Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. As long as history remains, and wherever the blessings of civil and religious liberty are enjoyed, the name of Luther must be remembered with veneration and gratitude; but he will also be regarded with peculiar affection, as a bright example of faith and patience, of courage, and of purity. Untainted by the allurements of earthly grandeur on the one hand, and undismayed by the most powerful malediction on the other; he openly avowed and defended the truth which he believed, and, like a primitive servant in the same great cause, counted not his life dear unto himself so that he might finish his course with joy. Indeed, he earnestly desired that he might seal the truth with his blood, and often pathetically lamented that he had not been counted worthy of so high an honour.