按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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； faith； and firmness of those men of God gained for
succeeding ages liberty of thought and of conscience。 Their Protest gave to
the reformed church the name of Protestant； its principles are 〃the very
essence of Protestantism。〃D'Aubigne； b。 13； ch。 6。
A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation。 Notwithstanding the
Edict of Worms； declaring Luther to be an outlaw and forbidding the teaching
or belief of his doctrines； religious toleration had thus far prevailed in
the empire。 God's providence had held in check the forces that opposed the
truth。 Charles V was bent on crushing the Reformation； but often as he
raised his hand to strike he had been forced to turn aside the blow。 Again
and again the immediate destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves to
Rome appeared inevitable； but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk
appeared on the eastern frontier； or the king of France； or even the pope
himself； jealous of the increasing greatness of the emperor； made war upon
him； and thus； amid the strife and tumult of nations； the Reformation had
been left to strengthen and extend。
At last； however； the papal sovereigns had stifled their feuds； that they
might make common cause against the Reformers。 The Diet of Spires in 1526
had given each state full liberty in matters of religion until the meeting
of a general
198
council； but no sooner had the dangers passed which secured this concession；
than the emperor summoned a second Diet to convene at Spires in 1529 for the
purpose of crushing heresy。 The princes were to be induced； by peaceable
means if possible； to side against the Reformation； but if these failed；
Charles was prepared to resort to the sword。
The papists were exultant。 They appeared at Spires in great numbers； and
openly manifested their hostility toward the Reformers and all who favored
them。 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。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 The evangelical princes in attendance at the
Diet were forbidden even to have the gospel preached in their dwellings。 But
the people of Spires thirsted for the word of God； and； notwithstanding the
prohibition； thousands flocked to the services held in the chapel of the
elector of Saxony。
This hastened the crisis。 An imperial message announced to the Diet that as
the resolution granting liberty of conscience had given rise to great
disorders； the emperor required that it be annulled。 This arbitrary act
excited the indignation and alarm of the evangelical Christians。 Said one：
〃Christ has again fallen into the hands of Caiaphas and Pilate。〃 The
Romanists became more violent。 A bigoted papist declared： 〃The Turks are
better than the Lutherans； for the Turks observe fast days； and the
Lutherans violate them。 If we must choose between the Holy Scriptures of God
and the old errors of the church； we should reject the former。〃 Said
Melanchthon： 〃Every day； in full assembly； Faber casts some new stone at us
gospelers。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。
Religious toleration had been legally established； and the evangelical
states were resolved to oppose the infringement of their rights。 Luther；
being still under the ban imposed by the Edict of Worms； was not permitted
to be present at Spires； but his place was supplied by his colaborers and
the princes whom God had raised up to defend His cause in this emergency。
The noble Frederick of Saxony； Luther's
199
former protector； had been removed by death； but Duke John； his brother and
successor； had joyfully welcomed the Reformation； and while a friend of
peace； he displayed great energy and courage in all matters relating to the
interests of the faith。
The priests demanded that the states which had accepted the Reformation
submit implicitly to Romish jurisdiction。 The Reformers； on the other hand；
claimed the liberty which had previously been granted。 They could not
consent that Rome should again bring under her control those states that had
with so great joy received the word of God。
As a compromise it was finally proposed that where the Reformation had not
become established； the Edict of Worms should be rigorously enforced； and
that 〃in those where the people had deviated from it； and where they could
not conform to it without danger of revolt； they should at least effect no
new reform； they should touch upon no controverted point； they should not
oppose the celebration of the mass； they should permit no Roman Catholic to
embrace Lutheranism。〃 Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 This measure passed the Diet；
to the great satisfaction of the popish priests and prelates。
If this edict were enforced； 〃the Reformation could neither be extended 。 。
。 where as yet it was unknown； nor be established on solid foundations 。 。 。
where it already existed。〃 Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。 Liberty of speech would be
prohibited。 No conversions would be allowed。 And to these restrictions and
prohibitions the friends of the Reformation were required at once to submit。
The hopes of the world seemed about to be extinguished。 〃The
re…establishment of the Romish hierarchy 。 。 。 would infallibly bring back
the ancient abuses；〃 and an occasion would readily be found for 〃completing
the destruction of a work already so violently shaken〃 by fanaticism and
dissension。Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 5。
As the evangelical party met for consultation； one looked to another in
blank dismay。 From one to another passed the inquiry： 〃What is to be done？〃
Mighty issues for the world were at stake。 〃Shall the chiefs of the
Reformation
200
submit； and accept the edict？ How easily might the Reformers at this crisis；
which was truly a tremendous one； have argued themselves into a wrong
course！ How many plausible pretexts and fair reasons might they have found
for submission！ The Lutheran princes were guaranteed the free exercise of
their religion。 The same boon was extended to all those of their subjects
who； prior to the passing of the measure； had embraced the reformed views。
Ought not this to content them？ How many perils would submission avoid！ On
what unknown hazards and conflicts would opposition launch them！ Who knows
what opportunities the future may bring？ Let us embrace peace； let us seize
the olive branch Rome holds out； and close the wounds of Germany。 With
arguments like these might the Reformers have justified their adoption of a
course which would have assuredly issued in no long time in the overthrow of
their cause。
〃Happily they looked at the principle on which this arrangement was based；
and they acted in faith。 What was that principle？ It was the right of Rome
to coerce conscience and forbid free inquiry。 But were not themselves and
their Protestant subjects to enjoy religious freedom？ Yes； as a favor
specially stipulated for in the arrangement； but not as a right。 As to all
outside that arrangement； the great principle of authority was to rule；
conscience was out of court； Rome was infallible judge； and must be obeyed。
The acceptance of the proposed arrangement would have been a virtual
admission that religious liberty ought to be confined to reformed Saxony；
and as to all the rest of Christendom； free inquiry and the profession of
the reformed faith were crimes； and must be visited with the dungeon and the
stake。 Could they consent to localize religious liberty？ to have it
proclaimed that the Reformation had made its last convert？ had subjugated
its last acre？ and that wherever Rome bore sway at this hour； there her
dominion was to be perpetuated？ Could the Reformers have pleaded that they
were innocent of the blood of those hundreds and thousands who； in pursuance
of this arrangement； would have to yield up their
201
lives in popish lands？ This would have been to betray； at that supreme hour；
the cause of the gospel and the liberti