Page 46 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

men, and to judge for themselves of the spirit

manifested by them, as well as of the strength

and truthfulness of their positions. How

marked the contrast! The Reformer, simple,

humble, firm, stood up in the strength of God,

having truth on his side; the pope's

representative, self-important, overbearing,

haughty, and unreasonable, was without a

single argument from the Scriptures, yet

vehemently crying: “Retract, or be sent to

Rome for punishment.”

Notwithstanding Luther had secured a safe-

conduct, the Romanists were plotting to seize

and imprison him. His friends urged that as it

was useless for him to prolong his stay, he

should return to Wittenberg without delay,

and that the utmost caution should be

observed in order to conceal his intentions.

He accordingly left Augsburg before day-