King Ferdinand denied a hearing to the evangelical princes, but to quiet the dissensions that were disturbing the empire, in the year following the Protest of Spires Charles V convened a diet at Augsburg. He announced he intended to preside in person, and he summoned the Protestant leaders. LF 87.7
The elector of Saxony's councilors urged him not to appear at the diet: “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 conduct themselves with courage, and God's cause is saved.” “God is faithful; He will not abandon us,” said Luther.8J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, book 14, chapter 2. LF 88.1
The elector started out for Augsburg. Many went forward with gloomy faces and troubled hearts. But Luther, who accompanied them as far as Coburg, revived their faith by singing the hymn he wrote on that journey, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Many a heavy heart lightened at the sound of the inspiring song. LF 88.2
The reformed princes had decided to have a statement of their views, with the evidence from the Scriptures, to present before the council. They committed the task of preparing it to Luther, Melanchthon, and their associates. The Protestants accepted this Confession, and they assembled to sign their names on the document. LF 88.3
The Reformers were careful not to mix their cause with political questions. As the Christian princes came forward to sign the Confession, Melanchthon objected, saying, “It is for the theologians and ministers to propose these things. Let us reserve the authority of the mighty ones of the earth for other matters.” John of Saxony replied: “God forbid that you should exclude me. I am resolved to do what is right, without troubling myself about my crown. I want to confess the Lord. My electoral hat and my ermine are not so precious to me as the cross of Jesus Christ.” Another of the princes said as he took the pen, “If the honor of my Lord Jesus Christ requires it, I am ready ... to leave my goods and life behind.” “I would rather renounce my subjects and my states, rather leave the country of my fathers with staff in hand,” he continued, “than receive any other doctrine than what is contained in this Confession.”9J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, book 14, chapter 6. LF 88.4
The appointed time came. Charles V, surrounded by the electors and the princes, took time to hear the Protestant Reformers. In that high and formal assembly the Reformers clearly set forth the truths of the gospel and pointed out the errors of the Catholic church. That day has been called “the greatest day of the Reformation, and one of the most glorious in the history of Christianity and of mankind.”10J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, book 14, chapter 7. LF 88.5
Luther had stood alone at Worms. Now in his place were the most powerful princes of the empire. “I am overjoyed,” Luther wrote, “that I have lived until this hour, to see Christ publicly exalted by such illustrious confessors, and in so glorious an assembly.” LF 88.6
What the emperor had forbidden to be preached from the pulpit was proclaimed from the palace. What many had regarded as unfit even for servants to listen to was heard with amazement by the masters and lords of the empire. Crowned princes were the preachers, and the sermon was the royal truth of God. “Since the apostolic age there has never been a greater work or a more magnificent confession.”11J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, book 14, chapter 7. LF 88.7
One of the principles that Luther most firmly maintained was that no one should enlist the secular power in support of the Reformation. He rejoiced that princes of the empire confessed the gospel, but when they proposed uniting in a defensive alliance, he declared that “the doctrine of the gospel would be defended by God alone.... In Luther's view, all the political precautions suggested came from improper fear and sinful mistrust.”12J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, London edition, book 10, chapter 14. LF 88.8
Later, referring to the league the reformed princes had suggested, Luther declared that the only weapon in this warfare should be “the sword of the Spirit.” He wrote to the elector of Saxony: “We cannot conscientiously approve of the proposed alliance. The cross of Christ must be carried. Let your highness be without fear. We will do more by our prayers than all our enemies can do by their boastings.”13J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, London edition, book 14, chapter 1. LF 89.1
From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Reformation. At Augsburg Luther “did not pass a day without devoting at least three hours to prayer.” In the privacy of his room he was heard pouring out his soul before God in words “full of adoration, fear, and hope.” To Melanchthon he wrote: “If the cause is unjust, abandon it. If the cause is just, why should we dishonor the promises of Him who commands us to sleep without fear?”14J. H. Merle D'Aubigné, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, London edition, book 14, chapter 6. The Protestant Reformers had built on Christ. The gates of hell could not prevail against them! LF 89.2