Considering these awful facts, the precise moment of Luther's attack upon the absurdities and impieties of the age appears to have been singularly providential. Unconscious as the agent himself might be of the great work which he was about to undertake, the vast affair was evidently conducted, non sine numine Dei, with a view to the whole of the obnoxious system.

flad Luther begun with attacking a mere doctrinal error, however flagrant or absurd, he would doubtless have been foiled, if not by the then current subtleties of Aristotelian dialectics, at least by the powerful terrors of inquisitorial authority. But an attack upon those nefarious practices in Popery which so unsparingly exhausted the purses of its devotees, cold scarcely fail to be popular; and thus eventually paved the way for a more free examination of the whole system to which such expedients were appended. So unblushing was the effrontery of the priesthood, and so unsuspecting the blindness of the age, that the officers of the Roman chancery published a book containing the exact sum to be paid for any particular sin. A deacon guilty of murder was absolved for twenty crowns. A bishop or abbot might assassinate for three hundred livres. An ecclesiastic might violate his vows of chastity, even with the most: ggravating circumstances, for the third part of that sum. To these and similar items it is added, "take notice particularly, that such graces and dipensations are not granted to the Poon; for, not having wherewith to pay, they cannot be comforted.'

These were facts that came home to every bosom. No logical or rhetorical arts were necessary to render the subject interesting. An ignorant man could dis cover that a pilgrimage was troublesome, and a thoughtless one, that a dispensation was expensive; a prince, that the traffic în indulgences diminished his revenues; and an ecclesiastic, that a foreign jurisdiction was a constant tax and inconvenience. Had Luther coolly immersed himself in his Augustinean cell till he had thoroughly formed and digested a complete body of pure divinity, he would have found, on its publication, that he had far outstripped the knowledge and the feelings of the age; and would probably have lost his life for his audacity, instead of attracting disciples by the just ness of his reasoning. But beginning, as he happily did, with a simple obvious evil, the untenable system of indulgences, he could not fail of securing attention; and to a man in his circumstances, with truth and Heaven on his side, to attract attention was to secure victory. Had he laid at once a train of gunpowder under the whole fabric, he would have lived

perhaps in the rècords of history only as a mad incendiary who had perished in his rash attempt; but beginning with a few decayed fragments, which he could readily prove to every passing spectator were a nuisance to the whole building, he was permitted to commence the demolition of them: one unsound part thus removed, another was rendered visible, so that he was at length suffered to proceed till he had not left a single portion untouched in the vast edifice of superstition. Indeed he himself was as little able to support & premature disclosure of the whole truth, as the most bigotted of his opponents. His own intellectual eye had been but recently couched, so that he could describe the objects which he beheld only in the gradual order in which they were wisely unveiled to his perception. A full burst of meridian light would but have dazzled him and his cotemporaries with an overpowering glare; they were therefore gradually conducted from the pitchy darkness of the cavern in which Popish superstition had so long immured the world, to the first matin glimmering of celestial day;-as the light advanced, their intellectual optics became familiarized to its reception, till at length they could cheerfully bask in the bright and vivifying beams of a noontide sun.

The state of the Catholic Church was at this period quiet and reposing. Though many circumstances had occurred to prepare the public mind for the introduction of a new order of things-though some portentous gatherings of the no distant tempest might have been discernible to attentive observers, when not only private persons but distinguished princes upbraided the despotism, the fraud, the avarice, the extortion, the licentiousness of the Popish hierarchy, and even demanded a reform of abuses by means of a general council,-yet the right of private judgment was not asserted, the supreme authority and infallibility of the Pope in religious affairs was not disputed, and the Roman Pontiff felt the utmost selfconsciousness of security. The commo- . tions which had been excited in some former ages by the Waldenses, Albigenses, and Beghards, and more recently by the Bohemians, seemed to be at an end; and as in nature the storm is frequently preceded by a peculiar stillness diffused around, when the winds are hushed into peace-not a leaf of the forest stirs not a wave ripples on the tranquilized surface of the lake-not a bird futters through the air to dissolve the universal enchantment; so was the atmosphere of Rome at this time hushed into the deepest calmnot a breath of murmur stirred--not a tongue moved--not a voice was heard to excite alarm, and ecclesiastical authority lolled at perfect ease in the papal chair

If the low mutterings of discontent began to roll, they were too distant to be heard, or too contemptible to be feared. If any intimation were given of the existence of rebellious feelings, they were only treated with the smile of ridicule. What mortal power could storm the citadel of St. Peter, and overturn the turrets of superstition? Who dare resist the well established power of papal domination? Where was a son of Jesse to be found who could hope to slay the giant in his strength and glory!

Luther was that hero. Assisted by a Concurrence of providentially disposed circumstances, he resolutely began the tremendous task, and who has not heard of his aptitude for its fulfilment? Bold, vigorous, and persevering, incapable of being bribed by kindness or terrified by menace, he attacked the papal power in its most vital parts, and never ceased the unequal contest till the triple monster sank beneath his arm. The whole of Europe stood spectators of the long protracted combat! Every face exhibited breathless expectation and anxiety, interrupted only by the terrific clash of contending arms, and the alternate shouts of zealous partizans encouraging their favourite champion, or triumphing over the momentary fall of his opponent. The wounds received by Popery in that memorable conflict, have never yet been healed; and though they have not had the happy effect of materially moderating her pride, they have so greatly exhausted her strength and crippled her energies, that Europe has comparatively little to dread, at least in a political view, from her insolent pretensions.

Hitherto, however, we have not advert ed to the precise and most important point in which the religious system of Luther, and, we may add, of the New Testament itself, radically differs from that which he was the instrument of overpowering. Indulgences, and dispensations, and similar topics, did not bound the views of our great reformer: he began indeed with these practical and obvious abuses, but his powerful mind soon perceived that they all flowed from a common source, and however various in appearance, were only adjuncts to one fundamental misconception. He viewed the vast system of Popery-though worthy of reprobation on various other accountsas levelled especially against one plain doctrine of our holy faith, which being fully established and defined, the individual abuses in question would inevitably lose their support.

The doctrine of a plenary atonement for sin, an atonement wholly irrespective of human desert, is the characteristic of the Christian economy; and it was not, therefore, without reason that Luther felt

the necessity of continually recurring to its importance. He perceived that the abuses which Popery had introduced were almost all at variance with this fundamental tenet of revealed religion. Penances and pilgrimages had nearly super seded, in human opinion, the necessity for that great and only sacrifice which the New Testament exhibits as the sole atonement for sin; and above all, the doctrine of indulgences, besides involving a thousand absurd errors, proceeded on the antiscriptural hypothesis, that man, frail and fallible man, might not only perform all that was required, but might even accumulate a supererogated stock of merit, transferable to any individual who would venture his money in the purchase. So completely had this idea taken root in the minds of men, that the shrines of saints, so called, became crowded with offerings and devotees, whilst that of Him who is the only Mediator between God and man was neglected and despised. A curious instance of this occurs in the annals of the cathedral at Canterbury, where a shrine had been erected to the memory and worship of that arch-traitor Thomas à Becket, whom the Papists canonized as a glorious martyr for the rights of the priesthood. The offerings of pilgrims to the cathedral in one year were as follow: Becket's shrine L.832 18 6 The Virgin's CHRIST'S

63 5 6 326

remarkable proof of forgetfulness towards A subsequent year furnished a still more Him to whom alone we ought to ascribe the blessings of salvation. Becket The Virgin CURIST.

L. 554 6 3

4 1 8. 0 0 0!

Luther insisted so unremittingly on individual doctrines, especially on the one under consideration, and which he was accustomed to denominate articulum stantis vel cadentis ecclesiæ, not solely on account of their great relative importance in the Christian scheme, but on account also of their being the precise points on which the whole Reformation appeared to him to depend. Adhering to the scriptural idea of our justification before God being, not the reward of our imperfect merit, but a gratuitous act of divine mercy depending on our repentance and farth, he needed no stronger battery from which to act with irresistible effect on the whole concatenated system of papal superstition.

Happy was it for Luther, that amidst his arduous contest with the Romish Church, he did not stand alone, but was possessed of a friend and companion eminently qualified for correcting his errors, supplying his defects, and regulating the hasty sallies of his impetuous spirit. His

beloved Philip Melancthon was about fourteen years younger than himself, being born in the year 1497.

A circumstance which conduced materially to the happiness of these two eminent characters, while it furnished a never-failing source of virulent declamation to their adversaries, was their having each entered into the bonds of connubial felicity. Luther's marriage was peculiarly obnoxious to the Papists, in consequence of his having been himself a monk, and Catherine de Bora, whom he married, a nun; nor was it altogether pleasing to the Reformers themselves, an account of the unfortunate political juncture at which it happened. It is pleasing, however, to behold this rough polemic occasionally relaxing from his labours to enjoy the comforts of domestic life.

a

Warm as he was in temper, and unaccustomed to yield to authoritative commands, he yet possessed much of the milk of human kindness. Few men entered with more ardour into the innocent plea. sures of society. His frankness of disposition was apparent at the first interview, and his communicative turn, joined to the richness of his stores, rendered his conversation remarkably interesting. In treat ing of humorous subjects, he discovered as much vivacity and playfulness as if he had been a man unaccustomed to serious research. The visitor of Luther's domes tic circle was assured of witnessing pleasing union of religious service with conjugal and paternal affection. His fondness for music continued during life, and spread a charm over the discharge of his serious duties. He was always a zealous advocate for the use of music in public worship. In an evening, before parting from his family and friends, he was in the habit of regularly singing a hymn. This he usually did in a high key, and with all the advantage of a delightful voice. In his hours of occasional dejection, music proved his most pleasant and effectual restorative. It was much to be regretted that his constitution, though apparently robust, by no means afforded him the steady enjoyment of health. Whether from taking too little exercise, or from the repeated occurrence of mental agitation, he was subject to frequent and se vere headaches. In respect to diet, he was remarkably abstemious; a habit probably acquired in his monastery, and continued in consequence of the sedentary nature of his occupations.

The moment at length arrived, in which, after eight and twenty years of most intimate and honourable attachment, these friends were obliged to part, at least till that auspicious morning of the resurrec tion in which they might hope to be again united. Luther, though not more than sixty-three years of age, had been long

languishing by the slow accession of disease. The ardour of his mind had prematurely worn away its corporeal compa nion; the sword had cut the sheath. The following is an extract from the letter written by his friend Jons to the Elector of Saxony, February 18th, 1546. After describing the various symptoms of his disorder, and the incidents and conversations which had occurred during his sickness, he adds:

"Luther now prayed, saying, O my hea venly Father, eternal and merciful God, thou hast revealed to me thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I have preached him, I have confessed him, I love him, and I worship him as my dearest Saviour and Redeemer, him whom the wicked persecute, accuse, and blaspheme.' He then repeated three times the words of the psalm Into thy hands I commit my spirit God of truth, thou hast redeemed me. Whilst the physicians and we applied medicines, he began to lose his voice and to become faint; nor did he answer us, though we called aloud to him and moved him. On the countess again giving him a little cordial, and the physician requesting that he would attempt to give an answer, he said, in a feeble tone of voice, to Cœlius and me; yes, or no, according as the question seemed to require. When we said to him, 'Bearest father, do you verily confess Jesus Christ the Son of God, our Saviour and Redeemer? he replied,

Yes,' so as to be distinctly heard. Afterwards his forehead and face began to get cold, and although we moved him, and called him by name, he gave no answer, but, with his hands clasped, continued to breathe slowly until he expired be

tween two and three o'clock."

His interment was at once splendid and sorrowful, and his friend Melancthon pronounced, with no ordinary emotions, the funeral oration over his grave.

7

The PASTOR'S VISIT to the COTTAGE. From a late Publication of the Rev. J. CUNNINGHAM, Author of "The Velvet Cushion."

It happened, that, on a fine summer's evening, I was taking my rounds in my parish, to look after my little flock, and came at length to a cottage, where I remember to have paused for a moment, to admire the pretty picture of rural life which it presented. The mists of the evening were beginning to float and shed a sort of subdued, pensive over the valley in which it stood, light on the cottage and the objects immediately around it. Behind it, at the distance perhaps of half a mile, on the top of a lofty eminence, rose the ancient spire of the village church. The sun still continued to shine on this higher ground, and

shed all its glories on the walls of the sacred edifice. "There," I could not help saying to myself, " is a picture of the world. Those without religion are content to dwell in the vale of mists and shadows; but the true servants of God dwell on the holy hill, in the perpetual sunshine of the divine Presence."

I entered the cottage, and was much struck with the appearance of its owner. She looked poor; and the house was destitute of many of those little ornaments which are indications not merely of the outward circumstances, but of the inward comforts of the inhabitants. She was sitting busily at work with her sister. I always feel it both right and useful to converse a good deal with the poor about their worldly circumstances. Not only does humanity seem to require this, but I find it profitable to myself: for after, as it were, taking the depth of their sufferings, I am ashamed to go home and murmur at Providence, or scold at my servants, for some trifling deficiency in my own comforts. Besides, I love to study the mind of man in a state of trial-to see how nobly it often struggles with difficulties and how, by the help of God, it is able to create to itself, amidst scenes of misery and gloom, a sort of land of Goshen, in which it lives, and is happy.

After conversing with her for some time on topics of this kind, and discovering her to be a person of strong feelings deeply wounded, of fine but uncultivated powers, and of remarkable energy of expression, I naturally proceeded to deliver to her a part of that solemn message with which, as the minister of religion, I am charged; and not discovering in her the smallest evidence of penitential feeling-being able, indeed, to extract nothing more from her than a cold and careless acknowledgment that " she was not all she ought to be," I conceived it right to dwell, in my conversation with her, chiefly upon those awful passages of scripture designed by Providence to rouse the unawakened sinner. Still

After a pretty long conversation, I left her, altogether dissatisfied, I will own, with her apparent state of mind. Nay, such was my proneness to pronounce upon the deficiencies of a fellow-creature, that I remember complaining, on my return home, with some degree of peevishness, I fear, of the hardness of her heart. I would fain hope that I have learnt, by this case, to form unfavourable judgments of others more slowly; and in dubious, or even apparently bad cases, to "believe," or, at least, to hope, all things."

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Notwithstanding, however, my disappointment as to the state of her feelings, it was impossible not to feel a strong interest in her situation. Accordingly, I soon saw her again; but neither did I then discover any ground for hoping that her heart was in the smallest degree touched by what had been said to her. But, at a short distance of time, as I was one day walking in my garden and musing on some of the events of my own happy life, and especially on that merciful appointment of God which had made me the minister of peace to the guilty, instead of the stern dispenser of the thunders of a severer dispensation, I was roused by the information that this poor young creature desired to see me.

One of her poor neighbours, who came to desire my attendance, informed me, with apparent tenderness, that Fanny 66 was very ill;" that, as she expressed it, she had been in a very "unked state since I saw her, and that she hoped I would be kind enough to come and comfort her." "God grant," I said to