Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/464

 edification of the Church than, like Luther, for her destruc- tion. As he then expressed the wish to examine some books in the papal library, I invited him to Rome and promised him a hearty welcome from the Pope and your Lordship. After five or six hours in company we separated in the greatest friendship.

When on the two following days he heard of the prepara- tions for burning Luther's books, he requested an interview with me. As I was very busy I sent him word that before our meeting, he must let me discharge a definite business; I knew only too well that he wanted to delay me, so that the short time till the Emperor's departure should be used up, and then we should be frustrated. But when the books had been burned, Erasmus did not let himself be seen again; the court moved to Mayence, and as far as I know nothing more happened. So I pray his Holiness not to trust Erasmus more than me, for his position is just as I have here narrated at length, so that the Pope and your Lordship may know the whole course of events. By this your Lordship may convince yourself of the truth of the remark I made in my last letter, namely, that though Erasmus is the greatest corner-stone of this heresy, yet one must pretend not to notice it. . ..

As you did not believe what I wrote about the libels and insults with which these rascals persecuted me, I send for proof a little pamphlet, more to show your Lordship the course of the rising than to accredit my own afflictions. I could send a thousand such vile buffooneries, but I shall burden the messenger with the most necessary things only, among which are these Articles to be laid before the Diet. Although they purport to be a grievance of the whole nation, yet they were probably composed by individuals from private motives of hate or self-interest. For at the Diet all cry for a council, give notice that they will no longer obey Rome, and agitate against the clergy. The most powerful princes favor this agitation and speak of it to the Emperor, who, however, remains indifferent and holds fast to the good cause. I send a letter of Luther to the Emperor, which was recently handed to him by the Lord of Ostein^ as Luther's representative. In

^Sicldngen or Nicholas von Ende sum Stein, the Marshal of Duke John. The

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