futile , Luther finally obtained a reluctant permission to present his answer in writing . " In so doing ," said he , writing to a friend , " the oppressed find double gain ; first , what is written may be submitted to the judgment of others ; and second , one has a better chance of working on the fears , if not on the conscience , of an arrogant and babbling despot , who would otherwise overpower by his imperious language ." --Martyn , The Life and Times of Luther , pages 271 , 272 . At the next interview , Luther presented a clear , concise , and forcible exposition of his views , fully supported by many quotations from Scripture . This paper , after reading aloud , he handed to the cardinal , who , however , cast it contemptuously aside , declaring it to be a mass of idle words and irrelevant quotations .
Luther , fully aroused , now met the haughty prelate on his own ground--the traditions and teachings of the church--and utterly overthrew his assumptions . When the prelate saw that Luther ' s reasoning was unanswerable , he lost all self-control , and in a rage cried out : " Retract ! or I will send you to Rome , there to appear before the judges commissioned to take cognizance of your cause . I will excommunicate you and all your partisans , and all who shall at any time countenance you , and will cast them out of the church ." And he finally declared , in a haughty and angry tone : " Retract , or return no more ." --D ' Aubigne , London ed ., b . 4 , ch . 8 . The Reformer promptly withdrew with his friends , thus declaring plainly that no retraction was to be expected from him . This was not what the cardinal had purposed . He had flattered himself that by violence he could awe Luther to submission . Now , left alone with his supporters , he looked from one to another in utter chagrin at the unexpected failure of his schemes .
Luther ' s efforts on this occasion were not without good results . The large assembly present had opportunity to compare the two men , and to judge for themselves of the spirit manifested by them , as well as of the strength and truthfulness of their positions . How marked the contrast ! The Reformer , simple , humble , firm , stood up in the strength of God , having truth on his side ; the pope ' s representative , self-important , overbearing , haughty , and unreasonable , was without a single argument from the Scriptures , yet vehemently crying : " Retract , or be sent to Rome for punishment ." Notwithstanding Luther had secured a safe-conduct , the Romanists were plotting to seize and imprison him . His friends urged that as it was useless for him to prolong his stay , he should return to Wittenberg without delay , and that the utmost caution should be observed in order to conceal his intentions . He accordingly left Augsburg before day-break , on horseback , accompanied only by a guide furnished him by the magistrate .
With many forebodings he secretly made his way through the dark and silent streets of the city . Enemies , vigilant and cruel , were plotting his destruction . Would he escape the snares prepared for him ? Those were moments of anxiety and earnest prayer . He reached a small gate in the wall of the city . It was opened for him , and with his guide he passed through without hindrance . Once safely outside , the fugitives hastened their flight , and before the legate learned of Luther ' s departure , he was beyond the reach of his persecutors . Satan and his emissaries were defeated . The man whom
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