第4章

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，"

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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。

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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。

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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。

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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。

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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。