The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 159

freely to confess his faith, even should he seal his testimony with his
blood.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8.
When he was again ushered into the presence of the Diet, his
countenance bore no trace of fear or embarrassment. Calm and peaceful,
yet grandly brave and noble, he stood as God’s witness among the great
ones of the earth. The imperial officer now demanded his decision as to
whether he desired to retract his doctrines. Luther made his answer in
a subdued and humble tone, without violence or passion. His demeanor
was diffident and respectful; yet he manifested a confidence and joy that
surprised the assembly.
“Most serene emperor, illustrious princes, gracious lords,” said
Luther, “I appear before you this day, in conformity with the order given
me yesterday, and by God’s mercies I conjure your majesty and your
august highnesses to listen graciously to the defense of a cause which I
am assured is just and true. If, through ignorance, I should transgress
the usages and proprieties of courts, I entreat you to pardon me; for I
was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the seclusion of a
convent.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8.
Then, proceeding to the question, he stated that his published works
were not all of the same character. In some he had treated of faith and
good works, and even his enemies declared them not only harmless
but profitable. To retract these would be to condemn truths which all
parties confessed. The second class consisted of writings exposing the
corruptions and abuses of the papacy. To revoke these works would
strengthen the tyranny of Rome and open a wider door to many and great
impieties. In the third class of his books he had attacked individuals who
had defended existing evils. Concerning these he freely confessed that
he had been more violent than was becoming. He did not claim to be
free from fault; but even these books he could not revoke, for such a
course would embolden the enemies of truth, and they would then take
occasion to crush God’s people with still greater cruelty.

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