With redoubled zeal, Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty of executing the papal edicts. But under the laws of Germany this could not be done without the concurrence of the princes; and overcome at last by the legate"s importunity, Charles bade him present his case to the Diet. "It was a proud day for the nuncio. The a.s.sembly was a great one: the cause was even greater. Aleander was to plead for Rome, ... the mother and mistress of all churches." He was to vindicate the princedom of Peter before the a.s.sembled princ.i.p.alities of Christendom. "He had the gift of eloquence, and he rose to the greatness of the occasion. Providence ordered it that Rome should appear and plead by the ablest of her orators in the presence of the most august of tribunals, before she was condemned."(201) With some misgivings those who favored the Reformer looked forward to the effect of Aleander"s speech. The elector of Saxony was not present, but by his direction some of his councilors attended, to take notes of the nuncio"s address.
With all the power of learning and eloquence, Aleander set himself to overthrow the truth. Charge after charge he hurled against Luther as an enemy of the church and the state, the living and the dead, clergy and laity, councils and private Christians. "In Luther"s errors there is enough," he declared, to warrant the burning of "a hundred thousand heretics."
In conclusion, he endeavored to cast contempt upon the adherents of the reformed faith: "What are all these Lutherans? A crew of insolent pedagogues, corrupt priests, dissolute monks, ignorant lawyers, and degraded n.o.bles, with the common people whom they have misled and perverted. How far superior to them is the Catholic party in number, ability, and power! A unanimous decree from this ill.u.s.trious a.s.sembly will enlighten the simple, warn the imprudent, decide the waverers, and give strength to the weak."(202)
With such weapons the advocates of truth in every age have been attacked.
The same arguments are still urged against all who dare to present, in opposition to established errors, the plain and direct teachings of G.o.d"s word. "Who are these preachers of new doctrines?" exclaim those who desire a popular religion. "They are unlearned, few in numbers, and of the poorer cla.s.s. Yet they claim to have the truth, and to be the chosen people of G.o.d. They are ignorant and deceived. How greatly superior in numbers and influence is our church! How many great and learned men are among us! How much more power is on our side!" These are the arguments that have a telling influence upon the world; but they are no more conclusive now than in the days of the Reformer.
The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world"s history. Luther had a great work to do in reflecting to others the light which G.o.d had permitted to shine upon him; yet he did not receive all the light which was to be given to the world. From that time to this, new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding.
The legate"s address made a deep impression upon the Diet. There was no Luther present, with the clear and convincing truths of G.o.d"s word, to vanquish the papal champion. No attempt was made to defend the Reformer.
There was manifest a general disposition not only to condemn him and the doctrines which he taught, but if possible to uproot the heresy. Rome had enjoyed the most favorable opportunity to defend her cause. All that she could say in her own vindication had been said. But the apparent victory was the signal of defeat. Henceforth the contrast between truth and error would be more clearly seen, as they should take the field in open warfare.
Never from that day would Rome stand as secure as she had stood.
While most of the members of the Diet would not have hesitated to yield up Luther to the vengeance of Rome, many of them saw and deplored the existing depravity in the church, and desired a suppression of the abuses suffered by the German people in consequence of the corruption and greed of the hierarchy. The legate had presented the papal rule in the most favorable light. Now the Lord moved upon a member of the Diet to give a true delineation of the effects of papal tyranny. With n.o.ble firmness, Duke George of Saxony stood up in that princely a.s.sembly, and specified with terrible exactness the deceptions and abominations of popery, and their dire results. In closing he said:
"These are some of the abuses that cry out against Rome. All shame has been put aside, and their only object is ... money, money, money, ... so that the preachers who should teach the truth, utter nothing but falsehoods, and are not only tolerated, but rewarded, because the greater their lies, the greater their gain. It is from this foul spring that such tainted waters flow. Debauchery stretches out the hand to avarice....
Alas, it is the scandal caused by the clergy that hurls so many poor souls into eternal condemnation. A general reform must be effected."(203)
A more able and forcible denunciation of the papal abuses could not have been presented by Luther himself; and the fact that the speaker was a determined enemy of the Reformer, gave greater influence to his words.
Had the eyes of the a.s.sembly been opened, they would have beheld angels of G.o.d in the midst of them, shedding beams of light athwart the darkness of error, and opening minds and hearts to the reception of truth. It was the power of the G.o.d of truth and wisdom that controlled even the adversaries of the Reformation, and thus prepared the way for the great work about to be accomplished. Martin Luther was not present; but the voice of One greater than Luther had been heard in that a.s.sembly.
A committee was at once appointed by the Diet to prepare an enumeration of the papal oppressions that weighed so heavily on the German people. This list, containing a hundred and one specifications, was presented to the emperor, with a request that he would take immediate measures for the correction of these abuses. "What a loss of Christian souls," said the pet.i.tioners, "what depredations, what extortions, on account of the scandals by which the spiritual head of Christendom is surrounded! It is our duty to prevent the ruin and dishonor of our people. For this reason we most humbly but most urgently entreat you to order a general reformation, and to undertake its accomplishment."(204)
The council now demanded the Reformer"s appearance before them.
Notwithstanding the entreaties, protests, and threats of Aleander, the emperor at last consented, and Luther was summoned to appear before the Diet. With the summons was issued a safe-conduct, insuring his return to a place of security. These were borne to Wittenberg by a herald, who was commissioned to conduct him to Worms.
The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed. Knowing the prejudice and enmity against him, they feared that even his safe-conduct would not be respected, and they entreated him not to imperil his life. He replied: "The papists do not desire my coming to Worms, but my condemnation and my death. It matters not. Pray not for me, but for the word of G.o.d.... Christ will give me His Spirit to overcome these ministers of error. I despise them during my life; I shall triumph over them by my death. They are busy at Worms about compelling me to retract; and this shall be my retraction: I said formerly that the pope was Christ"s vicar; now I a.s.sert that he is our Lord"s adversary, and the devil"s apostle."(205)
Luther was not to make his perilous journey alone. Besides the imperial messenger, three of his firmest friends determined to accompany him.
Melanchthon earnestly desired to join them. His heart was knit to Luther"s, and he yearned to follow him, if need be, to prison or to death.
But his entreaties were denied. Should Luther perish, the hopes of the Reformation must center upon his youthful co-laborer. Said the Reformer as he parted from Melanchthon: "If I do not return, and my enemies put me to death, continue to teach, and stand fast in the truth. Labor in my stead.... If you survive, my death will be of little consequence."(206) Students and citizens who had gathered to witness Luther"s departure were deeply moved. A mult.i.tude whose hearts had been touched by the gospel, bade him farewell with weeping. Thus the Reformer and his companions set out from Wittenberg.
On the journey they saw that the minds of the people were oppressed by gloomy forebodings. At some towns no honors were proffered them. As they stopped for the night, a friendly priest expressed his fears by holding up before Luther the portrait of an Italian reformer who had suffered martyrdom. The next day they learned that Luther"s writings had been condemned at Worms. Imperial messengers were proclaiming the emperor"s decree, and calling upon the people to bring the proscribed works to the magistrates. The herald, fearing for Luther"s safety at the council, and thinking that already his resolution might be shaken, asked if he still wished to go forward. He answered, "Although interdicted in every city, I shall go on."(207)
At Erfurt, Luther was received with honor. Surrounded by admiring crowds, he pa.s.sed through the streets that he had often traversed with his beggar"s wallet. He visited his convent cell, and thought upon the struggles through which the light now flooding Germany had been shed upon his soul. He was urged to preach. This he had been forbidden to do, but the herald granted him permission, and the friar who had once been made the drudge of the convent, now entered the pulpit.
To a crowded a.s.sembly he spoke from the words of Christ, "Peace be unto you." "Philosophers, doctors, and writers," he said, "have endeavored to teach men the way to obtain everlasting life, and they have not succeeded.
I will now tell it to you.... G.o.d has raised one Man from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He might destroy death, extirpate sin, and shut the gates of h.e.l.l. This is the work of salvation.... Christ has vanquished! this is the joyful news; and we are saved by His work, and not by our own.... Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Peace be unto you; behold My hands;" that is to say, Behold, O man! it is I, I alone, who have taken away thy sin, and ransomed thee; and now thou hast peace, saith the Lord."
He continued, showing that true faith will be manifested by a holy life.
"Since G.o.d has saved us, let us so order our works that they may be acceptable to Him. Art thou rich? let thy goods administer to the necessities of the poor. Art thou poor? let thy services be acceptable to the rich. If thy labor is useful to thyself alone, the service that thou pretendest to render unto G.o.d is a lie."(208)
The people listened as if spellbound. The bread of life was broken to those starving souls. Christ was lifted up before them as above popes, legates, emperors, and kings. Luther made no reference to his own perilous position. He did not seek to make himself the object of thought or sympathy. In the contemplation of Christ, he had lost sight of self. He hid behind the Man of Calvary, seeking only to present Jesus as the sinner"s Redeemer.
As the Reformer proceeded on his journey, he was everywhere regarded with great interest. An eager mult.i.tude thronged about him, and friendly voices warned him of the purpose of the Romanists. "They will burn you," said some, "and reduce your body to ashes, as they did with John Huss." Luther answered, "Though they should kindle a fire all the way from Worms to Wittenberg, the flames of which reached to heaven, I would walk through it in the name of the Lord; I would appear before them; I would enter the jaws of this behemoth, and break his teeth, confessing the Lord Jesus Christ."(209)
The news of his approach to Worms created great commotion. His friends trembled for his safety; his enemies feared for the success of their cause. Strenuous efforts were made to dissuade him from entering the city.
At the instigation of the papists he was urged to repair to the castle of a friendly knight, where, it was declared, all difficulties could be amicably adjusted. Friends endeavored to excite his fears by describing the dangers that threatened him. All their efforts failed; Luther, still unshaken, declared, "Even should there be as many devils in Worms as tiles on the housetops, still I would enter it."(210)
Upon his arrival at Worms, a vast crowd flocked to the gates to welcome him. So great a concourse had not a.s.sembled to greet the emperor himself.
The excitement was intense, and from the midst of the throng a shrill and plaintive voice chanted a funeral dirge, as a warning to Luther of the fate that awaited him. "G.o.d will be my defense," said he, as he alighted from his carriage.
The papists had not believed that Luther would really venture to appear at Worms, and his arrival filled them with consternation. The emperor immediately summoned his councilors to consider what course should be pursued. One of the bishops, a rigid papist, declared: "We have long consulted on this matter. Let your imperial majesty get rid of this man at once. Did not Sigismund cause John Huss to be burnt? We are not bound either to give or to observe the safe-conduct of a heretic." "No," said the emperor; "we must keep our promise."(211) It was therefore decided that the Reformer should be heard.
All the city were eager to see this remarkable man, and a throng of visitors soon filled his lodgings. Luther had scarcely recovered from his recent illness; he was wearied from the journey, which had occupied two full weeks; he must prepare to meet the momentous events of the morrow, and he needed quiet and repose. But so great was the desire to see him, that he had enjoyed only a few hours" rest, when n.o.blemen, knights, priests, and citizens gathered eagerly about him. Among these were many of the n.o.bles who had so boldly demanded of the emperor a reform of ecclesiastical abuses, and who, says Luther, "had all been freed by my gospel."(212) Enemies, as well as friends, came to look upon the dauntless monk; but he received them with unshaken calmness, replying to all with dignity and wisdom. His bearing was firm and courageous. His pale, thin face, marked with the traces of toil and illness, wore a kindly and even joyous expression. The solemnity and deep earnestness of his words gave him a power that even his enemies could not wholly withstand. Both friends and foes were filled with wonder. Some were convinced that a divine influence attended him; others declared, as had the Pharisees concerning Christ, "He hath a devil."
On the following day, Luther was summoned to attend the Diet. An imperial officer was appointed to conduct him to the hall of audience; yet it was with difficulty that he reached the place. Every avenue was crowded with spectators, eager to look upon the monk who had dared resist the authority of the pope.
As he was about to enter the presence of his judges, an old general, the hero of many battles, said to him kindly: "Poor monk, poor monk, thou art now going to make a n.o.bler stand than I or any other captains have ever made in the bloodiest of our battles. But if thy cause is just, and thou art sure of it, go forward in G.o.d"s name, and fear nothing. G.o.d will not forsake thee."(213)
At length Luther stood before the council. The emperor occupied the throne. He was surrounded by the most ill.u.s.trious personages in the empire. Never had any man appeared in the presence of a more imposing a.s.sembly than that before which Martin Luther was to answer for his faith.
"This appearance was of itself a signal victory over the papacy. The pope had condemned the man, and he was now standing before a tribunal which, by this very act, set itself above the pope. The pope had laid him under an interdict, and cut him off from all human society; and yet he was summoned in respectful language, and received before the most august a.s.sembly in the world. The pope had condemned him to perpetual silence, and he was now about to speak before thousands of attentive hearers drawn together from the farthest parts of Christendom. An immense revolution had thus been effected by Luther"s instrumentality. Rome was already descending from her throne, and it was the voice of a monk that caused this humiliation."(214)
In the presence of that powerful and t.i.tled a.s.sembly, the lowly-born Reformer seemed awed and embarra.s.sed. Several of the princes, observing his emotion, approached him, and one of them whispered, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." Another said, "When ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, it shall be given you, by the Spirit of your Father, what ye shall say." Thus the words of Christ were brought by the world"s great men to strengthen His servant in the hour of trial.
Luther was conducted to a position directly in front of the emperor"s throne. A deep silence fell upon the crowded a.s.sembly. Then an imperial officer arose, and pointing to a collection of Luther"s writings, demanded that the Reformer answer two questions,-whether he acknowledged them as his, and whether he proposed to retract the opinions which he had therein advanced. The t.i.tles of the books having been read, Luther replied that as to the first question, he acknowledged the books to be his. "As to the second," he said, "seeing that it is a question which concerns faith and the salvation of souls, and in which the word of G.o.d, the greatest and most precious treasure either in heaven or earth, is interested, I should act imprudently were I to reply without reflection. I might affirm less than the circ.u.mstance demands, or more than truth requires, and so sin against this saying of Christ: "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven."(215) For this reason I entreat your imperial majesty, with all humility, to allow me time, that I may answer without offending against the word of G.o.d."(216)
In making this request, Luther moved wisely. His course convinced the a.s.sembly that he did not act from pa.s.sion or impulse. Such calmness and self-command, unexpected in one who had shown himself bold and uncompromising, added to his power, and enabled him afterward to answer with a prudence, decision, wisdom, and dignity that surprised and disappointed his adversaries, and rebuked their insolence and pride.
The next day he was to appear to render his final answer. For a time his heart sunk within him as he contemplated the forces that were combined against the truth. His faith faltered; fearfulness and trembling came upon him, and horror overwhelmed him. Dangers multiplied before him; his enemies seemed about to triumph, and the powers of darkness to prevail.
Clouds gathered about him, and seemed to separate him from G.o.d. He longed for the a.s.surance that the Lord of hosts would be with him. In anguish of spirit he threw himself with his face upon the earth, and poured out those broken, heart-rending cries, which none but G.o.d can fully understand.
"O almighty and everlasting G.o.d," he pleaded, "how terrible is this world!
Behold, it openeth its mouth to swallow me up, and I have so little trust in Thee.... If it is only in the strength of this world that I must put my trust, all is over.... My last hour is come, my condemnation has been p.r.o.nounced.... O G.o.d, do Thou help me against all the wisdom of the world.
Do this, ... Thou alone; ... for this is not my work, but Thine. I have nothing to do here, nothing to contend for with these great ones of the world.... But the cause is Thine, ... and it is a righteous and eternal cause. O Lord, help me! Faithful and unchangeable G.o.d, in no man do I place my trust.... All that is of man is uncertain; all that cometh of man fails.... Thou hast chosen me for this work.... Stand at my side, for the sake of Thy well-beloved Jesus Christ, who is my defense, my shield, and my strong tower."(217)
An all-wise Providence had permitted Luther to realize his peril, that he might not trust to his own strength, and rush presumptuously into danger.
Yet it was not the fear of personal suffering, a dread of torture or death, which seemed immediately impending, that overwhelmed him with its terror. He had come to the crisis, and he felt his insufficiency to meet it. Through his weakness the cause of truth might suffer loss. Not for his own safety, but for the triumph of the gospel did he wrestle with G.o.d.
Like Israel"s, in that night struggle beside the lonely stream, was the anguish and conflict of his soul. Like Israel, he prevailed with G.o.d. In his utter helplessness his faith fastened upon Christ, the mighty deliverer. He was strengthened with the a.s.surance that he would not appear alone before the council. Peace returned to his soul, and he rejoiced that he was permitted to uplift the word of G.o.d before the rulers of the nation.
With his mind stayed upon G.o.d, Luther prepared for the struggle before him. He thought upon the plan of his answer, examined pa.s.sages in his own writings, and drew from the Holy Scriptures suitable proofs to sustain his positions. Then, laying his left hand on the Sacred Volume, which was open before him, he lifted his right hand to heaven, and vowed "to remain faithful to the gospel, and freely to confess his faith, even should he seal his testimony with his blood."(218)
When he was again ushered into the presence of the Diet, his countenance bore no trace of fear or embarra.s.sment. Calm and peaceful, yet grandly brave and n.o.ble, he stood as G.o.d"s witness among the great ones of the earth. The imperial officer now demanded his decision as to whether he desired to retract his doctrines. Luther made his answer in a subdued and humble tone, without violence or pa.s.sion. His demeanor was diffident and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence and joy that surprised the a.s.sembly.
"Most serene emperor, ill.u.s.trious princes, gracious lords," said Luther, "I appear before you this day, in conformity with the order given me yesterday, and by G.o.d"s mercies I conjure your majesty and your august highnesses to listen graciously to the defense of a cause which I am a.s.sured is just and true. If, through ignorance, I should transgress the usages and proprieties of courts, I entreat you to pardon me; for I was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the seclusion of a convent."(219)
Then, proceeding to the question, he stated that his published works were not all of the same character. In some he had treated of faith and good works, and even his enemies declared them not only harmless but profitable. To retract these would be to condemn truths which all parties confessed. The second cla.s.s consisted of writings exposing the corruptions and abuses of the papacy. To revoke these works would strengthen the tyranny of Rome, and open a wider door to many and great impieties. In the third cla.s.s of his books he had attacked individuals who had defended existing evils. Concerning these he freely confessed that he had been more violent than was becoming. He did not claim to be free from fault; but even these books he could not revoke, for such a course would embolden the enemies of truth, and they would then take occasion to crush G.o.d"s people with still greater cruelty.
"Yet I am but a mere man, and not G.o.d, he continued; "I shall therefore defend myself as Christ did: "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil."... By the mercy of G.o.d, I conjure you, most serene emperor, and you, most ill.u.s.trious princes, and all men of every degree, to prove from the writings of the prophets and apostles that I have erred. As soon as I am convinced of this, I will retract every error, and be the first to lay hold of my books and throw them into the fire."
"What I have just said plainly shows, I hope, that I have carefully weighed and considered the dangers to which I expose myself; but far from being dismayed, I rejoice to see that the gospel is now, as in former times, a cause of trouble and dissension. This is the character, this is the destiny, of the word of G.o.d. "I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword," said Jesus Christ. G.o.d is wonderful and terrible in His counsels; beware lest, by presuming to quench dissensions, you should persecute the holy word of G.o.d, and draw down upon yourselves a frightful deluge of insurmountable dangers, of present disasters, and eternal desolation.... I might quote many examples from the oracles of G.o.d. I might speak of the Pharaohs, the kings of Babylon, and those of Israel, whose labors never more effectually contributed to their own destruction than when they sought by counsels, to all appearance most wise, to strengthen their dominion. "G.o.d removeth mountains, and they know it not." "(220)
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 clearness and energy as at the first.
G.o.d"s providence directed in this matter. The minds of many of the princes were so blinded by error and superst.i.tion that at the first delivery they did not see the force of Luther"s reasoning; but the repet.i.tion enabled them to perceive clearly the points presented.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and determined 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 put to you.... You are required to give a clear and precise answer.... Will you, or will you not, retract?"