After showing, by passages of Scripture, that the pope is not superior to other bishops; "What prevents us," says he to the States of the empire, "from depriving the pope of the privilege which we have given him?[305] It matters little to Luther that our riches, i.e. the treasures of Europe, are sent to Rome. But what causes his grief and ours is, that the laws of the pontiffs, and the reign of the pope, not only endanger the souls of men but utterly destroy them. Every man can judge for himself, whether or not it suits him to give his money for the maintenance of Roman luxury, but to judge of the things of religion, and of sacred mysteries, is beyond the reach of the vulgar. Here, then, Luther implores your faith and zeal, and all pious men implore with him, some with loud voice and others with groans and sighs. Remember, princes of the Christian people, that you are Christians, and rescue the sad wrecks of Christianity from the tyranny of Antichrist. You are deceived by those who pretend that you have no authority over priests. The same spirit which animated Jehu against the priests of Baal urges you, in imitation of that ancient example, to abolish the Roman superstition--a superstition far more horrible than the idolatry of Baal."[306] So spoke mild Melancthon to the princes of Germany. [305] "Quid obstat quominus papæ quod dedimus jus adimamus!" (Corp. Reform. L. i, p. 337.) [306] Ut extinguaris illam multo tetriorem Baalis idololatriâ Romanam superstitionem. (Corp. Ref. i, p. 337.) Some cries of alarm were heard among the friends of the Reformation. Timid spirits inclined to excessive moderation--Staupitz in particular, expressed the keenest anguish. "Till now," said Luther to him, "the whole affair has been mere sport. You yourself have said, 'did God not do these things it is impossible they could by done.' The tumult becomes more and more tumultuous! and I do not think it will be quelled before the last day."[307] Such was Luther's mode of encouraging the timid. The tumult has existed for three centuries and is not quelled! [307] Tumultus egregiè tumultuatur, ut nisi extremo die sedari mihi posse non videatur. (L. Ep. i, p. 541.) "The papacy," continued he, "is not now what it was yesterday and the day before. Let it excommunicate and burn my writings; ... let it kill me! it cannot arrest what is going forward. Something wonderful is at the door.[308] I burnt the bull in great trembling, but now I experience more joy from it than from any action of my life."[309] [308] Omnino aliquid portenti præ foribus est. (Ibid. p. 642.) Strange presage of the future! [309] ... primum trepidus et orans, sed nunc lætior quam ullo totius vitæ meæ facto. (Ibid.) ... at first trembling and praying, but now more joyful than at any action of my whole life.