Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/443

 373. THOMAS BLAURER TO AMBROSE BLAURER Kolde: Analecta, 25. T. Schiess: Briefwechsel der Blaurer, 1908, i. 29. (Leipsic, January 4, 1521).

This letter is dated "pridie nonas Decembres, 1521/' an evident mis- take corrected by Kolde to December 4, 1520, and by Schiess as above.

Ambrose Blaurer (1492-1564) and his younger brother Thomas took a considerable part in the Swiss Reformation, particularly at Con- stance. Ambrose studied at Tubingen, where he learned to know Melanchthon. Thomas spent part of the years 1520-21 at Wittenberg in study. He was now, apparently, on a visit to Leipsic. The corre- spondence of the brothers, with a long biographical introduction, is being published by T. Schiess, to be complete in four volumes, of which three have appeared.

I recently confessed to Luther who exhorted me to take the Lord's Supper which I did frequently during this holiday time. Melanchthon has entirely left human learning to de- vote himself to sacred ; and he exhorts us to do the same with such good purpose that there is no one near Wittenberg who does not carry a Bible in his hand. Luther lectures on the Psalms, Melanchthon on Paul, others on other things. But all have conspired against Luther and even against Melanch- thon. . ..

The Elector Frederic lately bade Luther prepare himself, for he will be summoned to the Diet at Worms. . ..

374. BEATUS RHENANUS TO BONIFACE AMERBACH AT

AVIGNON.

Briefwechsel des Beatus Rhenanus, 266. Basle, January 7, 1521.

As you are far from us I know that you are anxious to learn what is done here, especially as the whole of Germany is agitated in a way which I think never happened before. Unless the Pope and the princes have the wisdom to deal rightly with this affair, I fear that it will not end peacefully. Luther will not be heard by the princes at Worms because Aleander persuaded the Emperor that this should not be done, first, because heretics are eloquent ; second, because no heretic should be listened to ; finally, because if Luther should come to Worms, the city would have to be put under an interdict, which would make any action of the princes illegitimate. Qever reasons! But Luther is given permission to come to

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