arpest.... One doubt still troubles
me; I fear that under cover of the rebirth of ancient learning paganism
may seek to rear its head, as even among Christians there are those who
acknowledge Christ in name only, but in their hearts are Gentiles; or
that with the renascence of Hebrew studies Judaism may seek to use this
opportunity of revival; and there can be nothing more contrary or more
hostile to the teaching of Christ than this plague. This is the nature
of human affairs--nothing good has ever so flourished but some evil has
attempted to use it as a pretext for insinuating itself. I could wish
that those dreary quibblings could be either done away with or at least
cease to be the sole activity of theologians, and that the simplicity
and purity of Christ could penetrate deeply into the minds of men; and
this I think can best be brought to pass if with the help provided by
the three languages we exercise our minds in the actual sources. But I
pray that we may avoid this evil without falling into another perhaps
graver error. Recently several pamphlets have been published reeking of
unadulterated Judaism.

XII. TO THOMAS MORE

Louvain, 5 March 1518

To his friend More, greeting:

... First of all I ask you to entrust to the bearer, my servant John,
any letters of mine or yours which you consider fit for publication with
the alteration of some passages; I am simply compelled to publish my
letters whether I like it or not. Send off the lad so that he returns
here as quickly as possible. If you discover that Urswick is
ill-disposed towards me perhaps he should not be troubled; otherwise,
help me in the matter of a horse--I shall need one just now when I am
about to go to Basle or Venice, chiefly for the purpose of bringing out
the New Testament.[67] Such is my fate, dear More. I shall enact this
part of my play also. Afterwards, I almost feel inclined to sing 'for
myself and the Muses'; my age and my health, which grows daily worse,
almost require this. Over here scoundrels in disguise are so
all-powerful, and no one here makes money but innkeepers, advocates, and
begging friars. It is unendurable when many speak ill and none do good.

At Basle they make the elegant preface added by Budaeus the excuse for
the delay over your Utopia. They have now received it and have started
on the work. Then Froben's father-in-law Lachner died. But Froben's
press will be sweating over our studies none the less. I have not yet
ha