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

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<strong>to</strong> bring over <strong>the</strong> Elec<strong>to</strong>r John and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Protestant princes?<br />

We have seen <strong>the</strong> emperor dismiss <strong>the</strong><br />

representatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Protestant cities with an<br />

injunction <strong>to</strong> take counsel and bring him word how<br />

<strong>the</strong>y meant <strong>to</strong> act in <strong>the</strong> matter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Decree <strong>of</strong><br />

Spires, and whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y were prepared <strong>to</strong> abandon<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir Protest <strong>of</strong> 1529. Scarcely have <strong>the</strong>y left his<br />

presence when he summons a council <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Popish<br />

members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Diet</strong>. They have been called<br />

<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> give advice respecting ano<strong>the</strong>r matter<br />

that claims urgent attention from <strong>the</strong> emperor. The<br />

<strong>Confession</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Protestant princes is lying on his<br />

table; what is <strong>to</strong> be done with it?<br />

Lu<strong>the</strong>ranism is not at Wittenberg only: it is<br />

here, in <strong>the</strong> Palatinate Palace <strong>of</strong> Augburg,<br />

protesting with eloquent voice against <strong>the</strong> tyranny<br />

that would suppress it, crying aloud before <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Diet</strong>, as by-and-by, if not silenced, it will cry<br />

before all Christendom, that Rome has corrupted<br />

<strong>the</strong> faith, and is become apostate. "What shall we<br />

do?" asked <strong>the</strong> emperor, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> princes and bishops<br />

472

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