of what happened to me at To beginwith, they did not expect me to appear, for althoughI had a safe-conduct I was tried,and asked if I ' would disown my books.
Majesty,indignant, wrote with his own hand, orderingthe States to proceedagainstme, as was seemlyfor a Faith to act to a hardened heretic.
I was admonished by some magnates of the realm to submit my books to the Emperor and Diet,and was then summoned before the Bishopof Treves, Elector Joachim, etc.
Baden gave me a most ingenious admonition,sayingtheydid not intend disputingwith me, but would justadmonish me in a brotherlyway, begging me to consider what confusion had arisen throughme, and that I should honour the powers that be,and yieldin much
" even althoughthe authorities may at times have erred, and such like.
I said I was willing to submit my books, not only to Majesty,but to the least of his subjects, providednothingshould be decreed againstthe gospel, and also that I had never taught any one to despisethe authorities, and was not attackingPope or Council for their evil lives,but for false doctrine.
For where false doctrine is,there obedience has no sway.
I pointedout the article condemned in There is only one universal Church, which is the company of the elect."
This being an articleof our faith,I would not have condemned it.
** We believe in one holyChristian Church."
We must avoid offence in works, but cannot in doctrine,for God's Word is ever an offence to the great, the wise ; and the saints,even as Himself was made of God, a signwhich was spoken against.
Treves, in despair, summoned Dr. Hieronymus Behns, Amsdorf, and myself. It was a miserable disputation, their sarcastic allusions missingtheir aim entirely.I said the Christian must judgefor himself, even as he must live and die for himself, and that the Pope was not umpire in spiritual things being the property of all believers, as St. Paul says, and so we parted.
Dr. Peutingerwished me to submit my books to Majesty,for I ought to believe theywould come to a Christian conclusion.
When hard pressed,I asked the Chancellor if they would counsel me to trust the Emperor and others,as they had alreadycondemned me and burned my books.
Lord of Treves sent for me alone ; for all through His Grace was more than gracious, and broughtup the old topic,but I knew no other answer, and he dismissed me.
Then a count came with Majesty'sChancellor,as notary, and bade me leave Worms, with a safe-conduct of twenty-one days,and Majestywould treat me as seemed good to him.
** It has happened as the I was forbidden to preach or write on my journey,and promisedall,except to let God's And thus we parted. I am now in They will accuse me of preachingat
For they take it literally.
I commend myselfto your Excellency'schaplain, Hastilywritten in Eisenach on the day of the Holy Cross,1521.
Luther writes from the Wartburg.
Philip,what are you about meantime Are you prayingthat my enforced seclusion may draw down some greatthingto the gloryof God, and therefore
I wish to know if you approve of it.
I feared it might look as if I were fleeingfrom the conflict,but I thoughtit best to givein to those who had arrangedit thus.
I long earnestlyto encounter my enemies and vanquishthem in the strife.