[61] We have indicated in the above our own position with respect to two opposing views recently put forward concerning the development of the early Lutheran Church, viz. P. Drews, “Entsprach das Staatskirchentum dem Ideale Luthers?” (see above, p. 24, n. 4), and H. Hermelink, “Zu Luthers Gedanken über Idealgemeinden und von weltlicher Obrigkeit,” in “Zeitschr. für KG.,” 29, 1908, p. 267 ff., with epilogue on Drews. See also vol. v., xxx., 2, on State and State Church according to Luther’s views and complaints. While Drews emphasises the “congregations of true believers” as “Luther’s ideal” (p. 103), Hermelink lays stress on the fact that Luther always believed that in the last instance the Christian authorities would be forced to introduce and see to the uniformity of worship in their lands. The disagreement on so vital an historical question only emphasises anew the want of consistency in Luther and the contradictions contained in his statements. See vol. ii., p. 112, n. 1. Cp. p. 294 ff., and the quotation (from W. Hans): “The contradictions in the theory [Luther’s] and between his theory and practice can never be explained.”
[62] Cp. Melanchthon’s tract “De potestate papæ” added to the Schmalkalden Articles in “Die symbolischen Bücher,”10 1907, ed. Müller-Kolde, p. 339: “Imprimis autem oportet præcipua membra ecclesiæ, reges et principes, consulere ecclesiæ.... Prima enim cura regum esse debet, ut ornent gloriam Dei.” Above all, he says, referring to the Papacy, they must not make use of their power “ad confirmandam idolatriam et cetera infinita flagitia et ad faciendas cædes sanctorum.”
[63] R. Sohm, “Kirchenrecht,” 1, 1892, p. 561, who appeals to passages in Luther’s “Von guten Wercken,” 1520, “Werke,” Weim. ed., 6, p. 259 ff.; Erl. ed., 16², p. 198 f. Cp. our vol. ii., p. 299.
[64] Sohm, ibid., p. 579.
[65] Melanchthon even describes it as the first duty of the principal member of the Church: “curare, ut errores tollantur et conscientiæ sanentur.” “Symbolische Bücher,” ibid.
[66] Sohm, “Kirchenrecht,” 1, 1892, p. 579.
[67] Ibid., p. 615, where the passages from Jonas’s writings are given.
[68] Ibid., pp. 630, 618; for further details on the Consistories and Luther’s relations to them, see our vol. v., xxx., 3; cp. xxxv., 2.
[69] Wilhelm Hans, a Protestant theologian, quoted in our vol. ii., p. 312.
[70] First edition, p. 127. In the second edition the passage commencing with the words “The so-called” has been altered.