down not by the hand of man but by the grace of God who pities us ally and especially those in authority, and that accord- ingly you treat the poor people graciously and mercifully as becomes a spiritual lord even more than a temporal one. . . •
Alas ! there are too many who treat the people horribly and so act unthankfully to God as if they would recklessly awaken the wrath of Heaven and of the people again and provoke a new and worse rebellion. God has decreed that those who show no mercy should also perish without mercy.
It is not good for a lord to raise displeasure, ill will and hostility among his subjects, and it is likewise foolish to do so. It is right to show sternness when the commonalty are seditious and stubborn, but now that they are beaten down they are a different people, worthy that mercy be shown them in judg- ment. Putting too much in a bag bursts it Moderation is good in all things, and, as St. James says, mercy rejoiceth against judgment. I hope your Grace wiU act as a Christian in this matter. God bless you. Amen.
Your Grace's obedient servant,
Martin Luther.
697. MARC ANTONY LONGIN, SECRETARY OF CHARLES CONTARINI, TO HIS BROTHER, JOHN JEROME.
Brown, 15204 no. 1086. AuGSBxntc, August 4, 15^
Germany is so entirely Lutheran that when they carry the host to the communicants there is nobody but a forerunner with a lantern and the mass bell ; still less do they attend ves- pers. They go solely to the sermon, whither all flock tmi- versally, both g^eat and small, with great devotion ; and there are few who do not possess the book of the Epistles and Gospels, viz,, the New Testament. They go to the sermons as to a lecture ; and nothing is preached but the interpretation of the pure Gospel. In other places, such as Nuremberg and Strassburg, the mass has been almost entirely abolished, and the altars destroyed, being considered rather idolatrous than otherwise. Concerning Luther's books, I will say nothing of their high repute, and how eagerly they are purchased and perused. They bear various titles, and amongst them has
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