Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/207

 that it was necessary to salvation to believe the Roman pontiflf was universal. He advanced several reasons to show that a council could not err. Luther prudently replied that all the condemned articles should not be considered heretical, and he added more on the authority of a council, which it would be tiresome to report here. Plainly, however, a council can- not found articles of faith. The audience did not care for this proposition, because it seemed as if Luther were resisting the power of councils, whereas he really desires nothing more devoutly than their authority. He was therefore ac- cused of heresy, Hussite opinions and crimes of that nature. Eck conceded that the authority of all apostles was equal, but that it did not follow that all bishops were equal. . ..

After this they debated on the power of the Pope over souls in purgatory, and Eck took a new tack and began to prove from the text in Maccabees that purgatory^ existed. Luther, following Jerome, denied that Maccabees was authori- tative. . ..

In Luther, now long familiarly known to me, I admire a lively talent, learning and eloquence, and cannot help loving his sincere and entirely Christian mind. Greet our common friends. You know the Greek proverb, that there is much vain boasting in war. Wherefore do not believe all that is told you about the result of this debate. Farewell.

164. JOHN ECK TO ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY.

Serene, high-born Elector! My humble, ready service to your Grace, together with my poor prayers to God for you. Most gracious Lord ! I humbly pray your Grace not to take it ill nor with displeasure that I have allowed myself to debate with your Grace's professors from Wittenberg, for I did not do it to hurt your Grace's university, but, on the contrary, am much inclined to serve your Grace, as one who

^Maccabees xii. 43-6, reads in the Vulgate: "Et facta collatione, duodecim millia drachmas argenti raisit Jerosolymam offerri pro peccatis mortuorum sacri- ficium, bene et religiose de resurrectione cogitans, (nisi enim eos, qui ceciderant, resurrecturos sperarct, superfluum videretur, et vanum orare pro mortuis,) et quia considerabat, quod hi, qui cum pietate dormitionem acceperant. optimam haberent repositam gratiam. Sancta ergo, et salubris est cogitatio pro defunctis exorare, ut a peccatis solvantur." On Luther's opinion of Maccabees, infra, no. 194.

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