From Here to Forever

Escape From Augsburg

Luther's friends urged that as it was useless for him to stay, he should return to Wittenberg without delay, and that utmost caution be observed. He accordingly left Augsburg before daybreak on horseback, accompanied only by a guide furnished by the magistrate. He secretly made his way through the dark streets of the city. Enemies, vigilant and cruel, were plotting his destruction. Those were moments of anxiety and earnest prayer. He reached a small gate in the wall of the city. It was opened for him, and with his guide he passed through. Before the legate learned of Luther's departure, he was beyond the reach of his persecutors. HF 86.4

At the news of Luther's escape the legate was overwhelmed with surprise and anger. He had expected to receive great honor for his firmness in dealing with this disturber of the church. In a letter to Frederick, the elector of Saxony, he bitterly denounced Luther, demanding that Frederick send the Reformer to Rome or banish him from Saxony. HF 86.5

The elector had, as yet, little knowledge of the reformed doctrines, but he was deeply impressed by the force and clearness of Luther's words. Until the Reformer should be proved in error, Frederick resolved to stand as his protector. In reply to the legate he wrote: “Since Doctor Martin has appeared before you at Augsburg, you should be satisfied. We did not expect that you would endeavor to make him retract without having convinced him of his errors. None of the learned men in our principality have informed me that Martin's doctrine is impious, antichristian, or heretical.”²⁰ The elector saw that a work of reform was needed. He secretly rejoiced that a better influence was making itself felt in the church. HF 87.1

Only a year had passed since the Reformer posted his theses on the castle church, yet his writings had kindled everywhere a new interest in the Holy Scriptures. 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.”²¹ HF 87.2

Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of Romanism. But, he wrote, “I am reading the decrees of the pontiffs, and ... I do not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or his apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them.”²² HF 87.3

Rome became more and more exasperated by the attacks of Luther. Fanatical opponents, even doctors in Catholic universities, declared that he who should kill the monk would be without sin. But God was his defense. His doctrines were heard everywhere—“in cottages and convents, ... in the castles of the nobles, in the universities, and in the palaces of kings.”²³ HF 87.4

About this time Luther found that the great truth of justification by faith had been held by the Bohemian Reformer, Huss. “We have all,” said Luther, “Paul, Augustine, and myself, been Hussites without knowing it!” “The truth was preached ... a century ago, and burned!”²⁴ HF 88.1

Luther wrote thus of the universities: “I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth. ... Every institution in which men are not unceasingly occupied with the word of God must become corrupt.”²⁵ HF 88.2

This appeal was circulated throughout Germany. The whole nation was stirred. Luther's opponents urged the pope to take decisive measures against him. It was decreed that his doctrines should be immediately condemned. The Reformer and his adherents, if they did not recant, were all to be excommunicated. HF 88.3