8. The Character of Luther.--Seckendorf * * * defies all the adversaries of Luther to fix any just censure on his character except what may be ranked under two heads, viz., a disposition to anger, and an indulgence in jesting. Beyond all doubt the Saxon reformer was of a choleric temper, and he too often gave way to this constitutional evil, as he himself laments. Neither is it to be denied that he also too much encouraged his natural propensity to facetiousness. The monks of his time were in general guilty of the like fault, and often to so great a degree as very improperly to mix scurrilities with sacred subjects. Moreover, the vices and follies of those whom Luther opposed, afforded a strong temptation both to the spirit of anger and of ridicule. For however severe he may be thought in many of his invectives, we are compelled by unquestionable evidence to confess that his keenest satirical pieces never reached the demerits of those who ruled the church in that age. But after all that can be said in mitigation, it must be owned that a reformer ought to have considered not so much what they deserved {227} as what became the character he had to support; viz., that of a serious Christian, zealous for the honor of his God, displeased with the vices of his clerical brethren, and grieved on account of the pitiable ignorance of the people, yet more desirous of curing the prevailing evils than of exposing them.--Milner. 9. The Pestilence and the Council of Trent.--The report of a pestilence was a mere pretense. The Pope Paul III was equally zealous of the council which had not been disposed in all respects to govern itself by his prescription, and of the governing power of the emperor, which he did not wish to see farther increased by the council. He indeed hated the Protestants, but he did not wish to see the emperor, under color of enforcing the decrees of the council, acquire a more absolute authority over Germany. He had already withdrawn his troops from the imperial army; and he now wished to see the council dispersed. The Spanish members opposed him; but he found means to prevail.--Schlegel. REVIEW. 1. What centuries may be considered as the age of moral and spiritual darkness? 2. What power was supreme in those ages? 3. Give an instance illustrating the pride and insolence of the popes. (Note 1.) 4. What was Henry IV's offense? 5. From what period do historians date the "revival of learning?" 6. What several inventions and circumstances contributed to the intellectual awakening of Europe? 7. What effect did the fall of the eastern division of the Roman empire have on the west? 8. What was the influence of ancient literature on the west? (Note 2.) 9. What circumstances led to the enlargement of the liberty of the masses? 10. Describe land tenure under the feudal system. 11. What were the Crusades? 12. Who aroused the nations of western Europe to undertake the Crusades?