A History of the Reformation in the 16th
Century
Book 6 - The Papal Bull (1520)
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 1
After the death of Maximilian, a new leader was needful.
Three men claimed right to throne.
First, there was Charles, grandson to Maximilian, at only 19
years old. He was already
enthralled with military and political affairs, and desired the imperial
throne. Francis I, king of France was the second to desire the
throne. His council pressed
him to take up the throne in an attempt at copying the achievements of
Charlemagne. They desired
him to be king of the West, in order to overthrow the Crescents who
threatened their empire. The
third was Henry VIII of England.
Some believed that Frederick could take the throne and do well
upon it. Certainly he had
gained the love and respect of the people, but his associations with the
theological disputes around Luther at Wittenberg may make things
difficult. In any case, his
own refusal of the crown was due to his “lack of faith” that he
would be able to have a positive affect on the country as a whole – he
opted for one stronger to take charge of the country.
Since Rome saw that Charles was the most likely candidate, the
Pope retracted his concerns that one already set in the affairs of the
empire would be a bad choice, and Charles was nominated for the post.
He received patronage from surrounding countries, and on October
22, 1520 he was crowned king.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 2
King Charles was now on the throne – how would the reformation
fair under his guidance? Luther desired Charles to begin his reign on a sound note,
and wrote to him. He
admonished him to act justly and stand for the cause of the truth.
Charles, though, upon receiving the letter, made no reply to it.
This was a poor beginning for the new emperor, especially in
light of the theological differences and disputations surround him in
his kingdom. Hochstraten
was extracting excerpts of Luther’s works in order to stir up
persecution against those in the universities who believed this.
Fanaticism has begun.
Frederick sent an envoy to Rome in order to express his
sentiments to the Pope concerning the matters surrounding Luther and
Germany. He told the Pope
that with all the learned doctors and the laity through the kingdom who
are beginning to understand the Bible, how could he oppose the work of
Luther? Luther’s
teachings had affected a great number of people, and by attempting to
destroy him by ecclesiastical power, rather than refuting him by the
Scriptures, Rome would be causing greater problems for the people in
pressing them to revolt.
Melancthon was worried about the state of affairs and rallied
with Wittenberg to pray for Luther, and ask that God’s hand would be
upon him in keeping him alive with all the turmoil that was surrounding
him and the university. In
hearing this prayer, noblemen were raised up by God to stand with
Luther: Sylvester of Schaumburg (one of the most powerful knights)
Francis of Sickingen, Harmuth of Cronberg and Ulric of Hutten were among
them.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 3
Luther did not stop at attacking indulgences or the mass.
On June 23, 1520 he published a treatise against the papacy in
general. This deciding blow
would rupture, forever, any attempts at the two systems (Luther’s and
the Roman Church’s) to ever come together again.
He attacked the papacy by demonstrating the futility of their
claims in a succession from Peter, and in contrast, that all Christians
are priests. He exposed the
nature of the papacy as one which desired to obtain wealth, and that
they exercised the same spirit as theirs and robbers over the people
they purport to spiritually enlighten.
Though Luther attacked the papacy, he also stressed remedies to
its evil. Such remedies
consisted in its overthrow and eradication.
The Pope should give up his governmental stances, his political
subtleties, and rather, he should be given to preaching and praying.
Such a combination of politics and religion masked behind the
desire for wealth was a damnable mix according to Luther.
The Reformation intended to restore the church to its proper
state of morality and purity. In
order to do this the people must come out from among the Catholic Church
and continue in the proper biblical teachings of the Bible, not the
whims of the Pope. Festivals
should be abolished, superstitions, commemorations, fasts, and other
burdens that Rome had utilized to claim sovereignty over the consciences
of the people.
Luther did not stop in attempting to cleanse the church; he also
desired to help the universities. Unless
the universities diligently followed and taught the Holy Scriptures,
they would continually be a den of iniquity.
He pressed parents to consider never putting their child at risk
by placing them in a university that did not stand on the Bible.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 4
It was obvious that Rome could not allow Luther to go unanswered.
Luther has not just attacked indulgences, or had a debate with
their champion theologian – now he was tipping the Pope’s hat and
attacking the papacy. Voices
from all over the country, and of Europe, pressed Rome to forcefully
deal with Luther.
John
Eck was already in the thrall of planning continual recourse against
Luther for the sting of failure at the Leipsic disputations where Luther
demonstrated to be superior in intellect and argument.
But also that Luther was now stretching his hand to his mother
church, and attempting to overthrow its authority.
Sylverster Mazzolini de Priero was active along side of Eck, and
a supporter of him, believing that the papacy was the fifth kingdom
prophesied about in the book of Daniel.
He was convinced that the Pope was the ruler of the only true
monarchy and that all others, including kings and princes, should bow to
the Pope. For Luther, then,
to attack this authority threw Eck and his associates into an outrage.
It was now necessary to make distinctions on key doctrines that
would forever divide Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.
Many
desired to place their hands in the condemnation of Luther.
Eck, Mazzolini, De Vio, and the Roman pontiff were predominant at
this time. On June 15th
at Sacred College the famous papal bull was drawn up against Luther. It consisted of condemning 41 propositions from Luther’s
works, and calling on the saints and the Lord to vindicate them against
the Wild Boar who had terrorized the mother Church.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 5
Though tumults were rising for Luther, Melancthon resided in the
calmer atmosphere of Wittenberg in teaching and exposition.
His classrooms were always full, and men from all over Europe
attended to hear the eloquent theologian discuss the Bible. Being such a man of study, his friends prompted him to take a
wife to diversify his social aspects.
He married Catherine Krapp, the burgomaster’s daughter.
She was a very affectionate wife, even though, in the beginning,
Melancthon was cold toward her marrying her more out of pressure than of
love for her. Melancthon’s
marriage brought in a domestic flavor to the Reformers since Luther had
not married and time for family and domestic duties were not a question.
Melancthon
wrote extensively. His best
time of study was after midnight and up to three in the morning.
His passion was to learn, and then to teach others what he had
learned, which made him an exceptional theologian in this regard.
Melancthon
regretted seeing some of the students of Wittenberg fighting with the
citizens of Wittenberg who were not as learned, or carried differing
opinions. Luther, in
observing such outbursts was as saddened by it all as well.
Luther had been in danger in Augsburg, Leipsic, and now,
Wittenberg. Tumults raged
on around the Reformation. Though Melancthon was teaching the Bible and
the necessary obedience that is due the fellow man, the superiority or
elite nature of the students caused them to go overboard in their
thinking.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 6
While Rome was busy excommunicating Luther, and shouting
anathemas against him, the Gospel also made its way into Italy.
Letters received from Venice stated the reception of the Gospel
favorably. Though the
Gospel penetrated the country, it was not as largely disseminated
throughout as much as Luther would have hoped.
The Pope’s own country converted?
That would have been a special providence.
Luther continued his attacks against Romanism.
He preached against the Mass in Wittenberg that caused much
distress to the church, and penned the Babylonian Captivity of the
Church speaking quite plainly against the Roman Church as the
harlot. It was
published October 6, 1520 and demonstrated great courage in the Reformer
to take such a stand against the pontiff.
He claimed, rightly so, that the design of the Roman Church was
to destroy souls. It
captured ignorant men and sent them to hell with its doctrines of
meritorious salvation by works. He
attacked the sacraments of Rome, monastic vows, and other errors,
continuing his onslaught against the heresies that remained a facade for
a money hungry political system that reigned by superstition over the
lives of men.
Luther’s objective was to demonstrate that the Roman Church had
no right to impose authority or bind the conscience of any man unless it
is with his own consent; this goes for the Lord’s Supper as well as
Baptism. Both these
sacraments had been twisted into manipulation tactics by Rome.
He reemphasized the need for personal faith, and the need for men
to repent and follow Christ alone.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 7
After the publication of the Babylonian Captivity of the
Church, Luther had strategically set the division between
protestants and Catholics as a line of demarcation that could never
again be resolved unless one or the other repented for their errors.
However, just before this publication the Augustinian monks
gathered for a meeting on desiring to negotiate peace.
Staupitz resigned as general vicarship and it was conferred over
to Wenceslas Link, the same man who accompanied Luther when he went to
Augsburg. Miltitz arrived
and desired to address his brother Italians in order to mend, as much as
possible, a reconciliation between them and Luther.
Miltitz, upon a favorable reception, had a letter sent to Luther
to encourage him to write to the Pope and settle the differences.
Luther did so, never endangering his ideas about the Pope’s
person, but only his doctrine. However,
Luther was informed of the arrival of the papal bull on the 3rd
of October and would, then, not write to the Pope, and instead published
the Babylonian Captivity of the Church on the 6th.
Though Miltitz heard that Luther would not write a letter, and
instead published his book, he was not dissuaded.
He met with Luther and encouraged him, quite diplomatically, that
he ought to write a friendly letter to the Pope. Luther agreed in order
to pursue everything he could in seeking peace.
He also sent the Pope a little book called Christian Liberty,
in which Luther expressed that men cannot be bound by the church to do
anything their consciences would not allow, but ought, out of charity
and freedom follow the church’s lead.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 8
Since John Eck was associated with Luther in a scholastic and
collegiate manner he would be Rome’s message boy.
He would deliver the papal bull to Luther, though stopping along
the way he published a copy of the bull in Meissen, Merseburg, and
Brandenburg. As a Catholic
theologian Eck understood the dangerous and heretical nature of
Luther’s work to the pontificate.
He had felt the power of Luther’s attack both in debate and in
writing more than anyone else, so it was befitting that Eck should
deliver the news that the Pope was excommunicating Luther unless he
recanted.
Upon nearing Wittenberg with the bull, and stopping in Leipsic,
Eck was confronted all around by letters and angry students from the
university who shunned the notion that Luther should be excommunicated.
He escaped secretly at night for fear of pain or death, and
resided at Coburg. Gradually,
Eck revived his former passion to see Luther scandalized and
excommunicated. Eck did not
go to Wittenberg, out of fear, but sent the bull to the rector
threatening him if he did not comply with the Pope’s wishes to have
Luther handed over. He
also, at the same time, sent another letter to Duke John, Frederick’s
brother, in appeal of the same.
In having become aware of these proceedings, Ulrich Zwingli
published the first of his works in support of the Reformer of Germany,
though he did not know Luther, and had never met him.
Though Zwingli’s plea for a proper judgment based on the
Scriptures made its way to Germany, it had no real affects on the
situation. The Church was
destined to go through schism, and only through schism would a medicine
for its sickness be found.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 9
Luther laughed at the reception of the papal bull in Wittenberg.
He assumed its falsity and Eck’s incompetence to formulate
something that would refute the Scriptures.
Luther said, “Already I feel greater liberty in my heart, for
at last I know the Pope is the Antichrist, and that his throne is that
of Satan himself.” His
opinion of the bull, then, was that it simply widened the breach between
him and the reformation of the church, and founded the reality that the
Pope was the true enemy of the truth of God.
At first Luther entertained the idea that the bull may have been
a ploy form Eck himself and not the Pope, but such a reality was only a
thought. On November 4,
1520 Luther wrote a treatise against the bull called Against the Bull
of the Antichrist. Here
is entreated the reader to understand that he only desired the people to
learn their Bible and that souls would be saved.
He condemned the papacy for burning his books, and reiterated
again the utter necessity of true saving faith for those who would
follow Christ.
While Luther was engaged in Wittenberg upon refuting the bull,
the Leipsic theologians joined with Duke George and the Bishop of
Merseburg to separate, in some way, the heretic Luther from his
heretical university, Wittenberg. If
the two were ripped apart, Luther’s influence would diminish, or so
they thought.
The papal bull began its authoritative reign when in Ingolstadt,
the home city of Eck, Luther’s books were taken from the
bookseller’s shops and burned. Erasmus said that Eck was filling everywhere with his smoke.
From the Louvain doctors who appealed to Margaret, governor of
the Netherlands, to burn Luther’s books, to the viceroy of Holland,
Eck’s fires were burning and Luther’s works were diminishing.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 10
On November 17th Luther drew up a protest against the
papal bull. There Sarctor
of Eisleben wrote up the protest as Luther dictated it.
He condemned the Pope as an unjust judge, heretic, apostate,
misled blasphemer and condemned by the Holy Scriptures themselves.
He appealed to all to resist with him the antichristian
principles of the Pope, and warned all faithfully by the Scriptures what
is true. This was not all
he did in protest.
On December 10th a placard was posted on the walls of
the university at Wittenberg inviting students and faculty to rally in
the morning at the Eastern Gate by the Holy Cross.
A scaffold was prepared, and the decreetals of the Pope were
placed upon it. One of the
oldest teachers of the school lit fire to it, as Luther stood before the
burning mass. In Luther’s
mind, previously, he had only been toying with the Pope, but now, it
became very serious. Luther
threw the papal bull into the raging fire and burned it.
At Leipsic, in his battle with Eck and the theologians of the
church, his ties with the pontificate had crumbled internally.
But now, by burning the official stance of the Pope publicly, he
severed all ties with the antichristian harlot forever.
There were some among the Reformation who cried with alarm, but
to no great avail. Staupitz
himself was deeply troubled and anxious about the entire situation.
But Luther was resolved to stand firm against the tyranny of the
pontificate. Luther was
aware that on all sides he was receiving criticism, but so long as he
stood steadfast on the Word of God he knew he would never be moved.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 11
After the burning of the papal bull, the question that now arose
politically would be the response of the emperor.
Mario Caraccioli and Jerome Aleander, two bull enthusiasts, were
hired by the emperor to advise him on political matters.
Aleander was sent to meet with the emperor, and his agenda was to
dissuade him of the Reformation completely and encourage him to destroy
all its efforts. However,
after Aleander’s plea to the emperor that the book burning and papal
bull were necessary, the emperor could not make such a rash decision as
to simply overthrow Luther since many powerful delegates, such as the
elector Frederick, were on Luther’s side.
Political expediency would not allow the emperor to act as
hastily as Aleander would have liked.
So instead, Aleander took Caraccioli to the Saxony defender.
Frederick met with Aleander, but again, denied Aleander’s
immediate requests to overthrow Luther.
However, he was in a precarious position.
Would he side with Luther or ultimately the emperor?
Should Frederick sow discord throughout the country?
Frederick was anxious. Gradually,
though, he regained his resolve and requested that Luther be heard
before the emperor in order to state his case clearly and that, if any
error were to be found by the Holy Scriptures, that such could be
recanted.
Frederick, in desiring full counsel, summoned Erasmus to come and
speak with him about the matters. Erasmus
replied in a sarcastic tone, “Luther has committed two great faults:
he has attacked the crown of the Pope and the bellies of the monks.”
Then more seriously, he counseled Frederick that the universities
and the Pope have condemned Luther, but had not proven Luther wrong.
History
Of The Reformation Of The Sixteenth Century: Book 6, Chapter 12
Luther was resolved to stand upon the Word of God no matter what
Rome decided to do. He did not believe he should simply defend him, but that he
should attack, blow by blow, all of the threats of Rome against him and
the Word of God. Nobles and
peasants heard Luther preach unreservedly and all who regularly listened
came to the conclusion, along with Luther, that the Pope was antichrist.
Luther’s writings became immensely popular at this time,
especially his Lord’s Prayer and the new edition of a German
Theology. Other pastors all
over Germany recommended these works.
In these works the native tongue was employed, and the
encouragement for pastors to continue preaching in this way caught on. The people were persuaded that pastors would preach in their
own native tongue, and anything less than this would be manipulation by
the Roman Church against the unveiling of the truth – and this Luther
continued to press.
Laity and Nobles alike pressed the cause of the Reformation.
Ulrich Hutten never tired of taking up the cause of reform.
He addressed letters to most of the nobles of Germany and the
important legates, as well as writing to encourage Luther. Even Lucas Cranach, the painter, published a set of
engravings called the Passion of Christ and Antichrist, which
demonstrated the self-made glory of the Pope on the one hand, and the
sufferings and humiliation of Christ on the other. |
