11. Protest Of The Princes. 205
close the wounds of Germany. With arguments like these might the Reformers have justified their adoption of a course which would have assuredly issued in no long time in the overthrow of their cause.
“ Happily they looked at the principle on which this arrangement was based, and they acted in faith. What was that principle? It was the right of Rome to coerce conscience and forbid free inquiry. But were not themselves and their Protestant subjects to enjoy religious freedom? Yes, as a favor specially stipulated for in the arrangement, but not as a right. As to all outside that arrangement, the great principle of authority was to rule; conscience was out of court; Rome was infallible judge, and must be obeyed. The acceptance of the proposed arrangement would have been a virtual admission that religious liberty ought to be confined to reformed Saxony; and as to all the rest of Christendom, free inquiry and the profession of the reformed faith were crimes, and must be visited with the dungeon and the stake. Could they consent to localize religious liberty? to have it proclaimed that the Reformation had made its last convert? had subjugated its last acre? and that wherever Rome bore sway at this hour, there her dominion was to be perpetuated? Could the Reformers have pleaded that they were innocent of the blood of those hundreds and thousands who, in pursuance of this arrangement, would have to yield up their lives in popish lands? This [ 201 ] would have been to betray, at that supreme hour, the cause of the gospel and the liberties of Christendom.” 289 Rather would they“ sacrifice everything, even their states, their crowns, and their lives.” 290
“ Let us reject this decree,” said the princes.“ In matters of conscience the majority has no power.” The deputies declared:“ It is to the decree of 1526 that we are indebted for the peace that the empire enjoys: its abolition would fill Germany with
289 Wylie, b. 9, ch. 15. 290 D ' Aubigné, b. 13, ch. 5.