of mine should, more than any other, of mine
or of any of the teachers, have gone out into very nearly the
whole land. It was made public at our University and for our
University only, and it was made public in such wise that I
cannot believe it has become known to all men. For it is a set of
theses, not doctrines or dogmas, and they are put, according to
custom, in an obscure and enigmatic way. Otherwise, if I had been
able to foresee what was coming, I should have taken care, for my
part, that they would be easier to understand.

Now what shall I do? I cannot recant them; and yet I see that
marvelous enmity is inflamed against me because of their
dissemination. It is unwillingly that I incur the public and
perilous and various judgment of men, especially since I am
unlearned, dull of brain, empty of scholarship; and that too in
this brilliant age of ours, which by its achievements in letters
and learning can force even Cicero into the corner, though he was
no base follower of the public light. But necessity compels me to
be the goose that squawks among the swans.

And so, to soften my enemies and to fulfil the desires of many, I
herewith send forth these trifling explanations of my
Disputation; I send them forth in order, too, that I may be more
safe under the defense of your name and the shadow of your
protection. In them all may see, who will, how purely and amply I
have sought after and cherished the power of the Church and
reverence for the keys; and, at the same rime, how unjustly and
falsely my adversaries have befouled me with so many names. For
if I had been such a one as they wish to make me out, and if I
had not, on the contrary, done everything correctly, according to
my academic privilege, the Most Illustrious Prince Frederick,
Duke of Saxony, Imperial Elector, etc., would never have
tolerated such a pest in his University, for he most dearly loves
the Catholic and Apostolic truth, nor could I have been tolerated
by the keen and learned men of our University. But what has been
done, I do because those most courteous men do not fear openly to
involve both the Prince and the University in the same disgrace
with myself.[4]

Wherefore, most blessed Father, I cast myself at the feet of your
Holiness, with all that I have and all that I am. Quicken, kill,
call, recall, approve, reprove, as you will. In your voice I
shall recognize the voice of Christ directing you and speaking in
you. If I have deserved d