Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/146

 In the fourth place, they ought to be moved by the wrong that Luther is doing to them and to their parents and fore* fathers. For since they themselves, and their parents and forefathers, always held the faith which is approved by the Roman and Catholic Church, and Luther and his followers hold a very different faith, it is clear that Luther is condemning them as schismatics and heretics, and, consequently, accord- ing to Luther, all their ancestors who died in this faith are in hell, because error in the faith brings men damnation.

In the fifth place, let them think of the end to which the Lutherans are moving, for, under color of that evangelical liberty which they propose to men, all the power of those in authority is destroyed. For, although in the beginning they pretended that they wished to annihilate or to suppress the ecclesiastical power, as one that had been usurped tyrannically and contrary to the Gospel, nevertheless their fundamental doc- trine, to wit, the liberty they preach, works equally, or even more, against the secular power, since it cannot bind men to obe- dience by any precepts, however just and reasonable, on pain of mortal sin. Thus it is evident that they wish to weaken the secular power also, though they act shrewdly in maintain- ing it, so that the secular princes believe that this plot is directed not against them but only against the ecclesiastics, to whom the laity are commonly hostile. So they bring some of the princes over to their side, and get others to take no action, at least not to oppose them, and this way they will the more easily overthrow the ecclesiastics. When this has been done, there is no doubt that these same people will turn their efforts against the secular princes themselves.

In the sixth place, they should be moved by the great scandals, disturbances, destruction of property, murders, law- suits and dissensions which this evil sect has aroused and is constantly arousing throughout Germany ; by the blasphemies, too, the maledictions, the scurrilities and the bitter words that are always on their lips. Unless they are careful to set these things at rest, it is to be feared that the wrath of God and desolation will come upon a Germany so divided against itself ; nay, upon the princes themselves who have received power and a sword from the Lord for the punishment of evil doers.

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