The Elector turned pale, for he doubted not that such would certainly be the termination. How with his small territory could he resist that powerful monarch who had just vanquished France and Italy, and now saw Germany at his feet? And besides, if he could do it, had he the right? Frightful nightmares pursued John in his dreams. He beheld himself stretched beneath an immense mountain under which he struggled painfully, while his cousin George of Saxony stood on the summit and seemed to brave him. John at length came forth from this furnace. "I must either renounce God or the world," said he. "Well! my choice is not doubtful. It is God who made me Elector,--me, who was not worthy of it. I fling myself into his arms, and let him do with me what shall seem good to him." Thus the Elector by faith stopped the mouths of lions and subdued kingdoms.[676] [676] Hebrews xi. 33, 34. All evangelical Christendom had taken part in the struggle of John the Persevering. It was seen that if he should now fall, all would fall with him; and they endeavoured to support him. "Fear not," cried the Christians of Magdeburg, "for your highness is under Christ's banner."[677] "Italy is in expectation," wrote they from Venice; "if for Christ's glory you must die, fear nothing."[678] But it was from a higher source that John's courage was derived. "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven," said his Master.[679] The Elector, in like manner, beheld in his dreams George fall from the top of the mountain, and lie dashed in pieces at his feet. [677] Unter dem Heerpannyr Jesu Christi. (Ibid. p. 134.) [678] Etiamsi more subeunda tibi foret ob Christi gloriam. (Corp. Ref. ii. 228. L. P. Roselli.) [679] Luke x. 18. [Sidenote: THE EMPEROR'S FAITH.] Once resolved to lose everything, John, free, happy, and tranquil, assembled his theologians. These generous men desired to save their master. "Gracious lord," said Spalatin, "recollect that the Word of God, being the sword of the Spirit, must be upheld, not by the secular power, but by the hand of the Almighty."[680]--"Yes!" said all the doctors, "we do not wish that, to save us, you should risk your children, your subjects, your states, your crown......We will rather give ourselves into the hands of the enemy, and conjure him to be satisfied with our blood."[681] John, touched by this language, refused, however, their solicitations, and firmly repeated these words, which had become his device: "I also desire to confess my Saviour." [680] Gottes Wort keines wegs durch weltlich Schwert. (F. Urkund. ii. p. 82.) [681] Sie wollen ihnen an ihrem Blüte genügen lassen. (Ibid. p. 90.)