Page 25 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

All the city were eager to see this remarkable

man, and a throng of visitors soon filled his

lodgings. Luther had scarcely recovered from

his recent illness; he was wearied from the

journey, which had occupied two full weeks;

he must prepare to meet the momentous

events of the morrow, and he needed quiet

and repose. But so great was the desire to see

him that he had enjoyed only a few hours’

rest when noblemen, knights, priests, and

citizens gathered eagerly about him. Among

these were many of the nobles who had so

boldly demanded of the emperor a reform of

ecclesiastical abuses and who, says Luther,

“had all been freed by my gospel.”—Martyn,

page 393. Enemies, as well as friends, came to

look upon the dauntless monk; but he

received them with unshaken calmness,

replying to all with dignity and wisdom. His

bearing was firm and courageous. His pale,