History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 2: Free Audiobook and Listening Guide

History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 2, credited to Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigné, is available as a LibriVox volunteer audiobook. This guide identifies the recording, its source summary and its audio tracks.

About the work

The LibriVox catalogue summary, preserved with the recording, reads:

LibriVox recording of History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 2 by Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigné. (Translated by Henry Beveridge.) Read in English by Christopher Smith. The History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, by Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigné, is a classic work on the great events that re-opened the Christian gospel to a needy world. The author was a Swiss Protestant pastor. He was also a historian with a great understanding of the Bible, along with a broad and deep knowledge of the Reformation. D’Aubigné tells the story of outstanding people who had a love for God and his word, and who dared to present biblical truths which had been obscured for centuries. The book has helped and encouraged Christians through difficult times, and given them an understanding of the background from which our freedom in the faith has come. This great work is made up of five volumes. The first volume covered the early days, including the call of Martin Luther – first, from Erfurt University with the prospect of becoming a well-paid lawyer, to become a poor monk. And then, from an obscure monastery, his call to centre stage in world history. One day, while studying in the university library, he had taken down from the shelf a volume that caught his interest. It was a Bible! He was astonished to find in this volume so much more than the fragments of gospels and epistles that were selected for public reading in churches. And it was this discovery, in a dusty university library, of a complete copy of the inspired book from which those readings came, that changed the course of history. Luther’s story continues in Volume 2, in which we are also introduced to the Swiss reformer, Zwingli. Volume 2 comprises four books which are: Book 5 – The Discussion of Leipsic, 1519; Book 6 – The Bull of Rome, 1520; Book 7 – The Diet of Worms, 1521 (January - May); Book 8 – The Swiss (1484-1522).Summary by Christopher Smith.

Recording facts

• Recording title: History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 2
• Author credits: Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigné
• Language: English
• Original MP3 tracks: 45
• Listed recording duration: 14:47:52

Catalogue topics

• German
• history
• religion
• bible
• Catholic
• Protestant
• christian
• Luther

Opening tracks: first 24 of 45

1. 01 - Book 5: Discussion of Leipsic, 1519: Chapter 1: Luther’s Dangers—God saves Luther—The Pope sends a Chamberlain—The Legate’s Journey—Briefs of Rome—Circumstances favourable to the Reformation—Miltitz with Spalatin—Tezel’s Terror—Caresses of Miltitz—A Recantation demanded—Luther refuses, but offers to be silent—Agreement between Luther and the Nuncio—The Legate’s Embrace—Tezel overwhelmed by the Legate—Luther to the Pope—Nature of the Reformation—Luther against Separation—De Vio and Miltitz at Trèves—Luther’s cause extends in different countries—Luther’s writings the commencement of the Reformation. — 35:20
2. 02 - Book 5: Chapter 2: The War seems ended in Germany—Eck Revives the Contest—Debate between Eck and Carlstadt—The Question of the Pope—Luther Replies—Alarm of Luther’s Friends—Luther’s courage—Truth triumphs single-handed—Refusal of Duke George—Delight of Mosellanus and Fears of Erasmus — 19:06
3. 03 - Book 5: Chapter 3: Arrival of Eck and the Wittembergers—Amsdorf—The Students—Carlstadt’s accident—Placard—Eck and Luther—Pleissenburg—Shall Judges be appointed?—Luther objects — 11:50
4. 04 - Book 5: Chapter 4: The Procession—Mass—Mosellanus—Veni, Sancte Spiritus!—Portraits of Luther and Carlstadt—Doctor Eck—Carlstadt’s Books—Merit of Congruity—Natural Powers—Scholastic distinction—Point where Rome and the Reformation separate—Grace gives man freedom—Carlstadt’s Note-Book—Commotion in the auditory—Melancthon during the debate—Manœuvres of Eck—Luther Preaches—The Citizens of Leipsic—Quarrels of Students and quarrels of Teachers — 25:53
5. 05 - Book 5: Chapter 5: Hierarchy and Rationalism—Two Peasants’ Sons—Eck and Luther begin—The head of the Church—The primacy of Rome—Equality of Bishops—Peter the Foundation—Christ the Foundation—Eck insinuates that Luther is a Hussite—Luther on the doctrine of Huss—Agitation in the audience—Pleasantry of Dr. Eck—The Word alone—The Court Fool—Luther at Mass—Saying of the Duke—Purgatory—Close of the Discussion — 25:22
6. 06 - Book 5: Chapter 6: Interest felt by the Laity—Luther’s Opinion—Admissions and Boastings of Dr. Eck—Effects of the Discussion—Poliander—Cellarius—The Young Prince of Anhalt—The Students of Leipsic—Cruciger—Calling of Melancthon—Emancipation of Luther — 16:23
7. 07 - Book 5: Chapter 7: Eck attacks Melancthon—Melancthon’s defence—Interpretation of Scripture—Luther’s firmness—The Bohemian Brethren—Emser—Staupitz — 7:58
8. 08 - Book 5: Chapter 8: Epistle to the Galatians—Christ for us—Blindness of Luther’s Adversaries—First Ideas on the Supper—Is the Sacrament Sufficient without Faith?—Luther a Bohemian—Eck attacked—Eck sets out for Rome — 12:52
9. 09 - Book 6: The Bull of Rome, 1520: Chapter 1: Character of Maximilian—The Competitors for the Empire—Charles—Francis I—Inclination of the Germans—The Crown offered to Frederick—Charles is Elected — 11:13
10. 10 - Book 6: Chapter 2: Luther writes to the Emperor—Luther’s dangers—Instructions of Frederick to the court of Rome—Luther’s sentiments—Melancthon’s fears—The German nobles favourable to the Reformation—Schaumburg—Seckingen—Ulric de Hütten—Luther’s Confidence—Luther’s Greater Freedom—Faith the source of Works—What Faith gives—Luther judging his own writings — 18:31
11. 11 - Book 6: Chapter 3: The Papacy Attacked—Appeal to the Nobility—The Three Walls—All Christians are Priests—The Magistrate’s duty to Correct the Clergy—Abuses of Rome—Ruin of Italy—Dangers of Germany—The Pope—The Legates—The Monks—The Marriage of Priests—Celibacy—Festivals—The Bohemians—Charity—The Universities—The Empire—The Emperor must retake Rome—A Book not Published—Luther’s Modesty—Success of the Address — 28:22
12. 12 - Book 6: Chapter 4: Preparations at Rome—Motives to resist the Papacy—Eck at Rome—Eck gains the Day—The Pope is the World—God produces the Separation—A Swiss Priest pleads for Luther—The Roman Consistory—Preamble of the Bull—Condemnation of Luther — 18:12
13. 13 - Book 6: Chapter 5: Wittemberg—Melancthon—His Marriage—Catharine—Domestic Life—Beneficence—Good Humour—Christ and Antiquity—Labour—Love of Letters—His Mother—Outbreak among the Students — 11:45
14. 14 - Book 6: Chapter 6: The Gospel in Italy—Discourse on the Mass—The Babylonish Captivity of the Church—Baptism—Abolition of Vows—Progress of the Reformation — 10:22
15. 15 - Book 6: Chapter 7: New Negotiations—Miltitz and the Augustins of Eisleben—Deputation to Luther—Miltitz and the Elector—Conference at Lichtemberg—Luther’s Letter to the Pope—Book Presented to the Pope—Union of the Believer with Christ—Freedom and Bondage — 21:41
16. 16 - Book 6: Chapter 8: The Bull in Germany—Eck’s Reception—The Bull at Wittemberg—Interposition of Zuinglius — 11:15
17. 17 - Book 6: Chapter 9: Luther Examines himself in the presence of God—Luther’s opinion of the Bull—A neutral Family—Luther on the Bull, and against the Bull of Antichrist—The Pope prohibits Faith—Effects of the Bull—The faggot pile of Louvain — 16:08
18. 18 - Book 6: Chapter 10: Decisive steps by the Reformer—Luther’s Appeal to a General Council—Struggle at close quarters—The Bull burned by Luther—Meaning of this bold act—Luther in the Academic Chair—Luther against the Pope—New Work by Melancthon—How Luther encourages his Friends—Progress of the Contest—Melancthon’s Opinion of the timid—Luther’s Work on the Bible—Doctrine of Grace—Luther’s Recantation — 23:36
19. 19 - Book 6: Chapter 11: Coronation of Charles V.—The Nuncio Aleander—Will Luther’s Books be burnt?—Aleander and the Emperor—The Nuncios and the Elector—The Son of Duke John pleads for Luther—Luther’s calmness—The Elector protects Luther—Reply of the Nuncios—Erasmus at Cologne—Erasmus with the Elector—Declaration of Erasmus—Advice of Erasmus—System of Charles V — 24:40
20. 20 - Book 6: Chapter 12: Luther on Confession—True absolution—Antichrist—Rally around Luther—Satires—Ulrie von Hütten—Lucas Cranach—The Carnival at Wittemberg—Staupitz intimidated—Luther’s Labours—Luther’s Humility—Progress of the Reformation — 20:09
21. 21 - Book 7: The Diet of Worms, 1521 (January - May): Chapter 1: Conquests by the Word of God—The Diet of Worms—Difficulties—Charles demands Luther—The Elector to Charles—State of Men’s minds—Aleander’s Alarm—The Elector sets out without Luther—Aleander awakens Rome—Excommunication of the Pope, and Communion with Christ—Fulmination of the Bull—Luther’s motives in the Reformation — 22:10
22. 22 - Book 7: Chapter 2: A Foreign Prince—Advice of Politicians—Conference between the Confessor and the Elector’s Chancellor—Uselessness of these Manœuvres—Aleander’s activity—Luther’s Sayings—Charles gives in to the Pope — 17:50
23. 23 - Book 7: Chapter 3: Aleander admitted to the Diet—Aleander’s Address—Luther accused—Rome defended—Appeal to Charles against Luther—Effect of the Nuncio’s Address — 11:55
24. 24 - Book 7: Chapter 4: Sentiments of the Princes—Speech of Duke George—Character of the Reformation—A hundred and one grievances—Charles yields—Tactics of Aleander—The Grandees of Spain—Luther’s peace—Death and not Retractation — 17:08

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