years , modest and diffident in his manners , Melanchthon ' s sound judgment , extensive knowledge , and winning eloquence , combined with the purity and uprightness of his character , won universal admiration and esteem . The brilliancy of his talents was not more marked than his gentleness of disposition . He soon became an earnest disciple of the gospel , and Luther ' s most trusted friend and valued supporter ; his gentleness , caution , and exactness serving as a complement to Luther ' s courage and energy .
Their union in the work added strength to the Reformation and was a source of great encouragement to Luther . Augsburg had been fixed upon as the place of trial , and the Reformer set out on foot to perform the journey thither . Serious fears were entertained in his behalf . Threats had been made openly that he would be seized and murdered on the way , and his friends begged him not to venture . They even entreated him to leave Wittenberg for a time and find safety with those who would gladly protect him . But he would not leave the position where God had placed him . He must continue faithfully to maintain the truth , notwithstanding the storms that were beating upon him . His language was : " I am like Jeremiah , a man of strife and contention ; but the more their threats increase , the more my joy is multiplied . . . . They have already destroyed my honor and my reputation . One single thing remains ; it is my wretched body : let them take it ; they will thus shorten my life by a few hours . But as for my soul , they cannot take that . He who desires to proclaim the word of Christ to the world , must expect death at every moment ." -- Ibid ., b . 4 , ch . 4 .
The tidings of Luther ' s arrival at Augsburg gave great satisfaction to the papal legate . The troublesome heretic who was exciting the attention of the whole world seemed now in the power of Rome , and the legate determined that he should not escape . The Reformer had failed to provide himself with a safe-conduct . His friends urged him not to appear before the legate without one , and they themselves undertook to procure it from the emperor . The legate intended to force Luther , if possible , to retract , or , failing in this , to cause him to be conveyed to Rome , to share the fate of Huss and Jerome . Therefore through his agents he endeavored to induce Luther to appear without a safe-conduct , trusting himself to his mercy . This the Reformer firmly declined to do . Not until he had received the document pledging him the emperor ' s protection , did he appear in the presence of the papal ambassador .
As a matter of policy , the Romanists had decided to attempt to win Luther by an appearance of gentleness . The legate , in his interviews with him , professed great friendliness ; but he demanded that Luther submit implicitly to the authority of the church , and yield every point without argument or question . He had not rightly estimated the character of the man with whom he had to deal . Luther , in reply , expressed his regard for the church , his desire for the
85