the great controversy-第39部分
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
people。 The papal rule had placed upon its subjects an iron yoke which held
them in ignorance and degradation。 A superstitious observance of forms had
been scrupulously maintained； but in all their service the heart and
intellect had had little part。 The preaching of Luther； setting forth the
plain truths of God's word； and then the word itself； placed in the hands of
the common people； had aroused their dormant powers； not only purifying and
ennobling the spiritual nature； but imparting new strength and vigor to the
intellect。
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands；
defending the doctrines of the Reformation。 The papists who had left the
study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks now called upon them to
come forward and refute the new teachings。 But； ignorant alike of the
Scriptures and of the power of God； priests and friars were totally defeated
by those whom they had denounced as unlearned and heretical。 〃Unhappily；〃
said a Catholic writer； 〃Luther had persuaded his followers to put no faith
in any other oracle than the Holy Scriptures。〃D'Aubigne； b。 9； ch。 11。
Crowds would gather to hear the truth advocated by men of little education；
and even discussed by them with learned and eloquent theologians。 The
shameful ignorance of these great men was made apparent as their arguments
were met by the simple teachings of God's word。 Laborers； soldiers； women；
and even children； were better acquainted with the Bible teachings than were
the priests and learned doctors。
The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders of popish
superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars than among the
common people。 〃Opposed to the old champions of the hierarchy； who had
neglected
196
the study of languages and the cultivation of literature； 。 。 。 were
generous…minded youth； devoted to study； investigating Scripture； and
familiarizing themselves with the masterpieces of antiquity。 Possessing an
active mind； an elevated soul； and intrepid heart； these young men soon
acquired such knowledge that for a long period none could compete with them。
。 。 。 Accordingly； when these youthful defenders of the Reformation met the
Romish doctors in any assembly； they attacked them with such ease and
confidence that these ignorant men hesitated； became embarrassed； and fell
into a contempt merited in the eyes of all。〃Ibid。； b。 9； ch。 11。
As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing； they invoked the
aid of the magistrates； and by every means in their power endeavored to
bring back their hearers。 But the people had found in the new teachings that
which supplied the wants of their souls； and they turned away from those who
had so long fed them with the worthless husks of superstitious rites and
human traditions。
When persecution was kindled against the teachers of the truth； they gave
heed to the words of Christ： 〃When they persecute you in this city； flee ye
into another。〃 Matthew 10：23。 The light penetrated everywhere。 The fugitives
would find somewhere a hospitable door opened to them； and there abiding；
they would preach Christ； sometimes in the church； or； if denied that
privilege； in private houses or in the open air。 Wherever they could obtain
a hearing was a consecrated temple。 The truth； proclaimed with such energy
and assurance； spread with irresistible power。
In vain both ecclesiastical and civil authorities were invoked to crush the
heresy。 In vain they resorted to imprisonment； torture； fire； and sword。
Thousands of believers sealed their faith with their blood； and yet the work
went on。 Persecution served only to extend the truth； and the fanaticism
which Satan endeavored to unite with it resulted in making more clear the
contrast between the work of Satan and the work of God。
（197）
Chapter 11
Protest of the Princes
One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation was the
Protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires in
1529。 The courage； faith； and firmness of those men of God gained for
succeeding ages liberty of thought and of conscience。 Their Protest gave to
the reformed church the name of Protestant； its principles are 〃the very
essence of Protestantism。〃D'Aubigne； b。 13； ch。 6。
A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation。 Notwithstanding the
Edict of Worms； declaring Luther to be an outlaw and forbidding the teaching
or belief of his doctrines； religious toleration had thus far prevailed in
the empire。 God's providence had held in check the forces that opposed the
truth。 Charles V was bent on crushing the Reformation； but often as he
raised his hand to strike he had been forced to turn aside the blow。 Again
and again the immediate destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves to
Rome appeared inevitable； but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk
appeared on the eastern frontier； or the king of France； or even the pope
himself； jealous of the increasing greatness of the emperor； made war upon
him； and thus； amid the strife and tumult of nations； the Reformation had
been left to strengthen and extend。
At last； however； the papal sovereigns had stifled their feuds； that they
might make common cause against the Reformers。 The Diet of Spires in 1526
had given each state full liberty in matters of religion until the meeting
of a general
198
council； but no sooner had the dangers passed which secured this concession；
than the emperor summoned a second Diet to convene at Spires in 1529 for the
purpose of crushing heresy。 The princes were to be induced； by peaceable
means if possible； to side against the Reformation； but if these failed；
Charles was prepared to resort to the sword。
The papists were exultant。 They appeared at Spires in great numbers； and
openly manifested their hostility toward the Reformers and all who favored
them。 Said Melanchthon： 〃We are the execration and the sweepings of the
world； but Christ will look down on His poor people； and will preserve
them。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 The evangelical princes in attendance at the
Diet were forbidden even to have the gospel preached in their dwellings。 But
the people of Spires thirsted for the word of God； and； notwithstanding the
prohibition； thousands flocked to the services held in the chapel of the
elector of Saxony。
This hastened the crisis。 An imperial message announced to the Diet that as
the resolution granting liberty of conscience had given rise to great
disorders； the emperor required that it be annulled。 This arbitrary act
excited the indignation and alarm of the evangelical Christians。 Said one：
〃Christ has again fallen into the hands of Caiaphas and Pilate。〃 The
Romanists became more violent。 A bigoted papist declared： 〃The Turks are
better than the Lutherans； for the Turks observe fast days； and the
Lutherans violate them。 If we must choose between the Holy Scriptures of God
and the old errors of the church； we should reject the former。〃 Said
Melanchthon： 〃Every day； in full assembly； Faber casts some new stone at us
gospelers。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。
Religious toleration had been legally established； and the evangelical
states were resolved to oppose the infringement of their rights。 Luther；
being still under the ban imposed by the Edict of Worms； was not permitted
to be present at Spires； but his place was supplied by his colaborers and
the princes whom God had raised up to defend His cause in this emergency。
The noble Frederick of Saxony； Luther's
199
former protector； had been removed by death； but Duke John； his brother and
successor； had joyfully welcomed the Reformation； and while a friend of
peace； he displayed great energy and courage in all matters relating to the
interests of the faith。
The priests demanded that the states which had accepted the Reformation
submit implicitly to Romish jurisdiction。 The Reformers； on the other hand；
claimed the liberty which had previously been granted。 They could not
consent that Rome should again bring under her control those states that had
with so great joy received the word of God。
As a compromise it was finally proposed that where the Reformation had not
become established； the Edict of Worms should be rigorously enforced； and
that 〃in those where the people had deviated from it； and where they could
not conform to it without danger of revolt； they should at least effect no
new reform； they should touch upon no controverted point； they should not
oppose the celebration of the mass； they should permit no Roman Catholic to
embrace Lutheranism。〃 Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 This measure passed the Diet；
to the great satisfaction of the popish priests and prelates。
If this edict were enforced； 〃the Reformation could neither be extended 。 。
。 where as yet it was unknown； nor be established on solid foundations 。 。 。
where it already existed。〃 Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 Liberty of speech would be
prohibited。 No conversions would be allowed。 And to these restrictions and
prohibitions the friends of the Reformation were required at once to submit。
The hopes of the world seemed about to be extinguished。 〃The
re…establishment of the Romish hierarchy 。 。 。 would infallibly bring back
the ancient abuses；〃 and an occasion would readily be found for 〃completing
the destruction of a work already so violently shaken〃 by fanaticism and
dissension。Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。
As the evangelical party met for consultation； one looked to another in
blank dismay。 From one to another passed the inquiry： 〃What is to be done？〃
Mighty issues for the world were at stake。 〃Shall the chiefs of the
Reformation
200
submit； and accept the edict？ How easily might the Reformers at this crisis；
which was truly a tremendous one； have argued themselves into a wrong
course！ How many plausible pretexts and fair reasons might they have found
for submission！ The Lutheran princes were guaranteed the free exercise of
their religion。 The same boon was extended to all those
