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dark ages； brought about by the spirit of a new age； the onward
march of humanity； the necessary progress of society。 I admit the
secondary causes of the Reformation； which are very important；the
awakened spirit of inquiry in the sixteenth century； the revival of
poetry and literature and art； the breaking up of feudalism；
fortunate discoveries； the introduction of Greek literature； the
Renaissance； the disgusts of Christendom； the voice of martyrs
calling aloud from their funeral pyres； yea； the friendly hand of
princes and scholars deploring the evils of a corrupted Church。
But how much had Savonarola； or Erasmus； or John Huss； or the
Lollards aroused the enthusiasm of Europe； great and noble as were
their angry and indignant protests？ The genius of the Reformation
in its early stages was a RELIGIOUS movement； not a political or a
moral one； although it became both political and moral。 Its
strength and fervor were in the new ideas of salvation；the same
that； gave power to the early preachers of Christianity；not
denunciations of imperialism and slavery； and ten thousand evils
which disgraced the empire； but the proclamation of the ideas of
Paul as to the grounds of hope when the soul should leave the body；
the salvation of the Lord； declared to a world in bondage。 Luther
kindled the same religious life among the masses that the apostles
did； the same that Wyclif did； and by the same means；the
declaration of salvation by belief in the incarnate Son of God；
shedding his blood in infinite love。 Why； see how this idea spread
through Germany； Switzerland； and France； and took possession of
the minds of the English and Scotch yeomanry； with all their stern
and earnest ruggedness。 See how it was elaborately expanded by
Calvin； how it gave birth to a new and strong theology； how it
entered into the very life of the people； especially among the
Puritans；into the souls of even Cromwell's soldiers。 What made
〃The Pilgrim's Progress〃 the most popular book ever published in
England？ Because it reflected the theology of the age； the
religion of the people； all based on Luther's theses；the revival
of those old doctrines which converted the Roman provinces from
Paganism。 I do not care if these statements are denied by
Catholics； or rationalists； or progressive savants。 What is it to
me that the old views have become unfashionable； or are derided； or
are dead； in the absorbing materialism of this Epicurean yet
brilliant age？ I know this； that I am true to history when I
declare that the glorious Reformation in which we all profess to
rejoice； and which is the greatest movement； and the best； of our
modern time；susceptible of indefinite application； interlinked
with the literature and the progress of England and America；took
its first great spiritual start from the ideas of Luther as to
justification。 This was the voice of heaven's messenger
proclaiming aloud； so that the heavens re…echoed to the glorious
and triumphant annunciation； and the earth heard and rejoiced with
exceeding joy； 〃Behold； I send tidings of salvation： it is grace；
divine grace； which shall undermine the throne of popes and pagans；
and reconcile a fallen world to God！〃
Yes； it was a Christian philosopher； a theologian；a doctor of
divinity； working out in his cell and study； through terrible
internal storm and anguish； and against the whole teaching of monks
and bishops and popes and universities； from the time of
Charlemagne； the same truth which Augustine learned in his
wonderful experiences；who started the Reformation in the right
direction； who became the greatest benefactor of these modern
times； because he based his work on everlasting and positive ideas；
which had life in them； and hope； and the sanction of divine
authority； thus virtually invoking the aid of God Almighty to bring
about and restore the true glory of his Church on earth；a glory
forever to be identified with the death of his Son。 I see no law
of progress here； no natural and necessary development of nations；
I see only the light and power of individual genius； brushing away
the cobwebs and sophistries and frauds of the Middle Ages； and
bringing out to the gaze of Europe the vital truth which； with
supernatural aid； made in old times the day of Pentecost。 And I
think I hear the emancipated people of Saxony exclaim； from the
Elector downwards； 〃If these ideas of Doctor Luther are true； and
we feel them to be； then all our penances have been worse than
wasted；we have been Pagans。 Away with our miserable efforts to
scale the heavens！ Let us accept what we cannot buy； let us make
our palaces and our cottages alike vocal with the praises of Him
whom we now accept as our Deliverer； our King； and our Eternal
Lord。〃
Thus was born the first great idea of the Reformation； out of
Luther's brain； out of his agonized soul； and sent forth to
conquer； and produce changes most marvellous to behold。
It is not my object to discuss the truth or error of this
fundamental doctrine。 There are many who deny it； even among
Protestants。 I am not a controversialist； or a theologian： I am
simply an historian。 I wish to show what is historically true and
clear； and I defy all the scholars and critics of the world to
prove that this doctrine is not the basal pillar of the Reformation
of Luther。 I wish to make emphatic the statement that
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH was； as an historical fact； the great primal
idea of Luther； not new； but new to him and to his age。
I have now to show how this idea led to others； how they became
connected together； how they produced not only a spiritual
movement； but political； moral； and intellectual forces； until all
Europe was in a blaze。
Thus far the agitation under Luther had been chiefly theological。
It was not a movement against popes or institutions； it was not
even the vehement denunciation against sin in high places； which
inflamed the anger of the Pope against Savonarola。 To some it
doubtless seemed like the old controversy between Augustine and
Pelagius； like the contentions between Dominican and Franciscan
monks。 But it was too important to escape the attention of even
Leo X。； although at first he gave it no thought。 It was a
dangerous agitation； it had become popular； there was no telling
where it would end； or what it might not assail。 It was deemed
necessary to stop the mouth of this bold and intellectual Saxon
theologian。
So the voluptuous； infidel； elegant Popeaccomplished in manners
and pagan arts and literaturesent one of the most learned men of
the Church which called him Father； to argue with Doctor Luther；
confute him； conquer him；deeming this an easy task。 But the
doctor could not be silenced。 His convictions were grounded on the
rock； not on Peter； but on the rock from which Peter derived his
name。 All the papal legates and cardinals in the world could
neither convince nor frighten him。 He courted argument； h