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The Great Controversy
forbidden to appear at Augsburg, but he had been present by his words
and prayers. “I am overjoyed,” he wrote, “that I have lived until this
hour, in which Christ has been publicly exalted by such illustrious
confessors, and in so glorious an assembly.”—Ibid., b. 14, ch. 7. Thus
was fulfilled what the Scripture says: “I will speak of Thy testimonies
... before kings.”
Psalm 119:46
.
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In the days of Paul the gospel for which he was imprisoned was
thus brought before the princes and nobles of the imperial city. So on
this occasion, that which the emperor had forbidden to be preached
from the pulpit was proclaimed from the palace; what many had
regarded as unfit even for servants to listen to was heard with wonder
by the masters and lords of the empire. Kings and great men were
the auditory, crowned princes were the preachers, and the sermon was
the royal truth of God. “Since the apostolic age,” says a writer, “there
has never been a greater work or a more magnificent confession.”—
D’Aubigne, b. 14, ch. 7.
“All that the Lutherans have said is true; we cannot deny it,” de-
clared a papist bishop. “Can you refute by sound reasons the Confes-
sion made by the elector and his allies?” asked another of Dr. Eck.
“With the writings of the apostles and prophets—no!” was the reply;
“but with those of the Fathers and of the councils—yes!” “I under-
stand,” responded the questioner. “The Lutherans, according to you,
are in Scripture, and we are outside.”—Ibid., b. 14, ch. 8.
Some of the princes of Germany were won to the reformed faith.
The emperor himself declared that the Protestant articles were but
the truth. The Confession was translated into many languages and
circulated through all Europe, and it has been accepted by millions in
succeeding generations as the expression of their faith.
God’s faithful servants were not toiling alone. While principalities
and powers and wicked spirits in high places were leagued against
them, the Lord did not forsake His people. Could their eyes have been
opened, they would have seen as marked evidence of divine presence
and aid as was granted to a prophet of old. When Elisha’s servant
pointed his master to the hostile army surrounding them and cutting
off all opportunity for escape, the prophet prayed: “Lord, I pray Thee,
open his eyes, that he may see.”
2 Kings 6:17
. And, lo, the mountain
was filled with chariots and horses of fire, the army of heaven stationed