The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 203

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 honor 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

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