210 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 205 ] their doctrines and precepts, and there is need of a return to the great Protestant principle,— the Bible, and the Bible only, as the rule of faith and duty. Satan is still working through every means which he can control to destroy religious liberty. The antichristian power which the protesters of Spires rejected, is now with renewed vigor seeking to re-establish its lost supremacy. The same unswerving adherence to the word of God manifested at that crisis of the Reformation, is the only hope of reform to-day.
There appeared tokens of danger to the Protestants; there were tokens, also, that the divine hand was stretched out to protect the faithful. It was about this time that“ Melanchthon hastily conducted through the streets of Spires toward the Rhine his friend Simon Grynæus, pressing him to cross the river. The latter was astonished at such precipitation.‘ An old man of grave and solemn air, but who is unknown to me,’ said Melanchthon,‘ appeared before me and said, In a minute officers of justice will be sent by Ferdinand to arrest Grynæus.’”
During the day, Grynæus had been scandalized at a sermon by Faber, a leading papal doctor; and at the close, remonstrated with him for defending“ certain detestable errors.”“ Faber dissembled his anger, but immediately after repaired to the king, from whom he had obtained an order against the importunate professor of Heidelberg. Melanchthon doubted not that God had saved his friend by sending one of His holy angels to forewarn him.
“ Motionless on the banks of the Rhine, he waited until the waters of that stream had rescued Grynæus from his persecutors.‘ At last,’ cried Melanchthon, as he saw him on the opposite side,‘ at last he is torn from the cruel jaws of those who thirst for innocent blood.’ When he returned to his house, Melanchthon was informed that officers in search of Grynæus had ransacked it from top to bottom.” 299 The Reformation was to be brought into greater prominence
299 D ' Aubigné, b. 13, ch. 6.