Carlstadt had never seen a Theology in Wittenberg in 15 10.
Later he destroyed the images in churches.
May you have all good for time and blessedness hereafter, esteemed I am pressedfor time,but shall write more again. My cause has assumed a very dismal aspect these three days,so that I have lost hope of returning to you, fullyexpecting to come under the ban.
I shall not hold a public disputation, refusing to argue with me alone,and declares he will not be my judge,but will treat me as a father.
Nevertheless,the only words he will listen to from me are, I recant, and confess I was unwilling to say those words.
But the keenest discussion has been over these two articles : First,that I have said that the Indulgenceis not the treasure
{Schatz)of the merits of our dear ; and the next, that the man who desires to approachthe Lord's holy table must believe.
After the Legate had dealt with these matters with a high hand, I have,through the intercession of many, got permissionto answer in writing.
And if harshlydealt with by the Legate I purpose publishing my answer to the two propositions, to let all see his ignorance and tactlessness.
For many heretical and extraordinary ideas proceed from his standpointregardingthe two articles.
Although he may be a so-called Thomist, he is a muddle-headed, obscure, and incapabletheologian, or Christian,and as incapableas an ass of judging this matter.
So, seeingmy affairs are in such jeopardythrough havingjudgeswho are not only full of enmity and deceit, but unable to understand my cause,
Lord lives and reigns, to whoni I commit all,and have no doubt that help will come through the prayers of God-fearingpeople. On these
I relyas firmly as if theywere offered for me alone.
I shall either return to you uninjured, or seek refuge elsewhere Continue steadfast,and exalt Christ with all confidence.
I enjoythe favour of all men, except those who cleave to the Cardinal,who calls me his dear son, and tells my vicar that I have no better friend than he, and I know he would be highlypleasedwith me if I would only say,
I shall not become a heretic,through the change of opinionby which I shall sooner die,be burned,banished, and persecuted.
Farewell,dearest sir,and show my letter to our divines,Amsdorf, Philip,etc., so that they may pray for me, also for you.
For your cause too is being discussed here, viz. faith in our Jesusand in the grace of God.
Link tried to allaythe strife by gettingLuther to yield, so Luther wrote this letter to see what abjecthumility would accomplish.
Highlyesteemed in God the Father I approachyou once more, not in person, but in writing.And you will graciously lend me your ear.
Johann Staupitzhas urged me to humble myself, and giveup my own opinions,submitting them to the judgment of piouspeoplewhose characters are above suspicion, and he has so lauded your fatherlylove,that I am convinced that you are anxious to do your utmost for me, and that I may commit myselfto your lovingcare.
I rejoice to hear all this from the messenger, for this man (Staupitz) is worthy of my confidence,for I know no one whom
I would more gladlyobey.