Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1521-1530.djvu/98

 I have written this to your Grace to inform you that I am going to Wittenberg tmder a far higher protection than that of the Elector. I do not intend to ask your Grace's protection. Indeed I think I shall protect you rather than you me. If I thought your Grace could and would defend me by force, I should not come. The sword ought not and cannot decide a matter of this kind. God alone must rule it without himian care and co-operation. He who believes the most can protect the most, and as I see your Grace is yet weak in faith, I can by no means regard you as the man to protect and save me.

As your Grace desires to know what to do in this matter, and thinks you have done too little, I htmibly answer that you have done too much and should do nothing. God will not and cannot suffer your interference nor mine. He wishes it left to Himself; I say no more, your Grace can decide. If your Grace believes, you will be safe and have peace ; if you do not bdieve, I do, and must leave your Grace's unbelief to its own torturing anxiety such as all unbelievers have to suffer. As I do not follow your advice and remain hidden, your Grace is excused before God if I am captured or put to death- Be- fore men your Grace should act as a prince of the Empire and be obedient to your sovereign, and let his Imperial Majesty rule in your cities over both life and property, as is his right hy the Imperial Constitution, and you should not offer any resistance in case he captures and puts me to death. No one should oppose authority save Him who ordained it, other- wise it is rebellion and displeasing to God. But I hope they will have the good sense to recognize your Grace's lofty posi- tion and so not become my executioners themselves. If your Grace leaves them an open door and free passes when they come, you will have done enough for obedience. They can ask nothing more of your Grace than to enquire if Luther be with you, which will not put your Grace in peril or trouble. Christ has not taught me to be a Christian to injure others. If they are so unreasonable as to ask your Grace to lay hands upon me, I shall then tell your Grace what to do, always keep- ing your Grace safe from injury and peril in body, soul or estate, as far as in me is ; your Grace may then act as I advise or not, as you please.

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