170
The Great Controversy 1888
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
[207]
theologians and ministers to propose these things, while 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 pre-
cious 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.
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 the
world.”
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
forbidden to appear at Augsburg, but he had been present by his words
and prayers. “I thrill with joy,” he wrote, “that I have lived until this
hour, in which Christ has been publicly exalted by such illustrious
confessors, and in so glorious an assembly. Herein is fulfilled what the
Scripture saith, ‘I will declare thy testimony in the presence of kings.’”
In the days of Paul, the gospel for which he was imprisoned was
[208]
thus brought before the princes and nobles of the imperial city. So on
this occasion, “that which the emperor had forbidden to be preached
from the pulpit, was proclaimed in the palace; what many had regarded
as unfit even for servants to listen to, was heard with wonder by the