Luther Before the Diet
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I have nothing to do here, nothing to contend for with these great ones
of the world.... But the cause is Thine, ... and it is a righteous and
eternal cause. O Lord, help me! Faithful and unchangeable God, in
no man do I place my trust.... All that is of man is uncertain; all that
cometh of man fails.... Thou hast chosen me for this work.... Stand
at my side, for the sake of Thy well-beloved Jesus Christ, who is my
defense, my shield, and my strong tower.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8.
An all-wise Providence had permitted Luther to realize his peril,
that he might not trust to his own strength and rush presumptuously
into danger. Yet it was not the fear of personal suffering, a dread of
torture or death, which seemed immediately impending, that over-
whelmed him with its terror. He had come to the crisis, and he felt his
insufficiency to meet it. Through his weakness the cause of truth might
suffer loss. Not for his own safety, but for the triumph of the gospel
did he wrestle with God. Like Israel’s, in that night struggle beside the
lonely stream, was the anguish and conflict of his soul. Like Israel, he
prevailed with God. In his utter helplessness his faith fastened upon
Christ, the mighty Deliverer. He was strengthened with the assurance
that he would not appear alone before the council. Peace returned to
his soul, and he rejoiced that he was permitted to uplift the word of
God before the rulers of the nations.
With his mind stayed upon God, Luther prepared for the struggle
before him. He thought upon the plan of his answer, examined pas-
sages in his own writings, and drew from the Holy Scriptures suitable
proofs to sustain his positions. Then, laying his left hand on the Sacred
Volume, which was open before him, he lifted his right hand to heaven
and vowed “to remain faithful to the gospel, and freely to confess his
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faith, even should he seal his testimony with his blood.”—Ibid., b. 7,
ch. 8.
When he was again ushered into the presence of the Diet, his coun-
tenance bore no trace of fear or embarrassment. Calm and peaceful,
yet grandly brave and noble, he stood as God’s witness among the
great ones of the earth. The imperial officer now demanded his deci-
sion as to whether he desired to retract his doctrines. Luther made his
answer in a subdued and humble tone, without violence or passion. His
demeanor was diffident and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence
and joy that surprised the assembly.