07.03.2019 Views

From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Chapter 11<br />

The Sack <strong>of</strong> Rome<br />

WHAT were <strong>the</strong> Protestant princes <strong>to</strong> do? On<br />

every hand terrible dangers threatened <strong>the</strong>ir cause.<br />

The vic<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> Pavia, as we have already said, had<br />

placed Charles at <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> Christendom: what<br />

now should prevent his giving effect <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Edict <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Worms</strong>? It had hung, like a naked sword, above<br />

Protestantism <strong>the</strong>se five years, threatening every<br />

moment <strong>to</strong> descend and crush it. Its author was<br />

now all-powerful: what should hinder his snapping<br />

<strong>the</strong> thread that held it from falling? He was on his<br />

way <strong>to</strong> concert measures <strong>to</strong> that effect with <strong>the</strong><br />

Pope. In Germany, <strong>the</strong> Ratisbon League was busy<br />

extirpating Lu<strong>the</strong>ranism within its terri<strong>to</strong>ries.<br />

Frederick was in his grave. <strong>From</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kings <strong>of</strong><br />

England and France no aid was <strong>to</strong> be expected. The<br />

Protestants were hemmed in on every hand.<br />

It was at that hour that a strange rumor reached<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir ears. The emperor and <strong>the</strong> Pope were, it was<br />

whispered, at strife! The news was hardly credible.<br />

191

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!