Bainton presents the many strands that made up the Reformation in a single, brilliantly coherent account. He discusses the background for Luther's irreparable breach with the Church and its ramifications for 16th Century Europe, giving thorough accounts of the Diet of Worms, the institution of the Holy Commonwealth of Geneva, Henry VIII's break with Rome, and William the Silent's struggle for Dutch independence.

"History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century," by J. H. Merle d'Aubigné revolves around the plot of the Protestant Reformation, which began in the early 16th century as a response to the corruption and abuses of the Roman Catholic Church. This History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century Vol 4 covers the period from the Peace of Augsburg in 1555 to the end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648. D'Aubigné provides a comprehensive overview of the major figures, events, and ideas that shaped the Protestant movement during this time, including the rise of Calvinism, the formation of the Church of England, and the spread of Protestantism throughout Europe and beyond. He also delves into the political and social aspects of the Reformation, including the role of monarchs and the impact of the movement on everyday life. The book remains a classic work of Reformation history and a valuable resource for scholars and students of the period.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1838.