Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/500

 (for the monks have agreed over their cups always to join my name with Luther's, though I have nothing in common with him), but instead of teaching us he only called us geese, asses, beasts, stocks, Antichrists* in short, spoke so that the people all thought him insane. . ..

Whatever Luther may deserve, it is certainly time for Charles to think of the peace of Christendom. This will be done if silence is imposed on both parties, and if Luther ceases to write such books, or rather takes out of those that he has already written all seditious matter. Those who hunt for glory in public misfortunes prefer to end the thing at once by force; would that it were ended for the glory of Christ! But no one would believe how deeply Luther has crept into the minds of many nations, nor how widely his books have been translated into every tongue and scattered everywhere. People are whispering about a terrific mandate of Charles; I pray that whatever the excellent prince does may be fortunate for the Christian world, but I fear that things will not turn out as some think. Do you ask, dear Alexander, why I write this? Only to prevent a pernicious tumult which I see is threatening unless the princes prefer the interests of the state to the desires of some men. I do not plead Luther's cause, nor do I care how he is punished; I only think of the peace of the world. . ..

423. ALVISE GRADENIGO TO THE SIGNORY OF VENICE. Sanuto, XXX. 17 tergo, f. Brown, iii. 171. (Translation from Italian.)

Rome, March 15, 1521. A work composed by Friar Martin Luther has been brought to Rome, and the Pope makes great account of it. The Cardi- nals Lawrence Pucci and Ancona consulted together about this matter, about which the Pope is very anxious. Friar Martin has a numerous sect in Germany.

424. ALEANDER TO CARDINAL JULIUS DE' MEDICI AT

ROME.

Kalkoff: Aleander, 119. Worms (March 15 and 16), 1521.

... I now turn to what has happened since my last letter.

Your Lordship will know that six days ago a courier of the

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