The Scandinavian Reformation followed closely in the path of the Lutheran Reformation
of Germany, and extends, likewise, to the Thirty Years’ War, in which Gustavus Adolphus, of
Sweden, took a leading part as defender of Protestantism. The Reformation triumphed in Sweden
in 1527, in Denmark and Norway in 1537.
The Swiss Reformation was begun by Zwingli and completed by Calvin, and is accordingly
divided into two acts: 1. The Reformation of German Switzerland to the death of Zwingli, 1517 to
- The Reformation of French Switzerland to the death of Calvin, 1564, or we may say, to
the death of Beza, 1605.
The introduction of the Reformed church into Germany, especially the Palatinate, falls
within the second period.
In the stormy history of French Protestantism, the years 1559, 1598 and 1685, mark as many
epochs. In 1559, the first national synod was held in Paris and gave the Reformed congregations a
compact organization by the adoption of the Gallican Confession and the Presbyterian form of
government. In 1598, the Reformed church secured a legal existence and a limited measure of
freedom by the edict of Nantes, which King Henry IV. gave to his former fellow-religionists. But
his bigoted grandson, Louis XIV., revoked the edict in 1685. Since that time the French Reformed
church continued like a burning bush in the desert; while thousands of her sons reluctantly left their
native land, and contributed, by their skill, industry and piety, to the prosperity of Switzerland,
Holland, Germany, England, and North America.
The Reformation in Holland includes the heroic war of emancipation from the Spanish yoke
and passed through the bloody bath of martyrdom, until after unspeakable sufferings under Charles
V. and Philip II., the Utrecht Union of the seven Northern Provinces (formed in 1579), was
reluctantly acknowledged by Spain in 1609. Then followed the internal theological war between
Arminianism and Calvinism, which ended in the victory of the latter at the National Synod of Dort,
- The Reformation of French Switzerland to the death of Calvin, 1564, or we may say, to
The progressive stages of the English Reformation, which followed a course of its own,
were influenced by the changing policy of the rulers, and are marked by the reigns of Henry VIII.,
1527–1547; of Edward VI., 1547–1553; the papal reaction and period of Protestant martyrdom
under Queen Mary, 1553–1558; the re-establishment of Protestantism under Queen Elizabeth,
1558–1603. Then began the second Reformation, which was carried on by the people against their
rulers. It was the struggle between Puritanism and the semi-popery of the Stuart dynasty. Puritanism
achieved a temporary triumph, deposed and executed Charles I. and Archbishop Laud; but Puritanism
as a national political power died with Cromwell, and in 1660 Episcopacy and the Prayer Book
were restored under Charles II., till another revolution under William and Mary in 1688 made an
end to the treacherous rule of the Stuarts and gave toleration to the Dissenters, who hereafter
organized themselves in separate denominations, and represent the left wing of English Protestantism.
The Reformation in Scotland, under the lead of John Knox (1505–1572), the Luther of the
North, completed its first act in 1567 with the legal recognition and establishment by the Scotch
Parliament. The second act was a struggle with the papal reaction under Queen Mary of Scots, till
- The third act may be called the period of anti-Prelacy and union with English Puritanism,
and ended in the final triumph of Presbyterianism in 1690. Since that time, the question of patronage
and the relation of church and state have been the chief topics of agitation and irritation in the
Church of Scotland and gave rise to a number of secessions; while the Westminster standards of
faith and discipline have not undergone any essential alteration.