Page 10 - 10 Progress of Reform in Germany
P. 10
his enemies were charging it upon him. In
bitterness of soul he sometimes asked: “Can
such, then, be the end of this great work of
the Reformation?”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 7. Again, as
he wrestled with God in prayer, peace flowed
into his heart. “The work is not mine, but
Thine own,” he said; “Thou wilt not suffer it
to be corrupted by superstition or
fanaticism.” But the thought of remaining
longer from the conflict in such a crisis,
became insupportable. He determined to
return to Wittenberg.
Without delay he set out on his perilous
journey. He was under the ban of the empire.
Enemies were at liberty to take his life;
friends were forbidden to aid or shelter him.
The imperial government was adopting the
most stringent measures against his
adherents. But he saw that the work of the
