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Germany。 Inquiries concerning him were heard everywhere。 The wildest rumors
were circulated； and many believed that he had been murdered。 There was
great lamentation； not only by his avowed friends； but by thousands who had
not openly taken their stand with the Reformation。 Many bound themselves by
a solemn oath to avenge his death。
The Romish leaders saw with terror to what a pitch had risen the feeling
against them。 Though at first exultant at the supposed death of Luther； they
soon desired to hide from the wrath of the people。 His enemies had not been
so troubled by his most daring acts while among them as they were at his
removal。 Those who in their rage had sought to destroy the bold Reformer
were filled with fear now that he had become a helpless captive。 〃The only
remaining way of saving ourselves；〃 said one； 〃is to light torches； and hunt
for Luther through the whole world； to restore him to the nation that is
calling for him。〃D'Aubigne； b。 9； ch。 1。 The edict of the emperor seemed
to fall powerless。 The papal legates were filled with indignation as they
saw that it commanded far less attention than did the fate of Luther。
The tidings that he was safe； though a prisoner； calmed the fears of the
people； while it still further aroused their enthusiasm in his favor。 His
writings were read with greater
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eagerness than ever before。 Increasing numbers joined the cause of the
heroic man who had； at such fearful odds； defended the word of God。 The
Reformation was constantly gaining in strength。 The seed which Luther had
sown sprang up everywhere。 His absence accomplished a work which his
presence would have failed to do。 Other laborers felt a new responsibility；
now that their great leader was removed。 With new faith and earnestness they
pressed forward to do all in their power； that the work so nobly begun might
not be hindered。
But Satan was not idle。 He now attempted what he has attempted in every
other reformatory movementto deceive and destroy the people by palming off
upon them a counterfeit in place of the true work。 As there were false
christs in the first century of the Christian church； so there arose false
prophets in the sixteenth century。
A few men； deeply affected by the excitement in the religious world；
imagined themselves to have received special revelations from Heaven； and
claimed to have been divinely commissioned to carry forward to its
completion the Reformation which； they declared； had been but feebly begun
by Luther。 In truth； they were undoing the very work which he had
accomplished。 They rejected the great principle which was the very
foundation of the Reformationthat the word of God is the all…sufficient
rule of faith and practice； and for that unerring guide they substituted the
changeable； uncertain standard of their own feelings and impressions。 By
this act of setting aside the great detector of error and falsehood the way
was opened for Satan to control minds as best pleased himself。
One of these prophets claimed to have been instructed by the angel Gabriel。
A student who united with him forsook his studies； declaring that he had
been endowed by God Himself with wisdom to expound His word。 Others who were
naturally inclined to fanaticism united with them。 The proceedings of these
enthusiasts created no little excitement。
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The preaching of Luther had aroused the people everywhere to feel the
necessity of reform； and now some really honest persons were misled by the
pretensions of the new prophets。
The leaders of the movement proceeded to Wittenberg and urged their claims
upon Melanchthon and his colaborers。 Said they： 〃We are sent by God to
instruct the people。 We have held familiar conversations with the Lord； we
know what will happen； in a word； we are apostles and prophets； and appeal
to Dr。 Luther。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 7。
The Reformers were astonished and perplexed。 This was such an element as
they had never before encountered； and they knew not what course to pursue。
Said Melanchthon： 〃There are indeed extraordinary spirits in these men； but
what spirits？ 。 。 。 On the one hand； let us beware of quenching the Spirit
of God； and on the other； of being led astray by the spirit of
Satan。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 7。
The fruit of the new teaching soon became apparent。 The people were led to
neglect the Bible or to cast it wholly aside。 The schools were thrown into
confusion。 Students； spurning all restraint； abandoned their studies and
withdrew from the university。 The men who thought themselves competent to
revive and control the work of the Reformation succeeded only in bringing it
to the verge of ruin。 The Romanists now regained their confidence and
exclaimed exultingly： 〃One last struggle； and all will be ours。〃Ibid。； b。
9； ch。 7。
Luther at the Wartburg； hearing of what had occurred； said with deep
concern： 〃I always expected that Satan would send us this plague。〃Ibid。；
b。 9； ch。 7。 He perceived the true character of those pretended prophets and
saw the danger that threatened the cause of truth。 The opposition of the
pope and the emperor had not caused him so great perplexity and distress as
he now experienced。 From the professed friends of the Reformation had risen
its worst enemies。 The very truths which had brought him so great joy and
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consolation were being employed to stir up strife and create confusion in
the church。
In the work of reform； Luther had been urged forward by the Spirit of God；
and had been carried beyond himself。 He had not purposed to take such
positions as he did； or to make so radical changes。 He had been but the
instrument in the hand of Infinite Power。 Yet he often trembled for the
result of his work。 He had once said： 〃If I knew that my doctrine injured
one man； one single man； however lowly and obscure；which it cannot； for it
is the gospel itself； I would rather die ten times than not retract
it。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 7。
And now Wittenberg itself； the very center of the Reformation； was fast
falling under the power of fanaticism and lawlessness。 This terrible
condition had not resulted from the teachings of Luther； but throughout
Germany his enemies were charging it upon him。 In bitterness of soul he
sometimes asked： 〃Can such； then； be the end of this great work of the
Reformation？〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 7。 Again； as he wrestled with God in prayer；
peace flowed into his heart。 〃The work is not mine； but Thine own；〃 he said；
〃Thou wilt not suffer it to be corrupted by superstition or fanaticism。〃 But
the thought of remaining longer from the conflict in such a crisis； became
insupportable。 He determined to return to Wittenberg。
Without delay he set out on his perilous journey。 He was under the ban of
the empire。 Enemies were at liberty to take his life； friends were forbidden
to aid or shelter him。 The imperial government was adopting the most
stringent measures against his adherents。 But he saw that the work of the
gospel was imperiled； and in the name of the Lord he went out fearlessly to
battle for the truth。
In a letter to the elector； after stating his purpose to leave the Wartburg；
Luther said： 〃Be it known to your highness that I am going to Wittenberg
under a protection far higher than that of princes and electors。 I think not
of soliciting your highness's support； and far from desiring your
protection；
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I would rather protect you myself。 If I knew that your highness could or
would protect me； I would not go to Wittenberg at all。 There is no sword
that can further this cause。 God alone must do everything； without the help
or concurrence of man。 He who has the greatest faith is he who is most able
to protect。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 8。
In a second letter； written on the way to Wittenberg； Luther added： 〃I am
ready to incur the displeasure of your highness and the anger of the whole
world。 Are not the Wittenbergers my sheep？ Has not God entrusted them to me？
And ought I not； if necessary； to expose myself to death for their sakes？
Besides； I fear to see a terrible outbreak in Germany； by