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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
from his pen, circulated throughout Germany. He also performed a
most important service for his countrymen by translating the New
Testament into the German tongue. From his rocky Patmos he
continued for nearly a whole year to proclaim the gospel, and rebuke
the sins and errors of the times.
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But it was not merely to preserve Luther from the wrath of his
enemies, nor even to afford him a season of quiet for these important
labors, that God had withdrawn his servant from the stage of public
life. There were results more precious than these to be secured.
In the solitude and obscurity of his mountain retreat, Luther was
removed from earthly supports, and shut out from human praise. He
was thus saved from the pride and self-confidence that are so often
caused by success. By suffering and humiliation he was prepared
again to walk safely upon the dizzy heights to which he had been so
suddenly exalted.
As men rejoice in the freedom which the truth brings them, they
are inclined to extol those whom God has employed to break the
chains of error and superstition. Satan seeks to divert men’s thoughts
and affections from God, and fix them upon human agencies; to
honor the mere instrument, and to ignore the Hand that directs all
the events of providence. Too often, religious leaders who are thus
praised and reverenced lose sight of their dependence upon God,
and are led to trust in themselves. As a result, they seek to control
the minds and consciences of the people, who are disposed to look
to them for guidance instead of looking to the word of God. The
work of reform is often retarded because of this spirit indulged by
its supporters. From this danger, God would guard the cause of the
Reformation. He desired that work to receive, not the impress of
man, but of God. The eyes of men had been turned to Luther as
the expounder of the truth; he was removed that all eyes might be
directed to the eternal Author of truth.
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