Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/153

 his Holiness at Rome that he will not suffer such matters to be disputed, inasmuch as they are not doubtful or disputable.^ But we are informed by the worthy and learned dean of Meissen and his brother' that Dr. John Eck, of Ingolstadt, has begged of the University of Leipsic the opportunity to dispute on indulgences, as your Grace doubtless knows. But we think, as the Pope expressly forbids the same, that we are straightly bound by our oath to hinder in our diocese all that might offend or disparage the honor of the Roman see. Wherefore we have written and warned the dean of the university. . ..

ii6. LUTHER TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT NUREMBERG. Enders, i. 348. (Wittenberg), January 13, 1519.

Greeting. Though I steal this hour from myself and my business, yet I write so that I may not seem ungrateful for all your letters and never to answer them. Wherefore I thank you heartily for your sincere and friendly advice and trouble. I would willingly make an end of this disturbance if only my adversaries would do the same. For as far as I see, they propose to end the affair not with gentleness, but with mere force and clamor. So it happens that they arouse ever greater trouble and labor in vain. For I know well that nothing is ever quieted by force. I know the affair will find its end in goodness.

It seemed highly unworthy in me to answer Prierias* trifles, if indeed they are his, for they are childish and womanish complaints of his own pain, nothing less.

I had a most friendly interview with Miltitz and agreed: first, that silence should be imposed on both sides, and secondly, that the Pope should delegate some German bishop to pick out the errors which I should recant. But unless God intervenes, nothing will come of this agreement, especially if they press me with that new decretal," which I have not seen as yet, but

^This refers to the bull on indulgences of November 9, 1518. Kidd, op. cit., p. 39.

'John Henniffk was dean of Meissen from 1506-27. His brother Matthew was a professor of theology at Leipsic in 1521.

>/. e., the bull Cum pottqttam, November 9, 1518. Kidd, op. cii., p. 39. Cf. last letter.

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