IV. not CHAP. They add, (what will meet the concurrence of all sober-minded persons,) that we are commanded to inquire whether we are elect, but to believe that he who perseveres to the end in repentance and faith is elect and saved." "This doctrine," say. they, "is clear, and does not make the fallen secure, but excites them to fear the wrath of God; for it is most certain that God is offended by all sins, whether of the elect or the non-elect." They particularly advert to the case of David, and maintain that he lost the Holy Spirit when he committed adultery and murder. The paper is so explicit, says Seckendorf, "that it must furnish the explanation of what Luther may any where else have dropped that sounds differently." The same doctrine was also introduced into the articles of Smalkald, of the year following.2 In 1537, he published a small piece on the constitution of Councils, shewing what was necessary to their freedom, and why one, constituted as the pope would have it, could not be free-particularly on account of the oaths by which all persons, admissible to vote, were bound to support to the utmost all the rights, privileges, and powers of the papal hierarchy.3 Multiplica- In a preface to some expositions of S. tion of books. 1538. Matthew's Gospel, he expresses his fear of too great a multiplication of books; lest, as fathers, councils, and doctors had superseded the apostles, so it should be again; and he modestly says, he" wishes his own books to last only for the age in which they were written, and which they might serve; but that God would give to succeeding ages their own labourers, as he had always heretofore done." 4 A. D. 1538. We will close these extracts with the following pious and pleasing passage, founded on Matt. xii. 35. "A corrupt heart turns good to a pious evil, a good one turns even evil to good. For sentiment. example: Does a good man see a murderer or a thief he is moved to compassion-pities him, prays for him, mourns over the misery of man, admonishes him, reproves him, does all he can to reclaim him. Next, mindful of human frailty, he humbly reflects, He did so yesterday, I may do it to-day!' Hence, thirdly, he prays to God to keep him, and praises him for having kept him hitherto. So much good does a rightly disposed heart derive from one evil seen in another person."1 of Luther's The remark of the pious and learned Seck- Character endorf on Luther's expositions of scripture expositions. seems to be very just. "I do not deny," he says, "that there are to be found at this day commentaries on the sacred writings distinguished by erudition, eloquence, and deep research; but I confess I much doubt, whether there ever existed a man who furnished, in extemporaneous language, (for thus Luther delivered his lectures,) a more forcible and more edifying exposition of the word of God. I would not, indeed undertake to defend every phrase or every opinion which he uttered, as if it were inspired he himself earnestly disclaimed all pretensions to such perfection: but I speak of the general consistency of his expositions with the analogy of faith, and of the heroic energy of the language and the arguments which he employed and I think that all, who will bestow any such pains as I have done on the study of his writings, will agree with me in this sentiment." 2 CHAPTER V. Death of George, duke of Saxony. FROM THE CONVENTION OF FRANCFORT TO THE "A FEW days after the convention at Francfort, George duke of Saxony died, and his death was an event of great advantage to the reformation. That prince, the head of the Albertine, or younger branch of the Saxon family, possessed, as marquis of Misnia and Thuringia, extensive territories, comprehending Dresden, Leipsic, and other cities now the most considerable in the electorate. From the first dawn of the reformation, he had been its enemy as avowedly as the electoral princes were its protectors, and had carried on his opposition not only with all the zeal flowing from religious prejudices, but with a virulence inspired by personal antipathy to Luther, and embittered by the domestic animosity subsisting between him and the other branch of the family. By his death without issue, the succession fell to his brother Henry, whose attachment to the protestant religion surpassed, if possible, that of his predecesor to popery. Henry no sooner took possession of his new dominions, than, disregarding a clause in George's will, dictated by his bigotry, whereby he bequeathed all his dominions to the emperor and the king of the Romans, if his brother should attempt to make any innovation in religion, he invited some protestant divines, and among them Luther himself, to Leipsic. By their advice and assistance, he overturned in a few weeks the whole system of ancient rites, establishing the full exercise of the reformed religion, with the universal applause of his subjects, who had long wished for this change, which the authority of their duke alone had hitherto prevented. This revolution delivered the protestants from the danger to which they were exposed by having an inveterate enemy situated in the middle of their territories; and the territories of the princes and cities attached to their cause now extended, in one great and almost unbroken line, from the shore of the Baltic to the banks of the Rhine."1 A.D. 1539. Such is the account given by Dr. Robertson His succesof the next event which materially advanced sor Henry. the cause of the reformation. During the lifetime of his brother, Henry had possessed little or nothing beyond the small territory of Freyburg. In that district, however, he had been careful to introduce reformation. In the year 1536, the elector had sent James Schenckius to assist him in that object. Schenckius preached to large congregations; and the work seemed likely to proceed with great success. The effects, however, of duke George's hostility were to be apprehended; in consequence of which Henry applied, early in 1537, to the confederates assembled at Smalkald, for admission 1 Robertson, iii. 167, 168. 2 Seck. iii. 160. Schenckius is said to be "sacris nondum initiatus;" but the expression, perhaps, only implies that he had not proceeded beyond deacons' orders; in which sense I find similar terms applied to cardinals and others. CHAP. V. into the league; which was accordingly granted him, though, on account of the smallness of his resources, he was for the present excused from contributing towards its support. Thus secured, and aided by ministers furnished by the elector, he boldly urged forward the work of reformation. He had, however, immediately to encounter the opposition of George, who expostulated with him as going contrary to the purposes, and even the promises, which he had expressed, of making nó changes till a council should have defined what reformation ought to take place, and by what means it might properly be effected. He implored him not rashly to adopt a course of proceeding unworthy of his family, and contrary to his duty; not to listen to people in whose estimation "unbelief was the only sin; or, while he pretended "to seek the gospel in barns and cellars," to risk not only the peace of his country but the salvation of his soul. "Did he plead conscience? He had only to look to himself, and not to trouble his mind about others. I myself," said George, "if power in religious matters had been assigned to me by the word of God, or committed to me by the pope and the emperor, should long ago have reformed what I considered as abuses: but, finding myself possessed of no such authority, I determine to make no innovations till a council shall direct them." If Henry would persist, he declares that he should feel it necessary to report his conduct to the emperor. Henry, however, was not thus to be satisfied or impeded. He professed himself to be convinced from the holy scriptures, that the doctrines and practices hitherto received in his country were contrary to the word of God, and |