Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/175

 possibility that he might have to surrender Luther or defend him by force of arms, he collected opinions from a number of theologians on the question whether he had a right to accept the latter alternative. Only Luther's opinion is here given. Those of Link, Bugenhagen and Amsdorf in Enders, iv, 77S. ; that of Melanchthon in Corpus ReformO' torum, i, 601.

My opinion is as follows:

Our Elector has hitherto acted as one who neither would nor could judge or justify this cause because he is a lay- man, but was ready to yield to the truth, when it had gained the victory. Under these circiunstances he cannot undertake war in behalf of our cause, but must yield to the power of the Emperor, who may seize and persecute in his territories those whom he will; for the Emperor is his lord by the con- sent of God and men, even though the men be wicked. But if he desires to go to war for the protection of this cause, he ought first to confess openly that the cause is just and re- nounce his former neutrality. He may not go to war because his subjects are concerned, but as a foreign prince coming to their aid from a foreign land. He should do this only if called to it by a special spirit and a special faith; otherwise he ought to yield entirely to superior authority and die with the Christians whom he confesses. But if this cause is an issue between equals, and not between him and the Emperor, or those who act under the Emperor's orders ; if Duke George or the Margrave* or some other were to attack him on their own accotmt, then there is nothing else to do except what is done in wars that arise from other than religious causes; he should first offer them peace and justice, and then repel force with force in his subjects' behalf.

M. L.

576. UNKOWN WRITER TO THE CARDINAL OF ST. PRAXED,

CALLED DEL MONTE.

Brown, 1520-6, no. 628. Ingolstadt, February 16, 15^3.

Whether the writer of this letter is identical with the writer of a letter he encloses, a certain Folchmaria, I cannot determine.

Antonio Ciocchi del Monte Sansovino, Archbishop of Siponto, was made cardinal by Julius II, in 15 11. He was prominent throughout the

1 Joachim of Brandenburg.

�� �