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Progress of the Reformation
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was received with great joy by all who loved the truth; but it was
scornfully rejected by those who chose human traditions and the
commandments of men.
The priests were alarmed at the thought that the common people
would now be able to discuss with them the precepts of God’s word,
and that their own ignorance would thus be exposed. The weapons
of their carnal reasoning were powerless against the sword of the
Spirit. Rome summoned all her authority to prevent the circulation
of the Scriptures; but decrees, anathemas, and tortures were alike in
vain. The more she condemned and prohibited the Bible, the greater
was the anxiety of the people to know what it really taught. All
who could read were eager to study the word of God for themselves.
They carried it about with them, and read and re-read, and could
not be satisfied until they had committed large portions to memory.
Seeing the favor with which the New Testament was received, Luther
immediately began the translation of the Old, and published it in
parts as fast as completed.
Luther’s writings were welcomed alike in city and in hamlet. At
night the teachers of the village schools read them aloud to little
groups gathered at the fireside. With every effort, some souls would
be convicted of the truth, and, receiving the word with gladness,
would in their turn tell the good news to others.
The words of inspiration were verified: “The entrance of thy
words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [
Psalm
[154]
119:130
.] The study of the Scriptures was working a mighty change
in the minds and hearts of the people. The papal rule had placed
upon its subjects an iron yoke which held them in ignorance and
degradation. A superstitious observance of forms had been scrupu-
lously maintained; but in all their service the heart and intellect had
had little part. The preaching of Luther, setting forth the plain truths
of God’s word, and then the word itself, placed in the hands of the
common people, had aroused their dormant powers, not only purify-
ing and ennobling the spiritual nature, but imparting new strength
and vigor to the intellect.
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands,
defending the doctrines of the Reformation. The papists who had
left the study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks, now called
upon them to come forward and refute the new teachings. But,