August 18, 1520.
If my little book, that you, my father, name a trumpet (Posaune), is really so fierce, I leave you and others to judge. No doubt it is vehement and fearless, but it pleases many, and is not displeasing to our Court! I am no judge in this matter. Perhaps I am the forerunner of our Philip, whose way I am sent to prepare. We firmly believe here that the Papacy is the personification of Antichrist’s throne, and feel we are justified in resisting their deceptions and wiles for the sake of the salvation of souls. I declare that I only owe the Pope the obedience due to Antichrist. Philip is marrying Catherine Crappin, and I am blamed for promoting it. I did it for his good, and do not let the outcry disturb me. May God give His blessing. I hate men’s sins, and abhor the child of destruction, with all his kingdom of sin and hypocrisy. Farewell in the Lord. MARTIN LUTHER . WITTENBERG.
XLVII
TO HERMANN TULICH, PROFESSOR IN WITTENBERG
Luther dedicates his treatise on the Babylonian Captivity to Tulich.
October 6, 1520.
Whether I will or not I am becoming more learned daily, as the esteemed doctors, time about, insist upon my taking up the cudgels. Two years ago I wrote on the Indulgences, and now that the book is out I regret it.
For then I was steeped in superstition, and thought the Indulgence not to be despised, as I saw so many enlightened men take it.
But later, thanks to Sylvester and his comrades, I saw the Indulgence was only pure deception of the Papal flatterers through which faith in God was destroyed.
Therefore I would like the printers, and those who have read the little book, to destroy it, and read instead what I have written on this subject. Eck and Emser
