Page 38 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

Here is displayed the true spirit of popery.

Not a trace of Christian principle, or even of

common justice, is to be seen in the whole

document. Luther was at a great distance

from Rome; he had had no opportunity to

explain or defend his position; yet before his

case had been investigated, he was

summarily pronounced a heretic, and in the

same day, exhorted, accused, judged, and

condemned; and all this by the self-styled

holy father, the only supreme, infallible

authority in church or state!

At this time, when Luther so much needed

the sympathy and counsel of a true friend,

God's providence sent Melanchthon to

Wittenberg. Young in years, modest and

diffident in his manners, Melanchthon's

sound judgment, extensive knowledge, and

winning eloquence, combined with the purity