THE CHANGED ATTITUDE OF THE ELECTOR MAURICE.
Pope Paul III., who had caused the Emperor Charles much trouble, died,
and was succeeded in February, 1550, by Julius III., who owed his
elevation to the Papal chair to the Emperor, and therefore also proved
to be more accommodating. His very first step was to transfer the
Council back again from Bologna to Trent. The Council of the Church was
to be continued there on May 1st, 1551. When the Emperor opened a new
Diet at Augsburg, July 26th, 1550, he requested the States to send
delegates to the Council. At the request of the Elector, Melanchthon had
written an Opinion, in which he urged the propriety of requesting the
Emperor to call a Council in Germany; further, that the Pope should not
be Judge, but subject himself to the Council. Besides this, the articles
already adopted in Trent should be reconsidered, and these resolutions
should not depend altogether upon the hostile Archbishops, Bishops, and
Prelates, but the Evangelical side should also be heard, and assist in
passing resolutions in accordance with the divine Scriptures. But it
mattered not whether the Council was called that of Trent or not, if the
decrees were only "godly." The Opinion also demands a safe conduct to
and from the place of meeting of the Council. Maurice, by his ambassador
in Augsburg, declared himself in the spirit of this Opinion. The
Emperor made the very best promises that the States should find a safe
conduct and hearing. After this, the Elector summoned Melanchthon,
Bugenhagen, and Camerarius to Dresden in February, 1551, in order to
hear their opinions in regard to the Council, and the men who should be
sent to attend it. It appears that Melanchthon prepared his Opinion in
Dresden. It again required that the articles should first of all be
considered over again. That it should be stated, that they did not
demand any other doctrine than that adhered to in the Churches of
Misnia. This would be found in the Augsburg Confession, or in the
Liturgy of the Elector of Brandenburg. The Prince ought to abide by
this. They were not yet united in Dresden, but Melanchthon soon after
received orders to prepare a new confession of faith. In May he retired
to Dessau for a few days, in order to prepare this. He set out with this
view, that it should be so prepared, that the doctrine of the Church
might be plainly learned from it, and that it should be delivered in the
name of the Clergy, and not of the Princes. This is the so-called _Saxon
Confession_, which is merely a repetition of the Augsburg Confession. He
communicated a rough draft to the Court, and afterwards added some
points in regard to Ordination, Examinations, and Church Visitations.
This Confession throughout breathes a determined spirit, and does not
endeavor to bring about an agreement with opposing doctrines. It was
signed by the envoy of the Margrave John, by many Saxon pastors, and
afterwards also by the deputies of Mansfeld, Strasburg, Pomerania, and
Anspach. But not a word more was said of the journey of the Saxon Clergy
to Trent: the whole matter seemed to have been put to rest. In the
meantime, the Elector Maurice had received orders to subdue the stubborn
city of Magdeburg; he accepted the Imperial commission, and the city
defended itself in the powerful siege with great heroism. All
Protestants anxiously regarded the fate of Magdeburg. Germany began to
feel the oppressions of the Emperor, and especially of his Spanish
troops, more and more from day to day. Not only Protestants, but also
Catholics, were highly incensed; especially, too, because the captive
Landgrave, Philip, was treated in the most unworthy manner. The
Protestants were greatly excited against Maurice, for they regarded him
as the betrayer of his relative, John Frederick, his own father-in-law,
and the German cause, and also as a denier of the Gospel. And now, to
crown all, he permitted himself to be employed against faithful
Magdeburg. Maurice felt this, and as he had for some time been
dissatisfied with the course of the Emperor, he resolved to separate
himself from him. In the midst of his victory over the brave Margrave
John von Cuestrin, who had come to the assistance of Magdeburg, he, as
some one says, "went over to the Opinion of the conquered." He entered
into a secret league with several Protestant princes, and promised to
confess the Augsburg Confession again, and to risk his land and people
in defence of this and German liberty. While he was negotiating with
France to obtain money, and promised the King various German cities, he
continued the siege of Magdeburg to conceal his real purpose. When
France entered into an agreement with him, he offered pardon and
religious protection to the city of Magdeburg, and also received their
oath of allegiance.
At this time, and also for the purpose of deceiving the Emperor,
Melanchthon and Maior received orders to depart for Trent. In Nuremburg
they should expect further orders. But they did not find any particular
directions how they should act; nothing was said of the manner of their
journey, of their expenses, or an escort.
Melanchthon wrote to the Electoral Chancellor, MORDEISEN, on the 13th of
December, 1551: "I was surprised at this unexpected order. But as I do
not wish to appear disobedient, I will depart for Leipzig to-morrow, and
thence to you at Dresden, to learn further what you wish me to do,
although I shall not be able to make this journey without danger at the
present time, owing to my sorrows and bodily feebleness." He immediately
carried out this proposed plan of his journey. He did not receive more
light from the communications of the Electoral counsellors. However, he
began to understand the Elector's object, and from Misnia he wrote to
Eber: "Although many find fault with our journey, and I would rather
enjoy the society and countenances of my family and friends, yet I obey,
whether they are urging this matter at Court in earnest, or to deceive;
so that it may not appear that we, as has frequently been said, wish to
avoid a public meeting, either from fear or wantonness." But when he
heard that the Elector intended to unite with France in opposing the
Emperor, he was much concerned, and thus expresses it in a letter to
Maurice himself, January, 1552: "It is indeed to be deplored that the
Emperor does not release the Landgrave; but a union with France is
unadvisable, as it cannot be depended upon. To unite with such persons,
who were only anxious for disturbances, is sad and discreditable.
Besides this, your Grace knows that the Emperor is the constituted
authority, and that God generally observes his law, to overthrow those
who oppose authorities. The advice given by some, to take advantage of
the Emperor before he would fall upon us with the execution of the
Council, was not an argument in favor of war and tumult."
But the Elector seemed really to be in earnest in regard to his
representation in the Council, and personally addressed a letter to the
Synod of Trent, in which he names SARCERIUS, PACAEUS, and Melanchthon, as
his deputies. From Leipzig, Melanchthon wrote to Wittenberg, requesting
those who boarded with his family to seek another place: "For I have a
long and dangerous journey before me, which the Son of God may direct,
as I heartily pray he would do. But as the time of my return is
uncertain, I did not wish to burden my family with too many cares." He
also bade his hearers an affectionate farewell: "I conjure you to unite
your prayers with the sighs of all the godly, that the Son of God may be
pleased to lessen the chastisements which threaten us." And again:
"Therefore take notice of the divine wrath, and pray that God, in his
wrath, would not forget mercy, for the sake of his Son. And in order
that the prayer may be more fervent, let your walk become Christian, and
your hearts be awakened to repentance, according to the word of the
Lord: 'Turn ye unto me, and I will turn unto you.'" After saying that
the Church was dear to the Lord, he closes thus: "May you comfort
yourselves with this consolation, which in public and private dangers
shows the haven in which Christian hearts find rest; and in the
meantime, may you be happy!"
He departed on the 14th of January; and on the 22d of the same month, he
and his companions, to whom his son-in-law PEUCER had joined himself,
reached Nuremberg. But it began to be more evident that these envoys
were merely journeying to Trent in order to deceive. Tidings were
brought from every quarter, that the Elector was assuming a hostile
attitude against the Emperor. The envoys remained in Nuremberg without
any further instructions, and Melanchthon preferred remaining here, to
going to Trent for the purpose of engaging in fruitless disputations. At
last, when no further directions came, he resolved to return, and
arrived in Wittenberg on the 20th of March.
In the meantime, Maurice had given information to the Saxon and Hessian
Chambers, that it was intended to deliver the imprisoned princes; and
soon his armies, and those of William of Hesse, and the Margrave Albert,
departed from Culmbach, and united. While they were entering Augsburg,
the King of France seized Metz, and called himself the defender of
German liberty. The Emperor, who was at that time at Innsbruck, had not
the remotest idea of treachery until he read the declaration of the
confederate princes, circulated throughout Germany, in which, not
without reason, too, they accused him of suppressing the freedom of the
German Empire. As he was without troops and money, and was suffering
from his old complaint, the gout, he attempted to escape to the
Netherlands; but Maurice had already seized the narrow pass of
Ehrenberg, so that the Emperor was compelled to return to Innsbruck.
When Maurice saw that the Emperor was about to receive aid from various
quarters, he resolved to storm the pass, and to seize the Emperor in
Innsbruck. But during the night, Charles fled over the Tyrol to Villach,
in Carinthia. The day before, he had announced liberty to his captive,
John Frederick, under this condition, that he would voluntarily follow
the Imperial Court for a short time longer. Full of joy, the liberated
prince sang a spiritual song of thanksgiving, and followed the Emperor.
But the Council of Trent had been scattered like chaff before the wind,
for they thought that Maurice was coming to disperse them. King
Ferdinand, who had always been a better friend of the Germans than his
brother, acted the part of mediator.
A meeting was held in Passau, where the well-known _Treaty of Passau_
was agreed upon, on the 2d of August, 1552. In this treaty, so important
to the Protestants, perfect religious freedom is secured to them, and
they are to receive equal civil rights at the next diet; those who were
banished received pardon, and the Landgrave Philip was restored to
liberty. At first the Emperor would not consent to the treaty, but
finally yielded to the earnest representations of his brother Ferdinand.
The oppressions hitherto experienced in Germany now ceased; the exiled
ministers returned, and the Interim had reached its well-deserved end.
John Frederick and the Landgrave Philip were at liberty again. When the
latter, who had endured many afflictions, had returned to his dominions,
he immediately entered a church in Cassel, and for a long time remained
before the altar engaged in prayer. John Frederick, by his steadfast
faithfulness and unwavering faith, had extorted the unwilling respect of
the Emperor; while Maurice had lost it to a considerable degree. When
some one from Saxony welcomed John Frederick in Nuremberg, he said: "Go
and tell it in your home that I come without arms, and that I do not
intend to cause a civil warfare, and shall rather lose the remaining
portion of my dominions than bring desolation upon the Fatherland."
Melanchthon wrote to MOLLER: "You know, that by the grace of God, Duke
John Frederick of Saxony is with his wife and children in Thuringia.
This return without arms is far more glorious than a bloody victory.
Posterity too will enrol this example among the testimonies that God
hears the prayers of the godly, and softens our afflictions even in this
world."
When the old defender of the Faith returned to his own country, he was
everywhere welcomed in the most joyful and affecting manner. From
Wittenberg too, a letter of congratulation, written by Melanchthon, was
sent to their old patron. They express their joy in this: "First of all,
that God has sustained your Grace in strength of body and soul, in
Christian comfort and fidelity in your hours of trouble, and that he has
thus adorned you with many virtues, even as Daniel was preserved among
the lions. And then also for this praiseworthy and joyful deliverance."
The letter also refers to the blessings this deliverance will bring upon
the church, and closes thus: "We pray with all humility, that your Grace
may be and continue to be our most gracious Lord. For it has always
been, and is still our intention, with God's grace, to maintain unity in
Christian doctrine with the churches of these lands, although we have
been sorely tried, and great confusion ensued, from which, however, God
delivered us; and we are still engaged in great, heavy, and highly
important matters."
John Frederick expressed his thanks in a very friendly reply. He says:
"It is indeed true, that God in mercy has laid upon us a great and
wearisome affliction, on account of our sins. But as his Omnipotent
power, by the assistance of his Holy Spirit, has maintained us
wonderfully in the true confession of his saving word, and has also
preserved our health, so also has his Almighty power graciously freed us
from captivity, and restored us to our own dominions again." He
expresses his regrets that there had been so many disputes and changes
in the church during this time, and says, that if they had adhered to
Luther's doctrine, "no alteration by mere human wisdom would have been
undertaken or permitted."
Melanchthon also expressed his joy at the return of their prince in a
very hearty Preface to the fourth volume of Luther's works. He says:
"What greater privilege can be bestowed upon any man, than this grace,
to spend his life for the glory of God, and the welfare of many of his
fellow-men? This ornament is infinitely to be preferred above all bloody
victories and triumphs. May your Highness continue to enjoy health and
happiness!"