10. Progress Of Reform In Germany. 191
an element as they had never before encountered, and they knew not what course to pursue. Said Melanchthon:“ There are indeed extraordinary spirits in these men; but what spirits?... On the one hand, let us beware of quenching the Spirit of God, and on the other, of being led astray by the spirit of Satan.” 266
The fruit of the new teaching soon became apparent. The people were led to neglect the Bible, or to cast it wholly aside. The schools were thrown into confusion. Students, spurning all restraint, abandoned their studies, and withdrew from the university. The men who thought themselves competent to revive and control the work of the Reformation, succeeded only in bringing it to the verge of ruin. The Romanists now regained their confidence, and exclaimed exultingly,“ One last struggle, and all will be ours.” 267 Luther at the Wartburg, hearing of what had occurred, said with deep concern,“ I always expected that Satan would send us this plague.” 268 He perceived the true character of those pretended prophets, and saw the danger that threatened the cause of truth. The opposition of the pope and the emperor had not caused him so great perplexity and distress as he now experienced. From the professed friends of the Reformation had risen its worst enemies. The very truths which had brought him so great joy and consolation were being employed to stir up strife and create [ 188 ] confusion in the church.
In the work of reform, Luther had been urged forward by the Spirit of God, and had been carried beyond himself. He had not purposed to take such positions as he did, or to make so radical changes. He had been but the instrument in the hand of Infinite Power. Yet he often trembled for the result of his work. He had once said,“ If I knew that my doctrine injured one man, one single man, however lowly and obscure,— which it cannot, for it
266 Ibid. 267 Ibid. 268 Ibid.