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 Reuchlin for us from those barbarous scoundrels; to Sickin- gen they gave him and will be obliged even to pay the costs. Now the same hero bids me write to Luther, that if he suffers any mischance in the present affair and has no better alter- native, he should come to him and that he will do what he can. Doubtless he can do as much as he did for Reuchlin. I have not done as he asked for many reasons, but I write to you in his name, to tell Luther what a protector he has, who with such kindness offers his assistance, and that he should write to Sickingen. Believe me, there is no better chance of safety anywhere. Would that you had seen what he wrote to the monks. I left him four days ago at Neustall, where he now is. I will also take care of Erasmus' business, for he writes me tragic letters about his rivals. First, we must conciliate Ferdinand,* of whom Sickingen deserves well. After that it will be easy to frustrate the wicked. Sickingen loves Luther partly because he seems good to him and to others, and is therefore hateful to those men, and partly be- cause one of the counts of Solms* commended him in a letter. Tell him at once where his hope and safety lies, and farewell.

219. MARTIN BUCER TO LUTHER. Enders, ii. 298. Heidelberg, January 23, isaa

Hail, reverend Father, sincerest of theologians and strong- est of Christians. When, in your debate here a year and a half ago,* you illuminated our university with your Chris- tian rather than quaint learning, I, smitten by great love for you, as though wounded by the sharp arrows of your words, or rather of God the Mighty, dared to have a conference with you. If it was impudent to seek it, the result was as- suredly happy. For received at dinner by you and your pious superior, John Staupitz, I was wonderfully and bountifully

who succeeded his father in 1505 to large domains. He had a feud in 15x3 about Worms, and one with Hesse. On October 25, 15191 he was made Imperial Councillor and Chamberlain. He was interested by Hutten in the cause of Reuchlin and Luther. In 1521 he was made general of the army against France, but failed to accomplish much, chiefly through lack of funds. In 1522 he attaclced Trier with the purpose of leading an insurrection, but was defeated and killed at Landstuhl. Life by H. Ulmann, 1872, and in Allge. Deutsche Biographie.

iThe Emperor's brother (1503-64), elected King of the Romans i53v» peror, 1558.

^Perhaps Philip, count of Solms, a courtier of Albert of Mayence.

80n this, cf. supra, no. 57.

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