Luther’s Separation from Rome
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intellect. Therefore your first duty must be to begin with prayer.
Entreat the Lord to deign to grant you, in his rich mercy, rightly to
understand his Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word but
the Author of that Word himself. Even as he has said, ‘They shall all
be taught of God.’ Hope nothing from your study and the strength of
your intellect; but simply put your trust in God, and in the guidance
of his Spirit. Believe one who has made trial of this matter.” Here
is a lesson of vital importance to those who feel that God has called
them to present to others the solemn truths for this time. These truths
will stir the enmity of Satan, and of men who love the fables that he
has advised. In the conflict with the powers of evil, there is need of
something more than strength of intellect and human wisdom.
When enemies appealed to custom and tradition, or to the asser-
tions and authority of the pope, Luther met them with the Bible, and
the Bible only. Here were arguments which they could not answer;
therefore the slaves of formalism and superstition clamored for his
blood, as the Jews had clamored for the blood of Christ. “He is a
heretic,” cried the Roman zealots; “it is a sin to allow him to live an
hour longer! Away with him at once to the scaffold!” But Luther did
not fall a prey to their fury. God had a work for him to do, and angels
of Heaven were sent to protect him. Many, however, who had received
from Luther the precious light, were made the objects of Satan’s wrath,
and for the truth’s sake fearlessly suffered torture and death.
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Luther’s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds
throughout all Germany. From his sermons and writings issued beams
of light which awakened and illuminated thousands. A living faith
was taking the place of the dead formalism in which the church had
so long been held. The people were daily losing confidence in the
superstitions of Romanism. The barriers of prejudice were giving way.
The Word of God, by which Luther tested every doctrine and every
claim, was like a two-edged sword, cutting its way to the hearts of
the people. Everywhere there was awakening a desire for spiritual
progress. Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting after righ-
teousness as had not been known for ages. The eyes of the people, so
long directed to human rites and earthly mediators, were now turning,
in penitence and faith, to Christ and him crucified.
This widespread interest aroused still further the fears of the papal
authorities. Luther received a summons to appear at Rome to answer