e the
mighty ones of the earth. The evangelical princes had been denied a
hearing by King Ferdinand; but they were to be granted an opportunity to
present their cause in the presence of the emperor and the assembled
dignitaries of church and state. To quiet the dissensions which disturbed
the empire, Charles V., in the year following the Protest of Spires,
convoked a Diet at Augsburg, over which he announced his intention to
preside in person. Thither the Protestant leaders were summoned.

Great dangers threatened the Reformation; but its advocates still trusted
their cause with God, and pledged themselves to be firm to the gospel. The
elector of Saxony was urged by his councilors not to appear at the Diet.
The emperor, they said, required the attendance of the princes in order to
draw them into a snare. "Is it not risking everything to go and shut
oneself up within the walls of a city with a powerful enemy?" But others
nobly declared, "Let the princes only comport themselves with courage, and
God's cause is saved." "God is faithful; He will not abandon us,"(300)
said Luther. The elector set out, with his retinue, for Augsburg. All were
acquainted with the dangers that menaced him, and many went forward with
gloomy countenance and troubled heart. But Luther, who accompanied them as
far as Coburg, revived their sinking faith by singing the hymn, written on
that journey, "A strong tower is our God." Many an anxious foreboding was
banished, many a heavy heart lightened, at the sound of the inspiring
strains.

The reformed princes had determined upon having a statement of their views
in systematic form, with the evidence from the Scriptures, to present
before the Diet; and the task of its preparation was committed to Luther,
Melanchthon, and their associates. This Confession was accepted by the
Protestants as an exposition of their faith, and they assembled to affix
their names to the important document. It was a solemn and trying time.
The Reformers were solicitous that their cause should not be confounded
with political questions; they felt that the Reformation should exercise
no other influence than that which proceeds from the word of God. As the
Christian princes advanced to sign the Confession, Melanchthon interposed,
saying, "It is for the theologians and ministers to propose these things;
let us reserve for other matters the authority of the mighty ones of the
earth." "God forbid," replied John of Saxony, "that you