Classical Theology.—Xl.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XL .

X . ON 7 DON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 9 , 1861 .

X . —TESTA AND DECEMBER . The continually augmented pomp , ambition , and pride of the Popes , heightening and acting on the vices of ostentatious vanities , inordinately increased their desire of temporal power . This of itself eventually introduced many abuses and errors into the Church .

Let us now examine this time-honoured name "the Church . " "We find the word TEclesia , as used by the early writers on evangelical subjects , and it maybe said—even of the Apostles themselves—supplying the meaning both by JEcles sacra , a temple or church , and Ccetus Fidelmm , an assemblof Christians . Is it not possible that the

y names of Church and Kirk may have had their origin in Saxon words derived from the Greek , signifying K-. Sp . os _ ( Lord ) , and Kvpia ( a high court of justice , or of the Senate and of the Commonwealth)—thus , Kipta «_ KAIJO- ( O . And as , by Eoman adoption , the Curia was one of the thirty wards of Romeand also a chapel or temple

belong-, ing to each of the tribes or companies , where they used to meet to sacrifice and feast—so also the word Kvpicxos , so Saxonized , might come to express " the Lord ' s house and assembly . "

About seventeen years preceding the fifteenth century , the Church's first and greatest Reformer , Martin Luther , was born at Eisleben , ' in Saxony . At the age of thirtyfive he was summoned to Rome for preaching against the arrogated power and presumption of Leo ____ . to sell and grant indulgences , the first authorised which had beenor heard ofwithin the German Empire . In 1520

, , he was deprived of- all participation in the privileges of Holy Church , and excommunicated . His undisguised opinions and opposition to ecclesiastical tyranny , and the pretensions of the priests to power not sanctioned by any authority of the Scriptures , were unpardonable . The Romish ritualmore than half idolatrousand' in

, , the same proportion superstitious , inculcating an ominous complication of nature , dependence on creature absolution , amulets , wafers , rosaries , waters , oils , and the like mediums , received an equal share of his satire and his unsparing denunciation , and of course increased the

measure of wrath against him . Eventually he cast oil his monastic habit , and renounced all allegiance to the Pope and his lieutenants . In 1524 , having now for one year dispossessed himself of his status as a monk of Rome , Luther married Catherine de Borawho had formerly been a nunbut

, , who broke her vows of celibacy to become the help-meet of this world famed hero . "With her he passed many years of happiness , onl y interrupted ( as tradition will have it ) by the ever recurring qualms of his spouse , who was never able entirely to conquer her early impressions . Luther died at the age of sixty-three , having

achieved the greatest revolution that the history of the human race has ever recorded . To say that he was universall y regretted throughout Europe by his adherents is merely superfluous . Amongst the strenuous supporters of Luther , after the demise of his powerful protector , Frederic , the Elector of Saxony , called the "Wise , * there were John ,

the Elector of Saxony ; George , Margrave of Brandenburg ; Philip , Landgrave of Hesse ; "Wolf gang , Prince of Anhalt ; Ernest and Francis , Dukes of Luneburg ; the Elector Palatine ; the Duke of Deux Ponts ; the Count of Mansfield ( whose subject Luther was born ); Melancthon , his eloquent disci ple ; Dr . Jonas , his

celebrated friend ; and tlie principal civilians and deputies of the imperial cities . Mainly , indeed almost entirely , owing to the steady opposition of these self-assured reformed princes and deputies ( especially the Elector of Saxony , and the Margrave of Brandenburg , Grand Master of Prussia ) the . object of the Diet convoked at Speyer , in March , 1529 , to enforce the decision of the Diet of Worms , was signally defeated . Thereupon , the endeavour of the Catholics to divide the Reformers on

the debatable question of the " real presence , " as held in denial by the Lutherans , fell to the ground , as well as the nonconformity of those who refused to sanction it according to their determination . This remarkable decree , dated Speyer , April 19 , 1529 , gave immediate impulse to that famous Protestationas it was termedagainst it

, , , whieh bears the signatures of many of these independent princes , and powerful and resolved reformers . Promthis formidable protesting declaration , the appellation of Protestants was bestowed ton the Lutherans .

The German version of the Hol y Scriptures , the most eloquent and' greatest work of Luther , which has established the word of sublime truth and the faithful popularity . of the Bible , so extensively throughout his Fatherland , was completed in 1534 , about nine years after his marriage with Catherine de Bora . " Monastic vows and celibacy" quoth Lutherspeaking of marriage

, , , " originated in unnatural '• devices to serve political ends and selfish motives . Such obligations were unknown to the primitive church . Marriage in itself is a requisite desire of purity towards & state of simplicity and tranquillity . " During the approach of his last moments , the great and good Reformer penned many affectionate letters

to his wife , who still remained at "Wittenburg , with their children . He wrote , respecting his will , " I leave no reserved cash or hoarded treasure . A few presents and my salary have been my-sole income ; yet , with no other means , I have contrived 'to support an establishment and make a purchase of property . "

The analytical investigations of Luther ' s untrammelled ideas and inspired reasoning instituted a spiritual philosophy which has penetrated the mysteries of nature and religion to such a development of their depths as to have occasioned , on the Continent and over Europe , a deeper quest for expanded information and mental exercise than was ever known before .

As an essential adjunct- to religion and morality , Luther perseveringly insisted on the necessity of a broad and liberal or undarkened system of education beinonationally extended within the reach of all classes " without hindrance . He boldl y exposed the infamy and baneful consequences of keeping the necessitous populace ,

serfs , slaves , and such like labouring poor , in a state of ignorance and degradation almost as debased as the beasts of the field . Unquestionably during the lifetime of Luther , although religious controversies ended with as small a satisfaction about tenets and duties as & t the present day , the Protestant princes and clergy consulted

him on all important considerations with the most entire deference . And although Luther owed to Christianity his gifts of instruction — the world owes in gratitude to Luther a twofold Reformation . In moral courage , force of language , and logical acumen , Luther excelled in his calling as a lecturer , a writer , and a teacher . He was no false flatterer of thp