But, it may be asked, Has not this purpose been effected already, or at least may it not be effected without the instrumentality of a new translation?

To this question the Translator answers, First, The form of the present translation and the price at which it is published place the work within the reach of thousands to whom it might otherwise be a sealed book. Second, While this Translation is the cheapest in existence, it is also the only one which can, in strict truth, be regarded as genuine. The edition from which this translation is made was published in 1842. The date would have been of little consequence if the work had continued the same; but the fact is, that the edition of 1842 is not a reprint, but a complete revision of the one which preceded it. Numerous passages of considerable length and great importance have been introduced, while others which had, on a careful examination, been deemed redundant or inaccurate, have been expunged. Surely, after all the pains which the distinguished author has expended on the improvement of his work, it is scarcely doing justice either to him or to the English reader to leave his improvements unknown. In another respect the present Translation exclusively contains what is conceived to be a very decided improvement. All the Notes, the meaning of which is not given in the Text, have been literally translated. It seemed somewhat absurd while translating French for the benefit of the English reader, to be at the same time presenting him with a large number of passages of untranslated Latin.

While the work has been printed in a form to which the most fastidious cannot object, it has been issued at a price which makes it accessible to all. The result, it is hoped, will be, that D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation will obtain a circulation somewhat adequate to its merits, and by its introduction into every family become what it well deserves to be—a household book.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.
STATE OF MATTERS BEFORE THE REFORMATION.
PAGE
CHAP. I.
Christianity—Formation of the Papacy—Unity of the Church—The Decretals—Hildebrand—Corruption of Doctrine,[13]
CHAP. II.
Grace and Works—Pelagianism—Penances—Indulgences—Supererogation—Purgatory—Taxation—Jubilee,[27]
CHAP. III.
Relics—Easter Merriment—Corruption of the Clergy—A Priest's Family—Education—Ignorance,[34]
CHAP. IV.
Christianity Imperishable—Opposition to Rome—Frederick the Wise—His Character—His Anticipation,[42]
CHAP. V.
The Empire—National Character—Switzerland—Italy—Spain—Portugal—France—Netherlands—England—Scotland—The North—Russia—Poland—Bohemia—Hungary,[48]
CHAP. VI.
State of Theology—Witnesses for the Truth—The Vaudois—Wickliffe—-Huss—Savonarola—John Wessel—Prolés,[58]
CHAP. VII.
Literature—Dante—Printing—Reuchlin—His Struggle with the Dominicans,[71]
CHAP. VIII.
Erasmus—His Genius—His 'Praise of Folly'—His Greek Testament—His Influence—His Failings,[82]
CHAP. IX.
The Nobles—Hütten—'Letters of some Obscure Men'—Seckingen—Cronberg—Hans Sachs—General Fermentation,[94]
BOOK II.
YOUTH, CONVERSION, AND FIRST LABOURS, OF LUTHER.
CHAP. I.
Luther—His Parentage—The Paternal Roof—Strict Discipline—School—The Shunammite—His Studies—University,[103]
CHAP. II.
Scholasticism and the Classics—Luther's Piety—His Discovery of a Bible—His Sickness—The Thunderstorm—His Entrance into a Convent,[112]
CHAP. III.
His Father's Anger—Servile Employments—His Studies—The Bible—Hebrew and Greek—His Agony during Mass—Faints,[118]
CHAP. IV.
Staupitz—His Piety—His Visitation—His Conversation—Presents Luther with a Bible—The Old Monk—Luther's Consecration—His Call to Wittemberg,[126]
CHAP. V.
The University of Wittemberg—Luther's First Employment—Biblical Lectures—Preaching at Wittemberg—The Old Chapel,[136]
CHAP. VI.
Luther's Journey to Rome—A Convent on the Po—Luther's Behaviour at Rome—Corruption of the Romish Clergy—Prevailing Immorality—Pilate's Staircase,[140]
CHAP. VII.
Doctor's Degree—Carlstadt—Luther's Oath—First Views of Reformation—The Schoolmen—Spalatin,[149]
CHAP. VIII.
'Popular Declamations'—Moral Purity of Luther—Mysticism—Spenlein—Justification by Faith—Necessity of Works,[156]
CHAP. IX.
First Theses—Visit to the Convents—Dresden—Erfurt—Tornator Peace and the Cross—Labours—The Plague,[163]
CHAP. X.
Luther and the Elector—Duke George—Luther at Court—Dinner Emser's Supper,[167]
CHAP. XI.
Theses—Human Nature—Rationalism—Eck—Urban Regius—Luther's Modesty,[172]
Book III.
THE INDULGENCES AND THESES.
CHAP. I.
Cortège—Tezel—His Discourse—Sale of Indulgences—Public Penance—Letter of Indulgence—Feasting and Debauchery,[180]
CHAP. II.
The Soul in the Burying-Ground—Shoemaker of Hagenau—Myconius—Stratagem—Miner of Schneeberg,[187]
CHAP. III.
Leo X—His Necessities—Albert—His Character—Franciscans and Dominicans,[193]
CHAP. IV.
Tezel Approaches—Luther in the Confessional—Tezel's Rage—Luther's Discourse—The Elector's Dream,[197]
CHAP. V.
Luther's Theses—Letter to Albert—Dissemination of the Theses,[203]
CHAP. VI.
Reuchlin—Erasmus—Flek—Bibra—The Emperor—The Pope—Myconius—The Monks—Adelman—An Old Priest—Bishop of Brandenburg—Luther's Moving Principle,[213]
CHAP. VII.
Tezel's Attack—Luther's Reply—Luther and Spalatin—Study of Scripture—Scheurl and Luther—Luther pleads for the People—A new Suit,[221]
CHAP. VIII.
Disputation at Frankfort—Tezel's Theses—Knipstrow—Luther's Theses burnt—Tezel's Theses burnt,[227]
CHAP. IX.
Prierio—His Dialogue—Luther's Reply—Hochstraten—Eck—'The Obelisks'—'The Asterisks,'[235]
CHAP. X.
Popular Writings—Lord's Prayer—Sermon on Repentance,[244]
CHAP. XI.
Apprehensions of Luther's Friends—Journey to Heidelberg—Bibra—The Palatinate Castle—The Paradoxes—Bucer—Brentz—Snepf—The Old Professor,[249]
BOOK FOURTH.
LUTHER BEFORE THE LEGATE.
CHAP. I.
'Solutions'—Leo X—Luther to the Bishop—To the Pope—To the Vicar-General—Rovere to the Elector—Discourse on Excommunication,[258]
CHAP. II.
Diet of Augsburg—The Emperor to the Pope—Luther cited to Rome—Luther's Peace—Intercession of the University—Papal Brief—The Pope to the Elector,[266]
CHAP. III.
Schwarzerd—His Wife—Philip Melancthon—His Genius—His Studies—Call to Wittemberg—Leipsic—Parallel between Luther and Melancthon—Education,[273]
CHAP. IV.
Luther and Staupitz—Order to Appear—Luther's Departure for Augsburg—Weimar—Nuremberg,[280]
CHAP. V.
Arrival at Augsburg—De Vio—Serra-Longa—Safe-Conduct—Luther to Melancthon,[285]
CHAP. VI.
First Appearance—Conditions of Rome—Propositions to Retract—Luther's Reply—Impressions on both Sides—Arrival of Staupitz,[293]
CHAP. VII.
Communication to the Legate—Second Appearance—Luther's Declaration—The Legate's Reply—The Legate's Volubility—Luther's Request,[299]
CHAP. VIII.
Third Appearance—Treasury of Indulgences—Humble Request—Legate's Rage—Luther Retires,[303]
CHAP. IX.
De Vio and Staupitz—Staupitz and Luther—Luther and Spalatin Communion—Departure of Staupitz and Link—Luther to Cajetan—Luther's Departure—Appeal to the Pope,[307]
CHAP. X.
Luther's Flight—Luther's Wish—The Legate to the Elector—The Elector to the Legate—Prosperity of the University,[316]
CHAP. XI.
Thoughts of Departure—Adieus to the Church—Critical Moment—Luther's Courage—Discontentment at Rome—Papal Bull—Appeal to a Council,[321]

PREFACE TO THE LAST EDITION.

My purpose is not to write the history of a party, but that of one of the greatest revolutions which has taken place among men—the history of a mighty impulse which was given to the world three centuries ago, and the influence of which is still, in our day, every where perceived. The history of the Reformation is different from the history of Protestantism. In the former, every thing bears testimony to a revival of human nature, to a transformation, social and religious, emanating from God. In the latter are too often seen a remarkable degeneracy from primitive principles, party intrigue, a sectarian spirit, and the impress of petty private feelings. The history of Protestantism might interest none but Protestants; the history of the Reformation is for all Christians, or rather all men.