154 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 152 ] of an Italian reformer who had suffered martyrdom. The next day they learned that Luther ' s writings had been condemned at Worms. Imperial messengers were proclaiming the emperor ' s decree, and calling upon the people to bring the proscribed works to the magistrates. The herald, fearing for Luther ' s safety at the council, and thinking that already his resolution might be shaken, asked if he still wished to go forward. He answered,“ Although interdicted in every city, I shall go on.” 207
At Erfurt, Luther was received with honor. Surrounded by admiring crowds, he passed through the streets that he had often traversed with his beggar ' s wallet. He visited his convent cell, and thought upon the struggles through which the light now flooding Germany had been shed upon his soul. He was urged to preach. This he had been forbidden to do, but the herald granted him permission, and the friar who had once been made the drudge of the convent, now entered the pulpit.
To a crowded assembly he spoke from the words of Christ,“ Peace be unto you.”“ Philosophers, doctors, and writers,” he said,“ have endeavored to teach men the way to obtain everlasting life, and they have not succeeded. I will now tell it to you.... God has raised one Man from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He might destroy death, extirpate sin, and shut the gates of hell. This is the work of salvation.... Christ has vanquished! this is the joyful news; and we are saved by His work, and not by our own.... Our Lord Jesus Christ said,‘ Peace be unto you; behold My hands;’ that is to say, Behold, O man! it is I, I alone, who have taken away thy sin, and ransomed thee; and now thou hast peace, saith the Lord.”
He continued, showing that true faith will be manifested by a holy life.“ Since God has saved us, let us so order our works that they may be acceptable to Him. Art thou rich? let thy goods administer to the necessities of the poor. Art thou poor? let thy
207 Idem, ch. 7.