Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/335

 330 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let a*

purpose being, if I mistake not, to terrify the man by false watch-fires. You will see the book when it is printed here Francis von Sickingen, the rare glory of German knighthood, of his own accord invites Luther to himself. Hutten is go- ing to Ferdinand, the brother of Charles, to make way, wiA the help of the greatest princes of the Empire, for German liberty. What may we not hope? . ..

I am sending Luther's tract on Faith and Good Works, which, like all his books, you will read with pleasure.

Crotus has written to you here, and also to Luther. Our letters are on the way to Italy, although he is coming to Ger- many.

Luther is answering your question on Paul, and what is more apt than his answer? No one known to me of all the Greek and Latin writers has gotten nearer Paul's spirit. ..

268. ALVISE GRADENIGO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE

Friar Martin Luther in Germany is very much followed by the Elector of Saxony and other lords, who have written in his defence to the Pope, telling him to send anyone he pleases to dispute with Luther, who will show that what he preaches and says is perfectly true and based on the words of Christ.

269. SYLVESTER VON SCHAUMBERG TO LUTHER. Enders, ii. 415. German. Munnerstadt, June 11, 1520.

My unknown service and friendship to you, learned, ex- cellent, dear Sir and Friend! Many learned persons have told me that your doctrine and opinions are grounded on the holy, divine Scriptures, and that you are opposed by unfavor- able, envious persons, given up to greed, which is serviceable to idolatry. And though you allow your opinion to be passed upon by an oecumenical Christian council, or by other im- partial, wise and learned men, yet you suffer for it danger to your life, and are compelled to betake yourself to a foreign nation, probably to the Bohemians, who do not highly esteem spiritual, arbitrary punishment.

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