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The Great Controversy
that before proceedings against him could be instituted, he must be
allowed to reach his home in safety.
Two conflicting opinions were now urged by the members of the
Diet. The emissaries and representatives of the pope again demanded
that the Reformer’s safe-conduct should be disregarded. “The Rhine,”
they said, “should receive his ashes, as it had received those of John
Huss a century ago.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 9. But princes of Germany,
though themselves papists and avowed enemies to Luther, protested
against such a breach of public faith, as a stain upon the honor of the
nation. They pointed to the calamities which had followed the death of
Huss, and declared that they dared not call down upon Germany, and
upon the head of their youthful emperor, a repetition of those terrible
evils.
Charles himself, in answer to the base proposal, said: “Though
honor and faith should be banished from all the world, they ought to
find a refuge in the hearts of princes.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 9. He was
still further urged by the most bitter of Luther’s papal enemies to deal
with the Reformer as Sigismund had dealt with Huss—abandon him
to the mercies of the church; but recalling the scene when Huss in
public assembly had pointed to his chains and reminded the monarch
of his plighted faith, Charles V declared: “I should not like to blush
like Sigismund.”—Lenfant, vol. 1, p. 422.
Yet Charles had deliberately rejected the truths presented by Luther.
“I am firmly resolved to imitate the example of my ancestors,” wrote
the monarch.—D’Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 9. He had decided that he would
not step out of the path of custom, even to walk in the ways of truth and
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righteousness. Because his fathers did, he would uphold the papacy,
with all its cruelty and corruption. Thus he took his position, refusing
to accept any light in advance of what his fathers had received, or to
perform any duty that they had not performed.
There are many at the present day thus clinging to the customs
and traditions of their fathers. When the Lord sends them additional
light, they refuse to accept it, because, not having been granted to
their fathers, it was not received by them. We are not placed where
our fathers were; consequently our duties and responsibilities are not
the same as theirs. We shall not be approved of God in looking to
the example of our fathers to determine our duty instead of searching
the word of truth for ourselves. Our responsibility is greater than was