128
The Great Controversy
Luther, still unshaken, declared: “Even should there be as many devils
in Worms as tiles on the housetops, still I would enter it.”—Ibid., b. 7,
ch. 7.
Upon his arrival at Worms, a vast crowd flocked to the gates to
welcome him. So great a concourse had not assembled to greet the
emperor himself. The excitement was intense, and from the midst
of the throng a shrill and plaintive voice chanted a funeral dirge as
a warning to Luther of the fate that awaited him. “God will be my
defense,” said he, as he alighted from his carriage.
The papists had not believed that Luther would really venture
to appear at Worms, and his arrival filled them with consternation.
The emperor immediately summoned his councilors to consider what
course should be pursued. One of the bishops, a rigid papist, declared:
“We have long consulted on this matter. Let your imperial majesty
get rid of this man at once. Did not Sigismund cause John Huss to be
burnt? We are not bound either to give or to observe the safe-conduct
[154]
of a heretic.” “No,” said the emperor, “we must keep our promise.”—
Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. It was therefore decided that the Reformer should be
heard.
All the city were eager to see this remarkable man, and a throng of
visitors soon filled his lodgings. Luther had scarcely recovered from
his recent illness; he was wearied from the journey, which had occupied
two full weeks; he must prepare to meet the momentous events of the
morrow, and he needed quiet and repose. But so great was the desire
to see him that he had enjoyed only a few hours’ rest when noblemen,
knights, priests, and citizens gathered eagerly about him. Among
these were many of the nobles who had so boldly demanded of the
emperor a reform of ecclesiastical abuses and who, says Luther, “had
all been freed by my gospel.”—Martyn, page 393. Enemies, as well as
friends, came to look upon the dauntless monk; but he received them
with unshaken calmness, replying to all with dignity and wisdom. His
bearing was firm and courageous. His pale, thin face, marked with the
traces of toil and illness, wore a kindly and even joyous expression.
The solemnity and deep earnestness of his words gave him a power that
even his enemies could not wholly withstand. Both friends and foes
were filled with wonder. Some were convinced that a divine influence
attended him; others declared, as had the Pharisees concerning Christ:
“He hath a devil.”