164 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 162 ] calmly,“ May God be my helper, for I can retract nothing.” 222
He was directed to withdraw from the Diet, while the princes consulted together. It was felt that a great crisis had come. Luther ' s persistent refusal to submit, might affect the history of the church for ages. It was decided to give him one more opportunity to retract. For the last time he was brought into the assembly. Again the question was put, whether he would renounce his doctrines.“ I have no other reply to make,” he said,“ than that which I have already made.” It was evident that he could not be induced, either by promises or threats, to yield to the mandate of Rome.
The papal leaders were chagrined that their power, which had caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be thus despised by a humble monk; they longed to make him feel their wrath by torturing his life away. But Luther, understanding his danger, had spoken to all with Christian dignity and calmness. His words had been free from pride, passion, and misrepresentation. He had lost sight of himself, and of the great men surrounding him, and felt only that he was in the presence of One infinitely superior to popes, prelates, kings, and emperors. Christ had spoken through Luther ' s testimony with a power and grandeur that for the time inspired both friends and foes with awe and wonder. The Spirit of God had been present in that council impressing the hearts of the chiefs of the empire. Several of the princes boldly acknowledged the justice of Luther ' s cause. Many were convinced of the truth; but with some the impressions received were not lasting. There was another class who did not at the time express their convictions, but who, having searched the Scriptures for themselves, at a future time became fearless supporters of the Reformation.
The elector Frederick had looked forward anxiously to Luther ' s appearance before the Diet, and with deep emotion he listened to his speech. With joy and pride he witnessed the doctor ' s
222 D ' Aubigné, b. 7, ch. 8.