Page 51 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

now came to Wittenberg, not pilgrims to

adore her relics, but students to fill her halls

of learning. The writings of Luther had

kindled everywhere a new interest in the

Holy Scriptures, and not only from all parts of

Germany, but from other lands, students

flocked to the university. Young men, coming

in sight of Wittenberg for the first time,

“raised their hands to heaven, and praised

God for having caused the light of truth to

shine forth from this city, as from Zion in

times of old, and whence it spread even to the

most distant countries.”—Ibid., b. 4, ch. 10.

Luther was as yet but partially converted

from the errors of Romanism. But as he

compared the Holy Oracles with the papal

decrees and constitutions, he was filled with

wonder. “I am reading,” he wrote, “the

decrees of the pontiffs, and ... I do not know