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

while it would ill befit the dignity of the emperor. But these scheming
Romans were aiming not merely at the productions of Luther's pen, but at
Luther himself. "These fires," said they "are not sufficient to purify the
pestilential atmosphere of Germany. Though they may strike terror into the
simple-minded, they leave the author of the mischief unpunished. We must
have an imperial edict sentencing Luther to death."
But they found it no easy matter to accomplish this object. The emperor
was not prepared to take this step without the advice of his counselors. "Let
us first ascertain," he responded, "what our father, the Elector of Saxony,
thinks of the matter. We shall then be prepared to give our answer to the
pope." And the papal delegates were obliged to confer with the good elector.
Here flatteries, arguments, and threats alike failed. To their demand that
he destroy Luther's writings; and punish the Reformer as he deserved, or
deliver him to the papal power, the elector replied that the matter was one of
too great importance to be decided hastily, and that his determination in
regard to it should be duly communicated to them.
May God help the elector now; for his position is one of great difficulty.
He is partially convinced of the truth; but in his circumstances and
surroundings a strong pressure is brought to bear against it. On the one side
are the emperor, the princes of the empire, and above all the pope, whose
power the elector was not yet ready to shake off; on the other side stands a
poor monk, Martin Luther; for it is against this one man that all this assault is
directed.
For a time it seemed that Satan was about to triumph. But God gave
wisdom to Luther's defender; his courage, that had seemed to waver, again
grew strong. He was filled with horror at the thought of delivering up to
torture and death a man whom he believed to have been raised up of God to
accomplish a great work. He saw that justice should be regarded above the
1461