The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 118

The European Union in Prophecy
With his mind stayed upon God, Luther prepared for the struggle before him.
He thought upon the plan of his answer, examined passages in his own writings, and
drew from the Holy Scriptures suitable proofs to sustain his positions. Then, laying
his left hand on the Sacred Volume, which was open before him, he lifted his right
hand to heaven and vowed "to remain faithful to the gospel, and freely to confess his
faith, even should he seal his testimony with his blood."-- Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. When he
was again ushered into the presence of the Diet, his countenance bore no trace of fear
or embarrassment. Calm and peaceful, yet grandly brave and noble, he stood as God's
witness among the great ones of the earth. The imperial officer now demanded his
decision as to whether he desired to retract his doctrines. Luther made his answer in
a subdued and humble tone, without violence or passion. His demeanor was diffident
and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence and joy that surprised the assembly.
"Most serene emperor, illustrious princes, gracious lords," said Luther, "I appear
before you this day, in conformity with the order given me yesterday, and by God's
mercies I conjure your majesty and your august highnesses to listen graciously to the
defense of a cause which I am assured is just and true. If, through ignorance, I should
transgress the usages and proprieties of courts, I entreat you to pardon me; for I was
not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the seclusion of a convent."-- Ibid., b. 7,
ch. 8. Then, proceeding to the question, he stated that his published works were not
all of the same character. In some he had treated of faith and good works, and even
his enemies declared them not only harmless but profitable. To retract these would
be to condemn truths which all parties confessed. The second class consisted of
writings exposing the corruptions and abuses of the papacy. To revoke these works
would strengthen the tyranny of Rome and open a wider door to many and great
impieties. In the third class of his books he had attacked individuals who had
defended existing evils. Concerning these he freely confessed that he had been more
violent than was becoming.
He did not claim to be free from fault; but even these books he could not revoke,
for such a course would embolden the enemies of truth, and they would then take
occasion to crush God's people with still greater cruelty. "Yet I am but a mere man,
and not God," he continued; "I shall therefore defend myself as Christ did: 'If I have
spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.' . . . By the mercy of God, I conjure you, most
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