The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 212

Chap. 12 - The French Reformation
The Protest of Spires and the Confession at Augsburg, which marked
the triumph of the Reformation in Germany, were followed by years of
conflict and darkness. Weakened by divisions among its supporters, and
assailed by powerful foes, Protestantism seemed destined to be utterly
destroyed. Thousands sealed their testimony with their blood. Civil
war broke out; the Protestant cause was betrayed by one of its leading
adherents; the noblest of the reformed princes fell into the hands of the
emperor and were dragged as captives from town to town. But in the
moment of his apparent triumph, the emperor was smitten with defeat.
He saw the prey wrested from his grasp, and he was forced at last to
grant toleration to the doctrines which it had been the ambition of his
life to destroy. He had staked his kingdom, his treasures, and life itself
upon the crushing out of the heresy. Now he saw his armies wasted by
battle, his treasuries drained, his many kingdoms threatened by revolt,
while everywhere the faith which he had vainly endeavored to suppress,
was extending. Charles V had been battling against omnipotent power.
God had said, “Let there be light,” but the emperor had sought to keep
the darkness unbroken. His purposes had failed; and in premature old
age, worn out with the long struggle, he abdicated the throne and buried
himself in a cloister.
In Switzerland, as in Germany, there came dark days for the
Reformation. While many cantons accepted the reformed

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