The matter was not, however, allowed to rest.  In the same year an appeal on behalf of the Brethren was made to Erasmus from another quarter.  One of the features of their movement had been the number of the nobility who had become sympathizers, if not actual members of the community.  One of these was Artlebus of Boskowitz, a kinsman perhaps of that ‘nobilis virgo, Martha de Boskowitz’ whom the Brethren in addressing the King had adduced as one of their supporters.  From the castle of Znaim, his official residence as Supreme Captain of Moravia, Artlebus wrote, telling Erasmus of the steady growth of the Brethren, and of the futility of all attempts to withstand their doctrines by argument; and sending him a copy of their Rule, with the request that he would read it and frame thereupon a standard of Christian piety, which all men, including the Brethren, might follow.  He turned then to praise Luther for the courageous fight he was making, and urged Erasmus to join with him in sowing the seed of the Gospel.

Erasmus’ reply, dated 28 Jan. 1521 from Louvain, has no address but ‘N. viro praepotenti’; and in consequence its connexion with Artlebus of Boskowitz has escaped notice.  As was to be expected, he declined the proposal that he should set up a standard of Christian observance.  He might criticize with all freedom the practices of monks and clergy and speak straightly of Papal iniquities:  but the standard of the Church was still the life of Christ, and he would not arrogate to himself the right to draw the picture of this anew.  He took the opportunity to lament, as he had done to Slechta, the discord prevailing in Bohemia, and to urge that a serious attempt should be made to reconcile the Brethren to the Church.  But since his correspondence with Slechta the world had gone forward.  Luther had burned the Pope’s bull at Wittenberg, and Aleander at Worms was pressing the Diet to annihilate him.  Erasmus has less to say to Artlebus in favour of the Brethren than he had said to Slechta:  indeed, after the appeal for moderation, he goes no further than to condemn the attitude of the opponents of the Papacy, doubtless intending to include among them the Brethren.  About Luther he would give no decided opinion.  ’It is absurd how men condemn Luther’s books without reading them.  Some parts of Luther’s writings are good; but parts are not, and over these I skip.  If Luther stands by the Catholic Church, I will gladly join him.’  Artlebus’ reply is not extant; but a sentence in a letter of Erasmus to Wolsey a year later shows that the ‘Bohemian Captain’ was greatly vexed by the failure of his overtures.