Luther Experiences Agony of Soul

The princes who favored the pope declared that the rebellion was the fruit of Luther's doctrines. This charge brought the Reformer great distress—that the cause of truth should be disgraced by being classed with the worst fanaticism. On the other hand, the leaders in the revolt hated Luther. He had not only denied their claims to divine inspiration, but had called them rebels against the civil authority. In retaliation they denounced him as an evil pretender.LF 82.6

Rome's supporters expected to see the downfall of the Reformation. And they blamed Luther even for the errors that he had tried most earnestly to correct. The fanatical party, falsely claiming to have been treated unjustly, gained sympathy. People began to regard them as martyrs. In this way the ones opposed to the Reformation received both sympathy and praise. This was the work of the same spirit of rebellion that first showed its face in heaven.LF 82.7

Satan is constantly trying to deceive people and lead them to call sin righteousness and righteousness sin. Counterfeit holiness, false sanctification, still exhibits the same spirit as in the days of Luther, diverting minds from Scripture and leading people to follow feelings and impressions rather than the law of God.LF 83.1

Fearlessly Luther defended the gospel from attack. With the Word of God he warred against the pope's usurped authority, while he stood firm as a rock against the fanaticism that tried to join itself to the Reformation.LF 83.2

Both of these opposing elements set aside the Holy Scriptures, exalting human wisdom as the source of truth. Rationalism idolizes reason and makes it the standard for religion. Romanism claims an unbroken line of inspiration from the apostles, giving it the opportunity to conceal extravagance and corruption under the “apostolic” commission. The inspiration that Münzer claimed came from the mists of his imagination. True Christianity receives the Word of God as the test of all inspiration.LF 83.3

When he returned from Wartburg, Luther completed his translation of the New Testament, and soon the gospel went to the people of Germany in their own language. Everyone who loved the truth received this translation received with great joy.LF 83.4

The priests were alarmed at the thought that the common people would now be able to discuss God's Word with them, which would expose their own ignorance. Rome used all her authority to prevent the Scriptures from spreading. But the more she prohibited the Bible, the more the people wanted to know what it really taught. All who could read carried it around with them and were not content until they had memorized large portions of it. Luther immediately began to translate the Old Testament.LF 83.5

Luther's writings found a welcome in both city and village. “What Luther and his friends composed, others circulated. Monks who were convinced that their monastic vows were unlawful, but who were too ignorant to proclaim the word of God, ... sold the books of Luther and his friends. Germany soon swarmed with these bold book salesmen.”^{10J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, book 9, chapter 11.}LF 83.6