Reformation & Counter Reformation
Reformation & Counter Reformation
In the early 16th century, there was a climate of unrest and an impulse for reform in Europe. Martin Luther (1483-1546) entered the scene in 1517, with his Ninety-Five Theses. A public debate over doctrine, worship, and scripture ensued. Between 1520 and 1525, a pamphlet war between Luther and his adversaries made Luther famous and prompted him to translate the Bible into German. Luther preached that salvation was a free gift of grace through faith. The use of the vernacular aligned with his belief in a priesthood of all believers; ordinary people could read scripture, without the mediation of the clergy.
The printing press and the Reformation fueled one another. Print helped to spread the ideas of Luther and other reformers. In turn, the Reformation fueled the printing industry. The pamphlet war led to a tenfold increase in printing in Germany and the use of the vernacular vastly increased the market for books.
The Reformation prompted a Counter Reformation, as Catholics sought to oppose the reformers. The Council of Trent (1545-63) reacted to Protestant teachings and sought to reform the church. New printed materials proliferated after the Council of Trent, redefining orthodoxy. On display are two significant works from the Reformation and two from the Counter Reformation.
On the Freedom of a Christian
Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. Von der Freyheyt eynes Christen Menschen. Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter d.J., 1520.
One of Luther’s three major tracts, printed in 1520. In this tract, Luther argues that a Christian does not need to follow God’s law to be saved but does so freely and willingly. The title page is decorated with a woodcut border, characteristic of Luther’s printed works.
Institutes of the Christian Religion
Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564. Institutio christianae r[eli]gionis, in libros quat[vor] nunc primùm digesta, certísque [di]stincta capitibus, ad aptissimam [me]thodum: aucta etiam tam magna [ac]cessione vt propemodum opus [no]uum haberi possit. Genevae: Excudebat A. Rebulius, 1561.
One of the most influential texts of the Reformation. This copy is signed by John Strachan, first Bishop of Toronto and founder of the University of Toronto and Trinity College.
Vulgate Bible
Biblia sacra Vulgatae editionis Sixti Quinti Pont. Max. iussu recognita atque edita.
Romæ: Ex Typographia Apostolica Vaticana, 1593.
The Council of Trent affirmed the Latin Vulgate as the only authentic version of the Bible. On display is a quarto edition of the Clementine Bible, promulgated by Pope Clement VIII.
Plantin Polyglot
Novvm Testamentvm graecem : cum vulgata interpretatione latina graeci contextus lineis inserta : quae quidem interpretatio cùm à graecarum dictionum proprietate discedit, sensum, videlicet, magis quàm verba exprimens, in margine libri est collocate. Antverpiae: Excudebat Christophorus Platinus ..., 1572.
The Plantin Polyglot was printed by Christopher Plantin (1514-89) in Antwerp, a center of Catholic publishing under Spanish rule. Plantin printed the Polyglot Bible for King Philip II of Spain. The Bible includes parallel texts in Latin, Greek, Syriac, Hebrew, and Aramaic.
Donated by Rev. Canon Henry Scadding.