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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
a struggle with long-cherished errors, he was enabled to grasp the
truth, and peace came to his troubled soul.
Luther was ordained a priest, and was called from the cloister
to a professorship in the University of Wittemberg. Here he applied
himself to the study of the Scriptures in the original tongues. He
began to lecture upon the Bible; and the book of Psalm, the Gospels,
and the Epistles were opened to the understanding of crowds of
delighted listeners. Staupitz, his friend and superior, urged him to
ascend the pulpit, and preach the word of God. Luther hesitated,
feeling himself unworthy to speak to the people in Christ’s stead. It
was only after a long struggle that he yielded to the solicitations of
his friends. Already he was mighty in the Scriptures, and the grace
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of God rested upon him. His eloquence captivated his hearers, the
clearness and power with which he presented the truth convinced
their understanding, and his deep fervor touched their hearts.
Luther was still a true son of the papal church, and had no thought
that he would ever be anything else. In the providence of God he
decided to visit Rome. He pursued his journey on foot, lodging at
the monasteries on the way. At a convent in Italy he was filled with
wonder as he saw the splendor of the apartments, the richness of the
dresses, the luxury of the table, the extravagance everywhere. With
painful misgivings he contrasted this scene with the self-denial and
hardship of his own life. His mind was becoming perplexed.
At last he beheld in the distance the seven-hilled city. With deep
emotion he prostrated himself upon the earth, exclaiming, “Holy
Rome, I salute thee!” He entered the city, visited the churches, lis-
tened to the marvelous tales repeated by priests and monks, and
performed all the ceremonies required. Everywhere he looked upon
scenes that filled him with astonishment and horror. He saw that
iniquity existed among all classes of the clergy. He heard indecent
jokes from prelates, and was filled with horror at their awful profan-
ity, even during mass. As he mingled with the monks and citizens,
he met dissipation, debauchery. Turn where he would, in the place
of sanctity he found profanation. “It is incredible,” he wrote, “what
sins and atrocities are committed in Rome.” “If there be a hell, Rome
is built above it. It is an abyss whence all sins proceed.”
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An indulgence had been promised by the pope to all who should
ascend on their knees what was known as Pilate’s staircase. Luther