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

for it. tie had a great, loving heart, as full of affection and forbearance for
man, even when straying, as it was full of hatred to error in all its forms.
Bancroft.
Bancroft makes a more correct statement of Luther's true principles
in regard to persecution: 67 “Luther was more dogmatical than his
opponents; though the deep philosophy with which his mind was imbued,
repelled the use of violence to effect conversion in religion. He was wont to
protest against propagating reform by persecution and massacres; and with
wise moderation, an admirable knowledge of human nature, a familiar and
almost ludicrous quaintness of expression, he would deduce from his great
principle of justification by faith alone, the sublime doctrine of freedom of
conscience." To this is added the note: "Nollem vi et caede pro evangelia
certari," (I could not wish any to contend for the Gospel by violence and
slaughter.) Luther's Seven Sermons--delivered in March, 1522. "Predigen
will ichs, sagen will ichs, schreiben will ichs, aber zwingen, dringen mit
Gewalt will ichs Niemand; denn der Glaube will ich ungencethigt und
ohne Zwang angenommen werden." (I will preach, I will talk in private, I
will write, but I will force, I will coerce no man: for I will have the faith
accepted, without constraint and without force.)
Kohlrausch.
We have a testimony to the same effect, in the History of Germany, 68
by KOHLRAUSCH: "Shortly previous to the commencement of the
sanguinary war of religion, Luther, the author of the grand struggle,
breathed his last. He had used all the weight of his power and influence in
order to dissuade his party from mixing external force with that which
ought only to have its seat within the calm profundity of the soul; and,
indeed, as long as he lived, this energetic Reformer was the warm advocate
for the maintenance of peace. He repeatedly reminded the princes that his
doctrine was foreign to their warlike weapons, and he beheld with pain and
distress, in the latter years of his life, the growing temporal direction given
to the Holy Cause, and the increasing hostility of parties, whence he
augured nothing good.”
Gerhard.
In that immortal work of John Gerhard (theologorum princeps,
tertius à Luthero et Chemnitio, orbis Evangelici Atlantis),
67 Hist. United States, i. 274.
68 Lond., 18-44, p. 402.