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 this is the most important point), it does not, as all other decretals do, cite any word of the Bible, the Fathers or the Canon Law, or give any reason, but consists of mere words, which have nothing to do with my request to be heard.

And as the Church is under obligation to give a reason for her doctrine, as St. Peter commands,^ and as it is frequently forbidden to receive anything not proved, as St. Paul says,* I cannot recognize the said decretal as an established and sufficient doctrine of the Church, and must rather hearken to God's commands and prohibitions. But though I will not adore this decretal, yet I will not wholly reject it. . . . Your Grace's humble servant. Dr. Martin Luther,

wi. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF

LEIPSIC Gess, L 63. Dresden, January 19, 1519.

We have read your letter [January 15] and as Dr. Eck has made the same request to us, we consider that honor, glory and profit will come to the university and to all of you from this debate. And as our uncle and friend, the Bishop of Merseburg, objects to this debate, we have written him a letter, which we hope will make him change his opinion, and we are glad to hear that you are all united in favor of the debate now. . •.

122. MELANCHTHON TO CHRISTOPHER SCHEURL AT

NUREMBERG.

Carpus reformatorum, i. 6a (Witfenberg), January 20, 1519.

. . . Our Martin, thank God, is yet alive. Do not desert the man, for he is sure that those men are the scourges, rather than the rulers of the Church,* and mighty only to oppose justice.*

123. LUTHER TO PETER LUPINUS AND ANDREW

CARLSTADT. Enders, iL 136. De Wette, i. 329. Weimar, ii. 445.

(Wittenberg, January (?), 1519.)

Peter Wolf (Lupinus), of Radhem, matriculated at Wittenberg in

>i Peter, iii. 1$.

'i ThcsaaloniaiM, ▼. az.

sHm Ecclesiae oltum^^TOij desienint enim olKovdfioi


 * A Hebrew word interpreted in the note.

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