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Luther Before the Diet
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the three Israelites in the fiery furnace. If it be not his will to save
me, my life is of little consequence. Let us only take care that the
gospel be not exposed to the scorn of the ungodly, and let us shed
our blood in its defense rather than allow them to triumph. Who
shall say whether my life or my death would contribute most to the
salvation of my brethren?” “Expect anything from me but flight or
recantation. Fly I cannot; still less can I recant.”
As the news was circulated at Worms that Luther was to appear
before the Diet, a general excitement was created. Aleander, the
papal legate to whom his case had been specially intrusted, was
alarmed and enraged. He saw that the result would be disastrous to
the papal cause. To institute inquiry into a case in which the pope
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had already pronounced sentence of condemnation, would be to cast
contempt upon the authority of the sovereign pontiff. Furthermore,
he was apprehensive that the eloquent and powerful arguments of this
man might turn away many of the princes from the cause of the pope.
He therefore, in the most urgent manner, remonstrated with Charles
against Luther’s appearance at Worms. He warned, entreated, and
threatened, until the emperor yielded, and wrote to the elector that if
Luther would not retract, he must remain at Wittemberg.
Not content with this victory, Aleander labored with all the power
and cunning at his command to secure Luther’s condemnation. With
a persistence worthy of a better cause, he urged the matter upon the
attention of princes, prelates, and other members of the assembly,
accusing the Reformer of sedition, rebellion, impiety, and blasphemy.
But the vehemence and passion manifested by the legate plainly
revealed that he was actuated by hatred and revenge rather than by
zeal for religion. It was the prevailing sentiment of the assembly
that Luther was innocent.
With redoubled zeal, Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty
of executing the papal edicts. Overcome at last by this importunity,
Charles bade the legate present his case to the Diet. Rome had few
advocates better fitted, by nature and education, to defend her cause.
The friends of the Reformer looked forward with some anxiety to
the result of Aleander’s speech.
There was no little excitement when the legate, with great dignity
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and pomp, appeared before the national assembly. Many called to
mind the scene of our Saviour’s trial, when Annas and Caiaphas,