Surely it was no common hero who armed himself for the deliverance of Germany, which prostrate and bleeding held out her arms to be rescued from political degradation, and for the preservation of liberties dearer to good men than life itself.  All Protestant Europe responded to the cry; for great interests were now at stake, not in Germany merely, but in the neighboring nations.  It was to deliver his Lutheran brethren in danger of extermination, and to raise a barrier against the overwhelming power of Austria, that Gustavus Adolphus lent his armies to the Protestant princes of Germany.  Other motives may have entered into his mind; his pride had been piqued by the refusal of the Emperor Ferdinand to acknowledge his title as King; his dignity was wounded by the contemptuous insolence shown to this ambassadors; his fears were excited that Austria might seek to deprive him of his throne.  The imperial armies had already conquered Holstein and Jutland,—­provinces that belonged to Sweden.  Unless Austria were humbled, Sweden would be ruined.  Gustavus embarked in the war against Austria, as William III. afterwards did against Louis XIV.  Wars to preserve the “balance of power” have not generally been deemed offensive, when any power has become inordinately aggrandized.  Pitt opposed Napoleon, to rescue Europe from universal monarchy.

So Gustavus, deeply persuaded of the duties laid upon him, assembled together the deputies of his kingdom,—­the representatives of the three estates,—­and explained to them his intentions and motives.  “I know,” said he, “the dangers I am about to encounter; I know that it is probable I shall never return; I feel convinced that my life will terminate on the field of battle.  Let no one imagine that I am actuated by private feelings or fondness for war.  My object is to set bounds to the increasing power of a dangerous empire before all resistance becomes impossible.  Your children will not bless your memory if, instead of civil and religious freedom, you bequeath to them the superstitions of monks and the double tyranny of popes and emperors.  We must prevent the subjugation of the Continent before we are reduced to depend upon a narrow sea as the only safeguard of our liberties; for it is delusion to suppose that a mighty empire will not be able to raise fleets, if once firmly established on the shores of the ocean.”  Then taking his infant daughter Christiana in his arms, he recommended her to the protection of the nation, and bade adieu to the several orders of the State.  Amid their tears and sobs, he invoked upon them and his enterprise the blessing of Almighty God.  Then, hastening his preparations, he embarked his forces for the deliverance of Germany.  It was on the 24th of June, 1630, just one hundred years after the confession of Augsburg, that Gustavus Adolphus landed on the German soil.