Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/295

 thing befall you, and you be burned, as you have burned the book of the DecretaU.

6S7. CASPAR GLATZ TO LUTHER.

Enders, v, 107. German. Orlamunde, January 18, 1525.

Caspar Glatz was Carlstadfs successor in the parish of Orlamunde, taking charge in September, 1524. The occurrences described in this letter took place on the occasion of Luther's visit (August 24, 1524), which resulted in Carlstadt's expulsion. Cf, Barge ii, ijoff., Muller, L. und KarUtadt, 22gK.

... In order that you may know the other tricks that Carl- stadt practices here, I will tell you some of them that have been told me, for many of the citizens here are against him because of his rebellious spirit. Two or three days after you left Kahla, Carlstadt had all the bells of Orlamtinde nmg for more than an hour, so that many of the peasants came in from the neighboring villages to hear what this great spirit would have to preach. He began this way (and this is the truth), "Lamentation to God in heaven i the man (he meant you) has a great reputation throughout the world; what he says is supposed to be true. But sad to say, I have observed, by the Spirit of God, that he does not use the pound and talent, which God has given him, as a true servant, puts the Gospel under the bench. O dear brothers and sisters, God's citizens, do not be terrified; endure to the end, and you shall be saved. God has given him up, and he perverts the Script- ures to suit his own opinions. O shame, shame, that we here on the Saale, who are taught by the living voice of God, must Pray God, pray God, good Christian, that you may keep the Word that I have preached I"

Again, you know that he pretended to have a spirit who made revelations to him, and so I want to tell you this. He had a monk for chaplain, a wicked rogue. When he had people at his house for supper in the evening, the supposed chaplain went around in disguise, throwing stones and boards about the house, as he himself now confesses. Then Carlstadt said, "I see what the spirit wants. He is angry because I do not come to him, but sit here drinking so long. Since he must speak with me, please excuse me while I go and hear what

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