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LUTHER’S CITADEL.

            In addressing Charles V. and the great princes of the German Empire at Worms in 1521, Luther said, “since, great Caesar and illustrious princes, you require a specific answer, this is my decision. Unless I am convinced by proof from the sacred writings or evident reason, I cannot recall anything that I have written, or taught, for I cannot do what would wound my conscience. On the other hand, I have no faith in the Roman Pontiff and mere councils, and do not regard them as of authority, for they have frequently erred and contradicted themselves in their decrees, and are liable to misjudge and be deceived.”— Strange that any one should ever have doubted so obvious a liability. Luther was right to yield only to testimony and reason. These were the citadel of his strength as they are ours. They were the apostolic weapons, as it is written,

“Paul as his manner was, went into the Synagogue to the Jews, and reasoned with them out of the scripture, opening and alleging.”

Human authority, lay or clerical, is not to be regarded in an inquiry after truth. If all who profess to admire Luther would work by the rule he adopted, it would be more creditable to their understandings, and more profitable to their hearers, than the present mar-text expositions by which they stultify themselves.

EDITOR.

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