and he took priest's orders, and celebrated
his first mass in 1507. The year after, he was removed from the convent
of Erfurt to the university of Wittemberg; for this university being
just founded, nothing was thought more likely to bring it into immediate
repute and credit, than the authority and presence of a man so
celebrated, for his great parts and learning, as Luther. In 1512, seven
convents of his order having a quarrel with their vicar-general, Luther
was chosen to go to Rome to maintain their cause. At Rome he saw the
pope and the court, and had an opportunity of observing also the manners
of the clergy, whose hasty, superficial, and impious way of celebrating
mass, he has severely noted. As soon as he had adjusted the dispute
which was the business of his journey, he returned to Wittemberg, and
was created doctor of divinity, at the expense of Frederic, elector of
Saxony; who had often heard him preach, was perfectly acquainted with
his merit, and reverenced him highly. He continued in the university of
Wittemberg, where, as professor of divinity, he employed himself in the
business of his calling. Here then he began in the most earnest manner
to read lectures upon the sacred books: he explained the epistle to the
Romans, and the Psalms, which he cleared up and illustrated in a manner
so entirely new, and so different from what had been pursued by former
commentators, that "there seemed, after a long and dark night, a new day
to arise, in the judgment of all pious and prudent men." The better to
qualify himself for the task he had undertaken, he applied himself
attentively to the Greek and Hebrew languages; and in this manner was he
employed, when the general indulgences were published in 1517. Leo X.
who succeeded Julius II. in March, 1513, formed a design of building the
magnificent church of St. Peter's at Rome, which was, indeed, begun by
Julius, but still required very large sums to be finished. Leo,
therefore, 1517 published general indulgences throughout all Europe, in
favour of those who contribute any sum to the building of St. Peter's;
and appointed persons in different countries to preach up these
indulgences, and to receive money for them. These strange proceedings
gave vast offence at Wittemberg, and particularly inflamed the pious
zeal of Luther; who, being naturally warm and active, and in the present
case unable to contain himself, was determined to declare against them
at all adventures. Upon