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Chapter 11—The 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 and firmness of those men of
God gained for succeeding ages liberty of conscience, and gave to
the reformed church the name of Protestant.
God’s providence had held in check the forces that opposed the
truth. Charles V was bent on crushing the Reformation, but as often
as he raised his hand to strike he had been forced to turn aside the
blow. Again and again at the critical moment the armies of the Turk
appeared on the frontier, or the king of France or even the pope
himself made war upon him. Thus amid the strife and tumult of
nations, the Reformation had been left to strengthen and extend.
At last, however, the papal sovereigns made common cause
against the Reformers. The emperor summoned a diet to convene
at Spires in 1529 for the purpose of crushing heresy. If peaceable
means failed, Charles was prepared to resort to the sword.
The papists at Spires openly manifested their hostility toward
the Reformers. Said Melanchthon: “We are the execration and the
sweepings of the world; but Christ will look down on His poor
people, and will preserve them.
The people of Spires thirsted
for the Word of God, and, notwithstanding prohibition, thousands
flocked to services held in the chapel of the elector of Saxony. This
hastened the crisis. Religious toleration had been legally established,
and the evangelical states were resolved to oppose the infringement
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of their rights. Luther’s place was supplied by his colaborers and the
princes whom God had raised up to defend His cause. Frederick of
Saxony had been removed by death, but Duke John, his successor,
had joyfully welcomed the Reformation and displayed great courage.
The priests demanded that the states which had accepted the
Reformation submit to Romish jurisdiction. The Reformers, on the
1
D’Aubigne, bk. 13, ch. 5.
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