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Luther’s Separation from Rome
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was one day performing this act, when suddenly a voice like thunder
seemed to say to him, “The just shall live by faith!” He sprung upon
his feet in shame and horror, and fled from the scene of his folly.
That text never lost its power upon his soul. From that time he saw
more clearly than ever before the fallacy of trusting to human works
for salvation, and the necessity of constant faith in the merits of
Christ. His eyes had been opened, and were never again to be closed,
to the Satanic delusions of the papacy. When he turned his face
from Rome, he had turned away also in heart, and from that time
the separation grew wider, until he severed all connection with the
papal church.
After his return from Rome, Luther received at the University of
Wittemberg the degree of doctor of divinity. Now he was at liberty to
devote himself, as never before, to the Scriptures that he loved. He
had taken a solemn vow to study carefully and to preach with fidelity
the word of God, not the sayings and doctrines of the popes, all
the days of his life. He was no longer the mere monk or professor,
but the authorized herald of the Bible. He had been called as a
shepherd to feed the flock of God, that were hungering and thirsting
for the truth. He firmly declared that Christians should receive no
other doctrines than those which rest on the authority of the Sacred
Scriptures. These words struck at the very foundation of papal
supremacy. They contained the vital principle of the Reformation.
Luther saw the danger of exalting human theories above the
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word of God. He fearlessly attacked the speculative infidelity of the
schoolmen, and opposed the philosophy and theology which had so
long held a controlling influence upon the people. He denounced
such studies as not only worthless but pernicious, and sought to turn
the minds of his hearers from the sophistries of philosophers and
theologians to the eternal truths set forth by prophets and apostles.
Precious was the message which he bore to the eager crowds
that hung upon his words. Never before had such teachings fallen
upon their ears. The glad tidings of a Saviour’s love, the assurance
of pardon and peace through his atoning blood, rejoiced their hearts,
and inspired within them an immortal hope. At Wittemberg a light
was kindled whose rays should extend to the uttermost parts of the
earth, and which was to increase in brightness to the close of time.