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From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

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was seated at dinner with <strong>the</strong> pas<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Jena and <strong>the</strong><br />

city functionaries, a paper was handed in <strong>to</strong> him<br />

from Carlstadt. "Let him come in," said Lu<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Carlstadt entered. "You attacked me <strong>to</strong>day," said<br />

Carlstadt <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Reformer, "as an author <strong>of</strong> sedition<br />

and assassination; it is false!" "I did not name you,"<br />

rejoined Lu<strong>the</strong>r; "never<strong>the</strong>less, if <strong>the</strong> cap fits you,<br />

you may put it on." "I am able <strong>to</strong> show," said<br />

Carlstadt, "that you have taught contradictions on<br />

<strong>the</strong> subject <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Eucharist." "Prove your<br />

assertion," rejoined Lu<strong>the</strong>r. "I am willing <strong>to</strong> dispute<br />

publicly with you," replied Carlstadt, "at<br />

Wittenberg or at Erfurt, if you will grant me a<br />

safeconduct." "Never fear that," said Lu<strong>the</strong>r. "You<br />

tie my hands and my feet and <strong>the</strong>n you strike me!"<br />

exclaimed Carlstadt with warmth. "Write against<br />

me," said Lu<strong>the</strong>r. "I would," said <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, "if I<br />

knew you <strong>to</strong> be in earnest." "Here," exclaimed<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r, "take that in <strong>to</strong>ken <strong>of</strong> my earnestness,"<br />

holding out a gold florin. "I willingly accept <strong>the</strong><br />

gage," said Carlstadt. Then holding it out <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

company, "Ye are my witnesses," said he, "that this<br />

is my authority <strong>to</strong> write against Martin Lu<strong>the</strong>r." He<br />

bent <strong>the</strong> florin and put it in<strong>to</strong> his purse. He <strong>the</strong>n<br />

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