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Luther and the Great Reformation
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to buy indulgences, but to look in faith to a crucified Redeemer. He
related his own painful experience in vainly seeking by humiliation
and penance to secure salvation, and assured his hearers that it was
by looking away from himself and believing in Christ that he found
peace and joy.
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Luther’s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds
throughout all Germany. From his sermons and writings issued
beams of light which awakened and illuminated thousands. A living
faith was taking the place of the dead formalism in which the church
had so long been held. The people were daily losing confidence
in the superstitions of Romanism. The barriers of prejudice were
giving way. The Word of God, by which Luther tested every doctrine
and every claim, was like a two-edged sword, cutting its way to the
hearts of the people. Everywhere there was awakening a desire for
spiritual progress. Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting
after righteousness as had not been known for ages. The eyes of the
people, so long directed to human rites and human mediators, were
now turning, in penitence and faith, to Christ and Him crucified.
The Reformer’s writings and his doctrine were extending to
every nation in Christendom. The work spread to Switzerland and
Holland. Copies of his writings found their way to France and
Spain. In England his teachings were received as the word of life.
To Belgium and Italy also the truth had extended. Thousands were
awakening from their deathlike stupor to the joy and hope of a life
of faith.
Luther Breaks With Rome
Rome was bent upon the destruction of Luther, but God was
his defense. His doctrines were heard everywhere—in convents,
in cottages, in the castles of the nobles, in the universities, in the
palaces of kings; and noble men were rising on every hand to sustain
his efforts.
In an appeal to the emperor and nobility of Germany in behalf of
the Reformation of Christianity, Luther wrote concerning the pope:
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“It is a horrible thing to behold the man who styles himself Christ’s
vicegerent, displaying a magnificence that no emperor can equal. Is
this being like the poor Jesus, or the humble Peter? He is, say they,