History of the Great Reformation Part 38

(Bruck, Apol. p. 80.)

[Sidenote: TEMPTATION.]

X. Trouble and anger prevailed in the imperial palace, and it was the Landgrave who had caused them. Firm as a rock in the midst of the tempest with which he was surrounded, Philip of Hesse had never bent his head to the blast. One day, in a public a.s.sembly, addressing the bishops, he had said to them, "My lords, give peace to the Empire; we beg it of you. If you will not do so, and if I must fall, be sure that I will drag one or two of you with me." They saw it was necessary to employ milder means with him, and the Emperor endeavoured to gain him by showing a favourable disposition with respect to the county of Katzenellenbogen, about which he was at variance with the country of Na.s.sau, and to Wurtemberg, which he claimed for his cousin Ulric. On his side Duke George of Saxony, his father-in-law, had a.s.sured him that he would make him his heir if he would submit to the Pope. "They carried him to an exceeding high mountain, whence they showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory thereof,"[722] says a chronicler, but the Landgrave resisted the temptation.

[722] Auf den hohen berg gefuhrt. (Lanze's Chronik.)

One day he heard that the Emperor had manifested a desire to speak to him. He leapt instantly on his horse and appeared before Charles.[723]

The latter, who had with him his secretary Schweiss and the Bishop of Constance, represented that he had four complaints against him; namely, of having violated the Edict of Worms, of despising the Ma.s.s, of having, during his absence, excited all kinds of revolt, and, finally, of having transmitted to him a book in which his sovereign rights were attacked. The Landgrave justified himself; and the Emperor said that he accepted his replies, except with regard to the faith, and begged him to show himself in that respect entirely submissive to his majesty. "What would you say," added Charles, in a winning tone, "if I elevated you to the regal dignity?[724] But, if you show yourself rebellious to my orders, then I shall behave as becomes a Roman Emperor."

[723] Von ihr selbst gen Hof geritten. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 165.)

[724] Quin et in regem te evehendum curabimus. (Rommel, Philip der Gr.

i. p. 268.)

These words exasperated the Landgrave, but they did not move him. "I am in the flower of my age," replied he, "and I do not pretend to despise the joys of life and the favour of the great; but to the deceitful goods of this world I shall always prefer the ineffable grace of my G.o.d." Charles was stupified; he could not understand Philip.

From this time the Landgrave had redoubled his exertions to unite the adherents of Reform. The Zwinglian cities felt that, whatever was the issue of the diet, they would be the first victims, unless the Saxons should give them their hand. But this there was some difficulty in obtaining.

[Sidenote: UNION RESISTED.]

"It does not appear to me useful to the public weal, or safe for the conscience," wrote Melancthon to Bucer, "to load our princes with all the hatred your doctrine inspires."[725] The Strasburgers replied, that the real cause of the Papists' hatred was not so much the doctrine of the Eucharist as that of justification by faith. "All we, who desire to belong to Christ," said they, "are one, and we have nothing to expect but death."[726]

[725] Nostros principes onerare invidia vestri dogmatis. (Corp. Ref.

ii. p. 221.)

[726] Arctissime quoque inter nos conjuncti essemus, quotquot Christi esse volumus. (Ibid. p. 236.)

This was true; but another motive besides checked Melancthon. If all the Protestants united, they would feel their strength, and war would be inevitable. Therefore, then, no union!

The Landgrave, threatened by the Emperor, rejected by the theologians, began to ask himself what he did at Augsburg. The cup was full.

Charles's refusal to communicate the Romish Refutation, except on inadmissible conditions, made it run over. Philip of Hesse saw but one course to take--to quit the city.

Scarcely had the Emperor made known the conditions which he placed on the communication of the reply, than on Friday evening, 5th August, the Landgrave, going alone to the Count-palatine, Charles's minister, had begged for an immediate audience with his majesty. Charles, who did not care about it, pretended to be busy, and had put off Philip until the following Sunday.[727] But the latter answered that he could not wait; that his wife, who was dangerously ill, entreated him to return to Hesse without delay; and that, being one of the youngest princes, the meanest in understanding, and useless to Charles, he humbly begged his majesty would permit him to leave on the morrow. The Emperor refused.

[727] c.u.m imperator dilationem respondendi astu quodam accep.i.s.set.

(Corp. Ref. ii. pp. 254, 276.)

[Sidenote: THE EMPEROR'S UNEASINESS.]

We may well understand the storms this refusal excited in Philip's mind: but he knew how to contain himself; never had he appeared more tranquil; during the whole of Sat.u.r.day (6th August), he seemed occupied only with a magnificent tourney in honour of the Emperor and of his brother Ferdinand.[728] He prepared for it publicly; his servants went to and fro, but under that din of horses and of armour, Philip concealed very different designs. "The Landgrave conducts himself with very great moderation," wrote Melancthon to Luther, the same day.[729] "He told me openly that, to preserve peace, he would submit to conditions still harder than those which the Emperor imposes on us, and whatever he could accept without dishonouring the Gospel, he would do so."

[728] Ad ludos equestres in honorem Caesari inst.i.tuendos publice sese apparavit. (Seck. ii. p. 172.)

[729] Landgravius valde moderate se gerit. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 254.)

Yet Charles was not at ease. The Landgrave's demand pursued him; all the Protestants might do the same, and even quit Augsburg unexpectedly. The clue, that he had hitherto so skilfully held in his hands, was perhaps about to be broken: it was better to be violent than ridiculous. The Emperor therefore resolved on striking a decisive blow. The Elector, the princes, the deputies, are still in Augsburg: he must at every risk prevent them from leaving it. Such were the heavy thoughts that on the night of the 6th August, while the Protestants were calmly sleeping,[730] banished repose from Charles's eyes; and which made him hastily arouse the councillors of Augsburg, and send his messengers and soldiers through the streets of the city.

[730] Ego vero somno sopitus dulciter quiescebam. (Corp. Ref. ii. p.

273.)

The Protestant princes were still slumbering, when they received, on the part of the Emperor, the unexpected order to repair immediately to the Hall of the Chapter.[731]

[731] Mane facto Caesar......convocavit nostros principes. (Ibid, p.

277; Bruck, Apol. p. 79.)

[Sidenote: PROTESTANT FIRMNESS.]

It was eight o'clock when they arrived. They found there the electors of Brandenburg and Mentz, the Dukes of Saxony, Brunswick, and Mecklenburg, the Bishops of Salzburg, Spire, and Strasburg, George Truchses, the Margrave of Baden's representative, Count Martin of (OE)lting, the Abbot of Weingarten, and the Provost of Bamberg. These were the commissioners nominated by Charles to terminate this great affair.

It was the most decided among them, Joachim of Brandenburg, who began to speak. "You know," said he to the Protestants, "with what mildness the Emperor has endeavoured to re-establish unity. If some abuses have crept into the Christian Church, he is ready to correct them, in conjunction with the Pope. But how contrary to the Gospel are the sentiments you have adopted! Abandon then your errors, do not any longer remain separate from the Church, and sign the Refutation without delay.[732] If you refuse, then through your fault how many souls will be lost, how much blood shed, what countries laid waste, what trouble in all the Empire! And you," said he, turning towards the Elector, "your electorate, your life, all will be torn from you, and certain ruin will fall upon your subjects, and even upon their wives and children."

[732] Ut sententiae quam in refutatione audivissent subscribant. (Corp.

Ref. ii. p. 277.)

The Elector remained motionless. At any time this language would have been alarming: it was still more so now that the city was almost in a state of siege. "We now understand," said the Protestants to one another, "why the imperial guards occupy the gates of the city."[733]

It was evident, indeed, that the Emperor intended violence.[734]

[733] Intelligis nunc cur portae munitae fuerunt. (Ibid.)

[734] Quia volebat Caesar nostros violentia ad suam sententiam cogere.

(Ibid.)

[Sidenote: PHILIP OF HESSE.]

The Protestants are unanimous: surrounded with soldiers, at the very gates of the prison, and beneath the thousand swords of Charles, they will remain firm. All these threats will not make them take one step backwards.[735] It was important for them, however, to consider their reply. They begged for a few minutes' delay, and retired.

[735] Sed hae minae nostros nihil commoverunt: perstant in sententia, nec vel tantillum recedunt. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 277.)

To submit voluntarily, or to be reduced by force, such was the dilemma Charles proposed to the Evangelical Christians.

At the moment when each was anxious about the issue of this struggle, in which the destinies of Christianity were contending, an alarming rumour suddenly raised the agitation of all minds to its height.

The Landgrave, in the midst of his preparations for the tournament, meditated the most serious resolution. Excluded by Charles from every important deliberation, irritated at the treatment the Protestants had undergone during this diet,[736] convinced that they had no more chance of peace,[737] not doubting that their liberty was greatly endangered in Augsburg, and feeling unable to conceal under the appearance of moderation the indignation with which his soul was filled, being besides of a quick, prompt, and resolute character, Philip had decided on quitting the city and repairing to his states, in order to act freely, and to serve as a support to the Reform.

[736] Commotus indignitate actionum. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 260.)

[737] Spem pacis abjecisse. (Ibid.)

But what mystery was required! If the Landgrave was taken in the act, no doubt he would be put under arrest. This daring step might therefore become the signal of those extreme measures from which he longed to escape.

[Sidenote: FLIGHT FROM AUGSBURG.]

It was Sat.u.r.day, the 6th August, the day for which Philip had requested the Emperor's leave of absence. He waits until the commencement of the night, and then, about eight o'clock, disguised in a foreign dress, without bidding farewell to any of his friends,[738]

and taking every imaginable precaution,[739] he makes for the gates of the city, about the time when they are usually closed. Five or six cavaliers followed him singly, and at a little distance.[740] In so critical a moment will not these men-at-arms attract attention? Philip traverses the streets without danger, approaches the gate,[741] pa.s.ses with a careless air through the midst of the guard, between the scattered soldiers; no one moves, all remain idly seated, as if nothing extraordinary was going on. Philip has pa.s.sed without being recognised.[742] His five or six hors.e.m.e.n come through in like manner.

Behold them all at last in the open country. The little troop immediately spur their horses, and flee with headlong speed far from the walls of the imperial city.

[738] Clam omnibus abit. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 260.)