The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 149

The European Union in Prophecy
11. Princely Protest
One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation was the Protest
offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires in 1529. The courage,
faith, and firmness of those men of God gained for succeeding ages liberty of thought
and of conscience. Their Protest gave to the reformed church the name of Protestant;
its principles are "the very essence of Protestantism."--D'Aubigne, b. 13, ch. 6.
A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation. Notwithstanding the
Edict of Worms, declaring Luther to be an outlaw and forbidding the teaching or belief
of his doctrines, religious toleration had thus far prevailed in the empire. God's
providence had held in check the forces that opposed the truth. Charles V was bent
on crushing the Reformation, but often as he raised his hand to strike he had been
forced to turn aside the blow. Again and again the immediate destruction of all who
dared to oppose themselves to Rome appeared inevitable; but at the critical moment
the armies of the Turk appeared on the eastern frontier, or the king of France, or even
the pope himself, jealous of the increasing greatness of the emperor, made war upon
him; and thus, amid the strife and tumult of nations, the Reformation had been left
to strengthen and extend.
At last, however, the papal sovereigns had stifled their feuds, that they might
make common cause against the Reformers. The Diet of Spires in 1526 had given each
state full liberty in matters of religion until the meeting of a general council; but no
sooner had the dangers passed which secured this concession, than the emperor
summoned a second Diet to convene at Spires in 1529 for the purpose of crushing
heresy. The princes were to be induced, by peaceable means if possible, to side against
the Reformation; but if these failed, Charles was prepared to resort to the sword.
The papists were exultant. They appeared at Spires in great numbers, and
openly manifested their hostility toward the Reformers and all who favoured them.
Said Melanchthon: "We are the execration and the sweepings of the world; but Christ
will look down on His poor people, and will preserve them."-- Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. The
evangelical princes in attendance at the Diet were forbidden even to have the gospel
preached in their dwellings. But the people of Spires thirsted for the word of God, and,
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