The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 167

would rather give up my body, my blood, and my life.”—D’Aubigne, b.
7, ch. 10.
Again he was urged to submit to the judgment of the emperor, and
then he would have nothing to fear. “I consent,” said he in reply, “with all
my heart, that the emperor, the princes, and even the meanest Christian,
should examine and judge my works; but on one condition, that they take
the word of God for their standard. Men have nothing to do but to obey
it. Do not offer violence to my conscience, which is bound and chained
up with the Holy Scriptures.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 10.
To another appeal he said: “I consent to renounce my safe-conduct.
I place my person and my life in the emperor’s hands, but the word of
God—never!”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 10. He stated his willingness to submit to
the decision of a general council, but only on condition that the council
be required to decide according to the Scriptures. “In what concerns
the word of God and the faith,” he added, “every Christian is as good
a judge as the pope, though supported by a million councils, can be
for him.”—Martyn, vol. 1, p. 410. Both friends and foes were at last
convinced that further effort for reconciliation would be useless.
Had the Reformer yielded a single point , Satan and his hosts would
have gained the victory. But his unwavering firmness was the means
of emancipating the church, and beginning a new and better era. The
influence of this one man, who dared to think and act for himself in
religious matters, was to affect the church and the world, not only in
his own time, but in all future generations. His firmness and fidelity
would strengthen all, to the close of time, who should pass through a
similar experience. The power and majesty of God stood forth above the
counsel of men, above the mighty power of Satan.
Luther was soon commanded by the authority of the emperor to
return home, and he knew that this notice would be speedily followed
by his condemnation. Threatening clouds overhung his path; but as he
departed from Worms, his

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