King Ferdinand , the emperor ' s representative at the Diet , saw that the decree would cause serious divisions unless the princes could be induced to accept and sustain it . He therefore tried the art of persuasion , well knowing that to employ force with such men would only render them the more determined . He " begged the princes to accept the decree , assuring them that the emperor would be exceedingly pleased with them ." But these faithful men acknowledged an authority above that of earthly rulers , and they answered calmly : " We will obey the emperor in everything that may contribute to maintain peace and the honour of God ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 5 .
In the presence of the Diet the king at last announced to the elector and his friends that the edict " was about to be drawn up in the form of an imperial decree ," and that " their only remaining course was to submit to the majority ." Having thus spoken , he withdrew from the assembly , giving the Reformers no opportunity for deliberation or reply . " To no purpose they sent a deputation entreating the king to return ." To their remonstrances , he answered only : " It is a settled affair ; submission is all that remains ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 5 .
The imperial party were convinced that the Christian princes would adhere to the Holy Scriptures as superior to human doctrines and requirements ; and they knew that wherever this principle was accepted , the papacy would eventually be overthrown . But , like thousands since their time , looking only " at the things which are seen ," they flattered themselves that the cause of the emperor and the pope was strong , and that of the Reformers weak . Had the Reformers depended upon human aid alone , they would have been as powerless as the papists supposed . But though weak in numbers , and at variance with Rome , they had their strength . They appealed " from the report of the Diet to the word of God , and from the emperor Charles to Jesus Christ , the King of kings and Lord of lords ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 6 .
As Ferdinand had refused to regard their conscientious convictions , the princes decided not to heed his absence , but to bring their Protest before the national council without delay . A solemn declaration was therefore drawn up and presented to the Diet : " We protest by these presents , before God , our only Creator , Preserver , Redeemer , and Saviour , and who will one day be our Judge , as well as before all men and all creatures , that we , for us and for our people , neither consent nor adhere in any manner whatsoever to the proposed decree , in anything that is contrary to God , to His holy word , to our right conscience , to the salvation of our souls ."
" What ! we ratify this edict ! We assert that when Almighty God calls a man to His knowledge , this man nevertheless cannot receive the knowledge of God !" " There is no sure doctrine but such as is conformable to the word of God . . . . The Lord forbids the teaching of any other doctrine . . . . The Holy Scriptures ought to be explained by other an clearer texts ; . . . this Holy Book is , in all things necessary for the Christian , easy of understanding , and calculated to scatter the darkness . We are resolved , with the grace of God , to maintain the pure and exclusive preaching of His only word ,
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