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was listened to by those who were predis- ter's eye, 'on the answer that I have sent posed to applaud-a very inadequate crite- to the legate's letter, unless you think it rion of merit but by the profound atten- unworthy of any reply. But I am looking tion which he was able to command, even daily for the anathem as from Rome, and from those who were hostile or alienated. setting all things in order; so that, when This was seen, not only on great occasions, they arrive, I may go forth prepared and as at Worms-not only in the enthusiasm girded like Abraham, ignorant whither I with which he had imbued a whole nation shall go-nay, rather well assured whither -but by the success with which he per- for God is every where.'* formed the equally difficult task of restrain- One brief passage in this letter, not ing the fanatical excesses of some of his given by Waddington, and sadly mutilated own followers. When, under the leader- by D'Aubigné, seems to us most happily ship of the acute but impetuous Carlstadt, conceived and expressed. Cajetan had some of them had been induced, during his urged the Elector to give up the monk, but residence at the Wartburg, to outrun Lu- contents himself with simply averring his ther's zeal, and to do what he admitted certain knowledge' of his guilt. Luther might be right to be done, but in a wrong thus replies:- But this I cannot endure, spirit-with violence and uncharitableness that my accuser should endeavor to make -all eyes were directed to Luther as the my most sagacious and prudent sovereign only man who could appease the tumult. play the part of another Pilate. When the Braving all personal danger, and in defiance Jews brought Christ before that ruler, and of the wishes of the Elector himself, he de- were asked, "What accusation they prescended from his retreat, and all was quiet ferred, and what evil the man had done?" again. For many successive days he they said, "If he had not been a malefacpreached against the innovators, though tor, we would not have delivered him to without mentioning Carlstadt's name, and thee." So this most reverend legate, when his progress was one continued triumph. he has presented brother Martin, with It is true, that, in his subsequent visit to many injurious speeches, and the prince Orlamund, he had not the same success: may possibly ask, "What has the little but, in addition to his being in the wrong brother done?" will reply, "Trust me, ilon the Sacramentarian question, Carlstadt lustrious prince, I speak the truth from was at that spot regarded as another Luther. certain knowledge, and not from opinion." Of the briefer compositions of Luther, I will answer for the prince-"Let me few are more eloquent than the letter he know this certain knowledge; let it be wrote to Frederic, when the Legate Caje- committed to writing; formed into letters; tan wrote to urge that Prince to abandon and when this is done, I will send brother the hated monk to the tender mercies of Martin to Rome, or rather I will seize and Rome. In this remarkable composition, slay him myself; then will I consult my which was thrown off on the same day in honor, and leave not a stain upon my fair which he received the legate's letter, he fame. But as long as that certain knowassures Frederic that he would prefer exile, ledge' shuns the light, and appears only in to protection at the peril of his Prince's assertions. . . I cannot trust myself in the safety. The nobility of mind, the magna- dark." . . . . Thus would I answer him, nimity it displays, are well worthy of Lu- illustrious prince. But your far-famed sather; but without denying them, we cannot gacity needs neither instructor nor promptbut think that the whole letter, as well as er. that to Spalatin on the same occasion, is Of Cajetan, during the negotiations with constructed with consummate skill; and him, he writes to Carlstadt- The legate that, while resolving on that course which will not permit me to make either a public his own bold and lofty spirit prompted, he or private defence. His wish, so he says, has introduced all those topics which were is to act the part of a father rather than of likely either to move the sympathy or alarm a judge; and yet he will listen to nothing the pride of the Prince. If we praise his from me but the words, "I recant and acmagnanimity,' says Dr. Waddington, we knowledge my error"-and these words must at the same time admire his fore- will I never utter. thought and discretion.' The very pathos lieben Sohn" is irresistible. 'I am waiting your stric-means. tures,' says he to Spalatin, though the let

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ter was, of course, intended for his mas- * De Wette, vol. i. p. 189.

+ Ib. pp. 183.4.

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Passages such as these are constantly occurring in Luther's letters; and if they contain not the elements of eloquence, we profess that we are yet to seek the meaning of the term.

acceptable and beloved if I would but say | yet his collected works amount to seven the single word Revoco. But I will not folio volumes. His correspondence alone become a heretic by renouncing the faith fills, as we see, five bulky octavos. which has made me a Christian. Sooner When we reflect that these works were would I be banished-burnt-excommuni- not the productions of retired leisure, but cated.'* In the same lofty spirit of faith composed amidst all the oppressive duties he eloquently exclaims, in a passage not and incessant interruptions of a life like cited by Waddington or D'Aubigné, 'Let his, we pause aghast at the energy of charwho will be angry, of an impious silence acter which they display; and wonder that will not be found guilty, who am con- that busy brain and ever-active hand could scious that I am "a debtor to the truth," sustain their office so long. Of the distracthowsoever unworthy. Never without blood, ing variety and complication of his engagenever without danger, has it been possible ments, he gives us, in more than one of his to assert the cause of Christ; but as he letters, an amusing account. Their very died for us, so, in his turn, he demands contents, indeed, bear witness to them.that, by confession of his name, we should The centre and mainspring of the whole die for him. "The servant is not greater great movement-the principal counsellor than his Lord." "If they have persecuted in great emergencies-the referee in disme," he himself tells us, they will also putes and differences amongst his own parpersecute you; if they have kept my say- ty-solicited for advice alike by Princes, ing, they will keep yours also."'+ and Scholars, and Pastors, on all sorts of matters, public and private-having the care of all the churches,' and beset at the same time by a whole host of inveterate and formidable adversaries-the wonder is, not that he discharged many of his duties imperfectly, but that he could find time to discharge them at all. Not only are there numberless letters on all the ordinary themes of condolence and congratulation, but of recommendation on behalf of poor scholars and pastors-of advice to distant ministers and churches in matters of ecclesiastical order and discipline-but letters sometimes affording whimsical proofs of the triviality of the occasions on which his aid was sought, and the patience with which it was given now he replies to a country parson who wanted to know how to manage the exordium and peroration of his sermons; now to a worthy prior to tell him the best mode of keeping his conventual accounts-that he may know precisely how much 'beer' and 'wine-cerevisia et vinum'-was consumed in the hospitium and 'refectory' respectively; now to make arrangements for the wedding festival of a friend; now to plead the cause of a maiden of Torgau, whose betrothed (no less than the Elector's own barber) had given her the slip.t

And even if Luther's writings were less fraught with the traces of a vigorous intellect than they are, there are two achievements of his, the like of which were never performed except where there was great genius. First, such was his mastery over his native language, that, under his plastic hand and all-subduing energy, it ceased to be a rugged and barbarous dialect, almost unfit for the purposes of literature; for which, indeed, he might be said to have created it. Secondly, he achieved, almost single-handed, the translation of the whole Scriptures; and (whatever the faults which necessarily arose from the defective scholarship of the age) with such idiomatic strength and racy energy, that his version has ever been the object of universal veneration, and is unapproachable by any which has since appeared. The enthusiasm with which such a man as Frederic Schlegel speaks of it, shows that, in the eye of those who are most capable of judging, it is thought to have immense merit.

In estimating the genius of Luther, as reflected in his writings, it is impossible to leave wholly out of consideration their quantity, the rapidity with which they were composed, and the harassing duties amidst which they were produced. He died at the no very advanced age of sixty-two, and

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The very style of the letters bears evidence to the pressure of duty under which they were written. Most of the shorter ones are expressed with a brevity, a business-like air, which reminds us of nothing so much as the style of a merchant's counting-house.

P. 334. * De Wette. vol. i. P. 23. t Ib. vol. ii. 317.

Of the variety of his engagements, even its true dimensions, the quantity of what before the conflict of his life commenced, they have written becomes an essential ele(1516,) he says to his friend John Lange- ment. This consideration ought, in all 'I could find employment almost for two fairness, to be applied not only to Luther amanuenses; I do scarcely any thing all but to all his great contemporaries, and to day but write letters, so that I know not all the theologians of any eminence in the whether I may not be writing what I have succeeding age. They wrote with far too already written:-you will see. I am con- great rapidity and frequency to do themventual preacher, chaplain, pastor, and selves full justice. The gold of genius is parish minister, director of studies, vicar of in their works, but spread out thin; its esthe priory, that is, prior eleven times over, sence is there, but undistilled; in the shape inspector of the fisheries at Litzkau, coun- of a huge pile of leaves, not in a little phial sel to the inns of Herzeberg in Torgau, of liquid of intense odor. lecturer on Paul, and expounder of the None can be more deeply convinced that Psalms,' At a later period he found there the hasty and voluminous writings of Lumight be engagements yet heavier than ther afforded but an inadequate index of his these. In excuse of an absurd blunder in powers than was Luther himself. This is translating a Hebrew word, he writes evident from his own estimate of his writings, (1521)-I was distracted and occupied, formed at the close of life, and expressed as often happens, with various thoughts. I in the general preface to his collected am one of the busiest of men: I preach works. He there laments the haste with twice a-day; I am compiling the psalter, which they had often been composed, and laboring at the postils, replying to my ad- the want of accuracy and method which versaries, assailing the bull both in Latin distinguishes them. He even speaks of and German, and defending myself, to say nothing of writing letters,' &c. I would have written to both our friends,' he says to James Strauss, (1524,) but it is incredible with what business I am overwhelmed, so that I can scarcely get through my letters alone. The whole world begins to press me down, so that I could even long to die or be translated.'Opto vel mori vel tolli.'

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These last two passages, not cited by D'Aubigné or Waddington, perhaps better illustrate the pressure of his duties than the first, which they both have given.

them in terms of unjust depreciation, and
declares, no doubt in sincerity, but in
strange ignorance of himself, his willing-
ness that they should be consigned to obliv-
ion, and other and better works which had
subsequently appeared, substituted in their
place. The following are sentences from
this memorable preface.
'Multum diuque
restiti illis qui meos libros, seu verius con-
fusiones mearum lucubrationum voluerunt
editas, tum quod nolui antiquorum labores
meis novitatibus obrui, et lectorem a leg-
endis illis impediri, tum quod nunc, Dei
gratia, extent methodici libri quam plurimi.

.. His rationibus adductus, cupiebam omnes libros meos perpetuâ oblivione sepultos, ut melioribus esset locus.'

When, in addition to all this, we take into account the promptitude of his pen, and that his antagonists seldom had to wait long for an answer, we cannot be surprised But whatever the merits of Luther's writhat much which he wrote should have in- tings, we have already admitted that it is adequately represented his mental powers. not in them that we look for the chief eviNor is mere bulk to be left out of con- dences of the power and compass of his insideration in estimating the vigor of his in- tellect. His pretensions to be considered tellect; for, though it is itself no criterion one of the great minds of his species, are of genius-many of the most voluminous more truly, as well as more wisely, rested writers having been among the worst and on his actions-on the skill and conduct dullest-yet if we find large fragments of which he displayed through the long consuch writings richly veined with gold, flict with his gigantic adversary, and the however impure the ore in which it is dis- ineffaceable traces which he left of himself covered, we may reasonably infer that if their authors had written less and with more elaboration, they would have left behind them far more splendid monuments of their genius; and thus, in the estimate of

* De Wette, vol. i. p. 554. + Ib. vol. ii. 505,

on the mind of his age, and on that of all succeeding time. The more his position at various periods is studied, and the deeper the insight into the history of his times, the more obvious, we are persuaded will ppear his practical sagacity, the sounduess as well as promptitude of his judgment,

the wisdom as well as boldness of his mea- he who would abridge this right by a single sures. It will be seen, too, that in not a hair's-breadth.'* few instances his very boldness was itself wisdom.

In opposition to that system of spiritual barter which formed the essence of Romanism, and by which it had so deeply degraded the gospel, he arrayed, sometimes too paradoxically it is true, the forgotten doctrine of justification by faith.

From his first encounter with Tetzel, and the appearance of the celebrated Theses, to the Diet of Worms, and his abduction to the Wartburg, his history is perhaps as eventful as that of any man can well be; Perceiving that the dominion of Rome and it is impossible, we think, not to see was founded in ignorance, and that his conthat he conducted his arduous enterprise stant appeal must be to the intelligence of with infinite address, as well as energy. the people, he labored incessantly to proAgain and again did his formidable enemy, mote the interests of learning and the dif unfamiliar with defeat-before whom every fusion of knowledge; and did much by his antagonist had for ages been crushed-ex- enlightened advocacy to give the Reformahaust her power, her menaces, her flatter- tion one of its most glorious characteristics ies, her arts in vain. For the first time, its close alliance with scholarship and her famed diplomacy, her proverbial craft, science.t Deeply disgusted with that schowere at fault; Nuncios and Legates return- lastic philosophy, which, without being ed bootless to their Papal master. Cajetan, perhaps fully versed in it, he knew to be a and Miltitz, and Eck, and Alexander main pillar of the Romish system, he not were all foiled at their own weapons. But only labored to supplant it by a scriptural he displayed his singular sagacity not more theology, but was scarcely less anxious strongly by his address in these negotia- than Erasmus himself that polite letters tions, and in the fertile expedients by should be substituted in its stead. An equalwhich he frustrated or parried the efforts ly decisive example of his sagacity is to be of his enemies, than in his quick percep- seen in the uniform repudiation of physical tion of the turning-points of the great con- force as fatal to his cause; the more retroversy, and the judicious positions in markable, when we reflect on the impetuwhich he intrenched himself accordingly. osity of his own character, and the notions of that age-an age when violence was so familiar, and almost the sole, as it was the most welcome, instrument of all revolutions. He consistently asserted the moral power of truth throughout his whole career, even when the menaces of his enemies seemed to justify an opposite course, and when the indiscreet zeal of some of his friends, more especially Philip Landgrave of Hesse,‡ Sickingen, and Von Hutten, were impatient to try sharper weapons than those of argument. In January 1521, (not June, as stated by Dr. Waddington,) he writes to Spalatin-'You see what Hutten wants. But I am averse to strive for the gospel by violence and bloodshed. By the Word of

Let us be permitted to remind the reader of a few instances. Against the usurping and all-presuming spirit of Rome, he opposed the counter principle of the absolute supremacy of Scripture, and to every clamorous demand for retraction, replied to Legates, Nuncios, Diets, alike, 'Let my errors be first proved by that authority.' Nothing is more frequently iterated by him than this maxim, which he often lays down with a brief energy which reminds us of the celebrated sentence of Chillingworth.

Aware that this principle involved another equally opposed to the jealous policy of Rome, he foresaw the immense importance to his cause of placing the Bible in every body's hands; and providing the means, as well as foreseeing the results, he toiled day and night till he had unlocked for the people the treasures of Scripture in his own rich and idiomatic version. If he did not always consistently pursue this principle to its extreme limits, and practically assert the right of private judgment, yet he admitted it in theory. Such expressions as the following will prove this:-The right of inquiring and judging concerning matters of faith belongs to all Christians, and to each; and so absolutely, that cursed be

* Cont. Reg. Angliæ, L. Op., vol. ii. p. 532. ther's writings given by D'Aubigné, vol. iii. pp. + This is fully proved by citations from Lu236-243. Luther's truly enlarged views on this subject are also frequently disclosed in his correspondence.

other erring impulse of this impetuous Prince, he If Luther had as strongly resisted every would have escaped the heaviest imputation on his character. But alas! the document in which for state reasons Luther and Melancthon, and Bucer, and others, sanctioned Philip in bigamy— dispensing in his case with what they admitted to be a general law of Christian morals-remains, and can be read only with grief and shame.

God was the world subdued, by that Word When Mark Stubner and his associates aphas the Church been preserved, and by that peared at Wittemberg with their confident Word shall it also be repaired." 'I hear,' claims to revelation, during Luther's resihe writes to Melancthon from the Wart- dence at the Wartburg, even Melancthon burg, that an attack has been made at Er- wavered. Luther remained firm he adfurdt on the houses of the priests. I won-hered to his great principle of the supremder that the senate has permitted or con- acy of the Scriptures, disclaimed all new nived at it, and that Prior Lange has been revelations, and declared that any messensilent. For though it is well that these im- ger from God must prove his commission by pious adversaries should be restrained, yet the only credentials-the power of working the mode of doing it must bring reproach miracles. He, at the same time, adhered and a just defeat upon the gospel.'t We to another principle, and declared that have a right to speak,' he firmly admonish- these fanatics ought not to be subjected to ed the rash innovators, who had begun to persecution. In the deplorable war of the demolish images and windows, but none peasants, we have similar proofs of his penwhatever to compel. Let us preach; the etration. He pleaded for a timely redress rest belongs to God. If I appeal to force, of many of their wrongs, and foretold the what shall I gain? Grimace, forced uni- consequences of neglecting them. But formity, and hypocrisy. But there will be no when the people commenced their horrid hearty sincerity, no faith, no love. Where excesses, he advocated with superfluous, and these are wanting all are wanting; and I even rabid violence, the adoption of the sewould not give a straw for such a victory.' verest measures of chastisement. Some of his expressions, indeed, are perfectly shocking; and we can only account for their vehemence by supposing, that foreseeing what was actually the case, that the popular excesses would be malignantly attributed to the Reformation itself, he was determined to anticipate slander, and provide, as he has done by even an ostentatious opposition, for the defence of himself and his adherents.

We all know that it was not for want of courage Luther adopted this pacific course. The fearlessness with which he faced the plague in 1516, saying, 'the world will not perish because brother Martin falls,' followed him through life. It is a noble trait of his character, that on the above occasion he dispersed the students, though he persisted in not quitting his post himself; and on a subsequent occasion, he was anxious that his friend Melancthon should not imitate his own heroism. Obsecro,' he writes to Spalatin, (1521,) ne Philippus maneat, si pestis irruat.'

The same singular sagacity is seen in the temperate manner in which he attempted to realize the results of the Reformation, and to reconstruct the edifice he had demolished. He was no violent iconoclast-no Nor was his sagacity less shown in much rash innovator like Carlstadt. But we need of the by-play of the great drama. On his say nothing on this head; the subject has letter to Frederic, and the skill with which agony as himself. The incidents at the Warthe pleaded his cause, even while he seemed burg cannot be thus accounted for. But none to abandon it, we have already touched. will be surprised at these, who will peruse the Let us take another instance. The centre accounts he himself gives of his health in of a stupendous revolution, surrounded with the letters written from that place. Deep solienthusiastic spirits, an enthusiast himself, it tense anxiety, had evidently produced the most tude, unwonted diet, prolonged sleeplessness, inis astonishing how far he kept himself and extensive derangement of all the digestive prohis followers from practical fanaticism.‡cesses. The distressing tinnitus capitis' of which

he complains, as well as of other exquisitely painful symptoms to which we cannot more particularly advert, show the condition he was in. No physician reading certain sentences, (vol. ii. pp. 2, 6, 17, 22,) would wonder at any fancies in which Luther's hypochondriacal imagination might indulge; or that, in his case, those fancies took the The same

* De Wette, vol. i. 543. † Ib. vol. ii pp. 7, 8. We, of course, do not mean to assert that Luther was always thus personally superior to spiritual illusion. His reputed encounters with the Devil at the Wartburg are quite sufficient to prove this. But the example of Cromwell and many others, may teach us that religious enthusi-direction of his habitual thoughts. asm, or even fanaticism, is not inconsistent with the deepest practical sagacity and the wisest conduct of affairs. We are also disposed to think, that very many of the expressions on which this species of illusion has been charged on Luther, are but strong tropical modes of representing those internal conflicts of which every Christian is sensible, but which few have waged with so itennse an

hypochondriacal symptoms often appeared subsequently; and they are, as might be expected, generally associated with religious depression.

On the subject of Luther's spiritual encounters, (as well as on some other interesting points of his history) we beg to refer the reader to some remarks in an article in this Journal, Vol. Ixix, p. 273.

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