Basic HTML Version
Luther’s Separation from Rome
73
to Wittemberg to listen to his teachings. Young men, coming in sight
of the city for the first time, would raise their hands toward heaven,
and thank God that he had caused the light of his truth to shine forth
from that place as in former ages from Jerusalem.
Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of Ro-
manism. But as he compared the holy oracles with the papal decrees
and constitutions, he was filled with wonder. “I am reading,” he
wrote, “the decretals of the popes, and ... I know not whether the
pope is antichrist himself, or whether he is his apostle, so misrep-
resented and even crucified does Christ appear in them.” Yet at this
time Luther was still a supporter of the Roman Church, and had no
thought that he would ever separate from her communion.
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.
Rome became more and more exasperated by the attacks of
Luther, and it was secretly declared by some of his fanatical oppo-
[116]
nents, that he who should take his life would be without sin. One
day a stranger, with a pistol concealed under his cloak, approached
the Reformer, and inquired why he went thus alone. “I am in the
hands of God,” answered Luther. “He is my help and my shield.
What can men do unto me?” Upon hearing these words, the stranger
turned pale, and fled away, as from the presence of the angels of
Heaven.
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: “It is monstrous to see him who is called the vicar of Christ,
displaying a magnificence unrivaled by that of any emperor. Is this
to represent the poor and lowly Jesus or the humble St. Peter? The