CHAP. 1. lancthon's temper.1 Of the direct artifices practised, the manuscript relation of the transactions at Augsburg, before referred to as abstracted by Seckendorf, speaks in strong language. "The hypocrisy of some was shewn in conversing kindly with the evangelical ministers, that they might corrupt them, and fish out of them the secrets of their princes: so that it became necessary to forbid the ministers to enter into these conversations. In short, such were the arts, such the machinations employed, (which might be particularly described if needful,) that their adversaries themselves could not sufficiently wonder that the protestants were not entrapped by them. That they were not so, must be ascribed to the wisdom and power of God alone. They might adopt the words, The snare is broken and we are delivered: our help standeth in the name of the Lord."2 When Luther heard of the demand that the abrogated rites should be restored, the monasteries rebuilt, and all things replaced on their old footing, he says: "Let us, on our part, demand that they restore to life Leonard Cesar, 3 purchase the esteem of mankind, when it may be often bought by them at so low a price as that of a little courtesy of manners and a few gracious words. 1 He himself particularly mentions his anxiety on account of the princes, who had so much at stake, and who were undecided as to what should be yielded, what not. Ep. i. 16, 18. For himself he says, "I am not at all disturbed about my own private danger."-Further, " Our moderation increases the insolence of ferocious men." "Melancthon was harassed with anxiety, for fear of wounding his conscience, hurting his character, or injuring the church of Christ." Melch. Adami Vit. Melancth. 161. Camerarius says of him in these circumstances, "I myself have seen him, in the midst of such reflections, not only sighing and groaning, but profusely shedding tears, &c." De Vit. Mel. § 37. 2 Seck. ii. 184, 202. 3 Milner, v. 468-471. (1065-1068.) and many others whom they have iniquitously put to death. Let them restore the many souls ruined by their impious doctrine. Let them restore also the wealth extorted by indulgences and other cheats. Let them restore the glory of God, insulted by so many blasphemies; the purity of the church, so fouly corrupted; and other things, more than can be enumerated." He recommends that they should meet the artifices of the papists by still appealing to a council-" which never would be held, but the appeal to which might serve to continue to them a state of peace:" and he again sharply reproves the fears of Melancthon.1 Again, comforting Brentius and Melancthon, (who was still, he says, " tormenting himself,") he declares that, after his death, by his writings left behind him, and by his prayers in heaven, he will be the defender of those who may follow him, and their avenger on their persecutors. "Some, indeed, he knows will say, Where is Abel thy brother? but, for himself, he looks to another world; and, for those whom he may leave behind him he says, He that created me will be the father of my child, and the husband of my widow, the ruler in the commonwealth, and the preacher in my parish." 1 Such were the prudence, the undaunted courage, the faith, the piety, the zeal with which Luther sustained the spirits of his harassed and afflicted friends at this arduous period. Nearly half the letters in the volume of his epistles collected by Buddeus were written during the period of the diet of Augsburg, and I do not remember to have observed in one of 1 Seck. ii. 184. 2 Ibid 213. A. D. 1530. CHAP. 1. them any other than the heroic spirit displayed in the above extracts. In one of them, addressed to Pontanus, I find the following fine burst of sentiment and description. "I looked out at my window,"-probably alluding to his custom of offering up his devotions standing at a window," I looked out of my window, and saw two prodigies. I beheld the glittering stars, and all the glorious vault of heaven: I looked around for the pillars by which it was upheld, but I could discover none. Yet it remained firm and secure. The same unseen hand, which had formed, sustained it still. Yet numbers anxiously search on all sides for its supports could they feel them with their hands, they might then be at ease: but, as this is impossible, they live in constant disquiet, lest the heavens should fall down upon their heads?-I beheld again, and lo thick clouds of water, like a mighty ocean, which I saw nothing to contain, nothing to hold up, rolled above our heads. Yet they descended not upon us; but, after presenting a threatening aspect for a little time, they passed away, and a brilliant rainbow succeeded them. This was our protection.1 Yet it appeared frail and evanescent : and, though it has ever hitherto proved availing, still numbers think more of the thick and dark mass of waters, than of the slender fleeting arch of light. They want to have sensible proof of its sufficiency: and, because they cannot obtain that, they live in dread of a second deluge."2 The application of all this to the case of his friends at Augsburg is obvious. From this passage also we obtain some intimation of the means by which our heroic reformer was enabled to soar so high, and to maintain such 2 Buddeus, p. 173. 1 Gen. ix. A. D. 1530. an elevation of confidence in God. The secret, however, is best discovered to us by the following account given by one of his companions in the castle of Coburg. "I cannot, he says, Luther's " enough admire the extraordinary cheerfulness, prayers. steadfastness, faith, and hope of this man, in these trying times. He constantly feeds these good affections by a very diligent study of the word of God. Then, not a day passes in which he does not employ in prayer at least three of his very best hours. Once I happened to hear him at prayer. Gracious God! what spirit, what faith is there in his expressions! He petitions God with as much reverence as if he were actually in the divine presence; and yet with as firm a hope and confidence as he would address a father or a friend. 'I know,' said he, thou art our father and our God: therefore I am sure thou wilt bring to naught the persecutors of thy children. For, shouldst thou fail to do this, thine own cause, being connected with our's, would be endangered. It is entirely thine own concern: we, by thy providence, have been compelled to take a part. Thou therefore wilt be our defence!'. While I was listening to Luther praying in this manner at a distance, my soul seemed on fire within me, to hear the man address God so like a friend, and yet with so much gravity and reverence: and also to hear him, in the course of his prayer, insisting on the promises contained in the Psalms, as if he was sure his petitions would be granted."1 'Letter of Vitus Theodorus to Melancthon; Seck. ii. 180. This passage is given, by anticipation, by Dean Milner in the last note in his History. I could not, however, on that account, deny myself the pleasure of inserting it here in its proper place. CHAP. Concluding transactions. We proceed now to the concluding transactions at the diet.-The conferences between the two parties were reluctantly abandoned by the Roman catholic princes, most of whom would fain have effected a reconciliation; but then it must have been by the protestants submitting to their opponents in all material points, and restoring the old order of things. Accordingly, after the discussions had been carried on in vain between first a larger, and then a reduced number of commissioners, they proposed again the appointment of a larger number: but the protestants answered that it was to no purpose; they had already declared the utmost length to which they could go in concession; and it had been pronounced unsatisfactory: they contented themselves, therefore, with claiming and pleading for toleration, till a free council could be held, to which the whole question might be referred.1 The terminating of the conferences was, on the other hand, highly agreeable to Luther, who saw that reconciliation was impossible; and that no good, but harm, was likely to result from them.2 Finding these means ineffectual, the emperor, on the seventh of September, after consultation with the catholics, sent for the protestant princes, and in the presence only of his brother, and a select number of his confidential advisers, expressed to them, by the mouth of Frederic count Palatine, his surprise and disappointment at their conduct; "that they, 1 Seck. ii. 193-196. 2 Ibid 195 (12). "As for any reconciliation," he says, "it is in vain hoped for; for neither can we depose the pope, nor can the true religion be safe so long as the papal power continues." Sleid. 141. |