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Handout #151

Luther before the Diet of Worms, (18 April 1521)

In spite of all the threats that weighed on him including that of death. Luther affirmed that he was bound by his conscience and by the word of God.

Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of scriptures or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of pope or of councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted by the scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen. Betternson, Documents,201.

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