Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/694

 5' Outlines of European History Erasmus' attitude toward the Lutheran movement Contrast between Luther and Erasmus Luther begins to use violent language way the Wittenberg monk began before long to be widely known outside of Germany as well as within it. But Erasmus himself, the mighty sovereign of the men of letters, refused to take sides in the controversy. He asserted that he had not read more than a dozen pages of Luther's writings. Although he admitted that " the monarchy of the Roman high priest was, in its existing condition, the pest of Christendom," he believed that a direct attack upon it would do no good. Luther, he urged, would better be discreet and trust that as mankind became more intelligent they would outgrow their false ideas. To Erasmus, man was capable of progress ; cultivate him and extend his knowledge, and he would grow better and better. He was, moreover, a free agent, with, on the whole, upright tendencies. To Luther, on the other hand, man was utterly cor- rupt, and incapable of a single righteous wish or deed. His will was enslaved to evil, and his only hope lay in the recogni- tion of his absolute inability to better himself, and in a humble reliance upon God's mercy. By faith and not by doing " good works" could he be saved. Erasmus was willing to wait until every one agreed that the Church should be reformed. Luther had no patience with an institution which seemed to him to be leading souls to destruc- tion by inducing men to rely upon their good works. Both men realized that they could never agree. For a time they expressed respect for each other, but at last they became involved in a bitter controversy in vv'hich they gave up all pretense to friend- ship. Erasmus declared that Luther, by scorning good works and declaring that no one could do right, had made his follow- ers indifferent to their conduct, and that those who accepted Luther's teachings straightway became pert, rude fellows, who would not take off their hats to him on the street. J i By 1520, Luther, who gave way at times to his naturally violent disposition, had become threatening and abusive and suggested that the German rulers should punish the church- men and force them to reform their conduct. " We punish