m.

Though there was some danger in obeying the summons, Luther's journey
to Worms, was a triumphal progress. Brought before the Diet in the
late afternoon of April 17, he was asked if a certain number of books,
the titles of which were read, were his and if he would recant the
heresy contained in them. The form of the questions took him by
surprise, for he had expected to be confronted with definite charges
and to be allowed to defend his positions. He accordingly asked for
time, and was granted one more day. [Sidenote: April 18, 1521] On his
second appearance he made a great oration admitting that the books were
his and closing with the words:

Unless I am convicted by Scripture or by right reason
(for I trust neither popes nor councils since they have
often erred and contradicted themselves) . . . I neither
can nor will recant anything since it is neither safe nor
right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen.

There he stood, braving the world, for he could do no other. . . . He
left the hall the hero of his nation.

Hoping still to convince him of error, Catholic theologians held
protracted but fruitless conferences with him before his departure from
Worms on the 26th of {81} April. The sympathy of the people with him
was shown by the posting at Worms of placards threatening his enemies.
Charles was sincerely shocked and immediately drew up a statement that
he would hazard life and lands on the maintenance of the Catholic faith
of his fathers. An edict was drafted by Aleander on the model of one
promulgated in September in the Netherlands. [Sidenote: Luther banned]
The Edict of Worms put Luther under the ban of the Empire, commanded
his surrender to the government at the expiration of his safe-conduct,
and forbade all to shelter him or to read his writings. Though dated
on May 8, to make it synchronize with a treaty between Charles and Leo,
the Edict was not passed by the Diet until May 26. At this time many
of the members had gone home, and the law was forced on the remaining
ones, contrary to the wishes of the majority, by intrigue and imperial
pressure.

After leaving Worms Luther was taken by his prince, Frederic the Wise,
and placed for safe-keeping in the Wartburg, a fine old castle near
Eisenach. [Sidenote: The Wartburg] Here he remained in hiding for
nearly a year, while doing some of his most important work. Here he
wrote his treatise _On Monastic Vows_, declaring that