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 , travelled 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 .
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 vigour 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 . Labourers , 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 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
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