be present in person to hear the debate. We have no objec- tion to the same, thinking that it will redound to the honor and glory of the university to have such able men dispute before it And we represented to the said faculty that they should not object to the same, considering that they were in no wise committed to the subject of the debate, but could take what stand they chose in it, and moreover, as they were doctors and teachers of the Holy Scripture, that it was their duty to bring to light what is true and what is false. But the dean of Meissen has informed me that it is not considered well that the disputation should take place, which I think he did at the instigation of the faculty. For they are so small minded that they fear they will get into trouble through this debate, or perchance, as they themselves confess, they are not able to converse with such learned men. . . . But we think that they should earn their bread by discharging the duty of theologians, namely, bringing the truth to light. . . . For otherwise I should have to tell the truth to Dr. Eck, namely, that I found my theologians so unlearned that they were afraid to dispute with such learned men. . . .
12a LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR FREDERIC OF SAXONY. Enders, L 368. De Wette, i. 575. German.
Wittenberg (circa January 19, 1519).
Serene, high-bom Prince, gracious Lord I Humbly to serve your Grace I hereby give you my opinion, the articles and means^ pointed out by your Grace to settle the hard business between myself and the papal indulgence.
First, I am ready in all humility to honor the Roman Church, and to prefer nothing to her, either in heaven or on earth, save God alone and his Word; wherefore, I will willingly recant any article proved to me to be erroneous. For it is impossible to recant everything indiscriminately.
Secondly, I am not only willing, but eager, never to preach or teach again. For I have neither pleasure nor love in doing so, and get neither wealth nor honor by doing it. For I also know well that the treatment of God's Word is intolerable
These were articles proposed by Miltitz to the elector.
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