and contrition of heart, one who

' Let. »74

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

SSb

favors the Turks and deplores the punisliment of heretics,
one, in short, who tries to mix the highest things with the
lowest ; it is singular wisdom, I say, to recognize that such a
one has not been sent by Christ, but by Satan, for the man
has been carried to such a height of pride and madness that
he has dared openly to say and write that he will have faith
neither in the writings of (he holy doctors, nor in the decrees
of the Roman PonlifF«, but only in himself and his own
Opinions, which is more than any heretic has hitherto pre-
sumed to do.

Therefore your Lordship has wisely spumed the company
of this pestilent and venomous man, who, as you can judge,
brings some stain oo your noble house and much on the Ger-
man nation. It is also to the credit of your piety that you
never consented to any of his great errors, but rather with-
stood them. By you, at least, no occasion has been given for
turning from the old and eternal order of the orthodox faith,
preserved for so many ages by the Holy Spirit . . .
1 \Vherefore. having convoked a council of our venerable
brothers, and of others, including all who are expert in the
Canon Law and the Holy Scripture, after thorough ventila-
tion and discussion of the affair, at last, under tlie inspiration
of the Holy Ghost, who in such matters is never absent from
the holy see, we issued a decree,' written in apostolic let-
ters and scaled with the leaden bull, in which, among the

Imost countless errors of this man, we commanded to be
'■written down in order thosie which are partly simply heretical
and subversive of the right faith, and partly scandalous and
impious through their undoing for simple men of the bonds
of obedience, continence and humility. For the other nu-
merous errors, which in the gall of unjust hatred he vomited
forth against this holy se«, are to be judged rather by God
than by us.

We send your Lordship a copy of this bull, printed in our
fostering city, that when by it you have learned the errors of
this minister of Satan, you may. as is prescribed in the bull

ccording to the apostolic mercy, first exhort and warn him

Tbc MUt Ejtntrf§ D«mimr, Jbb« tj. ism. Reprinted br K. J. Kidd: i>#ni-

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

to put away his contumacious and haughty spirit and re-
turn to sanity and thus experience God's clemency and oun
by publicly revoking and reprobating his opinions. But see*
ondly, if he persists in his insanity, and at the end of the
term prescribed in the bull should be a declared heretic, tha
you should take care and zealously try to capture him and
send lum bound into our custody. . . .

375- LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Enders, li. ^ttS. (WtTTENBEac). July 9, ij«

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, with great and silent grief, I reid
the letter' from Rome, seeing such great dullness and impiely
in the heads of the Church. I fear that they are so con-
founded by the light of conscience and truth that they can
have no judgment or sense left. They condemn my books,
though they confess that they show genius and learning, and
yet they have neither read them, nor asked for them. Th«
Lord have mercy 00 all of usi

What can I advise the excellent elector to write? There-
fore I rather write to you. In the first place you know thai
I could complain in this matter much more justly than they.
My published books bear witness how often 1 confess and
lament tliat T have been drawn into this affair by no desire,
but Iiave been driven by force. Then I often offered peace
and silence. Where do I not ask and try to extort instruction?
Hitherto I have l»een of such a mind that I would keep
silence if I were allowed, that is, if they also would hold
their peace.

Everyone knows thai Tick's sole reason for forcing me w
debate on the power of the Pope was to make a mock of and
trample on me, my name, all my works and our university.
Now. when they sec that the man was divinely thwarted, they
accuse me of insane boasting. Why should a wretch like me
seek glory, who only ask to be allowed to live privately and
hidden from the public'

Anyone who wishes may have my position; anyone who

wishes may bum my hooks. What more do they want me to

do? At the swime time 1 say this: If I am not allowed to lay

■Tic lnt€t of Catdinal RJ«rI» to lb« ■lMt»r, Smltb, »/. eil^

I«. 275

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

3:f7

aside my office of teaching and preaching the Word, at any
rate 1 shall he free in the way I teach it. Loaded witli enou|;h
(.ins I will not add this unpardonable one, that, when I am
made a minister of the Word, I should fail in my ministry
and be found guilty of impious silence, of neglecting tlie
(ruth, and of thousands of lost souls. Let that cardinal boast
that his Church does not need defence; why then, does he
defend it?

I am entirely salisßed that the most illustrious elector
should keep himself apart from my cause as he has hitherto
done, and tliat he should thrust mc out to be taught or coll-
ected. But as he cannot be my instructor, let him not be
my judge or executioner until I have been duly sentenced.
He sees that he cannot punish anyone, Jew or Turk, without
a cause being known, which, in this cas«, they have not even
touched upon. Do the Romans wish that he should obey God
rather than man. and oppress one of whose guilt or innocence
he is not sure.' He could not do so with a safe conscience,
nor can his conscience be prompted to such an act by any
divine command.

Let them punish Pricrias. Eck, Cajctan and otiters, wlto for
their own glon* causelessly started this' tragedy for the Ro-
man Church. I am innocent. What [ have done and do, I
am obliged to do, always ready to keep silence provided only
they do not bid tlie gospel trulh to keep silence. They will
obtain cvcrj-thing from rac, and I will oflfcr everything of my
own accord, if they will allow the way of salvation to be free
to Christians. This is all I ask from them in return; noth-
ing els«. What could be more honest? I do not seek a ca.r-
dinal's hat, nor gold, nor whatever else Rome now prizes.

If I do not obtain this request, let them deprive me of my
cure of souls, and let me live and die in some desert comer.
Miserable man that I am, I am forced to teach against my
will, and at the same time sufTcr for doing so, when others
teach of their own free will and are honored for it. My mind
is simply not able to fear threats nor to prize promises. Do
they want me really to be affected by fear and hope, or only
to pretend to be?

You have my opinion. I hope the most illustrious elector

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LM.3J6

will write so that those Roman heads may understand thii
Germany, by an inscrutable judgment of God, lia& hitherto
been oppressed not by her own stupidity, but by that of
Italians. Farevsell. I send this tetter sealed, as you did
yours. Martin Luthei.

3j6. ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY TO CARDINAL

RAPHAEL RIARIO AT ROME.

Lutkeri Opera lalina varit argitnunli (Ertuigen. 1865), Ü. 351.

LocHAU. July ta 15»

In the reprint here dtcd the dat« is eiych u "Aagsburg. August i,
iSaa" On the true date rf. Enders. ii, 43i-

Rafael Riario (1^61-JuEy 9, 1521), of Savona, cac of the most power-
ful men in Ronie, He had \tcea created cardinal 1477. Cf. Past«,
vol«, vii-, viii. He had written the elector urging him to make iMbtt
recant (</. su^n, no, 275) ; this it Ficderic's answer.

Most reverend Father in Christ, and dear Lord, your kinf
letter dated Rome, April 3, was delivered to nie on July 7. . . .

I already knew, my dear Sir, what you write about Dr. Mar-
tin Luther. Please understand that with God's help I will
never do nor he other, and that I never had the purpose or
wish of being ether than an obedient son of the Holy Catholic
Church.

I have never hitherto undertaken to defend either the writ-
ings or the sermons of Dr. Martin Luther, twr do I do «
to-day, as I showed to his Holincss's legate Cardinal Cajetan.
and to the papal nuncio Qiarles Miltiti, both t^ my letten
and orally.

Moreover I hear that Dr. Luther has never shown himself
unready obediently to appear, armed with a safe-conduct, be-
fore just, convenient, disinterested and prudent judges to de-
fend his doctrine in person, and. when he has learned better
and more holy doctrine from Scripture, submissively to obey.

To this duty I hear the Archbishop Elector of Trier bas
been api)ointed commissioner, a friend of mine, at whose sum-
mons I doubt not that Luther, provided with safe-conduö.
will appear. .So no one can rightly blame me on this account

II is a heartfelt sorrow lo me that in my time errors in the
Catholic faith should arise, and this would annoy me ttul
more, that such errors should be promoted by me. , . .

Let. 378

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

338

277. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

«idCTS, ii. 435. (WimwKDtt), July 14. 153a

Greeting. Dear Spalalin, if you have any influence witli
e elector, please gel him to write a severe and caustic let-
ter to our rector.' The man's signal (oily yesterday almost
involved us in murder and blood. Insanely he stirred up a riot*
on the part of the students against the town-councU and in-
ooccnt people, he who ought to have quieted ihcm. I was
present at the meeting, where they were all mad with drink;
nothing was said except what might inflame the fierceness of
the youths. This confusion in our university shames mc, for
it will at length bring us opprobrium. Peter Lupinus spoke
well against the tumult, but he was so received by Dr. Thomas
Escliaus that I at once arose and left, seeing that Satan was
presiding over the meeting. It is said tliat the youths arc al-
lowed to carry arms against the order of the elector.

It is better that a smaller number should study her« tlian
that we should have these riots. All the good condemn this
madness. To-morrow, with God's help, I shall try to do what
1 can to qui« this. Nothtiig was done according to the elec-
tor's recent decree. The old men were wilder than the young. I
know it is the doing of Satan, for as he cannot hurt the Word
of Cod which is now returning to us. he seeks this way to dis-
parage it. Truly we must strive against him with what power
we can lest be should prevail with these men of blood.

I think you have received my letter and this of Schaum-
burg* Please send them back to our friends when you have
read them. Farewell and pray for me.

Martix LuTH£it, Augustiniau.

178. LUTHER TO SPALATTN.
Ender», ii. 441. (Wittenbehc), July 17. ijax

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, we think that Lira's dream* meant

'PMcr Barkbud.

*Cf. npfa, no. 130- Tbc *iud«o[i w«ic fat tom« reaaos exuperaiH] ic«ln>t
Lao* CriDub. who. boiitc* bring a painter, drove varinu» Kadri. Stuitcnt Ti«i*
nrr not siuainnian ihrn, and. indeed, ire nol ui>ki)Q«n now on tbe conti netil
cf Europe. I bair irj»r[f Men tiolt >t ibc Sorbonne, »bleb, b'Ul for ibe Inlcr-
««ntfod of the police, miibt bkre led lo bioodibed,

•No. »69.

•SoMciblnr of wbicb Bpp«rcDÜj SpaUlis bi4 written, of wbicb notbini cIn

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

L«.s}l

Dothtng else than our riot. In almost all prophecies and

vjaions a big man signiücs ihc gross commonalty. Yesierda/
from the pulpit I preached against the tumult as thou^ I
were partial to neither Mdc ; I simply described the evil ol
sedition in the abstract whether it was supported by the dii
rens or by the students, and I commended the power of magis-
trates as one instituted by God, so that sedition? slrould not
lay everything waste. Good Heavens! How much haired I
won for myself!' They shouted that I was taking the pan
of the town council. At length they thus betrayed ilw
thoughts of their hearts, so that we learned who had truly
imbibed our thcolog>' and who had only pretended to do so.
Such a sieve is needed to separate the wheat from the chaS.
I see Satan in this affair, who, when he saw that he could do
nothing at Rome and abroad against us. found this cril ta
hurt us badly from within.

This thing was small at first, but behold, tlic more it is
treated, the more bitterly does it seize and corrupt hearts, a
strictly diabolic quality, for Satan augments the diseas« hj
what you would think would cure it. I do not fear him, but I
am afraid that we oifend the Lord with our ingratitude and
vainglory, who in his anger iwrmits Satan thus to burst forth
in the midst of the sons of CjoJ. Nor docs this so much roovt
me, as fear of what may happen in the future, forsooth thit
wc should become hard and filled with Satan and thus incor-
rigible. Thus we should fill up the measure of our wiclte<i-
ness, and the wrath of God should come and smite tis widi
some great plague to our confusion, because we did not
receive the Word of God when it was offered to us, or did
not receive it worthily.

On this account I am much alarmed. Every one of the pa«
three years I have suffered some signal danger, first at Aup-
burg. then at Leipsic, now at Wittenberg. We need not wis-
dom and weapons, but humble prayer and strong faith to win
Christ for us; otherwise it is up with us, if we confide in our
own strength. Wherefore betake yourself with me to prayer,

■Btlber ]u\f <}.

>A ttuileni who 1>»4 c«nc from L^lpMC wm ktti m M7 that U At ■»*>
■»okc liln thai Aty oiieht la hit kin on Ibc tocunr« «itk ■ atonw, add aooibtt
tbM iliFy oueM la tnilc* in end of kiu.

ct. 379

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

341

St from this spark an evil spirit of tlic Lord should make a
jnflagration. Small thing» are not lo be despised, es]>edatly
»hen Satan is their author.
1 said news from Rome. I learned more from him' than I
ftd in this broadside. Agricola* noted this down as he
akc and gave it to Melchior Lotther. When he gives it
you please return it to us. Farewell and remember that
ft must suffer for the Word. Since Sylvester voa Schaum-
"bui^ and Francis von Sickingen made mc secure from the
^_iear of men, the furj- of the devils must needs take its place.
^■(t will be the last, for I shall be severe with myself. Thus is
^HSie will of God. Martin Luther, Augusiittian.

^r aro- LUTHER TO WENZEL LINK AT NUREMBERG.

Enden, ü. 443. WitTENBeiic, July ao, 1^70.

Greeting. I am sending my little essay,' a stumbling-block
10 hypocrites. I think Der abgehobelte Eck has reached you.
They say the wild ass of Leipsic is braying against me again,
but we shall see.

Recently we almost experienced a schism and rebellion
here.' but with Christ's aid Satan has been beaten down.

Sylvester von Schaumhurg, a Franconian noble, has written
to ask mc not to flee to Bohemia or elsewhere, but to him,
should the Roman furies wax hot. He promises the splendid
protection of a hundred Franconian knights. So the rage of
Rome is at length despised even by the Germans. Francis von
Sickingcn has also written to the same purpose.

My enemies wrote the elector against nie from Rome,' as
did a ceruin court in Germany. T have in press 2 book in
the vernacular against the Pope : To the Nobility of Germany

■f*bn VMi Wlcli of MSnilcT. wbD hiO b«ea kn altemt? in Reucblln'i affair

Roac la i}iS be bccaoic Syndic at Orfintn, and looli part In tbe intto*

a<ll«B of lb* RcfntniiiiDii in Münxtr. In i;jj kc ira* taplurid bf itic BUhop

Hüiulcr and t>ul to drilb. Tbc intornii.tion hr braucht Luibci at Ibi* time

bis mr lack do« Rome wu a chid lonxe for Ib-r Aiirtri lo tkt Crrmen

»Join AfHeoli.

»Of llif Fttacy at Kt'tnt aa^n-tt the Rcmenüt of Leipiir. Tht Ronasiai waa
IbR wilit au," Aufuiiinr Alfeld.
•Tb« tliKlvnl tiot* irokcn of abovr. no. Iff.
^SMprt, no*. 175, 376. Tbc German coorl waa rmbabty Ibal of Dulce Gcortc.

»12 LITTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let iti

on Reforming the Christian Estate.' Jt will mightily offeod
Rome by exposing her impious arts and usurped powers.
Farewell and pray for me.

Brothek Martin Luthek.

280. LUTHER TO MICHAEL WITTIGER. CANON AT

BKESLAU.

Enden, ü. 449- Wittensoc, July 30, 15»

Greeting. I was unwilling to write to you, excellent ^,
since our common friend Schlcupncr could tell you every-
thing better by word of mouth. He knows everything about
us, hut he desired me to put down nt least a line. So I do
as he wishes. Various books are written against me in Ger-
many and Italy, but it is well. None write but moat asiniae
asses who betray themselves by their stupidity. I am quite
well in body and mind, except that I should prefer to sin Ies;>
I sin more evcr>' day, for which I complain lo you and yoor
prayers. The Dominicans have quieted down, an edict* having
been published forbidding them to write against me. In llxir
place have succeeded the people of Samaria, the priests of
Bethaven,' the Franciscan Observants. Tf they conquer, ther
will do it by their excessive stupidity. I never remember M
have read stupider men, who never know whether they con-
quer or are conquered. Poor people, to be exposed to thre
wolves! But the Lord will see to it. Farewell Jn him.

aSi. ERASMUS TO [LEWIS PLATZ] RECTOR OF ERFURT.

Erami epistolae (Loodon, 11^42). xIL 23- Erasmi opera ((TOJ). S.
53+ LoOTAW, July ji (ipo).

In bolH reprints of this letter jusi citeil the name of the recur
is omitted and the date is given "1518." The name of the addreUK
«imI the date of the letter are siven by the Akttn der Erfurter V^
vtrsilät. ed. J. C H. Weinsenborn (Halle. 1884). ii. J14. which ihtm
that Platz was rector at this time, and speak of Erasmus' lelief M
him in the tollowini terms: "The humanities ousht not ro bom*
on a university like ravaging enemies, but (o come as guests lo chcniii
culture. . . . Therefore we have elected I.ewij Platz, of MdsuBj"'.

iLulLcr** tr«ate*i «Qib. Weimar, ti, 497. Enilitb br Wkc ud t aM'< ^'
Liti'trr'i Primary Warkt. C/. Smitli, ep. cil., chip. rtll.
*.Vuthln( U known of cW; pcrbftpi ■ »aiitc U mcMtt.
■Tb* hcwc of ruiitr," •, t.. "at id»t»." Jcihua, iH. a.

t.aSt

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

343

Etoc . . . boUi because h« ts devoted to this cause uid because
has been exhorted thereto by a letter of the great Erasmus
oE RottcfdJini, written in the midst of his labors, in which letter he
shows hi« extreme «ood will to the university of this city." Platz
matriculated at Erfurt in 1497 (i'öiJ, 202) and devoted himself to
thcoloEy. He bcc^utic a wcU-kiiown humanist and the master of Eoban
less (Krause: liobrn Hess. i. 26).

Dear Sr, I am not able to withhold my love for you. since
I have learned from Draco.' that serious youth, that you are
most learned and eagerly favor sound learning, and that you
take care that it shall flourish at Erfurt, now under your au-
spicious presidency. It is the special honor of your prudence
that you bring this about without tumult, which we see is ex-
cited elsewhere by the imprudence of some men. The classics
ought to come to a university not like enemies to spoil it. but
like guests to live In peace. I never liked the tumult, and either I
am much mistaken or more will be accomplished by modera-
tion than by impotent force. 1 think it is the part of good
mco to desire to carry through their reforms with injury to
few. or, if possible, to none. \'ain. controversial theology has
arrived at tliat [wint of inanity that she must be recalled to
her sources. But I should prefer to have even her corrected
rather than hissed off, and that she should be borne until a
more potent theological method be developed. Luther has
given some splendid warnings, but would that he had done it
more civilly, f^e would then have had more favorers and
allies, and would have reaped a richer harvest for Christ.
And yet it would hi impious to leave him entirely undefended
in what he has rightly said, lest hereafter none should dare
to tell the truth. This is not the place, nor is mine tlie ability
to pronounce on his doctrine. Hitherto he has certainly
profited the world. Some men liave been forced by hiiu to

IJoka Dracb <Dtko, Draconim), burn i<g4 tt CarUtadl un <bc Mnin. matrtca-
lutil al Efton In Ar inionier ol 1S09. following ibe tiampl« of lieu and ianu
kc m«lc * riail 10 Erumua in ijto. (Eruniua had bee» io cunniiondcacc wilh
hi» Wfoici r. f; ibcrc i> a letter fram Ecaainu« to Drico. October 17. istS.
ta tbc HeJftt'"*'"* il'^i'T. <5<9) of Eobin lies*.) Later I>iaco went la
Whwnbcri. irbcrr bt wu Inxiilird in thf «itainKr of 'i'), and ibortlf after'
>«i4> l««k bii du<t<'>'* desree. In th« mine year he becdne evanitclte pceacber
at Uiltecbrirf. KibI waa drivea out b-^ Albert of UajYitcr- ICisilf n, iu. 134.7-
FrDm I$J4'47 ^ "■* profeiaor »I Marburg, iS5i-6i> at RoiimIi: be ibea bccuoc
Ike PrMMUAt Blihop ol Pomettanft- He died 156«. AUeft, iil. 4U.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let. 3^

turn to the writings o( the ancient Fathers, either to defend
themselves or to attack Luther. . . .

382. MELANCHTHON TO JOHN HESS.
Carpus Reformalorum. i. 208. Witikkbexc. Auga&l 1 (1520).

Hail, sweetest Hess! You will leam from the letters ol
Luther and Schleuprier how others bear your perpetual silence.
... 1 believe you must have received Luther's answer and
mine to your last letters which you sent by the priest. . . .

I know no news. Thank God Martin is yet alive; and do
you pray that he rnay live long, for he is the one champioa
of divinity. A few days ago Cardinal Riario' wrote oar
illustrious Elector Frederic urging hira with prayers and
threats to bind Luther. The elector answered craftily; yon
know llic Ulysses of persuasion. . . .

383. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Etidcrt, ii. 456. (WrrTENBEiiä), August 5, ipa

Greeting. I have not written for some time, waiting f«
the agitation which friends have put you in to dtc dowa I
am not pleased with .Amsdorf's excessive affection for llie
otiier side. The students never suffered what the citiiefo
did, but they don't care for that, tlilnlcing only of their own
inconveniences. But enough of iheni. All speak of my abuse,
but none of them is right. It is nothing to mc if my authority
declines. If every scolding is abui^c, none has sinned moK
than the prophet?. But in our time we arc unaccustomed to
hear truth distasteful to us.

Hatred is vexing Leipsic, which in the person of Alveld ii
acting a tragedy. Even if my tnuiipet-blast' will meet the
approval of none, yet it must meet my approval, as a neces-
sary .attack on the tyranny of the Roman Antichrist who
destroys the souls of the whole world. It is very sharp and
vehement, so that I hope it will make even those languid little
cvil-spcakcrs gasp. I will not answer Alveld,* but he will be

Kf. Sniib. t*l.

m'a name ww *ppli«d by Lam la Lmhci'* A44t*u to tht Crrm^n jr^hOU^
Smith, p. it.
■M'bg bad tncnlly publiafaii] • rrat$ «a Conmumitn: tf. t^mateta. (i.

Ijtt.ä84

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

S43

the occasion of publishing something by which the viper»
will be more irritated than ever.

U you are not successful, I will write nothing to the elector
about M elan cht lion's salarj'. What I wrote formerly I did
so that the man might have no reason for leaving us; but if
nothing can come of it, the Lord's will be done. Finally I
tried to get hiin to marry for the profit of the gospel, for I
thought he would live longer in this state ; but if notliing
comes of this, let it pass. I fear he will not long survive his
present manner of life. 1 try tu do what 1 cim for the Word;
perhaps I am unworthy to accomplish anything. I also should
prefer, if God willed, to be freed from teaching and preach-
ing; I am almost ilisgusied to see how little fruit and grati-
tude lo God comes from it. Perhaps it is alt my fault. Fare-
ell and pray for mc. Martin Lutker, Augustinian.

^Boders, il 459.

33+ LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Wittenberg, Augiist 14, 153O.

^dn

Greeting. Wc by no means believe that Eck is at Meissen;'
either the>' arc again trying us with their fictions, or else the
words sent to you were written at Rome. This can be inferred
from the fact that he writer ihat he hopes the bull will be
moderated, which could not be dune at Meissen.

You formerly wrote several times for mc to recall the parish
riest of l.ochau, and recommend him 10 the elector for
another position. Now here is Francis Güntlier of Nord-
hausen.' well fitted for the place, although he once seemed
harsher to you than you ought easily to forget. If there
is still doubt about the affair you can let me know. He is
eloquent and powerful to speak the Word before the court,

id altogether such a one as I would wish to have at I-ochau

T^ buO Etnirft Dt-'tine ir>i «igncd t>r L*e on Jun« ij >nd *ntriMltd lo Eck
I» p<Mt in Ccrnutnjr. Th» •rti done (irit ■( MeisKn on Seplt(nb«T Ji.

'S^frt, no, 39, On jBiiu»rji ji, ijjn CF.aAer*, ii. J»?), Luliff 'had «nt >
cntain James Cropp lo Oil £be pl»M Ht U not <h* line U lb« Crdpp («bo«
Itfil nat>i«f wrrr Frsnrii Cotlichilk) mtntfanfd later In thr Irtlrra of ijsj.
ibcuffc thry tit confounded br Scidemann in bii ind» I>« Wetlr Stidnnann.
«i. CSf. Giinthrr matrtculilrd it Wlttenberit ipü. later became pirlab priett at
lOMtbOfk. in vfafcb iilace the FranciKim iiroieculed him for Luthrtuiiini, Hi
•fcliiiMd lb» living of Locbao on Luthn'i fecanuDeDdalimt and died Ihtrt tsiH.
I. IL 36. ifli.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AKD

UL3«

and near us. Steps are being taken to provide a cure for him
out of Saxony, Answer as soon as you can, and farewell.

Marti.v Luther, j^ugustinian.

i8s. ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO ERASMUS AT LOUVAIN,
Bocking, i. 367. Stickklbiuk;, August 13, 15»

... 1 advise you to be perfectly still and to moderate your
pen so as to keep yourself safe for U5. And listen to what f
have to tell you, relying on our friendship. When Reuchlin's
atTair was all of a glow you seemed to fear those felloirs
more than was worthy of you. And now in the affair of
Luther you are trying as hard as possible to persuade out
adversaries that you are as far as may be from defending the
cause of Christian truth, although they well know that your
sympathies are all the other way. This is not noble. I know
the friend to whoni 1 am writing and that you will not takt
umbrage at my warnings. 1 heard with sorrow what men said
and then I defended the fame of my friend, although son«
of his acU displeased me. Now that 1 am in danger, I conceal
nothing from you. Therefore I pray you as a friend who
loves you and wishes to deserve well of you, not to do matt
for me than you did for Luther and Rcuchlin. You know
with what triumph your letters are carried about by those
whose hatred you seek to deprecate, though in doing so tou
win the hatred of others. Thus you have been abusing the
Ef>istolae Obscurorum I'irorttm, which at first you greatlj
approved, and thus you now damn Luther for stirring up
things which ought to be left alone, although you l\avc alwayi
treated tlie same subjects in your books. You will never go
them to believe that your sympathies are not with us. Yon
Vwill ofFend as and not placate them; if, indeed, you do txK
irritate them further by such open dissimulation.' . . .

286. MELANCHTHON TO JOHN LANG

Cvrfui Rrformalorum, i. 21a (AugtHt l87. 151a)*

Gr«ting, excellent and learned Father. At first I rather

'Tliii Iclicr ni«rk*J th.c bccin-niiiE ot (h< bmcb bvKmB Ritiim «iiil EraaaM^
*Tbe date U li)l«(r<J iram the letter at Latltcr to Vong, Cndcra, il, «f».

Let. 38S

OTHER CONTEMPOR.\RY LETTERS

347

did not disapprove than approved the plan for writing an epi»-
Ue to the German nobiUty.' For our friend was urged to do so
by some whose opinion we must lioth respect. Moreover the
thing itself, being of God, I would not try to ohstruct. I
would not rashly hinder Martin's spirit in this cause, to which
he seems to have been called by Providence. Besides, the
book is now printed and distributed and cannot be recalled.

38?. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Endcrt, ii. 464. Wittenbehc, August 23, 15».

Greeting. ... I forwarded your lelters to Nuremberg.
The additions to the book' will be put in the second edition,
which i.otthcr is bringing out. Tlic book will also be corrected.
I send my statement and letter to be corrected.»

The tenor of my letter to Cardinal Carvajal is as follows:
As his fame is great in the world, 1 desire to ask that, with all
possible zeal, he should make himself the agent for compos-
ing the present affair. I offer all conditions of peace, except
that I will not recant, ssiffcr the stigma of heresy or be de-
prived of the freedom cf teaching the Word. I do not fear
censures and force, for [ can be safe in the midst of Gcr^
many. Rather let them beware lest if tliey crush me they
should arouse many. In talent and learning I am, with God's
aid. equal to my enemies.

Farewell and pray for me,

Martin Luther, Augustinian.

P. S. — I commend Günther lo you, Please give these letters
to the elector.

m. THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY TO HIS
BROTHER, DUKE JOHN.

C E. Förstcniano: Keues Vrkuitdrnbuch sur Geschiekle der twm-
gelitchm Kirchcn-Reformaiion. Hamburg. 1Ä42. i. 2.

LocHAU. August as, I5aa
High-bom Prince, kind, dear Brother and Kinsman. Hcrc-

■l.uthrr'* rmp^)^ of ihU liilr li ni»nt.

*SenraI imponinl cbiii^* nnd »Idictona were nid« In ibe KCond impivMion
of fbe Aiittit to ih* Gtrmon Hability.

■Luther hm mcani bii O/rr ond Pt^ltHUitm uul bb lelter 10 ibe Emperor
CkulM V. Smitta, «p. niv «SS.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

with I send you a book* written by Dr. Martin Luther, in
which you will find nuny wonderful tilings. God Alnogblj
grant that it turn out well, for truly things arc coming
to light which many people conceal ; may God Almighty vODcb-
safe to us poor sinners that wc be improved and not made
worse thereby. I would not keep this from you as you asked
me to send you whatever Dr. Luther wrote, and I am alwaji
willing to serve you. In haste. . . .

PueuRKlC, zvith his own hand

^ CHARLES VON MILTITZ TO LUTHER.
Enders, ii. 466. Eisleben, Aufnist ig. ISA

Hail, most learned Martin! I attended the chapter of your
Order celebrated at Eisleben. chiefly that I might see you a
a much lovctt friend. As I did not have this pleasure. I dfr
cided to write you. In the chapter, with the aulbority of oar
Most Holy Lord the Pope, 1 &aid something to the brothcis
which will not hurt you, but prove greatly to your advantage
Wherefore 1 exhort you not to gainsay the brothers who will
visit you,* but that you should follow and obey their counsel
and that of the whole chapter, which I hope you will never
repent. I myself would come to you, save that pcrliaps your
friends who think that I am your enemy would lay snares
for me. Yet 1 IkUcvc that I shall not leave these parts before
conversing with you as with my special friend. Farewell.
Yours,

Charlcs von MiLTiTZj vAth hü own kä

aga LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Endcr». ii. 471. (Witte-xbeik:), .^ngust 31, isaa

Greeting. Wc will write again about the changes in the
lectures, when the bridegroom* gets used to having the bride.
I hope the new parish priest. Francis Günther, will turn o»rt
well, only try to initiate the man gently into the manners of
the court. We did not know the bad reputation of his sister.
but she will be separated.

■AfiiCAU.

303

OTHER CONTEMrORARV LETTERS

8-tS

I send my Offer and ProUsi' printed, and letters lo Francis
yn Sicking«ii and the Emperor Clurles. Very little of my
(work On the Captivity of the Church* is printed, but wc shall
Farewell in the Loid.

Martin Luther, Augvslinian.

Agricola's wedding day is set for the Tuesday after the
tNativity of Mary.' Do what you promised.

agi. ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO ALL GERMANS.
L 43a (Ebebnbukc, August ?, 152a)*

Behold, men of Germany, the bull of Leo X. by which he
tries to suppress the rising truth of Christianity, which he
opposes to our liberty. lest, after her long bondage she should
again grow strong and revive. Shall we not resist him in tliis
kttcmpt, and take public counsel lest he should go farther and
before we know it accomplish something for bis insatiable
cupidity and impudence? . . . Luther is not touched in this,
but all of us; nor is the sword drawn against one only, but
are all threatened. They will never complain of hi-s
tj-ranny, never uncover liis fraud, never lay bare his guile nor
resist his fury nor imp*de his robbery. . . , Remember to act
Bke Germans. ... I have published this bull that when you
read it you may Icam all from this one.' Farewell.

ate. FREDERIC. ELECTOR OF SAXONY. TO VALENTINE VON
TEUTLEBEN, HIS AGENT AT ROME.

Luther opera varii argvmenti, v. 7. Torc.au, (Sepitraljer I ?), 1520,

This letter is dated toe. cU., "K^ciid, A|)ril," but this must be wrong

as the reference to Luihcr'» Obiatio tive F'rolrTiaiio shows. Weimar,

»i. 474-
You write, perhaps correctly, that this and other business

ySmPn, no, tjy.

*rAr Babylaiun Cafttvity of ihe Church. Weimar, vl. 497. Soilli, |i. SSff.

^ScTitaslKT R: ibc wnldini diT. Scincmbcr to.

•TkU b tlulwn'B preface 10 bU cditioii of tbc bull Etturer Deminr. wbitb lie
prialnl tbiofciiii it itnulJ >li> niprc lurtn |g ifac Cbiircb tbaa to Luibcr. Tbr
hut) WH aipied t)T tbc r«pc, June 15. ts'(>. and «-fficiaHr ptiblUbeiJ in G«rinanT
br Etk »bA AlnnJer tawai'i« tlir end of Septembcer. Smilb. of. til., p. 08,
Kalltn'i edition u plMcd by Bncking in Niavrmber or Drcrinlwr, but I believe it
t« be csilier. Tbc neit letter ol Eruniua shawm tbul (be bull baJ b<*» pabli«b«4
beior« September 9. and the (ollowinf «pittic hj Hulltn tbow« (bat he kMfr
h before Svfilenber 11.

•Vlrfil; At^tii, 11. Cs«.

LUTHERS COKRESPONDENCE AND

Lit. av

of ours is going veiy badly with his Holiness the Pope, all of
which, in your opinion, is tu be attributed to the excesses and
rashness of Dr. Martin Luther, who has scattered, as y«
express it, "I know not what" new dogmas against tlie Pope'l
Holiness and the holy see and thu Roman Church, and hu
not submitted himself with due reverence and moderatioa ID
the very reverend lord cardinals; and you further write
that general rumor affirms that he is supported, favored and
shown mercy by us alone.

To this we answer briefly and in good faith: We haw
never undertaken and do not now uiiiJertakc to protect and
defend by our patronage the doctrine and writings of Dr.
Martin Luther, for we do not presume to give jud^Tncnl ti
to what he has written rightly and lawfully and what contrari-
wise, and what he has taught piously and Qtristianly, and wM
otherwise.

Yet we ilo not think we ought to conceal that we have heafd
that this man's doctrine is considered and approved as pioni
and Christian by many learned and intelligent men. On thÖK
however, wc give no opinion, nor do wc prejudge his doctriae.
for wc leave to him, the author of these dogmas, their whole
defence, especially as the whole cause has been referred to
the legitimate tribunal, to which he submits, He will ofier
himself to the examination of the commissioner chosen by the
Pope's Holiness on just conditions, that is, with safe-conduct
To him Luther will give the justification of what he has writ-
ten or taught, offering all submission and obedience, so thai,
if he is convinced of error by the Word of Cod and the true
testimony of Holy Scripture, he will of his own accord offer
to change his opinion and recant, as appears from the form of
this Offer and Prcteslalion' drawn up by himself. . . .

Now that Germany is flourishing in geniuses and in men
of learning and wisdom, expert in the tongues and in all sorts
of learning, and since even the laity have b^un to be edu-
cated, and are moved by the zeal of knowing the Holy Script-
ure; many think that it is greatly to be feared, if the fair
terms offered by Luther are neglected and he himself with-
out due process of law simply smitten by ecclesiastical cen-
■W^BW. vt. 494. Cf. Smitb. »Bf.

-t^. a«

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

351

sures. that this controversy and strife sliould only be exas-
perated, so that it could liardly ever afterwards be quictcd
and composed. For Luther's doctrine has now for sonic years
past taken deep root everywhere in Germany, so that, if lie
is not refuted by reason and Scripture, but is only proceeded
against by the terror of the ecclesiastical power, it looks as
if much trouble and a horrible and fatal rebellion would take
place in Germany, which would be of no advantage either to
his Holiness the Pope nor to others. . . .

^ 293. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Enders, ü. 472. (Witiinbekc), September t, 1520.

Greeting. First of all, Spalatin, thank the most illustrious
elector in my name for fattening me with game, although I
am 3 monk.

The reverend Father Staupitz will come to-day and with
him his new successor. Wenzel Link.* Yesterday our brolhcri
returned. Charles von Miltitz wrote me a letter, saying that
in the public assembly of the fathers he delivered an oration
in his Italian Latin seeking some plan to keep me quiet For
he sees that he brought the golden rose in vain, as he obscurely
hinted. Tlie fathers say they answered tliat they had nothing
in common with me, and did not know my plans. Of which
we shatl hear more to-day. The Counts* treated him magnifi-
cently.

I send a letter from Antwerp written by the prior" of that
place, so tliat you may see what 13 being done about me. Our
friend Lang, I am surprised to say, is made prior of Dresden ;*
Melchior Mirisch of Ghent. I know not whether they are
animated by the spirit of power, so much are all things dis-
turbed for the new reign of the new vicar. I think that you
have received the letter of Failier James Vogt. Farewell.
H Brother ^tARTIN Luther, Augustinian.

*Al lb( Eidrtwn cfaapitr, Aii(iMt. iSJo, Slauplti ruigncd u vicar »nd Link
tru ciMicd in hit >te>il.

■Of Mktitfcld.

■Juea frobii (Piopii) of Vpcrn, ijio ■ludird ii Witlrobeta, ind again i5»i.
RcCurning In iSKt to Antwerp bt ww tciT Ktivc in the cringcllc r''0pic>n<1>,
for «liicJi be wu srrtitcd inJ fiincil to ncsnl Fcbniarr 9. ijJi. Escipiaf from
iIm NcdKTtand* be iRaln profcucd Lutheran Iim. and In ija« became paitor U
Brencfl, a poticion bt bcld until bia dtktb. Tttoc j«, 136a. KraltncjK^^dir.

"tu» tit* a niiiakcD lumor.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Utaw

394- ERASMUS TO GERARD NOVIOMAGUS.
ErojHti opera (iroj). iii. 577. hovtM«, Srplembcr g, isn

Gerard Gcldcniiaufr, of Nymcscn (Noviomacus). (c. 14&2-1542). aa
author and the secretary of Philij^ and Maximiliaa of BurguD(lr.
Ill is^S he visit»! Wiltciibcrg aitd went over tu the Reformers, abaiA
which time his friendship uith Erasmus cooled. Manicd IS:!;: liut
1533 profcsjor at Marburg. Allen, op. eil., ii. 379.

... I fear the worst for poor Luther, so hot is the coih
spiracy against him, so deeply arc the princes and cspcciallj
Pope Leo offended in him. Would that 1-üthcr had followrei
my advice and had abstained from that of hateful and sedi-
tious men. He would have had more fruit and less envy. It
would not satisfy his encniic$ to put one man to death; if
they succeed no one could bear their insolence. They won^
stop until they have subverted all study of the classics. They
are already attacking Reuchlin again only from hatred of
Luther, who, against my advice, tried to join his name to tlut
of Reuchlin. and thus hurt him while not helping himself.
Eck debated; Hochitralen published I know not wliat axioms
to which all had to subscribe. The professors of Louvain
disputed and even published. The judj^ent of the Univcni^
of Paris was expected, when to! the whole thing suddenly
seems to turn into a bull and into smoke. The terrible buH
is published, although the Pope forbaile its publication. I
fear it will lead to a terrible riot, I do not judge the piety
of those who have advised the Pope in this matter, but cer-
tainly their counsel is most dangerous. The afTair arose from
the worst sources and has hitherto been carried on in the
worst manner. The whole tragedy began in the hatred of
sound learning and the stupidity of the monks. Then it wu
nourished to madness by reviling and malicious conspiracy-.
There is no doubt whither the thing is tending; namely, to th«
extinction of sound learning and to the reign of barbarism. 1
have nothing to do with this tragedy. I might have a
bishopric if I wrote against Luther. I regret tliat the gospel
is thus oppressed, and that we are driven rather than tatight.
and taught those things which arc repugnant to the Dible and
common sense. Farewell, dear Gerard, and write when you
can.

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

3S3

ten. It. 477-

aos- LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Wettcnuuu;, September ii. 1520.

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, I received your letter from AUen-

burg yesterday, but the one you wrote later from Butlstädt' I

received earlier. Noiliing was done about me at Eisleben,'

except that Charles von Miltiiz took counsel with the fathers

And finally induced them to send the reverend Father Stau-

pitz and the new Vicar Link to mc, to hcg mc to write a

p»rivatc letter" to the Roman I'onlifF witncs.sing that I had

never tried to do anything against him personally. Miltits

^Ktpcs that this plan will turn out well.

Although (his pbn docs not appeal to me, nor to the fathers,
3ret we will oblige Miltitz. who perhaps in asking it is grinding
his own ax. 1 shall, therefore, write llie exact fact that I
never had the slightest cause to attack the person of the Pope.
What could be easier to write or truer? I must take care in
writing not to treat the apostolic see too ferociously, but I
will be a bit caustic.

Hütten sent me a letter* Ixiiling over with great indignation
at the Pope, writing that now he is rushing on the priestly
tyranny with pen and sword, because the Pope planned to
assassinate him and commanded the Archbishop of Mayence
to send him bound to Rome." "Madness." he exclaims,
"worthy of a blind* Pope." You will see a copy when I get it
from Henr)' Stromer who asked to see it.

The worst of it is that the .'\rchbishop of Mayence had a
mandate issued from the pulpit, mentioning Hütten by name
and forbidding his books to be read or bought under pain of
excommunication, and adding that the same held good of simi*
lar books, by which be meant a covert attack on mine. If he
only mentions me by name, [ will join with Hütten and excuse
myself in such a way as will not please the Archbishop of

'Tlu elector «u ttut'tnt OM (0 mttt Ihc ntw Emrcror in ibe Nctberluik.
Smith, p. ft,

'Swfra, »o, 1B4,

Thii Ittltr iMcanit ibc iotroduttien le Loibct'i iracl On Ikt LArrty #/ •
fhrwlMit U*n. (}. Smith, p. 9t.

■LoM.

Tke p>r>l WfT« of July ■« I« Alberl «( MB)r««e •■ji nolbin« of lU*, but
(bert ■• othtr evidmce lo ibov Ihat ttuHcn'* norjr «■ >t wont «n miic|«riltan

*L*o X ma» <rtrf Aoti *igbttA.

«4 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Lrt ag6

Mayence. Perhaps they arc hastening the end o£ their on
tyranny by this plan. . . .

Take this in good pan and farewell in the Lord. Be canftä
not to let everyone have access to our elector, lest somra«
should try to poison him. The Romanists will stop at nothing
Hütten cannot warn me enough against poison.

Maktin LuTua.

396. ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF

SAXONV.
Backing, i. 383. S. Siamaiökki : Ulrichs vcn Hütten dnttcii
Schriftr», 1891, p. 137. German, EautHBtiHC, Scpreinber ti, iS»

Now, at last, Prince I*rcderic, I see that wc must rap
against the Roman tyranny; now, at last, our Ronanbl
brothers, after so many fraternal warnings and so many con-
vincing arguments, not only do not act more mildly in thoR
things which offend us, but they even act more fcrociooily
than ever before. Have you not heard that they liave ordend
me sent bound to Rome? You will see hov? worthy tha
deed was of them. .And now, good Heavens! what a violeai
and cruel bull they have drawn up against Kuihcr! You wcwIJ
call it the roar of the Lion (Leo), hearing which the miserable
sheep of Christ do not recognize the pious voice of a shepberd,
but the bloody cry of a wild robber. Is there any vestige of
Christian gentleness, or any indication of apostolic moderation
therein? He roars, he rages. But his ferocity is all the planer
because often in that butl he pretends that he is other than
be is; he craftily simulates benevolence when he smoothly
invites Lutlier to Rome, as though we were ignorant that ii
made no difference to him how he got us, whether Luther wis
inveigled by a promise or I haled b>- force. If Luther listois
to mc he will never go thither to certain death, and I mnch
wonder who persuaded Leo X. that I should so easily be
captured in the midst of Germany and taken tlirough t^f
Steep passes of the Alps to Rome. . . .

(The r«st of (his long letter i> a prophecy of the downfiS of
"Babylon," an account of the ancient libcilics ot th« Geroi&tu "^
the modem iniqnily of Rome.] . . .

I see that the Pope thinks you are obedient to him in all b»'

99? OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS S55

>rofccting helpless Luther. . . . That you do this bravely I

lort you again and again, partly iKcausc you arc his natural

;trotcctor and partly because he has Utile hopes of any other,

at least any better. For the Saxons were always free,

Jways uitconquered. . . .

207. ERASMUS TO POPE LEO X. AT ROME
ifmi opera (itolJ), iii. 578. LoinAiH, September 13, isao.

Although I did not fear, most blessed Father, that your
goodness could be induced to hurt an innocent man, or that
your prudence would rashly believe the calumnies of the
wicked, yet when I see that your Holiness is flooded with so
much business irom the whole world, and when I consider
the unexampled wickedness of some who conspire against
sound learning — never teasing, daring all things and leaving

' 00 stone unturned — I have thought it concerned me to fortify
your Holiness, remote and busy, with this antidote. I see
there are some, who, to strengthen their own faction, seek to
confound tlie cause of sound learning, of Reuchlin and of
myself with the cause of Luther, although there is really
nothing common to them. I have always said this, both orally
and in my published writings. I do not know Luther nor have
I read his books except ten or twelve pages, and those hastily.
From Iliese, which I glanced at. it seemed to me that he wrote
well on tlie Scriptures, explaining them according to the man-
ner of the ancients, while our age is excessively addicted to
clever rather than to necessary questions. I therefore favored
what was good in him, not what was bad ; or rather I favored
Christ's glory in him.

I was almost the first to discover any dang'cr, fearing that
a tumult, which I have always abominated more than any-
one, would arise. I therefore plead with John Proben, the

^^ printer, even using threats, that he should print none of Lu-

pHther's works. Then I wrote diligently to his friends that they
should admonish him to remember Christian gentleness in his
writings and to respect the tranquillity of the Church. And
when he wrote mc himself two years ago. I warned him lov-
ingly to avoid trouble, and I only wish he had taken my advice. I

^^ear that this letter has been reported to your Holiness and

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

1*1. "W

used against mc, though it really deserves the favor of j-our
Holiness. For what needful advice does it not give? True, I
did it civilly, by which 1 thought tu accomplish more than bj
severity, and I was writing to a stranger. After I had almost
taken him to task, lest my freedom offend him, I added: "1
write this, not to tell you what to do. but to encourage you in
doing as you have always done," thus assuming that lie would
do of his own accord what I wanted him to. For if his previ-
ous manner of writings had pleased me why should I need to
advise him to adopt another? I know that tliis passage ha
been twisted against me by some, hut that the words I adrffti
"that he had many adherents," have been interpreted mil
worse. But what I wrote was true. Many men favored what
was good in him just as I did. I wished him to know thi»,
not so that lie might be encouraged by their support to wrilt
seditiously, but that he might make their support perpetual by
following my advice to moderate his pen.^ 1 am surprised tlul
the name of the Bishop of Liege was put in by the men of
Leipsic,' who by some means or other published a secret letter
which had not been edited at B.islc. It is absolutely true that
he never had anything to do with Lutlier any more than I did
Even if I had mentioned his name it would only have been in
this sense. 1 wrote that letter almost two years ago, before
the affair had gotten to its present slate of bitterness, or ev«n
to be disputed.

iff anyone has ever heard me, even in my cups, defendirg
uthcr's dogmas, 1 shall not refuse to be called a Lutheras.
But they say I have not attacked him. But in the first place. I
could not refute him unless I read his books attentively on«
and again, for which my assiduous studies did not give tn«
leisure. Secondly, I saw that it was above the mediocrity of
my learning and talents, .^gain T did not wish to depri«
the universities which had undertaken the task of their glory
in it. Rnally. I feared to excite the hatred of powerful men.
especially as no one had commanded me to engage on this labor.
Wherefore, if the enemies of good letters revile mc on thi^
account, 1 have a certain protection in your vrisdom aod mj'

'/. r.t wbtn the lel)C( vti prfnlcd »t Ltlpaic. C/. tutrt, tio. iss-
of LWro via Enrd df U Uacck.

nt BU«r

JB8

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

SS7

own innocence.^ I am not so insan« as to dare to do aught
against the chief vicar of Christ, since 1 am unwilling lo cross
even a bishop. I aiii nut so ungrateful tiiat I should not en-
deavor to respond to your more than [>aiemal indulgence
towards me. Thus l shall save whatever tittle talent I may
have for the glorj- of Christ and the peace of his fold. Who-
ever is the enemy of this fold will also be my enemy. I did
not patronize Lutlier even when it was free for anyone to do
so. Only I disapproved their mode of attack, not for Luther's
sake, but for the dignity of the iheotogians. • • • J

I had decided to winter at Rome to consult the library of
your Holiness, but the congress of kings' has kept me here.
I hope to go to Rome next vwinter. May Christ Almighty
guard your Holiness.

jga ERASMUS TO FRANCIS CHIREGATTO.
JSrAtmi ofera (IJOJ), ■». 579. Louvaim, September 13, 1530.

CfaireKatto (tDccrmber 6, 15^9). cmplDycd by Leo and Adrian in
.various ways, was made Bishop oi Tcramo in the Abruud on September
1533. Allen, iii. 61.

If I did not embrace your candid, officious and affable
friendship, I .ihould be more inhumane than any Thraclan.

t Perhaps there are few men who regret this Lutheran tumult
as much as I do. Would that I could have kept it off in the
beginning, or could compose it now. . . . When the bull came
out. commanding them to preach against Luther, two or three
of the beggar tyrants' agreed over their potations to traduce
me along with Luther before the people. . . . There i.s a man
^^ with a white pall, but a black heart, both stupid and furious
^Hsnd so morose that the whole university dislikes him. When
^^ he published the bull here he spoke more against me tlian
against Luther. In his public lectures he always joined my
name with those of Luther and Lefivre d'Elaplcs. and when
it was pointed out to him that we all differed, he replied that
heretics never agreed. ... At Bruges there was a certain
Franciscan, a suffragan of the Bishop of Toumay, who. full

*f. r, aictlinc of llearr VIII. ind Pruicli I. U Ca1»Ia In Jnir-

•irtxurwrf 1(10 I'll«, i. *.. ticE|in< Bonlu.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Lrt. 29g

of win«, bellowed whole hours before the people against Luther
and Erasm\is, calling us beasts, asses, geese and stocks, bul
not refuting a single word. When he said that there was
heresy in my books and was asked by someone, who had been
instructed by itie magistrate, what it was. this buffoon of a
bishop replied: "I have not read Erasmus's books: I tried to
read the Paraphrases, but the Latin was too deep." . . .

I have no fear for myself. I have never been the teacher of
error nor tlic leader of tumult. And yet you would hardly
believe how strongly [ am urged to mix in the Lutheran affair,
and had I wished to do so it would have been far differeitt
from what it is. But hitherto I have preached peace and quiet,
hitherto I have labored for Christ. . . .

399- MARTIN BUCER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.
R. Slähclin: Briefe iiwx iter Reformationsseil. Basle, 1887, p. 9

HunnxEsa. Scptanber ig, ts»

... I have read the pamphlet of the most Chrislian^ Rev-
erend Father Marlin to our nobility. Good Heavens! what
wise liberty is in it! There is no jot of it to which I can
oppose anything from Scripture. But rather, as I prevlousiy
learned to expect from his other works, I seem to myself to
have found a man undoubtedly acting out the spirit of Christ,
Capito, that finished theologian, my special patron, was at
first horrified by what rumor said of the book, but when he
read it, he acted, as he always does, as becomes a sincere
theologian, as an interpreter and champion of the truth neither
blinded nor timid. When you meet him you will learn his
virtues most clearly. May our breasts not hesitate to accept
the gifts which, a.^ it were, the Holy Spirit shows the Church
in most sacred Luther and other men not 3 few, whose erudi-
tion and piety are both alwve suspicion. I pray Christ for
that. If you can steal time from your other occupations,
please write briefly what result I may expect from the present
hazard, and if most pious Luther comes to you, commend lac
warmly to him. . . .

*CrtA

L«. 300

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

359

m 3» LUTHER TO GÜNTHER VON BÜNAU, CANON OF

MERSEBURG.

Süden, ii 481. WiTTENUEkc. September »8. IS».

A Günther von Bünau, of Elsterbcrg. was in 15^3 Church visitor in
Uducn and Voigtland. He seems to have written Luther about ft
niinor which circulattd about a debate held at Wittenberg.

Greeting. Excellent Sir, I read with joy and wonder the
letter testifying your great failh in me. What lies wilt that
poisonous old serpent not vent?' The debate was as fol-
lows: Carlstadt presided; I argued with others in (he usual
way. The question was whether Christ in the passion opposed
the will of the Father? For he prayed that the cup might be
taken from him, which was tantamount tn not wanting it and
refusing it. Then the argument showed that not wishing was
equivalent to hating and rebelling. This was denied and not
proved. Xothing was asserted, but only talked over famiharly.
What, pray, do we not say in argument, even against orthodox
belief? Are we not accustomed to impugn even articles of
faith? Why then do those men rave and lie about my asser-
tions, when I only argued for the sake of argument, asserting
nothing, and rather openly confe^5ing that I did not under-
stand the mysteries of Christ? I know not whether we treated
that saying of the apostle, "he that knew no sin was made
to be sin,"^ and other sayings which attribute to Christ sin, a
eune and despair; as do Paul and the prophets. As we do
not grasp these things, it is right that we should assert nothing
about them. T never debated publicly on this matter of Christ's
sorrows, and I know nothing about it except what I said above.
If anyone says otherwise you can convict him of falsehood
on the testimony of our whole audience. Let these virulent
men cease to criminate one who argues, or else let them first
condemn their own Aquinas, who upsets all Christian doc-
trines, arguing pro and contra. Do they wish to forbid us
to question articles of faith simply in argument and for the
sake of learning? I am ashamed that even you should be
moved by these nonsensical fictions. Here you have the facts
and my opinion.

iRrrclUlaB, sll. ».

■t C»rlBtbisiu, V. ai.

SaO LUtHER-S CORRESPONDENCE AND tit JM

I know nothing of Eck.' except that he has come with his
beard, his bull and his money. The Lord grant that one of
the condemned articles be that the bag of tlie Mendicant is
nothing. J also will laugh at this bull or bubble. I send
Marforius.* The Lord keep you always. Amen. Farewell,
dea.rest Günther. Martin Luther, Augusti$tian.

301. LUTHER TO CONRAD SAUM AT BRACKENHEIM.
Enders, li. 4S3. Wittsniibic. Ociobcr i, 15A

Conrad Saum (Sam, Som). (1483-Junc 20, 1533), at this time pricft
ai Brackcnhrim in Wiirtcnibetg, tuJ already embraced the Rcforrni'
tion, on 8«ount of which he was driven out, going to Ulm in 1534,
where he introduced a Zwinglian reform. Realtn<yeiopadU.

Greeting. Dr. Heilingen* has commended you, Conrad, to
me, praising your piety and learning. He pleased me not a
little in bearing witness that your heart is possessed by thit
pure and sincere dcictrine of Christ, which in all possible
ways the sophists strenuously resist by force and guile. Satan
aids them, for who cannot see that he is the author of these
storms in them? For our wrestling is not against flesh and
blood, but against spiritual wickedness, against the authors of
this darkness in heavenly places.' Let us therefore be coi>-
stant. and in our turn let us hear the trumpet of our leader
who calls to us: "Be strong in war, fight with the old serpent*
and receive the eternal kingdom." For this fellow Satan
does not fight with us, but with Christ who fights in us. and
who is greater than he that is in the world.* The Lord has
chosen new wars, &ays Deborah, Judges vü.' and we also fig^l
not our own battles, but those of the Lord. Be strong there-
fore and mighty; if God be for us who can be against us?'

\NTiy this? you say. Recause you will hear that the Popt

*Eck arfivcd ■< MrUMn. ScptciflVn >t, wher« be poftcd ibc bull.

iTbc nant of ibc aUluc of ■ rivcfgod <l Etoinc, va whicb uitrc« «en pwwd'
Tbe Mlir« Luther wnC in*)r bare bf*a PajquUlin JiarrAww «r») . . . O m M I
Bgitrage rur Rffffftnaiiontgriehttfitf, i- '.

«pTob&blr ]»>>n Ctrltnf, laicr a wdl-kaairft Rsfeimir la Soatb GtuwBj, »

naatiL
«Eptircianii. ii. 0.
m^vcUiioo. lii, Q.
■■ Jobn, JT. 4.
^Rather, ludRa, v. 8.
•Rofliaii^ *iii. ji.

l.eL 303

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

3til

through hü l^ate Eck has attacked Luther ami his books
and all who adhere to and follow him, with a harsh bull.
This wretched instrument of Satan is now at Leipsic, trumpet-
ing forth his bull with great pomp and glory. I know not
what will Iiappen, nor am I anxious to know, for I am sure
that he who sittetli in heaven takes care for all things and
has foreseen the rise, progress and end (which I wait for) of
this affair from eternity. Whichever way the lot falls it will
not move mc, for it only falls where it falls by God's excellent
will, who cannot err and is thus bound to please someone.
Be not therefore anxious, for your Father knows what things
you need before you ask him;* a leaf of a tree does not fall
to the ground without his will;' how much more must we fall

Monly there where he wishes us to fall.

I thought best to encourage you thus myself, so that if
a powerful spirit come up against you, you wtll not abandon
your post, but hold fast what you have, lest another should
receive your crown ■ It is a small thing for us to die for
the Word which was incarnate* and died first for us. We
who perish with him and who have gone with him where he
has gone, will rise with him and attain to tlie same place tliat
he has attained to and will remain with him forever. See then
that you do not hold your holy calling cheap, hut that you
gratefully persevere in it through all evil. He will come and

ill not larr)' who shall deliver us from all evil.' Farewell in
the Lord Jesus Christ. May he strengthen and preserve our

cart and mind. Amen. Martin Lxn^HER.

yx2. CHARLES VOX MILTIT2 TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF

SAXONY.
Waleb, XV. 938L GcrmBn. (.sipsic. Oclobcr 3. 1520.

I Most serene, high-bom Prince, most gracious Lordt My
humble service to your Grace. -As at my departure from
Gotha your Grace gave me a letter to Fabian von Feililzsch,«

\ •MMtU«, Ti. a.
*Cf. Hath», s. «9-
■ICftlMlaa, Ul. It.
•Tot». L 14.

*Hebrrw*. x. 97. • Ttmatbr, W. iS. , *

•A CiMnciDof of Frvdrric. «ho dieil tirljr in Dfr*nb«r, 1 510. H» «u s vans

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LCLJM

at the very hour of my arrival at Erfurt I sent it to him bj
my own messenger. At Erfurt, however, I was ill, and hut
to wait there seven days. At that time the new vicar. Dr.
Link, came and visited me and asked Hrhether I bad received
Dr. Staupitz's letter about Dr. Martin. I said no, wbidi
horrified his reverence, for he would liave been glad to have
had me receive said letter while I was with your Grace, thai
your Grace might thereby have understood Dr. Luther's attt-
tudc and the diligence of the fathers who were sent to him;
for Link did not neglect to inform me what they bad done and
decreed, and told me that Luther was perfectly willing to
-write humbly to bis Holiness, and show himself an obedieol
son, which I heard with great joy, and thereupon arose and
rode to Altenburg. There I found Dr. Staupitz's letter and
Luther's to Spalatin, of the former of which I send yoar
Grace a copy. Then I rode back to Ei&leben to the father
vicar to find out whether he were minded to journe>' with
me to a convenient place to meet Luther and come to a fina!
decision in this affair. 1 found him at home, and tltereupoo
went to Lcipsic, where I found Dr. Eck making a great out-
cry and noise. I did not hesitate to ask him to visit me. to
find out what his purpose and will was. He acted hastiiy
and frivolously, and began to speak of his commands and
how he would teach Dr. Luther, and with sharp words h«
said that he had posted up the papal bull at Meissen on Sep-
tember 21, at Merseburg on the 25th and at Brandenburg m
the 2gth. He gave me an accredited copy of the said bull.
which I send your Grace. I-Ie carries his bull around in
procession with great pomp. His Grace Duke George wro«
one of his councillors to give Eck a gold-plated cup full <tl
gulden.

But not minding his commission and bull, good pious chil-
dren' on September 29 posted up a notice in ten places, of
which I send your Grace a copy, threatening Eck so hard that
he had to flee into the cloister of St. Paul, and dared not
show himself.

•itpp«rt«r of t^uthM- (ef. Smitb. vp. tit., pp. SJ. M). ■"<! too*' ■ MiuidenUc ^

in 1T1C ncfotiatifroji with MUtilc-

Lkx. 303

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

363

Caesar PRug complained of this notice, and commanded
the rtctor of the university to issue a mandate against those
who thus plagued Eck, which was done. 1 send your Grace
a copy of it; it did no good. They have made a song about
him which they sing in the streets. He is much troubled; his
self-confidence and boasting are chnrged against him; people
daily write him hostile letters in the cloister and refuse him
personal or 6nanc)al aid. There are more than fifty students
from Wittenberg here, who make it their business to annoy
him. To-day he published a pamphlet against Luther, of
which I send your Grace four copies. The grey monk lias
also printed something against Luther. Only one quaternioti
is finished as yet, which I also send to your Grace.

To-day I intend going to Fabian von Feililzsch to ask him
to write Luther to come to Lichtenberg or Eilenberg, where
I hope to negotiate with him to get him to ful51l his promise.
I will bring him security from this bull, for it has no power
for twenly-one days, during which period I shall have ample
time to go to him and to write of it. I told Eck that he did
wrong to publish the bull while things were being negotiated
in a friendly way, and that he should properly have written
first to ask me what I had done. He kept silence thereupon

td sighed, as if he were sorry. I cannot write your Grace
w bitter people are against him. I fear the safe-conduct
will not help him, but that he will be smitten. . . .

303. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN.

Endcrs, iL 486.

( Witten BE«c), Oclober 3, 15201

Greeting. 1 have received many letters from you, dear
Spalatin, and am surprised that the one 1 wrote in answer to
yours dated at Ruttstädt has not yet reached you. That which
I wrote later contained the same request about sending me
the writings of the fathers from Eislcben. but I hope my let-
ters have reached you in the meantime. Miltitz has begged
me to write privately to the Roman Pontiff saying tliat I
never meant to twit him personally. I have not yet written.'

■Lnihvr taur dcdütd to da »o. howtYrr. «nd tbii rciultcd In IlU thErd gnu
ptttpbiM at ijao, lb« Littriy of a Chriicia* Uon. Cf. Smilb. 9f. eil.. SK

tUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ut.«

and shall nol do so nuw that Eck' lias dared turn those bulls
— and such fierce ones I — loose against me. What he is aiia-
ing at is not yet known.

Many tliink that I should ask the elector to obtain an im-
perial edict in my favor, declaring that 1 should not be «kh
dcmned nor my books prohibited except by warrant of Script-
ure. Please find out what is intended; I care little either wajr,
because I rather dislike having my books so widely spread,
and should prefer to have them all fall into oblivion together,
for they are desultory and unpolished, and yet 1 do want ibc
matters they treat known to all. But not all can sepantc
the gold from the dross in my works, nor is it neccsttiT
since better books and Bibles arc easily obtainable. I vroukl
much rather increase the number of living books, that it, d
preachers, and protect them so that they could explain die
slate of afFairs to the public. I am sending what was sent
me on this subject from Italy. If the elector acts as this
suggests I think it would be most worthy of him. Tlie Italian
public could then grasp the condition of affairs and on
cause would be stronger. Perhaps God has raised them op
and will preserve our elector to us to advance the Word by
him. Sec what you can do for the cause of Christ. The mm'
who wrote nie from \>nice i.i a brother of I^zarus Spenglei'
who sent the letter to me from Nuremberg.

My book on the Captivity of (he Church* is coming aai
next -Saturday and will be sent to you.

Carlstadt has cast his die and takes courage against llu
Pope.

I have just heard lliat Eck is not safe at Leipsic, but is <l^
tested and is caricatured by posters stuck up everywhere ud
that he has fnund a far different reception and opinion there
tban he hoped ; for he is not now what he was a year ago-

'E«k publbticd the Ettttrt* Dtmint al Maieor«, Ucncburg and BrM^^at
ID Ü1C lut iny» oi ScplcRi1>rr, Srailb. p 9H-

■Geoiic Sptnglfr. otigintUf at Normbfig, xl up m ■ acRbtuit [■ Vfkt,
£•1 UkKh 31, 1519-

■UMtni« Spmilrr (t4;9-5«ptriDb«r ;. lii*)- •mdit<l it Leir*k 14^. bM>OT
WKv cl«tk at KuTcmbeTR iS"?- Hp warmly cmbracid Luilivt't caw*. fablMiil
a Df/enfr of it, tsi9. for which he «rai ncbnimunic-aifd bjr the boll EwHf
Datünt. He vitited Wittmbcrf In i{>S> «ad Luiber dtdloied le Um til «»A
OB Sth«oU, ifjo. Weimar, xsx^ p4Tl ii,, goS. Realncyclafidi*.

<riv Bahyi^tnaH Capttotty «f Mf Ckwrt*, Wdmar, «i. 484. C/. Snilk. Ut

J04

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

SflS

ed, he has changed bis lodging and has gone into a Do-

::an monastery, openly giving out that he can neither es-

their snares nor return to Ingolstadt. 1 should not wish

murdered, although I sec his plans wtll be frustrated. The

do what is good in hts eyes.
ic have no news excepi the rumor of war with Prussia.
Archhishop of Mayence cummanils the books of Huttea
be publicly prohibited, calling down a curse on his head,
lutten girds himself with great courage to trj- his arms and

lius against the Pope.

[Our Adrian ' rages against me, carried away by I know not

It fur>', perhaps seeking an occasion of withdrawing.

3ugh I have done notliing to hini he rails at my sermons,

»dy to teach me the Gospel, though he does not understand

us own Old Testament- There are various possible cxplana-

is of his madness, but let it pass, time will show what

Mabtin Luther, Augujtinian,

304- LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
ers. iL 4go. WrrxKNBFJic, October (ii), 15Ä).

Greeting. At last that Roman bull brought by Eck has
ived.' Our friends are writing to the elector about it.
lespise it, and am now attacking it as impious and fraudu-
it, Eckian to the core. You see that Christ himself is
.dcnmed in it. It says nolliing to the purpose, but sum-
nons me not to be heard, but to recant, so that you may know
bat they arc full of fury, blindness and insanity, seeing and
onsidering nothing. I shall still act without mentioning the
'öpc's name, as though it were a fictitious and forged bull,*
Ithough I believe it is their true work. Would that Charles*
re a nun to grapple with these devils for Christ!

fear nothing for myself- God's will be done. Nor do I
low what the elector ought to do, except that I think it

Tk* [ffofruor of Hcbiew.

tEck «rni tb« bull wtib a nute lo Burckhin. the Smiot of Wittenben. on
ibrr ]. Uurtkhan rcfui«) on IMbnl-»! itcnundii to poti li, but fncwirded li
Ihikc Jobn Scbubctt Lulkeri Brrmfuny auf ll-'armi, p. 18II.
ic/. Lallier's I'vn dm Htum Ecliutlirn Bvlirn and Lügen. Wcimw. vL fji.
ItDUS alio preundcd 10 doutii tbt Kf'iU'otocu iif ilie bull, bopinit Ibiu 10 müat

iblc for tb< Fope 1« witbdra«; ii.
Fbe EtDpcTvrdcci, now lotot? yens old.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND La. «

best for him to dissimulate. For both the bull and Eck an
held in utter contempt at Leipsic and cvcrj-where else; whaice
I su^MCt tbat it may acquire authority by excessive care and
solicitude on our part, whereas, if left to itself, it will easily
quiet down. I send a copy of it, for you to sec the Roman
monsters. If they rule, it is over with the faith and the
Churdi.

Yet I rejoice with my whole heart tliat for this best of
causes I suiTer evil, wlio am not worthy of being so trinL
Now ! am much freer; for [ am certain at length that the
Pope is Antichrist and that the scat of Satan has been openly
found. God will keep his ovi-n lest they be seduced with his
specious impiety. Erasmus writes that the court of the Em-
peror is po&sessed by the "beggar-tyrants"' so that there can
be no hope in Charles. This is no surprise ; put not your
trust in princes nor in the sons of men in whom there is do
help.'

This hour I am going to Lichtenberg to ofifer myself agaia
to Qiarles von Miltitz as the elector cominanded. The prc-
ceptor" is unwilling that I should go, for he fears something.
Farewell and pray for me. I will renew my appeal* and will
do what our friends think ought to be done. Although I
Uiould prefer that the excommunication threatened in tlie bnll
should be carried out against me, yet I must consider others.

Martin Luther. Augustinion.

JOS- LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
EodcM, ii. 494. LicBTKNnn«: (Ortobtr w), 15«

Greeting. Dear .Spalatin, Miltitz and I have met at Lich-
tenberg, and. as 1 hear from him, have with much hope made
the following agreement: that I am to write a letter to Ac
Pope and publisli it iu Latin and German as a preface to sook
little work tn which I shall narrate my history', sliowing thU

*f. *.. ih* mffDiUcuii friin. Sufra, an. jjS. Infra. F«brvwy »f, isai> **■

•P«alm c«lvl. J.

■Wolfflsns Rciii>nitiuti.-h. mXticulilcd al Wiiicnlicre i;n>, tiachHor of Ibctke
itoj. Reeior o( ite Unirmliir i(n, Tken be brcimc icKlitt »f » boft' •cb»J
at Uchlnibcif. nittit be marririL April »6. iii]. He U Dcnilonwd kjr I^ukcfi*
)Ur. Cf. Enden, r. («6. Smith. \J2S, nj.

'He did ft OD November tf- Wtitau, tu. 74-

I^. 307

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

367

I would never have attacked the Pope's person, but throwing
the whole blame on Eck.

As this is all true, I will easily do it, and offer silence as
humbly as I may, provided only the others keep silence, so
that I may seem to omit nothing in my power to make peace.
1 have always been ready to do this, as you know. I shall,
therefore, do this as »ton as I can; if it turns out as we
hope, it is weit done, if otherwise, it will also be good, because
it will please the Lord. Farewell. Martin Luther.

W 30(Sl WOLFGANG RETSSENBUSCH TO FABIAN VON
r FEILITZSCH.

Walch, XV. 947. Cennan. (Lichtenbebi:), October 13, ijaa

Kind Sir and Patron ! Last night ai ten o'clock my curate
of Lichtenberg wrote me that Dr. Lulhcr came on Thursday
[October 11) at four in the afternoon, bringini^ with him
Philip Melanchthon, a brother of his order, a nobleman and
four riders. My assistant also tells me that no fewer than
thirty horsemen were also present. At six o'clock Miititz en-
tered with four horsemen. They were cheerful and happy
with one another, for I had left instructions to entertain them
well and give tliein enough. Miititz relates what they did in
his letter, to which I refer you. Yesterday at one o'clock
Luther left ; Miititz would have accompanied him but that
one of bis horses was sick. My assistant telEs me that be re-
mained yesterday at Lichtenberg, at which I am well pleased.

Upon my honor, Sir, I would not have taken one hundred
gulden 10 have remained at home. For I fear something
would have happened to me. Miititz would gladly have
brought me, poor devit, into the game, so that he could have
revenged himself on me for what he could not do to Dr.
Luther. . . ,

307. CHARLES VON MILTITZ TO FREDERIC, ELECTOR OF

SAXONY.
Endcrs, Ü. 495. Ccnnan. Eilcmbvkq, October i4i tSM^

■ . . . Luther has ofFcre<l to write a humble letter to the
rope's Holiness, in Latin and nerman, to dedicate a little
|)ook to hi» Holiness, and in the preface to write an epistle.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Let. 308

showing his Holiness why he ftrst wrote and how it can«
about, and who started and strengthened the errors and who
preached so diligently to the detriment of the Holy Churci.
. . . The book will appear in twelve days and will have tlic
date September 6,' just ten days after the embassy left Eiifc-
ben- . . . This is so that no one can say that Eck and Jks
followers with the bull caused him to write this book to ht$
Holiness, for tlie bull was published on September 21, so ifaat
this book would have been written fifteen days before anyone
knew anything about the bult. Luther will also give a fair
account of the Letpsic debate and the diligent attempt of mj
gracious Lord of Merseburg to hinder the same, and he will
also praise the Pope personally. . . . Dr. Luther has alw
written Spalatin a partial account of our negotiation and con-
clusion, which letter I now send to your Grace. . . .

308. CASPAR HEDIO TO ULRICH ZWINGLI AT ZimiCH.
Corpus Rcfonnatoruvi, xciv. 355. Mayence, October 1$, ij»

Hcdio, or Heyd. of Baden (i404'lSS3), matriculated at Frdburt
1313, B. A. 1514. M. A. 1516. lit 1519 he wu a chaplain at Ba&lc, a
iSJo went to Mayeiict. In 1523 to Slrassburg. where he wai ooe
cf the leadinff Reformers until his death. KMifittyelopädif. He h»d
wrillcn to Luther from Basic, June 23. iS». Erdcrs. ii. 431.

Greeting. Although I am long absent from you. dearest
Zwingli, yet would I be present with my letters. Capilo called
me to Maycncc, where I shall be preacher until Iw returns
from the coronation of tiic king," and perhaps aftenvards, if
Christ will, for Capito ie going to give up this office, having
been made cn-unciUor of the Archbishop of Mayence. You
will hardly IwHcve how valuable lie is in this position. Luiber"
would long ago have been burnt in thi* district and Lutheran»
excommunicated* had he not persuaded the archbishop oth-
erwise. . . .

>Tbi> di>Int«itiiaiM plan wm followed, 10 ihit T.riiiher*i pfcfKe 10 TItt Ltifti
tt o Chrutian Man, actually wittt«n »bout tbia tiiuc. twrc th« (•!*< 4ai« S<p
lenbcr i, Ot, U MlklU ■■71, |i»( im <ls]n aflcr ibe cmliiuiy <StHlp4U ■■•4 Uafcl
Iiad lonr to Luther fTom the chapl«r ai Eii1«hFn, Suftm, no. aff. For Iht lart
if. Snilh, 9'^

»I. f.. of CKarl« V. at AixUCbapelU. Oeicber tj. i(*a.

»I. t^ hU book!.

«CrMk.

Ut 309 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 38»

The Pope has sent a bull about Luther, a real bull, I hear.
He urges the angels of heaven, Sts. Peter and Paul, and every
creature to take part af^ainst Luther and his adherents; they
arc to be slaughtered, burned and so forth. If the bull really
is what they tell us it has little apostolic spirit and no Chris-
tian mercy. O free Germany, where is our freedom? Not
even our tongue is free. Hutlen is hiding-, for the Romanists
have prepared poison for him and have hired men to take
bim bound to Rome or to kill him. Me will not remain hid-
den long, as tl]e monks of this province, who are furious
papists, think. The Elector of Saxony is very liberal towards
learned men; they say no prince is more upright or greater
than he. Luther will burst forth from personal vices' and be-
fore the next fair we shall have thunder. Cease not, help
good men and Christian piety as much as you can. The monks
will try everything. . . .

309. WILTBALD PIRCKHEIMER TO HENRY STROMER OF
AUERBACH AT LEIPSIC.

Pirtkkeimeri ofero. rd. Goldxst. ao^ NiuST^DT, October iS, isaa

Hail, dear Stromer. I have received Luther's book' which
you sent, but what good will it do us if we are not allowed
to read it, and if we who are innocent are cursed so fiercely?
I hear that Eck has posted some bulls or other things at Meis-
sen and has publicly traduced my name' How just it is
that I who live at Nuremberg should be accused in Saxony I
As I presume he has left a copy of the bull at Leipsic I pray
you let me know the contents thereof. . . . Moreover, I hear
that a book called Der abgehcbelie Eck is handed around and
that everybody says that I am the author of it, as though
no one but I knew how to play the fool. . . . Charles von
Miltitz has informed me of the contents of the bull, but he
sent me no copy of it, supposing, I know not why, that I al-
ready had one.

■AUiMto« U <l«ie of Luihef'* Aiir4U 10 tk* Crrman Ifrbiltly. Wdaiar, vL 4C9,

tPtttOBtaitlr lb« Adirn, to tht Gtrm»» tfrbBily.

*Wbra Efk «ru eivcn the bull to pest in Gcrmanr (Smitb. «rl \ he wu iIIovmI
U ncntlan by nam« ikoM of Latb«r'> (ollowert who he ibousbl ibould b<
u««amiinicat(d *itb bim. Rt ti>m«d Catlttidi. Sp«n(lrr >nd TircUihotr, lb«
bntT i>ri>b>btr b«caiue of Üie tuiit »polcen of 'm tbb lector.

m LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Iä J»

310 THE COUNCILLORS OF THE ELECTOR FREDERIC TO

PHILIP MELANCHTHON.
Corpus rtformaloram, L 269. (October).' 15»

Our kind service to you, learned, honorable and goo<)
friend. The coadjutor' and councillors of our fp-aciou5 lonl
the Bishop of Frcising and Naumburg have written to ni
about the Pope's bull and Dr. Eck's doings, and have asked
us to give their messenger letters to Wittenberg so that be
can get a printed or written copy of the learned Dr. Luther*!
appeal against this bull, as you will team further from (hetr
letters. But as we have no knowledge, except what nnnor
has brought us, of Luther's appeal against the papal bull, we
have replied to the said coadjutor and councillors that ve
have sent their letter lo you as to one who is well posted oo
Luther's actions and lliat they should find out all about It
from you. Wherefore in the absence and place of our gn-
cious Elector Frederic we kindly beg you to give the messen-
ger of the said coadjutor and councillors whatever informa-
tion you can in order that he may announce it to them at
Zeitz. Our gracious lord will take this in good part, and so
shall we, personally. The Councillors.'

311. ERASMUS TO GODSCH.^LK ROSEMUND. RECTOR OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN.

Erasmi optra (1703). Üi. s8S- Louvaik, October 18, ij»

Lrtlers nos. 311-M evitlcnlly Ixlong do« together soon after iJi«
burning of Lather's works it Louvain, October 8. ind the consequent
sttack on Erasmus. The only one which can be accurately dated ti
no. 311. The others must, at any rate, fall between Augiutr. 153a *^
February. 1521. while Rosemund was fcctor. ! beliere that tbey all
come in October, before Erasnms left for Colosnc, vfacrc we find
him in the first days, of November.

Roiemuiid ( I ^Sj-Decetnlet 5, 1526) studied at Louvain, where he
began tcachinK ans in 1509 and ihcoloEy in isiS- In 1518 be tKcaoic

^"n* C»ffiu Rtformtlarnm dAMi ibU Xareoibcr ij, bat ih* «vwai* bUvM
I« »kov rbu ii muitt hiT« b««n «arlifr, prrki^ ^ij Kil Nimwti ,~ t, t-,
October lE.

nifnr? Sf&vip4b«rg, en wIiori »nd tbi* aSair. ri. infr», November ij.

■PrDbably FabJin von PnliUKh, Haoe«ld roa Eiuwdel ■«■! Job« ron T«ab>a-
bmm, tp«k*n of \fjj L^tbcr IB tbt atorcnnitloard tenet »r Ho wb ei ij

■et. 311

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

371

Iran of the (acuity, and rector during the winter-gem ester, 1530-1. la
NovonbcT, J534, bo was mode president of Adrian VI.'s College.
/Illgemeine DtvUehe Biograpkii, and de Jongh. :65-7-

I do not ihink it necessary to admonish you of your duty.
of which a part is not only to keep from hurting others your-
self, but to prevent anyone doing an injury to another. The
many things which Nicholas Edmond, either at your command
or at the Pope's, said against Luther, do not. I think, pertain
to mc; but what he did beyond all command and contrary to
th« will of the Pope, who wishes e\'cn those who have hith-
erto followed Luther dealt with gently, and that none others
should he involved, this, I say, which he did in attacking me
falsely and undesen-edly, pertains to your authority and juris-
diction. You should silence this man of peevish tongue, cspc-
ciaJly as he is a bad example and injurious both to the order of
theologians and to this university. ... On October <>, in the
church of St. Peter, while preaching on chanty, as I happened
to be present, he suddenly and ignobly turned hi^ sermon
against me, and said that i favored Luther, although from the
beginning I have always said with perfect truth that ] had no
commerce with Luther except what one Christian might have
with another. . . . From the taste of his works which I have
had, I liked his gifts, by which I conjectured he might have
been a chosen vessel for Christ had he wished to use his
gifts for Christ's glory. As there were mauy fierce sermons
against him and many false charges 1 preferred that, if in
error, he should rathei be corrected than put to death; if
that is to favor F^uther. I frankly confess that I favor him.
as ! think the Pope does, and you all do if only you are true
theologians and CItrislians. . . . Hgmond even said that I
defended Luiher. because in my letter to the Cardinal of
Mayence I spoke of the Carmelite who blamed Luther for
saying iliat some mortal sins should not be confessed, al-
though he did not understand Luther's meaning. . . . Surely
if it is pious to refute Luther it is necessary- to understand
him. . . . [Follows a long apology for this and for the letter
to Luther.] . . .

I do not think that you approve of those who have hitherto
against Luther, of whom the first was Prierias. the

srs

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Ld. ju

iecond a certain Franciscan,* the third' wrote anonymouiJji.
though he confessed he was a Dominican and received a ul
arj- from tlie French King. . . .

If I were devoted lo your order and most hostile to Lulbo
what other advice could I have given than I did give? Burn-
ing Luther's books may remove tlicm from the bookstores; I
doubt whether they can thus be removed from the minds o(
the people. But this might have been done if you bad fol-
lowed my advice. Even if ray counsel did not please JW,
yet it ouglit not to be thrown in my teeth as a Int of hypor-
risy that I gave it honestly to the Cardinal of Mayence who
deserved this service from mc. I gave him the advice in a
scaled letter, thinking nothing less than that tt sliould be pub-
lished, but I hear that it was published before it wa- lI^
to tlie cardinal, and not edited as I wrote them. Fur >
they charge me with saying "our Luther" it is certain that
I never said it. and would not have said it even if he hid
been mine,' . . ,

312. ERASMUS TO GODSCHAl.K ROSEMUXD. RECTOR OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUVAIN.

Erasmi opera fiTOj), iü. 536. (Louvain, October?, 15a)

In Ulis letter Erasmus relates tlie course of his quarrel with Egraoad.
This letter is dated he. (it.. and in the London i&p edition, xii l&
■519. but tlie coninls show thai it should rather be 152a Moreoief.
Roscmund was rector only between August, 1520^ and Fcbruarj-, 1531,

. . . Invoking St. Paul Egmond prayed that as Patil bad
been changed from a persecutor of the Church into a doctor
of the Church, so Luther and Krasmus might be. Why do
they do such things? Because they desire nothing so much
as to annoy. They take it ill that I am not a Lutheran, as
truly I am not. unless it be for Christ's ser^-ice. I know thit
I am too free with my tongue, but no one has ever heard
mc approve Luther's doctrine. I have ne%'cr cared to read
his books except a few pages which I only glanced at. I al-
ways favored your debates against Luther, especially the

'fttkapi AuKiutInc Alrcld.
1 do «Hi know »bg ii mciiit.

'BrawMia aimnt <h*i In pubUthlnit hi* Uvtt to AAcfi «f V&rcsM (ao. I^t
tlwj ctiaB(<4 "Lulbet" tniB ''our Lutbcr." Stnilli. a«l.

Let 313

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

373

writings of John Turcnholt,' who, as I hear, disputes team-
edly and without passion. When Luther's books were burned'
no one saw me sadder. I have constantly averred that much
in him displeased me. I have written much privately and
said much to restrain him from his turbulent manner of writ-
ing, and lo, I am called a Lutheran. If your university likes
these jokes I can stand them, and 1 prefer to do so than to
revenge myself. Rut in my opinion things should be done
differently. Vincent' has blamed me for the tumult in Hol-
land, when, after an idiotic sermon, be was almost stoned by
the people, but I never wrote to any Hollander either good or
about Lutlter. Farewell in Christ, magnificent Rector.

Ik.

its. ERASMUS TO THOMAS MORE AT CHELSEA.
£rafrni Oftra, iü. 60;. LouvAlN (October?), 1530.

[E««sa>ti* ha» been traduced by Nicholas Egraond. and has therefore
appealed to the rector of the university, A public conference is
imnged in which Erasmus and Egmond may acctixe each olher ajid
dffend thciDselvcs. The conversation between them on that occasion
»as in part as follows:]

You publicly lied about mc," said I, "io asserting tliat I
avored Luther, whom I never favored in the sense you
meant." He replied, not with emotion, but with fury; "Rather
you are the author of the whole afltair, an old fox switching
your tail over everything." He vomited rather than said
many similar things, until at last a word — not "raca,"' but
aoDtber word amclling worse than it sounds — burst forth as
the prelude to his intemperate speech. . . . After a long al-
icrcaiioD he returned lo the same subject and said that he
would never cease talking against Luther until he had fin-

■JabB Ni(i ot Turnliuiil. rnniinDnlf calW DHnTo. laufhi iihiloioiiIiT *( Lon*
run MM. tbcn inidiot ibrulair with .Mriao of Uiiccbt; luinr ot (be viinctt ot
Ctvj; D. D,. ifii. Dem »I the laculir o< ibcolocr 151s. 151]. isjö. tili, 151t.
Cnoa of St. Ptter'i (LAuriin), ijio. Died Augutl 4, ijjs. De Jonxb. ijCit,
The h»«1i ai<init Luihtr, ii|>nktn ot by Crumu«. wu itCiwfd br Ibc printer,
m^ttj UxrtcDS. l>rie*lD publufacd otlicr voikn.

'Al Lovriio, Otlotcr f. 1^10. CI. Smith. gS.

■V'iixcnt Dicrcx (T^rotlqtici) of BcicrwTcklti-Harlcm. becamt a Dominican In
tit» ätj, Riidlcd *i PiiiK «here he began 10 tcMh in ibc c«iiTcnl. sf St. Jam«* is
I JI4. He ptjUiikcd variou* IhioI:*, xtuX on rrturniDf lo L<.ii*>ii> iri 15)7 wa>
DiA^r dMIar «f lh«o1ocr. He Ai*ä Aofuil 4. 1 5^6. al (be ace et fsitj-Kve. tis
«at oat »f Eruniiu' bitliietl eneniM. Tu wbom ü aiMrcucd letlar no. JI4,
pabläke4 wlifc tb« ujrfrru "To bia >na«t p*riiitent CutAtttr." Dc Jongb. rjif.
.JHaiibew, v. it.

874

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

[^jtj

ished him. 1 replied thai he might shout against Luther mml
he burst, provided only that he said oothing against m«, f«
by doing the latter be accomplished nothing, but only nude
himself ridiculous in the eyes of all gfx>d men, as I saw that
the audience were even then laughing at him. "Ya !" satd bt,
"they are your friends." ... He charged me with writioj
an epistle to Luther. "In which," say I, "I warn him via
to shun." "Rather," says he, "you leach him what to write."
For it seemed that the man took it iU that Luther sfacvM
write correctly — and so ill, that he preferred to have hie
dead than corrected. But he could not brook it that I wrote
Luther: "I do not advise you what to do. but only to do
what you do of yourself." When I c:(cused this as a (»t of
rhetorical civility, according to the rule that we should deny
that we are giving advice even when we are, he grew h«
again. "You say rightly," says he, "that the rule of rhetoric
is to paint, pretend and lie about everything." 1 smiled and
confessed that rhetoricians sometimes lied, but added that so
did our professors sometimes. .Again, when I said thai 1
was consulting the dignity of the theologians, he replied:
"Leave that to us. »ell attend to it." When I said thai Ij
burning Luther's books they might be removed from the K-
braries. but not from men's minds : "Ya," says he, "you couid
do that if you wished." . . .

After some irrelevant bickering the rector* bade us Prtttni
to Luther who was the chief subject of the conference.
"Gjmc." says Kgmond, "you have written for Luther, no«
write against him." Denying that I had written for him. but
rather for the thcolt^ans against him. I gave many reasoos
for not writing against bim again, as lack of leisure and oJ
skill, fear and the desire not to hit a man already dowa
"Well, then," says he, "at least write that we knocked him
down." I replied that there were not wanting plenty to shout
this even if I kept silence, and that it would be more fittöf
for those who won the victory to celebrate it. and finally thit.
as their books were not yet published, it was not certain
whether they had beaten him or iKrt. Turning in despentioa
to the rector. "Did I not say," says he. "that we would ac-

«Colukalfc Ruomi^

314

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

S7S

complish nothing here? As long as he refuses to write against
Luther we shall consider him a Lutheran." "Then you arc a
Lutheran yourself," say I, "for you have written nothing
against him and not only you, but all your friends." Then
bowing a farewell to the rector, but not to me, he departed.

314. ERASMUS TO HIS PERSISTENT SLANDERER (VINCENT

DiERCXj.
LrotM* opfra, iu. 6», LauvAiN, (October?), 1530.

(Tbis long letter of 13.700 words recapiiulatcs most of ihc cKarg«f
to ivliich Erumu» hirl been exposed. Towards the end lie reiunis 10
the quarrel with Egmond :)

So to make liimscif, as they say. like a dancing camel, he
[Egmond] invoked t!ie epistles of I'aul, saying: "Paul, once
a persecutor of the Church, from a wolf was made a sheep.
Let us pray that the same may happen to Luther and Eras-
mus." U Attic charms' O slander like to blows I Although
he was laughed at and hissed by all he spared me no re-
proach, even in his sermons. When he published the bull
agaiDSt Luther, he chanced to see me present, and suddenly
changiog the subject of his discourse, he spoke more against
Erasmus llian against Luther, nor did he make any end. but
repeated his charges over and over. But when the audience
began to nod to each other and to laugh, his face witnessed
the impotent rage of hi« mind, and he broke off, rather than
ended, his slanderous discourse. When I complained of it to
Godschalk Rosemund, the rector of the university, he ran
wild against me with llie same sort of accusations and lies,
so thai one might rather think it was a clown talking 10 a
rustic than an old man to an old man, a theologian to a lhe<
ologian, a priest to a priest, and that in the presence of the
rector.

[Erasmut then recites the substance of the colloquy tnvcn in the
letter lo More, tvpra, no. jij.J

His disciple, the prior of Antwerp, a doctor of the violet
hood, excused himself before the magistrates for inciting to
riot against Luther by saying that he had not read Luther's
books, but that he acted at the command of Nicholas Eg-

tn LLTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND L«. jii

noad. At the same time the chiefs of the Dominican owa-
iittry acted in such a disgraceful way as to aiienate the minds
of all good men. Chic of their number said in die bearing of
some laymen: "Would that I could fasten my teeth in
Luther's throat ; I should not fear to go to the Lord's supfier
with his blood on my mouth." . . .

315. LUTHER TO MICHAEL MXURER. CISTERCIAN AT

ALT-CELLE.

Enders, ii. 497. Wittenbckg, October jo, ijtt

Müurcr, a friend oi Mosellanus, a learned pliiloin^pher and Ihcolopu
and i inuskiaii, taught for sonic time at Alt'Ccllc before his dulli io
15313-

Grccting in the Lord. Dear Michael, you would hardly be-
lieve how much I am pleased to sec enemies rise against m
more than formerly. I am never prouder and bolder than
when I hear that I displease them. They are doctors, bish-
ops, princes — what then? If the Word of God were not a»-
sailed by them it would not be the Word of God as il is writ-
ten: "The heathen raged and the people imagined a vain
thing. The Icings of the earth set themselves and the princes
took counsel together against the Lord and against his
Christ."' Lo. here you see the attitude of princes, tctngs
and bishops towards the Word of Christ; what more do you
•want? I would greatly grieve if they praised me. for what
misery is greater than to please them? Let ever>'thing pass.
Michael; the things of God arc hidden and spiritual. . . . See
to it that you preserve your soul in this Babylon. The judg-
ment of God hangs over them and works terribly, which the
blind men do not see. Let the blind lead the blind, says he.*
If the Word of God had to be defended with the might and
eloquence and genius of man. Christ would not have called
fishermen to do it, nor would he have defended it with his
own blood. I do what I ought. Having received for noth-
inff. I ffive ior nothing," even with danger to my life, fame ao'l
goods, yea even of my soul. I wrote ai home, I worked sin-

■PhIcd U. tl.
'Hkllh««, XT. 14.

■Matih<w. X. S. I cive ibe iriM tetwc of ibe ward mnalucd in mti MM
"(leetr" uid •omctune* ml»nniI<rKoad

Wl^

3i6

OTHER COXTEMPORARY LETTERS

377

cercly, wishing to teach all what I my-^clf believed. I am
clean from the blood of all,' at which I rejoice. In time they

jriU *cc whom they have repulsed and persecuted.

Hi care nothing if my work On the Babylonian Captivity is
prohibited. What does it matter if all my books arc pro-
hibited? [ will write nothing ngainst those who u-ie force
against us. It is enough for me to have taught the truth
against those stupid babblers, and lo have defended it against
the learned who alone are able to hurt. Both the style and
the maner of the Italian book of "Thomas EUiadinus" sliow
that it is Emser's.' The Lord's will be done. I so despise
those devils, that were I not held here 1 would of my own
accord go to Rome in spite of Satan and all tlie furies. What
if they kilt me? I am not worthy to suffer aught in so blessed
a cause.

It makes no difference if my letters written to you are de-
livered to someone else. I do not fear lo have ihem public
propcnj', for I write under God's sight; if he approves, who
shall disapprove? I beg you. learn to despise men strongly,
as Christ says: "Beware of men.'" It is a great thing to have
a propitious God and to trust in him. Farewell in Christ,
dearest Michael.

I will not write to Duke George. You, too. know what I
got from him with my three letters before the Leipsic de-
bate. If h« is worthy he w 111 hear the truth ; If he is unworthy,
the labor will be vain.

_^ Your brother,

H Martin Lutucr.

3t6l BONIFACE AMERB.ACH TO HIS BROTHER BASIL

AMERBACH AT BASLE.

Burcklördl-Bitdctmoiin, 14a. Aviono.v, October 30. 1530.

We have some of Luther's works here- Of him there arc
various opinions and judgments according to the various
thoughts of men. Those who have imbibed sophistry and the

■« Sisincl. llL it.

*TbaiB*c itb'dini TodcKtii Pluicmitii O, r. ... in Morliitum LulberuBl . . .
Ofut», Rome, Aiuiul. is'*'- Lulbet wu miaukcn in ucritiinu ib( bosk to £iiiki;
it wM br ttiadinu*. ■ Dominkaa of noble C«riwui Xanily wbkb k»d «ctitcd

M PtMtlU*.

■Hattbtv a. 17.

«BS

LUTHERS CORRESPONDENCE AKD

tetw

dregs of learning do not easily learn better, but prefer to be
pigs with Gr>-Uus,* especially in this papal state, where tbc
Pope's purse is an oracle and where it is impious to deviate
a hair's breadth from the constitutions of the canoatsB.
There are some Italians who, having published volumes front
these shades, croak lo the field and äwamp. but they arc men
of mediocrity whose lucubrations are cc^dcr than the water
of Monacris.' But truth herself, having laid aside her mask,
now shows her face in spite of them. However, the good
man was not a little injured by a libel of a poor Impoitor,
who, by pretending that Martin had recanted, brought back
even those who had entered the way of truth to their former
errors.* So great is the desire of these rascals to deceive,
that, when they see themselves otherwise vanquished, ÜiC}'
think up some new way to crush trtilli for (heir own gaifl,
traducing the fame and doctrine of excellent Martin as
heretical. . . .

317. JOHN KOTTER TO BONIFACE AMERB.\CH IN AVIGNOI».

Barcldiardt -Biedermann. i4i>

CFbeiburc im Ocbtlakd. Ociober 21. I5ja|

Kotier, of Strasburg, was an ofganiti and composer at FrctlnrB
until 1530. when he was banUhcd. He (hen found oii asyloin in Ben,
and Uught music until his death 1541. C/. O, acmen: Beiträgt at
RtformoliotisgtJthichU, in. aoff-

. . . Doctor Martin Luther has published a book To Ün
Christian Nobilily of the German Sation on the Imfrovf
mcnt of the Christian Estate, which was printed at Basle.
October 13.' and was sent mc by the agent. I have nc\'er read
nor heard the like; all men wonder at it; some think th«
devil speaks out of him. some the Holy Ghost. He sliakes
the ground in a way that the Holy Father and the Romans
won't und to their ta.ste. Ai the end of his book I ßnd the

' yiriAXin, "PMfcer" C/, riuMrel, Jdaratia, pp, «Sj-tf.

'An Arcadian irrini. frovnbiallr told, PtinT. Hul. Bar., kxxL 17.

■Luiker blitisclf nieiiilaiii ibU work in the b«cinnlw of kii Ba^tanmn Ctflicüj
(SoTcnibcr, i}io): "Sctiptii qBidan (r«tef Ctcnooentla Iltlna 'm>oc«iieBta
lf»rtiul Lutbcri ad umciaoi Milcm.' hoc »r. qua nvn ca«, ul verb* aoMMit Kd
qui ip«e Pit icvocBI: tie cnjnt l(*Ei bodic incipiniol laitniHrc." Cf, Wtuur.
v). «M- Cf. '■r'*> ni' 'W' Lulber «fialw at It In Aukuh Either*, iL «|(.

<"Sa«nkftac let falli.** Il tuat oul Knt M Wilteabcfi; to Au^aat

Let 319 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

words: "I think truly that I have sung highly.*" . . . This
shows all the wickedness that goes on at Rome, tt can't
stand There must be a reformation. Charles' must begin
iL . ..

^ 318. JEROME ALEANDER TO POPE LEO X. AT ROME
DtuUth« R<i(kt\agjakten, a. 454.

• (Aix-LA-CSArtLLE, October si, is».)

Jerome Aleaiwter (1480-154:1} met Erasmus at Venice 1508, at«f
«hich he tsughl at Paris till 151J. After servitig the bishops of Paris
and Liege, he reiuraed to Italy in 1516 and was ntsdc Papal Libtsnan
in 151g. July, 13J0, ihc Pope >cnt him as ics^ttc to Charles V, to act
againtt Luther, where he comlucted liiinsdf wiih conspicuous success.
Smith, op. (it., 48-104. In 1538 he was also sent ai legate to Germany.
Hi» /oitrno/ published by Omoni i&js: several works on him by J.
Paquicr, including his LeUert, 1909. ReaUncyelofiääie and Allen, i.
502.

I kiss your blessed feet, most holy Lord. May God Al-
mighty keep your Holiness for us long and happily.

Tliat your Holiness may know all things that were done
here in order in the I-uthcran affair, the Emperor, while
we were at .Antwerp, signed an edict commanding that all
Lutheran and other seditious books, wherever found in his
dominions, should be burned publicly with fire. . . ,
H| We have not been able to do anything against Luther's
^^crson. nor shall we he able until wc can prove to the Em-
peror and other princes lliat the bull entrusted to Eck ha3
been published in Germany and the sixty days allowed by
the bull have elapsed. I have no douht that Eck has already
done what he was commanded, but I have no certain news of
it yet, which I attribute to the long distance.

»The Emperor* entered this town yesterday.
319. ALEANDER TO POPE LEO X. AT ROME.
eithtagiaktrn, ü. 4.S7- (Atx-LA-CiiAFKU-e, October 35. isaa)

. . . The other nuncio' and myself were received to-day
r the Archbishop o£ Mayence . . . and I noted that he
■ L«n2 »ertJ qitatation from th< baak. (o tbt end: "D««f Rome. »JiM I ttunk."
tC^hulu V. C/. Smith. 0*8., jJlyfl
iCkarlia «a« crowned x Aii. 0<tnb«r ay

«Haria« Cariecloln of NirW ( T46o-Januirr ag. i;j8). bad b««n Mnl 10 Rom»
br Haxinilian Sfona to rFt>t»mt him at ibe Laintti Coonctl. i]is. He wa>
pnttomoltiy bj Len X. mil in iti$ «m ipcointrd piiiil nuncio lo th«

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

LtLSU

was not only in words but in heart most deeply moved against
the Lutheran errors and against Huiten's mendacity, so that
he would have burned Luther's books in bis dioceses 1oii|
ago.' . . . He expressed surprise that Eck had not visited
him, and had done nothing about pubUshing the buU in
Saxony. . . .

3». JOHN LANTSCHAD TO ELECTOR FKEDERIC OF
SAXONY.

Archiv für Refomuaiomgtuhichlc, Ü. 394. German.

(Steikacb), October 35, ISA

Lantichad was a SwabJAn Icnjght, who wrote in favor of the Refonna-

lion in 1522, and in 1525 introduced it in his estates on the Neckar.

He died in ijjr. Lc<. cil., p. jg^, Tlic IcUcr is *ii iniereuins leUt

mony to th« reception won by Luther's Address to ikt German NobiUly.

Most Gracious Prince and Lord! I have read a little book,
written, doubtless, at the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, by
the learned Dr. Martin Luther to his royal Roman Majesty
and the electors, princes and other estates of the Holy Em-
pire. In this he thoroughly and clearly shows (what is gen-
erally known to the greater part of Christendom) the great
faults, crimes and grievances at present existing in the Christian
Church, both in her higher and in her lower chiefs, who ought
to be maintaincrs of the faith and of divine righteousness,
but who, on the contrary, more and more uphold abuses to
the hurt of God's honor and the Chrisiian faith and to the de-
struction of the Christian commonweal and particularly of the
German nation. . . . Wherefore I pray, warn and admonish
you as a Christian elector and as a member of the Holy Em-
pire, to help act for the common advantage of Christendom
... by which you will doubtless win everlasting salvatioo
and in this world praise and honor from pious people.
Your Grace's humble,

John Lantschad of Stelsacb, Knight.

231. LUTHER TO JOHK VON GREFFENDORF AT WEIMAR.

Endcr», ii. 503. WitTKxaKRc, October 30, 15»

Von Grcffrodorf was a Cliambrrl.-iin of Duke John of Saxony; in

Erapaof. ■ patiiion hr k«ld for 1 numKa of year«. He wu fin^lr apfiointtd bf
CfcxrlH. CovtTDor of UltKn. Siteraflitf Citttrolt, Piitor. rii. «it. oMt.

iTb« InAuc^icp of CafJ'o pnimTrd Albert ftoin buraina Lutbrr'a boefc» br
a itblle. Ct. P. Kalkoil: W, CafUc im DtfJIt Atbtttkit «#■ M<ju. r»*r.

3»

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

331

1534 his ambusador to King Louts of Ilungaiy, in 1526 ioterested
the Evangelical Church visitation.

Greeting. Dear J<^n, I rejoice in the spirit you show id
lie midst of these tumults caused hy the bull. Surely Duke
rge and the liishop of ^[c^scbu^j;, transported with fury,
doing their best to destroy mc and my university. Eck
ied to post the bull at the University of Erfurt, but they con-
ptuously refused to allow tiim to do so, alleging some
inis of law. The students also tried to get after him, but
uld not find him. It is said that he pleaded with tears to
duce the authorities to let him post the bull, so that he
ould not have to leave ingloriously without accomplishing
lything. The bull was primed at Erfurt and exposed for
Ic, but tlie students seized the copies and threw them into
e river, saying, "Let the bull swim."' When the book-
llcr brought an action for damages against them, he was
Don-suited, as the town council refused to notice the students'
Ut. I expect the bull will turn into a bubble, for it is noth-
ing more. Therefore I greatly despise it, howbeit I have
bad a suspicion that at the instance of Duke George I may
be forced to depart from Wittenberg; this I leave in God's
band. May his will be done. I have read the letter from
Aat see of the apostles, or rather apostates, written to Duke
jjohn.' Good Heavens ! how giddily do tliese men act ! Fare-
[wcll. and let me commend the cause to you.

Mabtin Lutii£k, Augustinian.

2. SPALATIN TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY
COLOGNE.

ZtiUehrift für Kirchengeschichse, ii. ii() (tS;?). (October, isao.)

Most gracious I.ord. Doctor Martin's books are also to be
tbumcd at Merseburg. They would have burned them at
KLeipsic last week. Monday or Thursday, but they didn't, for
[some reason unknown to me. A good friend told me that,
having learned it from the written order. . . ,

■Pun on ih< word buHa, wbiih atio rntttin bubble,

*A tenet sf tbc Fape 10 ib.c «ImIvc, tttA in bl> «boeiKc hj bis broiher, Dvfcc
Jobn. ta toc*nt. Endcr*. /0c. cil.

UUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND L«. 53

333. ALBERT. ARCHBISHOP OF MAYENCE. TO POPE LEO X-
Böddng, i. 363. (Mayence? c. November i?, 15»!'

Most blessed Father and most clement Lord, I humbiy
kiss your feet. On October 25 I received with becomiDg
reverence five breves from the reverend I-ord Marino Caiac-
ciolo and Lord Jerome Aleander, the nuncios of your Hull-
ness. The lirst signified how your Holiness had made Carac-
ciolo a nuncio to his Imperial Majc^'ty, and at the same time
sent Tiic a pleasing gift of the consecrated golden rose. Tlie
second and third breves bade me aid with all dUig:ence and
zeal the said lords Caracciolo and Aleander in executing the
bull against Luther, the fourth instructed mc how to pro-
ceed to extinguish the Lutheran conflagration, and the fifth
was about silencing Hütten. In the first place, I thank your
Holiness for seeing fit to give me the golden rose wliich birds
me by a new bond to you, and makes me, wlio was alwajrs
most diligent, still more diligent to obey you. For hitherto,
although not commanded, I have remembered my duty and
done my best not only to keep Huttcn's libellous books, which
were published before I had any suspicions, from the hands
of readers, but also 1 have studied to suppress the nascent
fury of Luther, and at the very first 1 warned your HoUoesi
of that movement which has now. alas, became a mighty
conflagration throughout almost all Germany. I left nothing
undone which either theologians or jurists advised me to do.
I published an edict against Huitcn's works . . . and in the
same edict included the works of Luther, although I had
also prohibited them the year before. It would be long to
narrate all my negotiations with other princes, but I beg your
Holiness to believe that I left no stone unturned to oppose
the growing evil. For which reason I have been obliged to
bear with many unjust men, who have favored the opposing
faction, of whom some blandly warned me to correct I know
not what corrupted morals, and alleged, I hope not falsely.
their desire for peace. Yet I am forward to desjnse ibeir
hatred, considering the benefits which your Holiness has
poured out upon me, of which the memory is always fresh

>Bückin; dim Ihii JuIt. but the referent« to iht rrttjition of |«ii«t» frvs Lm
on Gelobet j{ ptovd tlui th» iiuo inn i> littr. Cf. no. jit.

I,Ä 32s OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS S8S

and would stimulate me. if I were at all slothful, to satisfy
every desire of your Holiness. Wherefore, most blessed
Father, considering not so much the words as ilie intent of
the present comraands to pubHsh the bull against Luther in
the dioceses of Mayenee and Magdeburg and in those of my
reverend sufFragans, I am now doing my best, with the advice
of the nuncios. lo conciliate the favor of the secular princes
without which every effort of ours will be in vain. What
success we shall have I know not, but I have good hope. . . .

^$4. HENRY GLAREAN TO ULRICH ZWINGLI AT ZURICH.
CorfKs RrfonHOiornm, xciv. 360. P\i«Sj November i, ijaa

Henry Loriti, of GTarus (1488-1563). matriculated at Cologne 1506,
M. A. 1510, nuitriculatcd at Uaslc 1514, where for a time he woik«!
with Frolien, .ird became » devotee! friend of Erasmus. From 1517
tv 1522 he wai at Paris teachiiig school, he then relumed lo B»i)e,
bat, bcins unable to follow his friend Zwin|{ti in the Reformation,
retired to Freiburg in 1529. He published an original work on music
in 1547. Life \ty O. F. Fritxsche. iSoo; Allen, ii. 279. Glareaii is
particularly interestin« 10 Americans as having made (he first map of
the New Woild in which the continent is called Aiuerica. The MS.
of this, dating 1513. w;is *oM by Solheby in itfti. It wat printed ander
the title De Geographia, in 1527 at Basic.

. . . Now hear some news about Lmhcr! When the de-
bale between Geek' and Ludicr was laid before the Uni-
versity of Paris for judgment, although it perhaps would
have censured some of the articles, now, after it has heard
that Luther is condemned by the Pope, it refrains from giv-
ing judgment. No one's books are bought more eagerly. A
eertain boukscller told me that at the last Frankfort fair,* he
had sold fourteen hundred copies of Luther's works, which
bad never before happenc«! with any other author. Everyone
speaks well of Luther. Truly the monk's chain is long, . . .

3XS. OSWALD MVCONIUS TO ULRICH ZWINGL! AT ZURICH.

Cerfut Reforinaiorktn, xeiv, 365. Lucebke, November 2. ijaa

. . , Vou know, and much more clearly than I do, what that

Roman r^iscal who is with us proposed or rather commanded

■/. f., Ztk, rf. tut*«, no. 17S. Duke Crvrf Srti Met (he dcbaic 10 Patia,
if. (■m.n». iSo.
The KT**i booVnuri ol Getai«i>r btid enry «ptin«. Cf. SmJib. rr-

aw LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let sA

under pain of excommunication at the Sw-i^ congress at
Baden^ aboui burning Lutheran books.* First, we want to
know your opinion, whether we ought to obey or not. after
the command shall be published, and then, what your men
of Zurich decided to do. Briefly, my own opinion is that the
excommunication is to be disregarded, not so much becaa»e
1 favor Luther as that 1 would unwillingly lose the mcoej
1 spent for the books, and also because I think the thing is
too unjust to be obeyed. When was it ever heard 'm ük
Church that anyone should be condemned before he had a
chance to state the reasons for his opinions, especially wbtn
he particularly wished to do so? It is proclaimed through the
whole town here that Luther and the schoolmaster^ are to be
burned, although I never speak of him except to my intimalcs.
and that rarely, nor have I ever brought forward a single
opinion from him. Yet I know why they join my name with
Luttier's ; it is because in my classes I speak the gospel tnilli,
and say what the subject demands, though no more. And Ix-
cau$e this agrees with what he says in se\'eral places, the?
think that that is from Luther which is really from the gospel
I could easily answer this charge if necessary. Yet I wotiU
not willingly lose his books, for I have not one or two. b«
a great many. \\'hcrcfore advise us and we will follow your
advice. Do quickly and briefly more than we ask. . . .

3A FRANCIS VON SICKINGEN TO LUTHF.R.
Endcrs. ii. gt*- Genn*n. Oxocne, November 3. IS»

Honorable, learned, kind, dear Doctor, and singular, good
Friend ! My willing service with all my body and estate i$
heartily yours! I have received your two last letters it
Cologne, and have read them t<^ether with your Offer and
Protestation* and have heard what George Spalattn has to
say, and am glad to learn that you are minded to show forth

*0n OctabtT at, «t BaJtn, tbe Pope') Nuncio Pucci atie tbü propoaiiioa
MMrdaac« with taiuuctiani %t bad T«(«irtd ftoia AW*n^r. tlU iveedl ai«d
U hnsd, ht, tit.

*Wt«obIu incin> Uai*«If, Tb* raipkaci* opon nlluw« aa tfc« MUc teit-
p«D(I«nttr at Lutber ü charscMtiiilt af lit Swüi lt<f«mat)oB.

*Cf. i-^t*», no. jfl?. Al WArsu, lalrr. KtcklnitCB taaitA LMthrr** Off *■<
Prtittta-Uom >ad bii It-IMt to Cbirlt* V. lo ikji nonircb. *ba l«rc tbeai lo pit
wiihoDt fradlnf Iben. Be kid cenaialy m«« thtfn pt w Ia tM ly m Cakv*-
Criur. t 3*4*.

UL 328 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

806

the Christian truth and to abide by it. and I am inclined to
give )'üu what help and favor may be in my power for this
end. I would not conceal this my answer to your letter, for
you will find me ready to do you any pleasure I can. God
bless you and govern your affair according to his will!
^- Francis von Sickincen-, u-ith my hand.

Hsa7. Un'HER TO HERMANN MCHLPFORT, BAILIFF AT

V^ ZWICKAU.

&d«rs. ii. 50s. Dc Weite. L 5^. German.

^m WrrreNseiG (circa November 4), isatx

^fHcnnann (not Jerocae, as Luther mistakenly called him) Mijhl-
ptoTi cane oi an old Zwickau family. He was Uter burgomaster of
tbia town. wh«rc he died August 25, 1334. In his last ycari be bad an
nafonunaic altrrcalion with Luther, on which c/. Smith. 281. This
Utter is the dedication to the German trastbtion of Ttie Liberty cf a
Cinrtiam Man, on nliich cf. Smith, giB. Mühtpfort visited Luther at
Wittenberg 00 November 4. O. Clemen. Lntktrs Werbe, ii, 1.

Prudent, wise Sir and kind Friend! The worthy John
Eigranus. preacher to your excellent town, has often highly
extolled to me the love you bear the Holy Scriptures, which
you zealously acknowledge and do not neglect to praise be
fore men. Wherefore he desired lo make me known to you,
of which I am willing and glad. For it is a special pleasure
to me to hear of men who love the divine truth, since alas.
so many, and chieHy those who bear titles, strive against it
with all their might and cunning. Yet it must come to pass
that many should stumble, fall and rise again on Christ, who
is set for a stumbling-block and a sign to be spoken against'
Wherefore, to start our acquainunce and friendship, I de-
sired to dedicate to >'Ou this little tract and sermon in Ger-
man, which in Latin I dedicated to the Pope, so that everyone
may see that my doctrine and writing about the papacy has
not. as I hope, a reprchcnsiMc. Herewith I commend myself
to you and to God's grace. Amen.

33a LUTHER TO SPALATIN.
Endcrs, ii. 506. Winr.vDeic, Noven^er 4, 15».

Greeting. I. too. wonder, Spalatin. what prevents you get-
ting my letters. For I hare written twice and I know that

*L«ik«. ii. 34-
35

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

L«.]tf

you received neither letter. I am glad that at last you see
how vain arc the hopes of the Germans, since you say not to
trust in princes and you cease to regard, as you have bitfaeno
regarded, the judgment of men who either praise or condenm
my writings. If the gospel were such that it could be cither
propagated or preserved l>y the powers of this world, God
would not have confided it to fishermen. Dear Spalatin, it
is not the part of the princes and prelates of this worM to
defend God's Word, nor by his grace do I seek the protec-
tion of any of them, as they must rather set thetnsehrei
against the Lord and against his Qirist. MTiat I do. I do
rather that they may deserve well of the Word of God by
their service to me, and may be saved by the Word. For I
pity those who have heard and known. For they canBO»,
without their own eternal destruction, deny, desert and covet
up the Word. It is to be feared that you. together with as
and many of our friends, can be found among this class; asd
wc must pray for a courageous spirit.

It is a hard thing to dissent from all prelates and princes,
but no other way is left of escaping hell and God's writh.
So take care, lest those who arc offended b)- my bitterness
should be such as hold the cause of the Word cheaply mi
are influenced by I know not what human consiile rations. It
is no wonder that one who estimates the affair at its true
worth should cry out and be torn asunder. Even had yoa
not urged mc to do so. 1 should have committed tlie whole
cause to God, and have done nothing more than I have done,
since I know tliat wc must act only by his counsel aad
co-operation.

I have published the Latin AntibuH,* which I send; it h
also being printed in German' Please do not let those move
you who take it ill that I speak so sternly against gently ex-
pressed commands. Those mandates of the Roman Pontiff
are not gentle by which Christ is suppressed and people com-
manded to deny the faith. I was forced to be brief by tJie
very unworthlncss of the cause. That Satanic bull so tor-
tures mc that I almost kqit silence allogether.. For since tbe

^ASvtraut tJiecrAUIem AmtitkrUii Bulltm. Vfiimv. vL jpf,
*Wid*T du Bulltn drt £«irArufr. Wtimtr, vi. Cij.

Let 339

beginning of the world, when did Satan ever speak so impu-
dently against God? What shall I say? The iiiagiiitiidc oi
ihe horrible blasphemies of this bull overwhelms me, and yet
no one notices theiiu Many strung arguments have persuaded
me that the last day is at hand. Tlie reign of Antichrist is
beginning to end.

Duke George rages against mc with his sophists and the
Bish<^ of Merseburg, 1 sec that this disordered bull is breed-
ing a rebellion, just as the Roman Curia ought to do. Hmser
has put forth his fury against me under the name of Thomas
Rhadinus Todiscus;' now he publishes at Rome and now at
Lcipsic. They all take credit for the incredible fury of their
insanity.

I shall not write privately to the princes, but shall publicly
renew my Appeal,' thereby summoning all Germans, great
and small, to stand by me, and expound the villainy of the
affair. Then I shall lay it to the conscience of each man,
lest in the hour of his death he should be condemned for
having obeyed these impious monsters.

1 will do nothing with the Archbishop of Mayence, but I
will approach Duke George and the Bishop of Merseburg
with letters and with my German AntibuU when it is pub-
lished, not that 1 hope to soften those hard spirits, but that 1
may satisfy my conscience in warning them of their danger.
For it is impossible for those to be saved who either favor
this bull or do not fight against it. The Lord and you will
attend to the result.

Egranus told us the same about Matthew Adrian as you
did. He has become my enemy, alleging as the cause that I
have taught that good works avail nothing, but only faith.
He has hardly been presented from reviling mc publicly.
Finally, this man. most ignorant of theology, attacked and
challenged me. He is useless and must soon be dismissed.
Perhaps he will go to Leipsie to make common cause with
Eck. The Lord's will be done.

The Univcr-sity of Erfurt, when Imperiously summoned by
Eck, refused to receive the bull, on the groimd rfiat it was

*Stipfe. no. jid.

*r. *.. ibe Appeal M > CciHral Council, made KoTcmber jS, ijiB. tjiibct
rmawcd il NvrcMbac 17, i)n>, Weimar, vii. 74, S]-

Wt LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut yp

illegally sent. The Bishop of Bamberg* refused it cm ibt
wme ground. The armed youth of Erfurt surrounded Eck
and tearing tlie printed bulls into &mall bits, threw tlicm mt
tbe water, so that it is now a real bubble.* Tbc town council
connived at this, and the court at Mayence hears nothiof
of iL' I expect you know how gloriously Eck was received
at Lcipsic, hated as he is by almost all except the duke uid
the bishop. Do what your spirit tells you, and farewell

Martin' Luthes, AugustiniaiL

ja^. MELANCHTHOK TO GEORGE SPALATIX.
Corfut Rejormatonim, i. 36;. WcmxBCnc, November 4 1510.

. . . Luther has answered the bull,* Hui^ing Eck with the
responsibility of it, for he certainly was the author of this
tragedy. A few days ago he wrote a letter* to the Roman
PontifT, which I think you will approve as being sufHciendtf
modcraie and pious. I beg you to be watchful and not to
neglect any human precautions, altliough not relying on thenri.
but on divine providence. Martin seems to me to be dnveo
by a certain spirit We shall bring about his success more by
prayers than by schemes. My friendship for Luther is now
80 firmly established that nothing sadder could happen to
me than to be without him. Wherefore, for my sake as wdl
as for tlie sake of the public, do what you can to prevent
this man from being crushed, for I dare to prefer him not
only to all living men, but to the Auguslines, Jeromes and
Gregory Nazianzens of all time. Farewell, dearest Spala-
tin. . . .

da- J

33a ALEANDER TO LEO X. AT ROME

RfUhitagtakUn. ii. 4^ (CoLOCKs, November 6, t$ao.)

... I know that your Holiness is rery anxious to know

what wc did with the Elector of Saxony, wherefore I will

give you a brief account of a' long afTair. It is his nature to

■C*«rs« III.. Biihap ijos-u. As Kur*mhetj warn in bU dioone, E*fc «••I
hlin ibe bull which wa* ilaa dlrcciEd i^init rifckbcini^r knd Spenfler.

■Pan OTi "bull*." meaning boih "hull" and "buhble."

'Erfurt iru an endive in Saionr undrr tfa» («rprnment »f HjfMue.

*l'on Atn niarr FcHiehrn Bu'lfv und LUfm. Weimar, <ii. jj». Luthet t
doubted ibc fcnuincneu ol ibr bull. *nd u> did Etwraai.

iTtc pre!«* ro The Littrrly ef a Ci'uiian ilaa.

Ut. AJ3

OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

389

seem good and religious and a devout irequenler of churches,
bat all his counsellors are more Lutheran than LuOier him-
self. Moreover, he is extremely hard to see, but we did see
him on November 4,* and worked on him su that he seemed
to be persuaded by us and said that he had never spoken
twenty words with Luther.

331. ERASMUS TO JOHN REUCHLIN.

rnumi opera (170J), iü. 589^ Coukke, November g, igacx

. . . You see what a fatal tragedy is now heing enacted,
the catastrophe of which is uncertain. Whatever it may be, I
pray that it may be for the glory of Christ and the evangelic
truth. I prefer to be a spectator rather than an actor In this /
play, ooi because I deny the cause of Christ, but because 1
see it is beyond my littleness. Would that I were able to do
what is best, as I wish. . . . The silent judgments of the
good have perpetual authority and weight even with posterity.
It has always been my endeavor to separate the cause of
Luther from yours and that of sound learning, which would
only bring odium on it and on us without helping Luther in
the least. But others have acted otherwise. They hate me
so that those conspirators against sound learning and the
gospel have almost attacked mc. There is no doubt about
their actions, although they cloak them with high names and
irritate the mild Pope to his own hurt for their advantage. . . .

►

3J3. BEATUS RHENANUS TO BONIFACE AMERBACH.
Briffwechsel dts Bralus Rlnna>t:is. 250, Basle. November 8. isao.

t. . Our Erasmus of Rotterdam is now officiating as
nciltor to the Emperor; it is an honor to him, but a toss
for literature. For some days he has been at Cologne, after
the Emperor was crowned at Aix-la-Oiapel!e, on October 23.
Tbc Pope has sent Jerome Al<;andcr with a monstrous bull
to the Emperor to induce liim to crush Luther. He also sent
Caracctolo, Cajetan and Miltitz. It is to be feared that the
Emperor will give his consent, as one too young to under-
stand these things. The whole of Germany is for Luther.
Hütten has fairly translated the Pope's bull which curses

*0n Ail inttrneor aad iu inuhi. tf. SniTb, of. m^ loo.

SM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let m

Luther, that is, he has explained and mocked it with witlj.
caustic notes. In tlie title page of the booklet he has sur-
rounded the Pope's arms with this verse: "At his right hand
stood a bull in cloth of gold aiid many-colored garments."
You never read anything more cutting. For as you km»
the Pope anathematized Huttcn and wrote to some of the
princes either to kill him or send him hound to Rome. Hence
the bitterness of his invective. Pucci, who tried to do mucti
against Lutlier in Switzerland, is simply despised.' Yoa
know that hitherto Zasius favored Luther. Now he tiis
«iomewhat changed his opinion, because Luther wrote it would
be better for priests to have wives than harlots. But I im
abusing the patience of my Boniface to go on with triflps
like these. FarcwcH. Boniface.

P. S. — The Pope has recently condemned Reuchlin's artJcie
to please the monks, whose help he now needs, and to spiu
Luther.

333. ERASMUS TO CONRAD PEUTINGER. IMPERIAL
COUNCILLOR.

Erasmi optta (1703). iü. sga Coloqnk, November 9, ipa

r know that you have no leisure to read all sorts of leners.
excellent Sir, nor have I much more time to write, yet I was
induced to do so by John Faber,' a Dominican theologian,
whom I discovered, by careful examination, to be very dif-
ferent from some of that brotherhood, for besides solid learn-
ing, integrity and affability, I found in him excellent judg-
ment. VVe have often consulted on the method of composing
this Lutheran trage<Iy without a cataclysm of the whole globe.
For what lover of mankind is not moved by the beginning
of this drama, seeing that there is imminent peril, unless
something is done, that it shall lead to a catastroplic danger-
ous to Christianity? The most horrible wars arc oftcti started

Kl. tupr«, DO, jaj.

*0( Augiburc ('trc-i)]Oi not n be confounded wilb ifat bu of xkt a»»e «&■•
«bo wu Biifaop oC Vicna*. Studied In Iu>r "ad bctan« Dominicaa Prioi *t
Au(abitr|. lie met E(a*niuii al Louoain, Oelob«r, is*n, and wiifa him |iI«ibc4 >
pMMful «olnlicn of tbp Lutterin ichisni. coinpiMinf M Ihit tine *l Cotacn«. «id
Emtnui' belfi. tbc Canniium eitjui.iam mpi-flu comiuUumi »ttt . . , wbid b(
prtued an (br F^rnperor'l *ävü*i%. and it Worm* aStrxag ■ timllaf plaA «f
arbitration. He also apaki «erir (rccly at tbe (uneral of CkUvraa. Jinoarr. ■['■
Id- titra, »a. jMj). Lif« ia H, Faulut: Dit dntltthr Dtmimetnt' (>}«))■
«•«■J I J.

333 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS

391

by trifles. And in my opinion Cicero was right in saying that I
an unjust peace was better tlian the justcst war. Now this
drama has gone farthvr than I could have wished, but I think
the e\'il is curable; certainly it is more so now tliat if it goes
on increasing. I should also wish it so healed, that it may
not merely be suppressed for a time to become worse later,
as happens to patients when physicians cool their fever with
a potion without bleeding, or to those who scarify a wound
which has not been sufficiently cleansed.

Some think that severity had better be used, and Fabcr
would not disagree with tliem did he not fear that it would

rdly succeed. He says that it is not sufficient in (his matter
to follow your inclination, but that several things must be
considered. First, we must consult the dignity of the Roman
Pontiff, whom all lovers of Christ must favor as Chriit's
vicar, lest the gospel truth should suffer. And I doubt not
that Leo is of this mind, that he considers his only glory to
lie in the flourishing of the doctrine of his Prince. Fabcr
says we should not consider only what I-uthcr deserves, or
who favor Luther, but what conduces to the public peace.
It makes a great difference who lay hands on this evil and
with what medicines it is cured. Some mix in this affair
only to exasperate it with their misplaced zeal, and double
it, consulting not the authority of the Pope, but their own
advaotage. Briefly, they so act that they hurt sound learn-
ing more than tliey do Luther. For it is not right that inno-
cent, or rather holy studies should suffer on account of Luther,
nor ought other men, without cause, to be involved in his
aflfair. He added that we should consider from what fount
the whole thing flowed, namely, from hatred of good learn-
ing. . . .

It is not for men like me lo judge the Pope's breves. But
there were some who misse<I in the bull bruught by the nuncio
the gentleness worthy of Christ's vicar and of this peaceful
Leo; and they impute the bull not lo him, but to his advisers.

U^ But Faher himself will explain his plan more fully to you in
l^person, and if you approve it you can help him at the Diet of
Worms to carry through a plan which all will approve. . . .

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

Lcti3S

334. THOMAS GRAMAYE TO THE THEOLOGICAL FACLXn

OF PARIS.
GeSt, i. 144. Aktweup, November iCv tj»

Cnunayc w:is at this time tfcr«i.iry, councillor and minl>mister «f
Charles V. For many years he had been DuVc George's banker ud
(TCDcnil representative in (lie Netherlands. F^rlier in this year he kwl
written to the Sorbonne on bcholi ol Puke Gcurec fur tbcir opinioDi
Uie professors deliberated on the question on July 17, appoimiac
Jamea Banliclcmi and Noel Bcda to con«i<ler the aiiswcr. The pwt-
nil tetter was apparently leceivcfl anl Jiscussetl on Movcrabci IJ
The final cüiidemnaiion was dated April 15, 1521, See Gess, he. fit,
and Smitli, op. tit., p. 453, where for "iVcdcric" should be read **Gco«Ge"
— both names bciiiK rejircseiited in cuntemporary documents sirapty bf
the word» "Dux Saxoniae."

Most learned Fatliers and venerable Sirs I Your kindness
has again made me bold to write. Recently, in behalf of the
most illustrious Duke of Saxony, I asked your worships,
for the love of truth, which doubtless occtipies your minds^
to deign either to approve if true or to reprove if false the
writings of Martin Luther, which have taken bold of the
minds of many everywhere and are embraced as most true
by some. According to your habitual bene\'olence, you an-
swered that you were busty day and night reading and dis-
cussing them and would take no rest until you had discovered
(he truth which Martin seems to seek, and had pronounced
on it. Truly, the aforesaid duke, anxious to know the truth,
received this letter with high honor and read it with great
pleasure, hoping that your worships would soon do what }'Oii
promised. But as this is delayed he awaits anxiously, hear-
ing various opinions, some saying that Luther is good, others
shouting that he seduces the common people. . . . Now the
tumult increases, and no small tragedy is excited here in the
sight of the world and with the connivance of our professors
at Louvain, white others of sounder mind weep and wail, and
all await your judgment. . . .

333. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Enders, il 523, Eilcnbubc. November 13. is»

Greeting. I have received the "Bull"' you sent, Spalatin,

'A pteudonymoiM »UiK wbicb appeared i.boul Ibi* time under the tMt
Jhelveut Bulla.

Ut 333 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 3W

and we daily expect your happy return' with many new things
to tell us and one old thing, namely, that there is no hope in
th« court of Charles. I am glad that Hiiltcn lias come out;
would that he had intercepted' Caracciolo or Aleonder.

We do not fear the exconimuiiicalioti threatened by the
bull, although we hear that tliose two bishops' are about to
set forth ; I will receive them fairly and give tliera their proper
titles. Duke George, although in a rage, is said to control
himself externally. Our Philip Melanciubon, under the name
of Faventinus Didymus, is answering* Thomas Rhadinus.
that is, Emser.

Mdanchihon's wedding will be on November 26. The
danger of malicious go&sip forces us to hurry the day.

Henry Schmicdbcrg," deceased, left me one hundred gulden,
which pleased mc particularly, as the dying just man con-
demns the unjust living, as the wise man says," and those
who offered Eck cups full of gold' for traducing God's Word
may have something to make ihcm angry, but which I never
sought for. By this second sign Chri.st now warns them. For
who would not consider Fck's ignominious reception at I.eipsic
and Ivrfurt as one of God's wonderful works? Yet hitherto
hardened Pharaoh perseveres that there may be many signs.
But be of good cheer and despise alt that curse. Oirist has
befun this business and will complete it, whether 1 die or fly.
Called io his name by Schmiedberg, I came to Eilenburg,
but, in the meantime, he departed to the I-ord. He is said
to have died most constant in the faith, and (what is a great
cross to my opponents) to have publicly professed and cora-

>Sp«]Min and llie eWlor I*{| Cologne pn NowmWr j.

^'iMcrtrptiMr* 1 lb« raraninf is «onmhai daubtrul, «bciber nertljr "fra^
miEd" or "MiM<L"

*FTo1nbly ibv tri»bop* oi M«ri«tiurt ■o4 Bratidmbnrt- Tbe tiRer pwted
Ikiousb WtlienbctB on hti nj lo tb« Di«t of Worma and irird to po«t tbe bjlt.

•U» siwiirrr appnriil fi[»1 in Fibnuirj, ij«, Ctrfut Rrftrmtl^am, L tS$.

'ScbnicdbtTf. of a prominrnl LcIemIc lamllr, CtaantttloT of ATcbbiibov Fbilip
«f RMuabuix and FniBinarn, aoil AdminUtiaior of Naumburi, When ibc bull
was Mai 10 KauntKirf ibt peoitlc Mormed Scbniitdbcig'» iialuc; ibr Utter ftll ill
«ilk triabi and «cot M t.cip»ic. «bcrc be dfor ui> ■ will, TcmcialKflDg Lulbct.
Tb«a fce «cni IV Eiltoburg, xid on rrowing w«r>e bad Liiih«r vummoacd lo bin,
but (tied «1 NQTcmbcr ) befoie ihc latter ainTtd. Eaik», li, 3>6.

■ BMh of Wiidom. ir. ifi

Gearf« s**« £«k a c«p fM of fddL

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

het-Sfi

mended my doctrine. See the presence of Christi The
Roman Antichrist presses on, and Satan throttgl) him, but
he who is in u% shows himself greater than tie who U to the
world.'

I'he bishop of Breslau died* in the same faith, the best vi
all the bishops of ÜÜ5 age. The Uishop of Merseburg has btt
much in the opinion of the public, and his pigmy holiness
does not suffice for the work of impiety, which bids him obey
the Pope rather than his God. Others will tell you the rest
Farewell in tlie Lord. Martin Lutheb.

P. S. — Melanchthon, who salutes you, and I are splendidly
entertained by these heroes, Fabian von Feilitisch. Haugold
von Einsiedel and John von Taubcnheim.

336. ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO ERASMUS AT COLOGNE
Bocldng, i. 42J. Emricbukc, Noirember 15, 153a

May what I have be^n at this time with so much peril
turn out badly for me. if, excellent Erasmus. 1 am not mort
solicitous for your safety than for my own success. You may
sec plainly the state of affairs, and 1 greatly wonder what you
are doing there where, as elsewhere, there is so much hiM-
tility to us, and where, as I hear, the mandates of I.eo X. are
cruelly executed. Do you even imagine thai you can be safe
while Luther's books are burnt, ajid that his condemnation
will not prejudice your cause, or that those who condemn
him will spare you? Fly. fly, and keep yourself safe for usl
I have sufficient, even in6nitc peril, but my mind is used to
danger and to whatever fortune may bring; with you it if
different Fly, excellent Erasmus, fly while you can. before
some disaster falls on you (a thought I detest). Then, when
it is no longer safe for you, you will have to say wliat no
wise man has said: "I did not think." AH of those fellows
cr>' out that you arc the author of this business and that
from you, as the fountain head, has flowed wliatever now dis-
pleases Leo; they say that you went before us, Üiat you

li fabn. i», 4.

*John Thunn, to vbon LuArr had writttn oa July go« ijia. EaAtwt, S. 44^'
ft« died on Antnn t.

Let 337

taught us. that you first incited the tninds of men with the
love of liberty, and that we are all your followers. . . . For
by so long flattcniig and praising the Tope you have deserved
the mortal hatred of Aleandcr who will wish to destroy you,
especially when he sees his fury resisted by arras. We would ^
have done this before had not Sickingen advised first to trj-
the mind of the Emperor, hoping that he would do something
or at least allow us to do it. And we will do it unless that
wicked Slav [. -Meander] subverts all things and seizes the
Emperor's crown, the reward of which deed Lulher and I
demand. . . .

Pm7. LUTHER TO L.AZARUS SPENGLER AT NUREMBERG.

Endvfs, ii. 537- Dc Wette, i. 535. Gemian.
K WiTTErfBEitc, November 17, 15».

My service, etc. Honorable, wise, dear Sir and Friend 1
I have read your letter and teamed your great courage for
the Christian truth with especial joy; God strengthen yo« and
all of us with his grace ! I thank yoii heartily for your great,
friendly care for me and for all Wittenbergers, Vou must
certainly believe that Dr. Carlstadt and Melanchthon are en-
tirely at one ; for a while one spoke to his classes in a different
way from the other, from which circumstance perhaps this
rumor grtw. By God's grace Philip is minded to have no
quarrel with him. Neither did it ever occur to me to harbor
annoyance or dislike of Erasmus. It pleased me well tliat
he desired me not to mention him.' I wrote to him about it
and promised not to speak of him any more, nor of any
other good friends if it displeased them. People have many
such false rumors to write about me, but don't let their gossip
deceive you. If God will, Erasmus and I will remain at one.
It is true that 1 sometimes privately discuss with Melanch-
thon how near or far Erasmus is from the way; he and every-
one can do the same about me with tmpuntt)' and in friend-
ship. I will attack no one first; it is sufficient to me to de-
fend myself when attacked.

*Erumu «ai olTcrided bf Lutbet*! tcfercncc to ttln In Ibc Atuarrr (• Ikt
CMJfiiiiMA«» «f LoHvai'n, ■nrl mute Ihit icqucu. iu a Iciict to McUocblboni cA
4ii^fai no. ajS. LnllMt'i kttct U ion. Cf. Smiili. «oif.

JM LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let x»

I am having my Appeal renewed and printed in Latio ud
Gennan, although 1 thought there was no great need of it, so
open and shameless is the bull with its Amichristian anathe-
mas. We know not whether the bishops will execute ibt
Imll. We hold that they have been legally answered b)- ui.
Herewith 1 commend myself to you before God, Amen.

Dk. Martin Luthek, Auguslinia».

MS. OSWALD MVCONIUS TO RUDOLPH CUVANUS AT

MILAN.

S. Hess: Erasntiu von Rolerdam (Zurich, 1790), ii. 707.

LvccRifK, November aa, ij».
Rudolph zum Buhl (Clivana«, i4p(>-iS7S). teacher of Greek «t
Zurich aiid after 1519 a friend of Zwingli, Oo him, Corptu Refvrw»
lorunt, xciv. 335.

. . . Would you like to hear somelhinK about Luther? You
have it in the letter of Ammann." Of lirasmus? I will t«B
you something. He is a scoundrel. Hear what he did. He
was summoTied by the king of England to a conference.* The
king patted him on the shoulder and said: "lirasmus, why
don't you defend that good Luther?" Erasmus answered:
"Because I am not enough of a theologian; now that the pro-
fessors of Louvain have put me down as a grammarian I
don't touch such things." .\ftcr a long conversation the kin^
said: "You are a good man, Erasmus," and dismissed him
with a gift of fifty ducats. Then Erasmus went to Frankfort
When his friends came to sec him, he waved them away.
"Look out," said he, "don't touch me," and held out his hands
as if he feared to be hurt. When they expressed sympalh)*
and asked him what was the matter, he told them he had a
wound. When they asked him where, he replied ; "In the
purse." Thus he tried to turn the bargain into a joke. He
was going to Basle, but was prevented by the king of Spain
and is now also kept iu Germany. . . .

>John jMob Ammann of Zurich (died is;]), Mudeni of Mrcoaiiu. on wbon
KC Znnnn'M Wfikr. tU. ig-B.

'Al the cenfocdce «.l CaUi*, JuIt, i)>o. It b doubitul b«w muck Mfcwnini
linew ahuut il. Krasrnus b<mKlt onlr *n» tbM he Uikcd with Henry VIII. oT
bij (Etumui'i) vHlltig acainM Lniber, but mere of w>ji ot niiliinc pcac*.
Eraimi c^fa (>70J>. 111. do. 6^v. CI. Engiith Uiitartcat Revtem, c. bij.

MI OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS »T

3J» BASIL AMERBACH TO BONIFACE AMERBACH AT
AVIGNON.

rdt-Bicdennaon. 143. Rasle, November 21, 1520,

... I have nothing to write of Luther except that Pop«
Leo is trying to ruin him, and for that reason keeps sending
legates to make Charle* hostile to him. Charles lias not yet
determined what to do. A certain virulent and ha'mg lam-
poon,' which I will send by the next messenger when I have
a chance, has come out against Aleander. the learned Greek
, scholar who is the Pope's legate.

3401 ULRICH VON HÜTTEN TO MARTIN BUCER.
Bwlting, 1. 437. EscRMBunt;, November 25, tS2a

. . . Luther* is burned at Cologne ilso. Therefore the
loiy Muse of truth-speaking Luther will go into the flames
and die. ... I hear that all orders of men greatly grieved at
the act and only a few pricst.t were pleased with it. I hear
that some of the nobles favor Luther so strongly that Sick-
,mgen thinks that there would have been an extremely dangcr-
3US rebellion at Cologne tf only Frederic of Saxony had been
Fthere, for he left a short time ago. We are waiting to see
'what will happen at Mayencc, for our adversarieä arc tr>-ing
something there. I hear that Luther published something* or
other to-day excommunicating and anathematizing Leo X.

"341. WILLIAM DE CROY. SEIGNEUR DE CHIßVRES. AND
HENRY OF NASSAU TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.
Rtichsiasickitn, ii, 466. note Oi-PF.MHriM. November 17, 15»

Soon after leaving Colngrc Frederic had wnttcn to Chicvres and
Nassau a Ictler which has been lost. The following t» the answer.

• Croy (i^Sfi-May 27. ijai), was made Siadthotder of the Nelhcr-
'ScTtral attiuliA «acne am on AlesDilcr M ikU lime, of »blcli pcrb«» At
siiiii llkclx !n ibia iiuiancc U llic Ada Atadrmi»* Lwoitinuit. pcrli*t« bf the
pea »[ Erumua. rcptlniid in tilftfrt Wtrkt (KrUngfii), Oftr» Iclina varii
^ftumtnli, IT. jcS'i«. Tbe proof of Ike authoriliip, P KalfcoR: Dif VrrmtU-
lmiH)lf«Hlill ^** Er«HiH#, ii<.. p -ijH- Tlic uniiliriljr of thr atgrlc to lli>t of F.ra*-
oiiu wu «iitf aaficeil. V aiianii<)t* Biitftammltne, a. 3*ti. Ct. turlher. P.
Kalhofl: AnfiUfi 3ri Ct^nrtt. in ifrn S 'f4rrS3t<i*n. ii. J5if. »nd the Ullcic hf
lb« tune ackaUr in 7vinp.'u IVerit, vii. 40«.
I/, f.. kU work«, NaT. I».
Aifmi-i fxtet»hiUm AKtUhruii hiflna. Wtintr, t1. i^j.

886 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Ut »

lands iscp6; in 150g took charg« of th« education of Charles V^ lo
whom he became a chief adviser after 1516. He died at Wona«.

Henry of Nassau (1483-Sepicmber 14. 1538), an officer of Man-
milian. In 1516-7 h« wks in command of the siege of Aniheim; ia
1521 fought against France. He was then made Governor of fit
Nclhcrlands. He vinled Spain in 1522 and im. He WAt at tli« Dtd
of AutEsburg in 1530L AUgtmeint dtvttehe Biographic, The ft^owiii
anecdote of him is found in n contemporary pulilication. reprinted b^
P. Frederic^]: Corpua InntiitilioftU Sferian6icar, iv, no. 37. "Tbt
Count of Na.ititu »aid 10 the prcachciü at the Hague: 'Go and prcick
the gospel simply like Lttther, offending no one' . . . Then the pro-
fessors of Louvain complained lo Margaret, sister of Charles V., «I»
said; 'Who i« Luiher?' 'An unlearned monk,' said they. Thni,'
said she, 'all you learned men write against one unlearned, and the
world will rather Wieve many learned than one unlearned.'"

We have received the letter of your Lordship on the af-
fair of Martin Luther, the contents of which, and especially
your Lordship's wishes, we carefully explained to his im-
perial and Catholic Majesty, Your Lordship will team man
at large from his Majesty's letters what he has decided tipoa
It seemed to us at all events that your Lordship ought, for
the sake of your piety and zeal for (he orthodox (ailh, to bring
Lutlier with you to the imperial Diet, so that the affair might
be quieted and extin^ruished, for which we both promise oar
good offices with his imperial Majesty, especially as we are
sure that your Lordship desires this. . , .

342. THE EMPEROR CHARLES V. TO ELECTOR FREDERIC
OF SAXONY.

Reiekstaosaktcn, ii. 466. Gcrmnn. Oppenheih, November 28, ipQ

Highborn, dear Uncle' and Elector. We have been in-
quenlly and urgently requested by the nuncio of the Pope's
Holiness, to guard against farther damage from Dr. Martin
Luther's books, as wc did in our Lower Burgundian Hereditary
Possessions, and wc should like to have them burned here
and everywhere in the Holy Empire. Now our highborn,
dear uncle,' William of Chicvrcs. and our dear and trusty
Henry Count of Nassau, our viceroy in the Netherlands, have
shown us that you desire that we should not touch Luther,
nor do anything more against him before he is heard. And as

■Tbii tlUt- la not 10 tw iilt«n ll»rally.

tet. 344 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 399

re should like lo put down this movemenc, from which we
'?car much disorder and error may arise, wc earnestly re-
quest you lo bring the said Luther with you lo the next Diet
Worms, where we will have him sufficicnlly examined by
learned and wise persons, and have no wrong nor anything
illegal done lo him. We beg you to prevent farther trouble
and to command the said Luther in the meantime not lo
write or publish anything against his Holiness or the Roman
see. Thereby you will do us special pleasure which we shall
graciously acknowledge.

V Mi LUTHER TO JOHN LANG AT ERFURT.
£ad«rt, il sjz. Wittknberc, November 28, 153OL

H Greeting. Reverend Father, wc rejoice that the elector has
returned.* I pray you to pray for us. Duke George is in-
sane; he is more than furious. We daily expect anathemas
and thunderbolts from that Quarter. We think to stick to our
appeal. I sec that the affair is verging 10 a great tumult;
may God turn it to the good! We have read the answer' of
our elector given to the papa! Nuncios Ateanrier and Carac-
ciolo; it is so learned and acute that we see they got nothing
from him. I will send it later. The same Aleander is taxed
with many vices in 3 libellous but clever book.' Tlie men of
Cologne and Louvain have burnt my books. We know not
what will happen. Farewell in the Lord. Our vicar* has
gone to Sternberg; brother John has turned to follow him.

m, Martin Luthek.

V 3*4. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

^^nder«, ii. 534- Wittenbirc, Kovember 29. isaa

Greeting. Dear Spalatin, I gave a letter for you to the
nKsscnger going to Grimma; now that the reverend Father

*Tkc «Icetoi tclumcil In bU own lini! on Nnvrmlwr to.

*0» ti<nttB\KT 4. ■! C0I0KIK. tbe nuntio» hid Interviewed Frederic iitd
dCMUldtd tllM Lutlitr be punithcJ at ddivctcJ u)>. After CDnisllini Etiimui
on N^rnnbcr 5, Frederic relumed llie requetts of thr Icjalf« on Koveinber £.
C/. Soiitfc, loo,

■Alesndri «m attaclced In many coniemponrT «Hire*: pctbam tbe nne tBMM
it ibe ^(M AeaJtmiot Lvcaxicnnf. on obitb tf. Smitb. gS.

•Wcoul Unk.

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

IÄ56

James* is going I will ^ve him another, which perhaps will
arrive before the first. I will soon take up and defend uoe bf
one ail the articles condemned by the tnill, as you wrote aod
as I understand thcy^ wish. Unless you translate it into Ger-
man with more freedom than you have hitherto done,* pleue
let mc do iL For absolutely no translation except a very free
one can reproduce Bgures of speech and tlie cogency of the
argumentative style. 1 do not mention the extreme dißicnlty
of giving the author's spirit. I doubt not that you could 60
it, for you translate with wonderful facility, but I see that
you are a httle too closely hound and afraid to change a
single sentence as is sometimes necessary.

I intend to dedicate this book to Tabiin von Feilitzsch, a
gentleman who is greatly to my liking. Wherefore plea«
send me his full title as snon as possible in Latin and Ger-
man. Vou use the German title, but I de&tre to know both so
as to be able to judge how the Latin title is derived. Thus ]
wilt go before and do you follow fasL

My parents and sisters* honored the wedding of Melanch-
thon as did many honorable and learned men.

Please let us have another copy of the elector's answer,'
for they would not let us read it twice. You will learn the
rest from my former letter with my booklet Oh Christian Ltk-
erty. Farewell and pray for me.

Martin Luther, Augustinian.

MS. ERASMUS TO JOHN NIJS DE TURNHOUT, KNOWN AS

DRIEDO.

H. dc Jongh: L'anci<nne FaetiUi de thiotogu de Louuam, tQtt,
p. 158. n. 3. LouvAiN, NovonUr y>, 1530.

... I am sorry that Theodore Martens' refuses to print the

book of Professor Tumhout. In the first place, he ought not

'Prabablj Vop, Ibc elcciai'i tonfoaor.
'Lulbcr piobklilT cacAn« üic elccl«r.

*Spilaiia irsnilaKil I.utliir'a worti On Chriittat t.i^eny. Lalbcr hiaatXt tn^
Ut«d ibe wollt be ü *{>c>kia( «f do», (he Aattrti^n of »H tk» jtrikttt nr«a#ty

*[.u'lirr at th» time had three «faltt», muricJ to nn «amcd Kaufasno,
falatr and Mtfktnradi.

■f. f., to Ifc* l^e»lt«, ef. lofr», «10- 3*J. WTio "til«!-" »er« if uiueiuk, pcrkkf*
Kfflt WitlpnbcTe cinont «-lib whom tjoth^ waü nrti fricodlf.
ajdartn» (c. i^so-Uty 38, xm), "At Aldui of lb» Kelbcrl»MU," «toiled Ibe

Let J46 OTHER CONTEMPORARY LETTERS 401

thus to show his animus. Then I should like the work printed
for many reasons. Tlie man is one of the most skilful in
theology ; nor do 1 doubt that he writes as he has disputed,
using solid arguments and not invective. As I do not ap-
prove having Luther crushed by mere vociferations and con-
spiracies, I am all the more desirous of seeing him refuted
by the Bible and good reasons. Let us attribute all we pos-
sibly can to the Pope's bull, yet such a refutation would be
more convincing to the learned and to the intelligent. Oo you
therefore persuade the man not to refuse, and I will do the
same as much as I can. Farewell.

346. ERASMUS TO L

Ertumi optto (1703). tit. 18S91 (Late ia isao.)

. . . You know what a smoke has been raised at Louvaln
by the theologians who fathered the bull :* the same was done
at Liege with the connivance of tlic bishop who is ambitious
of the cardinal's bat; fmally it ^vas also done at Cologne in
an even more hateful way under the rule of Hochstraten.
But though Luther's writings are not approved by all, yet
there is none who is not displeased by this way of acting and
this savage tyranny. Nor would they have acted with im-
punity at Cologne had not the presence of the king protected
them. Now Luther's works are sold there as before.

Two men, Latomus and Tumhout, have here written against
Luther, but neither publishes his books on account of dif-
fidence. I think. Indeed, it is much easier to conquer him
vrith bulls and with smoke than with arguments. I have never
mixed in the Lutheran affair, but yet I have not approved the
clamors nor the pamphlets of these who have hitherto op-
posed Luther. They take this ill, for if 1 stood by Luther
the same engines would be directed against me; if I wrote
against him these men of evangelic meekness and simplicity
would use the hatred of the Germans thus aroused against

Ut of prietint U V«iiic«. »«( itp • «bop H Aloil. *nd in it^j itotvi) te Antwerp,
la i4D8 t« LevTiiB. in isoi baclc in Antverp, in ii» <» Loovaln. uotil ts>9
wIm« b« »ilrrd II» AInM P. S. Allrn, I. gi«

iHmb of (be ibeoloRicil nuierial in ibe boll Eimrgt Dvmin* wu UteD fron
lb* coadcnnMlan of l.ulber I)<r ihf UnlvetaUT of Louraln. "Tht •nokc" ttten
W tk« bsminr of Lulhcr'» book*. ■■ Lou*ain Otlobrr 8. >1 Liitt Oclobct i;. M
Caiognc Nanaiber la.
96

«08

LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND

i^ws

me for my destruction. They have laid fals« charges agaiasi
mc before the papal nuncio, as though I alone upheld Luther
and prevented his death, which, rather than his correction, is
what they alone desire. Francis von Sickingen related tbat
when he expostulated with the Emperor about the mandate
against Luther, which is being carried around, the Emperor
said that he had never issued such a mandate, ^^^eo the
Elector Frederic of Saxony spoke with him about Luther he
received the reply that Luther should not be condemned un-
heard. The bishops are forced to dissimulate, only when they
showed the elector the breve in which he was commanded to
throw Luther into prison, he said that he was- surprised
that the Pope should make such a demand of him, a laynaa,
when he was not convinced that Luther deserved such treat-
ment and when the affair had been referred to the Diet ol
Worms. The nuncios took this answer very ill. It is dear
that the bull was published contrary to the command of the
Pope. Aleander, who brought it, had no commission save
to confer with the universities. He is a man skilled in tlic
three languages, and if all say that he is a Jew, surely bis
life lends color to the assertion. What he ha» done in Lower
Germany furious Eck does in Upper Germany. The Ge^
mans publish seditious tracts, and I wonder that no one is
able to quiet the tumult. Luther ■writes more fiercely eveij
day and seems to be aiming at rebellion against my advice.
He writes that he simply despises the Roman bull, but re-
news his old appeal at the advice of friends. ,\ breve' was
shown to Matthew Lang, Cardinal of Gurk, at Cologne, com-
manding him to invite Staupitz. vicar general of the Augus-
tinians, who favors Luther, and force him to abjure ail
Luther's dogmas, and if he did not do this throw him into
prison or punish him some other way.

There