This was shortly after followed by the pamphlet “Against the Bull
of ‘End-Christ,’”[118] issued by his indefatigable press. The Latin
version of the little work, brimming over with hatred, was ready by the
end of October, 1520.
Although, in order to keep up the pretence of doubting the
authenticity of the Bull, he here deals with it hypothetically, he
nevertheless implores the Pope and his Cardinals, should they really
have issued it, to reflect, otherwise he would be forced to curse
their abode as the dwelling-place of Antichrist. In the same strain he
proceeds: “Where art thou, good Emperor, and you, Christian Kings and
Princes? You took an oath of allegiance to Christ in baptism and yet
you endure these hellish voices of Antichrist.”[119]
In the German version, from motives of policy, the tone is rather
milder. Luther shrank from instigating the German princes too openly
to violent measures. The appeal to them and to the Emperor is there
omitted. The call to the people, however, rings loud and enthusiastic:
“Would it be a wonder if the Princes, the Nobility and the laity were
to knock the Pope, the Bishops, parsons and monks on the head and
drive them out of the land?” For the action of Rome is heretical,
the Pope, the Bishops, the parsons and the monks were bringing the
laity about their ears by this “blasphemous, insulting Bull.” Then he
suddenly pulls himself up, but to very little purpose, and adds: “not
that I wish to incite the laity against the clergy, but rather that
we should pray to God that He may turn aside His wrath from them, and
set them free from the evil spirit that has possessed them.”[120]
In the German version, however, he refers more distinctly to the
existence of “the Bulls against Dr. Luther which are said to have
recently come from Rome.”[121] He here declares, as to the theological
question involved, that “as a matter of fact the whole Christian
Church cannot err,” viz. “all Christians throughout the whole world,”
but that the Pope is guilty of the most devilish presumption in
setting up his own opinion, as though it were as good as that of the
whole Church. The work is thus levelled at the doctrine of Papal
Infallibility, which had always been accepted in the Church in cases
where the Pope decides on matters of doctrine as supreme judge; this
doctrine had ever been taken for granted, and stood in the forefront
in all the measures previously taken by the Church against the attacks
of heretics. Even in those days the Church had always based her action
against separatists on her infallibility as a teacher.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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