Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

consolation from God and with pleasing anticipations looked forward to therecompense of reward.Again, I was shown Martin Luther, whom God raised up to do a special work.How precious to him was the knowledge of truth revealed in the word of God! Hismind was starving for something sure upon which to build his hope that God wouldbe his Father, and heaven his home. The new and precious light which dawned uponhim from the word of God was of priceless value, and he thought that if he went forthwith it, he could convince the world. He stood up against the ire of a fallen church andstrengthened those who with him were feasting upon the rich truths contained in theword of God. Luther was God’s chosen instrument to tear off the garb of hypocrisyfrom the papal church and expose her corruption. He raised his voice zealously andin the power of the Holy Spirit cried out against and rebuked the existing sins of theleaders of the people. Proclamations went forth to kill him wherever he might be found;he seemed left to the mercies of a superstitious people who were obedient to the headof the Roman Church. Yet he counted not his life dear unto himself. Luther knew thathe was not safe anywhere, yet he trembled not. The light which he saw and feastedupon was life to him, and was of more value than all the treasures of earth. Earthlytreasures he knew would fail; but the rich truths opened to his understanding, operatingupon his heart, would live, and, if obeyed, would lead him to immortality.When summoned to Augsburg to answer for his faith, he obeyed the summons.That one lone man who had stirred the rage of priests and people was arraigned beforethose who had caused the world to tremble—a meek lamb surrounded by angry lions;yet for the sake of Christ and the truth he stood up undaunted, and with holy eloquence,which the truth alone can inspire, he gave the reasons of his faith. His enemies tried byvarious means to silence the bold372