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Luther Before the Diet
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such a course would embolden the enemies of truth, and they would
then take occasion to crush God’s people with still greater cruelty.
“But as I am a mere man, and not God,” he continued, “I will
defend myself as did Christ, who said, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear
witness of the evil.’ By the mercy of God, I implore your imperial
majesty, or any one else who can, whoever he may be, to prove to me
from the writings of the prophets that I am in error. As soon as I shall
be convinced, I will instantly retract all my errors, and will be the first
to cast my books into the fire. What I have just said, will show that I
have considered and weighed the dangers to which I am exposing
myself; but far from being dismayed by them, I rejoice exceedingly
to see the gospel this day, as of old, a cause of trouble and dissension.
This is the character, the destiny, of God’s word. Said Christ, ‘I came
not to send peace, but a sword.’ God is wonderful and terrible in his
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counsels. Let us have a care lest in our endeavors to arrest discords
we be found to fight against the holy word of God, and bring down
upon our heads a frightful deluge of inextricable dangers, present
disaster, and everlasting desolation.... I might cite examples drawn
from the oracles of God. I might speak of Pharaohs, of kings of
Babylon or of Israel, who were never more contributing to their
own ruin than when, by measures in appearance most prudent, they
thought to establish their authority. God ‘removeth the mountains,
and they know not.’”
Luther had spoken in German; he was now requested to repeat
the same words in Latin. Though exhausted by the previous effort,
he complied, and again delivered his speech, with the same clear-
ness and energy as at the first. God’s providence directed in this
matter. The minds of many of the princes were so blinded by error
and superstition that at the first delivery they did not see the force
of Luther’s reasoning; but the repetition enabled them clearly to
perceive the points presented.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and deter-
mined not to be convinced of the truth, were enraged at the power
of Luther’s words. As he ceased speaking, the spokesman of the
Diet said angrily, “You have not answered the question. A clear and
express reply is demanded. Will you or will you not retract?”
The Reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and
the princes require a simple answer, I will give it thus: Unless I shall