Page 16 - 11 Protest of the Princes

wherever this principle was accepted, the

papacy would eventually be overthrown. But,

like thousands since their time, looking only

“at the things which are seen,” they flattered

themselves that the cause of the emperor and

the pope was strong, and that of the

Reformers weak. Had the Reformers

depended upon human aid alone, they would

have been as powerless as the papists

supposed. But though weak in numbers, and

at variance with Rome, they had their

strength. They appealed “from the report of

the Diet to the word of God, and from the

emperor Charles to Jesus Christ, the King of

kings and Lord of lords.”—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 6.

As Ferdinand had refused to regard their

conscientious convictions, the princes

decided not to heed his absence, but to bring

their Protest before the national council