there is enough ," he declared , to warrant the burning of " a hundred thousand heretics ." In conclusion he endeavored to cast contempt upon the adherents of the reformed faith : " What are all these Lutherans ? A crew of insolent pedagogues , corrupt priests , dissolute monks , ignorant lawyers , and degraded nobles , with the common people whom they have misled and perverted . How far superior to them is the Catholic party in number , ability , and power ! A unanimous decree from this illustrious assembly will enlighten the simple , warn the imprudent , decide the waverers , and give strength to the weak ." --D' Aubigne , b . 7 , ch . 3 .
With such weapons the advocates of truth in every age have been attacked . The same arguments are still urged against all who dare to present , in opposition to established errors , the plain and direct teachings of God ' s word . " Who are these preachers of new doctrines ?" exclaim those who desire a popular religion . " They are unlearned , few in numbers , and of the poorer class . Yet they claim to have the truth , and to be the chosen people of God . They are ignorant and deceived . How greatly superior in numbers and influence is our church ! How many great and learned men are among us ! How much more power is on our side !" These are the arguments that have a telling influence upon the world ; but they are no more conclusive now than in the days of the Reformer .
The Reformation did not , as many suppose , end with Luther . It is to be continued to the close of this world ' s history . Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to others the light which God had permitted to shine upon him ; yet he did not receive all the light which was to be given to the world . From that time to this , new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures , and new truths have been constantly unfolding . The legate ' s address made a deep impression upon the Diet . There was no Luther present , with the clear and convincing truths of God ' s word , to vanquish the papal champion . No attempt was made to defend the Reformer . There was manifest a general disposition not only to condemn him and the doctrines which he taught , but if possible to uproot the heresy . Rome had enjoyed the most favorable opportunity to defend her cause . All that she could say in her own vindication had been said . But the apparent victory was the signal of defeat . Henceforth the contrast between truth and error would be more clearly seen , as they should take the field in open warfare . Never from that day would Rome stand as secure as she had stood .
While most of the members of the Diet would not have hesitated to yield up Luther to the vengeance of Rome , many of them saw and deplored the existing depravity in the church , and desired a suppression of the abuses suffered by the German people in consequence of the corruption and greed of the hierarchy . The legate had presented the papal rule in the most favorable light . Now the Lord moved upon a member of the Diet to give a true delineation of
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