The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

celebrity, from his favorite University of Wittenberg. While his doctrine
spread far and wide, and wealthy cities would have been proud to receive
him, Luther clung to the spot where he discharged the duty of a teacher,
and to the associates whom he had known in his season of humility. The
freedom of his language in treating of the conduct of the great, arose partly
from his constitutional ardor, and partly from an habitual impression of the
all-powerful claims of truth. The lofty attitude, so often assumed by him, is
not therefore to be attributed to pride or vanity. In treating of the
Scriptures, he considered himself as acting in the presence of God, whose
majesty and glory were so infinitely exalted above all created beings, as to
reduce to one and the same level the artificial distinctions of worldly
institutions. Under this conviction, the prince or king, who ventured to
oppose what Luther considered the word of God, seemed to him no more
exempted from severe epithets than the humblest of his adversaries.
However we may censure the length to which his freedom was carried, the
boldness of his conduct was, on the whole, productive of much good. An
independent and manly tone in regard not only to religion, but to civil
liberty, literature, the arts and sciences, was created and disseminated by
his example. Few writers discover greater knowledge of the world, or a
happier talent in analyzing and illustrating the shades of character. It is
equally remarkable that no man could display more forcibly the tranquil
consolations of religion. Few men entered with more ardor into the
innocent pleasures of society. His frankness of disposition was apparent at
the first interview, and his communicative turn, joined to the richness of his
stores, rendered his conversation remarkably interesting. In treating of
humorous subjects, he discovered as much vivacity and playfulness as if he
had been a man unaccustomed to serious research." His conjugal and
paternal affection, his love of music, his power of throwing a charm
around the topics of religion, his fearlessness in danger, and his
extraordinary powers as a preacher, are dwelt upon by Bower, whose
sketch is one well worthy of being read. 28
28 The Life of Luther, etc., by Alexander Bower. Philadelphia. 1824