Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/176

 pontificates of Adrian and Cement VIL His nephew became Pope Julius IIL Pastor: Geschichte der Papstt, vols. iv-vL

From his letter addressed to the Sacred College [of car- dinals], and from the copy of the letter enclosed, the car- dinal will comprehend the proceedings against the Lutherans.

A book has been brought here to-day, sent from Nurem- berg, edited by Luther and printed at Wittenberg, about the abolition of private mass/ He thereby declares the priesthood, the missal, the cardinals and bishops to be mummeries (larvie). He says the monasteries are anti-Scriptural, foes of God, and most mischievous. Everyone wonders that Fred- eric, Elector of Saxony, suffers such things in his towns and in his university; and that the Apostolic See has not with- drawn the privileges from a university so infected with every disease.

Wishes the Pope to see this. In Lent there is to be a meet- ing of the princes at Nurembei^. Prays God that they may consult to some good purpose.

577. LUTHER TO THE CANONS OF THE CASTLE CHURCH

AT WITTENBERG.

Enders, iv, 89. WrrrENBERG, March i, 15^.

The Castle Church was the last stronghold of Catholicism at Wit- tenberg because the canons were unwilling to give up saying the masses for the dead, which were heavily endowed. Luther regarded these private masses as abominations, and had long wished to abolish them. For a long time he was restrained by respect for Lawrence Schlamau, the dean, who had for ten years been parish priest Very soon after Schlamau's death he started a new campaign by writing this letter. Four of the canons, Matthew Beskau, John Dolsch, George Elner and John Volmar, sent it with a letter of their own to Elector Frederic on March 4. His reply, dated Lochau, March 5, said that he did not regard masses for souls as impious nor see why they should be done away. ARG., xii (i9i5)t 13^*

Grace and peace, excellent and worshipful Sirs I The cause of the Gospel, with which Christ has so splendidly endowed us here, compels me to offer your Worships my htunble peti- tion by this letter, since it was not proper to make it publicly, and I beg for Christ's sake that your Worships will deign to

^De abroganJa missa privata, WeSmar, Tiii, 39SS.

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