Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/469

 hope to move him by kind speech, and I should have felt safer in doing this as the Emperor, Chievres and the Archbishop of Mayence told Caracciolo and me that I should say fearlessly all that seemed to me advisable. By God's help I did it intrepidly, just as though I were lecturing schoolboys, although many Lutheran princes made savage faces and had often previously threatened me. But I think little of death, if I die for the faith and for my patrons.

398. THOMAS BLAURER TO JOHN VON BOTZHEIM.

T. Schiess: Briefwechsel der Blaurcr, i. 34.

Wittenberg, February 15, 1521.

John von Botzheim (c. 1480- April, 1535), a noble Alsatian, studiea under Wimpfeling, and took the degree of Doctor of Canon Law at Bologna. He returned from Italy to Strassburg in 1504. In 1512 he was appointed Canon of Constance. He wrote several things. A friend of Erasmus, whom he met in 1520, he was at first inclined to the Reformation, and then turned against it. Allgemeine Deutsche Biog- rap hie, and P. S. Allen, i. i.

. . . Please change your opinion about Luther writing more bitterly than need be. He does it for the good of the Chris- tian flock, nor can he do it without bitterness. The life of wicked men must be blamed, especially when they are prom- inent, the people must be called back to other examples and other doctrine from that which they preach. Luther's dili- gence in the Old and New Testaments, his illumination given by the Holy Spirit, his life and character, the arguments he uses, all prevent us from thinking that he writes wrongly or thoughtlessly. If it seem otherwise to you, it is because of your carnal perception which always opposes human intel- lect to the spirit. The truth only shines forth when the per- ception of the flesh has been beaten down. . ..

399. ERASMUS TO NICHOLAS BfiRAULD.

Erasmi opera (1703), iii. 634. Lquvain, February 16^ 1521.

Nicholas Berauld (Beroaldus, 1473-1550) was born at Orleans, where he spent most of his life teaching Greek. Calvin was one of his pupils. He wrote several books, including a commentary on some of the Psalms. Nouvelle Biographie Universelle.

. . . Luther is bringing odium on me and on sound learn-

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