There were some preliminary skirmishes about indulgences and other minor matters, but very soon the real cause of dispute came plainly into view.

Martin Luther refused to think as he was ordered to do by his ecclesiastical superiors at Rome; he asserted that he had an inalienable right to interpret the Bible for himself.
At her first glance, Rome saw nothing in Martin Luther but a vulgar, insubordinate, quarrelsome monk.

Could the Inquisition have laid hold of him, it would have speedily disposed of his affair; but, as the conflict went on, it was discovered that Martin was not standing alone.

Many thousands of men, as resolute as himself, were coming up to his support; and, while he carried on the combat with writings and words, they made good his propositions with the sword.
THE REFORMATION.

The vilification which was poured on Luther and his doings was so bitter as to be ludicrous.