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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。
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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
misrepresentation。 He had lost sight of himself； and 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 power and grandeur that for the
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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 boldly 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 became fearless supporters of the Reformation。
The elector Frederick had looked forward anxiously to Luther's appearance
before the Diet； and with deep emotion he listened to his speech。 With joy
and pride he witnessed the doctor's courage； firmness； and self…possession；
and determined to stand more firmly in his defense。 He contrasted the
parties in contest； and saw that the wisdom of popes； kings； and prelates
had been brought to nought 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 see of Rome。
His words were not without effect。 On the day following Luther's answer；
Charles caused a message to be presented to the Diet； announcing his
determination to carry out the policy of his predecessors to maintain and
protect the Catholic religion。 Since Luther had refused to renounce his
errors； the most vigorous measures should be employed against him and the
heresies he taught。 〃A single monk； misled by his own folly； has risen
against the faith of Christendom。 To stay such impiety； I will sacrifice my
kingdoms； my treasures；
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my friends； my body； my blood； my soul； and my life。 I am about to dismiss
the Augustine Luther； forbidding him to cause the least disorder among the
people； I shall then proceed against him and his adherents as contumacious
heretics； by excommunication； by interdict； and by every means calculated to
destroy them。 I call on the members of the states to behave like faithful
Christians。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 9。 Nevertheless the emperor declared that
Luther's safe…conduct must be respected； and that before proceedings against
him could be instituted； he must be allowed to reach his home in safety。
Two conflicting opinions were now urged by the members of the Diet。 The
emissaries and representatives of the pope again demanded that the
Reformer's safe…conduct should be disregarded。 〃The Rhine；〃 they said；
〃should receive his ashes； as it had received those of John Huss a century
ago。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 9。 But princes of Germany； though themselves papists
and avowed enemies to Luther； protested against such a breach of public
faith； as a stain upon the honor of the nation。 They pointed to the
calamities which had followed the death of Huss； and declared that they
dared not call down upon Germany； and upon the head of their youthful
emperor； a repetition of those terrible evils。
Charles himself； in answer to the base proposal； said： 〃Though honor and
faith should be banished from all the world； they ought to find a refuge in
the hearts of princes。〃 Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 9。 He was still further urged by
the most bitter of Luther's papal enemies to deal with the Reformer as
Sigismund had dealt with Hussabandon him to the mercies of the church； but
recalling the scene when Huss in public assembly had pointed to his chains
and reminded the monarch of his plighted faith； Charles V declared： 〃I
should not like to blush like Sigismund。〃Lenfant； vol。 1； p。 422。
Yet Charles had deliberately rejected the truths presented by Luther。 〃I am
firmly resolved to imitate the example of my ancestors；〃 wrote the
monarch。D'Aubigne； b。 7； ch。 9。 He had decided that he would not step out
of the path of
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custom； even to walk in the ways of truth and righteousness。 Because his
fathers did； he would uphold the papacy； with all its cruelty and
corruption。 Thus he took his position； refusing to accept any light in
advance of what his fathers had received； or to perform any duty that they
had not performed。
There are many at the present day thus clinging to the customs and
traditions of their fathers。 When the Lord sends them additional light； they
refuse to accept it； because； not having been granted to their fa