Greek, and must do so.
I am requestedby all to beg your Grace, for the sake of the dear young people,and for the furtherance of Word, to see if it be not possible to have his salary directed for the expositionof the Scriptures, as there are many young peoplequalified to teach
; and it is not seemlythat his time should be taken up with elementaryteaching,while higher work, which might produce much fruit,and could not be repaidwith money, be left undone.
Would we had more who were thus fitted to lecture,for,alas,there are enough who think themselves able,and occupy the placeof others,because theyhappento be there.
But the time will come, as was formerlythe case, when such work, no matter how unwillingly, must be left undone for the want of the rightpeopleto do it.
Hence we must now train peoplewhile we can, and do our utmost for our successors, and if it be your Grace's good pleasure,
I beg you to bind over the said Philipto lecture on the Bible,even if he requirea largersalaryto do so.
Grace to the tender mercies of God.
Grace's obedient servant, Luther turns lovingly to Erasmus,and forgiveshim for his want of courage in espousinghis cause.
Grace and peace from our I have remained silentlongenough,dear Erasmus, waiting tillyou, as the greater and elder,should break the silence, but havingwaited so long in vain,charityimpels me to take up my pen.
I do not reproachyou for havingkept aloof from us, knowing you did not wish to complicatethe cause you were maintainingagainstmy enemies the Papists.And I even have not taken it greatlyamiss,that in order to conciliate the favour of some, or instigate the furyof others. you have issued pamphletsin which you attack us with a bitterness we did not expect from you.
For we perceive that you have not been endued by God with such steadfastness and courage that you can confidently go forward with us to combat this monstrosity
" hence we do not expect what is beyond your ability to render.
But we have borne your weakness patiently, and highlyappreciated your gifts.
For the whole world must confess that it is through you there has been such a revival in letters,throughwhich peoplehave got access to the Bible in its purity,and that you possess great and glorioustalents,for which we must ever be grateful.Hence
I have never wished you to minglein our affairs, to the detriment of your gifts ; for althoughyour common sense and eloquencemight accomplish much, still, if you do not heartily enter into it,it is better that you should only serve
God with the talent committed to you.
I fear our enemies mightpersuade you to condemn our doctrine,and then we would have to contradict you to the face.
We have hitherto prevented some entering into conflict with you through their writings, therefore Hutten's challengehad not appeared,and stillless your
Schwamm,^ which, without doubt, you have learned for yourself.How easy it is to talk of modesty,and blame Luther for want of it; and, on the other hand, how difficult, nay, impossible it is to act accordingly, except through a specialgiftof the Spirit.
If I, who am easilymoved to wrath,have often in the heat of the moment written too bitingly(beizend), I have only done it to stubborn people. And I can testify that my tenderness towards the godless, no matter how unjust and stupidtheymay be,has not only the testimonyof my own conscience,but has been experiencedby many.
I have held my pen in check,in spiteof your conduct towards me, and have also written to friends,that I would restrain myselftillyou attacked me openly.
For althoughyou were not of us, and rejected some of the principalpointspertaining to everlasting blessedness, or hypocritically refused to give your opinionon the Erasmus's defence againstvon