Chapter 10 . Reform in Germany
Luther ' s mysterious disappearance excited consternation throughout all Germany . Inquiries concerning him were heard everywhere . The wildest Rumours were circulated , and many believed that he had been murdered . There was great lamentation , not only by his avowed friends , but by thousands who had not openly taken their stand with the Reformation . Many bound themselves by a solemn oath to avenge his death .
The Romish leaders saw with terror to what a pitch had risen the feeling against them . Though at first exultant at the supposed death of Luther , they soon desired to hide from the wrath of the people . His enemies had not been so troubled by his most daring acts while among them as they were at his removal . Those who in their rage had sought to destroy the bold Reformer were filled with fear now that he had become a helpless captive . " The only remaining way of saving ourselves ," said one , " is to light torches , and hunt for Luther through the whole world , to restore him to the nation that is calling for him ." --D ' Aubigne , b . 9 , ch . 1 . 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 of the people , while it still further aroused their enthusiasm in his favour . 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 sprang up everywhere . His absence accomplished a work which his presence would have failed to do . Other labourers 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 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 which , they declared , had been but feebly begun by Luther . In truth , they were undoing the very work which he had accomplished . They rejected the great principle which was the very foundation of the Reformation--that the word of God is the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice ; and for that unerring guide they substituted the changeable , 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 .
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