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

not have been Luther, without these three leading features: his strong faith;
his spiritual eloquence; and firmness of character and purpose. He united-and
this is the most extraordinary fact connected with him--to large
endowments of mind and heart, and the great gift of imparting these
intellectual treasures, the invincible power of original and creative thought,
both in resisting and influencing the outer world."
Guericke.
"The history of the Reformation, which Guericke presents in his
admirable compend, is in keeping with his strong, consistent Lutheran
position, and though it does not contain any distinct, elaborate analysis of
Luther's character, presents a just view of his career and his qualities." 64
Guizot.
The Twelfth Lecture of Guizot, 65 is devoted to the Reformation. In a
note at the close of the chapter, the remark of Robertson is quoted, that
“Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, Knox, the founders of the Reformed Church, in
their respective countries, inflicted, as far as they had power and
opportunity, the same punishments which were denounced by the Church
of Rome upon such as called in question any article of their creed."
Luther’s Toleration.
Upon this passage of Robertson, Smythe, 66 remarks, that "Luther
might have been favorably distinguished from Calvin and others. There are
passages in his writings, with regard to the interference of the magistrate in
religious concerns, that do him honor; but he was favorably situated, and
lived not to see the temporal sword at his command. He was never tried."
The closing words of Smythe are in defiance of the facts in the case. More
than any private man in the sixteenth century, Luther had the temporal
sword at his command. He was tried. He was a shield to his enemies,
both in person and doctrine, when the penalties of the law were hanging
over them. Single-handed he protested against resort to violence. He
averted war when the great Protestant princes were eager
64 Handbuch der Kirchengeschichte von H. E. F. Guericke, 9te Aufl., Leipzig, 1867, vol. iii., 1-778.
65 General History of Civilization in Europe, from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution, 3d
American from the 2d English edition, with occasional notes by C. S. Henry, D. D., New York, 1846, p. 248-268.
66 Lectures on Modern History, Am. ed., p. 262.