Christian prince; and they would do much good either by protesting that Germany alone has no right to interfere with questions relating to the faith without license from the See Apostolic, or else by confuting with the King's authority their wicked and malicious arguments, which evidently tend to the universal ruin of the Christian faith. The Pope ex- pects great results from the King^s assistance, considering the recent efforts of the Cardinal of York to prevent this hor- rible plague from planting its foot in his kingdom. The King has gained great honor by being the first to oppose this monster. The Pope is the pilot of the ship, which will perish with him if his warnings be not regarded; for, although Luther strikes only at the See Apostolic, he is working the ruin of all Christian princes, who, owing to these dissensions, will be unable to resist the Turk.
623. HENRY STROMER OF AUERBACff TO ERASMUS. Gess, i, 665. Leipsic, May i, 1524.
. . . There are some men who are trying to impose on you, saying that you are in bad odor with Martin and Philip. Their purpose is to cause discord between you with their lies, so that they do some harm to the majesty of the Gospel. Pray do not lend an ear to tale-bearers like them. Philip was with me at Leipsic after Easter. He has a very different opinion of you from that which these good-for-noth- ing fellows are spreading, and, unless I am mistaken, Martin, too, is being slandered to you. How is it possible that he should be persecuting you with his hatred, when he loves and honors all the champions of the Gospel, of whom you are one; nay, of whom you are the foremost and the best? . . .
624. ERASMUS TO LUTHER.
Enders, iv, 335. Basle, May 8, 1524.
I do not admit that you have any greater desire than I for the purity of the Gospel. For its sake I, too, endure some things and I still seek every opportunity to make the Gospel the common property of all men. But what you call^ weak-
» Cf. Vol, I, p. 196, n, a.
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