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

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<strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>the</strong>y agreed <strong>to</strong> equip a force <strong>of</strong> 6,000<br />

cavalry, and 20,000 infantry. They had in view also<br />

a league with <strong>the</strong> King <strong>of</strong> Denmark. They resolved<br />

<strong>to</strong> anticipate <strong>the</strong>ir opponents by striking <strong>the</strong> first<br />

blow. All Germany was in commotion. It was now<br />

<strong>the</strong> turn <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Popish princes <strong>to</strong> tremble. The<br />

Reformers were flying <strong>to</strong> arms, and before <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

own preparations could be finished, <strong>the</strong>y would be<br />

assailed by an overwhelming host, set on by <strong>the</strong><br />

startling rumors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> savage plot, formed <strong>to</strong><br />

exterminate <strong>the</strong>m. The Reformation was on <strong>the</strong><br />

point <strong>of</strong> being dragged in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> battlefield. Lu<strong>the</strong>r<br />

shuddered when he saw what was about <strong>to</strong> happen.<br />

He s<strong>to</strong>od up manfully before <strong>the</strong> two chiefs<br />

who were hurrying <strong>the</strong> movement in<strong>to</strong> this fatal<br />

path, and though he believed in <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

plot, despite <strong>the</strong> indignant denial <strong>of</strong> Duke George<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Popish princes, he charged <strong>the</strong> elec<strong>to</strong>r and<br />

landgrave not <strong>to</strong> strike <strong>the</strong> first blow, but <strong>to</strong> wait till<br />

<strong>the</strong>y had been attacked. "There is strife enough<br />

uninvited," said he, "and it cannot be well <strong>to</strong> paint<br />

<strong>the</strong> devil over <strong>the</strong> door, or ask him <strong>to</strong> be godfa<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Battle never wins much, but always loses much,<br />

257

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