Were you in my place, perhaps you would be more violent. Every man is differently constituted, hence the impressions which outward things make on him vary. There has been no discussion among you, so you only see things from afar, but “opportunity makes the man,” as the proverb says.
That our Marburg Conference should have offended many is no wonder, for the other party would not let themselves be instructed.
The Zwinglians have been convicted of so many errors, even according to their own showing, that it is provoking one article should have prevented them agreeing with us. But can we force the vanquished to a confession?
For Christ, in spite of having often convicted the Pharisees and Sadducees of sin, could never get them to confess their faults. Your best plan is not to listen to such people, who always look for offenses, while they studiously avoid having an open eye for what is good, and from which they might profit. I dislike coming in contact with such people, who always find something to calumniate.
I commit you to God; pray for me. MARTIN LUTHER .
P.S. — I have written to the Prince of Liegnitz, but have little hope of arranging anything through letters.
CCIII
TO NICOLAS AMSDORF
This letter accompanied Amsdorfs defense of Luther against Erasmus.
March 12, 1530.
Grace and peace! I return your notes on Erasmus, as you request. I was struck by your remark that Erasmus had long ago declared before Luther that faith without good works justified a man, but that he said later, this was how he understood the Mosaic law. If Erasmus really said this I know not, but I know you were always very sure of what you asserted, that you might not play into
