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In Germany to the Leipsic Disputation - James Aitken Wylie

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of <strong>the</strong> Turks, <strong>the</strong> Emperor of <strong>the</strong> Tartars, <strong>the</strong><br />

Emperor of <strong>the</strong> Persians; in spite of <strong>the</strong> Pope and<br />

all <strong>the</strong> cardinals, with <strong>the</strong> bishops, priests, monks,<br />

and nuns; in spite of kings, princes, and nobles; and<br />

in spite of all <strong>the</strong> world, and of <strong>the</strong> devils<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves; and that if <strong>the</strong>y endeavor <strong>to</strong> fight<br />

against this truth <strong>the</strong>y will draw <strong>the</strong> fires of hell<br />

upon <strong>the</strong>ir own heads. This is <strong>the</strong> true and holy<br />

Gospel, and <strong>the</strong> declaration of me, Doc<strong>to</strong>r Martin<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r, according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> teaching of <strong>the</strong> Holy<br />

Ghost. We hold fast <strong>to</strong> it in <strong>the</strong> name of God.<br />

Amen." This was what Lu<strong>the</strong>r learned at Rome.<br />

Verily, he believed, it was worth his long and<br />

<strong>to</strong>ilsome journey thi<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> learn this one truth. Out<br />

of it were <strong>to</strong> come <strong>the</strong> life that would revive<br />

Christendom, <strong>the</strong> light that would illuminate it, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> holiness that would purify and adorn it. <strong>In</strong> that<br />

one doctrine lay folded <strong>the</strong> whole Reformation. "I<br />

would not have missed my journey <strong>to</strong> Rome," said<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r afterwards, "for a hundred thousand<br />

florins."<br />

When he turned his back on Rome, he turned<br />

his face <strong>to</strong>ward <strong>the</strong> Bible. The Bible henceforward<br />

91

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