Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/49

 departed in ashes. Everywhere preachers and theologians are sounding their own praises. Wise princes should take care that laws be not relaxed, and this rage let loose against men who are harmless and deserve well of the Christian religion. Refers him to the letter to More. Asked to be commended to the Cardinal.

499. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Enders, iii, 201. The Wildeeness (Wastburg, after July 15), 1521.

Greeting. T think my letter * reached you, my dear Spalatin, and now I am sending another and some other things. Listen to my nise. When the report of my whereabouts becomes so strong that men cannot be persuaded I am not here, even though they do not dare to say so, I want you to lose the enclosed letter,* which I have written you. It should be done with studied carelessness, either by you or by your friends, and in siich a way that it will come into the hands of our opponents stealthily, and as though concealing some great mys- tery. Would that my writing might come into the hands of the Dresden hog ; ' he would so gladly make it public.

The bearer will tell you that I am well. I am hoping for better things. Farewell in the Lord.

500. LUTHER TO SPALATIN.

Enders, iii, 202. Where-I-Am (Wartburg, after July 15), 1521.

Greetings. I hear that there is a report abroad, my dear Spalatin, that Luther is living at the castle of Wartburg, near Eisenach. This suspicion has been aroused because I was captured in the forest there. While people are thinking thus, I am hidden here, safe so long as the brethren who are arotmd me keep the secret. If the books I am publishing betray me, I shall move my quarters. I wonder that nobody now thinks of Bohemia.

St. George, Duke of Saxony, is still wroth, I hear; I hope it will be good for him; may he continue wroth so long as he is a papist. I have the same answer for him that the

»No. 496. •No. 500. •Duke George of Saxooy.

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