The aim of the learned author has not been to furnish the history of the Reformation, dealing mainly with names and dates, such as would be appropriate to a manual of church history, but rather to exhibit the secret motives and springs of action which impelled the friends and foes of the evangelic movement at its most critical period. For the decades over which A Lasco's reforming activity extends mark the time of transition from the days of youthful conquest on the part of the Reformation to those sad years of divisions and declension which followed. Some of the matters recorded in this volume have only an historic interest for us in the present day. Many differences that stirred the hearts of men in those days are now happily consigned to oblivion among evangelical Christians. Many other questions, however, which were then raised are still urgently pressing for solution, and foremost among these that as to the blending of the greatest amount of Christian freedom with a spiritual discipline in accordance with the Word of God. On this subject in particular the example of A Lasco has still much to teach. - Translator's preface.