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warn the imprudent； decide the waverers； and give strength to the weak。〃
D'Aubigne； b。 7； ch。 3。
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 God'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
class。 Yet they claim to have the truth； and to be the chosen people of God。
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 God 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
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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 God'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 noble firmness； Duke
George of Saxony stood up in that princely assembly 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。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 4。
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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's gave greater influence to his words。
Had the eyes of the assembly been opened； they would have beheld angels of
God 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 God 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 assembly。
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
petitioners； 〃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。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 4。
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； ensuring 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
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condemnation and my death。 It matters not。 Pray not for me； but for the word
of God。 。 。 。 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 assert
that he is our Lord's adversary； and the devil's apostle。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。
6。
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 colaborer。 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。〃 Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 7。
Students and citizens who had gathered to witness Luther's departure were
deeply moved。 A multitude 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