for gain, I confess that I cannot promise what you ask, but rather the opposite. Recently at the request of a friend I published a sermon on this subject, which has fallen into the hands of the heroes of Brandenburg, on whose account I sus- pected the request was made to me. In this I argued that no such war should be undertaken.* I am still of the same opinion until I shall be refuted with better reasons. Erasmus expresses the same opinion in many places, as you know better than I.* It seems to me if we must have any Turkish Tvar we ought to begin with ourselves. In vain we wage carnal ^urars without, while at home we are conquered by spiritual 1>attles.
Moreover, neither in the Old nor in the New Testament
ivas any war ever waged by human might, save with an
unhappy and disgraceful issue; if it were successful it was
Y)ecause of aid from heaven as I could amply substantiate.
Now that the Roman curia is more tyrannical than any Turk,
fighting with such portentous deeds against Christ and against
his Church, and now that the clergy is sunk in the depths of
avarice, ambition and luxury, and now that the face of the
Church is everywhere most wretched, there is no hope of a
successful war or of victory. As far as I can see, God fights
against us ; first, we must conquer him with tears, pure prayers,
holy life and pure faith. But of this elsewhere.
I remain at Wittenberg, awaiting without doubt the proof of Roman wretchedness, although I hope the very fear of conscience will prevent them acting with precipitate fury. I will consult lawyers about drawing up my Appeal.'
Except for one scrap, I have completely forgotten the sermon I gave at Weimar,* for which you ask. I am only sure that I preached the gospel against h)rpocrites and self- righteous men, as I always do. I know there is one such in that court, whom you will know even if I do not name him.
^Luther later changed his opinion on this subject, writing in favor of the TurldBh war in 1527. Cf. Smith, op. cit,, 226i.
- Spalatin had translated Erasmus' letter on peace to Antony of Bergen, March
14, 1514. Cf. supra, December 14, 1516, no. 23, and Allen: Opus Epistolarum
Erusmi, i. 55i*
>/. g., to the Council. Luther consulted Scheurl about the proper form of the Vpeal; Schevrl wrote him at length on the subject. December 20. Enders, i. 325.
H>n the journey to Augsburg Luther preached at Weimar, September 29.
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