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Protestantism in Sweden and Denmark - James Aitken Wylie

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the realm, <strong>and</strong> the representatives of 197 districts<br />

<strong>and</strong> prov<strong>in</strong>ces. This extensive subscription is proof<br />

of an enthusiasm <strong>and</strong> unanimity on the part of the<br />

Swedish people not less marked than that of the<br />

synod.<br />

One other name was wanted to make this<br />

signature-roll complete, <strong>and</strong> to proclaim that the<br />

adoption of <strong>Protestantism</strong> by the Swedish people<br />

was truly <strong>and</strong> officially a national act. It was that of<br />

K<strong>in</strong>g Sigismund. "Will he subscribe the Upsala<br />

Declaration?" every one asked; for his attachment<br />

to the Romish faith was well known. Sigismund<br />

still tarried <strong>in</strong> Pol<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> was obviously <strong>in</strong> no<br />

haste to present himself among his new subjects.<br />

The council dispatched a messenger to solicit his<br />

subscription. The reply was an evasion. This<br />

naturally created alarm, <strong>and</strong> the Protestants,<br />

forewarned, bound themselves still more closely<br />

together to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> their religious liberty. After<br />

protracted delays the new sovereign arrived <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>Sweden</strong> on the 30th of September the same year.<br />

The duke, the council, <strong>and</strong> the clergy met him at<br />

Stockholm, <strong>and</strong> craved his subscription to the<br />

115

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