Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie
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talents as a leader, <strong>and</strong> such the discipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong><br />
valor of his army, that <strong>in</strong> a short time the pr<strong>in</strong>cipal<br />
part of <strong>Pol<strong>and</strong></strong> was <strong>in</strong> his possession. Casimir had,<br />
meanwhile, sought refuge <strong>in</strong> Silesia. The crown<br />
was offered to the valorous <strong>and</strong> magnanimous<br />
Charles Gustavus, the nobles only crav<strong>in</strong>g that<br />
before assum<strong>in</strong>g it he should permit a Diet to<br />
assemble <strong>and</strong> formally vote it to him.<br />
Had Gustavus ascended the throne of <strong>Pol<strong>and</strong></strong>, it<br />
is probable that the Jesuits would have been driven<br />
out, that the Protestant spirit would have been<br />
re<strong>in</strong>vigorated, <strong>and</strong> that <strong>Pol<strong>and</strong></strong>, built up <strong>in</strong>to a<br />
powerful k<strong>in</strong>gdom, would have proved a protect<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wall to the south <strong>and</strong> west of Europe aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
barbaric masses of the north; but this hope, with all<br />
that it implied, was dispelled by the reply of<br />
Charles Gustavus. "It did not need," he said, "that<br />
the Diet should elect him k<strong>in</strong>g, see<strong>in</strong>g he was<br />
aready master of the country by his sword." The<br />
self-love of the Poles was wounded; the war was<br />
renewed; <strong>and</strong>, after a great struggle, a peace was<br />
concluded <strong>in</strong> 1660, under the jo<strong>in</strong>t mediation <strong>and</strong><br />
guarantee of Engl<strong>and</strong>, France, <strong>and</strong> Holl<strong>and</strong>. John<br />
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