/ r ^ 3 
 
 MA.HTiN 1 rniKn i^rfokv. thf, dikt at worms 
 
 N F,W YORIv. 
 CAR-1 I'.K 5 8 CAXiM. STl^EET. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 REFORMATION 
 
 SIXTEENTH CENTURY 
 
 VOLUME SECOND. 
 
 By. J. H. merle D'AUBIGNE, D.D., 
 
 President of the Theological School of Geneva, and Vice President 
 of the Socieie Evangelique : 
 
 B A. Trinity College Cambridge, M.A. and Ph. Dr. Heidelberg. 
 
 THE TRANSLATION- CAREFULTA' PwEVISKD BY DR. d'aUBIGNE, WHO HAS 
 ALSO MADE VARIOUS ADDITIONS NOT HITHERTO TUBLISHED. 
 
 NEW YORK; 
 
 ROBERT CARTER, 58 CANAL STREET, 
 AND PITTSBURG, 56 MARKET STREET. 
 
 1848. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 THE LEIPSIC DISPUTATION. 1519. y 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Luther's Danger— God preserves Luther— The Popo sends a Chamber- 
 lain—The Legate's Journey- Roman Briefs - Circumstances favourable 
 to the Reform— Miltitz with Spalatin— Tetzel's Alarm -Miltitz's Flat- 
 tery—Demands a Retractation— 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— liUther's 
 Writings begin the Reformation... Page 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 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— Feara of Eras- 
 mus 26 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Arrival of Eck and of the Wittembergers— Amsdorff— The Students— 
 Carlstadt's Accident— Placard -Eck and Luther— The Pleissenburg— 
 Judges proposed— Luther objects— He consents at last 35 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Opening of the Disputation— Speech of Mosellanus — Vem^ Sancte Spirt- 
 /?/5— Portraits of Luther and Carlstadt— Doctor Eck— Carlstadt's 
 Books— Merit of Congraity— Natural Powers— Scholastic Distinction 
 —Point at which Rome and the Reformation diverge — Liberty given 
 to Man by Grace— Carlstadt's Notes— Clamour of the Spectators— 
 Melancthon during the Disputation— His Opinion— Eck's Manoeuvres 
 — Luther Preaches — Citizens of Leipsic— Quarrels between the Stu- 
 dents and Doctors. 40 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 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 , Page 51 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 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 — Mo* 
 lancthon's Call— Luther's Emancipation 63 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 Eck attacks Me'ancthon — Melancthon's Defence — Interpretation of 
 Holy Scripture -Luther's Firmness — The Bohemian Brothers — 
 Emser — Staupitz 70 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Epistle to the Galatians— Christ for us — Blindness of Luther's Op- 
 ponents — Earliest Ideas on the Lord's Supper— Is the Sacrament 
 without Faith sufficient 1 — Luther a Bohemian — Eck attacked — Eck 
 goes to Rome. • 74 
 
 BOOK YI. 
 
 THE PAPAL BULL. 1520, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Character of Maximilian— Candidates for theEmpire— Charles— FrancisL 
 —Disposition of the Germans— The Crown offered to Frederick — 
 Chai'les elected Emperor 80 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 Luther's Letter to the Emperor—His Danger— Frederick's Instructions 
 to his Envoy at Rome— Luther's Sentiments— Melancthon's Fears— 
 ihe German Nobles favour the Reformation- Schaumburg—Sickiiigen 
 — Ulrich of Hutten— Luther's Confidence— Era smu::> deferxds Luther— 
 Abstemius—Hedio— Luther becomes more free— Faith the Source of 
 Works— What gives Faith I -Luther judging his ot^ni Writings 85 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Papacy attacked— Appeal to the Nobility— The three Walla— 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— Fes- 
 tivals -The Bohemians— Charity— The Universities— The Empire- 
 The Emperor should retake Rome— Unpublished Book — Luther's 
 Moderation— Success of the Address Page 94 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Preparations at Rome— Motives for Papal Resistance —Eck at Rome— 
 The King of Crowns -Ei;k prevails— The Pope is the World -God brings 
 about the Separation— A Swiss Priest pleads for Luiher -The Roman 
 Consistory— Exordium of the Bull— Luther condemned lOG 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Wittemberg^Melancthon— His Marriage— Catherine— Domestic Life- 
 Benevolence— Good Humour— Christ and Antiquity — Labour— Love 
 of Letters -His Mother— Revolt of the Students 1L5 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Gospel in Italy— Sermon on the Mass— Babylonish Captivity of the 
 Church —Baptism— Abolition of other Vows— Progress of Reform..l20 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Fresh Negotiations — The Augustines at Eisleben — Miltitz — Deputa- 
 tion 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 125 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Bull in Germany- Eck's Reception— The Bull at Wittemberg— 
 Zwingle's Intervention - 134 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Luther's Appeal to God— His Opinion of the Bull— A Neutral Family- 
 Luther on the Bull— Against the Bull of Antichrist —The Pc^e forbids 
 Faith— Effects of the Bnll-^The Buiaiag Pile- of LoUTaia.... : ...... ..-.140 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 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 tho 
 Struggle — Melancthon's Opinions on the Weak-hearted — Luther's 
 Treatise on th^ Bible— Doctrine of Grace — Luther's Recantation, 
 
 Pago 147 
 
 ' CHAPTER XI. 
 
 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 Calm- 
 ness—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 158 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Luther on Confession — Real Absolution — Antichrist — Luther's Popula- 
 rity — Satires — Ulrich of Hiitten — Lucas Cranach — The Carnival at 
 Wittemberg — Staupitz intimidated — Luther's Labours — His Humility 
 — Progress of the Reformation 169 
 
 BOOK V!L 
 
 THE DIET OF WORMS. 1521, JANUARY TO MAY, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Victories of the Word of God— The Diet of Worms— Policy of Rome— Dif- 
 ficulties— Charles demands Luther— The Elector to Qiarles V.— Stato 
 of Feeling— Alarm of Aleander— The Elector departs without Luthor 
 — Aleander arouses Rome— Excommunication of Pope and Communion 
 with Christ— Fulminations of the Bull— Luther's Motives in the Re- 
 formation 178 
 
 ' CHAPTER II. 
 
 A Foreign Prince — Council of Politicians— Conference between the 
 Confessor and the Chancellor— Inutility of these Manceuvres— Alean- 
 der's Activity— Luther's Words— Charles yields to the Pope.. l88 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Alearder introduced to the Diet— Aleander's Speech— Luther is accused 
 — Home is justified— Appeal to Charles against Luther — Effect of the 
 Nuncio's Speech Page 196 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Sentiments of the Princes — Speech of Duke George— Character of the 
 Reformation — One Hundred and One Grievances— Charles gives Way 
 — Aleander's Stratagems —The Grandees of Spain — Peace of Luther — 
 Death and no Retractation 201 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Shall Luther have a Safe-conduct— The Safe-conduct— Will Luther 
 come— Holy Thursday at Rome— The Pope and Luther 208 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Luther's Courage— Bugenhagen at Wittemberg — Persecutions in Pome- 
 rania— Melaffcthon desires to accompany Luther— Amsdorff, Schurff, 
 and Suaven — Hiitten to Charles V 215 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Departure for the Diet of Wormsjr-Luther's Farewell — His Condemna- 
 tion is posted up — Cavalcade near Erfurth —Meeting between Jonas 
 and Luther — Luther in his former Convent — Luther preaches at Er- 
 furth — Incident— Faith and Works— Concourse of People and Luther's 
 Courage — Luther's Letter to Spalatin — Stay at Frankfort— Fears at 
 Worms — Plan of the Imperialists — Luther's Firmness 220 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Entry into Worms— Death-Song— Charles's Council — Capito and the 
 Temporizers — Luther's numerous Visiters — Citation — Hiitten to Luther 
 — Luther proceeds to the Diet — Saying of Freundsberg— Imposing 
 Assembly — The Chancellor's Speech— Luther's Reply— His Discretion 
 — Saying of Charles V.— Alarm— Triumph— Luther's Firmness — Vio- 
 lence of the Spaniards— Advice — Luther's Struggles and Prayer — 
 Strength of the Reformation— His Vow to the Scriptures— The Court 
 of the Diet— Luther's Speech— Three Classes of Writings— He requires 
 Proof of his Errors— Serious Warnings— He repeats his Speech in 
 
 • Latin— Here I stand; I can say no more— The Weakness of God 
 stronger than Man — A new Attempt — Victory 231 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Tumult and Calmness— The Flac^on of Duke Eric— The Elector and 
 Spalatin— The Emperor's Message— Proposal to violate the Safe- 
 conduct —Violent Opposition— Enthusiasm in Favour of Luther— 
 Langua<;e of Conciliation — Fears of the Elector — Luther's numerous 
 Visiters— Philip of Hesse Pa}i:e251 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Conference with the Archbishop of Treves — Wehe's Exhortation to 
 Luther — Luther's Replies — Private Conversation — Visit of Cochlceus — 
 Supper at the Archbishop's— Conference at the Hotel of the Knights 
 of Rhodes — A Council proposed — Luther's last Interview with the 
 Archbishop — Visit to a sick Friend — Luther receives Orders to leave 
 Worms— Luther's Departure 259 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 The Conflict at Worms— Lnther's Letter to Cranach— Luther's Letter 
 to Charles V.— Luther with the Abbot of Hirschfeldt— The Parish 
 Priest of Eisenach -Several Princes leave the Diet— Charles signs 
 Luther's Condemnation — The Edictof Worms— Luther with his Parents 
 — Luther attacked and carried away — The Ways of God— The Wart- 
 burg— Luther a Prisoner 269 
 
 BOOK VIIL 
 
 THE SWISS. 1484 — 1522. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Movement in Switzerland— Source of the Reformation— Its democratic 
 Character — Foreign Service— Morality — The Tockenburg- A Chalet 
 on the Alps — A Family of Shepherds — Young Ulrich ...280 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Ulrich at Wesen and Basle— Ulrich at Berne — The Dominican Convent — 
 Jetzer — The Apparitions — Passion of the Lay-brother — Imposture — 
 Discovery and Punishment — Zwingle at Vienna and Basle— Music 
 at Basle — Wittembach proclaims the Gospel — Leo Juda — The Priest 
 of Claris • 28S 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Fondnesffor War— Schinner -Pension from the Pope— The Labyrinth 
 —Z winkle in Italy— Principle of Reform— Zwingle and Luther — 
 Zwingle and Erasmus— Zwingle and the ancient Classics— Paris and 
 ^^^"'^ .Page 294 
 
 CHAPTER IV. * 
 
 Zwingle to Erasmus— Oswald Myconius— The Robbers— (Ecolampadius 
 —Zwingle at Marignan - Zwingle and Italy-Zwingle's Method-Com- 
 mencement of the Reform— Discovery— Passage from one World to 
 the other.. , ^^ qqj 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Our Lady of Einsidlen-Zwingle's Call -The Abbot— Geroldsek— A. 
 learned Society— The Bible copied— Zwingle and Superstition— First 
 Opposition to Error- Sensation— Hedio -Zwingle and the Legates— 
 The Honours of Rome— The Bishop of Constance— Samson and the In- 
 dulgences— Stapfer—Zwingle's Charity— His Friends 309 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Canons' College— Election to the Cathedral— Fable— Accusations— 
 Zwingle's Confession— Development of God's Purposes— Farewell to 
 Eihsidlen— Arrival at Zurich— Zwingle's bold Declaration— First 
 Sermons— Their Effect— Opposition— Zwingle's Character— Taste for 
 Music— Arrangement of the Day— The Book- hawker 319 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Indulgences— Samson at Berne and at Baden— The Dean of Brem- 
 garten — Young Henry BuUinger— Samson and the Dean— Zwingle's 
 internal Struggles — Zwingle opposes the Indulgences — Samson is sent 
 back .^ 331 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Zwingle's Toils and Fatigue— The Baths of Pfeffers— The Moment of 
 God— The Great Death— Zwingle attacked by the Plague— His Adver- 
 saries — His Friends — Convalescence — General Joy — Effects of the Pes- 
 tilence — Myconius at Lucerne — Oswald encourages Zwijigle— Zwingle 
 at Basle— Capito invited to Mentz— Hedio at Basle— the Unnatural 
 
 Sou — Preparations for the Struggle..... 338 
 
 I* 
 
10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Two Reformers— The Fall of Man-Expiation of the Man-God— 
 No Merit in Works— Objections refuted— Power of Love for Christ — 
 Election— Christ the sole Master— Efiects of this Preaching — Dejection 
 and Courage— First Act of the Magistrate— Church and State— Attacks 
 — Galster , . Page 350 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A new Combatant— The Reformer of Berne— Zwinale encourages 
 Haller — The Gospel at Lucerne — Oswald persecuted — Zwingle's 
 Preaching— Henry Bullinger and Gerold of Knonau— Rubli at Basle 
 —The Chaplain of the Hospital — War in. Italy— Zwingle protests 
 against the Capitulations 358 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Zwingle opposes Human Traditions— Commotion during Lent— Truth 
 triumphs amidst Opposition— The Bishop's Deputies— Accusation be- 
 fore the Clergy and the Council — Appeal to the Great Council— The 
 Coadjutor and Zwingle— Zwingle's Reply— Decree of the Great Council 
 — Posture of Affairs— Hoffman's Attack 366 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Mourning and Joy in Germany— Plots against Zwingle— The Bishop's 
 Mandate — A.rcheteles— The Bishop's Appeal to the Diet — Injunction 
 against jvttackiug the Monks- Zwingle's Declaration— The Nuns of 
 CEtenbach— Zwingle's Address to Schwytz 374 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A French Monk — He teaches in Switzerland— Dispute between Zwingle 
 and the Monk— Discourse of the Commander of the Johannites— The 
 Cannval at Berne— The Eaters of the Dead— The Skull of St. Anne— 
 Appenzel — The Grisons — Murder and Adultery — Zwingle's Mar- 
 riage ^ 380 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 How the Tinith triumphs — Meeting at Einsidlen— Petition to the Bishop 
 and Confederates— The Men of Einsidlen separate— Scene in a Convent 
 — Dinner with Myconius— The Strength of the Reformers- Effect of 
 the Petitions to Lucerne— The Council of the Diet— Haller at the 
 Town-hall— Friburg— Oswald's Destitution— Zvnngle consoles him— 
 Oswald quits Lucerne- The Diet's first Act of Severity— Consterna- 
 tion of Zwingle's Brothers — Zwingle's Resolution— The Future— 
 Zwingle's Prayer 391 
 
HISTOEY OF THE RErOKMATION, 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 THE LEIPSIC DISPUTATION. 1519. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Luther's Danger— God preserves Luther— The Pope sends a Chamber- 
 Iain— The Legate's Journey - Roman Briefs— Circumstances favourable 
 to the Reform— MiltJtx v.*th Spalatin— Tetzcl's Alarm— Miltitz's Flat- 
 tery — Demands a Retractation- Luther refuses, but offers to keep 
 Silence - Agreement between Luther and the Nuncio — The Legate'3 
 Kiss— Tetzoi reproached by the Legate— Luther to the Pope— Nature 
 of the Reformatiori - Lntlier opposes Separation — De Vio and Miltitz 
 at Treves — Luther's Cause extends over various Countries — Luther's 
 Writings begin tlie Rc'formii.tiou. 
 
 Dangkks liad gathereu rouricl Luther and the Reformation. 
 The appeal of the Wittemberg doctor to a general council 
 was a new assault upon tlie papal power. A bull of Pius 
 II. had pronounced the greater excommunication even 
 against the emperors who should dare be guilty of such 
 an act of revolt, Frederick of Saxony, as yet weak in the 
 evangelical doctrine, was ready to banish Luther from his 
 states.^ A new message from Leo X. would therefore have 
 thivcn the reformer among strangers, who might have 
 feared to compromise themselves by receiving a monk under 
 the anatliema of Rome. And if any of the nobles had drawn 
 the sword in his defence, these simple knights, despised by 
 the mighty princes of Germany, woidd soon have been 
 crushed in their perilous enterprise. 
 • Letter from the Elector to his envoy at Rome. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 298. 
 
12 • CHAKLES OFJ.IILTITZ. 
 
 But at the very moment that the courtiers of Leo X. 
 were urging him to measures of severity, and when another 
 blow would have placed his adversary in his hands, this 
 pope suddenly changed his policy, and entered upon a 
 course of conciliation and apparent mildness* We may 
 reasonably presume that he was deceived as to the electors 
 sentiments, and thought them more favourable to Luther 
 than they really were ; we may admit that the public voice 
 and the spirit of the age — powers then quite new — ap- 
 peared to surround Luther with an impregnable rampart ; 
 we may suppose, as one of his historians has done,-!- that 
 he followed the impulses of his judgment and of his heart, 
 which inclined to mildness and moderation ; but this new 
 mode of action, adopted by Kome at such a moment, is so 
 strange, that it is impossible not to recognise in it a higher 
 and a mightier hand. 
 
 A Saxon noble, the pope's chamberlain, and canon of 
 Mentz, Treves, and Meissen, was then at the Roman court. 
 He had contrived to make himself of importance. He boasted 
 of being distantly related to tlie Saxon princes, so that the 
 Roman, courtiers sometimes gave him the title of Duke of 
 Saxony. In Italy, he made a foolish display of his German 
 nobility ; in Germany, he was an awkward imitator of 
 the elegance and manners of the Italians. He was fond 
 of wine,}: and his residence at the court of Rome had in- 
 creased this vice. The Roman courtiers, however, enter- 
 tained great expectations of him. His German origin, his 
 insinuating manners, his skill in business, — ail led them 
 to hope that Charles of Miltitz (for such was his name) 
 would by his prudence succeed in arresting the mighty 
 revolution that threatened to shake the world. 
 
 It was of importance to conceal the real object of the 
 mission of the Roman chamberlain. This was effected 
 without difficulty. Four years previously, the pious elector 
 had petitioned the pope for the Golden Rose. This rose, 
 
 • Rationem agendi pvorsus oppositam inire statuit. Cardinal Palla- 
 viciui, Hist. Concil. Trident, i. 51. 
 
 t Roscoe, Life of Leo X., chap. xix. 
 
 t Nee ab usu immoderate vini ab?tiauit. Pallaviciui, Hist. Concil. 
 Trid. i. 69, 
 
THE LLGATe's journey. 13 
 
 the most beautiful of flowers, represented the body of 
 Jesus Christ ; it was consecrated yearly by the sovereign 
 pontiff, and sent to one of the chief princes in Europe. It 
 was resolved to give it this year to the elector. Miltitz de- 
 parted with a commission to examiiie the state of aiTairs, and 
 to gain over Spalatin and Pfeffingcr, the elector's councillors 
 He carried private letters for them. In this manner, by seeking 
 to conciliate those who surrounded the prince, Rom.e hoped 
 erelong to have her formidable adversary in her power. 
 
 The new legate, who arrived in Germany in December 
 1518, was engaged during his journey in sounding the public 
 opinion. To his great surprise he found, that wherever he 
 went, the majority of the inhabitants were partisans of the 
 Reformation.* They spoke of Luther with enthusiasm. For 
 one person favourable to the pope, there were three favourable 
 to the reformer.7 Luther has transmitted to us one of the 
 incidents of his mission. '' What do you think of the papal 
 chair ?" the legate would frequently ask the landladies and 
 maidservants at the inns. On one occasion one of these 
 poor women artlessly replied : " What can we know of the 
 papal chair, whether it is of wood or of stone ?"| 
 
 The mere rumour of the new legate's arrival filled the 
 elector's court, the university and town of Wittemberg, and 
 the whole of Saxony, Avith suspicion and distrust. " Thanks 
 be to God, Luther is still alive," wrote Melancthon in 
 aflfright.§ It was affirmed that the Roman legate had 
 received orders to get Luther into his pov^'er either by 
 violence or stratagem. Every one recommended the doctor 
 to be on his guard against the treachery of Miltitz. " He 
 is coming," said they, '*'to seize you and give you up to 
 the pope. Trustworthy persons liave seen the briefs he is 
 bringing with him." — " I await God's will," replied Luthcr.H 
 
 * Sciscitatus per viam Miltitzius quaiiarn esset in astimatione Lutherus 
 
 sensit de eo cum admiratioue liomiiies loqui. Pallaviciui, Hist. 
 
 Concil. Trid. i. 51. 
 
 + Ecce ubi unum pro papa stare inveni, ti-es pro te contra papam 
 stabant. L. 0pp. Lat. in Praf. 
 
 X Quid nos scire possumus quales vos Romse habeatis sellas, ligneasno 
 an lapideas ? Ibid. 
 
 § Martinus noster, Deo gratias adbuc spirat. Corpus Reformatorum 
 «didit Bretsclmeidcr, i. 61. J! Expecto consilium Do' L. Epp. i. ISl. 
 
14 LUTHKll's DANGER. 
 
 Milfitz indeed came bearing letters for the elector, for his 
 councillors, and for the bishops and the burgomaster of 
 Witttraberg. He brougiit with liira seventy apostolical 
 briefs. If the flattery and the favours of Ronic attained 
 their end, — if Frederick delivered Luther into his hands, 
 these seventy briefs were, in some measure, to serve as 
 passports. lie would produce and post up one in eacli of 
 the cities through which he would have to pass, and by this 
 means he hoped to siicc^ed in dragging his prisoner to Rome 
 without opposition.* 
 
 The pope ajypeared to have taken every precaution. 
 Already in the electoral court they did not know what course 
 to adopt. They would have resisted violence ; but how 
 could they oppose the head of Christendom, who spoke 
 with so much mildness, and with so great an appearance of 
 reason? Would it not be desh'able, they said, for Lutlier 
 to conceal himself, until the storm had jjassed over? An 
 unexpected event extricated Luther, the elector, and the 
 Reformation from this difficult position. The aspect of the 
 world suddenly changed. 
 
 On the 12th of January 1519, Maximilian, emperor of 
 Germany, expired. Frederick of Saxony, in conformity 
 with the Germanic constitution, became administrator of 
 the empire. Henceforth the elector no longer feared the 
 projects of nuncios. New interests began to agitate tlie 
 court of Rome, vvhich forced it to be cautious in its nego- 
 tiations with Frederick, and arrested the blow that Isliltitz 
 and De Yio undoubtedly were meditating. 
 
 The pope earnestly desired to prevent Charles of Austria, 
 already king of Naples, from filling the imperial tlirone. 
 He thought that a neighbouring king was more to be feared 
 than a German monk. Desirous of securing tlie elector, who 
 mio'ht be of great use to him in this affair, he resolved to let 
 the monk rest, that he might the better oppose the king ; but 
 both advanced in despite of him. Thus changed Leo X. 
 
 Another circumstance also contributed to turn aside 
 the storm that threatened the Reformation. Political troubles 
 
 * Per singula oppida affigeret unum, ct ita tutua me pcrducerct 
 Romam. L. Oi>p. Lat. in Praf. 
 
FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. 15 
 
 broke out immediately after Maximilian's death. In the 
 south of the empire, the Swabian confederation desired 
 to punish Ulric of Wurtemberg, who had been unfaithful to 
 it; in the north, the Bishop of Hildesheim threAv himself 
 with an armed force upon the bishopric of Minden and on 
 the territories of the Duke of Brunswick. In the midst of 
 all this agitation, how could the great ones of the age attach 
 any importance to a dispute about the remission of sins? 
 But God especially advanced the cause of the Reformation 
 by the wisdom of the elector, now become vicar of the empire, 
 and by the protection he granted to the new teachers. " The 
 tempest suspended its rage," says Luther, " the papal excom- 
 munication began to fall into contempt. Under the shadow 
 of the elector's viceroyalty, the Gospel circulated far and wide, 
 and popery suffered great damage in consequence." * 
 
 Besides, during an interregnum the severest prohibitions 
 naturally lost their force. All became easier and more free. 
 The ray of li))erty that shone upon these beginnings of the 
 Reformation powerfully developed the yet tender plant; and 
 already it might have been seen how favourable political 
 liberty would be to the progress of evangelical Christianity. 
 
 Miltitz, who had reached Saxony before the death of 
 Maximilian, had hastened to visit his old friend Spalatin ; 
 but he had no sooner begun his complaints against Luther, 
 than Spalatin broke out against Tetzel. He made the 
 nuncio acquainted with the falsehoods and blasphemies of 
 the indulgence-merchant, and declared that all Germany 
 ascribed to the Dominican the divisions by which the 
 Church Avas rent. 
 
 Miltitz was astonished. Instead of being the accuser, he 
 found himself the accused. All his anger was immediately 
 directed against Tetzel. He summoned him to appear at 
 Altenburg and justify his conduct. 
 
 The Dominican, as cowardly as he was boastful, fearing 
 the people whom his impositions had exasperated, had dis- 
 continued passing from town to town, and had hidden liim- 
 self in the college of St. Paul at Leipsic. He turned pale 
 on receiving Miltitz's letter. Even Rome abandons him; 
 
 • Tunc desiit paululum sjevire tempcstas, &.c. L. 0pp. Lat. in Praf. 
 
16 tetzel's fears. 
 
 she threatens and condemns him ; she wishes to draw him 
 from the only asyUim in wliich he thinks himself secure, and 
 to expose him to the anger of his enemies. Tetzel refused 
 to obey the nuncio's summons. " Certainly," wrote he to 
 Miltitz on the 31st of December 1518, "I should not 
 care about the fatigue of the journey, if I could leave 
 Leipsic without danger to my life; but the Augustine' 
 Martin Luther has so excited and aroused the men of 
 power against me, that I am nowhere safe. A great 
 number of Luther's partisans have sworn my death; I 
 cannot, therefore, come to you."* AVhat a striking contrast 
 is here between these two men, the one residing in the 
 college of St. Paul at Leipsic, the other in the Augustine 
 cloister at Wittemberg. The servant of God displayed an 
 intrepid courage in the presence of danger ; the servant of 
 men a contemptible cowardice. 
 
 Miltitz had been ordered to employ persuasive measures 
 in the first instance ; and it was only when these failed that 
 he wa's to produce his seventy briefs, and at the same time 
 make use of all the favours of Rome to induce the elector to 
 restrain Luther. He therefore intimated his desire to have 
 an interview with the reformer. Their common friend, Spa- 
 latin, offered his house for that purpose, and Luther quitted 
 Wittemberg on the 2d or 3d of January to visit Altcnburg. 
 
 In this interview Miltitz exhausted all the cunning of a 
 diplomatist and of a Roman courtier. Luther had scarcely 
 arrived when the nuncio approached him with great demon- 
 strations of friendship. "Oh!" thought Luther, "how his 
 violence is changed into gentleness ! This new Saul came 
 to Germany, armed with more than seventy apostolical briefs, 
 to drag me alive and in cliains to that murderous Rome ; 
 but the Lord has thrown him to the ground by the way." f 
 
 " My dear Martin," said the pope's chamberlain, in a 
 fawning tone, " I thought you were an old theologian who, 
 seated quietly at his fireside, was labouring under some 
 theological crotchet ; but I see you are still a young 
 
 * Loscher, ii. 567. 
 
 f Sed per viam a Domino prostratus mutavit violentiam in bene- 
 
 volentiam fallacissime simulatfim. L. Epp. i. 206. 
 
CARESSES OF MILTITZ. 17 
 
 man and in the prime of life.* Do you know," continued 
 he, assuming a graver tone, " that you have drawn away 
 everyl)ody from the pope and attached them to yourself? "-}- 
 Miltitz was not ignorant that the best way of seducing 
 mankind is to flatter their pride ; but he did not know the 
 man he had to deal with. " If I had an army of 25,000 
 men," added he, " I do not think I should be able to carry 
 you to Rome."! Rome with all her power was sensible of 
 her weakness compared with this poor monk; and the 
 monk felt strong compared with Rome. " God stays the 
 waves of the sea upon the shore," said Luther, " and he stays 
 them — with sand!"§ 
 
 The nuncio, believing he had now prepared his adversary's 
 mind, continued in these terms : " Bind up the wound that 
 you yourself have inflicted on the Church, and that you 
 alone can heal. Beware," said he, dropping a few tears, 
 " beware of raising a tempest that would cause the destruc- 
 tion of Christendom." II He then gradually proceeded to 
 hint that a retractation alone could repair the mischief; 
 but he immediately softened down' whatever was objection- 
 able in this word, by giving Luther to understand that he 
 felt the highest esteem for him, and by storming against 
 Tetzel. The snare was laid by a skilful hand : how could 
 it fail to catch the prey ? *' If, at the outset, the Arch- 
 bishop of Mentz had spoken to mc in tliis manner," said 
 the reformer afterwards, " this business would not have 
 created so much disturbance. "^ 
 
 Luther then replied, and set forth with calmness, but with 
 dignity and force, the just complaints of the Church ; he 
 did not conceal his great indignation against the Archbishop 
 of Mentz, and complained in a noble manner of the un- 
 
 * O Martine, ego credebam te esse senem aliquem theologum,qui post 
 fornacem sedens (sitting behind the stove), &c. L. 0pp. Lat. in Prsef. 
 
 t Q,uod orbem totum mihi conjunxerim et papse abstraxerim. L, 
 Epp. i. 231. 
 
 :J: Si haberem xxv. millia armatorum, non connderem te posse a ma 
 Romam perduci. L. 0pp. Lat. in Prsef. 
 
 § L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. V 
 
 II Profusis lacrymisipsumoravit, ne tain perniciosara Christiano g«neri 
 tempestatem cieret. Pallavicini, i. 52. 
 
 T Noa evasisset lea in tantum tumultum. L. 0pp. Lat. ia Praef. 
 
18 LUTHER AND 2IILTITZ. 
 
 worthy treatment lie had received from Rome, not^vith- 
 standing tlie purity of his intentions. Miltitz, who had 
 not expected to hear such decided language, was able 
 however to suppress his anger. 
 
 " I offer," resumed Luther, " to be silent for the future 
 on this matter, and to let it die away of itself,* provided my 
 opponents are silent on their part ; but if they continue 
 attacking me, a serious struggle will soon arise out of a 
 trifling quarrel. My weapons are quite prepared." — " I 
 will do still more," he added a moment after; " I will write 
 to his holiness, acknowledging I have been a little too 
 violent, and I will declare to him that it is as a faithful son 
 of the Church that I opposed discourses which drew upon 
 them the mockeries and insults of the people. I e\'en 
 consent to publish a writing desiring all those who read my 
 v/orks not to see in them any attacks upon the Roman 
 Church, -and to continue under its authority. Yes! lam 
 willing to do and to bear everything ; but as for a retracta- 
 tion, never expect one from me." 
 
 Miltitz saw by Luther's firm tone that the wisest course 
 would be to appear satisfied with what the reformer so 
 readily promised. He merely proposed they should choose 
 an archbishop to arbitrate on some points that were still to 
 be discussed. " Be it so," said Luther ; *' but I am very 
 much afraid that the pope will not accept any judge; in 
 that case I will not abide by the pope's decision, and then 
 the struggle will begin again. The pope will give the text, 
 and I shall make my own comments upon it." 
 
 Thus ended the first interview between Luther and 
 Miltitz. They had a second meeting, in which the truce or 
 rather the peace was signed. Luther immediately informed 
 the elector of what had taken place, " Most serene prince 
 and most gracious lord," wrote he, " I hasten most humbly 
 to acquaint your electoral highness that Charles of Miltitz and 
 myself are at last agreed, and have terminated this matter by 
 deciding upon the following articles : — 
 
 I. Both parties are forbidden to preach, write, or do 
 anything further in the discussion that has been raised. 
 * Und die Sache sich zu Tode bluten. L. Epp. i. 207. 
 
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. '-9 
 
 2. Miltitz will immediately inform the holy Father of 
 llie state of affairs. His holiness will empower an enlight- 
 ened bishop to investigate the matter, and to point out the 
 erroneous articles I should retract. If they prove me to 
 be in error I shall willingly recant, and will do nothing 
 derogatory to the lionour or authority of the holy Roman 
 Church."* 
 
 When the agreement had been thus eftected, Miltitz appeared 
 overjoyed. " These hundred years past," exclaimed he, " no 
 question has occasioned more anxiety to the cardinals and 
 Roman courtiers than this. They would rather have given 
 ten tliousand ducats than consent to its being prolonged."-|- 
 
 The pope's chamberlain spared no marks of attention to 
 the monk of Wittemberg. At one time he manifested his 
 joy, at another he shed tears. This show of sensibility 
 moved the reformer but little: still he avoided showing 
 what he thought of it. " I pretended not to understand the 
 meaning of tJiese crocodile's tears," said he. | 
 
 Miltitz gave Luther an invitation to supper, which the 
 latter accepted. His host laid aside all the severity con- 
 nected with his mission, and Luther indulged in all the 
 •cheerfulness of his disposition. The repast was joyous, § 
 and when the moment of departure was come, the legate 
 opened his arms to the heretical doctor, and kissed him.|| 
 " A Judas kiss," thought Luther ; " I pretended not to un- 
 derstand these Itahan artifices," wrote he to Staupitz.^ 
 
 AVas that kiss destined to reconcile Rome and the dawn- 
 ing Reformation ? Miltitz hoped so, and was delighted at 
 the thought ; for he had a nearer view than the Roman 
 courtiers of the terrible consequences the papacy might suffer 
 from the Reformation. If Luther and iiis adversaries are 
 silenced, thouglit he, the dispute will be ended ; and Rome, 
 
 *,L. Epp. i. 209. 
 
 + Ab integro jam sseculo nullum uegotium Ecclesi.-E contigisse quod 
 majorem illi solicitudinem incussisset. Pallavicini, i. 52. 
 
 X Ego dissimulabam has crocodili lacryraas a me intelligi. L. Epp. i, 
 216. The crocodile is said to weep when he cannot seize his prey. 
 
 § Atque vesperi, me accepto, convivio Isetati sumus. Ibid. 231. 
 
 II Sic amice discessimus etiam cum osculo (Judse scilicet). Ibid. 216. 
 
 IT Has italitates. Ibid. 231. 
 
20 TETZEI. REBUKED. 
 
 by calling up fayourable circumstances, will regain all her 
 former influence. It appeared, then, that the termination 
 of the contest was at hand. Rome had opened her arms, and 
 the reformer seemed to have cast himself into them. But 
 this work Avas not of man, but of God. The error of Rome 
 was in seeing a mere dispute with a monk in what was an 
 awakening of the Church. The kisses of a papal chamber- 
 lain could not check the renewal of Christendom. 
 
 ISIiltitz being of opinion that he would by this means re- 
 claim the erring Lutherans, behaved most graciously to all 
 of them, accepted their invitations, and sat down to table with 
 the heretics ; but soon becoming inebriated (it is a pope Avho 
 relates this),* the pontifical nuncio was no longer master of his 
 tongue. The Saxons led hiin to speak of the pope and the 
 court of Rome, and Miltitz, confirming the old proverb, in vino 
 veritasjj gave an account in the openness of his heart of all 
 . the practices and disorders of the papacy.^ His companions 
 Bmiied, urging and pressing him to continue ; everything was 
 exposed ; they took notes of what he said ; and these scandals 
 were afterwards made matter of public reproach against the 
 Romans, at the Diet of Worms, in the presence of all Ger- 
 many. Pope Paul III. complained, alleging they had put 
 things in his envoy's month that were utterly destitute of 
 foundation, and in consequence ordered his nuncios, when- 
 ever they were invited out, to make a pretence of accepting 
 the invitations, to behave graciously, and to be guarded in 
 their conversation.': 
 
 Miltitz, faithful to the arrangement he had just concluded, 
 went from Altenburg to Leipsic, v.-here Tetzel was residing. 
 There was no necessity to silence him,, for sooner tlian speak 
 he would have concealed himself if possible in tlie centre of 
 tlic earth. But the nuncio resolved to vent all his anger on 
 him. As soon as he reached Leipsic, he summoned tlie 
 
 * Scepe perturbatos vino. Instructio data episcopo Mutinso Pauli 
 III. nuutio, 24111 October 1536. The i\!S. was discovered by Ranko iit 
 a library at Rome. 
 
 ■f When the wine is in, the wit comes ont. Old En^. Prov. 
 
 J Ea etFutire de pontifice et Romana curia a Saxonibus inducebatur 
 Instructio, &c. 
 
 g Hilaxi quidem vultu accipere sijingant invitationes. Ibid. 
 
LUTHER S LETTEPw TO THE POPE. 
 
 21 
 
 wretched Tetzel before him, overwhehiied him with re- 
 proaches, accused him of being the author of all his trouble, 
 and threatened him with the pope's displeasure* This was 
 not enough. An agent from the house of Fugger, who was 
 then in the city, was confronted with him. Miltitz laid before 
 the Dominican the accounts of this cstablislinient, the papers 
 lie had himself signed, and proved that he had squandered or 
 stolen considerable sums of money. The unhappy man, 
 whom in the day of his triumph nothing could alarm, bent 
 under the weight of these just accusations : he fell into de- 
 spair, his health suffered, he knew not where to hide his 
 shame. Luther was informed of the wretched condition of his 
 old adversary, and he alone was affected by it. " I am sorry 
 for Tetzel," wrote he to Spalatin.y He did not confine him- 
 self to words : it was not the man but his actions that he 
 hated. At the very moment that Rome was venting her 
 wrath on the Domiinican, Luther sent him a letter full of 
 consolation. But all was unavailing. Tetzel, a prey to 
 remorse, terrified by the reproaches of his best friends, and 
 dl-eading the pope's anger, died very miserably not long 
 after. It was believed that grief accelerated his death.J 
 
 Luther, in accordance with the promise lie had given Mil- 
 titz, wrote the following letter to the pope on the 3d ^larch : — 
 
 " Blessed Father! -May your holiness condescend to in- 
 cline your paternal ear, which is that of Christ himself, 
 towards your poor sheep, and listen kindly to his bleating. 
 What shall I do, most holy Father? I cannot bear the 
 lightnings of your anger, and I know not hov/ to escape 
 them. I am called upon to retract. I would most readily 
 do so, could that lead to the desired result. But the perse- 
 cutions of my adversaries have circulated my writings far 
 and wide, and they are too deeply graven on the hearts 
 of men, to be by any possibility crazed, A recantation 
 would only still more dishonour the Church of Rome, and 
 draw from the lips of all a cry of accusation against her. 
 
 * Verbis minisque pontificiis ita fregit hominem hactenus, terribilem 
 cunctis et imperterrituiu stentorein. L. 0pp. in Praf. 
 t Doleo Tetzeliura. L, Epp. i. 223. 
 t Sed consoierttia incligriitatft Papsc forte occubuit. L. 0pp. iu Prref. 
 
22 NATUlili OF THE REFORMATION. 
 
 Most iioiy Father ! I declare in the presence of God, and of 
 all His creatures, that I have never desired, and that I shall 
 never desire, to infringe, either by force or by stratagem, the 
 power of the Roman Church or of your holiness. I confess 
 that notliing in heaven or in eartli should be preferred above 
 that Church, except Jesus Christ alone — the Lord of alU " 
 
 These v/ords might appear strange and even reprdiien- 
 sible in Luther's mouth, did we jiot remember that he 
 reached the light not suddenly, but by a slow and progres- 
 sive course. They arc a very important evidence, that tlie 
 Reformation was not simply an opposition to the papacy ; it 
 was not a war waged against certain forms ; nor was it the 
 result of a merely negative tendency. Opposition to the pope', 
 was in the second line of- the battle : a new life, a positive/ 
 \ doctrine was the generating principle. " Jesus Christ, the 
 I Lord of all, and who must be preferred above all," even above 
 I Rome itself, as Luth»r writes at the end of his letter, was the 
 lessential cause of the Revolution of the sixteenth century. 
 * It is probable that shortly before this tim.e the pope would 
 not have passed over unnoticed a letter in which the monlc of 
 Wittemberg plainly refused to retract. But Maximilian was 
 dead: men's minds were occupied with the choice of his 
 successor, and in the midst of the intrigues which then agi- 
 tated the pontifical city, Luther's letter was disregarded. 
 
 The reformer made a better use of his time than his 
 powerful adversary. Whilst Leo X. was occupied with his 
 interests as a temporal prince, and was making every exer- 
 tion to exclude a formidable neighbour from the throne, 
 Luther grew each day in knowledge and in faitli. He 
 studied the papal decrees,-and the discoveries he made therein 
 greatly modified his ideas. " I am reading the decrees of 
 the pontiffs," wrote he to Spalatin, " and (I whisper this in 
 your ear) I do not know whether the pope is Antichrist him- 
 self, or his apostle,-}- so greatly is Christ misrepresented and 
 crucified in them." 
 
 Yet he still felt esteem for the ancient Church of Rome, 
 and had no thought of separating from it. " That the 
 
 • Praeter unum Jesum Christum Domiuum omnium. L. Epp. i. 234. 
 ' "{• Nescio an Papa sit Anticliristus ipse vel apostolus ejus. Ibid. 2?f9. 
 
LUTHER AGAINST SEPARATION. 23 
 
 Roman Charcb," said he in the expUmation which he had 
 promised Miltitz to pubh"sh, " is lionourcd hy God above all 
 others, is what we cannot donbt. Saint Peter, Saint Paul, 
 forty-six popes, many hundreds of thousands of martyrs, 
 have shed their blood in its bosom, and have overcome hell 
 and the world, so that God's eye regards it w^itli especial 
 favour, x^lthough everything is now in a very wretched 
 state there, this is not a sufficient reason for separating from 
 it. On the contrary, the worse things are going on within it, 
 the more should w^c cling to it ; for it is not by separation that 
 we shall make it better. We must not desert God on ac- 
 count of the devil ; or abandon the children of God who are 
 still in the Eoman communion, -because of the multitude of 
 the ungodly. There is no sin, there is no evil that should 
 destroy charity or break the bond of union. For charitycan 
 do all things, and to unity nothing is difficult." * 
 
 It was not Luther who separated from Rome : it was 
 Rome that separated from Luther, and thus rejected the 
 ancient faith of the Catholic Church, of which he was then 
 the representative. It was not Luther who deprived Rome of 
 her power, and made her bishop descend from a throne 
 which he liad usurped : the doctrines he proclaimed, the 
 word of the apostles which God manifested anew in the Ilni^ 
 versal Church with great power and admirable purity, could 
 alone prevail against that dominion which had for centuries 
 enslaved the Church. x^ 
 
 These declarations, which were published by Luther at 
 the end of February, did not entirely satisfy Miltitz and De 
 Vio. These two vultures, who had both seen their prey 
 escape from their talons, had retired v>ithin the ancient walls 
 of Treves. There, assisted by the prince-archbishop, they 
 hoped to accomplish together the object in which each of 
 them had failed separately. The two nuncios felt clearly 
 that nothing more was to be expected from Frederick, now 
 invested with supreme power in the empire. They saw that 
 Luther persisted in his refusal to retract. The only means 
 of success were to deprive the heretical monk of the elector's 
 protection, and entice him into their hands. Once at Treves, 
 in the states of an ecv'lesiastical prince, the reformer will 
 • L. 0pp. L. xvii. 224. 
 
24 DE VIO AND MILTITZ AT TREVES. 
 
 be very skilful if he escapes without having fully satisfied 
 the demands of the sovereign pontiff. They immediately 
 applied themselves to the task. " Luther," said Miltitz to 
 the Elector-archbishop of Treves, " has accepted your G race 
 as arbitrator. Summon him before you." The Elector oi 
 Treves accordingly wrote on the 3d May to the Elector ot 
 Saxony, requesting him to send Luther to him. De Vio, 
 and afterwards Miltitz himself, wrote also to Frederick, in- 
 forming him thnt the Golden Rose had arrived at Augsburg. 
 This (thouglit they) is the moment for striking a decisive blow. 
 
 But circumstances had changed: neither Frederick nor 
 Luther permitted himself to be shaken. The elector com- 
 prehended his new position. He no longer feared the pope, 
 much less his agents. The reformer, seeing Miltitz and De 
 Vio united, foresaw the fate that awaited him if he com- 
 plied with their invitation. " Everywhere," said he, " and 
 in every manner they seek after myhfe."* Besides, he had 
 appealed to the pope, and the pope, busied in intrigues with 
 crowned heads, had not replied. Luther vrrote to Miltitz : 
 " How can I set out without an order from Rome, in the 
 midst of the troubles by which the Empire is agitated ? How 
 can I encounter so many dangers, and incur such heavy 
 expense, seeing that I am the poorest of men ?" 
 
 The Elector of Treves, a prudent and moderate man, 
 and a friend of Frederick's, was desirous of keeping on good 
 terms with the latter. Besides, he had no desire to in- 
 terfere in this matter, unless he Avas positively called upon. 
 He therefore arranged with the Elector of Saxony to put 
 off the inquiry until the next diet, which did not take place 
 until two years after, when it assembled at Worms. 
 
 Whilst a providential hand thus warded off, one by one, 
 the dangers by which Luther was threatened, he himself 
 was boldly advancing towards a goal which he did not sus- 
 pect. His reputation increased ; the cause of truth grew 
 in strength ; the number of students at Wittemberg wa*s 
 augmented, and among them were the most distinguished 
 young men of Germany. " Our town," wrote Luther, " can 
 hardly receive all those who are flocking to it;" — and on 
 
 * Video ubiqiie, undique, quocumqne modcj, animam meam quaBri. 
 L. EpD. i. 274. May 16. 
 
SPREAD OF Luther's opinions. 25 
 
 another occasion : " The number of students increases con- 
 siderably, hke an overflowing river."* 
 
 But it was no longer in Germany alone that the re- 
 former's voice was heard. It had passed the frontiers of 
 the empire, and begun to shake, among* the different nations 
 of Europe, the foundations of the Romish power. Fro7 
 benius, a celebrated printer at Basle, had published a col- 
 lection of Luther's works. It was rapidly circulated. At 
 Basle, the bishop himself commended Luther. The cardinal 
 of Sion, after reading his works, exclaimed with a shght 
 tone of irony, playing upon his name : '' Luther ! thou 
 art a real Luther !"-|- 
 
 Erasmus was at Louvain when Luther's writings reached 
 the Low Countries. The prior of the Augustines of Ant- 
 werp, who had studied at Wittemberg, and who, according 
 to the testimony of Erasmus, was a follower of true priuiitive 
 Christianity, read them with eagerness, as did other Belgians. 
 But those who consulted their o^xn interests only, remarks 
 the sage of Rotterdam, and who fed the people with old wives' 
 tales, broke out into gloomy fanaticism. " I cannot describe 
 to you," wrote Erasmus to Luther, " the emotion, the truly 
 tragic sensation which your writings have occasioned." | 
 
 Frobenius sent six hundred copies of these works into 
 France and Spain. They were sold publicly in Paris. The 
 doctors of the Sorbonne, as it would appear, read them with 
 approbation. *' It is high time," said some of them, " that 
 those who devote themselves to biblical studies should speak 
 out freely." In England these books were received ^vith 
 still greater eagerness. Some Spanish merchants translated 
 them into their mother-tongue, and forwarded them from 
 Antwerp to their own country. " Certainly these merchants 
 must have been of Moorish descent," says Paliavicini.§ 
 
 'Calvi, a learned bookseller of Pa via, carried a great num- 
 ber of copies to Italy, and circulated them in all the trans- 
 alpine cities. It was not the love of gain that inspired this 
 
 * Sicut aqua inundans. L. Epp. i. 278, 279. 
 f Lauterer^ purifier, refiner. 
 
 X NuUo sermone consequi queam, quas tragcedias hie excitarint tui 
 libelli. Erasm. Epp. vi. 4. 
 § Maurorum stirpe prognatis. Pallav. i. 91. 
 
 VOL. n. 2 
 
26 lutiier's writings hkgin Tin: reformation. 
 
 man of letters, but a desire of contributing to tlie revival of 
 piety. Tlie energy with which Luther maintained the cause 
 of Christ filled liim with joy. " All tlie learned men of 
 Italy," wrote he, " will unite with me, and we will send you 
 verses composed by our most distinguished writers." 
 
 Frobenius, in transmitting a copy of his publication to 
 Luther, related all these joyful tidings, and added : " I have 
 sold every copy, except ten ; and I have never made so 
 good a speculation." Other letters informed Luther of the 
 joy caused by his works. " I am delighted," said he, " that 
 the truth is so pleasing, although she speaks with so little 
 learning and in so barbarous a tone."" 
 
 Such was the conmiencement of the awakening in the 
 various countries of Europe. If we except Switzerland, and 
 even France, where the Gospel liad already been preached, 
 the arrival of the Wittemberg doctor's writings everywhere 
 forms the first page in the history of the Reformation. A 
 printer of Basle scattered the first germs of truth. At the 
 very moment when the Roman pontitf thought to stifle the 
 work in Germany, it began in France, the Low Countries, 
 Italy, Spain, England, and Switzerland. What matters it, 
 
 even should Rome cut down the parent stem! the seeds 
 
 are akeady scattered over every land. 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 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 Trutli triumphs unaided 
 —Refusal of Duke George— Gaiety of Mosellanus— Fears of Erasmus. 
 
 While the combat was beginning beyond the confines of the 
 empire, it appeared dying away within. The most impet- 
 uous of the Roman champions, the Franciscans of Juter- 
 
 • In his id gaudeo, quod Veritas tam barbare et indocte loqnens, adeo 
 placet. L. Epp. i. 255. 
 
ECK RENEWS THE CONTEST. 27 
 
 bock, who had imprudently attacked Luther, had hastily- 
 become silent after the reformer's vigorous reply. The 
 papal partisans were mute: Tetzel was no longer in a 
 condition to fight. Luther was entreated by his friends 
 not to continue the discussion, and he had promised com- 
 pliance. The theses were passing into oblivion. This 
 treacherous peace rendered the eloquence of the reformer 
 powerless. The Reformation appeared checked. " But," 
 said Luther somewhat later, when speaking of this epoch, 
 " men imagine vain things ; for the Lord awoke to judge 
 the people.* — God does not guide me," he said in another 
 place ; " he pushes me forward, he carries me away. I am 
 not master of myself. I desire to live in repose ; but I am 
 thrown into the midst of tumults and revolutions."f 
 
 Eck the scholastic, Luther's old friend, and author of the 
 Obelisks, was the man who recommenced the combat. He 
 was sincerely attached to the 4)apacy, but seems to have 
 had no true religious sentiments, and to have been one of 
 that class of men, so numerous in every age, who look upon 
 science, and even theology and religion, as the means of 
 acquiring worldly reputation. Vain glory lies hid under 
 the priest's cassock no less than under the warrior's coat of 
 mail. Eck had studied the art of disputation according to 
 the rules of thq schoolmen, and had become a master in 
 this sort of controversy. While the knights of the middle 
 ages and the warriors in the time of the Reformation 
 sought for glory in the tswrnament, the schoolmen struggled 
 for it in syllogistic disputations,^— a spectacle of frequent 
 occurrence in the universities. Eck, who entertained no 
 mean idea of himself, and was proud of his talents, of the 
 popularity of his cause, and of the victories he had gained 
 in eight universities of Hungary, Lombardy, and Germany, 
 ardently desired to have an opportunity of trying his 
 strength and skill against the reformer. He had spared no 
 exertion to acquire the reputation of being one of the most 
 
 • Dominus evigilavit et stat ad judicandos populos. L. 0pp. Lat. 
 in Praef. 
 
 + Deus rapuit, pellit, nedum ducifc me : non sum compos mei : volo 
 esse quietus et rapior in medios tumultus. L. Epp. i. '231. 
 
28 DISCUSSION BETWEEN ECK AND CARLSTADT. 
 
 learned men of the age. He was constantly endeavouring 
 to excite some new discussion, to make a sensation, and 
 aimed at procuring, by means of his exploits, all the enjoy- ' 
 ments of life. A journey that he had made to Italy had 
 been, according to his own account, one long series df 
 triumphs. The most learned scholars had been forced to 
 subscribe to his theses. This experienced gladiator fixed 
 his eyes on a new field of battle, in which he thought 
 the victory already secure. The little monk who had sud- 
 denly grown into a giant, — that Luther, whom hitherto no 
 one had been able to vanquish, galled his pride and excited 
 his jealousy.* Perhaps in seeking his own glory, Eck 
 might ruin Rome. But his scholastic vanity was not to be 
 checked by such a consideration. Theologians, as well as 
 princes, have more than once sacrificed the general interest 
 to their personal glory. We shall see what circumstances 
 afforded the Ingoldstadt doctor the means of entering the 
 lists with his importunate rival. 
 
 The zealous but too ardent Carlstadt Avas still on friendly 
 terms with Luther. These two theologians were closely 
 united by their attachment to the doctrine of grace, and by 
 their admiration for Saint Augustine. Carlstadt was in- 
 clined to enthusiasm, and possessed little discretion: he was 
 not a man to be restrained by the skill and policy of a 
 ^Miltitz. He had published some theses in reply to Dr. 
 Eck's Obelisks, in which he defended Luther and their com- 
 mon faith. Eck had answered hyii ; but Carlstadt did not 
 let him have the last word.-[- The discussion grew warm. 
 Eck, desirous of profiting by so favourable an opportunity, 
 had thrown dowTi the gauntlet, and the impetuous Carlstadt 
 had taken it up, God made use of the passions of these 
 two men to accomplish His purposes. Luther had not in- 
 terfered in their disputes, and yet he was destined to be the 
 hero of the fight. There are men who by the force of cir- 
 cumstances are always brought upon the stage. It was 
 agreed that the discussion should take place at Leipsic. 
 
 • Nihil cupiebat ardentius, quam sui specimen prsebere in solemni dic- 
 putatione cum aemulo. Pallavicini, torn. i. 55. 
 t Defensio adversus Eckii monomachiam. 
 
PAPAL SUPREMACY ASSERTED. 29 
 
 Such was the origin of that Leipsic disputation which be- 
 came so famous. 
 
 Eck cared little for disputing with and even conquering 
 Carlstadt : Luther was his great aim. He therefore made 
 every exertion to allure him to the field of battle, and with 
 this view published thirteen theses * which he pointed ex- 
 pressly against the chief doctrines already set forth by the 
 reformer. The thirteenth was thus drawn up : " We deny 
 that the Roman Church was not raised above the other 
 churches before the time of Pope Sylvester; and we ac- 
 knowledge in every age, as the successor of St. Peter and 
 the vicar of Jesus Christ, him who has filled the chair and 
 held the faith of St. Peter." Sylvester lived in the time of 
 Constantino the Great; by this thesis, Eck denied, there- 
 fore, that the primacy enjoyed by Rome had been conferred 
 on it by that emperor. 
 
 Luther, who had reluctantly consented to remain silent, was 
 deeply moved as he read these propositions. He saw that 
 they were aimed at him, and felt that he could not honourably 
 avoid the contest. " This man," said he, i'*(?alls Carlstadt 
 his antagonist, and at the same time attacks me. But God 
 reigns. He knows what He will bring out of this tragedy.f 
 It is neither Doctor Eck nor myself that will be at stake : 
 God's purpose will be accomplished. Thanks to Eck, this 
 affair, which hitherto has been mere play, will become seri- 
 ous, and inflict a deadly blow on the tyranny of Rome and 
 of the Roman pontiff." 
 
 Rome herself had broken the truce. She did more ; in 
 renewing the signal of battle, she began the contest on a 
 point that Luther had not yet attacked. It was the papal 
 supremacy to v/hich Doctor Eck drew the attention of his 
 adversaries. In this he followed- the dangerous example 
 that Tetzel had already set.| Rome invited the blows of 
 the gladiator ; and, if she left some of her members quiver- 
 ing on the arena, it was because she had drawn upon her- 
 self his formidable arm. 
 
 • L- 0pp. (L.) xvii. 242. 
 
 + Bed Decs in medio deorum ; ipse novit quid ex ea tragcedia deducere 
 voluerit. L. Epp. i. 230, 222. t See Vol. I. p. 299-302. 
 
30 LUTHER REPLIES. 
 
 The pontifical supremacy once overthrown, the. whole 
 edifice would crumble into ruin. The greatest danger was 
 impending over the papacy, and yet neither Miltitz nor Ca- 
 jetan took any steps to prevent this new struggle. Did they 
 imagine that the Reformation would be vanquished, or v^-ere 
 they struck with that blindness which often hurries along 
 the mighty to their destruction ? 
 
 Luther, who had set a rare example of moderation by 
 remaining silent so long, fearlessly replied to the challenge 
 of his antagonist. He immediately published some new 
 theses in opposition to those of Doctor Eck. The last was 
 conceived in these words : " It is by contemptible decretals 
 of Roman pontiffs, composed within the last four centuries, 
 that they would prove the primacy of the Church of Rome ; 
 but this primacy is opposed by all the credible history of 
 eleven centuries, — by the declarations of Holy Scripture, — 
 and by the resolutions of the Council of Nice, the holiest of 
 all councils." * 
 
 " God knows," wrote he at the same time to the elector, 
 " that I was* firmly resolved to keep silence, and that I 
 was glad to see this struggle terminated at last. I have so 
 strictly adhered to the treaty concluded with the papal com- 
 missary, that I have not replied to Sylvester Prierio, not- 
 withstanding the insults of my adversaries, and the advice 
 of my friends. But now Doctor Eck attacks me, and not 
 only me, but the university of Wittemberg also. I cannot 
 suffer the truth to be thus covered with opprobrium." -j- 
 
 At the same time Luther wTote to Carlstadt : " Most 
 excellent Andrew, I would not have you enter upon this 
 dispute, since they are aiming at me. I shall joyfully lay 
 aside my serious occupations to take my part in the sports 
 of these flatterers of the Roman pontiff." J — Then address- 
 ing his adversary, he cries disdainfully from Wittemberg 
 to Ingolstadt : " Now, my dear Eck, be brave, and gird 
 thy sword upon thy thigh, thou mighty man ! § If I 
 
 * L. 0pp. L. xvii. 245. + L. Epp. i. 237. 
 
 :{: Gaudens et ridcns posthabeo istorum mea seria ludo. Ibid. 251. 
 § Esto y'lC fortis et accingere gladio tiio super femur tuum, pot'eu- 
 tissime ! Ibid. 
 
ALARM or LU'J'HEu's riai:.NDs. 31 
 
 could not please thee as mediator, perhaps I shall please 
 thee better as antagonist. Not that I imagine I can van- 
 qiiisli thee; but ])ecausc after all the triumphs thou hast 
 gained in Hungary, Louibardy, ajid Bavaria (if at least 
 Avc are to believe thee), I sliall give thee opportunity of 
 gainii]g tl'e title of conqueror ol 8axpny and Misnia, so 
 that thou slialt for over be hailed Avitli the glorious title of 
 August."-^ 
 
 All Luther's friends did not share in his cou.rage ; for no 
 one had hitherto been able to resist the sopliisnis of Doctor 
 . Eck. Bat their greatest cause of alarm was tjie subjeet of 
 the discussion : the pope's primacy. Ilovr can the poor 
 mordv of "W^ittemberg dare oppose tliat giant who for ages 
 lias crushed all his enemies ? The courtiers of the elector 
 were alarmed. Spalatin, the prince's confidant and Luther's 
 intimate friend, was filled with anxiety. Frederick was 
 uneasy : even the sword of the knight of the holy sepulchre, 
 with which lie had Ixien invested at Jerusalem, f would be 
 of little avail in this M^ar. The reformer alone did not 
 blench. Thi Lord (thought he) will deliver him into my 
 hands. The faith by which he was animated gave him 
 the means of encouraging ids friends : '"' I entreat you, 
 my dear Spalatin,"" said he, " do not give way to fear. 
 You well know that if Christ had not been on my side, all 
 tliat I have hitherto done must have been my ruin. Quite 
 recently has not tlie Duke of Pomerania's chancellor re- 
 ceived news from Italy, that I had turned Rome topsy- 
 turvy, and that tliey knew not ho^v to quiet the agitation? 
 so tlust it was resolved to attack me, not according to the 
 rules of justice, but by Roman artifices (such was tlio 
 expression used), meaning, I suppose, poison, ambush, or 
 assassination. 
 
 " I restniin myself, and from love to the elector and the 
 university I suppress many things that I would publish 
 against Ikiliylon, if I were elsewhere. my poor Spalatin, 
 it is im]K>ssiblc to speak with truth of the Scriptures and of 
 the Church vvithout arousing the beast. Never expect to 
 
 * Ac si voles semper Augustus saluteris in rcternuiu. L. Epp. i. 251. 
 + Vol. L pp. 73, 22G. 
 
32 TRUTH TRIUMPHS UNAIDED. 
 
 see me free from danger, unless I abandon the teach- 
 ing of sound divmity. If this matter be of God, it will 
 not come to an end before all my friends have forsaken 
 me, as Christ was forsaken by his disciples. Truth will 
 stand alone, and will triumph by its own right hand, not by 
 mine, nor yours, nor any other man's.* If I perish, the 
 world will not perish with me. But, wretch that I am, 
 I fear I am unworthy to die in such a cause." — " Rome," he 
 ■wrote again about the same time, " Rome is eagerly longing 
 to kill me, and I am wasting my time in braving her, 
 I have been assured that an eff»gy of Martin Luther 
 was publicly burnt in the Campo di Fiore at jlome, after 
 being loaded with execrations. I await their furious rage.f 
 The whole world," he continued, " is moved, and totters in 
 body and mind; what will happen, God only knows. 
 For my part, I foresee wars and disasters. The Lord have 
 mercy on us !"| 
 
 Luther wrote letter upon letter to Duke George,§ begging 
 this prince, in whose states Leipsic was situated, to give 
 him permission to go and take part in the disputation ; 
 but he received no answer. The grandson of the Bohemian 
 king, alarmed by Luther's proposition on the papal authority, 
 and fearing the recurrence of those wars in Saxony of which 
 Bohemia had so long been the theatre, would not consent to 
 the doctor's request. The latter therefore resolved to pub- 
 lish an explanation of the 13th thesis. But this writing, 
 far from persuading the duke, made him only the more 
 resolved; he positively refused the sanction required by 
 the reformer to take a share in the disputation, allowing him 
 only to be present as a spectator. || This annoyed Luther 
 very much : yet he had but one desire, — to obey God. He 
 resolved to go — to look on — and to wait his opportunity. 
 
 • Ea sola sit Veritas, quse salvet se dextera sua, non mea, non tua, non 
 uUius hominis. L. Epp. i. 261. 
 
 t Expecio furorem illorura. Ibid. 280. I\Iay 30, 1519. 
 
 X Totus orbis nutat et movetur, tam corpore quam anima. Ibid. 
 
 § Ternis literis, a duce Georgio non potui certum obtinere responsum. 
 Ibid. 282. 
 
 H Ita ut non disputator, sed spectator futurus Lipsiara ingrederer. L, 
 0pp. in Praef. 
 
DUKE GEORGE S REFUSAL. 
 
 33 
 
 At the same time the prince forwarded to his utmost 
 abiUty the disputation between Eck and Carlstadt. George 
 "was attached to the old doctrine; but he was upright, 
 sincere, a friend to free inquiry, and did not think that 
 every opinion should be judged heretical, simply because 
 it was offensive to the court of Rome. More than this, the 
 elector used his influence with his cousin; and George, 
 gaining confidence from Frederick's language, ordered that 
 the disputation should take place.* 
 
 Adolphus, bishop of Merseburg, in whose diocese 
 Leipsic was situated, saw more clearly than Miltitz and 
 Cajetan the danger of leaving such important questions 
 to the chances of single combat. Rome dared not expose to 
 such hazard the hard-earned fruits of many centuries. 
 All the Leipsic theologians felt no less alarm, and en- 
 treated their bishop to prevent the discussion. Upon this, 
 Adolphus made the most energetic representations to Duke 
 George, who very sensibly replied : " I am surprised that a 
 bishop should have so great a dread of the ancient and 
 praiseworthy custom of our fathers, — the investigation of 
 doubtful questions in matters of faith. If your theologians 
 refuse to defend their doctrines, it would be better to employ 
 the money spent on them in maintaining old women and 
 children, who at least could spin while they were sing- 
 ing."f 
 
 This letter had but little effect on the bishop and his 
 theologians. There is a secret consciousness in error that 
 makes it shrink from examination, even when talking most 
 of free inquiry. After having imprudently advanced, it 
 retreated with cowardice. Truth gave no challenge, but it 
 stood firm : error challenged to the combat, and ran away. 
 Besides, the prosperity of Wittemberg was an object of 
 jealousy to the university of Leipsic. The monks and 
 priests of the latter city begged and entreated their flocks 
 from the pulpit to flee from the new heretics. They vilified 
 Luther ; they depicted him and his friends in the blackest 
 colours, in order to excite the ignorant classes against the 
 
 * Principis nostri verbo firmatus. L. Epp, i. 255. 
 t Scheinder, Lips. Chr. iv. IGO. 
 2* 
 
84 MOSELLANUS AND ERASMUS. 
 
 doctors of the Reformation.* Tetzel, vrho was still living, 
 awoke to cry out from the depth of his retreat : " It is the 
 devil who urges them to this contest." -{- 
 
 All the Leipsic professors did not, however, entertain the 
 same opinions : some belonged to the class of indiiferents, 
 always ready to laugh at the faults of both parties. Among 
 this body was the Greek professor, Peter Mosellanus. He 
 cared very little about either John Eck, Carlstadt, or Martin 
 Luther ; but he flattered himself that he would derive much 
 amusement from their disputation. " John Eck, the most 
 illustrious of goose-quill gladiators and of braggadocios," 
 wrote he to his friend Erasmus, " John Eck, who like the 
 Aristophanic Socrates despises even the gods themselves, 
 will have a bout with Andrew Carlstadt. The match will 
 end in loud cries. Ten such men as Democritus would find 
 matter for laughter in it." J: 
 
 The timid Erasmus, on the contrary, was alarmed at the 
 very idea of a combat, and his prudence would have pre- 
 vented the discussion. " If you would take Erasmus's word," 
 wrote he to Melancthon, " you would labour rather in 
 cultivating literature than in disputing with its enemies.§ 
 I think that we should make greater progress by this 
 means. Above all, let us never forget that we ought 
 to conquer not only by our eloquence, but also by mild- 
 ness and moderation." Neither the alarm of the priests nor 
 the discretion of the pacificators could any longer prevent 
 the combat. Each man got his arms ready. 
 
 • Theologi interim me proscindunt populum Lipsise inclamant. L. 
 
 Epp. i. 255. 
 
 + Das wait der Teufel. Ibid. t Seckend. p. 201. 
 
 § Malim te plus operse sumere in asserendis bonis Uteris, quam in 
 sectandis harum bostibus. Corpus Reformatorum, edit. Bretschneider, 
 i. 78, April 22, 1519. 
 
ARRIVAL OF THE DISPUTANTS. 85 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Arrival of Eck and of the Wittembergers— Amsdorff— -The Students— 
 Carlstadt's Accideut— Placard— Eck and Luther— The Pleissenburg— 
 Judges proposed— Luther objects — He consents at last. 
 
 While the electors were meeting at Frankfort to choose an 
 emperor (Jimc 15PJ), the theologians assembled at Leipsic 
 for an act unnoticed by the world at large, but whose im- 
 portiinee was destined to be quite as great for posterity. 
 
 Eck came lirst to tiie rendezvous. On the 21st of June 
 he entered Leipsic witli Toliander, a young man whom he 
 had brought from Ingolstadt to write an account of the dispu- 
 tation. Every mark of respect was paid to the scholastic 
 doctor. Uobed in ids sacerdotal garments, and at the head 
 ot a numerous procession, he paraded the streets of the city 
 on the festival of (^'orpus Christi. Aii were eager to see 
 him : tlic inhabitants were on his side, he tells us himself; 
 " yet," adds he, " a report was ciirrent in the town that I 
 should be beaten in tb.is combat." 
 
 . On the day succeeding the. festival (Friday, 24th June), 
 which was the feast of Saint John, the Wittembergers ar- 
 rived. Carlstadt, who was to contend with Doctor Eck, sat 
 alone in his carriage, and preceded all the rest. Duke Bar- 
 nim of Pomerania, who was then studying at Wittemberg, 
 and who had been named honorary rector of tlie university, 
 came next in an open carriage : at each side were seated the 
 two great divines — the fatliers of the Reformation — Luther 
 and ]\lelancthoii. Tlic latter would not quit his friend. 
 " Martin, the soldier of the Lord," he had said to Spalatin, 
 " has stirred up this fetid pool." My spirit is vexed when I 
 think of the disgraceful conduct of the papal theologians. 
 Be firm* and abide with usT Luther himself had wished 
 that his Achates, as lie called him, sliould accompany him. 
 
 * Martinu,«, Domini miles, hraic caicarinam moyit. Corp. Ref. i. 82, 
 
36 AMSDOKFF —A BAD OMEN. 
 
 John Lange^ vicar of the Aiigustines, many doctors in law, 
 several masters of arts, two Hcentiatcs in theology, and other 
 ecclesiastics, among whom was Nicholas Amsdorff, closed the 
 procession. Amsdorff, sprung from a noble family, valuing 
 little the brilliant career to which his illustrious birth might 
 have called him, had dedicated himself to theology. The 
 theses on indulgences had brought him to a knowledge of 
 the truth: He had immediately made a bold confession of 
 faith. * Possessing a strong mind and an ardent character, 
 Amsdorff frequently excited Luther, w ho Avas naturally vehe- 
 ment enough, to acts that were perhaps imprudent. Bom in 
 exalted rank, he had no fear of the great, and he sometimes 
 spoke to them with a freedom bordering on rudeness. " The 
 Gospel of Jesus Christ," said he one day before an assembly 
 of nobles, " belongs to the poor and afflicted — not to you, 
 princes, lords, and courtiers, who live continually in luxury 
 and pleasures."-i- 
 
 But these persons alone did not form the procession from 
 Wittemberg. A great number of students followed their 
 teachers : Eck affirms that they amounted to two hundred. 
 Armed with pikes and halberds, they surrounded the car- 
 riages of the doctors, ready to defend them, and proud of 
 their cause. 
 
 Such was the order in which the cortege of the reformers 
 arrived in Leipsic. They had already entered by the Grimma 
 gate, and advanced as far as St. Paul's cemetery, when one 
 of the wheels of Carlstadt's carriage gave way. The arch- 
 deacon, whose vanity was delighted at so solemn an entry, 
 rolled into the mud. He was not hurt, but was compelled 
 to proceed to his lodgings on foot. Lutliers carriage, vrhich 
 followed next, rapidly outstripped him, and bore the reformer 
 in safety to his quarters. The inhabitants of Leipsic, who 
 had assembled to witness the entry of t]ie Wittemberg 
 champions, looked upon this accident as an evil omen to 
 Carlstadt : and erelong the v/hole city was of opiiyon that 
 
 ■ Nee cum came et sanguine diu contulit, sed statim palam ad alios, 
 fidei coiifessionem constanter cdidit. M. Adami Vita Amsdorfit 
 + Weismann, Hist. Eccl. i. 1444. 
 
ECK AND LUTHEK. 37 
 
 he would "be vanquished in the combat, but that Luther 
 would come off victorious.* 
 
 Adolphus of Merseburg was not idle. 'As soon as he 
 heard of the -approach of Luther and Carlstadt, and even 
 before they had alighted from their carriages, he ordered 
 placards to be posted upon the doors of all the churches, 
 forbidding the opening of the disputation under pain of ex- 
 communication. Duke George, astonished at this auda- 
 city, commanded the town-council to tear down the pla- 
 cards, and committed to prison the bold agent who had ven- 
 tured to execute the bishop's order.f George had repaired 
 to Leipsic, attended by all his court, among whom was that 
 Jerome Emser at whose house in Dresden Luther had passed 
 a remarkable evening. j: George made the customary presents 
 to the respective combatants. " The duke," observed Eck 
 with vanity, " gave me a fine deer ; but he only gave a 
 fawn to Carlstadt." § 
 
 Immediately on hearing of Luther's arrival, Eck went to 
 visit the Wittemberg doctor. " What is this !" asked he ; 
 '' I am told that you refuse to dispute with me!" 
 
 Luther. — " How can I, since the duke has forbidden 
 me?" 
 
 Eck. — ^' If I cannot dispute with you, I care little about 
 meeting Carlstadt. It was on your account I came here."|| 
 Then after a moment's silence he added : " If I can procure 
 you the duke's permission, will you enter the lists with 
 me?" 
 
 Luther, jovfuUv. — *' Procure it for me, and we will 
 fight." 
 
 Eck immediately waited on the duke, and endeavoured 
 to remove his fears. He represented to him that he was 
 certain of victory, and that the papal authority, far from 
 suffering in the dispute, would come forth covered with 
 glory. The ringleader must be attacked : if Luther remains 
 
 • Seb. Froschel vom Priesterthum. Wittemb. 1585. In the Preface. 
 t L. 0pp. (L.)xvii.245. 
 
 + See Vol. I. p. 228. § Seckend. p. 190. 
 
 II Si tecum non licet disputare, neque cum Carlstatio volo ; propter 
 tc enim hue veni. (L. 0pp. in Pra3f.) 
 
38 QUESTION OF JUDGES. 
 
 standing, all stands with him ; if lie falls, everytJiing will 
 fall with him. George granted the required permission. 
 
 The duke had caused a large hall to be prepared in his 
 palace of the Plcissenburg. Two pulpits had been erected 
 opposite each other ; tables Avere placed for the notaries 
 commissioned to take down the discussion, and benches 
 had been arranged for the spectators. The pulpits and 
 benches were covered with handsome hangings. Over the 
 pulpit of the Wittemberg doctor was suspended the por- 
 trait of Saint Martin, whose name he bore ; over that 
 of Doctor Eck, a representation of Saint George the cham- 
 pion. " We shall see," said tlie presumptuous Eck, as 
 he looked at this emblem, " whether I shall not ride over 
 my enemies." Every thing announced the importance that 
 was attached to this contest. 
 
 On the 25tli June, both parties met at tlie palace to 
 hear the regulations that were to be observed during the 
 disputation. Eck, who had more confidencd in Jiis decla- 
 mations and g'estures than in his arguments, exclaimed, 
 " We will dispute freely and extemporaneously; and the 
 notaries shall not take down our words in writing." 
 
 Carlstadt. — " It has been agreed that the disputation 
 should be reported, published, and submitted to the judg- 
 ment of all men." 
 
 Eck. — " To take down every thing that is said is di- 
 spiriting to the combatants, and prolongs the battle. There 
 is an end to that animation which such a discussion re- 
 quires. Do not check the flow of eloquence."* 
 
 The friends of Doctor Eck supported his proposition, but 
 Carlstadt persisted in his objections. Tiie champion of 
 Rome was obliged to give way. 
 
 EcK. — " Be it so; it shall be taken down. But do not 
 let the notes be published before they have been submitted 
 to tlie examination of chosen judges." 
 
 Luther. — "Does then the truth of Doctor Eck and his 
 followers dread the light?" 
 
 Eck. — " We must have judges." 
 
 LuTHEii. — " What judges ?" 
 
 • Melancth. 0pp. i. 13.0. Kocthe's edition. 
 
LUTHER S OPPOSITION. 
 
 39 
 
 EcK. — " When the disputation is finished, we will arrange 
 about selecting them." 
 
 The object of the partisans of Rome was evident. If the 
 Wittemberg divines accepted judges, they were lost; for 
 their adversaries were sure beforehand of those who would 
 be applied to. If they refused these judges, they would be 
 covered with shame, for their opponents would circulate the 
 report that they were afraid to submit their opinions to im- 
 partial arbitrators. 
 
 The judges whom the reformers demanded were, not any 
 particular individual, whose opinion had been* previously 
 formed, but all Christendom. They appealed to this uni- 
 versal suffrage. Besides, it was a shght matter to them 
 if they were condemned, if, while pleading their cause 
 before the whole world, they brought a few souls to the 
 knowledge of the truth. " Lutltcr," says a Romanist 
 historian, " required all men for his judges ; that is, such a 
 tribunal that no urn could have been vast enough to con- 
 tain the votes."* 
 
 They separated. " See what artifices they employ," said 
 Luther and his friends one to another. " They desire no 
 doubt to have the pope or the universities forjudges." 
 
 In fact, on the next morning the Romanist divines sent 
 one of their number to Luther, who was commissioned to 
 
 propose that their judge should be — the pope! " The 
 
 pope !" said Luther ; " how can I possibly agree to this ?" 
 
 " Beware," exclaimed all his friends, " of acceding to con- 
 ditions so unjust." Eck and his party held another council. 
 They gave up the pope, and proposed certain universities. 
 " Do not deprive us of the liberty which you had previously 
 granted," answered Luther. — " We cannot give way on this 
 point," replied they. — "Well then!" exclaimed Luthor, "I 
 will take no part in the discussion! "7 
 
 Again the parties separated, and this matter was a gene- 
 ral topic of conversation throughout the city. " LutheiV 
 everywhere exclaimed the Romanists, " Luther will not 
 
 • Aiebat, ad universes mortales pertinere judicium, hoc est ad tribunal 
 cujus colligendis calculis nulla urna satis capax. Pallavicini, i. 55. 
 t L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 245. 
 
40 OPENING OF THE DISPUTATION. 
 
 dispute! He will not acknowledge any judge!" His 
 
 words were commented on and misrepresented, and his ad- 
 versaries endeavoured to place them in the most unfavour- 
 able light. " What ! does he really decline the discussion ?" 
 said the reformer's best friends. They went to him and 
 expressed their alarm. " You refuse to take any part in 
 the discussion !" cried they. " Your refusal will bring ever- 
 lasting disgrace on your university and on your cause." 
 This was attacking Luther on his weakest side. — " Well, 
 then!" replied he, his heart overflowing with indignation, 
 " I accept the conditions imposed upon me ; but T reserve 
 the right of appeal, and except against the court of Rome.* 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Opening of the Disputation — Speech of Mosellanus — Veni, Sancte Spiri- 
 /W5— Portraits of Luther and Carlstadt— Doctor Eck— Carlstadt's 
 Books— Merit of Consjruity— Natural Powers— Scholastic Distinction 
 — Point at which Rome and the Reformation diverge — Liberty given 
 to Man by Grace — Carlstadt's Notes— Clamour of the Spectators— 
 Melancthon during the Disputation— His Opinion— Eck's Manoeuvres 
 — Luther Preaches — Citizens of Leipsic— Quarrels between the Stu- 
 dents and Doctors. 
 
 The 27 th of June was the day appointed for the opening of 
 the discussion. Early in the morning the two parties 
 assembled in the college of the university, and thence went 
 in procession to the Church of Saint Thomas, where a 
 solemn mass was performed by order and at the expense 
 of the duke. After the service, they proceeded to the 
 ducal palace. At their head were Duke George and the 
 Duke of Pomerania ; after them came counts, abbots, 
 knights, and other persons of distinction, and last of all 
 t^e doctors of the two parties. A guard composed of 
 seventy-six citizens, armed with halberds, accompanied 
 the train, with banners flying and to the sound of martial 
 music. It halted at the castle-gates. 
 
 ' L. 0pp. (L,) xvii.^ 245. 
 
THE OPENING HYMN. 41 
 
 The procession having reached tlie palace, each took 
 hig station in the hall appointed for the discussion. Duke 
 George, the hereditanr. Prince John, Prince George of 
 Anhalt, then twelve years old, and the Duke of Pomer- 
 ania, occupied the seats assigned them. 
 
 Mosellanus ascended the pulpit to remind the theologi- 
 ans, by the duke's order, in what manner they, were to 
 dispute. " If you fall to quarrelling," said the speaker, 
 " what difference will there be between a theologian in dis- 
 cussion and a shameless duellist? What is }'our object 
 in gaining the victory, if it be not to recover a brother 
 
 from the error of his ways? It appears to me that 
 
 each of you should desire less to conquer than to be 
 conquered!"* 
 
 When this address was terminated, sacred music re- 
 sounded through the halls of the Pleissenburg ; all the 
 assembly knelt down, and the ancient hymn of invocation 
 to the Holy Ghost, Veni, Sancte Sjm'itusY was sung. 
 This was a solemn moment in the annals of the Refor- 
 mation. Thrice the invocation was repeated, and while 
 this solemn strain was heard, the defenders of the old 
 doctrine and the champions of the new; the churchmen 
 of the Middle Ages and those who sought to restore the 
 church of the apostles, here assembled and confounded with 
 one another, humbly bent their heads to the earth. The 
 ancient tie of one and the same communion still bound 
 together all those different minds ; the same prayer still 
 proceeded from all those lips, as if pronounced by one 
 heart. 
 
 These were the last moments of outward — of dead unity : 
 a new unity of spirit and of life Avas about to begin. The 
 Holy Ghost was invoked upon the Church, and was prepar- 
 ing to answer and to renovate Christendom. 
 
 The singing and the prayers being ended, they all rose 
 up. The discussion was about to open ; but as it was 
 past the hour of noon, it was deferred until two o'clock. 
 
 The duke invited to his table tlie principal persons who 
 were to be present at the discussion. After the repast, they 
 * Seckend. p. 209. t Come, Holy Spirit. 
 
42 LUTllEK, CARLSTADTjAND ECK. 
 
 retitrned to the castle. The great hall vras filled with spec- * 
 tators. Disputations of this kind were the public meetings 
 of that age. It was here that the representatives of their 
 day agitated tlie questions that occiT]^ied all minds. Tlie 
 speakers were soon at their posts. Tliat the reader may 
 form a better, idea of their aj^pearance, we will give their 
 portraits as drawn by one of the most impartial witnesses 
 of the contest. 
 
 "■Martin Luther is of middle stature, and so thin, in con- 
 sequence of liis studies, that his l)ones may almost be 
 counted. He is in the prime of life, and has a clear and 
 sonorous voice. His knowledge and understanding of the 
 Holy Scriptures is uiiparallcled; he has the Word of God 
 at his fingers' ends.* Besides t!iis,.he possesses great store 
 of arguments and ideas. One might perhaps desire a little 
 more judgment in arranging his subjects. In conversation 
 he is pleasing and afTable ; there is nothing harsh or austere 
 about him ; he can accommodate himself to every one ; 
 his manner of speaking is agreeable and unembarraesed. He 
 displays firmness, and has always a cheerful air, what- 
 ever may be his adversaries' threats ; so that it is difficult 
 to believe that lie could undertake such great things without 
 the Divine protection. He is blamed, however, for being more 
 caustic, when reproving others, than becomes, a theologian, 
 particularly when putting forvrard novelties in religion. 
 
 " Carlstadt is of shorter stature ; his complexion is dark 
 and sun-burnt, his voice unpleasing, his memory less trust- 
 worthy than Luther's, and lie is more inclined to anger. He 
 possesses, however, though in a smaller degree, the qualities 
 that distinguish his friond. 
 
 " Eck is tall, broad-shouldered, and has a strong and 
 thorough German voice. He has good lungs, so that lie 
 would be heard well in a theatre, and would even make an 
 excellent town-crier. His accent is ratlier vulgar tlian 
 efCgant. He has not that gracefulness so much extolled by 
 Fabius and Cicero. His mouth, his eyes, and his whole 
 
 * Seine Gelclirsamkeit aber imd Vevstand in heili^i^er Schrift ist un- 
 vergleiclilicli, zo dass er fast alles im Griff hat. Mosellanns in Seck- 
 cnd. p. 206. 
 
caklstadt's books. 43 
 
 countenance give you the idea of a soldier or a butcher 
 rather tliaii of a divine* He has an excellent memory, 
 and if he had only as much understanding, he would be 
 really a perfect man. But he is slow of comprehension, and 
 is wanting in judgment, without which all other quaUties 
 are useless. Hence, in disputing, he heaps together, without 
 selection or discernment, a mass of passages Irom the Bible, 
 quotations from the Fathers, and proofs of all kinds. He 
 has, besides, an impudence almost beyond conception. If he 
 is embarrassed, he breaks off from the subject he is treating 
 of, and plunges into another ; he sometimes even takes up 
 his adversary's opinion, clothing it in other words, and with 
 extraordinary skill attributes to hi^ opponent the absurdity 
 he had been himself defending." 
 
 Such, according to Mosellanus, were the men at that 
 time attracting the attention of the crowd which thronged 
 the great hall of the Pleissenburg. 
 
 The dispute began between Eck and Carlstadt. 
 
 Eck's eyes were fixed for a moment on certain objects 
 that lay on the desic of his adversary's pulpit, and which 
 seemed 'to disturb him ; they were the Bible and the holy 
 Fathers. " I decline the discussion," exclaimed he sud- 
 denly, " if you are permitted to bring your books with you." 
 Surprising that a divine should have recourse to books in order 
 to dispute ! Eck's astonishment was still more marvellous. 
 " It is the fig-leaf which this Adam makes use of to hide his 
 shame," t said Luther. " Did not Augustine consult his 
 books when arguing with the Manicheans?" What did 
 that matter ? Eck's partisans raised a great clamour. The 
 other side did the same. " The man has no memory," said 
 Ec_k. At last it was arranged, according to the wish of the 
 Chancellor of Ingolstadt, that each should rely upon his 
 memory and his tongue only. " Thus then," said many, 
 " the object of this- disputation will not be to discover the 
 
 * Das Maul, Augen und ganze Gesiclit, presentirt ehe einen Fleischer 
 Oder Soldaten, als einen Theologum. Mosellanus in Seckend. 206. 
 
 t Prajtexit tamen et hie Adam ille folium fici pulcherrimum. L. 
 Epp. i. 294. 
 
44 MERIT OF CONGRUITY. 
 
 truth, but what praise is to be conferred on the tongue and 
 the memory of the disputants." 
 
 As we are unable to give the details of this discussion, 
 which lasted seventeen days, we shall, as an historian ex- 
 presses it, imitate the painters, v/ho, when lh?y have to re- 
 present a battle, set the most memorable actions in the fore- 
 ground, and leave the others in the distance.* 
 
 The subject of discussion between Eck and Carlstadt was 
 important. " Man's will, before his conversion," said Carl- 
 stadt, " can perform no good vrork : every good work comes 
 entirely and exclusively from God, who gives man first the 
 will to do, and then the power of accomplishing." This 
 truth had been proclaimed by Scripture, Avhich says ; It is 
 God ichich icorketh in you both to icill and to do of his good 
 pleasure ;-\- and by Saint Augnstine, who, in his dispute 
 with the Pelagians, had enunciated it hi nearly the same 
 terms. Every work in which the love of God and obedience 
 towards Him do not exist is deprived in the eyes of the Al- 
 mighty of all that can render it good, even should it origi- 
 nate in the best of human motives. Now there is in man a 
 natural opposition to God — an opposition that the unaided 
 strength of man cannot surmount. He has neither the will 
 nor the power to overcome it. This must therefore be 
 effected by the Divine will. 
 
 This is the whole question of free will — so simple, and 
 yet so decried by the Avorld. Such had been the doctrine 
 of the Church. But the schoolmen had so explained it that 
 it was not recognisable. Undoubtedly (said they) the natu- 
 ral will of man can do nothmg really pleasing to God; 
 but it £an do much towards rendering men meet to re- 
 ceive the grace of God, and more worthy to obtain it. 
 They called these preparations a merit of congruity : J 
 " because it is congmous^^^ said Thomas Aquinas, " that 
 God should treat with particular favour him who makes a 
 good use of his own will." And, as' regards the conversion 
 to be effected in man, undoubtedly it must be accomphshcd 
 by the grace of God, which (according to the schoolmen) 
 
 • Pallavicini, i. 65. f ThiUppians ii. 13. 
 
 X Meritnm concpruum. 
 
NATURAL PO"SVEKS SCHOLASTIC DISTINCTION. 45 
 
 should bring it about, but not to the exclusion of his natural 
 powers. These powers (said they) were not destroyed by 
 sin : sin only opposes an obstacle to their development ; but 
 so soon as this obstacle is removed (and it w|is this, in their 
 opinion, that the grace of God had to effect) the action of 
 these powers begins Jgain. The bird, to use one of their 
 favourite comparisons, that has been tied for some time, 
 has in this state neither lost its ability nor forgotten the art 
 of flying ; but some hand must loose the bonds, in order that 
 he may again make use of his wings.* This is the case with 
 man, said they.* 
 
 Such was the question agitated between Eck and Carl- 
 stadt. At first Eck had appeared to oppose all Carlstadt's 
 propositions on this subject; but finding his position unten- 
 able, he said : " I grant that the will has not the power of 
 doing a good work, and that it receives this power from 
 God." — " Do you acknowledge then," asked Carlstadt, over- 
 joyed at obtaining so important a concession, " that every 
 good work comes^entirely from God ?" — " The 'whole gx)od 
 work really proceeds from God, but not wholly" cunningly 
 repHed the scholastic doctor. — " Truly, this is a discovery not 
 unworthy of the science of divinity," exclaimed Melancthon. 
 — " An entire apple," continued Eck, " is produced by the 
 sun, but not entirely and without the co-operation of the 
 plant." f Most certainly it has never yet been maintained 
 that an apple is produced solely by the sun. 
 
 Well then, said the opponents, plunging deeper into this im- 
 portant and delicate question of philosophy and religion, let 
 us inquire how God acts upon man, and how man conducts 
 himself under this action. "I acknov/ledge," said Eck, 
 " that the first impulse in man's conversion proceeds from 
 God, and that the will of man in this instance is entirely 
 passive."! "^^^^^^ far the two parties were agreed. "I 
 acknowledge," said Carlstadt, " that after this first impulse 
 
 • Planck, i. 176. 
 
 ■f Qua^quam totum opus Dei sit, non tamen totalitcr a Deo esse, quem- 
 adraodura totum pomum efficitur a sole, sed non a sole toialiter et sine 
 plantse efficentia, Pallavicini, i. 58. 
 
 X Motionem seu inspirationem prevenientem esse a sdo Deo ; et ibi 
 liberum arbitrium habet se passive. 
 
46 POINT OF DIVERGENCE. 
 
 which proceeds from God, something must come on the 
 part of man, — something that St. Paul denominates will, 
 and which the fathers entitle consent." Here again they 
 were both agreed: but from this point they diverged. "This 
 consent of man," said Eck, " comes partly from our natural 
 will, and partly from God's grace."* — " No," said Carlstadt; 
 " God must entirely create this will in man." -|- — Upon this 
 Eck manifested anger and astonishment at hearing words 
 so fitted to make man sensible of his nothingness. " Your 
 doctrine," exclaimed he, "converts a man into a stone, a 
 log, incapable of any reaction !" — " What !" replied the 
 reformers, " the faculty of receiving this strength which 
 God produces in him, this faculty which (according to us) 
 man possesses, does not sufficiently distinguish him. from a 
 log or a stone ?"; — " But," said their antagonist, " by deny- 
 ing that man has any natural jibility, you contradict all 
 experience." — " We do not deny," replied they, " that man 
 possesses a certain ability, and that he has the power of 
 reflection, meditation, and choice. We consider this power 
 and ability as mere instruments that can produce no good 
 work, until the hand of God has set them in motion. They 
 arc hke a saw in -the hands of a sawyer." | 
 
 The great doctrine of free will was here discussed ; and it 
 was easy to demonstrate that the doctrine of the reformers 
 did not deprive man of his liberty as a moral agent, and make 
 him a mere passive machine. The liberty of a moral agent 
 consists in his power of acting conformably to his choice. 
 Every action performed without external constraint, and in 
 consequence of the determination of the soul itself, is a free 
 action. The soul is determined by motives ; but v/e conti- 
 nually observe the same motives acting differently on dif- 
 ferent minds. Many men do not act in conformity with the 
 motives of which, however, they acknowledge the full force. 
 This inefficacy of motives proceeds from the obstacles op- 
 posed to them by the corruption of the understanding, and 
 of the heart. But God, by giving man a new heart and a 
 
 • Partim a Deo, partim a libero arbitrio. 
 
 •f* Consentit homo, sed consensus est donum Dei. Consentire non est 
 agere. J Ut serra in manu hominis trahentis. 
 
OARLSTADTS NOTES — .MELANCTIION. 47 
 
 new spirit, removes these obstacles ; and by removing them, 
 far from de])riviiig him of his Hberty, He takes away, on 
 the contrary, everything that prevented him from acting 
 freely, from Ustening to the voice of his conscience, and, in the 
 words of the Gospel, makes him free indeed. (John viii. .36). 
 
 A trivial circumstance interrupted the discussion. We 
 learn from Eck,* that Carlstadt had prepared a number of 
 arguments ; and, like many public speakers of our own day, 
 he was reading what he had written. Eck saw in this the 
 tactics of a mere learner, and objected to it. Carlstadt, em- 
 barrassed, and fearing that he should break down if he were 
 deprived of his papers, persisted. " 'Ah !" exclaimed the 
 schoolman, proud of the advantage he thought he had 
 obtained, " his memory is not so good as mine." The point 
 was referred to the arbitrators, who permitted the reading of 
 extracts from the Fathers, but decided that in other respects 
 the disputants should speak extempore. 
 
 This first part of the disputation was often interrupted by 
 the noise of the spectators. They were in commotion, and 
 frequently raised their voices. Any proposition that offended 
 the ears of the majority immediately excited their clamours, 
 and then, as in our own days, the galleries were often called 
 to order. The disputants tiiemselves.were sometimes carried 
 away by the heat of discussion. 
 
 Near Luther sat Melancthon, who attracted almost as much 
 attention as his neighbour. He was of small stature, and 
 appeared little more than eighteen years old. Luther, who 
 was a head taller, seemed connected with him in the closest 
 friendship ; they 'Came in, went out, and took their walks 
 together. " To look at Melancthon," wrote a Swiss theolo- 
 gian who studied at Wittemberg,-|- " you would say he was 
 H mere boy ; but in understanding, learning, and talent, he 
 is a giant, and I cannot comprehend how such heights ot 
 wisdom and genius can be found in so small a body." Be- 
 tween the sittings, Melancthon conversed with Carlstadt and 
 Luther. He aided them in preparing for the combat, and 
 suggested the arguments with which his extensive learning 
 
 • Seckendorf, p. 192. 
 
 f John Kessler, afterwards the reformer of Saint Gall. 
 
48 melan'cthon's sentdients. 
 
 furnished him ; but during the discussion he remained quietly 
 seated among the spectators, and carefully listened to the 
 words of the theologians.* From time to time, however, he 
 came to the assistance of Carlstadt ; and when the latter was 
 near giving way under the powerful declamation of the Chan- 
 cellor of Ingolstadt, the young professor whispered a word, 
 jor slipped him a piece of paper, on which the answer was 
 written. Eck having perceived this on one occasion, and feel- 
 ing indignant that this grammarian, as he called him, should 
 dare interfere in the discussion, turned towards him and said 
 haughtily : " Hold your tongue, Phiiip ; mind your studies, 
 and do not disturb me."f Perhaps Eck at that time foresaw 
 how formidable an opponent he would afterwards find in this 
 young man. Luther was offended at the gross insult directed 
 against his friend. " Phihp's judgment," said he, " has 
 greater weight with me than that of a thousand Doctor Ecks." 
 
 The calm Melancthon easily detected the weak points of 
 the discussion. " We cannot help feeling surprise," said he, 
 with that wisdom and beauty which we find in all his w^ords, 
 " when we think of the violence with which these subjects 
 were treated. How could any one expect to derive any profit 
 from it ? The Spirit of God loves retirement and silence : it is 
 then that it penetrates deep into our hearts. The bride of 
 Christ does not dwell in the ttreets and market-places, but 
 leads her Spouse into the house of her mother." j: 
 
 Each party claimed the victory. Eck strained every nerve 
 to appear the conqueror. As the points of divergetice almost 
 touched each other, he frequently exclaimed tliat he had con- 
 vinced his opponent ; or else, like another Proteus (said Lu- 
 ther), he suddenly turned round, put forth Carlstadt's opinions 
 in other words, and asked him, Avith a tone of triumph, if he 
 did not find himself compelled to yield. And the unskilful 
 auditors, who could not detect the manoeuvre of the sophist, 
 applauded and exulted with him. In many respects they 
 were not equally matched. Carlstadt was slow, and on some 
 occasions did not reply to his adversary's objections until the 
 
 * Lipsicse pugnse otiosus spectator in reliquo vulgo sedi. Corp. Ref. L 
 ill. 
 
 f Tace tu, Philippe, ac tua studia cura, nee me perturba. Ibid.' i. 149. 
 
 J Melancth. 0pp. p. 134. 
 
eck's manceuvres — Luther's sermon. 49 
 
 next day. Eck, on the contrary, was a master in his science, 
 and found whatever he required at the very instant. He en- 
 tered the hall with a disdainful air ; ascended the rostrum 
 with a firm step ; and there he tossed himself about, paced 
 to and fro, spoke at the full pitch of his sonorous voice, had 
 a reply ready for every argument, and bewildered his hearers 
 by his memory and skill. And yet, without perceiving it, 
 Eck conceded during the discussion much more than he had 
 intended. His partisans laughed aloud at each of his de- 
 vices ; " but (^aid Luther) I seriously believe that their 
 laughter was mere pretence, and that in their hearts they 
 were annoyed' at seeing their chief, who had commenced the 
 battle with so many bravados, abandon his standard, desert 
 his army, and become a shameless runaway."* 
 
 ,Three or four days after the openings- of the conference, 
 the disputation was interrupted by the festival of Peter and 
 Paul the apostles. 
 
 On this occasion the Duke of Pomerania requested Luther 
 to preach before him in his chapel. Luther cheerfully con- 
 sented. But the place was soon crowded, and as the number of 
 hearers kept increasing, the assembly was transferred to the 
 great hall of the castle, in which the discussion was held. 
 Luther chose his text from the Gospel of the day, and preached 
 on the grace of God and the power of Saint Peter. What 
 Luther ordinarily maintained before an audience composed of 
 men of learning, he then set before the people. Christianity 
 causes the light of truth to shine upon the humblest as well as 
 the most elevated minds ; it is this which distinguishes it from 
 every other religion and from every system of philosophy. 
 The theologians of Leipsic, who had heard Luther preach, 
 hastened' to report to Eck the scandalous words with which 
 their ears had been shocked. " You must reply," exclaimed 
 they ; " you must publicly refute these subtle errors." Eck 
 desired nothing better. All the churches were open to him, 
 and four times in succession he went into the pulpit to cry 
 down Luther and his sermon. Luther's friends were in- 
 dignant at this. They demanded that the Wittemberg 
 divine should be heard in his turn. But it was all in vain. 
 
 • Relictis signis desertorem exercitus et transfugam factum, L, Opp, i, 
 295. 
 
 VOL, u. '3 
 
50 CITIZFA'S OF LEIPSIC- 
 
 The pulpits were open to the adversaries of the evangelical 
 doctrine ; they were closed against those who proclaimed 
 it. " I was silent," said Lnther, " and was forced to suifer 
 myself to be attacked, insulted, and calumniated, without 
 even the power of excusing or defending myself."^' 
 
 It was not only the ecclesiastics who manifested their 
 opposition to the evangelical doctors : the citizens of Leipsic 
 were, in this respect, of the same opinion as the clergy. 
 A blind fanaticism had rendered them tlie dupes of the 
 falsehood and hatred that the priests were' attempting to 
 propagate. The principal inhabitants did not visit either 
 Luther or Carlstadt. If they met tliem in the street, they 
 did not salute them, and endeavoured to traduce their 
 characters with the duke. But on the contrary they paid 
 frequent visits to the Doctor of Ingolstadt, and ate and dratik 
 with him. The latter feasted with them, entertaining them 
 with a description of the costly banquets to which he had 
 been invited in Germany and Italy, sneeriiig at Luther who 
 had imprudently rushed upon his invincible sword, slowly 
 quaffing the beer of Saxony the better to compare it with that 
 of Bavaria, and casting amorous glances (he boasts of it him- 
 self) on the frail fair ones of Leipsic. His manners, which were 
 rather free, did not give a favourable idea of his morals.-{- 
 They were satisfied with offering Luther the wine usually 
 presented to the disputants. Those who were favourably 
 disposed towards him, concealed their feelings from the 
 public ; many, like Nicodemus of old, visited him stealthily 
 and by night. Tavo men alone honourably distinguished 
 themselves by publicly declaring their friendship for him. 
 They were Doctor Auerbach, whom we have already seen 
 at Augsburg, and Doctor Pistor the younger. 
 
 The greatest agitation prevailed in the city. The two 
 parties were like two hostile camps, and they sometimes 
 came to blows. Frequent quarrels took place in the 
 taverns between the students of Leipsic and tliose of Wit- 
 temberg. It was generally reported, even in the meetings 
 of the clergy, that Luther carried a devil about with him 
 shut up in a little box. " I don't know whether the devil 
 
 • Mich verklagen, schelten und schmaehen. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 247. 
 + Eck to Hayen and Bourkara, 1st July 1519. Walch. xv. 1456. 
 
QUARRELS BETWEEN DOCTOKS AND STUDENTS. 51 
 
 is in the box or merely under Iiis frock," said Eck insidi- 
 ously ; " but he is certainly in one or the other." 
 
 Several doctors of the two parties had lodgings during 
 the disputation -in the house of the printer HerbipoHs. 
 They' became so outrageous, that their host was compelled 
 to station a police-officer, armed with a halberd, at the head 
 of the table, ^vith orders to prevent the guests from coming 
 to blows. One day Baumgartner^ an indulgence-merchant, 
 quarrelled with a gentleman, a friend of Luther's, and gave 
 way to such a violent fit of anger that he expired. " I was 
 one of those who carried him to hi^ grave," said Froschel, 
 who relates the circumstance.* In this manner did the 
 general ferment in men's minds display itself. Then, as in 
 our own times, the speeches in the pulpits found an echo in 
 the drawing-room and in the streets. 
 
 Duke George, although strongly biassed in Eck's favour, 
 did not display so much passion as his subjects. He invited 
 Eck, Luther, and Carlstadt to meet each other at his table. He 
 even begged Luther to come and see him in private ; but it 
 was not long before he displayed all the prejudices with 
 which he had been inspired against the reformer. " By your 
 v»^ork on the Lord's Prayer," said the duke with displeasure, 
 " you have misled the consciences of many. There are some 
 people who complain that they have not been able to repeat 
 a single pater-noster for four days together." 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 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 — Clirist 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 Dake— Purgatory— Close of the 
 Discussion. 
 
 On the 4th of July the discussion between Eck and Luther 
 commenced. Everything seemed to promise that it would 
 " Loscher, iii. 278. 
 
52 THE TAVO peasants' SONS. 
 
 be more violent, more decisive, and more interesting than 
 that which had just conckided,- and which had gradually 
 thinned the hall. The two combatants entered the arena 
 resolved not to lay down their arras until victory declared in 
 favour of one or the other. The general expectation was 
 aroused, for the papal'primacy was to be the subject of dis- 
 cussion. Christianity has two great adversaries : hierarchism 
 and rationalism. Rationalism, in its application to the doc- . 
 trine of man's ability, had been attacked by the reformers in 
 the previous part of the Leipsic disputation. Hierarchism, con- 
 sidered in what is at once its summit and its base, — the doc- 
 trine of papal authority, — was to be contested in the second. 
 On the one side appeared Eck, the champion of the established 
 religion, vaunting of the discussions he had maintained, as 
 a general boasts of his campaigns.* On tlie other side ad- 
 vanced Luther, who seemed destined to reap persecution and 
 ignominy from this struggle, but who still presented himself 
 with a good conscience, a firm resolution to sacrifice every- 
 thing in the cause of truth, and an assurance grounded in 
 faith in God, and in the deliverance He grants to all who 
 trust in Him. New convictions had sunk deep into his soul; 
 they were not as yet arranged into a system ; but in the heat 
 of the combat they flashed forth like lightning. Serious and 
 daring, he showed a resolution that made light of every 
 obstacle. On his features might be seen the traces of the 
 storms his soul had encountered, and the courage with 
 which he was prepared to meet fresh tempests. These com- 
 batants, both sons of peasants, and the representatives of the 
 two tendencies that still divide Christendom, were about to 
 enter upon a contest on which depended, in great measure, 
 the future prospects of the State and of the Church. 
 
 At seven in the morning the two disputants were in their 
 pulpits, surrounded by a numerous and attentive assembly. 
 
 Luther stood up, and with a necessary precaut!on,-he said 
 modestly : — 
 
 ^'^ Jn the name of the Lord, Amen ! I declare that the- 
 
 • Faciebat hoc Eccius quia certain sibi gloriam propositam cernebat, 
 propter propositionem meam, in qua ne^abam Papam esse jure divino 
 caput Ecclesise : hie patuit ei campus magnu3. L. 0pp. in Prsf. 
 
ECK AND LUTHER BEGIN. 53 
 
 respect I bear to the sovereign pontiff would have prevented 
 my entering upon this discussion, if the excellent Dr. Eck had 
 not dragged me into it." 
 
 Eck. — '' In thy name, gentle Jesus ! before descending 
 into the lists, I protest before you, most noble lords, that all 
 that I may say is in submission to the judgment of the first 
 of all sees, and of him ^yho is its possessor." 
 
 After a brief silence, Eck continued : 
 
 "There is in the Church of God a primacy that cometh 
 from Christ himself. The Church militant was formed in 
 the image of the Church triumphant. Now, the latter is a 
 monarchy in which the hierarchy ascends step by step up to 
 God, its sole chief. For this reason Christ has estabhshed 
 a similar order upon earth. What a monster the Church 
 would be if it were without a head!"* 
 
 Luther, turning toicards the assembly. — " When Dr. Eck 
 declares that the universal Chureh must have a head, he 
 says well. If there is any one among us who maintains the 
 contrary, let him stand up ! As for me, it is no concern of 
 mine." 
 
 Eck. — " If the Church militant has never been without a 
 head, I should Uke to know who it can be, if not the Roman 
 pontiff?" 
 
 Luther. — " The head of the Church militant is Christ 
 himself, and not a man. I beheve this on the testimony of 
 God's Word. He mmt reigii, says Scripture, ^z"?^ he hath put 
 all enemies binder his feet.\ Let us not hsten to those who 
 banish Christ to the Church triumphant in heaven. His 
 kingdom is a kingdom of faith. We cannot see our Head, 
 and yet we have one."| 
 
 Eck, who did not consider himself beaten, had recourse to 
 other arguments, and resumed : 
 
 " It is from Rome, according to Saint Cyprian, that sacer- 
 dotal unity has procGi?ded." § 
 
 • Nam quod monstrum esset, Ecclesiam esse acephalam ! L. 0pp. 
 Lat. i. 243. t 1 Corinthians xv. 25. ^^ • 
 
 X Prorsus audiendi non sunt qui Christum extra Ecclesiam militantem 
 tendunt in triumphantem, cum sit regnum fidei. Caput nostrum non 
 videmus ; tamen habemus. L. 0pp. Lat. i. p. 243. 
 
 § Unde sacerdotalis unitas exorta est. Ibid. 
 
54 " PRIMACY 01 ROME. 
 
 Luther. — " For the Western Church, I grant it. But is 
 not this same Roman Church the offspring of that of Jeru- 
 salem ? It is the Latter, jDroperly speaking, that is the nursing- 
 mother of all the churches."^ 
 
 EcK. — " Saint Jerome declares that if an extraordinary 
 power, superior to all others, were not given to the pope,-r 
 there would be in the churches as many sects as there were 
 pontiffs." 
 
 Luther. — " Given : that" is to say, if all the rest of 
 believers consent to it, this povrer might be conceded to the 
 chief pontiff 6^V hutnan right.\ And I will not deny, that if all 
 the believers in the world agree in recognising as first and 
 supreme pontiff either the Bishop of Rome, or of Paris, or of 
 Magdeburg, we should acknov,ledge him as such from the 
 respect due to this general agreement of the Church ; but 
 that has never been seen yet, and never will be seen. Even 
 in our own days, does not the Greek Church refuse its assent 
 to Rome^" 
 
 Luther was at that time prepared to acknowledge the pope 
 as chiei^ magistrate of the Church, freely elected by it ; but 
 he denied that he was pope of Divine right. It was not till 
 much later that he denied that submission was in any way 
 due to him : and this step he Avas led to take by the Leipsic 
 disputation. But Eck had ventured on ground better known 
 to Luther than to himself. The latter could not, indeed, 
 maintain his thesis that the papacy had existed during the 
 preceding four centuries only. Eck quoted authorities of an 
 earher date, to which Luther could not reply. Criticism had 
 not yet attacked the False Decretals. But the nearer the 
 discussion approached the primitive ages of the Church, the 
 greater was Luther's strength. Eck appealed to the Fathers ; 
 Luther replied to him from the Fathers, and all the by- 
 standers were struck with his superiority over his rival. 
 
 ''That the opinions I set forth are tiiose of Saint Jerome," 
 
 * Haec est matrix proprie ommum ccclcsiaium. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 244. 
 
 + Cm si non elisors quredam et ab omnibus eminens detur potestas. 
 Ibid. 243. 
 
 + Detur, inquit hoc est jure humano, posset fieri, consenticntibus caeterig 
 omnibus fidelibus. Ibid, 244. 
 
r.Qi ALiTY or nisiiOFS. ' 55 
 
 said he, " I prove by the epistle of St. Jerome himself to 
 Evagrius : ' Every bishop,' says he, * v/hethcr at Rome, 
 Eugubium, Constantinople, Rhegium, Tani;^, or Alexandria, 
 is partaker of tlie same merit and of tlie same priesthood.* 
 The power of riehes, the hmniliation of poverty, arc the only 
 things tliat ma'Re a diubrcnec in .the rank of the bishops.' " 
 
 From the writings of the Fathers, Luther^ passed to the 
 decision* of ilv? co'.ineils, wliich consider tlie Ijlshop of Rome 
 as only the first {imoug his p-eers.f 
 
 " We reud," said he, " in tlie decree of the Council of 
 Africa, ' Tlie bishop of the first see siiall neither be called 
 prince of the por.titVs, nor sovereign pontiff, nor by any other 
 name of tliat kind ; liut only bishop of tlie Hrst see.'. If the 
 monarchy of the iiishop of Rome was of Divine right," con- 
 tinued Luther, "vvould not this be an heretical injiyiction?" 
 
 Eck replied by one of those subtle distinctions that were 
 so familiar to liim : — 
 
 •''The bishop of Rome, if you will have it so, is not uni- 
 versal bishop, but bishop of the universal Chuvch." J 
 
 LuTHEK. — '' I shall make no reply to this : let our hearers 
 form their own opinion of it."—" Certainly," added he direct- 
 ly, " this is an explanation very worthy of a theologian, and 
 calculated to satisfy a disputant who thirsts for glory. It 
 is'Rot for nothing, it seems, that I have remained at great 
 expense at Leipsie, since I liave learnt that the pope is not, 
 in truth, the universal bishop, but tlie bishop of the uni- 
 versal Cluirch !:' § 
 
 Eck.—" V*' ell then, I will come to the point. The 
 worthy doctor calls upon me to prove tliat the primacy of 
 the Church of Rome is of Divine right. I will prove it by 
 this expression of Christ : Thou art. Peter, and on this rock 
 will I build r.iy Church. Saint Augustine, in one of his 
 epistles, has thus explained the meaning of this passage : 
 ' Thou art Peter, and on this rock (that is to say, on Peter) 
 
 • Ejusdem meriti et ejasdem sacerdotii est. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 244. 
 t Primus inter pares. 
 
 :;: Kou episcopus iiiiiversalis, sed universalis Ecclesia; episcopus. 
 Ibid. 246. 
 § Ego ^loriov mc tot cxpensil non frustra. L. Epp. i. 299. 
 
56 THE FOUNDATION-STONE. 
 
 I will build my Church.' It is true that in another place 
 the same father has explained that by this rock we should 
 understand Christ himself, but he has not retracted his for- 
 mer exposition." 
 
 Luther. — " If t he reverend doctor desires to attack me, 
 let him first reconcile these contradictions in Saint Augus- 
 tine. For it is most certain that Augustine has said many 
 times that the rock was Christ, and perhaps not more than 
 once that it was Peter himself. But even should ^aint 
 Augustine and all the Fathers say that the Apostle is the 
 rock of which Christ speaks, I would resist them, single- 
 handed, in reliance upon the Holy Scriptures, that is, on 
 Divine right;* for it is written: Other foimdatwn can no 
 man Jay than that is laid, tvhich is Jesus Christ.-\- Peter 
 himself .terms Christ the chief corner-stone^ and a living 
 stone on lohich tue are built up a spiritual house" ^ 
 
 EcK. — " I am surprised at the humility and modesty 
 with which the reverend doctor undertakes to oppose, alohe, 
 so many illustrious Fathers, and pretends to know more 
 than the sovereign pontiffs, the councils, the doctors, and 
 
 the universities! It would be surprising, no doubt, if 
 
 God had hidden the truth from so many saints and martyrs 
 — until the advent of the reverend father!" 
 
 Luther. — " The Fathers are not against me. Saint Aug- . 
 ustine and Saint Ambrose, both most excellent doctors, teach 
 as I teach. Super isto articulo Jldei, fundata est Ecclesia,§ 
 says Saint Ambrose, w^hen explaining what is meant by 
 the rock on which the Church is built. Let my opponent 
 then set a curb upon his tongue. To express himself as he 
 does, will only serve to excite contention, and not be to dis- 
 cuss like a true doctor." 
 
 Eck had no idea that his opponent's learning was so ex- 
 tensive, and that he would be able to extricate himself from 
 the toils that were drawn around him. " The reverend doc- 
 tor," said he, " has come well armed into the lists. I beg 
 
 * Resistam eis e;;jo unus, auctoritate apostoli, id est, divino jnro. L. 
 0pp. Lat. i. 137. 
 
 + 1 Corinthians iii. 11. +1 Peter ii. 4, 5, 6. 
 
 § The Church is founded on that article of faith. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 254, 
 
eck's insinuation. 67 
 
 your lordships to excuse me, if I do not exhibit such accu- 
 racy of research. I came here to discuss, and not to make 
 a book." — Eck was surprised but not beaten. As he had 
 no more arguments to adduce, he had recourse to a wretched 
 and spiteful trick, which, if it did not vanquish his antagon- 
 ist, must at least embarrass him greatly. If the accusation 
 of being Bohemian, a heretic, a Hussite, can be fixed upon 
 JLuther, he is vanquished ; for the Bohemians were objects 
 of abhorrence in the Church. The scene of combat was not 
 far from the frontiers of Bohemia ; Saxony, after the sentence 
 pronounced on John Huss by the Council of Constance, had 
 been exposed to all the liorrors of a long and ruinous war ; 
 it was its boast to have resisted the Hussites at that time ; 
 the university of Leipsic had been founded in opposition to 
 the tendencies of John Huss ; and this discussion was going 
 on in the presence of princes, nobles, and citizens, whose 
 fathers had fallen in that celebrated contest. To insinuate 
 that Luther and Huss are of one mind, will be to inflict 4 
 most terrible blow on the former. It is to this stratagem 
 that the Ingolstadt doctor now has recourse : " From the 
 earhest times, all good Christians have acknowledged that 
 the Church of Rome derives its primacy direct from Christ 
 himself, and not from human right. I must confess, how- 
 ever, that the Bohemians, while they obstinately defended 
 their errors, attacked this doctrine. I beg the worthy 
 father's pardon, if I am an enemy of the Bohemians, because 
 they are enemies of the Church, and if the present discussion 
 has called these heretics to my recollection ; for, in my 
 humble opinion, the doctor's conclusions are in every way 
 favourable to these errors. It is even asserted that the 
 Hussites are loudly boasting of it."* 
 
 Eck had calculated well : his partisans received this per- 
 fidious insinuation with the greatest favour. There was a 
 movement of joy among the audience. " These insults," 
 said the reformer afterwards, "tickled them much more 
 agreeably than the discussion itself." 
 
 Luther.—" I do not like and I never shall like a schism 
 Since on their own authority the Bohemians have separated 
 • Et, ut fama est, de hoc plurimum gratalantur. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 250. 
 3* 
 
68 LUTHER m BEHALF OF HUSS. 
 
 from our unity, they have done wrong, even if the Divine 
 right had pronounced in favour of their doctrines ; for the 
 supreme Divine right is charity and oneness of mind."* 
 
 It was during the morning sitting of the 5th of July thart 
 Luther had made use of this language. The meeting broke 
 up shortly after, as it was the hour of dinner. Luther felt 
 ill at ease. Had he not gone too far in thus condemning the 
 Christians of Bohemia ? Did they not hold the doctrines 
 that Luther is now maintaining ? He saw all the difficulties 
 of his position. Shall he rise up against a council that con- 
 demned John Huss, or shall he deny that sublime idea of a 
 universal Christian Church which -had taken full possession 
 of his mind ? The unshaken Luther did not hesitate. He 
 will do his duty, whatever may be the consequences. Ac- 
 cordingly when the assembly met again at two in the after- 
 noon, he was the first to speak. He said with firmness : 
 
 " Among the articles of faith held by John Huss and the 
 Bohemians, there are some that are most christian. This is 
 a positive certainty. Here, for instance, is one : ' That there 
 is but one universal Church ; ' and here is another : ' It is 
 not necessary for salvation to believe the Eoman'Church su- 
 perior to all others.' It is of little consequence to me whether 
 
 these things were said by Wickliife or by Huss they are 
 
 truth." 
 
 Luther's declaration produced a great sensation among his 
 hearers. Huss — Wickliife — those odious names, pronounced 
 with approbation by a monk in the midst of a catholic assem- 
 bly ! An almost general murmur ran round the hall. Duke 
 George himself felt alarmed. He fancied he saw that ban- 
 ner of civil war upraised in Saxony which had for so many 
 years desolated the states of his maternal ancestors. Un- 
 able to suppress his emotion, he placed his hands on his 
 hips, ^hook his head, and exclaimed aloud, so that all the 
 assembly heard him, " He is carried away by rage!"f 
 The whole meeting was agitated : they rose up, each man 
 
 * Nunquam mihi placuit, nee in seternum placebit quodcunque 
 
 schisma Cum supremum jus divinum sit charitas et unitas spiritus. 
 
 L. 0pp. Lat. i. 250. 
 
 t Das wait die Sucht 
 
THE GREEK CHURCH NOT HERETICAL. 59 
 
 speaking to his neighbour. Tliose v/ho had given way to 
 drowsiness awolce. Luther's friends were in great perplexity ; 
 while his enemies exulted. Many who had thus far listened 
 to him with pleasure began to entertain doubts of his ortho7 
 doxy. The impression produced on Duke George's mind by 
 these words was ne-ser efiaced ; from this moment he looked 
 upon the reibruier with an evil eye, and became his enemy.* 
 
 Lutlier did not sutler himseh" to be intimidated by these 
 murmurs. One of his principal arguments was, that the 
 Greeks had never recognised the pope, and yet they had 
 never been declared heretics; tliat the Greek Church had 
 existed, still existed, and would exist, without the pope, and 
 that it as much belonged to Christ as the Church of Rome 
 did. Eck, on the contrary, impudently maintained that the 
 Christian and the Roman Church were one and the same; 
 that the Greeks and Orientals, in abandoning the pope, had 
 also abandoned the christian faith, and were indisputably 
 heretics. "What!" exclaimed Luther, "are not Gregory 
 of Nazianzmn, Basil tiie Great, Epiphanius, Clirysostom, and 
 an immense number besides of Greek bishops — are they not 
 saved? and yet they did not believe that the Church of 
 
 Rome v»\ns above tiie other Churches I It is not in the 
 
 power of tlic Roman pontiiTs to make new articles of faith. 
 The christian believer acknowledges no other authority than 
 H-oly Scripture. This alone is the right Bkine.f I beg the 
 worthy doctor to concede that the Roman pontifls were men, 
 and that he will not make them gods." 
 
 Eck then resorted to one of those jests which give a spe- 
 cious air of triumph to him who employs them. 
 
 " The reverend father is a very poor cook," said he ; " he 
 has made a terrible hodge-podge of Greek saints and here- 
 tics: so that the odour of sanctity in the one prevents us 
 from smellhig the poison of the others." j 
 
 * Nam adhiic erat Dux Georgius raihi uou inimicus, qnod sciebam certo. 
 L. 0pp. in Prsef. 
 
 t Nee potest fidclis Christianus cof;i ultra sacram Scripturam, quoe est 
 propiiojus divijiuiR. L. C)pp. Lat. i. 252. 
 
 X At Rev. Rater, artis coquinaria: minus instructus, ccramiscet sanctos 
 Gracos cum scliismaticis et hasrcticis, ut fuco fianctitatis Patrum haereti- 
 conixn tueatur pcrfidia rn. Ibid. 
 
60 THE WORD ALONE THE COUKT-FOOL- 
 
 Luther, interrvpting Ech vith icarmtli. — " The worthy 
 doctor is becoming abusive. In my opinion, there can be 
 no communion between Christ and Belial." 
 
 Luther had made a great stride in advance. In 1516 and 
 1517, he had only attacked the sermons of the indulgence- 
 hawkers and the scholastic doctrines, but had respected 
 the papal decrees. Somewhat later he had rejected these 
 decrees, and had appealed to a council. Now he had thrown 
 off even this latter authority, declaring that no council could 
 lay down a new article of faith, and claim to be infallible. 
 Thus had all human authorities fallen successively before 
 him; the sands that the rain and the torrents carry with 
 them had disappeared ; and for rebuilding the ruined house 
 of the Lord nothing remained but the everlasting rock of the 
 Word of God. " Reverend father," said Eck, " if you beheve 
 that a council, regularly assembled, can err, you are in my 
 eyes nothing better than a heathen and a publican I"- 
 
 Such were the discussions that occupied the two doctors. 
 The assembly hstened with earnestness ; but their attention 
 sometimes flagged, and the bystanders were delighted when 
 any incident occurred to amuse and excite them. It often 
 happens that the most serious matters are mixed up Avith 
 others the most ridiculous. This was the case at Leipsic. 
 
 Duke George, according to the custom of the times, had a 
 court-fool. Some wags said to him : " Luther maintains 
 that a court-fool may marry, while Eck says that he cannot." 
 Upon this, the fool took a great dislike to Eck, and every 
 time he entered the hall in the duke's train, he looked at the 
 theologian with a threatening air. The Chancellor of In- 
 golstadt, who was not above indulging in buffoonery, closed 
 one eye (the fool was blind of an eye) and with the other 
 began to squint at the little gentleman, who, losing his tem- 
 per, overwhelmed the doctor with abuse. The whole assem- 
 bly (says Peifcr) burst into laughter, and this interlude 
 somewhat diminished the extreme tension of their minds.-'' 
 
 At the same time scenes were enacting in the city and* 
 in the churches, that showed the horror inspired in the 
 Romish partisans by Luther's bold assertions. It was 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) XV. 1440.— 2 Loscher, iii. 281. 
 
LUTHER AT MASS THE DUKe's SAYING. 61 
 
 from the convents attached to the pope's interest that the 
 loudest clamours proceeded. One Sunday, tlie Wittembefg 
 doctor entered the Dommican church before high mass. 
 There were present only a few monks repeating low mass 
 at the smaller altars. As soon as it was knoAvii in the 
 cloister that the heretic Luther was in the xhurch, the 
 monks ran in hastily, snatched up the remonstrance, and 
 carrying it to the tabernacle,* there shut it up carefully, 
 watching over it" lest the host should be profaned by the 
 heretical eyes of the Wittemberg Augustine. At the 
 same time those who were reading mass hurriedly caught 
 up the various ornaments employed in the service, deserted 
 the altar, fled across the church, and took refuge in the 
 vestry, as if, says an historian, Satan had been at their 
 heels. 
 
 The subject of the discussion furnished matter for 
 conversation in every place. In the inns, the university, 
 and the court, each man expressed his opinion. However 
 great might have been Duke George's exasperation, he 
 did not obstinately refuse to be convinced. One day, as 
 Eck and Luther were dimng with him, he interrupted 
 their conversation by saying : " Whether the pope be pope 
 by human or by Divine right, nevertheless, he is pope."f 
 Luther was much pleased at these words. " The prince," 
 said he, "would never have made use of them, had he not 
 been struck by my arguments." 
 
 The discussion on the papal primacy had lasted five 
 days. On the 8th of July, they proceeded to the doctrine 
 of Purgatory. This spread over a little more than two 
 
 * The tabernacle is an octagonal shaped case, standing in the centre of 
 the altar, and made ofpolished brass, marble, silver, gold, or at least gilded 
 wood. Its size Taries from eighteen inches to fonr feet in height, and 
 from one foot to three in diameter. In it are deposited the p'hv, contain- 
 ing the large consecrated wafer intended to be exhibited for the'adoration 
 of worshippers, and the ciborium, in which are the small ones prepared 
 for the communicants. The remonstrance is a highly ornamented stand 
 with a circular opening to receive the larger wafer used in the elevation 
 of the host. 
 
 t Ita ut ipse dux Georgius inter prandendum, ad Eccium et me dicat : 
 " Sive flit jure huraano, sive sit jure divino, papa ; ipse est papa." L. 
 0pp. in Praef. 
 
62 PUKGATOKY END OF THE DISPUTATION. 
 
 days. Luther stili admitted this doctrine ; but denied 
 that it was taught in Scripture or in the Fathers in the 
 manner that his opponent and the schoolmen i)retended. 
 " Our Doctor Eck," said he, alluding to the sjiperiicial 
 character of his adversary's mind, '' has this day skimmed 
 over Scripture almost without touching it — as a spider runs 
 upon water." 
 
 On the 11th of July they came to Indulgences. " It 
 was a mere joke," said Luther ; " the dispute Avas ridicul- 
 ous. The indulgences fell outright, and Eck was nearly of 
 my opinion."^- Eck himself said : " If I had not disputed 
 with Doctor Martin on the papal supremacy, I should almost 
 have agreed with him."-]- 
 
 The discussion next turned on Repentance, Absolution of 
 the Priest, and Satisfactions. Eck, according to his usual 
 practice, quoted the scholastic doctors, the Dominicans, 
 ^nd the pope's canons. Luther closed the disputation with 
 these words: "The reverend doctor ilees from the Scriptures, 
 as the devil from before the cross. As for me, with all due 
 respect to the Fathers, I prefer the authority of Holy \>'rit, 
 and this test 1 would recommend to our judges." J 
 
 Here ended the dispute between Eck and Luther. Carl- 
 stadt and the Ingolstadt doctor kept up the discussion 
 two days longer on human merits in good works. On the 
 16th of July the" business v/as concluded, after having 
 lasted twenty days, by a speech from the rector of the 
 university. As soon as he had finished, loud music was 
 heard, and the solemnity was concluded by singing the Te 
 Deum. 
 
 But during the chanting of this solemn thanksgiving, 
 men's minds were no longer as tliey had been during 
 the Vcni Sjyiritns at the opening of the discussion. Already 
 the presentiments of many had been realized. The blows 
 that the champions of the two doctrines h.ad aimed at each 
 •9ther had inflicted a deep wound ui)on tlie pnpacy. 
 
 * L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 240. 
 
 ■\- So wollt'er fast einig mit mir gewest seyu. Ibid. 
 
 J Videtiir fugere a facie Scripturarum, sicut diabolus cnicem. Quare, 
 salvis reverentiis Patrum, prscfero ego auctoritatem Scripturoc, quod 
 cominendojudicibus fiUuris. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 291. 
 
INTEREST TELT BY THE LAITY. ' 63 
 
 CHAPTER_VL 
 
 Interest felt by the Laity — Luther's Opinion — Confession and Boasts of 
 Doctor Eck— Effects of the Disputation— Poliander—Cellarius— The 
 Young Princd of Anhalt— The Students of Leipsic— Cruciger — Me- 
 lancthon's Call— Luther's Emancipation. 
 
 These theological disputes, to vfhicli the men of the -vvorld 
 would now be unwilling to consecrate a few brief mo- 
 ments, had been followed and listened to for twenty suc- 
 cessive days with great attention : laymen, knights, and 
 princes had manifested a constant interest. Duke Barnim 
 of Pomerania and Duke George were remarkably regular 
 in their attendance. But, on the contrary, some of the 
 Leipsic theologians, friends of Doctor Eck, slept soundly, 
 as an eyewitness informs us. It was necessary to wake 
 them up at the close of the disputation, for fear they should 
 lose their dinners. 
 
 Euther quitted Leipsic first ; Carlstadt followed him ; but 
 Eck remained several days after their departure. 
 
 No decision had been come to on the -discussion.* Every 
 one commented on it according to his own feehngs. " At 
 Leipsic," said Luther, " there was great loss of time, but 
 no seeking after truth. We have been examining the 
 doctrines of our adversaries these two years past, so that 
 we have counted all their bones. Eck, on the contrary, has 
 hardly grazed tlie surface •,-]- but he made more noise in one 
 hour than we have in two long years." 
 
 In his private letters to his friends, Eck confessed his 
 
 * Ad exitum certaminis, uti solet, nulla prodiit decisio. Pallavicini, 
 i.65. 
 
 + Totam istam conclusionum cohortem multo acrius et validins nostri 
 
 Wittembergenses oppugnaverunt et ita examinaverunt ut ossa eorum 
 
 numerare Ucuerit, quas Eccius-vix iu facie cutis leviter perstrinxit. L. 
 Epp. i. 291. 
 
64 eck's boasting. 
 
 defeat on certain points ; but he had abundant reasons 
 to account for it. " The Wittembergers," wrote he to 
 Hochstraten on the 24th July, " conquered me on several 
 points :* tirst, because they brouglit their books with them ; 
 secondly, because some of their friends took notes of the 
 discussion, which they examined at their leisure; -thirdly, 
 because they were many ; two doctors (Carlstadt and Luther), 
 Lange, vicar of the Augustines ; two licentiates, Amsdorff, 
 and a very presumptuous nephew of Reuchlin (Melancthon); 
 three doctors of law, and several masters of arts, all of whom 
 aided in the discussion, either in public or in private. But 
 as for me, I appeared alone, the justice of my cause being 
 my sole companion." Eck forgot Emser, and the bishop 
 and doctors of Lcipsic. 
 
 If such avowals escaped from Eck in his famihar corre- 
 spondence, his behaviour in public was very different. The 
 doctor of Ingolstadt and the Leipsic divines loudly vaunted 
 of what they called their victory. They circulated false re- 
 ports in every direction. All the mouthpieces of their party 
 repeated their self-congratulations. " Eck is triumphing 
 everywhere," wrote Luther.j But in the camp of Rome 
 each man disputed his share of the laurels. " If we had 
 not come to Eck's support," said the men of Leipsic, " the 
 illustrious doctor would have been overthrown." — " The 
 Leipsic divines are very good sort of people," said the Ingol- 
 stadt doctor, " but I expected too much of them. I did 
 everything single-handed." — " You see," said Luther to 
 Spalatin, " that they are singing a new Iliad and a new 
 ili^neid. | They are so kind as to make a Hector or a 
 Tunius of me, while Eck, in their eyes, is Achilles or:^ncas. 
 They have but one doubt remaining, whether the victory 
 was gained by the arms of Eck or by those of Leipsic. All 
 that I can say to clear up the subject is this. Doctor Bck 
 never ceased bawling, and the Leipsic divines did nothing 
 but hold their tongues." 
 
 " Eck is conqueror in the eyes of those who do not under- 
 
 • Verum in.multis me obrueruut. Corp. Ref. i. 83. 
 
 i" Eccius triumphat ubique. L. Epp. i. 290. 
 
 X Novam quaudam Uiada ct Oneida illos cantare. Ibid. 306. 
 
POLIANDEK CELLARIUS THE YOUNG PRINCE. 65 
 
 stand the matter, and who have grown gray under the old 
 schoolmen," said the elegant, witty, and wise Mosellanus • 
 " but Luther and Carlstadt arc victorious in the opinion of 
 those who possess any learning, understanding, and mo- 
 desty." * 
 
 The Leipsic disputation was not destined, however, to 
 evaporate in smoke. Every work performed with devotion 
 bears fruit. Luther's words had sunk with irresistible 
 power into the minds of his hearers. Many of those who 
 daily thronged the hall of the castle were subdued by the 
 truth. It was especially in the midst qf its most determined 
 adversaries that its victories were gained. Doctor Eck's se- 
 cretary, familiar friend, and disciple, Poliander, was won to 
 the Reformation ; and in the year 1522, he publicly preached 
 the Gospel at Leipzic. John Cellarius, professor of Hebrew, 
 a man violently, opposed to the reformed doctrines, was 
 touched by the words of the eloquent doctor, and began to 
 search the Scriptures more deeply. Erelong he gave up his 
 station, and went to Wittemberg to study humbly at Luther's 
 feet. Some time after he was pastor at Frankfort and at 
 Dresden. 
 
 Among those who had taken their scats on the benclies 
 reserved for the court, and who surrounded Duke George, 
 was a young pj'ince, twelve years old, descended from a 
 family celebrated for their combats against the Saracens — it 
 was George of Anhalt. He was then studying at Leipsic 
 under a private tutor. An eager desire for learning and an 
 ardent thirst for-truth already distinguished this illustrious 
 youth. He was frequently heard reneating these words of 
 Solomon : Lying lips hecome not a prince. The discussion 
 at Leipsic awakened serious reflections in this boy, and 
 excited a decided partiality for Luther.-|- Some time after, 
 he was offered a bishopric. His brothers and all his relations 
 entreated him to accept it, wishing to push him to the highest 
 dignities in the Church. But he was determined in his refusal. 
 On the death of his pious mother, who was secretly well disposed 
 
 * Luthcri Sieg seyum so viel wcni/;er beriihrnt, well dcr Gelelirten, 
 Verstandigen, uiid derer <]ie sicli selbst inclit hoch rlihmen, wenig seyen. 
 Seckendorf, p. 207. t L. Opr-. ( W.) sv. 1440. 
 
66 - THE STUDENTS OF LEIP3IC. 
 
 towards Luther, he became possessed of all the reformer's 
 writings. He olfered up constant and fervent prayers to 
 God, beseeching Him ,to turn his heart to the truth, and 
 often in the solitude of his closet, he exclaimed with tears : 
 Deal icith thy scrcant accordinr/ to thy mercy, and teach me 
 thy statutes:" His prayers were lieard. Convinced and 
 carried away, he fearlessly ranged himself on the side 
 of the Gospel. In vain did his guardians, and particu- 
 larly Duke George, besiege him v»-it]i entreaties and rc^uon- 
 strances. He was iiiflc^ihle, and George exclaimed, half 
 convinced by the reasoning" of his v^'ard: " I cannot ansv/cr 
 him ; but I will still remain in my own Church, for it is a 
 hard matter to break in an old dog." We shall meet again 
 with this amiable'prinee, one of the noblest characters of the 
 Reformation, wlio preached in person to his subjects the 
 words of everlasting life, and to whom has been applied tlie 
 saying of Dion on the Emperor Marcus Antoninus : " He 
 was consistent during the v.hole of his life ; he was a good 
 man, one in whom there vras no guile." 7 
 
 But it was the students in particular who received Luther's 
 words with enthusiasm. They felt the difference between the 
 spirit and energy of the Wittcmbcrg doctor, and the sophis- 
 tical distinctions, the empty speculations of the Chancellor of 
 Ingolstadt. They saw that Luther relied upon the Word 
 of God, and that Eck's opinions were grounded on human 
 tradition. Tiie effect was instantaneous. The lecture- 
 rooms of tlie university of Leipsic vrcre speedily deserted 
 after the disputation. One circumstance, indeed, contributed 
 to this result : the plague seemed on the point of breaking 
 out in that city. Bulwhercwere other universities (Erfurth, 
 Ligolstadt, &c.) to which the students miglit ho.ve gone. The 
 power of truth drev/ them to Wittemberg, wlicre the number 
 of students was soon doubled. + 
 
 Among those who removed from the one university to the 
 other, was observed a youth of sixteen years, of melancholy 
 
 * A Deo petivit, flecti pectus suum ad veritatem, ac lacrymaus sa?pe 
 Usee verba repetivit M. Adami, Vita Gcorgii Anlialt, p. 248. 
 
 -f- "O/uoio; Oioc. T«vra/v ly'ivir<i, ccy/xPo; Oi r,v, kk) ouTiv TootTTc'iiJiov i'X^^' 
 
 Melch. Adam. p. 255. 
 X Peifer, Histor.. Lipsiensis. p. 356. 
 
CRUCIGER MELANCTIIONfe CALL. 67 
 
 disposition, speaking seldom, and who, in the midst of the 
 conversations and sports of his fellow-students, often ap- 
 peared absorbed in his own reflections.* His parents had at 
 first thought him of weak intellect ; but soon found him so 
 quick in learning, and so constantly occupied vvith his studies, 
 that they formed the greatest expectations of him. His 
 uprightness and candour, his modesty and piety, won him 
 the affection of all, and Mosellanus pointed him out as a 
 model to the whole university. His name was Gaspard 
 Cruciger, a native of Leipsic. The new student of Wittem- 
 berg was afterwards the friend of Meiancthon, and Luther's 
 assistant in the translation of the Bible. 
 
 The Leipsic disputation bore still greater fruits. Here it 
 was that. the theologian of the Reformution received his call. 
 Meiancthon sat modest and silent listening to the discussion, 
 in which he took very little part. Till that time literature 
 had been his sole occupation. The conference gave him a 
 new impulse, and launched the eloquent professor into the 
 career of divinity. From that* hour his extensive learning 
 bowed before the Word of God. He received the evan- 
 gelical truth with the simplicity of a child ; explained the 
 doctrine of salvation with a grace and perspicuity that 
 charmed all his hearers ; and trod boldly in that path so 
 new to him, for, said he, " Christ will never abandon his 
 followers." -|- Henceforward the two friends walked together, 
 contending for liberty and truth, — the one with the energy 
 of St. Paul, the other with the meekness of St. John. 
 Luther has admirably expressed the difference of their 
 callings. " I was born," said he, " to contend on the field of 
 'battle with factions and with wicked spirits. This is why 
 my works abound with war and tempests. It is my task 
 to uproot the stock and the stem, to clear away the briars 
 and underwood, to fill up the pools and the marshes. I am 
 the rough woodman who has to prepare the way and smooth 
 the road. But Phihp advances quietly and softly ; he tills 
 
 * Et co^itabundus et ssepe in medios sodalities quasi peregriuante 
 animo. Melch. Adami Vita Crucigeri, p. 193. 
 -f- Ghristus suis nou deerit. Corp, Ilef. i. 104. 
 
68 LUtHER's EMAKCIPATION. 
 
 and plants the ground ; sows and waters it joyfully, accord- 
 ing to the gifts that God has given him with so liberal a 
 hand."* 
 
 If'Melancthon, the tranquil sower, vras called to the work 
 by the disputation of Leipsic, Luther, the hardy woodman* 
 felt his ^rm strengthened by it, and his courage reinvigor- 
 ated. The greatest effect of this discussion was that wrought 
 in Luther himself. " The scales of scholastic theology," 
 said he, " fell then entirely from before my eyes, under the 
 triumphant presidence of Doctor Eck." The veil which tlie 
 School and the Church had conjointly drawn before the 
 sanctuary was rent for the reformei' from top to bottom. 
 Driven to new inquiries, he arrived at unexpected dis- 
 coveries. With as much indignation as astonishment, he 
 saw the evil in all its magnitude. Searching into the » 
 annals of the Church, he discovered that the supremacy of 
 Rome had no other origin than ambition on the one hand, 
 and ignorant credulity on the other. The narrow point of 
 view under which he had tiitherto looked upon the Church 
 was succeeded by a deeper and more extended range. He 
 recognised in the Christians of Greece and of the East true 
 members of the Catholic Church ; and instead of a visible 
 chief, seated on the banks of the Tiber, he adored, as sole 
 chief of the people of God, an invisible and eternal Redeemer, 
 who, according to his promise, is daily in the midst of every 
 nation upon earth, witli all who believe in His name. 
 The Latin Church was no longer in Luther's estimation 
 the universal Church; he saw the narrow barriers of 
 Rome fall dovv'n, and exulted in discovering beyond them 
 the glorious dominions of Christ. From that time he* 
 comprehended hovv' a man might be a member of Christ's 
 Church, without belonging to the pope's. But, above all, 
 the writings of John Huss produced a deep impr.ession upon 
 him. He there found, to his great surpi^se, the doctrine of 
 St. Paul and of St. Augustine, — that doctrine at which he 
 himself had arrived after so many struggles. " I believed 
 and I taught all the doctrines of John Huss without being 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) xiv. 200. 
 
LUTUEr's EMA^X"11•AT^0N. 69 
 
 aware of it :* and so did Staiipitz. In short, although un- 
 conscious of it, we are all Hussites. Paul and Augustine 
 were so themselves. I am confounded, and know not what 
 to think. — Oh ! how terribly have men deserved the judg- 
 ments of God, seeing that the GosjdcI truth, which has been 
 unveiled and published this century past, has been con- 
 demned, burnt, and stifled Wo, wo to the world!" 
 
 Luther separated from the papacy, and then felt to^vards 
 it a decided aversion and holy indignation ; and all the 
 witnesses that in every age had risen up against Rome 
 came in turns before him and testified against her, each 
 revealing some abuse or error. ^' Oh ! what thick darkness !" 
 exclaimed he. 
 
 He was not allowed to be silent on this sad discovery. 
 The insolence of his adversaries, their pretended triumph, 
 and the efforts they made to extinguish the light, decided 
 his soul. He advanced along the path in which God con- 
 ducted him, without anxiety as to the goal to which it would 
 lead him. Luther has pointed to this moment as that of 
 his emancipation from the papal yoke. " Learn from me," 
 said he, " how difficult a thing it is to throw off errors con- 
 firmed by the example of all the world,-]- and which, through 
 long habit, have become a second nature to us. I had then 
 been seven years reading and publicly explaining the Holy 
 Scriptures with great zeal, so that I knew them almost by 
 heart. J I had also all the first-fruits of knowledge and 
 faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ; that is to say, I knew that 
 jp.'e are justified and saved not by our works, but by faith in 
 Christ ; and I even maintained openly that the pope is not 
 the head of the Christian Church by Divine right. And yet 
 I could not see the consequences that flowed from this; 
 namely, that the pope is nece,ssarily and certainly of the 
 devil. For what is not of God must needs be of the devil."§ 
 Luther adds further on : "I no longer permit myself to be 
 
 * Ego iraprudcns hucusque omnia Johannis Huss et docui et tenui. 
 L. Epp. ii. 452. 
 
 f Q,uam difficile sit eluctari et emergere ex erroribus, totius orbig 
 exemplo firmatis L. 0pp. Lat. in Prsef. 
 
 X Per septem annos, ita ut memoriter pene omnia tenerem. Ibid. 
 
 § Quod enim ex Deo non est, necesse est ex diabolo esse. Ibid. 
 
70 ECK ATTACKS MELANCTHON. 
 
 indignant against those who are still attached to the pope, 
 since I, who had for so many years studied the Holy Scrip- 
 tures so attentively, still clung with so much obstinacy to 
 popery."* 
 
 Such were the real results of the Leipsic disputation, — 
 results of more importance than the disputation itself. It 
 was like those first successes which discipline an army and 
 excite its courage. » 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Eck attacks Melancthon — Melancthon's Defence — Interpretation of 
 Holy Scripture — Luther's Firmness — The Bohemian Brothers — 
 Emser — Staupitz. 
 
 EcK gave way to all the intoxication of what he wished to 
 represent as a victory. He inveighed against Luther; 
 heaped charge upon charge against him -j- wrote to Frede- 
 rick ; and desired, like a skilful general, to take advantage 
 of the confusion that always follows a battle, to obtain 
 important concessions from that prince. While waiting for 
 the measures that were to be taken against his adversary's 
 person, he called down fire upon his writings, even on those 
 he had not read. He begged the elector to summon a pro- 
 vincial council : " Let us exterminate these vermin," said 
 the coarse doctor, " before they multiply beyond all bounds." t 
 It was not upon Luther alone that he vented his anger. 
 His imprudence called Melancthon into the lists. The latter, 
 connected by tender ties of friendship w^ith^ the excellent 
 CEcolampadius, wrote him an account of the disputation, 
 speaking of Dr. Eck in terms of commendation.§ Neverthe- 
 less, the pride of the Chancellor of Ingolstadt was wounded. 
 
 • Cum ego tot annis sacra legens diligentissime, tamen ita hscsi tena- 
 citer, L. 0pp. Lat. in Pra}f. 
 
 •Y Proscidit, post abitum nostrum, Martinum inhumanissime. Me- 
 lancth. Corp. Ref. i. 106. 
 
 X Ehe das UngezifFer iiberhand nehme. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 271. 
 
 § Eccius ob varias et insignes ingenii dotes. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 337. 
 
MELANCTIIOn's ItEPLY. 71 
 
 He immediately took up the pen against "that gram- 
 marian of Wittemfeerg, who was not ignorant, indeed, ot 
 Latin and Greek, but who had dared to publish a letter in 
 which he had insulted him Dr. Eck."* ""v^l^ 
 
 Melancthon replied, and this was his iirst theological writ- 
 ing. It is cliaracterized by all that exquisite urbanity which 
 distinguished this excellent man. Laying down the funda- 
 mental principles of hermeneutics,-|- he showed that we ought 
 not to interpret Scripture by the Fathers, but the Fathers by 
 Scripture. " How often has not Jerome been mistaken!" 
 said he; " hov/ frequently Augustiire ! how frequently Am- 
 brose ! how often their opinions are different ! and how often 
 they retract their error-s ! There is but one Scripture, in- 
 spired by the Holy Ghost, and pure and true in all things.^: 
 
 " Luther does not follow certain ambiguous explanations 
 of the ancients, say they ; and why should he ? When he 
 explains the passage of Saint Mattliewu Thou art Peter, 
 and upon this rock I will build mil Church, he says the 
 same thing as Origen, who alone is a host ; as Augustine in 
 his homily ; and as Ambrose in his sixth book upon Saint 
 Luke ; I will mention no others. — What then, will you say 
 the Fathers contradict one another ? — And Is there any thing 
 astonishing in that?§ I believe in the Fathers, because I 
 beiieve in Scripture. The meaning of Scripture is one and 
 simple^ like heavenly truth itself. It is obtained by com- 
 paring scripture Avith scripture : it is deduced from the 
 thread and connexion of the discourse. |j There is a phi- 
 losophy that is enjoined us as regards the Divine Scrip- 
 tures : and that is, to bring all human opinions and maxims 
 to it, as to a touchstone by which to try thera."5[ 
 
 * Ausus est grammaticus Wittembergensis, Grsece et Latine sane non 
 indoctus, epistolam edere. L. 0pp. Lat, i. 338. 
 
 t The art of interpreting the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 Z Una est Scriptura, coelestis spiritus, pura, et per omnia verax. 
 Contra Eckium iJef'ensio, Corp. Ref. i. 115. 
 
 § Quid igitur ? Ipsi secum pugnant 1 quid mirum ? Ibid. 
 
 II Quern collatis Scripturis e file ductuque orationis licet assequi. 
 Ibid. p. 114. 
 
 ^ Ut hominum sententias, decretaque, ad ipsas, ceu ad Lydium lapi- 
 dem, exigamus. Ibid. p. 115. 
 
72 INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE LUTHEr's FIRMNESS. 
 
 For a very long period such powerful truths had not been 
 set forth with so much elegance. Tlic Word of God was 
 restored to its place, and the Fathers to theirs. The simple 
 method hy which we may arrive at the real meaning of 
 Scripture was firmly laid down. The Word floated above 
 all the difficulties and all tlie explanations of the School. 
 Melanctiion furnished the means of replying to all those 
 who, like Dr. Eck, should perplex this subject, even to the 
 most distant ages. The feeble grammarian had risen up ; 
 and the broad and sturdy slioulders of the scholastic gladi- 
 ator had- bent under the, first movement of his arm. 
 
 The weaker Eck was, the louder he clamoured. By his 
 boastings and his accusations, he hoped to secure the victory 
 that he had lost in his discussions. The monks and all the 
 partisans of Rome re-echoed his clamours. From every 
 part of Germany, 'reproaches were poured upon Luther; 
 but he remained unaffected by them. " The more I find my 
 name covered with* opprobrium, the more do I glory in it," 
 said he at the conclusion of the explanations he published on 
 the Leipsic propositions. " The truth, that is to say Christ, 
 must needs increase, and I must decrease. The voice of 
 the Bride and the Bridegroom causes me a joy that far sur- 
 passes the terrors inspired by their clamours. Men are not 
 the authors of my sufferings, and I entertain no hatred to- 
 wards them. It is Satan, the prince of wickedness, wdio de- 
 sires to terrify me. But He who is Avithin us is mightier 
 than he that is in the world. The judgment of our con- 
 temporaries is bad, that of posterity will be better."* 
 
 If the Leipsic disputation augmented Luther's enemies in 
 Germany, it also increased the number of his friends in 
 foreign countries. " What Huss was in Bohemia in other 
 days, you now are in Saxony, dear Martin," wrote the 
 Bohemian brethren to him ; " for this reason, pray and be 
 strong in the Lord ! " 
 
 About this time the war broke out between Luther and 
 Emser, then professor at Leipsic. The latter Avrote to Dr. 
 Zack, a zealous Roman-catholic of Prague, a letter in 
 
 * Prscsens male judical »tas ; judicium melius posteritatis erit. I*. 
 0pp. Lat. i. 310. 
 
EMSER STAUPITZ. 73 
 
 which his design appeared to be to deprive the Hussites of 
 their notion that Luther belonged to their party. Luther 
 could not doubt that by seeming to' justify him, the learned 
 Leipsicker was endeavouring to fix upon him the suspicion 
 of adhering to the Bohemian heresy, and he accordingly 
 resolved to tear aside the veil under which his former host 
 of Dresden desired to conceal his hostility. With this intent 
 he published a letter, addressed " To Emser the Goat" (his 
 adversary's crest was a goat), and concluded by these words, 
 so clearly depicting his character : " My maxim is, — to love 
 all men, but to fear none."* 
 
 While new friends and enemies thus sprung up around 
 Luther, his old friends seemed to be deserting him. Staupitz, 
 who had brought the reformer from the obscurity of his clois- 
 ter at Erfurth, began to evince some coolness towards him. 
 Luther had soared too high for Staupitz, who could not 
 follow him. " You abandon me," wrote Luther to him. " All 
 day long I have been very sad on your account, as a weaned 
 child cries after its mother.f I dreamt of you last night 
 (continues the reformer): you were leaving me, while I 
 groaned and shed bitter tears. But you stretched out your 
 hand, bade me be calm, and promised to return to me 
 again." 
 
 The pacificator Miltitz was desirous of making a fresh 
 attempt to calm the agitation of men's minds. But what 
 hold could he have over men still agitated by the emo- 
 tions the struggle had* excited? His endeavours proved 
 unavailing. He was the bearer of the famous Golden Rose 
 presented to the elector, but the latter did not condescend 
 to receive it in person, j: Frederick knew the artifices of 
 Rome, and all hope of deceiving him was relinquished.§ 
 
 • L. 0pp. Lat. i. 252. 
 
 f Ego super te, sicut ablactatas super matre sua, tristissimus hac tlio 
 fui. Epp. i. 342. 
 
 X Rosam quam vocant auream uullo honore dignatus est ; imo pro 
 ridicula habuit. L. 0pp. Lat. in Prsef. 
 
 § Intellaxit princeps artes Romanae curiae et eos (legates) di^ne trac- 
 tare novit. Ibid. 
 
 VOL. DC 4 
 
74 CURIST GAVE HIMSELF FOR Ui. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Epistle to the Galatians— Qirist for us— Blindness of Luther's Op- 
 ponents—Earliest Ideas on the Lord's Supper— Is the Sacrament 
 without Faith sufficient ?— Luther a Bohemian — Eck attacked— Eck 
 goes to Rome. 
 
 Luther, far from retreating, advanced daily. It was at tliis 
 time that he aimed one of his most violent blows against 
 error in his Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.* 
 The second Commentary is nndonbtcdly superior to the first ; 
 but in the first he expounded with great power the doctrine 
 of justification by faith. Each expression of the new apostle 
 was full of life, and God made use of lilm to inculcate a 
 knowledge of Himself in the hearts of the people. " Christ 
 gave himself for our sins," said Luther to his contempo- 
 raries.f " It was not silver or gold that He gave for us ; it 
 was not a man; it was not all the angels: it was himself 
 that He gave, out of whom there is nothing great. And He 
 gave this inestimable treasure — for our sins. Where now are 
 those who vaunt of the power of our will ? — where are all 
 the lessons of moral philosophy ? — where are the power and 
 the strength of the law ? Since oiir sins were so great that 
 nothing could take them away except a ransom so immea- 
 surable, shall we still claim to obtain righteousness by the 
 strength of our own will, by the power of the lavr, or by the 
 teaching of men ? What shall we do with all these artifices, 
 with all these delusions ? Alas ! we shall cover our iniquities 
 with a false righteousness, and we shall make hypocrites of 
 ourselves, whom nothing in the world can save." 
 
 But while Luther was thus laying down the doctrine that 
 there is no salvation for men out of Christ, he also showed 
 that this salvation transforms man, and makes him abound 
 in good works. " He who has truly heard the Word of 
 
 " September 1519. + L. Odd. (LO x. i^\. 
 
BLINDNESS OF Luther's opponents. 75 
 
 Christ (said the Reformer), and who keeps it, is immediately 
 clothed with the spirit of charity. If yon love the man 
 who has made you a present of twenty florins, or done you 
 ^ny important service, or in any other manner testified his 
 affection, how much more ought you to love Him who 
 has given you not gold or silver, but himself, who has 
 even received so many wounds for your sake, who for you 
 has sweated drops of blood, and who died for you ; in a 
 word, who, by paying for all your sins, has swallowed up 
 death, and obtained for you in heaven a Father full of 
 
 love! If you love Him not, you have not heard w^ith 
 
 your heart the things that He has done; you have not 
 believed them, for faith worketh by love.'' — " This Epistle 
 is my epistle," said Luther, speaking of the Epistle to the 
 Galatians : " I am wedded to it." 
 
 His adversaries compelled him to advance more ciuickly 
 than he would have done without them. At this period 
 Eck incited the Franciscans of Juterbock to attack him 
 again. Luther, in his reply,* not content with repeating 
 what he had already taught, attacked errors that he had 
 newly discovered. " I should hke to know," said he, " in 
 what part of Scripture the power of canonizing the saints has 
 been given to the popes ; and also what necessity, what utility 
 
 there is in canonizing them For that matter," added he 
 
 sarcastically, " let them canonize as much as they like!"-]- 
 
 Luther's new attacks remained unanswered. The blind- 
 ness of his enemies was as favourable to him as his own 
 courage. They passionately defended secondary matters, 
 and when Luther laid his hand on the foundations of the 
 Roman doctrine, they saw them shaken without uttering a 
 word. They busied themselves in defending^ the outworks, 
 while their intrepid adversary was advancing into the body 
 of the place, and there boldly planting the standard of 
 truth. Accordingly, they were afterwards astonished when 
 they beheld the fortress they were defending undermined and 
 on fire, and crumbling into ruins in the midst of the flames, 
 while they were flattering themselves that it was impreg- 
 
 * Defensio contra malignum Eccii judicium. L. 0pp. Lat. i. 356. 
 f Canoniset quisque quantum volet. Ibid. 367. 
 
76 FIEST IDEAS ON THE EUCKA:EIST. 
 
 nable, and were still braving those who led the assault. 
 Thus are all great catastrophes effected. 
 
 The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was now beginning 
 to occupy Luther's thoughts. He looked in vain for this holy 
 supper in the Mass. One day, shortly after his return from' 
 Leipsic, he went into the pulpit. Let us listen to his 
 words, for th?y are the first he uttered on a subject that has 
 since rent the Church of the Reformation into two parties. 
 He said : " In the holy sacrament of the altar there are 
 three things we must observe : the sign, which should be 
 outward, visible, and in a bodily shape; the thing signi- 
 fied, which is inward, spiritual, and in the mind of man; 
 and faith, which makes use of both."* If definitions had 
 been carried no farther, unity would not have been de- 
 stroyed. ;: " 
 
 Luther continued : " It would be a good thing if the 
 Church, by a general council, should order both kinds to be 
 given to the believer ; not however that one kind is not suf- 
 ficient, for faith alone would suffice." This bold language 
 pleased his hearers. A few of them were however alarmed 
 and irritated. " It is false and scandalous," said they.f 
 
 The preacher continued : " There is no closer, deeper, or 
 more indivisible union than that which takes place between 
 the food and the body which the food nourishes. Christ is 
 so united to us in the sacrament, that he acts as if he 
 were ourselves. Our sins assail him ; his righteousness 
 defends us." 
 
 But Luther was not satisfied with setting forth the 
 truth ; he attacked one of the most fundamental errors 
 of Rome.j: That Church maintains that the Sacrament 
 operates of itself, independently of the disposition of the 
 communicant. Nothing can be more convenient than sucli 
 an opinion. Hence the ardour with which the sacrament 
 is sought, — hence the profits of the Romish clergy. Luther 
 
 • L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 272. + Ibid. 281. 
 
 X Si quis dixerit per ipsa novjG legis sacramenta eo' opere operaio non 
 conferri gratiam, sed sob.in fidera divinae promissionis, ad gratiam 
 consequeudam sufficere, anathema sit. Concil. Trident. Session 7 
 canon 8. 
 
LUTHER A BOHEMIAN. 77 
 
 attacked this doctrine,* and opposed it by the contrary doc- 
 trine,-!- by virtue of which faith and the concurrence of the 
 heart are necessary. 
 
 This energetic protest was of a nature to overthrow the 
 ancient superstitions ; and yet it is most astonishing that 
 no one pttid any attention to it. Rome passed by that 
 which should have called up a shriek of distress, and fell 
 impetuously on the unimportant remark Luther had made 
 at the beginning of his discourse, touching- the communion 
 in both kinds. This sermon having been published in 
 December, a cry of heresy was raised in every quarter. 
 " It is nothing more nor less than the doctrine of Prague," 
 was the observation at the court of Dresden, where the 
 sermon arrived during the festival of Christmas ; " the 
 work, besides, is in German, in order that the common 
 people may understand it."j: The prince's devotion was 
 disturbed, and on the third day of the festival he wrote 
 to his cousin Frederick : " Since the publication of this 
 sermon, the number of those who receive the Eucharist in 
 both kinds has increased in Bohemia by six thousand. 
 Your Luther, from being a professor at ATittemberg, is 
 about to become bishop of Prague Snd arch-heretic !" — 
 " He was born in Bohemia !" said some, " of Bohemian 
 parents ; he was brought up in Prague, and taught from 
 Wickliffe's books !" 
 
 Luther thought it his duty to contradict these rumours 
 in a writing where he seriously gives an account of his 
 family. "I was born at Eisleben,"§ said he, "and chris- 
 tened in St. Peter's Church. Dresden is the nearest place 
 to Bohemia that I have ever visited." 
 
 Duke George's letter did not estrange the elector 
 from Luther. A few days after, this prince invited the 
 doctor to a splendid banquet which he gave the Spanish 
 ambassador, and there Luther valiantly contended against 
 Charles's minister.]! The elector had begged him, through 
 
 * Known as the opus operatum. f That of the opus operantis. 
 
 X L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 281. 
 
 § Cseterum ego natus sum in Eisleben. Luth. Epp. i. 389. 
 
 U Cum quo heri ego et Philippus certavimus, splendide iuTitati. Ibid. 396. 
 
78 - ECK ATTACKED. 
 
 his chaplain, to defend his cause with moderation. " Too 
 much folly is displeasing to men," replied Luther to Spala- 
 tin ; " but too much discretion is displeasing to God. The 
 Gospel cannot be defended without tumult and without 
 scandal. The Word of God is a svrord, — a war, — a ruin, 
 —a stumbling-block, — a destruction, — a poison T* and, as 
 Amos says, it meets us like a bear in the road or a lioness 
 in the forest. I seek nothing, I ask nothing. There is 
 One greater than I, who seeketh' and asketh. If He should 
 fall, I lose nothing ; if He stand, I am profited notliing."-]- 
 
 Every thing annomiced that Luther would need faith and 
 courage now more than ever. Eel: was forming plans of 
 revenge. Instead of the laurels that he Lad reckoned on 
 gaining, the Leipsic gladiator had become the laughing-stock 
 of all the sensible men of his nation. Siiverai biting satires 
 were pubhshed against him. One was the Epistle of Ignor- 
 ant Canons, written by CEcolampadius, and which cut Eck 
 to the quick. Another was a Complcdnt against Eck, pro- 
 bably from the pen of the excellent Pirckheimex of Nurem- 
 berg^, overflowing with a sarcasm and dignity of which 
 Pascal's Provincial Letters can alone give us any ixlea. 
 
 Luther manifested 'his displeasure at several of these writ- 
 ings. " It is better to attack openly," said he, " than to bite 
 from behind a hedge.":]: 
 
 "What a disappointment for the Chancellor of Ingolstadt ! 
 His fellow-countrymen abandoned him.. He prepared to 
 cross the Alps to seek foreign support. Wherever he 
 went, he vented his threats against Luther, Melancthon, 
 Carlstadt, and the elector himself. " From his lofty lan- 
 guage," said the Wittemberg doctor, " one might take him 
 to be God Almighty." § Inflamed with anger and the desire 
 of revenge, Eck published, in February 1520, a work on the 
 primacy of St Peter. In this treatise, which was utterly des- 
 titute of all sound criticism, he maintained that this apostle 
 
 " Verbum Dei gladius est, bellum est, ruiiia est, scaudalum est, perditio 
 est, venenum est. L. Epp. i. 417. 
 
 f Ego nihil qurcro ; e&t, qui qua.'rat. Stet ergo, sive cadat : ego 
 nihil lucror, aut amitto. Ibid. 418. 
 
 X Melior est apcrta crimiiiatio, quam isfe sub sepemorsus. Ibid. 426. 
 
 § Deum crederes Omuipotontem loqui. Ibid. 380. 
 
ECK DEPARTS FOR llOME. 79 
 
 was the first of thp popes, and had dwelt twenty-five years 
 in Rome. After this he set out for Italy, to receive the 
 reward of his pretended triumphs, and to forge in Rome, under 
 the shadow of tlie papal capitol, more powerful thunderbolts 
 than the frail weapons of tlie schoolmen that had shivered 
 in his hands. 
 
 Luther foresav,' all tlie perils that his opponent's journey 
 niiglit dravr upon him; but he feared not. Spalatin, in 
 alarm, begged liim to propose peace. " No," replied Luther, 
 " so long as lie continues his clamours, I Cannot witlidrav/ 
 jny hands from tlie contest. I trust evcrytliing to God. I 
 consign mv bark to tlie winds and to tlie waves. Tlie battle 
 Is tlm Lord's.^ Why sliould you imagine that Christ will 
 advance. his cause by peace? Did he not fight with his, own 
 Mood, and all the martyrs after him?" 
 
 Such, at the opeping of the year 1520, was the position of 
 the combatants of Leipsic. The one wjis rousing all the 
 papacy to crush his rival: the other waited for war with the 
 same calmness tliat men look for peace. The new year was 
 destined to see the storm burst forth. 
 
 * Co^'or rem Deo committere, data flatibus ct fiuctibus uar©. BeiJmn 
 Domiui est. L. Epp. i. 425. 
 
BOOK VI. 
 
 SE PAPAL BULL — 1520. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Character of Maximilian — Candidates for theEmpire — Charles — Francisl. 
 — Disposition of the Germans— The Crown offered to Frederick- 
 Charles elected Emperor. 
 
 A NEW actor was about to appear on the stage. God de- 
 signed to bring the Wittemberg monk face to face with the 
 most powerful monarch that had appeared in Christendom 
 since the days of Charlemagne. He selected a prince in the 
 vigour of youth, and to whom every thing seemed to an- 
 nounce a long reign — a prince whose sceptre extended over a 
 considerable part of the old world, and even the new, so that 
 (according to a celebrated saying) the sun never went down 
 on his vast dominions ; and to him He opposed that lowly 
 Reformation, begun in the secluded cell of a convent at Er- 
 furth by the anguish and the sighs of a poor monk. The 
 history of this monarch and of his reign was destined, it 
 would seem, to teach the world an important lesson. It was 
 to show the nothingness of all the strength of man v»hen it 
 presumes to measure itself with the weakness of God. If a 
 prince, a friend to Luther, had been called to the imperial 
 throne, the success of the Reformation might have been 
 ascribed to his protection. If even an emperor opposed to 
 the new doctrines, but yet a weak ruler, had worn tlie dia- 
 dem, the triumph of this work miglit liavc been accounted 
 for by the weakness of the monarch. But it was the hauglity 
 conqueror at Pavia who was destined to vail his pride before 
 the power of God's Word : and the whole world beheld 
 
CHARACTER OF MAXIMILIAN. 81 
 
 the man, who found it an easy task to drag Francis I. a 
 prisoner to Madrid, obliged to lower his sword before the son 
 of a poor miner. 
 
 The emperor Maximilian was dead, and the electors had met 
 at Frankfort to choose a successor. This was an important 
 event for all Europe under the existing circumstances. All 
 Christendom was occupied with this election. Maximihan had 
 not been a great prince ; but his memory was dear to the 
 people. They were delighted to call to recollection his pre- 
 sence of mind and his good nature. Luther used often to 
 converse with his friends about him, and one day related 
 the following anecdote of this monarch : 
 
 A mendicant was once following him and begging alms, 
 caUing him brother ; " for (said he) we are both descended 
 from the same father, Adam. I am poor (continued he), 
 but you are rich, and you ought therefore to help me." 
 The emperor turned round at these words, and said to him : 
 " There is a penny for you ; go to all your other brothers, 
 and if each one gives you as much, you will be richer than 
 lam."* 
 
 It was not a good-natured Maximilian that was des- 
 tined to wear the imperial crown. The times were chang- 
 ing ; men of overweening ambition were about to dispute the 
 throne of the emperors of the West ; a strong hand was to 
 grasp the reins of the empire, and long and bloody wars were 
 on the point of succeeding a profound peace. 
 
 Three kings claimed the crown of the Csesars from the 
 assembly at Frankfort. A youthful prince, grandson of the 
 last emperor, born in the first year of the century, and con- 
 sequently nineteen years old, appeared first. His name was 
 Charles, and he was born at Ghent. His paternal grand- 
 mother, Mary, daughter of Charles the Bold, had bequeathed 
 to him Flanders and the rich domains of Burgundy. His 
 mother, Joanna, daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and 
 Isabella of Castile, and wife of Phihp the Emperor Maxi- 
 mihan's son, had transmitted to him the united crowns of 
 the two Spains, Naples, and Sicily, to which Christopher 
 Columbus had recently added a new world. His grand- 
 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1869 
 
 4* 
 
82 CANDIDATES FOR THE EMPIRE. 
 
 V father's death now put him m possession of the hereditary 
 states of Austria. This young prince, endowed with great 
 inteUigence, and amiahle whenever it pleased him to he so, 
 joined to a taste for military exercises, in which the famous 
 dukes of Burgundy had long distinguished themselves, — to 
 the subtlety and penetration of the Italians, — to the re- 
 spect for existing institutions which still characterizes the 
 house of Austria, and Avhich promised a firm defender to 
 the papacy, — an extensive knowledge of public affairs which 
 he had acquired under the direction of Chi^yres ; for, from 
 the age of fifteen years, he had attended all the deliberations 
 of his councils.* Qualities so various were covered and 
 concealed, as it were, by his Spanish taciturnity and re- 
 serve; there was an air of melancholy in his long visage. 
 " He was pious and silent," said Luther ; " I will wager 
 that he does not talk so much in a year as I do in a 
 day."-|- If Charles had grown up under free and christian 
 influences, he would perhaps have been one of the most 
 meritorious princes recorded in history; but pohtics ab- 
 sorbed iiis whole life, and blighted his naturally amiable 
 character. 
 
 The youthful Charles, not content with the sceptres he 
 already grasped in his hand, aspired to the imperial dignity. 
 " It is a beam of sunshine that casts a splendour upon the 
 house on w^hich it falls," said many ; " but stretch forth the 
 hand to seize it, and you find nothing." Charles, on the con- 
 trary, looked upon it as the summit of all earthly grandeur, 
 and a means of obtaining a magical influence over the minds 
 of nations. 
 
 Francis I., king of France, vras the second candidate. 
 The young paladins of the court of this chivalrous sovereign 
 were ever repeating that he ought, like Charlemagne, to be 
 emperor of all the West, and, reviving the exploits of the 
 knights, of old, attack the Crescent that threatened the empire, 
 crush the infidels, and recover the Holy Sepulchre. 
 
 "You should convince the dukes of Austria that the 
 imperial crown is not hereditary," said the ambassadors of 
 Francis to the electors. " Besides, in the present state of 
 • Memoires de Du Bellay. i. 45. f L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1874. 
 
DrSPOSITlON OF THE GERMANS. 83 
 
 affairs, Germany requires, not a youth of nineteen, but a 
 prince who with a tried judgment combines talents ab*eady 
 proved. Francis will unite tlie arms of France and Lom- 
 bardy witli those of Germany to make w^ar on the Mussul- 
 mans. As sovereign of the duchy of Milan, he is already a 
 member of the empire." 'The French ambassadors strength- 
 ened their arguments by four 'hundred thousand crowns 
 which they expended in buying votes, and in banquets which 
 the guest generally quitted in a state of inebriation. 
 
 Lastly, Henry VIII. of England, jealous of the influence 
 the choice of the electors would give Francis or Charles, 
 also entered tlie lists ; but he soon left these two powerful 
 rivals, to dispute the crown between them. 
 
 The electors Avcrc not very favourably disposed towards 
 either. '' Our people," thought they, '' will consider the 
 King of France as a foreign master, and this master may 
 wrest even from us that independence of which the great 
 lords of his own kingdom have recently been deprived." As 
 for Cliarlcs, it was an old maxim with the electors never 
 to select a prince who already played an important part in 
 the empire. The pope participated in these fears. He 
 was opposed to tlie King of Naples, his neighbour, and to 
 the King of France, vrliose enterprising spirit alarmed him. 
 '• Choose rather one of 3'ourselves," was the advice he sent 
 to the electors. 'The P^lector of Treves proposed to nominate 
 Frederick of Saxony; and tlie imperial crown was laid at 
 the feet of this friend to Luther. 
 
 Such a choice Avould have gained the approbation of the 
 whole of Germany. Frederick's wisdom and love for the 
 people were well knovsn. During the revolt of Erfurth, he 
 had been advised to take the city by storm. He refused, 
 that he might avoid bloodshed. "But it will not cost live 
 men," was th.e reply. — " A single man vrould be too many," 
 an?\vercd the prince.^^ It appeared that the election of the 
 protector of tlie Keformaticn would secure the triumph of 
 that work. Ought not Frederick to have seen a call from 
 God in this wish of the electors ? Who could have been 
 better suited to preside over the destinies of the empire 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. inoV,. 
 
84 ELECTION OF CHARLES. 
 
 than this wise prince? Who could have been stronger 
 against the Turks than a truly Christian emperor ? The refusal 
 of the Elector of Saxony, so extolled by historians, may have 
 been a fault on the part of this prince. Perhaps to him must 
 be partly ascribed the contests that devastated Germany in 
 after-days. But it is a difficult matter to decide whether 
 Frederick deserves^ to be blamed for want of faith, or 
 honoured for his humility. He thought that the very safety 
 of the empire required him to refuse the crown.* " We need 
 an emperor more powerful than myself to preserve Germany," 
 said this modest and disinterested prince. " The Turk is at 
 our gates. The King of Spain, whose hereditary possessions 
 of Austria border on the threatened frontier, is its natural 
 defender." 
 
 The Roman legate, seeing that Charles would be elected, 
 declared that the pope withdrew his objections; and on 
 the 28th of June the grandson of Maximihan was nomi- 
 nated emperor. " God," said Frederick not long after, " hath 
 given him to us in His favour and in His anger."-J- The 
 Spanish envoys offered 30,000 gold florins to the Elector of 
 Saxony, as a testimonial of their master's gratitude ; but this 
 prince refused them, and forbade his ministers to accept of 
 any present. At the same time, he secured the liberties of 
 Germany by a capitulation to which Charles's envoys swore 
 in his name. The circumstances under which the latter 
 assumed the imperial crown seemed, moreover, to give a 
 stronger pledge than these oaths in favour of German liberty 
 and of the work of the Reformation. This youthful prince was 
 jealous of the laurels that his rival Francis I. had gathered 
 at Marignan. The struggle would still be continued in Italy, 
 and the interval thus employed would doubtless suffice for 
 the Reformation to gain strength. Charles quitted Spain 
 in May 1520, and was crowned at Aix-la-Cliapelle on the 
 22d of October. 
 
 * Is vero heroica plane moderatione animi magnifice repudiarit. 
 Pallavicini, i. 79. f L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1880. 
 
LUTHER WRITES TO THE EMPEROR. 85 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Luther's Letter to the Emperor — His Danger— Frederick's Instructions 
 «o his envoy at Rome — Luther's Sentiments — Melancthon's Fears — 
 The German Nobles favour the Reformation— Schaumburg — Sickingen 
 — Ulric of Hutten — Luther's Confidence— Erasmu- defends Luther — 
 Abstemius — Hedio — Luther becomes more free— Faith the Source of 
 Works — What gives Faith ?— Luther judging his own Writings. 
 
 Luther had foreseen that the cause of the Reformation 
 would soon be carried before the new emperor. He wrote to 
 Charles, while this prince was yet at Madrid : " If the cause 
 that I defend," said he, " is worthy of appearing before the 
 throne of the Majesty of heaven, it ought not to be unworthy 
 of engaging the attention of a prince of this world. 
 Charles ! first of the kings of the earth ! I throw myself a 
 suppliant at the feet of your most serene nioijesty. Deign 
 to receive under the shadow of your wings, not me, but the 
 cause of that eternal truth, for the defence of which God has 
 intrusted you with the sword."* The young monarch laid 
 aside this singular letter from a German monk, and made no 
 reply to it. 
 
 While Luther Avas vainly turning towards Madrid, the 
 storm seemed to increase around him. Fanaticism was 
 kindhng in Germany. Hochstraten, indefatigable in his 
 attempts at persecution, had extracted certain theses from 
 Luther's writings. At his demand, the universities of Co- 
 logne and Louvain had condemned these works. That of 
 Erfurth, still exasperated at Luther's preference for Wit- 
 temberg, was about to follow their example. But having 
 been informed of it, the doctor wrote to Lange so spi- 
 rited a letter, that the Erfurth divines were dism.ayed and 
 kept silent. The condemnation pronounced at Cologne 
 and Louvain sufficed, however, to inflame men's minds. 
 Nay, more : the priests of Meissen, who had espoused Emser's 
 quarrel, said publicly (Melancthon is our authority) that he 
 • Causam ipsam veritatis. L. Epp. i. 392. 15th January 1520. 
 
86 LUT1IE1?'S DANGER. 
 
 wlio should kill Luther would be without sin.* " Now is . 
 the time," said Luther, " when men will think they do 
 Christ a service by putting us to death." These homicidal 
 words were destined to produce their fruit in due season. 
 
 One day, says a biographer, as Luther was in front of the 
 Augustine cloister, a stranger, v>'ho held a pistol concealed 
 under his cloak, accosted him in these words : " AYhy do you 
 go thus aloiKJ?" — " I am in God's hands," replied Luther. 
 " He is my strength and my shield. What can man do 
 unto me ? "4* Upon this the stranger turned pale (adds the 
 historian), and fled away trembling. Serra Longa, the am- 
 bassador at the Augsburg conference, wrote to the elector 
 about this time : " Let not Luther find an asylum in the 
 states of your highness; let him be rejected of all, and stoned 
 in the face of heaven ; that will be more pleasing to me than 
 if I received ten thousand crowns from you." J 
 
 But it was particularly in the directioi> of Rome tliat the 
 storm was gathering. Valentine Teutleben, a Thuringian 
 nobleman, vicar to the Archbishop of Mentz, and a zealous 
 partisan of the papacy, was the Elector of Saxony's represen- 
 tative at the papal court. Teutleben, ashamed of the protec- 
 tion accorded by his master to an heretical monk, was im- 
 patient at seein^^ his mission paralyzed hy this imprudent 
 conduct. He imagined that, ])y alarming the elector, he 
 would induce him to, abandon tlie -rebellious divine. " They 
 will not listen to me here," v»Tote he to his master, " because 
 of the protection you show to Luther." But the Romans were 
 deceived if they thought to frighten the prudent Frederick. 
 This prince was aware that the Avill of God and tlie movements 
 of nations were more irresistible tlian t-ie decrees of the papal 
 chancery. He ordered his envoy to intimate to the i)ope 
 that, far from defending Lutlier, he had always left him to 
 defend liimself ; besides, he had already called upon him to 
 quit Saxony and the university; that the doctor had declared 
 his willingness to obey, and that he Avoukl not then be in the 
 
 • Ut sine peccato esse eum censcbant qui me interfccerit. L. Epp. i. 383. 
 f Was kanii mir eiu Manscb Ihnu ? Keith, L. Umstiinde^p. 89. 
 X Teazel, Hist. Bericht voai Anfang uud Fortg. der Reform. Luflieri, 
 ii, 1C8. 
 
fredekick's I^■STlu;cTIO^•s. 87 
 
 electoral states, if the legate liimself, Charles of Miltitz, had 
 not entreated the prince, to keep hira near at hand, for fear 
 that, by going to other countries, Luther would act with 
 greater liberty than even in Saxony * Frederick ^yent farther 
 than this: he desired to enlighten Rome. " Germany," 
 continues he in his letter, " now possesses a great number 
 of learned men, well taught in every language and science; 
 the laity themselves begin to have understanding, and to 
 love the Holy Scriptures; if, therefore, the reasonable con- 
 ditions of Dr. Luther are rejected, there is great cause to fear* 
 that peace will never be re-established. Luther's doctrine 
 has struck deep root into many hearts. If, instead of refuting 
 it by the testimony of the Bible, you strive to destroy liim by 
 the thunderbolts of the ecclesiastical autliority, great scandals 
 will arise, and ruinous and terrible revolts will be excited." f 
 The elector, having the greatest confidence in Luther, 
 communicated Teutleben's letter to him, with another that 
 he had received from Cardinal Saint George. The reformer 
 was agitated as he read them. He immediately perceived 
 the dangers by which he was surromided. His soul was for 
 a time quite overwhelmed. But it was in s^ich moments 
 that the whole strength of his faith shone forth. Often 
 weak, and ready to fall into dejection, he rose again, and 
 appeared greater in the midst of the tempest. He longed to 
 be delivered from such trials ; hut he saw at what price peace 
 was offered to him, and he indignantly rejected it. " Hokl my 
 peace!" exclaimed he, " I am disposed to do so, if they will 
 permit me ; that is, if they will make others keep silence. 
 If any one desires my places, let him take them ; if any one 
 desires to destroy my writings, let him burn them. I am 
 ready to keep quiet, provided they do not require tluit tlio 
 truth of the Gospel should be silent also.^ I do not ask for 
 a cardinal's hat ; I ask not for gold, or for anything that 
 Rome values. There is nothing in the world they cannot 
 
 * Da er viel freyer und sicherer scbreiben und handeln mbchte was er 
 wollte. L. 0pp. (L.)xvii. 298. 
 
 t Sclireckliche, grausame, schadliclie und vcrderbliche Emporungen 
 erregen. Ibid. 
 
 X Semper quiescere paratu?, modo veritatem eTangelicam non jubeant 
 quiescere. L. Epp. i. 462. 
 
88 Luther's sentiments. 
 
 obtain from me, provided they \Yill not shut up the way of 
 salvation against Chrisii;uis.* Thei-r tiireats do not alarm 
 me, their promises cannot seduce me." 
 
 Animated with such sentiments, Luther soon recovered 
 his militant disposition, and preferred the christian warfare 
 to the calm of solitude. One night was sufficient to bring 
 back his desire of overthrowing Rome. " I have taken my 
 part," wrote he on the morrow ; " I despise the fury .of Rome, 
 and contemn her favours. No more reconciliation, no more 
 communication with her for ever.-j- Let her condemn me, 
 let her burn my writings ! In my turn, I will condemn and 
 publicly burn the pontifical law, — that nest of every heresy. 
 The moderation I have hitherto shown has been unavailing ; 
 I now renounce it !" 
 
 His friends were far from being thus tranquil. Great was 
 the consternation at Wittemberg. " We are in a state of 
 extraordinary expectation," said Melancthon; " I would rather 
 die than be separated from Luther.:}: If God does not help us, 
 we shall all perish." — "Our dear Luther is still alive," wrote 
 he a month later, in his anxiety ; " may it please God to 
 grant him a l(ing life !§ for the Roman sycophants are making 
 every exertion to put him to death. Let us pray that this 
 sole avenger of sacred theology may long survive." 
 
 These prayers were heard. The warning the elector had 
 given Rome through his envoy was not without foundation. 
 Luther's words had found an echo everywhere— in cottages 
 and convents, in the homes of the citizens and in the castles 
 of the nobles, in the universities and in the palaces of kings. 
 " If my life," he had said to Duke John oT Saxony, " has 
 been instrumental to the conversion of a single man, I shall 
 willingly consent to see all my books perish." || It was not 
 one man, it was a great multitude, that had found the light 
 in the writings of the humble doctor. Everywhere, accord- 
 
 * Si salutis viam Christiaiiis permittant esse liberam, hoc unum peto 
 ab illis, ac proetcrca nihil. L. Epp. i. 4G2. 
 
 ■f Nolo cis reconciliari nee communicare in perpetuum. Ibid. 466. 
 10th July 152o! 
 
 X Emori mallera, quam ab hoc viro avelli. Corp. Ref. i. 160, 163. 
 
 § Martinus noster spirat, atque utinam diu. Ibid. 190, 208. # 
 
 |L. 0pp. (L.)xvii. 392. 
 
SCHAUMBUKG SICKINGEN— IIUTTEN. 80 
 
 ingly, were men to be found ready to protect him. The 
 sword intended to slay him was forging in the Vatican; 
 but heroes were springing up in Germany to shield him with 
 their bodies. At the moment when the bishops were chafing 
 with rage, when princes kept silence, when the people were 
 in expectation, and when the first murmurs of the thunder 
 were beginning to be heard from the Seven Hills, God aroused 
 the German nobles to make a rampart for his servant. 
 
 Sylvester of Schaumburg, one of the most powerful 
 knights of Franconia, sent his son to Wittemborg at this 
 time with a letter for the reformer. " Your life is in danger," 
 wrote he. " If the support of the electors, princes, or magis- 
 trates fail you, I entreat you to beware of going to Bohemia, 
 where in former times learned men have had much to under- 
 go ; rather come to me. God willing, I shall soon have col- 
 lected more than a hundred gentlemen, and with their help 
 I shall be able to protect you from every danger."* 
 
 Francis of Sickingen, the hero of his age,7 of whose 
 intrepid courage we liave already been witnesses,J loved 
 the reformer, because he found him worthy of being loved, 
 and also because he was hated by the monks.§ " My 
 services, my goods, and my body, all that I possess," wrote 
 he to Luther, " are at your disposal. You desire to main- 
 tain the christian truth : I am ready to aid you in 
 the work." II Harmurth of Cronbcrg held the same lan- 
 guage. Lastly, Ulric of Hiitten, the poet and valiant knight 
 of the sixteenth century, never ceased speaking in Luther's 
 favour. But what a contrast between these two men I 
 Hiitten wrote to the reformer : " It is v.ith sv^'ords and with 
 bows, with javelins and bombs, that we must crush the' 
 fury of the devil." Luther on receiving these letters ex- 
 c.aimed* " I will not have recourse to arms and bloodshed 
 in defence of the Gospel. By the Word the earth has been 
 subdued ; by the Word the Church has been saved ; and by 
 
 • Denn Ich, und hundert von Adel, die Ich (ob Gott will) aufbringen 
 will, euch redlich anhalten, L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 381. 
 
 f Equitum Germaniae rarum decus (a peerkss ornament of Ger- 
 man knighthood), says IMelancthon on this occasion. Corp. Ref. i. 
 201. t See Vol. I. p. 136. 
 
 § Et ob id invisus illis. Corp. Ref. i. 132. 11 Ibid. 
 
90 EKA&MUS DEFENDS LUTHER. 
 
 the Word also it sliall be rc-establislied." — " I do not despise 
 his offer," said he at another time on receiving Schaumburg's 
 letter, which vre luive mentioned above, " but I will rely 
 upon nothing bnt Jesus Cln'ist.'*^ It was not thus the Ro- 
 man pontiiTs spoke when they waded in the blood of the 
 . Waldenscs and Albigenses. Hiitten felt tlie diflerencc be- 
 tween his cause and Lut!ter'i5, and lie accordingly wrote to 
 him with noble-mindedness : " As for me, I am busied witli 
 the affairs of men ; but you soar far higher, and are occupied 
 solely vdth those of God."7 He then set out to win, if pos- 
 sible, Charles and Ferdinand to the side of truth.+ 
 
 Luther at this time met with a still more illustrious protector, 
 Erasmus, whom tiie Romai^.ists so oucn quote against the 
 Reformation, raised his voice and undertook the reformers 
 defence, after his own fashion, however, that is to say, with- 
 out any show of defending him. On the 1st of November 
 1519, this patriarch of learning wrote to Albert, elector of 
 jMentz and primate of all Germany, a letter in v/hich, after 
 describing in vivid colours the corruption of the Church, lie 
 says : " This is what stirred up Luther, and made him oppose 
 the intolerable imprudence of certain doctors. For what 
 other motive can we ascribe to a man who seeks not honours 
 and who cares not for money ?§ Luther has dared doubt 
 the virtue of indulgences ; but otliers before him had most 
 unblushingly affu'med it. He feared not to speak, certainly 
 with little moderation, against the power of tlie Roman 
 pontiff; but others before him had extolled it without reserve. 
 He has dared contemn the decrees of St. Tliomas, but the 
 Dominicans had set them almost above the Gospel. He has 
 dared give utterance to his scruples jibout confession, but the 
 monks continually made use of this ordinance as a net in 
 which to catch and enslave the consciences of nien^ Pious 
 souls were grieved at hearing that in tlie universitii'S there 
 
 ' Nolo nisi Cliristo protoctore uiti. L. Epp. i. 145!. 
 
 t Mea humana sunt : tu perfectior, jam-totus ex Jivinirf peudes. L. 
 0pp. Lat. ii. 175. 
 
 :J; Viain facturus litertati (cod. Buvar. veritati), per maxinios prin- 
 cipes. Corp. Rcf. i. 201. 
 
 § Quid enim aliud suspicor de co qui nee lionorco ambit, nee pecnuiam 
 *upit l Erasm. 0pp. iii. 315. 
 
ABSTEMIUS — HEDIO. 91 
 
 was little mention of the evangelical doctrine ; that in the 
 assemblies of Christians very little was heard of Christ ;* 
 that nothing was there talked of, except the power of the 
 pontiff, and the opinfons of the Romish doctors ; and that the 
 whole sermon was a mere^ matter of lucre, flattery, ambition, 
 and imposture.f It is to such a state of affairs that we 
 should ascribe Lutherls violent language." Such was Eras- 
 mus's opinion on the state of the' Church and on the reformer. 
 This letter, which was published by UiricIIutten, then residing 
 at the court of Mentz, made a profound impression. 
 
 At the same time, men more obscure than Erasmus and 
 tlian all the knights, but who were destined to be more 
 powerful auxiliaries, raUied round Luther in every direction. 
 Doctor Botzhemus Abstemius, canon of Constance, wrote to 
 him thus : " Now that you have become the friend of the 
 universe, or at least of the better part of the world, that is 
 to say, of good and true Christians, you must also become 
 mine, whether you v/ill or not!| I am so delighted with 
 your writings, that nothing gives me greater pleasure than to 
 be living at a time when not only profane but also sacred 
 literature is resuming its pristine splendour." § And at nearly 
 the same period Gaspard Hedio, preacher at Basle, wrote to 
 the reformer : " Most dear sir, I see that your doctrine is of 
 God, and that it cannot be destroyed ; that it becomes daily 
 more efficacious ; and that eveiy hour it is winning souls to 
 Christ by turning them av/ay from sin and attracting them 
 to real piety. ||- Do not halt therefore, liberator, but exert 
 all your power to restore the yoke of Christ, so hght and easy 
 to bear. Be yourself the general, and we will follow after 
 you, like soldie'rs whom nothing can tear from you."^ 
 
 Thus at one time Luther's enemies oppress him, at 
 
 * Imo in sacris concionibus minimum aiidiri de Christo. Erasm. 0pp. 
 iii. 315. 
 
 + Totam orationem jam palam qnajstum, adulationem, ambitionem, ac 
 fucum prx^ se ferre. Ibid, 
 
 Z Postquam. orbi, ant saltern potiori orbis -parti, hoc est, bonis et vero 
 christianis amicus factus es,meus quoque amicus eris, velis, nolis. Botz- 
 heim and his Friends, by Walchner, p. 107- 
 
 § Et diviux' pristinum nitorem recupjraut. Ibid. 
 
 II Lucri facit Christo, abducit a vitiis, asserit verse pietati. Happens 
 Nachlese, ii. 433. 
 
 *^ Tu dux esto, nos indivulsi milites erimus. Ibid. 
 
92 LUTHER BECOMES MORE FREE. 
 
 another his friends spring up to defend him. " My bark," 
 said he, " floats to and fro, the sport of the winds ; hope 
 and fear prevail by turns ; but what matters it !"* And 
 yet these testimonies of sympathy were not without influ- 
 ence upon his mind. " The Lord.- reigns," said he, " I see 
 him there, as if I could touch him."-]- Luther felt that 
 he was not alone ; his words had borne fruit, and this 
 thought filled him with fresh courage. The fear of com- 
 promising the elector no longer checked him, when he 
 found other defenders ready to brave the anger of Rome. 
 He became more free, and ifpossible more determined. This 
 is an important epoch in the development of Luther's char- 
 acter. " Rome ought to understand," wrote he at this 
 period to the elector's chaplain, " that, even should she 
 succeed by her threats in expelling me from AYittemberg, 
 she would only injure her cause. It is not in Bohemia, but in 
 the very heart of Germany that those are to be found who 
 are ready to defend me against the thunders of the papacy. 
 If I have not done my enemies all the harm I am preparing 
 for them, they must ascribe it neither to my moderation nor 
 to their tyranny, but to the elector's name and to the interests 
 of the university of Wittemberg, which I feared to compro- 
 mise : now that I have sucli fears no longer, they will see me 
 fall with fresh vigour upon Rome and upon her courtiers." J 
 And yet it was not on tlic great that Luther fixed his 
 hopes. He had been often solicited to dedicate a book to 
 Duke John, the elector's brother. He had not done so. " I 
 am afraid," said he, " that the suggestion comes from him- 
 self. Holy Scripture should subserve the glory of God!s 
 name alone." § Luther now recovered from 'his fears, and 
 dedicated his sermon on Good Works to Duke John. , This 
 is one of the writings in which the reformer lays down with 
 the greatest force the doctrine of justification by faith, — that 
 powerful truth, -whose strength he sets fiir above the SAvord 
 of Hiittcn, the army of Sickengen, and the protection of 
 dukes and electors. 
 
 * Ita fluctuat navis mea : nunc spes, nunc timor regnat. L. Epp. i. 443. 
 
 •f Domiuus regnat, ut palpate possimus. Ibid. 451. 
 
 :t Ssevius iu Romaneuscs grassaturus. Ibid. 46'. 
 
 § Scripturam sacram nolim alicujus nomini nisi Dei servire. Ibia. 431. 
 
FAITH THE SOURCE OF WORKS. 93 
 
 " The first, the noblest, the subHmest of all works," says 
 he, " is faith in Jesus Christ.* It is from this work that all 
 other works must proceed : they are bu.t the vassals of faith, 
 and receive their efficacy from it alone. 
 
 "If a' man feels in his heart the assurance that what he 
 has done is acceptable to God, the work is good, if it were 
 merely the lifting up of a straw ; but if he have not this 
 assurance, his work is not good, even should he raise the 
 dead. A heathen, a Jew, a Turk, a sinner, can perform all 
 the other works ; but to trust firmly in God, and to feel an 
 assurance that we are accepted by him, is what a Christian, 
 strong in grace, alone is capable of doing. 
 
 " A Christian who possesses faith in God does everything 
 with liberty and joy ; while the man who is not at one with 
 God is full of care and kept in bondage ; he asks himself 
 with anguish how many works he should perform ; he runs 
 to and fro; he questions this man^nd that; he nowhere 
 finds peace, and does everything with sorrow and fear. 
 
 " Consequently, I have always extolled faith. But in the 
 world it is- otherwise. There, the essential thing is to have 
 many works — works high and great, and of every dimension, 
 without caring whether they are quickened by faith. Thus, 
 men build their peace, not on God's good pleasure, but on 
 their own merits, that is to say, on sand. (Matthew vii. 27.) 
 
 "To preach' faith (it has been said) is to prevent good 
 works ; but if a man should possess the strength of all men 
 united, or even of all creatures,-]- this sole obligation of living 
 in faith would be a ^sk too great for him ever to accom- 
 phsh. If I say to a sick man : ' Be well, and thou shalt 
 have the use of thy limbs,' will any one say that I forbid 
 him to use his limbs ? Must not health precede labour ? It is 
 the same when we preach faith : it should go before works, 
 in order that the works themselves should exist. 
 
 " Where then, you will say, can we find this faith, and 
 how can we receive it ? This is in truth what it is most 
 important to know. Faith comes solely from Jesus, who 
 was promised and given freely. 
 
 * Das erste und hochste, alleredelste gute Werck ist der Glaube in 
 
 Christum. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 394. 
 
 t Wenn ein Mensch tausend, oder alle Menschen, oder alle Creaturen 
 ware. Ibid. 398. 
 
94 LUTHER ON HIS OVTS WRITINGS. 
 
 " man ! figure Jesus Clirist to yourself, and contemplate 
 how God in him has shown thee his mercy, without any 
 merit on thy part going before." Draw from this image of 
 his grace the faith and assurance that all thy sins are 
 forgiven thee. Works cannot produce it. It flows from 
 the blood, and w^ounds, and death of Christ ; thence it wells 
 forth into our hearts. Christ is the rock whence flow milk 
 and honey." (Deut. xxxii.) ^-^ 
 
 As we cannot notice all Luther's WTitings, we have quoted 
 a few short passages from this discourse on Good Works, in 
 consequence of the opinion the reformer himself entertained 
 of it. " In my own judgment," said he, " it is the best I 
 ever published." And he added immediately this deep reflec- 
 tion : " But I know that when I please myself with what I 
 write, the infection of that bad leaven hinders it from pleas- 
 ing others." f Melancthon, in forwarding this discourse to a 
 friend, accompanied it with these words : " There is no one 
 among all the Greek and Latin writers who has come nearer 
 than Luther to the spirit of St. Paul."| 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 The Papacy attacked— Appeal to the Nobifity— The three Walls— All 
 Christians are Priests— The Magistrate should chastise the Clergy — 
 Roman Corruptions — Ruiu of Italy— Dangers of Germany— The Pope 
 — The Legates— The Monks— Marriage of Priests— Celibacy— Fes- 
 tivals -The Bohemians — Cliarity— The Universities — The Empire — 
 The Emperor should retake Rome — Unpublished Book — Luther's 
 Moderation — Success of the Address. 
 
 But there was another evil in the Church besides the sub- 
 stitution of a system of meritorious works for the grand idea 
 
 * Siehe, also must du Christum in dich bilden, und sehen wie in Ihm 
 Gott seine Barmherzigkeit dir furhalt und anbeut. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 401. 
 
 f Erit, meo judicio, omnium quse ediderim optimum : quanquam scio 
 quse mihi mea placent, hoc ipso fermento infecta, non solere aliis placere. 
 L. Epp. i. 431. 
 
 i Quo ad Fauli spiritum nemo propius accessit. Corp. Ref. i. 202. 
 
APPE^SL 'I'O THE GERilAN NOBILITY. 95 
 
 of grace and aranesty.* A hauglity power had arisen in the 
 midst of the shepherds of Christ's flock. Luther prepared 
 to attack this usurped authority.. Already a vague and 
 distant rumour announced the success of Dr. Eck's intrigues 
 at Ivome. This rumour aroused tlie mihtant spirit of the 
 reformer, who, in the midst of all his troubles, had studied 
 in his retirement the rise, progress, and usurpations of the 
 papacy. His discoveries had filled him with surprise. He 
 no longer hesitated to make tliem known, and to strike the 
 blow which, like Moses' rod in ancient times, was to awaken 
 a people who had long slumbered in captivity. Even before 
 Rome had time to publish her formidable bull, it was he 
 who hurled his declaration of war against her. " The 
 time to be silent is past," exclaimed he ; " the time to speak 
 is come ! At last, we must unveil the mysteries of Anti- 
 christ." On the 23d of June 1520, he published his famous 
 Appeal to his Imperial Majesty and to the Christian Nobility 
 of the German Nation, on the Reformation of Christianity. -^ 
 This work was "the signal of the attack that was to decide 
 both the rupture and the victory. 
 
 " It is not through presumption," said lie at the opening of 
 this address, '' that I, a man of tlie people, venture to speak 
 to your lordships. The misery and oppression that at this 
 hour weigh down all the states of Chi'itendom, and par- 
 ticularly Germany, extort from me a cry of distress. I 
 must call for help ; I must see if God will not give his 
 Spirit to some man in our own country, and thus stretch forth 
 his hand to save our wretiihed nation. God has placed 
 over us a young and generous prince,| and has thus 
 tilled our liearts with great expectations. But on our parts 
 we must do everything that lies in our power. 
 
 " Now the first requisite is, not to trust in our OAvn 
 strength, or in our lofty wisdom. If we begin a good work 
 with confidence in ourselves, God overthrow's and destroys 
 it. Frederick I., Frederick II., and many other emperors 
 besides, before whom the world trembled, have been trodden 
 
 * See Vol. I. p. 33 seqq. f L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 457-502. 
 
 X The emperor Charles V. — Gott hat uns ein junges edies Blut zum 
 Haupt g;egeben. Ibid. 457. 
 
96 THE THREE WALLS. 
 
 under foot by the popes, because they trusted more in their 
 own strength than in God. Therefore they could not 
 but fall. It is against the powers of hell that we have to 
 contend in this struggle. Hoping nothing from the strength 
 of arms, humbly trusting in the Lord, looking more to the 
 distress of Christendom than to the crimes of the wicked 
 ■ — this is how Ave must set to work. Otherwise the work 
 will have a prosperous look at the beginning ; but sud- 
 denly, in the midst of the contest, confusion will enter in, 
 evil minds will cause incalculable disasters, and the whole 
 world will be deluged with blood. The greater our power, 
 the greater also is our danger, if we do not walk in the fear 
 of the Lord." 
 
 After this prelude, Luther continues thus : — 
 
 " The, Romans have raised around themselves three walls 
 to protect them against every kind of reformation. Have 
 they been attacked by the temporal power? — they have 
 asserted that it had no authority over them, and that the 
 spiritual power was superior to it, flave they been rebuked 
 by Holy Scripture ? — they have replied that no one is able 
 to interpret it except the pope. Have they been threatened 
 with a council? — no one (said they) but the sovereign pon- 
 tiff has authority to convoke one. 
 
 " They have thus despoiled us of tlie three rods destined 
 to correct them, and have given themselves up to every 
 wickedness. But now may God be our helper, and give 
 us one of those trimipets that overthrew the walls of 
 Jericho. With our breath let us throw down those barriers 
 of paper and straw which the Romans have built around 
 them, and upraise the rods which punish the wicked, by 
 exposing the wiles of the devil." 
 
 Luther now begins the attack. He shakes to its founda- 
 tion that papal monarchy which for ages had combined 
 the people of the West in one body under the sceptre of 
 the Roman bishop. That there is no sacerdotal caste 
 in Christianity, is the truth which he powerfully sets forth at 
 the beginning, — a truth hidden from the eyes of the Church 
 from the earliest ages. 
 
 " It has been said," writes Luther, " that the pope, the 
 
THE MAGISTRATE SHOULD. CHASTISE THE CLEKGY. 97 
 
 bishops, the priests, and all those who people the convents, 
 form the spiritual or ecclesiastical state; and that the 
 princes, the nobility, the citizens, and peasants, form the 
 secular or lay estate. This is a fine story. Let no person, 
 however, be startled at it. All Christians belong to the 
 spiritual state, and there is no other difference between 
 them than that arising from the functions which they 
 discharge. We have all one baptism, one faith ; and this 
 it is which constitutes the spiritual man. The unction, the 
 tonsure, ordination, consecration by the bishop or the pope, 
 may make a hypocrite, but never a spiritual mai^^We 
 are all consecrated priests by baptism, as Saint Peter says : 
 Ye are priests and kings, although it does not belong to 
 all to exercise such ofiSces, for no one can take what is 
 common to all without the consent of the community. 
 But if we possess not this Divine consecration, the pope's 
 anointing can never make a priest. If ten brothers, sons 
 of a king, having equal claims to the inheritance, select 
 one of them to administer it for them, they would all be 
 kings, and yet only one of them would be the administrator 
 of their common power. So it is with the Church. If a 
 few pious laymen were banished to a desert pl^ce, and if, 
 not having among them a priest consecrated by a bishop, 
 they should agree to choose one of their own number, 
 married or not, this man would be as truly a priest as if 
 all the bishops in the world had consecrated him. Thus 
 Augustine, Ambrose, and Cyprian were elected. 
 
 " Hence it follows tliat laymen and priests, princes and 
 bishops, or, as they say, the clergy and laity, have nothing 
 but their functions to distinguish them. They have all 
 the same estate, but have not all the same work to per- 
 form. 
 
 " If this be true, why should not the magistrate chastise 
 the clergy ? The secular power was established by God to 
 punish the wicked and to protect the good. And it must be 
 allowed to act throughout all Christendom, whomsoever it 
 may touch, be he pope, bishop, priest, monk, or nun. St. Paul 
 says to all Christians : Let every one^ (and consequently the 
 • n««r« -^v-^^f every soul. Rom. xiii. 1, 4. 
 
 VOL. H. 5 
 
98 ROMAN COKKUrTIC>XS KUIN OF ITALY. 
 
 pope also) he subject unto the higher poiccrs, for they bear not 
 the sicord in rain " 
 
 Luther, having in like manner overthrown the two other 
 walls, passes in review all* the con-uptions of Rome. He sets 
 forth, in an eminently popular style of eloquence, the evils 
 that had been pointed out for centuries past. Never had a 
 nobler protest been heard. The assembly before which Luther 
 spoke was the Church ; the power whose corruptions he at- 
 tacked was that papacy which for ages had oppressed all 
 nations with its w;eight ; and the reformation he so loudly 
 called for was destined to exercise its powerful influence over 
 all Christendom, — in all the world, — so long as the human 
 race shall endure. ^ 
 
 He begins with the pope. " It is a horrible thing,*' says 
 he, " to behold the man who styles himself Christ's vice- 
 gerent displaying a magnificence that no emperor can equal. 
 Is this being like the poor Jesus, or the humble Peter ? Ila 
 is (say they) the lord of the world ! But Christ, whose vicar 
 h boasts of being, has said, My kingdom is not of this icorld. 
 Can the dominions of a vicar extend beyond those of his 
 superior ? " 
 
 Luthewnow proceeds to describe the effects of the papal 
 rule. " Do you know what is the use of cardinals ? I will 
 tell you. Italy and Germany have many convents, rehgious 
 foundations, and richly endowed benefices. How can this 
 wealth be drawn to Rome ? Cardinals have been created ; 
 these cloisters anil prelacies have been given to them; and 
 
 now Italy is almost deserted, the convents are in ruins, 
 
 the bishoprics devoured, the cities decayed, the inhabitants 
 corrupted, religious worship is expiring, and preaching abol- 
 ished ! And why is this ? Because all the wealth of the 
 
 churches must go to Rome. The Turk himself would nevei 
 have so ruined Italy!" 
 
 Luther next turns to his fellow-countrymen : 
 
 " And now that they have thus sucked all the blood of 
 their ow^n nation, they come into Germany ; they begin ten- 
 derly; but let us be on our guard, or Germany will erelong 
 be Hke Italy! We have already a few cardinals. Before 
 the dull Germans comprehend our design (think they) they 
 
DANGER OF GERMANY THE POPE. 99 
 
 will no longer have eitlier bisliopric, convent, or benefice, 
 • penny or farthing left. Antichrist must possess the treasures 
 of the earth. Thirty or forty cardinals will be created in one 
 day. Bamberg will be given to one, the bishopric of Wurtz- 
 burg to another 5 rich cures will be attached to them, until 
 the cities and churches are desolate. And then the pope will 
 say : I am Christ's vicar, and the shepherd of his flocks. 
 Let the Germans be submissive ! " 
 
 Luther's indignation is kindled : 
 
 " What ! shall we Germans endure such robberies and 
 such extortions from the pope ? If the kingdom of France 
 has been able to defend itself, why should we permit ourselves 
 to be thus ridiculed and laughed at ? Oh ! if they only de- 
 spoiled us of our goods ! But they lay waste the churches, 
 fleece tlie sheep of Christ, abolish religious worship, and 
 ?(nnihilate the AVord of God." 
 
 Luther Jj^re exposes " the practices of Rome " to obtain 
 the money and the revenues of Germany. Annats, pal- 
 »liums, commendams, administrations, reversions, incorpora- 
 tions, reserves, &c. — he passes them all in review ; and then 
 he says : " Let us endeavour to check such desolation and 
 wretchedness. If we desire to march against the Turks, let 
 us march against those who are the worst Turks of all. If 
 we hang thieves, and decapitate highway robbers, let us not 
 permit Romish avarice to escape, which is the greatest of 
 thieves and robbers, and that too in the name of St. Peter 
 and of Jesus Christ ! Who can suffer this ? Who can 
 be silent ? All that the pope possesses, has he not gained 
 by plunder ? For he has neither bought it, nor inherited it 
 from St. Peter, nor gained it by the sweat -of his brow. 
 Whence then has he all this ? " 
 
 Luther proposes remedies for these evils, and calls ener- 
 getically upon the nobility of Germany to put an end to these 
 Romish depredations. He then comes to the reformation of 
 the pope himself: " Is it not ridiculous," says he, " that the 
 pope pretends to be the lawful heir to the empire? Who 
 gave it him ? Was it Jesus Christ, when he said : The 
 kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, hut it shall 
 
100 THE POPE THE LEGATES. 
 
 not he so among you ?* (Luke xxii. 25, 26.) How as it pos- 
 sible to govern an empire, and at the same time preach, pray, 
 study, and take care of the poor ? Jesus Christ forbade his 
 ministers to carry with tUem eitlier gold or two coats, be- 
 cause they would be unable to discharge the duties of their 
 ministry if they were not free from all other care ; and yet 
 the pope would govern the empire and still remain pope." 
 
 Luther continues stripping the sovereign pontiff : " Let 
 the pope renounce every claim on the kingdom of Naples 
 and Sicily. He has no more right to it than I have. It is 
 unjustly and in opposition to all the commandments of 
 Christ that he possesses Bologna, Imola, Ravenna, the 
 Romagna, the March of Ancona, &c. No man that warrethj 
 says Saint Paul, entangleth himself icith the affairs of this 
 life. (2 Tim. ii. 4.) Yet the pope, who pretends to be the 
 leader of the Church militant, entangles himself with the 
 affairs of this life more than any emperor or king. We 
 must relieve him from all this toil. Let the emperor put 
 the bible and a prayer-book into the pope's hands, in order 
 that he may leave the cares of government to kings, and 
 confine himself to preaching and praying."-]- 
 
 Luther will no more suffer the pope's spiritual power in 
 Germany than his temporal power in Italy. " First of all," 
 says he, " we must expel from every German state those 
 papal legates, with their pretended benefits which they sell 
 us at their weight in gold, and which are downright im- 
 positions. They take our money, and for vdiat ? to legalize 
 their ill-gotten gains, to absolve from all oaths, to teach us 
 to be wanting in fidelity, to instruct us how to sin, and to 
 lead us dir(i!8t to hell. Hearest thou this, pope ! not most 
 holy, but most sinful pope ! — May God from his throne in 
 heaven soon hurl thee from thy throne into tlie bottomless 
 pit!" 
 
 The christian tribune pursues his course. •After having 
 called the pope to his bar, he summons before him all the 
 
 * 'TfiiT; Ti olix ov]u; (sub. i(r''li). See> Matthew xx. 26. 
 
 t Ihm die Biblien und Betbucher daflir anzei<;en und er predige 
 
 and bete. L. 0pp. xvii. 472. 
 
THE MONKS MARRIAGE OF THE PRIESTS. 101 
 
 corruptions that form the papal train, and purposes sweep- 
 ing from the floor of the Church the rubbish by which it was 
 encumbered. He begins with the monks : — 
 
 " And noAv then I come to that sUiggish troop which 
 promises much but does little. Do not be angry, my dear 
 sirs, my intentions are good : what I have to say is a 
 truth at once sweet and bitter ; namely, no more cloisters 
 must be built for mendicant friars. We have, indeed, too 
 many already, and would to God that they were ail-pulled 
 dojvn. Strolling through a country like beggars never has 
 done and never can do good." 
 
 The marriage of the clergy now has its turn, and this is 
 the first time Luther speaks of it : — 
 
 ^ To what a sad state have the clergy fallen, and how 
 many priests do we not find burdened with women, and 
 children, and remorse, and yet no one comes to their aid ! 
 It is all very well for the pope and the bishops to let 
 things go on as before, 'and for that to continue lost which 
 is lost ; but I am determined to save my conscience, and to 
 open my mouth freely : after that, let the pope, the bishops, 
 
 and any one who pleases, take offence at it ! I assert, 
 
 then, that according to the appointment of Christ and his 
 apostles, each city should have a pastor or bishop, and 
 that this pastor may have a wife, as Saint Paul writes to 
 Timothy : A bishop must he the husband of one icifc 
 (1 Tim. iii. 2), and as is still practised in the Greek Church. 
 But the devil has persuaded the pope, as the same apostle 
 says to Timothy (1 Tim. iv. 1 to 3), to forbid the glergy to 
 marry. And hence have proceeded miseries so numerous 
 that we cannot mention all. What is to be done ? How 
 can we save so many pastors, in whom we have no fault to 
 find, except that they l>e with a woman, to whom they 
 would with all their heart be legitimately married ? Ah ! 
 let them quiet their consciences ! let them take this woman 
 as their lawful wife, and let them live virtuously with her, 
 not troubling themselves whether the pope is pleased or 
 not. ^The salvation of your soul is of greater consequence to 
 you than tyrannical and arbitrary laws, that do not emanate 
 from the Lord." 
 
102 FESTIVALS CHARITY THE UNIVEKSITIES. 
 
 It is in this way that the Reformation aimed at restoring 
 purity of morals in the Church. The reformer continues : — 
 
 " Let all festivals be abolished, and let none but Sunday 
 be observed : -or if people desire to Reep the great Christian 
 festivals, let them be celebrated only iji. the morning, and 
 let the rest of the day be like any other working-day. 
 For as on those days men do nothing but drink, gamble, 
 indulge in every sin, or remain idle, they offend God on the 
 festivals more than at other times." ^f^ 
 
 He next attacks the commemorations,* which he styjes 
 mere taverns : and after them the fasts and religious 
 fraternities. — He not only desires to put an end to abuses, 
 he. wishes also to put av>\ay schism. " It is high time," 
 says he, " that we busied ourselves seriously with the ca4ise 
 of the Bohemians, — that we put a stop to envy and hatred, 
 — and that we united with them." After proposing some 
 excellent means of reconciliation, he adds : " We must 
 convince heretics by Scripture, as did the ancient Fathers, 
 and not subdue them by fire. In this latter system, the 
 executioners would be the most learned doctors in the 
 
 world Oh! would to God that on both sides we stretched 
 
 forth our hands in brotherly humility, instead of being 
 inflexible in the sentiment of our strength and of our right! 
 Charity is more necessary than the papacy of Rome. I 
 have now done, all that is in my power. If the pope and 
 his adherents oppose this, the responsibility will fall on 
 them. The pope should be ready to renounce his papacy, 
 all his ^possessions, and all his honours, if he could by 
 that means save a single soul. But he would rather see all 
 the world perish than bate even a hair's breadth of the 
 power he has usurped!-]- .1 am clear of these things." 
 
 Luther next proceeds to the universities and schools : — 
 
 " I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be 
 the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in 
 explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in 
 
 * Yearly festivals in commemoration of the dedication or opening of a 
 church : the Belgian kermcss. 
 
 + Nun liess er eho die Welt untergehen, ehe er ein Haarbreit seiner 
 vermessenen Gewalt lies§e abbrechen. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 483. 
 
THE EMPEROR should UL-LT A KE ROME. 103 
 
 the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child 
 where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every in- 
 stitution in which men are not unceasingly occupied with 
 the Word of God must become corrupt." * Weighty words, 
 u\)on which governments, learned men, and pnrents in every 
 age should seriously meditate i 
 
 Towards the end of this appeal he returns to the empire 
 and to the emperor : — 
 
 " The 'pope, unable to manage at his v/ill the ancient 
 masters of the Roman empire, conceived a j)ian of taking 
 away their title and tlieir empire, and bestov>'ing them on 
 us Germans. Thus it happened that we became the vas- 
 sals of the pope. For the pope took possession of Rome, 
 and compelled ttie emperor by an oath, never to reside 
 there ; whence it is that the emperor is emperor of Rome, 
 without Rome. We possess the name: the pope has the 
 country and the cities. We have the title and arms of the 
 empire ; the ix>pe its treasures, power, privileges, and liber- 
 ties. The pope eats the fruit, and we play with the husk. 
 It is thus that the pride and tyranny of the Romans have 
 always abused our simphcity. 
 
 " But now may God, who has given us such an empire, 
 be our helper ! Let us act in conformity witli our name, 
 title, and arms ; let "s preserve our liberf^^ ; and let the 
 Ropians learn to appreciate what God has given us by their 
 hands ! They boast of having given us an empire. Well, 
 then, let us take what belongs to us ! Let the pope resign 
 to us Rome .and every portion of the empire that he still 
 holds ! Let him put an end to his taxes and extortions ! 
 Let him restore our liberty, our power, our property, our 
 honour, our souls, and our bodies ! Let the empire be all 
 that an empire ought to be, and let the sword of princes no 
 longer be constrained to bov/ before the hypocritical preten- 
 sions of a pope !" 
 
 In these words there are not only energy and enthusiasm, 
 but also a lofty strain of reasoning. Did any orator ever speak 
 thus to the nobility of the empire, and to the emperor him- 
 
 * Es muss verderben, allcs was niclit Gottes Wort olin Untcrlagf 
 treibt. Ibid. 486. 
 
104 UNPUBLISHED BOOK LUTHER S MODESTY. 
 
 self? Far from being surprised that so many German 
 states separated from Rome, ought ^ve not ratlier to feel 
 astonished that all Germany did not march to the banks of 
 the Tiber to resume that imperial power whose attributes 
 the popes had so imprudently placed on the brow of its 
 sovereign ? 
 
 Luther concludes this courageous appeal in these* words : — 
 
 " I can very well imagine that I have pitched my song 
 too high, proposed many things that will seem impossible, 
 and attacked many errors rather too violently. But what 
 can I do? Let the world be offended with me, rather than 
 
 God! They can but take away my life. I have often 
 
 proposed peace to my adversaries. But God, by their 
 instrumentality, has compelled me continually to cry louder 
 and louder against them. I have still another song in 
 reserve against Rome. If their ears itch, I will sing it 
 them, and loudly too. Dost thou clearly understand, O 
 Rome, what I mean?" 
 
 This is probably an allusion to a work on the papacy that 
 Luther had some intention of publishing, but which was 
 withheld. About this time the Rector Burkhardt wrote 
 to Spengler : " There is also a little treatise De cxccranda 
 Venere Boma^rum ; but it is kept in reserve." The 
 title promised something very offensive ; and we should 
 rejoice that Luther had the moderation not to publish this 
 writing. 
 
 " If my cause is just," contmues he, " it will be condemned 
 by all the world, and justified only by Christ in heaven. 
 Let them come on, then, pope, bishops, priests, monks, and 
 doctors! let them put forth all their zeal! let them give 
 the rein to all their fury ! These are, in truth, the men 
 who ought to persecute the truth, as every age has wit- 
 nessed." 
 
 Whence did this monk acquire so clear an understanding 
 of public affiiirs, which even the states of the empire often 
 found so difficult to elucidate? Whence did this German 
 derive the courage which made him raise his head in the 
 midst of a nation so long enslaved, and aim such violent 
 blows at the papacy ? What was the mysterious power 
 
RESULTS OF THE ADDRESS. 105 
 
 that animated him ? Might we not be led to say that he had 
 heard these words addressed by God to a man of the olden 
 time : Behold, I have made thy face strong against their 
 faces. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy 
 forehead : fear them not, neither he dismayed at their 
 looks. 
 
 This exhortation, which was addressed to the German no- 
 bility, soon reached all those for whom it had been written. 
 It circulated through Germany with inconceivable rapidity. 
 Luther's friends trembled ; Staupitz and those who desired 
 to employ mild measures found the blow too severe. " In 
 our days," replied Luther, " everything that is handled gently 
 falls into oblivion, and no one cares about it." * At the same 
 time he gave striking evidence of single-mindedness and hu- 
 mihty. He did not yet know himself. " I cannot tell what 
 to say of myself," wrote he. " Perhaps I am Philip's (Me- 
 lancthon's) forerunner. I am preparing the way for him, 
 like Ehas, in spirit and in power. It is he who will one day 
 trouble, Israel and the house of Ahab."t 
 
 But there was no need to wait for another than him who 
 had already appeared. The house of Ahab was already 
 shaken. The Appeal to the German Nobility was pubhshed 
 on the 26th June 1520 ; in a short' time four thousand copies 
 were sold, a number unprecedented in those days. The 
 astonishment was universal. This writing produced a power- 
 ful sensation among the people. The vigour, hfe, perspi- 
 cuity, and generous boldness that breathed throughout, 
 made it a truly popular work. The people felt at last that he 
 who spoke to them loved them also. The confused views of 
 a great number of wise men were cleared up. The Romish 
 usurpations became evident to every mind. No one at Wit- 
 temberg any longer doubted that the pope was Antichrist. 
 , Even the elector's court, so circumspect and timid, did not 
 disapprove of the reformer : it waited patiently. But the 
 nobihty and the people did not wait. The nation was reani- 
 mated. Luther's voice had shaken it; it was won over, 
 and rallied round the standard that he had uplifted. No- 
 
 • Qua; nostro sseculo quiete tractantur, mox cadere in oblivionem. 
 L. Epp. i. 479. t Ibid. 478. 
 
106 PREPARATIONS AT ROME. 
 
 thing could have been more advantageous to the reformer 
 than this publication. In the palaces and castles, in the 
 homes of the citizens and the cottages of the peasants, all were 
 now prepared, and defended as it were with a breastplate, 
 against the sentence of condemnation that was about to fall 
 upon' this prophet of the people. All Germany was on fire. 
 Let the bull arrive ! not by such means will the conflagra- 
 tion be extinguished. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Preparations at Rome— Motives for Papal Relfetance— Eck at Rome — 
 The King of Crowns— Eck prevails— Tlie Pope is the World— God brings 
 about the Separation— A Swiss Priest pleads for Luther— The Romai; 
 Consistory— ExorUium of the Bull— Luther condemned. 
 
 Every preparation was made at Rome for condemning the 
 defender of the liberty of the Church. That Church had 
 long been living in a state of haughty security. For several 
 years the monks had been accusing Leo X. of caring only 
 for luxury and pleasure, of occupying himself solely with the 
 chase, the theatre, and music,* while the Church was totter- 
 ing to its fall. At length, aroused by the clamours of Dr 
 Eck, who had come from Leipsic to invoke the power of the 
 Vatican, pope, cardinals, monks, and all Rome, awoke, and 
 thought of saving the papacy. 
 
 Rome indeed was compelled to have recourse to the severest 
 measures. The gauntlet had been thrown down f the com- 
 bat must be to the death. Luther did not attack the abuses 
 of the Roman pontificate, but the pontificate itself. At his com- 
 mand he would have had the pope to descend humbly from his 
 throne, and become a simple pastor or bishop on the banks of 
 the Tiber. All the dignitaries of the "Roman hierarchy were 
 
 * E sopra tutto musico eccellentissimo, e quando el canta con qualche 
 uno, li fa donar cento e piu ducati. Zorsi MS. 
 
MOTIVES FOR PAPAL RESISTANCE. lOT 
 
 to renounce their wealth and then- worldly glory, and become 
 elders and deacons of the churches of Italy. All that splen- 
 dour and power, wliich for ages had dazzled the West, was to 
 vanish and give place to. the humble simplicity of the primi- 
 tive christian worsliip. God might have brought this about ; 
 He v/ill do so in liis own time; but it could not be expected 
 from man. And even should any pope have been so disinter- 
 ested or bold as to be willing to overthrow the ancient and 
 costly edifice of the Roman Church, thousands of priests and 
 bishops would have stretched out tlieir hands to prevent its fall. 
 The pope had received his pov/er on the express condition of 
 maintaining wliat was confided to him. Rome thought her- 
 self divinely appointed to the government of the Church. 
 We cannot therefore be astonished that she prepared to strike 
 tlie most terrible blows. And yet she hesitated at first. 
 Many cardinals and the pope himself were opposed to violent 
 measures. Tiie skilful Leo saw clearly that a decision, the 
 execution of wliich depended on the very doubtful compliance 
 of the civil power, miglit seriously compromise the authority 
 of the CiuirciJ. lie was aware, besides, that the violent 
 mea^ares hitherto employed had only served to aggravate 
 tiie mischief. Is it not possible to gain ov(!r this Saxon 
 monk? asked the. Roman politicians of one another. Will 
 all the power of tlie Churcii, will all the craft of«ftaly fail?— 
 They must negotiate still. 
 
 Eck accordingly met with powerful obstacles. He ne- 
 glected nothing that might prevent such impious concessions. 
 In every quarter of Rome he vented his rage, and called for. 
 revenge. The fanatical portion of the monks soon leagued 
 with him. Strengthened by their alliance, he assailed the 
 pope and cardinals with fresh courage. In his opinion, every 
 attempt at conciliation would be useless. These (said he) are 
 idle dreams vvMth which you soothe yourselves at a distance 
 from the danger. He knew the peril, for he had contended 
 with the audacious monk. He saw' that there should be no 
 delay in cutting off this gangrened limb, for fear the disease 
 should infect the whole body. Tho impetuous disputant of 
 JiCipsic parried objection after objection, and with difnculty 
 
108 ECK AT KOME. 
 
 persuaded the pope.* He desired to save Rome in spite of 
 herself. He made every exertion, passing many hours together 
 in deUberation in the pontiffs cabinet.f He excited the court 
 and the cloisters, the people and the Church. " Eck is 
 stirring up the bottomless pit against me," said Luther; 
 " he is setting fire to the forests of Lebanon." | 
 
 But the victory, at the very moment Dr. Eck made most 
 sure of it, appeared suddenly to escape from his hands. There 
 existed even in Rome a respectable party to a certain extent 
 favourable to Luther. On this point we have the testimony 
 of a Roman citizen, one of whose letters, written in January 
 1521, has fortunately been preserved. " You should know," 
 says he, " that in Rome there is scarcely an individual, at least 
 among men of sound judgment, who is not aware that in 
 many respects Luther speaks the truth."§ These resp'ectable 
 persons resisted the demands of Dr. Eck. " We should take 
 more time for reflection," said they ; " Luther should be op- 
 posed by moderation and by reason, and not by anathemas." 
 Leo X. was again staggered. But immediately all that was 
 bad in Rome burst out into violent fury.|| Eck mustered his 
 recruits, and from all quarters, but especially from among the 
 Dominicans, auxiliaries rallied round him, overflowing with 
 anger and apprehension lest their victim should escape. " It 
 is unbecomhig the dignity of the Roman pontiff," said they, 
 " to give a reason to every little wretch that presumes to raise 
 his head ; ^ on the contrary, these obstinate people should be 
 crushed by force, lest others, after them, should imitate their 
 • audacity. It was in this way that the punishment of John 
 Huss, and of his disciple Jerome, terrified many : and if the 
 
 • Sarpi, Council of Trent. 
 
 + Stetimus nuper, papa, duo cardinales .... et e<i;o per qninque horas 
 in deliberatione. Eckii Epistola (3d May), in Luth. 0pp. Lat. ii. 48. 
 
 X Impetraturus abysses abyssorum succensunis s<iltum Libani. 
 
 L. Epp. i. 421-429. 
 
 § Scias, neminera Roma3 esse, si saltern sapiat, qui uon certo certius 
 sciat et cognoscat Martinum in plurimis veritatem dicere. Riedcrcr's 
 Nachrichten znr Kirclien Gelehrteu und Eucliergeschichte, i. \7i). 
 
 II Mali vero, quia Toritatem audirc coguntur insaniunt. Ibid. 
 
 11 Non decere Rom, Pont, unicuique Tilissimo homunculo rationem re<J- 
 dere debere. Ibid. 
 
THE KINCx OF CROWNS. 109 
 
 same thing had been done to Renchh'n, Luther wouldcierer 
 have dared what he has done." 
 
 At the same time the theologians of Cologne, Louvain, 
 and other universities, and even princes of Germany, either 
 by letter or through their envoys, daily urged, the pope in 
 private by the most pressing entreaties. But the most 
 earnest solicitations proceeded from a banker who, by his 
 wealth, possessed great influence at Rome, and who was 
 famiharly styled " the king of crowns."* The papacy has 
 always been more or less in the hands of those who have 
 lent it money. This banker was Fugger, the treasurer of 
 the indulgences. Inflamed with anger against Luther, and 
 very uneasy about his profits and his wares,-|- the Augsburg 
 merchant strained every nerve to exasperate the pope: 
 " Employ force against Luther," said he, " and I will pro- 
 mise you the alliance and support of several princes." It 
 would even appear that it was he who had sent Eck to 
 Rome.j: 
 
 This gave the decisive blow. The " king of crowns" was 
 victor in the pontifical city. It was not the sword of the 
 Gaul, but well-stored purses that were on this occasion 
 thrown into the balance. Eck prevailed at last. The poli- 
 ticians were defeated by the fanatics in the papal councils. 
 Leo gave way, and Luther's condemnation was resolved 
 upon. Eck breathed again. His pride was flattered by 
 the thought that it was he who had decided the destruc- 
 tion of his heretical rival, and thus saved the Church. 
 " It was fortunate," said he, '"' that I came to Rome at 
 this time,§ for they were but little acquainted with Luther's 
 errors. It v/ill one day be knoAvn how much I have done in 
 this can??".'* 
 
 Few were more active in supporting Doctor Eck than 
 Sylvester Mazzohni de Prierio, master of the sacred palace, 
 
 • Super omnia vero mercator ille Fuckerus, qui plurimum ob pecunias 
 Romse potest, utpote quern 7iuminorum regcm vocare solent. Riederer's 
 Nachrichten, i. 179. 
 
 + De qusestu suo ac beneficioium mcrcatura sollicitus. Ibid. 
 
 J Ejnsce rei causa Eckium illnin suum Romam misit. Ibid. 
 
 § Bonum fuit me venisse hoc tempore Romam. Ep. Eckii. 
 
110 THE POPE IS THE WORLD. 
 
 He h^d just published a work in which he laid down that 
 not only did the infallible decision of all controverted points 
 belong to the pope alone, but that the papal dominion was 
 the fifth monarchy prophesied by Daniel, and the only true 
 monarchy ; that the pope was the first of all ecclesiastical 
 princes, the father of all secular rulers, the chief of the world, 
 and, essentially, the world itself.* In another writing, he 
 affirmed that the pope is as much superior to the emperor, 
 as gold is more precious than lead ;-|- that the pope may elect 
 and depose both emperors and electors, establish and annul 
 positive rights, and that the emperor, though backed by all 
 the laws and nations of Christendom, cannot decide the least 
 thing against the pope's wnll. Such was thR voice that issued 
 from the palace of the sovereign pontiff; such was the mon- 
 strous fiction which, combined with the scholastic doctrines, 
 pretended to extinguish the dawning truth. If this fable had 
 not been unmasked as it has been, and even by learned men 
 in the Romish communion, there would have been neither 
 true religion nor true history. The papacy is not only a 
 lie in the face of the Bible ; it is so even in the face of the 
 annals of all nations. Thus the Keformation, by breaking 
 its charm, emancipated not only the Church,^ but also kings 
 and people. It has been said that the Rerorniation was a 
 political work; in this sense it is true; but this is only a 
 secondary sense. 
 
 Thus did God send forth a spirit of infatuation on the 
 Roman doctors. The separation between truth and error 
 had now become necessary ; and error was the instrument of 
 its accomplishment. If they had come to an agreement, it 
 could only have been at the expense of truth ; but, to take 
 away the smallest part of itself, is to prepare the way for its 
 complete annihilation. It is like the insect which is said to 
 die if one of its antennaj be removed. Truth requires to be 
 entire in all its members, in order to display tliat energy by 
 
 • Caput orbis et consequenter orbis totus in virtute. Do juridica et 
 irrefragabili veritate RomancB Ecclesiae. Bibl. Max. xix. cap. iv. 
 
 + Papa est iinperatore major dignitate plus quam aurura plombo. 
 ^e Papa et ejus potcstate, p. ;-571. 
 
GOD EFFECTS THE SEPARATION. Ill 
 
 which it is enabled to gain wide and salutary victories, and 
 to propagate itself through future ages. To mingle a little 
 error with truth is like throwing a grain of poison into a 
 w'ell-fiiled dish ; this one grain is sufficient to change the 
 nature of the food, and will cause death, slowly perhaps, but 
 surely. Those who defend Clirist's doctrine against the at- 
 tacks of its adversaries, as jealously keep watch upon its 
 remotest outworks as upon the body of the place ; for no 
 sooner has the enemy gained a footing in the least of these 
 positions, than his victory is not far distant. The Roman 
 pontiff resolved, at the period we have now reached, to rend 
 the Church, and the fragment that remains in his grasp, 
 however splendid it may be, ineffectually conceals under its 
 gorgeous ornaments the deleterious principle by which it is 
 attacked. Wherever the Word of God is, there is life. Luther, 
 however great his courage, would probably have kept silence, 
 if Rome had been silent herself, and liad affected to make a 
 few apparent concessions. But God had not abandoned the 
 Reformation to the weak heart of man. Luther was in the 
 hands of One more far-sighted than himself. Divine Provi- 
 dence made use of the pope to break every link between the 
 past and the future, and to launch the reformer into a new 
 path, unknown and undistinguishable to his eyes, the ap- 
 proaches of which )ie never^could have found unaided. The 
 pontifical bull was the letter of divorcement that Rome gave 
 to the pure Church of .lesus Christ in the person of him who 
 was then its humble but faithful representative; and the 
 Church accepted it, from that hour to depend solely on her 
 Head wdio is in heaven. 
 
 While, at Rome, Luther's condemnation was urged for- 
 ward with so much violence that an humble priest, living in 
 one of the simple towns of Helvetia, and who had never 
 held any communication with the reformer, was deeply 
 affected at the thought of the blow impending over him ; 
 and, while the friends of the Wittemberg doctor trembled and 
 remained silent, this child of the Swiss m.ountains resolved 
 to employ every means in his power to arrest the formidable 
 bulh His name was Ulrich Zwingle. William des Faucons, 
 secretary to the pope's legate in Switzerland and who, in 
 
112 A SWISS PRIEST PLEADS FOR LUTHER. 
 
 the legate's absence, was intrustetl vrith the affairs of Rome, 
 was his friend. " So long as I live," had said the nuncio 
 ad interim to him a few days before, " you may count on my 
 doing all that can be expected from a true friend." The Helve- 
 tian priest, trusting to this assurance, went to the nuncio's 
 office (such at least is the conclusion we draw from one 
 of his letters). He had no fear on his own part of the 
 dangers to which the evangelical faith exposed him ; he 
 knew that a disciple of Christ should always be ready to lay 
 down his hfe. " All that I ask of Christ for myself," said 
 he to a friend to whose bosom he confided his anxiety about 
 Luther, " is, that I may endure with the heart of a man the 
 evils that await me. I am a vessel of clay in His hands ; 
 let Him dash me in pieces or strengthen me, as seemeth good 
 to Him." * But tlie Swiss evangelist feared for the Chris- 
 tian Church, if so formidable a blow should strike the 
 reformer. He endeavoured to persuade the representative of 
 Rome to enlighten the pope, and to employ all the means in 
 his power to prevent Luther's excommunication.-]- " The 
 dignity of the holy see it#elf is interested in this," said 
 Zwingle, " for if matters should come to such a point, Ger- 
 many, overflowing with enthusiasm for the Gospel and for 
 the doctor who preaches it, will despise the pope and his 
 anathemas."! This intervention proved of no effect : it would 
 appear also that even at the time it Avas made, the blow had 
 been already struck. Such was the first occasion in which the 
 paths of the Saxon doctor and of the Swiss priest met. We 
 shall again find the latter in the course of this history, and 
 see him growing up and increasing to a lofty stature in the 
 Church of the Lord. 
 
 Luther's condemiiation being ovice resolved upon, new dif- 
 ficulties were raised in the consistory. The theologians were 
 of opinion that the fulmination should be issued immediately; 
 
 * Hoc unum Christum obtestans, ut masculo omnia pcctore ferre donet, 
 et me figulinura suum rumpat ant firmet, ut illi placitum sit. Zwinglii 
 Epistolae, curantibus Schulero et Schulthessio, p. 144. 
 
 + Ut pontificem admoneat, ne excoramunicationcm ferat. Ibid. 
 
 :J: Nam si feratur, auguror Germanos cum excommunicatione ponti- 
 ficem quoque conjtempturos. Ibid. 
 
THE ROMAN CONSISTORY. 113 
 
 the lawyers, on the contrary, that it should be preceded by a 
 summons. " Was not Adam first summoned ?" said they 
 to their theological colleague^ ; " so toO was Cain : WJiere 
 'is thy brother Abel, demanded the Almighty." To these 
 singular arguments drawn from the Holy Scriptures the 
 canonists added motives derived from the natural law : 
 " The evidence of a crime," said they, " cannot deprive a 
 criminal of his right of defence."^' It is pleasing to find 
 these principles of justice in a Roman assembly. But these 
 scruples were not to the taste of the divines in the aS'*- 
 scmbly, who, instigated by passion, thought only of going 
 immediately to work. One man in particular then came for- 
 ward whose opinions must of necessity have had great in- 
 fluence : this was De Vio, cardinal Cajetan, still labouring 
 under extreme vexation at his defeat in Augsburg, and the 
 little honour or profit he had derived from Iiis German mis- 
 sion. De Vio, who had returned to Rome in ill health, was 
 carried to the assembly on his couch. He would not miss 
 this paltry triumph, which afforded him some little consola- 
 tion. Although defeated at Augsburg, he desired to take 
 part at Rome in condemning this indomitable monk, before 
 whom he had witnessed the failure of all his learning, skill, 
 and authority. Luther was not there to reply : De Vio 
 thought himself invincible. " I have seen enough to know," 
 said he, " that if the Germans are not kept under by fire 
 and sword, they will entirely throw off tiie yoke of tlie Ro- 
 man Church."-|- Such a declaration from Cajetan could not 
 fail to have great weight. The cardinal was avenged of his 
 defeat and of the contempt of Germany. A final con- 
 ference, which Eck attended, was held in the pope's pre- 
 sence at his villa of Malliano. On the 15th of June the 
 Sacred College decided on the condemnaticn, and sanctioned 
 the famous bull. 
 
 " Arise, Lord!" said the Roman pontiff", speaking at 
 
 * Sarpi, Council of Trent, i. 12. 
 
 t Compertum igitur ss habere dicebat nisi igne et gladio Germani 
 oompescerentur, omninojugum Romanae Ecclesiae excussuros. Riederer'a 
 Nachrichten, i. 179. 
 
114 TlIK KLI.L. 
 
 this solemn moment as God's vicegerent and head of the 
 Church, " arise, judge thy cause, and call to mind the op- 
 probrium which madmen continually lieap on thee ! Arise, 
 Peter; remember thy Holy Roman Church, mother of all* 
 churciies; and qneen of the faitli ! Arise, Paul, for behold 
 a new Porphyry attacks thy doctrines and the holy popes, our 
 predecessors. Lastly, arise, ye assembly of saints, the holy 
 Church of God, and intercede with tlic Almighty!"^ 
 
 The pope tlien proceeds to (piote from Luther's works 
 forty-one pernicious, scandalous, and poisonous propositions, 
 in which tlie latter set fort)» tije !io!y doctrines of the Gospel. 
 The follovring propositions are included in the list: — 
 
 " To deny that sin remains in tlie child after baptism, is 
 to trample under foot both S.iint Paul and our Lord Jesus 
 Christ " 
 
 '' A new life is the best and sublimest penance." 
 
 " To burn heretics is contrary to the will of the Holy 
 Ghost," &c. &c. 
 
 '' So soon as this bull shall be published," continues the pope, 
 " the bishops shall make diligent search after the writings of 
 •Martin Luther that contain these errors, and burn them 
 pul)licly and solemnly in the presence of the clergy and laity. 
 As for Martin himself, what have we not done ? Imitating 
 the long-suffering of God Almighty, we are still ready to 
 receive him again into the bosom of the Church, and we 
 grant him sixty days in which to forward us his recantation 
 in a paper, sealed by two prelates ; or else, which would be far 
 more agreeable to us, for him to come to Rome in pers<5n, in 
 order that no one may entertain any doubts of his obedience. 
 I^Ieanwhile, and from this very moment, he must give up 
 j)reaching, teaching, and writing, and commit his works to 
 the flames. And if he does not retract in the space of sixty 
 ('ays, we by these presents condenm both him and his ad- 
 herents as open and obstii^.ate heretics." The pope then 
 pronounces a number of exconununications, maledictions, 
 and interdicts, against Luther and iiis ]iartisans, with orders 
 
 * L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 305, and 0pp. Lat. i. 32. 
 
UNHOLY ALLIANCE. 115 
 
 to seize their persons and send them to Rome.* We may 
 easily conceive what would have become of these noble- 
 minded confessors of the Gospel in the papal dmigeons. 
 
 Thus was the tempest gathering over Luther's head. If 
 might have been imagined, after the affair of Reuchlin, that 
 the court of Rome would no longer make common cause with 
 the Dominicans and the Inquisition. But now the latter 
 had the upper hand, and tJie ancient alliance was solemnly 
 renewed. The bull was published ; and for centuries Rome 
 had not pronounced a sentence of condemnation that her 
 arm had not followed up with death. This murderous mes- 
 sage was about to leave the Seven Hills, and reach the Saxon 
 monk in his cell. The moment was aptly chosen. It might 
 be supposed that the new emperor, who had so many reasons 
 for courting the pope's friendship, would be eager to deserve 
 it by sacrificing to him an obscure monk. Already Leo X., 
 the cardinals, nay all Rome, exulted in their victory, and 
 fancied they saw their enem^^t their feet. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Wittemberg— Melancthon — His Marriage — Catherine — Domestic Life — 
 Benevolence— Good Humour— Christ and Antiquity — Labour — Love 
 of Letters— His Mother— Revolt of the Student,?. 
 
 While the inhabitants of the eternal city were thus agitated, 
 more tranquil scenes were passing at Wittemberg. ]\Ielanc- 
 thon was there diffusing a mild but brilliant light. From 
 fifteen hundred to two thousand auditors, collecting from 
 Germany, England, the Loav Countries, France, Italy, Hun- 
 gary, and Greece, were often assembled around him. He 
 was twenty-four years of age, and had not entered the eccle- 
 siastical state. There were none in Wittemberg who were 
 * Sub prsedictis pcenis, prsefatum Lutherum, complices, adherentes, 
 receptatores et fautatores, personaliter capiant et ad nos mittant. Bulla 
 Leonis, loc. cit. 
 
116 
 
 not delighted to receive the visits of this young professor, at 
 once so learned and so amiable. Foreign universities, Ingol- 
 stadt in particular, desired to attract him within their walls. 
 His Wittemberg friends were eager to retain him among 
 them by the tics of marriage. Although Luther wished 
 that his dear friend Phihp might fmd a consort, he openly 
 declared that^ he would not be his adviser in this matter. 
 Others took this task upon themselves. The young doctor 
 frequented, in particular, the house of the burgomaster Krapp, 
 who belonged to an ancient family. Krapp had a dauglitcr 
 named Catherine, a woman of mild character and great 
 sensibility. Melancthon's friends urged him to demand her 
 in marriage: but the young scholar vras absorbed in his 
 books, and would hear no mention of anything besides. 
 His Greek autliors and his Testament were his delight. 
 The arguments of his friends he met with other arguments. 
 At length they extorted his consent. All the prehminary 
 steps were arranged, and Qntherine was given him to 
 wife. He received her very coldly,* and said wuth a sigh : 
 " It is God's will! I must renounce my studies and my 
 pleasures to comply M'ith the wishes of my friends." y 
 He appreciated, however, Catherine's good qualities. " The 
 young woman," said he, " has just such a character and 
 education as I should have asked of God: di^ia 6 Qihg 
 -sz/j.ahoilo.'\ Certainly she deserves a better husband." 
 Matters were settled in the month of August ; the betrothal 
 took place on the 25th of September, and at the end of 
 November the wedding was celebrated. Old John Luther 
 with his wife and daughters visited Wittemberg on this 
 occasion. § j\Iany learned men and people of note ^vere 
 present at the nuptials. 
 
 The young bride felt as much affection as the young 
 professor gave evidence of coldness. Always anxious about 
 her husband, Catherine grew alarmed at the least prospect 
 of any danger that threatened her dear partner. Whenever 
 
 * Uxor enim datnr mihi non dico qnam frigenti. Corp. Ref. i. 211. 
 + Ego meis studiis, niea me voluptate fraudo. Ibid. 26.5. 
 X May God, by his riglit hand, prosper this matter ! Ibid. 212. 
 § Parontes mei cum sororibus nuptias honorarunt Philippi. L. Epp 
 i. 528. 
 
Catherine's domestic life. , 117 
 
 Melancthon proposed taking any step of such a nature as to 
 compromise himself, she overwhelmed him with entreaties 
 to renounce it. " I was compelled," wrote Melancthon 
 
 on one such occasion, " to give way to her weakness 
 
 such is our lot." How many infidelities in the Church may 
 have had a similar origin ! Perhaps we should ascribe to 
 Catherine's influence the timidity and fears with which her 
 husband has so often been reproached. Catherine Avas*an 
 affectionate mother as well as loving wife. She was liberal 
 in her alms to the poor. " God ! do not abandon me in 
 my old age, when my hair begins to turn gray!" such was 
 the daily prayer of this pious and timid woman. Melanc- 
 thon was soon conquered by his wife's affection. When 
 he had once tasted the joys of domestic life, he felt all their 
 sweetness: he was formed for such pleasures. Nowhere 
 did he feel himself happier than with Catherine and his 
 children. A French traveller one day finding " the master 
 of Germany" rocking his child's cradle with one hand, and 
 holding a book in the other, started back w^th surprise. But 
 Melancthon, without being disconcerted, explained to him 
 with so much warmth the value of children in the eyes of 
 God, that the stranger quitted the house wiser (to use his 
 own words) than he had entered it. 
 
 Melancthon's marriage gave a domestic circle to the 
 Reformation. There was from this time 'one house in 
 Wittemberg always open to those who were inspired by 
 the new life. The concourse of strangers was immense.* 
 They came to Melancthon on a thousand different matters ; 
 and the established regulations of his household enjoined him 
 to refuse nothing to any one.j The young professor was ex- 
 tremely disinterested whenever good was to be done. When 
 all his money was spent, he would secretly carry his plate 
 to some merchant, caring little about depriving himself of 
 it, since it gave him wherewithal to comfort the distressed. 
 " Accordingly it would have been impossible for him to 
 provide for the wants of himself and family," says his 
 
 ' Videres in sedibus illis perpetuo accedentes et introeuntes et dia- 
 cedente? atque exeuntes aliquos. Camerar. Vita Melancth. p. 40. 
 + Ea domus disciplina erat, lit nihil cuiqnam negaretur. Ibid. 
 
118 melancthon's good nature. 
 
 friend Camerarius, " if a Divine and secret blessing had 
 not from time to time furnished him the means." His 
 good nature was extreme. He possessed several ancient 
 gold and silver medals, remarkable for their inscriptions and 
 figures. He shov/ed them one day to a stranger who 
 called upon him. " Take any one you like," said Melanc- 
 thon.— " I should like them all," replied the stranger. I 
 confess (says Philip) that this unreasonable request dis- 
 pleased me a little at first; I nevertheless gave them to 
 him.* 
 
 There was in Melancthon's writings a perfume of anti- 
 quity, which did not however prevent the sweet savour 
 of Christ from exhaling from every part, while it com- 
 municated to them an inexpressible charm. There is not 
 one of his letters addressed to his friends in which we 
 are not reminded in the most natural manner of the wisdom 
 of Homer, Plato, Cicero, and Pliny, Christ ever remaining 
 his Master and his God. Spalatin had asked him the 
 meaning of this expression of Jesus Christ, Without me ye 
 can do nothing (John xv. 5). Melancthon referred him to 
 Luther. " Cur agam gestum, spectonte Roscio ? to use 
 Cicero's words,"7 said he. He then continues : " This 
 passage signifies that we must be absorbed in Christ, 
 so that we ourselves no longer act, but Christ Hves in 
 us. As the Divine nature was incorporated with the human 
 in the person of Christ, so man must be incorporated with 
 Jesus Christ by faith." 
 
 The illustrious scholar generally retired to rest shortly 
 after supper. At two or three o'clock in the morning he 
 was again at his studies. J: It was during these early hours 
 that his best works were written. His manuscripts usually 
 lay on the table exposed to the view of every visiter, so 
 that he was robbed of several. When he had invited any 
 of his friends to his house, he used to beg one of them to 
 read before sitting down to table some small composition 
 
 " Sed dedisse nihilominus illos. Camerar. Vita Melancth. p. 43. 
 
 •\ How can I declaim in the presence of Roscius ? Corp. Ref. Epp. 
 13th April, 1 520. 
 
 Z Surgebat mox aut non longo intervallo post mediam noctenu Ob- 
 m«rar. p. 56. 
 
LOVE OF l-ETTEllS. 119 
 
 in prose or verse. He always took some young men with 
 him during his journeys. He conversed witli them in a 
 manner at once amusing and instructive. If the conversa- 
 tion languished, each of them had to recite in turn passages 
 extracted from the ancient poets. He made frequent use 
 of irony, tempering it, liow^ever, with great mildness. " He 
 scratches and bites," said he of himself, " and yet he does no 
 harm." 
 
 Learning was his passion. The great object of his Hfe 
 was to diffuse literature and knowledge. Let us not for- 
 get that in his estimation the Holy Scriptures ranked far 
 above the writings of pagan authors. '' I apply myself solely 
 to one thing," said he, " the defence of letters. By our 
 example we must excite youth to the admiration of learning, 
 and induce them to love it for its own sake, and not for the 
 advantage that may be deprived from it. The destruction of 
 learning brings with it the ruin of everything that is good : 
 religion, morals. Divine and human things.* The better a 
 man is, the greater his ardour in the preservation of learn- 
 ing ; for he knows that of all plagues, ignorance is the most 
 pernicious." 
 
 Some time after his marriage, Melanctlion, in company 
 with Camerarius and other friends, made a journey to Bretten 
 in the Palatinate, to visit his beloved mother. As soon as 
 he caught sight of his birthplace, he got off his^horse, fell on 
 his knees, and returned thanks to God for having permitted 
 him to see it once more. Margaret almost fainted with joy 
 as she embraced her son. She wished him to stay at 
 Bretten, and begged him earnestly to adhere to the faith of 
 his fathers. Melancthon excused himself in this respect, 
 but with great delicacy, lest he should wound his mother's 
 feelings. He had much difficulty in leaving her again ; and 
 whenever a traveller brought him news from his natal city, 
 he was as delighted as if he had again returned (to use 
 his own words) to the joys of his childhood. Such was the 
 private Hfe of one of the greatest instruments of the religious 
 Revolution of the sixteenth century. 
 
 • Religionem, mores, humana divinaque omnia labefactat literarum 
 inscitia. Corp. Ref. i. 2C7. 22d July 1520. 
 
120 REVOLT OF THE STUDENTS. 
 
 A disturbance, however, occurred to trouble these domestic 
 scenes and the studious activity of Wittemberg. The students 
 came to blows with the citizens. The rector displayed great 
 weakness. We may imagine what was Melancthon's sorrow 
 at beholding the excesses committed by these disciples of learn- 
 ing. Luther was indignant : he was far from desiring to 
 gain popularity by an unbecoming conciliation. The oppro- 
 brium these disorders reflected on the university pierced 
 him to the heart.* He went into the pulpit, and preached 
 forcibly against these seditions, caUing upon both parties to 
 submit to the magistrates. 7 His sermon occasioned great irri- 
 tation : " Satan," said he in one of his letters, " being unable 
 to attack us from without, desires to injure us from within. I 
 am not afraid of him ; but I fear lest God's anger should light 
 upon us, because we have not becomingly received His Word. 
 These last three years I have been thrice exposed to great 
 danger: At Augsburg in 1518, at Leipzic in 1519, and now 
 in 1520 at AVittemberg. It is neither by wisdom nor by arms 
 that the renovation of the Church will be accomplished, but 
 by humble prayers, by a faith full of courage, that puts 
 Christ on our side.j: My dear friend, unite thy prayers with 
 mine, for fear the wicked spirit should make use of this 
 small spark to kindlo a great conflagration." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Gospel in Italy — Sermon on the Mass — Babylonish Captivity of the 
 Church— Baptism — Abolition of other Vows — Progress of Reform. 
 
 But more terrible combats than these awaited Luther. 
 Rome was brandishing the sword with wliich she was about 
 to strike the Gospel. The rumour of tlie condemnation that 
 
 * Urit me ista confusio academise nostra?. L. Epp. i. 467. 
 -f- Commendans potestatem magistratuum. Ibid. 
 
 + Nee prudentia nee armis, sed humili oratione et forti fide, 
 
 quibus obtineamus Christum pro nobis. Ibid. 469. 
 
THE GOSPEL IN ITAJ-Y. 121 
 
 was destined to fall upon him, far from dispiriting the re- 
 former, augmented his courage. He manifested no anxiety 
 to parry the blows of this haughty power. It is by inflict- 
 ing more terrible blows himself that he will neutralize those . 
 of his adversaries. "NVhile the transalpine assemblies are 
 thundering out anathemas against him, he will bear the 
 sword of the Word into the midst of the Italian people. 
 Letters from Venice spoke of the favour with which Luther's 
 sentiments were received there. He burnt with desire to 
 send the Gospel across the Alps. Evangelists were wanted 
 to carry it thither. " I wish," said he, " that we had living 
 books, that is, preachers,* and that we could multiply and 
 protect them everywhere, in order that they might convey 
 to the people a knowledge of holy things. The prince could 
 not undertake a more glorious task. If the people of Italy 
 should receive the truth, our cause would then be impreg- 
 nable." It does not appear that Luther's project was real- 
 ized. In later years, it is true, evangelical men, even Calvin 
 himself, sojourned for a short period in Italy ; but for the pre- 
 sent Luther's designs were not carried out. He had addressed 
 one of the mighty princes of the world : if he had appealed to 
 men of humble rank, but full of zeal for the kingdom of 
 God, the result might have been different. At that period, 
 the idea generally prevailed, that everything should be done 
 by governments, and the association of simple individuals, — 
 that power which is now effecting such great things in Chris- 
 tendom, — was almost unknown. 
 
 If Luther did not succeed in his projects for propagating 
 the truth in distant countries, he was only the more zealous 
 in announcing it himself. It was at this time that he 
 preached his sermon on the Mass at Wittemberg.f In this 
 discourse he inveighs against the numerous sects of the 
 Romish Church, and reproaches it, with reason, for its want 
 of unity. " The multiplicity of spiritual laws," says he, 
 " has filled the world with sects and divisions. Priests, 
 monks, and laymen have come to hate each other more than 
 
 • Si vivos Itbros, hoc est concionatores possemus muItipKcare. L. Epp. i. 
 491. 
 t L. 0pp. (L.) xvu. 490. 
 VOL. n. 6 
 
122 SEiniON ON THE MASS BABYLONISH CAPXmTY. 
 
 the Christians hate the Turks. What do I say? Priests 
 against priests, and monks against monks, are deadly enemies. 
 Each one is attached to his own sect, and despises all others. 
 The unity and charity of Christ are at an end." — He next 
 attacks the doctrine that the mass is a sacrifice, and has some 
 virtue in itself. " What is most precious in every sacrament, 
 and consequently in the eucharist," says he, " is the promises 
 and the Word of God. Without faith in this Word and these 
 promises, the sacrament is dead ; it is a body without a soul, 
 a vessel without wine, a purse without money, a type with- 
 out fulfilment, a letter without spirit, a casket without 
 jewels, a scabbard without a SAVord." 
 
 Luther's voice was not, however, confined to Wittemberg, 
 and if he did not find missionaries to bear his instructions to 
 distant lands, God had provided amissionary of anew kind. The 
 printing-press was the successor of the Evangelists. This vv as 
 the breaching-battery employed against tlic Eoman fortress. 
 Luther had prepared a mine the explosion of wliich shook 
 the edifice of Rome to its lowest foundations. This was the 
 publication of his famous book on the Bahylonisli Captivity 
 of the Church, which appeared on the 6th of October 1520.* 
 Never did man, in so critical a position, display greater 
 courage. 
 
 In this work he first sets forth with haughty irony all 
 the advantages for which he is indebted to his enemies : — 
 
 " Whether I will it or not," said he, " I become wiser every 
 day, urged on as I am by so many illustrious masters. Two 
 years ago, I attacked indulgences, but with so much indeci- 
 sion and fear, that I am now asliamed of it. There is no 
 cause for astonishment in this, for I was alone when I 
 set this stone rolling." He thanks Prierio, Eck, Emser, 
 and his other adversaries : " I denied," continued he, " that 
 the papacy was of Divine origin, but I granted that it was 
 of numan right. Now, after reading all the subtleties on 
 which these gentry have set up their idol, I know that the 
 papacy is none other than the kingdom of Babylon, and 
 the Tioleuce of Nimrod the mighty hunter. I therefore 
 
 • L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 63 ; and Leips. xvii. 511. 
 
BAPTISM. 123 
 
 beseech all my friends and all the booksellers to burn 
 the books that I have written on this subject, and to sub- 
 stitute this one proposition in their place: The papacy- 
 is a general chase led by the Roman bishop, to catch and de- 
 stroy 50lt?5."* 
 
 Luther next proceeds to attack the prevailing errors on the 
 sacraments, monastic vows, &c. He reduces the seven sacra- 
 ments of the Church to three ; namely, Baptism, Penance, 
 and the Lord's Supper. After explaining the true nature 
 of this Supper, he passes on to baptism ; and it is here 
 in particular that he lays doAvn the excellence of faith, 
 and vigorously attacks Rome. " God," says he, " has 
 preserved this sacrament alone free from human tradi- 
 tions. God has said: He that believeth and is baptized, 
 shall he saved. This promise of God should be preferred 
 before all the glory of works, all vows, all satisfactions, 
 all ii>dulgences, and all inventions of man. Now, upon 
 this promise, if we receive it with faith, depends our whole 
 salvation. If we believe, our hearts are strengthened by 
 the Divine promise; and though the believer should be 
 forsaken of all, this promise in which he believes will 
 never forsake him. With it, he will resist the adversary 
 ,who lies in wait for his soul, and be prepared to meet 
 remorseless death, and stand before the judgment seat 
 of God. It will be his consolation in all his trials to 
 say: God's promises never deceive: of their truth I re- 
 ceived a pledge at my baptism ; if God is for me, who Ihall 
 be against me ? Oh, how rich is the Christian that has 
 been baptized ! Nothing can destroy him except he refuse to 
 beheve. 
 
 " Perhaps to what I have said on tbe necessity of faith, 
 they will object to me the baptism of little children. But 
 as the Word of God is mighty to change even the heart of 
 a wicked man, who is however neither less deaf nor • 
 ignorant than a little child ; in like manner also the prayers 
 of the Church, to which all things are possible, change the 
 
 * Papatus est robusta venatio Romani episcopi. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 
 64. 
 
124 ABOLITION OF MONASTIC VOWS. 
 
 little child, by the faith that it pleases God to place in his 
 heart, and thus purifies and renews it."* 
 
 After having thus explained the doctrine of baptism, 
 Luther wields it as a weapon of offence against the papacy. 
 In fact, if the Christian finds all his salvation in the renewal 
 of. his baptism by faith, what need has he of the Romish 
 ordinances ? 
 
 " For this reason, I declare," says Luther, " that neither 
 the pope, nor the bishop, nor any man whatsoever, has 
 authority to. impose the least thing on a Christian, unless it 
 be with his own consent. All that is done without it 
 is an act of tyranny.-]- We are free as regards all men. 
 The vow that we made at our baptism is sufficient of itself, 
 and is more than we can ever fulfil.:]: All other vows 
 may therefore be abolished. Let every man who enters 
 the priesthood or any religious order clearly understand, 
 that the works of a monk or of a priest differ in no 
 respect before God from those of a peasant who tills 
 his fields, or of a woman who manages her house. § God 
 estimates all things by the standard of faith. And it 
 often happens that the simple labour of a serving man 
 or maiden is more acceptable to God than the fasts and 
 
 works of a monk, because the latter are void of faith 
 
 Christians are God's true people, led captive to Babylon, 
 where everything has been taken from them which baptism 
 hath given." 
 
 Such were the weapons by which that religious revolu- 
 tion whose history we are retracing was effected. First, 
 
 * Sicut enim Verbum Dei potens est dum sonat, etiam impii cor 
 immutare, quod non minus est surdum et incapax quam ullus parvulus ; 
 ita per orationem Ecclesis ofFerentis et credentis, parvulus, Jade infusa, 
 mutatur, mundatur et renovatur. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 77. 
 
 i* Dico itaque, neque papa, neque episcopus, neque ullus hominum 
 habet jus unius syllabic constituendaj super Christianum honiuem, uisi 
 id fiat ejusdem consensu ; quidquid aliter fit, tyrannico spiritu fit. 
 Ibid. ■ ' • 
 
 X Generali edicto tollere vota abunde enim vovimus in baptismo, et 
 
 plus quam possimus implere. Ibid. 78. 
 
 § Opera quantum libet sacra et ardua religiosorum et sacerdotum, 
 in oculis Dei prorsus nihil distare ab operibus rustici in agfo laborantis, 
 aut mulieris in domo sua curantis. Ibid. 
 
PROGRESS OF THE REFORM. 125 
 
 the necessity of faith was re-established, and then the 
 reformers employed it as a weapon to dash to atoms every 
 superstition. It is with this power of God, which removes 
 mountains, that they attacked so many errors. These words 
 of Luther, and many others like them, circulating through 
 cities, convents, and rural districts, were the leaven that 
 leavened the whole mass. 
 
 Luther terminates this famous writing on the Captivity of 
 Babylon with these words : — 
 
 " I hear that new papal excommunications are about to 
 be fabricated against me. If it be true, this present book 
 must be considered as part of my future recantation. The 
 remainder will soon follow, to prove my obedience, and the 
 complete work will form, with Christ's aid, such a whole as 
 Rome has never heard or seen the like." 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Fresh Negotiations — The Augustines at Eisleben — Miltitz — Deputa- 
 tion 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. 
 
 After such a publication, ail hope of reconciliation between 
 Luther and the pope must of necessity have vanished. The 
 incompatibility of the reformer's faith with the doctrines of the 
 Church must have struck the least discerning ; but precisely 
 at that very time fresh negotiations had been opened. Five ' 
 weeks before the publication of the Captivity of Babylon ^ at 
 the end of August 1520, the general chapter of the Augustine 
 monks was held at Eisleben.^ The venerable Staupitz there 
 resigned the general vicarship of the order, and it was con- 
 ferred on AVenceslas Link, the same who had accompanied 
 Luther to Augsburg.* The indefatigable Miltitz suddenly 
 
 * See Vol. I. p. 368. 
 
126 MILTITZ AND THE AUGUSTINES AT EISLEBEN. 
 
 arrived in the midst of the proceedings.* He was ardently 
 desirous of reconciling Luther with the pope. His vanity, 
 his avarice, and above all, his jealousy and hatred, were 
 deeply interested in this result. Eck and his boastings 
 annoyed him ; he knew that the Ingolstadt doctor had been 
 decrying him at Rome, and he would liave made every 
 sacrifice to baffle, by a peace that should be promptly con- 
 cluded, the schemes of this importunate rival. The interests 
 of religion were mere secondary matters in his eyes. One 
 day, as he relates, he was dining with the Bishop of Leissen. 
 The guests had already made pretty copious libations, when 
 a new work of Luther's was laid before them. It was opened 
 and read ; the bishop grew angry ; the official swore : but 
 Miltitz burst into a hearty ]augh.-|- He dealt with the Re- 
 formation as a man of the world ; Eck as a theologian. 
 
 Aroused by the arrival of Dr. Eck, Miltitz addressed the 
 chapter of the Augustines in a speech, delivered with a 
 strong Italian accent,^ thinking thus to impose on his 
 simple fellow-countrymen. "The whole Augustine order," 
 said he, " is compromised in this aitair. Show me the 
 means of restraining Luther.";:- — "We have nothing to do 
 with the doctor," repUed the fothers, " and cannot give you 
 advice." They relied no doubt on the release from the 
 obligations to his order which Staupitz had given Luther 
 at Augsburg. Miltitz persisted : " Let a deputation from 
 this venerable chapter wait upon Luther, and entreat liim 
 t-o write to the pope, assuring him that he has never plotted 
 against his person. || That will be sufficient to put an end 
 to the matter." The chapter complied with the nuncio's 
 demand, and commissioned, no doubt at his OAvn request, 
 the former vicar-general and his successor (Staupitz and 
 Link) to speak to Luther. This deputation immediately 
 set out for Wittemberg, bearing a letter from INIiltitz to 
 
 * Nondnm tot pressus difficultatibus aiiimum desponderat Miltitius...... 
 
 di^nus profecto uon mediocri laude. Pallavicini, i. Go. 
 
 t Der Bibchof entriistet, der Official <,'eflucliet,eraber gelachet habe. 
 Seckeud. p. 266. 
 
 t Orationera habuit Italica pronuntiatioue vestitam. L. Epp. i. 483. 
 
 § Petens consilium super me compescendo. Ibid. 
 
 U Nihil me in personam suam fuisse molitara. Ibid. 484. 
 
DEPUTATION TO LUTIIEK. 127 
 
 the doctor, filled with expressions of the greatest respect. 
 " There is no time to lose," said he ; " the thunder-storm, 
 already gathering over the reformer's head, will soon burst 
 forth ; and then all will be over." 
 
 Neither Luther nor the deputies who shared in his senti- 
 ments* expected any success from a letter to the pope. 
 But tliat was an additional reason for not refusing to write 
 one. Such a letter could only be a mere matter of form, 
 which would set the justice of Luther's cause in a still 
 stronger hght. " This Italianized Saxon (Miltitz)," thought 
 Luther, " is no doubt looking to his own private interest in 
 making the request. Well, then, let it be so ! I will write, 
 in conformity with the truth, that I have never entertained 
 any designs against the pope's person. I must be on my 
 guard against attacking the see of Rome itself too violently. 
 Yet I will sprinkle it with its OAvn salt." f 
 
 But not long after, the doctor was informed of the arrival 
 of the bull in Germany; on the 3d of October, he told 
 Spalatin that he would not write to the pope, and on the 
 6th of the same month, he pubhshed his book on the Capti- 
 vity of Babylon. Miltitz was not even yet discouraged. 
 The desire of humbling Eck made him believe in impossi- 
 bihties. On the 2d of October, he had written to the elector 
 full of hope : " All will go on well ; but, for the love of God, 
 do not delay any longer to pay me the pension that you and 
 your brother have given me these several years past. I 
 require money to gain new friends at Rome. Write to the 
 pope, pay homage to the young cardinals, the relations of 
 his holiness, in gold and silver pieces from the electoral^ 
 mint, and add to them a few for me also, for I have been 
 robbed of those that you gave me." j 
 
 Even after Luther had been informed of the bull, the 
 intriguing Miltitz was not discouraged. He requested -to 
 have a conference with Luther at Lichtemberg. The 
 elector ordered • the latter to go there ;§ but his friends, 
 
 * Quibus omnibus causa mea non displicet. L. Epp. i. 486. 
 
 -f- Aspergetur tamen sale suo. Ibid. 
 
 :J: Den Pabsts Nepoteu, zAvei oder drei Churfiirstliche Gold und 
 Silberstiicke, 7a\ verehren. Secker.d. p. 267. 
 
 § Sicut princeps ordinavit. L. Epp. i. ion. 
 
128 CONFERENCE AT LICHTEMBERG. 
 
 and above all, the affectionate !Melancthon, opposed it.* 
 "What!" thought they; "accept a conference with the 
 nuncio in so distant a place, at the very moment when the 
 bull is to appear which commands Luther to be seized and 
 carried to Rome ! Is it not clear that, as Dr. Eck is unable 
 to approach the reformer on account of the open manner in 
 which he has shown his hatred, the crafty chamberlain has 
 taken upon himself to catch Luther in his toils ? " 
 
 These fears had no power to stop tlie Witteraberg doctor. 
 The prince has commanded, and he will obey. " I am 
 setting out for Lichtemberg," he wrote to the chaplain on 
 the 11th of October; "pray for me." His friends would 
 not abandon him. Towards evening of the same day, he 
 entered Lichtemberg on horseback, accompanied by thirty 
 cavaliers, among whom was Melancthon. The papal nuncio 
 arrived about the same time, with a train of four persons.-J- 
 Was not this moderate escort a mere trick to inspire confi- 
 dence in Luther and his friends ? ' 
 
 Miltitz was very pressing in his solicitations, assuring 
 Luther that the blame would be thrown on Eck and his 
 fooHsh vaunting, J and that all would be concluded to the 
 satisfaction of both parties. "Well then!" replied Luther, 
 " I offer to keep silence henceforward, provided my adver- 
 saries are silent likewise. For the sake of peace, I will do 
 everything in my power." § 
 
 Miltitz was filled with joy. He accompanied Luther as 
 far as Wittemberg. The reformer and the nuncio entered 
 side by side into that city which Doctor Eck was already 
 approaching, presenting with a threatening hand the for- 
 midable bull that was intended to crush the Reformation 
 " We shall bring this business to a happy conclusion," 
 wrote Miltitz to the elector immediately; "thank the pope 
 
 * Invito praEceptore (Melancthon) nescio quanta metuente. L. 
 'Epp. i. 455. 
 
 t Jener von mehr als dreissig, diser aber kaum mit vier Pferden 
 begleitet. Seckend. p. 268. 
 
 Z Totum pondus in Eccium versurus. L. Epp. i. 496. 
 
 § Ut nihil videar omittcre quod in me ad pacem quoquo modo facere 
 pcssit. Ibid. 
 
129 
 
 for the rose, and at the same time seiid forty or fifty florins 
 to the Cardinal Quatuor Sanctorum.^''* 
 
 Luther had now to fulfil his promise of writing to the 
 pope. Before bidding Rome farewell for ever, he was de- 
 sirous of proclaiming to her once more some important and 
 salutary truths. Many readers, from ignorance of the senti- 
 ments that animated the writer, will consider his letter as a 
 caustic writing, a bitter and insolent satire. 
 
 All the evils that afilicted Christendom he sincerely 
 ascribed to Rome: on this ground, his language cannot 
 be regarded as insolent, but as containing the most solemn 
 warnings. The greater his affection for Leo, and the greater 
 his love for the Church of Christ, the more he desires to 
 lay bare the extent of its wound. The energy of his ex- 
 pressions is a scale by which to measure the energy of his 
 affections. The moment is come for striking a decisive 
 blow. We may almost imagine we see a prophet going 
 round the city for the last time, reproaching it with its 
 abominations, revealing the judgments of the Almighty, and 
 calling out " Yet a few days more ! " ..f.^ 
 
 The following is Luther's letter : — 
 
 " To the most holy Father in God, Leo X., Pope at Rome, 
 be all health in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. 
 
 " From the midst of the violent battle which for three 
 years I have been fighting against dissolute men, I cannot 
 hinder myself from sometimes looking towards you, Leo, 
 most holy Father in God! And although the madness of 
 your impious flatterers has constrained me to appeal from 
 your judgment to a future council, my heart has never been 
 alienated from your holiness, and I have never ceased pray- 
 ing constantly and with deep groaning for your prosperity 
 and for that of your pontificate.f 
 
 " It is true that I have attacked certain antichristian doc- 
 trines, and have inflicted a deep wound upon my adver- 
 saries, because of their impiety. I do not repent of this, 
 for I have the example of Christ before me. What is the 
 
 * Seckend. p. 268. 
 
 + Ut non totis viribus, sedulis atque quantum in me fuit gemebundis 
 precibus apud Deum quaesierim. L. Epp. i. 498. 
 
 6* 
 
130 LETTER TO THE POPE. 
 
 usepf salt, if it hath lost its pungency ; or of the edge of the 
 sword, if it cuts not?* Cursed be the man who does the 
 Lord's work coldly! Most excellent Leo, far from ever having 
 entertained an evil thought in your respect, I wish you the 
 most precious blessings for eternity. I have done but one 
 thing — upheld the Word of truth. I am ready to submit 
 to you in every thing ; but as for this Yf ord, I will not — I 
 cannot abandon it.-|- He who thinks differently from me, 
 thinks erroneously. 
 
 " It is true that I have attacked the court of Rome ; but 
 neither you nor any man on earth can deny that it is more 
 corrupt than Sodom and Gomorrah; and that the impiety 
 prevaihng there is past all hope of cure. Yes ! I have been 
 'filled with horror at seeing that under your name the poor 
 people of Christ .have been made a sport of. This I opposed, 
 and I will oppose it again ; not that I imagine I shall be 
 able, despite the opposition of flatterers, to prosper in any- 
 thing connected with this Babylon, wliich is confusion itself; 
 but I owe it to my brethren, in order that some may escape, 
 if possible, from these terrible scourges. 
 
 " You are aware that Rome for many years past has in- 
 undated the world with all that could destroy both body and 
 soul. The Church of Rome, once the foremost in sanctity, 
 is become the most hcentious den of robbers, the most shame- 
 less of all brothels, the kingdom of sin, of death, and of hell,f 
 which Antichrist himself, if he were to appear, could not in- 
 crease in wickedness. All this is clearer than the sun at 
 noonday. 
 
 " And yet, Leo ! you sit like a lamb in the midst of 
 wolves, like Daniel in the lions' den ! What can you do alone 
 against such monsters? Perhaps there are three or four 
 cardinals who combine learning with virtue. But what are 
 they against so great a number ! You -would all die of poison, 
 before being able to make trial of any remedy. The fate of 
 
 * Quid prodierit sal, si non mordeat ? Quid os gladii, si non ca^dat ? 
 
 L. Epp. i. 499. 
 + Verbum deserere et negare nee possum, nee volo. Ibid, 
 t Facta est spelunca latronum licentiosissima, lupanar omnium 
 
 Impudentissimum, regnum peccati, mortis, et inferni. Ibid. 500. 
 
LETTER TO THE POPE. 131 
 
 the court of Rome is decreed ; God's wrath is upon it, and 
 will consume it.* It hates good advice, dreads reform, will 
 itot mitigate the fury of its impiety, and thus deserves that 
 men should speak of this city as of its mother : We would 
 Imxe healed Babylon, tut she is not healed : forsake her^-^ 
 It was for you and your cardinals to have appUed the remedy; 
 but the sick man mocks the physician, and the horse will 
 not obey the rein. 
 
 '•' Full of affection for you, most excellent Leo, I have al- 
 n^ays regretted that you, whet are worthy of better times, 
 should have been raised to the pontificate in such days as 
 these. Rome merits you not, nor tliosc who resemble you ; 
 she deserves to have Satan iiimself for her king. So true it 
 is that he reigns niorc tlian you in that Babylon. Would 
 to God that, laying aside that glory which your enemies so 
 loudly extol, you would exchange it for some small hving, or 
 would support yourself on your paternal inheritance; for 
 
 none but Iscariots deserve such honour my dear Leo, 
 
 of what use are you in this Roman court, except that the 
 basest men employ your name and power to ruin fortunes, 
 destroy souls, multiply crimes, oppress the faith, the truth, 
 and the whole Church of God? Leo I Leo! you are the 
 most unhappy of men, and yon sit on the most dangerous of 
 thrones ! I tell you the truth because I mean you well. 
 
 " Is it not true that under the spreading firmament of 
 heaven there is nothing more corrupt or more detestable than 
 the Romish court ? It infinitely exceeds the Turks in vices 
 and corruption. Once it was the gate of lieavcn, now it is 
 the mouth of hell; a mouth which the wrath, of God keeps 
 ope'n so wide,t that on witnessing the unhappy people rushing 
 into it, I cannot but utter a warning cry, as in a tempest, that 
 some at least may be saved from the terrible gulf. 
 
 " Behold, Leo, my Father! why I have inveighed 
 against this death-deahng see. Far from rising up against 
 
 * Actum est de Homana curia ; pervcuit in eani ira Dei usque in finem. 
 L. Epp, i. 500. 
 
 f Jeremiah li. 9 
 
 X Olim janua cceli, nunc patens quotldara os inferni, ct taleos, quou 
 urgeiite ira Dei, obstrui non potest. L. Epp. i. «0L 
 
132 LETTER TO THE POPE. 
 
 your person, I thought I was labouring for your safety, by 
 valiantly attacking that prison, or rather that hell, in which 
 you are shut up. To inflict all possible mischief on the court 
 of Rome, is performing your duty. To cover it with shame, 
 is to do Christ honour ; in a word, to he a Christian is 7iot to 
 he a Roman. 
 
 " Yet finding that by succouring the see of Rome I lost 
 both my labour and my pains, I transmitted to it this writing 
 of divorcement, and said : Farewell, Rome ! He that is im- 
 just, let him he unjust still ; and he which is Jilthy, let him he 
 filthy still /* and I devoted myself to the tranquil and solitary 
 study of the Holy Scripture. Then Satan opened his eyes, 
 and awoke his servant John Eck, a great adversary of Jesus 
 Christ, in order to challenge me again to the lists. He was 
 desitous of establishing, not the primacy of Saint Peter, but 
 his own, and for that purpose to lead the conquered Luther 
 in his triumphal train. His be the blame of all the disgrace 
 with which the see of Rome is covered." 
 
 Luther relates his communications with De Vio, Miltitz, 
 and Eck ; he then continues : 
 
 " Now then, I come to you, most holy Father, and, pros- 
 trate at your feet, I beseech you to curb, if that be possible, 
 these enemies of peace. But I cannot retract my doctrine. 
 I cannot permit any rules of interpretation to be imposed on 
 the Scriptures. The Word of God, which is the fountain 
 whence all true liberty flows, must not be bound.f 
 
 " Leo ! my Father ! listen not to those flattering sirens 
 who would persuade you that you are not a mere man, but 
 a demi-god, and can command and require whatever you 
 please. You are the servant of servants, and the place 
 where you are seated is the most dangerous and miserable of 
 all. Believe those who depreciate you, and not those who 
 extol you. I am perhaps too bold in presuming to teach 
 so exalted a majesty, which ought to instruct all men. 
 But I see the dangers that surround you at Rome ; I see 
 you driven to and fro, like the waves of the sea in a storm. 
 
 • Revelation sxii. 11. 
 
 + Leges interpretandi verbi Dei non patior, cum oporteat verbum Dei 
 esse non alligatum, quod libertatem docet. L. Epp. i. 504. 
 
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY. 133 
 
 Charity urges me, and it is my duty to utter a cry of warn- 
 ing and of safety. " 
 
 " That I may not appear empty-handed before your 
 hoUness, I present you a small book which I have dedicated 
 to you, and which will "inform you of the subjects on which 
 I should be engaged, if your parasites permitted me. It 
 is a little matter, if its size be considered ; but a great one, 
 if we regard its contents ; for the sum of the christian life 
 is therein contained. I am poor, and have nothing else 
 to offer you ; besides, have you need of any other than 
 spiritual gifts ? I commend myself to your hohness, whom 
 may the Lord Jesus preserve for ever ! Amen !" 
 
 The little book which Luther presented to the pope was 
 his discourse on Christian Liberty, in which the reformer 
 5 demonstrates incontrovertibly, how, without infringing the 
 liberty given by faith, a Christian may submit to ail external 
 ordinances in a spirit of liberty and charity. Two truths 
 serve as a foundation to the whole argument ; " The Chris- 
 tian is free and master in all things. The Christian is in 
 bondage and a servant in all and to all. He is free and a 
 master by faith ; he is a servant and a slave by love." 
 
 He first explains the power of faith to make a Christian free:- 
 " Faith unites the soul to Christ, as a wife to her husband,'' 
 say^Luther to the pope. " xill that Christ has, becomes the 
 property of the believing soul ; all that the soul has, becomes 
 the property of Christ. Christ possesses every blessing and 
 eternal salvation : they are henceforward the property of the 
 soul. The soul possesses every vice and sin : they become 
 henceforth the property of Christ. It is then the blessed 
 exchange commences : Christ, who is God and man, Christ 
 who has never sinned, and whose holiness is immaculate, 
 Christ the Almighty and Everlasting, appropriating by his 
 nuptial ring, that is, by faith, all the sins of the believer's 
 sQul, these sins are swallowed up and lost in Him : for there 
 is no sin that can stand before His infinite righteousness. 
 Thus, by means of faith, the soul is dehvered from every 
 sin, and clothed with the eternal righteousness of her 
 husband, Jesus Christ. Blessed union ! the rich, noble, 
 and holy spouse, Jesus Christ, unites in marriage with 
 
134 LIBEKTY AND BONDAGE. 
 
 that poor, gTtilty, and despised wife,"^ delivers her from 
 every ill, and adorns her ^.vitli the most costly blessings 
 
 Christ, a priest and king, shares this honour and glory 
 
 with every Christian. The Christian is a king, and con- 
 sequently possesses all things ; he is a priest, and conse- 
 quently possesses God. x4nd it is faith, and not works, 
 that brings him to such honour. The Christian is free of 
 all things, above all things, faith giving him abundantly of 
 every thing." 
 
 In the second part of his discourse, Luther gives another 
 view of the truth. " Although the Christian is thus made 
 free, he voluntarily becomes a slave, to act towards his 
 brethren as God has acted towards him through Jesus 
 Christ. I desire (says he) to serve freely, joyfully, and 
 gratuitously, a Father who has thus lavished upon me all 
 the abundance of his blessings : I wish to become all things 
 for my neighbour, as Christ has become all things for me." — 
 " From faith," continues Luther, " proceeds the love of God; 
 from love proceeds a life full of hberty, charity, and joy. 
 Oh ! how noble aTid elevated is the christian hfe I But, alas ! 
 no one knows it, no one preaches it. By faith the Christian 
 ascends to God ; by love, he descends even to man, and 
 yet he abides ever with God. This is true liberty — a liberty 
 which surpasses all others as much as the hcavens(»are 
 above the earth." 
 
 Such is the work with which Luther accompanied his 
 letter to Leo. 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 The Bull in Germany — Eck's Reception — The Bull at Wittcnibert; — 
 ZwinpJe's Intervention. 
 
 While the reformer was thus addressing the Roman pontiff 
 for the last time, the bull which anathematized him was 
 
 • 1st nun das nicht cine frohliche Wirthschafft, da der reiche, edle, 
 fromme Briiutii^ain Christus, das armc, verachietc, biicc Huhrlein zur 
 Ehc nimmt. L. 0pp. CL.) xvii. do5. 
 
THE BULL IN' GERMANY. 135 
 
 already in the hands of the chiefs of the German Church, 
 and at the threshold of Luther's dweUing-place. It would 
 appear that no doubts were entertained at Rome of the 
 success of the step just taken against the Reformation. 
 The pope had commissioned two high functionaries of his 
 court, CaraccioH and Aleander, to bear it to the Archbishop 
 of Mentz, desiring him to see it put in execution. But Eck 
 himself appeared in Saxony as the lierald and agent of the 
 great pontifical work. 
 
 The choice had long been doubtful. " Eck," wrote an in- 
 habitant of Rome about this time, " was peculiarly adapted 
 for this mission by his impudence, his dissimulation, his lies, 
 his flattery, and other vices, that are held in high esteem at 
 Rome : but his fondness for drinking, a failing towards which 
 the Italians entertain a great aversion, was rather against 
 his election."* The influence, however, of his patron Fug- 
 ger, " the king of crowns," prevailed in the end. This bad 
 habit was even metamorphosed into a virtue in the case of 
 Dr. Eck. " He is just the man v»-e want," said many of the 
 Romans ; " for these drunken Germans, what can be better 
 than a drunken legate ?-]- Their temerity can only be checked 
 by an equal degree of temerity." Further, it was whispered 
 about that no man of sincerity and good sense would under- 
 take- such a mission; and that even could such a man be 
 found, the magnitude of the danger would soon make him' 
 abandon the place. The idea of 'nominating Aleander as 
 Dr. Eck's colleague seemed most excellent. " A worthy paii 
 of ambassadors," said some ; " both are admirably suited for 
 this work, and perfectly matched in effrontery, impudence, 
 and debauchery." :|: 
 
 The doctor .of Ingolstadt had felt more than any other man 
 the force of Luther's attack ; he had seen the danger, and 
 
 ■ Temeritate, audacia, mendaciis simulatione, adulatione, et ca2*Loris 
 vitiis curiae aptis egregie pollet. Verum sola obstabat ebrietas, Itulis (ut 
 nosti) perquam odiosa. Riederer, Nachi-ichten zumjcirchen-geschich- 
 ten,i. 179. 
 
 + Nihil magis Germauos temulentos quam temulentum dccere legatum. 
 Ibid. 
 
 X Egrogium profecto oratorum par, et causa^ porquara conveniens, im- 
 pudentiaque, temeritate, et vits flagitiia siiail j. Ibid. 
 
136 THE BULL IN GERMANY. 
 
 stretched forth his hand to steady the tottering edifice of 
 Rome. He was, in his own. opinion, the Atlas destined to 
 bear on his sturdy shoulders the ancient Roman world now 
 threatening to fall to ruins. Proud of the success of his 
 journey to Rome, — proud of the commission he had received 
 from the sovereign pontiff, — proud of appearing in Germany 
 with the new title of protonotary and pontifical nuncio, — 
 proud of the bull he held in his hands, and which contained 
 the condemnation of his indomitable rival, his present mission 
 was a more magnificent triumph than all the victories he 
 had gained in Hungary, Bavaria, Lombardy, and Saxony, 
 and from which he had previously derived so much renown. 
 But this pride was soon to be brought low. The pope, by 
 confiding the publication of the bull to Eck, had committed 
 a fault destined to destroy its effect. So great a distinction, 
 accorded to a man not filling an elevated station in the 
 Church, offended all sensible men. The bishops, accustomed 
 to receive the bulls direct from the Roman pontiff, were dis- 
 pleased that this should be published in their dioceses by a 
 nuncio created for the occasion. The nation, that had laughed 
 at the pretended conqueror at Leipsic at the moment of his 
 flight to Italy, was astonished and indignant at seeing him 
 recross the Alps, bearing the insignia of a papal nuncio, and 
 furnished with power to crush her chosen men. Luther 
 considered this judgment brought by his implacable oppo- 
 nent, as an act of personal revenge ; this condemnation was 
 in his idea' (says Pallavicini) the treacherous dagger of a 
 mortal enemy, and not the lawful axe of a Roman lictor.* 
 This paper was no longer regarded as the bull of the supreme 
 pontiff, but as the bull of Doctor Eck. Thus the edge was 
 blunted and weakened beforehand by the very man who 
 had prepared it. 
 
 The Chancellor of Ingolstadt had made all haste to Sax- 
 ony. 'Twas there he had fought; 'twas there he wished to 
 publish his victory. He succeeded in posting up the bull 
 at Meissen, Merscburg, and Brandenburg, towards the end 
 of September. But in the first of these cities it was stuck 
 
 • Non tanquam a securi legitimi lictori.?, sed e telo infensissimi hostis. 
 Pallavicini, i. 74. 
 
eck's reception. 137 
 
 up in a place where no one could read it, and the bishops of 
 the three sees did not press its publication. Even his great 
 protector, Duke George, forbade the council of Leipsic to 
 make it generally known before receiving an order from 
 the Bishop of Merseburg ; and this order did not come till 
 the following year. " These difficulties are merely for form's 
 sake," thought ^$)lm Eck at first ; for everything in other 
 respects seemed to smile upon him. Duke George himself 
 sent him a gilt cup filled with ducats. Even Miltitz, who 
 had hastened to Leipsic at the news of his rival's presence, 
 invited him to dinner. The two legates were boon com- 
 panions, and Miltitz thought he could more effectually sound 
 his rival over the bottle. " When he had drunk pretty 
 freely, he began," says the pope's chamberlain, '•' to boast at 
 a fine rate ; he displayed his bull, and related how he in- 
 tended bringing that scoundrel Martin to reason."* But 
 erelong the Ingolstadt doctor observed that the wind was 
 changing. A great alteration had taken place in Leipsic 
 during th^ past year, f On St. Michael's day, some students 
 posted up placards in ten different places, in which the new 
 nuncio was sharjily attacked. In alarm he fled to the 
 cloister of St. Paul, in which Tetzel had already taken 
 refuge, refused to see any one, and prevailed upon the 
 rector to bring these youthful adversaries to account. But 
 poor Eck gained httle by this. The students wrote a ballad 
 upon him, which they sung in tlie streets ; Eck heard it 
 from his retreat. Upon this he lost all his courage ; the 
 formidable champion trembled in every limb. Each day he 
 received threatening letters. One hundred and fifty students 
 arrived from Wittemberg, boldly exclaiming against the 
 papal envoy. The wretched apostolical nuncio could hold 
 out no longer. " I have no wish to see him killed," said 
 Luther, "but I am desirous that his schemes should fail."! 
 Eck quitted his asylum by night, escaped secretly from 
 
 * Nachdera (Avrites Miltitz) er nun tapfcr getrunken hatte, fieng er 
 gleich an trefflich von seiner Ordre zu prahlen, &c, Seckend. p. 238. 
 
 "t Longe aliam faciem et raentem Lipsiae cum invenire qiiam sperasset. 
 L. Epp. i. 492. 
 
 i Nollein eum occidi, quanquam -optem ejus consilia Irrita fieri. 
 Ibid. 
 
138 
 
 Leipsic, and went and hid himself at Coburg. Miltitz, who 
 relates this, boasted of it more than the reformer. This 
 triumph was not of long duration ; all the conciliatory plans 
 of the chamberlain failed, and he came to a melancholy end/ 
 Miltitz, being intoxicated, fell into the Rhine at Mentz, and 
 was drowned. 
 
 Griidually, however, Eck's courage revived. He repaired 
 to Erfurth, w^hose theologians had given the Wittemberg 
 doctor several proofs df their jealousy. He insisted that 
 the bull should be published in this city ; but the students 
 seized the copies, tore them in pieces, and fiung the frag- 
 ments into the river, saying : " Since it is a bull (a, 
 bubble), let it float!"* " Novr," said Luther, when he was 
 informed of this, " tlie pope's paper is a real bull (bubble)." 
 
 Eck did not dare to appear at Wittemberg ; he sent the 
 bull to the rector, threatening to destroy the university if 
 he did not conform to it. At the same time he wrote to 
 Duke John, Frederick's brother and co-regent : " Do not 
 misconstrue my proceedings," said he ; " for I aiji fighting 
 on behalf of the faith, which costs me much care, toil, and 
 money." y 
 
 The Bishop of Brandenburg could not, even had he so 
 wished, act in Wittemberg in his quality of ordinary ; for 
 the university was protected by its privileges. Luther and 
 Carlstadt, both condemned by the bull, were invited to be 
 present at the deliberations that took place on its contents. 
 The rector declared that as the bull was not accompanied 
 by a letter from the pope, he would not publish it. The 
 university already enjoyed in the surrounding countries a 
 greater authority than the pontiiY himself. Its declaration 
 served as a model for the elector's government. Thus 
 the spirit that was in Luther triumphed over the bull of 
 Rome. 
 
 While this aflair was thus violently agitating the public 
 mind in Germany, a solemn voice was heard in another 
 
 * L. Epp. i. 520. A studiosis discerpta et in aquam projecta, dicenti- 
 bus : Bulla est, in aquam natet ! playing on the word I/iilla, which 
 means a bubble, the seal appended to the bull, and hence the bull itself. 
 
 t Mit viel Miihe, Arbeit und Kosten. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 317. 
 
zwingle's intervention. 139 
 
 country of Europe. One man, foreseeing the immense 
 schism that the papal bull would cause in tiie Church, 
 stood forward to utter a serious warning and to defend the 
 reformer. It Avas the same Swiss "priest whom we have 
 mentioned before, Ulrich Zwingle, Avho, without any re- 
 lations of friendship with Luther, published a writing full of 
 wisdom and dignity, — the first of his numerous works.* A 
 brotherly i^ectioh seemed to attract him towards the re- 
 former of Wittemberg. " The piety of the pontiff," said 
 he, " calls upon, him to sacrifice gladly all that he holds 
 dearest, for the glory of Christ his king and the public 
 peace of the Church. Notliing is more injurious to his 
 dignity than his defending it by bribery or by terror. Be- 
 fore even Luther's writings had been read, he was cried 
 down among the people as a heretic, a schismatic, and as 
 Antichrist himself. No one had given him warning, no one 
 had refuted him ; he begged for a discussion, and they were 
 content to condemn him. The bull that is now published 
 against him displeases even those who honour the pope's 
 grandeur ; for throughout it betrays signs of the impotent 
 hatred of a few monks, and not those becoming the mild- 
 ness of a pontiff, the vicar of a Saviour full of compassion. 
 All men acknowledge that the true doctrine of the Gospel of 
 Jesus Christ has greatly degenerated, and that we need a 
 striking public revival of laws and morality.y Look to all 
 men of learning and virtue ; the greater tlieir sincerity, the 
 stronger is their attachment to the evangelical truth, and 
 the less are they scandalized at Luther's writings. There is 
 no one but confesses that these books have m.ade him a 
 better man,| although perhaps they may contain passages 
 that he does not approve of. — Let men of pure doctrine and 
 acknowledged probity be cliosen; let those princes above 
 all suspicion, the Emperor Charles, the King of England, 
 
 * Consilium cnjusdam ex animo cupieiitis esse cousnltum et pontificis 
 
 dignitati, et Christiante religionis tranquillitati.— Zw. 0pp. cur. Scliulero 
 et Schulthessio, iii. 1-5. 
 
 t Multum degen'erasse ab ilia sinccra Christi evangelica doctrina, 
 
 adeo ut nemo noii fateatur opus esse publica aliqua et insigui legum ac 
 morum instauratione. Zw. 0pp. iii. 3. 
 
 t Nemo non fatetur se ex illius libris factum esse meliorem. Ibid. 4. 
 
140 • zwingle's intekvention. '' 
 
 and the King of Hungary, themselves appomt the arbitra- 
 tors ; let these men read Luther's writings, hear him per- 
 sonally, and let their decision be ratified ! 'SixTjcdlu ^ roil 
 
 This proposition emanating from the country of the Swiss 
 led to no results. The great divorce must be accomplished ; 
 Christendom must be rent in twain ; and even in its wounds 
 will the remedy for all its ills be found. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 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. 
 
 In truth, what signified all this resistance of students, rectors, 
 and priests ? If the mighty hand of Charles unites with the 
 pope's, will they not crush these scholars and grammarians ? 
 Who shall withstand the power of the pontiff" of Christ- 
 endom, and of the Emperor of the West ? The bolt is dis- 
 charged ; Luther is cut off from the Church ; the Gospel 
 seems lost. At this solemn moment, the reformer does not 
 conceal from himself the perils that surround him. He casts 
 his looks to heaven. He prepares "to receive, as from the 
 hand of the Lord, the blow that seems destined to destroy 
 him. His soul reposes at the foot of the throne of God. 
 " What will happen ?" said he. "I know not, and I care 
 not to know, feeling sure that He who sitteth in heaven hath 
 foreseen from all eternity the beginning, continuation, and 
 end of all this aff"air. Wherever the blow may reach me, I fear 
 not. The leaf of a tree does not fall to the ground without 
 
 the v.'ill of our Father. How much less we ourselves 
 
 It is a httle matter to die for the Word, since this Word, 
 
 * May the teaching and the truth of Christ prevail ! 
 
Luther's resignation. 141 
 
 which was made flesh for us, died itself at first. We shall 
 arise with it, if we die with it, and passing where it has 
 gone before, we shall arrive where it has arrived, and abide 
 with it through all eternity."* 
 
 Sometimes, however, Luther cannot restrain the contempt 
 inspired by the manoeuvres of his enemies ; we then find in 
 him that mixture of subhmity and irony which characterizes 
 him. " I know nothing of Eck," said he, " except that he 
 has arrived with a long beard, a long bull, and a long purse ; 
 but I laugh at his bull."f 
 
 On the 3d of October he was informed of the papal brief. 
 " It is come at last, this Roman bull," said he. " I des- 
 pise and attack it as impious, false, and in every respect 
 worthy of Eck. It is Christ himself who is condemned 
 therein. No reasons are given in it : I am cited to Rome, 
 not to be heard, but that I may eat my words. I shall treat 
 it as a forgery, although I believe it true. Oh, that Charles 
 y. would act like a man ! and that for the love of Christ 
 he would attack these wicked spirits !j: I rejoice in hav- 
 ing to bear such ills for the best of causes. Already I feel 
 greater liberty in my heart ; for at last I know that .the 
 pope is Antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan 
 himself." 
 
 It was not in Saxony alone that the thunders of Rome 
 had caused alarm. A tranquil family of Swabia, one that 
 had remained neuter, found its peace suddenly disturbed. 
 Bilibald Pirckheimer of Nuremberg, one of the most dis- 
 tinguished men of his day, early bereft of his beloved wife 
 Crescentia, was attached by the closest ties of affection 
 to his two young sister?, Charity, abbess of Saint Claire, 
 and Clara, a nun in the same convent, fliese two pious 
 young women served God in this seclusion, and divided 
 their time between study, the care of the poor, and medita- 
 tion on eternal life. Bilibald, a statesman, found some re- 
 
 • Parum est nos pro Verbo mori, cum ipsum incarnatuin pro nobis prius 
 mortuum sit. L. Epp. i. 490. 
 
 + Venisse eum barbatum, bullatum, nummatum. Ridebo et ego bullam 
 Bive ampullam. Ibid. 488. 
 
 :;: Utinam Carolus vir esset, et pro Christo hos Satanas aggrederetur. 
 Ibid. 494. 
 
142 » A NEUTKAL I AjIILY. 
 
 laxation from his public cares in the correspondence he kept 
 up with them. They were learned, read Latin, and studied 
 the Fathers ; but there was nothing they loved so much as 
 the Holy Scriptures. They had never had any other instruc- 
 tor than their brother. Charity's letters bear the impress of 
 a delicate and loving mind. Full of the tenderest affection 
 for Bilibald, she feared the least danger on his account. 
 Pirckheimer, to encourage this timid creature, composed a 
 dialogue between Charitas and Veritas (Charity and Trutli), 
 in which Veritas strives to give confidence to Charitas.* 
 Nothing could have been more touching, or better adapted 
 to consple a tender and anxious heart. 
 
 What must have been Charity's alarm when she heard it 
 rumoured that Bilibald's name was posted up under the 
 pope's bull on the gates of the cathedral beside that of Lu- 
 ther ! In fact, Eck, impelled by blind fury, had associated 
 with Luther six of the most distinguished men in Germany, 
 Carlstadt, Feldkirchen, Egranus, who cared little about if, 
 Adelmann, Pirckheimer, and his friend Spengler, whom the 
 public functions with which they were invested rendered 
 particularly sensible to this indignity. Great was the agita- 
 tion in the convent of St. Claire. How could they endure 
 Bilibald's shame ? Nothing is so painful to relatives as 
 trials of this nature. The danger was truly urgent. In vain 
 did the city of Nuremberg, the Bishop of Bamberg, and even 
 the Dukes of Bavaria intercede in favour of Spengler and 
 Pirckheimer; these noble-minded men were compelled to 
 humble themselves before Dr. Eck, who made them feel all 
 the importance of a Roman protonotary, and compelled them 
 to write a letter to the pope, in which they declared that they 
 did not adhere to the doctrines of Luther, except so far as 
 they were conformable with the christian faith. At the same 
 time Adelmann, with whom Eck had once disputed, as he 
 rose from table, after a discussion on the great question then 
 fining every mind, was forced to appear before the bishop of 
 Augsburg, and clear himself upon oath from all participation 
 in the Lutheran heresy. Yet vengeance and anger proved 
 bad counsellors to Eck. The names of BiUbald and of his 
 * Pirckheimeii 0pp. Franckfort. 
 
LUTHER AGAINST THE CULL OF ANTICHRIST. 1,43 
 
 friends brought discredit on the hull. The character of these 
 eminent men, and their numerous connexions, served to in- 
 crease the general irritation. 
 
 Luther at first pretended to doubt the authenticity of the 
 bull. " I hear," says he in the first of his writings on the 
 subject, '• that Eck has brought a new bull from Rome, which 
 resembles him so much that it might be called Doctor Eck, 
 — so full is it of falsehood and error.. He would have 
 us beheve that it is the pope.'s doing, Avhile it is only a 
 forgery." After having set forth the reasons for his doubts, 
 Luther concludes by saying : " I must see with my own 
 eyes the lead, the seal, tlie strings, the clause, the signa- 
 ture of the bull, in fact the whole of it, before I value all 
 these clamours even at a straw !""^ 
 
 But no one doubted, not even Luther himself, that it really 
 emanated from the pope. Genuany waited to see what 
 the reformer would do. Would he stand firm ? All eyes 
 were fixed on WiUemberg. Luther did not keep his con- 
 temporaries long in suspense. He rephed with a terrible 
 discharge of artillery, publishing on the 4th of November 1520 
 his treatise Against the Bull of Antichrist. 
 
 '' What errors, what deceptions," says he, " have crept 
 among the poor people under the mantle of the Church 
 and of the pretended inf^illibihty of the pope ! How many 
 souls have thus been lost ! how'much blood spilt ! how many 
 murders committed ! how many kingdoms devastated !...... 
 
 " I can pretty clearly distinguish," says he ironically, a 
 little further on, " between skill and malice,, and I set no 
 high value on a malice so unskilful. To burn books is so 
 easy a matter that even children can do it; much more, 
 then, the Holy Father and his doctors.-|- It would be well 
 for them to show greater abijity than that which is required 
 
 to burn books Besides, let them destroy my works ! I 
 
 desire nothing better ; for all my wish has been to lead souls 
 to the Bible, so that they might afterwards neglectmy writ- 
 
 " Oder nicht ein Haarbreit geben. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. ^23. ~ '"' 
 f So ist Biicher verbrennen so leicht, dass es auch Kinder konnen, 
 geschweig denu der lieilise Vater Pabst. Ibid. 324. 
 
144 THE POPE FORBIDS FAITH. 
 
 ings.* Great God! if we had a knowledge of Scripture, 
 
 what need would there be of any books of mine? I 
 
 am free, by the grace of God, and bulls neither console nor 
 alarm me. My strength and my consolation are in a place 
 where neither men nor devils can reach them." 
 
 Luther's tenth proposition, condemned by the pope, was 
 thus drawn up : " No man's sins are forgiven, unless he 
 believes they are forgiven when the priest absolves him." 
 By condemning this, the pope denied that faith was ne- 
 cessary in the sacrament. " They pretend," exclaims Luther, 
 " that we must not believe our sins are forgiven when we 
 receive absolution from the priest. And what then ought 
 
 we to do? Listen, Christians, to this news from Rome. 
 
 Condemnation is pronounced against that article of faith 
 which we profess when we say : ' I believe in the Holy 
 Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins.' 
 If I were certain that the pope had really issued this 
 bull at Rome (and he had no doubt about it), and that 
 it was not invented by Eck, that prince of liars, I should 
 like to proclaim to all Christians that they ought to consider 
 the pope as the real Antichrist spoken of in Scripture. And 
 if he would not discontinue publicly to proscribe the faith 
 
 of the Church, then let even the temporal sword resist 
 
 him, rather than the Turk! For the Turk permits us to 
 
 believe, but the pope forbids it." 
 
 Wliile Luther was speaking thus forcibly, his dangers 
 were increasing. His enemies' plan was to expel him 
 from Wittemberg. If Luther and ,Wittemberg can be 
 separated, Luther and Wittemberg will be ruined. One 
 blow would thus free Rome both from the heretical doctor 
 and the heretical university. Duke George, the Bishop 
 of Merseburg, and the Leipsic theologians secretly applied 
 themselves to the task.f When Luther heard of it, he 
 said : " I place the whole matter in God's hands." I These 
 
 • In Biblien za fiihren, das3 man derselben Verstand erlangte, und 
 deim meine Buchlein verschwinden liess. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 324. 
 t Ut Wittemberga pellerer. L. Epp. i. 519. 
 X Id quod in manum Dei refero. Ibid. 520. 
 
EFFECTS OF THE BULL. 145 
 
 intrigues were not entirely ineffectual : Adrian, Hebrew pro- 
 fessor at Wittemberg, suddenly turned against the doctor. 
 Great -Strength of faith was required to bear up against the 
 blow inflicted by the court of Rome. There are some 
 characters that will go along with the truth only to a certain 
 point. Such was Adrian. Alarmed by this condemna- 
 tion, he quitted Wittemberg, and" repaired to Dr. Eck at 
 Leipsic. 
 
 The bull was beginning to be carried into execution. 
 The voice of the pontiff of Christendom was not powerless. 
 For ages, fire and sword had taught submission t(5 his decrees. 
 The burning piles were erected at his voice. Everything 
 seemed to announce that a terrible catastrophe would shortly 
 put an end to the daring revolt of this Augustine monk. 
 In October 1520 Luther's books were taken away from 
 all the booksellers' shops in Ingolstadt and put under seal. 
 The Elector-archbishop of Mentz, moderate as he was, felt 
 obliged to banish Ulrich of Hiitten from his court, and to 
 imprison his printer. Tlie papal nuncios had besieged the 
 youthful emperor : Charles declared that he would protect 
 the old rehgion ;* and in some of his hereditary posses- 
 sions scaffolds were erected on which the writings of the 
 heretic were to be reduced to ashes. Princes of the Church 
 and councillors of state were present at these autos-da-fe. 
 
 Eck behaved with insolence, in every quarter threaten- 
 ing the great and the learned, and " filling every thing with 
 his smoke," as Erasmus says.f " The pope," said Eck, 
 " who has overthrown so many counts and dukes, will 
 know how to bring these wretched grammarians to their 
 senses.^ We must tell the Emperor Charles himself : You 
 are hut a cobbler."^ And his colleague Aleander. frowning 
 ■ike a schoolmaster who threatens his pupils with the rod,|| 
 said to Erasmus : " We shall know how to get at this 
 
 " A ministris pontificiis mature praeoccupatus, declaravit se velle 
 veterem fidem tutari. Pallavicini, i. 80. 
 + Omnia suis fumis complens. Hardt. Hist. Lit. Ref. i. 169. 
 :J: Tres pediculoses grammatistas. Ibid. 
 § Pontifex potest dicere Caesari Carolo : Tu es cerdo. Ibid, 
 B Eo vultu quo Solent tetrici literatores pueris minari virgas. Ibid. 
 VOL. U. ' 7 
 
146 THE I3URN[N(i PILE OF LOL'VAIN. 
 
 Duke Frederick, and teach him reason." x\leander was quite 
 elated with his success. To hear the haughty nuncio talk, 
 one would have thought that the fire which consumed 
 Luther's books at Mentz was " the beginning of the end." 
 These flames (said they one to another at Rome) will spread 
 terror far and wide. It was so with many timid and super- 
 stitious minds : but even in the hereditary states of Charles, 
 the only places in which they dared carry out tiie bull, the 
 people, and sometimes tiie nobles, often replied to these 
 pontifical demonstrations by ridicule or by expressions of 
 indignation. " Luther," said the doctors of Louvain, when 
 they appeared before Margaret, governor of the iN ether- 
 lands, " Luther is overturninsr the christian faith." — " Who 
 is Luther ?" asked the princess. — " An ignoraht monk." — 
 '' Well, then," replied she, *' do you v/ho are so wise and 
 so numerous Avrite against him. The wodd will rather 
 believe many wise men than an isolated and unlearned 
 man." The Lou vain doctors preferred an easier method. 
 They erected a vast pile at their own expense. A great 
 multitude thronged the place of execution. Students and 
 citizens might be seen hastily traversing the crowd, 
 bearing large volumes under their arms, which ihey threw 
 into the flames. Their zeal edified both monks and doctors ; 
 but the trick was afterwards discovered — it was the Scrmone^: 
 Biscipuli, Tartaretus, and other scholastic and papistical 
 works, they had been throwing into the fire, instead of 
 Luther's writings !•■ 
 
 The Count of Nassau, viceroy of Holland, rephed to the 
 Dominicans who sohcited permission to burn the doctor's 
 books •: " Go and preach the Gospel with as much purity 
 as Luther does, and you will have to complain of nobody." 
 As the conversation turned upon the reformer at a banquet 
 when the leading princes of the empire were present, the 
 Lord of Ravenstein said aloud : " In the space of four 
 centuries, a single Christian has ventured to raise his head, 
 and him the pope wishes to put to death !"-|- 
 
 " Seckend. p. 289. 
 Es ist in vierhundert Jahren ein christlicher Maun aufgestauden, den 
 will der Pabst todt baben. Seckend. p. 288. 
 
Luther's tranquillity. . 147 
 
 Luther, sensible of the strength of his cause, remained 
 tranquil in. the midst of the tumult the bull had created.* 
 " If you did not press me so earnestly," said he to Spalatin, 
 " I should keep silence, well knowing that the work must 
 be accomplished by the counsel and power of God."f The 
 timid man was for speaking out, the strong desired to 
 remain silent. Luther discerned a power that escaped the 
 eyes of his friend. " Be of good cheer," continues the 
 reformer. " It is Christ who has begun these things, and it 
 is He that will accomphsh them, whether I be banished or 
 put to death. Jesus Christ is here present, and He who is 
 within us is greater than he who is in the world."J -v. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Decisive Step of the Reformer- Luther's Ap^al to a General Counml 
 — Close Combat — The Bull burnt by Lutheif— Meaning of this daring.,^ 
 Act — Luther in the Academy— Luther against the Pope — Isew 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— Doctrin* of Grace — Luther's Recantation. 
 
 Duty obliged Luther to speak, that the truth might be 
 manifested to the world. Rome has struck the blow : he 
 will show how he has received it. The pope has put him 
 under the ban of the Church ; he will put the pope under 
 the ban of Christendom. Hitherto the pontiff's commands 
 have been all-powerful ; he will oppose sentence to sentence, 
 and the world shall know which has the greater strength. 
 " I desire," said he, " to set my conscience at rest, by 
 
 " In bullosis illis tumultibns. L. Epp. i. 519. 
 + Rem totam Deo committerem. Ibid. 521. 
 
 X Christus ista coepit, ipse perficiet, etiam xne siye exti»cto, sive fugato. 
 Ibid. 526. 
 
148 LUTHER APPEALS TO A GENERAL COUNCIL. 
 
 disclosing to all men the danger that threatens them;*** 
 and at the same time he prepared to make a fresh appeal 
 to a general council. An appeal from the pope to a council 
 was a crime. It is therefore by a new att(^ck on the pontifical 
 power that Luther presumes to justify those by which it had 
 been preceded. 
 
 On the 17th of November, a notary and five witnesses, 
 among whom w'as Cruciger, met at ten o'clock in the 
 morning in one of the halls of the Augustine convent 
 where Luther resided. There, the public officer (Sarctor of 
 Eisleben) immediately proceeding to draw up the minute of 
 his protest, the reformer in presence of these witnesses said 
 with a solemn tone of voice : — 
 
 " Considering that a general council of the Christian 
 Church is above the pope, especially in matters of faith ; 
 
 " Considering that the power of the pope is not above but 
 inferior to Scripture ; and that he has no right to slaughter the 
 sheep of Christ's flock, and throw them into the jaws of the 
 wolf: 
 
 " I, Martin Luther, an Augustine friar, doctor of the Holy 
 SL'riptures at Wittemberg, appeal by these presents, in behalf 
 of myseh" and of those who are or who shall be with me, 
 froiii the most lioly pope Leo to a future general and chris- 
 tian council. , 
 
 . " I app'j:il from the said pope, first^ as an unjust, rash, 
 and tyrannical judge, who condemns me without a hear- 
 ing, and without giving any reasons for his judgment; 
 secondly, as a heretic a'^id an apostate, misled, hardened, and 
 condemned by the Holy Scriptures, who commands me to 
 deny that christian faith is necessary in the use of the 
 sacraments;-]- thirdly, as an enemy, an antichrist, an adver- 
 sary, an oppressor of Holy Scripture,:}: who dares set his 
 own words in opposition to the Word of God ; fourtJdy, as 
 
 * Ut meam conscientiam redimara. L. Epp. i. 522. 
 
 •t* Ab erroneo, indurato, per Scripturas sanctas damitato, hseretico et 
 apostata. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 50. See also L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 332. There 
 are some paragraphs ia the German that are not in the Latin text. 
 
 t Oppressore totius Sacrse Scripturse. Ibid, 
 
luthek's appeal. 149 
 
 a despiser, a calumniator, a blasphemer of the holy Christian 
 Church, and of a free council, who maintains that a council 
 is nothing of itself. 
 
 " For this reason, with all humility, I entreat the most 
 serene, most illustrious, excellent, generous, noble, strong, 
 wise, and prudent lords, namely, Charles emperor of Rome, the 
 electors, princes, counts, barons, knights, gentlemen, council- 
 lors, cities and communities of the whole German nation, to 
 adhere to my protest, and to resist with me the antichristian 
 conduct of the pope, for the glory of God, the defence of the 
 Churgh and of the christian doctrine, and for the maintenance 
 of the free councils of Christendom ; and Christ, our Lord, 
 will reward them bountifully by his everlasting grace. But 
 if there be any who scorn my prayer, and continue to obey 
 that impious man the pope, rather than God,* I reject by 
 these presents all responsibility, having faithfully warned 
 their consciences, and I abandon .them to the supreme judg- 
 ment of God, with the pope and his adherents." 
 
 Such is Luther's bill .of divorce ; such is his reply to the 
 pontiff's bull. A great seriousness pervades the whole of 
 this declaration. The charges he brings against the pope 
 ^re of the gravest description, and it is not heedlessly that 
 he makes them. This protest was circulated through Ger- 
 many, and sent to jnost of the courts of Christendom. 
 
 Luther had, however, a still more daring step in reserve, 
 although this which he had just taken appeared the extreme of 
 audacity. He would in no respect be behindhand with Rome. 
 The monk of AVittemberg will do all that the sovereign pontiff 
 dares do. He gives judgment for judgment ; he raises pile for 
 -^ile. The son of the Medici and the son of the miner of Mans- 
 feldt have gone down into the lists; and in this desperate 
 struggle, which shakes the world, one does not strike a blow 
 which the other does not return. On the 10th of December, 
 a placard was posted on the walls of the university of Wit- 
 temberg, inviting the professors and students to be present 
 at nine o'clock in the morning, at the Eastern Gate, near 
 the Holy Cross. A great number of doctors and students 
 
 • Et papae, impio homini, plus quam Deo obediant. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 50. 
 L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 332. 
 
150 THE BURNING OF THE BULL. 
 
 assembled, and Luther, walking at their head, conducted the 
 procession to the appointed place. How many burning piles 
 has Rome erecfed during the course of ages ! Luther resolves 
 to make q, better application of the gTeat Roman principle. 
 It is only a few old papers that are about to be destroyed ; 
 and fire, thinks he, is intended for that purpose. A scatiold 
 had been prepared. One of the oldest masters of arts set fire 
 to it. As the flames rose high into the air, the formidable 
 Augustine, wearing his frock, approached the pile, carrying 
 the Canon Law, the Decretals, the Clementines, the papal 
 Extravagant*, some writings by Eck and Emser, and the 
 pope's bull. The Decretals having been first consumed," 
 Luther held up the bull, and said : " Since thou hast vexed 
 the Holy One of the Lord, may everlasting fire vex and con- 
 sume thee !" He then flung it into the flames. Never had war 
 been declared with greater energy and resolution. After 
 this Luther calmly retiirned to the city, and the crowd of 
 doctors, professors, and students, testifying their approval 
 by loud cheers, re-entered Wittemberg with him. " The 
 Decretals," said Luther, '•' resemble a body whoso face is meek 
 as a young maiden's, whose limbs are full of violence like those 
 of a lion, and whose tail is filled with wiles like a serpent. 
 Among all the laws of the popes, there is not one word that 
 teaches us who is Jesus Christ."* " My enemies," said he 
 on another occasion, " have been able, by burning'my books, 
 to injure the cause of truth in the minds of the common 
 people, and destroy their souls ; for this reason, I consumed 
 their books in return. A serious struggle has just begun. 
 Hitherto I have been only playing with the pope. I began 
 this work in God's name ; it will be ended without me and 
 by His might. . If they dare burn my books, in which more 
 of the Gospel is to be found (I speak without boasting) than 
 in all the books of the pope, I can with much greater reason 
 burn theirs, in which no good can be discovered." 
 
 If Luther had commenced the Reformation in this man- 
 ner, such a step would undoubtetlly have entailed the most 
 deplorable results. Fanaticism might have been aroused by 
 it, and the Church thrown into a course of violence and dis- 
 * L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1 193-1496. 
 
MEANING OF THIS BOLD ALT. * 151 
 
 order. But the reformer had preluded his work by seriously 
 explaining the lessons of Scripture. The foundations had' 
 been wisely laid. Now, a powerful bloAv, such as h#tiad just 
 given, might not only be without inconvenience, but even 
 accelerate the moment in whicli Christendom Avould throw 
 off its bonds. 
 
 Luther thus solemnly declared that he separated from tlie 
 pope and his church. This might appear necessary to him 
 after his letter to Leo X. He accepted the excommunica- 
 tion that Rome had pronounced. He showed the christian 
 -world that there was now war unto death between him and 
 the pope. He burnt his ships upon the beach, thus imposing 
 on himself the necessity of advancing and of combating. 
 
 Luther had re-entered Wittemberg. On the morrow, the 
 lecture-room was more crowded than usual. All minds were 
 in a state of excitement ; a solemn feeling pervaded the as- 
 sembly ; they waited expecting an address from the doctor. 
 He lectured on the Rsalms, — a course that he had commenced 
 in the month of March in the preceding year. Having 
 finished his explanations, he remained silent a few minutes, 
 and then continued energetically : " Be on your guard against 
 the laws and statutes of the pope. I have burnt his Decretals, 
 but this is merely child's play. It is time, and more than 
 time, that the pope were burnt ; that is (explaining himself 
 immediately), the see of Rom.e, with all its doctrines and 
 abominations." Then assuming a more solemn tone, he 
 added : " If you do not contend with your whole heart 
 against the impious government of the pope, you canliot be 
 saved. Whoever takes delight in the religion and worship 
 of popery, will be eternally lost in the world to come."* 
 
 " If you reject it," continued he, " you must expect to 
 incur every kind of danger, and even to lose your lives. But 
 it is far better to be exposed to such perils in this world than 
 to keep silence ! So long . as I hve, I will denounce to my 
 brethren the sore and the plague of Babylon, for fear that 
 •many who are with us should fall back like the rest into the 
 bottomless pit." 
 
 We can scarcely imagine the effect produced on the assembly 
 
 • Muss Gwig in jenem Leben Terlohren seyn. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 333. 
 
152 LUTHER AGAINST THE POPE. 
 
 by this discourse, the energy of which surprises us. " Not 
 one among us," adds the candid student who has handed 
 it do^vn, " unless he be a senseless log of wood (as all the 
 papists are, he says parenthetically), doubts that this is truth 
 pure and undefiled. It is evident to all believers that Dr. 
 Luther is an angel of the living God, called to feed Christ's 
 wandering sheep with the Word of God." * 
 
 This discourse and the act by which it was crowned mark 
 an important epoch in the Reformation. The dispute at 
 Leipsic had inwardly detached Luther from the pope. But 
 the moment in which he burnt the bull, was that in which 
 he declared in the most formal manner his entire separation 
 from the Bishop of Rome and his church,^ and his attach- 
 ment to the universal Church, such as it had been founded 
 by the apostles of Jesus Christ. At the eastern gate of the 
 ^ity he Ht up a fire that has been burning for three centuries. 
 
 " The pope," said he, " has three croA\'Tis ; and for this 
 reason : the first is against God, for he condemns religi(iu ; 
 the second against the emperor, for he condemns the secular 
 power ; the third is against society, for he condemns mar- 
 riage." f AVhen he was reproached with inveigliing too 
 severely against popery : " Alas ! " replied he, " would that 
 I could speak against it with a voice of thunder, and that 
 each of my words was a thunderbolt ! "if 
 
 This firmness spread to Luther's friends and fellow-coun- 
 trymen. A whole nation rallied around him. The univer- 
 sity of Wittemberg in particular grew daily more attached 
 to this hero, to whom it was indebted for its importance and 
 glory. Carlstadt then raised his voice against that " furious 
 lion of Florence," which tore all human and divine laws, 
 and trampled under foot the principles of eternal truth. 
 Melancthon, also, about this time addressed the states of the 
 empire in a writing characterized by the elegance and wis- 
 dom peculiar to this amiable man. It was in reply to a 
 work attributed to Emser, but published under the name of 
 
 • Lutherum esse Dei viventis angeluin qui palabundas Christi ovea 
 pascat. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 123. 
 t L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1313. 
 t Und ein jeglich Wort eine Donneraxt ■rt'liro. Ibid. 1350. 
 
A NEW "WOKK BY MELANCTHON. 153 
 
 Rhadinus, a Roman divine. Never had Luther himself 
 spoken with greater energy ; and yet there was a grace in 
 Melancthon's language that won its way to every heart. 
 
 After showing by various passages of Scripture that the 
 pope is not superior to the other bishops : " What is it," 
 says he to the states of the empire, " that prevents our 
 depriving the pope of the rights that we have given him ?* 
 It matters little to Luther whether our riches, that is to 
 say, the treasures of Europe, are sent to Rome; but the 
 groAt cause of his grief and ours is, that the laws of the 
 pontiffs and the reign of the, pope not only endanger the 
 souls of men but ruin them entirely. Each one may judge 
 for himself Avhether it is becoming or not to contribute his 
 money for the maintenance of Roman luxury ; but to judge 
 of religion and its sacred mysteries, is not within the scope 
 of the commonalty. It is on this ground, then, that Luther 
 appeals to your faith an4 zeal, and that all pious men 
 unite with him, — some aloud, others with sighs and groans. 
 Call to remembrance that you are Christians, ye princes of 
 a christian people, and wrest these sad relics of Christen- 
 dom from the tyranny of Antichrist. They are deceivers 
 who pretend that you have no authority over priests. That 
 same spirit which animated Jehu against the priests of 
 Baal, urges you, by this precedent, to abolish the Roman 
 superstition, which is much more horrible than the idolatry 
 of Baal."-i- Thus spoke the gentle Melancthon to the princes 
 of Germany. 
 
 A few cries of alarm were heard among the friends of 
 the Reformation. Timid minds inclined to extreme measures 
 of conciliation, and Staupitz, in particular, expressed the 
 deepest anxiety. " All this matter has been hitherto mere 
 play," wrote Luther to him. "You have said yourself, 
 that if God does not do these things, it is impossible they 
 can be done. The tumult becomes more and more tumult- 
 uous, and I do not think it will ever be appeased, except at 
 
 * Quid obstat quominu"? papse quod dedimus jus adimamus ? Corp. 
 Ref. i. 337. 
 
 t Ut extziiguaris illam, multo tetriorem Baalis idololatria, Romanam 
 superstitionem. Ibid. 
 
 7* 
 
154 ' LUTHER ENCOURAGES HIS FRIENDS. 
 
 the last day." * Thus did Luther encourage these affrighted 
 minds. Three centuries have passed away, and the tumult 
 has not yet subsided ! 
 
 " The papacy," continued he, " is no longer wliat it was 
 yesterday and the day before. Let it excommunicate and 
 
 burn my writings! let it slay me! it shall not check 
 
 that which is advancing. Some great portent is at our 
 doors.y I burnt the bull, at first with great trembling, but 
 now I experience more joy from it than from any action I 
 have ever done in my life."j: 
 
 We involuntarily stop, and are dehghted at reading in 
 Luther's great soul the mighty future that was preparing. 
 " my father," said he to Staupitz in conclusion, " pray for 
 the Word of God and for me. I am carried away and tossed 
 about by these waves."§ 
 
 Thus war was declared on both sides. The combat- 
 ants threw away their scabbards. The Word of God re- 
 asserted its rights, and deposed him who had taken the 
 place of God himself. Society was shaken. In every age 
 selfish men are not wanting who would let human society 
 sleep on in error and corruption ; but wise men, although 
 they may be timid, think ditferently. " We are well aAvare," 
 said the gentle and moderate Melancthon, " that statesmen 
 have a dread of innovation ; and it must be acknowledged 
 that^ in this sad confusion which is denominated human 
 life, controversies, and even those which proceed from the 
 justest causes, are always tainted with some evil. It is 
 requisite, however, that in the Church, the Word and com- 
 mandments of God should be preferred t6 every mortal thing. |I 
 God threatens with his eternal anger those who endeavour 
 to suppress the tnith. For this reason it was a duty, a 
 
 • Tumultus egregie tumultuatur, ut nisi extreme die sedari mihi posse 
 non Yideatur. L. Epp. i. 541. 
 
 f Omnino aliquid portenti pras foribus est. Ibid. 542. What a pre- 
 sentiment of the future ! 
 
 X Primum trepidus et orans, sed nunc Isetior quam ullo totius vitse 
 mese facto. Ibid. 
 
 § Ego fluctibus his rapior et volvor. Ibid. 
 
 II Sed tamen in Ecclesia necesse est anteferri maadatum Dei omaibai 
 rebus humanis. Melancth. Vita Lutheri. 
 
LUTHEH DEFENDS HIS SOLITARY STATE. l55 
 
 christian duty, inciiiiibcnt on Luther, and from which he 
 could not draw back, especially as he was a doctor of the 
 Church of God, to reprove the pernicious errors which 
 unprincipled men were disseminating with inconceivable 
 effrontery. If controversy engenders many evds, as I see 
 to my grciU sorrow," adds the wise Phihp, "it is the fault 
 of those Avlio at tirst propagated error, and of those who, 
 filled with diabolical hatred, are now seeking to uphold it." 
 
 But all men did not think thus. Luther was overwhelmed 
 with reproaches : the storm burst upon him from every 
 quarter of heaven. *• He is quite alone," said some ; " he is 
 a teacher of novelties,"- said others. 
 
 " Who knows," replied Luther, sensible of the call that 
 wa^ addressed to him from on high^ "if God has not 
 chosen and called me,-- and if they ought not to fear 
 that, by despising me, they despise God himself? Moses 
 was alone at the departure from Egypt ; Elijah was alone 
 in the reign of King Ahab : Isaiah alone in Jerusalem ; 
 
 Ezekiei alone in Babylon God never selected as a 
 
 prophet either the high-priest or any other great person- 
 age ; hut ordhiarily he chose low and despised men, 
 once even the shepherd Amos. In every age, the saints 
 have had to reprove the great, kings, princes, priests, 
 
 and wise men, at tlie peril of their hves And was 
 
 it not the same under the New Testament ? Ambrose was 
 alone in his time; after him, Jerome was alone; later 
 
 still, Augustine was alone I do not say that I am 
 
 a prophet ;7 but I say that they ought to fear, precisely 
 because I am alone and that they are many. I am sure of 
 this, that the Word of God is with me, and that it is not 
 with them. 
 
 " It is said also," continues he, " that I put forward 
 novelties, and that it is impossibio to believe that all the 
 other doctors were so long in error. 
 
 ''■ No I I do not preach novelties. But I say tliat all 
 
 * Wer wdss ob mich Gott dazu bcrufen und envrehlt hat. Founda- 
 tion of the articles condemned by the bull of Rome. L. 0pp. (L.) 
 xvii. 338. 
 
 + Ich sage nioht dass Ich cin Prophet sey. Ibid. 
 
loft 
 
 DOCTRINE OF GRACE. 
 
 christian doctrines have been lost sight of by those who 
 should have preserved them; namely, the learned and 
 the bishops. Still I doubt not that the truth remained 
 in a few hearts, even were it with infants in the cradle * 
 Poor peasants and simple children now understand Jesus 
 Christ better than the pope, the bishops, and the doctors. 
 
 " I am accused of rejecting the holy doctors of the 
 Church. I do not reject them ; but, since all these doctors 
 Endeavour to prove their writings by Holy Scripture, Scrip- 
 ture must be clearer and surer than they are. Who would 
 think of proving an obscure passage by one that was 
 obscurer still ? Thus, then, necessity obliges me to have 
 recourse to the Bible, as all the doctors have done, and 
 to call upon it to pronounce upon their writings ; for the 
 Bible alone is lord and master. 
 
 "But (say they) men of power persecute him. la 
 it not clear, according to Scripture, that the persecutors 
 are generally wrong, and the persecuted right; that the 
 majority has ever been on the side of falsehood, and the 
 minority ^vith truth? Truth has in every age caused an 
 out cry." y 
 
 Luther next examines the propositions condemned in 
 the bull as heretical, and demonstrates their trutii by proofs 
 dra\Mi from the Holy Scriptures. With what vigour espe- 
 cially does he not maintain tlie doctrine of Grace ! 
 
 " What ! before and without grace, nature can hate 
 sin, avoid it, and repent of it : while even jifter gi'ace is 
 come, this nature loves sin, seeks iL longs for it, and 
 never ceases contending against grace, nnd being angry 
 with It; a state which all the saints monrn over continu- 
 ally ! It is as if men said that a strong tree, vvhich 1 
 
 cannot bend by the exertion of all my strength, would bend 
 of itself, as soon as I left it, or that a torrent which no 
 dikes or barriers can check, would cease running as soon as 
 
 ' it was left alone No! it is not by reflecting on sin and 
 
 its consequences that we arrive at repentance; but it is 
 by contemplating Jesus Christ, his wounds, and his infinite 
 
 • Und sollten's eitel Kinder in der Wiege seyn. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 339. 
 t Wahrheit hat allezeit rumort. Ibid. 340 
 
Luther's retractation. 157 
 
 love* The knowledge of sin must proceed from repentance, 
 and not repentance from the knowledge of sm. Knowledge 
 is the fruit, repentance is the tree. In my country, the 
 fruit grows on the tree ; but it would appear that in the 
 states of the holy Father the tree grows on the fruit." 
 
 The courageous doctor, although he protests, still retracts 
 some of his propositions. Our astonishment will cease 
 when we see the manner in which he does it. After 
 quoting the four propositions on indulgences, condemned by 
 the bulljf he simply adds : — 
 
 " In submission to the holy and learned bull, I retract 
 aU that I have ever taught concerning indulgences. If 
 my books have been justly burnt, it is certainly because 
 I made concessions to the pope on the doctrine of in- 
 dulgences ) for this reason I condemn them myself to the 
 flames." 
 
 He retracts also with respect to John Huss : " I now 
 say that not a fevj articles, but all the articles of John 
 Hu8S are wholly christian. By condemning Jdfin Huss, 
 the pope has condemned the Gospel. I have done five 
 times more than he, and yet I much fear I have not done 
 enough. Huss only said that a wicked pope is not a 
 member of Christendom; but if Peter himself were now 
 sitting at Rome, I should deny that he Avas pope by Divine 
 appointment." 
 
 • Man soil zuvor Christum in seine Wunden sehen, und aus denselben 
 seine Liebe gegen uns. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 351. 
 t Props. 19 to 22. Ibid. 363. 
 
158 CORONATION OF CHARLES V. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Coronation of Charles tho Fifth— The Nuncio Aleander— Shall Luther'a 
 Books be Burnt ?— Aleander and the Emperor— The Nuncios and 
 the Elector— Duke John's Son in Behalf of Luther— Luther's Calm- 
 ness—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. 
 
 The mighty words of the reiornier sunk deep into men's 
 hearts, and contributed to their emancipation. The sparks 
 that flew from every one of them Avere communicated to the 
 whole nation. But still a greater question remained to be 
 solved. Would the prince in whose states Luther was re- 
 siding, favour or oppose the execution of the bull? The 
 reply appeared doubtful The elector, as well as all the 
 princes oi the empire, was at Aix-la-Chapelle. Here the 
 crown ot Ciiarlemagne was placed on the head of the 
 youngest but most powerful monarch of Cin-istendom. 
 An unusual pomp and magnificence were displayed in this 
 ceremony. Charles V., Frederick, princes, ministers, and 
 ambassadors, repaired immediately to Cologne. Aix-la- 
 Chapelle, where the plague was raging, seemed to pour 
 its whole population into this ancient city on the banlcs of 
 the Rhine. 
 
 Among the crowd of strangers who thronged tills city 
 were the two papal nuncios, Marino Caraccioli and Jerome 
 Aleander. Caraccioli; who had already been ambassador 
 at the court of Maximilian, was commissioned to cx)ngratu- 
 late the new emperor, and to treat with him on political 
 matters. But Rome had discovered that, to succeed in ex- 
 tinguishing the Reformation, it was necessary to send into 
 Germany a nuncio specially accredited for this v/ork, and of 
 a character, skill, and activity litted for its accomplislnnent. 
 Aleander had been selected.^' This man, afterAvards in- 
 
 * Studium lia<^rantissiraum religionis, ardor indolis . . . . incredihile 
 quanta solertia .. Pallavicini, i. 84. 
 
THE NL'NCIO ALEANDEK. 159 
 
 vested with the purple of the cardinals, would appear to 
 have been descended from a family of respectable antiquity, 
 and not from Jewish parents, as it has been said. The guilty 
 Borgia invited him to Rome to be the secretary of his son 
 — of that Caesar before whose murderous sword all Rome 
 trembled.* '' Like master, like man," says an historian, 
 who thus compares Aleander to Alexander YI. This judg- 
 ment is in our opinion too severe. After Borgia's death, 
 Aleander applied to his studies with fresh ardour. His 
 knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, and Arabic, gained 
 him the reputation of being the most learned man of his 
 age. He devoted himself with his whole heart to every- 
 thing" he undertook. The zeal with which he studied 
 languages was by no means inferior to that which he 
 exerted afterwards in persecuting the Reformation. Leo X. 
 attached him to his own service. Some historians speak of 
 his epicurean manners ; Romanists of the integrity of his 
 life.f It would appear that he was fond of luxury, parade, 
 and amusement. " Aleander is living at Venice hke a gro- 
 veUing epicurean, and in high dignity," wrote his old friend 
 Erasmus concerning him. All are agreed in confessing that 
 he was violent, prompt in his actions, full of ardour, indefati- 
 gable, imperious, and devoted to the pope. Eck was the fiery 
 and intrepid champion of the schools : Aleander the haughty 
 ambassador of the proud court of the pontiffs. He seemed 
 born to be a nuncio. 
 
 Rome had made every preparation to destroy the monk 
 of Wittemberg. The duty of attending the coronation of 
 the emperor, as the pope's representative, was a mere second- 
 ary mission in Aleander's eyes, yet calculated to facilitate 
 his task by the respect it secured for him. But he was 
 specially charged to prevail upon . Charles to crush the 
 rising Reformation.:]: 
 
 * See Vol. I. p. 65. Capello, Veuetian ambassador at Rome in 1500, 
 
 says of Caesar : Tatta Roma trema di esso duclia non li faza amazzar 
 
 Extracted by Ranke, from a MS. Relatione in the archives of Vienna. 
 
 ■f Er wird Ubel als eiu gebohrner Jude und schaeudiicher Epicurer 
 beschrieben. Seckend. 288. Integritas Titao qua prsenoscebatur. Pal- 
 lavicini, i. 84. 
 
 ± Cui tota sollicitudo ianiteretur nascentis hseresis evellendcC. Ibid. i. 83 
 
160 SHALL LUTHEr's BOOKS BE BURNT ? 
 
 As soon as Aleander arrived at Cologne, he and Caraccioli 
 set every wheel in motion to have Luther's heretical works 
 burnt throughout the empire, but particularly under the 
 eyes of the German princes assembled in that city. Charles 
 V. had already given his consent with regard to his heredi- 
 tary states. The agitation of men's minds was excessive. 
 " Such measures," said they to Charles's ministers and the 
 nuncios themselves, " far from healing the wound, wiU 
 only increase it. Do you imagine that Luther's doctrines 
 are found only in those books that you are throwing into 
 the fire ? They are written, where you cannot reach them, 
 
 in the hearts of the nation.* If you desire to employ force, 
 
 it must be that of countless swords unsheathed to massacre 
 a whole nation.-}- A few logs of wood piled up to burn a 
 few sheets of paper will effect nothing ; and such arms are 
 unbecoming the dignity of an emperor and of a pontiff." — 
 The nuncio defended his burning piles : " These flames," 
 said he, " are a sentence of condemnation written in colossal 
 characters, equally intelligible to those who are near and 
 those who are afar off, — to the learned and ignorant, — and 
 even to those who cannot read." 
 
 But it was not in reality papers and books that the nuncio 
 wanted : it was Luther himself. " These flames," resumed 
 he, " are not sufficient to purify the infected air of Ger- 
 many.j: If they terrrfy the simple^ they do not punish 
 the wicked. We require an imperial edict against Luther's 
 person." § 
 
 Aleander did not find the emperor so compliant when the 
 reformer's life was in question, as when his books only 
 were concerned. 
 
 " As I have but recently ascended the throne," said he to 
 Aleander, " I cannot without the advice of my councillors 
 and the consent of the princes strike such a blow as this 
 
 ' • Altiusque insculptam in mcntibus universae fere Germanic. Palla- 
 vicini, i. 88. . 
 
 + la vi iunumerabiliuin gladiorum qui infinitum populum irucidarent. 
 Ibid. 
 
 X Non satis ad expurgandum aerem Gerraaniae jam tabificum. Ibid, 
 p. 89. 
 
 § Caesaris cdictum ia caput... Lutheri. Ibid. 
 
THE NUNCIOS AND THE ELECTOR, 161 
 
 against a numerous faction surrounded by so many power- 
 ful defenders. Let us first learn what our father, the Elector 
 of Saxony, thinks of this matter ; * we shall afterwards see 
 what reply we can make to the pope." The nuncios, there- 
 fore, proceeded to make trial of their artifices and eloquence 
 on the electp"* 
 
 The first Sunday in November, Frederick having attended 
 mass in the Greyfriars' convent, Caraccioli and Aleander 
 begged an audience. He received them in the presence of the 
 Bishop of Trent and several of his councillors. Caraccioli 
 first presented the papal brief. Of a milder disposition than 
 Aleander, he thought it his duty to win over the prince by 
 his flatteries, and began by eulogizing him and his ancestors. 
 " It is to you," said he, " that we look for the salvation of 
 the Roman Church ^nd of the Roman Empire." 
 
 But the impetuous Aleander, wishing to come to the point, 
 hastily stepped forward and interrupted his colleague, who 
 modestly gave way :j " It is to me and Eck," said he, " that 
 this business of-Martin's has been intrusted. Look at the 
 imminent dangers into which this man is plunging the 
 christian republic. If we do not make haste to apply some 
 remedy, the empire is ruined. "Why were the Greeks de- 
 stroyed, but because they abandoned the pope ? You can- 
 not remain united to Luther without separating from Jesus 
 Christ. I I require two things of you, in the name of his 
 hohness : Jlrst, that you will burn Luther's writings ; se- 
 condly, that you will inflict on him the punishment he de- 
 serves, or at least that you will deliver him up to the pope.§ 
 The emperor and all the princes of the empire have declared 
 their wiUingness to accede to our request ; you alone hesi- 
 tate still." 
 
 Frederick replied, through ^e medium of the Bishop of 
 
 • Audiamus antea hac in re patrem nostrum Fredericum. L. Opp. 
 Lat. ii. 1 17. 
 
 + Cui ita loquenti de improviso sese addit Aleander. Ibid. 
 
 t Non posse cum Luthero c'onjungi, quin sejungeretur a Christo. Pal- 
 lar. i. 86. 
 
 § Ut de eo» supplicium sumeret, vel captum pontifici transmitteret. 
 L. Opp. Lat. ii. 117 
 
162 JOHN FREDERICK INTERCEDES. 
 
 Trent : " This ijiatter is too serious to be settled now. We 
 will let you know our determination." 
 
 The situation in wliicli Frederick was placed was a diffi- 
 cult one. What part ought he to take ? On the'one side were 
 the emperor, the princes of the empire, and the supreme pontiff 
 of Christendom, whose authorit}^ the elector had as yet nc 
 idea of throwing off; on the other, a monk, a feeble monk : for 
 it was he only that they demanded. Charles's reign had just 
 commenced. Ought Frederick, the oldest and wisest of all the 
 princes of G ermany, to sow disunion in the empire ? Besides, 
 how could he renounce that ancient piety which led him even 
 to the sepulchre of Christ ? 
 
 Other voices were then heard. A young prince, who after- 
 wards wore the electoral crown, and whose reign was signal- 
 ized by the greatest misfortunes, John Frederick, son of 
 Duke John, the electors nephev>^, and Spalatin's pupil, a youth 
 seventeen years of age, had received in his heart a sincere love 
 for the truth, and was firmly attached to Luther.* When 
 lie saw the reformer struck by the Roman anathemas, he em- 
 braced his cause with the warmth of a young Christian and 
 of a youthful prince. He wrote to the doctor and to his uncle, 
 nobly entreating the latter to protect Luther against -his 
 enemies. On the other hand, Spalatin, frequently it is true 
 very dejected, Pontanus, and the other councillors who were 
 with the elector at Cologne, represented to the prince that 
 he ought not to abandon the reformer.-J- 
 
 In the midst of this general agitation, one man alone re- 
 mained tranquil : it Was Luther. While it was sought to 
 preserve him by the influence of the great, the monk in 
 liis cloister at Wittemberg thought that it w^as rather for 
 him to save the great ones of this world. " If the Gospel," 
 wrote he to Spalatin, " was of a nature to be propagated or 
 maintained by the powers of Tliis world, God would not have 
 
 * Sonderliche Gunst und Gnade zumirnnwurdiglich und den grosseu 
 Willen und Lust zu der heiligen gottlichen Wahrheit. L. Epp. i. 548, 
 Letter to John Frederick, 30th October lo20. 
 
 t Assiduo flabello miuistrorum, illi jugiter simdentium ne Lutherum 
 desereret. Pal lav. i. 06. ^ • 
 
LUTHERS TRANQUILLITY. - 163 
 
 intrusted it to fishermen.* It belongs not to the princes and 
 pontiffs of tliis age to defend the Word of God. They have 
 enough to do to shelter themselves from the judgments of 
 the Lord and of his Anointed. If I speak, it is in order 
 that they may attain a knowledge of the Divine Word, and 
 that by it they may be saved." 
 
 Luther^s expectation was not to be deceived. That faith, 
 which a convent at Wittemberg concealed, exerted its power 
 in the palaces of Cologne. Frederick's heart, shaken perhaps 
 for a moment, grew stronger by degrees. He was indignant 
 that the pope, in defiance of his earnest entreaties to examine 
 into the matter in Germany, had decided upon it at Rome 
 at the request of a personal enemy of the reformer, and 
 that in his absence this opponent should have dared publish 
 in Saxony a bull that threatened the existence of the uni- 
 versity and the peace of his subjects. Besides," the elector 
 was convinced that Luther Avas wronged. He shuddered 
 at the thought of delivering an innocent man into the hands 
 of his cruel enemies. Justice was the principle ^n which he 
 acted, and not the wishes of the pope. He came to the deter- 
 mination of not giving way to Rome. On the 4th of November, 
 his councillors replied on his behalf to the Roman nuncios 
 'w^ho came to the electors, in the presence of the Bishop of 
 Trent, that he had seen with much pain the advantage 
 that Dr. Eck had taken of his absence to involve in the con- 
 demnation several persons who were not named in the 
 bull ; that since his departure from Saxony, it was possible 
 that an immense number of learned and ignorant men, 
 of the clergy and laity, might have united and adhered to 
 the cause and appeal of Luther -f that neither his imperial 
 majesty nor any other person had shown that Luther's 
 writings had been refuted, and that they only deserved to be 
 thrown into the fire ; and finally he requested that Doctor 
 Luther should be furnished with a safe-conduct, so that he 
 
 * Evangelium si tale esset, quod potentatibus mundi ant propagaretur 
 aut servaretur, non illud piscatoribus Deus demandasset. L. Epp i. 521. 
 
 •f- Ut ingens vis populi, doctorum et rudium, sacrorum et profanorum, 
 sese coujunxerint. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 116. 
 
164 THE ELECTOR PROTECTS LUTHER. 
 
 might appear before a tribunal of learned, pious, and im- 
 partial judges. 
 
 After this declaration, Aleander, Caraccioli, and their fol- 
 lowers retired to deliberate.* This was the first time that 
 the elector had publicly made known his intentions with 
 regard to the reformer. The nuncios had expected quite a 
 different course from him. Now (they had thought) that 
 the elector, by maintaining his character for impartiality, 
 would draw dangers upon himself the whole extent of 
 which he could not foresee, he will not hesitate to sacrifice 
 the monk. Thus Rome had reasoned. But her machina- 
 tions were doomed to fail before a force that did not enter 
 mto her calculations, — the love of justice and of truth. 
 
 Being re-admitted into the presence of the electors coun- 
 cillors, the imperious Aleander said : " I should like to know 
 what the elector would think, if one of his subjects should 
 choose the king of France, or any other foreign prince, for 
 judge." Seeing that nothing could shake the Saxon coun- 
 cillors, he said : " We will execute the bull ; we w^ill hunt 
 out and burn Luther's ■\^Titings. As for his person," added 
 he, aff'ecting a contemptuous indifference, " the pope is not 
 desirous of staining his hands with the blood of the wretched 
 man." 
 
 The news of the reply the elector had made to the nuncios 
 having reached Wittemberg, Luther's friends were filled 
 with joy. Melancthon and Amsdorff", especially, indulged in 
 the most flattering anticipations. " The German nobihty," 
 said Melancthon, " will direct their course by the example 
 of this prince, whom they follow in all things, as their 
 Nestor. If Homer styled his hero the luhcark of the 
 Greeks, why should we not call Frederick the luhcark of the 
 Germans ?"-|- 
 
 The oracle of courts, the torch of the schools, the light 
 of the world, Erasmus, was then %t Cologne. Many princes 
 
 * Quo audito, ISIarinus et Aleander seorsim cum suis locuti sunt. L. 
 0pp. Lat. ii. 117. 
 
 ■f Homerica appellatione murum Germanise. C!orp. Ref. i. 272. 
 
ERASMUS AND THE ELECTOR. 165 
 
 had invited him, to be guided by his advice. At the epoch 
 of the Reformation, Erasmus was the leader ^he moderates; 
 he imagined himself to be so, but without just cause ; for 
 when truth and error meet face to face, justice lies not 
 between them. He was the chief of that philosophical and 
 academical party w^hich, for ages, had attempted to correct 
 Rome, but had never succeeded ; he was the representative 
 of human wisdom, but that wisdom was too weak to 
 batter down the high places of Popery. It needed that 
 wisdom from God, which men often call foolishness, but 
 at whose voice mountains crumble into dust. Erasmus 
 would neither throw himself into the arms of Luther, nor 
 sit at the pope's feet. He hesitated, and often wavered 
 bet^veen these two powers, attracted at one time towards 
 Luther, then suddenly repelled in the direction of the pope. 
 " The last spark of christian piety seems nearly extinguished," 
 said he in his letter to Albert ; " and 'tis this which has 
 moved Luther's heart. He cares neither for money nor 
 honours."* But this letter, which the imprudent Ulrich of 
 Hiitten had published, caused Erasmus^ so much annoyance, 
 that he determined to be more cautious in future. Besides, 
 he w^as accused of being Luther's accomplice, and the latter 
 offended him by his imprudent language. " Almost all good 
 men are for Luther," f said he ; " but I see that we are 
 
 tending towards a revolt I would not have my name 
 
 joined with his. That would injure me without serving 
 him.'' I " So be it," replied Luther ; " since that annoys 
 you, I promise never to make mentio;i either of you or of 
 your friends." Such was the man to whom both the par- 
 tisans and enemies of the Reformation applied. 
 
 The elector, knowing that the opinion of a man so much 
 respected as Erasmus would have great influence, invited 
 the illustrious Dutchman to visit him. Erasmus obeyed the 
 
 • Et futurum -erat ut tandem prorsus extingueretur ilia scintilla 
 
 Christianse pietatis ; hsec moverunt animum Mtheri qui nee honores 
 
 ambit, nee pecuniam cupit. Erasm. Epp. Lend. J 642, p. 586. 
 
 •f Favent vero ferme boni omnes. Corp. Ref. i. 205. 
 
 I Er will von mir ungennet seyn. L. Epp. i. 525. Nam ea res me 
 gravat, et Lutherum non subleyat. Corp. Ref. i. 206. 
 
166 SENTIMENTS OF ERASMUS. 
 
 order. This \^f on the 5 th December. Luther's friends 
 could not see^is step without secret uneasiness. ITie 
 elector was standing before the fire, with Spalatin at his side, 
 when Erasmus was introduced. " What is your opinion of 
 Luther?" immediately demanded Frederick. The prudent 
 Erasmus, surprised at so direct a questiofi, sought at first 
 to elude replying. He. screwed up his mouth, bit his lips, 
 and said not a wordj JJpon this the elector, raising • his 
 eyebrows, as was his custom when he spoke to people 
 from whom he desired to have a precise answer, says Spa- 
 latin, fixed his piercing glance on Erasmus.* The latter, 
 not knowing how to escape from his confusion, said at last, 
 in a half jocular tone : " Luther has committed two great 
 faults : he has attacked the crown of the pope and the bellies 
 of the monks."f The elector smiled, but gave his visiter to 
 understand that he was in earnest. Erasmus then laying 
 aside his reserve, said : " The cause of all this dispute is the 
 hatred of the monks towards learning, and the fear they have 
 of seeing their tyranny destroyed. What weapons are they 
 using against Luther ? — clamour, cabals, hatred, and libels. 
 The more virtuous a man is, and the greater his attachment 
 to the Gospel, the less is he opposed to Luther.j: The seve- 
 rity of the bull has aroused the indignation of all good men, 
 and no one can recognise in it the gentleness of a vicar of 
 Christ.§ Two only, out of all the universities, have con- 
 demned Luther; and they have only condemned him, not 
 proved him in the wrong. Do not be deceived ; the danger 
 is greater than some -men imagine. Arduous' and difficult 
 things are pressing on.]] To begin Charles's reign by so 
 odious an act as Luther's imprisonment, would be a mourn- 
 ful omen. The world is thirsting for evangehcal truth ',j[ let 
 
 * Da sperret auch wahrlich mein gnadister Herr seine Augen nur wohl 
 auf Spalatin, Hist. MS. in Seckend. p. 291. 
 
 + Lutherus peccavit in duobus, nempe quod tetigit coronam pontificis 
 et ventres monachorum.* 
 
 X Cum optimus quisque et evangelicse doctrinae proxinius dicatur, mi- 
 nime offensus Luthero. Axiomata Erasmi in L. 0pp. Lat, ii. 115. 
 
 § Bullae ssevitia probos omnes offendit, ut indigna mitissimo Christi 
 vicario. Ibid. II Urgent ardua negotia. Ibid. 
 
 ^ Mundus sitit veritatem evangelicam. Axiomata Erasmi m L. 0pp. 
 Lat. ii. 115. 
 
ADVICE OF ERASMUS. 167 
 
 a 
 
 US beware of setting up a blamable opposition. Let this 
 affair be inquired into by serious men, — men of sound judg- 
 ment; this will be the course most consistent with the dig- 
 nity of the pope himself!" 
 
 Thus spoke Erasmus to the elector. Such frankness may 
 perhaps astonish the reader; but Erasmus knew whom he 
 was' addressing. Spalatin was delighted. He w^nt out with 
 Erasmus, and accompanied him as far as the house of the 
 Count of Nuenar, provost of Cologne, where Erasmus was 
 residing. The latter, in an impulse of frankness, on retiring 
 to his study, took a pen, sat down, wrote a summary of what 
 he had said to the elector, and forwarded the paper to Spa- 
 latin ; but erelong the fear of Aleander came over the timid 
 Erasmus ; the courage tjjat the presence of the elector and 
 his chaplain had communicated to him had evaporated ; and 
 he begged Spalatin to return the too daring paper, for fear 
 it should fall .into the hands of the terrible nuncio. But it 
 was too late. 
 
 The elector, feehng re-assured by the opinion of Erasmus, 
 spoke to the emperor in a more decided tone. Erasmus 
 himself endeavoured, in nocturnal conferences,* like those of 
 Nicodemus of old, to persuade Charles's councillors that the 
 whole business should be referred to impartial judges. Per- 
 haps he hoped to be named arbitrator in a cause which 
 threatened to divide the christian w^orld. His vanity would 
 have been flattered by such an office. But at the sam^e time, 
 and not to lose his credit at Rome, he wTote the most sub- 
 missive letters to Leo, who replied with a- kindness that 
 seriously mortified Aleander. f From love to the pope, the 
 i.iincio would willingly have reprimanded the pope ; for 
 Erasmus communicated these letters from the pontiff, and 
 they added still more to his credit. The nuncio complained 
 of it to Rome. '' Pretend not to notice this man's wicked- 
 ness," was the reply ; " prudence enjoins this : w^e must leave 
 a door open to repentance." | -^"" 
 
 Charles at the same time adopted a " see-saw" system, 
 
 * SoUicitatis per nocturnos congressus Pallav. i. 87. 
 
 t Qua; male torquebant Aleandrum. Ibid. 
 
 J Prudentis erat consilii, hominis pravitatem dissimulare. Ibid. 88. 
 
168 SYSTEM OF CHARLES V. 
 
 which consisted in flattering the pope and the elector, and 
 appearing to incline by turns towards each, according to the 
 necessities of the moment. One of his ministers, whom he 
 had sent to Rome on Spanish business, arrived at the very 
 moment that Doctor Eck was clamorously urging on 
 Luther's condemnation. The wily ambassador immediately 
 saw what advantage his master might derive from the 
 Saxon monk. " Your Majesty," he wrote on the 12th May 
 1520 to the emperor, who was still in Spain, " ought to go 
 into Germany, and show some favour to a certain Martin 
 Luther, who is at the Saxon court, and who by the sermons 
 he preaches gives much anxiety to the court of Rome."* 
 Such from the commencement was the view Charles took of 
 the Reformation. It was of no importance for him to know 
 on which side truth or error might •b&oijimd, or to discern 
 what the great interests of the German nation required. His 
 only question was, what policy demanded, and what should 
 be done to induce the pope to support the emperor. And 
 this was well known at Rome. Charles's ministers intimated 
 to Aleander the course their master intended following. "The 
 emperor," said they, " will behave toAvards the pope as he 
 behaves towards the emperor ; f for he has no desire to in- 
 crease the power of his rivals, and particularly of the King 
 of France." At these words the imperious nuncio gave 
 way to his indignation. " What !" replied he, " supposing 
 the pope should abandon the emperor, must the latter re- 
 nounce his rehgion? If Charles wishes to avenge himself 
 
 thus let him tremble! this baseness will turn against 
 
 himself." But the nuncio's threats did not shake the im- 
 perial diplomatists. 
 
 * Despatches of Manuel Llorente, i. 398. 
 
 + Caesarem ita se gesturum erga Pontificem, uti se Pontifex erga 
 Caesarem gereret. Pallav. i. 91. 
 
ABUSE OF THE CONFESSIONAL. 169 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Iiother on Confession — Real Absolution — Antichrist — Luther's Populx- 
 rity — Satires — Ulrich of Hiitten — Lucas Cranach — The Carnival at 
 Wittcmbeig — Staupitz intimidated — Luther's Labours — His Humility 
 — Progress of the Reformation. 
 
 If the legates of Rome failed with the mighty ones of this 
 world, the inferior agents of the papacy succeeded in spread- 
 ing trouble among the lower ranks. The array of Rome had 
 heard the commands of its chief. Fanatical priests made use 
 of the bull to alarm timid consciences, and well-meaning but 
 unenlightened ecclesiastics considered it a sacred duty to act 
 in conformity with the instructions of the pope. It was in 
 the confessional that Luther had commenced his struggle 
 against Rome;^ it was in the confessional that Rome con- 
 tended against the reformer's adherents. Scouted in the face 
 of the world, the bull became powerful in these solitary tri- 
 bunals. "Have you read Luther's works?" asked the con- 
 fessors ; " do you possess any of them ? do you regard them 
 as true or heretical?" And if the penitent hesitated to 
 pronounce the anathema, the priest refused absolution. 
 Many consciences were troubled. Great agitation prevailed 
 among the people. This skilful manoeuvre bid fair to 
 restore to the papal yoke the people already won over to 
 the Gospel. Rome congratulated herself on having in the 
 thirteenth century erected this tribunal, so skilfully adapted 
 to render tfie free consciences of Christians the slaves of the 
 priests.-j- So long as this remains standing, her reign is not 
 over. 
 
 Luther was informed of these proceedings. What can he 
 do, unaided, to baffle this manoeuvre ? The Word, the Word 
 proclaimed loudly and courageously, shall be his weapon. 
 The Word will find access to those alarmed consciences, 
 those terrified souls, and give them strength. A powerful 
 
 * See Vol. I. p. 261. 
 
 + In 1215 by the Fourth Lateran Council, under Innocent III. 
 VOL. U. 8 
 
170 TRUE ABSOLUTION. 
 
 impulse was necessary, and Luther's voice made itself heard. 
 He addressed the penitents with fearless dignity, with a noble 
 disdain of all secondary considerations. " Wlien you are 
 asked whether you approA'e of my books or not," said he, " re- 
 ply : * You are a confessor, and not an inquisitor or a gaoler. 
 My duty is to confess what my conscience leads me to say : 
 yours is not to sound and extort the secrets of my heart. Give 
 me absolution, and then dispute with Luther, with tlie pope, 
 with whomsoever you please ; but do not convert the sacra- 
 ment of penance into a quarrel and a combat.' — And if 
 the confessor v*'ill not give way, then (continues Luther) 
 I would rather go without absolution. Do not be un- 
 easy ; if man does not absolve you, God will. Rejoice that 
 you are absolved by God himself, and appear at the altar 
 without fear. At the last judgment the priest will have to 
 give an account of the absolution he has refused you. They 
 may deprive us of the sacrament, but tliey cannot deprive 
 us of the strength and grace that God has connected with 
 it. It is not in their will or in their power, but in our 
 own faith, that God has placed salvation. Dispense with 
 the sacrament, alt;xr, priest, and church ; the Word of God, 
 condemned by the bull, is more than all these things. The 
 soul can do without the sacrament, but it cannot live with- 
 out the Word. Christ, the true bishop, will undertake to 
 give you spiritual food."-- 
 
 Thus did Luther's voice sink into every alarmed con- 
 science, and make its way into every troubled family, impart- 
 ing courage and faith. But he Avas not content simply 
 with defending himself; he felt that he ought to become 
 the assailant, and return blow for blow. A Romish theo- 
 logian, Ambrose Catharinus, had written against him. " I 
 will stir up the bile of this Italian beast," said Luther, f 
 Ile kept his word. In his reply, he proved, by the re- 
 velations of Daniel and St. John, by the epistles of St. 
 Paul, St. Peter, and St. Jude, that the reign of Antichrist, 
 predicted and described in the Bible, was the Papacy. 
 " I know for certain," said he in conclusion, " that our 
 
 " Und wird dich der rechte BischofF Christus selber speisen L. 
 
 0pp. (L.) xvii. 565. + Italicae bestise bilem movebo. L. Epp. i. 570. 
 
Luther's popularity. 171 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ lives and reigns. Strong in tins assur- 
 ance, I should not fear many thousands of popes. May 
 God visit us at last according to his infinite power, and 
 show forth the day of the glorious advent of his Son, in 
 which he will destroy the wicked one.* And let all the 
 people say, Amen !" 
 
 And all the people did say. Amen ! A holy terror seized 
 upon their souls. It Avas Antichrist whom they beheld seated 
 on the pontifical throne. This new idea, whicii derived 
 greater strength from the prophetic descriptions launched 
 forth by Luther into the midst of his contemporaries, in- 
 flicted the most terrible blow on Rome. Faith in the Word 
 of God took the place of that faith which the Church alone 
 had hitherto enjoyed ; and the power of the pope, long the 
 object of adoration among nations, had now become a source 
 of terror and detestation. 
 
 Germany replied to the papal bull by overwhelming Luther 
 with its acclamations. Although the plague was raging at 
 Wittemberg, new students arrived every day, and from four to 
 six hundred disciples habitually sat at the feet of Luther and 
 Melancthon in the halls of the academy. The two churches 
 belonging to the convent and the city were not large -enough 
 for the crowd that hung listening to the reformer's words. 
 The prior of the Augustines was fearful that these temples 
 would fall under the weight of the hearers.-|- But this 
 spiritual movement was not confined within the walls of 
 Wittemberg; it spread through Germany. Princes, nobles, 
 and learned men from every quarter, addressed Luther in 
 letters breathing consolation and faith. The doctor showed 
 the chaplain more than thirty such.j: 
 
 The Margrave of Brandenburg came one day to Wittem- 
 berg, with several other princes, to visit Luther. " They 
 desired to see the man," said the latter.§ In truth, all were 
 
 - * Ostendat ilium diem adventus glories Filii sui, quo destruatur 
 iniquus iste. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 162. 
 
 t Es mochte noch gar die Kirche und Capelle um der Menge willen 
 einfallen. Spalatin in Seckend. p. 295. 
 
 Z Mehr als dreyssig Briefe vou Fiirsten ^.Ibid. 
 
 § Vidcre enim hominem voluerunt. L. Epp. i. 544, dated 16th 
 January 1521. 
 
172 melancthon's exiioetation — lutiier's works. 
 
 desirous of seeing the man v/hose words had moved the 
 people, and made the pontiff of the West totter upon his 
 throne. 
 
 The enthusiasm of Lutiier's friends increased every day. 
 " What unheard-of foolishness in Emser," exclaimed Melanc- 
 thon, " who has ventured to measure himself with our 
 Hercules, not perceiving the finger of God in every one 
 of Luther's actions,* as Pharaoh would not see it in those 
 of Moses." The gentle Melancthon found words of power to 
 arouse those who seemed to be retrograding or even remain- 
 ing stationary. " Luther has stood up for the truth," 
 
 wrote he to John Hess, "and ye* you keep silence! 
 
 He is alive and prospering still, although the lion (Leo) is 
 chafing and roaring. Bear in mind that it is impossible 
 for Roman impiety to approve of the Gospel.f How can 
 this age be wanting in men like Judas, Caiaphas, Pilate, or 
 Herod? Arm yourself, therefore, v/ith the weapons of 
 God's Word against such adversaries." 
 
 All Luther's writings, his Lord's Prayer, and particularly 
 his new edition of the German Theology,:]: were perused 
 with avidity. Reading clubs were formed for the circulation 
 of his works among their members. His friends reprinted 
 them, and got them distributed by hawkers. They were 
 recommended from the pulpit. There was a general wish 
 for a German Church ; and the people demanded that no 
 one should henceforth be invested with any ecclesiastical 
 dignity, unless he could preach to the people in the vulgar 
 tongue, and that in every (juarter the bishops of G;ermany 
 should resist the papal power. 
 
 Nor was this all : biting satires against the principal ultra- 
 montanists were circulated throughout the provinces of the 
 empire. The opposition rallied all its forces around this new 
 
 doctrine, which gave it precisely what it stood in need of 
 
 a justification in the eyes of religion. IMost of the lawyers, 
 wearied by the encroachments of the ecclesiastical tribunals, 
 attached themselves to the reform, but the humanists, in 
 
 * Dei digitum esse qnsc a Martino fiant. Corp. Ref. i. 282. 
 
 + Non posse Evangelium Romans impietati probari. Ibid. 280. 
 
 J See Vol. I. p. 213. 
 
ULRICH HUTTEN. 173 
 
 particular, eagerly embraced this party. Ulrich Hiitten was 
 ' indefatigable. He addressed letters to Luther, to the legates, 
 and to the most considerable men in Germany. " I tell you, 
 and repeat it, Marino," said he to the legate Caraccioli, in one 
 of his works, " the darkness with which you had covered 
 our eyes is dispersed ; the Gospel is preached ; the truth is 
 proclaimed ; the absurdities of Rome are overwhelmed with 
 contempt ; your decrees languish and die ; liberty is begin- 
 ning to dawn upon us ! " * 
 
 Not content with employing prose, Hiitten had recourse 
 to verse also. He published his Outcry on the Lutheran 
 Conjlagration,\ in which, appealing to Jesus Christ, he be- 
 seeches him to consume with the brightness of his counte- 
 nance all who dared deny his authority. Above all, he set 
 about writing in German. " Hitherto," said he, " I have 
 written in Latin, a tongue not intelligible to every one ; but 
 now I address all my fellow-countrymen!". His German 
 rhymes unveiled to the people the long and disgraceful cata- 
 logue of the sins of the Roman court. But Hiitten did not 
 wish to confine himself to mere words ; he was eager to in- 
 terfere in the struggle with the sword ; and he thought that 
 the vengeance of God should be wrought by the swords and 
 halberds of those valiant warriors of whom Germany was so 
 proud. Luther opposed this mad project : " I desire not," 
 said he, " to fight for the Gospel with 'violence and blood- 
 shed. I have written to Hiitten to this effect."i 
 
 • Ablata ilia est a vobis inducta olim nostris oculis caligo, prsedicatur 
 
 Eyangelium spes est libertatis. Ulrich ab Hiitten Eques, Mar. Carrao. 
 
 L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 176. 
 + Quo tu oculos, pie Christe, tuos, frontisque severse 
 
 Tende supercilium, teque esse ostende neganti. 
 
 Qui te contemnunt igitur, mediumque tonauti 
 
 Ostendunt digitum, tandem iis te ostende potentem. 
 
 Te videat ferus ille Leo, te tota malorum 
 
 Sentiat illuvies, scelerataque Roma tremiscat, 
 
 Ultorem scelerum discant te vivere saltern, 
 
 Qui regnare negant. 
 In Incendium Lutheranum Exclamatio Ulrichi Hiitteni Equitis, Mar. 
 Carac. L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 176. 
 
 X Nollem vi et cscde pro Evangelio certari ; ita ut scripsi ad hoDunem. 
 L. Epp. i. 543. 
 
174 Christ's passion — the carnival. 
 
 The celebrated painter Lucas Cranacli published, under 
 the title of the Passion of Christ and Antichrist, a set of en- 
 gravings which represented on one side the glory and mag- 
 nificence of the pope, and on tlie other the humiliation and 
 sufferings of the Redeemer. The inscriptions were written 
 by Luther. These engravings," designed with considerable 
 skill, produced an effect beyond all previous exami3le. The 
 people withdrew from a church that appeared in every re- 
 spect so opposed to the spirit of its Founder. " This is a 
 very good work -for the laity," said Luther.* 
 
 Many persons wielded weapons against the papacy, that 
 had but ^ittle connexion with the holiness of a christian life. 
 Emser had repHed to Luther's book ( To the Goat of Leipsic) 
 by another whose title was To the Bull of Wittemberg. ', The 
 name was not badly selected. 'But at Magdeburg Eraser's 
 Avork was suspended to the common gibbet, with 'this in- 
 scription : " Tije book is worthy of the place," and a scourge 
 was hung at its side, to indicate the punishment the author 
 merited.-{- At Doeblin some persons wrote under the papal 
 bull, in ridicule of its ineffectual thunders, " The nest is here, 
 but the birds have flown.";}: 
 
 The students at Wittemberg, taking advantage of the 
 license of the carnival, dressed up one of their number in a 
 costume similar to the pope's, and paraded him with great 
 pomp through the streets of the city, but in a manner some- 
 what too ludicrous, as Luthe^- observes. § AVhen they reached 
 the great square, they approached the river, iind some, pre- 
 tending a sudden attack, appeared desirous of throwing the 
 pope into the water. But the pontiff, having little incUnation 
 for such a bath, took to his heels ; his cardinals, bishops, and 
 familiars imitated his example, dispersing into every quarter 
 of the city. The students pursued them through the streets ; 
 and there was hardly a corner in Wittemberg where some 
 Roman dignitary had not taken refuge from tlie shouts and 
 
 • Bonus est pro laicis liber. L. Epp. i. 571. This book,Avliich deserves 
 reprinting, I found in the library of Zurich. 
 
 ■f In publico infamiae loco afhxus. Ibia. 56t 
 
 X Das Nest ist hie, die Vogel sind aus<:;eflogen. Ibid. 570. 
 
 § Nimis ludicre Papam personatum circumvenerunt sublimem et pom- 
 paticum. Ibid. 561. 
 
STAUPITZ INTIMIDATED. 175 
 
 laughter of the excited populace.* '•' The enemy of Christ," 
 says Luther, " who makes a mockery of kings, and even of 
 Christ, richly deserves to be thus mocked himself." In our 
 opinion he is wrong; truth is too beautiful to be thus pol- 
 luted. She shoutd combat without tlic aid of ballads, cari- 
 catures, and the masquerades of a carnival. Perhaps, with- 
 out these popular demonstrations, her success would be less 
 apparent ; but it would be purer, and consequently more 
 lasting. However that may be, the imprudent and preju- 
 diced conduct of the Roman court had excited universal 
 antipathy ; and this very bull, by which the papacy thought 
 to crush the whole reformation, was precisely that which 
 made the revolt burst out in every quarter. 
 
 Yet the reformer did not find intoxication and triumph in 
 everything. Behind that chariot in which he was dragged 
 by a people excited and transported with admiration, there 
 was not wanting the slave to remind him of his miserable 
 state. Some of his friends seemed inclined to retrace their 
 steps. Staupitz, whom he designated his father, appeared 
 shaken. The pope had accused him, and Staupitz had de- 
 clared his willingness to submit to the decision of his holi- 
 ness. " I fear," wTote Luther to him, " that by accepting 
 the pope for judge, you seem to reject me and the doctrines 
 I have maintained. If Christ loves you, he will constrain 
 you to recall your letter. Christ is condemned, stripped, and 
 blasphemed ; this is a time not to fear, but to raise the voice.f 
 For this reason, while you exhort me to be humble, I ex- 
 hort you to be proud ; for you have too much humility, as I 
 have too much pride. The world may call me proud, covet- 
 ous, an adulterer, a murderer, antipope, one who is guilty of 
 every crime What matters* it! provided I am not re- 
 proached with having wickedly kept silence at the moment 
 our Lord said with sorrow : I looked on my right hand, and 
 beheld, hut there was no man that would know me, (Ps. cxlii.) 
 The Word of Jesus Christ is a Word not of peace but 
 of the sword. If you will not follow Jesus Christ, I will 
 
 " Fugitivum cum cardinalibus, episcopis, familiisque suis, in diver- 
 
 sas partes oppidi disperserunt et insecuti sunt. L. Epp. i. 17th Feb. 1S21, 
 f Non enim hoc tcinpus timendi sed claiiiandi. Ibid. 55f. 
 
176 Luther's labours and humility. 
 
 walk alone, will advance alone, and alone will I carry the 
 fortress."* 
 
 Thus Luther, like a general at the head of an anny, sur- 
 veyed the whole field of battle ; and while his voice inspirited 
 new soldiers to the conflict, he discovered those of his troops 
 who appeared weak, and recalled them to the line of duty. 
 His exhortations were heard everywhere. His letters ra- 
 pidly followed each other. Three presses were constantly 
 occupied in multiplying his writings.-J- His words ran 
 through the people, strengthening the alarmed consciences 
 in the confessionals, upholding in the convents timid souls 
 that were ready to faint, and maintaining the rights of truth 
 in the palaces of princes. 
 
 " In the midst of the storms that assail me," wrote Luther 
 to the elector, " I hoped to find peace at last. But now I 
 see that this was the vain thought of a man. From day to 
 day the waters rise, and already I am entirely surrounded by 
 the waves. The tempest is bursting upon me with frightful 
 tumult.| In one hand I grasp the sword, with the other I 
 build up the walls of Zion." § His ancient ties are broken : 
 the hand that had hurled against him the thunders of 
 excommunication had snapped them asunder. " Excom- 
 municated by the bull," said he, "I am absolved from the 
 authority of the pope and of the monastic laws. Joyfully 
 do I welcome this deliverance. But I shall neither quit the 
 habit of my order nor the convent." || And yet, amid this 
 agitation, he does not lose sight of the dangers to which his 
 soul is exposed in the struggle. He perceives the necessity 
 of keeping a strict watch over himself " You do well to 
 pray for me," wrote he to Pellican, who resided, at Basle. 
 " I cannot devote sufficient time to holy exercises ; life is a 
 cross to me. You do well to exhort me to modesty : I feel 
 its necessity ; but I am not master of myself; I am carried 
 
 ■ Quod si tu non vis scqui, siue me ire et rapi. L. Epp. i. 558. 
 
 •f- Cum tria prela solus ego occupare cogar. Ibid. 
 
 X Videns rem turaultuosissimo tumultu tumultuantem. Ibid. 546. 
 
 § Una manu gladium apprebeudeus et altera murum tcdificaturus. 
 Ibid. 565. 
 
 II Ab ordinis et Pap:e legibus solutu3 quod gaudeo et amplector. 
 
 Ibid. 56B. 
 
±'liOGKESS OF THE REFORM. 177 
 
 away by mysterious impulses. I wish no one ill ;* but my 
 enemies press on me with such fury, that I do not suffi- 
 ciently guard against the temptations of Satan. Pray, then, 
 for me !" 
 
 Thus the reformer and the Reformation were hastening 
 towards the goal whither God called them. The agitation 
 was gaining ground. The men who seemed likely to be most 
 faithful to the hierarchy began to be moved. " Those very 
 persons," says Eck ingenuously enough, " who hold the best 
 livings and the richest prebends from the pope, remain as 
 mute as fishes. Many of them even extol Luther as a man 
 filled w^ith the Divine spirit, and style the defenders of the 
 pope mere sophists and flatterers." f The Church, appa- 
 rently full of vigour, supported by treasures, governments, and 
 armies, but in reality exhausted and feeble, having no love 
 for God, no christian fife, no enthusiasm for the truth, found 
 itself face to face with men who were simple but courageous, 
 and who, knowing that God is with those who contend in 
 behalf of his Word, had no doubt of victory. In every age 
 it has been seen how great is the strength of an idea to 
 penetrate the masses, to stir up nations, and to hurry them, 
 if required, by thousands to the battle-field and to death. 
 But if so great be the strength of a human idea, what power 
 must not a heaven-descended idea possess, when God opens 
 to it the gates of the heart ! The world has not often seen 
 so much power at work ; it was seen, however, in the early 
 days of Christianity, and in the time of the Reformation ; 
 and it will be seen in future ages. Men vv^ho despised the 
 riches and grandeur of the world, who were contented with a 
 life of sorrow and poverty, began to be moved in favour of 
 all that was holiest upon earth, — the doctrine of faith and 
 of grace. All the religious elements were fermenting beneath 
 the agitated surface of society ; and the fire of enthusiasm 
 urged souls to spring forward with courage into this new Hfe, 
 this epoch of renovation, which was so grandly opening before 
 them, and whither Providence was hurrying the nations. 
 
 ' Compos mei non sum, rapior nescio quo spiritu, cum nemini me malo 
 voile conscius sim. L. Epp. i. 555. 
 
 t Reynald Epist. J. Eckii nd Cardinalem Contarenum. 
 
 8* 
 
BOOK VII. 
 
 THE DIET OF WORMS. 1521, JANUARY TO MAT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Victories of the Word of God— The Diet of Worms— Policy of Rome-Dif- 
 ficulties — 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 Re- 
 formation, 
 
 The Reformation, commeRced by the struggles of an humble 
 spirit in the cell of a cloister at Erfurth, had continually 
 increased. An obscure individual, bearing in his hand the 
 Word of Life, had stood firm before the mighty ones of the 
 world, and they had shaken before him. He had wielded this 
 arm of the Word of God, first against Tetzel and his numer- 
 ous army ; and those greedy merchants, after a brief struggle, 
 had fled away: he next employed it against the Roman 
 legate at Augsburg; and the legate in amazement had 
 allowed the prey to escape him : somewhat later with its 
 aid he contended against the champions of learning in the 
 halls of Leipsic ; and the astonished theologians had beheld 
 their syllogistic weapons shivered in their hands : and, 
 lastly, with this single arm, he had opposed the pope, 
 when the latter, disturbed in his slumbers, had risen on his 
 throne to blast the unfortunate monk with his thunders; 
 and this same Word had paralyzed all the power of this 
 head of Christendom. A final struggle remained to be 
 undergone. The Word was destined to triumph over the 
 emperor of the West, over the kings and princes of the 
 
THE DIET OF WORMS. 179 
 
 earth ; and then, victorious over all the powers of the world, 
 to uprise in the Church, and reign as the very Word of God. 
 The entire nation was agitated. Princes and nobles, 
 knights and citizens, clergy and laity, town and country, — 
 all participated in the struggle. A mighty religious revolu- 
 tion, of which God himself was the prime mover, but which 
 was also deeply rooted in the lives of the people, threatened 
 to overthrow the long-venerated chief of the Roman hier- 
 archy. A new generation of a serious, deep, active, and 
 energetic spirit, filled the universities, cities, courts, castles, 
 rural districts, and frequently even the cloisters. A presen- 
 timent that a great transformation of society was at hand, 
 inspired all minds with holy enthusiasm. What would be 
 the position of the emperor vritli regard to this movement of 
 the age ? and what would be the end of this formidable im- 
 pulse by Vv^hich all men were carried along? 
 
 ■ A solemn diet was about to be opened : this was the 
 first assembly of the empire over which Charles was to 
 preside. As Nuremberg, where it should have been held, 
 in accordance with the Golden Bull, was suffering from the 
 plague, it was convoked to meet at Worms on the 6th 
 January 1521.^ Never before had so many princes met 
 together in diet ; each one was desirous of participating in 
 this first act of the young emperor's government, and was 
 pleased at the opportunity of displaying his power. The 
 youthful landgrave Philip of Hesse, among others, who 
 was afterwards to play so important a part in the Reforma- 
 tion, arrived at Worms, about the middle of January, with 
 six hundred horsemen, among whom were Avarriors cele-* 
 bratcd for their valour. 
 
 But a much stronger motive inclined the electors, dukes, 
 archbishops, landgraves, margraves, counts, bishops, barons, 
 and lords of the empire, as well as the deputies of the towns, 
 and the ambassadors of the kings of Christendom, to throng 
 with ^their brilliant trains the roads that led to Worms. It 
 had been announced that, among other importarit matters to 
 be laid before the diet, would be the nomination of a council 
 
 * Sbidan. vol. i. 80. * 
 
180 POLICY OF ROME. 
 
 of regency to govern the empire during Charles's absence, and 
 the jurisdiction of the imperial chamber ; but public attention 
 was more particularly directed to another question, which the 
 emperor had also mentioned in his letters of convocation : 
 that of the Reformation. The great interests of worldly 
 policy grew pale before the cause of the monk of Wittemberg. 
 It was this which formed the principal topic of conversation 
 between the noble personages who arrived at Worms. 
 
 Every thing announced that the diet would be stormy, 
 and difficult to manage. Charles, who was hardly twenty 
 years of age, was pale, of weak health, and yet a graceful 
 horseman, able to break a lance like others of his time : his 
 character was as yet undeveloped ; his air was grave and 
 melancholy, although of a kindly expression, and he had 
 not hitherto shown any remarkable talent, and did not 
 appear to have adopted any decided hue of conduct. The 
 skilful and active William de Croi, lord of Chievres, his 
 high chamberlain, tutor, and prime minister, who enjoyed 
 an absolute authority at court, died at Yv^orms : numerous 
 ambitions here met ; many passions came into collision ; 
 the Spaniards and the Belgians vied with each other in their 
 exertions to creep into the councils of the young prince ; the 
 nuncios multiplied their intrigues ; the German princes spoke 
 out boldly. It might easily be foreseen that the under- 
 handed practices of parties would have a principal share 
 in the struggle.* 
 
 But over all these scenes of agitation hovered, a terrible 
 will — the Roman papacy, which, inflexible as the destiny of 
 the ancients, had unceasingly crushed for ages past every 
 doctor, king, or people that had opposed its tyrannous 
 progress. A letter written at Rome in the month of January 
 1521, and by a Roman citizen, reveals its intentions. " If 
 I am not mistaken, the only business in your diet will be this 
 affair of Luther, which gives us much more trouble than the 
 Turk himself. We shall endeavour to gain over the young 
 emperor by threats, by prayers, and feigned caresses. * We 
 
 * Es gieng aber auf diesem Reichstag gar schliipferig zu Seckend. 
 
 p. 326., 
 
Hi'FICULTIES. 181 
 
 shall strive to win the Gormans by extolling the piety of their 
 ancestors, and by making them rich presents, and by lavish 
 promises. If these methods do not succeed, we shall depose 
 the emperor ; absolve the people from their obedience ; 
 elect another (and he will be one that suits us) in his place ; 
 stir up civil war among the Germans, as we have just done in 
 Spain;* and summon to our aid the armies of the kings of 
 France, England, and all the nations of the earth.f Probity, 
 honour, religion, Christ — we shall make light of all, provided 
 our tyranny be saved."J A very slight familiarity with the 
 history of the papacy is sufficient to show that these words 
 are a faithful description of its policy. It is identically what 
 Rome has always done when she has had the power : only 
 the times were now a little changed. We shall soon behold 
 her busy at her task. 
 
 Charles opened the diet on the 28th January 1521, the 
 festival of Charlemagne. His mind was filled with the high 
 importance of the imperial dignity. He said, in his opening 
 discourse, that no monarchy could be compared with the 
 Roman empire, to which nearly the whole world had sub- 
 mitted in former times ; that unfortunately this empire was 
 a mere shadow of what it once had been ; but that, by means 
 of his kingdoms and powerful alliances, he hoped to restore 
 it to its ancient glory. 
 
 But numerous difficulties immediately presented them- 
 selves to the young emperor. What must he do, placed 
 betAveen the papal nuncio and the elector to vrhom he was 
 indebted for his crown ? How can he avoid displeasing 
 either Aleander or Frederick? The first entreated the emperor 
 to execute the 'pope's bull, and the second besought him to 
 take no steps against the monk until he had been heard. 
 
 * Robertson's History of Charles V., book iii. 
 
 + CcTsarem deponemus, popnios subjectione debita liberabiaius, sedi- 
 tionem inter Germanos, quemadmodum nunc inter Hispauos, concitabi- 
 mus, Galium, Anglum, et omnes terrro regis ad arma convocabimus. 
 Riederer, Nachrichten, i. 179. 
 
 :J: Tantum ut voti compotes evadere valeamus, nihil pensi apud no3 
 erit, non Christus, neque fides, pietas, honestas, probitas, dummodo 
 tyi^jinnis nostra sit salva. Ibid. 
 
182 LUTHER TO THE ELECTOR. 
 
 / 
 
 Desirous of pleasing both parties, the young prince, during 
 his stay at Oppenheim, had written to the elector to bring 
 Luther with him to the diet, assuring him that no injustice 
 should be shown to the reformer, that no violence should be 
 used towards him, and that learned men should confer with 
 him. 
 
 This letter, accompanied by others from Chievres and the 
 count of Nassau, threw the elector into great perplexity. 
 At every moment the alliance of the pope might become 
 necessary to the young and ambitious emperor, and then 
 Luther's fate was sealed. If Frederick should take the re- 
 former to Worms, he might be leading him to the scaffold. 
 And yet Charles's orders were precise. The elector com- 
 manded Spalatin to communicate to Luther the letters he 
 had received. " The adversaries," said the chaplain to him, 
 " are making every exertion to hasten on this affair."" 
 
 Luther's friends were alarmed, but he himself did not 
 tremble. His health was at that time very weak ; but that 
 was a trifling matter for him. '' If I cannot go to Worms in 
 good health," replied he to the elector, " I will be carried 
 there, sick as I am. For if the emperor calls me, J cannot 
 doubt that it is the call of God himself. If they desire to use 
 violence against me, and that is very probable (for it is not 
 for their instruction that they order me to appear), I place 
 the matter in the Lord's hands. He still lives and reigns 
 who preserved the three young men in the burning fiery 
 furnace. If He will not save me, my life is of httle con- 
 sequence. Let us only prevent the Gospel from being 
 exposed to the scorn of the wicked, and let us shed our 
 blood for it, for fear they should triumph. It* is not for me 
 to decide whether my life or my death will contribute most 
 to the salvation of all. Let us pray God that our young 
 emperor may not begin his reign by dipping his hands in 
 my blood. I would r^itlier perish by tiie SAvord of the 
 Romans. You know what chastisement was inflicted oit 
 the Emperor Sigismund after the murder of John Huss. 
 
 • Adversaries omnia moliri ad maturaudum id ncgotii. L. Epp, i, 
 584, 
 
THE ELECTOR TO CHARLES V. 1 83 
 
 You may expect every thing from me...... except Hight and 
 
 recantation.* Fiy I cannot, and still less retract !" 
 
 Before receiving Luther's reply, the elector had formed 
 his resolution. This prince, who^vas advancing in the 
 knowledge of the Gospel, now became more decided in his 
 conduct. He felt that the conference at Worms would not 
 have a favourable result. " It appears a difficult matter," 
 he wrote in reply to Charles, " to bring Luther with me to 
 Worms ; I beseech you to relieve me from this anxiety. 
 Furthermore, I have never been willing to defend his doc- 
 trine, but only to prevent his being condemned without a 
 hearing. The legates, without waiting for your orders, 
 have permitted themselves to take a step at once dishonour- 
 ing Luther and myself; and I much fear that they thus 
 dragged Luther to commit a very imprudent act, which 
 might expose him to great danger, if he were to appear 
 before the diet." The elector alluded to the burning of the 
 papal bull. 
 
 But the rumour of Luther's coming was already current 
 through the city. Men eager for novelty were delighted ; 
 the emperor's courtiers were alarmed ; but none showed 
 greater indignation than the papal legate. On his journey, 
 Aleander had been able to discover how far the Gospel 
 announced by Luther had found an echo in all classes 
 of society. Men of letters, lawyers, nobles, the inferior 
 clergy, the regular orders, and the people, were gained over 
 to the Reformation.f These friends of the new doctrine 
 walked boldly with heads erect ; their language was fearless 
 and daring ; an invincible terror froze the hearts of the par- 
 tisans of Rome. The papacy was still standing, but its 
 buttresses were tottering; for their ears already distin- 
 guis^hed a presage of destruction, like that indistinct murmur 
 heard ere the mountain falls and crumbles into dust.| 
 
 * Omnia de me praesumas praeter fugam et palinodiam. L. Epp. i. 530". 
 
 + Multitudo turba pauperum, nobiliu m gram matici causidici 
 
 inferiores ccclesiastici factio multorum rugularium Pallav. i. 
 
 93. 
 
 X Hse omnes conditiones petulanter grassantium .... metum cuilibet ia- 
 cutiebant. Ibid. 
 
184 ALARM OF ALEANDER. 
 
 Aleander on the road to Worms was frequently unable to 
 contain himself. If he desired to dine or sleep in" any- 
 place, neither the .learned, the nobles, nor the priests, even 
 among the supposed partisans of Rome, dared receive him ; 
 and the haughty nunciO was obliged to seek a lodging at 
 inns of the lowest class.* Aleander was frightened, and 
 began to think his life in danger. Thus he arrived at 
 Worms, and to his Roman fanaticism was then superadded 
 the feeling of the personal indignities he had suffered. He 
 immediately used every exertion to prevent the appearance 
 of the bold and formidable Luther. "Would it not be 
 scandalous," said he, " to behold laymen examining anew 
 a cause already condemned by the pope ?" Nothing is so 
 alarming to a Roman courtier as inquiry ; and yet, should 
 this take place in Germany, and not- at Rome, how great 
 would be the humiliation, even were Luther's condemna- 
 tion to be agreed upon unanimously ; but such a result 
 appeared by no means certain. Will not Luther's powerful 
 eloquence, wliicli has already committed such ravages, drag 
 many princes and lords into inevitable destruction? Aleander 
 pressed Charles closely : he entreated, threatened, and spoke 
 as the nuncio of the head of the Church.f Charles sub- 
 mitted, and wrote to the elector that the time accorded to 
 Luther having already elapsed, this monk lay undef the 
 papal excommunication, so that, if he would not retract 
 what he had vrritten, Frederick must leave him behind at 
 Wittemberg. But tins prince had already quitted Saxony 
 without Luther. " I pray the Lord to be favourable to our 
 elector," said Melancthon, as he saw him depart. " It is 
 on him all our hopes for the restoration of Christendom 
 repose. His enemies will dare anything, %a/ rrdi'Tcc Xt9ov 
 y.iv7iao[j.Uo\ji'^\ but God will confound the councils of Ahi- 
 thophel. As for us, let us maintain our share of the combat 
 
 ' Neminem nactus qui auderet ipsum excipere, ad vilia sordidaque 
 hospitia JEgre divertit. Pallav. i. 93. 
 
 + Legati Romani nolunt ut audiatur homo hsereticus. Minantur multa. 
 Zw. Epp. p. 157 
 
 :J: Aud 'they will not Ica-ve a stone unturned. Corp. Ref. i. 279. 
 24th January. 
 
aleander's efforts. 185 
 
 by our teaching and by our prayers." Luther was deeply 
 grieved at being forbidden to come to Worms.* 
 
 It was not sufficient for Aleander that Luther did not 
 appear ^t Worms ; he desired his condemnation. He was 
 continually soliciting the princes, prelates, and different 
 members of the diet ; he accused the Augustine monk not 
 only of disobedience and heresy, but even of sedition, re- 
 bellion, impiety, and blasphemy. But the very tone of his 
 voice betrayed the passions by which he was animated. " He 
 is moved by hatred and vengeance, much more than by zeal 
 and piety," was the general remark ;-|- and frequent and 
 violent as were his speeches, he made no converts to his 
 sentiments.^ Some persons observed to him that the papal 
 bull had only condemned Luther conditionally ; others could 
 not altogether conceal the joy they felt at this humiliation 
 of the haughtiness of Rome. The emperor's ministers on 
 the one hand, the ecclesiastical electors on the other, showed 
 a marked coldness ; the former, that the pope might feel the 
 necessity of leaguing with their master ; the latter, that the 
 pontiff might purchase their support at a dearer price. A 
 feeling of Luther's innocence predominated in the assembly ; 
 and Aleander could not contain his indignation. 
 
 But the coldness of the diet made the legate less im- 
 patient than the coldness of Rome. Rome, which had 
 had so much difficulty in taking a serious view of this 
 quarrel of a " drunken German," did not imagine that the 
 bull of the sovereign pontiff vrould be ineffectual to humiliate 
 and reduce him. She had resumed all her carelessness,§ 
 and sent neither additional bulls nor money. But how 
 could they bring this matter to an issue without money ?|| 
 Rome must be awakened. Aleander uttered a cry of alarm. 
 
 • Cum dolore legi novissimas Caroli litteras. L. Epp. i. 542. 
 
 + Magis invidia et vindictae libidine quam zelo pietatis. Historia 
 Johannis Cochlcei, de actis et scriptis Martini Lutheri, Paris, 1565, p. 27, 
 verso. Cochloeiis was all his life one of the most inveterate of Luther's 
 enemies. He will soon appear upon the stage. 
 
 X Vehementibus suis orationibus parura promovit. Coohlceus. 
 
 § Negligens qusedam securitas Romam pervaserat. Pallav. i. 94. 
 
 [| Nee pecuuia ad varios pro eadem suraptua. Ibid. 
 
186 THE CHRISTIAN TABERNACLE. 
 
 " Germany is separating from Rome," wrote he to the Car- 
 dinal de Medicis ; " tlie princes are separating from the pope. 
 Yet a, little more delay, yet a little more negotiation, and 
 hope will be gone. Money ! money ! or Germany is lost."* 
 
 Rome awoke at this cry ; the vassals of the papacy, 
 emerging from their torpor, hastily forged their redoubtable 
 thunderbolts in the Vatican. The pope issued a new bull ;-|- 
 and the excommunication, with which the heretical doctor 
 had as yet been only threatened, was decidedly pronounced 
 against him and all his adherents. Rome, by breaking 
 the last tie which still bound iiim to the Church, aug- 
 mented Luther's liberty, and with increased liberty came an 
 increase of strength. Cursed by the pope, he took refuge 
 with fresh love at the feet of Christ. Ejected from the 
 outward courts of the temple, he felt more strongly that he 
 was himself a temple in which dwelt the living God. 
 
 " It is a great glory," said he, " that we sinners, by be- 
 lieving in Christ, and eating his flesh, possess within us, 
 in all their vigour, his powxr, w^isdom, and righteousness, 
 as it is Avritten, Whoso helieveth in mc, m him do I dwell. 
 Wonderful abiding-place! marvellous tabernacle ! far superior 
 to that of Moses, and magnificently adorned within, with 
 beautiful hangings, curtains of purple, and ornaments of 
 gold; while without, as on the tabernacle that God com- 
 manded to be built in the desert of Sinai, we perceive nought 
 but a rude covering of goats' hair and rams' skins. J Often 
 do Christians stumble, and, to look at them outwardly, they 
 seem all weakness and reproach. But this matters not, for 
 beneath this w' eakness and this foolishness dwells in secret a 
 power that the world cannot know, and which yet overcOmeth 
 the w^orld; for Christ dwelleth in us. I have sometimes 
 beheld Christians walking lamely and with great feebleness ; 
 but when came the hour of conflict or of appearing before 
 the bar of the world, Christ suddenly stirred within them, 
 
 * Periculum donique amittcndse Germanise ex parcimonia monetie 
 cujusdam. Pallav, i. 94. 
 
 t Decet Romanum Poutificein, &c. Bullarium Romanum. 
 t Exodus xxv^. 7, 14. 
 
THUNDERS OF THE BULL. 187 
 
 and they became so strong and so resolute, that Satan fled 
 away frightened from before their face."* 
 
 Such an hour would soon strike for Luther ; and Christ, 
 in whose communion he dwelt, could not fail him. Mean- 
 time Rona* rejected him with violence. The reformer and 
 all his partisans were accursed, whatever their rank and 
 power, and dispossessed, with their inheritors, of all their 
 honours and goods. Every faithful Christian, Avho valued 
 the salvation of his soul, was to flee at the sight of this 
 accursed band. Wherever the heresy had been introduced, 
 the priests were enjoined, on Sundays and festivals, at the 
 hour when the churches were thronged with worshippers, to 
 publish the excommunication with due solemnity. The altars 
 were to be stripped of their ornaments and sacred vessels ; 
 the cross to be laid on the ground ; twelve priests holding 
 tapers in their hands were first to light them, and immediately 
 dashing them violently to the earth, to extinguish them under 
 their feet ; the bishop was then to proclaim the condemnation 
 of these unbelievers ; all the bells were to be rung ; the 
 bishops and priests were to utter their anathemas and male- 
 dictions, and preach boldly against Luther and his adherents. 
 
 The excommunication had been published in Rome twenty- 
 two days, but probably had not yet reached Germany, when 
 Luther, being informed that there was another talk of sum- 
 moning him to Worms, wrote a letter tolhe elector, drawn 
 up in such a manner that Frederick might show it to the 
 diet. Luther was desirous of correcting the erroneous ideas 
 of the princes, and of frankly laying before this august 
 tribunal the true nature of a cause so misunderstood. " I 
 rejoice with all my heart, most serene Lord," says he, 
 " that his imperial majesty desires to summon me before 
 him touching this aff'air. I call Jesus Christ to witness, 
 that it is the cause of the whole German nation, of the 
 universal Church, of the christian world, nay, of God him- 
 self. and not of an individual, especially such a one as 
 
 • So regete sich der Christus, dass sie so fest wurden, dass der Teufel 
 fliehen musste. L. 0pp. ix. 613, ou John vi. 56. 
 
188 Luther's declaration. 
 
 myself.* I am ready to go to Worms, provided I have a 
 safe-conduct, aiul learned, pious, and impartial judges. I 
 
 am ready to answer for it is not from a presumptuous 
 
 spirit, or to derive any advantage, that I have taught the doc- 
 trine with which I am reproached ; it is in obcdi^ce to my 
 conscience and to my oath as doctor of the Holy Scriptures : 
 it is for the glory of God, for the salvation of the Christian 
 Church, for the good of the German nation, and for the extir- 
 pation of so much superstition, abuse, evil, scandal, tyranny, 
 blasphemy, and impiety." 
 
 This declaration, drawn up at a moment so solemn for 
 Luther, merits particular attention. Such were the motives 
 of his actions, and the inward springs that led to the 
 revival of christian society. This is very different from the 
 jealousy of a monk or the desire of marriage ! 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A Foreign Prince — Council of Politicians — Conference between the 
 Confessor and the Chancellor— Inutility of these Manceuvres-r-Alean- 
 der's Activity — Luther's Words — Charles yields to the Pope. 
 
 But all this was of little consequence to politicians. How- 
 ever noble might have been the idea Charles had formed 
 of the imperial dignity, Germany was not the centre of 
 his interests and of his policy. He understood neither the 
 spirit nor the language of Germany. He was always a 
 Duke of Burgundy, who to many other sceptres had united 
 the first crown of Christendom. It was a remarkable circum- 
 stance that, at tlie moment of its most intinlate transforma- 
 tion, Germany sliould elect a foreign prince, to whom the 
 necessities and tendencies of the nation were but of secondary 
 importance. Undoubtedly the emperor was not indifferent 
 
 ■ Causam, quae. Christo teste, Dei, christiani orbis, ecclesise catholicae, 
 et totius Gerraanicre nationis, et nou unius et privati est hominis. L. 
 Epp.i. 551. 
 
POLITICAL COUNCILS. 189 
 
 to the religious movement, but it had no meaning in his 
 eyes except so far as it threatened the pope. War between 
 Charles and Francis I. was inevitable ; the principal scene 
 of that war would be Italy. The aUiance of the pope 
 became therefore daily more necessary to Charles's projects. 
 He would have preferred detaching Frederick from Luther, 
 or satisfying the pope without offending Frederick. Many of 
 his courtiers manifested in the affair of the Augustine monk 
 that disdainful coldness which politicians generally affect 
 when there is any question of religion. " Let us avoid all 
 extreme measures," said they. " Let us entangle Luther 
 by negotiations, and reduce him to silence by some trifling 
 concessions. The proper course is to stifle and not to fan 
 the flame. If the monk falls into the net, we are victorious ! 
 By accepting a compromise, he will silence himself and ruin 
 his cause. For form's sake we will decree certain exterior 
 reforms ; the elector will be satisfied ; the pope will be 
 gained ; and matters will resume their ordinary course." 
 
 Such was the project formed by the emperors confidants. 
 The Wittemberg doctors seem to have divined this new 
 policy. " They are trying to win men over secretly," said 
 Melancthon, "and are working in the dark."^ Charles's 
 confessor, John Glapio, a man of great weight, a skilful 
 courtier, and a wily monk, took upon himself the execution 
 of the scheme. Glapio possessed the full confidence of 
 Charles ; and this prince, imitating the Spanish customs in 
 this particular, intrusted him almost entirely with the care 
 of matters pertaining to religion. As soon as Charles had 
 been named emperor, Leo hastened to win over Glapio by 
 favours which the confessor very gratefully acknowledged.f 
 He could make no better return to the pontiffs generosity 
 than by crushing this heresy^ and he applied himself to the 
 task.| 
 
 Among the elector's councillors was Gregory Bruck, or 
 Pontanus, the chancellor, a man of intelligence, decision, 
 
 * Clanculum tentent et experiantur. Corp. Ref. i. 281. 3d Feb. 
 t Benignis officiis recens a Pontifice deliuitu3 Pallav. i. 90, 
 t Et sane in eo toto negotio singulare probitatis ardorisque 
 dedit. Ibid. 
 
190 CONFERENCE BETWEEN 
 
 and courage, who was a better theological scholar than 
 many doctors, and whose wisdom was capable -of resisting 
 the wiles of the monks in Charles's court. Glapio, knowing 
 the chancellor's influence, requested an interview with him, 
 and introducing himself as if he had been a friend of the 
 reformer, said with an air of kindness : "I was filled 
 with joy, in reading Luther's first writings ; I thought 
 him a vigorous tree, which had put forth goodly branches, 
 and gave promise to the Church of the most precious fruit. 
 Many people, it is true, have entertained the same views 
 before liis time ; yet no one but himself has had the noble 
 courage to publish the truth without fear. But when I read 
 his book on the Captivity of Babylon, I felt like one over- 
 whelmed with blows from head to foot. I do not think," 
 added the monk, " that brother Martin will acknowledge 
 himself to be the author of -it ; I do not find in it either his 
 usual style or learning." After some discussion, the con- 
 fessor continued : " Introduce me to the elector, and in your 
 prcsenQe I will show him Luther's errors." 
 
 Tlie chancellor replied that the business of the diet left his 
 highness no leisure, and besides he did not mix himself up 
 with this matter. The monk was vexed at seeing his de- 
 mand rejected. " Nevertheless," continued the chancellor, 
 " since you say there is no evil without a remedy, explain 
 yourself." 
 
 Assuming a confidential air, the confessor replied : " The 
 emperor earnestly desires to see a man like Luther re- 
 conciled with the Church; for his books (previous to the 
 publication of the treatise on the Captivity of Babylon) were 
 
 rather agreeable to his majesty * The irritation caused 
 
 by the bull no doubt excited Luther to write the latter 
 work. Let him then declare that he had no intention of 
 troubling the repose of the Church, and the learned of every 
 nation will side with him. Procure me an audience with his 
 highness." 
 
 The chancellor went to Frederick. The elector well knew 
 that any retractation whatsoever was impossible : " Tell the 
 
 • Es haben dessen Biicher Ihre Majesfat um etwas gefallen. 
 
 Weimar State Papers. Seckead. p. 315. 
 
THE CONFESSOR AND THE CIIANCEELOK. 191 
 
 confessor," answered he, " tiiat I cannot comply with his re- 
 quest ; but continue your conference." 
 
 Glapio received this message with every demonstration of 
 respect ; and changing his line of attack, he said : " Let the 
 elector name some confidential persons to deliberate on this 
 affair." 
 
 The Chancellor. — " The elector does not profess to de- 
 fend Luther's cause." 
 
 The Confessor. — " Well, then, you at least can discuss 
 
 it with me Jesus Christ is my witness that I make this 
 
 proposition from love to the Church and Luther, who has 
 opened so many hearts to the truth."* 
 
 The chancellor having refused to undertake a task which 
 belonged to the reformer, prepared to withdraw. 
 
 " Stay," said the monk. 
 
 The Chancellor. — " What remains to be done ?" 
 
 The Confessor. — " Let Luther deny that he wrote the 
 Captivity of Babylon.^' 
 
 The Chancellor. — " But the pope's bull condemns all his 
 other writings." 
 
 The Confessor. — " That is because of his obstinacy. If 
 he disclaims this book, the pope in his omnipotence can 
 easily pardon him. AVhat hopes may we not entertain, 
 now that we have so excellent an emperor!" 
 
 Perceiving that these Avords had produced some effect on 
 the chancellor, the monk hastily added : " Luther always 
 
 desires to argue from the Bible. The Bible it is Hke 
 
 wax, you may stretch it and bend it as you please. I would 
 undertake to find in the Bible opinions more extravagant 
 even than Luther's. He is mistaken when he changes every 
 word of Christ into a commandment." And then wishing to 
 act upon the fears of his hearer, he added : " What would 
 be the result if to-day or to-morrow the emperor should 
 have recourse to arms? Reflect upon this." He then per- 
 mitted Pontanus to retire. ' ~^-< 
 
 The confessor laid fresh snares. " A man might live ten 
 years with him, and not know him at last," said Erasmus. 
 
 " What an excellent book is that of Luther's on Christian 
 * Der andern das Hertz zu vielem Guten eroflfnet Seckend. p. 315. 
 
192 THE CONFESSOK AND THE CHANCELLOR. 
 
 Liberty," said he to the chancellor, whom he saw again a 
 few days after ; " what wisdom ! what talent ! what wit ! 
 
 it is thus that a real scholar ought to write Let both 
 
 sides choose men of irreproachable character, and let the 
 pope and Luther refer the whole matter to their decision. 
 There is no doubt that Luther would come off victorious on 
 many points.* I will speak about it to the emperor. Be- 
 lieve me, I do not mention these things solely on my own 
 authority. I have told the emperor that God would chastise 
 him and all the princes, if the Church, which is the spouse 
 of Christj be not cleansed from all the stains that defile her. 
 I added, that God himself had sent Luther, and commis- 
 sioned him to reprove men for their offences, employing him 
 as a scourge to punish the sins of the world." -j- 
 
 The chancellor, on hearing these words (which reflected the 
 feelings of the age, and showed the opinion entertained of 
 Luther even by his adversaries), could not forbear ex- 
 pressing his astonishment that his master was not treated 
 with more respect. " There are daily consultations Avith the 
 emperor on this affair," said he, " and yet the elector is not 
 invited to them. He thinks it strange that the emperor, who 
 is not a little indebted to him, should exclude him from his 
 councils." 
 
 The Confessor. — " I have been present only once at 
 these deliberations, and then heard the emperor resist the 
 solicitations of the nuncios. Five years hence it v/ill be seen 
 v.'hat Charles has done for the reforniation of the Church." 
 
 " The elector," answered Pontanus, " is unacquainted with 
 Luther's intentions. Let him be summoned and have a 
 hearing. " 
 
 The confessor replied with a deep sigh :| ''I call God to 
 witness how ardently I desire to see the reformation of 
 Christendom accomplished." 
 
 To protract the affair and to keep the reformer silent vras 
 
 * Es sey nicht zu zweifeln dass Liitlierus in vielen Artickeln werdo 
 den Sieg davon tragen . Seckend. p. 310. 
 
 + Dass Gott diesen Mann gesandt .... dass er eine Geissel seye um der 
 Sunden willen. Weimar State Pai)ers, ibid. 320. 
 
 J Glapio that hierauf eineu tiefeu Seul'zei^und infteGctt zum Zeugea... 
 Ibid. 321. 
 
UNAVAIUNG MANCEUVRES. 193 
 
 all that Giapio proposed. In any case, Luther must not 
 come to Worms. A dead man returning from the other 
 world and appearing in the midst of the diet, would 
 have been less alarming to the nuncios, the monks, and 
 all the papal host, than the presence of the Wittemberg 
 doctor. 
 
 " How many *days does it take to travel from W:ttem- 
 berg to Worms?" asked the confessor with an assumed 
 air of indifference ; and then, begging Pontanus to present 
 his most humble salutations to the elector, he retired. 
 
 Such were the manoeuvres resorted to by the courtiers. 
 They were disconcerted by the firmness of Pontanus. That 
 just man was immovable as a rock during all these negotia- 
 tions. The Roman monks themselves fell into the snares 
 they had laid for their enemies. " The Christian," said 
 Luther in his figurative language, " is like a bird tied near a 
 trap. The wolves and foxes prowl round it, and spring on 
 it to devour it ; but they fall into the pit and perish, while 
 the timid bird remains unhurt. It is thus the holy, angels 
 keep watch around us, and thosa devourmg wolves, the 
 hypocrites and persecutors, cannot harm us."* Not only 
 were the artifices of the confessor ineffectual, but his-admis- 
 sions still more confirmed Frederick in his opinion that 
 Luther was right, and that it was his duty to protect him. 
 
 Men's hearts daily inclined more and more towards the 
 Gospel. A Dominican prior suggested that the emperor, 
 the kings of France, Spain, England, Portugal, Hungary, 
 and Poland, with the pope and the electors, should name 
 representatives to whom the arrangement of this affair 
 should be confided. " Never," said he, " has implicit reliance 
 been placed on the pope alone." -J- The pubhc feeling became 
 such that it seemed impossible to condemn Luther without 
 having heard and confuted liim.| 
 
 Aleander grew uneasy, and displayed unusual energy. 
 It was no longer against the elector and Luther alone that 
 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 1655. 
 
 + Und uiemals dem Papst allein gegla"bt. Seek. p. 323. 
 X Spalatinus scribit tantum favoris Evangelio esse istic ut me inauditam 
 efc inconvictum damnari non speret. L. Epp. i. 556, Feb. 9. 
 VOL. 11, 9 
 
194 aleander's activity. 
 
 he had to contend. He beheld with horror the secret 
 negotiations of the confessor, the proposition of the prior, 
 the consent of Charles's ministers, the extreme coldness of 
 Roman piety, even among tlie most devoted friends of the 
 pontitT, " so that one might have thought," says Pallavicini, 
 " that a torrent of iced water had gushed over them."* 
 He had at length received from Rome the money he had 
 demanded ; he held in his hand the energetic briefs addressed 
 to the most powerful men in the cmpire.-|- Fearing to see 
 his prey escape, he felt that now was the time to strike a 
 decisive blow. He forwarded the briefs, scattered the 
 money profusely, and made the most alluring promises ; 
 " and, armed with this threefold weapon," says the historian, 
 Cardinal Pallavicini, " he made a fresh attempt to bias the 
 wavering assembly of electors in the pope's favour."1: But 
 around the emperor in particular he laid his snares. He 
 took advantage of the dissensions existing betv/eenthe Belgian 
 and Spanish ministers. He besieged the monarch unceas- 
 ingly. , All the partisans of Rome, awakened by his voice, 
 solicited Charles. " D^ly deliberations," wrote the electo'r 
 to his brother John, " are held against Luther ; they demand 
 that he shall be placed under the ban of the pope and of the 
 emperor ; they endeavour to injure liim in eyery way. Those 
 w^io parade in their red hats, tlie Romans, with all their fol- 
 lowers, display indefatigable zeal in this task."§ 
 
 Aleander was in reality pressing for the condemnation 
 of the reformer with a violence that Luther characterizes as 
 marvellous fury.|| The apostate nuncio,^ as Luther styles 
 him, transported by anger beyond the bounds of prudence, 
 one day exclaimed : " If you Germans pretend to shake off 
 the yoke of obedience to Rome, we will act in such a 
 manner that, exterminated by mutual slaughter, you shall 
 
 * Hinc aqua manabat, quaj succensce pietatis osstum restinguebat. 
 Pallav. i, 96. • 
 
 t Mandata, pccnnire ac diplomata. Ibid. 95. 
 
 i Triplici hac industria nunc Aleander Ibid. 
 
 § Das thun die in rothen Hiiten prangen. Sock. p. 364. 
 
 II Miro furore Papistse moliuntur mihi mala. L. Epp. i. 556. 
 
 ^ Nuntius apostaticus (a play upon the words " apostoHcns and aposta* 
 ticttjs, apostolic and apostate) agit summis viribus. Ibid. 569. 
 
CONTRAST BETWEEN LUTHER AND ALEANDER. 195 
 
 perish in yonr o^xn blood." * — " This is how the pope feeds 
 Christ's sheep," adds the reformer. 
 
 But such waa not his own language. He asked nothing 
 for himself. " Luther is ready," said Melancthon, " to pur- 
 chase at the cost of his own life the glory and advancement 
 of the Gospel."f But he trembled when he thought of the 
 calamities that might be the consequence of his death. 
 He pictured to himself a misled people revenging perhaps 
 his martyrdom in the blood of his adversaries, and especially 
 of the priests. He rejected. so dreadful a responsibility. 
 " God," said he, " checks the fury of his enemies ; but if it 
 
 breaks forth then shall we see a storm burst upon the 
 
 priests like that which has devastated Bohemia My 
 
 liands are clear of this, for I have earnestly eatreated the 
 German nobility to oppose the Romans by wisdom, and not 
 by the sword.j: To make war upon the priests, — a class 
 without courage or strength, — would be to fight against 
 women and children." 
 
 Charles V. could not resist the solicitations of the nuncio. 
 His Belgian and Spanish devotion had been developed by 
 his preceptor Adrian, who afterwards occupied the pontifical 
 throne. The pope had addressed him in a brief, entreating 
 him to give the power of law to the bull by an imperi^al 
 edict. " To no purpose will God have invested you with 
 the sword of the supreme powder," said he, *' if you do not 
 employ it, not only against the infidels, but against the 
 heretics also, who are far worse than they." Accordingly, 
 one day at the beginning of February, at the moment when 
 every one in Worms was making preparations for a splendid 
 tournament, and the emperor's tent was already erected, the 
 princes who were arming themselves to take part in the 
 brilliant show were summoned to the imperial palace. 
 After hstening to the reading of the papal bull, a stringent 
 edict was laid before them, enjoining its immediate execu- 
 tion. " If you can recommend any better course," added 
 
 * Ut mutuis csedibas absumpti, vestro cruore pereatis. L. Epp. i. 556. 
 i* Libenter etiam morte sua Evangelii gloriam et profectum emerit. 
 Corp. Ref. i. 285, ' 
 
 4: Non ferro, sed consiliis et edictis. L. Epp. i. 563, ' 
 
196 ALEANDER INTRODUCED TO THE DIET. 
 
 the emperor, following the usual custom, " I am ready to 
 hear you." 
 
 An animated debate immediately took place in the assem- 
 bly. " This monk," wrote a deputy from one of the free 
 cities of Germany, " gives us plenty of occupation. Some 
 would hke to crucify him, and I think that he will not 
 escape; only it is to be feared that he will rise again the 
 tliird day." The emperor had imagined that he would be 
 able to publish his edict without opposition from the states ; 
 but such was not the case. Their minds were not prepared. 
 It was necessary to gain ov^- the diet. " Convince this 
 assembly," said the youthful monarch to the nuncio. This 
 was all that Aleander desired ; and he was promised to be 
 introduced to the diet on the 13th of February. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Aleander introduced to the Diet — Aleander's Speech — Luther is accused 
 — Rome is justified— Appeal to Charles against Luther — Effect of the 
 Nuncio's Speech. 
 
 The nuncio prepared for this solemn audience. This was 
 an important duty, but Aleander was not unv/orthy of it. 
 Ambassador frdm the sovereign pontiff, and surrounded with 
 all the splendour of his high office, he was also one of the 
 most eloquent men of his age. The friends of the Reforma- 
 tion looked forward to this sitting with apprehension. The 
 elector, pretending indisposition, was not present; but he 
 gave some of his councillors orders to attend, and tak.e 
 notes of the nuncio's speech. 
 
 When the day arrived, Aleander proceeded towards the 
 assembly of the princes. The feelings of all were excited ; 
 many were reminded of Annas and Caiaphas going to Pilate's 
 judgment-seat and calling for the death of this fellow icho 
 f>erverted the nation.'^ " Just as the nuncio was about to cross 
 * Liike xxiii. 2. 
 
197 
 
 the threshold, the usher of the diet," says Pallavicini, " ap- 
 proaching him rudely, thrust him back by a blow on the 
 breast."* " He was a Lutheran in heart," adds the Romanist 
 historian. If this story be true, it shows no doubt an excess 
 of passion; but at the same time it furnishes us with a 
 standard by which to measure the influence that Luther's 
 words had excited even in those who guarded thedoors of the 
 imperial council. The proud Aleander, recovering himself 
 with dignity, walked forward, and entered the hall. Never 
 had Rome been called to make its defence before so august 
 an assembly. The nuncio placed before him the documents 
 that he had judged necessary, namely, Luther's works and the 
 papal bulls ; and as soon as the diet was silent, he began : — 
 
 " Most august emperor, most mighty princes, most ex- 
 cellent deputies ! I appear before you in defence of a cause 
 for which my heart glows with the most ardent affection. 
 It is to retain on my master's head that triple crown which 
 you all adore : to maintain that papal throne for which I 
 should be willing to deliver my body to the flames, if the 
 monster that has engendered this growing heresy that I am 
 now to combat could be consumed at the same stake, and 
 mingle his ashes with mine. 7 
 
 " No ! the whole difference between Luther and the pope 
 does not turn on the papal interests. I have Luther's books 
 before me, and a man only needs liave eyes in his head to 
 see that he attacks the holy doctrines of the Church. He 
 . teaches that those alone communicate w^orthily whose con- 
 sciences are overwhelmed wath sorrow and confusion be- 
 cause of their sins, and that no one is justified by baptism, 
 if he has not faith in the promise of wiiich baptism is the 
 
 * Pugnis ejus pectori admotis repulerit. Pallav. i. 112. 
 
 f Dummodo mecum una monstrum nascentis hseresis arderet. Pallav. 
 i. 97. Seckendoiff, aud many Protestant historians after him, have as- 
 serted that Pallavicini himself composed the speech he puts into Aleander's 
 mouth. It is true that the cardinal states he had arranged it in the shape 
 under which he laj^s it before his readers ; but he points out the sources 
 whence he had taken it, and in particular, Aleander's letters deposited in 
 the archives of the Vatican ( Acta Worraatiae, fol. 66 and 99 , ; in ray 
 • opinion, therefore, I should betray partiality by rejecting it wholly. 
 I quote some of the features of this speech from Protestant and Ro- 
 manist sources. 
 
198 LUTHER ACCUSED. 
 
 pledge." He denies the necessity of works to obtain heav- 
 enly glory. He denies that we have the Uberty and power 
 of obeying the natural and Divine law. He asserts that we 
 sin of necessity in every one of our actions. Has the 
 arsenal of hell ever sent forth wxapons better calculated to 
 
 break the bonds of decency? He preaches in favour of 
 
 the abolition of monastic vows. Can we imagine any 
 
 greater saorilegious impiety? What desolation should 
 
 we not witness in the world, were those w^ho are the salt 
 of the earth to throv,^ aside their sacred garments, desert 
 Jhe temples that re-echo with their holy songs, and plunge 
 into adultery, incest, and every vice! 
 
 " Shall I enumerate all the crimes of this Augustine 
 monk? He sins against the dead, for he denies purgatory; 
 he sins against heaven, for he says that he would not be- 
 lieve even an angel from heaven; he sins against the 
 Church, for he maintains that all Christians are priests ; he 
 sins against the saints, for he despises their venerable writ- 
 ings; he sins against councils, for he designates that of 
 Constance an assembly of devils; he sins against the wo/ld, 
 for he forbids the punishment of death to be inflicted on 
 any who have not committed a deadly sin. -J- Some of 
 
 you may say that he is a pious man I have no desire to 
 
 attack his life, but only to remind this assembly that the 
 devil often deceives people in the garb of truth." 
 
 Aleander, having spoken of the doctrine of purgatory con-- 
 demned by the Council of Florence, laid at the emperor's 
 feet the papal bull on this council. The Archbishop of 
 Mentz took it up, and gave it to the Archbishops of Treves 
 and Cologne, who received it reverently, and passed it to the 
 other princes. The nuncio, after liaving thus accused Luther, 
 proceeded to the second point, which was to justify Rome: — 
 
 " At Rome, says Luther, the mouth promises one thing, 
 the hand does another. If this were true, must we not come 
 to the very opposite conclusion ? If the ministers of a reli- 
 
 * Baptismiun neminem justificare, sed fidem in verbum promissionis, 
 cui additur Baptismus. Cochloius, Act. Luth. 28. 
 
 + Weil er verbiete jemand mit Todes Strafe zu belegcn, der uicht eine 
 Todtsiiude begansen. Seckeud. p. 333^, 
 
ROME JUSTII lED. 199 
 
 gion live conformably to its precepts, it is a sign that the 
 religion is false. Such was the religion of the ancient 
 Romans Such is that of Mahomet and of Luther him- 
 self ; but such is not the religion which the Roman pontiffs 
 teach us. Yes, the doctrine they profess condenuis them 
 all, as having committed faults ; many, as guilty ; and some 
 
 (I will speak frankly) as criminal.* This doctrine exposes 
 
 their actions to the censure of men during their lives, to the 
 brand of liistory after their death.f Now, I would ask what 
 pleasure or profit could the popes have found in inventing 
 such a religion ? 
 
 " The Church, it may be said, was not governed by the 
 Roman pontiffs in the primitive ages. — What conclusion 
 shall we draw from this? With such arguments we might 
 persuade men to feed on acorns, and princesses to wash 
 their own linen." J 
 
 But his adversary — the reformer — was the special object, 
 of the nuncio's hatred. Boiling with indignation against those 
 who said that he ought to be heard, he exclaimed : " Luther 
 will not allow himself to be instructed by «ny one. The pope 
 had already summoned him to Rome, and he did not comply. 
 Next, the pope cited him before the legate at Augsburg, and 
 he did not appear until he had procured a safe-conduct, that is 
 to say, after the legate's hands were tied, and his tongue alone 
 was left unfettered § Ah!" said Aleander, turning to- 
 wards Charles V., " I entreat your imperial Majesty to do 
 nothing that may lead to your reproach. Do not interfere 
 in a matter which does not concern the laity. Perform your 
 own duties ! Let Luther's doctrines be inte;*dicted by you 
 throughout the length and breadth of the empire : let his 
 
 * Multos ut quadantenus reos, nonnullos (dicam ingenue) ut scelestos. 
 Pallav. i. 101. 
 
 •'r Linguarum vituperationi dum vivunt, historiarum iiifamioe post 
 mortem. Ibid. 
 
 J In the Odyssey, Homer represents the princess Nausicaa going with 
 her maidens to the river side to wash her garments. The classical reader 
 will be familiar with the allusion to acorns, which the heathen writers 
 supposed to be the earliest food of the human race, " when first in woods 
 the naked savage ran." 
 
 § Quod islem erat, ac revinctis legati brachiis, et lingua solum soluta. 
 Ibid. 109. 
 
200 APPEAL TO CHARLES. 
 
 writings be burnt everywhere. Fear not ! In Luther's errors 
 
 there is enough to burn a hundred thousand heretics * 
 
 And what have we to fear ? The multitude ? Its insolence 
 
 makes it appear terrible before the conflict, but in the battle 
 
 its cowardice renders it contemptible. Foreign princes ? 
 
 But the King of France has forbidden the introduction of 
 Luther's doctrines into his kingdom ; and the King of Eng- 
 land is preparing an assault with his own royal hand. You 
 know what are the sentiments of Hungary, Italy, and Spain, 
 and there is not one of your neighbours, howeyer much he* 
 may hate you, who wishes you so much evil as this heresy 
 would cause you. For if our adversary's house adjoins our 
 own, we may desire it to be visited with fever, but not with 
 
 the plague What are all these Lutherans ? A crew of 
 
 insolent pedagogues, corrflpt priests, dissolute monks, ignor- 
 ant lawyers, and degraded nobles, with the common people, 
 whom they have misled and perverted. How far superior to 
 them is the catholic party in number, ability, and power ! A 
 unanimous decree from this illustrious assembly will enlighten 
 the simple, warn the imprudent, decide the waverers, and give 
 
 strength to the weak But if the axe is not put to ihe 
 
 roots of this poisonous tree, if the death-blow is not struck, 
 
 then I see it overshadowing the heritage of Jesus Christ 
 
 with its branches, changing our Lord's vineyard into a 
 gloomy forest, transforming the kingdom of God into a den 
 of wild beasts, and reducing Germany into that frightful 
 state of barbarism and desolation which has been brought 
 upon Asia by the superstition of Mahomet." 
 
 The nuncio was silent. He had spoken for three hours. 
 The enthusiasm of his language had produced a deep im- 
 pression on the assembly. The princes looked at each other, 
 excited and alarmed, says Cochloeus, and murmurs soon 
 arose from every side against Luther and his partisans.-|- If 
 the eloquent Luther had been present ; if he had been able to 
 reply to this speech ; if, profiting by the avowals extorted from 
 the Roman nuncio by the recollection of liis fornier master, 
 
 • Dass 100,000 Ketzer ihrcthalbeu verbrannt werden. Seek. p. 332. 
 f Vehementer exterriti atque commoti, alter alterum iutuebantur, at- 
 que in Lutherum ejnsque fautores murmurare ccepenint. Cochlceas, p. 28. 
 
effect' OF al^ander's speech. 201 
 
 the infamous Borgia, he had shown that these very argu- 
 ments, intended to defend Rome, were of themselves its con- 
 demnation ; if he had shown that the doctrine which proved 
 its iniquity was not invented by him, as the orator said, 
 but was that rehgion wiiich Christ had given to the world, 
 and which the Reformation was re-estabhshing in its primi- 
 tive splendour ; if he had presented a faithful and animated 
 picture of the errors and abuses of the papacy, and had shown 
 how the religion of Christ had been made an instrument of 
 self-interest and rapacity : the effect of the nuncio's harangue 
 would have been instantly nullified. But no one rose to speak. 
 The assembly remained under the impression produced by this 
 speech ; and, agitated and transported, showed itself ready to 
 extirpate Luther's heresy by force from the soil of the empire.* 
 Nevertheless, it was a victory only in appearance. It was 
 among the purposes of God that Rome should have an 
 opportunity of displaying her reasons and her power. The 
 greatest of her orators had spoken in the assembly of the 
 princes ; he had given utterance to all that Rome had to say. 
 But it was precisely this last effort of the papacy that became 
 a signal of defeat in the eyes of many who had hstened to- it. 
 If a bold confession is necessary for the triumph of truth, the 
 surest means of destroying error is to make it known without 
 reserve. Neither the one nor the other, to run its course, 
 should be concealed. The light tests all things. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Sentiments of the Princes — Speech of Duke George— Character of the 
 Reformation — One Hundred and One Grievances — Charles gives Way 
 
 ' — Aleander's Stratagems— The Grandees of Spain — Peace of Luther — 
 Death and no Retractation. 
 
 A FEW days were sufficient to dissipate the first impression, 
 
 as is ever the case when an orator conceals the emptiness of 
 
 liis arguments by high-soimding words. 
 
 • Lutheranam haeresim esse funditus evellendam. PallaV. i. 101; Ros- 
 coe's Leo X. chap. xix. 
 
 9* 
 
202 SPEECH OF DUKE GEORGE. 
 
 The majority of the princes were ready to sacrifice Luther ; 
 but no one desired to immolate the rights of the empire 
 and the grievances of tlie Germanic nation. They were very 
 ready to give up the insolent monk who had dared to 
 speak so boldly ; but they were the more resolved to make 
 the pope feel the justice of a reform demanded by the chiefs 
 of the nation. It was accordingly Luther's most determined 
 personal enemy, Duke George of Saxony, who spoke with 
 the greatest energy against the encroachments of Rome. 
 The grandson of Podiebrad, king of Bohemia, although 
 offended by the doctrine of Grace preached by the reformer, 
 had not yet lost the hope of a moral and ecclesiastical 
 reform. The principal cause of his irritation against the 
 monk of Wittemberg was, that by his despised doctrines he 
 was spoiling the whole affair. But now, seeing the nuncio 
 affecting to involve 'Luther and the reform of the Church 
 in one and the same condemnation, George suddenly rose in 
 the assembly of the princes, to the great astonishment of 
 those who knew his hatred of the reformer. " The diet," 
 said he, " must not forget its grievances against the court 
 of Rome. How many abuses have crept into our states! 
 The annats, which the emperor granted voluntarily for the 
 good of Christianity, now exacted as a due ; the Roman 
 courtiers daily inventing new regulations to monopolize, 
 sell, and lease the ecclesiastical benefices ; a multitude of 
 transgressions connived at ; rich transgressors uncleservedly 
 tolerated, while those who have no •money to purchase 
 impunity are punished without mercy ; the popes con- 
 tinually bestowing on their courtiers reversions and re- 
 serves, to the detriment of those to whom the benefices 
 belong ; the commendams of the abbeys and convents of 
 Rome conferred on cardinals, bishops, and prelates, who 
 appropriate their revenues, so that not a single monk is to 
 be found in a convent where there shoidd be twenty or 
 thirty ; stations multiplied to infinity, and stalls for the 
 sale of indulgences set up in every st'cet and public 'place 
 of our cities — stalls of Saint Anthonj , of the Holy Ghost, 
 of Saint Hubert, of Saint Cornehus, of Saint Vincent, and 
 so forth ; companies purchasing at Rome the right to hold 
 
SPEECH OF DUKE GEORGE. ZlW 
 
 such markets, then ^buying permission of their bishop to 
 display their wares, and squeezing and draining the pockets 
 of the poor to obtain money; the indulgence, that ought 
 only to be granted for the salvation of souls, and that 
 should be earned by prayer, fasting, and works of charity, 
 sold according to a tariif; the bishops' officials oppres- 
 sing the lowly with penances for blasphemy, adultery, 
 debauchery, and the violation of any festival, but not even 
 reprimanding the clergy who commit similar crimes ; penal- 
 ties im.posed on those who repent, and devised in such 
 a manner that they soon fall again into the same error 
 
 and give more nioney :* these are some of the abuses 
 
 that cry out against Rome. All shame has been put aside, 
 
 and their only object is money! money! money! so 
 
 that the preachers who should teach the truth, utter nothing 
 but falsehoods, and are not only tolerated, but rewarded, 
 because the greater their lies, the greater their gain. It is 
 lYom this foul spring that such tainted v.^aters flow. De- 
 bauchery stretches out the hand to avarice. The officials 
 invite women to their dwellings under various pretexts, and 
 endeavour to seduce tlieni, at one time by threats, at another 
 by presents, or if they cannot succeed, they ruin their good 
 fame.f Alas ! it is the scandal caused by the clergy that 
 hurls so many poor souls into eternal condcnmation ! A 
 general reform must be efTected. An oecumenical council must 
 be called to bring about this reform. For these reasons, most 
 excellent princes and lords, I humbly entreat you to take this 
 matter into your immediate consideration." Duke George 
 then handed in a list of the grievances he had enumerated. 
 This was some days after Aleander's speech. Tlie important 
 catalogue has been preserved in the archives of Weimar. 
 
 Even Lutlicr had not spoken with greater force against 
 the abuses of Home ; but lie had done something more. 
 The duke pointed out the evil ; Lutlier had pointed out 
 
 * Soiidern class er es bald \viedGr begciie und mehr Geld erlegen miisse. 
 V/eiinar State Paper?, Sockend. p. ?/28. - 
 
 •)- Dass sie Wciteslilder urter irancherley Schein beschicken, seibige 
 sodann mit Drohungeu und GeEeheiiken zu fallen suchen, oder iu einen 
 bosen Yerdacht bringf?n. Ibid. p. 3S0. 
 
204 CHARACTER OF THE REFORMATION. 
 
 both the cause and the remedy. He had demonstrated 
 that the sinner receives the true indulgence, that which 
 cometh from God, solely by faith in the grace and merits of 
 Jesus Christ; and this simjile but powerful doctrine had over- 
 thrown all the markets established by the priests. " How can 
 a man become pious ?" asked he one day. " A gray friar 
 will reply. By putting on a gray hood and girding yourself 
 with a cord. A Roman will answer, By hearing mass and 
 by fasting. But a Christian will say. Faith in Christ alone 
 justifies and saves. Before works, we must have eternal life. 
 But when we are born again, and made childten of God by 
 the Word of grace, then we perform good works."* 
 
 The duke's speech was that of a secular prince ; Luther's, 
 that of a reformer. The great evil in the Church had been 
 its excessive devotion to outward forms, its having made of 
 all its works and graces mere external and material things. 
 The indulgences were the extreme point of this course ; and 
 that which was most spiritual in Christianity, namely, 
 pardon, might be purchased in shops like any other com- 
 modity. Luther's great work consisted in employing this 
 extreme degeneration of religion to lead men and the 
 Church back to the primitive sources of life, and to restore 
 the kingdom of the Holy Ghost in the sanctuary of the 
 heart. Here, as often happens in other cases, the rem.edy 
 was found in the disease itself, and the two extremes met. 
 From that time forward, the Church, that for so many cen- 
 turies had been developed externally in human ceremonies, 
 observances, and practices, began to be developed internally 
 in faith, hope, and charity. 
 
 The duke's speech produced a proportionally greater im- 
 pression, as his hostihty to Luther was notorious. Other 
 members of the diet brought forward their respective griev- 
 ances, which received the support of the ecclesiastical princes 
 themselves.-|- " We have a pontiff v/ho loves only the chase 
 and his pleasures," said they ; " the benefices of the Ger- 
 man nation are given away at Rome to gunners, falconers, 
 footmen, ass-drivers, grooms, guardsmen, and other people 
 
 • L. 0pp. (W.) xxii. 748, 752. t 
 
 t Ssckend, Vorrede von Frick 
 
CHARLES GIVES WAY. 205 
 
 of this class, ignorant, inexperienced, and strangers to Ger- 
 many."* 
 
 The diet appointed a committee to draw up all these 
 grievances ; they were found to amount to a hundred and 
 one. A deputation composed of secular and ecclesiastical 
 princes presented the report to the emperor, conjuring him 
 to see them rectified, as he had engaged to do in his capitu- 
 lation. "What a loss of Christian souls!" said they to 
 Charles V. ; " what depredations ! what extortions, on ac- 
 count of the scandals by which the spiritual head of Chris- 
 tendom is surrounded ! It is our duty to prevent the ruin 
 and dishonour of our people. For this reason we most 
 humbly but most urgently entreat you to order a general 
 reformation, and to undertake its accomplishment."-}- There 
 was at that time in christian society an unknown power 
 operating on princes and people alike, a wisdom from on 
 high, influencing even the adversaries of the Reformation, 
 and preparing for that emancipation whose hour was come 
 at last. 
 
 Charles could not be insensible to the remonstrances of 
 the empire. Neither he nor the nuncio had expected them. 
 Even his confessor had threatened him with the vengeance of 
 Heaven, unless he reformed the Church. The emperor im- 
 mcxdiately recalled the edict commanding Luther's writings to 
 be burnt throughout the empire, and substituted a pro- 
 visional order to deliver these books into the keeping of the 
 magistrates. 
 
 This did not satisfy the assembly, which desired the 
 appearance of the reformer. It is unjust, said his friends, 
 to condemn Luther without a hearinsr, and without learnina 
 from his own mouth whether he is the author of the books 
 that are ordered to be burnt. His doctrines, said his adver- 
 saries, have so taken hold of men's minds, that it is impos- 
 sible to check their progress, unless we hear them from him- 
 self. There shall be no discussion with him; and if he 
 
 * BUchsenmeistem, Falknern, Pfistern^ Eseltreibem, Stallknechten, 
 Trabanten Kapp's Nachlese nlitzl. Ref. Urkunden. iii. 262. 
 
 f Dass eine Besserung und gemeine Reformation geschehe. Ibid. 
 262. 
 
206 aleander's intrigues. 
 
 avows liis writings, and refuses to retract them, then we will 
 all vrith one accord, electors, princes, estates of the holy em- 
 pire, true to the faith of our ancestors, assist your majesty 
 to the utmost of our power in the execution of your decrees.* 
 
 Aleauder in alarm, and fearing everything from Luther's . 
 intrepidity and the ignorance of the princes, instantly strained 
 every nerve to prevent the reformer's appearance. IJe went 
 from Charles's ministers to the princes most favourably in- 
 clined to the pope, and from them to the emperor himself.f 
 " It is not lawful," said he, " to question what the sovereign 
 pontiff has decreed. There shall be no discussion with 
 Luther, you say ; but," conthiued he, " will not the energy of 
 this audacious man, the fire of his eyes, the eloquence of his* 
 language, and the mysterious spirit by which he is animated, 
 be sufficient to excite a tumult ?| Already many adore him 
 as a saint, and in every place you may see his portrait sur- 
 rounded with a glory like that v> liich encircles the heads of 
 
 the blessed If you are resolved to summon him before 
 
 you, at least do not put him under the protection of the public 
 faith !"§ These latter words were meant either to intimidate 
 Luther, or to prepare the way for iiis destruction. 
 
 The nuncio found an easy access to the grandees of Spain. 
 In Spain, as in Germany, the opposition to the Dominican 
 inquisitors Avas national. The yoke of the inquisition, that 
 had been thrown off for a time, had just been replaced on 
 their necks 'by Charles. A numerous party in that penin- 
 sula sympathized with Luther ; but it was not thus with the 
 grandees, who had discovered on the banks of the Rhine 
 what they had hated beyond the Pyrenees. Inflamed with 
 the most ardent fanaticism, they were impatient to destroy 
 the nev/ heresy. Frederick, duke of Alva, in particular, was 
 transported with rage whenever he heard the Reformation 
 mentioned.!! He would gladly have waded in the blood of 
 
 * L. 0pp. (L.) xxii. 567. 
 
 t Quam ob rem sedulo coutestatus est apud Csesaris adraiiiistros. 
 Pallav. i. 113. 
 
 J Lingua promptus, ardore vultus, et oris spiritu ad concitandam se- 
 ditionem. Ibid. 
 
 § Haud certe fidem publicam illi proebendam ..Ibid. 
 
 11 Alba dux videbatur aliquando furentibus modis agitari ..Ibid. 362. 
 
PEACE OF LUTHER. 207 
 
 all these sectarians. Luther was not yet summoned to 
 appear, but aheady had his mere name powerfully sth'red 
 the lords of Christendom assembled at Worms. 
 
 The man who thus moved all the powers of the earth 
 seemed alone undisturbed. The news from Worms was 
 alarming. Luther's friends were terrified. " There remains 
 nothing for us but your good wishes and prayers," wrote 
 Melancthon to Spalatin. " Oh! that God would deign to 
 purchase at the price of our blood the salvation of the 
 christian world!"* But Luther was a stranger to fear; 
 shutting himself up in his quiet cell, he there meditated on 
 and appHed to himself those words in which Mary, the 
 mother of Jesus, exclaims : My soul doth magnify the 
 Lord, and my s^nrit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 
 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy 
 is his name. He hath shoiced strength with his arm ; he 
 hath put doivn the mighty from their seats, and exalted them 
 of low degree,\ These are some of the reflections that filled 
 
 Luther's heart: "He that is mighty.- says Mary. 
 
 What great boldness on the part of a young girl ! With a 
 single word she brands all the strong with weakness, all the 
 mighty with feebleness, all the wise with folly, all those 
 whose name is glorious upon earth with disgra.ce, and casts 
 all strength, all might, all wisdom, and all glory at the feet 
 of God.j: His arm, continues she, meaning by this the power 
 by which he acts of himself, without the aid of any of his 
 
 creatures: mysterious power! which is exerted in secrecy 
 
 and in silence until His designs are accomplished. Destruction 
 is at hand, when no one has seen it coming : relief is there, and 
 no one had suspected it. He leaves His children in oppression 
 
 and weakness, so that everyman says: They are lost! But 
 
 it is then He is strongest ;. for where the strength of men 
 ends, there begins that of God. Only let faith wait upon him. 
 
 Axid, on the other hand, God permits his adversaries 
 
 to increase in grandeur and power. He withdraws His 
 
 • Utinam Deus redimat nostro sanguine salutem Christiani populi. 
 Corp. Ref. i. 362. 
 •\ Luke i. 46-55. 
 :|: Magnificat. L. 0pp. Wittemb, Deutscli. Ausg. iii, 11, &c. 
 
208 DEATH RATHER THAN RETRACTATION. 
 
 support, and' suffers them to be puffed up with their own* 
 He empties them of His eternal wisdom, and lets them be 
 filled with their own, which is but for a day. And while 
 they are rising in the brightness of their power, the arm of 
 the Lord is taken away, and their work vanishes as a bubble 
 bursting in the air." 
 
 It was on the 10th of March, at the very moment when 
 the imperial city of Worms was filled with dread at his name, 
 that Luther concluded this explanation, of the Magnijicat. 
 
 He was not left quiet in his retreat. Spalatin, in conformity 
 with the elector's orders, sent him a note of the articles 
 which he would be required to retract. A retractation, after 
 
 his refusal at Augsburg! "Fear not," wrote he to 
 
 Spalatin, " that I shall retract a single syllable, since their 
 only argument is, that my works arc opposed to the rites of 
 what tliey call the Church. If the Emperor Charles summons 
 me only that I may retract, I shall reply that I will remain 
 here, arid it will be the same as if I had gone to Worms and 
 returned. But, on the contrary, if the emperor summons 
 me that I may be put to death as an enemy of the empire, 
 I am ready to comply with his call;-|- for, with the help of 
 Christ, I will never desert the Word on the battle-field. I 
 am well aware that these bloodthirsty men will never rest 
 until they have taken away my fife. Would that it was the 
 papists alone that would be guilty of my blood ! " 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Shall Luther have a Safe-conduct— ^he Safe-conduct — Will Luther 
 come — Holy Thursday at Rome — The Pope and Luther. 
 
 At last the emperor made up his mind. Luther's appear- 
 ance before the diet seemed the only means calculated. to 
 
 • Er zieht seine Krafft heraus und lUsst sie von eigener Krafft sich auf- 
 blasen. L. 0pp. (Wittemb.) Deutsch. Ausg. iii. 11, &c. 
 
 t Si ad me occidendum deinceps vocare velit offeramme venturum. 
 
 L. Epp. i. 574. 
 
 % 
 
Charles's summons. ?0& 
 
 terminate an affair which engaged the attention of all the 
 empire. Charles V. resolved to summon him, but without 
 granting him a safe-conduct. Here Frederick was again 
 compelled to assume the character of a protector. The dan- 
 gers by which the reformer was threatened were apparent to 
 all. Luther's friends, says Cochlceus, feared that he would 
 be delivered into the pope's hands, or that the emperor him- 
 self would put him to death, as undeserving, ^on account 
 of his heresy, that any faith should be kept with him.* 
 On this question there was a long and violent debate-j- be-' 
 tween the princes. Struck at last by the extensive agita- 
 tion then stirring up the people in every part of Germany, 
 and fearing that during Luther's journey some unexpected 
 tumult or dangerous commotion might burst forth in favour 
 of the reform2r,t the princes thought the wisest course would 
 be to tranquillize the public feelings on this subject ; and not 
 only the emperor, but also the Elector of Saxony, Duke 
 George, and the Landgrave of Hesse, through v/hose terri- 
 tories he would have to pass, gave him each a safe-conduct. 
 
 On the 6th of March 1521, Charles V. signed the follow- 
 ing summons addressed to Luther : — 
 
 " Charles, by the grace of God Emperor elect of the Romans, 
 always August, &c. &c. 
 
 " Honourable, well-beloved, and pious ! We and the 
 States of the Holy Empire here assembled, having resolved 
 to institute an inquiry touching the doctrine and the books 
 that thou hast lately published, have issued, for thy coming 
 hither, and thy return to a place of security, our safe-con- 
 duct and that of the empire, which we send thee herewith. 
 Our sincere desire is, that thou shouldst prepare immediately 
 for this journey, in order that within the space of the 
 twenty-one days fixed by our safe-conduct, thou mayst 
 without fail be present before us. Fear neither injustice nor 
 violence. We will firmly abide by our aforesaid safe-con- 
 
 * Tanquam perfido hseretico nulla sit servanda fides. Cochloeus, 
 D. 28. 
 
 f Longa consultatio difficilisque disceptatio. Ibid. 
 
 J Cuin autem grandis ubiqua per Germaniam fere totam excitata 
 est aniraorum commotio. Ibid. 
 
210 THE SAFE-CONDUCT. 
 
 duct, and expect that thou wilt comply with oiir summons. 
 In so doing, thou wilt obey our earnest wishes. 
 
 " Given in our imperial city of Worms, this sixth day of 
 March, in the year of oiu- Lord 1521, and the second of our 
 reign. Chakles. 
 
 " By order of my Lord the Emperor, witness my hand, 
 Albert, Cardinal of Mcntz, High-chancellor. 
 
 " Nicholas Zwtl." 
 
 The safe-conduct contained in the letter was directed: 
 **' Tg the honourable.) our icetl-belGved and pious Doctor 
 Martin Luther, of the order of Augustine s.^^ 
 
 It began thus : 
 
 " We, Charles, the fifth of that name, by the grace of 
 God Emperor elect of the Romans, always August, King 
 of Spain, of the Two Sicihes, of Jerusalem, of Hungary, of 
 Dalmatia, of Croatia, &c.. Archduke of Austria, Duke of 
 Burgundy, Count of Hapsburg, of Flanders, of the Tyrol," 
 &c. &c. 
 
 Then the king of so many states, intimating that he had 
 cited before him an Augustine monk named Luther, enjoined 
 all princes, lords, magistrates, and others, to respect the 
 safe-conduct which had been given him, under pain of the 
 ■ displeasure of the emperor and the empire.* 
 
 Thus did the emperor confer the titles of " well-beloved, 
 honourable, and pious," on a man whom the head of the 
 Church had excommunicated. This document had been 
 thus drawn up, purposely to remove all distrust from the 
 mind of Luther and his friends. GasparcL Sturm was com- 
 missioned to bear this message to the reformer, and accom- 
 pany him to Worms. The elector, apprehending some out- 
 burst of public indignation, wrote on the 12th of March to 
 the magistrates of Wittemberg to provide for the security of 
 the emperor's officer, and to give him a guard, if it was 
 judged necessary. The herald departed. 
 
 Thus were God's designs fulfilled. It was His v^ill that 
 this light, which he had kindled in the world, should be set 
 upon a hill ; arid emperor, kings, and princes, immediately 
 
 * Lucas Cranach's Stammbuch, &c. herausgegeben v. Chx. v. Mecheln. 
 9. 12. 
 
WILL LUTHER APPEAR. 211 
 
 began to carry out His purpose without knowing it. It 
 costs Him Ihtle to elevate what is lowHest. A single act 
 of His power suffices to raise the humble native of Mans- 
 feldt from an obscure cottage to the palaces in which kings 
 were assembled. In His sight there is neither small nor 
 great, and, in His good time, Charles and' Luther meet. 
 
 But will Luther comply with this citation? His best 
 friends were doubtful about it. " Doctor Martin has been 
 summoned here," wrote the elector to his brother on the 
 -25th March ; " but I do not know Avhether he will come. 
 I cannot augur any good from it." Three weeks later (on 
 the 16th of April), this excellent prince, seeing the danger 
 increase, wrote again to Duke John : " Orders against 
 Luther are placarded on the walls. The "cardinals and 
 bishops are attacking him very harshly :* God grant that 
 all may turn out well ! Would to God that I could procure 
 him a faA'Ourable hearing !" 
 
 While these events were taking place at Worms and 
 Wittemberg, the Papacy redoubled its attacks. On the 
 28th of March (which was the Thursday before Easter), 
 Rome re-echoed with a solemn excommunication. It was 
 the custom to publish at that season the terrible bull In 
 Coena Domini, which is a lon^ series of maledictions. On 
 that day the approaches to the temple in which the sove- 
 reign pontiff was to officiate were early occupied with the 
 papal guards, and by a crowd of people that had flocked 
 together from all parts of Italy to receive the benediction of 
 the holy father. Branches of laurel and myrtle decorated 
 the open space in front of the cathedral ; tapers Avere lighted 
 on the balcony of the temple, and there the remonsUance 
 was elevated. On a sudden the air re-echoes with the loud 
 pealing of bells ; the pope, wearing his pontifical robes, and 
 borne in an arm-chair, appears on the balcony ; the people 
 kneel down, all heads are uncovered, the colours are 
 lowered, the soldiers ground their arms, and a solemn silence 
 prevails. A few moments after, the pope slowly stretches 
 out his irands, raises them towards heaven, and then as 
 
 * Die Cardinalo uud Bischofe siad ihm hart zuwider Seckend. 
 
 p. 365. 
 
212 * HOLY THURSDAY AT r.O?.IE. 
 
 slowly bends them towards the earth, making the sign of 
 the cross. Thrice he repeats this movement.- Again the 
 noise of bells reverberates through the air, proclaiming far 
 and wide the benediction of the pontiff; some priests now 
 hastily step forward, each liolding a lighted taper in his 
 hand ; these they reverse, and after tossing them violently, 
 dash them away, as if they were tlie flames of hell; the* 
 people are moved and agitated ; and the words of maledic- 
 tion are hurled do'\^Ti from tlie roof of the temple.* 
 
 As soon as Luther was informed of this excommunication, 
 he published its tenor, with a few remarks written in that 
 cutting style of which he was so great a master. Although 
 this publication did not appear till later, we Avill insert in 
 this place a few of its most striking features. We shall 
 hear the high-priest of Christendom on the balcony of the 
 cathedral, and the AYittemberg monk answering him from 
 the farthest part of Germany. -J- 
 
 There is something characteristic in the contrast of these 
 two voices. 
 
 The Pope. — "Leo, bishop" 
 
 Luther. — " Bishop ! yes, as the wolf is a shepherd : for 
 
 the bishop should 'exhort according to the doctrine of salvation, 
 and not vomit forth imprecations cind maledictions." 
 
 The Pope. — " Servant of all the servants of God" 
 
 Luther. — " At night, wlien we are drunk ; but in the 
 morning, our name is Leo, lord of* all lords." 
 
 The Popis. — " The Roman bishops, our predecessors, have 
 been accustomed on this festival to employ the arms of 
 righteousness" 
 
 Luther. — " Which, according to your account, are ex-^ 
 communication and anatliema; but according to Saint Paul, 
 long-suffering, kindness, and love." (2 Cor. vi. 6, 7.) 
 
 The Pope. — " According to the duties of the apostolic 
 office, and to maintain the purity of the christian faith" 
 
 * This ceremony is described in various works ; among others in the 
 '^ Tagebnch drier lieise durch Deulsch/and iind Ilalien. Berlin, 1817, 
 iv. 04. The principal features are of earlier date than the 16th century. 
 
 + For the bull and Luther's commentary, see Die Bulla vom Abend- 
 fressen. L. 0pp. (L.) xviii. 1. 
 
THE POPE AND LUTHER. 213 
 
 Luther. — " That is to say, the temporal possessions of 
 the pope." 
 
 The Pope. — " And its unity, which consists in the union 
 of the members with Christ, their head....... and with his 
 
 vicar" 
 
 Luther. — " For Clirist is not sufficient ; we must have 
 another besides." 
 
 The Pope. — "To preserve the holy communion of behevers, 
 we follow the ancient custom, and excommunicate and curse, 
 
 in the name of Almighty God, the Father" 
 
 ■ Luther. — " Of whom it is said : God sent not his Son into 
 the icorkl to condemn the ivorld." (John iii. 17.) 
 
 The Pope. — " The Son, and the Holy Ghost, and according 
 
 to the power of the apostles Peter and Paul and our 
 
 own" 
 
 Luther. — " Our own ! says the ravenous wolf, as if the 
 power of God was too weak without him." 
 
 The Pope. — " We curse all heretics, — Garasi,* Patarins, 
 Poor Men of Lyons, Arnoldists, Speronists, Passageni, 
 Wickhtfites, Hussites, Fratriceili" 
 
 Luther. — " For they desired to possess the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and required the pope to be sober and preach the 
 Word of God.", 
 
 The Pope. — " And Martin Luther, recently condemned 
 by us for a similar heresy, as v/eil as all his adherents, and 
 all those, whomsoever they may be," who show him any 
 countenance." 
 
 Luther. — " I thank thee, most gracious pontiff, for con- 
 demning me along with all these Christians ! It is very 
 honourable for me to have my name proclaimed at Rome 
 on a day of festival, in so glorious a manner, that it may 
 run through the v/orld in conjunction with the names of these 
 humble confessors of Jesus Christ." 
 
 The Pope. — " In like manner, we excommunicate and 
 curse all pirates and corsairs" 
 
 Luther. — " W^ho can be a greater corsair and pirate 
 than he that robs souls, imprisons them, and puts them to 
 death?" 
 
 • This name has been altered ; read Gazari or Cathari. 
 
214 THE POPE AND LUTHEK. 
 
 The Pope. — " Particularly those who navigate our seas"... 
 
 Luther. — "Our seas! Saint Peter, our predecessor, 
 
 said: Silver and gold have T none (Acts iii. 6); and 
 Jesus Christ said : The kings of the Gentiles exercise lord- 
 ship over them; hut ye shall not he so (Luke xxii. 25). 
 But if a waggon filled with hay must give place on the 
 road to a drunken man, how much more must Saint Peter 
 and Christ himself give Way to the pope !" 
 
 The Pope. — " In like manner we excommunicate and 
 curse all those who falsify our bulls and our apostolical 
 letters" 
 
 Luther. — " But God's letters, the Holy Scriptures, all the 
 world may condemn and burn." 
 
 The Pope. — " In like manner we excommunicate and 
 curse all those who intercept the provisions that are coming 
 
 to the court of Rome" 
 
 , Luther.-^—" He snarls and snaps, like a dog that fears his 
 bone will ber taken from him."* 
 
 The Pope.—" In like manner we condemn and curse all 
 those who withhold any judiciary dues, fruits, tithes, or 
 revenues, belonging to the clergy" 
 
 Luther. — " For Christ has said : If any man will sue thee 
 at the law ^ and take away thy coat^ let him have thy cloak 
 also (Matt. v. 40), and this is oiir commentary." 
 
 The Pope. — " Whatever- be their station, dignity, ord^r, 
 power, or rank; were they even bishops or kings" 
 
 Luther. — " For there shall he false teachers among you, 
 who despise dominion and speak evil of dignities^ says Scrip- 
 ture." (Jude 8.) 
 
 The Pope. — " In like manner we condemn and curse all 
 those who, in any manner whatsoever, do prejudice to the 
 city of Rome, the kingdom of Sicily, the islands of Sardinia 
 and Corsica, the patrimony of St. Peter in Tuscany, the 
 duchy of Spolcto, the marquisate of Ancona, the Campagna, 
 the cities of Ferrara and Bencvento, and all other cities or 
 countries belonging to the Church of Rome." 
 
 Luther. — " Peter ! tliou poor fisherman ! whence didst 
 
 • Gleich wie ein Hund urns Beines willen. L. 0pp. (L.) xviii. 12. 
 
LLTliLK AM) TllK I'Ol'E. 215 
 
 thou get Rome and all these kingdoms'? all hail, Peter! 
 king of Sicily ! and fisherman at Bethsaida !" 
 
 The Pope. — *' We excommmiicate and curse all chancel- 
 lors, councillors, parlianients, procurators, governors, officials, 
 bishops, and others, who oppose our letters of exhortation, 
 
 invitation, prohibition, mediation, exeTiution." 
 
 . Luther. — " For the holy see desires only to live in idle- 
 ness, in magnificence, and debauchery : to command, to in- 
 timidate, to deceive, to lie, to dishonour, to seduce, and com- 
 mit every kind of wickedness in peace and security 
 
 " Lord, arise ! it is not as the papists pretend ; thou 
 hast not forsaken us ; thou hast not turned away thine eyes 
 from us ! " 
 
 Thus spoke Leo at Rome and Luther at Wittemberg. 
 
 The pontiff having ende/l these maledictions, the parch- 
 ment on which they were v/ritten was torn in pieces, and the 
 fragments scattered among the people. Liimediately the 
 crowd began to be violently agitated, each one rushing for- 
 ward and endeavouring to seize a scrap of this terrible bull. 
 These were the holy relics that the Papacy offered to its faith- 
 ful adherents on the eve of the great day of grace and expia- 
 tion. The multitude soon dispersed, and the neighbourhood 
 of the cathedral became deserted and silent as before. Let 
 us now return to Wittemberg. 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 lather's Courage — Bugenhagen at Wittemberg — Persecutions in Pome- 
 rania— Melancthon desires to accompany Luther— Amsdorff, Scburff, 
 and Suaven— Hiitten to Charles V. 
 
 It was now the 2-ith of March. At last the imperial lierald 
 had passed the gate of the city in which Luther resided. 
 Gaspard Sturm waited upon the doctor, and delivered the 
 citation from Charles V. What a .serious and solemn mo- 
 ment for the reformer ! All his friends were in consternation. 
 
216 Luther's courage. 
 
 No prince, without excepting Frederick the Wise, had de- 
 ciared for him. The knights, it is true, had given utterance 
 to their threats; but them the powerful Charles despised. 
 Luther, however, was not discomposed. " The papists," 
 said he, on seeing the anguish of his friends, " do not desire 
 my coming to Worms, but my condemnation and my death.* 
 It matters not! Pray, not for me, but for the Word of God. 
 Before my blood has grown cold, thousands of men in the 
 whole world will have become responsible for having shed 
 it ! Tlie most holy adversary of Christ, the father, the mas- 
 ter, the generalissimo ©f murderers, insists on its being shed. 
 So be it ! Let God's will be done ! Christ will give me his 
 Spirit to overcome these ministers of error. I despise them 
 during my life ; I shall triumph over them by my death.f 
 They are busy at Worms about compelling me to retract ; 
 and this shall be my retractation : I said formerly that the 
 pope was Christ's vicar; now I assert that he is our Lord's 
 adversary, and the devil's apostle." And when he was ap- 
 prized that all the pulpits of the Franciscans and Dominicans 
 resounded with imprecations and maledictions against him : 
 " Oh! what deep joy do I feel!" exclaimed \\q.\ He knew 
 that he had done God's will, and that God was with him ; 
 why then should he not set out with courage ? Such purity 
 of intention, such liberty of conscience, is a hidden but in- 
 calculable support, that never fails the servant of God, and 
 renders him more invulnerable than if protected by coats of 
 mail and armed hosts. 
 
 At this time there arrived at Wittemberg a man who, like 
 Melancthon, was destined to be Luther's friend all his life, 
 and to comfort him at the moment of his departure.§ This 
 was a priest named Bugenhagen, thirty-six years of age, 
 who had fled from the severities which the Bishop of Camin 
 and Prince Bo;rislas of Pomerania exercised on "the friends of 
 
 * Damnatiim et perditum. L. Epp. i. 556. 
 
 f Ut lios Satan :e ininistros et couteianam vivens ct vincam nioriens. 
 Ibid. 570. 
 
 X Quod mire qnam <(audcani. Ibid. 567. 
 
 § Venit Wiitembergam paulo ante iter Liitheri ad coniitia Wormatiae 
 indicta. Melch. Adami Vita Bu^enliagii, p. 314. 
 
EUGENHAGEN PERSECUTIONS IN POMERANIA. 217 
 
 the Gospel, whether ecclesiastics, citizens, or men of letters.* 
 Sprung from a senatorial family, and born at WoUin in Po- 
 merania (whence he is commonly called Pomeranns), Bitgen- 
 hagen had been teaching at Treptow from the age of twenty 
 years. The young eagerly crowded around him ; the nobles 
 and the learned emulated each other in courting his society. 
 He diligently studied the Holy Scriptures, praying God to 
 enlighten him.f One day towards the end of December 1520, 
 Luther's book on the Captivity of Babylon was put into his 
 hands as he sat at supper with several of his friends. " Since 
 the death of Christ," said he, after running his eye over the 
 pages, " many heretics have infested the Church ; but never 
 yet has there existed such a pest as the author of this work." 
 Having taken the book home and pei'used it two or three 
 times, all his opinions were changed ; truths quite new to 
 him presented themselves to his mind; and on returning 
 some days after to his colleagues, he said, " The whole world 
 has fallen into the thickest darkness. This man alone sees 
 the light."! Several priests, a deacon, and the abbot him- 
 self, received the pure doctrine of salvation, and in a short 
 time, by the power of their preaching, they led their hearers 
 (says an historian) back from human superstitions to the 
 sole and effectual merits of Jesus Christ.§ Upon this a 
 persecution broke out. Already the prisons re-echoed with 
 the groans of iiiany individuals. Bugenhagen fled from his 
 enemies and arrived at Wittemberg. " He is suffering for 
 love to the Gospel," wrote Melancthon to the elector's chap- 
 lain. " Whither could he fly, but to our a<ruXoi/ (asylum), 
 and to the protection of our prince ?"|| 
 
 But no one welcomed Bugenhagen with greater joy than 
 Luther. It was agreed between them, that immediately 
 after the departure of the reformer, Bugenhagen should begin 
 
 • Sacerdotes, cives et scholasticos in vincula conjecit. Mel. Adami Vita 
 Bugenhagii, p. 313. 
 
 + Precesque adjunsit, quibus divinitus se regi ac doceri petivit. Ibid, 
 p. 312. 
 
 :; In Cimmeriis tenebris versatur : hie vir unus et solus verum videt. 
 Ibid. p. 313. 
 
 § A superstitionibus ad unicum Christi meritum traducere. Ibid. 
 
 N Corp. Ref. i. 361. 
 
 TOL. n. 10 
 
218 ilELANCTUON, AMSDOIIiT, AND SCllUP.IT. 
 
 to lecture on the Psalms. It was thus Divine Providence 
 led this able man to supply in some measure the place of 
 him whoni AVittemberg was about to lose. A year later, 
 Bugenhagen was placed at the head of the Church in this 
 city, over which he presided thirty-six years. Luther styled 
 him in an especial manner The Pastor. 
 
 Luther was about to depart. His friends, in alarm, thought 
 that if God did not interpose in a miraculous manner, he was 
 going to certain death. Melancthon, far removed from his 
 native town, was attached to Luther with all the alTection of 
 a susceptible heart. " Luther," said he, '• supplies the place 
 of all my friends ; he is greater and more admirable for me 
 than I can dare express. You know how Alcibiades admired 
 Socrates ;* but I admire Luther after another and a christian 
 fashion." He then added these beautiful and sublime words : 
 " As often as I contemplate Luther, I find him constantly 
 greater than himself.'* -J- Melanctlion desired to accompany 
 Luther in his dangers ; but their common friends, and no 
 doubt the doctor himself, opposed his wishes. Ought not 
 Philip to fill his friend's place ? and if the latter never re- 
 turned, who then would there be to direct the work of the 
 Reformation ? " Would to God," said Melancthon, resigned, 
 yet disappointed, '' that he had allowed me to go with him."| 
 
 The impetuous Amsdorff immediately declared that he 
 would accompany the doctor. His strong mind. found plea- 
 sure in confronting danger. His boldness permitted him to 
 appear fearlessly before an assembly of kings. The elector had 
 invited to Wittemberg, as professor of jurisprudence, Jerome 
 Schurff, son of a physi(?ian at St. Gall, a celebrated man, of 
 gentle manners, and who was very intimate with Luther. 
 " He has not yet been able to make up his mind," said Luther, 
 " to pronounce sentence of death on a single malefactor." § 
 This timid man, however, desired to a.^sist the doctor by his 
 
 • Alcibiades was conviuced that the society of Socrates was a support 
 the gods had p;iven him for his instruction and security. Plutarch — Al- 
 cibiades. 
 
 t Quem quoties contemplor, so ipso subinde majorem judico. Corp. 
 Ref. i. 264. 
 
 X Utinam licuisset mihi una proficisci. Ibid. 365; 
 
 § L. 0pp. (\V.) xxii. 2067. l»iy. 
 
HUTTEN TO CHARLES V. 219 
 
 aijvice in this perilous journey. A young Danish student, 
 Peter Suaven, who raided with Melancthon, and who after- 
 wards became celebrated by his evangelical labours in Pome- 
 rania and Denmark, likewise declared that he would accom- 
 pany his master. The youth of the schools were also to have 
 their representative at the side of the champion of truth. 
 
 Germany was moved at the siglit of the perils that me- 
 naced the representative of her people. She found a suitable 
 voice to give utterance to her fears. ■ Ulrich of Hutten shud- 
 dered at the thought of the blow about to be inflicted on his 
 country. On the 1st of April, he wrote to Charles V. him- 
 self: " Most excellent emperor," said lie, " you are on the 
 point of destroying us, and yourself with us. What is pro- 
 posed to be done in this affair of Luther's, except to ruin our 
 liberty, and to crush your power ? In the whole extent of 
 the empire there is not a single upright man that does not 
 feel the deepest interest in this matter.* The priests alone 
 set themselves against Luther, because he has opposed their 
 enormous power, their scandalous Juxury, and their depraved 
 lives ; and because he has pleaded, in behalf of Christ's doc- 
 trine, for the liberty of our country, and for purity of momls. 
 
 " emperor ! discard from your presence these Roman 
 ambassadors, bishops, and cardii^^is, Avho desire to prevent 
 all reformation. Did you not observe the sorrow of the 
 people, as they saw you arrive on the banks -of the Rhine, 
 
 surrounded by these red-hatted gentry and by a band of 
 
 priests, instead of a troop of vahant warriors? 
 
 " Do not surrender your sovereign majesty to those who 
 desire to trample it under foot ! Have pity on us ! Do not 
 drag yourself and the whole nation into one common destruc- 
 tion. Lead us into the midst of the greatest dangers, under 
 the weapons of your soldiers, to the cannon's mouth ;-|- let 
 all nations conspire against us ; let every army assail us, so 
 that we can show our valour in the light of day, ratlier than 
 that we should be thus vanquished and enslaved obscurely 
 
 and stealthily, like women, without arms and unresisting 
 
 * Neque enim quam lata est Germania, ulli boui sunt, &c. L. 0pp. 
 Lat. ii. 182, verso. 
 
 ■Y Due nos in manifestum potius periculum, due in ferrum, due in igucs. 
 Ibid. IGS. 
 
220 PRAYER OF GERMANY. 
 
 Alas! we had hoped that you would deliver us from the 
 Roman yoke, and overthrow the tyraniw of the pontiff. God 
 grant that the futiu-e may be better than these beginnings ! 
 
 " All Germany falls prostrate at your feet ;* with tears 
 we entreat and implore your help, your compassion, your 
 faithfulness ; and by the holy memory of those Germans who, 
 when all the world owned the Roman sway, did not bow their 
 heads before that haughty city, we conjure you to save us, 
 to restore us to ourselves, to deliver us from bondage, and 
 take revenge upon our tyrants ! " 
 
 Thus, by the mouth of this knight, spoke the German na- 
 tion to Charles V. The emperor paid no attention to this 
 epistle, and probably cast it disdainfully 'to one of his secre- 
 taries. He was a Fleming, and not a German. His per- 
 sonal aggrandizement, and not the liberty and glory of the 
 empire, was the object of all his desires. 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 Departure for the Diet of Worms — Luther's Farewell — His Condemna- 
 tion is posted up— Cavalcade near Erfurth— Meeting between Jonas 
 and Luther — Luther in his former Convent — Luther preaches at Er- 
 furth — Incident— Faith and Works— Concourse of People and Luther's 
 Courage — Luther's Letter to Spalatin— Stay at Frankfort— Fears at 
 Worms— Plan of the Imperialists — Luther's Firmness. 
 
 It was now the 2d of April, and Luther had to take leave of 
 his friends. After apprizing Lange, by a note, that he would 
 spend the Thiirsdey or Friday following at Erfurth,-]- he bade 
 farewell to his colleagues. Turning to Melancthon, he said 
 with an agitated voice, " My dear brother, if I do not return, 
 and my enemies put me to death, continue to teach, and stand 
 fast in the trutli. Labour in my stead, since I shall no longer 
 be able to labour for myself. If you survive, my death will 
 be of httle consequence." Then, committmg his soul to the 
 
 * Oranem nunc Germaniam quasi ad genua provolutam tibi. L. Opp^ 
 Lat. ii. 184. 
 + L. Epp. i. 580. 
 
Luther's journey. 221 
 
 hands of Him who is faithful, Luther got into the car and 
 quitted Witteraberg. The town-council had provided him 
 with a modest conveyance, covered with an awning, which 
 the travellers could set up or remove at pleasure. The im- 
 perial herald, wearing his robe of office, and carrying the 
 imperial eagle, rode on horseback in front, attended by his 
 servant. Next came Luther, Schurff, Amsdorfi, and Suaven, 
 in the car. The friends of the Gospel and the citizens of 
 AVittemberg were deeply agitated, — and, invoking God's aid, 
 burst into tears. Thus Luther began his journey. 
 
 He soon discovered that gloomy presentiments filled the 
 hearts of all he met. At Leipzic no respect was shown him, 
 and the magistrates merely presentejj him with the custom- 
 ary cup of wine. A t Naumburg he met a priest, probably 
 J. Langer, a man of stern zeal, who carefully preserved in 
 his study a portrait of the famous Jerome Savonarola (who 
 was burnt at Florence in 1498 by order of Pope Alexander 
 VI.), as a martyr to freedom and morality, as well as a con- 
 fessor of the evangelical truth. Having taken down the 
 portrait of the Italian martyr, the priest approached Luther, 
 and held it out to him in silence. The lixtter understood 
 what this mute representation was intended to announce, 
 but his intrepid soul remained firm. ♦ " It is Satan," said he, 
 " that would prevent, by these terrors, the confession of the 
 truth in the assembly of princes, for he foresees the blow it 
 would inflict upon his kingdom."* " Stand firm in the 
 truth thou hast proclaimed," said the priest solemnly, " and 
 God will as firmly stand by thee !"x 
 
 >fter passing the night at Naumburg, where he had been 
 hospitably entertained by the burgomaster, Luther arrived 
 the next evening at Weimar. He had hardly been a minute 
 in the town, when he heard loud cries in every direction : it 
 was the publication of his condemnation. " Look there !" 
 said the herald. He turned his eyes, and with astonishment 
 saw the imperial messengers going from street to street, 
 everywhere posting up the emperor's edict commanding his 
 
 • Terrorem hunc a Sathana sibi dixit afferi M. Adami, p. 117. 
 
 t Er wolle bey der erkandten Wahrheyt mit breytem Fuss aushalteii 
 Mathesius Historien, p. 23. We quote the first edition of 1566. 
 
222 LUTHER AT WEIMAR THE CAVALCADE. 
 
 writings to be deposited with the magistrates. Luther 
 doubted not that this unseasonable dispby of severity was 
 intended to frighten him from undertaking the journey, so 
 that he might be condemned as having refused to appear. 
 " Well, doctor ! will you proceed ? " asked tlie imperial 
 herald in alarm. " Yes !" replied Luther ; " although in- 
 terdicted in every city, I shall go on ! I rely upon the em- 
 peror's safe-conduct." 
 
 At Weimar, Luther had an audience with Duke John, 
 brother to the Elector of Saxony, who resided there. The 
 prince invited him to preach, and the reformer consented. 
 Words of life flowed from the doctor's agitated heart. A 
 Franciscan monk, who. heard him, -by name John VoVt, the 
 friend of Frederick Myconius, was tlien converted to the 
 evangelical doctrine. He left liis convent two years after, 
 and somewhat later became professor of theology at Wit- 
 tembsrg. The duke furnished Luther with the money ne- 
 cessary for his journey. 
 
 From }Veimar the reformer proceeded to Erfurth. This 
 was the city of his youth. Here he hoped to meet his friend 
 Lange, if, as he- had written to him, he might enter the city 
 without danger.* When about three or four leagues from 
 the city, near the village of Nora, he perceived a troop of 
 horsemen approaching in the distance. Were they friends 
 or enemies ? In a short time Crotus, rector of the university, 
 Eobanus Hesse, the friend of Melancthon, and v/hom Luther 
 styled the prince of poets, Euricius Cordus, John Draco, 
 and others, to the number of forty, all members of .the 
 senate, the university, _or of the burghers, greeted him with 
 acclamations. A multitude of the inhabitants of Erfurth 
 thronged 'the road, and gave utterance' to their joy. All 
 were eager to see the man who had dared to declare war 
 against the pope. 
 
 A man about twenty-eight years old, by name Justus 
 Jonas, had outstripped the cavalcade. 7 Jonas, after study- 
 
 • Nisi periculura sit Erfordiam in£;redi. L. Epp. i. 580. 
 ■f Hos inter, qui nos proevenerat, ibat Jonas, 
 lUedecns nostri, primaque fama Chori. 
 
 F.ob. Hessi Eleiiia Secunda, 
 
MEETING OF JONAS AND LUTHER. 223 
 
 ing the law at Erfurtli, had been appointed rector of that 
 university in 1519. Receiving the light of the Gospel^ 
 which was shining forth in every direction, he had enter- 
 tained the desire of becoming a theologian. " I think," 
 wrote Erasmus to him, '"' that God has elected you as an 
 instrument to make known the glory of his son Jesus." * 
 All his thoughts were turned towards Wittemberg and 
 Luther. Some years before, when he was as yet a laAv- 
 student, Jonas, who was a man of active and enterprising 
 spirit, had set out on foot in company with a few friends, 
 and had crossed forests infested with robbers, and cities 
 devastated by the plague, in order to visit Erasmus,' who 
 was then at Brussels. Shall he now hesitate to confront 
 other dangers by accompanying the reformer to Worms ? 
 He earnestly begged the favour to be granted him, and 
 Luther consented. Thus met these two doctors, who were 
 to labour together all their lives in the task of renovating 
 the Church. Divine Providence gathered round Luther men 
 who were destined to be the light of Germany : Melancthon, 
 AmsdorfF, Bugenhagen, and Jonas. On his return from 
 Worms, Jonas was elected provost of the Church of Wit- 
 temberg, and doctor of divinity. " Jonas," said Luther, 
 " is a man whose life is worth purchasing at a large 
 price, in order to retain him on earth."-]- No preacher ever 
 surpassed him in his power of captivating his hearers.— 
 " Pomeranus is aciitic," said Melancthon ; " I am a dialec- 
 tician,. Jonas is an orator. Words flow from his hps with 
 admirable beauty, and his eloquence is full of energy. But 
 Luther surpasses us all." | It appears that about this time 
 a friend of Luther's childhood, and also one of his brothers, 
 increased the number of his escort. 
 
 The deputation from Erfurth had turned their horses' 
 heads. Lutlier's carriage entered within the walls of the 
 
 * Velut organura quoddam electuin ad illustrandam filii sui Jesu 
 gloriam. Erasm. Epp. v. -27. 
 
 f Vir est quern oportuit multo pretio emptum et servatum in terra. 
 Weisraann, i. 1436. 
 
 X Pomeranus est grammaticus, ego sum dialecticus, Jonas est orator 
 
 Luthevus vero nobis omnibus antecellit. Knapp Narrat. do J. 
 
 Jona, p. 5V,\. 
 
22d luther's sermon at erfurth. 
 
 city, surrounded by horsemen and pedestrians. At the gate, 
 in the public places, in the streets where the poor monk had 
 so often begged his bread, the crowd of spectators was im- 
 mense. Luther alighted at the convent of the Augustines, 
 where the Gospel had first given consolation to his heart. 
 Lange joyfully received him; Usingen, and some of the elder 
 fathers, showed him much coldness. There was a great de- 
 sire to hear him preadi ; the pulpit had been forbidden him, 
 but the herald, sharing the enthusiasm of those about him, 
 gave his consent. 
 
 On the Sunday after Easter the church of the Augustines 
 of Erfurth was filled to overflowing. This friar, who had 
 been accustomed in former times to unclose the doors and 
 sweep out the church, went up into the pulpit, and opening the 
 Bible, read these words : — Peaci he unto you. And when he had 
 so said, he shouted unto them his hands and his side (John xx. 
 19, 20). " Philosophers, doctors, and writers," said he, " have 
 endeavoured to teach men the way to obtain everlasting life, 
 and they have not succeeded, I will now tell it to you." 
 
 This has been the great question in every age ; accord- 
 ingly Luther's hearers redoubled their attention. 
 
 " There are two kinds of works," continued the reformer : 
 " works not of ourselves, and these are good ; our own works, 
 and they are of little worth. One man builds a church ; 
 another goes on a pilgrimage to St. Jago of Compostella or 
 St. Peter's; a third fasts, prays, takes the cowl, and goes 
 barefoot ; another does something else. All these works are 
 nothingness and will come to nought : for our own works 
 have no virtue in them. But I am now going to tell you 
 what is the true work. God has raised one man from the 
 dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He might destroy death, 
 extirpate sin, and shut the gates of hell. This is the work 
 of salvation. The devil thought he had the Lord in his power, 
 when he saw Him hanging between two thieves, suffering 
 the most disgraceful martyrdom, accursed of God and of 
 
 men But the Godhead displayed its power, and destroyed 
 
 death, sin, and hell 
 
 " Christ has vanquished ! this is the joyful news ! and 
 we are saved by his work, and not by our own. The pope 
 
FAITH AND WORKS. 225 
 
 Hays differently : but I affirm that the holy mother of God 
 herself was saved, neitHer by her virginity, nor by her 
 maternity, nor by her purity, nor by her works, but solely 
 by the instrumentality of faith and the works of God." 
 
 While Luther was speaking, a sudden noise was heard ; 
 one of the galleries cracked, and it was feared that it would 
 break down under the pressure of the crowd. This incident 
 occasioned a great disturbance in the congregation. Some ran 
 out from their places ; others stood motionless through fright. 
 The preacher stopped a moment, and then stretching out his 
 hand, exclaimed with a loud voice : " Fear nothing ! there 
 is no danger : it is thus the devil seeks to hinder me from 
 proclaiming , the Gospel, but he will not succeed."* At 
 these words, those who were flying halted in astonishment 
 and surprise ; the assembly again became calm, and Luther, 
 undisturbed by these efforts of the devil, continued thus: 
 " You say a great deal about faith (you may perhaps reply 
 to me) : show us how we may obtain it. Well, I will teach 
 you. Our Lord Jesus Christ said : Peace he unto you ! behold 
 my hands, that is to say, Behold, man ! it is I, I alone, 
 who have taken away thy sin, and ransomed thee ; and now 
 thou hast peace, saith the Lord. 
 
 " I have not eaten of tlie fruit of the forbidden tree," re- 
 sumed Luther, " nor have you : but we have all. paptaken 
 of the sin that Adam has transmitted to us, and have gone 
 astray. In like manner, I have not suffered on the cross, 
 neither have you ; but Christ has ^suffered for us ; we are 
 justified by God's work, and not by our own...... I am (saith 
 
 the Lord) thy righteousness and thy redemption. 
 
 " Let us believe in the Gospel and in the epistles of St. 
 Paul, and not in the letters and decretals of the popes." 
 
 After proclaiming faith as the cause of the sinner's justifi- 
 cation, Luther proclaims works as the consequence and 
 manifestation of salvation. 
 
 " Since God has saved us," continues he, " let us so order 
 
 our works that they may be acceptable to him. Art thou 
 
 rich? let thy goods administer to the necessities of the 
 
 poor! Art thou poor? let thy services be acceptable to the 
 
 ' * Agnosco insidias, hostis acerbe, tuas. Hessi Eleg. iii. 
 
 10* 
 
226 Luther's illness and courage. 
 
 rich ! If thy labour is useful to thyself alone, the service 
 that thou pretendest to render unto God is a lie.'* 
 
 In the -whole of this sermon there is not a word about 
 himself; not a single allusion to the circumstances in which 
 he. is placed : nothing about Worms, or Charles, or the 
 nuncios ; he preaches Christ, and Christ only. At this mo- 
 ment, when the eyes of all the world are upon him, he has 
 no thought of himself: this stamps him as a true servant of 
 God. 
 
 Luther departed from Erfurth, and passed through Gotha, 
 where he preached another sermon. Myconius adds, that as 
 the people were leaving the church, the devil threw down from 
 the pediment some stones that had not moved for.two hundred 
 years. The doctor slept at the convent of the Benedictines 
 at Reinhardsbrunn, and from thence proceeded to Eisenach, 
 where he felt indisposed. Amsdorff, Jonas, Schurff, and 
 all his friends were alarmed. He was bled; they tended him 
 with the most affectionate anxiety, and John Oswald, the 
 schultheiss of the town, brought him a cordial. Luther having 
 drunk a portion fell asleep, and, reinvigorated by this repose, 
 he was enabled to continue his journey on the folloAving 
 morning. 
 
 His progress resembled that of a victorious general. The 
 people gazed with -emotion on this daring man, who was 
 going to lay his head at the feet of the emperor and the em- 
 pire.f An immense crowd flocked eagerly around him.J 
 " Ah !" said some, " there are so many bishops and cardinals 
 
 at Worms! They will burn you, and reduce your body to 
 
 ashes, as they did Avith John Huss." But nothing frightened 
 the monk. " Though they should kindle a fire," said he, 
 " all the way from Worms to Wittemberg, the flames of which 
 reached to heaven, I Avould walk through it in the name of 
 the Lord, — I would appear before them, — I would enter the 
 jaws of this Behemoth, and break his teeth, confessing the 
 Lord Jesus Christ." § 
 
 • L. 0pp. (L.) xii. 485. 
 
 -f Quocunque iter faciebant, frequens erat concursus hominum,videndi 
 Lutheri studio. Cochloeus, p. 29. 
 
 J Iter faciputi occurrebant populi. Pallav, Hist. C. Tr. i. ] 14. 
 § Ein Feuer das bis an den Himmel reichte Keil, i. 98. 
 
COURAGE LETTER TO SPALATIN. 227 
 
 One day, just as he Iiad entered an inn, and the crowd was 
 pressing around him as usual, an officer advanced and said : 
 *' Are you the man that has undertaken to reform the 
 piipacy ? How can you hope to succeed?" — " Yes," rephed 
 Luther, " I am th.e man. I trust in God Almighty, whose 
 Word and commandment I have before me." The officer 
 was touched, and looking at him with a milder air, said ; 
 " My dear friend, what you say is a great matter. I am the 
 servant of Charles, but your Master is greater than mine. 
 He will aid and preserve you."* Such was the impression 
 produced by Luther. Even his enemies Averc struck at the 
 sight of the multitudes that thronged around him ; but 
 they depicted his journey in far different colours.f The doc- 
 tor arrived at Frankfort on Sunday the 14th of April. 
 
 Already the news of Luther's journey had reached Worms. 
 The friends of the pope lia<I thought that he would not obey 
 the emperors summons. Albert, cardinal-archbishop of 
 iVIentz, would have gi\ en aiiy thing to stop him on the road. 
 New intrigues were put in motion to attain this result. 
 
 As soon as Lutlier arrived in Frankfort, he took some re- 
 pose, and afterwards gave intelligence of his a})proach to 
 Spalatin, who was then at Worpis with the elector. This 
 v.'as the only letter he wrote during Ids journey. " I am 
 coming," said he, " although Satan endeavoured to stop me 
 on the road by sickness. Since I left Eisenach I have been 
 in a feeble state, and am still as I never was before. I learn 
 that Charles lias published an edict to frighten me. But 
 Christ lives, and I shall enter Worins in despite of all the 
 gates of hell, and Cf the powers of the air.j: Have the 
 goodness, therefore, to prepare a lodging for me." 
 
 * Nun habt Ihr emen grofeern Kerrn, denn Icb. Ibid. 99. 
 
 + In diversoriis multa j^ropinatio, lasta compotatio, musices quoque 
 gaudia : adeo ut Lutlierus ipse alicubi sonora testudine ludens omnium 
 in se oculos converteret, velut Ovpheus quidam, sed rasiisadhnc et cucul- 
 iatus, eoque mirubilior. Coclilceus, p. 29. , In the taverns there was 
 good cheer, joyous potation?, and even the charms of music : so that 
 Luther, playing upon the harp, drew all eyes upon himself, like a very- 
 Orpheus, and tlie more -.vonderful as he was shorn and wore a cowl. 
 
 t Intrabimus Wormatiam, iuvitis omnibus portis iuferni et potentati- 
 Vus aeris. L. 0pp. i. U?>7. 
 
228 LUTHER AT FKANKFORT. 
 
 The next day Luther went to visit the school of the 
 learned William Nesse, a celebrated geographer of that period. 
 " Apply to the study of the Bible, and to the inA^estigation 
 of truth," said he to the pupils. And then, putting his right 
 hand on one of the children, and his left upon another, he 
 pronounced a benediction on the whole school. 
 
 If Luther blessed the young, he Avas also the hope of the 
 aged. Catherine of Holzhausen, a widow far advanced in 
 years, and who served God, approached him and said : " My 
 parents told me that God would raise up a man who should 
 oppose the papal vanities and preserve His Word. I hope 
 thou art that man, and I pray for the grace and Holy Spirit 
 of God upon thy work."* 
 
 These were far from being the general sentiments in 
 Frankfort. John Cochloeus, dean of the church of Our 
 Lady, was one of the most devoted partisans of the papacy. 
 He could not repress his apprehensions when he saw Luther 
 pass through Frankfort on his road to Worms. He thought 
 that the Church had need of devoted champions. It is true 
 no one had summoned him ; but that mattered not. Luther 
 had scarcely quitted the city, when Cochlceus followed him, 
 ready (said he) to sacrifice his life in defence of the honour 
 of the Church.-j- 
 
 The alarm was universal in the camp of the pope's friends. 
 The heresiarch was arriving ; every day and every hour 
 brought him nearer to Worms. If he entered, all might 
 perhaps be lost. Archbishop Albert, the confessor Glapio, 
 and the politicians who surrounded the emperor, were con- 
 founded. How could they hinder this *monk from coming ? 
 To carry him off" by force was impossible, for he had Charles's 
 safe-conduct. Stratagem alone could stop him. These artful 
 men immediately conceived the following plan. The em- 
 peror's confessor and his head chamberlain, Paul of ArmsdorfF, 
 hastily quitted Worms.J They directed tlieir course towards 
 
 • Ich holie dass du der Verheissene Cypr. Hilar. Ev. p. 603. 
 
 + Luthenim iliac traiiseuntem subsequutus, ut pro honore Ecclesiae 
 
 Titam suam exponeret. Cochloeus, p. ?>6. This is the writer whom 
 
 we quote so frequently. 
 
 t Dass der Keyser seineu Beichtvater uud Ihrer Majest. Ober-Kam- 
 merling, zu Sickingen schickt. L. 0pp. svii. c;87. 
 
SCHEMES OF THE KOMANISTS. 229 
 
 the castle of Ebernburg, about ten leagues from the city, the 
 residence of Francis of Sickingen, — that knight who had 
 offered an asylum to Luther. Biicer, a youthful Dominican, 
 chaplain to the elector-palatine, and converted to the evan- 
 gelical doctrine by the disputation at Heidelberg,* had taken 
 refuge in this " resting-place of the righteous." The knight, 
 who did not understand much about reUgious matters, was 
 easily deceived, and the character of the palatine cliaplain 
 facilitated the confessor's designs. In fact, Bucer was a man 
 of pacific character. Making a distinction between funda- 
 mental and secondary points, he thought that the latter- 
 might be given up for the sake of unity and peace.j 
 
 The chamberlain and Charles's confessor began their 
 attack. They gave Sickingen and Bucer to understand, 
 that Luther was lost if he entered Worms. They declared 
 that the emperor was ready to send a few learned men 
 to Ebernburg to confer with the doctor. " Both parties," 
 said they to the knight, " will place themselves under your 
 protection." '* We agree wdth Luther on all essential points," 
 said they to Bucer ; " it is now a question of merely se- 
 condary matters, and you shall mediate between us." The 
 knight and the doctor were staggered. The confessor and 
 the chamberlain continued : " Luther's invitation must pro- 
 ceed from you," said they to Sickingen, " and Bucer shall' 
 carry it to him." J Everything was arranged according to 
 their wishes. Only let the too credulous Luther go to Ebern- 
 burg, his safe-conduct will soon have expired, and then who 
 shall defend him ? 
 
 Luther had arrived at Oppenheim. His safe-conduct was 
 available for only three days more. He saw a troop of 
 horsemen approaching him, and at their head soon recognised 
 Bucer, with Avhom he had held such intimate conversa- 
 tions at Heidelberg. § " These cavaliers belong to Francis 
 of Sickingen," said Bucer, after the first interchange of 
 
 * See Vol. I. p. 330. 
 
 t Condocefaciebat rk a-jxyxuTa a probabilibus distinguere, ut scirent 
 
 quae retinenda M. Adami Vita Buceri, p. 223. 
 
 t Dass er sollte den Luther zu sich fodern. L. 0pp. xvii. 587. 
 § Da kam Bucer zu, mit etlichen Reutern. Ibid. 
 
230 luthek's firmness. 
 
 friendslilp ; " he lias sent me lo conduct you to his castle* 
 The emperor's confessor dcsh-es to have an interview witli 
 you. His influence over Charles is unlimited ; everything 
 may yet be arranged. But beware of Aleander!'' Jonas, 
 Schurff, and Amsdorff knew not v/hat to think. Bucer v/as 
 pressing; but Luther felt no hesitation. " I shall continue 
 my journey,'* replied he to Bucer ; " and if the emperor's 
 confessor has anything to say to me, he will find me at 
 Worms. I go wdiither I am summoned." 
 
 In tlie mean while, Spalatin himself began to be anxious 
 and to fear. Surrounded at Worms by the enemies of the 
 Reformation, he heard it said that the safe-conduct of a 
 heretic ought not to be respected. He grew alarmed for his 
 friend. At the moment when the latter was approaching 
 the city,- a messenger appeared before him, with this advice 
 from the chaplain: *' Do not enter Worms!" And this 
 from his best friend — the elector's confidant — from Spa- 
 latin himself! But Luther, undismayed, turned his eyes 
 
 on the messenger, and replied : " Go and tell your master, 
 
 that even should there be as many devils in Worms as tiles on 
 
 the house-tops, still I would enter it !"t Never, perhaps, has 
 
 Luther been so sublime! The messenger returned to Worms 
 
 with this astounding ansvrer. " 1 was then undaunted," said 
 
 Luther, a few days before his death ; '•' I leared nothing. 
 
 \ God can indeed render a man intrepid at any time ; but I 
 
 \ know not whether I should now liave so much hberty and 
 
 t joy."- — " When our cause is good," adds his disciple Mathe- 
 
 ^ sius, " the heart expands, and gives courage and energy to 
 
 evangelists as well as to soldiers."! 
 
 *' Unci \yorite mir iiberreden zu Sickingen geii Ebcrnburg zu kotrin-.en. 
 L. 0pp. xvii. 337. 
 
 f Wenn so viel Teufel zu Worms %Taren, als Ziegel auf den Dachein 
 ,ioch woUt Ich hinein. Ibid. 
 
 ,;: So Wachst das Herz im Leibe. . Matli. p. 24. 
 
LUTHER ENTERS WORMS. 231 
 
 CHARTER VIII. 
 
 Entry into Worms— Death-Song— Charles's Council— Capito and the 
 Temporizers — Luther's numerous Visiters— Citation — Hiitten to Luther 
 — Luther proceeds to the Diet — Saying of Freundsberg — Imposing 
 Assembly — The Chancellor's Speech— Luther's Reply— His Discr^nion 
 — Saying of Charles V.— Alarm — Triumph — Luther's Firmness — Vio- 
 lence of the Spaniards — Advice — Luther's Strifggles and Prayer — 
 Strength of the Reformation— His Vow to the Scriptures— The Court 
 of the Diet — Luther's Speech— Three Classes of Writings — He requires 
 Proof of his Errors — Serious Warnings — He repeats his Speech in 
 Latm — Here I stand ; I can say no more — The Weakness of God 
 >.ironger than Man — A new Attempt — Victory. 
 
 k.\ jiengtli, on the morning of thp IGtli of April, Luther dis- 
 .^.ovcred the walls of the ancient city. All were expecting 
 him. One absorbing thought prevailed in AYorms. Some 
 young nobles, Bernard of Hirschfeklt, Albert- of Lindenau, 
 with six knights and other gentlemen in the train of the 
 princes, to the number of a hundred (if we may believe Pal- 
 lavicini), unable to restrain their impatience, rode out on 
 horseback to meet him, and surrounded him, to form an es- 
 cort at the moment of his entrance. He drew near. Before 
 him pranced the imperial herald, in full costume. Luther 
 came next in his modest car. Jonas followed hira on horse- 
 back, and the cavaliers were on both sides of him. A great 
 crowd was waiting for hira at the gates. It was near mid- 
 day when he passed those walls, from which so many persons 
 had pr%^.dicted he would never come forth alive. Every one 
 was at table ; but as soon as the watchman on the tower of 
 the catiiedral sounded his trumpet, all ran* into the streets 
 to see the monk. Luther was now in Worms. 
 
 Two thousand persons accompanied him through the 
 streets of the city. The citizens eagerly pressed forv/ard to 
 see him : every moment the crowd was increasing. It was 
 much greater than at the public entry of the emperor. On 
 a sudden, says an historian, a man dressed in a singular 
 costume, and bearing a large cross, such as is employed ia 
 
232 THE REQUIEM. 
 
 funeral processions, made way through the crowd, advanced 
 towards Luther, and tlien with a loud voice, and in that 
 plaintive, measured tone in which mass is said for the 
 repose of the soul, he sang these words, as if he were utter- 
 ing them from the abode of the dead : — 
 
 Advenisti, O desiderabilis ! 
 Quern expectabamus in tenebr^J^ 
 
 Tlius a requiem was Luther's Avelcome to Worms. It was 
 the court-fool of one of the dukes of Bavaria, who, if the 
 story be true, gave Lutlier one- of those warnings, replete at 
 once with sagacity and irony, of which so many examples 
 have been recorded of these personages. But the shouts of 
 the multitude soon drowned the De Profundis of the cross- 
 bearer. The procession made its way with difficulty through 
 the crowd. At last, the herald of the empire stopped before 
 the hotel of the knights of Rliodes. There resided the two 
 councillors of tlie elector, Frederick of Thun and Philip of 
 Feilitsch, as well as the marshal of the empire, Ulrich of 
 Pappenheim. Luther alighted from liis car, and said as he 
 touched the ground: "God will be my defence." 7 — " I en- 
 tered Worms in a covered waggon, and in my monk's gown," 
 said he at a later period. " All the people came out into 
 the streets to get a sight of Friar Martin." | 
 
 The news of his arrival filled both the Elector of Saxony 
 and Aleander with alarm. The young and graceful Arch- 
 bishop Albert, who kept a middle position between the two 
 parties, was confounded at such boldness. "If I had pos- 
 sessed no more courage than he," said Luther, " it is true 
 they would never have seen me at Worms.." 
 
 Charles V. immediately summoned his council. The em- 
 peror's privy-councillors hastily repaired to the palace, for the 
 alarm had reached them also. " Luther is come," said Charles ; 
 " what must we do ?" 
 
 Modo, bishop of Palermo, and chancellor of Flanders, 
 replied, if we may credit the testimony of Lutlier himself: 
 " We have long consulted on this matter. Let your imperial 
 
 * At last thou'rt come, long looked-for one, whom we have waited for 
 In the darkness of the grave. M. Adami Vita Lutheri,p. 118. 
 t Deiis stabit pro me. Pallav. i. 1 U. J L. 0pp. xvii. 587. 
 
CAPITO AND THE TEMPORIZERS. 233 
 
 majesty get rid of this man at once. Did not Sigismund 
 cause John Huss to be burnt ? AVe are not bound either 
 to give or to observe the safe-conduct of a heretic."^- — 
 " No !"■ said Charles, '' we must keep our promise." They 
 submitted, therefore, to* the reformer's appearance before the 
 diet. 
 
 While the councils of the great were thus agitated on 
 account of Luther, there were many persons in Worms who 
 were delighted at the opportunity of at length beholding 
 this illustrious servant of God. Capito, chaplain and coun- 
 cillor to the Archbishop of iSIentz, was the foremost among 
 them. This remarkable man, who, shortly before, had 
 preached the Gospel in Switzerland vrith great freedom,-|- 
 thought it becoming to the station he filled to act in a 
 manner which led to his being accused of cowardice by the 
 Evangelicals, and of dissimulation by the Romanists. | Yet 
 at Mentz he had proclaimed the doctrine of grace with 
 much clearness. At the moment of his departure, _he had 
 succeeded in supplying his place by a young and zealous 
 preacher named Hedio. The Word of God was not bound 
 in that city, the ancient sea't of the primacy of the German 
 Church. The Gospel was listened to with eagerness ; in vain 
 did the monks endeavour to preach from the Holy Scriptures 
 after their manner, and employ all the means in their power 
 to check the impulse given to men's minds : they could not 
 succeed. § But while proclaiming the new doctrine, Capito 
 attempted to keep friends with those who persecuted it. He 
 flattered himself, as others did who shared in his opinions, 
 that he might in this way be of great service to the Church. 
 To judge by their talk, if Luther was not burnt, if all the 
 Lutherans were not excommunicated, it was owing to Capito's 
 influence with the Archbishop xllbcrt.|I Cochloeus, dean of 
 
 * Dass Ihre Majestat den Luther aiifs erste beyseit thate und um- 
 bringen liess L. 0pp. xvii. 587. f See below Book VIII. 
 
 JAstutia plusquam vulpina vehementer callidum Lutherismum 
 
 versutissime dissimulabat. Cochloeus, p. 36. 
 
 § Evaii<j;elium atidiunt avidissirae, Verbum Dei alligatum non est 
 
 Caspar Hedio, Zw. Epp. p. 157. 
 
 U Lutheras in hoc districtu dudum esset combustus, Lutheran! 
 k'sfeffwiyuyai^ uisi Capito aliter persuasisset principi. Ibid. p. 148. 
 
234 CROWD or visiters. 
 
 Frankfort, who reached Yv'omis about the same time as 
 Luther, immediately waited on Capito. The latter, who was, 
 outwardly at least, on very iriendly terms with Aleander, 
 presented Cochloeus to him, thus serving as a hnk between 
 the two greatest enemies of the reformer."' Capito no doubt 
 tliought he was advancing Christ's cause by all these tem- 
 porizing expedients, but we cannot find that they led to any 
 good result. The event almost always baffles these calcula- 
 tions of human w^isdom, and proves that a decided course, 
 while it is the most frank, is also the wisest. 
 
 Meantime, the crowd still continued round the hotel of 
 Rhodes, wiiere Luther had alighted. To some he was a 
 prodigy of v.-isdom, to others a monster of iniquity. All the 
 city longed to see him.t They left him, however, the first 
 hours after his arrival to recruit his strength, and to converse 
 with his most intimate friends. But as soon as the evening 
 came, counts, barons, knights, gentlemen, ecclesiastics, and 
 citizens, flocked about him. All, even Ids greatest enemies, 
 were struck with the boldness of his manner, the joy tliat 
 seemed to animate him, the power of his language, and that 
 imposing elevation and enthusiasm which gave this simple 
 monk an irresistible authority. But while some ascribed 
 this grandeur to sometliing divine, the friends of the pope 
 loudly exclaimed that he was possessed by a devil.j: Visiters 
 rapidly succeeded each other, and this crowd of curious in- 
 dividuals kept Luther from his bed until a late hour of the 
 night. 
 
 On the next morning, Wednesday the 171h of April, the 
 hereditary marslial of the empire, Ulricli of Pappenheim, cited 
 him to appear at four in the afternoon before his imperial 
 majesty and the states of the empire. Luther receiA'cd this 
 message with profound respect. 
 
 Thus everything was arranged; he was about to stand 
 for Jesus Christ before the .most august assembly in the 
 
 * Hic*(Capito) ilium (Cochlceum) insiniiavit Hieronyiuo Aleandro, 
 nuncio Leonis X. Cochloeus, p. 36. 
 
 + Eadem die tota civitas solicite confluxit. Pallav. i. 114. 
 
 X Nescio quid divinum suspicabantur ; ex adverse alii, malo dgemone 
 obsessum existiniabant. Ibid 
 
HUTTEn's LETTtR TO LUTHER. 235 
 
 world. Encouragements were not wanting to him. The 
 impetuous knight, Uh'ich Hiitten, was then in tlie castle of 
 Ebernburg. Unable to visit Worms (for Leo X. had called 
 upon Cliarles V. to send him tound hand and foot to Rome), 
 he resolved at least to stretcli out the hand of friendship to 
 Luther; and on this very day (17th April) he wrote to liim, 
 adopting the language of a king of Israel :* " The Lord hear 
 thee in the day of trouble ; the name of the God of Jacob de- 
 fend thee. Send thee help from the sanctuary^ and strengthen 
 thee out of Zion. Grant thee according to thine own hearty 
 and fulfil all thy counsel. Dearly beloved Luther I my ve- 
 nerable father! fear not, and stand firm. The counsel of 
 
 the wicked has beset you, and they have opened their mouths 
 against you like roaring lions. But the Lord will arise 
 against the unrighteous, and put them to confusion. Fight, 
 therefore, valiantly in Christ's cause. As for me, I too will 
 combat boldly. Would to God that I were permitted to see 
 how they frown. But the Lord will purge his vineyard, 
 
 which the wild boar of the forest has laid waste May 
 
 Christ p,reserve you !"-{- Bucer did what Hiitten was unable 
 to do; he came from Ebernburg to Worms, and did not 
 leave his friend during the time of his sojoiu'n in that city.;]: 
 Four o'clock arrived. The marshal of the empire ap- 
 peared; Luther prepared to set out with him. He was 
 agitated at the thought of the solemn congress before 
 which he was about to appear. The herald walked first; 
 after him the marshal of the empire ; and the reformer 
 came last. The crowd that filled the streets was still 
 greater than on the preceding day. It was impossible to 
 advance ; in vain were orders given to make way ; the 
 crowd still kept increasing. At length the herald, seeing 
 the difficulty of reaching the town-hall, ordered some 
 private houses to be opened, and led Luther through the 
 gardens and private passages to the place where the diet 
 was sitting.§ The people whoAvitnessed this, rushed into the 
 
 • David in the 20lh Psalm. f Servet te Christus, L. 0pp. ii. 175. 
 
 X Bucerus eodem venit. M. Adami Vita Buceri, p 2i'2. 
 § Uud ward also durch heimliche Gauge gefuhrt. L. 0pp. (L.) 
 xvii. 574. 
 
236 PROCESSION TO THE DIET- -FREUNDSBERG. 
 
 houses after the monk of Wittemberg, ran to the windows 
 tliat overlooked the gardens, and a great number climbed 
 on the roofs. The tops of the houses and the pavements 
 of the streets, above and below, all were covered with spec- 
 tators.* 
 
 Having reached the town-hall at las^, Luther and those 
 who accompanied him were again prevented by the crowd 
 from crossing the threshold. They cried, " Make way ! 
 make way!" but no one moved. Upon this the imperial 
 soldiers by main force cleared a road, through which Luther 
 passed. As the people rushed forward to enter witli him, 
 the soldiers kept them back with their halberds. Luyier 
 entered the interior of the hail; but even there, every corner 
 was crowded. In the antechambers and embrasures of the 
 windows there were more tlian hve thousand spectators, — 
 Germans, Italians, Spaniards, and others. Luther advanced 
 with difficulty. At last, as he drew near the door which 
 was about to admit him into the presence of his judges, he 
 met a valiant knight, the celebrated George of Freundsberg, 
 who, four years later, at the head of his German lansque- 
 nets, bent the knee with his soldiers on the field of Pavia, 
 and then charging the left of the French army, drove it 
 into the Ticino, and in a great measure decided the captivity 
 of the King of France. The old general, seeing Luther 
 pass, tapped him on the shoulder, and shaking his head, 
 blanched in many battles, said kindly : " Poor monk ! poor 
 monk ! thou art now going to make a nobler stand than I or 
 any other captains have ever made in the bloodiest of our 
 battles ! But if thy cause is just, and thou art sure of it, 
 go forward in God's name, and fear yothing ! God will not 
 forsake thee!"-]- A noble tribute of respect paid by the 
 courage of the s^vord to the courage of the mind ! He that 
 rideth his spirit is greater tlicfii he that taheth a city, were the 
 words of a king.j: 
 
 • Doch lief das Yolk haufi*^ zu, und stieg sogar auf Dacher. Seek. 
 p. 348. 
 
 "t Mniichlein ! mcinchlein ! du geliest jetzt eiiien Gang, eiiien solclien 
 Stand zu thun, dergleichen Ich und manclier Obrister, audi in miser 
 allererncstesten Schlacht-Ordnung nicht gcthan habeu Seek. p. 348. 
 
 ± Proverbs xvi. 32. 
 
IMPOSING ASSEMBLY. 
 
 237 
 
 At length the doors of the hall were opened. Luther 
 went in, and with him entered many persons who formed no 
 portion of the diet. Never had man appeared before so 
 imposing an assembly. The Emperor Charles V., whose 
 sovereignty extended over great part of the old and new 
 world ; his brother the Archduke Ferdinand ; six electors of 
 the empire, most of whose descendants now wear the kingly 
 crown ; twenty-four dukes, the majority of whom were in- 
 dependent sovereigns over countries more or less extensive, 
 and among whom were some whose names afterwards be- 
 came formidable to the Reformation, — the Duke of Alva and 
 his two sons ; eight margraves ; thirty archbishops, bishops, 
 and abbots; seven ambassadors, including those' from the 
 kings of France and England ; the deputies of ten free cities ; 
 a great number of princes, counts, and sovereign barons ; the 
 papal nuncios ; — in all, two hundred and. four persons : such 
 was the imposing court before which appeared Martin Luther. 
 
 This appearance was of itself a signal victory over the 
 papacy. The pope had condemned the man, and he was 
 now standing before a tribunal Avhich, by this very act, 
 set itself above the pope. The pope had laid him under an 
 interdict, and cut him off from all human society ; and yet 
 he was summoned in respectful language, and received before 
 the most august assembly in tiie v/orld. The pope had con- 
 demned him to perpetual silence, and he was now about to 
 speak before thousands of attentive hearers drawn together. 
 from the farthest parts of Christendom. An immense re- 
 volution had thus been effected by Diither's instrumentality. 
 Rome was already descending from her throne, and it was the 
 voice of a monk that caused this humiliation. 
 
 Some of the princes, when they saw the emotion of this 
 son of the lowly mine* of Mansfeldt in thQ presence of this 
 ' assembly of kings, approached him kindly, and one of them 
 said to him : " Fear not them which kill the body, but are not 
 able to kill the soit?." And another added : " Wheri ye shall 
 he brought before governors and kings for my sake^ the spirit 
 of your Father shall speak in you.^^* Thus was the reformer 
 
 * Einige aus denen Reichs-Gliedern sprachen Ihm elnen Muth, mit 
 Christi Wort en, eiu Matthew x. 20, 28. Seckendorf, p. 348. 
 
238 THE chancellor's speech. 
 
 comforted with liis Master's words by tlie princes of this 
 woiid. 
 
 Meanwhile the guards made way for Luther. He ad- 
 vanced, and stood before tlie throne of Charles V. The 
 sight of so august an assembly appeared for an instant to 
 dazzle and intimidate him. All eyes were fixed on him. 
 The confiLsion gradually subsided, and a deep silence fol- 
 lowed. " Say nothing," said the marshal of the empire to 
 liim, " before you are questioned." Luther was left alone. 
 
 After a moment of solemn silence, the chancellor of the 
 Archbishop of Treves, John ab Eck, the friend of Aleander, 
 and who must not be confounded w ith the theologian of the 
 same name, rose and said with a loud and clear voice, first 
 in Latin and then in German : " Martin Luther ! his sacred 
 and invincible imperial majesty has cited you before his 
 throne, in accordance with the advice and counsel of the 
 states of the holy Roman empire, to require you to answer 
 two questions : First, Do you acknowledge these books to 
 have been wTitten by you ?"— At the same time the imperial 
 speaker pointed with his finger to about twenty volumes 
 placed on a table in the middle of the hall, directly in front 
 of Luther. " I do not know hov/ they could have procured 
 them," said Luther, relating this circumstance. It was 
 Aleander Avho had taken this trouble. " Secondly," con- 
 tinued the chancellor, " Are you prepared to retract these 
 books, and their contents, or do you persist in the opinions 
 you have advanced in them?" 
 
 Luther, having no mJstrust, was about to answer the firsi 
 of these questions in the afiirmative, v nen his counsel, 
 Jerome Schurff, hastily hxterrupti-ng him, exclaimed aloud: 
 " Let the titles of the books be read!"* 
 
 The chancellor approached the taMe and read the titles. 
 There were among their number many devotional works, 
 quite foreign to the controversy. 
 
 Their enumeration being finished, Luther said first in 
 Latin, and then in German : 
 
 " Most gracious emperor ! Gracious princes and lords I 
 
 • Legantur tituli librorum. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 58d. 
 
LUTHER S EEPLY HIS DISCRETION. 239 
 
 " His imperial majesty has asked me two questions. 
 
 " As to the first, I acknoAvIedge as mine the books that 
 have just been named : I cannot deny them. •> 
 
 " As to the second, seeing that it is a question which 
 concerns faith and the salvation of souls, and in which the 
 Word of God, the greatest and most precious treasure either 
 in heaven or earth,* is interested, I should act imprudently ' 
 were I to reply without reflection. I mJght affirm less than 
 the circumstance demands, or more than truth requires, and 
 so sin against this saying of Christ : — Whosoever shall deny 
 me before men^ him will I also deny before my Father ichich 
 is in heaven. For this reason I entreat your imperial 
 majesty, with all humility, to allow me time, that I may 
 answer without offending against the Word of God." 
 
 This reply, far from giving grounds to suppose Luther 
 felt any hesitation, was wortliy of the reformer and of the 
 assembly. It xvas right that he should appear calm and 
 circumspect in so important a matter, J\nd lay aside every- 
 thing in this solejim moment that might cause a suspicion 
 of passion or rashness. Besides, by taking reasonablt' time, 
 he would give a stronger proof of the unalterable firm- 
 ness of'his resolution. In history we read of many men 
 who by a hasty expression have brought great misfortunes 
 upon themselves and upon the world. Luther restrained his 
 own naturally impetuous disposition; he controlled his tongue, 
 ever too ready to speak ; he checked himself at a time when 
 all the feelings by which be was animated were eager for 
 utterance. This restraint, this calmness, so surprising in 
 such a man, multiplied his strength a hundredfold, and put 
 him in a position to reply, at a later period, with such wis- 
 dom, power, and dignity, as to deceive the expectations of 
 Ills adversaries, and confound their malice and their pride. 
 
 And yet," because he had spoken in a respectful manner, 
 and in a low tone of voice, many thought that he hesitated, 
 and even that lie was dismayed. A ray of hope beamed on 
 the minds of the partisans of Rome. Charles, impatient to 
 know the man whose words had stirred the empire, had not 
 
 " Weil dies eine Frage vom Glauben und der Seelen Seligkeit ist, und 
 Gottes Wort belanget L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 573. 
 
240 SAYING OF CHARLES V. — ALARM. 
 
 taken his eves off him. He turned to one of his courtiers, 
 and said disdainfully, " Certainly this man will never make 
 a heretic of me."* Then rising from his seat, the youthful 
 empei'or withdrew with his ministers into a council-room ; 
 the electors with the princes retired into another ; and the 
 deputies of the free cities into a third. When the diet as- 
 sembled again, it was agreed to comply with Luther's request. 
 This was a great miscalculation in men actuated by passion. 
 
 " Martin Luther," said the Chancellor of Treves, " his im- 
 perial majesty, of his natural goodness, is very willing to 
 grant you another day, but under condition that you jnake 
 your reply viva voce, and not in writing." 
 
 The imperial herald now stepped forward and conducted 
 Luther back to his hotel. Menaces and shouts of joy were 
 heard by turns on his passage. The m.ost sinister rumours 
 circulated among Luther's friends. " The diet is dissatis- 
 fied," said they ; " the papal envoys have triumphed ; the 
 reformer will be sacrificed." Men's passions were inflamed. 
 Many gentlemen hastened to Luther's lodgings: '' Doctor," 
 said they, with emotion, " what is this ? It is said they are 
 determined to burn you!"y..."If they do so," continued 
 these knights, ^' it will cost them their lives!" — " And that 
 certainly would ha^.'Xi happened," said Luther, as, twenty 
 years after, he quoted these words at Eisleben. 
 
 On the other hand, Luther's enemies exulted. " He has 
 asked for time," said they ; " he will retract. At a distance,. 
 
 his speech Av'as arrogant; now his courage fails him He 
 
 is conquered.'* 
 
 Perhaps Luther was the only man that felt tranquil at 
 Worms. Shortly after his return from the diet, he wrote to 
 Cuspianus, the imperial councillor : " I write to you from the 
 midst of the tumult (alluding probably to the noise made by 
 the crowd in front of the hotel). I have just made my appear- 
 ance before the emperor and his brother.}: I confessed 
 
 myself the author of my books, and declared that I would reply 
 
 * Hie certe nunquam efficeret ut hareticus evaderem. Pallav. i. 115. 
 
 ■y Wi8 geht's I man sagt sie wollen euch verbreuuen L. 0pp. (L.) 
 
 xvii. 588. 
 
 X Hac hora coram Ctesaro et fratrc Romano constiti. L. Epp. i. 587. 
 
VIOLENCE OF THE SPANISH SOLDIERS. 241 
 
 to-morrow touching my retractation. With Christ's help, I 
 shall never retract one tittle of my works."* 
 
 The emotion of the people and of the foreign soldiers in- 
 creased every hour. While the opposing parties were pro- 
 ceedin'g calmly in the diet, they were breaking out into acts 
 of violence in the streets. The insolence of the haughty and 
 merciless Spanish soldiers offended the citizens. One of these 
 myrmidons of Charles, finding in a bookseller's shop the 
 pope^s bull with a commentary written by Hiitten, took the 
 book and tore it in pieces, and then throwing the fragments 
 on the ground, trampled them under foot. Others having 
 discovered several copies of Luther's writing on the Cap- 
 tivity of Babylon, took them away and destroyed them. The 
 indignant people fell upon the soldiers and compelled them 
 to take to flight. At another time, a Spaniard on horse- 
 back pursued, sword in hand, through one of the principal 
 streets of Worms, a German who fled before him, and the 
 affrighted people dared not stop the furious man.f 
 
 Some politicians thought they had found means of saving 
 Luther. " Retract your doctrinal errors," said they ; " but 
 persist in all that you have said against the pope and his 
 court, and you are safe." Aleander shuddered with alarm 
 at this counsel. But Luther, immovable in his resolution, 
 declared that he had no great opinion of a political reform 
 that ^yas not based upon faith. 
 
 Glapio, the Chancellor ab Eck, and Aleander, by Charles's 
 order, met early on the morning of the 18th to concert the 
 measures to be taken with regard to Luther. 
 
 For a moment Luther had felt dismay, when he was 
 about to appear the preceding day before so august an 
 assembly. His heart had been troubled in the presence of 
 so many great -princes, before whom nations humbly bent 
 the knee. The reflection that he was about to refuse to 
 « submit to these men, whom God had invested with sove- 
 reign power, disturbed his soul ; and he felt the necessity of 
 looking for strength from on high. " The man who, when 
 he is attacked by the enemy, protects himself with the shield 
 
 * Verum ego ne apicem quidem revocabo. L. Epp. i. 587. 
 t Happens Ref. Urkunden., ii. 448. 
 
 VOL. n. 11 
 
242 Luther's anguish and prayer. 
 
 of faith," said lie one day, " is like Perseus with the Gor- 
 gon's head. AVhoever looked at it, fell dead. In like 
 manner should we present-the Son of God to the snares of 
 the devil."* On the morning of the 18th of April, he was 
 not without his moments of trial, in which the face of God 
 seemed hidden from him. His faith grew weak ; his CRcmies 
 multiplied before him ; his imagination was overwhelmed at 
 
 the sight His soul was as a ship tossed by a violent 
 
 tempest, which reels and sinks to the bottom of the abyss, 
 and then mounts up again to heaven. In this hour of bitter 
 sorrow, in which he drinks the cup of Christ, and which was 
 to him a little garden of Gethsemane, he falls to the earth, 
 and utters these broken cries, which we cannot understand, 
 unless we can figure to ourselves the depth of the anguish 
 whence they ascend to God : — 7 
 
 " Almighty and Everlasting God ! How terrible is this 
 world ! Behold, it openeth its mouth to swallow me up, and 
 
 I have so little trust In Thee! How weak Is the flesh, 
 
 and Satan how strong ! If it is only in the strength of this 
 
 world that I must put my trust, all is over! My last 
 
 hour is come,f my condemnation has been pronounced !.."..,. 
 God! God!..-wV..O God! do thou help me against all 
 the wisdom of the Avorld ! Do this ; thou shouldest do this 
 
 thou alone for this is not my work, but Thine. I 
 
 have nothing to do here, nothing to contend for with these 
 great ones of the world ! I should desire to sec my days flow 
 
 on peaceful and happy. But the cause is Thine and it 
 
 is a righteous and eternal cause. Lord ! help me I Faith- 
 ful and unchangeable God ! In no man do I place my trust. 
 It would be vain! All that is of man Is uncertain; all 
 
 that Cometh of man fails God ! my God, hearest Thou 
 
 me not? My God, art Thou dead? No! Thou cansL 
 
 not die ! Thou hidest thyself only ! Thou hast chosen me 
 for this work. I know it well! .Act, then, God ! 
 
 • Also soUen wir den Sohn Gottes als Gorgonis Haiipt L. 0pp. 
 
 (W.) xxii. 1659. 
 
 + See L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 589. 
 
 X Die Glocke ist schon gegossen : lit. the bell is already founded. 
 Ibid. 
 
STRENGTH OF TJIE REFORMATION. 243 
 
 Stand at- my side, for the sake of tliy well-beloved Jesus 
 Christ, who is my defence, my shield, and my strong tower." 
 After a moment of silent struggle, he thus continues : 
 "Lord! where stayest Thou?......0 my God! Where art 
 
 Thou ? Come ! come ! I am ready ! I am ready to lay 
 
 down my life for Thy truth patient as a lamb. For it is 
 
 the cause of justice — it is thine! I will never separate 
 
 myself from Thee, neither now nor through eternity! And 
 
 though the world should be filled with devils, — though my 
 body, which is still the Avork of Thy hands, should be slain, 
 
 be stretched upon the pavement, be cut in pieces reduced 
 
 to ashes n>y soul is Thine !* Yes ! Thy Word is my 
 
 assurance of it. My soul belongs to Tliee ! It shall abide 
 
 for ever with Thee Amen! 0-God! help nc! 
 
 Amen !" 
 
 This prayer explains Luther and the Roformation. His- 
 tory here raises tlie veil of the sanctuary, and discloses to 
 our view the secret place whence strength and courage 
 were imparted to this humble and despised man, who was 
 the instrument of God to emancipate the soul and 'the 
 thouglits of men, and to begin the new times. Luther and 
 the Reformation are here brought before us. . We discover 
 their most secret springs. We see whence their power was 
 derived. This out-pouring of a soul that offers itself up in 
 the cause of truth is to be found in a collection of documents 
 relative to Luther's appearance at Worms, under Number 
 XVL, in the midst of safe-conducts and other papers of a 
 similar nature. One of his friends had no "doubt overheard 
 it, and has transmitted it to posterity. In our opinion, it is 
 one of the most precious documents in all history. 
 
 After he had thus prayed, Luther found that peace of 
 mind without which man can effect nothing great. He theu 
 read the Word of God, looked over his writings, and sought 
 to draw up his reply in a suitable form. The thoiiglit thiit 
 he was about to bear testimony to Jesus Christ and his 
 Word, in the presence of the emperor and of the empire, 
 filled his heart with joy. As the hour for his appearance 
 was not far off, he drew near the Holy Scriptures that lay 
 • Die Seele hi dein. L. Onp. (L.) xvii. 589. 
 
244 Luther's vow — the court of the diet. 
 
 open on the table, and with emotion placed his left hand on 
 the sacred volume, and raising' his right towards heaven, 
 swore to remain faithful to the Gospel, and freely to confess 
 his faith, *even should he seal his testimony with his blood. 
 After this he felt still more at peace. 
 
 At four o'clock the herald appeared and conducted him 
 to the place where the diet was sitting. The curiosity of 
 the people had increased, for the answer vras to be decisive. 
 As the diet was occupied, Luther was compelled to wait in 
 the court in the midst of an immense crowd, which swayed 
 to and fro like the sea in a storm, and pressed the reformer 
 with its waves. Two long hours elapsed, while the doctor 
 stood in this multitude so eager to catch a ghmpse of him. 
 " I was not accustomed," said he, " to those manners and 
 to all this noise."* It would have been a sad preparation, 
 indeed, for an ordinary man. But God was with Luther. 
 His countenance was serene ; his features tranquil ; the 
 Everlasting One had raised him on a rock. The night began 
 to fall. Torches were lighted in the hall of the assembly. 
 Their glimmering" rays shone through the ancient windows 
 into the court. Everything assumed a solemn aspect. At 
 last the doctor was introduced. Many persons entered with 
 him, for every one desired to hear his answer. Men's minds 
 were on the stretch ; all impatiently awaited the decisive 
 moment that Avas approaching.. This time Luther was calm, 
 free, and confident, without the least perceptible mark of 
 embarrassment. His prayer had borne fruit. The princes 
 having taken their seats, though not without some difficulty, 
 for many of their places had been occupied, and the monk of 
 Wittemberg finding himself again standing before Charles V., 
 the chancellor of the Elector of Treves began by saying : 
 
 " Martin Luther ! yesterday you begged for a delay that 
 lias now expired. Assuredly it ought not to have been con- 
 ceded, as every man, and especially you, who are so great 
 and learned a doctor in the Holy Scriptures, should always 
 
 be ready to answer" any questions touching his faith 
 
 Now, therefore, reply to the question put by his majesty, 
 
 * Des GetUmmels und Wesens war Ich gar nicht gewohnt. L. 0pp. 
 xvii. 535, 588. 
 
Luther's speech. 245 
 
 who has beKaved to you with so much mildness. Will you 
 defend your books as a whole, or are you ready to disavow 
 some of them ?" 
 
 After havino^ said these words in Latin, the chancellor 
 repeated them in German. 
 
 *' Upon this, Dr Martin Luther," say the Acts of Worms, 
 '• replied in the most submissive and humble manner. He 
 did not bawl, or speak with violence ; but with decency, 
 mildness, suitability, and moderation, and yet with much joy 
 and christian firmness."* 
 
 " Most serene emperor ! illustrious princes! gracious lords!" 
 said Luther, turning his eyes on Charles and on the assem- 
 bly, " I appear before you this day, in conformity with the 
 order given me yesterday, and by God's mercies I conjure 
 your majesty and your august highnesses to listeji graci- 
 ously to the defence of a cause which I am assured is just 
 and true. If, through ignorance, I should transgress the 
 usages and proprieties of courts, I entreat you to pardon me ; 
 for I was not brought up in the palaces of kings, but in the 
 seclusion of a convent. 
 
 " Yesterday, two questions were put to me on behalf of his 
 imperial majesty : the first, if I was the author of the books 
 whose titles were enumerated ; the second, if I would re- 
 tract or defend the doctrine I had taught in them. To the 
 first question I then made answer, and I persevere in that 
 reply. 
 
 - " As for the second, I have written works on many dif- 
 ferent subjects. There are some in which I have treated of 
 faith and good works, in a manner at once so pure, so 
 simple, and so scriptural, that even my adversaries, far from 
 finding anything to censure in them, allow that these works 
 are useful, and worthy of being read by all pious men. The 
 papal bull, however violent it may be, acknowledges this. 
 
 If, therefore, I were to retract these, what should I do? 
 
 Wretched man ! Among all men, I alone should abandon 
 truths that friends and enemies approve, and I should op- 
 pose what the whole world glories in confessing 
 
 " • Schreyt nicht sehr noch heftig, sondern redet fein, sittich, zuchtig 
 und bescheid-cn. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 576. 
 
246 THREE CLASSES OF V/RITINGS. 
 
 " Secondly, I liave written books against the papacy, in 
 which I have attacked those who, by their false doctrine, 
 their evil lives, or their scandalous example, afflict the 
 christian world, and destroy both body and sonl. The 
 complaints of all who fear God are confirmatory of this. 
 Is it not evident that the human doctrines and laws of 
 the popes entangle, torment, and vex the consciences of 
 believers, while the crying and perpetual extortions of Rome 
 swallow up the wealth and the riches of Christendom, and 
 especially of this illustrious nation? 
 
 " Were I to retract what I liave said on this subject, 
 what should I do but lend additional strength to this 
 tyranny, and open the floodgates to a torrent of impiety?* 
 Overflowing with still greater fury than before, we should 
 see these insolent men increase in number, behave more 
 tyrannically, and domineer more and more. And not only 
 the yoke that now weighs upon the christian people would 
 be rendered heavier by my retractation, but it would become, 
 so to speak, more legitimate, for by this very retractation it 
 would have received the confirmation of your most seiene 
 majesty and of all the states of the holy empire. Gracious 
 God 1 I should thus become a vile cloak to cover and conceal 
 every kind of mahce and tyranny! 
 
 " Lastly, I have written books against individuals who 
 desired to defend the Romish tyranny and to destroy the 
 faith. I frankly confess that I may have attacked them 
 with more acrimony than is becoming my ecclesiastical 
 profession. I do not consider myself a saint ; but I cannot 
 disavow these writings, for by so doing I sliould sanction the 
 impiety of my adversaries, and they would seize the op- 
 portunity of oppressing the people of God with still greater 
 cruelty. 
 
 " Yet I am but a mere man, and not God ; I shall 
 therefore defend myself as Christ did. If I have spoken evil, 
 hear witness of the evil (John xviii. 23), said he. IIoav 
 much more should I, who am but dust and ashes, and who 
 
 • Nicht allein die Fenster, sondern auch Thiir und Thor aufthate. L. 
 0pp. (L.) xvii. o73. 
 
REQUIRES PROOF OF HIS ERROR. 247 
 
 may so easily go astray, desire every man to state his objec- 
 tions to my doctrine ! 
 
 " For this reason, by the mercy of God, I conjure you, 
 most serene emperor, and you, most illustrious princes, 
 and a.U men of every degree, to prove from the writings 
 of the prophets and apostles that I liave erred. As soon as 
 I am convinced of this, I- will retract every error, and 
 be the first to lay hold of my books and throw them into 
 the fire. 
 
 " What I have just said plainly shows, I hope, that I 
 have carefully weighed and considered the dangers to which 
 I expose myself; but, far from being dismayed, I rejoice 
 to see that the Gospel is now, as in former times, a cause 
 of trouble and dissension. This is the character — this is 
 the destiny of thef AYord of God. I came not to send peace 
 on earthy hut a sicord, said Jesus Christ (Math. x. 34). 
 God is wonderful and terrible in his counsels ; beware lest, 
 by presuming to quench dissensions, you should persecute 
 the holy Word of God, and draw down upon yourselves a 
 frightful deluge of insurmountable dangers, of present dis- 
 asters, and eternal desolation You should fear lest the 
 
 reign of this young and noble prince, on whom (under God) 
 we build such lofty expectations, not only should begin, 
 but continue and close, under the most gloomy auspices. I 
 might quote many examples from tlie oracles of God," con-- 
 tinued Luther, speaking with a noble courage in the pre- 
 sence of the greatest monarch of the world : " I might 
 speak of the Pharaohs, the kings of Babylon, and those of 
 Israel, whose labours never more effectually contributed to 
 the-ir own destruction than when they sought by counsels, 
 to all appearance most wise, to strengthen their domi- 
 nion. God removeth mountains, and they know it not ; which 
 overtnrneth them in his anger (Job ix. 5). 
 
 " If I say these things, it is not because I think that such 
 ■great princes need my poor advice, but because I desire to 
 render unto Germany what she has a right to expect from 
 her children. Thus, commending myself to your august 
 majesty and to your most serene highnesses, I humbly entreat 
 
248 REPEATS HIS SPEECH IN LATIN. 
 
 you not to suffer the hatred of my enemies to pour out upon 
 me an indignation that I have not merited." * 
 
 Luther had pronounced these words in German with 
 modesty, but with great warmth and firmness ;f he was 
 ordered to repeat them in Latin. Tlie emperor did not 
 like the German tongue. The imposing assembly that sur- 
 rounded the reformer, the noise, and his own emotion, 
 had fatigued him. " I was in a great perspiration," said he. 
 " heated by the tumuU, standing in the midst of the princes." 
 Frederick of Thun, privy councillor to the Elector of Saxony^ 
 who was stationed by his master's orders at the side ol 
 the reformer, to watch over him that no violence might be 
 employed against him, seeing the condition of the poor 
 monk, said : " If you cannot repeat v/hat you have said, tliat 
 will do, doctor." But Luther, after a brief pause to take 
 breath, began again, and repeated his speech in Latin with 
 the same energy as at first.:}: 
 
 " This gave great pleasure to the Elector Frederick," says 
 the reformer. 
 
 When he had ceased speaking, the Chancellor of Treves, 
 the orator of the diet, said indignantly : " You have not 
 answered the question put to you. You were not summoned 
 hither to call in question the decisions of councils.. You 
 are required to give a clear and precise answer. Will you, 
 or will you not, retract ?" Upon this Luther replied without 
 hesitation: " Since your most serene majesty and your 
 high mightinesses require from me a clear, simple, and pre- 
 cise answer, I will give you one,§ and it is this : I cannot 
 submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because 
 it is clear as the day that they have frequently erred and 
 contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am convinced 
 by the testimony of Scripture, or by the clearest reasoning, — 
 unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I liave 
 
 * This speech, as well as all the other expressions we quote, is taken 
 literally from authentic documents. See L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 776 780. 
 
 f Non clamose at modeste, non tamen sine Christiana animositate et 
 constantia. L. 6pp. Lat. ii. 165. + L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 163-167. 
 
 § Dabo illud neque dentatum, neque cornutum. Ibid. p. 166. I will 
 glA'e you one that shall have neither horns nor teeth. 
 
GOD S WE^^KNESS IS MAN'S STEENGTH. 249 
 
 quoted, — and unless they thus render my conscience bound 
 by the Word of God, / cannot and I icill not retract^ for it is 
 uns'afe for a Christian to speak against his conscience." And 
 then, looking round on this assembly before wliich he stood, 
 and which held his hfe in its hands, he said : " Here I 
 
 STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER ; MAY GoD HELP ME ! AmEN !" * 
 
 Luther, constrained to obey his faith, led by his conscience 
 to death, impelled by the noblest necessity, the slave of his 
 belief, and under this slavery still supremely free, like the 
 ship tossed by a violent tempest, and which, to save that 
 which is more precious than itself, runs and is dashed upon 
 the rocks, thus uttered these sublime words which still thrill 
 our hearts at an interval of three centuries : thus spoke a 
 monk before the emperor and the mighty ones of the nation ; 
 and this feeble and despised man, alone, but relying on the 
 grace of the Most High, appeared greater and mightier than 
 them all. His words contain a power against which all 
 these mighty rulers can do nothing. This is the weakness 
 of God, which is stronger than man. The empire and the 
 Church on the one hand, this obscure man on the other, had 
 met. God had brought together these kings and these pre- 
 lates publicly to confound their wisdom. The battle is lost, 
 and the consequences of this defeat of the great ones of the 
 earth will be felt among every nation and in every age to 
 the end of time. 
 
 The assembly was thunderstruck. Many of the princes 
 found it difficult to conceal their admiration. The emperor, 
 recovering from his first impression, exclaimed : " This 
 monk speaks with an intrepid heart and unshaken courage."-|- 
 The Spaniards and ItaUans alone felt confounded, and soon 
 began to ridicule a greatness of soul which they could not 
 comprehend. 
 
 " If you do not retract," said the chancellor, as soon as the 
 diet had recovered from the impression produced by Luther's 
 speech, " the emperor and the states of the empire will 
 consult what course to adopt against an incorrigible heretic." 
 
 " Hier stehe ich : Ich karni nicht anders : Gott helfe mir. Amen. L. 
 0pp. (L.) xvii. 580. 
 t Der Monch redet unerschrocken, mit getrostem Muth ! Seek. 360. 
 11* 
 
250 NEW ATTEMPT VICTORY. 
 
 At these words Luther's friends began to tremble; but 
 the monk repeated : " May G od be my helper ; for I can 
 retract nothing."* 
 
 After this Luther withdrew, and the princes dehberated. 
 Each one feU that tin's was a critical moment for Chiistendora. 
 The yes or the no of this monk would decide, perhaps for 
 ages, tlie repose of the Church and of the world. His 
 adversaries had endeavoured to alarm him, and they had 
 only exalted him before the nation ; they had thougiit to give 
 greater publicity to his defeat, and they had but increased 
 the glory of his victoiy. The partisans of Kome could not 
 make up their mind to submit to this humiliation. Luther 
 was again called in, and the orator of the diet said to him : 
 " Martin, you have not spoken with the modesty becoming 
 your position. The distinction you have made between 
 your books was futile ; for if you retracted those that con- 
 tained your errors, the emperor would not allow the others to 
 be burnt. It is extravagant in you to demand to be refuted 
 by Scripture, when you are reviving heresies condemned by 
 the general council of Constance. Tlie emperor, therefore, 
 calls upon you to declare simply, yes or no, whether you 
 presume to maintain what you have advarfced, or whether 
 you will retract a portion?" — " I have no other reply to 
 make than that which I have already made," answered 
 Luther, calmly. His meaning was understood. Fimi as a 
 rock, all the waves of human power dashed ineflectually 
 against him. The strength of his words, his bold bearing, 
 his piercing eyes, the unshaken firmness legible on the rough 
 outhnes of his truly German features, had produced the 
 deepest impression on this illustrious assembly. There was 
 no longer any hope. The Spaniards, the Belgians, _and even 
 the Romans were dumb. The monk had vanquished these 
 great ones of the earth. He had said no to the Church and 
 to the empire. Charles Y. arose, and all the assembly with 
 him : " The diet will meet again to-morrow to hear the 
 emperor's opinion," said the chancellor with a loud voice. 
 * L. 0pp. (W.) XV. 2236. 
 
TUMULT AND CALMNESS. 851 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Tamult anl Calmness— The Flagon of Duke Eric— The Elector and 
 
 Spalatin— The Emperor's Message— Proposal to violate the Safe-. 
 conduct— Violent Opposition— Enthusiasm in Favour of Luther- 
 Language of Conciliation— Fears of the Elector — Luther's numerous 
 Visiters — Philip of Hesse. 
 
 Night- liad closed in. Eacli man retired to his home in 
 darkness. Two imperial ofTicers formed Luther's escort. 
 Some ))crsons imagined that his fate was decided, that they 
 were leading him to prison, whence he would never come 
 forth but to mount the scaflbld : an immense tumult broke 
 out. Several gentlemen exclaimed : " Are they taking him 
 to prison ?" — " No," replied Luther, " they are accompany- 
 ing me to my iiotel.'' At these words the agitation sub- 
 sided. Some Spanisii so^ldiers of the emperor's household 
 followed this bold man through the streets by whicli he had 
 to pass, with sliouts and mockery, while others howled and 
 roared like wild beasts robbed of their prey.* But Luther 
 remained calm and (irsn. 
 
 Such was tlic S(:ene at Vronus. The intrepid monk, wlio 
 had hitherto boldly braved all his enemies, spoke on this 
 occasion, when he found liimself in the presence of those who 
 thirsted for his blood, with calmness, dignity, and humility. 
 There was no exaggeration, no mere human enthusiasm, 
 no anger; ovcrHov/ing with the liveliest emotion, he was still 
 at peace ; modest, though withstanding tlie pOAvers of the 
 earth ; great in presence of all the grandeur of the world. 
 This is an indisputable mark tliat Luther obeyed God, and 
 not the suggestions of his own pride. In tliC hall of the 
 diet there was one greater than Charles and than Luther. 
 When ye shall be brour/Jit before f/o7:ernors and Icings for my 
 sake, take no thought how or ivhat ye sliall .^p-cak, saith Jesus 
 Christ, /or it is not ye that speak.j' Never perhaps had this 
 promise been more clearly fulfiHed. 
 
 * Subsannatione homiuem Dei ct longo rugitu proseouti sunt. L 
 0pp. Lat. ii. 16tj. t Matt. x. 18, 20. 
 
252 DUKE eric's flagon. 
 
 A profound impression had been produced on the chiefs of 
 the empire. This Luther had noticed, and it had increased 
 his courage. The pope's ministers were provoked because 
 John ab Eck had not sooner interrupted the guilty monk. 
 Many lords and princes were won over to a cause supported 
 with such conviction. With some, it is true, the impression 
 was trarisient ; but others, on the contrary, who concealed 
 their sentiments at that time,, at an after-period declared 
 themselves with great courage. 
 
 Luther had returned to his hotel, seeking to recruit his 
 body fatigued by so severe a trial. Spalatin and other 
 friends surrounded him, and all together gave thanks to 
 God. As they were conversing, a servant entered, bearing 
 a silver flagon filled with Eimbeck beer. " My master," said 
 he, as he offered it to Luther, " invites you to refresh your- 
 self with this draught." — "Who is the prince," said the Wit- 
 temberg doctor, "who so graciously remembers me?" It 
 was the aged Duke Eric of Brunswick. The reformer was 
 afi'ected by this present from so powerful a lord, belonging 
 to the pope's party. " His highness," continued the servant, 
 " has condescended to taste it before sending it to you." 
 Upon this Luther, who was thirsty, poured out some of the 
 duke's beer, and after drinking it, he said : " As this day 
 Duke Eric has remembered me, so may our Lord Jesus 
 Christ remember him in the hour of his last struggle."* It 
 was a present of trifling value ; but Luther, desirous of show- 
 ing his gratitude to a prince who remembered him at such 
 a moment, gave him such as he had — a prayer. The servant 
 returned with this message to his master. At the moment 
 of his death the aged duke called these words to mind, and 
 addressing a young page, Francis of Kramm, Avho was stand- 
 ing at his bedside : " Take the Bible," said he, " and read it 
 to me." Tlie child read these words of Christ, and the soul 
 of the dying man was comforted : Whosoever shall give you 
 a cup of icater to drink in my name, because ye belong to 
 Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose 'his rcioard. 
 
 Hardly had the Duke of Brunswick's servant gone away, 
 
 • Also gedencke seiuer unscr Herr Christus in seinem letzten Kampffl 
 Seek. p. 3M. 
 
THE ELECTOR AND SI'ALATIN. 253 
 
 before a messenger from the Elector of Saxony came v/ith 
 orders for Spalatin to come to him immediately. Frederick 
 had gone to the diet filled with great uneasiness. He Iiad 
 imagined that in the presence of the emperor Luther's 
 courage would fail him; and hence he had been deeply 
 moved by the resolute bearing of the reformer. He was 
 proud of being the protector of such a man. When the 
 chaplain arrived, the table was spread ; the elector was just 
 sitting clown to supper with his court, and already the 
 servants had brought in the water for their hands. As he 
 saw Spalatin enter, he motioned him to follow, and as soon 
 as he was alone with the chaplain in his bedchamber, he 
 said : " Oh ! how Father Luther spoke before the emperor, 
 and before' all the states of the empire ! I only trembled 
 lest he should be too bold."* Frederick then formed the 
 resolution of protecting the doctor more' courageously in 
 future. 
 
 Aleander saw the impression Luther had produced ; there 
 was no time to lose : he must induce the emperor to act with 
 vigour. The opportunity was favourable : war with France 
 was imminent. Leo X., desirous of enlarging his states, and 
 caring little for the peace of Christendom, was secretly nego- 
 tiating two treaties at the same time, — one with Charles 
 against Francis, the other with Francis against Charles.f 
 In the former, he claimed of the emperor, for himself, the ter- 
 ritories of Parma, Placentia, and Ferrara ; in the second, he 
 stipulated with the king for a portion of the kingdom of 
 Naples, which would thus be taken from Charles. The lat- 
 ter felt the importance of gaining Leo to his side, in order to 
 have his alliance in the war against his rival of France. It 
 was a mere trifle to purchase the mighty pontiff's friendship, 
 at the cost of Luther's life. 
 
 On the day following Luther's appearance (Friday, 19tli 
 April), the emperor ordered a message to be read to the diet, 
 
 * O wie sch n hat Pater Martinus gcredet. Seek. p. 355. 
 
 + Guicciardiui, lib. xiv. 175 ; Dunioat, Corp. Dipl. vol. iv. 96. Dicesi 
 del papa Leone, che quando I'aveva fatto lega con alcuno, prima soleva 
 dir che pero non si dovea restar de tratar con lo altro principe opposto. 
 Suriano, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, MS. ift the archives of Venice 
 
254 THE EMPEROR S MESSAGE. 
 
 which he had written in French with his own hand * " De- 
 scended from the christian emperors of Germany," said he, 
 " from the cathohc kings of Spain, from the archdukes of 
 Austria, and from the dukes of Burgundy, wlio have all been 
 renowned as defenders of tlie Roman faith, I am firmly re- 
 solved to imitate the example of my ancestors. A single 
 monk, misled by his own folly, has risen against the faith of 
 Christendom. To stay such impiety, I will sacrifice my king- - 
 doms, my treasures, my friends, my body, my blood, my soul, 
 and my life.-J- I am about to dismiss the Augustine Luther, 
 forbidding him to cause the least disorder among the people ; 
 I shall then proceed against him and his adherents, as con- 
 tumacious lieretics, by excommunication, by interdict, and by 
 every means calculated to destroy them.| I call on the 
 members of the states to behave hke faithful Christians." 
 
 This address did not please every one. Charles, young 
 and hasty, had not complied with the usual forms ; he should 
 first have consulted with the diet. Tv/o extreme opinions 
 immediately declared themselves. The creatures of the pope, 
 the Elector of Brandenburg, and several ecclesiastical princes, 
 demanded that the safe-conduct given to Luther should not 
 be respected.§ " The Rhine," said they, '* should receive his 
 ashes, as it had received those of Jolm Huss a century ago." 
 Charles, if we may credit an historian, bitterly repCnted in 
 after-years that he did not adopt this infamous suggestion. 
 '' I confess," said he, towards the close of his life, "that I 
 committed a great fault by permitting Luther to live. I was 
 not obliged to keep my promise witii him ; that heretic had 
 offended a Master greater than I, — God himself. I might 
 and I ought to have broken my word, and to have avenged 
 the insult he had committed against God : it is because I 
 did not j)ut him to death that heresy has not ceased to ad- 
 vance. His death would have stified it in the cradle."!; 
 
 * Autosvaphum in lingua Biirgumlica, ab ipsomet enaratum. Coch- 
 IcBUS, p. '62. 
 
 -f- Kcgna, thesauros, amicos, corpus, sanguineni, vitam, spiritumque 
 profundere. Pallav. i. 118. 
 
 J Und anderii Wc;;en sie zu vertili^en, L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 581. 
 
 § Dass Luthero das sichere Geleit nicht mbchte gehalten werden. 
 Seckcnd. p. 357. • 
 
 Ij Sar.doval, Hist, dc Carlos V. quoted in Llorente's History of the 
 
ENTHUSIASM FOR LUTHER. 255 
 
 So horrible a proposition lilled the elector and all Luther's 
 friends with dismay. " The punishment of John Huss," 
 said the elector-palatine, " has brought too many misfor- 
 tunes on the German nation for us ever to raise such a scaf- 
 fold a second time." — " The princes of Germany," exclaimed 
 even George of Saxony, Luther's inveterate enemy, " will 
 not permit a safe-conduct to be violated. This diet, the first 
 lield by our new emperor, will not be guilty of so base an 
 action. Such perfidy does not accord with the ancient Ger- 
 man integrity." The princes of Bavaria, though attached to 
 the Church of Rome, supported this protest. The prospect 
 of death that Luther's friends had already before their eyes 
 appeared to recede. 
 
 The rumour of these discussions, which lasted two days, 
 'circulated through the city. Party-spirit ran high. Some 
 gentlemen, partisans of the reform, began to speak firmly 
 against the treachery solicited by Aleander. '-'The emperor," 
 said they, " is a young man wliom the papists and bishops 
 by their flatteries manage at tlicir will."* Pallavicini 
 speaks of four hundred nobles ready to enforce Luther's 
 safe-conduct with the sword. On Saturday morning 
 placards were seen posted at the gates of houses and in 
 the pubhc places, — some against Luther, and others in his 
 favour. On one of them might be read merely these ex- 
 pressive words of the Preacher : TFoc to thee, land, rchen 
 thy king is a child.y Sickingen, it was reported, hnd as- 
 sembled at a few leagues from Worms, behind the im- 
 pregnable ramparts of his .stronghold, many knights and 
 soldiers, and was only waiting to know the result of the 
 affair before proceeding to action. The enthusiasm of the 
 people, not only in AVorms, but also in the most distant 
 cities of the empire ;J the intrepidity of the knights : the 
 
 Inquisition, ii. 57- According to Llorente, tjie supposition that, towards 
 the end of his life, Charles inclined to evangelical opinions, is a mere in- 
 vention of the Protestants and of the enemies of Philip II. This question 
 is an historical problem which Llorente's numerous quotations seem un- 
 happily to solve entirely in accordance with his statements. 
 
 * £um esse puerum, qui nutu et blanditiis Papistarura et Episcopomm 
 trahatur quocunque velint. Coch oeus, p. 33. -j- Eccles. x. 16. 
 
 J Verum etiam iil longinquis Gerraanico civitatibus, motus et murmura 
 plebium. Cochloeus, p. 33. 
 
256 PLANS OF CONCILIATION. 
 
 attachment felt by mraiy princes to the cause of the reformer, 
 were all of a nature to shoAv Charles and the diet that the 
 course suggested by the Romanists might compromise the 
 supreme authority, excite revolts, and even shake the em- 
 pire.* It was only the burning of a simple monk that was 
 in question ; but the princes and the partisans of Rome had 
 not, all together, sufficient strength or courage to do this. 
 There can be no doubt, also, that Charles V., who was then 
 young, feared to commit perjury. This would seem" to be 
 indicated by a saying, if it is true, which, according to some 
 historians, he uttered on this occasion : " Though honour 
 and faith should be banished from all tlie world, they ought 
 to find a refuge in the hearts of princes." It is mournful 
 to rellect that he may have forgotten these words when on the 
 brink of the grave. But other motives besides niay have influ- 
 enced the emperor. The Florentine Vettori, the friend of 
 Leo X. and of Machiavelli, asserts that Charles spared 
 Luther only that he might thus keep the pope in check.-J- 
 
 In the sitting of Saturday, the violent propositions of 
 Aleander were rejected. Luther was beloved ; there was a 
 general desire topreserve this simple-minded man, whose con- 
 fidence in God was so affecting ; but there was also a desire 
 to save the Church. Men shuddered at the thought of the 
 consequences that might ensue, as well from the triumph as 
 from the punishment of the rbformer. Plans of concihation 
 were put forward ; it was proposed to make a new effort 
 with the doctor of Wittemberg. The Archbishop-elector of 
 Mentz himself, the young and extravagant Albert, more 
 devout than bold, says Pallavicini,J had become alarmed 
 at the interest "shown by the people and nobility to- 
 wards the Saxon monk. Capito, his chaplain, who during 
 his sojourn at Basle had formed an intimacy with the evan- 
 
 * Es ware ein Aufruhr daraus worJen, says Luther. Thereupon an 
 insurrection would have broken out. 
 
 •f- Carlo si excuso di non poter procedere piu oltre, rispetto al salvo- 
 condotto, ma la vcrita fu die conoscendo che il Papa temeva molto di 
 questa doctrina di Luthero, lo voile tenere con questo frcno, Vettori, 
 I^oria d'ltalia, MS. in the Corsini Library at Rome, extracted by 
 Ranke. 
 
 :!: Qui pio raa^is animo erat quam forti. Pallavicini, p. 118. 
 
CAPITO THE elector's FEARS. 257 
 
 gelical priest of Zurich, named Zv»niig]e, a bold man in the 
 defence of truth, and of whom we have ah-eady had occasion 
 to speak, had also, there can he no doubt, represented to 
 Albert the justice of the reformer's cause. The worldly- 
 archbishop had one of those returns to christian sentiments 
 which we sometimes notice in his life, and consented to 
 wait on the emperor, to ask permission to make a last 
 attempt. But Charles refused everything. On Monday, the 
 22d of April, the princes went in a body to repeat Albert's 
 request. " I will not depart from what I have determined," 
 replied the emperor. " I will authorize no one to commu- 
 nicate officially with Luther. But," added he, to Alcander's 
 great vexation, " I will grant that man three days for re- 
 flection ; during which time, you may exhort him privately."* 
 This was all that they required. The reformer, thought 
 they, elevated by the solemnity of his appearance before 
 the diet, will give way in a more friendly conference, and 
 perhaps will be saved from the abyss into which he is about 
 to fall. 
 
 The Elector of Saxony knew the contrary, and hence was 
 filled with apprehension. " If it Avere in my power," wTote 
 he the next day to his brother Duke John, " I should be 
 ready to defend Luther. You cannot imagine how^ far the 
 partisans of Rome carry their attacks against me. Were I to 
 tell you all, you would hear some most astonishing matters.f 
 They are resolved upon his destruction ; and whoever mani- 
 fests any interest for his safety, is immediately set down as 
 a heretic. May God, who never abandons the cause of jus- 
 tice, bring all things to a happy end!" Frederick, without 
 showing his kindly feelings tovv^ards the reformer, confined 
 himself to observing every one of his movements. 
 
 It was not the same with men of every rank in society 
 who W'Cre then at Worms. They fearlessly displayed their 
 sympathy. On Friday a number of princes, counts, barons, 
 knights, gentlemen, ecclesiastics, laymen, and of the common 
 people, collected before the hotel where the reformer was 
 staying ; they went in and out one after another, and could 
 
 • Quibus privatini'exhortari hominem posseat. Pallav. i. 119. 
 t Wunder hbrcn werden. Seckend. p. 355, 
 
258 Luther's visitsks— philip of hesse. 
 
 hardly satiate themselves with gazing on him.* He had 
 become the man of Germany. Even those who thought him 
 in error were affected by the nobleness of soul that led him 
 to sacrifice his life to il^Q voice of. his conscience. AVith 
 many persons then present at AVorms, the chosen men of 
 the nation, Luther held conversations abounding in that 
 salt with which all his words vvcre seasoned. None quitted 
 him without feeling, animated by a generous enthusiasm for 
 the truth. ^' How many things I shall have to tell you I" 
 wrote George Vogler, private secretary to Casimir, margrave 
 of Brandenburg, to one of his friends. '• What conversa- 
 tions, how full of piety and kindness, has Luther had with 
 me and others! What a charming person he is!"7 
 
 One day a young prince, seventeen years of age, came 
 prancing into the court of the hotel ; it was Philip, vfho for 
 two years had ruled in Hesse. This youthful sovereign was of 
 prompt and enterprising character, wise beyond his years, 
 warlike, impetuous, and uny>^illing to be guided by any ideas 
 but his own. Struck by Luther's speeches, he wislied to 
 have a nearer view of hini. '' He, however, was not yet on 
 my side," said Luther, as he related this circumstance.:}: He 
 leapt from his horse, unceremoniously ascended to the re- 
 formers chamber, and addressing him, said : " Well ! dear 
 doctor, how goes it?" " Gracious lord," answered Luther, 
 " I hope all will go well."' " From what I hear of you, 
 doctor," resumed the landgrave, smihng, " you teach that a 
 woman may leave her husband and take another, when the 
 former is become too old !" It was some members of the im- 
 perial court who had told this story to the landgrave. The 
 enemies of truth never fail to invent and propagate fables on 
 the pretended doctrines of christian teachers. " No, my 
 lord," replied Luther seriously; " I entreat your higlmess 
 not to talk thus !" Upon this the young prince hastily held 
 out his hand to the doctor, shook it heartily, and said : " Dear 
 doctor, if you are in the right, may God help you!" He 
 then left the room, sprung on liis horse, and rode off. This 
 
 ♦ Und konnten nicht satt werden ihn zn sehen. L. 0pp. xvii. 581. 
 + Wie eine holdseli^e Per.son er ist- Menzel, Magaz. i. 207. 
 X War noch nicht auf raeiner Seite. L. 0pp. xvii. 589. 
 
CONFERENCE "WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF TRETE?. 259 
 
 wds the first interview between these two men, who were 
 afterwards destined to be at the head of the Reformation, and 
 to defend it, — the one with' the sword of the Word, the other 
 with the sword of princes. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Conference with the Archbishop of Treves— Wche's Exhortation to 
 Luther— Lutlier's Replies— Private Conversation— Visit of Cochloeus— 
 Supper at the Archbishop's— Conference at the Hotel of the Knights 
 of Rhodes— A Council proposed— Luther's last Interview with tho 
 Archbishop— Visit to a sick Friend— Luther receives Orders to leave 
 Worms— Luther's Departure. 
 
 Richard of Greiffenklau, archbishop of Treves, had with 
 the permission of Charles V. undertaken the office of me- 
 diator. Richard, who was on very intimate terms with the 
 Elector of Saxony, and a good Roman-cathoHc, desired by 
 settUng: this affair to render a service to his friend as well as 
 to his CImrch. On Monday evening (22d April), just as 
 Luther was sitting down to table, a messenger came from 
 the archbishop, informing him that this prelate desired to 
 see him. on the next morning but one (Wednesday) at six 
 o'clock. 
 
 The chaplain and Sturm the imperial herald waited on 
 Luther before six o'clock on that day. But as early as four 
 in the morning, Aleander had sent for Cochloeus. The 
 nuncio 'had soon discovered in the man whom Capito had 
 introduced to him, a devoted instrument of the court of 
 Rome, on whom he might count as upon himself. As 
 he could not be present at this interview, Aleander de- 
 sired to find a substitute. " Go to the residence of the 
 Archbishop of Treves," said he to the Dean of Frankfort : 
 " do not enter into discussion with Luther, but listen atten- 
 tively to all that is said, so as to give me a faithful report."* 
 The reformer with some of his friends arrived at the arch- 
 
 • Aleander, mane hora quarta vocaverit ad se Cochlceuni, jubens ut 
 audiret solum Cochloeus, p. 36. -^^ 
 
260 * weiie's exhortation — luther's reply. 
 
 bishop's, where he found the preUite siirroimded by Joachim, 
 margrave of Brandenburg, Duke George of Saxony, the 
 Bishops of Brandenburg and Augsburg, with several nobles, 
 deputies of the free cities, lawyers, and theologians, among 
 whom were Cochlceus and Jerome Wehc, chancellor of 
 Baden. This skilful lawyer was anxious for a reformation 
 in morals and discipline ; he even went further : " the Word 
 of God," said he, " that has been so long hidden under a 
 bushel, must reappear in all its brightness.'"* It was this 
 conciliatory person who was charged with the conference. 
 Turning kindly to Luther, he said : " We have not sent for 
 you to dispute with you, but to exhort you in a fraternal 
 tone. You know how carefully the Scriptures call upon us 
 to beware of the arroiD that f.ieth hy day, and the destruction 
 that wasteth at noon-day. ,That enemy of mankind has ex- 
 cited you to publish many things contrary to true religion. 
 Reflect on your own safety and that of the empire. Beware 
 lest those whom Christ by his blood has redeemed from 
 eternal death should be misled by you, and perish ever- 
 lastingly Do not oppose the holy councils. If we did 
 
 not uphold the decrees of our fathers, there would be 
 nothing but confusion in the Church. The eminent princes 
 who hear me feel a special interest in your welfare ; but if 
 you persist, then the emperor will expel you from the em- 
 pire,-]- and no place in the world will offer you an asylum 
 
 Reflect on the fate that awaits you !" 
 
 " Most seiene princes," replied Luther, " I thank you for 
 your solicitude on my account : for I am but a poor man, 
 and too mean to be exhorted by such great lords." % He 
 then continued : " I have not blamed all the councils, but 
 only that of Constance, because by condemning this doctrine 
 of John Huss, That the Christian Church is the assembly of 
 cdl those who are predestined to salvation,^ it has condemned 
 
 * Dass das Wort Gottes, "welche-s so laijge unter dem Scheffel yerbor- 
 gen gesteckt, lieller schuine Seckend. p. 364. 
 
 t Und aus dem Ileich verstossen. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 582 ; Sleidan, i. 
 97. 
 
 X Agno&co cnim me homuncionem, lor.ge viliorem esse, quam ut a 
 tantis principibus L. 0pp. Lat. p. 167. 
 
 § Ecclesia Christi est universitas prsedestinatorum. Ibid, 
 
LUTHER AND THE ELECTOR OF BRANDENBURQ. 261 
 
 this article of our faith, / helicve in the Holy Catholic 
 Church, and the Word of God itself. It is said my teaching 
 is a cause of offence," added he ; " I reply that the Gospel of 
 Christ cannot be preached without offence. Why then 
 should the fear or apprehension of danger separate me from 
 the Lord and from that Divine Word which alone is truth ? 
 No! I would rather give up my body, my blood, and my 
 "life I" 
 
 The princes and doctors having deliberated, Luther was 
 again called in, and Wehe mildly resumed: "We must 
 honour the powers that be, even when they are in error, and 
 make great sacrifices for the sake of charity." And then 
 with greater earnestness of manner, he said : " Leave it to 
 the emperors decision, .and fear not." 
 
 Luther. — " I consent with all my heart that the emperor, 
 the princes, and even the meanest Christian, should examine 
 and judge my works ; but on one condition, that they take 
 the Word of God for their standard. Men have nothing 
 to do but to obey it. Do not offer violence to my conscience, 
 which is bound and chained up with the Holy Scriptures."* 
 
 The Elector of Brandenburg. — " If I rightly understand 
 you, doctor, you will acknowledge no otlier judge than the 
 Holy Scriptures ?" 
 
 Luther. — " Precisely so, my lord, and on them I take my 
 stand." f 
 
 Upon this the princes and doctors withdrew; but the 
 excellent Archbishop of Treves could not make up his mind 
 to abandon his undertaking. " Follow me," said he to 
 Luther, as he passed into his private room ; and at the 
 same time ordered John ab Eck and Cochloeus on tlie one 
 side, and Schurff and Amsdorff on the other, to come after. 
 " Why do you always appeal to Scripture," asked Eck 
 with warmth ; " it is the source of all heresies." But 
 Luther, says his friend Mathesius, remained firm as a rock, 
 which is based on the true rock, — the Word of the Lord. 
 " The pope," replied he, '' is no judge in the things belonging 
 
 • Sie -wollten sein Gewissen, das mit Gottes Wortund heiliger Schrifft 
 gebunden urid gefangen ware, nicht dringen. Matt. p. 27. 
 t Ja darauf stehe Ich. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 588. 
 
262 PRIVATE CONVERSATION. 
 
 to the Word of God. Every Christian should see and decide 
 for himself how he ought to hve and die."* They separ- 
 ated. The partisans of the Papacy felt Luther's superiority, 
 and attributed it to there being no one present capable of 
 answering him. " If the emperor had acted Avisely," says 
 Cochlojus, " when summoning Luther to Worms, he would 
 also have invited theologians to refute his errors." 
 
 The Archbishop of Treves repaired to the diet, and an- 
 nounced the failure of his mediation. The astonishment of 
 the young emperor was equal to his indignation. " It is 
 time to put an end to this business," said he. The arch- 
 bishop, pressed for two days more ; all the diet joined in the 
 petition ; Charles V. gave way. Aleander, no longer able to 
 restrain himself, burst out into violent reproaches.-|- 
 
 While these scenes were passing in the diet, Cochloeus 
 burned to gain a victory in which kings and prelates had 
 been unsuccessful. Although he had from time to time 
 dropped a few words at the archbishop's, he was restrained 
 by Aleander's injunction to keep silence. He resolved 
 to find compensation, and as soon as he had rendered a 
 faithful account of his mission to the papal nuncio, he called 
 on Luther. He Avent up to him in the most friendly manner, 
 and expressed the vexation he felt at the emperors resolu- 
 tion. After dinner, the conversation became animated. | 
 Cochloeus urged Luther to retract. The latter shook his 
 head. Several nobles who ^vere at table with him could 
 hardly contain themselvps. They were indignant that the 
 partisans of Rome should insist, not upon convincing 
 Luther by Scripture, but on constraining him by force. 
 " AVell, then," said Cochloeus to Luther, impatient under 
 these reproaches, " I offer to dispute publicly with you, if 
 you will renounce your safe-conduct."§ All that Luther 
 demanded vras a pubhc disputation. What ought he to do? 
 To renounce the safe-conduct would be to endanrcer his 
 
 Ein Christenmensch muss zusehen und richtcn L. Epp. i. 604. 
 
 f De iis Aleander acerrime conquestus est. Pallav. i. 120. 
 X Peracto prandio. Cochlceus, p. 36. 
 
 § Und wollte mit mir disputiren, ich sollte allein das Geleit aufsagen. 
 L. 0pp. (L.) xvii, 589. 
 
VISIT TKOM COCIIl.CEUS. 263 
 
 life ; to refuse this cliallcngc would appear to throw doubts 
 on the justice of his cause. His guests perceived in this 
 l)roposal a plot framed with Alcander, whom the Dean of 
 Frankfort had just quitted. One of them, Vollrat of Watz- 
 dorf by name, extricated Luther from the embarrassment 
 occasioned by so difiicult a choice. This fiery lord, indig- 
 nant at a snare, the sole object of which was to deliver 
 Luther into the hands of the executioner,* rose hastily, 
 seized the frightened priest, and pushed him out of the 
 room, and blood no doubt would have been spilt, if the 
 other guests had not left the table at the same moment, 
 and mediated between the furious knight and Cochloeus, 
 who trembled with alarm.f The latter retired in confusion 
 from the hotel of the Knights of Rhodes. Most probably it 
 was in the heat of discussion that iliese words had fallen 
 from the dean, and there had been* no preconcerted plan 
 formed between him and Aleander to entice Luther into 
 so treaclierous a snare. Tliis CochhTus denies, and we 
 are inclined to credit his testimony. And yet just before 
 going to Luther's lodging he had been in conference with 
 Aleander. 
 
 In the evening, the x\rchbishop of Treves assembled at 
 supper the- persons who 'had attended that morning's con- 
 ference : he thought that tliis would be a means of unbend- 
 ing their minds, and bringing them closer together. Luther, 
 so firm and intrepid before arbitrators and judges, in private 
 life was. so good-humoured and jovial, that they might 
 reasonably hope any thing from him. The archbishop's 
 chancellor, who had been so formal in his ofiicial capacity, 
 lent himself to this new essay, and tOAvards the end of the 
 repast proposed Li:ther's health. The latter prepared to 
 return the complin.ent ; the Avine was poured out, and, 
 according to his i.-'^iial custom, he had made the sign of the 
 cross on his glass when suddenly it burst in his hands, 
 and the wine was ^\ ilt upon the table. The guests were 
 
 • Atque ita traderet e\im carnificirise. Cochloeus, p. 36. 
 f Das Ihm das Blut iiber den Kopff gelaufen ware, wo man nicht geweb- 
 ret hatte. L. Opp, (L.) xvii. 589. 
 
264 SUPPER AT THE ARCHBISHOP's. 
 
 astonished. " It must have contained poison !"* exclaimed 
 some of Luther's friends aloud. But the doctor, without 
 betraying any agitation, rephed with a smile: "My dear 
 Sirs, either this wine was not intended for me, or else it 
 would have disagreed with me." And then he added calmly : 
 " There is no doubt the glass broke because after washing 
 it it. was dipped too soon into cold water." These words, 
 although so simple, under such circumstances are not devoid 
 of grandeur, and show an unalterable peace of mind. We 
 cannot imagine that the Roman-catholics would have desired 
 to poison Luther, especially under the roof-of the Archbishop 
 of Treves. This repast neither estranged nor approximated' 
 the two parties. Neither the favour nor the hatred of men 
 had any imiuence over the reformer's resolution : it pro- 
 ceeded from a higher source. 
 
 On the m.orning of Thursday, the 25th of April, the Chan- 
 cellor Wehe, and Doctor Peutinger of Augsburg, the em- 
 peror's councillor, who had shown great affection for Luther 
 at the period of his interview with De Vio, repaired to the 
 liotel of the Knights of Rhodes. The Elector of Saxony 
 sent Frederick of Thun and another of his councillors to be 
 present at the conference. " Place yourself in our hands," 
 said with emotion both Wehe and Peutinger, who would 
 willingly have made every sacrifice to prevent the division 
 that was about to rend the Church. " We pledge you our 
 word, that this affair shall be concluded in a christian-like 
 manner." — " Here is my answer in two words," replied 
 Luther. •' I consent to renounce my safe-conduct.f I place 
 my person and my life in the emperor's hands, but the 
 Word of God never!" Frederick of Thun rose in emo- 
 tion, and said to the envoys : " Is not this enough ? Is not 
 the sacrifice large enough ?" And after declaring lie would 
 not hear a single word more, he left the roonj. Upon this, 
 
 * Es miisse Gift darinnen gewesen fieyn.— Luther does not speak of 
 this circumstance ; but Razeberg, a friend of Luther's, and physician to 
 the Elector John Frederick, mentions it in a manuscript in the library at 
 Gotha, and says that he had it from an eye-witness. 
 
 f Er wollte ehe das Geleit aufsagen L. Ppp. (L.) xvii. 589. 
 
CONFERENCE AT THE HOTEL. 265 
 
 Wehe and Peutinger, hoping to succeed more easily with 
 the doctor, came and sat down by his side. " Place your- 
 self in tlie hands of the diet," said they. — " No," replied he, 
 " for cursed he the man that trusteth in man /" (Jeremiah 
 xvii. 5.) Wehe and Peutinger became more earnest in their 
 exhortations and attacks; they urged the reformer more 
 pressingly. Luther, wearied out, rose and dismissed them, 
 saying : " I will never permit any man to set himself above 
 the Word of God."* — " Reflect upon our proposal," said 
 they, as they withdrew, " we will return in the evening." 
 
 They came ; but feeling convinced that Luther would not 
 give way, they brought a new proposition. Luther had 
 refused to acknowledge, first the pope, then the emperor, 
 and lastly the diet • there still remained one judge whom he 
 himself had once demanded : a general council. Doubtless 
 such a proposal would have offended Rome ; but it was 
 their last hope of safety. The delegates offered a council to 
 Luther. The latter might have accepted it without speci- 
 fying anything. Years would have passed away before the 
 difficulties could have been set aside which the convocation 
 of a council would have met with on the part of the pope. 
 To gain time was for the reformer and the Reformation to 
 gain everything. God and the lapse of yeare would have 
 brought about great changes. But Luther set plain dealing 
 above all things ; he would not save himself at the expense of 
 truth, eveir were silence alone necessary to dissemble it. — 
 " I consent," replied he, " but" (and to make such a request 
 was to refuse a council) " on condition that the council shall 
 decide only according to Scripture." f 
 
 Peutinger and Wehe, not imagining that a council could 
 decide otherwise, ran quite overjoyed to the archbishop : 
 " Doctor Martin," said they, " submits his books to a coun- 
 cil." The archbishop was on the point of carrying these 
 glad tidings to the emperor, when he felt some doubt, and 
 ordered Luther to be brought to him. 
 
 Richard of Greiffenklau was alone when the doctor arrived. 
 
 * Er wollte kurtzrum Menschen Uber Gottes Wort nicht erkennen. 
 L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 583. 
 t Das dariiber aus der heiligen Schrifft gesprochen. Ibid. 584. 
 VOL. ir. 12 
 
266 LAST INTERVIEW V/ITH THE ARCHBISHOP. 
 
 " Dear doctor," said the arclibishop, with great kindness and 
 feeh'ng," " my doctors inform me that yon consent to snbmit, 
 unreservedly, your cause to a council." — " My lord," replied 
 Luther, " I can endure everything, but I cannot abandon 
 the Holy Scriptures." The bishop perceived that Wehe and " 
 Peutinger had stated the matter incorrectly. Rome could 
 never consent to a council that decided only according to 
 Scripture. " It was like telling a short-sighted man," says 
 Pallavicini, " to read very small print, and at the same time 
 refusing him a pair of spectacles."-]- The worthy .archbishop 
 sighed : " It was a fortunate thing that I sent for you," said 
 he. " What Avould have become of me, if I had immedi- 
 ately carried this news to the emperor?" 
 
 Luther's immovable firmness and inflexibility are doubt- 
 less surprising ; but they will be understood and respected 
 by all those who know the law of God. Seldom has a 
 nobler liomage been paid to the unchangeable Word from 
 heaven ; and that, too, at the peril of the liberty and life of 
 the man who bore this testimony. 
 
 " Well, then," said the venerable prelate to Luther, '' point 
 out a remedy yoiirself." 
 
 Luther, o^er a moments silence. — " My lord, I know no 
 better than this of Gamaliel : Jf this icork he of men ^ it vsill 
 come to nought : hut if it he of God, ye cannot otcrihrow it ; 
 lest haply ye he found even to fght against God. Let the em- 
 peror, the electors, the princes, and states of the empire, write 
 this answer to the pope." 
 
 The Archbishop. — " Retract at least some articles." 
 
 Luther. — " Provided they are none of those which the 
 Council of Constance has already condemned." 
 
 The Archbishop. — " I am afraid it is precisely those that 
 you would be called upon to retract." 
 
 Luther. — " In that case I would rather lose my life, — rather 
 have mv arms and legs cut off, than forsake the clear and 
 true Word of God." t 
 
 The archbishop understood Luther at last. " You may 
 
 * Ganz gut und mehr denn gnadig. L. Epp. i. 604. 
 
 + Simulque ccnspiciliorum omnium u£v.m negare. Ibid. 110. - 
 
 t Ehe Stumpf und Stjcl fahren lassen L. 0pp. (.L.) xvii. 584. 
 
VISIT TO A SICK FRIEND ORDER TO LEAVE WORMS. 267 
 
 retire," said he, still with the same kind manner. " My lord," 
 resumed Luther, " may I beg you to have the goodness 
 to see that his majesty provides me with the safe-conduct 
 necessary for my return." — " I Avill see to it," replied the 
 good archbishop, and so they parted. 
 
 Thus ended these negotiations. The whole empire had 
 turned towards this man* with the most ardent prayers and 
 with the most terrible threats, and he had not faltered. 
 His refusal to bend beneath the iron yoke of the pope 
 emancipated the Church and began the new times. The 
 interposition of Providence was manifest. This is one of 
 those grand scenes in history over which hovers and rises 
 the majestic presence of the Diviiiity. • 
 
 Luther withdrew in company with Spalatin, who had 
 arrived at the archbishop's during the interview. John 
 Minkwitz, councillor to the Elector of Saxony, had fallen ill 
 at "Worms. The two friends went to visit him. Luther 
 gave the sick man the most affectionate consolations. " Fare- 
 well!" said he, as he retired, "to-morrow I shall leave 
 Worms." 
 
 Luther was not deceived. Hardly had he returned three 
 hours to the hotel of the Knights of Rhodes, when the Chan- 
 cellor ab Eck, accompanied by the imperial chancellor and a 
 notary, appeared before him. 
 
 The chancellor said to him : " Martin Luther, his im- 
 perial majesty, the electors, prthces, and states of the empire, 
 having at sundry times and in various forms exhorted you 
 ,to submission, but always in vain, the emperor, in his capacity 
 of advocate and defender of the Catholic faith, finds himself 
 compelled to resort to other measures. He therefore com- 
 mands you to return home in the space of twenty-one days, 
 and forbids you to disturb the public peace on your rond, 
 either by preaching or by writing." 
 
 Luther felt clearly that this message was the beginning 
 of his condemnation : " xis the Lord pleases," answered he 
 meekly, "blessed be the name of the Lord!" He then 
 added: "Before all things, humbly and from the bottom of 
 my heart do I thank his majesty, the electors, princes, and 
 * Totum imperium ad se conversum spectabat. Pallav. i. 120. 
 
268 , Luther's departure. 
 
 other states of the empire for having listened to me so kindly. 
 I desire, and have ever desired, but one thing — a reformation 
 of the Church according to Holy Scripture. I am ready to 
 do and to suffer everything in humble obedience to the 
 emperor's will. Life or death, evil or good report — it is 
 all the same to me, with one reservation — the preaching of 
 the Gospel ; for, says St. Paul, the Word of God must not be 
 bound." The deputies retired. 
 
 On the morning of Friday the 26th of April, the friends of 
 the reformer with several lords met at Luther's hotel.* They 
 were delighted at seeing the christian firmness with which 
 he had opposed Charles and the empire ; and recognised in 
 him the features of that celebrated portrait of antiquity : 
 
 Justum ac tenacem propositi viruin, 
 Non civinm ardor prava jubentium,' 
 
 Non vultus iiistantis tyrajini 
 
 Mente quatit solida f 
 
 They desired once more, perhaps for the last time, to say 
 farewell to this intrepid monk. Luther partook of a humble 
 repast. But now he had to take leave of his friends, and 
 fly far from them, beneath a sky lowering with tempests. 
 This solemn moment he desired to pass in 'the presence of 
 God. He lifted up his soul in prayer, blessing those who 
 stood around him.| As it struck ten, Luther issued from 
 the hotel with the friends who had accompanied him to 
 Worms. Twenty gentlemen -on horseback surrounded his 
 car. A* great crowd of people accompanied him beyond the 
 walls of the city. Some time after he was overtaken by 
 Sturm, the imperial herald, at Oppenheim, and on the next' 
 day they arrived at Frankfort. 
 
 " Salutatis patronis et amicis qiii eiim frequentissimi convenemnt. 
 L. 0pp. Lat. ii. 168. 
 
 '\- The man that's resolute and just, 
 Firm to his principles and trust, 
 Nor hopes nor fears can bind : 
 Nor parties, for revenge engaged, 
 Nor threatenings of a court enraged, 
 Can shake his steady mind — Horat. Od. ilL 3. 
 $ Seine Freunde geseguet. Mathesius, p. 27. 
 
THE CONFLICT AT WORMS. 269 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Conflict at Worms— Luther's Letter to Cranach— Luther's Letter 
 to Charles V.— Luther with the Abbot pf Hirschfeldt -The Parish 
 Priest of Eisenach— S3 veral Princes leave the Diet— Charles si^na 
 Lather's Condemnation — TheEdictof Worms— Lutherwith his Parents 
 — Luther attacked and carried away— The Ways of God— The Wart- 
 burg— Luther a Prisoner. 
 
 Thus had Luther escaped from these walls of ^orms, that 
 seemed destined to be his sepulchre. With all his heart 
 he gave God t\iQ glory. "The devil himself," said he, 
 " guarded the pope's citadel ; but Christ has made a wide 
 breach in it, and Satan was constrained to confess that the 
 Lord is mightier than he."* 
 
 " The day of the Diet of Worms," says the pious Mathe- 
 sius, Luther's disciple and friend, "is one of th(* greatest and 
 most glorious days given to the earth before the end of the 
 world." f The battle that had been fought at Worms re- 
 sounded far and wide, and at its noise which spread through 
 all Christendom, from the regions of the North to the moun- 
 tains of Switzerland, and the toWns of England, France, and 
 Italy, many eagerly grasped the powerful weapons of the 
 Word of God. 
 
 Luther, who reached Frankfort on the evening of Satur- 
 day the 27 th of April, took advantage the next day of a 
 leisure moment, the first that he had enjoyed for a long 
 time, to write a familiar and expressive note to his friend 
 at AVittemberg, the celebrated painter Lucas Cranach. " Your 
 servant, dear gossip Lucas," said he. " I thought his majesty 
 would have assembled some fifty doctors at Wornis to con- 
 vict the monk outright. But not at all. — Are these your 
 books ? — Yes ! — Will you retract them? — No ! — Well, then, 
 be gone! — There's the whole history. blind Germans! 
 
 " Aber Christus macht cin Loch darein. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 589. 
 
 + Dies ist der herrlichen grossen Tag einer vorm Ende der Welt. 
 Mathes. p. 28. 
 
270 LETTERS TO CKAN*ACH AND CHARLES V. 
 
 how childishly we act, to allow ourselves to be the 
 
 dupes and sport of «Rome ! The Jews must sing their 
 
 Yo ! Yo ! Y'o ! But a day of redemption is coming for us also, 
 
 and then will we sing hallelujah P For a season we must 
 
 suffer in silence. A little ichilc, and ye shall not see me : 
 and again a little ichile, and 'ye shall see me, said Jesus Christ 
 (John xvi. 16). I hope that it will be the same with me. 
 Farewell. I commend you all to tiie Lord. May he pre- 
 serve m Christ your understanding and your faith against the 
 attacks of the wolves and the dragons of Rome. Amen !" 
 
 After having written this somewhat enigmatical letter, 
 Luther, as^ the time pressed, immediately set out for Fried- 
 berg, which is six leagues distant from Frankfort. On the 
 next day Luther again collected his tlioughts. He desired 
 to write once more to Charles, as he had no wish to be con- 
 founded with guilty rebels." In his letter to the emperor he 
 set forth clearly what is the obedience due to kings, and that 
 which is due to God, and what is the limit at which the 
 former should cease and give place to the latter. As we read 
 this epistle, we are involuntarily reminded of the words of the 
 greatest autocrat of modern times : " My dominion ends 
 where that of conscience begins.' 7 
 
 " God, who is the searcher of hearts, is my Avitness," says 
 Luther, " that I am ready most earnestly to obey your 
 majesty, in honour or in dishonour, in life or in death, and 
 with' no exception save the AYord of God, by which man 
 lives. In all the affairs of this present life, my fidelity shall 
 be unshaken, for here to lose or to gain is of no consequence 
 to salvation. But when eternal interests are concerned, God 
 wills not that man should submit unto man. For such sub- 
 mission in spiritual matters is a real Avorship, and ought to 
 be rendered solely to the Creator.''^ 
 
 * Es mussen die Juden einmal singen : lo, lo, lo I ... L. Epp. i. 58.9. 
 The shouts of joy uttered by the Jews at the time of the crucifixion re- 
 present the iriumplial songs of the papal partisans at the catastrophe 
 tliat awaited Luther ; but the reformer hears in the distance the halle- 
 lujahs of deliverance. 
 
 f Napoleon to the Protestant deputation after his accession to the 
 empire. 
 
 X Nam ea fides et submissio proprie est vera ilia latria et adoratio 
 Dei L. Epp. i. 592. 
 
THE ABBOT OF HIRSCHFELDT. 271 
 
 Luther wrote also, but in German, a letter addressed to 
 the states of the empire. Its contents were nearly similar 
 to that which he had just written to the emperor. In it he 
 related all that had passed at Worms. This letter was copied 
 several times and circulated throughout Germany ; " every- 
 wlfere," says Cochlosus, " it excited "the indignation of the 
 people against the emperor and the superior clergy."* 
 
 Early the next day Luther wrote a note to Spalatin, en- 
 closing the two letters he had written the evening before ; he 
 sent back to Worms the herald Sturm, won over to the cause 
 of the Gospel; and after embracing him, departed hastily 
 for Grunberg. 
 
 On Tuesday, at about tv/o leagues from Hirschfeldt, he 
 met the chancellor of the prince-abbot of that town, who 
 came to welcome him. Soon after there appeared a troop of 
 horsemen with the abbot at their head.> Thg latter dis- 
 mounted, and Luther got out of his waggon. The prince 
 and the reformer embraced, and afterwards entered Hirsch- 
 feldt together. The senate received them at the gates of the 
 city.f The princes of the Church came out to meet a monk 
 anathematized by the pope, and the chief men of the people 
 bent their heads before a man under the ban of the emperor. 
 
 " At five in the morning we shall be at church," said the 
 prince at night as he rose from the table to which he had 
 invited the reformer. The abbot insisted on his sleeping in 
 his own bed. The next day Luther preached, and this dig- 
 nitary of the church with all his train escorted him on his 
 way. 
 
 In the evening Luther reached Eisenach, the scene of his 
 childhood. All his friends in this city surrounded him, en- 
 treating him to preach, and the next day, accompaniecJ him 
 to the church. Upon this the priest of the parish appeared, 
 attended by a notary and vvitnesses ; he came forward trem- 
 bling, divided between the fear of losing his place, and of 
 opposing the powerful man that stood before him. " I pro- 
 test against the liberty that you are taking," said the priest 
 
 * Per chalcographos multiplicata et in populos dispersa est ea epistola. 
 ...... Caesari autem et clericis odium populare, &c. Cochlceus, p. 38. 
 
 f Senatus intra portas nos excepit. T.. F4-.P. ii. 6. 
 
272 THE PRINCES LEAVE THE DIET. 
 
 at last, in an embarrassed tone. Luther went up into the 
 pulpit, and that voice which, twenty-three years before, had 
 sung in the streets of. this town to procure a morsel of bread, 
 sounded beneath the arched roof of the ancient church tliose 
 notes that were beginning to agitate the world. After the 
 sermon, the priest with confusion went up to Luther. The 
 notary had drawn up the protest, the witnesses had signed it, 
 all was properly arranged to secure the incumbent's place. 
 " Pardon me," said he to the doctor humbly ; " I am acting 
 thus to protect me from the resentment of the tyrants who 
 oppress the Church."* Jf- — • 
 
 And there were in truth strong grounds for apprehension. 
 The aspect of affairs at Worms was changed: Aleander 
 alone seemed to rule there. " Banishment is Luther's only 
 prospect," wrote Frederick to his brother, Duke John ; " no- 
 thing can save him. If God permits me to return to you, 
 I shall have matters to relate that are almost beyond belief. 
 It is not only Annas and Caiaphas, but Pilate and Herod 
 also, that have combined against him." Fr^ederick had 
 little desire to remain longer at Worms ; he departed, and 
 the elector-palatine did the same. The elector-archbishop 
 of Cologne also quitted the diet. Their example was followed 
 by many princes of inferior rank. As they deemed it impos- 
 sible to avert the blow, they preferred (and in this perhaps 
 they were wrong) abandoning the place. The Spaniards, the 
 Italians, and the most idtra-montane German princes alone 
 remained. 
 
 The field was now free — Aleander triumphed. He laid 
 before Charles the outline of an edict intended by him as a 
 model of that which the diet ought to issue against the 
 monk. The nuncio's project pleased the exasperated em- 
 peror. He assembled the remaining members of the diet in 
 his chamber, and there had Aleander's edict read over to 
 them ; it was accepted (Pallavicini informs us) by all who 
 were present. 
 
 The next day, which Avas a great festival, the emperor 
 went to the cathedral, attended by all the lords of his court. 
 
 * Humiliter tamen excusante ob metiim tyrannorum suorum. L. 
 
 Epp. ii. 6. 
 
CHARLES SIGNS LUTHER S CONDEMNATION. 273 
 
 When the religious ceremonies were over, and a crowd of 
 people still thronged the sanctuary, Aleander, robed in all the 
 insignia of his dignity, approached Charles V.* He held in 
 his hand two copies of the edict against Luther, one in Latin, 
 the other in German, and kneeling before his imperial ma- 
 jesty, entreated him to affix to them his signature and the 
 seal of the empire. It was at the moment when the sacri- 
 fice had been offered, when the incense still filled the temple, 
 while the sacred chants were still re-echoing through its 
 long-drawn aisles, and as it were in the presence of the Deity, 
 that the destruction of the enemy of Rome was to be sealed. 
 The emperor, assuming a very gracious air,-|- took the pen 
 and wrote his-name". Aleander withdrew in triumph, imme- 
 diately sent the decree. to the printers, and forwarded it to 
 every part of Christendom.l This crowning act of the toils 
 of Rome had cost the papacy no little trouble. Pallavicini 
 himself informs us, that this edict, although bearing date the 
 8th of May, was not signed till later ; but it was antedated 
 to make it appear that the signature was affixed at a period 
 when all the members of the diet were apsembled. 
 
 " We, Charles the Fifth," said the emperor (and then 
 came his titles), " to all electors, princes, prelates, and others 
 whom it may concern. 
 
 " The Almighty having confided to us, for the defence of 
 the holy faith, more kingdoms and greater authority than He 
 has ever given to any of our predecessors, we purpose employ- 
 ing every means in our power to prevent our holy empire 
 from being polluted by any heresy. 
 
 " The Augustine monk, Martin Luther, notwithstanding 
 our exhortation, has rushed like a madman on our holy 
 Church, and attempted to destroy it by books overflowing 
 with blasphemy. He has shamefully polluted the inde- 
 structible law of holy matrimony; he has endeavoured to 
 excite the laity to dye their hands in the blood of the clergy ;§ 
 ^d, setting at nought all authority, has incessantly urge^ the 
 
 * Cum Caesar in templo adesset processit illi obviam Aleander. 
 
 Pallav. i. 122. , f Festivissirao vultu. Ibid. 
 
 X Et undique pervulgata. Ibid. 
 
 § Ihre Hande in der Priester Blut zu waschen. L. 0pp. (L.) xvii. 599 
 12* 
 
274 THE EDICT OF WORMS. 
 
 people to revolt, schism, war, murder, robbery, incendiarism, 
 
 ,and to the utter ruin of the christian faith In a word, not 
 
 to mention his many other evil practices, this man, who is 
 in truth not a man, but Satan himself under the form of a 
 man and dressed in a monk's frock, ^ has collected into one 
 stinking slough all the vilest heresies of past times, and has 
 added to them new ones of his own 
 
 " We have therefore dismissed from our presence this 
 Luther, whom all pious and sensible men deem a madman, 
 or one possessed by the devil ; and we enjoin- that, on the 
 expiration of his safe-conduct, immediate recourse be had to 
 effectual measures to check his furious rage. .--^ — 
 
 " For this reason, under pain of incurring the penalties 
 due to the crime of high-treason, we forbid you to harbour 
 the said Luther after the appointed term shall be expired, to 
 conceal him, tn give him food or drink, or to furnish him, by 
 word or by deed, pubhcly or secretly, with any kind of suc- 
 cour whatsoever. We enjoin you, moreover, to seize him, 
 or cause him to be seized, wherever you may find him, to 
 bring him before us without any delay, or to keep him in 
 safe custody, until you have learned from us in what man- 
 ner you are to act towards him, and have received the reward 
 due to your laboffts in so holy a work. 
 
 " As for his adherents, you will apprehend them, confine 
 them, aTid confiscate their property. 
 
 " As for his writings, if the best nutriment becomes the 
 detestation of all men as soon as one drop of poison is 
 mingled with it, how much more ought such books, which 
 contain a deadly poison for the soul, be not only rejected, but 
 destroyed! You will therefore burn them, or utterly destroy 
 them in any other manner. 
 
 " As for the authors^ poets, printers, painterSj buyers or 
 sellers of placards, papers, or pictures, against the pope or the 
 Church, you will seize them, body and goods, and will deal 
 with them according to your good pleasure. 
 
 " And if any person, whatever be his dignity, should dare 
 
 * Nicht ein Mensch, sondertfrals der bbse Feind in Gestalt eines Men* 
 Bchen mit angenommener M6nchskutten....-..Ibid. 
 
THE EDICT OF WORMS. 275 
 
 to act in contradiction to the decree of our imperial majesty, 
 we order him to be placed under the ban of the empire. 
 
 " Let every man behave according to this decree." 
 
 Such was the edict signed in the cathedral of Worms. It 
 was more than a bull of Rome, which, although published in 
 Italy, could not be executed in Germany. The emperor 
 himself had spoken, and the diet had ratified his decree. All 
 the partisans of Rome burst into a shout of triumph. " It 
 is the end of the tragedy !" exclaimed they. — " In my opi- 
 nion," said Alphonso Valdez, a Spaniard at Charles's court, 
 " it is not the end, but only the beginning."* Valdez per- 
 ceived that the movement was in the Church, in the people, 
 and in the age, and that, even sliould Luther perish, his 
 cause would not perish with him. But no one was blind to 
 the imminent aivd inevitable danger in which the reformer 
 himself was placed ; and the great majority of superstitious 
 persons were filled with horror at the thought of that incar- 
 nate devil, covered with a monk's hood, whom the emperor 
 pointed out to the nation. 
 
 The man against whom the mighty ones of the earth were 
 thus forging tlieir thunderbolts had quitted the church of 
 Eisenach, and was preparing to bid farewell to some of his 
 deafest friends. He did not take the road to Gotha and 
 Erfurth, but proceeded to the village of Mora, his father's 
 native place, once more to see his aged grandmother, who 
 died four months after, and to visit his uncle, Henry Luther, 
 and some other relations. Schurff, Jonas, and Suaven set 
 out for Wittemberg : Luther got into the waggon with Ams- 
 dorif, who still remained Avith him, and entered the forests of 
 Thuringia.f 
 
 The same evening he arrived at tiie village of his sires. 
 The poor old peasant clasped in her arms that grandson 
 who had withstood Cliarles the emperor and Leo the pope. 
 Luther spent the next day with liis relations ; happy, after 
 the tumult at AVornis, in this sweet tranquillity. On the next 
 morning he resr.med hjs journey, accompanied by Amsdorff 
 
 * Nou finem, sod iiiitium- V. Martvris Epp. p. 412. 
 
 t Ad camera meam traus sj-ivam profectus. L. Epp. ii. 7- 
 
276 LUTIIEJI CAKlilED OFF. 
 
 and his brother James. In this lonely spot the reformer's 
 fate was to be decided. Tliey skirted the woods of Thii- 
 ringia, following the road to Waltershausen. As the waggon 
 was moving through a hollow way, near the deserted church 
 of GHsbach, at a short distance from the castle of Altenstein, 
 a sudden noise was heard, and immediately five horsemen, 
 masked and armed from head to foot, sprung upon the tra- 
 vellers. His brother James, as soon as he caught sight of 
 the assailants, leaped from the waggon and ran away as fast 
 as his legs would carry him, without uttering a single word. 
 The driver would have resisted. " Stop !" cried one of the 
 strangers with a terrible voice, falling upon him and throwing 
 him to the ground.* A second mask laid hold of AmsdorfF 
 and kept him at a distancerj- Meanwhile the three remaining 
 horsemen seized upon Luther, maintaining a profound silence. 
 They pulled him violently from the waggon, threw a military 
 cloak over his shoulders, and placed him on a led horse. 
 The two other masks now quitted Amsdorff and the v.-ag- 
 goner ; all five leaped to their saddles — one dropped his hat, 
 but they did not even stop to pick it up — and in the twinkling 
 of an eye vanished with their prisoner into the gloomy forest. 
 At first they took the road to Broderode, but soon retraced 
 their steps by another path ; and without quitting the wood, 
 made so many windings in every direction as utterly to 
 baffle any attempt to track them. Luther, httle accustomed 
 to be on horseback, was soon overcome with fatigue. -j- They 
 permitted him to alight for a few minutes : he lay down near 
 a beech-tree, where he drank some water from a-spring which 
 is still called after his name. His brother James, continuing 
 his flight, arrived at Waltorshan.sen in the evening. The af- 
 frighted waggoner jumped into the car, v/hich Amsdorff had 
 again mounted, and whipping his horses, drove rapidly away 
 from the spot, and conducted Luther's friend to Wittembero*. 
 At Waltershausen, at Wittembei'g, in the country, villages, 
 and towns along their road, they spread the news of tjie violent 
 abduction of the doctor. This intcliigence, Avhich delighted 
 
 * Dejectoque iu solufti auriga et verbcrato. Pallav. i. 122. 
 + Longo itinere, novns cques, fe?sns. L. Epn. ii. 8. 
 
THE WAYS OF GOD. 
 
 277 
 
 some, struck the greater number with astonishment and 
 indignation. A cry of grief soon resounded through all Ger- 
 many': " Luther has fallen into tfie hands of his enemies!" 
 
 After the violent combat that Luther had just sustained, 
 God had been pleased to conduct him to a place of repose 
 and peace. After having exhibited him on the brilliant 
 theatre of Worms, where all the powers of the reformer's 
 soul had been strung to so high a pitch, He gave him the 
 secluded and humiliating^{ret^eat of a prison. God draws 
 from the deepest seclusion tlie weak instruments by which 
 He purposes to accomplish great things ; and then, when 
 He has permitted them to gUtter for a season with dazzling 
 brilliancy on an illustrious stage, He dismisses them again 
 to the deepest obscurity. The Reformation was to be ac- 
 complished by other means than violent struggles or pomp- 
 ous appearances before diets. It is not thus that the leaven 
 penetrates the mass of the people ; the Spirit of God seeks 
 more tranquil paths. The man, whom the Roman cham- 
 pions were persecuting without mercy, was to disappear for a 
 time from the world. It was requisite that this great indi- 
 viduality should fade awky, in order that the revolution then 
 accomplishing might not bear the stamp of an individual. 
 It was necessary for the man to retire, that God might re- 
 main alone to move by His Spirit upon the deep waters in 
 which the darkness of the Middle Ages was already engulfed, 
 and to say : Let there he light, so that there might be light. 
 
 As soon as it grew dark, and no one could track their 
 footsteps, Luther's guards took a new road. About one hour 
 before midnight they reached the foot of a mountain.* The 
 horses ascended slowly. On the summit w^as an old castle, 
 surrounded on all sides, save that by which it was ap- 
 proached, by the black forests that cover the mountains of 
 Thuringia. 
 
 It w^as to this lofty and isolated fortress, named the Wart- 
 burg, where in former times the ancient landgraves had 
 sheltered themselves, that Luther was conducted. The 
 bolts were drawn back, the iron bars fell, the gates opened 
 
 * Hora ferme undecima ad mansionera noctis perveni in tenebris. L 
 Epp, ii. 3. 
 
278 LUTHER IN THi: WARTBURG. 
 
 the reformer crossed the threshold ; the doors were closed 
 behind him. He dismounted in the court. One of the 
 horsemen, Burkhardt of Hund, lord of Altenstein, with- 
 drew ; another, John of Berlepseh, provost of the Wartburg, 
 led the doctor into the chamber tliat was to be his prison, 
 and where he found a knight's uniform and a sword. • The 
 three other cavaliers, the provost's attendants, took away liis 
 ecclesiastical robes, and dressed him in the military garments 
 that had been prepared for him, enjoining him to let his 
 beard and hair grov/,* in order that.no one in the castle 
 might discover who he was. The people in the Wartburg 
 were to know the prisoner only by the name of Knight 
 George. Luther scarcely recognised himself in his new 
 dress.-|- At last he was left alone, and his mind could 
 reflect by tiu'ns on the astonishing events that had just 
 taken place at Worms, on the uncertain future that awaited 
 him, and on his new and strange residence. From the 
 narrow loopholes of his turret, his eye roamed over the 
 gloomy, solitary, and extensive forests that surrounded him. 
 " It was there," says Mathesius, his friend and biographer, 
 " that the doctor abode, like St. Paul in his prison at 
 Rome." 
 
 Frederick of Thun, Philip Feilitsch, and Spalatin, in a 
 private conversation they had had with Luther at Worms 
 by the elector's orders, had not concealed from him that his 
 liberty must be sacrificed to the anger of Charles and of the 
 pope.l And yet this abduction had been so mysteriously 
 contrived, that even Frederick was for a long time ignorant 
 of the place where Luther was shut up. The grief of the 
 friends of the Reformation was prolonged. The spring 
 passed away ; summer, autumn, and winter succeeded ; tlie 
 sun had accomplished its annual course, and still the-walls 
 of the Wartburg enclosed their prisoner. Truth had been 
 interdicted by the diet ; its defender, confined within the 
 ramparts of a castle, had disappeared from the stage of the 
 world, and no one knew Avhat had become of him : Aloander 
 
 * Exutus vestibus meis et cqucstribus indutus, comam et barbam nu- 
 
 triens L, Epp, ii. 7. 
 
 t Cum ipse rne j.r.-adndn5c nor. noTcrim. Ibid. X Seekcnd. p. 365, 
 
LUTHF.R A C'.PTTTE. 279 
 
 triumphed; the reformation appeared lost But God 
 
 reigns, and the blow that seemed as if it woidd destroy 
 the cause of the Gospel, did but contribute to save its 
 courageous minister, and to extend the Hght of faith to dis- 
 tant countries. 
 
 Let us quit Luther, a captive in Germany, on the rocky 
 heights of the Wartburg, to see what God was doing hi 
 other countries of Christendom. 
 
BOOK VIII. 
 
 THE SWISS. 1484 — 1522. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Movement iu Switzerland— Source of the Reformation— Its democratio 
 Character— Foreign Service — Morality — The Tockenburg— A Chalet 
 on the Alps — A Family of Shepherds — Young Ulrich. 
 
 At the momeiit when the decree of the Diet of Worms ap- 
 peared, a continually increasing movement began to disturb 
 the quiet valleys of Switzerland. The voices that resounded 
 over the plains -of Upper and Lower Saxony were re-echoed 
 from the bosom of the Helvetic mountains by the energetic 
 voices of its priests, cff its shepherds, and of the inhabitants 
 of its warlike cities. The partisans of Rome were filled with 
 apprehension, and exclaimed that a wide and terrible conspi- 
 racy was forming everywhere in the Church against the Church. 
 The exulting friends of the Gospel said that, as in spring the 
 breath of life is felt from the shores of the sea to the moun- 
 tain top, so the Spirit of God was now melting throughout 
 Christendom the ices of a lengthened winter, and covering 
 it with fresh flowers and verdure, from its lowest plains to its 
 most barren and its steepest rocks. 
 
 It v>^as not Germany t'nat communicated the light of truth 
 to Switzerland, Switzerland to France, and France to Eng- 
 land : all these countries received it from God ; just as one 
 part of the world does not communicate the light of day to 
 the other, but the same brilliant orb imparts it direct to all the 
 earth. Infinitely exalted above men, Christ, the day-spring 
 from on high, was at the epoch of the Reformation, as he had 
 been at the establishment of Christianity, the Divine fire 
 whence emanated tlie life of the world. One sole and same 
 
SOURCE OF THE REFORMATION. 28l 
 
 doctnne was suddenly established in the sixteenth century, 
 at the hearths and altars of the most distant and dissimilar 
 nations ; it was everywhere the same spirit, everywhere pro- 
 ducing the same faith. 
 
 The Reformation of Germany and that of Switzerland de- 
 monstrate this truth. Zwingle had no communication with 
 Luther. There was no doubt a connecting link between 
 these two men ; but we must not look for it upon earth : it 
 was above. He who from heaven gave the truth to Luther, 
 gave it to Zwingle also. Their bond of union v/as God. 
 " I began to preach tlie Gospel," says Zwingle, " in the year 
 of grace 1516, that is to say, at a time when Luther's name 
 had never been heard in this country. It is not from Luther 
 that I learnt the doctrine of Christ, but from the Word of 
 God. If Luther preaches Christ, he does what I am doing ; 
 and that is all.""^ 
 
 But if the different reformations derived a striking unity 
 from the same Spirit whence they all proceeded, tliey also 
 received certain particular marks from the different nations 
 among whom they were effected. 
 
 We have already given an outline of the condition of Swit- 
 zerland at the epoch of the Reformat ion. f We shall add but 
 Httle to what has been already said. In Germxany the mon- 
 archical principle predominated, iii Switzerland the democra- 
 tic. In Germany the Reformation had to struggle with the 
 will of princes; in Switzerland against the wishes of the people. 
 An assembly of men, more easily carried away tlian a single 
 individual, is also more rapid in its decisions. Tlie victory 
 over the papacy, which cost years of struggle beyond the Rhine, 
 required on this side but a few months and sometimes only 
 a few days. 
 
 In Germany, the person of Luther towers imposingly 
 above the Saxon people ; he seems to be alone in his attacks 
 upon the Roman colossus ; and v/lierever the conflict is ra- 
 ging, we discern from afar his lofty stature rising high above 
 the battle. Luther is the rnonarcli, so to speak, of the revo- 
 * 1516 eo scilicet tempore, quum Lutheri nomen in nostris regionibus 
 
 luauditum adhuc erat doctrinain Christi non a Luthero, sed ex verbo 
 
 Dei didici. Zwinglii Opera cur. Schulero et Schulthessio, Turici, 1829, 
 vol. i. 273, 276. ' t Vol. I. p. 80. 
 
282 DEMOCRATIC CHARACTER — FOREIGN SERVICE. 
 
 lution that is accomplishing. In Switzerland, the struggle 
 begins in dilferent cantons at the same time ; there is a con- 
 federation of reformers ; tlieir niimbei: sui-prises iis ; doubt- 
 less one head overtops the others, but no one commands ; it 
 is a republican senate, in vfhich all appear with their original 
 features and distinct influences. They were a liost : Wit- 
 tembach, Zwingle, Capito, Haller, (Ecolampadius, Osvv-ald 
 Myconius, Leo-Juda, Farel, Calvin; their stage was Glar;,-, 
 Basle, Zurich, Berne, Neufchatel, Geneva, Lucerne, Schaf- 
 hausen, Appenzel, Saint Gali, and the Grisons. In the 
 German reformation there is but one stage, flat and uniform 
 as the country itself: in Switzerland, the Reformation is 
 divided, like the region itself by its thousand mountains. 
 Each valley, so to speak, has its own awakening, and each 
 peak of the Alps its own light from heaven. 
 
 A lamentable epoch for the Swiss had begun after their 
 exploits against the dukes of Burgundy. Europe, wdiich 
 had discovered the strength of their arms, had enticed them 
 from their mountains, and had robbed them of theif inde- 
 pendence by rendering them the arbitrators of the fate of 
 nations on the battle-field. The hand of a Swiss pointed 
 the sword at the breast of his fellow-countryman on the 
 plains of Italy and of France, and tHe intrigues of foreigners 
 had filled Avith jealousy and dissension those lofty valleys of 
 the Alps so long the abode of simplicity and peace. At- 
 tracted by the charms of gold, sons, labourers, and serving- 
 men, stealthily quitted their Alpine pastures for the banks of 
 the Rhone or the Po. Helvetian unity was broken under the 
 slow steps of mules laden Avith gold. The Reformation, for 
 in Svatzerland also it had its political bearings, proposed to 
 restore the unity and the ancient virtues of the cantons. 
 Its first cry w^as for the Sv/iss to rend the perfidious toils of 
 the stranger, and to> embrace one another in close union at 
 the foot of the cross. But its generous accents Avere un- 
 heeded. Rome, accustomed to purchase in these valleys the 
 blood she shed to incrc.ase her power, uprose in anger ; ex- 
 cited Swiss against Swiss ; and new passions arose to tear 
 the body of the nation. 
 
 Switzerland needed a reform. There was, it Is true, 
 
MORALITY THE TOCKENBUEG. 283 
 
 among the Helvetians, a simplicity and good nature that 
 seemed ridiculous to the refined Italians ; but at the same 
 time they had the reputation of being the people that most 
 Iiabitually transgressed the laws of cliastity. This astrolo- 
 gers attributed to the constellations:* philosophers, to the 
 strength of temperament among those indomitable people ; 
 moralists, to the Swiss principles, which looked upon deceit, 
 dishonesty, and calumny, as sins of a much deeper die than 
 impuvity.-|- Marriage was forbidden the priests; but it 
 would have been difficult to find one who Hved in a real 
 state of celibacy. They were required to behave, not 
 chastely, but prudently. This was one of the earliest dis- 
 orders against which the Reformation was directed. 
 
 It is now time to investigate the dawnings of the new 
 day in these valleys of the Alps. 
 
 About the middle of the eleventh century two hermits 
 made their way from Saint Gall towards the mountains that 
 lie to the south of this ancient monastery, and arrived at 
 a desert valley about ten leagues long.j: On the north, 
 the lofty mountains of the Sentis, Sommerigkopf, and the 
 Old Man, separate this valley from the canton of Appenzel; 
 on the south, the Kuhfirsten with its seven peaks rises' be- 
 tween it and the Wallensee, Sargans, and the Grisons ; 'on 
 the east, the valley slopes away to the rays of the rising 
 sun, and displays the magnificent prospect of the Tyrolese 
 Alps. These two hermits, having reached the springs of 
 the little river Thur, erected there two cells. By degrees 
 the valley was peopled ; on its most elevated portion, 2010 
 feet above the level of Lake Zurich, there arose around a 
 church a village named Wildhaus, or the Wild-house, upoii 
 which now depend two hamlets, Lisighaus, or Eliziabeth's 
 house, and Schonenboden. The fruits of the earth grow not 
 upon these heights. A green turf of alpine freshness covers 
 the whole valley, ascending the sides of the mountains, 
 above which enormous masses of rock rise in savage gran- 
 deur to the skies. 
 
 * Wirz, Helvetische Kirchen Geschichte, iii. 201. 
 f Sodomitis melius erit in die judicii, quam rerum vel honoris ablaton- 
 bus. Hemmerlin. de anno jubilseo. t 'J'he Tockenbur/;. 
 
284 THE herdsman's family. 
 
 About a quarter of a league from the church, near Lisig- 
 haus, by the side of a patli that leads to the pasture-grounds 
 beyond the river, may still be seen a peasant's cottage. Tra- 
 dition narrates that the Avood necessary for its construction 
 was felled on the very spot.* Everything seems to indicate 
 that it was built in the most remote times. The walls are 
 thin ; the windows are composed of small round panes of 
 glass ; the roof is formed of shingles, loaded with stones to 
 prevent their being carried aw^ay by the wind. Before the 
 house bubbles forth a limpid stream. 
 
 About the end of the fifteenth century, this house was inha- 
 bited by a man named Zwingle, amman or bailiff of the parish. 
 The family of the Zwingies or Zwingli was ancient, and in 
 great esteem among the inhabitants of these mountains. -|- 
 Bartholomew, the bailiff's brother, at first incumbent of the 
 parish, and from the year 1487 dean >of Wesen, enjoyed a 
 certain celebrity in the country.^ The wife of the amman 
 of Wildhaus, Margaret Meili (whose brother John was 
 somewhat later "abbot of the convent of Fischingen in Thur- 
 govia), had already borne him two sons, Henry and Klaus, 
 when on New Year's day 1484, seven weeks after the birth 
 of Luther, a third soii, who was christened XJlrich, was born 
 in this lonely chalet. ;"j Five other sons, John, Wolfgang, 
 Bartholomew, James, Andrew, and an only daughter, Anna, 
 increased the number of this Alpine family. No one in the 
 whole district was more respected than the amman Zwingle. || 
 His character, his ofifice, and his numerous children, made 
 him the, patriarch of the mountains. He was a shepherd, 
 
 * Schuler's Zwingli's Bildungs Gesch., p. 290. 
 
 + Diss Geschlacht der Zwiiiglinen, wass in guter Achtung diesser 
 Landen, als ein gut alt ehrlich Geschlacht. H. BuUinger's Hi^t. Besch- 
 reibung der Eidg. Geschichten. I aai indebted to the kindness of Mr J. 
 G. Hess for the communication of tlrs valuable work, which in 1837 
 existed only in manuscript. It has since been published by some friends 
 of history at Zurich. In my quotations I have preserved the orthography 
 of the original. 
 
 J Ein verrumbter Mann. Ibid. 
 
 § Quadragesimura octavum agimus (I am in my forty-eighth jear), 
 wrote Zwingle to Vadianus, on the 17th of September 1531. 
 
 II Clarus fuit pater ob spectatam vit;e sanctimoniam. Oswald Myco- 
 nius. Vita Zwinj^lii. 
 
THE herdsman's FAMILY YOUNG ULRICH. 285 
 
 as were his sons. No sooner had the first days of May- 
 clothed the mountains with verdure, than the father and his 
 children would set off for the pasture-grounds with their 
 flocks, rising gradually from station to station, and reaching 
 in this way, by the end of July, the lughest summits of the 
 Alps. They then began to return gradually towards the 
 valleys, and in autumn the whole population of the Wild- 
 haus re-entered their humble cottages. Sometimes, during 
 the summer, the young people who should have stayed at 
 home, longing to enjoy the fresh breezes of the mountains, set 
 out in companies for the chalets, accompanying their voices 
 with the melodious notes of their rustic instruments ; for all 
 were musicians. AVhen they reached the Alps, the shep- 
 herds welcomed them from afar with their horns and songs,^ 
 and spread before them a repast of milk; and then th(^ 
 joyous troop, after many devious windings, returned to their 
 valleys to the sound of the bagpipe. In his early youth, 
 Ulrich doubtless sometimes shared in these amusements. 
 He grew up at the'foot of these rocks that seemed everlast- 
 ing, and whose • summits pointed to the skies. " I have 
 often thought," said one of his friends, " that being brought 
 near to heaven on these sublime heights, he there contracted 
 something heavenly and divine.""" 
 
 Long were the winter evenings in the cottages of the 
 AVildhaus. At such a season the youthful Ulrich listened, at 
 the paternal hearth, to the conversations between the bailiflf 
 and the elders of the parish. He heard them relate how the 
 inhabitants of the valley had in former times groaned beneath 
 a heavy yoke. He thrilled with joy at the thought of the 
 independence the Tockenburg had won for itself, and which 
 its alliance v, ith the Swiss had secured. The love of coun- 
 try kindled in his heart ; Switzerland became dear to him ; 
 and if any one chanced to drop a word unfavourable to 
 the confederates, the child would immediately rise up and 
 warmly defend their cause.f Often, too, might he be seen, 
 during these long evenings, quietly seated at the feet of his 
 
 * Divinitatis nonnihil coelo propiorem contraxisse. Oswald MycoDius. 
 Vita Zw. 
 t Schuler's Zw. Bildung. p. 291. 
 
286 ULKlCli AT WESEN. 
 
 pious grandmother, listening, with his eyes fixed on her, to 
 her scripture stories and her pious legends, and eagerly re- 
 ceiving them into his heart. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Ulrich at Wesen and Basle— Ulrich at Berne — The Dominican Convent — 
 Jetzer — The Apparitions — Passion of the Lay-brother — Imposture — 
 Discovery and Punishment — Zwiugle at Vienna and Basle— Music 
 at Basle — Wittembach proclaims the Gospel — Leo Juda — The Priest 
 
 , of Glaris. 
 
 The good amman was charmed at the promising disposition 
 of his son. He perceived that Ulrich might one day do 
 something better than tend herds on Mount Sentis, to the 
 sound of tlie sliepherd's song (rmiz des 'vaches). One day 
 he took him by the hand and led him to Wcsen. He crossed 
 the grassy flanks of the Amnion, and descended the bold and 
 savage rocks that border the Lake of Wallenstadt ; on reach- 
 ing the town, he entered the house of his brother the dean, 
 and intrusted the young mountaineer to his care, that he 
 might examine his capacity."' Ulrich was particularly distin- 
 guished by a natural horror of falsehood, and a great love 
 for truth. He tells us himself, that one day, when he began 
 to reflect, the thought occurred to him that " lying ought to 
 be punished more severely than theft ;" for, adds he, " truth 
 is the mother of all virtues." The dean soon loved his nephew 
 like a son ; and, charmed with his vivacity, he confided his 
 education to a schoolmaster, who in a short time taught 
 him all he knew himself. At ten years of age, the marks of 
 a superior mind were already noticed in the young Ulrich. f 
 His father and his uncle resolved to send him to Basle. 
 When the child of the Tockenburg arrived in this celebrated 
 
 • Tenerrimum adhuc ad fratrem sacrificum |idduxit, ut ingenii ejus 
 periculum faceret. Melch Adanii Vita Zw. p, 25. 
 
 T Und in Ihm erschienen jnerldiche Zeichen eines edlen Gremiiths. 
 BullJnger Chronick. 
 
tJLRICII AT BASLE. 287 
 
 city, with that singlc-mindedness and simplicity of heart 
 which he seems to have inhaled with the pure air of his native 
 mountains, but which really came from a higher source, a 
 new world opened before him. The celebrity of the famous 
 Council of Basle, the university which Pius II. had founded 
 in this city in 1460, the printing-presses which then resusci- 
 tated the masterpieces of antiquity, and circulated through 
 the world the first fruits of the revival of letters ; the resi- 
 dence of distinguished men, Wessel, Wittembach, and especi- 
 ally of that prince of scholars, that sun of the schools, Eras- 
 mus, all rendered Basle, at the epoch of the Reformation, 
 one of the great centres of light in the West. 
 
 Ulrich was placed at St. Theodore'^ school. Gregory Binzli 
 was then at its head, — a man of feeling heart and gentleness 
 rarely found at that period among teachers. Young Zwingle 
 made rapid progress. The learned disputations, then in 
 fashion among the doctors, had descended even to the chil- 
 dren in the schools. Ulrich took part in them ; he disciplined 
 his growing powers against the pupils of other establish- 
 ments, and was always conqueror in these struggles, which 
 were a prelude to those by which he was to overthrow the 
 papacy in Switzerland.* This success filled his elder rivals 
 with jealousy. He soon outgrew the school of Basle, as he 
 had that of We sen. 
 
 Lupulus, a distinguished scholar, had just opened at Berne 
 the first learned institution in Switzerland. The baiUff of 
 Wildhaus and the priest of Wesen resolved to send the boy 
 to it ; Zwingle, in 1-197, left the smiling plains of Basle, and 
 again approached those Upper Alps where his infancy had 
 i.>een spent, and whose snowy tops, gilded by the sun, might 
 be seen from Berne. Lupulus, himself a distinguished poet, 
 introduced his pupil into the sanctuary of classic learning, — 
 a treasure then unknown, and whose ■ threshold had been 
 passed only by a few.f The young neophyte ardently in- 
 haled these perfumes of antiquity. His mind expanded, his 
 style was formed. He became a poet. 
 
 * la disputationibus, quae pro more turn erant inter pueros usitatse, fic- 
 ' toriam semper reportavit. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 t Ab eo in adyta classicornm scriptoriira introductus. Ibid. 
 
288 THE DO:»UNICAN CONVENT. 
 
 Among the convents of Berne, that of the Dominicans was 
 the most celebrated. These monks were engaged in a serious 
 quarrel with the Franciscans. The latter maintained the 
 immaculate conception of the Virgin, which the former denied. 
 Wherever they v/ent, before the dazzling altars that adorned 
 their church, and between the twelve columns that supported 
 its fretted roof, the Dominicans had but one thought — how 
 they mi^ht humble their rivals. They, had remarked Zwin- 
 gle's beautiful voice ; they had heard of his precocious under- 
 standing, and thinking that he might give lustre to their order, 
 endeavoured to attract liim among them,* and invited him 
 to remain in their convent until he was old enough to pass 
 his noviciate. All Zwingle's future career was at stake. The 
 amman of ^\^ildhaus being informed of the lures to w^hich 
 the Dominicans had resorted, trembled for the inexperience 
 of his son, and ordered him to quit Berne immediately. 
 Zwingle thus escaped from these monastic walls within which 
 Luther had entered of his own free-will. What transpired 
 somewhat later may serve to show the imminent danger 
 Zwingle then incurred. 
 
 In 15d7, a great agitation reigned in the city of BernS. 
 A young man of Zurzach, named John Jetzer, having one 
 day presented himself at tliis same Dominican convent, had 
 been repulsed. The poor dejected youth made another at- 
 tempt, and said, holding out fifty-three florins and some 
 pieces of silk, " It is all I possess ; take it, and receive me 
 into your order." He was admitted on the 6th of January 
 among the lay brethren. But on the first night, a stran.i^e 
 noise in his cell filled him with terror. He fled to the con- 
 vent of the Carthusians, v/hence he was sent back to tlie 
 Dominicans. 
 
 On the following* night, the eve of the festival of Saint 
 Matthias, lie Avas awoke by deep groans ; he opened his eyes, 
 and saw a tall white spectral form standing beside his bed. 
 '' I ami," said a sepulchral voice, " a soul escaped from tlie 
 fires of purgatory." The lay brother tremblingly replied : 
 " God help thee ! I can do notliing I'' The phantom then 
 
 * Und als3 er wol sinijen kcendt, Icekten Ihndie prediger mcEncheu in 
 dass Kloster. Bullinger Chronik. 
 
THE APPARITIONS. 289 
 
 advanced towards the poor brother, and seizing him by the 
 throat, indignantly reproached him for his refusal. Jetzer, 
 full of alarm, exclaimed : " What can I do to save thee 2i 
 " Scourge thyself eight days in succession until the blood 
 comes, and lie prostrate on the earth in the Chapel of Saint 
 John." The spectre answered thus and vanished. The lay 
 brother confided the particulars of this apparition to his con- 
 fessor, the convent-preacher, and, by his advice, submitted 
 to the discipline required. It was soon reported through the 
 whole city that a soul had applied to the Dominicans in order 
 to be dehvered from purgatory. The Franciscans were de- 
 serted, and the people ran in crowds to the church, where 
 the holy man was to be seen prostrate on the pavement. The 
 soul from pm'gatory had announced its reappearance in eight 
 days. On the appointed night, it came again, attended by 
 two spirits that tormented it, extorting from it the most 
 frightful groans. " Scotus," said the disturbed spirit, " Scotus, 
 the inventor of the Franciscan doctrine of the immaculate 
 conception of the Virgin, is among those who suffer like 
 horrible torments with me." At this news, which soon spread 
 through Berne, the partisans of the Franciscans were still 
 more dismayed. But the soul, at the moment of disappear- 
 ing, had announced a visit from the Virgin herself. In effect, 
 on the day fixed, the astonished brother saw Mary appear 
 in his cell. He could not believe his eyes. She approached 
 him kindly, gave him three of our Saviour's tears, and as 
 many drops of his blood, with a crucifix and a letter addressed 
 to Pope JuHus II., " who," said she, " is the man selected by 
 God to abolish the festival of His pretended immaculate con- 
 ception." And then, drav/ing still nearer the bed on which the 
 brother lay, she informed liim in a soletnn voice that he was 
 about to experience a signal favour, and at the same time 
 pierced his hand with a nail. The brother uttered a horrible 
 shriek; but Mary wrapt his hand in a cloth that her Son 
 (as she said) had worn at the time of the flight into Egypt. 
 This one wound was not enough ; in order that the glory of 
 the Dominicans might at least equal that of the Franciscans, 
 Jetzer must ha?ve the five wounds of Christ and of St. Francis 
 on his hands, his feet, and his side. The four others were 
 
 VOL. II. 13 
 
290 PASSION OF THE LAY BKOTHER — IMPOSTURE. 
 
 mflictcd, and then, after giving him some drink, he was placed 
 in a hall hung with pictures representing our Lord's passion; 
 flierc he spent many long days without food, and his imagina- 
 tion soon became greatly excited. The monks from time to 
 time opened the doors of this chamber to the people, who 
 came in crowds to contemplate v/ith devout astonishm.ent the 
 brother with his five wounds, stretching out his arms, bend- 
 ing his head, and imitating by his postures and movements 
 the crucifixion of our Lord. At times, he was quite out of his 
 senses ; he foamed at the mouth, and appeared ready to give 
 up the ghost. " He is suffering the cross of Christ," murmured 
 the spectators. The multitude, eager in pursuit of miracles, 
 thronged the convent incessantly. Men who deserve our high- 
 est esteem, even Lupulus himself, Zwingle's teacher, were 
 overcome with fear; and the Dominicans, from their pulpits, 
 boasted of the glory God had conferred upon tlieir order. 
 
 For many years this order had felt the necessity of hum- 
 bling the Franciscans and of increasing by means of miracles 
 the respect and liberahty of the people. The theatre selected 
 for these operations was Berne, " a simple, rude, and igno- 
 rant city," as it had been styled by the sub-prior of Berne 
 in a chapter held at Wimpfen on the Neckar. To the prior, 
 sub-prior, chaplain, and purveyor of the convent were as- 
 signed the principal parts, but they were not able to play 
 them out. A new apparition of Mary having taken place, 
 Jetzer fancied he recognised his confessor's voice ; and on 
 saying so aloud, Mary disappeared. She came again to 
 censure the incredulous brother. " This time it is the prior," 
 exclaimed Jetzer, rushing on him with a knife in his hand. 
 The saint flung a pewter platter at the head of the poor 
 brother, and vanished. 
 
 Alarmed at the discovery Jetzer had made, the Domini- 
 cans endeavoured to get rid of him by poison. He de- 
 tected their treachery, and having escaped from the con- 
 vent, revealed their imposture. They put a good face on the 
 matter, and sent deputies to Rome. The pope empowered 
 his legate in Switzerland, and the bishops of Lausanne and 
 Sion, to inquire into the affair. The four Dominicans were 
 convicted and condemned to be burnt aUve, and on the 1st 
 
ZT\1NGLE AT VIENNA AND BASLE. 291 
 
 of May 1509, they perished at the stake m the presence of 
 more than thirty thousand spectators. The rumour of this 
 imposture circulated througli Europe, and by laying bare one 
 of the greatest sores of the Church, prepared the way for the 
 Reformation.* 
 
 Such were the men from whose hands the youthful Ulrich 
 Zwingle escaped. He had studied pohte letters at Berne ; 
 he had now to study philosophy, and for this purpose went 
 to Vienna in Austria. The companions of Ulrich's studies 
 and amusements in the capital of Austria were a young 
 man of Saint Gall, Joachim Vadian, w^hose genius promised 
 to adorn Switzerland Arith a learned scholar and a dis- 
 tinguished statesman ; *ilenry Loreti, of the canton of Glaris, 
 better known as Glarean, and who appeared destined to 
 shine as a poet ; and a young Swabian, John Ileigerlin, 
 the son of a blacksmith, and hence called Faber, a man 
 of pliant character, proud of honours *and renown, and 
 who gave promise of ail the qualities requisite to form a 
 courtier. 
 
 Zwingle returned to Wildhaus in 1502 ; but on revisiting 
 liis native mountains, he felt that he had quaffed of the cup 
 of learning, and that he could not live amidst the songs of 
 Jiis brothers, and the lowing of their herds. Being now 
 eighteen years of age, he again repaired to Basle-j- to con- 
 tinue his literary pursuits ; and there, at once master and 
 scholar, he taught in Saint Martin's school, and studied at 
 the university ; from that time he was able to do without 
 the assistance of his parents. Not long after he took the 
 degree of Master of Arts. An Alsatian, Capito by name, 
 who was his elder by nine years, was one of his greatest 
 friends. 
 
 Zwingle now applied to the study of scholastic divinity ; 
 for as he would one day be called to expose its sophistry, 
 it was necessary that he should first explore its gloomy 
 labyrinths. But tlie joyous student of the Sentis mountains 
 
 Wirz, Helvetische Kirchen, Gesch. iii. 387 ; Anshelm's Chronik, 
 iii. and iv. No transaction of that day ever gave rise to so many pub- 
 lications. See Haller's Biblioth. der Schw. Gesch. iii. 
 
 t Ne diutius ab exercitio literarum cessaret. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
2&2 MUSIC AT BASLE. 
 
 miglit "be seen suddenly shaking off the dust of the schools, 
 and changing his philosophic toils for innocent amusements ; 
 he would take up one of his numerous musical instruments 
 (the lute, harp, violin, flute, dulcimer, or hunting horn), 
 draw from them some cheerful air, as in the pasture-grounds 
 of Lisighaus ; make his ov^m chamber or that of his friends 
 re-echo with the tunes of his native place, or accompany 
 them with his songs. In his love for music he was a real 
 child of the Tockenburg, — a master among many.* He 
 played on other instruments besides those we have already 
 named. Enthusiastic in the art, he spread a taste for it 
 through the university ; not that he was fond of dissipation, 
 but because he liked by this means to^elax his mind, fatigued 
 by serious study, and to put himself in a condition to return 
 with greater zeal to such arduous pursuits.^ None possessed 
 a livelier disposition, or more amiable character, or more at- 
 tractive conversational powers.^ He was like a A^igorous 
 Alpine tree, expanding in all its strength and beauty, and 
 which, as yet unpruned, throws out its healthy branches in 
 every direction. The time will come for these branches 
 to shoot with fresh vigour towards heaven. 
 
 After having plunged into the scholastic divinity, he 
 quitted its barren wastes with weariness and disgust, having 
 only found therein a medley of confused ideas, empty 
 babbling, vain-glory, and barbarism, but not one atom of 
 sound doctrine. " It is a mere loss of time," said he, and he 
 waited his hour. 
 
 In November 1505, Thomas Wittembach, son of a burgo- 
 master of Bienne, arrived at Basle. Hitherto he had been 
 teaching at Tubingen, at the side of Reuchlin. He was in 
 the flower of life, sincere, pious, skilled in the liberal arts, 
 the mathematics, and.in the knowledge of Scripture. Zwingle 
 and all the youths of the academy immediately flocked 
 
 * Ich habe auch nie von Keinem gehoert, der in der Kunst Musica 
 
 60 erfahren gewesen. B. Weysen, Fiisslin Beytrage zur Ref. Gesch. iv. 
 35. 
 
 + Ut ingenium seriis defatigatum recrearetur et paratius ad solita 
 Btudia rediretur Melch. Adami Vita Zw. 
 
 X Ingenio amcenus, et ore jucundus, supra quam dici possit, erat, Osw. 
 Myc. VitaZw. 
 
WITTEMBACH LEO JUDA. 293 
 
 around him. A life till then unknown animated his lectures, 
 and prophetic words fell from his lips. " The hour is not far 
 distant," said he, " in which the scholastic theology will be 
 set aside, aitd the old doctrines of the Church revived."* — ■ 
 ^ Christ's death," added he, " is the only ransom for our 
 souls."-]- Zwingle's heart eagerly received these seeds ot 
 hfe.| This was at the period when classical studies were 
 beginning every^vhere to replace the scholasticism of the 
 Mddle Ages. Zwingle, like his inaster and his friends, 
 rushed into this new path. 
 
 Among the students who were most attentive to the lessons 
 of the new doctor, was a young man twenty-three years old, 
 of small statilre, of weak and sickly frame, but whose looks 
 announced both gentfeness and intrepidity. This was"lLeo 
 Juda, the son of an Alsatian parish-priest, and whose uncle 
 had died at Rhodes fighting under the banners of the 
 Teutonic knights in the defence of Christendom. Leo and 
 Ulrich became infimate friends. Leo played on the dulcimer 
 and had a very fine voice. Often did his chamber re-echo 
 with the cheerful songs of these young friends of the arts. 
 Leo Juda afterwards became Zwingle's colleague, and even 
 death could not destroy so holy a friendship. 
 
 The office of pastor of Glaris became vacani at this time. 
 One of the pope's youthful courtiers, Henri GokUi, his 
 Holiness's equerry, and who was already the possessor of 
 several benefices, hastened to Glaris with the pontiff's letter 
 of nomination. But the shepherds of Glaris, proud of the 
 antiquity of their race and of their struggles in the cause of 
 liberty, did not feel inclined to bend their heads before a 
 slip of parchment from Rome. Wildhaus is not far from 
 Glaris, and Wesen, of which ZA\'ingle's uncle was the in- 
 cumbent, is the place where these people hold their markets. 
 The reputation of the young master of arts of Basle had ex- 
 tended even to these mountains, and him the people of 
 
 * Et doctrinam Ecclesise veterem instaurari oporteat. Gualterus, 
 
 Misc. Tig. iii. 102. 
 
 + Der Tod Christy sey die einige Bezahlung fiir unsere Siinde 
 
 Fiisslin Beytr. ii. 268, 
 
 J Q,uum a tauto viro semma qucedam Zvvingliano pectori injecta 
 
 essent. Loo Jud. in Praef. ad, Ann. Zw. in N. T. 
 
294 PASSION FOR WAR. 
 
 Glaris desired to have for their priest. They invited him in 
 1506. Zwingle was ordained "at Constance by the bishojD, 
 preached his first sermon at Rappers wyl read his first mass 
 at Wildhaus on St. Michael's day, in the presence of all his 
 relations and the friends of his family, and about the end of 
 the year arrived at Glaris. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Fondness for "War— Scliinner— Pension from the Poi^e— The Labyrinth 
 — Zwingle in Italy — Principle of Reform — Zwingle and Luther — 
 Zwfngle and Erasmus— Zwingle and the ancient Classics— Paris and 
 Glaris. 
 
 Zwingle immediately applied himself with zeal to the 
 duties of his large parish. Yet he was" but twenty-two 
 years old, and often permitted himself to be led away by 
 dissipation, and by the relaxed ideas of the age. As a 
 Romish priest, he did not differ from all the surrounding 
 clergy. But even at this time, when the evangelical doctrine 
 had not changed his heart, he never gave rise to those 
 scandals which often afflicted the Church,* and always 
 felt the necessity of subjecting his passions to the holy 
 standard of the Gospel. 
 
 A fondness for war at that time inflamed the tranquil 
 valleys of Glaris. There dwelt the famihes of heroes — the 
 Tchudis, the Walas, the (Eblis, whose blood had flowed on 
 the field of battle. The aged warriors would relate to the 
 youths, delighted at these recitals, their exploits in the wars 
 of Burgundy and Swabia, and the combats of St. Jacques 
 and of Ragaz. But, alas! it was no longer against the 
 enemies of their independence that these warlike shepherds 
 took up arms. They might be seen, at the voice of the 
 king of France, of the emperor, of the duke of Milan, or even 
 
 * Sic reverentia pudoris, imprimis autem officii diviuj, perpetuo cavit.. 
 Osw. Myc, Vit. Zw. 
 
SCHINNER. 295 
 
 of the lioly fiither himself, descending like an avalanche from 
 the Alps, and dashing Avith a noise of thunder against the 
 troops drawn up in the plains. 
 
 As a poor boy named Matthew Schinner, who attended 
 the school of Sion, in tlie Valais (about the middle of the 
 second half of the iiftcenth century), was singing one day in 
 the streets, as the young Martin Luther did a little later, he 
 heard liis name called by an old man. The latter, struck by the 
 freedom with wliidi the child answered his questions, said to 
 him with that prophetic tone which a man is thought some- 
 times to possess on the brink of the grave : " Thou shalt be a 
 bishop and a prince."* These words struck the youthful men- 
 dicant, and from that moment a boundless ambition entered 
 his soul. At Zurich and at Como he made such progress as to 
 surprise his masters. He became priest of a small parish in 
 the Valais, rose rapidly, and being sent to Eome somev/hat 
 later to demand of the pope the confirmation of a bishop of 
 Sion, who had just been elected, he obtained this bisliopric 
 for himself, and entnrcled his brows with the episcopal mitre. 
 This ambitious and crafty though often noble-minded and 
 generous man, never considered any dignity but as a step to 
 mount still highpr. Having offered his services to Louis XIL, 
 and at the same time naming his price : " It is too much 
 for one man," said the king. " I wall show him," replied 
 the exasperated Bishop of Sion, " that I, alone, am worth 
 many men." In effect, he turned towards Pope Julius IL, 
 who gladly v\^elcomed him; and, in 1510, Schinner succeeded 
 in attaching the whole Swiss confederation to the policy of 
 this warlike pontiff. The bishop was rewarded by a cardi- 
 nal's hat, and he smiled as he now saw but one step between 
 him and the papal throne. 
 
 Schinners eyes wandered continually over the cantons of 
 Switzerland, and as soon as he discovered an influential 
 man in any place, he hastened to attach him to himself. The 
 pastor of Glaris fixed his attention, and Zwingle learnt ere- 
 long that the pope had granted him a yearly pension of fifty 
 florins, to encourage him in his literary pursuits. His 
 poverty did not permit him to buy books ; this money, dur- 
 * Helvet. Kirch, Gesch. von Wirz, iii. 314. 
 
296 THE LABYRINTH. 
 
 ing the short time Ulrich received it, was entirely devoted 
 to the purchase of classical or theological works, which he 
 procured from Basle.* Zwingle from that time attached 
 himself to the cardinal, and thus entered the Roman party. 
 Schinner and Julius II. at last betrayed the object of their 
 intrigues ; eight thousand Swiss, whom the eloquence of the 
 cardinal-bishop had enlisted, crossed the Alps ; but want of 
 provisions, with the arms and money of the French, made 
 them return ingloriously to their mountains. They carried 
 back with them the usual concomitants of these foreign wars 
 — distrust, licentiousness, party-spirit, violence, and disor- 
 ders of every kind. Citizens refused to obey their magis- 
 trates ; children their parents ; agriculture and the cares of 
 their flocks and herds were neglected ; luxury and beggary 
 increased side by side; the holiest ties were broken, and 
 the Confederation seemed on the brink of dissolution. 
 
 Then were the eyes of the young priest of Claris opened, 
 and his indignation burst forth. His pow^erful voice was 
 raised to warn the people of the gulf into which they were 
 about to fall. It was in the year 1510 that he pubhshed his 
 poem entitled The Labyrinth. "Within the mazes of this 
 mysterious garden, Minos has concealed the Minotaur, that 
 monster, half-man, half-bull, whom he feeds with the bodies 
 of the young Athenians. " This Minotaur," says Zwingle,- 
 " represents the sins, the vices, the irreligion, the foreign 
 service of the Swiss, which devour the sons of the nation." 
 
 A bold man, Theseus, determines to rescue his countiy ; 
 but numerous obstacles arrest him : — first, a one-eyed Uon ; 
 this is Spain and Aragon: — then a crowned eagle, whose beak 
 opens to swallow him up ; this is the Empire : — then a cock, 
 raising its crest, and seeming to challenge to the fight ; this 
 is France. The hero surmounts all these obstacles, reaches 
 the monster, slays him, and saves his country. 
 
 " In like manner," exclaims the poet, " are men ijow wan- 
 dering in a labyrinth, but, as they have no clue, they can- 
 not regain the light. Nowhere do we find an imitation of 
 Jesus Christ. A little glory leads us to risk our lives, tor- 
 ment our neighbour, and rush into disputes, war, and battle. 
 ♦ Welches er an die Biiclicr vcrwUhdet. Bullinger Chronik. 
 
ZWINGLE IN ITALY. 297 
 
 One might imagine that. the furies had broken loose 
 
 from the abyss of hell."* 
 
 A Theseus, a reformer was needed ; this Zwingle per- 
 ceived clearly, and henceforth he felt a presentiment of his 
 mission. Shortly after, he composed an allegory, the mean- 
 ing of which was less enigmatical.f 
 
 In April 1512, the confederates again arose at the voice 
 of the cardinal for the defence of the Church. Glaris was in 
 the foremost rank. The whole parish took the field under 
 their banner, with the landamman and their pastor. Zwingle 
 was compelled to march with them. The army passed the 
 Alps, and the cardinal appeared in the midst of the con- 
 federates decorated with the pontiffs presents ; — a ducal cap 
 ornamented with pearls and gold, and surmounted by the 
 Holy Ghost represented under the form of a dOve. The 
 Swiss scaled the ramparts of fortresses and the walls of 
 cities ; and in the presence of their enemies swam naked 
 across rivers, halberd in hand. The French were defeated 
 at every point; bells and trumpets pealed their notes of 
 triumph ; the people crowded around them from all quarters; 
 the nobles furnished the army with wine and fruits in 
 abundance; monks and priests mounted the pulpits, and 
 proclaimed that the confederates were the people of God, 
 who avenged the Bride of the Lord on her enemies ; and the 
 pope, a prophet like Caiaphas of old, conferred on them the 
 title x)f " Defenders of the Liberty of the Church." J 
 
 This sojourn in Italy was not without its influence on 
 'Zwingle as regards his call to the Reformation. On his 
 return from this campaign, he began to study Greek, " in 
 order (as he said) to be able to draw from the fountain-head 
 
 of truth the doctrines of Jesus Christ.^ I am determined to 
 
 • 
 
 * Das wir die hoellschen wiiterinn'ri 
 Moegend deiiken abbrochen syn. 
 Zw. 0pp. (Edit. Schiller et Schulthess), ii. second part, 250. 
 + Fabelgedicht vom Ochsen und etlichen Thieren, iez loufender dinge 
 begrifFenlich. Ibid. 257. 
 
 X De Gestis inter G alios et Helveties, relatio H. ^jvinglii. 
 § Ante decern annos, operaru dedi grsecis literis, ut ex fontibus doc- 
 trinam Chri^ti haurire possem. Zw. 0pp. i. 274, in his Explan. Artio. 
 ■which bears the date of 1523. 
 
 13* 
 
298 PRINCIPLE OF THE REFORMATION. 
 
 apply myself to Greek," wrote he to Vadian on the 23d of 
 February 1513, '' that no one shall be able to turn me 
 aside from it, except God: I do it, not for glory, but for 
 the love of sacred learning." Somewhat later, a worthy 
 priest, who had been his schoolfellow, coming to see him : 
 " Master Ulrich," said he, " I am informed that you are 
 falling into this new error; that you are a Lutheran." — " I 
 am not a Lutheran," said Zwingle, " for I learned Greek 
 before I had ever heard the name of Luther."* To know 
 Greek, to study the Gospel in the original language, was, in 
 Zwingle's opinion, the basis of the Reformation. 
 
 Zwingle went farther than merely acknowledging at this 
 early period the grand principle of evangelical Christianity, 
 — the infallible authority of Holy Scripture. He perceived, 
 moreover, how we should determine the sense of the Divine 
 Word : " They have a very mean idea of the Gospel," s^id 
 he, "who consider as frivolous, vain, and unjust, all that, 
 they imagine does not accord with their own reason.-|- Men 
 are not permitted to wrest the Gospel at pleasure that it may 
 square with their own sentiments and interpretation." J — 
 " Zwingle turned his eyes to heaven," says his best friend, 
 " for he would have no other interpreter than the Holy Ghost 
 himself." § 
 
 Such, at the commencement of his career, was the man 
 whom certain persons have not hesitated to represent as 
 having desired to subject the Bible to human reason. 
 "Philosophy and divinity," said he, "were always raising 
 objections. At last I said to myself: I must neglect all 
 these matters, and look for God's will in his Word alone. I 
 began (continues he) earnestly to entreat the Lord to grant 
 me his light, and although I read the Scrip^j^ires only, they be- 
 came clearer to me than if I had read all the commentators." 
 
 * Ich hab grsecse konnen, ehe ich ni uut von Luther gehdt hab. Salat. 
 Chronik. MS. 
 
 f Nihil sublimius de evangelio sentiuut, quam quod, quidquid eorum 
 rationi non est consentaneum, hoc iniquum, vanum et frivolum existi- 
 mant. Zw. 0pp. i. 202. 
 
 t Nee posse evaagelium ad sensum et interpretationem hommum 
 redigi. Ibid. 215. 
 
 § In ccelum suspexit, doctorem quaerens Spiritum. Osw. Myc Vita 
 Zw. 
 
ZWINGLE AND LUTHER. 299 
 
 He compared Scripture with itself; explaining obscure pas- 
 sages by those that arc clear * He soon knew the Bible 
 thoroughly, and particularly the Ncav Testament.-]- When 
 Zwingle thus turned towards Holy Scripture, Switzerland 
 took its first step towards the Reformation. Accordingly, 
 when he explained the Scriptures, every one felt that his 
 teaching came from God, and not from man. J: " All-divine 
 work !" exclaimed Oswald Myconius; " it is thus we recovered 
 the knowledge of the truth from heaven !" 
 
 Zwingle did not, however, contemn the explanations of 
 the most celebrated doctors : in after-years he studied 
 Origen, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Chrysostom, but 
 not as authorities. " I study tlie doctors," said he, " with 
 the same end as when we ask a friend : How do you 
 understand this passage ?" Holy Scripture, in his opinion, 
 was the touchstone by v.diich to test the holiest doctors 
 themselves. § 
 
 Zwingle's course was slow, but progTCSsive. He did not 
 arrive at the truth, like Luther, by those storms which impel 
 the soul to run hastily to its harbour of refuge ; he reached 
 it by the peaceful influence of Scriptiu-e, v/hose power ex- 
 pands gradually in tlie heart. Luther attained the wished- 
 for shore through tlie storms of tiie wide ocean ; Zwingle, by 
 gliding softly down the stream. These are the two principal 
 ways by which the Almighty leads men. Zwingle was 
 not fully converted to God and to his Gospel until the earlier 
 years of his residence at Zurich ; yet the moment when, in 
 1514 or 1515, this strong man bent the knee before God, in 
 prayer for the understanding of his Word, Avas that in which 
 jippeared the first glimmering rays of tlie bright day that 
 afterwards beamed upon him. 
 
 About this period one of Erasmus's poems, in which Jesus 
 Christ is introduced ^addressing mankind perishing through 
 their own fault, made a deep impression on Zwingle. Alone in 
 
 * Scripta contulit et obscura claris elucidavit. Osw, Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 + In summa, er macht im, die H. Schrifft, Insonders dass N. T. gantz 
 gemein. riullinger MS. 
 
 X Ut nemo non viderot Spiritnra doctorem, nou horainem. Osw. Myc. 
 Vita Z^Y. 
 
 § Scriptura canouica, sou Lydio lapide probandos. Ibid. 
 
300 ZWIMGLE AND THE CLASSICS. 
 
 his closet, he repeated to himself that passage in which Jesus 
 complains that men do not seek every grace from him, al- 
 though he is the source of all that is good. " All," said 
 Zwingle, " all." And this word was ever present to his 
 mind. " Are there, then, any creatures, any saints, of whom 
 we should beg assistance ? No : Christ is our only treasure."* 
 
 Zwingle did not restrict himself to the study of christian 
 letters. One of the characteristic features of the reformers 
 of the sixteenth century is their profound study of the Greek 
 and Roman A^Titers. Th-e poems of Hesiod, Homer, and 
 Pindar possesse^d great charms for Zwingle, and he has left 
 some commentaries or characteristics of the two last poets. 
 It seemed to him that Pindar spoke of the gods in so subHmc 
 a strain that he must have felt a presentiment of the true 
 God. He studied Demosthenes and Cicero thoroughly, and 
 in their writings learnt the art of oratory and the duties of a 
 citizen. Hccalled Seneca a holy man. The child of the Swiss 
 mountains dehghted also to investigate the mysteries of 
 nature in the works of Pliny. Thucydides, Sallust, Livy, 
 Csesar, Suetonius, Plutarch, and Tacitus taught him the 
 knowledge of mankind. He has been reproached with his 
 enthusiasm for the great men of antiquity, and it is true that 
 some of his expressions on this subject admit of no justifica- 
 tion. But if he honoured them so highly, it was because he 
 fancied he discerned in them, not mere human virtues, but 
 the influence of the Holy Ghost. In his opinion, God's in- 
 fluence, far from being limited in ancient times by the bound- 
 aries of Palestine, extended over the whole world.-|- " Plato,'' 
 said he, " has also drunk at this heavenly spring. And if 
 the two Catos, Scipio, and Camillus, had not been truly 
 religious, could they have been so high-minded ?"| 
 
 Zwingle communicated a taste for letters to all around 
 him. Many intelligent young men were educated at his 
 school. " You have offered me not only books, but yourself 
 
 * Dass Christus unaer araien seelen ein einziger Schatz sey. Zw. Opp, 
 i. 298. Zwingle said in 1.V23 that he had read this poem of Erasmus's 
 some eight ar nine years before. 
 
 t Spiritus ille ccelestis non solam Palestinam vel creaverat vel fovebat. 
 Bed mundum universura. ■ CEcol. and Zw. Epp. p. 9. 
 
 t Nisi religiopi, nunqiiam fuissent magnanimi. Ibid. 
 
GLARIS AND PARIS. 301 
 
 also," wrote Valentine Tschudi, son of one of the heroes in 
 the Burgundian wars ; and this young man, who had already- 
 studied at Vienna and Basle under the most celebrated doc- 
 tors, added : " I have found no one who could explain the 
 classic authors with such acumen and profundity as your- 
 self."* Tschudi went to Paris, and thus was able to compare 
 the spirit that prevailed in this university with that which 
 he had found in a narrow valley of the Alps, over which 
 soared the gigantic summits and eternal snows of the Dodi, 
 the Glarnisch, the Viggis and the Freyberg. " In what 
 frivolities do they educate the French youth !" said he. " No 
 poison can equal the sophistical art that they are taught. 
 It dulls the senses, weakens the judgment, and brutalizes 
 the man, who then becomes, as it were, a mere echo, an empty 
 sound. Ten women could not make head against one of 
 these rhetoricans.-j- Even in their prayers, I am certain, 
 they bring their sophisms before God, and by their syllogisms 
 presume to constrain the Holy Spirit to answer them." 
 Such were at that time Paris, the intellectual metropolis of 
 Christendom, and Glaris, a village of herdmen among the 
 Alps. One ray of light from God's Word enlightens more 
 than all the wisdom of man. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Z^Tingle to Erasmus — Oswald Myconius — The Robbers — (Ecolampadius 
 — Zwingle at Marignan — Zwingte and Italy— Zwingle's Method— Com- 
 raencemeut of the Reform — Discovery— Passage from one World to 
 the other. 
 
 A GREAT man of that age, Erasmus, exercised much influ- 
 ence over Zwingle. No sooner did one of his writings ap- 
 
 * Nam qui sit acrioris in enodandis auctoribus judicii, vidi neminem 
 Zw. Epp. p. 13. 
 
 •f" Ut nee decern mulierculae uni sophistae adaequari queant. Ibid, 
 
 p. 45. 
 
302 ZWIXGLE AND EPwASMUS. 
 
 pear than Zwiiigle hastened to purchase it. In 1514, Eras- 
 mus arrived in Basle, where tlie bishop received him with 
 every mark of esteem. All the friends of learning immedi- 
 ately assembled around h'lm. But the prince of the schools 
 had easily discovered him who was to be the glory of Swit- 
 zerland. " I congratulate the Helvetians," wrote he to 
 Zw^ingle, " that you are labouring to polish and civilize 
 them by yoiu- studies and your morals, which are alike of 
 the highest order."* Zwingle earnestly longed to see him. 
 " Spaniards and Gauls went to Rome to see Livy," said he, 
 and set out. On arriving at Basle, he found there a man 
 about forty years of age, of small stature, weak frame, and 
 delicate appearance, but exceedingly amiable and polite.-{- 
 It was Erasmus. His agreeable manners soon banished 
 Zwingle's timidity; the power of his genius subdued him. 
 " Poor as JEschines," said he, " when each of Socrates' 
 disciples offered their master a present, I give you what 
 
 yEschines gave I give you myself!" 
 
 Among the men of learning who then formed the court of 
 Erasmus, — such as Amerbach, Rhenanus, Frobenius, Nes- 
 senus, and Glarean, — Zwingle noticed one Oswald Geiss- 
 hiissler, a young man of Lucerne, twenty-seven years old. 
 Erasmus hellenized his name, and called him ^lyconius. 
 We shall generally speak of him by his baptismal appella- 
 tion, to distinguish the friend of Zwingle from Frederick 
 Myconius, the disciple of Luther. Oswald, after studying at 
 Rothwyl with a youth of his own age named Berthold Haller, 
 and next at Berne and at Basle, had become rector of Saint 
 Theodore's school, and afterwards of Saint Petrr's in the 
 latter city. The humble schoolmaster, though possessed of 
 a scanty income, had married a young woman wiiose sim- 
 plicity and purity of mind won all hearts. We have already 
 seen that this was a time of trouble in Switzerland, in which 
 foreign v/ars gave rise to violent disorders, and the soldiers, 
 returning to their country, brought back with them their 
 
 * Tu, tuique similes optimis etiam studiis ac moribus et expolietis et 
 nobilitabitis. Zw. Epp. p. 10. 
 
 + Et corpusculo hoc tuo minuto, verum minime inconcinuo, urbaois- 
 sime gestientem videre videar. Ibid. 
 
0SV7AWJ :.lYCONILS — TJIK RUFFIANS. 303 
 
 campaigning habits of licentiousness and brutality. One 
 dark and cloudy day in winter, some of' these ruffians 
 attacked Oswald's xjuiet dwelling in his absence. They 
 knocked at the door, threw stones, and called for his modest 
 wife in the most indecent language ; at last they dashed in 
 the windows, and entering the schoolroom, broke every 
 thing they could find, and then retired. Oswald returned 
 shortly after. His son, little Felix, ran to meet him Avitli 
 loud cries, and his wife, unable to speak, made signs of the 
 utmost affright. He perceived what had happened to him. 
 At tlie same moment, a noise was heard in the street.. Un- 
 able to control his feelings, the schoolmaster seized a weapon, 
 and pursued the rioters to the cemetery. They took refuge 
 within it, prepared to defend themselves : three of their 
 number fell upon Myconius, and wounded him ; and v/hile 
 his wound was dressing, those Avretches again broke into his 
 house with furious cries. Oswald says no more.* Such 
 w^ere the scenes that took place in the cities of Switzerland 
 at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and before the 
 Reformation had softened and disciplined the manners. 
 
 The integrity of Oswald Myconius, his thirst for know- 
 ledge and virtue, brought him into contact with Zwingle. The 
 rector of the school of Basle recognised the superiority of the 
 priest of Glaris. In his humility he shrunk from the praises 
 lavished on him both by Zwingle and Erasmus. The latter 
 w^ould often say : " I look npon you schoolmasters as the 
 peers of kings." But the modest Myconius was of a different 
 opinion. " I do but crawl upon the earth ; from my child- 
 hood,' there has been something humble and mean about 
 me."i 
 
 A preacher who had arrived in Basle at nearly the same 
 time as Zvringle was then attracting general attention. Of a 
 mild and peaceful disposition, he loved a tranquil life ; slow 
 and circumspect in action, his chief dehght was to labour in 
 his study and to promote concord among all Christians.! His 
 
 * Erasmi Laus Stultitife, cum annot. Myconii. 
 
 + Equidem humi repere didici hactenus, et est natura nescio quid 
 humile vel a cunabulis in me. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 X Ingenio miti et traaquillo, pacis et coucordiae studiosissimus. Melch. 
 Ad. Vit. (Ecol. p. 58. 
 
804 CECOLAMPADIUS. 
 
 name was John Hausscliein, in Greek Q^colampadius, or 
 "the hght of the house;" he was bom in Franconia, of 
 rich parents, a year befol'e Zwingle. His pious mother de- 
 sired to consecrate to learning* and to God the only child 
 that Providence had left her. His father at first destined 
 him to business, and tlien to jurisprudence. But after CEco- 
 lampadius had returned from Bologna, where he had been 
 studying the law, the Lord, who was pleased to make Bim 
 a light in the Church,* called him to the study of theology. 
 He was preaching in his native town, when Capito, who 
 had known him at Heidelberg, got him appointed .preacher 
 at Basle. He there proclaimed Christ with an eloquence 
 which filled his hearers with admiration.-}- Erasmus admit- 
 ted him into his intimacy. (Ecolampadius was charmed 
 with the hours he passed in the society of this great genius. 
 " There is but one thing," said the monarch of learning to 
 him, " that we should look for in Holy Scripture, and that 
 is Jesus Christ." J He gave tlie youthful preacher, as a me- 
 morial of his friendship, tlie commencement of the Gospel of 
 St. John. Q^colampadius would often kiss this pledge of 
 so valued an afi^ection, and kept it suspended to his crucifix, 
 " in order," said he, " that I may always remember Erasmus 
 in my prayers." 
 
 Zwingle returned to his native mountains, his heart and 
 mind full of all he had seen and heard* at Basle. " I should 
 be unable to sleep," wrote he to Erasmus shortly after his 
 return, " if I had not held some conversation with you. 
 There is nothing I am prouder of than of having seen Eras- 
 mus." Zwingle had received a new impulse. Such journeys 
 often exercise a great influence over the career of a Christian. 
 Zwingle's pupils — Valentine, Jost, with Louis Peter and 
 Egidius Tschudi; his friends — the landamman JEbh, the 
 priest Binzli of Wesen, Fridolin Brunncr, and the celebrated 
 professor Glarean, were delighted to see him increase in 
 
 * Flectente et vocante Deo, qui eo in domo sua pro lampade usurus 
 erat. Melch. Ad. Vit. CEcol. p. 46. 
 
 + Omnium vere spiritualium et eruditorum admiratione Christum prae- 
 dicavit. Ibid. 
 
 X Nihil in sacris literis prseter Christum qugerendum. Erasm. Epp. 
 p. 403. 
 
ZWINGLE AT MARIGNAN. 30& 
 
 knowledge and in wisdom. The old respected him as a 
 courageous patriot ; the faithful pastors, as a zealous minis- 
 ter of the Lord. Nothing was done in the country without 
 his being first consulted. All good people hoped that the 
 ancient virtues of SvYitzerland would be one day revived by 
 him.* 
 
 Francis I. having ascended the throne, and desiring to 
 avenge in Italy the honour of the French name, the pope in 
 consternation endeavoured to gain over the cantons. Thus, 
 in 1515, Ulrich again visited the plains of Italy in the midst 
 of the phalanxes of his countrymen. But the dissensions 
 that the intrigues of the French sowed in the confederate 
 army wrung his heart. Often raiglit he be seen in the midst 
 of the camp haranguing with energy, and at the same time 
 with great wisdom, an audience armed from head to foot, 
 and ready for the fight. -|- On the 8 th of September, five 
 days before the battle of Marignan, he preached in the 
 square of Monza, where the Swiss soldiers who had re- 
 mained faithful to their colours were assembled. " If we 
 had then, and even later, followed Zwingle's advice," said 
 Werner Steiner of Zug, " what evils would our country have 
 been spared ! " But all ears were shut against the voice of 
 concord, prudence, and submission. The impetuous elo- 
 quence of Cardinal Schinner electrified the confederates, and 
 impelled them to rush like a toiTent to the fatal field of 
 Marignan. The flower of the Helvetian youth perished 
 there. Zwingle, who had been unable to prevent such dis- 
 asters, threw himself, in the cause of Rome, into the midst 
 of danger. His hand wielded the sword. | A melancholy 
 error ! A minister of Christ, he forgot more than once that 
 he should fight only with the weapons of the Spirit, and 
 he was destined to see fulfilled, in his own person, this 
 prophecy of our Lord ; Theif that take the sicord, shall perish 
 with the sicord. 
 
 Zwingle and the Swiss hAd been unable to save Rome. 
 
 * Justitiam avitam per hunc olim restitutam iri. Osw. Myc. Vita Z\v. 
 + In dem Heerlager hat er Flyssig geprediget. Bullinger Chron. 
 t In den Schla<4>ten sich redlich imd dapfer gestcllt mit Rathen, Wor- 
 ten und Thaten. Ibid. 
 
306 ZWaNGLE AND ITALY. 
 
 The ambassador of Venice was tlie first in the pontifical city 
 to hear of the defeat at Marlgnan. Quite elated, he repaired 
 early in the morning to the Vatican. The pope left his 
 chamber half dressed to give him an audience. When I.eo X. 
 heard the news, he did not conceal his terror. In this moment 
 of alarm he saw only Francis I., and had no hope but in 
 him : "• My lord ambassador," said he tremblingly to Zorsi, 
 *' we must throw ourselves into the arms of the king, and 
 cry for mercy !"* Luther and Zwingle, in their dangers, knew 
 another arm, and invoked another mercy.. 
 
 This second visit to Italy was not unprofitable to Zwingle. 
 He remarked the difterence between the Ambrosian ritual in 
 use at Milan and that of Rome. He collected and com- 
 pared with each other the most ancient canons of the mass. 
 Thus a spirit of inquiry was developed in him, even amid 
 the tumult of camps. At the same time the sight of the 
 children of his fatherland, led beyond the Alps and delivered 
 up to slaughter hke their herds, filled him Avith indignation. 
 It was a common saying, that " the fiesh of the confederates 
 was cheaper than tlipvt of their kine." The faithlessness and 
 ambition of the pope,-]- the avarice and ignorance of the 
 priests, the licentiousness and dissipation of the monks, the 
 pride and luxury of the prelates, the corruption and venality 
 that infected the Swiss on every side — all these evils forced 
 themselves upon his attention, and made him feel more 
 keenly than ever the necessity of a reform in the Church. 
 
 From this time Zwingle preached the Word of God more 
 clearly. He explained the portions of the Gospels and 
 Epistles selected for the public services, always comparing 
 scripture with scripture.^ He spoke with animation and 
 with power,§ and pursued with his hearers the same course 
 that God had adopted with him. He did not, like Luther, 
 expose the sores of the Church; but in proportion as the 
 
 * Domine orator, vederemo quel fara il re Christiauissimo se metteremo 
 in le so man dimandando misericordia. Zorsi Relatione MS. 
 
 + Bellissimo parlador (Leo X.) promctea assa ma nou atendea. Re- 
 latione. MS. di Gradenigo, vcnuto orator di Roma. 
 
 X Non hominum commentis, sed sola scripturaram biblicarum colla- 
 tione. Zw. 0pp. i. 273. » 
 
 § Sondern auch mit predigen, davrincn er hcftig wass. Bulliuger MSL 
 
zwingle's method- -beginning of the keformation. 307 
 
 study of the Bible manifested to him any useful lesson, he 
 communicated it to his flock. He* endeavoured to instil the 
 truth into their hearts, and then reUed on it for the result 
 that it was destined to produce.* " If the people under- 
 stand what is true," thought he, " they will soon discern 
 what is false." This maxim is good for the commencement 
 of a reformation ; but there comes a time when error should 
 be boldly pointed out.. This Zwingle knew full well. " The 
 spring is the season for sowing," said he ; and it was then 
 spring-tide Avith him. 
 
 Zwingle has indicated this period (1516) as the begin- 
 ning of the Swiss Reformation. In effect, if four years 
 before he had bent his head over the book of God, he now 
 raised it, and turned towards his people to impart to them the 
 hght that he had foimd therein. This is a new and impor- 
 tant epoch in the history of the development of the religious 
 revolution in these countries ; but it has been erroneously 
 concluded from these dates that Zwingle's reform preceded 
 that of Luther. Perhaps Zwingle preached the Gospel a 
 year previous to the publication of Luther's theses, but 
 Luther himself preached four years before those celebrated 
 propositions.-J- If Luther and Zwingle had strictly confined 
 themselves to preaching, the Reformation would not so 
 rapidly have overrun the Church. Luther and Zwingle 
 were neither the first monk nor the first priest that had 
 taught a purer doctrine than the schoolmen. But Lutlier 
 was the first to uplift publicly and with indomitable courage 
 the standard of truth against the dominion of error; to direct 
 general attention to the fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, 
 — salvation through grace ; to lead his generation into that 
 new way of knowledge, faith, and life, from which a new 
 world has issued ; in a word, to begin a salutary and real 
 revolution. The great struggle of vdiich the theses of 1517 
 were the signal, really gave birth to the Reformation, and 
 imparted to it both a soul and a body. Luther was the first 
 reformer. 
 
 A spirit of inquiry was beginning to breathe on the 
 
 * Volebat veritatem cogiiitam in cordibus auditorum, agere suum o& 
 ficium. Osw. Myc. Vit. 2w. f Vol. I. 204, &c. 
 
308 DISCOVERY PASSAGE FROM ONE WORLD TO THE OTIhER. 
 
 mountains of Switzerland. One day the priest of Glaris, 
 chancing to be in the dehghtfiil country of Mollis, at the house 
 of Adam the priest of the place, together with BunzH, priest of 
 Wesen, and Varschon, priest of Kerensen, these friends dis- 
 covered an old liturgy, in which they read these words : 
 " After the child is baptized, let him partake of the sacra- 
 ment of the Eucharist and likewise of the cup."* — " So 
 then," said Zwingle, " the sacrament was at that time given 
 in our churches under both kinds." This liturgy, which was 
 about two hundred years old, was a great discovery for these 
 Alpine priests. 
 
 - The defeat at Marignan produced its natural results' in 
 the cantons. The victorious Francis I. was prodigal of gold 
 and flatteries to win over the confederates, and the emperor 
 conjured them by their honour, by the tears of widows and 
 orphans, and by the blood of their brethren, not to sell 
 themselves to their murderers. The French party had the 
 upperhand in Glaris, and from that time this residence be- 
 came burdensome to Ulrich. 
 
 Had Zwingle remained at Glaris, he might possibly have 
 been a mere man of the age. Party intrigue, political pre- 
 judices, the empire, France, and the Duke of Milan, might 
 have almost absorbed his life. God never leaves in the midst 
 of the tuDuilt of the world those Avhom he is training for his 
 people. He leads them aside ; He places them in some retire- 
 ment, where they find themselves face to face with God and 
 themselves, and whence they derive inexhaustible instruction. 
 The Son of God himself, a type in this respect of the course He 
 pursues with his servants, passed forty days in the wilderness. 
 It was now time to .withdraw Zwingle from this political 
 movement which, by constant repetition in his soul, would 
 have quenched the Spirit of God. The hour had come to 
 prepare him for another stage than that on which courtiers, 
 cabinets, and factions contended, and where he would have 
 uselessly wasted a strength wortliy of a higher occupation. 
 His fellow-countrymen had need of something better. It 
 was necessary that a new life should now descend from 
 
 * Detur EucharistijE sacramentum, similiter poculum sanguinis. Zvr 
 0pp. i. 266. 
 
EINSIDLEN. 309 
 
 heaven, and that the instrument of its transmission should 
 unlearn the things of earth, to learn those of heaven. These 
 two spheres are entirely distinct: a wide gulf separates 
 the two worlds ; and before passing wholly from one to the 
 other, Zwingle was to sojourn for a time on a neutral terri- 
 tory, — an intermediate and preparatory state, there to be 
 taught of God. God at this time removed him from among 
 the factions of Glaris, and conducted him, for his noviciate, 
 to the solitude of a hermitage. He confined w^ithin the 
 narrow^ walls of an abbey this generous seed of the Refor- 
 mation, which, soon transplanted to a better soil, was to cover 
 the mountains with its shadow. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Our Lady of Einsidlen— Zwingle's Call— The Abbot— Geroldsek— A 
 learned Society — The Bible copied — Zwingle and Superstition — First 
 Opposition to Error— Sensation — Hedio— Zwingle dnd the Legates — 
 The Honours of Rome— The Bishop of Constance — Samson and the In- 
 dulgences — Stapfer — Zwingle's Charity — His Friends. 
 
 About the middle of the ninth century, a German monk, 
 Meinrad of Hohenzollern, had passed betw'een the lakes of 
 Zurich and Wallenstadt, and halted on a little hill in front 
 of an amphitheatre of pines, where he built a cell. Ruf- 
 fians imbrued their hands in the blood of the saint. The 
 polluted cell long remained deserted. About the end of 
 the tenth century, a convent and church in honour of the 
 Virgin were built on this sacred spot. About midnight on the 
 eve of the day of consecration, the Bishop of Constance and 
 his priests were at prayers in the church : a heavenly strain, 
 proceeding from invisible beings, suddenly resounded through 
 the chapel. They hstened prostrate and with admiration. 
 On the morrow, as the bishop was about to consecrate the 
 building, a voice repeated thrice : " Stop ! stop ! God him* 
 
310 ZA^^KGLE's call. 
 
 self has consecrated it !"* Christ in person (it was said) had 
 blessed it during the night : the strains they had heard were 
 those of the angels, apostles, and saints ; and the Virgin 
 standing above the altar shone with the brightness of Hght- 
 ning. A bull of Leo VIII. had forbidden the faithful to 
 doubt the truth of this legend. From that time an im- 
 mense crowd of pilgrims had annually visited our Lady of 
 the Hermits for the festival of " the Consecration of the 
 Angels." Delphi and Ephesus in ancient times, and Loretto 
 in more recent days, have alone equalled the reno^Ti of 
 Einsidlen. It was in this extraordinary place that, in 1516, 
 Ulrich Zwingle was invited to be priest and preacher. 
 
 Zwingle did not hesitate. " It is neither ambition nor 
 covetousness," said he, " that takes me there, but the 
 intrigues of the French."-}- Reasons of a higher kind de- 
 termined him. On the one hand, having more sohtude, 
 more tranquiUity, and a less extensive parish, he would be 
 able to devote more time to study and meditation ; on the 
 other, this resort of pilgrims offered him an easy means of 
 spreading a knowledge of Jesus Christ into the most distant 
 countries. I 
 
 The friends of evangelical preaching at Glaris loudly ex- 
 pressed their grief. " What more distressing can happen to 
 Glaris," said Peter Tschudi, one of the most distinguished 
 ci-tizens of the canton, " than to be deprived of so great a 
 man?"§ His parishioners, seeing that he was inflexible, 
 resolved to leave him the title of pastor of Glaris, with a 
 portion of the stipend, and the power of returning whenever 
 he chose.jl 
 
 * Cessa, cessa, frater, divinitus capella consecrata est. Hartm. Annal. 
 Einsidl. p, 51. 
 
 t Locum mutavimus non cupidinis aut cupiditatis moti stimulis, verum 
 Gallorum technis. Zw. Epp. p. 24. 
 
 X Christum et veritatem ejus in re^iones et varias et remotas divulgari 
 tarn felici oportunitate. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 § Quid enim Glareanre iiostrse tristius accidere poterat, tanto videlicet 
 privari viro. Zw. Epp. p. 16. 
 
 II For two years after this Zwingle still signed his name : Paster 
 Glaxonae, Minister Eremi. Zw. Epp. p. 30. 
 
THE ABKOT GEROLDSEK. 311 
 
 Conrad of Rechberg-, a gentleman descended from an ancient 
 family, serious, frank, intrepid, and sometimes perhaps a 
 little rough, was one of the most celebrated huntsmen of the 
 country to which Zwingle was going. In one of his farms 
 (the Silthal) he had established a stud where he raised a 
 breed of horses that became famous in Italy. Such was the 
 abbot of Our Lady of the Hermits. Rechberg held in equal 
 detestation the pretensions of Rome and theological dis- 
 cussions. One day when, during a visitation of the order, 
 some observations were made to him : " I am master here, 
 and not you," said he, somewhat rudely ; " go your ways." 
 At another time, as Leo Juda was discussing some intricate 
 question at table with the administrator of the convent, the 
 hunting abbot exclaimed : " Leave off your disputes ! I 
 cry with David : Have mercy upon me, God, according to 
 thj loving kindness^, and' enter not into judgment ivith thy 
 servant. I desire to know notliing more."* 
 
 The manager of the monastery was Baron Theobald of 
 Geroldsek ; a man of mild character, sincere piety, and 
 great love for letters. Ills favourite plan was to assemble 
 in his convent a body of learned men ; and v/ith this view 
 he had invited Zwingle. Eager for instruction and reading, 
 he begged his new friend to direct liim. " Study the Holy 
 Scriptures," replied Zwingle, " and that you may better un- 
 derstand them, read Saint Jerome. However (added he) a 
 time willcomc (and that soon, -with God's help) when Christians 
 Avill not sot great store either by Saint Jerome or any other 
 doctor, but solely by the Word of God."! Geroldsek's conduct 
 gave indication of his progress in faith. He permitted the 
 nuns in a convent depending on Einsidlen to read the Bible 
 in the vulgar tongue ; and some years later, Geroldsek went 
 and lived at Zurich beside Zwingle, and died with him on the 
 field of Cappel. The same charm erelong tenderly attached 
 to Zwingle, not only Geroldsek, but also Zink the chaplain, the 
 
 * Wirz, K. Gesch. iii. 363; Zwiuglis Bildung v. Schiiler, p. 174; Miscell. 
 ligur. iii. 28. 
 
 + Fore, idque brevi, Deo sic juvante, ut neque'Hieronymus neque 
 caeteri, sed sola Scriptura dirina, apud Christianos in pretio sit futura. 
 Zw. 0pp. i. 273. 
 
312 LEARNED SOCIETY THE BIBLE COPIED. 
 
 worthy Q^xlin, Lucas, and other inmates of the abbey. These 
 studious men, far removed from the tumult of parties, used 
 to unite in reading the Scriptures, the fathers of the Church, 
 the masterpieces of antiquity, and the writings of the re- 
 storers of learning. This interesting circle was often in- 
 creased by friends from distant parts. Among others, Capito 
 one day arrived at Einsidlen. The two old friends of Basle 
 walked over the convent together, and strolled about its wild 
 environs, absorbed in conversation, examining the Scriptures, 
 and seeking to learn God's will. There was one point upon 
 which they were agreed, and it was this : " The pope of 
 Rome must fall ! " Capito was at this time a bolder man than 
 he was afterwards. 
 
 In this calm retreat Zwingle enjoyed rest, leisure, books, 
 and friends, and grew in understanding and in faith. It was 
 then (May 1517) that he commenced a work that proved 
 very useful to him. As in ancient days the kings of Israel 
 transcribed God's law with their own har.'^-, so Zwingle with 
 his copied out the Epistles of St. Paul. At that time there 
 existed none but voluminous editions of the New Testament, 
 and Zwingle wished to be able to carry h with him always.* 
 He learned these Epistles by heart, and somewhat later the 
 other books of the New Testament and part of the Old. His 
 soul thus grew daily more attached to the supreme authority 
 of the Word of God. He was not content simply to acknow- 
 ledge this authority : he resolved sincerely to subject his life 
 to it. He entered gradually into a more christian ' path. 
 The purpose for which he had been brought into this desert 
 was accomplishing. Doubtless, it was not until his residence 
 at Zurich that the power of a christian life penetrated all his 
 being ; but already at Einsidlen he had made evident pro- 
 gress in sanctification. At Glaris, he had been seen to take 
 part in worldly amusements; at Einsidlen, he sought more and 
 more after a life pure from every stain and from all v.'orldli- 
 ness ; he began to have a better understanding of the great 
 spiritual interests of the people, and learned by degrees what 
 God designed to teach him. 
 
 Providence, in bringing him to Einsidlen, had also other 
 * This manuscript is still extant in the public library of Zurich. 
 
ZWINGLE AND SUPEKSTITION. 313 
 
 aims. He was to have a nearer view of the superstitions 
 and abuses which had invaded the Church. The image of 
 the Virgin, carefully preserved in the monastery, had, it was 
 said, the power of working miracles. Over the gate of the 
 abbey might be read this presumptuous inscription : " Here 
 a plenary remission of sins may be obtained." A crowd of 
 pilgrims flocked to Einsidlen from every part of Christendom 
 to merit this grace by their pilgrimage at the festival of the 
 Virgin. The church, the abbey, and all the valley were 
 filled with her devout worshippers. But it was particularly 
 at the great feast of " the Consecration of the Angels " that 
 the crowd thronged the hermitage. jMsiuy thousand indivi- 
 duals of both sexes climbed in long files the slopes of the 
 mountain leading to the oratory, singing hymns or count- 
 ing their beads. These devout pilgrims crowded eagerly into 
 the church, imagining themselves nearer to God there than 
 elsewhere. 
 
 Zwingle's residence at Einsidlen, as regards a knowledge 
 of the abuses of the papacy, produced an analogous effect to - 
 that resulting from Luther's visit to Rome. In this monas- 
 tery he completed his education as a reformer. God alone 
 is the source of salvation, and He is everywhere : this was 
 what he learned at Einsidlen, and these two truths became 
 the fundamental articles of Zwingle's theology. The seri- 
 ousness he had acquired in his soul soon manifested itself 
 in his actions. Struck by the knowledge of so many evils, 
 he resolved to oppose them boldly. He did not hesitate 
 between his conscience and his interests: he. stood forth 
 with courage, and his energetic eloquence uncompromisingly 
 attacked the superstitions of the crowd that surrounded him. 
 '' Do not imagine," said he from the pulpit, " that God is in 
 this temple more than in any other part of creation. What- 
 ever be the country in which you dwell, God is around you, 
 and hears you as well as at Our Lady's of Einsidlen. Can 
 unprofitable works, long pilgrimages, offerings, images, the 
 invocation of the Virgin or of the saints, secure for you the 
 
 grace of God ? What avails the multitude of words with 
 
 which we embody our prayers ? Wliat efficacy has a glossy 
 cowl, a smooth-shorn head, a long and flowing robe, or gold- 
 
 VOL. II. 14 
 
814 FIRST OPPOSITION TO ERKOK, 
 
 ombroidered slippers! God looks at the heart^^ and ou? 
 
 hearts are far from Him !"* 
 
 But Zwingle desired to do more than merely inveigh 
 against superstition 5 he wished to satisfy tlie ardent yearn- 
 ings for reconcihation with God, experienced by many pil- 
 grims who flocked to the chapel of Our Lady of Einsidlen. 
 '^ Christ," exclaimed he, like John the Baptist in this new 
 desert of the mountains of Judea, " Christ, who was once 
 offered upon the cross, is the sacrifice {host) and victim, that 
 had made satisfaction for the sins of beUevers to all eter- 
 nity.''-]- Thus Zwingle advanced. On the day when such 
 bold language v/as first heard in the most venerated sanc- 
 tuary of Switzerland, the standard uplifted against Rome 
 began to rise more distinctly above its mountains, and there 
 was, so to speak, an earthquake of reformation that shook 
 her very foundations. 
 
 In effect, universal astonishment filled the crowd as they 
 listened to the words of the eloquent priest. Some with- 
 drew in horror ; others hesitated between the faith of their 
 sires and this doctrine v.diich was to ensure peace ; many . 
 went to Jesus, who was preached to them as meek and 
 gentle, and carried back the tapers they had brought to 
 present to the Virgin. A crowd of pilgrims returned to 
 their homes, everywhere announcing what they had heard 
 at Einsidlen : " Christ alone saves, and he saves every- 
 where." Often did whole bands, amazed at these reports, 
 turn back without completing their pilgrimage. Mary's 
 worshippers diminished in number daily. It was their 
 offerings that made up in great measure the stipends of 
 Zwingle and Geroldsek. But this bold witness to the truth 
 felt happy in impoverishing himself, if he could spiritually 
 enrich souls. 
 
 Among Zwingle's numerous hearers at the fOast of Whit- 
 suntide in 1518, was Gaspard Hedio, doctor of divinity at 
 Basle, a learned man, of mild character and active charity. 
 
 * Vestis oblonga et plicia plena, muli auro ornati Cor vero interim 
 
 procul a Deo est. Zw. 0pp. i. 236. 
 
 + Christus qui sese serael in cruce obtulit, hostia est et victiina satisfa- 
 dens in aetemum, pro peccatis omnium fidelium. Ibid. 263, 
 
SENSATION— HEDIO. 315 
 
 Zwingle was preaching on the narrative of the paralytic 
 (Luke v.), in which occurs this declaration of our Lord : 
 The Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sins — 
 words well adapted -to strike the crowd assembled in the 
 temple of the Virgin. The preacher's sermon stirred, 
 charmed, and inspired his congregation, and particularly 
 the Basle doctor.* For a long while after, Hedio was ac- 
 customed to speak of it with admiration. " How beauti- 
 ful is this discourse," said he : " how profound, solemn, 
 copious, penetrating, and evangelical ! how it reminds us 
 of the svioyna (the force) of the ancient doctors!"-]- From 
 this moment Hedio admired and loved Zwingle-I He would 
 have liked to have spoken with him, to have unbosomed 
 himself to him ; he wandered round the abbey, yet dared * 
 not advance, being held back (he says) by superstitious 
 timidity. He remounted his horse, and retired slowly, often 
 turning his head towards the walls that enclosed so great/- 
 a treasure, and bearing away in his heart the keenest regret.§ 
 
 Thus preached Zwingle ; certainly with less force, but 
 \y'4b. more moderation and not less success than Luther: 
 he precipitated nothing; he shocked men's minds far less 
 than the "Saxon reformer ; he expected everything from the 
 power of truth. He behaved with the same discretion in 
 his intercourse with the heads of the Churcli. Far from 
 showing himself immediately as their adversary, like Luther, 
 he long remained their friend. The latter humoured him 
 exceedingly, not only on account of his learning and talents 
 (Luther had the same claims to the respect of the Bishops 
 of Mentz and Brandenburg), but especially because of his 
 attachment to the political party of the pops, and the influ- 
 ence such a man as Zwingle possessed in a republican state. 
 
 Several cantons, indeed, disgusted with the papal service, 
 were on the point of breaking with it. But the legates 
 
 * Is sermo ita rae inflammavit ... Zw. Epp. p. 90. 
 
 + Elegans ille, doctus, gravis, copiosus, penetrans et evangelicus 
 
 Ibid, p. 89. 
 
 J Ut inciperem Zwinglium arctissime complecti, suscipere ct ad- 
 mirari. Ibid. 
 
 § Sicqne abequitavi, non sine molestia, quam tamen ipse mihi pepere- 
 ram. Ibid. p. 90. 
 
316 ZWINGLE AND THE LEGATES llOMAN HONOURS. 
 
 flattered themselves they would retain many by gaining 
 Zwingle, as they had already gained Erasmus, by pensions 
 and honours. The legates Ennius and Pucci paid frequent 
 visits to Einsidlen, whence, considering its vicinity to the 
 democratic cantons, their negotiations with these states were 
 easier. But Zwingle, far from sacrificing the truth to the 
 demands and offers of Rome, let no opportunity escape of de- 
 fending the Gospeh The famous Schinner, whose diocese 
 was then in a disturbed state, spent some time at Einsidlen. 
 " The popedom," said Zwingle one day, " reposes on a bad 
 founda^tion:* apply yourselves to the work; reject all errors 
 and abuses, or else you will see the whole edifice fall with 
 a tremendous crash." -|- 
 
 He spoke with tlie same freedom to Cardinal Pucci. Four 
 times he returned to the charge. "With God's aid," said 
 he, " I will continue to preach the Gospel, and this preaching 
 will make Rome totter." He then explained to the pre- 
 late what ought to be done in order to save the Church. 
 Pucci promised everything, but did nothing. Zwingle de- 
 clared that he would resign the pope's pension. The legate 
 entreated him to keep it, and Zwingle, who had no intention 
 at that time of setting himself in open hostiUty against the 
 head of the Church, consented to receive it for three years 
 longer. '' But do not imagine," added he, " tliat for love of 
 money I retract a single syllable of the truth." | Pucci in 
 alarm procured for the reformer the nomination of acolyte to 
 the pope. This was a step to further honours. Rome aimed 
 at frightening Luther by her judgments, and gaining Zwingle 
 by her favours. Against the one she hurled her excom- 
 munications ; to the other she cast her gold and splendours. 
 These were two different ways of attaining the same end, 
 and of silencing the bold tongues that dared, in the pope's 
 despite, proclaim the Word of God in Germany and in 
 Switzerland. The latter was the more skilful policy : but 
 neither was successful. The emancii3ated souls of the 
 
 * Dass das ganz Papstum einen schlechten Grund habe. Zw. 0pp. ii. 
 part. i. p. 7. 
 
 + Oder aber sy werdind mit grosser unriiw selbs umfallen. Ibid. 
 
 X Frustra sperari me vel verbulum de veritate-diminuturum esse,pecu- 
 nis8 gratia. Zw. 0pp. i. 365. 
 
THE BISHOP OF CONSTANCE — SAMSON. 317 
 
 preachers of the truth were equally beyond the reach of 
 vengeance or of favour. 
 
 Another Swiss prelate, Hugo of Landenberg, bishop of Con- 
 stance, about this time excited hopes in Zwingle's breast. 
 He ordered a general visitation of the churches. But Lan- 
 denberg, a man of no decision of character, permitted himself 
 to be guided at one time by Faber his vicar, and at another 
 by a vicious woman whose influence he could jiot shake ufF. 
 Sometimes he appeared to honour the Gospel, and yet he 
 looked upon any man as a disturber of the people who ven- 
 tured to preach it boldly. He was one of those men, too 
 common in the Church, who, although they prefer truth to 
 error, shoAv more regard to error than to truth, and often end 
 by turning against those by whose sides they should have 
 fought. Zwingle applied to him, but in vain. He was 
 destined to make the same experiment as Luther, and to ac- 
 knowledge that it was useless to invoke the assistance of the 
 heads of the Church, and that the only way' of reviviiig 
 Christianity was to act as a faithful teacher of the Word of 
 God. The opportunity soon came. 
 
 Along the heights of Saint Gothard, over those elevated 
 roads tliat have been cut with incredible toil through the 
 steep rocks that separate Switzerland from Italy, journeyed 
 a Franciscan monk, in the month of August 1518. Emer- 
 ging from an Italian convent, he was the bearer of the papal 
 indulgences which he had been empowered to sell to the 
 good Christians of the Helvetic Confederation. The brilliant 
 successes gained under the tAvo preceding popes had conferred 
 honour on this scandalous traffic. Accompanied by men 
 appointed to puff off the wares he had for sale, he crossed 
 these snows and icy glaciers as old as the world. This 
 greedy train, whose ^appearance was wretched enough, not 
 ill resembling a band of adventurers in search of plunder, 
 advanced silently to the noise of the impetuous torrents that 
 form the Rhine, the Pvhone, the Ticino, and other rivers, 
 meditating the spoliation of the simple inhabitants of Switzer- 
 land. Samson, for such was the Franciscan's name, and his 
 troop, arrived first in Uri, and tliere opened their trade. They 
 had soon finished with tliese poor mountaineers, and then 
 
318 THE INDULGENCES CHARITY. 
 
 passed on to Schwytz. Zwiiigle resided in this canton — and 
 here the combat was to take place between the two servants 
 of tvfo very different masters. " I can pardon all sins," said 
 the Italian monk, the Tetzel of Switzerland, addressing the 
 inhabitants of the capital. " Heaven and hell are subject to 
 my power ; and I sell the merits of Christ to any who will 
 purchase them by buying an indulgence for ready money." 
 
 Zwingle's zeal took fire as he heard of these discourses. 
 He preached with energy, saying ; " Jesus Christ, the Son 
 of God, has said. Come unto me all ye that are iccary and 
 heavy laden, and I icill give you rest. Is it not, tlien, most 
 presumptuous folly and senseless temerity to declare, on the 
 contrary : ' Buy letters of indulgence ! hasten to Rome ! give 
 to the monks ! sacrifice to the priests ! and if tliou doest 
 these things, I absolve thee from thy sins?"* Jesus Christ is 
 the only oblation; the only sacrifice; the only way!"-i- 
 
 Throughout Schwytz, Samson erelong v/as called a cheat 
 and seducer. He took the road to Zug, and for a time the 
 two champions did not meet. 
 
 Scarcely had Samson left Schwytz, when Stapfer, a citizen 
 of this canton, a man of distinguished character, and afterwards 
 secretary of state, was suddenly reduced with his family to 
 great distress. " Alas !" said he, addressing Zwingle in his 
 anguish, " I know not how to satisfy my lumger, and that 
 of my poor children." J Zwingle could give v>dien Rome 
 could take, and he was as ready to practise good works, as 
 he was to combat those who taught that salvation was to be 
 gained by them. Every day he carried Stapfer abundant 
 supplies.§ " It is God," said he, desirous of taking no praise 
 to himself, " it is God who begets charity in the faithful, 
 and gives at once the thought, the resolve, and the work 
 itself. AYhatever good work the just man doeth, it is God who 
 doeth it by His own power." || Stapfer remained attached to 
 
 * Romam curre ! redime literas indulgcntiariim ! da tantumdem 
 monachis ! offer sacerdotibus, &c. Zw. 0pp. i. 222. 
 
 f Christus una est oblatio, unum sacrificium, una via. Ibid. 201. 
 
 X Ut mese, meorumque liberorum inedia; corporali subveniretis. Zw. 
 Epp. p. 234. § Largas mihi qnotidie suppetias tulistis. Ibid. 
 
 il Caritatem ingenerat Deus, coniilium, propositum et opus. Quidquid 
 boni prsestat Justus, hoc Deus sua virtute prjcstat. Zw. 0pp. i. 226. 
 
Z^VINGLE'S FRIENDS. 319 
 
 Zwingle all his life, and Avhen four years later he had become 
 secretary of state at Schwytz, and felt impelled by more ele- 
 vated desires, he turned towards Zwingle, saying with noble- 
 ness and candour : " Since it was you who provided for my 
 temporal wants, how much more may I nov»^ expect from you 
 the food that shall satisfy my soul !" 
 
 Zwingle's friends increased in number. It v.'as not only 
 :at Glaris, Basle, dnd Schwytz that souls were found in har- 
 mony with his : in Uri, there was Schmidt, the secretary of 
 state; at Zug, Colin, Miiller, and Werner Steiner, an old 
 fellow-soldier at Marignan ; at Xucerne, Xyloctect and Kilch- 
 meyer ; at Bienne, Wittembach ; and many others in other 
 places besides. But the priest of Einsidlen had no friend 
 m£)re devoted than Oswald Myconius. Oswald had quitted 
 Basle in 1516, to superintend the cathedral school at Zurich. 
 At that time this city possessed neither learned men nor 
 learned schools. Oswald laboured, in conjunction with several 
 other well-disposed men, among whom was Utinger, the 
 pope's notary, to rescue the Zurich people from their igno- 
 rance, and to initiate them in the literature of the ancients. 
 At the same time he upheld the immutable truth of the Holy 
 Scriptures, and declared that if the pope and the emperor 
 commanded anything "in opposition to the Gospel, mail is 
 bound to obey God alone, who is above the emperor and the 
 pope. 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 The Canons' College -Election to the Cathedral— Fable— Accusations— 
 Zwingle's Confession— Development of God's Purposes— Farewell to 
 Einsidlen— Arrival at Zurich- Zwingle's bold Declaration— First 
 Sermons- Their Effect— Opposition— Zwingle's Character— Taste for 
 Music— Arrangement of the Day— The Book-hawker. 
 
 Seven centuries before, Charlemagne had attached a college 
 of canons to the cathedral of Zurich, the school belonging to 
 which was under the direction of Myconius. These canons 
 having declined from thefr primitive institution, and desiring 
 
320 THE CATHEDRAL PREACHER FABLE. 
 
 to enjoy their benefices in the sweets of an indolent life, used 
 to elect a priest to whom they confided the preaching and the 
 cure of souls. This post became vacant shortly after the 
 arrival of Myconius, who immediately thought of his friend. 
 What a gain it would be to Zurich ! Zwingle's exterior was 
 in his favour. He was a handsome man,* of graceful man- 
 ners, and pleasing conversation ; he had already become cele- 
 brated for his eloquence, and excelled throughout the Confe- 
 deration by the splendour of his genius. Myconius spoke of 
 him to Felix Frey, the provost of the chapter, who was prepos- 
 sessed by Zwingle's talents and appearance ; -J- to Utinger, an 
 old man, highly respected, and to the canon Hoffmann, a per- 
 son of upright and open character, who, from having long 
 preached against the foreign service, was already well dis- 
 posed in Ulrich's favour. Other Zurichers had, on dificrent oc- 
 casions, heard Zwingle at Einsidlen, and had returned full of 
 admiration. The election of a preacher for the cathedral soon 
 put everybody in Zurich in motion. The different parties be- 
 gan to bestir themselves. Many laboured day and night to pro- 
 cure the election of the eloquent preacher of Our Lady of the 
 Hermits. I Myconius informed his friend of this " Wed- 
 nesday next, I shall go and dine at Zurich," replied Zwingle, 
 " and then we will talk this matter over." He came accord- 
 ingly. While paying a visit to one of the canons, the latter 
 said, " Can you not come and preach the Word of God 
 among us?" — " I can," replied he, " but I will not come, 
 unless I am called." He then returned to his abbey. 
 
 This visit spread alarm in the camp of his enemies. They 
 pressed several priests to become candidates for the vacant 
 post. A Swabian, Lawrence Fable, even delivered' a proba- 
 tionary sermon, and a report was circulated that he had been 
 elected. " It is very true, then," said Zwingle, on being ap- 
 prized of this, " that no man is a prophet in his own country 
 since a Swabian is preferred to a Swiss. I know M'hat the 
 
 * Dan Zwiiigli vom lyb ein hubscher man wass. Bullinoer Chron. 
 
 + Und als Imrae seine Gcstalt und geschiklichkeit wol geSel, gab er Iin 
 syn stiinm. Ibid. 
 
 t Q."i dies ct uoctes laborareiit iit vir illc subrogarctiir. Osw. Myc 
 Vit. Zw. 
 
FABLE ACCUSATIONS. 321 
 
 applause of the people is wort]]."* Immediately after, 
 Zwino;lc received a letter from Cardinal Scliinner's secretary, 
 informing him that the election had not yet taken place. 
 But the false intelligence that had reached him first, piqued 
 tlie chaplain of Einsidlen. Knowing that a man so unworthy 
 as this Fable aspired, to the station, he became the more 
 eager for it himself, and wrote about it to Myconius. Os- 
 wald replied on the following day : " Fable will always re- 
 main a fable; offi' gentlemen have learnt that he is the 
 father of six boys, and already holds I know not how many 
 livings." -{- 
 
 Zwingle's enemies, however, did not consider themselves 
 beaten. All agreed in extolling to the clouds the extent of 
 his acquirements;}: but some said, " He is too fond of mu- 
 sic!" Others, "He loves company and pleasure 1" And 
 others again, " He was once too intimate with persons of 
 light conduct!" One man even accused him of seduction. 
 Zwingle was not blameless, and although less erring than 
 the ecclesiastics of his day, he had more than once, in the 
 first years of his ministry, allowed himself to be led astray 
 by the passions of youth. We cannot easily form an idea of 
 the influence upon the soul of the corrupt atmosphere in 
 whicii it lives. There existed in the papacy, and among the 
 priests, disorders that were established, allowed, and autho- 
 rized, as conformable to the laws of nature. A saying of 
 ^neas Sylvius, afterwards pope under the title of Pius II., 
 gives some notion of the degraded state of public manners at 
 this epoch.§ Disorder had come to be the generally admit- 
 ted order of things. 
 
 Oswald exerted an unwearying activity in his friend's 
 behalf; he employed all his powers to justify him, and 
 luckily succeeded.il He visited the Burgomaster Koust, 
 
 * Scio vulgi acclamationes ct illud blandum Eugo ! Euge I Zw. 
 Epp. p. 53. 
 
 t Fabula mancbit fabula ; qucm domini mei accepcrunt sex pueris esse 
 patrem Ibid. 
 
 X Neminem tameu, qui tuam doctrinam iioii ad coelum ferat Ibid. 
 
 § "Non esse qui vigesimum annum exccssit, ncc virginem tetigerit. 
 Ibid. p. 57. 
 
 II Keprimo hax pro viribus, imo et repiessi. Ibid. p. 54. 
 14* 
 
323 zwingle's confession. 
 
 -Hoffman, Frey, and Utinger; he lauded the probity, de« 
 coiTim, and purity of Zwingle's conduct, and confirmed the 
 Zurichers in the favourable impression they entertained 
 towards the priest of Einsidlen. Little credit was paid to 
 the stories of his ad-versaries. The inost influential men 
 said that Zwingle would be preacher at Zurich. The 
 canons said the same, but in an under-tone. " Hope on," 
 wrote Oswald with a rising heart ; " hope on, for I hope." 
 He nevertheless informed him of the accusations of his 
 enemies. Although Zwingle had not yet become altogether 
 a new man, he was one of those wdiose conscience is 
 awakened, who may fall into sin, but never without a 
 struggle and without remorse. Often had he resolved to 
 lead a holy life, alone among his kind, in the midst of the 
 w^orld. But when he found himself accused, he would not 
 boast of being without sin. " Having no one to w^alk with 
 me in the resolutions I had formed," wrote he to the canon 
 Utinger, " many even of those about me being ofiended at 
 them, alas ! I fell, and like the dog of w^hich St. Peter speaks 
 (2 Pet. ii. 22), I turned again to my vomit.* The Lord 
 know^s with wiiat shame and anguish I have dragged these 
 faults from the bottom of my heart, and laid them before 
 that great Being to whom, however, I confess my wretched- 
 ness far more willingly than to man."f But if Zwingle 
 acknowledged himself .a sinner, he vindicated himself from the 
 odious accusations that had been made against him. He de- 
 clared that he had always banished far from him the thought 
 of adultery or seducing the innocent,^ — grievous excesses 
 which were then too common. " I call to witness," says he, 
 " all those with whom I have ever lived." § 
 The election took place on the 11th of December. Zwingle 
 
 * Quippe ncminem habens comitem hujus instituti, scandalisantes, 
 vero uon paucos, heu ! cecidi et factus sum canis ad vomituin. Zw. 
 Epp. p. 55. 
 
 + En, cum verecundia (Deus novit !) magna haec ex pectoris specubus 
 depfomsi, apud cum scilicet, cum quo etiam coram minus quam cum ullo 
 ferme mortalium confiteri vererer. Ibid. 
 
 X Ea ratio nobis perpetuo fuit, nee alienum thorum conscendere, neo 
 virginem vitiare. Ibid. 
 
 § Testes iuvoco cunctos, quibuscum vixi. Ibid. 
 
god's purposes FAKEWELL. 323 
 
 w:is ajypoiiUed by a majority of seventeen votes out of 
 twenty-four. It was time that the Reformation began in 
 Switzerland. The ciioscn instriuueRt that Providence had 
 been preparing for three years in the hermitage of Einsidlen 
 was ready; the hourtias come for him to be stationed else- 
 v/here. God, who had chosen the nev/ university of Wittem- 
 berg, situated in llie heart of Germany, under the protection 
 of one of the wisest of princes, there to call Luther, selected 
 in Helvetia the city of Zurich, regarded as the head of the 
 confederation, there to station Zwingle. In that place he 
 would be in communication not only with one of the most 
 intelligent and simple-hearted, the strongest and the most 
 energetic people in Switzerland, but -still more with all the 
 cantons that collected aroiuid this ancient and powerful state. 
 The liand that had led a young herdsman from the Sentis to 
 the scliool of Wesen, was now setting him, mighty in w^ord 
 and in deed, in the face of all, that lie niiglit regenerate his 
 nation, Zurich was about to bcct)ma the centre of light to 
 the whole of Switzerland. 
 
 It was a day of mingled joy imd sorrow jit Einsidlen, 
 v.-lien its imnatcs vrere informed of Zwinglc's nomination. 
 The society wliicli had been formed there was about to be 
 liroicen up by the removal of its most valuable member; and 
 wiio could sa3» that £U})orstitioii might not again prevail in 
 
 thfs ancient resort of pilgrims? The state-council of 
 
 Scliwytz transmitted to Ulrich the expression of their senti- 
 ments, styling him, " reverend, most learned, very gracious 
 lord and good friend."* — "Give us at least a successor 
 worthy of- yourself," said the heart-broken Geroldsek to 
 Zwingle. — "I have a little lion for yon," replfcd he, " one 
 who is simple-minded and prudent, and deep in the myste- 
 ries of Scripture." — '" I vrill have him," said the adminis- 
 tratcr, if was Leo Juda, that mild and intrepid man, with 
 whom /^.vingle had been so intimate at Basle. Leo accepted 
 this invitation which brought him nearer his dear Ulrich. 
 The latter embraced his friends, quitted the sohtude of 
 Einsidlen, and arrived at tliat delightful spot where rises the 
 
 " Reverer.de. perdoctc, adiaodnui gratic3i= doniine ac bone amice. 
 Zvr. Epp- p. 60. 
 
324 ZWINGLE AT ZURICH. 
 
 cheerful and animated city of Zurich, with its amphitheatre 
 of hills, covered with vineyards, or adorned with pastures 
 and orchards, and crowned with forests above which appear 
 the highest summits of tlie Albis. 
 
 Zurich, the centre of the political int*rests of Switzerland, 
 and in which were often collected the most influential men 
 in the nation, was the spot best adapted for acting upon 
 Helvetia, and scattering the seeds of truth through ail the 
 cantons. Accordingly, the friends of learning and of the 
 Bible joyfully hailed Zwingle's nomination. At Paris, in 
 particular, the Swiss students, who were very numerous, 
 thrilled with joy at this intelligence.* But if at Zurich a 
 great victory lay before Zwingle, he had also to expect 
 a hard struggle. Glarean wrote to him from Paris : " I 
 foresee that your learning will excite great hatred ;7 but 
 be of good cheer, and like Hercules you Avill subdue the 
 monsters." ^^ 
 
 On the 27th of December 1518, Zwingle arrived at Zurich, 
 and ahghted at the hotel of Einsidlen. He received a hearty 
 and an honourable welcome.^: The canons immediately 
 assembled, and invited him to take his place among 
 them. Felix Frey presided ; the canons, friends or enemies 
 to Z^Nnnglc, sat indiscriminately around their provost. Un- 
 usual excitement prevailed in the assembly ; for every one 
 fel?, unconsciously perhaps, how serious vv-as the beginning 
 of this ministry. As they feared the innovating spirit of the 
 young priest, it was agreed to explain to him the most im- 
 portant duties of his charge. " You v»'ill make every exer- 
 tion," they said to him gravely, " to collect the revenues of 
 the chapter, without overlooking the least. You will exliort 
 the fjxithful, both from the pulpit and in the confessional, to 
 pay all tithes and dues, and to shovr by their offerings their 
 affection to the Church. You will be diligent in increasing 
 the income arising from the sici:, from masses, and in general 
 from every ecclesiastical ordinnr:ce." Tiic chapter added: "As 
 
 * Omnes adeo quotquot cX Helvetiis adsunt juvenes fremere et gau- 
 dere. Zw. Epp. p. 63. 
 + Quantum invidige tibi inter istos eruditio tua couflabit. Ibid. p. 64. 
 |: Da er ehrlich und wol empfangen ward. BulJinger Chronik. 
 
zwingle's bold declaration. 325 
 
 for the administration of the sacraments, the pre^^ching and 
 the care of the flock, these are also the duties of the 
 chaplain. But for these you may employ a substitute, and 
 particularly in preaching. You should administer the sacra- 
 ments to none but persons of note, and only when called 
 upon; you are forbidden to do so without distinction of 
 persons."* 
 
 What a regulation for Zwingle ! money, money, nothing 
 
 but money! Did Christ estabhsh his ministry for this ? 
 
 Prudence, however, moderated his zeal; he knew that ho 
 could not at once deposit the seed in the earth, behold the 
 tree grow up, and gather its fruits. Without any remark on 
 the duties imposed upon him, Zwingle, after humbly express- 
 ing his gratitude for their flattering selection, announced 
 what he intended doing : " The life of Christ," said he, 
 " lias been too long hidden from the people. I shall preach 
 upon the whole of the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 
 after chapter, according to the inspiration of tlie Holy Ghost, 
 without human commentaries, drawing solely from the foun-^ 
 tains of Scripture,-]- sounding its deptii^, comparing one 
 passage Avith another, and seeking for understanding by con- 
 stant and earnest prayer.| It is to God's glory, to the praise 
 of his only Son, to the real salvation of souls, and to their 
 edification in the true faith, that I shall consecrate my mini- 
 stry." § Language so novel made a deep impression on 
 the chapter. Some testified their joy; but the majority 
 evinced sorrow.|| " This way of preaching is an innova- 
 tion," exclaimed they ; " one innovation will lead to another, 
 and where shall we stop?" The canon Hoff'man, especially, 
 thought it his duty to prevent the melancholy consequences 
 of an election for wiiich he himself had been so earnest. 
 "This explanation of Scripture," said he, "will be more, 
 
 * Schuler's Zwingli's Bildung. p. 227. 
 
 t Absque humanis coramentatiouibus, ex solis fontibus Scripturce 
 sacrse. Zw, 0pp. i. 273. 
 
 X Sed mente Spiritus, qnaai diligent! Scripturarum collectione, preci- 
 busque ex corde fusis, se nacturum. Osw. Myc. Vita. Zw. 
 
 § Alles Gott und seinen einigeu Soha zu Lob und Ehrea und zu 
 rechten Heil der Seelen, zur Underrichtung im rechten Glauben. Bull, 
 MS. U Quibus^uditis, moeror simul et Isetitia. Osw. Myc. 
 
326 zwingle's bold declaration. 
 
 injurious than useful to the people." — " It is not a nor 
 manner," rephed Zv/ingle, "it is the old custom. Call to 
 mind the homilies of Chrvsostom on St. Matthew, and of 
 Augustine on St. John. Besides, I ^Yill speak with modera- 
 tion, and give no person just cause to complain of it." 
 
 Thus did Zwingle abandon the exclusive use of the 
 fragments of the Gospels read since the time of Charle- 
 magne : by restoring the Holy Scriptures to their ancient 
 rights, he bound the Reformation from the very commence- 
 ment of his ministry to the primitive times of Christianity, 
 and laid a foundation by which future ages might study 
 the Word of God. But we may go further : the firm and 
 independent position he took up as regards the Gospel, 
 announced a new work ; the figure of the reformer stood' 
 in bold outline before the eyes of his people, and the reform 
 advanced. 
 
 Hoffman, having failed in the ch.apter, addressed a written 
 request to the provost, praying him to forbid Zwingle to 
 disturb the faith of the people. The provost called the new 
 preacher before liim, and spoke to liini very affectionately. 
 But no human power could close Zwingle's lips. On the 
 31st December, he wrote to the council of Glaris, resigning 
 entirely the cure they had reserved for him u}) to this time : 
 he was all for Zurich, and for the work tluit God was pre- 
 paring for him in this city. 
 
 On Saturday, the 1st day of the year 1519, and it was 
 also his thirty-fifth birthday, Zwingle went into the cathedral 
 pulpit. A great crowd, eager to sec this celebrated man, 
 and to hear this new Gospel, which v/as a general topic of 
 conversation, crowded the temple.. " It is to Christ," said 
 Zwingle, "that I desire to lead you; to Christ, the true 
 source of salvation. His Divine Word is the only food that 
 I wish to set before your hearts and souls." He then gave 
 out that on the following day, the first Sunday in the year, 
 he would begin to explain tlie Gospel according to St. 
 Matthew. The next morning, the preacher and a still more 
 numerous congregation were at their posts. Zwingle opened 
 the Gospel — so long a sealed book — and read the first page. 
 Discoursing on the history of the patriarchs and prophets 
 
FIRST SERMON IN THE CATHEDRAL. 327 
 
 (1st chapter of St. Matthew), lie expUiined it in such a 
 manner that his wondering and enraptured hearers ex- 
 claimed: " We never heard the hke of this before!"* 
 
 He continued thus to exphain St. Matthew according to 
 the Greel^ text. He showed how all the Bible found at once 
 its explanation and its application in the very nature of man. 
 Setting forth the highest truths of the Gospel in simple lan- 
 guage, his preaching reached all classes, the wise and learned, 
 as well as the ignorant and foolish.f He extolled the infinite 
 mercies of God the Father, and conjured all his hearers to 
 place their sole trust in Jesus Christ, as their only Saviour.J 
 At the same time, he called them most earnestly to repent- 
 ance ; he forcibly attacked the prevailing errors among his 
 people ; and inveighed courageously against the luxury, in- 
 temperance, costly garments, the oppression of the poor, idle- 
 ness, foreign service, and pensions from the princes. " In 
 the pulpit," said one of his contemporaries, " he spared no one, 
 neither pope, emperor, kings, dukes, princes, lords, nor even 
 the confederates themselves. All his strength and all the 
 delight of his heart was in God ; and accordingly he exhorted 
 all the city of Zurich to trust solely in Him."§ " Never had 
 they heard a man speak with such authority," said Oswald 
 Myconius, who followed his friend's labours with great joy 
 and hope. 
 
 It was impossible that the Gospel could be preached in 
 Zurich to no purpose. An ever increasing multitude of all 
 classes, and particularly of the lower orders, flocked to hear 
 him. II iSIany Zurichers had ceased to frequent the public 
 worship. " I derive no instruction from the sermons of these 
 priests," said Fiisshn, the poet, historian, and councillor of 
 
 * Dessgleichen wie jederman redt, nie gehort worden war. B."^^f%?se, 
 (Zwingle's contemporary), FiissHn Beytrage, iv. 36. / 
 
 + Nam ita simplices sequaliter cum prudentissimis et acutissiifeis qui- 
 bu-que, proficiebaut. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 X In welchem er Gott den Vater prysset und alle Menschen allein uff 
 Jesum Christum, als den eiuigeu Ileiland verthrauwen lehrte. Bul- 
 linger Chron. 
 
 § AU'Sein Trost stuhiid allein mit frolichem Geraiith zu Gott B. 
 
 Weise, Fusslin Beytr. iv. 86. 
 
 II l)o ward bald ein gross Gelaiiff von allerley menschen, Innsonders von 
 dem gemeiaeu Mann BuUiager Chron. 
 
328 FIRST SERMON EFFECTS — OPPOSITION. 
 
 state ; " they clvo not preach the things belonging to salvation, 
 because they understand them not. I can see in these men 
 nothing but avarice and licentiousness." Henry Rauschlin, 
 treasurer of state, a constant reader of scripture, thought the 
 same: "The priests," said he, "met in thousands at the 
 
 Council of Constance to burn the best of them all." These 
 
 distinguished men, attracted by curiosity, came to hear 
 Zwingle's first sermon. On their features might be read the 
 emotion with which they listened to the preacher. " Glory 
 be to God!" said they, as they retired; "this man is a 
 preacher of the truth. He will be our Moses to lead us 
 forth from this Egyptian darkness."* From this moment 
 they became the intimate friends of the reformer. " Ye 
 mighty ones of the world," said Fiisslin, " cease to proscribe 
 the doctrine of Christ ! When Christ, the Son of God, had 
 been put to death, fishermen rose up to fill his place. -And 
 now, if you destroy the preachers of the truth, you will see 
 glaziers, millers, potters, founders, shoemakers, and tailors 
 teaching in their stead."-|- 
 
 For a time there was but one cry of admiration in Zurich ; 
 but as soon as the first moments of enthusiasm were passed, 
 the adversaries resumed their courage. Many w^ell-meaning 
 men, alarmed by the fear of a reformation, gradually became 
 estranged from Zwingle. The violence of the monks,' sup- 
 pressed for a while, burst forth again, and the college of the 
 canons resounded with complaints. Zwingle was immovable. 
 His friends, as they contemplated his courage, imagined they 
 saw^ a man of the apostolic age reappearing before them.J 
 Among his enemies, some laughed and joSed, others gave 
 utterance to violent threats ; but he endured all with chris- 
 tian patience.§ " If we desire to gain over the wicked to 
 Jesus Ch.rist," lie was accystomed to say, " we must shut 
 our eyes against many things."|| An admirable saying, v/hich 
 should not be lost ! - 
 
 • Und unser Moses seyn der uns aus Egypten fiihrt. Bulliiiger Chron. 
 
 t Werdeii die Glaser, Miiiler, HafFiicr, Giesser, Shuhmacher und 
 Schneider lehren. Muller's Reliq. iii, 185. 
 
 X Nobis, apostolici illius srcculi virum reprresentag. Zw. Epp. p. 74. 
 
 § Obganiiiuut quidam, rident, inii'.autur, petulanter iucessunt at tu 
 
 Tere, Christiana patientia, suffers omnia. Ibid. May 7, 1519. 
 
 II ConniYendum ad mnlta. ci qui vclit malos Christo lucri facere .Ibid. 
 
ZWINGLE S CHARACTER. 329 
 
 His character and his deportment towards all men contri- 
 buted, as much as his discourses, to win their hearts. He 
 was at once a true Christian and a true republican. The 
 equality of mankind was not with him a mere conventional 
 term; it was written in his heart, and shown by his life. 
 He had neither that pliarisaical pride nor that monastic 
 coarseness which offend equally the simple and the wise of this 
 -world; they felt attracted towards him, and were at ease in 
 his society. Bold and eneri^etic in the pulpit, he was affable 
 to all whom he met in the streets or public places ; he was 
 often seen in the halls where the companies and trades used 
 to meet, explaining to the citizens the chief features of the 
 christian doctrine, or conversing familiarly with them. He 
 addressed peasants and patricians with the same cordiality. 
 " He in\i:ed tha coiintr\'-people to dine with him," said one 
 of his most violent enemies, '' walked with them, talked to 
 them of God, put the devil in tlieir hearts, and his books into 
 their pockets. "He succeeded so well that the notables of 
 Zurich used to visit the peasants, drink with them, show them 
 about the city, and pay them every mark of attention."* 
 
 He continued to cultivate music " with moderation," says . 
 BuUinger; nevertheless tlie' opponents of the Gospel took 
 advantage of this, and called him " tlie evangelical lute- 
 player and fifer."! Faber having one day censured him 
 for this taste, he replied with noble frankness : " My dear 
 Faber, you do not know vvdiat music is. True, I have 
 learnt to play on the lute, the violin, and other instruments, 
 and they serve me to quiet little children ;| but you are too 
 holy for music !...... Do you not know that David was a skil- 
 ful player on the harp, and how by this means he drove the 
 
 evil spirit out of Saul? Ah! if you did but know the 
 
 sounds of the heavenly lyre, the. wicked spirit of ambition 
 and love of riches which possesses you would soon depart 
 from you likewise." Perhaps this may have been a v/eak- 
 ness in Zwingle ; still it Avas with a spirit of cheerfulness 
 and evaiigelical liberty tjiat ho cultivated this art, which 
 
 * Dass der Rath gemeldete Bauern besucht Salat's Chronik,p. 155. 
 
 t Der Lauthenschlager und evaiigelisclier Pfyffer. Buliingcr Chron. 
 t Dass kombt mir Ja ^vo\ die Kind zu ^eschweigou. Tbid. 
 
330 HIS MODE OF LIFE BOOK-HAWKIKG. 
 
 religion has always associated with her subhmest devotion. 
 He set to music some of his christian poems, and Avas not 
 ashamed from time to time to amuse the little ones of his 
 flock with his lute. He conducted himself in the same 
 kindly manner towards the poor. '• He would eat and 
 drink wdth all vdio invited him," says one of his contem- 
 poraries ; " he despised no one ; he was comnassionate to 
 the poor, always steadfast and cheerful in good and evil for- 
 tune. No misfortune alarmed him ; his conversation was at 
 all times full of consolation, and his heart firm.*'* Thus 
 Zwingle's popularity vras ever on the increase: sitting by times 
 at the tables of the poor and at the banquets of tiie rich, as his 
 Master had done in former days, and everywhere doing the 
 work to which God had called him. 
 
 He was indefatigable in study. From daybreak until 
 ten o'clock he used to read, write, and translate; at that 
 time Hebrew was the special object of his studies. After 
 dinner he listened to those wdio had any news to give him 
 or who required his advice ; he then would walk out with, 
 some of his friends and visit his flock. At two o'clock he 
 resumed his studies. He took a short walk after supper, 
 and then wrote his letters, which often occupied him till 
 midnight. He always vrorked standing, and never permitted 
 himself to be disturbed except for some very important cause.-j- 
 
 But , the exertions of more than one man v/ere required. 
 A man named Lucian called on him one day with the works 
 of the German reformer. Ehenanus, a scholar theii residing 
 at Basle, and indefatigable in circulating Luther's writings 
 in Switzerland, had sent him to Zwungle. Ehenanus had 
 perceived that the hawking of books was a powerful means 
 of spreading the evangehcal doctrines. Lucian had travelled 
 over almost tlie whole of Switzerland, and knew nearly 
 everybody. " Ascertain," said Khenanus to Zwingle, 
 ""vhcther this man possesses sufiicient prudence and skill; 
 if so, let him carry from city to city, from town to town, 
 
 * War allwegen trostlichen Gemliths und tapferer Red. B. Weise, 
 Fussl. Beytr. iv. 36. ' 
 
 + Certas studiis vindicans horas, quas etiam non omisit, nisi seriis 
 coactus. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
INDULGENCES. S31 
 
 from village to village, and even from house to house, among 
 the Swiss, the Avorks of Luther, and especially his exposition 
 of the Lord's prayer written for the laity * The more they 
 are known, the more purchasers they will find. But you 
 must take care not to let him hawk any other books ; for if 
 he has only Luther's, he will sell them so much the faster." 
 By this means a ray of iiglit penetrated the humble dwelUng 
 of many a Swiss family. There was however one book that 
 Zwingle should have caused to be distributed along w^th 
 Luther's, — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 The Indulgences— Samson at Berne and at Baden— The Dean of Brem- 
 garten— Young Henry BuUinger— Samson and the Dean— Zwingle'a 
 internal Struggles — Zwingle opposes the Indulgences— Samson is sent 
 back. 
 
 An opportunity of displaying Zwingle s zeal in a new voca- 
 tion presented itself. Samson, the famous indulgence mer- 
 chant, w^as slowly approaching Zurich. This wretched 
 trafficker had left Schwytz and arrived at Zug on the 20th 
 of September 1518, and had remained there three days. 
 An immense crowd had gathered round him. The poorest 
 were the most eager, and thus prevented the rich from 
 getting near him. This did not suit the monk's vievrs; 
 and accordingly one of his attendants began to ciy out 
 to the populace: "Good folks, do not crowd so much! 
 make way for those who have money ! AVe will afterwards 
 endeavour to satisfy those who have none." From Zug, 
 Samson and his band proceeded to Lucerne ; from Lucerne to 
 Unterwalden ; and then, after crossing fertile mountains and 
 rich valleys, skirting the everlasting snows of the Oberland, 
 and displaying their Romish merchandise in these most beauti- 
 
 • Oppidatim, municipatim, Ticatim, imo domesticatim per Helvetios 
 circumferat. Zw. Epp. 81 
 
332 SAMSON AT BERNE. 
 
 ful portions of Switzerland, they aiTived in the neighbourhood 
 of Berne. Tlie monk was at iirst forbidden to enter the city ; 
 but eventually, by means of certain friends he had there, he 
 succeeded in gaining admission, and set up his stall in St. 
 Vincent's Church. Here he began to bawl out more lustily 
 than before : " Here," said he to the rich, " are indulgences 
 on parchment for a crown." — " There," said he to the poor, 
 " are absolutions on common paper for twobatz!"* One 
 day a celebrated knight, Jacques de Stein, appeared before 
 him, prancing on a dapple-gray horse,7 which the monk 
 admired very much. '' Give me," said the knight, " an 
 indulgence for myself, for my troop, five hundred strong, for 
 all my vassals at Belp, and for all my ancestors, and you 
 shall have my dapple-gray charger in exchange." This 
 was asking a high price for a horse ; but as it pleased the 
 Franciscan, they soon came to terms ; the charger was led 
 to the monk's stable, and all those souls were declared for 
 ever exempt from hell. Another day, a citizen purchased of 
 him for thirteen florins an indulgence empoAvering his con- 
 fessor to absolve him, among other matters, from every kind 
 of perjury4 So much respect Avas felt for Samson, that the 
 councillor De May, an aged and enlightened man, who had 
 spoken irreverently of him, vv-as compelled to beg pardon of 
 the haughty monk on his knees. 
 
 On the last day of his stay the noisy sound of bells pro- 
 claimed* the departure of the monk from Berne. Samson 
 was in the church, standing on the steps of the high altar. 
 The canon Henry Lupulus, formerly Zwingle's teacher, was 
 his interpreter. " When the vrolf and the fox prowl about 
 together," said the canon Ansclm, turning to the schultheiss 
 De Watteville, " your safest plan, my gracious lord, is to 
 shut up your sheep and your geese." But the monk cared 
 little for such remarks, which, moreover, did not reach 
 his ears : " Kneel down," said he to the superstitious 
 crowd, ". recite three Paters^ three Aves, and your souls will 
 
 * A batz is wortli about three-halfpence. 
 
 -I" Una einen Kuttgrowcu Hen^st. Anshelra, v. 335 ; J. J. Hotting. 
 Helv. K. Gesoh. iii. 29. 
 
 t A quovia po?-ji:rio. Mullcr's R.eliq. iv. 403. 
 
SAMSON AT BADEN. 333 
 
 immediately be as pure as at the moment of your baptism." 
 Upon this all the people fell on tlieir knees. Samson, 
 desirous of surpassing himself, exclaimed : " I deliver from 
 the torments ojf purgatory and of hell all the souls of the 
 Bernese who are dead, whatever may have becH the man- 
 ner and the place of their death!" These mountebanks, 
 like their brothers of the fairs, kept their best trick till the 
 last. 
 
 Samson, laden with money, proceeded through Argovia 
 and Baden towards Zurich. At every step, this monk, whose 
 appearance had been so wretched when first he crossed the 
 Alps, displayed greater haughtiness and splendour. ^ The 
 Bishop of Constance, who was irritated because Samson 
 would not have his bulls legalized by him, had forbidden 
 all the priests of his diocese to open their churches to him. 
 . At Baden, however, the priest of the parish dared not make 
 any strenuous opposition to his traffic. The efirontery of the 
 monk was redoubled. Heading a procession round the ceme- 
 tery, he seemed to fix his eyes upon some object in the air, 
 while his acolytes were chanting the hymn for the dead ; and 
 pretending to see the souls escaping from the cemetery to 
 heaven, he exclaimed: '' Fcce volant ! See how they fly !" 
 One day a man went into the belfry and ascended to the 
 top ; erelong a cloud of white feathers, floating in the air, 
 covered the astonished procession : " See how they fly !" ex- 
 claimed this wag, shaking a cushion on the summit of the 
 tower. Many persons burst out laughing.* Samson flew 
 into a passion, and was not to be appeased until hq was told 
 that the man's wits were sometimes disordered. He left 
 Baden quite abashed. 
 
 He continued his journey, and about the end of February 
 1519, arrived at Bremgarten, which the schultheiss and 
 junior priest of the town, who had seen him at Baden, had 
 invited him to visit. In all that district no one enjoyed a 
 better reputation than Dean Buliinger. This man, although 
 ill informed in the Word of God and in the errors of the 
 Church, was frank, zealous, eloquent, charitable to the poor," 
 ever ready to do a kindness to the little ones of his flock, 
 * Dessen viel Luth gnug lachten. Buliinger Chronik. 
 
334 DEAN OF BREMGARTEN HENRY BULLINGER. 
 
 and was generally beloved. In his youth he had formed a 
 conscientious union with tlie daughter of a councillor in the 
 town. This was a practice not unusual among priests who 
 were unwilling to lead a scandalous life. Anna had borne 
 him five solis, and this numerous family had by no means 
 diminished tlie respect felt towards him. In all Switzerland 
 there was not a more hospitable house than his. He was 
 fond of hunting, and might often be seen with a pack of 
 ten or twelve hounds, and accompanied by the lords of 
 Hallwyll, the abbot of Mury, and the patricians of Zurich, 
 scouring the neighbouring fields and forests. His table was 
 free to ail comers, and none of his guests was gayer than 
 himself. When the deputies to the diet were going to Baden 
 by way of Bremgarten, they were always entertained by the 
 dean. " BuUinger," said they, " holds a court hke the most 
 powerful lord." • 
 
 Strangers had remarked in this house a child with in- 
 telHgent features. Henry, one of the dean's sons, had in- 
 curred many dangers from his earliest infancy. At one time 
 he was attacked by the plague, and he was about to be 
 buried, when some feeble signs of life restored joy to his 
 parents' hearts. On another occasion, a vagabond, having 
 attracted him by his caresses, was carrying him. away, when 
 some passers-by recognised and rescued him. At three 
 years old, he knew the Lord's prayer and the Apostles' creed ; 
 and creeping into the church, he would go into his fathers 
 pulpit, gravely take his station, and repeat at the full strength 
 of his voice : " I beheve in God the Father," &c. At twelve 
 years of age his parents sent him to the grammar school of 
 Emmeric ; their hearts were filled with apprehension, for the 
 times were dangerous for an inexperienced boy. When the 
 regulations of a university appeared to them too severe, the 
 students might often be seen quitting the school in troops, 
 taking Httle children with them, and encamping in the 
 woods, whence they would send the youngest of their 
 number to beg bread, or else, with arms in their hands, 
 would fall upon travellers, whom they robbed, and then 
 consumed the fruits of their plunder in debauchery. For- 
 tunately Henry was preserved from evil in this distant place. 
 
SAMSON AND THE DEAN. 335 
 
 Like Luther, he gained his bread by singing from door to 
 door, for his father wished him to learn to hve on his o^vn 
 resources. He was sixteen years old when he opened a New 
 -Testament. " I there found," said he, " all that is necessary 
 for man's salvation, and from that time I adhered to this, 
 principle, that v^^e must follow the sacred Scriptures alone, 
 and reject all human additions. I believe neither the 
 Fathers nor myself, but explain scripture. by scripture, with- 
 out adding or taking away anything."* Thus did God 
 prepare this young man, who was one day to be Zwingle's 
 successor. He is the author of the chronicle so often quoted 
 by us. 
 
 About this time Samson arrived at Bremgarten with all 
 Ills train. The bold dean, wliom this little Italian army did 
 not dismay, forbade the monk to sell his merchandise ir^ his 
 •deanery. Tlie schultheiss, the tow^n-council, and the junior 
 pastor, — all friends to Samson, — were met together in a 
 chamber of the inn where tiie latter had alighted, and, greatly 
 disconcerted, had gatiiered round tlie impatient monk wlien 
 the dean arrived. " Here are the papal bulls," said the 
 monk ; " open your church !" 
 
 The Dean. — " I will not permit the purses of my parish- 
 ioners to be drained by unauthenticated letters; for the 
 bishop has iiot legalized them." 
 
 The Monk, solemnly. — " The pope is above the bishop. 
 I forbid you to deprive your flock of so signal a favour." 
 
 'The Dean. — " Should it cost me my life, I will not open 
 my church." 
 
 The Monk, indignantly. — "Rebellious priest! in the 
 name of our most, holy lord the pope, I pronounce against 
 you the greater excommunication, and will not absolve you 
 until you have redeemed such unprecedented rashness by 
 paying three hundred ducats." 
 
 The Dean, turning his hack and quitting the room. — " I 
 shall know how to reply to my lawful judges : r^3 for you' 
 and your excommunication, I care not for either." 
 
 The Monk, in a passion. — " Impudent brute ! } am going 
 
 * Bulling. Epp. Franz's Merkw. Zuge, p. 13. 
 
33G zwingle's internal struggles. 
 
 to Zurich, and I will there lay my complaint before the 
 deputies of the confederation."* 
 
 The Dean. — " I can appear there as well as you, and will 
 go tliither immediately." 
 
 While these events were taking place at Breragarten, 
 Zwingle, who saw the enemy gradually approaching, preached 
 energetically against the indulgences, j The vicar, Faber of 
 Constance, encouraged him, promising him the bishop's sup- 
 port.! " I am aware," said Samson, as he was moving 
 towaj'ds Zurich, " that Zwingle will speak against me, but I 
 will stop his mouth." In effect, Zwingle felt too deeply all 
 the sweetness of Christ's forgiveness, not to attack the paper 
 indulgences of these foolisli men. Like Luther, he often 
 trembled because of iiis sinfulness, but he found in the Lord 
 a deliverance from every fear. This modest but resolute 
 man increased in tlie knowledge of God. " When Satan 
 frightens me," said ho, " by crying out : * You have not done 
 this or that, whicli God commands !' forthwitli tlie gentle 
 voice of tlie Gospel consoles me, by saying : ' What thou 
 canst not do (and certainly thou canst do nothing), Christ 
 has done and poi'fected.' Yes (continued the pious evange- 
 list), when my heart is troubled because of my hehplessness 
 and the weakness of my flesh, my spirit is revived at the 
 sound of these glad tidings : Christ is thy innocence ! Clirist 
 is thy righteousness ! Christ is thy salvation ! Tliou art 
 nothing, thou canst do nothing ! Christ is the Alpha and 
 Omega ; Christ is the First and tlie Last ; Christ is all 
 things ; he can do all t]ungs.§ All created things will for- 
 sake and deceive thee ; but Christ, the innocent and figlite- 
 
 ous one, will receive and justify tliee Yes! it is he," 
 
 exclaimed Zwingle, '*' vrho is our righteousness, and the 
 
 * Dii freclie Bestie &c. Bull. Chronik. 
 
 t Ich yrsn^ete etreni; wider dcs Pabsts Ablass Z\v. 0pp. ii. 
 
 part i. p. 7. 
 
 t Uiid liat mich darin gestarkt : cr -welle mir mit aller triiv/ bvstou. 
 ~lbid. 
 
 § Chri.stus est innoceiitia tua ; Christus est justitia et puritas tua ; 
 Christus est salus tua ; tu nihil es, tu nihil potes ; Christus est A et n ; 
 Christus est prora et puppis Uhe proio and the stern); Christus est 
 omnia Ibid. i. 207. 
 
ON INDULGENCES SAMSON DISMISSED. 337 
 
 righteousness of all those who shall ever appear justified 
 before the throne of God!" 
 
 In the presence of such truths, the indulgences fell of 
 themselves : Zwingle accordingly feared not to attack them. 
 " No man," said he, " can remit sins ; Christ, who is very- 
 God and very man, alone has this power.* Go ! buy indul- 
 gences but be assured, that you are not absolved. Those 
 
 wlio sell remission of sins for money, are the companions of 
 Simon the magician, the friends of Balaam, and the ambas- 
 sadors of Satan." 
 
 Dean Bullinger, still heated by his conversation with the 
 monk, arrived at Zurich before him. He came to lay his 
 complaints before the diet against this shameless merchant 
 and his traffic. He found some envoys from the bishop who 
 were there with the same motives, and made co;iimon cause 
 with them. All promised to support him. The spirit that 
 animated Zwingle pervaded the city. The council of state 
 resolved to oppose the monk's entry into Zurich. 
 
 Samson had reached the suburbs and alighted at an inn. 
 He was preparing to mount his horse to make his solemn 
 entry, and had already one foot in the stirrup, when deputies 
 from the council appeared before him, offering him the hono- 
 rary cup of wine as envoy from the pope, and informing him 
 that he might dispense with entering Zurich. " I have 
 something to communicate to the diet in the name of his 
 holiness," replied the monk. This was a mere trick. It 
 was agreed, however, to receive him ; but as he spoke of 
 nothing but papal bulls, he was dismissed after being com- 
 •pelled to withdraw the excommunication pronounced against 
 the dean of Bremgarten. He quitted the hall fuming with 
 anger, and soon after the pope recalled him to Italy. A 
 waggon, drawn by three horses and laden with the money 
 that his falsehoods had wrung from the poor, preceded him 
 on those steep paths of the St. Gothard that he had crossed 
 eight months before, without money or parade,'and burdened 
 with onlv a few papers. f 
 
 ' m 
 
 * Nisi Christus Jesus, verus Deus et verus homo Zw. 0pp. i. 412. 
 
 t Und fiihrt mit Ihm ein threspendiger Schatz an Gelt, den er 
 LUthen abgelogen hat. Bullinger Chrooik. 
 
 VOL. n. 15 
 
338 ZWINGLF.'S LABOURS THE HATHS. 
 
 The Helvetic diet showed more resolution than the Ger- 
 man. It was because neither bishops nor cardinals had a 
 seat in it. And hence the pope, deprived of these supporters, 
 acted more mildly towards Switzerland than towards Ger- 
 many. But the affair of the indulgences, which played so 
 important a part in tjie German, was merely an episode in the 
 Swiss Reformation. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Zwingle's Tofls,,aud Fatigue— The Baths of Pfeffers— The Monjent of 
 God— The Great Death— Zwiugle attacked by the Plague— His Adver- 
 saries — HiaFriends — Convakscence — General Joy — Effects of the Pes- 
 tilence— Myconius at Lucerue — Oswald encourages Zwingle— Zwiugle 
 at Basle — Capito invited to Mentz— Hedio at Basle— The Unnatural 
 Sou— Preparations for the Struggle. 
 
 ZwiNGLE did not spare himself. Such great and continued 
 toil called for relaxation, and he was ordered to repair to the 
 baths of Pfeffers. '' Oh ! had I a hundred tongues, a hun- 
 dred mouths, and a voice of iron, as Virgil says ; or rather 
 had I the eloquence of Cieero, how could I express all that 
 I owe to you, and the pain this separation causes me?"* 
 Such were the parting words of Herus, one of the pupils 
 resident in his house, and who thus gave utterance to the 
 feelings of all who knew Zwingle. He departed, and reached 
 Pfeffers through the frightful gorge formed by the impetuous 
 torrent of the Jamina. He descended into that infernal 
 gulf, as Daniel the hermit terms it, and arrived at those 
 baths, perpetually shaken by the fall of the torrent, and mois- 
 tened by the spray of its broken waters. Torches were 
 required to be burned at noon-day in the house where Zwin- 
 gle lodged. It was even asserted by the inhabitants, that 
 frightful spectres appeared sometimes amid the gloom. 
 And yet even here he found an opportunity of serving his 
 
 * Etiamsi mihi sint linguae centum, sint oraque centum, ferrea vox, ui 
 Virgilius ait, aut potius Ciceroniana eloquentia. Zw. Epp. p. 84. 
 
THE MOMENT OF GOD. 339 
 
 Master. His affability won the hearts of many of the inva- 
 lids. Among their number was the celebrated poet, Philip 
 Ingentinus, professor at Friburg, in Brisgaii * who from that 
 time hecame a zealous supporter of tha Reformation. 
 
 God was watdiing over his work, and designed to accele- 
 rate it. Strong in frame, in character, and in talents, Zwingle, 
 whose defect consisted in this strength, was destined to see 
 ft prostrated, that he might become such an instrument as 
 God loves. He needed the baptism of adversity and infir- 
 mity, of weakness and pain. Luther had received it in that 
 hour of anguish when his cell and the long galleries of the 
 convent at Erfurth re-eoiioed with his piercing cries. Zwingle 
 was appointed to receive it by being brought into contact with 
 sickness and death. There is a moment in the history of the 
 heroes of this world, of such as Charles XII. or Napoleon, 
 which decides their career and their renown ; it is that in 
 which their strength is suddenly revealed to them. An ana- 
 logout moment exists in the life of God^s heroes, but it is in 
 a contrary direction ; it is that in which they first recognise 
 their helplessness and nothingness ; from that hour they re- 
 ceive the strength of God from on high. A work like that 
 of which Zwingle was to be the instrument, is never accom- 
 plished by the natural strength of man ; it would mther im- 
 mediately, like a tree transplanted in all its maturity and 
 vigour. A plant must be feeble or it will not take root, and a 
 gforin must die in the eartli before it can become fruitful. God 
 conducted Zwingle, and with him the work that depended on 
 him, to the gates of the sepulchre. It is from among the dry 
 bones, th&darkness, and the dust of death, that God is pleased 
 to select the instruments by means of which he designs to 
 scatter over the earth his light, regeneration, and life. 
 
 Zwingle was hidden among those colossalrocks that encircle 
 the furious torrent of the Jamina, when he was suddenly in- 
 formed that the plague, or the great death,j as it was called^ 
 had broken out at Zurich. It appeared in all its terror in 
 the month of August, on St. Lawrence's day, and lasted tilh 
 
 • Illic turn comitatem tuam e sinu uberrimo profluentem, non inju- 
 ande sum expertus. Zw. Epp. p 119. 
 t Der grosse Tod. Bullinojer Chronik. 
 
340 THE GREAT DEATH. ' 
 
 Candlemas, sweeping off two thousand five hundred inhabit- 
 ants. The young men who resided in Zwingle's house had 
 quitted it immediately, in accordance with tl\e directions he 
 had left behind him. His house was deserted ; but it was hia 
 time to return to it. He hastily quitted Pfeffers, and reap- 
 peared in the midst of his flock, which the malady had deci- 
 mated; his younger brother Andrew, who had waited for him, 
 he immediately sent back to Wildhaus, and from that houi 
 devoted himself entirely to the victims of this frightful scourge. 
 Every day he proclaimed Christ and his consolations to the 
 sick.* His friends, delighted to see him unharmed amid so 
 many deadly arrows,-]- experienced li^wever a secret alarm. 
 " Do your duty," said a letter from Basle, written by Conrad 
 Brunner, who himself died of the plague a few months after- 
 wards, " but at the same time remember to take care of 
 your own life." This caution came too late ; Zwingle was 
 attacked by the plague. The great preacher of Switzerland 
 lay stretched on a bed from which he seemed likely never to 
 rise. His thoughts were turned inwards; his eyes were di- 
 rected to heaven. He knew that God had given him a sure 
 inheritance, and venting the feelings of his heart in a hymn 
 overflowing with unction and simplicity, of which, though 
 we cannot transfer the antique and natural language, we will 
 endeavour at least to exhibit its rhythm and literal mean- 
 ing, — he exclaimed : — 
 
 Lo ! at tiie door 
 
 I hear death's knock !J 
 Shield me, Lord, 
 
 My strength and rock, 
 
 * Ut in majori periculo sis, quod in die te novo exponas, dum invisfs 
 aegrotos. Bullinger Chronik. p. 87. Chateaubriand had forgotten this and 
 a thousand similar facts, when he wrote that "the protestant pastor aban- 
 dons the necessitous on the bgd of death, and never risks his life in the 
 midst of the pestilence." Essai sur la litterature Anglaise. 
 
 + Plurimum gaudeo, te inter tot jactus tclorum versantem, illresum, 
 hactenus evasisse. Ibid. 
 
 X Ich mein der Tod, 
 
 Syg an der Th' r, &c. Zw. 0pp. ii. part ii. 'J70. 
 In rendering this and the other specimens of poetry contained in this 
 history, the translator has aimed solely at giving a faithful transcript 
 of the original. 
 
Z■WI^■GI.E (BATCHES THE PLAGUE. 341 
 
 The hand once nailed 
 
 Upon the tree, 
 Jesus, uplift — 
 
 And shelter me. 
 
 Wiliest thou, then, 
 
 Death conquer me* 
 In my noonday 1 
 
 So let it be ! 
 
 Oh ! may I die, 
 
 Since I am thine ; 
 Thy home is made 
 
 For faith like mine. 
 
 Meantime his disease increased in virulence ; his despairing 
 friends beheld this man, the hope of Switzerland and of the 
 Church, about to fall a prey to the tomb. His senses and his 
 strength forsook him. His heart was dismayed, but he still 
 found strength sufficient to turn towards God and to cry : — 
 
 My pains increase : 
 
 Lord, stand thou near. 
 Body and soul 
 
 Dissolve with fear. 
 
 Now death is near, 
 > My tongue is dumb ; 
 
 Fight for me, Lord. 
 
 Mine hour is come ! + . 
 St.e ii^^tan's net 
 Is o'er me tost— 
 
 , I feel his hand ^ 
 
 Must I be lost ? - 
 
 His shafts, his voice 
 
 Alarm no more, 
 For here I lie 
 
 Thy cross before. 
 
 Canon Hoffman, sincerely attached to his creed, could not 
 bear the idea of seeing zwingle die in the errors which he 
 
 * Willt du dann glych 
 
 Tod haben mich 
 
 In mitts der Tagen min 
 
 So soil's wiUig sin. Zw. 0pp. ii. part ii. 270. 
 
 + Nun ist es um 
 
 Min Zung ist stumm. 
 * * * * » 
 
 Darum ist Zyt 
 
 D*a3 du min strvt. Ibid. 271. 
 
342 fflS ENEMIES AND FRIENDS. 
 
 had preached. He called on the provost of the chapter, and 
 said to him : " Think of the danger to which his soul is ex- 
 posed. Has he' not designated as innovators and fantastical 
 all the doctors who have taught these three Iiundrod and 
 eighty years past and more — Alexander Hales, Ronaven- 
 ture, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, and all the 
 canonists ? Does not he maintain that their doctrines are 
 mere visions, w^hich they dreamt in their cowls within the 
 
 walls of their cloisters ? Alas ! it would have been better 
 
 for the city of Zurich had Zwingle ruineil our vintage and 
 
 our harvest for many years ! Now he is at death's door I 
 
 entreat you to save his poor soul ! " It w^oul J appear that the 
 provost, who was more enlightened than the canon, did not 
 think it necessary to convert Zwingle to Bonaventure and 
 Albertus Magnus. He was left in peace. 
 
 The city was filled with distress. The believers cried to 
 God night and day, praying Him to restore their faithful pas- 
 tor.* The alarm had spread from* Zurich to the mountains 
 of the Tockenburg. The pestilence had made its appearance 
 even on those lofty hills. Seven or eight persons hnd died 
 in the village, among whom was a servant of Zwingle's bro- 
 ther Nicholas, f No letter was received from the reformer. 
 " Tell me," wTOte young Andrew Zwingle, " in- what state 
 you are, ray dear brother. The abbot and all our brothers 
 salute thee." It would appear that Zwingle's parents were 
 dead, from there being no mention of them here. 
 
 The news of Zwingle's malady, and even the report of his 
 death, was circulated through Switzerland and Germany. 
 '•' Alas!" exclaimed Hedio in tears, "the preserver of our 
 country, tlie trumpet of the Gospel, the magnanimous herald 
 of truth, is cut down in the flo-wer and spring-tide of liis 
 life! "I When the news of Zwn'ngWs decease reached Basle, 
 the whole city resounded w^ith lamentations and mourning. § 
 
 *, Alle Glaubige rufften Gott treuwillicli an, dass er Ihren getreii-wftn 
 Hirten wieder ufrichte. Bullinger Chronik. 
 
 f Nicolao vero gerraano nostro etiam obiit servus suus, attamcn non 
 in pedibus suis. Zw. Epp. p. 88. 
 
 :J: Quis enim non doleat, publicam patriae salutem, tubam Evangelii, 
 magnanimum veritatis buccinatorem langnere, intercidere. Ibid. p. 90. 
 
 § Heu quantum luctus, fatis Zwinglium concessisse, importunus ille 
 Kumor, suo vehementi impetu divulgavit. Ibid. p. 91. 
 
HIS RECOVERY. 343 
 
 Yet the spark of life that still remained began to burn more 
 brightly. Although his frame was weak, his soul felt the 
 unalterable conviction that Gocl had called him to replace 
 the candle of His Word on the empty candlestick of the 
 Church. The plague had forsaken its victim, and Zwingle 
 exclaims with emotion : — 
 
 My God, my Sire, 
 
 Heal'd by thy hand, 
 Upon the earth 
 Once more I stand. 
 
 From guilt and sin 
 
 May I be free ! 
 My mouth shall sing 
 
 Alone of thee ! 
 
 The uncertain hour 
 
 For me will come... 
 O'erwhelm'd perchance 
 
 With deeper gloom.* 
 
 It matters not ! 
 
 With joy I'll bear 
 My yoke, until 
 
 I reach heaven's sphere.f 
 
 At the beginning of November, as soon as he could hold 
 a pen, Zwingle wrote to his family. This gave unutterable 
 joy to his friends,}: particularly to his young brother Andrew, 
 Avho himself died of the plague in the following year, 'and at 
 whose death Ulrich wept and groaned (as he himself observes) 
 with more than woman's sorrow.§ At Basle, Conrad Brun- 
 ner, Zwingle's friend, and Bruno Amerbach, the celebrated 
 printer, both young men, had died after three days' illness. 
 * These words were strikingly fulfilled, twelve years later, on th« 
 blood-stained field of Caf>pel. ^ 
 
 t So will ich doch 
 Den Trutz und Poch 
 In diser Welt 
 Tragen frblich 
 Um widergelt. 
 Although these three fragments of poetry bear date " at the begin- 
 ning, the middle, and the end of his malady," and express the sentiments 
 Zwingle really felt at these three periods, it is most probable that they 
 were not put into the shape in \vhich they have come down to us until 
 after his recovery. See Bullingor Chronik. 
 
 J Inspectis tuis Uteris, iucredibilis quidam eestus laetitias pectus 
 subiit. Zw. Epp. p. 88. 
 
 § Ejulatiira et luctum plusquam femineum. Ibid. p. 155. 
 
344 GENERAL JOY EFFECTS OF SICKNESS. 
 
 It was believed in that city that Zwingle also had fallen. 
 The university felt the deepest dejection. " Whom the 
 gods love die young," said they* But wlio can describe their 
 delight when Collins, a student from Lucerne, and after him 
 a merchant from Zurich, brought intelligence that Zwingle 
 had escaped from the jaws of deathly The vicar of the 
 Bishop of Constance, John Faber, that old friend of Zwingle's, 
 who was subsequently his most violent antagonist, wrote to 
 him ; " Oh ! my beloved Ulrich, what joy I feel at learning 
 that you have been saved from the grasp of cruel death! 
 When you are in danger the christian commonwealth is 
 threatened. The Lord has pleased to urge you by these 
 trials to seek more earnestly for eternal life." 
 
 This was indeed the aim of the trials by which God had 
 proved Zwingle, and this end was obtained, but in a dif- 
 ferent manner from that imagined by Faber. This pesti- 
 lence of 1519, which committed such frightful ravages in 
 the north of Switzerland, was in the hands of God a povrer- 
 ful means for the conversion of many souls. J But on no one 
 did it exercise so powerful an influence as on Zwingle. The 
 Gospel, which had hitherto been too much regarded by him 
 as a mere doctrine, now became a great reality. He arose 
 from the darkness of the sepulchre with a new heart. His 
 zeal became more active ; his life more holy ; his preaching 
 more free, more christian, and more powerful. This was 
 the epoch of Zwingle's complete emancipation ; hencefor- 
 ward he consecrated himself entirely to God. But the Re- 
 formation of Switzerland received a new life at the same 
 time as the reformer. The scourge of God, the great death, 
 as it swept over these mountains and descended into its 
 valleys, gave a holier character to the movement that was 
 there taking place. The Reformation, as well as Zwingle, 
 was baptized in the waters of affliction and of grace, and came 
 forth purer and more vigorous. It was a memorable day in 
 the counsels of God for the regeneration of this people. 
 
 *"Ov T£ ^£9/ tptXieua-i, vtavia-xo; TiXivra. Zw. Epp. p. 90. 
 
 t Ediris te mortis faucibus feliciter ereptum negotiator quidam Tigu. 
 rinus Ibid. p. 91, 
 
 X Als die Pestilentz im Jahre 1519, iu diesser Gegend grassirte, vielo 
 neigten sich zu einem bessern Lebcn. George Vogelin, Ref. Hist. 
 Fusslin Bejtr. iv, 174. 
 
MYCONIUS AT LUCERNE. 345 
 
 Zwingle derived fresh strength, of which he stood so much 
 in need, from communion with his friends. To Myconius 
 especially he was united by the strongest affection. They 
 walked in reliance on each other, like Luther and Melancthon. 
 Oswald was happy at Zurich. True, his position there was 
 embarrassed, but tempered by the virtues of his modest wife. 
 It was of her that Glarean said : " If I could meet with a 
 young M'oman hke her, I should prefer her to a king's 
 daughter." Yet a faithful monitor often broke in upon the 
 sweet affection of Zwingle and Myconius. It was the canon 
 Xyloctect inviting Oswald to return to Lucerne, his native 
 place. " Zurich is not your country," said he, " it is Lu- 
 cerne ! You tell me that the Zurichers are your friends ; I 
 do not deny it. But do you know what will be the end 
 of it ? Serve your country : This I would advise and 
 entreat you, and, if I may, I would command you !"* 
 Xyloctect, joining actions with words, procured his nomina- 
 tion as liead-master of the collegiate school at Lucerne. 
 Oswald hesitated no longer; he saw the finger of God in 
 this appointment, and however great the sacrifice, he re- 
 solved to make it. Who could tell that he might not be an 
 instrument in the hand of the Lord to introduce the doctrine 
 of peace in the warlike city of Lucerne? But what a sad 
 farewell was that of Zwingle and Myconius ! They parted 
 in tears. " Your departure," wrote Ulrich to his friend 
 shortly after, " has inflicted a blow on the cause I am de- 
 fending, like that suffered by an army in battle-array w^hen 
 one of its wings is destroyed.-}- Alas! now I feel all the 
 value of my Myconius, and how often, without my know- 
 ing it, he has upheld the cause of Christ." 
 
 Zwingle felt the loss of his friend the more deeply, as the 
 plague had left him in a state of extreme weakness. " It 
 has enfeebled my memory," v, rote he on the 30th of Novem- 
 ber 1519, " and depressed my spirits." He was hardly con- 
 valescent before he resumed all his duties. " But," said he, 
 
 • Patriam cole, suadeo et obsecro, et, si hoc possum, jubeo. Xyloctectus 
 Myconio. 
 
 + Nam res mese, te abeunte, non sunt minus accisse, quam si ezercittii 
 in procinctu stanti altera alarum abstergatur. Zw. Epp. p. 98. 
 
 15* 
 
346 OSWALD ENCOURAGES ZWINGLE. 
 
 " when I am preaching, I often lose the thread of my dis- 
 course. All ray hmbs are oppressed with languor, and I am 
 almost like a corpse." Besides this, Zwingie's opposition to 
 indulgences had aroused the hostility of their partisans. 
 Oswald encouraged his friend by the letters he wrote from 
 Lucerne. ^Vas not the Lord, at this very moment, giving 
 a pledge of his support by the protection He afforded in 
 Saxony to the powerful champion who had gained such sig- 
 nal victories over Rome?.-....." AYhat is your opinion," said 
 Myconius to Zwingle, " of Luther's cause? As for me, I 
 have no fear either for the Gospel or for him. If God does 
 not protect His truth, who shall protect it ? All that I ask 
 of the Lord is, that He will not withdraw his hand from those 
 who hold nothing dearer than his Gospel. Continue as you 
 have begun, and an abundant reward shall be conferred upon 
 you in heaven !" 
 
 The arrival of an old friend consoled Zwingle for the de- 
 parture of Myconius.' Bunzli, who had been Ultich's in- 
 structor at Basle, and who had succeeded the Dean of Wesen, 
 the reformer's uncle, visited Zurich, in the first week of the 
 year 1520, and Zwingle and he formed a project of going to 
 Basle to see their common friends.* Zwingie's sojourn in 
 that city was not fruitless. " Oh ! my dear Zwingle," wrote 
 John Glother not long after, " never can I forget you. I 
 am bound to you for that kindness with which,' during your 
 stay in Basle, you came to see me, — me, a poor schoolmaster, 
 an obscure man, without learning, merit, and of low estate ! 
 You have won my affections by that gracefulness of manner, 
 that inexpressil^P suavity with which you subdufe all hearts, 
 — nay, even the stones, if I may so speak."+ But Zwingie's 
 old friends profited still more by his visit. Capito, Hedio, and 
 many others, were electrified by his powerful language ; and 
 the former, commencing in Basle a work similar to that which 
 Zwingle was carrying on in Zurich, began to explain the Gospel 
 according to St. Matthew, before an ever-increasing auditory. 
 The doctrine of Christ penetrated and warmed their hearts. 
 
 * Zw. Epp. pp. 103, 111. 
 
 t Morum tuorum elegantia, suavitasque incredibilis, qua omnes tibi 
 devincis, etiam lapides, ut sic dixerim. Ibid. p. 133. 
 
nASi.i: — CAnro and hedio. 347., 
 
 The pcoj)le received it gladly, and hailed with acclamations 
 the revival of Christianity.* This was the dawn of the Re- 
 formation ; and accordingly a conspiracy of priests and monks 
 was soon formed against Capito. It was at this period that 
 Albert, the youthful cardinal-archbishop of Mentz, desirous 
 of attaching so great a scholar to his person, invited him 
 to his court.j Capito, seeing t\\ii difficulties that were op- 
 posed to him, accepted the invitation. The people were 
 excited; their indignation was roused against the priests, 
 and a violent commotion broke out in the city.J Hedio was 
 thought of as his successor ; but some objected to his youth, 
 and others said, "He is Capito's disciple!" "The truth 
 stings," said Hedio ; " it is not safe to wound tender ears by 
 preaching it.§ But it matters not ! Nothing shall make me 
 swerve from the straight road." The monks redoubled their 
 efforts : " Do not believe tljose," exclaimed they from the 
 pulpit, " Who tell you that the sum of christian doctrine is 
 found in the Gospel and in St. Paul. Scotus has been more 
 serviceable to Christianity tlian St. Paul iiimself. All the 
 learned things that liave been ever said or printed were 
 stolen from Scotus. Ail that tliese hunters after glory have 
 been able to dv), is merely t(^ add a fQ^v Gi-eck or Hebrew 
 words to obscure the v^l!ole matter." |j 
 
 The disturbance increased,. and there was cause to fear 
 that, after Capiios ov^paiuue, the opposition would become 
 still 'more powerful. "I shall be almost alone," thought 
 
 jjedio ; " I a vreak and wretched man, to struggle unaided 
 
 with tiiesc pestilent monsters."^ In these circumstances he 
 called to God for succoitr, and wrote to Zwingle : " Animate 
 mv courage by frequent letters. Learning and Christianity 
 are now betvvecn the hammer and the anvil. Luther has 
 just been condemned by the universities of Louvain and 
 
 * Renascent! Christianisrao mirum qnam faveaat. Zw. Epp. p. rio. 
 t Cardinalis illic invitavit amplistimis conditionibus. Ibid. 
 J Tumultiis exoritur et maxima iudio;natio vulgi er^a U^iTs^ Ibid. 
 § Auriculas teneras mordaci raJere voro, non usque adeo tutum est. 
 
 ^; Scotum plus profnisse rci Cliristiaine quam ipsum Paulum quio- 
 
 quid eruditum, furatum ex Scoto . Ibid. 
 
 ^ Cum pcstilentissirais monstris. Ibid. p. 121. 
 
348 UNNATURAL SON. 
 
 Cologne. If ever the Church was in imminent danger, it is 
 now."* 
 
 Capito left Basle for Mentz on the 28th of April, and Vas 
 succeeded by Hedio. Not content with the pubUc a-isem- 
 blies in the church, where he continued the explanation of 
 St. Matthew, Hedio proposed in the month of June (as he 
 writes to Luther) to have private meetuigs in his house, for 
 the more familiar communication of evangelical instraction 
 to those who . felt its necessity. This powerful means of 
 edification in the truth and of exciting the interest and zeal 
 of believers for Divine things, could not fail, then as in all 
 times, to arouse opposition among worldly minded people 
 and domineering priests, both which classes, though from dif- 
 ferent motives, are unwilhng that God should be worshipped 
 anywhere except within the boundary of certain walls. But 
 Hedio was immovable. 
 
 At the period when he was forming this good resolution 
 at Basle, there arrived at Zurich one of those characters 
 who, in all revolutions, are thrown up, like a foul scum, on 
 tlie surface of society. 
 
 The senator Grebel, a man highly respected in Zurich, 
 had a son named Conrad, a youth of remarkable talents, 
 a violent enemy of ignorance and superstition, which he at- 
 tacked with the most cutting satire ; he was blustering and 
 passionate, caustic and ill-natured in his speech; void of 
 natural affection, dissipated, speaking loudly and frequently 
 of his own innocence, and seeing nothing but evil in his 
 neighbours. We mention him here, because he was after- 
 wards destined to play a melancholy part. Just at this time, 
 Vadian married one of Conrad's sisters. The latter, who was 
 studying at Paris, where his misconduct iiad rendered him 
 incapable of walking, feeling a desire to be present at the 
 marriage, suddenly (about the middle of June) appeared. 
 in the midst of his family. The poor fiither received his 
 prodigal son with a kind smile, his tender mother with a 
 flood of tears. The affection of his parents could not change 
 his unnatural heart. His good but unhappy mother having 
 
 • Si unquam imminebat periculum, jam imminet. Z\v. Epp. p. 121, 
 17th March lo-20. 
 
ZWINGLE PREPARES FOR BATTLE. 349 
 
 some time afterwards been brought to the verge of the grave, 
 Conrad wrote to his brother-in-law Yadian : " My mother 
 has recovered ; she is again ruler of the house ; she sleeps, 
 rises, scolds, breakfasts, quarrels, dines, disputes, sups, and is 
 always a trouble to us. She trots about, roasts and bakes, 
 heaps and hoards, toils and wearies herself to death, and 
 will soon bring on a relapse."* Such was the man who some- 
 what later presumed to domineer over Zwingle, and became 
 notorious as one of the chiefs of the fanatical Anabaptists. 
 It may be that Divine Providence allowed such characters 
 to appear at the epoch of the Reformation, to form a contrast 
 by their very excesses with the wise, christian, and regulated 
 spirit of the reformers. 
 
 Everything seemed to indicate that the battle between the 
 Gospel and poperyn^^as about to begin. " Let us stir up the 
 temporizers," wrote Hedio to Zwingle ; " the truce is broken. 
 Let us put on our breastplates ; for we shall have to fight 
 against the most formidable enemies." ■]- Myco^iius wrote 
 to Ulrich in the same strain ; but the latter replied to these 
 warlike appeals with admirable mildness : " I would allure 
 these obstinate men," said he, " by kindness and friendly 
 proceedings, rather than overthrow them by violent contro- 
 versy.f For if they call our doctrine (which is in truth not 
 ours) a devilish doctrine, it is all very natural, and by this I 
 know that we are really ambassadors from God. The devils 
 cannot be silent in Christ's presence." 
 
 * Sie regiert das Haus, schlaft, steht auf, zankt, fruhstiickt, keift 
 
 Simml. Samml. iv. ; Wirz, i. 76. 
 
 t Armemus pectora nostra ! pugnandura erit contra teterrimos hostes. 
 Zw. Epp. p. 101. 
 
 + Benevolentia honestoque obsequio potius allici, quam auiraosa oppug- 
 natione trahi. Ibid. p. 103. 
 
360 ZWINGLE AND LUTHEK CONTKASTftD. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Two Reformers— The Fall of Man-Expiation of the Man-God— 
 No Merit in Works— Objections refuted— Power of Love for Christ — 
 Election— Christ the sole Master— Effects of this PreacMng — Dejection 
 and Courage — First Act of the Magistrate — Church and State — Attacks 
 — Galster. 
 
 Although Zwiiigle desired to follow a mild course, he did 
 not remain inactive. After his illness, his preaching had 
 become more profound and more vivifying. Upwards of 
 two thousand persons in Zurich had received the Word of 
 God in their hearts, confessed the evangelical doctrine, and 
 were already qualified to announce it themselves.* 
 
 Zwingle held the same faith as Luther, but a faith de- 
 pending on deeper reasoning. In Luther it was all impulse ; 
 in Zwingle, perspicuity of argument prevailed. We find in 
 Luther's writings an internal and private conviction of the 
 value of the cross of Jesus Christ to himself individually; 
 and this conviction, so full of energy and life, animates all 
 that ha says. Tiie same sentiment, undoubtedly, is found 
 in Zwingle, but in a less degree. He was rather attracted 
 by the harmony of the christian doctrine : he admired it 
 for its exquisite beauty, for the light it sheds upon the soul 
 of man, and for the everlasting life it brings into the world. 
 The one is moved by the heart, the other by the understand- 
 ing; and this is why those who have not felt by their own 
 experience the faith that animated these two great disciples 
 of the same Lord have fallen into the gross error of represent- 
 ing one as a mystic and the other as a rationalist. Possibly, 
 the one is more pathetic in the exposition of his faith, the 
 other more philosophical ; but both believe in the same 
 truths. It may be true that they do not regard secondary 
 questions in the same light ; but that faith which is one, — 
 
 * Non enim soli sumus : Tiguri plus duobus millibus permultorum est 
 rationalium, qui lac jam spirituale sugentes Zw. Epp. p. 104. 
 
THE FALL OF MAN ATONEMENT. 351 
 
 that faith wliich renews and justifies its possessor, — that 
 faith which no confession, no articles can express, — exists 
 in them ahke. Zwingle's doctrines liave been so often mis- 
 represented, that it will not be irrelevant to glance at what 
 he was then preaching to the people who daily thronged the 
 cathedral of Zurich. 
 
 In the fall of the first man Zwingle found a key to the 
 history of the human race. " Before the fall," said he one 
 day, " man had been created with a free will, so that^ had 
 he been willing, he might have kept the law ; his nature 
 was pure ; the disease of sin had not yet reached him ; his 
 life was in his own hands. But having desired to be as 
 
 God, he died and not he alone, but all his posterity. 
 
 Since then in Adam all men are dead, no one can recall them 
 to life, until the Spirit, which is God himself, raises them 
 from the dead."* ^ 
 
 The inhabitants of Zurich, who hstened eagerly to this 
 powerful orator, were overwhelmed with sorrow as he un- 
 folded before their eyes that state of sin in which mankind 
 are involved ; but soon they heard the words of consolation, 
 and the remedy was pointed out to them, which alone can 
 restore man to life. " Christ, very man and very God," •\- 
 said the eloquent voice of this son of the Tockenburg 
 herdsman, " has purchased for us a never ending redemp- 
 tion. For since it was the eternal God who died for us, 
 his passion is therefore an eternal sacrifice, and everlastingly 
 effectual to heal ; j: it satisfies the Divine justice for ever in 
 behalf of all those who rely upon it with firm and unshaken 
 faith. Wherever sin is," exclaimed the reformer, " death of 
 necessity follows. Christ was without sin, and guile was 
 
 * Quum ergo omnes homines iu Adarao mortui sunt donee per 
 
 Spiritiita et gratiam Dei ad vitam qure Deu3 est excitentur. Z\v. 0pp. i. 
 203. This passage, and others we have quoted, or which wc may have 
 occasion to quote, are taken from a work Zwingle published iu 1 ')"28, and 
 in which he reduced to order the doctrines he had been preaching for 
 several years past.— Hie recensere ccepi (he says) quae ex verbo Dei j)rae- 
 dicavi. Ibid. p. 228. 
 
 t Christus verus homo et verus Dens Ibid. 206. 
 
 :J: Deus enim aeternus, quum sit qui pro nobis moritur, passionem ejua 
 jcteruam et perpetuo salutarem esse oportet. Ibid. 
 
352 WORTHLESSNESS OF WORKS. 
 
 not found in his mouth ; and yet he died ! This death he 
 
 suffered in our stead ! He was wiUing to die tliat he might 
 restore us to hfe ; and as he had no sins of his own, the all- 
 merciful Father laid ours upon him.* Seeing thsrt the 
 
 Avill of man," said the christian orator again, " had rebelled 
 against the Most High, it was necessary for there-establish- 
 ment of eternal order and for the salvation of man, that the 
 human will should submit in Christ's person to the Divine 
 will." 7 He would often remark that the expiatory death 
 of Jesus Christ had taken place in behalf of believers, of the 
 people of God.j: 
 
 The souls that thirsted after salvation in the city of Zurich 
 found repose ,at the sound of these glad tidings ; but there 
 still existed in their minds some long-established errors which 
 it was necessary to eradicate. Starting from the great truth 
 that salviition is the gift of God, Zwingle inveighed power- 
 fully against the pretended merit of human works. " Since 
 eternal salration," said he, " proceeds solely from the merits 
 and death of i^esus Christ, it follows that the merit of our 
 own works is mere vanity and folly, not to say impiety and 
 senseless impndence.§ If we could have been saved by our 
 own works, it would not have been necessary for Christ to 
 di9. All who have ever coyie to God have come to him 
 through the death of Jesus Christ." || 
 
 Zwingle foresaw the objections this doctrine would excite 
 among some of his hearers. They waited on him and laid 
 them before him. He replied to them from the pulpit : 
 " Some people, perhaps more dainty than pious, object that 
 this doctiine renders men careless and dissolute. But of 
 what importance are the fears and objections that the dainti- 
 ness of men may suggest? Whosoever believes in Jesus 
 
 * Mori voluit ut nos vitas restitueret "Aw. 0pp. i. 204. 
 
 t Necegse fjiit ut voluntas humana in Christo se divina3 submit- 
 teret. Ibid. 
 
 X Hostia est et victiraa, satisfacicns in reternum pro peccatis omnium 
 fidolium. Ibid. 253. Expurgata peccata multitudinis, hoc est, fidelis 
 populi. Ibid. 264. 
 
 § Sequitur meritum nostrorum operum, niliil es-e quam vanitatem et 
 stultitiara, ne dicam irapietatera et ignorantcm in:',)udentiam. Ibid. 290. . 
 
 II Quotqnot ad Deum venerunt unquam, per uortem Christi ad Deum 
 venisse. Ibid. 
 
POWER OF LOVE TO CHRIST. 355 
 
 Christ is assured that all that cometh from God is necessarily 
 good. If, therefore, the Gospel is of God, it is good.* And 
 what other poAver besides could implant righteousness, truth, 
 
 and love among men? God, most' gracious, most 
 
 righteous Father of all mercies," exclaimed he in a transport 
 of piety, " with what charity Thou liast embraced re.?, thine 
 
 enemies If With what lofty and unfaihng hopes hast 
 
 thou filled us, v/ho deserved to feel nothing but despair ! and 
 to what glory hast thou called, in thy Son, our meanness 
 
 and our nothingness ! Thou wiliest, by this unspealvable 
 
 love, to constrain us to return thee love for love!" 
 
 Following out this idea, he proceeded to show that love to 
 the Redeemer is a. law more powerful than the command- 
 ments. " The Christian," said he, '' delivered from the law, 
 depends entirely on Jesus Christ. Christ is his reason, his 
 counsel, his righteousness, and his whole salvation. Christ 
 lives and acts in him.:}: Christ alone is his leader, and he 
 needs no other guide." And then making use of a compari- 
 son within the range of his hearers' intelligence, he added : 
 " If a government forbids its citizens under pain of death to 
 receive any pension or largess from the hands of foreigners, 
 how mild and easy is this law to these who, from love to their 
 country and their liberty, voluntarily abstain from so culpable 
 an action ! But, on the contrary, how vexatious and oppres- 
 sive it is to those who consult their ov/n interest alone ! Thus 
 .the righteous man lives free and joyful in the love of righte- 
 ousness, and the unrighteous man walks murmuring under 
 the heavy burden of the law that oppresses him !" § 
 
 In the cathedral of Zurich there were many old soldiers 
 Avho felt the truth of these words. Is not love the most 
 powerful of lawgivers? Are not its commands immediately 
 fulfilled ? Does not He whom we love dwell in our hearts, 
 and there perform all that he has ordained ? Accordingly 
 Zv/ingle, growing bolder, proclaimed to the people of Zurich 
 
 * Certus est quod qiiidqnid ex Deo est, bonum sit. Si ergo Evange- 
 lium ex Deo, bonum est. Zvv. 0pp. i. 208. 
 
 t Quanta caritate nos fnr:s et perduelles ...Ibid. 207. 
 
 X Turn enim totus a Christo pendct. Christus est ei ratio, consilium, 
 'justitia, innocentia et tota salus. Christus in eo vivit, in eo a/^tt ^^ vi. 233. 
 
 § Bonus vir in amore justitisc liber et Irrtus vivit. IW-i. V^ 
 
354 CHIIIST ALO^iE lb out MASTEE. 
 
 that love to the Redeemer was alone capable of impelling a 
 man to perform Avorks acceptable to God. " Works done out 
 of Jesus Christ are worthless," said the christian orator. 
 " Since every thing is done of liim, in him, and by him, what 
 can we lay claim to for ourselves ? Wherever there is faith 
 in God, there God is ; and wherever God abideth, tlierc a 
 zeal exists urging and impelling men to good works.* Take 
 care only that Christ is in tliec, and tliat thou art in Christ, 
 and doubt not that tiien he is at work in thee. The life of 
 a Christian is one perpetual good work wdiich God begins, 
 continues, and completes."-]' 
 
 Deeply affected by the greatness of that love of God, which 
 is from everlasting, the herald of grace raised his voice in 
 louder, accents of invitation to irresolute and timid souls. 
 " Are you afraid," said he, " to approach this tender Father 
 who has elected you ? Why has he chosen us of his grace ? 
 Why has he called us ? Why has lie drawn us to him ? Is 
 it that we should fear to approach him?"| 
 
 Such was Zwingle's doctrine : the doctrine of Christ him- 
 self. " If Luther preaches Christ, he does what I am doing," 
 said the preacher of Zurich ; " those whom he has brought 
 to Christ are more numei'ous than those wdiom I have led. 
 But this matters not : I v/ill bear no other name than that 
 of Christ, whose soldier I am, and wiio alone is my chief. 
 Never has one single word been written by me to Luther, 
 
 nor by Luther to me. And w^hy ? that it might be shown 
 
 how much the Spirit of God is in unison with itself, since 
 both of us, w^ithout any collusion, teach the doctrine of Christ 
 with such uniformity." § 
 
 Thus did Zwingle preach with courage and enthusiasm, jj 
 The vast cathedral could not contain the multitude of his 
 
 • Ubi Deus, illic cura est et studium, ad opera bona urgens et impel- 
 leus Zw. 0pp. i. 213. 
 
 t Vita ergo pii hominis nihil aliud est, nisi perpetua qussdam et inde- 
 fessa boni operatic, quarn Deus incipit, ducit, et absolvit Ibid. 295. 
 
 ij; Qiium ergo Deus pater nos elegit ex gratia sua, traxitque et vocavit, 
 cur ad eum accedere non auderemus ? Ibid. 287. 
 
 § Quam concors sit spiritus Dei, dum nos tam procul dissiti, niliil col' 
 ludentes, taea concorditcr Christi doctrinam docemus. Ibid. 276. 
 
 ji Quam fortis sis in Christo prasdicando. Zw. Epp. p. 160. 
 
EFFECTS OF ZWINGLE's PREACHING. 355 
 
 hearers. All praised God for the new life that was begin- 
 ning to reanimate the lifeless body of the Church. Many of 
 the Swiss from every canton who came to Zurich either to 
 attend the diet or for other motives, impressed by this new 
 preaching, carried its precious SQeds into all the valleys of 
 their native country. A shout of rejoicing ros'e from every 
 city and mountain. " Switzerland," wrote Nicholas Hageus 
 from Lucerne to Zurich, " Switzerland has hitherto given 
 birth to such as Brutus, Scipio, and Caesar; but she has 
 hardly produced a man who really knew Jesus Christ, and 
 who nourished our souls, not vvith vain disputes, but with 
 the AVord of God. Now that Divine Providence has given 
 Switzerland a Zwingle for preacher and an Oswald Myco- 
 nius for teacher, virtue and sacred learning are reviving 
 among us. fortunate Helvetia ! if at last thou wouldst 
 rest from war, and, alreq^fy illu&triors by thy arms, become 
 more illustrious still by righteousness and peace !"* — " There 
 was a report," wrote Myconius to Zwingle, " that your voice 
 could not be heard three paces off. But I see now that it 
 was a falsehood, for all Switzerlan[l hears you!"-]- — "Thou 
 hast armed thyself with an intrepid courage," wrote Hedio 
 from Basle ; " I will follow thee as far as I am able."| — " I 
 have heard thee," wrote Sebastain liofmeister of SchafFhausen 
 from Constance. "Would to God that Zurich, which is at 
 the head of our happy confederaticn, were healed of its dis- 
 ease, so that the whole body might be at length restored to 
 health !"§ 
 
 But Zwingle met ^with adversaries as well as admirers. 
 "Why," said some, " does he busy himself with the affairs of 
 
 Switzerland?" "Why," said others, "does he repeat the 
 
 same things in every sermon?" In the midst of all this 
 opposition, dejection often came over Zwingle's soul. Every- 
 thing seemed in his eyes falling into confusion, and society 
 
 * O Helvetian! lon.^e feliciorem, si tandeati liceat te a bellis conquies- 
 cerc ! Zw. Epp. p. 128. 
 
 t At video mendacium esse, cum audiaris per totam Helvetiam. 
 Ibid. p. 135. 
 
 X Sequar te quoad potero Ibid, p, 134. 
 
 § Ut capite felicis patriae nostrce a morbo erepto, sanitas tandem in 
 reliqua membra reciperetur. Ibid. p. 147. 
 
30b DEJECTION AND COURAGE STAHELI. 
 
 to be on the eve of a general convulsion.* He thought it 
 impossible for any new truth to appear, without its antago- 
 nistic error springing up ira5iiediately.-|- If any hope arose in 
 his heart, fear grew up by its side. He soon, however, threw 
 off his dejection. " The life of man here below is a continual 
 war," said he ; " whoever desires to obtain glory must face 
 the world, and like David force this haughty Goliath, so 
 proud of his stature, to bite the dust. The Church," said 
 he, as Luther had done. " was purchased by blood, and by 
 blood must be restored.}: The more numerous are its im- 
 purities, the more men like Hercules must we call up to 
 cleanse these Augean stables.;^ I am under no apprehen- 
 sions for I^uther," added he, "even should he be struck by 
 the thunderbolts of this (Romish) Jupiter." [| 
 
 Zwingle had need of j'epose, and repaired to the waters of 
 Baden.v The prifst of this town, lifc-merly one of the pope's 
 guards, a man of kindlf disposition but of the greatest ignor- 
 ance, had obtained his benefice by carrying the halberd. 
 Faithful to his military habits, he used to pass the day 
 and part of the night in jovial company, while his curate 
 Stiiheli was indefatigable in performing all the duties of his 
 charge.^ Zwingle sent for him and said : " I have need of 
 Swiss helpers ;" £nd from that moment Staheh was his 
 fellow-labourer. Zwingle, Stiiheli, and Luti subsequently 
 pastor at Wintertbour, lited under the same roof. 
 
 Zwingle's devotion was not unrewarded. The Word of 
 Christ, preached with so much energy, was destined to bear 
 fruit. Many magistrates were gained over; they had found 
 in God's Word their consolation and their strength. Afflicted 
 at seeing the priests, and above all the monks, uttering 
 shamelessly from the pulpit wliatever came into their heads, 
 
 * Omnia sursum deorsumque nioventur. Zw. Epp. p. 142, 
 
 f Ut nihil proferrc caput qiicat, cujus non contrarium e re<;ione emer- 
 gat. Ibid. 
 
 J Ecclesiani puto, ut sanguine parta est, ita sanguine iustaurari. 
 Ibid. p. 143. 
 
 § Eo plures armabis llercuies qui fimum tot liactenus bourn efferant. 
 Ibid. p. 144. 
 
 II Etiamsi fulmiae Jovis istius luiminetur. Ibid. 
 
 T Misc. Til,', ii. 679-696 ;, Wirz. i. 78, 79. 
 
INTERVENTION OF THE STATE. 357 
 
 the council published a decree ordering them to preach 
 nothing in their sermons " that they had not drawn from 
 the sacred fountains of the Old and New Testaments."* It 
 was in 1520 that the civil authority thus interfered for the 
 first time in the work of the Reformation, acting as a 
 christian magistrate (in the opinion of some), since it is the 
 primary duty of the magistrate to defend the Word of God 
 and to protect the dearest interests of the citizens ; — depriT- 
 ing the Church of its Hberty (in the opinion of others), sub- 
 jecting it to the secular power, and giving the signal of that 
 long train of evils which the union of Church and State has 
 since engendered. lYe will not here decide on this great 
 controversy, which in our own days is maintained with 
 so much warmth in many countries. It is sufficient for 
 us to mark its origin at the epoch of the Reformation. 
 But there is still another thing to be pointed out ; the act of 
 these magistrates was of itself an effect of the preaching of 
 the Word of God. The Reformation in Sv/itzerland then 
 emerged from simple individualities, and became a national 
 work. Born in the hearts of a few priests and learned men, 
 it extended, rose up, and took its station on higher ground. 
 Like the waters f>i the sea, it rose gradually, until it had 
 covered a vast expanse. 
 
 The monks were confounded : they had been ordered to 
 preoch the Word of God only, and most of them had never 
 read it. One opposition provokes another. This decree 
 became the signal of the most violent attacks against the 
 Reformation. Plots l^^egan to be formed against the priest 
 of Zurich : his life was in danger. One day, as Zwingle 
 and his curates were quietly conversing in their house, 
 some citizens entered hastily, saying ; " Have you strong 
 bolts to your doors? Be on your guard to-night." — "We 
 often had such alarms as these," adds Staheli ; " but we 
 were well armed,-]- and a patrol was stationed in the street 
 to protect us." 
 
 In other places recourse was had to still more violent 
 
 * Vetuit eos Senatus quicquam praedicare quod non ex sacrarum lito 
 arum utriusque Testamenti fontibus hausissent. Zw. 0pp. iii. 28. 
 t Wir waren aber gut geriistet. Misc. Tig. ii. 681 ; Wirz. i. 334. 
 
358 MARTYRDOM OF GALSTEE. 
 
 measures. An aged man of Schaffhausen, named Galster, 
 possessing a just spirit and a fervour rare at his age, and 
 rejoicing in the light he had found in the Gospel, endea- ' 
 voured to communicate it to his wife and children ; in his 
 zeal^ which may have been indiscreet, he openly attacked 
 the relics, priests, and superstition with which his canton 
 abounded. He soon became an object of hatred and terror 
 even to his own family. The old man, anticipating evil de- 
 signs, left his house broken-hearted, and fled to the neigh- 
 bouring forests. Here he remained some days sustaining life 
 upon what he could find, when suddenly, on the last night of 
 the year 1520, torches flashed through the forest in every 
 direction, and the shouts of men and the cry of savage 
 dogs re-echoed through its gloomy shades. The council had 
 ordered a grand chase in the forest to discover the wretched 
 man. Tlie hounds caught their prey. The unhappy Galster 
 was dragged before the magistrate, and summoned to abjure 
 his faith ; as he continued steadfast, he was beheaded.* 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A new Combatant — The Reformer of Berne— Zwingle encourages 
 Haller — The Gospel at Lucerne — Oswald persecuted — Zwingle's 
 Preaching — Henry Bullinger and Gerold of Knonau — Rubli at Basle 
 — The Chaplain of the Hospital — War in Italy— Zwingle protests 
 against the Capitulations. • 
 
 The year thus inaugurated by this bloody execution had 
 hardly begun, when'Zwingle received a visit at Zurich from 
 a young man about twenty-eight years of age, of tall 
 stature, and whose exterior denoted candour, simplicity, and 
 diffidence.-j- He introduced himself as Berthold Haller, and 
 on hearing his name Zwingle embraced the celebrated 
 preacher of Berne with that affability which imparted such 
 
 * Wirz. i. 510 ; Sebast. Wagner, von Kirchhofer, p. 18. 
 f Animi tui candorem simplicem et simplicitatem candidissimam, 
 hac tua pusilla quidem epistola Zw. Epp. p. 186. 
 
THE REFORMEH OF RERNE. 359 
 
 a charm to liis manners. Haller \yas born at Aldingcn in 
 Wiirtemberg * and had studied first at Rot.wyl under Ru- 
 beUus, and uQxt at Pforzheim, where Simmler was his pre- 
 ceptor and iVIeUincthon his fehow-pupil. The Bernese had 
 about that time resolved on attractmg literary men to their 
 repubhc, which had ah-eady become so famous by its feats 
 of arms. Rubelhis and Berthold, who was then only twenty- 
 one years old, repaired thitlier. Subsequently Haller was 
 named canon and shortly after preacher of the cathedral. 
 The Gospel taught by Zwingle had reached Berne ; Haller 
 believed, and from tliat hour desired to see the mighty man 
 whom he already respected as a father. He went to Zurich, 
 where Myconius had annoimced him. Thus did Haller and 
 Zwingle meet. Haller, a man of meek disposition, confided 
 to Zwingle all his trials ; and Zwingle, the strong man, in- 
 spired him witli courage. " My soul," said Berthold to 
 
 Zwingle one day, "is overwhelmed; I cannot support 
 
 such unjust treatment. I am determined to resign my pul- 
 pit and retire to Basle, to employ myseU" wliolly, in Wittern- 
 bach's society, with the study of sacred learning." " Alas !" 
 replied Zwingle, " and I too feel discouragement creep over 
 me when I see myself unjustly assailed; but Christ awakens 
 my conscience by the powerful stimulus of his terrors and 
 promises. He alarms me by saying :■ Whosoevei- shall he 
 ashamed of me before m.en, of him shall The ashamed hefore 
 my Father ; and he restores me to tranquiUity by adding : 
 Whosoever shall corf ess me hefore men, him also will I con- 
 fess hefore my Father. my dear Berthold, take courage ! 
 Our names are written in imperishable- characters in the 
 armals of the citizens on high.-f I am ready to die for Christ.;}: 
 
 Oh! that your fierce bear-cubs," added he, " Avould 
 
 hear the doctrine of Jesus Christ, then would they grow 
 tame.§ But you must undertake this duty with great gentle- 
 
 * Ita ipse in literis MS. J. J. Hott. iii, 54. 
 
 *t- Scripta tamen habeatur in fastis supernorum civium. Zw. Epp. 
 p. 186. 
 
 Z Ut mori pro Christo nou usque adeo detrectem apud me. Ibid. p. 187. 
 
 § Ut ursi tui ferociusculi, audita Christi doctrina, mansuescere inci- 
 piant. Ibid. The reader will remember that a bear figures in the shield 
 of Berne. 
 
360 THE GOSPEL AT LUCERNE. 
 
 ness, lest they should turn round furiously, and rend you in 
 pieces." Haller's courage revived. " My soul," wrote he to 
 Zwingle, " has awakened from its slumber. I must preach 
 the Go.^el. Jesus Christ must be restored to this city, 
 whence He has been so long exiled.'- Thus did the flame 
 that glowed so brightly in Zwinglc's bosom rekindle that of 
 Berthold, and the timid Haller rushed into the midst of the 
 savage bears, who, grinding their teeth (says Zwingle), 
 sought to devour him. 
 
 It was in another quarter, however, that the persecution 
 was to break out in Switzerland. The warlike Lucerne stood 
 forward as an adversary armed cap-a-pie and lance in rest. 
 The military spirit prevailed in this canton, the advocate of 
 foreign service, and the leading men of the capital knit their 
 brows whenever they heard one word of peace calculated to 
 restrain their v>'arlike disposition, ^yhen Luther's works 
 reached this city, some of the inhabitants began to read them, 
 and were struck with horror. They appeared to have been 
 penned by the hand of a demon : their imagination took 
 fright, their eyes wandered, and they fancied their cham- 
 bers Avere filled with devils, surrounding and gazing upon 
 
 them with a sarcastic leer.y They hastily closed the 
 
 volume and flung it aside in terror. Oswald, Avho had heard 
 of these singular visions, never spoke of Luther, except to 
 his most intimate friends, and was content simply to an- 
 nounce the Gospel of Christ. Yet notwithstanding this mo- 
 deration, loud cries were heard in the city: " We must burn 
 
 Luther and the schoolmaster (Myconins)!"| *• I am 
 
 assailed by my adversary, like a ship in a hurricane at sea," 
 said Oswald to one of his friends. § One day at the begin- 
 ning of the year 1520, he. was suddenly called before the 
 council. "You are enjoined," said tliey, ''never to read 
 
 ■ Donee Christunij cucullatis nugis longe a nobis exulera pro virili 
 
 restitnerim. Zw. Epp. p. 187. 
 
 i" Dum Lutherum semel Icgeriiit, ut putarent stubellam suam plenara 
 esse dtcmonibus. Ibid. 137. 
 
 :{: Clamatur hie per totam civitatem : Lutherum comburendum et ludi 
 magistrum. Ibid. 153. 
 
 § Non aliter me impellunt quam procellse marina' navem aliquam. 
 Ibid. 159. 
 
OSWALD PERSECUTED. 361 
 
 LutLer's works to your pupils, never to mention him before 
 them, and never even to think of him."* The lords of Lu- 
 cerne presumed, it will be seen, to extend their jurisdiction 
 very widely. Shortly after this, a preacher declaimed from 
 the pulpit against heresy. All the assembly was moved ; 
 every eye was turned on Oswald, for who could the preacher 
 have had in view but him ? Oswald remained quietly in his 
 place, as if the matter did not concern him. But on leaving 
 the church, as he was walking with his friend the Canon 
 Xyloctect, one of the councillors, who had not yet recovered 
 from his agitation, passed near them. " Well ! you disciples 
 of Luther," said he angrily, " why do you not defend your 
 master ?" They made no reply. " I live," said Myconius, 
 " in the midst of savage wolves ; but I have this consolation, 
 that most of them have lost their teeth. They would bite if 
 they could ; but as they cannot, they merely howl." 
 
 The senate was called together, for the tumult among the 
 people kept increasing. " He is a Lutheran ! " said one of 
 the councillors. " He is a teacher of novelties!" said an- 
 other. " He is a seducer of youth," said a third "Let him 
 
 appear! let him appear !" cried all. The poor schoolmaster 
 came before them, and heard fresh menaces and prohibitions. 
 His simple spirit was wounded and depressed. His gentle wife 
 could only console him by her tears. " Every one is against 
 me," exclaimed he in his anguish. " Assailed by so many 
 tempests, whither shall I turn, or bow shall I escape them ?... 
 If Christ were not with me, I should long ago have fallen 
 
 beneath their blows."f " What matters it whether Lucerne 
 
 will keep you or not?" wrote Dr. Sebastian Hofmeister, in a 
 letter dated from Constance. " The earth is the Lord's. Every 
 country is the home of the brave. Even were we the vilest of 
 men, our cause is just, for we teach the Gospel of Christ." 
 
 Wliilst the truth thus met with so many obstacles at Lu- 
 cerne, it was triumphant at Zurich. Zwingle laboured un- 
 ceasingly. Desirous of meditating on the v/hole of Scripture 
 in the original languages, he applied himself diligently to the 
 study of Hebrew under the direction of John Boschenstein, 
 
 * Imo ne in mentem eum admitterem. Txvr. Epp. p. 159. 
 t Si Christus non esset, jam olim defecisseni. Ibid. p. 160. 
 VOL. II. 16 
 
 ♦ 
 
362 ZWlNGi.£ S COUKSE OF PREACHING. 
 
 Reuchlin's pupil. But his object in studying the Scriptures 
 was to preach them. On Fridays, the peasants who came in 
 crowds, bringing their produce to the market of the city, 
 showed great eagerness for the Word of God. To satisfy 
 their wants, Zwingle had begun, in the month of December 
 1520, to expound the Psalms every market-day, preparing his 
 sermon by previous meditation on each particular text. The 
 reformers always combined learned pursuits with their prac- 
 tical labours : these labours* were their end, their studies 
 were but the means. They were not less zealous in the 
 closet than before the people. The union of learning and 
 love is a characteristic feature of this epoch. With reference 
 to his Sunday preachings, Zwingle, after having expounded 
 the Hfe of our Lord according to St. Matthevr, proceeded to 
 show, by explaining the Acts of the Apostles, how the doc- 
 trine of Christ had been propagated. He next set forth 
 the rule of a christian life, as inculcated in the Epistles to 
 Timothy ; he made use of the Epistle to the Galatians to 
 combat doctrinal errors, and combined with it the two Epistles 
 of Peter, to demonstrate to the contemners of St. Paul how the 
 same spirit animated both these apostles ; he concluded with 
 the Epistle to the Hebrews, that he might explain to their 
 fullest extent all the blessings which flow from the gift ol 
 Jesus Christ, the great high-priest of the Christian. 
 
 But Zwingle did not confine himself to adult men alone ; 
 he endeavoured to kindle in the young also a sacred fire by 
 which they should be animated. One day in the year 1521, 
 as he was engaged in his closet studying the Fathers of the 
 Church, extracting the most remarkable passages, and care- 
 fully classifying them in a thick volume, he saw a young 
 man enter whose features strongly interested him.'^ It was 
 Henry Bullinger, who, having returned from Germany, had 
 come to see him, impatient to know that teacher of his 
 native land whose name was already celebrated in Christen- 
 dom. The handsome youth fixed his eyes successively on 
 the reformer and his books, and felt a call to follow Zwingle's 
 
 * Ich hab by Im ein gross Buch gesehen, Locorum communium ; ala 
 ich by Ihm wass, anno 1521, dorinnen er Sententias und Doqmata Patrum^ 
 flyssig jedes an seinem ort verzeichnet. Bullinger Chronik. 
 
GEllOLD VON KNONAU. 363 
 
 •example. The latter v*'elcomecl liim with that cordiality which 
 won every heart. This first visit had a powerful influence 
 over the .whole life of the student, after he had returned 
 to his fathers hearth. Another young man had also gained 
 Zwingle's affection ; this was Gerold Meyer von Knonau. His 
 mother, Anna Reinhardt, who subsequently occupied an im- 
 portant place in the life of the reformer, had been a great 
 beauty, and was still distinguished by her virtues. A young 
 man of noble family, John Meyer von Knonau, who had been 
 brought up at the court of the Bishop of Constance, to whom 
 he was related, had co'nceived an ardent affection for Anna ; 
 but. she belonged to £i plebeian family. The elder Meyer von 
 Knonau had refused his consent to their union, and disin- 
 herited his son after the marriage. In 1513, Anna was left a 
 widow with one son and two daughters, and she now lived 
 solely for the education of the poor orphans. Their grand- 
 father was inexorable. One day, however, the widow's ser- 
 vant took young Gerold out with her, a lively and graceful 
 boy, then only three years old, and as she stopped with him 
 in the fish-market, the elder ^leyer, who chanced to be at the 
 w^indow,*. noticed him, watched every movement, and asked 
 to whom this beautiful child, so buoyant Avith life and fresh- 
 ness, belonged. " It is your son's," w^as the reply. The old 
 man's heart w^as touched— the ice was melted — everything 
 was forgotten, and he clasped iti his arms the wife and the 
 children of his son. • Zwingle had become attached as if he 
 were his own child to the young, noble, and courageous 
 Gerold, who was destined to expire in the flower of his age 
 at the reformers side, his hand upon the sword, and sur- 
 rounded, alas ! by the dead bodies of his enemies* Thinking 
 that Gerold could not find in Zurich sufficient resources for 
 study, Zwingle in 1521 sent him to Basle. 
 
 The young Von Knonau did not find Hedio, Zwingle's friend, 
 in that city. As Capito was obliged to accompany the Arch- 
 
 * Luejet des Kindts Gr«ssvater zum ftinstei* uss, und ersach das Kind iu 
 der Fischer-branten (Kufe), so frach (friscli) und frolich sitzea.. . . Arcliivcs 
 des Meyer de Knonau, quoted in a notice of Anna Reinhardt, Erlangen, 
 1835, by M. Gerold Meyer von Knoiiau. T am indebted to the kinduesa 
 of this friend for the elucidation of several obscure passages in the life 
 of Zwingle 
 
364 P.UBLI AT BASLE. 
 
 bishop Albert to the coronation of Charles V., he had engaged. 
 Hedio to supply his place at Mentz. Basle thus successively- 
 lost her most faithful preachers ; the Church seemed aban- 
 doned, but other men appeared. Four thousand hearers 
 crowded the church of AYilliam Rubli, priest of St. Alban's. 
 He attacked the doctrine of the mass, purgatory, and the in- 
 vocation of saints. But this man, who was turbulent and 
 greedy of public applause, inveighed against error rather 
 than contended for the truth. On the festival of Corpus 
 Christi he joined the great procession, but instead of the 
 relics, which it was customary to parade through the streets, 
 there w^as carried before him a copy of- the Holy Scriptures, 
 handsomely bound, and with this inscription in large letters : 
 " The Bible ; this is the true relic, all others are but dead 
 men's bones." Courage adorns the servant of God : osten- 
 tation disfigures him. The work of an evangelist is to preach 
 the Bible, and not to make a pompous display of it. The 
 enraged priests accused Rubli before the council. A crowd 
 immediately filled the square of the Cordeliers. " Protect 
 our preacher," said the citizens tothe council. Fifty ladies 
 of distinction interposed in his favour, but Rubli was com- 
 pelled to leave Basle. Somevrhat later he was implicated, 
 like Grebel, in the disorders of the Anabaptists. As the 
 Reformation was evolved, it everywhere rejected the chaff 
 that was mixed up with the good grain. 
 
 At this time, from the lowliest of chapels was heard an 
 humble voice distinctly proclaiming the Gospel doctrines. It 
 was that of the youthful Wolfgang Wissemburgcr, the son 
 of a councillor of state, and chaplain to the hospital. All 
 the inhabitants of Basle who felt new desires, experienced a 
 deeper affection for the meek chaplain than they had for the 
 ' haughty Rubli himself. Wolfgang began to read mass in 
 German. The monks renewed their clamours; but this 
 time they failed, and Wissemburger was enabled to continue 
 preaching the Gospel ; " for," says an old chronicler, " he 
 was a citizen and his father a councillor."* This first suc- 
 cess of the Reformation at Basle was an omen of still greater. 
 
 * Dieweil er ein Burger war und sein Vater des Raths. Fridoliu 
 Rvflf s Chronik. 
 
ZURICH ZWINGLE ON FOREIGN SERVICE. 365 
 
 At the same time, it was of much importance to the progress 
 of the work throughout the confederation. Zurich was not 
 alone. The learned Basle began to be charmed at the sound 
 of the new doctrine. The foundations of the new temple 
 were extending. The Reformation in Switzerland was at-» 
 taining a higher stage of development. 
 
 Zurich was, however, the centre of the movement. But 
 in the vear 1521, important political events, that grieved 
 Zvringle's heart, in some measure diverted men's minds from' 
 the preaching of the Gospel." Leo. X., who had offered his 
 alliance simultaneously to Charles V. and Francis L, had at 
 length decided for the emperor. The war between these two 
 rivals was about to burst forth in Italy. " The pope shall 
 have nothing left but his ears," said the French general 
 Lautrec* This ill-timed jest increased the pontiff's anger. 
 The King of France claimed the support of the Swiss can- 
 tons, which, with the exception of Zurich, were in alliance 
 with him: his call was obeyed. The pope flattered himself 
 with the hope of engaging Zurich in his cause, and the 
 Cardinal of Sion, who was always intriguing, in full confi- 
 dence in his, dexterity and eloquence, hastened to this city to 
 procure soldiers for his master. But he met with a resolute 
 opposition from his old friend Zwingle. The latter was 
 indignant at the thought of seeing the Swiss sell their blood 
 to the foreigner ; his imagination already conjured up the 
 sight of the Zurichers under the standards of the pope and 
 the emperor crossing their swords in the plains of Italy with 
 the confederates assembled under the banner of France ; and 
 at this fratricidal picture his patriotic and christian soul 
 thrilled with horror. He thundered from the pulpit : " Will 
 you," exclaimed he, "tear in pieces and destroy the con- 
 federation ?f We hunt down the wolves that ravage our 
 
 flocks, but we make no resistance to thosa who prowl around 
 
 us to devour men! It is not withi)ut reason that the 
 
 mantles and the hats they wear are red ; shak'e these gar- 
 
 * Disse che M. di Lutrech et M. de I'Escu havia ditto die '1 voleva che 
 le recchia del papa fusse la niajox* parte retasse di la so persona. 
 Gradenigo, the Venetian ambassador at Rome, MS. 1523. 
 
 t Sagt wie es ein fromme Eidtgnosschafft zertrennen und umbkehren 
 wiirde. Bull. Chronik. 
 
366 z^vl^GLE on tkadition. 
 
 ments, and down will fall ducats and crowns ; but if you~ 
 wring thcni, you will see them dripping with the blood of 
 your brothers, your fathers^ your sons, and your dearest 
 
 friends!"* In vain did Zwingle raise his manly voice. 
 
 The cardinal with his red hat succeeded, and two tliousand 
 seven hundred Zlirichers departed- under the command of 
 George Berguer. Zwingle's heart was wrung. His influ- 
 ence was not, however, lost. For many years after the ban- 
 ners of Zurich were not unfolded and carried through the 
 gates of the city in behalf of foreign princes. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Zwingle opposes Human Traditions— Commotion durii.g Lent — Truth 
 triumplis amidst Opposition— The Bishop's Depi.ties— Accusation be- 
 fore the Clergy and the Council — Appeal to the Great Council— The 
 Coadjutor and Zwingle — Zwingle's Reply — Decree of the Great Ccancil 
 ■ — Posture of Affairs— Hoffman's Attack. 
 
 ABOUNDED in his feelings as a citizen, Swingle devoted him- 
 self with fresh zeal to the preaching of the Gospel. His 
 sermons increased in energy. " I will never cease labouring 
 to restore the primitive unity of the Church of Christ," said 
 he.-J- He began the year 1522 by showing the difference 
 between tht3 precepts of the Gospel and those of men. When 
 the season of Lent came round, he preached wi*h still greater 
 vigour. After having laid the foundations of the new build- 
 ing, lie was desirous of sweeping away the rubbish of the 
 old. " For four years," said he to the crowd assembled in 
 the cathedral, " you have eagerly received the holy doctrine 
 of the Gospel. Glowing with the fire of charity, fed with 
 the sweets of the heavenly manna, it is impossible you can 
 
 ■ Sie tragen billig rothe hilt und mantel, dan schiite man sie, so fallen 
 Cronen und Duggaten heraus, winde man sie, so riint deines Bruders, 
 Vaters, Sohns und guten Freunds Blut heraus. Bull. Chronik. 
 
 + Ego veterem Christi Ecclesire unitatem instaurarenondesinam. Zw. 
 0pp. iii. 47. V • 
 
DISTURBANCE DUELNG LENT. 367 
 
 now find any savour in the wretched nutriment of human 
 
 traditions."* And then attacking the compulsory abstinence 
 from meat at certain seasons, he exchiimed with his artless 
 eloquence : " There are some vrho maintain that to eat 
 meat is a fault, and even a great sin, although God has 
 never forbidden it, and yet they think it not a crime to sell 
 human flesh to the foreigner, and drag it to slaughter !"-]- 
 
 At this daring language the partisans of th» mihtary 
 
 capitulations, vrho were present in the assembly, shuddered 
 with indignation and anger, and vowed never to forget it. 
 
 While Zwingle v/as preaching thus energetically, lie still 
 continued to say mass ; lie observed the established usages 
 of the Church, and even abstained from meat on the ap- 
 pointed days. He was of opinion that the people should be 
 enlightened previously. But there were some turbulent 
 persons Vv'ho did not act so prudently. Rubli, who had 
 taken refuge at Zurich, permitted himself to be led astray 
 by an extravagant zeal. The former curate of Saint Alban's, 
 a Bernese captain, and Conrad Huber, a member of the great 
 council, were accustomed to meet at the house of the latter 
 to eat meat on Friday and Saturday. On this they greatly 
 prided themselves. The question of fasting engrossed every 
 mind. An inliabitant of Lucerne having come to Zurich, 
 said to one 6f his friends in this city : " You worthy con- 
 federates of Zuficli are wrong in eating meat during Lent." — 
 The Zurieher replied : " You gentlemen of Lucerne, however, 
 take the liberty to eat meat on the prohibited days." — " We 
 have purchased it from the pope." — " And we, from the 
 
 butcher If it be an affair of money, one is certainly as 
 
 good as the other." | The council having received a com- 
 plaint against the transgressors of the ecclesiastical ordi- 
 nances, requested ^he opinion of the parish priest. Zwingle 
 replied that the practice of eating meat every day was not 
 blamable of itself; but that the people ought to abstain from 
 doing so until a competent authority should have come to" 
 
 * Gustuin non aliquis humauarum traditionum cibus vobis arridere 
 potu^rit. Z\v. 0pp. i. 2. 
 
 f Aber menschenfleisch verkoufen und ze Tod schJaheu Zw. 0pp. 
 
 U. part ii. p. 301. 
 
 t So haben wir's vou dem Metzger crkaufFt Bull. Chronik. 
 
368 PEUGION THRIVES UNDER ATTACKS. 
 
 some decision on the matter. The other members of the 
 clergy concurred in his sentiments. 
 
 The enemies of the truth took advantage of this fortunate 
 circumstance. Their influence was declining ; the victory 
 would remain -with Zwingle, unless they made haste to 
 strike some vigorous blow. They importuned the Bishop of 
 Constance. " Zwingle," exclaimed they, " is the destroyer 
 and not the keeper of the Lord's fold."* 
 
 The ambitious Faber, Zwingle's old friend, had just re- 
 turned from Rome full of fresh zeal for tlie papacy. From 
 the inspirations of this haughty city were destined to 
 proceed the first religious troubles in Switzerland. A de- 
 cisive struggle between the evangelical truth and the re- 
 presentatives of the Roman pontiff was now to take place. 
 Truth acquires its chief strength in the attacks that are 
 made upon it. It was under the shade of opposition and 
 persecution that Christianity at its rise acquired the power 
 that eventually overthrew all its enemies. At the epoch 
 of its revival, which forms the subject of our history, it 
 was the will of God to conduct His truth in like manner 
 through these rugged paths. The priests then stood up, as 
 in the days of the apostles, against the new doctrine. With- 
 out these attacks, it would probably have remained hidden 
 and obscure in a few faithful souls. But God was watching 
 the hour to manifest it to the vrorld. Opposition opened 
 new roads for it, launched it on a new career, and fixed the 
 eyes of the nation upon it. This opposition was like a gust of 
 wind, scattering the seeds to a distance, which would other- 
 wise have remained lifeless on the spot where they had 
 fallen. The tree, that was destined to shelter the people of 
 Switzerland, had been deeply planted in her valleys, but 
 storms were necessary to strengthen its roots and extend its 
 branches. The partisans of the papacy, seeing the fire 
 already smouldering in Zurich, rushed forward to extinguish 
 it, but they only made the conflagration fiercer and more 
 extensive. 
 
 In the afternoon of the 7th of Ajiril 1522, three eccle- 
 
 * Ovilis dominici populator esse, non custos aut pastor. Zw. Opj). 
 iU. 28. 
 
THE bishop's deputies ACCUSATION. 369 
 
 siastical deputies from the Bishop of Constance entered 
 Zurich ; two of them had an austere and angry look ; the 
 third appeared of milder disposition ; they were Melchior 
 Battli, the bishop's coadjutor, Doctor Brendi, and John 
 Vanner, preacher of the cathedral, an evangelical man, and 
 who preserved silence during the w^hole of the business.* 
 It was already dark when Luti ran to Zwingle and said : 
 " Tiie bishop's commissioners have arrived ; some great blow 
 is preparing ; all the partisans of the old customs are stirring. 
 A notary is summoning all the priests for an early meeting 
 to-morrow in the hall of the chapter." 
 
 The assembly of the clergy accordingly took place on the 
 following day, when the coadjutor rose and delivered a speech 
 which his opponents described as haughty and violent ;f 
 he studiously refrained, however, from uttering Zwingle's 
 name. A few priests, recently gained over to the Gospel, 
 were thunderstruck ; their pallid features, their silence, and 
 their sighs betrayed their total loss of courage.j: Zwingle noAV 
 sto'od up and answ^ered in a manner that effectually silenced 
 his adversaries. At Zurich, as in the other cantons, the 
 most violent enemies of the new doctrine were to be found in 
 the Smaller Council. The deputation, worsted before the 
 clergy, laid their complaints before the magistrates ; Zwingle 
 was absent, and accordingly they had no reply to fear. The 
 result appeared decisive. They were about to condemn the 
 Gospel without its defender being heard. Never had the 
 Reformation of Switzerland been in greater danger. It was 
 on the point of being stifled in its cradle. The councillors who 
 were friendly to Zwingle, then appealed to the jurisdiction 
 of the Great Council ; this was the only remaining chance of 
 safety, and God made use of It to save the cause of the G ospel. 
 
 * Zw. 0pp. iii. 8.— J. J, Hettinger, iii. 77.— Ruchat, i. 134, 2d edition, 
 and others say, that Faber headed this deputation. Zwingle names 
 the three deputies, but does not mention Faber. These writers have 
 probably confounded two different offices of the Roman hierarchy, those 
 of coadjutor and of vicar- general. 
 
 + Erat tota oratio vehemens et stomachi superciliique plena. Zw. 
 0pp. iii. 8. 
 
 X Infirmos quosdam nnper Christo lucrifactos sacerdotes offenses e» 
 MUtirem, ex tacitis palloribus ac suspiriis. Ibid. 9. 
 16* 
 
370 APPEAL TO THE GKEAT COUNX'IL THE COADJUTOR. 
 
 The Two Hundred were convened. The partisans of the 
 papacy made every exertion to prevent Zwingle's admission ; 
 he struggled hard to obtain a hearing, knocking at every 
 door, and leaving not a stone unturned,^ to use his o-wti 
 expression ; but in vain ! " It is impossible," said the bur- 
 gomasters ; " the council has decided to the contrary." — 
 " Upon this," says Zwingle, " I remained tranquil, and with 
 deep sighs laid the matter before Him who heareth the groans 
 of the captive, beseeching him to defend his Gospel," 7 The 
 patient and submissive expectation -©f the servants of God 
 has never deceived them. 
 
 On the 9th of -April, the Two Hundred met. " We desire 
 to have our pastors here," immediately said the friends of the 
 Reformation who belonged to it. The Smaller Council re- 
 sisted : but the Great Council decided that the pastors should 
 be present at the accusation, and even reply if they thought 
 fit. The deputies of Constance were first introduced, and 
 next the three priests of Zurich ; Zwingle, Engelhard, and 
 the aged RoeschH. 
 
 After these antagonists, thus brought face to face, had 
 scrutinized each other's appearance, the coadjutor stood up. 
 " If his heart and head had only been equal to his voice," 
 says Zwingle, " he would have excelled Apollo and Orpheus 
 in sweetness, and the Gracchi and Demosthenes in poAver." 
 
 " The civil constitution," said this champion of the papacy, 
 " and the christian faith itself are endangered. Men have 
 recently appeared who teach novel, revolting, and seditious 
 doctrines." At the end of a long speech, he fixed his 
 eyes on the assembled senators, and said, " Remain in the 
 Church I — remain in the Church ! — Out of it no one can be 
 saved. Its ceremonies alone are capable of bringing the 
 simple to a knowledge of salvation ;;}: and the shepherds of 
 the flock have nothing more to do than explain their mean- 
 ing to the people." 
 
 * Frustra diu movi omnem lapidem. Zw. 0pp. iii. 9. 
 
 i* Ibi ego quicscere ac suspiriis rem agere ccepi apud eum qui audit 
 gemitum compeditorum. Ibid. 
 
 J Unicas esse per quas simplices christiani ad agnitionem salutis in- 
 ducerentur. Ibid. 10. 
 
THE COADJUTOR AND ZWINGLE. 371 
 
 As soon as the coadjutor had finished his speech, he pre- 
 pared to leave the council-room ^yith his colleagues, when 
 Zvringle said earnestly : " Most Avorthy coadjutor, and you, 
 his companions, stay, I entreat you, until I have vindicated 
 myself." 
 
 The Coadjtttok. — " We have no commission to dispute 
 with any one." 
 
 ZwiNGLE. — '' I have no wish to dispute, but to state fear- 
 lessly what I have been teaching up to this hour." 
 
 The Burgomaster Roust, addressing the deputation from 
 Constance. — " I beseech 3'ou to listen to the reply the pastor 
 desires to make." 
 
 The CoADJUTon. — '' I know too well the man I have to 
 deal with. Ulrich Zv/ingle is too violent for any discussion 
 to be held with him.'' 
 
 Zwingle. — "' How long since has it been customary to ac- 
 cuse an innocent man with such violence, and tlien refuse to 
 hear his defence ? In tlic name of our common foith, of the 
 baptism we have both received, of Christ the author of salva- 
 tion and of life, listen to me.-' If you cannot as deputies, at 
 least do so as Christians." 
 
 After firing her gi«ns in the air, Rome was hastily retreat- 
 ing ft-om the field of battle. T!ie reformer wanted only to be 
 Iieard, and the agents of the papacy thought of nothing but 
 running away. A cause thus pleaded was already gained 
 by one side and lost by the other. The Two Hundred could 
 no longer contain their indignaticn ; a murmur was heard in 
 the assembly -,7 again the burgomaster entreated the deputies 
 to remain. Aba&hed and speechless, they returned to their 
 places, Avhen Zwingle said : — 
 
 " The reverend coadjutor speaks of doctrines that are sedi- 
 tious and subversive of the civil laws. Let him learn that 
 Zurich is more tranquil and more obedient to the laws than 
 any other city of the Helvetians, — a circumstance which all 
 good citizens ascribe to tlie Gosjiel. Is not Christianity 
 
 * Ob communem 6dem, ob commiinem baptismum, ob Christum rita 
 salutisque auctorem. Zw, 0pp. iii. 11. 
 + Coepit murmur ar.diri civiurn indkniantium. Ibid. 
 
372 zwingle's reply. 
 
 the strongest bulwark of justice among a nation?* Wliat 
 is the result of all ceremonies, but shamefully to disguise 
 the features of Christ and of his disciples ? j- Yes ! — there 
 is another way, besides these vain observances, to bring 
 the unlearned people to the knowledge of the truth. It is 
 
 that which Christ and his apostles followed the Gospel 
 
 itself! Let us not fear that the people cannot understand it. 
 He who believes, understands. The people can believe, they 
 can therefore understand. This is a work of the Holy Ghost, 
 and not of mere human reason.:^ As for that matter, let 
 him who is not satisfied with forty days, fast all the year if 
 he pleases : it is a matter of indifference to me. All that I 
 require is, that no one should be compelled to fast, and that 
 for so trivial an observance the Zurichers should not be ac- 
 cused of withdrawing from the communion of Christians." 
 
 " I did not say that," exclaimed the coadjutor. — " No," 
 said his colleague Dr. Brendi, " he did not say so." But all 
 the senate confirmed Zwingle's assertion. 
 
 " Excellent citizens," continued the latter, " let not this 
 charge alarm you ! The foundation of the Church is that 
 rock, that Christ, who gave Peter his name because he con- 
 fessed him faithfully. In every nation whoever sincerely 
 beheves in the Lord Jesus is saved. It is out of this Church 
 that no one can have everlasting life.§ To explain the 
 Gospel and to follow it is our whole duty as ministers of 
 Christ. Let those who live upon ceremonies undertake 
 to explain them!" This was probing the wound to the 
 quick. 
 
 The coadjutor blushed and remained silent. The council 
 of the Two Hundred then broke up. On the same day they 
 came to the resolution that the pope and the cardinals 
 should be requested to explain the controve'ted point, and 
 that in the meanwhile the people should lostain from eating 
 
 * Imo Christianismum ad commauem j'l^iitiam servandam esse poten- 
 tissimum. Zvv. 0pp. iii. 13. 
 
 f Ceremoiiias baud quicquam a'.ud agere, quam ct Christo et ejus fide- 
 libus OS oblinere. Ibid. 
 
 X Quicquid hie agitur dieino fit afilatu, non humano ratiocimo. Ibid. 
 
 § Extra illam nexcmem salvari. Ibid. 15. 
 
POSITION OF THE TWO PARTIES. 373 
 
 meat during Lent. This was leaving the matter in statu 
 quo, and replying to the bishop by seeking to gain time. 
 
 This discussion had forwarded the work of the Reforma- 
 tion. The champions of Rome and those of the new 
 doctrine had met face to face, as it were, in the presence of 
 the whole people ; and the advantage had not remained on the 
 side of the pope. This was the first skirmish in a campaign 
 that promised to be long and severe, and alternated with 
 many vicissitudes of mourning and joy. But the first 
 success at the beginning of a contest gives courage to the 
 whole army and intimidates the enemy. The Reformation 
 had seized upon a ground from which it was never to be 
 dislodged. If the council thought themselves still obHged to 
 act with caution, the people loudly proclaimed the defeat of 
 Rome. " Never," said they in the exultation of the moment, 
 " will she be able to rally her scattered and defeated troops."* 
 " With the energy of St. Paul," said they to Zwingle, " you 
 have attacked these false apostles and their Ananiahs — those 
 
 whited walls The sateUites of Antichrist can never do 
 
 more than gnash their teeth at you !" From the farthest 
 parts of Germany came voices proclaiming him with joy — 
 " the glory of reviving theology." f 
 
 But at the same time the enemies of the Gospel were 
 rallying their forces. There was no time to lose if they 
 desired to suppress it ; for it would soon be beyond the reach 
 of their blows. Hoffman laid before the chapter a volu- 
 minous accusation against the reformer. " Suppose," he 
 said, " the priest could prove by witnesses what sins or 
 what disorders had been committed by ecclesiastics in cer- 
 tain convents, streets, or taverns, he ought to name no 
 one \ Why would he have us understand (it is true I have, 
 scarcely ever heard him myself) that he alone derives his 
 doctrine from the fountain-head, and that others seek it only 
 in kennels and puddles? J Is it not impossible, considering 
 
 * Ut vulgo jactatum sit, nunquam ultra copias sarturos. Zw. Epp. p. 203. , 
 t Vale renascentis Theologisc decus. Letter of Urbau Regius. Ibid. 
 
 225. 
 X Die andern aber aus Rinnen und PfUtzen. Simml. SammL Wirz. i. 
 
 214 
 
374 MOURNING AND JOY IN GERMANY. 
 
 the diversify of men's miiirls, that eveiy preacher should 
 preach ahke?" 
 
 Zwingle answered this accusation in a full meeting of the 
 chapter, scattering his adversaries' charges, " as a bull with 
 his horns tosses straw in the air."* The matter which had 
 appeared so serious, ended in loud bursts of laughter at the 
 canon's expense. But Zwingle did not stop there; on the 
 IGth of April he published a treatise on the free use of meats.\ 
 
 CHAPTEK XII. 
 
 Mourning and Joy in Germany — Plots against Zwingle — The Bishop's 
 Mandate — Archeteles — The Bishop's Appeal to the Diet— Injunction 
 against attacking the Monks— Zwingle's Declaration— The Nuns of 
 CEtenbach— Zwiilgle's Address to Schwytz. 
 
 Zwingle's indomitable firmness delighted the friends of truth, 
 and particularly the evangelical Christians of Germany, so 
 long deprived, by his captivity in the Wartburg, of the 
 mighty apostle who had first arisen in the bosom of the 
 Church. Already many pastors and believers, exiled in 
 consequence of the merciless decree which the papacy had 
 extorted from Charles V. at Worms, had found an asylum at 
 Zurich. Nessc, tlie professor of Frankfort, whom Luther had 
 visited on his road to Worms, wrote to Zwingle : " Oh ! the 
 joy that I feel at hearing with what authority you ])roclaim 
 Jesus Christ ! Strengthen by your exhortations those whom 
 the cruelty of wicked bishops has compelled to fiee far from 
 our desolate churches." | 
 
 But it v/as not in Germany alone that the adversaries were 
 plotting against the friends of the Reformation. Not an hour 
 passed in which the means of getting rid of Zwingle ^Vere 
 
 * Ut cornu vehemens taurus aristas. Zw. Epp. p. 203. 
 + De delectn et libero ciborum usu. Zw. 0pp. i. 1. . 
 X Et ut lis, qui ob malorum episcoporum ssevitiam a nobis submoTentur, 
 prodesse velis. Zw. Epp. p. 208. 
 
PLOTS AGAINST ZWINGLE's LIFE. 375 
 
 •not discussed* One day he received an anonymous letter, 
 which he communicated immediately to his two curates. 
 ^' Snares- surround you on every side," wrote his secret 
 friend ; " a deadly poison has been prepared to take away 
 your life.-j- Never eat food but in your own house, and only 
 what has been prepared by your own cook. The walls of Zurich 
 contain men who are plotting your destruction. The oracle 
 that has revealed this to me is more worthy of credit than 
 that of Delphi. I am your friend; you shall know me 
 hereafter." J 
 
 On the next day after that in which Zwingle had re- 
 ceived this mysterious epistle, just as Staheli was entering 
 the Water-church, a chaplain stopped him and said ; 
 " Leave Zwingle's house forthwith ; a catastrophe is at 
 hand !" Certain fanatics, who despaired of seeing the Refor- 
 mation checked by words, were arming themselves with 
 poniards. Whenever mighty revolutions are taking place 
 in society, assassins ordinarily spring from the foul dregs of 
 the agitated people. God watched over Zwingle. 
 
 Whilst the murderers were beholding the failure of their 
 plots, the legitimate organs of the papacy were again in com- 
 motion. The bishop and his councillors resolved to renew 
 the war. Intelligence of this reached Zwingle from every 
 quarter. The reformer, in fiill reliance on the Word of God, 
 
 said with noble intrepidity: "I fear them as a lofty 
 
 rock fears the roaring waves 6\>v ruJ ©sw, with the' aid of 
 
 God !" added he.§ On the 2d of May, the Bishop of Con- 
 stance pubhshed a mandate, in which, without naming either 
 Zwingle or Zurich, he complained that speculative persons 
 were reviving doctrines already condemned, and that both 
 learned and ignorant were in the habit of discussing in 
 every place the deepest mysteries. John Yanner, preacher 
 of the cathedral at Constance, was the first attacked : 
 '•' I prefer," said he, " being a Christian with the hatred of 
 
 * Nulla prseteriit hora, in qua non fierent consultationes inBiciiosis- 
 
 simse. Osw. Myc. Vita Zw. 
 
 •f'''Ero//*a (pd^fAetaa. Avy^a.. Zw. Epp. p. 199. 
 
 J 2oj ilf/.i ; agnosces me postea. Ibid. 
 
 § Q,uos ita metuo, ut littus altum fiuctuuai undas minacium. Ibid. p. 203. 
 
376 ARCHETELES. 
 
 many, to abandoning Christ for the friendship of the 
 world."* 
 
 But it was at Zurich that the rising heresy required to be 
 crushed. Faber and the bishop knew that Zwingle had 
 many enemies among the canons. They resolved to take 
 advantage of this enmity. Towards the end of May a letter 
 from the bishop arrived at Zurich : it was addressed to the 
 provost and chapter. " Sons of the Church," wrote the pre- 
 late, " let those perish who will perish ! but let no one seduce 
 you from the Church." -|- At the same time the bishop 
 entreated the canons to prevent those culpable doctrines, 
 which engendered pernicious sects, from being preached or 
 discussed among them, either in private or in pubhc. When 
 this letter was read in the chapter, all eyes were fixed on 
 Zwingle. The latter, understanding the meaning of this 
 look, said to them : " I see that you think this letter refers to 
 me ; please to give it me, and, God willing, I will answer it." 
 
 Zwingle replied in his Archefeles, a word which signifies 
 
 "the beginning and the end;" "for," said he, " 1 hope 
 
 this first answer will also be the last." In this work he spoke 
 of the bishop in a very respectful manner, and ascribed all 
 the attacks of his enemies to a few intriguing men. " What 
 have I done ?" said he; " I have called all men to a know- 
 ledge of their own infirmities ; I have endeavoured to con- 
 duct them to the only ti'ue God and to Jesus Christ his Son. 
 To this end, I have not made use of captious arguments, but 
 plain and sincere language, such as the children of Switzer- 
 land can understand." And then, passing from a defensive 
 to an offensive attitude, he added with great beauty : " When 
 Julius Caesar felt the mortal wound, he folded his garments 
 around him, that he might fall with dignity. The downfall 
 of yOijr ceremonies is at hand ! see at least that they fall 
 decently, and that light be everywhere promptly substituted 
 for darkness.'' :{: 
 
 * JIalo esse Christianus cum multorum invidia, quam relinquere 
 Christum propter muudanorum amicitiam. Zw. Epp. p. 200, dated 22d 
 May. 
 
 t Nemo V03 filios ecclesics de ecclesia tollat ! Z\v. 0pp. iii, 35. 
 
 Z In umbrarum locum, lux quam ocissime inducatur. Ibid. 69. 
 
THE bishop's address TO THE DIET. 377 
 
 This was the sole result of the bishop's letter to the chap- 
 ter of Zurich. Since every friendly remonstrance had proved 
 vain, it was necessary to strike a more vigorous blow. Upon 
 this, Faber and Landenbcrg cast their eyes around them, fixing 
 them at last on the diet, tlie supreme council of the Helvetic 
 nation.* Deputies from the bishop appeared before this 
 body, stating that their master had issued a mandate for- 
 bidding the priests in his diocese to make any innovation 
 in matters of doctrine ; that his authority had been despised, 
 and that he now invoked the support of the chiefs of the 
 confederation to aid him in reducing the rebels to obedience, 
 and in defending the true and ancient faith.f The enemies 
 of the Reformation had the majority in this first assem- 
 bly of the nation. Not long before, it had published a de- 
 cree interdicting all those priests from preaching, whose 
 sermons, in its opinion, were a cause of dissension among 
 the people. This injunction of the c{iet, which then for the 
 first time interfered with the Reformation, fell to the ground ; 
 but now, being resolved to act with severity, this assembly 
 summoned before them Urban Weiss, pastor of Fislispach 
 near Baden, whom the general report accused of preaching 
 the new faith and rejecting the old. Weiss was set at 
 liberty for a season at the intercession of several individuals, 
 and under bail of a hundred florins offered by his parish- 
 ioners. 
 
 But the diet had taken its position : of this we have just 
 been witnesses ; everywhere the monks and priests began 
 to recover their courage. At Zurich they had shown them- 
 selves more imperious immediately after the first decree of 
 this assembly. Several members of the council vrerc in the 
 habit of visiting the three convents night and morning, and 
 even of taking their meals there. The monks tampered with 
 these well-meaning guests, and solicited them to procure an 
 injunction from the government in their favour. " If Zwinglc 
 will not hold his tongue," said they, " vre will bawl louder 
 than he." The diet had sided with the oppressors. The 
 council of Zurich knew not what to do. On the 7th of June 
 
 • Nam er ein anderen weg an die Hand ; schike seine Boten, &o. 
 Bullinger Chronik. 
 + Und den wa^ref •»lten fflaubeu erhalten. Ibid. 
 
378 zwixgle's declakation. 
 
 they vc^teci an ordinance forbidding any one to preach against 
 the monks ; but this decree had scarcely passed " when a 
 sudden noise was heard in the council-chamber," says Biil- 
 linger s chronicle, " which made them all look at one another."* 
 Tranquillity was not restored : the battle that was fought 
 from the pulpit every day grevr hotter. The council nomi- 
 nated a deputation before which the pastors of Zurich and the 
 readers and preacliers of the convents were summoned to 
 appeal' in tlie provost's house; after a lively debate, the burgo- 
 master enjoined both parties to preach nothing that might 
 endanger the public peace. " I cannot comply with this in- 
 junction," said Zwingle ; " I am resolved to preach the 
 Gospel freely and unconditionally, in conformity with the 
 previous ordinance. I am bisliop and pastor of Zurich ; to 
 me has been confided the cure of souls. It is I who have 
 taken oath, and iiot the monks. They ought to yield, and 
 not I. If they preach lies, I w^ili contradict them, even in 
 the pulpits of their own convents. If I myself teach a doc- 
 trine contrary to the holy Gospel, then I desire to be re- 
 buked, not only by the chapter, but by any citizen whatso- 
 ever -J and moreover to bej^unished by the council." — " We 
 demand permission," said the monks, " to preach the doc- 
 trines of St. Thomas." The committee of the council deter- 
 mined, after proper deliberation, " That Thomas (Aquinas), 
 Scotus, and the other doctors should be laid aside, and that 
 nothing should be preached but the Gospel." Thus did the 
 truth once more prevail. But the anger of the papal parti- 
 sans was augmented. The uliro montane canons could not 
 conceal their rage. They stared insolently at Zwingle in 
 the chapter, and seemed to be thirsting for his blood. j: 
 
 These menaces did not check Zwingle. There was still 
 one place in Zurich where, thanks to the Dominicans, the 
 light had not yet penetrated : this was the nunnery of Q^ten- 
 Dach. Here the daughters of the first families of Zurich 
 were accustomed to take the veil. • It seemed unjust that 
 ihese poor women, shut up within the walls of their convent, 
 
 * Liess die Rathstuben einen grossen Knall. Bull. C|ironik. 
 t Sondern vou einem jedem Burner wysseu. Ibid. 
 X Oculos in me procacius torqueiit, ut cujus caput j,eti gauderent. Zw 
 Oip iii. 2Q 
 
THE >^U!sS OF (ETENliACH fcCHWYTZ. 379 
 
 should be the only persons that did not hear the AVord of 
 God. The Great CoHncil ordered Zwingle to visit them. 
 The reformer went into that pulpit which had hitherto been 
 confined to the Dominicans, and preached " on tiie clearness 
 and certainty of the Word of God."* He subsequently pub- 
 hshed this remarkable discourse, which did not fall on barren 
 ground, and which still further exasperated the monks. 
 
 A circumstance now occurred that extended this hostility, 
 and communicated it to many other hearts. The Swiss, 
 under the commanil of Stein and Winkelreid, had just suf- 
 fered a bloody defeat at the Cicocca. They had made a 
 desperate charge upon the enemy, but Pescara's artillery and 
 the lansquenets of that Freundsberg whom Luther had met 
 at the door of the hall of assembly at Worms, had over- 
 thrown both commanders and standards, while whole com- 
 panies had- been mown dovvm and suddenly exterminated. 
 Winkelreid and Stein, with members of the noble families of 
 Mulinen, Diesbach,Bonstetten, Tschudi, and Pfyfllgr, had been 
 left on the field of battle. Schwytz especially had been de- 
 cimated. The bloody relics of this frightful combat had 
 returned to Switzerland, carrying mourning in their train- 
 A cry of woe resounded from the Alps to the Jura, and fi'om 
 the Rhone to the Rhine. 
 
 But no one felt so keen a pain as Zwingle. He imme- 
 diately wrote an address to Schwytz dissuading the citi- 
 zens of this canton from foreign service. " Your ancestors," 
 said he with all the warmth of a patriot's heart, " fought 
 with their enemies in defence of liberty ; but they never put 
 Christians to death for mere gain. These foreign wars 
 bring innumerable calamities on our country. The scourge 
 of God chastises our confederate nations, and Helvetian 
 liberty is on the verge of, expiring between the interested 
 caresses and the deadly hatred of foreign princes."*!- Zvringle 
 gave the hand to Nicholas de Flue, | and foUov/ed up the 
 
 * De claritate et certitudine verbi Dei. Zw. 0pp. i. 66. 
 
 + Ein gottlich Vermanung an die cersamen, etc. Eidgnossen zu Scliywz. 
 Ibid, part ii. 206. 
 
 X tn 1481, the confederates were on the brink of civil war, when a 
 hermit of Uuterwalden (Nicholas de Flue) repaired to Stanz, where the 
 diet were assembled, calmed their angry passions, and restored tranqiiil- 
 litj and oeace. 
 
380 ZWIN'GLE AND SCin\^TZ. , 
 
 exhortations of tliis man of peace. This address having been 
 presented to the assembly of the people of Schwytz, produced 
 such an effect, that they resolved to abstain provisionally 
 from every foreign alliance for the next, twenty-five years. 
 But erelong the French party procured the repeal of this ge- 
 nerous resolution, and Schwytz, from that hour, became the 
 canton most opposed to Zwingle and his vrork. Even the 
 disgrace that the partisans of these foreign treaties brought 
 upon their native land only served to increase the hatred of 
 these men against the intrepid minister who was endeavouring 
 to avert from his country so many fnisfortunes and such 
 deep shame. An opposition, growing more violent every day, 
 was formed in the confederation against Zwingle and Zurich. 
 The usages of the Church and the practices of the recruiting 
 officers, as they were attacked conjointly, mutually supported 
 each other in withstanding the impetuous blast of that reform 
 which threatened to overthrow them both. At the sam.e time 
 enemies from without were multiplying. It was not only 
 the pope, but other foreign princes also, who vowed a pitiless 
 hostility to the Reformation. Did it not pretend to with- 
 draw from their ranks tliose Helvetian halberds to which 
 their ambition and pride had been indebted for so many 
 
 triumphs ? But on the side of the Gospel there remained 
 
 God and the m.ost excellent of the people^: this was enough. 
 Besides, from different countries, Divine Providence was bring- 
 ing to its aid men who had been persecuted for their faith. 
 
 CHAPTER Xm. 
 
 A French Monk — He teaches in Switzerland— Dispute between Zwingle 
 and tlie Monk— Discourse of the Commander of the Johannites— The 
 Carnival at Borne— The Eaters of the Dead— The Skull of St. Anne — 
 Appeuzel — The Orisons — Murder and Adultery — Zwingle's Marriage. 
 
 On Saturday the 12tli of July there appeared in the streets 
 of Zurich a monk of tall, thin, and rigid frame, wearmg the 
 
A FRENCH MONK. 381 
 
 gray frock of the Cordeliers, of foreign air, and mounted on 
 an ass, which hardly lifted his bare feet off the ground.* 
 In this manner he had jom*neyed from x\vig-non, without 
 knowing a Avord of German. By means of his Latin, how- 
 ever, he was able to make himself understood. . Francis 
 Lambert, for such was his name, asked for Zwingle, and 
 handed him a letter from Berthold Haller. " This Franciscan 
 father," said the Bernese parish priest, " who is no other than 
 the apostolical preacher of the convent-general of Avignon," 
 has been teaching the christian truth for these last five 
 years ; he has preached in Latin before our priests at 
 Geneva, at Lausanne before the bishop, at Friburg, and 
 lastly at Berne, touching the church, the priesthood, the 
 sacrifice of the mass, the traditions of the Romish bishops, 
 and the superstitions of the religious orders. It. seems most 
 astonishing to me to hear such things from a gray friar and a 
 
 Frenchman characters that presuppose, as you are aAvare, 
 
 a whole sea of superstitions." -[- The Frenchman related to 
 Zwingle how Luther's writings "having been discovered in 
 his cell, he had been compelled to quit Avignon without 
 delay ; how, at first, he had preached the Gospel in the city 
 of Geneva, and afterwards at Lausanne, on the shores of the 
 same lake. Zwingle, highly delighted, opened the church of 
 Our Lady to the monk, and made iiim sit in the choir on a 
 seat in front of the high altar. In this church Lambert 
 dehvered four sermons, in which he inveighed forcibly against 
 the errors of Rome ; but in the fonrtli, lie defended the invo- 
 cation of Mary and the saints. 
 
 '' Brother! thou art mistaken,'"]: immediately exclaimed 
 an animated voice. It was Zwingle's. Canons and chap- 
 lains tlirllled Viith joy at the prospect of a dispute between 
 the Frenchman and the heretical priest. " He has attacked 
 you," said they all to Lambert, " demand a public discussion 
 with" him." The monk of Avignon did so, and at ten o'clock 
 on the 22d of July the two champions met in the conference 
 
 * Kara ein langer, gerader, Larfusser Mbiicli ritte auf einer 
 
 Eseliii. Fiisslin Beytrage, iv. 39. 
 
 t A tali Franciscauo, Gallo, qnse omnia mare superstitionum confluere 
 faciuut, inaudita. Zw. Epp. p. 207. 
 
 J Bruder, da irrest du. Fiisslin Beytr. iv. 40. 
 
382 DISCUSSION UETWEEN THE MONK AND ZWINGLE. 
 
 hall of the'canons. Z^vingle opened the Old and New Tes- 
 tament in Greek and Latin ; he continued discussing and 
 explaining until two o'clock, ^vhen the French monk, clasping 
 his hands and raising them to heaven,* exclaimed : " I thank 
 thee, Godj that by means of such an illustrious instrument 
 thou hast brought me to so clear a knowledge of the truth ! 
 Henceforth," added he, turning to the assembly, " in all my 
 tribulations I will call on God alone, and will throw aside 
 'my beads. To-morrow I shall resume my journey ; I am 
 going to Basle to see Erasmus of Rotterdam, and from 
 thence to Wittemberg to visit Martin Luther, the Augustine 
 monk." And accordingly he departed on his ass. We 
 shall meet witli him again. He was the first man who, for 
 the cause of the Gospel, went forth from France into 
 Switzerland and Germany ; the humble forerunner of many 
 thousands of refugees and confessors. 
 
 Myconius had no such consolations : on the contrary, he 
 was destined to see Sebastian Hofmeister, who had come 
 from Constance to Lucerne, and there boldly preached the 
 Gospel, forced to leave the city. Upon this Oswald's sorrow 
 increased. The humid climate of Lucerne was against him ; 
 a fever preyed upon him ; the physicians declared that 
 unless he removed to some other place, he would die. 
 " Nowhere have I a greater desire to be than near you," 
 wrote he to Zv,"ingle, " and nowhere less than at Lucerne. 
 !Men torment mQ, and the climate is wasting me away. 
 My malady, they say, is the penalty of my iniquity : alas ! 
 whatever I say, whatever I do, turns to poison with them. 
 There is one in heaven on whom all my hopes repose,"7 
 
 This hope was not delusive. It v\^as about the end of 
 March, and the feast of the Annunciation was approaching. 
 The day before the eve of this anniversary a great festival 
 was observed in commemoration of a fire which in 1340 had 
 reduced the greater part of the city to ashes. The streets of 
 Lucerne were already crowded with a vast concourse of 
 people from the surrounding districts, and several hundreds 
 
 • Dass er beyde Hande zusammen hob. Fiisslin, Beytr. iv. 40. 
 t Quicquid facio venenuin est illis. Sed est in quem omnis spes mea 
 recliiiat. Zw. Epp. p. 192. 
 
THE CO:vl.MANDi:i: OF TJli: JOIiANNlTES. 383 
 
 of priests were assembled. The sermon at this solemn feast 
 was usually delivered by some celebrated preacher. The 
 commander of the Johannites, Conrad Schmidt of Kiissnacht, 
 arrived to perform this duty. An immense congregation 
 filled the church. Who shall describe the general astonish- 
 ment, when the commander, laying aside the custom of 
 preaching in Latin, spoke in German, so that all might 
 understand him,* explaining with authority and holy fervour 
 the love of God in sending his Son, and proving eloquently 
 that mere external works have no power to save, and that 
 the promises of G.d are truly the essence of the Gospel! 
 " God forbid," exclaimed Conrad b-eforc the astonished people, 
 " that we should acknowledge for our head a chief so full of 
 sin as the Bishop of Rome, and reject Christ \j If t|ie 
 Bishop of Rome distributes the nourishment of the Gospel, 
 let us acknowledge him as our pastor, but not as chief ; and 
 if he distribute it not, let us in nowise acknowledge him." 
 Oswald could not contain himself for joy." " What a man !" 
 cried he, " what a sermon ! what majesty! what authority! 
 how full of the spirit of Christ ! " The effect was general. A 
 solemn silence succeeded the agitation that filled the city ; 
 but this was merely transient. If the people stop their 
 ears to the voice of God, his calls become less frequent every 
 day, and even cease cntireh^ This v/as the case With 
 Lucerne. 
 
 Whilst the truth was thus proclaimed from tlie pulpit at 
 Berne, the papacy was ^attacked in the festive meetings of 
 the people. Nicholas Manuel, a distinguished layman, cele- 
 brated for his poetical talents, and who had reached the 
 highest offices of state, indignant at seoincr his fellow-countr}'- 
 men so unmercifully plundered by Sarpson, composed some 
 carnival dramas, in which he assailed the covetousness, pomp, 
 and haughtiness of the pope and clergy v/ith the stinging 
 weapons of satire. On the Shrove Tuesday " of the lords" 
 (tlic lords vv-ere then the clergy, and began their Lent eight 
 
 • Wolt cr keine pracht try ben mit latein schwatzen, sondem guc 
 teutsch reden. Bullinger Chronik. 
 
 f Ab§it a grege Christiano, ut caput tarn lutulentum et peccatis plenum 
 acceptans, Christum abjiciat. Zw. Epp. p. 193. 
 
384 TIIE CARNIVAL AT BERNE. 
 
 days before the people), nothing was talked of in Berne but 
 a drama or mystery, entitled, The Eaters of the Dead, which 
 some young persons were to act in the Rue de la Croix. The 
 citizens crowded to the show. As a matter of art, these dra- 
 matic sketches at the commencement of the sixteenth century 
 possess some interest ; but it is with a very different view that 
 we quote them in this place. We should prefer, doubtless, not 
 to be obliged to quote, on the part of the Reformation, attacks 
 of this nature ; it is by other arms that truth prevails. But 
 history does not create, she can only adduce what she finds. 
 At last the show begins, to the great delight of the im- 
 patient crowd assembled in the Rue de la Croix. First 
 appears the pope, covered with glittering robes, and sitting 
 on a throne. Around him stand his courtiers, his guards, 
 and a motley crowd of priests of every degree ; behind them 
 are nobles, laymen, and mendicants. Soon a funeral pro- 
 cession appears ; it is a wealthy farmer they are carrying to 
 his last home. Tvro of his relatives walk slowly in front of 
 the cof?.n, with handkerchiefs in their hands. When the 
 procession came before the pope, tlie bier was placed at his 
 feet, and the acting began : — 
 
 First Relation, iri a sorroivful tone. 
 
 Noble army of the saints ! 
 
 Hear, oh ! "hear oi-r sad complaints: 
 
 Our cousin's dead . ...tlie yawning tomb 
 
 Has swallow'd hirn in life's first bloom. 
 Second Relation. 
 
 No cost to monk or priest we'll spare ; 
 
 We've a hundred crowns for mass and prayer^ 
 
 If thus from purgatorial lire 
 
 We can but save our 'parted sire.* 
 The Sexton, coming out of the cnm-d around the pope, and running 
 hastily to the parish priest, Robert More-and-More. 
 
 A triilc to drink, sir priest, I crave ! 
 
 A farmer ?tout now goes to his grave. 
 The Priest. 
 
 Bui one ! ■- I only tliirst the more ! 
 
 One dcnd I .. would it were half a score ! 
 
 * Kein kostea soil uns daucrn dran, 
 Wo wir Monch und Priester mogen ha'u 
 
 Und soUt'es kosten hundert kronen. 
 
 Bern. Mausol. iv. Wirz. K. Gesch. i. 383. 
 
THE EATEItS Ol' THE DEAD. 385 
 
 The more the merrier then live we i* 
 Death is the best of games for me. 
 
 The Sexton. 
 
 Would it were so ! 'twould then be welll 
 I*d rather toll a dead man's knell 
 Than from morn to night a field be tilling: 
 He never complains, and to pay is vrilling. 
 
 The Priest. S 
 
 If the death-knell opes the gate of heaven 
 I know not.— But what's that to me ! 
 With salmon and pike, with barbel and troat» 
 It fills my house right merrily. 
 
 The Priest's Niece.^- 
 'Tis well ! But, look ye, I claim my share ; 
 To-day this soul must for me prepare 
 A gown of white, black, green, or red. 
 And a pretty kerchief to deck my head. 
 
 Ca&dinal High-Pride, wearing a red hat, and standing near the pope. 
 
 Did we not love the heritage of death, 
 Could we sweep off in life's young prime 
 Oh corpse-encumbered field such countless bands, 
 .. Lured by intrigue, or else by envy urged ?J 
 On Christian blood Rome fattens. Hence my hat 
 And robe derive their sanguinary hue. 
 My honours and my wealth are gain'd from death. 
 
 Bishop Wolf's-Belly. 
 
 In the pope's laws firm will I live and die. 
 
 My robes are silken and my purse is full; 
 
 The tournament and chase are my delight. 
 
 In former times, when yet the Church was young. 
 
 Clothed as simple villagers we went.§ 
 
 We priests were shepherds — now, the peers of kings. 
 
 And yet at times a shepherd's life I love. 
 
 A Voice. 
 A shepherd's life 1 
 
 • Je mehr, je besser TKamen doch nocn zehn! Bern. Mausol. iy. 
 Wirz. K. Gesch. i. 383. 
 + The German word iPfaffenmetze) is more expressive, but loss decent. 
 :J: Wenn mir nicht war' mit Todten wohl, 
 
 So lag nicht mancher Acker voll, etc. Ibid. 
 § Wenn es ■^tund, wie im Anfang der Kilchen, 
 
 Ich triige vielleicht grobes Tuch und Zwilchen. loid. 
 
 VOL. n. 17 
 
386 THE EATERS OF THE DEAD, 
 
 Bishop Wolf's-Bellt. 
 
 Ay ! at shearing time. — Shepherds and wolves arc wo ; 
 
 They, the poor sheep ; and if they feed us not, --=^ 
 
 They fall unpitied, by our ruthless fangs. 
 
 Connubial sweets we are forbid to taste. 
 
 'Tis weiri — beneath this heavy yoke 
 
 The purest falter :— this is better still. 
 
 Scandals I— I heed them not: they fill ray puree. 
 
 And serv« but to augment my princely train. 
 
 The smallest profit never comes amiss. 
 
 A priest with money oyly has to choose 
 
 Among the fair— pays florins four — I'm blind. 
 
 Has he a child ?— again his purse must bleed. 
 
 'Tis thus a good round sum I net each year, — 
 
 Two thousand fiorins ; but not e'en two pence* 
 
 Would fall to me, were they discreet and wise. 
 
 All honour to the pope ! With bended knee 
 
 I bow before him. In his faith I'll live. 
 
 Defend his church, and own hun as ray god. 
 
 TUE Pofii. 
 Now doth the faithless world at last believe 
 That an ambitious priest can ope or shut 
 At will the gates of heaven. Preach faithfully 
 The ordinances of the conclave's choice. 
 Now are we kings— the layman, a dull thralL 
 Wave but the Gospel standard in the air, 
 And we are lost. To ofier sacrifice 
 Or fee the priest, the Gospel teacheth not. 
 Did we obey its precepts, we sliould live — 
 Alas !— in poverty, and meanly die. 
 Ah ! then farewell to richly harness'd steeds. 
 To sumptuous chariots — then a sullen ass 
 
 Would bear the portly majesty of Rome.+ 
 
 No '.—firmly Saint Peter's rights I'll guard. 
 And rash intruders with my thunders blast. 
 Let us but will —the uuiverse is ours. 
 And prostrate nations worship us as God. 
 I walk upfcon their bodies to my throne. 
 
 Avaunt, ye unclean laymen, from our treasure 
 
 Three drops of holy water fill your measure. 
 
 We will not continue our translation of ManueFs drama. 
 The anguish of the clergy on discovering the efforts of the 
 
 ♦ The German is very expressive :— 
 So bin Ich auf gut Deutsch ein Hurenwirth, &c. &c. Bern. MausoL iv. 
 Wirz. K. Gesch. i. 383. 
 
 t Wir mochten fast kaum ein Eselein ha'n. Ibi<l. 
 
THE SKULL OF SAIMT ANNE. 387 
 
 reformers, and tlieii anger against those who threatened to 
 put a stop to their disorders, are painted in the Uvehest colours. 
 The dissokite manners, of which this mystery presents so 
 vivid an image, were too common for each one not to be 
 struck with the truth of the representation. The people 
 were excited. Many were tlieir jests as they departed from 
 the show in the R^e de la Croix ; but some individuals were 
 more seriously affected ; they spoke of christian liberty and 
 of the papal despotism ; they contrasted the simplicity of the 
 Gospel w4th the pomp of Rome. The contempt of the 
 people soon went beyond all bounds. On Ash Wednesday 
 the indulgences were paraded through the streets, accom- 
 panied with satirical songs. A heavy blow had been struck 
 in Berne and in all Switzerland at the ancient edifice of 
 Popery. 
 
 Not long after this representation, another comedy was 
 acted at Berne; but in this there was nothing invented. 
 The clergy, council, and citizens were assembled in front of 
 the Upper Gate, awaiting the skull of Saint Anne, which 
 the famous knight Albert of Stein had gone to fetch from 
 Lyons. At length Stein appeared, carrying the holy relic 
 enveloped in a silken cloth, before which the Bishop of Lau- 
 sanne had humbly bent the knee as it passed through his 
 city. The precious skull was borne iii procession to the 
 Dominican church ; the bells rang out ; the train filed into 
 the temple ; and with great solemnity the skull of Mary's 
 mother was placed on an altar specially consecrated to it, 
 and behind a sumptuous trellis work. But in the midst of 
 the^e rejoicings, a letter Avas received from the abbot of the 
 convent of Lyons, in which reposed the relics of the saint, 
 announcing that the monks had sold the knight a profane 
 skull taken from the cemetery, from among the scattered 
 fragments of the dead. This mystification deeply incensed 
 the inhabitants of the illustrious city of Berne. 
 
 The Reformation was advancing in other parts of Switzer- 
 land. Li 1521, a young man of Appenzel, Walter Klarer 
 by name, returned from the university of Paris to his native 
 canton. Luther's works fell into his hands, and in 1522 he 
 preached the evangelical doctrine with all the energy of a 
 
388 APPENZEL AND THE GRISONS. 
 
 youthful Christian. An innkeeper named Rausberg, mem- 
 ber of the council of Appenzel, a rich and pious man, opened 
 his house to all the friends of truth. A famous captain," 
 Bartholomew Berweger, who had fought for Juhus II. and 
 Leo X., having returned from Rome about this time, per- 
 secuted the evangelical ministers. One day, however, re- 
 membering what wickedness -he had seen at Rome, he began 
 to read his Bible, and to attend the sermons of the new 
 preachers : his eyes were opened, and he embraced the Gos- 
 pel. On witnessing the crowds that could not find room in 
 the churches, he said: " Let tlie ministers preach in the 
 fields and public places ;" and despite a violent opposition, 
 the meadows, hills, and mountains of Appenzel often after- 
 wards re-echoed with the tidings of salvation. 
 
 This doctrine, proceeding upwards along the banks of the 
 Rhine, spread even as far as the ancient Rhsetia. One day 
 a stranger coming from Zurich crossed the stream, and entered 
 the house of a saddler in Flasch, the first village of the Orisons. 
 The saddler, Christian Anhorn, listened with astonishment 
 to the language of his guest. The whole village invited the 
 stfanger, whose name was Jacques Burkli, to preach to them. 
 He took his station in front of the altar ; a troop of armed 
 men, with Anhorn at their head, stood round to protect him 
 from any sudden attack while he was proclaiming the Gospel. 
 The rumour of this preaching spread far and wide, and on 
 the following Sunday an immense crowd flocked to the 
 church. In a brief space a large proportion of the inhabitants 
 of these districts demanded the Eucharist according to our 
 Lord's institution. But on a sudden the tocsin rang- in 
 Mayenfeldt ; the afirighted people ran together to know the 
 cause ; the priests described the danger that threatened the 
 Church ; and then at the head of this fanatic crowd, ran 
 hastily to Flasch. Anhorn, who was working in the fields, 
 surprised at hearing the sound of bells at so unusual a time, 
 returned home immediately, and hid Burkli in a deep hole in 
 his cellar. The house Vv^as surrounded, the doors burst in ; 
 they sought for the heretical preacher, but in vain : at last, 
 th3 persecutors left the place.* 
 
 • Anhorn Wiedergeburt der Ey. Kirchen in den 3 Bundten. Chur. 
 1680 : Wirz. i. 557. 
 
ADULTERY AND MURDER. 389 
 
 The Word of God spread through the whole league of the 
 ten jurisdictions. The priest of Mayenfeldt, having returned 
 from Rome, whither he had gone in his irritation at the pro- 
 gress of the Gospel, exclaimed : " Rome has made me evan- 
 gelical P and he became a fervent teformer. Erelong the 
 Reformation extended over the league of " the house of God :" 
 " Oh ! that you could see how the dwellers in the Rhsetian 
 mountains are throwing off the yoke of the Babylonian cap- 
 tivity !" wrote Salandronius to Vadian. 
 
 Disorders of a revolting character hastened the time when 
 Zurich and the neighbouring cantons snapped asunder the 
 Roman yoke. A married schoolmaster, desiring to enter 
 holy orders, obtained his wife's consent with this view, and 
 they separated. The new priest, finding it impossible to 
 observe his vow of celibacy, and unwilling to wound his 
 wife's feelings, quitted the place where she lived, and. went 
 into the see of Constance, where he formed a criminal con- 
 nexion. His wife heard of this, and followed him. The 
 poor priest had compassion on her, and dismissing the wo- 
 man who had usurped her rights, took his lawful spouse into 
 his house. The lorocurator-jiscal immediately drew up a 
 complaint ; tlie vicar-general was in a ferment ; the coun- 
 cillors of the consistory deliberated and ordered the curate 
 
 either to forsake his wife or his benefice. The poor wife left 
 her husband's house in tears, and her rival re-entered it in 
 triumph. The Church declared itself satisfied, and from that 
 time the adiilt(?rous priest was left undisturbed.* 
 
 Not long after, a parish priest of Lucerne seduced a mar- 
 ried woman and lived with her. The husband, having re- 
 1;unied to Lucerne, availed himself of the priest's absence to 
 recover his wife. As he was taking her home, the seducer 
 met them; fell upon the injured husband, and inflicted a 
 wound of which the latter died.f All pious men felt the 
 necessity of re-establishing the law of God, which declares 
 marriage Jionourahle in alL\. The evangelical ministers had 
 
 * Simml. Samml. vi. ; Wirz. K. Gesch. i. 275. 
 
 t Hinc cum scorto redeunlem in itinere deprehendit, aggrediiur, lethi- 
 feroque vulnere csedit et tandem moritur. Zw. Epp. p. 206.- 
 :{: Hebrews xiii. 1. 
 
390 zwingle's marriage. 
 
 discovered that the law of celibacy was of human origin, im- 
 posed by the pontiffs, and contrary to the Word of God, 
 which, describing a faithful bishop, represents him as a hus- 
 band and father (1 Timothy iii. 2, 4). At the same time 
 they observed, that oi all abuses that had crept into the 
 Church, none had been a cause of more vice and scandal. 
 Tliey thought, therefore, that it was not only lawful, but, 
 even more, a duty to God to reject it. Many of them now 
 returned to this ancient usage of apostolical times. Xyiocteet 
 was married. Zwingle also took a wife about this period. 
 
 No woman had been more respected in Zurich than 
 Anna Reinhardt, the widow of Meyer von Knonau, Gerold's 
 mother. From Zwingle's arrival, she had been one of his 
 most attentive hearers ; she lived near him, and he had 
 noticed her piety, her modesty, and affection for her children. 
 The yolmg Gerold, who liad become, as it were, his adopted 
 son, drew him still closer to the mother. The sufferings un- 
 dergone by this christian woman, who was one day to be more 
 cruelly tried than any woman recorded in history, had com- 
 municated a seriousness that contributed to show forth her 
 evangelical virtues more brightly.* At this time she was 
 about thirty-five years old, and her fortune only amounted 
 to four hundred florins. It was on her that Zwingle fixed 
 his eyes as a companion for life. He comprehended all the 
 sacredness and sympathy of the conjiigal state. He entitled 
 it " a most holy alhance."f — "- In hke manner," said he, " as 
 Christ died for his followers, and gave himself entirely for 
 them, so should married persons do all and suffer all for one 
 another." But Zwingle, when he took Anna Reinhardt to 
 wife, did not make his marriage known. This is undoubt- 
 edly a blamable weakness in a man at other times so 
 resolute. The light that he and his friends had acquired on 
 the question of celibacy was not general. Weak minds 
 might have been scandalized. He feared that his usefulness 
 in the Church would be paralyzed, if his marriage were 
 made public. | He sacrificed a portion of his happiness to 
 
 * Anna Reinhard, von Gerold Meyer von Knonau, p. 25. 
 
 •}- Ein hochheiliges Bunduiss. Ibid. ' 
 
 t Qui Veritas sis, te marito non tam feliciter usurum Christum in 
 negotio verbi sui. Zvr. Epp. p. 335. 
 
THE TRIUMPH OF TRl 'l H. 391 
 
 dicse fears, excusable perhaps, but which he ought to have 
 shaken off.* 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 How the Truth trium'phs — Meetid^ at Einsidlen— Petition to the Bishop 
 and Confederates— The Men of Einsidlen separate— Scene in a Convent 
 —Dinner with Mj-conius — The Strength of the Reformers — Effect of 
 the Petitions to Lucerne— The Council of the Diet— Haller at the 
 Town-hall— Friburg— Oswald's Destitution— Zwingle consoles him — 
 Oswald quits Lucerne— The Diet's first Act of Severity— Consterna- 
 tion of Zwiugle's Brothers — Zwingle's Resolution— The Future — 
 Zvvingle's Pi-ayer. 
 
 But far higher interests than these occupied the minds of 
 the friends of truth. The diet, as we have seen, pressed by 
 the enemies of the Reformation, had enjoined the evangehcal 
 preachers to preach no doctrines Ukely to disturb the people. 
 
 * Biographers, respectable historians, and all the writers who have 
 copied them, place Zwingle's marriage two years later, in April 1.524. 
 Without any intention of stating here all the reasons that have convinced 
 me of their error, I shall put down simply the most decisive authorities. 
 A letter from Myconius, Zwingle's intimate friend, dated 22d July 1522, 
 has these words : Vale cum uxore quam felicissime. In another letter 
 from the same, written about the end of the year, we read : Vale cum 
 uxore. The very contents of these letters prove the accuracy of their 
 respective dates. But what is stronger still is a letter written from 
 Strasburg by Bucer, at the very time Zwingle's marriage was made 
 public, the 14th April 1521 (the date of the year is wanting, but internal 
 evidence proves it to have been written in 1524), containing several pas- 
 sages which show that Zwingle must have been married some time : 
 here are several, besides that quoted in the preceding note :— " Professum 
 jxiUim te maritum legi. Unum hoc desiderabam in te.— Quae multo 
 facilius quam connubii tui confessionem Antichristus posset ferre. — 
 
 A.ya.^6-i^ ab eo, quod cum fratribus episcopo Constantiensi congressus 
 
 es, nuUus credidi.— Q,ua ratione id tarn diu celares . . . non dubitarim, 
 rationibus hue adductuni, qua) apud virum evangelicum non queaut 
 omniuo repudiarij &c. Zw. Epp. p. 335. Zwingle, therefore, did not 
 marry in 1524 ; but he then made his marriage known, it having been 
 contracted two years before. The learned editors of Zwingle's letters 
 say : " Num forte jam Zwinglius Annam Reinhardam clandestine in 
 matrimonio habebat ?" p. 210. This does not appear to be a doubtful 
 point, but a fart vrhjch combines all the truth required in history. 
 
392 MEETING AT KNSIDLEN. 
 
 Zwingle felt that the moment for action had arrived; and 
 with his characteristic energy convened a meeting at Ein- 
 sidlen of the ministers of the Lord who were friendly to 
 the Gospel. The Christian's strength consists neithc'i' in 
 the power of arms, nor in the flames of the burning pile, nor 
 in factious intrigues, nor in the support of the mighty ones 
 of the earth ; it is a simple, but bold and unanimous con- 
 fession of those great truths to which the world must one 
 day be subjected. God especially calls those who serve him 
 to uphold these doctrines firmly before the people, without 
 permitting themselves to be alarmed by the cries of their 
 adversaries. These truths have in themselves an assur- 
 ance of their triumph; and idols fall before them, as in 
 former times before the ark of God. The hour was come 
 in which God willed the great truth of salvation to be thus 
 confessed in Switzerland ; it was requisite that the Gospel 
 standard should be planted on some high place. Providence 
 was about to draw from their secluded retreats many humble 
 but intrepid men, and cause them to give a noble testimony 
 in the presence of the nation. 
 
 Towards the end of June and the beginning of July 1522, 
 pious ministers were seen from every side journeying to- 
 wards the celebrated chapel of Einsidlen on a new pilgrim- 
 age.* From Art in the canton of Schwytz, came its priest 
 Balthasar Trachsel ; from Weiningen, near Baden, the 
 priest Staheli ; from Zug, Werner Steiner ; from Lucerne, 
 the canon Kilchmeyer ; from Uster, the_ incumbent Pfister ; 
 from Hongg, near Zurich, the priest Stumpif ; and from 
 Zurich itself, the canon Fabricius, the chaplain Schmidt, 
 Grossman, the preacher of the hospital, and Zwingle. Leo 
 .Juda, the priest of Einsidlen, joyfully received all these 
 ministers of Jesus Christ into the old abbey. Subsequently 
 to Zwingle's residence, this place had become the stronghold 
 of truth, and a dwelling-place for the righteous.f Thus, 
 two hundred and fifteen years before, thirty-three brave 
 patriots had met in the solitary plain of the Grutli, resolved 
 
 * Thaten sich zusammen ctlichc priester. Bull. Chronik. 
 f Zu Einsidlen hatten sie alio Sicherhcit dahiu zn gehen und doii zu 
 wohnen. J. J. Hottingcr IIclv. K. Ge.scli. iii. Cn. 
 
PETITION TO THE BISHOP. 393 
 
 to break the yoke of Austria. At Einsidlen they met to burst 
 in. sunder the yoke of human authority in Divine things. 
 Zwingle proposed that his friends should address an urgent 
 petition to the cantons and the bishop, with a view of obtain- 
 ing the free preaching of the Gospel, and at the same time 
 the abolition of compulsory celibacy, the source of such 
 criminal disorders. All concurred in his opinion.* Ulrich 
 had himself prepared the address. The petition to the 
 bishop was read first : this was on the 2d of July, and it was 
 signed by all the evangelists named above. A cordicf! af- 
 fection knit together tjie preachers of the Gospel truth in 
 Switzerland. There were many others who sympathized 
 with the men who had met at Einsidlen ; such were Haller, 
 Myconius, Hedio, Capito, Qi^colampadius, Sebastian Meyer, 
 Hoffmeister, and Vanner. This harmony is one of the most 
 beautiful features of the Swiss Reformation. These ex- 
 cellent persons ever acted as one man, and remained friends 
 until death. 
 
 The men of Einsidlen felt that it was only by the power 
 of faith that the members of the Confederation, divided by the 
 foreign capitulations, could become a single body. But their 
 eyes were directed to heaven. •'* The heavenly teaching," 
 said they to their ecclesiastical superior in the address of the 
 2d of July, " that truth which God the Creator has mani- 
 fested by his Son to the human race immersed in sin, has 
 been long veiled from our eyes by the ignorance, not to say 
 the wickedness, of a few men. But this same Almighty God 
 has resolved to re-establish it in its primitive estate. Unite, 
 then, with those who desire the whole body of Christians 
 
 should return to their Head, which is Christ.f On our 
 
 part, we are determined to proclaim his Gospel with indefa- 
 tigable perseverance, and at the same time with such dis- 
 cretion that no one shall complain of it.j: Favour this— 
 
 • Und wurdeneius andeiiBischoffzu Constantz und gmein Eidtgnos- 
 sen oin Supplication zu stellen. Bull. Chrouik. 
 
 t Ut universa Christianorum multitudo ad caput suum, quod Christus 
 est, redeat. Supplicatio quorundum apud Helvetios Evangelistarum. 
 Zw. 0pp. iii. 18. 
 
 X Evaugelium irremisso tenore promulgare statuimus Ibid. 
 
 17* 
 
594 PETITION TO THE BISHOP. 
 
 astonishing it may be, but not rash undertaking. Be like 
 Moses, in the way, at the head of the people when they went 
 out of Egypt, and with your own hands overthrow every 
 obstacle tliat opposes the triumphant progress of tlie truth." 
 After this spirited appeal, the evangelists assembled at 
 Einsidlen came to the question of celibacy. Zwingle had 
 nothing to ask in this respect ; he had such a wife as, ac- 
 cording to Saint Paul's description, the wife of a minister 
 of Christ should be — grave, sober, faithful in all things. 
 (1 Ttm. iii. 11.) But he thought of his brethren, whose 
 consciences were not as yet, like his own, emancipated from 
 human ordinances. He longed, moreover, for that time when 
 all the servants of God might live openly and fearlessly in the 
 bosom of their families, having their cldldren in subjection 
 with all gravity. (1. Tim. iii. 4.) " You cannot be ignorant," 
 said the men of Einsidlen, " how deplorably the lav/s of 
 chastity have hitherto been violated by the priests. When 
 in the consecration of the ministers of the Lord, they ask of 
 him who speaks for all the rest : Are those whom you 
 present to us righteous men ? — he answers : -They are 
 righteous.- — Are they learned ? — They are learned. But 
 when he is asked : Are they chaste ? He replies : As far 
 as human weakness permits.* The New Testament every- 
 where condemns licentious intercourse ; everywhere it 
 sanctions marriage." Here follows a great number of quo- 
 tations. "It is for this reason," continued they, "we' en- 
 treat you, by the. love of Christ, by the liberty he has pur- 
 chased for us, by the Avretchedness of so many feeble and 
 wavering souls, by the wounds of so many ulcerated con- 
 sciences, by all divine and human motives to permit 
 
 what has been, rashly enacted to be wisely repealed; for 
 fear the majestic edifice of the Church should fall with a 
 frightful crash, and spread destruction far and wide.f Be- 
 hold with what storms the world is threatened ! If wisdom 
 does not interfere, the ruin of the priestly order is certain." 
 
 * Suntne casti \ reddidit : Quatenus humana imbecillitas permittit. 
 Supplicatio, &c. Zw. 0pp. iii. 18. 
 
 + Ne qnando moles ista non ex patrie ccelestis sententia constructa, 
 eum fragore longe perniciosiore corruat. Ibid. 24. 
 
PETITION TO THE CONFEDERATION. 395 
 
 - The petition to tlie confederation was longer still.* " Ex- 
 cellent sirs," thus spoke the allies of Einsidlen to the confe- 
 derates at the end of their appeal, " we are all Swiss, and 
 you are our fathers. There are some among us who have 
 been faithful in the field of battle, in the chambers of pesti- 
 lence, and in the midst of other calamities. It is in the 
 name of sincere chastity that we address you. Who is un- 
 aware that we should better "satisfy the lust of the flesh by 
 not submitting to the regulations of lawful wedlock ? But 
 we must put an end to the scandals that atflict the Church 
 of Christ. If the tyranny of the Roman pontiff is resolved 
 to oppress us, fear nothing,, brave heroes ! The authority of 
 the Word of God, the rights of christian liberty, and the 
 sovereign power of grace, will surround and protect us.f We 
 have all the same country, the same faith ; we are Swiss, 
 and the virtue of our illustrious ancestors, has always dis- 
 played its power by an invincible defence of those who are 
 unjustly oppressed." 
 
 Thus in Einsidlen itself, in that ancient stronghold of super- 
 stition, and which in our days is one of the most famous sanc- 
 tuaries of Roman observances, did Zwingle and his friends 
 boldly uplift the banner cf truth and liberty. They appealed to 
 the heads of the state and of die Church. They placarded their 
 theses like Luther, but at the plates of the episcopal palace 
 and of the national council. The band of friends at Ein- 
 sidlen separated calm, rejuicing, and full of hope in that God 
 in whose hands they had placed their cause ; and retiring, 
 some by the battle-field of Morgarten, others over the chain 
 of the Albis, and the rest by different valleys and moun- 
 tains, returned each man to his post. '' It was something 
 really sublime for those times,"| says Henry Bullinger, " that 
 these men should have thus dared stand forth, and rallying 
 round the Gospel, expose themselves to every danger. But 
 God preserved them all, so that no liann befell them; for 
 
 * Arnica et pia paraenesis a<l communcm Helvetiorum civitatem 
 scripta, ne evangelic^ doctriiise cursum impediant, &c. Zw. 0pp. i. 39. 
 
 + Diviiii euim verbi auctoritatem, libertatis christians et divinw 
 gratiae praesidium nobis adesse conspicictis. Ibid 63. 
 
 J Es was zwahrea gros zii denen Zyteu Bull. Chronik. 
 
396 SCENE IN A CONVENT. 
 
 God always pre>serves liis own/' It was indeed sublime: it 
 was a bold step in the progress of the Reformation, one of the 
 brightest days of the religions regeneration of Switzerland. 
 A holy confederation was formed at Einsidlen. Humble but 
 intrepid men had grasped the sword of the Spirit, which is 
 the Word of God, and the shield of faith. The gauntlet was 
 thrown down — the challenge was given — not only by one 
 man, but by men of different cantons, prepared to sacrifice 
 their lives : they must await the struggle. 
 
 Everything seemed to forebode that the contest w6uld be 
 severe. Already five days after, on the 7 th of July, the 
 magistrates of Zurich, desirous of offering some satisfaction 
 to the Roman party, had summoned before them Conrad Gre- 
 bel and Claus Hottinger, two of those violent men who ap- 
 peared desirous of overstepping the bounds of a prudent 
 Reformation. " We forbid you," said the burgomaster 
 Roust, " to speak against the monks and on the controverted 
 questions." At these words a loud noise was heard in the 
 chamber, says an old chronicle. God so manifested himself 
 throughout all this work, that the people saw signs of his 
 intervention in everything. Each man looked around him 
 in astonishment, without being able to discover the cause of 
 this mysterious circumstance.* 
 
 But it was in the convents especially that the indigna- 
 tion was greatest. Every meeting that was held in them 
 either for discussion or amusement, saw some new attack 
 burst forth. One day there was a great banquet at the con- 
 vent of Fraubrunn ; and as the wine had got into the heads 
 of the guests, they began to launch the most envenomed 
 darts against the Gospel.-j- What most incensed the priests 
 and monks was the evangelical doctrine that, in the Chris- 
 tian Church there ought not to be any sacerdotal caste raised 
 above the believers. One single friend of the Reformation 
 was present, Macrinus, a layman, and master of the school 
 at Soleure. At first he avoided the discussion, passing from 
 one table to the other. But at length, imable to endure the 
 
 * Da liess die Stube einen grossen Knall. Fusslin Beytr. iv. 39. 
 
 ^f Cum iuvalesceute Baccho, disputationos, imo verius jargia Zw. 
 
 «rr- p. 230. 
 
OSWALD jrycoNius. 
 
 397 
 
 violent language of the guests, he ro&e boldly and said aloud : 
 " Yes I all true Christians are priests and sacrificers, as St. 
 Peter says : Ye are priests and kings.''^ At these words 
 one of the loudest bawlers, the Dean of Burgdorff, a tall 
 strong man with a voice of thunder, burst out laughing : 
 " So then, you Greeklings and pedagogues are the royal 
 
 priesthood? a pretty priesthood, forsooth! beggarly 
 
 kings priests without prebends or livings!"* And at 
 
 the very instant priests and monks with one accord fell on 
 the imprudent layman. 
 
 It was in Lucerne, however, that the bold step of the men 
 of Einsidlen was destined to produce the greatest commo- 
 tion. The diet had met in this city, and complaints arrived 
 from every quarter against these daring preachers, who 
 would prevent Helvetia from quietly selling the blood 
 of her children fo the stranger. On the 22d of July 1522, 
 as Oswald Myconius was at dinner in his own house with 
 the canon Kilchmeyer and others favourably disposed to 
 the Gospel, a youtli sent by Zwingle stood at his door.-|- 
 He brought the two famous petitions of Einsidlen, and a 
 letter from Zwingle, calling upon Oswald to circulate them 
 in Lucefne. " It is my advice," added the reformer, " that 
 this should be -done quietly, gradually, rather than ^11 at 
 once ; for we must learn to give up everything — even one's 
 wife —for Christ's sake." 
 
 The critical moment was approaching in Lucerne; the 
 shell had fallen in the midst of the city, and was about to 
 explode. Oswald's guests read the petitions. " May God 
 prosper this beginning !"j: exclaimed Oswald, looking up to 
 heaven, and adding immediately : '• From this very hour 
 this prayer should be the constant occupation of our hearts." 
 The petitions were circulated immediately, perhaps with 
 more ardour than Zwingle had required. But the moment 
 was extraordinary. Eleven men, the flower of the clergy, 
 had placed themselves in the breach ; it was desirable to 
 
 * Estote ergo Grsecuii ac Donatistoe regale sacerdotium Zw. Epp 
 
 p. 230. 
 
 + Venit puer, quern misisti, inter prandendum. Ibid. 209. 
 J Deus ccepta fortunet 1 Ibid. . - 
 
398 STRENGTH OF THE REFORMEKS. 
 
 enlighten nieirs iiiiiul-, to decide the v/dvenng, and to iv'in 
 over the most influential members of the diet. 
 
 Oswald, in the midst of his exertions, did not forget his 
 friends. The youthful messenger had- told him of the attacks 
 Zwingle had to put up with on the part of tlie monks of 
 Zurich. " The truth of the Holy Ghost is invincible," 
 tvrote Myconius to him on the same day. ''"Shielded with 
 the buckler of Scripture, you have conquered not only in 
 one contest, nor in two, but in three, and the fourth is now 
 
 beginning Grasp those powerful arms which are harder 
 
 than adamant ! Christ, to protect his followers, requires 
 nothing but his Word. Your struggles impart unflinching 
 courage to all who have devoted themselves to Jesus 
 Christ."* 
 
 The two petitions did not produce the desired clTect in 
 Lucerne. Some pious men approved of them ; but their 
 numbers were few. Many, fearing to compromise them- 
 selves, would neither praise ■ nor blame them.-j- '' These 
 folks," said others, "will never succeed in this business!" 
 All the priests murmured, and whispered against them; 
 and the people became violent against the Gospel. The 
 passion for a military life had been revived in Lucei^e after 
 the bloody defeat of the Bicocca, and war alone filled every 
 mind.| Oswald, who watched attentively these different 
 impressions, felt his courage sinking. The Gospel future 
 that he had pictured in Lucerne and Switzerland, seemed to 
 vanish. " Our countrymen are blind as regards heavenly 
 things," said he with a deep sigh : " We can hope nothing 
 from the Swiss, which concerns the glory of Christ."§ 
 
 Li tlie council and the ddet the irritation was greatest. 
 The pope, France, England, tlie empire — all Avere in com- 
 motion around Switzerland after the defeat of the Bicocca 
 and the evacuation of Lorabardy by the French, under the 
 orders of Lautrec. Vv^ere not p;;![tii;al affairs complicated 
 
 * Is pcrmaneas, qui es, in Christo Jcsn .. Z\v. Epp. p. 210. 
 t Boni, qui pauci suut, conimendaiit libcllos vestros ; alii nee laudant 
 nee vituperant. Ibid. 
 J Belli furor occupat omnia. Ibid. 
 
 § 
 possunt augere. Ibid. 
 
IIALLEK AND THE DIET. 399 
 
 enough, that these eleven men should come with their 
 petitions and superadd mere religious questions '? The de- 
 puties of Zurich alone inclined in favour of the Gospel. 
 The canon Xyloctect, fearing for the safety of himself and his 
 wife (for he had married a daughter of one of the first 
 families in the country), had shed teaVs of regret, as he 
 refused to go to Einsidlcn and sign the addresses. The 
 canon Kilchmeycr was bolder, and he had everything to 
 fear. On the 13th of August he wrote to Zwingle : '' Sen- 
 tence threatens me, but I await it Avith courage"...... As 
 
 his pen was tracing these words, the usher of the council 
 entered his room, and summoned him to appear on the 
 morrow.* " If they throw me into prison," said he, continu- 
 ing his letter, " I shall claim your help ; but it will be easier 
 to transport a rock from our Alps than to remove me a finger's 
 breadth from the Word of Jesus Christ." The respect due 
 to his family, and the determination of the council to make 
 the storm burst on Oswald, saved the canon. 
 
 Berthold Haller had not signed the petitions, perhaps 
 because he was not a Swiss. But v/ith unyielding courage 
 he explained the Gospel of St. Matthew, after Zwingle's ex- 
 ample. A great crowd filled the cathedral of Berne. The 
 Word of God operated more powerfully on the people than 
 Manuel's dramas. Haller was summoned to the town-hall ; 
 the people escorted this meek man thither, and remained 
 assembled in the square in front. The council were divided 
 in their sentiments. " It is a matter that concerns the 
 bishop," said the most influential members. " We must 
 give him up to Monseigneur of Lausanne." Haller's friends 
 trembled at these words, and besought him to withdraw as 
 soon as possible. The people surrounded him, and accom- 
 panied him home, and a great body of armed citizens 
 remained before his house, determined to form a rampart 
 for their humble pastor with their bodies. The bishop and 
 council shrunk back at this spirited demonstration, and 
 Haller was saved. He did not, however, combat alone in 
 Berne. Sebastian Meyer refuted the pastoral letter of the 
 
 • Tu vero audi. Haec dum scriberem, irruit prseco, a Senatoribus 
 missus Zw. Epp. p. 213. 
 
400 FRIBURG OSWALD DISMISSED. . 
 
 Bishop of Constance, and especially the hackneyed charge,- 
 " that the disciples of the Gospel teach a new doctrine ; and 
 that the old is the true one." — " To have been a thousand 
 years wrong," said he, " will not make us right for one single 
 hour ; or else the pagans should have kept to their creed. 
 If the most ancient doctrines ought to be preferred, fifteen 
 hundred years are more than five hundred, and the Gospel 
 is older than .the decrees of the pope."* 
 
 About this time, the magistrates of Friburg intercepted 
 some letters addressed to Haller and Meyer by a canon of 
 that town, named John Hollard, a native of Orbe. They im- 
 prisoned him, deprived him of his office, and finally banished 
 him. John Vannius, a chorister of the cathedral, soon de- 
 clared in favour of the evangelical doctrine ; for in this war 
 no soldier fell whose place was not imm.ediately. filled by an- 
 other. " How can the muddy water of the Tiber," said Van- 
 nius, " subsist beside the pure stream that Luther has drawn 
 from tlie springs, of St. Paul?" But the mouth of the cho- 
 rister also vfas shut. " In all Switzerland you will hardly 
 find men more unfavourably disposed towards sound doctrine 
 than the Friburgers," wrote Myconius to Zwinglcf 
 
 An exception must however be made as regards Lucerne ; 
 and this Myconius knew Avell. He had not signed the famous 
 petitions; but if he did not, his friends did, and a victim was 
 wanted. The ancient literature of Greece and Rome was 
 beginning, through his exertions, to shed its light upon Lu- 
 cerne ; students resorted thither from various quarters to hear 
 the learned professor ; and the friends of peace listened with 
 dehght to milder sounds than the clash of halberds, swords, 
 and breastplates, that as xqi had re-echoed alone in this 
 warlike city. Oswald had sacrificed everything for his coun- 
 try ; — he had quitted Zurich- and Zwingle; — he had lost his- 
 health ; — ^liisvvife was ailiiigti — his child was young; — should 
 Lucerne once cast him forth, he could nowhere look for an 
 asylum. But this they heeded not : factions are pitiless, and 
 
 * Simml. Sarmnl. vi. 
 
 t Hoc audio vix alios esse per Helvetiam, qui pejus velint sansd doo« , 
 trinse. Zw. Epp. p. 226. 
 J Conjux iufirma. Ibid. 192. 
 
Oswald's DismssAL. 401 
 
 what should excite their compassion does hut inflame theii 
 anger. Hertenstein, burgomaster of Lucerne, an old anc 
 valiant warrior, who had become celebrated in the Swabian 
 and Burgundian wars, proposed the schoolmaster's dismissal, 
 and wished to drive him from the canton with his Greek, his 
 Latin, and his Gospel. He succeeded. As he left the meet- 
 ing of the council in which Myconius had been deprived of 
 his post, Hertenstein met Berguer the Zurich deputy : " We 
 send you back your schoolmaster," said he ironically : " pre- 
 pare a comfortable lodging for him." — " We will not let him 
 sleep in the open air,"* immediately rephed the courageous 
 deputy. But Berguer promised more than he could per- 
 form. 
 
 The burgomaster's tidings Avere but too true, and they were 
 soon made known to the unhappy Myconius. He is strip- 
 ped of his appointment, banished; and the only crime 
 
 with which he is reproached is being Luther's disciple. 7 He 
 turns his eyes around him, and nowhere finds a shelter. He 
 beholds his wife, his son, and himself, — weak and sickly 
 
 creatures, — driven from their country and around him 
 
 Switzerland agitated by a violent tempest, breaking and 
 shattering all that resists it. " Here,"- said he then to 
 Zwingle, " here is your poor Myconius banished by the 
 
 council of Lucerne. I Whither shall I go? I know 
 
 not Assailed yourself by such furious storms, how can 
 
 you shelter m.e ? In my tribulation I cry to that God who 
 is^ my chief hope. Ever rich, ever kind. He does not permit 
 any who call upon him to turn away unheard. May He pro- 
 vide for my wants I" 
 
 Thus wrote Oswald. He had not long to wait for the word 
 of consolation. There was one man in Switzerland inured to 
 the battles of faith. Zwingle drew nigh to his friend and raised 
 him up. " So rude are the blows by which men strive to 
 overthrow the house of God," said Zwingle, " and so frequent 
 
 • Veniat ! efficiemus eoim ne dormiendum sit ei sub dio. Zw. Epp. 
 p. 216. 
 t Nil exprobarunt nisi quod sim Lutheranus. Ibid. 
 J Ex|.? litur ecce miser Myconius a Senatu Lucernano. Ibid. 215, 
 
402 • ZWINGLE CONSOLES HIM. 
 
 are their attacks, that it is not only the wind and rain that 
 burst upon it, as our Lord predicts (Matth. vii. 27), but also 
 the hail and the thunder * If I did not see that the Lord 
 kept watch over the ship, I should long since have abandoned 
 the helm ; but I see him, through the storm, strengthening the 
 tackling, handing the yards, spreading the sails ; nay more, 
 
 commanding the very winds Should I not be a coward 
 
 and unworthy the name of a man if I abandoned my post 
 and sought a disgraceful death in flight ? I confide entirely 
 in his sovereign goodness. Let Him govern, — let Him carry 
 us forward, — let Him hasten or delay, — let Him plunge us 
 
 even to the bottom of the deep v/e v.ill fear nothing.-{- 
 
 We are vessels that belong to Him. He can make use of us 
 as he pleases, for honour or dishonour." After these words, 
 so full of the sincerest faith, Zwingle continues : " As for 
 yourself, this is my advice. Appear before the council, and 
 deliver an address worthy of you and of Christ ; that is to 
 say, calculated to melt and not irritate their feelings. Deny 
 that you are Luther's disciple ; confess that you are Christ's. 
 Let your pupils surround you and speak too ; and if this 
 does not succeed, then come to your friend, — come to Zwingle, 
 — and look upon our city as your home ! 
 
 Encouraged by f.his language, Oswald followed the noble 
 advice of thr- rcfurmer ; but all his eflbrts were unavailing. 
 This witness to tb? truth was compelled to leave his country ; 
 and the people of Lucerne decried him so much that in every 
 quarter the magistrates prevented his finding an asylum. 
 " Nothing remains for me but to beg my bread from door to 
 door,"j: exclaimed this confessor of Christ, whose heart was 
 crushed at the sight of so much hostility. But erelong the 
 friend of Zwingle and his most powerful auxiliary, the first 
 man in Switzerland who had combined learning with a love 
 to the Gospel, the reformer of Lucerne, and subsequently one 
 of the heads of the Helvetian Church, was with his sick wife 
 
 * Nee ventos esse, nee imbres, sed grandines et fulmina. Zw. Epp. 
 p. 217. 
 
 t Regat, vehat, festinet, maneat, acceleret, moretur, mergat I Ibid. 
 
 X Ostiatim quserere quod edam. Ibid. p. 245. 
 
ARIiEST OF URBAN WEISS. 403 
 
 and infant child compelled to leave that ungrateful city, 
 where, of all his family, one only of his sisters had received 
 the Gospel. He crossed its ancient bridge ; he bade farewell 
 to those mountains which appear to rise from the bosom of 
 the Walstatter lake into the clouds. The canons Xyloctect 
 and Eilchmeyer, the only friends whom tho Reformation yet 
 counted among his fellow-countrymen, followed him not long 
 after. And at the moment when this poor maii, accompanied 
 by two feeble creatures, whose existence depended upon him, 
 with eyes turned towards the lake, and sliedding tears over 
 his blinded country, bade adieu to those sublime scenes of 
 nature, the majesty of which had ^surrounded his cradle, the 
 Gospel itself departed from Lucerne, and Rome reigns there 
 even to this day. 
 
 Shortly after, the diet then sitting at Baden, excited by 
 the severity shown to Myconius, incensed by the petitions 
 from Einsidlen, which were now printed and everywhere 
 producing a great sensation, and solicited by the Bishop of 
 Constance, who called upon them to crush the reformer, 
 had recourse to persecution, ordered the authorities of the 
 common bailiwicks to denounce all the priests and laymen 
 ^ho should dare speak against the faith, caused the preacher 
 who happened to be nearest to be immediately arrested, 
 namely Urban Weiss, pastor of Fislispach, who had been 
 previously liberated on bail, and liad him taken to Constance, 
 where he was delivered up to tlie bishop, who detained him 
 a long while in prison. " It was thus," says Bullinger's 
 chronicle, " that the persecutions of the confederates against 
 the Gospel began : and this took place at the instigation of 
 the clergy, who in every age have dragged Jesus Christ 
 before the judgment-seat of Herod and of Pilate."* 
 
 Nor did Zwingle himself escape trial. About this time he 
 was wounded in his tenderest point. The rumour of his 
 doctrines and of his struggles had passed the Sentis, pene- 
 trated the Tockenburg, and reached the heights of Wildhaus. 
 The family of herdsmen from whicli the reformer had sprung, 
 
 * Uss anstiflPten der geistlichen, Die zu alien Zyten, Christum Pilato 
 und Herodi vUrstellen. Chronik. 
 
404 ALARM OF ZWINGLE's BROTHERS HIS FIRMNESS. 
 
 was deeply moved. Of Zwingle's five brothers, some had 
 continued their peaceful mountain labours ; others, to their 
 brother's great regret, had taken up arms, quitted their 
 herds, and served a foreign prince. Both were ahke asto- 
 nished at the reports that readied their chalets. Already 
 they pictured to themselves their brother dragged to Con- 
 stance before the bishop, and a pile erected for his destruc- 
 tion oil the same spot where John IIuss had perished in the 
 flames. These proud herdsmen could not endure the idea 
 of being called the brothers of a heretic. They wrote to 
 Zwingle, describing their pain and theii'- fears. Zwingle 
 replied to them as follows : " So long as God shall permit 
 me, I will execute the task which he has confided to me, 
 without fearing the world and its haughty tyrants. I know 
 every thing that can. befall me. There is no danger, no 
 misfortune that I have not carefully weighed long ago. My 
 own strength is nothingness itself, and I know the power of 
 my enemies ; but I know also that I can do every thing in 
 Christ, who strengthens me. Though I should be silent, 
 another would be constrained to do v/hat God is now doing 
 through me, and I should be punished by the Almighty. 
 Banish all anxiety, my dear brothers. If I have any fear, 
 it is lest I have been milder and gentler than suits our 
 times.* What reproach (say you) will be cast upon our 
 family, if you are burnt, or put to death in any other way !t 
 Oh, my beloved brothers, the Gospel derives from the blood 
 of Christ this remarkable property, that the most violent 
 persecutions, far from checking its progress, serve but to 
 accelerate it. Those alone are the true soldiers of Christ, 
 who do not fear to bear in their body the wounds of their 
 Master. All my labours have no other aim than to pro- 
 claim to men the treasures of happiness that Christ hath 
 purchased for us, that all might take refuge in the Father, 
 through the death of his Son. If this doctrine scandalizes 
 you, your anger cannot stop me. You are my brothers — 
 
 * Plus eniin metuo ne forte lenior, mitiorque fucrim. De semper casta 
 virgine Maria. Zw. 0pp. i. 104. 
 t Si vel igni vel alio quodam supplicii ;;enere tollaris e medio. Ibid. 
 
PROSPECTS ZWINGLE's PRAYER. 405 
 
 yes ! — my own brothers, sons of the same father, I'ruit of the 
 
 same womb; but if you were not my brothers in Christ 
 
 and in the work of faith, then my grief would be so violent, 
 that nothing could equal it. Farewell. — I shall never cease 
 to be your affectionate brother, if only you will not cease 
 yourselves to be the brethren of Jesus Christ."* 
 
 The confederates appeared to rise, like one man, against the 
 Gospel. The addresses of Einsidlen had given the signal. 
 Zwingle, agitated at the fate of Myconius, saw, in his mis- 
 fortunes, the beginning of calamities. Enemies in Zurich, 
 enemies without ; a man's own relatives becoming his op- 
 ponents ; a furious opposition on the part of the monks and 
 priests ; violent measures in the diet and councils ; coarse 
 and perhaps bloody attacks from the partisans of foreign 
 service ; the highest valleys of Switzerland, that cradle of 
 the confederation, pouring forth its invincible phalanxes, to 
 save Rome, and annihilate at the cost of their Hves the 
 rising faith of the sons of the Reformation : — such was the 
 picture the penetrating eye of the reformer discovered in 
 the distance, and he shuddered at the prospect. Wliat a 
 future ! Was the work, hardly begun, about to be destroyed ? 
 Zwingle, thoughtful and agitated, laid all his anguish before 
 the throne of God : " Jesus," said he, " thou seest how 
 the wicked and the blasphemers stun thy people's ears with 
 their clamours.f Thou knowest how from my childhood I, 
 have hated all dispute, and yet, in despite of myself, Thou 
 
 hast not ceased to impel me to the conflict Therefore do 
 
 I call upon Thee with confidence to complete what Thou 
 hast begun. If I have built up any thing wrongly, do 
 Thou throw it down w^ith thy mighty hand. If I have laid 
 any other foundation than Thee, let thy powerful arm destroy 
 it.J vine abounding in sweetness, whose husbandman is 
 the Father, and whose branches we are, do not abandon thy 
 
 * Frater vester germanus nunquam desinam, si modo vos fratres Christi 
 esse perrexeritis. Z\v. 0pp. i. 107. 
 
 t Vides enim, piissime Jesu, aures eorum septas esse nequissimis su- 
 Burronibu?, sycophantis, lucrioaibus .,...Ibid. iii. 74. 
 
 X Si fuud amentum aliud prsster te jecero, demoliaris. Ibid. 
 
406 zwingle's prayer. 
 
 shoots !* For Thou hast promised to be with us until the 
 end of the world!" 
 
 It was on the 22d of August 1522 that UMch Zwingle, 
 the reformer of Switzerland, seeing the storms descending 
 from the mountains on the frail bark of the faith, thus poured 
 forth before God the troubles and desires of his soul. 
 
 * suavissima vitis, cujus vinitor pater palmites yere nos sumus, sa- 
 tionem tuam ne deseras ! Zw. 0pp. iii. 74. 
 
 END OP VOLUME SECOND- 
 
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