The Great Controversy - Righteousness is Love

150prohibition, thousands flocked to the services held in the chapel of theelector of Saxony.This hastened the crisis. An imperial message announced to the Diet that asthe resolution granting liberty of conscience had given rise to greatdisorders, the emperor required that it be annulled. This arbitrary act excitedthe indignation and alarm of the evangelical Christians. Said one: "Christhas again fallen into the hands of Caiaphas and Pilate." The Romanistsbecame more violent. A bigoted papist declared: "The Turks are better thanthe Lutherans; for the Turks observe fast days, and the Lutherans violatethem. If we must choose between the Holy Scriptures of God and the olderrors of the church, we should reject the former." Said Melanchthon:"Every day, in full assembly, Faber casts some new stone at us gospelers."Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5.Religious toleration had been legally established, and the evangelical stateswere resolved to oppose the infringement of their rights. Luther, being stillunder the ban imposed by the Edict of Worms, was not permitted to bepresent at Spires; but his place was supplied by his colaborers and theprinces whom God had raised up to defend His cause in this emergency.The noble Frederick of Saxony, Luther's former protector, had beenremoved by death; but Duke John, his brother and successor, had joyfullywelcomed the Reformation, and while a friend of peace, he displayed greatenergy and courage in all matters relating to the interests of the faith.The priests demanded that the states which had accepted the Reformationsubmit implicitly to Romish jurisdiction. The Reformers, on the other hand,claimed the liberty which had previously been granted. They could notconsent that Rome should again bring under her control those states that hadwith so great joy received the word of God.As a compromise it was finally proposed that where the Reformation hadnot become established, the Edict of Worms should be rigorously enforced;and that "in those where the people had deviated from it, and where theycould not conform to it without danger of revolt, they should at least effectno new reform, they should touch upon no controverted point, they shouldnot oppose the celebration of the mass, they should permit no RomanCatholic to embrace Lutheranism." Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. This measure passedthe Diet, to the great satisfaction of the popish priests and prelates.If this edict were enforced, "the Reformation could neither be extended . . .where as yet it was unknown, nor be established on solid foundations . . .where it already existed." Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. Liberty of speech would be