<P> Using the German vernacular they expressed the Apostles' Creed in simpler, more personal, Trinitarian language . Illustrations in the German Bible and in many tracts popularised Luther's ideas . Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472--1553), the great painter patronised by the electors of Wittenberg, was a close friend of Luther, and he illustrated Luther's theology for a popular audience . He dramatised Luther's views on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, while remaining mindful of Luther's careful distinctions about proper and improper uses of visual imagery . </P> <P> The following supply - side factors have been identified as causes of the Reformation: </P> <Ul> <Li> The presence of a printing press in a city by 1500 made Protestant adoption by 1600 far more likely . </Li> <Li> Protestant literature was produced at greater levels in cities where media markets were more competitive, making these cities more likely to adopt Protestantism . </Li> <Li> Ottoman incursions decreased conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, helping the Reformation take root . </Li> <Li> Greater political autonomy increased the likelihood that Protestantism would be adopted . </Li> <Li> Where Protestant reformers enjoyed princely patronage, they were much more likely to succeed . </Li> <Li> Proximity to neighbors who adopted Protestantism increased the likelihood of adopting Protestantism . </Li> <Li> Cities that had higher numbers of students enrolled in heterodox universities and lower numbers enrolled in orthodox universities were more likely to adopt Protestantism . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The presence of a printing press in a city by 1500 made Protestant adoption by 1600 far more likely . </Li>

The protestant reformation mainly protested the practice of