History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century
Chapter 81 : If we do not maintain the decrees of our fathers, there will be nothing but confusion i

If we do not maintain the decrees of our fathers, there will be nothing but confusion in the Church. The distinguished princes now listening to me take a particular interest in your safety. But if you persist, the emperor will banish you from the empire,[555] and no place in the world will be able to offer you an asylum.... Reflect on the fate which awaits you."

[553] Aleander, mane hora quarta vocaverit ad se Cochlum, jubens ut ... audiret solum ... (Cochlus, p. 36.)

[554] Da.s.s das Wort Gottes, Welches so lange unter dem Scheffel verborgen gesteckt, h.e.l.ler scheine ... (Seckend. 364.)

[555] Und aus dem Reich verstossen. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, 582. Sleidan, i, p. 97.)

"Most Serene Princes!" replied Luther, "I give you thanks for your solicitude, for I am only a poor man, and am too humble to be exhorted by such high lords."[556] Then he continued, "I have not blamed all the councils, but only that of Constance; because, in condemning this doctrine of John Huss, viz.--_that the Christian Church is the a.s.sembly of those who are predestinated to salvation_[557]--it condemned this article of our creed, _I believe in the holy Catholic Church_; and the Word of G.o.d itself. My lessons, it is said, give offence," added he. "I answer that the gospel of Christ cannot be preached without offence. How then should this fear or apprehension of danger detach me from the Lord, and from this divine Word, which is the only truth? No, rather give my body, my blood, and my life!!..."

[556] Agnosco enim me homuncionem, longe viliorem esse, quam ut a tantis principibus ... (L. Op. (L.) p. 167.)

[557] Ecclesia Christi est universitas praedestinatorum. (Ibid.)

[Sidenote: CONFERENCE WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF TREVES.]

The princes and doctors having deliberated, Luther was recalled, and Wehe mildly resumed, "It is necessary to honour princes, even when they are mistaken, and to make great sacrifices to charity." Then he said, in a more urgent tone, "Cast yourself upon the judgment of the emperor, and have no fear."

_Luther._--"I consent, with all my heart, that the emperor, the princes, and even the humblest Christian, shall examine and judge my books; but on one condition, and it is, that they take the Word of G.o.d for their standard. Men have nothing else to do but to obey. My conscience is dependent upon it, and I am captive under its authority."[558]

[558] Sie wollten sein Gewissen das mit Gottes Wort und heiliger Schrifft gebunden und gefangen ware nicht dringen. (Math. p. 27.)

_The Elector of Brandenburg._--"I understand you perfectly, doctor.

You will not acknowledge any judge but the Holy Scripture?"

_Luther._--"Yes, my lord, exactly. That is my last word."[559]

[559] Ja darauf stehe Ich. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 604.)

Then the princes and doctors withdrew, but the worthy Archbishop of Treves could not resolve to abandon his undertaking. "Come," said he to Luther, as he pa.s.sed into his private room, and, at the same time, ordered John Eck and Cochlus, on the one side, and Schurff and Amsdorff, on the other, to follow them. "Why appeal incessantly to the Holy Scriptures?" said Eck keenly; "out of it all heresies have sprung." But Luther, says his friend Mathesius, remained immovable, like a rock resting on the true rock, the Word of the Lord. "The pope," replied he, "is no judge in things pertaining to the Word of G.o.d. Every Christian must see and understand for himself how he ought to live and die."[560] The parties separated. The partisans of the papacy felt Luther's superiority, and attributed it to there being n.o.body present who could answer him. "If the emperor," says Cochlus, "had acted wisely in calling Luther to Worms, he would also have called theologians who might have refuted his errors."

[560] Ein Christenmensch muss zusehen und richten... (L. Ep. i, p.

604.)

The Archbishop of Treves repaired to the Diet, and announced the ill success of his mediation. The surprise of the young emperor equalled his indignation. "It is time," said he, "to put an end to this affair." The archbishop asked two days more, and the whole Diet seconded him. Charles V yielded. Aleander, transported with rage, uttered the bitterest invectives.[561]

[561] De iis Aleander acerrime conquestus est. (Pallavicini, i, p.

120.)

[Sidenote: VISIT OF COCHLUS.]

While these things were pa.s.sing at the Diet, Cochlus was burning with eagerness to gain a victory denied to prelates and kings. Though he had, from time to time, thrown in a few words at the archbishop's, the order which he had received from Aleander had laid him under restraint. He resolved to compensate himself, and had no sooner given an account of his mission to the papal nuncio, than he presented himself at Luther's lodging. He accosted him as a friend, and expressed the grief which he felt at the emperor's resolution. After dinner, the conversation grew animated.[562] Cochlus pressed Luther to retract. He declined by a nod. Several n.o.bles, who were at table, had difficulty in restraining themselves. They were indignant that the partisans of Rome should wish not to convince the Reformer by Scripture, but constrain him by force. Cochlus, impatient under these reproaches, says to Luther, "Very well, I offer to dispute publicly with you, if you renounce the safe-conduct."[563] All that Luther demanded was a public debate. What ought he to do? To renounce the safe-conduct was to be his own destroyer; to refuse the challenge of Cochlus was to appear doubtful of his cause. The guests regarded the offer as a perfidious scheme of Aleander, whom the Dean of Frankfort had just left. Vollrat of Watzdorff, one of the number, freed Luther from the embarra.s.sment of this puzzling alternative. This baron, who was of a boiling temperament, indignant at a snare which aimed at nothing less than to give up Luther into the hands of the executioner,[564] started up, seized the terrified priest, and pushed him to the door. There would even have been bloodshed had not the other guests risen up from the table, and interposed their mediation between the furious baron and the trembling Cochlus,[565] who withdrew in confusion from the hotel of the Knights of Rhodes.

[562] Peracto prandio. (Cochlus.)

[563] Und wollte mit mir disputiren, ich sollte allein das Geleit aufsagen. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 589.)

[564] Atque ita traderet eum carnificinae. (Cochlus, p. 36.)

[565] Da.s.s Ihm das Blut uber den Kopff gelauten ware wo man nicht gewehret hatte. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 589.)

The expression had no doubt escaped the dean in the heat of discussion, and was not a premeditated scheme between him and Aleander to make Luther fall into a perfidious snare. Cochlus denies that it was, and we have pleasure in giving credit to his testimony, though it is true he had come to Luther's from a conference with the nuncio.

[Sidenote: INCIDENT AT SUPPER WITH THE ARCHBISHOP.]

In the evening, the Archbishop of Treves entertained those who had been present at the morning conference. He thought it might be a means of calming down their minds, and bringing them nearer each other.

Luther, who was so intrepid and immovable before arbiters or judges, had, in private society, a good humour and gayety which seemed to promise anything that might be asked of him. The archbishop's chancellor, who had shown so much sternness in his official capacity, joined in the attempt, and, towards the end of the repast, drank Luther's health. He was preparing to return the honour, the wine was poured out, and he was, according to his custom, making the sign of the cross on his gla.s.s, when suddenly the gla.s.s burst in his hands, and the wine was spilt upon the table. The guests were in consternation. "There must be poison in it,"[566] said some of Luther's friends, quite loud. But the doctor, without being moved, replied, with a smile, "Dear friends, either this wine was not destined for me, or it would have been hurtful to me." Then he calmly added, "The gla.s.s burst, no doubt, because in was.h.i.+ng it had been too soon plunged in cold water." These simple words, in the circ.u.mstances in which they were uttered, have some degree of grandeur, and bespeak unalterable peace. We cannot suppose that the Roman Catholics could have wished to poison Luther, especially at the house of the Archbishop of Treves. This repast neither estranged nor approximated the parties. The Reformer's resolution came from a higher source, and could not be influenced either by the hatred or the favour of men.

[566] "Es musse Gift darinnen gewesen seyn."--Luther does not mention the circ.u.mstance, but Razeburg, a friend of Luther, and physician to the Elector John Frederick, relates it in a ma.n.u.script history which is extant in the library of Gotha, and says he had it from an eye-witness.

On Thursday morning (25th April) Chancellor Wehe and doctor Peutinger of Augsburg, imperial counsellor, who had shown great affection for Luther ever since his interview with de Vio, repaired to the hotel of the Knights of Rhodes. The Elector of Saxony sent Frederick De Thun, and another of his counsellors, to be present at the conference. "Put yourself in our hands," earnestly said Wehe and Peutinger, who would willingly have sacrificed every thing to prevent the division which was about to rend the Church. "This affair will be terminated in a Christian manner; we give you our word for it." "In two words," said Luther to them, "here is my answer: I renounce the safe-conduct.[567]

I place in the hands of the emperor my person and my life; but the Word of G.o.d ... never!" Frederick de Thun affected rose and said to the deputies, "Is it not enough? Is not the sacrifice great enough?"

Then declaring that he would hear nothing more, he took his leave.

Wehe and Peutinger, hoping to have better success with the doctor, came and sat down on each side of him. "Throw yourself upon the Diet,"

said they to him. "No," replied Luther, "for _cursed be the man that trusteth in man_." (Jeremiah, xvii, 5.) Wehe and Peutinger redoubled their counsels and attacks, pressing more closely on the Reformer.

Luther worn out, rose up and put an end to the interview, saying, "I will not allow any man to set himself above the word of G.o.d."[568]

"Reflect once more," said they to him on retiring, "we will return after mid-day."

[567] Er wollte ehe das Geleit aufsagen.... (L. Op. (L.) xvii, 589.)

[568] Er wollte kurtsrum Menschen uber Gottes Wort nicht erkensen (Ibid., p. 583.)

[Sidenote: NEW PROPOSAL.]

They, in fact, did return; but convinced that Luther would not yield, they brought a new proposal. Luther had refused to be judged first by the pope, then by the emperor, then by the Diet. There remained one judge to whom he himself had once appealed--a general council. No doubt such a proposal would have been scouted by Rome; but it was the last plank for escape. The delegates offered Luther a Council; and he had it in his power to accept it unfettered by any precise definition.

Years might have elapsed before the difficulties which the calling of a Council would have encountered on the part of the pope could have been obviated. To the Reformation and the Reformer a gain of years would have gained every thing. G.o.d and time would then have done the rest. But Luther preferred the straight course to every other: he would not save himself at the expense of truth though all that might have been necessary was to disguise it by keeping silence. "I consent," replied he, "but (this was equivalent to a refusal of the Council) on condition that the Council will judge only according to the Holy Scriptures."[569]

[569] Das daruber aus der heiligen Schrifft gesprochen. (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 584.)

Peutinger and Wehe, thinking that a Council could not judge otherwise, hastened overjoyed to the archbishop. "Dr. Martin," said they, "submits his books to a Council." The archbishop was going to carry the good news to the emperor, when some doubt occurring to him, he sent for Luther.

Richard of Grieffenklau was alone when the doctor arrived. "Dear doctor," said the archbishop, with much cordiality and kindness,[570]

"my doctors a.s.sure me that you consent without reservation to submit your cause to a Council." "My Lord," replied Luther, "I can bear every thing, but cannot abandon the Holy Scriptures." The archbishop then perceived that Wehe and Peutinger had not explained themselves properly. Never could Rome consent to a Council bound to decide according to Scripture. "It was just," says Pallavicini, "to insist that a weak eye should read very small writing, and at the same time deny the use of spectacles."[571] The good archbishop sighed. "It was well," said he, "I made you come. What would have become of me had I immediately gone to the emperor with the news?"

[570] Ganz gut und mehr denn gnaedig. (L. Ep. i, p. 604.)

[571] Simulque conspiciliorum omnium usum negare. (Ibid., p. 110.)

The immovable firmness, the stern rect.i.tude of Luther, are, no doubt, astonis.h.i.+ng, but they will be comprehended and respected by all who know the claims of G.o.d. Seldom has a n.o.bler homage been paid to the immutable word of Heaven, and that at the risk of life and liberty by the man who paid it.

[Sidenote: LUTHER'S LAST INTERVIEW WITH THE ARCHBISHOP.]

"Well," said the venerable prelate to Luther, "do you yourself then point out a remedy."

_Luther_, (_after a moment's silence_).--"My Lord, I know no other than that of Gamaliel: '_If this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought, but if it be of G.o.d ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against G.o.d._' Let the emperor, the electors, the princes, and the states of the empire, deliver this answer to the pope."

_Archbishop._--"At least retract some articles."

_Luther._--"Provided it be not those which the Council of Constance condemned."