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98
From Here to Forever
that the emperor, the princes, and even the meanest Christian, should
examine and judge my works; but on one condition, that they take
the word of God for their standard. Men have nothing to do but to
obey it.”
To another appeal he said: “I consent to renounce my safe-
conduct. I place my person and my life in the emperor’s hands, but
the word of God—never!
He stated his willingness to submit to
a general council, but on condition that the council be required to
decide according to the Scriptures. “In what concerns the word of
God and the faith, every Christian is as good a judge as the pope,
though supported by a million councils.
Both friends and foes
were at last convinced that further effort for reconciliation would be
useless.
Had the Reformer yielded a single point, Satan and his hosts
would have gained the victory. But his unwavering firmness was the
means of emancipating the church. The influence of this one man
who dared to think and act for himself was to affect the church and
the world, not only in his own time, but in all future generations.
Luther was soon commanded by the emperor to return home.
This notice would be speedily followed by his condemnation. Threat-
ening clouds overhung his path, but as he departed from Worms, his
heart was filled with joy and praise.
After his departure, desirous that his firmness not be mistaken for
rebellion, Luther wrote to the emperor: “I am ready most earnestly
to obey your majesty, in honor or in dishonor, in life or in death,
and with no exception save the word of God, by which man lives. ...
When eternal interests are concerned, God wills not that man should
submit unto man. For such submission in spiritual matters is a real
worship, and ought to be rendered solely to the Creator.
[106]
On the journey from Worms, princely ecclesiastics welcomed
the excommunicated monk, and civil rulers honored the man whom
the emperor had denounced. He was urged to preach, and, notwith-
standing the imperial prohibition, he again entered the pulpit. “I
27
D’Aubigne, bk. 7, ch. 10.
28
Martyn, vol. 1, p. 410.
29
D’Aubigne, bk. 7, ch. 11.