On the 31st May, the Saxon confession was at length communicated to the other Protestant states, who required that it should be presented in common in the name of them all.[401] But at the same time they desired to make their reservations with regard to the influence of the state. "It is to a council that we appeal," said Melancthon; "we will not receive the Emperor as our judge; the ecclesiastical constitutions themselves forbid him to pronounce in spiritual matters.[402] Moses declares that it is not the civil magistrate who decides, but the sons of Levi. St. Paul also says (1 Cor. xiv.), '_let the others judge_,' which cannot be understood except of an entire christian assembly; and the Saviour himself gives us this commandment: '_Tell it unto the Church_.' We pledge, therefore, our obedience to the Emperor in all civil matters; but as for the Word of God, it is liberty that we demand." [401] In gemein in aller Fürsten und Stadte Nämen.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 88.) [402] Die _constitutiones canonicæ_ den Kaysern verbieten zu richten und sprechen in geistlichen sachen.--(Ibid. p. 66.) [Sidenote: THE LANDGRAVE'S CATHOLIC SPIRIT.] All were agreed on this point; but the dissent came from another quarter. The Lutherans feared to compromise their cause if they went hand in hand with the Zwinglians. "This is Lutheran madness," replied Bucer: "it will perish of its own weight."[403] But, far from allowing this madness "to perish," the reformed augmented the disunion by exaggerated complaints. "In Saxony they are beginning to sing Latin hymns again," said they; "the sacred vestments are resumed, and oblations are called for anew.[404] We would rather be led to slaughter, than be Christians after that fashion." [403] De Lutheranis furoribus......sua ipsi mole ruent.--(Zw. Epp. ii. p. 432.) [404] Hinc Latinæ resumuntur cantiones, repetuntur sanctæ vestes.--(Zw. Epp. ii. p. 457.)