THE REFORMATION.

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The art of printing was invented by Guttenberg A. D. 1440. The discovery of America A. D. 1492 was perhaps the most important event of this century. The conquest of Granada in the same year established the power of the Christian sovereigns, for the first time, over the whole of the Spanish peninsula

SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

THE GREAT APOSTACY.

THE 'HE Reformation, improperly so called, commenced in Germany with the preaching of Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk. Many causes prepared the way for the introduction of heresy. Notwithstanding every effort of the Popes, the German emperors exercised, in too many instances, their pretended right of appointing bishops. They naturally chose men devoted to their interests, courtly ecclesiastics, who had no care except to enjoy the revenues of the Church they dishonored. These prelates gave, and sometimes even sold parishes and livings to priests about whose merits they neither knew nor cared.

Not content with corrupting the secular clergy, the emperors deprived the great monasteries of the right of electing their abbots. This dignity was given to priests, and even laymen, who in many instances never saw the religious houses they were supposed to govern. They named some monk to direct the monastery, and contented themselves with drawing the revenues; but the state of discipline resulting may be easily imagined. A great source of charity was also turned aside, as the monasteries whose resources were thus exhausted could no

Name some of the principal events of this century? How did this great apostacy begin? How was the way prepared for the Introduction of heresy?

longer come to the aid of the suffering peasantry. These evils reached a greater height in Germany than elsewhere, although even in this country, there were very many bishops and priests worthy of their high calling.

Luther was appointed by his superioTM to preach against some abuses connected with the publication of a great indulgence. Not satisfied with this, he soon began to declaim against indulgences in any form, the Seven Sacraments, and many practices of the Catholic religion. Gifted with a coarse and ready wit, unbounded audacity, and natural eloquence, it is not surprising that Luther gained many partisans. He expressed himself at first willing to submit to the decision of the Pope. This pretence he soon laid aside, and when Leo X, condemned his writings, and excommunicated himself, there was no more talk of obedience. He attacked the Pontiff in language of the coarsest invective, calling him Antichrist, etc. The Diet of Worms, presided over by Charles V., placed Luther under the ban of the empire, but he took refuge with his friend the Elector of Saxony, and continued to encourage his followers by word and writing.

PUBLIC DISTURBANCES.-REVOLT OF THE PEASANTS.-SIEGE OF MUNSTER.

While Luther tried to preserve some appearance of moderation in order to gain the princes of the empire, others were stirring up the people to the wildest excesses. Churches were broken open, images, altars, and confessionals were destroyed, and the madness soon spread to the provinces. The peasantry, neglected by the clergy and trampled on by the nobles, listened eagerly to the new teachers, who declaimed of liberty and equality, and proclaimed that the authority of princes and

Relate the commencement of Luther's career. What did he de when condemned at Worms? What was the conduct of his fol lowers? Relate the revolt of the peasants.

JOHN OF LEYDEN.

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magistrates was a sinful usurpation. The result was a general revolt. Swabia, Thuringia, and the country along the Rhine was wasted with fire and sword. Churches, monasteries, and castles were everywhere destroyed, and their inmates ruthlessly murdered.

The insurrection was only suppressed after 100,000 of the misguided peasants had perished by the sword.

A tailor of Harlem, generally known as John of Leyden, at the head of an armed body of Anabaptists, seized the city of Münster, committing the most frightful excesses. When the city was besieged by the Landgrave of Hesse, these unhappy fanatics defended it with the most desperate courage. It was death to speak of surrender, and John of Leyden beheaded one of his thirteen wives in the market-place, for having expressed a doubt of his divine mission. The gates were, nevertheless, opened to the Landgrave, and the leaders perished on the scaffold.

It would be impossible to mention in detail the troubles excited by the new doctrines, not only in Germany, but in Switzerland, the Low Countries and elsewhere. The emperor Charles V. strove to check the progress of heresy, but sometimes yielded too much to the Protestant princes. The so-called reformers on the other hand, courted their protection by the most abject concessions.

Luther had married Catherine de Boren, an apostate nun; his example was followed by others, and the most lax morality soon prevailed. The new apostles were, notwithstanding, somewhat disconcerted when the Landgrave of Hesse applied for permission to have two wives. It was impossible to offend so powerful a protector, and the desired authorization was given in writing. This curious document, bearing the sig nature of Luther, Melancthon, and others, is still in existence. The name Protestant was first applied to certain of the

Relate the siege of Münster. What do you say of the morality of the reformers? What permission did they grant?

reformed leaders, who met at Smalkald, and signed a protest against the proceedings of the Diet of Augsburg.

ENGLAND SEPARATED FROM THE HOLY SEE.

Henry VIII. had in the beginning of these troubles shown the utmost abhorrence of the new doctrines. He had even written a book in defence of the Seven Sacraments, for which act of zeal the Pope bestowed upon him the title of Defender of the Faith. Later, however, when he wished to divorce his lawful wife, Catherine of Arragon, to marry Anne Boleyn, the Pope refused absolutely to sanction such a proceeding. Henry persevered in his purpose, and Catherine was divorced A. D. 1533. Of his subsequent marriages it is unnecessary to speak.

In

The king next determined to throw off all allegiance to the Holy See, and declared himself head of the Church. 1535, the great Chancellor Thomas More and Bishop Fisher were sent to the scaffold for refusing to take the new oath of supremacy.

The destruction of the religious houses soon followed. In the course of a few years 645 monasteries, 90 colleges and 110 hospitals were suppressed, the buildings being for the most part destroyed, or given to royal favorites. The Abbey lands were sold or exchanged, and the gold and silver vessels of the altar, the crucifixes, etc., were seized and melted down.

These violent acts were accompanied by a cruel persecution. It was a capital offence to deny the king's supremacy, and though some of the bishops and clergy failed under the trial, there were also many who suffered gloriously for conscience sake. In the reign of Henry there were condemned to death

Where did the name Protestant originate? How was England separated from the Holy See? What martyrs suffered 1535? What is said of the suppression of the religious houses! Of the persecution?

REFORMATION IN ENGLAND.

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for religious causes only: 2 archbishops, 18 bishops, 13 abbots, 500 priors and monks, a number of the secular clergy, and many of the laity of both sexes.

he

Edward VI., son of Henry, reigned but a short time; was succeeded by Mary the daughter of Catharine of Arragon. During a reign of five years, this princess left nothing undone to restore the Catholic worship throughout the kingdom. Like every sovereign of that age, she considered heresy a capital crime, and although the number actually executed for this cause was small, she has been held up to posterity as a monster of cruelty under the vulgar title of "Bloody Mary." ." Cobbett, a Protestant historian, says: "The executions ordered during the reign of Mary, in virtue of existing laws, generally reached a set of most wicked wretches, who sought to destroy the queen and her government, and, under the pretence of freedom of conscience, to obtain the means of again preying on the people."

Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Boleyn, succeeded to the throne A. D. 1558. This princess was probably either indifferent on the subject of religion, or inclined to Catholicity. Policy, however, led her to favor the reformed party. The marriage of her mother could never be acknowledged by the Church; hence her claim to the throne might be disputed on the ground of her illegitimacy. She lost no time, therefore, in assuming the title of Head of the Church, and restoring the Protestant ritual as it had been established by Edward VI.

The English people were still attached to the ancient faith, and it was only by a persecution continued during the entire reign of Elizabeth, that she succeeded in suppressing the Catholic worship. Death was decreed against any priest found in the realm, against any one harboring a priest or hearing mass. Some records have been obtained of the executions which took place during the last thirty-two years of her reign. On

Who reigned after Henry? What does Cobbett say of those who suffered death under Mary? Why did Elizabeth favor the reformers? Did the English people abandon the faith willingly!