Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/355

 of ours is going very badly with his Holiness the Pope, all of which, in your opinion, is to be attributed to the excesses and rashness of Dr. Martin Luther, who has scattered, as yon express it, "I know not what" new dogmas against the Pope's Holiness and the holy see and the Roman Church, and has not submitted himself with due reverence and moderation to the very reverend lord cardinals; and you further write that general rumor affirms that he is supported, favored and shown mercy by us alone.

To this we answer briefly and in good faith : We haYC never undertaken and do not now undertake to protect and defend by our patronage the doctrine and writings of Dr. Martin Luther, for we do not presume to give judgment as to what he has written rightly and lawfully and what contrari- wise, and what he has taught piously and Christianly, and what otherwise.

Yet we do not think we ought to conceal that we have heard that this man's doctrine is considered and approved as pious and Christian by many learned and intelligent men. On this, however, we give no opinion, nor do we prejudge his doctrine, for we leave to him, the author of these dogmas, their whole defence, especially as the whole cause has been referred to the legitimate tribunal, to which he submits. He will oflFcr himself to the examination of the conmiissioner chosen by the Pope's Holiness on just conditions, that is, with safe-conduct To him Luther will give the justification of what he has writ- ten or taught, oflFering all submission and obedience, so that, if he is convinced of error by the Word of God and the true testimony of Holy Scripture, he will of his own accord offer to change his opinion and recant, as appears from the form of this Offer and Protestation^ drawn up by himself. . ..

Now that Germany is flourishing in geniuses and in men of learning and wisdom, expert in the tongues and in all sorts of learning, and since even the laity have begun to be edu- cated, and are moved by the zeal of knowing the Holy Script- ure; many think that it is greatly to be feared, if the fair terms offered by Luther are neglected and he himself with- out due process of law simply smitten by ecclesiastical cen-

^Weirnar, yi. 474. Cf. Smith, 98f.

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