Zweierlei Arznei gegen die Pest

Did the Reformation change how epidemics were dealt with? There are numerous sixteenth century sources, especially on the Plague, which prove that while early modern Protestantism retained late medieval traditions, it also set new accents. Andreas Stegmann shows that medical and political measures were combined with the all-important active ingredient of religious interpretation to come up with a double remedy to treat epidemical ill. Understanding such plagues as God's judgment on sin, repenting from it, and trusting in the promise of God's grace was plausible for people at that time and something which enabled them to act responsibly. The territory of Mark Brandenburg provides good examples of how Lutheranism helped administer this dual dose of medicine to meet the challenges that confronted communities and individuals struck by outbreaks of disease during almost every decade of the Reformation.