Reformation

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     Though the great reformer (Luther) freed himself from the fetters of Papal ecclesiasticism, and severed his connection with the despotism of Rome, it is nevertheless a fact that he never divested himself entirely of the mysticism of the Dark Ages, and never thoroughly rid himself of the traditions of Rome. Hence the necessity of succeeding reformatory movements, not one of which effected a restoration of the apostolic order of things, either in doctrine or in practice, as we shall discover in our future investigations. We accept the good that preceding reformers have accomplished, and honor those who have rescued the Bible from the grasp of a despotic hierarchy, but whatever they taught contrary to God's word, we reject. What the early reformers left undone, we propose to complete; by which we mean an entire restoration of the ancient order of things, in faith and practice, in doctrine and discipline. --John F. Rowe in History of Reformatory Movements.