by an embassy from the _landgrave_ Philip and the German
Estates who had signed the Protest against the resolutions of the
Imperial Diet of Spire. This they were commissioned to hand over to him
with respectful representations. But so ill was it received, that the
envoys for a time were concerned for their personal safety. Audacious
in the highest degree must this step of a few princes and cities have
appeared to the head of the Empire, to him, who, not many years before,
had humbled, by the defeat of Pavia, the mighty King of France, whose
sons he still held in a Spanish prison as hostages for the father, who
was set at liberty--him, who had caused the Pope even to feel his
power, but was now reconciled to Rome, and offered his aid for the more
energetic suppression of all ecclesiastical innovations in Germany.
Surrounded by Spanish counsels, by the clergy of that nation and
Italians, he was busily engaged in forming various plans for future
action, and only lingered yet in Italy, until he could be crowned Roman
Emperor, by Clement II., which event occurred at Bologna on the 24th
of February, 1530. Meanwhile reports, warnings of the coming tempest
having reached Germany and Switzerland, produced an active
correspondence between the Protestant princes, the _landgrave_ Philip,
Duke Ulric of Wurtemberg and the authorities of the more important
cities. A personal interchange of opinions took place at Marburg, and
the danger which threatened the free preaching of the Gospel and the
Reformation was acknowledged on all sides, even by Luther and
Melanchthon; but as in the doctrine of the Lord's Supper, so now also,
on the field of politics, Luther and Zwingli stood decidedly opposed to
each other, and so little did the former share in the bold views of the
latter, that the enterprising _landgrave_ wholly despaired of an
understanding with Luther, and communicated his plan of resistance
against the Emperor first of all to a narrow circle, composed of
Zwingli, Sturm and a few trusty friends of like mind.

The Saxon Reformer had, it is true, approved of the protest, made by
the princes and cities favorable to the Gospel, against the resolutions
of the Imperial Diet at Spire, but to go further, to offer actual
resistance, he regarded as unlawful. He saw in Charles the consecrated
head of the Empire, to take up arms against whom appeared to him
rebellion. It had first to be proved to him by lawyers, better
acquainted with the Imper