situation in such a manner that the Pope needed the help of the Elector of Saxony. Thus the sentence against Luther was not executed. Luther was then to appear before Gajetan, the papal legate, at Augsburg in 1518. Cajetan demanded that Luther recant. Luther said, "Unless I am proven wrong from Scripture I will not and cannot recant." Cardinal Cajetan became angry and dismissed Luther. This was the first controversy with Rome, and with God's help Luther stood firm. Another attempt was made to get rid of Luther. Karl von Miltitz was sent to Wittenberg to arrest Luther and bring him to Rome. When Miltitz reached Germany and saw to what extent the movement had progressed, he dropped his former intention and acted as mediator between Luther and the Pope. Luther promised not to write against the indulgences, as long as his opponents remained quiet. Dr. Eck, a prominent theologian, challenged Luther's, friend and colleague, Carlstadt, to a debate. It was clear that the attack of Eck was really directed at Luther. Again God forced Luther to come to the foreground. God wanted the great work of the Reformation, which was started, carried to a great victory. So in 1519, Luther engaged in a disputation with Dr. Eck at Leipzig. This debate, in which Luther denied the divine institution of popedom, brings about the (final and complete separation of Luther with the papal authorities. Luther was continualj,y gaining more influence and prestige among the German people, the scholars and the nobility. Even the newly elected emperor Charles V was a friend of Germany. All these things strengthened Luther; but, above all, God's "\Yord Was on his side. In 1520, Luther wrote three potent writings. 1. An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation. 2. The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. 3. A Treatise on Christian Liberty. With these three reformatorial writings the breach between Luther and Rome was widened. On December 10, 1520, Luther burned the papal bull, outside of Elstergate gate at Wittenberg. This was the' climactic ad. All relations with Rome were now severed. The Pope immediately outlawed him. In April 1521, Luther was summoned before the Diet of Worms. Safe conduct was granted to him, although it didn't mean much to break a safe conduct pledge' given to 9
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