prince as an answer, though a tardy one, to his recent most gracious letter to me. . . .
We are no less sorry than you that Erasmus's Axiom^ and the reply of our elector have been printed at Leipsic. I know not where they got them, for we were much sur- prised when they appeared and had no idea where they got their copies, for we have ours. So there is no reason why you should accuse us in this matter, for we are much an- noyed at their being printed, which will make people suspect us both of being afraid and of being boastful.
Erasmus wrote long ago that there was no hope in Charles, surrounded as he is by sophists and papists* The Lord him- self is the author and the sole protector of his Word ; thus we want to meet their fury by the divine plan, for all expect that if their fury breaks loose there will be a rebellion like that of the Hussites, directed against the clergy, even those on our side. I am blameless, for I tried to induce the German no- bility to bridle the Romanists not with a sword, but, as they easily could, by wise decrees. For to fight against the ordi- nary run of peaceful priests is the same as fighting against women and children. But I fear that the fury of the Ro- manists will not suffer itself to be quieted by edicts, and that this obstinacy in madness will invite some evil on their own heads of itself. Amsdorf is writing you something nice about our helper at the door. Farewell and pray for me. Remember me to the courtiers.
Martin Luther, Augustinian.
407. ALEANDER TO THE VICE-CHANCELLOR CARDINAL DE'
MEDICI AT ROME.
Kalkoff: Aleander, 91. Worms, February 27, 1521.
As I previously reported to your Lordship, notwithstanding our strenuous endeavor to prevent Luther's affair coming be- fore the Diet, the undisguised, senseless partiality for Luther on the part of the princes, or rather the insane, detestable suggestions of Satan, which he has put into the heads of all
iSoine propositions drawn up by Erasmus at his interview with the elector at Cologne, November 5, 1520. Cf. Smith, 100. These words underlined by Luther himself. Cf. supra, nos. 258 and 354.
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