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 sures, that this controversy and strife should only be exas- perated, so that it could hardly ever afterwards be quieted and composed. For Luther's doctrine has now for some years past taken deep root everywhere in Germany, so that, if he is not refuted by reason and Scripture, but is only proceeded against by the terror of the ecclesiastical power, it looks as if much trouble and a horrible and fatal rebellion would take place in Germany, which would be of no advantage either to his Holiness the Pope nor to others. . ..

293. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Enders, ii. 472. (Wittenberg), September i, 1520.

Greeting. First of all, Spalatin, thank the most illustrious elector in my name for fattening me with game, although I am a monk.

The reverend Father Staupitz will co me to-day and with him his new succ essor, Wenzel Link.^ Yesterday our brothers returned. Charles von Milfitz wrote me a letter, saying that in the public assembly of the fathers he delivered an oration in his Italian Latin seeking some plan to keep me quiet For he sees that he brought the golden rose in vain, as he obscurely hinted. The fathers say they answered that they had nothing in conunon with me, and did not know my plans. Of which we shall hear more to-day. The Counts^ treated him magnifi- cently.

I send a letter from Antwerp written by the prior* of that place, so that you may see what is being done about me. Our friend Lang, I am surprised to say, is made prior of Dresden ;^ Melchior Mirisch of Ghent. I know not whether they are animated by the spirit of power, so much are all things dis- turbed for the new reign of the new vicar. I think that you have received the letter of Father James Vogt. Farewell.

Brother Martin Luther, Augustinian.

waa elected in his stead.
 * At the Eisleben chapter, August, 1520, Staupitx resigned as vicar and Link

K>f Mansfeld.

liletiiming in 1520 to Antwerp he was very active in the evangelic propaganda, for which he was arrested and forced to recant February 9, 1532. Escaping from tlie Netherlands he again professed Lutheranism, and in 1524 became pastor at firemen, a position he held until his death, June 30, 1562. Realencyclop&dU,
 * Jaine8 Probst (Propst) of Ypem, 15T9 studied at Wittenberg, and again 1521.


 * This was a mistaken rumor.

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