Page 4 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

ambassadors from foreign and distant

lands,—all gathered at Worms. Yet in that

vast assembly the subject that excited the

deepest interest was the cause of the Saxon

Reformer.

Charles had previously directed the elector to

bring Luther with him to the Diet, assuring

him of protection, and promising a free

discussion, with competent persons, of the

questions in dispute. Luther was anxious to

appear before the emperor. His health was at

this time much impaired; yet he wrote to the

elector: “If I cannot go to Worms in good

health, I will be carried there, sick as I am.

For if the emperor calls me, I cannot doubt

that it is the call of God Himself. If they desire

to use violence against me, and that is very

probable (for it is not for their instruction

that they order me to appear), I place the