Again the indignation of the papacy was aroused, and they resolved to stop the mouth of that fearless advocate of truth. They summoned him to Worms, fully determined to make him answer for his folly. He was in feeble health, yet he did not excuse himself. He well knew the dangers that were before him. He knew that his powerful enemies would take any measures to silence him. They were crying for his blood as eagerly as the Jews clamored for the blood of Christ. Yet he trusted in that God who preserved the three worthies in the burning fiery furnace. His anxiety and care were not for himself. He sought not his own ease; but his great anxiety was that the truth, to him so precious, should not be exposed to the insults of the ungodly. He was ready to die rather than allow its enemies to triumph. As he entered Worms, thousands of persons pressed around and followed him. Emperors and others in high authority were attended with no greater company. The excitement was intense; and one in that throng, with a shrill and plaintive voice, chanted a funeral dirge to warn Luther of what awaited him. But the Reformer had counted the cost and was ready to seal his testimony with his blood if God so ordained. {1T 373.2}

Pavedømmets vrede blev vækket igen og de bestemte sig for at stoppe munden på dette frygtløse forsvar for sandheden. De indstævnede ham til Worms, fuldt opsat på at drage ham til ansvar for hans dumhed. Hans helbred var svækket, alligevel undskyldte han ikke sig selv. Han kendte godt de farer, som lå foran ham. Han vidste at hans magtfulde fjender ville tage ethvert skridt for at bringe ham til tavshed. De råbte lige så ivrigt efter hans blod, som jøderne skreg efter Kristi blod. Alligevel stolede han på Gud, som beskyttede de tre store folk i ildovnen. Hans bekymring og uro var ikke for ham selv. Han søgte ikke efter sin egen bekvemmelighed; men hans store bekymring var for sandheden, der var så dyrebar for ham og ikke blev udsat for den ugudelige forhånelse. Han var parat til at dø, (374) frem for at lade dens fjender triumfere. Da han kom ind i Worms, pressede tusinde sig omkring ham og fulgte ham. Kejsere og andre i høj myndighed var samlet uden større følge. Spændingen var stærk; og én i skaren sang, med en gennemtrængende og klagende stemme, en sørgesang for at advare Luther mod, hvad der ventede ham. Men reformatoren havde taget omkostningerne med i betragtning og var parat til at besegle sit vidnesbyrd med blod, hvis Gud forordnede det således.