nce it is agreed that they have often erred and contradicted
themselves), I am overcome by the Scriptures which I have adduced,
and my conscience is caught in the Word of God. I neither can nor
will recant anything, for it is neither safe nor right to act
against one's conscience." Then having given this answer in both
languages, he added in German, "God help me! Amen."

The semblance of trial, which alone was allowed to Luther, was now
over; it only remained to pass sentence. Early on the morning of
the Nineteenth of April the Emperor summoned the Diet once more to
take counsel upon the matter. The Estates asked for time to
deliberate; on which the Emperor, replying that he would first give
them his own opinion, produced a document written in his own hand.
Beginning with the statement of his descent from Emperors, Kings of
Spain, Archdukes of Austria, and Dukes of Burgundy, all of whom had
lived and died faithful sons of the Church and defenders of the
Catholic faith, it announced the identity of his policy with
theirs. Whatever his predecessors had decreed in matters
ecclesiastical, whatever had been decided by the Council of
Konstanz and other Councils, he would uphold. Luther had set
himself against the whole of Christendom, alleging it to be, both
now and for a thousand years past, in error, and only himself in
possession of the truth. The Estates had heard the obstinate
answer which he had made the day before; let him be no further
heard, and let him be taken back whence he came, the terms of his
safe-conduct being carefully observed; but let him be forbidden to
preach, nor suffer to corrupt the people with his vile doctrine.
"And as we have before said, it is our will that he should be
proceeded against as a true and evident heretic."

* * * * *

The difference between heresy and treason, at one time, was very slight.
One was disloyalty to the Church, the other disloyalty to the State.

Luther's peril was very great. The coils had been deliberately laid for
him, and he had as deliberately placed his neck in the noose. Surely his
accusers had been very patient--every opportunity had been given to him
to recant.

Aleandro, the Papal Nuncio, argued that, in the face of such stubborn
contumacy and insult to both Pope and Emperor, the Emperor would be