ion
they denounced him as a base pretender. He seemed to have brought upon
himself the enmity of both princes and people.

The Romanists exulted, expecting to witness the speedy downfall of the
Reformation; and they blamed Luther, even for the errors which he had been
most earnestly endeavoring to correct. The fanatical party, by falsely
claiming to have been treated with great injustice, succeeded in gaining
the sympathies of a large class of the people, and, as is often the case
with those who take the wrong side, they came to be regarded as martyrs.
Thus the ones who were exerting every energy in opposition to the
Reformation, were pitied and lauded as the victims of cruelty and
oppression. This was the work of Satan, prompted by the same spirit of
rebellion which was first manifested in heaven.

Satan is constantly seeking to deceive men, and lead them to call sin
righteousness, and righteousness sin. How successful has been his work!
How often censure and reproach are cast upon God's faithful servants
because they will stand fearlessly in defense of the truth! Men who are
but agents of Satan are praised and flattered, and even looked upon as
martyrs, while those who should be respected and sustained for their
fidelity to God, are left to stand alone, under suspicion and distrust.

Counterfeit holiness, spurious sanctification, is still doing its work of
deception. Under various forms it exhibits the same spirit as in the days
of Luther, diverting minds from the Scriptures, and leading men to follow
their own feelings and impressions rather than to yield obedience to the
law of God. This is one of Satan's most successful devices to cast
reproach upon purity and truth.

Fearlessly did Luther defend the gospel from the attacks which came from
every quarter. The word of God proved itself a weapon mighty in every
conflict. With that Word he warred against the usurped authority of the
pope, and the rationalistic philosophy of the schoolmen, while he stood
firm as a rock against the fanaticism that sought to ally itself with the
Reformation.

Each of these opposing elements was in its own way setting aside the Holy
Scriptures, and exalting human wisdom as the source of religious truth and
knowledge. Rationalism idolizes reason, and makes this the criterion for
religion. Romanism, claiming for her sovereign pontiff an inspiration
descended in unbroken line from the apostles, and unchangeable through all
time, gives am