the effects of papal tyranny . With noble firmness , Duke George of Saxony stood up in that princely assembly and specified with terrible exactness the deceptions and abominations of popery , and their dire results . In closing he said : " These are some of the abuses that cry out against Rome . All shame has been put aside , and their only object is . . . money , money , money , … so that the preachers who should teach the truth , utter nothing but falsehoods , and are not only tolerated , but rewarded , because the greater their lies , the greater their gain . It is from this foul spring that such tainted waters flow . Debauchery stretches out the hand to avarice …. Alas , it is the scandal caused by the clergy that hurls so many poor souls into eternal condemnation . A general reform must be effected ." -- Ibid ., b . 7 , ch . 4 .
A more able and forcible denunciation of the papal abuses could not have been presented by Luther himself ; and the fact that the speaker was a determined enemy of the Reformer ' s gave greater 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 dishonor 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
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