[316] Man soll zuvor Christum in seine Wunden sehen, und aus denselben, seine Liebe gegen uns. (Ibid., p. 351.) The courageous doctor, though he protests, also retracts some of his propositions. Surprise will cease when his mode of doing it is known. After quoting the four propositions on indulgences, condemned by the bull,[317] he simply adds, [Sidenote: CORONATION OF CHARLES V.] "In honour of the holy and learned bull I retract all that I have ever taught touching indulgences. If my books have been justly burned, it must certainly be because I conceded something to the pope in the doctrine of indulgences; wherefore, I myself condemn them to the fire." [317] 19 to 22. (Ibid., p. 363.) He also retracts in regard to John Huss. "I say now, not that _some_ articles, but _all_ the articles of John Huss, are Christian throughout. The pope, in condemning Huss, condemned the gospel. I have done five times more than he, and yet I much fear have not done enough. Huss merely says, that a wicked pope is not a member of Christendom; but I, were St. Peter himself sitting to-day at Rome, would deny that he was pope by the appointment of God." CHAP. XI. Coronation of Charles--The Nuncio Aleander--Will Luther's Books be burnt?--Aleander and the Emperor--The Nuncios and the Elector--The Son of Duke John pleads for Luther--Luther's calmness--The Elector protects Luther--Reply of the Nuncios--Erasmus at Cologne--Erasmus with the Elector--Declaration of Erasmus--Advice of Erasmus--System of Charles V. The powerful words of the Reformer penetrated all minds, and contributed to their emancipation. The sparks of light which each word threw out were communicated to the whole nation. But a great question remained to be solved. Would the prince, in whose states Luther dwelt, favour the execution of the bull, or would he oppose it? The reply seemed doubtful. At that time the Elector and all the princes of the empire were at Aix-la-Chapelle where the crown of Charlemagne was placed upon the head of the youngest but most powerful monarch of Christendom. Unprecedented pomp and magnificence were displayed in the ceremony. Charles V, Frederick, the princes, ministers, and ambassadors, immediately after repaired to Cologne. Aix-la-Chapelle, where the plague was raging, seemed to empty itself into this ancient town on the banks of the Rhine. [Sidenote: THE NUNCIO ALEANDER.]