LUTHER.

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A CHAPTER of his order having been appointed to be held at Heidelberg, in 1518, the Professor determined to attend, contrary to the entreaties of his friends. He performed most part of the jourfoot; and, in passing through Wurzburg, was kindly entertained by Lawrence of Bibra, the pious and exemplary bishop who mourned over the corruptions of the church, and was one of those who earnestly desired a reformation. There is reason to think, that this excellent man would have been a powerful friend to the Protestant church, had he not been removed from earthly cares and dignities in the following year; for he was of a high Franconian family, had been esteemed by the Emperor Maximilian, the Elector Palatine, and the Archbishop of Cologne, and had protested against Romish jubilees and indulgences; and was known to be so great an enemy to nunneries, that if any of his farmers wanted to borrow money of him, upon the security of their crops, to enable them to qualify their daughters to enter into those foundations, he would refuse, unless they engaged to convert the money into a marriage-portion. He saw that Luther was calculated to be a real blessing to the world, but trembled for his safety, and wrote to the APRIL 1823.

Elector Frederick not to suffer him to leave his territory. The Professor was also hospitably welcomed by the Prince Palatine, to whom he carried a letter of recommendation from his own sovereign.

He took an opportunity at this assembly of inviting discussion on the grand article of justification, and offered to defend certain positions, which were opposed by a monk named Beyer. The celebrity of his name attracted a large concourse of hearers, among whom were Martin Bucer, and others, whose exertions were afterwards conspicuous in the reformed cause.

At length the Pope, who, like the rest of his family, was a man of classic taste and convivial habits, and had disregarded the progress of Lutheranism, further than to make it a subject of jest at a leisure hour, was roused to active hostility by a letter from the Emperor Maximilian, the complaints of zealous Romanists, and the representations of Prierias, Master of the Palace. He accordingly directed Jerome, Bishop of Ascoli, Auditor of the Apostolic Chamber, to cite Luther to appear at Rome within sixty days, to give an account of his doctrine to the Auditor and Prierias. He wrote also to Cadinal Cajetan, his legate in Germany, to endeavour to have him brought to Augsburg, by means of the civil authority, and arrest him in the name of the

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church; but that if he showed symptoms of penitence he should be released, and restored to the communion of the faithful. To the Elector of Saxony he next addressed himself. After complimenting His Highness with the assurance, that he could not credit the report that so excellent a prince was disposed to favour so impious a wretch as the accused Augustinian monk, he desires that he would assist the Legate in his apprehension, which would be both acceptable service to God, and very honourable to himself and family. A third epistle, sent to the provincial of his order, completed this initial correspondence, exhorting him to prevent a friar who was under his jurisdiction from attempting these innovations in doctrine, and to take the affair in hand instantly, before the evil proceeded to greater and more alarming lengths.

Maimbourg dates the citation on the seventh of August, but Seckendorf thinks that he either misrepresents or mistakes the fact, and that it was presented to Luther on that day. However this be, he lost no time in despatching an account to Spalatinus, who was then in attendance on the Elector at the Diet of Augsburg, expressing his distrust of the court of Rome, hinting the injustice of appointing his antagonist Prierias to be one of his judges, and requesting that, through the interposition of Frederick, his cause might be tried in Germany. The University of Wittenberg addressed a supplicatory letter to the Pope, on the 25th of September, in which they styled him a faithful and respectable member of their body, and free from all stain of heresy, beseeching His Holiness to excuse his coming to Rome on account of infirm health, and perils of the journey. They wrote at the same time to Charles

*Sleidan, ad ann. 1518.

Miltitz, his chamberlain, and a German by birth, entreating him to interfere in behalf of his countryman, who was a person of singular erudition and the most unimpeachable morals. Meanwhile Frederick, who was too sagacious a prince not to be aware of the arts of the Romish court, jealous also of its encroachments, and withal assured of the integrity of the Professor, so far prevailed, that it was permitted him to plead his cause at Augsburg.

Luther was supported in this difficult crisis with help from above. He wrote to Staupicius, "Doubt not, reverend father, that I shall use my own liberty in searching and handling the word of God. These citations and menaces move me not." To Spalatinus he said, "You inform me, that some persons are doing all they can to render our illustrious prince odious in every direction. What monstrous conduct! Most ardently do I desire, that this may not happen on my account. As I said before, so I say again, I do not wish our prince, altogether innocent as he is in this matter, to take any step which may amount to a defence of my propositions; but to show himself opposed to all who would either offer me bodily injury or slander me in their writings. And if he cannot do even this conveniently, I wish the danger to be all my own. I trust I shall be able to defend in a becoming manner what I have undertaken to defend, while I glory in Christ as my leader, contrary to all the opinions of the Thomists*. After all, I will not save myself from violence at the expense of truth."-" If I have hitherto handled the Romanists tenderly, let them not ascribe it either to my moderation or to their deserts, but to my respect for my so

*This may allude either to the favourers of the divinity of Thomas Aquinas, or to the supporters of Thomas de Vio, Cardinal Cajetan.

vereign, and regard for the students of Wittenberg. As for myself, I despise Rome's favour or fury. Let them censure and burn all my books: I will do the same with theirs, and leave off too paying them that humble deference, which only makes them worse and worse." Staupicius addressed a pious letter to him from Saltzburg, on the 14th of September. "The world seems to me enraged against the truth; in the midst of such enmity was Christ of old crucified. And what but the cross awaits thee, I cannot see. I am much mistaken if the sentence of the court is not, Let no one search the Scriptures for himself, independent of the pontiff;' which, nevertheless, Christ himself hath commanded to be done. You have a few patrons; and I wish they may not be concealed through fear of the adversaries. It is my desire, that you leave Wittenberg in time, and come to me, that we may live and die together. That also would be agreeable to the prince. But I have done. It is expedient for us, so far as we are deserted, to follow a deserted Lord. Farewell; and God send us a happy meeting!" This excellent man, writing to Spalatinus, expressed his readiness to suffer any thing for the cause of truth, and prays the Elector, "not to regard himself, or Luther, or the Augustinian order; to have nothing in view but the support of the truth, and to endeavour that this may shine bright to the dispersion of error; provided there be but a secure spot, where a decided character may speak fearlessly and freely. I have witnessed the fury of this Babylonish, not to say Romish, pestilence against those who oppose the abuses of the venders of Christ. I have seen a preacher, declaring the truth, violently forced from the pulpit, and in the very midst of a festival dragged by cords before all the people, and thrown into pri

son." The Vicar-general was resolved, if Luther went to Augsburg, to attend there also, and bear a public testimony in his favour. Luther found much comfort meanwhile in the conversation of Melancthon; and was edified by the Christian conduct of some brethren in Bohemia, who sent him a work of John Huss, encouraging him to constancy and patience, and assuring him, that they believed his doctrine to be sound and right.

The business of the Diet being finished, Frederick left Augsburg, giving his word to the Legate, that the accused should make his appearance in due time. The Prince had not procured a safe-conduct for Luther, which at first disconcerted him; but His Highness gave him to understand, that he might rely for protection on some letters of recommendation with which he would furnish him, and at the same time sent him a sum for the expense of his journey. Nor can it be doubted, that the Prince had taken private measures to provide for his security. He set out on foot, and arriving at Nurnburg, borrowed a hood from a brother Augustinian, and mounted a carriage about three miles from Augsburg, in which he entered the city, driving first to the convent of Augustines, but from some reason afterwards taking up his abode with the Carmelites.

Here he waited three days, by advice of the senators of Augsburg, to whom he carried his letters of recommendation, and who exhorted him not to appear before the Cardinal, till he had obtained a promise of safe-conduct from the Emperor, who was at that season hunting in the neighbourhood. But he was visited by one of the attendants of Cajetan, a very artful Italian, called Orator Urban, who, going to the convent on the third day, expostulated with him on his delay: "Why will you not go to the Cardinal? he is waiting to receive

you in the kindest manner." Luther replied, "I must obey the directions of those principal citizens to whom I have been recommended by the Elector. They advise me by no means to attend the Cardinal till I have obtained the public faith, which they are now procuring for me from the Imperial council. As soon as it arrives, I shall make my appearance." "What," said Urban, "do you think Prince Frederick will support your cause by arms?" Luther observed that he was in great agitation, and answered, "Such a step would be entirely contrary to my wish."""And where do you mean to stay?"-"O any where! in the open air." The orator, finding he could not practise upon him, asked him, "If had the Pope and Cardinals in your power, what would you do with them?"-" I would treat them," said Luther, "with the greatest respect and honour."-" Hem!" cried the orator, quite confused; and biting his fingers, made his retreat. The Reformer used to tell this story with much humour, calling the emissary Sinon, who might have entrapped him, had it not been for the warning of his friends *.

you

* Seckendorf, p. 45.

"One

up and speak kindly to him, and who must not be interrupted till the master of the ceremonies signified the pleasure of His Eminence to hear him. The Cardinal avoided dispute, as too much compromising his dignity. He received him courteously, and told him, that he required of him three things; that he abjure his errors, avoid them in future, and abstain from every thing which might disturb the peace of the church. Luther answered, that he was not conscious of having maintained any errors; and that if he had erred, it might be proved against him. Cajetan objected, that he had affirmed, "That the merits of Christ were not a treasure of indulgences;" which opinion was contrary to the decretal of Pope Clement VI. who had said, drop of his blood was sufficient to redeem mankind; but since he had shed it so copiously, that it flowed from his whole body, all the superfluity was left as a grand treasure to the church and to St. Peter, to whom and to whose successors it was commanded, as bearing the keys of heaven, that they should unlock that treasure to real penitents and confessors, distributing it as stewards, and remit the temporary punishment due to their sins. To this were added the merits of the Virgin, and all saints, so that the fund was inexhaustible." Again, "That it was necessary for all communicants to have a firm belief of the pardon of their sins." Luther replied, "That the papal decree was merely a recital of the opinion of Thomas Aquinas." Cajetan observed, that the authority of the Pope was above all councils, above the church, and even above the Scriptures themselves; and when Luther replied again, that Gerson, and other divines of Paris, had considered a council as above a Pope, he was informed by the enraged Cardinal, that Gerson and the rest of them were damned.

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peared again, taking care to be accompanied by a notary, and witnesses, with some of the Imperial counsellors, in whose presence he made protestation of reverence and submission to the church, and of his readiness to retract any error of which he might be convicted on scriptural authority. He declared that he had not acted out of disrespect to the constituted authorities, or from any vain-glorious motive; that he wished for nothing more than that the truth should be discovered by those who were learned and pious than himself; and that he begged he might not be compelled to wound his own conscience. He handed a paper to this effect to the Cardinal, who treated it with disdain, but promised to forward it to the Pope; urging him again to recant, refusing to dispute, and prohibiting the conversation to be put down in writing. Staupicius entreated the Legate to permit the accused to return his answers on paper, to which he at length acceded, but menaced him with punishment unless he revoked his theological assertions, bidding him begone, and see his face no more, while he continued in the same sentiments *.

He addressed a submissive letter to the Legate three days after, in consequence of an interview which that officer had held with the Vicar-general, in which he had recommended Staupicius to endeavour at persuading the Reformer to recant, and convincing him by scriptural arguments. "That is beyond my power," said the old man. Luther went so far as to engage not to mention the case of indulgences, provided his adversaries were enjoined a like silence; but that he could not, with a clear conscience, retract his opinions. He craved that the cause might be referred to the Pope, for that nothing would give him greater plea

Sleidan, ubi suprà.

sure, than to hear the judgment of the church on the matters in dispute. Staupicius is said to have petitioned the Cardinal to give him another hearing, which he refused, observing, "I won't talk any more with that strange fellow; he has such deep views, and unaccountable fancies in his head*!”

This submission of Luther is deserving of notice, as throwing light on his personal character, and illustrating the course of divine providence. Had the Roman Pontiff at this juncture restrained his glaring antichristian practices, there was so much reverence of his authority yet left in the mind of the devout Augustinian, that it is probable he would have ceased from further opposition. And the sound penetration of the great martyrologist may plead in excuse for the uncouthness of his comparison, when he asks: "Who doth not see by this so humble and honest submission of Luther, but that, if the Bishop of Rome would have been answered with any reason, or contented with sufficient mean, he had never been touched any farther of Luther? But the secret purpose of God had a farther work herein to do for the time was now come, when God thought good, that pride should have a fall. Thus, while the unmeasurable desire of that bishop sought more than enough, and like to Esop's dog, coveting both to have the flesh and shadow, not only he missed that he gaped for, but also lost that which he had†.

Receiving no answer, he wrote again to Cajetan, but in a more spirited strain. "He conceived he had done every thing which became an obedient son of the church. He had undertaken a long and dangerous journey; he was a man of weak frame, and in necessitous circumstances. He would no longer be troublesome to his kind

* Myconius, Hist, Reform. p. 78. + Fox, Acts and Mon. p. 819.