Luther’s Separation From Rome
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claim, was like a two-edged sword, cutting its way to the hearts of
the people. Everywhere there was awakening a desire for spiritual
progress. Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting after righ-
teousness as had not been known for ages. The eyes of the people, so
long directed to human rites and earthly mediators, were now turning
in penitence and faith to Christ and Him crucified.
This widespread interest aroused still further the fears of the papal
authorities. Luther received a summons to appear at Rome to answer
to the charge of heresy. The command filled his friends with terror.
They knew full well the danger that threatened him in that corrupt
city, already drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. They
protested against his going to Rome and requested that he receive his
examination in Germany.
This arrangement was finally effected, and the pope’s legate was
appointed to hear the case. In the instructions communicated by the
pontiff to this official, it was stated that Luther had already been de-
clared a heretic. The legate was therefore charged “to prosecute and
constrain without any delay.” If he should remain steadfast, and the
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legate should fail to gain possession of his person, he was empowered
“to proscribe him in every part of Germany; to banish, curse, and
excommunicate all those who are attached to him.”—Ibid., b. 4, ch.
2. And, further, the pope directed his legate, in order entirely to root
out the pestilent heresy, to excommunicate all, of whatever dignity in
church or state, except the emperor, who should neglect to seize Luther
and his adherents, and deliver them up to the vengeance of Rome.
Here is displayed the true spirit of popery. Not a trace of Chris-
tian principle, or even of common justice, is to be seen in the whole
document. Luther was at a great distance from Rome; he had had no
opportunity to explain or defend his position; yet before his case had
been investigated, he was summarily pronounced a heretic, and in the
same day, exhorted, accused, judged, and condemned; and all this by
the self-styled holy father, the only supreme, infallible authority in
church or state!
At this time, when Luther so much needed the sympathy and coun-
sel of a true friend, God’s providence sent Melanchthon to Wittenberg.
Young in years, modest and diffident in his manners, Melanchthon’s
sound judgment, extensive knowledge, and winning eloquence, com-
bined with the purity and uprightness of his character, won universal