MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE, AUTHOR OF "HISTORY OF FRANCE," ETC. TRANSLATED BY WILLIAM HAZLITT, ESQ. OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: H. G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. MDCCCLXII. ADVERTISEMENT. "THESE memoirs," writes a critic in Blackwood's Magazine, for Dec. 1835, 66 are composed altogether of letters and papers written by Luther himself, and give us a complete picture of the man as he was in life. Hitherto, the too common idea of the great reformer's character has been that it was a mere compound of violence and ruggedness. These traits have been made so prominent, that the finer lines of his portrait have been completely shaded from sight. If, in fact, we knew nothing of Dr. Johnson but his occasional bursts of savage and uncouth manners, we should not have a more erroneous impression of him than is generally entertained of Luther. Another reason of our misconception is, that we too often honour mere daintiness of mind with the names of delicacy, sensibility, humanity, virtue; whilst the rough exterior and the passionate expression, smack, to the taste of drawingroom, fashionable, élite society, whence opinions are usually circulated, only of brutality and ferocity. Perhaps, however, the finest, richest, and most generous species of character is that which presents to the dainty the most repulsive surface. Within the rough rind the feelings are preserved unsophisticated, robust, and healthy. The noli me tangere outside keeps off that insidious swarm of artificial sentimentalities which taint, and adulterate, and finally expel all natural and vigorous emotions from within us. The idea of a perfect man has always been figured forth in our minds by the emblem of the lion coming out of the lamb, and the lamb coming out of the lion. Of this description of character was Luther. Nothing could exceed his submissiveness and humility when a choice |