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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
of persuasion, well knowing that to employ force with such men
would only render them more determined. He begged them to accept
the decree, assuring them that such an act would be highly gratifying
to the emperor. But these faithful men acknowledged an authority
above that of earthly rulers, and they answered calmly, “We will obey
the emperor in everything that may contribute to maintain peace and
the honor of God.”
In the presence of the Diet, the king at last announced to the
elector and his friends that their only remaining course was to submit
to the majority. Having thus spoken, he withdrew from the assembly,
giving the Reformers no opportunity for deliberation or reply. In
vain they sent messengers entreating him to return. To their remon-
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strances he answered only, “It is a settled affair; submission is all
that remains.”
The imperial party were convinced that the Christian princes
would adhere to the Holy Scriptures as superior to human doctrines
and requirements; and they knew that an acceptance of this prin-
ciple would eventually overthrow the papacy. But they flattered
themselves that weakness was on the side of the Reformation, while
strength was with the emperor and the pope. Had the Reformers
made flesh their arm, they would have been as powerless as the
papists supposed. But though weak in numbers, and at variance with
Rome, they had their strength. They appealed from the decision of
the Diet to the word of God, and from the emperor of Germany to
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
As Ferdinand had refused to regard their conscientious convic-
tions, the princes decided not to heed his absence, but to bring
their Protest before the national council without delay. A solemn
declaration was therefore drawn up, and presented to the Diet:—
“We protest by these presents, before God, our only Creator,
Preserver, Redeemer, and Saviour, and who will one day be our
Judge, as well as before all men and all creatures, that we, for us and
our people, neither consent nor adhere in any manner whatever to
the proposed decree in anything that is contrary to God, to his word,
to our right conscience, or to the salvation of our souls.... We cannot
assert that when Almighty God calls a man to his knowledge, he
dare not embrace that divine knowledge.... There is no true doctrine
but that which conforms to the word of God. The Lord forbids
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