If this History has been criticized by the Romish party, it seems also to have met with others who have regarded it in a purely literary light. Men for whom I feel much esteem appear to attach greater importance to a literary or political history of the Reformation, than to an exposition grounded on its spiritual principles and its interior springs of action. I can well understand this way of viewing my subject, but I cannot participate in it. In my opinion, the very essence of the Reformation is its doctrines and its inward life. Every work in which these two things do not hold the chief place may be showy, but it will not be faithfully and candidly historical. It would be like a philosopher who, in describing a man, should detail with great accuracy and picturesque beauty all that concerns his body, but should give only a subordinate place to that divine inhabitant, the soul.
There are no doubt great defects in the feeble work of which I here present another fragment to the christian public; and I should desire that it were still more copiously imbued with the spirit of the Reformation. The better I have succeeded in pointing out whatever manifests the glory of Christ, the more faithful I shall have been to history. I willingly adopt as my law those words, which an historian of the sixteenth century, a man of the sword still more than of the pen, after writing a portion of the history of that Protestantism in France which I do not purpose narrating, addresses to those who might think of completing his task: "I would give them that law which I acknowledge myself: that, in seeking the glory of this precious instrument, their principal aim should be that of the arm which has prepared, employed, and wielded it at His good pleasure. For all praise given to princes is unseasonable and misplaced, if it has not for leaf and root that of the living God, to whom alone belong honour and dominion for ever and ever."[5]
CONTENTS.
| BOOK IX. | |
| FIRST REFORMS. 1521 AND 1522. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Progress of the Reformation—New Period—Usefulness of Luther's Captivityin the Wartburg—Agitation in Germany—Melancthon andLuther—Enthusiasm | Page [1] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Luther in the Wartburg—Object of his Captivity—Anxiety—Sickness—Luther's Labours—On Confession—Reply to Latomus—His daily Walks | [8] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Commencement of the Reform—Marriage of Feldkirchen—The Marriage of Monks—Theses—Tract against Monachism—Luther no longer a Monk | [16] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Archbishop Albert—The Idol of Halle—Luther's Indignation—Alarm of the Court—Luther's Letter to the Archbishop—Albert's Reply—Joachim of Brandenburg | [21] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Translation of the Bible—Wants of the Church—Principles of the Reformation—Temptations of the Devil—Luther's Works condemned by the Sorbonne—Melancthon's Reply—Luther Visits Wittemberg | [28] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Fresh Reforms—Gabriel Zwilling on the Mass—The University—Melancthon's Propositions—The Elector—Monastic Institutions attacked—Emancipation of the Monks—Disturbances—Chapter of the AugustineMonks—Carlstadt and the Mass—First Celebration of the Lord'sSupper—Importance of the Mass in the Romish System | [34] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| False Reform—The New Prophets—The Prophets at Wittemberg—Melancthon—The Elector—Luther—Carlstadt and the Images—Disturbances—Luther is called for—He does not hesitate—Dangers | [46] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Departure from the Wartburg—New Position—Luther and Primitive Catholicism—Meeting at the Black Bear—Luther's Letter to the Elector—Returnto Wittemberg—Sermon at Wittemberg—Charity—The Word—How the Reformation was brought about—Faith in Christ—ItsEffects—Didymus—Carlstadt—The Prophets—Interview with Luther—End of the Struggle | [56] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Translation of the New Testament—Faith and Scripture—Opposition—Importance of this Publication—Necessity for a systematic Arrangement—Melancthon's Loci Communes—Original Sin—Salvation—Free Will—Effects of the Loci Communes | [74] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Opposition—Henry VIII.—Wolsey—The Queen—Fisher—Thomas More—Luther's Books burnt—Henry's Attack on Luther—Presented to the Pope—Its Effect on Luther—Energy and Violence—Luther's Reply—Answer by the Bishop of Rochester—Reply of Thomas More—Henry's Proceedings | [83] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| General Movement—The Monks—How the Reformation was carried on—Unlearned Believer—The Old and the New Doctors—Printing and Literature—Bookselling and Colportage | [96] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Luther at Zwickau—The Castle of Freyberg—Worms—Frankfort—Universal Movement—Wittemberg the Centre of the Reformation—Luther's Sentiments | [104] |
| BOOK X. | |
| AGITATION, REVERSES, AND PROGRESS. 1522-1526. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Political Element—Want of Enthusiasm at Rome—Siege of Pampeluna—Courage of Ignatius—Transition—Luther and Loyola—Visions—Two Principles | [111] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Victory of the Pope—Death of Leo X.—The Oratory of Divine Love—Adrian VI.—Plan of Reform—Opposition | [120] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Diet of Nuremberg—Soliman's Invasion—The Nuncio calls for Luther's Death—The Nuremberg Preachers—Promise of Reform—Grievances of the Nation—Decree of the Diet—Fulminating Letter of the Pope—Luther'sAdvice | [125] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Persecution—Exertions of Duke George—The Convent at Antwerp—Miltenberg—TheThree Monks of Antwerp—The Scaffold—The Martyrs of Brussels | [135] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| The New Pope, Clement VII.—The Legate Campeggio—Diet of Nuremberg—Demandof the Legate—Reply of the Diet—A Secular Councilprojected—Alarm and Exertions of the Pope—Bavaria—League ofRatisbon—Severity and Reforms—Political Schism—Opposition—Intriguesof Rome—Decree of Burgos—Rupture | [142] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Persecution—Gaspard Tauber—A Bookseller—Cruelties in Wurtemberg, Salzburg, and Bavaria—Pomerania—Henry of Zuphten | [151] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Divisions—The Lord's Supper—Two Extremes—Hoen's Discovery—Carlstadt—Luther—Mysticismof the enthusiasts—Carlstadt at Orlamund—Luther'sMission—Interview at Table—The Conference ofOrlamund—Carlstadt banished | [156] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Progress—Resistance against the Ratisbon Leaguers—Meeting betweenPhilip of Hesse and Melancthon—The Landgrave converted to theGospel—The Palatinate—Luneburg—Holstein—The Grand-Master atWittemberg | [166] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Reforms—All Saints Church—Fall of the Mass—Learning—ChristianSchools—Learning extended to the Laity—The Arts—Moral Religion—EstheticalReligion—Music—Poetry—Painting | [170] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Political Ferment—Luther against Rebellion—Thomas Munzer—Agitation—TheBlack Forest—The twelve Articles—Luther's Opinion—Helfenstein—Marchof the Peasants—March of the Imperial Army—Defeatof the Peasants—Cruelty of the Princes | [179] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Munzer at Mulhausen—Appeal to the People—March of the Princes—Endof the Revolt—Influence of the Reformers—Sufferings—Changes—TwoResults | [192] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Death of the Elector Frederick—The Prince and the Reformer—Roman-catholicAlliance—Plans of Charles the Fifth—Dangers | [199] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| The Nuns of Nimptsch—Luther's Sentiments—The Convent dissolved—Luther'sMarriage—Domestic Happiness | [203] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| The Landgrave—The Elector—Prussia—Reformation—Secularisation—TheArchbishop of Mentz—Conference at Friedwalt—Diet—Alliance ofTorgau—Resistance of the Reformers—Alliance of Magdeburg—TheCatholics redouble their Exertions—The Emperor's Marriage—Threatening Letters | [210] |
| BOOK XI. | |
| DIVISIONS. | |
| SWITZERLAND—GERMANY. 1523-1527. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Unity in Diversity—Primitive Fidelity and Liberty—Formation of RomishUnity—Leo Juda and the Monk—Zwingle's Theses—The Disputationof January | [220] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Papal Temptations—Progress of the Reformation—The Idol at Stadelhofen—Sacrilege—TheOrnaments of the Saints | [227] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| The Disputation of October—Zwingle on the Church—The Church—Commencementof Presbyterianism—Discussion on the Mass—Enthusiasts—TheLanguage of Discretion—Victory—A Characteristic ofthe Swiss Reformation—Moderation—Oswald Myconius at Zurich—Revivalof Literature—Thomas Plater of the Valais | [231] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Diet of Lucerne—Hottinger arrested—His Death—Deputation from theDiet to Zurich—Abolition of religious Processions—Abolition ofImages—The Two Reformations—Appeal to the People | [239] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| New Opposition—Abduction of [OE]xlin—The Family of the Wirths—ThePopulace at the Convent of Ittingen—The Diet of Zug—The Wirthsapprehended and given up to the Diet—Their Condemnation | [246] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Abolition of the Mass—Zwingle's Dream—Celebration of the Lord's Supper—FraternalCharity—Original Sin—The Oligarchs opposed to theReform—Various Attacks | [254] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Berne—The Provost Watteville—First Successes of the ReformedDoctrines—Haller at the Convent—Accusation and Deliverance—TheMonastery of Königsfeldt—Margaret Watteville to Zwingle—TheConvent opened—Two Champions—Clara May and the ProvostWatteville | [259] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Basle—Œcolampadius—He visits Augsburg—Enters a Convent—Retiresto Sickingen's Castle—Returns to Basle—Ulrich Hütten—HisPlans—Last Effort of Chivalry—Hütten dies at Ufnau | [267] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Erasmus and Luther—Vacillations of Erasmus—Luther to Erasmus—Erasmus'sTreatise against Luther on Free Will—Three Opinions—Effectupon Luther—Luther on Free Will—The Jansenists and theReformers—Homage to Erasmus—His Anger—The Three Days | [274] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| The Three Adversaries—Source of Truth—Grebel—the fanaticsand Zwingle—Constitution of the Church—Prison—The Prophet Blaurock—Fanaticismat Saint Gall—Schucker and Family—Discussionat Zurich—The Limits of the Reformation—Punishment of the fanatics | [286] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Progression and Immobility—Zwingle and Luther—Luther's Return toScholasticism—Respect for Tradition—Occam—Contrary Tendency inZwingle—Beginning of the Controversy—Œcolampadius and the SwabianSyngramma—Strasburg mediates | [294] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| The Tockenburg—An Assembly of the People—Reformation—TheGrisons—Disputation at Ilantz—Results—Reformation at Zurich | [305] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| The Oligarchs—Bernese Mandate of 1526 in Favour of the Papacy—Discussionat Baden—Regulations of the Discussion—Riches andPoverty—Eck and Œcolampadius—Discussion—Zwingle's Share in theDiscussion—Vaunts of the Romanists—Abusive Language of a Monk—Closeof the Disputation | [310] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Consequences at Basle, Berne, Saint Gall, and other Places—Diet atZurich—The small Cantons—Threats against Berne—Foreign Support | [318] |
| BOOK XII. | |
| THE FRENCH. 1500-1526. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Universality of Christianity—Enemies of the Reform in France—Heresyand Persecution in Dauphiny—A country Mansion—The Farel Family—Pilgrimageto the Holy Cross—Immorality and Superstition—Williamdesires to become a Student | [324] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Louis XII. and the Assembly of Tours—Francis and Margaret—LearnedMen—Lefevre—His Courses at the University—Meeting between Lefevreand Farel—Farel's Hesitation and Researches—First Awakening—Lefevre'sProphecy—Teaches Justification by Faith—Objections—Disorderof the Colleges—Effects on Farel—Election—Sanctificationof Life | [332] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Farel and the Saints—The University—Farel's Conversion—Farel andLuther—Other Disciples—Date of the Reform in France—SpontaneousRise of the different Reforms—Which was the first?—Lefevre'sPlace | [343] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Character of Francis I.—Commencement of Modern Times—Libertyand Obedience—Margaret of Valois—The Court—Briçonnet, Count ofMontbrun—Lefevre commends him to the Bible—Francis I. and "hisChildren"—The Gospel brought to Margaret—Conversion—Adoration—Margaret'sCharacter | [349] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Enemies of the Reformation—Louisa—Duprat—Concordat of Bologna—Oppositionof the Parliament and the University—The Sorbonne—Beda—HisCharacter—His Tyranny—Berquin, the most learned of theNobility—The Intriguers of the Sorbonne—Heresy of the three Magdalens—Luthercondemned at Paris—Address of the Sorbonne to theKing—Lefevre quits Paris for Meaux | [358] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Briçonnet visits his Diocese—Reform—The Doctors persecuted in Paris—Philibertaof Savoy—Correspondence between Margaret and Briçonnet | [367] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Beginning of the Church at Meaux—The Scriptures in French—TheArtisans and the Bishop—Evangelical Harvest—The Epistles of St.Paul sent to the King—Lefevre and Roma—The Monks before theBishop—The Monks before the Parliament—Briçonnet gives way | [376] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Lefevre and Farel persecuted—Difference between the Lutheran andReformed Churches—Leclerc posts up his Placards—Leclerc branded—Berquin'sZeal—Berquin before the Parliament—Rescued byFrancis I.—Mazurier's Apostacy—Fall and Remorse of Pavanne—Metz—Chatelain—PeterToussaint becomes attentive—Leclerc breaksthe Images—Leclerc's Condemnation and Torture—Martyrdom ofChatelain—Flight | [389] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Farel and his Brothers—Farel expelled from Gap—He preaches in theFields—The Knight Anemond of Coct—The Minorite—Anemond quitsFrance—Luther to the Duke of Savoy—Farel quits France | [408] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Catholicity of the Reformation—Friendship between Farel and Œcolampadius—Fareland Erasmus—Altercation—Farel demands a Disputation—Theses—Scriptureand Faith—Discussion | [416] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| New Campaign—Farel's Call to the Ministry—An Outpost—Lyons—Sebvilleat Grenoble—Conventicles—Preaching at Lyons—Maigret inPrison—Margaret intimidated | [423] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| The French at Basle—Encouragement of the Swiss—Fears of Discord—Translatingand Printing at Basle—Bibles and Tracts disseminatedin France | [432] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Progress at Montbeliard—Resistance and Commotion—Toussaint leavesŒcolampadius—The Image of Saint Anthony—Death of Anemond—Strasburg—Lambert'sLetter to Francis I.—Successive Defeats | [438] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Francis made Prisoner at Pavia—Reaction against the Reformation—Margaret'sAnxiety for her Brother—Louisa consults the Sorbonne—Commissionagainst the Heretics—Briçonnet brought to Trial—Appealto the Parliament—Fall—Recantation—Lefevre accused—Condemnationand Flight—Lefevre at Strasburg—Louis Berquin imprisoned—Erasmusattacked—Schuch at Nancy—His Martyrdom—Struggle withCaroli—Sorrow of Pavanne—His Martyrdom—A Christian Hermit—Concourseat Notre Dame | [446] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| A Student of Noyon—Character of young Calvin—Early Education—Consecratedto Theology—The Bishop gives him the Tonsure—Heleaves Noyon on Account of the Plague—The two Calvins—Slanders—TheReformation creates new Languages—Persecution and Terror—Toussaintput in Prison—The Persecution more furious—Death of DuBlet, Moulin, and Papillon—God saves the Church—Margaret's Project—HerDeparture for Spain | [473] |