Chapter 12—The French Reformation
The Protest of Spires and the Confession at Augsburg, which
marked the triumph of the Reformation in Germany, were followed
by years of conflict and darkness. Weakened by divisions among
its supporters, and assailed by powerful foes, Protestantism seemed
destined to be utterly destroyed. Thousands sealed their testimony with
their blood. Civil war broke out; the Protestant cause was betrayed
by one of its leading adherents; the noblest of the reformed princes
fell into the hands of the emperor and were dragged as captives from
town to town. But in the moment of his apparent triumph, the emperor
was smitten with defeat. He saw the prey wrested from his grasp, and
he was forced at last to grant toleration to the doctrines which it had
been the ambition of his life to destroy. He had staked his kingdom,
his treasures, and life itself upon the crushing out of the heresy. Now
he saw his armies wasted by battle, his treasuries drained, his many
kingdoms threatened by revolt, while everywhere the faith which he
had vainly endeavored to suppress, was extending. Charles V had
been battling against omnipotent power. God had said, “Let there be
light,” but the emperor had sought to keep the darkness unbroken. His
purposes had failed; and in premature old age, worn out with the long
struggle, he abdicated the throne and buried himself in a cloister.
In Switzerland, as in Germany, there came dark days for the Ref-
ormation. While many cantons accepted the reformed faith, others
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clung with blind persistence to the creed of Rome. Their persecution
of those who desired to receive the truth finally gave rise to civil war.
Zwingli and many who had united with him in reform fell on the
bloody field of Cappel. Oecolampadius, overcome by these terrible
disasters, soon after died. Rome was triumphant, and in many places
seemed about to recover all that she had lost. But He whose counsels
are from everlasting had not forsaken His cause or His people. His
hand would bring deliverance for them. In other lands He had raised
up laborers to carry forward the reform.
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