“I can do nothing else; here I stand; so help me God! Amen.”

In January of 1521, the Emperor convened the Diet, the law making body of the Holy Roman Empire, in the town of Worms. There was talk of summoning Luther before the Diet to answer the charges brought against him in Rome. Luther voiced his determination to go:

You ask me what I shall do if I am called by the emperor. I will go even if I am too sick to stand on my feet. If Caesar calls me, God calls me. If violence is used, as well it may be, I commend my cause to God. He lives and reigns who saved the three youths from the fiery furnace of the king of Babylon, and if He will not save me, my head is worth nothing compared with Christ. This is no time to think of safety. I must take care that the gospel is not brought into contempt by our fear to confess and seal our teaching with our blood. [35]

The German princes at Worms suggested that Luther be given a safe-conduct to come and defend himself before the Diet. The Emperor agreed, and they requested Luther to appear no later than April 16. Luther, however, was willing to go with or without a safe-conduct, and he declared that he would not, under any circumstances, recant his position or the truths he had preached. Even at the last stage of his journey to Worms, he received a letter reminding him how John Hus had been burned at the stake in spite of the Emperor's safe-conduct. Luther answered “that he would go to Worms if there were as many devils as there are tiles on the roofs; if Hus had been burned, the truth had not been burned with him.” [36]

Luther reached Worms on April 16, 1521 and was called before the Diet on the following afternoon. He stood before the Emperor, the six Electors, and a great assembly of laymen and clergy. In the midst was a table piled with Luther's books. Luther had never seen such a meeting before. When he spoke, his voice seemed to fail. He was asked whether the books on display were his writings, and if so, whether he would recant. Luther requested time to consider his answer. He was given until the following day.

Throughout the evening and night Luther went through deep depression, conflict, despair, and prayer. By daybreak, however, he was at peace, sensing that the victory had been won.

This is no time to think of safely. I must take care that the gospel is not brought into contempt by our fear to confess and seal our teaching with our blood.

In the evening, when he was called in again, he was ready to answer. This time his voice was clear and his countenance calm and fearless. Luther spent two hours to discuss his books, dividing them into several categories. Firstly, his books concerning faith and morals should have been approved by friends and foes alike, so he could not retract those. Secondly, his books against the papacy and its ruinous influence on Christendom must not be retracted because to do so would strengthen the tyranny that should be torn down. Thirdly, there were his books against the supporters of the Roman tyranny. He admitted that he might have been too vehement in his charges, yet he would not retract these books, either. Still, he said, he would listen to anyone who would show him from the Scriptures that he had erred. His entire answer was given in German, the language of the people.

John Eck, the interrogator, challenged Luther on several points and added this:

Martin, you have not sufficiently distinguished your works. The earlier were bad and the latter worse. Your plea to be heard from Scripture is the one always made by heretics. You do nothing but renew the errors of Wycliffe and Hus. [37]

Luther responded:

Since your Imperial Majesty requires a plain answer I will give one without horns or hoof! It is this: that I must be convinced either by the testimony of Scripture or by clear arguments. I cannot trust the pope or councils by themselves, since it is as clear as daylight that they have not only erred but contradicted themselves. I am bound by the Scriptures which I have quoted; my conscience is bound to the Word of God. I may not and will not recant, because to act against conscience is neither honest nor safe. [38]

I am bound by the Scriptures which I have quoted; my conscience is bound to the Word of God.

After a pause he added in German: “I can do nothing else; here I stand; so help me God! Amen.”
A vigorous debate followed, but no case was proved against Luther. Nevertheless, the Emperor was persuaded to issue a ban: After twenty days safe-conduct, everyone was forbidden “to give the aforesaid Luther house or home, food, drink, or shelter, by words or by deeds.” [39] The only thing that remained was to burn Luther as a heretic.