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refuse to accept it； because； not having been granted to their fathers； it
was not received by them。 We are not placed where our fathers were；
consequently our duties and responsibilities are not the same as theirs。 We
shall not be approved of God in looking to the example of our fathers to
determine our duty instead of searching the word of truth for ourselves。 Our
responsibility is greater than was that of our ancestors。 We are accountable
for the light which they received； and which was handed down as an
inheritance for us； and we are accountable also for the additional light
which is now shining upon us from the word of God。
Said Christ of the unbelieving Jews： 〃If I had not come and spoken unto
them； they had not had sin： but now they have no cloak for their sin。〃 John
15：22。 The same divine power had spoken through Luther to the emperor and
princes of Germany。 And as the light shone forth from God's word； His Spirit
pleaded for the last time with many in that assembly。 As Pilate； centuries
before； permitted pride and popularity to close his heart against the
world's Redeemer； as the trembling Felix bade the messenger of truth； 〃Go
thy way for this time； when I have a convenient season； I will call for
thee；〃 as the proud Agrippa confessed； 〃Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Christian〃 （Acts 24：25； 26：28）； yet turned away from the Heaven…sent
messageso had Charles V； yielding to the dictates of worldly pride and
policy； decided to reject the light of truth。
Rumors of the designs against Luther were widely circulated； causing great
excitement throughout the city。 The
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Reformer had made many friends； who； knowing the treacherous cruelty of Rome
toward all who dared expose her corruptions； resolved that he should not be
sacrificed。 Hundreds of nobles pledged themselves to protect him。 Not a few
openly denounced the royal message of evincing a weak submission to the
controlling power of Rome。 On the gates of houses and in public places；
placards were posted； some condemning and others sustaining Luther。 On one
of these were written merely the significant words of the wise man： 〃Woe to
thee； O land； when thy king is a child。〃 Ecclesiastes 10：16。 The popular
enthusiasm in Luther's favor throughout all Germany convinced both the
emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace
of the empire and even the stability of the throne。
Frederick of Saxony maintained a studied reserve； carefully concealing his
real feelings toward the Reformer； while at the same time he guarded him
with tireless vigilance； watching all his movements and all those of his
enemies。 But there were many who made no attempt to conceal their sympathy
with Luther。 He was visited by princes； counts； barons； and other persons of
distinction； both lay and ecclesiastical。 〃The doctor's little room；〃 wrote
Spalatin； 〃could not contain all the visitors who presented themselves。〃
Martyn； vol。 1； p。 404。 The people gazed upon him as if he were more than
human。 Even those who had no faith in his doctrines could not but admire
that lofty integrity which led him to brave death rather than violate his
conscience。
Earnest efforts were made to obtain Luther's consent to a compromise with
Rome。 Nobles and princes represented to him that if he persisted in setting
up his own judgment against that of the church and the councils he would
soon be banished from the empire and would have no defense。 To this appeal
Luther answered： 〃The gospel of Christ cannot be preached without offense。 。
。 。 Why then should the fear or apprehension of danger separate me from the
Lord； and from that divine word which alone is truth？ No； I
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would rather give up my body； my blood； and my life。〃 D'Aubigne； b。 7； ch。
10。
Again he was urged to submit to the judgment of the emperor； and then he
would have nothing to fear。 〃I consent；〃 said he in reply； 〃with all my
heart； that the emperor； the princes； and even the meanest Christian； should
examine and judge my works； but on one condition； that they take the word of
God for their standard。 Men have nothing to do but to obey it。 Do not offer
violence to my conscience； which is bound and chained up with the Holy
Scriptures。〃 Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 10。
To another appeal he said： 〃I consent to renounce my safe…conduct。 I place
my person and my life in the emperor's hands； but the word of
Godnever！〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 10。 He stated his willingness to submit to
the decision of a general council； but only on condition that the council be
required to decide according to the Scriptures。 〃In what concerns the word
of God and the faith；〃 he added； 〃every Christian is as good a judge as the
pope； though supported by a million councils； can be for him。〃Martyn； vol。
1； p。 410。 Both friends and foes were at last convinced that further effort
for reconciliation would be useless。
Had the Reformer yielded a single point； Satan and his hosts would have
gained the victory。 But his unwavering firmness was the means of
emancipating the church； and beginning a new and better era。 The influence
of this one man； who dared to think and act for himself in religious
matters； was to affect the church and the world； not only in his own time；
but in all future generations。 His firmness and fidelity would strengthen
all； to the close of time； who should pass through a similar experience。 The
power and majesty of God stood forth above the counsel of men； above the
mighty power of Satan。
Luther was soon commanded by the authority of the emperor to return home；
and he knew that this notice would be speedily followed by his condemnation。
Threatening clouds overhung his path； but as he departed from Worms； his
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heart was filled with joy and praise。 〃The devil himself；〃 said he； 〃guarded
the pope's citadel； but Christ has made a wide breach in it； and Satan was
constrained to confess that the Lord is mightier than he。〃D'Aubigne； b。 7；
ch。 11。
After his departure； still desirous that his firmness should not be mistaken
for rebellion； Luther wrote to the emperor。 〃God； who is the searcher of
hearts； is my witness；〃 he said； 〃that I am ready most earnestly to obey
your majesty； in honor or in dishonor； in life or in death； and with no
exception save the word of God； by which man lives。 In all the affairs of
this present life； my fidelity shall be unshaken； for here to lose or to
gain is of no consequence to salvation。 But when eternal interests are
concerned； God wills not that man should submit unto man。 For such
submission in spiritual matters is a real worship； and ought to be rendered
solely to the Creator。〃Ibid。； b。 7； ch。 11。
On the journey from Worms； Luther's reception was even more flattering than
during his progress thither。 Princely ecclesiastics welcomed the
excommunicated monk； and civil rulers honored the man whom the emperor had
denounced。 He was urged to preach； and； notwithstanding the imperial
prohibition； he again entered the pulpit。 〃I never pledged myself to chain
up the word of God；〃 he said； 〃nor will I。〃 Martyn； vol。 1； p。 420。
He had not been long absent from Worms； when the papists prevailed upon the
emperor to issue an edict against him。 In this decree Luther was denounced
as 〃Satan himself under the form of a man and dressed in a monk's frock。〃
D'Aubigne； b。 7； ch。 11。 It was commanded that as soon as his safe…conduct
should expire； measures be taken to stop his work。 All persons were
forbidden to harbor him； to give him food or drink； or by word or act； in
public or private； to aid or abet him。 He was to be seized wherever he might
be； and delivered to the authorities。 His adherents also were to be
imprisoned and their property confiscated。 His writings were to be
destroyed； and； finally； all who should dare to act contrary to this decree
were included in its condemnation。
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The elector of Saxony and the princes most friendly to Luther had left Worms
soon after his departure； and the emperor's decree received the sanction of
the Diet。 Now the Romanists we