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Protest of the Princes
103
of conscience in all the world? Should they expose themselves to
the vengeance of Rome?
Never were these men placed in a more trying position; but they
came forth from the test with principles unsullied. As the mist that
had hovered over their minds cleared away, they saw what would be
the result of this decree. Should they lend their influence to restore
the stake and the torture? Should they oppose the advancement
of truth,—oppose the Spirit of God in its work of calling men to
Christ? Could they refuse obedience to the Saviour’s command,
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”?
[
Mark 16:15
.] Ought they to consent that those who might desire
to renounce error should be denied the privilege? Having entered
the kingdom of Heaven themselves, should they bar the way so that
others could not enter? Rather would they sacrifice their dominions,
their titles, and their own lives.
“Let us reject this decree,” said the princes. “In matters of
conscience the majority has no power.” The deputies declared that
Germany was indebted to the decree of toleration for the peace which
she enjoyed, and that its abolition would fill the empire with troubles
and divisions. “The Diet is incompetent,” said they, “to do more
than preserve religious liberty until a council meets.” To protect
liberty of conscience is the duty of the State, and this is the limit
of its authority in matters of religion. Every secular government
that attempts to regulate or enforce religious observances by civil
authority is sacrificing the very principle for which the evangelical
[160]
Christians so nobly struggled.
The papists determined to put down what they termed daring
obstinacy. They began by endeavoring to cause divisions among
the supporters of the Reformation, and to intimidate all who had
not openly declared in its favor. The princes were at last summoned
before the Diet. They pleaded for delay, but in vain. Those who still
refused to sacrifice liberty of conscience and the right of individual
judgment well knew that their position marked them for future criti-
cism, condemnation, and persecution. Said one of the Reformers,
“We must either deny the word of God or—be burned.”
King Ferdinand, the emperor’s representative at the Diet, saw
that the decree would cause serious divisions unless the princes
could be induced to accept and sustain it. He therefore tried the art