History of the Great Reformation Part 37

In truth, on the 6th July, the Pope had a.s.sembled the consistory of cardinals in his palace at Rome, and had made known to them the Protestant ultimatum; namely, the cup for the laity, the marriage of priests, the omission of the invocation of saints in the sacrifice of the Ma.s.s, the use of ecclesiastical property already secularized, and for the rest, the convocation of a council. "These concessions," said the cardinals, "are opposed to the religion, the discipline, and the laws of the Church.[700] We reject them, and vote our thanks to the Emperor for the zeal which he employs in bringing back the deserters."

The Pope having thus decided, every attempt at conciliation became useless.

[700] Oppositas religioni, disciplinae, legibusque Ecclesiae. (Pallav.

i. p. 234.)

Campeggio, on his side, redoubled in zeal. He spoke as if in his person the Pope himself were present at Augsburg.[701] "Let the Emperor and the right-thinking princes form a league," said he to Charles; "and if these rebels, equally insensible to threats and promises, obstinately persist in their diabolical course, then let his Majesty seize fire and sword, let him take possession of all the property of the heretics, and utterly eradicate these venomous plants.[702] Then let him appoint holy inquisitors, who shall go on the track of the remnants of Reform, and proceed against them, as in Spain against the Moors. Let him put the university of Wittemberg under ban, burn the heretical books, and send back the fugitive monks to their convents. But this plan must be executed with courage."

[701] Als were der Papst selbst gegenwartiggewest. (Bruck, Apol. 62.)

[702] Se alcuni......persevera.s.sero in questa diabolica via quella S.

M. potra mettere la mano al ferro e al foco et _radicitus extirpare_ questa venenata pianta. (Instructio data Caesari a reverendissimo Campeggi in dieta Augustana, 1530.)

[Sidenote: TWO MIRACLES.]

Thus the jurisprudence of Rome consisted, according to a prophecy uttered against the city which _is seated on seven hills_, in adorning itself with pearls that it had stolen, and in becoming drunk with the blood of the saints.[703]

[703] Revelation xvii. and xviii.

While Charles was thus urged on with blind fury by the diet and the Pope, the Protestant princes, restrained by a mute indignation, did not open their mouths,[704] and hence they seemed to betray a weakness of which the Emperor was eager to profit. But there was also strength concealed under this weakness. "It only remains for us," exclaimed Melancthon, "to embrace our Saviour's knees." In this they laboured earnestly. Melancthon begged for Luther's prayers; Brenz for those of his own church: a general cry of distress and of faith ran through Evangelical Germany. "You shall have sheep," said Brenz, "if you will send us sheep: you know what I mean."[705] The sheep that were to be offered in sacrifice were the prayers of the saints.

[704] Tacita indignatio. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 254.)

[705] Habebitis oves, si oves ad nos mittatis: intelligitis quae volo.

(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 246.)

[Sidenote: THE EMPEROR'S MENACE.]

The Church was not wanting to itself. "a.s.sembled every day," wrote certain cities to the Electors, "we beg for you strength, grace, and victory,--victory full of joy." But the man of prayer and faith was especially Luther. A calm and sublime courage, in which firmness shines at the side of joy--a courage that rises and exults in proportion as the danger increases--is what Luther's letters at this time present in every line. The most poetical images are pale beside those energetic expressions which issue in a boiling torrent from the Reformer's soul. "I have recently witnessed two miracles," wrote he on the 5th August to Chancellor Bruck; "this is the first. As I was at my window, I saw the stars, and the sky, and that vast and magnificent firmament in which the Lord has placed them. I could nowhere discover the columns on which the Master has supported this immense vault, and yet the heavens did not fall......

"And here is the second. I beheld thick clouds hanging above us like a vast sea. I could neither perceive ground on which they reposed, nor cords by which they were suspended; and yet they did not fall upon us, but saluted us rapidly and fled away.

"G.o.d," continued he, "will choose the manner, the time, and the place suitable for deliverance, and he will not linger. What the men of blood have begun, they have not yet finished......Our rainbow is faint......their clouds are threatening......the enemy comes against us with frightful machines......But at last it will be seen to whom belonged the ballistae, and from what hands the javelins are launched.[706] It is no matter if Luther perishes: if Christ is conqueror, Luther is conqueror also."[707]

[706] In fine videbitur cujus toni......(L. Epp. iv. p. 130.)

[707] Vincat Christus modo, nihil refert si pereat Lutherus, quia victore Christo victor erit. (Ibid. p. 139.)

Never had the Roman party, who did not know what was the victory of faith, imagined themselves more certain of success.

The doctors having refuted the Confession, the Protestants ought, they imagined, to declare themselves convinced, and all would then be restored to its ancient footing: such was the Emperor's plan of campaign. He therefore urges and calls upon the Protestants; but instead of submitting, they announce a refutation of the Refutation.

Upon this Charles looked at his sword, and all the princes who surrounded him did the same.

[Sidenote: THE MASK.]

John of Saxony understood what that meant, but he remained firm. "The straight line," said he (the axiom was familiar to him), "is the shortest road." It is this indomitable firmness that has secured for him in history the name of John the Persevering. He was not alone: all those Protestant princes who had grown up in the midst of courts, and who were habituated to pay an humble obedience to the Emperor, found at that time in their faith a n.o.ble independence that confounded Charles the Fifth.

With the design of gaining the Marquis of Brandenburg, they opened to him the possibility of according him some possessions in Silesia on which he had claims. "If Christ is Christ," replied he, "the doctrine that I have confessed is truth."--"But do you know," quickly replied his cousin the Elector Joachim, "what is your stake?"--"Certainly,"

replied the Margrave, "it is said I shall be expelled from this country. Well! may G.o.d protect me!" One day Prince Wolfgang of Anhalt met Doctor Eck. "Doctor," said he, "you are exciting to war, but you will find those who will not be behindhand with you. I have broken many a lance for my friends in my time. My Lord Jesus Christ is a.s.suredly worthy that I should do as much for him."

At the sight of this resolution, each one asked himself whether Charles, instead of curing the disease, was not augmenting it.

Reflections, criticisms, jests, pa.s.sed between the citizens; and the good sense of the people manifested in its own fashion what they thought of the folly of their chief. We will adduce one instance.

It is said that one day, as the Emperor was at table with many Roman-catholic princes, he was informed that some comedians begged permission (according to custom) to amuse their lordships. First appeared an old man wearing a mask, and dressed in a doctor's robe, who advanced with difficulty carrying a bundle of sticks in his arms, some straight and some crooked. He approached the wide fireplace of the Gothic hall, threw down his load in disorder, and immediately withdrew.[708] Charles and the courtiers read on his back the inscription--JOHN REUCHLIN. Then appeared another mask with an intelligent look, who made every exertion to pair the straight and the crooked pieces;[709] but finding his labours useless, he shook his head, turned to the door, and disappeared. They read--ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM. Almost immediately after advanced a monk with bright eye and decided gait, carrying a brasier of lighted coals.[710] He put the wood in order, set fire to it, blew and stirred it up, so that the flame rose bright and sparkling into the air. He then retired, and on his back were the words--MARTIN LUTHER.

[708] Persona larva contecta, habitu doctorali portabat struem lignorum. (T. L. Fabricius, opp. omnia, ii. p. 131.)

[709] Hic conabatur curva rectis exaequare lignis. (T. L. Fabricius, opp. omnia, p. ii. 231.)

[710] In azula ferens ignem et prunas. (Ibid.)

Next approached a magnificent personage, covered with all the imperial insignia, who, seeing the fire so bright, drew his sword, and endeavoured by violent thrusts to extinguish it; but the more he struck, the fiercer burnt the flames, so that at last he quitted the place in indignation. His name, as it would seem, was not made known to the spectators, but all divined it. The general attention was soon attracted by a new character. A man, wearing a surplice and a mantle of red velvet, with an alb of white wool that reached to his heels, and having a stole around his neck, whose ends were ornamented with pearls, advanced majestically. Beholding the flames that already filled the hearth, he clapped his hands in terror, and looking around him sought to find something to extinguish them. He sees two vessels at the very extremity of the hall, one filled with water, and the other with oil. He rushes to them, seizes unwittingly on that containing the oil, and throws it on the fire.[711] The flames then spread with such violence that the mask fled in alarm, raising his hands to heaven; on his back was read the name of LEO X.

[711] Currens in amphoram oleo plenam. (T. L. Fabricius, opp. omnia, ii. p. 232.)

The mystery was finished; but instead of claiming their remuneration, the pretended actors had disappeared. No one asked the moral of this drama.

[Sidenote: OMENS.]

The lesson, however, proved useless; and the majority of the diet, a.s.suming at the same time the part a.s.signed to the Emperor and the Pope, began to prepare the means necessary for extinguishing the fire kindled by Luther. They negotiated in Italy with the Duke of Mantua, who engaged to send a few regiments of light cavalry across the Alps;[712] and in England with Henry VIII., who had not forgotten Luther's reply, and who promised Charles, through his amba.s.sador, an immense subsidy to destroy the heretics.[713]

[712] Che tentano col Duca di Mantona d' avere il modo di condurre 1000 cavalli leggieri d' Italia in caso si facesse guerra in Germanica. (Nic. Tiefolo Relat.)

[713] Cui (Caesari) ingentem vim pecuniae in hoc sacrum bellum contra haereticos Anglus promisisse fertur. (Zw. Epp. ii. p. 484.)

At the same time frightful prodigies announced the gloomy future which threatened the Reform. At Spire fearful spectres, having the shape of monks, with angry eyes and hasty steps, had appeared during the night.

"What do you want?" they had been asked.--"We are going," they replied, "to the Diet of Augsburg!" The circ.u.mstance had been carefully investigated, and was found perfectly trustworthy.[714] "The interpretation is not difficult," exclaimed Melancthon: "Evil spirits are coming to Augsburg to counteract our exertions, and to destroy peace. They forebode horrible troubles to us."[715] No one doubted this. "Everything is advancing towards war," said Erasmus.[716] "The diet will not terminate," wrote Brenz, "except by the destruction of all Germany."[717] "There will be a slaughter of the saints,"

exclaimed Bucer, "which will be such that the ma.s.sacres of Diocletian will scarcely come up to it."[718] War and blood!--this was the general cry.

[714] Res et diligenter inquisita et explorata maximeque a???p?st??. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 259.)

[715] Monachorum Spirensium f?sa plane significat horribilem tumultum. (Ibid. p. 260.)

[716] Vides rem plane tendere ad bellum. (Corp. Ref. Aug. 12, p. 268.)

[717] Comitia non finientur nisi totius Germaniae malo et exitio.

(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 216.)

[718] Laniena sanctorum qualis vix Diocletiani tempore fuit. (Buc. Ep.

Aug. 14, 1530.)

[Sidenote: TUMULT IN AUGSBURG.]

Suddenly, on the night of Sat.u.r.day, 6th August, a great disturbance broke out in the city of Augsburg.[719] There was running to and fro in the streets; messengers from the Emperor were galloping in every direction; the senate was called together and received an order to allow no one to pa.s.s the gates of the city.[720] At the same time all were afoot in the imperial barracks; the soldiers got ready their arms; the regiments were drawn up, and at daybreak (about three o'clock on Sunday morning) the Emperor's troops, in opposition to the custom constantly followed in the diet, relieved the soldiers of the city and took possession of the gates. At the same time it was learnt that these gates would not be opened, and that Charles had given orders to keep a strict watch upon the Elector and his allies.[721] A terrible awakening for those who still flattered themselves with seeing the religious debates conclude peacefully! Are not these unheard-of measures the commencement of wars and the signal of a frightful ma.s.sacre?

[719] Tumultum magnum fuisse in civitate. (Corp. Ref. ii. p. 277.)

[720] Facto autem intempesta nocte Caesar senatui mandavit, ne quenquam per portas urbis suae emittant. (Ibid. p. 277.)

[721] Daff man auf den Churfurst zu Sachsen aufschen haben soll.