but those of our Carlstadt, rather of St. Augustine, which are far more sublime and superior to those of Cicero, even as Augustine, or rather Christ, is exalted above Cicero.
These propositions are a standing reproach to the ignorance of those who consider them paradoxes (very striking ones), rather than look upon them as orthodox (that is, in accordance with the pure doctrine of the Church universal), not to speak of those who are shameless enough to malign them as errors, a class of people who neither read St. Paul’s Epistles, or, at least, read them without comprehending them, thus leading themselves and others astray.
To modest men who do not quite see through them they appear wonderful, and I regard them as fundamental truths in their primitive purity.
Praise be to God who causes light to arise out of the darkness. I presume our father vicar is not with you. We hope he may come to us. Dr. Christian Reuter has departed this temporal life. May God give him eternal life.
Amen. Amsdorf and all friends greet you. Farewell.
MARTIN LUTHER,
Augustinian.
Wittenberg. (Schutze.)
XIII
TO JOHN LANGE
Luther boasts that true theology is flourishing in Wittenberg.
May 18, 1517.
Our theology and that of St. Augustine, by the grace of God, is making rapid progress in our university. Aristotle is continuing to fall from his throne, and his end is only a matter of time; and all object to hearing lectures on the text-books of the Sentences, and no one need expect an audience who does not expound this theology, viz. that of the Bible or St.
Augustine, or some other of the honored Church teachers. Farewell, and pray for me.
MARTIN LUTHER.
Master Christian Goldschmidt, who is here, sends greeting.
