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Luther Before the Diet
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had commanded him to be silent; but he was about to speak in the
presence of thousands from all parts of Christendom.
In the presence of that powerful and titled assembly, the lowly-
born Reformer seemed awed and embarrassed. Several of the
princes, observing his emotion, approached him, and one of them
whispered, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill
the soul.” Another said, “When ye shall be brought before governors
and kings for my sake, it shall be given you, by the Spirit of your
Father, what ye shall say.” Thus the words of Christ were brought by
the world’s great men to strengthen his servant in the hour of trial.
Luther was conducted to a position directly in front of the em-
peror’s throne. A deep silence fell upon the crowded assembly. Then
an imperial officer arose, and, pointing to a collection of Luther’s
writings, demanded that the Reformer answer two questions,—
whether he acknowledged them as his, and whether he proposed to
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retract the opinions which he had therein advanced. Luther replied
that as to the first question, he acknowledged the books to be his. “As
to the second,” he said, “seeing it is a question which concerns faith,
the salvation of souls, and the word of God, which is the greatest and
most precious treasure either in Heaven or earth, it would be rash
and perilous for me to reply without reflection. I might affirm less
than the circumstances demand, or more than truth requires; in either
case I should fall under the sentence of Christ: ‘Whosoever shall
deny me before men, him will I also deny before the Father which
is in Heaven.’ For this reason I entreat your imperial majesty, with
all humility, to allow me time, that I may answer without offending
against the word of God.”
In making this request, Luther moved wisely. His course con-
vinced the assembly that he did not act from passion or impulse.
Such calmness and self-command, unexpected in one who had
shown himself bold and uncompromising, added to his power, and
enabled him afterward to answer with a prudence, decision, wisdom,
and dignity, that surprised and disappointed his adversaries, and
rebuked their insolence and pride.
The next day he was to appear to render his second answer. For
a time his heart sunk within him as he contemplated the forces that
were combined against the truth. His faith faltered as his enemies
seemed to multiply before him, and the powers of darkness to prevail.