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Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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at any time countenance you, and will cast <strong>the</strong>m out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church. Full<br />

power has been given me for this purpose by <strong>the</strong> holy apostolic see. Think<br />

you that your protectors will stop me? Do you imagine that <strong>the</strong> pope can fear<br />

Germany? The pope's little finger is stronger than all Germany put toge<strong>the</strong>r."<br />

"Condescend," replied Lu<strong>the</strong>r, "to forward <strong>the</strong> written answer I have<br />

given you to Pope Leo X., with my most humble prayers." In a haughty and<br />

angry tone, <strong>the</strong> cardinal replied, "Retract, or return no more."<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r bowed, and retired with his friends, leaving <strong>the</strong> cardinal and his<br />

supporters to look at one ano<strong>the</strong>r in utter confusion at <strong>the</strong> unexpected result<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> discussion. The cardinal and <strong>the</strong> Reformer never met again.<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r's efforts on this occasion were not without good results. The large<br />

assembly present at <strong>the</strong> conference had opportunity to compare <strong>the</strong> two men,<br />

and to judge for <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spirit manifested by <strong>the</strong>m, as well as <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

strength and truthfulness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir position. How marked <strong>the</strong> contrast! Lu<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

simple, upright, firm, stood up in <strong>the</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> God, having truth on his<br />

side; <strong>the</strong> pope's representative, self-important, overbearing, haughty, and<br />

unreasonable, was without a single argument from <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> God, yet<br />

vehemently crying, "Retract, or be sent to Rome for punishment." Yet <strong>the</strong><br />

legate was deeply impressed by his interviews with <strong>the</strong> Reformer, and he<br />

afterward changed his own views, and himself retracted his errors.<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r remained in Augsburg but a few days after his last meeting with<br />

<strong>the</strong> cardinal. Before leaving <strong>the</strong> city, however, he drew up a respectful letter<br />

to <strong>the</strong> legate, stating that it was useless for him to prolong his stay, as he had<br />

been denied a fur<strong>the</strong>r hearing unless he should retract. "Thus I again set out<br />

in <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, desiring to find some place where I may live in<br />

peace." He closes by stating that he had committed no crime, and ought<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore to have nothing to fear. This letter was intrusted to his friends, who<br />

after his departure delivered it to <strong>the</strong> legate.<br />

1447

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