CHAPTER XVIII.

The Reformation and its Effects upon the Empire.

Accession of Charles V 319 His Attitude towards the Reformation 321 Issue of his Attempts at Coercion 322 Spirit and Essence of the Religious Movement 325 Its Influence on the Doctrine of the Visible Church 327 How far it promoted Civil and Religious Liberty 329 Its Effect upon the Mediæval Theory of the Empire 332 Upon the Position of the Emperor in Europe 333 Dissensions in Germany 334 The Thirty Years' War 335