Peutinger and Wehe, thinking that a Council could not judge otherwise, hastened overjoyed to the archbishop. "Dr. Martin," said they, "submits his books to a Council." The archbishop was going to carry the good news to the emperor, when some doubt occurring to him, he sent for Luther. Richard of Grieffenklau was alone when the doctor arrived. "Dear doctor," said the archbishop, with much cordiality and kindness,[570] "my doctors assure me that you consent without reservation to submit your cause to a Council." "My Lord," replied Luther, "I can bear every thing, but cannot abandon the Holy Scriptures." The archbishop then perceived that Wehe and Peutinger had not explained themselves properly. Never could Rome consent to a Council bound to decide according to Scripture. "It was just," says Pallavicini, "to insist that a weak eye should read very small writing, and at the same time deny the use of spectacles."[571] The good archbishop sighed. "It was well," said he, "I made you come. What would have become of me had I immediately gone to the emperor with the news?" [570] Ganz gut und mehr denn gnædig. (L. Ep. i, p. 604.) [571] Simulque conspiciliorum omnium usum negare. (Ibid., p. 110.) The immovable firmness, the stern rectitude of Luther, are, no doubt, astonishing, but they will be comprehended and respected by all who know the claims of God. Seldom has a nobler homage been paid to the immutable word of Heaven, and that at the risk of life and liberty by the man who paid it. [Sidenote: LUTHER'S LAST INTERVIEW WITH THE ARCHBISHOP.] "Well," said the venerable prelate to Luther, "do you yourself then point out a remedy." _Luther_, (_after a moment's silence_).--"My Lord, I know no other than that of Gamaliel: '_If this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought, but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God._' Let the emperor, the electors, the princes, and the states of the empire, deliver this answer to the pope." _Archbishop._--"At least retract some articles." _Luther._--"Provided it be not those which the Council of Constance condemned." _Archbishop._--"Ah, I fear they are the very ones which will be asked." _Luther._--"Then sooner sacrifice my body and my life--better allow my legs and arms to be cut off than abandon the clear and genuine word of God."[572] [572] Ehe Stumpf und Stiel fahren lassen .... (L. Op. (L.) xvii, p. 584.) The archbishop at length understood Luther. "You may withdraw," said he to him, always with the same gentleness. "Your Lordship," resumed Luther, "will be so good as to see that his Majesty cause the safe-conduct necessary for my return to be expedited." "I will see to it," replied the good archbishop, and they parted.