[296] Principi nullum licet suscipere bellum, nisi consentiente populo, a quo accepit imperium. Ibid. 601. The pope's wrath soon bore fruit. The princes who had set forth their grievances against Rome, alarmed at their own daring, were now desirous of making amends by their compliance. Many, besides, thought that the victory would remain with the Roman pontiff, as he appeared to be the stronger party. "In our days," said Luther, "princes are content to say three times three make nine; or else, twice seven make fourteen: The reckoning is correct; the affair will succeed. Then our Lord God arises and says: How many do you reckon me?......For a cipher perhaps?......He then turns their calculations topsy-turvy, and their accounts prove false."[297] [297] So kehrt er ihnen auch die Rechnung gar um. L. Opp. xxii. 1831. CHAPTER IV. Persecution--Exertions of Duke George--The Convent at Antwerp--Miltenberg--The Three Monks of Antwerp--The Scaffold--The Martyrs of Brussels. [Sidenote: PERSECUTION.] The torrent of fire poured forth by the humble and meek Adrian kindled a conflagration; and its flickering flames communicated an immense agitation to the whole of Christendom. The persecution, which had been for some time relaxed, broke out afresh. Luther trembled for Germany, and endeavoured to appease the storm. "If the princes," said he, "oppose the truth, the result will be a confusion that will destroy princes and magistrates, priests and people. I fear to see all Germany erelong deluged with blood.[298] Let us rise up as a wall and preserve our people from the wrath of our God. Nations are not such now as they have hitherto been.[299] The sword of civil war is impending over the heads of our kings. They are resolved to destroy Luther; but Luther is resolved to save them. Christ lives and reigns; and I shall live and reign with him."[300] [298] Ut videar mihi videre Germaniam in sanguine natare. L. Epp. ii. 156. [299] Cogitent populos non esse tales medo, quales hactenus fuerunt. Ibid. 157. [300] Christus meus vivit et regnat, et ego vivam et regnabe. Ibid. 158.