Read Ebook: History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century Volume 1 by Merle D Aubign J H Jean Henri Beveridge Henry Translator

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Ebook has 1735 lines and 150122 words, and 35 pages

STATE OF MATTERS BEFORE THE REFORMATION. PAGE

Christianity--Formation of the Papacy--Unity of the Church--The Decretals--Hildebrand--Corruption of Doctrine, 13

Grace and Works--Pelagianism--Penances--Indulgences-- Supererogation--Purgatory--Taxation--Jubilee, 27

Relics--Easter Merriment--Corruption of the Clergy--A Priest's Family--Education--Ignorance, 34

Christianity Imperishable--Opposition to Rome--Frederick the Wise--His Character--His Anticipation, 42

The Empire--National Character--Switzerland--Italy--Spain-- Portugal--France--Netherlands--England--Scotland--The North--Russia--Poland--Bohemia--Hungary, 48

Literature--Dante--Printing--Reuchlin--His Struggle with the Dominicans, 71

Erasmus--His Genius--His 'Praise of Folly'--His Greek Testament-- His Influence--His Failings, 82

The Nobles--H?tten--'Letters of some Obscure Men'--Seckingen-- Cronberg--Hans Sachs--General Fermentation, 94

YOUTH, CONVERSION, AND FIRST LABOURS, OF LUTHER.

Luther--His Parentage--The Paternal Roof--Strict Discipline-- School--The Shunammite--His Studies--University, 103

Scholasticism and the Classics--Luther's Piety--His Discovery of a Bible--His Sickness--The Thunderstorm--His Entrance into a Convent, 112

His Father's Anger--Servile Employments--His Studies--The Bible--Hebrew and Greek--His Agony during Mass--Faints, 118

Staupitz--His Piety--His Visitation--His Conversation--Presents Luther with a Bible--The Old Monk--Luther's Consecration-- His Call to Wittemberg, 126

The University of Wittemberg--Luther's First Employment-- Biblical Lectures--Preaching at Wittemberg--The Old Chapel, 136

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

Doctor's Degree--Carlstadt--Luther's Oath--First Views of Reformation--The Schoolmen--Spalatin, 149

'Popular Declamations'--Moral Purity of Luther--Mysticism-- Spenlein--Justification by Faith--Necessity of Works, 156

First Theses--Visit to the Convents--Dresden--Erfurt--Tornator Peace and the Cross--Labours--The Plague, 163

Luther and the Elector--Duke George--Luther at Court--Dinner Emser's Supper, 167

Theses--Human Nature--Rationalism--Eck--Urban Regius--Luther's Modesty, 172

THE INDULGENCES AND THESES.

Cort?ge--Tezel--His Discourse--Sale of Indulgences--Public Penance--Letter of Indulgence--Feasting and Debauchery, 180

The Soul in the Burying-Ground--Shoemaker of Hagenau--Myconius-- Stratagem--Miner of Schneeberg, 187

Leo X--His Necessities--Albert--His Character--Franciscans and Dominicans, 193

Tezel Approaches--Luther in the Confessional--Tezel's Rage-- Luther's Discourse--The Elector's Dream, 197

Luther's Theses--Letter to Albert--Dissemination of the Theses, 203

Reuchlin--Erasmus--Flek--Bibra--The Emperor--The Pope--Myconius-- The Monks--Adelman--An Old Priest--Bishop of Brandenburg-- Luther's Moving Principle, 213

Tezel's Attack--Luther's Reply--Luther and Spalatin--Study of Scripture--Scheurl and Luther--Luther pleads for the People--A new Suit, 221

Disputation at Frankfort--Tezel's Theses--Knipstrow--Luther's Theses burnt--Tezel's Theses burnt, 227

Prierio--His Dialogue--Luther's Reply--Hochstraten--Eck--'The Obelisks'--'The Asterisks,' 235

Popular Writings--Lord's Prayer--Sermon on Repentance, 244

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.

'Solutions'--Leo X--Luther to the Bishop--To the Pope--To the Vicar-General--Rovere to the Elector--Discourse on Excommunication, 258

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

Schwarzerd--His Wife--Philip Melancthon--His Genius--His Studies--Call to Wittemberg--Leipsic--Parallel between Luther and Melancthon--Education, 273

Luther and Staupitz--Order to Appear--Luther's Departure for Augsburg--Weimar--Nuremberg, 280

Arrival at Augsburg--De Vio--Serra-Longa--Safe-Conduct--Luther to Melancthon, 285

First Appearance--Conditions of Rome--Propositions to Retract-- Luther's Reply--Impressions on both Sides--Arrival of Staupitz, 293

Communication to the Legate--Second Appearance--Luther's Declaration--The Legate's Reply--The Legate's Volubility-- Luther's Request, 299

Third Appearance--Treasury of Indulgences--Humble Request-- Legate's Rage--Luther Retires, 303

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

Luther's Flight--Luther's Wish--The Legate to the Elector--The Elector to the Legate--Prosperity of the University, 316

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.

The historian has a choice in the field in which he is to labour. He may describe the great events which change the face of a people, or the face of the world; or he may narrate the calm and progressive course, whether of a nation, the Church, or mankind, which usually follows great social changes. Both fields of history are highly important; but the preference, in point of interest, seems due to those epochs which, under the name of Revolutions, introduce a nation or society at large to a new era and a new life.

The Reformation differs essentially from the revolutions of antiquity, and from the greater part of those of modern times. In these, political changes are in question, and the object is to establish or overthrow the ascendancy of one, or it may be of many. The love of truth, of holiness, and eternity, was the simple, yet powerful, spring by which our Reformation was effected. It marks a step which human nature has taken in advance. In fact, if man, instead of pursuing only material, temporal, earthly interests, proposes to himself a higher aim, aspiring to immaterial and immortal blessings, he advances and makes progress. The Reformation is one of the brightest days of this glorious advance. It is a pledge that the new struggle, which is now being decided, will terminate in favour of truth, with a triumph still more pure, spiritual, and splendid.

Christianity and the Reformation are the two greatest revolutions on record. Unlike the different political movements of which we read, they took place not in one nation merely, but in several nations, and their effects must be felt to the end of the world.

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