CHAPTER XXVI. LUTHER’S MODE OF CONTROVERSY A COUNTERPART
OF HIS SOUL _pages_ 284-350
1. LUTHER’S ANGER. HIS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE JEWS, THE LAWYERS AND THE PRINCES.
Sir Thomas More on Luther’s language. Three writings launched against the Jews; the place of the pig and donkey in Luther’s stable of metaphor. Luther’s animus against the Lawyers due to their attachment to the matrimonial legislation as then established. His attack on the Princes in his “Von welltlicher Uberkeytt”; his ire against Albert, Elector of Mayence; his list of the archbishop’s relics; how the Duke of Brunswick fared _pages_ 284-295
2. LUTHER’S EXCUSE: “WE MUST CURSE THE POPE AND HIS KINGDOM.”
The Pope is the “Beast” and the “Dragon”; Luther’s language in the Table-Talk, and in the Disputation in 1539; on the Papal Bearwolf (Werewolf); the Papal Antichrist; Luther’s wrath against all who dared to stand up for the Pope; how the Pope deserves to be addressed _pages_ 295-305
3. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LUTHER’S ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.
His ungovernable temper; reality of certain misuses against which he thundered; his vexation with those who, like Carlstadt and Zwingli, seemed to be robbing him of the credit which was his due; his tendency to be carried away by the power of his own tongue; his need for the stimulus and outlet provided by vituperation; his ill-humour at the smallness of the moral results obtained; abuse serves to repress his own troubles of conscience. Connection of Luther’s abusiveness with his mystic persuasion of his special call; all his anger really directed against the devil; it is no insult “to call a turnip a turnip.” The unpleasant seasoning of Luther’s abuse; some samples; was language of so coarse a character at all usual at that time? Indignation of the Swiss _pages_ 306-326
4. LUTHER ON HIS OWN GREATNESS AND SUPERIORITY TO CRITICISM. THE ART OF “RHETORIC.”
His occasional professions of humility; a number of typical sayings of Luther referring to his peculiar standing and his achievements: The predictions fulfilled in him; the poverty of the exegesis of the Fathers; his reforms more far-reaching than those of any Councils; his being alone no better argument against him than against the Old-Testament Prophets, who also stood up against the whole world. Harnack’s dilemma: Was Luther a megalomaniac, or were his achievements commensurate with his claims? His habit of giving free rein to his “rhetoric”; its tendency to extravagance, unseemliness, and, occasionally, to rank blasphemy; “papist and donkey is one and the same, _sic volo, sic iubeo_”; his rhetoric a true mirror of his inward state; his changeableness; his high opinion of himself to some extent fostered by the adulation of his friends _pages_ 327-350