Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/164

 Romanum, 1B40, iii, 741-750. In the Letters and Papers of Henry Fill it is wrongly dated 1524, as is the reply of Frederic and John, no. 301. Henry sent this letter by a special herald to the Imperial Council of Regency at Nuremberg. Thence the herald proceeded to Colditz, where he had a friendly interview with the Elector on April 27. Cf. letter of Frederic to John, Colditz, April 28, 1523; C F. Forstemann: Neues Urkundenbuch, 1840, p. 25, and Gess, i, p. 499. Frederic answered cautiously on May 3. Duke George replied May 9, Gess, i, no. 508. Henry's letter and George's reply were pub- lished at the instigation of Emser, and given by Lupset to Faber before June, 1523. Corpus Reformatorum^ xcv, 98. In general, cf, English Historical Review, October, 1910, pp. 66of.

Thinks it would be unkind not to advise them in a matter which concerns not only their honor, but also their fortunes. What can be more the duty of powerful and devout princes than to restrain the Lutheran faction, which will produce the greatest mischief unless resisted by the good and. pious. Does not consider Luther likely to impose upon the good and pru- dent, for his impious writings would shock their ears, but he knows that there always is a rabble, of which the most foolish are the most apt leaders. Formerly he wrote some things not altogether bad, but he has so progressed for the worse that his former laudable works seem intended to render salable his poison. Supposes now that there is no one with a spark either of brains or of piety who has not cast out of his mind him and his madness. He began by discussion, then grew angry, and in his last book against the King surpasses all his previous fury and folly. Cannot answer the book, as he writes nothing to the purpose, giving ravings instead of rea- sons. Anyone who fairly reads the King's book and his, will easily judge that Luther's follies have been sufficiently an- swered. Though conscious of his own weakness, Henry knew that his cause was invincible, but now his adversary has shown the whole world that he can find nothing but cavils and abuse in answer to his reason. He is mistaken if he thinks that the King is moved thereby. Does not mind being called mad by a madman. Supposes that they are more moved than he is by this abuse ; for although the abuse of himself did not touch him, he felt very indignant at Luther's blasphemy against the Emperor and other German princes in suggesting that the

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