Page 65 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

humiliation he was prepared again to walk

safely upon the dizzy heights to which he had

been so suddenly exalted.

As men rejoice in the freedom which the

truth brings them, they are inclined to extol

those whom God has employed to break the

chains of error and superstition. Satan seeks

to divert men's thoughts and affections from

God, and to fix them upon human agencies;

he leads them to honor the mere instrument

and to ignore the Hand that directs all the

events of providence. Too often religious

leaders who are thus praised and reverenced

lose sight of their dependence upon God and

are led to trust in themselves. As a result they

seek to control the minds and consciences of

the people, who are disposed to look to them

for guidance instead of looking to the word of

God. The work of reform is often retarded