134 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 133 ] your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has had experience.” 178 Here is a lesson of vital importance to those who feel that God has called them to present to others the solemn truths for this time. These truths will stir the enmity of Satan, and of men who love the fables that he has devised. In the conflict with the powers of evil, there is need of something more than strength of intellect and human wisdom.
When enemies appealed to custom and tradition, or to the assertions and authority of the pope, Luther met them with the Bible, and the Bible only. Here were arguments which they could not answer; therefore the slaves of formalism and superstition clamored for his blood, as the Jews had clamored for the blood of Christ.“ He is a heretic,” cried the Roman zealots.“ It is high treason against the church to allow so horrible a heretic to live one hour longer. Let the scaffold be instantly erected for him!” 179 But Luther did not fall a prey to their fury. God had a work for him to do, and angels of heaven were sent to protect him. Many, however, who had received from Luther the precious light, were made the objects of Satan ' s wrath, and for the truth ' s sake fearlessly suffered torture and death.
Luther ' s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds throughout all Germany. From his sermons and writings issued beams of light which awakened and illuminated thousands. A living faith was taking the place of the dead formalism in which the church had so long been held. The people were daily losing confidence in the superstitions of Romanism. The barriers of prejudice were giving way. The word of God, by which Luther tested every doctrine and every claim, was like a two-edged sword, cutting its way to the hearts of the people. Everywhere there was awakening a desire for spiritual progress. Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting after righteousness as had not
178 D ' Aubigné, b. 3, ch. 7. 179 D ' Aubigné, b. 3, ch. 9.