Isahluko 11—Ukuphikisa Kwababusi Elizweni LaseGermany.

Obunye bobufakazi obukhulu obanikwa umsebenzi weMvuselelo kwaba yikuphakama kwababusi ababengamaKrestu elizweni laseGermany emhlanganweni owawenziwe edolobheni laseSpires ngomnyaka ka1529. Isibindi, lokukholwa kwamadoda lawa ayesesaba uNkulunkulu kwatholela izizukulwane zabo ukukhululeka kwezokholo lasemicabangweni okweminyaka eminengi eyalandelayo. Ukutshengisela kwabo kwanika ibandla leMvuselelo ibizo lokuthi Abaphikisi; insika yalelibandla iyikuphikisa ngokwakho. - (D’Aubigne, b. 13, ch. 6). {GC 197.1}IEP 197.1

Usuku olumnyama njalo olwesabekayo lwaselufikele ibandla labavuseleli. Loba nje kwakubekwe umthetho emhlanganweni waseWorms, owawubeke uLuther icala lokuba yinswelaboya njalo owawusenqabela imfundiso yakhe ukuthi itshunyayelwe, abantu babeqhubekile belesifiso sokuzwa yonke imfundiso yesiKrestu eyayikhona elizweni. Amandla kaNkulunkulu ayesebenzile ukumisa amandla ezitha zeqiniso. UCharles V wayezimisele ukubhidliza umsebenzi wemvuselelo, kodwa ezikhathini zonke lapho ayephakamise khona isandla sakhe phezu kwabo, wayebanjwe ngamandla ukuthi akhangelise isandla sakhe kwezinye indawo. Ezikhathini ezinengi kwakubonakala sengathi labo ababemela iqiniso babezatshabalaliswa, kodwa ngesikhathi esifaneleyo amabutho elizweni laseTurkey ahlasela evelela empumalanga, kwezinye izikhathi kwakusiba yinkosi yaselizweni laseFrance, kwesinye isikhathi upapa ngokwakhe ngoba wayelomhawu lamandla kamongameli ayelokhu ekhula, wayesilwa laye, ngokunjalo phakathi kwempi lokuvukelana, umsebenzi weMvuselelo wawube lethuba lokukhula njalo lokuthola amandla. {GC 197.2}IEP 197.2

Ekucineni kodwa upapa wakhetha ukufihla inzondo ayelayo, wahlela ukuthi basebenzisane lomongameli ukuthi batshabalalise abaVuseleli. Umhlangano omkhulu edolobheni laseSpires ngomnyaka ka1526 wawunike amazwe wonke ukukhululeka okugcweleyo kwezokholo kwazekwayafika umhlangano omkhulu; kodwa kungakadluli isikhathi eside kubekiwe lokhu, umongameli wabiza omunye umhlangano owawuzakwenzelwa edolobheni laseSpires ngomnyaka ka1529 efuna ukubhidliza abahlamuki bonke. Ababusi babezancengwa ngokuthenjiswa ukuthula, ukwenzela ukuthi basekele amacebo wokubhidlisa iMvuselelo, kodwa nxa lokhu kwakusehlula uCharles wayezimisele ukusebenzisa inkemba. {GC 197.3}IEP 197.3

Abameli bakapapa bakujabulela lokhu kakhulu. Babuya eSpires ngobunengi babo, njalo babonisa sobala indlela ababezonda ngayo labo ababesenza umsebenzi weMvuselelo labo bonke ababebasekela. UMelanchthon wathi: “Siyinhlamba njalo lezibi zomhlaba, kodwa uKrestu uzakhangela abantu bakhe, njalo uzabahlenga.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). Ababusi bonke ababengamakholwa banqatshelwa lokuthi babelenkonzo endaweni zabo zokuhlala. Kodwa abantu baseSpires babewomele ukuzwa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, okwabangela ukuthi loba kwakufakwe umthetho lowo, inkulungwane zabantu zigcwale endlini yokukhonzela eyayisesigodlweni sombusi waseSaxony. {GC 198.1}IEP 198.1

Lokhu kwenza ukuthi impikiswano leyi ikhule. Kwalethwa umbiko wokuthi isivumelwano esasenziwe esokunika abantu inkululeko yokukhetha ukholo lwabo yayibangele ukungahlaliseki elizweni, umongameli wabatshela ukuthi wayefuna ukuthi isivumelwano lesi sisuswe. Isenzo lesi sabangela ukuthi ababusi bonke ababekholwa bagcwale ulaka njalo lamaKrestu wonke ayekhona. Omunye wabo wathi: “UKrestu futhi usewele ezandleni zikaKhefasi loPhilathu.” Abameli bakapapa baqala ukusebenzisa udlame futhi. Omunye wabapristi wakhuluma amazwi alandelayo: “Abantu baseTurkey bangcono kulabalandeli bakaLuther; ngoba abantu baseTurkey balamalanga wokuzila ukudla, kodwa abalandeli bakaLuther bayawephula. Nxa kudingeka ukuthi sikhethe phakathi kwelizwi likaNkulunkulu lamaphutha akudala awebandla, kumele siphike ilizwi likaNkulunkulu.” UMelanchthon wathi: “Nsuku zonke phambi komhlangono lowu, uFaber ulahlela amatshe amatsha phezu kwamaKrestu.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). {GC 198.2}IEP 198.2

Ukwamukelana kwezokholo kwakufakwe emthethweni njalo amazwe wonke ayelamakholwa esiKrestu azimisela ukuphikisa imizamo yonke yokunyathela phezu kwamalungelo abo. ULuther ngesizatho sokuthi wayelokhu engaphansi kwesigwebo saseWorms kazange avunyelwe ukubakhona emhlanganweni waseSpires; kodwa indawo yakhe yagcwaliswa ngabanye ayesebenzisana labo njalo lababusi ababeyamukele iqiniso bazimisela ukumela iqiniso ngesikhathi lesi esasesiphuthuma. UFrederick waseSaxony ohloniphekayo, owayeke waba ngumvikeli kaLuther, wayesethethwe yikufa, kodwa uDuke John, umfowabo owathatha isikhundla sakhe, wayeyamukele iMvuselelo ngentokozo, njalo loba wayengumngane wokuthula, wabonisa amandla lesibindi sokuvikela inkolo yabantu. {GC 198.3}IEP 198.3

Abapristi batshela amazwe wonke ayekhethe ukulandela imfundiso yeMvuselelo ukuthi avume ukuba ngaphansi kwamandla eRoma. Abavuseleli ngakolunye uhlangothi babambelela emthethweni owawufakiwe emhlanganweni owawedlule. Bazimisela ukungavumi ukuthi ibandla leRoma, lithole njalo amandla wokubusa amazwe ayethole ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngentokozo. {GC 199.1}IEP 199.1

Ekucineni kwabekwa ukuthi endaweni lapho iMvuselelo eyayingakafiki khona, umthetho waseWorms kwakumele ulandelwe, njalo lokuthi “kulezo indawo lapho abantu ababephambuke kiwo, njalo lapho ababengeke bawulandele kungela ngozi yomvukela, kwakumele bengalethi eyinye imvuselelo, kwakumele bengathinti zonke izinto ezaziletha impikiswano, kwakumele bengaphikisi inkonzo yesidlo ngendlela eyayisenziwa libandla leRoma, njalo kwakumele bengavumeli muntu okhonza ebandleni leRoma ukuthi abengumlandeli kaLuther.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). Umbono lowu walethwa emhlanganweni, okwabangela ukuthi abameli bakapapa lamapristi bajabule kakhulu. {GC 199.2}IEP 199.2

Nxa umthetho lowu wawungabekwa, “umsebenzi weMvuselelo wawungeke ukhuliswe... lapho owawungazakali khona, kumbe uqiniswe lapho owawususazakala khona.” (Ibid, b.13, ch.5). Abantu babezanqatshelwa ukukhuluma bekhululekile. Kwakungasoke kuvunyelwe ukuthi abantu batshunyayezwe njalo baphendulwe. Njalo bonke ababesekela umsebenzi weMvuselelo kwakumele balandele imithetho leyi eyayisephula amalungelo abo. Kwabonakala sengathi amathemba omhlaba wonke ayesezacitshwa. “Ukuvuselelwa kwamandla eRoma...kuzabangela ukuthi kulethwe ukuncindezela kwasendulo; njalo kuzatholakala amathuba wokuqedisa isenzo sokubhidliza umsebenzi wemvuselelo osuhlukunyezwe yinkolo yamanga lokuhlamuka okuphume phakathi kwawo.”- (Ibid, b.13, ch.5). {GC 199.3}IEP 199.3

Nxa labo ababesekela umsebenzi weMvuselelo basebehlangene ukuthi bahlaziye lokhu okwakubekwe phambi kwabo, bakhangelana ngokudideka. Babuzana umbuzo owodwa: “Kuyini okumele sikwenze?” Kwakulezinto ezinkulu kakhulu ezazithinta umhlaba wonke ezazilenga emoyeni. “Kambe abameli abakhulu beMvuselelo bazavuma yini njalo bamukele umthetho lowu? Kwakuzaba lula kangakanani kubaVuseleli ababesemhlanganweni lowu owawunzima kakhulu, ukuthi bavumelane bacine besenza isinqumo esasingeke sibe silungile! Kwakuzaba lezizatho ezingaki ababengazithola ezazingasekela isinqumo sokuthi bamukele umthetho lowu! Ababusi ababelandela imfundiso yeMvuselelo babesazi ukuthi bona babelamandla wokukhonza bekhululekile. Umthetho lowu wawuthinta abantu ababengaphansi kwabo ababekholise amalungelo wokukhonza bekhululekile. Kambe lokhu akumelanga kubasuthise na? Ukuvuma kwakuzavimbela inhlupho ezingaki! Ukwala umthetho lowu kwakuzabafaka engozini ezingaki! Ngubani owaziyo amathuba azavela ngokuhamba kwesikhathi? Asamukeleni ukuthula, asibambeleleni egatsheni esilunikwa libandla leRoma, sivale amanxeba elizwe laseGermany. AbaVuseleli babengasebenzisa imicabango efana laleyi basekele isinqumo sabo sokuvuma umthetho lowu esasizabangela ukuthi ngokuhamba kwesikhathi umsebenzi wabo utshabalaliswe. {GC 199.4}IEP 199.4

Ngenjabulo bakhangela isizatho esasibangele ukuthi kubekwe umthetho owawufana lalowu, njalo benza isinqumo ngokukholwa. Kwakuyini isizatho sakhona? Kwakungamalungelo ebandla leRoma ukuphoqela njalo lokuvimbela abantu ukuthi bazicabangele. Kodwa kwakungafanelanga yini ukuthi bona labalandeli babo bakholise ukukhululeka kwezokholo? Yebo lokhu kwakuzaba yisipho abasinikwayo kancane emthethweni lowu, hatshi njengelungelo labo. Kukho konke okwakungacaciswanga emthethweni lowu, iqiniso laliyikuthi, ibandla leRoma lalingumahluleli ongaguqukiyo, umzwangedwa wabantu wawungaphansi kwamandla abo, njalo kwakumele balalelwe bona. Ukuvuma umthetho lowu kwakusitsho ukuthi amalungelo wokukhetha inkolo ayezaphelela eSaxony, kwezinye indawo lapho ivangeli elalingakafinyeleli khona abantu babengasoze bathola ithuba lokuzikhethela inkolo yabo ngoba lokhu kwakuzaba licala elalithwala isigwebo sokubulawa lokuphoselwa emajele. Kambe kwakufanele bavume umthetho owasitsho ukuthi ivangeli lihlale endaweni encane kuphela? Ukuvumela ukuthi kubekwe umthetho owawusitsho ukuthi umsebenzi weMvuselelo wawungasela mandla wokuphendula omunye umuntu? Njalo wawusuhambe ibanga lawo lokucina? Njalo lokuthi lapho inkolo yebandla leRoma eyayikhona yayizahlala ikhona ingaphanjaniswa? Kambe abaVuseleli babezenelisa ukugeza izandla zabo bethi igazi lalabo ababezakwala ukulandela umthetho lowu bakhethe ukunikela impilo zabo ezandleni zikapapa lalingekho phezu kwabo na? Lokhu kwakuzaba yikuthengisa, ngehola leli elaliqakatheke kangaka, umsebenzi wevangeli njalo lamalungelo amaKrestu.” (Wylie, b.9, ch. 15). Kwakungcono kibo ukunikela amazwe abo, lemiqhele yabo, njalo lempilo zabo.” -(D’Aubigne, b. 13, ch. 5). {GC 200.1}IEP 200.1

“Asiyaleni ukwamukela umthetho lowu,” batsho ababusi. “Endabeni eziphathelane lomzwangedwa ubunengi babantu abutsho ukuthi balamandla.” Abasekeli babo bathi: “Kungenxa yesivumelwano esenziwa ngomnyaka ka1526 esenza ukuthi sibe lokuthula esilakho khathesi, ukuguqula lokhu kuzabangela udlame lokuvukelana. Umhlangano lowu awulamandla wokutshintsha lokhu kuze kuyefika isikhathi lapho okuzabizwa khona umhlangano omkhulu.” (Ibid, b.13, ch.5). Ukuvikela amalungelo abantu wokuzikhethela inkolo yabo kungumsebenzi wesizwe, njalo lokhu kungumngcele wamandla waso endabeni zokukholwa. Yonke imbuso ezama ukubeka imthetho yokulawula ukholo lwabantu icina isephula konke okwalwelwa ngamaKrestu endulo. {GC 201.1}IEP 201.1

Abaphathi bebandla bazimisela ukubhidliza lokhu ababekubiza “inkani yetshongololo.” Baqala ngokuzama ukwehlukanisa laba ababemela iMvuselelo njalo lokwethusela bonke ababengaphumanga egcekeni besekela umsebenzi weMvuselelo. Abameli bamadolobho ayekhululekile babizwa phambi komhlangano njalo batshelwa ukuthi kwakumele batsho ukuthi babezalandela umthetho lowu kumbe cha. Bancenga ukuthi banikwe isikhathi sokucabangisisa kodwa basiyala isicelo lesi. Ekucineni nxa babebuzwa abantu abaphosa befike ingxenye yenani labo bonke bakhetha ukuvikela umsebenzi weMvuselelo. Bonke abakhetha ukumela iqiniso babesazi ukuthi isinqumo sabo sasizabangela ukusolwa, lokubekwa icala, njalo lokubulawa. Omunye wabo wathi: “Kumele sikhethe ukuphika ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, kumbe sitshiswe.”- (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). {GC 201.2}IEP 201.2

Inkosi uFerdinand, owayemele umbusi omkhulu emhlanganweni lowu, wananzelela ukuthi umthetho lowu wawuzabangela ukwehlukana ngaphandle kokuthi ababusi laba benziwe ukuthi bavume. Ngakhoke wazama amaqhinga wokubenza ukuthi bavume, ngoba wayesazi ukuthi nxa kwakungenzeka asebenzise udlame ababusi laba babezaqina esinqumeni sabo. “Wancenga ababusi ukuthi bamukele umthetho lowu, wabatshela ukuthi umongameli wayezathokoza kakhulu ngabo.” Kodwa amadoda lawa athembekileyo ayesamukela amandla ayedlula awababusi basemhlabeni, ngakho baphendula ngokuzehlisa: “Sizakuhlonipha umongameli kukho konke okungabangela ukuthi kubelokuthula njalo kulethe udumo kuNkulunkulu.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). {GC 201.3}IEP 201.3

Phambi kwabantu bonke ababesemhlanganweni inkosi yaletha ilizwi lokuthi umthetho lowu “wawuzafakwa njengomthetho ovela kumongameli ongadingi umbono wabanye ababusi, njalo okwakusele kibo kwakuyikuthi bamukele intando yabantu abanengi.” Ngemva kokutsho lamazwi, waphuma emhlanganweni, wanganiki abaVuseleli ithuba lokucabangisisa kumbe elokuphendula. “Bazama ukuthumela ilizwi elalicela ukuthi inkosi iphenduke kodwa amazwi abo aphelela emoyeni.” Wathi ebaphendula watsho amazwi athi: “Leyi yindaba esiphelile, osekusele kuphela yikuthi liwukhothamele.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 5). {GC 202.1}IEP 202.1

Umongameli lezisebenzi zakhe babesazi ukuthi ababusi ababekholwa babezalandela uMbhalo Ongcwele okwedlula imfundiso yomuntu, njalo babesazi ukuthi kuzozonke indawo isinqumo esifananayo esasizayenziwa khona, amandla kapapa ayezanqotshwa. Kodwa njengenkulungwane zabantu kusukela esikhathini sabo, nxa bekhangela kuphela “ezintweni ezidlulayo lezibonakalayo,” bayaziqinisa ngokuthi umsebenzi kapapa lomongameli wawulamandla, njalo lowo owabaVuseleli wawuxega. Ngabe abaVuseleli babethembele ekuxhasweni kwabantu kuphela, babezaphelelwa ngamandla ngendlela abameli bakapapa ababecabanga ukuthi bazaphela ngayo amandla. Kodwa loba nje babeliqula elincane, njalo bephikisana leRoma, babelawo amandla abo. “Bakhetha ilizwi likaNkulunkulu phezu komthetho lowu, bakhetha uJesu Krestu, iNkosi yamakhosi phezu kaCharles.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch.6). {GC 202.2}IEP 202.2

Njengoba uFerdinand wayeyalile ukuzwa izicelo zabo, ababusi bakhetha ukuthi loba engekho, bengachithi isikhathi kodwa balethe ukuphikisa kwabo phambi kwephalamende yesizwe sonke. Babhala incwadi bayibala phambi komhlangano lowu: {GC 202.3}IEP 202.3

“Siphikisa ngale indlela, phambi kukaNkulunkulu, uMdali wethu oyedwa, Isihlangu sethu, loMsindisi, njalo loMhlengi wethu, njalo ozabangumahluleli wethu, laphambi kwabantu bonke lezidalwa zonke, ukuthi thina, ngokwethu njalo labantu bakithi, asivumi njalo asilandeli loba ngaluphi uhlobo umthetho lowu obekiweyo, ngayo yonke indlela ephikisa uNkulunkulu, lelizwi lakhe, lomzwangedwa wethu oqotho, njalo losindiso lwemphefumulo yethu.” {GC 202.4}IEP 202.4

Lithini! Siyawuvuma umthetho lowu! Siyafuqa ukuthi uNkulunkulu nguye obizela umuntu elwazini lwakhe, umuntu lowu loba kunjalo ngeke amukele ulwazi lukaNkulunkulu!” “Akula eyinye imfundiso eqotho ngaphandle kwaleyo ehambelana lelizwi likaNkulunkulu... INkosi iyanqabela ukufundiswa kweyinye imfundiso... Imbhalo eNgcwele kumele ichazwe ngamanye amavesi acacileyo; iBhuku leli eLingcwele, libalulekile empilweni yamaKrestu, lilula ukuzwisiseka, njalo lihleliwe ukuthi lisuse bonke ubunyama. Sizimisele, ngomusa kaNkulunkulu, ukugcina njalo lokutshumayela ilizwi lakhe kuphela, njengoba litholakala eThestamentini elidala lelitsha, singafakanga lutho kilo oluphikisayo. Ilizwi leli yilo kuphela iqiniso elipheleleyo, liyinsika yemfundiso yonke njalo lempilo yonke, njalo ngeke lahluleke kumbe lisidukise. Lowo owakha phezu kwalo uzakuma phambi kwamandla wonke asegehena, lapho yonke imizamo yomuntu yokuliphikisa izakuwa phambi kobuso bukaNkulunkulu.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 6). {GC 203.1}IEP 203.1

“Ngenxa yesizatho lesi siyala ukwamukela ijogwe elibekwe phezu kwethu ngenkani.” “Esikhathini esifananayo silethemba lokuthi umongameli uzaziphatha njengombusi ongumKrestu othanda uNkulunkulu phezu kwezinto zonke, njalo sizimisele ukunika yena, njalo ngendlela esifuna ukunika wonke amakhosi uthando lwethu njalo lenhlonipho yethu yonke njengoba kungumlandu wethu ukuthi senze njalo.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 6.) {GC 203.2}IEP 203.2

Indonsela enkulu yasala emhlanganweni lowu. Inengi labantu lagcwala ukumangala nxa babebona isibindi salaba ababephikisa. Ikusasa lalibonakala phambi kwabo sengathi lalimnyama njalo lifihlakele. Ukulwisana, lempi, njalo lokuchitheka kwegazi kwakungathi ngeke kuyekele ukuza. Kodwa abaVuseleli ngokwazi kwabo ukuthi umsebenzi wabo wawulungile, njalo babeyame esandleni sikaNkulunkulu, “bagcwala isibindi.” {GC 203.3}IEP 203.3

“Imfundiso ezaziphakathi kokuphikisa lokhu okwabalodumo...zibumba insika yenkolo yokuphikisa. Khathesi ukuphikisa lokhu kumelana lokuncindezela okubili endabeni zokukholwa: okokuqala yikungenela empilweni zabantu okwenziwa ngumbuso womhlaba, njalo okwesibili ngamandla webandla angela mngcele. Kulokuthi kube lokuncindezela lokhu, inkolo ephikisana lebandla leRoma, ifaka amandla womzwangedwa phezu kwabahluleli basemhlabeni, njalo lamandla elizwi likaNkulunkulu phezu kwebandla lalapha emhlabeni. Ngokokuqala, inkolo leyi iyaphika amandla asemhlabeni ezintweni zokukholwa, njalo ikhuluma amazwi abafundi labaprofethi wokuthi, ‘kufanele sihloniphe uNkulunkulu okwedlula umuntu.’ Endaweni yomqhele kaCharles V, iphakamisa umqhele kaJesu Krestu. Kodwa iyaqhubekela phambili: ibeka isisekelo sokuthi yonke imfundiso yabantu kumele ibengaphansi kwelizwi likaNkulunkulu.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 6). Ababusi laba bakwenza kwacaca ukuthi kwakulilungelo labo lokuthi batsho lokho ababekukholwa njengeqiniso. Babengasoke bakholwe njalo bahloniphe kuphela, kodwa babezafundisa lokhu okutholakala elizwini likaNkulunkulu, njalo baphika ilungelo lokuthi abapristi labehluleli bangenele. Ukuphikisa okwenzeka edolobheni laseSpires kwakuyibufakazi obucolekileyo obaveza ububi bokwenqabela abantu ukuthi bazikhethele inkolo yabo, njalo lokucacisa ilungelo labantu lokuthi bakhonze uNkulunkulu ngendlela umzwangedwa wabo obahola ngayo. {GC 203.4}IEP 203.4

Ilizwi labo laseliphumile. Lalibhalwe engqondweni zezinkulungwane zabantu njalo labhalwa lasemabhukwini asezulwini, lapho elalingeke lesulwe ngumuntu khona. IIizwe lonke laseGermany lamukela ukuphikisa lokhu njengendlela yokubonisa ukholo lwabo. Endaweni zonke abantu babona ukuphikisa lokhu njengesithembiso sokuthi kwakuzabuya umbuso omutsha njalo ongcono. Omunye wababusi watsho amazwi alandelayo kulabo ababezimisele ukuphikisa edolobheni laseSpires: “Sengathi iNkosi, elinike umusa wokuma ngamandla, ngokukhululeka, njalo ngesibindi, ingaligcina enkolweni yesiKrestu kuzekuyefika ekupheleni.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch. 6). {GC 204.1}IEP 204.1

Ngabe labo ababehambisa umsebenzi weMvuselelo, ngemva kokuthola ukunqoba okuncane, babevumile ukwamukela ukuthandwa ngumhlaba okudlulayo, isenzo sabo sasingeke sivumelane lentando kaNkulunkulu ngitsho lenjongo yomsebenzi abasebewuqalili, njalo ngale indlela babezaletha ukufa komsebenzi lowu. Isenzo sabaVuseleli laba, simumethe isifundo somuntu wonke ophila emhlabeni. Indlela kaSathane yokulwisana loNkulunkulu kanye lelizwi lakhe ayikaguquki; ulokhe ephikisana lokuthi uMbhalo ube yinsika yempilo yabantu ngendlela efanana lasendulo. Lasesikhathini sethu kukhona ukuphambana lemfundiso yalo, njalo ikhona indingeko yokuthi sibuyele emcabangweni wokuphikisa, iBhayibhili njalo iBhayibhili kuphela, kumele libe yinsika yokukholwa lomsebenzi. USathane lalamuhla lokhe esebenza ngendlela zonke ezikhona ezama ukuncindezela abantu endabeni zokukholwa. Umbuso lowu olwisana lesiKrestu ababezama ukulwisana lawo emhlanganweni waseSpires sulamandla amatsha lamhlanje njalo wenza imizamo yokuthola amandla owawulawo kudala. Kuphela ukuzimisela ukulandela ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngokuphelela okwaboniswa ngesikhathi seMvuselelo, yilo ithemba elingaletha inguquko lamhlanje. {GC 204.2}IEP 204.2

Kwakulezibonakaliso zengozi eyayizakwehlela abantu ababefuna iMvuselelo, kwabakhona njalo izibonakaliso zesandla sikaNkulunkulu esasivulelwe ukuvikela bonke ababethembekile. Kwakuyilesi isikhathi lapho “uMelanchthon athwala khona ngokuphangisa emgwaqweni yaseSpires umngane wakhe uSimon Grynaeus esiyamchaphisa umfula uRhine. Umngane wakhe wamangala ebona ukujaha okungaka. ‘Ukhulu olenwele ezimhlophe, kodwa engingamaziyo, ubuye phambi kwami, wathi, emzuzwini owodwa amapholisa azathunyelwa nguFerdinand ukuthi ayebopha uGrynaeus.” {GC 205.1}IEP 205.1

Emini yakhona, uGrynaeus wayehlaselwe nguFaber phakathi kwentshumayelo, owayengomunye wezifundiswa zikapapa, njalo ekucineni wayelwisane laye ngenxa yokuthi wayephikise eyinye yemfundiso zebandla. “UFaber wavalela ngaphakathi ulaka lwakhe, kodwa ngemva kwalokho wayesuke wayenkosini, lapho afika khona wathola imvumo yokubopha umfundisi lowu owayedabuka endaweni yaseHeidelerg. UMelanchthon kazange athandabuze ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayethumele ingilosi yakhe ukuthi ahlenge impilo yomngane wakhe. {GC 205.2}IEP 205.2

“Wama ekhunjini lomfula uRhine, wazewabona ukuthi amanzi alumfula ayehlenge uGrynaeus ezandleni zezitha zakhe. “Ekucineni wakhala uMelanchthon, nxa wayembona esechaphele phetsheya komfula, ‘usehluthulwe emlonyeni walabo abawomele igazi labantu abangela cala.’ Wathi ebuyela endlini yakhe, uMelanchthon watshelwa ukuthi abomthetho ababebuye ukuzobopha uGrynaeus babemdinge indawo yonke endlini.” (Ibid, b. 13, ch.6). {GC 205.3}IEP 205.3

Umsebenzi weMvuselelo wawuzathwalelwa endaweni zonke phambi kwabakhulu labancane. Ababusi ababekhethe ukulandela iqiniso babencitshwe ithuba lokuziphendulela phambi kukaFerdinand kodwa basebenikwe ithuba lokubeka udaba lwabo phambi kukamongameli omkhulu njalo laphambi kwezikhulu zelizwe njalo lezebandla. Ngemizamo yokwehlisa umvukela owawubekhona ngemva komhlangano waseSpires, uCharles V wabiza omunye umhlangano omkhulu wakhetha ukuthi wayezaba khona ngokwakhe. Yikho lapha ababusi ababekhethe ukumela iqiniso ababizelwa khona. {GC 205.4}IEP 205.4

Kwakulengozi ezinengi ezazibonakala sengathi zazizayehlela umsebenzi weMvuselelo, kodwa labo ababeyimele babelokhu bebeke ithemba labo kuNkulunkulu, njalo bazimisela ukuthi babezamela ivangeli ngesibindi. Umbusi waseSaxony watshelwa ngabangane bakhe ukuthi engazibuyeli kulo umhlangano. Bamtshela ukuthi umongameli wayekhethe ukuthi ababusi bebuye ukwenzela ukuthi ebadonsele emjibileni. “Akusikho ukufaka impilo engozini na, ukuthi umuntu azilethe phakathi kwemiduli yedolobho lapho okulesitha sakhe esilamandla?” Kodwa abanye bakhuluma ngenhlonipho bathi, “Yekela ababusi kuphela bahambe ngesibindi, njalo umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu uhanjiswe phambili.” ULuther yena wathi, “UNkulunkulu uthembekile; ngeke asilahle.” (Ibid, b. 15, ch. 2). Umbusi waseSaxony wazimisela ukuya edolobheni laseAugsburg. Bonke abantu ababehamba laye babesazi ingozi eyayiphambili okwabangela ukuthi abanengi behambe belobuso obudangeleyo. Kodwa uLuther owabaphelekezela waze wayafika edolobheni laseCoburg, wavuselela ukholo lwabo olwaselutshona ngokuhlabela ingoma eyabhalwa phakathi kohambo lolu, ethi “Umphotshongo oqinileyo nguNkulunkulu wethu.” Imicabango yokungazi okwakuzalandela yanyamalala, lenhliziyo ezazidangele zakhululeka, nxa babesizwa ingoma leyi. {GC 206.1}IEP 206.1

Ababusi abasebeyamukele imfundiso yeMvuselelo bakhetha ukuthi babelombhalo owawubonisa konke ababekukholwa ngendlela ehlelekileyo, konke lokhu kwakuzasekelwa yibufakazi obuseBhayibhilini, ababezakutsho phambi komhlangano, njalo umsebenzi wokubhala konke lokhu wanikwa uLuther loMelanchthon labanye babo. Umbhalo lowu wamukelwa yibo bonke njengamazwi ayechaza ukholo lwabo njalo bahlangana bonke ukuthi bezofaka amabizo abo kilo. Lesi kwakuyisikhathi esinzima njalo lesicolekileyo. AbaVuseleli babezimisele ukuthi umsebenzi wabo ungabi lophawu lwezombusazwe, kodwa babesazi ukuthi umsebenzi weMvuselelo kwakumele uphume elizwini likaNkulunkulu kuphela. Kwathi ababusi sebebuthana ukuthi bafake amagama abo encwadini leyi, uMelanchthon waphakama wathi: “Kungumsebenzi wabatshumayeli labafundisi ukuthi benze izinto ezifana lalezi; asitshiyeleni ababusi bomhlaba ezinye izinto ezingaphathelananga lenkolo.” UJohn waseSaxony waphendula wathi: “UNkulunkulu akwenqabele, ukuthi ungalise lami. Ngizimisele ukwenza okuhle, ngingazihluphanga ngesikhundla sami. Ngifisa ukumela iNkosi. Umqhele wami lesikhundla sami awuqakathekanga okwedlula isiphambano sikaJesu Krestu.” Ngemva kokutsho amazwi lawa, wabhala phansi ibizo lakhe. Omunye wababusi laye nxa wayethatha usiba wathi: “Nxa ukuphakamisa iNkosi yami uJesu Krestu kudinga lokhu, Ngikulungele...ukutshiya inotho yami ngamuva.” “Kungangcono ngitshiye isikhundla sami, kumbe ngitshiye ilizwe labokhokho bami, kulokuthi ngamukele eyinye imfundiso ehlukene laleyi ebhalwe kule incwadi.” (Ibid, b. 14, ch.6). Lokhu kwakuyikukholwa lokuzimisela kwamadoda lawa ayekhethe uNkulunkulu. {GC 206.2}IEP 206.2

Isikhathi esasibekiwe safika ukuthi bame phambi kamongameli. UCharles V, wayehleli esihlalweni sakhe, ehanqwe ngababusi, wasenika abaVuseleli ithuba lokuzimela. Incwadi eyayichaza ukholo lwabo yabalwa. Phambi komhlangano lowo iqiniso levangeli lachazwa njalo lamaphutha emfundiso yebandla endlalwa sobala. Kufanele ukuthi lolusuku lubizwa “njengosuku olukhulu okwedlula wonke emsebenzini weMvuselelo, njalo njengosuku oluphakeme kakhulu embalini yesiKrestu njalo leyoluntu.” (Ibid, b. 14, ch.7). {GC 207.1}IEP 207.1

Kodwa iminyaka embalwa yaseyidlulile kusukela lapho uLuther ayeme khona yedwa phambi komhlangano ofananayo edolobheni laseWorms. Khathesi endaweni yakhe kwakume ababusi abalamandla kakhulu elizweni lonke. ULuther wayeyalisiwe ukuthi abuye edolobheni laseAugsburg, kodwa wayekhona ngamazwi akhe njalo langemithandazo. “Ngilenjabulo enkulu,” waloba, “ngoba ngiphile kwaze kwafika ihola leli, elokuthi uKrestu avezwe phambi kwabantu ngabantu abaphakeme kangaka, njalo emhlanganweni omkhulu kangaka.” (Ibid, b. 14, ch. 7). Ngale indlela kwagcwaliseka lokho okutshiwo nguMbhalo: “Ngizakhuluma ngobufakazi bakho... phambi kwamakhosi.” (Amahubo 119: 46). {GC 207.2}IEP 207.2

Ngensuku zikaPhawuli ivangeli ayelibotshelwe lafikangale indlela phambi kwamakhosi lababusi belizwe. Ngakho ngalesi isikhathi, lokho umongameli ayekwenqabele ukuthi kutshunyayelwe emathempeleni kwasekutshunyayelwa esigodlweni; lokhu abanengi ababesithi akulungelanga ukuthi kulalelwe yizisebenzi kwasekulalelwe ngokumangala ngamakhosi esizwe. Amakhosi, lamadoda aphakemeyo elizwe ayengabalaleli, lababusi ababelemqhele babengabatshumayeli, njalo intshumayelo yayiphuma elizwini likaNkulunkulu leqiniso. “Kusukela ngesikhathi sabafundi bakaJesu,” waloba omunye umlobi, “akukaze kube lomsebenzi omkhulu okwedlula lowu owenziwa ngababusi laba.” (D’Aubigne, b. 14, ch.7). {GC 208.1}IEP 208.1

“Konke okukhulunywe ngabalandeli bakaLuther kuliqiniso; ngeke sikuphike,” kwatsho omunye wababhishophi. “Ungaphikisa nxa uqedisisa izizatho lezi ezilesisindo ezinikwe ngababusi na?” kwabuza uDr. Eck. “Ngemibhalo yabafundi labaprofethi — hatshi!” kwabayimpendulo; “kodwa ngemibhalo yabobaba bethu lebandla — yebo!” “Ngiyazwisisa,” kwaphendula lowo owayebuza imbuzo. “Abalandeli bakaLuther ngokutsho kwakho, bagxile eBhayibhilini, njalo thina siphandle.” (Ibid, b. 14, ch. 8). {GC 208.2}IEP 208.2

Abanye bababusi baseGermany baphenduka balandela ukholo lweMvuselelo. Umongameli ngokwakhe watsho ukuthi imbhalo leyi yayiliqiniso. Incwadi leyi yaphendulelwa kwezinye indimi yahanjiswa kwezinye indawo kuzwekazi laseEurope, njalo seyamukelwa yizigidi zabantu njengamazwi okukholwa kwabo eminyakeni eyalandelayo. {GC 208.3}IEP 208.3

Inceku zikaNkulunkulu ezithembekileyo zazingasebenzi zodwa. Nxa imimoya lamandla kaSathane ayelwisana labo, uNkulunkulu kazange abatshiye bodwa. Ngabe amehlo abo ayengavulwa, babezabona njengobufakazi usizo olwanikwa abaprofethi endulo lunikwa bona labo. Nxa inceku kaElisha yayimbonisa amabutho ezitha zabo ayebahanqile, umprofethi wathandaza wathi: “Nkosi, ngiyakuncenga, vula amehlo wakhe ukuba abone.” (2 Amakhosi 6:17). Njalo bheka, intaba yayigcwele inqola lamabhiza omlilo, ibutho lasezulwini elalibekwe ukuvikela inceku kaNkulunkulu. Ngendlela efananayo ingilosi zikaNkulunkulu zavikela izisebenzi zeMvuselelo. {GC 208.4}IEP 208.4

Eyinye yemfundiso kaLuther ayeyiqinisa yayingeyokuthi kwakungamelanga bebambelele emandleni asemhlabeni ukuba axhase umsebenzi weMvuselelo, njalo kwakungamelanga bacele izikhali zomhlaba ukuthi zibavikele. Wajabulela ukuthi ivangeli lalimelwe ngababusi belizwe, kodwa nxa babecabanga ukuthi babambane bebumbe ibutho lokuvikela ivangeli wabaphendula wathi, “imfundiso yevangeli kumele ivikelwe nguNkulunkulu kuphela...Nxa abantu besusa izandla zabo kiyo, yikho lapho uNkulunkulu azibonakalisa khona nxa engenela. Zonke izinqumo ababezenzela zona, emehlweni kaNkulunkulu zazingalunganga njalo zazibonisa ukungamthembi kwabo.” (D’Aubigne, London ed., b. 1o, ch. 14). {GC 209.1}IEP 209.1

Nxa izitha ezilamandla zazibambana zifuna ukutshabalalisa ukukholwa kweqiniso, njalo lenkulungwane zenkemba zazibonakala sengathi zazilungele ukulicuya, uLuther wabhala wathi: “USathane usefaka ulaka lwakhe; abaphathi bebandla abazonda uNkulunkulu bayahlangana, njalo sibhekene lempi. Yazisa abantu ukuthi bancenge ngokuzidela phambi kwesihlalo sikaNkulunkulu, ngokukholwa langemithandazo, ukwenzela ukuthi izitha zethu, ezinyathezelwe nguMoya kaNkulunkulu, zikhethe ukuthula. Indingeko yethu enkulu, umsebenzi wethu omkhulu, ngumthandazo, yazisa abantu ukuthi basengozini yenkemba njalo leyolaka lukaSathane, batshele ukuthi bathandaze.” (D’Aubigne, b. 10, ch. 14). {GC 209.2}IEP 209.2

Ngesikhathi esinye esalandelayo, nxa wayebhala ngokubambana lokhu okwakufuna ukwenziwa ngababusi uLuther wathi impi okumele isetshenziswe kumele ibe “yinkemba yakoMoya” kuphela. Wabhalela umbusi waseSaxony wathi: “Ngeke ngokulalela umzwangedwa wethu sivumele ukuthi kwenziwe ukubambana lokhu okufunwa ngababusi. Kungangcono sife kanengi kulokuthi sibone umsebenzi wethu wevangeli uletha ithonsi elilodwa legazi. Umsebenzi wethu yikuthi sifane lezimvu eziya emnikelweni. Isiphambano sikaKrestu kumele sithwalwe. Sengathi umhlonitshwa engaphelelwa yikwesaba. Sizakwenza okukhulu ngemithandazo yethu okwedlula izitha zethu ngokuziphakamisa kwabo. Kuphela ungavumeli ukuthi izandla zakho zingcoliswe ligazi labazalwane. Nxa umongameli efuna ukuthi silethwe phambi komthethwandaba sikulungele lokhu. Ngeke uvikele ukholo lwethu, wonke umuntu kumele akholwe loba kusitsho ukuthi uzabasengozini.” (Ibid, b. 14, ch. 1). {GC 209.3}IEP 209.3

Kusukela endaweni ezisithekileyo zomthandazo kwabuya amandla anyikinya umhlaba wonke eMvuselelweni leyi enkulu. Kule indawo, ngokuzehlisa okungcwele, inceku zikaNkulunkulu zabeka inyawo zazo phezu kwedwala lezithembiso zakhe. Nxa impikiswano yaseAugsburg yayiqhubeka uLuther kazange adlulise usuku engabekanga amahola amathathu wokuthandaza, njalo kwakungamahola ayesenza kubelula ukuthi abale.” Ekufihlakaleni kwendlu yakhe wayezwakala ethululela umphefumulo wakhe phambi kaNkulunkulu ngamazwi “agcwele uthando, ukwesaba, njalo lethemba, njengomuntu okhuluma lomngane wakhe.” “Ngiyazi ukuthi wena unguBaba wethu loNkulunkulu wethu, njalo lokuthi uzahlakaza izitha zabantwana bakho; ngoba lawe usengozini ndawonye lathi. Umsebenzi wonke lowu ngowakho, njalo kungenxa yokusebenza kwakho ukuthi sifake izandla zethu kiwo. Sivikele, wena Baba wethu!” (Ibid, b. 14, ch. 6). {GC 210.1}IEP 210.1

Nxa wayebhalela uMelanchthon owayengaphansi kokuncindezelwa ngenxa yokumangala lokwesaba wabhala wathi: “Umusa lokuthula kuKrestu, ngitsho kuKrestu hatshi emhlabeni. Amen. Ngiyazizonda ngenzondo enkulu lezo izinto ezikudlayo. Nxa umsebenzi lowu ungalunganga utshiye; nxa umsebenzi lowu ulungile kungani singakholwa izithembiso zalowo ositshela ukuthi kumele silale singalakho ukwesaba?... UKrestu ngeke ayekele ukubakhona emsebenzini wenkululeko loweqiniso. Uyaphila, uyabusa; yikuphi ukwesaba esingabalakho ke? (Ibid, b. 14, ch. 6). {GC 210.2}IEP 210.2

UNkulunkulu walalela ukukhala kwenceku zakhe. Wanika ababusi labafundisi umusa njalo lesibindi sokubambelela eqinisweni phambi kwabaphathi bobunyama balumhlaba. INkosi ithi: “Khangelani, ngiyabeka eZiyone ilitshe lengonsi, elikhethiweyo eliligugu, okholwa kilo kayikuyangeka.” (2 Petro 2:6). Abavuseleli babeyakhele kuKrestu, njalo amasango egehena ayengasoke abelamandla phezu kwabo. {GC 210.3}IEP 210.3