Page 40 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

entreated him to leave Wittenberg for a time

and find safety with those who would gladly

protect him. But he would not leave the

position where God had placed him. He must

continue faithfully to maintain the truth,

notwithstanding the storms that were

beating upon him. His language was: “I am

like Jeremiah, a man of strife and contention;

but the more their threats increase, the more

my joy is multiplied.... They have already

destroyed my honor and my reputation. One

single thing remains; it is my wretched body:

let them take it; they will thus shorten my life

by a few hours. But as for my soul, they

cannot take that. He who desires to proclaim

the word of Christ to the world, must expect

death at every moment.”—Ibid., b. 4, ch. 4.

The tidings of Luther's arrival at Augsburg

gave great satisfaction to the papal legate.