e of
condemnation, would be to cast contempt upon the authority of the
sovereign pontiff. Furthermore, he was apprehensive that the eloquent and
powerful arguments of this man might turn away many of the princes from
the cause of the pope. He therefore, in the most urgent manner,
remonstrated with Charles against Luther's appearance at Worms. About this
time the bull declaring Luther's excommunication was published; and this,
coupled with the representations of the legate, induced the emperor to
yield. He wrote to the elector that if Luther would not retract, he must
remain at Wittenberg.

Not content with this victory, Aleander labored with all the power and
cunning at his command to secure Luther's condemnation. With a persistence
worthy of a better cause, he urged the matter upon the attention of
princes, prelates, and other members of the assembly, accusing the
Reformer of "sedition, rebellion, impiety, and blasphemy." But the
vehemence and passion manifested by the legate revealed too plainly the
spirit by which he was actuated. "He is moved by hatred and vengeance,"
was the general remark, "much more than by zeal and piety."(200) The
majority of the Diet were more than ever inclined to regard Luther's cause
with favor.

With redoubled zeal, Aleander urged upon the emperor the duty of executing
the papal edicts. But under the laws of Germany this could not be done
without the concurrence of the princes; and overcome at last by the
legate's importunity, Charles bade him present his case to the Diet. "It
was a proud day for the nuncio. The assembly was a great one: the cause
was even greater. Aleander was to plead for Rome, ... the mother and
mistress of all churches." He was to vindicate the princedom of Peter
before the assembled principalities of Christendom. "He had the gift of
eloquence, and he rose to the greatness of the occasion. Providence
ordered it that Rome should appear and plead by the ablest of her orators
in the presence of the most august of tribunals, before she was
condemned."(201) With some misgivings those who favored the Reformer
looked forward to the effect of Aleander's speech. The elector of Saxony
was not present, but by his direction some of his councilors attended, to
take notes of the nuncio's address.

With all the power of learning and eloquence, Aleander set himself to
overthrow the truth. Charge after charge he hurled against Luther as an
enemy of the church and the state, the livi