Chapter 20—The Reformation
But notwithstanding all the persecution and the putting to death
of the saints, yet living witnesses were raised up on every hand. The
angels of God were doing the work committed to their trust. They
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were searching in the darkest places, and were selecting out of the
darkness, men who were honest at heart. They were all buried up in
error, yet God selected them as he did Saul, as chosen vessels to bear
his truth, and raise their voices against the sins of his professed people.
The angels of God moved upon Martin Luther, Melancthon, and others
in different places, to thirst for the living testimony of the word of God.
The enemy had come in like a flood, and the standard must be raised
up against him. Luther was chosen to breast the storm, and stand up
against the ire of a fallen church, and strengthen the few who were
faithful to their holy profession. He was ever fearful of offending God.
He tried through works to obtain the favor of God; but he was not
satisfied until a gleam of light from heaven drove the darkness from
his mind, and led him to trust, not in works, but in the merits of the
blood of Christ; and to come to God for himself, not through popes
nor confessors, but through Jesus Christ alone. O how precious was
this knowledge to Luther! He prized this new and precious light which
had dawned upon his dark understanding, and had driven away his
superstition, higher than the richest earthly treasure. The word of God
was new. Every thing was changed. The Book he had dreaded because
he could not see beauty in it, was life, Life to him. It was his
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joy, his consolation, his blessed teacher. Nothing could induce him to
leave its study. He had feared death; but as he read the word of God,
all his terrors disappeared, and he admired the character of God, and
loved him. He searched the word of God for himself. He feasted upon
the rich treasures it contained, and then he searched it for the church.
He was disgusted with the sins of those in whom he had trusted for
salvation. He saw very many enshrouded in the same darkness which
had covered him. He anxiously sought an opportunity to point them
to the Lamb of God, who alone taketh away the sin of the world. He
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