Luther and the Reformation: The Life-Springs of Our Liberties   By: Joseph Augustus Seiss (1823-1904)

THE

LIFE SPRINGS

OF

OUR LIBERTIES.

BY

JOSEPH A. SEISS, D.D.,

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION, PHILADELPHIA

AUTHOR OF

"A MIRACLE IN STONE," "VOICES FROM BABYLON," ETC. ETC.

[Illustration: JOSEPH A. SEISS.]

CHARLES C. COOK,

150 NASSAU STREET,

NEW YORK.

Copyright, 1883,

BY PORTER & COATES.

PREFACE.

The first part of this book presents the studies of the Author in preparing a Memorial Oration delivered in the city of New York, November 10, 1883, on the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther. The second part presents his studies in a like preparation for certain Discourses delivered in the city of Philadelphia at the Bi Centennial of the founding of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There was no intention, in either case, to make a book, however small in size. But the utterances given on these occasions having been solicited for publication in permanent shape for common use, and the two parts being intimately related in the exhibition of the most vital springs of our religious and civil freedom, it has been concluded to print these studies entire and together in this form, in hope that the same may satisfy all such desires and serve to promote truth and righteousness.

Throughout the wide earth there has been an unexampled stir with regard to the life and work of the great Reformer, and these presentations may help to show it no wild craze, but a just and rational recognition of God's wondrous providence in the constitution of our modern world.

And to Him who was, and who is, and who is to come, the God of all history and grace, be the praise, the honor, and the glory, world without end!

THANKSGIVING DAY, 1883.

CONTENTS.

LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION pp. 7 134.

Human Greatness, 9. The Papacy , 12. Efforts at Reform, 14. Time of the Reformation, 17. Frederick the Wise, 18. Reuchlin, 19. Erasmus, 21. Ulric von Hütten, 23. Ulrich Zwingli, 24. Melanchthon, 24. John Calvin, 25. Luther the Chosen Instrument, 27. His Origin, 28. Early Training, 29. Nature of the Reformation , 32. Luther's Spiritual Training, 34. Development for his Work, 39. Visit to Rome, 42. Elected Town Preacher, 45. Made a Doctor, 45. His Various Labors, 48. Collision with the Hierarchy, 49. The Indulgence Traffic, 50. Tetzel's Performances, 54. Luther on Indulgences, 57. Sermon on Indulgences, 59. Appeal to the Bishops, 62. The Ninety five Theses , 63. Effect of the Theses, 65. Tetzel's End, 68. Luther's Growing Influence, 68. Appeal to the Pope, 69. Citation to Rome, 70. Appears before Cajetan, 71. Cajetan's Failure, 72. Progress of Events, 74. The Leipsic Disputation , 75. Results of the Debate, 76. Luther's Excommunication, 78. Answer to the Pope's Bull, 81. The Diet of Worms , 83. Doings of the Romanists, 85. Luther Summoned to the Diet, 87. Luther at the Diet, 90. Refuses to Retract, 92. His Condemnation, 95. Carried to the Wartburg, 95. Translation of the Bible , 96. His Conservatism, 98. Growth of the Reformation, 100. Luther's Catechisms , 103. Protestants and War, 103. The Confession of Augsburg , 105. League of Smalcald, 109. Luther's Later Years, 111. His Personale , 114. His Great Qualities, 119. His Alleged Coarseness, 123. His Marvelous Achievements, 126. His Impress upon the World, 127. His Enemies and Revilers, 131.

THE FOUNDING OF PENNSYLVANIA, pp. 135 206.

I. THE HISTORY AND THE MEN.

Beginning of Colonization in America, 137. Movements in Sweden, 138. Swedish Proposals, 143. Was Penn Aware of these Plans? 145. The Swedes in Advance of Penn, 147. The Men of those Times , 151. Gustavus Adolphus, 152. Axel Oxenstiern, 155. Peter Minuit, 157. William Penn, 159. Estimate of Penn, 161. Penn and the Indians, 162. Penn's Work, 168. The Greatness of Faith, 169.