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History of the Christian Church

VOLUME 8

Modern , The Swiss

By

CH806

Chapter 6: The Period of Consolidation

History of the Christian Church Volume 8 Modern Christianity, The Swiss Reformation

CH806 Table of Contents

Chapter 6. The Period of Consolidation ...... 2 8.53. Literature ...... 2 8.54. . 1504–1575 ...... 3 8.55. Antistes Breitinger (1575–1645)...... 8 8.56. , Antistes of ...... 8 8.57. The of Faith ...... 9

the City Library in 1792. It has often been used, Chapter 6. The Period of and, though partly depreciated by more recent Consolidation discoveries, is still a treasure-house of information. The Bullinger correspondence is 8.53. Literature found in the volumes from A.D. 1531–1575.— I. Manuscript sources preserved in the City ACTA ECCLESIASTICA intermixtis politicis et Library of , which was founded 1629, politico-ecclesiasticis MANUSCRIPTA ex ipsis and contains c. 132,000 printed vols. and 3,500 fontibus hausta in variis fol. Tomis MSS. See Salomon Voegelin: Geschichte der chronologice pro administratione ANTISTITII Wasserkirche und der Stadtbibliothek in TURICENSIS in ordinem redacta. 33 vols. fol. Zurich. Zurich, 1848 (pp. 110 and 123). The Beautifully written. Comes down to the Wasserkirche (capella aquatica) is traced back administration of Antistes Joh. Jak. Hess to Charles the Great. It contains also the (1795–1798). Tom I. extends from 1519–1531; remains of the lake dwellings. The bronze tom. II. contains a biography of Bullinger, with statue of Zwingli stands in front of it. The his likeness, and the acts during his THESAURUS HOTTINGERIANUS, a collection of administration.—The State Archives of the City correspondence made by the theologian, J. H. and Canton Zurich. Hottinger, 55 vols., embraces the whole II. Printed works. JOH. CONR. FUESSLIN: Bullinger correspondence, which has been Beytraege zur Erlaeuterung der much used, but never published in full.—The KirchenReformationsgeschichten des SIMLER COLLECTION of 196 vols. fol., with double Schweitzerlandes. Zurich, 1741–1753. 5 Parts. index of 62 vols. fol., contains correspondence, Contains important documents relating to the proclamations, pamphlets, official mandates, Reformation in Züerich and the Anabaptists, and other documents, chronologically the disputation at Ilanz, etc.—SIMLER’s arranged, very legible, on good paper. Johann Sammlung alter und neuer Urkunden. Zurich, Jacob Simler (1716–1788), professor and 1760. 2 vols.—JOH. JAK. HOTTINGER (Prof. of inspector of the theological college, spent the Theol. and Canon of the Great Minster): leisure hours of his whole life in the collection Helvetische Kirchengeschichten vorstellend of papers and documents relating to the der Helvetiern ehemaliges Heidenthum, und history of , especially of the durch die Gnade Gottes gefolgtes Reformation. This unique collection was Christenthum, etc. Zurich, 1698–1729. 4 Theile acquired by the government, and presented to 4°. 2d ed. 1737. A work of immense industry,

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in opposition to a Roman Catholic work of letters (mostly ) in the “Thesaurus Caspar Lang (Einsiedeln, 1692). The third Hottingerianus” and the “Simler Collection” of volume goes from 1616 to 1700, the fourth to the City Library at Zurich.—The second 1728. Superseded by Wirz.—LUDWIG WIRZ: volume of the Acta Ecclesiastica, quoted in Helvetische Kirchengeschichte. Aus Joh. Jak. 8.53.—The Züerich Letters or the Hottingers aelterem Werke und anderen Correspondence of several English Bishops Quellen neu bearbeitet. Zurich, 1808–1819. 6 and others with some of the Helvetian vols. The fifth volume is by MELCHIOR Reformers, chiefly from the Archives Of Zurich, KIRCHHOFER, who gives the later history of translated and edited for the “Parker Society” Zwingli from 1625, and the Reformation in the by Dr. Robinson, Cambridge (University Press), other Cantons.—JOH. JAK. HOTTINGER: 2d ed. 1846 (pp. 576). Geschichte der Eidgenossen waehrend der II. SALOMON HESS: Leben Bullinger’s. Zurich, Zeiten der Kirchentrennung. Zurich, 1825 and 1828–’29, 2 vols. Not very accurate.—*CARL 1829. 2 vols. This work forms vols. VI. and VII. PESTALOZZI: Heinrich Bullinger. Leben und of Joh. von Mueller’s and Robert Glutz ausgewaehlte Schriften. Nach Blotzheim’s Geschichten Schweizerischer handschriftlichen und gleichzeitigen Quellen. Eidgenossenschaft. The second volume (p. 446 Elberfeld, 1858. Extracts from his writings, pp. sqq.) treats of the period of Bullinger, and is 505–622. Pestalozzi has faithfully used the drawn in part from the Simler Collection and written and printed sources in the the Archives of Zurich. French translation by L. Stadtbibliothek and Archives of Zurich.—R. VULLIEMIN: Histoire des Suisses à l’époque de la CHRISTOFFEL: H. Bullinger und seine Gattin. Réformation. Paris et Zurich, 1833. 2 vols. G. R. 1875.—JUSTUS HEER: Bullinger, in HERZOG, II. ZIMMERMANN (Pastor of the Fraumuenster and 779–794. A good summary. Decan): Die Zuercher Kirche von der Older biographical sketches by LUDWIG LAVATER Reformation bis zum dritten (1576), JOSIAS SIMLER (1575), W. STUCKI (1575), Reformationsjubilueum (1519–1819) nach der etc. Incidental information about Bullinger in Reihenfolge der Zuercherischen Antistes. Hagenbach and other works on the Swiss Zurich, 1878 (pp. 414). On Bullinger, see pp. Reformation, and in MEYER’S Die Gemeinde von 36–73. Based upon the Acta Ecclesiastica Locarno, 1836, especially I. 198–216. quoted above.—JOH. STRICKLER’S After the productive period of the Zwinglian Actensammlung, previously noticed (p. 13), extends only to 1532. Reformation, which embraced fifteen years, On the Roman Catholic side comp. Archiv fuer from 1516 to 1531, followed the period of die Schweiz. Reformationsgesch., noticed preservation and consolidation under above, p. 13. The first volume (1868) contains difficult circumstances. It required a man of Salat’s Chronik down to 1534; the second firm faith, courage, moderation, patience, and (1872), 135 papal addresses to the Swiss Diet, endurance. Such a man was providentially mostly of the sixteenth century (from Martin V. equipped in the person of Heinrich Bullinger, to Clement VIII.), documents referring to 1531, the pupil, friend, and successor of Zwingli, Roman and Venetian sources on the Swiss and second Antistes of Zurich. He proved that Reformation, etc.; vol. III. (1876), a catalogue of the Reformation was a work of God, and, books on Swiss history (7–98), and a number therefore, survived the apparent defeat at of documents from the Archives of Luzern and other cities, including three letters of King Cappel. Francis I. to the Catholic Cantons, and an He was born July 18, 1504, at Bremgarten in account of the immediate consequences of the Aargau, the youngest of five sons of Dean War of Cappel by Werner Beyel, at that time Bullinger, who lived, like many priests of secretary of the city of Züerich (pp. 641–680). those days, in illegitimate, yet tolerated, 8.54. Heinrich Bullinger. 1504–1575 wedlock. The father resisted the sale of indulgences by Samson in 1518, and I. Sources. BULLINGER’S printed works (stated to be 150 by Scheuchzer in “Bibliotheca confessed, in his advanced age, from the Helvetica,” Zurich, 1733). His manuscript pulpit, the doctrines of the Reformation

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(1529). In consequence of this act he lost his In the first years he preached six or seven place. Young Henry was educated in the times a week; after 1542 only twice, on school of the Brethren of the Common Life at Sundays and Fridays. He followed the plan of Emmerich, and in the University of Cologne. Zwingli in explaining whole books of the He studied scholastic and patristic theology. Scriptures from the pulpit. His sermons were Luther’s writings and Melanchthon’s Loci led simple, clear, and practical, and served as him to the study of the and prepared models for young preachers. him for a change. He was a most devoted pastor, dispensing He returned to Switzerland as Master of Arts, counsel and comfort in every direction, and taught a school in the Cistercian Convent at exposing even his life during the pestilence Cappel from 1523 to 1529, and reformed the which several times visited Zurich. His house convent in agreement with the abbot, was open from morning till night to all who Wolfgang Joner. During that time he became desired his help. He freely dispensed food, acquainted with Zwingli, attended the clothing, and money from his scanty income Conference with the Anabaptists at Zurich, and contributions of friends, to widows and 1525, and the disputation at , 1528. He orphans, to strangers and exiles, not married Anna Adlischweiler, a former nun, in excluding persons of other . He secured 1529, who proved to be an excellent wife and a decent pension for the widow of Zwingli, helpmate. He accepted a call to Bremgarten as and educated two of his children with his successor of his father. own. He entertained persecuted brethren for After the disaster at Cappel, he removed to weeks and months in his own house, or Zurich, and was unanimously elected by the procured them places and means of travel. Council and the citizens preacher of the Great He paid great attention to education, as Minster, Dec. 9, 1531. It was rumored that superintendent of the schools in Zurich. He Zwingli himself, in the presentiment of his filled the professorships in the Carolinum death, had designated him as his successor. with able theologians, as Pellican, Bibliander, No better man could have been selected. It Peter Martyr. He secured a well-educated was of vital importance for the Swiss ministry. He prepared, in connection with Leo churches that the place of the Reformer Judae, a book of church order, which was should be filled by a man of the same spirit, adopted by the Synod, Oct. 22, 1532, issued but of greater moderation and self-restraint. by authority of the burgomaster, the Small Bullinger now assumed the task of saving, and the Great Council, and continued in force purifying, and consolidating the life-work of for nearly three hundred years. It provides Zwingli; and faithfully and successfully did he the necessary rules for the examination, carry out this task. When he ascended the election, and duties of ministers pulpit of the Great Minster in Dec. 23, 1531, (Predicanten) and deans (Decani), for semi- many hearers thought that Zwingli had risen annual meetings of synods with clerical and from the grave. He took a firm stand for the lay representatives, and the power of Reformation, which was in danger of being discipline. The charges were divided into abandoned by timid men in the Council. He eight districts or chapters. kept free from interference with politics, Bullinger’s activity extended far beyond the which had proved ruinous to Zwingli. He limits of Zurich. He had a truly Catholic spirit, established a more independent, though and stood in correspondence with all the friendly relation between Church and State. Reformed Churches. Beza calls him “the He confined himself to his proper vocation as common shepherd of all Christian Churches;” preacher and teacher. Pellican, “a man of God, endowed with the richest gifts of heaven for God’s honor and the

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 5 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course salvation of souls.” He received fugitive marriage into Greek, consulted him about Protestants from Italy, , England, and Hebrew, and addressed him with filial Germany with open arms, and made Züerich affection and gratitude. Her three letters to an asylum of religious liberty. He thus him are still preserved in Zurich. Bishop protected Celio Secondo Curione, Bernardino Hooper of Gloucester, who had enjoyed his Occhino, and Peter Martyr, and the hospitality in 1547, addressed him shortly immigrants from Locarno, and aided in the before his martyrdom in 1554, as his “revered organization of an Italian congregation in father and guide,” and the best friend he ever Zurich. Following the example of Zwingli and had, and recommended his wife and two Calvin, he appealed twice to the king of children to his care. Bishop Jewel, in a letter France for toleration in behalf of the of May 22, 1559, calls him his “father and . He dedicated to Henry II. his book much esteemed master in Christ,” thanks him on Christian Perfection (1551), and to Francis for his “courtesy and kindness,” which he and II. his Instruction in the Christian Religion his friends experienced during the whole (1559). He sent deputations to the French period of their exile, and informs him that the court for the protection of the Waldenses, and restoration of the Reformed religion under the Reformed congregation in Paris. Elizabeth was largely due to his own “letters The extent of Bullinger’s correspondence is and recommendations;” adding that the astonishing. It embraces letters to and from queen refused to be addressed as the head of all the distinguished Protestant divines of his the Church of England, feeling that such age, as Calvin, Melanchthon, Bucer, Beza, honor belongs to Christ alone, and not to any Laski, Cranmer, Hooper, Jewel, and crowned human being. Bullinger’s death was lamented heads who consulted him, as Henry VIII., in England as a public calamity. Edward VI., of England, Queen Elizabeth, Bullinger faithfully maintained the doctrine Henry II. of France, King Christian of and discipline of the Reformed Church Denmark, Philip of Hesse, and the Elector against the Roman Catholics and Lutherans Frederick of the Palatinate. with moderation and dignity. He never Bullinger came into contact with the English returned the abuse of fanatics, and when, in Reformation from the time of Henry VIII. to 1548, the Interim drove the Lutheran the reign of Elizabeth, especially during the preachers from the Swabian cities, he bloody reign of Mary, when many prominent received them hospitably, even those who exiles fled to Zurich, and found a fraternal had denounced the Reformed doctrines from reception under his hospitable roof. The the pulpit. He represents the German-Swiss correspondence of Hooper, Jewel, Sandys, type of the Reformed faith in substantial Grindal, Parkhurst, Foxe, Cox, and other agreement with a moderate . He church dignitaries with Bullinger, Gwalter, gave a full exposition of his theological views Gessner, Simler, and Peter Martyr, is a noble in the Second Helvetic Confession. monument of the spiritual harmony between His theory of the sacrament was higher than the Reformed Churches of Switzerland and that of Zwingli. He laid more stress on the England in the Edwardian and Elizabethan objective value of the institution. We era. Archbishop Cranmer invited Bullinger, recognize, he wrote to Faber, a mystery in the together with Melanchthon, Calvin, and Lord’s Supper; the bread is not common Bucer, to a conference in London, for the bread, but venerable, sacred, sacramental purpose of framing an evangelical union bread, the pledge of the spiritual real ; and Calvin answered that for such a presence of Christ to those who believe. As cause he would be willing to cross ten seas. the sun is in heaven, and yet virtually present Lady Jane Grey, who was beheaded in 1554, on earth with his light and heat, so Christ sits read Bullinger’s works, translated his book on in heaven, and yet efficaciously works in the

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 6 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course hearts of all believers. When Luther, after Zwingli, and, like Melanchthon, he approved Zwingli’s death, warned Duke Albert of of the unfortunate execution of Servetus, but Prussia and the people of Frankfort not to he himself did not persecute. He tolerated tolerate the Zwinglians, Bullinger replied by Laelio Sozini, who quietly died at Züerich sending to the duke a translation of (1562), and Bernardino Occhino, who Ratramnus’ tract, De corpore et sanguine preached for some time to the Italian Domini, with a preface. He rejected the congregation in that city, but was deposed, Wittenberg Concordia of 1536, because it without further punishment, for teaching concealed the Lutheran doctrine. He Unitarian opinions and defending polygamy. answered Luther’s atrocious attack on the In a book against the Roman Catholic Faber, Zwinglians (1545) by a clear, strong, and Bullinger expresses the Christian and humane temperate statement; but Luther died soon sentiment that no violence should be done to afterwards (1546) without retracting his dissenters, and that faith is a free gift of God, charges. When Westphal renewed the which cannot be commanded or forbidden. unfortunate controversy (1552), Bullinger He agreed with Zwingli’s extension of supported Calvin in defending the Reformed salvation to all infants dying in infancy and to doctrine, but counselled moderation. He and elect heathen; at all events, he nowhere Calvin brought about a complete agreement dissents from these advanced views, and on the sacramental question in the Consensus published with approbation Zwingli’s last Tigurinus, which was adopted in 1549 at work, where they are most strongly Zurich, in the presence of some members of expressed. the Council, and afterwards received the Bullinger’s house was a happy Christian approval of the other Swiss Reformed home. He liked to play with his numerous churches. children and grandchildren, and to write little On the doctrine of , Bullinger verses for them at Christmas, like Luther. did not go quite as far as Zwingli and Calvin, When his son Henry, in 1553, went to and kept within the infralapsarian scheme. He Strassburg, Wittenberg, and Vienna to avoided to speak of the predestination of prosecute his theological studies, be wrote Adam’s fall, because it seemed irreconcilable down for him wise rules of conduct, of which with the justice of the punishment of sin. The the following are the most important: Consensus Genevensis (1552), which 1) Fear God at all times, and remember that contains Calvin’s rigorous view, was not the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 2) signed by the pastors of Zurich. Theodor Humble yourself before God, and pray to him Bibliander, the father of biblical exegesis in alone through Christ, our only Mediator and Switzerland, and a forerunner of Advocate. 3) Believe firmly that God has done Arminianism, opposed it. He adhered to the all for our salvation through his Son. 4) Pray semi-Pelagian theory of , and was above all things for strong faith active in love. involved in a controversy with Peter Martyr, 5) Pray that God may protect your good name who was a strict Calvinist, and taught in and keep thee from sin, sickness, and bad Züerich since 1556. Bibliander was finally company. 6) Pray for the fatherland, for your removed from his theological professorship dear parents, benefactors, friends, and all (Feb. 8, 1560), but his salary was continued men, for the spread of the Word of God; till his death (Nov. 26, 1564). conclude always with the Lord’s Prayer, and On the subject of toleration and the use also the beautiful hymn, Te Deum punishment of heretics, Bullinger agreed with laudamus [which he ascribes to Ambrose and the prevailing theory, but favorably differed Augustin]. 7) Be reticent, be always more from the prevailing practice. He opposed the willing to hear than to speak, and do not Anabaptists in his writings, as much as

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 7 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course meddle with things which you do not orthodox doctrine, recited the Apostles’ understand. 8) Study diligently Hebrew and Creed, and exhorted them to purity of life, Greek as well as Latin, history, philosophy, harmony among themselves, and obedience and the sciences, but especially the New to the magistrates. He warned them against Testament, and read daily three chapters in intemperance, envy, and hatred, thanked the Bible, beginning with Genesis. 9) Keep them for their kindness, assured them of his your body clean and unspotted, be neat in love, and closed with a prayer of thanksgiving your dress, and avoid above all things and some verses of the hymns of Prudentius. intemperance in eating and drinking. 10) Let Then he took each by the hand and took leave your conversation be decent, cheerful, of them with tears, as Paul did from the elders moderate, and free from all uncharitableness. at Ephesus. A few weeks afterwards he died, He recommended him to Melanchthon, and after reciting several Psalms (51, 16, and 42), followed his studies with letters full of the Lord’s Prayer, and other prayers, fatherly care and affection. He kept his peacefully, in the presence of his family, Sept. parents with him till their death, the widow of 17, 1575. He was buried in the Great Minster, Zwingli (d. 1538), and two of her children, at the side of his beloved wife and his dear whom he educated with his own. friend, Peter Martyr. According to his wish, Notwithstanding his scanty income, he Rudolph Gwalter, Zwingli’s son-in-law and his declined all presents, or sent them to the adopted son, was unanimously elected his hospitals. The whole people revered the successor. Four of his successors were venerable minister of noble features and trained under his care and labored in his white patriarchal beard. spirit. His last days were clouded, like those of many The writings of Bullinger are very numerous, faithful servants of God. The excess of work mostly doctrinal and practical, adapted to the and care undermined his health. In 1562 he times, but of little permanent value. wrote to Fabricius at Coire: “I almost sink Scheuchzer numbers one hundred and fifty under the load of business and care, and feel printed books of his. The Züerich City Library so tired that I would ask the Lord to give me contains about one hundred, exclusive of rest if it were not against his will.” The translations and new editions. Many are pestilence of 1564 and 1565 brought him to extant only in manuscript. He wrote Latin the brink of the grave, and deprived him of commentaries on the New Testament (except his wife, three daughters, and his brother-in- the Apocalypse), numerous sermons on law. He bore these heavy strokes with Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, the Apocalypse. His Christian resignation. In the same two fatal Decades (five series of ten sermons each on years he lost his dearest friends, Calvin, the Decalogue, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Blaurer, Gessner, Froschauer, Bibliander, Sacraments) were much esteemed and used Fabricius, Farel. He recovered, and was in Holland and England. His work on the allowed to spend several more years in the justifying grace of God was highly prized by service of Christ. His youngest daughter, Melanchthon. His History of the Swiss Dorothea, took faithful and tender care of his Reformation, written by his own hand, in two health. He felt lonely and homesick, but folio volumes, has been published in 1838– continued to preach and to write with the aid ’40, in three volumes. His most important of pastor Lavater, his colleague and son-in- doctrinal work is the Second Helvetic law. He preached his last sermon on Confession, which acquired symbolical Pentecost, 1575. He assembled, Aug. 26, all authority. the pastors of the city and professors of theology around his sick-bed, assured them of his perseverance in the true apostolic and

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8.55. Antistes Breitinger (1575–1645) (28 letters of the former and 20 of the latter).—Correspondence with Bullinger in the In the same year in which Bullinger died Simler Collection.—Antiqu. Gernl., I. The (1575), Johann Jakob Breitinger was born, Chronicle of FRIDOLIN RYFF, ed. by W. Vischer who became his worthy successor as Antistes (son), in the Basler Chroniken (vol. 1, Leipzig, of Züerich (1613–1645). He called him a 1872), extends from 1514 to 1541. saint, and followed his example. He was one II. MELCHIOR KIRCHOFER (of ): of the most eminent Reformed divines of his Oswald Myconius, Antistes der Baslerischen age. Thoroughly trained in the universities of Kirche. Zurich, 1813 (pp. 387). Still very Herborn, Marburg, Franeker, Heidelberg, and serviceable.—R. HAGENBACH: Joh. Oecolampad Basel, he gained the esteem and affection of und Oswald Myronius, die Reformatoren his fellow-citizens as teacher, preacher, and Basels. Elberfeld, 1859 (pp. 309–462). Also his Geschichte der ersten Basler Confession. Basel, devoted pastor. During the fearful pestilence 1828.—B. RIGGENBACH, in Herzog, X. 403–405. of 1611 he visited the sick from morning till night at the risk of his life. Oswald Myconius (1488–1552), a native of Luzern, an intimate friend of Zwingli, and He attended as one of the Swiss delegates the successor of Ecolampadius, was to the Church (1618 and 1619). He was of Basel what Bullinger was to the Church of deeply impressed with the learning, wisdom, Zurich,—a faithful preserver of the Reformed and piety of that body, and fully agreed with religion, but in a less difficult position and its unjust and intolerant treatment of the more limited sphere of usefulness. He spent Arminians. On his return (May 21, 1619) he his earlier life as classical teacher in Basel, was welcomed by sixty-four Zurichers, who Zurich, Luzern, Einsiedeln, and again in rode to the borders of the Rhine to meet him. Zurich. His pupil, Thomas Plater, speaks Yet, with all his firmness of conviction, he was highly of his teaching ability and success. opposed to confessional polemics in an Erasmus honored him with his friendship intensely polemic age, and admired the good before he fell out with the Reformation. traits in other churches and sects, even the Jesuits. He combined with strict orthodoxy a After the death of Zwingli and Ecolampadius, cheerful temper, a generous heart, and active he moved to Basel as pastor of St. Alban (Dec. piety. He had an open ear for appeals from 22, 1531), and was elected Antistes or chief the poor and the numerous sufferers in the pastor of the Church of that city, and murder of the Valtellina (1620) and during professor of New Testament exegesis in the the Thirty Years’ War. At his request, university (August, 1532). He was not hospitals and orphan houses were founded ordained, and had no academic degree, and and collections raised, which in the Minster refused to take one because Christ had alone, during eight years (1618–1628), forbidden his disciples to be called Rabbi exceeded fifty thousand pounds. He was in (Matt. 23:8). He carried out the views of every way a model pastor, model churchman, Ecolampadius on discipline, and maintained and model statesman. Although be towered the independence of the Church in its relation high above his colleagues, he disarmed envy to the State and the university. He had to and jealousy by his kindliness and Christian suffer much opposition from Carlstadt, who, humility. Altogether he shines next to Zwingli by his recommendation, became professor of and Bullinger as the most influential and theology in Basel (1534), and ended there his useful Antistes of the Reformed Church of restless life (1541). He took special interest in Zurich. the higher and lower schools. He showed hospitality to the numerous Protestants from 8.56. Oswald Myconius, Antistes of Basel France who, like Farel and Calvin, sought a I. Correspondence between MYCONIUS and temporary refuge in Basel. The English ZWINGLI in Zwingli’s Opera, vols. VII. and VIII. martyrologist, John Foxe, fled from the

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 9 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course

Marian persecution to Basel, finished and the Church of Basel from 1656 to 1675. He published there the first edition of his Book of formulated the scholastic system of Martyrs (1554). Calvinism, with many subtle definitions and On the doctrine of the Eucharist, Myconius, distinctions, in a Syllabus of 588 Theses. In like Calvin after him, occupied a middle connection with John Henry Heidegger of ground between Zwingli and Luther. He aided Züerich and the elder Turretin of , he Bucer in his union movement which resulted prepared the Formula, in the adoption of the Wittenberg Concordia the last and the most rigid of Calvinistic and a temporary conciliation of Luther with symbols (1675). He was the last the Swiss (1536). He was suspected by the representative of strict Calvinistic orthodoxy Zurichers of leaning too much to the Lutheran in Basel. He combined with an intolerant side, but he never admitted the corporal creed a benevolent heart, and induced the presence and oral manducation; he simply magistracy of Basel to found an orphan emphasized more than Zwingli the spiritual asylum. The famous Hebrew and Talmudic real presence and fruition of the body and scholars, John Buxtorf (1564–1629), his son, blood of Christ. He thought that Luther and John (1599–1664), and his grandson, John Zwingli had misunderstood each other. Jacob (1645–1704), who adorned the in the seventeenth Myconius matured, on the basis of a draft of century, fully agreed with the doctrinal Ecolampadius, the First Basel Confession of position of Gernler, and defended even the Faith, which was adopted by the magistracy, rabbinical tradition of the literal inspiration Jan. 21, 1534, and also by the neighboring city of the Masoretic text against , of Muehlhausen. It is very simple, and who attacked it with great learning (1650). consists of twelve Articles, on God (the trinity), man, providence, Christ, the Church 8.57. The Helvetic Confessions of Faith and sacraments, the Lord’s Supper, the ban, NIEMEYER: Collectio Confess. (Hall. 1840), pp. the civil government, faith and good works, 105–122 (Conf. Helv. prior, German and Latin), the last judgment, feasts, fasts, and celibacy, and 462–536 (Conf. Helv. posterior).—SCHAFF: and the Anabaptists (condemning their views Creeds of Christendom (New York, 6th ed. on infant baptism, the oath, and civil 1890), vol. I. 388–420 (history); III. 211–307 government). It is written in Swiss-German, (First and Second Helv. Conf.), 831–909 with marginal Scripture references and notes. (Second Helv. Conf. in English). Other It claims no infallibility or binding authority, literature quoted by Schaff, I. 385 and 399. and concludes with the words: “We submit Bullinger and Myconius authoritatively this our confession to the judgment of the formulated the doctrines of the Reformed divine Scriptures, and are always ready, if we Churches in Switzerland, and impressed upon can be better informed from them, very them a strongly evangelical character, thankfully to obey God and his holy Word.” without the scholastic subtleties of a later This Confession was superseded by more period. mature statements of the Reformed faith, but The Sixty-seven Conclusions and the two retained a semi-symbolical authority in the private Confessions of Zwingli (to Charles V., Church of Basel, as a venerable historical and Francis I.) were not intended to be used document. as public creeds, and never received the Myconius wrote the first biography of Zwingli sanction of the Church. The Ten Theses of in twelve short chapters (1532). His other Bern (1528), the First Confession of Basel writings are not important. (1534), the Züerich Consensus (1549), and the Geneva Consensus (1552) were official One of his most influential successors was documents, but had only local authority in the Lukas Gernler, who presided as Antistes over

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 10 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course cities where they originated. But the First and The First Helvetic Confession is the earliest Second Helvetic Confessions were adopted by Reformed Creed that has acquired a national the Swiss and other Churches, and kept their authority. It consists of 27 articles, is fuller place as symbolical books for nearly three than the First Confession of Basel, but not so hundred years. They represent the Zwinglian full as the Second Helvetic Confession, by type of doctrine modified and matured. They which it was afterwards superseded. The approach the Calvinistic system, without its doctrine of the sacraments and of the Lord’s logical rigor. Supper is essentially Zwinglian, yet I. THE FIRST HELVETIC CONFESSION, 1536. It is emphasizes the significance of the also called the Second Basel Confession, to sacramental signs and the real spiritual distinguish it from the First Basel Confession presence of Christ, who gives his body and of 1534. It was made in Basel, but not for blood—that is, himself—to believers, so that Basel alone. It owes its origin partly to the he more and more lives in them, and they in renewed efforts of the Strassburg Reformers, him. Bucer and Capito, to bring about a union Bullinger and Leo Judae wished to add a between the Lutherans and the Zwinglians, caution against the binding authority of this and partly to the papal promise of convening or any other confession that might interfere a General Council. A number of Swiss divines with the supreme authority of the Word of were delegated by the magistrates of Zurich, God and with Christian liberty. They had a Bern, Basel, Schaffhausen, St. Gall, correct feeling of a difference between a Muehlhausen, and Biel, to a conference in the confession of doctrine which may be Augustinian convent at Basel, Jan. 30, 1536. improved from time to time with the progress Bucer and Capito also appeared on behalf of of religious knowledge, and a rule of faith Strassburg. Bullinger, Myconius, Grynaeus, which remains unchanged. A confession of Leo Judae, and Megander were selected as a the Church has relative authority as norma commission to draw up a Confession of the normata, and depends upon its agreement faith of the Helvetic Churches, which might be with the Holy Scriptures, which have absolute used at the proposed General Council. It was authority as norma normans. examined and signed by all the clerical and II. THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION, 1566. lay delegates, February, 1536, and first This is far more important than the first, and published in Latin. Leo Judae prepared the obtained authority beyond the limits of German translation, which is fuller than the Switzerland. In the intervening thirty years Latin text, and of equal authority. Calvin had developed his theological system, Luther, to whom a copy was sent through and the Council of Trent had formulated the Bucer, unexpectedly expressed, in two modern Roman creed. Bullinger prepared this remarkable letters, his satisfaction with the Confession in 1562 for his private use, as a earnest Christian character of this document, testimony of the faith in which he had lived and promised to do all he could to promote and wished to die. Two years afterwards, union and harmony with the Swiss. He was during the raging of the pestilence, he then under the hopeful impressions of the elaborated it more fully, in the daily “Wittenberg Concordia,” which Bucer had expectation of death, and added it to his last brought about by his elastic diplomacy, May, will and testament, which was to be delivered 1536, but which proved, after all, a hollow to the magistracy of Züerich after his decease. peace, and could not be honestly signed by But events in Germany gave to this private the Swiss. Luther himself made a new and creed a public character. The pious elector of most intemperate attack on the Zwinglians the Palatinate, Frederick Ill., being threatened (1545), a year before his death. by the Lutherans with exclusion from the

History of the Christian Church, Philip Schaff 11 CH806: Volume 8, Chapter 6 a Grace Notes course treaty of peace on account of his secession to Churches of France (at the Synod of La the Reformed Church and the publication of Rochelle, 1571), (at the Synod of the (1563), requested Debreczin, 1567), and (1571 and Bullinger in 1565 to prepare a full and clear 1578). It was well received also in Holland, exposition of the Reformed faith, that he England, and as a sound statement might answer the charges of heresy and of the Reformed faith. It was translated not dissension so constantly brought against the only into German, French, and English, but same. Bullinger sent him a manuscript copy also into Dutch, Magyar, Polish, Italian, of his confession. The Elector was so much Arabic, and Turkish. In Austria and Bohemia pleased with it that he desired to have it the Reformed or Calvinists are officially called translated and published in Latin and German “the Church of the Helvetic Confession,” “the before the Imperial Diet, which was to Lutherans, the Church of the Augsburg assemble at Augsburg in 1566 and to act on Confession.” his alleged apostasy, In the meantime the Swiss felt the need of such a Confession as a closer bond of union.

The First Helvetic Confession was deemed too short, and the Züerich Consensus of 1549 and the Geneva Consensus of 1552 treated only two articles, namely, the Lord’s Supper and predestination. Conferences were held, and Beza came in person to Züerich to take part in the work. Bullinger freely consented to a few changes, and prepared also the German version. Geneva, Bern, Schaffhausen, Biel, the Grisons, St. Gall, and Muehlhausen expressed their agreement. Basel alone, which had its own confession, declined for a long time, but ultimately acceded. The new Confession was published at Zurich, March 12, 1566, in both languages, at public expense, and was forwarded to the Elector of the Palatinate and to Philip of Hesse. A French translation appeared soon afterwards in Geneva under the care of Beza. In the same year the Elector Frederick made such a manly and noble defence of his faith before the Diet at Augsburg, that even his Lutheran opponents were filled with admiration for his piety, and thought no longer of impeaching him for heresy. The Helvetic Confession is the most widely adopted, and hence the most authoritative of all the Continental Reformed symbols, with the exception of the Heidelberg Catechism. It was sanctioned in Züerich and the Palatinate (1566), Neuchâtel (1568), by the Reformed