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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
before the judgment-seat of Pilate, demanded the death of him “that
perverted the people.”
With all the power of learning and eloquence, Aleander set him-
self to overthrow the truth. Charge after charge he hurled against
Luther as an enemy of the Church and the State, the living and the
dead, clergy and laity, councils and private Christians. “There is
enough in the errors of Luther.” he declared, “to warrant the burning
of a hundred thousand heretics.”
In conclusion, he endeavored to cast contempt upon the ad-
herents of the reformed faith: “What are all these Lutherans?—A
motley rabble of insolent grammarians, corrupt priests, dissolute
monks, ignorant lawyers, and degraded nobles, with the common
people whom they have misled and perverted. How greatly superior
is the Catholic party in numbers, intelligence, and power! A unani-
mous decree from this illustrious assembly will open the eyes of the
simple, show the unwary their danger, determine the wavering, and
strengthen the weak-hearted.”
With such weapons have the advocates of truth in every age
been attacked. The same arguments are still urged against all who
dare to present, in opposition to established errors, the plain and
direct teachings of God’s word. “Who are these preachers of new
doctrines?” exclaim those who desire a popular religion. “They
are unlearned, few in numbers, and of the poorer class. Yet they
claim to have the truth, and to be the chosen people of God. They
are ignorant and deceived. How greatly superior in numbers and
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influence are our denominations! How many great and learned men
are in our churches! How much more power is on our side!” These
are the arguments that have a telling influence upon the world; but
they are no more conclusive now than in the days of the Reformer.
The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It
is to be continued to the close of this world’s history. Luther had
a great work to do in reflecting to others the light which God had
permitted to shine upon him; yet he did not receive all the light
which was to be given to the world. From that time to this, new light
has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths
have been constantly unfolding.
The legate’s address made a deep impression upon the Diet.
There was no Luther present, with the clear and convincing truths of