CHAPTER I. COURSE OF STUDIES AND FIRST YEARS

IN THE MONASTERY _pages_ 3-60

1. LUTHER’S NOVITIATE AND EARLY LIFE.

The new postulant at the gate of the Erfurt priory. Luther’s youth; his parents; early education; stay at Eisenach. Enters the University of Erfurt. Humanist friends. His novitiate. Troubles of conscience quieted by Staupitz, the Vicar of the Saxon Congregation of Augustinian Hermits. Luther’s professors _pages_ 3-12

2. FIDELITY TO HIS NEW CALLING; HIS TEMPTATIONS.

Luther’s theological course. Lectures and lecturers; Bible-study; first Mass. His father on his vocation; his father’s character. Luther’s inward troubles; falls into a fit in choir; Melanchthon on Luther’s attacks of fear. St. Bernard on certainty of salvation. Luther’s “own way” with his difficulties. He is sent to Wittenberg and back to Erfurt. Learned occupations. Luther’s assurance manifest in his earliest notes, the glosses on Peter Lombard; his glosses on Augustine; his fame; his virulent temper; his acquaintance with Hus. Oldecop, Dungersheim and Emser on his moral character in early days. Humanistic influences. Luther is chosen by the Observantines to represent them in Rome _pages_ 12-29

3. THE JOURNEY TO ROME.

Dissensions within the Congregation. Staupitz opposed by seven Observantine priories, on whose behalf Luther proceeds to Rome. The visit’s evil effect on the monk. His opinion of the Curia and the moral state of Rome. An episode at the Scala Santa. Luther’s belief in the Primacy not shaken by what he saw. On the Holy Mass; his petition to be secularised; perils of an Italian journey. Luther returns to Wittenberg and forsakes the cause of the Observantines _pages_ 29-38

4. THE LITTLE WORLD OF WITTENBERG AND THE GREAT WORLD IN CHURCH AND STATE.

Luther takes the doctorate; his first lectures; his surroundings at the University of Wittenberg; the professors; Humanism; schemes for reform; Mutian, Spalatin, Reuchlin, the “Letters of Obscure Men,” Erasmus. Luther’s road not that of his Humanist friends. Currents of thought in the age of discovery and awakened learning; decay of Church life; attempts at reform; abasement of clergy; abuses rampant everywhere; sad state of the Curia. Signs of the coming storm. Luther’s way prepared by the course of events. A curious academic dispute _pages_ 38-60