Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

The calm bearing of Luther was in striking contrast to the passion and rageexhibited by those so-called great men. They could not frighten him into a recantationof the truth. In noble simplicity and calm firmness he stood like a rock. The oppositionof his enemies, their rage and threats, like a mighty wave, surged against him and brokeharmless at his feet. He remained unmoved. They were chagrined that their power,which had caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be thus despised by a humbleman, and they longed to make him feel their wrath by torturing his life away. But Onewho is mightier than the potentates of earth had charge of this fearless witness. Godhad a work for him to do. He must yet suffer for the truth. He must see it wade throughbloody persecutions. He must see it clothed in sackcloth and covered with reproach byfanatics. He must live to justify it and to be its defender when the mighty powers ofearth should seek to tear it down. He must live to see it triumph and tear away the errorsand superstitions of the papacy. Luther gained a victory at Worms which weakened thepapacy, the news of which spread to other kingdoms and nations. It was an effectualblow in favor of the Reformation.Ministers who are preaching present truth were held up to me in contrast with theleading men of the Reformation; especially was Luther’s devoted, zealous life placedbeside the lives of some of our preachers. He proved his undying love for the truthby his courage, his calm firmness, his self-denial. He encountered trials and sacrifices,and at times suffered the deepest anguish of soul, while standing in defense of the truth;yet he murmured not. He was hunted like a wild beast of prey, yet for Christ’s sake heendured all cheerfully.The last merciful message is entrusted to God’s humble, faithful servants of thistime. God has led along those who would not shun responsibility, and has laid burdensupon375