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UtiMi yras which was permitted by the act. Stirpe sajs this prohibition was occasioned by the conusts and clamurous disputes of the people with each other; but a much more probable and powerful cause is assigned by archbishop New- come, who attributes it to the increasing strength of the Rsmish partr, and the abatement of the Idis's warmth for the reformation. — Lems. ■ One of the most eminent scholars of his time WIS sir Thomas Elyot, author of several small treatises, hut his principal work is entitled the Gmmor, which, says Strype, was designed to (Ktiuct men, especially great men, in good mo- rals, and to reprove their vices. Henry VIII. employed him in several embassies, and also read and much liked sir Thomas Elyot's treatises, and was particularly pleased with his endeavours to improve and ennch the English lang^uage. It was observed by his m^esty uiat throughout the book there was no new term made by him of 1 Latin or French word, and that no sentence was hereby rendered dark or hard to be under- stood. Sir Thomas also translated several Greek works, and published Dietionarium Latino Angl. which was the first Latin and Engliih Dictionary in this country. Sir Thomas Elyot died March 26, 1646. ^
1546. The following singular note was made ^ a poor shepherd, in a square leaf of Polydorc Virgifs works on the Invention of Tkingi, printed by Richard Grafton, 1646: "At Ox- (oide the yere 1546, browt down to Seynbury by John Darbye, price 14rf. When I kepe Mr. Utymer's shype I bout thy* boke when the tesUment was obberagatyn that shepherdys might not red hit, I prey God amende that bijmdness. Wryt by Robert Wyllyams kep- pyng shepe uppon Seynbury hill, 1646."
1546, FeJ. 18. Dierf, Martin Luther. There >) probably no period more interesting, or impor- lant, in history, than that which is comprised in Ae biomaphy of this celebrated man. The exac- tions of the Roman pontiffs, the lax discipline of the Popish clergy, the distresses of the people, Md that spirit of scriptural and general investi- guion which the revival of learning and the in- rentionof the art of printing baa created and confirmed, all tended to aid t£e prog^ress of that "Uportant religious reformation.
He was born at Isleben, in Saxony, on November 10th, 1483, of humble and obscure ascent, and he distinguished himself at a very wly period by his energy and abilities. He studied first at Magdeburg, from whence he was wmofed to Evsenach, a city of Thuringia, where Be remained four years, and entered in 1601 , the Uniieisity of Erfurt, going through the usual Worses of logic and philosophy.
At the age of twenty, he took his master's JfSree, and, in compliance with the wishes of {> parents, commenced the study of the civil ■*'• His mind, very much alive to serious sentiments, was, however, considerably affected "I'd influenced by the death of a companion by Wsside, in a violent thunder-storm; and this, '"gether with his naturally ardent and enthusi-
astic temper, induced him to retire into a con- vent of Augustinian friais; nor could the entreaties of his friends divert him from a course, which he thought his duty to his Creator com- pelled him to adopt. Here he soon acquired great reputation for his learning, and having also found a copy of the Bible in the library of his monastery, lie gave up all other pursuits for its constant study.
The great progress which lie made, and the name for sanctity and erudition which he bad acquired, induced Frederic, elector of Saxony, to appoint him professor of philosophy and thenlog}', in the university he had just founded at Wittemberg on the Elbe. In this manner he was employed, when the sale of popish indul- gences was published in 1617.
Pope Leo X., impoverished by his extrava- gance, had recourse to this method of raising money, to continue the building of St. Peter's at Rome, which had been commenced by Julius II. Albert, elector of Metz, and archbishop of Magdeburg, was commissioned to effect their sale in Germany; and he employed for this pur- pose John Tetzel, a Dominican friar of disso- lute habits, who boasted he had power to sell pardons, " not only for tint pott, but for tins to come." The warm and impetuous temper of Luther, excited by the circumstance, did not suffer him to continue a silent spectator of this delusion. From the church of Wittemberg he denounced it; examined the arguments on which it rested, and pointed out the danger of relying for salvation upon any other means than those appointed in the revealed word of the Almighty. He was immediately opposed in these opinions by Tetzel Eckius, a celebrated divine of Augs- burg, and Prierias, a Dominican friar.*
The tardy attention of Leo X. was now attracted to the dispute; he cited Luther to ap- pear at Rome, but finally granted his request to be heard in his defence, against the accusation of heresy, before cardinal Cajetan, at Augsburg, in October, 1620. The result may be imagined. Men rarely admit the wisdom of an inferior, or the truth of tenets opposed to selfish interest. Cajetan debated but to condemn, and desired Luther to retract, the errors he had preached. Assured of the elector's protection, and confi- dent in his cause, Luther immediately refused ; nor could the remonstrance of Cajetan, nor the subsequent present of the "Comecraten Rou"
- Lather, an Aagusttne monk, exclaimed against the
Romish church, because the exclusive privilege of selling tndnigencea was not conlhied to his order. Had the Do. minicans enjoyed no share of this spiritnal license to swindle, *tia more than probable that the reformation of religion would not have taken place so soon.— Ztminer. man.
"Who is Luther!" said Margaret, governess of the Netherlands. The courtiers around her replied, " He Is an Hiiterate monk." Is he so ?" said she, " I am glad to hear it ; then do you, gentlemen, who are not iulte. rate, who are both learned and numerous, do you, f charge you, write against this ittUeraie monk. This Is aU you have to do. The business Is easy ) for the world wiU surely pay more regard to a great many scholars, and great men, as you are, than to one poor illiterate monk." Dr. Knox.
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