completeness of the doctrinal. But while they consistently maintained
the papal authority and confirmed its formal pretensions, the episcopal
authority, too, was strengthened by them, not only as against the
monastic orders, but in its own moral foundations. More than this, the
whole priesthood, from the Pope downward, benefited by the warnings
that had been administered, by the sacrifices that had been made, and by
the reforms that had been agreed upon. The Church became more united,
less worldly, and more dependent on herself. These results outlasted the
movement known as the Counter-reformation, and should be ignored by no
candid mind.

FOOTNOTES:

[54] Pole became archbishop of Canterbury (1556) and chief adviser to
Queen Mary, under whom he was largely responsible for the persecution of
English Protestants.

[55] The Farnese were an illustrious Italian family. Alessandro Farnese
was Pope Paul III.

[56] Count Carlo Borromeo, Italian cardinal, Archbishop of Milan, was
one of the most noted of the ecclesiastical reformers. He was canonized
in 1610.

PROTESTANT STRUGGLE AGAINST CHARLES V

THE SMALKALDIC WAR

A.D. 1546

EDWARD ARMSTRONG

In 1530 Charles V convened a diet at Augsburg for the
settlement of religious disputes in Germany and preparation
for war against the Turks, who were advancing into the
empire. The diet issued a decree condemning most of the
Protestant tenets. In consequence of this the Protestant
princes of Germany at once entered into a league, known as
the Smalkaldic League, from Smalkald, Germany, where it was
formed. They bound themselves to assist each other by arms
and money in defence of their faith against the Emperor, and
to act together in all religious matters. They concluded an
alliance with Francis I, King of France, and from Henry VIII
of England they received moral support and some material
assistance.

Charles was not yet ready to proceed to extremities. In 1531
terms of pacification were agreed upon, and the Emperor
received earnest support from Protestant Germany in his
preparations against the Turks, who after all withdrew
without a battle. During the next few years there was no
open hostility between the two religious parties, but all
attempts at reconciliation failed. In 1538 the Catholic
princes formed a counter-league, called the Holy League, and