The Council of Trent: Canons and Decrees

Chapter III

Luther summoned to Rome. — His fears. — Appeals to the Elector. — Letter from the University of Wittembery in his favour. — His duplicity. — Fresh errors and general system.

Nine months after Luther’s first outbreak, there was issued, in August, 1518, a monitory, by the Auditor della Camera, requiring the obnoxious Friar to appear at Rome in person, within the term of sixty days; there to give an account of his opinions, and to clear himself, if possible, from the charges urged against his orthodoxy. That same officer was, according to custom, appointed the judge in the cause, and there was also deputed as his theologian, the master of the sacred palace; with the power of rejecting him as an interested party, should Luther feel so disposed.

This citation was a source of much perplexity to Luther. He saw clearly that to be judged was to be condemned; and though, when at a distance, the Pontifical denunciation of heresy may have seemed to him of little moment, it now filled him with alarm; he hesitated on the brink of the precipice, and feared to take the final leap. The Elector had, indeed, promised him, that he should not he removed by force from Germany; but he knew that politics enter largely into the actions of princes; and his earnest appeals to that prince, and to his adviser and friend, George Spalatin, whilst they exhibit a wish to persevere, show also the fears, and doubts, and waverings of a mind ill at ease, and fearful of the coming storm. He

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Mas especially anxious to secure, by means of that prince, that his trial might take place within Germany, which would enable him, if condemned, to appeal to the Pope; and thus, by gaining time, feel his way more surely, and surround himself, if possible, with more powerful and active friends.

From the university of Wittemberg, he obtained a petition to the Pope, and a testimony, strangely enough, in favour of his orthodoxy, and adherence to every doctrine taught by the Roman Church; to which that university professed the profoundest veneration and obedience; with the further statement, that the propositions advanced by Luther, and which had moved the hostility of some, were merely opinions advanced by way of doubt and argument, and not decisions or dogmas propounded as matters of faith. But, fearing lest this application might be rejected by Leo, Luther besought the Elector to pretend, that he had been…