He had reached the
culminating point of his life, and the powers against which he had
revolted, even the thoughts which he himself had aroused among the
people, were working from now on against his life and doctrine.
Even at Worms, so it appears, it had been made clear to Luther that he
must disappear for a while. The customs of the Franconian Knights,
among whom he had faithful followers, suggested the idea of having him
spirited away by armed men. Elector Frederick, with his faithful
friends, discussed the abduction, and it was quite after the manner
of this prince that he himself did not wish to know the place of
retreat, in order to be able, in case of need, to swear to his
ignorance. Nor was it easy to win Luther over to the plan, for his
bold heart had long ago overcome earthly fear; and with an
enthusiastic joy, in which there was much fanaticism and some humor,
he watched the attempts of the Romanists to put out of the way a man
of whom Another must dispose, He who spoke through his lips.
Unwillingly he submitted. The secret was not easy to keep, however
skilfully the abduction had been planned. At first none of the
Wittenbergers but Melanchthon knew where he was. But Luther was the
last man to submit to even the best-intentioned intrigue. Very soon an
active communication arose between the Wartburg and Wittenberg. No
matter how much caution was used in delivering the letters, it was
difficult to avoid suspicion. In his fortified retreat, Luther found
out earlier than the Wittenbergers what was going on in the world
outside.
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