Little journeys to the homes of eminent orators . e statement of his descent from Emperors, Kingsof Spain, Archdukes of Austria, and Dukes of Bur-gundy, all of whom had lived and died faithful sons ofthe Church and defenders of the Catholic faith, it an-nounced the identity of his policy with theirs. V/hat-ever his predecessors had decreed in matters ecclesi-astical, whatever had been decided by the Council ofConstanz and other Councils, he would had set himself against the whole of Christen-dom, alleging it to be, both now and for a thousandyears past, in error and only himself
Little journeys to the homes of eminent orators . e statement of his descent from Emperors, Kingsof Spain, Archdukes of Austria, and Dukes of Bur-gundy, all of whom had lived and died faithful sons ofthe Church and defenders of the Catholic faith, it an-nounced the identity of his policy with theirs. V/hat-ever his predecessors had decreed in matters ecclesi-astical, whatever had been decided by the Council ofConstanz and other Councils, he would had set himself against the whole of Christen-dom, alleging it to be, both now and for a thousandyears past, in error and only himself in possession ofthe truth. The Estates had heard the obstinate answerwhich he had made the day before; let him be no fur-ther heard, and let him be taken back whence hecame, the terms of his safe conduct being carefullyobserved; but let him be forbidden to preach, norsuffer to corrupt the people with his vile as we have before said, it is our will that heshould be proceeded against as a true and evidentheretic. ^ ^ 134 MARTIN LUTHER. HE difference between heresy andtreason, at one time, was veryslight. One was disloyalty to theChurch, the other disloyalty tothe State. Q Luthers peril wasvery great. The coils had beendeliberately laid for him, and hehad as deliberately placed his neckin the noose. Surely his accusershad been very patient—every opportunity had beengiven him to recant. Aleandro, the Papal Nuncio, argued that in the face ofsuch stubborn contumacy and insult to both Pope andEmperor, the Emperor would be justified in cancellinghis safe conduct and arresting Luther then and offense in refusing to retract was committed atWorms and his trial should be there—and there heshould be executed. The Elector Frederick was a stronger man far in per-sonality than was the Emperor Charles. ** The promiseof safe conduct must be kept, said Frederick, andthere he rested, refusing to argue the merits of thecase by a word, one way or the held t
Size: 1502px × 1664px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidlittlejourne, bookyear1903
