More than once a fool has uttered wise sayings, and wise people have often talked foolishly, as Whoever will be wise in this world, let him become a fool."
So, seeingI am not only a fool,but a sworn doctor of divinity, I am happy to fulfilmy oath in this foolish fashion.
Please apologise to those of ordinaryunderstanding for me, for I do not know how to gainthe favour of the intellectual, which I was wont long ago to desire so eagerly, but which God help us not to seek our own, but solelyHis glory. Amen.
In Augustiniancloister.
Luther heard from von Schaumburgthat one hundred Franconian knightswere readyto defend him.
I herewith send the letter of the Schaumburg,and should like it alluded to in the St. Georgio, so that they may know, that althoughthey banish me from Wittenberg with their ban they wiJl onlymake bad worse.
Bohemia, there are people who will protect me, if I am exiled,againstthe enemy's thunderbolts.
And then with such protectionI might attack the Papacy still more vehemently than I can from my theological chair in the God prevent, this will happen.
So let them know that the reason I have not yet attacked them is solelydue to my great respect for the Prince and the interests of the students in the University.
For me the die is cast, and I despiseRome's displeasure as much as her favour.
I shall never be reconciled to her, let her condemn or burn me as she will !
But if I can get a fire I shall publicly burn the whole Papalcode,this serpentinepieceof treachery, and make an end of the humilityI have hitherto displayedin vain, sS so that the enemies of the gospelmay no longervaunt themselves on account of it.
Cardinal's letter the more I despisethose who, through cowardice and an evil conscience, breathe out defiance with their last breath,trying to hide their ignorancethroughviolence.
I am a wicked sinner,will conduct His cause throughme, or some one else.
At first I had no intention of writingyou, most excellent sir,as Schleupper, our common friend, could tell you everything better than
For he knows all that is goingon, only he insisted I should send a line, so A great many pamphlets are being issued againstme in Germany and Italy,but it does not put me about,for they are written by the most stupidof the stupid,who affront themselves throughtheir work.
I am pretty well in body and mind, only I should like to sin less,and yet I sin more and more every day.
Dominicans are now keepingquiet, for they were forbidden writingagainstme, but their placehas been filled by the Bishopof Bavaria.
If they overcome, they do so through coarseness and audacity. I never read such stuff, for theydo not mind whether theywin or lose.
How sad for the peoplewho have such wolves set over them Lord sees it,in whom may you find refuge.
Link all begged Luther to suppress his dangerousbook, To the German Nobility^ but it was alreadyin the press.
If my little book, that you, my father, name a trumpet (Posaune),is reallyso fierce,I leave you and others to judge.
No doubt it is vehement and fearless, but it pleasesmany, and is not displeasing to our I am no judge in this matter.
PerhapsI am the forerunner of our I am sent to prepare.
We firmlybelieve here that the Papacy is the personification of Antichrist*s throne,and feel we are justified in resisting their deceptionsand wiles for the sake of the salvation of souls,
Pope the obedience due to I am blamed for promotingit.
I did it for his good,and do not let the outcry disturb me.
God giveHis blessing.
I hate men's sins,and abhor the child of destruction, with all his "^kingdom of sin and hypocrisy. Farewell in the Luther dedicates his treatise on the BabylonianCaptivityto
I am becoming more learned daily,as the esteemed doctors,time about, insist upon my taking up the cudgels. Two years ago
Indulgences, and now that the book is out I was steepedin superstition, and thought the Indulgencenot to be despised, as I saw so many enlightened men take it.
But later,thanks to Sylvesterand his comrades, I saw the Indulgencewas only pure deceptionof the Papal flatterersthrough which faith in God was destroyed.
I would like the printers, and those who have read the littlebook, to destroyit,and read instead what I have written on this subject. Eck and openedmy eyes as to the Pope'ssovereignty
; for although at first I maintained his rightto the human title, I now see that the Papacy is the kingdom of Babylon,and the tyranny of Nimrod, the mighty hunter.
I must now go and lecture on givingthe sacramental cup to the laity, and deny the seven sacraments, retainingonly three Baptism, Repentance,and the Supper, in all which the Court has imposed a miserable captivity upon the Indulgenceis sheer tyranny of the Papal bull condemning him.
He sent the book on the Holy Father in God, Leo Rome, all blessedness in In consequence of the disputesin which I have been embroiled for three years, through some worthless men,
I have had occasion to look towards you, as it is thought you are the cause of this dissension.
For althoughI have been driven by some of our godlessflatterers to appeal from your Holiness's judgment to a general Council, still I have never been so alienated from you that I did not pray earnestlyfor the welfare of the I am not aware of ever having spoken of you except with great respect.
Daniel in Babylon,and any one can tell you how I stood up for your innocence againstyour defamer, Prierias.
, good name has been far too highlylauded by eminent men everywhere,to make it possiblefor any one to attack it,however high he may be, so I am not fool enough to belittle him whom every one praises. No doubt
I have eagerlyattacked my opponents for their unchristian teaching; and in this Christ's example, who speaks of