Selections from the Table Talk of Martin LutherLuther, Martin
ReligionChristian
Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther
Luther, Martin
Table-talk
No Prince came unto me, but only Earls and gentlemen, who earnestly
looked upon me, and who had exhibited four hundred articles to his
Imperial Majesty against those of the spirituality, and desired a redress
and a removing of those their grievances, otherwise they themselves
should be constrained to remedy the same; from all which grievances they
are now delivered through the Gospel, which I (God be praised) have
brought again to light. The Pope at that time wrote to the Emperor, that
he should not perform the safe-conduct; for which end all the Bishops
also pressed the Emperor; but the Princes and States of the Empire would
not consent thereunto: for they alleged that a great tumult thereupon
would arise. I received of them a great deal of courtesy, insomuch that
the Papists were more afraid of me than I was of them.
For the Landgrave of Hesse (being then but a young Prince) desired that I
might be heard, and he said openly unto me, “Sir, is your cause just and
upright, then I beseech God to assist you.” Now being in Worms, I wrote
to Sglapian, and desired him to make a step unto me, but he would not.
Then being called, I appeared in the Senate House before the Council and
State of the whole Empire, where the Emperor, and the Princes Electors in
person were assembled.
Then Dr. Eck (the Bishop of Trier’s fiscal) began, and said unto me,
“Martin, thou art called hither to give answer, whether thou
acknowledgest these writings to be thy books or no?” (The books lay on a
table which he showed unto me.) I answered and said, “I believe they be
mine.” But Hierome Schurfe presently thereupon said, “Let the titles of
them be read.” Now when the same were read, then I said, “Yea, they are
mine.” Then he said, “Will you revoke them?” I answered and said, “Most
gracious Lord and Emperor, some of my books are books of controversies,
wherein I touch my adversaries: some, on the contrary, are books of
doctrine; the same I neither can nor will revoke. But if in case I have
in my books of controversies been too violent against any man, then I am
content therein to be better directed, and for that end I desire respite
of time.” Then they gave me one day and one night. The next day I was
cited by the Bishops and others, who were appointed to deal with me
touching my revocation. Then I said, “God’s Word is not my word,
therefore I know not how to give it away; but in whatsoever is therein,
besides the same, I will show obedience.” Then Marquis Joachim said unto
me “Sir Martin, so far as I understand, you are content to be instructed,
excepting only what may concern the Holy Writ.” I said, “Yea;” then they
pressed me to refer the cause to His Imperial Majesty; I said, I durst
not presume so to do. Then they said, “Do you not think that we are also
Christians, who with all care and diligence would finish and end such
causes? You ought to put so much trust and confidence in us, that we
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