Luther Examines himself in the presence of God--Luther's
opinion of the Bull--A neutral Family--Luther on the Bull,
and against the Bull of Antichrist--The Pope prohibits
Faith--Effects of the Bull--The faggot pile of Louvain.
[Sidenote: A NEUTRAL FAMILY.]
But what signified all this resistance by students, rectors, and
priests. If the mighty arm of Charles V is joined to the mighty arm of
the pope, will they not crush these scholars and grammarians? Will any
one be able to resist the combined power of the pontiff of Christendom
and of the emperor of the West? The blow has been struck. Luther is
excommunicated, and the gospel seems lost. At this solemn moment the
Reformer does not disguise to himself the magnitude of the danger to
which he is exposed; but he looks upward, and prepares to receive, as
from the hand of the Lord himself, a blow which seems destined to
annihilate him. He retires within himself, and meditates at the
footstool of the throne of God. "What the result is to be," says he,
"I know not, and I am not anxious to know; certain as I am that He who
sits in heaven has from all eternity foreseen the beginning, the
progress, and the end of this affair. Wherever the blow is to strike,
I am without fear. The leaf of a tree falls not without our Father's
will. How much less shall we fall. It is a small matter to die for the
Word, since this Word which became incarnate and that for us has
itself first died. If we die with it, we shall rise again with it;
and, passing along the same road by which it passed, will arrive where
it has arrived, and remain with it throughout eternity."[281]
Sometimes, however, Luther could not restrain the contempt which he
felt for the manœuvres of his enemies. On these occasions he
displays his characteristic combination of sublimity and sarcasm. "I
know nothing of Eck," says he, "except that he arrived with a long
beard, a long bull, and a long purse.... But I will laugh at his
bull."[282]
[281] Parum est nos pro verbo mori, cum ipsum incarnatum pro nobis
prius mortuum sit.... (L. Ep. i, p. 490.)
[282] Venisse eum barbatum, bullatum, nummatum ... Ridebo et ego
bullam sive ampullam. (L. Ep. i, p. 488.)
On the third of October he was made acquainted with the papal letter.
"At length," says he, "this Roman bull has arrived. I despise it, and
defy it as impious, false, and in all respects worthy of Eck. It is
Christ himself who is condemned. It gives no reasons; it merely cites
me, not to be heard, but simply to sing a palinode. I will treat it as
spurious, though I have no doubt it is genuine. O, if Charles V were a
man, and would, for the love of Christ, attack these demons![283] I
rejoice in having to endure some hardships for the best of causes. I
already feel more liberty in my heart; for at length I know that the
pope is Antichrist, and that his see is that of Satan himself."
[283] Utinam Carolus vir esset, et pro Christo hos Satanas
aggrederetur. (Ibid, p. 494.)
It was not in Saxony merely that the thunders of Rome had produced
alarm. A quiet family of Swabia, a neutral family, saw its peace
suddenly broken up. Bilibald Pirckheimer, of Nuremberg, one of the
most distinguished men of his age, having early lost his beloved wife
Crescentia, was united in the closest affection with his two young
sisters, Charitas, abbess of St. Clair, and Clara, a nun of the same
convent. These two pious females served God in solitude, and divided
their time between study, the care of the poor, and preparation for
eternity. Bilibald, who was a statesman, relaxed from public affairs
by maintaining a correspondence with them. They were learned, read
Latin, and studied the Fathers; but their favourite volume was the
Holy Scriptures. They had never had any other teacher than their
brother. The letters of Charitas are written in a delicate and amiable
spirit. Tenderly attached to Bilibald she took alarm at the least
danger which threatened him. Pirckheimer, to dissipate the fears of
this timid spirit, wrote a dialogue between Charitas and Veritas,
(Charity and Truth), in which Veritas tries to strengthen
Charitas.[284] Nothing can be more touching, or better fitted to
solace a tender and agonised heart.
[284] Pirckheimeri Op. Francof.
[Sidenote: LUTHER ON THE BULL].
What must have been the terror of Charitas when the rumour spread that
in the papal bull Bilibald's name was posted up beside that of Luther,
on the doors of cathedrals? In fact, Eck, pushed on by blind fury, had
associated with Luther six of the most distinguished men of Germany,
viz., Carlstadt, Feldkirchen, and Egranus, (who gave themselves very
little concern about it,) and Adelman, Pirckheimer, and his friend
Spengler, whose public functions made them particularly alive to the
insult. There was great agitation in the Convent of St. Clair. How
shall the disgrace of Bilibald be borne? Nothing affects relatives
more deeply than such trials. In vain did the city of Nuremberg, the
Bishop of Bamberg, and even the dukes of Bavaria interfere in behalf
of Spengler and Pirckheimer; these noble-minded men were obliged to
humble themselves before Dr. Eck, who made them feel all the
importance of a Roman protonotary, and obliged them to write a letter
to the pope, declaring that they adhered to the doctrines of Luther
only in so far as they were conformable to Christian faith. At the
same time Adelman, with whom Eck had once had a scuffle on rising up
from table after a discussion on the great question which then
occupied all minds, was required to appear before the bishop of
Augsburg and purge himself on oath of all participation in the
Lutheran heresy. Still, however, anger and revenge had proved bad
counsellors to Eck. The names of Bilibald and his friends damaged the
bull. The character of these eminent men and their extensive
connections increased the general irritation.
Luther at first pretended to doubt the authenticity of the bull. "I
learn," says he in the first work which he published after it, "that
Eck has brought from Rome a new bull, which resembles him so much, is
so stuffed with falsehood and error, that it might well be named
_Doctor Eck_. He gives out that it is the work of the pope, whereas it
is only a work of lies." After explaining his reasons for doubting its
genuineness, Luther thus concludes, "I must with my own eyes see the
lead, the seal, the tape, the conclusion, the signature of the
bull--every part of it, in short, or I will not estimate all this
clamour at the weight of a straw."[285]
[285] Oder nicht ein Haarbreit geben ... L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 323.
But no man doubted, not even Luther himself, that the bull was the
pope's. Germany waited to see what the Reformer would do. Would he
stand firm? All eyes were fixed on Wittemberg. Luther did not keep his
contemporaries long in suspense. On the 4th of November, 1520, he
replied with a discharge of thunder, by publishing his treatise
'_Against the Bull of Antichrist_.'
"What errors, what impostures," said he, "have crept in among the poor
people under the cloak of the Church, and the pretended infallibility
of the pope! how many souls have thus been lost! how much blood shed!
what murders committed! what kingdoms ruined!"
[Sidenote: EFFECTS OF THE BULL.]
Further on he ironically says, "I know very well how to distinguish
between art and malice, and set very little value on a malice which
has no art. To burn books is so easy a matter that even children can
do it; how much more the Holy Father and his doctors.[286] It would
become them to show greater ability than is requisite merely to burn
books.... Besides, let them destroy my works! I desire nothing more;
for all I wished was to guide men to the Bible, that they might
thereafter lay aside all my writings.[287] Good God! if we had the
knowledge of Scripture, what need would there be for my writings?... I
am free by the grace of God, and bulls neither solace nor frighten me.
My strength and consolation are where neither men nor devils can
assail them."
[286] So ist Bücher verbrennen so leicht, dass es auch Kinder können,
schweig denn der heilige Vater Pabst... (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 324.)
[287] ... In Biblien zu führen dass man derselben Verstand erlangte,
und denn meine Büchlein verschwinden liess. (Ibid.)
Luther's tenth proposition, condemned by the pope, was in the
following terms: "No man's sins are pardoned, if, when the priest
absolves him, he does not believe that they are pardoned." The pope in
condemning it denied that faith was necessary in the Sacrament. "They
maintain," exclaims Luther, "that we ought not to believe that our
sins are pardoned when we are absolved by the priest. What then are we
to do? Listen now, O! Christians, to a new arrival from Rome.
Condemnation is pronounced against this article of faith which we
profess when we say 'I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic
Church, and the forgiveness of sins.' Did I know that the pope had
really given this bull at Rome," (he did not doubt it,) "and that it
was not the invention of the arch-liar, Eck, I would cry aloud to all
Christians that they ought to hold the pope as the true Antichrist
spoken of in Scripture. And if he would not desist from proscribing
the faith of the Church, ... then let the temporal sword resist him
even sooner than the Turk!... For the Turks allow belief, but the pope
forbids it."
While Luther was speaking thus forcibly, his perils were increasing.
The scheme of his enemies was to drive him out of Wittemberg. If
Luther and Wittemberg are separated, both will be destroyed. A single
stroke would thus disencumber Rome of both the heretical doctor and
the heretical university. Duke George, the bishop of Merseburg, and
the theologians of Leipsic were labouring underhand at this work.[288]
Luther on being apprised of it said, "I leave this affair in the hands
of God."[289] These proceedings were not without result: Adrian,
professor of Hebrew at Wittemberg, suddenly turned against the doctor.
It required great firmness in the faith to withstand the shock given
by the Roman bull. There are characters which follow the truth only a
certain distance, and such was Adrian. Frightened at the condemnation
he quitted Wittemberg, and repaired to Leipsic to be near Dr. Eck.
[288] Ut Wittemberga pellerer. (L. Ep. i, p. 519.)
[289] Id quod in manum Dei refero. (Ibid. p. 520.)
[Sidenote: THE DOCTORS OF LOUVAIN AND REGENT MARGARET.]
The bull began to be executed. The voice of the pontiff of Christendom
was not an empty sound. Long had fire and sword taught subjection to
it. Faggot piles were prepared at his bidding, and everything
indicated that a dreadful catastrophe was to put an end to the
audacious revolt of the Augustin monk. In October, 1520, all the
copies of Luther's works in the shops of the booksellers at Ingolstadt
were seized, and put under seal. The Archbishop-Elector of Mentz,
moderate as he was, had to banish Ulric of Hütten from his court, and
imprison his printer. The papal nuncios having laid siege to the young
Emperor, Charles declared that he would protect the ancient
religion;[290] and in some of his hereditary possessions scaffolds
were erected, on which the writings of the heretic were reduced to
ashes. Princes of the Church and magistrates were present at these
_auto-da-fe_. Alcander was quite elated with his success. "The pope,"
said he, in imitation of Prierio, "may dethrone kings! He may, if he
chooses, say to the emperor, Thou art only a tanner! He knows well how
to bring one or two miserable grammarians to their senses. We will
dispose, moreover, of Duke Frederick also." To hear the proud nuncio,
one would have said that the pile of Mentz which consumed Luther's
books was "le commencement de la fin" (_the beginning of the end_.)
These flames, it was said at Rome, will carry terror into every
quarter. Such, in truth, was the effect on many superstitious and
timid spirits; but even in the hereditary states of Charles, where
alone it was ventured to execute the bull, the people, and even the
grandees, often answered these pontifical demonstrations with
derision, or expressions of indignation. "Luther," said the doctors of
Louvain, on presenting themselves before Margaret, Regent of the
Netherlands, "Luther is subverting the Christian faith." "Who is this
Luther?" asked the Princess. "An ignorant monk." "Well, then," replied
she, "do you, who are learned, and in such numbers, write against him.
The world will credit a multitude of learned men sooner than an
isolated, ignorant monk." The doctors of Louvain preferred an easier
method. They caused a vast pile to be erected at their own expense.
The place of execution was covered with spectators, and students and
burghers were seen hastening through the crowd, their arms filled with
large volumes, which they threw into the flames. Their zeal edified
the monks and doctors; but the trick was afterwards discovered.
Instead of the writings of Luther, they had thrown into the fire the
_Sermones discipuli_, _Tartaret_, and other scholastic and popish
books.[291]
[290] A ministris pontificiis mature præoccupatus, declaravit se velle
vetarem fidem tutari..... Pallavicini, p. 80.
[291] Seckend. p. 289.
[Sidenote: DECISIVE STEPS BY THE REFORMER.]
The Count of Nassau, Viceroy of Holland, when the Dominicans were
soliciting the favour of burning the doctor's books, said to them, "Go
and preach the gospel as purely as Luther, and you will have nobody to
complain of." At a festival, attended by the leading princes of the
empire, the Reformer having become the subject of conversation, the
Baron of Ravenstein said, aloud, "In the space of four centuries, only
one Christian man has dared to lift his head, and the pope is wishing
to put him to death."[292]
[292] Es ist in 400 Jahren ein christlicher mann aufgestanden, den
will der Pabst todt aben (Seckend. p. 288.)
Luther, conscious of the power of his cause, remained tranquil amid
the tumult which the bull had excited.[293] "Did you not urge me so
keenly," said he to Spalatin, "I would be silent, well knowing that,
by the power and counsel of God, this work must be accomplished."[294]
The timid man was anxious for speech, the strong man wished to be
silent. It was because Luther discerned a power not visible to the
eyes of his friend. "Be of good courage," continues the Reformer;
"Christ began these things, and Christ will accomplish them, though I
should be put to flight or put to death. Jesus Christ is present here,
and more powerful is He who is in us, than he who is in the
world."[295]
[293] "In bullosis illis tumultibus." (L. Ep. p. 519.) In those bull
tumults.
[294] "Rem totam Deo committerem."(Ibid, 521.) I would commit the
whole affair to God.
[295] "Christus ista cœpit, ista perficiet, etiam me sive extincto,
sive fugato." (Ibid., p. 526.)