The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 138

who shall at any time countenance you, and will cast them out of the
church.” And he finally declared, in a haughty and angry tone: “Retract,
or return no more.”—D’Aubigne, London ed., b. 4, ch. 8.
The Reformer promptly withdrew with his friends, thus declaring
plainly that no retraction was to be expected from him. This was not
what the cardinal had purposed. He had flattered himself that by violence
he could awe Luther to submission. Now, left alone with his supporters,
he looked from one to another in utter chagrin at the unexpected failure
of his schemes.
Luther’s efforts on this occasion were not without good results. The
large assembly present had opportunity to compare the two men, and
to judge for themselves of the spirit manifested by them, as well as
of the strength and truthfulness of their positions. How marked the
contrast! The Reformer, simple, humble, firm, stood up in the strength of
God, having truth on his side; the pope’s representative, self-important,
overbearing, haughty, and unreasonable, was without a single argument
from the Scriptures, yet vehemently crying: “Retract, or be sent to Rome
for punishment.”
Notwithstanding Luther had secured a safe-conduct, the Romanists
were plotting to seize and imprison him. His friends urged that as it
was useless for him to prolong his stay, he should return to Wittenberg
without delay, and that the utmost caution should be observed in order to
conceal his intentions. He accordingly left Augsburg before day-break,
on horseback, accompanied only by a guide furnished him by the
magistrate. With many forebodings he secretly made his way through
the dark and silent streets of the city. Enemies, vigilant and cruel, were
plotting his destruction. Would he escape the snares prepared for him?
Those were moments of anxiety and earnest prayer. He reached a small
gate in the wall of the city. It was opened for him, and with his guide
he passed through without hindrance. Once safely outside, the fugitives
hastened their flight, and before

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