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 gospellers ." -- 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 co-labourers and the princes whom God had raised up to defend His cause in this emergency . The noble Frederick of Saxony , Luther ' s 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 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
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