urg, to which, by his advice, the young doctor was
shortly appointed professor. It is worthy of remark that, long after
Dr Martin had ceased to think of purchasing heaven by his abstinence,
so simple were his tastes, that a little bread and a small herring often
composed his only meal in the day, while often he was known to go days
together without eating or drinking. The great movement owes much to
Staupitz. Dr Martin opened all his heart to him, and told him of all
his fears about his own want of holiness, and the unspeakable holiness
of God. `Do not torment yourself with these speculations,' answered the
Vicar-general. `Look at the wounds of Jesus Christ--to the blood that
He has shed for you; it is there that the grace of God will appear to
you. Instead of torturing yourself on account your sins, throw yourself
into your Redeemer's arms. Trust in Him--in the righteousness of His
life--in the atonement of His death. Do not shrink back, God is not
angry with you; it is you who are angry with God. Listen to the Son of
God, He became man to give you the assurance of Divine favour. He says
to you, You are my sheep, you hear my voice; no man shall pluck you out
of my hand.' Still Dr Martin could not understand how he was to
repent, and be accepted by God. `There is no real repentance except
that which begins with the love of God and of righteousness,' answered
the venerable Staupitz. `In order that you may be filled with the love
of what is good, you must be filled with the love for God. If you
desire to be converted, do not be curious about all these
mortifications, and all these tortures, Love Him who first loved you.'
A new light broke on Dr Martin's soul, and, guided by it, he began to
compare the Scriptures, looking out for all the passages which treat on
repentance and conversion. This was his delight and consolation. He
desired, however, to go further; Staupitz checked him. `Do not presume
to fathom the hidden God, but confine yourself to what He has manifested
to us in Jesus Christ,' he said; `Look at Christ's wounds, and then you
will see God's counsel towards man shine brightly forth. We cannot
understand God out of Jesus Christ. In Him the Lord has said, You will
find what I am and what I require; nowhere else, neither in heaven nor
in earth, will you discover it.' Again Staupitz advised him to make the
study of the Scriptures his favourite occupation, and represented to him
that it was not in