Project Gutenberg's Luther and the Reformation:, by Joseph A. Seiss This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Luther and the Reformation: The Life-Springs of Our Liberties Author: Joseph A. Seiss Release Date: October 4, 2005 [EBook #16797] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION: *** Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Linda Cantoni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION: THE LIFE-SPRINGS OF OUR LIBERTIES. BY JOSEPH A. SEISS, D.D., PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION, PHILADELPHIA AUTHOR OF "A MIRACLE IN STONE," "VOICES FROM BABYLON," ETC. ETC. [Pg 1] JOSEPH A. SEISS CHARLES C. COOK, 150 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. Copyright, 1883, BY PORTER & COATES. PREFACE. THE FIRST PART OF THIS BOOK PRESENTS THE STUDIES OF THE AUTHOR IN PREPARING A MEMORIAL ORATION DELIVERED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 10, 1883, ON THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF MARTIN LUTHER. THE SECOND PART PRESENTS HIS STUDIES IN A LIKE PREPARATION FOR CERTAIN DISCOURSES DELIVERED IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AT THE BI-CENTENNIAL OF THE FOUNDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. THERE WAS NO INTENTION, IN EITHER CASE, TO MAKE A BOOK, HOWEVER SMALL IN SIZE. BUT THE UTTERANCES GIVEN ON THESE OCCASIONS HAVING BEEN SOLICITED FOR PUBLICATION IN PERMANENT SHAPE FOR common use, and the two parts being intimately related in the exhibition of the most vital springs of our religious and civil FREEDOM, IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED TO PRINT THESE STUDIES ENTIRE AND TOGETHER IN THIS FORM, IN HOPE THAT THE SAME MAY SATISFY all such desires and serve to promote truth and righteousness. THROUGHOUT THE WIDE EARTH THERE HAS BEEN AN UNEXAMPLED STIR WITH REGARD TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE GREAT REFORMER, AND THESE PRESENTATIONS MAY HELP TO SHOW IT NO WILD CRAZE, BUT A JUST AND RATIONAL RECOGNITION OF GOD'S WONDROUS providence in the constitution of our modern world. AND TO HIM WHO WAS, AND WHO IS, AND WHO IS TO COME, THE GOD OF ALL HISTORY AND GRACE, BE THE PRAISE, THE HONOR, AND the glory, world without end! THANKSGIVING DAY, 1883. CONTENTS. PREFACE. LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION pp. 7-134. HUMAN GREATNESS, 9.—The Papacy, 12.—EFFORTS AT REFORM, 14.—TIME OF THE REFORMATION, 17.—FREDERICK THE WISE, 18.—REUCHLIN, 19.—ERASMUS, 21.—ULRIC VON HÜTTEN, 23.—ULRICH ZWINGLI, 24.—MELANCHTHON, 24.—John Calvin, 25.—LUTHER THE CHOSEN INSTRUMENT, 27.—HIS ORIGIN, 28.—EARLY TRAINING, 29.—Nature of the Reformation, 32.—LUTHER'S SPIRITUAL TRAINING, 34.—DEVELOPMENT FOR HIS WORK, 39.—VISIT TO ROME, 42.—ELECTED TOWN-PREACHER, 45.—MADE A DOCTOR, 45.—HIS VARIOUS LABORS, 48.—COLLISION WITH THE HIERARCHY, 49.—THE INDULGENCE-TRAFFIC, 50. —Tetzel's Performances, 54.—Luther on Indulgences, 57.—Sermon on Indulgences, 59.—APPEAL TO THE BISHOPS, 62. —The Ninety-five Theses, 63.—EFFECT OF THE THESES, 65.—TETZEL'S END, 68.—LUTHER'S GROWING INFLUENCE, 68.— APPEAL TO THE POPE, 69.—CITATION TO ROME, 70.—APPEARS BEFORE CAJETAN, 71.—CAJETAN'S FAILURE, 72.—PROGRESS OF Events, 74.—The Leipsic Disputation, 75.—Results of the Debate, 76.—Luther's Excommunication, 78.—Answer to THE POPE'S BULL, 81.—The Diet of Worms, 83.—DOINGS OF THE ROMANISTS, 85.—LUTHER SUMMONED TO THE DIET, 87.— LUTHER AT THE DIET, 90.—REFUSES TO RETRACT, 92.—HIS CONDEMNATION, 95.—CARRIED TO THE WARTBURG, 95. —Translation of the Bible, 96.—HIS CONSERVATISM, 98.—GROWTH OF THE REFORMATION, 100.—Luther's Catechisms, 103.—PROTESTANTS AND WAR, 103.—The Confession of Augsburg, 105.—LEAGUE OF SMALCALD, 109.—LUTHER'S LATER YEARS, 111.—His Personale, 114.—HIS GREAT QUALITIES, 119.—HIS ALLEGED COARSENESS, 123.—HIS MARVELOUS Achievements, 126.—His Impress upon the World, 127.—His Enemies and Revilers, 131. THE FOUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA, pp. 135-206. [Pg 2] [Pg 3] [Pg 4] [Pg 5] [Pg 6] I. THE HISTORY AND THE MEN. BEGINNING OF COLONIZATION IN AMERICA, 137.—MOVEMENTS IN SWEDEN, 138.—SWEDISH PROPOSALS, 143.—WAS PENN AWARE OF THESE PLANS? 145.—THE SWEDES IN ADVANCE OF PENN, 147.—The Men of those Times, 151.—Gustavus ADOLPHUS, 152.—AXEL OXENSTIERN, 155.—PETER MINUIT, 157.—WILLIAM PENN, 159.—ESTIMATE OF PENN, 161.—Penn and the Indians, 162.—Penn's Work, 168.—The Greatness of Faith, 169. II. THE PRINCIPLES ENTHRONED. MAN'S RELIGIOUS NATURE, 173.—Our State the Product of Faith, 174.—GUSTAVUS AND THE SWEDES, 176.—The FEELINGS OF WILLIAM PENN, 178.—Recognition of the Divine Being, 180.—ENACTMENTS ON THE SUBJECT, 183.— IMPORTANCE OF THIS PRINCIPLE, 185.—Religious Liberty, 187.—PERSECUTION FOR OPINION'S SAKE, 189.—SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS OF PENNSYLVANIA, 190.—CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS, 193.—Safeguards to True Liberty, 194.—LAWS ON Religion and Morals, 197.—Forms of Government, 200.—A Republican State, 202.—The Last Two Hundred Years, 203. LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION. A rare spectacle has been spreading itself before the face of heaven during these last months. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, OF MANY NATIONS AND LANGUAGES, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE OCEAN, SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGAGED IN CELEBRATING THE birth of a mere man, four hundred years after he was born, is an unwonted scene in our world. UNPROMPTED BY ANY VOICE OF AUTHORITY, UNCONSTRAINED BY ANY COMMAND OF POWER, WE JOIN IN THE WIDE-RANGING demonstration. IN THE HAPPY FREEDOM WHICH HAS COME TO US AMONG THE FRUITS OF THAT MAN'S LABORS WE BRING OUR HUMBLE CHAPLET TO GRACE the memory of one whose worth and services there is scarce capacity to tell. HUMAN GREATNESS. SOME MEN ARE COLOSSAL. THEIR CHARACTERS ARE SO MASSIVE, AND THEIR POSITION IN HISTORY IS SO TOWERING, THAT OTHER MEN CAN HARDLY GET HIGH ENOUGH TO TAKE THEIR MEASURE. AN OVERRULING PROVIDENCE SO ENDOWS AND PLACES THEM THAT THEY AFFECT THE WORLD, TURN ITS COURSE INTO NEW CHANNELS, IMPART TO IT A NEW SPIRIT, AND LEAVE THEIR IMPRESS ON ALL THE AGES AFTER THEM. EVEN HUMBLE INDIVIDUALS, WITHOUT TITLES, CROWNS, OR PHYSICAL ARMAMENTS, HAVE WROUGHT THEMSELVES INTO THE VERY LIFE OF THE race and built their memorials in the characteristics of epochs. HISTORY TELLS OF A CERTAIN SAUL OF TARSUS, A LONE AND FRIENDLESS MAN, STRIPPED OF ALL EARTHLY POSSESSIONS, FORCED INTO BATTLE WITH A UNIVERSE OF ENTHRONED SUPERSTITION, ENCOMPASSED BY PERILS WHICH THREATENED EVERY HOUR TO DISSOLVE HIM, WHO, PRESSING HIS WAY OVER MOUNTAINS OF DIFFICULTY AND THROUGH SEAS OF SUFFERING, AND DYING A MARTYR TO HIS CAUSE, GAVE TO Europe a living God and to the nations another and an everlasting King. WE LIKEWISE READ OF A CERTAIN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, BROODING IN LOWLY RETIREMENT UPON THE STRUCTURE OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, RIDICULED, FROWNED ON BY THE LEARNED, REPULSED BY COURT AFTER COURT, YET LAUNCHING OUT INTO THE UNKNOWN SEAS TO FIND AN UNDISCOVERED HEMISPHERE, AND OPENING THE WAY FOR PERSECUTED LIBERTY TO CRADLE THE GRAND EMPIRE OF POPULAR rule amid the golden hills of a new and independent continent. And in this category stands the name of MARTIN LUTHER. HE WAS A POOR, PLAIN MAN, ONLY A DOCTOR OF DIVINITY, WITHOUT PLACE EXCEPT AS A TEACHER IN A UNIVERSITY, WITHOUT POWER OR authority except in the convictions and qualities of his own soul, and with no implements save his Bible, tongue, and pen; but with him the ages divided and human history took a new departure. TWO PRE-EMINENT REVOLUTIONS HAVE PASSED OVER EUROPE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA. THE ONE STRUCK THE ROME AND RULE OF EMPERORS; THE OTHER STRUCK THE ROME AND RULE OF POPES. THE ONE BROUGHT THE DARK AGES; THE OTHER ENDED THEM. THE ONE OVERWHELMED THE DOMINION OF THE CÆSARS; THE OTHER HUMILIATED A MORE THAN IMPERIAL DOMINION REARED IN CÆSAR'S PLACE. ALARIC, RHADAGAISUS, GENSERIC, AND ATTILA WERE THE CHIEF INSTRUMENTS AND EMBODIMENT OF THE first; Martin Luther WAS THE CHIEF INSTRUMENT AND EMBODIMENT OF THE SECOND. THE ONE WROUGHT BLOODY DESOLATION; THE other brought blessed renovation, under which humanity has bloomed its happiest and its best. THE PAPACY. SINCE PHOCAS DECREED THE BISHOP OF ROME THE SUPREME HEAD OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH THERE HAD GROWN UP STRANGE POWER WHICH CLAIMED TO DECIDE BEYOND APPEAL RESPECTING EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING—FROM AFFAIRS OF EMPIRE TO THE BURIAL OF [Pg 9] [Pg 10] [Pg 11] [Pg 12] THE DEAD, FROM THE THOUGHTS OF MEN HERE TO THE ESTATE OF THEIR SOULS HEREAFTER—AND TO COMMAND THE ANATHEMAS OF GOD UPON ANY WHO DARED TO QUESTION ITS AUTHORITY. IT HELD ITSELF DIVINELY ORDAINED TO GIVE CROWNS AND TO TAKE THEM AWAY. KINGS AND POTENTATES WERE ITS VASSALS, AND NATIONS HAD TO DEFER TO IT AND SERVE IT, ON PAIN OF interdicts WHICH SMOTE WHOLE REALMS WITH GLOOM AND DESOLATION, PROSTRATED ALL THE INDUSTRIES OF LIFE, LOCKED UP THE VERY GRAVEYARDS AGAINST DECENT SEPULTURE, AND CONSIGNED PEOPLES AND GENERATIONS TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DAMNATION. IT WAS OMNIPRESENT AND OMNIPOTENT IN CIVILIZED EUROPE. ITS CLERGY AND ORDERS SWARMED IN EVERY PLACE, ALL SWORN TO GUARD IT AT EVERY POINT ON PERIL OF THEIR SOULS, AND THEMSELVES HELD SACRED IN PERSON AND RETREAT FROM ALL REACH OF LAW FOR ANY CRIME SAVE LACK OF FEALTY TO THE GREAT AUTOCRACY. [1] THE MONEY, THE ARMIES, THE LANDS, THE LEGISLATURES, THE JUDGES, THE EXECUTIVES, THE POLICE, THE SCHOOLS, WITH THE WHOLE ECCLESIASTICAL ADMINISTRATION, REACHING EVEN TO THE MOST PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF LIFE, WERE UNDER ITS CONTROL. AND AT ITS CENTRE SAT ITS ABSOLUTE DICTATOR, UNANSWERABLE AND SUPREME, THE ALLEGED VICAR OF GOD ON EARTH, FOR whom to err was deemed impossible. THINK OF A POWER WHICH COULD FORCE KING HENRY IV., THE HEIR OF A LONG LINE OF EMPERORS, TO STRIP HIMSELF OF EVERY MARK OF HIS STATION, PUT ON THE LINEN DRESS OF A PENITENT, WALK BAREFOOTED THROUGH THE WINTER'S SNOW TO THE POPE'S CASTLE AT CANOSSA, AND THERE TO WAIT THREE DAYS AT ITS GATES, UNBEFRIENDED, UNFED, AND HALF PERISHING WITH COLD AND HUNGER, TILL ALL BUT THE ALLEGED VICAR OF JESUS CHRIST WERE MOVED WITH PITY FOR HIS MISERIES AS HE STOOD IMPLORING THE TARDY CLEMENCY OF Hildebrand, which was almost as humiliating in its bestowal as in its reservation. THINK OF A POWER WHICH COULD FORCE THE ENGLISH KING, HENRY II., TO WALK THREE MILES OF A FLINTY ROAD, WITH BARE AND BLEEDING FEET, TO CANTERBURY, TO BE FLOGGED FROM ONE END OF THE CHURCH TO THE OTHER BY THE BEASTLY MONKS, AND THEN FORCED TO SPEND THE WHOLE NIGHT IN SUPPLICATIONS TO THE SPIRIT OF AN OBSTINATE, PERJURED, AND DEFIANT ARCHBISHOP, WHOM FOUR OF HIS OVER-ZEALOUS KNIGHTS, WITHOUT HIS ORDERS, HAD MURDERED, AND WHOSE INNER GARMENTS, WHEN HE WAS STRIPPED TO receive his shroud, were found alive with vermin! THINK OF A POWER WHICH, IN DEFIANCE OF THE SEALED SAFE-CONDUCT OF THE EMPIRE, COULD SEIZE JOHN HUSS, ONE OF THE worthiest and most learned men of his time, and burn him alive in the presence of the emperor! THINK OF A POWER WHICH, BY A SINGLE EDICT, CAUSED THE DELIBERATE MURDER OF MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND MEN IN THE Netherlands alone! EFFORTS AT REFORM. TO RESTRAIN AND HUMBLE THIS GIGANTIC POWER WAS THE DESIDERATUM OF AGES. FOR TWO HUNDRED YEARS HAD MEN BEEN LABORING TO CURB AND TAME IT. FROM THEOLOGIANS AND UNIVERSITIES, FROM KINGS AND EMPERORS, FROM PROVINCES AND SYNODS, FROM GENERAL COUNCILS, AND EVEN THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS—IN EVERY NAME OF RIGHT, VIRTUE, AND RELIGION—APPEAL AFTER APPEAL AND SOLEMN EFFORT AFTER EFFORT WERE MADE TO REFORM THE ROMAN COURT AND FREE THE WORLD FROM THE TERRIBLE OPPRESSION. WARS ON WARS WERE WAGED; PROVINCES ON PROVINCES WERE DELUGED WITH BLOOD; COALITIONS, BOUND BY SACRED OATHS, WERE FORMED AGAINST THE GIANT TYRANNY. AND YET THE HIERARCHY MANAGED TO MAINTAIN ITS ASSUMPTIONS AND TO OVERWHELM ALL REMEDIAL ATTEMPTS. WHETHER MADE BY INDIVIDUALS OR SECULAR POWERS, BY COUNCILS OR GOVERNMENTS, THE RESULT WAS THE same. The Pontificate still triumphed, with its claims unabridged, its dominion unbroken, its scandals uncured. A GENERAL COUNCIL SAT AT CONSTANCE TO REFORM THE CLERGY IN HEAD AND MEMBERS. IT MANAGED TO RID ITSELF OF THREE POPES BETWEEN WHOM CHRISTENDOM WAS DIVIDED, WHEN THE EMPEROR MOVED THAT THE WORK OF REFORM PROCEED. BUT THE CARDINALS SAID, HOW CAN THE CHURCH REFORM ITSELF WITHOUT A HEAD? SO THEY ELECTED A POPE WHO WAS TO LEAD REFORM. YET A DAY HAD HARDLY PASSED BEFORE THEY FOUND THEMSELVES IN A TRAITOR'S POWER, WHO REAFFIRMED ALL THE ACTS OF THE INIQUITOUS JOHN XXIII., who had just been deposed for his crimes, and presently endowed him with a cardinal's hat! WHEN THIS POPE, MARTIN V., DIED, THE CARDINALS THOUGHT TO REMEDY THEIR PREVIOUS MISTAKE. THEY WOULD SECURE THEIR REFORMS BEFORE ELECTING A POPE. SO THEY ERECTED THEMSELVES INTO A STANDING SENATE, WITHOUT WHICH NO FUTURE POPE COULD ACT. AND THEY EACH TOOK SOLEMN OATH, BEFORE GOD AND ALL ANGELS, BY ST. PETER AND ALL APOSTLES, BY THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF CHRIST'S BODY AND BLOOD, AND BY ALL THE POWERS THAT BE, IF ELECTED, TO CONFORM TO THESE ARRANGEMENTS AND TO USE ALL THE rights and prerogatives of the sublime position to put in force the reforms conceded to be necessary. BUT WHAT ARE OATHS AND FORE-PLEDGES TO CANDIDATES GREEDY FOR OFFICE? THE TICKETS WHICH ELECTED THE NEW POPE HAD HARDLY BEEN COUNTED WHEN HE ABSOLVED HIMSELF FROM ALL PREVIOUS OBLIGATIONS, DISOWNED THE SENATE OF CARDINALS HE HAD HELPED TO ERECT, BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH VIOLENCE AND ROBBERY, PLUNDERED THE CITIES AND STATES OF ITALY, RELIGIOUSLY VIOLATED ALL COMPACTS BUT THOSE WHICH FAVORED HIS ABSOLUTE SUPREMACY, BROUGHT TO NONE EFFECT THE REFORM COUNCIL OF BASLE, DECEIVED GERMANY WITH HIS SPECIOUS AND HOLLOW CONCESSIONS, AVERTED THE IMPROVEMENTS HE HAD SWORN TO MAKE, AND BY HIS PERFIDY AND CUNNING MANAGED TO RETAIN IN SUBORDINATION TO THE OLD RÉGIME NEARLY THE WHOLE OF THAT CHRISTENDOM WHICH he had outraged! In spite of the efforts of centuries, this super-imperial power held by the throat a struggling world. TO BREAK THAT GNARLED AND BONY HAND, WHICH LOCKED UP EVERYTHING IN ITS GRASP; TO BRING DOWN THE TOWERING ALTITUDE OF THAT OLDEN TYRANNY, WHOSE HEAD WAS LIFTED TO THE CLOUDS; TO STRIKE FROM THE SOUL ITS CLANKING CHAINS AND SET THE SUFFERING NATIONS FREE; TO CHAMPION THE INBORN RIGHTS OF AFFLICTED HUMANITY, AND CONQUER THE IGNORANCE AND IMPOSTURE WHICH HAD GOVERNED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS,—CONSTITUTED THE WORK AND OFFICE OF THE MAN THE FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF WHOSE birth half the civilized world is celebrating to-day. [Pg 13] [Pg 14] [Pg 15] [Pg 16] [Pg 17] TIME OF THE REFORMATION. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT WHEN THIS TONSURED AUGUSTINIAN CAME UPON THE STAGE ALMOST ANY BRAVE MAN MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT THE IMPENDING CHANGES. THE REFORMERS BEFORE THE REFORMATION, THOUGH VANQUISHED, HAD INDEED NOT LIVED IN VAIN. THE EUROPEAN PEOPLES WERE OUTGROWING FEUDAL VASSALAGE, AND MOVING TOWARD NATIONALIZATION AND SEPARATION BETWEEN THE SECULAR AND ECCLESIASTICAL POWERS. TRAVEL, EXPLORATION, AND DISCOVERY HAD INTRODUCED NEW SUBJECTS OF HUMAN INTEREST AND CONTEMPLATION. SCHOOLS OF LAW, MEDICINE, AND LIBERAL EDUCATION WERE BEING ESTABLISHED AND LARGELY ATTENDED. THE COMMON MIND WAS LOSING FAITH IN THE PRO FESSIONS AND TEACHINGS OF THE OLD HIERARCHY. FREE INQUIRY WAS OVERTURNING THE DOMINION OF AUTHORITY IN MATTERS OF THOUGHT AND OPINION. THE INTELLECT OF MAN WAS BEGINNING TO RECOVER FROM THE NIGHTMARE OF CENTURIES. A MIGHTIER POWER THAN THE SWORD HAD SPRUNG UP IN THE ART OF PRINTING. IN A WORD, THE WORLD WAS gravid with a new era. But it was not so clear who would be able to bring it safely to the birth. THERE WERE LIVING AT THE TIME MANY EMINENT MEN WHO MIGHT BE THOUGHT OF FOR THIS OFFICE HAD IT NOT BEEN ASSIGNED TO LUTHER. REUCHLIN, ERASMUS, HÜTTEN, SICKINGEN, AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN NAMED, BUT THE LIST MIGHT BE EXTENDED, AND YET NO one be found endowed with the qualities to accomplish the work that was needed and that was accomplished. FREDERICK THE WISE. THE SAXON ELECTOR, FREDERICK THE WISE, WAS THE WORTHIEST, MOST POPULAR, AND MOST INFLUENTIAL RULER THEN IN EUROPE. HE COULD HAVE BEEN EMPEROR IN PLACE OF CHARLES V. HAD HE CONSENTED TO BE. THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD SINCE HIS TIME MIGHT HAVE BEEN GREATLY DIFFERENT HAD HE YIELDED TO THE GENERAL DESIRE. HIS PRINCIPLES, HIS ATTAINMENTS, HIS WISDOM, AND HIS spirit WERE EVERYTHING TO COMMEND HIM. HE FOUNDED THE UNIVERSITY OF WITTENBERG IN HOPE THAT IT WOULD PRODUCE PREACHERS WHO WOULD LEAVE OFF THE COLD SUBTLETIES OF SCHOLASTICISM AND THE UNCERTAINTIES OF TRADITION, AND GIVE DISCOURSES THAT WOULD POSSESS THE NERVE AND POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD. HE SOUGHT OUT THE BEST AND MOST PIOUS MEN FOR HIS ADVISERS. HE WAS THE DEVOTED FRIEND OF LEARNING, TRUTH, AND VIRTUE. BY HIS PRUDENCE AND FORESIGHT IN CHURCH AND STATE HE HELPED THE REFORMATION MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAN THEN IN POWER. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR HIM PERHAPS LUTHER COULD NOT HAVE SUCCEEDED. BUT IT WAS NOT IN THE NATURE OF THINGS FOR THE NOBLE ELECTOR TO GIVE US SUCH A REFORMATION AS THAT LED BY HIS HUMBLE SUBJECT. IT IS USELESS TO SPECULATE AS TO WHAT THE REFORMATION MIGHT HAVE BECOME IN HIS HANDS; BUT IT CERTAINLY COULD NEVER HAVE BECOME WHAT WE REJOICE TO KNOW IT WAS, WHILE THE PROBABILITIES ARE THAT WE WOULD NOW BE FIGHTING THE battles which Luther fought for us three and a half centuries ago. REUCHLIN. REUCHLIN WAS A LEARNED AND ABLE MAN, AND DEEPLY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED OF REFORM. WHEN THE GREEK ARGYROPHYLOS HEARD HIM READ AND EXPLAIN THUCYDIDES, HE EXCLAIMED, "GREECE HAS RETIRED BEYOND THE ALPS." HE WAS THE FIRST HEBREW SCHOLAR OF GERMANY, AND SERVED TO RESTORE THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHURCH. HE HELD THAT POPES COULD ERR AND BE DECEIVED. HE HAD NO FAITH IN HUMAN ABNEGATIONS FOR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD. HE SAW NO NEED FOR HIERARCHICAL MEDIATIONS, AND DISCREDITED THE DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY AND MASSES FOR THE DEAD. HE BRAVELY DEFENDED THE CAUSE OF LEARNING AGAINST THE IGNORANT MONKS, WHOM HE HATED AND HELD UP TO MERCILESS RIDICULE. HE WAS A BRILLIANT AND PERSUASIVE ORATOR. HE WAS AN ASSOCIATE AND COUNSELOR OF KINGS. HE GAVE MELANCHTHON TO THE REFORMATION, AND DID MUCH TO PROMOTE IT. LUTHER RECOGNIZED IN HIM A GREAT LIGHT, OF VAST SERVICE TO THE GOSPEL IN GERMANY. BUT REUCHLIN COULD NEVER HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE REFORMATION. THE VITAL PRINCIPLES OF IT WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY ROOTED IN HIM. HE WAS A humanist, whose sympathies went with the republic of letters, not with the wants of the soul and the needs of the people. WHEN HE GOT INTO TROUBLE HE APPEALED TO THE POPE. AND THOUGH HE LIVED TO SEE LUTHER IN AGONIZING CONFLICT WITH THE HIERARCHY OF ROME, HE REFRAINED FROM MAKING COMMON CAUSE WITH HIM, AND DIED IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNREFORMED Church, whose doctrines he had questioned and whose orders he had so unsparingly ridiculed. ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM. ERASMUS WAS A NOTABLE MAN, GREAT IN TALENT AND OF GREAT SERVICE IN PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE REFORMATION. HE TURNED reviving learning to the study of the Word. He produced the first, and for a long time the only, critical edition of the New TESTAMENT IN THE ORIGINAL, TO WHICH HE ADDED A LATIN TRANSLATION AND NOTES. HE PARAPHRASED THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS— THAT GREAT EPISTLE ON WHICH ABOVE ALL, THE REFORMATION MOVED. THOUGH ONCE AN INMATE OF A MONASTERY, HE ABHORRED THE MONKS AND EXPOSED THEM WITH TERRIBLE SEVERITY. HE HAD MORE FRIENDS, REPUTATION, AND INFLUENCE THAN PERHAPS ANY OTHER PRIVATE MAN IN EUROPE. AND HE WAS DEEP IN THE SPIRIT OF OPPOSITION TO THE SCANDALOUS CONDITION OF THINGS IN THE CHURCH. BUT HE NEVER COULD HAVE GIVEN US THE REFORMATION. HE SAID ALL HONEST MEN SIDED WITH LUTHER, AND AS AN HONEST MAN HIS PLACE WOULD HAVE BEEN BY LUTHER'S SIDE; BUT HE WAS TOO GREAT A COWARD. "IF I SHOULD JOIN LUTHER," SAID HE, "I COULD ONLY PERISH WITH HIM, AND I DO NOT MEAN TO RUN MY NECK INTO THE HALTER. LET POPES AND EMPERORS SETTLE MATTERS."—"YOUR HOLINESS SAYS, COME TO ROME; YOU MIGHT AS WELL TELL A CRAB TO FLY. IF I WRITE CALMLY AGAINST LUTHER, I SHALL BE CALLED LUKEWARM; IF I WRITE AS HE DOES, I SHALL STIR UP A HORNET'S NEST.... SEND FOR THE BEST AND WISEST MEN IN CHRISTENDOM, AND FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE."—"REDUCE THE DOGMAS NECESSARY TO BE BELIEVED TO THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE NUMBER. ON OTHER POINTS let every one believe as he likes. Having done this, quietly correct the abuses of which the world justly complains." [Pg 18] [Pg 19] [Pg 20] [Pg 21] [Pg 22] SO WROTE ERASMUS TO THE POPE AND TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF MAYENCE. SUCH WAS HIS IDEAL OF REFORMATION—A THING AS IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING INTO PRACTICAL EFFECT AS ITS REALIZATION WOULD HAVE BEEN ABSURD. IT IS EASY TO TELL A CRAB TO FLY, BUT WILL HE DO IT? AS WELL PROPOSE TO CONVERT INFALLIBILITY WITH A FABLE OF ÆSOP AS TO COUNT ON BRINGING REGENERATION TO THE hierarchy by such counsels. THE WATERS WERE TOO DEEP AND THE STORMS TOO FIERCE FOR THE VACILLATING ERASMUS. HE DID SOME EXCELLENT SERVICE IN HIS WAY, BUT ALL HIS COUNSELS AND IDEAS FAILED, AS THEY DESERVED. ONCE THE IDOL OF EUROPE, HE DIED A DEFEATED, CRUSHED, AND MISERABLE MAN. "HERCULES COULD NOT FIGHT TWO MONSTERS AT ONCE," SAID HE, "WHILE I, POOR WRETCH! HAVE LIONS, CERBERUSES, CANCERS, SCORPIONS, EVERY DAY AT MY SWORD'S POINT.... THERE IS NO REST FOR ME IN MY AGE, UNLESS I JOIN LUTHER; AND THAT I CANNOT, FOR I CANNOT ACCEPT HIS DOCTRINES. SOMETIMES I AM STUNG WITH DESIRE TO AVENGE MY WRONGS; BUT MY HEART SAYS, WILL YOU IN YOUR SPLEEN RAISE HAND AGAINST YOUR MOTHER WHO BEGOT YOU AT THE FONT? I CANNOT DO IT. YET, BECAUSE I BADE MONKS REMEMBER THEIR VOWS; BECAUSE I TOLD PERSONS TO LEAVE OFF THEIR WRANGLINGS AND READ THE BIBLE; BECAUSE I TOLD popes and cardinals to look to the apostles and be more like them,—the theologians say I am their enemy." Thus in sorrow and in clouds Erasmus passed away, as would the entire Reformation in his hands. ULRIC VON HÜTTEN. ULRIC VON HÜTTEN, SOLDIER AND KNIGHT, EQUALLY DISTINGUISHED IN LETTERS AND IN ARMS, AND CALLED THE DEMOSTHENES OF GERMANY, WAS A ZEALOUS FRIEND OF REFORM. HE HAD BEEN IN ROME, AND SHARPENED HIS DARTS FROM WHAT HE THERE SAW TO HURL THEM WITH EFFECT. ALL THE POWERS OF SATIRE AND RIDICULE HE BROUGHT TO BEAR UPON THE PILLARS OF THE PAPACY. HE HELPED TO SHAKE THE EDIFICE, AND HIS PLANS AND SPIRIT MIGHT HAVE SERVED TO PULL IT DOWN HAD HE BEEN ABLE TO BRING EUROPE TO HIS mind; but it would only have been to bury society in its ruins. ULRICH ZWINGLI. ULRICH ZWINGLI IS RANKED AMONG REFORMERS, AND HE WAS ENERGETIC IN BEHALF OF REFORM. BUT HE FELL A VICTIM TO HIS OWN MISTAKES, AND WITH HIM WOULD HAVE PERISHED THE REFORMATION ALSO HAD IT DEPENDED UPON HIM. EVEN HAD HE LIVED, HIS RADICAL AND RATIONALISTIC SPIRIT, HIS NARROW AND FIERY PATRIOTISM, HIS SHALLOW RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, AND HIS EAGERNESS TO REST THE CAUSE OF REFORMATION ON CIVIL AUTHORITY AND THE SWORD, WOULD HAVE WRECKED IT WITH NINE-TENTHS OF THE EUROPEAN peoples. MELANCHTHON. PHILIP MELANCHTHON WAS A BETTER AND A GREATER MAN, AND DID THE REFORMATION A FAR SUPERIOR SERVICE. LUTHER WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DISABLED WITHOUT HIM, AND GERMANY HAS AWARDED HIM THE TITLE OF ITS "PRECEPTOR." BUT NO REFORMATION COULD HAVE COME IF THE FIGHTING OR DIRECTING OF ITS BATTLES HAD BEEN LEFT TO HIM. EVEN WITH THE GREAT LUTHER EVER BY HIS SIDE, HE COULD HARDLY GET LOOSE FROM ROME AND RETAIN HIS WHOLENESS, AND WHEN HE WAS LOOSE COULD HARDLY MAINTAIN HIS LEGS UPON the ground that had been won. CALVIN. JOHN CALVIN WAS A MAN OF GREAT LEARNING AND ABILITY. MARKED HAS BEEN HIS INFLUENCE ON THE THEOLOGY AND GOVERNMENT OF A large portion of the Reformed churches. But the Reformation was twelve years old before he came into it. It had to exist ALREADY ERE THERE COULD BE A CALVIN, WHILE HIS REPEATED FLIGHTS TO AVOID DANGER PROVE HOW INADEQUATE HIS COURAGE WAS FOR SUCH UNFLINCHING DUTY AS RENDERED LUTHER ILLUSTRIOUS. HE WAS A COLD, HARD, ASCETIC ARISTOCRAT AT BEST, MORE CYNICAL, STERN, AND TYRANNICAL THAN BRAVE. THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE CHURCH AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT WHICH HE GAVE TO GENEVA WAS QUITE TOO INTOLERANT AND INQUISITORIAL FOR SAFE ADOPTION IN GENERAL OR TO ENDURE THE TEST OF THE TRUE GOSPEL SPIRIT. UNDER A RÉGIME WHICH BURNT SERVETUS FOR HERESY, THREW MEN INTO PRISON FOR READING NOVELS, HUNG AND BEHEADED CHILDREN FOR IMPROPER BEHAVIOR TOWARD PARENTS, WHIPPED AND BANISHED PEOPLE FOR SINGING SONGS, AND DEALT WITH OTHERS AS PUBLIC BLASPHEMERS IF THEY SAID A WORD AGAINST THE REFORMERS OR FAILED TO GO TO CHURCH, THE CAUSE OF THE REFORMATION COULD NEVER HAVE COMMANDED ACCEPTANCE BY THE NATIONS, OR HAVE SURVIVED HAD IT BEEN RECEIVED. THE FAMOUS "BLUE LAWS" OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES HAVE HAD TO BE GIVEN UP AS A SCANDAL UPON ENLIGHTENED CIVILIZATION; BUT THEY WERE LARGELY TRANSCRIBED FROM CALVIN'S CODE AND COUNSELS, INCLUDING EVEN THE PUNISHING OF WITCHES. FOR THE LAST TWO HUNDRED YEARS THE CALVINISTIC PEOPLES HAVE BEEN REFORMING BACK FROM CALVIN'S RULES AND SPIRIT, EITHER TO A BETTER FOUNDATION FOR THE PERPETUATION AND HONOR OF THE CHURCH OR TO A RATIONALISTIC SKEPTICISM WHICH LETS GO ALL THE DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS OF THE genuine Christian Creed—the natural reaction from the hard and overstrained severity of a legalistic style of Christianity. WITH ALL THE GREAT SERVICE CALVIN HAS RENDERED TO THEOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND CHURCH DISCIPLINE, THERE WAS AN UNNATURAL SOMBRENESS ABOUT HIM, WHICH LINKED HIM RATHER WITH THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE HIERARCHICAL RULE THAN WITH THE GLAD, FREE SPIRIT OF A WHOLESOME CHRISTIAN LIFE. AT TWENTY-SEVEN HE HAD ALREADY DRAWN UP A FORMULA OF DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION WHICH HE NEVER CHANGED AND TO WHICH HE EVER HELD. THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT EITHER IN HIS LIFE OR IN HIS IDEAS. THE evangelic elements of his system he found ready to his hand, as thought out by Luther and the German theologians. They [Pg 23] [Pg 24] [Pg 25] [Pg 26] [Pg 27] DID NOT ORIGINATE OR GROW WITH HIM. AND HAD THE REFORMATION DEPENDED UPON HIM IT COULD NEVER HAVE BECOME A success. So too with any others that might be named. LUTHER THE CHOSEN INSTRUMENT. WE MAY NOT LIMIT PROVIDENCE. THE WORK WAS TO BE DONE. EVERY INTEREST OF THE WORLD AND OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD DEMANDED IT. AND IF THERE HAD BEEN NO LUTHER AT HAND, SOME ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN RAISED UP TO SERVE IN HIS PLACE. But there was A LUTHER, AND, AS FAR AS HUMAN INSIGHT CAN DETERMINE, HE WAS THE ONLY MAN ON EARTH COMPETENT TO ACHIEVE the Reformation. And he it was who did achieve it. LOOKED AT IN ADVANCE, PERHAPS NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF HIM FOR SUCH AN OFFICE. HE WAS SO HUMBLY BORN, SO LOWLY IN STATION, SO DESTITUTE OF FORTUNE, AND WITHAL SO HONEST A PAPIST, THAT NOT THE SLIGHTEST TOKENS PRESENTED TO MARK HIM OUT as the chosen instrument to grapple with the magnitudinous tyranny by which Europe was enthralled. BUT "GOD HATH CHOSEN THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE THINGS THAT ARE MIGHTY." MOSES WAS THE SON OF A SLAVE. THE FOUNDER OF THE HEBREW MONARCHY WAS A SHEPHERD-BOY. THE REDEEMER-KING OF THE WORLD WAS BORN IN A STABLE AND REARED IN THE FAMILY OF A VILLAGE CARPENTER. AND WE NEED NOT WONDER THAT THE HERO-PROPHET OF THE MODERN AGES WAS THE SON OF A POOR TOILER FOR HIS DAILY BREAD, AND COMPELLED TO SING UPON THE STREET FOR ALMS TO KEEP BODY AND soul together while struggling for an education. IT HAS BEEN THE COMMON ORDER OF PROVIDENCE THAT THE GREATEST LIGHTS AND BENEFACTORS OF THE RACE, THE MEN WHO ROSE THE HIGHEST ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THEIR KIND AND STOOD AS BEACONS TO THE WORLD, WERE NOT SUCH AS WOULD HAVE BEEN THOUGHT OF IN ADVANCE FOR THE MIGHTY SERVICES WHICH RENDER THEIR NAMES IMMORTAL. AND THAT THE MASTER SPIRIT OF THE GREAT REFORMATION was no exception all the more surely identifies that marvelous achievement as the work of an overruling God. LUTHER'S ORIGIN. LUTHER WAS A SAXON GERMAN—A GERMAN OF THE GERMANS—BORN OF THAT BLOOD OUT OF WHICH, WITH BUT FEW EXCEPTIONS, HAVE SPRUNG THE RULING POWERS OF THE WEST SINCE THE LAST OF THE OLD ROMAN EMPERORS. HE CAME OUT OF THE BOSOM OF THE FRESHEST, STRONGEST, AND HARDIEST PEOPLES THEN EXISTING—THE DIRECT DESCENDANTS OF THOSE WILD CIMBRIAN AND TEUTONIC tribes who, even in their heathenism, were the most virtuous, brave, and true of all the Gentiles. NOR WAS HE THE OFFSPRING OF ENFEEBLED, GOUTY, ARISTOCRATIC BLOOD. HE WAS THE SON OF THE SINEWY AND STURDY YEOMANRY. THOUGH TRADITION REPORTS ONE OF HIS REMOTE ANCESTORS IN SOMETHING OF IMPERIAL PLACE AMONG THE CHIEFTAINS OF THE SEMI- SAVAGE TRIBES FROM WHICH HE WAS DESCENDED, WHEN THE PERIOD OF THE REFORMATION CAME HIS FAMILY WAS IN LIKE CONDITION WITH THAT OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID WHEN THE CHRIST WAS BORN. HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER, HE SAYS himself, were true Thuringian peasants. LUTHER'S EARLY TRAINING. IN THE EARLY PERIODS OF THE MEDIÆVAL CHURCH HER MISSIONARIES CAME TO THESE FIERY WARRIORS OF THE NORTH AND FOLLOWED THE CONQUESTS OF CHARLEMAGNE, TO TEACH THEM THAT THEY HAD SOULS, THAT THERE IS A LIVING AND ALL-KNOWING GOD AT WHOSE JUDGMENT-BAR ALL MUST ONE DAY STAND TO GIVE ACCOUNT, AND THAT IT WOULD THEN BE WELL WITH THE BELIEVING, BRAVE, HONEST, TRUE, AND GOOD, AND ILL WITH COWARDS, PROFLIGATES, AND LIARS. IT WAS A SIMPLE CREED, BUT IT TOOK FAST HOLD ON THE GERMANIC heart, to show itself in sturdy power in the long after years. THIS CREED, IN UNABATED FORCE, DESCENDED TO LUTHER'S PARENTS, AND LIVED AND WROUGHT IN THEM AS A CONTROLLING PRINCIPLE. They were also strict to render it the same in their children. Hans Luther was a hard and stern disciplinarian, unsparing in the enforcement of every virtue. Margaret Luther[2] WAS NOTED AMONG HER NEIGHBORS AS A MODEL WOMAN, AND WAS SO EARNEST IN HER INCULCATIONS OF RIGHT THAT SHE PREFERRED TO SEE HER SON BLEED BENEATH THE ROD RATHER THAN THAT HE SHOULD DO A QUESTIONABLE THING EVEN respecting so small a matter as a nut. FROM HIS CHILDHOOD LUTHER WAS THUS TRAINED AND ATTEMPERED TO FEAR GOD, REVERENCE TRUTH AND HONESTY, AND HATE HYPOCRISY AND LIES. POSSIBLY HIS PARENTS WERE SEVERER WITH HIM THAN WAS NECESSARY, BUT IT WAS WELL FOR HIM, AS THE PROSPECTIVE PROPHET OF A NEW ERA, TO LEARN ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO THOSE WHO WERE TO HIM THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THAT divine authority which he was to teach the world supremely to obey. BUT NO BIRTH, OR BLOOD, OR PARENTAL DRILLING, OR ANY MERE HUMAN CULTURE, COULD GIVE THE QUALITIES NECESSARY TO A SUCCESSFUL REFORMER. THE CHURCH HAD FALLEN INTO ALL MANNER OF EVILS, BECAUSE IT HAD DRIFTED AWAY FROM THE APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE AS TO HOW A MAN SHALL BE JUST WITH GOD; WHICH IS THE ALL-CONDITIONING QUESTION OF ALL RIGHT RELIGION. THERE COULD THEN BE NO CURE FOR THOSE EVILS EXCEPT BY THE BRINGING OF THE CHURCH BACK TO THAT DOCTRINE. BUT TO DO ANYTHING EFFECTUAL TOWARD SUCH A RECOVERY IT WAS PRE-EMINENTLY REQUIRED THAT THE REFORMER HIMSELF SHOULD FIRST BE BROUGHT TO AN EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE of what was to be witnessed and taught. [Pg 28] [Pg 29] [Pg 30] [Pg 31] ON TWO DIFFERENT THEATRES, THEREFORE, THE REFORMATION HAD TO BE WROUGHT OUT: FIRST, IN THE REFORMER'S OWN SOUL, AND THEN on the field of the world outside of him. WHAT THE REFORMATION WAS. IT IS HARD TO TAKE IN THE DEPTH AND MAGNITUDE OF WHAT IS CALLED THE GREAT REFORMATION. IT STANDS OUT IN HISTORY LIKE A RANGE OF HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS, WHOSE ROOTS REACH DOWN INTO THE HEART OF THE WORLD AND WHOSE SUMMITS PIERCE BEYOND the clouds. TO BOSSUET AND VOLTAIRE IT WAS A MERE SQUABBLE OF THE MONKS; TO OTHERS IT WAS THE CUPIDITY OF SECULAR SOVEREIGNS AND LAY NOBILITY GRASPING FOR THE POWER, ESTATES, AND RICHES OF THE CHURCH. SOME TREAT OF IT AS A SIMPLE REACTION AGAINST RELIGIOUS SCANDALS, WITH NO GREAT DEPTHS OF PRINCIPLE OR MEANING EXCEPT TO ILLUSTRATE THE RECUPERATIVE POWER OF HUMAN SOCIETY TO CURE ITSELF OF OPPRESSIVE ILLS. GUIZOT DESCRIBES IT AS "A VAST EFFORT OF THE HUMAN MIND TO ACHIEVE ITS FREEDOM—A GREAT ENDEAVOR TO EMANCIPATE HUMAN REASON." LORD BACON TAKES IT AS THE REAWAKENING OF ANTIQUITY AND THE RECALL OF former times to reshape and fashion our own. WHATEVER OF TRUTH SOME OF THESE ESTIMATES MAY CONTAIN, THEY FALL FAR SHORT OF A CORRECT IDEA OF WHAT THE REFORMATION WAS, OR WHEREIN LAY THE VITAL SPRING OF THAT WONDROUS REVOLUTION. ITS HISTORIC AND PHILOSOPHIC CENTRE WAS VASTLY DEEPER AND MORE POTENT THAN EITHER OR ALL OF THESE CONCEPTIONS WOULD MAKE IT. MANY INFLUENCES CONTRIBUTED TO ITS ACCOMPLISHMENT, BUT ITS INMOST PRINCIPLE WAS UNIQUE. THE REAL NERVE OF THE REFORMATION WAS RELIGIOUS. ITS LIFE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM MERE EARTHLY INTERESTS, UTILITIES, AIMS, OR PASSIONS. Its seat was in the conscience. ITS TRUE SPRING WAS THE SOUL, CONFRONTED BY ETERNAL JUDGMENT, TREMBLING FOR ITS ESTATE BEFORE DIVINE ALMIGHTINESS, AND, ON PAIN OF BANISHMENT FROM EVERY IMMORTAL GOOD, FORCED TO CONDITION AND DISPOSE ITSELF ACCORDING TO THE CLEAR REVELATIONS OF GOD. IT WAS NOT MERE NEGATION TO AN OPPRESSIVE HIERARCHY, EXCEPT AS IT WAS FIRST POSITIVE AND EVANGELIC TOUCHING THE DIRECT AND INDEFEASIBLE RELATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE SOUL TO ITS MAKER. ONLY WHEN THE HIERARCHY CLAIMED TO QUALIFY THESE DIRECT RELATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS, THRUST ITSELF BETWEEN THE SOUL AND ITS REDEEMER, AND BY ETERNAL PENALTIES SOUGHT TO HOLD THE CONSCIENCE BOUND TO HUMAN AUTHORITIES AND TRADITIONS, DID THE REFORMATION PROTEST AND TAKE ISSUE. HAD THE INALIENABLE RIGHT AND DUTY TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN BEEN CONCEDED, THE HIERARCHY, AS SUCH, MIGHT HAVE REMAINED, THE SAME AS MONARCHICAL GOVERNMENT. BUT THIS THE HIERARCHY NEGATIVED, CONDEMNED, AND WOULD BY NO MEANS TOLERATE. HENCE THE MIGHTY CONTEST. AND THE HEART, SUM, AND ESSENCE OF THE WHOLE STRUGGLE WAS THE MAINTENANCE AND THE WORKING OUT INTO living fact of this direct obligation of the soul to God and the supreme authority of His clear and unadulterated word. SPIRITUAL TRAINING. HOW LUTHER CAME TO THESE PRINCIPLES, AND THE FIERY TRIALS BY WHICH THEY WERE BURNT INTO HIM AS PART OF HIS INMOST SELF, IS one of the most vital chapters in the history. HIS FATHER HAD DESIGNED HIM FOR THE LAW. TO THIS END HE HAD GONE THROUGH THE BEST SCHOOLS OF GERMANY, TAKEN HIS MASTER'S DEGREE, AND WAS ADVANCING IN THE PARTICULAR STUDIES RELATING TO HIS INTENDED PROFESSION, WHEN A SUDDEN CHANGE came over his life. RELIGIOUS IN HIS TEMPER AND TRAINING, AND EDUCATED IN A CREED WHICH WORKED MAINLY ON MAN'S FEARS, WITHOUT EMPHASIZING THE ONLY BASIS OF SPIRITUAL PEACE, HE FELL INTO GREAT TERRORS OF CONSCIENCE. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES CONTRIBUTED TO THIS: (1) HE FELL SICK, AND WAS LIKELY TO DIE. (2) HE ACCIDENTALLY SEVERED AN ARTERY, AND CAME NEAR BLEEDING TO DEATH. (3) A BOSOM FRIEND OF HIS WAS SUDDENLY KILLED. ALL THIS MADE HIM THINK HOW IT WOULD BE WITH HIM IF CALLED TO STAND BEFORE GOD IN JUDGMENT, AND FILLED HIM WITH ALARM. THEN (4) HE WAS ONE DAY OVERTAKEN BY A THUNDERSTORM OF UNWONTED VIOLENCE. THE TERRIFIC SCENE PRESENTED TO HIS VIVID FANCY ALL THE HORRORS OF A MEDIÆVAL PICTURE OF THE LAST DAY, AND HIMSELF ABOUT TO BE PLUNGED INTO ETERNAL FIRE. OVERWHELMED WITH TERROR, HE CRIED TO HEAVEN FOR HELP, AND VOWED, IF SPARED, TO DEVOTE HIMSELF TO THE SALVATION OF HIS SOUL BY BECOMING A MONK. HIS FATHER HATED MONKERY, AND HE SHARED THE FEELING; BUT, IF IT WOULD SAVE HIM, WHY HESITATE? WHAT WAS A FATHER'S DISPLEASURE OR THE LOSS OF ALL THE FAVORS OF THE WORLD TO HIS SAFETY AGAINST A hopeless perdition? CALL IT SUPERSTITION, CALL IT RELIGIOUS MELANCHOLY, CALL IT MORBID HALLUCINATION, IT WAS A MOST SERIOUS MATTER TO THE YOUNG LUTHER, AND OUT OF IT ULTIMATELY GREW THE REFORMATION. FALSE IDEAS UNDERLAY THE RESOLVE, BUT IT WAS PROFOUNDLY SINCERE AND ACCORDING TO THE IDEAS OF AGES. IT WAS WRONG, BUT HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE ERROR UNTIL HE HAD TESTED IT. AND THUS, BY what he took as the unmistakable call of God, he entered the cloister. NEVER MAN WENT INTO A MONASTERY WITH PURER MOTIVES. NEVER A MAN WENT THROUGH THE DUTIES, DRUDGERIES, AND HUMILIATIONS OF THE NOVITIATE OF CONVENT-LIFE WITH MORE UNSHRINKING FIDELITY. NEVER MAN ENDURED MORE PAINFUL MENTAL AND BODILY AGONIES THAT HE MIGHT SECURE FOR HIMSELF AN ASSURED SPIRITUAL PEACE. ROMANISTS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR WONDER THAT SO PURE A MAN THOUGHT HIMSELF SO GREAT A SINNER. BUT A SINNER HE WAS, AS WE ALL; AND TO AVERT THE JUST ANGER OF GOD HE fasted, prayed, and mortified himself like an anchorite of the Thebaid. And yet no peace or comfort came. A CHAINED BIBLE LAY IN THE MONASTERY. HE HAD PREVIOUSLY FOUND A COPY OF IT IN THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY. DAY AND NIGHT HE READ IT, ALONG WITH THE WRITINGS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. IN BOTH HE FOUND THE SAME PICTURES OF MAN'S DEPRAVITY WHICH HE REALIZED IN HIMSELF, BUT GOD'S REMEDY FOR SIN HE HAD NOT FOUND. IN THE EARNESTNESS OF HIS STUDIES THE PRESCRIBED DEVOTIONS [Pg 32] [Pg 33] [Pg 34] [Pg 35] [Pg 36] WERE BETIMES CROWDED OUT, AND THEN HE PUNISHED HIMSELF WITHOUT MERCY TO REDEEM HIS FAILURES. WHOLE NIGHTS AND DAYS TOGETHER HE LAY UPON HIS FACE CRYING TO GOD, TILL HE SWOONED IN HIS AGONY. EVERYTHING HIS BROTHER-MONKS COULD TELL HIM HE TRIED, BUT ALL THE RESOURCES OF THEIR RELIGION WERE POWERLESS TO COMFORT HIM OR TO BEGET A RIGHTEOUSNESS IN WHICH HIS anguished soul could trust. IT HAPPENED THAT ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONALLY ENLIGHTENED AND SPIRITUAL-MINDED MONKS OF HIS TIME, John Staupitz, WAS THEN THE VICAR-GENERAL OF THE AUGUSTINIANS IN SAXONY. ON HIS TOUR OF INSPECTION HE CAME TO ERFURT, AND THERE FOUND LUTHER, A WALKING SKELETON, MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE. HE WAS SPECIALLY DRAWN TO THE HAGGARD YOUNG BROTHER. THE GENIAL AND SYMPATHIZING SPIRIT OF THE VICAR-GENERAL MADE LUTHER FEEL AT HOME IN HIS PRESENCE, AND TO HIM HE FREELY OPENED HIS WHOLE HEART, TELLING OF HIS FEELINGS, FAILURES, AND FEARS—HIS HEARTACHES, HIS ENDEAVORS, HIS DISAPPOINTMENTS, AND HIS DESPAIR. AND God put the right words into the vicar-general's mouth. "LOOK TO THE WOUNDS OF JESUS," SAID HE, "AND TO THE BLOOD HE SHED FOR YOU, AND THERE SEE THE MERCY OF GOD. CAST YOURSELF INTO THE REDEEMER'S ARMS, AND TRUST IN HIS RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND SACRIFICIAL DEATH. HE LOVED YOU FIRST; LOVE HIM IN return, and let your penances and mortifications go." THE OPPRESSED AND CAPTIVE SPIRIT BEGAN TO FEEL ITS BURDEN LIGHTEN UNDER SUCH DISCOURSE. GOD A GOD OF LOVE! PIETY A LIFE OF LOVE! SALVATION BY LOVING TRUST IN A GOD ALREADY RECONCILED IN CHRIST! THIS WAS A NEW REVELATION. IT BROUGHT THE SORROWING YOUNG LUTHER TO THE STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES WITH A NEW OBJECT OF SEARCH. HE READ AND MEDITATED, AND BEGAN to see the truth of what his vicar said. But doubts would come, and often his gloom returned. ONE DAY AN AGED MONK CAME TO HIS CELL TO COMFORT HIM. HE SAID HE ONLY KNEW HIS CREED, BUT IN THAT HE RESTED, RECITING, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins."—"AND DO I NOT BELIEVE THAT?" SAID LUTHER.—"AH," SAID THE OLD MONK, "YOU BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS FOR DAVID AND PETER AND THE THIEF ON THE CROSS, BUT YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS of sins for yourself. St. Bernard says the Holy Ghost speaks it to your own soul, Thy sins are forgiven thee." AND SO AT LAST THE RIGHT NERVE WAS TOUCHED. THE TRUE WORD OF GOD'S DELIVERANCE WAS BROUGHT HOME TO LUTHER'S UNDERSTANDING. HE WAS PENITENT AND IN EARNEST, AND NEEDED ONLY THIS GREAT GOSPEL HOPE TO LIFT HIM FROM THE HORRIBLE PIT AND THE MIRY CLAY. AS A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN IT CAME TO HIS SOUL, AND THERE REMAINED, A COMFORT AND A JOY. THE GLAD conclusion flashed upon him, never more to be shaken, "If God, for Christ's sake, takes away our sins, then they are not taken away by any works of ours." The foundation-rock of a new world was reached. LUTHER SAW NOT YET WHAT ALL THIS DISCOVERY MEANT, NOR WHITHER IT WOULD LEAD. HE WAS AS INNOCENT OF ALL THOUGHT OF BEING A REFORMER AS A NEW-BORN BABE IS OF COMMANDING AN ARMY ON THE BATTLEFIELD. BUT THE GOSPEL PRINCIPLE OF DELIVERANCE AND SALVATION FOR HIS OPPRESSED AND ANXIOUS SOUL WAS FOUND, AND IT WAS FOUND FOR ALL THE WORLD. THE ANCHOR HAD TAKEN HOLD on a new continent. In essence the Great Reformation was born—born in Luther's soul. LUTHER'S DEVELOPMENT. MORE THAN TEN YEARS PASSED BEFORE THIS NEW PRINCIPLE BEGAN TO WORK OFF THE PUTRID CARCASS OF MEDIÆVAL RELIGION WHICH LAY STRETCHED OVER THE STIFLED AND SUFFOCATING CHURCH OF CHRIST. THERE WERE YET MANY STEPS AND STAGES IN THE PREPARATION FOR WHAT WAS TO COME. BUT FROM THAT TIME FORWARD EVERYTHING MOVED TOWARD GENERAL REGENERATION BY MEANS OF THAT marrow doctrine of the Gospel: Salvation by loving faith in the merit and mediation of Jesus alone. STAUPITZ COUNSELED THE YOUNG MONK TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES WELL AND WHATEVER COULD AID HIM IN THEIR RIGHT UNDERSTANDING, and gave orders to the monastery not to interfere with his studies. On May 2, 1507, he was consecrated to the priesthood. WITHIN THE YEAR FOLLOWING, AT THE INSTANCE OF STAUPITZ, FREDERICK THE WISE APPOINTED HIM PROFESSOR IN THE NEW UNIVERSITY of Wittenberg. MAY 9, 1509, HE TOOK HIS DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DIVINITY. FROM THAT TIME HE BEGAN TO USE HIS PLACE TO ATTACK THE FALSEHOODS OF THE PREVAILING PHILOSOPHY AND TO EXPLORE AND EXPOSE THE ABSURDITIES OF SCHOLASTICISM, DWELLING MUCH ON THE GREAT GOSPEL TREASURE OF GOD'S FREE AMNESTY TO SINFUL MAN THROUGH THE MERITS AND MEDIATION OF JESUS CHRIST, ON which his own soul was planted. STAUPITZ WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE YOUNG BROTHER'S THOROUGH MASTERY OF THE SACRED WORD, THE MINUTENESS OF HIS KNOWLEDGE OF IT, AND THE POWER WITH WHICH HE EXPOUNDED AND DEFENDED THE GREAT PRINCIPLES OF THE EVANGELIC FAITH. SO ABLE A TEACHER OF THE DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS MUST AT ONCE BEGIN TO PREACH. LUTHER REMONSTRATED, FOR IT WAS NOT THEN THE CUSTOM FOR ALL priests to preach. He insisted that he would die under the weight of such responsibilities. "Die, then," said Staupitz; "God has plenty to do for intelligent young men in heaven." A LITTLE OLD WOODEN CHAPEL, DAUBED WITH CLAY, TWENTY BY THIRTY FEET IN SIZE, WITH A CRUDE PLATFORM OF ROUGH BOARDS AT ONE END AND A SMALL SOOTY GALLERY FOR SCARCE TWENTY PERSONS AT THE OTHER, AND PROPPED ON ALL SIDES TO KEEP IT FROM TUMBLING DOWN, WAS ASSIGNED HIM AS HIS CATHEDRAL. MYCONIUS LIKENS IT TO THE STABLE OF BETHLEHEM, AS THERE CHRIST WAS BORN ANEW FOR THE SOULS WHICH NOW CROWDED TO IT. AND WHEN THE THRONGING AUDIENCES REQUIRED HIS TRANSFER TO THE PARISH CHURCH, IT [Pg 37] [Pg 38] [Pg 39] [Pg 40] [Pg 41] was called the bringing of Christ into the temple. THE FAME OF THIS YOUNG THEOLOGIAN AND PREACHER SPREAD FAST AND FAR. THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE LEARNED WERE ALIKE IMPRESSED BY HIS ORIGINALITY AND POWER, AND REJOICED IN THE ELECTRIFYING CLEARNESS OF HIS EXPOSITIONS AND TEACHINGS. THE ELECTOR WAS DELIGHTED, FOR HE BEGAN TO SEE HIS DEVOUT WISHES REALIZED. STAUPITZ, WHO HAD DRUNK IN THE MORE PIOUS SPIRIT OF THE MYSTIC THEOLOGIANS, SHARED THE SAME FEELING, AND SAW IN LUTHER'S FRESH, BIBLICAL, AND ENERGETIC PREACHING WHAT HE FELT THE WHOLE CHURCH NEEDED. "HE SPARED NEITHER COUNSEL NOR APPLAUSE," FOR HE BELIEVED HIM THE MAN OF GOD FOR THE TIMES. HE SENT HIM TO NEIGHBORING MONASTERIES TO PREACH TO THE MONKS. HE GAVE HIM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY, OBSERVE, AND EXERCISE HIS GREAT TALENTS. HE EVEN SENT HIM ON A MISSION TO ROME, MORE TO ACQUAINT HIM WITH THAT CITY, which he longed to see, than for any difficult or pressing business with the pope. LUTHER'S VISIT TO ROME. LUTHER PERFORMED THE JOURNEY ON FOOT, PASSING FROM MONASTERY TO MONASTERY, NOTING THE EXTRAVAGANCES, INDOLENCE, GLUTTONY, AND INFIDELITY OF THE MONKS, AND SOMETIMES IN DANGER OF HIS LIFE, BOTH FROM THE CHANGES OF CLIMATE AND FROM THE murderous resentments of some of these cloister-saints which his rebukes of their vices engendered. WHEN ROME FIRST BROKE UPON HIS SIGHT, HE HAILED IT REVERENTLY AS THE CITY OF SAINTS AND HOLY MARTYRS. HE ALMOST ENVIED THOSE WHOSE PARENTS WERE DEAD, AND WHO HAD IT IN THEIR POWER TO OFFER PRAYERS FOR THE REPOSE OF THEIR SOULS BY THE SIDE OF SUCH HOLY SHRINES. BUT WHEN HE BEHELD THE VULGARITIES, PROFANITIES, PAGANISM, AND UNCONCEALED UNBELIEF WHICH pervaded even the ecclesiastical circles of that city, his soul sunk within him. THERE WAS MUCH TO BE SEEN IN ROME; AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC WRITERS FIND GREAT FAULT WITH LUTHER FOR BEING SO DULL AND UNAPPRECIATIVE AS TO MOVE AMID IT WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED WITH A SINGLE SPARK OF POETIC FIRE. THEY TELL OF THE GLORY OF THE CARDINALS, IN LITTERS, ON HORSEBACK, IN GLITTERING CARRIAGES, BLAZING WITH JEWELS AND SHADED WITH GORGEOUS CANOPIES; OF MARBLE PALACES, GRAND WALKS, ALABASTER COLUMNS, GIGANTIC OBELISKS, VILLAS, GARDENS, GROTTOES, FLOWERS, FOUNTAINS, CASCADES; OF CHURCHES ADORNED WITH POLISHED PILLARS, GILDED SOFFITS, MOSAIC FLOORS, ALTARS SPARKLING WITH DIAMONDS, AND GORGEOUS PICTURES FROM MASTER-HANDS LOOKING DOWN FROM EVERY WALL; OF MONUMENTS, STATUES, IMAGES, AND HOLY RELICS; AND THEY BLAME LUTHER THAT HE COULD GAZE UPON IT ALL WITHOUT A STIR OF ADMIRATION—THAT HE COULD LOOK UPON THE SCULPTURE AND STATUARY AND SEE NOTHING BUT PAGAN DEVICES, THE GODS DEMOSTHENES AND PRAXITELES, THE FEASTS AND POMPS OF DELOS, AND THE IDLE SCENES OF THE HEATHEN FORUM—THAT NO GLEAM FROM THE CROWN OF PERUGINO OR MICHAEL ANGELO DAZZLED HIS EYES, AND NO STRAIN OF VIRGIL OR OF DANTE, WHICH THE PEOPLE SUNG IN THE STREETS, ATTRACTED HIS EAR—THAT HE WAS ONLY COLD AND DUMB BEFORE ALL THE TREASURES AND GLORIES OF ART AND ALL THE GRANDEUR OF THE HIGH DIGNITARIES OF THE CHURCH, SEEING NOTHING, FEELING NOTHING, EXCLAIMING OVER NOTHING BUT THE LICENTIOUS IMPURITIES OF THE PRIESTS, THE PAGAN POMPS OF THE pontiff, the profane jests of the ministers of religion, the bare shoulders of the Roman ladies. LUTHER WAS NOT DEAD TO THE ÆSTHETIC, BUT TO SEE FAITH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS THUS SMOTHERED AND BURIED UNDER A GODLESS EPICUREAN LIFE WAS AN OFFENCE TO HIS HONEST GERMAN CONSCIENCE. IT LOOKED TO HIM AS IF THE POPES HAD REVERSED THE SAVIOUR'S CHOICE, AND ACCEPTED THE DEVIL'S BID FOR CHRIST TO WORSHIP HIM. FROM WHAT HIS OWN EYES AND EARS HAD NOW SEEN AND HEARD, HE KNEW WHAT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING THE STATE OF THINGS IN THE METROPOLIS OF CHRISTENDOM, AND WAS satisfied that, as surely as there is a hell, the Rome of those days was its mouth.[3] LUTHER AS TOWN-PREACHER. ON HIS RETURN THE SENATE OF WITTENBERG ELECTED HIM TOWN-PREACHER. IN THE CLOISTER, IN THE CASTLE CHAPEL, AND IN THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH HE ALTERNATELY EXERCISED HIS GIFTS. ROMANISTS ADMIT THAT "HIS SUCCESS WAS GREAT. HE SAID HE WOULD NOT IMITATE HIS PREDECESSORS, AND HE KEPT HIS WORD. FOR THE FIRST TIME A CHRISTIAN PREACHER WAS SEEN TO ABANDON THE SCHOOLMEN AND DRAW HIS TEXTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF INSPIRATION. HE WAS THE ORIGINATOR AND RESTORER OF expository preaching in modern times." THE ELECTOR HEARD HIM, AND WAS FILLED WITH ADMIRATION. AN OLD PROFESSOR, WHOM THE PEOPLE CALLED "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD," LISTENED TO HIM, AND WAS STRUCK WITH HIS WONDERFUL INSIGHT, HIS MARVELOUS IMAGINATION, AND HIS MASSIVE SOLIDITY. AND WITTENBERG SPRANG INTO GREAT RENOWN BECAUSE OF HIM, FOR NEVER BEFORE HAD BEEN HEARD IN SAXONY SUCH A LUMINOUS expositor of God's holy Word. LUTHER MADE A DOCTOR. ON ALL HANDS IT WAS AGREED AND INSISTED THAT HE SHOULD BE MADE A DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. THE COSTS WERE HEAVY, FOR SIMONY was the order of the day and the pope exacted high prices for all church promotions; but the Elector paid the charges. ON THE 18TH OF OCTOBER, 1512, THE DEGREE WAS CONFERRED. IT WAS NO EMPTY TITLE TO LUTHER. IT GAVE HIM LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS WHICH HIS ENEMIES COULD NOT GAINSAY, AND IT LAID ON HIM OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES WHICH HE NEVER FORGOT. THE OBEDIENCE TO THE CANONS AND THE HIERARCHY WHICH IT EXACTED HE AFTERWARD FOUND INIMICAL TO CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL, AND, AS IN DUTY BOUND, HE THREW IT OFF, WITH OTHER SWADDLING-BANDS OF POPERY. BUT THERE WAS IN IT THE PLEDGE "TO DEVOTE HIS WHOLE LIFE TO THE STUDY, EXPOSITION AND DEFENCE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES." THIS HE ACCEPTED, AND EVER REFERRED TO AS HIS [Pg 42] [Pg 43] [Pg 44] [Pg 45] [Pg 46] SACRED CHARTER AND COMMISSION. NOR WAS IT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANCE THAT THE GREAT BELL OF WITTENBERG WAS RUNG WHEN PROCLAMATION OF THIS INVESTITURE WAS MADE. AS THE RINGING OF THE BELL ON THE OLD STATE-HOUSE WHEN THE DECLARATION OF Independence was passed proclaimed the coming liberties of the American colonies, so this sounding of the great bell of WITTENBERG WHEN LUTHER WAS MADE DOCTOR OF DIVINITY PROCLAIMED AND HERALDED TO THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH THE COMING deliverance of the enslaved Church. God's CHOSEN SERVANT HAD RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION, AND THE BETTER DAY WAS SOON TO dawn. HENCEFORTH LUTHER'S LABORS AND STUDIES WENT FORWARD WITH A NEW IMPULSE AND INSPIRATION. HEBREW AND GREEK WERE THOROUGHLY MASTERED. THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH, ANCIENT AND MODERN, WERE CAREFULLY READ. THE SYSTEMS OF THE SCHOOLMEN, THE BOOK OF SENTENCES, THE COMMENTARIES, THE DECRETALS—EVERYTHING RELATING TO HIS DEPARTMENT AS A doctor of theology—were examined, and brought to the test of Holy Scripture. IN HIS SERMONS, LECTURES, AND DISQUISITIONS THE RESULTS OF THESE INCESSANT STUDIES CAME OUT WITH A DEPTH OF PENETRATION, A CLEARNESS OF STATEMENT, A SIMPLICITY OF UTTERANCE, A DEVOUTNESS OF SPIRIT, AND A CONVINCING POWER OF ELOQUENCE WHICH, WITH THE EMINENT SANCTITY OF HIS LIFE, WON FOR HIM UNBOUNDED PRAISE. THE COMMON FEELING WAS THAT THE EARTH DID NOT CONTAIN ANOTHER SUCH A DOCTOR AND HAD NOT SEEN HIS EQUAL FOR MANY AGES. ENVY AND JEALOUSY THEMSELVES, THOSE GREEN- EYED MONSTERS WHICH GATHER ABOUT THE PATHS OF GREAT QUALITIES AND SUCCESSES, SEEMED FOR THE TIME TO BE PARALYZED before a brilliancy which rested on such humility, conscientiousness, fidelity, and merit. LUTHER'S LABORS. YEARS OF FRUITFUL LABOR PASSED. THE DECALOGUE WAS EXPOUNDED. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS AND THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS WERE EXPLAINED. THE LECTURES ON THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS WERE NEARLY COMPLETED. BUT NO BOOK FROM LUTHER HAD YET been published. IN 1515 HE WAS CHOSEN DISTRICT VICAR OF THE AUGUST...