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 FIRSTTHIRD [sic] PERIOD.—THE ERA OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION.

(FROM THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA TO THE PEACE OF WESTPHALIA, IN 1648.)

THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION UNDER LUTHER.

General Statement.—We have already indicated (see pp. 366–7), the two periods of modern history; namely, the Era of the Protestant Reformation and the Era of the Political Revolution. We need here simply to remind the reader that the first period, extending from the opening of the sixteenth century to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, is characterized by the revolt of the nations of Northern Europe against the spiritual jurisdiction of Rome, and the great combat between Protestantism and Catholicism; and that the second period, running from the Peace of Westphalia to our own day, is distinguished by the contest between the people and their rulers, or, in other words, by the conflict between liberal and despotic principles of government.

We shall now proceed to speak of the causes and general features of the Reformation, and in succeeding chapters shall follow its fortunes in the various countries of Europe.

Extent of Rome's Spiritual Authority at the Opening of the Sixteenth Century.—In a preceding chapter on the Papacy it was shown how perfect at one time was the obedience of the West, not only to the spiritual, but to the temporal, authority of the Pope. It was also shown how the papal claim of the right to dictate in temporal or governmental affairs was practically rejected