The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 102

The European Union in Prophecy
With many forebodings he secretly made his way through the dark and silent
streets of the city. Enemies, vigilant and cruel, were plotting his destruction. Would
he escape the snares prepared for him? Those were moments of anxiety and earnest
prayer. He reached a small gate in the wall of the city. It was opened for him, and
with his guide he passed through without hindrance. Once safely outside, the fugitives
hastened their flight, and before the legate learned of Luther's departure, he was
beyond the reach of his persecutors. Satan and his emissaries were defeated. The man
whom they had thought in their power was gone, escaped as a bird from the snare of
the fowler. At the news of Luther's escape the legate was overwhelmed with surprise
and anger. He had expected to receive great honour for his wisdom and firmness in
dealing with this disturber of the church; but his hope was disappointed. He gave
expression to his wrath in a letter to Frederick, the elector of Saxony, bitterly
denouncing Luther and demanding that Frederick send the Reformer to Rome or
banish him from Saxony.
In defense, Luther urged that the legate or the pope show him his errors from
the Scriptures, and pledged himself in the most solemn manner to renounce his
doctrines if they could be shown to contradict the word of God. And he expressed his
gratitude to God that he had been counted worthy to suffer in so holy a cause. The
elector had, as yet, little knowledge of the reformed doctrines, but he was deeply
impressed by the candor, force, and clearness of Luther's words; and until the
Reformer should be proved to be in error, Frederick resolved to stand as his protector.
In reply to the legate's demand he wrote: "Since Dr. Martin has appeared before you
at Augsburg, you should be satisfied. We did not expect that you would endeavour to
make him retract without having convinced him of his errors. None of the learned
men in our principality have informed me that Martin's doctrine is impious, anti-
christian, or heretical.' The prince refused, moreover, to send Luther to Rome, or to
expel him from his states."-- D'Aubigne, b. 4, ch. 10.
The elector saw that there was a general breaking down of the moral restraints
of society. A great work of reform was needed. The complicated and expensive
arrangements to restrain and punish crime would be unnecessary if men but
acknowledged and obeyed the requirements of God and the dictates of an enlightened
conscience. He saw that Luther was laboring to secure this object, and he secretly
rejoiced that a better influence was making itself felt in the church. He saw also that