Protest of the Princes
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written on that journey, “A strong tower is our God.” Many an anxious
foreboding was banished, many a heavy heart lightened, at the sound
of the inspiring strains.
The reformed princes had determined upon having a statement of
their views in systematic form, with the evidence from the Scriptures,
to present before the Diet; and the task of its preparation was com-
mitted to Luther, Melanchthon, and their associates. This Confession
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
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to sign the Confession, Melanchthon interposed, saying: “It is for
the theologians and ministers to propose these things; let us reserve
for other matters the authority of the mighty ones of the earth.” “God
forbid,” replied John of Saxony, “that you should exclude me. I am
resolved to do what is right, without troubling myself about my crown.
I desire to confess the Lord. My electoral hat and my ermine 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.” “I would rather renounce my
subjects and my states, rather quit the country of my fathers staff in
hand,” he continued, “than receive any other doctrine than that which
is contained in this Confession.”—Ibid., b. 14, ch. 6. Such was the
faith and daring of those men of God.
The appointed time came to appear before the emperor. Charles V,
seated upon his throne, surrounded by the electors and the princes, gave
audience to the Protestant Reformers. The confession of their faith
was read. In that august assembly the truths of the gospel were clearly
set forth, and the errors of the papal church were pointed out. Well
has that day been pronounced “the greatest day of the Reformation,
and one of the most glorious in the history of Christianity and of
mankind.”—Ibid., b. 14, ch. 7.
But a few years had passed since the monk of Wittenberg stood
alone at Worms before the national council. Now in his stead were
the noblest and most powerful princes of the empire. Luther had been