Page 20 - 10 Progress of Reform in Germany

Reformation. The papist princes declared—

and many were ready to credit the

statement—that the rebellion was the

legitimate fruit of Luther's doctrines.

Although this charge was without the

slightest foundation, it could not but cause

the Reformer great distress. That the cause of

truth should be thus disgraced by being

ranked with the basest fanaticism, seemed

more than he could endure. On the other

hand, the leaders in the revolt hated Luther

because he had not only opposed their

doctrines and denied their claims to divine

inspiration, but had pronounced them rebels

against the civil authority. In retaliation they

denounced him as a base pretender. He

seemed to have brought upon himself the

enmity of both princes and people.