nfession made by the
elector and his allies?" asked another, of Doctor Eck. "With the writings
of the apostles and prophets--no!" was the reply; "but with those of the
Fathers and of the councils--yes!" "I understand," responded the
questioner. "The Lutherans, according to you, are in Scripture, and we are
outside."(306)

Some of the princes of Germany were won to the reformed faith. The emperor
himself declared that the Protestant articles were but the truth. The
Confession was translated into many languages, and circulated through all
Europe, and it has been accepted by millions in succeeding generations as
the expression of their faith.

God's faithful servants were not toiling alone. While "principalities and
powers and wicked spirits in high places" were leagued against them, the
Lord did not forsake His people. Could their eyes have been opened, they
would have seen as marked evidence of divine presence and aid as was
granted to a prophet of old. When Elisha's servant pointed his master to
the hostile army surrounding them, and cutting off all opportunity for
escape, the prophet prayed, "Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may
see."(307) And, lo, the mountain was filled with chariots and horses of
fire, the army of heaven stationed to protect the man of God. Thus did
angels guard the workers in the cause of the Reformation.

One of the principles most firmly maintained by Luther was that there
should be no resort to secular power in support of the Reformation, and no
appeal to arms for its defense. He rejoiced that the gospel was confessed
by princes of the empire; but when they proposed to unite in a defensive
league, he declared that "the doctrine of the gospel should be defended by
_God_ alone.... The less man meddled in the work, the more striking would
be God's intervention in its behalf. All the politic precautions suggested
were, in his view, attributable to unworthy fear and sinful
mistrust."(308)

When powerful foes were uniting to overthrow the reformed faith, and
thousands of swords seemed about to be unsheathed against it, Luther
wrote: "Satan is putting forth his fury; ungodly pontiffs are conspiring;
and we are threatened with war. Exhort the people to contend valiantly
before the throne of the Lord, by faith and prayer, so that our enemies,
vanquished by the Spirit of God, may be constrained to peace. Our chief
want, our chief labor, is prayer; let the people know that they are now
exposed