This letter was written by request of the fugitiveKing Christian of Denmark.
Although I mightwell fear to write your Majesty, having deeply offended you through my little book hurriedly written at the instigation of peopleunfriendly to your
Royal Highness,stillI am impelledto do so by your natural goodnessof heart,which I hear dailypraised, and also knowing that your
Majesty,being aware he is mortal,will not keep an undying enmity,and over and above, I am informed by trustworthypeoplethat the little book against me, so far beneath the dignityof the King of England,issued under your
Majesty'sname, was not reallywritten by you, as those craftysophistsdare affirm.
They surelydo not know the dangerof thus dishonouring your royalname, and bringinginto notice that monstrosity, hated of both
Cardinal of Eborack, the destroyerof your I can scarcely raise my eyes towards you for having been swayed by such wicked peopleagainstso mighty a potentate, compared to whom
Further,contemptible as I am, stillI am prompted to write,because your Majesty was well disposed to the gospelto beginwith,which news was a very evangelium to my heart,that is,tidings of great joy.
Therefore,I throw myselfat your Majesty'sfeet with my writings, entreatingforgiveness for the sake of Christ's sufferings, and to be told how
I have offended you, even as Christ commanded us to forgive one another.
And in the next place,if your I shall issue another book to the honour of your name in contradiction of the last.
For, althoughI am a mere nobody compared to your Majesty,stillI feel it would be no injuryto the gospel, I to write on gospel subjects to Royal Grace of England.
He may perfectin you the good work He has begun,so that you may obey the gospelwith all your heart, and shut your ears to those poisonoustongues and soft-spokenhypocriteswho decry Luther as a heretic.
Luther teach when he only maintains that we attain to everlasting blessedness through faith in the God, who suffered,died, and rose againfor us, as the Gospelsand apostles*writingstestify
For this is the corner-stone of my doctrine,after which I teach brotherlylove and obedience to the powers that be, and crucifixion of the flesh, as Christ taught. So what is wrong in such doctrines
One must wait and listen,and then judge.
I be condemned without being refuted I would also punish the tyranny of the bishops, who twist the articles of our Christian faith,meantime strivingafter dividends, pomp, sensuality
" nay, even kingdoms,principalities, etc., " so that no one can wonder that even the common man sees and condemns it.
Let them repent, that they may not be hated and punished.
Majestymust see for yourselfhow many Princes in Germany, as well as town councils,and highlyintellectual people,are unwilling,
God be praised, to permit the gospel doctrines which I have broughtto lightto be condemned.
Christ may class you among this number.
Is it any wonder that the Princes rage againstme?
Is it not almost a miracle when a king or princeloves the gospel?
I long to be able to rejoice over such a miracle in your I write this,would endue my words with power, so that the England may, ere long, become a devoted disciple of the Christ and a confessor of the gospel,and also Luther's most graciouslord.
Majesty,I await a favourable answer.