Basic HTML Version
Luther, a Man for His Time
79
with the powers of evil there is need of something more than intellect
and human wisdom.
Luther Appealed Only to the Bible
When enemies appealed to custom and tradition, Luther met
them with the Bible only, arguments which they could not answer.
From Luther’s sermons and writings issued beams of light which
awakened and illuminated thousands. The Word of God was like a
two-edged sword, cutting its way to the hearts of the people. The
eyes of the people, so long directed to human rites and earthly
mediators, were now turning in faith to Christ and Him crucified.
This widespread interest aroused the fears of the papal author-
ities. Luther received a summons to appear at Rome. His friends
[84]
knew well the danger that threatened him in that corrupt city, already
drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. They requested that he
receive his examination in Germany.
This was effected, and the pope’s legate was appointed to hear
the case. In the instructions to this official, it was stated that Luther
had already been declared a heretic. The legate was therefore “to
prosecute and constrain without any delay.” The legate was empow-
ered “to proscribe him in every part of Germany; to banish, curse,
and excommunicate all those who are attached to him,” to excommu-
nicate all, of whatever dignity in church or state, except the emperor,
who should neglect to seize Luther and his adherents and deliver
them to the vengeance of Rome
Not a trace of Christian principle or even common justice is to
be seen in the document. Luther had had no opportunity to explain
or defend his position; yet he was pronounced a heretic and in the
same day exhorted, accused, judged, and condemned.
When Luther so much needed the counsel of a true friend, God
sent Melanchthon to Wittenberg. Melanchthon’s sound judgment,
combined with purity and uprightness of character, won universal
admiration. He soon became Luther’s most trusted friend—his
gentleness, caution, and exactness a complement to Luther’s courage
and energy.
16
Ibid., bk. 4, ch. 2.