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From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

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him still in <strong>the</strong> Wartburg, made <strong>the</strong> confusion and<br />

mischief at Wittenberg worse. At last, <strong>to</strong> his great<br />

joy, he finished his German version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New<br />

Testament, and on <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 3rd March,<br />

1522, he passed out at <strong>the</strong> portal <strong>of</strong> his castle. He<br />

might be entering a world that would call for his<br />

blood; <strong>the</strong> ban <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Empire was suspended over<br />

him; <strong>the</strong> horizonwas black with s<strong>to</strong>rms;<br />

never<strong>the</strong>less he must go and drive away <strong>the</strong> wolves<br />

that had entered his fold. He traveled in his knight's<br />

incogni<strong>to</strong>–a red mantle, trunk-hose, doublet,<br />

fea<strong>the</strong>r, and sword–not without adventures by <strong>the</strong><br />

way. On Friday, <strong>the</strong> 7th <strong>of</strong> March, he entered<br />

Wittenberg.<br />

The <strong>to</strong>wn, <strong>the</strong> University, <strong>the</strong> council, were<br />

electrified by <strong>the</strong> news <strong>of</strong> his arrival. "Lu<strong>the</strong>r is<br />

come," said <strong>the</strong> citizens, as with radiant faces <strong>the</strong>y<br />

exchanged salutations with one ano<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong><br />

streets. A tremendous load had been lifted <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />

minds <strong>of</strong> all. The vessel <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Reformation was<br />

drifting upon <strong>the</strong> rocks; some waited in terror,<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs in expectation for <strong>the</strong> crash, when suddenly<br />

<strong>the</strong> pilot appeared and grasped <strong>the</strong> helm.<br />

36

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