CONFESSION OF THE NAME OF CHRIST.

"Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven."-Matthew x. 32.

It is now three centuries since the princes of Germany, assembled in imperial Diet within the city of Augsburg, boldly and solemnly confessed Jesus Christ and His word, before the emperor, the princes of the empire who still remained under the dominion of Rome, and the legate of Rome; and in the presence, as it were, not only of all Germany, but of the whole world. That day was, is, and ever shall be, till time is no more, one of the brightest days of Christianity. That day, therefore, all the evangelical churches of Germany, and some even of other countries, responding to the call of their princes and pastors, celebrate, with offerings of thanksgiving and praise, its third glorious centenary.

"May the commemorative festival,” says one noble voice, in assembling all who are subject to his laws, " of the presentation of this testimony to the Christian faith, which still exists, and must for ever continue as true and firm as it was three centuries ago, and in the spirit of which I write with all my heart, contribute to strengthen and animate true faith in the evangelical Church, to inspire all its members with unity of spirit, true piety, and Christian love." *

Will not you also remember, Protestant Christians of France ? Have you not participated in the blessings of that glorious day? Were you not born-do you not repose-are you not combating this very hour under the spotless banner of the gospel of Christ, which those noble men planted on that memorable day in the presence of their enemies? Is it not your belief which was then confessed before the universe by those illustrious princes and pastors; and do you not march with unfurled colors to the same holy war in which they then took up the powerful weapons of the word of God?

But, alas! no. We walk not as then they walked! Ours are "the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;" and the heroic courage which formed, in those blessed days, the glory of the Church of Christ, seems to have forsaken her. Therefore, especially ought we to celebrate that day; so that seeing ourselves, as it were, surrounded" with so great a cloud of witnesses

* Order of His Majesty, the King of Prussia

for the truth, of magnanimous confessors of the cross of Christ," who "through faith subdued kingdoms," and "waxed valiant in fight," we, ourselves, may "fight the good fight of faith." Standing fast in one spirit, they strove together in that great day for the faith of the gospel, in nothing terrified by their adversaries.

Followers of Christ! you are called to do likewise. The times in which you live are not less remarkable than those; and the same courage is indispensable. Need I tell you, my dear hearers, that there is no allusion here to combats waged with carnal weapons? Need I tell you that we have nothing to do with contests inspired by violence or hatred? Doubtless, this is unnecessary; and were it not so, the example which is about to be offered to you would sufficiently enlighten you on that point.

As the events which the Evangelical Church celebrates this day are not sufficiently known, our design is to retrace them, and afterwards draw from them such instruction as they offer.

An historical discourse is contrary to our usual mode of preaching, but all that serves to edification is suited to the Christian pulpit; and, if we require precedents and examples, Scripture furnishes us with abundant and illustrious ones. Was not the sermon of Stephen, the first martyr, an historical discourse? Are not most of the discourses of St. Paul, in the Acts, historical discourses? What the Holy Spirit has adjudged to be good, we may not estimate otherwise. "These things," say the Scriptures, "were written for our examples." O, Holy Spirit! who didst animate in those days the heroes of the faith, kindle, we beseech thee, the same flame in our hearts!

The Emperor Charles V., whose dominions were undoubtedly the most extensive that any prince ever ruled-embracing a part of Europe, America, and other quarters of the world-and who, as has been said, never saw the sun set on his vast empire, having, in 1530, subdued his enemies, resolved to examine into the religious reformation which had taken place in Germany, and to stifle the, so called, heresy.

He caused himself to be solemnly crowned on the 24th of February, his birth-day, by the Roman Pontiff, and then remained for some time with him in the same palace. The Emperor there promised the Pope to annihilate Protestantism. He even pledged himself, as it appears, to use, if necessary, violence and extreme measures-this, at least, was the request made of him.

At this news, some advised the evangelical princes to meet Charles, sword in hand, at the foot of the Alps, and to prevent him from entering Germany until he should grant them full religious liberty. But this was mere worldly counsel, and the great reformer, Luther, whom so many are pleased to represent as a man of violent temper, succeeded in silencing these rash counsellors; "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God."

The Emperor, however, finding it expedient to try first the efficacy of pacific means, convoked an imperial Diet at Augsburg,

and invited all the princes and states of the empire to be present. Several, recollecting the violence of the enemies of the truth, which had been exhibited, among other occasions, at the Council of Constance, in the torture of the early reformers, entreated the Elector of Saxony, the head of the Protestants, not to go in person to Augsburg. But the Elector determined to accept the Emperor's invitation; he desired to confess Christ in the imperial presence. He invited Luther, Jonas, Pomeranus, and Melancthon, four of his greatest theologians, to draw up for this purpose a confession of the faith of the evangelical party; and, having ordered prayers for a successful result to be offered in all his states, he set out, the 3d of April, on his journey to Augsburg.

Many princes, nobles, counsellors, and theologians accompanied the Elector. The same spirit animated them all in this solemn path. Luther preached frequently during the journey, strengthening, by his exhortations, the faith of these noble champions of the gospel.

At Weimar, they all partook together of the communion; at Coburg, the Elector parted from Luther, and ordered him to remain there during the session of the Diet. A castle, crowning the summit of a mountain was his home; twelve knights guarded it night and day, but the servant of God had a more secure defence, even the Lord, whom he praises in a beautiful hymn composed at that time, beginning with these words

"How strong a fortress is our God."

The Elector was the first of all the princes to arrive at Augsburg, to the great astonishment of the many who supposed he would fear to present himself. Soon, however, the electors, princes, deputies, bishops, and a multitude of soldiers, crowded into this city, filling it with all the pomp of worldly splendor. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed."

In the midst, however, of all the tumult which surrounded them, the zeal of the ministers of the Word of God who accompanied the Protestant princes, relaxed not; they preached the Word, and shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. Their preaching produced the effect which ever follows the Word, when presented in any spot for the first time. The Word of God is the cause of discussion, said Luther. "This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" Their discourses were complained of, though they declared in them only the simple truth without controversy. Letters on the subject were addressed to the Emperor, who still remained at some distance from Augsburg. In reply, he signified his opinion that preaching should be suspended until the doctrine was examined and approved. The Elector consulted Luther, and the reformer gave a fresh instance of his moderation, advising that the preaching should be discontinued if the Emperor persisted in his demand; "For," said he, "the Emperor ought to be

master in his own city." The Elector, however, could not bring himself to accede to the wishes expressed to him. It would be contrary to my conscience," replied he to Charles, " to forbid the preaching of the Word of God; especially in these times, when we so greatly need all the consolation and assistance which it offers." "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction," said another prince, the royal prophet David.

In the meantime, while Melancthon, the friend of Luther, assisted by other theologians, was incessantly occupied at Augsburg in drawing up the confession, which was to be presented to the Diet by the Protestant princes, Luther was suffering greatly at Coburg, both in body and mind, and had already chosen in his desert (as he called it) a place for his grave. The Elector sent him some remedies for his malady, and wrote to him at the same time in words full of affection. Luther replied by a letter admirably suited to console this Christian prince, amidst the formidable combat in which he was engaged with the enemies of the Gospel. Truly, without cause," he says, "you have graciously condescended to be so anxious about me; three weeks have passed so quickly, that they seem to me scarcely to have been three days. But it is your Grace who is now in a painful and dangerous position. Oh, may our good God, who is in heaven, succor you, so that your heart may remain steadfast and patient in the grace which he has so richly manifested to us. It must be only for the love of God that you endure so many trials and dangers, since all these princes and furious enemies can find no other fault in you than that of loving the pure and living Word of God, and acknowledge that, for the rest, you are a gentle, pious, and faithful prince. And it is certainly a strong evidence that God loves you, since he not only gives you His holy Word freely to enjoy, but accounts you worthy also to endure in its cause so much enmity and odium. It is this which sheds such light and peace over the conscience; for to have God for one's friend is better than to have the love of the whole universe."

Strengthened by such words, the Elector awaited the Emperor's arrival, which was postponed time after time.

At length, on the fifteenth of June, every preparation was made for his solemn entrance. The greatest magnificence was displayed on this occasion, doubtless with the design to impress the Protestant princes with an exalted idea of the power and majesty of the Emperor.

The electors and princes, with an immense crowd, went forth to meet him. When they had arrived within fifty paces of the Emperor, they all dismounted. The Roman legate seized the moment to pronounce the papal benediction. The Emperor, and all his followers, received it kneeling; but the Elector, and all the Protestant princes, remained standing-proving thus, in the very outset, their faith and their firmness. They resumed their route. On arriving at the Bishop's palace, where the Emperor was to lodge, all were invited to enter, except the noble Elector of Saxony

and his generous brother in the faith. They suffered with all joy the reproach of Christ, and soon gave a new proof of their immovable courage; for, King Ferdinand, the brother of Charles, having required them, in the name and presence of the Emperor, to suspend the preaching of the Gospel, and to participate in the procession of the Holy Sacrament, which was to take place the next day, the Margrave of Brandenburg, standing forth in the name of all, exclaimed, "Rather would I kneel to receive my death-blow at your Majesty's hand, than to deny my God and his Gospel."

The Emperor having repeated his demand, by a deputation, the same evening, the Margrave and the other princes repaired the next morning, at six o'clock, to the Emperor's palace, and replied -"We will not sanction, by our presence, such impious human traditions, utterly opposed as they are to the word of God and the commands of Christ. So far from it-with one voice, we declare that we desire to see these doctrines of men utterly banished from the Church, and the yet uncorrupted members of the body of Christ sheltered from this mortal poison. Let not your Majesty be offended if I decline to comply with your wishes, for it is written that it is better to obey God than man. Wherefore, for the sake of confessing the doctrine which I know to be the voice of the Son of God, immutable and eternal truth, I am ready to face all dangers, and even death itself, with which, as I hear, those are threatened who believe in this wholesome doctrine.”

Glorious courage! noble renunciation of the world and self!— would that it might inspire our hearts also! "He that loveth his life shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

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The procession took place, but none of the evangelical princes engaged in it. They displayed the same firmness with regard to the Gospel. "The Word of God," they said, " cannot be bound; to arrest it-to fetter it, would be a sin against the Holy Ghost. Besides, being only poor sinful men," added these magnanimous princes, we need the preaching of this divine word to enlighten and console us. We cannot do without the daily nourishment of our bodies-still less can we bear to be deprived of the word of God; 'for man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Thereupon, Charles the Fifth caused a herald to publish, with the sound of a trumpet, in the city of Augsburg, that no clergyman should preach there any more, unless by special permission from the Emperor. There was no alternative but to submit. "Thus," wrote the Elector of Saxony to Luther, "our Lord God is commanded to be silent in the imperial Diet of Augsburg." Happy will the Church be, when, from the greatest to the least, all shall know the value of the pure and faithful declaration of the gospel of our Lord Christ! "More to be desired than gold-yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb."

At last, the Diet was formally opened on the 20th of June. The opening address unveiled the hostile designs of Charles. It was, as it were, a declaration of war. Then was it necessary to “be