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The Great Controversy 1888
most prudent, they thought to establish their authority. God ‘removeth
the mountains, and they know not.’” [
Job 9:5
.]
Luther had spoken in German; he was now requested to repeat the
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same words in Latin. Though exhausted by the previous effort, he
complied, and again delivered his speech, with the same clearness and
energy as at the first. God’s providence directed in this matter. The
minds of many of the princes were so blinded by error and superstition
that at the first delivery they did not see the force of Luther’s reasoning;
but the repetition enabled them to perceive clearly the points presented.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and determined
not to be convinced of the truth, were enraged at the power of Luther’s
words. As he ceased speaking, the spokesman of the Diet said angrily,
“You have not answered the question. A clear and express reply is
demanded. Will you or will you not retract?”
The reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and the
princes require a simple, clear, and direct answer, I will give one, and
it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils,
because it is as clear as noonday that they have often fallen into error,
and even into glaring inconsistency with themselves. If, then, I am not
convinced by proof from Holy Scripture, or by cogent reasons; if I am
not satisfied by the very texts that I have cited, and if my judgment is
not in this way brought into subjection to God’s Word, I neither can
nor will retract anything; for it cannot be right for a Christian to speak
against his conscience. Here I take my stand; I cannot do otherwise.
God be my help! Amen.”
Thus stood this righteous man, upon the sure foundation of the
Word of God. The light of Heaven illuminated his countenance. His
greatness and purity of character, his peace and joy of heart, were
manifest to all as he testified against the power of error, and witnessed
to the superiority of that faith that overcomes the world.
The whole assembly were for a time speechless with amazement.
At his first answer, Luther had spoken in a low tone, with a respectful,
almost submissive bearing. The Romanists had interpreted this as
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evidence that his courage was beginning to fail. They regarded the
request for delay as merely the prelude to his recantation. Charles
himself, noting, half contemptuously, the monk’s worn frame, his plain
attire, and the simplicity of his address, had declared, “This man will
never make a heretic of me.” The courage and firmness which he now