 Chapter 12 of LIFE OF LUTHER I. Luther sighted to appear at the diet at Worms. In 1521 Charles V held his first diet at Worms. Among other matters Luther's case was also to be discussed. The elector therefore asked Luther whether he were willing to appear at the diet. Luther answered, If I am called, I shall, as far as I am concerned, go there sick if I cannot go there well, for I dare not doubt that God calls me when my emperor calls. You may expect everything of me save flight or recantation. I will not flee, much less will I recant. May the Lord Jesus help me. On the 26th of March the imperial herald, Casper Sturm, who was to act as Luther's safe conduct, arrived in Wittenberg, and delivered to him the emperor's citation, according to which Luther was to appear at the diet within twenty-one days. Friends reminded Luther of the danger awaiting him, fearing that he would be burned like us. But Luther replied, If my enemies kindle a fire between Wittenberg and Worms reaching up to heaven, yet will I appear in the name of the Lord, step into the very mouth and between the great teeth of the devil, confess Christ, and let him have full sway. Upon the journey Luther became dangerously ill. His enemies also tried to keep him away from Worms. But filled with faith and courage he declared, Christ liveth, therefore we will enter Worms in spite of the gates of hell, and in defiance of the prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 2.2 And when even his friend Spalatin begged him not to go to Worms, Luther answered, If there were as many devils in Worms as there are tiles upon the roofs, yet I would enter it. 2. Luther's entrance into Worms On the 16th of April 1521 the watchmen upon the Cathedral spire at Worms gave the trumpet signal announcing the approach of a cavalcade. At its head rode the herald wearing the imperial eagle on his breast. Luther, dressed in his monk's cowl, followed in an open wagon surrounded by a great number of stately horsemen, some of whom had joined him on the way, while others had gone from Worms to meet him. A surging mass of people gathered and pressed about the wagon. In boundless joy men and women, old and young, cheered him, and blessed the day on which they had been permitted to see the man who had dared to break the fetters of the Pope, and to deliver poor Christianity from his bondage. On stepping from his wagon at his lodging-place Luther said, God will be with me. On the same day Luther received many of the counts and lords that waited upon him late into the night. The land-grave of Hestia also came to see him. Upon leaving, this nobleman shook his hand and said, If you are in the right, doctor, may God help you. The partisans of the Pope pressed the emperor to do away with Luther and have him executed like us. But Charles said, a man must keep his promise. Luther spent the night in prayer to strengthen himself for the ordeal of appearing before the emperor and the assembled diet. 3. Luther Before the Diet Early the next morning the marshal of the empire came to Luther and delivered to him the imperial order to appear before the diet at four o'clock that afternoon. The decisive hour was drawing nigh in which this faithful witness of Jesus Christ was to stand before the great and mighty of this earth, to profess a good profession before many witnesses. At the time, specified, Luther was escorted into the council chamber. And men's crowds had gathered in the streets. Many of them had even climbed on the roofs in order to see the monk, who therefore was forced to take his way through the hidden paths, gardens, and sheds in order to reach the assembly. When entering the hallway, the celebrated old General George von Frunsberg patted him on the shoulder and said, Monk, Monk, you are now upon a road the like of which I and many other captains have never gone in our most desperate encounters. But if you are sincere and sure of your cause, go on in the name of God and be of good cheer, God will not forsake you. Then the door was opened, and Luther stood before the mighty of this earth. Perhaps never before had there been such a numerous an august assembly. The council chamber was crowded and about five thousand people had gathered in the vestibules upon the stairways and at the windows. The first question put to Luther was whether he acknowledged the books lying upon the bench to be his own, and whether he would retract their contents or abide by their teachings. Luther could not be prepared to answer this question, for the imperial citation had only mentioned a desire to be informed as to his doctrine in books. After Luther had examined the title of all the books, he answered the first question in the affirmative. As to the second question, however, whether he would recant, he declared that he could not answer this at once, since it was a matter that concerned faith, salvation and the word of God, the greatest treasure in heaven and on earth, on which he must be careful not to speak unadvisedly. He therefore asked the emperor to grant him time for reflection. This request was granted, and the herald conducted him back to his lodgings. On Thursday, April 18, he was called again. He had to wait nearly two hours, wedged in the throng before he was admitted. When he finally entered, the lights were already lit, and the council chamber brilliantly illuminated. He was now asked whether he would defend his books or recant. Luther replied at length, declaring humbly but with great confidence and firmness, that by what he had written and taught in signalness of heart, he had sought only the glory of God and the welfare and salvation of Christians. He cited the word of Christ, quote, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, unquote. John, chapter 18, verse 23, and pray that they convince and convict him from the writings of the prophets and apostles. If this were done he would at once be ready and willing to retract every air, and be the first to cast his own books into the fire. Hereupon the imperial spokesman addressed him in harsh tones, and told him that they wished a simple and clear answer, whether or no he would recant. Distinctly and plainly, Luther then replied, since your imperial majesty desires a clear, simple and precise answer, I will give you one which has neither horns nor teeth. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the holy scriptures, or by patent, clear, encogent reasons and arguments, for I believe neither the pope nor the councils alone, since it is evident that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, and because the passages adduced and quoted by me have convinced and bound my conscience in God's word, therefore I cannot and will not recant, since it is neither safe nor advisable to do anything against conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen. About eight o'clock in the evening the session was closed, and two men led Luther away. While he was still in the throng, Duke Eric of Brunswick sent him a silver flagon of I'm Beckbeer, with a request that he would refresh himself. Luther drank it, and said, as Duke Eric has now remembered me, so may our Lord Jesus Christ remember him in his last hour. At the same time Luther was of good courage. When he arrived at his inn, where many friends were awaiting him, he cried with lifted hands and beaming face. I am through. I am through. He also said, if I had a thousand heads I would rather lose every one of them than recant. By the courageous and steadfast confession of Luther, many were won for his cause. The emperor, however, exclaimed, he will not make a heretic of me. But when the partisans of the pope tried to persuade the emperor to break his promise of safe conduct, he said with great solemnity, a man must keep his word, and if faith is not found in all the world it ought to be found with the German emperor. The elector said to Spelleton, O how well Martin conducted himself! What a beautiful address he delivered both in German and Latin before the emperor and all the estates. To me he appeared almost too bold. According to an order of the diet, several more attempts were made within the following days to induce Luther to recant. Luther, however, remained steadfast, and again and again requested, convince me from the scriptures, and appealed to the words of Gamaliel. If this counsel or this work be of men it will come to naught, but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it. 4. Luther's Homeward Journey Together with several friends, Luther, on the 26th of April, left Vorms after the emperor had again granted him safe conduct for twenty-one days. The imperial herald, Casper Sturm, accompanied him to Freiberg. At this place Luther dismissed him with a letter to the emperor in which he returned thanks for the safe conduct. Although the emperor had forbidden it, nevertheless Luther preached to large audiences at Hersford and Eisenacht. He also visited his relatives in Moira, and preached there under a linden tree near the church. On the 4th of May he continued his journey, his relatives accompanying him to the castle Alpenstein. There they separated. After a little while the wagon turned into a narrow pass. Suddenly armed horsemen dashed out of the forest, fell upon the wagon, and amid curses and threats commended the driver to halt, and tore Luther from his seat. Without molesting the others they threw a mantle upon Luther, placed him upon a horse, and led him zigzag through the forest. It was nearly midnight when the drawbridge of the Wartburg fell, and the castle received the weary horsemen within its protecting walls. 5. Luther under the ban A presentiment had told elector Frederick the Wise what would come, and therefore he had sheltered the steadfast confessor from the brewing storm. On the 26th of May already an imperial order appeared which is known as the edict of verms. By it the ban of the empire was proclaimed against Luther and all who would protect him. It declared. Quote, Whereas Luther, whom we had invited to appear before us at verms, has stubbornly retained his well-known heretical opinions, and therefore, with the unanimous consent of the electors, princes, and estates of the empire, we have determined upon the execution of the bull as a remedy against this poisonous pest, and we now command every one under pain of the imperial ban from the fourteenth day of this month of May not to shelter, house, nor give food or drink to aforesaid Luther, nor succor him by deed or word, secretly or publicly, with help, adherence, or assistance. But take him prisoner wherever you may find him, and send him to us securely bound. Also to overpower his adherents, abetters, and followers, and to appropriate to yourselves and keep their possessions. Luther's poisonous books and writings are to be burned, and in every way annihilated. Quote, Six. Opinions on Luther's Disappearance Luther's sudden disappearance caused great excitement everywhere in Germany. His friends mourned him as dead, murdered by his enemies. His opponents rejoiced and spread the lie that the devil had carried him off. A Roman Catholic wrote to the Archbishop of Mayans, Quote, We now have our wish. We are rid of Luther. But the people are so aroused that I fear we will hardly be able to save our lives unless we hunt him with lighted torches and bring him back. Quote. The celebrated painter Albrecht Dürer of Nuremberg, who from the beginning had rejoiced at Luther's words as the lark rejoices at the golden dawn of day, wrote in his diary, Quote, Whether he still lives or whether they have murdered him, I do not know. He has suffered this for the sake of Christian truth, and because he reproved anti-Christian popery. Oh, God, if Luther is dead, who henceforth will purely preach to us the Holy Gospel? Quote, Seven. Luther at the Vartburg While poor Christendom mourned and wailed, Luther sat upon the Vartburg securely sheltered against the curses of the pope and the ban of the emperor. For ten months he dwelled there, known as Night George. In order not to be recognized, he had to lay aside his monk's cowl, let his beard grow, and don the full dress of a knight. At first he was not even permitted to study, that his books might not betray him. He had to follow the knights and squires out into the forest, over hill and dale, upon the chase, and to gather strawberries. But wherever he went and wherever he stood he thought of his beloved Wittenberg and the condition of the church. Once at a hunt, when a poor little driven rabbit ran into his sleeve and the hounds came and bid it to death, he said, just so pope and Satan rage, that they may kill the saved souls and frustrate my endeavors. In his quiet retreat he studied holy scriptures, wrote sermons upon the Gospels, and translated the New Testament into German. CHAPTER XIII OF LIFE OF LUTHER This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Shashank Jatmola. LIFE OF LUTHER by Gustav A. Just. THE FANATICS AND THE PEASAN'S WAR 1. DISTURBANCES AT Wittenberg The sound of the glorious gospel had gone out through all the lands. Satan indeed had tried to suppress it in every way. By help of pope, emperor, and learned men. But it had spread only the more. Then the devil chose another means to suppress the truth by creating schisms and offenses in Luther's own congregation. During Luther's absence the Augustinian monks at Wittenberg had abolished the Papal Mass and again introduced the right manner of celebrating Holy Communion. But Dr. Karlstad was not satisfied. And, besides, the reformation progressed too slowly for him. He therefore instigated the students to break into the church where the priests were reading Mass and drive them and the people out in the most brutal and violent manner. During the Christmas, holidays, they threw the images out of the church and burned them. Then they demolished the altars and crucifixes, abolished the candles, liturgy and ceremonies and even rejected the use of chalice and patent. Without preparation or announcement, they went to Holy Communion and took the wafers with their own hands. All this they did from sheer presumption without previously instructing the people not caring whether the week for offended. Moreover, certain fanatics from Zhvikao came to Wittenberg who boasted that an audible voice of God had called them to preach and that they held intimate conversation with God and knew the future. They especially raved against infant baptism and declared it to be of no avail. They demanded that everyone baptize and his infancy must be baptized again. For this reason, these fanatics were also called inner-baptists. 2. Luther's Return to Wittenberg Luther at first tried to allay these disturbances by writing, but in vain. Things grew worse. His congregation earnestly entreated him in a letter to come to Wittenberg and check further desolation. He decided to leave immediately and announced this fact to his friends in a letter. Certain of victory, he wrote, I do not doubt that without a thrust of sword or drop of blood we will easily quench these two smoking firebrands. Thus, Luther left the castle which was to shelter him against the ban of the Pope and the interdict of the Emperor and, contrary to the advice of the Elector, appeared again in the arena. In a letter, he excused himself to the Elector and said, If we would have the word of God, it must needs be that not only Hanna's and Kaifa's rage, but that Judas also appear among the Apostles and Satan among the sons of God. As to myself, I know that if matters stood at Leipzig as they do at Wittenberg, I would ride into it even though for nine days it rained nothing but Duke George's. And each one were nine times more furious than this one. I go to Wittenberg protected by one higher than the Elector. Yes, I would protect your electoral grace more than you can protect me. The sword cannot counsel nor help this cause. God alone must help here, without all human care or aid. Therefore, whoever believes most can here afford most protection. 3. Luther's Sermons Against the Fanatics On the 6th of March, 1522, Luther arrived in Wittenberg. For eight days in succession, he preached against the prevailing nuisances opposed the fanaticism of Karlstad powerfully with the word of God and restored the peace of the church. He told his hearers that they wanted the fruit of faith which is love and which patiently bears the weakness of its neighbour instruct him in meekness but is not snarl at and insult him. External improvements are very well but they must be introduced in dew-water without too milk or offences and not too hastily. Again, he says, we must first gain the hearts of the people which is done by the word of God by preaching the gospel and by convincing the people of their errors. In this way, the word of God will gain the heart of one man today, of another tomorrow. For with his word God takes the heart and then you have gained the man. The evil will die out and seize of itself. Karlstad now remained quiet for a few years and the prophets from Zhukau had to leave Wittenberg. Before going, they wrote a letter to Luther full of abuse and curses. 4. The Origin of the Byzantines War The Anabaptists now zealously spread the poison of their fanaticism among the people. Karlstad also began again to proclaim his false doctrines. He maintained infant baptism is wrong. Study is superfluous. Every Christian is fit to be a pastor and that Christ's body and blood are not essentially present in the Lord's Supper. At many places, such perniquest teachings cost the people to fall away from God's word. The chief spokesman was Thomas Mienzer. He attacked Luther violently and boasted of himself. The harvest is ripening. I am hired of heaven for a penny a day and I am sharpening my sickle for the reaping. He proclaimed a visible kingdom of God and of Christ. The New Jerusalem, where all earthly possession should be held in common. He also preached rebellions against the government. To check such disorder, Luther himself travelled about and preached to the people. But he was only partially successful. In Orlamunde, the rage of the people against him was so great that he had to flee at once, while some cursed after him. Depart in the name of thousand devils and you may break your neck before you get out of the city. Five. Luther's sermon against the revolting peasants. The storm soon broke over Germany. In 1525, the flame of rebellion spread through Franconia, along the Rhine, and almost through all the German states. The peasants, a wretched people, everybody's drudge, burdened and overloaded with tasks, taxes, deeds and tributes. But on that account by no means more pious, but a wild, treacherous, uncivilized people had banded together in a so-called Christian union and demanded of the government the granting of certain petitions. Some of these were, every congregation is to be permitted to choose its own pastor. Serfdom is to be abolished. Some of them demanded much more. They wanted one government for the whole German empire and the abolishing of the minor princes. Luther declared that many of their demands were just and fair at the same time. However, he told them how terribly they sinned by rebelling. He said, Bad and unjust government excuses neither revolt nor sedition. Do not make your Christian name a collogue for your impatient, rebellious and un-Christian undertaking. Christians do not fight for themselves with the sword and with guns, but with the cross and with suffering, just as their Captain Christ did not use the sword, but hung upon the cross. And with the same severity, Luther also reproved the ungodly tyranny of the princes. 6. The outcome of the peasants' war The flood of rebellion could no longer be checked. The peasants marched about, robbing, plundering, sacking and murdering wherever they came, destroying more than 200 castles and many cloisters. Upon their enemies, they took the most bloody vengeance. In Wainsburg, they impaled and cruelly tortured 700 knights. Now, Mienzer thought the time had come for him also. He sent letters in every direction. Thomas Mienzer, servant of God with the sword of Gaiden, calls all good Christians to his banner, that with him they may strike upon the princes like on an anvil, bing, bang and not allow their swords to cool from blood. Multitudes of the people gathered about him. Then Luther lifted his mighty voice for the last time and advised the government to make the ringleaders a last offer of a peaceable compromise, and if this proved fruitless, to draw the sword. The compromise was offered, but in vain. Thereupon, the princes took up the sword, and the peasants were routed everywhere. The decisive battle was fought at Frankenhausen. Mienzer encouraged his men to fight valiantly against the tyrant. He cried, Behold, God gives us a sign that he is on our side. See the rainbow? It announces to us the victory. If one of you falls in the front ranks, he would rise again in the rear and fight anew. I will catch all bullets in my sleeve. The battle began, but when the peasants saw that the slain did not rise and that Thomas Mienzer caught no bullets in his sleeve, they lost courage and fled. Five thousand remained on the field, and three hundred were made prisoners and beheaded. The braggart Mienzer was found in an attic of a house in Frankenhausen where he had hidden under a bed. He was dragged out and taken to Mielhausen where he was tortured and finally beheaded. At the same time that Luther issued his powerful thesis against papery, a man lived in Switzerland whose eyes had also been opened to the corruption of the church. This was Erlich Zwingli, pastor at Zurich. He also wished to help the church, but did not abide by the pure word of God. In many things, he followed his own reason. Assisted by the city council, he changed the church service at Zurich after his own fashion. The processions were abolished. Pictures, crucifixes, and altars were removed from the churches. Communion was celebrated in both kinds. The bread was carried about the church upon plates and the wine in wooden chalices. Concerning Holy Communion, Zwingli taught that the breaking and eating of bread was a symbolic action. He maintained that the words of Christ, this is my body, meant nothing but this represents my body. Of baptism, he likewise taught erroneously. Here, also, he followed his reason. He would not admit that the person baptized was in any way affected by baptism. Baptism was to him only an external sign of membership among God's people. He taught many strange things concerning Christ's work of redemption and called original sin a mere infirmity of human nature. Of these false doctrines, the one concerning Holy Communion spread rapidly and found many adherents. Ernestly and fervently, Luther waged war against this era both in his sermons and in his writings, but the Zwinglians stubbornly adhered to their era and pursued their own way. 2. The Kalliliqui at Marburg In 1529, Landfrey Philip of Hess succeeded in arranging a Kalliliqui between the Lutherans and the Zwinglians. It occurred on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of October at Marburg. Before the doctrine of the Lord's Supper was taken up, several other articles of faith were discussed. In these points, the Zwinglians accepted instruction and counsel. When finally the doctrine of the Lord's Supper came to be discussed, Luther took a piece of chalk from his pocket and wrote these words upon the table. This is my body. These words were his sure, firm ground and upon it he determined to stand unmoved. He demanded of his opponents to give all glory to God and to believe the pure, simple words of the Lord. However, they clung to their opinion and cited especially John 6, 63, where Christ says, The flesh profiteth nothing. Clearly and unmistakably, Luther proved to them that in this passage, Christ does not speak of his own, but of our flesh. It would also be an impious assertion to say that Christ's flesh profiteth nothing. Then they maintained, A body cannot at the same time be present at two places. Now the body of Christ sitteth in heaven at the right hand of the Father. Consequently, it could not be present upon the earth in the sacrament. Luther replied, Christ has assumed the human nature which therefore according to the scriptures partakes of the divine attributes and glory. Wherefore, the human nature of Christ is omnipresent. Hence, his body and blood is capable of being present in Holy Communion. When Luther saw that his opponents grew more stubborn in their opinion, he closed the colloquy on his part. With the words, You have a different spirit from ours. He refused the hand of fellowship offered him by Zinguli. Already in 1531 Zinguli perished in the battle of Capell. The false doctrines, however, which he had spread, have remained to this day the doctrines of the Reformed Church. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Of Life of Luther This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Jillian Hendry. Life of Luther by Gustav A. Just The Augsburg Confession 1. The Drafting of the Confession In 1530, Charles V assembled a diet at Augsburg. Contrary to common expectation, his proclamation was very friendly, saying that in this assembly all animosity was to be put aside and everyone's views were to be heard in all love and kindness. Elector John the steadfast, thereupon commissioned his theologians to draw up a brief and clear summary of the principal doctrines of evangelical truth that he and his party might be ready to confess their faith and their hope in a clear and unmistakable manner. The theologians carried out this order and drew up a document upon the basis of 17 articles composed by Luther at an earlier date. In April of 1530, Elector John, together with Luther, Melanchthon, Spalatin, Jonas and Agricola, started off for Augsburg to fight a good fight. As the ban of the empire was still in force against Luther and the city of Augsburg had protested against his coming, the Elector had taken him to the Fortress Coburg on the morning of the 23rd of April that in case of necessity he might be near at hand. Luther complied, although very unwillingly. In order not to expose the Elector to any danger, the theologians requested him also to remain away and offered to go to Augsburg alone and give an account of their teachings. But the Elector answered courageously, God forbid that I should be excluded from your company. I will confess my Lord Christ with you. Catholic estates, both spiritual and temporal lords, among them Dr. Eck and Faber, were travelling the same road. In Augsburg, Melanchthon, again set to work and in agreement with Luther and the other confessors, completed the writing out of the confession. He then sent a copy of it to Luther at Coburg for inspection. When returning it, Luther wrote, I am well pleased with it and cannot see that I could improve or change it. Nor would it be proper for me to attempt this, for I cannot step so softly and gently. Christ our Lord grant that it may bring forth rich abundance of precious fruit. That is our hope and prayer. Amen. This is the origin of the confession, which is known as the Augsburg Confession. It is a pure, correct and irrefutable confession of the divine truths of Holy Scripture. Therefore, it is also the Holy Banner around which all true Lutherans everywhere gather. And to this day, the Lutheran Church acknowledges only those as its members who accept the unaltered Augsburg Confession in all its articles, without any exception. 2. Heroism of the Lutheran Princes Slowly, the Emperor finally approached the city of Augsburg where the assembled estates were expectantly waiting for him. In Great Pomp, he entered the city on the 15th of June, followed by his brother Ferdinand and many other princes. With amazement, he at once noticed how great the contrast had grown in the nine years between the Catholics and the Protestants. For when, at the entrance of the Emperor, the people legate blessed the princes and all others kneeled down in the customary fashion, the princes of Saxony and Hesse remained standing. And when, on the same evening, the Emperor demanded of the evangelical princes that on the following day they should take part in the Great Corpus Christi procession, they declared that by their participation they were not minded to encourage such human ordinances which were evidently contrary to the word of God and the command of Christ. Upon this occasion, Margaret of George of Brandenburg uttered these heroic words, rather than deny my God and his gospel, I would kneel here before your Imperial Majesty and have my head cut from my body. The Emperor graciously replied, Dear Prince, not head off, not head off. 3. Signing the Confession So the ever-memorable day, the 24th of June, approached, on which the little band of Lutheran Confessors were to confess the Lord Christ before the Emperor and the Diet. On the evening before, Elector John invited his brethren in the Faith to his lodgings. At the upper end of a long table sat the Elector. He arose and the rest followed him. In his hand was a roll of manuscript. He seized a pen and subscribed his name with a firm hand. In doing so he said, May Almighty God grant us his grace continually that all may redound to his glory and praise. In fervent words he admonished those present to stand firm, saying, All councils that are against God must fail, and the good cause will, without doubt, finally triumph. Now the others also signed the Confession. After the Prince of Anhalt, a right chivalrous Lord, had signed, he cried with flashing eyes, I have been in many a fray to please others, why should I not saddle my horse, if it is necessary, in honour of my Lord and Saviour, and sacrificing life and limb, hurry into heavenly life to receive the eternal crown of glory. The meeting closed with a fervent prayer for blessing and success on the coming day. Luther in the meantime remained at Coburg, but in spirit he participated in the Holy Cause at Augsburg. Every day he spent three hours in prayer for the victory of the beloved Gospel. He was continually crying to God to preserve the brethren in true faith and sound doctrine. In hours of anxiety and trial he wrote on the walls of his room with his own hands the precious words of the 118th Psalm. I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. He addressed many consoling letters to the Confessors, in which he admonished them to Constancy. At this time there lived in his own heart that trust in God which he had expressed in his heroic song A Mighty Fortress is our God. 4. Submittal and Reception of the Confession On Saturday the 25th of June 1530 at three o'clock in the afternoon the diet assembled in the Episcopal Palace where the confession was to be read. The German Emperor presided and the highest dignitaries of the Roman Empire had gathered to hear the confession. Then the evangelical confessors arose cheerfully and in their name the two electoral chancellors Dr. Bruch and Dr. Bayer stepped into the centre of the room. The first with a Latin the latter with a German copy of the confession. When the Emperor demanded that the Latin copy should be read Elector John replied upon German ground and soil it is but fair to read and hear the German tongue. The Emperor permitted it. And now Dr. Bayer began to read in a loud and audible voice so that even the assembled multitude without in the courtyard could plainly understand every word of the confession. Everyone was deeply touched by it. The learned Catholic Bishop of Augsburg publicly admitted everything that was read is the pure unadulterated undeniable truth. Duke William of Bavaria pressed the hand of Elector John in a friendly manner and said to Dr. Eck who was standing close by I have been told something entirely different of Luther's doctrine than I have now heard from the confession. You have also assured me that their doctrine could be refuted. Eck replied I would undertake to refute it with the fathers but not with the scriptures. Thereupon the Duke rejoined. I understand then that the Lutherans sit entrenched in the scriptures and we are on the outside. Luther wrote to one of his friends You have confessed Christ and offered peace. You have worthily engaged in the holy work of God as becomeeth the saints. Now for once rejoice in the Lord also and be glad you righteous. Look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh. Spalating said that such a confession had not been made since the world exists. Matatius also aptly testifies there has not been a greater and higher work and a more glorious testimony since the days of the apostles than this at Augsburg before the whole Roman Empire. Very soon the confession was translated in many different languages and spread in every land. Thereby many received true information on the Lutheran doctrine recognised its entire agreement with holy scriptures and with the doctrine of the Apostolic Church and joyfully accepted it as their own. At the Emperor's command the papal theologians at once drew up a paper in which they tried to refute the Augsburg Confession. This document called consultation proved to be such a miserable failure that it had to be returned for revision. Melanchthon then wrote an excellent defence of the confession the Apology which however the Emperor would neither receive nor permit to be read. He simply declared the case to be closed and said if the evangelical princes will not submit then I the protector of the Roman Church am not disposed to permit a schism of the Church in Germany. Before the close of the diet he issued a severe edict which granted the evangelicals six months to consider matters and commanded them before the expiration of this time to return to the Catholic Church. Thereupon the faithful confessors declared that because they had not received a thorough refutation from the word of God they were determined to abide by the faith of the prophets and apostles and everything else they would commend to the gracious will of God. When taking leave of the Emperor Elector John rightly called the steadfast spoke the memorable words I am sure that the doctrine contained in the confession will stand even against the gates of hell. The Emperor answered Uncle Uncle I did not expect to hear such words from your grace. You will lose your electoral crown and your life and your subjects will perish together with their women and children. End of Chapter 15 Chapter number 16 of Life of Luther This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lola Jane Life of Luther by Gustav A. Just Chapter 16 Bible, Catechism and Hinbook 1. Bible Among the many priceless treasures for which all Christendom owes thanks under God to Luther the translation of the Bible into German is one of the grandest and one of the most glorious. In the churches of that time Latin Bibles were used exclusively. The people however were not acquainted with them for in the first place laymen could not read them and in the second place they were forbidden to read the Bible. In addition to this the Bibles of that time were far too expensive. An ordinary Latin Bible cost 360 florins and one nicely written out by monks even brought 500 dollars. It is true there were German translations of the Bible even before Luther but they were so inexact and composed in such poor German that their people could not use them and yet if every Christian was to read and learn the Gospel which Luther preached and proclaimed if he was to convince himself from the scriptures of the errors of poverty if he was effectively to arm himself against them and if the Bible was to make him wise unto salvation then he had to have it in his own language. Luther was long since convinced of this and had therefore already translated the seven penitential songs when in 1521 the Warburg sheltered him against his enemies he for the first undertook the translation of the New Testament. He wrote till Easter I will remain here in seclusion by that time I will translate the postal and New Testament into the people's language that is demanded by our friends. After completing the work he wrote to Spolitan in my Patmos I had translated not only the Gospel according to John but the entire New Testament. Now we are added to polish the whole Philip and I God willing it will prove a fine work. On the 21st of September 1522 it appeared and sold at one and a half Florence. Although the book was prescribed in many countries the entire first edition was sold in a few weeks. In the same year several new editions had to be issued. Then Luther with his friends entered upon the translation of the whole Bible. It was a most difficult task. Luther said of it it frequently happened that we searched and inquired 14 days I three or four weeks for a single word and yet at times did not find it. But God permitted him to complete the great work upon which amid countless battles and labors his heart had been set for many years. In 1534 the complete Bible appeared. Great was the joy with which Luther's translation was received at that time. Melanchthon exclaimed the German Bible is one of the greatest miracles which God has worked through Dr. Martin Luther before the end of the world. And Matthiasus added for to an attentive Bible reader it seems indeed as if the Holy Spirit had spoken through the mouth of the prophets and the apostles in our German language. Now many thousand thirsting souls could drink as often as they wished from that fountain closed so long and which offers pure sweet and truly satisfying water. And they did it. Colakius a violent opponent of Luther writes Luther's New Testament has been so multiplied by the printers and scattered in such numbers that even tailors and shoemakers I even women and the simple who had learned to read only the German on ginger cakes read it with intense longing. Many carried it about with them and learned it by heart so that in a few months they arrogantly began to dispute with priests and monks on the faith and the gospel. Indeed even poor women were found who engaged with learned doctors in a debate and thus it happened that in such conversations Luther and laymen could exemplary niously quote more Bible passages than the monks and priests. 2 Catechism Another treasure which God gave to Christianity through Luther is the small catechism. In order to inform himself on the condition of the churches and schools Luther had early urged the elector to order a general visitation of the churches. This visitation was held with loving heart but with open eyes from 1527 to 1529. In the vicinity of Wittenberg Luther and Melanchthon traveled from city to city from village to village and inspected churches and schools. They listened to the preachers and examined the church members. They found things in a sad condition. The people and the pastors lived in deep spiritual ignorance for under the rule of the pope they had received no proper instruction in religion. In a village near Torgot the old pastor could scarcely recite the Lord's prayer and the creed. In another place the peasants did not know a single prayer and even refused to learn the Lord's prayer. Luther wrote Alas what manifold misery I beheld the common people especially in the villages know nothing at all of Christian doctrine and many pastors are quite unfit and incompetent to teach yet all are called Christians have been baptized and enjoy the use of the sacraments although they know neither the Lord's prayer nor the creed nor the 10 commandments and live like the poor groups and irrational swine. The following example illustrates how patiently Luther instructed such people when at one time he examining the poor peasants on the Christian creed one of them who had recited the first article being asked the meaning of Almighty answered I don't know. Luther then said you are right my dear man I and all the doctors do not know what God's power and omnipotence is but only believe that God is your dear and faithful father who will can and knows how to help you and your wife and children in every need. Such misery induced Luther in 1529 to write the small catechism for the instruction of poor Christendom. He himself saying the deplorable destitution which I recently observed during a visitation of the churches has impelled and constrained me to prepare this catechism or Christian doctrine in such a small and simple form. A learned doctor writes of this excellent little book the small catechism is the true layman Bible which comprises the whole contents of Christian doctrine which every Christian must know for his salvation. Of all books in the world perhaps no other can be found that teaches the whole council of God for our salvation in such brief form and in such clear and pointed language. A true popular book it has cultivated the right understanding of the gospel among the common people and unto this day proved of an estimable blessing very early Lutha already could boast of the fruits of his work. In the following year he wrote to the elector how gracious is the merciful God in granting such power and fruit to his word in your country. You have in your country the very best and most able pastors and preachers such as you can find in no other country of the world who live so faithfully piously and peaceably. Tender youths, boys and girls are growing up so well instructed in the catechism and the scriptures that it makes me feel good to see how young lads and little girls can now pray, believe and speak better of God and of Christ than formerly all institutes coisters and schools. Three, hymns. Another precious gift for which all Christians should thank Lutha is the collection of his incomparable hymns and songs so childlike and devout, so simple and yet so powerful. When introducing the Lutheran order of worship Lutha took great pains that not only the pastors and coisters but also the congregations might sing their hymns to God in heaven in their own mother's tongue. However, there were very few German hymns at that time fit to be used in divine worship. Lutha therefore also undertook this work and in 1524 the first hymn book appeared. It contained eight hymns set to music four of which Lutha had composed. The first evangelical church hymn which Lutha wrote was that glorious song Dear Christians one and all rejoice. In it from his own experience he describes human misery and then glorifies God's work of salvation. Then followed O God of heaven look down and see and out of the depths I cry to thee. Both of these hymns are cries for help out of the depth of human misery in which the congregation and every penitent Christian raises his voice to God on high and is heard. Later on appeared hymns for the festive seasons from heaven above to earth I come all praise to Jesus hallowed name in death's strong grasp the Savior lay now do we pray God the Holy Ghost then among many more though in the midst of life we be in peace and joy I now depart above all other towers his hymn of battle and triumph a mighty fortress is our God especially powerful was the effect produced by Lutha's hymns in those days. The people never worried of singing them and in very many places the gospel was introduced by the triumphant power of the Lutheran hymns intonated by pious church members. The opponents complained the people sing themselves into this heretical church Lutha's hymns have misled more souls than all his writings and sermons. In Brunswick a priest complained to the Duke that Lutheran hymns were sung even in the court's chapel. The Duke though also very bitter against Luther asked what kind of hymns are they? How do they read? The priest answered your grace one of them is may God bestow on us his grace we're upon the Duke rejoined why is the devil to bestow his grace upon us? Who is to be gracious to us if not God? Concerning the effect of Lutha's hymns a friend writes I do not doubt that by the one little hymn of Lutha dear Christians one and all rejoice many hundred Christians have received faith who never before heard the name of Lutha but the noble dear words of this man so won their hearts that they had to accept the truth. End of chapter 16 Chapter 17 of Life of Lutha This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith Life of Lutha by Gustave A. Just Chapter 17 Lutha's Family Life 1. Lutha enters holy matrimony According to the Pope's doctrine also called the religious like the monks, nuns and priests dear not marry Lutha on the contrary proved from the word of God that this doctrine is false that matrimony is God's institution and honourable ignore man This true of himself he declared I have no disposition to marry because I may daily expect the death as a heretic but many of his friends urgently requested him for the sake of strengthening many weak hearts also to enter holy matrimony and thus confirm his doctrine by his action His father also dearly wished to see his son marry a pious wife By God's help Lutha was soon firmly resolved by his own action to testify before the world his own and doctrine of holy scriptures that matrimony is pleasing to God He was of good courage and exclaimed to spite the devil and please my old father I will marry my Kate before I die and later on he said By my own example I wished to confirm what I had taught and because many were so timid although the gospel shone so brightly God willed it and accomplished it On the 13th of June 1525 Lutha invited his friends Bergenheigen Justus Junus Abel and painter Lukas Kahnak together with the latter's wife to supper and in their presence he entered holy matrimony with Katkin of Boha Justus Junus informed Spalatin of this joyous occurrence in these words Lutha has married Katkin of Boha Yesterday I was present at the marriage My soul was so deeply moved at spectacle that I could not retain my tears Since it is now done and God has wielded I sincerely wish this excellent and true man and dear father in the Lord all happiness God is wonderful in his works and in his consoles 2. Training of the children Lutha's marriage with Katkin of Boha was blessed with six children who were raised severely but piously Lutha enjoyed their company and delighted to watch them at play When little Martin once played with a doll and in prattling said it was his bride Lutha remarked So sincere and without wickedness and hypocrisy we would have been in paradise Therefore children are the loveliest starlings and dearest little chatterboxes They do and speak everything naturally and in the simplicity of their hearts When he saw the boys as children will do quarrel and then again make peace he said Dear Lord, how pleasing to Thee is such life and play of the children When at one time they all with beaming eyes and glad expectations stood about the table on which the mother had placed the peaches and other fruit he enjoyed the picture and said Whoever wishes to see the picture of one rejoicing hope has here a true portrait Oh that we could look forward to judgment day with such joyous hope When Lutha at another time visited Milantton he found him in his study surrounded by his family He was well pleased with this and said Dear brother Philip I praise you for finding things with you as they are with me at home wife and children in your company I have also given my little Johnny a ride upon my niece today and carried my little Magdalene about upon her pillow and pressed her to my heart When Lutha returned home from a journey he never missed bringing something along for his children At the same time he was very strict At one time he would not allow his son John to come into his presence for three days until he begged pardon for an offense and when his mother interceded for him Lutha said I would rather have a debt than a spoiled son At another time he said I do not wish my son John treated with too much leniency He must be punished and held to strict account He was diligent in teaching his older children the catechism and prayed with them the Ten Commandments the Creed and the Lord's Prayer How lovely he could speak with his children as shown by the following letter which he wrote when he was at Coolborg to his little son John who was then four years of age Grace and peace in Christ my dear little son I am very glad to know that you learned your lessons well and loved to say your prayers Keep on doing so, my little boy and when I come home I will bring you something pretty from the fair I know a beautiful garden where there are a great many children in fine little coats and they go under the trees and gather beautiful apples and pears cherries and plums they sing and run about and are as happy as they can be sometimes they write about on nine little ponies with golden bridles and silver saddles I asked a man whose garden it is what little children are these and he told me they are little children who love to pray and learn and are good then I said my dear sir I have a little boy at home his name is Johnny Luther would you let him come into the garden too to eat some of these nice apples and pears and ride on these fine little ponies and play with these children the man said if he loves to say his prayers and learn his lesson and is a good boy he may come and Philip and Yocelyn may come too and when they are all together they can play upon the fife and drum and the lute and all kinds of instrument and skip about and shoot with little crossbows he then showed me a beautiful mossy place in the middle of the garden for them to skip about in with a great many golden fives and drums and silver crossbows the children had not yet had their dinner and I could not wait to see them play but I said to the man my dear sir I will go away and write all about it to my little son John and tell him to be found of saying his prayers and learn well and be good so that he may come into the garden but he has an aunt Lena whom he must bring along with him the man said very well go write to him now my dear little son learn to love your lessons and to say your prayers and tell Philip and Yocelyn to do so too that you may all come to the garden may god bless you give aunt Lena my love and kiss her for me AD 1530 your dear father Martin Luther 3. The death of Magdalene How dearly Luther loved his children we can see from his pious and touching conduct during the sickness and death of his little daughter Magdalene in the beginning of September 1542 being then in her 14th year she became ill when she was now sick on to death she learned very much for her brother John whom she loved most dearly he was then at school at Torgau Luther at once sent a wagon there and wrote to Rector Coudon that he should send John home for a few days John find his sister still alive the disease tortured a poor child for 14 more days and her father suffered very much with her when a hope of recovery vanished more and more Luther prayed Lord I love her very much and would like to keep her but dear lord since it is thy will to take her away I am glad to know that she will be with thee and when she lay a dying he said to her Magdalene my dear little daughter you would like to remain with this your dear father wouldn't you but also gladly go to that father the child answered yes dear father as God wills she died in his arms on the evening of the 20th of September at nine o'clock the mother was also in the same room but at a distance from the bed because of her great sorrow as she wept bitterly and was very sad Luther said to her dear Kate consider where she's going she felt well indeed when they laid her in her coffin he said you dear little Lena how happy you are you will rise again and shine as the stars yea as the sun to the bystanders he said in the spirit indeed I rejoice but according to the flesh I am very sad such parting is very painful it is very strange to know that she's in peace and well off and yet to be so sad the people who had come to the funeral to express their sympathy he addressed us you ought to rejoice I have sent a saint to heaven yes a living saint oh that we had such a death such a death I would accept this moment after the funeral Luther said my daughter is now taken care of both as to body and as to soul we Christians have nothing to complain of we know that it must be thus we have the greatest assurance of eternal life for God cannot lie who has promised it to us through and for the sake of his son upon her grave he placed the following epitaph I Luther's daughter Magdalene with the saints here asleep and covered calmly rest on this my culture of earth daughter of death I was born of the seed of sin but by thy precious blood redeemed oh Christ I live for home life and charity Elector John gave Luther the former cloister building as a residence it was a large house with a beautiful garden close to the walls of the city the narrow cloister cells were changed into large rooms here Kate now went to housekeeping she was a faithful and saving housekeeper Luther's income was very small he received a salary of 200 froorings with all he was very charitable toward the poor and hospitable toward his visitors hardly a weak pastor that he entertained no guests from all countries they came to Wittenburg doctors and students to see the man face to face who had accomplished such great things besides this he was daily visited by friends and students it was therefore no easy matter to manage the household with the meager salary but his friends took care that under God's blessing he suffered no want and Luther confessed I have a strange housekeeping indeed I use up more than I receive although my salary is about 200 froorings and yet every year I must spend 500 for housekeeping and in the kitchen not to speak of the children other luxuries and arms I'm entirely too awkward the support of my needy relatives and the daily calls of strangers make me poor yet I'm richer than all popish theologians because I am content with little and have a true wife the following are a few examples of Luther's charity a student once came to him and complained with tears of his need as Luther had no money he took a silver cup that was gilded with ink and said there take that cup and go home in God's name his wife looked at him and asked are you going to give everything away Luther pressed a cup together in his strong hand and said to the student quick take it to the goldsmith I do not need it at another time a poor man asked him for assistance Luther had no money but took his children's savings and gave them to him when his wife reproached him he said God is rich he will give us more a man exiled because of his faith asked him for arms Luther had but one dollar called Joachim which he had carefully saved without thinking long he opened his purse and called Joachim come out the savior is here friends, students, doctors and all kinds of admirers often sat at Luther's table the meal was generally simple but seasoned with serious and cheerful conversation after table he was found of having a little music with his friends and children in praise of music he said music is great comfort to a sad person it cheers and refreshes the heart and fills it with contentment it is a half a schoolmaster and makes the people softer, meeker, more modest and more reasonable I have always loved music whoever knows this art has a good nature and is fit for everything music should by all means be taught in schools a schoolmaster must be able to sing why will not look at him at another time he said music is a gift and blessing of God next to theology I give to music the first place in highest honor 5. Luther's opinion on his wife and holy matrimony Luther writes of his married life God willed it and praise God I have done well for I have a pious and true wife in which a man may confide she spoils nothing in these words he lords his Kate she has not only faithfully nursed and cared for me as a pious wife but she has also waited upon me as a servant the Lord repay her on that day I consider her more precious than the kingdom of France for she has been to me a good wife given and presented to me of God as I was given to her I love my Kate yes I love her more than myself that is certainly true I would rather die myself than have her and the children die in praise of marriage he said according to God's word there is no sweeter and dear retreasure upon earth than holy matrimony which he himself has instituted and which he also preserves and has adorned and blessed above all other estates end of chapter 17 recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith chapter 18 of life of Luther this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith life of Luther by Gustav A. Just chapter 18 Luther's last days and death one Luther's presentment of death eight days after his last birthday which he celebrated on the 10th of November in the company of his friends he finished his exposition of Genesis and closed his lecture to the students with these impressive words I am weak I cannot continue pray God to grant me a blessed death and he wrote to a friend I am sick of this world and a world is sick of me it will not be difficult for us to part as a guest quits his in therefore I pray for a peaceful end I am ready to depart at the close of his last sermon in Islipen the thoughts of his heart are expressed in this wish may God give us grace that we gratefully accept his beloved word increase and grow in the knowledge and faith of his son and remain steady fast in the confession of his holy word onto our end Amen 2. Luther's journey to Islipen in the beginning of 1546 the counts of Mansfield requested Luther to come to Islipen and settle a dispute which had arisen between themselves and their subjects Luther consented to go and together with his three sons on the 23rd of January he set out on his last pilgrimage on this earth in Hale he visited his friend Dr Jonas while there he preached on the conversion of Paul and praised the writings of his apostle as the Holy of Holies on the 28th of January when crossing the swollen Zala in a small boat his life was in great danger Luther said to Jonas How it would please the devil if I, Dr Martin with you and our guides would fall into the water and drown not far from Islipen he became so weak that fears were entertained for his life but he soon regained his strength in Islipen Luther preached several times and took great pains to settle the dispute between the counts and their subjects when matters were settled Luther began to think of returning home but God had decided otherwise 3. Luther's illness and death already on the 17th of February Luther could not attend the meetings because of his increasing weakness in accordance with the advice of his friends and accounts he remained in his room and rested about 8 o'clock in the evening he took his medicine and lay down on his couch saying if I could sleep for half an hour I believe I would improve he now slept calmly till 10 o'clock when he awoke arose and went into his bedroom as he entered the room he said in the name of God I am going to bed into thy hands I command my spirit thou hast redeemed me thou faithful God at one o'clock he awoke and said oh Lord God I feel so bad ah dear Dr. Jonas I believe I shall die here at Islipen where I was born and baptized again he left his bedroom and entered the sitting room saying again into thy hands I command my spirit thou hast redeemed me thou faithful God when he was again resting on his couch his friends hurried to his side with Count Albrecht the Countess and two physicians when upon repeated rubbins he began to perspire freely Dr. Jonas thought he was improving but Luther answered no it is the cold sweat of death I will give up my spirit for the sickness is increasing then he prayed thus oh my heavenly Father the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ thou God of all consolation I thank thee that thou hast revealed to me thy dear Son Jesus Christ in whom I believe whom I have preached and confessed whom I have loved and extolled whom the wicked Pope and ungodly dishonor persecute and blaspheme I pray thee Lord Jesus Christ receive my poor soul into thy hands oh heavenly Father although I must acquit this body and be torn away from this life I nevertheless know assuredly that I shall be with thee forever and that no one can pluck me out of thy hands then three times he repeated the passage God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3 16 and the words of the 68th Psalm he that is our God is the God of salvation and unto God the Lord belong the issues of death when the physician gave him a cordial he took it and said I pass away I shall yield up my spirit after which he rapidly repeated these words three times Father into thy hands I command my spirit thou hast redeemed me Lord thou faithful God now he lay quiet when spoken to he did not answer Dr. Jonas called into his ear Reverend Father are you firmly determined to die upon Christ and a doctrine you have preached loud and distinctly Luther answered yes having said this he turned upon his side and fell asleep saved in the faith of his Redeemer on the 18th of February 1546 between two and three o'clock in the morning 4 Luther's funeral the sad tidings of Luther's death spread rapidly through town and country a great multitude of people of all classes gathered to view the previous remains of the man who had a gem brought to light the saving word of God when the news of Luther's death reached Wittenberg and Melanchthon told the students he exclaimed alas he has been taken from us the chariot of Israel and horsemen thereof by whom the church was guided in this last age of the world on the 19th day of February the corpse was laid in a metallic coffin born into the castle church of Isleben and placed before the altar on the following day Dr. Coalius preached an excellent sermon after which the corpse was carried in solemn funeral procession to Wittenberg with weeping and wailing a countless multitude surrounded the hearse and in nearly every village the bells were told when later night the funeral approached the gates of Haale the clergy the city council the schools and the citizens together with the women and children marched out to meet it and escorted the corpse into the church the service opened with Luther's hymn out of the deaths I cried to thee the weeping being heard more than the singing on the 22nd of February the funeral train reached Wittenberg amid the tolling of the bells it moved toward the castle church the hearse being followed by Luther's widow his four children and other relatives then came the faculty the students and citizens Dr. Bergenhagen preached a comforting sermon which was frequently interrupted by his own tears and weeping of his audience at a close Melanchthon delivered a lighting oration after which the corpse was lowered into the vault near the pulpit where it awaits the coming of the resurrection mourn End of Chapter 18 Recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith Chapter 19 of Life of Luther This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Shashank Jekmola Life of Luther by Gustav A. Just Afflictions of the Lutheran Church in Germany after the Reformation 1. The Small Calvary War Already during the life of Luther clouds of war had frequently arisen threatening to destroy the Lutheran Church but as long as Luther lived the storm did not break His prophecy was fulfilled I have fervently prayed to God and still beseech him daily to check the evil councils of the Papist and permit Novor to come upon Germany while I live and I'm sure that God has certainly heard my prayer and I know that as long as I live there will be Novor in Germany Now when I'm dead rest and sleep do you also pray I will die before this calamity and misery come upon Germany Scarcely had Luther closed his eyes when the Emperor and the Pope thought the time had come again to strengthen papery and oppress the Lutheran Doctrine with the sword I completely to destroy it The Emperor accused the Lutheran Princess of disobedience because they would not submit to the Edict of Augsburg and declared the ban of the Empire against them Soon thereafter he made war upon them The Lutherans also gathered an army for the defense Before the Elector John Federich was aware of it the Emperor's army led by a traitor fell upon him On the 24th of April 1547 the battle was fought near Mehlberg on the Elbe The army of the Lutheran Princes was defeated 3000 remained upon the battlefield and the Elector himself was taken prisoner Not long thereafter he was condemned to die Only on condition that he surrender his Electoral crown and domain to the Lutheran Duke Maurice of Saxony who had joined the forces of the Emperor was he to be pardoned The Elector gave up his country without remonstrance but he would not forsake his faith His high courage earned him the title the Magnanimous For when the Emperor demanded that he sign the resolutions of the Council of Trent in which the Lutheran Doctrine was condemned he declared with indignation I will abide steadfast in the Doctrine and confession which together with my father and other princes I confessed at Augsburg and rather give up country and people yeah and my head also than forsake the word of God Thus the cause of the Lutheran Confessors seemed to be lost but right in the midst of war's tumult and enemy's triumph sounded the word of the Lord Take Council together and it shall come to not speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us His 810 God helped wonderfully Maurice of Saxony demanded of the Emperor the release of his father-in-law Philip of Hesse When the Emperor refused to do this Maurice turned against him with his army and put him to fight In 1555 the peace of Augsburg was signed By it complete liberty of religion and worship was guaranteed to the Lutherans for the future 2. Doctrinal Controversies Already in the days of Luther Fanatics had attempted to darken and displace the true Doctrine with diverse errors After his death his prophetic words were fulfilled I see it coming If God does not give us faithful pastors and ministers the devil will disrupt the Church by facture spirits and will not leave off Norsees till he has finished it If the devil cannot do it through the Pope and the Emperor he will accomplish it through those who now agree with us in Doctrine Therefore pray God to let his word remain with you for a bomb-enabled things will happen I know that after my departing shall previous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock Scarcely had the faithful watchman and guardian been gathered to his fathers when everywhere teachers and preachers arose who departed from the truth of God's word and try to set up their own false teachings Thus some thought good works are necessary and to salvation others again maintained not only are they unnecessary but they are harmful to our salvation Again it was thought that men could prepare himself for grace and assist in his conversion Others even secretly plotted to reintroduce the false doctrines of the Reformed into the Lutheran Church Thus the bright light which shone so brilliantly in Luther's days was in danger of being obscured by the doctrines of men But in the midst of such confusion God had his faithful confessors After heated contests truth by God's grace obtained the victory In 1577 by the united labors of the faithful confessors the form of concord the last confession of the Lutheran Church was completed In this confession the Lutheran Church renounces all errors and demands of all its member unity of doctrine and confession The re-established unity of doctrine called forth loud rejoicing and thanksgiving to God everywhere in Germany In 1580 the book of concord of the Lutheran Church containing also the form of concord appeared in print for the first time 3. The Thirty Years' War This good fortune and peace of the Lutheran Church did not last long Satan did not cease to attack her For his purpose he especially used the Jesuits a new order of monks These allied servants of the Pope used every means to suppress the Lutheran Church As advisors of princes in the confessional and as teachers at the higher schools they fanned the flames of hatred against the Lutherans and their endeavours were not in vain Through them a war of thirty years began to rage in Germany During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II the religious peace guaranteed at Oxburg was broken repeatedly and the Lutherans were sorely oppressed Finally when a protestant church in Bohemia was forcibly closed and another was even torn down the storm broke loose By it the greater part of Germany was laid waste and untold misery was caused Everywhere the evangelical princes were defeated and their cause seemed to be lost The Pope and his minions rejoiced But in the hour of greatest distress help appeared in the person of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden Everywhere the people welcomed him However in his march of triumph through Germany he met with a bloody death On the 6th of November 1632 a battle was fought at Lutzen In the Swedish army the Trumpeters played the hymn A mighty fortress is our God Then the whole army sang May God bestow on us His grace Whereupon the king cried Now wetted in the name of God Jesus Jesus Jesus Help us fight this day in honour of thy holy name The Swedes gained a glorious victory but their king struck by a bullet fell dying from his horse 16 years longer the deplorable war raged on In 1648 the long-desired peace was finally concluded In it the religious peace of Augsburg was again acknowledged and extended to include the reformed church The Pope protested violently but in vain It is true Conditions after the war were terrible in Germany also for the Lutheran church but the chastonings of the Lord strengthened the faith in his word and the church flourished and prospered Faithful pastors strengthened the Christians by their sermons and their writings and everywhere the seed grew and brought fruit It was just in this time that pious poets made their harps resound and sang their glorious hymns to the honour and praise of God Fourth Rationalism and Unionism In no way had the devil succeeded in smothering the Lutheran church in its own blood or in destroying it by false doctrine Again and again courageous fitnesses arose and in loud and clear words testified that man is justified and saved by grace alone for Christ's sake through faith At the end of the 17th century however men arose in England who craftily sought to abolish the Christian faith These were the so-called deists or freethinkers their doctrine at first passed from England to France and then to Germany Human reason was to take the place of the Bible Luther's prophecy was fulfilled Until now you have heard the true faithful word Now beware of your own thoughts and your own wisdom The devil will light the candle of reason and deprive you of faith Not the scriptures the revelation of God but human reason was to decide matters of faith and salvation Whatever did not agree with human reason was simply to be rejected as superstition Whoever confessed his faith in the truth of the Bible was called an obscured Those were sad times In addition the so-called union in Germany by sacrificing the biblical truth made the attempt to unite the Lutheran and the reformed churches into a mixed church which was called the evangelical church In this way the ruin of the church of the pure gospel was to be completed Faithful Lutherans who would not join in this apostasy were violently persecuted cast into prison cruelly punished or compelled to immigrate into foreign countries Australia or America End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of Life of Luther This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Life of Luther by Gustave Just Chapter 20 The Lutheran Church in America Section 1 The Mustard Seed When the Lutheran church in Germany was in its prime it was transplanted also across the waters into the wilds of America As early as 1638 the first Lutheran Swedes immigrated to America and found at the first Lutheran congregation in the valley of Delaware In 1650 the Dutch also had founded Lutheran churches in the state of New York Most important of these churches was in the city of New York It was cruelly oppressed by the reformed officials The true Lutheran confessors were frequently fined and imprisoned As soon as England, however, took possession of this Dutch colony the Lutherans were granted liberty of conscience and freedom of worship On New Year's Day 1709 the first German Lutheran congregation with its pastor Cuckitthorl landed on the coasts of America They likewise settled in the state of New York and founded several colonies on the banks of the Hudson The greatest number of Germans settled in the state of Pennsylvania Since 1742 their most zealous pastor was Henry Melchior Mullenberg Together with diligent co-laborers he founded many congregations which afterwards united to form the Pennsylvania Synod Since 1734 Lutheran Salzburgers were found in the colony of Georgia Rationalism and fanaticism, however, made powerful inroads also into this flourishing Lutheran Church of America The time came when very few had any idea of the nature of true Lutheranism But the light was once more to shine in this land of the West In 1839 700 Lutheran Saxons came to America They brought their pastors, candidates and teachers with them After suffering severe persecution they had left their old fatherland to live here in this land of liberty and accords with the most holy faith But part of them remained in St. Louis and founded a congregation with a Christian school The most of these faithful confessors settled in Perry County in the state of Missouri where they founded a number of colonies with congregations and Christian schools In the colony of Altenburg a seminary was even erected for the education of ministers Since 1841 the congregation at St. Louis was served by Carl Ferdinand William Walther as pastor and preacher This man has proved to be of inestimable blessing for the Lutheran Church in America In 1844 he and his congregation began to issue the Lutheran Earth in order to gather the scattered Christians around the Word of God This paper was to be a powerful means to acquaint people with Lutheran doctrine and to defend it against all error The very first number was a trumpet that gave a distinct and powerful sound After reading it, the missionary Wenneken joyfully exclaimed God be praised there are more Lutherans in America In the summer of 1838 he had come to this country a candidate of the Holy Ministry 28 years of age in order to bring the gospel to the scattered Germans In Germany he had read and heard of their great spiritual need and their misery had touched his heart After a short stay in Baltimore he traveled inland toward Ohio in Indiana He came to the little town of Fort Wayne where he found a little congregation Here Wenneken preached several times officiated at funerals and baptize The people learned to love him and called him as their pastor From here he journeyed to and fro and, undaunted by hardships, visited his scattered brethren of the faith brought them the Word of Life and gathered them into congregations In the following years other Lutheran pastors some of them accompanied by their congregations also came to America In this way the Lutheran colonies of the Saginaw Valley were founded Section 2 The Tree In 1845 a number of like-minded pastors met in conference at Cleveland, Ohio to discuss the founding of an Orthodox Lutheran Synod In the following year several of these pastors met in St. Louis in order to consult with Walter and other Saxon Pastors concerning the same matter On this occasion the draft of a synodical constitution was carefully considered together with the local congregation This draft was later on submitted to an assembly at Fort Wayne Finally in 1847 at Chicago the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states was founded Walter was unanimously elected president The members of this Synod had recognized that restored by Luther and contained in the confessions of the Lutheran church is the true and pure doctrine of the word of God Upon this foundation they resolved to stand and in the future carry on together the work of the Lord in this country And to this day by the grace of God they have remained true to this confession They accept God's revealed word as the only source of knowledge for doctrine and practice And the heart of all their teaching is the doctrine of justification of a poor sinner before God not through his own works and merit but alone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ God's word and Lutheran's doctrine pure shall through eternity endure is the watchword which the Synod has not only written on its Lutheran but which its members also dearly cherish in their hearts For the preparation and education of its pastors and leaders the Synod has in the course of years established a large number of institutions The first of these is the theological seminary at St. Louis In this institution Dr. Walther labored with signal blessing as professor and through his lectures and his many writings became the leader of teachers pastors and congregations He died in 1887 In Springfield the Synod has its supplementary theological seminary in which Professor Kramer labored for many years The seminary for teachers is in Addison Its first director was the Sainted Professor Lindemann The preparatory institutions are in Fort Wayne, Milwaukee, St. Paul and at several other places About 60 professors teach at these institutions Essentially the work of the Synod is carried on in the same way as at the time of the Fathers In the same manner as Weineken missionaries travel about visiting their scattered brethren in the faith and gathering them into congregations At the same time with the congregation the parochial school is founded and developed for the education of the children in the catechism In 1872 the Missouri Synod joined with other Orthodox Synods forming the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference At present this is composed of the Synods of Missouri, of Wisconsin, of Minnesota, of Michigan and of the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri and other states The Synods of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan have united to form a general Synod and possess several institutions for the education of pastors and teachers There are theological seminaries at Milwaukee The Norwegian Synod, which confesses the same faith also has several educational institutions The English Synod at present has colleges at Winfield, Kansas and Conover, North Carolina All these Synods are Indefatigable in the work of mission and in the preservation of the pure doctrine The mustard seed has become a tree A tree whose branches cover not only the states of the Union and a great part of British America but whose twigs extend even to South America Europe Australia and Asia A tree continually growing new shoots beneath which birds of passage from every province of Germany and from every country of the world have found their home and raised their hymns in the most diverse melodies to the honor and praise, glory and worship of the Triune God Everywhere nearly all over the globe is sung Dear Christians, one and all rejoice and from countless lips Luther's hymn of battle and triumph is heard A mighty fortress is our God End of Chapter 20 End of Life of Luther by Gustave Just translated by Frederick William Hertzberger and Martin Samuel Summer