Page 62 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

Both his seizure and his concealment were so

involved in mystery that even Frederick

himself for a long time knew not whither he

had been conducted. This ignorance was not

without design; so long as the elector knew

nothing of Luther's whereabouts, he could

reveal nothing. He satisfied himself that the

Reformer was safe, and with this knowledge

he was content.

Spring, summer, and autumn passed, and

winter came, and Luther still remained a

prisoner. Aleander and his partisans exulted

as the light of the gospel seemed about to be

extinguished. But instead of this, the

Reformer was filling his lamp from the

storehouse of truth; and its light was to shine

forth with brighter radiance.

In the friendly security of the Wartburg,

Luther for a time rejoiced in his release from