Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/87

 Germany before the Protestant Revolt 49 something out of the case; and may the devil take that John Reuchlin and those other poets and men of law, who are trying to fight the Church of God — that is to say, the theo- logians, who are the real backbone of the Church, as Christ said, " Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church." May the Lord God preserve you. Farewell. Written in the city of Rome. Philip Schneider of Erfurt to Master Ortuiti Gratius ; I honorably salute my honorable and venerable master. You wrote to me lately that a certain poet in Germany, called Erasmus of Rotterdam, had composed many books and had especially composed a letter to the pope in which he commended John Reuchlin. You know I saw that letter. And I have seen another big book called The New Testa- ment, 1 and he sent that book to the pope, and I think that he would be glad if the pope would approve the book. But I hope that he will not. For the master of the sacred pal- ace is a notable man of much reputation ; he says that he can prove that Erasmus is a heretic because in some pas- sages he attacks that holy doctor and will not support the theologians. Besides the New Testament the same writer has published something called Erasmus' Folly, which con- tains many scandalous propositions which are not reverent, and it sometimes contains open blasphemies. For this reason the Paris theologians wanted to burn such a book. So I do not believe that the pope will approve that new big book. Even our master Jacob Hochstraten is in good spirits. Yesterday he invited me to dinner and told me that a cardi- nal told him that he would win his case. But John Wick, who is John Reuchlin's lawyer, presses him hard. I was once present when Master Jacob said to him, " You are against me, but believe me, if I come out ahead, you will not be safe anywhere in Germany." Again he said to him, " I know that Reuchlin has not money enough to pay you, 1 Erasmus had published his edition of the Greek New Testament a few months before this was written.