Albert, Archbishop and Cardinal of Magdeburg and Mayence, sent an honorable embassy to us to inquire which side in this dispute was nearer the truth and what our opinion on the said difference was. But considering that certain imperial counsel lors at that time refused to give an opinion we did the sam^» and sent his electoral grace our memorial testifying our goC^^ will and to the following effect: Whereas both sides hai brought much scandal among the people and we fear th« more will arise, and as each side is convinced that it is in tim>^ right, our opinion would not make them lay aside theirs, hv^ would only impel them to assail each other with injury anc^ scandal. Moreover, as the affair concerns the Holy Fathe^^ at Rome, it is not fitting that we should meddle with it. Bu^^ we advised that his electoral grace should assemble a synod^ and have the thing heard and decided by them. Otherwise, we ^ feared an increase in scandal. In the meantime John Eck, as he informs us, gave his opinion on the same question to the bishop of Eichstatt and thereby fell into a dispute with Dr. Carlstadt, of Wittenberg. And when he offered to dispute at Rome, Paris or Cologne, Dr. Carlstadt declined. And though we were long ago requested by Dr. Luther in behalf of Dr. Carlstadt, as well as by Dr. Eck, to interfere in this affair, we have thought it best for sundry reasons to refuse both parties. For we feared that others, even laymen, might be drawn into the quarrel and that the Elector Frederic might lay it up against this university and that thereby there might arise a quarrel between him and your Grace. Wherefore we recommend Eck to commit the chief points of Dr. Martin Luther's propositions to some bishops for decision, or to a select board drawn from certain universities, for thus, by a written or oral disputation between select commissioners the thing might be ended. . . .
io6. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN. Enders, i. 332. (Wittenberg), December 21, 15 18.
Greeting. Dear Spalatin, if I rightly understand you, you ask whether an expedition against the Turks can be defended and commanded by me on Biblical grounds. Even supposing the war should be undertaken for pious reasons rather than
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