But now I will also remind you of
what Paul writes to the Romans--the Romans among whom we count
ourselves; perhaps as a German subject, you have not the right
to do that. Well, Paul writes: 'You look on the outside.'"
"Pardon me, that is the Epistle to the Corinthians."
"Oh, you look on the outside too. But Paul says further, 'All things
are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable. All that is
sold in the market-place, that eat and ask nothing for conscience'
sake; for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.' Those
are clear words, and a Frenchman would call them liberal-minded. But
you come here like a Pharisee, and wish to rebuke your superiors for
trifles; and the ordinances of men are more to you than God's
command. Fie! Martin! Remember your own words: 'We should obey
God rather than men!' You conceited slave of the letter, you should
read Paul."
Luther was not yet so familiar with the Holy Scriptures as he
afterwards became, for in the convent he had chiefly studied the
Corpus Juris, Aristotle, Virgil, and the comedies of Plautus, and
was somewhat depressed after his severe inward conflicts. Therefore
he gave no answer, but chafed internally.
"Have you any other question for me?" began the Augustinian again,
with an affected air of sympathy which irritated Luther still more.
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