CHAPTER XXXVIII

. END OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. THE

CHURCH-UNSEEN AND THE VISIBLE CHURCH-BY-LAW _pages_ 237-340

1. FROM RELIGIOUS LICENCE TO RELIGIOUS CONSTRAINT.

Freedom as Luther’s early watchword. Intolerance towards Catholics, in theory, and in practice. Sanguinary threats against all papists; the death-penalty pronounced against “sectarians” at home; his justification: blasphemy must be put down. The people driven to the new preaching; no freedom of conscience allowed: Luther’s intolerance imitated by his friends _pages_ 237-279

2. LUTHER AS JUDGE.

The pigheadedness and arrogance of all the “sectarians.” None of them are sure of their cause; none of them can work miracles _pages_ 279-289

3. THE CHURCH-UNSEEN, ITS ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY.

Luther’s invisible Church; her marks; only the predestined are members; his shifting theory _pages_ 290-308

4. THE CHURCH BECOMES VISIBLE. ITS ORGANISATION.

The Church materialises in Articles and a Ministry set up by Wittenberg with the sovereign as “emergency-bishop.” The results of State-interference _pages_ 309-325

5. LUTHER’S TACTICS IN QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CHURCH.

The Erfurt preachers at variance with the Town-Council. Luther shifts his ground in his controversies with the Catholics. How the Church, in spite of Christ’s promises, contrived to remain plunged in error for over a thousand years. Luther’s interpretation of Christ’s words “On this rock” _pages_ 325-340

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