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08 - Luther Before the Diet - The Great Controversy · Sacred Texts Archive

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Chapter eight Luther. Before the Diet, a new emperor, Charles the Fifth,
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had ascended the throne of Germany, and the emissaries of Rome hastened to
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present their congratulations and induced the monarch to employ his power against the Reformation.
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On the other hand, the Elector of Saxony, to whom Charles was in
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great degree indebted for his crown, entreated him to take no step against Luther
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until he should have granted him a hearing. The Emperor was thus placed in
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a position of great perplexity and embarrassment. The Papists would be satisfied with nothing
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short of an imperial edict sentencing Luther to death. The Elector had declared firmly
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that neither his Imperial Majesty nor any other person had shown that Luther's writings had
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been refuted. Therefore, he requested that doctor Luther should be furnished with a
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safe conduct, so that he might appear before a tribunal of learned, pious
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and impartial judges. The attention of all parties was now directed to the Assembly
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of the German States, which convened at Worms soon after the accession of Charles
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to the Empire. There were important political questions and interests to be considered by
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this national Council. For the first time, the princes of Germany were to
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meet their youthful monarch in deliberative assembly. From all parts of the fatherland had
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come the dignitaries of church and state. Secular lords, high born, powerful
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and jealous of their hereditary rights, Princely ecclesiastics flushed with their conscious superiority in
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rank and power, courtly knights and their armed retainers and ambassadors from foreign and
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distant lands all gathered at Worms. Yet in that vast assembly, the subject
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that excited the deepest interest was the cause of the Saxon reformer. Charles had
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previously directed the Elector to bring Luther with him to the Diet, assuring him
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of protection and promising a free discus with competent persons of the questions in dispute.
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Luther was anxious to appear before the Emperor. His health was at this
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time much impaired, Yet he wrote to the Elector, if I cannot go
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to Worms in good health, I will be carried there sick as I am.
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For if the Emperor calls me, I cannot doubt that it is the
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call of God. Himself if they desire to use violence against me, and
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that is very probable, For it is not for their instruction that they order
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me to appear. I place the matter in the Lord's hands. He still
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lives and rains who preserved the three young men in the burning fiery furnace.
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If he will not save me, my life is of little consequence. Let
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us only prevent the Gospel from being exposed to the scorn of the wicked,
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and let us shed our blood for it, for fear they should triumph.
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It is not for me to decide whether my life or my death will contribute
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most to the salvation of all. You may expect everything from me except light
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and recant fly. I cannot and still less retract. As the news was
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circulated at Verns that Luther was to appear before the diet, a general excitement
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was created. Aleander, the papal legate to whom the case had been specially
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entrusted, was alarmed and enraged. He saw that the result would be disastrous
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to the papal cause to institute inquiry into a case in which the Pope had
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already pronounced sentence of condemnation would be to cast contempt upon the authority of the
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sovereign pontiff. Furthermore, he was apprehensive that the eloquent and powerful arguments of
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this man might turn away many of the princes from the cause of the Pope.
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He therefore, in the most urgent manner, remonstrated with Charles against Luther's
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appearance at Verns. About this time, the bold declaring Luther's excommunication was published,
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and this, coupled with the representations of the Legate, induced the Emperor
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to yield. He wrote to the Elector that if Luther was would not retract,
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he must remain at Wittenburg. Not content with this victory, Aliander labored
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with all the power and cunning at his command to secure Luther's condemnation with a
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persistence worthy of a better cause. He urged the matter upon the attention of
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princes, prelates and other members of the Assembly, accusing the reformer of sedition,
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rebellion, impiety, and blasphemy. But the vehemence and passion manifested by
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the Legate revealed too plainly the spirit by which he was actuated. He is
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moved by hatred and vengeance, was the general remark, much more than by
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zeal and piety. The majority of the Diet were more than ever inclined to
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regard Luther's cause with favor. With redoubled zeal, Aliander urged upon the Emperor
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the duty of executing the papal edicts, but under the laws of Germany,
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this could not be done without the concurrence of the princes. And, overcome
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at last by the Leggate's importunity, Charles bade him present his case to the
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Diet. It was a proud day for the Nuncio. The assembly was a
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great one, the cause was even greater. Aleander was to plead for Rome,
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the mother and Mistress of all churches. He was to vindicate the Princedom
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of Peter, before the assembled principalities of Christendom. He had the gift of
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eloquence, and he rose to the greatness of the occasion. Providence ordered it
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that Rome should appear and plead by the ablest of her orators, in the
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presence of the most Augusti tribunals, before she was condemned. With some misgivings,
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those who favored the Reformer looked forward to the effect of Aleander's speech.
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The Elector of Saxony was not present, but by his direction some of his
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councilors attended to take notes of the Nuncio's address. With all the power of
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learning and eloquence, Aleander set himself to overthrow the truth. Charge after charge
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he hurled against Luther as an enemy of the Church and the state, the
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living and the dead, clergy and laity, counsels and private crists. In
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Luther's errors, there is enough, he declared to warrant the burning of a
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hundred thousand heretics. In conclusion, he endeavored to cast contempt upon the adherents
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of the Reformed Faith. What are all these Lutherans? A crew of insolent
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pedagogues, corrupt priests, dissolute monks, ignorant lawyers, and degraded nobles,
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But the common people, whom they have misled and perverted. How far superior
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to them is the Catholic party in number, ability and power. A unanimous
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decree from this illustrious assembly will enlighten the simple, warn the imprudent, decide
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the waverers, and give strength to the weak. With such weapons, the
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advocates of truth in every age have been attacked, the same arguments are still
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urged against all who dare to present in opposition to established errors, the plain
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and direct teachings of God's words. Who are these preachers of new doctrines?
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Exclaimed those who desire a popular religion. They are unlearn few in numbers,
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and of the poorer class. Yet they claim to have the truth and to
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be the chosen people of God. They are ignorant and deceived. How greatly
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superior in numbers and influence is our church, How many great and learned men
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are among us, How much more power is on our side. These are
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the arguments that have a telling influence upon the world. But they are no
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more conclusive now than in the days of the Reformer. The Reformation did not
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as many suppose, and with Luther it is to be continued to the close
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of this world's history. Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to
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others the light which God had permitted to shine upon him. Yet he did
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not receive all the light which was to be given to the world. From
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that time to this new light has been continually shining upon the scriptures, and
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new truths have been constantly unfolding. The legate's address made a deep impression upon
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the diet. There was no Luther present with the clear and convincing Trus of
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God's word to vanquish the papal champion. No attempt was made to defend the
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reformer. There was manifest a general disposition not only to condemn him and the
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doctrines which he taught, but if possible, to uproot the heresy. Rome
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had enjoyed the most favorable opportunity to defend her cause. All that she could
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say in her own vindication had been said, but the apparent victory was the
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signal of defeat. Henceforth, the contrast between truth and error would be more
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clearly seen, as they should take the field in open warfare. Never from
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that day would Rome stand as secure as she had stood. While most of
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the members of the Diet would not have hesitated to yield up Luther to the
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vengeance of Rome, many of them saw and deplored the existing depravity in the
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Church and desired a suppression of the abuses suffered by the German people in consequence
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of the corruption and greed of the hierarchy. The Legate had presented the papal
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rule in the most favorable life. Now the Lord moved upon a member of
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the Diet to give a true delineation of the effects of papal tyranny. With
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noble firmness, Duke George of Saxony stood up in that princely Assembly and specified
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with terrible exactness the deceptions and abominations of popery and their dire results. In
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closing, he said, these are some of the abuses that cry out against
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Rome. All shame has been put aside, and their only object is money,
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money, money, so that the preachers who should teach the truth that
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are nothing but falsehoods, and are not only tolerated, but rewarded, because
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the greater their lives, the greater their gain. It is from this foul
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spring that such tainted waters flow. Debauchery stretches out the hand to avarice.
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Alas it is the scandal caused by the clergy that hurls so many poor souls
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into eternal condemnation. A general reform must be effected. A more able and
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forcible denunciation of the papal abuses could not have been presented by Luther himself,
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and the fact that the speaker was a determined enemy of the reformer gave greater
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influence to his words. Had the eyes of the Assembly been opened, they
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would have beheld angels of God in the midst of them, shedding beams of
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light athwart the darkness of error, and opening minds and hearts to the reception
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of truth. It was the power of the God of truth and wisdom that
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controlled even the adversaries of the Reformation, and thus prepared the way for the
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great work about to be accomplished. Martin Luther was not present, but the
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voice of one greater than Luther had been heard in that assembly. A committee
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was at once appointed by the diet to prepare an enumeration of the papal oppressions
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that weighed so heavily on the German people. This list, containing a hundred
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and one specifications, was presented to the Emperor with a request that he would
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take immediate measures for the correction of these abuses. What a loss of Christian
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souls, said the petitioners, What des what extortions? On account of the
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scandals by which the spiritual head of Christendom is surrounded, it is our duty
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to prevent the ruin and dishonor of our people. For this reason, we
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most humbly, but most urgently entreat you to order a general reformation and to
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undertake its accomplishment. The council now demanded the reformer's appearance before them, Notwithstanding
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the entreaties, protests, and threats of Aleander, the Emperor at last consented
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and Luther was summoned to appear before the Diet. With the summons, was
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issued a safe conduct ensuring his return to a place of security. These were
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born to Wittenburg by a herald, who was commissioned to conduct him to Verms.
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The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed, knowing the prejudice and enmity
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against him. They feared that even his safe conduct would not be respected,
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and they entreated him not to imperil his life. He replied, the papists
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do not desire my coming to Verms, but my condemnation and my death.
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It matters not Pray not for me, but for the word of God.
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Christ will give me his spirit to overcome these ministers of error. I despise
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them during my life. I shall triumph over them by my death. They
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are busy at Verms about compelling me to retract, and this shall be my
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retraction. I said formerly that the Pope was Christ's vicar. Now I assert
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that he is our Lord's adversary and the devil's apostle. Luther was not to
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make his perilous journey alone. Besides the Imperial Messenger, three of his firmest
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friends determined to accompany him. Melanthon earnestly desired to join them. His heart
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was knit to Luther's, and he yearned to follow him if need be to
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prison or to death, But his entreaties were denied. Should Luther perish,
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the hopes of the Reformation must center upon his youthful co laborer. Set the
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Reformer as he parted from melancthon If if I do not return and my enemies
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put me to death, continue to teach and stand fast in the truth.
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Labor in my stead. If you survive, my death will be of little
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consequence. Students and citizens who had gathered to witness Luther's departure were deeply moved.
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A multitude whose hearts had been touched by the gospel bade him farewell with
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weeping. Thus the Reformer and his companions set out from Wittenberg. On the
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journey, they saw that the minds of the people were oppressed by gloomy forebodings.
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At some towns, no honors or proffered them. As they stopped for
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the night, a friendly priest expressed his fears by holding up before Luther the
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portrait of an Italian reformer who had suffered martyrdom. The next day, they
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learned that Luther's writings had been condemned. At Burn's, Imperial messengers were proclaiming
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the emperor's decree and calling upon the people to bring the proscribed works to the
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magistrates. The Herald, fearing for Luther's safety of the council and thinking that
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already his resolution might be shaken, asked if he still wished to go forward.
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He answered, although interdicted in every city, I shall go on.
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At Herfort, Luther was received with honor. Surrounded by admiring crowds, he
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passed through the streets that he had often traversed with his beggar's wallet. He
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visited his convent cell and thought upon the struggles through which the light now flooding
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Germany had been shed upon his soul. He was urged to preach this he
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had been forbidden to do, but the Herald granted him permission, and the
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friar, who had once been made the drudge of the convent, now entered
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the pulpit to a crowded assembly. He spoke from the words of Christ,
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Peace be unto you. Philosophers, doctors and writers, he said, have
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endeavored to teach men the way to obtain everlasting life, and they have not
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succeeded. I will now tell it to you. God has raised one man
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from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, that he might destroy death,
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extra hat sin, and shut the gates of hell. This is the work
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of salvation. Christ has vanquished. This is the joyful news. And we
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are saved by His work and not by our own. Our Lord Jesus Christ
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said, peace be unto you. Behold my hands. That is to say,
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behold, o man. It is I I alone who have taken away
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thy sin and ransom thee. And now thou hast peace, saith the Lord.
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He continued, showing that true faith will be manifested by a holy life.
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Since God has saved us, Let us so order our works that they
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may be acceptable to him. Art thou rich, let thy goods administer to
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the necessities of the poor. Art thou poor, Let thy services be acceptable
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to the rich. If thy labor is useful to thyself alone. The service
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that thou pretendest to render unto God is a lie. The people listened as
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if spellbound. The bread of life is broken to these starving souls. Christ
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is lifted up before them as above popes, leggates, emperors and kings.
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Luther made no reference to his own perilous position. He did not seek to
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make himself the object of thought or sympathy. In the contemplation of Christ.
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He had lost sight of self. He hid behind the Man of Calvary,
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seeking only to present Jesus as the sinner's redeemer. As the Reformer proceeded on
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his journey, he was everywhere regarded with great interest. An eager multitude thronged
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about him, and friendly voices warned him of the purpose of the Romanists.
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They will burn you, said some, and reduce your body to ashes,
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as they did with John huss Luther answered, though they should kindle a fire
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all the way from Verms to Wittenburg, the flames of which reached to heaven,
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I would walk through it in the name of the Lord. I would
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appear before them. I would enter the jaws of this behemoth and break his
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teeth, confessing the Lord Jesus Christ the news of his approach to Verms created
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great commotion. His friends trembled for his safety, his enemies feared for the
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success of their cause. Strenuous efforts were made to dissuade him from entering the
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city. At the instigation of the Papists, he was urged to repair to
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the castle of a friendly knight, where it was declared all difficulties could be
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amicably adjusted. Friends endeavored to excite his fears by describing the dangers that threatened
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him. All their efforts failed. Luther, still unshaken, declared, even
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should there be as many devils in Verms as tiles on the housetops, still
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I would enter it. Upon his arrival at Verns, a vast crowd flocked
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to the gates to welcome him. So great a concourse had not assembled to
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greet the Emperor himself. The excitement was intense, and from the midst of
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the throng, a shrill and plaintive voice chanted a funeral dirge as a warning
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to Luther of the fate that awaited him. God will be my defense,
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said he as he alighted from his carriage. The Papists had not believed that
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Luther would really venture to appear at Vern's, and his arrival filled them with
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consternation. The Emperor immediately summoned his counselors to consider what course should be pursued.
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One of the bishops, a rigid papist, declared, we have long
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consulted on this matter. Let your Imperial Majesty get rid of this man.
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At once. Did not Sigismund, cause John has to be burnt. We
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are not bound either to give or to observe the safe conduct of a heretic.
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No, said the Emperor. We must keep our promise. It was
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therefore decided that the reformer should be heard. All the city were eager to
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see this remarkable man, and a throng of visitors soon filled his lodgings.
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Luther had scarcely recovered from his recent illness. He was wearied from the journey
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which had occupied two full weeks. He must prepare to meet the momentous events
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of the morrow, and he needed quiet and repose. But so great was
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the desire to see him that he had enjoyed only a few hours rest when
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noblemen, knights, priests, citizens gathered eagerly about him. Among these were
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many of the nobles who had so boldly demanded of the Emperor a reform of
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ecclesiastical abuses, and who says Luther, had all been freed by my gospel.
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Enemies as well as friends, came to look upon the dauntless monk,
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but he received them with unshaken calmness, replying to all with dignity and wisdom.
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His bearing was firm and courageous, his pale, thin face marked with
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the traces of toil and illness more a kindly and even joyous expression. The
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solemnity and deep earnestness of his words gave him a power that even his enemies
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could not wholly withstand. Both friends and foes were filled with wonder. Some
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were convinced that a divine influence attended him. Others declared, as had the
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Pharisees concerning Christ, he hath a devil. On the following day, Luther
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was summoned to attend the Diet. An imperial officer was appointed to conduct him
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to the hallow audience. Yet it was with difficulty that he reached the place.
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Every avenue was crowded with spectators, eager to look upon the monk who
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had dared resist the authority of the pope. As he was about to enter
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the presence of his judges, an old general, the hero of many battles,
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said to him, kindly, poor monk, Poor monk, thou art
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now going to make a nobler stand than I or any other captains have ever
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made in the bloodiest of our battles. But if thy causes just, and
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thou art sure of it, go forward in God's name, and fear nothing.
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God will not forsake thee. At length, Luther stood before the council.
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The Emperor occupied the throne. He was surrounded by the most illustrious personages
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in the Empire. Never had any man appeared in the presence of a more
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imposing assembly than that before which Martin Luther was to answer for his faith.
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This appearance was of itself a signal victory over the papacy. The Pope had
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condemned the man, and he was now standing before a tribunal which, by
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this very act set itself above the Pope. The Pope had laid him under
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an interdict and cut him off from all human society, and yet he was
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summoned in respectful language and received before the most august assembly in the world.
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The Pope had condemned him to perpetual silence, and he was now about to
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speak before thousands of attentive hearers, drawn together from the farthest parts of Christendom.
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An immense revolution had thus been effected by Luther's instrumentality. Rome was already
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descending from her throne, and it was the voice of a monk that caused
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this humiliation. In the presence of that powerful and titled assembly, the lowly
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born reformer seemed awed and embarrassed. Several of the princes, observing his emotion,
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approached him, and one of them whispered, fear not them which kill
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the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Another said,
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when ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, it shall
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be given you by the spirit of your Father what ye shall say. Thus,
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the words of Christ were brought by the world's great men to strengthen his
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servant. In the hour of trial. Luther was conducted to a position directly
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in front of the emperor's throne. A deep silence fell upon the crowded assembly.
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Then an imperial officer arose, and, pointing to a collection of Luther's
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writings, demanded that the reformer answer two questions whether he acknowledged them as his,
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and whether he proposed to retract the opinions which he had therein advanced the
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titles of the books having been read. Luther replied that as to the first
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question, he acknowledged the books to be his. As to the second,
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he said, seeing that it is a question which concerns faith in the salvation
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of souls, and in which the Word of God, the greatest and most
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precious treasure, either in Heaven or Earth, is interested, I should act
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imprudently. Were I to reply without reflection, I might affirm less than the
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circumstance demands, more more than truth requires, and so sin against the saying
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of Christ. Whosoever or shall deny me before men him, while I also
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deny before my Father, which is in Heaven. For this reason, I
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entreat your Imperial Majesty with all humility, to allow me time that I may
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answer without offending against the word of God. In making this request, Luther
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moved wisely. His course, convinced the Assembly that he did not act from
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passion or impulse. Such calmness and self command, unexpected in one who had
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shown himself bold and uncompromising, added to his power and enabled him afterward to
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answer with a prudence, decision, wisdom, and dignity that surprised and disappointed
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his adversaries, and rebuked their insolence and pride. The next day he was
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to appear to render his final answer. For a time, his heart sunk
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within him as he contemplated the forces that were combined against the truth. His
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faith faltered, fearfulness and trembling came upon him, and horror overwhelmed him.
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Dangers multiplied before him. His enemies seemed about to triumph, and the powers
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of darkness to prevail. Clouds gathered about him and seemed to separate him from
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God. He longed for the assurance that the Lord of hosts would be with
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him. In anguish of spirit, he threw himself with his face upon the
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earth and poured out those broken, heartrending cries which none but God can fully
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understand. Oh, Almighty and Everlasting God, He pleaded, how terrible is
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this world? Behold it openeth its mouth to swallow me up, and I
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have so little trust in me. If it is only in the strength of
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this world that I must put my trust, all is over. My last
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hour is come, my condemnation has been pronounced. O God, do thou
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help me against all the wisdom of the world. Do this thou alone,
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For this is not my work, but thine. I have nothing to do
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here, nothing to contend for with these great ones of the world. But
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the cause is Thine, and it is a righteous and eternal cause. O
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Lord, help me, faithful and unchangeable God, in no man do I
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place my trust. All that is of man is uncertain, all that cometh
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of man fails. Thou hast chosen me for this work. Stand at my
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side for the sake of thy well beloved Jesus Christ, who is my defense,
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my shield, and my strong tower. An all wise providence had permitted
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Luther to realize his peril, that he might not trust to his own strength
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and rush presumptuously into danger. Yet it was not the fear of personal suffering,
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a dread of torture or death, which seemed immediately impending, that overwhelmed
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him with its terror. He had come to the crisis, and he felt
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his insufficiency to meet it. Through his weakness. The cause of truth might
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suffer loss. Not for his own safety, but for the triumph of the
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Gospel. Did he wrestle with God. Like Israel's in that night's struggle beside
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the lonely stream, was the anguish and conflict of his soul. Like Israel,
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he prevailed with God in his utter helplessness. His faith fastened upon Christ,
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the Mighty Deliverer. He was strengthened with the assurance that he would not
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appear alone before the council. Peace returned to his soul, and he rejoiced
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that he was permitted to uplift the word of God before the rulers of the
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nation. With his mind stayed upon God, Luther prepared for the struggle before
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him. He thought upon the plan of his answer, examined passages in his
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own writings, and drew from the Holy Scripture suitable proofs to sustain his positions.
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Then, laying his left hand on the sacred volume which was open before
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him, he lifted his right hand to Heaven and vowed to remain faithful to
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the Gospel and freely to confess his faith, even should he seal his testimony
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with his blood. When he was again ushered into the presence of the diet,
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his countenance bore no trace of fear or embarrassment. Calm and peaceful,
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yet grandly, brave, and noble. He stood as God's witness among the
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great ones of the earth. The imperial officer now demanded his decision as to
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whether he desired to retract his doctrines. Luther made his answer in a subdued
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and humble tone, without violence or passion. His demeanor was diffident and respectful,
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Yet he manifested a confidence and joy that surprised the assembly. Most serene
27:19
Emperor, illustrious princes, gracious lords, said Luther, I appear before you
27:25
this day in conformity with the order given me yesterday, and by God's mercies,
27:30
I conjure your majesty and your august highnesses to listen graciously to the defense
27:33
of a cause which I am assured is just and true. If through ignorance
27:38
I should transgress the usages and proprieties of courts, I entreat you to pardon
27:44
me, for I was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but
27:47
in the seclusion of a convent. Then, proceeding to the question, he
27:52
stated that his published works were not all of the same character. In some
27:56
he had treated of faith and good works, and even his enemies declared them
28:00
not only harmless but profitable. To retract these would be to condemn truths which
28:03
all parties confessed. The second class consisted of writings exposing the corruptions and abuses
28:10
of the papacy. To revoke these works would strengthen the tyranny of Rome and
28:15
open a wider door to many and great impieties. In the third class of
28:21
his books, he had attacked individuals who had defended existing evils. Concerning these,
28:26
he freely confessed that he had been more violent than was becoming. He
28:30
did not claim to be free from fault. But even these books he could
28:33
not revoke, for such a course would embolden the enemies of truth, and
28:37
they would then take occasion to crush God's people with still greater cruelty. Yet
28:41
I am but a mere man and not God, he continued. I shall
28:45
therefore defend myself as Christ did. If I have spoken evil, bear witness
28:49
of the evil by the mercy of God. I conjure you most serene Emperor,
28:55
and you most illustrious Princes, and all men of every degree, to
28:59
prove from the writing of the prophets and apostles that I have erred. As
29:03
soon as I am convinced of this, I will retract every error, and
29:06
be the first to lay hold of my books and throw them into the fire.
29:10
What I have just said plainly shows I hope that I have carefully weighed
29:14
and considered the dangers to which I exposed myself. But far from being dismayed,
29:18
I rejoice to see that the Gospel is, now, as in former
29:22
times, a cause of trouble and dissension. This is the character, this
29:26
is the destiny of the Word of God. I came not to send peace
29:30
on earth, but a sword, said Jesus Christ. God is wonderful and
29:34
terrible in his counsels. Beware lest by presuming to quench dissensions, you should
29:40
persecute the Holy Word of God and draw down upon yourselves a frightful delusion,
29:45
insurmountable dangers of present disasters and eternal desolation. I might quote many examples from
29:52
the oracles of God. I might speak of the Pharaohs, the kings of
29:56
Babylon, and those of Israel, whose labors never more effectually contribut to their
30:00
own destruction than when they sought by counsels to all appearance, most wise to
30:04
strengthen their dominion. God removeth mountains, and they know it not. Luther
30:11
had spoken in German, he was now requested to repeat the same words in
30:15
Latin. Though exhausted by the previous effort, he complied and again delivered his
30:19
speech with the same clearness and energy as at the first. God's providence directed
30:26
in this matter. The minds of many of the princes were so blinded by
30:30
error and superstition that at the first delivery they did not see the force of
30:33
Luther's reasoning, But the repetition enabled them to perceive clearly the points presented.
30:40
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light and determined not to be convinced
30:44
of the truth were enraged at the power of Luther's words. As he ceased
30:48
speaking, the spokesman of the diet said angrily, you have not answered the
30:52
question put to you. You are required to give a clear and precise answer.
30:56
Will you or will you not retract? The reformer answered, Since your
31:02
most serene majesty and your high mightinesses require from me a clear, simple and
31:07
precise answer, I will give you one. And it is this. I
31:11
cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the councils, because it
31:15
as clear as the day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other.
31:19
Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of scripture, or by the
31:23
clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted,
31:29
and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the Word of God,
31:32
I cannot and I will not retract, For it is unsafe for a Christian
31:37
to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other.
31:41
May God help me Amen. Thus stood this righteous man upon the sure
31:47
foundation of the Word of God. The light of Heaven illuminated his countenance.
31:52
His greatness and purity of character, His peace and joy of heart were manifest
31:56
to all as he testified against the power error, and witness to the superiority
32:01
of that faith that overcomes the world. The whole assembly were for a time
32:07
speechless with amazement at his first answer. Luther had spoken in a low tone,
32:13
with a respectful, almost submissive bearing. The Romanists had interpreted this as
32:17
evidence that his courage was beginning to fail. They regarded the request for delay
32:22
as merely the prelude to his recantation. Charles himself noting half contemptuously the Monk's
32:30
warm frame, his plain attire and the simplicity of his address had declared,
32:34
this monk will never make a heretic of me. The courage and firmness which
32:38
he now displayed, as well as the power and clearness of his reasoning,
32:42
filled all parties with surprise. The Emperor moved to admiration, exclaimed, this
32:47
monk speaks with an intrepid heart and unshaken courage. Many of the German princes
32:52
looked with pride and joy upon this representative of their nation. The partisans of
32:59
Rome had been worsted, their cause appeared in a most unfavorable light. They
33:02
sought to maintain their power, not by appealing to the scriptures, but by
33:07
a resort to threats. Rome's unfailing argument, said the spokesman of the diet.
33:12
If you do not retract, the Emperor and the states of the Empire
33:15
will consult what course to adopt against an incorrigible heretic. Luther's friends, who
33:21
had with great joy listened to his noble defense, trembled at these words.
33:25
But the doctor himself said, calmly, may God be my helper, or
33:29
I can retract nothing. He was directed to withdraw from the diet, while
33:34
the princes consulted together. It was felt that a great crisis had come.
33:38
Luther's persistent refusal to submit might affect the history of the Church for ages.
33:45
It was decided to give him one more opportunity to retract. For the last
33:49
time. He was brought into the Assembly again. The question was put whether
33:53
he would renounce his doctrines. I have no other reply to make, he
33:58
said, than that which I have already. It was evident that he could
34:02
not be induce to, either by promises or threats, to yield to the
34:06
mandate of Rome. The papal leaders were chagrined that their power, which had
34:12
caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be thus despised by a humble monk.
34:15
They longed to make him feel their wrath by torturing his life away.
34:21
But Luther, understanding his danger, had spoken to all with Christian dignity and
34:24
calmness. His words had been free from pride, passion, and misrepresentation.
34:30
He had lost sight of himself and of the great men surrounding him, and
34:35
felt only that he was in the presence of one infinitely superior to popes,
34:38
prelates, kings, and emperors. Christ had spoken through Luther's testimony with a
34:45
power and grandeur that for the time inspired both friends and foes with awe and
34:49
wonder. The spirit of God had been present in that council, impressing the
34:52
hearts of the chiefs of the empire. Several of the princes boldly acknowledged the
34:58
justice of Luther's cause. Many were convinced of the truth, but with some
35:02
the impressions received were not lasting. There was another class who did not at
35:07
the time express their convictions, but who, having searched the scriptures for themselves
35:13
at a future time, became fearless supporters of the Reformation. The Elector Frederick
35:17
had looked forward anxiously to Luther's appearance before the diet, and with deep emotion
35:22
he listened to his speech with joy and pride. He witnessed the Doctor's courage,
35:28
firmness, and self possession, and determined to stand more firmly in his
35:31
defense. He contrasted the parties in contest and saw that the wisdom of popes,
35:37
kings, and prelates had been brought to naught by the power of truth.
35:40
The papacy had sustained a defeat which would be felt among all nations and
35:45
in all ages. As the Legate perceived the effect produced by Luther's speech,
35:50
he feared as never before for the security of the Romish power, and resolved
35:54
to employ every means at his command to effect the reformer's overthrow. With all
36:00
the eloquence and diplomatic skill for which he was so eminently distinguished, he represented
36:05
to the youthful Emperor the folly and danger of sacrificing in the cause of an
36:09
insignificant monk, the friendship and support of the powerful See of Rome. His
36:15
words were not without effect. On the day following Luther's answer, Charles caused
36:20
a message to be presented to the Diet announcing his determination to carry out the
36:23
policy of his predecessors to maintain and protect the Catholic religion. Since Luther had
36:30
refused to renounce his errors, the most vigorous measures should be employed against him
36:35
and the heresies he taught. A single monk, misled by his own folly,
36:38
has risen against the faith of Christendom. To stay such impiety, I
36:44
will sacrifice my kingdoms, my treasures, my friends, my body, my
36:49
blood, my soul, and my life. I am about to dismiss the
36:52
Augustine Luther, forbidding him to cause the least disorder among the people. I
36:58
shall then proceed against him and his adherents as contumacious heretics, by excommunication,
37:04
by interdict, and by every means calculated to destroy them. I call on
37:07
the members of the states to behave like faithful Christians. Nevertheless, the Emperor
37:14
declared that Luther's safe conduct must be respected, and that before proceedings against him
37:19
could be instituted, he must be allowed to reach his home in safety.
37:22
Two conflicting opinions were now urged by the members of the diet. The emissaries
37:28
and representatives of the Pope again demanded that the reformer safe conduct should be disregarded.
37:34
The Rhine, they said, should receive his ashes as it had received
37:37
those of John hass a century ago. But princes of Germany, though themselves
37:43
papists and avowed enemies to Luther, protested against such a breach of public faith
37:47
as a stain upon the honor of the nation. They pointed to the calamities
37:52
which had followed the death of huss and declared that they dared not call down
37:55
upon Germany and upon the head of their youthful emperor. A repetition of those
38:00
terrible evils. Charles himself, in answer to the base proposal, said,
38:06
though honor and faith should be banished from all the world, they ought to
38:08
find a refuge in the hearts of princes. He was still further urged by
38:13
the most bitter of Luther's papal enemies to deal with the reformer as Sigismund had
38:17
dealt with Hus, abandon him to the mercies of the church. But recalling
38:22
the scene when Hauss in public assembly had pointed to his chains and reminded the
38:27
monarch of his plighted faith, Charles the fifth declared, I should not like
38:30
to blush like Sigismund. Yet Charles had deliberately rejected the truth presented by Luther.
38:37
I am firmly resolved to imitate the example of my ancestors, wrote the
38:42
monarch. He had decided that he would not step out of the path of
38:45
custom, even to walk in the ways of truth and righteousness, because his
38:51
fathers did. He would uphold the papacy with all its cruelty and corruption.
38:55
Thus he took his position, refusing to accept any light in as of what
39:00
his fathers had received, or to perform any duty that they had not performed.
39:06
There are many at the present day thus clinging to the customs and traditions
39:08
of their fathers. When the Lord sends them additional light, they refuse to
39:14
accept it, because, not having been granted to their fathers, it was
39:17
not received by them. We are not placed where our fathers were. Consequently,
39:22
our duties and responsibilities are not the same as theirs. We shall not
39:28
be approved of God in looking to the example of our fathers to determine our
39:30
duty, instead of searching the word of truth for ourselves. Our responsibility is
39:37
greater than was that of our ancestors. We are accountable for the light which
39:40
they received and which was handed down as an inheritance for us, And we
39:45
are accountable also for the additional light which is now shining upon us from the
39:50
word of God, said Christ of the unbelieving Jews. If I had not
39:54
come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin. But now they
39:58
have no cloak for their sin. The same divine power had spoken through Luther
40:02
to the Emperor and princes of Germany. And as the light shone forth from
40:07
God's word, his spirit pleaded for the last time with many in that assembly,
40:12
as pilot centuries before, permitted pride and popularity to close his heart against
40:15
the world's redeemer. As the trembling Felix bade the messenger of truth go thy
40:21
way. For this time, when I have a convenient season, I will
40:23
call for thee. As the proud Agrippa confessed, almost thou persuadest me to
40:29
be a Christian, yet turned away from the heaven sent message. So had
40:32
Charles the Fifth, yielding to the dictates of worldly pride and policy, decided
40:37
to reject the light of truth. Rumors of the designs against Luther were widely
40:43
circulated, causing great excitement throughout the city. The reformer had made many friends,
40:47
who, knowing the treacherous cruelty of Rome toward all who dared expose her
40:52
corruptions, resolved that he should not be sacrificed. Hundreds of nobles pledged themselves
40:58
to protect him. Not a few openly denounced the royal message as evincing a
41:02
week's submission to the controlling power of Rome. On the gates of houses and
41:07
in public places, placards were posted, some condemning and others sustaining Luther.
41:14
On one of these were written merely the significant words of the wise man,
41:17
woe to thee o land when thy king is a child. The popular enthusiasm
41:22
in Luther's favor throughout all Germany convinced both the Emperor and the diet that any
41:28
injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and even the stability of
41:31
the throne. Frederick of Saxony maintained a studied reserve, carefully concealing his real
41:37
feelings toward the Reformer, while at the same time he guarded him with tireless
41:43
vigilance, watching all his movements and all those of his enemies. But there
41:47
were many who made no attempt to conceal their sympathy with Luther. He was
41:52
visited by princes, counts, barons, and other persons of distinction, both
41:57
lay and ecclesiastical. The doctor's little room, wrote Svelatin, could not contain
42:02
all the visitors who presented themselves. The people gazed upon him as if he
42:07
were more than human. Even those who had no faith in his doctrines could
42:10
not but admire that lofty integrity which led him to brave death rather than violate
42:15
his conscience. Earnest efforts were made to obtain Luther's consent to a compromise with
42:22
Rome. Nobles and princes represented to him that if he persisted in setting up
42:27
his own judgment against that of the Church and the councils, he would soon
42:30
be banished from the Empire, and then would have no defense. To this
42:34
appeal, Luther answered, the Gospel of Christ cannot be preached with that offense.
42:39
Why then, should the fear or apprehension of danger separate me from the
42:43
Lord and from that divine Word, which alone is truth. No, I
42:46
would rather give up my body, my blood, and my life. Again,
42:51
he was urged to submit to the judgment of the Emperor, and then
42:53
he would have nothing to fear. I consent, said he in reply with
42:58
all my heart, that the Emperor, the princes, and even the meanest
43:01
Christian should examine and judge my works, but on one condition that they take
43:06
the word of God for their standard. Men have nothing to do but to
43:09
obey it. Do not offer violence to my conscience, which is bound and
43:14
chained up with the Holy scriptures. To another appeal, he said, I
43:19
consent to renounce my safe conduct. I place my person and my life in
43:22
the Emperor's hands, But the word of God never he stated his willingness to
43:28
submit to the decision of a general council, but only on condition that the
43:31
council be required to decide according to the scriptures in what concerns the Word of
43:37
God and the faith. He added, every Christian is as good a judge
43:40
as the Pope, though supported by a million councils, can be for him.
43:45
Both friends and foes were at last convinced that further effort for reconciliation would
43:49
be useless. Had the reformer yielded a single point, Satan and his hosts
43:54
would have gained the victory. But his unwavering firmness was the means of emancipating
43:59
the Church and beginning a new and better era. The influence of this one
44:05
man, who dared to think an act for himself in religious matters, was
44:07
to affect the Church and the world, not only in his own time,
44:12
but in all future generations. His firmness and fidelity would strengthen all to the
44:16
close of time who should pass through a similar experience. The power and majesty
44:22
of God stood forth above the council of men, above the mighty power of
44:27
Satan. Luther was soon commanded by the authority of the Emperor to return home,
44:31
and he knew that this notice would be speedily followed by his condemnation.
44:37
Threatening clouds overhung his path, But as he departed from Burms, his heart
44:42
was filled with joy and praise. The devil himself said he guarded the pope
44:46
citadel, but Christ has made a wide breach in it, and Satan was
44:50
constrained to confess that the Lord is mightier than he. After his departure,
44:55
still desirous that his firmness should not be mistaken for rebellion, Luther wrote to
45:00
the Emperor, God, who is the searcher of hearts, is my witness.
45:04
He said that I am ready most earnestly to obey your majesty in honor
45:08
or in dishonor in life or in death, and with no exception save the
45:13
word of God by which man lives. In all the affairs of this present
45:16
life, my fidelity shall be unshaken. For here to lose or to gain
45:22
is of no consequence to salvation. But when eternal interests are concerned, God
45:25
wills not that man should submit unto man, for such submission in spiritual matters
45:30
is a real worship and ought to be rendered solely to the Creator. On
45:36
the journey from Verns, Luther's reception was even more flattering than during his progress.
45:40
Thither, princely ecclesiastics welcomed the excommunicated monk, and civil rulers honored the
45:46
man whom the emperor had denounced. He was urged to preach, and,
45:50
notwithstanding the imperial prohibition, he again entered the pulpit. I never pledged myself
45:55
to chain up the word of God, he said, nor will I.
46:00
He had not been long absent from Urns when the papists prevailed upon the Emperor
46:04
to issue an edict against him. In this decree, Luther was denounced as
46:07
Satan himself under the form of a man undressed in a monk's frock. It
46:13
was commanded that, as soon as his safe conduct should expire, measures be
46:16
taken to stop his work. All persons were forbidden to harbor him, to
46:21
give him food or drink, or by word or act in public or private,
46:23
to aid or abet him. He was to be seized wherever he might
46:28
be and delivered to the authorities. His adherents also were to be imprisoned and
46:32
their property confiscated. His writings were to be destroyed, and finally, all
46:37
who should dare to act contrary to this decree were included in its condemnation.
46:43
The Elector of Saxony and the princes most friendly to Luther had left Verns soon
46:47
after his departure, and the Emperor's decree received the sanction of the diet.
46:52
Now the Romanists were jubilant. They considered the fate of the Reformation sealed.
46:59
God had a way of escape for his servant in this hour of peril.
47:04
A vigilant eye had followed Luther's movements, and a true and noble heart had
47:07
resolved upon his rescue. It was plain that Rome would be satisfied with nothing
47:13
short of his death. Only by concealment could he be preserved from the jaws
47:16
of the lion. God gave wisdom to Frederick of Saxony to devise a plan
47:22
for the reformer's preservation. With the co operation of true friends, the Elector's
47:27
purpose was carried out, and Luther was effectually hidden from friends and foes.
47:32
Upon his homeward journey, he was seized, separated from his attendants, and
47:37
hurriedly conveyed through the forest to the castle of Vortberg, an isolated Mountain fortress.
47:44
Both his seizure and his concealment were so involved in mystery that even Frederick
47:47
himself, for a long time, knew not whither he had been conducted.
47:52
This ignorance was not without design. So long as the Elector knew nothing of
47:55
Luther's whereabouts, he could reveal nothing. Satisfied himself that the Reformer was safe,
48:01
and with this knowledge he was content. Spring, summer, and autumn
48:07
passed, and winter came, and Luther still remained a prisoner. Aliander and
48:10
his partisans exalted as the light of the Gospel seemed about to be extinguished.
48:15
But instead of this, the Reformer was filling his lamp from the storehouse of
48:19
truth, and its light was to shine forth with brighter radiance in the friendly
48:24
security of the Vorteburg. Luther for a time rejoiced in his release from the
48:30
heat and turmoil of battle, but he could not long find satisfaction in quiet
48:34
and repose. Accustomed to a life of activity and stern conflict, he could
48:38
ill endure to remain inactive in those solitary days. The condition of the church
48:44
rose up before him, and he cried in despair. Alas there is no
48:47
one In this latter day of his anger to stand like a wall before the
48:51
Lord and save Israel again, his thoughts returned to himself, and he feared
48:55
being charged with cowardice and withdrawing from the contest. Then he reproached himself for
49:01
his indolence and self indulgence. Yet at the same time he was daily accomplishing
49:07
more than it seemed possible for one man to do. His pen was never
49:09
idle. While his enemies flattered themselves that he was silenced, they were astonished
49:15
and confused by tangible proof that he was still active. A host of tracts
49:21
issuing from his pen circulated throughout Germany. He also performed a most important service
49:27
for his countrymen by translating the New Testament into the German tongue from his rocky
49:32
patmos. He continued for nearly a whole year to proclaim the Gospel and rebuke
49:37
the sins and errors of the times. But it was not merely to preserve
49:42
Luther from the wrath of his enemies, nor even to afford him a season
49:45
of quiet. For these important labors that God had withdrawn his servant from the
49:49
stage of public life, there were results more precious than these to be secured.
49:55
In the solitude and obscurity of his mountain retreat, Luther was removed from
50:00
earthly supports and shut out from human praise. He was thus saved from the
50:05
pride and self confidence that are so often caused by success. By suffering and
50:08
humiliation, he was prepared again to walk safely upon the dizzy heights to which
50:14
he had been so suddenly exalted. As men rejoice in the freedom which the
50:19
truth brings them, they are inclined to extol those whom God has employed to
50:23
break the chains of error and superstition. Satan seeks to divert men's thoughts and
50:29
affections from God and to fix them upon human agencies. He leads them to
50:34
honor the mere instrument and to ignore the hand that directs all the events of
50:37
providence. Too often, religious leaders who are thus praised and reverenced lose sight
50:43
of their dependence upon God and are led to trust in themselves. As a
50:47
result, they seek to control the minds and consciences of the people who are
50:52
disposed to look to them for guidance instead of looking to the word of God.
50:57
The work of reform is often retarded because of this spear indulged by its
51:00
supporters. From this danger, God would guard the cause of the Reformation.
51:07
He desired that work to receive not the impressive man, but that of God.
51:10
The eyes of men had been turned to Luther as the expounder of the
51:14
truth. He was removed that all eyes might be directed to the eternal author
51:19
of truth. End of Chapter eight