influence to his words . Had the eyes of the assembly been opened , they would have beheld angels of God in the midst of them , shedding beams of light athwart the darkness of error and opening minds and hearts to the reception of truth . It was the power of the God of truth and wisdom that controlled even the adversaries of the reformation , and thus prepared the way for the great work about to be accomplished . Martin Luther was not present ; but the voice of One greater than Luther had been heard in that assembly .
A committee was at once appointed by the Diet to prepare an enumeration of the papal oppressions that weighed so heavily on the German people . This list , containing a hundred and one specifications , was presented to the emperor , with a request that he would take immediate measures for the correction of these abuses . " What a loss of Christian souls ," said the petitioners , " what depredations , what extortions , on account of the scandals by which the spiritual head of Christendom is surrounded ! It is our duty to prevent the ruin and dishonour of our people . For this reason we most humbly but most urgently entreat you to order a general reformation , and to undertake its accomplishment ." -- Ibid ., b . 7 , ch . 4 .
The council now demanded the Reformer ' s appearance before them . Notwithstanding the entreaties , protests , and threats of Aleander , the emperor at last consented , and Luther was summoned to appear before the Diet . With the summons was issued a safe-conduct , ensuring his return to a place of security . These were borne to Wittenberg by a herald , who was commissioned to conduct him to Worms . The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed . Knowing the prejudice and enmity against him , they feared that even his safe-conduct would not be respected , and they entreated him not to imperil his life . He replied : " The papists do not desire my coming to Worms , but my condemnation and my death . It matters not . Pray not for me , but for the word of God . . . . Christ will give me His Spirit to overcome these ministers of error . I despise them during my life ; I shall triumph over them by my death . They are busy at Worms about compelling me to retract ; and this shall be my retraction : I said formerly that the pope was Christ ' s vicar ; now I assert that he is our Lord ' s adversary , and the devil ' s apostle ." -- Ibid ., b . 7 , ch . 6 .
Luther was not to make his perilous journey alone . Besides the imperial messenger , three of his firmest friends determined to accompany him . Melanchthon earnestly desired to join them . His heart was knit to Luther ' s , and he yearned to follow him , if need be , to prison or to death . But his entreaties were denied . Should Luther perish , the hopes of the Reformation must centre upon his youthful co-labourer . Said the Reformer as he parted from Melanchthon : " If I do not return , and my enemies put me to death , continue to teach , and stand fast in the truth . Labour in my stead . . . . If you survive , my death will be of little consequence ." -- Ibid ., b . 7 , ch . 7 . Students and citizens who had gathered to witness Luther ' s departure were deeply moved . A multitude whose hearts had been touched by the gospel , bade him farewell with weeping . Thus the Reformer and his companions set out from Wittenberg .
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