Article VI
[The Swiss Confederation’s Relationship to the Empire.] His Imperial Majesty has sought counsel from the Imperial estates concerning the complaints that were made in the presence of his plenipotentiaries and deputies in the present assembly in the name of the city of Basel and of all Switzerland, touching certain procedures and executory orders issued from the Imperial Chamber [Court] against the said city, the other united Swiss cantons, and their citizens and subjects, who had asked the estates of the Empire for counsel and advice. His Majesty declared, by a particular decree of May 14, 1647, that the said city of Basel and the other Swiss cantons possess full liberty and are exempt from the Empire and in no way subject to the tribunals and sentences of the said Empire. It has therefore been decided that this same decree shall be incorporated into this public peace treaty and be regarded as valid and lasting. Therefore, all suits and the confiscations at any time occasioned by them shall be void and invalid.
Article VII
§1. [Toleration of the Reformed Faith as a Third Imperial Confession.] It has likewise been decided unanimously by His Imperial Majesty and all the Imperial estates that the same right or advantage, which the other Imperial constitutions [ . . . ] and especially the Religious Peace grant to the Catholic estates and subjects, and to those of the Augsburg Confession, also ought to be granted to those who call themselves the Reformed. (12) [ . . . ] [There follow rules, adapted from Article V, for conversions between the Reformed and the Lutherans.]
§2. [Restrictions on Toleration in Public Offices.] If, in the event of such a change, any community embraces the religion of its lord and wishes, at its own expense, to adopt the exercise of the religion to which its prince or lord adheres, he shall be free to grant them their wish without prejudice to the rest. This grant may not be revoked by his successors. Some persons, however, may not adhere to any religion but that which is generally professed in that place at that time. They include members of a consistory, ecclesiastical visitors, (13) and professors of theology and philosophy in schools and universities. [ . . . ]
Beyond the religions stipulated, no other shall be accepted or tolerated in the Holy Roman Empire.
(12) Reformed is the normal German name for the faith often called “Calvinist.”
(13) Clergymen charged with visitation and correction of local pastors and congregations.
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