markable man, and a throng of
visitors soon filled his lodgings. Luther had scarcely recovered from his
recent illness; he was wearied from the journey, which had occupied two
full weeks; he must prepare to meet the momentous events of the morrow,
and he needed quiet and repose. But so great was the desire to see him,
that he had enjoyed only a few hours' rest, when noblemen, knights,
priests, and citizens gathered eagerly about him. Among these were many of
the nobles who had so boldly demanded of the emperor a reform of
ecclesiastical abuses, and who, says Luther, "had all been freed by my
gospel."(212) Enemies, as well as friends, came to look upon the dauntless
monk; but he received them with unshaken calmness, replying to all with
dignity and wisdom. His bearing was firm and courageous. His pale, thin
face, marked with the traces of toil and illness, wore a kindly and even
joyous expression. The solemnity and deep earnestness of his words gave
him a power that even his enemies could not wholly withstand. Both friends
and foes were filled with wonder. Some were convinced that a divine
influence attended him; others declared, as had the Pharisees concerning
Christ, "He hath a devil."

On the following day, Luther was summoned to attend the Diet. An imperial
officer was appointed to conduct him to the hall of audience; yet it was
with difficulty that he reached the place. Every avenue was crowded with
spectators, eager to look upon the monk who had dared resist the authority
of the pope.

As he was about to enter the presence of his judges, an old general, the
hero of many battles, said to him kindly: "Poor monk, poor monk, thou art
now going to make a nobler stand than I or any other captains have ever
made in the bloodiest of our battles. But if thy cause is just, and thou
art sure of it, go forward in God's name, and fear nothing. God will not
forsake thee."(213)

At length Luther stood before the council. The emperor occupied the
throne. He was surrounded by the most illustrious personages in the
empire. Never had any man appeared in the presence of a more imposing
assembly than that before which Martin Luther was to answer for his faith.
"This appearance was of itself a signal victory over the papacy. The pope
had condemned the man, and he was now standing before a tribunal which, by
this very act, set itself above the pope. The pope had laid him under an
interdict, and cut him off from all human society; and y