Page 59 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

students, doctors, and citizens of all ranks

Luther burned the pope's bull, with the canon

laws, the decretals, and certain writings

sustaining the papal power. “My enemies

have been able, by burning my books,” he

said, “to injure the cause of truth in the minds

of the common people, and destroy their

souls; for this reason I consumed their books

in return. A serious struggle has just begun.

Hitherto I have been only playing with the

pope. I began this work in God's name; it will

be ended without me, and by His might.”—

Ibid., b. 6, ch. 10.

To the reproaches of his enemies who

taunted him with the weakness of his cause,

Luther answered: “Who knows if God has not

chosen and called me, and if they ought not to

fear that, by despising me, they despise God

Himself? Moses was alone at the departure