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listen graciously to the defense of a cause which I am assured 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。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 8。
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 class 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 class 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 God's people with still greater
cruelty。
159
〃Yet I am but a mere man； and not God；〃 he continued； 〃I shall therefore
defend myself as Christ did： 'If I have spoken evil； bear witness of the
evil。' 。 。 。 By the mercy of God； I conjure you； most serene emperor； and
you； most illustrious 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 God。 'I came not to send peace on earth； but a sword；' said
Jesus Christ。 God is wonderful and terrible in His counsels； beware lest； by
presuming to quench dissensions； you should persecute the holy word of God；
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 God。 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。 'God removeth
mountains； and they know it not。'〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 8。
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。
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
to perceive clearly the points presented。
160
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？〃
The Reformer answered： 〃Since your most serene majesty and your high
mightinesses require from me a clear； simple； and precise answer； I will
give you one； and it is this： I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or
to the councils； because it is clear as the day that they have frequently
erred and contradicted each other。 Unless therefore I am convinced by the
testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning； unless I am persuaded
by means of the passages I have quoted； and unless they thus render my
conscience bound by the word of God； I cannot and I will not retract； for it
is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience。 Here I stand； I
can do no other； may God help me。 Amen。〃 Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 8。
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。 At his first
answer Luther had spoken in a low tone； with a respectful； almost submissive
bearing。 The Romanists had interpreted this as evidence that his courage was
beginning to fail。 They regarded the request for delay as merely the prelude
to his recantation。 Charles himself； noting； half contemptuously； the monk's
worn frame； his plain attire； and the simplicity of his address； had
declared： 〃This monk will never make a heretic of me。〃 The courage and
firmness which he now displayed； as well as the power and clearness of his
reasoning； filled all parties with surprise。
161
The emperor； moved to admiration； exclaimed： 〃This monk speaks with an
intrepid heart and unshaken courage。〃 Many of the German princes looked with
pride and joy upon this representative of their nation。
The partisans of Rome had been worsted； their cause appeared in a most
unfavorable light。 They sought to maintain their power； not be 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 consult what course to adopt against an
incorrigible heretic。〃
Luther's friend； 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。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 8。
He was directed to withdraw from the Diet while the princes consulted
together。 It was felt that a great crisis had come。 Luther's persistent
refusal to submit might affect the history of the church for ages。 It was
decided to give him one more opportunity to retract。 For the last time he
was brought into the assembly。 Again the question was put； whether he would
renounce his doctrines。 〃I have no other reply to make；〃 he said； 〃than that
which I have already made。〃 It was evident that he could not be induced；
either by promises or threats； to yield to the mandate of Rome。
The papal 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
misrepresentatio