The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 152

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 error. I despise them during my life; I shall triumph over
them by my death. They are busy at Worms about compelling me to
retract; and this shall be my retraction: I said formerly that the pope
was Christ’s vicar; now I assert that he is our Lord’s adversary, and the
devil’s apostle.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 6.
Luther was not to make his perilous journey alone. Besides
the imperial messenger, three of his firmest friends determined to
accompany him. Melanchthon earnestly desired to join them. His
heart was knit to Luther’s, and he yearned to follow him, if need be,
to prison or to death. But his entreaties were denied. Should Luther
perish, the hopes of the Reformation must center upon his youthful
colaborer. Said the Reformer as he parted from Melanchthon: “If I do
not return, and my enemies put me to death, continue to teach, and stand
fast in the truth. Labor in my stead.... If you survive, my death will
be of little consequence.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 7. Students and citizens
who had gathered to witness Luther’s departure were deeply moved.
A multitude whose hearts had been touched by the gospel, bade him
farewell with weeping. Thus the Reformer and his companions set out
from Wittenberg.
On the journey they saw that the minds of the people were oppressed
by gloomy forebodings. At some towns no honors were proffered them.
As they stopped for the night, a friendly priest expressed his fears by
holding up before Luther the portrait of an Italian reformer who had
suffered martyrdom. The next day they learned that Luther’s writings
had been condemned at Worms. Imperial messengers were proclaiming
the emperor’s decree and calling upon the people to bring the proscribed
works to the magistrates. The herald, fearing for Luther’s safety at the
council, and thinking that already his resolution might be shaken, asked
if he still wished to go forward. He answered: “Although interdicted in
every city, I shall go on.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 7.

151