Martin Luther - Ellen White Defend

were presented before the people, it would appear in so striking contrast to error that none
could fail to see the distinction.
The same motive led the Jews to destroy Stephen. It was the words of truth which the
priests and elders could not controvert that inspired those wicked judges with such madness
against this man of God that even while his countenance was shining with the glory from
Heaven, they dragged him from the judgment-hall, and silenced his eloquence, not with
arguments from the law and the prophets, but with stones.
Signs of the Times: August 16, 1883 Luther's Journey to
Worms.
- By Mrs. E. G. White.
Luther at Wittenberg hears of the exciting scenes transpiring in the diet. Soon he
receives a note of the articles which he will be required to retract. But, like Daniel of old, he
purposes in his heart that he will maintain his fidelity to God. He writes to Spalatin: "Never fear
that I will retract a single syllable, since the only argument they have to urge against me is that
my writings are at variance with the observances of what they call the Church. If our Emperor
Charles sends for me only to retract, my answer shall be that I will remain here, and it will be
all the same as though I had been at Worms, and returned again. But if the emperor chooses
then to send for me, to put me to death as an enemy to the empire, I shall be ready to obey
his summons; for, by Christ's help, I will never abandon his word in the hour of battle. I know
that these blood-thirsty men will never rest until they have taken my life. God grant that my
death may be laid to the charge of the papists alone!"
Notwithstanding the entreaties, protests, and threats of Aleander, the emperor at last
determined that Luther should appear before the diet. He accordingly issued a writ of
summons, and also a safe-conduct insuring Luther's return to a place of security. These were
borne to Wittenberg by a herald, who was commissioned to conduct the Reformer to Worms.
This was a dark and threatening hour for the Reformation. The friends of Luther were
terrified and distressed. But the Reformer remained calm and firm. He was entreated not to
risk his life. His friends, knowing the prejudice and enmity against him, feared that even his
safe-conduct would not be respected. And it had been reported that the safe-conduct of
heretics was not valid.
Luther replied: "The papists have little desire to see me at Worms; but they long for
my condemnation and death. No matter. Pray not for me, but for the word of God. My blood
will hardly be cold before thousands and tens of thousands, in every land, will be made to
answer for the shedding of it. The 'most holy' adversary of Christ, the father, and master, and
chief of man-slayers, is resolved that it shall be spilled. Amen! The will of God be done. Christ
will give me his Spirit to overcome these ministers of Satan. I despise them while I live; I will
triumph over them in death. They are striving hard at Worms to force me to recant. My
recantation shall be this: I said formerly that the pope was Christ's vicar; now I say that he is
the adversary of the Lord, and the apostle of the devil."
Luther was not to make his perilous journey alone. Besides the imperial messenger,
three of his firmest friends determined to accompany him. With deep emotion the Reformer
bade farewell to his associates. Turning to Melancthon, he said: "If I never return, and my
enemies should take my life, cease not, dear brother, to teach and stand fast in the truth.
Labor in my stead, since I can no longer work. If thy life be spared, my death will matter little."
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