Luther's Own Statements Concerning His Teaching and Their Results

Luther said: "If you [Melanchton] are a preacher of grace, do not preach fictitious, but real grace. If it is really grace, bear the weight of real not of imaginary sin. God does not save imaginary sinners," "Be a sinner, and sin mightily, but trust and rejoice more mightily in Christ, who is the conqueror of sin, of death, and of the world. Sins must be committed, as long as we are in this state. This life is not the abode of justice, but, as Peter says, we await a new heaven and a new earth, in which justice dwells. It is sufficient that, through the riches of glory, we have acknowledged the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world; sin will not separate us from it (the Lamb) not even if in one single day we were to commit murder, a thousand, a thousand times over. Do you believe that the price and ransom paid for our sins, in such and so great a Lamb is so trifling?" "Pray powerfully, for you are a most powerful sinner. The Feast of Peter, the Apostle, in the year 1521." 1. This book does not pretend to be a Life of Luther. 2. My only and sole purpose is to inquire into the question, whether, in any sense of the word, Luther can be looked upon as a Reformer commissioned by Almighty God. 3. Now, God is a Being of Infinite Dignity, Truth, and Holiness. 4.Whenever, therefore, we read in the Bible that either Prophets or Apostles act as the chosen instruments of Heaven, we also find. a. That the manner in which they teach is in accordance with the supreme Divinity of Him who sends them; b. That the doctrines which they inculcalate are worthy of the God of all Truth and, c. That the results of their teaching are such as to entitle them to be revered as the messengers of a God of Infinite Holiness. 5. If, therefore, Luther's character as a Reformer can stand this three-fold test, we must look upon him as a vessel of election chosen by God to do a great work in His Church. If, however, Luther's teaching is not in accordance with this three-fold standard, we cannot reasonably admit his claims.