urgent manner , remonstrated with Charles against Luther ’ s appearance at Worms . About this time the bull declaring Luther ’ s excommunication was published ; and this , coupled with the representations of the legate , induced the emperor to yield . He wrote to the elector that if Luther would not retract , he must remain at Wittenberg .
Not content with this victory , Aleander labored with all the power and cunning at his command to secure Luther ’ s condemnation . With a persistence worthy of a better cause , he urged the matter upon the attention of princes , prelates , and other members of the assembly , accusing the Reformer of “ sedition , rebellion , impiety , and blasphemy .” But the vehemence and passion manifested by the legate revealed too plainly the spirit by which he was actuated . “ He is moved by hatred and vengeance ,” was the general remark , “ much more than by zeal and piety .”— Ibid ., b . 7 , ch . 1 . The majority of the Diet were more than ever inclined to regard Luther ’ s cause with favor .
With redoubled zeal Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty of executing the papal edicts . But under the laws of Germany this could not be done without the concurrence of the princes ; and , overcome at last by the legate ’ s importunity , Charles bade him present his case to the Diet . “ It was a proud day for the nuncio . The assembly was a great one : the cause was even greater . Aleander was to plead for Rome , ... the mother and mistress of all churches .” He was to vindicate the princedom of Peter before the assembled principalities of Christendom . “ He had the gift of eloquence , and he rose to the greatness of the occasion . Providence ordered it that Rome should appear and plead by the ablest of her orators in the presence of the most august of tribunals , before she was condemned .”— Wylie , b . 6 , ch . 4 . With some misgivings those who favored the Reformer looked forward to the effect of Aleander ’ s speech . The elector of Saxony was not present , but by his direction some of his councilors attended to take notes of the nuncio ’ s address .
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