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

therefrom a draught of the Water of Life.
The Elector Frederick was overjoyed at the
appearance Luther had made before the Diet. The
force and pertinency of his matter, the eloquence of
his words, his intrepid yet respectful bearing, had
not only delighted the sovereign of Saxony, but had
made a deep impression on the princes of the Diet.
From that hour many of them became attached
friends of Luther and the Reformation. Some of
them openly avowed their change of sentiment at
the time; in others the words of Luther bore fruit in
after-years. Frederick was henceforward more
resolved than ever to protect the Reformer; but
knowing that the less his hand was seen in the
matter, the more effectually would he further the
cause and shield its champion, he avoided personal
intercourse with the Reformer. On one occasion
only did the two men meet.
The mortification of the Papal party was
extreme. They redoubled their activity; they laid
snares to entrap the Reformer. They invited him to
private conferences with the Archbishop of Treves;
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