Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/130



Beloved Son, salutation and the apostolic blessing! Not without pain we have learned from many letters and from rumor what has been done among the faithful people of your part of Germany, which was always considered a Catholic province, and one most devoted and obedient to the apostolic see. We have heard that Martin Luther, a son of perdition, at the suggestion of that cruel enemy of our salvation, the devil, has not blushed to say evil of us and of the said see, in preaching, or rather in cursing. Now as this not only savors of heresy, but is worthy of severe punishment, and should not longer be borne by your devotion and obedience to us, desiring to extirpate this tare and coccle from the fertile field of the Lord by your aid, fearing lest, should we wink at it, it would put forth deeper roots among the too credulous people, we have charged Charles von Miltitz, our notary, secret chamberlain and nuncio in the Lord, and a cleric of the Church of Meissen, to do so. For the wickedness of the thing demands it, and we hope it can be rightly and swiftly done. We have enjoined the said Charles to expound to you our paternal love, hoping that he can rely on the help of your highness; and We charge you for the sake of all the faithful and of the Catholic Church, and the unity and dignity of our see, that, considering the gravity of the present scandal and the rash and damnable error and boldness of the said Martin, you should favor the said Charles and help him to execute his commission. You will thus please God, whose cause you defend, and will also win praise from us and the said see.

Beloved Son, noble Sir. Greeting, etc. We are the more willing to send you, through our beloved son, our notary and chamberlain, Charles von Miltitz, your Grace's loyal subject,