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left to stand alone； under suspicion and distrust。
Counterfeit holiness； spurious sanctification； is still doing its work of
deception。 Under various forms it exhibits the same spirit as in the days of
Luther； diverting minds from the Scriptures and leading men to follow their
own feelings and impressions rather than to yield obedience to the law of
God。 This is one of Satan's most successful devices to cast reproach upon
purity and truth。
Fearlessly did Luther defend the gospel from the attacks which came from
every quarter。 The word of God proved itself a weapon mighty in every
conflict。 With that word he warred against the usurped authority of the
pope； and the rationalistic philosophy of the schoolmen； while he stood firm
as a rock against the fanaticism that sought to ally itself with the
Reformation。
Each of these opposing elements was in its own way setting aside the Holy
Scriptures and exalting human wisdom as the source of religious truth and
knowledge。 Rationalism idolizes reason and makes this the criterion for
religion。 Romanism； claiming for her sovereign pontiff an inspiration
descended in unbroken line from the apostles； and unchangeable through all
time； gives ample opportunity for every species of extravagance and
corruption to be concealed under the sanctity of the apostolic commission。
The inspiration claimed by Munzer and his associates proceeded from no
higher source than the vagaries of the imagination； and its influence was
subversive of all authority； human or divine。 True Christianity receives the
word of God as the great treasure house of inspired truth and the test of
all inspiration。
Upon his return from the Wartburg； Luther completed his translation of the
New Testament； and the gospel was soon after given to the people of Germany
in their own
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language。 This translation was received with great joy by all who loved the
truth； but it was scornfully rejected by those who chose human traditions
and the commandments of men。
The priests were alarmed at the thought that the common people would now be
able to discuss with them the precepts of God's word； and that their own
ignorance would thus be exposed。 The weapons of their carnal reasoning were
powerless against the sword of the Spirit。 Rome summoned all her authority
to prevent the circulation of the Scriptures； but decrees； anathemas； and
tortures were alike in vain。 The more she condemned and prohibited the
Bible； the greater was the anxiety of the people to know what it really
taught。 All who could read were eager to study the word of God for
themselves。 They carried it about with them； and read and reread； and could
not be satisfied until they had committed large portions to memory。 Seeing
the favor with which the New Testament was received； Luther immediately
began the translation of the Old； and published it in parts as fast as
completed。
Luther's writings were welcomed alike in city and in hamlet。 〃What Luther
and his friends composed； others circulated。 Monks； convinced of the
unlawfulness of monastic obligations； desirous of exchanging a long life of
slothfulness for one of active exertion； but too ignorant to proclaim the
word of God； traveled through the provinces； visiting hamlets and cottages；
where they sold the books of Luther and his friends。 Germany soon swarmed
with these bold colporteurs。〃 Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 11。
These writings were studied with deep interest by rich and poor； the learned
and the ignorant。 At night the teachers of the village schools read them
aloud to little groups gathered at the fireside。 With every effort some
souls would be convicted of the truth and； receiving the word with gladness；
would in their turn tell the good news to others。
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The words of Inspiration were verified： 〃The entrance of Thy words giveth
light； it giveth understanding unto the simple。〃 Psalm 119：130。 The study of
the Scriptures was working a mighty change in the minds and hearts of the
people。 The papal rule had placed upon its subjects an iron yoke which held
them in ignorance and degradation。 A superstitious observance of forms had
been scrupulously maintained； but in all their service the heart and
intellect had had little part。 The preaching of Luther； setting forth the
plain truths of God's word； and then the word itself； placed in the hands of
the common people； had aroused their dormant powers； not only purifying and
ennobling the spiritual nature； but imparting new strength and vigor to the
intellect。
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands；
defending the doctrines of the Reformation。 The papists who had left the
study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks now called upon them to
come forward and refute the new teachings。 But； ignorant alike of the
Scriptures and of the power of God； priests and friars were totally defeated
by those whom they had denounced as unlearned and heretical。 〃Unhappily；〃
said a Catholic writer； 〃Luther had persuaded his followers to put no faith
in any other oracle than the Holy Scriptures。〃D'Aubigne； b。 9； ch。 11。
Crowds would gather to hear the truth advocated by men of little education；
and even discussed by them with learned and eloquent theologians。 The
shameful ignorance of these great men was made apparent as their arguments
were met by the simple teachings of God's word。 Laborers； soldiers； women；
and even children； were better acquainted with the Bible teachings than were
the priests and learned doctors。
The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders of popish
superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars than among the
common people。 〃Opposed to the old champions of the hierarchy； who had
neglected
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the study of languages and the cultivation of literature； 。 。 。 were
generous…minded youth； devoted to study； investigating Scripture； and
familiarizing themselves with the masterpieces of antiquity。 Possessing an
active mind； an elevated soul； and intrepid heart； these young men soon
acquired such knowledge that for a long period none could compete with them。
。 。 。 Accordingly； when these youthful defenders of the Reformation met the
Romish doctors in any assembly； they attacked them with such ease and
confidence that these ignorant men hesitated； became embarrassed； and fell
into a contempt merited in the eyes of all。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 11。
As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing； they invoked the
aid of the magistrates； and by every means in their power endeavored to
bring back their hearers。 But the people had found in the new teachings that
which supplied the wants of their souls； and they turned away from those who
had so long fed them with the worthless husks of superstitious rites and
human traditions。
When persecution was kindled against the teachers of the truth； they gave
heed to the words of Christ： 〃When they persecute you in this city； flee ye
into another。〃 Matthew 10：23。 The light penetrated everywhere。 The fugitives
would find somewhere a hospitable door opened to them； and there abiding；
they would preach Christ； sometimes in the church； or； if denied that
privilege； in private houses or in the open air。 Wherever they could obtain
a hearing was a consecrated temple。 The truth； proclaimed with such energy
and assurance； spread with irresistible power。
In vain both ecclesiastical and civil authorities were invoked to crush the
heresy。 In vain they resorted to imprisonment； torture； fire； and sword。
Thousands of believers sealed their faith with their blood； and yet the work
went on。 Persecution served only to extend the truth； and the fanaticism
which Satan endeavored to unite with it resulted in making more clear the
contrast between the work of Satan and the work of God。
（197）
Chapter 11
Protest of the Princes
One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation was the
Protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Di