Page 24 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

dirge as a warning to Luther of the fate that

awaited him. “God will be my defense,” said

he, as he alighted from his carriage.

The papists had not believed that Luther

would really venture to appear at Worms,

and his arrival filled them with

consternation. The emperor immediately

summoned his councilors to consider what

course should be pursued. One of the

bishops, a rigid papist, declared: “We have

long consulted on this matter. Let your

imperial majesty get rid of this man at once.

Did not Sigismund cause John Huss to be

burnt? We are not bound either to give or to

observe the safe-conduct of a heretic.” “No,”

said the emperor, “we must keep our

promise.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8. It was therefore

decided that the Reformer should be heard.