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Chapter 48
Progress of the Reformation
A NEW emperor, Charles the Fifth, had ascended the throne of Germany, and the emissaries
of Rome hastened to present their congratulations, and induce the monarch to employ his
power against the Reformation. On the other hand, the Elector of Saxony, to whom Charles
was in great degree indebted for his crown, entreated him to take no step against Luther
until he should have granted him a hearing.
The attention of all parties was now directed to the assembly of the German States which
convened at Worms soon after the accession of Charles to the empire. There were important
political questions and interests to be considered by this national council; but these
appeared of little moment when contrasted with the cause of the monk of Wittenberg.
Charles had previously directed the elector to bring Luther with him to the Diet, assuring
him that the Reformer should be protected from all violence, and should be allowed a free
conference with one competent to discuss the disputed points. Luther was anxious to appear
before the emperor.
The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed. Knowing the prejudice and enmity
against him, they feared that even his safe conduct would not be respected, and they
entreated him not to imperil his life. He replied: "The papists do not desire my
coming to Worms, but my condemnation and my death. It matters not. Pray not for me, but
for the Word of God."
Luther Before the Council
At length Luther stood before the council. The emperor occupied the throne. He was
surrounded by the most illustrious personages in the empire. Never had any man appeared in
the presence of a more imposing assembly than that before which Martin Luther was to
answer for his faith.
The very fact of that appearance was a signal victory for the truth. That a man whom the
pope had condemned should be judged by another tribunal was virtually a denial of the
pontiff's supreme authority. The Reformer, placed under ban, and denounced from human
fellowship by the pope, had been assured protection, and was granted a hearing by the
highest dignitaries of the nation. Rome had commanded him to be silent, but he was about
to speak in the presence of thousands from all parts of Christendom. Calm and peaceful,
yet grandly brave and noble, he stood as God's witness among the great ones of the earth.
Luther made his answer in a subdued and humble tone, without violence or passion. His
demeanor was diffident and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence and joy that
surprised the assembly.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and determined not to be convinced of
the truth, were enraged at the power of Luther's words. As he ceased speaking, the
spokesman of the Diet said angrily, "You have not answered the question put to you. .
. . You are required to give a clear and precise answer. . . . Will you, or will you not,
retract?"
The Reformer answered: "Since your most serene majesty and your high mightinesses
require from me a clear, simple, and precise answer, I will give you one, and it is this:
I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as the
day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am
convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am
persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my
conscience bound by the Word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for
a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help
me. Amen."
Thus stood this righteous man, upon the sure foundation of the Word of God. The light of
Heaven illuminated his countenance. His greatness and purity of character, his peace and
joy of heart, were manifest to all as he testified against the power of error and
witnessed to the superiority of that faith that overcomes the world.
Firm as a rock he stood, while the fiercest billows of worldly power beat harmlessly
against him. The simple energy of his words, his fearless bearing, his calm, speaking eye,
and the unalterable determination expressed in every word and act made a deep impression
upon the assembly. It was evident that he could not be induced, either by promises or
threats, to yield to the mandate of Rome.
Christ had spoken through Luther's testimony with a power and grandeur that for the time
inspired both friends and foes with awe and wonder. The Spirit of God had been present in
that council, impressing the hearts of the chiefs of the empire. Several of the princes
openly acknowledged the justice of Luther's cause. Many were convinced of the truth, but
with some the impressions received were not lasting. There was another class who did not
at the time express their convictions, but who, having searched the Scriptures for
themselves, at a future time declared with great boldness for the Reformation.
The elector Frederick had looked forward with anxiety to Luther's appearance before the
Diet, and with deep emotion he listened to his speech. He rejoiced at the doctor's
courage, firmness, and self-possession, and was proud of being his protector. He
contrasted the parties in contest, and saw that the wisdom of popes, kings, and prelates
had been brought to nought by the power of truth. The Papacy had sustained a defeat which
would be felt among all nations and in all ages.
Had the Reformer yielded a single point, Satan and his hosts would have gained the
victory. But his unwavering firmness was the means of emancipating the church and
beginning a new and better era. The influence of this one man, who dared to think and act
for himself in religious matters, was to affect the church and the world, not only in his
own time, but in all future generations. His firmness and fidelity would strengthen all,
to the close of time, who should pass through a similar experience. The power and majesty
of God stood forth above the counsel of men, above the mighty power of Satan.
I saw that Luther was ardent and zealous, fearless and bold, in reproving sin and
advocating the truth. He cared not for wicked men or devils; he knew that he had One with
him mightier than they all. Luther possessed zeal, courage, and boldness, and at times was
in danger of going to extremes. But God raised up Melancthon, who was just the opposite in
character, to aid Luther in carrying on the work of reformation. Melancthon was timid,
fearful, cautious, and possessed great patience. He was greatly beloved of God. His
knowledge of the Scriptures was great, and his judgment and wisdom excellent. His love for
the cause of God was equal to Luther's. The hearts of these men the Lord knit together;
they were inseparable friends. Luther was a great help to Melancthon when in danger of
being fearful and slow, and Melancthon in turn was a great help to Luther when in danger
of moving too fast.
Melancthon's far-seeing caution often averted trouble which would have come upon the cause
had the work been left alone to Luther; and ofttimes the work would not have been pushed
forward had it been left to Melancthon alone. I was shown the wisdom of God in choosing
these two men to carry on the work of reformation.
England and Scotland Enlightened
While Luther was opening a closed Bible to the people of Germany, Tyndale was impelled by
the Spirit of God to do the same for England. He was a diligent student of the Scriptures,
and fearlessly preached his convictions of truth, urging that all doctrines be brought to
the test of God's Word. His zeal could but excite opposition from the papists. A learned
Catholic doctor who engaged in controversy with him, exclaimed, "It were better for
us to be without God's law than without the pope's." Tyndale replied, "I defy
the pope and all his laws; and if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy who
driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than you do."
The purpose which he had begun to cherish, of giving to the people the New Testament
Scriptures in their own language, was now confirmed, and he immediately applied himself to
the work. All England seemed closed against him, and he resolved to seek shelter in
Germany. Here he began the printing of the English New Testament. Three thousand copies of
the New Testament were soon finished, and another edition followed in the same year.
He finally witnessed for his faith by a martyr's death, but the weapons which he prepared
have enabled other soldiers to do battle through all the centuries even to our time.
In Scotland the gospel found a champion in the person of John Knox. This truehearted
reformer feared not the face of man. The fires of martyrdom, blazing around him, served
only to quicken his zeal to greater intensity. With the tyrant's ax held menacingly over
his head, he stood his ground, striking sturdy blows on the right hand and on the left, to
demolish idolatry. Thus he kept to his purpose, praying and fighting the battles of the
Lord, until Scotland was free.
In England, Latimer maintained from the pulpit that the Bible ought to be read in the
language of the people. The Author of Holy Scripture, said he, "is God Himself;"
and this Scripture partakes of the might and eternity of its Author. "There is no
king, emperor, magistrate, and ruler . . . but are bound to obey . . . His holy
word." "Let us not take any by-walks, but let God's word direct us: let us not
walk after . . . our forefathers, nor seek not what they did, but what they should have
done."
Barnes and Frith, the faithful friends of Tyndale, arose to defend the truth. The Ridleys
and Cranmer followed. These leaders in the English Reformation were men of learning, and
most of them had been highly esteemed for zeal or piety in the Romish communion. Their
opposition to the Papacy was the result of their knowledge of the errors of the Holy See.
Their acquaintance with the mysteries of Babylon gave greater power to their testimonies
against her.
The grand principle maintained by Tyndale, Frith, Latimer, and the Ridleys was the divine
authority and sufficiency of the sacred Scriptures. They rejected the assumed authority of
popes, councils, fathers, and kings to rule the conscience in matters of religious faith.
The Bible was their standard, and to this they brought all doctrines and all claims. Faith
in God and His Word sustained these holy men as they yielded up their lives at the stake.
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