1525.  John  and  Margaret  Luther,  were  to  be  present.  As  Ruhel
was  wealthy,  it  was  intimated  that  any  present  he  might
choose  to  bring  with  him  would  be  acceptable.  Wenceslaus
Link  was  also  invited  to  the  wedding  entertainment,  but,  as
he  was  poor  himself,  it  was  insisted  that  he  should  bring  no
present.  Spalatin  was  to  come  himself,  and  send  some  veni-
son. Amsdorf  also  was  to  be  one  of  the  wedding  guests.  It
is  not  surprising  that  the  world  was  exceedingly  startled  by
the  sudden  announcement  of  this  marriage.  The  Papists
vociferated  the  charge  of  incest  against  the  Reformer.  "A
monk  himself,  he  had  married  a  nun !  from  such  a  union
Antichrist  was  to  spring  !  "  "  How  many  Antichrists,"  Eras-
mus exclaimed,  "  must  there  not  be  then  in  the  world
already  !  "  But  not  only  was  the  world  up  in  arms :  many
of  Luther's  chosen  friends,  amongst  them  Melancthon  him-
self, deeply  regretted  the  period  which  had  been  selected  for
the  marriage  of  the  greatest  of  the  Reformers.  The  world's
censure  Luther  cared  not  for :  it  was,  on  the  contrary,  a
proof  to  him  that  his  purpose  had  been  answered,  and  Satan,
speaking  by  the  mouth  of  his  organs,  overflowed  with  wrath
at  his  bold  defiance  of  his  power;  but  he  w^as  dejected  by
Philip's  expressions  of  disapprobation.  But  Melancthon,  when
he  observed  that  his  judgment  weighed  heavily  on  Luther's
spirits,  with  the  true  kindness  of  a  friend  changed  his  tone,
and,  as  the  step  was  now  irrevocable,  consoled  Luther  under
the  reproaches  of  many  of  his  other  friends,  and  vindicated
his  conduct  publicly  to  the  world. ''^

*  Melancthon's  letter  to  Camerarius  18  the  best  commentary  on  the
whole  transaction.  (See  Bret.  II.  p.  754.)  "It  may  seem  strange,"
he  says,  "  that  Luther  should  marry  at  such  an  unpropitious  time,
when  Germany  has  especial  need  of  his  great  and  noble  mind.  But  I
think  the  case  was  as  follows.  You  are  aware  that  Luther  is  far  from
being  one  of  those  who  liate  men  and  fly  their  society.     You  are  ac-


THE    LIFE    or    MARTIN    LUTHER.  79

The  Augustine  convent  became  the  residence  of  the  newly-  1525.
