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DOMESTIC MANNEBS OF TUE FRUSSIAN8.

the Diet, the Dukes of Bavaria, and lastly, the archiepiscopalElectors of Mentz and Treves, entered the gates of Speier,surrounded by a numerous armed escort. On the 13th Marchcame John the Elector of Saxony, attended only by Melancthonand Agricola. But the Lutheran Philip of Hesse, faithful tohis character, entered the city on the 18th March, to the soundof trumpets, and with two thousand liorsemen.

The divergence of men's minds soon became manifest. APapist did not meet a Lutheran in the street without castingangry glances at him, and secretly threatening him with per-fidious maehinations. The Elector-Palatine passcd the Saxonswithout appearing to know them; and although John ofSaxony was the most important of the Princes-Elector, noneof the chiefs of the opposite party visited him.

On the assembling of the Diet, the Papal party called forthe execution of the Edict of Worms, 1521 ; and the Evan-gelical party demanded, on the contrary, the maintenance ofthe Edict of Speier, 1526.

But the majority of the members of the Diet, rejecting thedemands both of the priests and the Lutherans, came to aresolution, on the 15th of March, 1529, that " every religkmsinnovation should continue to be interdicted in the placeswhere the Edict of Worms had been carried out."

A declaration, however, was drawn up on the 19th Aprilby the Elector of Saxony and his allies, and this declarationwas the famous " Protest " that henceforward gave the nameof "Protestant" to the renovated Church*—a protest whichraised the power of the conscience above that of the ma-

* This Protest was as follows : —

" Dear Lords, Commons, Uncles, and Friends,*******" We cannot consent to the repeal of the last recess of Speier (1526), becauseit concerns the glory of God and the salvation of our souls, and in such matterswe ought to have regard above all to the commandments of God, wlio is King of