46

DOMESTIC MANNES OF TUE rilUSSIANS.

The Chancellor of Treves cries aloud: "You havc notanswered the question put to you: you are required to givea clear and precise answer. Will you or will you not retract ? "

Luther responds without hesitation: " Unless I am con-vinced by the testimony of Scripture, or by the clearestreasoning, I cannot and I will not retract; for it is unsafe fora Christian to speak against his conscience."

Then, looking round on the assembly which holds his lifein its hands, he adds : " To this point I am fixed. I cannotsay otherwise. May God help me. Amen."

The assembly is overpowered with the dignity of thesimple monk arraigned before the mighty ones of the nations,but appearing in his quiet courago greater and mightier thanany. Many of the princes find it difficult to conceal theiradmiration. The Spaniards and Italians alone attempt toridicule a greatness of soul which they cannot comprehend.

" If you do not retract," says the Chancellor, " the Emperorand the States will consult what course to pursue against anincorrigible heretic."

The intrepid monk replies: " May God be my helper, forI can retract nothing."

Thus ends the memorable Diet at Worms: the monkretracts notliincj. And thus begins the glorious Reformation.

And even though the city now contains not a stone nor aboard that can boast of having been pressed by Martin Luther'sfoot, or trodden by any of the multitude of friends thatthronged about the great Reformer, still the spot remainssacred to every friend of religious liberty—as the Runny-mede of Protestantism.