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be free from fault; but even these books he could not revoke, for
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such a course would embolden the enemies of truth, and they would
then take occasion to crush God’s people with still greater cruelty.
“But as I am a mere man, and not God,” he continued, “I will
defend myself as did Christ, who said, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear
witness of the evil.’ By the mercy of God, I implore your imperial
majesty, or any one else who can, whoever he may be, to prove to me
from the writings of the prophets that I am in error. As soon as I shall
be convinced, I will instantly retract all my errors, and will be the first
to cast my books into the fire. What I have just said, will show that I
have considered and weighed the dangers to which I am exposing
myself; but far from being dismayed by them, I rejoice exceedingly
to see the gospel this day, as of old, a cause of trouble and dissension.
This is the character, the destiny, of God’s word. Said Christ, ‘I came
not to send peace, but a sword.’ God is wonderful and terrible in his
counsels. Let us have a care lest in our endeavors to arrest discords
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we be found to fight against the holy word of God, and bring down
upon our heads a frightful deluge of inextricable dangers, present
disaster, and everlasting desolation.... I might cite examples drawn
from the oracles of God. I might speak of Pharaohs, of kings of
Babylon or of Israel, who were never more contributing to their
own ruin than when, by measures in appearance most prudent, they
thought to establish their authority. God ‘removeth the mountains,
and they know not.’”
Luther had spoken in German; he was now requested to repeat
the same words in Latin. Though exhausted by the previous effort,
he complied, and again delivered his speech, with the same clear-
ness and energy as at the first. God’s providence directed in this
matter. The minds of many of the princes were so blinded by error
and superstition that at the first delivery they did not see the force
of Luther’s reasoning; but the repetition enabled them clearly to
perceive the points presented.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and deter-
mined not to be convinced of the truth, were enraged at the power
of Luther’s words. As he ceased speaking, the spokesman of the
Diet said angrily, “You have not answered the question. A clear and
express reply is demanded. Will you or will you not retract?”
The Reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and
the princes require a simple answer, I will give it thus: Unless I shall
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be convinced by proofs from Scripture or by evident reason (for I
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believe neither in popes nor in councils, since they have frequently
erred and contradicted themselves), I ca
the word of God, which has possession of my conscience. Nor can
I possibly nor will I ever make any recantation, since it is neither
safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience. Here I take my stand;
I ca
Thus stood this righteous man, upon the sure foundation of the
word of God. The light of Heaven illuminated his countenance.
His greatness and purity of character, his peace and joy of heart,
were manifest to all as he testified against the power of error, and
witnessed to the superiority of that faith that overcomes the world.
The whole assembly were for a time speechless with amazement.
The emperor himself and many of the princes were struck with
admiration. The partisans of Rome had been worsted; their cause
appeared in a most unfavorable light. They sought to maintain their
power, not by appealing to the Scriptures, but by a resort to threats,
Rome’s unfailing argument. Said the spokesman of the Diet, “If you
do not retract, the emperor and the States of the empire will proceed
to consider how to deal with an obstinate heretic.”
Luther’s friends, who had with great joy listened to his noble
defense, trembled at these words; but the doctor himself said calmly,
“May God be my helper! for I can retract nothing.”
Firm as a rock he stood, while the fiercest billows of worldly
power beat harmlessly against him. The simple energy of his words,
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his fearless bearing, his calm, speaking eye, and the unalterable
determination expressed in every word and act, made a deep impres-
sion upon the assembly. It was evident that he could not be induced,
either by promises or threats, to yield to the mandate of Rome.
The papist leaders were chagrined that their power, which had
caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be thus despised by a
humble monk; they longed to make him feel their wrath by torturing
his life away. But Luther, understanding his danger, had spoken to
all with Christian dignity and calmness. His words had been free
from pride, passion, and misrepresentation. He lost sight of himself,
and of the great men surrounding him, and felt only that he was
in the presence of One infinitely superior to popes, prelates, kings,
and emperors. Christ had spoken through Luther’s testimony with a
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power and grandeur that for the time inspired both friends and foes
with awe and wonder. The Spirit of God had been present in that
council, impressing the hearts of the chiefs of the empire. Several of
the princes openly acknowledged the justice of Luther’s cause. Many
were convinced of the truth; but with some the impressions received
were not lasting. There was another class who did not at the time
express their convictions, but who, having searched the Scriptures
for themselves, at a future time declared with great boldness for the
Reformation.
The elector Frederick had looked forward with anxiety to
Luther’s appearance before the Diet, and with deep emotion he
listened to his speech. He rejoiced at the doctor’s courage, firm-
ness, and self-possession, and was proud of being his protector. He
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contrasted the parties in contest, and saw that the wisdom of popes,
kings, and prelates had been brought to naught by the power of truth.
The papacy had sustained a defeat which would be felt among all
nations and in all ages.
As the legate perceived the effect produced by Luther’s speech,
he feared, as never before, for the security of the Romish power,
and resolved to employ every means at his command to effect the
Reformer’s overthrow. With all the eloquence and diplomatic skill
for which he was so eminently distinguished, he represented to the
youthful emperor the folly and danger of sacrificing, in the cause of
an insignificant monk, the friendship and support of the powerful