the great controversy-第30章
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respects they had erred； found in their discipline more to approve than to
condemn。
At school； where he was sent at an early age； Luther was treated with
harshness and even violence。 So great was the poverty of his parents that
upon going from home to school in another town he was for a time obliged to
obtain his food by singing from door to door； and he often suffered from
hunger。 The gloomy； superstitious ideas of religion then prevailing filled
him with fear。 He would lie down at night with a sorrowful heart； looking
forward with trembling to the dark future and in constant terror at the
thought of God as a stern； unrelenting judge； a cruel tyrant； rather than a
kind heavenly Father。
Yet under so many and so great discouragements Luther pressed resolutely
forward toward the high standard of moral and intellectual excellence which
attracted his soul。 He thirsted for knowledge； and the earnest and practical
character of his mind led him to desire the solid and useful rather than the
showy and superficial。
When； at the age of eighteen； he entered the University of Erfurt； his
situation was more favorable and his prospects were brighter than in his
earlier years。 His parents having by thrift and industry acquired a
competence； they were able to render him all needed assistance。 And the
influence of
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judicious friends had somewhat lessened the gloomy effects of his former
training。 He applied himself to the study of the best authors； diligently
treasuring their most weighty thoughts and making the wisdom of the wise his
own。 Even under the harsh discipline of his former instructors he had early
given promise of distinction； and with favorable influences his mind rapidly
developed。 A retentive memory； a lively imagination； strong reasoning
powers； and untiring application soon placed him in the foremost rank among
his associates。 Intellectual discipline ripened his understanding and
aroused an activity of mind and a keenness of perception that were preparing
him for the conflicts of his life。
The fear of the Lord dwelt in the heart of Luther； enabling him to maintain
his steadfastness of purpose and leading him to deep humility before God。 He
had an abiding sense of his dependence upon divine aid； and he did not fail
to begin each day with prayer； while his heart was continually breathing a
petition for guidance and support。 〃To pray well；〃 he often said； 〃is the
better half of study。〃 D'Aubigne； b。 2； ch。 2。
While one day examining the books in the library of the university； Luther
discovered a Latin Bible。 Such a book he had never before seen。 He was
ignorant even of its existence。 He had heard portions of the Gospels and
Epistles； which were read to the people at public worship； and he supposed
that these were the entire Bible。 Now； for the first time； he looked upon
the whole of God's word。 With mingled awe and wonder he turned the sacred
pages； with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he read for himself the
words of life； pausing now and then to exclaim： 〃O that God would give me
such a book for myself！〃Ibid。； b。 2； ch。 2。 Angels of heaven were by his
side； and rays of light from the throne of God revealed the treasures of
truth to his understanding。 He had ever feared to offend God； but now the
deep conviction of his condition as a sinner took hold upon him as never
before。
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An earnest desire to be free from sin and to find peace with God led him at
last to enter a cloister and devote himself to a monastic life。 Here he was
required to perform the lowest drudgery and to beg from house to house。 He
was at an age when respect and appreciation are most eagerly craved； and
these menial offices were deeply mortifying to his natural feelings； but he
patiently endured this humiliation； believing that it was necessary because
of his sins。
Every moment that could be spared from his daily duties he employed in
study； robbing himself of sleep and grudging even the time spent at his
scanty meals。 Above everything else he delighted in the study of God's word。
He had found a Bible chained to the convent wall； and to this he often
repaired。 As his convictions of sin deepened； he sought by his own works to
obtain pardon and peace。 He led a most rigorous life； endeavoring by
fasting； vigils； and scourgings to subdue the evils of his nature； from
which the monastic life had brought no release。 He shrank from no sacrifice
by which he might attain to that purity of heart which would enable him to
stand approved before God。 〃I was indeed a pious monk；〃 he afterward said；
〃and followed the rules of my order more strictly than I can express。 If
ever monk could obtain heaven by his monkish works； I should certainly have
been entitled to it。 。 。 。 If it had continued much longer； I should have
carried my mortifications even to death。〃Ibid。； b。 2； ch。 3。 As the result
of this painful discipline he lost strength and suffered from fainting
spasms； from the effects of which he never fully recovered。 But with all his
efforts his burdened soul found no relief。 He was at last driven to the
verge of despair。
When it appeared to Luther that all was lost； God raised up a friend and
helper for him。 The pious Staupitz opened the word of God to Luther's mind
and bade him look away from himself； cease the contemplation of infinite
punishment for the violation of God's law； and look to Jesus； his
sin…pardoning Saviour。 〃Instead of torturing yourself on
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account of your sins； throw yourself into the Redeemer's arms。 Trust in Him；
in the righteousness of His life； in the atonement of His death。 。 。 。
Listen to the Son of God。 He became man to give you the assurance of divine
favor。〃 〃Love Him who first loved you。〃Ibid。； b。 2； ch。 4。 Thus spoke this
messenger of mercy。 His words made a deep impression upon Luther's mind。
After many a struggle with long…cherished errors； he was enabled to grasp
the truth； and peace came to his troubled soul。
Luther was ordained a priest and was called from the cloister to a
professorship in the University of Wittenberg。 Here he applied himself to
the study of the Scriptures in the original tongues。 He began to lecture
upon the Bible； and the book of Psalms； the Gospels； and the Epistles were
opened to the understanding of crowds of delighted listeners。 Staupitz； his
friend and superior； urged him to ascend the pulpit and preach the word of
God。 Luther hesitated； feeling himself unworthy to speak to the people in
Christ's stead。 It was only after a long struggle that he yielded to the
solicitations of his friends。 Already he was mighty in the Scriptures； and
the grace of God rested upon him。 His eloquence captivated his hearers； the
clearness and power with which he presented the truth convinced their
understanding； and his fervor touched their hearts。
Luther was still a true son of the papal church and had no thought that he
would ever be anything else。 In the providence of God he was led to visit
Rome。 He pursued his journey on foot； lodging at the monasteries on the way。
At a convent in Italy he was filled with wonder at the wealth； magnificence；
and luxury that he witnessed。 Endowed with a princely revenue； the monks
dwelt in splendid apartments； attired themselves in the richest and most
costly robes； and feasted at a sumptuous table。 With painful misgivings
Luther contrasted this scene with the self…denial and hardship of his own
life。 His mind was becoming perplexed。
At last he beheld in the distance the seven…hilled city。
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With deep emotion he prostrated himself upon the earth； exclaiming： 〃Holy
Rome； I salute thee！〃Ibid。； b。 2； ch。 6。 He entered the city； visited the
churches； listened to the marvelous tales repeated by priests and monks； and
performed all the ceremonies required。 Everywhere he looked upon scenes that
filled him with astonishment and horror。 He saw that iniquity existed among
all classes of the clergy。 He heard indecent jokes from prelates； and was
filled with horror at their awful profanity； even during mass。 As
