to put away his contumacious and haughty spirit and re- turn to sanity and thus experience God's clemency and ours by publicly revoking and reprobating his opinions. But sec- ondly, if he persists in his insanity, and at the end of the term prescribed in the bull should be a declared heretic, then you should take care and zealously try to capture him and send him bound into our custody. . . .
275. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Enders, ii. 428. (Wittenberg), July 9, isaa
Greeting. Dear Spalatin, with great and silent grief, I read the letter* from Rome, seeing such great dullness and impiety 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. The Lord have mercy on all of us!
What can I advise the excellent elector to write? There- fore I rather write to you. In the first place you know that I could complain in this matter much more justly than they. My published books bear witness how often I confess and lament that I have been drawn into this affair by no desire, but have been driven by force. Then I often offered peace and silence. Where do I not ask and try to extort instruction? Hitherto I have been of such a mind that I would keep silence if I were allowed, that is, if they also would hold their peace.
Everyone knows that Eck's sole reason for forcing me to debate on the power of the Pope was to make a mock of and trample on me, my name, all my works and our imiversity. Now, when they see 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 books. What more do they want me to do? At the same time I say this: If I am not allowed to lay
^The letter of Cardinal Riario to the elector. Smith, op, eU,, 74.
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