The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 142

The European Union in Prophecy
In a letter to the elector, after stating his purpose to leave the Wartburg, Luther
said: "Be it known to your highness that I am going to Wittenberg under a protection
far higher than that of princes and electors. I think not of soliciting your highness's
support, and far from desiring your protection, I would rather protect you myself. If
I knew that your highness could or would protect me, I would not go to Wittenberg at
all. There is no sword that can further this cause. God alone must do everything,
without the help or concurrence of man. He who has the greatest faith is he who is
most able to protect."-- Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8.
In a second letter, written on the way to Wittenberg, Luther added: "I am ready
to incur the displeasure of your highness and the anger of the whole world. Are not
the Wittenbergers my sheep? Has not God entrusted them to me? And ought I not, if
necessary, to expose myself to death for their sakes? Besides, I fear to see a terrible
outbreak in Germany, by which God will punish our nation."-- Ibid., b. 9, ch. 7. With
great caution and humility, yet with decision and firmness, he entered upon his work.
"By the word," said he, "must we overthrow and destroy what has been set up by
violence. I will not make use of force against the superstitious and unbelieving. . . .
No one must be constrained. Liberty is the very essence of faith."-- Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8.
It was soon noised through Wittenberg that Luther had returned and that he
was to preach. The people flocked from all directions, and the church was filled to
overflowing. Ascending the pulpit, he with great wisdom and gentleness instructed,
exhorted, and reproved. Touching the course of some who had resorted to violent
measures in abolishing the mass, he said:
"The mass is a bad thing; God is opposed to it; it ought to be abolished; and I
would that throughout the whole world it were replaced by the supper of the gospel.
But let no one be torn from it by force. We must leave the matter in God's hands. His
word must act, and not we. And why so? you will ask. Because I do not hold men's
hearts in my hand, as the potter holds the clay. We have a right to speak: we have not
the right to act. Let us preach; the rest belongs unto God. Were I to employ force, what
should I gain? Grimace, formality, apings, human ordinances, and hypocrisy. . . . But
there would be no sincerity of heart, nor faith, nor charity. Where these three are
wanting, all is wanting, and I would not give a pear stalk for such a result. . . . God
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