which I have heard rests only on the plenary power [of the Pope], without the authority of the Bible or the Canon Law, which certainly I would not allow even to the oldest decretal. Who knows what God proposes to bring forth from these monsters. As much as in me is I neither fear nor desire to protract the affair. There are many things which may move this Roman slough, things which I will press home if they will let me. But if God does not wish them to let me, his will be done. I heartily desire to have the Ebners^ as patrons, and I thank them for the box* they sent me. I hope that your Nurembergers' will answer to your hopes, since they are under the best teachers and attend the choicest lectures. Farewell in the Lord, and throw your care and mine on him, lest you be too anxious for me.
Brother Martin Luther, Augustinian.
117. LUTHER TO GEORGE SPALATIN AT ALTENBURG. Enders, i. 349. (Wittenberg), January 14 (1519).
Greeting. Dear Spalatin, do not be surprised that some people say I was conquered at a banquet in Dresden,* for they have long been saying just what they pleased. While there with our John Lang and our Dresden prior,* I was compelled rather than invited by Jerome Emser* to attend an evening
^Jerome Ebner and his familj.
- What the box wm I do not know. The word "cMula" iisually means "hut,**
bat can hardly do to in this context.
- /. #., two Naremberf boys studying at Wittenberg, by name Conrad Volckmar
and John Tucher.
^Lather went to Dresden in July, 1518. preaching there before Duke George of Saxony on July as. The fullest account of this trip is in Grisar: Luther, L 30off.
^Melchior Miritsch of Dresden matriculated at Wittenberg 1507. Prior at Cologne 1 51 2, later Prior at Dresden and for a short time in the Netherlands. In isaa he was Prior of Magdeburg, and is spoken of occasionally in Luther's letters as a follower of his until 1532. Enders, ii. 473.
•Jerome Emser (1477 or i478-November 8, 1527) matriculated at Tubingen 1493. Imt migrated to Basle, where he took his B. A. 1498 and M. A. 1499. He he lectured at Erfurt, Luther being one of his students, but moved to Leipsic, where, in 1505, he was made lecturer in theology, and was later employed on various commissions by Duke George. From 1519 to 1527 he had a bitter con* troversy with Luther, and in 1524 with Zwingli. In 1527 he produced a German translation of the Bible to correct the errors of Luther's. See biographies by P. Mosen (1890) and G. Kawerau (1898). Corpus Reformatorum, xc. 230*?. Zwinffiiana, 191 1, col. 428. His controversial works with Luther of 1521, pub- lished by L. Enders, a vob., 1890, 1892.
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