THE LIFE AND TIMES son of a magistrate in a city of Suabia, and at thirteen bad been entered as student at Heidelberg.
None manifested greater application.
He rose at midniglit and began to study.
This habit became so confirmed, that during his Avliole life he could not sleep after that hour.
In later years he consecrated these tranquil moments to meditation on the Scriptures.
" Brentz was one of the first to perceive the new light then dawning on Germany.
He welcomed ii with a heart abounding in love.
; but what was his delight when he could hear the writer himself at Heidelberg.
One of the doctor's propositions more esj)ecially startled the youthful scholar ' That man is not justified before God who performs many works
; but he who, without works, has much faith in Jesus " A pious woman of Heilbrunn, on the Neckar, wife of a senator of that town named Snepf, had imitated Hannah's example, and consecrated her first-born son to the Lord, with a fervent desire to see him devote himself to the study of thcolog}'.
" This young man, who was born in 1495, made rapid progress in learning ; but either from taste or from ambition, or in compHance with his father's wishes, he applied himself to the study of jurisprudence.
The mother was grieved to behold her child, her Ehrhard, pursuing another career than that to which she had consecrated him
; she admonished him, entreated him, prayed him continually to remember the vot that she had made on the day of his birth.
"Overcome at last by his mother's perseverance, Ehrhard Snepf gave way.
Erelong he felt such a taste for his new studies, that nothing in the world could have diverted him from them.
" He was very intimate with Bucer and Brentz, and they were friends until death ' for,' saj-s one of their biographers, ' friendships based on the love of letters and of virtue never fail.'
" He was present v,'itli his two friends at the Heidelberg discussion.
The paradoxes and courage of the Wittemberg doctor gave him a new impulse.
Bejecting the vain opinion of human merits, he embraced the doctrines of the free justification of the sinner.
" The next day Bucer went to Luther, ' I had a familiar and private conversation with him,' said ' a most exquisite repast, not of dainties, but of truths that were set before me.
To whatever objections I made, the doctor had a reply, and explained every thing with the greatest clearness.
Oh, would to God that I had time to write more.'
" Luther's heart was touched.
' He is the only brother of his order,' wrote he to Spalatin, ; he is a young man of great promise?- He received me with simplicity, and conversed with me very earnestlv.
He is worthv of our confidence and love.' "
Brentz, Snepf, and many others, excited by the new truths that began to dawn upon their minds, THE LIFE AND TIMES also visited Luther
; they talked and conferred with him ; they begged for explanations on what they did not understand.
The reformer replied, strengthening his arguments by the word of God.
Each sentence imparted fresh light to their minds. A new world was opening before them.
" After Luther's departure, these noble-minded men began to teach at Heidelberg.
They felt it their duty to continue what the man of God had begun, and not allow the flame to expire which he had lighted up.
The scholars will speak when the teachers are silent.
Brentz, although still so young, explained the gospel of St. MattheAv, at first in his own room, and afterwards, when the chamber became too small, in the theatre of philosophy.
" The theologians, envious at the crowd of hearers this young man drew around him, became irritated.
Brentz then took orders, and transferred his lectures to the ' college of tlie canons of the Holy Thus the fire already kindled in Saxony glowed in The centres of light increased in number.
This period has been denominated ' the seed time of the palatinate.'
" But it vras. not the palatinate alone that reaped the fruits of the Heidelberg disputation.
These courageous friends of the truth soon became shining lights in the church.
They all attained to exalted stations, and took part in many of the debates which the Reformation occasioned.
" Strasburg and England, a little later, were indebted to Bucer for a purer knowledge of the truth.
Snepf first declared it at Marburg, then at Stuttgard, Tubingen, and Jena.
"Brentz, after having taught at Heidelberg, continued his labors for a long period at Tubingen, and at Halle in Suabia."*
The chapter broke up immediately upon the conclusion of Luther's debate, and Luther quitted Heidelberg delighted with his reception, with the good he had been permitted to do there, and greatly imi:)roved in health and spirits.
Upon his departure, the Count Palatine gave him a letter for the Elector, in which he expressed to that prince his high admiration for the genius of the Saxon theologian, and said that " Luther had shown so much skill in the disputation, as greatly to contribute to the renown of the university of Wittemberg."
He did not retiirn to "Wittemberg as he had quitted it, on foot and unattended, but he was accompanied from city to city on his homeward route by jubilant brothers of his order, conveyed from Erfurth to Eislebeu—which his affection led him to take in his way, which he had not visited for some time, and where his beloved parents still resided—in the convent carriage, and from Eisleben home by the Augustines of his native city,
" who, proud of a doctor who had shed so much lustre on their order and on their town, provided him with horses at their own expense."
Thus gloriously to God and to his champion ended the tour to Heidelberg.
Although the report of Luther's controversy had speedily spread beyond the confines of Germany, overleaping the Khine and in due time reaching Rome—although the Saxon reformer had already met and vanquished the indulgence-mongers in Tetzel, a representative of the Vatican in Prierias, the fanaticism of the monks in Hochstraaten, and the schoolmen in Eck, the pontiff himself had not yet formally spoken.
There are several different versions of his opinion of Luther's theses.
Luther himself says, "When my first positions concerning indulgences were brought before the pope, he said, ' A drunken Dutchman wrote them
; when he hath slept out his fumes and is sober again, he will then be of another mind."* Milner gives this account " With how much indifference and contempt Leo X. at first beheld the ecclesiastical disputes in Germany, how indolent was the disposition of this pontift", and how improvident he showed himself in defending the papal jurisdiction—all this appears in the strongest light from the absurd and careless answer which he is said to have given to Sylvester Prierias, when that zealous and learned Dominican showed him some of Luther's heretical writings concerning indulgences.
' Brother Martin,' said he, ' is a man of very fine genius, and these squabbles are the mere effusions of monastic envy.'
Michel6t also asserts that "Leo, in the first instance, believed that the affair was merely a professional squabble between the rival orders of the Augustines and the Dominicans, observing,
; nothing more,' and eulogizing Luther's scholarship and acumen."t Whatever the pope's real sentiments may have been, it is certain that the Wittemberg doctor at the outset thought highly of Leo's virtue and ability.
In defending those very theses which had caused the whole disturbance, he had mentioned him in this honorable manner "The times in which we live are so evil, that evpn the most exalted individuals have no power to help the church.
We have at present a very good pope in Leo X.
His sincerit}-, his learning, inspire us with joy.
But what can be done by this one man, amiable and gracious as he is?
He is worthy of being pope in better days.
In our age we deserve none but such men as Julius Eventually he had occasion to modify this (Estimate of the integrity of the Florentine Medici.
Luther, as we have seen,§ had been dissatisfied o Milner's Ch. Hist., Vol. t Michelet's Life of Luther, p.
§ Chap. Xin., p. 151.
THE LIFE AND TIMES with some portions of liis theses, aud at the best he esteemed them but fragmentary.
Tlierefore, shortly after liis return from Heidelberg, he determined to supply their deficiencies and to explain their meaning more clearly by a supplementary writing.
With this object he now published his pamphlet entitled, "Eesolutions and Answers." "You will see," he wrote to a friend, "my Resolutiones et Responsiones.
Perhaps, in certain passages, you will find them more free than was absolutely necessary; if they seem so to you, they will, « /or^ior/, appear perfectly intolerable to the flatterers of Kome.
Still, upon the whole, I esteem them moderate and reasonable."* In this work, as always before, he grounds himself upon the rock of Christ.
" I care nothing," he says, " for what pleases or displeases the pope.
He is a man, like other men.
There have been many poj)es vdio loved not only errors and vices, but still more extraordinary things.
I listen to the pope as pope, that is to say, when he speaks in the canons, according to the canons, or when he decrees some article in conjunction with a covincil; but not when he speaks after his own ideas.
Were I to do otherwise, ought I not to say with those who know not Christ, that the horrible massacres of Christians by which Julius
II. was stained, were the good deeds of a gentle shepherd towards Christ's flock ?"t * llesolutioues ct liespousioues.
Kemavks on Thesi.s 2(>.
"It is impossible for a, man to be a Christian "without having Christ ; and if he has Christ, he possesses at the same time all that belongs to Christ.
'' What gives peace to our consciences is this : by faitli our sins are no longer ours, but Christ's, on whom God has laid them all
; and, on the other hand, all Christ's righteousness belongs to us, to whom God has given it.
Christ lays his hand on us, and we are healed ; he casts his mantle over us, and we are sheltered ; for he is the glorious Saviour, blessed for evermore."'"'
" I cannot help wondering at the simplicity of those who 'have asserted that the two swords of the gospel represent, one the spiritual, the other the secular power.
Yes, the pope wields a sword of iron ; it is thus that he exhibits himself to Christendom, not as a lender father, but as a formidable tyrant.
Alas, an angry God has given us the sword we longed for, and taken away all that which we despised.
In no j^art of the world have there been more terrible wars than among Christians.
Why did not that acute mind which discovered this fine commentary, interpret in the same subtle manner the history of the two keys intrusted to Peter, and lay it down as a doctrine of the church, that one key serves to open the treasureS'of heaven, the other the treasures of the earth. "f
This pamphlet, hke all its predecessors, had a wide circulation, and provoked malevolent replies from the papal theologians.
The doctrine that o Remarks on Thesis 37.
Luther was not onlj^ an obstinate heretic, but the enemy of all religion Avhatever, was assiduously taught.
On the eve of Pentecost, May 22, 1518, Luther wrote this letter to Jerome, Bishop of Brandenberg, his ordinary:
"Most worthy Father in God—It is now some time since a new and unheard-of doctrine, touching the apostolic indulgences, began to make a noise in this country
; the learned and the ignorant were troubled by it; and many persons, some known, some personally unknown to me, begged me to declare, by sermon or by writing, what I thought of the novelty,
I will not say the impudence, of this doctrine.
I was silent, and kept in the background.
But at last things came to such a pass, that the pope's holiness was compromised.
I thought it my duty neither to approve nor condemn these doctrines, but to originate a discussion on this important subject, until the holy church should decide.
"As no one accej^ted the challenge I had given to the whole world, and since my theses have been considered, not as a matter for discussion, but as positive assertions, I find myself compelled to publish an explanation of them.
" Condescend therefore to receive these trifles which I present to you, most merciful bishop.
And that all the world may see that I do not act presumptuously, I entreat your reverence to take pen and ink and blot out, or even throw into the fii*e and burn, any thing that may offend you.
"I know that Jesus Christ needs neither my services nor my labors, and that he will know how to proclaim his glad tidings to the church without my aid.
" Not that the bulls and threats of my enemies alarm me ; quite the contrary.
If they were not so impudent, so shameless, none should hear me ; I would hide myself in a corner, and there study alone for my own good.
" If this affair is not God's, it shall certainly no longer be mine, nor any man's, but a thing of naught.
Let the honor and the glory be his, to whom alone they belong.""
This letter brought the new pamphlet to the attention of the bishop of the Wittemberg diocese.
It had already been published to the world.
But while Luther presented his explanations to his bishop and to the impartial readers of Christendomwith one hand, he hastened with the other to lay them at the foot of the pontifical throne.
He appealed from Festus to Caesar.
And here, for the first time in this history, Leo X. makes his personal appearance.
Luther's missive to the pope, dated May 30th, 1518, was couched in this submissive and reverential, but earnest language
"To THE MOST HOLY FaTHEE LeO Luther, of the Augustine order of Monks at Wittemberg, wishes eternal salvation " I am informed, most holy father, that mahcious
THE LIFE AND TIMES reports are in circulation which seek, and are especially designed to bring my name into bad odor with your holiness.
I am called a heretic, apostate, traitor, and a thousand other insulting names.
What I see fills me with surprise ; what I hear fills me with alarm.
" One testimony to my uprightness of intention is with me, however, a good and quiet conscience.
Deign to listen to me, father—to me, who am but a child and unlearned.
"At the time that the jubilee of the apostolic indulgences was announced, certain persons, under sanction of your authority, imagining that they might say and do what they jDleased, publicly taught the most blasphemous heresies, to the serious scandal and contempt of the church, as if the decretals contained nothing in them condemning the impositions of these extortioners.
"Not content A\ith the unwarrantable language which they used in propagating their poison, they moreover published little pamphlets—proving that I say nothing unjust of the insatiable and monstrous imposition of their conduct—in which they maintained these same blasphemous and heretical doctrines
; and so determinedly, that they bound themselves by oath to inculcate them fixedly on the peo- " If these men deny the facts of which I speak, their pamphlets are in existence to prove their conduct to have been what I say.
They carried on this traffic prosperously, and the poor people were thoroughly deceived by false hopes ; as the prophet says, the very Jiesh loas taken from their hones, the impostors themselves living meantime in luxury and gluttony.
" The argument oftenest advanced in support of their foul work Avas, the authority of your name, threatening summary punishment upon all who differed with them, and branding these dissenters as heretics.
The language they used was indescribable ; nor shall I say how fiercely they resented opposition, and even the merest doubt respecting the legitimacy of their work.
If this mode of propagating error be sanctioned, schisms and seditions cannot fail to appear.
" Soon stories got abroad.
In all the taverns, nothing was heard but complaints of the avarice of the priests, and attacks against the power of the keys, and cavilling doubts respecting your own power.
" Of this, Germany at large is the sufficient witness.
" When I was informed of these things, my zeal was aroused for the glory of Christ, as it appeared to me; my warm young blood burned with indignation at the scandalous chicaneries of these induh^ gence-hawkers.
I privately intimated to neighboring and powerful prelates what mischief was afoot.
Some of these treated me with utter silence, others wrote slightingl}'-, the influence and dread of your alleged authority prevailing with them, and causing them to acquiesce.
"At last, finding humble remonstrance of no avail, I resolved to challenge these impious trafSckers to prove their dogmas in disputation with me.
I published a list of propositions, in"\dting only the doctors, if they Avere so disposed, to discuss: and this is shown by the preamble to my theses.
"This is why they rage so, being furious that 1, only a master in theology, should throw myself across the path of their extortions.
They deny my right to discuss their proceedings, though such discussion is after the custom of all the universities, and of the whole church, not onl}* concerning indulgences, but also touching other im^Dortant matters.
" Now, though certainly I resent the impudence of this denial of m}^ right to discuss, a privilege conceded by your holy license, 'tis with reluctance that I took up the controversy with them ; but when
I did, I was forced to declare that they mix up the heathen dreams of Aristotle with the sober truth of Christian theology, and that they set forth silly human conceits, the babble of deluded schoolmen, concerning the divine majest}^, instead of founding theu' doctrines on the word of God and the canons of the church.
•'Behold then, most holy father, how heretical a matter it is which has i3roduced this wide-spread conflagration which wraps the world in fire.
" Now what shall I do ; I am powerless, even had I the wish, to annul the fixed past ; yet I perceive a determined hatred bursting forth against me.
I am publicly discussed, accordOF MARTIN LUTHER. ing to the various views entertained of my actions.
Some persons esteem me an ignorant, stupid, and paltry imitator ; and these geese I am obliged to answer in their own gabble.
Others again overrate my strength and talents.
" I have no wish to ajDpear before the world, for I have no learning, no genius, and am far too little for such great matters; above all, in this illustrious age, which in science and the arts eclipses that of " But that I may jnitigate the auger of honest enemies, and satisfy all doubts, I hereby, most holy father, send my published writings to you, that I may repose in safety under the shelter of your wings.
All who wish to do so will thus understand with what simphcity of heart I have called uj)on ecclesiastical authority to instruct me, and what respect I have shown to the power of the ke3^s.
"Were I what they call me, it is not probable that the illustrious prince Frederick, duke of Saxony, elector of the empire, a prince firmly attached to the Catholic and apostolic truth, would tolerate such a pest in his own university ; nor should I have the ardent support of our own learned and virtuous body.
" I put forward these things in my own favor, because I know that they will be carefully suppresiied by those who seek to imbitter you against me.
"Wherefore, holy father, I prostrate myself at the feet of your clemency, with all I have and am.
Bid me live, or slay me ; destroy my cause, or espouse it; I shall acknowledge your voice as the voice of Jesus Christ, who presides in and speaks through you.
" If I am worthy of death, I shall not refuse to die ; for ' the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof,' who is blessed for evermore.
May he preserve you to all eternity.
"MAETIN LUTHER, Augustine Friar.
"Trinity Sunday, 1518."
So ran Luther's famous letter to the pope.
Accompanying it were the original theses, occupying seventy-two folio pages,* his recent work in elucidation of them, and the following protest
" Protest of the reverend father, Martin Luther, OF the Augustbhe order, at Wittemberg.
" Because this is a theological discussion, touching which some individuals inclined to peace may perad venture take offence by reason of the recondite nature of the subject, I protest
"First, that I never held or taught any thing which is not contained in the holy Scriptures, in the writings of the fathers of the church, and which has not received the acknowledgment of the Roman see, in its canons and pontifical decretals.
Yet if any opinion of mine cannot be refuted or proved by these authorities, I shall hold it for the sake of discussion only, for the exercise of reason, and for the promotion of knowledge and inquiry, always having respect to the judgment of mj superiors.
" Further, I venture to challenge, by the law of Christian liberty, what were the acknowledged opinions of St. Thomas, Buonaventure, and the other casuists and schoolmen, without any gloss or interpretation,
" I am resolved to refute or to admit, as circumstances may render necessar}^, according to the advice of St. Paul ; hold fast that which is good.'
I know the opinion of certain St. Thomas should be approved in all things from the church St. Thomas, at all events, is sufficiently acknowledged for an authority.
I have recited those things in which 1 may err ; but I am no heretic, though my enemies roar and rage in their vociferations that I am so."
Having thus completed his packet for the pope, Luther that same evening indited this letter to Staupitz, through whose instrumentality he meant that his missive to Leo should be forwarded to the Yatican.
"I remember, reverend father, among the many most delightful and pleasing conversations with which, through the grace of our Lord, I was often edified by you, to have occasionally heard you observe respecting the doctrine of penitence, as connected with indulgences
; especially referring to those who are troubled in conscience, and tho&e pretenders who torture them with innumerable and * Followers of Thomas Aquiuiis.
THE LIFE AND TIMES burdensome advices ou the manner of confession ; and we bailed the sentiment as truly in accordance with divine authority, that that is true penitence which results exclusively from a sense of the love and justice of God—its origin, rather than its end or accomplishment.
"Your observation made a deer? impression on mj mind, as though I had been pierced by the sharp arrow of the hunter, and I began to consult the Scripture as to the real nature of repentance.
The declaration rendered this occupation in many respects most ]3leasant and delightful to me, and I became satisfactorily convinced that whereas formerly there was no term in the Scriptures at which I felt more uneasiness than that of penitence, even when I would have attempted diligently to please
God, and to exhibit a fixed and determined love to him, now there was none which yielded me greater pleasure and delight.
Thus the commandments of God became enticing, not only as they are made known to us in his holy word, but as we see them exemplified in the obedient sufferings of our blessed
" While thus meditating, certain individujils began to tune their pipes, and to give us some strange music, and with much parade they sounded their new instruments respecting their indulgences, which drew me into the field of controversy.
In short, by neglecting, or preventing the true doctrine of penitence, they had the presumption to enhance, not repentance, not even its most worthless part, which