History of the Great Reformation Part 28

[512] Da.s.selbige abgeschlagen.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 127.)

On Thursday, 23d 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.[513] The princes rejected their demand.

[513] Argentinenses ambierunt aliquid ut excepto articulo sacramenti susciperentur.--(Ibid. p. 155.)

[Sidenote: THE SIGNING OF THE CONFESSION.]

The Elector of Saxony was already preparing to sign, when Melancthon stopped him: he feared giving too political a colouring to this religious business. In his idea it was the Church that should appear, and not the State. "It is for the theologians and ministers to propose these things," said he;[514] "let us reserve for other matters the authority of the mighty ones of the earth."--"G.o.d forbid that you should exclude me," replied 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 Christ. I shall leave on earth these marks of my greatness; but my Master's cross will accompany me to heaven."

[514] Non principum nomine edi sed decentium qui theologi vocantur.--(Camer. p. 120.)

How resist such Christian language! Melancthon gave way.

The Elector then approached, signed, and handed the pen 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.[515]

[515] Landgravius subscribit n.o.bisc.u.m, sed tamen dicit sibi, de sacramento, a nostris non satisfieri.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 155.)

[Sidenote: COURAGE OF THE PRINCES.]

The Margrave and Luneburg 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." Nuremberg and Reutlingen alone of the cities subscribed their signatures;[516] and all resolved on demanding of the Emperor that the Confession should be read publicly.[517]

[516] Confessioni tantum subscripserunt Nuremberga et Reutlingen.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 155.)

[517] Decretum est ut publicae recitandae concessio ab Imperatore peteretur.--(Seck. ii. p. 169.)

The courage of the princes surprised every one. Rome had crushed the members of the Church, and had reduced them to a herd of slaves, whom she dragged silent and humiliated behind her: the Reformation enfranchised them, and with their rights it restored to them their duties. The priest no longer enjoyed the monopoly of religion; each head of a family again became priest in his own house, and all the members of the Church of G.o.d were thenceforward called to the rank of confessors. The laymen are nothing, or almost nothing, in the sect of Rome, but they are the essential portion of the Church of Jesus Christ. Wherever the priestly spirit is established, the Church dies; wherever laymen, as these Augsburg princes, understand their duty and their immediate dependence on Christ, the Church lives.

The Evangelical theologians were moved, by the devotedness of the princes. "When I consider their firmness in the confession of the Gospel," said Brenz, "the colour mounts to my cheeks. What a disgrace that we, who are only beggars beside them, are so afraid of confessing Christ!"[518] Brenz was then thinking of certain towns, particularly of Halle, of which he was pastor, but no doubt also of the theologians.

[518] Rubore suffundor non mediocri, quod nos, prae illis mendici, &c.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 125.)

[Sidenote: MELANCTHON'S WEAKNESS.]

The latter, in truth, without being deficient in devotedness, were sometimes wanting in courage. Melancthon was in constant agitation; he ran to and fro, slipping in everywhere (says Cochlus in his Philippics), penetrating not only the houses and mansions of private persons, but also insinuating himself into the palaces of cardinals and princes, nay, even into the court of the Emperor; and, whether at table or in conversation, he spared no means of persuading every person, that nothing was more easy than to restore peace between the two parties.[519]

[519] Cursitabat hinc inde, perreptans ac penetrans.--(Cochl. Phil. 4.

in Apol.)

One day he was with the Archbishop of Salzburg, who in a long discourse gave an eloquent description of the troubles produced, as he said, by the Reformation, and ended with a peroration "written in blood," says Melancthon.[520] Philip in agony had ventured during the conversation to slip in the word Conscience. "Conscience!" hastily interrupted the archbishop, "Conscience!--What does that mean? I tell you plainly that the Emperor will not allow confusion to be thus brought upon the Empire."--"Had I been in Melancthon's place," said Luther, "I should have immediately replied to the archbishop: And our Emperor, ours, will not tolerate such blasphemy."--"Alas!" said Melancthon, "they are all as full of a.s.surance as if there was no G.o.d."[521]

[520] Addebat Epilogum plane sanguine scriptum.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p.

126.)

[521] Securi sunt quasi nullus sit Deus.--(Ibid, p. 156.)

Another day Melancthon was with Campeggio, and conjured him to persevere in the moderate sentiments he appeared to entertain. And at another time, as it would seem, he was with the Emperor himself.[522]

"Alas!" said the alarmed Zwinglians, "after having qualified one half of the Gospel, Melancthon is sacrificing the other."[523]

[522] Melancthon a Caesare, Salisburgensi et Campegio vocatus est.--(Zwi. Epp. ii. p. 473.)

[523] Ut c.u.m mitigarit tam multa, cedat et reliqua.---(Ibid.)

[Sidenote: THE CONFESSION IN DANGER.]

The wiles of the Ultramontanists were added to Philip's dejection, in order to arrest the courageous proceedings of the princes. Friday, 24th June, was the day fixed for reading the Confession, but measures were taken to prevent it. The sitting of the diet did not begin till three in the afternoon; the legate was then announced; Charles went to meet him as far as the top of the grand staircase, and Campeggio, taking his seat in front of the Emperor, in King Ferdinand's place, delivered a harangue in Ciceronian style. "Never," said he, "has St.

Peter's bark been so violently tossed by so many waves, whirlwinds, and abysses.[524] The Holy Father has learnt these things with pain, and desires to drag the Church from these frightful gulfs. For the love of Jesus Christ, for the safety of your country and for your own, O mighty Prince! get rid of these errors, deliver Germany, and save Christendom!"

[524] Ne que unquam tam variis sectarum turbinibus navicula Petri fluctuaverit.--(Seck. ii. p. 169.)

After a temperate reply from Albert of Mentz, the legate quitted the townhall, and the Evangelical princes stood up; but a fresh obstacle had been provided. Deputies from Austria, Carinthia, and Carniola, first received a hearing.[525]

[525] Oratio valde lugubris et miserabilis contra Turcas.--(Corp. Ref.

ii. p. 154.)

Much time had thus elapsed. The Evangelical princes, however, rose up again, and the Chancellor Bruck said: "It is pretended that new doctrines not based on Scripture, that heresies and schisms are spread among the people by us. Considering that such accusations compromise not only our good name, but also the safety of our souls,[526] we beg his majesty would have the goodness to hear what are the doctrines we profess."

[526] Verum etiam ad animae dispendium aut salutem aeternam.--(Seck. ii.

p. 189.)

The Emperor, no doubt by arrangement with the legate, made reply that it was too late; besides, that this reading would be useless; and that the princes should be satisfied with putting in their Confession in writing. Thus the mine, so skilfully prepared, worked admirably; the Confession, once handed to the Emperor, would be thrown aside, and the Reformation would be forced to retire, without the Papists having even condescended to hear it, without defence and overwhelmed with contumely.

[Sidenote: THE PROTESTANTS ARE FIRM.]

The Protestant princes, uneasy, and agitated, insisted. "Our honour is at stake," said they; "our souls are endangered.[527] We are accused publicly; publicly we ought to answer." Charles was shaken; Ferdinand leant towards him, and whispered a few words in his ear:[528] the Emperor refused a second time.

[527] Ihre Seele, Ehre und Glimpf belanget.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 128.)

[528] Viderant enim eum subinde aliquid illi in aurem insusurrare.--(Seck. ii. p. 169.)

Upon this the Elector and princes, in still greater alarm, said for the third time with emotion and earnestness:[529] "For the love of G.o.d, let us read our Confession! No person is insulted in it." Thus were seen, on the one hand, a few faithful men, desiring with loud cries to confess their faith; and on the other, the great Emperor of the West, surrounded by a crowd of cardinals, prelates, and princes, endeavouring to stifle the manifestation of the truth.[530] It was a serious, violent, and decisive struggle, in which the holiest interests were discussed!

[529] Zum dritten mal heftig angehalten.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 128.)

[530] Circ.u.msistebant Caesarem magno numero cardinales et praelati ecclesiastici.--(Seck. ii. p. 169.)

At last Charles appeared to yield: "His majesty grants your request,"

was the reply to the princes; "but as it is now too late, he begs you to transmit him your written Confession, and to-morrow, at two o'clock, the diet will be prepared to hear it read at the Palatine Palace."

The princes were struck with these words, which, seeming to grant them everything, in reality granted nothing. In the first place, it was not in a public sitting at the town-hall, but privately in his own palace, that the Emperor was willing to hear them;[531] then they had no doubt that if the Confession left their hands it was all over with the public reading. They therefore remained firm. "The work has been done in great haste," said they, and it was the truth; "pray leave it with us to-night, that we may revise it." The Emperor was obliged to yield, and the Protestants returned to their hotels full of joy; while the legate and his friends, perceiving that the Confession was inevitable, saw the morrow approach with anxiety continually increasing.

[531] Non quidem publice in praetorio, sed privatim in palatio suo.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 124.)

[Sidenote: MELANCTHON'S DESPONDENCE.]

Among those who prepared to confess the Evangelical truth, was one, however, whose heart was filled with sadness:--it was Melancthon.

Placed between two fires, he saw the Reformed, and many even of his own friends, reproach his weakness; while the opposite party detested what they called his hypocrisy. His friend Camerarius, who visited Augsburg about this time, often found him plunged in thought, uttering deep sighs, and shedding bitter tears.[532] Brenz, moved with compa.s.sion, coming to the unhappy Philip, would sit down by his side and weep with him;[533] and Jonas, endeavouring to console him in another manner, exhorted him to take the Book of Psalms, and cry to G.o.d with all his heart, making use of David's words rather than of his own.