Page 12 - 11 Protest of the Princes

arrangement, would have to yield up their

lives in popish lands? This would have been

to betray, at that supreme hour, the cause of

the gospel and the liberties of

Christendom.”—Wylie, b. 9, ch. 15. Rather

would they “sacrifice everything, even their

states, their crowns, and their lives.”—

D'Aubigne, b. 13, ch. 5.

“Let us reject this decree,” said the princes.

“In matters of conscience the majority has no

power.” The deputies declared: “It is to the

decree of 1526 that we are indebted for the

peace that the empire enjoys: its abolition

would fill Germany with troubles and

divisions. The Diet is incompetent to do more

than preserve religious liberty until the

council meets.”—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. To protect

liberty of conscience is the duty of the state,

and this is the limit of its authority in matters