Martin Luther writing to the Hapsburg court librarian in Vienna on the first day of the Diet of Worms.
“To the most distinguished and learned Mr. Cuspinian, librarian of His Imperial Majesty at Vienna, my friend, honored in the Lord Jesus
Greetings. Your brother, most distinguished Cuspinian, has easily convinced me to dare to write to you from the midst of this turmoil, since even prior to this I wanted to be acquainted with you because of the fame of your name. Please add me to the list of your friends, that I may attest the truth of what your brother has reported to me with such great enthusiasm concerning you [and your kindness].
I appeared at this hour before the Emperor and the Imperial diet. I was questioned as to whether I would want to renounce my books. I answered then that these were certainly my books and that I would tell them my opinion concerning any renunciation the following day, since more opportunity and time for deliberation on this issue has been neither asked nor granted. With Christ’s help, however, I shall not in all eternity recant the least particle.
Farewell, my dearest Cuspinian.”
Worms, April 17, 1521
