ulted as the light of
the gospel seemed about to be extinguished. But instead of this, the
Reformer was filling his lamp from the storehouse of truth; and its light
was to shine forth with brighter radiance.

In the friendly security of the Wartburg, Luther for a time rejoiced in
his release from the heat and turmoil of battle. But he could not long
find satisfaction in quiet and repose. Accustomed to a life of activity
and stern conflict, he could ill endure to remain inactive. In those
solitary days, the condition of the church rose up before him, and he
cried in despair, "Alas! there is no one in this latter day of His anger,
to stand like a wall before the Lord, and save Israel!"(240) Again, his
thoughts returned to himself, and he feared being charged with cowardice
in withdrawing from the contest. Then he reproached himself for his
indolence and self-indulgence. Yet at the same time he was daily
accomplishing more than it seemed possible for one man to do. His pen was
never idle. While his enemies flattered themselves that he was silenced,
they were astonished and confused by tangible proof that he was still
active. A host of tracts, issuing from his pen, circulated throughout
Germany. He also performed a most important service for his countrymen by
translating the New Testament into the German tongue. From his rocky
Patmos he continued for nearly a whole year to proclaim the gospel, and
rebuke the sins and errors of the times.

But it was not merely to preserve Luther from the wrath of his enemies,
nor even to afford him a season of quiet for these important labors, that
God had withdrawn His servant from the stage of public life. There were
results more precious than these to be secured. In the solitude and
obscurity of his mountain retreat, Luther was removed from earthly
supports, and shut out from human praise. He was thus saved from the pride
and self-confidence that are so often caused by success. By suffering and
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, reli