06.03.2019 Views

In Germany from the Leipsic Disputation to the Diet at Worms - James Aitken Wylie

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>from</strong> it, and <strong>the</strong> reader of his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>at</strong> such moments<br />

feels as if he were nearing <strong>the</strong> very precincts of <strong>the</strong><br />

Eternal Throne, and walking on mysterious and<br />

holy ground.<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>r now rises <strong>from</strong> his knees, and in <strong>the</strong><br />

calm reigning in his soul feels th<strong>at</strong> already he has<br />

received an answer <strong>to</strong> his prayer. He sits down <strong>to</strong><br />

arrange his thoughts, <strong>to</strong> draft, in outline, his<br />

defense, and <strong>to</strong> search in Holy Scripture for<br />

passages wherewith <strong>to</strong> fortify it. This task finished,<br />

he laid his left hand upon <strong>the</strong> sacred volume, which<br />

lay open on <strong>the</strong> table before him, and raising his<br />

right hand <strong>to</strong> heaven, he swore <strong>to</strong> remain ever<br />

faithful <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gospel, and <strong>to</strong> confess it, even<br />

should he have <strong>to</strong> seal his confession with his<br />

blood. After this <strong>the</strong> Reformer experienced a still<br />

deeper peace.<br />

At four of <strong>the</strong> clock, <strong>the</strong> grand marshal and <strong>the</strong><br />

herald presented <strong>the</strong>mselves. Through crowded<br />

streets, for <strong>the</strong> excitement grew gre<strong>at</strong>er with each<br />

passing hour, was <strong>the</strong> Reformer conducted <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>to</strong>wn-hall. On arriving in <strong>the</strong> outer court <strong>the</strong>y found<br />

130

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!