nection with all extreme factions -- Lutheran, Zwin-
glian, or Catholic. Charles, it seems, continued to
consult him indirectly, through secretaries or other
correspondents, as to what the nature of Church au-
thority really was, evidently as if he was considering
in what way it could best be dealt with. To one of
such inquiries Erasmus answers:¹ --

I have always observed my allegiance to the Church,
but I distinguish between the Church's decrees; some
are canons of councils, some are papal rescripts, some
decisions of particular bishops, some like plebiscites,
some temporary and liable to recall. When the pres-
ent storm began I thought it would be enough to
change a few constitutions. But corruption under the
name of religion has gone so far as almost to extin-
guish the Christian faith. Neither party will yield.
Many cry for coercion; such a method might succeed
for a time, but if it succeeded permanently there
would still be numerous and uneasy consciences. I
do not say I am neutral; I mean that I am not bound
to either side. The question is not of opinions, but of
morals and character, and these are worst among the
loudest of the Church's champions. Church author-
ity, however, may be preserved with a few altera-
tions. I would give the cup to the laity. I would
not have priests marry or monks abandon their vows
without their bishop's consent. Boys and girls, how-
ever, who have been tempted into religious houses
ought to be set free, as having been taken in by fraud.
It would be well if priests and monks could be chaste;
but the age is corrupt, and of two evils we must
choose the least. The licence of which you complain
has found no encouragement from me; I have checked
it always when I could. You are afraid of Paganism;
my fear is of Judaism, which I see everywhere. Any-
way, you may assure the Emperor that from me he
has nothing to fear.

-340-