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The priests were alarmed at the thought that the common people would now be
able to discuss with them the precepts of God's word； and that their own
ignorance would thus be exposed。 The weapons of their carnal reasoning were
powerless against the sword of the Spirit。 Rome summoned all her authority
to prevent the circulation of the Scriptures； but decrees； anathemas； and
tortures were alike in vain。 The more she condemned and prohibited the
Bible； the greater was the anxiety of the people to know what it really
taught。 All who could read were eager to study the word of God for
themselves。 They carried it about with them； and read and reread； and could
not be satisfied until they had committed large portions to memory。 Seeing
the favor with which the New Testament was received； Luther immediately
began the translation of the Old； and published it in parts as fast as
completed。
Luther's writings were welcomed alike in city and in hamlet。 〃What Luther
and his friends composed； others circulated。 Monks； convinced of the
unlawfulness of monastic obligations； desirous of exchanging a long life of
slothfulness for one of active exertion； but too ignorant to proclaim the
word of God； traveled through the provinces； visiting hamlets and cottages；
where they sold the books of Luther and his friends。 Germany soon swarmed
with these bold colporteurs。〃 Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 11。
These writings were studied with deep interest by rich and poor； the learned
and the ignorant。 At night the teachers of the village schools read them
aloud to little groups gathered at the fireside。 With every effort some
souls would be convicted of the truth and； receiving the word with gladness；
would in their turn tell the good news to others。
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The words of Inspiration were verified： 〃The entrance of Thy words giveth
light； it giveth understanding unto the simple。〃 Psalm 119：130。 The study of
the Scriptures was working a mighty change in the minds and hearts of the
people。 The papal rule had placed upon its subjects an iron yoke which held
them in ignorance and degradation。 A superstitious observance of forms had
been scrupulously maintained； but in all their service the heart and
intellect had had little part。 The preaching of Luther； setting forth the
plain truths of God's word； and then the word itself； placed in the hands of
the common people； had aroused their dormant powers； not only purifying and
ennobling the spiritual nature； but imparting new strength and vigor to the
intellect。
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands；
defending the doctrines of the Reformation。 The papists who had left the
study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks now called upon them to
come forward and refute the new teachings。 But； ignorant alike of the
Scriptures and of the power of God； priests and friars were totally defeated
by those whom they had denounced as unlearned and heretical。 〃Unhappily；〃
said a Catholic writer； 〃Luther had persuaded his followers to put no faith
in any other oracle than the Holy Scriptures。〃D'Aubigne； b。 9； ch。 11。
Crowds would gather to hear the truth advocated by men of little education；
and even discussed by them with learned and eloquent theologians。 The
shameful ignorance of these great men was made apparent as their arguments
were met by the simple teachings of God's word。 Laborers； soldiers； women；
and even children； were better acquainted with the Bible teachings than were
the priests and learned doctors。
The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders of popish
superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars than among the
common people。 〃Opposed to the old champions of the hierarchy； who had
neglected
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the study of languages and the cultivation of literature； 。 。 。 were
generous…minded youth； devoted to study； investigating Scripture； and
familiarizing themselves with the masterpieces of antiquity。 Possessing an
active mind； an elevated soul； and intrepid heart； these young men soon
acquired such knowledge that for a long period none could compete with them。
。 。 。 Accordingly； when these youthful defenders of the Reformation met the
Romish doctors in any assembly； they attacked them with such ease and
confidence that these ignorant men hesitated； became embarrassed； and fell
into a contempt merited in the eyes of all。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 11。
As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing； they invoked the
aid of the magistrates； and by every means in their power endeavored to
bring back their hearers。 But the people had found in the new teachings that
which supplied the wants of their souls； and they turned away from those who
had so long fed them with the worthless husks of superstitious rites and
human traditions。
When persecution was kindled against the teachers of the truth； they gave
heed to the words of Christ： 〃When they persecute you in this city； flee ye
into another。〃 Matthew 10：23。 The light penetrated everywhere。 The fugitives
would find somewhere a hospitable door opened to them； and there abiding；
they would preach Christ； sometimes in the church； or； if denied that
privilege； in private houses or in the open air。 Wherever they could obtain
a hearing was a consecrated temple。 The truth； proclaimed with such energy
and assurance； spread with irresistible power。
In vain both ecclesiastical and civil authorities were invoked to crush the
heresy。 In vain they resorted to imprisonment； torture； fire； and sword。
Thousands of believers sealed their faith with their blood； and yet the work
went on。 Persecution served only to extend the truth； and the fanaticism
which Satan endeavored to unite with it resulted in making more clear the
contrast between the work of Satan and the work of God。
（197）
Chapter 11
Protest of the Princes
One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation was the
Protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires in
1529。 The courage； faith； and firmness of those men of God gained for
succeeding ages liberty of thought and of conscience。 Their Protest gave to
the reformed church the name of Protestant； its principles are 〃the very
essence of Protestantism。〃D'Aubigne； b。 13； ch。 6。
A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation。 Notwithstanding the
Edict of Worms； declaring Luther to be an outlaw and forbidding the teaching
or belief of his doctrines； religious toleration had thus far prevailed in
the empire。 God's providence had held in check the forces that opposed the
truth。 Charles V was bent on crushing the Reformation； but often as he
raised his hand to strike he had been forced to turn aside the blow。 Again
and again the immediate destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves to
Rome appeared inevitable； but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk
appeared on the eastern frontier； or the king of France； or even the pope
himself； jealous of the increasing greatness of the emperor； made war upon
him； and thus； amid the strife and tumult of nations； the Reformation had
been left to strengthen and extend。
At last； however； the papal sovereigns had stifled their feuds； that they
might make common cause against the Reformers。 The Diet of Spires in 1526
had given each state full liberty in matters of religion until the meeting
of a general
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council； but no sooner had the dangers passed which secured this concession；
than the emperor summoned a second Diet to convene at Spires in 1529 for the
purpose of crushing heresy。 The princes were to be induced； by peaceable
means if possible； to side against the Reformation； but if these failed；
Charles was prepared to resort to the sword。
The papists were exultant。 They appeared at Spires in great numbers； and
openly manifested their hostility toward the Reformers and all who favored
them。 Said Melanchthon： 〃We are the execration and the sweepings of the
world； but Christ will look down on His poor people； and will preserve
them。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 The evangelical princes in attendance at the
Diet were forbidden even to have the gospel preached in their dwellings。 But
the people of Spires thirsted for the word of God； and； notwithstanding the
prohibition； thousands flocked to the services held in the chapel of the
elector of Saxony。
This hastened the crisis。 An imperial message announced to the Diet that as
the resolution granting liberty of conscience had given rise to great
disorders； the emperor required that it be annulled。 This arbitrary act
excited the indignation and alarm of the evangelical Christians。 Said one：
〃Christ has again fallen into the hands of Caiaphas and Pilate。〃 The
Romanists became more violent。 A bigoted papist declared： 〃The Turks are
better than the Lutherans； for the Turks observe fast days； and the
Lutherans violate them。 If we must choose between the Holy Scriptures of God
and the old errors of the church； we should reject the former。〃 Said
Melanch