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Champion of Truth
93
hand to heaven and vowed “to remain faithful to the gospel, and
freely to confess his faith, even should he seal his testimony with his
blood.
Luther Before the Diet Again
When again ushered into the Diet, he was calm and peaceful,
yet brave and noble, as God’s witness among the great ones of
earth. The imperial officer now demanded his decision. Did he
desire to retract? Luther made his answer in a humble tone, without
violence or passion. His demeanor was diffident and respectful; yet
he manifested a confidence and joy that surprised the assembly.
“Most serene emperor, illustrious princes, gracious lords,” said
[100]
Luther, “I appear before you this day, in conformity with the order
given me yesterday. If, through ignorance, I should transgress the
usages and proprieties of courts I entreat you to pardon me; for I
was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the seclusion of a
convent.
Then he stated that in some of his published works he had treated
of faith and good works; even his enemies declared them profitable.
To retract these would condemn truths which all confessed. The
second class consisted of writings exposing corruptions and abuses
of the papacy. To revoke these would strengthen the tyranny of
Rome and open a wider door to great impieties. In the third class he
had attacked individuals who defended existing evils. Concerning
these he freely confessed that he had been more violent than was
becoming. But even these books he could not revoke, for the enemies
of truth would then take occasion to curse God’s people with still
greater cruelty.
He continued, “I shall defend myself as Christ did: ‘If I have
spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.’ ... By the mercy of God, I
conjure you, most serene emperor, and you, most illustrious princes,
and all men of every degree, to prove from the writings of the
prophets and apostles that I have erred. As soon as I am convinced
of this, I will retract every error, and be the first to lay hold of my
books and throw them into the fire... .”
17
Ibid., bk. 7, ch. 8.
18
Ibid., bk. 7, ch. 8.