Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/157

 164 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let 5^

these is especially the bladder Duke George of Saxony." A copy of this last edition was forwarded from Nuremberg by Dietrich von Werthem, the Duke's representative at the Council of Regency (Gess, i, 401). It called forth diis letter. Cf. Smith, p. 221.

We, George, etc., desire to inform you. Doctor Martin Luther, that two days ago there came to our attention a printed copy of a letter said to have been written and sent out in your name and by you to Hartmuth von Cronberg, a copy of which we enclose and send herewith. And since in the said letter, in the fifth paragraph, which begins "Such joy, etc.," wc are mentioned by name and attacked with abusive words and grave insults in matters which concern our soul and our good repute, which we have taken deeply to heart, inasmuch as we have not consciously given any occasion for them; therefore it is our desire that you will inform us, in your reply to this, whether you have published a letter of this tenor to Hart- muth von Cronberg, and will let us know, as is proper, what position you take in it, in order that we may know how to act as our honor shall demand.

563. LUTHER TO SPALATIN. Enders, iv, 53. WrrrENBERG, January 2, 1523.

Grace and peace. Who can say, my dear Spalatin, how our Bethaven ^ can be reformed without scandal to our neighbors and without giving offence to the living, especially if you call that a scandal and an offence which offends the papists and the wicked? I shall tell you, if you do not know it already, that nearly all the priests there not only lead impious lives, but have hardened Uieir hearts and despise God and man, and go whoring ahnost every night and then shamelessly say mass in the morning. Amsdorf himself " is witness that, with three exceptions, they are all open fornicators. Think, now, what recompense this abomination earns with God for the Elector and his people by whose bounty it is supported. Who knows but that this is the reason why our Gospel has prospered less

iThe Ctstle Churcb at Wittenberg. The clergy attached to this church held obstinately to the customs that had obtained before the Reformation began. They continued to say private masses and refused to reform the sendees of the church. They had been for a long while a thorn in Luther's side.

>Who was one of them, though not in agreement with them.

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