ever, attended the change; the emperor was appealed to; and Christopher von Stadion (before distinguished at the period of the diet,1) was the prelate who maintained the cause of the priests against the citizens. We cannot but fear that he proved unfaithful to his convictions, “having loved this present world.”— This change at Augsburg was at first effected rather under the conduct of Zuinglians than of Lutherans; but the Confession of the latter was afterwards adopted-which gave great pleasure to Luther. 2 A. D. 1534. 1537. The reformation in the city of Nordlingen and Nordin Suabia was carried on with extraordinary lingen. success. As early as the year 1522, Theobald Billicanus had been called to the office of preacher there, by the senate, who had obtained the right of patronage; and two years after, the reformed state of the city of Nuremberg being reported to them, they requested Billicanus to conform things at Nordlingen to the same model: and "with such mighty influence of the Holy Spirit, and such forcible eloquence did he proceed in his work, that the evangelical doctrine was universally received, and, "with the exception of the stewards of certain abbots, who held estates there, not a professed papist remained in the city." The very monks, and that with the consent of their respective provincials, resigned their monasteries, with the revenues attached to them, stipulating only for life-annuities to themselves; and desired that, "as they were convinced from the divine word, that the state in which they had lived was displeasing to God, and perilous to their own souls, and those of others, the senate would commit 1 Above, p. 25. Seck. iii. 87, 124, 168, 169. 1525. CHAP. 1538. Leanings towards rein Austria. formation 1538. the charge of all to Billicanus and other proper persons, and provide that henceforward nothing should be taught contrary to the sacred scriptures." Peter Steurer, prior of the Carmelites, and Jerome Jæger, warden of the Franciscans, are particularly mentioned as having adopted this course. Some popish observances, however, were retained longer than they should have been but in the year 1536, Billicanus having retired on account of his health, and Caspar Kautzius, formerly a monk, having succeeded him, the reformation was carried forward to perfection; and it is remarked, that it remained here less injured, amid the changes which followed the suppression of the league of Smalkald, than in most other places.1 Even in Austria, as we have seen was also the case in Italy itself, considerable inclination towards reformation in religion was manifested. Pallavicini relates, that, when Aleander was sent legate from Paul III to Ferdinand, he found in the very entrance of Germany" (by which Seckendorf understands the Austrian provinces to be meant,) " as many as fifteen hundred cures vacant, through the scarcity of catholic priests." He attributes the blame of this to the inconstancy (vertigini) of the princes, which caused the people to be "blown about like leaves by the wind." He complains also of the indulgence of Ferdinand, who was "unwilling to alienate the Lutherans, and admitted them into the magistracy;" whence, "by their connivance, heresy increased." But Seckendorf observes, that a more true reason was, the wide dissemination of evangelical doctrine, and the desire after it excited even among the subjects Such is the account given, from authentic documents, by Seckendorf, iii. 183, 186. of catholic princes. Indeed these two accounts are by no means at variance: and Pallavicini himself has confessed, that "the inferior clergy, who were less influenced by the prospect of advancement, easily concurred in the reformation." It appears, that, as the people were alienated by the vices of the priests, so the priests themselves grew ashamed of the habits into which their forced celibacy, and other circumstances had betrayed them. A. D. 1534. Denmark completed. 1522. Some notice is taken in Dr. Milner's last That of volume 2 of the reformation in Denmark, under Christiern II, and, after his expulsion, under his successor Frederic, duke of Holstein. It was much opposed by the bishops and clergy. In 1527, Frederic assembled the senate of the kingdom at Odensee, and expressed his purposes to them in unequivocal and determined language. He told them, that it was well known what ignorance, superstition, and absurdity had passed under the sacred name of religion; that the Lutheran doctrine and worship had now taken root in the kingdom, so that they could not be eradicated without the danger of public ruin; and he pointed out to them the course proper to be adopted under existing circumstances. The senate concurred with him, and came to the following resolutions: "That no man should be disturbed for matters of conscience: that both the catholic and the Lutheran religion should be freely exercised, till a council should decide the questions at issue; and that the Lutherans should be protected against their enemies that monks and nuns should be permitted to remain in their several establishments, or to quit them, ' Pallav. iv. 8. Seck. iii. 182, 183. Milner, v. 128-133. (704-710.) CHAP. and even to marry, if they thought good. Three years afterwards, articles and counter1530. articles were exhibited to the senate, by the 1533. 1536. 1537. Roman catholics and the protestants; but the 1 They may be seen in Gerdes. 2 Mosheim, iii. 349,350. than Luther approved, as it certainly was more than would have been contemplated, but for the violent proceedings of the bishops themselves. -The revolution was completed in the year 1539.-Bugenhagius reported, "that he never found greater desire of hearing the word of God, than in Denmark: that the people assembled on ordinary days, in the winter season, before it was light, and on holidays they had religious services throughout the day." Frederic, during his reign, had publicly ordered, "that the primary doctrine of evangelical religion, concerning justification by faith, should be proclaimed from all the pulpits throughout his kingdom." Tausson appears to have enjoyed high favour with the citizens of Copenhagen, and in other places. After the death of Frederic, the clergy procured a sentence of banishment against him: but the people resolutely opposed its execution, and were not to be quieted till it was rescinded by the senate.The reformation of Holstein still, as it had done before, kept pace with that of Denmark.1 It is not to be supposed that all the proceedings even of upright men, amid scenes of so much violence, should be approved when calmly reviewed, either by us or by themselves; we should find it infinitely more easy to censure others, than to act rightly ourselves in such trying circumstances: but the result, which has made Denmark a protestant kingdom to this day, may well deserve to be contemplated with pleasure and gratitude. 1 Seck. iii. 88, 99, and 241-243, ex Chytræo, et Conr. Aslaci Hist. Reform. in Dan. et Norw. The account of all the transactions relative to Denmark is to be found more at length in Gerdes. iii. 338-426. A. D. 1534. |