Emperor was to have gone to Luther with a safe-conduct drawn up in such a form that many conjecture Luther will not come. I know not how it came about, but four days ago they decided not to send an ordinary courier, but a herald, and they have changed the wording of the safe-conduct I suc- ceeded in getting them to allow me to glance at the Emperor's letter* to Luther, which begins : "Honorable, dear and pious." This title they give to an open heretic against God and reason ! When I complained they answered that that was the regular style, and if they had chosen a rough form it would simply happen that he would not come. The further contents of the summons plainly show that the imperialists are very desirous that Luther should come. I know not how it will turn out, but God grant it may be for the best. What makes them want this I do not know certainly, but I guess their reason without daring to write it.
But I will not conceal that on the very day on which the news of Robert de la Marck's invasion* arrived, the safe- conduct was suddenly altered. What is the connection be- tween this event and Luther's treatment? The imperialists are accurately informed that the King of France is at the bottom of these disturbances, and they fear that in the impend- ing great war the Pope will give his blessing and his aid to their enemy. I believe, however, that this is a totally wrong surmise, and I have told them so. I got my information from a private conversation which I had with them one day on this movement in our principality of Liege. They do not speak so freely to Caracciolo and Raphael de' Medici. . . .
In any case we will do our duty. I cannot promise my- self much good from Luther's coming, although the sequestra- tion mandate has a tone which suggests a result favorable to us. So at least the Emperor and Chievres promise, though I hardly know what to make of their fine resolutions and regulations in this affair, contrary to which they have so often acted. God alone knows whether Luther will come, which some believe and some deny. That the imperialists
^Supra, no. 41a.
<7. e., of a French army under this general, Robert II. Cotnte de la Marck, Prince of Sedan, a brother of Everard. Bishop of LiiffC, a condottiere general in the service of Francis. He died 1535.
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