[1123] “Briefwechsel,” 1, p. 316.
[1124] To Spalatin, Jan. 14, 1519, “Briefwechsel,” 1, p. 352; he adds: “Non ligat nec nocet ira Decretalium, quando tuetur misericordia Christi.”
[1125] Weim. ed., 2, p. 183 ff. “Opp. lat. var.,” 3, p. 296 sqq.
[1126] Köstlin-Kawerau, 1, p. 250.—Other statements made by Luther at this time must be read in the light of the above theory, e.g. his words in the “Comm. on Gal.”: “As widely, broadly, and deeply as possible do I distinguish between the Roman Church and the Roman Curia.” “They must know that they are mistaken when they cry out that I do not hold with the Roman Church; I who love so truly not only the Roman Church but the whole Church of Christ.” “Comm. on Gal.,” ed. Irmischer, 3, p. 134 sq. Cp. W. Walther, “Für Luther,” 1906, p. 24.
[1127] Weim. ed., 2, pp. 399, 404 ff., 427, 429; “Opp. lat. var.,” 3, pp. 240, 244 sqq., 281, 284. Köstlin-Kawerau, 1, p. 255 ff.
[1128] For his earlier days cp. the passage in “Freiheyt dess Sermons Bepstlichen Ablass belangend” (1518), Weim. ed., 1, p. 384; Erl. ed., 27, p. 12: “If already so many and thousands more, and all of them holy Doctors had held this or that, yet they are of no account as compared with a single verse of Holy Writ, as St. Paul says, Gal. (i. 8): ‘Even though an angel from heaven,’ etc.”
[1129] Weim. ed., 2, p. 431; “Opp. lat. var.,” 3, p. 287.
[1130] Ib., p. 183 ff.=296 sqq. (Thesis 13).
[1131] Denzinger-Bannwart, “Enchiridion,” p. 259.
[1132] Cp. Möhler, “Symbolik,” §44, p. 399.