All that now remained for the Emperor was to draw up, in common with the Romish states, the _recess_ of the diet. This was done; and, that the Protestants might not complain of its having been prepared without their knowledge, he assembled them in his palace on Thursday, 22d September, the day previous to that fixed for the Elector's departure, and had his project read to them by the Count-palatine. This project was insult and war. The Emperor granted to the Elector, the five princes, and the six cities,[818] a delay of six months, until the 15th April next year, to come to an arrangement with the Church, the Pope, the Emperor, and all the princes and monarchs of Christendom. This was clearly announcing to them that the Romanists were very willing to delay until the usual period for bringing armies into the field. [818] Nuremberg and Rentlingen, to which were added the cities of Kempten, Heilbrunn, Windsheim, and Weissemberg. (Corp Ref. ii. p. 474-478.) [Sidenote: IRRITATING LANGUAGE.] Nor was this all: this delay was granted only on the express condition that the Protestants should immediately join the Emperor in reducing the Anabaptists, and all those who opposed the holy sacrament, by which were meant the Zwinglian cities. He wished by this means to tie the hands of the Protestants, and prevent the two families of the Reform from uniting during the winter. Finally, the Protestants were forbidden to make any innovations, to print or sell anything on the objects of faith, or to draw any one whatever to their _sect_, "since the Confession had been soundly refuted by the Holy Scriptures." Thus they officially proclaimed the Reform a _sect_, and a sect contrary to the Word of God. Nothing was more calculated to displease the friends of the Gospel, who remained in Charles's presence astonished, alarmed, and indignant.[819] This had been foreseen; and, at the moment when the Protestants were about to enter the Emperor's chamber, Truchses and Wehe, making signs to them, mysteriously slipped a paper into their hands, containing a promise that, if, on the 15th April, the Protestants required a prolongation of the delay, their request would certainly be granted.[820] But Brück, to whom the paper was given, was not deceived. "A subtle ambuscade," said he; "a masterpiece of knavery! God will save his own, and will not permit them to fall into the snare."[821] This trick, in fact, served only still more to increase the courage of the Protestants. [819] Protestantes vehementer hoc decreto minime expectato territi (Seck. ii. p. 200.) [820] Brück, Apologie, p. 182. [821] Betrüge, meisterstuck, aber Gott errettet die sernen. (Ibid.) [Sidenote: INTIMIDATION.]