Brück, without discussing the _recess_ in a political point of view, confined himself to what was principally at stake, the Word of God. "We maintain," said he, "that our Confession is so based on the holy Word of God, that it is impossible to refute it. We consider it as the very truth of God, and we hope by it to stand one day before the judgment-seat of the Lord." He then announced that the Protestants had refuted the Refutation of the Romish theologians, and holding in his hand the famous Apology of the Confession of Augsburg written by Melancthon, he stepped forward, and offered it to Charles the Fifth. The Count-palatine took it, and the Emperor was already stretching out his hand, when Ferdinand having whispered a few words, he motioned the Count, who immediately returned the Apology to Doctor Brück.[822] This paper and the "Commonplaces," are the masterpieces of the Reformer. The embarrassed Emperor told the Protestants to come again at eight the next morning. [822] Auf König Ferdinandus wincke wieder geben. (Apologie, p. 184.) Charles the Fifth, resolving to employ every means to get his decree accepted, began by entreaties; and scarcely was the Margrave of Brandenburg seated to take his evening repast, when Truchses and Wehe, appearing before him, used every kind of discourse and argument, but without success.[823] [823] Nach essen allerley Rede Disputation und Persuasion furgewendt. (Urk. ii. p. 601.) The next day (Friday, 23d September), the Evangelical princes and the deputies of the cities, assembling at five in the morning in the Margrave's hotel, the _recess_ was there read anew in the presence of Truchses and Wehe, and Chancellor Brück detailed seven reasons for its rejection. "I undertake," said Wehe, "to translate the _recess_ into German in such a manner that you can accept it. As for the word _sect_, in particular, it is the clerk who placed it there by mistake."[824] The mediators retired in haste to communicate to Charles the complaints of the Protestants. [824] Sondern vom Schreiber gesetzt, der dis nicht geacht. (Urk. ii. p. 606.) [Sidenote: FINAL INTERVIEW.]