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The Great Controversy
calls me, I cannot doubt that it is the call of God Himself. If they desire
to use violence against me, and that is very probable (for it is not for
their instruction that they order me to appear), I place the matter in the
Lord’s hands. He still lives and reigns who preserved the three young
men in the burning fiery furnace. If He will not save me, my life is of
little consequence. Let us only prevent the gospel from being exposed
to the scorn of the wicked, and let us shed our blood for it, for fear
they should triumph. It is not for me to decide whether my life or my
death will contribute most to the salvation of all.... You may expect
everything from me... except flight and recantation. Fly I cannot, and
still less retract.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 1.
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 the case had been specially entrusted, 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 had already
pronounced sentence of condemnation would be to cast contempt upon
the authority of the sovereign pontiff. Furthermore, he was apprehen-
sive 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
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appearance at Worms. About this time the bull declaring Luther’s
excommunication was published; and this, coupled with the represen-
tations of the legate, induced the emperor to yield. He wrote to the
elector that if Luther would not retract, he must remain at Wittenberg.
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 revealed too
plainly the spirit by which he was actuated. “He is moved by hatred
and vengeance,” was the general remark, “much more than by zeal and
piety.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 1. The majority of the Diet were more than
ever inclined to regard Luther’s cause with favor.
With redoubled zeal Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty of
executing the papal edicts. But under the laws of Germany this could
not be done without the concurrence of the princes; and, overcome at