Note 122 — Chapter XII

For the accounts of the burning, see M. Perlbach and J. Luther, “Ein neuer Bericht über Luthers Verbrennung der Bannbulle” (“SB. der preuss. Akad. der Wissenschaft.,” and also apart), Berlin, 1907, and Kawerau, in “Theol. Studien,” 1908, p. 587. Luther’s words, quoted in the new account, run as follows: “Quia tu conturbasti veritatem Dei, conturbat et te hodie in ignem istum (instead of ‘igni isto’). Amen”; whereupon all those present answered, “Amen.” The form given before this ran: “Quia tu conturbasti sanctum Dei, ideoque te conturbet ignis æternus.” Were this correct, “sanctum Dei” would refer to Christ as the “Holy One of God,” according to the biblical expression, but we should scarcely be justified in taking it to mean Luther himself, as some Catholics have done, as though he had arrogated to himself this title. With regard to the books burnt, see also Luther’s letter to Spalatin, on December 10, 1520, “Briefwechsel,” 3, p. 18. On Thomas and Scotus see the source quoted above.