We have seen Luther contending with Tetzel, we have witnessed him defending his Theses in the presence of learned doctors; we are now about to see him brought face to face with the power of Rome itself.
Having received the letters of recommendation sent him by the Elector, he quietly set out on foot for Augsburg. He must have felt sad as he left his much-loved Wittenberg to appear before the Roman legate, and without a guarantee of safe conduct. Death may be very near, but he advanced without fear to bear his testimony to the gospel.
On September 28 he reached Weimar, where the Elector was holding his Court. Here he preached. He next stopped at Nuremberg, where, as his own was old, he borrowed a frock from his friend Wenceslas Link, the preacher there, so that he might appear in becoming dress before the prince of the Roman Church. From this town, Link and a monk named Leonard accompanied him.
When within five leagues of Augsburg, Luther was taken so ill that he thought he was going to die. His friends procured a wagon, in which they placed him, and in this condition he entered the city on Friday, October 7, 1518.
He took up his abode at the convent of the Augustines, where he recovered.
His first business was to send Link to the Cardinal to announce his arrival.
The next morning, while thinking upon his peculiar position, he was informed that a stranger was about to visit him. Shortly after, a cunning Italian courtier, Serra Longa, appeared, and in a most plausible manner tried to get Luther to retract. He came as a friend, but he was sent as a spy by the Cardinal. Failing in this, he went away. Meanwhile the councilors, to whom the Elector had recommended Luther, strongly urged him not to go before the legate without safe conduct, which they offered to procure.
Serra Longa returned, and stated that the Cardinal was waiting. Luther informed him of the advice of his Augsburg friends, and refused to proceed until safe conduct arrived.
In acting thus, Luther well knew that safe conduct had not saved John Huss from being burned. He only insisted upon having one in compliance with the wishes of those to whom the Elector had entrusted him.
On the Monday following, the safe-conduct arrived, and Cajetan was informed that Luther would wait upon him on the morrow.
Shortly before the arrival of the safe-conduct, Serra Longa again appeared. “Why do you not wait upon the Cardinal?” he said. “He is expecting you most indulgently. The whole matter lies in six letters r-e-v-o-c-a — retract. Come, you have nothing to fear.” Luther thought these six letters very important ones, but he told him that he was waiting for safe-conduct, when he would immediately appear before Cajetan.
Serra Longa grew very angry, and, after accusing Luther of imagining that the Elector would take up arms in his defense, said, “When all forsake you, where will you take refuge?”
Luther looking upward said, “Under Heaven.”
Serra Longa added, “What would you do if you held the legate, Pope, and cardinals in your hands, as they have you now in theirs?”
Luther answered, “I would show them all possible honor and respect, but with me the Word of God is before everything.”
Such was the sturdy man whom Rome thought to conquer. His strength was in the Lord of Hosts, and his weapon the Sword of the Spirit — the Word of God.
Accompanied by a few friends, Luther, on Tuesday, October 11 went to the palace of the legate. Crowds pressed upon him as he went along. Cajetan received him with coldness but civility. When the salutations were over, Luther stated that he appeared in obedience to the summons of the Pope and the orders of the Elector of Saxony. He acknowledged the propositions and theses ascribed to him. He was ready to listen to his accusation, and, if he had erred, to receive instruction in the truth.
But Cajetan had not received instructions to argue with the reformer. At first he spoke kindly, saying, “My dear son.” Pointing out two propositions, he requested Luther retract them. Finding him firm, he grew angry, and said, “I did not come here to dispute with you. Retract, or prepare to suffer the penalty you have deserved.”
Having refused a safe-conduct to appear at Rome, the reformer withdrew.
A very pleasant surprise awaited him upon his arrival at the convent. His old friend Staupitz, unable to prevent his appearance at Augsburg, had journeyed thither to offer him his services in this time of trial. Great was Luther’s joy when he saw his friend.
On the advice of Staupitz, the reformer determined to answer the Cardinal in writing.
Accordingly, taking with him a notary public, he returned to the legate’s palace the next day, and in the presence of all assembled read the declaration which he had prepared. He stated his willingness to receive instruction, but protested against being compelled to retract without having been refuted.
Cajetan would hear nothing but the words, “I retract.” Turning to the two propositions, he overwhelmed Luther with objections, allowing him no opportunity of replying.
Luther, and Staupitz, who had accompanied him, saw the hopelessness of attempting either to enlighten the Cardinal or to make any useful confession of faith. The reformer begged leave to transmit his answer in writing. This request, being supported by his friends, was granted. The second interview had ended as unsatisfactorily as the first.
On Friday, the 14th, he returned to the Cardinal for the third and last time. The Italians, who formed the train of this prince of the Church, crowded around him as usual. He advanced and presented the protest that he had written. Cajetan glanced at it, and threw the paper aside with contempt, declaring that Luther ought to retract. The interview ended in threatenings. The legate, having been confounded upon a point on which he laid special stress, cried out, “Retract! retract! or, if you do not, I shall send you to Rome. I shall excommunicate you with all your partisans, with all who are or may be favorable to you, and reject them from the Church.”
“Deign,” replied Luther, “to forward to Pope Leo X, with my humble prayers, the answer which I have handed you in writing.”
Cajetan answered with pride and anger, “Retract, or return no more.”
Luther took account of the words and withdrew. He and Cajetan never met again, but the reformer had made an impression on the legate which was never entirely effaced.
Later in the day the Cardinal sent for Staupitz and Wenceslas Link, urged them to persuade Luther to retract; but this they declared was beyond their power. He then stated that he would send to the reformer, in writing, what he should retract.
Saturday and Sunday passed without any writing coming from Cajetan. Luther’s friends began to be much alarmed. “The legate,” said they, “is preparing some mischief, and it is very much to be feared that all of you will be seized and cast into prison.”
On Monday, Luther wrote to the Cardinal, but received no reply. Fearing this stillness on the part of the legate and his courtiers boded no good. Those to whom the reformer had been confided urged him to draw up an appeal to the Pope, and to quit Augsburg without delay. Staupitz, Link, and the Elector’s councilors had already left.
Having waited four days in the city uselessly, he determined to leave. Before doing so he wrote a second letter to the Cardinal, which was to be given to that prelate after the reformer’s departure. He also drew up an appeal to the Pope, to be posted upon the cathedral gates two or three days after he had left.
On Wednesday, before daylight, a pony which Staupitz had left for him was brought to the door of the convent. Luther bade his brethren farewell. Without a bridle for his horse, without boots or spurs, and unarmed, he set off. A guide had been provided who conducted him in silence through the streets. They had made their way to a small wall-gate of the city, which had purposely been left open. They passed through, and soon the poor but noble-minded monk, who had dared to oppose the haughty power of Rome, galloped away far from the walls of Augsburg.
When exposed to fearful dangers,
Jesus will His own defend;
Borne afar, midst foes and strangers,
Jesus will appear your Friend;
And His presence
Shall be with you to the end.