The various historians who treat of the difficulty between Luther and Carlstadt, speak freely of the motives of each. But of such matters it is best to speak little; the day of Judgment will show the hearts of men, and we must wait till then. We may, however, freely speak of their acts, and may with propriety name the things wherein each would have benefited the other. Carlstadt’s errors at Wittemberg were not because he rejected Luther’s help, but because he was deprived of it by Luther’s captivity. Luther’s error in those things wherein Carlstadt was right were because he saw it best to reject Carlstadt’s doctrine.
1. Carlstadt’s error in the removal of the images, the suppression of masses, the abolition of monastic vows, or vows of celibacy, and in giving the wine as well as the bread in the supper, and in performing the service in German instead of Latin, if it was an error, was one of time rather than of doctrine. Had Luther been with him, probably all would have been deferred for some months or perhaps some years.
2. Carlstadt would probably have been saved by Luther’s presence from coming under the influence of the Zwickau prophets. As it was, he did for a brief season accept, not their teaching in general, but their doctrine that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in believers renders human learning vain and worthless. But in both these things Carlstadt submitted to Luther’s correction. Had Luther regarded Carlstadt, he would have been benefited in the following particulars:—
1. In his zeal for the doctrine of justification by faith, he would have been saved from the denial of the inspiration of the epistle of James, and would not have called it a “strawy or chaffy epistle.”[1014]
2. Instead of exchanging transubstantiation, which is the Romish doctrine that the bread and wine of the supper become Christ’s literal flesh and blood, for consubstantiation, the doctrine which he fastened upon the Lutheran church that Christ’s flesh and blood are actually present in the bread and wine, he would have given to that church the doctrine that the bread and wine simply represent the body and blood of Christ, and are used in commemoration of his sacrifice for our sins.
3. Instead of holding fast every thing in the Romish church not expressly forbidden in the Bible, he would have laid all aside which had not the actual sanction of that holy book.
4. Instead of the Catholic festival of Sunday, he would have observed and transmitted to the Protestant church the ancient Sabbath of the Lord.
Carlstadt needed Luther’s help, and he accepted it. Did not Luther also need that of Carlstadt? Is it not time that Carlstadt should be vindicated from the great obloquy thrown upon him by the prevailing party? And would not this have been done long since had not Carlstadt been a decided Sabbatarian?
CHAPTER XXIV.
SABBATH-KEEPERS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
The judgment of the martyr Frith—The Reformation brings Sabbath-keepers to light in various countries—In Transylvania—In Bohemia—In Russia—In Germany—In Holland—In France—In England.