The Early Life of Luther -- Luther's Early Religious Struggles -- The Ninety-Five Propositions -- Erasmus -- Melancthon -- Leo X. -- The Leipsic Disputation -- Principles of the Leipsic Disputation -- The Rights of Private Judgment -- Luther's Elements of Greatness -- Excommunication of Luther -- The Diet of Worms -- Imprisonment at Wartburg -- Carlstadt -- Thomas Muenzer Ulric -- Zwingle -- Controversy between Luther and Zwingle -- Diet of Augsburg -- League of Smalcalde -- Death and Character of Luther. CHAPTER III. THE EMPEROR CHARLES V. (pp. 30-44.) Charles V. -- Spain and France in the Fifteenth Century -- Wars between Charles and Francis. -- Diet of Spires -- Hostilities between Charles and Francis -- African War -- Council of Trent -- Treachery of Maurice -- Captivity of the Landgrave of Hesse -- Heroism of Maurice -- Misfortunes of Charles -- Treaty of Passau -- Character of Charles. CHAPTER IV. HENRY VIII. (pp. 45-59.) Rise of Absolute Monarchy -- Henry VIII. -- Rise of Cardinal Wolsey -- Magnificence of Henry VIII. -- Anne Boleyn -- Queen Catharine -- Disgrace and Death of Wolsey -- More -- Cranmer -- Cromwell -- Quarrel with the Pope -- Suppression of Monasteries -- Execution of Anne Boleyn -- Anne of Cleves -- Catharine Howard -- Last Days of Henry -- Death of Henry. CHAPTER V. EDWARD VI. AND MARY. (pp. 60-68.) War with Scotland -- Rebellions and Discontents -- Rivalry of the great Nobles -- Religious Reforms -- Execution of Northumberland -- Marriage of the Queen -- Religious Persecution -- Character of Mary -- Accession of Elizabeth. CHAPTER VI. ELIZABETH. (pp. 69-81.) Mary, Queen of Scots -- John Knox -- Marriage of Mary -- Darnley -- Bothwell -- Civil War in Scotland -- Captivity of Queen Mary -- Execution of Mary -- Military Preparations of Philip II. -- Spanish Armada -- Irish Rebellion -- The Earl of Essex -- Character of Elizabeth -- Improvements made in the Reign of Elizabeth -- Reflections. CHAPTER VII. FRANCIS II., CHARLES IX., HENRY III., AND HENRY IV. (pp. 82-90.) Catharine de Medicis -- Civil War in France -- Massacre of St. Bartholomew -- Henry III. -- Henry IV. -- Edict of Nantes -- Improvements during the Reign of Henry IV. -- Peace Scheme of Henry IV. -- Death of Henry IV. -- France at the Death of Henry IV. CHAPTER VIII. PHILIP II. AND THE AUSTRIAN PRINCES OF SPAIN. (pp. 91-96.) Bigotry of Philip II. -- Revolt of the Netherlands -- Revolt of the Moriscoes -- Causes of the Decline of the Spanish Monarchy -- The Increase of Gold and Silver -- Decline of the Spanish Monarchy. CHAPTER IX. THE JESUITS, AND THE PAPAL POWER IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. (pp. 97-107.)