The story of the Emperor’s breach of the safe-conduct. Luther’s asseveration that his opponents refused to argue because they knew him to be in the right. What Luther stood for at Worms was no “freedom of conscience” in the modern sense. The legendary utterance “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” Various tales unfavourable to Luther: His supposed drunkenness and excesses at Worms; despatches of Contarini the Venetian minister and Aleander the papal nuncio _pages_ 69-79
Luther’s disposition and occupation in his lonely retreat. Rising scruples crushed; gloomy thoughts; bodily assaults of the evil one; temptations. His cogitations on the question of celibacy; discovers the best argument to use against vows and priestly obligations, viz. “evangelical freedom”; result committed to print in his work “On Monastic Vows”; his own intention to remain unmarried. His self-accusations of gluttony and laziness not to be taken literally. His translation of the New Testament. His work “On the Abuse of the Mass”; its frightful caricature of the Pope of Rome. His spiritual Baptism; his conviction of the reality of his Divine mission _pages_ 79-94
Luther’s own language responsible for certain unfounded charges against him. Meaning of the “_titillationes_” and “_molestiæ_” of which he complains. The haunted castle; incident of the visit of “Hans von Berlips’s wife”; the ubiquitous ink-smudge _pages_ 94-96
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
