CHAPTER XI

. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE GREAT APOSTASY

_pages_ 3-44

1. ALLIES AMONG THE HUMANISTS AND THE NOBILITY TILL THE MIDDLE OF 1520.

Friends among the Humanists: Crotus Rubeanus, Eobanus Hessus, etc. The nobility and the revolutionary knights. Piety of Hutten’s language when addressing Luther. Franz von Sickingen. Offer made by Silvester von Schauenberg. Report that Hutten had trapped the Papal Legates; Capito counsels greater moderation. Luther’s reason for only meeting the knights half-way. Luther’s work, “Von dem Bapstum tzu Rome,” 1520; its violence contrasted with Luther’s earlier demands of the “man of good will.” The manifesto against Alveld. Prierias the Dominican attacks Luther’s Indulgence-theses; the latter’s intense annoyance; summary of his second reply. Treatment of Hoogstraaten the Inquisitor. Luther’s description of himself as a “man of contentions.” Scolded by Emser for his lack of self-control _pages_ 3-15

2. THE VEILING OF THE GREAT APOSTASY.

By holding out hopes of reconciliation, Luther delays the final decision. His missive to Bishop Scultetus, in whose diocese lay Wittenberg. Three letters to Pope Leo X; why the last was antedated; its purport. Letter to the Emperor Charles V; reason and setting of the letter; its contents. Luther’s later description of his “inaction” during this period. His correspondence with Spalatin; the real aim of many of the letters: to promote his cause at Court; his offer to resign his professorship. The diplomatist coupled with the enthusiast _pages_ 15-26

3. LUTHER’S GREAT REFORMATION-WORKS--RADICALISM AND RELIGION.

“To the Christian Nobility”; “On the Babylonish Captivity”; “On the Freedom of a Christian Man”; specimens from the last of Luther’s taking way of addressing the people; his rejection of external authority and assertion of the right of private judgment against the “tyranny” of Popes and Bishops. His new conception of faith. The pietist and religious revolutionary _pages_ 26-37

4. LUTHER’S FOLLOWERS. TWO TYPES OF HIS CULTURED

## PARTISANS: WILLIBALD PIRKHEIMER AND ALBERT DÜRER.

The deep-set discontent of the Germans leads even the best-disposed to welcome Luther’s strictures. Two famous Nurembergers: Willibald Pirkheimer’s intervention on Luther’s behalf; his subsequent deception; withdraws from the cause. Albert Dürer’s prepossession in Luther’s favour; his art in Luther’s service; did he afterwards alter his ideas? _pages_ 38-44

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