The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 139

the legate learned of Luther’s departure, he was beyond the reach of his
persecutors. Satan and his emissaries were defeated. The man whom
they had thought in their power was gone, escaped as a bird from the
snare of the fowler.
At the news of Luther’s escape the legate was overwhelmed with
surprise and anger. He had expected to receive great honor for his
wisdom and firmness in dealing with this disturber of the church; but
his hope was disappointed. He gave expression to his wrath in a letter
to Frederick, the elector of Saxony, bitterly denouncing Luther and
demanding that Frederick send the Reformer to Rome or banish him
from Saxony.
In defense, Luther urged that the legate or the pope show him his
errors from the Scriptures, and pledged himself in the most solemn
manner to renounce his doctrines if they could be shown to contradict
the word of God. And he expressed his gratitude to God that he had
been counted worthy to suffer in so holy a cause.
The elector had, as yet, little knowledge of the reformed doctrines,
but he was deeply impressed by the candor, force, and clearness of
Luther’s words; and until the Reformer should be proved to be in error,
Frederick resolved to stand as his protector. In reply to the legate’s
demand he wrote: “Since Dr. Martin has appeared before you at
Augsburg, you should be satisfied. We did not expect that you would
endeavor to make him retract without having convinced him of his errors.
None of the learned men in our principality have informed me that
Martin’s doctrine is impious, anti-christian, or heretical.’ The prince
refused, moreover, to send Luther to Rome, or to expel him from his
states.”—D’Aubigne, b. 4, ch. 10.
The elector saw that there was a general breaking down of the
moral restraints of society. A great work of reform was needed.
The complicated and expensive arrangements to restrain and punish
crime would be unnecessary if men but acknowledged and obeyed the
requirements of God and the dictates of an enlightened conscience. He
saw that

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