assembly, they attacked them with such ease and confidence that these
ignorant men hesitated, became embarrassed, and fell into a contempt
merited in the eyes of all."(281)

As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing, they invoked the
aid of the magistrates, and by every means in their power endeavored to
bring back their hearers. But the people had found in the new teachings
that which supplied the wants of their souls, and they turned away from
those who had so long fed them with the worthless husks of superstitious
rites and human traditions.

When persecution was kindled against the teachers of the truth, they gave
heed to the words of Christ, "When they persecute you in this city, flee
ye into another."(282) The light penetrated everywhere. The fugitives
would find somewhere a hospitable door opened to them, and there abiding,
they would preach Christ, sometimes in the church, or if denied that
privilege, in private houses or in the open air. Wherever they could
obtain a hearing was a consecrated temple. The truth, proclaimed with such
energy and assurance, spread with irresistible power.

In vain both ecclesiastical and civil authorities were invoked to crush
the heresy. In vain they resorted to imprisonment, torture, fire, and
sword. Thousands of believers sealed their faith with their blood, and yet
the work went on. Persecution served only to extend the truth; and the
fanaticism which Satan endeavored to unite with it, resulted in making
more clear the contrast between the work of Satan and the work of God.

11. PROTEST OF THE PRINCES.

[Illustration: Chapter header.]

One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation, was the
Protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires
in 1529. The courage, faith, and firmness of those men of God, gained for
succeeding ages liberty of thought and of conscience. Their Protest gave
to the reformed church the name of Protestant; its principles are "the
very essence of Protestantism."(283)

A dark and threatening day had come for the Reformation. Notwithstanding
the edict of Worms, declaring Luther to be an outlaw, and forbidding the
teaching or belief of his doctrines, religious toleration had thus far
prevailed in the empire. God's providence had held in check the forces
that opposed the truth. Charles V. was bent on crushing the Reformation,
but often as he raised his hand to strike,