move me ; you know that I suffer things infinitely worse/ which would make me consider these temporal and passing thunder- bolts trifles, were it not that I sincerely desire to cherish the power of the Church. If I am excommunicated by men my only fear is of offending you, whose judgment in these matters I think is right, faithful and given with God's authority. . . . My opponents strive, I see, to prevent Christ's kingdom of truth coming, and do all in their power to prevent truth being heard and preached in their own kingdom. I desire to be a part of this kingdom, at least with a veracious tongue and a pure heart confessing the truth, even if my life does not correspond. And I learn that the people are sighing for the voice of their shepherd Christ, and that the youth bums with great zeal towards the Holy Scriptures. . . .
Brother Martin Luther.
78. WOLFGANG FABRICIUS CAPITO TO LUTHER. Enders, i. 228. Basle, September 4, 1518.
Greeting. Your last kind letter* I answered from Strass- burg, telling you of Erasmus* opinion of you, that is, how honorably and frankly he admires your Theses* Since then I have seen your Sermon on Penitence and that on Indulgences and Grace, each of which declares open war against the cus- toms of this age. I was seized with anxiety for the safety of my friend, who exposes a naked side to dense throngs of enemies, though, indeed, he seems well armed with the weapons of truth. But I much fear that you will be attacked by far different weapons, and that there is danger lest force be resorted to. Wherefore, if you will give ear to a faithful counsellor, I warn you, as one who knows, that you will play the part of Sertorius.* Believe me, you will accomplish more obliquely than by a direct assault in full force. You see they occupy a fortress defended at all points. They sleep, as it were, on their arms, sheltered behind a triple rampart, the authority of the Pope, that is, of the universal Church, the
> Luther refers to his spiritual temptationa. »C/. supra, no. 49. 'C/. infrat no. 87.
^Sertorius was a Spanish rebel who maintained himsell for a time, but was finally assassinated.
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