clearer than day that many decretals are repugnant to the gospel, so that we are simply forced to fly for refuge to that solid rock of Scripture, and not to believe anything, no mat- ter what, that speaks, commands or does anything witliout this authority. . . .
But to return to myself and to you, excellent Sirs; I refer to you, or, to use Paul's word,* I lay before you this study of mine on Paul's epistle, a small thing, not so much a com- mentary as a witness of my faith in Christ, unless, perhaps, I shall have run in vain^ and not have seized Patil's meaning. In this point, because it is a mighty matter from God, I desire to learn even from a boy. Certainly I should have preferred to have waited for the commentaries long since promised us by Erasmus,' that theologian too great even to envy. But while he procrastinates (may God grant it be not forever), this fate which you see, compels me to publish. I know I am a child and unlearned, but yet, if I dare say it, zealous for piety and Christian learning, and in this more learned than those who have made the divine commands simply ridiculous by the impious addition of human laws. I have only aimed to make Paul clearer to those who read my work, so that they may surpass me. If I have failed, I shall have willingly lost my labor, for at least I shall have tried to incite others to study Pauline theology, for which no good man will blame me. Farewell.
124. LUTHER TO JOHN SYLVIUS EGRANUS AT ZWICKAU. Enders, L 407. (Wittenberg), February 2, 1519.
Greeting. Learn briefly, Egranus, my present situation. Charles von Miltitz was sent to our elector armed with more than seventy papal breves, all drawn up with the purpose of having me sent alive and bound to that murderous Jerusalem,* Rome. But on the way he was smitten to the earth by the Lord, that is, he was frightened by the numbers of those who favor me, for everywhere he carefully inquired what men
>Galatiaiis, ii. a. 'i Corintliians, ix. 26.
- EraMBti0' Parapkrase to Galatians, published by Froben, Basle, August, 1519.
Bibliotheca Erasmiana, i. 143. ^^Jeruaalem that Idllest the prophets," Matthew, xxiii. 37.
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