History of the Great Reformation Part 26

[Sidenote: CURIOSITY OF THE CITIZENS.]

To these motives were added the opinions of the lawyers. As the Emperor ought to be considered the rightful magistrate of an imperial city, so long as he made it his residence, all jurisdiction in Augsburg really belonged to him.

"Well, then," said the Protestant princes, "we agree to silence our preachers, in the hope that we shall hear nothing offensive to our consciences. If it were otherwise, we should feel ourselves constrained to repel so serious an insult.[469] Besides," added the Elector, as he withdrew, "we hope that if at anytime we desire to hear one of our chaplains in our own palace, we shall be free to do so."[470]

[469] Ut de remediis propulsandae injuriae cogitent.--(Seck. ii. p.

105.)

[470] Ob je einer einen Prediger in seiner Herberg fur sich predigen liess.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 113.)

They hastened to the Emperor, who desired nothing better than to come to an understanding with the Protestants on this subject, and who ratified everything.

This was Sat.u.r.day. An imperial herald was immediately sent out, who, parading the streets of the city at seven in the evening to the sound of trumpets,[471] cried with all his might: "O yes, O yes![472] Thus ordains his imperial majesty, our most gracious lord: no preacher whatever shall preach in Augsburg except such as his majesty shall have nominated; and that under penalty of incurring the displeasure and punishment of his majesty."

[471] Per tubicines et heraldum.--(Sturmius, Zw. Epp. p. 466.)

[472] Hort, Hort.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 124.)

[Sidenote: The New Preachers.]

A thousand different remarks were exchanged in the houses of the citizens of Augsburg. "We are very impatient," said they, "to see the preachers appointed by the Emperor, and who will preach (O!

unprecedented wonder!) neither against the evangelical doctrine nor against the doctrine of the Pope!"[473] "We must expect," added another, "to behold some Tragelaph or some chimera with the head of a lion, a goat's body, and a dragon's tail."[474] The Spaniards appeared well satisfied, with this agreement, for many of them had never heard a single sermon in their lives; it was not the custom in Spain; but Zwingle's friends were filled with indignation and alarm.[475]

[473] Omnes hunc avidissime expectant.--(Ibid. p. 116.)

[474] Chimaeram aut Tragelaphum aliquem expectamus.--(Ibid.) The _Tragelaph_ is a fabulous animal partaking of the nature of a goat and a stag. Representations of it were common on drinking-bowls and goblets among the ancient Greeks.

[475] Multos deterreat--(Sturm to Zwingle, Epp. p. 466.)

At length Sunday the 19th of June began; every one hastened to the churches, and the faithful who filled them, with eyes fixed on the priest and with attentive ears,[476] prepared to listen to what these new and strange preachers would say.[477] It was generally believed that their task would be to make an evangelico-papistical discourse, and they were very impatient to hear this marvel. But

"The mountain in labour, gave birth to a mouse!"

[476] Arrectis auribus.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 116.)

[477] Quid novi novus concionator allaturus sit.--(Ibid. p. 117.)

The preacher first read the commonprayer; he then added the Gospel of the day, finished with a general confession of sins, and dismissed his congregation. People looked at one another in surprise: "Verily," said they, "here is a preacher that is neither Gospeller nor Papist, but strictly textual."[478] At last all burst into laughter; "and truly,"

adds Brenz, "there was reason enough."[479] In some churches, however, the chaplains, after reading the Gospel, added a few puerile words void of Christianity and of consolation, and in no way founded on the holy Scripture.[480]

[478] Sic habes concionatorem neque evangelic.u.m neque papistic.u.m, sed nudum textualem.--(Ibid.)

[479] Rident omnes, et certe res valde ridicula est.--(Ibid.)

[480] Paucula quaedam, eaque puerilia et inepta, nec Christiane, abaque fundamento verbi Divini et consolatione.--(Seck. ii. p. 165.)

[Sidenote: THE MEDLEY OF POPERY.]

After the so-called sermon, they proceeded to the Ma.s.s. That in the Cathedral was particularly noisy. The Emperor was not present, for he was accustomed to sleep until nine or ten o'clock,[481] and a late Ma.s.s was performed for him; but Ferdinand and many of the princes were present. The pealing notes of the organ, the resounding voices of the choir--all were set to work, and a numerous and motley crowd, rus.h.i.+ng in at all the doors, filled the aisles of the temple. One might have said that every nation in the world had agreed to meet in the cathedral of Augsburg. Here were Frenchmen, there Spaniards, Moors in one place, Moriscos in another, on one side Italians, on the other Turks, and even, says Brenz, those who are called Stratiots.[482] This crowd was no bad representation of the medley of Popery.

[481] Dormire solet usque ad nonam aut decimam.--(Corp. Ref. ii p.

117.)

[482] Ibi videas hic Gallos, hic Hispanos, hic Ethiopes, illic etiam Ethiop.i.s.sas, hic Italos, illic etiams Turcas, aut quos vocant Stratiotas.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 117.)

[Sidenote: LUTHER ENCOURAGES THE PRINCES.]

One priest alone, a fervent Romanist, dared to offer an apology for the Ma.s.s in the Church of the Holy Cross. Charles, wis.h.i.+ng to maintain his authority, had him thrown into the Grey Friars' prison, whence they contrived to let him escape. As for the Evangelical pastors of Augsburg, almost all left the city to bear the Gospel elsewhere. The Protestant princes were anxious to secure for their churches the a.s.sistance of such distinguished men. Discouragement and alarm followed close upon this step, and even the firmest were moved. The Elector was inconsolable at the privation imposed upon him by the Emperor. "Our Lord G.o.d," said he, heaving a deep sigh, "has received an order to be silent at the Diet of Augsburg."[483] From that time forward Luther lost the good opinion he had previously entertained of Charles, and foreboded the stormiest future. "See what will be the end of all this," said he. "The Emperor, who has ordered the Elector to renounce the a.s.semblies, will afterwards command him to renounce the doctrine; the diet will enter upon its paroxysm, and nothing will remain for us but to rely upon the arm of the Lord." Then giving way to all his indignation, he added: "The Papists, abandoned to devils, are transported with rage; and to live, they must drink blood.[484]

They wish to give themselves an air of justice, by giving us one of obstinacy. It is not with men that you have to deal at Augsburg, but with the very gates of h.e.l.l." Melancthon himself saw all his hopes vanish. "All, except the Emperor," said he, "hate us with the most violent hatred. The danger is great, very great.[485]......Pray to Christ that he may save us!" But Luther, however full of sorrow he might be, far from being cast down, raised his head and endeavoured to reanimate the courage of his brethren. "Be a.s.sured and doubt not,"

wrote he to them, "that you are the confessors of Jesus Christ, and the amba.s.sadors of the Great King."[486]

[483] Hac ratione, Deo ejusque verbo silentium est impositum.--(Seck.

ii.p. 165.)

[484] Ut nisi sanguinem biberint, vivere non possint.--(Seck. ii. p.

165.)

[485] Magnum omnino periculum est.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 118.)

[486] Ea fides vivificabit et consolabitur vos, quia Magni Regis estis legati.--(L. Epp. iv. p. 59.)

They had need of these thoughts, for their adversaries, elated by this first success, neglected nothing that might destroy the Protestants, and taking another step forward, proposed forcing them to be present at the Romish ceremonies.[487] "The Elector of Saxony," said the legate to Charles, "ought in virtue of his office of Grand-marshal of the Empire to carry the sword before you in all the ceremonies of the diet. Order him therefore to perform his duty at the Ma.s.s of the Holy Ghost, which is to open the sittings." The Emperor did so immediately, and the Elector, uneasy at this message, called together his theologians. If he refused, his dignity would be taken away; and if he obeyed, he would trample his faith under foot, thought he, and would do dishonour to the Gospel.

[487] Sarpi, Hist. Council of Trent, book i. p. 99.

[Sidenote: Ma.s.s OF THE HOLY GHOST.]

But the Lutheran Divines removed the scruples of their prince. "It is for a ceremony of the Empire," said they, "as Grand-Marshal, and not as a Christian, that you are summoned; the Word of G.o.d itself, in the history of Naaman, authorizes you to comply with this invitation."[488]

The friends of Zwingle did not think so; their walk was more decided than that of Wittemberg. "The martyrs allowed themselves to be put to death," said they, "rather than burn a grain of incense before the idols." Even some of the Protestants hearing that the _Veni Spiritus_ was to be sung, said, wagging their heads: "We are very much afraid that the chariot of the Spirit, which is the Word of G.o.d, having been taken away by the Papists, the Holy Ghost, despite their Ma.s.s, will never reach Augsburg."[489] Neither these fears nor these objections were listened to.

[488] 2 Kings v. 18. Exemplo Naamanis.--(Seck. ii. p. 167; Sarpi, p.

99.)

[489] Ne ablato Spiritus vehiculo, quod est verb.u.m Dei, Spiritus Sanctus ad Augustam prae pedum imbecillitate pervenire non possit.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 116.)

[Sidenote: THE SERMON.]

On Monday the 20th June, the Emperor and his brother, with the electors and princes of the Empire, having entered the cathedral, took their seats on the right side of the choir; on the left were placed the legate, the archbishops, and bishops; in the middle were the amba.s.sadors. Without the choir, in a gallery that overlooked it, were ranged the Landgrave and other Protestants, who preferred being at a distance from the Host.[490] The Elector, bearing the sword, remained upright near the altar at the moment of the adoration. The acolytes, having closed the gates of the choir immediately after,[491] Vincent Pompinello, archbishop of Salerno, preached the sermon. He commenced with the Turks and their ravages, and then, by an unexpected turn, began suddenly to exalt the Turks even above the Germans. "The Turks,"

said he, "have but one prince whom they obey; but the Germans have many who obey no one. The Turks live under one sole law, one only custom, one only religion; but among the Germans, there are some who are always wis.h.i.+ng for new laws, new customs, new religions. They tear the seamless coat of Christ; they abolish by devilish inspirations the sacred doctrines established by unanimous consent, and subst.i.tute for them, alas! buffoonery and obscenity.[492] Magnanimous Emperor, powerful King!" said he, turning towards Charles and his brother, "sharpen your swords, wield them against these perfidious disturbers of religion, and thus bring them back into the fold of the Church.[493] There is no peace for Germany so long as the sword shall not have entirely eradicated this heresy.[494] O St. Peter and St.

Paul! I call upon you; upon you, St. Peter, in order that you may open the stony hearts of these princes with your keys; and upon you, St.

Paul, that if they show themselves too rebellious, you may come with your sword, and cut in pieces this unexampled hardness!"

[490] Abstinendo ab adoratione hostiae.--(Seck. ii. p. 119.)

[491] Erant enim chori fores clausae, nec quisquam orationi interfuit.--(Corp. Ref. ii. p. 120.)

[492] Diabolica persuasione eliminant, et ad scurrilia ac impudica quaeque deduc.u.n.t.--(Pallavicini, Hist. Trid. C. i. p. 23.)

[493] Exacuant gladios quos in perversos illos perturbatores.--(Corp.