III. addressers hoped might lead to some reformation in religion,-an object "most earnestly desired by many pious, learned, and honourable persons in the first cities of Italy, and even in Rome itself." They spoke for themselves in the most unequivocal, and at the same time, in the most humble language. They congratulated the deliverance of Saxony from the tyranny of antichristian superstition, and applauded the elector's zeal for extending the like liberty of the gospel to other countries. They trusted that, at all events, the pope might be so far prevailed upon, that it might no longer be esteemed heretical for either priests or laymen to purchase the scriptures, or a proof of Lutheranism to quote sometimes the words of Christ or of S. Paul. This, they say, "is at present the case; and what is the reign of Antichrist, if this is not?" They entreat the ambassador "to leave no means untried, that his mission into Italy might not prove to have been in vain, and that their hopes might not issue in disappointment. For their own part, they promise to contribute their utmost endeavours, even though they should sacrifice their fortunes and their lives in the cause of Christ." To read such a document as this, proceeding from Italy three hundred years ago, and to reflect that all these hopes and earnest desires were disappointed, the spark thus kindled extinguished, and the dawning light lost in deep and permanent darkness, which endures to this day; and then to compare the lot of some other countries, and particularly of our own highly 1 Seck. iii. 68, 69. The whole paper, taken from the Saxon Archives, is highly interesting. On the progress of reformed principles at Bologna, see M'Crie's Reformation in Italy, p. 79-83. favoured land-must be deeply affecting to 99 A. D. 1533. of Wür 1534. Another event which event which very considerably Restoration strengthened the cause of the reformation in of Ulric Germany, about this time, was the restoration temburg. of Ulric duke of Würtemberg to his dominions. He had been expelled in the year 1519, on account of his violent and oppressive administration, and the house of Austria had got possession of his dutchy. His long exile having obliterated the remembrance of his misconduct, which is said to have been "the effect rather of inexperience than of tyrannical disposition," he was become the object of general compassion: and, in the year 1534, the landgrave, his near relation, receiving aid from the king of France, (who was glad to embrace every opportunity of distressing the imperial family,) restored him by force of arms, defeating the troops of Ferdinand, under the command of Philip count Palatine. Having the concurrence of Ulric's former subjects, the landgrave reinstated him in the authority, which is enjoyed by his family to this day. In this expedition the landgrave was not supported by any of his protestant brethren; and his proceeding was strongly deprecated by Luther and Melancthon: 3 yet its issue and its effects alike surpassed, or even contradicted their expectations. Ulric being thus restored, Ferdinand, not 1 Robertson, iii. 85. 2 By the descendants of his brother George, (Hane, Hist. Ref. ii. 15.) not, as Robertson states, by those of Ulric. 3 Seck. iii. 74. daring to attack a prince whom all the protestant powers might be ready to support, thought it best to make peace with him. About the same time also Ferdinand concluded a treaty with the elector of Saxony and his friends, at Cadan in Bohemia, whither the elector repaired for that purpose. It was here agreed, that no violence should be offered to any one on account of religion; that the pacification of Nuremberg should be strictly observed; that all processes in the imperial chamber against protestants should be stopped; that the elector of Saxony and his confederates should acknowledge Ferdinand as king of the Romans-but that a decree should be introduced into the diet, enacting that in future no one should be raised to that dignity, without the previous and unanimous agreement of the electors to the necessity of such an appointment; that Ferdinand should procure investiture to be granted to the elector of Saxony, and the confirmation of his marriage with Sibylla of Cleves.1 The dominions in which Ulric was thus reestablished were extensive, and his power very considerable. Previously to the year 1529, he had received an impression in favour of the reformation; and at that time, meeting Luther at the conferences at Marpurg, he conceived a high esteem and admiration for him. Hence, says Scultetus, "his first object on the recovery 1 See above, p. 49–50. Sleid. 172, 173. Seck. iii. 74–76. See Robertson, iii. 85-87. It appears, however, that this treaty was not to be binding, unless the proposed decree respecting the election of a king of the Romans were passed within ten months; and from the failure of this condition, or from some other cause, it did not take effect, and the elector still disallowed Ferdinand's appointment. See Sleid. 173 and 248; and compare Seck. iii. 100 (d, e.), 150, and 360 (i), Seck. iii. 123. 1 of his dominions was to throw them open to the admission of the glory of Christ, and to introduce the preaching of his unadulterated word, and the administration of the sacraments according to his institution." In establishing reformation he had recourse to the assistance of Snepfius of Marpurg, Blaurer of Constance, Brentius of Halle, in Suabia, and other divines. The two former differed respecting the eucharist the duke chose to adhere to the Lutheran doctrine; and accordingly appointed Brentius superintendant and chief counsellor in matters of religion, throughout his dukedom.2 Ulric further reformed and enriched the university of Tubingen, which had been founded by his ancestors, and procured the assistance of Melancthon, Grynæus, and Camerarius, to draw up proper regulations for its management. 2The country had been in great darkness under the Austrian government, and was now with much difficulty provided with ministers collected from various parts, especially as the duke had to contend with the several bishops of Constance, Augsburg, Spires, Worms, and Wurtzburg, under whose ccclesiastical jurisdiction his dominions lay.3 A. D. 1534. The reformation of Würtemberg was accompanied or followed by that of Brunswick Calenberg, (whither Amsdorf was invited, from Magdeburg, by the duke Philip ;) Hanover, Pomerania, and Mecklenburg; and of the cities of Augsburg, Bremen, and Hamburg.-In Po- Pomerania; merania the reformed doctrine had been early preached by John Knipstroh, a Franciscan monk, who had been dismissed from Francfort for preferring Luther's theses against indulgences to CHAP. 1II. Mecklenburg; those of Tetzel in their favour; and also by Bugenhagius, a native of the country. These preachers, however, had been driven away, under the government of the duke George, (who had been brought up with George of Saxony,) and the latter of them had settled at Wittemberg, where our attention has repeatedly been drawn to him. On the death of George, his son Philip, and his brother Barnimus adopted contrary measures. Knipstroh returned from Stralsund, whither he had retired; in the year 1534, reformation was decreed in the assembly of the states; and Bugenhagius was invited, with Paulus à Rhoda, from Stettin, to join with him in organizing and establishing the reformation. The two dukes were, in 1536, admitted into the protestant league.1 Magnus, one of the dukes of Mecklenburg, and bishop of Schwerin, is much commended for his piety, learning, and zeal in the cause of reformation. His father Henry had favoured the object, but his uncle Albert opposed it. 1539. The elector of Saxony advised him rather to resign that part of his bishopric which was under Albert's dominion, "than sin by not disAugsburg; charging his duty to it." 2-At Augsburg, the senate having prohibited the popish worship in all the churches except the cathedral, the priests quitted the city: on which reformed preachers were universally established in a city, where a few years before they had been silenced by the imperial authority, and which had been the scene of the great conflict which had ended in a decree that was to suppress protestantism.3 Considerable agitation and controversy, how 1534. 1 Seck. iii. 139–141. 2 Ib. 183. 3 The senate had however at that time refused to sign the decree. |