The insurrection was so terrible, that both Lutherans and papists united to quell it; and so fierce were these fanatics, that a hundred thousand perished on fields of blood before the rebellion was quelled.  These outrages were, of course, by the Catholics regarded as the legitimate results of the new doctrines, and it surely can not be denied that they sprung from them.  The fire which glows on the hearth may consume the dwelling.  But Luther and his friends assailed the Anabaptists with every weapon they could wield.  The Catholics formed powerful combinations to arrest the spread of evangelical views.  The reformers organized combinations equally powerful to diffuse those opinions, which they were sure involved the welfare of the world.

Charles V., having somewhat allayed the troubles which harassed him in southern Europe, now turned his attention to Germany, and resolved, with a strong hand, to suppress the religious agitation.  In a letter to the German States he very peremptorily announced his determination, declaring that he would exterminate the errors of Luther, exhorting them, to resist all attacks against the ancient usages of the Church, and expressing to each of the Catholic princes his earnest approval of their conduct.

Germany was now threatened with civil war.  The Catholics demanded the enforcement of the edict of Worms.  The reformers demanded perfect toleration—­that every man should enjoy freedom of opinion and of worship.  A new war in Italy perhaps prevented this appeal to arms, as Charles V. found himself involved in new difficulties which engrossed all his energies.  Ferdinand found the Austrian States so divided by this controversy, that it became necessary for him to assume some degree of impartiality, and to submit to something like toleration.  A new pope, Clement VII., succeeded the short reign of Adrian, and all the ambition, intrigue and corruption which had hitherto marked the course of the court of Rome, resumed their sway.  The pope formed the celebrated Holy League to arrest the progress of the new opinions; and this led all the princes of the empire, who had espoused the Lutheran doctrines, more openly and cordially to combine in self-defense.  In every country in Europe the doctrines of the reformer spread rapidly, and the papal throne was shaken to its base.

Charles V., whose arms were successful in southern Europe, and whose power was daily increasing, was still very desirous of restoring quiet to Europe by reestablishing the supremacy of the papal Church, and crushing out dissent.  He accordingly convened another diet at Spires, the capital of Rhenish Bavaria, on the 15th of March, 1529.  As the emperor was detained in Italy, his brother Ferdinand presided.  The diet was of course divided, but the majority passed very stringent resolutions against the Reformation.  It was enacted that the edict of Worms should be enforced; that the mass should be reestablished wherever it