Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/498

 sufficient escort through our dominions. His Imperial Ma- jesty also sends you a safe-conduct and writes you as you will have received. We would not conceal this from you, for we are graciously inclined to you.*

421. BEATUS RHENANUS TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT

WORMS.

Briefwechsel des Beatus Rhenanus, 269. Basle, March 11, 1521.

I remember that some years ago I received a letter from you requesting me to send the fragment of Velleius Pater- culus I had recently found, to Wittenberg to be placed in the library of your elector. I delayed answering your letter only because it was my present intention to publish Velleius and to send, not an empty letter, but the author himself to Wittenberg. . . . Wherefore I have dedicated this author to your elector, because I see that he alone cares for sound learning and true piety. What eternal fame will be his if he does not desert Martin Luther now when the latter most needs protection. Nor will he desert him, if he is inspired by your counsels. Wherefore stretch all the powers of your mind to get him to treat this most happy cause of reviving piety with the mature gravity which religion demands. I know what your elector can do, and how the whole world will then attribute its happiness to him. But why should I urge on one who is eager himself?

. . . Hitherto our nation has suffered itself to be exhausted in buying palls, livings and indulgences to give the Pope the means of waging war. I think that Martin Luther has been summoned by the princes for this reason, that he may help them by his counsel to put a limit to the papal tyranny. Some who fear violence wish he had not been summoned. But I see that his citation is the only way to prevent the imperial edict. He will briefly set forth the essence of Chris- tianity, and will show how much our lives, and especially those of the prelates, have degenerated from it. Moreover, he must begin with the head [of the Church]. I cannot deny

^Here follows a safe-conduct, dated March la, in much the same terms as that of Charles given above. There was also one from Duke George, dated March 8. Enders, iii. io8.

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