ne majesty and your high
mightinesses require from me a clear, simple, and precise answer, I will
give you one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope
or to the councils, because it is clear as the day that they have
frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am
convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning,
unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless
they thus render my conscience bound by the word of God, _I cannot and I
will not retract_, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his
conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen."(221)

Thus stood this righteous man, upon the sure foundation of the word of
God. The light of heaven illuminated his countenance. His greatness and
purity of character, his peace and joy of heart, were manifest to all as
he testified against the power of error, and witnessed to the superiority
of that faith that overcomes the world.

The whole assembly were for a time speechless with amazement. At his first
answer, Luther had spoken in a low tone, with a respectful, almost
submissive bearing. The Romanists had interpreted this as evidence that
his courage was beginning to fail. They regarded the request for delay as
merely the prelude to his recantation. Charles himself, noting, half
contemptuously, the monk's worn frame, his plain attire, and the
simplicity of his address, had declared, "This monk will never make a
heretic of me." The courage and firmness which he now displayed, as well
as the power and clearness of his reasoning, filled all parties with
surprise. The emperor, moved to admiration, exclaimed, "This monk speaks
with an intrepid heart and unshaken courage." Many of the German princes
looked with pride and joy upon this representative of their nation.

The partisans of Rome had been worsted; their cause appeared in a most
unfavorable light. They sought to maintain their power, not by appealing
to the Scriptures, but by a resort to threats, Rome's unfailing argument.
Said the spokesman of the Diet, "If you do not retract, the emperor and
the states of the empire will consult what course to adopt against an
incorrigible heretic."

Luther's friends, who had with great joy listened to his noble defense,
trembled at these words; but the doctor himself said calmly, "May God be
my helper, for I can retract nothing."(222)

He was directed to withdraw from th