The Great Controversy

John Wycliffe 39

Fathers of the Roman Church, urging their wants went to the monks, who with
the claims of monasticism above the threats demanded the alms of the people,
obligations of filial love and duty, had denouncing the impiety of those who
declared: “Though thy father should lie should withhold gifts from their orders.
before thy door weeping and lament- Notwithstanding their profession of
ing, and thy mother should show the poverty, the wealth of the friars was con-
body that bore thee and the breasts that stantly increasing, and their magnificent
nursed thee, see that thou trample them edifices and luxurious tables made more
underfoot, and go onward straightway to apparent the growing poverty of the
Christ.” By this “monstrous inhumanity,” nation. And while spending their time
as Luther afterward styled it, “savoring in luxury and pleasure, they sent out in
more of the wolf and the tyrant than their stead ignorant men, who could
of the Christian and the man,” were only recount marvelous tales, legends,
the hearts of children steeled against and jests to amuse the people and make
their parents.—Barnas Sears, The Life them still more completely the dupes of
of Luther, pages 70, 69. Thus did the the monks. Yet the friars continued to
papal leaders, like the Pharisees of old, maintain their hold on the superstitious
make the commandment of God of none multitudes and led them to believe that
effect by their tradition. Thus homes all religious duty was comprised in ac-
were made desolate and parents were knowledging the supremacy of the pope,
deprived of the society of their sons adoring the saints, and making gifts to
and daughters. the monks, and that this was sufficient
to secure them a place in heaven.
Even the students in the universities
were deceived by the false representa- Men of learning and piety had la-
tions of the monks and induced to join bored in vain to bring about a reform
their orders. Many afterward repented in these monastic orders; but Wycliffe,
this step, seeing that they had blighted with clearer insight, struck at the root of
their own lives and had brought sorrow the evil, declaring that the system itself
upon their parents; but once fast in the was false and that it should be abolished.
snare it was impossible for them to ob- Discussion and inquiry were awakening.
tain their freedom. Many parents, fear- As the monks traversed the country,
ing the influence of the monks, refused vending the pope’s pardons, many were
to send their sons to the universities. led to doubt the possibility of purchas-
There was a marked falling off in the ing forgiveness with money, and they
number of students in attendance at the questioned whether they should not seek
great centers of learning. The schools pardon from God rather than from the
languished, and ignorance prevailed. pontiff of Rome. (See Appendix note
for page 25.) Not a few were alarmed
The pope had bestowed on these at the rapacity of the friars, whose
monks the power to hear confessions greed seemed never to be satisfied.
and to grant pardon. This became a “The monks and priests of Rome,” said
source of great evil. Bent on enhancing they, “are eating us away like a cancer.
their gains, the friars were so ready to God must deliver us, or the people will
grant absolution that criminals of all perish.”—D’Aubigne, b. 17, ch. 7. To
descriptions resorted to them, and, as a cover their avarice, these begging monks
result, the worst vices rapidly increased. claimed that they were following the
The sick and the poor were left to suffer, Saviour’s example, declaring that Jesus
while the gifts that should have relieved

40 The Great Controversy

and His disciples had been supported by In one of his tracts he said, speak-
the charities of the people. This claim ing of the pope and his collectors:
resulted in injury to their cause, for it led “They draw out of our land poor men’s
many to the Bible to learn the truth for livelihood, and many thousand marks,
themselves—a result which of all others by the year, of the king’s money, for
was least desired by Rome. The minds sacraments and spiritual things, that is
of men were directed to the Source of cursed heresy of simony, and maketh all
truth, which it was her object to conceal. Christendom assent and maintain this
heresy. And certes though our realm
Wycliffe began to write and publish had a huge hill of gold, and never other
tracts against the friars, not, however, man took thereof but only this proud
seeking so much to enter into dispute worldly priest’s collector, by process of
with them as to call the minds of the time this hill must be spended; for he
people to the teachings of the Bible and taketh ever money out of our land, and
its Author. He declared that the power sendeth nought again but God’s curse for
of pardon or of excommunication is his simony.”—John Lewis, History of the
possessed by the pope in no greater Life and Sufferings of J. Wiclif, page 37.
degree than by common priests, and that
no man can be truly excommunicated Soon after his return to England,
unless he has first brought upon himself Wycliffe received from the king the ap-
the condemnation of God. In no more pointment to the rectory of Lutterworth.
effectual way could he have undertaken This was an assurance that the monarch
the overthrow of that mammoth fabric at least had not been displeased by his
of spiritual and temporal dominion plain speaking. Wycliffe’s influence was
which the pope had erected and in felt in shaping the action of the court, as
which the souls and bodies of millions well as in molding the belief of the nation.
were held captive.
The papal thunders were soon
Again Wycliffe was called to defend hurled against him. Three bulls were
the rights of the English crown against dispatched to England,—to the univer-
the encroachments of Rome; and be- sity, to the king, and to the prelates,—all
ing appointed a royal ambassador, he commanding immediate and decisive
spent two years in the Netherlands, measures to silence the teacher of heresy.
in conference with the commissioners (Augustus Neander, General History
of the pope. Here he was brought into of the Christian Religion and Church,
communication with ecclesiastics from period 6, sec. 2, pt. 1, par. 8. See also
France, Italy, and Spain, and he had an Appendix.) Before the arrival of the
opportunity to look behind the scenes bulls, however, the bishops, in their zeal,
and gain a knowledge of many things had summoned Wycliffe before them
which would have remained hidden for trial. But two of the most powerful
from him in England. He learned much princes in the kingdom accompanied
that was to give point to his after labors. him to the tribunal; and the people, sur-
In these representatives from the papal rounding the building and rushing in,
court he read the true character and aims so intimidated the judges that the pro-
of the hierarchy. He returned to England ceedings were for the time suspended,
to repeat his former teachings more and he was allowed to go his way in
openly and with greater zeal, declaring peace. A little later, Edward III, whom
that covetousness, pride, and deception in his old age the prelates were seeking
were the gods of Rome. to influence against the Reformer, died,

John Wycliffe 41

and Wycliffe’s former protector became In a tract which he published, On the
regent of the kingdom. tShche ispmeoopf ltehetoPocpoens,sWidyecrliwffehceathlleerd upon
these
But the arrival of the papal bulls two priests were not speaking the truth
laid upon all England a peremptory in condemning each other as the anti-
command for the arrest and imprison- christ. “God,” said he, “would no longer
ment of the heretic. These measures suffer the fiend to reign in only one such
pointed directly to the stake. It appeared priest, but … made division among two,
certain that Wycliffe must soon fall a so that men, in Christ’s name, may the
prey to the vengeance of Rome. But more easily overcome them both.”—R.
He who declared to one of old, “Fear Vaughan, Life and Opinions of John de
not: … I am thy shield” (Genesis 15:1), Wycliffe, vol. 2, p. 6.
again stretched out His hand to protect Wycliffe, like his Master, preached
His servant. Death came, not to the the gospel to the poor. Not content with
Reformer, but to the pontiff who had spreading the light in their humble
decreed his destruction. Gregory XI homes in his own parish of Lutter-
died, and the ecclesiastics who had as- worth, he determined that it should
sembled for Wycliffe’s trial, dispersed. be carried to every part of England. To
accomplish this he organized a body
God’s providence still further over- of preachers, simple, devout men, who
ruled events to give opportunity for the loved the truth and desired nothing so
growth of the Reformation. The death much as to extend it. These men went
of Gregory was followed by the elec- everywhere, teaching in the market
tion of two rival popes. Two conflict- places, in the streets of the great cities,
ing powers, each professedly infallible, and in the country lanes. They sought
now claimed obedience. (See Appendix out the aged, the sick, and the poor, and
notes for pages 21 and 40.) Each called opened to them the glad tidings of the
upon the faithful to assist him in mak- grace of God.
ing war upon the other, enforcing his As a professor of theology at Oxford,
demands by terrible anathemas against Wycliffe preached the word of God in
his adversaries, and promises of rewards the halls of the university. So faithfully
in heaven to his supporters. This oc- did he present the truth to the students
currence greatly weakened the power under his instruction, that he received
of the papacy. The rival factions had all the title of “the gospel doctor.” But the
they could do to attack each other, and greatest work of his life was to be the
Wycliffe for a time had rest. Anathemas translation of the Scriptures into the
and recriminations were flying from English language. In a wSocrrkip,tuOrne, thhee
pope to pope, and torrents of blood were Truth and Meaning of
poured out to support their conflicting expressed his intention to translate the
claims. Crimes and scandals flooded Bible, so that every man in England
the church. Meanwhile the Reformer, might read, in the language in which he
in the quiet retirement of his parish of was born, the wonderful works of God.
Lutterworth, was laboring diligently to But suddenly his labors were
point men from the contending popes stopped. Though not yet sixty years
to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. of age, unceasing toil, study, and the
assaults of his enemies had told upon
The schism, with all the strife and his strength and made him prematurely
corruption which it caused, prepared the
way for the Reformation by enabling the
people to see what the papacy really was.

42 The Great Controversy

old. He was attacked by a dangerous daunted. In the full vigor of his intellec-
illness. The tidings brought great joy to tual powers, rich in experience, he had
the friars. Now they thought he would been preserved and prepared by God’s
bitterly repent the evil he had done the special providence for this, the greatest
church, and they hurried to his chamber of his labors. While all Christendom
to listen to his confession. Representa- was filled with tumult, the Reformer in
tives from the four religious orders, with his rectory at Lutterworth, unheeding
four civil officers, gathered about the the storm that raged without, applied
supposed dying man. “You have death himself to his chosen task.
on your lips,” they said; “be touched by
your faults, and retract in our presence At last the work was completed—the
all that you have said to our injury.” The first English translation of the Bible ever
Reformer listened in silence; then he made. The word of God was opened to
bade his attendant raise him in his bed, England. The Reformer feared not now
and, gazing steadily upon them as they the prison or the stake. He had placed in
stood waiting for his recantation, he said, the hands of the English people a light
in the firm, strong voice which had so which should never be extinguished.
often caused them to tremble: “I shall In giving the Bible to his countrymen,
not die, but live; and again declare the he had done more to break the fetters
evil deeds of the friars.”—D’Aubigne, b. of ignorance and vice, more to liberate
17, ch. 7. Astonished and abashed, the and elevate his country, than was ever
monks hurried from the room. achieved by the most brilliant victories
on fields of battle.
Wycliffe’s words were fulfilled. He
lived to place in the hands of his country- The art of printing being still un-
men the most powerful of all weapons known, it was only by slow and weari-
against Rome—to give them the Bible, some labor that copies of the Bible could
be multiplied. So great was the interest
He lived to place in the hands to obtain the book, that many willingly
of his countrymen the most engaged in the work of transcribing
powerful of all weapons against it, but it was with difficulty that the
Rome—to give them the Bible, copyists could supply the demand.
the Heaven-appointed agent to Some of the more wealthy purchasers
liberate, enlighten, and evangelize desired the whole Bible. Others bought
the people. only a portion. In many cases, several
the Heaven-appointed agent to liberate, families united to purchase a copy. Thus
enlighten, and evangelize the people. Wycliffe’s Bible soon found its way to the
There were many and great obstacles homes of the people.
to surmount in the accomplishment of
this work. Wycliffe was weighed down The appeal to men’s reason aroused
with infirmities; he knew that only a them from their passive submission to
few years for labor remained for him; papal dogmas. Wycliffe now taught the
he saw the opposition which he must distinctive doctrines of Protestantism—
meet; but, encouraged by the promises salvation through faith in Christ, and the
of God’s word, he went forward nothing sole infallibility of the Scriptures. The
preachers whom he had sent out circulated
the Bible, together with the Reformer’s
writings, and with such success that the
new faith was accepted by nearly one half
of the people of England.

John Wycliffe 43

The appearance of the Scriptures Rome would triumph, and the Reform-
brought dismay to the authorities of er’s work would be stopped. So thought
the church. They had now to meet an the papists. If they could but accomplish
agency more powerful than Wycliffe— their purpose, Wycliffe would be forced
an agency against which their weapons to abjure his doctrines, or would leave
would avail little. There was at this time the court only for the flames.
no law in England prohibiting the Bible,
for it had never before been published But Wycliffe did not retract; he
in the language of the people. Such laws would not dissemble. He fearlessly
were afterward enacted and rigorously maintained his teachings and repelled
enforced. Meanwhile, notwithstanding the accusations of his persecutors. Los-
the efforts of the priests, there was for ing sight of himself, of his position, of
a season opportunity for the circulation the occasion, he summoned his hearers
of the word of God. before the divine tribunal, and weighed
their sophistries and deceptions in the
Again the papal leaders plotted to balances of eternal truth. The power of
silence the Reformer’s voice. Before the Holy Spirit was felt in the council
three tribunals he was successively sum- room. A spell from God was upon the
moned for trial, but without avail. First hearers. They seemed to have no power
a synod of bishops declared his writings to leave the place. As arrows from the
heretical, and, winning the young king, Lord’s quiver, the Reformer’s words
Richard II, to their side, they obtained pierced their hearts. The charge of her-
a royal decree consigning to prison esy, which they had brought against him,
all who should hold the condemned he with convincing power threw back
doctrines. upon themselves. Why, he demanded,
did they dare to spread their errors? For
Wycliffe appealed from the synod to the sake of gain, to make merchandise
Parliament; he fearlessly arraigned the of the grace of God?
hierarchy before the national council
and demanded a reform of the enor- “With whom, think you,” he finally
mous abuses sanctioned by the church. said, “are ye contending? with an old
With convincing power he portrayed man on the brink of the grave? No! with
the usurpation and corruptions of the Truth—Truth which is stronger than
papal see. His enemies were brought to you, and will overcome you.”—Wylie,
confusion. The friends and supporters b. 2, ch. 13. So saying, he withdrew
of Wycliffe had been forced to yield, from the assembly, and not one of his
and it had been confidently expected adversaries attempted to prevent him.
that the Reformer himself, in his old
age, alone and friendless, would bow Wycliffe’s work was almost done; the
to the combined authority of the crown banner of truth which he had so long
and the miter. But instead of this the borne was soon to fall from his hand; but
papists saw themselves defeated. Parlia- once more he was to bear witness for the
ment, roused by the stirring appeals of gospel. The truth was to be proclaimed
Wycliffe, repealed the persecuting edict, from the very stronghold of the kingdom
and the Reformer was again at liberty. of error. Wycliffe was summoned for
trial before the papal tribunal at Rome,
A third time he was brought to trial, which had so often shed the blood of the
and now before the highest ecclesiastical saints. He was not blind to the danger
tribunal in the kingdom. Here no favor that threatened him, yet he would have
would be shown to heresy. Here at last obeyed the summons had not a shock of

44 The Great Controversy

palsy made it impossible for him to per- by death, if necessity so require; and
form the journey. But though his voice if I could labor according to my will
was not to be heard at Rome, he could or desire in mine own person, I would
speak by letter, and this he determined surely present myself before the bishop
to do. From his rectory the Reformer of Rome; but the Lord hath otherwise
wrote to the pope a letter, which, while visited me to the contrary, and hath
respectful in tone and Christian in spirit, taught me rather to obey God than men.”
was a keen rebuke to the pomp and pride
of the papal see. In closing he said: “Let us pray unto
our God, that He will so stir up our Pope
“Verily I do rejoice,” he said, “to open Urban VI, as he began, that he with his
and declare unto every man the faith clergy may follow the Lord Jesus Christ
which I do hold, and especially unto the in life and manners; and that they may
bishop of Rome: which, forasmuch as I teach the people effectually, and that
do suppose to be sound and true, he will they, likewise, may faithfully follow
most willingly confirm my said faith, them in the same.”—John Foxe, Acts and
or if it be erroneous, amend the same. Monuments, vol. 3, pp. 49, 50.

“First, I suppose that the gospel of Thus Wycliffe presented to the pope
Christ is the whole body of God’s law. and his cardinals the meekness and hu-
… I do give and hold the bishop of mility of Christ, exhibiting not only to
Rome, forasmuch as he is the vicar of themselves but to all Christendom the
Christ here on earth, to be most bound, contrast between them and the Master
of all other men, unto that law of the whose representatives they professed
gospel. For the greatness among Christ’s to be.
disciples did not consist in worldly
dignity or honors, but in the near and Wycliffe fully expected that his life
exact following of Christ in His life and would be the price of his fidelity. The
manners. … Christ, for the time of His king, the pope, and the bishops were
pilgrimage here, was a most poor man, united to accomplish his ruin, and it
abjecting and casting off all worldly rule seemed certain that a few months at
and honor. … most would bring him to the stake.
But his courage was unshaken. “Why
“No faithful man ought to follow do you talk of seeking the crown of
either the pope himself or any of the martyrdom afar?” he said. “Preach the
holy men, but in such points as he hath gospel of Christ to haughty prelates,
followed the Lord Jesus Christ; for Peter and martyrdom will not fail you. What!
and the sons of Zebedee, by desiring I should live and be silent? … Never!
worldly honor, contrary to the follow- Let the blow fall, I await its coming.”—
ing of Christ’s steps, did offend, and D’Aubigne, b. 17, ch. 8.
therefore in those errors they are not
to be followed. … But God’s providence still shielded
His servant. The man who for a whole
“The pope ought to leave unto the lifetime had stood boldly in defense of
secular power all temporal dominion the truth, in daily peril of his life, was
and rule, and thereunto effectually to not to fall a victim of the hatred of its
move and exhort his whole clergy; for foes. Wycliffe had never sought to shield
so did Christ, and especially by His himself, but the Lord had been his pro-
apostles. Wherefore, if I have erred in tector; and now, when his enemies felt
any of these points, I will most humbly sure of their prey, God’s hand removed
submit myself unto correction, even him beyond their reach. In his church

John Wycliffe 45

at Lutterworth, as he was about to dis- the people to acknowledge. Instead of
pense the communion, he fell, stricken the church speaking through the pope,
with palsy, and in a short time yielded he declared the only true authority to
up his life. be the voice of God speaking through
His word. And he taught not only that
God had appointed to Wycliffe his the Bible is a perfect revelation of God’s
work. He had put the word of truth in will, but that the Holy Spirit is its only
his mouth, and He set a guard about interpreter, and that every man is, by the
him that this word might come to the study of its teachings, to learn his duty
people. His life was protected, and his for himself. Thus he turned the minds
labors were prolonged, until a founda- of men from the pope and the Church
tion was laid for the great work of the of Rome to the word of God.
Reformation.
Wycliffe was one of the greatest of
Wycliffe came from the obscurity the Reformers. In breadth of intellect,
of the Dark Ages. There were none who in clearness of thought, in firmness to
went before him from whose work he maintain the truth, and in boldness to
could shape his system of reform. Raised defend it, he was equaled by few who
up like John the Baptist to accomplish a came after him. Purity of life, unwea-
special mission, he was the herald of a rying diligence in study and in labor,
new era. Yet in the system of truth which incorruptible integrity, and Christlike
he presented there was a unity and com- love and faithfulness in his ministry,
pleteness which Reformers who followed characterized the first of the Reformers.
him did not exceed, and which some did And this notwithstanding the intellec-
not reach, even a hundred years later. So tual darkness and moral corruption of
broad and deep was laid the foundation, the age from which he emerged.
so firm and true was the framework,
that it needed not to be reconstructed The character of Wycliffe is a tes-
by those who came after him. timony to the educating, transforming
power of the Holy Scriptures. It was
The great movement that Wycliffe the Bible that made him what he was.
inaugurated, which was to liberate the The effort to grasp the great truths of
conscience and the intellect, and set revelation imparts freshness and vigor
free the nations so long bound to the to all the faculties. It expands the mind,
triumphal car of Rome, had its spring sharpens the perceptions, and ripens
in the Bible. Here was the source of the judgment. The study of the Bible
that stream of blessing, which, like the will ennoble every thought, feeling, and
water of life, has flowed down the ages aspiration as no other study can. It gives
since the fourteenth century. Wycliffe stability of purpose, patience, courage,
accepted the Holy Scriptures with and fortitude; it refines the character and
implicit faith as the inspired revelation sanctifies the soul. An earnest, reverent
of God’s will, a sufficient rule of faith study of the Scriptures, bringing the
and practice. He had been educated mind of the student in direct contact
to regard the Church of Rome as the with the infinite mind, would give to the
divine, infallible authority, and to ac- world men of stronger and more active
cept with unquestioning reverence the intellect, as well as of nobler principle,
established teachings and customs of a than has ever resulted from the ablest
thousand years; but he turned away from training that human philosophy affords.
all these to listen to God’s holy word. “The entrance of Thy words,” says the
This was the authority which he urged

46 The Great Controversy

psalmist, “giveth light; it giveth under- Christ. Those who were permitted to
standing.” Psalm 119:130. dwell in their homes gladly sheltered
their banished brethren, and when they
The doctrines which had been too were driven forth they cheerfully ac-
taught by Wycliffe continued for a cepted the lot of the outcast. Thousands,
time to spread; his followers, known it is true, terrified by the fury of their
as Wycliffites and Lollards, not only persecutors, purchased their freedom
traversed England, but scattered to at the sacrifice of their faith, and went
other lands, carrying the knowledge of out of their prisons, clothed in penitents’
the gospel. Now that their leader was robes, to publish their recantation. But
removed, the preachers labored with the number was not small—and among
even greater zeal than before, and multi- them were men of noble birth as well as
tudes flocked to listen to their teachings. the humble and lowly—who bore fear-
Some of the nobility, and even the wife less testimony to the truth in dungeon
of the king, were among the converts. In cells, in “Lollard towers,” and in the
many places there was a marked reform midst of torture and flame, rejoicing that
in the manners of the people, and the they were counted worthy to know “the
idolatrous symbols of Catholicism were fellowship of His sufferings.”
removed from the churches. But soon
the pitiless storm of persecution burst The papists had failed to work their
upon those who had dared to accept will with Wycliffe during his life, and
the Bible as their guide. The English their hatred could not be satisfied while
monarchs, eager to strengthen their his body rested quietly in the grave. By
power by securing the support of Rome, the decree of the Council of Constance,
did not hesitate to sacrifice the Reform- more than forty years after his death
ers. For the first time in the history of his bones were exhumed and publicly
England the stake was decreed against burned, and the ashes were thrown into a
the disciples of the gospel. Martyrdom neighboring brook. “This brook,” says an
succeeded martyrdom. The advocates old writer, “hath conveyed his ashes into
of truth, proscribed and tortured, could Avon, Avon into Severn, Severn into the
only pour their cries into the ear of the narrow seas, they into the main ocean.
Lord of Sabaoth. Hunted as foes of the And thus the ashes of Wycliffe are the
church and traitors to the realm, they emblem of his doctrine, which now is
continued to preach in secret places, dispersed all the world over.”— T. Fuller,
finding shelter as best they could in the Church History of Britain, b. 4, sec. 2,
humble homes of the poor, and often par. 54. Little did his enemies realize
hiding away even in dens and caves. the significance of their malicious act.

Notwithstanding the rage of perse- It was through the writings of
cution, a calm, devout, earnest, patient Wycliffe that John Huss, of Bohemia,
protest against the prevailing corruption was led to renounce many of the errors of
of religious faith continued for centuries Catholicism and to enter upon the work
to be uttered. The Christians of that early of reform. Thus in these two countries,
time had only a partial knowledge of so widely separated, the seed of truth was
the truth, but they had learned to love sown. From Bohemia the work extended
and obey God’s word, and they patiently to other lands. The minds of men were
suffered for its sake. Like the disciples directed to the long-forgotten word of
in apostolic days, many sacrificed their God. A divine hand was preparing the
worldly possessions for the cause of way for the Great Reformation.

CHAPTER 6

Huss and Jerome

T hegospelhadbeenplantedinBo- that all who departed from the Roman
hemia as early as the ninth centu- Catholic worship should be burned. But
ry. The Bible was translated, and while the Christians yielded up their
public worship was conducted, in the lives, they looked forward to the triumph
language of the people. But as the power of their cause. One of those who “taught
of the pope increased, so the word of that salvation was only to be found by
God was obscured. Gregory VII, who faith in the crucified Saviour,” declared
had taken it upon himself to humble when dying: “The rage of the enemies
the pride of kings, was no less intent of the truth now prevails against us, but
upon enslaving the people, and ac- it will not be forever; there shall arise
cordingly a bull was issued forbidding one from among the common people,
public worship to be conducted in the without sword or authority, and against
Bohemian tongue. The pope declared him they shall not be able to prevail.”—
that “it was pleasing to the Omnipotent Ibid., b. 3, ch. 1. Luther’s time was yet
that His worship should be celebrated in far distant; but already one was rising,
an unknown language, and that many whose testimony against Rome would
evils and heresies had arisen from not stir the nations.
observing this rule.”—Wylie, b. 3, ch. 1.
Thus Rome decreed that the light of John Huss was of humble birth, and
God’s word should be extinguished was early left an orphan by the death of
and the people should be shut up in his father. His pious mother, regarding
darkness. But Heaven had provided education and the fear of God as the
other agencies for the preservation of most valuable of possessions, sought to
the church. Many of the Waldenses and secure this heritage for her son. Huss
Albigenses, driven by persecution from studied at the provincial school, and
their homes in France and Italy, came to then repaired to the university at Prague,
Bohemia. Though they dared not teach receiving admission as a charity scholar.
openly, they labored zealously in secret. He was accompanied on the journey to
Thus the true faith was preserved from Prague by his mother; widowed and
century to century. poor, she had no gifts of worldly wealth
to bestow upon her son, but as they drew
Before the days of Huss there near to the great city, she kneeled down
were men in Bohemia who rose up to beside the fatherless youth and invoked
condemn openly the corruption in the for him the blessing of their Father in
church and the profligacy of the people. heaven. Little did that mother realize
Their labors excited widespread interest. how her prayer was to be answered.
The fears of the hierarchy were roused,
and persecution was opened against the At the university, Huss soon dis-
disciples of the gospel. Driven to worship tinguished himself by his untiring
in the forests and the mountains, they application and rapid progress, while
were hunted by soldiers, and many were his blameless life and gentle, winning
put to death. After a time it was decreed deportment gained him universal es-
teem. He was a sincere adherent of the

48 The Great Controversy

Roman Church and an earnest seeker for which he advocated. Already, though
the spiritual blessings which it professes he knew it not, Huss had entered upon
to bestow. On the occasion of a jubilee a path which was to lead him far away
he went to confession, paid the last few from Rome.
coins in his scanty store, and joined in
the processions, that he might share in About this time there arrived in
the absolution promised. After com- Prague two strangers from England,
pleting his college course, he entered men of learning, who had received the
the priesthood, and rapidly attaining light and had come to spread it in this
to eminence, he soon became attached distant land. Beginning with an open
to the court of the king. He was also attack on the pope’s supremacy, they
made professor and afterward rector were soon silenced by the authorities;
of the university where he had received but being unwilling to relinquish their
his education. In a few years the humble purpose, they had recourse to other
charity scholar had become the pride of measures. Being artists as well as preach-
his country, and his name was renowned ers, they proceeded to exercise their skill.
throughout Europe. In a place open to the public they drew
two pictures. One represented the en-
But it was in another field that trance of Christ into Jerusalem, “meek,
Huss began the work of reform. Sev- and sitting upon an ass” (Matthew 21:5),
eral years after taking priest’s orders he and followed by His disciples in travel-
was appointed preacher of the chapel worn garments and with naked feet.
of Bethlehem. The founder of this The other picture portrayed a pontifical
chapel had advocated, as a matter of procession—the pope arrayed in his rich
great importance, the preaching of the robes and triple crown, mounted upon a
Scriptures in the language of the people. horse magnificently adorned, preceded
Notwithstanding Rome’s opposition to by trumpeters and followed by cardinals
this practice, it had not been wholly and prelates in dazzling array.
discontinued in Bohemia. But there was
great ignorance of the Bible, and the Here was a sermon which arrested
worst vices prevailed among the people the attention of all classes. Crowds
of all ranks. These evils Huss unsparingly came to gaze upon the drawings. None
denounced, appealing to the word of could fail to read the moral, and many
God to enforce the principles of truth were deeply impressed by the contrast
and purity which he inculcated. between the meekness and humility of
Christ the Master and the pride and
A citizen of Prague, Jerome, who arrogance of the pope, His professed
afterward became so closely associ- servant. There was great commotion
ated with Huss, had, on returning from in Prague, and the strangers after a
England, brought with him the writings time found it necessary, for their own
of Wycliffe. The queen of England, safety, to depart. But the lesson they had
who had been a convert to Wycliffe’s taught was not forgotten. The pictures
teachings, was a Bohemian princess, made a deep impression on the mind
and through her influence also the Re- of Huss and led him to a closer study
former’s works were widely circulated of the Bible and of Wycliffe’s writings.
in her native country. These works Huss Though he was not prepared, even yet,
read with interest; he believed their au- to accept all the reforms advocated by
thor to be a sincere Christian and was Wycliffe, he saw more clearly the true
inclined to regard with favor the reforms character of the papacy, and with greater

Huss and Jerome 49

zeal denounced the pride, the ambition, imagination, Rome essayed to control
and the corruption of the hierarchy. the consciences of men.

From Bohemia the light extended The city of Prague was filled with
to Germany, for disturbances in the tumult. A large class denounced Huss
University of Prague caused the with- as the cause of all their calamities and
drawal of hundreds of German students. demanded that he be given up to the
Many of them had received from Huss vengeance of Rome. To quiet the storm,
their first knowledge of the Bible, and the Reformer withdrew for a time to his
on their return they spread the gospel native village. Writing to the friends
in their fatherland. whom he had left at Prague, he said:
“If I have withdrawn from the midst
Tidings of the work at Prague of you, it is to follow the precept and
were carried to Rome, and Huss was example of Jesus Christ, in order not to
soon summoned to appear before the give room to the ill-minded to draw on
pope. To obey would be to expose themselves eternal condemnation, and
himself to certain death. The king in order not to be to the pious a cause
and queen of Bohemia, the university, of affliction and persecution. I have
members of the nobility, and officers retired also through an apprehension
of the government united in an appeal that impious priests might continue for
to the pontiff that Huss be permitted a longer time to prohibit the preaching
to remain at Prague and to answer at of the word of God amongst you; but I
Rome by deputy. Instead of granting have not quitted you to deny the divine
this request, the pope proceeded to the truth, for which, with God’s assistance,
trial and con­demnation of Huss, and I am willing to die.”—Bonnechose, The
then declared the city of Prague to be Reformers Before the Reformation, vol. 1,
under interdict. p. 87. Huss did not cease his labors, but
traveled through the surrounding coun-
In that age this sentence, whenever try, preaching to eager crowds. Thus the
pronounced, created widespread alarm. measures to which the pope resorted to
The ceremonies by which it was accom- suppress the gospel were causing it to be
panied were well adapted to strike terror the more widely extended. “We can do
to a people who looked upon the pope nothing against the truth, but for the
as the representative of God Himself, truth.” 2 Corinthians 13:8.
holding the keys of heaven and hell, and
possessing power to invoke temporal “The mind of Huss, at this stage of
as well as spiritual judgments. It was his career, would seem to have been the
believed that the gates of heaven were scene of a painful conflict. Although
closed against the region smitten with the church was seeking to overwhelm
interdict; that until it should please the him by her thunderbolts, he had not
pope to remove the ban, the dead were renounced her authority. The Roman
shut out from the abodes of bliss. In Church was still to him the spouse of
token of this terrible calamity, all the Christ, and the pope was the repre-
services of religion were suspended. sentative and vicar of God. What Huss
The churches were closed. Marriages was warring against was the abuse of
were solemnized in the churchyard. authority, not the principle itself. This
The dead, denied burial in consecrated brought on a terrible conflict between
ground, were interred, without the rites the convictions of his understanding
of sepulture, in the ditches or the fields. and the claims of his conscience. If the
Thus by measures which appealed to the

50 The Great Controversy

authority was just and infallible, as he which constitute real strength of char-
believed it to be, how came it that he acter, Huss was the greater. His calm
felt compelled to disobey it? To obey, judgment served as a restraint upon
he saw, was to sin; but why should the impulsive spirit of Jerome, who,
obedience to an infallible church lead with true humility, perceived his worth,
to such an issue? This was the problem and yielded to his counsels. Under their
he could not solve; this was the doubt united labors the reform was more rap-
that tortured him hour by hour. The idly extended.
nearest approximation to a solution
which he was able to make was that it God permitted great light to shine
had happened again, as once before in upon the minds of these chosen men,
the days of the Saviour, that the priests revealing to them many of the errors of
of the church had become wicked Rome; but they did not receive all the
persons and were using their lawful light that was to be given to the world.
authority for unlawful ends. This led Through these, His servants, God was
him to adopt for his own guidance, and leading the people out of the darkness
to preach to others for theirs, the maxim of Roman Catholicism; but there were
that the precepts of Scripture, conveyed many and great obstacles for them to
through the understanding, are to rule meet, and He led them on, step by step,
the conscience; in other words, that God as they could bear it. They were not
speaking in the Bible, and not the church prepared to receive all the light at once.
speaking through the priesthood, is the Like the full glory of the noontide sun to
one infallible guide.”—Wylie, b. 3, ch. 2. those who have long dwelt in darkness,
it would, if presented, have caused them
When after a time the excitement in
Prague subsided, Huss returned to his God permitted great light to shine
chapel of Bethlehem, to continue with upon the minds of these chosen
greater zeal and courage the preaching men, revealing to them many of
of the word of God. His enemies were the errors of Rome; but they did
active and powerful, but the queen and not receive all the light that was
many of the nobles were his friends, to be given to the world.
and the people in great numbers sided to turn away. Therefore He revealed it to
with him. Comparing his pure and el- the leaders little by little, as it could be
evating teachings and holy life with the received by the people. From century to
degrading dogmas which the Catholic century, other faithful workers were to
leaders preached, and the avarice and follow, to lead the people on still further
debauchery which they practiced, many in the path of reform.
regarded it an honor to be on his side.
The schism in the church still contin-
Hitherto Huss had stood alone in ued. Three popes were now contending
his labors; but now Jerome, who while for the supremacy, and their strife filled
in England had accepted the teachings Christendom with crime and tumult.
of Wycliffe, joined in the work of reform. Not content with hurling anathemas,
The two were hereafter united in their they resorted to temporal weapons. Each
lives, and in death they were not to be cast about him to purchase arms and to
divided. Brilliancy of genius, eloquence obtain soldiers. Of course money must
and learning—gifts that win popular
favor—were possessed in a preeminent
degree by Jerome; but in those qualities

Huss and Jerome 51

be had; and to procure this, the gifts, delegates. Pope John, while ostensibly
offices, and blessings of the church were the convoker of the council, came to it
offered for sale. (See Appendix note for with many misgivings, suspecting the
page 25.) The priests also, imitating their emperor’s secret purpose to depose him,
superiors, resorted to simony and war and fearing to be brought to account
to humble their rivals and strengthen for the vices which had disgraced the
their own power. With daily increasing tiara, as well as for the crimes which
boldness Huss thundered against the had secured it. Yet he made his entry
abominations which were tolerated in into the city of Constance with great
the name of religion; and the people pomp, attended by ecclesiastics of the
openly accused the Roman Catholic highest rank and followed by a train of
leaders as the cause of the miseries that courtiers. All the clergy and dignitar-
overwhelmed Christendom. ies of the city, with an immense crowd
of citizens, went out to welcome him.
Again the city of Prague seemed Above his head was a golden canopy,
on the verge of a bloody conflict. As borne by four of the chief magistrates.
in former ages, God’s servant was The host was carried before him, and the
accused as “he that troubleth Israel.” rich dresses of the cardinals and nobles
1 Kings 18:17. The city was again placed made an imposing display.
under interdict, and Huss withdrew
to his native village. The testimony so Meanwhile another traveler was
faithfully borne from his loved chapel of approaching Constance. Huss was con-
Bethlehem was ended. He was to speak scious of the dangers which threatened
from a wider stage, to all Christendom, him. He parted from his friends as if
before laying down his life as a witness he were never to meet them again, and
for the truth. went on his journey feeling that it was
leading him to the stake. Notwithstand-
To cure the evils that were dis- ing he had obtained a safe-conduct
tracting Europe, a general council was from the king of Bohemia, and received
summoned to meet at Constance. The one also from the emperor Sigismund
council was called at the desire of the while on his journey, he made all his
emperor Sigismund, by one of the three arrangements in view of the probability
rival popes, John XXIII. The demand for of his death.
a council had been far from welcome to
Pope John, whose character and policy In a letter addressed to his friends at
could ill bear investigation, even by Prague he said: “My brethren, … I am
prelates as lax in morals as were the departing with a safe-conduct from the
churchmen of those times. He dared not, king to meet my numerous and mortal
however, oppose the will of Sigismund. enemies. … I confide altogether in the
(See Appendix.) all-powerful God, in my Saviour; I trust
that He will listen to your ardent prayers,
The chief objects to be accomplished that He will infuse His prudence and His
by the council were to heal the schism wisdom into my mouth, in order that I
in the church and to root out heresy. may resist them; and that He will accord
Hence the two antipopes were sum- me His Holy Spirit to fortify me in His
moned to appear before it, as well as the truth, so that I may face with courage,
leading propagator of the new opinions, temptations, prison, and, if necessary,
John Huss. The former, having regard a cruel death. Jesus Christ suffered for
to their own safety, did not attend in His well-beloved; and therefore ought
person, but were represented by their

52 The Great Controversy

we to be astonished that He has left childhood; it is therefore useless for me
us His example, in order that we may to write to thee any further. But I conjure
ourselves endure with patience all things thee, by the mercy of our Lord, not to imi-
for our own salvation? He is God, and tate me in any of the vanities into which
we are His creatures; He is the Lord, thou hast seen me fall.” On the cover of
and we are His servants; He is Master the letter he added: “I conjure thee, my
of the world, and we are contemptible friend, not to break this seal until thou
mortals—yet He suffered! Why, then, shalt have acquired the certitude that I
should we not suffer also, particularly am dead.”—Ibid., vol. 1, pp. 148, 149.
when suffering is for us a purification?
Therefore, beloved, if my death ought On his journey, Huss everywhere
to contribute to His glory, pray that it beheld indications of the spread of his
may come quickly, and that He may doctrines and the favor with which
enable me to support all my calamities his cause was regarded. The people
with constancy. But if it be better that I thronged to meet him, and in some
return amongst you, let us pray to God towns the magistrates attended him
that I may return without stain—that is, through their streets.
that I may not suppress one tittle of the
truth of the gospel, in order to leave my Upon arriving at Constance, Huss
brethren an excellent example to follow. was granted full liberty. To the emperor’s
Probably, therefore, you will nevermore safe-conduct was added a personal as-
behold my face at Prague; but should surance of protection by the pope. But,
the will of the all-powerful God deign in violation of these solemn and repeated
to restore me to you, let us then advance declarations, the Reformer was in a short
with a firmer heart in the knowledge time arrested, by order of the pope and
and the love of His law.”—Bonnechose, cardinals, and thrust into a loathsome
vol. 1, pp. 147, 148. dungeon. Later he was transferred to a
strong castle across the Rhine and there
In another letter, to a priest who had kept a prisoner. The pope, profiting little
become a disciple of the gospel, Huss by his perfidy, was soon after committed
spoke with deep humility of his own to the same prison. Ibid., vol. 1, p. 247.
errors, accusing himself “of having felt He had been proved before the council
pleasure in wearing rich apparel and of to be guilty of the basest crimes, besides
having wasted hours in frivolous occu- murder, simony, and adultery, “sins not
pations.” He then added these touching fit to be named.” So the council itself
admonitions: “May the glory of God and declared, and he was finally deprived
the salvation of souls occupy thy mind, of the tiara and thrown into prison. The
and not the possession of benefices and antipopes also were deposed, and a new
estates. Beware of adorning thy house pontiff was chosen.
more than thy soul; and, above all, give
thy care to the spiritual edifice. Be pious Though the pope himself had been
and humble with the poor, and consume guilty of greater crimes than Huss had
not thy substance in feasting. Shouldst ever charged upon the priests, and for
thou not amend thy life and refrain which he had demanded a reformation,
from superfluities, I fear that thou wilt yet the same council which degraded the
be severely chastened, as I am myself. pontiff proceeded to crush the Reformer.
… Thou knowest my doctrine, for thou The imprisonment of Huss excited
hast received my instructions from thy great indignation in Bohemia. Power-
ful noblemen addressed to the council
earnest protests against this outrage.

Huss and Jerome 53

The emperor, who was loath to permit Returning in his dreams to the chapel
the violation of a safe-conduct, opposed at Prague where he had preached the
the proceedings against him. But the gospel, he saw the pope and his bishops
enemies of the Reformer were malignant effacing the pictures of Christ which he
and determined. They appealed to the had painted on its walls. “This vision
emperor’s prejudices, to his fears, to distressed him: but on the next day he
his zeal for the church. They brought saw many painters occupied in restor-
forward arguments of great length to ing these figures in greater number
prove that “faith ought not to be kept and in brighter colors. As soon as their
with heretics, nor persons suspected of task was ended, the painters, who were
heresy, though they are furnished with surrounded by an immense crowd,
safe-conducts from the emperor and exclaimed, ‘Now let the popes and
kings.”—Jacques Lenfant, History of the bishops come; they shall never efface
Council of Constance, vol. 1, p. 516. Thus them more!’” Said the Reformer, as he
they prevailed. related his dream: “I maintain this for
certain, that the image of Christ will
Enfeebled by illness and imprison- never be effaced. They have wished to
ment,—for the damp, foul air of his destroy it, but it shall be painted afresh
dungeon had brought on a fever which in all hearts by much better preachers
nearly ended his life,—Huss was at last than myself.”—D’Aubigne, b. 1, ch. 6.
brought before the council. Loaded with
chains he stood in the presence of the For the last time, Huss was brought
emperor, whose honor and good faith before the council. It was a vast and
had been pledged to protect him. Dur- brilliant assembly—the emperor, the
ing his long trial he firmly maintained princes of the empire, the royal depu-
the truth, and in the presence of the as- ties, the cardinals, bishops, and priests,
sembled dignitaries of church and state and an immense crowd who had come
he uttered a solemn and faithful protest as spectators of the events of the day.
against the corruptions of the hierarchy. From all parts of Christendom had been
When required to choose whether he gathered the witnesses of this first great
would recant his doctrines or suffer sacrifice in the long struggle by which
death, he accepted the martyr’s fate. liberty of conscience was to be secured.

The grace of God sustained him. Being called upon for his final deci-
During the weeks of suffering that sion, Huss declared his refusal to abjure,
passed before his final sentence, heaven’s and, fixing his penetrating glance upon
peace filled his soul. “I write this letter,” the monarch whose plighted word had
he said to a friend, “in my prison, and been so shamelessly violated, he de-
with my fettered hand, expecting my clared: “I determined, of my own free
sentence of death tomorrow. … When, will, to appear before this council, under
with the assistance of Jesus Christ, we the public protection and faith of the
shall again meet in the delicious peace emperor here present.”—Bonnechose,
of the future life, you will learn how vol. 2, p. 84. A deep flush crimsoned the
merciful God has shown Himself toward face of Sigismund as the eyes of all in the
me, how effectually He has supported assembly turned upon him.
me in the midst of my temptations and
trials.”—Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 67. Sentence having been pronounced,
the ceremony of degradation began.
In the gloom of his dungeon he The bishops clothed their prisoner in
foresaw the triumph of the true faith. the sacerdotal habit, and as he took the

54 The Great Controversy

priestly robe, he said: “Our Lord Jesus was ready for the fire to be lighted, the
Christ was covered with a white robe, martyr was once more exhorted to save
by way of insult, when Herod had Him himself by renouncing his errors. “What
conducted before Pilate.”— Ibid., vol. 2, errors,” said Huss, “shall I renounce? I
p. 86. Being again exhorted to retract, know myself guilty of none. I call God
he replied, turning toward the people: to witness that all that I have written and
“With what face, then, should I behold preached has been with the view of res-
the heavens? How should I look on cuing souls from sin and perdition; and,
those multitudes of men to whom I therefore, most joyfully will I confirm
have preached the pure gospel? No; I with my blood that truth which I have
esteem their salvation more than this written and preached.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7.
poor body, now appointed unto death.” When the flames kindled about him, he
The vestments were removed one by began to sing, “Jesus, Thou Son of David,
have mercy on me,” and so continued till
Huss was no more, but the truths for his voice was silenced forever.
which he died could never perish. …
The enemies of truth, though they Even his enemies were struck with
knew it not, had been furthering his heroic bearing. A zealous papist,
the cause which they vainly sought describing the martyrdom of Huss, and
to destroy. of Jerome, who died soon after, said:
one, each bishop pronouncing a curse as “Both bore themselves with constant
he performed his part of the ceremony. mind when their last hour approached.
Finally “they put on his head a cap or They prepared for the fire as if they were
pyramidal-shaped miter of paper, on going to a marriage feast. They uttered
which were painted frightful figures of no cry of pain. When the flames rose,
demons, with the word ‘Archheretic’ they began to sing hymns; and scarce
conspicuous in front. ‘Most joyfully,’ said could the vehemency of the fire stop
Huss, ‘will I wear this crown of shame their singing.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7.
for Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me didst
wear a crown of thorns.’” When the body of Huss had been
wholly consumed, his ashes, with the
When he was thus arrayed, “the soil upon which they rested, were gath-
prelates said, ‘Now we devote thy soul to ered up and cast into the Rhine, and
the devil.’ ‘And I,’ said John Huss, lifting thus borne onward to the ocean. His
up his eyes toward heaven, ‘do commit persecutors vainly imagined that they
my spirit into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus, had rooted out the truths he preached.
for Thou hast redeemed me.’”—Wylie, Little did they dream that the ashes that
b. 3, ch. 7. day borne away to the sea were to be as
seed scattered in all the countries of the
He was now delivered up to the earth; that in lands yet unknown it would
secular authorities and led away to the yield abundant fruit in witnesses for the
place of execution. An immense proces- truth. The voice which had spoken in the
sion followed, hundreds of men at arms, council hall of Constance had wakened
priests and bishops in their costly robes, echoes that would be heard through all
and the inhabitants of Constance. When coming ages. Huss was no more, but the
he had been fastened to the stake, and all truths for which he died could never per-
ish. His example of faith and constancy
would encourage multitudes to stand
firm for the truth, in the face of torture

Huss and Jerome 55

and death. His execution had exhibited his life, and his enemies, fearing that he
to the whole world the perfidious cruelty might escape them, treated him with less
of Rome. The enemies of truth, though severity, though he remained in prison
they knew it not, had been furthering for one year.
the cause which they vainly sought
to destroy. The death of Huss had not resulted
as the papists had hoped. The violation
Yet another stake was to be set up of his safe-conduct had roused a storm
at Constance. The blood of another wit- of indignation, and as the safer course,
ness must testify for the truth. Jerome, the council determined, instead of burn-
upon bidding farewell to Huss on his ing Jerome, to force him, if possible,
departure for the council, had exhorted to retract. He was brought before the
him to courage and firmness, declaring assembly, and offered the alternative
that if he should fall into any peril, he to recant, or to die at the stake. Death
himself would fly to his assistance. Upon at the beginning of his imprisonment
hearing of the Reformer’s imprison- would have been a mercy in compari-
ment, the faithful disciple immediately son with the terrible sufferings which
prepared to fulfill his promise. Without he had undergone; but now, weakened
a safe-conduct he set out, with a single by illness, by the rigors of his prison
companion, for Constance. On arriv- house, and the torture of anxiety and
ing there he was convinced that he had suspense, separated from his friends,
only exposed himself to peril, without and disheartened by the death of Huss,
the possibility of doing anything for the Jerome’s fortitude gave way, and he
deliverance of Huss. He fled from the consented to submit to the council. He
city, but was arrested on the homeward pledged himself to adhere to the Roman
journey and brought back loaded with Catholic faith, and accepted the action
fetters and under the custody of a band of the council in condemning the doc-
of soldiers. At his first appearance before trines of Wycliffe and Huss, excepting,
the council his attempts to reply to the however, the “holy truths” which they
accusations brought against him were had taught.—Ibid, vol. 2, p. 141.
met with shouts, “To the flames with
him! to the flames!”—Bonnechose, By this expedient Jerome endeav-
vol. 1, p. 234. He was thrown into a ored to silence the voice of conscience
dungeon, chained in a position which and escape his doom. But in the solitude
caused him great suffering, and fed on of his dungeon he saw more clearly what
bread and water. After some months the he had done. He thought of the courage
cruelties of his imprisonment brought and fidelity of Huss, and in contrast
upon Jerome an illness that threatened pondered upon his own denial of the
truth. He thought of the divine Master

When the body of Huss had been wholly consumed, his ashes, with the soil
upon which they rested, were gathered up and cast into the Rhine, and thus
borne onward to the ocean. His persecutors vainly imagined that they had
rooted out the truths he preached. Little did they dream that the ashes that
day borne away to the sea were to be as seed scattered in all the countries of
the earth; that in lands yet unknown it would yield abundant fruit in witnesses
for the truth.

56 The Great Controversy

whom he had pledged himself to serve, the lights of the world, take care not to
and who for his sake endured the death sin against justice. As to me, I am only
of the cross. Before his retraction he had a feeble mortal; my life is but of little
found comfort, amid all his sufferings, importance; and when I exhort you not
in the assurance of God’s favor; but now to deliver an unjust sentence, I speak less
remorse and doubts tortured his soul. He for myself than for you.”—Ibid., vol. 2,
knew that still other retractions must be pp. 146, 147.
made before he could be at peace with
Rome. The path upon which he was His request was finally granted.
entering could end only in complete In the presence of his judges, Jerome
apostasy. His resolution was taken: To kneeled down and prayed that the divine
escape a brief period of suffering he Spirit might control his thoughts and
would not deny his Lord. words, that he might speak nothing
contrary to the truth or unworthy of his
Only by an unreserved surrender of Master. To him that day was fulfilled the
the truth could Jerome preserve his promise of God to the first disciples: “Ye
life. But he had determined to avow shall be brought before governors and
his faith and follow his brother kings for My sake. … But when they
martyr to the flames. deliver you up, take no thought how or
what ye shall speak: for it shall be given
Soon he was again brought before you in that same hour what ye shall
the council. His submission had not speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the
satisfied his judges. Their thirst for Spirit of your Father which speaketh in
blood, whetted by the death of Huss, you.” Matthew 10:18-20.
clamored for fresh victims. Only by
an unreserved surrender of the truth The words of Jerome excited as-
could Jerome preserve his life. But he tonishment and admiration, even in
had determined to avow his faith and his enemies. For a whole year he had
follow his brother martyr to the flames. been immured in a dungeon, unable
to read or even to see, in great physi-
He renounced his former recanta- cal suffering and mental anxiety. Yet
tion and, as a dying man, solemnly his arguments were presented with as
required an opportunity to make his much clearness and power as if he had
defense. Fearing the effect of his words, had undisturbed opportunity for study.
the prelates insisted that he should He pointed his hearers to the long line
merely affirm or deny the truth of the of holy men who had been condemned
charges brought against him. Jerome by unjust judges. In almost every genera-
protested against such cruelty and in- tion have been those who, while seek-
justice. “You have held me shut up three ing to elevate the people of their time,
hundred and forty days in a frightful have been reproached and cast out, but
prison,” he said, “in the midst of filth, who in later times have been shown to
noisomeness, stench, and the utmost be deserving of honor. Christ Himself
want of everything; you then bring me was condemned as a malefactor at an
out before you, and lending an ear to unrighteous tribunal.
my mortal enemies, you refuse to hear
me. … If you be really wise men, and At his retraction, Jerome had as-
sented to the justice of the sentence
condemning Huss; he now declared his
repentance and bore witness to the inno-
cence and holiness of the martyr. “I knew

Huss and Jerome 57

him from his childhood,” he said. “He more horrible than death itself. You have
was a most excellent man, just and holy; treated me more cruelly than a Turk, Jew,
he was condemned, notwithstanding his or pagan, and my flesh has literally rotted
innocence. … I also—I am ready to die: off my bones alive; and yet I make no
I will not recoil before the torments that complaint, for lamentation ill becomes a
are prepared for me by my enemies and man of heart and spirit; but I cannot but
false witnesses, who will one day have to express my astonishment at such great
render an account of their impostures barbarity toward a Christian.”— Ibid.,
before the great God, whom nothing can vol. 2, pp. 151-153.
deceive.”—Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 151.
Again the storm of rage burst out,
In self-reproach for his own denial and Jerome was hurried away to prison.
of the truth, Jerome continued: “Of all Yet there were some in the assembly
the sins that I have committed since upon whom his words had made a deep
my youth, none weigh so heavily on impression and who desired to save his
my mind, and cause me such poignant life. He was visited by dignitaries of the
remorse, as that which I committed in church and urged to submit himself to
this fatal place, when I approved of the the council. The most brilliant prospects
iniquitous sentence rendered against were presented before him as the reward
Wycliffe, and against the holy martyr, of renouncing his opposition to Rome.
John Huss, my master and my friend. But like his Master when offered the glory
Yes! I confess it from my heart, and of the world, Jerome remained steadfast.
declare with horror that I disgracefully
quailed when, through a dread of death, “Prove to me from the Holy Writ-
I condemned their doctrines. I therefore ings that I am in error,” he said, “and I
supplicate … Almighty God to deign will abjure it.”
to pardon me my sins, and this one
in particular, the most heinous of all.” “The Holy Writings!” exclaimed one
Pointing to his judges, he said firmly: of his tempters, “is everything then to be
“You condemned Wycliffe and John judged by them? Who can understand
Huss, not for having shaken the doctrine them till the church has interpreted
of the church, but simply because they them?”
branded with reprobation the scandals
proceeding from the clergy—their “Are the traditions of men more
pomp, their pride, and all the vices of worthy of faith than the gospel of our
the prelates and priests. The things Saviour?” replied Jerome. “Paul did not
which they have affirmed, and which exhort those to whom he wrote to listen
are irrefutable, I also think and declare, to the traditions of men, but said, ‘Search
like them.” the Scriptures.’”

His words were interrupted. The “Heretic!” was the response, “I
prelates, trembling with rage, cried out: repent having pleaded so long with
“What need is there of further proof? you. I see that you are urged on by the
We behold with our own eyes the most devil.”— Wylie, b. 3, ch. 10.
obstinate of heretics!”
Erelong sentence of condemnation
Unmoved by the tempest, Jerome was passed upon him. He was led out
exclaimed: “What! do you suppose to the same spot upon which Huss had
that I fear to die? You have held me for yielded up his life. He went singing on
a whole year in a frightful dungeon, his way, his countenance lighted up
with joy and peace. His gaze was fixed
upon Christ, and to him death had lost
its terrors. When the executioner, about

58 The Great Controversy

to kindle the pile, stepped behind him, attention than ever before. By the papal
the martyr exclaimed: “Come forward edicts the writings of Wycliffe had been
boldly; apply the fire before my face. condemned to the flames. But those
Had I been afraid, I should not be here.” that had escaped destruction were now
brought out from their hiding places and
His last words, uttered as the flames studied in connection with the Bible,
rose about him, were a prayer. “Lord, or such parts of it as the people could
Almighty Father,” he cried, “have pity on obtain, and many were thus led to accept
me, and pardon me my sins; for Thou the reformed faith.

So perished God’s faithful light The murderers of Huss did not stand
bearers. But the light of the truths quietly by and witness the triumph of
which they proclaimed—the light his cause. The pope and the emperor
of their heroic example—could not united to crush out the movement, and
be extin­guished. As well might men the armies of Sigismund were hurled
attempt to turn back the sun in its upon Bohemia.
course as to prevent the dawning
of that day which was even then But a deliverer was raised up. Ziska,
breaking upon the world. who soon after the opening of the war
knowest that I have always loved Thy became totally blind, yet who was one
truth.”—Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 168. His of the ablest generals of his age, was the
voice ceased, but his lips continued to leader of the Bohemians. Trusting in the
move in prayer. When the fire had done help of God and the righteousness of
its work, the ashes of the martyr, with their cause, that people withstood the
the earth upon which they rested, were mightiest armies that could be brought
gathered up, and like those of Huss, were against them. Again and again the
thrown into the Rhine. emperor, raising fresh armies, invaded
Bohemia, only to be ignominiously re-
So perished God’s faithful light bear- pulsed. The Hussites were raised above
ers. But the light of the truths which they the fear of death, and nothing could
proclaimed—the light of their heroic stand against them. A few years after the
example—could not be exting­uished. opening of the war, the brave Ziska died;
As well might men attempt to turn back but his place was filled by Procopius,
the sun in its course as to prevent the who was an equally brave and skillful
dawning of that day which was even general, and in some respects a more
then breaking upon the world. able leader.

The execution of Huss had kindled The enemies of the Bohemians,
a flame of indignation and horror in knowing that the blind warrior was
Bohemia. It was felt by the whole na- dead, deemed the opportunity favorable
tion that he had fallen a prey to the for recovering all that they had lost. The
malice of the priests and the treachery pope now proclaimed a crusade against
of the emperor. He was declared to have the Hussites, and again an immense
been a faithful teacher of the truth, force was precipitated upon Bohemia,
and the council that decreed his death but only to suffer terrible defeat. An-
was charged with the guilt of murder. other crusade was proclaimed. In all
His doctrines now attracted greater the papal countries of Europe, men,
money, and munitions of war were
raised. Multitudes flocked to the papal
standard, assured that at last an end

Huss and Jerome 59

would be made of the Hussite heretics. the crusaders. Princes, generals, and
Confident of victory, the vast force common soldiers, casting away their
entered Bohemia. The people rallied to armor, fled in all directions. In vain the
repel them. The two armies approached papal legate, who was the leader of the
each other until only a river lay between invasion, endeavored to rally his terri-
them. “The crusaders were in greatly fied and disorganized forces. Despite his
superior force, but instead of dashing utmost endeavors, he himself was swept
across the stream, and closing in battle along in the tide of fugitives. The rout
with the Hussites whom they had come was complete, and again an immense
so far to meet, they stood gazing in booty fell into the hands of the victors.
silence at those warriors.”—Wylie, b.
3, ch. 17. Then suddenly a mysterious Thus the second time a vast army,
terror fell upon the host. Without strik- sent forth by the most powerful nations
ing a blow, that mighty force broke and of Europe, a host of brave, warlike men,
scattered as if dispelled by an unseen trained and equipped for battle, fled
power. Great numbers were slaughtered without a blow before the defenders of
by the Hussite army, which pursued the a small and hitherto feeble nation. Here
fugitives, and an immense booty fell into was a manifestation of divine power. The
the hands of the victors, so that the war, invaders were smitten with a supernatu-
instead of impoverishing, enriched the ral terror. He who overthrew the hosts of
Bohemians. Pharaoh in the Red Sea, who put to flight
the armies of Midian before Gideon and
A few years later, under a new pope, his three hundred, who in one night laid
still another crusade was set on foot. low the forces of the proud Assyrian, had
As before, men and means were drawn again stretched out His hand to wither
from all the papal countries of Europe. the power of the oppressor. “There were
Great were the inducements held out to they in great fear, where no fear was: for
those who should engage in this perilous God hath scattered the bones of him
enterprise. Full forgiveness of the most that encampeth against thee: thou hast
heinous crimes was ensured to every put them to shame, because God hath
crusader. All who died in the war were despised them.” Psalm 53:5.
promised a rich reward in heaven, and
those who survived were to reap honor The papal leaders, despairing of
and riches on the field of battle. Again conquering by force, at last resorted to
a vast army was collected, and, crossing diplomacy. A compromise was entered
the frontier they entered Bohemia. The into, that while professing to grant to
Hussite forces fell back before them, thus the Bohemians freedom of conscience,
drawing the invaders farther and farther really betrayed them into the power of
into the country, and leading them to Rome. The Bohemians had specified
count the victory already won. At last four points as the condition of peace
the army of Procopius made a stand, with Rome: the free preaching of the
and turning upon the foe, advanced to Bible; the right of the whole church
give them battle. The crusaders, now to both the bread and the wine in the
discovering their mistake, lay in their communion, and the use of the mother
encampment awaiting the onset. As tongue in divine worship; the exclusion
the sound of the approaching force of the clergy from all secular offices and
was heard, even before the Hussites authority; and, in cases of crime, the ju-
were in sight, a panic again fell upon risdiction of the civil courts over clergy
and laity alike. The papal authorities at

60 The Great Controversy

last “agreed that the four articles of the them maledictions from all classes. Yet
Hussites should be accepted, but that the their firmness was unshaken. Forced to
right of explaining them, that is, of de- find refuge in the woods and caves, they
termining their precise import, should still assembled to read God’s word and
belong to the council—in other words, unite in His worship.
to the pope and the emperor.”—Wylie,
b. 3, ch. 18. On this basis a treaty was Through messengers secretly sent
entered into, and Rome gained by dis- out into different countries, they learned
simulation and fraud what she had failed that here and there were “isolated con-
to gain by conflict; for, placing her own fessors of the truth, a few in this city and
interpretation upon the Hussite articles, a few in that, the object, like themselves,
as upon the Bible, she could pervert of persecution; and that amid the moun-
their meaning to suit her own purposes. tains of the Alps was an ancient church,
resting on the foundations of Scripture,
A large class in Bohemia, seeing and protesting against the idolatrous
that it betrayed their liberties, could corruptions of Rome.”—Wylie, b. 3, ch.
not consent to the compact. Dissensions 19. This intelligence was received with
and divisions arose, leading to strife and great joy, and a correspondence was
bloodshed among themselves. In this opened with the Waldensian Christians.
strife the noble Procopius fell, and the
liberties of Bohemia perished. Steadfast to the gospel, the Bohe-
mians waited through the night of their
Sigismund, the betrayer of Huss and persecution, in the darkest hour still
Jerome, now became king of Bohemia, turning their eyes toward the horizon
and regardless of his oath to support the like men who watch for the morning.
rights of the Bohemians, he proceeded “Their lot was cast in evil days, but …
to establish popery. But he had gained they remembered the words first ut-
little by his subservience to Rome. For tered by Huss, and repeated by Jerome,
twenty years his life had been filled with that a century must revolve before the
labors and perils. His armies had been day should break. These were to the
wasted and his treasuries drained by a Taborites [Hussites] what the words of
long and fruitless struggle; and now, Joseph were to the tribes in the house of
after reigning one year, he died, leaving bondage: ‘I die, and God will surely visit
his kingdom on the brink of civil war, you, and bring you out.’”— Ibid., b. 3, ch.
and bequeathing to posterity a name 19. “The closing period of the fifteenth
branded with infamy. century witnessed the slow but sure
increase of the churches of the Brethren.
Tumults, strife, and bloodshed were Although far from being unmolested,
protracted. Again foreign armies in- they yet enjoyed comparative rest. At the
vaded Bohemia, and internal dissension commencement of the sixteenth century
continued to distract the nation. Those their churches numbered two hundred
who remained faithful to the gospel in Bohemia and Moravia.”—Ezra Hall
were subjected to a bloody persecution. Gillett, Life and Times of John Huss, vol.
2, p. 570. “So goodly was the remnant
As their former brethren, entering which, escaping the destructive fury of
into compact with Rome, imbibed her fire and sword, was permitted to see the
errors, those who adhered to the an- dawning of that day which Huss had
cient faith had formed themselves into foretold.”—Wylie, b. 3, ch. 19.
a distinct church, taking the name of
“United Brethren.” This act drew upon

CHAPTER 7

Luther’s Separation from Rome

F oremost among those who were they might. His sterling good sense led
called to lead the church from the him to regard the monastic system with
darkness of popery into the light distrust. He was highly displeased when
of a purer faith, stood Martin Luther. Luther, without his consent, entered a
Zealous, ardent, and devoted, know- monastery; and it was two years before
ing no fear but the fear of God, and the father was reconciled to his son,
acknowledging no foundation for and even then his opinions remained
religious faith but the Holy Scriptures, the same.
Luther was the man for his time; through
him God accomplished a great work for Luther’s parents bestowed great care
the reformation of the church and the upon the education and training of their
enlightenment of the world. children. They endeavored to instruct
them in the knowledge of God and the
Like the first heralds of the gos- practice of Christian virtues. The father’s
pel, Luther sprang from the ranks of prayer often ascended in the hearing of
poverty. His early years were spent in his son that the child might remember
the humble home of a German peas- the name of the Lord and one day aid in
ant. By daily toil as a miner his father the advancement of His truth. Every ad-
vantage for moral or intellectual culture
Zealous, ardent, and devoted, which their life of toil permitted them
knowing no fear but the fear of God, to enjoy was eagerly improved by these
and acknowledging no foundation parents. Their efforts were earnest and
for religious faith but the Holy persevering to prepare their children for
Scriptures, Luther was the man a life of piety and usefulness. With their
for his time. firmness and strength of character they
earned the means for his education. sometimes exercised too great severity;
He intended him for a lawyer; but but the Reformer himself, though con-
God purposed to make him a builder scious that in some respects they had
in the great temple that was rising so erred, found in their discipline more to
slowly through the centuries. Hardship, approve than to condemn.
privation, and severe discipline were
the school in which Infinite Wisdom At school, where he was sent at
prepared Luther for the important an early age, Luther was treated with
mission of his life. harshness and even violence. So great
was the poverty of his parents that upon
Luther’s father was a man of strong going from home to school in another
and active mind and great force of town he was for a time obliged to obtain
character, honest, resolute, and straight- his food by singing from door to door,
forward. He was true to his convictions and he often suffered from hunger. The
of duty, let the consequences be what gloomy, superstitious ideas of religion
then prevailing filled him with fear. He
would lie down at night with a sorrowful
heart, looking forward with trembling to

62 The Great Controversy

the dark future and in constant terror at while his heart was continually breath-
the thought of God as a stern, unrelent- ing a petition for guidance and support.
ing judge, a cruel tyrant, rather than a “To pray well,” he often said, “is the better
kind heavenly Father. half of study.”—D’Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 2.
While one day examining the books
Yet under so many and so great in the library of the university, Luther
discouragements Luther pressed reso- discovered a Latin Bible. Such a book
lutely forward toward the high standard he had never before seen. He was igno-
of moral and intellectual excellence rant even of its existence. He had heard
which attracted his soul. He thirsted for portions of the Gospels and Epistles,
knowledge, and the earnest and practical which were read to the people at public
character of his mind led him to desire worship, and he supposed that these
the solid and useful rather than the were the entire Bible. Now, for the first
showy and superficial. time, he looked upon the whole of God’s
word. With mingled awe and wonder he
When, at the age of eighteen, he turned the sacred pages; with quickened
entered the University of Erfurt, his pulse and throbbing heart he read for
situation was more favorable and his himself the words of life, pausing now
prospects were brighter than in his and then to exclaim: “O that God would
earlier years. His parents having by give me s2u. cAhnagbeolsookffhoeramveynsewlfe!”r—e bIybihdi.s,
thrift and industry acquired a compe- b. 2, ch.
tence, they were able to render him all side, and rays of light from the throne
needed assistance. And the influence of God revealed the treasures of truth to
of judicious friends had somewhat his understanding. He had ever feared to
lessened the gloomy effects of his offend God, but now the deep conviction
former training. He applied himself to of his condition as a sinner took hold
the study of the best authors, diligently upon him as never before.
treasuring their most weighty thoughts An earnest desire to be free from sin
and making the wisdom of the wise his and to find peace with God led him at
own. Even under the harsh discipline last to enter a cloister and devote himself
of his former instructors he had early to a monastic life. Here he was required
given promise of distinction, and with to perform the lowest drudgery and to
favorable influences his mind rapidly beg from house to house. He was at an
developed. A retentive memory, a lively age when respect and appreciation are
imagination, strong reasoning powers, most eagerly craved, and these menial
and untiring application soon placed offices were deeply mortifying to his
him in the foremost rank among his natural feelings; but he patiently en-
associates. Intellectual discipline rip- dured this humiliation, believing that it
ened his understanding and aroused was necessary because of his sins.
an activity of mind and a keenness of Every moment that could be spared
perception that were preparing him for from his daily duties he employed in
the conflicts of his life. study, robbing himself of sleep and
grudging even the time spent at his
The fear of the Lord dwelt in the scanty meals. Above everything else he
heart of Luther, enabling him to main- delighted in the study of God’s word. He
tain his steadfastness of purpose and had found a Bible chained to the con-
leading him to deep humility before vent wall, and to this he often repaired.
God. He had an abiding sense of his
dependence upon divine aid, and he did
not fail to begin each day with prayer,

Luther’s Separation From Rome 63

As his convictions of sin deepened, he Luther was ordained a priest and
sought by his own works to obtain par- was called from the cloister to a profes-
don and peace. He led a most rigorous sorship in the University of Wittenberg.
life, endeavoring by fasting, vigils, and Here he applied himself to the study of
scourgings to subdue the evils of his the Scriptures in the original tongues.
nature, from which the monastic life He began to lecture upon the Bible; and
had brought no release. He shrank from the book of Psalms, the Gospels, and the
no sacrifice by which he might attain to Epistles were opened to the understand-
that purity of heart which would enable ing of crowds of delighted listeners.
him to stand approved before God. “I Staupitz, his friend and superior, urged
was indeed a pious monk,” he afterward him to ascend the pulpit and preach the
said, “and followed the rules of my or- word of God. Luther hesitated, feeling
der more strictly than I can express. If himself unworthy to speak to the people
ever monk could obtain heaven by his in Christ’s stead. It was only after a
monkish works, I should certainly have long struggle that he yielded to the so-
been entitled to it. … If it had continued licitations of his friends. Already he was
much longer, I should have carried my mighty in the Scriptures, and the grace
mortifications even to death.”—Ibid., of God rested upon him. His eloquence
b. 2, ch. 3. As the result of this painful captivated his hearers, the clearness and
discipline he lost strength and suffered power with which he presented the truth
from fainting spasms, from the effects convinced their understanding, and his
of which he never fully recovered. But fervor touched their hearts.
with all his efforts his burdened soul
found no relief. He was at last driven to Luther was still a true son of the
the verge of despair. papal church and had no thought that
he would ever be anything else. In the
When it appeared to Luther that providence of God he was led to visit
all was lost, God raised up a friend Rome. He pursued his journey on foot,
and helper for him. The pious Staupitz lodging at the monasteries on the way.
opened the word of God to Luther’s At a convent in Italy he was filled with
mind and bade him look away from wonder at the wealth, magnificence, and
himself, cease the contemplation of luxury that he witnessed. Endowed with
infinite punishment for the violation a princely revenue, the monks dwelt in
of God’s law, and look to Jesus, his sin- splendid apartments, attired themselves
pardoning Saviour. “Instead of torturing in the richest and most costly robes, and
yourself on account of your sins, throw feasted at a sumptuous table. With pain-
yourself into the Redeemer’s arms. Trust ful misgivings Luther contrasted this
in Him, in the righteousness of His life, scene with the self-denial and hardship
in the atonement of His death. … Listen of his own life. His mind was becoming
to the Son of God. He became man to perplexed.
give you the assurance of divine favor.”
b“L. 2o,vcehH. 4im. Twhuhsosfpirosktelotvheisdmyoeuss.”e—ngIebrido.f, At last he beheld in the distance
mercy. His words made a deep impres- the seven-hilled city. With deep emo-
sion upon Luther’s mind. After many a tion he prostrated himself upon the
struggle with long-cherished errors, he earth, exclaiming: “Holy Rome, I salute
was enabled to grasp the truth, and peace thee!”—Ibid., b. 2, ch. 6. He entered
came to his troubled soul. the city, visited the churches, listened
to the marvelous tales repeated by
priests and monks, and performed all

64 The Great Controversy

the ceremonies required. Everywhere and were never again to be closed, to the
he looked upon scenes that filled him delusions of the papacy. When he turned
with astonishment and horror. He saw his face from Rome he had turned away
that iniquity existed among all classes also in heart, and from that time the
of the clergy. He heard indecent jokes separation grew wider, until he severed
from prelates, and was filled with hor- all connection with the papal church.
ror at their awful profanity, even during
mass. As he mingled with the monks and After his return from Rome, Luther
citizens he met dissipation, debauchery. received at the University of Wittenberg
Turn where he would, in the place of the degree of doctor of divinity. Now he
sanctity he found profanation. “No was at liberty to devote himself, as never
one can imagine,” he wrote, “what sins before, to the Scriptures that he loved. He
and infamous actions are committed in had taken a solemn vow to study care-
Rome; they must be seen and heard to fully and to preach with fidelity the word
be believed. Thus they are in the habit of God, not the sayings and doctrines of
of saying, ‘If there is a hell, Rome is built the popes, all the days of his life. He was
over it: it is an abyss whence issues every no longer the mere monk or professor,
kind of sin.’”—Ibid., b. 2, ch. 6. but the authorized herald of the Bible. He
had been called as a shepherd to feed the
But light and darkness cannot flock of God, that were hungering and
harmonize. Between truth and thirsting for the truth. He firmly declared
error there is an irrepressible that Christians should receive no other
conflict. To uphold and defend the doctrines than those which rest on the
one is to attack and overthrow authority of the Sacred Scriptures. These
the other. words struck at the very foundation of
papal supremacy. They contained the
By a recent decretal an indulgence vital principle of the Reformation.
had been promised by the pope to all
who should ascend upon their knees Luther saw the danger of exalting
“Pilate’s staircase,” said to have been human theories above the word of God.
descended by our Saviour on leaving the He fearlessly attacked the speculative
Roman judgment hall and to have been infidelity of the schoolmen and opposed
miraculously conveyed from Jerusalem the philosophy and theology which had
to Rome. Luther was one day devoutly so long held a controlling influence upon
climbing these steps, when suddenly a the people. He denounced such studies
voice like thunder seemed to say to him: as not only worthless but pernicious, and
“The just shall live by faith.” Romans sought to turn the minds of his hearers
1:17. He sprang to his feet and hastened from the sophistries of philosophers and
from the place in shame and horror. theologians to the eternal truths set forth
That text never lost its power upon his by prophets and apostles.
soul. From that time he saw more clearly
than ever before the fallacy of trusting Precious was the message which he
to human works for salvation, and the bore to the eager crowds that hung upon
necessity of constant faith in the merits his words. Never before had such teach-
of Christ. His eyes had been opened, ings fallen upon their ears. The glad tid-
ings of a Saviour’s love, the assurance of
pardon and peace through His atoning
blood, rejoiced their hearts and inspired
within them an immortal hope. At Wit-
tenberg a light was kindled whose rays

Luther’s Separation From Rome 65

should extend to the uttermost parts of of the pope. With great effrontery he
the earth, and which was to increase in repeated the most glaring falsehoods
brightness to the close of time. and related marvelous tales to deceive an
ignorant, credulous, and superstitious
But light and darkness cannot har- people. Had they possessed the word
monize. Between truth and error there is of God they would not have been thus
an irrepressible conflict. To uphold and deceived. It was to keep them under the
defend the one is to attack and overthrow control of the papacy, in order to swell
the other. Our Saviour Himself declared: the power and wealth of her ambitious
“I came not to send peace, but a sword.” leaders, that the Bible had been withheld
Matthew 10:34. Said Luther, a few years from them. (See John C. L. Gieseler, A
after the opening of the Reformation: Compendium of Ecclesiastical History,
“God does not guide me, He pushes per. 4, sec. 1, par. 5.)
me forward. He carries me away. I am As Tetzel entered a town, a messen-
not master of myself. I desire to live in ger went before him, announcing: “The
repose; but I am thrown into the midst of grace of God and of the holy father is at
tumults and revolutions.”—D’Aubigne, your gates.”—D’Aubigne, b. 3, ch. 1. And
b. 5, ch. 2. He was now about to be urged the people welcomed the blasphemous
into the contest. pretender as if he were God Himself
come down from heaven to them. The
The Roman Church had made infamous traffic was set up in the church,
merchandise of the grace of God. The and Tetzel, ascending the pulpit, extolled
tables of the money-changers (Matthew the indulgences as the most precious
21:12) were set up beside her altars, gift of God. He declared that by virtue
and the air resounded with the shouts of his certificates of pardon all the sins
of buyers and sellers. Under the plea which the purchaser should afterward
of raising funds for the erection of St. desire to commit would be forgiven
Peter’s Church at Rome, indulgences him, and that “not even repentance
for sin were publicly offered for sale by is necessary.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 1. More
the authority of the pope. By the price than this, he assured his hearers that
of crime a temple was to be built up for the indulgences had power to save not
God’s worship—the cornerstone laid only the living but the dead; that the
with the wages of iniquity! But the very very moment the money should clink
means adopted for Rome’s aggrandize- against the bottom of his chest, the soul
ment provoked the deadliest blow to in whose behalf it had been paid would
her power and greatness. It was this escape from purgatory and make its way
that aroused the most determined and to htheeavReenfo. (rSmeeatKio.nR,.vHoalg. e1n, bp.ac9h6,.)History
successful of the enemies of popery, and of When Simon Magus offered to
led to the battle which shook the papal
throne and jostled the triple crown upon purchase of the apostles the power to
the pontiff ’s head. work miracles, Peter answered him:
“Thy money perish with thee, because
The official appointed to conduct thou hast thought that the gift of God
the sale of indulgences in Germany— may be purchased with money.” Acts
Tetzel by name—had been convicted 8:20. But Tetzel’s offer was grasped by
of the basest offenses against society eager thousands. Gold and silver flowed
and against the law of God; but having into his treasury. A salvation that could
escaped the punishment due for his
crimes, he was employed to further the
mercenary and unscrupulous projects

66 The Great Controversy

be bought with money was more eas- all heretics who presumed to oppose his
ily obtained than that which requires most holy indulgences.”—D’Aubigne,
repentance, faith, and diligent effort to b. 3, ch. 4.
resist and overcome sin. (See Appendix
note for page 25.) Luther now entered boldly upon
his work as a champion of the truth.
The doctrine of indulgences had His voice was heard from the pulpit in
been opposed by men of learning and earnest, solemn warning. He set before
piety in the Roman Church, and there the people the offensive character of sin,
were many who had no faith in preten- and taught them that it is impossible
sions so contrary to both reason and for man, by his own works, to lessen its
revelation. No prelate dared lift his voice guilt or evade its punishment. Nothing
against this iniquitous traffic; but the but repentance toward God and faith
minds of men were becoming disturbed in Christ can save the sinner. The grace
and uneasy, and many eagerly inquired of Christ cannot be purchased; it is a
if God would not work through some free gift. He counseled the people not
instrumentality for the purification of to buy indulgences, but to look in faith
His church. to a crucified Redeemer. He related his
own painful experience in vainly seeking
Luther, though still a papist of the by humiliation and penance to secure
straitest sort, was filled with horror at salvation, and assured his hearers that
the blasphemous assumptions of the it was by looking away from himself
indulgence mongers. Many of his own and believing in Christ that he found
congregation had purchased certificates peace and joy.
of pardon, and they soon began to
come to their pastor, confessing their As Tetzel continued his traffic and
various sins, and expecting absolution, his impious pretensions, Luther deter-
not because they were penitent and mined upon a more effectual protest
wished to reform, but on the ground against these crying abuses. An occasion
of the indulgence. Luther refused them soon offered. The castle church of Wit-
absolution, and warned them that un- tenberg possessed many relics, which
less they should repent and reform their on certain holy days were exhibited to
lives, they must perish in their sins. In the people, and full remission of sins
great perplexity they repaired to Tetzel was granted to all who then visited the
with the complaint that their confessor church and made confession. Accord-
had refused his certificates; and some ingly on these days the people in great
boldly demanded that their money be numbers resorted thither. One of the
returned to them. The friar was filled most important of these occasions, the
with rage. He uttered the most terrible festival of All Saints, was approaching.
curses, caused fires to be lighted in the On the preceding day, Luther, joining
public squares, and declared that he “had the crowds that were already making
received an order from the pope to burn their way to the church, posted on its

He set before the people the offensive character of sin, and taught them
that it is impossible for man, by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade
its punishment. Nothing but repentance toward God and faith in Christ can
save the sinner. The grace of Christ cannot be purchased; it is a free gift.

Luther’s Separation From Rome 67

door a paper containing ninety-five fears were swept away. Crafty eccle-
propositions against the doctrine of siastics, interrupted in their work of
indulgences. He declared his willingness sanctioning crime, and seeing their
to defend these theses next day at the gains endangered, were enraged, and
university, against all who should see rallied to uphold their pretensions. The
fit to attack them. Reformer had bitter accusers to meet.
Some charged him with acting hastily
His propositions attracted universal and from impulse. Others accused him
attention. They were read and reread, of presumption, declaring that he was
and repeated in every direction. Great not directed of God, but was acting from
excitement was created in the university pride and forwardness. “Who does not
and in the whole city. By these theses it know,” he responded, “that a man rarely
was shown that the power to grant the puts forth any new idea without having
pardon of sin, and to remit its penalty, some appearance of pride, and without
had never been committed to the pope being accused of exciting quarrels? …
or to any other man. The whole scheme Why were Christ and all the martyrs
was a farce,—an artifice to extort money put to death? Because they seemed to
by playing upon the superstitions of the be proud contemners of the wisdom of
people,—a device of Satan to destroy the the time, and because they advanced
souls of all who should trust to its lying novelties without having first humbly
pretensions. It was also clearly shown taken counsel of the oracles of the an-
that the gospel of Christ is the most cient opinions.”
valuable treasure of the church, and
that the grace of God, therein revealed, Again he declared: “Whatever I do
is freely bestowed upon all who seek it will be done, not by the prudence of men,
by repentance and faith. but by the counsel of God. If the work be
of God, who shall stop it? if it be not, who
Luther’s theses challenged discus- can forward it? Not my will, nor theirs,
sion; but no one dared accept the chal- nor ours; but Thy will, O holy Father,
lenge. The questions which he proposed which art in heaven.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 6.
had in a few days spread through all
Germany, and in a few weeks they had Though Luther had been moved
sounded throughout Christendom. by the Spirit of God to begin his work,
Many devoted Catholics, who had he was not to carry it forward without
seen and lamented the terrible iniquity severe conflicts. The reproaches of
prevailing in the church, but had not his enemies, their misrepresentation
known how to arrest its progress, read of his purposes, and their unjust and
the propositions with great joy, recog- malicious reflections upon his character
nizing in them the voice of God. They and motives, came in upon him like an
felt that the Lord had graciously set His overwhelming flood; and they were not
hand to arrest the rapidly swelling tide without effect. He had felt confident that
of corruption that was issuing from the the leaders of the people, both in the
see of Rome. Princes and magistrates se- church and in the schools, would gladly
cretly rejoiced that a check was to be put unite with him in efforts for reform.
upon the arrogant power which denied Words of encouragement from those
the right of appeal from its decisions. in high position had inspired him with
joy and hope. Already in anticipation
But the sin-loving and supersti- he had seen a brighter day dawning for
tious multitudes were terrified as the the church. But encouragement had
sophistries that had soothed their

68 The Great Controversy

changed to reproach and condemnation. he could lean in perfect safety upon that
Many dignitaries, of both church and all-powerful arm.
state, were convicted of the truthfulness
of his theses; but they soon saw that To a friend of the Reformation
the acceptance of these truths would Luther wrote: “We cannot attain to the
involve great changes. To enlighten and understanding of Scripture either by
reform the people would be virtually to study or by the intellect. Your first duty
undermine the authority of Rome, to is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord
stop thousands of streams now flow- to grant you, of His great mercy, the
ing into her treasury, and thus greatly true understanding of His word. There
to curtail the extravagance and luxury is no other interpreter of the word of
of the papal leaders. Furthermore, to God than the Author of this word, as
teach the people to think and act as He Himself has said, ‘They shall be all
responsible beings, looking to Christ taught of God.’ Hope for nothing from
alone for salvation, would overthrow the your own labors, from your own under-
pontiff ’s throne and eventually destroy standing: trust solely in God, and in the
their own authority. For this reason they influence of His Spirit. Believe this on
refused the knowledge tendered them the word of a man who has had experi-
of God and arrayed themselves against ence.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7. Here is a lesson
Christ and the truth by their opposi- of vital importance to those who feel that
tion to the man whom He had sent to God has called them to present to others
enlighten them. the solemn truths for this time. These
truths will stir the enmity of Satan and
Luther trembled as he looked upon of men who love the fables that he has
himself—one man opposed to the devised. In the conflict with the powers
mightiest powers of earth. He sometimes of evil there is need of something more
doubted whether he had indeed been than strength of intellect and human
led of God to set himself against the wisdom.
authority of the church. “Who was I,”
he writes, “to oppose the majesty of the When enemies appealed to custom
pope, before whom … the kings of the and tradition, or to the assertions and
earth and the whole world trembled? … authority of the pope, Luther met them
No one can know what my heart suffered with the Bible and the Bible only. Here
during these first two years, and into were arguments which they could not
what despondency, I may say into what answer; therefore the slaves of formalism
despair, I was sunk.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 6. and superstition clamored for his blood,
But he was not left to become utterly dis- as the Jews had clamored for the blood
heartened. When human support failed, of Christ. “He is a heretic,” cried the Ro-
he looked to God alone and learned that man zealots. “It is high treason against
the church to allow so horrible a heretic
to live one hour longer. Let the scaffold

“We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by
the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant
you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His word. There is no other
interpreter of the word of God than the Author of this word, as He Himself
has said, ‘They shall be all taught of God.’ ”

Luther’s Separation From Rome 69

be instantly erected for him!”—Ibid., b. communicated by the pontiff to this
3, ch. 9. But Luther did not fall a prey official, it was stated that Luther had al-
to their fury. God had a work for him ready been declared a heretic. The legate
to do, and angels of heaven were sent to was therefore charged “to prosecute and
protect him. Many, however, who had constrain without any delay.” If he should
received from Luther the precious light remain steadfast, and the legate should
were made the objects of Satan’s wrath fail to gain possession of his person, he
and for the truth’s sake fearlessly suffered was empowered “to proscribe him in
torture and death. every part of Germany; to banish, curse,
and excommunicate all those who are
Luther’s teachings attracted the at- attached to him.”—Ibid., b. 4, ch. 2. And,
tention of thoughtful minds throughout further, the pope directed his legate, in
all Germany. From his sermons and order entirely to root out the pestilent
writings issued beams of light which heresy, to excommunicate all, of what-
awakened and illuminated thousands. ever dignity in church or state, except
A living faith was taking the place of the the emperor, who should neglect to seize
dead formalism in which the church had
so long been held. The people were daily When enemies appealed to custom
losing confidence in the superstitions and tradition, or to the assertions
of Roman Catholicism. The barriers of and authority of the pope, Luther
prejudice were giving way. The word met them with the Bible and the
of God, by which Luther tested every Bible only. Here were arguments
doctrine and every claim, was like a two- which they could not answer;
edged sword, cutting its way to the hearts therefore the slaves of formalism
of the people. Everywhere there was and superstition clamored for his
awakening a desire for spiritual progress. blood, as the Jews had clamored
Everywhere was such a hungering and for the blood of Christ.
thirsting after righteousness as had not Luther and his adherents, and deliver
been known for ages. The eyes of the them up to the vengeance of Rome.
people, so long directed to human rites
and earthly mediators, were now turn- Here is displayed the true spirit of
ing in penitence and faith to Christ and popery. Not a trace of Christian prin-
Him crucified. ciple, or even of common justice, is to
be seen in the whole document. Luther
This widespread interest aroused was at a great distance from Rome; he
still further the fears of the papal au- had had no opportunity to explain or
thorities. Luther received a summons defend his position; yet before his case
to appear at Rome to answer to the had been investigated, he was summarily
charge of heresy. The command filled pronounced a heretic, and in the same
his friends with terror. They knew full day, exhorted, accused, judged, and con-
well the danger that threatened him in demned; and all this by the self-styled
that corrupt city, already drunk with holy father, the only supreme, infallible
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. They authority in church or state!
protested against his going to Rome and
requested that he receive his examina- At this time, when Luther so much
tion in Germany. needed the sympathy and counsel of

This arrangement was finally effect-
ed, and the pope’s legate was appointed
to hear the case. In the instructions

70 The Great Controversy

a true friend, God’s providence sent papal legate. The troublesome heretic
Melanchthon to Wittenberg. Young in who was exciting the attention of the
years, modest and diffident in his man- whole world seemed now in the power
ners, Melanchthon’s sound judgment, of Rome, and the legate determined that
extensive knowledge, and winning he should not escape. The Reformer
eloquence, combined with the purity had failed to provide himself with a
and uprightness of his character, won safe-conduct. His friends urged him
universal admiration and esteem. The not to appear before the legate without
brilliancy of his talents was not more one, and they themselves undertook to
marked than his gentleness of disposi- procure it from the emperor. The legate
tion. He soon became an earnest disciple intended to force Luther, if possible, to
of the gospel, and Luther’s most trusted retract, or, failing in this, to cause him to
friend and valued supporter; his gentle- be conveyed to Rome, to share the fate
ness, caution, and exactness serving as of Huss and Jerome. Therefore through
a complement to Luther’s courage and his agents he endeavored to induce Lu-
energy. Their union in the work added ther to appear without a safe-conduct,
strength to the Reformation and was a trusting himself to his mercy. This the
source of great encouragement to Luther. Reformer firmly declined to do. Not
until he had received the document
Augsburg had been fixed upon as pledging him the emperor’s protection,
the place of trial, and the Reformer did he appear in the presence of the papal
set out on foot to perform the journey ambassador.
thither. Serious fears were entertained
in his behalf. Threats had been made As a matter of policy, the Papal lead-
openly that he would be seized and ers had decided to attempt to win Luther
murdered on the way, and his friends by an appearance of gentleness. The leg-
begged him not to venture. They even ate, in his interviews with him, professed
entreated him to leave Wittenberg for great friendliness; but he demanded that
a time and find safety with those who Luther submit implicitly to the author-
would gladly protect him. But he would ity of the church, and yield every point
not leave the position where God had without argument or question. He had
placed him. He must continue faithfully not rightly estimated the character of
to maintain the truth, notwithstanding the man with whom he had to deal.
the storms that were beating upon him. Luther, in reply, expressed his regard
His language was: “I am like Jeremiah, for the church, his desire for the truth,
a man of strife and contention; but the his readiness to answer all objections to
more their threats increase, the more my what he had taught, and to submit his
joy is multiplied. … They have already doctrines to the decision of certain lead-
destroyed my honor and my reputa- ing universities. But at the same time he
tion. One single thing remains; it is my protested against the cardinal’s course in
wretched body: let them take it; they will requiring him to retract without having
thus shorten my life by a few hours. But proved him in error.
as for my soul, they cannot take that.
He who desires to proclaim the word of The only response was: “Retract,
Christ to the world, must expect death retract!” The Reformer showed that his
at every moment.”—Ibid., b. 4, ch. 4. position was sustained by the Scriptures
and firmly declared that he could not
The tidings of Luther’s arrival at renounce the truth. The legate, un-
Augsburg gave great satisfaction to the able to reply to Luther’s arguments,

Luther’s Separation From Rome 71

overwhelmed him with a storm of that no retraction was to be expected
reproaches, gibes, and flattery, inter- from him. This was not what the cardinal
spersed with quotations from tradition had purposed. He had flattered himself
and the sayings of the Fathers, granting that by violence he could awe Luther to
the Reformer no opportunity to speak. submission. Now, left alone with his sup-
Seeing that the conference, thus con- porters, he looked from one to another
tinued, would be utterly futile, Luther in utter chagrin at the unexpected failure
finally obtained a reluctant permission of his schemes.
to present his answer in writing.
Luther’s efforts on this occasion
“In so doing,” said he, writing to a were not without good results. The
friend, “the oppressed find double gain; large assembly present had opportunity
first, what is written may be submitted to to compare the two men, and to judge
the judgment of others; and second, one for themselves of the spirit manifested
has a better chance of working on the by them, as well as of the strength and
fears, if not on the conscience, of an ar- truthfulness of their positions. How
rogant and babbling despot, who would marked the contrast! The Reformer,
otherwise overpower by his imperious simple, humble, firm, stood up in the
language.”—Martyn, The Life and Times strength of God, having truth on his
of Luther, pages 271, 272. side; the pope’s representative, self-
important, overbearing, haughty, and
At the next interview, Luther pre- unreasonable, was without a single
sented a clear, concise, and forcible argument from the Scriptures, yet ve-
exposition of his views, fully supported hemently crying: “Retract, or be sent
by many quotations from Scripture. This to Rome for punishment.”
paper, after reading aloud, he handed
to the cardinal, who, however, cast it Notwithstanding Luther had secured
contemptuously aside, declaring it to a safe-conduct, the Catholic leaders were
be a mass of idle words and irrelevant plotting to seize and imprison him. His
quotations. Luther, fully aroused, now friends urged that as it was useless for
met the haughty prelate on his own him to prolong his stay, he should return
ground—the traditions and teachings to Wittenberg without delay, and that the
of the church—and utterly overthrew utmost caution should be observed in or-
his assumptions. der to conceal his intentions. He accord-
ingly left Augsburg before daybreak, on
When the prelate saw that Luther’s horseback, accompanied only by a guide
reasoning was unanswerable, he lost all furnished him by the magistrate. With
self-control, and in a rage cried out: “Re- many forebodings he secretly made his
tract! or I will send you to Rome, there way through the dark and silent streets
to appear before the judges commis- of the city. Enemies, vigilant and cruel,
sioned to take cognizance of your cause. were plotting his destruction. Would
I will excommunicate you and all your he escape the snares prepared for him?
partisans, and all who shall at any time Those were moments of anxiety and
countenance you, and will cast them out earnest prayer. He reached a small gate
of the church.” And he finally declared, in the wall of the city. It was opened
in a haughty and angry tone: “Retract, or for him, and with his guide he passed
return no more.”—D’Aubigne, London through without hindrance. Once safely
ed., b. 4, ch. 8. outside, the fugitives hastened their
flight, and before the legate learned
The Reformer promptly withdrew
with his friends, thus declaring plainly

72 The Great Controversy

of Luther’s departure, he was beyond restraints of society. A great work of
the reach of his persecutors. Satan and reform was needed. The complicated
his emissaries were defeated. The man and expensive arrangements to restrain
whom they had thought in their power and punish crime would be unnecessary
was gone, escaped as a bird from the if men but acknowledged and obeyed the
snare of the fowler. requirements of God and the dictates
of an enlightened conscience. He saw
At the news of Luther’s escape the that Luther was laboring to secure this
legate was overwhelmed with surprise object, and he secretly rejoiced that a
and anger. He had expected to receive better influence was making itself felt
great honor for his wisdom and firm- in the church.
ness in dealing with this disturber of the He saw also that as a professor in the
church; but his hope was disappointed. university Luther was eminently suc-
He gave expression to his wrath in a letter cessful. Only a year had passed since the
to Frederick, the elector of Saxony, bit- Reformer posted his theses on the castle
terly denouncing Luther and demanding church, yet there was already a great
that Frederick send the Reformer to falling off in the number of pilgrims
Rome or banish him from Saxony. that visited the church at the festival
of All Saints. Rome had been deprived
In defense, Luther urged that the of worshipers and offerings, but their
legate or the pope show him his errors place was filled by another class, who
from the Scriptures, and pledged himself now came to Wittenberg, not pilgrims
in the most solemn manner to renounce to adore her relics, but students to fill
his doctrines if they could be shown to her halls of learning. The writings of
contradict the word of God. And he Luther had kindled everywhere a new
expressed his gratitude to God that he interest in the Holy Scriptures, and not
had been counted worthy to suffer in only from all parts of Germany, but
so holy a cause. from other lands, students flocked to the
university. Young men, coming in sight
The elector had, as yet, little knowl- of Wittenberg for the first time, “raised
edge of the reformed doctrines, but he their hands to heaven, and praised God
was deeply impressed by the candor, for having caused the light of truth to
force, and clearness of Luther’s words; shine forth from this city, as from Zion in
and until the Reformer should be proved times of old, and whence it spread even
to be in error, Frederick resolved to stand to the most distant countries.”—Ibid.,
as his protector. In reply to the legate’s b. 4, ch. 10.
demand he wrote: “Since Dr. Martin Luther was as yet but partially con-
has appeared before you at Augsburg, verted from the errors of Catholicism.
you should be satisfied. We did not ex- But as he compared the Holy Oracles
pect that you would endeavor to make with the papal decrees and constitu-
him retract without having convinced tions, he was filled with wonder. “I am
him of his errors. None of the learned reading,” he wrote, “the decrees of the
men in our principality have informed pontiffs, and … I do not know whether
me that Martin’s doctrine is impious, the pope is antichrist himself, or his
anti-christian, or heretical.’ The prince apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepre-
refused, moreover, to send Luther to sented and crucified in them.”—Ibid.,
Rome, or to expel him from his states.”— b. 5, ch. 1. Yet at this time Luther was
D’Aubigne, b. 4, ch. 10.

The elector saw that there was a
general breaking down of the moral

Luther’s Separation From Rome 73

still a supporter of the Roman Church, world,” he continued, “that the truth
and had no thought that he would ever was preached to it a century ago, and
separate from her communion. burned!”—Wylie, b. 6. ch. 1

The Reformer’s writings and his In an appeal to the emperor and
doctrine were extending to every nation nobility of Germany in behalf of the
in Christendom. The work spread to reformation of Christianity, Luther
Switzerland and Holland. Copies of his wrote concerning the pope: “It is a hor-
writings found their way to France and rible thing to behold the man who styles
Spain. In England his teachings were himself Christ’s vicegerent, displaying a
received as the word of life. To Belgium magnificence that no emperor can equal.
and Italy also the truth had extended. Is this being like the poor Jesus, or the
Thousands were awakening from their humble Peter? He is, say they, the lord
deathlike stupor to the joy and hope of of the world! But Christ, whose vicar he
a life of faith. boasts of being, has said, ‘My kingdom
is not of this world.’ Can the dominions
Rome became more and more ex- of a vicar extend beyond those of his
asperated by the attacks of Luther, and superior?”— D’Aubigne, b. 6, ch. 3.
it was declared by some of his fanatical
opponents, even by doctors in Catholic He wrote thus of the universities: “I
universities, that he who should kill am much afraid that the universities will
the rebellious monk would be without prove to be the great gates of hell, unless
sin. One day a stranger, with a pistol they diligently labor in explaining the
hidden under his cloak, approached Holy Scriptures, and engraving them
the Reformer and inquired why he in the hearts of youth. I advise no one
went thus alone. “I am in God’s hands,” to place his child where the Scriptures
answered Luther. “He is my strength do not reign paramount. Every institu-
and my shield. What can man do unto tion in which men are not unceasingly
me?”—Ibid., b. 6, ch. 2. Upon hearing occupied with the word of God must
these words, the stranger turned pale become corrupt.”—Ibid., b. 6, ch. 3.
and fled away as from the presence of
the angels of heaven. This appeal was rapidly circulated
throughout Germany and exerted a
Rome was bent upon the destruction powerful influence upon the people. The
of Luther; but God was his defense. His whole nation was stirred, and multitudes
doctrines were heard everywhere—“in were roused to rally around the standard
cottages and convents, … in the castles of reform. Luther’s opponents, burning
of the nobles, in the universities, and with a desire for revenge, urged the
in the palaces of kings;” and noble men pope to take decisive measures against
were rising on every hand to sustain his him. It was decreed that his doctrines
efforts.—Ibid., b. 6, ch. 2. should be immediately condemned.
Sixty days were granted the Reformer
It was about this time that Luther, and his adherents, after which, if they
reading the works of Huss, found did not recant, they were all to be
that the great truth of justification by excommunicated.
faith, which he himself was seeking
to uphold and teach, had been held That was a terrible crisis for the
by the Bohemian Reformer. “We have Reformation. For centuries Rome’s
all,” said Luther, “Paul, Augustine, and sentence of excommunication had
myself, been Hussites without knowing struck terror to powerful monarchs;
it!” “God will surely visit it upon the it had filled mighty empires with woe

74 The Great Controversy

and desolation. Those upon whom its to yield. But with terrible power he
condemnation fell were universally flung back upon herself the sentence of
regarded with dread and horror; they condemnation and publicly declared his
were cut off from communication with determination to abandon her forever.
their fellows and treated as outlaws, to In the presence of a crowd of students,
be hunted to extermination. Luther was doctors, and citizens of all ranks Luther
not blind to the tempest about to burst burned the pope’s bull, with the canon
upon him; but he stood firm, trusting laws, the decretals, and certain writings
in Christ to be his support and shield. sustaining the papal power. “My enemies
With a martyr’s faith and courage he have been able, by burning my books,”
wrote: “What is about to happen I know he said, “to injure the cause of truth in
not, nor do I care to know. … Let the the minds of the common people, and
blow light where it may, I am without destroy their souls; for this reason I con-
fear. Not so much as a leaf falls, without sumed their books in return. A serious
the will of our Father. How much rather struggle has just begun. Hitherto I have
will He care for us! It is a light thing to been only playing with the pope. I began
die for the Word, since the Word which this work in God’s name; it will be ended
was made flesh hath Himself died. If we without me, and by His might.” —Ibid.,
die with Him, we shall live with Him; b. 6, ch. 10.
and passing through that which He has
passed through before us, we shall be To the reproaches of his enemies
where He is and dwell with Him for- who taunted him with the weakness
ever.”—Ibid., 3d London ed., Walther, of his cause, Luther answered: “Who
1840, b. 6, ch. 9. knows if God has not chosen and called
me, and if they ought not to fear that,
When the papal bull reached Luther, by despising me, they despise God Him-
he said: “I despise and attack it, as impi- self? Moses was alone at the departure
ous, false. … It is Christ Himself who from Egypt; Elijah was alone in the reign
is condemned therein. … I rejoice in of King Ahab; Isaiah alone in Jerusalem;
having to bear such ills for the best of Ezekiel alone in Babylon. … God never
causes. Already I feel greater liberty in selected as a prophet either the high
my heart; for at last I know that the pope priest or any other great personage; but
is antichrist, and that his throne is that of ordinarily He chose low and despised
Satan himself.”—D’Aubigne, b. 6, ch. 9. men, once even the shepherd Amos. In
every age, the saints have had to reprove
Yet the mandate of Rome was not the great, kings, princes, priests, and
without effect. Prison, torture, and wise men, at the peril of their lives. … I
sword were weapons potent to enforce do not say that I am a prophet; but I say
obedience. The weak and superstitious that they ought to fear precisely because
trembled before the decree of the pope; I am alone and that they are many. I am
and while there was general sympathy sure of this, that the word of God is with
for Luther, many felt that life was too me, and that it is not with them.”—Ibid.,
dear to be risked in the cause of reform. b. 6, ch. 10.
Everything seemed to indicate that the
Reformer’s work was about to close. Yet it was not without a terrible
struggle with himself that Luther de-
But Luther was fearless still. Rome cided upon a final separation from the
had hurled her anathemas against him, church. It was about this time that he
and the world looked on, nothing doubt- wrote: “I feel more and more every day
ing that he would perish or be forced

Luther’s Separation From Rome 75

how difficult it is to lay aside the scruples papists who opposed Luther. There
which one has imbibed in childhood. is the same disposition to accept the
Oh, how much pain it has caused me, theories and traditions of men instead
though I had the Scriptures on my side, of the word of God as in former ages.
to justify it to myself that I should dare to Those who present the truth for this
make a stand alone against the pope, and time should not expect to be received
hold him forth as antichrist! What have with greater favor than were earlier re-
the tribulations of my heart not been! formers. The great controversy between
How many times have I not asked myself truth and error, between Christ and
with bitterness that question which was Satan, is to increase in intensity to the
so frequent on the lips of the papists: ‘Art close of this world’s history.
thou alone wise? Can everyone else be
mistaken? How will it be, if, after all, it Opposition is the lot of all whom
is thyself who art wrong, and who art God employs to present truths
involving in thy error so many souls, specially applicable to their time.
who will then be eternally damned?’ There was a present truth in the
’Twas so I fought with myself and with days of Luther,—a truth at that time
Satan, till Christ, by His own infallible of special importance; there is a
word, fortified my heart against these present truth for the church today.
doubts.”—Martyn, pages 372, 373.
Said Jesus to His disciples: “If ye
The pope had threatened Luther were of the world, the world would love
with excommunication if he did not his own: but because ye are not of the
recant, and the threat was now fulfilled. world, but I have chosen you out of the
A new bull appeared, declaring the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Reformer’s final separation from the Remember the word that I said unto
Roman Church, denouncing him as you, The servant is not greater than his
accursed of Heaven, and including in Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they
the same condemnation all who should will also persecute you; if they have kept
receive his doctrines. The great contest My saying, they will keep yours also.”
had been fully entered upon. John 15:19, 20. And on the other hand
our Lord declared plainly: “Woe unto
Opposition is the lot of all whom you, when all men shall speak well of
God employs to present truths specially you! for so did their fathers to the false
applicable to their time. There was a prophets.” Luke 6:26. The spirit of the
present truth in the days of Luther,—a world is no more in harmony with the
truth at that time of special importance; spirit of Christ today than in earlier
there is a present truth for the church times, and those who preach the word of
today. He who does all things accord- God in its purity will be received with no
ing to the counsel of His will has been greater favor now than then. The forms
pleased to place men under various of opposition to the truth may change,
circumstances and to enjoin upon them the enmity may be less open because it
duties peculiar to the times in which is more subtle; but the same antagonism
they live and the conditions under still exists and will be manifested to the
which they are placed. If they would end of time.
prize the light given them, broader
views of truth would be opened before
them. But truth is no more desired by
the majority today than it was by the

CHAPTER 8

Luther Before the Diet

A new emperor, Charles V, had as- armed retainers; and ambassadors from
cended the throne of Germany, foreign and distant lands,—all gathered
and the emissaries of Rome at Worms. Yet in that vast assembly the
hastened to present their congratula- subject that excited the deepest interest
tions and induce the monarch to employ was the cause of the Saxon Reformer.
his power against the Reformation. On
the other hand, the elector of Saxony, Charles had previously directed
to whom Charles was in great degree the elector to bring Luther with him to
indebted for his crown, entreated him the Diet, assuring him of protection,
to take no step against Luther until he and promising a free discussion, with
should have granted him a hearing. The competent persons, of the questions in
emperor was thus placed in a position dispute. Luther was anxious to appear
of great perplexity and embarrass- before the emperor. His health was at
ment. The papists would be satisfied this time much impaired; yet he wrote
with nothing short of an imperial edict to the elector: “If I cannot go to Worms
sentencing Luther to death. The elector in good health, I will be carried there,
had declared firmly that “neither his sick as I am. For if the emperor calls me,
imperial majesty nor any other person I cannot doubt that it is the call of God
had shown that Luther’s writings had Himself. If they desire to use violence
been refuted;” therefore he requested against me, and that is very probable (for
“that Dr. Luther should be furnished it is not for their instruction that they
with a safe-conduct, so that he might order me to appear), I place the matter in
appear before a tribunal of learned, pi- the Lord’s hands. He still lives and reigns
ous, and impartial judges.”—D’Aubigne, who preserved the three young men in
b. 6, ch. 11. the burning fiery furnace. If He will not
save me, my life is of little consequence.
The attention of all parties was now Let us only prevent the gospel from be-
directed to the assembly of the German ing exposed to the scorn of the wicked,
states which convened at Worms soon and let us shed our blood for it, for fear
after the accession of Charles to the they should triumph. It is not for me
empire. There were important political to decide whether my life or my death
questions and interests to be considered will contribute most to the salvation of
by this national council; for the first time all. … You may expect everything from
the princes of Germany were to meet me … except flight and recantation. Fly
their youthful monarch in deliberative I cannot, and still less retract.”—Ibid.,
assembly. From all parts of the father- b. 7, ch. 1.
land had come the dignitaries of church
and state. Secular lords, highborn, As the news was circulated at Worms
powerful, and jealous of their hereditary that Luther was to appear before the
rights; princely ecclesiastics, flushed Diet, a general excitement was created.
with their conscious superiority in rank Aleander, the papal legate to whom the
and power; courtly knights and their case had been specially entrusted, was
alarmed and enraged. He saw that the

Luther Before the Diet 77

result would be disastrous to the papal Aleander was to plead for Rome, … the
cause. To institute inquiry into a case in mother and mistress of all churches.”
which the pope had already pronounced He was to vindicate the princedom of
sentence of condemnation would be to Peter before the assembled principali-
cast contempt upon the authority of ties of Christendom. “He had the gift of
the sovereign pontiff. Furthermore, he eloquence, and he rose to the greatness
was apprehensive that the eloquent and of the occasion. Providence ordered it
powerful arguments of this man might that Rome should appear and plead by
turn away many of the princes from the the ablest of her orators in the presence
cause of the pope. He therefore, in the of the most august of tribunals, before
most urgent manner, remonstrated with she was condemned.”—Wylie, b. 6, ch.
Charles against Luther’s appearance at 4. With some misgivings those who
Worms. About this time the bull de- favored the Reformer looked forward
claring Luther’s excommunication was to the effect of Aleander’s speech. The
published; and this, coupled with the elector of Saxony was not present, but
representations of the legate, induced by his direction some of his councilors
the emperor to yield. He wrote to the attended to take notes of the nuncio’s
elector that if Luther would not retract, address.
he must remain at Wittenberg.
With all the power of learning and
Not content with this victory, Alean- eloquence, Aleander set himself to over-
der labored with all the power and cun- throw the truth. Charge after charge he
ning at his command to secure Luther’s hurled against Luther as an enemy of
condemnation. With a persistence wor- the church and the state, the living and
thy of a better cause, he urged the matter the dead, clergy and laity, councils and
upon the attention of princes, prelates, private Christians. “In Luther’s errors
and other members of the assembly, there is enough,” he declared, to warrant
accusing the Reformer of “sedition, the burning of “a hundred thousand
rebellion, impiety, and blasphemy.” But heretics.”
the vehemence and passion manifested
by the legate revealed too plainly the In conclusion he endeavored to cast
spirit by which he was actuated. “He contempt upon the adherents of the re-
is moved by hatred and vengeance,” formed faith: “What are all these Luther-
was the general remark, “much more ans? A crew of insolent pedagogues, cor-
than by zeal and piety.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. rupt priests, dissolute monks, ignorant
1. The majority of the Diet were more lawyers, and degraded nobles, with the
than ever inclined to regard Luther’s common people whom they have misled
cause with favor. and perverted. How far superior to them
is the Catholic party in number, ability,
With redoubled zeal Aleander urged and power! A unanimous decree from
upon the emperor the duty of executing this illustrious assembly will enlighten
the papal edicts. But under the laws the simple, warn the imprudent, decide
of Germany this could not be done the waverers, and give strength to the
without the concurrence of the princes; weak.”—D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 3.
and, overcome at last by the legate’s
importunity, Charles bade him present With such weapons the advocates of
his case to the Diet. “It was a proud truth in every age have been attacked.
day for the nuncio. The assembly was The same arguments are still urged
a great one: the cause was even greater. against all who dare to present, in oppo-
sition to established errors, the plain and

78 The Great Controversy

direct teachings of God’s word. “Who own vindication had been said. But the
are these preachers of new doctrines?” apparent victory was the signal of defeat.
exclaim those who desire a popular Henceforth the contrast between truth
religion. “They are unlearned, few in and error would be more clearly seen,
numbers, and of the poorer class. Yet as they should take the field in open
they claim to have the truth, and to be the warfare. Never from that day would
chosen people of God. They are ignorant Rome stand as secure as she had stood.
and deceived. How greatly superior in
numbers and influence is our church! While most of the members of the
How many great and learned men are Diet would not have hesitated to yield up
among us! How much more power is Luther to the vengeance of Rome, many
on our side!” These are the arguments of them saw and deplored the existing
that have a telling influence upon the depravity in the church, and desired a
world; but they are no more conclusive suppression of the abuses suffered by the
now than in the days of the Reformer. German people in consequence of the
corruption and greed of the hierarchy.
The Reformation did not, as many The legate had presented the papal rule
suppose, end with Luther. It is to be in the most favorable light. Now the
continued to the close of this world’s Lord moved upon a member of the Diet
history. Luther had a great work to do in to give a true delineation of the effects
reflecting to others the light which God of papal tyranny. With noble firmness,
had permitted to shine upon him; yet he Duke George of Saxony stood up in that
did not receive all the light which was princely assembly and specified with
to be given to the world. From that time terrible exactness the deceptions and
to this, new light has been continually abominations of popery, and their dire
shining upon the Scriptures, and new results. In closing he said:
truths have been constantly unfolding.
“These are some of the abuses that
The legate’s address made a deep cry out against Rome. All shame has
impression upon the Diet. There was been put aside, and their only object is
no Luther present, with the clear and … money, money, money, … so that the
convincing truths of God’s word, to van- preachers who should teach the truth,
quish the papal champion. No attempt utter nothing but falsehoods, and are not
was made to defend the Reformer. There only tolerated, but rewarded, because
was manifest a general disposition not the greater their lies, the greater their
only to condemn him and the doctrines gain. It is from this foul spring that
which he taught, but if possible to up- such tainted waters flow. Debauchery
root the heresy. Rome had enjoyed the stretches out the hand to avarice. … Alas,
most favorable opportunity to defend it is the scandal caused by the clergy that
her cause. All that she could say in her hurls so many poor souls into eternal

The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be
continued to the close of this world’s history. Luther had a great work to do
in reflecting to others the light which God had permitted to shine upon him;
yet he did not receive all the light which was to be given to the world. From
that time to this, new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures,
and new truths have been constantly unfolding.

Luther Before the Diet 79

condemnation. A general reform must ensuring his return to a place of secu-
be effected.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 4. rity. These were borne to Wittenberg
by a herald, who was commissioned to
A more able and forcible denuncia- conduct him to Worms.
tion of the papal abuses could not have
been presented by Luther himself; and The friends of Luther were terrified
the fact that the speaker was a deter- and distressed. Knowing the prejudice
mined enemy of the Reformer’s gave and enmity against him, they feared
greater influence to his words. that even his safe-conduct would not be
respected, and they entreated him not to
Had the eyes of the assembly been imperil his life. He replied: “The papists
opened, they would have beheld angels do not desire my coming to Worms,
of God in the midst of them, shedding but my condemnation and my death.
beams of light athwart the darkness of It matters not. Pray not for me, but for
error and opening minds and hearts to the word of God. … Christ will give me
the reception of truth. It was the power His Spirit to overcome these ministers
of the God of truth and wisdom that of error. I despise them during my life;
controlled even the adversaries of the I shall triumph over them by my death.
reformation, and thus prepared the way They are busy at Worms about compel-
for the great work about to be accom- ling me to retract; and this shall be my
plished. Martin Luther was not present; retraction: I said formerly that the pope
but the voice of One greater than Luther was Christ’s vicar; now I assert that he
had been heard in that assembly. is our Lord’s adversary, and the devil’s
apostle.”—Ibid b. 7, ch. 6.
A committee was at once appointed
by the Diet to prepare an enumeration Luther was not to make his peril-
of the papal oppressions that weighed so ous journey alone. Besides the imperial
heavily on the German people. This list, messenger, three of his firmest friends
containing a hundred and one specifi- determined to accompany him. Mel-
cations, was presented to the emperor, anchthon earnestly desired to join them.
with a request that he would take im- His heart was knit to Luther’s, and he
mediate measures for the correction of yearned to follow him, if need be, to
these abuses. “What a loss of Christian prison or to death. But his entreaties
souls,” said the petitioners, “what depre- were denied. Should Luther perish,
dations, what extortions, on account of the hopes of the Reformation must
the scandals by which the spiritual head center upon his youthful colaborer.
of Christendom is surrounded! It is our Said the Reformer as he parted from
duty to prevent the ruin and dishonor Melanchthon: “If I do not return, and
of our people. For this reason we most my enemies put me to death, continue to
humbly but most urgently entreat you teach, and stand fast in the truth. Labor
to order a general reformation, and to in my stead. … If you survive, my death
undertake its accomplishment.”—Ibid will be of little consequence.”— Ibid b.
b. 7, ch. 4. 7, ch. 7. Students and citizens who had
gathered to witness Luther’s departure
The council now demanded the were deeply moved. A multitude whose
Reformer’s appearance before them. hearts had been touched by the gospel,
Notwithstanding the entreaties, protests, bade him farewell with weeping. Thus
and threats of Aleander, the emperor the Reformer and his companions set
at last consented, and Luther was sum- out from Wittenberg.
moned to appear before the Diet. With
the summons was issued a safe-conduct,

80 The Great Controversy

On the journey they saw that the said, ‘Peace be unto you; behold My
minds of the people were oppressed by hands;’ that is to say, Behold, O man!
gloomy forebodings. At some towns no it is I, I alone, who have taken away thy
honors were proffered them. As they sin, and ransomed thee; and now thou
stopped for the night, a friendly priest hast peace, saith the Lord.”
expressed his fears by holding up before
Luther the portrait of an Italian reformer He continued, showing that true
who had suffered martyrdom. The next faith will be manifested by a holy life.
day they learned that Luther’s writings “Since God has saved us, let us so order
had been condemned at Worms. Impe- our works that they may be acceptable
rial messengers were proclaiming the to Him. Art thou rich? let thy goods
emperor’s decree and calling upon the administer to the necessities of the
people to bring the proscribed works poor. Art thou poor? let thy services
to the magistrates. The herald, fearing be acceptable to the rich. If thy labor is
for Luther’s safety at the council, and useful to thyself alone, the service that
thinking that already his resolution thou pretendest to render unto God is
might be shaken, asked if he still wished a lie.”—Ibid b. 7, ch. 7.
to go forward. He answered: “Although
interdicted in every city, I shall go on.”— The people listened as if spellbound.
Ibid b. 7, ch. 7. The bread of life was broken to those
starving souls. Christ was lifted up
At Erfurt, Luther was received with before them as above popes, legates,
honor. Surrounded by admiring crowds, emperors, and kings. Luther made no
he passed through the streets that he had reference to his own perilous position.
often traversed with his beggar’s wallet. He did not seek to make himself the
He visited his convent cell, and thought object of thought or sympathy. In the
upon the struggles through which the contemplation of Christ he had lost
light now flooding Germany had been sight of self. He hid behind the Man of
shed upon his soul. He was urged to Calvary, seeking only to present Jesus
preach. This he had been forbidden to as the sinner’s Redeemer.
do, but the herald granted him permis-
sion, and the friar who had once been As the Reformer proceeded on his
made the drudge of the convent, now journey, he was everywhere regarded
entered the pulpit. with great interest. An eager multitude
thronged about him, and friendly
To a crowded assembly he spoke voices warned him of the purpose of
from the words of Christ, “Peace be the Catholic leaders. “They will burn
unto you.” “Philosophers, doctors, and you,” said some, “and reduce your
writers,” he said, “have endeavored to body to ashes, as they did with John
teach men the way to obtain everlasting Huss.” Luther answered, “Though they
life, and they have not succeeded. I will should kindle a fire all the way from
now tell it to you: … God has raised Worms to Wittenberg, the flames of
one Man from the dead, the Lord Jesus which reached to heaven, I would walk
Christ, that He might destroy death, through it in the name of the Lord; I
extirpate sin, and shut the gates of hell. would appear before them; I would
This is the work of salvation. … Christ enter the jaws of this behemoth, and
has vanquished! this is the joyful news; break his teeth, confessing the Lord
and we are saved by His work, and not Jesus Christ.”—Ibid b. 7, ch. 7.
by our own. … Our Lord Jesus Christ
The news of his approach to Worms
created great commotion. His friends

Luther Before the Diet 81

trembled for his safety; his enemies must prepare to meet the momentous
feared for the success of their cause. events of the morrow, and he needed
Strenuous efforts were made to dis- quiet and repose. But so great was the
suade him from entering the city. At desire to see him that he had enjoyed
the instigation of the papists he was only a few hours’ rest when noblemen,
urged to repair to the castle of a friendly knights, priests, and citizens gathered
knight, where, it was declared, all dif- eagerly about him. Among these were
ficulties could be amicably adjusted. many of the nobles who had so boldly
Friends endeavored to excite his fears by demanded of the emperor a reform
describing the dangers that threatened of ecclesiastical abuses and who, says
him. All their efforts failed. Luther, still Luther, “had all been freed by my gos-
unshaken, declared: “Even should there pel.”—Martyn, page 393. Enemies, as
be as many devils in Worms as tiles on well as friends, came to look upon the
the housetops, still I would enter it.”— dauntless monk; but he received them
Ibid b. 7, ch. 7. with unshaken calmness, replying to all
with dignity and wisdom. His bearing
Upon his arrival at Worms, a vast was firm and courageous. His pale, thin
crowd flocked to the gates to welcome face, marked with the traces of toil and
him. So great a concourse had not as- illness, wore a kindly and even joyous
sembled to greet the emperor himself. expression. The solemnity and deep
The excitement was intense, and from earnestness of his words gave him a
the midst of the throng a shrill and power that even his enemies could not
plaintive voice chanted a funeral dirge wholly withstand. Both friends and
as a warning to Luther of the fate that foes were filled with wonder. Some
awaited him. “God will be my defense,” were convinced that a divine influence
said he, as he alighted from his carriage. attended him; others declared, as had
the Pharisees concerning Christ: “He
The papists had not believed that hath a devil.”
Luther would really venture to appear
at Worms, and his arrival filled them On the following day Luther was
with consternation. The emperor im- summoned to attend the Diet. An
mediately summoned his councilors to imperial officer was appointed to con-
consider what course should be pursued. duct him to the hall of audience; yet it
One of the bishops, a rigid papist, de- was with difficulty that he reached the
clared: “We have long consulted on this place. Every avenue was crowded with
matter. Let your imperial majesty get rid spectators eager to look upon the monk
of this man at once. Did not Sigismund who had dared resist the authority of
cause John Huss to be burnt? We are not the pope.
bound either to give or to observe the
safe-conduct of a heretic.” “No,” said the As he was about to enter the presence
emperor, “we must keep our promise.”— of his judges, an old general, the hero of
Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. It was therefore decided many battles, said to him kindly: “Poor
that the Reformer should be heard. monk, poor monk, thou art now going to
make a nobler stand than I or any other
All the city were eager to see this captains have ever made in the bloodiest
remarkable man, and a throng of visi- of our battles. But if thy cause is just, and
tors soon filled his lodgings. Luther had thou art sure of it, go forward in God’s
scarcely recovered from his recent ill- name, and fear nothing. God will not
ness; he was wearied from the journey, forsake thee.”—D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 8.
which had occupied two full weeks; he

82 The Great Controversy

At length Luther stood before the writings, demanded that the Reformer
council. The emperor occupied the answer two questions—whether he ac-
throne. He was surrounded by the most knowledged them as his, and whether he
illustrious personages in the empire. proposed to retract the opinions which
Never had any man appeared in the pres- he had therein advanced. The titles of
ence of a more imposing assembly than the books having been read, Luther
that before which Martin Luther was to replied that as to the first question, he
answer for his faith. “This appearance acknowledged the books to be his. “As
was of itself a signal victory over the to the second,” he said, “seeing that it is
papacy. The pope had condemned the a question which concerns faith and the
man, and he was now standing before a salvation of souls, and in which the word
tribunal which, by this very act, set itself of God, the greatest and most precious
above the pope. The pope had laid him treasure either in heaven or earth, is in-
under an interdict, and cut him off from volved, I should act imprudently were I
all human society; and yet he was sum- to reply without reflection. I might affirm
moned in respectful language, and re- less than the circumstance demands,
ceived before the most august assembly or more than truth requires, and so sin
in the world. The pope had condemned against this saying of Christ: ‘Whosoever
him to perpetual silence, and he was shall deny Me before men, him will I
now about to speak before thousands also deny before My Father which is in
of attentive hearers drawn together heaven.’ [Matthew 10:33.] For this reason
from the farthest parts of Christendom. I entreat your imperial majesty, with all
An immense revolution had thus been humility, to allow me time, that I may
effected by Luther’s instrumentality. answer without offending against the
Rome was already descending from her word of God.”—D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 8.
throne, and it was the voice of a monk
that caused this humiliation.”—Ibid., In making this request, Luther
b. 7, ch. 8. moved wisely. His course convinced
the assembly that he did not act from
In the presence of that powerful passion or impulse. Such calmness and
and titled assembly the lowly born Re- self-command, unexpected in one who
former seemed awed and embarrassed. had shown himself bold and uncom-
Several of the princes, observing his promising, added to his power, and
emotion, approached him, and one of enabled him afterward to answer with
them whispered: “Fear not them which a prudence, decision, wisdom, and dig-
kill the body, but are not able to kill the nity that surprised and disappointed his
soul.” Another said: “When ye shall be adversaries, and rebuked their insolence
brought before governors and kings for and pride.
My sake, it shall be given you, by the
Spirit of your Father, what ye shall say.” The next day he was to appear to ren-
Thus the words of Christ were brought der his final answer. For a time his heart
by the world’s great men to strengthen sank within him as he contemplated the
His servant in the hour of trial. forces that were combined against the
truth. His faith faltered; fearfulness and
Luther was conducted to a position trembling came upon him, and horror
directly in front of the emperor’s throne. overwhelmed him. Dangers multiplied
A deep silence fell upon the crowded as- before him; his enemies seemed about to
sembly. Then an imperial officer arose triumph, and the powers of darkness to
and, pointing to a collection of Luther’s prevail. Clouds gathered about him and

Luther Before the Diet 83

seemed to separate him from God. He his utter helplessness his faith fastened
longed for the assurance that the Lord upon Christ, the mighty Deliverer. He
of hosts would be with him. In anguish was strengthened with the assurance
of spirit he threw himself with his face that he would not appear alone before
upon the earth and poured out those the council. Peace returned to his soul,
broken, heart-rending cries, which none and he rejoiced that he was permitted to
but God can fully understand. uplift the word of God before the rulers
of the nations.
“O almighty and everlasting God,”
he pleaded, “how terrible is this world! With his mind stayed upon God,
Behold, it openeth its mouth to swallow Luther prepared for the struggle be-
me up, and I have so little trust in Thee. fore him. He thought upon the plan of
… If it is only in the strength of this world his answer, examined passages in his
that I must put my trust, all is over. … My own writings, and drew from the Holy
last hour is come, my condemnation has Scriptures suitable proofs to sustain his
been pronounced. … O God, do Thou positions. Then, laying his left hand on
help me against all the wisdom of the the Sacred Volume, which was open
world. Do this, … Thou alone; … for before him, he lifted his right hand to
this is not my work, but Thine. I have heaven and vowed “to remain faithful to
nothing to do here, nothing to contend the gospel, and freely to confess his faith,
for with these great ones of the world. even should he seal his testimony with
… But the cause is Thine, … and it is a his blood.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8.
righteous and eternal cause. O Lord, help
me! Faithful and unchangeable God, in When he was again ushered into the
no man do I place my trust. … All that presence of the Diet, his countenance
is of man is uncertain; all that cometh of bore no trace of fear or embarrassment.
man fails. … Thou hast chosen me for Calm and peaceful, yet grandly brave
this work. … Stand at my side, for the and noble, he stood as God’s witness
sake of Thy well-beloved Jesus Christ, among the great ones of the earth.
who is my defense, my shield, and my The imperial officer now demanded
strong tower.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. his decision as to whether he desired
to retract his doctrines. Luther made
An all-wise Providence had permit- his answer in a subdued and humble
ted Luther to realize his peril, that he tone, without violence or passion. His
might not trust to his own strength and demeanor was diffident and respectful;
rush presumptuously into danger. Yet yet he manifested a confidence and joy
it was not the fear of personal suffer- that surprised the assembly.
ing, a dread of torture or death, which
seemed immediately impending, that “Most serene emperor, illustrious
overwhelmed him with its terror. He princes, gracious lords,” said Luther, “I
had come to the crisis, and he felt his appear before you this day, in conformity
insufficiency to meet it. Through his with the order given me yesterday, and
weakness the cause of truth might suf- by God’s mercies I conjure your majesty
fer loss. Not for his own safety, but for and your august highnesses to listen
the triumph of the gospel did he wrestle graciously to the defense of a cause
with God. Like Israel’s, in that night which I am assured is just and true. If,
struggle beside the lonely stream, was through ignorance, I should transgress
the anguish and conflict of his soul. the usages and proprieties of courts, I
Like Israel, he prevailed with God. In entreat you to pardon me; for I was not
brought up in the palaces of kings, but

84 The Great Controversy

in the seclusion of a convent.”—Ibid., degree, to prove from the writings of the
b. 7, ch. 8. prophets and apostles that I have erred.
As soon as I am convinced of this, I will
Then, proceeding to the question, retract every error, and be the first to
he stated that his published works were lay hold of my books and throw them
not all of the same character. In some into the fire.
he had treated of faith and good works,
and even his enemies declared them not “What I have just said plainly shows,
only harmless but profitable. To retract I hope, that I have carefully weighed and
these would be to condemn truths which considered the dangers to which I expose
all parties confessed. The second class myself; but far from being dismayed, I
consisted of writings exposing the cor- rejoice to see that the gospel is now, as
ruptions and abuses of the papacy. To in former times, a cause of trouble and
revoke these works would strengthen dissension. This is the character, this is
the tyranny of Rome and open a wider the destiny, of the word of God. ‘I came
door to many and great impieties. In the not to send peace on earth, but a sword,’
third class of his books he had attacked said Jesus Christ. God is wonderful and
individuals who had defended existing terrible in His counsels; beware lest, by
evils. Concerning these he freely con- presuming to quench dissensions, you
fessed that he had been more violent should persecute the holy word of God,
than was becoming. He did not claim and draw down upon yourselves a fright-
to be free from fault; but even these ful deluge of insurmountable dangers,
books he could not revoke, for such a of present disasters, and eternal desola-
course would embolden the enemies tion. … I might quote many examples
of truth, and they would then take oc- from the oracles of God. I might speak
casion to crush God’s people with still of the Pharaohs, the kings of Babylon,
greater cruelty. and those of Israel, whose labors never
more effectually contributed to their
“Yet I am but a mere man, and not own destruction than when they sought
God,” he continued; “I shall therefore by counsels, to all appearance most wise,
defend myself as Christ did: ‘If I have to strengthen their dominion. ‘God
spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.’ removeth mountains, and they know it
not.’”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8.
“By the mercy of God, I conjure
you, most serene emperor, and Luther had spoken in German; he
you, most illustrious princes, and was now requested to repeat the same
all men of every degree, to prove words in Latin. Though exhausted by
from the writings of the prophets the previous effort, he complied, and
and apostles that I have erred. As again delivered his speech, with the same
soon as I am convinced of this, I will clearness and energy as at the first. God’s
retract every error, and be the first providence directed in this matter. The
to lay hold of my books and throw minds of many of the princes were so
them into the fire.” blinded by error and superstition that
… By the mercy of God, I conjure you, at the first delivery they did not see the
most serene emperor, and you, most il- force of Luther’s reasoning; but the rep-
lustrious princes, and all men of every etition enabled them to perceive clearly
the points presented.

Those who stubbornly closed their
eyes to the light, and determined not

Luther Before the Diet 85

to be convinced of the truth, were en- simplicity of his address, had declared:
raged at the power of Luther’s words. “This monk will never make a heretic
As he ceased speaking, the spokesman of me.” The courage and firmness which
of the Diet said angrily: “You have not he now displayed, as well as the power
answered the question put to you. … and clearness of his reasoning, filled
You are required to give a clear and all parties with surprise. The emperor,
precise answer. … Will you, or will you moved to admiration, exclaimed: “This
not, retract?” monk speaks with an intrepid heart and
unshaken courage.” Many of the German
The Reformer answered: “Since princes looked with pride and joy upon
your most serene majesty and your this representative of their nation.
high mightinesses require from me a
clear, simple, and precise answer, I will The partisans of Rome had been
give you one, and it is this: I cannot worsted; their cause appeared in a most
submit my faith either to the pope or unfavorable light. They sought to main-
to the councils, because it is clear as the tain their power, not by appealing to the
day that they have frequently erred and Scriptures, but by a resort to threats,
contradicted each other. Unless there- Rome’s unfailing argument. Said the
fore I am convinced by the testimony of spokesman of the Diet: “If you do not
Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, retract, the emperor and the states of
unless I am persuaded by means of the empire will consult what course to
the passages I have quoted, and unless adopt against an incorrigible heretic.”
they thus render my conscience bound
by the word of God, I cannot and I will Luther’s friends, who had with
ntootspreetarakcat,gfaoirnisttishuisncsoafnesfcoirenacCeh. rHisetrieanI great joy listened to his noble defense,
stand, I can do no other; may God help trembled at these words; but the doctor
me. Amen.” —Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. himself said calmly: “May God be my
helper, for I can retract nothing.”—Ibid.,
Thus stood this righteous man upon b. 7, ch. 8.
the sure foundation of the word of God.
The light of heaven illuminated his He was directed to withdraw from
countenance. His greatness and purity the Diet while the princes consulted
of character, his peace and joy of heart, together. It was felt that a great crisis had
were manifest to all as he testified against come. Luther’s persistent refusal to sub-
the power of error and witnessed to the mit might affect the history of the church
superiority of that faith that overcomes for ages. It was decided to give him one
the world. more opportunity to retract. For the last
time he was brought into the assembly.
The whole assembly were for a time Again the question was put, whether he
speechless with amazement. At his first would renounce his doctrines. “I have
answer Luther had spoken in a low tone, no other reply to make,” he said, “than
with a respectful, almost submissive that which I have already made.” It was
bearing. The Papal leaders had inter- evident that he could not be induced,
preted this as evidence that his courage either by promises or threats, to yield
was beginning to fail. They regarded the to the mandate of Rome.
request for delay as merely the prelude
to his recantation. Charles himself, not- The papal leaders were chagrined
ing, half contemptuously, the monk’s that their power, which had caused
worn frame, his plain attire, and the kings and nobles to tremble, should be
thus despised by a humble monk; they
longed to make him feel their wrath by

86 The Great Controversy

torturing his life away. But Luther, un- represented to the youthful emperor
derstanding his danger, had spoken to the folly and danger of sacrificing, in
all with Christian dignity and calmness. the cause of an insignificant monk, the
His words had been free from pride, friendship and support of the powerful
passion, and misrepresentation. He had see of Rome.
lost sight of himself, and the great men
surrounding him, and felt only that he His words were not without ef-
was in the presence of One infinitely fect. On the day following Luther’s
superior to popes, prelates, kings, and answer, Charles caused a message to be
emperors. Christ had spoken through presented to the Diet, announcing his
Luther’s testimony with a power and determination to carry out the policy of
grandeur that for the time inspired both his predecessors to maintain and protect
friends and foes with awe and wonder. the Catholic religion. Since Luther had
The Spirit of God had been present in refused to renounce his errors, the most
that council, impressing the hearts of vigorous measures should be employed
the chiefs of the empire. Several of the against him and the heresies he taught.
princes boldly acknowledged the justice “A single monk, misled by his own folly,
of Luther’s cause. Many were convinced has risen against the faith of Christen-
of the truth; but with some the impres- dom. To stay such impiety, I will sacrifice
sions received were not lasting. There my kingdoms, my treasures, my friends,
was another class who did not at the my body, my blood, my soul, and my
time express their convictions, but life. I am about to dismiss the Augustine
who, having searched the Scriptures Luther, forbidding him to cause the least
for themselves, at a future time became disorder among the people; I shall then
fearless supporters of the Reformation. proceed against him and his adherents as
contumacious heretics, by excommuni-
The elector Frederick had looked cation, by interdict, and by every means
forward anxiously to Luther’s appear- calculated to destroy them. I call on the
ance before the Diet, and with deep members of the states to behave like
emotion he listened to his speech. With faithful Christians.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 9.
joy and pride he witnessed the doctor’s Nevertheless the emperor declared that
courage, firmness, and self-possession, Luther’s safe-conduct must be respected,
and determined to stand more firmly in and that before proceedings against him
his defense. He contrasted the parties could be instituted, he must be allowed
in contest, and saw that the wisdom to reach his home in safety.
of popes, kings, and prelates had been
brought to nought by the power of truth. Two conflicting opinions were now
The papacy had sustained a defeat which urged by the members of the Diet. The
would be felt among all nations and in emissaries and representatives of the
all ages. pope again demanded that the Reform-
er’s safe-conduct should be disregarded.
As the legate perceived the effect “The Rhine,” they said, “should receive
produced by Luther’s speech, he feared, his ashes, as it had received those of
as never before, for the security of the John Huss a century ago.”—Ibid., b. 7,
Papal power, and resolved to employ ch. 9. But princes of Germany, though
every means at his command to effect themselves papists and avowed enemies
the Reformer’s overthrow. With all the to Luther, protested against such a
eloquence and diplomatic skill for which breach of public faith, as a stain upon
he was so eminently distinguished, he the honor of the nation. They pointed

Luther Before the Diet 87

to the calamities which had followed the for ourselves. Our responsibility is
death of Huss, and declared that they greater than was that of our ancestors.
dared not call down upon Germany, and We are accountable for the light which
upon the head of their youthful emperor, they received, and which was handed
a repetition of those terrible evils. down as an inheritance for us, and we
are accountable also for the additional
Charles himself, in answer to the light which is now shining upon us from
base proposal, said: “Though honor the word of God.
and faith should be banished from all
the world, they ought to find a refuge Said Christ of the unbelieving Jews:
in the hearts of princes.” —Ibid b. 7, ch. “If I had not come and spoken unto
9. He was still further urged by the most them, they had not had sin: but now
bitter of Luther’s papal enemies to deal they have no cloak for their sin.” John
with the Reformer as Sigismund had 15:22. The same divine power had
dealt with Huss—abandon him to the spoken through Luther to the emperor
mercies of the church; but recalling the and princes of Germany. And as the
scene when Huss in public assembly had light shone forth from God’s word, His
pointed to his chains and reminded the Spirit pleaded for the last time with many
monarch of his plighted faith, Charles in that assembly. As Pilate, centuries
V declared: “I should not like to blush before, permitted pride and popularity
like Sigismund.”—Lenfant, vol. 1, p. 422. to close his heart against the world’s Re-
deemer; as the trembling Felix bade the
Yet Charles had deliberately rejected messenger of truth, “Go thy way for this
the truths presented by Luther. “I am time; when I have a convenient season, I
firmly resolved to imitate the example will call for thee;” as the proud Agrippa
of my ancestors,” wrote the monarch.— confessed, “Almost thou persuadest me
D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 9. He had decided to be a Christian” (Acts 24:25; 26:28),
that he would not step out of the path of yet turned away from the Heaven-sent
custom, even to walk in the ways of truth message—so had Charles V, yielding to
and righteousness. Because his fathers the dictates of worldly pride and policy,
did, he would uphold the papacy, with decided to reject the light of truth.
all its cruelty and corruption. Thus he
took his position, refusing to accept any Rumors of the designs against
light in advance of what his fathers had Luther were widely circulated, causing
received, or to perform any duty that great excitement throughout the city.
they had not performed. The Reformer had made many friends,
who, knowing the treacherous cruelty
There are many at the present of Rome toward all who dared expose
day thus clinging to the customs and her corruptions, resolved that he should
traditions of their fathers. When the not be sacrificed. Hundreds of nobles
Lord sends them additional light, they pledged themselves to protect him.
refuse to accept it, because, not having Not a few openly denounced the royal
been granted to their fathers, it was not message as evincing a weak submission
received by them. We are not placed to the controlling power of Rome. On
where our fathers were; consequently the gates of houses and in public places,
our duties and responsibilities are not placards were posted, some condemning
the same as theirs. We shall not be ap- and others sustaining Luther. On one of
proved of God in looking to the example these were written merely the significant
of our fathers to determine our duty words of the wise man: “Woe to thee, O
instead of searching the word of truth

88 The Great Controversy

land, when thy king is a child.” Ecclesi- the emperor, the princes, and even the
astes 10:16. The popular enthusiasm in meanest Christian, should examine and
Luther’s favor throughout all Germany judge my works; but on one condition,
convinced both the emperor and the that they take the word of God for their
Diet that any injustice shown him would standard. Men have nothing to do but
endanger the peace of the empire and to obey it. Do not offer violence to my
even the stability of the throne. conscience, which is bound and chained
up with the Holy Scriptures.”— Ibid., b.
Frederick of Saxony maintained a 7, ch. 10.
studied reserve, carefully concealing his
real feelings toward the Reformer, while To another appeal he said: “I con-
at the same time he guarded him with sent to renounce my safe-conduct. I
tireless vigilance, watching all his move- place my person and my life in the
ments and all those of his enemies. But emperor’s hands, but the word of
there were many who made no attempt God—never!”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 10. He
to conceal their sympathy with Luther. stated his willingness to submit to the
He was visited by princes, counts, bar- decision of a general council, but only
ons, and other persons of distinction, on condition that the council be required
both lay and ecclesiastical. “The doctor’s to decide according to the Scriptures.
little room,” wrote Spalatin, “could not “In what concerns the word of God and
contain all the visitors who presented the faith,” he added, “every Christian
themselves.”—Martyn, vol. 1, p. 404. is as good a judge as the pope, though
The people gazed upon him as if he were supported by a million councils, can be
more than human. Even those who had for him.”—Martyn, vol. 1, p. 410. Both
no faith in his doctrines could not but friends and foes were at last convinced
admire that lofty integrity which led that further effort for reconciliation
him to brave death rather than violate would be useless.
his conscience.
Had the Reformer yielded a single
Earnest efforts were made to obtain point, Satan and his hosts would have
Luther’s consent to a compromise with gained the victory. But his unwavering
Rome. Nobles and princes represented firmness was the means of emancipat-
to him that if he persisted in setting ing the church, and beginning a new
up his own judgment against that of and better era. The influence of this
the church and the councils he would one man, who dared to think and act
soon be banished from the empire and for himself in religious matters, was
would have no defense. To this appeal to affect the church and the world, not
Luther answered: “The gospel of Christ only in his own time, but in all future
cannot be preached without offense. … generations. His firmness and fidelity
Why then should the fear or apprehen- would strengthen all, to the close of
sion of danger separate me from the time, who should pass through a similar
Lord, and from that divine word which experience. The power and majesty of
alone is truth? No; I would rather give God stood forth above the counsel of
up my body, my blood, and my life.”— men, above the mighty power of Satan.
D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 10.
Luther was soon commanded by the
Again he was urged to submit to the authority of the emperor to return home,
judgment of the emperor, and then he and he knew that this notice would be
would have nothing to fear. “I consent,” speedily followed by his condemna-
said he in reply, “with all my heart, that tion. Threatening clouds overhung his