souls," said the
petitioners, "what depredations, what extortions, on account of the
scandals by which the spiritual head of Christendom is surrounded! It is
our duty to prevent the ruin and dishonor of our people. For this reason
we most humbly but most urgently entreat you to order a general
reformation, and to undertake its accomplishment."(204)

The council now demanded the Reformer's appearance before them.
Notwithstanding the entreaties, protests, and threats of Aleander, the
emperor at last consented, and Luther was summoned to appear before the
Diet. With the summons was issued a safe-conduct, insuring his return to a
place of security. These were borne to Wittenberg by a herald, who was
commissioned to conduct him to Worms.

The friends of Luther were terrified and distressed. Knowing the prejudice
and enmity against him, they feared that even his safe-conduct would not
be respected, and they entreated him not to imperil his life. He replied:
"The papists do not desire my coming to Worms, but my condemnation and my
death. It matters not. Pray not for me, but for the word of God.... Christ
will give me His Spirit to overcome these ministers of error. I despise
them during my life; I shall triumph over them by my death. They are busy
at Worms about compelling me to retract; and this shall be my retraction:
I said formerly that the pope was Christ's vicar; now I assert that he is
our Lord's adversary, and the devil's apostle."(205)

Luther was not to make his perilous journey alone. Besides the imperial
messenger, three of his firmest friends determined to accompany him.
Melanchthon earnestly desired to join them. His heart was knit to
Luther's, and he yearned to follow him, if need be, to prison or to death.
But his entreaties were denied. Should Luther perish, the hopes of the
Reformation must center upon his youthful co-laborer. Said the Reformer as
he parted from Melanchthon: "If I do not return, and my enemies put me to
death, continue to teach, and stand fast in the truth. Labor in my
stead.... If you survive, my death will be of little consequence."(206)
Students and citizens who had gathered to witness Luther's departure were
deeply moved. A multitude whose hearts had been touched by the gospel,
bade him farewell with weeping. Thus the Reformer and his companions set
out from Wittenberg.

On the journey they saw that the minds of the people were oppressed by
gloomy forebodings. At some towns no honors