healed so that it should not break out again. The
two advocates would argue calmly, without personal
reflections, and nothing would be alleged which was
not notoriously true. Extreme partisans clamoured
for severity. My plan was to leave each party to
keep their own opinions. Severity would be easiest,
but toleration seemed to me most expedient. When
a single limb only is injured, cautery or the knife may
be successful. When the disease has spread over the
whole body, and gone into the veins and nerves, the
poison can only be drawn out of the system by degrees.
I undertook the task at the request of Alexander
Glapio and several others. Glapio had written often
to me about it, and was speaking for the Emperor.
Mountjoy also had pressed me. I was busy at the
moment with other things, and the plan is rather con-
ceived than begun. I dislike work of this kind. I
hate disputing, and prefer harmless play. Moreover,
to execute it properly is work for a Hercules, and I
am but a pigmy. I cannot say how it will be. Each
party is now so incensed that it will conquer or perish.
The defeat of Luther will destroy evangelical truth
and Christian liberty, while Luther's enemies will not
be crushed without a deperate fight. I would have
the strife so ended that each side shall yield the victory
to Christ. The princes know my opinion. They may
adopt it or not as they please. But I would have no
sentence given either way. If my book was published
it would be seen whether I was right. No one ought
to be offended with what I have written hitherto. The
evangelicals, however, will allow no dissent from
Luther, and will stone a man who thinks for himself.
I had been working for peace. I had hoped that both
parties would have used my help. The Emperor had
been consulted, and had approved. Unhappily, each
side was so obstinate in its own conviction that I found
my "Eirenicon" would only make me hated all round,
so I hesitated to go on with it. I can but pray now
that God, who alone can, may allay this tempest.

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