Page 16 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

The council now demanded the Reformer's

appearance before them. Notwithstanding

the entreaties, protests, and threats of

Aleander, the emperor at last consented, and

Luther was summoned to appear before the

Diet. With the summons was issued a safe-

conduct, ensuring his return to a place of

security. These were borne to Wittenberg by

a herald, who was commissioned to conduct

him to Worms.

The friends of Luther were terrified and

distressed. Knowing the prejudice and

enmity against him, they feared that even his

safe-conduct would not be respected, and

they entreated him not to imperil his life. He

replied: “The papists do not desire my

coming to Worms, but my condemnation and

my death. It matters not. Pray not for me, but

for the word of God.... Christ will give me His