by trifles. And in my opinion Cicero was right in saying that an unjust peace was better than the justest war. Now this drama has gone farther than I could have wished, but I think the evil is curable; certainly it is more so now that if it goes on increasing. I should also wish it so healed, that it may not merely be suppressed for a time to become worse later, as happens to patients when physicians cool their fever with a potion without bleeding, or to those who scarify a wound which has not been sufficiently cleansed.
Some think that severity had better be used, and Faber would not disagree with them did he not fear that it would hardly succeed. He says that it is not sufficient in this matter to follow your inclination, but that several things must be considered. First, we must consult the dignity of the Roman Pontiff, whom all lovers of Christ must favor as Christ's vicar, lest the gospel truth should suffer. And I doubt not that Leo is of this mind, that he considers his only glory to lie in the flourishing of the doctrine of his Prince. Faber says we should not consider only what Luther deserves, or who favor Luther, but what conduces to the public peace. It makes a great difference who lay hands on this evil and with what medicines it is cured. Some mix in this affair only to exasperate it with their misplaced zeal, and double it, consulting not the authority of the Pope, but their own advantage. Briefly, they so act that they hurt sound learn- ing more than they do Luther. For it is not right that inno- cent, or rather holy studies should suffer on account of Luther, nor ought other men, without cause, to be involved in his affair. He added that we should consider from what fount the whole thing flowed, namely, from hatred of good learn- ing. . . .
It is not for men like me to judge the Pope's breves. But there were some who missed in the bull brought by the nuncio the gentleness worthy of Christ's vicar and of this peaceful Leo ; and they impute the bull not to him, but to his advisers. • • .
But Faber himself will explain his plan more fully to you in person, and if you approve it you can help him at the Diet of Worms to carry through a plan which all will approve. . . .
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