profess Christ, and let him rule." From Frankfort, he wrote to Spalatine, having heard, in the mean time, of the Imperial edict :* "We are coming, dear Spalatine, although satan, by means of sickness, has thrown many obstacles in my path; for I have been indisposed, all the way from Eisenach to this place, and am so still, to a degree very unusual with me. I also hear that the Emperor Charles has issued a mandate, in order to intimidate me. Yet Christ lives; therefore, we will proceed into Worms, in despite of all the hosts of hell, and the powers of the air. I am resolved to terrify and contemn satan. Therefore, prepare a lodging for us."

An attempt was also made, and he afterwards stated, that it was through the intrigues of the Elector of Mayence, to induce him not to take the direct road to Worms, but to go first to the castle of Ebernburg, and there converse with the cunning Glapius. Perhaps, there was no evil design in all this; especially, if we consider that this castle belonged to Francis von Sickingen, and that this knight himself united with the others, in requesting that conversation, through the intervention of Bucerus. Luther, however, viewed the plan with suspicion, and feared that he might be detained there, until the only remaining three days of the safeconduct should have elapsed. He therefore answered, resolutely, "that he would proceed

* As may easily be supposed, many intrigues had been employed by the enemies of Luther, either to prevent his appearing at Worms, or, at least, to prevent the grant of an Imperial safeconduct. Thus, the Emperor proposed to the Elector of Saxony, whose subject Luther was, that he should receive a safe conduct from the Elector only, either in order to intimidate Luther, or that he might seize upon him, if necessary. But the Elector declined this proposal; and, on the sixth of March, Luther was cited, by the Emperor, to appear, within twenty-one days. It is remarkable, that, although the Papal bull was known, Luther is addressed, in the citation,-"The honest, our dear and pious Dr. Martin Luther, of the Augustines." There was not a word about recantation, either in the citation, or the letter of safeconduct. The princes, through whose territories he had to pass, likewise gave him letters of safeconduct. Caspar Sturm was appointed herald, to accompany Luther in person; and, for that purpose, was called Germany.' The Elector was not without apprehension, and wrote, with his own hand, to the town-council of Wittemberg, to protect him well, and, if need were, to give him a guard, as well as to fit him out decently for the journey.

whither he had been summoned; and that he might be found at Worms." At Oppenheim, Spalatine sent him word, not to go to Worms, and expose himself to such danger. Luther answered him, "If there were as many devils in Worms, as tiles on the roofs, still I would go thither." When, a few days before his death, he related. this occurrence, he added, "for I was fearless; I feared nothing. God can make one thus daring. know, whether I should now be so cheerful."

I do not

He arrived at Worms, on the sixteenth of April. His carriage was preceded by the Imperial herald, in his official dress, with the Imperial eagle, and his pursuivant. Tartus Jonas, with his secretary, followed the carriage. Many of the nobles had gone to meet him; and when, at ten o'clock, he drove into the town, more than two thousand people accompanied him to his lodgings, not far from the White Swan Inn, where Lewis, Elector of the Palatinate, had taken up his quarters. In the same house with him, resided the Saxon counsellors, Frederic of Thunau and Philip of Feilitsch, both knights, as likewise Ulrich von Pappenheim, marshal of the empire. This is related by Vitus Warbeck, canon of Altenburg, who, on account of his knowledge of the French language, was then at the court of the Elector Frederic, and gave these accounts of Luther's entry into Worms to Duke John, brother to the Elector of Saxony.

The next morning, he was cited, by Pappenheim, the hereditary marshal of the empire, to appear, that afternoon, in the council of the empire. This nobleman came for him, in person, at four o'clock, and, together with the heralds, preceded him on his way to the council. The press of the people, in the streets, was so great, that many climbed upon the roofs to see him, and it became necessary, in order to avoid the multitude, to go through some houses and gardens. When Luther was about entering the council chamber, the renowned general, George Frundsberg, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Little monk, little monk,* thou art now going to take a *The original of the above has the diminutive of the word monk, which, I am well aware, is used, in this case, by way of cheering enG. E.

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stand, the like of which neither I, nor many other generals have ever taken, even in the critical hour of battle. Art thou of right opinion, and sure in thy cause? then proceed, in God's name, and be sure, God will never abandon thee." Ulrich of Hutten (a famous knight) had likewise comforted him, by two excellent letters, which are addressed, "To Martin Luther, the invincible theologian and evangelist, my reverend friend." The first begins thus : "The Lord hear thee, in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob defend thee! Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion! *Grant thee thy heart's desire and fulfil all thy mind. The Lord perform all thy petitions, and hear thee, from His holy heaven; even with the strength of His right hand.' For what else can I wish you, most worthy Luther, most honored father, in these times? Be comforted; be strong. You see what a game you now have to play, and what is the point at issue. You may hope every thing of me. If you remain constant, I 'll support you to my latest breath." Some even ventured to express their approbation of him, in the meeting of high personages, princes, counts, barons, bishops, and other delegates. According to the report of an eyewitness, there were upwards of five thousand people, foreign and German, in the chamber, the ante-chambers, and outside, at the windows. Luther was cheered, on all sides, and exhorted to take courage, and not to fear those that can kill the body, only. Lord Pappenheim (the title of count was not conferred, till a later period) reminded him, that now, standing before the Emperor and estates, he should say nothing, except when called upon. John von Eck,* 'official' to the Elector, archbishop of Treves, stepped forward, and, in the Emperor's name, asked, whether the books, lying there, which were pointed out to him, were his, and

dearment, or, at least, of encouraging familiarity; while little, if mistaken for a term to express size, would ill apply to Luther, who was broadly framed. Yet I have thought that "little monk" comes nearer to the original, than the simple word monk would have done.

* One of Luther's most vehement antagonists. Some of Luther's answers are no less vehement.

whether he would renounce the opinions contained in them. Upon this, D. Schurf, who had been allowed him as an advocate and protector, called out: "Let the books be mentioned by name." When this had been done, Luther answered the first question in the affirmative, but requested some time for reflection, before he should answer the second. This, the Emperor granted. It was highly proper, both out of respect for his own character, and that of the assembly, that Luther should show the greatest circumspection in relation to these high and sacred matters, and scrupulously avoid, from this momentous hour, any thing which might appear like inconsiderate want of gravity, or even like violent passion. When he was cited to appear again, the next day, before the council of the empire, every one was most anxious to hear the decisive answer. The herald was sent for him, again, at four o'clock; but he was obliged to wait until six, so great was the crowd of people. The lights were already burning in the chamber. When, at last, he was ushered in, and had been ordered to speak, he addressed the assembly, in German, as follows: "Most gracious Emperor, electors, princes, and lords: I appear, obedient, at the time which was last evening appointed; and pray, through God's mercy, that your majesty, and you, my lords, would most graciously listen to this just and true cause, for such, I trust, it is ; and if, from ignorance, I should perhaps fail to give to every one his becoming title, or otherwise to bear myself according to the customs of courts, that you would graciously pardon me, as one who has not lived in courts, but dwelt in monasteries, and who can testify to nothing else respecting myself, but that, in every thing which I have thus far taught and written, with a simple heart, I have had in view, and sought for, only the honor of God, and the profit and salvation of the faithful; and wished, that these should be honestly instructed in the truth." He then made a distinction between his different books. In some, he said, he had treated of faith and Christian works, conformably to true Christian doctrine, according to the testimony even of his adversaries; these, he could not take back. "Nay," said he, "even the Papal bull,

hasty and violent though it be, considers some of my books as not of dangerous tendency, although it condemns them, by a frightful, unnatural sentence." In the other works, he said, he had attacked the authority of the Pope, and the doctrine of the Papists, who, by their false doctrine and wicked example, have ruined Christendom, in body and soul. For nobody, he continued, can deny or conceal,-because experience proves it, and all pious hearts deplore it,-that, by the law of the Pope and doctrines of human device, the consciences of the faithful are monstrously and wretchedly entangled, burdened, and tormented, and the property, estates, and possessions, especially those of the high-renowned German nation, have been exhausted and swallowed up, with incredible tyranny, and, to this day, continue so to be, without opposition. What he had advanced in these books, he could not retract, any more than in the case of the former; since, should he do so, he only should confirm his enemies in their tyranny and malice. "O!" he exclaimed, "what a great and shameful cover of all sorts of knavery and tyranny, blessed God, should I then make of myself!" The third class of his books, he added, was directed against some private persons, who had dared to defend Roman tyranny, and to falsify and suppress the pious doctrine which he had taught. In these, he had sometimes shown himself more violent than was befitting his office, yet neither could he take back these, lest he should encourage people to defend, in future, all sorts of wicked things, and bring about new horrors and violence. "Yet,” continued he, since I am a man, and not God, I cannot otherwise help or defend my books, than as my Lord and Saviour did his doctrine, who, when he was questioned respecting his doctrine, before the high-priest Annas, and had received a blow on the cheek from the servant of the high-priest, said, 'If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.' If, then, the Lord, who knew He could not err, did not refuse to hear testimony against His doctrine, even from a low and wicked servant, how much more should I, who am but dust and ashes, and who am so liable to err, desire the same, and wait to see, whether any