In 1530, Charles V summoned the Elector of Saxony and other princes to the Imperial Diet of Augsburg. Luther was still under the ban and therefore not present. A delegation presents a manifesto of Lutheran beliefs now called the Augsburg Confession. While the Catholics would rebut the Confession, it is still regarded as the crowning point in the establishment of Lutheranism.

Luther would continue his prolific writing, while plagued by ill-health and personal tragedies. He suffered from ringing in his ears, indigestion, constant headaches and bouts of depression.

In 1546, Martin Luther died in the very town where he was born. His body was returned to Wittenberg where he would be laid to rest, buried in front of the pulpit of the Castle Church.