elephantout of a flea.
When it was permittedto a Thomas to stand out againstthe whole world, and a Scotus,Gabriel,and others to contradict him, and when, even among the scholastics, there are as many sects as there are heads, or rather every singlehead dailybuilds up a new system of divinity, why should
I not have the same liberty His hand no one can stay it, and when He rests no one can arouse Farewell,and pray for me, and for the cause of divine truth wherever it may be hidden.
Luther begs his Vicar-General, who hated theological strife, to send his I remember, reverend father,that among the many comfortingwords with which you consoled me, was that of Repentance
" that word with which the Jesus in such a marvellous manner was wont to strengthen His people. I received your word as a voice from heaven.
True repentance always beginswith a longing after righteousness and This your word piercedme like a sharp arrow, and I, at once, began to compare the portionsof
Scripturewhich treat of repentance, and, behold,what a treat was in store for me " the words with that meaning crowdingupon me, from all directions, so that this word, which up till now had been the bitterest in the Bible to me, sounded dearer and sweeter than any other.
(Here follows an exhaustive analysis of the Greek for repentance, which means a change of disposition " consequently not primarilyof works, but a revolution of sentiment.)
Then justas my heart was filledwith such thoughts, there began to resound around us proclamationsof Indulgences for the forgiveness of sins,but no exhortation to true spiritual conflict with sin.
In short,not a word was heard of true repentance, but the Indulgence-mongers were bold enough to glorify and praisethemselves,while hurlinginvectives againstrepentance.
I had to listen to all this laudingof self in a way hitherto undreamt of, and certainly a most unimportantpart of confession.
In addition,they taughtso many godlesslies boldly,that whoever differed from them was at once denounced as a heretic,condemned to the flames,and counted worthy of eternal damnation.
Not beingable to check their madness, I set myself modestly to throw doubts on their teaching,confident in the testimonyborne by the doctors and the whole
Church, who, from time immemorial, thought it better to repent than purchase Indulgences.
Having discussed the matter openly, I unfortunately roused the oppositionof all who are concerned about the dear gold,or shall
I say, the dear souls ?
For these dear folk are wondrous cunning, and being unable to refute me, they declare the Pope's authoritywill be injuredthrough my disputation.This is the traffic, most esteemed father,which compels me with much personaldanger to come to the front
I, who have ever loved obscurity,and would vastlypreferbeing a spectator of the livelygame which these worthy and learned men are carryingon at present, than be the centre of observation and ridicule.
I see weeds grow up among cabbage,and black is placedalongsidewhite, to make it more attractive.
I beseech you to forward my poor " to the good Pope Leo X., so that they may plead my cause with Holiness againstthe wicked intrigues of evil-disposed persons.
I wish to lead you into danger,for I take the entire responsibility of all I do.
I have said what is His, or my own, without whom even the Papal tongue can utter nothing,and in whose hand is the heart of kings. I expect to receive
Christ's verdict throughthe Papal throne.
I can only answer the warnings of my friends with He who is poor need fear nothing.