Luther and His Century (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ... whilst the Catholic Church did everything to encourage learning, Protestantism, pure and simple, destroyed it, and that not even in our days are such opportunities offered to the poorer classes as were offered in those days. Again, whilst learning at the Universities in the middle ages was Catholic and international, now it is local and national, and if learning in our days is in any way succesful, it cannot be attributed to the Reformation, but rather to the new impulse given to art and learning since the people of Europe awoke to the follies of the unbelieving philosophy of the last century, and the bloodthirsty French revolution. V. Great Material Prosperity Of The Working Classes During The Xvth Century.--Their Consequent Luxury Creates Discontent Among The Knights.--Discontent Among Peasants Because The Princes Attempt To Enslave The Hitherto Free Man.--RevoluTIONS Follow.--The Reformation Throws INTO THEM A SOCIALISTIC ELEMENT, --AND IT ENDS IN THE TRIUMPH OF THE PRINCES. The great faith of the masses, the everstreaming torrent of charity, the development of trade, and the wealthy monasteries, had brought about a degree of prosperity and of culture never before attained. The fifteenth century has not yet been surpassed for its high culture. Suffice it to adduce a few facts: Most of the fine Gothic churches were either built entirely or finished during that century. Where people are now satisfied with a dismallooking meeting-house, then they required masterpieces of art. And then the inside of those churches, the magnificently carved altars and stalls, the beautiful monuments in iron and brass in the highest degree of perfection ever attained in metal work, the stained-glass windows, up to now inimitable, the paintings emanating from the great schools ..