Martin Luther. 1483-1546.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
Psalm. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (trans. by Frederic H. Hedge).
Tell your master that if there were as many devils at Worms as tiles on its roofs, I would enter.[770:1]
Here I stand; I can do no otherwise. God help me. Amen!
Speech at the Diet of Worms.
For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel.[770:2]
Table-Talk. lxvii.
A faithful and good servant is a real godsend; but truly 't is a rare bird in the land.
Table-Talk. clvi.
Footnotes
[770:1] On the 16th of April, 1521, Luther entered the imperial city [of Worms].... On his approach... the Elector's chancellor entreated him, in the name of his master, not to enter a town where his death was decided. The answer which Luther returned was simply this.—Bunsen: Life of Luther.
I will go, though as many devils aim at me as there are tiles on the roofs of the houses.—Ranke: History of the Reformation, vol. i. p. 533 (Mrs. Austin's translation).
[770:2] See Burton, page 192.