The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-10-17

quarter till We saw lti We ueC1iAou hIe CnaI-
lenge, and at the same time intimated that
we regarded any proof which he might adj
duce as utterly worthless. And the result
clearly shows that we were not mistaken.
Here then is this Quotation" this "scarce-
ly dozen words" about which the Miscel-
lany has made such flourish of trumpets,
and we give them as we find them, transla-
ton, and all, without any assurance but the
editors own word, that the original is
veritable extract from the 18th chapter OF
Luther's commentary on Genesis:
leu KoNNTE'S NIGHT wEHREN, WOLFE Els
ABER ICHT RATHEN.
would not advise it (polygamy among
Christians) but could not forbid it.
This is the sentence-this the astounding
.'quotation" by which Luther is to be con-
demned, and by which all Protestant chris
tendon is to be silenced forever! Bnt the
mere English reader will be surprised when
he is told that the translation is inverted,
the last clause of the sentence being placed
first. And he will be further surprised
when he learns that the word which is
translated forbid, means simply pregent.
Literally translated it reads thus: could
not pnecem 1t, bit IUould not adoise II" TAX
ing then this isolated passage just as it
stands, it is nothing to the Miscellany's pur-
pose. Instead of its convicting Luther of
being favorable to polygamy, it is proof
that he was opposed to it. He could not
prcucat it. What power had he to prevent
it in the case of the Landgrave Of Hesse
But that he did not adcise it, is proved not
only by his own declaration to that effect in
the charge itself, but from another passage
in the same commentary as cited by Bossuet
"Since them" says Luther, sit is suitable
to the creation of man, and to the first es,
Establishment of their society that each one
be content with one wife, it thence follows
that the law enjoining it is praiseworthy
that it ought to be received into the church
and that no law to the contrary thereto, tc
be introduced into it; because Jesus Christ
has repeated in the 10th chapter OF st
Matthews gospel that text of Genesis There
shall be two in one fesh," and brings t.
mans remembrance what marriage Ough
to have been before it degenerated from it
purity"
When the Landgrave of Hesse, who haC
given his support to the Protestant cause
proved by his conduct that his religious
principles we're sadly defective, the enemie
of the Reformation spared no pains to i'm
plicate Luther in the guilt of bis Prince
Hence Bellarmine charged him with favor
ing Polygamy; Bossuet repeats the charg'
in his Variations of Professionalism. AnC
others are even now following in their wake
reiterating the same old story, which ha
been proved, again and again, to be utter
ly groundless. And last of all, the it'll
Miscellany comes forth with fresh discove
ry of scarcely dozen words said to b.
taken from Luther's commentary on Gene
sis, which he renders into English by in
yerting the clauses of the sentence, and thel
either ignorantly orintentionally, peryertins
the meaning by substituting Jorbid, for pre-
cent; but aftef Ill, he 'cannoGvo torunre TIL
sentence as to make it Subserve his purpose
None but a malignant eye could see in
any thing derogatory to the character o
moral teaching of the hated Reformer.