BASLE, CONFESSION OF, a Calvinistic confes- sion adopted by the Protestants of Basle in 1581. CEco- lampadius, a short time before his death, introduced a
BASLE
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BASLE
short confession of faith in a speech he delivered at the opening of the synod of Basle in Sept. 1531. This short confession became the basis of the Confession of Basle, which latter was prepared, probably by Myco- nius (q. v.), between 1532 and 1534. It was officially promulgated Jan. 21st, 1534, and shortly after sent to Strasburg to refute some objections of the theologians of that place on the articles concerning the Eucharist (Letter of Myconius to Bullinger, Oct. 14th, 1534). The title of the oldest edition, probably printed in 1534, reads, Bekannthnus misers heyligen christlichen gloubens, ■une er die Kylch zu Basel hnldt. It is accompanied by commentaries in Latin, which had their origin proba- bly in the different changes the Confession underwent before its final adoption and publication. These com- mentaries are omitted in the editions after 1547. Af- ter the official adoption of the Confession, an order was issued to all citizens to assemble in the corporations, and to declare whether they were prepared to accept and uphold this Confession by all means in their power. Afterward it became a practice in the city to have the Confession read every year in the corporations on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Miilhausen adopted the same Confession, from whence it also received the name of Confessio MiiMhusana (in the same manner as the first Helvetic Confession [q. v.] received, on account of its having been prepared at Basle, the name of sec- ond Confession of Basle). It is also found in Augusti, Corpus Libror. Symbolicor. Reform at or nm, p. 103 sq. ; Hagenbach, Kiitische Gesch. d. Entstehung u. d. Sehick- sale d. ersten Basler Confession (Basel, 1827).
BASLE, COUNCIL'OF, called by Pope Martin V, and continued by Eugenius IV. It was opened on the 23d of July, 1431, by Cardinal Julian, and closed on the 16th of May, 1413, forty-five sessions in all having been held, of which the first twenty-five are acknowl- edged by the Gallican Church. The Ultramontanes reject it altogether, but on grounds utterly untenable. The council, in its thirtieth session, declared that "a general council is superior to a pope ;" and in 1437 Eu- genius transferred its sessions to Ferrara (q. v.). The council refused to obey, and continued its sessions at Basle. The principal objects for which the council was called were the reformation of the Church and the re- union of the Greek with the Roman Church. Man}' of its resolutions were admirable both in spirit and form ; and, had the council been allowed to continue its sessions, and had the pope sanctioned its proceedings, there would have ensued a great and salutary change in the Roman Church. But the power of the papacy was at stake, and the reform was suppressed. Its most important acts were as follows. In the first ses- sion (Dec. 7, 1431), the decree of the council of Con- stance concerning the celebration of a general council after five and after seven years, was read, together with the bull of Martin V convoking the council, in which he named Julian president; also the letter of Eugene IV to the latter upon the subject; afterward the six objects proposed in assembling the council were enumerated : 1, The extirpation of hcres}r ; 2, the re- union of all Christian persons with the Catholic Church ; 3, to afford instruction in the true faith ; 4, to appease the wars between Christian princes ; 5, to reform the Church in its head and in its members ; 6, to re-estab- lish, as far as possible, the ancient discipline of the Church. It soon appeared that Pope Eugene was de- termined to break up the council, which took vigorous measures of defence. In the second session (Feb. 15, 1432) it was declared that the synod, being assembled in the name of the Holy Spirit, and representing the Church militant, derives its power directly from our Lord Jesus Christ, and that all persons, of whatever rank or dignity, not excepting the Roman pontiff him- self, are bound to obey it ; and that any person, of whatsoever rank or condition, not excepting the pope, who shall refuse to obey the laws and decrees of this or of any other general council, shall be put to penance Xx