The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 132

know,” he responded, “that a man rarely puts forth any new idea without
having some appearance of pride, and without being accused of exciting
quarrels? ... Why were Christ and all the martyrs put to death?
Because they seemed to be proud contemners of the wisdom of the time,
and because they advanced novelties without having first humbly taken
counsel of the oracles of the ancient opinions.”
Again he declared: “Whatever I do will be done, not by the prudence
of men, but by the counsel of God. If the work be of God, who shall stop
it? if it be not, who can forward it? Not my will, nor theirs, nor ours; but
Thy will, O holy Father, which art in heaven.”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 6.
Though Luther had been moved by the Spirit of God to begin his
work, he was not to carry it forward without severe conflicts. The
reproaches of his enemies, their misrepresentation of his purposes, and
their unjust and malicious reflections upon his character and motives,
came in upon him like an overwhelming flood; and they were not without
effect. He had felt confident that the leaders of the people, both in
the church and in the schools, would gladly unite with him in efforts
for reform. Words of encouragement from those in high position had
inspired him with joy and hope. Already in anticipation he had seen a
brighter day dawning for the church. But encouragement had changed to
reproach and condemnation. Many dignitaries, of both church and state,
were convicted of the truthfulness of his theses; but they soon saw that
the acceptance of these truths would involve great changes. To enlighten
and reform the people would be virtually to undermine the authority of
Rome, to stop thousands of streams now flowing into her treasury, and
thus greatly to curtail the extravagance and luxury of the papal leaders.
Furthermore, to teach the people to think and act as responsible beings,
looking to Christ alone for salvation, would overthrow the pontiff’s
throne and eventually destroy their own authority. For this reason they
refused the knowledge tendered them of God and arrayed

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