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Martin Luther
by
The Pilgrim is surprised, a trifle relieved, but not happy. He remembers that those condemned to die are given the best of food; but he tries to be patient, and so he accepts the Brother’s guidance to see Rome–and then die, if he must.
The days are crowded full–visitors come and go. He attends this congregation and that–fetes, receptions, pilgrimages follow fast.
The cloud is still upon him–he may forget it for an hour, but each day begins in gloom–uncertainty is the only hell.
At last he boldly importunes and asks that a day shall be set to try his case.
Nobody knows anything about his case! Charges–what charges? However, a Committee of Cardinals wish to see him–why, yes, Thursday at ten o’clock!
He passes a sleepless night, and appears at the time appointed, haggard, yet firm, armed with documents.
He is ushered into the presence of the Cardinals. They receive him as an equal. A little speech is made, complimenting him on his good work, upon his uprightness, and ends with a gentle caution concerning the wisdom of making haste slowly.
Charges? There are no charges against the Pilgrim–why should there be? And moreover, what if there are? Good men are always maligned. He has been summoned to Rome that the Cardinals might have his advice.
The Pope will meet him tomorrow in order to bestow his personal blessing.
It is all over–the burden falls from his back. He gasps in relief and sinks into a chair.
The greatness of Rome and the kindness and courtesy he has received have subdued him.
Possibly there is a temporary, slight reduction of position–he is given another diocese or territory; but there is a promise of speedy promotion–there is no humiliation. The man goes home subdued, conquered by kindness, happy in the determination to work for the Church as never before.
Rome binds great men to her; she does not drive them away: her policy is wise–superbly, splendidly wise.
* * * * *
Luther was now beyond the pale–the Church had no further power to punish him, but agents of the Church, being a part of the Government, might proceed against him as an enemy of the State.
Word came that if Luther would cease writing and preaching, and quietly go about his teaching in the University, he would not be troubled in any way.
This only fired him to stronger expression. He issued a proclamation to the German Nation, appealing from the sentence of the Pope, stating he was an Augustinian monk, a Doctor of Theology, a preacher of truth, with no stain upon his character. He declared that no man in Italy or elsewhere had a right to order him to be silent, and no man or set of men could deprive him of a share in God’s Kingdom.
He called upon all lovers of liberty who hoped for heaven to repudiate the “Babylonish Captivity”–only by so doing could the smile of God be secured. Thus did Martin Luther excommunicate the Pope.
Frederick, the Elector of Saxony, preserved a strictly neutral attitude. Martin Luther was his subject, and he might have proceeded against him on a criminal charge, and was hotly urged to do so, but his reply was, “Hands Off!”
The city of Worms was at this time the political capital of Germany. A yearly congress, or Diet, was held by the Emperor and his Electors, to consider matters of special import to the State.
As Frederick refused to proceed against Luther, an appeal was made to the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, asking that Luther be compelled to appear before the Diet of Worms and make answer to the charges that would there be brought against him.
It was urged that Luther should be arrested and carried to Worms and there be confined in the castle until the Diet should meet; but Charles had too much respect for Frederick to attempt any such high-handed procedure–it might mean civil war. Gladly would he have ignored the whole matter, but a Cardinal from Rome was at his elbow, sent purposely to see that Luther should be silenced–silenced as Huss was, if necessary. Charles was a good Catholic–and so for that matter was the Elector Frederick. The latter was consulted and agreed that if the Emperor would issue a letter of “safe-conduct,” and send a herald to personally accompany the Reverend Doctor Luther to Worms, the Elector would consent to the proceedings.