LUTHER ON HIS TRIAL BEFORE THE DIET OF WORMS
“Though poor and weak and ignorant I be,
How rich, how strong, how wise I am in Thee.”
“The conscience, that sole monarch in a man,
Owning allegiance to no earthly prince;
Made by the edict of creation free;
An individual sovereignty that none
Created might, unpunished, bind or touch.”
“True freedom is, where no restraint is known,
That Scripture, justice, and good sense disown.”
RUN to the Dom Plaz, there in the corner house he is staying. Never came such a man into Oppenheim before.”
“Thu Margrave of Brandenberg and other princes went the other day to Wittemberg to look upon this Luther, the man who made such a stir. They say that three printing presses are kept constantly at work sending his writings through the land. Reading clubs are now being formed in every great city, and even in the villages, to study his writings," said an aged citizen.
“Have you heard what Luther said about absolution? asked a third. "The priests refused to absolve their penitents who read Luther's books. Says Luther: 'If you repent, you shall be forgiven whether the priest will or no.' If this be true it is good news.
“The Diet that meets at Worms, 28th January, this year of grace, 1521, will deal with naught else but Luther. They say that the new Emperor, Charles the Fifth, means to play him off against the Pope; thank God if he do so, for the Papists mean to burn our little doctor, and they are able.”
“True, and it was only the great outcry of the people that induced the Emperor to grant Luther a safe conduct; the herald bearing it reached Wittemberg March 26th, and they say that Luther left that city April 2nd.”
“Did they not seek to assassinate him lately?”
“Yea, and it was only God's mercy that prevented the monk, one Hans, from accomplishing his wicked purpose. Had it not been for Luther, the students had torn the villain in pieces.”
“They say that at Gotha the devil threw down some of the stones from the church roof, because he hated Luther so.”
“Very likely, but look, there he is! See, he opens the window with his left hand. I did not know Luther was left-handed before.”
“Who is this?”
“Make way, good people! I am from Spalatin, Elector's chaplain, with a message for Dr. Luther.”
“Make haste, then, and tell us what he says," cried the mob as the man hurried into the doorway.
“Bravo!" he cried as he came back. "Bravo! Never gave soldier braver speech. Says Spalatin: 'Come not to Worms, they will slay you.' Says Dr. Luther: I will go to Worms if they carry me. It is my duty, and, in spite of men and devils, I will go forward. Go ye, said he to me, 'and tell Spalatin that I WOULD ENTER WORMS IF THERE WERE AS MANY DEVILS THERE AS THERE ARE TILES UPON THE HOUSETOPS.'
“He hath just refused the invitation of the brave Knight of Sickengen to take shelter with him in his castle. The horsemen sent for him have but just ridden back. Poor monk, they will burn him, unless God works a miracle to save him!”
“Now, hush! here he comes! Hark, he is speaking.”
“Cease, friend, cease!" said Luther to a knight who walked by his side; "though they kindle a fire all the way from Wittemberg to Worms, the flames of which should reach up to heaven, I would walk through it in the name of God. I will enter the jaws of this great Behemoth, and break his cruel teeth, by the help of God.”
“Are you the man? Do you hope to succeed?" cried the crowd.
“I am the man Luther; and I shall succeed by God's help. Now, on to Worms!”
Soon the reddish twin towers appeared over the river bend, as the Rhine loops itself. The city of Worms was nearly mad with excitement. In front rode the imperial herald, bearing the eagle of the empire. Then, in a lumbering wagon with rude curtains, came Luther, sitting with a monastic companion. Behind rode Jonas, Luther's friend, and after them a body of young knights who had ridden out to meet Luther, as soon as the watchman on the walls sounded his trumpet, as a sign that the Doctor was at band.
“God is my defense," said Luther, as he alighted at the door of the Deutscher Hof, the inn at which he was to stay. He retired at once to his room and fell asleep. But during slumber, he uttered sentences that his friends long quoted. "If I turn my eyes to the world all is over with me. O Lord, my God! stand with me against the world. I put not my trust in any man; they all fail and change. I put all my trust in Thee, O God. Hast Thou not chosen me for this work? Be on my side, for Christ's sake! If men tear my body, yet shall my soul be safe." Brave yet true words! Luther was immortal till his work was done.
The next day at four o'clock in the afternoon, the herald led Luther, through a back way, into the great hall of the bishop's palace, which was thronged; as were indeed all the streets of Worms through which he was expected to pass.
He stood before the door which was to admit him into the presence of his judges, and as he was about to pass through, a kindly hand tapped him on the shoulder, and the valiant old knight, the hero of many battles, George Freundsberg, said, "Poor monk, poor monk! thou art now going to make a nobler stand than I or any other captains have ever made in the fiercest of our battles. But if thy cause is just, and thou art sure of it, go forward in God's name, and fear nothing. God will not forsake thee!”
The doors were passed, and Luther stood in the presence of the Diet. Never had man appeared before a more imposing assembly. Seated upon the throne was Charles V.: surrounding him were the Archduke Ferdinand, six electors, dukes, margraves, archbishops and bishops, princes, the papal nuncios, and ambassadors —in all, above two hundred. Such was the court before which the reformer stood.
For a moment he was somewhat awed. One of the princes, seeing this, whispered kindly, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.”
He approached and stood before the throne of the Emperor. Silence for a moment prevailed, and then the chancellor to the Archbishop of Treves, in a clear loud voice, said, "Martin Luther, his Sacred Majesty has cited you before his throne to require you to answer two questions: First, Do you acknowledge these books"—pointing to about twenty volumes placed on a table—" to have been written by you? Second, Are you prepared to retract these books and their contents; or do you persist in what you have advanced in them?”
After the titles of the books had been read, Luther made answer to the first question by stating that the books named were his; but as the second question concerned faith and the salvation of souls, he entreated that his Imperial Majesty would allow him time so that he might answer without offending against the Word of God.
As the reformer had spoken in a respectful manner and in a low tone of voice, many thought that he hesitated, and even that he was dismayed. Charles V., who had never taken his eyes off him, turned to one of his courtiers and said with disdain, "Certainly this man will never make a heretic of me.”
Luther's request was granted, on the condition that he made his reply on the following day, verbally, and not in writing.
The next day at six o'clock in the evening the torches were lit in the hall, and Luther again admitted. The princes having taken their seats, the chancellor asked for the reply, when Luther, in a speech which lasted for two hours, reiterated his adherence to the answer formerly given, and his willingness to retract, if convinced that he had been in error.
When he had ceased speaking the chancellor replied with a taunt, "I want an answer without horns.”
You shall have one then without horns or teeth," said Luther." Most illustrious Emperor and princes, I have written many books, some against the errors that all men acknowledge. I dare not disavow what I feel to be right.”
“You have not answered the question put to you," said Eck angrily." Will you retract the opinions that the Pope condemns? You are not called here to preach. Answer at once.”
“Since his Majesty requires an answer," said Luther," I will give a precise one. Unless I am convicted of error by the authority of Scripture, I cannot and will not retract. It is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience." Then looking round upon the brilliant array he spread out his arms and cried in a voice of thunder," HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER; MAY GOD HELP ME! AMEN.”
The combined simplicity and majesty of these words struck the august assembly with astonishment. They were thunderstruck, and not a murmur of disapproval was heard. The Emperor recovered himself first and then said, "This monk speaks boldly. He has a stout heart!" "Retract your errors," cried Eck, "or the Emperor will deal with you as an obstinate heretic.”
“God help me!" replied Luther. "I dare retract nothing.”
Luther then withdrew, but was soon called back, and another effort was made to induce him to retract.
“Martin, you have not spoken with the modesty you should have preserved," said Eck. "It is absurd to speak of Scripture as you do. Declare simply whether you will retract or no?”
“I have no other answer than the reply I have already made," said Luther calmly.
“The Diet will meet tomorrow to hear the Emperor's opinion," said Eck. "You are dismissed, Luther.”
It was now eight o'clock in the evening as Luther went along the crowded streets, escorted by officers.
“Is he going to prison?" cried the mob.
“Nay," answered Luther; "I am only going to my inn.”
As he entered his room a servant approached bearing a silver tankard. "The Duke of Brunswick invites you to refresh yourself," said the man.
“God be thanked, I am not quite friendless. God remember Duke Eric in the hour of his death," answered Luther.
The next day, however, the Emperor declared that he would sacrifice his kingdoms, his treasures, his friends, his life, his body and his soul, in order to destroy Luther.
This answer displeased many of the princes, and when the Catholic party demanded that, in spite of the safe conduct, Luther should be thrown into prison and burnt, even Duke George of Saxony opposed such an atrocious breach of faith.
Luther, therefore, was commanded to leave Worms; it being the intention of his enemies to seize him upon his return to Wittemberg.
On Friday, April 26th, Luther left Worms, the imperial herald accompanying him part of the way. At Eisenach, the scene of his childhood, he preached in the church; leaving the little town to visit Mora to see his aged grandmother. He spent the night with his uncle, Heinz, in whose house he preached the next morning, Saturday, May 4th.
Accompanied by Jonas, the doctor entered the rude lumbering wagon with its broad wooden wheels, and they rode talking together about the exciting events at Worms. Towards evening they reached Altenstein, whence the Thuringian forest, with mountain ash, oak, lime, and beech, in their fresh first green, showed in peeps of beauty. As the road bent round to the south-east, in a sandy hollow, a band of masked horsemen suddenly dashed through the trees from the castle, attacked the monk's companions, and carried off Luther.