Martin Luther - Ellen White Defend

Luther had spoken in German; he was requested to repeat the same words in Latin.
The German tongue did not please the emperor, nor was it readily comprehended by the
Spanish and Italian courtiers. Though much exhausted by the previous effort, Luther complied
with the request, and repeated his speech in Latin with the same clearness and energy as at
the first. God in his providence directed in this matter. The minds of many of the princes were
so blinded by error and superstition that at the first delivery they did not see the force of
Luther's reasoning, but the repetition enabled them to perceive with great clearness the points
presented. The Spirit of God set home the truth, and a deep and lasting impression was
made. The Reformation had gained a victory which would tell with great power against the
papacy.
But those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, who were determined not to
be convinced of the truth, were enraged at the power of Luther's words. Of this class was the
spokesman of the diet. As Luther ceased speaking, this official said angrily, "You have not
given any answer to the inquiry put to you. You are not to question the decision of the
councils; you are required to return a clear and distinct answer. Will you, or will you not
retract?"
Luther answered firmly, "Since your most serene majesty and your high mightiness
require of me a simple, clear, and direct answer, I will give one; and it is this: I cannot submit
my faith either to the pope or to the councils; because it is as clear as day that they have often
erred and contradicted each other. If, then, I am not convinced by proof from Holy Scripture or
by cogent reasons; if I am not satisfied by the very texts that I have cited; and if my judgment
is not in this way brought into subjection to God's word, I neither can nor will retract anything,
for it cannot be right for a Christian to speak against his conscience." Then turning his eyes
upon the assembly before which he stood, and which held his life in their hands, he said,
"Here I stand, I can do no other. May God help me! Amen!"
So stands this righteous man upon the sure foundation, the prophets and apostles,
Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Firm and fearless at his post of duty is the great
Reformer. Faithful among the faithless, unheeding the storms of malice and revenge, he
stands a mighty cedar of Lebanon among the trees of the forest. While the passions and
pollutions of the multitude surge around him like waves of the great deep, he stands, a
Heaven-sent beacon, to warn the imperiled mariner of the hidden shoal and the rocky shore.
Luther knows not what may be his fate; but he knows that the cause of truth can never
fail, and he is ready to die, if need be, knowing that by death he may serve the truth better
than by his life. Light from the throne of God illuminated his countenance. His greatness and
purity of character, his peace and joy of heart, were manifest to all, as he testified against the
power of error, and witnessed to the superiority of that faith that overcomes the world.
When the Reformer ceased speaking, the whole assembly were for a time motionless
with amazement. Several of the princes were charmed with his frankness and nobility of soul.
The emperor himself, deeply impressed, exclaimed, "The monk speaks with an intrepid heart
and unshaken courage." The Spaniards and Italians were confounded, and began to ridicule
that moral grandeur which their base and unprincipled minds could not comprehend.
The partisans of Rome had been worsted; their cause appeared in a most unfavorable
light. They sought to maintain their power, not by appealing to the Scriptures to show Luther
the error of his course, but by a resort to threats, Rome's unfailing argument. Said the
spokesman of the diet, angrily addressing Luther, "If you do not retract, the emperor and the
States of the empire will proceed to consider how to deal with an obstinate heretic.'
Luther's friends, who had with great joy listened to his noble defense, trembled at
these words; but the doctor himself said firmly, "May God be my helper! for I can retract
nothing."
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