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The Great Controversy
In a letter to the elector, after stating his purpose to leave the
Wartburg, Luther said: “Be it known to your highness that I am going
to Wittenberg under a protection far higher than that of princes and
electors. I think not of soliciting your highness’s support, and far
from desiring your protection, I would rather protect you myself. If I
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knew that your highness could or would protect me, I would not go to
Wittenberg at all. There is no sword that can further this cause. God
alone must do everything, without the help or concurrence of man. He
who has the greatest faith is he who is most able to protect.”—Ibid., b.
9, ch. 8.
In a second letter, written on the way to Wittenberg, Luther added:
“I am ready to incur the displeasure of your highness and the anger of
the whole world. Are not the Wittenbergers my sheep? Has not God
entrusted them to me? And ought I not, if necessary, to expose myself
to death for their sakes? Besides, I fear to see a terrible outbreak in
Germany, by which God will punish our nation.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 7.
With great caution and humility, yet with decision and firmness, he
entered upon his work. “By the word,” said he, “must we overthrow
and destroy what has been set up by violence. I will not make use
of force against the superstitious and unbelieving.... No one must be
constrained. Liberty is the very essence of faith.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8.
It was soon noised through Wittenberg that Luther had returned
and that he was to preach. The people flocked from all directions,
and the church was filled to overflowing. Ascending the pulpit, he
with great wisdom and gentleness instructed, exhorted, and reproved.
Touching the course of some who had resorted to violent measures in
abolishing the mass, he said:
“The mass is a bad thing; God is opposed to it; it ought to be abol-
ished; and I would that throughout the whole world it were replaced by
the supper of the gospel. But let no one be torn from it by force. We
must leave the matter in God’s hands. His word must act, and not we.
And why so? you will ask. Because I do not hold men’s hearts in my
hand, as the potter holds the clay. We have a right to speak: we have
not the right to act. Let us preach; the rest belongs unto God. Were
I to employ force, what should I gain? Grimace, formality, apings,
human ordinances, and hypocrisy.... But there would be no sincerity
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of heart, nor faith, nor charity. Where these three are wanting, all is
wanting, and I would not give a pear stalk for such a result.... God