CHAPTER XX

. ATTEMPTS AT UNION IN VIEW OF THE PROPOSED

COUNCIL _pages_ 417-449

1. ZÜRICH, MÜNSTER, THE WITTENBERG CONCORD, 1536.

The Swiss theologians on Luther and his doctrine. The Anabaptists and Luther’s opinion of their doings at Münster. Pope Paul III. Efforts of the Protestants to reach an understanding among themselves; Martin Bucer; the Wittenberg Concord; attempts to secure the adhesion of the Swiss; Luther pockets his scruples; collapse of the negotiations; Luther’s “Kurtz Bekentnis” _pages_ 417-424

2. EFFORTS IN VIEW OF A COUNCIL. VERGERIO VISITS LUTHER.

Pope Paul III. determines to hold a Council at Mantua in 1537. Vergerio dispatched by the Pope to Germany to smooth the way; the Legate invites Luther to breakfast with him at the Castle of Wittenberg; his description of his guest; his own subsequent apostasy _pages_ 424-430

3. THE SCHMALKALDEN ASSEMBLY OF 1537. LUTHER’S ILLNESS.

The Schmalkalden League. The league of the Catholic Princes. Luther’s “Artickel” for the Schmalkalden convention. Melanchthon’s endeavour to arrange matters. Luther’s willingness to promote the Council. The discussions at Schmalkalden; Melanchthon’s backhanded proceedings. Luther, prostrated by an attack of stone, desires to be removed so as not to die in a town defiled by the presence of a Papal envoy. His parting benediction: “_Deus vos impleat odio Papæ_.” The agreement subsequently reached at Schmalkalden. Luther makes his “First Will”; his recovery; his imprecatory Paternoster _pages_ 430-438

4. LUTHER’S SPIRIT IN MELANCHTHON.

Melanchthon’s sudden change of attitude whilst at Schmalkalden; he emulates Luther; reason of the change; Melanchthon’s preference for the “needle,” Luther’s for the “hog-spear.” Melanchthon’s work for Luther in the Antinomian and Osiander controversies; his “_Confessio Augustana variata_” tacitly sanctioned by Luther; Bucer and Melanchthon and the “Cologne Book of Reform”; Bucer is violently taken to task by Luther, but Melanchthon is spared. The last joint work of Luther and Melanchthon, viz. the “Wittenberg Reformation” (1545) _pages_ 438-449

VOL. III

THE REFORMER (I)

LUTHER

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