Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

willing to execute their sentences.
At this juncture it happened that the National
Diet (1552) assembled. Unmistakable signs were
apparent at its opening of the strong anti-Papal
feeling that animated many of its members. As
usual, its sessions were inaugurated by the solemn
performance of high mass. The king in his robes
was present, and with him were the ministers of his
council, the officers of his household, and the
generals of his army, bearing the symbols of their
office, and wearing the stars and insignia of their
rank; and there, too, were the senators of the Upper
Chamber, and the members of the Lower House.
All that could be done by chants and incense, by
splendid vestments and priestly Fires, to make the
service impressive, and revive the decaying
veneration of the worshippers for the Roman
Church, was done. The great words which effect
the prodigy of transubstantiation had been spoken;
the trumpet blared, and the clang of grounded arms
rung through the building. The Host was being
elevated, and the king and his court fell on their
knees; but many of the deputies, instead of
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