CHAPTER IV.

Luther refuses absolution on the ground of indulgences -Tetzel's anger-Luther preaches on the subjectPublishes his theses on indulgences-The elector's dream-Rapid circulation of the theses-Effects on different minds-Attacked by Tetzel and the Dominicans-Tetzel's antitheses burned at WittembergControversy with Prierias-With Hochstraten-With Dr. Eck-Luther's labours as preacher and teacherHis journey to Heidelberg-His dispute there on law and grace-Martin Bucer converted-Luther returns to Wittemberg.

LUTHER first heard of the traffic of Tetzel in the year 1516, while he was on his tour of visitation to the convents. Some of the extravagant expressions of Tetzel being reported to him, he was indignant, and exclaimed, "God willing, I will make a hole in his drum."

Owing to the influence of Staupitz and the wisdom of the elector, Tetzel was forbidden to preach up his indulgences in Saxony. But he approached as near to the confines of Saxony as he could. He set up his red cross at Juterboch, which was only four miles from

Wittemberg, and proclaimed, in the strongest terms, the value of his merchandise. The people flocked in crowds from Wittemberg to the indulgence market at Juterboch.

Luther, at this period, had the utmost respect for the pope and the church. "I was," says he, "a monk and a papist, so infatuated and and even steeped in the Romish doctrines, that I could willingly have helped to kill any person who should have dared to refuse the smallest act of obedience to the pope." Still, he was zealous for those holy truths which he had learned from the Scriptures, and which had proved the means of salvation to his soul. "I was a young doctor," says he again, "fresh from the anvil, glowing and rejoicing in the glory of the Lord."

Luther was one day at the confessional in Wittemberg, when several of the people of the town presented themselves before him for absolution. They confessed themselves guilty of great irregularities, such as adultery, licentiousness, unjust gains, &c., and declared their purpose of persisting in these practices; and yet, they claimed absolution. And when questioned as to the ground of such a claim, they

appealed to their letters of indulgence. But Luther told them that he should pay no regard to their papers, and assured them, that unless they turned from the evil of their way, they must all perish. They professed to be greatly surprised at this, and renewed their application. But Luther was immovable. They must cease to do evil, and learn to do well," or no absolution. These people now returned immediately to Tetzel, and told him that a monk at Wittemberg treated his letters with contempt. At this Tetzel literally bellowed with anger. He preached on the subject, using the most insulting expressions and terrific anathemas. To strike the people with the more terror, he kindled a fire several times in the grand square, pretending that he had orders. from the pope to burn the heretics who should dare oppose his most holy indulgences.

Luther also preached on the subject, setting forth the freeness of the gospel salvation, and the utter inefficacy of all human endeavours to purchase or merit the forgiveness of sin. He earnestly dissuaded his hearers from having any thing to do with papal indulgences, or placing the least reliance upon them. "And if

some cry," said he, "that I am a heretic, because the truth which I preach is prejudicial to their coffers, I pay little regard to such clamours. They proceed from men who have never read the Christian doctrine, or understood their own teachers, or felt the truths of the Bible, but are perishing in the tattered rags of their vain opinions." This sermon was printed, and made a deep impression on all who read it. Tetzel replied to it, and Luther rejoined; but this was done at a later period. Notwithstanding all that Luther had said and done, Tetzel still continued his odious traffic, and his impious, blasphemous addresses to the people. What course shall Luther now pursue? Shall he submit, and keep silence? Or shall he speak out in a more public and solemn manner than before? His resolution was soon formed. The feast of All Saints was at hand, and was expected to be a very important day at Wittemberg. On the evening preceding that day-the evening of the 31st of October, 1517 -without giving to any of his friends the least intimation of his plan, Luther went boldly to church, towards which crowds of pilgrims were already flocking, and affixed to the door

ninety-five theses, or propositions, in opposition to the doctrine of indulgences. In a preamble, he declared, that he had written these theses in a spirit of charity, and with an earnest desire of bringing the truth to light. He also announced that he would be prepared, the next day, to defend them at the university against all opposers.

It is very evident from these theses themselves, that Luther, at this time, was but partially enlightened in regard to the evil of indul gences, or the corruptions of that church of which he was a member. He had no thought of attacking the pope or the church. So far from this, he presumed that he should have both in his favour, in his attempts to restrain the effrontery of the monks.

It is related by Seckendorf, and several others, that on the night preceding the posting of these theses on the church door, the Elector of Saxony had a remarkable dream. He dreamed that the Almighty sent a monk to him, accompanied by all the saints, who testified in his favour, with the request that he would allow the monk to write something on the churchdoor at Wittemberg. This request was, of