Protest of the Princes
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people, and will preserve them.” The evangelical princes in attendance
at the Diet were forbidden even to have the gospel preached in their
dwellings. But the people of Spires thirsted for the Word of God, and,
notwithstanding the prohibition, thousands flocked to the services held
in the chapel of the Elector of Saxony.
This hastened the crisis. And imperial message announced to the
Diet that as the resolution granting liberty of conscience had given
rise to great disorders, the emperor required that it be annulled. This
arbitrary act excited the indignation and alarm of the evangelical Chris-
tians. Said one, “Christ has again fallen into the hands of Caiaphas
and Pilate.” The Romanists became more violent. A bigoted papist
declared, “The Turks are better than the Lutherans; for the Turks ob-
serve fast-days, and the Lutherans violate them. If we must choose
between the Holy Scriptures of God and the old errors of the church,
we should reject the former.” Said Melancthon, “Every day, in full
assembly, Faber casts some new stone against the Gospellers.”
Religious toleration had been legally established, and the evangel-
ical States were resolved to oppose the infringement of their rights.
Luther, being still under the ban imposed by the edict of Worms, was
not permitted to be present at Spires; but his place was supplied by
his co-laborers and the princes whom God had raised up to defend
his cause in this emergency. The noble Frederick of Saxony, Luther’s
former protector, had been removed by death; but Duke John, his
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brother and successor, had joyfully welcomed the Reformation, and
while a friend of peace, he displayed great energy and courage in all
matters relating to the interests of the faith.
The priests demanded that the States which had accepted the Ref-
ormation submit implicitly to Romish jurisdiction. The reformers, on
the other hand, claimed the liberty which had previously been granted.
They could not consent that Rome should again bring under her control
those States that had with so great joy received the Word of God.
As a compromise it was finally proposed that where the Refor-
mation had not become established, the edict of Worms should be
rigorously enforced; and that in the evangelical States, where there
would be danger of revolt, no new reform should be introduced, there
should be no preaching upon disputed points, the celebration of the
mass should not be opposed, and no Roman Catholic should be per-