hymn , written on that journey , " A strong tower is our God ." Many an anxious foreboding was banished , many a heavy heart lightened , at the sound of the inspiring strains .
The reformed princes had determined upon having a statement of their views in systematic form , with the evidence from the Scriptures , to present before the Diet ; and the task of its preparation was committed to Luther , Melanchthon , and their associates . This Confession was accepted by the Protestants as an exposition of their faith , and they assembled to affix their names to the important document . It was a solemn and trying time . The Reformers were solicitous that their cause should not be confounded with political questions ; they felt that the Reformation should exercise no other influence than that which proceeds from the word of God .
As the Christian princes advanced to sign the Confession , Melanchthon interposed , saying : " It is for the theologians and ministers to propose these things ; let us reserve for other matters the authority of the mighty ones of the earth ." " God forbid ," replied John of Saxony , " that you should exclude me . 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 ." Having thus spoken , he wrote down his name . Said another of the princes as he took the pen : " If the honour of my Lord Jesus Christ requires it , I am ready … to leave my goods and life behind ." " I would rather renounce my subjects and my states , rather quit the country of my fathers staff in hand ," he continued , " than receive any other doctrine than that which is contained in this Confession ." -- Ibid ., b . 14 , ch . 6 . Such was the faith and daring of those men of God .
The appointed time came to appear before the emperor . Charles V , seated upon his throne , surrounded by the electors and the princes , gave audience to the Protestant Reformers . The confession of their faith was read . In that august assembly the truths of the gospel were clearly set forth , and the errors of the papal church were pointed out . Well has that day been pronounced " the greatest day of the Reformation , and one of the most glorious in the history of Christianity and of mankind ." -- Ibid ., b . 14 , ch . 7 . But a few years had passed since the monk of Wittenberg stood alone at Worms before the national council . Now in his stead were the noblest and most powerful princes of the empire . Luther had been forbidden to appear at Augsburg , but he had been present by his words and prayers . " I am overjoyed ," he wrote , " that I have lived until this hour , in which Christ has been publicly exalted by such illustrious confessors , and in so glorious an assembly ." -- Ibid ., b . 14 , ch . 7 . Thus was fulfilled what the Scripture says : " I will speak of Thy testimonies . . . before kings ." Psalm 119:46 .
In the days of Paul the gospel for which he was imprisoned was thus brought before the princes and nobles of the imperial city . So on this occasion , that which the emperor had forbidden to be preached from the pulpit was proclaimed from the palace ; what many had regarded as unfit even for servants to listen to was heard with wonder by the masters and lords of the empire . Kings and
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