VISIT OF HIS FRIENDS.

427

"But I came to Augsburg without a safe-conduct," replied Luther, "and I met with no harm." "The Elector," replied Langemantel, with affectionate earnestness, "commended you to our care; you ought therefore to follow our directions.”

Doctor Auerbach added his entreaties to those of Langemantel. "We know," said he, "that the Cardinal is, in his heart, enraged against you to the greatest degree. We must not trust these Italians."+

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The canon Adelmann spoke to the same effect: They have sent you without protection," said he, "and they have neglected to provide you with the very thing which you most need." ‡

His friends took upon themselves to obtain the necessary safe-conduct from the Emperor. They then continued the conversation: they told him how many persons of consequence were favourably disposed toward him. "The French minister himself, who left Augsburg a few days ago, spoke of you most honourably." This remark struck Luther, and he remembered it afterwards.

Thus some of the most remarkable citizens of one of the first cities in the empire were already gained over to the Reformation. Their conversation had reached this point, when Serra Longa returned:"Come," said he to Luther, "the Cardinal is waiting for you. I will myself conduct you to him. But first let me tell you how you must appear in his presence. When you enter the room where he is

* Sciunt enim eum in me exacerbatissimum intus, quicquid simulet foris. (L. Epp. i. p. 143.) + L. Opp. (L.) xvii. p. 201 Ibid. p. 203. Seckendorf, p. 144.

sitting, you must prostrate yourself with your face to the ground; when he tells you to rise, you must kneel before him, and you must not stand erect till he orders you to do so.* Remember that it is before a prince of the church you are about to appear. As to the rest, fear nothing; all will soon be settled without any difficulty."

Luther, who had before promised to accompany Serra Longa whenever he should summon him, was embarrassed. However, he did not fail to repeat the advice of his Augsburg friends, and said something of a safe-conduct.

"Beware of any thing of the sort," replied Serra Longa quickly, "you have no need of it whatever. The Legate is well-disposed towards you, and quite ready to end the affair amicably. If you ask for a safe-conduct, you will spoil all."+

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My gracious lord, the Elector of Saxony," replied Luther, "recommended me to several honourable men in this town. They advise me not to venture without a safe-conduct: I ought to follow their advice. Were I to neglect it, and any thing should befall me, they would write to the Elector, my master, that I would not hearken to them."

Luther persisted in his resolution; and Serra Longa was obliged to return to his employer, and report to him the failure of his mission, at the very moment when he fancied it would be crowned with

success.

Thus ended that day's conferences with the orator of Montferrat.

Luther received another invitation, proceeding Seckendorf, p. 130. + L. Opp. (L.) 179.

from very different motives. John Frosch, prior of the Carmelites, was an old friend. Two years before, he had maintained some theses as a licentiate in theology, under the superintendence of Luther. He called on him, and pressed him to come and stay with him. He laid claim to the honour of having the Doctor of all Germany as his guest. Already men did not fear to render him homage in the face of Rome; already the weak was become the stronger. Luther accepted the invitation, and accordingly removed from the convent of the Augustines to that of the Carmelites.

The day did not close without his seriously reflecting on his position. The visit of Serra Longa, and the apprehensions of the counsellors, conspired to convince him of the difficult circumstances in which he stood. Nevertheless, his God was in heaven, and under his protection he could sleep secure. The next day was Sunday; he obtained a little However he was obliged to bear another kind of fatigue. Nothing was talked of in the city but Doctor Luther, and all desired to see, as he wrote to Melancthon,) "this new Erostratus who had kindled so vast a conflagration." They crowded about him; every one wished to look upon the intrepid monk; and the good doctor, doubtless, smiled at this strange excitement.

more rest.

But he had also to support another sort of importunity. If there was a general wish to see him, there was a still greater desire to hear him. He was asked on all sides to preach. Luther had no greater joy than to proclaim the gospel. He would have rejoiced to preach Christ in this great city, and in

the solemn circumstances in which he was placed. But on many occasions he manifested a most proper feeling of decorum and much respect for his superiors; and he did so on this occasion. He mildly declined to preach, in the fear that the Legate might think he did so to vex and to brave him. This moderation and prudence were assuredly as valuable instruction as a sermon.

However, the Cardinal's agents did not let him rest, but returned to the charge. "The Cardinal,” said they, "sends you assurances of his grace and favour: why are you afraid ?” And they endeavoured by every possible argument to persuade him to wait upon the Legate. "He is so gracious, that he is like a father," said one of these emissaries. But another, going close up to him, whispered: "Do not believe what they say. There is no dependence to be placed upon his words."* Luther persisted in his resolution.

On the morning of Monday, the 10th of October, Serra Longa again renewed his persuasions. The courtier had made it a point of honour to succeed in his negociation. The moment he entered: "Why," " he asked in Latin, "why do you not go to the Cardinal? He is expecting you in the most indulgent frame of mind. With him the whole question is summed up in six letters,-REVOCA,— retract. Come, then, with me, you have nothing to fear."

Luther thought within himself that those were six very important letters; but without further discussion, he replied:

*L. Opp. (L.) xvii. p. 205.

LUTHER AND SERRA LONGA.

431

"As soon as I have received the safe-conduct, I

Serra Longa lost his temper at these words. He persisted he brought forward additional reasons for compliance. But Luther was immoveable. The Italian courtier, still irritated, exclaimed:

"You imagine, no doubt, that the Elector will take up arms in your favour, and risk, for your sake, the loss of the dominions he inherits from his ancestors."

LUTHER." God forbid !"

SERRA LONGA.-" When all forsake you, where will you take refuge ?"

LUTHER, smiling, and looking upwards with the eye of faith." Under Heaven!"*

For an instant Serra Longa was struck dumb by this sublime and unexpected reply; he then continued:

"How would you act, if you had the Legate, the Pope, and all the Cardinals in your power, as they have you, at this moment, in theirs?"

LUTHER." I would pay them all respect and honour. But the word of God is with me above all." SERRA LONGA, laughing, and moving one of his fingers backward and forward in a manner peculiar to the Italians." Ha! ha! all proper honour! I do not believe a word of it."

He then left the house, leaped into his saddle, and disappeared.

Serra Longa went no more to Luther; but he long remembered the resistance he had met with *Et ubi manebis?... Respondi: Sub Colo. (L. Opp. in præf.)