[See page image]

Page 282

and Summa den gctnxen Eroangeliuma, dates from 1525. In 1528, when, previously to the Diet of Speyer, the bishops took measures against the Evangelical preachers, the bishop of Metz desired to call Schwebel to account. And although Jacob Schorr, an influential counselor of Duke Ludwig's, in a repeatedly printed Radschlag fiber den Lutherischeu hdndel auf Speyerischen Reychstng, had as early as 1524 made spirited defense of the "invincibly authenticated" doctrine of Luther, Ludwig still entertained serious scruples, and Schwebel, for a time, discontinued the communion under both species. Through Ludwig's marriage with the Evangelical Elizabeth of Hesse (Sept., 1528), the friends of reform obtained powerful support, yet Ludwig did not aide openly with the Evangelical cause. He did not refuse his protection to Evangelical preachers who were assailed by their bishop, and he also drew men of Evangelical sentiments into his circle; but, on the other hand, he left priests undisturbed who discharged their office in the traditional manner. When Ludwig died on Dec. 3, 1532, aged only thirty years, Ludwig's brother, Palsgrave Ruprecht,together with the widowed mother, assumed the regency in the name of his only son, Wolfgang, six years of age.

Ruprecht was originally destined to the spiritual career, and had early become a canon in Mainz and Strasburg. He was a zealous friend of the Reformation, and evinced full confidence in

Ruprecht's ming the regency, he summoned SchweRegency. bel to prepare a liturgy, which as early as Jan., 1533 (not 1529), obtained the regent's approbation, and was printed at Strasburg under the title: Form and Mass, uric es von den Predigern des Furstenthums Zweibruck in nachfolgenden MBngeln soil gehalten werden.. This liturgy treats in twelve articles of the life and official conduct of the clergy, the solemn observance of Sundays and festivals, week-day sermons, baptisms, communion and confession, visitation of the sick, burial, catechetical sermons, and prayer. The volume was sent to the clergy with the remark that whoever could not adhere to the same in good conscience should communicate his opinion to the ducal chancery. On May 5, 1533, when Pastor Meissen_ heimer of Zweibr(icken resigned his office, Schwebel became his successor, and soon gained controlling influence upon the church administration. The liturgy was now gradually introduced throughout the principality. Ruprecht paid no heed to protests lodged against the same, on July 23, 1533, by Vicargeneral Tettenleben of Mainz, by Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz, in Nov., 1533, and again early in 1534, and by the bishop of Speyer. Schwebel, in a statement rendered by Ruprecht's direction, declared it a duty of the civil authority to proceed against the scandalous living of the Roman Catholic clergy, concerning which everybody made complaint. The bishops tolerated that scandal, yet sought to punish something instituted by Christ himself. Though even Schorr counseled prudence, Schwebel influenced Ruprecht,early in 1535, to command all priests and monks who lived in concubinage to marry before Easter under penalty of ea-

ulaion. And though the bishop of Metz, Apr. 9, 535, lodged complaint, and urgently entreated to "leave the priests in their ancient and customary manner of life according to the precepts of the Church," only reporting those who lived unseemly for chastisement, Ruprecht consistently enforced his mandate. With the reforms that Ruprecht devised, the great majority of the population stood thoroughly in harmony. The assertion of N. Paulus (Historisch-politische Blither, cuff. 805), to the intent that their introduction was coercive and had been wrought contrary to the will of the people, has no support in the records. In 1533 $chwebel gained a like-minded fellow-laborer in his friend Kaepar Glaser, who was adopted as such by reason of his mediating position as the young Palagrave Wolfgang's teacher. A second very able compatriot, Michael Zimmermann (Hilsbach), assisted him from the close of 1532 at first as schoolmaster and later as pastoral colleague.

Schwebel's theological position was of a moderate tone: With Ruprecht's consent, he subscribed the

Augsburg Confession and Apology. Completion Of the Lord's Supper it is stated in of Reform the liturgy prepared by Schwebel, Measures that, waiving subtle questions, one

should net faithfully before Christians what the Evangelists write of the Lord's Supper, to the end that they may in faith receive what Christ offers them when he says, "Take, eat; this is my body"; and "Drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in my blood." Schwebel followed with interest the proceedings that led to the W ittenberg Concord, subscribed the same himself, and invited the remaining preachers of the duchy to subscribe. On occasion of a church visitation undertaken in the Lichtenberg jurisdiction, in 1538, a great diversity manifested itself both in doctrine and in practises. One priest continued to administer his office, quite to the displeasure of his congregation, in Roman Catholic fashion. Doubtless this helped to induce the most eminent of the duchy's clergy to convene in a kind of synod. The resolutions which, on May 21, 1539, this body submitted for approval aimed at a greater unity in doctrine, proposed the appointment of churchwardens to administer the church properties and Christian discipline. In the town of Zweibrucken, at the beginning of 1540, this "Church Discipline" was adopted. On occasion of a church visitation not long afterward in the jurisdiction of Yeldenz this "Iliacipline" was introduced there as well. For sixteen years Schwebel labored in Zweibr(lcken. His death was probably caused by the pestilence. By that time the Reformation was diffused throughout the duchy. Glaser, his successor, continued the work in like spirit. Under the rule of Palsgrave Wolfgang, the process was completed through the introduction of the excellent liturgy of 1557.

JULIUa NEy.

Bisi,coaasr8:: The " Works " of 8chwebel were collected and issued by his eon in three parts. 4 vole., Zweibrtlcken, 1597-98. though the work was badly done, but the charge

is not proved that they were distorted in the Reformed interest. To the second part (the letters) a biography was prefixed which has been the one source of all later sketches. Additional letters were published by J. Schneider in Zcit-