[1393] Ibid., p. 180=258.
[1394] “Werke,” Erl. ed., 50, p. 85.
[1395] Ibid., Weim. ed., 15, p. 42; Erl. ed., 22, p. 187. “An die Radherrn aller Stedte deutsches Lands, das sie christliche Schulen auffrichten und halten sollen,” 1524.
[1396] Ibid., p. 39=184.
[1397] At the German Protestant Congress at Berlin in 1904, Dr. Max Fischer of Berlin appealed to the above writing of Luther’s as a proof that the latter had relinquished his idea of the Bible being in the hands of each individual the sole source of doctrine. “That this, as a foundation of all doctrine, is impossible in Protestantism,” he said, speaking from his standpoint, “has long been admitted, and we have simply to bear in mind how Protestant theology has come to examine freely, not only the contents of the Bible, but the Bible itself. Theology has no rights other than those enjoyed by any other branch of worldly learning.” In the sequel the writer declared himself against the Divinity of Christ and any set system of doctrine. According to him particular doctrines, even those of the Apostles’ Creed, were of no importance. “He has all the faith required who makes his faith for himself.” (See the report of the discourse in the “Köln. Volksztng.,” 1904, No. 834.) We may compare this principle with Luther’s own on freedom. The same principles were recently invoked in the case of the Protestant Pastor Jatho of Cologne, when he was charged with being an unbeliever. On his dismissal from office his friends declared that “a chain had been riveted on free and unbiassed research in Prussian Protestantism, and that the official representatives of Protestantism had banned that spirit of personal Christianity which once had impelled Luther to nail up his Theses to the door of the Castle-church at Wittenberg.” (“Köln. Ztng.,” 1911, No. 712; cp. “Köln. Volksztng.,” 1911, No. 545.) During the trial Jatho, too, had appealed to his “inward experience” and personal knowledge. (“Köln. Volksztng.,” 1911, No. 592.)
[1398] “Werke,” Weim. ed., 8, p. 236; Erl. ed., 39, p. 133.
[1399] Ibid., Weim. ed., 18, p. 606=“Opp. lat. var.,” 7, p. 124. “De servo arbitrio.”
[1400] Ibid., 7, p. 317=24, p. 58.
[1401] Ibid., 7, p. 97=“Opp. lat. var,” 5, p. 161.
[1402] Ibid., Erl. ed., 57, p. 16, Table-Talk.