83. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN. Enders, L 239. Early morning, Augsburg^. October i(>» 1518-
Greeting. Dear Spalatin, I arrived at Augsburg^ on OctO'-' ber 7. I arrived tired, for having contracted some graver stomach trouble, I almost fainted by the wayside, but I have recovered. This is the third day since I arrived, nor have I yet seen the very reverend lord legate, though on the very first day I sent Dr. Wenzel Link and another to announce me. Meantime a safe-conduct is being secured for me by my friends from the imperial councillors. They are all very cordial to me for the sake of the illustrious elector. But although the very reverend cardinal legate himself promises to treat me with all clemency, yet my friends will not allow me to rely on his word alone, so prudent and careful arc they. For they know that 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 first interview, though whether it will so turn out I do not know. Some think my cause will be affected by the absence of the Cardinal of Gurk,* some say the same of the absence of the Emperor, who is not far away, but IS daily expected to return. The Bishop of Augsburg* is also absent from the city. Yesterday, I dined with Conrad Peutinger,* a doctor [of law], a citizen and a man, as you know well, extremely zealous in my cause; nor are the other councillors behind. I know not whether the most reverend legate fears me or whether he is preparing some treachery.
Yesterday he sent to me the ambassador of Montferrat,"
- Luther'9 summons to Rome was changed to one to appear at Augsburg before
Cardinal Cajetan. This was in accordance with his own wishes, and with the policy of Cajetan. Smith, op. cit., 48-54. s^tpra, nos. 76 and 81.
-Matthew Lang.
■Christopher von Stadion (Bishop I5i7-43)f later a great friend of Erasmus.
♦Peutinger (1465-1547), of Augsburg, studied in Italy, in i497. was appointed town clerk of his native city, in the service of which he discharged various missions, and was made iitiperial councillor by Maximilian. His passion waa the study of antiquities, on which he produced several works. He was a friend of Erasmus and of the Reformation. Allgemeine Deutsche Biograpkie.
ftUrban da Serralonga, who had been ambassador at the elector's court from Count William IX, of Montferrat, attached himself to Cajetan after William's death in 1517. On his interview with Luther, Smith, op. cit., 48f.
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