Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

The fanatics, opposed by the officers of the church, set themselves
against all the established forms of order and organization. Their passionate
appeals aroused and excited the people, who, in their zeal against the
Romanists, proceeded to violence. A priest bearing the host was pelted with
stones, and the civil authorities, being called upon to interfere, committed the
assailants to prison.
Intent upon justifying their course, and obtaining redress, the leaders of
the movement proceeded to Wittenberg, and presented their case before the
professors of the University. Said they, "We are sent by God to teach the
people. We have received special revelations from God himself, and
therefore know what is coming to pass. We are apostles and prophets, and
appeal to Dr. Luther as to the truth of what we say."
The professors were astonished and perplexed. This was such an
element as they had never before encountered, and they knew not what
course to pursue. Said Melancthon, "There are indeed spirits of no ordinary
kind in these men; but what spirits? None but Luther can decide. On the one
hand, let us beware of quenching the Spirit of God, and on the other, of being
seduced by the spirit of Satan."
Doctrines that were in direct opposition to the Reformation were put
forth by these men, and the fruit of the new teaching soon became apparent.
The minds of the people were diverted from the words of God, or decidedly
prejudiced by against it. Both the University and the lower schools were
thrown into confusion. The students, spurning all restraint, abandoned their
studies, and the States of Germany recalled all that belonged to their
jurisdiction. Thus the men who thought themselves competent to revive and
control the work of the Reformation, succeeded only in bringing it to the
very brink of ruin.
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