Protest of the Princes
167
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 of persuasion,
well knowing that to employ force with such men would only render
them the more determined. He “begged the princes to accept the
decree, assuring them that the emperor would be exceedingly pleased
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with them.” 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.”—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5.
In the presence of the Diet the king at last announced to the elector
and his friends that the edict “was about to be drawn up in the form
of an imperial decree,” and 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. “To no purpose they sent a deputation entreating the king to
return.” To their remonstrances he answered only: “It is a settled affair;
submission is all that remains.”—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5.
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 wherever this principle was accepted,
the papacy would eventually be overthrown. But, like thousands since
their time, looking only “at the things which are seen,” they flattered
themselves that the cause of the emperor and the pope was strong,
and that of the Reformers weak. Had the Reformers depended upon
human aid alone, 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 report of the Diet to
the word of God, and from the emperor Charles to Jesus Christ, the
King of kings and Lord of lords.”—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 6.
As Ferdinand had refused to regard their conscientious convictions,
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, Pre-
server, 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 for our
people, neither consent nor adhere in any manner whatsoever to the
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