reverence to the most reverend Cardinal of Tortosa* whom those old fools have found a worthy assistant, just like them- selves, a babbler, a coward and a good-for-nothing,* When he wished to show the majesty of the "virtual Church/'* he spoke thus, with moderation, in something he did not under- stand: "I wonder much that a man entertaining such ob- vious and obstinate errors in matters of faith should be per- mitted to scatter his errors abroad with impunity and bring others into the same pernicious opinions."* With like mod- eration he said previously : "I saw Luther's errors ; and th^ seemed to me such gross, palpable heresies, that not even a student in theology who had passed the first stage ought to make such slips."* Who will call this man most reverend in Christ, or who will respect his red embroidered hat and robe trailing on the ground? Who will apply spurs to those who run furiously of themselves? Since in his whole letter he is sordid, dirty, impudent and light, let the professors gather from him flowers worthy of their nostrils, and let them pluck this one from him, unless he took it from them: "In this Luther proves most of all that he is a heretic, in saying that he is ready to die at the stake for his opinions and to be a heretic against all wise men."* Martin, you have many com- panions in that heresy, and if alone you tread the true wine- press,^ I think the number of those prepared to undergo the stake with you depends on the gift of Heaven. Let sharp men dispute and condemn as they please, they will never make me doubt that any mortal justified by faith has access to God.* ...
Martin, most upright of theologians, guard the divine lig^t now deserted by all, and show by the virtue which we cherish in you, what is the difference between a creature of the Pope and a creature of God. The King hath brought thee into his
^Adrian of Utrecht, later Pope Adrian VI. 'Greek, after the Iliad, i. 293. 'Quotation from Prierias's Dialogue,
^Quotation from Adrian's letter of December 4. 15x9. prefixed to the Condem- nation of Luther by Cologne and Louvain, supra, no. aoa.
- Jbid,
•Ibid,
fCf. Isaiah, Ixiii. 3. BRomans. r. if.
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