Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/537

 yesterday had a public hearing before the Emperor in the pres- ence of the electors and other princes. He was told in his Majesty's name that his Majesty had summoned him for two reasons, first to ask whether the books published under his name, which were shown him, were composed by him, and, secondly, whether, in that case, he would improve them and make them good again by recanting the errors he had promul- gated. He replied that he neither could nor would deny that the works were his, and in regard to the second question, that he had only written what he conscientiously thought true, but as it was so important and hard a thing, he begged his Majesty to give him time for ripe reflection.

After the Emperor had taken counsel, according to custom, with the princes, he had him answered that he had for long known the cause of his summons, and might well have thought out his answer, and, therefore, deserved no respite, especially in so clear a matter ; none the less the Emperor in his goodness was satisfied to give him until the same hour the next day, and he exhorted him to repent and recant lest his contumacy should thrust many souls into danger.

Yesterday at the appointed hour he again appeared before the same assembly, and to the question whether he would revoke what he had written against the decisions of the Church, the Canon Law, the power of the Pope and oecumeni- cal councils, he answered in an oration, which, as far as I can find out, was right learned. He said he had only written what he thought true according to the genuine evangelic doctrine; if this had hitherto been corrupted and disfigured he did not desire to follow the errors of others. Then he earnestly begged the Emperor not to let the slanders of enemies frus- trate his strenuous endeavors and well-meant works. He also said that he would not recant any part of his writings until he was refuted and overcome by one who understood the gospel better than he did. Then a long reply was made him, in which among other things it was said that it was unthink- able that any living creature could convince an infidel who denied the validity of the Canon Law, the councils, the Church Fathers, and the patron of his own order, St. Augus- tine. Then he was again asked to answer categorically

�� �