Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/539

 him, because all the articles had been already condemned by the Church and councils, and therefore he was ordered to declare what he meant to do. He then reasserted his opinion, declaring that it could be demonstrated by true arguments that unjust decrees had been made in the said cotmcils.

On that day, the i8th, the Emperor and the electors and princes dismissed Luther, and caused a writing in the Em- peror's hand to be read to him, purporting that as the em- perors and princes, his predecessors, had always done their utmost not only to preserve the Catholic faith, but to augment it, and had ever been obedient to the Apostolic See, his Majesty intended to do the like; and, therefore, his firm intention was that all the books of Martin, wheresoever found, should be burnt, and he himself punished as a notorious heretic, and likewise those who favored him in any way. To effect this, the Emperor requested all the electors and princes to unite with him, as they had apparently promised to do when they determined to send for Luther to the court.

457. ULRICH VON HUTTEN TO LUTHER AT WORMS. Enders, iii. 126. EIbernburg, April 20, 1521.

Who will rise with me against the malignant, and who will stand with me against the workers of iniquity?^ Saviour Christ, Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit,^ what terrible things do I hear? Fury is not fury compared to their rage. I see there is need of swords and bows, of arrows and cannon to resist the madness of these cacodemons.' But you, excellent Father, be strong of mind and do not let yourself be bent They clamor, shout and rage, but do you show them your middle finger.' More and more I see that all good men favor you. You will never lack defenders nor avengers. We need not give you advice on the secret negotiations* of which you write, for we doubt not that you will choose the best course and persist strongly in it. Many have come to me and for their

^Paaltn xcir. 16.


 * Greek.

'As a sign of supreme contempt; the gesture was considered indecent, something as applying the thumb to the nose and extending the fingers is, to-day. Cf. Erasmus: Adages, and Latin dictionary.

^his letter on the negotiations is lacking, cf. Smith, 118.

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