90 Readings in European Histoiy May I be lost if in all of Luther's works there is a single syllable of mine, or if any calumnious book was ever pub- lished by me ; on the contrary, I do all I can to deter others from issuing such works. Now, however, they are taking a new tack, and assert that Luther has borrowed some of his doctrines from my works, as if he had not borrowed more from Paul's epistles. I now see clearly at last that it has been the policy of the Germans to implicate me, whether I would or no, in this business of Luther, — a most unwise policy indeed, since nothing would sooner have alienated me from them. What aid indeed could I have rendered Luther even had I chosen to share his danger ? The only result would have been that two must perish instead of one. I can never sufficiently wonder at the violent spirit which he has dis- played in his writings, by which he has certainly brought immense discredit on all the friends of good literature. Many indeed of his teachings and exhortations are excellent, but I wish that he had not vitiated the good in his writings by his intolerable faults. But even if he had always written in the most reverent spirit, still I should have had no inclination to risk my life for the truth. It is not every one who has strength for martyrdom, and I am afraid that if any outbreak should take place I should imitate St. Peter. When the popes and emperors decree what is right I obey, — which is the course of true piety ; but when they command what is wrong, I sub- mit, — and that is the safe course. I think that all good men are justified in acting thus when there is no hope of successful opposition. . . . BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Refer- Luther's Early Years : Kostlin, Life of Luther, -pp. 10-56; Hen- ences. DERSON, Short History of Germany, Vol. I, pp. 251-273; Dyer and Hassall, Modern Europe, Vol. I, pp. 400-415; Walker, The Refor- mation, pp. 77-108. The Theses: Kostlin, pp. 82-107. The Diet of Worms: Henderson, Vol. I, pp. 275-284; Kostlin, pp. 222-245; Walker, pp. 108-123.
