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From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

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pulpit from which <strong>the</strong>y preached <strong>the</strong> doctrines <strong>of</strong><br />

free grace, in ano<strong>the</strong>r an altar at which <strong>the</strong>y used <strong>to</strong><br />

say mass. The visi<strong>to</strong>rs put an end <strong>to</strong> such dualisms.<br />

The doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universal priesthood <strong>of</strong><br />

believers did not comport, Lu<strong>the</strong>r thought, with a<br />

difference <strong>of</strong> grade among <strong>the</strong> ministers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Gospel, but <strong>the</strong> pas<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greater cities were<br />

appointed, under <strong>the</strong> title <strong>of</strong> superintendents, <strong>to</strong><br />

supervise <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs, and <strong>to</strong> watch over both<br />

congregations and schools.<br />

The one great want everywhere, Lu<strong>the</strong>r found<br />

<strong>to</strong> be want <strong>of</strong> knowledge. He set himself <strong>to</strong> remedy<br />

<strong>the</strong> deficiency by compiling popular manuals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Reformed doctrine, and by issuing plain<br />

instructions <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> preachers <strong>to</strong> qualify <strong>the</strong>m more<br />

fully for teaching <strong>the</strong>ir frocks. He was at pains,<br />

especially, <strong>to</strong> show <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> indissoluble link<br />

between <strong>the</strong> doctrine <strong>of</strong> a free justification and<br />

holiness <strong>of</strong> life. His "Larger and Smaller<br />

Catechisms," which he published at this time, were<br />

among <strong>the</strong> most valuable fruits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church<br />

visitation. By spreading widely <strong>the</strong> truth <strong>the</strong>y did<br />

much <strong>to</strong> root <strong>the</strong> Reformation among <strong>the</strong> people,<br />

219

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