Chapter 11—Protest of the Princes
One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation
was the Protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet
of Spires in 1529. The courage, faith, and firmness of those men of
God gained for succeeding ages liberty of thought and of conscience.
Their Protest gave to the reformed church the name of Protestant; its
principles are “the very essence of Protestantism.”—D’Aubigne, b. 13,
ch. 6.
A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation.
Notwithstanding the Edict of Worms, declaring Luther to be an out-
law and forbidding the teaching or belief of his doctrines, religious
toleration had thus far prevailed in the empire. God’s providence had
held in check the forces that opposed the truth. Charles V was bent on
crushing the Reformation, but often as he raised his hand to strike he
had been forced to turn aside the blow. Again and again the immediate
destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves to Rome appeared
inevitable; but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk appeared
on the eastern frontier, or the king of France, or even the pope himself,
jealous of the increasing greatness of the emperor, made war upon
him; and thus, amid the strife and tumult of nations, the Reformation
had been left to strengthen and extend.
At last, however, the papal sovereigns had stifled their feuds, that
they might make common cause against the Reformers. The Diet of
Spires in 1526 had given each state full liberty in matters of religion
until the meeting of a general council; but no sooner had the dangers
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passed which secured this concession, than the emperor summoned a
second Diet to convene at Spires in 1529 for the purpose of crushing
heresy. The princes were to be induced, by peaceable means if possi-
ble, to side against the Reformation; but if these failed, Charles was
prepared to resort to the sword.
The papists were exultant. They appeared at Spires in great num-
bers, and openly manifested their hostility toward the Reformers and
all who favored them. Said Melanchthon: “We are the execration and
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