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.