32. THE IIEFOKMATION IN BASEL. 107
§ 32. The Reformation in Basel. (Ecolampadius.
I. The sources are chiefly in tlie Bibliotheca Antistitii and the University Library of Basel, and in the City Library of Ziirich ; letters of OEcolampadios to Zwingli, in Bibliander's Epistolw Jo/i. (Ecolampadii et Huldr. Zwinglii (Basel, 1536, foL); in Zwingli's Opera, vols. VII. and VIII.; and in Herminjard, Correspondance des Refurmateurs, passim. Several letters of Erasmus, and his Consilium Senatui Basiliensi in negotio Lutherano anno 1525 exhibitum. Antiquitates Gernleriame, Tom. I. and IL An important collection of letters and documents prepared by direction of Antistes Lukas Gernlek of Basel (1(325-1675), who took part in the Helvetic Consensus Formula. The AthencB Rauricce sive Catalogus Professorum Academice Basiliensis, by Herzog, Basel, 1778. The Busier Chroniken, publ. by the Hist. Soc. of Basel, ed. y/iih comments by W. Vischer (son), Leipz. 1872.
II. Pet. Ochs : Geschichte der Stadt nnd Landschaft Basel. Berlin and Leipzig, 1786-1822. 8 vols. The Reformation is treated in vols. V. and VI., but without sympathy. Jak. Burckhardt: Kurze Geschichte der Reformation in Basel. Basel, 1819. K. R. Hagenbach : Kirchliche Denkwiirdigkeiten zur Geschichte Basels seil der Reformation. Basel, 1827 (pp. 268). The first part also under the special title : Kritische Geschichte und Schicksale der ersten Busier Confession. By the same : Die Theologische Schule Basels und ihrer Lehrer von Stiftung der Hochschule 1460 his zu De Wette's Tod 1849 (pp. 75). Jarke (R. Cath.) : Studien und Skizzen zur Geschichte der Reformation. Schaffhausen (Hurter), 1846 (pp. 576). Fried. Fischer : Der Bildersturm in der Schweiz und in Basel insbesondere. In the "Basler Jahrbuch" for 1850. W. Vischer: ActenstUcke zur Geschichte der Reformation in Basel. In the " Basler Beitriige zur vaterliindischen Geschichte," for 1854. By the same : Geschichte der Universitdt Basel von der Griindung 1460 bis zur Reformation 1529. Basel, 1860. Boos: Geschichte der Stadt Basel. Basel, 1877 sqq. The first volume goes to 1501 ; the second has not yet appeared.
III. Biographical. S. Hess : Lebensgeschichte Joh. Oekolampads. Zurich, 1793 (chiefly from Ziirich sources, contained in the Simler collection). J. J. Herzog (editor of the well-known " Encyclopaedia," d. 1882) : Das Lehen Joh. Oekolampads und die Reformation der Kirche zu Basel. Basel, 1843. 2 vols. Comp. his article in Herzog -, vol. X. 708-724. K. R. Hagenbach : Johann Oekolampad und Oswald Myconius, die Reformatoren Basels. Leben und ausgewdhlte Schriften. Elberfeld, 1859. His Reformationsgesch., 5th ed., by Nippold, Leipzig, 1887, p. 386 sqq. On CEcolampadius' connection with the Eucharistic Controversy and part in the Marburg Colloquy, see ScHAFF, vol. VI. 620, 637, and 642.
The example of Berne was followed by Basel, the wealthiest and most literary city in Switzerland, an episcopal see since the middle of the eighth century, the scene of the
108 THE SWISS REFORMATION.
reformatory Council of 1430-1448, the seat of a University since 1460, the centre of the Swiss book trade, favorably situated for commerce on the banks of the Rhine and on the borders of Germany and France. The soil was prepared for the Reformation by scholars like Wyttenbach and Erasmus, and by evangelical preachers like Capito and Hedio. Had Erasmus been as zealous for religion as he was for letters, he would have taken the lead, but he withdrew more and more from the Reformation, although he continued to reside in Basel till 1529 and returned there to die (1536).^
The chief share in the work fell to the lot of Qilcolampadius (1482-1531). He is the second in rank and importance among the Reformers in German Switzerland. His relation to Zwingli is similar to that sustained by Melanchthon to Luther, and by Beza to Calvin, — a relation in part subordinate, in part supplemental. He was inferior to Zwingli in originality, force, and popular talent, but surpassed him in scholastic erudition and had a more gentle disposition. He was, like Melanchthon, a mai! of thought rather than of action, but circumstances forced liim out of his quiet study to the public arena.
Johann Qj^colampadius^ was born at Weinsberg in the present kingdom of Wiirtemberg in 1482, studied law in Bologna, philology, scholastic philosophy, and theology in Heidelberg and Tiibingen with unusual success. He was a precocious genius, like Melanchthon. In his twelfth year he composed (according to Capito) Latin poems. In 1501 he became Baccalaureus, and soon afterwards Master of Arts. He devoted himself chiefly to the study of the Greek and
1 On Erasmus and his relation to the Eeformation, see above, p. 24 sq., and especially vol. VI. 399-434.
^ A. Greek name given him for Hausschein or Husschyn (^Houselamp) ; but in the university register of Heidelberg he is entered under the family name of Hussgen or Heussgen, i.e. Little House. His mother was descended of the old Basel family of Pfister. Hence he says in the Preface to his Commentary on Isaiah : " Basilea mihi ab avo patria." See Hagenbach, OekoL, p. 3 sq.