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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
decision of a general council, but only on condition that the council
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be required to decide according to the Scriptures. 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 heart was filled with joy and praise.
“Satan himself,” said he, “kept the pope’s citadel; but Christ has made
a wide breach in it, and the devil has been compelled to confess that
Christ is mightier than he.” On this journey the Reformer received
the most flattering attentions from all classes. Dignitaries of the
church welcomed the monk upon whom the pope’s curse rested,
and secular officers honored the man who was under the ban of the
empire.
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 semblance
of a man in a monk’s hood.” It was commanded that as soon as his
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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.
The emperor had spoken, and the Diet had given its sanction to the