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llluatrant ia mOthodo.
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REFORMATION;
':|t.
••V Tin-
REV. T. S. CARTWRIGHT,
BBtofO THE SUBSTANCE 01^ TWp LECTURES DELIVERED IN HAMILTON
AND OTHER PLACES, AND PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
. /
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"^PKfCE, TEN CENTS.
\
'^I^O^PMTO :/Ai)AH, SntimoN * Co., aso H. Bowbll * Co. HAMILTON : DracA* ||fj
* Stuabt; J. Eastwood ik Caf 'W. Bkown k Co.;
, AHA MAT m HAD QF-ALL V0OX8BLLIM.
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LUTHp AND THE REFORMATION :
.' \ ■■■■•■''..•■■ '
./ 'illU »tB8TANCIl 01^
' ■■ nitt.ivcKKD 9Y mm
REV. T. S. CARTWRIG
a IUIIII.TOII A.M» OTHEH HLAOJtB, ASH
Tho panncy, a>t it oxistod from the tontir to Hixtocntli eoiiliii'y, wns a
cbloHSivt (lospotism— a gigaiiHc Hystciir'ofMipcrHtition and iVuutl. It
originat*)(l in corrupt ambition ; it nspirod to universal Lomn/^Oj Many
of the doclrinci* it inculcatod, and many of tho cercrau|^>« it obscrvod,
implied a porvorwion of Holy Scriptinr, and a doifB|5;o I'rom tho-
tiracticoH of tKo oarly ChriKtian Ghnrch ; whilo in its K^tf i-nl tendency .
and influohco it ignored the right Oi' private judgment, domed the elainiH
of individual liberty, and HuporindWed a state of intellectual bondage
and social domorfltlization. Tho ago pi-ocoding tho lloformation i«
signalized in history for its ignonincoCand pollution, A» though the pro-
diction of tho JowisllK prophet hady received a Hocond verification^
«* Darkness covered tho earth, and gross darkuess the people." Tho
Bible was a sealed book; Spiritual reliUon had boon extinguished by ,'
heresy and superstition ; in tjie monastciries immorality was rampant ;
in tho Church tho Topo was okftlted abovV the Saviour^ and throughout
all classes of society, as well intlio courtW in tho cottage, there was a
condition of abject fear, und of roligious destitution and dread.
It was nearly two hundred ycai-s\boforo Luther appeared; upon tho
Bcono that John Wyclyfto raised his voico-^hn^ laboured hard and
Buffered long^ to expose the errors, and aiinihilatotho influence of tho
papacy in the English Ghurch ftnd natlOnV His spint had been ciiught,
his example followed, by John Htiss and ^oromo, of Prague, who, in
Bohemia and other places, scattered widel}\the seeds of reform, and
8tru"'"'letl bravely to erect a rampart of 'deface against the further
^jncroachments of the'papal power. Their I aboljrs seemed fruitless of
ali, save persecution. The Pope retained a cruel ascendancy, alike in
Church and State. Around his throne were j^ather^d a crowd of malig-
nant priests, waiting to do his bidding, and panting foil the blood of tho
Lollards and Hussites; and perhaps ncyer^ amidst all tho darkness and
discomfort of the middle ages, had Europe presented a rabro dcplorahlo
condition than \vhcn Lco'^X. ascended the pontifical chaii^ and Martin
Luther began his crusade against the errors of tho Church.
— ^Thero were needed-a giant mi«d-aBd a UonieArt4a-grapplo-with:the_
> ■
irh.
w ^
nc (■oiiiinoii Htmni) wan iiiiciiuul to tliu tiiHk. It wiih not it
,'m-illutin|f aiul liinkl. Only nn original, oxtruortlinury c
it moot Iho tMncrKonty, ami HUpply tho jMiltlii! want. In L
indthelii'fonncjition.
k of Hocioty, and to bravuUho dangoi-H which nnght cnHuo. A natiih)
tnc coninioii Htanip wah iiiiiciiuut to thu taHJc. It \\m not a oriniH for
haructor,
iUthor tbo
ho |MmM<,sMC(l nothing
« ^ Luther
R.R.
ov
of
thov
couhl nio
ro(|uiHi(o ondownionlH mot; and allowing that ho im
j>ro-lfrnalnral, no'Hju'cial gift of nroplun-y, no miraculoiiH attoMliilioii of
a divino nii^Hion, ns had thu iim]ihotN of thu Old iknd tho apoHtlcH of (ho
Noyr ToHlatnont, Htill ho waH invoMtu<l with a moral oninipotonco, n«
Ions (hull mIiIi iin inlulloctiial HiJooriority, which ooablod hint to frown
Mitcin oorriiption and error, and \vhi<'h i)roimriHl him to hocomo tho
chainpion of Ihoir oxposuro aniKdoatht ......
In 4'vorv ago, and in ovory pmi'i', characlovs appear who Hoom mado
lor aiiylhing rathor than lofdrnicrH. Thoy loiihtituto tho bulk of
hoi'ioly. Of what (■onso(|iion(-(j/(o tliom aro (ho orrorrt anil almiirditioH
which provail. around (hem ? /Thoy arc unwilling (o porccivo.or iinahlo
to correct (hem. Wliat !« called •' properly constUuted authority '' may
gt) to alnio>t any longdm in Violating tho forniHof jiiMtico ami (ho rights
of liidlvidiiDlH, hOloiig ar4 it Icwvit's nnlouchcd their pr{)])cr(y and pci-HonH.
Hiicli''indivi<liial!+ claim to ho considered (ho coiiHcivators oC public
instiditioiiH; «nd wi(li an aU'ectation of hiiijiriKo nnU «lread, (hoy look
upyn tho ii»»n >vho has tho tojnci"
Vi,«*ageH, or to (leiiounco prevailing
in the (layH of Lutlior ; it formod ono of the grand obsdicloH wi(h which
he had to contend. If a few more dovout and thoughdiil momborM of
the ('huroli wcro convinced that some change wan necoshary in tho
administration of ccclesiasdcal aH'airs, it never occurred to them to
question (he right of the Vojie to do absolutely as lie ]ileaHcd ; and that
ijuther should jiroHuine to do ho, was a shock to their nervous system,
and an outrage upon tlicir sense ol proprioly, which iiiado tlicm shrink
The reiimant of this'spirit still
jnority to call in (juestion established
g errors. This spirit was predominant
i'romh im as iVoni a fiend incarnate
religious projects ; and wo
starts np Iwfore us, to bar oiiv progress in itoft^ical iHovonients and in
s projects ; and wo iioW, all of us, more oif the lieroic courage
and moral power which enabled Ijiitlier to bravo tlie wratli of tho Vdpi
and the censure of friends, to trample down the prejudkcs of thojnast,
and to a8.sert liberty and truth for ovory ago and every man. Tlioro
are more cowni-ds than horoeu in socioty. In matters of conscioncoWo
are sometimes afraid to speak — we dafo not Jict. A refined sentimen-
tality is robbing the ago of its heroism aqd manhootl. Womust break
loose from tho thraldom of tradition and ciwtom, if avo are to leave our
impress upon the age, and jday inanfully our part in the coming
etriiggles of the Church. It is immaterial what our contemporaries may
think, or what our Corofathors niayj have been or done. The standara
of our faith is the Bible ; the rule of our livos ijnmst be liberty and
truth; and in the maintenance of these wo must stand erect in all tho
consciousness of manhood, and think, and speak, and write, and act,
with an onthusiasnf and courage which have shouted victory at tho
stake, and which never know dofogt. , . . . . .
The early education of Luther was a suitable preparation for his
fiituro work. It was not in vain that ho had toiled with his father in
tho woods, and moved among the mining associations of Mansfeld.
His plays and frolics on the banks of tho Wippor, tho thrashings ho
received and the sufferings ho endui-ed, all tended to dovolopo tho
elements of his character, and to make him the hero of the Bbformati(^.
r
\k
SEAIANTIC
' Luther and the litformalion. . ' $_ t
,, . ,. { , Ah ovorylxKly knowH, IiUt)u*r wuh Utvn in huiiiltlo olrctim- •
ntnhc<w, ftnd M|Kmt inucli of hm yoinliliil lifu in piiviitioii aiul liunlMliip.
His tiithor WWH a minor; liin niuthor tin* 4iui;^lif»'r of u iHiw'U of
miHonmii, roti|H)ctnhls) but [Kwir. According; to Liitln'r hiniHcll", hi« fiUhor
ollt^ii cut woikI, aixl liiH nioilior niiTJod it on liur lm« U, timt tli<«y ini|<lit
«ttrn tho nuMins of un lionoHl livinj^, iiml |tr«»vitl»< for ilio nliM-j^tioii of
thoir MOHH. IIi»tli \vor«i ilovoiit in tho oW'rviini-o of roli>(it»UH ril«M ; Mv\
lK)th Mtruf?gliiil l»ruv«ly to train up tlioir «hil<lr»ii in titu wuy thoy
hhouhl ^o. ......
In till) lioniOH of povorly uniUlio loins of. laliour llicro Ik hoinotliing
prt'ominonlly fiivouralilo to tho forniatioil of ^roat thuractorH. Manv
of our moral horocM havo Imhmi mouhlod in this school, And owo nnudi
of thoir iutuVo oniintMico 'and hucj-c'ss to tin* influonocs whifli (horo
iio/^an iniiHMtoptihly (o \v«nli upon Ihoiii. As n'Aiil>i;;no puts it, tho
rofornu'r /wini^lo oin«}r;i(vl from a shophord's hut nmonf,' tho Alpn;
Molancthon, tlio Ihoolo^ian of tho Kolormalion, from an arniouror'i*
Hhop i and Lulhor from tho ooltnKo of a p<M»r niinor. In nnxlorn days,
oivo namo stands prominontly f«M\var<l in illuslratioii of this ronuirk.
From a ootta;^o honu) in Sootiand, and IVom amidst tho toil and din of •
factory lifi", David fjivifiiKstono was raised up to astoun<l and holiollttho
world l»3' his travels and roHfarchos. . .... . Tho luxury of
Imiacos Hooms unsuiled to vi.ijo|-ous montnl olVort. It is soldom that
)rilliant courtioi-s hoeomo I ho loaders of ^roat rofonns, Thoir ro^^idai*,
oasy-iroin^ livos, H( tliom ruthor for silont aciiniosonoo than for hattio
an<l i'or stcu-m ; and when fjjroat, revolutions havo to ho pnxluced in
either tho prineiplos of tho Church or the custonis of mieioty, tho
i-ou/^h and ready ^vork 'ui^ ho tlwrn* hy those who huvo boon inurod to
contliet and toii. ' w^^'' "
In his earliest years^Htilhor e>\caped tho enfecldini^ influences of
idleness and luxury. From youth to nmiMiood he wiw fiimiliur with
Hcones, and contended with (.thstucles, whi«h ;i;avo acutenoss to \m
understanding, energy to his jairpoho, and slrenj^th-to his emotion, ami
which' Ibrmccfiu part,tho socretof his future brilliant success. While
i-osidiiig with his father he aciiuiretl the oloments of an onlinary
education. At fourteen yours of ago ho left 'Mansfeld, in company
■With one John lleinick, to visit Magdelmrgh, tho scat of an Archbishop,
and where wore established some of theniost celebrated scliools of tho mid-
dle agotJ. Aji atVeeting scone it was, as (the lK)ys left their native
village and humble homes, without much money, but with nmny
bright hopes, sorrow in thoirhearts,nnd eyes brimful with tears. Still
more artectihg was the recital of their future privations and wants. In
the schopls-of Alagdoburgh it was customary for tho studontn to i)ay for
their own maintonauco and education out of tho alms bestowed upon
them by the rich, under whose windows they san{5''about4>vico a week,
or from what they earned by psalmody in tho church choU*. They
wbro indeed, os a French historian says, schools of trial, of Abnegation,
and of sorrow; in which a severe discipline was administered, but from
which 6omo of tho brightest lights of Germany havo JKsued,— made more
pure and brilliant by the struggles through which they passed. Luther
had a sweet, melodious voice, ami was over i>assionntoly fond of music ;
but, during his residchco in Magdoburgh, lie failOtl to obtain enough by
flinging to compensate his master for more than a year's education.
IjDstead of money he often received harsh wonls; hq somotimes wont
¥[
. »1.
LL
IE
**'■
'W\..-$-^
* 2«<^er tf„^ /^^ litformation
Hho llirou- tho poor HH.olar n fml 1 '.''j'"'''''" h' I'Ih PovoHi'
which (,u.klo,l.|,,vv,,hlHohXH o,v..l i'" ''""''^"«- '» "'" <««.^
wifoor(;oM.il(,-o„a. /rrnorynvSr ''■'''• '^'■''-'''^ nho was L
By in.m,,H'((ii,^all.M.lHm (o hLHt,,n^^^^^
Mdn,u.lhou.s:u^s,,,H»o,l(h...loli7(: ■•■- '"'" ' "'"' "
I'irlm-th. Jn.'Iifif„ril, " ''
"-V..W .va* nioiuiiii.llv Nfii.ll.fl 1 Hill yoiNify. Tho f«-hohisli<.
ro";i. U'ijh a'li ,1.0 a,;/!., ■ .:,,.';;; 'y;;';-" <•'"-.>•« won. as.i.i'a;;±
hn« ox.|.rosso.l I I..., 'r M.'I'!"-*''l»"(iii^' niooiMnioi, of^rolaruthorV
jm. ox,a.sso., ;v,r;r u^uTi^;: r^-';;;;|;;^;';" <>i.inion or.rHa;:..;!;;; ;
I'-^OMr .luc'trit.os of a ,,„o „|, , .. 7'\y '"""'♦'1^^ »o those tranr, "|
"spc.•|tic^sof hi.c.h«ra or' ^''^' '''"*•'' ""«"'» '"«vo Koao, oU o
asporitics of his c'haiaotor.
A.!^l!':'^'n/'>r < - 3 oars/ 1„ t r , f -S^^^^
wltgioii. Tho an of printing . , i "^ **'^^"'"« "P"" Utomtrtrc, as n,Z
ovoa on j^rcat ocasion.. Itwt ?l.o U^y"''*!-^;'*''?^^" ^« visitor.;
monuNUs,,f rohixaliof^ (ovisr.V'rr • " "^ "' J^''i''or, (luring his
.,chnn(.i"d to siinnblo a,,oi, a o(. I , r i c. *-"• ^" «"« "f those visits ho
,ju.w i^oic; ho ha.i .i^n'.:ou;; ^ t 'sti;i;i;'%- '' r^^^' *^ '^^^ «
' '^V ith tho ]{,I,|o was in (ho iriiiti i(« I V. • "'/.'^ '^"'>' "fQumntanco
Fo.s<..nto.l in the clcvo(iona| Clo^''^^ ^A ! 7'"! ^''^^mints wore
comn.on hook. It is scattcro<lXoia sfth -nl , ThoUiWo is now a
lu every lil^rary; it adorns «.vmf.?. ^' '«"«»' <'>o Horld. Wo find
Us stories; the ,M,or inl urits I.Sk "'^^^ «""• ^''''''J^on li"
flows tln-on;,hev!.ry land" mitmiw'tli"l''r^T'' "'^« » «trenm, /t
anjKs,.j,o,-s(iti„„, an,l <nfl-ii=^in/on v^Xn.T n ^^ %noraAco
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I'll*' K'liiniaiiuel
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Wsc traMqii^
ftonc'iii'ii tho
flrHt Ix'cnmo
•I'll liad Leon
i« witJi ovory
nn'incipully ,.
icf cnilx)*i)H)(j
/rtrc, as upon
onhor^r, n,„i
icrorl bookK.
)ui'clmso(l a
to viHitors,
(luring his
it ho might
e«o visltH ho
cdtohlma
?qumntanco
fionts Avcro
lo is now a *"
• Wo find
ildron lisj»
Htrenin, it
ignorance
oaoiir and
t clovating
Lulhcr and the jit'/ormation.
■^
»
'. oducndon. W" li"'! rnl-hop jmrt with all than lo4«o that i»rctloUH Vktok.
A nUwmy hucitUKO our lilo would hu without itM light aiid iK>wor.
Itut III Lulhoi-'H youtlil\il duyrt' tho Hihlo was |M>|)u!arly unl<tjnwn.*
Kvoii gnivo profoj-KorH and loariicd prii-HtH woro ignorant of itH IrulhM.
, . . . Tho cui'ioHily of liUthoi' was ar«)UMCMl hy his nowly found
troiiNuro. With univ»<tniliiod ouiotioii^ ho o|u'nod Iho l)o<»k,t«) road. It
wiw thoMloiyoVSahiiuJ anti Hannah on whit h his oyo ullKhtcd. Thoro
waMUHiniplicily, uhoaulv, n londornoss al<out tho nan-alivu, all poddiar
mid now, whioh tlllo*l liis imagination and ovor|H)\vofod hiH mail. Uti
ooiild scaiVoly rowtiniii his tcai-H. "O, myOiMl! I tsaild not w#hW:
any i-ichoi* posHOH>doii than kucIi a liooh us this!" at length lu'oho tVcnu
hiH<|uivoi'ing lips. At pri'sont uidliiuiliar wilh tlio (IivoU and Uoluow,
lu)«|ould not read tho Hililo in tho laiigua<<os in whioh il had lioon (u-igiii-
^ftlly writton, Ihit day al'l«<r day h<' irlurnod to tho lil>niry, took down
tho Mumo ImioU, road tho Namo «tory, tlion I'oimd a mow oiio, Ihon roa<l
and ro-road tho wliulo until ho aliisoiluMl it into his vory nutuio and
loantod upon it- as his daily HhxI. A luw W-^hi was'dawiiing upon hi-i
mind; a, now iinpidso wan moving in Ids hoart. As |VAul»i;;no ^ayH,.
"Tho roronnation lay hid iii that lli!>|o." It too!v prcoodoiuo of
ovory olhor bonk; it ctuinuHl to oxoi-oi^o unljniitod «-onlro|. . . , ,•
At thiH orisin an iiioidont oeoiu rod which gavo ft lolouring and Hhapo
to J#u(hor's luluio plans. An lntiiii\to Irioud nainod AloXia >vas tilfuok
Uoad by hin Hide, hoiiio wrilors way by assa/tsinalitui, olhovsi hyjv thuiulor-
lK)It. It irt oortain llm! Lutlior wa>+ alainuil, and liiUt uh ho tiomblo<l
for his own Kifoly, bo was ovortakon by Jl t-lfirni. Above I ho rolling
thundor ho hoard a voico whioh ^aid, •' To I'hoCloistor ! To tho I'loistoi! "
IIo invokod tho Huccour oCHl. Anno; ho vowotl to oinl>r:ico a roligioun
lifo. A fow ovouiiigs aflor ho iuvllod his ohosen^Viouds to hharo liiM
Himplo roi>ast, Tlioy woro happy in mutual lovo; mu^io onlivonod tho
RCOilo. Uut In tho miilHt <tf tlii'ir gaioty, Lulhor pi-ociainicil his vow.
Ilirt friontlH ronionslnitod ; ho Avas (loaf to llioir np|)v:ds; ami quitting
tho vhambcr without bidding thom adiou, lio loft his furniluro and his
books, and taking w4th him hin Plautus and his Virgil — an epic poom
and a comedy, us one WTiter says — st rango plot uio of his ihon'Kt ningo stato
if mind-^ho hurriod thrtiugli tlio darknoss of nighj. loiho galo of tho
AugUMtinian Convont, *'Opon, in the nanie of (Jod!" niud JjUthor.
V What do you want ?" demanded the brotherju ohargo. '^ To consocrato
Imysolf to God," wtts tlio reply. "Amen! ' aiiHweied tho tViaiyus hd
;<)i)oned tho giito; and in uiiolhor monionfc Luther was .se))arated IVom
|tno world, bin parents, and his frioiidH. TlVe tiv-\t day ho sent back to tho
lUuiVorslty tho insignia of his degree, tho I'yljo and tho ring he hifd
i-ccoivoddn 1503. . ^^ ,
j Aprofoti,nd8cnsation was produced by Lulhcr^s Right., Tho professors
) Wore diHtrbksod ; his father was enraged. Tho former sent a depulailoii
jvto porsuado him to recall his vow; ho refused to soo tlu*m. Thw, latter^
, dtsappointcd in tho expectation ho had formed of liisnon attaining'
I briUiantdi8t^ction,andperchaiuo forming n lucrative marriago, wroto
him an angry letter, in which ho withdrew his favour, and disinlioritod.
I him of hia lovo. Still, Luther romainod infloxiblo in his jmrposo. IIo
hoard tho voico of Goid, and could no longer con lor with flesh and blOod>
It was a mysterious p ower w hich movctl his soul ; it w|\8 a ha nd onmi-
potent which fik(iX)Gd Ms path; Tho work awaitingllun in tho futurtr
I.
IK.
ifrj-
,
*^
} I*
6
'^»^^-«'****wi^W"'
LtUher and the lieformatim.
■\
roquiicd fiuniliarlfy with tho written Avord ; tho Hlfrug^IoH which wor»
to cn)\vti Ills litb <loi)Miii(lo(l earnest' preiiaration in ednimunion witii
Ood. Jle know not an y«l tho nutui-o of tho pi'ocoHH througli
whioli ho ]>it>i.sc(l, — wjm uneotiK-ioiis of tlio (iohtiny ho noon ttt uo
ditKjIo.sod. ^ Tlio J)ulty was moulding liim in llin own inui|<o, im»
plnating witliin liini tlic ftrorniH ol'ii dinno lifo, Intrning into hid very.
Hbuf tho liiltli, llio liopo, tiio counvgc, tho iovo, wirieh formed tho
oloinoiits oflilM lioroisni, and wiii'rli laid deop (lio foundation of llcfoi-m;
ftnd wlicn tho appointed tinio arjjjvcd, — ^^wlion tlio vorriiptions of tlio
Churtii woro hoary witit tlio aj^'o, and (ho iinivcrHul mind began to uj)-
hoavo with in(|iniy and thoiigiif, — ho oanto forth from hiw rotroat, lilto
, ^lo.tort dosiondlng froni tho mount, roflocting in his imago tho glory of
tlio Invi-iihlo, anti boaving in hiu hand tho tabloH of tho Law ; and with
that dusty old vtdumolw had found ui)on tho library nholf ait Erfurth
UH hlfs Ituftis and his fulcrum, ho moved and Bhook tho Avorld in anumncr ,
of whioh (jialiloo had novor droamod. And tho Hamo myhtoriouB jiowpr
attaehv's to the Biblo now. It Htill breathes the voice of tho OninijKX-
tent, and uiuto^ in one the hunian and divino ; and wherovcr its influ-
cnci/pormcatCH the souJ, and its dootrinos become the foundation of
human faith and tho guide of hnmandife, it still proves itself, as in da^'M
of yori?, the harbinger and safeguard of lilierty and peace, ot ja-ospority
and ]io\ver, in tho famil}-, in the Oliurch, in tho nation,— in the civil as
in tile re^Iigious a^airsollifo. Tllero couhl have been no Reformation
\vith(.mt this glorious old Bible, then so imperfectly understoml ; 'and
dcsiiite the snocrs of a few sceptical philosophers, who now delight to
Ktvlo it a Avorn out fable, it still holds oit its c(
fii ftils^ts hoavon-bon
con<piering way, it still
imago of its Creator, shall enjoy tho blissflil calm, and sing the
. ing song, whlciTmado Eden in the days of old the" vestibule of
^ j'li mission, it still shakos the world by its eilont
energy and its still small voice ; and this it will do till ovoiy vestigo of
MipoVstition has boon removed, and till humanity, renewed in tho
the inspii'-
hoavon.
^ Tho convent life of Lather was an oarnest struggle to ho good. Ho
liad fblt tho pangs of conscionce and tho miserj' of sin. No particular
crime had been or could bo charged against him. As a student his
conduct Avas most exemplary. His companions loVed him; the pro-
fessors wore proud of him. In only one instance had ho kuoAvingly
aettid in disregaiHl of his father's wishes, and that was in assuming
monastic vows. Yet ho was haunted with impressions of guilt, tom-
fied at the prospect of fiitui-e wrath. A conviction had spizod Ids mind
that he wascover<5d with a spiritual leprosy, that ho was tormented
„with an inward devil: It coloured fill his views, embittered all his
pleasures, directed all his plans. An impenetrable cloud hung over
him; ho gj'oaned in agony ; lind as ho read his books, and pursued his
labors, and applied himself to his devotions, it was with a restless 4osiro
for poaco, and with a feeling which bOTxlcrod on despair. / ..
• For a mind in such a ferment only one remedy can avail/ It is
useless to trust exclusively in things external.^ Nothing sho^t of the
Omnipotpnt can still the tempest of the soul. Only the voice of Jesus,
as it soimdcd o'er the Galilean lake, can speak in tones Avhich winds iand
devils must obey— "Peace, be still," "It is I, be npt afraid!" Tho
refuge qf the contrite sinnCr is in tho cross of Calvarj'. .On that cross
the Lamb ofGod was slain; and by his precious death redemption has
rm> ^ r ik i ' I
■?""1
;\..v •,./,;■•■ . ■
blch wo» rC^
iiion witli .\.
tlirougli
on ttt Jjo
nago, ira»
hid vory , ,^
>rmod tho
['Keform}
us of tho
nil to up- y
roat, •liko — "-■
) gloi'y of
and wilh
t Hrfiirth
aniunncr .
>UH power
OinnijMK
iIh inmi-
Uation of
isinduyH
rospcrity
civil as \ '
'ormation \ ,
ood ; 'and \
flight to
r, it still
its silent
vostigo of
id in tho
10 inspii^
f hoavon.
ood. Ho
larticulor
iidcnt his
tho pro- ,
iao\yingly'
assuming
ilt, toiTi-
hls mind
M'montod
3d all his
ung over
rsuoci his
essdosiro
il/ It is
rt of the
of Jesus,
nnds iand
I" Tho
hat cross
ption has
X
iSii
■ ;
■ ! ■■ . '
i
*['■■'■■
- . !
A - ■■:
■;
- -t • ■ •• ■
i •■ "
, . _ ■■ , • ■
ir: '■
' \ ■
<
-y -■
i
/» ' .. • Lvihtr ami the lieformatior^-,' T ; T
boon Ixmght. From Calvary stream ravs of light to choor our sorrow-
ing mindg ; fVom Calviuy How woi-d» ol peace which bid us not doHpair.
It was thither Lulhcr should have gone, and with his weeping o'yos
and trembling soul, havelookctl u|)on tho J>oity-Incal'nato. . . . Ho
ttftorwards did (his, and iinmediatoly "a joy unspeakable" tlllo<l hiH
mind. But lit the early stages of his spiritual struggle ho had no clear
Sorceptiori of tho plan of salvation as unfolded in tho iJible. All tha
octrines of theology, and all tho meinbors of 'the Church, were limited
in thoir views by traditions which for generations j)ast had been
gathering o'er tho Church. Tho common iiU'ii of a religious life was in
tlio seclusion of tho Convent. It ,was only by fasts and penances^ by
severe flagollat ions of body, by^feoniy dejection of mind, and by aus-
tere devotion of life, that the pcWToiit could hope lor imrdon and peace.
The delusion took IWI .jiosscsHioii of the mind of Lutiicr. He entered
the Augustiiiian Convent with a clear persuasion that there was no
j&ther door through which he could /enter hoavcii, and with an earnest
resolve to prove liimyelf worthy of the illustrious brotherhootl, and «)f Ids
ftituro heaven. . .. . \ , . . . ■ », : # t. . . ' ■,;_■' .
Tho eonvents of tho middlo ages are not to bo indiscriminately coir
domncd. Tlioro wore many deplorable (tvils connccled with tlienv
Thoy were often marked by'hlleness and luxury, l)y tyranii}' and, la^t-
Many of their inmates were eontomptiblo hypocrites, with slmllQ'y^
brains ami ]>olluted souls, too idle lo,work, and too ignorant to tei^dr.
Such "houses" wore a curse to the land, and a reiH:oach upon tboGhinrcJi.
But the princiiilo on which nionastie institutions wore based waS hot»
originally bad. In some eases they realized the idea of their Ibuiidcrs,
nnd4iocamo at once asylums for the destitute, and schools for the pi*o-
Borvation and growth of art, and literature, and religion. . . . . •
Their revival, however, in our day, and in this our laiul, is undesirable.
The phases of society, and tho requirements of the Church, liavo under-
gone a change ; and allowing even a life of religious seclusion and
spiritual contemplation to Rave thrown around it a saerctl and fascin-
ating cliarm, wo want men and women with zeal and courage to enable
them to grapple boldly with the evils of society, rather than Simon
(Btylitoa or Sister Min-ys, who, contrary to the iaws of nature and of God>
make themselves oblivious to tho world ai'ound them.
It is not to bo regretted that Luthor became tho inmate of a convent.
His novitiate was another step in preparation for the gi-and dnima of tho
• age. Ho thereby acquired a familiarity with tho inner workings of tho
Church, and a power <)f self-discipline and control, without which lie could
not have become tho loader of rolbrm. Tlio testimony of his ouemios is that
ho was studious and devout^ that ho spent long nights in prayer, that ho
watered the convent floor with iiis tcai-s. He was eX|M)sed indeed' to
many humiliating rostrictions, and had exacted from him the most ser-
vile labours. It was his duty to sWeep out the dormitories, to wind up
the clock, to open and close the chapel doors. With a wallet on his
back he was sent through the town to l^pg ft-om house to house j and
often did ho return weary and foot-soi-o, but counigeons and resigned.
In this there was nothing to daunt his courage ; in this thor^ was much
to fortify his mind. His prayer was to be holy ; his cry jvasdbr pbaco.
He became more rigid in his fasts, more seyci-o in his mornfications,
until 'the color faded from his cheeks, and his native energy declined^
j.
'.I
'^k ^ « ik,il!f"^^ t t^'U
[S.
I
li
i r
. ■'HE-
iMther and the JRe/armaiian.
and ho walko<I tliroiiirh'theoorrUopH lilr«*-^„4— j
found (Ml (1,0 floor of Iuh coll S«rh! a r * "P^f'*'*' *^^ onco efon was
poaeo, l'OH.»ughtwnMnoionWod AX".k.!;;.'Inri ^''^^ •«'^'''*^««"n. tho
• aovil BocnodfaH with tho XC nmn h f I , 1? -"* '^""^ "'"'* '"'"• The
piecoH;" lK'«aw opening hS'l.irti.oUtl^^^^^^ *r"^"'' ''''"«»
greater than hini.si.If, "O wroteh d man t t'l '° '|»"«"»ffO "'' one
mn-rom the body of thi^ doiuh }'' " ' ''''•" "''"" ^"''^or
ral yjll: Sllff ^S,!;:,rra ^ ^ Stau^^itMhc vi^rt^Gono-
and guide. JI.h ^u^Z^^Z^rT^ZT'''^^ '^V '"^ ^>"'P»tl.i80
ha.ll,i,nHolf ,,«.ssod ti.roiiLrh » n fi;' / • T^ 'T ^volt-inlhrniod. Ho
dorstood tho tl oory of t e Gos" "'^^^i^^ ^ "'".* "«" I^"'l'or; ho un-
true ro,,ont:mc.o and uri htn 'o^rinn ?^ U.o ,ult..ro of
Atonement of the Cos. ^ ""plioit reliance in the Groat
Sunge in Luther's ears': it oneiu-d' uun„\ '*'"'"'«<' "« "ew Ian-
tore devoutly h. studic,! i|u o v 's^, .'''''*'J*''* »H'«>i-o I.Im mind,
road M.0 worliof^t aXs . kn^^^'^'""r' '"T ""^'''"""'^'y 1.0
^ound«, he was met a'V " h oI,rnK»d:'\:^ I'P w,t Iced in theconiont
of Ids apparent doioction, wir evh .Tr't -^ */^ '"to (ho cause
quoted (1.1 lo-tlnH,V )r-s"S:r n h i r '^"'!^'^^^<' "'h' who
Christ he recoivesthiassunnc^on o H iv m'' 'I "T^' ''^'"^^'«'^ i"
thatnissiosarofiM-iven. • Kt < , w „ ^^^^^^^^ Mh.s j.ut into his heart
gi-oat «-isis -had boon r^ chod i ^ t^ i"! " ? ' ^"""^ '^'' ^'^-^''^ver. Tho
Ho H«w l.ef;>ro him tho refuge iwUhc"^,.n'!''r; ^'"'^ T'^V P'''><^"eed.
voice Which pioclaniod hi« . afc v \s -^ • ' ' '•^*'>''*"'^''i""t bim the
y, .o Lutlior clung to ,ho c^^^; A h^^v KT' T'^''' "' ^''^
. mind ; a <'peaco which ..asscth undorJ mVV '- ^'^ ^'''"^'*' '" "P"» '"»
upon now;.round, roalizinir ne^ n M^i n ^'I'V'^ J'"'"'^ -"ianding" .
• Ono won] h,M i.nlpa e<t wm^ I ;!':;" ^r^'''^'^ "' »«^v prospoctf .
was faith. WilhoL faith ho ;S./e a 1^.^ :^ "■''"V^:^- '^^^ talilman.-
walicod in (he grim%f ' ahm V^Tl ccasoloss war wi(h the devil, and
the devil i.onca(l jf fi^a a tcS'lV "'■'' /^""V''" ^''"'"P'^^ "^ ^
a speculative fhncy/or a m^ 1 v^^"? ",'T T^ " ^^^'"- ^^Vas not
power within which i.S h f ^ o I ± ?^^'- "i- ^'^'''^ ^^'^^ " "^'»ff
Saviour, ire could no Sno tho . /' '^'''^'''-'r* «- the all-sufliciont .
not ui..lcrvaIuo. th6 mta^ ''^'S'^^^^^^^ work; he could ^
Church, and which bocamo^Som^^^ci^'Hl^^''^'^."^^ '" His
hoviffg sinner. But ho Was oc^S . '" f , ri *'^''^P't'«tatio!i to tho bc-
he had the ovidonce .4S • Z S.ontT '^^v" *»»«.«!'">m because
pi-oporsphoro, as the iSmcnfa -n «.^ 0^'^'"',*^''",^' ^"'*'' boyond its
ate iho io,;ds of tho insph od Pau ' I'^^f ?'"•;'«"' ^ .could appropri- .
spoken." : . . . . ! ■ ' ^^''oved, and thoroforo havi I
^<^'^^^r^lS^^ "\ tHe Church,
ful ropro,entatives of Christ -unfTlwl I? '~:^l° ^'i"^* 'become faith-
imbuod with His Spirrtf'Thoro^™^^^ ""^ «re
vitalitv in faith tk«^i ^"<'™"' poAver m holiness, as there in
Will So". tfao„r;it";;?:,i::i"r"'°^ '"■■ «<^' "■" s^""*^'
t
v^l
SEP II TtiRiir
,S^»^6«l^
■;:#
V-:^
: , / Zuiher and thi HefornuUion. • . •. $
wo can oecompll»h Httlo roornl Kood. Tho vitulforco will bo ro«trict«d,
and nioro outward formH will fail to Hupply tlie want. It >'; »V«' ^l;"®/^
that Christ iti tho only uourco of nanlon,— Htill truo that tho llolySplrif
iH tho ottlcloiit agent of tho now birth,— Htill truo that ftiith irt the osHOtf-'
tial condition on which Gotl has proraiscil to work in uh and by hh,—
and Htill truo that all tho outward oi-dinamcs of tho Church arc ho many
channolrt for tho communicutiou of Divino grace, or wtniany nican^ for
promoting vital union and communion with ClnMbt, hut which by Ihom-
Bolvos, umlttondcd \fy tho Spirit'n power," aro inoperative t«) Hulvation.
Wo aro Homowhat in danger of myatifying or ignoring these funda-
moiitul (rutjiH. There IH a tendency aiuongHt u.i to relapHo into tho ,
Btiporslition of tho darker agon. Tho " revival of catholic doctrine, and ;
of "prinutive uh:(1;o,"— of Which ho much huH latterly been naid, ; f;
and in which I uiifciijnedly rejoico,— Im too much allied witli the dognuw •
and relics of u coi,7iii)t Imuich'of the universal Church. It \- foreign to. ■ .
my purpose to distJUHs any of tho i)IiaHes of the great vilualiHtic coixfro-.
voi-ny which is now agitating tho public mind. In many vePpectH it is •
a controversy produclivo' of untold mischief, in others *)f inthklcuhibid
gootl. . .... . . But apart altogether from lliis, I di/ insist >
thatfuith inChriBt,asalivlng,all-sutncient Saviour, and obedience tollis
kw, as tho outward ovidencc of iiiith, are the prinio re«l»isites ol a holy •
heart and a iiwcfiil life; and tbtit in tho almonce , of thcsrf no gorgeous* .
decoration of clrtirche<i, no punctilious observau# of religious cero- "
mcftiiat, no moUifluoas strains of n^u^iic, iio»neird\*ncrationior the past,
• no scUklonying /.oal, and no disjntcrost(Ml eilbrt, will cvojl- avail cither to .
our own salvation, or to the nionil relorntatiovt of tldf Avorld. Ihero ^
must bo a divino life within us. That, life can be roaliz^vland su^tainod>,
only by faith in Chvist, under the operation of His Si4tit, and througlv
the ordinances of His Word ; antl in the;;o days of doubt, of corillict, of
error, of change, we need as specially applit-able to the world's necossi-
tlc.4j rtot aretigion of empty plat itinle.!,ol* Of incongiuous dogmas, or ot
rigorous exactions, or of sickly Kontimcntality, but, a religion of know-
ledge, of faith, ot.lovo, of power, which sympathises in every sorrow,
and provides for every want, and whlch'ficcures for ovciy sinner a frco,
a full, an eternal wilvation. Any other religion is untrue to tho (iospol,
and unsuited to tho ago ; With this# to nprvo our courage and inspire our
Slans, wo may/iovolutioniKO the Church, and turn the world upsido ,
own. ■ _ ■
The struggle was now about to open for which the preparation had
begun. There wore as yet no outward symptoms of tho gathering
storm. A delusive calm was resting oil tho Chureli, as when to the
casual observer VesmWs is sleeping. It is characteristic of tho Divino
Government to preiM-o for greatevents by silent means.. The Refor-
mation in its ultimate issues resulted from various causes. Some of
theso were indopo'ndeni of Luther, and inde|)cndent of each other,— -wero
asmuch literary and political as ecclosia.stical and religious ; but in the .
process oi their dovolopipmont, Luther became the agent in4lie hands of
Heaven to influence attd direct. His own preparation was iihpercep-
tiblo and slow, i^aitockd first his personal experience ; it related next ^
to his public position. \By the agency of the truth his mind had boon
enlightened and renewed; by startling expositions of that truth ho was
now to influence the minds of others. Having served his novitiate," ho
was admitted in duo forni to tho full order of tho priesthood. It was a
'
• r-i
IS
/
! <l
10
f
t
I
lAttAin- and tAs H^armatU^,
Ji';::onrsrTfe^ upon
; conlact will, tho ri^h.ir m m7 ,♦' r y. " '' '"'"'H''' '''"» ^'""s o"rly InS
Almost wi(|.ou( eontml "p ^^^^0^ Lu^^
X 8tin„,Iato to action J i„ tho "eC."^ ^i ."''"''*''" ^
, _ ;t for duty. Tho two \'oJ\^tTl\ll^^T -"" f'''''''^"^*"' ""^' P''«'I"'^o
of om.r, or tho dofonco o?ti^?hir« is ;"''''*^"';^' "''''"'"«"'«'• ^ion
knowH how to expound at tho dosl\u,d on b i,'^*^^^^^^^ «^''' ^^»'0
Lrtho,.'„d^,fyfodohpth. IliHftpp^ ,tmo& -^^ ^vas
, iblUnvod hy nntlrority to dol v^d WniK^^ ""^'''''"'"h*^^^
to proaoh in tho cha^ ot'irconvo ^t am S^^ '^>' Lis doction
^rg. ^ Tho yoVthof {ho ago, aJho ob tvl r '^^ ^:"''"'^ of Wittom-
, woi-o thus h«n,ghtwithiifhi8-omhA«-^'M*?"''*'''''^ of tho nation
Hproad, his influom to ol In « .'t...-^ "Tl '"" »-^U>"t«tion hoga ta
a now stylo. Thoro was k £ldS 'oJ fholtr ^'^ •'"""^"••ntod :
ccpt'^'V n beauty of cliction^n ^wor^^^^^^^^^
carnoMtncss, a tondoi-noss of manZ. ?Ji I'v"'*'^"t>on, a j)hiinnoHH, an
pmlncodo/loct. Hepou.clconTom ?onfi '"•."''•'^:*«'' attontion tZ
^0 Hot at naught thoVdic?a of Ari ItL ^ '^^
Godasthoonlyinfalliblo8tandmra (L *''« Woi^l of
ancos woro for ovorv soul Zrwi.^ ./^-^ *'*"'' ''^'''t. ^^'J'OHo.uttor-
ofWutomborggathen-droundhinf monies ^^^^^^^^^ Tho ;^o«th
. Joforo h.n. ; princos adniiml hi8 oloT.onco 1 ri''''?"'' "^V" ''''^^^o
courage, ItMvas as the sti-oaming^Xof J^.^^^^^^^
wp of a now fountain-ris tho dStin?. of l^^ ^^i''*"""- ^''*' «P«»'"g •
ol dry bones. . . l„ Wu*; J ^,"* "?^^ ««o<l— as a rosuri-oetion
v^Iiib ;..tho vibrntio,; si;ook \jIo omjlll^o'^ '^'' ^'"''^^^ ^^^"'^ ^^ ^''^S
Vthf^hKrirai^
pens'o with thoir teaching; wo Ew h^> .nl V"?' .^^«^'"»not.di8-
Wo often failed ill tho mainUancor^^^^^^ Both
virtue, «i.K.o as befbre tho ItoKatfon ^n^' S'^^ *^^ '"«"'«^'»«on o^
. spu-it, and devotion, and powor^n^^fhni: ^"' '*-L«8 boon for^yantof
tje eading offices.. Th2T;o "ea^^^^^^^ ^T '^'^' ^"to
BhouJd dcelino in influonco, or why the soL^! '^,*?1^/ .'^'>>' t'^« P«Jpit
Np field can bo wider, no subioJif rfli ^''"^"'^
J10 induboments Htroiger7th^rthL?o&"^ "T«*^^^^ Mghter,™d ^
The ontiro^range of titoratUrVSisTo rv o^/Tm ^ the profeW.
- available ^br their work. rtTX^fSn^^^^^^
thepas8ion8,tomouldthocharLter tol^^^^^^
f 7«'y,tftemeandyncidentmaySy^f'^^
degi-adatron of.i1i,lK,„ithejyaavtlX'^^^^^^^^^
bhrv
i*fp-#wi«^rii^,
v.--
' Luther and the Rejormation. * H
Tho volco of Um) |Mili)it inuHt Hns clear and loud ; the i>owor of tho Hchool
muBt 1)6 doon nnd Ann, in tho cx|K)Hiiro of error, in tho dcvnumiotioii of
vice, in tho malntoiiftnco of tnith, in (ho onr«>r<oinont of virtue, and In
tho Htimnhw to every g(KMl work. It in nometimerf Hnid (hat the puliut
in offote, that Hernions uro iuHinid, that tlio hcIiooIh ure dead, that tho
Church httH lost itH iK)Wt'r. There is porhapH too much roason lor tlio
complaint. We had Iwttor not dJHguiHo the fact that we have <loKenorated
in much of our public teaching, and in nimh of ouf pubiir wor,-.hi)).
Thoro i« not life enough in *>ur HorvicoH ; there is not iK^wor enough in
our word. These are not the dayH for U'afned dulno»H, for rcwiKM'tablo .
formality, fordry esMuyH, ftM-ahtitract dis»5erlalionH, for JVeozing dev«)ti«)n,-
Hot iuHipid Hcntinientality. We want KormouK briHtling with thouglit; ?
wo want Horvices iuHfinct with life. All Ww rcHOnrcoH of genius, all tho
treaHiircH of learning, all tho charnm of oratory, all the fascinations of
art, may conio to our aid. JJut is Hiipplemeiital to thcKO, we miist liavo
tho ftro of piety, and the inspiration (»f the Spirit, ly which in living
forms, and in overwlu'lniiiig power, tho truth may be brfuight into diroct ,
contact with tho mind and conscience of humanity, nnd thi-ough which,
as in tho days of Josiih, wo may hco the devils cast out, and the uu-
bolioving and impenitent clothed, and sitting in their right mind. '
ABanothorunccmsfiousBtop in the onward movement, l«uthor was des-
patched to Home. Tho sphore of his observation was thereby enlarge*!. Itr
wanttOccBsary he should become aciiuainted with the condition of tho outor
world, and still more with tho general practices of the Church. Ho hail .
hitherto moved within a narrow sphere. All his sympathies entwined
around tho'Church. So liir he had no reason to suspect it of impost uro and
ft'aud. His zeal indeed was such, that according to his own conlcssion,
ho was willing to kindle with his own hands tho fire which might con-
sumo Erasmus, or. any othc^ horotic who should call in question- tho
Buiiremucy of the Pope. Yet the reformation to bo produced was a
rolbrmation of abuses without, no loss than of doctrines witliin. There
was a corrupt faith to begin with, and that by a natural \,yw*im Avould
produce a corrupt life. By devout study, Luther had gained a correct
knowledgo of the theory of salvation ; by careful observation, he was
now to appi*ohond the revolting errors of tho Church. ^
Themission on which Lhthcr was despatched to Komo was ostensibly to
adjust certain diiferoncos which had sprui^g up between tho Vicar-Gj|neial
apd some of the Convents of h is Order ; it supplied indirectly tho ineans •
for tho exposure of tho wholo system. Luther starte<l upon his journey
with the brightest anticipations. Who had not hcaixl of the gbkry of
tho Eternal City?— of the sanctity of tho Vicar of Christ?— of the
devotion of tho Convents and Churclios, which like so many- fountains
Bcntforth tho streams of life?— andwho could bo surrounded with these,
live among them, gaze iipon them, feol tholr pieson^e, inhalo their m-
fluonco, without a corresponding rofinemont of taste and elevation of
feeling? Such was Luther's expectation, as it had been the dream of
multitudes Ijeforo him. lie was doomed to a bitter disappointment.
The contrast between what ho expected and what he realized, was
greater than words could express. Along the entire route from Germany
twEome he found cause for surprise and shame. Many of the Cqnvcnts
were the abodes of luxury and sensuality. There was unblushing pi-o-
• fanity ; there was uumitigatod idleness. ......
/
'v'':i{:-'\
IK.
ii
f
M -^^^ and (Ais Ji^fbrtyuian/ J
foil upon J,iK knoe, ;-h^ kild So oaru7 . ^l"" f "*'*^ '" "' '*'"™ :-»»•
oxpras«ion> of veneration undlovo Z I „'T r*^" «"* •" th« wildoHt
of tl,o Church, und tTnZnrnr^ rT' '!?£'?'" '"^''«''«v«t«"n«
where ho waa roGcivod wiSrreK.lw ? Z'^'"'" "^ '" '"'"«»«"• ^very-
»o di„,H,l the iCilitfriH nff 'fl "' ovcrywhoro ho huw ovidenco
Jlopart d: the co"ndHiof of^ ^'S. SlH; ^rn r'^Slt'ff '"^^
4votioMinU^C™uri)^^ tloi^vrr^^^^ "'"* '".•"'^'""- '^^l.oro wtH no
incredible " "nW C /er <LV » •^^"'T'*-" «'» the Convent. «at 1. •
educed, to the rccoo-ni/o.F foi.nfM «r < i"^;'^!"* oi JU'n pturo thereby
po«eJafro.luLorro." om^^^^ /n doing thiH ho ox^
St. Augustino andtho Afth" S i
proof, Jidduced, arrested a en ion It ,m St'""" 'f 7'^'*','. ""^ ^''° '
and tl.UM nrepa^cd the warfor hat d S ^" 'T-' ''*' l'>,'"^«"-''«l'>n.
. right apprehension of tiio doctrir.cs tlmSh. ,m'^^i i *''« J^'^'o* ^V^ » -
associated with-were absoliUo y .L-cS to £ ' ^""^'^ '"^J"^"t«Jy
clear y defined faith in rnT.n.lmfL -f ' " ■ ^"° oWigation of a ' ' .
fundaLntaTprinct 08 o/elSTi .r''"'^^"^ *« '"««"« the '
needed, that S T rovoiife
thatby'itsdicrl'ra^'mus Ub^^^^^^^^
tho 8upreme authority of the B^blrfn matters oVS
have no basis on which to wm-i; n!;,i i • ^^ '^^ and praetico-wo
tho Bible his foundLt on ^nd^i^« "1?'^ "» "^/"Z «« I^"ther made:
which he had aS unc^,^ Z^r""^"^ ^"**^^ "^'^ <>-
The controversyonlndulgonges became the match which ignite .
Ti^ra%^
.♦■1
^JLuther and t/i« /t\/ormatu>n.
18
train.
rontly, hy tlinl
All tho nntnnnilion had boon Iw^iiii, all tho ovontM woro inndo
)y tlml IiivimIIiIo n^oncv
our individiiiil will, iiiid nulHtnliiintoH hiinmii |>tiHHi«>ii to tlio iliviiio k'"'*}'-
ivimI1»|« ftm<n('y which woi-Uh in nntitrtt, whlrh controlN
And whon Totzcl uppoarcd upon thf wono with hin inftemnUM doctrlilO.'
4ind unbluHhin^ otlVontory, It wuh onlj- t\M tho Hpofk which kindled thy
bliir.o, or only am tho tocMin nonnd which cnllod into action tho woii|)oru)
wnitinff to tl^hf tho battle of tho Loi-d. Tho trnlHc in lndule;oncoM wnar
a rovoltiiiff mirloHqno on (.'luiHtianity and tho Chunh. If'thvro I'o ono
trtith more (doarly rovenli«l In JIolv Scripture (hnii nnotlu>r, It in thin;
that (tod alono can A)f>^lvo fin. I'l ih tho cHM«ntial proro;<ativ« of tho
iK'itv, which Ho has, not, — and which reverently bo it Mpolcon— He can-
not dolc/xnio to' any hunuui authority whatHo^vcr. The duly oittaincKl
and appointed ndni^tens ot'ChriMt may pronounce'forp[ivoneHM'orMinH, in,
' iri^ name and by Hin authority, upon the compliance of the Hinner with
the i\!coffni7,od conditions of Hulvation,— or In the words of tho JJook of
Common Prayer, ''To all them that with hearty i*epontanco and true fliitli
turn imto liim." Ihit that any num— no mivtter what his pergonal
/Ofiflrt or ofHcial j)osition — shoidd a<4Hunie tohimHolf tho power to remit,:
in bin own name, and at his own discretion, tho penalty of bIu, and to
guorantoo tho etornal Hnlvation of tho houI, onlho poymoiit of a fow
paltry coins into tho coH'ors of tho Church, ^Ih an uct of prcsuntption
and blasphemy unwarnintcd by Scripture, nnd ropui^nant to ri/^ht
rooflOn. Yet Huch was the prerogative assumed by the Holy Vontitf,nnd
by him delegated to thoHo whom ho chose to api)oint us his miiiistei'H
or agents. .......
There wa8 now a »pot ial noqd fiir the sale of IndulgcnceH. Money-
was M'antod. Ijoo X. hjul Huccocdcd Julius I(. in tho pontifical chair, and
had found tho kingdom impovorished In' tho wars of his pvodecoHsor.
Tho magniflcont church of St. Peter at Rome had been begun, but funds
wore lacking for its completion. In addition to this, Albert, .^Khbishop
of-Montz, was indebted to tho Pope to tho extent ^f some $45,^, which
ho had not the means to pay. . . . . In this emergency, tlio Popo
proclaimed a general indulgence. It was lot out on tho true forming
principle to tho Archbishop ; and sinco a thii-d person was required for
its success, John Totzol was chosen as the mission preacher, or, more
strictly speaking, as tho itinerating vender, in the unholy traffic. By
this plan 'the ftinds of both the Pop© and tho Archbishop mi^ht bo reple-^
nishod, if not tho devotion of the people, and tho purity of the Church
increased. > _ *
There was hero a singnlai* combination of character. Tho gtoatest;
EOBsiblo difforcnco existed botw^eon tho ' three men who thus,
ocame prominent in tho preliminary stehs of tho Reformation. Jjco X.
was in many respects all that could Ijo dpsirod. /the pontifical throuQ
had seldom boon fio worthily filled. . A son of tho eelobratod Lorenzo do
Medici, ho combined in a i*emarkablo degree mafiy of tho virtues and
vices of that illustrious family. With roHncd tastes and an acconmlishod
mind, ho united a virtuous disposition and a benignant rule. He gave
encouragement to literature and art, and was not averse to ecclesiastical
reform. But his love of r^anoy and his' delight in war, his thirst for
Eleasuro and his extravagance of living, warped tho better principles of
is natui-e, and rendered him indifferent to tho higher duties of his office ;
and like his predecessors, while usurpilig the prei-ogativos of tho Doity,'^ \
ho sought by threatening to ins'pire tho fear and evoke the obedience,
' "-4'
.#
u
.> '•
1' ■
i^i
r
#^
/«M*.r anrf M<» lii/ormatioH,
Tfio rhnriK'tor
Catholic wriUw ; whilo tlioi« L "^ '»/ «<'<l{omloir, and Ihnnun
«tlon the future of i,t"n...uirrv;;; •;""''':"»""» <" "•"•jKH-t of vv fZi
iftan in tho Church o? tho' K m'i '7fi.^ ii ' l:^**"- ""!'«<« H.an any <.tho?
was «m,,Ioyod.. Kaeh o^ S^J^^^'!;^^'''' '"":''"'-. In wL.K
«ach Wan.o, IndircHly at legist; :::r^;;;^;^t^;jl»"''»'«i«phcruj Wd
• iv^i't!:;;;.^ ^;l;!;Si;;;,:;''i ^'-'"i-i'-Hcof in<,ni«oncc,
W-t of « njOHt "«eon,nli„^,od ,,„3'''5'^"'^'' 1» '«^^ ''r* {""'^ ^vJth all Z
.vHI,iKoandtown,and^t<, otlorVm th«i.n •/ *?*^r' *« ^'"^^ «very
for ovory sin which \m\ \yi^^l\ \m^±\'IV, ''^ *'»«. ^'op "'>HoIutloJ
, montofthoroquiMHnm. Tl /„«n«at "^^^^^^^^
im.non8o. In ontorinir th« irrc u.T l*"«''.'i'«l ''y tho traffic wi
bv tho cl«r^.y, m«gi„t5t:« aKuS „X?r^^^^^^
children of every grodo Tho 1,1 1- ^ i. '^"'^'' ^y '"«"> women and
waved and musi founder! \^^^^^ bannZ
chfti-iot, having iHjforo him « velvet o 1 • '*«*'","'" « maKnificont
Bull of the Pone. Tho «h, Ji. ?„ \^ l'V""' «" which was laid tho
was handsomely deeonu'cJ'L " a' t^^^^'^'T' '^'^ J^'^'^
erocte<l m A-ont of the altar; on oifhor S w,?v '1^' 'f PHpalarms, was
the organ poured forth it« nofl molcKlfi T ''«^'*f ^''^ ^^rning;
flowers wafW a sweet porfumo EvvT " .* '' '''''"'° incense and
boomed with eager oxnoctatZ.",^^^^^ cverv/hce
When amidst the bSlels iiloico cf/fl '^'"'^ '"I'^i^^"^ ^^ ««o*'o"^ S
and the loity strains ortr^e^r^^^^
Church, a scone of enthusiasm 'vas nLf?' ^«o""d«J through tho
te'^^^V■"^*^"««• I« tho appohitJi o^^^ '"^° that of
,.. Papal Bull was road. A sermon ^ii^ oraor and in solemn form, tho
in which the necessity fndXXe^?^^^^^^ '^ Indulgences!
in which appeals wore madfto tho fuffl «*"^*' '^°'« onforco\ and •
oxcitod crowd. Thon ToS Z v /"'*^' *'*« foar, tho love, of the
. «•
5tr 9 ^mm
chnrnotor
'til It had
'■«•«'»• of tho
'ovotco, ho
<'nrt>(l loM
(Woo. Jtig
i'«l towiinlH
". niui tho
xwJiritfii or
IU'<|. . . •
••uwn, and
•IN of lH)th
fid Mtrholur
d Itoinnn
Aiihigno,
«H Hi III ply
■N, having
"ly other
whith ho
luru i a|id
I'Koncos,
«ino left
imoncod
li nil thd
t ovory
Holutlon
the jmy.
.fttc was
headed
um and
i>anner8
nificont
»id tho
formed
na, was
rning;
so and
yftce
I ; and
>ogun,
h tho
inter's
tat of
1, tho
JnceSj
, and
f the
CO in
wing
sates,
wr in-
Luthcr and th« liifonnatUm*
1ft
%\
UmiH) ; each ww nnxioun to piirlbrm an not of kimliiuNM for tho dead ; %
■ ' goimrnl riinh won nindo to the Mtand; nnd ^old, niwl ullvor, and oopiwr
coiiiH wer« Hhowomi like httiUtonuaat the fuot of Totxel
Thin won reiwtttwl wherever a crowd ooH Id Im) ai»iiom Mod; the wxcit©.
mont ran liUe wiitlHie ; tHIiiiloiin NuniM of nioiiey were obtainod ; nnd
often at the cloMO of the dny'H pioooiHliii/^ Tct/.ol would ro|Miir to tho
I>iil)lio Inn, where, nigaitileHN of hlH oflloe and aKMHintiotiH, ho lieciitno
merry an a clown.
It wiw a revolting tranitaction. Never hiul Huch dUhonor l»(*on dono
to (^hriht and \\U religion. The pioiiH meinlHtrit of tho ('hiiioh IduHhod
for Hhanie; a few Uname indignant It wan LuiIioi-'h duty
to e.\|Mme the iiii<iuily and fmiid. At llint, acoonliiig to Imh own «on-
fewtion, he hardly knew what the IndulgenooH meant, and wan iiulllVer-
ent to Tetunl'* iniHHion. Hut when he mw a itror.|»eotiiM of llieni proud-
ly hearing the name and Kunrantee of the ArohbiHh<ip «>! .Mont/,, and,
• when he lioai'd reporlH of tho Noatidal oaiiHe«l l»y the language and con-,
duet of Telxel, be wtw led to eti<iuire and roMoot. At oiue the oonvlc-
tion itolned him thftt tho trafllc wuh an unholy and blatipbonn)UH pro-
'■y.-- cee^ing,— diHhonoHiig to ChriHt, a perverHion of \\U gospel, and an
injury to the Hotiirt of men. It waH time to Hpeak. IIIh oonMolenoo and
duty were involvod. Ah Micholet Hayn, "He run great rink in Hpeaking;
»«/; but i#ho held bin tongue, be believed bin damnation certain. " Tliero Th
no foundation for the iiiHinuati«)n of bin enoniioH that bo was iidluvMicecl
by joalouHy,f bcoaiiMe t,be nttle bad bwn cntniMted to a Dominican latber
than to an AngiiHtinlan ftiart IIIh entire comluot is a coiitnftli^liou of
the charge. A nobler principle actuated bis mind. It was tl|p Hpirit
/ which Hummoned him to prote«t and warn. IIIh fli*Mt niov«< was to
ro(iue»t, in legal form, bis own diocenan, the Hisbop of IJrandcMhiirg, to
HilencoTetzel. Whort tbiH fUiled, bo announced a Hcrinoii, and published
hlH propoHltJouH. ThodoHign of tboHo wan to expose the fallacy on which
IndulgencoH wore banod, and to^hbow that nothing Hbort of truo
,' i-opentnnco and bolinoHH, pro<luced by faith in OhriKt and obedience to
lIiH law, under tho operation of His Spirit, could avail to the snlvatlou
of the Houl. Wo cannot say that all IiIh jwintH were well taken and
defined. There waw Bomo Huporfluity of expiemston ; there wan somo
ambiguity of idea. Ah Lutber biinself afterWai-*! Haid, ho might bavo
proved somo points Insttor, ai^d iwrhapH omittc«l othern. IJut, defoctlvo
as they wore, they contained tho germs of the Information— the oshoiico
of tlio gospel. The underlying principio wnH ^«ound. That principlo
was, that graco alono could change tho heart and lif0| and that tiiw.
infusion of gmco was the Hpecial act of Goil; that there was, could be,
no salvation out of Clirist, and that to say otbcrwise was blaspbofhy.
Wo repeat this principle. -4ts obsorvanco will counteract many pre-
vailing oiTors. .... j|^A. j^
When Luther's sermon and tbosos wore jmblisbod, they foil as a
thtindor-bolt at tho foot of Tetzeb lie foamed with rage, and committ4ng
the nropositions to the flainoH, ho threatened a like fate to their author.
In the gathoring slorm, however, Tot/.ol became powerless as a child.
Avolco had Hpokon which i-osoundod through the Vatican ; a power
moved which shciok tho empire. "This immolation of liberty to gracoj
of man to God, of tho finite to tho infinite, was recognize^ by the pooplo
as the truo national religion, tho faith which Gottschalk had professed
in tho days of Charlomagno, in tho Very cradle of Gorman Christianity,
M
•i'
TUtfnf y
II
•fFj.
^BuiA^r and (As rie/ormaiion:
tocalMn ,.,„ tlon t|,o .. ,.,,., l^*, J' ;^, , '-' novo.- o,.to,..| hin mini
i;rolo„«,wion of tho (oiaoM L, T?l.n ."I "'?'"'"'^«"' '" M.r, .kibr tt
«»hn,K.<| Jluurronrio; nn I U h T .V. '"'^I": I"'"!"""*"' '»'" «'vontl and
at Itiitno within ^ixtyaavH'/T• . "" '"'"' '^""'or to u,,„oa!
-Ldither, « I (nwi to Ni,«ak. Imu j,., Lv' • <''"«'<'nt tImoN," mIivii
^;;pjMa«w.t}i:~?
Of I.i« poHition. ^JmC^SXl M^hl^^ m^r.Sun^
against Lure?. ;&';;^^^^^^ ^^^^ '»« Cardinal«; p;op„rod
pH..it;onH tnk,n fro m j' tE' 'Z£ "• T.^' «"'«"'^rotod' Cj-ll
under pnin of oxcomnuuiioation ^fVnl' p'"*''"^'''^'" ^oro prohibited
required to retract hisZZ with r^x '^"'*'*''' "^'^'^^^^^
wei-o oJdorod to Koize his person mil "^ uY? ' ""^ "" ««c"'»r princos
'KB'
f.uthr and ths Rtformatitm, ' ^ * tt
wonid hMv« »>A«n c«.mmliliMl to tho flume*, Tho only «ft«cX <»f tho Ponc'g
bull vra« lo imrm.o tin. «...(l ol I.uih.r, mul Oio ,.,ill,u-liu.m or tho
tK»oj»l» '« Now. Ii«,r,.mnrk«|, "» mtium MriiKKlo iiM •-.Mnmoniwl.
lllthcric) r hnvo only f„wl .hil.lH piny with tho I'oihj ; I now Uuii, Iho
y|j/rti»M/ M« h.vcnthlt thil of AHU,'hmt. Thoi o wiin no ImiutT nn y JoiitX
1.1 iN miiHl ilmt 11,0 P.,,K, wn. n uMii-|K.r of tho Ihnmo nn<i pr»i^<(tttivo
ol (M. iho Ht'npmr«« khvo no wnnnnt to hji, hl^h prt^lon^lotN nmt
Mb tmry iKmor In tho pi-n.«lr.'H of tho onrlvChiu-.^, ovon, nothing
nnnluKouii coiihi tw ftmml to ihu piv«.-Mt Mnto oi ihi„«H. Tho Vliar of
hriHt on onrth nhoiihl Iki tol«*rnnt an<l Kontlo : Liilhor h«w in l,oo tho
IncHrnntloii of tyrnny nii.| .|ofclt. llonimlo ii wUo.llMincMion hotwtHJM
lioo hi hiH iHTHonnl thnrmtor nn.l Iho I'o|k^ in IiIn oIII. i,il mim.llv
Iho lornior lio pniimil a^ " Daniol in Iho lion'M don," an " Knoklol
n.nom< worpionH ; •• ||,« |„ttor ho .lonounoocl im "tho n.iKhtv hiintor.
Iho NHn.'.Ml ol.tl.o Konmn opiHoopa.y." I,, hl« liulKnunt ll.o wh..lo
occ OHlunticnl nyMom wiih huMtU uponlniiHMluroumI rruuU.iina»Uilninod
by l^nornnco nn<l o|r|.roMion. • »"««•
It Id poHHlhio Ijithcr <li(| not «nm«'lcnily dldrrimlnnto hctWMn tho
conittitntion of Iho (Jhunh iih doHno.l in Hninturo, and tho/«rv*v/ dferctaU
hy whi< h ilH nuthorlly wnH now uphold. Tho Churoh had un<h>uhu><l|r
tidivino origin; (ho opiMOopmy vva« Iho unilorm mkhIo <.|* ^ovornniont
Iron* tho diiyn of iho a|KmtloN. What had nood t(» ho coriocUd woio iho
ori-or(j ot laloTKrowth, which niado tho Popo HUj.romo, and tho Church
corrupt. J.utlkT now wont vlKorounly lo Iho work, al(houi;h in Iiih
OXcOHMiyo ioal ho wan in dauKcr of lou(diin« homo of Iho i.riniarv
prlnciploH with loo rou^h u hand. Tho puhlio voic-o choorcl l.im on •
. itn< whonntlhocitvKatoofVViKomlMTK, in prcHonco of iho nmfoMorM
rtnd HtudontHof Iho (Jnlvorf«lty, and nn immouHo crowd of Moo'iatorH ho
Pommitlml to tho namoH Iho hull of th. .0, ami Iho docrc(al« of 'iho
Uhurch, ho hIo(kI (orlh iih Iho moKl prominoni, foarloas man in ChrUlon-
doin, and Ihortd.y Htruvk a choni which vilr,lted in ovory Kuropoun homo
hnthUMinsn, was nt It. hoiKht. NohlcH and poopio, cnntloM an<l IVoo
town* rivnllod each olhor in xoal m»d onthuHia.m for Luthor At
Nurombor«, at HlniMhurK, nnd oven nt Montz, hi. Hmallont pnmnhIol«
woro omuhjUHly cauKht up at« fant an I hoy nppoarod. Tho Hhootn woro
hurnod ijnd Hmujr«lod into Iho nhops. all wot fVom Iho pro.H. and woro
- groodily <lovourtM| by tho aspiring litteratcxm of tho (Jorman Compnnion-
Bhip, bv tho pootic linmon, tho lournvd coi-dwalncrH; tho irocxl HanN-
SochH Hhook on hiH wanted vulKnrily, IcR hiH nhoo unHniHhod, wrote hig
i^l^'nTw-M'" 'r^P'"''"^"*"'"' '"^ «""« "ii»' »>«*«'• •wreath tho niirhtln- -
calo of WittomberK, wIioho voice roHoundcd everywhere
N<,thinff Hcconded Luthor more poworAdly than tho zoal of thoprintom
and booknellerH ,n behalf of tU now idcnn. Tho workn whiJh woro
favourable to h.m woro printed bv tho p^UcrH with min.ito«t care and
o ion at their own oxnenno, and many copies woro Btruck oft'. Many
old monk« too who l.ad i-oturnod to a secular life, livo<l on LmhorV"
AYorkB, and hawked them through Germany."* ... -^^wmor"
A grand crl-sis had arrived. Tho Btorm wa» in M\ blast. Thcro wo»
Ae rumblo of distant thunder. Men's hearts woro failing them for fJa?^
What move Bhall bo^madenoxt? When will the co^motiiucoMof
•N. Miektltt
»."-^
^^ «^ ^ ff^fhrm^Hm^^
rH»r».«,« biuMiL "£"''•'•'*•'•'" ^^'i^^nh t,«<V.m . '^•''? •?!''""'
f*
•^ e
I)ortt'i
proHoin;
"ntl moli
provided]
f'
nu.,*M«,»„i/,™*^^^^^^^^ .1.0 r,„|i,.i„i ti,.: -w- ,• And
in tho L.-m/a *"^"'^"' moniont of J„„ J,r«. :* ^ ' *''*"'" ^''o Diot If
hLo St.'' t7„i'b'r^'''"7'''- ^^" «'-i' "^n " iTL"'"*''"" "^•-' '
tl.o Groat Toad or ,.^''"'*' ''" ^'""""o <'f tl.o iWr n^^ wltuosHod
"^' *" M»o pomp of
t
! W V
inq«IHii
f
I** f,nr
♦•*
rW mnje^tywiii. tlinplayMl. Tho KmpQPor ••I mtmn % iktwm
[ iiK •I'M'lally nro|Mirf.l fur him, numi Ki»r><«»oMitly Nrrnf iMt<~tii<s lnit)«lMotiii(ion
|,^P •? ^, ^""^ ""•' !"»*»«''■ AhhiwI him won. iw)«lofi th« Ar.lMluko
r«r.liimn.l, « Kl.„ t.,ni t.f lh« Kmplro, 21 Ihiki*. H MaiKfttv»t», IM Anh'
l»uiio|m iu„l |||,|,o|,«, 7 AmlHi«-»i.l..r», 10 lH'|iiititm (,t Ikw U)wm, aii4 i
Sy»"^'ik Tn *'"""•"' •'«"»«« niHl li«KnU<M, nmiaiiilinK imiiM W) aUmt. I
1. I ,* . **"■* '•*"""''y «'r..wilwl Willi i.|H'« im.»r5»-.|sotm' wnrmly ;
eXclUM ill Uihrtli; „lUom Utterly .m|H*iK| to la»U.«r, jihiry hvdiiuo ^
lomlin« »,, |h.i hulldlriK wnn Mockmf un with |k«,i,|«. IfhiiiUin hiul
cilmiHiU u|M)ii lh«> hoiiMotot;.*, mill hiiiMlrvth moni p.tiri-»ii»l. 4 (Hi.) iiNluini/*
'-or tho wlornirr. In Hym|»rili> iiikI N|.iiii ihu «li..lo ..i (%ii«t%.n.lom
'''|Hit.Hlii,M,iith«m>oiio . Wh«ii huthiT oinionml, lhi%««mblo4
vniw.l lK.<ml.l liim with nWvnt oiiiotliin, ihtui miwHl u I.enily Ao«r. ir#
WAN ilrvmod ill Iho Itahit «»" UU Onlitr, wi-m-iMx » nluiu l.luck Mwri, mitff
■ " r^if^ if V.'" ' *" ''*'* ''"'"' '^"^ •'*' *"««»i'*'«l •»»' oulor .uiirt or Iho *••'
Imll, old IioiukI^Ih..^, tli<) Cummumlor or I ho Km|Kr.»i'i. UkIw Kiiiinl, " '
Koiitly laiil hi» Iron KUiuitloIr u|mhi hi* iih.HilU«r, and .■.4<liii«M)dT ' Wmr •
uiimK, thin In u hold w..ik yoii nthnipl. On tho wonl .d'n K«iill..niftn,
;* iifit iii>r I, hoi- luiy othui- kiihuhI h«iu, Ium Utvii oiiKa««d in Hindi a
iKMiIoiw uHiiir; and yot wo havo Injon in M)mu tryin^t Nittiatioiin, Ihit
I! you liavo laiih hi youi- .loflrln.', ^o tJ)nvHi-.J in llnMiwiiM of (J.hI." ■
",\ott, roplliKl Luihir, ''In Iho naiiHMdlMMl I advanw." Iniifothor
^Jnoinont ho wan intriNliicod to Iho aiiKiiNt a«»oinldy. With ni|iirl«>*l
[oolmi/H..r adniiialion and Un^;, ho U^wod Udim" hiHjmlKiw. A hpwith.
, lOHM hIIoiico ndKiu'd thi-oiiKhont tho liall. hulhol- HtmA ni«itl<rid«wH iiH a
.;. Htatno. X.H n Kphlt nowly ii«..ii, ho MtHuniid lont in m'ollotHI«)nifcttna
UMi»mv.ioki>i of HunoiMi.linK thiiiKM. Tho Kiuihu-oi- ^aml on ii» wo&oi-; " ' .
tho IX^piitios and I'linft'H nwo IWini thoir clnilrH to hurvoy tho llgpro,
## ""«* ooiitemplato tho Hcon»'. Manv woro njovt«l by Myinpalhy; Hinio
. wtiio bumloK with iovcn,?o. ''^^mniKo, hroih.'r!'' whUoVcd u voIdc.: ..
" roor not tln'm that kill Iho IkxIv. and hiivo not power ti. i<ill thoHonl.'' '
In a I.MKlcr tono another Httid ; - Vyiion yo Miami Ind'oro kioKH, think raot •
, ^ what yo «|,oll Huy ; for It rtlinll Iw nivon yon in that hour." A pilu of
books lay bulore hint on ft lahlo. My fomniand of tho Kmporor, fco
was inkoa wbothcr hg had writton tlumo books, and whelhor ho
propnml to notraut Ihoir contontH. On hoarinir their titluM roud.
. • t:on<Mdly «t'knowlwl,<od his authornhip. . ... , . - ,*
Tho Hccowl qucHtiori, ho wud, rciiuirtHl timo ftMrconBldoratlon. Ttwi
granted. Many thought tho rcquoBt ln<Hnito<l alarm, and woro pro-
parwl lor a rocantation. Tlioy woif Noioly dlMappointod when tho Diot
i-o-aHMomblod. Duiieig the tocohh, Author hoUl conlbronco with hiH
, iMondM ; alwvo all, he hail conununion with iUnl Union to hiM nrayor.
breathed In tho solitudo of hiH rcM.m:— "O (Jodl O thou my (JodI
osMiHt mo againHt ail tho windom of tho world. Thou Uiml choHon mo
lor tho work. Stand by mv dulo ; and llioiigh tho world Hhould \w Hllod
• ^>th dovilH, though my body, which however Ih tlio work of thy handM,
Bhou d bito theduHt, Ihj racked on tho wheelM, cut in piecoH, ground to
nowdor, my houI is thino. Yoh, thy woixl in my pledge," HIh iUith had
been renewed; hm courage was revived. More calm, more collected,
moro confiding, ho waa more I ban a match for h Im judges. When appealed
\ ^ to for his decision, in hoiw that he would retract, he replied In u tono of
^ candour and simplicity, of majesty and power, which excited general
jp: Btirpnuo. Ho oxplainod tho oharactor of hitt works, dofondod tho <ioc-
%
WM
I
* ^ -
<^.
'^m
t '.;, V,
■" Ah '■ r IHiV
(■^
->7
r'4
ao
L^^hw and the '^ef<mnaticn.
I
* ^:-^d*S??^^«J^^ in the struggle which had
of Scripture- 1 cannotind wifl"";: "i^?."r'^'"*"'»«'-'^>' tt«n tha?
> «tberw.«o; God help mo r S J?.t ,^«?,f / ^'"^° ' '''» 5 Icannotdo
' dwhed in vain, the refomor^tood unmov^^^^^ aff'iiu^t which the tide Ti
' It is the K$Sijfsa!::;ns' ^^'^^^^^^^ 'v^^i
Truth has nothing to fear fromoJll^l """* ", ^"^" indication of decS
cannot stand upoH its ^hmn^:^^''*T^""^«'^^^^^ When a svS™
It 18 a fair presumption either Jh«7??/-**?^'*'"«<' to its demands
' Jte adherents are cSwartkT ^^ '^' princple^ are unsound, ^tt
vanablj in its object UmLvvvavoiU^L i- ^?' Porsocntion fhi^n-
oppressor, but it also ensures Lm£?l.w^ ^^^'Snity and power Ttho
^w of nature; or a decree of pSnJe tl^^^ ,«Pl>^««ed and Ay a
Incomes more elastic and 8ucS„i\;*'*° '^^^^^^^
It was so during the persSS of 2 p ^ '^ ^^ t^e apostoli^days-
fb^centuriesAndirwa^t'S^^ iu ^e S
. ^«t th? mark<rd promSce hei^L^ -P" °^ ^'olonce fro JrhisTe-
adulation from friends" whicb SK'"^ ^-^P<>««d him to a &ro of
spiritual life. It was ofThe wSLnH ^"^^^^ deirimental S h^f
character of the work T^fiT.^ ^^P*^^^"ce to preserve tho rL.v.-!
out theinterve^S^f^felf |t^ «g«nt l^f hS
current of human tlK>ughtaSd,«lv',5*?P'^ impossible that £
changed. They take a shorSKTn.r''*.*^ so^visibly and qSy
history who contend thar^^BeforSr"' ''"P^^Whical W S^
^ean^ without a r.cpgnition^^fe^;?^3,the re|dt of hu^^
belang.ngt«theElect<^,^|«^
. /■■
TWi |'l»^i>. HW^
clothed in the armour of a knight, and provided with every comfort
compatible with hm safety, and the scerosy of his retreat. A profound
lr.T I the i)ublie nUnd when the fact of Luther's disapnoaranco
hecamo known. The report at ilrst was hiu-dly ^-redited ; tllon oppos-
ing conjectures were indulged, and contradictory statements made and
severe, reflections uttered. His absence produced a girntor commotion
than h,8 presence. . . .. ; It was seldom snch^ trib'utehad been
. paid to the character of an indivrdunl;, it was scldomer still that uny
lel igious movement could so proibumledly stir the passions of the heart
and^evoko a general outburst of sympathetic grief. And in what shall
^e trace the cause ot .this excitement? . It is found in part in the cha-
ractor of the man, and m part in the nature of his work! Had' Luther
&th«T'l"-li*'*''^ hypocrit.0 his cnqmies have portrayed him, or
S!?A K. ^'■""'^ u" "Pjet/'er origin than human pission, tJiero could
have been np such pamf^l sensation in consequence of hii supposed
imprisonment or death. The instincts of the people seldon/go Stray
Lu her had proved himself a conscientious and' honest m«n( as pure irf
motive as he was bold in action; and at once ap iharac
for thd^bss ot thci^. leader, their benefactor, and their friend. . .
«5!i°°P*i^'*^ ^^ Juther Was pjumarily serviceable to himself. He
needed rest, as well for the body as the mind. By meditation and
fnSd bv?f.tet 'f '^"'. qmcfconed ; by the studies in which he
fffif&7^'*°.u' *'*'''''''*''' ""^' "^^® «"' V thoti-anslationof
thebcnptures int» the common tongue, ho confirmed his own and gavo
imi>otus to the faith of others Li the castle of the Wartburg he some^
^mcs compared himself to St. John, at Putnios; and verily as the
J^clovcd disciple was placed in banishment ihat ho might receive tho
revelation oftho last times, and write thenyin a book, so the intrepid
flnK''^'^ sec uded trom the world that he might translate for tho
peoplp the revelations which had be^n Jifoi-btimo made. Without a
tr^slation of the Bible, tho Eefo.mation ^ould have been incomplete!
LZ^JiyT^t' ?»f^'V'""t this seclusion no such translation could
i^n^ii pT^*i! »«tei-nal struggles thrWh which he passed ho was
,„«prepai-ed for the outer confl cts ho had /to wage ; and iy placing the
whthrS" '•^rf^f t!l« P«0P1« he provided for them an in^stCSt by
which God. could silently carry on His/ work, when the human acents
wei^ removed. „« Tho Bible was broi^ht forwai-d, and LuThe" Sa
secondary place; God shewed himseltand man w^ seen as n1^^^^
_ There is no i-6goneiator of Bpciotjr like the Bible. As leaven its
Si f^^^J^tfd spread- In the'mission work of the Church,' the
S • • ^''/ 'l^^ -!l supreme. Wo must not, can not, dispense with
the living teacher and the outward ordinances. But in ca^c? wherTtho
missionary cannot go, the Bible may gain access, anrby Tnstming
tlrm '"^ *^L:f •°^' f"^ ^"B^ *^« ™^ of con^'icUon Z
morm.^ • • -, And equally so in the scholastic projects of the ace
I^^r« flS'T''" iiK ^^^' P^"'«^- O""- '««««" »>ooks in history and
Sr« .1 beneath ^ts charms. It might not bo wise to make the
^^t^S^^l^'^^T^ '' should ncJSj .
]^^ the educational qui^tions which are rising to tho siirfhce in Great
Bntain, m the United/ States, in Canada, i& is a point whidimSt -
'W'*
! 1
w
22-
J^ther and the lieformatim.
the physical i„fl„enc(«- of fe "tf ^* «^"««t'«" i« »>ouh3^ by
and the obligation of viHuo ^ ViJ. ^'° J'T°^5'^° of coiiscioncT
thoir children as into!1octuai mri,- T''^*'"'' ^^OJ would oducato
ll ,?'^'"S^Fominonco roraTo.'.f?" '^f- ^^^'^^^^^ ^^ "^^^
. nnotV. ^ tU rules of ai-^thrno c and f h« • "' T *** *''° o-^clusion of
facts of history and the JSverios^^^^^^ of gi-ammar, the
rpquirod by mathematics and tZ 7.^^15 Y*'"f ?' *^'° ««^«^-o tiisciplino
.CJreok and Boman classoa hto all?w '"-''''*^^^^^^
»« unmindful of thenf f S^'^ot d ±cd W^ »''"•'*'• ^ ^^^P^ «« o^o
But 18 there no soul, no consJ^nn.^^ ^ to depreciate their influoncc
thoi^ no „eed for truth ami C;^ eternity? a^dt
/ and heaven ? And whenrn «Tf k? ' ■ *' -^ ""'^ devotion, for holiness
; «ay nothing of a ChrisUainr ^ f 1«"?«nt8 of a moral chai^ctorlS
1 of the Bibl? ? Should "S not~ hetfcH?''^ r^ ^'^"^ the^Sipgs •
, «^qua.nted with that Bible rpracticablS T^^ «"' children as early
I fttiU wider circulation through th«„rfi, ^"'' ^''^"^d ^e not give it a
the standanl of our ap, eaP^ ii\h"T J ^ , ^^'"i^^^ P"ll>it wo mio i?
' ?f our ypnth ; and wSliher am"^^^^^^ we should maL it theS *
. . m heathen lands, its inXeS "vll h/rfK^" ^^^ «''^' ^" civili Jd oj
fe*;l'?«ff,,«tower, as the ge.iiarr2'ort. «" ^•^'^^'""g ^ow, as thj
Bible for the people, Luther nlaL?rfW ^'f ?"•, ^" translating^ the .
reSSi^l^fcj:;,^^ completed. His health
increased, he wis prepaS Tike EinT .'r?,?'?"«"^--^'« influence
place,^ and again ti siL^in tLs o?m«l«*'^ ^''^^
^pecial need ibr his pi-esenS Sr?nf 5"^' V""^ P°^«'- Thero '
divers^ opinions sprang un'monrth? .«f '*^'°'''' J" ^^^^ ^artbui^
pund Of future ti-ouble? me# T^,^,,'^«f«^°»ers which became tfe '
Bances were for the moment Ked^ fc'""'*''^"^^' t'^^ distui! ,
,t,*o try his temper and ire ht ;,e^?* ".^^^^^^ round
8_J\oftld be assailed bv all tho ™„ /x.. " ^"* ^^>^ cn(mgh that ho
. l;S*r Henry VlI^fi^P7«^^»^ >'
treatise on the Seven SacraMsof^dfrT / "" 'i?*^. ''^"^"^t ^J™- His ^
a seveire reply MelanShS.^l5i\ ^^"'^^''' ^^^^^''^ forth fr^^^^
but no, said 4W7"S 6ho^^^^
beasts who are continSfbLl^fr^f ^'?.*^r^^^^^^^^ f^^ocioSs
-author had called him bfa few ^S'^H*^^'""^^^^^^ Theroval
Jtjphonious of these wereS' apf ^.^nfo^^^^^ ^ot the leas
"limb of the devil!" LuthefiourS^ut ir'^' " venomous viper,"
nautaarcaan,^,,,^^^^^^
*'••.
""^^^ff'
JMtKer and the Ji^ormaUon.^ " H '
made the lofty Tudor writhe upon.hls throne, and which called to his '
aKlS«^a^ More, Chancellor of ttieKingdom, and Fisher, BiahJ?
K^hi^"^*''' M^T ^''*''*^° "^'"^^ ^*^««" Lutlicrand the Pope. All
S.Tf,f r ^K^'f °?.'^'"°'' 'iSuished, In rapid succesHion tL refer-
mor sent forth treatises and letters upon the principal quobtions in
dispute, which gave impetus to the work, ant( which made hi™
mo.|epowerful than any s{.ord in Christendom. It 7s imp^ imp^^^^^
Tv^Sir P^l"' "^•*' to analyse these works, or to folbFvTn Si th^
events ^which now rapidly crowded on each other. The remark inu^t
suffice that like a violent stream-almost with the rapid ity^ofS
ZifiT*^' Keformatien spread from viHage to town, fmrn city to natS
untd its influence was foft at every Court, and the general afpect of the
Church and the Continent was changed. . -. . . . . .
In the writings of Luther thei-o were evidences of a gi-eat mind and
ofa generous soul. , They wore not indeed free fi-om ITe Scs-^
1t^" T «°"^^t^«iruggcd and uncouth ; his .roaSg wafofton i
For fi Irr""^* 7."' " "^^ ^° ^^'"««^ " conscientious >refe^S
h^ Sk\wS' *'"^?'*,^^'V;.*' *^ c«'«'»""leate to others the knowledge
he had hiV^clfacaairod. His acquaintance with the philosophy of the
schools, h;« study of the patristic theology, his penotrLingjuS
his logical power,.lus ready wit, his keeSsati^-ofhis copious dS his
impassioned eloqi«>nce, rendered him aformidable opponent, and enabled
.him to argue a^d persuade as few men of that ago we^e able toT
' I- 'yt\ " * .; • ^ ononiiea of Luther even have'borne testimony to
his literary attaiamens and intellectual power. .According to ^r^^^^
Mafnbourg, ho possessed a quick and penetrating genius, was indeC-
able in his studfcs and acquired great knowledge of languages and
of the wntings^of the ancient fivlhcrs ; while ^rillasiul ^Kh
historian, dcclai^d that no man either of his own time or since smko
f„;r^^^r^^l^'^S^^SO, or understood its nicetiesTeUer Ihah
ionufi Tl". Ty,^^^^}'^^ ^ reason, why his works Lamb so
FS if; ^^»M>«opl? "n^frstOQd him. In the estimation ^f Melanc
then, he wmmnia in^ommbus^omi.hto in everyfiiing, a veW miracle
r«?l A. W l^'*^ '? composition. His productio3is teemed from the
press a& by^n^agic. Heaps of them were burnl in Germany in
Swn'i!'' ^r'^'^H* ^'^^ ^""* ^"« «^«« supplied, and TeVe^
^ It. may^bejdifficuilt, perhaps impossible, to coincide with all the
opinionsJie advanced, or witk all the arguments by which he uphold
them. ^He sometimes took a cohtracted view of the^St siSc^^^^
InlS^^^A^'^^'^y «luc.^tion, indeed, was visible thiCCul:
In many of Ms discussions on Free Will, on the Eeal ProsAhrn nn
Jhisl^ionjQi Fmth, o^^^ MonLtic Vowr&c. ^e si^^^^
to speat and Tfrite as a man who had only Vagudy ai^pveh ^ZX '
tnitfi. His tmper was 6ften irritable, his language too severe • he
became imperious m his will, and impetuous in his deeds. Yet many
2L l£ "^' "S produced by the struggles in which he had eng3
-aiSstT«T«2^- V ** *^?" of controversyand the Strife of to^n|ie8
-amidst the ass^ciationa of homo, and in intercourse with friends,~he
was eminently gja ii^l and pleasant. It is a iiLeaajLmattei^toJBd^-a^—
*,-H
Hi
Zuther and ihis Jiafohnation.
Every great character has some dofecta. We may, perchance, detect a
• spot upon the sun itself. But in all liis opinions and labours, I boliovo
Luthor Avas thoroughly conscientious nnd sincere, as cnndid in Jud|o;ment
, as he was coura<joous in action. His dosirc was to know, anil then to
communicate tRe truth. If he had wishwl to lead the people astray,
ho had the fturest opportunity to do so. But in matters of faith, and
in the ceremonies of worship, his supremo authority was the Woi-d of
God. It was the standard of his appeal, the guide of his life ; when
tried b^ this touchstone, he did i^ot go very far wrong ; and estimated
according to the highest principles on which character is formed,
he 19 worthy to be ranked among the noblest and bravest of his kind.
• •'■■•.•••■•,■
^ i_ — ."„'""'■...■■..
Myiimits preclude an examination of the peculiar tenets which were
held and taught by Luthor and the Beformei-s generally, and of the
differences of opinion w:hich soon began to devolope thomselvos among
them. It is in many respects a most useful, yet most painful subject;
and in the consideration of which there is need for a discriminating
charity. The Beformei's had tiot all the advantages we possess. They
were as men groping in the dark. The incubus of superstition had
weighed heavily upon them. It was hai-dly possible to avoid a few
errors. They committed many grave mistakes. Still,, on the whole,
they were farsoeing men, and as courageous as Ihoy were wise. Their
aim was to restore the Church to Apostolic doctrine and primitive
usage. With all the difficulties through which they struggled, and with
all the blunders they made, they succeeded in a remarkable degree ; and,
allowing even that the Beformation was incomplete,— that it was
attended with inconvenience and encompassed with error,— still it was
a grand, social and religious change, and next to the introduction of
Christianity itself, was the most important movement that had taken
place in the history of the Church'Or of the world. . . ... .
It is, perhaps, difficult to estimate fully the*influence of the Beforma-
tion. We cannot do it without contrasting the condition of the Church
and of Society before the Beibrmation with their condition isince. In
the fprmer period ignorance and superstition reigned triumphant ; in '
the latter, knowledge runs to and fro, and a pure faith finds expression
in a more spiritual and less symbolic service, A wondrous change
indeed has been produced. There is everywhere and in everything
evidence of life and growth. 'The progress of art, of literature, of science ;
the advancement of religion, and the" improvement in politics, all attest
the operation of a super-human power. It might not be just to attri-
bute every social and political change which has taken place in Europe
during the last three hundred years to the principles diffused and the
influence exerted by the Beformation. Yet it was during that glorious
struggle that the human mind was emancipated,— that an intellec-
tual fi-eedom and a moral supremacy, \yere asserted for all nations and
for all men ; and if to-day we possess an open Bible and a pure Wor-
ship—if we can exult in civil liberty and a sound education— if we
enjoy social equality and domestic comfort— and if in ten thousand
streams and forms the blessings of a Divine Christianity encircle our "^
{>ath and flow through the worW, it is in no small degree due to the
abors and sacrifices of those majestic old men who,— whatever thei^i'^
feilingS)— were giants in their day,— who counted not their lives defjir
^.f*
■4:1''^:
:V^; ■ I'^ther tmd tJke Reformation, >5
unto thempwho wont bravely to the dungeon and the «take in testi-
mony of thoirzoal and lovfl, and of whom Martin Luther was one of
the most iliustnouH and brave. «. ^,..« wi
Wo should be careful to fallow the example they have sot. and Drove
ourso v-o. worthy of the heritage they havJlcm \ solemn 'reH,J>K'
n£*K ?■ u " l""*'*^ Hpcciul souse than to the ancient Jews, it is
true, that to us have boon c(»mm.tted the " oracles o((i,xl." .. Thone oracles
are sealed by the blood of our forefathers, no loss than by the authority
of our Loixl Ihoy demand consistency and courage in their proservi-
tion^and dolence If we nrove fi.ilhlo.ss to the trust, grolTt. wi/l bo ow
condemnation and woe. There is danger ahead ! In a moditied form
wo may have to hghtm-er again tlte llefbrmat ion battle. The times
are ominous of storm. In both the nations and the Church, principles
are pronuilgatod which tend to undermine the "foundation of the faith
and to impede the progress and influence of truth. Tho papal power is
struggling^o regain its lost ascendancy. While in its ancient strong-
iSAmo.S^n ?;'-'"'"* M,*^'""''i^^^ ^'"•'^'''•y is declining, in Great Britain
and America it IS rapidly gaming in number and power. At this
moment the Clilu-chot Jomo presents the most singular "spectacle ex-
hibited by It since the Relbrmation period. Within the walls of the
'eternal city a grand Council is assembled, to discuss quastions and to
decree dogmas which atlect its own particular commnnioii, and imliroctlv
he whole civilized world. It is folly to attach undue importance to
this meeting. An "Ecumenical Council" it is not; and whatever
decisions It may arrive at, they can have no legal authority, and will be
iM^diiig on none savo^thoso who choose volmitiM-y to submit to them.
Jot the assembling of such a Council must be taken as a ''sign of the
times; and.in the^ questions it has opojied, in the passions it has
stirred m the protests it has provoked, in tho conclusions it may form,
and m the influenco it may exert, it will undoubtedly prove the precur-
sor It not the means of a groat ecclesiastical and revolutionary change.
Km our duty^to watch tho proceedings, and to prepare for the issSe.
especially as they may flft'oct. liberty of conscience and the soundness of
our laith . , . . Papal Infallibility is a gross absurdffy, contra,
dictory of Scripture, and repugnant to reason, and dosorvinl contempt
rather than argument in its refutation. . . . . . . ^
^ But not^lone from the Church of Rome is the danger to be apprc
hended. ^ Wo have enemies amongst burselves, as a branch of tho
> lt^BiP'"'"''*'v ^" ^''^^ <*n® ''«nd scepticism assails tho character
?L IV ^^ ?J ''^lu **® ?*^®!^ formality and. superstition i^-o eating out
the life of the ^Church. Our safety is in an honest and unshrinking
maintenance of tho principles of the Eeformation.^in the reception of
-Holy Scripture as the complete i-ulo of faith and practice, and in
the observance of ^he. appointed formularies of the Church' as laid
down 111 the Book of Common Prayer, without diminution or addition,
with integrity and zeal. -'Here is firm fdoting; here is solid rock
this can sustain us ; all is sea besides." Are wo ready for the conflict
should a conflict conie? TJan we emulate the zeal of sainted martys
and shout victory m death?. . . . . Ther? is a present work to do
>Ik- *^^||^?"^'\all o«r energy and zeal; and the faithful performance
ol this \vill be the noblest preparation for any coiitingency which may
ari.se. We have ign o ra n ce to i n s tr u ct; we h ave unb e li e f to r e fute ; we -
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ZutAer and the BsfwrmaUon.
have yice to destroy; w« h^ve misery to remove. The irreot mMfl«»*
of our fellow men must be won. to Christ, to the Bible, and to tho
Church. In doing this we should have the hero's courage and the
martyrs fire; and by ftoe and open churches ;-by' daily and attractive
Bervtce;-by earflest and faithful proathing;— by devoted and sympa-
thetic visitation amoi^,tho people in their homes ;-land by the zealous
adoption of all such Aoans as Christ wotild have fejuictionod, and his
Apostles used, we may perpetuate tho Relbrmation work, and render
our Jerusalem a prui«io In tho earth. v ,
over^n'to me?''''' ''^'^ ' " ^^° *^''" *^® "^^'* ^^^ ^ ^i\xxm come^
Note.— The following extract from Macaulay's " History of England "
.is one out of a number of passages, I had marked for quotation, as con-
ZT ^^l ""^ *°'"p of the opinions I have advanced, anJ as illustrative
li « .?!. ^^f ® ""^^^^ Reformation. My space will not admit of more.
BubS *" " another time, I shall probably resume the
K--'^*1.1!? ."''*' '^J'!*]'*' "•• '"""em* of tho Church of Rome In the Bark Ani «^ An th. t.i.»i.
^^^^
mwiM^mm
. iCVo Clic t^'KSJ,^^ camoWitt 'f^'/rdf."' yr'.T*'!!"'''' »» SwIUerUnd from
fliidiih«thirhi.i«.i2/iC;!r.i™_!i?'TV.yi^!*'?!'?™^ Catholic to a Protentant county.
«nd.Th«t T^fci. „.T..2jh!:'' . * ""■«"•".."! iwiana rrom a Roman
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