CHAPTER XIII
. THE RISE OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES _pages_ 97-172
1. AGAINST THE FANATICS. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES?
Luther quits the Wartburg and returns to Wittenberg. Progress of the movement at Wittenberg during his absence. Carlstadt a cause of misgivings. The Zwickau Prophets appeal to Holy Writ and their Divine mission; Luther preaches against their ways; haste to be deprecated; he bases his superior claim on the priority of his revelation; he is backed by the Court. He invites people to smash the Bishoprics and drive away the “wolves” (1522). As organiser of a new Church he is faced by practical difficulties owing to his having no clear notion of what the Church should be. Apocalyptic dreams. A dilemma: Is the new church-system to be introduced by the secular authorities or to spring up spontaneously within the congregations? The free brotherhood without law or coercion. The new “Christians”; use of title “Evangelicals.” Two points to be settled first, viz. the celebration of the Supper and the appointment of pastors. Luther’s then leanings to the democratic congregational ideal. “_De instituendis ministris ecclesiæ_” and his writing to the Church of Leisnig (1523) a programme of congregationalism. High hopes and excessive claims; his mysticism gives him the assurance that unity will be achieved _pages_ 97-115
2. AGAINST CELIBACY. DOUBTFUL AUXILIARIES FROM THE CLERGY AND THE CONVENTS.
Advantages and disadvantages of Luther’s warfare on the state of religious celibacy. His work “On Monastic Vows.” His exhortations to a religious to “pocket his scruples and be a man.” On man’s need to marry. Significant admissions. His teaching in the Postils and Larger Catechism; advice to the Prince-abbots and Knights of the Teutonic Order; sarcastic remarks concerning the olden Fathers,
## particularly Jerome, and their “petty temptations”;
connection of Luther’s attack on vows and his early dislike of “works.” The character of the new pastors and preachers; Luther suggests the erection of a jail for their especial benefit; Eberlin, Hessus, and Cordus, Erasmus and Ickelsamer on the reformed pastors’ failings. Eberlin’s testimony in favour of the Franciscans _pages_ 115-129
3. REACTION OF THE APOSTASY ON ITS AUTHOR. HIS PRIVATE LIFE (1522-1525).
The “scandal” of his life as it appeared to the Fanatics; displeasure of a Catholic contemporary; reports carried to the Court of King Ferdinand; moral circumspection imposed on Luther by his situation: “we are a spectacle unto the whole world.” Flight of Catherine von Bora and the Nimbschen nuns; the “delivery” of other convent-inmates elsewhere; Luther’s intercourse at Wittenberg with the escaped nuns; his allusions to them. His joke about his “three wives”; urges the Archbishop of Mayence to wed, the latter’s retort and Luther’s offer “to prance along in front” as an example to His Grace. Some characteristic extracts from his letters to intimates. Melanchthon shocked at Luther’s behaviour and jests. Dungersheim on Luther’s doings in the “herd of runaway nuns.” Eck on Luther’s character and conduct. Luther’s sermons on self-control, devil’s chastity, etc. “On Conjugal life.” Luther’s disregard for decency unmatched by any writer of his age. His description of King Henry VIII. Rebuked by contemporaries for his incessant recourse to invective _pages_ 129-157
4. FURTHER TRAITS TOWARDS A PICTURE OF LUTHER. OUTWARD APPEARANCE. SUFFERINGS, BODILY AND MENTAL.
General descriptions of Luther’s personal appearance. His reputed portraits not good likenesses. Effect of anxiety and overwork on his nervous system. Discussion of the question whether Luther suffered from the venereal disease so common in his time; the newly discovered letter of the physician Rychardus in 1523 regarding Luther’s indisposition. Luther’s fits of depression; he relieves his feelings by greater violence in his attacks on the Church of Rome, religious vows, the Popish Mass, and the foe within the camp; Satan raging everywhere; the end of all not far off. He invites Amsdorf to come and comfort him, being “very sad and tempted”; falls into a fainting-fit when alone at home; recovers his composure under the cheering influence of music; requests Senfl of Munich to set to music a favourite anthem _pages_ 157-172
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