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