Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/382

 cerely, wishing to teach all what I myself believed. I am clean from the blood of all/ at which I rejoice. In time they will see whom they have repulsed and persecuted.

I care nothing if my work On the Babylonian Captivity is prohibited. What does it matter if all my books are pro- hibited? I will write nothing against those who use force against us. It is enough for me to have taught the truth against those stupid babblers, and to have defended it against the learned who alone are able to hurt. Both the style and the matter of the Italian book of "Thomas Rhadinus" show that it is Emser's.* The Lord's will be done. I so despise those devils, that were I not held here I would of my own accord go to Rome in spite of Satan and all the furies. What if they kill me? I am not worthy to suffer aught in so blessed a cause.

It makes no difference if my letters written to you are de- livered to someone else. I do not fear to have them public property, for I write under God's sight; if he approves, who shall disapprove? I beg you, learn to despise men strongly, as Christ says: "Beware of men."* It is a great thing to have a propitious God and to trust in him. Farewell in Christ, dearest Michael.

I will not write to Duke George. You, too, know what I got from him with my three letters before the Leipsic de- bate. If he is worthy he will hear the truth ; if he is unworthy, the labor will be vain.

Your brother,

Martin Luther.

316. BONIFACE AMERBACH TO HIS BROTHER BASIL

AMERBACH AT BASLE.

Burckhardt-Biedermann, 142. Avignon, October 20, 1520.

We have some of Luther's works here. Of him there are

various opinions and judgments according to the various

thoughts of men. Those who have imbibed sophistry and the

I3 Samuel, iii. 28.

SThomae Rhadtni Todeschi Planentint O. P. ... in Martinum Lutherum. . . Oratio, Rome, August, 1520. Luther was mistaken in ascribing the book to Emser; it was by Rhadinus, a Dominican of noble German family which had settled at Piacenza.

>Matthew x. 17.

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