Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/178

160 he enjoyed a high reputation far beyond the boundaries of his own country, and by his many works intended for the Danish clergy, works written in a popular style, he contributed much to the elevation of the clerical profession. His views differed, however, essentially from the officially established orthodoxy in many important points. In regard to the Lord's supper, for instance, he had embraced and advocated Melancthon's opinions which were never in harmony with Calvin's nor with Luther's views. The friends of Calvin claimed him as their own, while the strictly orthodox Lutherans tried to make him an object of suspicion. The king, Frederick II, received warnings against him from Germany, and the result was that Hemmingsen was compelled to renounce his "heretical" doctrines. It being urged that he still continued to spread his supposed dangerous doctrines by word of mouth, the old man was without any legal procedure discharged from his position as professor and priest which he had filled with marked ability for a long series of years. He spent the remaining years of his life in Roskilde, deeply engaged in study and literary work. So long as king Frederik II lived he published nothing, but no sooner was the king dead, than there appeared in rapid succession from his pen a series of polemical writings, in all of which, despite his advanced years, he showed himself to be in possession of his whole intellectual vigor. A proof of the high reputation which he enjoyed is also found in the fact, that even after his dismissal he was regularly consulted in ecclesiastical matters, and that his writings continued to enjoy great popularity. The Pope placed his works on the list of dangerous books. Even in his lifetime many of his works were published in foreign countries, while the Danish bishops recommended his books as very profitable reading for the clergy.