VII. Counter Reformation Regains Lost Ground for Church

By the middle of the sixteenth century the Protestant Reformation had taken firm root in all countries north of the Alps, with the exception of France and the Netherlands. Thus Europe, for the most part, seemed lost to the Holy See. ^{73Kidd, The Counter-Reformation, pp. 9, 10.} (tm) But the Catholic Counter Reformation began, with a program of reform in the Roman church, along with the formation of new religious orders. The church set about recovering the lands from which it had been driven. Its two chief instruments were the Jesuits and the Inquisition, and a third was the Council of Trent. ^{74Ibid., p. 10. See chaps. 3 and 5 on the Roman Inquisition and on the Jesuits, and chap. 4 on the Council of Trent.}PFF2 526.1

1. PROTESTANTISM DIVIDED INTO OPPOSING GROUPS

The dissensions among the Reformers, between 1555 and 1580, led to the crystallization of three groups-Protestants, Reformed, and anti Trinitarians; or Lutherans, Calvinists, and Socinians. ^{75Ibid., p. 189.} So, while the forces of the Catholic Revival, or Counter Reformation, were gathering strength, Protestantism was losing vitality through its internal dissensions. The primary principle of Protestantism is the right of every Christian not only to have direct access to the Scriptures, but to interpret them for himself. This inevitably invited variance. The extravagances of radicals led the leaders to fall back on the right of sovereigns to direct the religion of their own territories.PFF2 526.2

The theologians did their part by producing authoritative statements of belief, as the Confession of Augsburg, in behalf of the Lutherans at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, the Fidei Ratio of Zwingli, and the Confessio Tetrapolitana of the mediating cities. Meant at first as apologies, these documents became symbolical formularies. Each state decided upon its own religion, and each set of opinions became fixed. ^{76Ibid., pp. 189 ff.} Each of the three divisions of Protestantism had its own habitation, name, and following. All had some degree of organization and crystallized into three systems, incompatible with one another. Lutherans and Calvinists began to persecute each other. Thus the Jesuits were able to win back Poland. ^{77Ibid., pp. 195. 196.} Religious wars developed in the Netherlands and France, and a concerted Catholic reaction followed. ^{78Ibid., chap. 10.}PFF2 526.3

2. HALF OF EUROPE REGAINED FOR PAPACY

Thus the re action spread, with varying results, over Britain, the Baltic lands, Switzerland, and Savoy. ^{79Ibid., chap. 11.} The Catholic Church held her own and resisted all opposition in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. In France the Wars of Religion ended in a compromise, with France largely Catholic. In the Netherlands the success of the reaction was but partial. In England it failed. Scotland remained Calvinist, and Ireland overwhelmingly Catholic. In Sweden the reaction failed. The Catholic revival penetrated Germany, and this cradle of the Reformation lost more to the reaction than any other nation. ^{80Ibid., pp. 233, 234.} The emperor was head of the state, and in theory, the successor of the Roman emperors and of Charlemagne, was lay head of Western Christendom and patron and protector of the Roman church. But the imperial dignity was only in name. Actually he was only a king and overlord. The great vassal dukes were virtually independent.PFF2 527.1

In this way the marked early advances of the Reformation were checked. In Belgium, Catholicism won, as well as in various parts of the Lower Rhine. Bavaria became thoroughly Catholic, and in Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia, Protestantism became virtually extinct. The Protestant doctrines were repressed with an energy equal to that with which they had first been advanced. And the chief factor in it all was the Jesuits. ^{81Ibid., pp. 241-259.} Thus half of Europe was secured for the Roman Catholic Church, and Protestantism split into two groups, Protestant and Reformed. ^{82The terms Protestant and Reformed are here used in their historical sense: Protestant to mean “Lutheran,” and Reformed to mean “Calvinist.”} The gains were largely on the side of the Roman Catholic Church, which had been effectually renovated and reorganized for battle at the Council of Trent. ^{83Ibid., p. 262.}PFF2 527.2

Picture 3: REFORMATION ERA LEADING POSITIONS OF PRINCIPAL EXPOSITORS OF DANIEL
(For Revelation, See Next Opening)
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