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The Great Controversy 1888
to the charge of heresy. The command filled his friends with terror.
They knew full well the danger that threatened him in that corrupt
city, already drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. They
protested against his going to Rome, and requested that he receive his
examination in Germany.
This arrangement was finally effected, and the pope’s legate was
appointed to hear the case. In the instructions communicated by the
pontiff to this official, it was stated that Luther had already been de-
clared a heretic. The legate was therefore charged to “prosecute and
reduce him to submission without delay.” If he should remain stead-
fast, and the legate should fail to gain possession of his person, he
was empowered to “proscribe him in all places in Germany, to put
away, curse, and excommunicate all who were attached to him.” And
further, the pope directed his legate, in order entirely to root out the
pestilent heresy, to excommunicate all, of whatever dignity in Church
or State, except the emperor, who should neglect to seize Luther and
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his adherents, and deliver them up to the vengeance of Rome.
Here is displayed the true spirit of popery. Not a trace of Chris-
tian principle, or even of common justice, is to be seen in the whole
document. Luther was at a great distance from Rome; he had had no
opportunity to explain or defend his position; yet before his case had
been investigated, he was summarily pronounced a heretic, and, in the
same day, exhorted, accused, judged, and condemned; and all this by
the self-styled holy father, the only supreme, infallible authority in
Church or State!
At this time, when Luther so much needed the sympathy and coun-
sel of a true friend, God’s providence sent Melancthon to Wittenberg.
Young in years, modest and diffident in his manners, Melancthon’s
sound judgment, extensive knowledge, and winning eloquence, com-
bined with the purity and uprightness of his character, won universal
admiration and esteem. The brilliancy of his talents was not more
marked than his gentleness of disposition. He soon became an earnest
disciple of the gospel, and Luther’s most trusted friend and valued
supporter; his gentleness, caution, and exactness serving as a comple-
ment to Luther’s courage and energy. Their union in the work added
strength to the Reformation, and was a source of great encouragement
to Luther.