Luther Before the Diet
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many poor souls into eternal condemnation. A general reform must be
effected.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 4.
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A more able and forcible denunciation of the papal abuses could
not have been presented by Luther himself; and the fact that the speaker
was a determined enemy of the Reformer’s gave greater influence to
his words.
Had the eyes of the assembly been opened, they would have beheld
angels of God in the midst of them, shedding beams of light athwart
the darkness of error and opening minds and hearts to the reception of
truth. It was the power of the God of truth and wisdom that controlled
even the adversaries of the reformation, and thus prepared the way
for the great work about to be accomplished. Martin Luther was not
present; but the voice of One greater than Luther had been heard in
that assembly.
A committee was at once appointed by the Diet to prepare an
enumeration of the papal oppressions that weighed so heavily on the
German people. This list, containing a hundred and one specifica-
tions, was presented to the emperor, with a request that he would
take immediate measures for the correction of these abuses. “What
a loss of Christian souls,” said the petitioners, “what depredations,
what extortions, on account of the scandals by which the spiritual head
of Christendom is surrounded! It is our duty to prevent the ruin and
dishonor of our people. For this reason we most humbly but most
urgently entreat you to order a general reformation, and to undertake
its accomplishment.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 4.
The council now demanded the Reformer’s appearance before
them. Notwithstanding the entreaties, protests, and threats of Aleander,
the emperor at last consented, and Luther was summoned to appear
before the Diet. With the summons was issued a safe-conduct, ensuring
his return to a place of security. These were borne to Wittenberg by a
herald, who was commissioned to conduct him to Worms.
The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed. Knowing
the prejudice and enmity against him, they feared that even his safe-
conduct would not be respected, and they entreated him not to imperil
his life. He replied: “The papists do not desire my coming to Worms,
but my condemnation and my death. It matters not. Pray not for me,
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but for the word of God.... Christ will give me His Spirit to overcome
these ministers of error. I despise them during my life; I shall triumph