Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-21

repose OF the Church and of the world for ages
to come. In the desire to overawe him, he
had been raised on platform in sight of a
whole nation; the attempt to give publicity to
his defeat had only served to enhance his VIC
tory over his enemies. The partisans OF Rome
could not patiently submit to this hualiation.
Luther was again called in, and the speaker
thus addressed him MARTIN, you have not
spoken with that humility which bcfts your
condition. The distinction you have drawn as
to your works was needless for if you retracted
such as contain errors, the Emperor would not
allow the rest to be burned. 1t is absurd to
require to be refuted by scripture, when you
are reviving hereses condemned by the gen
eral Council of Constance. The Emperor
therefore commands you to say simply yes or
10, whether you mean TO affirm what you have
advanced or whether you desire 20 retract any
part thereof'-'l taave no other answer to give
than that have already given said Luther
quietly. They understood him. Firm as
rock,-the pillows ofthe powers Of the world
had broken harmlessly at his feet The sim
pie energy of his words, his erect countenance,
the glance of his eye, the nflexibe frmness
that might be traced in his rude German fea-
lures, had indeed left deep impression on the
assembly. All hope Of quellng his spirit had
vanished. The Spaniar,ls, the Belgians and
even the Italians were silent. The monk had
trumphed over these powers fthis world. He
had said No to the Church of the Empire.
Charles the Fifth arose from his seat and the
whole assembly rose at the same instant 'The
Dict will meet again to morrow morning to
hear the Emperor's decision said the Chan
cellor aloud.
A powerful impression had been produced on
the chiefs of the Empire. Luther had remark
ed this; and it had given him new courage.
The Pope's adherents were provoked because
Eek had not earlier interrupted the speech Of
the guilty monk. Several princes and lords
were won over to his cause by the tone Of deep
conviction with which he had defended it. 1t
is true, with some the effect was transient; !;
but some who then concealed their thoughts,
at later period declared themselves with
great boidness.
Thus Alexander was master of the field. lfe
presented to Charles rough draft Of an edict,
intended to serve as mode! for that the Dict
was about to publish against the monk. The
production of the Nuncio pleased the incensed
Emperor. He assembled the members of the
Diet still at Worms in his council chamber and
read to them Aleander's paper which as
Pallavcin informs us, was approved by all
present
On the following day, which was public
festival, the emperor repaired to the cathedral
attended by the mobiles Of his court. The
service being gone through, crowd Of persons
thronged the interior, when Alexander, clothed
in the insignia ofhs order, approached Charles
He held in his hand two copies of the edict a.
gainst Luther, one in Latin, the ether in Ger
man, and kneeling before his Imperial Majes
ty, he petitioned Charles to affix, TO it his sigma
ture 0nd the seal of the Empire. 1t was at the
moment when sacrifice had Just been offered
when the incense filled the temple, and the
hymn was reyerberating in the vaulted roofs
and, as it were, in the immediate presence o
God, that the seal was to be set to the dcstruc
ton OF the enemy OF Rome. The Emperor
III the most gracious manner, took pen, ant
attached his signature 10 the edict. Aleandel
withdrew in triumph, and instantly sent The
decree to the printer and thence to every par
OF Christendom. This result of Roman diplo
macy had cost no small pains to the Papacy
dict, though dated sth of May, was written ant
signed some days later, but antedated, in erde
that it might appear sanctioned by the presence
of the whole Diet.
'We, Charles the Fifth, &c. said the Em
peror, to the Electors, Princes, Prclates, am
all to whom these presents shall come.
'The almighty having confded to US for tn
defence OF our holy faith more extensive dc
minion and rule than He hath given to any
our predecessors, we purpose to ENJOY all OF
powers to preserve our holy empire from beln
polluted by any heresy.
'The Augustine n.onk, Martin Luther, r.
GardIes Of our eXhortatons, has madly attackc
the holy Church, and attempted TO destroy it |
writings full of fblssphemy. lie has shameful
ly yllifed the unalterable law ofhoy marriage
he has aboured to mcie the lsity to imbr'
their hands in the blood of their priests al
defying all authority has incessanty excited I
people 10 revolt, schism, war, murder, the