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82
From Here to Forever
he passed through. Before the legate learned of Luther’s departure,
he was beyond the reach of his persecutors.
At the news of Luther’s escape the legate was overwhelmed with
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surprise and anger. He had expected to receive great honor for his
firmness in dealing with this disturber of the church. In a letter
to Frederick, the elector of Saxony, he bitterly denounced Luther,
demanding that Frederick send the Reformer to Rome or banish him
from Saxony.
The elector had, as yet, little knowledge of the reformed doc-
trines, but he was deeply impressed by the force and clearness of
Luther’s words. Until the Reformer should be proved in error, Fred-
erick resolved to stand as his protector. In reply to the legate he
wrote: “Since Doctor Martin has appeared before you at Augsburg,
you should be satisfied. We did not expect that you would endeavor
to make him retract without having convinced him of his errors.
None of the learned men in our principality have informed me that
Martin’s doctrine is impious, antichristian, or heretical.
The elec-
tor saw that a work of reform was needed. He secretly rejoiced that
a better influence was making itself felt in the church.
Only a year had passed since the Reformer posted his theses on
the castle church, yet his writings had kindled everywhere a new
interest in the Holy Scriptures. Not only from all parts of Germany,
but from other lands, students flocked to the university. Young men
coming in sight of Wittenberg for the first time “raised their hands
to heaven, and praised God for having caused the light of truth to
shine forth from this city.
Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of
Romanism. But, he wrote, “I am reading the decrees of the pontiffs,
and ... I do not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or his
apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them.
Rome became more and more exasperated by the attacks of
Luther. Fanatical opponents, even doctors in Catholic universities,
declared that he who should kill the monk would be without sin.
But God was his defense. His doctrines were heard everywhere—
“in cottages and convents, ... in the castles of the nobles, in the
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20
D’Aubigne, bk. 4, ch. 10.
21
Ibid., bk. 4, ch. 10.
22
Ibid., bk. 5, ch. 1.