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

is so closely associated with that of faith, that one must stand or fall with
the other. On this, also, the corner-stone of Lutheranism, pre-eminently
hold fast, I beg you, by Luther's writings. I think it was Spener who had
felt, with reference to this system, a doubt which, it seemed to him, nothing
could overthrow; he read Luther's writings and his doubts vanished. But,
as I have said, Luther already mourned that not all comprehended him, and
whilst every one was crying out about faith, justification, and good works,
few had really grasped his meaning and his spirit; the consequences, both
immediate and long after his death, were melancholy enough. When in
this matter you need instruction, or long to have difficulties resolved, go to
this living man of faith himself, this legitimate son of Paul. In his writing is
so much sound sense, with such strength of spirit and fervor of an honest
heart, that often, when worn out with the frigid refinings and speculations
of a more recent date, I have found that I was revived by him alone."
"Conjoin with his biography, his own writings, (0 that we had a complete
collection of them in the languages in which he wrote them!) read these,
and you will know him differently, for he gives a picture of himself in every
line." "May the great Head of the Church revive in this land (Germany)-the
cradle of the Reformation--the spirit of the reformers, so that the mantle
of Luther may fall upon his professed followers and admirers, that all who
pretend to teach may be taught of God, men of faith, learning, research,
and above all, of ardent and unfeigned piety."
Kahnis.
Kahnis: 78 "Nothing but the narrowness of party can deny that there
are respects in which no other reformer can bear comparison with Luther
as the person of the Reformation.
Roman Catholic Judgment. Stolberg
The Romanists do but prejudice their own cause, when they
undervalue a man who, with nothing but the weapons of the Spirit, shook
to its lowest depths the entire Church of the Middle Ages. Every Catholic
who claims to be a lover of truth, should concur in the judgment of Count
Stolberg, who, though he deserted Protestantism for the Catholic Church,
says:
78 Ueb. d. Principien d. Protestantismus, Leipz., 1865.