forsooth that the venerable sacrament of communion should be indiscriminately distributed in both kinds to all assembled, as well laymen as clergy. Moreover we have heard that some men audaciously belittle the authority of general councils in order to uphold and defend their own opinions.
We do not see why it is expedient for you or others to treat such matters, nor how it can make for the majesty, purity and dignity of Christianity and for the peace and tranquillity of the Church. Perhaps these things could be considered at a more convenient time and place by men skilled in letters and to whom the duty should be assigned. This method of discussion would yield more fruit and less danger, without envy and incitement to disobedience and scandal to the populace, and without insulting anyone. This would be better than to have such matters rashly bandied about by the unlearned and by the prating rabble.
Finally, we cannot disapprove your assumption to teach what ycpu read and have learned in Holy Scripture, provided only that you do it piously, gently, without bitterness and without inoiting to disobedience to the public authority of the Church. I £ your work be of God, it will be praiseworthy and fruitful, axid, as we say to you with Gamaliel, Acts v.,* strong and iciArincible; but if your work be of hatred, pride and ill will, it is of men and can easily be overthrown. For everyone is ill danger of abusing the benefits of God, and of fighting dgpainst the truth and against God. May he grant that we aod you and all other Christians may do right. Farewell in Christ.
��ULRICH VON HUTTEN TO PHILIP MELANCHTHON AT
WITTENBERG.
^^>^^us Reformatorum, i. 147. Steckelberg, February 28 (iS20).
I enclose a letter* I wrote long ago, which has been returned ^^ me, having been badly cared for by those to whom I en- trusted it. Please tell Luther at once and privately what I wrote about Sickingen, but so that no one shall know that I have had anything to do with the affair. There is a reason
'Acts, V. 38f.
- /. e., that of January 20, supra, no. 218.
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