Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-06
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF MARTIN LUTHER.

The trial of Martin Luther was an ecclesiastical rather than civil trial. The great reformer was not called into court. where he was compelled to sub- but instead he was haled before the now famous diet of Worms, in A. D. 1521 and 1522, where the ecclesiastics put him to the test on the charge of heresy.
 Luther was ordained a priest on Sunday, May 2. 1907, and at once be- gan preaching at several places and writing books. It was these books on religion which had such an effect on the minds of the people that he was arrested and breusnr before the diet
 Luther entered Worms on the 18th of April at 10 o'clock in the morning and was attended by a number of caya- Hers. AS the cart in which he rode passed the gates. the warden on the trumpet.
 The doctrines which Luther had promulgated had divided the country for and against him, but the princes of the empire stood by tho reformer at least to the extent that they were trial. The diet sat in the btshop's pal ace and the following evening Luther appeared before them. The presence in which he found himself would have tried the nerves of the brayest men. The emperor, sternly hostile, with his retinue of Spanish priests and nobles, the archbishops and bishops, were all of the opinion that the stack was the only fit place for an insolent heretic.
 As Luther was passing through an George of Frundsberg. touched Luther on the shoulder and said: Little monk, little monk, thou hast work be- fore thee that I and many other men whose trade is war never faced the like of 1t. If thy heart is right and they cause is good go on in Gods name. He will not forsake thee" --
 A pile of books stood on the table whent he was brought forward. The officers Of the court read the titles and asked him if he was ready to retract them. He answered in a low voice that they were his books. As to re- tracting the statements they contained, Luther asked for a little time to con- slider. and he was given until the fol- lowing day.
 On the following morning. April IS, Luther had collected himself and felt was this time the spokesman against him, and asked him what he intended to do. He said his writings were of three kinds-some were gospel truti which all admitted. and which he could not retract; some were against papal laws and customs which he claimed had tried the peoples con sciences. If he retract he would cover himself with shame. In a third he had attacked particular persons he declined to retract simply. but would admit his fault if fault could be proved.
 Luther gave his answers in clear voice, first in Latin and then in Ger man. Eek claimed he had spoken dis- B,,1l ro he h0 al him retract on these points and he shall have consideration on the rest ' He asked for a plain ives" or mo" from him., without horns" This taunt aroused Luther's blood. To this he replied: 'T will give you an answer which has neither horns nor teeth Prove to me out of scriptures that have erred and will submit. Till then my conscience binds me. Here stand. I can do no more. God helI me! Amen"
 All day long the storm ragged. Night fell and torches were lighted in the hall before the sitting closed. Luther was dismissed, and it was supposed by all that he was to be placed in g dungeon. But the hearts of the mem bers of the diet had been touched by the courage he had shown. They would not permit a hand to be laid on him. When Luther reached his lodgings he threw up his hands and cried out 'T am through I am through! If had thousand heads to lose they would all be struck off one by one be- fore I would retract!" The same eve- ming the Elector Frederick sent foI | him and told Luther he had done vel and bravely. But though he had es- capped so far he was not acquitted. At the session the following day the archbishop of Treves told Luther tha, if he would acknowledge certain in- fallibiIities he would not be punished