; and it istheywho, in revenge for my having rendered their godlessendeavours abortive,accuse me to your Holiness as the originator of their plots.Now, holy father,I declare before I have never had the slightest wish to attack the power of the Holiness in any way, or even to injureit through cunning. Yes, I declare openly,that there is nothingin heaven or on earth which can come before the power of this
Church, except JesusChrist alone Therefore do not believe those malicious slanderers who speak otherwise of I also gladlypromise to let the questionof Indulgences drop and be silent, if my opponents restrain their boastful,empty talk.
In addition,I shall publisha pamphlet exhortingthe people to honour the Holy Church, and not ascribe such foolish misdeeds to her,or imitate my own severity, in which I have gone too far towards her,and by so doingI trust these divisions may be healed.
Fqr this one thing I desired,that the Church, our mother,^should not be sullied through the greedof strangers,nor the peopleled into error, being taught to regard love as of less importance than the Indulgences.All else,seeingit neither helpsnor injures,
I regardof less importance.
If I can do anythingmore in the matter I am willing to do it.
Holiness to all eternity.
Luther excuses himself for his discussion with My poor prayers are always at the service of your High-born Prince, Most I was most anxious that the game
Luther stillprofesses to be a son of the Church, whose yoke he soon after throws off.