MARTIN LUTHER.WILLM COLLINS, GLASGOW.
HISTORY
OF
THE REFORMATION
IN THE
SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
BY
J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNÉ, D.D.
J'appelle accessoire, l'estat des affaires de ceste vie caduque et transitoire. J'appelleprincipal, le gouvernement spirituel auquel reluit souverainement la providence deDieu.—Theodore De Beze.
By accessory I mean the state of affairs in this fading and transitory life. Byprincipal I mean the spiritual government in which the providence of God is sovereignlydisplayed.
A NEW TRANSLATION:
(CONTAINING THE AUTHOR'S LAST IMPROVEMENTS,)
BY HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ. ADVOCATE.
VOLUME FIRST.
GLASGOW:
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM COLLINS.
LONDON: R. GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS.
1845.
GLASGOW:
WILLIAM COLLINS AND CO.,
PRINTERS.
TRANSLATOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.
D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation is so well knownand so highly appreciated as to make it not only unnecessary,but almost presumptuous, for a mere Translator tosay any thing in commendation of it. The public feelingunquestionably is, that of the works which have recentlyappeared, it is one of the most talented, interesting, important,and seasonable. The mere lapse of time, aided bythe active misrepresentations of the Romish party, hadbegun to make an impression in some degree unfavourableto the principles of the Reformation. This admirable workhas again placed these principles in their true light. By itsvivid display of what Rome was and did, it has impressivelyreminded us of what she still is, and is prepared to do. Hergreat boast is, that she has never changed. If so, she longsto return to her former course, and will return to it the firstmoment that circumstances enable her to do so. Beingthus warned, our duty is plain. We must prepare for thecombat; and of all preparations, none promises to be moreeffectual than that of thoroughly embuing the public mindwith the facts so graphically delineated, and the principlesso luminously and forcibly expounded in this work ofD'Aubigné.
But, it may be asked, Has not this purpose been effectedalready, or at least may it not be effected without the instrumentalityof a new translation?
To this question the Translator answers, First, The formof the present translation and the price at which it is publishedplace the work within the reach of thousands to whom[iv]it might otherwise be a sealed book. Second, While thisTranslation is the cheapest in existence, it is also the onlyone which can, in strict truth, be regarded as genuine.The edition from which this translation is made was publishedin 1842. The date would have been of littleconsequence if the work had continued the same; butthe fact is, that the edition of 1842 is not a reprint,but a complete revision of the one which preceded it.Numerous passages of considerable length and great importancehave been introduced, while others which had, ona careful examination, been deemed redundant or inaccurate,have been expunged. Surely, after all the pains whichthe distinguished author has expended on the improvementof his work, it is scarcely doing justice either to him or tothe English reader to leave his improvements unknown. Inanother respect the