Charles V and the Reformation

In 1521 Martin Luther (an Augustinian monk, parish priest and Doctor/professor of theology) was summoned to appear at the Diet (i.e. council) of Worms before the young Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Charles V was the most powerful man in Europe. By inheritance he had become the sovereign ruler of a vast part of Europe. No ruler since Charlemagne had ruled such vast European territory. Charles ruled Burgundy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and her territories in the Caribbean, central and South America. He also governed all of southern Italy and Sicily, much of Northern Italy, Austria, Bohemia and was Emperor over Germany.

Charles was the most powerful ruler Western Europe had seen in many centuries. He was, like his grandmother Queen Isabelle (who sent Christopher Columbus to the New World) a devout Roman Catholic. He was disturbed by religious descent that young Luther had caused in Germany, and he was determined to put an end to the heresy that was growing in many portions of Germany.

He summoned Martin Luther to the city of Worms (pronounced "verms") and granted him safe conduct for the journey, because Pope Leo X had already condemned Luther and it was unsafe for him to travel outside of the Duchy of Saxony. Luther travelled on foot to Worms and was meet along the way by cheering crowds. Had already become a hero to many in Germany.

When Luther appeared before the Diet (council) he expected to be examined about his beliefs, but instead he found his books stacked on a table. Luther was asked if he had written the books and he admitted that they were his writings. He was then called upon to recant.

Luther was standing before the most powerful ruler in Europe. He knew that he was very close to being burned as a heretic. Luther then requested 24 hours to think the matter over. The next day Luther again appeared before the Emperor and the many German princes and was again called on to recant what he had written. Luther responded to his inquisitor "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me."

Luther knew that the answer he had given was not the one the Emperor wanted to here. He said as he left the chamber "I am finished." He expected to be burned at the stake just as the Bohemian preacher Jan Huss had been in the previous century.

Luther left Worms in a hurry, was kidnapped and hid out by his benefactor, Duke Fredrick the Wise of Saxony.

Charles V condemned Luther and those that stood with. He was ready to take an army north into Germany to squash the infant reformed movement, but was prevented because of war with France. For 25 years Charles would make plans to move north into Germany to crush the Lutheran heresy but for 25 years he would be prevented by wars with either France or the Ottoman Turks. All the while the Reform was able to grow and spread throughout all of northern Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

After 25 years Charles is able to attack the Protestants in his dominions but they had grown great and it was to late to crush them out as he had desired from the beginning.

The Lord God in his providence protected Europe from the Muslim Turks by the might and power of Charles V. The Lord also protected the Reformation from an early extinction by preventing Charles from moving against the Reformation by raising up the Turks.

History is the handy work of God in time. We should know our Christian history and give God glory for what he has done through space, time and history. Those who believe that we live in the "most corrupt and evil times" show that they know nothing of the history of Christ Church.

Dominus vobiscum,
Kenith