CHAPTER VIII.
CHARLES V.AND THE REFORMATION.
From 1531 to 1552.
Determination to crush Protestantism .-- Incursion of the Turks .-- Valor of the Protestants .-- Preparations for renewed Hostilities .-- Augmentation of the Protestant Forces .-- The Council of Trent .-- Mutual Consternation .-- Defeat of the Protestant Army .-- Unlooked for Succor .-- Revolt in the Emperor's Army .-- The Fluctuations of Fortune .-- Ignoble Revenge .-- Capture of Wittemberg .-- Protestantism Apparently Crushed .-- Plot against Charles .-- Maurice of Saxony .-- A Change of Scene .-- The Biter Bit .-- The Emperor humbled .-- His Flight .-- His determined Will.
The intolerant decrees of the diet of Augsburg, and the evident determination of the emperor unrelentingly to enforce them, spread the greatest alarm among the Protestants.

They immediately assembled at Smalkalde in December, 1530, and entered into a league for mutual protection.

The emperor was resolved to crush the Protestants.

The Protestants were resolved not to be crushed.

The sword of the Catholics was drawn for the assault--the sword of the reformers for defense.