## HISTORY

## OF

## THE REFORMATION

## OF

## THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY

## BY J. H. MERLE D’AUBIGNE, D.D.,

President of the Theological School of Geneva, and Vice President of the Societe Evangelique.

## VOLUMES I. TO V.

Volumes I., II., and III., translated by H. White, B.A. Trinity College, Cambridge, M.A. and Ph. Dr. Heidelberg, and carefully revised by the author, who has made numerous important additions not to be found in any other translation; vol. IV. the english original by Dr. Merle D’Aubigne’, assisted by Dr. White; and vol. V. translated by Dr. White, and carefully revised by the author

J’appelle accessoire, l’estat des affaires de coste vie caduque et transitoire. J’appelie principal, le gouvernement spirituel auquel reluit souverainement la providence de Dieu. - Theodore de Bèze.

By accessory, I mean the state of affairs in this frail and transitory life; by principal, the spiritual government in which God’s providence rules supreme. - Theodore Beza.

## PREFACE

## TO

## OLIVER & BOY’S EDITION REVISED BY THE AUTHOR.

I have been often requested to publish and English Edition of the first three volumes of the Reformation, carefully revised and corrected by myself, and which might thus become a Standard Edition in Great Britain.

I have acknowledged the necessity of this task. In fact, without overlooking the merit of the different English translations of this work; even the best, I am compelled to say, have failed in conveying my thoughts in several passages; and in some cases this inaccuracy has been of serious consequence. I will mention one instance.

At the end of the; year 1844, I received several letters from the United States, informing me that, besides 75,000 copies of my History put in circulation by different American booksellers, The American Tract Society had printed and edition of 24,000 copies, which they sold through the instrumentality of more than a hundred hawkers (colporteurs), principally in the New Settlements, which no bookseller con reach, but whither the pope ceases not from sending active emissaries; they added, that the committee of this society, composed of different denominations, and among others of Episcopalians and Baptists, were rendered uneasy by certain passages in my history, and had thought proper, with the best intentions, either to modify or retrench them; they informed me, lastly, that two Presbyterian synods, astonished at these changes, had publicly accused the Society of mutilating the work, and that there had arisen (wrote one of the most respectable men in the United States, himself a Presbyterian, and not a member of the Society) so violent a discussion, that “the Committee will inevitably be ruined unless you interfere to rescue it.”

I thought it you duty to do so without sacrificing, however, any of the facts or and of the opinions I had put forth. And the following is one of the means to which I had recourse:-

On closely examining the inculpated passages, I found that in some cases those which had offended either the Episcopalians or the Baptists, were incorrectly rendered in the English translation which the New York Committee had before it.

Thus in vol. 3 book 9 chap. 4, the Committee had been stopped by this expression: “It is the Episcopal authority itself that Luther calls to the bar of judgment in the person of the German primate.”

The Committee consequently altered this phrase, and wrote: “It is the authority of Rome itself that Luther calls to the bar of judgment in the person of the German primate.”

This is no doubt an important alteration, but the first translator had himself changed my idea. The French reads thus: “C’est l’episcopat tout entier que Luther traduit ‘a sa barre dans la personne de primat germanique.” (vol. 3 p. 34, 1. 8.)

There is no question of episcopal authority, but of the whole body of the Roman-catholic bishops. I pronounce neither for nor against the episcopal authority: I am content to point out an inaccuracy in the translation.

Here is another instance:-

In vol. 3 book 9. chap. 11, the New York Committee were stopped by this expression, which they found in the English translation: “The ancient structure of the Church was thus tottering;” and they substituted, “The ancient structure of Popery was thus tottering.”

In the French there occurs neither Church nor Popery, but simply: “l’ancien ‘edifice s’’ecroulait.” (Vol. 3. p. 150, last line.) Nevertheless the Committee’s rendering is preferable. It is not the Church of Christ that was tottering, since the gates of hell cannot prevail against it: it is the Papal Church, as is evident from the context. Most of the other passages changed by the American Society were no doubt originally translated with tolerable fidelity; but it was sufficient that some were not so, to make the author feel the necessity of a new edition carefully revised by himself.

This I have done in the present Edition. I have revised this translation line by line, and word by word; and I have restored the sense wherever I did not find it clearly rendered. It is the only one which I have corrected. I declare in consequence, that I acknowledge this translation as the only faithful expression of my thoughts in the English language,; and I recommend it as such to all my readers.

Further, I have in this Edition made numerous corrections and additions, frequently of importance. Some facts have been related that have not been introduced else where, so that it will thus have and indisputable authority over all others.

It is almost unnecessary for me to add, that if the other translations appear to me somewhat defective, I accuse neither the publishers nor the translators: this is an inevitable disadvantage when the work is not revised by the author. There are some publishers in particular with whom I have had pleasing intercourse, and whom (I feel compelled to say) I am delighted in reckoning among the number of my friends.

I seize the present opportunity of adding, that neither the evangelical Episcopalians nor the Baptists can find any thing in this work contrary to their principles. Certainly I am a Presbyterian; certainly this work is opposed to a dogmatic and sectarian Episcopacy,-to the Episcopacy of Leighton, Scott, J. Newton, Simeon, and Cecil,-which, faithful to the Word of God, desires to lay no other foundation that Jesus Christ.

There is an error with regard to the Baptists that has misled many individuals. They have imagined that the Anabaptists in the time of the Reformation and the Baptists of our day are the same sect. But they are two sects that, both in doctrine and history, are as distinct as possible. When the English Baptists separated from the Episcopal establishment in the sixteenth century, they did so without being in any way influenced by the Anabaptists of the Continent. The example of the latter would rather have prevented their separation.

I should here render justice to the evangelical Episcopalians and Baptists of Great Britain. They have acknowledged (at least I have heard nothing to the contrary) that the work of God narrated in these volumes had a claim to their entire sympathy. Christianity is neither an abstract doctrine nor

and external organization. It is a life from God communicated to mankind, or rather to the Church. This new life is contained essentially in the person of Jesus Christ, and it is given to all those who are united to him, whether Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, or others. For this union is effected neither by the baptism of adults, not by the episcopacy, nor by general assemblies; but solely by faith in certain Divine facts that Christ has accomplished,; his humble incarnation, his atoning death, and his glorious resurrection. From this intimate union of Christians with Christ there necessarily results and intimate union of Christians with all those who receive the life of Christ: for the life that is in one is the life that is in all; and all together, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, etc., form not a simple plurality, but also, and chief of all, a living and organic unity.

The history of the Reformation is the history of one of the greatest outpourings of the life that cometh from God. May this work contribute to unite always more and more all those who are partakers of that Divine life.

## Signed J. H. Merle D’Aubigne

Eaux Vives, near Geneva, February 1846

## CONTENTS TO VOLUME FIRST

## STATE OF EUROPE BEFORE THE REFORMATION.

## PREFACE TO VOLUME FIRST

Christianity — Two distinctive Principles — Rise of the Papacy — Early Encroachments — Influence of Rome — Co-operation of the Bishops and of the Sects — Visible Unity of the Church — Invisible Unity of the Church — Primacy of St. Peter — Patriarchates — Co-operation of Princes — Influence of the Barbarians — Rome invokes the aid of the Franks — Secular Power — Pepin and Charlemagne — The Decretals — Disorders of Rome — The Emperor, the Pope’s Suzerain — Hildebrand — His Character — Celibacy — Struggle with the Empire — Emancipation of the Pope — Hildebrand’s Successors — The Crusades — The Empire — The Church

Grace — Dead Faith — Works — Unity and Duality — Pelagianism — Salvation at the Hands of the Priests — Penance — Flagellations — Indulgences — Works of Supererogation — Purgatory — The Tariff — Jubilee — The Papacy and Christianity — State of Christendom

Religion — Relics — Easter Revels — Morals — Corruption — Disorders of the Priests, Bishops, and Popes — A Papal Family — Alexander VI — Caesar Borgia — Education — Ignorance — Ciceronians

Imperishable Nature of Christianity — Two Laws of God — Apparent Strength of Rome — Secret Opposition — Decline — Threefold Opposition — Kings and People — Transformation of the Church — The Pope judged in Italy — Discoveries of Kings and their Subjects — Frederick the Wise — Moderation and Expectation

Popular Feeling — The Empire — Providential Preparations — Impulse of the Reformation — Peace — The Commonalty — National Character — Papal Yoke — State of the Empire — Opposition at Rome — Middle Classes — Switzerland — Courage — Liberty — Smaller Cantons — Italy — Obstacles to the Reform — Spain — Obstacles — Portugal — France — Preparations — Disappointment — The Low Countries — England — Scotland — The North — Russia — Poland — Bohemia — Hungary

Roman Theology — Remains of Life — Justification by Faith — Witnesses to the Truth — Claudius — The Mystics — The Waldenses — Valdo — Wickliffe — Huss — Prediction — Protestantism before the Reformation — Anselm — Arnoldi — Utenheim — Martin — New Witnesses in the Church — Thomas Conecte — The Cardinal of Crayn — Institoris — Savonarola — Justification by Faith — John Vitrarius — John Lallier — John of Wesalia — John of Goch — John Wessel — Protestantism before the Reformation — The Bohemian Brethren — Prophecy of Proles — Prophecy of the Eisenach Franciscan

Third Preparation — Letters — Revival — Recollections of Antiquity in Italy — Influence of the Humanists — Christianity of Dante — Valla — Infidelity in Italy — Platonic Philosophy — Commencement of Learning in Germany — Young Students — Printing — Characteristics of German Literature — The Learned and the Schoolmen — A New World —

Reuchlin — Reuchlin in Italy — His Labors — His Influence in Germany — Mysticism — Contest with the Dominicans

Erasmus — Erasmus a Canon — At Paris — His Genius — His Reputation — His Influence — Popular Attack — Praise of Folly — Gibes — Churchmen — Saints — Folly and the Popes — Attack on Science — Principles — Greek New Testament — His Profession of Faith — His Labors and Influence — His Failings — Two Parties — Reform without Violence — Was such Possible? — Unreformed Church — His Timidity — His Indecision — Erasmus loses his Influence with all Parties

The Nobility — Different Motives — Hutten — Literary League — Literae Obscurorum Virorum — Their Effect — Luther’s Opinion — Hutten at Brussels — His Letters — Sickengen — War — His Death — Cronberg — Hans Sachs — General Ferment

## THE YOUTH, CONVERSION, AND EARLY LABORS OF LUTHER. 1483-1517.

Luther’s Descent — His Parents — His Birth — His Poverty — Paternal Home — Severity — First Knowledge — School of Magdeburg — Hardships — Eisenach — The Shunamite — House of Cotta — Arts — Recollections of these Times — His Studies — Trebonius — The University

The University — Scholastic Divinity and the Classics — Luther’s Piety — Discovery of the Bible — Illness — Luther admitted MA — Conscience

— Death of Alexis — The Thunder Storm — Providence — Farewell — Luther enters a Convent

His Father’s Anger — Pardon — Humiliation — The Sack and the Cell — Endurance — Luther’s Studies — St Augustine — Peter d’Ailly — Occam — Gerson — The Chained Bible — Lyra — Hebrew and Greek — Daily Prayers — Asceticism — Mental Struggles — Luther during Mass — Useless Observances — Luther in a Fainting-fit

Pious Monks — Staupitz — His Piety — Visitation — Conversations — The Grace of Christ — Repentance — Power of Sin — Sweetness of Repentance — Election — Providence — The Bible — The aged Monk — Forgiveness of Sins — Ordination — The Dinner — Festival of Corpus Christi — Luther made Professor at Wittenberg

The University of Wittenberg — First Instructions — Biblical Lectures — Sensation — Luther Preaches at Wittenberg — The Old Chapel — Impression produced by his Sermons

Journey to Rome — Convent on the Po — Sickness at Bologna — Recollections of Rome — Julius II — Superstitious Devotion — Profanity of the Clergy — Conversations — Roman Scandals — Biblical Studies — Pilate’s Staircase — Effects on Luther’s Faith and on the Reformation — Gate of Paradise — Luther’s Confession

Luther returns to Wittenberg — Made Doctor of Divinity — Carlstadt — Luther’s Oath — Principle of the Reformation — Luther’s Courage — Early Views of Reformation — The Schoolmen — Spalatin — Reuchlin’s Quarrel with the Monks

Faith — Popular Declamations — Academic Teaching — Luther’s Purity of Life — German Theology or Mysticism — The Monk Spenlein — Justification by Faith — Luther on Erasmus — Faith and Works — Erasmus — Necessity of Works — Luther’s Charity

Luther’s First Theses — The Old Adam and Grace — Visitaton of the Convents — Luther at Dresden and Erfurth — Tornator — Peace and the Cross — Results of Luther’s Journey — His Labors — The Plague

The Relics — Relations of Luther with the Elector — Advice to the Chaplain — Duke George — His Character — Luther’s Sermon before the Court — Dinner at Court — Evening with Emser

Return to Wittenberg — Theses — Free Will — Nature of Man — Rationalism — Proposal to the University at Erfurth — Eck — Urban Regius — Luther’s Modesty — Effect of the Theses

## THE INDULGENCES AND THE THESES — MAY

Procession — Tetzel — Tetzel’s Sermon — Confession — Four Graces — Sale — Public Penance — Letter of Indulgence — Exceptions — Amusements and Dissipation

The Franciscan Confessor — The Soul in the Burial-ground — The shoemaker of Hagenau — The Students — Myconius — Conversation

with Tetzel — Trick of a Nobleman — Remarks of the Wise and of the people— A Miner of Schneeberg

Leo X — The Pope’s Necessities — Albert — His Character — Farming the Indulgences — Franciscans and Dominicans

Tetzel approaches — Luther in the Confessional — Tetzel’s Anger — Luther has no Plan — Jealousy on Orders — Luther’s Sermon — The Elector’s Dream

Festival of All-Saints — Theses — Their Strength — Moderation — Providence — Letter to Albert — Indifference of the Bishops — Dissemination of the Theses

Reuchlin — Erasmus — Flek — Bibra — The Emperor — The Pope — Myconius — The Monks — Apprehensions — Adelman — An aged Priest — The Bishop — The Elector — The Townspeople of Erfurth — Luther’s Answer — Disorder — Luther’s Mainspring

Tetzel’s Attack — Luther’s Reply — Good Works — Luther and Spalatin — Study of Scripture — Scheurl and Luther — Doubts on the Theses — Luther pleads for the People — A New Coat

Frankfort Discussion — Tetzel’s Theses — Menaces — Knipstrow’s Opposition — Luther’s Theses burnt — The Monks — Luther’s Peace — Tetzel’s Theses burnt — Grief of Luther

Prierio — System of Rome — Dialogue — System of Reform — Answer to Prierio — The Word — The Pope and the Church — Hochstraten — The Monks — Luther replies — Eck — The School — The Obelisks — Luther’s Sentiments — The Asterisks — Rapture

Popular Writings — The Lord’s Prayer — Our Father — Who art in Heaven — Hallowed by thy Name — They Kingdom come — Thy Will be done — Our Daily Bread — Sermon on Repentance — Remission of Sins cometh from Christ

Apprehensions of his Friends — Journey to Heidelberg — Bibra — Palatine Palace — Rupture — The Paradoxes — Disputation — The Audience — Bucer — Brentz — Snepf — Conversations with Luther — Labors of these young Doctors — Effects on Luther — The aged Professor — The true-Light — Arrival

## LUTHER BEFORE THE LEGATE MAY TO DECEMBER

The Resolutions — Repentance — Papacy — Leo X — Luther to his Bishop — Luther to the Pope — Luther to the Vicar-general — Rovera to the Elector — Sermon on Excommunication — Influence and Strength of Luther

Diet at Augsburg — The Emperor to the Pope — The Elector to Rovera — Luther summoned to Rome — Luther’s Peace — Intercession of the

University — Papal Brief — Luther’s Indignation — The Pope to the Elector

The Armorer Schwartzerd — His Wife — Philip — His Genius and Studies — The Bible — Call to Wittenberg — Melancthon’s Departure and Journey — Leipsic — Mistake — Luther’s Joy — Parallel — Revolution in Education — Study of Greek

Sentiments of Luther and Staupitz — Summons to appear — Alarm and Courage — The Elector with the Legate — Departure for Augsburg — Sojourn at Weimar — Nuremberg — Arrival at Augsburg

De Vio — His Character — Serra Longa — Preliminary Conversation — Visit of the Councillors — Return of Serra Longa — The Prior — Luther’s Discretion — Luther and Serra Longa — the Safe-conduct — Luther to Melancthon

First Appearance — First Words — Conditions of Rome — Propositions to be retracted — Luther’s Answer — He withdraws — Impression on both Parties — Arrival of Staupitz

Second Interview — Luther’s Declaration — The Legate’s Answer — His Volubility — Luther’s Request

Second Interview — Treasure of Indulgences — Faith — Humble Petition — Legate’s Reply — Luther’s Answer — The Legate’s Anger — Luther withdraws — First Defection

De Vio and Staupitz — Staupitz and Luther — Luther to Spalatin — Luther to Carlstadt — The Communion — Link and De Vio — Departure of Link and Staupitz — Luther to Cajetan — Cardinal’s Silence — Luther’s Farewell — Departure — Appeal to Rome

Luther’s Flight — Admiration — Luther’s Desire — The Legate to the Elector — The Elector to the Legate — Prosperity of the University

Thoughts on Departure — Farewell to the Church — Critical Moment — Deliverance — Luther’s Courage — Dissatisfaction at Rome — Bull — Appeal to a Council

## CONTENTS TO VOLUME SECOND

## THE LEIPSIC DISPUTATION

Luther’s Danger — God preserves Luther — The Pope sends a Chamberlain — The Legate’s Journey — Roman Briefs — Circumstances favorable to the Reform — Miltitz with Spalatin — Tetzel’s Alarm — Miltitz’s Flattery — Demands a Retraction — Luther refuses, but offers to keep Silence — Agreement between Luther and the Nuncio — The Legate’s Kiss — Tetzel reproached by the Legate — Luther to the Pope — Nature of the Reformation — Luther opposes Separation — De Vio and Miltitz at Treves — Luther’s Cause extends over various Countries — Luther’s Writings begin the Reformation

Pause in Germany — Eck revives the Contest — Disputation between Eck and Carlstadt — Question of the Pope — Luther replies — Fears of Luther’s Friends — Luther’s Courage — The Truth triumphs unaided — Refusal of Duke George — Gaiety of Mosellanus — Fears of Erasmus

Arrival of Eck and of the Wittenbergers — Amsdorff — The Students — Carlstadt’s Accident — Placard — Eck and Luther — The Pleissenburg — Judges proposed — Luther objects — He consents at last

Opening of the Disputation — Speech of Mosellanus — Veni, Sancte Spiritus — Portraits of Luther and Carlstadt — Doctor Eck — Carlstadt’s Books — Merit of Congruity — Natural Powers — Scholastic Distinction — Point at which Rome and the Reformation diverge — Liberty given to Man by Grace — Carlstadt’s Notes — Clamor of the Spectators — Melancthon during the Disputation — His Opinion — Eck’s Manoeuvers — Luther Preaches — Citizens of Leipsic — Quarrels between the Students and Doctors

The Hierarchy and Rationalism — The Two Peasants’ Sons — Eck and Luther begin — The Head of the Church — Primacy of Rome — Equality of Bishops — Peter the Foundation-stone — Christ the Corner-stone — Eck insinuates that Luther is a Hussite — Luther on the Doctrine of Huss — Agitation among the Hearers — The Word alone — The Court-fool — Luther at Mass — Saying of the Duke — Purgatory — Close of the Discussion

Interest felt by the Laity — Luther’s Opinion — Confession and Boasts of Doctor Eck — Effects of the Disputation — Poliander — Cellarius — The

Young Prince of Anhalt — The Students of Leipsic — Cruciger — Melancthon’s Call — Luther’s Emancipation

Eck attacks Melancthon — Melancthon’s Defense — Interpretation of Holy Scripture — Luther’s Firmness — The Bohemian Brothers — Emser — Staupitz

The Epistle to the Galatians — Christ for us — Blindness of Luther’s Opponents — Earliest Ideas on the Lord’s Supper — Is the Sacrament without Faith sufficient? — Luther a Bohemian — Eck attacked — Eck goes to Rome

## THE PAPAL BULL

Character of Maximilian — Candidates for the Empire — Charles — Francis I — Disposition of the Germans — The Crown offered to Frederick — Charles elected Emperor

Luther’s Letter to the Emperor — His Danger — Frederick’s Instructions to his Envoy at Rome — Luther’s Sentiments — Melancthon’s Fears — The German Nobles favor the Reformation — Schaumburg — Sickingen — Ulrich of Hutten — Luther’s Confidence — Erasmus defends Luther — Abstemius — Hedio — Luther becomes more free — Faith the Source of Works — What gives Faith? — Luther judging his own Writings

The Papacy attacked — Appeal to the Nobility — The three Walls — All Christians are Priests — The Magistrate should chastise the Clergy — Roman Corruptions — Ruin of Italy — Dangers of Germany — The Pope — The Legates — The Monks — Marriage of Priests — Celibacy — Festivals — The Bohemians — Charity — The Universities — The Empire — The Emperor should retake Rome — Unpublished Book — Luther’s Moderation — Success of the Address

Preparations at Rome — Motives for Papal Resistance — Eck at Rome — The King of Crowns — Eck prevails — The Pope is the World — God brings about the Separation — A Swiss Priest pleads for Luther — The Roman Consistory — Exordium of the Bull — Luther condemned

Wittenberg — Melancthon — His Marriage — Catherine — Domestic Life — Benevolence — Good Humor — Christ and Antiquity — Labor — Love of Letters — His Mother — Revolt of the Students

The Gospel in Italy — Sermon on the Mass — Babylonish Captivity of the Church — Baptism — Abolition of other Vows — Progress of Reform

Fresh Negotiations — The Augustines at Eisleben — Miltitz — Deputation to Luther — Miltitz and the Elector — Conference at Lichtemberg — Luther’s Letter to the Pope — Book presented to the Pope — Union of Christ with the Believer — Liberty and Bondage

The Bull in Germany — Eck’s Reception — The Bull at Wittenberg — Zwingle’s Intervention

Luther’s Appeal to God — His Opinion of the Bull — A Neutral Family — Luther on the Bull — Against the Bull of Antichrist — The Pope forbids Faith — Effects of the Bull — The Burning Pile of Louvain

Decisive Step of the Reformer — Luther’s Appeal to a General Council — Close Combat — The Bull burnt by Luther — Meaning of this daring Act — Luther in the Academy — Luther against the Pope — New Work by Melancthon — How Luther encourages his Friends — Progress of the Struggle — Melancthon’s Opinions on the Weak-hearted — Luther’s Treatise on the Bible — Doctrine of Grace — Luther’s Recantation

Coronation of Charles the Fifth — The Nuncio Aleander — Shall Luther’s Books be burnt? — Aleander and the Emperor — The Nuncios and the Elector — Duke John’s Son in behalf of Luther — Luther’s Calmness — The Elector protects Luther — Reply of the Nuncios — Erasmus at Cologne — Erasmus at the Elector’s — Declaration of Erasmus — Advice of Erasmus — System of Charles V

Luther on Confession — Real Absolution — Antichrist — Luther’s Popularity — Satires — Ulrich of Hutten — Lucas Cranach — The Carnival at Wittenberg — Staupitz intimidated — Luther’s Labors — His Humility — Progress of the Reformation

## THE DIET OF WORMS , JANUARY TO MAY

Victories of the Word of God — The Diet of Worms — Policy of Rome — Difficulties — Charles demands Luther — The Elector to Charles V — State of Feeling — Alarm of Aleander — The Elector departs without Luther — Aleander arouses Rome — Excommunication of Pope and Communion with Christ — Fulminations of the Bull — Luther’s Motives in the Reformation

A Foreign Prince — Council of Politicians — Conference between the Confessor and the Chancellor — Inutility of these Manoeuvers — Aleander’s Activity — Luther’s Words — Charles yields to the Pope