Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/363

 letter. Would it not have been better for you, before writ- ing to Cronberg, to write to us and hear our answer, as God says that Christian people should act?

What need have you to call us a liar, although you have never heard a lie from us your whole life long; and why did you falsely say that we conquered with lies? . ..

You boast that you have written many excellent books. We shall not conceal from you that at first we were much pleased with your books. We were right glad to have the debate at Leipsic, hoping that it would reform certain abuses common among Christians. We were present at the debate, and heard you, when you were accused by Dr. Eck of being the patron of the Hussite sects, blusteringly deny the charge, although you asserted that certain articles of Huss, for which he was con- demned, were right Christian. We then acted as one who favored your cause, and with true heart invited you to a private interview, in order to get the right and wrong of thei matter, and we advised you with brotherly love, that, as long as you did not love the Hussite heresy you should write against it, and thereby clear yourself of all suspicion. . ..

You remind us of our death, of which we are certain. How would it go with us if we adopted your Gospel and then died ? Would not God say : "Why did you follow him who introduced a new gospel, which brought forth many bad fruits ? Have I not said to you, *Ye shall know the tree by the fruits ?' " If we answered, "Luther said it was the Gospel which had been hidden under a bushel," God would say, "The Church told you otherwise. As you profess to believe in the Church, why did you believe Luther instead?" My dear Luther, keep the Gospel you have drawn from under the bushel; we will remain by the Gospel of Christ which the Church has and holds; so help us God I. ..

We send you this letter as a New Year's gift, promising you, in case you follow our advice, eternal reward and salvation. And, moreover, we promise to sue for the grace of our most gracious lord the Emperor, and will not cherish a grudge against you for all your past actions against us, but rather will do you all the good in our power. That you may accept our offer we hope. Amen.

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