The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 208
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 honor 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.
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