[Illustration: MARTIN LUTHER.
WILL^M COLLINS, GLASGOW.]
HISTORY
OF
THE REFORMATION
IN THE
SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
BY
J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNÉ, D.D.
J'appelle accessoire, l'estat des affaires de ceste vie caduque et
transitoire. J'appelle principal, le gouvernement spirituel auquel
reluit souverainement la providence de Dieu.--THEODORE DE BEZE.
By _accessory_ I mean the state of affairs in this fading and
transitory life. By principal I mean the spiritual government in
which the providence of God is sovereignly displayed.
A NEW TRANSLATION:
(CONTAINING THE AUTHOR'S LAST IMPROVEMENTS,)
BY HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ. ADVOCATE.
VOLUME FIRST.
GLASGOW:
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM COLLINS.
LONDON: R. GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS.
1845.
GLASGOW:
WILLIAM COLLINS AND CO.,
PRINTERS.
TRANSLATOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.
D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation is so well known and so highly
appreciated as to make it not only unnecessary, but almost
presumptuous, for a mere Translator to say any thing in commendation
of it. The public feeling unquestionably is, that of the works which
have recently appeared, it is one of the most talented, interesting,
important, and seasonable. The mere lapse of time, aided by the active
misrepresentations of the Romish party, had begun to make an
impression in some degree unfavourable to the principles of the
Reformation. This admirable work has again placed these principles in
their true light. By its vivid display of what Rome was and did, it
has impressively reminded us of what she still is, and is prepared to
do. Her great boast is, that she has never changed. If so, she longs
to return to her former course, and will return to it the first moment
that circumstances enable her to do so. Being thus warned, our duty is
plain. We must prepare for the combat; and of all preparations, none
promises to be more effectual than that of thoroughly embuing the
public mind with the facts so graphically delineated, and the
principles so luminously and forcibly expounded in this work of
D'Aubigné.
But, it may be asked, Has not this purpose been effected already, or
at least may it not be effected without the instrumentality of a new
translation?
To this question the Translator answers, _First_, The form of the
present translation and the price at which it is published place the
work within the reach of thousands to whom it might otherwise be a
sealed book. _Second_, While this Translation is the cheapest in
existence, it is also the only one which can, in strict truth, be
regarded as genuine. The edition from which this translation is made
was published in 1842. The date would have been of little consequence
if the work had continued the same; but the fact is, that the edition
of 1842 is not a reprint, but a complete revision of the one which
preceded it. Numerous passages of considerable length and great
importance have been introduced, while others which had, on a careful
examination, been deemed redundant or inaccurate, have been expunged.
Surely, after all the pains which the distinguished author has
expended on the improvement of his work, it is scarcely doing justice
either to him or to the English reader to leave his improvements
unknown. In another respect the present Translation exclusively
contains what is conceived to be a very decided improvement. All the
Notes, the meaning of which is not given in the Text, have been
literally translated. It seemed somewhat absurd while translating
French for the benefit of the English reader, to be at the same time
presenting him with a large number of passages of untranslated Latin.
While the work has been printed in a form to which the most fastidious
cannot object, it has been issued at a price which makes it accessible
to all. The result, it is hoped, will be, that D'Aubigné's History of
the Reformation will obtain a circulation somewhat adequate to its
merits, and by its introduction into every family become what it well
deserves to be--a household book.
CONTENTS.
BOOK I.
STATE OF MATTERS BEFORE THE REFORMATION.
PAGE
CHAP. I.
Christianity--Formation of the Papacy--Unity of the Church--The
Decretals--Hildebrand--Corruption of Doctrine, 13
CHAP. II.
Grace and Works--Pelagianism--Penances--Indulgences--
Supererogation--Purgatory--Taxation--Jubilee, 27
CHAP. III.
Relics--Easter Merriment--Corruption of the Clergy--A Priest's
Family--Education--Ignorance, 34
CHAP. IV.
Christianity Imperishable--Opposition to Rome--Frederick the
Wise--His Character--His Anticipation, 42
CHAP. V.
The Empire--National Character--Switzerland--Italy--Spain--
Portugal--France--Netherlands--England--Scotland--The
North--Russia--Poland--Bohemia--Hungary, 48
CHAP. VI.
State of Theology--Witnesses for the Truth--The Vaudois--
Wickliffe---Huss--Savonarola--John Wessel--Prolés, 58
CHAP. VII.
Literature--Dante--Printing--Reuchlin--His Struggle with the
Dominicans, 71
CHAP. VIII.
Erasmus--His Genius--His 'Praise of Folly'--His Greek Testament--
His Influence--His Failings, 82
CHAP. IX.
The Nobles--Hütten--'Letters of some Obscure Men'--Seckingen--
Cronberg--Hans Sachs--General Fermentation, 94