294 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let ^
not mentioned in the letter. If Luther is in trouble, and can get help nowhere else, here is safety. Here he can mock his detractors in perfect security. Sickingen and I have important reasons, which I would 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 Roman Triad and the Inspicientes are being printed; they are very free against the Pope and the despoilers of Germany. I believe you will approve, or at least not disapprove of them. Above all things warn Luther. If his business is doubtful, bid him at once without delay betake himself to Sickingen. He could see me on the way, but I do not know if I would then be here. . . .
233. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTENBURa Enders, ii. 342. Wittenberg, February 29, 1520.
Greeting. At length the Bishop of Merseburg has sent me back my messenger with a letter, after keeping him wait- ing three days. I am still waiting for the answer of the Cardinal Archbishop of Mayence. I have Merseburg's com- munication and it does not displease me 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 to beg. Our Prior Held, just returned from Magdeburg, is full of complaints against 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 has 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 this begging done away completely; this is one of the opinions for which Eck
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