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."(291) To protect liberty of conscience is the duty of the state,
and this is the limit of its authority in matters of religion. Every
secular government that attempts to regulate or enforce religious
observances by civil authority, is sacrificing the very principle for
which the evangelical Christians so nobly struggled.

The papists determined to put down what they termed "daring obstinacy."
They began by endeavoring to cause divisions among the supporters of the
Reformation, and to intimidate all who had not openly declared in its
favor. The representatives of the free cities were at last summoned before
the Diet, and required to declare whether they would accede to the terms
of the proposition. They pleaded for delay, but in vain. When brought to
the test, nearly one half their number sided with the Reformers. Those who
thus refused to sacrifice liberty of conscience and the right of
individual judgment, well knew that their position marked them for future
criticism, condemnation, and persecution. Said one of the delegates, "We
must either deny the word of God, or--be burnt."(292)

King Ferdinand, the emperor's representative at the Diet, saw that the
decree would cause serious divisions unless the princes could be induced
to accept and sustain it. He therefore tried the art of persuasion, well
knowing that to employ force with such men would only render them the more
determined. He "begged the princes to accept the decree, assuring them
that the emperor would be exceedingly pleased with them." But these
faithful men acknowledged an authority above that of earthly rulers, and
they answered calmly, "We will obey the emperor in everything that may
contribute to maintain peace and the honor of God."(293)

In the presence of the Diet, the king at last announced to the elector and
his friends that the edict "was about to be drawn up in the form of an
imperial decree," and that "their only remaining course was to submit to
the majority." Having thus spoken, he withdrew from the assembly, giving
the Reformers no opportunity for deliberation or reply. "To no purpose
they sent a deputation entreating the king to return." To their
remonstrances he answered only, "It is a settled affair; submission is all
that remains."(294)

The imperi