CHAP. XIX.

A. D. 1521.

A. Et. 46

A. Pont. IX.

most striking manner the objects of its highest admiration and respect. Even the opportunity afforded the artist of a spacious repository for his productions, where they were likely to remain secure for ages, and where they might be seen with every advantage of position, were circumstances highly favourable to his success. The tendency of the reformation was to deprive him of these benefits, to exclude his productions from the place of worship as profane or idolatrous, to compel him to seek his subjects in the colder pages of history, and his patrons among secular, and less wealthy, individuals. This effect is not, however, so much to be attributed to the opinions or the instigation of Luther himself, as to those of his over zealous followers, who on this head went far beyond what he conceived to be either necessary or expedient. During his retreat at his Patmos, his disciple Carlostadt, in a paroxysm of religious enthu siasm, had ordered the images and representations of the saints in the church of Wittemberg to be destroyed; a circumstance of which Luther was no sooner informed, than he quitted his retirement without the knowledge of his patron the elector, and hastening to Wittemberg, effectually checked the further proceedings of Carlostadt and his adherents. (a) From the sentiments of Luther on this head, as expressed in various parts of his works, it appears that he conceived such representations might be tolerated; provided they were not regarded as objects of worship; although he did not admit that there was any merit in encouraging them, and with true sectarian spirit, thought the cost of them would be better applied to the use of the brethren, (b) The opinion

(a) Maimburg. ap. Seckend. lib. i. p. 197.

of.

(b) Luth. ap. Seckend, lib. ii. p. 25. It is a curious fact that Luther availed himself

of Erasmus in this, as in other respects, was much more liberal." They who have attacked the images of saints," says he," although with immoderate zeal, have had some reason for their conduct; for idolatry, that is, the worship of images, is a horrible crime; and although it be now "abolished, yet the arts of Satan are always to be guarded

66

แ

CHAP. XIX.

A. D. 1521.

against. But when we reflect that statuary and painting, “formerly regarded as liberal arts, are, a kind of silent poesy, and have often an effect on the feelings of mankind beyond that produced by the most accomplished orator, it might have been well to have corrected their superstition withour destroying their utility. I could, indeed, wish that the walls of all public places were decorated with representations of the incidents of the life of Christ, expressed in a becoming manner. But as it was decreed in the Coun cit of Africa, that in places of worship nothing should be recited but the scriptural canons, so it would be proper "that no subjects should be exhibited in such places, except such as the scriptural, canons, supply. In the porches, vestibules, or cloisters, other subjects might be represented, taken from common history, so that they inculcated good morals; but absurd, obscene, or seditious pictures should be banished, not only from churches, but from all habitations, and as it is a kind of blasphemy to pervert the sacred writings, to profane and wanton jests, so those painters, deserve to be punished, who when they the holy scriptures, mingle with represent subjects from them

VOL. IV

H

A. Pont. IX.

A. Et. 46.

of the assistance of Luca Cranach, one of the most eminent German artists of the time, to satirize the Roman court in a set of figures representing the deeds of Christ, and of Antichrist; to which Luther himself wrote inscriptions, Seckend. lib. i. p. 148.

CHAP. XIX.

A. D. 1521.
A. Et. 46.

A. Pont. IX.

Effects of the reformation

on the politi

cal and moral

state of Eu

rope.

66

66

"them their own improper and ridiculous inventions. If
they wish to indulge their folly, let them rather seek
"for their subjects in Philostratus; although the annals of
heathenism afford many lessons which may be exhibited
"with great utility."(a) That observations so rational, and
from which. Luther himself would scarcely have dissented,
have not been sufficient to prevent the almost total exclusion
of picturesque representations from the reformed churches,
is greatly to be regretted; not only as being an irrepa-
rable injury to the arts, but as depriving the people of one
mode of instruction, not less calculated to interest their
feelings and excite, their piety, than that which is conveyed
by means of speech. Whether mankind, in any state of so-
ciety, were ever so ignorant as to make these visible repre-
sentations the actual objects of their adoration, may well be
doubted; but at all events there can now be no danger of
such an error in the most uninformed part of Europe; and
it may yet be hoped, that as the spirit of bigotry declines,
religion may be allowed herself of
to a
avail herself of every aid
which may engage her admirers, illustrate her precepts,
enforce her laws.

The effects produced by the reformation on the political and moral state of Europe, are of a much more important nature. The destruction of the authority of the Romish see, throughout many flourishing, and many rising nations, whilst it freed the monarch from the imperious interposition of an arrogant pontiff, released the people from that oppressive and undefined obedience to a foreign. power,

(a) Erasm, ap. Seckendorf. lib. iii. p. 51.

power, which exhausted their wealth, impeded their enjoyments, and interfered in all their domestic concerns. The abolition of the odious and absurd institutions of monastic life, by which great numbers of persons were restored to the common purposes of society, infused fresh vigour into those states which embraced the opinions of the reformers; and the restoration of the ancient and apostolic usage of the Christian church, in allowing the priesthood to marry, was à circumstance of the utmost advantage to the morals and manners of the age. To this may be added the destruction of many barbarous, absurd, and superstitious dogmas, by which the people were induced to believe that crimes could be commuted for money, and dispensations purchased even for the premeditated commission of sins.

But perhaps the most important advantage derived from the reformation, is to be found in the great example of freedom of inquiry, which was thus exhibited to the world, and which has produced an incalculable effect on the state and condition of mankind. That liberty of opinion which was at first exercised only on religious subjects, was, by a natural and unavoidable progress, soon extended to those of a political nature. Throughout many of the kingdoms of Europe, civil and religious liberty closely accompanied each other; and its inhabitants, in adopting those measures which seemed to them necessary to secure their eternal happiness, have at least obtained those temporal advantages, which, in many instances, have amply repaid them for their sacrifices and their labours.

That these and similar advantages were, however, in

H 2

**

a great

CHAP. XIX.

A. D. 1521.

A. Et. 46.

A. Pont. IX.

A. Pont. IX.

CHAP. XIX. a great degree counterbalanced by the dreadful animosities A.D. 1521. to which the reformation gave rise, as well between the A. Et. 46. reformers and the adherents to the ancient discipline, as between the different denominations of the reformed churches, cannot be denied; and the annals of Europe ex hibit a dreadful picture of war; desolation, and massacre, occasioned by the various struggles of the contending parties for the defence, or the establishment, of their respective opinions. (a) Whoever adverts to the cruelties exercised