Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/228

 it prohibited. Confession is neglected, as they say it should be made to God, and that auricular confession is a buffoonery. They generally communicate under both forms. They make a laughing-stock of the Pope and cardinals, and other am- bassadorial ecclesiastics, by means of paintings and other cari- catures. In short, they consider Martin their illuminator, and that until now they have been in darkness, and the indul- gences are held by them like bread sold in the market place. In proof of all this, the legate [Campeggio], to avoid scorn, did not enter Nuremberg, as Legate ut tnoris est, neither did he give the blessing and absolution, but came in like a mere horseman, though he was accompanied by a most noble escort of all the princes and part of the nobility, who (with the ex- ception of the Elector of Saxony and Palatine) are sincere Christians. Some of the noblemen and the mass of merchants are all tainted, nay, obstinate and unconvertible, so that at present, neither the Legate's authority nor the will of the princes, nor even the ability and erudition of my master, can stem so strong a current.

Martin is not at Nuremberg, nor will he make his appear- ance there, but, unless the Almighty stretch forth His arm, it will doubtless come to pass that as the princes and part of the nobility remain staunch Catholics, whilst the people persist in their errors, they will some day cut each other to pieces. The Legate will remain at Nuremberg until October, perhaps to hold another diet in Germany, cum dieta dietam subinvocat; * but in this matter diets profit little, because the free towns are really not subject to anyone, so they cannot be curbed, and they are the abettors of Lutheranism, especially Nurem- berg and Augsburg, the asylums of all converts. In the other towns belonging to the princes less open confession is made, but, in short, all are Lutherans, publicly or secretly.

617. STAUPITZ TO LUTHER. Enders, iv, 314. Salzbuig, April i, 1524.

This is Staupitz's last letter to Luther. He died December 28. It is a reply to Luther's two letters of June 27, 1522, and September 17, JSZ3 (supra nos sSh 599).

1 Probably t pnti on Psalm xiz, a: "Day unto daj utteretb speecb"; literally*
 * Onc diet leads to another."

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