Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/472

 Recently [December 29] the Emperor decided to put Luther and his books under the ban of the Empire, but be- fore this decree had received the imperial seal, the malicious counsel of certain men brought it about, in spite of my em- phatic but vain protest, that the affair should be referred to the German princes and estates at the Diet. For I could easily see that nothing those enemies of the priests meddled with could have a good end. But at all events it happened that in obedience to the Emperor's command, given on some one else's advice, I should discuss the Lutheran affair before him and the princes of the Empire. I spoke on this question about two hours on Ash Wednesday, with close at- tention from Emperor and princes. The Emperor, as before, defended the faith, and I hear that all the electors save the Saxon who was kept away by a fever, agreed to his decision. The other princes, when asked for their judgment, asked a delay of six days, as, unless I err, Simonides once did when preparing his answer to Hiero. The Emperor has only given them three days. This period expires to-morrow, and we know not exactly what will happen, for the simple, plain af- fair has been greatly confused by the opposition of opinions.

So we are waiting for the issue, which I will communicate to you in due time. At Cologne I learned from your letter to Hochstraten as well as from your last letter to me, what you have done in this matter, and what you recommend me to do. I esteem you highly, my dear Eck, because you have faithfully, energetically and punctually done all that was committed to you. In like manner I have sent the bull against Luther and all his confederates to all bishops, and have solemnly executed the mandate wherever my path has led me. If I find others among the numerous attendants of this Diet I will do the same, but I already see that all that will help us little unless we get the Emperor's authority. For how is it possible that men who care not a straw for the Pope's excommunication and for the Pope himself, should fear punishment by a bishop? Heretics must be punished with an iron rod and with fire, if they persist in their con- tumacy, either sinning themselves or leading other unhappy men into their perdition, their bodies must be destroyed that

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