however , who had received from Luther the precious light were made the objects of Satan ' s wrath and for the truth ' s sake fearlessly suffered torture and death .
Luther ' s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds throughout all Germany . From his sermons and writings issued beams of light which awakened and illuminated thousands . A living faith was taking the place of the dead formalism in which the church had so long been held . The people were daily losing confidence in the superstitions of Romanism . The barriers of prejudice were giving way . The word of God , by which Luther tested every doctrine and every claim , was like a two-edged sword , cutting its way to the hearts of the people . Everywhere there was awakening a desire for spiritual progress . Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting after righteousness as had not been known for ages . The eyes of the people , so long directed to human rites and earthly mediators , were now turning in penitence and faith to Christ and Him crucified .
This widespread interest aroused still further the fears of the papal authorities . Luther received a summons to appear at Rome to answer to the charge of heresy . The command filled his friends with terror . They knew full well the danger that threatened him in that corrupt city , already drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus . They protested against his going to Rome and requested that he receive his examination in Germany .
This arrangement was finally effected , and the pope ' s legate was appointed to hear the case . In the instructions communicated by the pontiff to this official , it was 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
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