330 Treaty of Pedes. [CENT. 16. a labyrinth of fchemes and negociations, and he was, at the fame time, so intent on abolishing the papal jurifdiction in England, that he had no leifure for foreign affairs. This obliged him to rest satisfied with giving general promifes, together with a fmall fupply with money, to the confederates of Smalkalde *. Meanwhile, many circumftances convinced Charles that this was not a juncture when the extirpation of herefy was to be attempted by violence and rigour; and that, in compliance with the pope's inclinations, he had already proceeded with imprudent precipitation. Negociations were, therefore, carried on by his direction, with the elector of Saxony and his affociates; and after many delays, terms of pacification were agreed upon at Nuremberg, and ratified folemnly in the diet at Ratisbon. In this treaty it was ftipulated, that univerfal peace be established in Germany, until the meeting of a general council, the convocation of which within fix months the emperor fhall endeavour to procure; that no perfon fhall be molested on account of religion; that a ftop fhall be put to all proceffes begun by the imperial chamber against Proteftants, and the fentences already paffed to their detriment fhall be declared void. On their part, the Proteftants engaged to affift the emperor with all their forces in refifting the invasion of the Turks. Thus by their firmnefs, by their unani Herbert. 152. 154. + Du Mont, Corps Diplomatique, tom. iv. part ii. 87. 89. CENT, 16.] Death of Elector of Saxony, 331 mity, and by their dexterity in availing themfelves of the emperor's fituation, the Proteftants obtained terms which amounted almost to a toleration of their religion; and the Proteftants of Germany, who had hitherto been viewed only as a religious fect, came henceforth to be confidered as a political body of no finall confequence *, About the beginning of August in this year, 1532, the elector of Saxony died, and was fucceeded by his fon John Frederic: the reformation, however, rather gained than loft by that event. Sleid. 149, &c. Seck. iii, 19. CHAP. [ 332 ] CHAP. III. HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION IN GERMANY, &c. PART II. Gradual spread of Luther's Doctrines-In Sweden- In Denmark France - Calvin - Reformation established in all Saxony-Council of Trent-Death and Character of Luther-Decrees of the Council of Trent-Pope excommunicates the Archbishop of Cologne-Diet at Ratifbon-War declared against the Emperor-Perfidy of Maurice-Seizes the Elector Dominions-Elector of Cologne refigns-Elector of Saxony and Landgrave made prifoners-Publication of the Interim-Obnoxious to both Parties-Violence of the Emperor-Death of Paul III.and Elevation of Julius III.-Defection of Maurice-Peace of Religion. D URING thofe important tranfactions in Ger many which have been just related, the dawn of reformation gradually arofe upon other nations. Some of the most confiderable provinces of Europe had already broken their chains, and openly withdrawn themselves from the difcipline of Rome and the Reformation in Sweden. CENT. 16.] 333 the jurifdiction of its pontiff. The reformed religion was propagated in Sweden, foon after Luther's rupture with Rome, by one of his difciples. The zealous efforts of this miffionary were powerfully feconded by that valiant and public-fpirited prince, Gustavus Vasa Ericfon. But as the religious opinions of the Swedes were in a fluctuating state, and their minds divided between their ancient fuperftitions, and the doctrine of Luther, Gustavus wifely avoided all vehemence and precipitation in spreading the new doctrine, and proceeded in this important undertaking, in a manner fuitable to the principles of the reformation, which he regarded as diametrically oppofite to compulsion and violence. The first object of his attention was the inftruction of his people in the facred doctrines of the fcriptures, and he fpread abroad through the kingdom the Swedish translation of the Bible, which had been made by Olaus Petri. After having taken every proper measure to effect his defign, Guftavus, in the affembly of the ftates at Wefteraas, recommended the doctrine of the reformers with fuch zeal, wisdom, and piety, that it was unanimoufly refolved, that the plan of reformation. propofed by Luther fhould have free admiffion among the Swedes. This refolution was principally owing to the firmness and magnanimity of Gustavus, who declared publicly, that he would lay down his fceptre and retire from his kingdom, rather 334 Reformation in Denmark. [CENT. 16. father than rule a people enflaved to the orders and authority of the pope, and more controlled by the tyranny of their bishops, than by the laws of the kingdom. From this time the papal empire in Sweden was entirely overturned, and Gustavus was declared the head of the church. The reformation was alfo received in Denmark, as early as the year 1521, in confequence of the ardent defire difcovered by Chriftian or Chriftiern II. of having his fubjects inftructed in the principles and doctrine of Luther. The kingdom of France was not inacceffible to the reformation. Margaret, queen of Navarre, and fifter of Francis I. the implacable enemy and perpetual rival of Charles V. was extremely favourable to the new doctrine. The aufpicious patronage of this illuftrious princefs encouraged feveral pious and learned men to propagate the principles of the reformation in France, and even to erect feveral proteftant churches in that kingdom. It is manifeft from the most authentic records, that, fo early as the year 1523, there were, in feveral of the provinces of that country, multitudes of perfons, who had conceived the utmost averfion both * Bazii Inventarium Ecclef. Ecclef. Sueco-Gothor. published in 4to, at Lincoping, in 1642. Sculteti Annales Evangelii Renovati, in Von der Hard Hiftor. Liter. Reformat. part v. p. 84 et 110. Raynal, Anecdotes Hift. Politiques et Militaires, tom. i. part ii. p. i. &c. against |