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