History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century Volume II Part 33

a.s.suredly it might have been denied you, since every one ought to be sufficiently instructed in matters of faith to be able always to render an account of it to whosoever asks,--you above all, so great and able a doctor of Holy Scripture.... Now, then, reply to the question of his Majesty, who has treated you with so much mildness. Do you mean to defend your books out and out, or do you mean to retract some part of them?"

[523] Des Getummels und Wesens war Ich gar nicht gewohnt. (L. Op.

xvii, p. 535, 588.)

These words, which the chancellor had spoken in Latin, he repeated in German.

"Then doctor Martin Luther," say the Acts of Worms, "replied in the most humble and submissive manner. He did not raise his voice; he spoke not with violence, but with candour, meekness, suitableness, and modesty, and yet with great joy and Christian firmness."[524]

[524] "Schreyt nicht sehr noch heftig, sondern redet fein, sittich, zuchtig and bescheiden.... (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 576.)

"Most serene Emperor! ill.u.s.trious princes, gracious lords," said Luther, turning his eyes on Charles and the a.s.sembly, "I this day appear humbly before you, according to the order which was given me yesterday, and by the mercies of G.o.d I implore your Majesty and august Highnesses to listen kindly to the defence of a cause which I am a.s.sured is righteous and true. If from ignorance I am wanting in the usages and forms of courts, pardon me; for I was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the obscurity of a cloister.

"Yesterday two questions were asked me on the part of his imperial Majesty: the first, if I was the author of the books whose t.i.tles were read; the second, if I was willing to recal or to defend the doctrine which I have taught in them. I answered the first question, and I adhere to my answer.

"As to the second, I have composed books on very different subjects.

In some I treat of faith and good works in a manner so pure, simple, and christian, that my enemies even, far from finding any thing to censure, confess that these writings are useful, and worthy of being read by the G.o.dly. The papal bull, how severe soever it may be, acknowledges this. Were I then to retract these what should I do?...

Wretch! I should be alone among men abandoning truths which the unanimous voice of my friends and enemies approves, and opposing what the whole world glories in confessing.

[Sidenote: LUTHER'S ADDRESS.]

"In the second place, I have composed books against the papacy, books in which I have attacked those who, by their false doctrine, their bad life, and scandalous example, desolate the Christian world, and destroy both body and soul. Is not the fact proved by the complaints of all who fear G.o.d? Is it not evident that the human laws and doctrines of the popes entangle, torture, martyr the consciences of the faithful, while the clamant and never-ending extortions of Rome engulph the wealth and riches of Christendom, and particularly of this ill.u.s.trious kingdom?

"Were I to retract what I have written on this subject what should I do?... What but fortify that tyranny, and open a still wider door for these many and great iniquities?[525] Then, breaking forth with more fury than ever, these arrogant men would be seen increasing, usurping, raging more and more. And the yoke which weighs upon the Christian people would by my retractation not only be rendered more severe, but would become, so to speak, more legitimate; for by this very retractation it would have received the confirmation of your most serene Majesty and of all the States of the holy empire. Good G.o.d! I should thus be as it were an infamous cloak destined to hide and cover all sorts of malice and tyranny.

[525] "Nicht allein die Fenster, sondern auch Thur und Thor aufthate."

(L. Op. (L.) xvii, p 373.)

"Thirdly and lastly, I have written books against private individuals who wished to defend Roman tyranny and to destroy the faith. I confess frankly that I have perhaps attacked them with more violence than became my ecclesiastical profession. I do not regard myself as a saint; but no more can I retract these books: because, by so doing, I should sanction the impiety of my opponents, and give them occasion to oppress the people of G.o.d with still greater cruelty.

"Still I am a mere man and not G.o.d; and I will defend myself as Jesus Christ did. He said, '_If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil_,' (John, xviii, 23.) How much more should I, who am but dust and ashes and so apt to err, desire every one to state what he can against my doctrine?

"Wherefore, I implore you, by the mercies of G.o.d, you, most serene Emperor, and you, most ill.u.s.trious princes, and all others of high or low degree, to prove to me by the writings of the prophets and the apostles that I am mistaken. As soon as this shall have been proved, I will forthwith retract all my errors, and be the first to seize my writings and cast them into the flames.

[Sidenote: LUTHER'S ADDRESS.]

"What I have just said shows clearly, I think, that I have well considered and weighed the dangers to which I expose myself; but, far from being alarmed, it gives me great joy to see that the gospel is now, as in former times, a cause of trouble and discord. This is the characteristic and the destiny of the Word of G.o.d. '_I came not to send peace, but a sword_,' said Jesus Christ. (Matt. x, 34.) G.o.d is wonderful and terrible in working: let us beware, while pretending to put a stop to discord, that we do not persecute the holy Word of G.o.d, and bring in upon ourselves a frightful deluge of insurmountable dangers, present disasters, and eternal destruction.... Let us beware that the reign of this young and n.o.ble prince, the Emperor Charles, on whom, under G.o.d, we build such high hopes, do not only begin, but also continue and end under the most fatal auspices. I might cite examples taken from the oracles of G.o.d," continues Luther, speaking in presence of the greatest monarch in the world with the n.o.blest courage, "I might remind you of the Pharaohs, the kings of Babylon, and of Israel, who never laboured more effectually for their ruin than when by counsels, apparently very wise, they thought they were establis.h.i.+ng their empire. '_G.o.d removeth the mountains, and they know not._' (Job, ix, 5.)

"If I speak thus, it is not because I think such great princes have need of my counsels, but because I wish to restore to Germany what she has a right to expect from her children. Thus, commending myself to your august Majesty and your serene Highnesses, I humbly supplicate you not to allow the hatred of my enemies to bring down upon me an indignation which I have not deserved."[526]

[526] This address, as well as all the expressions quoted, are taken literally from authentic doc.u.ments. (See L. Op. (L.) xvi, p. 776-780.)

Luther had spoken these words in German, modestly, but also with much warmth and firmness.[527] He was ordered to repeat them in Latin. The emperor had no liking for German. The imposing a.s.sembly which surrounded the Reformer, the noise and excitement, had fatigued him.

"I was covered with perspiration," says he, "heated by the crowd, standing in the midst of the princes." Frederick de Thun, confidential counsellor of the Elector of Saxony, stationed by his master's order behind the Reformer, to take care that he was not taken by surprise or overborne, seeing the condition of the poor monk, said to him, "If you cannot repeat your address, that will do, doctor." But Luther, having paused a moment to take breath, resumed, and p.r.o.nounced his address in Latin, with the same vigour as at first.[528]

[527] "Non clamose at modeste, non tamen sine Christiana animositate et constantia." (L. Op. Lat. ii. p. 165.) Not clamorously, but modestly; yet not without Christian warmth and firmness.

[528] L. Op. Lat. ii, p. 165-167.

"This pleased the Elector Frederick exceedingly," relates the Reformer.

[Sidenote: HERE I AM. I CANNOT DO OTHERWISE.]

As soon as he had ceased, the Chancellor of Treves, the orator of the Diet, said to him, indignantly, "You have not answered the question which was put to you. You are not here to throw doubt on what has been decided by Councils. You are asked to give a clear and definite reply.

Will you, or will you not retract?" Luther then replied, without hesitation, "Since your most serene Majesty, and your high Mightinesses, call upon me for a simple, clear, and definite answer, I will give it;[529] and it is this: I cannot subject my faith either to the pope or to councils, because it is clear as day that they have often fallen into error, and even into great self-contradiction. If, then, I am not disproved by pa.s.sages of Scripture, or by clear arguments; if I am not convinced by the very pa.s.sages which I have quoted, and so bound in conscience to submit to the word of G.o.d, _I neither can nor will retract any thing_, for it is not safe for a Christian to speak against his conscience." Then, looking around on the a.s.sembly before which he was standing, and which held his life in its hands, "HERE I AM," says he, "I CANNOT DO OTHERWISE: G.o.d HELP ME.

AMEN."[530]

[529] Dabo illud neque dentatum, neque cornutum. (Ibid., p. 166.) I will give it without either teeth or horns.

[530] Hier stehe, ich: Ich kan nicht anders: Gott helfe mir! Amen. (L.

Op. (L.) xvii, p. 580.)

Thus Luther, constrained to obey his faith, led by his conscience to death, impelled by the n.o.blest necessity, the slave of what he believes, but in this slavery supremely free, like to the s.h.i.+p tossed by a fearful tempest, which, in order to save something more precious than itself, is voluntarily allowed to dash itself to pieces against a rock, p.r.o.nounces these sublime words, which have not lost their thrilling effect after the lapse of three centuries; thus speaks a monk before the emperor and the magnates of the empire, and this poor and feeble individual standing alone, but leaning on the grace of the Most High, seems greater and stronger than them all. His word has a power against which all these mighty men can do nothing. The empire and the Church, on the one side, the obscure individual, on the other, have been confronted. G.o.d had a.s.sembled these kings and prelates that he might publicly bring their wisdom to nought. They have lost the battle, and the consequences of their defeat will be felt in all nations, and during all future ages.

[Sidenote: LUTHER VICTORIOUS.]

The a.s.sembly were amazed. Several princes could scarcely conceal their admiration. The emperor, changing his first impression, exclaimed, "The monk speaks with an intrepid heart and immovable courage."[531]

The Spaniards and Italians alone felt disconcerted, and soon began to deride a magnanimity which they could not appreciate.

[531] Der Monch redet unerschrocken, mit getrostem Muth! (Seckend. p.

350.)

After the Diet had recovered from the impression produced by the address, the chancellor resumed: "If you do not retract, the emperor and the states of the empire will consider what course they must adopt towards an obstinate heretic." At these words, Luther's friends trembled, but the monk again said, "G.o.d help me; for I can retract nothing."[532]

[532] L. Op. (W.) xv, 2286.

Luther then withdraws, and the princes deliberate. Every one felt that the moment formed a crisis in Christendom. The yea or nay of this monk was destined, perhaps for ages, to determine the condition of the Church and the world. It was wished to frighten him, but the effect had been to place him on a pedestal in presence of the nation. It was meant to give more publicity to his defeat, and all that had been done was to extend his victory. The partisans of Rome could not submit to bear their humiliation. Luther was recalled, and the orator thus, addressed him: "Martin, you have not spoken with the modesty which became your office. The distinction you have made between your books was useless, for if you retract those which contain errors, the empire will not allow the others to be burnt. It is extravagant to insist on being refuted from Scripture, when you revive heresies which were condemned by the universal Council of Constance. The emperor, therefore, orders you to say simply, Do you mean to maintain what you have advanced, or do you mean, to retract any part of it--yes, or no?"

"I have no other answer than that which I have already given," replied Luther calmly. He was now understood. Firm as a rock, all the billows of human power had dashed against him in vain. The vigour of his eloquence, his intrepid countenance, the flas.h.i.+ng of his eye, the immovable firmness imprinted in bold lineaments on his German features, had produced the deepest impression on this ill.u.s.trious a.s.sembly. There was no longer any hope. Spaniards, Belgians, and even Romans were mute. The monk was victorious over earthly grandeur. He had negatived the Church and the empire. Charles rose up, and all the a.s.sembly with him. "The Diet will meet to-morrow morning to hear the emperor's decision," said the chancellor, with a loud voice.

[Sidenote: VICTORY. TUMULT AND CALM.]

CHAP. IX.

Victory--Tumult and calm--Duke Erick's Gla.s.s of Beer--The Elector and Spalatin--Message from the Emperor--Wish to violate the Safe-conduct--Strong opposition--Enthusiasm for Luther--Voice for Conciliation--The Elector's Fear--a.s.semblage at Luther's Lodging--Philip of Hesse.

It was night, and each regained his dwelling in the dark. Two imperial officers were ordered to accompany Luther. Some persons imagining that his fate was decided, and that they were conducting him to prison, which he should leave only for the scaffold, an immense tumult arose.

Several gentlemen exclaimed, "Are they taking him to prison?" "No,"

replied Luther, "they are accompanying me to my hotel." At these words the tumult calmed. Then some Spaniards of the emperor's household, following this bold champion, hissed and jeered at him[533] as he pa.s.sed along the streets, while others howled like wild beasts deprived of their prey. Luther remained firm and peaceful.

[533] "Subsannatione hominem Dei et longo rugitu prosecuti sunt." (L.

Op. Lat. ii, p. 166.) Followed the man of G.o.d with jeers and loud bellowing.

Such was the scene at Worms. The intrepid monk, who had hitherto hurled defiance at his enemies, spake, when in the presence of those who had thirsted for his blood, with calmness, dignity, and humility.

There was no exaggeration, no human enthusiasm, no anger; he was peaceful amid the strongest excitement; modest, while resisting the powers of the earth; great, in presence of all the princes of the world. In this we have an irrefragable proof that Luther was then obeying G.o.d--not following the suggestions of his own pride. In the hall of Worms there was One greater than Luther and Charles. Jesus Christ has said, "_When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak. For it is not ye that speak._"[534] Never, perhaps, was this promise so manifestly fulfilled.

[534] Matt. x, 18, 20.