The Holy Scripture - english version B.indd - Sabbat

226Dr. Martin Luther and the ReformersHad Paganism its gods carried in procession? So has Rome.Had Paganism its college of pontiffs? So has Rome its colloge of cardinals.Had Paganism its religious orders? So has Rome.Had Paganism its costly robes, its Queen of Heaven, its rural shrines and processions?So has Rome.Had Paganism its pretended miracles and weeping statues? So has Rome.Had Paganism its canonization of saints as in the deification of dead Caesars: Sohas Rome.Had Paganism its idolatrous calendar and festivals? So has Rome.Had Paganism its celibacy, mystic signs, relics, cruel persecution of those who standfor truth and righteoussness? So has Rome.I would warn you against this evil that is pervading the world anew today-working inand amongst the reformed churches covered by a veil of righteousness. Whereveryou see ritualism or higher criticism, shun it. Wherever you see a priest insteadof o preacher, an altar instead of a communion table, wax candles instead of thesunshine of God’s love, ceremony instead of sound doctrine, sacraments instead ofsaving grace, liturgies instead of earnest prayers, splendid music instead of spiritualworship, gorgeous vestments instead of gospel truth, tradition instead of „it is written“,crossings instead of Christ, there you have Romanism no matter what it is called,no matter how attractive the architecture the music the solemn ceremonial. Shun it.taken from: Romanism and the Reformation, by H. Grattan Guiness, 1887, p. 217With certainty, Martin Luther proclaimed that Christians should only acceptdoctrines that are based on the authority of the Holy Scripture. These words thatcontained the essential principle of the Reformation dealt a blow to the foundation ofpapal supremacy... (p. 354)In his appeal to the Emperor and the German nobles, Luther wrote about thepope, in favor of the Reformation of Christianity: “It’s terrible to see the man whocalls himself the Vicar of Christ displaying such a magnificence that no emperor canbear comparison with him. Is this man equal to the poor Christ or the humble Peter?He is, they say, the Lord of the world! However, Christ of whom he claims to be therepresentative, said: MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD! May a representativeextend his POWER OVER HIS MASTER? ... (p. 356)When the papal bull reached Luther, he said: “I despise and attack them asimpious and false. ... Christ himself is despised therein. ... I am looking forwardto enduring the evil for the best thing’s sake. My heart is already muchfreer, for now I am finally certain that the pope is the Antichristand his throne is Satan’s throne “.... (p. 357)from “The History of Salvation” by Ellen G. White, Gemstone Publishing