He withdrew his arm suddenly. “_Absit omen!_ this must never be. Have I not burdens enough to bear, without having to play the God in your eyes?” “It is you, Brother Martin, that have convinced me that theology is not the vilest snare ever invented to pilfer the pockets of silly men.” “And yet you say you believe in me, though not in God. Why is that?” “Because in you I have seen that which I would fain have God to be.” Luther averted his face. “Sinner I am! And yet you say this? But at length I see the light in your gropings. Not Brother Martin you reverence, but the essence of God, which shines by His Grace through me, however unworthy. This is beyond my deserts. Yet I am glad. For I see your way to happiness.” “Tell it: ah! tell.” “Do not fret too sorely over matters of faith and belief. Long ago it was written ‘He who will do the will, shall know the doctrine.’ Do not be over-curious as to the dark things before which human wisdom springs back baffled. Man’s reason and philosophy can teach how to build houses, to live decent and honest; nay, sometimes to achieve earthly greatness. But how man should come to God and His dear Son, and how sinful folk may be born unto eternal life,--philosophy teaches none of that. ‘The kingdom of heaven cometh not with observation.’ The knowledge comes to the open and penitent heart, by the free spirit of grace descending through God’s word.” “But, O Brother Martin,” my speech came hard;--my whole soul seemed straining to express itself with my tongue,--“you have railed long at the hypocricies of the would-be righteous, and yet is there nothing that a needy man may do that can avail. Are pilgrimage, oblation, austerities,--all the things wherewith men of a former time have tried to turn an angry heaven,--are they now profitless forever?” In the dim candle-light I could see him smile, while his deep voice rolled out the majestic sentences. “Is it not written, ‘_He hath showed thee O Man, what is good. And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God._’ And yet again, ‘_Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke._’” “If that were all. If that were all.” I kept repeating, my head still burning, “but the Church has taught so long--”