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The Story of Redemption
The very fact of that appearance was a signal victory for the
truth. That a man whom the pope had condemned should be judged
by another tribunal was virtually a denial of the pontiff’s supreme
authority. The Reformer, placed under ban, and denounced from
human fellowship by the pope, had been assured protection, and
was granted a hearing by the highest dignitaries of the nation. Rome
had commanded him to be silent, but he was about to speak in the
presence of thousands from all parts of Christendom. Calm and
peaceful, yet grandly brave and noble, he stood as God’s witness
among the great ones of the earth. Luther made his answer in a sub-
dued and humble tone, without violence or passion. His demeanor
was diffident and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence and joy
that surprised the assembly.
Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and deter-
mined 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 put to you.... You
are required to give a clear and precise answer.... Will you, or will
you not, retract?”
The Reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and
your high mightinesses require from me a clear, simple, and precise
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answer, I will give you one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith
either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as the day
that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless
therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the
clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages
I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by
the Word of God,
I cannot and I will not retract
, for it is unsafe for
a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do
no other; may God help me. 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.
Firm as a rock he stood, while the fiercest billows of worldly
power beat harmlessly against him. The simple energy of his words,
his fearless bearing, his calm, speaking eye, and the unalterable de-