doctrine. You know with what contempt these people arc regarded, and how strong is an age-long opinion. Eck now 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, lest be 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 Huss has come to life again at Basle,' after having been so long dead through the tyranny of the Thomists. What, pray, will be safe hereafter, when such holy writings deserve such a judg- ment? But he is not dead; he will live as long as truth lives, but he wasted away and blameworthy hatred passed to his ashes. Your letter* found various fortune with me; when I return to Germany, that letter goes to Italy, but has not gone yet. 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 thither where he may profit by Martin's doctrine. Huttcn is leaving, and asks to send his greeting, he is going to Fer- dinand,* the brother of King Charles, in whose court, we hope, he will find a place which will not be without advantage to you and to good studies. He showed us an epistle* of Eras- mus of Rotterdam commending you earnestly to the Arch- bishop of Mayence. A copy will be sent to you; take 1^ and read the learned eulogy of this learned man.
252. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Endcrs, ii. 395. Wittenberg, May i, i|_
Greeting. I send the letters of your dean with those C^ received from Nuremberg. Matthew Adrian thinks we should
- C/. supra, no. a 19.
- Supra, no. 239.
"Lost, answer to Crotus's letter of October 31, smpra, no. 190.
^This letter to John Hess, April 19, printed in Kntfft: Brief g und D^kumetOe,
p. 30.
- Hutten was disappointed in tryinf to win him orer to the tide of Germsn
freedom.
- Snpra, November i, 1519, no. i9'< Luther had already teen the letter.
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