WEBVTT 00:01.520 --> 00:06.740 Martin Luther was born at Eiselbyn in Germany on November the 10th 1483. 00:07.560 --> 00:09.680 He was the greatest of all the Reformers. 00:10.240 --> 00:16.260 No soul amongst the galaxy of the Reformation fathers was loftier, brighter, braver, and yet 00:16.260 --> 00:19.080 more tender than the courageous and godly German. 00:19.800 --> 00:23.240 In this recording we let the great man speak for himself. 00:23.860 --> 00:27.480 The extract from his writings and sermons are presented by Dr. Ian R. 00:27.500 --> 00:27.620 K. 00:27.620 --> 00:29.320 Paisley, member of Parliament. 00:30.260 --> 00:33.580 Our presentation begins with Luther's view of the gospel. 00:34.140 --> 00:39.660 As we shall discover, it was soundly based on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:40.200 --> 00:45.280 Let Luther speak now of his theology, beginning as it did at Bethlehem. 00:45.680 --> 00:52.060 Christian religion beginneth not at the highest, as other religions do, but at the lowest. 00:53.060 --> 01:00.140 It will have us to climb up by Jacob's ladder, whereupon God himself leaneth, whose feet touch 01:00.140 --> 01:03.680 the very earth, hard by the head of Jacob. 01:04.560 --> 01:11.320 Run straight to the manger, and embrace this infant, the virgin's little babe in thine arms, 01:12.140 --> 01:22.780 and behold him as he was born, nursed, grew up, was conversant among men, teaching, dying, rising 01:22.780 --> 01:29.140 again, ascending up above all the heavens, and having power over all things. 01:29.740 --> 01:38.360 This sight and contemplation will keep thee in the right way, that thou mayest follow whether Christ 01:38.360 --> 01:39.500 hath gone. 01:40.440 --> 01:43.720 Martin Luther on Christian religion beginning at Jerusalem. 01:44.720 --> 01:50.040 But Luther's view of things encompassed a wider panorama, being founded as it was on the teachings 01:50.040 --> 01:51.020 of the Word of God. 01:51.420 --> 01:55.080 His whole theology, faith, and practice were based upon it. 01:55.680 --> 01:57.360 He had a clear conception of the Bible. 01:57.920 --> 02:04.160 To Luther, the Bible was not just another great book, it was the book of books, the Word of God. 02:05.080 --> 02:13.440 The Word of God is a fiery shield for this reason, that it is more enduring and purer than gold fried 02:13.440 --> 02:14.100 in the fire. 02:15.120 --> 02:24.000 Which gold loses nothing in the fire, but it stands the fire, endures, and overcomes all trial. 02:24.900 --> 02:35.540 So he who believes in the Word of God overcomes all, and continues eternally secure against all 02:35.540 --> 02:36.280 misfortune. 02:37.460 --> 02:46.300 This shield shrinks not from the gates of hell, but the gates of hell tremble before it. 02:47.140 --> 02:51.420 Luther ever exhorted the people of his day to keep to the teachings of the Bible. 02:52.260 --> 02:57.540 The Bible was not just a shield of defense, it was a guidebook, a chart for the journey through life, 02:58.020 --> 03:02.080 and entitled to be read by all, for it was also a clear book. 03:03.200 --> 03:11.000 It is an abominable slander against the Holy Scriptures, and against all Christendom, to say 03:11.000 --> 03:13.800 that the Holy Scriptures are dark. 03:14.700 --> 03:19.820 There was never written on earth a clearer book than the Holy Scriptures. 03:21.180 --> 03:26.840 Compared with all other books, it is as the sun to all other light. 03:28.240 --> 03:36.180 Let none tempt you away from the Scriptures, for if you step out of these, you are lost. 03:37.040 --> 03:46.340 Your enemies lead you whither they will, but if you keep to them, you have overcome, and will heed 03:46.340 --> 03:52.820 their raging no more than the rock heeds the waves and billows of the sea. 03:53.980 --> 03:56.160 Nothing is clearer than the sun. 03:57.100 --> 04:03.000 If a cloud glides before it, behind it is nothing but the clear sun. 04:04.040 --> 04:12.920 So if there is a dark saying in the Scriptures, doubt not that behind it most surely is shining 04:13.300 --> 04:17.220 the same truth which in other places is clear. 04:18.300 --> 04:24.480 And let him who cannot pierce the dark keep to what is clear. 04:26.100 --> 04:31.900 While still on the theme of the Holy Scriptures, let us hear Luther speak again on their simplicity 04:31.900 --> 04:33.100 and their depth. 04:34.000 --> 04:43.020 In this book thou findest the swaddling clothes and the manger wherein the Christ is laid. 04:44.640 --> 04:48.320 Thinner the angels direct at the shepherds. 04:49.660 --> 05:01.160 These swaddling clothes may indeed be poor and little, but precious is the treasure Christ laid 05:01.160 --> 05:01.960 therein. 05:02.900 --> 05:13.620 Before a man can truly understand the first little word in Genesis, in the beginning God created the 05:13.620 --> 05:14.660 heaven and the earth. 05:15.840 --> 05:16.620 He dies. 05:17.500 --> 05:22.760 If he lived a thousand years, he would not learn these words. 05:23.360 --> 05:25.840 He lived through and through. 05:26.960 --> 05:34.080 Having a theology so soundly Bible based, made Luther a man of great faith, for faith cometh by 05:34.080 --> 05:36.440 hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 05:37.260 --> 05:40.740 Such faith inspires hope, even when it seems there is no hope. 05:41.280 --> 05:45.480 Let Luther speak now on those twin truths, faith and hope. 05:46.540 --> 05:52.900 Faith is a teacher and a judge, fighting against errors and heresies, judging spirits and 05:52.900 --> 05:53.500 doctrines. 05:54.740 --> 06:02.960 But hope is, as it were, the general or captain of the field, fighting against temptation, the cross, 06:03.540 --> 06:12.240 impatience, heaviness of spirit, desperation and blasphemy, and it waiteth for good things, even in 06:12.240 --> 06:13.720 the midst of all evils. 06:15.100 --> 06:18.320 Faith and hope are in many ways distinguished. 06:19.460 --> 06:23.280 Faith is in the understanding of man, hope in the will. 06:24.360 --> 06:31.100 These two can no more be severed than the two cherubim above the mercy seat. 06:32.160 --> 06:40.880 According to their offices, faith dictates, distinguishes, teaches, and is knowledge and 06:40.880 --> 06:41.460 science. 06:42.600 --> 06:50.260 But hope exhorts, awakens, listens, waits, and patiently endures. 06:51.620 --> 06:55.880 Faith looks to the word or promise, that is the truth. 06:57.120 --> 07:02.080 But hope looks to that which the word has promised, to the gifts. 07:03.340 --> 07:09.140 Faith exists at the beginning of life, before all tribulations and adversities. 07:09.760 --> 07:15.460 But hope follows afterwards, and grows out of tribulation. 07:16.860 --> 07:20.900 Martin Luther certainly loved and had a high regard for the whole Bible. 07:21.540 --> 07:26.200 However, he had a special regard for particular books as well, as we now discover. 07:26.880 --> 07:31.680 Here he is, speaking with affection about one of those beloved books, the Psalms. 07:32.640 --> 07:40.900 If all the greatest excellencies and most choice experience of all the true saints should be 07:40.900 --> 07:48.400 gathered from the whole church, since it has existed, and should be condensed into the focus of 07:48.400 --> 07:53.780 one book, such a book would be what the book of Psalms is. 07:54.440 --> 08:02.040 For in the book of Psalms, we have not the life of the saints only, but we have the experience of 08:02.040 --> 08:06.440 Christ himself, the head of all the saints. 08:07.380 --> 08:13.160 So that you may truly call the book of Psalms a little Bible. 08:14.680 --> 08:23.280 Be assured that the Holy Spirit himself has written and handed down to us this book of Psalms, 08:23.660 --> 08:28.300 in the same way as a father would give a book to his children. 08:29.840 --> 08:34.980 He himself has drawn up this manual for his disciples. 08:35.980 --> 08:45.880 Having collected together, as it were, the lives, groans and experience of many thousands, whose 08:45.880 --> 08:49.320 hearts he alone sees and knows. 08:50.500 --> 08:58.500 All other histories and lives of the saints, which describe their acts and works only, when compared 08:58.500 --> 09:06.400 with the book of Psalms, sent forth to us nothing more than dumb saints, and everything that is 09:06.400 --> 09:09.700 recorded of them is dull and lifeless. 09:10.620 --> 09:20.420 But in the book of Psalms, all things live, all things breathe, and living characters are set 09:20.420 --> 09:23.100 before us in the most lively color. 09:24.080 --> 09:27.560 This special regard extended to certain writers as well. 09:28.020 --> 09:30.320 Here he speaks on St. Luke and St. Peter. 09:30.840 --> 09:41.060 The world prizes worthless things and passes by with a sleepy indifference the great majestic 09:41.060 --> 09:48.660 words of Christ about the victory over death, sin and hell, and about eternal life. 09:49.500 --> 09:52.200 It takes them not to heart. 09:53.480 --> 10:00.200 The evangelist St. Luke has written most fully the history of the sufferings of Christ. 10:01.540 --> 10:11.900 But St. John goes to the main point, describes the audience and the tribunal, how the matter was 10:11.900 --> 10:22.980 handled before the judgment seat, how Christ was heard and questioned, and why he was put to death. 10:23.620 --> 10:28.740 Like every other great man in church history, Martin Luther made much of the Lord Jesus. 10:29.540 --> 10:34.960 He was especially taken with the words of Christ and of how the Savior used them to bring to note 10:34.960 --> 10:38.040 the attacks which the scribes and Pharisees made against him. 10:38.700 --> 10:41.620 This is admirably illustrated in this next extract. 10:42.300 --> 10:46.160 The words of the Lord Christ are the most powerful. 10:46.160 --> 10:54.840 They have hands and feet and overcome all attacks, all subtleties and devices of the wise. 10:56.020 --> 11:05.460 Thus we see in the gospel how Christ, with quite simple common words, brought to shame the wisdom 11:05.460 --> 11:10.320 of the Pharisees so that they could find no escape from them. 11:11.540 --> 11:18.660 The Lord says, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 11:19.060 --> 11:26.140 For he neither bids nor forbids to pay the tribute, but answers them with their own 11:26.140 --> 11:26.660 arguments. 11:27.540 --> 11:37.040 As if he had said, if indeed you have suffered Caesar to make such inroads that you have and use 11:37.040 --> 11:43.040 his coinage, then give him what you owe him. 11:43.640 --> 11:47.160 However, his appreciation of Christ did not end there. 11:47.580 --> 11:50.420 It extended to every aspect of his life and ministry. 11:51.120 --> 11:54.820 For example, here is what he had to say about the priestly work of the Savior. 11:55.640 --> 12:00.020 From a man who was raised in the system of Roman priestcraft, it is truly remarkable. 12:00.820 --> 12:03.220 I have sworn and will not repent. 12:04.140 --> 12:05.760 Thou art a priest forever. 12:07.220 --> 12:13.260 That is the most beautiful and glorious verse in the whole Psalter. 12:13.980 --> 12:25.340 For herein God holds forth this Christ alone as our Bishop and High Priest, who himself and no 12:25.340 --> 12:32.020 other, without ceasing, maketh intercession for his own with the Father. 12:33.320 --> 12:40.500 Not Caiaphas nor Annas nor Peter nor Paul nor the Pope. 12:41.520 --> 12:44.720 He, he alone shall be the priest. 12:45.760 --> 12:48.680 This I affirm with an oath. 12:49.900 --> 12:53.280 Thou art a priest forever. 12:54.640 --> 13:01.920 In that saying, every syllable is greater than the whole tower of Babel. 13:03.000 --> 13:09.440 To this priest let us cling and cleave, for he is faithful. 13:10.740 --> 13:17.760 He has given himself for us to God and holds us dearer than his own life. 13:19.040 --> 13:27.900 When we stand firm to Christ, there is no other God in heaven or on earth but one who makes just 13:27.900 --> 13:28.620 and blessed. 13:29.840 --> 13:38.940 On the other hand, if we lose him from our heart and eyes, there is no other health, comfort or 13:38.940 --> 13:39.620 rest. 13:40.600 --> 13:44.120 Rupert also had a clear biblical view of the doctrine of sin. 13:44.820 --> 13:50.180 The defilements and pollutions of sin, so openly practiced in the streets of his native land, did 13:50.180 --> 13:53.960 much to raise his ire against the system which encouraged such wickedness. 13:54.840 --> 14:00.360 He knew himself to have been a great sinner, but he also knew great deliverance through Christ, the 14:00.360 --> 14:01.280 conqueror of sin. 14:02.220 --> 14:09.440 Sin is a mighty and cruel tyrant, ruling and reigning over the whole world, bringing all men 14:09.440 --> 14:10.480 into bondage. 14:11.660 --> 14:19.440 This tyrant flyeth upon Christ and will need swallow him up as he doth all other. 14:20.760 --> 14:28.660 But he seeth not that Christ is a person of invincible and everlasting righteousness. 14:30.250 --> 14:33.120 In this combat, what is done? 14:34.320 --> 14:39.800 Righteousness is everlasting, immortal, invincible. 14:41.000 --> 14:48.540 In like manner, death, which is an invincible queen and empress of the whole world, killing 14:48.540 --> 14:57.540 kings, princes, and generally all men, doth mightily encounter with life, thinking utterly to 14:57.540 --> 14:58.300 overcome it. 14:58.960 --> 15:03.900 And that which it undertaketh, it bringeth to pass indeed. 15:05.140 --> 15:14.700 But because life was immortal, therefore when it was overcome, yet did it truly overcome, and get 15:14.700 --> 15:18.640 the victory, vanquishing and killing death. 15:19.420 --> 15:28.460 Death, therefore, through Christ is vanquished and abolished throughout the whole world, so that now 15:28.460 --> 15:38.740 it is but a paint of death, which losing its sting can no more hurt those that believe in Christ, who 15:38.740 --> 15:41.260 has become the death of death. 15:41.880 --> 15:48.120 No wonder Luther could write, What though the accused are raw, all evils I have done, I know 15:48.120 --> 15:51.860 them all, and thousands more, Jehovah findeth none. 15:52.840 --> 15:58.340 In this next extract, he continues the theme of forgiveness as he expounds the connection between 15:58.340 --> 15:59.640 the law and the gospel. 16:00.520 --> 16:05.680 The law discovers the disease, the gospel gives the remedy. 16:06.600 --> 16:11.280 The law is what we must do, the gospel what God will give. 16:12.400 --> 16:20.060 The gospel is like a fresh, soft, cool breeze in the great heat of summer, comfort and anguish of 16:20.060 --> 16:20.700 conscience. 16:21.320 --> 16:29.380 Not in winter, when there is already cold enough, that is in time of peace, when people are secure. 16:30.060 --> 16:38.220 But in the great heat of summer, that is in those who truly feel terror and anguish of conscience, 16:38.740 --> 16:40.700 and God's anger against them. 16:41.520 --> 16:49.560 This heat is caused by the sun, so must this terror of conscience be caused by the preaching of 16:49.560 --> 16:50.020 the law. 16:51.200 --> 16:57.020 Then must the heavenly breeze again quicken and refresh the conscience. 16:58.040 --> 17:05.480 But when the powers are thus again quickened by the sweet wind of the gospel, we must not lie idly 17:05.480 --> 17:10.260 basking, we must show our faith by good works. 17:11.480 --> 17:20.320 Like as a parched earth coveted the rain, the law maketh parched and troubled souls to thirst after 17:20.320 --> 17:20.900 Christ. 17:21.620 --> 17:30.300 The law is a light which enlightens us, not to see God's grace nor righteousness, through which we 17:30.300 --> 17:39.740 attain to eternal life, but to see sin or infirmities, death, God's anger and judgment. 17:40.860 --> 17:43.980 The gospel is a far different light. 17:44.840 --> 17:51.080 It lights up the troubled heart, makes it live again, comforts and helps. 17:51.900 --> 18:02.460 For it shows how God forgives unworthy, condemned sinners for Christ's sake, when they believe that 18:02.460 --> 18:11.740 they are redeemed by His death, and that through His victory are given to them all blessings, 18:12.620 --> 18:20.340 grace, forgiveness of sins, righteousness and eternal life. 18:21.380 --> 18:27.420 The writings of Martin Luther indicate that he was no mere tub-thumping, pope-bashing former papist. 18:28.060 --> 18:32.940 They are full of biblical truth, practical wisdom and good sound common sense. 18:33.720 --> 18:34.980 Here's another fine example. 18:35.520 --> 18:37.820 This time he speaks on the subject of music. 18:38.600 --> 18:46.040 There is no doubt that many seeds of excellent virtues are in those souls who love music. 18:46.740 --> 18:56.460 And I fully deem, and am not ashamed to assert, that after theology there is no art which can be 18:56.460 --> 18:58.300 compared to music. 18:59.460 --> 19:10.260 For she alone, after theology, causes that which otherwise theology alone can cause, namely a glad 19:10.260 --> 19:12.320 and quiet heart. 19:13.480 --> 19:22.200 Therefore the devil, author of sadness and bad cares, and of crowds of disquiets, flees at the 19:22.200 --> 19:26.720 voice of music as he flees at the word of theology. 19:27.720 --> 19:32.880 The devil is a sorrowful spirit, and makes people sorrowful. 19:33.880 --> 19:37.140 Therefore he cannot endure cheerfulness. 19:38.300 --> 19:48.000 That is why he flees as far as he can from music, remains not where there is singing, especially of 19:48.000 --> 19:48.280 him. 19:49.620 --> 19:55.880 Thus David softened Saul's temptation by his heart. 19:56.960 --> 20:00.260 Musical notes make the text living. 20:01.260 --> 20:04.240 They drive away the spirit of depression. 20:05.240 --> 20:09.420 Music is the best refreshment of a troubled man. 20:09.920 --> 20:16.800 For by his heart is again brought to peace, invigorated and refreshed. 20:18.020 --> 20:23.220 Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners. 20:24.020 --> 20:31.620 She makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable. 20:32.880 --> 20:36.900 Music is a beautiful glorious gift of God. 20:37.900 --> 20:39.720 And next, to theology. 20:40.520 --> 20:45.740 I would not lose the little music I have in me for something great. 20:46.700 --> 20:54.240 The young should always be exercised in this art, for it makes capable men. 20:55.440 --> 21:07.900 The devil, that lost spirit, cannot endure sacred songs of joy, or passions and impatiences, or 21:07.900 --> 21:13.420 complainings and or crying, or alas, or despair. 21:13.420 --> 21:15.720 The devil is a sorrowful man, and our woe is me. 21:16.520 --> 21:25.100 Please him well on our songs and Sam's becks, and grieve him sorely. 21:25.960 --> 21:29.660 Singing is the best art and exercise. 21:30.580 --> 21:32.640 It has nothing to do with the world. 21:33.600 --> 21:37.780 It is nothing before the tribunals, or in matters of strife. 21:38.760 --> 21:46.960 Singers are not careful, but joyful, and with singing, drive cares away. 21:47.840 --> 21:51.460 The wit and wisdom of Martin Luther on the subject of music. 21:52.200 --> 21:58.260 Here's that same wise insight into spiritual matters, but to good use again, in this piece on 21:58.260 --> 21:58.920 the two kingdoms. 21:59.600 --> 22:08.560 The kingdom of the world, or the devil's kingdom, is the kingdom of iniquity, ignorance, error, sin, 22:09.360 --> 22:13.300 death, blasphemy, desperation, and sin. 22:13.300 --> 22:15.060 The devil's kingdom is the kingdom of sin, and eternal damnation. 22:16.180 --> 22:24.920 On the other side, the kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of equity, light, grace, remission of 22:24.920 --> 22:31.380 sins, peace, consolations, saving health, and eternal life. 22:32.500 --> 22:40.960 The devil gives heaven before sin, and after we have sinned, drives us to dismay of conscience, 22:41.740 --> 22:42.700 and to despair. 22:43.900 --> 22:45.500 Christ does the contrary. 22:46.540 --> 22:51.800 He gives heaven after sin, and peace to the troubled conscience. 22:53.140 --> 23:01.320 Last night when I awoke, the devil came and wanted to dispute with me, and cast up at me that I was a 23:01.320 --> 23:01.500 sinner. 23:02.640 --> 23:08.000 Then I said, say something you devil, that I know well already. 23:08.580 --> 23:17.580 I have committed real actual sins, but the sins that God forgives for his dear son's sake are real 23:17.580 --> 23:17.980 sins. 23:18.840 --> 23:24.880 The devil often casts up against me what great offenses have come from my doctrine. 23:26.000 --> 23:30.700 Sometimes he makes me heavy and sad with such thoughts. 23:31.420 --> 23:39.580 And when I answer that much good has also sprung then, by a master's stroke he can turn that 23:39.580 --> 23:40.200 against me. 23:41.180 --> 23:46.900 Thank God the devil has never been able altogether to vanquish me. 23:47.900 --> 23:52.420 He has burned himself out on the Lord Christ. 23:53.300 --> 23:59.120 At the beginning we said that while none was so bold and courageous as Martin Luther, yet none was 23:59.120 --> 24:00.760 so tender, so compassionate. 24:01.580 --> 24:07.340 Here's a fine example of that human tenderness in this apology for the fact that men sometimes fall 24:07.340 --> 24:09.200 but that they can rise again. 24:09.580 --> 24:13.200 And in his exhortation to be gentle to all such. 24:14.200 --> 24:14.760 I know. 24:15.960 --> 24:19.100 I know it must be that offenses come. 24:20.380 --> 24:22.660 Neither is it a miracle for man to fall. 24:23.980 --> 24:28.300 A miracle is for man to rise again and stand. 24:29.840 --> 24:33.720 Peter fell that he might know himself to be a man. 24:35.120 --> 24:41.540 Today also the cedars of Lebanon fall, whose tops touch the heavens. 24:43.080 --> 24:51.760 Nay, which surpasses all wonders, an angel fell in heaven and Adam in paradise. 24:52.840 --> 24:59.180 What wonder then that the angel fell in heaven if a reed is shaken with the wind and the smoking 24:59.180 --> 25:00.620 flax is quenched. 25:01.920 --> 25:08.300 The Lord Jesus teach thee and work with thee and finish the good work. 25:09.660 --> 25:14.620 Anger is hell, gentleness is heaven. 25:15.740 --> 25:22.020 Therefore the gentler thou art, the nearer thou art to heaven. 25:22.840 --> 25:27.680 Finally, on this side of the tape, here's Luther speaking on the requirements of a preacher. 25:28.380 --> 25:31.560 It seems he spoke from a first-hand experience of that noble art. 25:32.180 --> 25:34.280 Once more, let Luther speak. 25:35.260 --> 25:38.700 A good preacher should have these virtues and qualities. 25:39.980 --> 25:43.980 First, he should be able to teach plainly and in order. 25:45.360 --> 25:47.780 Secondly, he should have a good hand. 25:49.020 --> 25:51.960 Thirdly, he should have a good power of speech. 25:53.220 --> 25:54.660 Fourthly, a good voice. 25:55.640 --> 25:57.120 Fifthly, a good memory. 25:58.600 --> 26:01.640 Sixthly, he should know when to stop. 26:02.860 --> 26:09.320 Seventhly, he should be sure what he means to say and should study diligently. 26:10.600 --> 26:18.040 Eighthly, he should be ready to stake body and life, goods and glory on its truth. 26:19.140 --> 26:26.500 Ninthly, he must suffer himself to be vexed and criticized by everybody. 26:28.330 --> 26:36.200 The word and teaching of man have decreed and prescribed that the judging of doctrine be left 26:36.200 --> 26:39.920 altogether to bishops, theologians, and councils. 26:41.200 --> 26:49.460 Whatever these have decided, all the world is bound to regard as law and as articles of faith. 26:50.360 --> 26:56.860 This is abundantly proved by their daily harping on the Pope's canon law. 26:58.020 --> 27:06.580 One hears scarcely anything else from them but the boast that they have the power and the right to 27:06.580 --> 27:09.880 judge what is Christian and what is heretical. 27:11.000 --> 27:16.340 The plain Christian must await their decision and abide by it. 27:17.320 --> 27:19.740 Thus he opens up with the position of the church. 27:20.440 --> 27:24.600 Now listen as he proceeds to demolish it with clear scriptural argument. 27:25.360 --> 27:28.960 Luther maintained that all men have the right and power to judge doctrine. 27:30.020 --> 27:36.260 This claim of theirs with which they have intimidated the whole world and which is their 27:36.260 --> 27:46.320 chief stronghold and defense, though how shamelessly and how senselessly it rages against 27:46.320 --> 27:49.400 the law and word of God. 27:50.460 --> 27:53.520 For Christ decrees the very opposite. 27:54.580 --> 28:02.320 He takes from the bishops, theologians, and councils both the right and the power to judge 28:02.320 --> 28:09.680 doctrine and confers them upon all men and upon all Christians in particular. 28:10.940 --> 28:20.040 He does this when he says in John 10, My sheep hear my voice, and my sheep do not follow a 28:20.040 --> 28:25.780 stranger, but flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers. 28:26.940 --> 28:33.580 As many as have come are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 28:35.080 --> 28:40.380 Here you see plainly who has the right to judge teaching. 28:41.840 --> 28:51.380 Bishops, Pope, theologians, and anyone else have the power to teach, but the sheep are to judge 28:51.380 --> 28:58.420 whether what they teach is the voice of Christ or the voice of strangers. 28:59.200 --> 29:05.660 To this the bishops and clergy, whom Luther referred to as windbags, replied, We must listen 29:05.660 --> 29:07.340 to the theologians and the bishops. 29:07.860 --> 29:11.240 We must consider how things were done in ancient days and follow the old customs. 29:12.020 --> 29:13.660 But Luther would have none of this. 29:13.900 --> 29:15.840 He retorted, What? 29:16.580 --> 29:23.440 God's word yield to your ancient usage, your custom, your bishops? 29:24.460 --> 29:24.820 Never. 29:25.860 --> 29:32.120 We therefore let bishops and councils decide and decree what they please. 29:33.180 --> 29:42.200 But when we have God's word on our side, it shall be for us and not for them to say whether it be 29:42.200 --> 29:49.060 right or wrong, and they shall yield to us and obey our word. 29:50.180 --> 29:55.580 Having thus dispensed with the usurped authority of the bishops, he then proceeded to expose them 29:55.580 --> 30:00.420 as false shepherds, who were in no wise to be trusted with the care of immortal souls. 30:01.040 --> 30:09.920 Here you see plainly enough, I fancy, how much trust is to be placed in those persons who deal 30:09.920 --> 30:13.960 with souls by means of the word of men. 30:15.320 --> 30:23.440 Who does not see that all bishops, foundations, monastic houses, and all other institutions and 30:23.440 --> 30:32.220 universities, with all that are therein, rage against this clear word of Christ by shamelessly 30:32.220 --> 30:41.400 taking from the sheep the judgment of doctrine and appropriating it to themselves by their own 30:41.400 --> 30:43.060 imprudent decree? 30:44.680 --> 30:53.600 Hence they are certainly to be regarded as murderers, thieves, wolves, and apostate 30:53.600 --> 31:03.680 Christians, who are here openly convicted not only by denying the word of God, but of setting up and 31:03.680 --> 31:07.700 carrying out decrees in opposition to this word. 31:08.860 --> 31:12.820 Strong, plain words against the deceits and delusions of the Roman church. 31:13.440 --> 31:18.580 And Luther went on to point out that Paul had predicted such things in 2 Thessalonians chapter 31:18.580 --> 31:19.000 2. 31:19.880 --> 31:23.520 Again and again we find Luther taking us back to the word of God. 31:24.040 --> 31:27.140 His whole life and ministry appear to have been steeped in scripture. 31:27.920 --> 31:33.920 Here is yet another example in which he points out that the right use of books is essential, and that 31:33.920 --> 31:37.440 all earthly books are to be subservient to God's book. 31:38.240 --> 31:48.100 I only ask in all kindness that the man who wishes at this time to have my books will by no means let 31:48.100 --> 31:51.480 them be a hindrance to his own study of the scriptures. 31:52.620 --> 32:00.560 In this I follow the example of St. Augustine, who is one of the first and almost the only one of 32:00.560 --> 32:10.000 them to subject himself to the holy scriptures alone, uninfluenced by the books of all the 32:10.000 --> 32:11.800 fathers and the saints. 32:12.820 --> 32:20.500 This brought him into a hard fray with St. Jerome, who cast up to him the writings of his 32:20.500 --> 32:24.900 predecessors, but he did not care for that. 32:26.160 --> 32:33.720 If this example of St. Augustine had been followed, the Pope would not have become 32:33.720 --> 32:34.540 Antichrist. 32:35.560 --> 32:44.080 The countless vermin, the swarming parasitical mass of books would not have come into the church. 32:44.740 --> 32:49.340 And the Bible would have kept its place in the pulpit. 32:50.460 --> 32:53.620 Luther can rightly be described as a great contender for the faith. 32:54.140 --> 32:55.420 He contended against error. 32:55.800 --> 32:57.100 He contended for truth. 32:57.800 --> 33:00.580 He himself claimed to contend for only two things. 33:01.060 --> 33:02.200 Listen to him speak. 33:02.740 --> 33:05.900 I contend for but two things. 33:06.920 --> 33:15.060 First, I will not suffer any man to establish new articles of faith, and to abuse all other 33:15.060 --> 33:23.880 Christians in the world, and slander and brand them as heretics, apostates and unbelievers, 33:24.860 --> 33:28.280 simply because they are not under the Pope. 33:28.940 --> 33:38.280 It is enough that we let the Pope be Pope, and it is not needful that for his sake God and His 33:38.280 --> 33:40.660 saints on earth should be blasphemed. 33:42.080 --> 33:53.420 Secondly, all that the Pope decrees and does, I will receive on this condition that I first tested 33:53.420 --> 33:55.140 by the Holy Scriptures. 33:55.740 --> 34:03.520 He must remain under Christ and submit to be judged by the Holy Scriptures. 34:04.720 --> 34:13.660 But these Roman names come along, place Him above Christ, and make Him a judge over the Scriptures. 34:14.820 --> 34:24.200 They say He cannot err, and whatever is dreamed at Rome, everything which they dare to come out with, 34:24.840 --> 34:28.280 they would prescribe for us as articles of faith. 34:29.580 --> 34:37.620 And as if that were not enough, they would introduce a new kind of faith, so that we are to 34:37.620 --> 34:41.580 believe what we can see with our bodily eyes. 34:42.460 --> 34:52.920 For as faith by its very nature is of the things which no one sees or feels, as St. Paul says in 34:52.920 --> 35:02.780 Hebrews chapter 11, the Roman authority and fellowship is a bodily thing, and can be seen by 35:02.780 --> 35:03.260 anyone. 35:04.260 --> 35:11.740 If the Pope come to that, which may God forbid, I would say right out that he is the real 35:11.740 --> 35:16.420 Antichrist, of whom all the Scriptures speak. 35:17.160 --> 35:23.400 From that last excerpt, it is seen that Luther did not fear to meet the Pope head on and call him the 35:23.400 --> 35:24.060 Antichrist. 35:24.700 --> 35:28.120 He used that term for the Roman Pontiff on more than one occasion. 35:28.740 --> 35:30.700 Here he is elaborating on the subject. 35:31.440 --> 35:39.840 Above all, we would drive out of German lands the papal legates with their faculties, which they 35:39.840 --> 35:44.800 sell us for large sums of money, though that is sheer knavery. 35:45.860 --> 35:55.260 For example, in return for money, they legalize unjust gains, dissolve oaths, vows and agreements, 35:56.340 --> 36:04.220 break and teach men to break the faith and fealty which they have pledged to one another, and they 36:04.220 --> 36:07.280 say the Pope has the authority to do this. 36:08.000 --> 36:11.780 It is the evil spirit who bids them say this. 36:12.720 --> 36:21.340 Thus they sell a doctrine of devils and take money for teaching us sin and leading us to hell. 36:22.620 --> 36:31.660 If there were no other evil wiles to prove the Pope the true Antichrist, yet this one thing were 36:31.660 --> 36:32.680 enough to prove it. 36:33.620 --> 36:45.000 Hearest thou this, O Pope, not most holy, but most sinful, O that God from heaven would soon destroy 36:45.000 --> 36:49.460 thy throne and sink it in the abyss of hell. 36:50.680 --> 36:59.400 Who hath given thee authority to exalt thyself above thy God, to break and to loose his 36:59.400 --> 37:08.220 commandments, and to teach Christians especially the German nation, praised in all history for its 37:08.220 --> 37:18.140 nobility, its constancy and fidelity to be inconstant, perjurers, traitors, profligates, 37:18.700 --> 37:19.180 faithless? 37:20.320 --> 37:28.400 God hath commanded to keep oath and faith even with an enemy, and thou undertakest to loose this 37:28.400 --> 37:37.860 his commandments, and ordainest in thine heretical Antichristian decretals above hast his power. 37:39.140 --> 37:48.220 Thus through thy throat and through thy pen the wicked Satan doth lie as he hath never lied 37:48.220 --> 37:48.720 before. 37:50.260 --> 37:55.060 Thou dost force and rest the Scriptures to thy fancy. 37:55.940 --> 38:00.080 O Christ my Lord, look down on me. 38:00.080 --> 38:06.100 Let the day of thy judgment break, and destroy the devil's nest at Rome. 38:07.260 --> 38:15.200 Here sitteth the man of whom St. Paul hath said, that he shall exalt himself above thee. 38:16.060 --> 38:24.320 Sit in thy church, and set himself up as God, the man of sin and the son of perdition. 38:25.240 --> 38:33.760 What else is the papal power than only the teaching and increasing of sin and evil, the 38:33.760 --> 38:40.280 leading of souls to damnation under thy name and guise. 38:41.160 --> 38:46.800 Continuing on the subject of the Pope as the Antichrist, Luther next shows us how scripturally 38:46.800 --> 38:48.460 accurate the accusation is. 38:48.940 --> 38:54.220 The Pope is Antichrist because he is a counter Christ, a false Christ. 38:54.720 --> 38:56.580 Again, let Luther speak. 38:57.640 --> 39:06.440 Such extravagant over presumptuous and more than wicked doings of the Pope have been devised by the 39:06.440 --> 39:14.780 devil in order that under their cover he may in time bring in Antichrist and raise the Pope above 39:14.780 --> 39:20.080 God, as many are already doing and have done. 39:20.860 --> 39:29.260 It is not proper for the Pope to exalt himself above the temporal authorities, save only in 39:29.260 --> 39:33.920 spiritual offices such as preaching and absolving. 39:34.760 --> 39:44.840 In other things he is to be subject, as Paul and Peter teach in Romans chapter 13 and 1 Peter 39:44.840 --> 39:46.120 chapter 3. 39:47.120 --> 39:52.500 He is not vicar of Christ in heaven, but of Christ as he walked on earth. 39:53.320 --> 40:03.580 For Christ in heaven, in the form of a ruler, needs no vicar, but he sits, sees, does, and knows 40:03.580 --> 40:06.040 all things, and has all power. 40:07.000 --> 40:13.180 But he needs a vicar in the form of a servant, in which he walked on earth, toiling, preaching, 40:13.500 --> 40:14.680 suffering, and dying. 40:15.600 --> 40:23.800 Now they turn it around, take from Christ the heavenly form of ruler, and give it to the Pope, 40:24.700 --> 40:28.060 leaving the form of a servant to perish utterly. 40:28.980 --> 40:37.000 He might almost be the counter Christ, whom the scriptures call antichrist, but all his nature, 40:37.740 --> 40:46.440 work, and doings are against Christ, for the destruction of Christ's nature and work. 40:47.400 --> 40:52.580 It was the Pope also who was responsible for the practice of withholding the cup in communion, and 40:52.580 --> 40:57.580 thus forbidding the common people to obey the command of the Saviour to eat and drink in 40:57.580 --> 40:58.500 remembrance of me. 40:59.180 --> 41:04.480 Next they took entirely from us the one element, the wine. 41:05.540 --> 41:10.660 Although that does not matter much, for the word is more important than the sign. 41:11.860 --> 41:17.640 Still, I should like to know who gave them the power to do such a thing. 41:18.440 --> 41:27.280 In the same way, they might take from us the other element, and at last abolish everything that 41:27.280 --> 41:28.860 Christ has instituted. 41:29.880 --> 41:39.220 I fear it is a figure and type that augurs nothing good in these perilous, perverted latter days. 41:40.300 --> 41:43.600 It is said that the Pope has the power to do it. 41:44.540 --> 41:47.420 I say that is all fiction. 41:48.520 --> 41:54.480 He does not have a hair's breadth of power to change what Christ has meant. 41:55.540 --> 42:03.680 Whatever of these things he changes, that he does as a tyrant and antichrist. 42:04.720 --> 42:10.640 Although, as we have said, his battle was with the whole system of Rome, his main thrust was against 42:10.640 --> 42:12.660 the position and authority of the Pope. 42:13.200 --> 42:17.620 The Pope, as the head of the Church, was responsible for the continuation of his wicked 42:17.620 --> 42:18.080 practices. 42:18.740 --> 42:21.460 He, in fact, perpetuated and encouraged them. 42:21.980 --> 42:25.640 Therefore, he was patently guilty of its most heinous crimes. 42:26.280 --> 42:29.180 No wonder Luther branded him the lying Pope. 42:29.640 --> 42:39.020 This arbitrary will and lying reservation of the Pope creates in Rome a state of things which is 42:39.020 --> 42:39.760 unspeakable. 42:39.760 --> 42:53.060 There is buying, selling, bartering, treating, trafficking, lying, deceiving, robbing, stealing, 42:53.980 --> 43:03.480 luxury, harlotry, knavery, and every sort of contempt of God, and even the rule of antichrist 43:04.080 --> 43:06.060 could not be more scandalous. 43:07.120 --> 43:16.000 Venice, Antwerp, Cairo are nothing compared to this fair which is held at Rome and the business 43:16.000 --> 43:22.700 that is done there, except that in those places they still observe right and reason. 43:24.080 --> 43:32.700 At Rome, everything goes as the devil wills, and out of this ocean flows into the whole world. 43:33.840 --> 43:43.140 Is it a wonder that such people fear a reformation and a free council, and prefer to set all kings 43:43.140 --> 43:51.580 and princes at enmity, rather than that they may unite and bring about such a council? 43:52.580 --> 43:59.320 Who could bear to have such knavery exposed if it were his own? 44:00.180 --> 44:05.180 Luther's personal knowledge of the Roman Church equipped him well to expose and denounce it. 44:05.680 --> 44:11.520 He missed no opportunity of doing so, as is demonstrated in this next extract on the sea of 44:11.520 --> 44:11.800 Rome. 44:12.620 --> 44:21.780 But thy sea, which is called the Roman Curia, and of which neither thou nor any man can deny, that 44:21.780 --> 44:26.780 it is more corrupt than any Babylon or Sodom ever was. 44:27.400 --> 44:37.560 And which is, as far as I can see, characterized by a totally depraved, hopeless, and notorious 44:37.560 --> 44:38.280 wickedness. 44:39.140 --> 44:48.720 That sea I have truly despised, and I have been incensed to think that in thy name, and under the 44:48.720 --> 44:53.020 guise of the Roman Church, the people of Christ are mocked. 44:53.780 --> 45:02.740 And so I have resisted, and will resist that sea, as long as the spirit of faith shall live in me. 45:03.860 --> 45:12.920 Not that I shall strive after the impossible, or hope that by my own efforts anything will be 45:12.920 --> 45:20.560 accomplished in that most disordered Babylon, where the rage of so many is turned against me. 45:21.520 --> 45:30.500 But I acknowledge myself a debtor to my brethren, whom it is my duty to warn that fewer of them may 45:30.500 --> 45:38.440 be destroyed by the plagues of Rome, or at least that their destruction may be less cruel. 45:39.820 --> 45:49.700 For as I well knowest, these many years there has flowed forth from Rome, like a flood covering the 45:49.700 --> 45:59.620 world, nothing but a laying waste of men's bodies and souls and possessions, and the worst possible 45:59.620 --> 46:02.700 examples of the worst possible things. 46:04.000 --> 46:07.800 For all this is clearer than the day to all men. 46:08.480 --> 46:18.660 And the Roman Church, once the most holy of all, has become the most licentious den of thieves, the 46:18.660 --> 46:28.100 most shameless of all brothels, the kingdom of sin, death and hell, so that even Antichrist 46:28.100 --> 46:34.960 himself, should he come, could think of nothing to add to its wickedness. 46:35.660 --> 46:39.500 But it wasn't only in Rome itself that the Pope's villainy was manifested. 46:39.840 --> 46:43.840 It reached as far as Luther's homeland and affected his fellow countrymen. 46:44.360 --> 46:47.000 This roused the righteous anger of the great reformer. 46:47.520 --> 46:49.040 Once more he spoke. 46:49.500 --> 46:59.580 I am surprised that Germany, which is by one half or more in possession of the Church, still has so 46:59.580 --> 47:08.580 much as one penny left by reason of the unspeakable, innumerable, insufferable Roman 47:08.580 --> 47:08.940 thieves. 47:08.960 --> 47:11.580 Thieves and robbers. 47:12.400 --> 47:16.680 It is said that Antichrist shall find the treasures of the earth. 47:18.020 --> 47:25.460 I, through the Romanists, have found them to such an extent as to make our very life a burden. 47:26.740 --> 47:34.520 If the German princes and the nobility will not interfere very shortly, and with the size of 47:34.520 --> 47:41.440 courage, Germany will yet become a wilderness and be compelled to devour itself. 47:42.640 --> 47:47.380 That would furnish the greatest pleasure for the Romanists. 47:49.520 --> 47:56.060 Squeeze the gold from the German fools in any way you can. 47:56.980 --> 48:00.100 That is a proverb concerning us at Rome. 48:01.180 --> 48:05.540 The Pope does not prevent this scandalous villainy. 48:06.240 --> 48:07.660 They all wink at it. 48:08.220 --> 48:16.100 Yea, they think far more highly of these supreme arch-villains than they do of the Holy Gospel of 48:16.100 --> 48:16.520 God. 48:17.400 --> 48:20.540 The Roman Catholic clergy did not escape the wrath of Luther either. 48:21.180 --> 48:26.120 They were also guilty, he thought, of causing the people to sin in such a way as they would not have 48:26.120 --> 48:30.980 done had they not been under the wicked influence of what Luther called the people asses. 48:31.460 --> 48:41.280 All Christians can err and sin, but God has taught them all to pray in the Lord's prayer for 48:41.280 --> 48:50.420 forgiveness of sins, and has known well how to forgive the sins that they have had to commit 48:50.420 --> 49:00.180 unwillingly, unknowingly, and under compulsion of Antichrist, saying nothing about it to the priests 49:00.180 --> 49:01.420 and monks. 49:02.420 --> 49:11.880 But it can easily be proved that in all the world there has always been a great secret murmuring and 49:11.880 --> 49:20.420 complaining against the clergy, as men who were not treating the Church aright and the people 49:20.420 --> 49:30.220 asses have valuably withstood such murmuring with fire and sword down to the present day. 49:31.240 --> 49:39.920 This murmuring proves how gladly the Christians have seen these abominations and how right they 49:39.920 --> 49:40.420 have been. 49:41.820 --> 49:52.820 Now dear asses, come along and say this is the teaching of the Church, these stinking lies which 49:52.820 --> 50:03.160 you villains and traitors have imposed by force upon the Church, and over which you arch murderers 50:03.160 --> 50:05.760 have slain many Christians. 50:07.040 --> 50:17.860 Every letter of every papal law shows that nothing is ever taught with the counsel or will of the 50:17.860 --> 50:18.140 Church. 50:19.180 --> 50:27.160 This tyranny the Church has had to endure, it has been robbed of the sacrament and by no fault of 50:27.160 --> 50:29.880 its own it has been held in captivity. 50:31.240 --> 50:40.020 And that the asses would palm off their intolerable tyranny of theirs on us as a willing 50:40.020 --> 50:46.360 part of the Church and an example and so adorn themselves. 50:47.640 --> 50:52.400 From all that we have heard, it is no wonder that Luther was called the hammer of the papacy. 50:53.040 --> 50:59.220 As expected however, his defiant attitude and outspoken criticisms landed him in deep trouble 50:59.220 --> 50:59.820 with the Church. 51:00.400 --> 51:06.440 Eventually he was summoned to appear at the notorious Diet or Congress at Worms in 1521. 51:07.180 --> 51:10.780 The outcome was not surprising, he never really stood a chance. 51:11.420 --> 51:15.440 Faced with the books he had written, the statements he had made and the demand to retract, 51:15.740 --> 51:17.040 there was nothing he could do. 51:17.500 --> 51:20.400 Of course he would not, he could not retract. 51:21.240 --> 51:26.620 Just before the hierarchy of the Church with whom he had fought such an arduous battle condemned him 51:26.620 --> 51:32.560 as an heretic, he gave his immortal answer in the words which still thrill us after more than four 51:32.560 --> 51:42.220 centuries, here I stand, I can do no other, but let Luther speak for himself just once more. 51:42.980 --> 51:56.540 Since your most serene majesty and your high mightinesses require from me a clear, simple and 51:56.540 --> 52:02.740 precise answer, I will give you one, and it is this. 52:03.820 --> 52:15.820 I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Council, because it is clear as a day that 52:15.820 --> 52:20.200 they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. 52:21.260 --> 52:32.160 Unless, therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless 52:32.160 --> 52:40.820 I am persuaded by means of the passage of the Prophets, I have quoted, and unless they thus 52:40.820 --> 52:54.340 render my conscience bound by the word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unseemly 52:54.340 --> 52:59.380 for a Christian to speak against his conscience. 53:00.740 --> 53:06.160 Here I stand, I can do no other, but let Luther speak for himself. 53:06.180 --> 53:06.880 No other. 53:08.220 --> 53:09.900 May God help me. 53:11.200 --> 53:11.560 Amen. 53:14.380 --> 53:18.740 This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. 53:19.800 --> 53:26.320 SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available, free and for sale, in audio, 53:26.600 --> 53:27.980 video and printed formats. 53:28.860 --> 53:34.020 Our many free resources, as well as our complete mail-order catalog, containing thousands of 53:34.020 --> 53:40.620 classic and contemporary Puritan and Reform books, tapes and videos at great discounts, is on the web 53:40.620 --> 53:47.060 at www.swrb.com. 53:47.580 --> 54:02.200 We can also be reached by email at swrb at swrb .com, by phone at 780-450-3730, by fax at 54:02.200 --> 54:02.340 780-450-3730, and by email at 888-888-3259. 54:22.060 --> 54:25.160 You may also request a free printed catalog. 54:25.720 --> 54:31.500 And remember that John Calvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or 54:31.500 --> 54:36.820 what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I 54:36.820 --> 54:45.000 commanded them not, neither came into my heart, from his commentary on Jeremiah 7.31, writes, God 54:45.000 --> 54:52.460 here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since he condemns by this one phrase, I 54:52.460 --> 54:55.880 have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. 54:56.380 --> 55:01.700 There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by 55:01.700 --> 55:02.140 God. 55:02.640 --> 55:07.580 For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to 55:07.580 --> 55:10.160 his commands, they pervert true religion. 55:10.720 --> 55:16.760 And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which 55:16.760 --> 55:20.260 they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. 55:20.840 --> 55:26.220 It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by 55:26.220 --> 55:28.060 performing their own superstitions. 55:28.820 --> 55:33.900 There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. 55:34.480 --> 55:40.340 Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, 55:40.760 --> 55:43.620 they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. 55:44.300 --> 55:46.540 The prophet's words then are very important. 55:47.060 --> 55:54.080 When he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he 55:54.080 --> 56:01.600 had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.