Summoned to Worms, on 18 April 1521, Martin Luther stood firm before the Emperor, six princes twenty dukes, thirty archbishops and bishops and seven ambassadors. The young Emperor sat on a raised dais, surrounded by men in gleaming armour, mitred archbishops and splendidly dressed nobles.
Luther was denied any opportunity to debate or defend his doctrines. He was asked two questions, first: to confirm that the publications on the table were his, and the second: whether he would recant, admit that his writings were all herretical , and reject them.
Confirming that the books, booklets and leaflets were his writings, Luther pointed out that they were of different types, including basic Christian doctrine, which were accepted Christian truths-he could not recant Scriptural truth. Other of his works exposed the corrupt living, scandalous abuses and evils of the popes. If he were to rejct these writings he would be as a "cloak that covers evil." At this, the Emperor leaned forward and shouted: "No!"
Luther continued that other of his works were against private individuals who had atacked his work and attempted to defend popery. He confessed that, in those, he had written too harshly.
The court demanded that Luther recant all his writings. Pressed again, in Latin, if he would recant, Luther answered in German: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture or clear reasoning that I am in error- for popes and councils have often erred and contradicted themselves- I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against ones' conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen."
~Taken from TheGreatest Century of Reformation by Peter Hammond.~
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