Chapter7
Luther’sSeparationFromRomeForemostamongthosewhowerecalledtoleadthechurchfromthedarknessofpoperyintothelightofapurerfaith，stoodMartinLuther。Zealous，ardent，anddevoted，knowingnofearbutthefearofGod，andacknowledgingnofoundationforreligiousfaithbuttheHolyScriptures，Lutherwasthemanforhistime；throughhimGodaccomplishedagreatworkforthereformationofthechurchandtheenlightenmentoftheworld。
Likethefirstheraldsofthegospel，Luthersprangfromtheranksofpoverty。HisearlyyearswerespentinthehumblehomeofaGermanpeasant。
Bydailytoilasaminerhisfatherearnedthemeansforhiseducation。Heintendedhimforalawyer；butGodpurposedtomakehimabuilderinthegreattemplethatwasrisingsoslowlythroughthecenturies。Hardship，privation，andseveredisciplineweretheschoolinwhichInfiniteWisdompreparedLutherfortheimportantmissionofhislife。
Luther’sfatherwasamanofstrongandactivemindandgreatforceofcharacter，honest，resolute，andstraightforward。Hewastruetohisconvictionsofduty，lettheconsequencesbewhattheymight。Hissterlinggoodsenseledhimtoregardthemonasticsystemwithdistrust。HewashighlydispleasedwhenLuther，withouthisconsent，enteredamonastery；anditwastwoyearsbeforethefatherwasreconciledtohisson，andeventhenhisopinionsremainedthesame。
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Luther’sparentsbestowedgreatcareupontheeducationandtrainingoftheirchildren。TheyendeavoredtoinstructthemintheknowledgeofGodandthepracticeofChristianvirtues。Thefather’sprayeroftenascendedinthehearingofhissonthatthechildmightrememberthenameoftheLordandonedayaidintheadvancementofHistruth。Everyadvantageformoralorintellectualculturewhichtheirlifeoftoilpermittedthemtoenjoywaseagerlyimprovedbytheseparents。Theireffortswereearnestandperseveringtopreparetheirchildrenforalifeofpietyandusefulness。
Withtheirfirmnessandstrengthofcharactertheysometimesexercisedtoogreatseverity；buttheReformerhimself，thoughconsciousthatinsomerespectstheyhaderred，foundintheirdisciplinemoretoapprovethantocondemn。
Atschool，wherehewassentatanearlyage，Lutherwastreatedwithharshnessandevenviolence。Sogreatwasthepovertyofhisparentsthatupongoingfromhometoschoolinanothertownhewasforatimeobligedtoobtainhisfoodbysingingfromdoortodoor，andheoftensufferedfromhunger。Thegloomy，superstitiousideasofreligionthenprevailingfilledhimwithfear。Hewouldliedownatnightwithasorrowfulheart，lookingforwardwithtremblingtothedarkfutureandinconstantterroratthethoughtofGodasastern，unrelentingjudge，acrueltyrant，ratherthanakindheavenlyFather。
YetundersomanyandsogreatdiscouragementsLutherpressedresolutelyforwardtowardthehighstandardofmoralandintellectualexcellencewhichattractedhissoul。Hethirstedforknowledge，andtheearnestandpracticalcharacterofhismindledhimtodesirethesolidandusefulratherthantheshowyandsuperficial。
When，attheageofeighteen，heenteredtheUniversityofErfurt，hissituationwasmorefavorableandhisprospectswerebrighterthaninhisearlieryears。Hisparentshavingbythriftandindustryacquiredacompetence，theywereabletorenderhimallneededassistance。Andtheinfluenceof122
judiciousfriendshadsomewhatlessenedthegloomyeffectsofhisformertraining。Heappliedhimselftothestudyofthebestauthors，diligentlytreasuringtheirmostweightythoughtsandmakingthewisdomofthewisehisown。Evenundertheharshdisciplineofhisformerinstructorshehadearlygivenpromiseofdistinction，andwithfavorableinfluenceshismindrapidlydeveloped。Aretentivememory，alivelyimagination，strongreasoningpowers，anduntiringapplicationsoonplacedhimintheforemostrankamonghisassociates。Intellectualdisciplineripenedhisunderstandingandarousedanactivityofmindandakeennessofperceptionthatwerepreparinghimfortheconflictsofhislife。
ThefearoftheLorddweltintheheartofLuther，enablinghimtomaintainhissteadfastnessofpurposeandleadinghimtodeephumilitybeforeGod。Hehadanabidingsenseofhisdependenceupondivineaid，andhedidnotfailtobegineachdaywithprayer，whilehisheartwascontinuallybreathingapetitionforguidanceandsupport。\"Topraywell，\"heoftensaid，\"isthebetterhalfofstudy。\"——D’Aubigne，b。2，ch。2。
Whileonedayexaminingthebooksinthelibraryoftheuniversity，LutherdiscoveredaLatinBible。Suchabookhehadneverbeforeseen。Hewasignorantevenofitsexistence。HehadheardportionsoftheGospelsandEpistles，whichwerereadtothepeopleatpublicworship，andhesupposedthattheseweretheentireBible。Now，forthefirsttime，helookeduponthewholeofGod’sword。Withmingledaweandwonderheturnedthesacredpages；withquickenedpulseandthrobbinghearthereadforhimselfthewordsoflife，pausingnowandthentoexclaim:\"OthatGodwouldgivemesuchabookformyself！\"——Ibid。，b。2，ch。2。Angelsofheavenwerebyhisside，andraysoflightfromthethroneofGodrevealedthetreasuresoftruthtohisunderstanding。HehadeverfearedtooffendGod，butnowthedeepconvictionofhisconditionasasinnertookholduponhimasneverbefore。
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AnearnestdesiretobefreefromsinandtofindpeacewithGodledhimatlasttoenteracloisteranddevotehimselftoamonasticlife。Herehewasrequiredtoperformthelowestdrudgeryandtobegfromhousetohouse。Hewasatanagewhenrespectandappreciationaremosteagerlycraved，andthesemenialofficesweredeeplymortifyingtohisnaturalfeelings；buthepatientlyenduredthishumiliation，believingthatitwasnecessarybecauseofhissins。
Everymomentthatcouldbesparedfromhisdailydutiesheemployedinstudy，robbinghimselfofsleepandgrudgingeventhetimespentathisscantymeals。AboveeverythingelsehedelightedinthestudyofGod’sword。
HehadfoundaBiblechainedtotheconventwall，andtothisheoftenrepaired。Ashisconvictionsofsindeepened，hesoughtbyhisownworkstoobtainpardonandpeace。Heledamostrigorouslife，endeavoringbyfasting，vigils，andscourgingstosubduetheevilsofhisnature，fromwhichthemonasticlifehadbroughtnorelease。HeshrankfromnosacrificebywhichhemightattaintothatpurityofheartwhichwouldenablehimtostandapprovedbeforeGod。\"Iwasindeedapiousmonk，\"heafterwardsaid，\"andfollowedtherulesofmyordermorestrictlythanIcanexpress。Ifevermonkcouldobtainheavenbyhismonkishworks，Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenentitledtoit……Ifithadcontinuedmuchlonger，Ishouldhavecarriedmymortificationseventodeath。\"——Ibid。，b。2，ch。3。Astheresultofthispainfuldisciplineheloststrengthandsufferedfromfaintingspasms，fromtheeffectsofwhichheneverfullyrecovered。Butwithallhiseffortshisburdenedsoulfoundnorelief。Hewasatlastdriventothevergeofdespair。
WhenitappearedtoLutherthatallwaslost，Godraisedupafriendandhelperforhim。ThepiousStaupitzopenedthewordofGodtoLuther’smindandbadehimlookawayfromhimself，ceasethecontemplationofinfinitepunishmentfortheviolationofGod’slaw，andlooktoJesus，hissin-pardoningSaviour。\"Insteadoftorturingyourselfon124
accountofyoursins，throwyourselfintotheRedeemer’sarms。TrustinHim，intherighteousnessofHislife，intheatonementofHisdeath……
ListentotheSonofGod。Hebecamemantogiveyoutheassuranceofdivinefavor。\"\"LoveHimwhofirstlovedyou。\"——Ibid。，b。2，ch。4。Thusspokethismessengerofmercy。HiswordsmadeadeepimpressionuponLuther’smind。
Aftermanyastrugglewithlong-cherishederrors，hewasenabledtograspthetruth，andpeacecametohistroubledsoul。
LutherwasordainedapriestandwascalledfromthecloistertoaprofessorshipintheUniversityofWittenberg。HereheappliedhimselftothestudyoftheScripturesintheoriginaltongues。HebegantolectureupontheBible；andthebookofPsalms，theGospels，andtheEpistleswereopenedtotheunderstandingofcrowdsofdelightedlisteners。Staupitz，hisfriendandsuperior，urgedhimtoascendthepulpitandpreachthewordofGod。Lutherhesitated，feelinghimselfunworthytospeaktothepeopleinChrist’sstead。Itwasonlyafteralongstrugglethatheyieldedtothesolicitationsofhisfriends。AlreadyhewasmightyintheScriptures，andthegraceofGodresteduponhim。Hiseloquencecaptivatedhishearers，theclearnessandpowerwithwhichhepresentedthetruthconvincedtheirunderstanding，andhisfervortouchedtheirhearts。
Lutherwasstillatruesonofthepapalchurchandhadnothoughtthathewouldeverbeanythingelse。IntheprovidenceofGodhewasledtovisitRome。Hepursuedhisjourneyonfoot，lodgingatthemonasteriesontheway。
AtaconventinItalyhewasfilledwithwonderatthewealth，magnificence，andluxurythathewitnessed。Endowedwithaprincelyrevenue，themonksdweltinsplendidapartments，attiredthemselvesintherichestandmostcostlyrobes，andfeastedatasumptuoustable。WithpainfulmisgivingsLuthercontrastedthisscenewiththeself-denialandhardshipofhisownlife。Hismindwasbecomingperplexed。
Atlasthebeheldinthedistancetheseven-hilledcity。
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Withdeepemotionheprostratedhimselfupontheearth，exclaiming:\"HolyRome，Isalutethee！\"——Ibid。，b。2，ch。6。Heenteredthecity，visitedthechurches，listenedtothemarveloustalesrepeatedbypriestsandmonks，andperformedalltheceremoniesrequired。Everywherehelookeduponscenesthatfilledhimwithastonishmentandhorror。Hesawthatiniquityexistedamongallclassesoftheclergy。Heheardindecentjokesfromprelates，andwasfilledwithhorrorattheirawfulprofanity，evenduringmass。Ashemingledwiththemonksandcitizenshemetdissipation，debauchery。Turnwherehewould，intheplaceofsanctityhefoundprofanation。\"Noonecanimagine，\"
hewrote，\"whatsinsandinfamousactionsarecommittedinRome；theymustbeseenandheardtobebelieved。Thustheyareinthehabitofsaying，’Ifthereisahell，Romeisbuiltoverit:itisanabysswhenceissueseverykindofsin。’\"——Ibid。，b。2，ch。6。
Byarecentdecretalanindulgencehadbeenpromisedbythepopetoallwhoshouldascendupontheirknees\"Pilate’sstaircase，\"saidtohavebeendescendedbyourSaviouronleavingtheRomanjudgmenthallandtohavebeenmiraculouslyconveyedfromJerusalemtoRome。Lutherwasonedaydevoutlyclimbingthesesteps，whensuddenlyavoicelikethunderseemedtosaytohim:\"Thejustshalllivebyfaith。\"Romans1:17。Hesprangtohisfeetandhastenedfromtheplaceinshameandhorror。Thattextneverlostitspoweruponhissoul。Fromthattimehesawmoreclearlythaneverbeforethefallacyoftrustingtohumanworksforsalvation，andthenecessityofconstantfaithinthemeritsofChrist。Hiseyeshadbeenopened，andwereneveragaintobeclosed，tothedelusionsofthepapacy。WhenheturnedhisfacefromRomehehadturnedawayalsoinheart，andfromthattimetheseparationgrewwider，untilheseveredallconnectionwiththepapalchurch。
AfterhisreturnfromRome，LutherreceivedattheUniversityofWittenbergthedegreeofdoctorofdivinity。Nowhewasatlibertytodevotehimself，asneverbefore，tothe126
Scripturesthatheloved。HehadtakenasolemnvowtostudycarefullyandtopreachwithfidelitythewordofGod，notthesayingsanddoctrinesofthepopes，allthedaysofhislife。Hewasnolongerthemeremonkorprofessor，buttheauthorizedheraldoftheBible。HehadbeencalledasashepherdtofeedtheflockofGod，thatwerehungeringandthirstingforthetruth。HefirmlydeclaredthatChristiansshouldreceivenootherdoctrinesthanthosewhichrestontheauthorityoftheSacredScriptures。Thesewordsstruckattheveryfoundationofpapalsupremacy。TheycontainedthevitalprincipleoftheReformation。
LuthersawthedangerofexaltinghumantheoriesabovethewordofGod。Hefearlesslyattackedthespeculativeinfidelityoftheschoolmenandopposedthephilosophyandtheologywhichhadsolongheldacontrollinginfluenceuponthepeople。Hedenouncedsuchstudiesasnotonlyworthlessbutpernicious，andsoughttoturnthemindsofhishearersfromthesophistriesofphilosophersandtheologianstotheeternaltruthssetforthbyprophetsandapostles。
Preciouswasthemessagewhichheboretotheeagercrowdsthathunguponhiswords。Neverbeforehadsuchteachingsfallenupontheirears。ThegladtidingsofaSaviour’slove，theassuranceofpardonandpeacethroughHisatoningblood，rejoicedtheirheartsandinspiredwithinthemanimmortalhope。AtWittenbergalightwaskindledwhoseraysshouldextendtotheuttermostpartsoftheearth，andwhichwastoincreaseinbrightnesstothecloseoftime。
Butlightanddarknesscannotharmonize。Betweentruthanderrorthereisanirrepressibleconflict。Toupholdanddefendtheoneistoattackandoverthrowtheother。OurSaviourHimselfdeclared:\"Icamenottosendpeace，butasword。\"Matthew10:34。SaidLuther，afewyearsaftertheopeningoftheReformation:\"Goddoesnotguideme，Hepushesmeforward。Hecarriesmeaway。Iamnotmasterofmyself。Idesiretoliveinrepose；butIamthrowninto127
themidstoftumultsandrevolutions。\"——D’Aubigne，b。5，ch。2。Hewasnowabouttobeurgedintothecontest。
TheRomanChurchhadmademerchandiseofthegraceofGod。Thetablesofthemoney-changers(Matthew21:12)weresetupbesideheraltars，andtheairresoundedwiththeshoutsofbuyersandsellers。UnderthepleaofraisingfundsfortheerectionofSt。Peter’sChurchatRome，indulgencesforsinwerepubliclyofferedforsalebytheauthorityofthepope。BythepriceofcrimeatemplewastobebuiltupforGod’sworship——thecornerstonelaidwiththewagesofiniquity！ButtheverymeansadoptedforRome’saggrandizementprovokedthedeadliestblowtoherpowerandgreatness。Itwasthisthatarousedthemostdeterminedandsuccessfuloftheenemiesofpopery，andledtothebattlewhichshookthepapalthroneandjostledthetriplecrownuponthepontiff’shead。
TheofficialappointedtoconductthesaleofindulgencesinGermany——Tetzelbyname——hadbeenconvictedofthebasestoffensesagainstsocietyandagainstthelawofGod；buthavingescapedthepunishmentdueforhiscrimes，hewasemployedtofurtherthemercenaryandunscrupulousprojectsofthepope。Withgreateffronteryherepeatedthemostglaringfalsehoodsandrelatedmarveloustalestodeceiveanignorant，credulous，andsuperstitiouspeople。HadtheypossessedthewordofGodtheywouldnothavebeenthusdeceived。Itwastokeepthemunderthecontrolofthepapacy，inordertoswellthepowerandwealthofherambitiousleaders，thattheBiblehadbeenwithheldfromthem。(SeeJohnC。L。Gieseler，ACompendiumofEcclesiasticalHistory，per。4，sec。1，par。5。)
AsTetzelenteredatown，amessengerwentbeforehim，announcing:\"ThegraceofGodandoftheholyfatherisatyourgates。\"——D’Aubigne，b。3，ch。
1。AndthepeoplewelcomedtheblasphemouspretenderasifhewereGodHimselfcomedownfromheaventothem。Theinfamoustrafficwassetupinthechurch，andTetzel，ascendingthe128
pulpit，extolledtheindulgencesasthemostpreciousgiftofGod。Hedeclaredthatbyvirtueofhiscertificatesofpardonallthesinswhichthepurchasershouldafterwarddesiretocommitwouldbeforgivenhim，andthat\"notevenrepentanceisnecessary。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。1。Morethanthis，heassuredhishearersthattheindulgenceshadpowertosavenotonlythelivingbutthedead；thattheverymomentthemoneyshouldclinkagainstthebottomofhischest，thesoulinwhosebehalfithadbeenpaidwouldescapefrompurgatoryandmakeitswaytoheaven。(SeeK。R。Hagenbach，HistoryoftheReformation，vol。1，p。96。)
WhenSimonMagusofferedtopurchaseoftheapostlesthepowertoworkmiracles，Peteransweredhim:\"Thymoneyperishwiththee，becausethouhastthoughtthatthegiftofGodmaybepurchasedwithmoney。\"Acts8:20。ButTetzel’sofferwasgraspedbyeagerthousands。Goldandsilverflowedintohistreasury。Asalvationthatcouldbeboughtwithmoneywasmoreeasilyobtainedthanthatwhichrequiresrepentance，faith，anddiligentefforttoresistandovercomesin。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage59。)
ThedoctrineofindulgenceshadbeenopposedbymenoflearningandpietyintheRomanChurch，andthereweremanywhohadnofaithinpretensionssocontrarytobothreasonandrevelation。Noprelatedaredlifthisvoiceagainstthisiniquitoustraffic；butthemindsofmenwerebecomingdisturbedanduneasy，andmanyeagerlyinquiredifGodwouldnotworkthroughsomeinstrumentalityforthepurificationofHischurch。
Luther，thoughstillapapistofthestraitestsort，wasfilledwithhorrorattheblasphemousassumptionsoftheindulgencemongers。Manyofhisowncongregationhadpurchasedcertificatesofpardon，andtheysoonbegantocometotheirpastor，confessingtheirvarioussins，andexpectingabsolution，notbecausetheywerepenitentandwishedtoreform，butonthegroundoftheindulgence。Lutherrefusedthemabsolution，andwarnedthemthatunlesstheyshould129
repentandreformtheirlives，theymustperishintheirsins。IngreatperplexitytheyrepairedtoTetzelwiththecomplaintthattheirconfessorhadrefusedhiscertificates；andsomeboldlydemandedthattheirmoneybereturnedtothem。Thefriarwasfilledwithrage。Heutteredthemostterriblecurses，causedfirestobelightedinthepublicsquares，anddeclaredthathe\"hadreceivedanorderfromthepopetoburnallhereticswhopresumedtoopposehismostholyindulgences。\"——D’Aubigne，b。3，ch。4。
Luthernowenteredboldlyuponhisworkasachampionofthetruth。Hisvoicewasheardfromthepulpitinearnest，solemnwarning。Hesetbeforethepeopletheoffensivecharacterofsin，andtaughtthemthatitisimpossibleforman，byhisownworks，tolessenitsguiltorevadeitspunishment。NothingbutrepentancetowardGodandfaithinChristcansavethesinner。ThegraceofChristcannotbepurchased；itisafreegift。Hecounseledthepeoplenottobuyindulgences，buttolookinfaithtoacrucifiedRedeemer。Herelatedhisownpainfulexperienceinvainlyseekingbyhumiliationandpenancetosecuresalvation，andassuredhishearersthatitwasbylookingawayfromhimselfandbelievinginChristthathefoundpeaceandjoy。
AsTetzelcontinuedhistrafficandhisimpiouspretensions，Lutherdetermineduponamoreeffectualprotestagainstthesecryingabuses。Anoccasionsoonoffered。ThecastlechurchofWittenbergpossessedmanyrelics，whichoncertainholydayswereexhibitedtothepeople，andfullremissionofsinswasgrantedtoallwhothenvisitedthechurchandmadeconfession。Accordinglyonthesedaysthepeopleingreatnumbersresortedthither。Oneofthemostimportantoftheseoccasions，thefestivalofAllSaints，wasapproaching。Ontheprecedingday，Luther，joiningthecrowdsthatwerealreadymakingtheirwaytothechurch，postedonitsdoorapapercontainingninety-fivepropositionsagainstthedoctrineofindulgences。Hedeclaredhiswillingness130
todefendthesethesesnextdayattheuniversity，againstallwhoshouldseefittoattackthem。
Hispropositionsattracteduniversalattention。Theywerereadandreread，andrepeatedineverydirection。Greatexcitementwascreatedintheuniversityandinthewholecity。Bythesethesesitwasshownthatthepowertograntthepardonofsin，andtoremititspenalty，hadneverbeencommittedtothepopeortoanyotherman。Thewholeschemewasafarce，——anartificetoextortmoneybyplayinguponthesuperstitionsofthepeople，——adeviceofSatantodestroythesoulsofallwhoshouldtrusttoitslyingpretensions。ItwasalsoclearlyshownthatthegospelofChrististhemostvaluabletreasureofthechurch，andthatthegraceofGod，thereinrevealed，isfreelybestoweduponallwhoseekitbyrepentanceandfaith。
Luther’stheseschallengeddiscussion；butnoonedaredacceptthechallenge。ThequestionswhichheproposedhadinafewdaysspreadthroughallGermany，andinafewweekstheyhadsoundedthroughoutChristendom。
ManydevotedRomanists，whohadseenandlamentedtheterribleiniquityprevailinginthechurch，buthadnotknownhowtoarrestitsprogress，readthepropositionswithgreatjoy，recognizinginthemthevoiceofGod。TheyfeltthattheLordhadgraciouslysetHishandtoarresttherapidlyswellingtideofcorruptionthatwasissuingfromtheseeofRome。Princesandmagistratessecretlyrejoicedthatacheckwastobeputuponthearrogantpowerwhichdeniedtherightofappealfromitsdecisions。
Butthesin-lovingandsuperstitiousmultitudeswereterrifiedasthesophistriesthathadsoothedtheirfearsweresweptaway。Craftyecclesiastics，interruptedintheirworkofsanctioningcrime，andseeingtheirgainsendangered，wereenraged，andralliedtoupholdtheirpretensions。TheReformerhadbitteraccuserstomeet。Somechargedhimwithactinghastilyandfromimpulse。Othersaccusedhimofpresumption，declaringthathewasnotdirectedofGod，butwasactingfromprideandforwardness。\"Whodoesnot131
know，\"heresponded，\"thatamanrarelyputsforthanynewideawithouthavingsomeappearanceofpride，andwithoutbeingaccusedofexcitingquarrels？……WhywereChristandallthemartyrsputtodeath？Becausetheyseemedtobeproudcontemnersofthewisdomofthetime，andbecausetheyadvancednoveltieswithouthavingfirsthumblytakencounseloftheoraclesoftheancientopinions。\"
Againhedeclared:\"WhateverIdowillbedone，notbytheprudenceofmen，butbythecounselofGod。IftheworkbeofGod，whoshallstopit？ifitbenot，whocanforwardit？Notmywill，northeirs，norours；butThywill，OholyFather，whichartinheaven。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。6。
ThoughLutherhadbeenmovedbytheSpiritofGodtobeginhiswork，hewasnottocarryitforwardwithoutsevereconflicts。Thereproachesofhisenemies，theirmisrepresentationofhispurposes，andtheirunjustandmaliciousreflectionsuponhischaracterandmotives，cameinuponhimlikeanoverwhelmingflood；andtheywerenotwithouteffect。Hehadfeltconfidentthattheleadersofthepeople，bothinthechurchandintheschools，wouldgladlyunitewithhimineffortsforreform。Wordsofencouragementfromthoseinhighpositionhadinspiredhimwithjoyandhope。Alreadyinanticipationhehadseenabrighterdaydawningforthechurch。Butencouragementhadchangedtoreproachandcondemnation。Manydignitaries，ofbothchurchandstate，wereconvictedofthetruthfulnessofhistheses；buttheysoonsawthattheacceptanceofthesetruthswouldinvolvegreatchanges。ToenlightenandreformthepeoplewouldbevirtuallytounderminetheauthorityofRome，tostopthousandsofstreamsnowflowingintohertreasury，andthusgreatlytocurtailtheextravaganceandluxuryofthepapalleaders。Furthermore，toteachthepeopletothinkandactasresponsiblebeings，lookingtoChristaloneforsalvation，wouldoverthrowthepontiff’sthroneandeventuallydestroytheirownauthority。ForthisreasontheyrefusedtheknowledgetenderedthemofGodandarrayed132
themselvesagainstChristandthetruthbytheiroppositiontothemanwhomHehadsenttoenlightenthem。
Luthertrembledashelookeduponhimself——onemanopposedtothemightiestpowersofearth。HesometimesdoubtedwhetherhehadindeedbeenledofGodtosethimselfagainsttheauthorityofthechurch。\"WhowasI，\"hewrites，\"toopposethemajestyofthepope，beforewhom……thekingsoftheearthandthewholeworldtrembled？……Noonecanknowwhatmyheartsufferedduringthesefirsttwoyears，andintowhatdespondency，Imaysayintowhatdespair，Iwassunk。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。6。Buthewasnotlefttobecomeutterlydisheartened。Whenhumansupportfailed，helookedtoGodaloneandlearnedthathecouldleaninperfectsafetyuponthatall-powerfularm。
ToafriendoftheReformationLutherwrote:\"WecannotattaintotheunderstandingofScriptureeitherbystudyorbytheintellect。Yourfirstdutyistobeginbyprayer。EntreattheLordtograntyou，ofHisgreatmercy，thetrueunderstandingofHisword。ThereisnootherinterpreterofthewordofGodthantheAuthorofthisword，asHeHimselfhassaid，’TheyshallbealltaughtofGod。’Hopefornothingfromyourownlabors，fromyourownunderstanding:trustsolelyinGod，andintheinfluenceofHisSpirit。Believethisonthewordofamanwhohashadexperience。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。7。HereisalessonofvitalimportancetothosewhofeelthatGodhascalledthemtopresenttoothersthesolemntruthsforthistime。ThesetruthswillstirtheenmityofSatanandofmenwholovethefablesthathehasdevised。Intheconflictwiththepowersofevilthereisneedofsomethingmorethanstrengthofintellectandhumanwisdom。
Whenenemiesappealedtocustomandtradition，ortotheassertionsandauthorityofthepope，LuthermetthemwiththeBibleandtheBibleonly。
Herewereargumentswhichtheycouldnotanswer；thereforetheslavesofformalismandsuperstitionclamoredforhisblood，astheJewshadclamoredforthebloodofChrist。\"Heisaheretic，\"
133
criedtheRomanzealots。\"Itishightreasonagainstthechurchtoallowsohorribleaheretictoliveonehourlonger。Letthescaffoldbeinstantlyerectedforhim！\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。9。ButLutherdidnotfallapreytotheirfury。Godhadaworkforhimtodo，andangelsofheavenweresenttoprotecthim。Many，however，whohadreceivedfromLutherthepreciouslightweremadetheobjectsofSatan’swrathandforthetruth’ssakefearlesslysufferedtortureanddeath。
Luther’steachingsattractedtheattentionofthoughtfulmindsthroughoutallGermany。Fromhissermonsandwritingsissuedbeamsoflightwhichawakenedandilluminatedthousands。Alivingfaithwastakingtheplaceofthedeadformalisminwhichthechurchhadsolongbeenheld。ThepeopleweredailylosingconfidenceinthesuperstitionsofRomanism。Thebarriersofprejudiceweregivingway。ThewordofGod，bywhichLuthertestedeverydoctrineandeveryclaim，waslikeatwo-edgedsword，cuttingitswaytotheheartsofthepeople。Everywheretherewasawakeningadesireforspiritualprogress。Everywherewassuchahungeringandthirstingafterrighteousnessashadnotbeenknownforages。Theeyesofthepeople，solongdirectedtohumanritesandearthlymediators，werenowturninginpenitenceandfaithtoChristandHimcrucified。
Thiswidespreadinterestarousedstillfurtherthefearsofthepapalauthorities。LutherreceivedasummonstoappearatRometoanswertothechargeofheresy。Thecommandfilledhisfriendswithterror。Theyknewfullwellthedangerthatthreatenedhiminthatcorruptcity，alreadydrunkwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus。TheyprotestedagainsthisgoingtoRomeandrequestedthathereceivehisexaminationinGermany。
Thisarrangementwasfinallyeffected，andthepope’slegatewasappointedtohearthecase。Intheinstructionscommunicatedbythepontifftothisofficial，itwasstatedthatLutherhadalreadybeendeclaredaheretic。Thelegatewasthereforecharged\"toprosecuteandconstrainwithout134
anydelay。\"Ifheshouldremainsteadfast，andthelegateshouldfailtogainpossessionofhisperson，hewasempowered\"toproscribehimineverypartofGermany；tobanish，curse，andexcommunicateallthosewhoareattachedtohim。\"——Ibid。，b。4，ch。2。And，further，thepopedirectedhislegate，inorderentirelytorootoutthepestilentheresy，toexcommunicateall，ofwhateverdignityinchurchorstate，excepttheemperor，whoshouldneglecttoseizeLutherandhisadherents，anddeliverthemuptothevengeanceofRome。
Hereisdisplayedthetruespiritofpopery。NotatraceofChristianprinciple，orevenofcommonjustice，istobeseeninthewholedocument。
LutherwasatagreatdistancefromRome；hehadhadnoopportunitytoexplainordefendhisposition；yetbeforehiscasehadbeeninvestigated，hewassummarilypronouncedaheretic，andinthesameday，exhorted，accused，judged，andcondemned；andallthisbytheself-styledholyfather，theonlysupreme，infallibleauthorityinchurchorstate！
Atthistime，whenLuthersomuchneededthesympathyandcounselofatruefriend，God’sprovidencesentMelanchthontoWittenberg。Younginyears，modestanddiffidentinhismanners，Melanchthon’ssoundjudgment，extensiveknowledge，andwinningeloquence，combinedwiththepurityanduprightnessofhischaracter，wonuniversaladmirationandesteem。Thebrilliancyofhistalentswasnotmoremarkedthanhisgentlenessofdisposition。Hesoonbecameanearnestdiscipleofthegospel，andLuther’smosttrustedfriendandvaluedsupporter；hisgentleness，caution，andexactnessservingasacomplementtoLuther’scourageandenergy。TheirunionintheworkaddedstrengthtotheReformationandwasasourceofgreatencouragementtoLuther。
Augsburghadbeenfixeduponastheplaceoftrial，andtheReformersetoutonfoottoperformthejourneythither。Seriousfearswereentertainedinhisbehalf。Threatshadbeenmadeopenlythathewouldbeseizedandmurderedontheway，andhisfriendsbeggedhimnottoventure。They135
evenentreatedhimtoleaveWittenbergforatimeandfindsafetywiththosewhowouldgladlyprotecthim。ButhewouldnotleavethepositionwhereGodhadplacedhim。Hemustcontinuefaithfullytomaintainthetruth，notwithstandingthestormsthatwerebeatinguponhim。Hislanguagewas:\"I
amlikeJeremiah，amanofstrifeandcontention；butthemoretheirthreatsincrease，themoremyjoyismultiplied……Theyhavealreadydestroyedmyhonorandmyreputation。Onesinglethingremains；itismywretchedbody:letthemtakeit；theywillthusshortenmylifebyafewhours。Butasformysoul，theycannottakethat。HewhodesirestoproclaimthewordofChristtotheworld，mustexpectdeathateverymoment。\"——Ibid。，b。4，ch。4。
ThetidingsofLuther’sarrivalatAugsburggavegreatsatisfactiontothepapallegate。ThetroublesomehereticwhowasexcitingtheattentionofthewholeworldseemednowinthepowerofRome，andthelegatedeterminedthatheshouldnotescape。TheReformerhadfailedtoprovidehimselfwithasafe-conduct。Hisfriendsurgedhimnottoappearbeforethelegatewithoutone，andtheythemselvesundertooktoprocureitfromtheemperor。ThelegateintendedtoforceLuther，ifpossible，toretract，or，failinginthis，tocausehimtobeconveyedtoRome，tosharethefateofHussandJerome。ThereforethroughhisagentsheendeavoredtoinduceLuthertoappearwithoutasafe-conduct，trustinghimselftohismercy。ThistheReformerfirmlydeclinedtodo。Notuntilhehadreceivedthedocumentpledginghimtheemperor’sprotection，didheappearinthepresenceofthepapalambassador。
Asamatterofpolicy，theRomanistshaddecidedtoattempttowinLutherbyanappearanceofgentleness。Thelegate，inhisinterviewswithhim，professedgreatfriendliness；buthedemandedthatLuthersubmitimplicitlytotheauthorityofthechurch，andyieldeverypointwithoutargumentorquestion。Hehadnotrightlyestimatedthecharacterofthemanwithwhomhehadtodeal。Luther，inreply，expressedhisregardforthechurch，hisdesirefor136
thetruth，hisreadinesstoanswerallobjectionstowhathehadtaught，andtosubmithisdoctrinestothedecisionofcertainleadinguniversities。Butatthesametimeheprotestedagainstthecardinal’scourseinrequiringhimtoretractwithouthavingprovedhiminerror。
Theonlyresponsewas:\"Retract，retract！\"TheReformershowedthathispositionwassustainedbytheScripturesandfirmlydeclaredthathecouldnotrenouncethetruth。Thelegate，unabletoreplytoLuther’sarguments，overwhelmedhimwithastormofreproaches，gibes，andflattery，interspersedwithquotationsfromtraditionandthesayingsoftheFathers，grantingtheReformernoopportunitytospeak。Seeingthattheconference，thuscontinued，wouldbeutterlyfutile，Lutherfinallyobtainedareluctantpermissiontopresenthisanswerinwriting。
\"Insodoing，\"saidhe，writingtoafriend，\"theoppressedfinddoublegain；first，whatiswrittenmaybesubmittedtothejudgmentofothers；andsecond，onehasabetterchanceofworkingonthefears，ifnotontheconscience，ofanarrogantandbabblingdespot，whowouldotherwiseoverpowerbyhisimperiouslanguage。\"——Martyn，TheLifeandTimesofLuther，pages271，272。
Atthenextinterview，Lutherpresentedaclear，concise，andforcibleexpositionofhisviews，fullysupportedbymanyquotationsfromScripture。
Thispaper，afterreadingaloud，hehandedtothecardinal，who，however，castitcontemptuouslyaside，declaringittobeamassofidlewordsandirrelevantquotations。Luther，fullyaroused，nowmetthehaughtyprelateonhisownground——thetraditionsandteachingsofthechurch——andutterlyoverthrewhisassumptions。
WhentheprelatesawthatLuther’sreasoningwasunanswerable，helostallself-control，andinaragecriedout:\"Retract！orIwillsendyoutoRome，theretoappearbeforethejudgescommissionedtotakecognizanceofyourcause。Iwillexcommunicateyouandallyourpartisans，andall137
whoshallatanytimecountenanceyou，andwillcastthemoutofthechurch。\"Andhefinallydeclared，inahaughtyandangrytone:\"Retract，orreturnnomore。\"——D’Aubigne，Londoned。，b。4，ch。8。
TheReformerpromptlywithdrewwithhisfriends，thusdeclaringplainlythatnoretractionwastobeexpectedfromhim。Thiswasnotwhatthecardinalhadpurposed。HehadflatteredhimselfthatbyviolencehecouldaweLuthertosubmission。Now，leftalonewithhissupporters，helookedfromonetoanotherinutterchagrinattheunexpectedfailureofhisschemes。
Luther’seffortsonthisoccasionwerenotwithoutgoodresults。Thelargeassemblypresenthadopportunitytocomparethetwomen，andtojudgeforthemselvesofthespiritmanifestedbythem，aswellasofthestrengthandtruthfulnessoftheirpositions。Howmarkedthecontrast！TheReformer，simple，humble，firm，stoodupinthestrengthofGod，havingtruthonhisside；thepope’srepresentative，self-important，overbearing，haughty，andunreasonable，waswithoutasingleargumentfromtheScriptures，yetvehementlycrying:\"Retract，orbesenttoRomeforpunishment。\"
NotwithstandingLutherhadsecuredasafe-conduct，theRomanistswereplottingtoseizeandimprisonhim。Hisfriendsurgedthatasitwasuselessforhimtoprolonghisstay，heshouldreturntoWittenbergwithoutdelay，andthattheutmostcautionshouldbeobservedinordertoconcealhisintentions。HeaccordinglyleftAugsburgbeforeday-break，onhorseback，accompaniedonlybyaguidefurnishedhimbythemagistrate。Withmanyforebodingshesecretlymadehiswaythroughthedarkandsilentstreetsofthecity。Enemies，vigilantandcruel，wereplottinghisdestruction。Wouldheescapethesnarespreparedforhim？Thoseweremomentsofanxietyandearnestprayer。Hereachedasmallgateinthewallofthecity。Itwasopenedforhim，andwithhisguidehepassedthroughwithouthindrance。Oncesafelyoutside，thefugitiveshastenedtheirflight，andbefore138
thelegatelearnedofLuther’sdeparture，hewasbeyondthereachofhispersecutors。Satanandhisemissariesweredefeated。Themanwhomtheyhadthoughtintheirpowerwasgone，escapedasabirdfromthesnareofthefowler。
AtthenewsofLuther’sescapethelegatewasoverwhelmedwithsurpriseandanger。Hehadexpectedtoreceivegreathonorforhiswisdomandfirmnessindealingwiththisdisturberofthechurch；buthishopewasdisappointed。HegaveexpressiontohiswrathinalettertoFrederick，theelectorofSaxony，bitterlydenouncingLutheranddemandingthatFredericksendtheReformertoRomeorbanishhimfromSaxony。
Indefense，LutherurgedthatthelegateorthepopeshowhimhiserrorsfromtheScriptures，andpledgedhimselfinthemostsolemnmannertorenouncehisdoctrinesiftheycouldbeshowntocontradictthewordofGod。
AndheexpressedhisgratitudetoGodthathehadbeencountedworthytosufferinsoholyacause。
Theelectorhad，asyet，littleknowledgeofthereformeddoctrines，buthewasdeeplyimpressedbythecandor，force，andclearnessofLuther’swords；
anduntiltheReformershouldbeprovedtobeinerror，Frederickresolvedtostandashisprotector。Inreplytothelegate’sdemandhewrote:\"SinceDr。MartinhasappearedbeforeyouatAugsburg，youshouldbesatisfied。Wedidnotexpectthatyouwouldendeavortomakehimretractwithouthavingconvincedhimofhiserrors。NoneofthelearnedmeninourprincipalityhaveinformedmethatMartin’sdoctrineisimpious，anti-christian，orheretical。’Theprincerefused，moreover，tosendLuthertoRome，ortoexpelhimfromhisstates。\"——D’Aubigne，b。4，ch。10。
Theelectorsawthattherewasageneralbreakingdownofthemoralrestraintsofsociety。Agreatworkofreformwasneeded。ThecomplicatedandexpensivearrangementstorestrainandpunishcrimewouldbeunnecessaryifmenbutacknowledgedandobeyedtherequirementsofGodandthedictatesofanenlightenedconscience。Hesawthat139
Lutherwaslaboringtosecurethisobject，andhesecretlyrejoicedthatabetterinfluencewasmakingitselffeltinthechurch。
HesawalsothatasaprofessorintheuniversityLutherwaseminentlysuccessful。OnlyayearhadpassedsincetheReformerpostedhisthesesonthecastlechurch，yettherewasalreadyagreatfallingoffinthenumberofpilgrimsthatvisitedthechurchatthefestivalofAllSaints。Romehadbeendeprivedofworshipersandofferings，buttheirplacewasfilledbyanotherclass，whonowcametoWittenberg，notpilgrimstoadoreherrelics，butstudentstofillherhallsoflearning。ThewritingsofLutherhadkindledeverywhereanewinterestintheHolyScriptures，andnotonlyfromallpartsofGermany，butfromotherlands，studentsflockedtotheuniversity。Youngmen，cominginsightofWittenbergforthefirsttime，\"raisedtheirhandstoheaven，andpraisedGodforhavingcausedthelightoftruthtoshineforthfromthiscity，asfromZionintimesofold，andwhenceitspreadeventothemostdistantcountries。\"——Ibid。，b。4，ch。10。
LutherwasasyetbutpartiallyconvertedfromtheerrorsofRomanism。ButashecomparedtheHolyOracleswiththepapaldecreesandconstitutions，hewasfilledwithwonder。\"Iamreading，\"hewrote，\"thedecreesofthepontiffs，and……Idonotknowwhetherthepopeisantichristhimself，orhisapostle，sogreatlyisChristmisrepresentedandcrucifiedinthem。\"——Ibid。，b。5，ch。1。YetatthistimeLutherwasstillasupporteroftheRomanChurch，andhadnothoughtthathewouldeverseparatefromhercommunion。
TheReformer’swritingsandhisdoctrinewereextendingtoeverynationinChristendom。TheworkspreadtoSwitzerlandandHolland。CopiesofhiswritingsfoundtheirwaytoFranceandSpain。InEnglandhisteachingswerereceivedasthewordoflife。ToBelgiumandItalyalsothetruthhadextended。Thousandswereawakeningfromtheirdeathlikestuportothejoyandhopeofalifeoffaith。
140
RomebecamemoreandmoreexasperatedbytheattacksofLuther，anditwasdeclaredbysomeofhisfanaticalopponents，evenbydoctorsinCatholicuniversities，thathewhoshouldkilltherebelliousmonkwouldbewithoutsin。Onedayastranger，withapistolhiddenunderhiscloak，approachedtheReformerandinquiredwhyhewentthusalone。\"IaminGod’shands，\"
answeredLuther。\"Heismystrengthandmyshield。Whatcanmandountome？\"——Ibid。，b。6，ch。
2。Uponhearingthesewords，thestrangerturnedpaleandfledawayasfromthepresenceoftheangelsofheaven。
RomewasbentuponthedestructionofLuther；butGodwashisdefense。Hisdoctrineswereheardeverywhere——\"incottagesandconvents，……inthecastlesofthenobles，intheuniversities，andinthepalacesofkings；\"
andnoblemenwererisingoneveryhandtosustainhisefforts——Ibid。，b。
6，ch。2。
ItwasaboutthistimethatLuther，readingtheworksofHuss，foundthatthegreattruthofjustificationbyfaith，whichhehimselfwasseekingtoupholdandteach，hadbeenheldbytheBohemianReformer。\"Wehaveall，\"
saidLuther，\"Paul，Augustine，andmyself，beenHussiteswithoutknowingit！\"\"Godwillsurelyvisititupontheworld，\"hecontinued，\"thatthetruthwaspreachedtoitacenturyago，andburned！\"——Wylie，b。6。ch。1
InanappealtotheemperorandnobilityofGermanyinbehalfofthereformationofChristianity，Lutherwroteconcerningthepope:\"ItisahorriblethingtobeholdthemanwhostyleshimselfChrist’svicegerent，displayingamagnificencethatnoemperorcanequal。IsthisbeinglikethepoorJesus，orthehumblePeter？Heis，saythey，thelordoftheworld！ButChrist，whosevicarheboastsofbeing，hassaid，’Mykingdomisnotofthisworld。’Canthedominionsofavicarextendbeyondthoseofhissuperior？\"——
D’Aubigne，b。6，ch。3。
Hewrotethusoftheuniversities:\"Iammuchafraidthattheuniversitieswillprovetobethegreatgatesofhell，141
unlesstheydiligentlylaborinexplainingtheHolyScriptures，andengravingthemintheheartsofyouth。IadvisenoonetoplacehischildwheretheScripturesdonotreignparamount。EveryinstitutioninwhichmenarenotunceasinglyoccupiedwiththewordofGodmustbecomecorrupt。\"——
Ibid。，b。6，ch。3。
ThisappealwasrapidlycirculatedthroughoutGermanyandexertedapowerfulinfluenceuponthepeople。Thewholenationwasstirred，andmultitudeswererousedtorallyaroundthestandardofreform。Luther’sopponents，burningwithadesireforrevenge，urgedthepopetotakedecisivemeasuresagainsthim。Itwasdecreedthathisdoctrinesshouldbeimmediatelycondemned。
SixtydaysweregrantedtheReformerandhisadherents，afterwhich，iftheydidnotrecant，theywerealltobeexcommunicated。
ThatwasaterriblecrisisfortheReformation。ForcenturiesRome’ssentenceofexcommunicationhadstruckterrortopowerfulmonarchs；ithadfilledmightyempireswithwoeanddesolation。Thoseuponwhomitscondemnationfellwereuniversallyregardedwithdreadandhorror；theywerecutofffromintercoursewiththeirfellowsandtreatedasoutlaws，tobehuntedtoextermination。Lutherwasnotblindtothetempestabouttoburstuponhim；buthestoodfirm，trustinginChristtobehissupportandshield。Withamartyr’sfaithandcouragehewrote:\"WhatisabouttohappenIknownot，nordoIcaretoknow……Lettheblowlightwhereitmay，I
amwithoutfear。Notsomuchasaleaffalls，withoutthewillofourFather。HowmuchratherwillHecareforus！ItisalightthingtodiefortheWord，sincetheWordwhichwasmadefleshhathHimselfdied。IfwediewithHim，weshalllivewithHim；andpassingthroughthatwhichHehaspassedthroughbeforeus，weshallbewhereHeisanddwellwithHimforever。\"——Ibid。，3dLondoned。，Walther，1840，b。6，ch。9。
WhenthepapalbullreachedLuther，hesaid:\"Idespiseandattackit，asimpious，false……ItisChristHimselfwho142
iscondemnedtherein……Irejoiceinhavingtobearsuchillsforthebestofcauses。AlreadyIfeelgreaterlibertyinmyheart；foratlastI
knowthatthepopeisantichrist，andthathisthroneisthatofSatanhimself。\"——D’Aubigne，b。6，ch。9。
YetthemandateofRomewasnotwithouteffect。Prison，torture，andswordwereweaponspotenttoenforceobedience。Theweakandsuperstitioustrembledbeforethedecreeofthepope；andwhiletherewasgeneralsympathyforLuther，manyfeltthatlifewastoodeartoberiskedinthecauseofreform。EverythingseemedtoindicatethattheReformer’sworkwasabouttoclose。
ButLutherwasfearlessstill。Romehadhurledheranathemasagainsthim，andtheworldlookedon，nothingdoubtingthathewouldperishorbeforcedtoyield。Butwithterriblepowerheflungbackuponherselfthesentenceofcondemnationandpubliclydeclaredhisdeterminationtoabandonherforever。
Inthepresenceofacrowdofstudents，doctors，andcitizensofallranksLutherburnedthepope’sbull，withthecanonlaws，thedecretals，andcertainwritingssustainingthepapalpower。\"Myenemieshavebeenable，byburningmybooks，\"hesaid，\"toinjurethecauseoftruthinthemindsofthecommonpeople，anddestroytheirsouls；forthisreasonIconsumedtheirbooksinreturn。Aseriousstrugglehasjustbegun。HithertoIhavebeenonlyplayingwiththepope。IbeganthisworkinGod’sname；itwillbeendedwithoutme，andbyHismight。\"——Ibid。，b。6，ch。10。
Tothereproachesofhisenemieswhotauntedhimwiththeweaknessofhiscause，Lutheranswered:\"WhoknowsifGodhasnotchosenandcalledme，andiftheyoughtnottofearthat，bydespisingme，theydespiseGodHimself？
MoseswasaloneatthedeparturefromEgypt；ElijahwasaloneinthereignofKingAhab；IsaiahaloneinJerusalem；EzekielaloneinBabylon……Godneverselectedasapropheteitherthehighpriestoranyothergreatpersonage；butordinarilyHechoselowanddespisedmen，onceeven143
theshepherdAmos。Ineveryage，thesaintshavehadtoreprovethegreat，kings，princes，priests，andwisemen，attheperiloftheirlives……I
donotsaythatIamaprophet；butIsaythattheyoughttofearpreciselybecauseIamaloneandthattheyaremany。Iamsureofthis，thatthewordofGodiswithme，andthatitisnotwiththem。\"——Ibid。，b。6，ch。10。
YetitwasnotwithoutaterriblestrugglewithhimselfthatLutherdecideduponafinalseparationfromthechurch。Itwasaboutthistimethathewrote:\"Ifeelmoreandmoreeverydayhowdifficultitistolayasidethescrupleswhichonehasimbibedinchildhood。Oh，howmuchpainithascausedme，thoughIhadtheScripturesonmyside，tojustifyittomyselfthatI
shoulddaretomakeastandaloneagainstthepope，andholdhimforthasantichrist！Whathavethetribulationsofmyheartnotbeen！HowmanytimeshaveInotaskedmyselfwithbitternessthatquestionwhichwassofrequentonthelipsofthepapists:’Artthoualonewise？Caneveryoneelsebemistaken？Howwillitbe，if，afterall，itisthyselfwhoartwrong，andwhoartinvolvinginthyerrorsomanysouls，whowillthenbeeternallydamned？’’TwassoIfoughtwithmyselfandwithSatan，tillChrist，byHisowninfallibleword，fortifiedmyheartagainstthesedoubts。\"——Martyn，pages372，373。
ThepopehadthreatenedLutherwithexcommunicationifhedidnotrecant，andthethreatwasnowfulfilled。Anewbullappeared，declaringtheReformer’sfinalseparationfromtheRomanChurch，denouncinghimasaccursedofHeaven，andincludinginthesamecondemnationallwhoshouldreceivehisdoctrines。Thegreatcontesthadbeenfullyenteredupon。
OppositionisthelotofallwhomGodemploystopresenttruthsspeciallyapplicabletotheirtime。TherewasapresenttruthinthedaysofLuther，——atruthatthattimeofspecialimportance；thereisapresenttruthforthechurchtoday。
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HewhodoesallthingsaccordingtothecounselofHiswillhasbeenpleasedtoplacemenundervariouscircumstancesandtoenjoinuponthemdutiespeculiartothetimesinwhichtheyliveandtheconditionsunderwhichtheyareplaced。Iftheywouldprizethelightgiventhem，broaderviewsoftruthwouldbeopenedbeforethem。ButtruthisnomoredesiredbythemajoritytodaythanitwasbythepapistswhoopposedLuther。ThereisthesamedispositiontoacceptthetheoriesandtraditionsofmeninsteadofthewordofGodasinformerages。Thosewhopresentthetruthforthistimeshouldnotexpecttobereceivedwithgreaterfavorthanwereearlierreformers。
Thegreatcontroversybetweentruthanderror，betweenChristandSatan，istoincreaseinintensitytothecloseofthisworld’shistory。
SaidJesustoHisdisciples:\"Ifyewereoftheworld，theworldwouldlovehisown:butbecauseyearenotoftheworld，butIhavechosenyououtoftheworld，thereforetheworldhatethyou。RememberthewordthatIsaiduntoyou，TheservantisnotgreaterthanhisLord。IftheyhavepersecutedMe，theywillalsopersecuteyou；iftheyhavekeptMysaying，theywillkeepyoursalso。\"John15:19，20。AndontheotherhandourLorddeclaredplainly:\"Woeuntoyou，whenallmenshallspeakwellofyou！forsodidtheirfatherstothefalseprophets。\"Luke6:26。ThespiritoftheworldisnomoreinharmonywiththespiritofChristtodaythaninearliertimes，andthosewhopreachthewordofGodinitspuritywillbereceivedwithnogreaterfavornowthanthen。Theformsofoppositiontothetruthmaychange，theenmitymaybelessopenbecauseitismoresubtle；butthesameantagonismstillexistsandwillbemanifestedtotheendoftime。
(145)
Chapter8
LutherBeforetheDietAnewemperor，CharlesV，hadascendedthethroneofGermany，andtheemissariesofRomehastenedtopresenttheircongratulationsandinducethemonarchtoemployhispoweragainsttheReformation。Ontheotherhand，theelectorofSaxony，towhomCharleswasingreatdegreeindebtedforhiscrown，entreatedhimtotakenostepagainstLutheruntilheshouldhavegrantedhimahearing。Theemperorwasthusplacedinapositionofgreatperplexityandembarrassment。ThepapistswouldbesatisfiedwithnothingshortofanimperialedictsentencingLuthertodeath。Theelectorhaddeclaredfirmlythat\"neitherhisimperialmajestynoranyotherpersonhadshownthatLuther’swritingshadbeenrefuted；\"thereforeherequested\"thatDr。Luthershouldbefurnishedwithasafe-conduct，sothathemightappearbeforeatribunaloflearned，pious，andimpartialjudges。\"——D’Aubigne，b。
6，ch。11。
TheattentionofallpartieswasnowdirectedtotheassemblyoftheGermanstateswhichconvenedatWormssoonaftertheaccessionofCharlestotheempire。Therewereimportantpoliticalquestionsandintereststobeconsideredbythisnationalcouncil；forthefirsttimetheprincesofGermanyweretomeettheiryouthfulmonarchindeliberativeassembly。Fromallpartsofthefatherlandhadcomethedignitariesofchurchandstate。
Secularlords，highborn，powerful，andjealousoftheirhereditaryrights；
princely146
ecclesiastics，flushedwiththeirconscioussuperiorityinrankandpower；
courtlyknightsandtheirarmedretainers；andambassadorsfromforeignanddistantlands，——allgatheredatWorms。YetinthatvastassemblythesubjectthatexcitedthedeepestinterestwasthecauseoftheSaxonReformer。
CharleshadpreviouslydirectedtheelectortobringLutherwithhimtotheDiet，assuringhimofprotection，andpromisingafreediscussion，withcompetentpersons，ofthequestionsindispute。Lutherwasanxioustoappearbeforetheemperor。Hishealthwasatthistimemuchimpaired；yethewrotetotheelector:\"IfIcannotgotoWormsingoodhealth，Iwillbecarriedthere，sickasIam。Foriftheemperorcallsme，IcannotdoubtthatitisthecallofGodHimself。Iftheydesiretouseviolenceagainstme，andthatisveryprobable(foritisnotfortheirinstructionthattheyordermetoappear)，IplacethematterintheLord’shands。Hestilllivesandreignswhopreservedthethreeyoungmenintheburningfieryfurnace。IfHewillnotsaveme，mylifeisoflittleconsequence。Letusonlypreventthegospelfrombeingexposedtothescornofthewicked，andletusshedourbloodforit，forfeartheyshouldtriumph。Itisnotformetodecidewhethermylifeormydeathwillcontributemosttothesalvationofall……Youmayexpecteverythingfromme……exceptflightandrecantation。
FlyIcannot，andstilllessretract。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。1。
AsthenewswascirculatedatWormsthatLutherwastoappearbeforetheDiet，ageneralexcitementwascreated。Aleander，thepapallegatetowhomthecasehadbeenspeciallyentrusted，wasalarmedandenraged。Hesawthattheresultwouldbedisastroustothepapalcause。Toinstituteinquiryintoacaseinwhichthepopehadalreadypronouncedsentenceofcondemnationwouldbetocastcontemptupontheauthorityofthesovereignpontiff。
Furthermore，hewasapprehensivethattheeloquentandpowerfulargumentsofthismanmightturnawaymanyoftheprincesfromthecauseofthepope。Hetherefore，inthemost147
urgentmanner，remonstratedwithCharlesagainstLuther’sappearanceatWorms。AboutthistimethebulldeclaringLuther’sexcommunicationwaspublished；andthis，coupledwiththerepresentationsofthelegate，inducedtheemperortoyield。HewrotetotheelectorthatifLutherwouldnotretract，hemustremainatWittenberg。
Notcontentwiththisvictory，AleanderlaboredwithallthepowerandcunningathiscommandtosecureLuther’scondemnation。Withapersistenceworthyofabettercause，heurgedthematterupontheattentionofprinces，prelates，andothermembersoftheassembly，accusingtheReformerof\"sedition，rebellion，impiety，andblasphemy。\"Butthevehemenceandpassionmanifestedbythelegaterevealedtooplainlythespiritbywhichhewasactuated。\"Heismovedbyhatredandvengeance，\"wasthegeneralremark，\"muchmorethanbyzealandpiety。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。1。ThemajorityoftheDietweremorethaneverinclinedtoregardLuther’scausewithfavor。
WithredoubledzealAleanderurgedupontheemperorthedutyofexecutingthepapaledicts。ButunderthelawsofGermanythiscouldnotbedonewithouttheconcurrenceoftheprinces；and，overcomeatlastbythelegate’simportunity，CharlesbadehimpresenthiscasetotheDiet。\"Itwasaprouddayforthenuncio。Theassemblywasagreatone:thecausewasevengreater。AleanderwastopleadforRome，……themotherandmistressofallchurches。\"HewastovindicatetheprincedomofPeterbeforetheassembledprincipalitiesofChristendom。\"Hehadthegiftofeloquence，andherosetothegreatnessoftheoccasion。ProvidenceordereditthatRomeshouldappearandpleadbytheablestofheroratorsinthepresenceofthemostaugustoftribunals，beforeshewascondemned。\"——Wylie，b。6，ch。4。
WithsomemisgivingsthosewhofavoredtheReformerlookedforwardtotheeffectofAleander’sspeech。TheelectorofSaxonywasnotpresent，butbyhisdirectionsomeofhiscouncilorsattendedtotakenotesofthenuncio’saddress。
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Withallthepoweroflearningandeloquence，Aleandersethimselftooverthrowthetruth。ChargeafterchargehehurledagainstLutherasanenemyofthechurchandthestate，thelivingandthedead，clergyandlaity，councilsandprivateChristians。\"InLuther’serrorsthereisenough，\"hedeclared，towarranttheburningof\"ahundredthousandheretics。\"
Inconclusionheendeavoredtocastcontemptupontheadherentsofthereformedfaith:\"WhatarealltheseLutherans？Acrewofinsolentpedagogues，corruptpriests，dissolutemonks，ignorantlawyers，anddegradednobles，withthecommonpeoplewhomtheyhavemisledandperverted。HowfarsuperiortothemistheCatholicpartyinnumber，ability，andpower！A
unanimousdecreefromthisillustriousassemblywillenlightenthesimple，warntheimprudent，decidethewaverers，andgivestrengthtotheweak。\"——
D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。3。
Withsuchweaponstheadvocatesoftruthineveryagehavebeenattacked。
Thesameargumentsarestillurgedagainstallwhodaretopresent，inoppositiontoestablishederrors，theplainanddirectteachingsofGod’sword。\"Whoarethesepreachersofnewdoctrines？\"exclaimthosewhodesireapopularreligion。\"Theyareunlearned，fewinnumbers，andofthepoorerclass。Yettheyclaimtohavethetruth，andtobethechosenpeopleofGod。
Theyareignorantanddeceived。Howgreatlysuperiorinnumbersandinfluenceisourchurch！Howmanygreatandlearnedmenareamongus！Howmuchmorepowerisonourside！\"Thesearetheargumentsthathaveatellinginfluenceupontheworld；buttheyarenomoreconclusivenowthaninthedaysoftheReformer。
TheReformationdidnot，asmanysuppose，endwithLuther。Itistobecontinuedtothecloseofthisworld’shistory。LutherhadagreatworktodoinreflectingtoothersthelightwhichGodhadpermittedtoshineuponhim；yethedidnotreceiveallthelightwhichwastobegiventotheworld。Fromthattimetothis，newlighthasbeen149
continuallyshiningupontheScriptures，andnewtruthshavebeenconstantlyunfolding。
Thelegate’saddressmadeadeepimpressionupontheDiet。TherewasnoLutherpresent，withtheclearandconvincingtruthsofGod’sword，tovanquishthepapalchampion。NoattemptwasmadetodefendtheReformer。
Therewasmanifestageneraldispositionnotonlytocondemnhimandthedoctrineswhichhetaught，butifpossibletouproottheheresy。Romehadenjoyedthemostfavorableopportunitytodefendhercause。Allthatshecouldsayinherownvindicationhadbeensaid。Buttheapparentvictorywasthesignalofdefeat。Henceforththecontrastbetweentruthanderrorwouldbemoreclearlyseen，astheyshouldtakethefieldinopenwarfare。NeverfromthatdaywouldRomestandassecureasshehadstood。
WhilemostofthemembersoftheDietwouldnothavehesitatedtoyieldupLuthertothevengeanceofRome，manyofthemsawanddeploredtheexistingdepravityinthechurch，anddesiredasuppressionoftheabusessufferedbytheGermanpeopleinconsequenceofthecorruptionandgreedofthehierarchy。Thelegatehadpresentedthepapalruleinthemostfavorablelight。NowtheLordmoveduponamemberoftheDiettogiveatruedelineationoftheeffectsofpapaltyranny。Withnoblefirmness，DukeGeorgeofSaxonystoodupinthatprincelyassemblyandspecifiedwithterribleexactnessthedeceptionsandabominationsofpopery，andtheirdireresults。Inclosinghesaid:
\"ThesearesomeoftheabusesthatcryoutagainstRome。Allshamehasbeenputaside，andtheironlyobjectis……money，money，money，……sothatthepreacherswhoshouldteachthetruth，utternothingbutfalsehoods，andarenotonlytolerated，butrewarded，becausethegreatertheirlies，thegreatertheirgain。Itisfromthisfoulspringthatsuchtaintedwatersflow。Debaucherystretchesoutthehandtoavarice……Alas，itisthescandalcausedbytheclergythathurlssomanypoorsoulsintoeternalcondemnation。Ageneralreformmustbeeffected。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。4。
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AmoreableandforcibledenunciationofthepapalabusescouldnothavebeenpresentedbyLutherhimself；andthefactthatthespeakerwasadeterminedenemyoftheReformer’sgavegreaterinfluencetohiswords。
Hadtheeyesoftheassemblybeenopened，theywouldhavebeheldangelsofGodinthemidstofthem，sheddingbeamsoflightathwartthedarknessoferrorandopeningmindsandheartstothereceptionoftruth。ItwasthepoweroftheGodoftruthandwisdomthatcontrolledeventheadversariesofthereformation，andthuspreparedthewayforthegreatworkabouttobeaccomplished。MartinLutherwasnotpresent；butthevoiceofOnegreaterthanLutherhadbeenheardinthatassembly。
AcommitteewasatonceappointedbytheDiettoprepareanenumerationofthepapaloppressionsthatweighedsoheavilyontheGermanpeople。Thislist，containingahundredandonespecifications，waspresentedtotheemperor，witharequestthathewouldtakeimmediatemeasuresforthecorrectionoftheseabuses。\"WhatalossofChristiansouls，\"saidthepetitioners，\"whatdepredations，whatextortions，onaccountofthescandalsbywhichthespiritualheadofChristendomissurrounded！Itisourdutytopreventtheruinanddishonorofourpeople。Forthisreasonwemosthumblybutmosturgentlyentreatyoutoorderageneralreformation，andtoundertakeitsaccomplishment。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。4。
ThecouncilnowdemandedtheReformer’sappearancebeforethem。
Notwithstandingtheentreaties，protests，andthreatsofAleander，theemperoratlastconsented，andLutherwassummonedtoappearbeforetheDiet。Withthesummonswasissuedasafe-conduct，ensuringhisreturntoaplaceofsecurity。ThesewerebornetoWittenbergbyaherald，whowascommissionedtoconducthimtoWorms。
ThefriendsofLutherwereterrifiedanddistressed。Knowingtheprejudiceandenmityagainsthim，theyfearedthatevenhissafe-conductwouldnotberespected，andtheyentreatedhimnottoimperilhislife。Hereplied:\"ThepapistsdonotdesiremycomingtoWorms，butmy151
condemnationandmydeath。Itmattersnot。Praynotforme，butforthewordofGod……ChristwillgivemeHisSpirittoovercometheseministersoferror。Idespisethemduringmylife；Ishalltriumphoverthembymydeath。
TheyarebusyatWormsaboutcompellingmetoretract；andthisshallbemyretraction:IsaidformerlythatthepopewasChrist’svicar；nowIassertthatheisourLord’sadversary，andthedevil’sapostle。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。
6。
Lutherwasnottomakehisperilousjourneyalone。Besidestheimperialmessenger，threeofhisfirmestfriendsdeterminedtoaccompanyhim。
Melanchthonearnestlydesiredtojointhem。HisheartwasknittoLuther’s，andheyearnedtofollowhim，ifneedbe，toprisonortodeath。Buthisentreatiesweredenied。ShouldLutherperish，thehopesoftheReformationmustcenteruponhisyouthfulcolaborer。SaidtheReformerashepartedfromMelanchthon:\"IfIdonotreturn，andmyenemiesputmetodeath，continuetoteach，andstandfastinthetruth。Laborinmystead……Ifyousurvive，mydeathwillbeoflittleconsequence。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。7。
StudentsandcitizenswhohadgatheredtowitnessLuther’sdepartureweredeeplymoved。Amultitudewhoseheartshadbeentouchedbythegospel，badehimfarewellwithweeping。ThustheReformerandhiscompanionssetoutfromWittenberg。
Onthejourneytheysawthatthemindsofthepeoplewereoppressedbygloomyforebodings。Atsometownsnohonorswereprofferedthem。Astheystoppedforthenight，afriendlypriestexpressedhisfearsbyholdingupbeforeLuthertheportraitofanItalianreformerwhohadsufferedmartyrdom。ThenextdaytheylearnedthatLuther’swritingshadbeencondemnedatWorms。Imperialmessengerswereproclaimingtheemperor’sdecreeandcallinguponthepeopletobringtheproscribedworkstothemagistrates。Theherald，fearingforLuther’ssafetyatthecouncil，andthinkingthatalreadyhisresolutionmightbeshaken，askedifhestillwishedtogoforward。Heanswered:\"Althoughinterdictedineverycity，I
shallgoon。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。7。
152
AtErfurt，Lutherwasreceivedwithhonor。Surroundedbyadmiringcrowds，hepassedthroughthestreetsthathehadoftentraversedwithhisbeggar’swallet。Hevisitedhisconventcell，andthoughtuponthestrugglesthroughwhichthelightnowfloodingGermanyhadbeensheduponhissoul。Hewasurgedtopreach。Thishehadbeenforbiddentodo，buttheheraldgrantedhimpermission，andthefriarwhohadoncebeenmadethedrudgeoftheconvent，nowenteredthepulpit。
ToacrowdedassemblyhespokefromthewordsofChrist，\"Peacebeuntoyou。\"\"Philosophers，doctors，andwriters，\"hesaid，\"haveendeavoredtoteachmenthewaytoobtaineverlastinglife，andtheyhavenotsucceeded。I
willnowtellittoyou:……GodhasraisedoneManfromthedead，theLordJesusChrist，thatHemightdestroydeath，extirpatesin，andshutthegatesofhell。Thisistheworkofsalvation……Christhasvanquished！
thisisthejoyfulnews；andwearesavedbyHiswork，andnotbyourown……OurLordJesusChristsaid，’Peacebeuntoyou；beholdMyhands；’thatistosay，Behold，Oman！itisI，Ialone，whohavetakenawaythysin，andransomedthee；andnowthouhastpeace，saiththeLord。\"
Hecontinued，showingthattruefaithwillbemanifestedbyaholylife。
\"SinceGodhassavedus，letussoorderourworksthattheymaybeacceptabletoHim。Artthourich？letthygoodsadministertothenecessitiesofthepoor。Artthoupoor？letthyservicesbeacceptabletotherich。Ifthylaborisusefultothyselfalone，theservicethatthoupretendesttorenderuntoGodisalie。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。7。
Thepeoplelistenedasifspellbound。Thebreadoflifewasbrokentothosestarvingsouls。Christwasliftedupbeforethemasabovepopes，legates，emperors，andkings。Luthermadenoreferencetohisownperilousposition。
Hedidnotseektomakehimselftheobjectofthoughtorsympathy。InthecontemplationofChristhehadlostsightofself。HehidbehindtheManofCalvary，seekingonlytopresentJesusasthesinner’sRedeemer。
153
AstheReformerproceededonhisjourney，hewaseverywhereregardedwithgreatinterest。Aneagermultitudethrongedabouthim，andfriendlyvoiceswarnedhimofthepurposeoftheRomanists。\"Theywillburnyou，\"saidsome，\"andreduceyourbodytoashes，astheydidwithJohnHuss。\"Lutheranswered，\"ThoughtheyshouldkindleafireallthewayfromWormstoWittenberg，theflamesofwhichreachedtoheaven，IwouldwalkthroughitinthenameoftheLord；Iwouldappearbeforethem；Iwouldenterthejawsofthisbehemoth，andbreakhisteeth，confessingtheLordJesusChrist。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。7。
ThenewsofhisapproachtoWormscreatedgreatcommotion。Hisfriendstrembledforhissafety；hisenemiesfearedforthesuccessoftheircause。
Strenuouseffortsweremadetodissuadehimfromenteringthecity。Attheinstigationofthepapistshewasurgedtorepairtothecastleofafriendlyknight，where，itwasdeclared，alldifficultiescouldbeamicablyadjusted。Friendsendeavoredtoexcitehisfearsbydescribingthedangersthatthreatenedhim。Alltheireffortsfailed。Luther，stillunshaken，declared:\"EvenshouldtherebeasmanydevilsinWormsastilesonthehousetops，stillIwouldenterit。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。7。
UponhisarrivalatWorms，avastcrowdflockedtothegatestowelcomehim。
Sogreataconcoursehadnotassembledtogreettheemperorhimself。Theexcitementwasintense，andfromthemidstofthethrongashrillandplaintivevoicechantedafuneraldirgeasawarningtoLutherofthefatethatawaitedhim。\"Godwillbemydefense，\"saidhe，ashealightedfromhiscarriage。
ThepapistshadnotbelievedthatLutherwouldreallyventuretoappearatWorms，andhisarrivalfilledthemwithconsternation。Theemperorimmediatelysummonedhiscouncilorstoconsiderwhatcourseshouldbepursued。Oneofthebishops，arigidpapist，declared:\"Wehavelongconsultedonthismatter。Letyourimperialmajestygetridofthismanatonce。DidnotSigismundcauseJohnHusstobeburnt？Wearenotboundeithertogiveorto154
observethesafe-conductofaheretic。\"\"No，\"saidtheemperor，\"wemustkeepourpromise。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。ItwasthereforedecidedthattheReformershouldbeheard。
Allthecitywereeagertoseethisremarkableman，andathrongofvisitorssoonfilledhislodgings。Lutherhadscarcelyrecoveredfromhisrecentillness；hewasweariedfromthejourney，whichhadoccupiedtwofullweeks；
hemustpreparetomeetthemomentouseventsofthemorrow，andheneededquietandrepose。Butsogreatwasthedesiretoseehimthathehadenjoyedonlyafewhours’restwhennoblemen，knights，priests，andcitizensgatheredeagerlyabouthim。Amongtheseweremanyofthenobleswhohadsoboldlydemandedoftheemperorareformofecclesiasticalabusesandwho，saysLuther，\"hadallbeenfreedbymygospel。\"——Martyn，page393。Enemies，aswellasfriends，cametolookuponthedauntlessmonk；buthereceivedthemwithunshakencalmness，replyingtoallwithdignityandwisdom。Hisbearingwasfirmandcourageous。Hispale，thinface，markedwiththetracesoftoilandillness，woreakindlyandevenjoyousexpression。Thesolemnityanddeepearnestnessofhiswordsgavehimapowerthatevenhisenemiescouldnotwhollywithstand。Bothfriendsandfoeswerefilledwithwonder。
Somewereconvincedthatadivineinfluenceattendedhim；othersdeclared，ashadthePhariseesconcerningChrist:\"Hehathadevil。\"
OnthefollowingdayLutherwassummonedtoattendtheDiet。Animperialofficerwasappointedtoconducthimtothehallofaudience；yetitwaswithdifficultythathereachedtheplace。Everyavenuewascrowdedwithspectatorseagertolookuponthemonkwhohaddaredresisttheauthorityofthepope。
Ashewasabouttoenterthepresenceofhisjudges，anoldgeneral，theheroofmanybattles，saidtohimkindly:\"Poormonk，poormonk，thouartnowgoingtomakeanoblerstandthanIoranyothercaptainshaveevermadeinthebloodiestofourbattles。Butifthycauseisjust，andthouartsureofit，goforwardinGod’sname，andfear155
nothing。Godwillnotforsakethee。\"——D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。8。
AtlengthLutherstoodbeforethecouncil。Theemperoroccupiedthethrone。
Hewassurroundedbythemostillustriouspersonagesintheempire。NeverhadanymanappearedinthepresenceofamoreimposingassemblythanthatbeforewhichMartinLutherwastoanswerforhisfaith。\"Thisappearancewasofitselfasignalvictoryoverthepapacy。Thepopehadcondemnedtheman，andhewasnowstandingbeforeatribunalwhich，bythisveryact，setitselfabovethepope。Thepopehadlaidhimunderaninterdict，andcuthimofffromallhumansociety；andyethewassummonedinrespectfullanguage，andreceivedbeforethemostaugustassemblyintheworld。Thepopehadcondemnedhimtoperpetualsilence，andhewasnowabouttospeakbeforethousandsofattentivehearersdrawntogetherfromthefarthestpartsofChristendom。AnimmenserevolutionhadthusbeeneffectedbyLuther’sinstrumentality。Romewasalreadydescendingfromherthrone，anditwasthevoiceofamonkthatcausedthishumiliation。\"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。
