Ecolampadius-Reformation at Basle [pp. 218-236]

(Ecolampadius.
similar to that of other cities within the old German empire.
The popular element, however, early became influential; at one
period it was the main-stay of the hierarchy, as at a later it
was the main cause of its overthrow. The struggle between
the commons on the one hand, and the nobility, with the dignified clergy on the other, was prolonged during the whole of the
fifteenth century. The popular cause was strengthened by the
entrance of Basle into the Swiss Confederation in 1501; the
citizens thereby gained important civil rights, while the power
of the bishop was considerably circumscribed. In 1524, the
municipal council, whose members had been until then appointed
by the bishop, was constituted on a popular basis, and at the
same time, acquired the various prerogatives previously divided
between the emperor, the nobility, and the bishop. The Christian will not fail to recognize in these political changes, the
Divine hand preparing Basle to become a nursing mother of
the Reformation cause during the days of its feeble infancy.
Whether these newly gained franchises would have essentially
bettered the condition of the Balois, in the long run, if the
Reformation had not so soon followed, is somewhat qiestionable;
but there can be no doubt, that as the revolution in the state
opened the way for reforms in the church, so reform, in turn,
gave permanence to the benefits resulting from the revolution.
Dr. Herzog discusses at considerable length the moral and
social, as well as the political condition of Basle, prior to the
Reformation. With some peculiar traits of character derived
from the position of their city, from the nature of their institutions, and the military habits of the Swiss, the Balois exhibited
in the main, the same moral and social features observable in
the population of other French and German cities. They had
a good deal of commercial enterprise; they were noted for their
persevering activity, public spirit, love of liberty, and reverence
for law. Eneas Silvius, (afterwards known as Pope Pius II.)
who resided for some time at Basle, has left quite a lively
picture of the manners of the period. He describes the little
wooden chapels, where the women paid their devotions, after
disrobing themselves to a degree that would now be deemed
rather scandalous; and the pastimes, in which the men indulged
of a pleasant afternoon, beneath the shade of their spreading
220
[APRIL