Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/161

 Grace to go into the matter, but it was a case for the prelates of the Church, etc. While we were standing together and talking, the Archduke ^ came and disturbed us, but afterwards all sorts of things were said: — of what account was the im- perial mandate, published at Worms, when Luther was kept and tolerated at Wittenberg in spite of it? certain books, too, were published there in which the Pope, the King of England, and even his Imperial Majesty were maligned, and this ought not to be permitted or endured, etc. Thus one talks white, another black, and everything is mixed up. It has been finally decided, however, to lay the whole case before the Estates of the Empire for their advice about what is to be done against Luther and in this whole matter.' That is how things now stand, but the Margrave Joachim is afraid they will try to de- prive your Grace of the electorate unless your Grace shall dis- own this cause. Almost all the princes who are here are strongly against Luther, but almost all their counsellors are good Lutherans. I do not know how things will turn out; I am earning only their enmity and ill will. God order it to His praise. . ..

565. LUTHER TO DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY. Gess, i, 418. Wittenberg, January 3, 1523.

Instead of greeting, I wish you would stop raging and roar- ing against God and against His Christ. Ungracious Prince and Lord! I received your Disgrace's letter' with the pam- phlet or letter I wrote Hartmuth von Cronberg,* and have had read to me with especial care the part of which your Disgrace complains as injurious to your soul, honor and reputation. The epistle has been printed at Wittenberg and elsewhere. As your Disgrace desires to know what position I take in it, I briefly answer that as far as your Disgrace is concerned, it is the same to me whether my position is standing, lying down, sitting or running. For when I act or speak against your Dis- grace, be it secretly or openly, I intend it as right, and (God willing) will have it taken so. God will find the needful power. For if your Disgrace were in earnest, and did not so

» Ferdinand. ' Supra no. 562.


 * Cf. infra, no. 566, ad init * Supra no. 536; cf, no. 56a.

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