第5章

InthepresenceofthatpowerfulandtitledassemblythelowlybornReformerseemedawedandembarrassed。Severaloftheprinces，observinghisemotion，approachedhim，andoneofthemwhispered:"Fearnotthemwhichkillthebody，butarenotabletokillthesoul。"Anothersaid:"WhenyeshallbebroughtbeforegovernorsandkingsforMysake，itshallbegivenyou，bytheSpiritofyourFather，whatyeshallsay。"ThusthewordsofChristwerebroughtbytheworld’sgreatmentostrengthenHisservantinthehouroftrial。

Lutherwasconductedtoapositiondirectlyinfrontoftheemperor’sthrone。Adeepsilencefelluponthecrowdedassembly。Thenanimperialofficeraroseand，pointingtoacollectionofLuther’swritings，demandedthattheReformeranswertwoquestions——whetherheacknowledgedthemashis，andwhetherheproposedtoretracttheopinionswhichhehadthereinadvanced。Thetitlesofthebookshaving156

beenread，Lutherrepliedthatastothefirstquestion，heacknowledgedthebookstobehis。"Astothesecond，"hesaid，"seeingthatitisaquestionwhichconcernsfaithandthesalvationofsouls，andinwhichthewordofGod，thegreatestandmostprecioustreasureeitherinheavenorearth，isinvolved，IshouldactimprudentlywereItoreplywithoutreflection。I

mightaffirmlessthanthecircumstancedemands，ormorethantruthrequires，andsosinagainstthissayingofChrist:’WhosoevershalldenyMebeforemen，himwillIalsodenybeforeMyFatherwhichisinheaven。’

[Matthew10:33。]ForthisreasonIentreatyourimperialmajesty，withallhumility，toallowmetime，thatImayanswerwithoutoffendingagainstthewordofGod。"——D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。8。

Inmakingthisrequest，Luthermovedwisely。Hiscourseconvincedtheassemblythathedidnotactfrompassionorimpulse。Suchcalmnessandself-command，unexpectedinonewhohadshownhimselfboldanduncompromising，addedtohispower，andenabledhimafterwardtoanswerwithaprudence，decision，wisdom，anddignitythatsurprisedanddisappointedhisadversaries，andrebukedtheirinsolenceandpride。

Thenextdayhewastoappeartorenderhisfinalanswer。Foratimehisheartsankwithinhimashecontemplatedtheforcesthatwerecombinedagainstthetruth。Hisfaithfaltered；fearfulnessandtremblingcameuponhim，andhorroroverwhelmedhim。Dangersmultipliedbeforehim；hisenemiesseemedabouttotriumph，andthepowersofdarknesstoprevail。CloudsgatheredabouthimandseemedtoseparatehimfromGod。HelongedfortheassurancethattheLordofhostswouldbewithhim。Inanguishofspirithethrewhimselfwithhisfaceupontheearthandpouredoutthosebroken，heart-rendingcries，whichnonebutGodcanfullyunderstand。

"OalmightyandeverlastingGod，"hepleaded，"howterribleisthisworld！

Behold，itopenethitsmouthtoswallowmeup，andIhavesolittletrustinThee……Ifitis157

onlyinthestrengthofthisworldthatImustputmytrust，allisover……Mylasthouriscome，mycondemnationhasbeenpronounced……OGod，doThouhelpmeagainstallthewisdomoftheworld。Dothis，……Thoualone；……forthisisnotmywork，butThine。Ihavenothingtodohere，nothingtocontendforwiththesegreatonesoftheworld……ButthecauseisThine，……anditisarighteousandeternalcause。OLord，helpme！FaithfulandunchangeableGod，innomandoIplacemytrust……Allthatisofmanisuncertain；allthatcomethofmanfails……Thouhastchosenmeforthiswork……Standatmyside，forthesakeofThywell-belovedJesusChrist，whoismydefense，myshield，andmystrongtower。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

Anall-wiseProvidencehadpermittedLuthertorealizehisperil，thathemightnottrusttohisownstrengthandrushpresumptuouslyintodanger。Yetitwasnotthefearofpersonalsuffering，adreadoftortureordeath，whichseemedimmediatelyimpending，thatoverwhelmedhimwithitsterror。Hehadcometothecrisis，andhefelthisinsufficiencytomeetit。Throughhisweaknessthecauseoftruthmightsufferloss。Notforhisownsafety，butforthetriumphofthegospeldidhewrestlewithGod。LikeIsrael’s，inthatnightstrugglebesidethelonelystream，wastheanguishandconflictofhissoul。LikeIsrael，heprevailedwithGod。InhisutterhelplessnesshisfaithfasteneduponChrist，themightyDeliverer。Hewasstrengthenedwiththeassurancethathewouldnotappearalonebeforethecouncil。Peacereturnedtohissoul，andherejoicedthathewaspermittedtoupliftthewordofGodbeforetherulersofthenations。

WithhismindstayeduponGod，Lutherpreparedforthestrugglebeforehim。

Hethoughtupontheplanofhisanswer，examinedpassagesinhisownwritings，anddrewfromtheHolyScripturessuitableproofstosustainhispositions。Then，layinghislefthandontheSacredVolume，whichwasopenbeforehim，heliftedhisrighthandtoheavenandvowed"toremainfaithfultothegospel，and158

freelytoconfesshisfaith，evenshouldhesealhistestimonywithhisblood。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

WhenhewasagainusheredintothepresenceoftheDiet，hiscountenanceborenotraceoffearorembarrassment。Calmandpeaceful，yetgrandlybraveandnoble，hestoodasGod’switnessamongthegreatonesoftheearth。Theimperialofficernowdemandedhisdecisionastowhetherhedesiredtoretracthisdoctrines。Luthermadehisanswerinasubduedandhumbletone，withoutviolenceorpassion。Hisdemeanorwasdiffidentandrespectful；yethemanifestedaconfidenceandjoythatsurprisedtheassembly。

"Mostsereneemperor，illustriousprinces，graciouslords，"saidLuther，"I

appearbeforeyouthisday，inconformitywiththeordergivenmeyesterday，andbyGod’smerciesIconjureyourmajestyandyouraugusthighnessestolistengraciouslytothedefenseofacausewhichIamassuredisjustandtrue。If，throughignorance，Ishouldtransgresstheusagesandproprietiesofcourts，Ientreatyoutopardonme；forIwasnotbroughtupinthepalacesofkings，butintheseclusionofaconvent。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

Then，proceedingtothequestion，hestatedthathispublishedworkswerenotallofthesamecharacter。Insomehehadtreatedoffaithandgoodworks，andevenhisenemiesdeclaredthemnotonlyharmlessbutprofitable。

Toretractthesewouldbetocondemntruthswhichallpartiesconfessed。Thesecondclassconsistedofwritingsexposingthecorruptionsandabusesofthepapacy。TorevoketheseworkswouldstrengthenthetyrannyofRomeandopenawiderdoortomanyandgreatimpieties。Inthethirdclassofhisbookshehadattackedindividualswhohaddefendedexistingevils。

Concerningthesehefreelyconfessedthathehadbeenmoreviolentthanwasbecoming。Hedidnotclaimtobefreefromfault；buteventhesebookshecouldnotrevoke，forsuchacoursewouldemboldentheenemiesoftruth，andtheywouldthentakeoccasiontocrushGod’speoplewithstillgreatercruelty。

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"YetIambutamereman，andnotGod，"hecontinued；"IshallthereforedefendmyselfasChristdid:’IfIhavespokenevil，bearwitnessoftheevil。’……BythemercyofGod，Iconjureyou，mostsereneemperor，andyou，mostillustriousprinces，andallmenofeverydegree，toprovefromthewritingsoftheprophetsandapostlesthatIhaveerred。AssoonasIamconvincedofthis，Iwillretracteveryerror，andbethefirsttolayholdofmybooksandthrowthemintothefire。

"WhatIhavejustsaidplainlyshows，Ihope，thatIhavecarefullyweighedandconsideredthedangerstowhichIexposemyself；butfarfrombeingdismayed，Irejoicetoseethatthegospelisnow，asinformertimes，acauseoftroubleanddissension。Thisisthecharacter，thisisthedestiny，ofthewordofGod。’Icamenottosendpeaceonearth，butasword，’saidJesusChrist。GodiswonderfulandterribleinHiscounsels；bewarelest，bypresumingtoquenchdissensions，youshouldpersecutetheholywordofGod，anddrawdownuponyourselvesafrightfuldelugeofinsurmountabledangers，ofpresentdisasters，andeternaldesolation……ImightquotemanyexamplesfromtheoraclesofGod。ImightspeakofthePharaohs，thekingsofBabylon，andthoseofIsrael，whoselaborsnevermoreeffectuallycontributedtotheirowndestructionthanwhentheysoughtbycounsels，toallappearancemostwise，tostrengthentheirdominion。’Godremovethmountains，andtheyknowitnot。’"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

LutherhadspokeninGerman；hewasnowrequestedtorepeatthesamewordsinLatin。Thoughexhaustedbythepreviouseffort，hecomplied，andagaindeliveredhisspeech，withthesameclearnessandenergyasatthefirst。

God’sprovidencedirectedinthismatter。ThemindsofmanyoftheprincesweresoblindedbyerrorandsuperstitionthatatthefirstdeliverytheydidnotseetheforceofLuther’sreasoning；buttherepetitionenabledthemtoperceiveclearlythepointspresented。

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Thosewhostubbornlyclosedtheireyestothelight，anddeterminednottobeconvincedofthetruth，wereenragedatthepowerofLuther’swords。Asheceasedspeaking，thespokesmanoftheDietsaidangrily:"Youhavenotansweredthequestionputtoyou……Youarerequiredtogiveaclearandpreciseanswer……Willyou，orwillyounot，retract？"

TheReformeranswered:"Sinceyourmostserenemajestyandyourhighmightinessesrequirefrommeaclear，simple，andpreciseanswer，Iwillgiveyouone，anditisthis:Icannotsubmitmyfaitheithertothepopeortothecouncils，becauseitisclearasthedaythattheyhavefrequentlyerredandcontradictedeachother。UnlessthereforeIamconvincedbythetestimonyofScriptureorbytheclearestreasoning，unlessIampersuadedbymeansofthepassagesIhavequoted，andunlesstheythusrendermyconscienceboundbythewordofGod，IcannotandIwillnotretract，foritisunsafeforaChristiantospeakagainsthisconscience。HereIstand，I

candonoother；mayGodhelpme。Amen。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

ThusstoodthisrighteousmanuponthesurefoundationofthewordofGod。

Thelightofheavenilluminatedhiscountenance。Hisgreatnessandpurityofcharacter，hispeaceandjoyofheart，weremanifesttoallashetestifiedagainstthepoweroferrorandwitnessedtothesuperiorityofthatfaiththatovercomestheworld。

Thewholeassemblywereforatimespeechlesswithamazement。AthisfirstanswerLutherhadspokeninalowtone，witharespectful，almostsubmissivebearing。TheRomanistshadinterpretedthisasevidencethathiscouragewasbeginningtofail。Theyregardedtherequestfordelayasmerelythepreludetohisrecantation。Charleshimself，noting，halfcontemptuously，themonk’swornframe，hisplainattire，andthesimplicityofhisaddress，haddeclared:"Thismonkwillnevermakeahereticofme。"Thecourageandfirmnesswhichhenowdisplayed，aswellasthepowerandclearnessofhisreasoning，filledallpartieswithsurprise。

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Theemperor，movedtoadmiration，exclaimed:"Thismonkspeakswithanintrepidheartandunshakencourage。"ManyoftheGermanprinceslookedwithprideandjoyuponthisrepresentativeoftheirnation。

ThepartisansofRomehadbeenworsted；theircauseappearedinamostunfavorablelight。Theysoughttomaintaintheirpower，notbeappealingtotheScriptures，butbyaresorttothreats，Rome’sunfailingargument。SaidthespokesmanoftheDiet:"Ifyoudonotretract，theemperorandthestatesoftheempirewillconsultwhatcoursetoadoptagainstanincorrigibleheretic。"

Luther’sfriend，whohadwithgreatjoylistenedtohisnobledefense，trembledatthesewords；butthedoctorhimselfsaidcalmly:"MayGodbemyhelper，forIcanretractnothing。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。8。

HewasdirectedtowithdrawfromtheDietwhiletheprincesconsultedtogether。Itwasfeltthatagreatcrisishadcome。Luther’spersistentrefusaltosubmitmightaffectthehistoryofthechurchforages。Itwasdecidedtogivehimonemoreopportunitytoretract。Forthelasttimehewasbroughtintotheassembly。Againthequestionwasput，whetherhewouldrenouncehisdoctrines。"Ihavenootherreplytomake，"hesaid，"thanthatwhichIhavealreadymade。"Itwasevidentthathecouldnotbeinduced，eitherbypromisesorthreats，toyieldtothemandateofRome。

Thepapalleaderswerechagrinedthattheirpower，whichhadcausedkingsandnoblestotremble，shouldbethusdespisedbyahumblemonk；theylongedtomakehimfeeltheirwrathbytorturinghislifeaway。ButLuther，understandinghisdanger，hadspokentoallwithChristiandignityandcalmness。Hiswordshadbeenfreefrompride，passion，andmisrepresentation。Hehadlostsightofhimself，andthegreatmensurroundinghim，andfeltonlythathewasinthepresenceofOneinfinitelysuperiortopopes，prelates，kings，andemperors。ChristhadspokenthroughLuther’stestimonywithapowerandgrandeurthatforthe162

timeinspiredbothfriendsandfoeswithaweandwonder。TheSpiritofGodhadbeenpresentinthatcouncil，impressingtheheartsofthechiefsoftheempire。SeveraloftheprincesboldlyacknowledgedthejusticeofLuther’scause。Manywereconvincedofthetruth；butwithsometheimpressionsreceivedwerenotlasting。Therewasanotherclasswhodidnotatthetimeexpresstheirconvictions，butwho，havingsearchedtheScripturesforthemselves，atafuturetimebecamefearlesssupportersoftheReformation。

TheelectorFrederickhadlookedforwardanxiouslytoLuther’sappearancebeforetheDiet，andwithdeepemotionhelistenedtohisspeech。Withjoyandpridehewitnessedthedoctor’scourage，firmness，andself-possession，anddeterminedtostandmorefirmlyinhisdefense。Hecontrastedthepartiesincontest，andsawthatthewisdomofpopes，kings，andprelateshadbeenbroughttonoughtbythepoweroftruth。Thepapacyhadsustainedadefeatwhichwouldbefeltamongallnationsandinallages。

AsthelegateperceivedtheeffectproducedbyLuther’sspeech，hefeared，asneverbefore，forthesecurityoftheRomishpower，andresolvedtoemployeverymeansathiscommandtoeffecttheReformer’soverthrow。Withalltheeloquenceanddiplomaticskillforwhichhewassoeminentlydistinguished，herepresentedtotheyouthfulemperorthefollyanddangerofsacrificing，inthecauseofaninsignificantmonk，thefriendshipandsupportofthepowerfulseeofRome。

Hiswordswerenotwithouteffect。OnthedayfollowingLuther’sanswer，CharlescausedamessagetobepresentedtotheDiet，announcinghisdeterminationtocarryoutthepolicyofhispredecessorstomaintainandprotecttheCatholicreligion。SinceLutherhadrefusedtorenouncehiserrors，themostvigorousmeasuresshouldbeemployedagainsthimandtheheresieshetaught。"Asinglemonk，misledbyhisownfolly，hasrisenagainstthefaithofChristendom。Tostaysuchimpiety，Iwillsacrificemykingdoms，mytreasures，163

myfriends，mybody，myblood，mysoul，andmylife。IamabouttodismisstheAugustineLuther，forbiddinghimtocausetheleastdisorderamongthepeople；Ishallthenproceedagainsthimandhisadherentsascontumaciousheretics，byexcommunication，byinterdict，andbyeverymeanscalculatedtodestroythem。IcallonthemembersofthestatestobehavelikefaithfulChristians。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。9。NeverthelesstheemperordeclaredthatLuther’ssafe-conductmustberespected，andthatbeforeproceedingsagainsthimcouldbeinstituted，hemustbeallowedtoreachhishomeinsafety。

TwoconflictingopinionswerenowurgedbythemembersoftheDiet。TheemissariesandrepresentativesofthepopeagaindemandedthattheReformer’ssafe-conductshouldbedisregarded。"TheRhine，"theysaid，"shouldreceivehisashes，asithadreceivedthoseofJohnHussacenturyago。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。9。ButprincesofGermany，thoughthemselvespapistsandavowedenemiestoLuther，protestedagainstsuchabreachofpublicfaith，asastainuponthehonorofthenation。TheypointedtothecalamitieswhichhadfollowedthedeathofHuss，anddeclaredthattheydarednotcalldownuponGermany，andupontheheadoftheiryouthfulemperor，arepetitionofthoseterribleevils。

Charleshimself，inanswertothebaseproposal，said:"Thoughhonorandfaithshouldbebanishedfromalltheworld，theyoughttofindarefugeintheheartsofprinces。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。9。HewasstillfurtherurgedbythemostbitterofLuther’spapalenemiestodealwiththeReformerasSigismundhaddealtwithHuss——abandonhimtothemerciesofthechurch；butrecallingthescenewhenHussinpublicassemblyhadpointedtohischainsandremindedthemonarchofhisplightedfaith，CharlesVdeclared:"I

shouldnotliketoblushlikeSigismund。"——Lenfant，vol。1，p。422。

YetCharleshaddeliberatelyrejectedthetruthspresentedbyLuther。"Iamfirmlyresolvedtoimitatetheexampleofmyancestors，"wrotethemonarch——D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。9。Hehaddecidedthathewouldnotstepoutofthepathof164

custom，eventowalkinthewaysoftruthandrighteousness。Becausehisfathersdid，hewouldupholdthepapacy，withallitscrueltyandcorruption。Thushetookhisposition，refusingtoacceptanylightinadvanceofwhathisfathershadreceived，ortoperformanydutythattheyhadnotperformed。

Therearemanyatthepresentdaythusclingingtothecustomsandtraditionsoftheirfathers。WhentheLordsendsthemadditionallight，theyrefusetoacceptit，because，nothavingbeengrantedtotheirfathers，itwasnotreceivedbythem。Wearenotplacedwhereourfatherswere；

consequentlyourdutiesandresponsibilitiesarenotthesameastheirs。WeshallnotbeapprovedofGodinlookingtotheexampleofourfatherstodetermineourdutyinsteadofsearchingthewordoftruthforourselves。Ourresponsibilityisgreaterthanwasthatofourancestors。Weareaccountableforthelightwhichtheyreceived，andwhichwashandeddownasaninheritanceforus，andweareaccountablealsofortheadditionallightwhichisnowshininguponusfromthewordofGod。

SaidChristoftheunbelievingJews:"IfIhadnotcomeandspokenuntothem，theyhadnothadsin:butnowtheyhavenocloakfortheirsin。"John15:22。ThesamedivinepowerhadspokenthroughLuthertotheemperorandprincesofGermany。AndasthelightshoneforthfromGod’sword，HisSpiritpleadedforthelasttimewithmanyinthatassembly。AsPilate，centuriesbefore，permittedprideandpopularitytoclosehisheartagainsttheworld’sRedeemer；asthetremblingFelixbadethemessengeroftruth，"Gothywayforthistime；whenIhaveaconvenientseason，Iwillcallforthee；"astheproudAgrippaconfessed，"AlmostthoupersuadestmetobeaChristian"(Acts24:25；26:28)，yetturnedawayfromtheHeaven-sentmessage——sohadCharlesV，yieldingtothedictatesofworldlyprideandpolicy，decidedtorejectthelightoftruth。

RumorsofthedesignsagainstLutherwerewidelycirculated，causinggreatexcitementthroughoutthecity。The165

Reformerhadmademanyfriends，who，knowingthetreacherouscrueltyofRometowardallwhodaredexposehercorruptions，resolvedthatheshouldnotbesacrificed。Hundredsofnoblespledgedthemselvestoprotecthim。NotafewopenlydenouncedtheroyalmessageofevincingaweaksubmissiontothecontrollingpowerofRome。Onthegatesofhousesandinpublicplaces，placardswereposted，somecondemningandotherssustainingLuther。Ononeofthesewerewrittenmerelythesignificantwordsofthewiseman:"Woetothee，Oland，whenthykingisachild。"Ecclesiastes10:16。ThepopularenthusiasminLuther’sfavorthroughoutallGermanyconvincedboththeemperorandtheDietthatanyinjusticeshownhimwouldendangerthepeaceoftheempireandeventhestabilityofthethrone。

FrederickofSaxonymaintainedastudiedreserve，carefullyconcealinghisrealfeelingstowardtheReformer，whileatthesametimeheguardedhimwithtirelessvigilance，watchingallhismovementsandallthoseofhisenemies。ButthereweremanywhomadenoattempttoconcealtheirsympathywithLuther。Hewasvisitedbyprinces，counts，barons，andotherpersonsofdistinction，bothlayandecclesiastical。"Thedoctor’slittleroom，"wroteSpalatin，"couldnotcontainallthevisitorswhopresentedthemselves。"——

Martyn，vol。1，p。404。Thepeoplegazeduponhimasifheweremorethanhuman。Eventhosewhohadnofaithinhisdoctrinescouldnotbutadmirethatloftyintegritywhichledhimtobravedeathratherthanviolatehisconscience。

EarnesteffortsweremadetoobtainLuther’sconsenttoacompromisewithRome。Noblesandprincesrepresentedtohimthatifhepersistedinsettinguphisownjudgmentagainstthatofthechurchandthecouncilshewouldsoonbebanishedfromtheempireandwouldhavenodefense。TothisappealLutheranswered:"ThegospelofChristcannotbepreachedwithoutoffense……WhythenshouldthefearorapprehensionofdangerseparatemefromtheLord，andfromthatdivinewordwhichaloneistruth？No；I

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wouldrathergiveupmybody，myblood，andmylife。"——D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。

10。

Againhewasurgedtosubmittothejudgmentoftheemperor，andthenhewouldhavenothingtofear。"Iconsent，"saidheinreply，"withallmyheart，thattheemperor，theprinces，andeventhemeanestChristian，shouldexamineandjudgemyworks；butononecondition，thattheytakethewordofGodfortheirstandard。Menhavenothingtodobuttoobeyit。Donotofferviolencetomyconscience，whichisboundandchainedupwiththeHolyScriptures。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。10。

Toanotherappealhesaid:"Iconsenttorenouncemysafe-conduct。Iplacemypersonandmylifeintheemperor’shands，butthewordofGod——never！"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。10。Hestatedhiswillingnesstosubmittothedecisionofageneralcouncil，butonlyonconditionthatthecouncilberequiredtodecideaccordingtotheScriptures。"InwhatconcernsthewordofGodandthefaith，"headded，"everyChristianisasgoodajudgeasthepope，thoughsupportedbyamillioncouncils，canbeforhim。"——Martyn，vol。

1，p。410。Bothfriendsandfoeswereatlastconvincedthatfurthereffortforreconciliationwouldbeuseless。

HadtheReformeryieldedasinglepoint，Satanandhishostswouldhavegainedthevictory。Buthisunwaveringfirmnesswasthemeansofemancipatingthechurch，andbeginninganewandbetterera。Theinfluenceofthisoneman，whodaredtothinkandactforhimselfinreligiousmatters，wastoaffectthechurchandtheworld，notonlyinhisowntime，butinallfuturegenerations。Hisfirmnessandfidelitywouldstrengthenall，tothecloseoftime，whoshouldpassthroughasimilarexperience。ThepowerandmajestyofGodstoodforthabovethecounselofmen，abovethemightypowerofSatan。

Lutherwassooncommandedbytheauthorityoftheemperortoreturnhome，andheknewthatthisnoticewouldbespeedilyfollowedbyhiscondemnation。

Threateningcloudsoverhunghispath；butashedepartedfromWorms，his167

heartwasfilledwithjoyandpraise。"Thedevilhimself，"saidhe，"guardedthepope’scitadel；butChristhasmadeawidebreachinit，andSatanwasconstrainedtoconfessthattheLordismightierthanhe。"——D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。11。

Afterhisdeparture，stilldesirousthathisfirmnessshouldnotbemistakenforrebellion，Lutherwrotetotheemperor。"God，whoisthesearcherofhearts，ismywitness，"hesaid，"thatIamreadymostearnestlytoobeyyourmajesty，inhonororindishonor，inlifeorindeath，andwithnoexceptionsavethewordofGod，bywhichmanlives。Inalltheaffairsofthispresentlife，myfidelityshallbeunshaken，forheretoloseortogainisofnoconsequencetosalvation。Butwheneternalinterestsareconcerned，Godwillsnotthatmanshouldsubmituntoman。Forsuchsubmissioninspiritualmattersisarealworship，andoughttoberenderedsolelytotheCreator。"——Ibid。，b。7，ch。11。

OnthejourneyfromWorms，Luther’sreceptionwasevenmoreflatteringthanduringhisprogressthither。Princelyecclesiasticswelcomedtheexcommunicatedmonk，andcivilrulershonoredthemanwhomtheemperorhaddenounced。Hewasurgedtopreach，and，notwithstandingtheimperialprohibition，heagainenteredthepulpit。"IneverpledgedmyselftochainupthewordofGod，"hesaid，"norwillI。"——Martyn，vol。1，p。420。

HehadnotbeenlongabsentfromWorms，whenthepapistsprevailedupontheemperortoissueanedictagainsthim。InthisdecreeLutherwasdenouncedas"Satanhimselfundertheformofamananddressedinamonk’sfrock。"——

D’Aubigne，b。7，ch。11。Itwascommandedthatassoonashissafe-conductshouldexpire，measuresbetakentostophiswork。Allpersonswereforbiddentoharborhim，togivehimfoodordrink，orbywordoract，inpublicorprivate，toaidorabethim。Hewastobeseizedwhereverhemightbe，anddeliveredtotheauthorities。Hisadherentsalsoweretobeimprisonedandtheirpropertyconfiscated。Hiswritingsweretobedestroyed，and，finally，allwhoshoulddaretoactcontrarytothisdecreewereincludedinitscondemnation。

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TheelectorofSaxonyandtheprincesmostfriendlytoLutherhadleftWormssoonafterhisdeparture，andtheemperor’sdecreereceivedthesanctionoftheDiet。NowtheRomanistswerejubilant。TheyconsideredthefateoftheReformationsealed。

GodhadprovidedawayofescapeforHisservantinthishourofperil。A

vigilanteyehadfollowedLuther’smovements，andatrueandnoblehearthadresolveduponhisrescue。ItwasplainthatRomewouldbesatisfiedwithnothingshortofhisdeath；onlybyconcealmentcouldhebepreservedfromthejawsofthelion。GodgavewisdomtoFrederickofSaxonytodeviseaplanfortheReformer’spreservation。Withtheco-operationoftruefriendstheelector’spurposewascarriedout，andLutherwaseffectuallyhiddenfromfriendsandfoes。Uponhishomewardjourneyhewasseized，separatedfromhisattendants，andhurriedlyconveyedthroughtheforesttothecastleofWartburg，anisolatedmountainfortress。BothhisseizureandhisconcealmentweresoinvolvedinmysterythatevenFrederickhimselfforalongtimeknewnotwhitherhehadbeenconducted。Thisignorancewasnotwithoutdesign；solongastheelectorknewnothingofLuther’swhereabouts，hecouldrevealnothing。HesatisfiedhimselfthattheReformerwassafe，andwiththisknowledgehewascontent。

Spring，summer，andautumnpassed，andwintercame，andLutherstillremainedaprisoner。Aleanderandhispartisansexultedasthelightofthegospelseemedabouttobeextinguished。Butinsteadofthis，theReformerwasfillinghislampfromthestorehouseoftruth；anditslightwastoshineforthwithbrighterradiance。

InthefriendlysecurityoftheWartburg，Lutherforatimerejoicedinhisreleasefromtheheatandturmoilofbattle。Buthecouldnotlongfindsatisfactioninquietandrepose。Accustomedtoalifeofactivityandsternconflict，hecouldillenduretoremaininactive。Inthosesolitarydaystheconditionofthechurchroseupbeforehim，and169

hecriedindespair。"Alas！thereisnooneinthislatterdayofHisanger，tostandlikeawallbeforetheLord，andsaveIsrael！"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。2。

Again，histhoughtsreturnedtohimself，andhefearedbeingchargedwithcowardiceinwithdrawingfromthecontest。Thenhereproachedhimselfforhisindolenceandself-indulgence。Yetatthesametimehewasdailyaccomplishingmorethanitseemedpossibleforonemantodo。Hispenwasneveridle。Whilehisenemiesflatteredthemselvesthathewassilenced，theywereastonishedandconfusedbytangibleproofthathewasstillactive。Ahostoftracts，issuingfromhispen，circulatedthroughoutGermany。HealsoperformedamostimportantserviceforhiscountrymenbytranslatingtheNewTestamentintotheGermantongue。FromhisrockyPatmoshecontinuedfornearlyawholeyeartoproclaimthegospelandrebukethesinsanderrorsofthetimes。

ButitwasnotmerelytopreserveLutherfromthewrathofhisenemies，noreventoaffordhimaseasonofquietfortheseimportantlabors，thatGodhadwithdrawnHisservantfromthestageofpubliclife。Therewereresultsmorepreciousthanthesetobesecured。Inthesolitudeandobscurityofhismountainretreat，Lutherwasremovedfromearthlysupportsandshutoutfromhumanpraise。Hewasthussavedfromtheprideandself-confidencethataresooftencausedbysuccess。Bysufferingandhumiliationhewaspreparedagaintowalksafelyuponthedizzyheightstowhichhehadbeensosuddenlyexalted。

Asmenrejoiceinthefreedomwhichthetruthbringsthem，theyareinclinedtoextolthosewhomGodhasemployedtobreakthechainsoferrorandsuperstition。Satanseekstodivertmen’sthoughtsandaffectionsfromGod，andtofixthemuponhumanagencies；heleadsthemtohonorthemereinstrumentandtoignoretheHandthatdirectsalltheeventsofprovidence。

ToooftenreligiousleaderswhoarethuspraisedandreverencedlosesightoftheirdependenceuponGodandareledtotrustinthemselves。As170

aresulttheyseektocontrolthemindsandconsciencesofthepeople，whoaredisposedtolooktothemforguidanceinsteadoflookingtothewordofGod。Theworkofreformisoftenretardedbecauseofthisspiritindulgedbyitssupporters。Fromthisdanger，GodwouldguardthecauseoftheReformation。Hedesiredthatworktoreceive，nottheimpressofman，butthatofGod。TheeyesofmenhadbeenturnedtoLutherastheexpounderofthetruth；hewasremovedthatalleyesmightbedirectedtotheeternalAuthoroftruth。

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Chapter9

TheSwissReformerInthechoiceofinstrumentalitiesforthereformingofthechurch，thesamedivineplanisseenasinthatfortheplantingofthechurch。TheheavenlyTeacherpassedbythegreatmenoftheearth，thetitledandwealthy，whowereaccustomedtoreceivepraiseandhomageasleadersofthepeople。Theyweresoproudandself-confidentintheirboastedsuperioritythattheycouldnotbemoldedtosympathizewiththeirfellowmenandtobecomecolaborerswiththehumbleManofNazareth。Totheunlearned，toilingfishermenofGalileewasthecalladdressed:"FollowMe，andIwillmakeyoufishersofmen。"Matthew4:19。Thesediscipleswerehumbleandteachable。

Thelesstheyhadbeeninfluencedbythefalseteachingoftheirtime，themoresuccessfullycouldChristinstructandtrainthemforHisservice。SointhedaysoftheGreatReformation。TheleadingReformersweremenfromhumblelife——menwhoweremostfreeofanyoftheirtimefromprideofrankandfromtheinfluenceofbigotryandpriestcraft。ItisGod’splantoemployhumbleinstrumentstoaccomplishgreatresults。Thentheglorywillnotbegiventomen，buttoHimwhoworksthroughthemtowillandtodoofHisowngoodpleasure。

AfewweeksafterthebirthofLutherinaminer’scabininSaxony，UlricZwingliwasborninaherdsman’scottageamongtheAlps。Zwingli’ssurroundingsinchildhood，and172

hisearlytraining，weresuchastopreparehimforhisfuturemission。

Rearedamidscenesofnaturalgrandeur，beauty，andawfulsublimity，hismindwasearlyimpressedwithasenseofthegreatness，thepower，andthemajestyofGod。Thehistoryofthebravedeedsachieveduponhisnativemountainskindledhisyouthfulaspirations。AndatthesideofhispiousgrandmotherhelistenedtothefewpreciousBiblestorieswhichshehadgleanedfromamidthelegendsandtraditionsofthechurch。Witheagerinterestheheardofthegranddeedsofpatriarchsandprophets，oftheshepherdswhowatchedtheirflocksonthehillsofPalestinewhereangelstalkedwiththem，oftheBabeofBethlehemandtheManofCalvary。

LikeJohnLuther，Zwingli’sfatherdesiredaneducationforhisson，andtheboywasearlysentfromhisnativevalley。Hismindrapidlydeveloped，anditsoonbecameaquestionwheretofindteacherscompetenttoinstructhim。

AttheageofthirteenhewenttoBern，whichthenpossessedthemostdistinguishedschoolinSwitzerland。Here，however，adangerarosewhichthreatenedtoblightthepromiseofhislife。Determinedeffortswereputforthbythefriarstoallurehimintoamonastery。TheDominicanandFranciscanmonkswereinrivalryforpopularfavor。Thistheyendeavoredtosecurebytheshowyadornmentsoftheirchurches，thepompoftheirceremonials，andtheattractionsoffamousrelicsandmiracle-workingimages。

TheDominicansofBernsawthatiftheycouldwinthistalentedyoungscholar，theywouldsecurebothgainandhonor。Hisextremeyouth，hisnaturalabilityasaspeakerandwriter，andhisgeniusformusicandpoetry，wouldbemoreeffectivethanalltheirpompanddisplay，inattractingthepeopletotheirservicesandincreasingtherevenuesoftheirorder。BydeceitandflatterytheyendeavoredtoinduceZwinglitoentertheirconvent。Luther，whileastudentatschool，hadburiedhimselfinaconventcell，andhewouldhavebeenlosttotheworldhadnotGod’sprovidencereleasedhim。Zwingliwasnotpermittedtoencounterthe173

sameperil。Providentiallyhisfatherreceivedinformationofthedesignsofthefriars。Hehadnointentionofallowinghissontofollowtheidleandworthlesslifeofthemonks。Hesawthathisfutureusefulnesswasatstake，anddirectedhimtoreturnhomewithoutdelay。

Thecommandwasobeyed；buttheyouthcouldnotbelongcontentinhisnativevalley，andhesoonresumedhisstudies，repairing，afteratime，toBasel。ItwasherethatZwinglifirstheardthegospelofGod’sfreegrace。

Wittembach，ateacheroftheancientlanguages，had，whilestudyingGreekandHebrew，beenledtotheHolyScriptures，andthusraysofdivinelightwereshedintothemindsofthestudentsunderhisinstruction。Hedeclaredthattherewasatruthmoreancient，andofinfinitelygreaterworth，thanthetheoriestaughtbyschoolmenandphilosophers。ThisancienttruthwasthatthedeathofChrististhesinner’sonlyransom。ToZwinglithesewordswereasthefirstrayoflightthatprecedesthedawn。

ZwingliwassooncalledfromBaseltoenteruponhislifework。HisfirstfieldoflaborwasinanAlpineparish，notfardistantfromhisnativevalley。Havingreceivedordinationasapriest，he"devotedhimselfwithhiswholesoultothesearchafterdivinetruth；forhewaswellaware，"saysafellowReformer，"howmuchhemustknowtowhomtheflockofChristisentrusted。"——Wylie，b。8，ch。5。ThemorehesearchedtheScriptures，theclearerappearedthecontrastbetweentheirtruthsandtheheresiesofRome。

HesubmittedhimselftotheBibleasthewordofGod，theonlysufficient，infalliblerule。Hesawthatitmustbeitsowninterpreter。HedarednotattempttoexplainScripturetosustainapreconceivedtheoryordoctrine，butheldithisdutytolearnwhatisitsdirectandobviousteaching。Hesoughttoavailhimselfofeveryhelptoobtainafullandcorrectunderstandingofitsmeaning，andheinvokedtheaidoftheHolySpirit，whichwould，hedeclared，revealittoallwhosoughtitinsincerityandwithprayer。

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"TheScriptures，"saidZwingli，"comefromGod，notfromman，andeventhatGodwhoenlightenswillgivetheetounderstandthatthespeechcomesfromGod。ThewordofGod……cannotfail；itisbright，itteachesitself，itdisclosesitself，itilluminesthesoulwithallsalvationandgrace，comfortsitinGod，humblesit，sothatitlosesandevenforfeitsitself，andembracesGod。"ThetruthofthesewordsZwinglihimselfhadproved。

Speakingofhisexperienceatthistime，heafterwardwrote:"When……I

begantogivemyselfwhollyuptotheHolyScriptures，philosophyandtheology(scholastic)wouldalwayskeepsuggestingquarrelstome。AtlastI

cametothis，thatIthought，`Thoumustletallthatlie，andlearnthemeaningofGodpurelyoutofHisownsimpleword。’ThenIbegantoaskGodforHislight，andtheScripturesbegantobemucheasiertome。"——Ibid。，b。

8，ch。6。

ThedoctrinepreachedbyZwingliwasnotreceivedfromLuther。ItwasthedoctrineofChrist。"IfLutherpreachesChrist，"saidtheSwissReformer，"hedoeswhatIamdoing。ThosewhomhehasbroughttoChristaremorenumerousthanthosewhomIhaveled。Butthismattersnot。IwillbearnoothernamethanthatofChrist，whosesoldierIam，andwhoaloneismyChief。NeverhasonesinglewordbeenwrittenbymetoLuther，norbyLuthertome。Andwhy？……ThatitmightbeshownhowmuchtheSpiritofGodisinunisonwithitself，sincebothofus，withoutanycollusion，teachthedoctrineofChristwithsuchuniformity。"——D’Aubigne，b。8，ch。9。

In1516ZwingliwasinvitedtobecomeapreacherintheconventatEinsiedeln。HerehewastohaveacloserviewofthecorruptionsofRomeandwastoexertaninfluenceasaReformerthatwouldbefeltfarbeyondhisnativeAlps。AmongthechiefattractionsofEinsiedelnwasanimageoftheVirginwhichwassaidtohavethepowerofworkingmiracles。Abovethegatewayoftheconventwastheinscription，"Hereaplenaryremissionofsinsmaybe175

obtained。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。5。PilgrimsatallseasonsresortedtotheshrineoftheVirgin；butatthegreatyearlyfestivalofitsconsecrationmultitudescamefromallpartsofSwitzerland，andevenfromFranceandGermany。Zwingli，greatlyafflictedatthesight，seizedtheopportunitytoproclaimlibertythroughthegospeltothesebondslavesofsuperstition。

"Donotimagine，"hesaid，"thatGodisinthistemplemorethaninanyotherpartofcreation。Whateverbethecountryinwhichyoudwell，Godisaroundyou，andhearsyou……Canunprofitableworks，longpilgrimages，offerings，images，theinvocationoftheVirginorofthesaints，secureforyouthegraceofGod？……Whatavailsthemultitudeofwordswithwhichweembodyourprayers？Whatefficacyhasaglossycowl，asmooth-shornhead，alongandflowingrobe，orgold-embroideredslippers？……Godlooksattheheart，andourheartsarefarfromHim。""Christ，"hesaid，"whowasonceoffereduponthecross，isthesacrificeandvictim，thathadmadesatisfactionforthesinsofbelieverstoalleternity。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。

5。

Tomanylistenerstheseteachingswereunwelcome。Itwasabitterdisappointmenttothemtobetoldthattheirtoilsomejourneyhadbeenmadeinvain。ThepardonfreelyofferedtothemthroughChristtheycouldnotcomprehend。TheyweresatisfiedwiththeoldwaytoheavenwhichRomehadmarkedoutforthem。Theyshrankfromtheperplexityofsearchingforanythingbetter。Itwaseasiertotrusttheirsalvationtothepriestsandthepopethantoseekforpurityofheart。

ButanotherclassreceivedwithgladnessthetidingsofredemptionthroughChrist。TheobservancesenjoinedbyRomehadfailedtobringpeaceofsoul，andinfaiththeyacceptedtheSaviour’sbloodastheirpropitiation。Thesereturnedtotheirhomestorevealtoothersthepreciouslightwhichtheyhadreceived。Thetruthwasthuscarriedfromhamlettohamlet，fromtowntotown，andthenumberofpilgrimstotheVirgin’sshrinegreatlylessened。

Therewas176

afallingoffintheofferings，andconsequentlyinthesalaryofZwingli，whichwasdrawnfromthem。Butthiscausedhimonlyjoyashesawthatthepoweroffanaticismandsuperstitionwasbeingbroken。

TheauthoritiesofthechurchwerenotblindtotheworkwhichZwingliwasaccomplishing；butforthepresenttheyforboretointerfere。Hopingyettosecurehimtotheircause，theyendeavoredtowinhimbyflatteries；andmeanwhilethetruthwasgainingaholdupontheheartsofthepeople。

Zwingli’slaborsatEinsiedelnhadpreparedhimforawiderfield，andthishewassoontoenter。AfterthreeyearsherehewascalledtotheofficeofpreacherinthecathedralatZurich。ThiswasthenthemostimportanttownoftheSwissconfederacy，andtheinfluenceexertedherewouldbewidelyfelt。TheecclesiasticsbywhoseinvitationhecametoZurichwere，however，desirousofpreventinganyinnovations，andtheyaccordinglyproceededtoinstructhimastohisduties。

"Youwillmakeeveryexertion，"theysaid，"tocollecttherevenuesofthechapter，withoutoverlookingtheleast。Youwillexhortthefaithful，bothfromthepulpitandintheconfessional，topayalltithesanddues，andtoshowbytheirofferingstheiraffectiontothechurch。Youwillbediligentinincreasingtheincomearisingfromthesick，frommasses，andingeneralfromeveryecclesiasticalordinance。""Asfortheadministrationofthesacraments，thepreaching，andthecareoftheflock，"addedhisinstructors，"thesearealsothedutiesofthechaplain。Butfortheseyoumayemployasubstitute，andparticularlyinpreaching。Youshouldadministerthesacramentstononebutpersonsofnote，andonlywhencalledupon；youareforbiddentodosowithoutdistinctionofpersons。"——Ibid。，b。

8，ch。6。

Zwinglilistenedinsilencetothischarge，andinreply，afterexpressinghisgratitudeforthehonorofacalltothisimportantstation，heproceededtoexplainthecoursewhich177

heproposedtoadopt。"ThelifeofChrist，"hesaid，"hasbeentoolonghiddenfromthepeople。IshallpreachuponthewholeoftheGospelofSt。

Matthew，……drawingsolelyfromthefountainsofScripture，soundingitsdepths，comparingonepassagewithanother，andseekingforunderstandingbyconstantandearnestprayer。ItistoGod’sglory，tothepraiseofHisonlySon，totherealsalvationofsouls，andtotheiredificationinthetruefaith，thatIshallconsecratemyministry。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。6。Thoughsomeoftheecclesiasticsdisapprovedhisplan，andendeavoredtodissuadehimfromit，Zwingliremainedsteadfast。Hedeclaredthathewasabouttointroducenonewmethod，buttheoldmethodemployedbythechurchinearlierandpurertimes。

Alreadyaninteresthadbeenawakenedinthetruthshetaught；andthepeopleflockedingreatnumberstolistentohispreaching。Manywhohadlongsinceceasedtoattendservicewereamonghishearers。HebeganhisministrybyopeningtheGospelsandreadingandexplainingtohishearerstheinspirednarrativeofthelife，teachings，anddeathofChrist。Here，asatEinsiedeln，hepresentedthewordofGodastheonlyinfallibleauthorityandthedeathofChristastheonlycompletesacrifice。"ItistoChrist，"

hesaid，"thatIdesiretoleadyou——toChrist，thetruesourceofsalvation。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。6。Aroundthepreachercrowdedthepeopleofallclasses，fromstatesmenandscholarstotheartisanandthepeasant。

Withdeepinteresttheylistenedtohiswords。Henotonlyproclaimedtheofferofafreesalvation，butfearlesslyrebukedtheevilsandcorruptionsofthetimes。ManyreturnedfromthecathedralpraisingGod。"Thisman，"

theysaid，"isapreacherofthetruth。HewillbeourMoses，toleadusforthfromthisEgyptiandarkness。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。6。

Butthoughatfirsthislaborswerereceivedwithgreatenthusiasm，afteratimeoppositionarose。Themonkssetthemselvestohinderhisworkandcondemnhisteachings。

178

Manyassailedhimwithgibesandsneers；othersresortedtoinsolenceandthreats。ButZwingliboreallwithpatience，saying:"IfwedesiretogainoverthewickedtoJesusChrist，wemustshutoureyesagainstmanythings。"——

Ibid。，b。8，ch。6。

Aboutthistimeanewagencycameintoadvancetheworkofreform。OneLucianwassenttoZurichwithsomeofLuther’swritings，byafriendofthereformedfaithatBasel，whosuggestedthatthesaleofthesebooksmightbeapowerfulmeansofscatteringthelight。"Ascertain，"hewrotetoZwingli，"whetherthismanpossessessufficientprudenceandskill；ifso，lethimcarryfromcitytocity，fromtowntotown，fromvillagetovillage，andevenfromhousetohouse，amongtheSwiss，theworksofLuther，andespeciallyhisexpositionoftheLord’sPrayerwrittenforthelaity。Themoretheyareknown，themorepurchaserstheywillfind。"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。

6。Thusthelightfoundentrance。

AtthetimewhenGodispreparingtobreaktheshacklesofignoranceandsuperstition，thenitisthatSatanworkswithgreatestpowertoenshroudmenindarknessandtobindtheirfettersstillmorefirmly。AsmenwererisingupindifferentlandstopresenttothepeopleforgivenessandjustificationthroughthebloodofChrist，RomeproceededwithrenewedenergytoopenhermarketthroughoutChristendom，offeringpardonformoney。

Everysinhaditsprice，andmenweregrantedfreelicenseforcrimeifthetreasuryofthechurchwaskeptwellfilled。Thusthetwomovementsadvanced，——oneofferingforgivenessofsinformoney，theotherforgivenessthroughChrist，——Romelicensingsinandmakingithersourceofrevenue；

theReformerscondemningsinandpointingtoChristasthepropitiationanddeliverer。

InGermanythesaleofindulgenceshadbeencommittedtotheDominicanfriarsandwasconductedbytheinfamousTetzel。InSwitzerlandthetrafficwasputintothehandsoftheFranciscans，underthecontrolofSamson，anItalian179

monk。Samsonhadalreadydonegoodservicetothechurch，havingsecuredimmensesumsfromGermanyandSwitzerlandtofillthepapaltreasury。NowhetraversedSwitzerland，attractinggreatcrowds，despoilingthepoorpeasantsoftheirscantyearnings，andexactingrichgiftsfromthewealthyclasses。

Buttheinfluenceofthereformalreadymadeitselffeltincurtailing，thoughitcouldnotstop，thetraffic。ZwingliwasstillatEinsiedelnwhenSamson，soonafterenteringSwitzerland，arrivedwithhiswaresataneighboringtown。Beingapprisedofhismission，theReformerimmediatelysetouttoopposehim。Thetwodidnotmeet，butsuchwasZwingli’ssuccessinexposingthefriar’spretensionsthathewasobligedtoleaveforotherquarters。

AtZurich，Zwinglipreachedzealouslyagainstthepardonmongers；andwhenSamsonapproachedtheplace，hewasmetbyamessengerfromthecouncilwithanintimationthathewasexpectedtopasson。Hefinallysecuredanentrancebystratagem，butwassentawaywithoutthesaleofasinglepardon，andhesoonafterleftSwitzerland。

Astrongimpetuswasgiventothereformbytheappearanceoftheplague，orGreatDeath，whichsweptoverSwitzerlandintheyear1519。Asmenwerethusbroughtfacetofacewiththedestroyer，manywereledtofeelhowvainandworthlesswerethepardonswhichtheyhadsolatelypurchased；andtheylongedforasurerfoundationfortheirfaith。ZwingliatZurichwassmittendown；hewasbroughtsolowthatallhopeofhisrecoverywasrelinquished，andthereportwaswidelycirculatedthathewasdead。Inthattryinghourhishopeandcouragewereunshaken。HelookedinfaithtothecrossofCalvary，trustingintheall-sufficientpropitiationforsin。Whenhecamebackfromthegatesofdeath，itwastopreachthegospelwithgreaterfervorthaneverbefore；andhiswordsexertedanunwontedpower。Thepeoplewelcomedwithjoytheirbelovedpastor，returnedtothemfromthebrinkofthegrave。Theythemselveshadcomefromattendinguponthesick180

andthedying，andtheyfelt，asneverbefore，thevalueofthegospel。

Zwinglihadarrivedataclearerunderstandingofitstruths，andhadmorefullyexperiencedinhimselfitsrenewingpower。Thefallofmanandtheplanofredemptionwerethesubjectsuponwhichhedwelt。"InAdam，"hesaid，"wearealldead，sunkincorruptionandcondemnation。"——Wylie，b。8，ch。9。"Christ……haspurchasedforusanever-endingredemption……

Hispassionis……aneternalsacrifice，andeverlastinglyeffectualtoheal；itsatisfiesthedivinejusticeforeverinbehalfofallthosewhorelyuponitwithfirmandunshakenfaith。"Yetheclearlytaughtthatmenarenot，becauseofthegraceofChrist，freetocontinueinsin。"WhereverthereisfaithinGod，thereGodis；andwhereverGodabideth，thereazealexistsurgingandimpellingmentogoodworks。"——D’Aubigne，b。8，ch。9。

SuchwastheinterestinZwingli’spreachingthatthecathedralwasfilledtooverflowingwiththecrowdsthatcametolistentohim。Littlebylittle，astheycouldbearit，heopenedthetruthtohishearers。Hewascarefulnottointroduce，atfirst，pointswhichwouldstartlethemandcreateprejudice。HisworkwastowintheirheartstotheteachingsofChrist，tosoftenthembyHislove，andkeepbeforethemHisexample；andastheyshouldreceivetheprinciplesofthegospel，theirsuperstitiousbeliefsandpracticeswouldinevitablybeoverthrown。

StepbysteptheReformationadvancedinZurich。Inalarmitsenemiesarousedtoactiveopposition。Oneyearbefore，themonkofWittenberghadutteredhisNotothepopeandtheemperoratWorms，andnoweverythingseemedtoindicateasimilarwithstandingofthepapalclaimsatZurich。

RepeatedattacksweremadeuponZwingli。Inthepapalcantons，fromtimetotime，disciplesofthegospelwerebroughttothestake，butthiswasnotenough；theteacherofheresymustbesilenced。AccordinglythebishopofConstancedispatchedthreedeputiestotheCouncilofZurich，accusingZwingliofteachingthepeopleto181

transgressthelawsofthechurch，thusendangeringthepeaceandgoodorderofsociety。Iftheauthorityofthechurchweretobesetaside，heurged，universalanarchywouldresult。ZwinglirepliedthathehadbeenforfouryearsteachingthegospelinZurich，"whichwasmorequietandpeacefulthananyothertownintheconfederacy。""Isnot，then，"hesaid，"Christianitythebestsafeguardofthegeneralsecurity？"——Wylie，b。8，ch。11。

Thedeputieshadadmonishedthecouncilorstocontinueinthechurch，outofwhich，theydeclared，therewasnosalvation。Zwingliresponded:"Letnotthisaccusationmoveyou。ThefoundationofthechurchisthesameRock，thesameChrist，thatgavePeterhisnamebecauseheconfessedHimfaithfully。

IneverynationwhosoeverbelieveswithallhisheartintheLordJesusisacceptedofGod。Here，truly，isthechurch，outofwhichnoonecanbesaved。"——D’Aubigne，Londoned。，b。8，ch。11。Asaresultoftheconference，oneofthebishop’sdeputiesacceptedthereformedfaith。

ThecouncildeclinedtotakeactionagainstZwingli，andRomepreparedforafreshattack。TheReformer，whenapprisedoftheplotsofhisenemies，exclaimed:"Letthemcomeon；Ifearthemasthebeetlingclifffearsthewavesthatthunderatitsfeet。"——Wylie，b。8，ch。11。Theeffortsoftheecclesiasticsonlyfurtheredthecausewhichtheysoughttooverthrow。Thetruthcontinuedtospread。InGermanyitsadherents，castdownbyLuther’sdisappearance，tookheartagain，astheysawtheprogressofthegospelinSwitzerland。

AstheReformationbecameestablishedinZurich，itsfruitsweremorefullyseeninthesuppressionofviceandthepromotionoforderandharmony。

"Peacehasherhabitationinourtown，"wroteZwingli；"noquarrel，nohypocrisy，noenvy，nostrife。WhencecansuchunioncomebutfromtheLord，andourdoctrine，whichfillsuswiththefruitsofpeaceandpiety？"——Ibid。，b。8，ch。15。

ThevictoriesgainedbytheReformationstirredtheRomaniststostillmoredeterminedeffortsforitsoverthrow。

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SeeinghowlittlehadbeenaccomplishedbypersecutioninsuppressingLuther’sworkinGermany，theydecidedtomeetthereformwithitsownweapons。TheywouldholdadisputationwithZwingli，andhavingthearrangementofmatters，theywouldmakesureofvictorybychoosing，themselves，notonlytheplaceofthecombat，butthejudgesthatshoulddecidebetweenthedisputants。AndiftheycouldoncegetZwingliintotheirpower，theywouldtakecarethathedidnotescapethem。Theleadersilenced，themovementcouldspeedilybecrushed。Thispurpose，however，wascarefullyconcealed。

ThedisputationwasappointedtobeheldatBaden；butZwingliwasnotpresent。TheCouncilofZurich，suspectingthedesignsofthepapists，andwarnedbytheburningpileskindledinthepapalcantonsforconfessorsofthegospel，forbadetheirpastortoexposehimselftothisperil。AtZurichhewasreadytomeetallthepartisansthatRomemightsend；buttogotoBaden，wherethebloodofmartyrsforthetruthhadjustbeenshed，wastogotocertaindeath。OecolampadiusandHallerwerechosentorepresenttheReformers，whilethefamousDr。Eck，supportedbyahostoflearneddoctorsandprelates，wasthechampionofRome。

ThoughZwingliwasnotpresentattheconference，hisinfluencewasfelt。

Thesecretarieswereallchosenbythepapists，andotherswereforbiddentotakenotes，onpainofdeath。Notwithstandingthis，ZwinglireceiveddailyafaithfulaccountofwhatwassaidatBaden。Astudentinattendanceatthedisputationmadearecordeacheveningoftheargumentsthatdaypresented。

Thesepaperstwootherstudentsundertooktodeliver，withthedailylettersofOecolampadius，toZwingliatZurich。TheReformeranswered，givingcounselandsuggestions。Hisletterswerewrittenbynight，andthestudentsreturnedwiththemtoBadeninthemorning。Toeludethevigilanceoftheguardstationedatthecitygates，thesemessengersbroughtbasketsofpoultryontheirheads，andtheywerepermittedtopasswithouthindrance。

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ThusZwinglimaintainedthebattlewithhiswilyantagonists。He"haslaboredmore，"saidMyconius，"byhismeditations，hissleeplessnights，andtheadvicewhichhetransmittedtoBaden，thanhewouldhavedonebydiscussinginpersoninthemidstofhisenemies。"——D’Aubigne，b。11，ch。

13。

TheRomanists，flushedwithanticipatedtriumph，hadcometoBadenattiredintheirrichestrobesandglitteringwithjewels。Theyfaredluxuriously，theirtablesspreadwiththemostcostlydelicaciesandthechoicestwines。

Theburdenoftheirecclesiasticaldutieswaslightenedbygaietyandreveling。InmarkedcontrastappearedtheReformers，whowerelookeduponbythepeopleaslittlebetterthanacompanyofbeggars，andwhosefrugalfarekeptthembutshorttimeattable。Oecolampadius’slandlord，takingoccasiontowatchhiminhisroom，foundhimalwaysengagedinstudyoratprayer，andgreatlywondering，reportedthatthehereticwasatleast"verypious。"

Attheconference，"Eckhaughtilyascendedapulpitsplendidlydecorated，whilethehumbleOecolampadius，meanlyclothed，wasforcedtotakehisseatinfrontofhisopponentonarudelycarvedstool。"——Ibid。，b。11，ch。13。

Eck’sstentorianvoiceandunboundedassuranceneverfailedhim。Hiszealwasstimulatedbythehopeofgoldaswellasfame；forthedefenderofthefaithwastoberewardedbyahandsomefee。Whenbetterargumentsfailed，hehadresorttoinsults，andeventooaths。

Oecolampadius，modestandself-distrustful，hadshrunkfromthecombat，andheentereduponitwiththesolemnavowal:"IacknowledgenootherstandardofjudgmentthanthewordofGod。"——Ibid。，b。11，ch。13。Thoughgentleandcourteousindemeanor，heprovedhimselfableandunflinching。WhiletheRomanists，accordingtotheirwont，appealedforauthoritytothecustomsofthechurch，theReformeradheredsteadfastlytotheHolyScriptures。

"Custom，"hesaid，"hasnoforceinourSwitzerland，unlessitbeaccordingtotheconstitution；now，inmattersoffaith，theBibleisourconstitution。"——Ibid。，b。11，ch。13。

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Thecontrastbetweenthetwodisputantswasnotwithouteffect。Thecalm，clearreasoningoftheReformer，sogentlyandmodestlypresented，appealedtomindsthatturnedindisgustfromEck’sboastfulandboisterousassumptions。

Thediscussioncontinuedeighteendays。Atitsclosethepapistswithgreatconfidenceclaimedthevictory。MostofthedeputiessidedwithRome，andtheDietpronouncedtheReformersvanquishedanddeclaredthatthey，togetherwithZwingli，theirleader，werecutofffromthechurch。Butthefruitsoftheconferencerevealedonwhichsidetheadvantagelay。ThecontestresultedinastrongimpetustotheProtestantcause，anditwasnotlongafterwardthattheimportantcitiesofBernandBaseldeclaredfortheReformation。

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Chapter10

ProgressofReforminGermanyLuther’smysteriousdisappearanceexcitedconsternationthroughoutallGermany。Inquiriesconcerninghimwereheardeverywhere。Thewildestrumorswerecirculated，andmanybelievedthathehadbeenmurdered。Therewasgreatlamentation，notonlybyhisavowedfriends，butbythousandswhohadnotopenlytakentheirstandwiththeReformation。Manyboundthemselvesbyasolemnoathtoavengehisdeath。

TheRomishleaderssawwithterrortowhatapitchhadrisenthefeelingagainstthem。ThoughatfirstexultantatthesupposeddeathofLuther，theysoondesiredtohidefromthewrathofthepeople。Hisenemieshadnotbeensotroubledbyhismostdaringactswhileamongthemastheywereathisremoval。ThosewhointheirragehadsoughttodestroytheboldReformerwerefilledwithfearnowthathehadbecomeahelplesscaptive。"Theonlyremainingwayofsavingourselves，"saidone，"istolighttorches，andhuntforLutherthroughthewholeworld，torestorehimtothenationthatiscallingforhim。"——D’Aubigne，b。9，ch。1。Theedictoftheemperorseemedtofallpowerless。ThepapallegateswerefilledwithindignationastheysawthatitcommandedfarlessattentionthandidthefateofLuther。

Thetidingsthathewassafe，thoughaprisoner，calmedthefearsofthepeople，whileitstillfurtherarousedtheirenthusiasminhisfavor。Hiswritingswerereadwithgreater186

eagernessthaneverbefore。Increasingnumbersjoinedthecauseoftheheroicmanwhohad，atsuchfearfulodds，defendedthewordofGod。TheReformationwasconstantlygaininginstrength。TheseedwhichLutherhadsownsprangupeverywhere。Hisabsenceaccomplishedaworkwhichhispresencewouldhavefailedtodo。Otherlaborersfeltanewresponsibility，nowthattheirgreatleaderwasremoved。Withnewfaithandearnestnesstheypressedforwardtodoallintheirpower，thattheworksonoblybegunmightnotbehindered。

ButSatanwasnotidle。Henowattemptedwhathehasattemptedineveryotherreformatorymovement——todeceiveanddestroythepeoplebypalmingoffuponthemacounterfeitinplaceofthetruework。AstherewerefalsechristsinthefirstcenturyoftheChristianchurch，sotherearosefalseprophetsinthesixteenthcentury。

Afewmen，deeplyaffectedbytheexcitementinthereligiousworld，imaginedthemselvestohavereceivedspecialrevelationsfromHeaven，andclaimedtohavebeendivinelycommissionedtocarryforwardtoitscompletiontheReformationwhich，theydeclared，hadbeenbutfeeblybegunbyLuther。Intruth，theywereundoingtheveryworkwhichhehadaccomplished。TheyrejectedthegreatprinciplewhichwastheveryfoundationoftheReformation——thatthewordofGodistheall-sufficientruleoffaithandpractice；andforthatunerringguidetheysubstitutedthechangeable，uncertainstandardoftheirownfeelingsandimpressions。BythisactofsettingasidethegreatdetectoroferrorandfalsehoodthewaywasopenedforSatantocontrolmindsasbestpleasedhimself。

OneoftheseprophetsclaimedtohavebeeninstructedbytheangelGabriel。

Astudentwhounitedwithhimforsookhisstudies，declaringthathehadbeenendowedbyGodHimselfwithwisdomtoexpoundHisword。Otherswhowerenaturallyinclinedtofanaticismunitedwiththem。Theproceedingsoftheseenthusiastscreatednolittleexcitement。

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ThepreachingofLutherhadarousedthepeopleeverywheretofeelthenecessityofreform，andnowsomereallyhonestpersonsweremisledbythepretensionsofthenewprophets。

TheleadersofthemovementproceededtoWittenbergandurgedtheirclaimsuponMelanchthonandhiscolaborers。Saidthey:"WearesentbyGodtoinstructthepeople。WehaveheldfamiliarconversationswiththeLord；weknowwhatwillhappen；inaword，weareapostlesandprophets，andappealtoDr。Luther。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。

TheReformerswereastonishedandperplexed。Thiswassuchanelementastheyhadneverbeforeencountered，andtheyknewnotwhatcoursetopursue。

SaidMelanchthon:"Thereareindeedextraordinaryspiritsinthesemen；butwhatspirits？……Ontheonehand，letusbewareofquenchingtheSpiritofGod，andontheother，ofbeingledastraybythespiritofSatan。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。

Thefruitofthenewteachingsoonbecameapparent。ThepeoplewereledtoneglecttheBibleortocastitwhollyaside。Theschoolswerethrownintoconfusion。Students，spurningallrestraint，abandonedtheirstudiesandwithdrewfromtheuniversity。ThemenwhothoughtthemselvescompetenttoreviveandcontroltheworkoftheReformationsucceededonlyinbringingittothevergeofruin。TheRomanistsnowregainedtheirconfidenceandexclaimedexultingly:"Onelaststruggle，andallwillbeours。"——Ibid。，b。

9，ch。7。

LutherattheWartburg，hearingofwhathadoccurred，saidwithdeepconcern:"IalwaysexpectedthatSatanwouldsendusthisplague。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。Heperceivedthetruecharacterofthosepretendedprophetsandsawthedangerthatthreatenedthecauseoftruth。Theoppositionofthepopeandtheemperorhadnotcausedhimsogreatperplexityanddistressashenowexperienced。FromtheprofessedfriendsoftheReformationhadrisenitsworstenemies。Theverytruthswhichhadbroughthimsogreatjoyand188

consolationwerebeingemployedtostirupstrifeandcreateconfusioninthechurch。

Intheworkofreform，LutherhadbeenurgedforwardbytheSpiritofGod，andhadbeencarriedbeyondhimself。Hehadnotpurposedtotakesuchpositionsashedid，ortomakesoradicalchanges。HehadbeenbuttheinstrumentinthehandofInfinitePower。Yetheoftentrembledfortheresultofhiswork。Hehadoncesaid:"IfIknewthatmydoctrineinjuredoneman，onesingleman，howeverlowlyandobscure，——whichitcannot，foritisthegospelitself，——Iwouldratherdietentimesthannotretractit。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。

AndnowWittenbergitself，theverycenteroftheReformation，wasfastfallingunderthepoweroffanaticismandlawlessness。ThisterribleconditionhadnotresultedfromtheteachingsofLuther；butthroughoutGermanyhisenemieswerechargingituponhim。Inbitternessofsoulhesometimesasked:"Cansuch，then，betheendofthisgreatworkoftheReformation？"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。Again，ashewrestledwithGodinprayer，peaceflowedintohisheart。"Theworkisnotmine，butThineown，"hesaid；

"Thouwiltnotsufferittobecorruptedbysuperstitionorfanaticism。"Butthethoughtofremaininglongerfromtheconflictinsuchacrisis，becameinsupportable。HedeterminedtoreturntoWittenberg。

Withoutdelayhesetoutonhisperilousjourney。Hewasunderthebanoftheempire。Enemieswereatlibertytotakehislife；friendswereforbiddentoaidorshelterhim。Theimperialgovernmentwasadoptingthemoststringentmeasuresagainsthisadherents。Buthesawthattheworkofthegospelwasimperiled，andinthenameoftheLordhewentoutfearlesslytobattleforthetruth。

Inalettertotheelector，afterstatinghispurposetoleavetheWartburg，Luthersaid:"BeitknowntoyourhighnessthatIamgoingtoWittenbergunderaprotectionfarhigherthanthatofprincesandelectors。Ithinknotofsolicitingyourhighness’ssupport，andfarfromdesiringyourprotection，189

Iwouldratherprotectyoumyself。IfIknewthatyourhighnesscouldorwouldprotectme，IwouldnotgotoWittenbergatall。Thereisnoswordthatcanfurtherthiscause。Godalonemustdoeverything，withoutthehelporconcurrenceofman。Hewhohasthegreatestfaithishewhoismostabletoprotect。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。8。

Inasecondletter，writtenonthewaytoWittenberg，Lutheradded:"Iamreadytoincurthedispleasureofyourhighnessandtheangerofthewholeworld。ArenottheWittenbergersmysheep？HasnotGodentrustedthemtome？

AndoughtInot，ifnecessary，toexposemyselftodeathfortheirsakes？

Besides，IfeartoseeaterribleoutbreakinGermany，bywhichGodwillpunishournation。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。7。

Withgreatcautionandhumility，yetwithdecisionandfirmness，heentereduponhiswork。"Bytheword，"saidhe，"mustweoverthrowanddestroywhathasbeensetupbyviolence。Iwillnotmakeuseofforceagainstthesuperstitiousandunbelieving……Noonemustbeconstrained。Libertyistheveryessenceoffaith。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。8。

ItwassoonnoisedthroughWittenbergthatLutherhadreturnedandthathewastopreach。Thepeopleflockedfromalldirections，andthechurchwasfilledtooverflowing。Ascendingthepulpit，hewithgreatwisdomandgentlenessinstructed，exhorted，andreproved。Touchingthecourseofsomewhohadresortedtoviolentmeasuresinabolishingthemass，hesaid:

"Themassisabadthing；Godisopposedtoit；itoughttobeabolished；

andIwouldthatthroughoutthewholeworlditwerereplacedbythesupperofthegospel。Butletnoonebetornfromitbyforce。WemustleavethematterinGod’shands。Hiswordmustact，andnotwe。Andwhyso？youwillask。BecauseIdonotholdmen’sheartsinmyhand，asthepotterholdstheclay。Wehavearighttospeak:wehavenottherighttoact。Letuspreach；

therestbelongsuntoGod。WereItoemployforce，whatshouldIgain？

Grimace，formality，apings，humanordinances，andhypocrisy……Buttherewouldbenosincerity190

ofheart，norfaith，norcharity。Wherethesethreearewanting，alliswanting，andIwouldnotgiveapearstalkforsucharesult……GoddoesmorebyHiswordalonethanyouandIandalltheworldbyourunitedstrength。Godlaysholdupontheheart；andwhentheheartistaken，alliswon……

"Iwillpreach，discuss，andwrite；butIwillconstrainnone，forfaithisavoluntaryact。SeewhatIhavedone。Istoodupagainstthepope，indulgences，andpapists，butwithoutviolenceortumult。IputforwardGod’sword；Ipreachedandwrote——thiswasallIdid。AndyetwhileIwasasleep，……thewordthatIhadpreachedoverthrewpopery，sothatneitherprincenoremperorhasdoneitsomuchharm。AndyetIdidnothing；thewordalonedidall。IfIhadwishedtoappealtoforce，thewholeofGermanywouldperhapshavebeendelugedwithblood。Butwhatwouldhavebeentheresult？Ruinanddesolationbothtobodyandsoul。Ithereforekeptquiet，andleftthewordtorunthroughtheworldalone。"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。8。

Dayafterday，forawholeweek，Luthercontinuedtopreachtoeagercrowds。

ThewordofGodbrokethespelloffanaticalexcitement。Thepowerofthegospelbroughtbackthemisguidedpeopleintothewayoftruth。

Lutherhadnodesiretoencounterthefanaticswhosecoursehadbeenproductiveofsogreatevil。Heknewthemtobemenofunsoundjudgmentandundisciplinedpassions，who，whileclaimingtobespeciallyilluminatedfromheaven，wouldnotenduretheslightestcontradictionoreventhekindestreprooforcounsel。Arrogatingtothemselvessupremeauthority，theyrequiredeveryone，withoutaquestion，toacknowledgetheirclaims。But，astheydemandedaninterviewwithhim，heconsentedtomeetthem；andsosuccessfullydidheexposetheirpretensionsthattheimpostorsatoncedepartedfromWittenberg。

Thefanaticismwascheckedforatime；butseveralyearslateritbrokeoutwithgreaterviolenceandmoreterribleresults。SaidLuther，concerningtheleadersinthismovement:

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"TothemtheHolyScriptureswerebutadeadletter，andtheyallbegantocry，’TheSpirit！theSpirit！’ButmostassuredlyIwillnotfollowwheretheirspiritleadsthem。MayGodofHismercypreservemefromachurchinwhichtherearenonebutsaints。Idesiretodwellwiththehumble，thefeeble，thesick，whoknowandfeeltheirsins，andwhogroanandcrycontinuallytoGodfromthebottomoftheirheartstoobtainHisconsolationandsupport。"——Ibid。，b。10，ch。10。

ThomasMunzer，themostactiveofthefanatics，wasamanofconsiderableability，which，rightlydirected，wouldhaveenabledhimtodogood；buthehadnotlearnedthefirstprinciplesoftruereligion。"Hewaspossessedwithadesireofreformingtheworld，andforgot，asallenthusiastsdo，thatthereformationshouldbeginwithhimself。"——Ibid。，b。

9，ch。8。Hewasambitioustoobtainpositionandinfluence，andwasunwillingtobesecond，eventoLuther。HedeclaredthattheReformers，insubstitutingtheauthorityofScriptureforthatofthepope，wereonlyestablishingadifferentformofpopery。Hehimself，heclaimed，hadbeendivinelycommissionedtointroducethetruereform。"Hewhopossessesthisspirit，"saidMunzer，"possessesthetruefaith，althoughheshouldneverseetheScripturesinhislife。"——Ibid。，b。10，ch。10。

Thefanaticalteachersgavethemselvesuptobegovernedbyimpressions，regardingeverythoughtandimpulseasthevoiceofGod；consequentlytheywenttogreatextremes。SomeevenburnedtheirBibles，exclaiming:"Theletterkilleth，buttheSpiritgivethlife。"Munzer’steachingappealedtomen’sdesireforthemarvelous，whileitgratifiedtheirpridebyvirtuallyplacinghumanideasandopinionsabovethewordofGod。Hisdoctrineswerereceivedbythousands。Hesoondenouncedallorderinpublicworship，anddeclaredthattoobeyprinceswastoattempttoservebothGodandBelial。