such as it is contained in the biblical books of the Old and New Testaments , without adding anything thereto that may be contrary to it . This word is the only truth ; it is the sure rule of all doctrine and of all life , and can never fail or deceive us . He who builds on this foundation shall stand against all the powers of hell , while all the human vanities that are set up against it shall fall before the face of God ."
" For this reason we reject the yoke that is imposed on us ." " At the same time we are in expectation that his imperial majesty will behave toward us like a Christian prince who loves God above all things ; and we declare ourselves ready to pay unto him , as well as unto you , gracious lords , all the affection and obedience that are our just and legitimate duty ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 6 . A deep impression was made upon the Diet . The majority were filled with amazement and alarm at the boldness of the protesters . The future appeared to them stormy and uncertain . Dissension , strife , and bloodshed seemed inevitable . But the Reformers , assured of the justice of their cause , and relying upon the arm of Omnipotence , were " full of courage and firmness ."
The principles contained in this celebrated Protest . . . constitute the very essence of Protestantism . Now this Protest opposes two abuses of man in matters of faith : the first is the intrusion of the civil magistrate , and the second the arbitrary authority of the church . Instead of these abuses , Protestantism sets the power of conscience above the magistrate , and the authority of the word of God above the visible church . In the first place , it rejects the civil power in divine things , and says with the prophets and apostles , ' We must obey God rather than man .' In presence of the crown of Charles the Fifth , 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 ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 6 .
The protesters had moreover affirmed their right to utter freely their convictions of truth . They would not only believe and obey , but teach what the word of God presents , and they denied the right of priest or magistrate to interfere . The Protest of Spires was a solemn witness against religious intolerance , and an assertion of the right of all men to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences . The declaration had been made . It was written in the memory of thousands and registered in the books of heaven , where no effort of man could erase it . All evangelical Germany adopted the Protest as the expression of its faith . Everywhere men beheld in this declaration the promise of a new and better era . Said one of the princes to the Protestants of Spires : " May the Almighty , who has given you grace to confess energetically , freely , and fearlessly , preserve you in that Christian firmness until the day of eternity ." -- Ibid ., b . 13 , ch . 6 .
Had the Reformation , after attaining a degree of success , consented to temporize to secure favour with the world , it would have been untrue to God and to itself , and would thus have ensured its own destruction . The experience of these noble Reformers contains a lesson for all succeeding ages . Satan ' s manner of working against God and His word has not changed ; he is still as much
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