Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

352 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[374]his faith, if God required; but to yield it—never. God preserved hislife. He bade angels attend him and baffle the rage and purposes of hisenemies, and bring him unharmed through the stormy conflict.The calm, dignified power of Luther humbled his enemies, anddealt a most dreadful blow to the papacy. The great and proud men inpower meant that his blood should atone for the mischief he had donetheir cause. Their plans were laid, but a mightier than they had chargeof Luther. His work was not finished. The friends of Luther hastenedhis departure from Augsburg. He left the city by night, mounted upona horse without bridle, himself unarmed and without boots or spurs. Ingreat weariness he pursued his journey until he was among his friends.Again the indignation of the papacy was aroused, and they resolvedto stop the mouth of that fearless advocate of truth. They summonedhim to Worms, fully determined to make him answer for his folly. Hewas in feeble health, yet he did not excuse himself. He well knewthe dangers that were before him. He knew that his powerful enemieswould take any measures to silence him. They were crying for hisblood as eagerly as the Jews clamored for the blood of Christ. Yet hetrusted in that God who preserved the three worthies in the burningfiery furnace. His anxiety and care were not for himself. He soughtnot his own ease; but his great anxiety was that the truth, to him soprecious, should not be exposed to the insults of the ungodly. Hewas ready to die rather than allow its enemies to triumph. As heentered Worms, thousands of persons pressed around and followedhim. Emperors and others in high authority were attended with nogreater company. The excitement was intense; and one in that throng,with a shrill and plaintive voice, chanted a funeral dirge to warn Lutherof what awaited him. But the Reformer had counted the cost and wasready to seal his testimony with his blood if God so ordained.Luther was about to appear to answer for his faith before a mostimposing assembly, and he looked to God in faith for strength. Fora little time his courage and faith were tested. Perils in every formwere presented before him. He became sad. Clouds gathered aroundhim and hid from him the face of God. He longed to go forth with aconfident assurance that God was with him. He could not be satisfiedunless he was shut in with God. With broken cries he sent up hisagonizing prayer to Heaven. His spirit at times seemed to faint, as hisenemies, in his imagination, multiplied before him. He trembled at his