Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/412

 hatred of many against the Romanists. Thomas Mumar* has published two books on the subject, sticking to the Church/ but in a very popular way, that is, with spleen against the Romanists; his reputation is black, but his tongue is skilful. He is wont to run much out of the road, as one who cares not for the ignorant and humble people.

I see that what I always feared will come to pass, that tyranny will be the head of the whole business, and that those who do all things with cunning do not see that what is below the requirement of the law is above the power of man born of Adam. You gather what I hint at; turn your mind back to former times and consider what bloody wars sprang from bloody tyranny. I want Christ to be strong again ; you know whether he prospers by doing or by suffering violence. Re- ligion was bom, grew and became strong by innocent, unwar- like men; by suffering wrong the unarmed struck arms from, furious hands. I have not noticed that any race received pure religion from bloody soldiers; although I know that the an- cient Jewish religion (to which we are in many respects sim- ilar) was often maintained by force. I know that we have often tried to do the same, though I cannot say with much piety or success, since our religion has rather grown weaker thereby. Wherefore pray deter your followers from relying on arms. I understand the reason for your plan, but with me it is another reason to the contrary. For what is deep rooted is not eradicated all at once; it must be gradually torn down until at last it falls under the hand pushing it. Now that everything is in commotion everyone who knows the nature of the mob can see what a revolution and what passions will result. Wherefore I see no hope of safety, un- less with calm mind and free from earthly passions we come together and each yield something to the other. If the evil

^/. Schriften des Vereins fUr Refcrmationsgeschichte, xxx. and xxxii., studies by W. Kawerau. Murnar (i475*i537)» entered the Franciscan order at Strass* burg 1 49 1, and became priest 1494. He studied at Paris 1497, and after wandering returned to Strassburg 1502. In this year he had a literary feud with Wimp- feling. In 1506 he became D. D., and in 151 5 was crowned Poet Laureate. Of his many satires his Conspiracy of Fools, 15 12, is the best. He was the most popular writer against Luther, particularly in his Big Lutheran Pool, isss. In XS25 he was banished by the Strassburg Protestants to Oberehenheim.

>A little freedom is here necessary in treating the text.

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