sometimes asked : " Can such , then , be the end of this great work of the Reformation ?" -- Ibid ., b . 9 , ch . 7 . 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 remaining longer from the conflict in such a crisis , became insupportable . He determined to return to Wittenberg .
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 imperilled , and in the name of the Lord he went out fearlessly to battle for the truth . In a letter to the elector , after stating his purpose to leave the Wartburg , Luther said : " Be it known to your highness that I am going to Wittenberg under a protection far higher than that of princes and electors . I think not of soliciting your highness ' s support , and far from desiring your protection , I would rather protect you myself . If I knew that your highness could or would protect me , I would not go to Wittenberg at all . There is no sword that can further this cause . God alone must do everything , without the help or concurrence of man . He who has the greatest faith is he who is most able to protect ." -- Ibid ., b . 9 , ch . 8 .
In a second letter , written on the way to Wittenberg , Luther added : " I am ready to incur the displeasure of your highness and the anger of the whole world . Are not the Wittenbergers my sheep ? Has not God entrusted them to me ? And ought I not , if necessary , to expose myself to death for their sakes ? Besides , I fear to see a terrible outbreak in Germany , by which God will punish our nation ." - - Ibid ., b . 9 , ch . 7 . With great caution and humility , yet with decision and firmness , he entered upon his work . " By the word ," said he , " must we overthrow and destroy what has been set up by violence . I will not make use of force against the superstitious and unbelieving . . . . No one must be constrained . Liberty is the very essence of faith ." -- Ibid ., b . 9 , ch . 8 .
It was soon noised through Wittenberg that Luther had returned and that he was to preach . The people flocked from all directions , and the church was filled to overflowing . Ascending the pulpit , he with great wisdom and gentleness instructed , exhorted , and reproved . Touching the course of some who had resorted to violent measures in abolishing the mass , he said :
" The mass is a bad thing ; God is opposed to it ; it ought to be abolished ; and I would that throughout the whole world it were replaced by the supper of the gospel . But let no one be torn from it by force . We must leave the matter in God ' s hands . His word must act , and not we . And why so ? you will ask . Because I do not hold men ' s hearts in my hand , as the potter holds the clay . We have a right to speak : we have not the right to act . Let us preach ; the rest belongs unto God . Were I to employ force , what should I gain ? Grimace , formality , apeings , human ordinances , and hypocrisy . . . . But there would be no sincerity of heart , nor faith , nor charity . Where these three
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