CHAP. I. refusal to comply. But the elector of Mentz and other princes were desirous of seeing somewhat further accomplished, and they undertook to act as mediators between the parties. Their mediation, however, did not wear a very conciliatory aspect, when, in the very first conference which was held, one of their number permitted the declaration to escape him, "That, if the elector of Saxony did not renounce and anathematize the new-fangled doctrine which he had embraced, the emperor would by force of arms deprive him of his dignities, his possessions, and his life." This outrageous sentence, which, it would naturally be suspected, did but betray counsels which were secretly cherished on that side, much agitated and disturbed the good elector, who was becoming old and infirm; but after a little time he recovered his composure, and suffered not himself to be in the least moved by it from his purpose.2 To the honour of those concerned it deserves to be recorded, that, at this very period of danger and difficulty, four fresh cities, all of them of but moderate strength and resources, joined the protestant cause. These were Kempten, Winsheim, Hailbrun, and Weissenberg. Seckendorf on this occasion, alluding to a verse of a Latin poet, which remarks how seldom persons in adversity receive an accession of friends, observes, The power of truth, however, and of Christian faith often produces such miracles."3 After the mediating princes had tried in vain, first seven commissioners were deputed on each side, namely three princes, two lawyers, and two divines, and then three on each side, two 1 "Gravis annis, et debili corpore." Seck. lawyers and one divine, to endeavour to effect some pacific arrangement; and the whole month of August was spent in long conferences directed to this end. This part of the history, however, we may dispatch in few words. All was, as might have been expected, without effect. The differences did not admit of compromise; nor could toleration be thought of by the church of Rome, nor the unreserved submission demanded of them, by the protestants. There was in fact an opposition of spirit, as well as of principle, between the parties, the one intent on "the power of godliness," the other hostile to all beyond "the form:" so that there was much truth in the sentence imputed to Luther by Maimbourg, "That concord might as soon be established between Christ and Belial, as between Luther and the pope."1 Mach was perhaps hoped for from the pacific and yielding spirit of Melancthon;2 but, though he incurred much odium, particularly with the imperial cities, for what he allowed or maintained concerning episcopal jurisdiction and authority-in which, however, Luther did not disagree with him; 3 and though, no doubt, he was sometimes disposed to concede too much; yet in general he knew where to stand firm, particularly on points of doctrine; and he had moreover the support of wise and determined colleagues, among whom Pontanus, the constant spokesman of the protestants, deserves especially to be distinguished.5 1 In Seck. ii. 180. 3 Mel. Epist. iv. 104. 5 On the subject of Melancthon's the reader to Šeckendorf, ii. 159, Ibid. 190 (4). 4 Ibid. i. 15. 179 (7) and (9), 189 (1), 190 (4), 196 (14). Mosheim ii. 358. Also to Strobelius in Camerar. Vit. Melane. A. D. 1530. The whole business was, at the end of the month, referred back to the emperor in the same state in which it had stood immediately after the reading of the Refutation. "What will be the event," Melancthon here writes, "I cannot divine. Let us pray that God would incline 66 39 (w).-Melancthon affirms of himself, "I have never hitherto renounced or deserted any article pertaining to doctrine:" (Ep. i. 20. iv. 104.) and Seckendorf, partly from Camerarius, his biographer, affirms of him, " In this conflict, however, he made no concession which could injure the cause: nor is it true, as Maimbourg asserts, that he was forbidden to yield any thing further: for that injunction related only to the subject of episcopal jurisdiction. In other things no one feared that he would give way."-In allowing to the bishops their authority provided they would tolerate the gospel, Melchior Adam (i. 161.) says, “ Melanethon not only had the concurrence of Luther, but was even prompted by him." Luther's sentiments on the subject are declared in a passage, which may serve as a specimen of the freedom from political and worldly views, which marks the proceedings of the reformers at this period. "This," he says, "we assure them, that, if they will in future tolerate our doctrine, and abstain from persecuting, and seeking to exterminate us, they shall suffer no loss of their jurisdiction and dignity from us. We aspire at no episcopal, or any other dignity: we only desire to be Christians, whose condition ought to be a despised and afflicted one. See Matt. v. and Luke iv." (Seck. ii. 192 (6).)-Liberty to preach the gospel ("liberum evangelium") was all they demanded. See the "Consilia Theologica Melancthonis," (above referred to,) under this year 1530.—Luther somewhere censures the worldly-mindedness of the "cities," and ascribes to it the offence they took upon this subject of episcopal jurisdiction. To the same purpose Melanc. Ep. i. 17: They concern not themselves about religious doctrine; all they are anxious for is liberty and power." And again, i. 20. "Thus do our allies contend not for the gospel but for their own power and dignity." Also, iv. 105: "Such was even the opinion of Luther, whom some, I perceive, value for no other reason, than that, by his means, they bave shaken off the yoke of the bishops, and have obtained a degree of liberty which will do no good to posterity."-With this note compare Appendix II. the mind of the emperor to the preservation of peace, of which not only we, but all Germany now stands in the greatest need." 1 A. D. 1530. ments at It will be gratifying to turn from this scene Luther's of hopeless controversy, to the employments of employLuther in his retirement at Coburg. This will Coburg. lead us not only to further views of the character of this extraordinary man, but also to a more intimate acquaintance with the situation and feelings of the protestants at Augsburg. Luther, as has been observed, accompanied the elector on his journey to the diet as far as Coburg. He took up his abode, therefore, at the latter place in April, and he continued there till the elector's return in October following. He was to be here in a degree of concealment; and his letters at this period are dated sometimes from "the wilderness," and sometimes, on account of the great number of rooks which frequented the place, from "the region of birds." We may be sure that to his active and ardent spirit this long continued seclusion would often be highly irksome. He complains of the rare and tardy communications which he received from his friends at Augsburg: nor was he always well pleased with what he did hear. We read also of illness which he suffered, particularly an affection (tinnitus) of the head; and of the temptations of Satan, with which he was harassed.2 But his magnanimity, supported by an extraordinary spirit of faith and prayer, enabled him to triumph over all discouraging and anxious circumstances; to be the comforter of his conflicting, and often desponding friends; to carry on his assaults, in a very efficient man Epist. i. 20. On the subject of all the negotiations and conferences, thus closed, the reader is referred to Seck. ii. 173-194. Seck. ii. 180. CHAP. 1. His Admonition to siastics. ner, against the upholders of the reigning delusions; and to promote the edification of the church by pious and instructive writings. Even the gaiety of his spirit did not forsake him, and he could mingle amusement, both for himself and his friends, with his more serious occupations. He employed his leisure at Coburg, we are told, in "translating the Prophets, and composing a commentary on the Psalms; and, by way of relaxation, in rendering the fables of Esop into German, or in writing humorous letters to his friends." But particularly, a little before the emperor the Eccle- left Inspruck, Luther composed and published an address to the ecclesiastical members of the diet, well calculated to make the strong impression which it appears to have produced. He sent copies to the prince John Frederic at Augsburg, by whom they were forwarded to Dolzig, his father's ambassador to the emperor, with directions to him to put them into the hands of persons well-affected to their cause, in the imperial court. In this address, or "Admonition," after apologizing for the liberty he took in offering advice, he first pointed out how fruitless all harsh measures, hitherto adopted, had been, either in furthering the cause they were meant to support, or injuring that they were intended to destroy. He observes, that even the opposite party bore testimony to his doctrine, having borrowed from him, and learned to preach in quite a different manner than they had heretofore done. He urges the services which he 1 Seck. ii. 180.-Seckendorf (ii. 213-218.) enumerates and describes fourteen publications of Luther's in this year, besides those which are here noticed, and prefatory addresses to the works of others. |