902. THE GERMAN REFORMATION. A.D. 1517 To 1580.
§ 69. The Diets of Nirnberg, A.D. 1522-1524. - Adrian VI.
I. WatcH, XV. 2504 sqq. RANKS, vol. 11. pp. 27-46, 70-100, 244-262. J. JANSSEN, vol. IT. 256 sqq., 315 sqq. KOsTLIN, I. 622 sqq.
II. On Adrian VI. GACHARD: Correspondance de Charles Quint et d’ Adrian Vi. Brux., 1859. Morine: Vita Adriani VI, 15386. BURMANN: Hadrianus VI., sive Analecta Historica de Hadr. VI. Trajecti 1727 (includes Moring). RANKE: Die roém. Pdpste in den letzten vier Jarhh., 1., 59-64 (8th ed. 1885). C. HOFLER (Rom. Cath.): Wahl und Thronbesteigung des letzten deutschen Papstes, Adrian VI. Wien, 1872; and Der deutsche Kaiser und der letzte deutsche Papst, Carl V. und Adrian VI. Wien, 1876. FR. ΝΊΡΡΟΙ.: Die Reformbestrebungen Papst Hadrian VI., und die Ursachen thres Scheiterns. Leipzig, 1875. H. BAvER: Hadrian VI. Heidelb., 1876. MAURENBRECHER: Gesch. der kathol. Reformation, I. 202-225. Nordlingen, 1880. See also the Lit. on Charles V., § 50 (p. 262 sqq.).
We must now turn our attention to the political situation, and the attitude of the German Diet to the church question.
The growing sympathies of the German nation with the Reformation and the political troubles made the execution of the papal bull and the Edict of Worms against Luther more and more impossible. The Emperor was absent in Spain, and fully occupied with the suppression of an insurrection, the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, and the war with France. Germany was threatened by the approach of the Turks, who had conquered ‘Belgrad and the greater part of Hungary. The dangers of the nation were overruled for the progress of Protestantism.
An important change took place in the papacy. Leo X. died Dec. 1, 1521; and Adrian VI. (1459-1523) was unexpectedly elected in his absence, perhaps by the indirect influence of the Emperor, his former pupil. The cardinals hardly knew what they did, and hoped he might decline.
Adrian formed, by his moral earnestness and monastic piety, a striking contrast to the frivolity and worldliness of his predecessors. He was a Dutchman, born at Utrecht, a learned professor of theology in Louvain, then administrator
§ 69. THE DIETS OF NURNBERG, A.D. 1522-1524. 898
and inquisitor of Spain, and a man of unblemished character! He had openly denied the papal infallibility; but otherwise he was an orthodox Dominican, and opposed to a doctrinal reformation. He had combined with the Louvain professors in the condemnation of Luther, and advised Charles to take rigorous measures against him at Worms. Barefooted and without any ostentation, he entered Rome. He read daily mass at early dawn, took a simple _meal, slept on a couch, and lived like a monk. He introduced strict economy in the papal household, and vigorously attacked the grossest abuses. He tried to gain the influence of Erasmus and Zwingli. But he encountered opposition everywhere. |
Under these circumstances the Diet met at Nurnberg, March 28, 1522, and again Nov. 17, under the presidency of Ferdinand, the brother of the Emperor. To avert the danger of the Turks, processions and public prayers were ordered, and a tax imposed; but no army was raised.
Adrian demanded the execution of the Edict of Worms, and compared Luther to Mohammed; but he broke the force of his request by confessing with surprising frankness the corruptions of the Roman court, which loudly called for a radical moral reform of the head and members. Never before had the Curia made such a confession.
“We know,” wrote the Pope in the instruction to his legate, Francesco Chieregati, “that for some time many abominations, abuses in ecclesiastical affairs, and violations of rights have taken place in the holy see; and that all things have been perverted into bad. From the head the corrup-
1 Ranke (Pdpste, I. 60): ‘‘ Adrian war von durchaus unbescholtenem Ruf: rechtschaffen, fromm, thatig ; sehr ernsthaft, man sah ihn nie anders als leise mit den Lippen lacheln; aber voll wohlwollender, reiner Absichten: ein wahrer Geistlicher. Welch ein Gegensatz, als er nun dort einzog, wo Leo 80 prdchtig und verschwenderisch Hof gehalten! Es existirt ein Brief von ihm, in welchem er sagt: er modchte lieber in seiner Propstei zu Lowen Gott
dienen als Papst sein.”” Pallavicino calls him ‘“‘ ecclesiastico ottimo, ponti- Jice mediocre.”