Page 15 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

present; but the voice of One greater than

Luther had been heard in that assembly.

A committee was at once appointed by the

Diet to prepare an enumeration of the papal

oppressions that weighed so heavily on the

German people. This list, containing a

hundred and one specifications, was

presented to the emperor, with a request that

he would take immediate measures for the

correction of these abuses. “What a loss of

Christian souls,” said the petitioners, “what

depredations, what extortions, on account of

the scandals by which the spiritual head of

Christendom is surrounded! It is our duty to

prevent the ruin and dishonor of our people.

For this reason we most humbly but most

urgently entreat you to order a general

reformation, and to undertake its

accomplishment.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 4.