Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/139

 Groningen, a writer unequal to his fellow-countryman, Rudolph Agricola/ if you look for style, but superior if you have regard to the purity of theology. Now follows the fourth — not to speak of the living — ^John Goch of Mechlin, a true German and a genuine theologian. If Germany ever was Ger- many, it certainly is to-day while it germinates ' unto the Lord in magnificence and brings forth the sublime fruit of the earth so prolifically. I withdraw before these guides and hand them the lamp, hoping that soon, under their tuition, there will not be left in our earth a Thomist or an Albertist, a Scotist or an Occamist, but only simple sons of God and Christian brothers.* Only let not those who batten on literary dainties revolt against the rustic diction, nor despise the coarse coverings and cheap garments of our tabernacle, for within is all the glory of the king's daughter. Certainly if we cannot get learned and eloquent piety, let us at least prefer an unlearned and in- fantile piety to an impiety which is both eloquent and in- fantile. Why should I play with words any longer? He will be abundantly eloquent who has a full store of the best matter. Wisdom is not only eloquent in herself, but even makes the tongues of babes persuasive, for out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath he perfected virtue.* May He who is blessed for ever send us this virtue from His throne through His elect vessels. Amen.

555. ERASMUS TO DUKE GEORGE OF ALBERTINE, SAXONY. Gess, i, 352. Basle, September 3, 1522.

Greeting, most illustrious Prince. It was very gratif3ring to me that you honored me with your very kind letter,* since I had been so occupied and my health was so bad that I had neglected to write to your Highness. That this perilous dis- cord displeases you is not strange, for who is there, en- dowed with a Christian spirit, whom it does not displease?

^ Rudolph Husmann called AgricoU (1442 or 1444-85), a famous humanist, also of Gronigen. Allen i, xo6. RGG.

'Jeremiah xxii, 5; xxiii, 15, in the Vulgtte hat *'ferminare," in our ▼ersion "bring forth a Branch."

« Psalm viii, a; Matthew xzi, 6, ■This letter is lost.

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