Basic HTML Version
Luther’s Separation from Rome
67
great joy, recognizing in them the voice of God. They felt that the
Lord had graciously set his hand to arrest the rapidly swelling tide
of corruption that was issuing from the see of Rome. Princes and
magistrates secretly rejoiced that a check was to be put upon the
arrogant power from which there was no appeal.
But the sin-loving and superstitious multitudes were terrified as
the sophistries that had soothed their fears were swept away. Crafty
ecclesiastics, interrupted in their work of sanctioning crime, and
seeing their gains endangered, were enraged, and rallied to uphold
their pretensions. The Reformer had bitter accusers to meet. Some
charged him with acting hastily and from impulse. Others accused
him of presumption, declaring that he was not directed of God, but
was acting from pride and forwardness. “Who does not know,” he
responded, “that one can seldom advance a new idea without having
some appearance of pride, and without being accused of exciting
quarrels? Why were Christ and all the martyrs put to death?—
Because they appeared proud despisers of the wisdom of the times
in which they lived, and because they brought forward new truths
without having first consulted the oracles of the old opinions.”
Again he declared: “What I am doing will not be effected by the
prudence of man, but by the counsel of God. If the work be of God,
who shall stop it? If it be not, who shall forward it? Not my will, not
[107]
theirs, not ours, but thy will, holy Father who art in Heaven!”
Though Luther had been moved by the Spirit of God to begin his
work, he was not to carry it forward without severe conflicts. The
reproaches of his enemies, their misrepresentation of his purposes,
and their unjust and malicious reflections upon his character and
motives, came in upon him like an overwhelming flood; and they
were not without effect. He had felt confident that the leaders in
the church and the philosophers of the nation, would gladly unite
with him in efforts for reform. Words of encouragement from those
in high position had inspired him with joy and hope. Already in
anticipation he had seen a brighter day dawning for the church.
But encouragement had changed to reproach and condemnation.
Many dignitaries, both of Church and State, were convicted of the
truthfulness of his theses; but they soon saw that the acceptance of
these truths would involve great changes. To enlighten and reform
the people would be virtually to undermine the papal authority, to