8. Luther Before The Diet. 149
in the most urgent manner, remonstrated with Charles against Luther ' s appearance at Worms. About this time the bull declaring Luther ' s excommunication was published; and this, coupled with the representations of the legate, induced the emperor to yield. He wrote to the elector that if Luther would not retract, he must remain at Wittenberg.
Not content with this victory, Aleander labored with all the power and cunning at his command to secure Luther ' s condemnation. With a persistence worthy of a better cause, he urged the matter upon the attention of princes, prelates, and other members of the assembly, accusing the Reformer of“ sedition, rebellion, impiety, and blasphemy.” But the vehemence and passion manifested by the legate revealed too plainly the spirit by which he was actuated.“ He is moved by hatred and vengeance,” was the general remark,“ much more than by zeal and piety.” 200 The majority of the Diet were more than ever inclined to regard Luther ' s cause with favor.
With redoubled zeal, Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty of executing the papal edicts. But under the laws of Germany this could not be done without the concurrence of the princes; and overcome at last by the legate ' s importunity, Charles bade him present his case to the Diet.“ It was a proud day for the nuncio. The assembly was a great one: the cause was even greater. Aleander was to plead for Rome,... the mother and mistress of all churches.” He was to vindicate the princedom of Peter before the assembled principalities of Christendom.“ He had the gift of eloquence, and he rose to the greatness of the occasion. Providence ordered it that Rome should appear and plead by the ablest of her orators in the presence of the most august of tribunals, before she was condemned.” 201 With some misgivings those who favored the Reformer looked forward to the effect of Aleander ' s speech. The elector of Saxony was not
200 D ' Aubigné, b. 7, ch. 1. 201 Wylie, b. 6, ch. 4.