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Protest of the Princes
107
officers in pursuit of Grynaeus had searched it from top to bottom.
He ever believed that the Lord had saved his friend by sending a
holy angel to give him warning.
The Reformation was to be brought into greater prominence
before the mighty ones of the earth. The evangelical princes had
been denied a hearing by King Ferdinand; but they were to be
granted an opportunity to present their cause in the presence of the
emperor and the assembled dignitaries of Church and State. To quiet
the dissensions which disturbed the empire, Charles Fifth convoked
a Diet at Augsburg, over which he announced his intention to preside
in person. Thither the Protestant leaders were summoned.
Great dangers threatened the Reformation; but its advocates
still trusted their cause with God, and pledged themselves to be
firm to the gospel. They determined to prepare a statement of their
views in systematic form, with the evidence from the Scriptures,
to present before the Diet; and the task was committed to Luther,
Melancthon, and their associates. The Confession thus prepared was
accepted by the Protestants as an exposition of their faith, and they
assembled to affix their names to the important document. It was
a solemn and trying time, The Reformers were solicitous that their
cause should not be confounded with political questions; they felt
that the Reformation should exercise no other influence than that
which proceeds from the word of God. As the Christian princes
advanced to sign the Confession, Melancthon interposed, saying, “It
is for the theologians and ministers to propose these things, while
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the authority of the mighty ones of earth is to be reserved for other
matters.” “God forbid,” replied John of Saxony, “that you should
exclude me. I am resolved to do my duty without being troubled
about my crown. I desire to confess the Lord. My electoral hat and
robes are not so precious to me as the cross of Jesus Christ.” Having
thus spoken, he wrote down his name. Said another of the princes
as he took the pen, “If the honor of my Lord Jesus Christ requires it,
I am ready to leave my goods and life behind me.” “Rather would I
renounce my subjects and my States, rather would I quit the country
of my fathers, staff in hand,” he continued, “than to receive any other
doctrine than is contained in this Confession.” Such was the faith
and daring of those men of God.