In Germany from the Leipsic Disputation to the Diet at Worms - James Aitken Wylie

able to protect you from every danger."
Francis of Sickingen, one of those knights who
united the love of letters to that of arms, whom
Melanchthon styled "a peerless ornament of
German knighthood," offered Luther the asylum of
his castle. "My services, my goods, and my body,
all that I possess are at your disposal," wrote he.
Ulrich of Hutten, who was renowned for his verses
not less than for his deeds of valor, also offered
himself as a champion of the Reformer. His mode
of warfare, however, differed from Luther's. Ulrich
was for falling on Rome with the sword, Luther
sought to subdue her by the weapon of the Truth.
"It is with swords and with bows," wrote Ulrich,
"with javelins and bombs that we must crush the
fury of the devil." "I will not have recourse to arms
and bloodshed in defense of the Gospel," said
Luther, shrinking back from the proposal. "It was
by the Word that the Church was founded, and by
the Word also it shall be re-established." And,
lastly, the prince of scholars in that age, Erasmus,
stood forward in defense of the monk of
Wittemberg. He did not hesitate to affirm that the
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