when the pope himself had started from his slumbers to launch his fiercest lightnings at the head of the unoffending monk, that same word had again been the safeguard of him who trusted in it, and the arm of the spiritual despot had been stricken with palsy. One struggle more remained to be endured. The divine word was destined to triumph over the emperor of the West-over the kings and princes of so many lands; and this was the splendid triumph achieved at Worms.

"The conflict at Worms resounded far and near; and as the report of it traversed Europe, from the northern countries to the mountains of Switzerland, and through the towns of England, France and Italy, many seized, with new eagerness and confidence, the mighty weapons of the word of God."

CHAPTER X.

Luther pursues his journey towards Wittemberg→→ Writes to the emperor-Visits his relatives at Mora -Is captured and confined in the castle of Wartburg-His condemnation at Worms-The edict disregarded in Germany-Reasons for this Great excitement on account of Luther's supposed imprisonment or death-Luther's despondency in the castleIs allowed more liberty-His studies and laboursHis publications-He humbles the Archbishop of Mentz-He commences translating the ScripturesHis conflicts with the adversary-His writings censured by the University of Paris-Melancthon replies to the Doctors of the Sorbonne-Outward progress of the Reformation-Priests begin to enter the marriage state-The mass gives place to the Lord's supper-The monks quit their cloisters and return to society-The fanatical prophets—Melancthon and Luther declare against them-Carlstadt is taken with them-Luther's presence needed at Wittemberg-He leaves his castle, and returns.

Ar the close of the last chapter, we left Luther commencing his return from Worms to Wittemberg. Arrived at Frankfort, he found time to write the following brief but strongly characteristic letter, in reference to what had been done at Worms. "I expected his ma

jesty would assemble fifty learned doctors, to convict the monk outright. But not at all. Are these books of your writing? Yes. Will you retract them? No. Well, begone!' There is the whole history. Deluded Germans! How childishly we act! How are we duped and defrauded by Rome! Let the Jews sing their Io! Io! Io!* But a passover is coming for us also, and then we will sing Hallelujah! We must keep silence and endure for a short time. 'A little while and ye shall not see me, and again a little while and ye shall see me,' said Jesus Christ. I trust I may say the same.† Farewell. I commend all to the Eternal. May he preserve your understanding and faith from the attacks of the wolves and the dragons of Rome."

you

Still pursuing his journey, Luther found time, the morning after having written the above letter, to address messages to the emperor, and also to the princes, whom he had left at Worms. In these papers, he explains

* The supposed shouts of the Jews at the crucifixion of Christ.

We have strong incidental proof that the plan of Luther's subsequent confinement had now been disclosed to him.

clearly the obedience which the Christian owes to his sovereign, and that which is due to God; and marks the point at which the former must give place to the latter. "God is my witness," said he, "that I am ready with all my heart to obey your majesty, through good or evil report, in life or in death, excepting only the word of God. In all the affairs of this life my fidelity shall be unshaken; for in these, loss or gain has nothing to do with salvation. But that man should be subject to man in what pertains to

trary to the will of God.

eternal life, is con

Subjection in spirituals is a real worship, which should be rendered only to the Creator."

At Hirschfeld, Luther was received with distinguished honour by the Prince Abbot of the city, and was invited to preach. The prince and his suite attended the sermon. The next day, he arrived at Eisenach, the scene of his childhood, where he also preached, though not without some opposition from the curate. At Eisenach he parted from most of his attendants, who took the direct road to Wittemberg, while he, accompanied only by Amsdorff, turned aside to the village of Mora, that he might visit an aged grandmother and uncle.

He spent the following day with his relatives, in a degree of quietness which was the more grateful, on account of the turmoils through which he had passed. The next morning Luther resumed his journey, in company with Amsdorff, and his own brother James. They skirted the woods of Thuringen, taking the road that leads to Waltershausen. As they were passing a narrow defile, near the church of Glisbach, suddenly a noise was heard, and in a moment five horsemen, masked and armed from head to foot, fell upon them. His brother James, who seems not to have possessed the courage of Martin, leaped from the wagon in a great fright, and fled. Two of the assailants seized the driver and Amsdorff, and held them fast; while the other three took Luther from the wagon, threw a knight's cloak over him, and put him upon a horse which they had with them. This done, the whole five sprang into their saddles, leaving Amsdorff and the wagoner to shift for themselves, and in a moment they and their prisoner disappeared in the thick gloom of the forest. The news spread with the rapidity of lightning through all the towns and villages of the country, that Luther had been carried off. Some rejoiced at the re