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himself, however, wrote to the Prince, complaining of the protection he was extending to Luther, and demanded anew that he should send him to Rome. But the Prince feared God, and complied not with the Pope's desires. Luther's work, meanwhile, made constant progress: he published many good books, particularly sermons, which travelled through the world, and imparted light and comfort unto many.

The new year, 1519, brought with it a new trial to Luther. The Pope sent his Chamberlain, Mr.. Von Miltit, to the Prince of Saxony, to try either to gain the Prince in

to

that he said Luther ought to have his tongue cut out, and then to be burnt alive. And in order to create alarm, he actually caused a scaffold to be erected at Juterbock. But what did Luther do? Confiding firmly in God, whose glory he sought to promote, he published a large book, wherein he explained how a man might obtain forgiveness of sin. Nay, he wrote down ninety-five especial articles on the subject, and affixed them, according to the custom of the universities, to the walls of the palace church at Wittenberg, inviting all men of learning to discuss the matter with him, and to examine whether or not these propositions his favour, or to turn the mind of were true, or whether they were Luther. To meet this messenger, able to disprove his doctrines. Luther was invited to come This took place on the 31st of Oc- Altenburg, and was there urged, in tober, 1517, which day is in many a very friendly manner, to change places celebrated annually as the his mind. Luther replied, "What anniversary of the Reformation, to I have taught I cannot retract, for which great work this was the first I have taught the truth. I am great step. The consternation oc- willing, however, to desist from casioned hereby was so vast, as attacking Tetzel and his followers, speedily to reach the Pope, who, provided they hold their peace, in great rage, commanded Dr. and do not provoke me." Luther to come to Rome, to be outward quietness appeared to be punished; but God protected him. restored, but the enemies of truth He inclined the heart of the pious did not rest. Through their oppoPrince (of Saxony) not to let him sition, they helped to forward the go. He was, however, obliged, in cause of reform. Dr. Eck, a 1518, to appear at Augsburg, to learned man, caused a disputation defend himself before a cardinal, to be held at Leipsic, but he could by whom Luther was commanded not prevail against Luther and to recant all his opinions, and to Carlstadt; incensed at which, he confess that he had been teaching proceeded to Rome, where he error. Dr. Luther replied, "This raised accusations against Luther, I cannot do prove to me from the so strong as to provoke the Pope, Scriptures that it is so." Being in great fury, to excommunicate threatened by the cardinal with punishment, he answered, "I have given up my will to the will of God, and though I had four hundred heads, I would lose them all sooner than retract my doctrine of faith." Whereupon, he was for this time set free.

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Thus

Luther, and all who believed his doctrines; permitting and commanding that they might be deprived of honour, office, property, and life. He caused the writings of Luther to be publicly burnt at Rome. But what did Luther, on hearing this? Surprising is the step he now ventured upon. He took

the Pope's bull and others of his papers, and likewise burned them publicly at Wittenberg; thus proving that he cared not for the pretended visible head of the church. God, no doubt, gave him the courage and the strength he thus displayed.

prayer to God, and then was en-
abled, by the strength of the Spirit
of the Lord, boldly to open his
mouth, and to say
"Since your
imperial majesty and your princely
graces desire a round answer, I
will give one that cannot easily be
misunderstood. Save that I be
proved from God's word to have
erred, I neither can nor will retract,
seeing it is not good to do aught
contrary to conscience. Here I
am; I cannot turn; God help me.

Still many another hard conflict this brave reformer was destined to sustain. God was with him throughout, and Him he trusted and obeyed; wherefore God did not forsake him. A new emperor, Amen!" Charles V. had mounted the throne, The whole assembly was deeply and before him the Prince of agitated. They looked at one anSaxony and Dr. Luther were ac- other with astonishment. At length cused by the Pope; the Doctor Luther was once more invited to being forthwith summoned to ap-retract, but he continued stedfast, pear at the Diet, to be held at requesting he might not be urged Worms, in 1521, before the empe- to act contrary to his conscience; ror, princes, cardinals, and bishops, and then he was dismissed. Oh, in council assembled. Before these he was to defend himself. He was advised by many not to go, seeing the great danger attending such a step; but the brave Reformer replied, "I am called; I must proceed in Christ, though there should be at Worms as many devils as there are tiles on the roofs of the houses, yet I must go." Some reminded him of the fate of John Huss, who was burnt alive at a Diet held one hundred years before; to whom he courageously replied, "And if they made a fire, reaching from Wittenberg to Worms, yet I must go; I must defend the Gospel of Jesus." How noble a mind was Luther's! He arrived at Worms on the 16th of April, and immediately on the following day was summoned to appear before the imperial assembly. Here lay the books published by him. He was asked whether he were willing to retract their contents. He requested time for consideration, which was granted till the following day. What must he have felt then! He spent the whole night in

brethren, consider the hardness of the conflict, for his life was in danger; but remember also the glorious victory! Oh, the great power of faith and prayer! The emperor had given his promise to have him safely re-conducted to his home, but now the ambassadors of the Pope urgently entreated the emperor not to keep this promise; to whom the emperor nobly replied, "And though truth and faith should be found no where else in the world, they shall yet be found with the Roman emperor." Do you not again perceive here the finger of God?

But our hero for the truth had not yet escaped from all dangers. After his departure, the ambassadors succeeded so far as to induce the emperor silently to permit his being proclaimed "a banished man;" that is, his life was placed at the mercy of every man who might meet him. Luther was thus in the most imminent danger, but his God was with him. He disposed the heart of the Prince to send for him secretly, whilst yet

on his journey home, and to secure These proceedings excited much a safe retreat for him. This was agitation at Wittenberg. Philip accomplished by means of armed Melanchthon and Justus Jonas, to horsemen, meeting him in a forest, whom alone the abode of Dr. Luwho forced him out of the carriage, ther was known, gave him inforplaced him on a horse, and hurried mation of what had taken place. with him to a castle named Wart- Luther did not hesitate, although burg. There he was disguised still in that state of great danger under the dress of a knight, a as to his life, in which he had been strange name being given him. placed by the declaration of “baThus he remained concealed for nishment" pronounced against him, the space of nine months, nobody he quickly ventured forth to Witknowing what was become of Dr. tenberg in the garb of a knight, Luther. Yet the work of the Re- and speedily succeeded in restorformation was not hereby stopped. ing order and peace. For some No; that great cause was evidently time he kept himself concealed, advancing, for nothing can prevent but soon resumed his occupations; the accomplishment of whatsoever he taught, he put to print his transGod is pleased to foster. Dr. lated Bible, and he introduced a Luther here commenced the great better arrangement into the Chriswork of translating the Bible into tian service of God, with a view the German language; he also to a greater degree of edification. wrote many other good books, This was presently followed up by whilst his colleagues at Wittenberg similar changes at other places, were actively engaged in bringing and thus the work of reformaabout a salutary change at that tion succeeded in spite of all opplace. Many abuses were abo- position and persecution. The lished, a better style of preaching Prince Elector himself now dewas introduced, the holy sacra-clared, "This is the work of God ment of the Lord's Supper admi- whom no man can resist." In the nistered in a manner more consist-year 1524, Dr. Luther discontinued ent with the edification of the wearing the dress of a monk, and people, besides other improvements in the year following he was mareffected; and thus the Reforma- ried to Catharine von Bora, who tion was advancing at Wittenberg, had formerly been a nun. In the even during Dr. Luther's absence. same year the Prince Elector of Saxony died, and was succeeded The progress of the work of grace; in the government by his brother God's great design shall still succeed, John, a Prince of the same princiTo bless and save our fallen race. ples of piety, and who upheld the The zeal, however, with which reformed church and its doctrine. the men in the case before us, pro- In 1528, the reformation was spread secuted their good work, was very through the whole of the princinigh made the cause of a danger-pality of Saxony. In the followous crisis. They proceeded too ing year, at the Diet held at Speyer, hastily, perhaps, to abolish rites the Emperor ordained that the reand practices, which, from the want of more light in religious matters at that time, were still held sacred by many; they quickly removed all images from the churches.

Pretend not, feeble man, t'impede

formed religion should no where be received; against which, however, the Princes protested, declaring they could not, consistently with their own consciences, obey that order, and they were there

in peace.

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fore named Protestants; though to die in that faith which he had they are more properly called Evan- confessed whilst he lived, he regelical Christians. In the year plied: "Yes, yes," and fell asleep. 1530, a Diet was called by the His remains were conEmperor at Augsburg, at which veyed from Eisleben to Wittenberg, those of evangelical sentiments and there interred in the Palace delivered a confession of their Church, a funeral sermon being faith, which has since been called preached from 1 Thess. iv. 13-18. the Augsburg Confession. It was But I would not have you to be drawn up by Philip Melanchthon, ignorant brethren, concerning them and approved by Dr. Luther. It which are asleep, that ye sorrow was read aloud at the Diet, and not, even as others which have no then handed to the Emperor. Most hope. For if we believe that Jesus European countries soon followed, died and rose again, even so them in embracing the Reformation, and also which sleep in Jesus will God at last in the year 1532, the Em- bring with him. For this we say peror's full permission was given unto you, by the word of the Lord, for the reformed to teach and that we which are alive and remain preach the Gospel, and to live unto the coming of the Lord, shall agreeably to its precepts. not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Thus the victory was gained; God having wonderfully caused all the craft and cunning of the evil disposed to come to nought, and the truth to prevail, the lives of its promoters being mercifully preserved.

This victory the great hero of the faith lived to see, he being spared till the year 1546, the 18th February, when, having attained to the 63d year of a life replete with glorious deeds he died in peace at Eisleben, * full of hope and confidence in that God, who had so wonderfully sustained and protected him.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

WE have no disposition to decline the accustomed salutation of the He was heard frequently, on the present season for whether we last day of his life, to utter the fol- wish happiness to others, or delowing prayer: "Father, into thy sire it for ourselves, Christian prinhands I commend my spirit; thou ciples are alike favourable to our hast redeemed me, Oh Lord, thou design; their genuine influence is, God of truth and faithfulness." not only to produce glory to Being asked immediately before God in the highest," but " peace he expired, whether he was willing on earth and good will towards men."

* It is remarkable after all the hazards to which the life of this great reformer had been exposed by his intrepidity, that he died in the town where he was born, in the

house of the Earl of Mansfield. "Man is immortal till his hour is come."

It may, indeed, be said, that these familiar salutations being generally words of course, and employed without reflection, convey no definite meaning, and produce no lasting impression. Perhaps

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so; yet before we abandon the it surely ought not to be urged as courtesies of ordinary life, we should an argument for their omission; like to be informed what is pro- but merely as suggesting the proposed to repair, in our common priety of endeavouring to render parlance, the loss which would them more effective by an increasbe sustained by their withdraw-ed exercise of thought and earnestness when the opportunity for their mutual application recurs.

ment.

We by no means intend to advocate the cause of mere expletives, much less to defend the practice of insincerity; but we are also unwilling to become the patrons of incivility, or to countenance a system which, though it might effectually banish ceremony from our social intercourse, and restrain the spontaneous expression of kind feeling, would present no barrier to the intrusion of a repulsive coarseness, nor supply any connecting link by which the almost instinctive utterance of the lips, may be associated with the natural sympathy of the heart.

To desire that whatever impedes the attainment of happiness may be removed-that whatever contributes to it may be conferredand that the new date may be distinguished beyond any former period by its possession, is to wish for " a happy new year."

of

It must, indeed, be confessed that personal afflictions, domestic trials, and commercial embarrassments, greatly imbitter the cup human life; yet, if the heart be eminently under the sacred control of Christian principles, and is subdued into a pious submission to the good pleasure of our Heavenly Father; there will remain a source of happiness, which it will not be in the power of these calamitous events materially to affect;

Indeed, while such a change would be obviously for the worse as to our manners, it is not at all certain it would be attended with any improvement of our morals; there being no necessary connec-for by its unparalleled influence it tion between the absence of po- is possible to " glory in tribulaliteness and the existence of moral tions ;" and even to " count it excellence. all joy when we fall into divers Is there not, however, a desira-temptations." In our desire of ble medium, in regarding which, happiness, therefore, however we we may be equally secured from may be allowed to include the abviolating the acknowledged pre-sence of those distressing visitacepts of good behaviour, and at tions, we should be infinitely more the same time, from neglecting the concerned that a spirit of insuborsuperior obligations of truth and dination to the divine government, honesty? and a constant propensity to seek In reference then, to the saluta- for enjoyment in the paths of distion usually employed at this sea-obedience, may be mercifully reson of the year, it is only for us to pressed, by the continual presence reflect on what a mind imbued and efficient operation of divine with Christian benevolence may be grace. supposed to include in the expression, and adopt it ourselves with a similar comprehensiveness. Should it be objected, that so much as this rarely comes within the contemplation of the persons who exchange these annual civilities,

Though to be ungrateful for the external comforts and accommodations of life would be highly unbecoming, yet, it ought ever to be recollected that "a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

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