The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 190

I would rather protect you myself. If I knew that your highness could or
would protect me, I would not go to Wittenberg at all. There is no sword
that can further this cause. God alone must do everything, without the
help or concurrence of man. He who has the greatest faith is he who is
most able to protect.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8.
In a second letter, written on the way to Wittenberg, Luther added:
“I am ready to incur the displeasure of your highness and the anger of
the whole world. Are not the Wittenbergers my sheep? Has not God
entrusted them to me? And ought I not, if necessary, to expose myself
to death for their sakes? Besides, I fear to see a terrible outbreak in
Germany, by which God will punish our nation.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 7.
With great caution and humility, yet with decision and firmness, he
entered upon his work. “By the word,” said he, “must we overthrow and
destroy what has been set up by violence. I will not make use of force
against the superstitious and unbelieving.... No one must be constrained.
Liberty is the very essence of faith.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 8.
It was soon noised through Wittenberg that Luther had returned and
that he was to preach. The people flocked from all directions, and the
church was filled to overflowing. Ascending the pulpit, he with great
wisdom and gentleness instructed, exhorted, and reproved. Touching
the course of some who had resorted to violent measures in abolishing
the mass, he said:
“The mass is a bad thing; God is opposed to it; it ought to be
abolished; and I would that throughout the whole world it were replaced
by the supper of the gospel. But let no one be torn from it by force. We
must leave the matter in God’s hands. His word must act, and not we.
And why so? you will ask. Because I do not hold men’s hearts in my
hand, as the potter holds the clay. We have a right to speak: we have
not the right to act. Let us preach; the rest belongs unto God. Were I to
employ force, what should I gain? Grimace, formality, apings, human
ordinances, and hypocrisy.... But there would be no sincerity

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