THE REFORMATION.

A GREAT difficulty occurs in treating of any important subjects in modern history, namely, that in proportion as they come nearer to our own times they trench so closely on those differences of opinion, political and theological, by which the world is still agitated, that it is hardly possible to enter upon them fully, without touching on topics of present controversy, and thereby entering on a field which is wisely excluded from institutions of this kind. Still it would be a melancholy thought to suppose that there were large spheres of historical interest altogether forbidden to us from our inability to view them dispassionately; and it is not without its use from time to time to touch on subjects like the present, if only to show that there are facts of history, which, whatever speculations may have been raised concerning them, are themselves perfectly undoubted,—and that it is possible to walk over the battle-fields of former ages, without the necessity of fighting over again in our own persons the combats which were there lost or won.

In this spirit, then, and trusting that if I confine myself solely to the historical view of the case, and forbear to touch on some of the higher questions of morals and theology connected with it, it will be seen that I omit them as unsuitable to this time and place, I venture to call your attention to

Great

some of the most prominent and universally acknowledged features of the second great convulsion of Modern History, which we commonly call the Reformation.

I. I have called it the second great convulsion of Modern change. History, because it is important to consider how deep is the division it makes in the fortunes of Europe,-deeper than any other since the fall of the Roman Empire. Like that first great revolution, it was brought about by the northern or German nations; and although not, as in the earlier instance, by an outward invasion of barbarian tribes, but by an inward rising of the human mind and conscience, still its outward effects are hardly less strongly marked on the whole surface of society. Look merely at the map of Europe, before and after the sixteenth century, and observe the nations which in and through the Reformation were transformed from barbarian to civilised kingdoms, from insignificant to first rate powers, -Sweden, and Prussia, and above all, England. Look at the mere outward aspect of our own country, and imagine the differences which must have been presented by England before and after the dissolution of monasteries,-when onethird of the landed estates of this country changed proprietors, when six hundred and fifty monasteries, many of them as magnificent as our finest colleges and cathedrals, were swept away. Consider the history of the war which ravaged Germany like a pestilence for thirty years, and the wars of the League which tore the French nation to pieces for half a century. Consider all this, and you will see howeven without taking into account the far more momentous changes which were effected in the practices and the opinions of men,—the Reformation has indeed placed a barrier between us and the ages which went before; you will understand how some of the best and wisest men of that time regarded those terrible convulsions as the signs of the end of all things; how it is that whereas previous characters and events

often seem to us as if shrouded in a dim undistinguishable haze, after this time we seem to be amongst distinct familiar acquaintances. And then remarking how violent the shock must have been,-remembering the vast mass of ancient associations, feelings, practices, institutions, which were utterly swept away, not only in the Protestant, but in the Roman Catholic countries of Europe,-remembering the panic, the perplexity, the chaos which must have resulted,-it is of the greatest comfort to us, in our far less important agitations and troubles, to reflect that great as this shock was, the most civilised part of Europe now looks back to it as the most blessed event which has taken place since the introduction of Christianity, and all will acknowledge that the most valuable elements in our life, our country, our religion, have come through the trial both purified and triumphant.

It is true-happily most true that such convulsions as these take place very rarely. Neither could this nor any other like it have taken place, but for the long accumulation of abuses and evils, which made even moderate and peaceful men not only acquiesce but rejoice in measures, however violent, which put an end to them. But it conveys

As it is with

a true consolation as well as a true warning. nations, so it is with individuals; so it is with any special work; so it is still the work of our whole lives. Toil and trouble is the only road to peace and rest.

"When the shore is won at last,

Who will count the billows past!"

II. Such was the greatness of the change; and now, by whom was it effected? Inferior agencies were at work everywhere; an overruling Providence was above them all : but if we may venture to name the chief human instruments, by understanding whom we shall understand the whole movement

Chief characters

of the

tion.

Luther.

from beginning to end, they are four-LUTHER, CALVIN, ERASMUS, and IGNATIUS LOYOLA. The first, and incomparably Reforma- the most important, is LUTHER. There was hardly ever any period in the civilised world when its whole interest was so completely concentred upon one single individual. You know what it is when the whole of England has its thoughts fixed upon one man-how his name, his words, his doings are in every one's mouth. Conceive then what it must have been when not the whole of England only, but of France, Spain, Italy, Germany, had their whole thoughts turned in like manner to Martin Luther. And his case was widely different from another modern instance of a similar kind, I mean Napoleon, when the world heard of his great deeds, without seeing with their own eyes what he was in himself. I need not go in detail into the life and character of this great Reformer, because I believe your excellent President has already done so. Let me only say just enough to recal to you what his position was, and what was the general likeness and life of this wonderful man. Luther was a man not only of action, but of writing. His letters, his hymns, his pamphlets, his commentaries, were coming out every year, often every month, and were expected, and read, and devoured with an interest throughout the whole of Europe, equalled only by that with which in our days we look forward to the publication of the most exciting works of fiction. He headed the whole progress of the Reformation; and he headed also the whole German nation. All that is peculiar in that extraordinary people, be seen in Luther: their joyousness, their frankness, their simplicity, their freedom, their boldness in speculation, all this was his in the highest degree. He was dreaded, admired, respected by others; but by them he was and is beloved-beloved as the second founder of their national existence, as the well-spring of their national life. His words are still repeated in the graces at their daily

to

meals; his hymns are still the expression of their religious feelings; his translation of the Bible is the foundation of their native language.

And as it is necessary to understand his character, in order to understand the Reformation, so also it is perfectly possible. Few men have left SO much behind them in writing. Seven folio volumes contain the results of his labours; volumes, not like most of the folios of earlier times, filled with disquisitions which throw no light on their author's character, but every line marked by the peculiarities which make it impossible for us to mistake his style for that of any one else; and containing not only his commentaries and sermons, but his familiar conversations and often repeated jokes,-not only his letters to kings and statesmen, but his letters to his own children, full of all the playfulness and tenderness, as well as of all the vehemence and bitterness, of his extraordinary character. And not only have we a complete image of his mind in his books, but also of his outward look, manner, and appearance in his portraits. Amongst his numerous friends, fortunately for posterity, was the burgomaster or mayor of Wittemberg, a painter of the name of Luke Cranach, and a painter of such incessant activity and quickness, that he is called in his epitaph, “Celerrimus Pictorum," the most rapid of painters. The consequence of this intimacy was, that you can hardly pass through any great town in Germany, without encountering one of the portraits of Luther painted by his faithful friend, and therefore in the highest degree authentic. I can answer for at least twenty, and probably those who are versed in such matters might discover many more; and the charm of these pictures is, that being taken at many different periods of Luther's life you can actually see the change effected in him by lapse of years from youth to manhood, from manhood to old age, down to the cast which is still to be seen