Page 57 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

that further effort for reconciliation would be

useless.

Had the Reformer yielded a single point,

Satan and his hosts would have gained the

victory. But his unwavering firmness was the

means of emancipating the church, and

beginning a new and better era. The influence

of this one man, who dared to think and act

for himself in religious matters, was to affect

the church and the world, not only in his own

time, but in all future generations. His

firmness and fidelity would strengthen all, to

the close of time, who should pass through a

similar experience. The power and majesty of

God stood forth above the counsel of men,

above the mighty power of Satan.

Luther was soon commanded by the

authority of the emperor to return home, and

he knew that this notice would be speedily