282 MARTIN LUTHER.

way to suppress Luther’s heresy. The Pope was
for the severest measures of vengeance—fire and
faggot. But Charles knew better than the Pope
the spirit of the German princes, and saw that to

attempt such measures would be worse than use-
‘less. He demanded, therefore, from Luther and
'Melancthon a clear statement of their doctrines

and opinions. This demand was gladly complied
with by articles of faith, drawn with admirable
truth, temper, and learning. Such was the origin

| of the creed called, “The confession of Augsburg,”

from the place where the document was composed.
Great disputes followed ; and Charles attempted
to lead the princes of the states into his views by

_the most tempting offers of royal favour ; but one

and all, in the most respectful manner, refused to

_ abandon the cause of Christian truth for the sake

of any worldly advantage.
The Emperor, disappointed, became angered, and
now resolved on severe measures, in the hope of

| destroying the Reformed Church altogether, Many
| trembled for the effects of the approaching storm.
| Again was the breaking up of some of the monastic

orders, and Luther’s supposed hatred of them,
thrown in his teeth; but nothing could be more
unjust. That he was free from intolerance
towards whoever chose to retain their monastic
vows, is proved by his own words—in his letter
to Wenceslaus Link, “ Give the monks permission
to quit their convents, without however any
attempt to induce them to do so.” ... “I am
sure you will do nothing yourself, nor suffer any
thing to be done contrary to the Gospel.” ... “I
do not at all approve of the turbulent manner in
which, as I understand, whole flocks of monks and
nuns have quitted their convents; but although
they have acted herein ill, and unbecoming, it
would not be well or becoming in us to recall them
now the thing is done. After the example of Cyrus,
in Herodotus, I would have you give full liberty
to those who desire to leave their seclusion; but by
no means compel any to leave it, nor on the other
hand, force any to stay, who wish to go.”

In another letter he says, “I condemn only by
the Word.” .. . “No one must be compelled to
faith, or to the things of faith, against his will; he
must be prevailed upon by faith alone. I also
condemn images; but I would have them assailed
by the Word, and not by blows and fire.” . . . “Be
assured the images will fall of themselves, when
the people become enlightened, and know that they
are nothing in the eyes of God: it is in this way
I would efface from men’s consciences, by the power
of the Word alone, all those devices of the Pope *.”

Melancthon became melancholy, but Luther only
the more resolute and determined by the tempest
about to burst around him. His activity was

3 Michelet’s “ Life of Luther.”

tenfold, and by his example and influence the
drooping spirits of his followers revived. Most
strongly did he impress upon them all that perfect
unity must be preserved among themselves, and
that this would give strength to their cause. The
next step was taken by the Protestant Princes ;
they assembled at Schmalkald, and in 1530 there.
formed a solemn confederacy to defend with vigour

| their religion and liberties against the dangers

with which they were threatened.
Soon after this impressive act, the Elector Pala-
tine and the Elector of Mentz offered their

mediation with the Emperor, and finally succeeded,

by making the Turkish power a sort of scapegoat
at this crisis. By a treaty settled in the Diet of
Ratisbon, in 1532, the Protestant Princes of Ger-
many agreed to assist the Emperor with all their
military powers, in resisting the invasion of the
Turks and a universal peace (so that no one should
be in any way molested for his religious opinions),
was granted to Germany by Charles, with a
promise to procure a general council on religious
matters, as soon as it was possible.

Charles kept his word. He appealed to the Pope
to sanction a general council; but Clement augured
no good to the Papal See, unless such council was
held in Italy under his own eyes, and within his
own power; and to no other council would he give
consent. The Reformers of course objected, and
proposed that all disputes on religious doctrine
should be adjusted by the words of Scripture
alone. Clement, on the contrary, asserted that the
decrees of the Roman See, and the opinions of the
Fathers, were equally authoritative, and by these
they should be determined. The proposal for a
council fell to the ground; and so did the like |
attempt at settlement under the Pontificate of
Paul ITI. It seems that none of the Popes would
consent to have the disputed points of doctrine
settled by Holy writ alone.

Thus was Luther at last left at peace to con-
template his own mighty work. His person was
safe from assault or imprisonment, and he had
leisure to devote his mind to the composition of
those remarkable theological works, which (though
long since laid aside, as no longer wanted) not
only surprised, but enlightened so great a portion
of the nations of Europe in his day, and led the
way to the organization of our own Church.

He had now also leisure to indulge in the quiet
of domestic life, in the pleasures of a garden, and
the contemplations of nature, and in all he looked
to the Creator. ‘Glory to God,” he said, ‘ who
from the dead creation thus raises up life again in
the spring-time. Behold these branches, how strong,
how beautiful they are! Already they teem, and are
big with the fruit they will bring forth ; they offer
a beautiful image of the resurrection of all men.