The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 99

The European Union in Prophecy
stated that Luther had already been declared a heretic. The legate was therefore
charged "to prosecute and constrain without any delay." If he should remain steadfast,
and the legate should fail to gain possession of his person, he was empowered "to
proscribe him in every part of Germany; to banish, curse, and excommunicate all those
who are attached to him."-- Ibid., b. 4, ch. 2. And, further, the pope directed his legate,
in order entirely to root out the pestilent heresy, to excommunicate all, of whatever
dignity in church or state, except the emperor, who should neglect to seize Luther and
his adherents, and deliver them up to the vengeance of Rome.
Here is displayed the true spirit of popery. Not a trace of Christian principle, or
even of common justice, is to be seen in the whole document. Luther was at a great
distance from Rome; he had had no opportunity to explain or defend his position; yet
before his case had been investigated, he was summarily pronounced a heretic, and
in the same day, exhorted, accused, judged, and condemned; and all this by the self-
styled holy father, the only supreme, infallible authority in church or state! At this
time, when Luther so much needed the sympathy and counsel of a true friend, God's
providence sent Melanchthon to Wittenberg. Young in years, modest and diffident in
his manners, Melanchthon's sound judgment, extensive knowledge, and winning
eloquence, combined with the purity and uprightness of his character, won universal
admiration and esteem. The brilliancy of his talents was not more marked than his
gentleness of disposition. He soon became an earnest disciple of the gospel, and
Luther's most trusted friend and valued supporter; his gentleness, caution, and
exactness serving as a complement to Luther's courage and energy.
Their union in the work added strength to the Reformation and was a source of
great encouragement to Luther. Augsburg had been fixed upon as the place of trial,
and the Reformer set out on foot to perform the journey thither. Serious fears were
entertained in his behalf. Threats had been made openly that he would be seized and
murdered on the way, and his friends begged him not to venture. They even entreated
him to leave Wittenberg for a time and find safety with those who would gladly protect
him. But he would not leave the position where God had placed him. He must continue
faithfully to maintain the truth, notwithstanding the storms that were beating upon
him. His language was: "I am like Jeremiah, a man of strife and contention; but the
more their threats increase, the more my joy is multiplied. . . . They have already
destroyed my honour and my reputation. One single thing remains; it is my wretched
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