tolerate no anabaptists, or sacramentarians. The status quo, and no proselytism. Such were the essentials of this resolution. Never, perhaps, had there been a more critical moment in the history of the Reformation; but the noble-minded champions of liberty came out of the trial with the laurels of victory. The proposal was rejected. The evangelical princes stood firm, and thus gained for modern times liberty of thought, and independence of faith. Ferdinand was enraged, and being determined to put an end to the struggle, assembled the diet, and declared that he would now accept of no terms but submission. It was at this time that the famous Protest, which henceforward gave the name of Protestant to the reformed church, was drawn up. D'Aubigne', after giving the words of the protest, remarks, The principles contained in this celebrated protest, constitute the very essence of protestantism. Now this protest opposes two abuses of men in matters of faith: the first is, the intrusion of the civil magistrate; and the second is, the arbitrary authority of the church. Instead of these two abuses, protestantism sets up above the magistrate the power of conscience, and above the visible church, the authority of the word of God. It declines, in the first place, the civil power in divine things, and says with the apostles and prophets -we must obey God rather than man. In presence of the crown of Charles V., it uplifts the crown of Jesus Christ. But it goes farther; it lays down the principle, that all human teaching should be subordinate to the oracles of God.' A deputation presented the protest to Charles, who manifested the utmost indignation on receiving it, and expressed his full determination to suppress the heretics. Accordingly, on the 21st of the following January, (1530,) he summoned all the states of the empire to meet in diet at Augsburg, concealing, however, his violent intentions under an amiable exhortation to peace and unity, expect ing, doubtless, by that means, and by making a few trifling concessions, to induce the protestants to withdraw their protest and agitation. But these distinguished men saw through his tactics, and deemed it necessary to settle what were the essential articles of christian truth, in order to know whether, and in what way, and how far, they might come

to an understanding with their adversaries. The elector sent letters to the four principal theologians of Wittemberg, assigning them this task, all other business being laid aside. Augsburg then became the scene of action. The elector of Saxony was the first to arrive; but soon the town was filled. 'Princes, bishops, deputies, gentlemen, cavaliers, soldiers in rich uniforms, entered by every gate, and thronged the streets, the inns, churches, and palaces. The emperor had not yet arrived. He was at Inspruck, and sent before him by the hands of two counts, a message to the elector. In this message his imperial majesty, declared, that it was to him a source of great grief that religious controversies should disturb the good understanding which had for so many years united the houses of Saxony and Austria—that he was astonished at seeing the elector oppose an edict (that of Worms,) which had been passed by all the states of the empire-that he should require an immediate stop to be put to the preaching of the Reformers; the counts added, 'that they trembled at the thought of the immediate and deplorable consequences that would certainly follow the elector's refusal to comply with the emperor's request.' The elector felt agitated. If his majesty forbids the preaching of the gospel,' he exclaimed, 'I shall immediately return home.' He waited, however, for the advice of his theologians. Luther and Melancthon recommended acquiescence for the present; but the elector, at this critical period, manifested more wisdom and firmness than both. Fortunately there was an intrepid man at the elector's right hand, the chancellor Bruck, who felt convinced that policy, honour, and above all, duty bound the friends of the Reformation to resist the menaces of Charles. 'The emperor's demand,' said he, is but a worthy beginning to bring about the definitive abolition of the gospel. If we yield at present, they will crush us by and by. Let us, therefore, humbly beg of his majesty to permit the continuance of the sermons.' 'Thus at this critical juncture, a statesman stood in the foremost rank of the confessors of Jesus Christ.' On the 31st of May, the elector sent a written reply to the emperor, in which he expressed his full determination to adhere to his principles. Shortly after, Charles himself arrived at

Augsburg, and made in person the demand with which he had entrusted his ministers; but the elector again refused, and all attempts to procure the suppression of protestant preaching were unsuccessful, till his majesty agreed to issue a proclamation forbidding also the preaching of the papists. Under these circumstances the protestants consented to give up, for a time, their public services.

The

'The

The diet at length met, and after several ineffectual attempts at a private compromise, Friday, the 24th of June, was appointed by the emperor as the day for hearing the Reformers, and they were ordered on the 22nd to have their confession ready by that day. They requested the delay of a day in order to afford them more time for preparing, but it was refused. The theologians accordingly worked during the remainder of the day, and the whole night, in the composition and correction of the confession, the chief part being taken by Melancthon. On Thursday, the 23rd of June, all the protestant princes, deputies, councillors, and theologians met early at the elector's. The confession was read in German, and all gave their adhesion to it, except the landgrave and the Strasburgers, who required a change in the article on the sacrament. princes rejected their demand. elector of Saxony was preparing to sign, when Melancthon stopped him, fearing that this would render the whole matter too political. The Reformer thought that the church should appear on this occasion, and not the state.' 'It is for theologians and ministers to propose these things,' said he, 'let us reserve for other matters, the authority of the mighty ones of the earth.' 'God forbid that you should exclude me,' exclaimed the elector, 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. I shall leave on earth these marks of my greatness, but my master's cross, will accompany me to heaven.* How could such language be resisted? Melancthon gave way. The elector then approached, signed, and handed the pen

*The above eloquent and thrilling declaration, most fearfully rebukes the worldliness and apathy of many who sustain the christian profession.

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to the landgrave, who at first made some objections; however, the enemy was at the door; was this the time for disunion?+ At last he signed, but with a declaration that the doctrine of the eucharist did not please him. The mar grave and Lunenburg having joyfully subscribed their names, Anhalt took the pen in his turn and said, 'I have tilted more than once to please others; now if the honour of my Lord, Jesus Christ, requires it, I am ready to saddle my horse, to leave my goods, and my life behind, and to rush into eternity towards an everlasting crown.' Then, having signed, this youthful prince said, turning to the theologians, Rather renounce my subjects, and my states, rather quit the country of my fathers, staff in hand; rather gain my bread by cleaning the shoes of the foreigner, than receive any other doctrine than that which is contained in this confession.'

On Friday, the 24th, it was found that there was not time for entering on this momentous matter, it was therefore postponed till the next day. This day was destined to be the greatest day of the Reformation, and one of the most glorious in the history of christianity and mankind. As the chapel of the palatine palace, where the emperor had resolved to hear the confession, could contain only about two hundred persons, before three o'clock a great crowd was to be seen surrounding the building and thronging the court, hoping by that means to catch a few words. Charles took his seat on his throne. The electors, or their representatives, were on his right and left hand. After them, the other princes and states of the empire. The legate refused to appear, lest he should seem to sanction the reading of the confession. Then stood up John, elector of Saxony, with his son, John Frederick, Philip, landgrave of Hesse, the margrave, George, of Brandenberg, Wolfgang, prince of Anhalt, Ernest, duke of Brunswick-Lunenberg, and his brother Francis, and last of all, the deputies of Nuremberg and Reutlingen. Their air was animated, and their features radiant with joy. The apologies of the early christians-of Tertullian and Justin Martyr, hardly reached in

+ Philip the landgrave of Hesse's views of the eucharist were far more scriptural than those of Luther or Melancthon.

writing the sovereigns to whom they were addressed. Bnt now, to hear the new apology of resuscitated christianity -behold, that puissant emperor, whose sceptre stretching far beyond the columns of Hercules, reaches the utmost limits of the world; his brother, the king of the Romans, with electors, princes, prelates, deputies, ambassadors, all of whom desire to crush the gospel, but who are constrained by an invisible power to listen, and by that very listening to honour the confession! One thought was involuntarily present in the minds of the spectators-the recollection of the diet of Worms. Only nine years before, a poor monk stood alone for this same cause, in presence of the empire. And now in his stead behold the foremost of the electors! behold princes and cities! What a victory is declared by this simple fact! The emperor, seeing the protestants stand, motioned them to occupy their seats, and then the two chancellors of the elector, Bruck and Bayer, advanced to the middle of the chapel, and stood before the throne, holding in their hands, the former the Latin, the other the German copy of the confession. The emperor required the Latin copy to be read. 66

We are Germans," said the elector of Saxony, "and on German soil; I hope, therefore, your majesty will allow us to speak German." If the confession had been read in Latin, a language unknown to most of the princes, the general effect would have been lost. Bayer then began to read the evangelical confession, slowly, seriously, distinctly, with a clear, strong, and sonorous voice, which re-echoed under the arched roof of the chapel, and carried even to the outside, this great testimony paid to the truth.' D'Aubigne gives the substance of the confession, and continues ; ' Bayer ceased to read. He had spoken for two hours; the silence and serious attention of the assembly were not once disturbed. The confession of Augsburg will ever remain one of the master-pieces of the human mind, enlightened by the Spirit of God. The language that had been adopted, while it was perfectly natural, was the result of a profound study of character. When the reading was finished, chancellor Bruck, with two copies in his hand, advanced towards the emperor's secretary, and presented them to him; Charles, however, himself took them, handed the German copy, con

sidered as official, to the elector of Mentz, and kept the Latin one for his own use. He then replied to the elector of Saxony, and his allies, that he had graciously heard their confession; but as this affair was one of extreme importance, he required time to deliberate upon it.

The protestants were filled with joy. God had been with them, and they saw that the striking act which had so recently been accomplished, imposed on them the obligation of confessing the truth with immovable perseverance. The Romanists had expected nothing like this.

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Instead of a hateful controversy, they had heard a striking confession of Jesus Christ; the most hostile minds were consequently disarmed. The effect was so prompt, that for an instant, the cause was thought to be definitively gained. The bishops themselves imposed silence on the sophisms and clamours of the Fabers and Ecks. "All that the Lutherans have said is true," exclaimed the bishop of Augsburg, 66 we cannot deny it." Well, doctor," said the duke of Bavaria to Eck, you have given me a very different idea of this doctrine and this affair." This was the general cry. The archbishop Herrmann, elector of Cologne, the count palatine Frederick, duke Erick, of Brunswick-Lunenburg, duke Henry, of Mecklenburg, and the dukes of Pomerania, were gained over to the truth. The impression produced in other countries by the confession was perhaps still greater. Charles sent copies to all the courts; it was translated into French, Italian, and even into Spanish and Portuguese; it circulated through all Europe, and thus accomplished what Luther had said, "Our confession will penetrate into every court, and the sound thereof will go through the whole earth." It destroyed the prejudices that had been entertained, gave Europe a sounder idea of the Reformation, and prepared the most distant countries to receive the seeds of the gospel.' The advocates of the church of Rome, fearful of the ultimate effects of the confession, made strenuous efforts to gain over the protestants by private arrangement. But Providence over ruled all for good. A commission of Romish divines was appointed to refute the doctrines promulgated by the Reformers; but the reply when ready was so voluminous and abusive that Charles sent it back to be shortened and softened down.

At the close of the sixth week from the confession, the revised and corrected refutation was presented to the emperor, who immediately convoked the diet to have it read before them. On Wednesday, 3rd of August, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the emperor sitting on his throne in the chapel of the palatine palace, surrounded by his brother, and the elector, princes and deputies, the elector of Saxony and his allies were introduced, and the count palatine said to them, "His majesty having handed your confession to several doctors of different nations, illustrious by their knowledge, their morals, and their impartiality, has read their reply with the greatest care, and submits it to you as his own, ordaining that all the members and subjects of the holy empire should accept it with unanimous accord." Alexander Schweiss then took the papers, and read the refutation, and the count palatine declared that the emperor regarded it as orthodox, catholic, and conformable to the gospel, and that he therefore required the protes tants to abandon their confession, and to adhere to all the articles that had just been set forth; that if they refused, the emperor would remember his office, and would know how to show himself the advocate and defender of the Roman church." The princes demanded a copy of the refutation; Charles took time to consider, and in the afternoon of the 5th, the count palatine announced that the emperor would give them a copy of the refutation, but on these conditions, namely, that the protestants should not reply that they should speedily agree with the emperor, and that they would not print nor communicate the refutation to any one. This communication excited murmurs among the protes"These conditions," said they all, are inadmissable." "The papists present us with their paper," added the chancellor Bruck, as the fox offered a thin broth to his gossip the stork."

tants.

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The savoury broth upon a plate by Reynard was served up,

But Mrs. Stork, with her long beak, she

could not get a sup!

"If the refutation," continued he, "should come to be known, without our participation, (and how can we prevent it?) we shall be charged with it as a crime.

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Let us beware of accepting so perfidious an offer. We already possess, in the notes of Camerarius, several articles of this paper, and if we omit any point, no one will have the right to reproach us with it." On the next day, August, 6th, the protestants declared to the diet that they preferred declining the copy thus offered to them, and appealed to God and his majesty.

Agitation and anger pervaded the diet. The reply of the Reformers was warwas rebellion. The upholders of Romanism trembled with indignation. The hopes of agreement, set forth in the edict of convocation, had only been a deceitful lure; now the mask was thrown asidesubmission or the sword. Such was the dilemma offered to the Reformation. On the evening of the day to which we are referring, the gates of Augsburg were closed by command of the emperor, and placed under military guard. Orders were also given to keep a strict watch on the elector and his allies. Philip of Hesse was sent for by the emperor, who tried to win him over, but in vain-first by persuasion, and then by threats. What would you say," asked he, "if I elevated you to the regal dignity? But if you show yourself rebellious to my orders, then I shall behave as becomes a Roman emperor." "I am in the flower of my age," replied Philip, "and I do not pretend to despise the joys of life, and the favours of the great; but to the deceitful goods of this world, I shall always prefer the ineffable grace of my God." The Reformers during the diet had again and again sung, "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gottee," Our God is a strong tower, &c.