Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/378

 testable, provokynge men to tnyschefe, encoraging the world to syn, preachyng an unsaciate lyberte, to allecte them withall." Henry then tells how he wrote "after hys meane learning" against Luther on the sacraments, against which Luther wrote with anger and fury, nothing answering. Then, ashamed of himself, he wrote the following letter, which he had printed, **and also fell into devyce with one or two leude persons,^ borne in this our realm, for the translatyng of the New Testament in to Englysshe, as well with many corruptions of that holy text as certayne prefaces." By advice of Wolsey this shall be burnt Luther's letter is then translated. Then follows the King's letter, differing in some points from the Latin, especially in the first lines: "Your letters written the first day of September we have re- ceived this XX day of Marche."

This letter is the one translated supra, no. 70a How it was sent to Henry we do not know. Certain allusions in the Letters and Papers point to More as having had much to do with composing Henry's answer (op, cit, iv, no. 2445), and other allusions point to Vives (op, cit. nos. 2371 and 3261). The style and references in the letter arc like More's. Henry's letter was printed in August and sent to friends. Duke George sent it to Luther, op. cit, nos. 2668 and 3697. Early in 1527 it was translated into German by Emser. English Historical Re* view, October, 1910. As the letter is very long, only an abstract can be given here.

Has at length received his letter, dated September i, 1525, expressing his sorrow for writing a foolish and hasty book against him at the instigation of his enemies, who represented that the King's book was not written by the King, and for his abuse of Wolsey. Asserts that he is the author of his book, and defends it. Wolsey is too prudent to be moved by Luther's abuse. "And his fatherhood is and shall be in so much more cordyall f avoure with me in how much I parce3rve him to be the depar in the hatred of you." Luther calls him the plague of England; but the country owes many benefits to him, not the least being his opposition to heresy. England is well rid of apostate friars, who, deserting his kingdom and Christ's faith, are wallowing in lust with Luther. Inveighs against his marriage with a nun. Argues against Luther's doctrines concerning salvation by faith, and free will.

Would not have answered his letter if Luther had not as- serted that the King favored him. Luther says that he merely wants to be heard, and complains of being condemned before

1 I.e., Timdale, on whom cf. supra, no. 717.

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