, read the propositions with great joy, recognizing in
them the voice of God. They felt that the Lord had graciously set His hand
to arrest the rapidly swelling tide of corruption that was issuing from
the see of Rome. Princes and magistrates secretly rejoiced that a check
was to be put upon the arrogant power which denied the right of appeal
from its decisions.

But the sin-loving and superstitious multitudes were terrified as the
sophistries that had soothed their fears were swept away. Crafty
ecclesiastics, interrupted in their work of sanctioning crime, and seeing
their gains endangered, were enraged, and rallied to uphold their
pretensions. The Reformer had bitter accusers to meet. Some charged him
with acting hastily and from impulse. Others accused him of presumption,
declaring that he was not directed of God, but was acting from pride and
forwardness. "Who does not know," he responded, "that a man rarely puts
forth any new idea without having some appearance of pride, and without
being accused of exciting quarrels?... Why were Christ and all the martyrs
put to death? Because they seemed to be proud contemners of the wisdom of
the time, and because they advanced novelties without having first humbly
taken counsel of the oracles of the ancient opinions."

Again he declared: "Whatever I do will be done, not by the prudence of
men, but by the counsel of God. If the work be of God, who shall stop it?
if it be not, who can forward it? Not my will, nor theirs, nor ours; but
Thy will, O holy Father, which art in heaven."(176)

Though Luther had been moved by the Spirit of God to begin his work, he
was not to carry it forward without severe conflicts. The reproaches of
his enemies, their misrepresentation of his purposes, and their unjust and
malicious reflections upon his character and motives, came in upon him
like an overwhelming flood; and they were not without effect. He had felt
confident that the leaders of the people, both in the church and in the
schools, would gladly unite with him in efforts for reform. Words of
encouragement from those in high position had inspired him with joy and
hope. Already in anticipation he had seen a brighter day dawning for the
church. But encouragement had changed to reproach and condemnation. Many
dignitaries, of both church and state, were convicted of the truthfulness
of his theses; but they soon saw that the acceptance of these truths would
involve great changes. To enlighten a