Quietly and cautiously, Wolsey!
But I must know the truth."
* * * * *
In a room near the "Bloody Tower," the Cardinal and More were
carrying on a lively conversation.
"What is happening now in Germany?" asked the Cardinal.
"While Luther was in the Wartburg, his pupil Karlstadt came to
Wittenberg, and turned everything upside down. Citing the
prohibition of images in the Old Testament, he stirred up students
and the rabble to attack the churches and throw all sacred objects
outside."
"That's the result of the Bible! To give it into the hands of the
unlearned means letting hell loose,"
"Then...."
"What did Luther say to that?"
"He hurried down from the Wartburg and denounced Karlstadt and his
followers, but I cannot say that he confuted them. A councillor
quoted the book of Moses, 'Thou shalt not make to thee any image nor
likeness.' And a shoemaker answered, 'I have often taken off my hat
before images in a room or in the street; but that is idolatry, and
robs God of the glory which belongs to Him alone.'"
"What did Luther say?"
"That then, on account of occasional misuse, one must kill all the
women, and pour all the wine into the streets."
"That was a stupid saying; but that is the result of disputing with
shoemakers.
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