Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

571
Let us ascertain the sentiments of the leading Reformers with special
reference to the case of Servetus. They form a complete justification of
Calvin as far as such a justification is possible.
Luther.
Luther, the hero of Worms, the champion of the sacred rights of
conscience, was, in words, the most violent, but in practice, the least
intolerant, among the Reformers. He was nearest to Romanism in the
condemnation of heresy, but nearest to the genius of Protestantism in the
advocacy of religious freedom. He was deeply rooted in mediaeval piety,
and yet a mighty prophet of modern times. In his earlier years, till 1529, he
gave utterance to some of the noblest sentiments in favor of religious
liberty. “Belief is a free thing,” he said, “which cannot be enforced.” “If
heretics were to be punished by death, the hangman would be the most
orthodox theologian.” “Heresy is a spiritual thing which no iron can hew
down, no fire burn, no water drown.” f1009 To burn heretics is contrary to
the will of the Holy Spirit.” f1010 False teachers should not be put to death;
it is enough to banish them.” f1011
But with advancing years he became less liberal and more intolerant against
Catholics, heretics, and Jews. He exhorted the magistrates to forbid all
preaching of Anabaptists, whom he denounced without discrimination as
false prophets and messengers of the devil, and he urged their
expulsion. f1012 He raised no protest when the Diet of Speier, in 1529,
passed the cruel decree that the Anabaptists be executed by fire and sword
without distinction of sex, and even without a previous hearing before the
spiritual judges. f1013 The Elector of Saxony considered it his duty to
execute this decree, and put a number of Anabaptists to death in his
dominions. His neighbor, Philip of Hesse, who had more liberal instincts
than the contemporary princes of Germany, could not find it in his
conscience to use the sword against differences of belief. f1014 But the
theologians of Wittenberg, on being consulted by the Elector John
Frederick about 1540 or 1541, gave their judgment in favor of putting the
Anabaptists to death, according to the laws of the empire. Luther approved
of this judgment under his own name, adding that it was cruel to punish
them by the sword, but more cruel that they should damn the ministry of
the Word and suppress the true doctrine, and attempt to destroy the
kingdoms of the world. f1015