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of Luther, they now desired to hide from the wrath of the people.
Those who were enraged against him when he was at large, were
filled with fear now that he was in captivity. “The only way of
extricating ourselves,” said one, “is to light our torches, and go
searching through the earth for Luther, till we can restore him to a
nation that will have him.” The edict of the emperor seemed to fall
powerless. The papal legates were filled with indignation as they
saw that it commanded far less attention than did the fate of Luther.
The tidings that he was safe, though a prisoner, calmed the fears
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of the people, while it still further aroused their enthusiasm in his
favor. His writings were read with greater eagerness than ever before.
Increasing numbers joined the cause of the heroic man who had, at
such fearful odds, defended the word of God. The Reformation was
constantly gaining in strength. The seed which Luther had sown
sprung up everywhere. His absence accomplished a work which
his presence would have failed to do. Other laborers felt a new
responsibility, now that their great leader was removed. With new
faith and earnestness they pressed forward to do all in their power,
that the work so nobly begun might not be hindered.
But Satan was not idle. He now attempted what he has attempted
in every other reformatory movement,—to deceive and destroy the
people by palming off upon them a counterfeit in place of the true
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work. As there were false christs in the first century of the Christian
church, so there arose false prophets in the sixteenth century.
A few men, deeply affected by the excitement in the religious
world, imagined themselves to have received special revelations
from Heaven, and claimed to have been divinely commissioned to
carry forward to its completion the Reformation but feebly begun
by Luther. In truth, they were undoing the very work which he
had accomplished. They rejected the fundamental principle of the
Reformation,—the word of God as the all-sufficient rule of faith and
practice; and for that unerring guide they substituted the changeable,
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uncertain standard of their own feelings and impressions. By this
act of setting aside the great detector of error and falsehood, the way
was opened for Satan to control minds as best pleased himself.
One of these prophets claimed to have been instructed by the
angel Gabriel. A student who united with him abandoned his studies,
declaring that he had received from God himself the ability to explain
the Scriptures. Others who were naturally inclined to fanaticism
united with them. The proceedings of these enthusiasts created no
little excitement. The preaching of Luther had aroused the people
everywhere to feel the necessity of reform, and now some really
honest persons were misled by the pretensions of the new prophets.
The leaders of the movement repaired to Wittemberg, and urged
their claims upon Melancthon and his co-laborers. Said they: “We
are sent by God to teach the people. We have received special
revelations from God himself, and therefore know what is coming
to pass. We are apostles and prophets, and appeal to Doctor Luther
as to the truth of what we say.”
The Reformers were astonished and perplexed. This was such
an element as they had never before encountered, and they knew not
what course to pursue. Said Melancthon: “There are indeed spirits
of no ordinary kind in these men; but what spirits?” “On the one
hand, let us beware of quenching the Spirit of God, and on the other,
of being seduced by the spirit of Satan.”
The fruit of the new teaching soon became apparent. The minds
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of the people were diverted from the word of God, or decidedly
prejudiced against it. The schools were thrown into confusion.
Students, spurning all restraint, abandoned their studies. The men
who thought themselves competent to revive and control the work of
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the Reformation, succeeded only in bringing it to the very brink of
ruin. The Romanists now regained their confidence, and exclaimed
exultingly, “One more effort, and all will be ours.”
Luther at the Wartburg, hearing of what had occurred, said with
deep concern, “I always expected that Satan would send us this
plague.” He perceived the true character of those pretended prophets,
and saw the danger that threatened the cause of truth. The opposition
of the pope and the emperor had not caused him so great perplexity
and distress as he now experienced. From the professed friends of
the Reformation had risen its worst enemies. The very truths which
had brought peace to his troubled heart had been made the cause of
dissension in the church.
In the work of reform, Luther had been urged forward by the
Spirit of God, and had been carried beyond himself. He had not
purposed to take such positions as he did, or to make so radical
changes. He had been but the instrument in the hands of infinite
power. Yet he often trembled for the result of his work. He had
once said, “If I knew that my doctrine had injured one human being,
however poor and unknown,—which it could not, for it is the very
gospel,—I would rather face death ten times over than not retract it.”
And now a whole city, and that city Wittemberg itself, was fast
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sinking into confusion. The doctrines taught by Luther had not
caused this evil; but throughout Germany his enemies were charging
it upon him. In bitterness of soul he sometimes asked, “Can such
be the end of this great work of the Reformation?” Again, as he
wrestled with God in prayer, peace flowed into his heart. “The work
is not mine, but thine own,” he said; “thou wilt not suffer it to be
corrupted by superstition or fanaticism.” But the thought of remain-
ing longer from the conflict in such a crisis, became insupportable.
He determined to return to Wittemberg.
Without delay he set out on his perilous journey. He was under
the ban of the empire. Enemies were at liberty to take his life; friends
were forbidden to aid or shelter him. The imperial government was
adopting the most stringent measures against his adherents. But he
saw that the work of the gospel was imperiled, and in the name of
the Lord he went forth once more to battle for the truth.
With great caution and humility, yet with decision and firmness,
he entered upon his work. “By the word,” said he, “we must refute
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and expel what has gained a place and influence by violence. I
would not resort to force against the superstitious and unbelieving.”
“Let there be no compulsion. I have been laboring for liberty of