THE GOSPEL IN THE CENTRE OF ITALY.
(1520 TO 1536.)
Character of Occhino—Seeks Salvation in Asceticism—A Contrast—Scripture—Occhino’s Itinerant Ministrations—Crowded Congregations—His Preaching—A Child of Florence—Ambitious of Learning—-Study and Preaching—Aonio Paleario—Leaves Rome for Sienna—Poem on Immortality—Paleario crosses the Threshold—His Wife and Children—Love of the Country—His friend Bellantes—Conspiracy against Paleario—Faustus Bellantes informs him of it—Paleario remains firm—His Wife—The Reformers—Twelve Accusers—They appear before the Archbishop—Everything seems against Paleario—His Fears—He appears before the Senate—He defends himself—The Germans—Plea for the Reformers—Revival of Learning—Jesus Christ a Stumbling-block—The Martyr’s Words—Paleario’s Wife and Friends—His Acquittal and Departure—The Evangelicals of Bologna—Their Address to the Saxon Ambassador—St. Paul explained [428]
CHAPTER XX.
THE GOSPEL AT NAPLES AND AT ROME.
(1520 TO 1536.)
Alfonso Valdez at Worms—A Dialogue by Valdez—The Chastisement of God—Approbation and Disapprobation—Mercury and Charon—Satan—Juan Valdez at Naples—Influence of Juan Valdez—Chiaja and Pausilippo—Conversion of Peter Martyr—His Method of Preaching—Purgatory—Opposition—Galeazzo Caraccioli converted—A Letter from Calvin—Illustrious Women at Chiaja—Ideas there discussed—Occhino preaches at Naples—The Triumvirs—Charles V. arrives at Naples—Conversation between Giulia Colonna and Valdez—Perfection—Assurance of Salvation—Humility—The royal Road—Meditations—Preachers of Fables—Valdez’ good and bad Qualities—Edict against the Lutherans—Carnesecchi—Secretary to Clement VII.—Interview with Charles V.—Carnesecchi’s Conversion—Divers Categories—Flaminio—A poor Student—Values the Treasures of Heaven—The Guest of Ghiberto and Caraffa—Flaminio’s Faith—Opposes and loves Carnesecchi—Approximates Catholicism—Oratory of Divine Love—Its Members—An Evangelical Monk—A Venetian Senator—Contarini’s Influence—Strange Call—He accepts the Cardinalate—Preserves his Independence—Contarini’s View—Dawn in Italy—The two Camps—Hopes—The Times of Rome—Glory to the Martyrs [454]
BOOK VI.
ENGLAND BEGINS TO CAST OFF THE PAPACY.
CHAPTER I.
THE NATION AND ITS PARTIES.
(Autumn 1529.)
England, during the period of which we are about to treat, began to separate from the pope and to reform her Church. In the history of that country the fall of Wolsey divides the old times from the new.