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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
c By the light of his pile , we will return hither , ' said Liese . ' Nay , ' said Helena , thoughtfully , « but remember , that Martin is not now the only mover in this heresy . There is Carlostadius , with his crowds of followers in Saxony : and Melancthon has most influence among the people who ought to be the most scandalized
by his master ' s , heresy . Father Gottfried says , that the smooth hypocrisy of Melancthon , and the impious satires in the books of Erasmus , ( which are spreading more than ever ) are far more dangerous than any thing that such a bold-fronted wretch as Martin Luther can do . If so , I do not see how or where the evil is to be stayed . '
* Nor I , Helena . But we cannot doubt the power of the Church . On this we must depend . How shall we magnify this power if it should lodge us again safely here !' Helena was silent . She took up a book which lay within reach , and began to examine it . * How hard , ' exclaimed Liese , that our very last service should have been profaned by the presence of the heretic sent by the magistrates , and to be obliged to receive and keep this book ! Nothing , however , can oblige me to read it . I wonder that you should like to open it . '
' I had looked at my own , before , ' said Helena . Do you know , I watched every one as the delegate made us pass before him , and receive the book . None looked § o much moved as you , Liese . I was afraid you would have cast it down and trampled upon it . '
* I would have so trampled it under foot , if I had not feared to do harm by provoking opposition . But I also watched you , Helena , and I saw no traces of indignation . How was this ?' 4 Because I felt none . If it had been one of Martin ' s own books , I should have refused at all risks to receive it : but in this book there can be no heresy . It contains the gospel , which even Martin ' s enemies declare he has delivered pure . '
* It is enough for me , Helena , and it ought to satisfy you , that the Church delivers the gospel to us in due measure : and yet more , that the Word is here sent abroad clothed in a language in which it is not the will of the Church that it should be offered . If it be blasphemous to debase the gospel by translating it into a tongue which the meanest of the people may understand , it is surely daring , too daring , for one who is the spouse of Christ , to read what is thus translated . If Luther and Melancthon will thus
defy the Church , it is not for us to encourage their heresy . ' Helena closed the book and changed the subject . * How little did I think , ' said she , ' when I took the vows , a year ago , how soon they should be broken !' * And little did you imagine how easily you could bear to have them broken , Helena . This parting vesper service , which has wrung my soul , has not grieved yours . '
Untitled Article
Liese ; or ,, the Progress of Worship . 157
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1832, page 157, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1808/page/13/
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