Protest of the Princes
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masters and lords of the empire. Kings and great men were the au-
ditory, crowned princes were the preachers, and the sermon was the
royal truth of God.” “Since the apostolic age,” says a writer,“there has
never been a greater work, or a more magnificent confession of Jesus
Christ.”
“All that the Lutherans have said is true, and we cannot deny it,”
declared a papist bishop. “Can you by sound reasons refute the Con-
fession made by the elector and his allies?” asked another, of Doctor
Eck. “Not with the writings of the apostles and prophets,” was the
reply; “but with the Fathers and councils I can.” “I understand, then,”
responded the questioner, “that the Lutherans are entrenched in the
Scriptures, and we are only outside.” Some of the princes of Germany
were won to the reformed faith. The emperor himself declared that the
Protestant articles were but the truth. The Confession was translated
into many languages, and circulated through all Europe, and it has
been accepted by millions in succeeding generations as the expression
of their faith.
God’s faithful servants were not toiling alone. While “principalities
and powers and wicked spirits in high places” were leagued against
them, the Lord did not forsake his people. Could their eyes have been
opened, they would have seen as marked evidence of divine presence
and aid as was granted to a prophet of old. When Elisha’s servant
pointed his master to the hostile army surrounding them, and cutting
off all opportunity for escape, the prophet prayed, “Lord, I pray thee,
open his eyes, that he may see.” [
2 Kings 6:17
.] And, lo, the mountain
was filled with chariots and horses of fire, the army of Heaven stationed
to protect the man of God. Thus did angels guard the workers in the
cause of the Reformation.
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One of the principles most firmly maintained by Luther was that
there should be no resort to secular power in support of the Refor-
mation, and no appeal to arms for its defense. He rejoiced that the
gospel was confessed by princes of the empire; but when they pro-
posed to unite in a defensive league, he declared that “the doctrine of
the gospel should be defended by God alone. The less men meddle in
the work, the more striking would be God’s intervention in its behalf.
All the political precautions suggested were, in his view, attributable
to unworthy fear and sinful mistrust.”