Chapter III: Book XIV: Page 113

THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION.

1530.

Two Striking Lessons--Charles V.--The German Envoys--Boldness of
the Envoys--The Landgrave's Present--The Envoys under Arrest--Their
Release and Departure--Meeting of Charles and Clement--Gattinara's
Proposition--Clement's Objection--War Imminent--Luther's
Objections--The Saviour is Coming--Charles's Conciliatory Language--The
Emperor's Motives--The Coronation--Alarm of the Protestants--Luther
advocates Passive Resistance--Brüch's Noble Advice--Spiritual
Armour--Luther remains at Coburg--Charles at Innspruck--Two
Parties at Court--Sentiments of Gattinara--The King of
Denmark--Piety of the Elector--Wiles of the Romanists--Augsburg--The
Gospel Preached--The Emperor's Message--The Sermons
Prohibited--Firmness of the Elector--The Elector's Reply--Preparation
of the Confession--The Church, the Judge--The Landgrave's
Catholic Spirit--Augsburg--Violence of the Imperialists--Charles at
Munich--Charles and the Princes--The Procession--Enters Augsburg--The
Benediction--Charles and the Landgrave--The Margrave of
Brandenburg--The Emperor's Silence--Failure of the Interview--Agitation
of Charles--Refusal of the Princes--Procession of Corpus
Christi--Exasperation of Charles--The Sermons prohibited--A Compromise
proposed--A Compromise--Curiosity of the Citizens--The
New Preachers--The Medley of Popery--Luther Encourages the
Princes--Veni Spiritus--Mass of the Holy Ghost--The Sermon--Opening
the Diet--The Elector's Prayer--Insidious Plan of the Romanists--Valdez
and Melancthon--Evangelical Firmness Prevails--Zeal of the Elector--
The Signing of the Confession--Luther's Anxiety--Luther's
Texts--Luther to Melancthon--The Palatine Chapel--Recollections
and Contrast--The Confession--Prologue--The Confession--Justification--
Free Will and Works--Faith--Luther on the Confession--Abuses--Church and
State--Duty of the Bishops--Epilogue--Remarks on the Confession--Church
and State Distinct--Remarks--Moderate Tone of the Confession--Defects--A
New Baptism--Effect on the Romanists--Luther demands Religious Liberty--
Luther's Dominant Idea--Song of Triumph--An Ingenuous Confession--Hopes
of the Protestants--Failure of the Popish Intrigues--The
Emperor's Council--Luther opposes Concession--Infatuation of
the Papists--Scheme of the Romish Doctors--Melancthon's Explanation--
Refutation--Charles's Dissatisfaction--Interview with the Princes--The
Swiss at Augsburg--Zwingle's Confession--Afflicting Divisions--The
Elector's Faith--The Lion's Skin--The Refutation--Imperial
Commands--Melancthon's Prescience--Policy of Charles--Stormy
Meeting--Resolutions of the Consistory--The Prayers of the Saints--Two
Miracles--The Emperor's Menace--The Mask--Omens--Tumult
in Augsburg--Philip of Hesse--Temptation--Union Resisted--The
Landgrave--Protestant Firmness--Philip of Hesse--Flight
from Augsburg--Alarm in Augsburg--Metamorphoses--Unusual Moderation--
Peace, Peace--The Mixed Commission--The Three Points--Romish
Dissimulation--The Main Question--Church Government--Danger
of Concession--Pretended Concord--Luther's Letters--The
Word above the Church--Melancthon's Blindness--Papist Infatuation--A
New Commission--The Landgrave's Firmness--The Two Phantoms--Concessions--
Rome and Christianity--Irritation--The Gordian Knot--The Council
Granted--Alarm in Rome--Menaces--Altercations--Fresh Negotiations--
Protestantism Resists--Luther's Exhortation--The Elector of Saxony--The
Recess of Augsburg--Irritating Language--Apology of the Confession--
Intimidation--Final Interview--Messages of Peace--Exasperation of the
Papists--Restoration of Popery--Tumult in the Church--Union of the
Churches--The Pope and the Emperor--Close of the Diet--Attack of
Geneva--Joy of the Evangelicals--Establishment of Protestantism.