“If sovereign power emanates from God, these atrocious deeds must proceed from the devil, and therefore must draw down divine punishment.  Neither can God be pleased with the conduct of the sovereign, in conniving at or acquiescing in all the demands of the disobedient.  Nothing now remains for him, but to submit to be lorded by his subjects, or to free himself from this disgraceful slavery before his territories are formed into a republic.  The rebels have at length deprived themselves of the only plausible argument which their preachers have incessantly thundered from the pulpit, that they were contending for religious freedom; and the emperor and the house of Austria have now the fairest opportunity to convince the world that their sole object is only to deliver themselves from slavery and restore their legal authority.  They are secure of divine support, and they have only the alternative of a war by which they may regain their power, or a peace which is far more dishonorable and dangerous than war.  If successful, the forfeited property of the rebels will defray the expense of their armaments; if the event of hostilities be unfortunate, they can only lose, with honor, and with arms in their hands, the rights and prerogatives which are and will be wrested from them with shame and dishonor.  It is better not to reign than to be the slave of subjects.  It is far more desirable and glorious to shed our blood at the foot of the throne than to be driven from it like criminals and malefactors.”

Matthias endeavored to unite his own peace policy with the energetic warlike measures urged by Ferdinand.  He attempted to overawe by a great demonstration of physical force, while at the same time he made very pacific proposals.  Applying to Spain for aid, the Spanish court sent him eight thousand troops from the Netherlands; he also raised, in his own dominions, ten thousand men.  Having assembled this force he sent word to the Protestants, that if they would disband their force he would do the same, and that he would confirm the royal edict and give full security for the maintenance of their civil and religious privileges.  The Protestants refused to disband, knowing that they could place no reliance upon the word of the unstable monarch who was crowded by the rising power of the energetic Ferdinand.  The ambitious naturally deserted the court of the sovereign whose days were declining, to enlist in the service of one who was just entering upon the kingly power.

Ferdinand was enraged at what he considered the pusillanimity of the king.  Maximilian, the younger brother of Matthias, cordially espoused the cause of Ferdinand.  Cardinal Kleses, a Catholic of commanding influence and of enlightened, liberal views, was the counselor of the king.  Ferdinand and Maximilian resolved that he should no longer have access to the ear of the pliant monarch, but he could be removed from the court only by violence.  With an armed band they entered the palace at Vienna, seized the cardinal