in the seuententh and eyghtenth syttting of the Counsel of Basil But wheras Eugenius the fourth would not come to the Counsell at Basill although he were oftentimes warned and cited thither he pronounced the same to be frustrate and called an other at Farrare whither came Iohn Paleologe the last Emperour of Grece saue one and with him Iosippe the Patriarche of Constantinople and a numbre of Bishoppes in the yeare of our Lord M. CCCC.xxxvij And from Farrare they remoued to Florence where as by the consent of the Grekes it was decreed amonges other thinges that the church of Rome should haue the supremacie that the bishop of Rome was the successor of Peter the prince of thapostels the trew vicar of Christ the head of the whole church the father doctor of al christiās that to him was cōmitted by Christ the ful power to fede gouerne the church vniuersal This is the decree whereby Caietanus woulde preferre the Bishoppe of Rome before and aboue all generall Counsels For syxe yeares before whan he was yet no Cardinall but maister of the blacke Frieres he made an Oration in the seconde syttynge of the Counsell Laterane wherof we shall speake hereafter and inueiyng muche agaynste certeyne Cardinalles that had forsaken the Bishop of Rome he taunteth by the waie the Counselles of Costauntz and Basil for that the fathers at the same tune toke to them selues aucthoritie ouer the Byshoppes Wherefore saieth he it was wel done of Eugenius that he suppressed that factiō and suffered not his aucthoritie to be diminished This oration did Iulius the seconde in whose fauoure these thynges were spoken commaunde to be recorded And Caietane was made Cardinall by Leo the tenth Gerson of whom we spake was a Diuine of Paris right famouse and wrote diuers worckes he was presente at the Counsell of Constans and in bookes written he commendeth hyghely the decree whereby it is agreed that the Byshoppe of Rome should be subiecte to the Counsell And sayeth how the thing is worthie to be written in all Churches and publike places for a perpetuall memorye For he saieth they be pestilent Flatterers whiche brynge thys Tyrranny into the Churche as thoughe the Bishoppe of Rome ought neither to obey the Counsel nor be iudged by the same as though the Counsell should take all his force and aucthoritie of him as thoughe it coulde not be called but at his pleasure as though he were bounden to the obseruation of no lawes nor none accompt myght be taken of his doynges certeinly these monstruous sayinges muste be vtterly reiected which are against all lawes equitie and reason For all the aucthoritie of the Churche dependeth of the generall counsell and it is lawefull to appeale from the pope vnto it and those which inquire whether the Byshop of Rome or the Churche be greater make as wise a question as if they should aske whether the part be more or the whole for it aperteineth to the coūsel to constitute to iudge and to depose the Byshop of Rome as lately it was declared at Constaunce for where as some semed to doubte in the matter and attributed ouermuche to the Byshoppe this question was there determined before Iohn the three and twentith was deposed from his Seate These and many other thinges writeth Gerson to to the same effecte And therefore is he nowe reiected of Caietane He died in the yere of oure Lorde M. CCCC.xxix And the vniuersitie of Paris holdeth the same opiniō and includeth the vnmesurable vsurpation of the Romishe Byshoppes as it were wyth in these boundes and but a fewe monthes before that Luther wrote of Indulgences the same Uniuersite appealed from Leo the tenthe for abolyshyng of a law whych was very profitable for studentes in Fraunce and opened the waye to promotion After Luthers departure from Aspurge the Cardinall writeth letters to the Duke of Saxonie the fiue twentye daye of October signifiynge how Luther in dede came to Auspurge but spake not with him till he had obteined themperours safeconduit He marueileth greatlye that so little credit is geuen to him After much treaty aboute the matter he of a certaine fatherly loue admonished Luther to amende And albeit he waxed more stubberue yet did he deuise with Stupice and others a waye of reconcilemente And that in suche forte as neyther the Churche of Rome shoulde lose her dignitie nor he his estimation And wheras there was a good foundation of this thing already laid they went preuely away first Stupice and after Luther whiche chaunced muche contrary to his expectation Luther pretendeth that he treateth of these matters onlye by the waye of reasonynge and of disputation but in his sermons to the people he affirmeth all thynges whiche maye in no wise bee permitted for so muche as hys Doctrine bothe swarueth from the churche of Rome and is also verye parnicious as it is certainlye to be proued Wherefore he dothe admonishe him to regarde his owne honour and his conscience and either to sēd Luther to Rome or els to banishe him his countrye For it can not be that so pestilent a thinge shoulde longe continue neyther is there anye doubt but they wil procede in iudgement againste him at Rome and that he hath accordinge to his duetie signified to the bishop the whole matter and the clokynge of the same He prayeth hym therefore to geue no credit vnto suche as commended Luthers doinges neither to suffer so greate an euill to spot and blemishe that noble house of Saxonie like as he had oftentimes promised To the whiche Epistle exhibited the ninetene daye of Nouembre Duke Fredericke maketh aunswere the eighte daye of Decembre that he promised to sende Luther to Auspurge whiche beinge perfourmed they can require no more of him And that he promised him likewise to let him frendly departe And nowe that he woulde dryue hym to recante before hys matter were hearde he can not a lyttle maruell For there were dyuerse well learned men aswell in other partes as in his Countrye whyche dyd not condemyne his Doctrine And suche as were hys aduersaries were blyneded wyth Auarice and corrupted wyth filthye lucre but in case hys erroure hadde bene detected than woulde he whiche seeketh bothe the glorye of God and the safetye of hys owne conscience haue done all readye herein the duetye of a Christen Prynce And therefore where he wryteth that processe shall passe againste the sayde Luther at Rome that is beyonde all hys expectation And when he desyreth moreouer that eyther he shoulde be sente to Rome or elles into exile it is not lawfull for hym so to do Firste because he is not as yet detected of Heresye Secondely for because that the same shoulde be a greate losse to the Uniuersitie of Wittemberge whiche he had lately founded whereof Luther was a certeine lyghte and an ornament Unto whome he sent his letters that he myght reade them And he offereth him selfe as before to be readye
depraued And the same that they did touchinge theyr concubines ought nowe to be euery where receiued for lawfull wines In the meane tyme Luther who had kepte him selfe closse cercertein monethes retorneth to Wittenberge fearinge lest the duke should it take in euyll part he writeth vnto him in Marche signifiyng that where as he is retourned without his commaundement he dyd so of no euill wyll or contempte he knoweth that some will beare him in hande that the same shall be daungerous for his grace for asmuche as he is condemned bothe by the Bishoppe of Rome and themperour Whose powers bothe are great this did he consyder before longe and ofte but there be three causes of his retourne fyrst that he was oftentimes requested by sundrye letters of the Churche of Wittenberge to retourne whose desyre he coulde not but accomplishe for that the same people are properly committed to his charge of God ought not to be neglected And albeit that some are muche offended with this refourmation of doctrine and reporte euill therof yet knoweth he moste certenly that this his profession is vnto God most acceptable Secondarely in the tyme of hys absence throughe the crafte of the Deuill who can not abyde this lyght of the Ghospell there was styrred vp trouble in his churche whiche vnlesse he him selfe were present coulde not be well appeased which matter was so great and weightie that it might be in no wise neglected for if the thinge might haue bene dispatched by letters he coulde righte easelye haue forborne Wittenberge Thyrdely he sayeth he feareth and doth in maner foresee a wōderfull great tempest in Germany which so racklesly doeth contemne this present benefite of God For many in dede do embrace the trewe doctrine but in their liuyng they sklaunder it abusynge the libertie of the spirit after theyr carnall appetit Others be wholy gyuen to quēch and oppresse the worde they rare not howe whiche contempte of his word God must nedes punnishe with one plage after an other as he did in times past the Iewes and theyr citie Hierusalem Wherefore it is his part and suche others as he is to admonishe all men hereof with their whole force and diligēce for albeit they should trauaile in vaine and be laughed at yet may not they therfore leaue theyr office vndone seyng that it pleaseth God who hathe committed vnto them the cure of soules wherefore he prayeth him not to be offended that he is thus retourned beyng neither called nor commaunded of him for sythe it is altogether Christes cause his trust is that he shall sustayne no displeasure or perill for his retourne The trouble whiche in his absence he sayde was in his Churche was this Andreas Caralostadius in the meane tyme that Luther was absente preached contrary doctrine and disorderlye styrred vp the people to caste the Images oute of the Churche For the which cause Luther beyng called againe of his frendes dispraiseth the rashenes of Carolostadius shewyng that fyrste the Images should haue bene remoued out of the peoples harts being instructed that God is not pleased with Images but with faith onely And then if they should be taken away the same to be done by the Magistrates and not by the tumulte and rage of the common people The same tyme began a secte of them that saide they had talke with God who had commaunded them that sleyng all wicked men they should begin a new world wherin onely the holy and innocent people should lyue and beare rule These kepte them selues priuelye in that parte of Saronie that lyeth by the riuer of Sala whose opinion as saith Luther Carolostadius also fauoured And when he could not bringe hys matters to passe at Wittenberge beynge defaced by Luthers aucthoritie he went from thens vnto them Of this sorte of men was Thomas Muncer whiche styrred vp the people against theyr magistrates in Thuringe and Franconie as shall be recyted in his place Luther hearyng that in the lande of Boheme there were some whiche in common assemblies counseiled to receiue agayne the Bishop of Romes aucthoritie or elles there shoulde neuer be ende of contention and controuersies he wryteth vnto them in the moneth of Auguste that their name was in times past odiose and hated of him before such tyme as he knewe the Bishop of Rome to be Antichriste But nowe syns God hath restored to the worlde the lyght of the Gospell he iudgeth farre otherwise and so hath professed in his workes in so muche that nowe the Byshoppe and all his Clientes are much more offended with him thē they are with them His aduersaries haue many tymes saied howe he was fledde into Boheme and in dede he hath ofte wisshed to go thyther but lest they shoulde call his iourney a runnynge awaye he hath altered his purpose And nowe is the matter brought to suche a passe that there is good hoope howe the Germaynes and the Bohemers shall professe the gospell the same Religion together Where many be sory that they be deuided into sectes they are not greued without iuste cause but if they reuolte vnto Papistrie they shall not onely not take awaye theyr sectes but increase and swarme in the same For there is no where mo sectes than is in the Romishe kyngdō as is to be sene by the graye Freres which differ much amonges themselues And yet are all suche thinges done and mainteined by the Byshop of Rome whose kyngdome throughe mens discorde is nourished and establsshed For this is the verye cause whye he setteth Princes together by the eares and seketh alwaies to styrre vp matters of grudge and displeasure Wherfore let thē take goodhede lest whilest they go about to abolish those lesser sectes they fal into more pernicious as al those Romish be vtterly vncurable Frō the which now thorow Gods benefit Germanye is latelye delyuered And howe there is no better medicine to take awaye euill than if the Pastours of the Churche woulde setforth the doctrine of the Gospell purely and syncerely And in case they can not reteyne the weake people in theyr dewtie but that they wyll reuolte at the lest wyse let them indeuour to kepe styl the Lordes Supper wholy and the memoriall of Husse and Hierome of Prage vndetiled For it may be that the Bishop will attempt to take these two thinges from them chiefly Wherfore if any of them relent and graunr the tyrant bothe it shall not be well done of them Howe be it though 〈◊〉 Boheme do reuolte yet will he set forth and commende the doctrine of Husse vnto all posteritie Wherfore he praieth and exhorteth them 〈◊〉 perseuer in that state of Religion whiche they haue defended 〈◊〉 with muche bloud and valeauntnes neither through their 〈…〉 yng blemishe the gospell that nowe florisheth And all beit that al thinges be not wel established amonges them yet will not God fayle them but whan he seeth time he will styrre vp some faythfull minister to reforme
but no man can shewe it they haue often times required herin the Bishoppe of Constaunce of Basill and of Courtes certeine Uniuersities and them also but vnto this day ther is nothing done Therfore their Ministers gyue none occasion of diffention in the commō wealth but the Bishoppes and suche as for their owne profit teache that which is contrary to Godes worde For they deceiue the people offende God greuously which feare to lose any of theyr commodities and wer loth to forsake theyr pride and auarice As touchyng the eatyng of Egges and Fleshe Albeit it be free and not forbidden by Christ yet haue they made a lawe to auoide offence and rashenes God is the Aucthour of Matrimony and hath ordeined it for almen S. Paule also commaūdeth that the minister of the church should be the husband of one wife And sins that Bishoppes do permit priestes for money to kepe Concubines and Harlots by a filthy example And they neither can nor wyll be without women they thinke it not good to resist God who ordeyned holy wedlocke sufferyng them that haue not the gifte of Chastitie to marrie rather than in singlenes to lyue a fylthy lyfe Colledges and such other places were fyrst founded for the pore but now for the most part they possesse them which haue enough besides And often times it is sene that one hath as much as wold find many Wherfore they think it reasonable that suche goods were againe conuerted to the vse of the poore wherin notwithstandyng to vse this moderation that suche as be in possession already be permitted to enioye the rente during theyr liues leste any man shoulde haue cause to complaine That the Iewels of the Churche apperteine not to the trewe worshipping of God But this to be more acceptable vnto God what time the pore and nedye are releued The order of Priesthode is not of them dispised but muche set by in case they do their dewtie and teach syncerely But as for the rest of the rabble that doeth no good but harme If it be by litell and litel diminished without offence and theyr possessions put to some godly vse there is no doubte but the same woulde be vnto God most acceptable For whether that God do accept their singing and seruice in Latin it is muche to be doubted of For many of them vnderstande not what they say and yet are they hired to do the same The order of Monkes is the inuention of man and not the ordinaunce of God Howe muche Auricular confession is of valewe that numbreth the sinnes they wil leaue vndiscussed but that wherby trewe penitentes haue accesse vnto Christe theyr mediator they iudge not onely profitable but also necessary for consciences troubled and pressed down with the burthen of sinne And this to be trewly to repent when a mā doeth amende his life The Sacraments which were instituted of God are not of them contemned but had in great reuerence notwithstandyng they must be vsed accordyng vnto Gods worde and the Lordes supper not to so applied as if it were an oblation or a sacrifice And if the Clergie that thus complaineth can fynde out any error amonges thē or prone that they be hindred or empeched by thē they will make them amendes if not it were reason that they should be commaunded to do theyr dewtie that is to teache the treuth and to abstaine from sklaūdering of others Where as they desyre to be deliuered from the pillage and vsurped aucthoritie of the Bishoppe of Rome and his clientes they are exceadyng glad to heare it whiche thinge can be done by no meanes better than if Godes worde may be throughly receiued for so longe as theyr lawes and decrees shall take place let vs looke for no deliueraūce For it is onely the preaching of Gods word that shaketh theyr power and dignitie For the force of the Gospell and veritie is suche that they distrusting theyr owne strength seeke forthe aide of kynges Wherefore if they should in this case vse the helpe of Scripture it is requisite that the same be done lyke wise in all other thinges that all that God is offended with may be abolished for the reformation whereof they wyll be glad to bestowe not onely theyr trauaile counsel but their goods also for this would haue bene done longe syns Wherefore they desyre them to accept this in good part and to weighe it diligently They conet nothing more than peace and quiotnesse and will do nothing contrary to theyr league But in this case which concerneth theyr euerlastyng saluation they can not otherwise do vnlesse theyr errour can be detected they desyre them therfore that if they thinke theyr doctrine to be against the Scriptures it maye be shewed them before the ende of Maye For so longe will they tary for an answere from them and frō the Byshoppes and also from the Universitie of Basill In the meane while the Bishoppe of Constaunce calling a conuotion made a boke to answere them of Zuricke the ende wherof was to declare that where the Scripture speaketh againste Images it is to be vnderstand onely of the Idoles that were amonges the Iewes and Gentiles And that the Images receyued of the churche are to be kept styll Then treateth he of the Masse the which he proueth by many testimonies of Bishoppes of Rome and theyr coūsels to be an oblation and a sacrifice This boke sendeth he to Zuricke the fyrst daye of Iune exhortynge the Senate with many weightie wordes that they neither take downe theyr Images nor abrogate the Masse nor suffer the people to be taught otherwise The Senate make the answere the eighteneth day of Auguste howe that they are glad that he hathe setforth this booke for now it shall appere whether partie defendeth the iuster quarell After they declared the mindes of theyr learned menne teaching the contrary by the Scriptures But before they wrote an aunswer the Senate had commaunded throughout theyr incisdiction all Images to betaken downe brent Yet without any trouble this was in the moneth of Iune and within a fewe monethes after the Canons of Zuricke make a compact with the Senate and order was taken how the landes and goods of their Colledge should be imploied The Emperor sent to the Counsel at Norinberge Iohn Hawnart and complainyng that the decree made at Worines by their common assent and counsell was broken to the great losse of Germany he commaunded that from hence forth it should be diligentlye obserued The Princes answer that they wyll do herein what they can Finally the .xviij. of Aprill it was there decreed that by the assent of the Emperour the Bishop of Rome so shortly as might be shoulde all a free counsel in Germanye in some place conueniente That the estates of the Empire do assemble at Spires the xi of Nouember there to consult what they shall folowe vntill the begynninge of the counsell That the Princes shall assigne
nūbre of holye dayes be in measure These woulde Campegius haue enacted in the counsell of the Empire But when he could not bring it to passe he held this assembly a part Whan Luther vnderstode that the Emperoure and diuerse Princes woulde practise the decree of Wormes he bewaileth the state of Germanye whiche beynge so ofte admonisshed neglecteth her own wealthe And calleth vpon the Princes them selues that beynge so openly and wickedly disceaued of the Romishe Byshoppes they maynteyne neuertheles theyr dignitie and seke all his distructiō which wissheth best vnto them Wherfore he saith for this great ingratitud and frowardenesse inexcusable there hangeth a most terrible Plage ouer Germany He warneth them also that they attempte not rasshelye to warre vpon the Turke who in counsell and moderation doeth farre excell our Princes And liuing as we do we may hope of no victorye Furthermore he calleth it a mockery that thēperour and the kynge of Englande which can not lengthen theyr lyues one momēt should cai them selues defendors of the Church and the faith He besecheth God to sende suche Magistrates as will seke and tendre Gods glory The golden Rose which the Pope had lately consecrated as is atcustomed three weekes before Easter he sendeth to Heury the eyghte kynge of Englande as a notable token of his singular good wyll and beneuolens Aboute this tyme came forth Erasmus boke of Freewill Wherunto Luther aunswered with a contrary tytell of Bondewyll The kynge of Englande and the Cardinal of Yorke caused Erasmus to write his booke as he him selfe confesseth in a certeine Epistle to the Cardinall which is in printe About this time also Anthony Duke of Loraine made this decree For so muche as Luthers Doctrine is condemned of the Bishop of Rome of the Emperor of famous Uniuersities he commaundeth that none of his do preache any such doctrine And that all suche as haue any bokes set forthe by Luther do exhibite the same within a certeine day appointynge a penaltie to suche as dyd disobey This yere Henry Zutphā was put to death with exceadinge paines and torment for the doctrine of the gospel by thē of Dietmary which is in the marces of Germany for beyng called he went thither after he had taught two yeres amonges the Bremers I tolde you before of a coūsell that should haue bene at Spires the same was altered and themperor when he knewe writing his letters out of Spaine to the states of thēpire at the Ides of Iuly doth blame them exceadinly for the decree made For wheras certeine yeres paste in the counsell at Wormes by the common assente of all states he had with moste weygtie wordes condemned Luthers doctrine as Hereticall and pestilent where also the Byshoppe of Rome had after dewe examination condemned his Bokes commaundyng them to be brēt he marueyleth greatly and is sory also that they shoulde forbed onely his sclaunderous Bookes or skornefull Pictures to be sold as though that decree at Wormes were not ryghtly and orderly made And moreouer he is not a lytell moued that they woulde both haue a counsell holden in Germany and haue spoken to the Legate Campegius that he would write to the Byshop herin as thoughe the same concerned not more the Bishoppe or him than it doeth them for if they thought it so expedient for Germany to haue a counsel why made they not him preuie to it that he might haue obteyned the thing of the Byshop And nowe albeit he perceiueth rightwell howe muche the Bishoppes authoritie and his also is by this decree diminished yet consyderynge that the waye shal not be vnprofitable for the cōmon wealth he approueth the counsell also yet so that it may be done by the Bishoppes authoritie and in tyme and place conueniente so as he maye be presente there him selfe as he is fully determined And whereas they haue appoynted an assemblie agaynste the .xi. day of Nouembre to establisshe Religion till the begynnyng of the counsell where they haue also chosen certeine learned men to gather the summe of a Doctrine he neyther can nor wyll consent therto in any wyse But accordynge to hys office in so muche as he is the defendor and protectour of the Byshop of Romes Churche he doth by all meanes prohibite this decrre lest he should procure to him selfe the displeasure of God of the Bishop also for what greater cōtumelie cā be wrought against the christiā church thā if the reuerēs dew to the highest power should be thus shakē of if Germany which hath bene euer most cōmended for vertu obeidiēce should a lone alter that religiō which no Princes nor the bishop of Rome him self euer durst do Which neuer man forsoke hitherto but he felt of Gods vengeaunce for his wickednes if they should forsake abolish that hath bene of so long cōtinewaūce in all Christendō at the craftye perswasion of Luther who endeuoureth with painted words to disceaue abuse mē as in times past did Mahomet what plages of god might they loke for He besecheth God to loke mercifully vpon Germany and not to suffer so great a mischiefest to take place ther so lōg as he liueth Wherfore let thē obey the decre of Wormes vnlesse they will smart for it defer all matters of religiō till a general coūsell may be had at the Bishop of Rome his appointmēt which are theyr chief magistrats After the selfe same sorte writeth he also priuatly to certein states amōges others to the senate of Strauso And thus was the decre of the next assēblie abolished for themperor hauing both his hands full of the Frenche warres sought to winne the Bishop of Rome by all meanes possible This sommer Charles duke of Bourbon Cōstable of Fraūce which the yere before partly by his owne accorde partely laboured by themperor fell frō the French king beseged Marselles but in vain Whom departing thence into Italy the kyng foloweth with great expedition and taking many holdes in Lūbardy the citie of Millan it selfe towardes wynter he besegeth Pauie a towne by the riuer of Ticine In the moneth of Nouembre the countrey people of Suelande began to ryse against theyr lord the countie Lupse for charges wherwith they complayned to be ouer muche burthened Lykewise others in other places nere vnto the same rebelled against theyr magistrats in so much that the counsel of thēpire which gouerneth the cōmon welth in themperors absence beyng then at Eslinge sent theyr ambassadors appeased certeine cōtrouersies But this broile ceased not as shal be told herafter This was that begining of the greatest most daūgerous cōmotion that pearsed afterwards throughout a great part of Germany What tyme Luthers doctrine was set forth in all places the Clergie did resist it with all their forse fearyng to lose all theyr goodes and benefices And certein of Straceborugh complained to the senate of the Empire of the townes men that
against the Nobilitie to scatter them Muncer albeit he had made sedicious sermons was not yet so hote as to hasarde all before the whole coūtrey were vp in armure And therfore sent letters into al places namely to such as digged in the Mines in the coūtrie of Maunsfelde exhorting thē in any wise to set vpon theyr princes without any respecte for shortely should all those that were vp in Franckonye come into these parties In the meane while Phifer that could no longer abide maketh a roode with his company and spoyleth the countrye of Isefelde hardely sacketh Castelies and Churches discomfiteth many gentlemen and casteth some into fetters And so retournynge wyth a great buttie encouraged mens herts excedinly And Mūcer supposing that all men were than in a redynes departeth out of Mulhuse with thre hundreth and ioyned with them of Francuse At the same time departed Fridericke Duke of Saxonie without Issewe for he was neuer maried leauing his brother Iohn to succede him Nowe had Alberte Countie Mūsfelde hearing of a sturre in his countrey leuied spedelye certeine bandes of horsemen and gyuynge the charge slewe two hundreth Which thinge put them in suche a feare that they remayned still at Frāckuse tariyng for more company and durst procede no further And in the meane time the Dukes of Saxonie Iohn Prince elector and George his vncle Philip Lantzgraue of Hesse Henrye Duke of Brunswike leuied a thousande and v. hūdreth horsemen and certeine bandes of foote men and marched towardes them The rebelles had incamped them on a Hill a litell without the towne and had so fensed them selues with Carriages that hardely coulde they be inuaded But they were neyther sufficiently furnished of Munition nor weapōs nor skilfull in the warres Wherfore the Princes hauing compassion sente vnto them aduised them to deliuer theyr captaines only and lay aside theyr weapons they should haue theyr pardon retorne home But Muncer fearing him selfe came forth with a sower countenaūce and made this oration You se my felowes and brethren not farre frō you Tyrraūtes which albeit they haue conspired our deathes yet are they so discouraged in their mindes that they date attēpte nothing against vs And they offere you suche condicions as be foolishe that is to torne you out of your weapons Now know you right well that I haue not attempted this thinge of my owne braine or priuate aucthoritie for I was neuer experienced in suche matters But by the commaundemēt of God And seyng it is so it shal be my dewtie and yours to obey and not to depart of this grounde were God him selfe hath placed vs. In tymes past he commaūded Abrahā to offer vp his sonne And although he was ignoraūt what shold be th ēde yet folowyng the cōmaūdemēt he refused nothing And therfore God bothe preserued his sonne also rewarded his faith with great benefits so likewise ought we that stād in the same case to cōmit the successe of the thig to god And nodoubt we shal haue our desire you your selfes shal se the helpe of god manifestly For we shal discōfit our enemies in al places God hath promised in sūdrie places of the scripture to helpe the pore toppresse the wicked Which saying apperteineth vnto vs for we are poore afflicted And because we seke to setforth and mainteine the true knowledge of God we can not doubt of the victory Again let vs cōsider the state of our enemies they are called in dede Princes but they be very tirātes they care not for you they take your goods spende thē wickedly in pride riot and voluptuousues And for light causes moue wartes which destroye all that the pore haue lefte these be theyr Princelik Uertues In the place of the Widow and Orphane they mainteine the Bishoppe of Romes aucthoritie and wickednesse of the Cleargie where youthe shoulde be brought vp in learnyng and the poore releued they establishe the marchandise of massing and other abhominations Thinke you the God wil suffer this any longer No truely but euē as he droue out the Cananites so wil he now expulse these also And as Christ whipt out the biers and sellers forth of the Temple so will he do nowe likewise with these priestes theyr Patrones mainteiners Wherefore play you the men and gratifie God in distroiyng this vnprofitable people For surely there is no suerer waye to pacifie the matter For they will not forsake theyr olde wont they wil not restore vs vnto libertie nor permit vs to haue the true Religiō seruice of God And I wis we ought rather to die then to allow theyr wickednes suffer the doctrine of the gospel to be taken frō vs For I promisse you most assuredly the God wil aide and strengthen vs and that the Uictorye shal be oures For he him selfe did so promise me he him selfe that can not lye nor be disceased commaūded me to procede on this wise to punishe the Magistrate For herein is Gods power chiefly declared whan a stronge Army is destroied by a smale handfull as appeared by the example of Gedeon Ionathos and Dauid that killed Goliah that greate Gyaunt so tyrrible to looke vpon And no doubt but this present day shal be notable by a like spectacle and spoken of whilest the worlde goeth about For albeit we are not well fournished wyth weapons and other thynges necessarye for our owne defence yet shall this engine of heauen and earth be chaunged rather thā God shal forsake vs so was the water of the Red Sea chaunged in tymes past that the Israelites beyng persecuted by Pharao might passe through Therfore feare you nothing but fight māfully against your wicked enemies be not a fraide of theyr Gunnes for all the pellettes that they shall shoute I will receaue them with my cote Beholde se you not howe mercyfull a God we haue beholde a signe token of his euerlastyng good wyll towardes vs lift vp your eies and see the Reinebow in the skie for seing we haue the same painted in our enseigne God declareth plainely by the similitude that he sheweth vs on highe that he wyll aide vs in battell and distroye the Tyrrauntes Wherfore nowe set vpon them wyth a bolde courage moste assured of Godes helpe When he had made an ende they were all for the most part afraide of the great daunger but yet there were amonges them many lewde and desperate persons ready vnto all mischief which beynge inclined of theyr nature to euyll and perswaded by his oration and chieflye by the celestiall signe supposyng it to be a most sure token of victorie more ouer hauing no smalle company to the numbre of eight thousande and the place mete ynough to be kept Cried oute that all men shoulde take theyr weapons and fight with a stout courage against their enemies singing a sōg wherby they called for helpe of the holy gost Ther was sent vnto them
be first heard to make their purgatiō especially seyng they make alwayes offer that if they maye be more ryght instructed by the scriptures they wil do nothyng obstinatly or against their dewty Wherfore they desyre hym to accepte thē in to his defence and protection and as shortly as may be to aunswer them mercyfully and louyngly by wrytyng And because the whole matter can not be declared by mouthe as he hath also commaunded therfore haue they comprehended in wrytyng what thynge so euer is nedefull for the further knowledge of the matter whiche they delyuer vnto him the Emperour aunswereth them by an interpretour that he hath heard what their sute is and lyketh well also the obsequiens seruyce that they offer in theyr Prynces behalfe wherfore whan he hath talked with his counsell he wyll make them an aunswer reasonable Fynally the twelth of Octobre he gaue them an aunswere in writing as their request was That he vnderstode by kyng Ferdinādo his brother and the residue in commission with hym of the decree made at Spyres before thei came to him and howe he is ryght sory for the dissention that is amongest them And for as muche as it is his dewtie to forsee that suche thynges happen not or at the leste whan they are chanced to see them refourmed therfore after longe delyberation had with priuie counsell of the whole matter he findeth howe the same decree was made to the intent nothyng hereafter should be altered that there should be no place for any newe secte from henceforth as there be many al ready euyll fauoured enough and that peace and concorde myght be had throughout the Empyre Therfore the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes ought of ryght to haue consented to al these thinges for both he and other Prynces set as muche by the healthe of theyr soules and tranquillitie of their consciences as they doe And he for his parte no lesse desyreth a generall counsell for a staye to the common wealth than they do whiche not withstandyng were not all together so nedefull if the lawes and decres as that of Woormes and others whiche are made by comon assente of all states myght be obserued as they them selues wyll graunte that suche decrees oughte to be fyrme and stable Whiche thynge considered and seyng that the vse and custome is that loke what the more parte of the states of the Empyre do decree the same may not be disolued by a fewe persones therfore hath he in his letters to the Duke and his fellowes commaunded them that they doe accepte this decree as ratisfied and attempte nothyng against it but obeye the same vpon theyr allegeaunce that they owe vnto hym and the Empyre If not it wyll come to passe that for aucthoritie and examples sake he must punyshe them extremely but he supposeth that his letters be already delyuered vnto them or wylbe shortelye and that they wyll obey his cōmaundemēt wherof he wold be ryght glad especialy at this tyme wherin he is credibly infourmed howe the great Turke the common ennemy of christendom is at this present marchynge through Hongarye with all his power into Germanye Wherfore it were now requysite to haue domestical concorde to the intēt this myghty and cruell ennemy myght be repulsed against whome he intendeth so sone as he shal haue stayed all thynges in Italy to bende all his force and power wherfore he trusteth that they consyderyng well the daunger wyll doe that whiche they are bounden of dutie What tyme the Ambassadours had red this aunswere they delyuered an appellation whiche was ready made to Alexander Schneissie callyng wytnes to the thyng as the maner is Who at the fyrst would not receyue it but in fyne he was content to take it and caried it to the Emperoure and the same daye at after none he retourneth and hauyng ended his other talke he sayeth howe the Emperour commaundeth them not to styre one foote out of their Inue that they wryte nothing home nor sende any of their men til he bring them further newes in payne of for fayting life goodes if they should do other wyse Why left this charge was geuen it fortuned that Michaell Cadene was not within his lodging and being hereof immediatlye certified by a seruant he wryteth the whole matter to the Senate of Norinberge and dispatcheth awaye his letters with great expedition for he was not bounde vpon fidelitie as his fellowes were At the length the last daye sauyng one of Octobre at Parma whether they were cōmaūded to folowe Nicolais Granuellane who executed the office of Cardinall Mercurine lieng sicke she weth them that all be it The Emperour taketh in euyll parte the appellation that was sent hym yet doth he neuerthelesse permytte them to retourne home in to their countrey But he commaundeth Michaell Cadene to remayne styll vnder payne of death if he disobeye the cause wherof is this The Lantgraue when he came forth had geuen hym a booke fayre garnyshed whiche conteyned briefly the somme of the Christiane doctryne to the intent he should delyuer it to the Emperour He vpon an occasion when Cesar went to Masse did present it and the Emperour agayne delyuered it to a certen Spanyshe Byshop to vnderstande what it was He fortuned to lyght on the same place where as Christ warneth his Disciples that they desyre not soueraignitie for the same is not theyr profession but the kynges of the gentyls doe vsurpe vnto them such authoritie that place had the authour emōges other things expounded declaryng the dutie of suche as be ministers of the church but he lokyng vpon it superficially when the Emperour asked hym what it was he made aunswere as though the booke toke away the authoritie of the sworde from the Christian Magistrate and permitteted only the Gentyls to vse it whiche were farre from the Christian Religion And for this cause was he stayed Granuellan sayde this moreouer howe the Emperoures pleasure was that he shoulde delyuer the lyke booke to the Byshop of Rome And where he sought to excuse his doynges and receyued no pleasaunt aunswer perceyuyng by the wordes of Granuclane what dannger he was in he tooke his horse priuely and roode to Farrare in poste and from thence goyng to Uenyse retourned home When the Senate of Norenbergh had receyued Cadenes letters before mentioned immediatly they certified the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue theyr fellowes therof the. xxiiij of Octobre the matter being debated they agreed to mete at Smalcaldia about the ende of Nouēbre Thyther came the Duke of Saxon and Iohn Frederick his sonne Erneste and Frances brethren Dukes of Lunenburgh Philip the Lantgraue and certen counsellers of George Markes of Brandenburgh moreouer these cities Strausborough Norinberge Heilprune Rutelynge Constance Menynge Campodune Ulmes and Lindaue It is mentioned before how the Prynces and certen of these Cities differed in opinion touchynge the Lordes supper wherfore they of Strausborough had already made
Wittenberge 1 Luthers exception eodem Luthers letters to Pope Leo. 2 Luthers answer to Siluester Prierias eodem Luthers second aunswere to Siluester Prierias 3 Luthers forsaking of Rome eodem Luther cited to Rome 4. Luther is called to Auspurgē 5. Luthers conference with Cardinal Caietane eodem Luther appealeth 6 Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsel 9 Luthers letters to the Pope 17 Luthers boke to the duke of Saxon. 18 Luthers boke condemned at Louain 19. Laurence valla eodem Luthers letters to themperor 21 Luthers letters to the archbishoppe of Mentz eodem Luthers letters to the bishop of Merseburge 22 Luther cursed of the pope 23 Luther impugneth the Popes censure 24 Luthers boke of the captiuity of Babilon eodem Luthers bokes are burnt 26 Luther burneth the Canon law 27 Luther cometh to Wormes eodem Luther pledeth his cause before themperor and the hole Empire 1. Luthers answer to the princes 39 Luther sent away from Wormes 31 Luther is outlawed by themperor 33 Luther wrote sūdry bokes in his exile eodem Luther is conueied out of daunger eo Luther returneth to Wittenberge 35 Luther foreseeth the tempest comming eodem Luther wryteth to the Bohemer◠36 Luther wryteth against the bishops eo Luther a Frier 38 Luther compared with Mahomet 40 Luther expoundeth the Popes laying eodem Luther interpreteth the decrees of the Princes 43 Luther wrote to the Senate of Prage eodem Luther wrote of eschuing the doc 44 Luther compared to Mahomet 50 Luther disswageth al men from sedi 58 Luther did more with the worde then could haue bene done by forc eodem Luthers answer to the boures 60 Luthers office 63 Luther bloweth the trōpet against 64 Luther to vehement 65 Luther married a Nonne eodem Luther and Zwinglius mete at 66 Luthers letters of submission to the. 67 Luthers letters to George duke of eo Leonard Cesar apprehended for the. 74 Lawes of disputation 75 Lantrech besiegeth Naples eodem Luther and Zwinglius dispute at 83 Luther wrote a boke to the bishops 96 Luther comforteth Melancthon eodem Luthers opinion of mens traditiōs eo Letter of the duke and Lantzgraue 103 Luthers counsel 112 Luthers purgation eodem Luther comforteth thexiles eodem Luthers opinion touching the spri 116 Luthers wryting of Munster 134 Legions of soldiors in Fraunce 137 Luthers constancy 138 Like lips like lettes 151 Longolnis oration against the Lu. 167 Lascus committed to prison 175 Luthers boke against the Duke of 176 Luther is cursed of the Pope 175 Langeus letters to Alphonse 184 Luthers oration for the field 189 Lawes against deflowrers of vir 202 Laundersey besieged 205 Luthers boke of the Lordes supper 215 Luthers answer to them of Louain 218 Luthers boke against the Pope 222 Luthers Themes of iii. gouern eodem Luthers picture against the pope eodē Luther a Prophet eodem Luther chosen arbitror 231 Luther wareth sicke 232 Luthers last prayer eodem Luthers birth eodem Luther sent to Rome eodem Luther eloquent in the dutch eodem Lightning caused destruction 255 Liberty is exiled out of the counsel 256 Letters for the Lantzgraue to 295 Letters of Strasborough to them 326 Luther brought in contempte the Popish Ceremonies 334 Lewes Marsile one of the prisoners 423 Libels strowed about in London 461 Lady Clinor commeth into France 86 Lantzgraue departeth from Ausp 89 Lantzgraue goeth to the frēch king 113 Lantzgraue boroweth Monye of the French king eodem Lady Mary proclaimed bastard 114 Lantzgraue taketh his leaue of themperoure 240 M MAximilians letter to Poope Leo concerning Luther 3 Maximilians death 10 Many sectes in the popish kingdom 36 Maner of chusing themperor 10 Matrimony lawful for all men 47 Muncer a great Anabaptist 55 Muncer wil haue a token of God eodē Muncer maketh gunnes eodem Muncer teacheth that all thinges shuld be common eodem Muncer raileth on the princes 56 Muncer disceyueth the people by the rainbow eodem Muncer is taken his cruel answer and he is reproued of the Lantzgraue 57 Muncer repenteth at the hour of death eodem Mishaps of the french king 82 Matters receiued in religion 89 Monestical vowes 124 Munster a city of Westphalia 137 Maidens do prophecy 130 Mariage counted whoredome 135 Many filthy actes of Monkes 156 Meanes to restore the ecclesiastical 181 Melancthon and pristor come to 201 Miners president of Aygwes 219 Miners leuieth a power againste Ualdois 219 Maluenda treateth of iustification 229 Marquin excuseth Diaze 234 Mariages in broil of warre 254 Maurice loueth his townes 276 Marques Albert sent to aid 277 Mendoza ambassade from the Frenche King to Strasburge 279 Marques Albert taken prisoner 280 Mihel Sidonie a great Masmōger 294 Muskel borowe field 296 Muleasses king of Tones 313 Maximilian marieth his cosen 315 Musculus departeth to Bernes 316 Maximilian warred against the Swissers 322 Maried Priestes plucked from they re wyues 329 Melanthō defēdeth the Adiaphorist 333 Monseur Ueruine beheaded 336 Maximilian cometh out of Spayne 353 Melanthon best learned 359 Mony gathered for the warre of Mayden burge 760 Maximilian entreth into Trent 378 Marques Albertes letters agaynst thēperoure 393 Marten van Rossem spoileth Champanie 399 Marques Albert warreth for hym selfe 406 Marques Albert the scourge of Pristes 410 Marques Albertes request to Straseburge 410 Marques Albert refuseth peace 101 Marques Albert entreth Treuers 412 Marques Antonius Ambassadoure of Uenisse 413 Marques Alberte reconciled to Themperoure 413 Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperoure 420 Marques Albert outlawed 429 Marques Albert goeth to Sewinforte and flyeth 436 Maryburge taken 473 Melanthon conforteth the mynisters of Boheme 449 Marcellus the Second chosē Pope 450 Marcellus the Second dyeth 450 Maurenburge vitaled 452 Mount Calue is taken by the Frenchmen 453 Masse abolished at Zuricke 54 Madnes of the Munsterians 57 Magestrates is as necessarye as the Sonne to the worlde vi Marques letters to the state of Duke Maurice 42 Ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 N NEw pardons 9 No man may be kepte frō the gospell 6◠Newes of the Turkes Coming 200 Newes of the Turkes approche 1◠Nauius hath the place of Heldus 174 Nuburge rendered to the Emperoure 264 Notes of the Interim by the Bishop of Rome 314 No man oughte to be compelled to hys fayth 319 New ambassadours from Wittenberg 375 Norinberge hath peace with the Marques 402 Nyne bournte at Lyons 423 Note how Bisshoppes seke authoritie of kinges to condemne 454 Nombers of great gonnes taken front protestauntes 29 Notes of the Interim by the bysshops of Rome 313 O O Eham condemned in Paris 19 Of the original of the Turkes 190 Of ecclesiasticall benefites 281 Out of the conclaue came most fylthys Letters 343 Ortauious Farnesius cliēt to the frēch kinge 360 Oration of tharchbishop of Treuers 12 Opinion of the Cyties touchynge the king of Romaines 102 Othe of the Electors 406 Oration of the Popes ambassadour to the Duke of Saxon. 109 Oration of Themperours Ambassadour 109 Oratiō of the french ambassadours 123 Ofspring of
the Austen Freres desiring hym to cause them to be sent to the byshop of Rome And he him self in the moneth of Iune wrote vnto Leo the tēth partly complayning of his pardoners whiche through their owne auarice abused his auethoritie And partly purging him selfe knowing for a suertie that they had complayned on him for the same matter but affirmyng that they did hym wrong For he was inforced by reason of the fonde Sermōs bokes of the Collectours to set vp certain questiōs only for the matter of disputation whiche he woulde now more playnly declare beseching him to geue no credit to sclaunderous reportes alledging that Duke Fredericke the Prince electour of Saronie was a man of suche wisdome honour that in case suche thinges had been true that his aduersaries reported of him he would not haue suffered his countrey to beare such an infamie And that the vniuersitie of Wittenberge was of lyke consideration and so submitted vnto him both all his workes and his lyfe also not refusing death if it should seme good vnto him For whatsoeuer should procede from him he would take as an oracle that flowed from Christe him selfe Amonges others of Luthers aduersaries Iohn Eckius wroote a little booke against him at the same tyme. To the whiche Luther aunswereth that he neyther bringeth Scripture for hym nor any thinge out of the auncient Doctours but certein dreames of his owne receiued of scoolemen by an vnallowable euill custome After Eckius one Siluester Prierias a freer Dominicke master of the holy palace as they terme it wrote against him a dialoge with the preface to Leo the tenth right stoutelye saying that he woulde proue whether Luther be so inuincible that he can not be confuted or vanquished For if he can answer this thē wil he set forth greater thinges with moste exacte diligence Then speaketh he vnto Luther exhorting him to amende and before he commeth to his disputation he propoundeth certain Themes that the Byshop of Rome is head of the whole churche and that the churche of Rome is the firste and chiefest of all others and can not erre in matters of faythe and religion Neyther that the generall counsell can erre where the byshop of Roome is present Moreouer that the holy Scripture taketh all his force and authoritie of the churche and byshop of Rome as of a moste certain rule And he that beleueth other wyse to be an heretike This foundation ones layd he beginneth to debate the matter Afterward doth Luther make answer to the same boke And in his preface to this Siluester saith that he wōdreth at his questions rather than vnderstādeth the same Then takyng of him example for the defence of his cause putteth forth also certen themes but suche as are taken out of holy scripture wherin he sheweth that we ought not to geue credit to euerye doctrine of man but to way euery thing exactely and to embrace that thing only whiche is consonaunt to goddes worde And none other doctrine to be receiued but that which is left vs by the Prophetes and Apostles although it haue neuer so goodly an apparence Neuerthelesse thautoritie of those writers whiche were next after them to be allowed but for the rest to be well ware what they wryte And as concerning the indulgences that it is not lawfull for the Collectours to inuente anye newedeuise herein but to followe in the same the order of the Canon law After this he obiecteth that he alledgeth no testimony of scriptur but reciteth only the opinions of Thomas of Aquyne who treated in a maner of al things at his pleasure without thauthoritie of scripture Wherfore he reiecteth both affirming that he doth the same not onely by the commanndement of saint Paule but of S. Austen also Emōgs the Ciuilians it is commonly sayd that it is not lawfull to pronounce any thyng but after the prescript of the lawe Much lesse in diuine matters ought that thing to be suffered that is spokē without the testimony of scripture It is S. Paules precept that suche as be appointed to instruct the people should be furnished not with Syllogismes or sondry decrees of men but with holsome and sounde doctrine lefte vs by godly inspiration But for so muche as many haue contemned this precepte great blyndnes hath been induced and an innumerable sorte of vnprofitable questions hath flowed ouer the worlde What tyme he hath thus made his waye he commeth to the confutacion and aboute th ende therof sayth howe he is nothinge affrayed of his manasinge wordes which are set forth for a brauery For albeit he shuld dye therfore yet Christe liueth and is immortall vnto whome all honoure is dewe And therfore if he list to come to a further trial in this matter he must fight with stronger weapōs or els his authour Thomas and he are lyke to goo by the woorse Againe this Syluester writeth Luther an aunswer and saythe it deliteth him muche that he submitteth hym selfe to the iudgemēt of the byshop of Rome wyshing also that he spake it with his harte vnfainedly Luther had charged him with ambition and fllatterie but he purgeth him self therof as muche as he may And defendeth right stoutly the doctrine of Thomas affirming it to be in suche sorte receiued approued by the churche of Rome that it ought to be preferred aboue all other writinges And blameth him sore that hath spoken of so worthy a man so vnreuerently accomptyng it an honour to him selfe to be called a Thomiste Notwithstanding he sayeth howe he hath red other mens woorkes also whiche shall hereafter appere After this preface he setteth forth a little booke wherin he cōmendeth exceadinly the aucthoritie of the byshop of Rome in so much that he clerely preferreth him before all counselles and decrees affirminge that all the strength of Scripture dependeth vpon his authoritie This Thomas comming of a Noble house gaue him self wholy to learning And leauing Italy went first to Collyn and after to Paris and proued best learned of al men in his time wryting diuers workes in the whiche he treated of matters of diuinitie and Philosophie He was a blacke frere the disciple of Albertus Magnus Whan he was dead Iohn byshop of Rome the .xxii. of that name made him a sainct about fifty yeāres after he lefte his lyfe He was a great mainteiner of the byshop of Romes authoritie For he attributed vnto him the supremacie ouer all other byshops kynges and churches vniuersall with both Iurisdictions aswell sacred as ciuile affirming it to be a necessary thyng vnto saluation that all men be subiect vnto him that he hath full authoritie in the churche and that it appertaineth to him to call counsell and to confirme the decrees made there Moreouer he sayeth howe men may iustlyappeale from any generall counsell Finallye he ascribeth vnto him all thinges onely this he excepted that he can not make newe articles of
and against the iudgement of the churche of Roome whiche is the maistres of faith and religion And that he of a fatherly loue desyrous to represse his rashenes hath geuen in commaundement to Hierome byshop of Ascula vnto whome this thing properly apperteyneth to somone hym to Rome that both he might aunswere to matters that he is charged with and might also make a declaraciō of his fayth The byshop of Ascula executed his commaundemēt But he did not only comme to any amendement but stubbernly persistinge in his heresy did set forth muche more pestilent workes than he did before to the great grief and vexation of his mynde wherfore let him fynde the meanes that he may be brought to Auspurge and herein requiring the ayde of the Emperour and Princes of Germany whā he is brought thither that he be apprehēded and sent to Rome wherfore if he repent of his owne accorde and desyre remission of his offence than let hym be pardoned and restored to the churche whiche is neuer wont to exclude a true penitent if not let him be excommunicated He commaundeth moreouer that all men shall obeye these his letters and they that shall do otherwyse if they be ecclesiasticall persones he confiscateth all their goodes and promotions and therwith taketh awaye all hope possibilitie to obtaine any more hereafter And others that be in ciuile office to be depriued of al honours offices and other commodities and finally to want christen buriall But vnto all those that shall dooe him faithfull seruice herein his pleasure is they shall haue eyther that common and ful remission of sinnes or haue also some rewarde geuen thē And to this precept he byndeth all men the Emperour only excepted but in no wyse wylleth that any other mās fredome or priuilege shuld be of any force herein The same day also he writeth to Frederick Duke of Saxon who was the same tyme at Auspurg howe that emonge other ornamentes of the house of Sarony this was euer propre vnto it greatly to fauour Religion wherfore he sayeth it is not lyke that any of that noble familie should so farre degenerate from his elders as to mayntayne any man that would impugne the same notwithstanding he harde dayly greuous cōplaintes of Martin Luther who bearyng him selfe highly on his princes fauour and forgetting both his ordre and profession doth many thinges wickedly against the churche regarding the authoritie of no mā and albeit he doubteth not but that he braggeth of his Princes fauoure falselye yet he thought it good to wryte vnto him herein and to admonishe him that being euer myndefull of his owne honour and dignitie of his auncestours he myght eschewe not only the crime it selfe but also the lest suspicion of the same for he sayeth he is well assured that he teacheth manye wicked and pestilent heresies whiche he and the maister of his palace haue dylygently noted and that same is verely the cause why he hath cited hym to appere at Rome and written to Cardinall Caietane his Ambassadour what he would haue furthermore donne in the matter and for so muche as this is a matter of Religion and doeth appertaine properlye to the churche of Rome to examine euerye mans faythe he requyreth hym and neuerthelesse chargeth and commaundeth hym that beynge requested here vnto by his Ambassadour he doe his endeuoure and brynge to passe that Luther maye bee delyuered into his custodye wherein he shall bothe dooe GOD hygh seruice and also the thynge that shall be to hym selfe and to all hys familie ryght honourable And in case there shall bee founde no faulte in hym Whan he shall be examined at Roome he maye retourne home safe and sounde but in case there bee founde Crime worthie punishemēt than shal the duke whiche wold no longer suffer such a pestilēt fellow be clere of al blame And for his own part he was of such clemēcie that neither wold he oppres an innococent nor exclude out of his fauour one that were willyng to amende Thus sought he all meanes possible to oppresse Luther The same yeare moreouer he wrote vnto Gabriel prouinciall of Thaustine fryers that he should spedely seke the redresse of Martin Luther a frier vnder his iurisdiction who soweth newe opinions in Germany quickly to quenche the flamme newly kyndled lest in proces of tyme takyng force and strengthe it be paste remedy and so set all on a fyre For this disease increaseth dayly neyther is there any thynge so much to be feared as delaye Therfore he must applye this thynge with all study labour deuise and diligence for so muche as he hathe authoritie ouer hym Whan Luther perceiued him selfe to be cited to Rome he laboured muche to haue his matter heard in Germany before some indifferent iudges and in a place not subiect to iniury But when he coulde by no meanes bryng it to passe the vniuersitie of Wittenberge in their letters to the byshop of Rome written the .xxv. of Septembre gaue hym a maruelouse good reporte both of his lyfe and learnyng They saye howe he is cited to Rome for certain questions howbeit by reason of sickenes and daunger of his lyfe he is notable they beseche hym to haue none other opinion of him than of a good man He propownded certen thinges to dispute of only and not to determine whiche his aduersaries haue interpreted in the woorse parte and haue exasperated the matter They proteste howe they wyll admitte nothinge against the churche and being requested of Luther they coulde not but geue hym this testimony to the whiche they beseche him to geue credit With these letters they sende others also to Charles Meltice a Germaine and Chamberlaine to byshop Leo vnto whome they declare how Luther without any of his desertes was brought into great hatred with the byshop in so muche as being cited to Rome he could not yet fynde so muche fauour that his cause might be herde in Germany They saye howe they be so affected not only toward religion but also towardes the holy churche of Rome that in case there were any cryme or wicked errour in Luther they would not beare with him but he is a man of suche learnyng and honestie of lyfe and hath so well deserued of them of the whole vniuersitie that they can not faile him in this case Neyther would Duke Frederick being so faithful and wittie a Prince vnlesse he iudged him to be an honest mā suffer him so long vnpunyshed Wherfore they require him that through the fauour and estimacion that he hath with the byshop he would bryng to passe that some indifferēt iudges might be appointed him not at Rome but in Germany And they doubte not but that he will declare him selfe lyke a Christen man and a good diuine that he hath not rashely or without cause sought the occasion of strife And this they require him the more earnestly for so muche as they haue conceiued a greater hope of him
that he whiche is a Germain him selfe wil naturally for the coūtrie sake in so honest a matter be helpfull to an other Germaine that is in a maner oppressed and in daunger of his lyfe Besydes this intercession of his frendes Duke Fredericke deuised so with the Cardinall at Auspurge that Luther should not nede to trauayle to Rome but should come and pleed his cause before Caietane there Who comming thether in the begynnyng of October remayned there thre dayes before he spake with the Cardinall For after Duke Friderick was gone homewarde he was aduised by his frendes not to come in the Cardinalles fyght before the Emperour Maximilian had graunted him a saufe conduicte whiche obtayned he was gently receyued of the Cardinal who sayd that he would not contende with him in disputacion but frendly appease the controuersy And according to the Byshops of Roomes commaundemente he propoundeth two thinges first that he should come to amēdement and reuoke suche errours as he had published secondlye that from henceforth he abstayne from suche wrytinges as disturbe the trā quillitie of the churche Hereunto doeth Luther make aunswer that he is priuie to no errour but if he hath erred in any thyng he desyreth it maye be shewed him wherein There the Cardinall chargeth hym that he affirmeth in his questions howe the merites of oure sauioure Christe consiste not in the treasures of pardons whiche sentence saith he is against the decree of Clemēt the syxte Moreouer that vnto those that come to receiue the Sacramēt faith should be necessary wherby they myght be assured that their synnes were forgeuen neyther is this true sayeth the Cardinall Luther aunswered how he had read that decree of the Byshop shewed what his mynde is touching the same and where as mention was made of Thomas of Aquine he affirmeth that the authoritie of Scripture is to be preferred farre aboue hym Than the Cardinall extolling the Byshop of Romes authoritie preferreth him aboue all Scriptures and counselles recityng howe the coūsell whiche had determined the contrary was abrogated he condemneth also Gerson of Paris and the fauourers of his opinion Contrariwyse Luther denieth the authoritie of the byshop to be aboue the coūsell alledging emonges others the diuines of Paris to be of his opiniō After long disputacion where as they could not agree Luther asketh some deliberation The next day he retourneth And in the presence of the Secretary and certain other witnesses and foure also of the Emperours counsell he protesteth that he beareth all dew reuerence to the holy churche of Rome And if he haue spoken any thyng against the same he wyll not haue it ratified Howbeit for as much as he is admonished and commaundeth to forsake his errours and to abstayne from henceforth he supposeth that he hath spoken nothing that swarueth either from holy Scripture or the opinions of the auncient fathers the decrees of the byshoppes or also from ryght reason Yet will he not denye but that he may erre and be disceiued for so may euery man And therfore he committeth the hearing to the lawfull and holy churche referryng the whole matter to the iudgement of the same And not that only but he wil also rendre a reason of his doctrine in any place If this may not suffise he wil make aunswere in wryting to such argumentes as may be brought against him and will not refuse to stande in iudgement herein of the vniuersities of Germany and Paris The Cardinal charged him againe as he had done the daye before with the decree of Clement as though it made muche for him In fine he permitteth hym to deliuer vp a wryting theffect wherof was this What time he set vp his questions and after wrote an exposition of the same 〈…〉 had red the decree of Clement before but his mynde was not therewith satisfied For although it be established that the decrees of the Byshop of Rome should be aswell receiued as the voyce of Peter the Apostle Yet ought this so to be taken in as muche as thei be consonaunt to holy scripture and agreable to the decrees of the auncient fathers There is no doubt but the voyce of Peter is sacred and holy yet was he soore rebuked of Paule neyther coulde his doctrine be receiued tofore the consente of the Churche whiche was than at Hierusalem hadde establyshed it The wordes of all men may be hearde but all thinges must be referred to the wordes of Christ who only can not be disceaued That decrees is against sondrye places of Scripture and that was the cause whiche he at that tyme brought in the same question and afterwarde was not affraied to make an exposition to the same Euer synce that tyme he was fully resolued to stire vp no further disputation concernyng that matter but rather to heare the opinion of others but now albeit he had leuer be instructed of others especially of the Byshop of Roome Yet for as muche as he is constrained of necessitie to defende his owne he wyl proue and do the best he can to make the same decree and his questions to accorde Whan he had made this preface before him he goeth to the matter if selfe and by a certain expositiō made sheweth howe that decree maketh for his purpose but yet so as he would neither that the Bishoppes authoritie nor his owne estimation should be therby infringed After this he commeth to the seconde parte of hys accusation and alledging for his purpose many places of Scripture declareth playnly howe it is faith that maketh vs iust before GOD. Wherfore he desyreth him to deale fauourably with him shewe hym his errour For the force of thinges whiche he had alledged out of the scriptures was so muche that he beleueth them to be sufficiently groūded vpon their owne truthe whiche he can not forsake for so much as we ought rather to obey God then mē And therfore he requireth that may be released of the harde burthen of recantynge for he came not in to this contencion vpon any arrogancie or desyre of vayn glorie Yea he would wyshe for nothing more than that the truthe might be opened and that any man els myght bryng that were moore learned and godly her of he beseched him that he may not be cōpelled to hurt his own conscience The Cardinall receiued this wryting offered vnto him by Luther and whan he had red it estemed it lyghtly yet he promysed to sende it to the Byshop of Rome Than he vrged him muche to recant And vnlesse he so doe he threateneth him with the punishment appointed already by the byshop And also commaundeth him out of his sight and vnlesse he amende his maners to come no more in his presence After this threatening whiche was the .xvij. day of Octobre Luther wrote vnto him gentle letters ful of good wil and dutie For Caietane after he had thus chidden Luther sent him away wrought secretly with Iohn Stupice Prouincial of the Augustine
freers that he shuld induce him to recant of his own accorde Wherfore Luther in the same letters maketh mention what Stupice did with him verely omitting nothing that becōmeth a faithfull and frendly man to dooe he geueth him thankes for his beneuolence towardes him whiche he perceiueth well by the talke of Stupicious wherby doubtles he was much comforted so that nowe he would gratifie no man more rather than hym he graunteth that he was ouer quicke and had to little regarde to the Byshop of Rome his authoritie Howe be it the same is to be imputed to the importunitie of the Collectours he desyreth to be forgeuen this fault and promyseth to be more modeste hereafter and affirmeth also that he wyll in his sermons satisfie the Byshops request And as cōcerning indulgences he wil speake no more therof so that his aduersaries may be lykewyse commaunded to silence How be it to reuoke his sentence already taught and defended he can not with a safe conseience tyll suche tyme as by the testimonies of holy scripture he be cōdemned of errour He therfore requyreth that the hearing of the matter may be referred to the Byshop of Rome for there is nothing ran dooe hym more pleasure than to heare the voyce of the churche Whan the Cardinall would make none aunswere to these letters and had manased him in wordes through the counsell of his frendes he departed thence two dayes after leauing behind him an Appellation to be openlye set vp about the tyme of his departure And or euer he went he wrote agayne to the Cardinall that he hath done what he was able howe he came on foote being sickly a longe iournaye to Auspurg to the intent he might declare his dutie towardes the Byshop of Rome And nowe hauing litle monye left and being lothe to be longer chargeable to the house of the white freres his host he is dryuen to retourne and the rather for that he can not abyde his sight and hath forboden him his presens Wherefore all his freindes in a maner had counsailed him to appeale from him to the Bishoppe him selfe whiche he woulde not haue done but by the aduise of his freindes And chifely because that he supposeth that Duke Friderick had also rather that some appellatiō were made than that any thinge should be rashely or vnaduisedly reuoked The appellation was made muche after this sort How that same question touching Indulgences hath bene diuersely handled of many but neuer throughly determined And that in suche doubtefull questions it hath bene alwayes lawfull namely for Diuines to reason which thing also he did at the selfe same time whan certein clamorous Pardoners did not onely write and teache rashely and vncircumspectlye but also polled the people exceadingly and yet did he this not to affirme anye thinge but to trie out the trueth he committed also the whole controuersie to the iudgemente of learned men and euen to the Bishoppe of Rome but his Pardonars haue inuented such sclaunders against him and haue complayned so sore to the Byshoppe and brought the matter to suche passe at the last that the matter was committed to the Bishop of Ascula Syluester Prierias by whō he was cited to Rome but for so much as both these wer suspected the one of thē also vnfit to be iudge in such a matter Moreouer if he shold haue gone to Rome no mā douted but he shold haue ben in great daūger of his lif And last for that he was cōmaūded by his prince to remain at home for these causes also for such feare as may come vpō the most cōstant mā liuing he had desyred duke Friderick to bring to passe that the hearyng of the matter might be referred to some skilful and fitte men in Germany in a place not suspected nor subiect to iniurie Wherfore the Bishop of Rome hath committed the whole matter to his Ambassador Cardinal Caietane whiche doubtles was done at the instaunce of his aduersaries whiche knewe alreadye the mynde and wyll of the Cardinall And all thoughe he myghte not wythoute iuste cause be suspected yet dyd he obey but the Cardinall by and by at the fyrste metynge commaunded him to reuoke his workes whereunto he aunswered that he woulde iustifye that that he had done eyther in present disputation or by writinge And yet would submit the whole matter not onely to the vniuersities but also to the iudgement of the churche of Rome But he with al these thynges beynge nothing satisfied commaunded him styll to recante And where he coulde not bringe on the same he threatened with greuous punishment bothe him and others also that were of his opinion Therfore where as he findeth him selfe sore greued with suche preiudices he doeth appeale from the Byshoppe of Rome not well infourmed in this matter to the Bishop that shal be better instructed in the same And this he protesteth openlye Furthermore that same decree of Clement is to be founde in that parte of the Cannon lawe that is called extrauagaunte There Clemente appoynteth the yere of Iubile which Boniface the eight had ordained euery hundreth yeare to be nowe euerye fiftithe yeare and speakinge of the benefite of our sauioure Christe he sayeth howe that one droppe of Christes bloud had bene sufficient to haue redemed all man kynde wherefore the ouerplus he hathe left as a treasure wyth Peter and his successours to dyspose and distribute vpon penitente personnes that confesse theyr synnes lyke good Stewardes and so to releue them from Temporall punisshemente dewe vnto them for theyr synnes Moreouer and besyde the merittes of the Uirgin Marie and of all Sainctes belonge vnto thys place saieth he so that the matter and power of remyttynge synnes is vnmeasurable Wherefore vpon this decree Caietaine groundeth the authoritie of pardons But Luther sayth howe that there was nothyng committed to Peter and hys successours besydes the keyes and ministration of the worde wherein Christ commaundeth that through the trust in him the remissiō of sinnes shold be shewed to the beleuers And this to be the true sence meanyng of Scripture And if the decree of Clement meane thus he can be content otherwise he can not alow the same And that whiche is spoken moreouer of the merites of Saintes is wholy agaynst the holy Scriptures For men what soeuer they be can not onely not do more than they oughte but also not so muche as they are bounden neither are they saued by their owne merites but by the sole and mere mercy of God for all men must pray dayly that God the father will forgeue vs our offences and that he stand not in iudgement agaynst vs lest we be damned Touchynge that whiche the Cardinall inferreth for the authoritie of the Byshoppe of Rome thus standeth the case It was enacted in the fourth and fifte syttyng of the coūsell of Constaunce that the Bishop of Rome him selfe should obey the decrees of the Synode The same was afterwarde established and repeted
to dispute the matter in anye indifferente place and to be iudged by anye indifferente hearers or elles to aunswere the matter in wrytynge Whiche request because it is reasonable and for so muche as he wyll defende none errour wyllyngly he thynketh it meete to be graunted him that at the length it maye appeare wherefore he shoulde be accompted an Heretike and what he him selfe myghte chieflye folowe For lyke as he wyll maynteine no errour willyngly and as he woulde be verye lothe to swarue from the Church of Rome euen so can he not condemne him for an Heretike tofore he be detected of errour Nowe Luther who had sene the Cardinales letters as before is sayed wrote againe to hys Prince immediatlye that where as he wente not to Caietaine before he had obtayned the Emperours saufeconduit it was done by the aduise of his freindes And that the Cardinall would haue had him to recante suche thynges as he had wrytten touchynge Pardons and faythe to be necessarye in the Sacramentes for the fyrste he dyd not muche passe but to denye the other wherein consisteth the effecte of our saluatiō he might in no wise cōsēt After he declareth what places of scripture the Papistes do depraue and wraste into a wronge sense he reciteth also what was done euery day and howe at the length the Cardinall began to threaten him vndoubtedly he wisheth for nothing more than that it might be shewed him wherein he erreth But in case they at Rome shall refuse to take so muche paine for so poore a man as he is at the least wise let them write hereof to the Duke him selfe or to Themperor or to some great Bishoppe of Germanye or elles appoynt somwhere a free disputation whiche thinges all they haue denyed him hitherto And if they will thus perseuer than is it easye to be iudged whether the faulte be in him or in them And where they exhorte him to crueltie he oughte not to be perswaded by their woordes For they that will seme to note errours might muche more easely sende them in writyng into Germany thā he to his great charges and present daunger of his life trauaile to Rome there to vnderstande his errours Finally wheras he boasteth that iudgement shall passe againste him at Rome vnlesse he eyther come thither or be exiled he refuseth not to be an exile although he knoweth full well that he can be in no place safe hauynge so many aduersaries liynge in waite for hym Moreouer it should be great griefe vnto him that any man shoulde for his sake incurre any daunger Wherefore lest they should attempte any thing he will departe out of the limittes of the whole countrey whither soeuer it shall please God to leade him Wherfore he geueth him thankes and prayeth for his prosperous health And reioyseth to him self that it hath pleased God that he should suffer some thinge for the glorie of Christes name Thē dyd the Uniuersitie of Wittenberge in the moneth of Nouembre write vnto the Duke theyr fauourable letters in Luthers behalfe Nowe they vnderstode by Luther of Cardinall Caietanes letters bothe what his request was and also what offer Luther made him at Auspurge where Luther therefore requireth that his errour maye be shewed him and submitteth him selfe to the holy Churche of Rome They beseche him that he will see to it that they do him no open wronge but shewe him if he be in erroure the way oute of holye Scripture He him selfe hopeth well in the gentlenesse of Bishop Leo but he feareth lest his aduersaries so flatter him that they will abuse him and the name of the Churche For albeit the Duke did not accomplishe the Papistes requestes but semed rather to defende Luther as tofore it maye appeare yet had he neuer read any of hys woorkes nor as yet hearde him preache as he him selfe witnesseth in letters written at Auspurge to Raphell Riare a Cardinall who for olde acquaintaunce had frindely admonished him that he shold not take vpon him the defence of Luther Whilest these thinges were in doinge Leo fearinge some alteration establissheth his Indulgences with a newe decree sayinge that this is the doctrine of the Romaine Churche which is the maistres of all others that the Bishoppe of Rome the Successour of Peter and Christes Uicare hath authoritie to graunte this so great a benefite in suche sorte as they shall profit not onely the quicke but also the deade in Purgatorie And this doctrine muste all men receyue and beleue vnlesse they will be sequestred from the Felowshippe of holy churche This decree he sent to Caietane that it mighte be published vnto all men who folowyng his commaundement publisshed the thinge at Lintz a towne in Austriche by the Riuer of Danubye or Tonoware and in decembre sendeth out copies to the Byshoppes of Germany commaunding them in Leo his name vnder a great penaltie that they should immediatly set it foorth euery man in his Dioces and commaunded it to be reuerently kept and obserued But Luther perceiuing by the Cardinals letters that sentence shoulde be geuen against him at Rome putteth vp an newe appellation the .xxviij. day of Nouembre wherin was conteined that he would not diminishe thauthoritie of the Bishoppes of Rome thinking rightly muche lesse dissent from the Churche notwithstandyng for so muche as the Byshoppe is in the same state that other mortall men be in it maye be that he maye erre and offende neither ought this to be attributed vnto him that he alone cannot erre nor be disceiued He proueth this by the exemple of Peter who for that he erred in sounde doctrine was sharpely openlye rebuked of S. Paule But and if the aucthoritie and riches of the Bishoppe of Rome be so great that he may commaunde and do what he liste and careth for no man than suche as thinke they haue wronge at his hande haue onely one remedie lefte them that is to appeale After he reciteth howe he was inforsed throughe the ouer muche asperitie of Cardinall Caietane to appeale to the Bishop of Rome in whose humanitie he had thought to haue founde some fauoure for asmuch as both he offered most reasonable cōditions and promised to do al thinges the errour beyng taken away But nowe sins that this Appellation is condemned the offers dispised lookynge for no more helpe nor health at the Bishoppes hande as he might learne by the Cardinalles letters written to the Duke of Saxonie beynge broughte thorow extreme necessitie he appealeth from the Bishoppe of Rome to the nexte general Coūsell which by al meanes ought to be preferred before him After this the Bishop of Rome sendeth Charles Meltice his Chamberlaine into Germanye to presente Duke Fridericke with a golden Roose which the Bishoppe yearely is wonte to consecrate with many Ceremonies and great pompe and solemnitie And after as a token of singular freindship to geue it vnto some mā He wrot also to Degenart Phesfinger a noble man of the Dukes counsell
made Cardinal But Lewes kynge of Fraunce which persisted styll in his purpose and had lately ouerthrowen the Bishops armye at Bauenna was striken with the thonderbolte of cursing and hys Realme gyuen ouer to be spoyled But after he had sytten in the Counsell fyue tymes he died the .xxi. daye of February the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundred and thyrtene and Leo the tenth dyd succede him Who continewed the counsel and restored the Cardinals to theyr former dignitie The counsell ended the .xvi. daye of Marche in yeare of our Lord M.D.xvij In this counsell was debated of the Turkishe warre of the reformation of the Churche of the Immortalitie of the Soule which was doubted of at Rome and howe they of Boheme shoulde be reduced from theyr errours whiche is the thynge that Luther speaketh of here for they receyued vnder bothe kyndes Whilest these thinges were done in Saxonie the Diuines of Louain and Collen condemne Luthers workes written to Syluester Prierias also of Penaunce of excommunication of indulgences of Preparation vnto death as prophane wicked and worthy to be brente and the Aucthor of them to be compelled to recante Whiche thynge beyng knowen Luther aunswereth to euerye article of his doctrine And in the preface lamenteth theyr state and condition For before what time they condemned Capnio he had yet some hope of them But nowe seyng there endeuour to extinguishe the clere lyght and doctrine of the Ghospell and growe euery day wourse God doubtles must nedes be greuously offended for in case they shoulde thus procede and no man should bridle them of this lybertie they would shortely condemne all bokes of Scripture and decree what they liste at theyr owne pleasure which thinge when he considereth he can thinke no lesse but that eyther Antichrist doth now reigne or els will come very shortly For theyr doctrine conteyneth no sounde nor certen thynge but is waueringe in diuers opinions he saieth moreouer that WilliaÌ„ Ockam was in time paste also condemned by the Uniuersitie of Paris but now he is receiued and set bye And lykewyse Picus Mirandula and Lawrens Ualla whyche are nowe had in estimation moreouer sayeth he the Iewes were in tymes paste the peculiare people of God but when they fledde from the lyghte of the Ghospell and refused the benefyte of Christ they were forsaken and so gaue place to the Gentyles So lykewyse is it nowe a dayes that such as be Byshoppes and Diuines which do chalenge and take vpon them the greatest authoritie in the Churche haue in dede no thinge elles but a vayne title but others that be farre from the lyke ostentation more ryghtely maye chalenge that name Brieflye howe they haue thus vexed at all tymes all good and well learned men yet dyd they neuer contende wyth the same wyth anye sounde or trewe reasons but rather by very disceipte crafte and tyranye As they dyd with Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prage the memory wherof shal endure for euer But he marueleth at their rashenes that they can not be ware by so many examples to blemishe theÌ„ selues and other Uniuersities for euer For althoughe they had neuer so sure a grounde and alledged neuer so stronge reasons agaynst those other famouse men yet touching his matter they haue dealt bothe wickedly and maliciously For if he had ought offended they might haue considered that to be the parte of a man and haue vsed a certen leuitie in iudginge of hys doctrine But where they be moued with fury to coÌ„demne althinges without respecte herein they bewrey theyr maliciouse myndes and spitte oute the poyson of theyr hatred They make great accompt of Aristotle and will defende him what soeuer he sayeth be it neuer so contrary to our religion they will make an excuse and a gloâ—e for him but they depraue his worckes agaynste all charitie where as they be consonant to the trweth to declare their malicious and cankred hertes where they oughte fyrste to haue shewed his faulte admonishynge him gently to haue reformed the same and if he had not then they might haue proceded as Christ hath gyuen in commaundement But nowe they do no small iuiurie to the Byshoppe of Rome to condempne a Boke dedicated vnto him and with a certeine preiudice to reproue his negligence but to be no newes nor maruell that they committee suche a faulte agaynste the Bishoppe seynge that they moste malapartely do contemne the lawes of God This Wylliam Ockam that he speaketh of flourished in the tyme of the Emperour Lewes the fourth aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande three hundred and twentie and amonges other thinges he wrote of the power of the Bishoppe of Rome and in the same boke he handleth eight Questions diuerslye Whether the office of the highe Bishoppe and of the Emperor may be executed by one and the same parson Whether themperor hath his authoritie of God only or also of the Bishop of Rome Whether christ gaue aucthoritie to the Bishop church of Rome that they should coÌ„mit to themperor and other Princes their iurisdiction Whether that the Emperor beyng once chosen hathe thereby full aucthoritie to gouerne the common wealth Whether that other kynges besydes the Emperour and kynge of Romanes for so much as they be crowned by Priestes do receyue anye aucthoritie of them Wherfore the same kinges be in any subiection to suche as do inueste them Whether that if they vsed newe ceremonies and crowned themselues they should lose their regall power whether the election of the seuen Princes can geue as muche authoritie to the emperour as doth the lawfull succession to other kynges And debatyng manye reasons on both partes he determineth coÌ„monly with the ciuile Maiestrate And vpon this occasion mentionynge of Iohn the two and twenteth Byshoppe of that name then lyuynge who had made the lawes extrauagauntes as they terme them and had placed them wyth the Canon lawe whiche saieth Ockam are reprehended of many as altogether false and full of Heresyes and recyteth the errours maruelynge that men of witte will geue any credit to them howe beit this is the tyme saieth he that Paule wrote to Timothe for the moste parte of men nowe a daies seke not for the doctrine of Christe of his Apostles and the auncient fathers but hearken what the Byshoppe of Rome willeth or commaundeth As concernyng Capnio Rewcline thus standeth the matter Iohn Phefercorne a Iewe that professed Christianitie had sued long to the Emperour Maximilian that all the Bookes of the Iewes myghte be abolished for that they were wicked and full of superstition and were a hynderaunce that they were not conuerted to Christianitie And therefore that they shoulde be suffered to kepe none but the Bible Maximilian at the length commaundeth Uriel Archebyshoppe of Mentz that he shoulde appointe certeyne Uniuersities and Iames Hogostrate the inquisitour and Iohn Reucline to searche and consult whether it were mete and expedient for oure
Rome he woulde haue hys owne oppinion to take place against the iudgement of mē Wherfore it is wittely done of him to haue no familiarytie with so pestilent a fellowe nor to alowe hys errour In the whiche thinge all graue and wise men do muche commende his vertue And chieflye he giueth God hertie thankes that he hath giuen him suche a mynde affirming moreouer that he hath suffered and borne with his rashenes a while to see if he woulde amende but now for asmuche as he hathe nothinge preuailed with gentle admonishmentes he is compelled to vse an extreme remedy fearyng lest throughe his contagion he shoulde infecte many Wherfore callyng a counsel of Cardinalles and learned men to debate the matter he hath made a decree by the instinction of that holy spirite whiche neuer faileth the Churche of Rome the copie wherof he hath sent vnto him to the intent he might see what monstrouse errours that minister of Sathan defendeth he wilieth him therfore that vnlesse he do openly and solemnely recant with in the daye prescribed he should commit him toward for so shall he put away all shame from his house and from Germany wynne muche honor and do God highe seruice The decree is ouerlonge but the summe is this Fyrst the Byshoppe Leo callynge vpon Christe Peter and Paule and other sainctes to tourne awaye the daunger hangynge ouer the Church most lamentably complayneth that now there should spring vp a doctrine conteinyng bothe the Heresies already condemned and also newe errours and great wickednes And that in Germany that was wont to do so muche for the Churche of Rome bothe longe sins and of late dayes concernyng Husse and thē of Boheme But because the numbre of Christians throughout the vniuersall worlde are committed vnto his charge by Christ he can no lenger wyncke at so great a matter After reciting Luthers opinions saieth that they be against Christian charitie and the reuerens that all men owe of duetie to the Churche of Rome and agaynste the counsell of the aunciente fathers Wherfore by the consent of his Cardinalles he condemneth both him and his works to be brought forth and burned and by the aucthoritie whiche he saieth he hath he commaundeth all Magestrates namelye in Germany to se the thing executed accordingely Then commeth he to Luther shewyng with howe fatherly a loue he sought to refourme him howe he cited him to Rome and promised him to beare his charges And howe in contempte therof he appealed from him to the coūsell contrary to the decrees of Pius and Iulius And all be it he had hereby deserued the punishement condigne for Heretikes yet did he of his clementie gyue him a longer time if happely as the prodigal child amended through his owne misery he would retourne to the bosome of the churche And to be yet also of this minde yea and moste hertely besecheth him and his adherentes to trouble the church no more promysing them great good will if they wyll cease from theyr errours Notwithstandynge he commaundeth Luther to teache no more prescribynge him .lx. dayes wythin the whiche time he shoulde amende burne his owne bokes and recante his doctrine openlye if he did not he condemneth him as an Heritike to suffer accordynge to that lawes he suspendeth him out of the Church commaunding al men to eschew his talke and his company vnder the lyke penaltie and this decree to be red in all Churches assemblies of people at certen dayes appointed Touching Pius and Iulius thus it standeth This Pius hilde a Counsell at Mantua in the yeare of our Lord M. CCCC.lix chiefely because of the Turkisshe warre And there amonges other he made a decree that no man should appeale from the Byshoppe to the Counsell for that vnder the Coope of heauen he said there coulde nothinge be founde better then Christes Uicar And not longe after he suspended Sigismunde duke of Austriche for takinge the Cardinall of Cusane prisoner The duke appealed from him to the counsell Wherfore the Byshoppe did excommunicate George Heimburge the worker herof commaunding the Senate of Norinburge to banishe him the Citie and to spoile him of his goodes Whiche decree was after renewed by Iuly to maynteyne him selfe agaynst the Cardinalles that swarued from him agaynst kynges and princes and the vniuersitie of Paris whiche vsed ofte suche refuge This Bishop Pius called before Aeneas Siluius was at the Counsell of Basill wrot euery thing praysing the decrees that there were made exceadyngly But when he was auaunced to this highe degree of dignitie he chaūged his opinion and would haue the counsell subiecte to the Byshop When Luther hearde that he was condemned at Rome he goeth to his former appellation wherin he appealed from the Bishoppe to the counsell And nowe forsomuche as the Byshoppe perseuerynge in hys wicked tyrrannye hath proceded so farre to condemne him nether called nor heard nor yet conuicte of Heresye he saieth howe he appealeth from him againe to the counsel chiefly for foure causes for that he hath condemned him at his pleasure not hearyng the controuersie for that he cōmaundeth him to denie faith to be in sacramentes necessary that he preferreth his owne decrees and dotages of men before the Scriptures and for that he leaueth no place to anye Counsell Wherefore he calleth him Tyrran a proude contemner of the Churche and fynallye Antichriste affirmynge that he will shewe and proue al these thinges whensoeuer it shall please his superiours And therfore prayeth themperour and other Magistrates to accepte this his appellation for the defence of Gods glory and the libertie of the counsell that they would bridell his tyrranny and thynke that the decree made concerned nothynge nor that they would styrre nothinge tyll the cause were lawfully decided Before he had thus appealed about the .xvij. day of Nouembre he had written a boke of the Captiuitie of Babilon in the preface wherof he saieth howe he profiteth dayely more and more in the knowledge of holy Scripture And howe a fewe yeares paste he set forth a booke of the Byshoppes pardons and that tyme wrote renerently because he stoode than in great feare of the Romisshe tyrranny and had it in great estimation but now his iudgement is farre otherwise and beynge styrred vp by the prouocation of his aduersaries he hath lerned that the See of Rome is nothynge els but the kyngdome of Babilon and the power of the stronge Hunter Niutroth Afterwardes he disputeth of the Sacramentes of the Churche and holdeth that there be but three onelye Baptisme Penaunce and the Lordes Supper and then treateth also of the other foure confirmation order Matrimonye and Unction But these he calleth no Sacramentes because they haue no sygnes annexed to the promesse other sacramentes which haue no promise to thē ioyned he saith are but vare signes therfore thinketh that Penaunce can not be coūted in the numbre of thē if we wil properly exactly
Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within thē selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtheraūce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religiō and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who cōmaunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion cōprysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innocēt persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned mē of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse cōmissions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the
worlde condempned and excōmunicated Albeit that he contended Liberius to be one man emōges all others that sought to disturbe the publique quiet Yet neuerthelesse did he relent nothyng and than whan the Emperour had denied the same a long time after the errour of Arrius reigned but in fine the doctrine of Athanasius had the vpper hande and preuayled for euer And who is able to recite what bloud was spilte in the quarell of his doctrine And the condition of their Religion to be like vnto the same whether aconuenient place be geuen or otherwyse For a lyke cause also suche as were at the counsell of Basill refused Ferrare where as Eugenius the byshop had summoned an other counsell The Emperour Henry the seuenth had a great sute and cōtrouersie with Robert kyng of Sicilie had cited hym to appere to Pisa but the same was thought vnreasonable to the byshop Clement the firste whiche bothe defended the kyng also shewed reasons wherfore he was not boside to come thether nothynge so weighty as these of ours Therfore wher they no we refuse suche maner of counsel the faulte ought not to be imputed vnto them but to the byshop For so ofte as they haue referred their matter to a counsell they ment it of suche a counsell as the Emperour and states of the Empyre had decreed For they were not ignorant that in case the byshoppes might be permitted to haue the whole orderyng of the matter but that they would worke all to their owne auauntage and oppressing the true doctrine woulde establyshe theyr owne wyckednes And yet for all that doth Paul the thyrde so collour the matter with wordes to the Emperour as though he woulde vse the thynge vpryghtly and sincerely where he intendeth the contrary Moreouer what counsell they requyred thei haue declared by writing to Peter Paule Uerger the Ambassadour not only of Clement but also of Paule the thyrde And where as he sayth that the Emperours mynde is that errours and vices might be reformed there is none apparence therof at all in the byshops wryting For in case he intended a true and a nedefull reformation he would not haue cōdempned theyr doctrine before they were heard And albeit they distruste not the Emperours equitie and are so muche the more sory that they can not gratifie hym herein yet are they nothing furthered through this his good wyl and diligence For albeit the Emperour him selfe be present at the counsell yet is it well enough knowen what authoritie the bishoppes wyll permitte eyther hym or other kynges also to haue in suche maner of cases For the moste that they wyll graunte to shal be perauenture to vse their counsell in matters for as to determine any they wyll not permitte them but reserue that authoritie to themselues only to the entent that in case the Emperour and ciuile Magistrates went some thynge to farre they myght hereby as with a bridel hamper them in in fine determine al thinges at their own pleasure They desire therfore that the Emperour would not be offeded with them in that they seke to eschew these snares of the bishop where with he wold intrappe them For this is geuē naturally euen vnto brute beastes to shunne the place where they knowe they are layde in wayte for to be taken Furthermore it is commonly knowen howe the matter was handled in the counsell of Constance with the Emperour Sigisinūde For albeit he had graunted a saufeconduicte to Iohn Husse yet did the byshops deminishe his authoritie saying howe it was lawfull neyther for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them in this behalf wherwith the Emperour being vāquished gaue place to their authoritie whiche they chalenged to them selues not with out sighinge in their opinion but yet to the miserable destruction of hym who trustinge vppon the saufe conduicte fell into that calamitie Wherby it appereth euidently how muche the Emperour is able to helpe thē herein though he wold neuer so fayne after they haue ones intrapped them and enclosed thē as it were in a pinnefolde therfore must they worke circūspectly and yet for all that lest any thyng should be imputed to them they are ready not only to abyde lawfull iudgement but also moste earnestly beseche the Emperour to waye and pounder these so weightie matters diligently and to call a lawfull counsell in Germany wherin neither the byshop nor his consortes shall occupie the place of iudgemēt And if the byshop wyl let or impeche the Emperour in so doing and shal not permitte a sincere counsel to be holden in Germany they do proteste opēly that the faulte is not in them that the matter is not brought to a cōcorde What incommoditie also shall arise therof the same to be wholy ascribed to the Byshop in conclusion they requeste hym to make this same reporte vnto the Emperour and declare their good wylles and dutie to wardes hym Whan the matter was thus decided amonges them And Heldus had promysed them to make relation to the Emperour of all thynges the Protestauntes decree also howe to mainteyne the ministers of their churches in lyuing for the erecting of free scholes that their churches and common wealth might neuer want learned men last of suche thynges as concerne their league and defence As concerning the Turke they had aunswered the Ambassadour before that if they and theirs might haue quietues in other matters they would be glad and wyllynge to ayde the Emperour against hym but nowe the brute went howe kyng Ferdinādo prepared warre against John Uayuode and therfore requyred ayde In the whiche perplexitie lest haply they should not do theyr dutie to the common wealthe it was decreed in the absence of Heldus that the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sendynge abroade espialles of the common charges should get intelligence what thynges were a brewyng if the Turke entended to inuade Germany that they should than assemble agayne to consulte what eche mans dutie is herein Moreouer to the entent that all men myght vnderstand what iust cause they had to refuse the counsell they condescended to compryse the whole matter in wryting Whiche after wardes they set forth in print and speaking of foreine kynges and nations Paule the thyrde saye thei hath sent forth his bulles of late to sommō a counsel at Mantua to begynne nowe at the .xxiij. daye of May and alledgyng certen causes therof Moreouer he hath sente his Ambassadours to kynges and Prynces as well Germanes as others to aduertyse them of the counsell and to exhorte them eyther to come thither thē selues or send their protectours And where he moued vs also by his Ambassadour here vnto and so did the Emperour in lyke maner the thynge it selfe requireth that we should therfore declare what peryll and losse it were not for vs only but also for the whole common wealth of Christendome if men should obeye hym herein And notwithstandyng that the cause
our daies and therfore desyred a counsell that the wrong beyng redressed concorde might be reteined But in this our time a Counsell is muche more nedefull for as muche as the same errours and vices do remaine in sundry places and strife and contention is arrisen and many therefore are in daunger of their lyues that be innocent persons For these therfore so weightie considerations not onely we but themperour also and the residew of the states and Bishoppes haue determined that acounsell is chiefly necessary for the Church wherin the pure doctrine might be mainteined For vnlesse it were of suche sort they sawe right well howe it would styre vp a greater confusion But behold whilest we loke for such a counsell the Bishops Buls come forth quite contrary to the decrees of th empyre And because it doth not cōcerne vs only but also the whole commen wealth of Christendom we haue thought nedefull by this publike writyng to testifie and declare wherefore we discommende this counsell For the power and Authoritie of Iudgement belongeth not onely vnto Bishoppes but vnto the churche Of which numbre verely are all kinges and all other states Wherfore al beit the Bishoppe of Rome were nothing at all accused yet were not this to be graunted him that he alone and his should be iudges excludyng other ministers of the churche but seyng manifestly that he is a partie one of the suters much lesse ought it to be permitted because it is both against Gods lawe and also the lawe of Nature But we accuse the Bishop of Rome of no smale crimes neyther do we dispute onely of his vsurped Authoritie and abhominable liuinge but we reprehende his doctrine his lawes and wicked Religion that is we accuse him as giltie of Idolatrie and Heresie Whiche crimes beyng obiected the Bishoppe ought not but the churche to geue iudgement as the olde lawes of the Bishoppes them selues do testifie Furthermore the Bishoppe is not only one of the parties but because he hath condemned oure doctrine longe before he hathe heaped vpon him selfe the greater suspition And seyng it is thus who can doubte what his iudgement shal be in the counsell concernynge our doctrine For it is not to be thought that he will contrary to his olde custome permit any other man to haue the determination of matters And wheras in his writynge he speaketh nothyng of the maner of treatie in the Counsell we haue iust cause to suspecte all thynges the more For he calleth them onely thither which are bounden vnto him diuerse wayes of whose good willes he is assured And he protesteth also this to be the cause of calling the counsel that the Heresies sprong vp of late might be weded out And albeit the same may be taken largely yet is there no doubt but he meaneth it of our doctrine For it is not credible that he speaketh of his own errours Yea after he sent forth an other writynge touchinge the reformation of the Courte of Rome wherein by expresse wordes he confesseth that the Counsell is called for this intent that the Pestiferous Heresie of Luther might be abolished And so in dede at the fyrst he couered his mynde crastely that his writte myght haue some shewe but he disclosed it afterwarde Wherfore there is doubte but that he is fullye bente to roote oute our doctrine And what madnes were it than for vs to allow this his intention For this goeth he about that suche as receiue his writyng shoulde confesse oure doctrine to be wicked and Hereticall Moreouer that Kynges and Princes whiche admitte the same shoulde be bounden to aide and asiste him Therfore seing the thing concerneth the vniuersal common wealth we beseche all men that they will consider diligentlye thys his crafte and policie For it is to be marueiled whie he conceaued his writynge with suche wordes And there is a doubt whether he did it to the intent to feare vs from the Counsel or by the approuing of the writte to haue vs intrapped But amonges vs assuredly there is no doubt but that themperours mynde is to further the common wealth neyther do we thinke that he will allowe this forme of writte But the Byshoppe hathe not onely appoynted the Counsell but hathe also pronounced sentence against vs. For he will not permitte that the matter may be tried by the Scriptures but he will aledge his own lawes custome and certen Counselles of the latter time to proue the matter But we chiefly hold affirme the mens traditions that are contrary to Gods worde oughte to be reiected For we admit the doctrine of the church but the Byshops errors tyrannie ought not to be coloured with the title of the church Tholde church neyther receiued any law cōtrarie to the Scripture nor attributed the vnmeasurable power to the Bishop of Rome which he now taketh vpon him selfe And againe y◠sorte of men which do condemne persecute by the doctrine of the gospell be not the church but paricides the generatiō ofspring of Cam. And in old time in dede godly Bishops dyd oftentimes refuse coūsels seing the same to be called not to defende the veritie but either for the main tenaūce of some wicked opinon or els to establishe some mē in Authoritie Themperor Cōstantine had assigned a counsel at Antioche But Maximus Bishop of Hierusalem albeit it was not farre of came not thither for because he knewe themperors minde what the Arrians intended And although Athanasius came to the coūsell at Tyrus yet taried he not long for that he saw the chiefest of the coūsel plaie the parts both of the accusers Iudges And for that he saw certen accusers procured against him There was holdē a great counsel at Sirmiū a town in Hungry against Photynus for the matter was weightie And albe it themperour cōmaunded the Bishops to come thither yet wold not they of the west partes obey him for that they sawe there a numbre of Arrians there encreased suspected that some false opinion shoulde there be decreed That time was Osius Bishop of Corduba a famous man whom themperor at the request of the Arrians commaunded also to come thither out of Spaine When he was come he approued that perilous counsell of Sirmie which brought afterwardes a great consusiō to the church for this cause was Osius sore reproued of Hilarie whiche came not there Cyrillus Bishop of Hierusalē neuer came at their assemblies which denied Christ to be of the same substannce with the father is accompted the fyrst that euer appealed from the counsell by writyng There was a Counsell kepte at Millan and the Bishoppes called thither by the Emperour But what time Paulinus Bishoppe of Treuers and a fewe others sawe howe Anxentius the Byshoppe of Millan and his mates went about an euill purpose they departed brake vp that Counsell After this sort did those worthy men flie at suspected counselles lest they should be made partakers of
of this warre but yet vpon condicion that he laie to thē againe in mortgage so mutch of hys owne landes And because the thing is straūge he shal make them sufficient warrantise at the arbitrement of the bisshop If any man wyll impeche or let thys theyr enterprise hym shall they ioyntly resyst with bothe theyr forces and the one help theother and they bothe to be bounden thus to doe so longe as the warre shall indure syxe monethes besydes after that the warre shal be finished it shall be free for euery man to ioyne hym selfe vnto thys league and to be both partaker of the charges the gaine This composition also shall the Senate of Cardinalles confyrme and that which is spoken of Iune to be vnderstande of the moneth of Iune thys present yere wherin they bothe haue subscribed now to the leage before cōceaued The copie of thys confederacie the Bishoppes legate Hierome Frāch shewed after to the Swisses as shal be declared in his place Aboute thys tyme was a peace concluded betwene Fraunce and Englande and the French king permitteth the kyng of Englande to enioye Bologne vntill suche tyme as he hath payed hym hys money dewe And where at the same tyme Hēry the Dolphin had a daughter borne called after Isabell for the better confyrmation of that frendeshyp the kyng of England was desyred to be godfather at the fountstone who sent hys deputie into Fraunce Sir Thomas Cheynie knight Lorde Warden of Cinke portes Then also was the Cardinal of Saint Andrewes in Scotlande in hys owne Castell aboute diner tyme slayne by a certen gentleman whose brother he had euyll intreated for Lutheranisme And he that did the murther fled into Englād The third daie of Iuly the byshop of Rome sendeth his letters to the Swisses threatning vpō them kindnes for the frenship that had ben betwene thē his predecessours he bewayleth that som of thē are through the disceipt of the deuil law breakers plucked from the apostolicall relygion frō him as the most deare children out of the bosom armes of a most louing father Notwithstanding it is the great gift of God that many of them haue perseuered cōstant in the faith towards god the church to thintēt verely that others which through the talke of wicked men haue ben disceaued should haue an exāple set before their eyes at the length conuert vnto the religion of their forefathers for it is a great token of gods goodnes that in this discention of religiō they be at peace with in themselues wherin other places for this occasion hath ben great sedition tumultes The whiche to appease he hath euer since he was first bishop vsed al the gentle remedies he could deuise and now also is fled to the last refuge calling a generall counsel at Trent a Towne of Germany within the limites wherof this euil sede of heretikes hath chiefly increased vnto the whiche Towne they might safly com and there defend their matters yf they wold for he trusted that inso sacred a senate to the which alwaies all christen kinges and nations haue attributed very much in the assemble of so many bishoppes which through the instinctiō of the holy ghost shuld treate of religiō no man wold be so wicked that he wold not submit him selfe to so great an authoritie and which shuld not incontinently casting awaie his wicked opinions imbrace the iudgement of the catholicke church And that he hath now also the same opinion of them and by reason of theyr concord at home hath good hope that so many of them as haue continewed faithful and constant will obey the coūsell and that the rest which of no set purpos but through a certen credulytie haue ben broughte into errour will not dispyse the authoritye of the counsel which thing that they wold doe come vnto the counsell as vnto a certen heauenly Senate ouer the which God himselfe is presydent he exhorteth them moste ernestly as he hathe donne also before And sayeth howe it hathe ben a greate grief to hym that dyuerse in Germany yea of the same number that are called Prynces whyche not only doe proudely and insolently contemne the counsell but also bayte it with cursed and raylyng wordes and saye how they wil not obey the decrees therof But he was chiefly sory for this cause that through the contumacie disobedience of these obstinate persōs he is dryuen to attempt the matter by warre For he coulde no longer suffer the losse of so many soules whych through theyr heresies perished dayly nor yet the oppression of christians wherof that other belōgeth to his office pastorall and this to the dignitie of the degre wherin he is placed And whyleste he was thynkynge vppon a remedye and prayed God to shew hym the waye it chaunced luckely that Themperour a prynce of most godly zeale offended with the like faultes in a maner that he was thought good to auenge the cause of religiō against those wicked heretikes by force of armes For where as by his intercession and meanes a counsell was graunted vnto Germany it semed vnto him that such as refused and contemned that dispised also his doing authoritye wherfore this occasion offered euen of god he tooke holde of it right gladly prefixed him self to further this noble myde of Themperoure as wel with his owne treasure as also of the church of Rome for if he shuld otherwise do handel the thing negligently slackly ther is no doubt but god wold require at his hādes as of their father the soules of somany children as wer lost throughe the falsehead of heretickes and for this cause doeth he open his mind counsell vnto them that they maye see with what carefulnes he is vered and may ioyne theyr prayers with his that is with God religion They haue don verely many godly actes but neuer non more noble then this if they wil kepe the olde amitie with god as their elders haue don if they shew to the churche of Rome which hathe euer don for them their olde loue fidelitie yf in this now so godly a cause they wil geue theyr ayde assistaunce Which thing he desireth them grealy they wold doe The ambassadours of the Protestantes in the vpper part of Germany come from Ulme to Baden to the conuentiō of the Swisses declaring their message were delaied to the moneth of August Their requestes were that they wold suffer no foreine soldiours to passe through their countrey that they wold permit their men to serue them in their war if the thing so required At this time also they of Brunswicke Goslarie Hildessem Hanobrie at the commaundement of the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue Rase Wuolbutel the chief castel of the Dukes of Brunswicke which they had hitherto kept with a garnisō The Paulsegraue prince electour in this hurly burly maketh suite to themperoure at Regenspurge
Cardinalles thought mete to conferre also with the fathers of the counsell leste any thyng should be done rashely And to the intent that the decrees already made aswell that of remouing the counsell as also the reste myght wholy remayne Therfore sayeth he for so muche as I am both carefull for the welth of Germany and for the Emperours sake would haue no long delay I commaunde you that calling for the assistaunce of the holy Ghoste you declare the whole matter to the fathers And what answere shal be made to the Emperour you wryte hither with all spede Cardinall Montane as he was commaunded bryngeth the matter in counsell after wryteth agayne to the Byshop Albeit the counsell were lawfully remoued frō Trent to Bononie Albeit that in the session of the Fathers the same daie that the decree was made of remouing the Synode al mē were openly warned to repare to Boloigne Although he and the other Fathers wryting their letters after to Trent admonished thē louingly to take their iourney yet do some remaine there vntyll this daye Whiche thing verely aperteineth to the contemt of the counsell and offendeth many Therfore the Fathers do not see howe they should sauing the dignitie and estimation of the Synode consulte of their retourne vnlesse that suche as be at Trent do first come to Bononie ioyne thē selues with the residue acknowledge the authoritie of the counsel Againe it is nedefull that the Fathers be put in assuraūce that Germany will submitte it selfe to the counsell and allowe the decrees therof that either are made already or heafter shal be in such sort that they be retracted of no man Moreouer in as muche as the brute goeth that it shal be a counsell to the people agreable the fathers desyre also to haue assuraunce in that behalfe For if that should take place all order and maner of counselles synce the Apostles tyme vnto this day shuld be chaūged They desyre also to know how they shal be assured that they may all there safely and frely remayne and whan they shall thinke good departe thence no man to let them Finally this assuraunce is also requisite that whan for certen causes it semeth good to the moste part it may be lawfull for the Fathers to go some where els and remoue the counsell Furthermore whan it shall appeare those matters to be sufficiently aunswered for the whiche the counsell was called the fathers may be at libertie to surcease and make an ende These are the thinges whiche the fathers after great deliberation whan they had called for the grace of the holy spirite haue answered vnto his requestes praiyng his holines to take them in good worth Whan these letters were deliuered the Byshop the .xxvii. daye of Decēber at after Masse sendeth for the Emperours Ambassadour Mendoza into the senate of Cardinalles and sheweth him what the Synode of Boloigne hath answered whose opinion he saieth is not misliked either of him or of the Cardinalles as consonant to right and reason For his part there is nothing that he would not wyshe to do for Germany And this can the Emperour witnesse For nothing that concerned the dutie of a good pastour and a moste louing father hath bene of him omitted He perceiueth in dede what the Emperour what king Ferdinādo and the States of the Empire require but he supposeth howe they desire it in suche wyse as it may stande with the peace and commoditie of other nations and with the libertie of the churche Whan Mendoza sawe howe the Bishop toke that company at Boloigne for the counsell he was fully mynded to haue protested to the contrary immediatly But through the intercession of certen Cardinalles and the Deane of the College he was content to aduertise the Emperour of this aunswere and to awayte for his letters and differre the protestation vntill the .xx. day after Whan therfore Mendoza had signified the whole matter to the Emperour The Byshop also made aunswere to the former letters of the Germane Byshops at the kalendes of Ianuary Wherein he commendeth their vertue and interlaseth his owne prayses amonges He sheweth how desyrous he hath bene euer of a counsell and first called the same at Mantua after at Uicence last at Trente whither came many Bishoppes of other nations but fewe or none out of Germany Moreouer what holsome decres were there made and how proftable for the commō wealth and that they departed from thence without his knowledge yet doeth he defende their doinges to be lawefull Further more he defende their doinges to be lawfull Furthermore he discourseth at large what the Cardinall of Trent and Mendoza demaunded in the Emperours name whose requestes in asmuche as they were with theirs agreable he would not answere before he had aunswered the Emperour Finally where they say it is to be feared lest if he be slacke other meanes wyl be found that can not moue him for as muche as he hath omitted no part of his duty whome God hath placed in this seate of dignitie as it were in a hyge watche toure to haue charge of the whole slocke but especially of those that go astraye from the rest Againe it may be that newe deuises shal be attempted against the authoritie of the Sea of Rome For Christ him selfe the architectour therof what tyme he layd the foūdation of the church of Rome did prognosticate of great stormes but that their enterpryse should haue any lucky successe he feareth not for that Christe hath buylded the same vpon a moste strong Rocke Diuers haue heretofore attempted the lyke thinge whome God hath made an example for all men to beholde And if there be any at this day whiche are not affrayde of the plages and punishment of others set before their eyes he sore lamēteth their case for the destruction that will ensue Howbeit he exhorteth them chiefly to remayne and perseuer still in that faith vertue and constancie which they haue perfourmed hetherto And suffer no counselles to take place in their cōuentions against the dignitie of the churche Whan therfore the Byshop and Synod assembled at Boloigne dwelt stil in their opinion The Emperours Ambassadours for the same cause sent to Bononie Fraūces Uargas and Martin Uelascus the .xvi. daye of Ianuary whā they had desyred a Senate they come before the cōsistory There was present Cardinall Mountane and about .xliiii. bishops and prelates of the churche There Uargas reciteth his commission wherin the Emperour had geuen him and his fellowe authoritie to pleade whiche he had also exhibited lately before And beginning to speake was interrupted by Cardinal Montane President of the counsell In this commission and wrytyng the Emperour calleth it not the counsell but conuention of Bononie Wherfore sayeth Cardinal Mountane albeit this assemble is not bounde to heare your Oration forasmuch as your commission exhibited doth not concerne this holy Synode yet lest any man should haue any cause to complayne we refuse
both of body and soule and to dryue awaye the disceiptes of the deuyll clense not only men but also things without lyfe For it is cast vpon the grounde and vpon stones and throwen into dead mens graues the priest praieth God to geue it that vertue and strength After the same sorte also is salte handled at the christening of chyldren And whan it is consecrate the priest putteth it into the chyldes mouth and cōmaundeth the deuil to come out and thrise ducketh the infant in the water and with oyle wherin he dippeth his thombe annointeth the brest and shoulders of the childe Women also after their childebed whā they come to be churched at their first entring in at the churche dore are purified with this water Finally it serueth for many vses but chiefly whan they haue to do with spirites in the nyght and practise coniuryng And they hallowe with certen prayers whatsoeuer apperteyneth to the apparell of Priestes Moreouer the water of the fountstone tapers candels palmes the Paschall lambe as they terme it made of waxe Egges Fleshe Chese Bakō Flowres Herbes and fruictes of trees and vpon all these thynges is cast the forsayd water When any churche must be buylded the Byshop or his suffragan layeth the first stone of the foundation and throweth on salt water And when it is edified he goeth thrise about it and first he sprinkleth the vpper walles than the middle and after the lowest of all And with his crosiers staffe maketh the signe of the crosse vpon the highest walles that the deuill do not approche After entring into the churche whan certen songes are ended the priest stroweth ashes after the similitude of a crosse Which done the Bishop with his staffe wryteth Greke letters in the ashes at the left syde of the crosse and Latin letters on the ryght and afterwarde casteth on an other water mixed with salte wyne and ashes wherwith he sprincleth the churche agayne and exhorteth the people to bountefulnes liberalitie In lyke sorte are the belles vsed And first forsouth they must hange so as the Byshop may goe round about them Whiche after he hath sayde certen Psalmes he consecrateth water and salte and mingleth them together wherwith he washeth the belle diligētly both within and without after wypeth it drie and with holy oyle draweth in it the signe of the crosse and prayeth God that whan they shall rynge or sounde that bell all the disceiptes of the deuyll may vanyshe away hayle thōdryng lightening wyndes and tempestes and all vntemperate weathers may be aswaged Whan he hath wipte out the crosse of oyle wyth a linen cloth he maketh seuē other crosses in the same and within one only After saying certen Psalmes he taketh a payre of sensours and senseth the belwithin and prayeth God to sende it good lucke In many places they make a great dyner and kepe a feast as it were at a solemne wedding And they hallowe their aultars thus They take oyle cresme a pounde of Frankēsense a panne with hote coales salt water wyne ashes hyssope one canuas clothe to wipe with and an other finer and softer to couer with fiue crosses of waxe a chalice morter two tapers finally whatsoeaperteineth to the furniture of the aultar In the meane season the Byshop and the priestes saye certen Psalmes and prayers Than doeth he sprinkle the altar in fiue sondry places so bestowyng the water that it representeth the signe of the crosse than goeth he seuē tymes about the aultar and casteth theron water tempered with wyne hyssope and Asshes Moreouer he tempereth morter with water and powreth it out aboute the aultar Streight wayes are brought forth solemnely the reliques of Sainctes whiche after they be sensed are agayn sayde vp in their place After the Byshop swingeth the aultar thryse about with the sensours which than he deliuereth to that priest who senseth continually til the hallowyng be al finished And whan he hath drawen out vpon the aultar thre crosses of oyle in seuerall places he powreth out the oyle and suppleth it in and takyng fyue small pieces of Frankensence and as many crosses made of waxe he placeth them here and there and after setteth them on fyre The asshes that are gathered therof are kept for holy thinges Finally he anoynteth the foure corners and edges and also the forefront of the aultar singeth masse But the oyle and chresme as they call it is made euery wheare on Maundy thursday in the passion weke next before Easter These were in tymes past had in great reuerence and estimation with all men But whan Luther and after hym others taught howe al creatures were cōsecrated by the mouth of God what tyme he created the whole worlde all this gere came in contempt and mockery as full of iugglyng and trompery Nowe therfore the Byshoppes of Germany hauynge the wynde at wyll restore the same and bryng them home agayne as it were from death to lyfe And touchyng the makyng of holy water as they terme it there is a decree in the Bishop of Romes lawe whiche they ascribe to Alexander the fifte Byshop after Saint Peter to the intent the thyng may be of more credite and authoritie by reason of the antiquitie therof Howe the Byshop of Rome had sent thre Byshoppes into Germany it is spoken of before Whan they came to themperour at Brusselles the .xxv. daye of May they declare first their commission In the beginning the Bishop of Rome reciteth how ful of care he is for them that haue torne the Lordes cote Howbeit two thynges do comforte hym chiefly First for that Christ him selfe did prophecie that Sathan should assault the churche but yet in vayne Secondarely that by a generall counsell may be taken away al suche thinges as are wickedly crept in And for so much as the fruict of the coūsel is come already to other natiōs but amōgs the Germains as yet is nothing done by reason of diuers dissentiōs in religiō ther therfore hath he partly of his own mere motion office pastoral partly also at themperours request by the consent of the Senate of Cardinalles sent forth certen byshops whiche haue authoritie to receiue vnto grace such as ar willing to retourne into the bosom of the churche to promesse them al ioyful thinges of his clemencie great benignitie so that they be content to receiue lawes not to prescribe Which benefite verely he graūteth to al men in general no degre at al nor also no crime of that sort excepted though it haue continued neuer so many yeares yet so as they that be such offendours do confesse their errours sinnes to some catholike priest and do suche penaunce as he shal therfore inioyne them But for open confession abiuring and satisfaction by the lawes prescribed he doeth vtterly remitte and forgeue them He hath geuen also to the Byshoppes that be his Ambassadours full power and authoritie to vnlose suche as are bounden to
sore afflicted and seing the matter is thus for so much as he dealeth so sharply roughly with him which is theldest sonne of the church he protesteth as he saith is likewise done at Rome first that for the most troublesome tumultes of warre he may not send the bishops of his realme vnto Trent again that he taketh not this for a publike or general coūsel but rather for a certain priuate conuention which is not instituted for the profit of the common wealthe but for the vtilitye of a few Finally that nether he nor any man within his realme can be bounden to the decrees therof but declareth also furthermore that he wil vse suche remedies if the case so require as in a like matter his progenitors haue accustomed he will be euer of a sounde and sincere mind towardes religion and the Church of Rome neither wil he cōmit any thing worthy of iust reprehension but in as much as he is burthened with thiniuries and hatred of certain without his desert he can not otherwise do at this present Therfore let thē take this protestation in good parte and Communicate vnto him the doctrine or testimony of this action to th end he may certify other Princes and people of Christendome concerninge the whole matter But wheras he saith he wil vse the remedies of his progenitoures thus it standeth like as in all other Regions so also in Fraunce if any Bishoppricke or Abbotship be vacant such as are called Chanons or Monkes had fre election to chuse them but the meane benefices which were not electiue as they terme it the Bishops and Patrones bestowed Moreouer all maner of sutes and controuersies touching benefices or matters of the church wer decided within euery prouince But bishops of Rome as Couetousnes increased began to subuert those elections and by reseruatiōs and graces expectatiue as they name them haue deriued all the gaine to Rome and to them selues called also to Rome all sutes euen the fyrst instaunces as they call them And the beginning of this alteration chanced in Fraunce in the time of King Lewes the ninth but he resisted stoutly and in the yeare of our Lord M CC. lxvii made a law that thold custome shuld be reteined nether that any tribute shuld for that cause be paid to the bishop of Rome This law was verely of force many yeares but at the lengthe the violence of the bishops preuailed against it and so far as christendome stretcheth they published those foresaid graces and reseruations and were very chargeable to all men vntill the Synode of Basill toke away this kinde of pillage and restored the aunciente lawes of contributions and elections and prohibited firste frutes to be paid This decre of the counsel the King of France Charles the seuenth by thaduise of his Counsell did ratify and in the yeare M CCCC xxxviii confirmed by Proclamation But Eugenius the fourth pronounced this counsell to be frustrate and of none effect as I said in the first boke and the Bishops that succeded him reiected that decre and said it was Scismaticall and in dede Pius the second sendinge his Ambassadoure to Lewes the eleuenth sonne to Charles the seuenth moued him earnestly to abolish that same confirmation and the king asketh counsell of the Senate of Paris the moost famouse of all Fraunce which in a maner consisteth wholy of lawyers They repeting many thinges of great antiquity declare what the bishops of former time what the Counsels and finally what his progenitors Clodowey Charles that great Phillip Deodate Lewes the ninth Philip le Beau Lewes Hutine Ihon the first and laste what his father and grandfather haue herein determined and except thauncient lawes be obserued it wil come to passe say they that al thecclesiastical ordre shal be brought to confusion and that Fraunce shal be lesse populous whan so many shal run to Rome and shal be so much impouerished that churches and many such other sumptuous buildings in France shal be neglected and fall to ruine And as touching the mony matter vnles your fathers confirmation of the decree at Basill maye be of force there shal be caried yerely out of Fraunce vnto Rome ten C M. Crownes For to let other thinges passe in the time of Pius the second now bishop there haue bene vacant at the least twentye Bishopprickes which haue paid euery one of them aswel for their first frutes as for other charges vi M. There haue fallen abbotships about lx and euery one of them haue paied two thousand of other benefices haue bene void aboue two hondreth whiche haue paid v C. crownes a piece Moreouer within your realme are an hondreth thousand parishes and aboue out of the which an infinite quantity of gold hath bene gathered by that same deuise of the bishop of Rome Walke therfore in your fathers fotesteps swarue not from the decre of Basil Certainly this was the counsell of the Senate but the king being ouercommen with the Bishops either authority or policy would neades abolish the confirmation the chief worker of this matter was Cardinall Baluen in great fauor with the king whom the bishop of Rome had corrupted how be it both the kinges procurer and also the vniuersity of Paris whome it much concerned resisted with a stout courage and appealed frō the bishop to the counsel Afterward Lewes the twelfth had great emnity for the same cause with Iuly the secōd and the matter was brought into the counsel of Laterane and Fraunces the firste that succeded Lewes concluded at the length with Leo the tenth vpon certaine conditions at Bononie after he had taken Millan verely that when a Bishoppricke or Abbotship were vacante the Couent in dede should not haue thelection therof but that the king shoulde within .vi. monethes nominate some man to the Bishop of Rome whome he thought worthy of that office This same therfore is the thing amongs others which King Henry now by his ambassador signified vnto them of a remeady For kings are on this wise wōt to bridle the bishops when they are at dissention with them and so to put in practise the confirmation of the decre of Basil espectally at this time when their thondrebolt is not so greatly feared as it was in time paste And for so muche as the Realme of Fraunce is both most large and rich also Rome can not without great hinderance want the reuenues therof And that which he signified here that he would do the same did he not longe after as you shal hear The same remeadye also in times paste vsed the King of Fraunce Phillip le Beaw against Boniface the eight For wheras he commaunded him to war against the Sarazens and refusing his excuse forbad that he shuld take no mony of the churches within his owne Realme which the King was driuen to do for the necessitye of his warres and vnlesse he obeyed the same did suspend him out of the Church he assembleth all
and the decrees be red openly that done the bishops are demaunded whether they allow the same They answer all that they please them well And so the deuines declare what is theyr opinion of euery matter but the bishops only and with them a few other mitred men haue authority to determine that thing which is thus decreed they commaund to be sacred and holy and call those decrees Canons These thinges in dede are thus done outwardly but those that are better acquainted with Romish matters wil affirme that all those articles of doctrine are written before at Rome by the bishops commaunment and sent to his Legate in time that the deuines may in their reasoning folow that prescript and ordre For the Bishop finedeth ther diuers of them and many bishops also and therfore it is commonly spoken by a fond prouerbe that the holy ghost commeth many times from Rome to Trēt inclosed in a male For this cause verely that the bishop sendeth ofttimes letters in poste signifying to his Legates there what he woulde haue done The fourth day of Septembre Erle Hedeck commeth to Maidenburge by him duke Moris did so mitigate the conditions before propounded that they thought mete to proceade in the treatye In the meane while was truse taken which was after also prolonged for many daies as I shall hereafter declare The French king hauing his mind alienated from the bishop of Rome publisheth a wryting and speakinge many thinges of thiniury done vnto him of the cause of the warre of Parma and whye he receiued Octauius into his tuition commaundeth vnder a great penalty that no mony from henceforth be conueied to Rome for considering that the sinewes of warre consisteth in mony what madnes were this with his own mony his subiectes to maintaine the force of his aduersarye and strengthen his power how it is the peculiare office of the bishops of Rome to appease he controuersies of kings this verely did Paule the third who being almost worn for age came to Nice in Ligurie to make a reconcilement betwene his father and themperor but Iuly followeth cleane an other wates and hauing lately called a counsell very necessary in dede for the common weale hathe stirred vp war against him surely of a set purpose that he mighte exclude all the french church which is one of the principall so that ther can not be holden a lawful counsel wherin both therrors of the prelates and ministers of the church mighte be refourmed and their faultes amended This proclamation of the king was openlye proclaimed at Paris the vii day of Septembre whereas a few daies before ther was an other most hainous proclamation setforth against the Lutheranes whiche partly confirmed such like decrees of former yeres partly where they semed not to be diligently enough writtē sharpned them omitting nothing that concerneth great seueritye and such as wil vtter any thing are promised great rewards whiche thing in dede the king was thought to haue done for this intēt that he might bridell hereby such as in Fraunce desired to haue an alteration of Religyon leaste by reason of thys dissention of hys with the bishop they should take ouermuch libertye And againe least they whiche beare a reuerence to the Churche of Rome shuld conceiue any apinion of him that his minde should be altered concerning Religion Finally that both the bishop him self and the Senate of Cardinals might see that they might be receiued into his frendship whan they wold Than out of themperours court came forth a wryting wherin is recited the original cause of the warre of Parma and how iuste an occasion of displeasure the bishop of Rome hath against Octauius and the Earle of Mirandula and of what an vnquiet mind the Frēch king is which seketh all manner of occasions and bendeth his whole force that he maye impeche and defeat the most noble enterprises of themperor how beit themperor being nothing moued withall these thinges wil so much the more couragiously and stoutly procede Octauius pretēded as though he had come of necessity into thobeisance and tuition of the French king for thiniuries and laying in wayt of Fernādo Gonzage But that is confuted by this wrytinge For if there were any cause of feare the occasion was geuen of him selfe who hath ofttimes laid wait for the life of Gonzage After it is recited how Placence came into the hands of themperor For Peter Aloise the bishop of Romes bastard sonne whan he had obteined Pirma and Placence gouerned the common wealth cruelly and like an other Nero and accomplished his wicked lust not only vpon womē but on men also wherfore he was slain at home and murthered of his citezens which could no longer abide so great crudelitye after the townes men for that they saw a present daunger prepared against them in case they shuld come again into the iurisoiction of the Bishop and church of Rome had this only refuge to saue them if they gaue them selues to themperor especially consideringe also howe they were once fre citezens of the Empire so therefore they moued Gonzage and desired him that they mighte be receiued into themperors tuition For otherwise wold they prouide them aid and succour elsse wher Therfore it is vntrue that he shuld faine him selfe to be a fraid For themperor hath imploid many benefits vpon the Farnesians He hath chosen Octauius to his sonne in law gaue to his father Aloise the city of Nouaria for euer and honored hym with the dignity of a Marques but great hath bene their vnthākfulnes both at other times and chiefly whan through the pretence of frendship they aided him in punishing certain rebels of Germany their whole endeuor was to haue taken from him Genes and Lumbardy For verely in the same tumult was slain ful wickedly amonges others Ioannine Aurie a man of an excellente vertue whilest he both did themperor faithful seruice and repulsed pearil from his country After came forthe an answer to these thinges in the French kinges name Wherin is made mention how themperor to haue the frendship of the bishop of Rome Paule the thyrde gaue vnto his sonne Peter Aloise the title and degre of a Marques how he toke vnto him Octauius the sonne of Peter to be his sonne in law how he preferred his other sonne Alexander to many ecclesiasticall promotions how afterward he made a league with the bishop wherin it was prouided that the decre of the Senate of Cardinals that was made concerning the gouernment of Parma and Placence themperor shuld confirme to the house of the Frenesians but what time themperor made war in Germany and pretēded as though he moued not the same war for Religion but to punish the rebellion of certain this deuise was displeasaunt to the bishop for that he saw how by this meane he went about his priuate affairs and to procure to him self rule gouernment neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the war being
length to Emden a towne in east Friseland and there remayned The fourth day of Marche the Quene of England set forth ecclesiasticall lawes wherin she cōmaundeth bishops their officers that they receiue no man that is suspected of heresie into holy orders that they rote by cleane all heresies that they abolyshe al naughtie and pestiferous bokes that they prescribe an order to Scholemaisters and preachers that they take awaye from maried priestes their wyues and benefices and inioyne them punishement condigne for their misdoing yet so that suche as by the cōsent of their wiues wil proteste to make a diuorsemēt they do handle more gently and suche as amende to be also restored Moreouer that all prayers at common supplications be sayde in the latin tongue after the olde custome that all holy daies be obserued and the Ceremonies of fourmer tyme be restored that bigge children before christened be confirmed of the Byshops and that they be taught in Scholes howe to helpe a priest to saye Masse and serue him at the aultar What tyme the kyng of Englande Henry the eight banished the Byshop of Rome as I sayd in the .ix. boke he made this lawe amongest others that no man should be admitted to any office or ecclesiastical dignitie except he would first proteste by a solemne othe both him and his successours also to be supreme head of the Englishe churche ouer the whiche the Byshop of Rome hathe no authoritie neither to be any other thinge than Byshop of the citie of Rome with whome they wyll haue nothinge to doe Whiche othe the Quene whan she published these thinges did nowe release also and chargeth the Byshoppes that from henceforth it be required of no man secretly after a sorte restoryng the supremacie of the bishop of Rome Where she speaketh of cōmon prayer thus it is By the kyng her fathers commaundement procession was sayde in the vulgare tongue Wherin God was prayed to amonges other thinges that he would deliuer them from the sedition conspiracie and Tyranny of the Byshop of Rome This fourme therfore set forth in print the Quene nowe commaundeth to be abolished Not long after the Lady Elizabeth the Quenes sister a Lady very well learned was cōmitted to the Tower for that she was thought priuie to the fourmer conspiracie At the ende of Marche the ennemies of Marques Albert retourne to the siege of Schninfurt In the moneth of Aprill came into Germany out of England men of great learning sir Richarde Morisine Knight of whose Ambassade I haue spoken in the fourmer boke sir Anthony Coke and sir Iohn Cheke Knightes both the kinges scholemaisters and they went after into Italy Thither came also Iohn Pomet Byshop of Winchester whiche by reason of this alteratiō of Religion was displaced as likewyse were diuerse others About this time where as the forces of the Duke of Florence and the Byshop of Rome besieged Senes Peter Strosse who in the Frenche kinges name defended the citie vnderstanding certen thinges by espiall set vpon them sodenly and slew of them a great nomber They notwithstanding restoring their strength continued the siege Wherfore the Frenche kyng hyreth about thre thousand Swisses to ayde those that were besieged The Duke of Florence had fiaunced his daughter to Ascanio the Byshop of Romes nephewe and meanes were deuised to auaunce hym by this mariage In these daies the gouernour of Millan Ferdinando Gonzago being sent for came to the Emperour in Brabant Thither came also Babtista Castaldus whome the Emperour as I sayde in fourmer yeares sent Ambassadour into Hongarie About the middes of Aprill Sir Thomas Wiat was executed at London Before he suffered excusinge the Lady Elizabeth and the Erle of Deuonshyre diligently he affirmed that they were not priuie to this conspiracie Than also the Archbishop of Cantorburye the Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer were caried first to Windsore and after to Oxford and after they had disputed with the diuines of that vniuersity and also of Cambridge perseueringe in theyr opinion they are committed to prisone At the same time againe the Quene helde a Parliament Wherin she propounded two thinges chieflye concerning her owne mariage and restoring the supremacy to the bishop of Rome wherof she obteined the first vpon certain conditions but this other the Nobility being chiefly againste it she coulde not perswade Cardinal Poole after he had bene a certen time with themperor wente to the French kinge and was a counsellor of peace to them both but he preuailed nothing At th end of Aprill Marques Albert receiuing lx thousand crownes sendeth away Duke D'anmalle his prisoner wher a little before he had lost Holansperge an other fortresse of his dominion Not long after themperor sending his letters from Bruissels where he was in the winter before outlawed by the chamber he outlaweth him again and complaininge that he should worke so much mischief vnpunished commaundeth with wordes most waighty that all Princes and states but chiefly those that are nexte him do put the Proclamation of outlawrye in execution They had met twise before this at Roteburge to treate a peace but wheras nothinge was concluded themperoure decreed this againste him and for the same the states assembled after at Wuormes al such as belonge to the prouince of the Rhine Of the cōmon assemble of thempire that shuld be holden at Auspurge I haue spoken oftner then once because themperor being impeched both with sicknes and also with warres could not be ther king Fernando at his request taketh this charge vppon him and the Princes being of him desired to come excused them selues by reason of the troublesome state of Germany Themperor had all ready sent thither certen of his counsell and had also chosen out the Cardinall of Auspurge for the same purpose but what time for the cause aboue named no man came the matter was differred til a time more conueniēt Marques Albert had written certen thinges spitefully and bitterly against the Norinbergians as though in the former war they had priuely aided the French king and his fellowes and had paid mony as though they shuld haue had a great suspitiō of themperor both they also the bishops theyr fellowes had spoken contumelious words that they shuld fauor the french king more then themperor that they them selues had attēpted this war against him that they do what they are able that the bishops shuld not kepe couenants as though they shuld seke to destroy al the nobility as though they shoulde haue broken theyr promise expressed and signed in wryting as though they should haue made a wicked and a cruel warre against the people of his dominion as thoughe they had corrupted the iudgemente of the Chamber with bribes He called them also traitors to theyr country dispersing abrode libels therof throughe out Germany This knowen the Norinbergians whan after the taking of Holansperge they had found certaine thinges of the lyke sort the .xviii. day
to aduertise me plainly by the bearer hereof Moreouer that according to thauncient custome and pacification of Passaw my ambassadors which shal come to the next assemble of thempire may haue safeconduit Unto this was made answer how the horsmen that were sente to the frontiers of Loraine concerned none iniury towardes him but was done for this intent that in case Marques Albert should make anye sodaine inuasion his enterprise mighte be disapoynted touching his Ambassadoures and the safeconduit for so muche as they haue no commission hereof they will aduertise theyr princes and distrust not but they will do herein that shall be reasonable About th end of Octobre themperor geueth ouer to his sōne Phillip the Dukedome of Millan sendinge messagers to inuest him herein with accustomed Ceremonies The French kinge leuiynge his siege from Rentie as before is said and not long after discharging the Swisses he placed the reast of his soldiors in garrisons And themperor not far from Hesdine which in the yeare before he toke and ouerthrew as is said espying a place conuenient began a new fortification of a Towne and to thintent he might bringe it to passe he maintaineth an army whiche in the monthe of Nouembre destroyeth all Picardy with spoyling and burning as farre as Amias Wherefore the whole force and violence of the warre lighted vppon the pore and miserable people on either side Afterwarde themperor discharging the reast of his armye interteined still a legion or two for him self The same time the French king sēt a new power into Italy and amonges others certaine Almaignes to relieue them of Senes whome the Emperors force and the dukes of Florence besieged hotely At the .xii. day of Nouembre was holden a Parliament in England For the which Cardinall Poole comming oute of Brabant wheras certen ambassadors were commen out of England to cōduit him and amonges them the Lord Paget the xxiii of Nouembre he came to London being right honorably receiued in all places whersoeuer he came and was immediatly restored to his blud and house of inheritance with common assent and consēt from the which king Henry the eight had displaced him The v. day after he came into the Parliament house and in the presence of king Phillip and the Quene whā he had shewed the cause of his ambassade he exhorteth them to return to the cōmunion of the church restore to the most holy father the bishop of Rome his due authority who wil graunt vnto thē all clemency gentlenes he admonisheth thē also to geue God thankes which hath geuen them such a king a Quene Finally wher they haue restored him to his house inheritance he taketh it for a very great benefit and saith he is so much the more boūden to restore them again to the heauēly court and coūtry which he wisheth most of al other things Whē he had spokē to this effect he goth a part Ther the bishop of Winchester being Chancelor repeting his oration and with many words exhorting thē to vnity and concord saith they are boūden to geue God great thankes who of his vnspeakable mercy hath raised them vp a prophet of their owne sede whiche is that most honorable Cardinall which is wholy inclined vnto their saluation The next day when the Nobility and commons had approued thoration requests of cardinal Poole there was drawne a fourme of a petition wherin they beseche the King and the Quene that they would make intercession to him The some of that supplication was this How it repented them sore of the scisme for that they haue denied their obedience to the Apostolicall seat and that they haue consented to the decrees made against the same but from henceforth they wil be at the commaundemente of him and the Quene and will do all that euer they can that all such lawes and statutes may be abrogated the same Parlament Wherfore they mooste humbly beseche theyr highnesse that they wold be meanes and bring to passe that being absolued from the sinnes and censures whith they haue committed againste the lawes of the Church they may be receiued again as penitent children into the bosome of Christes church that from henceforth they may serue God in the obedience of the sea and Bishoppes of Rome to the glorye of his name and increase of theyr owne saluation An other day whan the King and the Quene and Cardinall Poole were present the Chaunceloure standeth vp and pronounceth openly what the states had determined concerninge the request of the Bishoppe of Romes Legate Afterwarde dothe he exhibite the supplication aforesaide comprised in wrytinge and subscribed to the Kinge and the Quene beseching them to receiue it They when they had opened it deliuer it againe to the Chaunceloure to reade Than he demaundeth of all the companye whether they be contente herewith whiche whan they hadde affirmed the Kinge and the Quene arrise and deliuer it to the Cardinal Whan he had red it he exhibiteth vnto them the letters of his commission And than were the same red that all men mighte perceiue that he had authority geuen him by the Bishop of Rome to assoile them After he maketh an oration and declareth howe acceptable a thing vnto God is repentaunce and how much thaungels in heauen reioyse for a penitent sinner and alledging for the purpose manye examples geueth God thanckes which hath put in them a minde desirous of amendement This done he arriseth likewise do the King and the Quene and knele down vpon theyr knees There he than calling vppon the high power and mercy of God besecheth him to loke mercifully vppon the people and pardone their offences And affirming him self to be sent therfore from the highe Bishop Christes vicar to geue them absolution lifting vp and stretching forth his hand as their manner is blesseth the whole multitude and assoileth them After this they go to the chappell Here was geuinge thanckes vnto God playing of the Organes sounding of trōpets and all tokens shewed of mirth and gladnesse as at such times is accustomed They that knew Cardinal Poole before by his talke and manner of liuing marueled much at this his doing and loked for other manner of stuffe at his hand The xviii day of Decembre themperor addressing his letters frō Bruissels vnto all the states of thempire Upon how waighty and vrgēt causes saith he Marques Albert the last yere was outlawed by the iudges of the chābre condemned of treason you haue had certen knowledge by the letters which than was set vp openly and those also which came frō vs afterward And for so muche as he perseuereth obstinatelye in his troublesome and seditious purposes and vndoubtedly goeth about more mischief to thintent he may vexe and plage again oure natiue country of Germany Again forasmuch as he hath hys recourse into sondry places ther which he taketh for starting holes refuge as I am credily informed I thought it necessary for the
same should be longer wanting so many learned men not only of Germany but also of foreine nations instantly requiringe me that I wold gratify them herein There be comming doubtlesse moste greuous commotions and wonderful alterations Which thing also the holy Scripture dothe nether doubtfullye nor daroklye Prognosticate and the present state of thinges doth plainly signify so that such as will applye theyr minde here vnto shall not want matter to wryte of but the same cause that moued me to wryte that is publicke vtility the self same perswadeth me nowe also that some thinges as I haue written and be comprised in these xxvi bookes I shoulde suffer to come abrode into others mens handes And this my labor and all my pains taken I wil dedicate whole vnto you moosie excelient Prince whiche are descended of that noble house and familie whiche fyrsto gaue harborow and refuge to thys Religion whose father did earnestly imbrace the same whose brother for the education of youth in true Religion and learning imploied a wonderful substaunce whose father in law for the self same cause hath a famous name among kinges And for so much as you also walke in these theyr fotesteps to your great commendation this worke which I hope wil profite many I trust will be to you also not vnpleasaunt The liuing God preserue your highnes safe and healthful Geuen the .x. Kalends of April in the yeare of our Lord. 1555. The first Boke ⧠The firste Booke of Sleidans Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common wale during the reigne of the Emperour Charles the fyfte The argument of the fyrst Booke THe Pardon 's graunted by Byshop Leo Luther reproueth by preachyng and wryting of proposicions and Letters sent to Tharchbishoppe of Ments the which are fyrst unpugned by Frete Tckell and Eckins and after by Siluester Prier as Hogestrate Upō this the Pope sendeth Cardinal Caietane taduertise Thēperour Maximilian to cite Luther to Rome but Fridericke Duke of Saxon founde the meanes that Luther aunswered Caietane at Auspurge The Cardinal what with threatenynges and what with thalligations of decrees mainteyneth thauthoritie and supremacie of the Pope Luther at his depertynge thence set by an Appellation Caietane solliciteth by letters the Duke of Saxon but in vaine whiche the Pope perceyuing publisheth a new remission of synnes by pardons And to wynne Duke Fridericke sendeth him a goldē Rose In the meane tyme dieth Maximilian and great suite and meane was made taspire vnto thempire whiche in fine Charles of Austriche atchieued and word was sent him into Spaine The golden bulle lawes of Thempire are here recited Erasmus commendeth Luther And at the same time that the disputacion was at Lipsia Zwinglius preached at Zuricke and as Luther had don resisteth a perdoner there one Samson agraye Frere THE Bishoppe of Rome Leo the tenth of that name a Florentine borne after the vsurped auethoritie of his predecessours which he pretēded to haue ouer all Churches had sent forth into al realmes vnder his Bulles of Lead indulgēces pardōs wherein he promysed cleane remissyon of synnes and euerlastynge saluation to all suche as would gyue money for the same for the leuiyng wherof he sent his Collectours into all Prouinces who gathered together and heaped vp great treasures in all places but speciallye in in Germanie And affirmed their doynges to be good bothe in wordes and writyng which pardons the Papistes call by an olde accustomed terme indulgences Grauntyng moreouer for money licences to eate whitmeat and fleshe on daies prohibited The same time was Martin Luther an Augustine Frere and professed diuinitie in the Uniuersitie of Wittemberge who beynge not a little tickled with the preachinges fonde bokes of these collectours for that he sawe howe the simple people beleued the thinges to be true that they bragged of began to admonishe men to be more ware and circumspecte and not to bie their marchaundise so dere For that the same which they bestowed vpon such trifles might be much better emploied This was in the yeare of our lorde a thousande fiue hondreth and seuentene And to thintent he might woorke the thynge to more effect he wrote also to the Archebyshop of Mentz the firste of Nouembre signifying both what they taught and also lamenting that the ignoraunt people should be so far abused as to put the whole trust of their saluation in pardons and to thinke that what wickednes so euer they had committed it should by them be forgeuen And that the soules of them that were tormented in Purgatory so soone as the mony were cast into their boxe should straight wayes flie vp into heauen and fele no more payne he sheweth him how Christ cōmaunded that the Gospell should be taught and that it is the propre office of a Byshop to see that the people be rightly instructed Wherfore he putteth him in remēbraunce of his dutie and prayeth him that for the authoritie whiche he beareth he would eyther put those prattelinge pardoners to silence or els prescribe them a better order in teachinge lest a further inconuenience might growe vpon the same as doubtles there wil doo vnlesse they be inhibited The cause why he wrote vnto him was that for so muche as he was also Byshop of Maydenburg the care of al such matters belonged vnto him And with these letters he sent certen questiōs whiche he had lately set vp at Wittenberg there to be disputed to the nombre of foure score and fiftene In the whiche he reasoneth muche of purgatory of true penaunce of the dutie of charitie and of their indulgences and pardōs at large and inueigheth against their out rageouse preachinges only of a certen desyre to boulte trie out the truth For he prouoked all men to come to that disputation that hadde anye thinge to saye and such as could not be there present he desyred to send their myndes in wrytinge protesting that he would affirme nothing but submitte him selfe and the whole matter to the iudgement of holy churche Neuerthelesse he sayd how he woulde not admitte Thomas of Aquine and suche other lyke writers but so farre foorth as they be consonaunt to holy Scripture and decrees of the auncient fathers To this the byshop aunswered not a woords But shortly after Iohn Tecela Frere Dominick set vp other conclusions at Franckford quite contrary to those of Luthers wherin he extolleth the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome with the frute of his pardōs and other lyke thinges in so muche as he compareth him with Peter the Apostle the crosse whiche he commaundeth to be set vp in churches with the crosse that Christ suffered vpon But where as no man of the cōtrary parte wold repeare to the disputacion at Wittenberge the questions were suche as many were destrous to reade Luther wrote a longe exposition of the same and sent them first to Hierome byshop of Braundenburge and to one Stupice Prouinciall of
our faith neither abolishe those whiche are left vs by the handes of the Apostles and auncient fathers Of iudulgēces and pardons he wrote very muche also And in graunting of the same maketh the byshop of Rome a great Prince he died as it is saide in the yeare of our lorde athousand two hundreth thre score and fortene And is cōmonly called thangelical doctor for the subtiltie of his witte This booke of Syluesters Luther aunswereth onlye in an Epistle to the reader saying it is so compacte altogether of lyes and terrible blasphemies of Gods holy name that it should appeare that the deuyl himselfe was the aucthour therof Wherfore if the Byshops and Cardinalles be of the same opinion and that suche doctrine be taughte at Rome then is it no longer to be doubted of but that Rome is the very seate of Antechrist Then happy is Grece and happie is the lande of Boheme yea fortunate are all those that haue made a diuorcement with her and miserable are they that haue to doe with the same Wherfore vnlesse the bishop will see him punished and compell him to recante he protesteth that he wil dissente frō him And not only forsake the church of Rome but also to take it from henceforth as a most filthy synke and puddell of all wickednes For there be daylye inuented newe prayses for the Byshop of Rome suche as the lyke haue not been heard of for this subtile ende and craftie polycie that a lawful counsell should take no place And therfore do his flatterers preferre him aboue al counsels and affirme that the vnderstanding of all Scripture must be fetched at his hande as of a mooste certen iudge Wherefore if they holde on their madnes and with their iuggelinge castes mocke all the worlde after this sorte other remedy is there noone but that the ciuile magistrate must se them punished Theues and murtherers and such other malefactours are punished with death but it were a great deale more right that these whiche are muche more hurthfull enemies to the common wealth should with the common assent and trauell of men be supsuppressed For the bishop of Rome is in the same state that al other mē be and is no lesse bounden to the obseruation of Goddes commaundementes than is the poorest man liuing And such as teache otherwyse do the greatest iniury that may be to the diuine maiestie At the same tyme also Iames Hogestrate a blackfreer wrote against Luther full bitterly exhorting the Byshop of Rome to fyre and sworde whome Luther aunswering in very fewe wordes reproueth his cruell and bloudy mynde scoffing merely at the mans ignoraunce admonishing him so to procede for that it is the chiefest way to wyn true fame what tyme a man is blamed of vnlearned and euil men but at Byshop Leo his handes he saith he looketh for better thinges Whilest these matters were thus handled on either parte after the maner of scolemē Themperour Maximiliā calleth an assemblie at Ausputg whether also Leo the tenthe sendeth afterwarde his Ambassadour Thomas Caietane Cardinall At this assemblie were present all the seuen Princes electours so called bycause they haue the authoritie to electe and create Themperour They treated here of warre againste the Turke For Solyman Emperour of the Turkes hauing lately subdwed the Sultane had conquered all Syria and Egipte Wherfore the Cardinall made an exhortacion promysing in his maisters name the treasures of the churthe to be employde vpon this warre And required herein the ayde and assistaunce of Maximilian as defendoure of the churche At this selfe same tyme Leo the tenth created Albart Archebyshop of Mentz Cardinall And in this assemblie cōmaundeth Caietane to cōsecrate him with the ceremonies and rytes accustomed Whiche thing being doone accordingly Themperour leadeath home the newe Cardinall from the churche and sendeth him presentes that is to saye a Princelyke horselitter wythe horses and manye ryche and costly hangynges And the Byshop of Rome gaue him also an hat set with golde pearle and precious Iwels and a swoorde with a gylt skabarde For the moste part of al the bishoppes in Germany be as wel Ciuile as Ecclesiasticall Magistrates Howbeit it was thoughte that Leo preferred him to this dignitie to theude that the church of Rome myght haue a defendour in Germany suche a oue as was both in nobilitie of birth and in authoritie also right famous as the lyke vnto this man could not be founde there For besydes that he was of the noble house of Brandenburg in that he was archebyshop of Mentz he was the chiefest of all the Princes electours and as it were consull for euer And albeit that all byshops are bondē to the Byshop of Rome yet such as are made Cardinalles be muche more bonden Maximilian being aduertised of the controuersie of Luther in the moneth of August writeth his letters to the byshop of Roome signifiyng that he hath heard in what sorte Luther hath reasoned many matters and preached also some thinges that seme to be hereticall And he is the more sory for that he defendeth his doctrine styfly and hath very many fauorers of his opinion emonges the whiche there be diuers of hygh estate he exhorteth hym therfore that he for his hyghe authoritie that he beareth would abolyshe all suche Idle and vnprofitable questions and inhibite all sophisticall contencions of wordes for so much as they that applie their study that way do not a little hurt the christē cōmon weale Where as their intent is only that the thing whiche they haue learned should bee praysed and receyued of all men alledging that in tyme past there was great diligence shewed in appoyntinge ayt preachers to the intent the al Sophisticall contention myght be eschewed howbeit this order by lyttle and lyttle felle into cōtempt so that it is no maruell that suche as should haue taught others haue oftentimes erred thē selues And this to be the cause therof for somuch as the auncient writers and interpretours of holy scripture haue now a long tyme been layde a syde and filled more full of lyes It maye bee imputed to them also that so muche contention is reysed in these oure daies about matters of learnyng and this laste daungerouse controuersie now about pardons Certeinly the weightines of the thinge requireth a remedie betyme lest the disease runne to farre for in delaye is daunger What so euer he shall determine therin the same wyll he allowe and see that it shall take place throughout all partes of Thempire There was mencion made before howe Luther and Syluester wroote one against an other Nowe had he being in office at Rome so aggrauated Luthers matter that Leo cited him tappeare at Rome and that vnder a great penaltie Afterwardes the .xxiij. day of August he wryteth his letters to Caietane his Ambassadour in Germany signifiyng howe he is aduertysed that Luther holdeth certein opinions that be wycked
we leaue them in the Breres hath Themperour Maxilimilian deserued thus of vs and of the Empire And if those countreis be ouer runne howe longe thinke you shall our libertie continewe We maye not truste their fayre promises for oftentimes couetousnesses and ambition cary awaye men headlonge from doyng theyr dewtie In times paste there were many noble houses in Fraunce Which nowe be but fewe in nombre for the kinge in maner hathe all in his owne handes They say he is a stouce prince the more like to brynge all to a Monarchie but we seke to maintaine this present state of nobilitie he promiseth great aide agaīst the Turke which in dede is a thinge to be wished for that Germany mighte ioyne wyth Fraunce and Italy but first he wil bend his power againste the house of Burgundy and warre vppon Flaunders and Naples and shall we aide him in these enterprises And least any mā should say I prophecied of dreames and doubtfull matters he is now in leuying his armye Forasmuche therfore as we are letted by oure lawes othe and loue of our natiue country I protest and iudge him vnmete to be elected And nowe to the rest of the parties I suppose that some of you thyncke it vnmete that Charles shoulde be chosen because Spaine is so farre of and that through his absence it should not go well with Germany either for the Turkishe warre or for ciuile dissentions Which thinges I do not onlye graunte to be true but also when I consider depelye I am so moued that in maner I quake for feare for I waye this also If the emperour at any time come into Germany in displesure and bring with him the Spaniardes we shal be in daunger to lose our liberty I consider moreouer that it may be that the Spaniards wil hardly at any time restore vnto vs again this dignitie of thempire And if by their force and power they recouer Millan they will kepe it hereafter to them selues So that almost it semeth better to create one of our owne nation that is fit for it after the example of our elders whiche passinge ouer foreine Princes haue chosen an inhabiter of the contrie This wil not I deny but the state of that tyme was thē farre otherwise and the worlde a great deale better But nowe if the Emperour be of small power thinke you that Austriche and other countries will obey him Or if the Frenche kinge warre vpon Charles as without doubte he wyll do eyther in the lowe countrey or in Italie shall he geue them the lokyng on or shal our new Emperour suffer straunge nations to spoile a great parte of the Empire Yea and as the world goeth now a daies it is to be thought that the Princes of Germany contemnynge theyr Emperour will ioyne them selues some with the house of Austriche and some with the Frenchemen When Fridericke the third was Emperour Charles the Duke of Burgundie warred in Germany And Philip Maria Duke of Millan in Italy and no mā did represse them but the same was to our dishonour Moreouer a greater shame whan the Emperour was beseged in Austriche Yea and driuen then oute of his owne countrey by the Hungarians And yet at the same time dyd the lande of Boheme take his parte and so did also my graundefather Albert Marques of Brādēburge the Duke of Saxonie of the same name If it chaunce so thē you see what is like to ensew at these daies when some princes are addicted to others for stipendes I leaue of to speake howe many incidente causes maye chaunce for the whiche the Princes and Cities maye refuse to shewe their obeidience Moreouer now we are like to haue great tumultes troubles for religiō For ther are spronge vp disputations of indulgences the authoritie of the Byshoppe of Rome and of the Ecclesiasticall lawes whiche seme as yet curable but or euer it be longe they will cause a great Ruine and alteration of the Churche For manye do subcribe and myghtye Nations maynteine the cause the Saxons and the Heluetians neither can this mischief be holpen but by a generall counsell And howe shall an Emperour of small power eyther call a counsell or defende the same especially if other kinges be agaynst it there remayneth the Turkish warre the which we must not onely defende but make also to recouer that is lost and restore Grece vnto libertie for the doynge whereof we haue nede of the aide of many and sundry nations which if the Emperour haue but small power and litle authoritie howe shall he gather greate Armies of mē For which causes I iudge it mete to chose some mightie Prince and Charles of Austriche to be preferred before all other Princes of Germanie And if any incommoditie should put you in feare so to do I thinke it is a great deale lesse then that will be which shall ensew in case the gouernement be committed to anye other For he is bothe a Germayne borne and hath many countries holdynge of the Empire and will not see his owne countrey brought in bondage besydes that he shall sweare neither to alienate nor diminish thempire nor to break or infringe our liberties And albeit these be great causes which I haue here mentioned yet should they not moue me one whit vnlesse his towardnes were wel knowen For he loueth Religion Justice and chastitie he hateth all crueltie and hath a good witte which vertues shall euer admonishe him to mainteine the comonwealth They that know him throughly do muche commende him And if we consyder well hys father Philippe and his graundfather Maximilian we can not doubt of him He is of no great age but yet fitte and ripe to gouerne He shall haue his graundefathers counsellours and certeine Princes of Germany chosen for the purpose And whereas I said before that the worst were if he shoulde be longe oute of Germany we shall condition with him for that matter and for asmuche as he hathe greate possessions in Germany it can not be but that some time he will come see them So shall the Turke be driuen out of Hungary and the Frenchemen oute of Italy the Church shal be refourmed and established and many others holpen which thynges when I cōsyder I care the lesse for his absens for his owne naturall courage the loue of his countrey and the verye necessitie of thinges shall prouoke him to come ofte amonge vs. When the Archebyshop had ended his Oration and had exhorted the rest to speake their myndes the others after they had talked a litle together desired the Archebishoppe of Treuers to succede Who for his syngular witte and experience was of muche estimation And he began his tale of a prophete that sayd Maximilian should be the last Germaine Emperour Nowe saieth he me thinketh it is almost comen to passe forasmuche as my Lorde of Mentz who hath spoken many thinges wittely hath gon aboute to perswade vs to commit the gouernement of the Empire to a
that there be no fraude vsed towardes the preuileges and liberties of thempire that he impose no custome or droicte with out the assent of thelectours neither that through his letters he diminish the custome of thelectors that dwell by the Rhine If he haue any action agaynst any man that he shall trye the lawe and vse no force to suche as will aunswere to the lawe but stande to the ordre of lawe The goodes of the Empire whiche shall chaunce to be vacant he shall geue away to no man but a lotte them to the publicke Patrimonye If he shall wynne any foreine countrey throughe the aide of the states of Germany he shal annexe it to thempire if he shal recouer any publike thinge by his owne force and power he shall restore the same to the common welth that he shall ratifie that which was done in the vacation of thempire by the countie Palatine and the Duke of Saronie That he take no counsel to vnite Thempire to his house and posteritie as his propre inheritaunce but that he leaue to the seuen Princes fre Election according vnto the lawe of Charles the fourth prescript of the Canon lawe if he do any thinge otherwise to be frustrate and of none effect That so shortly as may be he repaire into Germany to be inuested What time the Ambassadours had approued these thinges with an othe in his name they deliuered vnto eche of the electors writinges therof sealed That whiche is here spoken of the Cannon lawe is conteined in the Epistle decretall of Innocentius the thyrde which testifieth that the seuen Princes electours haue fre authoritye to create themperor And that thempire goeth not by succession but by election Which Innocētius liued about the yere of our Lord M.ii. C. Nowe let vs retourne to Luther About this same time Erasmus of Roterdam wrote letters from Andwarp to Frederick Duke of Saxonie wherein amonges other thinges he maketh mention of Luther saying that his bokes are ioyfullye receiued and red of good and well learned men and moreouer that his life is of no man reprehended for that it is farre from all suspicion of auarice or ambition But that the deuines of Louain hearinge that he is greatly oppressed with thaucthoritie of the Cardinall Caietan do nowe triumphe And in all theyr sermons and bankettes raile vpon him callynge him Heretike and Antichrist declaringe with mo wordes the same to be much contrary to theyr profession so to slaunder any man before he be comiicte of Heresye He wryteth also in a maner with the same woordes to the Archebishop of Mentz and to Cardinall Campegius tauntyng these sophisticall Diuines and Monkes whiche can not abide the studye of tonges and of eloquens nor of any good learnynge He writeth also to Luther very frendly from Louain and sayth howe he hath receyued receiued his epistle whiche declareth both the excellencie of his witte and also his christian hert shewinge him what a Tragedie his bokes haue styrred vp their and what hatred and suspicion he ronneth into of the Diuines and that he can preuaile nothinge by excusynge the the matter And howe there be many in Englande of great Estimation whiche thinke rightwell of his workes And that he himselfe hath tasted of his Cōmentaries vpō the Psalmes trusteth that they shall profit many for they like him very well but of one thing he would admonishe him that a man shall more preuaile with a certeine ciuile modestie then if he be to vehement And that he muste rather thunder against them which abuse the bishop of Romes authoritie then against the Bishoppes themselues with certeine other good counsels whiche he gaue him exhorting him to procede as he hath begonne Luther hauing thus manye aduersaries there was a disputation appoynted at Lypsia a towne of Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxonie Uncle to duke Friderike Thither came Luther Melanthon which read the Greeke Lecture at Wittenberge Thither came also Iohn Eccius a Diuine bothe stoute and bolde who the fourth day of Iulye began the disputation with Luther touching the supremacie of the bishop of Rome affirming that they which said that the church of Rome was not the fyrst and chiefest of all others euen before the time of Ciluester did erre for he that hathe the Seate and faith of Peter was euer taken for his successour and Christes Uicar in earthe For Luther had setforth one contrary to the same that suche as dyd attribute the supremacie to the Churche of Rome did ground themselues onely vpō the Bishoppes decrees whiche were made foure hundreth yeres syns Which decrees are cōtrary to all Histories written a thousande yeres past contrary to the holy scripture and to the counsell of Nice most famous of all others But Eccius mainteyneth the supremacie of the Bishoppe of Rome and called Luther which dissented from the same a Bohemer because Iohn Husse was in times past of the same opinion Luther aunswereth that the Churche of Christe was spreade abroade farre and nere twentie yeres before Peter came to Rome to establishe the Churche there therfore is it not the fyrst nor the chiefest by the law of God as he saieth then they disputed of Purgatory of Indulgēces of Penaunce of Remission of synne and of the authoritie of Priestes And ended their disputation the fourteneth day of Iuly whiche was not appointed for Luther but for Andrewe Carolostadius Eccius But Luther comming onely for the company of Carolostadius and to here was drawen forth by Eccius which had got him a saufe cōduict of Duke of George so that he muste nedes dispute For Eccius was of a lustie courage by reason of the matter it selfe Wherein he thoughte him selfe assured of the victorye At the whiche disputation Luther set forth afterwardes And of the wordes wrytinges of his aduersaries throughe his wittye obseruation he collected diuerse articles of doctrine altogether as he termeth them hereticall to thintent he mighte playnely declare howe they whilest they speake and write all thinges in the fauor of the Bishop of Rome and of a desyre to maynteine theyr cause straiynge farre a broade do confounde most thinges which beynge nerer looked to conteyne ofte tymes great errours wickednes At the same tyme Ulrichus Zwinglius taught at Zuricke and shortly after the Byshop of Rome sent thither a Pardoner one Sampson a Graye Frere of Millan to gather vp money whom Zwinglius stoutly resisteth declarynge him to be a disceyuour of the people ¶ The seconde Booke of Sleidans Commentaries ⧠The argument of the seconde Booke AT the motion of Charles Miltice Luther wryteth to the Pope and dedicateth vnto him a Boke of the Christian Libertie Themperour hauynge passed throughe Englande came into his lowe countreyes Luther writeth a Boke of Fouretene Images of consolation of confession of Uowes prouyng that the Lordes Supper ought to be permitted to all mē vnder both kyndes There was obiected the Counsell of Laterane vnder Iuly the .ii.
do one for another we shoulde also comforte the sicke therfore he which for so many causes was so greatly bouÌ„den vnto him had for his sake gathered this litle boke beyng not otherwise able to comfort him signifiyng that like as in mans body if the head do ake it greueth the rest of the membres taking the same to apperteine priuatly to euery of them so nowe that he lieth sicke the people not with oute iuste cause are all in teares and mournyng For the greatest part of Germany doth depeÌ„de vpon him and reuerence him as their chiefe ornament and refuge Afterwarde he maketh a booke of confession where he teacheth that we ought not to leane to the trust of confessioÌ„ but to the promise of God whiche forgeueth oure sinnes And that firste of all we muste confesse vs vnto God that who so confesseth him muste hate sinne and couet to amend his life That therehersall of euery sinne particularly is not necessary nor possible to be performed with diuers other things and last of vowes wherof he wrote a seueral work afterwardes In an other certaine boke he had said that he thought it expedient if by the authority of the counsel it might be permitted that all men shuld receiue the whole supper or as they vse to speke vnder both kindes Which saying for that it was contrary to the decrees of the last counsel of Laterane did offend many and among others Ihonbishop of Misene who coÌ„maunded to be taught throughoute his dioces that the whole supper was comprised vnder one kinde and condemned Luthers boke whiche thing he vnderstanding maketh answer in such sort that he layeth not the fault thereof in the bishop but in certaine other vnlearned and troublesome persons vnto whome he saith that this wishe of his that such a decre might be made by the counsell deserued no iust reprehension no more then if he had wisshed that by a decree of the counsell it might be lawfull for pristes to haue wiues whiche Pius the seconde Bishoppe of Rome saide and wished Wherefore he oughte not to be blamed for wishyng the same He graunteth this to be a Decree of the counsell of Laterane But yet neuertheles the same to be contrarye to the fyrst and eldest counselles and the aunciente maner of the churche Agayne we dispraise the men of Boheme because they receaue vnder bothe kyndes wheras we kepe vs to the one halfe onely and yet haue they to make for them the institution of Christe and the maner obserued in the churche from the Apostels time til it was now of late daies And we haue nothing to aledge against them but the counsels of Laterane whiche is a lighte and verye weake reason for what maner of couÌ„sel that was it is wel knowen euen laughed at of the Romanes theÌ„ selues And thoughe it were of neuer so greate aucthoritie Yet for as muche as they can not proue the thinge by any reason of more antiquitie it is but a very mockery But concernyng the counsell of Laterane thus it was Iulius the seconde when he was elected Byshoppe promysed by a solemne othe with in two yeares space to holde a generall counsell this was in the yere of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundreth and three But whilest he made warre one while against the Frenche kynge another while against the Uenetians and nowe with the duke of Farrare and nowe with others and troubled all Italy Nine Cardinalles departed from him and came to Millan and called a general counsell at the Citie of Pisa the .xix. day of May the yere of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth and eleuen to begynne at the kalendes of September folowyng the chiefest of these was Bernardinus Cruceius William of Preneste Fraunces Cossentine wyth whome were annexed the Ambassadours of the Emperor Maximilian and of Lewes the Frenche king which intended by the same counsell to depose him from his bishopprike which he had got by briberye And nowe for as muche as he had broken his othe in that he had bene Bishoppe so many yeres and called no counsel nor pourposed to do they could suffer the christian common weale to be no lenger deluded And because these letters coulde not saufly be conueighed vnto him they set them vp in all his Townes in Italy admonishinge him to appeare there in parson at the daye appoynted Iulius vnderstandynge the matter maketh answere the fyrst of August That what time he was Cardinall he desyred nothing more than a generall counsell whiche is well knowen to kinges and princes to the whole College of Cardinals For euen for this cause was AlexaÌ„der the syxt sore offended with him And that he is still of the same minde also Howe be it that the state of Italy hath of late yeres bene so troublesome and was so lefte by Byshoppe Alexander that there coulde be no counsell called in suche aduersitie of time After he coÌ„futeth their appoyntment for the shortnesse of time and the discommoditie of the place For Pise was a Towne torne and defaced with the warres of former yeres and all the countrie aboute layde waste Neyther that men can safely repayre thither by reason of the warres betwixte the Florentines and them of Seue Moreouer howe they haue none Authoritie to call it and that theyr causes alledged be most vntrewe Wherefore he commaundeth vnder the paine of excommunicatynge that no man obeye them Then called he a Counsell agaynste the nexte yeare to begynne at Rome vpon the ninetenth daye of Aprill in the Churche Laterane Where vnto subscribed one and twentie Cardynalles For this they saye is euer the Byshoppes policie when they are afrayde of a Counsell to appoyncte an other in some place mete for theyr purpose After this he warneth the Cardinalles that were agaynste hym to leaue of theyr enterprise and come to Rome offerynge them pardon but after they would not come he bannished them the xxiiij of Octobre and namely those thre which I spake of as Heretykes scisinatykes and traitours sendynge the copie of theyr prescription to Maximilian and alother kinges And because many Byshoppes of Fraunce had ioyned them selues with these Cardinalles he bannisheth them also vnlesse they forsake them and within a certeine tyme make their pâ—â—gation Againe when the cardinals had diuerse times rised him to the counsell in vaine and had sytten eyght tymes they suspends him from al as well ciuill as Ecclestasticall iurisdiction commaunding all meÌ„ ingenerall that hereafter they obey hym not Thys was in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundred and twelue the one twentye of Aprill The same tyme at Pauie was Philippe Decius a Euntian excellently well learned who set forthe a Booke in the defence of the Cardinalles cause againste the Byshoppe of Rome Afterwardes Maximilian forsakyng the Cardinals made a league with Iulius and with Fardinando kinge of Spaine and sent to the Counsell at Rome Mathew Lang Byshoppe of Gurce which at the sametime was
Cardinall aunswered againe that it pleased him well in asmuch as he promised not to defende his doynges obstinatelye but that he would willyngly gyue place vnto suche as coulde reache better thinges And albeit he delighted muche in Religion yet had he no leasure hitherto to reade his workes and therfore wouldâ—iot Iudge of them but leaue it vnto others that had taken the thinge in hande Neuerthelesse he would wishe that bothe he and other expositours of scripture should handle euery thing reuerently and modestly without any reproche or enuie he is sory to heare that men dispute openly of the supremacie of the Byshoppe of Rome of Frewill of the Supper of the Lorde and suche other questions full of daunger for his part he could be contente that learned men should conferre of these matters frendly amonges them selues would not blame him for teaching the truth so it be done without bitternesse and contempte of the Ecclesiasticall power For if he professe the trueth of a good zeale it will continewe but if he do it of presumpsion or of malice it can not be permanent nor longe endure For he that abuseth Gods giftes heapeth vp doubtlesse sore vengeaunce vpon him selfe Luther wrote also to the Bishoppe of Mersebourge the same thing in effecte that as touching his doctrine he was of a clere conscience for he taught none other thinge than Christ and his Apostles did But because his maners and lyfe did not Aunswere to his professyon he wisheth that he were remoued from the office of preaching He seketh for no lucre nor desyreth any vaine glory but this thing onely that the euerlastyng veritie myght be knowen to all men Such as condemne his workes are moued with a maruelous hatred and abuse the Byshop of Romes name to fulfyll their owne affections Whereas many learned men of foren nations haue writtin to him letters reioysyng at his writinges and geuing him thankes for the same whervpon he beleueth the rather that he hath taught a sounde doctrine Wherfore he requireth him to deale fatherly with him to shewe him his faulte if he be out of the way For hitherto coulde he not obteyne so muche as that the matter might be hearde notwithstandyng that he hath with ernest prayer required it And now also a man should do him no greater pleasure than to take from him his errour Whereunto the Bishop aunswereth that he hath bene oftentimes very carefull for him how he is not a litell sory that he hath written amonges others a Boke of the Lordes Supper wherwith are many sore offended And that the people vnder his cure are greatly inflamed with that doctrine for the which he is chiefly sory After he reprehendeth in him the sharpenes of his writing saith that albeit straungers like it yet can not he allow the same but wisheth that he woulde bringe a Christian minde voide of all affections to the handlinge of the matter furthermore he chargeth him to haue spoken vnreuerently by the bishop of Rome whichâ— thing neither becometh him nor is mete to be suffered Wherefore he admonisheth him to applye the dexteritie of his wit to dthirthynges that may profit the common wealth more and to leaue all thys bitter contention Last of al where he requireth that his error may be shewed him and promiseth to be tractable he saith how he can not answer therto by wryting but au other time when they shal mete he wil talk with him more at large Duke Fridericke at the same time had certaine â—rtes at Rome which he had commended to Ualentine Ditleb a Germane He sent worde that his matters were not well hearde at Rome by reason of the rashnes and leud demener of Luther who had written many thinges bitterly and spitefully againste the bishop and the church of Rome and all the college of Cardinals which fellow he nourished and maintained as moste men affirmed Whan the Duke had receiued these letters he aunswereth that it was neuer his intent to defende Luthers doctrine by his maintenaunce neither dothe he take vppon him any iudgement of the thinges that Luther teacheth He heareth in dede that his doctriue is well allowed of learned men that can iudge therof and that he hath long since made this offer that if he may haue a sure sauf conduicte to rendre a reason of his Doctrine before the Bishoppes Legate what so euer he be and then if hys error can be shewed him to be moste ready to forsake hys opinion and thus hathe protested openlye And althoughe thys myghte appeare to be sufficient yet being admonished of hym long sence he wold haue forsaken the country had not Charles Meltice aduised him to the contrary For he thought it better that he should remaine here stil then to go to an other place where perauenture hauing more libertye he mighte setforth worse thinges then hitherto he hath done wherfore there can be no iust cause alledged to suspect any euil of him and trusteth to fare neuer the worse at the Bishops handes therfore For he wold be right hartely sory that any erroure spronge vp in his time shoulde be said to be defended and established by him After this he deuiseth with him more familiarely howe the contention began by reason of Eckius others what excellent wittes what good learning and knowledge of toÌ„ges do florishe nowe in Germanye what desire the common people haue to read the scriptures how Luthers doctrine is infixed in many mens mindes so that if he be vsed otherwise then well it is like to styrre vp suche tumultes in Germany as will turne nother the bishop or no maÌ„ els to any profit When the Duke had thus written at the Kalends of Aprill he receiued the vi day of Iuly letters from the bishop of Rome wherin he reioysed not a little that he wold haue nothing to do wyth Luther that wicked man affirming that he had euer a very good opinion of him before this But now forasmuch as graue meÌ„ haue aduouched it to be true the good wil that he bare him before is hereby not a little encreased For this thing doth rightwel become him and all hys house which hath euermore done great honor to the church of Rome And that his singulare wisdome doth also herein appeare that he perceiueth him not to be sente of Christe but of Sathan the ennemye of almankinde Whiche for a mad kinde of ambition reyseth vp agayne the Heresyes of Wiclife and Husse before condemned whiche seeketh the fauoure of the people and vayne glorye whichs by the false enterpretatioÌ„ of Scripture giueth to the simple an occasion to sinne which dispiseth Chastitie and speaketh againste Confession and Penaunce which beareth fauoure to the Turkes and raileth against all the discipline of the church which lamentech the punishemente of Heretikes to be briefe turneth all thinges vpside down which is growen to such a pride and arrogancie that contemning the aucthoritie of Counselles and Bishoppes of
agaynste the syxte daye of Ianuarye As concernyng that which the Archebishop of Mentz spake howe the Bishoppe of Rome had confyrmed the Emperours creation thus haue they tourned Totnam into Frenche of late yeres For in tymes past the Bishoppes of Rome were wonte to be approued by themperours when they were but pore but encreased in wealth they did not onely begyn to rule at theyr pleasure but also at the length brought it vnto this passe after muche strife and contention that in dede they permitted that the seuen Princes of Germany might electe hym but saye how it lyeth in theyr power onely to cōfirme and ratifie the same And this Authoritie haue they vsed many tymes in maner throughe all realmes but chiefly in Italy Fraunce and Germany what tyme they haue put downe kynges and substituted others in theyr place For besides other places of the Canon lawe in thepistles decretall of Gregory the ix Innocentius the iij. affirmeth that the aucthoritie of chosyng themperor was by the benefit of the Bishoppes and Churche of Rome conueighed from the Grekes to the Germanes in the tyme of great Charlemaigne and howe it is theyr partes to know iudge whether the person be mete And yet not cōtēted with that they haue also extorted his faithe by an othe from the highest Magistrate of the whole vniuersall worlde Whiche thynge hathe bene often tymes the cause of great warres and muche other mischief And in fyne Clemēt the fift bounde them to it by a lawe who lyued in the yere of our lorde a thousande and thre hundred For wheras Henry the seuenth Emperour of that name of the house of Lucemburge woulde not after thys sort be bounden for that he said it was a matter newly inuented neyther vsed in former time Clemēt for them that should come after openeth the matter at large declarynge what is in same othe conteyned that is to say that themperour shoulde defende the Church of Rome that he banish Heretikes and haue no company with wicked mē that he by al meanes possible mayneteine the Dignitie of the Bishoppes of Rome that he defend kepeal priuiledges graūted to the church of Rome at any tyme but especially such as were geuen by Cōstantine Charlemaigne Henry Otto the fourth Fridericke the secōd and Rodulphe that he chalenge no parte of the landes and possessions of the Church of Rome by any maner of title or pretence In these thinges saith he the Emperour is bounden to him And that Henry also by messengers promised hym no lesse howe soeuer he dissembled afterwarde Thys decree came forth after the death of the Emperour Henrye The same Clement was the first of all that called forth the Cardinals frō Rome to Lyons and kept his Court in Fraunce Syns the whiche time the authoritie and power of Emperours hathe decreased in Italy daylye more and more And the power and dignitie of Bishoppes bene augmented in so much that at these our dayes and a lytle before our time Emperours haue supposed that they owe this faithe and obediens to them euen of bounden dewtie But the chiefe of the Bishoppes that haue molested oure Emperours are these Gregory the seuenth and the .ix. Alexandre the thyrde Innotentius the thyrde and the fourth Nicolaus the thyrde Bonisace the eyght and Clement the fyste Nowe let vs retourne to our pourpose In the meane tyme that Cefar was yet at Collen the Byshoppe of Rome sent Marinus Carracciolus and Hierome Aleander to encense the Duke of Saxonie againste Luther who speakynge fyrste in the praise of him and his familie than tellynge of the daunger that hāged ouer all Germany for the deuilishe workes of Luther demaunded of him in fine two thinges Firste that he would commaunde all his bokes to be caste in the fyre secondarelye that he woulde eyther see hym executed or send him bounde to Rome This was before Peter Bonhomme of Tergeste and Barnarde of Trent Bishoppes They had also commission that Cesar and all other Princes of Germany beyng required of ayde should accomplishe the Byshoppes request who had committed as they sayde to this Aleander and doctor Eckius the herynge of the matter Duke Fridericke because it was a matter of importaunce axynge a tyme of deliberation the fourth daye of Nouembre maketh them aunswere by hys counsell for that he hym selfe was otherwise occupied in the presence of the Bishoppe of Trent Howe it is farre beyonde his expectation that the Bishoppe of Rome shoulde demaunde anye suche thynge of him who hathe alwayes indeuoured him selfe to do nothing vnworthy the vertue and dignitie of his auncestours to do his faithfull seruice to the Empire and his dewe obseruaunce to the Churche And howe he hath heard that whilest he hath bene frō home Eckius hath gone about to bring in trouble not onely Luther but others also of his dominion cōtrary to the order maner of the Canon lawe whiche thinge as righte is he taketh in euil part that a priuate mā should take vpō him to medle so muche in any other māsiurisdictiō What Luther or others haue done in his absence sins the Byshoppes decre was brought he knoweth not but he had neuer any thinge to do with his matter neyther nowe will haue Howebeit if he teache not rightly he is the more sory Two yere past through his labour and meanes he was broughte to Cardinall Caietaine at Auspurge But when they had spoken together they coulde not agree in so muche that Cardinall Caietane wrote vnto hym letters of complaint which he so answered at the same time that he thought he had satisfied him yea and to take awaye all suspicion he would than haue put Luther from him if Miltitius had not letted the matter Moreouer howe oftener that that the Archbishop of Treuers was appointed to heare the matter and howe Luther wyll appere in any place when so euer he is commaunded so that he may be assured and maketh so large and great an offer that no more can be required This is the opinion of good and well learned men that he hathe thus farre proceded not of his owne accorde but pricked forwarde of his aduersaries as yet he hath neyther bene so heard of the Emperor or of any others that his workes should be so conuicte of Hercsye that they ought to be burnt or els would he already haue done the duetye of a good Prince He requireth them therefore that they woulde not deale after this sorte but rather fynde the meanes that some Godlye learned menne maye be chosen that shall frendely and quietlye heare the whole matter that Luther maye haue a good safeconduicte and that his bookes be not burned before he hathe pleaded his cause And if he can by the testimonies of Scripture and sownde argumentes be conuicted than will not he holde with hys doynges And although that bothe he and his cause shoulde take the foile yet woulde he trust that the Byshoppe would requyre him to
me but I ascribe to my selfe no holines nor my profession is not of life or maners but of trewe doctrine Yet wyll I retracte nothynge in these same for in so doyng I should set open a windowe to the arrogancie of manye And yet I would not be so taken as thoughe I toke vpon me that I could not erre but for so muche as it is the propertie of a man to erre and be disceaued I take for the defence of my cause that saying of our sauior who speakynge of his doctrine what time he was striken of a seruāt sayeth If I haue spoken euyll beare wytnesse of euyll Wherefore if Christ which is all perfection refused not the witnes of a most vile seruaunt against him Howe muche more I that am a synner by nature should come whan I am called to here if any man can testifie or bring forth any thing against my doctrine Wherfore I desyre you for the honour of God if any of all you haue any thynge to obiecte agaynste the doctrine that I professe he would not hide it but come forth and shew the errour by the testimony of Scripture whiche thinge done I will be so lytell obstinate that the fyrst of all men I shall caste myne owne Bokes into the fyre And hereby maye a man iudge that I am not led rashely or like one that were rauished of his wittes but to haue waied diligently the weightines of the thinge and the troubles that are ingendred by this doctrine And I reioyse greatly whā I perceyue that my doctrine is cause of so great offences For Christ him selfe saith how it is the nature of the gospell to styrre vp strife and contention euen amonges suche as be ioyned most nere in bloud Nowe therfore O noble men ye ought grauely and with greate deliberation to consyder and to foresee leste in condemnynge a doctrine throughe the syngular beuefyte of God offred you ye be not cause of muche incōuenience that may therby chaunce vnto you and all Germany You muste haue respecte also that this newe Empire of the yonge Emperor here present be not made vnlucky and vnfortunate by some vngodly and vnprofitable example for our posteriti For it is to be proued by diuerse places of the Scripture that there haue Empires fallen into greate perils what tyme the common wealth hath bene gouerned onely by counsel and mans wisedome Notwithstandyng most wyse and honourable Princes myne intent is not to shewe you what you haue to do but I speake this for the zeale I beare to Germany which is our natife coūtrie and ought to be derer vnto vs than oure owne lyues For the rest I besethe you to receyue me into your tuition and protection agaynst the forse of myne enemyes What tyme he had made an ende Eckius with a stowning comutenaunce sayd vnto him Thou answerest nothing to the purpose noyther is it thy part to call agayne in question such thinges as haue bene determined intimes past by the aucthoritie of Counsels Thou shouldest make a playne and directe answere whether thou wilte abide by thy writynges Then sayd Luther for asmuche as it is your commaud dement most mightie Cesar and most noble Princes that I shall answere directly I will obey This therfore is myne aunswere that vnlesse I be conuinced by the Testimonies of holy Scripture or by manifest reason I can not reuoke any parte of that whiche I haue written or taught for I will neuer do that thynge that should hurte myne owne conscience And as for the Bishoppe of Rome and the Counsels onely I do not beleue nor admitte their authoritie for they haue erred often tymes and set forthe thinges contrary one to another And they may erre and be disceaued When the Princes had layde theyr heades together touchyng this aunswere Then sayd Eckius thou aunswerest Luther more vnreuerently then it becommeth thee and not sufficientlye to the matter of thy Bookes thou makest a difference but in case thou woulde retract those which conteyne a greater part of thyne errours Cesar woulde suffer no iniurie to be done vnto suche as be well written Thou dispisest the Counsell of Constaunce wheras were manye noble and well learned men of Germany and renewest the errours therein condemned and wilt be conuinced by holy Scripture Herein thou doest not well but art farre abused for loke what thinges the Church hath once condemned the same maye come no more into any newe disputation for if euery man will seke for a reason of eche thinge and he that speaketh against Counsell must be reproued only by the Scriptures there shall be nothyng certeinly determined For the whiche cause the Emperour wyll haue thee to pronounce openly what thou determinest of thy Bookes I beseche you saieth Luther gyue me leaue to kepe my conscience safe and sounde I haue answered playnely and haue none other thinge to say for vnlesse myne aduersaries can shew me by trew argumentes taken out of the Scripture and take away my errour I can not be quiet in my minde for I am able to shew that they haue oftentimes and shamefully erred And for me to swarue from the Scripture whiche is manifest and cannot erre were a very wicked dede the other sayd it could not be proued that euer generall counsel had erred But Luther sayd he both could and would and so they departed at that time The next day the Emperour sent letters to the Princes syttyng in Counsell signifiyng that his progenitours had both professed the Christian Religion and euermore obeied the Church of Rome And now seing that Luther doth impugne it perseueryng obstinately in his opinion hys dutie requireth that folowynge the steppes of hys auncestours he defende the Christian Religion and succor the church of Rome Wherfore he wyll banishe Luther and his adherentes and vse other fitte remedies to quenche this fyre but touching his promise he will kepe it that he may retorne home agayne safe and sound This Epistle was muche debated and skanned amonges the Princes And there were some that saide there was no promise to be kept with him according to the decree made in the Counsel at Constance but against that were manye others and namely Lewes the Countie Palatyne Prince Elector affyrminge that it would redounde to the perpetuall shame of Germany Wherupon diuerse thought mete not only to kepe theyr promise but also not to condempne him rasshelye for that it is a weightie matter consyderyng how themperor at these yeares is soone moued and exasperated agaynst Luther by the Byshoppe of Romes ministers A fewe dayes after the Bishoppe of Treuers appoynteth Luther to come to him the .xxiiij. daye of Aprill There were present Joachin Marques of Brandenburge electour George Duke of Saxonie the Byshop of Auspurge other nobles And whan Luther was brought in by the Archebishoppes Chapplaine and the Emperours Heraulte Ueus a Lawyer of Badon sayde vnto him Where these noble Princes haue sent for thee Martin Luther it is
not to enter into any disputation with thee but to treate frēdly with thee and priuatly to admonishe thee touching thine owne profyt For the Emperour hath geuen them leaue so to do And fyrst it may be that counsels haue taught dyuerse thinges but not contrary And albeit they haue erred yet is not theyr authoritie so decaied herby that euery man may treade it vnder foote Thy bokes if it be not well loked to wyll styrre vp greate trouble For many interprete the same which thou hast written of Christen libertie after theyr owne affections to the entent they maye do what they lyste This worlde is nowe more corrupte than it hath bene here tofore And therfore men must worke more warely There be some of thy workes that can not be reproued but it is to be feared lest the Deuill in the meane tyme petswade thee to set forth others agaynste Religion and godlines that so thy bokes may be altogether condemned For those that thou hast set forth last declare ryght well how the tree is to be knowen by the fruites and not by the blosome Thou art not ignoraunt how diligently the Scripture warneth vs to beware of the noone Deuill and the fliynge Arrowe that enemye of mankynde ceaseth not to lye in waite for vs and many times vnder a Godly pretence intrappeth and leadeth vs awaye into errour Therefore thou oughtest to consider bothe thine owne saluation and other mens and it would become thee to foresee lest suche as Christ hath through hys death redemed from death euerlastynge beyng through thy faulte bokes and prechinges seduced from the Churche perishe againe the dignitie of the which Church all men ought to acknowledge reuerently For in all the world is there nothing better thā the obseruation of the lawes And lyke as no cōmō weale consisteth wtout lawes euen so vnlesse the moste holy decrees of our forefathers be reuerently kept there shall be nothing more troublesome than the state of the Church which should be most quiet and stable These noble and vertuouse Princes here present for the singular zeale they beare to the commō weale and for thy cause and wealth also thoughte good to admonisshe thee of all these thinges For doubtles if thou wylte perseuer thus obstinatlye in thine opinion and not relent the Emperour wyll bannishe thee out of the Empire and wyll forbyd thee to haue anye restynge place of Germany to the ende thou maiest the better consyder thine owne state Wherunto Luther replied For this your great good will and gentlenes most noble Princes shewed vnto me I gyue you most hertye thankes for certenlye I am a man of a baser sorte than that it shoulde beseme so noble men to take suche paines for me But as concernynge the Counsels I do not reprehende all but chiefly that of Constaunce and haue iuste cause so to do For Husse defyned the Churche to be the fellowshippe of Gods electe bothe this and that saying of his he beleued the holy Churche they condemned also more worthy them selues to be condemned for he spake bothe truely and like a Christen man Therfore I will suffer any punishement yea spend my life sooner than I will swarue from the manifest worde of God for we muste rather obey God then men touching the offence that connneth by my bookes I neyther can nor ought to eschewe For the offences of Charitie and of faythe differ much wherof that which consisteth in life and maners must in anye wyse be auoyded but thother whiche cleaueth to Godes worde is not to be regarded for the trewth will and commaundemēt of the heauenly father must be accomplished though the whole world should be offended The Scripture calleth Christ himselfe the stone of offence And the same appertayneth also likewise to all suche as preach the Gospell I knowe that we ought to obey lawes and Magistrates and so haue I euermore taught the people also my writinges do sufficiently beare witnes howe muche I do ascribe to the dignitie of the lawes But as touchyng the decrees of the churche there is an other consideration to be had For if Gods word were taught sincerely if the Bishops pastours of the church did their dewtie like as Christ his apostles haue ordeined it nede not to impose vnto mēs mindes consciēces that heauie intollerable burthē of mens traditiōs Moreouer I am ignorāt not how the scripture admonisheth vs to refrain our own affectiōs which thīg is truely spoken I wil be glad to perfourme it neither will I do any thinge obstinately so that I may onely professe the doctrine of the gospel Whan he had sayd thus he was cōmaunded to depart Whan they had consulted of the matter Ueus amonges other thinges began to perswade him to submitte his writynges to the knowledge of the Emperour and the princes content saith he I wil neuer seme to refuse the iudgemēt of Cesar and the states of thempire so it maye be done by Scripture and Gods worde whiche maketh so much for me that vnlesse the same do reproue my errour I can not forsake mine opinion For Paule commaundeth not to beleue an Aungel comming from heauen if he bringe an other doctrine Wherfore he besecheth the Princes that he might kepe a saufe conscience which if by theyr mediation to the Emperour he mighte obtayne he was content to do any thing Then said the Marques of Brādenburge Wilt thou not geue place except thou be conuict by Scripture No in dede saieth Luther or els by manyfest reasons Wherfore when the counsell was broken vp the Archbishoppe of Treuers toke him a parte and began to admonishe him againe but it might not preuaile The next day also he moued him to commit the iudgement vnto Cesar and to the senate of Princes without conditiō But it was in vaine At the after noone the Bishoppe and certeine others required him at the lest to submitte his workes to the nexte generall counsell He agreeth therunto so that the matter be handled by the Aucthoritie of Scripture After this the Archbishop in priuate talke with him alone demaunded of him what remedy would helpe this greuous disease He sayde the best counsell is that Gamaliel in tymes past gaue to the Scribes and Phariseis and not to contende with God In fyne when he coulde not preuaile he letteth him depart gently and sayd he would deuise for him that he should retourne home by saufeconduicte And not longe after commeth Eckius the Lawier and saieth vnto him For asmuche as thou hast refused the admonishmentes of Cesar and the Princes the Emperour from hence forth will do as to his office apperteineth and now commaūdeth thee to depart hence immediatly graunting thee one and twentie dayes for thy retourne looke what promise he made thee the same wil he kepe vnbroken charginge thee moreouer that in thy retourne home thou styrre vp no people by the way neither by word nor writing On this wise beyng suffered to depart
Lordes Supper vnto whome it shall be gyuen from aboue Furthermore that Colledges were fyrst instituted not for Masses but that youth myght there be vertuousely brought vp in learnynge And the landes gyuen to fynde some to teach and some to learne and the reste to the vse of the pore And this vse to haue continewed in maner to the time of Barnarde But aboute foure hundreth yeares syns this Marchaundise of Masses began whiche is vtterly to be taken awaye And albeit the originall thereof were yet more auncient yet is not so great a wickednes to be suffered And in case any busynes shold come therof the same ought not to be ascribed to the doctrine but to the wickednes of them which for their owne lucre will impugne the truthe against their conscience And that we ought not to regard such inconueniences but to procede constantlye what trouble so euer shall come therof for all these thinges were shewed before of Christ Thys yeare Themperours brother Farnando Archduke of Austriche marieth the lady Anne sister to Lewes the kinge of Hongary Emonges so many aduersaries as Luther had Henry the eyghte Kynge of Englande wrote soore agaynst him And fyrst he confuteth his iudgement touching Indulgences and defendeth the Bishops authoritie After he reproueth all his disputations concerning the Sacramentes of the Churche taking the occasion of writing out of his boke intitiled of the captiuitie of Babylon Whan Luther knewe therof he answered most vehemently shewynge that in the defence of this cause he did not one whit respecte the highnes or dignitie of any parson For this cause the Bishop Leo gaue the kynge an honorable title callyng him the defendour of the faith Howe kynge Charles was chosen Emperour it is here to fore declared And wheras euer syns certen priuate dyspleasures did growe betwixte hym and the Frenche kynge it brake out into warres But fyrst in the borders of Spaine and of Flaunders The same tyme the Frenchmen kept Parma and Placence in Italy which the Bishoppe Leo was right sory for And when they had also of late attēpted Rhegium he vtterly forsoke them and entred into league with the Emperour wherof the chief condicions were these That the dignitie of the Churche of Rome should be defended that suche Townes as the Frenchemen of late had taken from him should be recouered that Frances Sfortia that time a banished man should be restored to his fathers seat and to the dukedome of Millan Thus ioyning their powers together they recouered of the frenchmen Parma and Placence and by force toke the citye of Millan and droue the French king out of Lumbardy which he had kept in quiet possession fullye .vi. yeares and afterwardes restored Sfortia by the conduit of prosper Columne Fernando Daualle marques of Piscare And not lōg after these newes wer brought Leo departed not without the suspicion of poysening He was sōne vnto Laurens Medices and had to his great grandfather Cosmus that was that great honor of that house Leo was made Cardinall when he was but .xiii. yeares old he liued not past seuen and forty his successor was Adriane the sixt a Hollāder who had bene tutor to the emperour About the same time Soliman lately created Emperour of Turkes moued warre vpon Lewes king of Boheme and Hungary which had maried the Lady Marye themperours sister and besides many other townes and Castels he tooke Belgrade the chief fortresse of Hungary and placed therin a garrison Whilest Cesar maketh his abode in Flaunders and Germany greate seditions arose in Spaine Wherfore to the intent he might remedye the thing in time hauing first appoynted a coūsel to minister the law and to see to the affaires of thempire he saileth againe into Spaine But before he toke his iorney the states of Thempire were all readye assembled at Norinberge concerninge diuers matters but chieflye the Turkyshe warre And Cesar sending forth his proclamation at the later ende of Marche warneth chiefly all ecclesiasticall parsons to pray and make theyr supplications vnto God Afterwardes the fyrste of Maye was aide graunted to kynge Lewes Themperour in his retourne goeth agayne to see the kynge of Englande whom to haue his assured frende agaynst the Frenche kynge he promyseth to geue hym yerely a hundreth and three and thyrtie thousande Duckates For so muche did the Frenchkynge paye yearely to the kynge of Englande and to his syster Mary the French quene Wherfore vnlesse he mighte be saued harmeles he would attempt nothing against him This treatie was made the thirtene day of Iune in the Castell of Wyndsore .xx. myles from Lōdon And for a more entiere loue and frendship it was agreed that the Emperour shoulde take to wyfe the lady Mary the kynges daughter by his aunte Quene Kataryne and marry her whē time should serue for she was then but seuen yeares of age Whethersoeuer brake of to pay to the other foure hundred thousande crownes The Frenche kynge bendeth all his force towardes Italy to recouer that he had lost you haue heard before of Zuinglius and now Hugh Byshoppe of Constance within whose prouince Zuricke is aduertised the Senate what complaintes he heard of Zuinglius and what a kynde of newe doctrine he had broughte in he defendeth hys cause before the Senate whome he satisfied After the Byshoppe wrote his letters to the College of Canons wherof Zuinglius was one speakyng muche of new doctours that troubled the Churche he exhorteth them to take hede and beware of them And for so muche as Leo the Bishop of Rome and the Emperour also haue by most streigth proclamations condemned thys doctrine he warneth them that they obey the same and neyther alter nor chaunge any thinge till they that haue Authoritie should decree some thinge by a generall counsell this was in the moneth of Maye When this Epistle was read in the Colledge Zuinglius whome it concerned wryteth agayne to the Byshop that he vnderstondeth right well by whose motiou he doeth this He admonisheth him not to folow theyr counsell for the trueth is inuincible and can not be resysted Afterwardes with a longer letter he answereth those whiche styrred vp the Bishoppe to write Then Zuinglius and certein others intreate the Bishop by their letters that he would not hynder the doctrine of the Gospell nor suffer any longer that filthy and sklaunderous life of pristes but permitte them to marrye And of the same effecte he writeth to all the Heluetians admonishyng thē not to stop the course of the trewe doctrine nor to worke any displeasure agaynste maryed priestes for of the single life the Deuill him selfe was author In many of theyr Townes it is the maner that whan they receyue a newe minister of the churche they bidde him take a Leman lest he attempt to defyle honest women whiche custome althoughe it be laughed at of many yet was it wittelye diuised as the tyme serued and in so greate darkenes of doctrine
Germany bare of money and keptmen in great bondage which they said plainely they would no longer suffer but in case they were not reformed with spede they wold seke a redresse theÌ„ selues Concernyng the tribute of the Clergie thus it was Amonges other meanes to gather vp money this was one that Byshoppes and other spirituall parsons shoulde paye to the Byshoppe of Rome after the rate of the benefice a certeine summe of money commonly called fyrste fruites and tentes Some do ascribe this deuice to Iohn the .xxij. others vnto Boniface the .ix. The preteÌ„se was fayre and goodly that ther might be Treasure ready at all times against the Turkes and Saracenes And for as much as at that time the aucthoritie of the Bishoppes of Rome was growen great and estemed holy it was easely graunted Englishmen only refused to pay namely for theyr smal benefices This continued till the counsel of Basil where it was put downe brought vp againe by Eugenius the fourth who made that counsell frustrate and so hath continued euer syns but yet not with out much repining For in the yere of our Lorde a thousande and fine hundred what time the Emperor Maximilian held a counsell at Ausâ—â—rge about the Turkishe warre it was decreed that Ambassadors should be sent to Alexander the sixt that he should aide the common wealth And geue those yerely reuenewes vnto this vse that were graunted for the same purpose But tharchebishops or Metropolitanes receane of him a certein signe of honor and dignitie made of Flaxe wolle they call it a Palle For the which they must paye a great piece of money to the Byshoppe of Rome and that in a short space For he maye admit none other Byshoppe till he haue receiued his Palle whiche he weareth alwayes at Masse but before it be deliuered to him he must take his othe to owne him his faith and obeidience And the sixte day of Marche the Princes at Norinberge set forthe a writinge of the thinges before mentioned charging all men to obserue the same vnder a great penaltie whiche decree was published in the Emperours name For he had establisshed the Senate and iudgement before he retorned into Spaine And Fridericke Countie Palatine was his deputie in that assemblie About this tyme were taken at Bruxels two Monckes of S. Austens order Iohn and Henry Hogostrate a Frere Dominicke had theÌ„ in examination They were asked what they beleued They made answere howe they beleued the bokes of the Olde and New testament and the Crede of the Apostles that conteined the Articles of our faith Againe whether they beleued the decrees of the Counsels and of auÌ„cient fathers Such of them as are agreable to the Scriptures Whether they thinke it deadly synne if a man breake the decrees of the fathers and of the Bishoppe of Rome It is only ascribed to Gods commaundementes to condemne or saue WheÌ„ they perseuered herin they were condemned to dye But they gaue thankes to God that they should suffer for the glorie of his name When they were brought forth to suffer all men marueyled to beholde theyr constancie so were they burnt the fyrst day of Iuly But before they wer executed they were disgraded which thing is done vnto priestes onely For beynge condemned Heresye by an Ecclesiasticall Iudge he hath put vpon him an albe and a Uestement and deliuered into his handes a Chalice with wine and water also the gilt Patent with a singing Cake And so knelyng vpon his knees the Bishoppes deputie taketh from him the thynges before named commaundynge hym that he shall no more saye Masse for the quick and the dead And with a piece of glasse he skrapeth his fingers in ioyninge him that he neuer herafter halowe any thing After he taketh the rest of the thinges from him with certein curses ioyned therunto Whan he is exempted thus out of the numbre of Priestes he is also put from the rest of the ordres by the which he came vnto priesthod Then he is he torned naked and decked againe with a laymans apparell and so deliuered to the magistrate whom the bishoppes chaunceloure entreateth that he wold determine no harme against his life nor body for they vse this Ceremony lest they beynge holy men shoulde seme to be the Aucthors of death or bloudshed Whan the decree of the Empire made at Norinb was of many taken diuersely of some also coÌ„temned Luth. Writinge his letters to the Princes doth aduertise them that he hath read it reuerently with great pleasure First where they coÌ„maunde the gospell to be taught after the interpretatioÌ„s approued by the church some in dede vnderstaÌ„d it to be after the accustomed maner of Thomas of Aquine DuÌ„se suche others as the Bishops of Rome haue allowed but he taketh it to be mont of more auÌ„cient writers as Hilary CypriaÌ„ AusteÌ„ such others And yet not so much credit to be giueÌ„ vnto theÌ„ nothing like as to the scripture Thus he doubteth not but they meÌ„t it so doth he take it which is the cause that certen of the chiefest nobilitie wold not subscribe to it nor suffer it to be proclamed in theyr couÌ„treis Secondly where bishops should appoint mete meÌ„ to be present at sermoÌ„s which should geue gentle admonition if any thing were a misse he saith the decre is good but that the Bishops though they wold can not obserue the same for that they waÌ„t learned men haue no other but suche as haue learned nothinge elles but sophistrie And where they prohibite that no bookes be printed before learned meÌ„ appointed therunto haue first perused theÌ„ he wil not be against it so that it coÌ„cerue no bokes of scripture which in no wise oughte to be inhibited Finally where they haue decreed that priestes which mary wiues or forsake their order shal be punished according to the Canon law that to be to ouer hard a thig For as they coÌ„fesse if the gospel be preached sincerely thaÌ„ must the CanoÌ„ law be much qualified Afterwarde he bewalleth the miserie frowardnes of our time that in so clere a light of the gospel that extreme law that prohibiteth mariage is not abolished which hath geuen thoccasion of so many great euils yet are they much to be praised which are content with the punishmeÌ„t prescribed in the Canon law but such as wold kill the priestes that marie or leaue their ordre after they haue by prison all kind of punnishement tormented theÌ„ are greatly to be abhorred Wherfore he besecheth the Princes that for so muche as theyr aduersaries will not obeie the decre which they mighte and ought to obserue the pore priestes might be pardoned for that thinge â—ech not in their power to performe for euery man hath not the gift of chastitie and the vowes made be foolishe After this he set forth a boke of ordeining of ministers to the Senate of Prage and ioyneth with it a writynge wherein he
wel as they do for the laste yere what tyme another Ambassador was here they wrote vnto him theyr mindes howe the daunger of this alteration should be foreseen and remedied And also what they required of him to be done for his parte Wherof if he haue brought any aunswer they desyre him to vtter it to the intent they may the better procede in the cause And as touching Turkishe matters they confesse to be as he hath sayd notwithstandyng that great warre doth not only concerne The Empire but all together kynges and princes of Christendome in like maner For vnlesse that they be at peace amonges them selfes and giue their aide ther can nothing be done to continew But for asmuch as the Turke nowe maketh great preparation vnto warres both by sea and Lande they would also knowe his opinion herin The Legate said againe that whether there were any such way by them deuised to appease the strife aboute Religion or whether it were deliuered to the Bishoppe and Cardinalles or no he can not certeinly tell but the Bishoppes good wyll is muche who hathe gyuen him full aucthoritie in all suche matters but they whiche knowe the men the maner and custome of the countrey must fynd out that way that may lead them to the ende wished for In the counsell at Wormes the Emperor by theyr common assent made a decree to haue bene executed thorowout all Germany which some obeied and some not Wherefore this great diuersitie should be in the Empire he knoweth not But he thinketh good before any thynge be determined to consulte howe it maye be executed he is not comen thither to styrre vp fyre and dissention as some reporte but all his desyre and the Bishoppes in like case is to make peace and concorde to th entent that suche as haue erred and straied may be reduced into the waie that the decrees of the counsels Themperors and Princes proclamations might be obserued concernynge their requestes whether they were made to be sent to Rome he knoweth not But three copies were brought thither to priuate men whetof he had one but the Byshoppe and the Colledge of Cardinalles coulde not be perswaded that they should be made by the Princes but thought rather that some priuate men had deuised for hatred and malice that they bare to the citie of Rome Wherin be diuerse thinges that deny the Byshoppes authoritie smell of Heresye and be suche as he can not meddle withall But for others that are not against the Bishop such as are grounded vpon equitie and reason he will not refuse to treate of Howe be it it semeth vnto him that the demaundes should haue bene propounded with more modestie if they had ought to say to the highe Bishop For so dyd lately the Spaniardes which sendyng an Ambassade to Rome declared gētely what theyr request was But wheras they be printed and publisshed abrode he thinketh that ouer muche And yet there is no doubte but that the Bishoppe of Rome wyll do for Germany what he can Moreouer what power the Turke hath and what preparatiō he maketh the bishop hath good intelligence And hath alredy great treasure in a readines and will haue more And for so muche as the concorde of Christen Princes is very requisite he hath done what he can that the Emperor the Frenche kynge and the king of England hauyng peace together might set vpon the Turke on all handes and he will employ therupon all his treasure This doeth the Bishoppe as a good sheperde foresee and care for peace and quietnes But in case the shepe wyll not folowe the voyce of the Sheperde he can do no more but take it paciently and commit the whole matter vnto God Amonges the Suyces encreased dayly cōtention for Religion And the rest of townes sendynge theyr Ambassadors to them of Zurycke shewed theyr grief How that in tymes past all thinges were at a godly quiet and no contention of Doctrine at all But nowe through the meanes of Luther that fyrst began and Zuinglins and Leo Iude that preached amonges them interpretinge Godes worde after theyr owne iuste and appetite that godly peace and quietues of the churche and the common weale is nowe tourned into trouble and dissention And besydes that these incommodities do ensew vpon fastyng dayes they eate bothe Egges and Flesshe Religious folkes aswell men as women forsaking theyr profession and orders do marrie Gods seruice is laide downe they singe no more in the Churche they neglect confession and penaunce the Masse is railed on our Lady and the sainctes dishonoured theyr Images pulled downe and broken the sacramentes had in contepte in so muche that nowe a daies the sacred holy host that representeth Christes body can skarsely be safe in the Priestes haides These are thinges to be lamēted and to be auenged also with the losse of life and goods Wherfore they desyre them to leaue their newe doctrine and perseuer in the olde religion of their fathers for they can beare this gere no longer But in case there be any thinge wherin they fynde them selues offended with the Bishop of Rome Cardinals Byshoppes and suche others whan they entre into benefices choppe and chaunge them and gather vp all the money in the countrey vsurping and taking ouer muche vpon them if these and suche other like things do molest and greue them they will not refuse to helpe to reforme the same for they do mislyke them very muche them selues The Senate of Zuricke aunswered the .xxi. daye of Marche that their ministers of their church had preached there fyue yeares Whose doctrine at the begynnynge semed vnto them newe because they had not heard the like before but after that they vnderstode how the ende therof was to shewe Iesus Christ the aucthor of saluation who dyed for the sinnes of the world who a loue deliuered vs wretches frō death euerlasting being the onely aduocate of mankinde to God the father they could not but wyth feruent desyre embrace so ioyful newes there was great agrement and concorde in times past betwixt the Apostles and those which after theyr time embraced Christes doctrine the same they trust shall be nowe also amonges such as giue their minds hereunto And if Luther or any other do so teache it is well done neyther ought Gods word to be called his doctrine And although they do honor Christ only yet do they no iniurie therfore to the virgin Marye or other saints For al they being here in earth loked for eternall saluatiō by the onely name of Christ and nowe is there such a light giuen that in maner all men within their citie do reade the Bible diligently so that the ministers can not wrast a wrye that is so continuallye in all mens handes wherefore there can be no secte obiected vnto them but that name accordeth to them which to mainteine their lucre and dignitie wraste Gods worde whither they list They are said to be in an error
therfore departing from Wittenberge as before is mentioned had kept familiaritie with those secrete teachers that fayned themselues to see visions and to haue talke with God for the whiche causes the Dukes of Saxony had banyshed hym out of his countrey And he had set forth bookes against Luther and his fellowes callyng them newe flatterers of the Romyshe byshop and suche as taught amysse concernyng the masse confession of synnes Images and other thinges And those wordes of Christ This is my body he interpreted thus here sytteth my body and rayleth on the Duke for exylyng hym but layde all the blame in Luther Whereunto Luther aunswered at large defendyng his opinions and affirmed the cause to be iust wherfore the prince had banyshed him Now after this sedition was opressed the armies of the commoners discōfited and many executed dayly in al places Carolostadius beyng afrayde of his own parte cōpyleth a booke wherin he pourgeth him selfe ryght dilygentlye affirmynge that they doe vnto hym great iniurye that reporte hym to be one of the authors of this seditiō And writīg his letters to Luther desyreth hym earnestly to set forth this same booke to defende his innocensie that he be not vniustly condempned and neuer come to his aunswere Luther wryting an epistle that all be it he dissented much from hym yet for asmuche as in this distresse he fleeth vnto hym for sucour he sayeth he would not disceyue his expectacion herein considering chiefly that this is the very dewtye of a Christenman Wherfore he desyreth the Magistrates and all others in generall that in so muche as he vtterlye denyeth the thyng that is layde to his charge and refuseth not to come to his answere before any lawful iudge the same might be graūted him whiche standeth both with equitie and iustice After this Carolostadius sendeth Luther an other boke wherin he protesteth that suche thinges as he wrote of the Lordes supper was not to defyne or determine any thing but by way of disputatiō to searche out the truth Luther admitteth the excuse but he warneth al men to beware of his opinion for so much as he is doubtful in it him selfe or els if thei doubt in lyke case to suspende their iudgement tyl such tyme as it be certenly knowē what to beleue therin for in thynges that we must beleue we ought not to doubte or wauer but to be so certen that rather than to forsake our opinion we should not refuse to dye a thousand tymes In those dayes Luther maried a Nunne wherby he gaue occasion to his aduersaries to speake euyll of hym For than they sayd playnly he was madde and became the seruaunt of the deuill At this tyme Zwynglius the minister of the congregation at Zurick agreing with Luther in all other thynges dissented from him touching the lordes supper For those wordes of Christ this is my body Luther vnderstode barely and symply after the texte of the letter admitting none other interpretation affirming the bodye and bloude of Christe to be verely in the bread and wyne and so to be receyued with the mouthe also but Zuinglius taketh it to be a trope or a fygure as many others mo are to be found in the Scriptures and expoūdeth the wordes thus This signifieth my body Wherunto subscribed Oecolampadius a preacher at Basill interpretyng it thus This is a signe of my body The matter was hādled on eyther syde with much contention wryting The Saxōs held the opiniō of Luther the Zwicers of Zwynglius There followed others which did expoūd it otherwise but they all agreed in this opinion that the body blud of Christ is receiued spiritnally not corporally nor with the mouth but with the hart This cōtention endured the space of .iii. years at the last by the meanes of the Lantgraue they came to a cōmunication at Marburg as hereafter you shal here Also the coūsel of thempire appointed a litle before at Auspurg because few came thither by reason of the tumultes in Germany was proroged to the first of May in the next yeare folowyng at the which time Ferdinando put thē in hope that the Emperour would be there him self and the place was appointed at Spyres Neuerthelesse it was decreed that in the meane tyme the preachers should expound the scriptures to the people after the mindes of the doctours whiche the churche had receiued and not to teache sediciously but so as Gods name may be gloryfied quietnes maintained Whilest Fraunces the French kyng was prisoner in Spayne Ales his mother had the gouernment Who to kepe in the byshop of Rome signified vnto him by letters messagers what a zeale and affection she bare towardes him and the churche of Rome Wherupon Elemēt the seuenth writing to the court of parliament in Paris signifieth how he vnderstode by her that certen heresies began to spring vp in Fraunce against the auncient faith and religion how they haue wittely forseing the thing chosen certen men to punishe such offendours whiche thing he confirmeth also by his authoritie wyllyng them to be diligent herein both for Gods glory and also for the welth of the Realme With many other faire wordes of exhortation to perseuer in so doing Which letters being dated at Rome the xx day of May were deliuered to the Senate at Paris the .xvij. daye of Iune Moreouer in the kinges absence the diuines of Paris had so euill entreated Iames Faber of Stapulles who hathe written dyuers workes both of Philosophie and diuinitie that they droue hym out of Fraunce Wherof the kyng being certified by the lettres of his sister Margaret which loued Faber for his vertue writeth to the Senate of Paris in his behalfe geuyng him a Godlye testimony for his learnyng and vertue and that he is in much estimation amonges the Italians and Spanyardes wherfore he wileth them to surcease and let the action falle till his retourne or his pleasure further knowen beyng assured that it is by euyl wyll commenced against hym by the doctours of Serbone for the matter was heard before his commyng from home These letters being dated at Madricea town in Spayn the .xij. of Nouembre were delyuered at Paris the .xxviij. of the same moneth It was a thyng geuen to the deuines in tymes paste to rayle vpon learned men the cause was that they sawe their ignoraunce dispised This yeare was the state of the common wealth altered in the lande of Pruse the vttermost prouince in Germany bordering on the We shall repete the matter from the beginninge In the Empyre of Henry the syxth the sonne of Frederick Barbarosse what tyme the Christians warred to recouer Hierusalem there was instituted an order of Knyghtes of Germany whiche because they fought for religiō did weare the whyte crosse on their garmēts as a badge of their profession This was the yeare of our Lorde M. C. and foure score and ten The first maister of that order was chosen
fourthe daye of August they put vp also an other wherin the pouertie cōplayned that they were in all cities and townes ouermuche burthened wyth beggyng Freres For that whiche should be a helpe vnto them to susteyn their life was preuēted caught vp by them and not only that but often tymes also there came to their handes throughe flattrye great landes and legacies to the losse and hynderaunce of many wherfore their deuyse was that they should not be suffered to make anye moo Freres when these are dead and to permytte them that wyll take an other kynde of lyfe vpon thē to depart out of their cloyster with some annuall stypende And the rest to be geuen to the poore mens boxe Moreouer they thynke it not reason that the clergie should be frelye exempted from al charges and paymētes for that priuilege was graūted them in tymes past by the lyberalitie of kynges and Prynces but yet at such tyme as they were both fewe in nombre and had but small lyuynges But nowe that they be so many growen to such a welth there is an other consyderation to be had for the cause of their inunitie beyng taken away the benefite also employed taketh place no longer for they do enioye the benefytes and commodities as muche as other men or more for the whiche tribute custome and all other mony is payde agayne to haue ouermany holye dayes whiche hynder the people sore wherunto they are bounden vnder great penaltie and do not only leaue their necessary workes vndone but also in those idle daies offende God diuerse wayes They thynke it also mete to abolish the lawe that is made for the choyse of meates to leaue vnto all men their owne ceremonies tyll the counsell and in no wyse to stoppe the course of the euāgelical doctrine But after the byshoppes vnderstode the Emperours pleasure they woulde not proceade in matters of religion but thought in this great dissention bet wyxte the Byshop and hym to deferre the thynge tyll some better oportunitie serued when there arose great stryfe among the men chosen whiche were contrary in Relygion the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue all consultation layde asyde ment to go home and commaunded their company to make them ready to take their iournaye That seyng Ferdinando the Archebyshop of Treers and others consyderynge what daunger it were in so peryllous a tyme yf they shoulde thus breakynge of in displeasure conclude vppon nothynge but departe wyth grudge and malyce Founde the meane to Salue this wounde For wherof the commotion in the yere before and what dissention so euer is nowe in Germany sprange vp altogether of the controuersye that is in Relygion they thoughte good to remedye the thynge in tyme. Wherfore to appease certen mens myndes at the laste they made a decre that for the establyshynge of Religion and mayntenaunce of the common peace and tranquilitie it was necessarye to haue a lawfull counsell eyther prouinciall or generall to begyn within a yeare at the furthest And to the entent there shall be no let nor delaye in the same to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour to entreate hym that he woulde consyder the myserable and troublesome state of the Empyre and to repayre shortly in to Germany to holde there a counsell And touchyng the decree made at Wormes thei were contented that untyll the counsell were begonne all men shoulde so demeane them selues in their prouinces as they woulde yelde an accompte of theyr doynges bothe to God and to the Emperour Before this decree was made the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue enter in to talke with the Ambassadours of Strausborough Norenberge and Auspurge whiche they sawe fauoured the Gospell concernynge a league that for as muche as they knewe not what the Byshoppes and theyr adherententes intended if it fortuned anye to stande in daunger for Relygion that one myght helpe an other And for as muche as they had a good opinion of them of Frankeforth and Ulmes they woulde not refuse to breake wyth them also in the matter The Ambassadours make aunswere that they had no commission touchynge anye suche matter neuerthelesse they would wryte home ryght diligently The Duke of Saxon had his preachers George Spalatine Iohn Islebie and the Lantgraue had also his The residewe of the Princes requested that they might not preache for feare of any sturre but it was in vayne Fardinando also calling before him the Ambassadours of all cities and accomting vnto them the benefites of his auncesters and the house of Austriche exhorted them to be obediēt to the Emperour and not to be caried away by the counsell and perswasion of others They decreed also here to sende ayde to the kynge of Hungary but at what tyme the assemblye was finished which was about the ende of August the Turke was entred into Hungarye and had vanquyshed kynge Lewis in battell who was also slayne in the chase At this assemblye were all the Prynces electours sauinge onlye the Marques of Brandenburg The Emperour this sommer maried Isabell daughter to Emanuell kyng of Portugall syster to Iohn whiche had succeded his father What tyme the assemblye was at Spyres thetwelue townes of the Neluetians or Swycers kept a disputatiō at Badene Thether came the chiefest diuines of the byshop of Romes syde Faber Eckius and Murmer And the byshop of Constance Basill Courtes losanna sent thither their Ambassadours There were theames set vp whiche Eckius defendeth ryght boldely That the very body and bloud of Christe is present in the Lordes supper that it is a trewe oblation for the quicke and dead that the vyrgin Mary and other saynctes must be prayde vnto as intercessours that Images ought not to be taken downe And that after this lyfe there is the fire of purgatory Oecolampadius and others did impugne thē Zwynglius was absent and in his letters to the Heluetians he declared the cause of his absence and confuted the opinions of Eckius by writing For Zwynglius dred bad measure suspecting bothe the men and the place They concluded thus That all men should perseuer in the same religion that they haue obserued hytherto and receyue no newe doctryne but followe the authoritie of the counsell The byshop of Constaunce had a litle before caused one Iohn Huglie a priest to be brent at Merspurge for that he woulde not allowe the byshops of Romes doctrine in all thinges When Lewys the king of Hongary was thus myserably slayne Ferdinando contended that the kyngdome was dewe vnto hym by a certen composition but he had an aduersarye Iohn Sepuse the vayuode of transsyluania Of the whiche dissentiō when all the nobilitie states were deuided there arose warre right noysome and hurtfull to the Germanes other nations that dwelled nere For afterwardes the Emperour of Turkes receyuing the Uayuode into his fayth and protection established hym kyng as his tributarye and client and had Buda delyuered vp
a league with them of Zuricke Bernes and Basyll whiche were both nerer vnto them and accorded better in Religion to the intent they myght at all tymes be able to defende them selues from iniurye The condicions were that if they shoulde be attempted with force of armes for Religion sake that then those cities should sende ayde and men as many as shal be requisite yet so that they of Strausborough shall gyne vnto euery thousand of fote men two thousād crownes by the moneth in parte of recompence Agayne if it be their chaunce to be first assauted the citie of Strausborough shal ayde them with no mē but with thre thousand crownes euerye moneth whylest the warre shall endure Moreouer if their ennemies be founde in any part of the others dominions not to escape free but to suffer accordinge to the lawe of Armes If they shall be warred vpon all at ones then euerye cytie to beare theyr owne charges Strausborough shall in tyme of peace sende vnto Zuricke when they may conuenientlye ten thousande poundes of gunne powder and as many rasers of Wheate vnto Basyll Wherof shall be nothyng spent but in tyme of warre then to delyuer it out to the townes men vpon a reasonable price If they shall come to ayde them of Strausborough they maye spende of the powder so muche as shall be nedefull and in the warre common to them both they to paye the one halfe for the same This league was made for fyftene-yeares the fyft daye of Ianuary When this was knowen Fridericke Palatyne presydent of the counsell imperiall addressed his letters vnto them aboute the ende of the same moneth signifiyng howe it is commonly reported that they haue made a league with certen townes in Swycerlande whereat he marueyleth not a lyttle that they whiche are bounden to the Empyre should enter into league with others without the consent of the Emperour and the states of the Empyre and all be it that moste men affirme it to be trewe yet wyll not he credite the thynge before he shal vnderstande it by them selues Wherfore he requyreth them to declare playnely by wryting vnto hym whiche representeth the place of the Emperour what the league is and what conditions they are agreed vpon The Protestauntes had appoynted an other assemblye at Norinberge whyther came the Ambassadours of certen Prynces and cyties who for so muche as it was thought howe the Emperour would call a counsell shortly agreed vpon this only that in the meane tyme they should consulte what to propounde in the same and euerye moneth to aduertyse the Duke of Saxon what thynges they thought mete that the reste myght vnderstande it by hym And thus departed the fourth Ides of Ianuarye In the meane whyle the Emperour whiche was come to Bononye the fyfte daye of Nouembre the one and twentye daye of Ianuarye dispatchynge his letters into Germanye sommoned a parliament of all states at Auspurge the eyght daye of Apryll chyefiy for the cause of Religion the Turky she warre After the foure and twenty daye of Februarye he was not wtithout great pompe and solempnitie inuested by the Byshop of Rome whan he had fyrst taken his othe to be the cōtinuall defendour of the Byshoppes dignitie Before he came at Bononye as he should enter within the lymites of the byshoppes iurisdiction there were three Cardinalles sent by the byshop of Rome to demaunde and take his fidelitie that he should neuer do any iniury to the libertie of that churche He aunswered in such sorte as he declared that he would lose no part of his right signifiyng secretly that Parme and Placence belonging to the Dukedome of Millan whiche townes the churche of Rome possessed at the same tyme. Departing out of Bononie he created Fridericke Duke of Mantua In tymes past Mantua was a free citie of the Empyre but afterwardes being sore afflicted with vprores ciuile tumultes they chose Lewys Gonzaga to be their gouernour for expulsyng of a Tyraunt called Passeryne the yeare of our Lorde M .ccc. xxvii whose nephewes sonne Iohn Frances the Emperoure Sigismunde created Marques the yeare M. cccc.xxxiiij the seconde daye of Septembre and remayneth in the same estate vntil this time The first that came to Auspurge was the Duke of Saxony with his sonne Iohn Fridericke in the trayne that came behynde was Philip Melaucthō Ihon Iselbe Agricola Iustus Ionas and George Spalatine the cytie Ulmes sent to mete and welcome the Emperour but they were longe or they myght be suffered to come to his speche in fine he requyred them to renounce the protestation of the yeare before and promesse to be obedient from henceforth The men of Auspurge had mustered eyght hondreth footemen to kepe their Towne whan the Emperour hearde of it he commaunded them to be discharged and he appoynteth and sweareth others in theyr steade requyred one gats of the Cytie to be delyuered vnto hym certen dayes before that he came thether Cattinarie that was newly made Cardinall dyed this tyme at Isprouke and Granuellane had his rowme And about this tyme also the ladye Elenor with the kynges two sonnes Fraunces and Henry whiche had bene pledges for their father in Spayne foure yeares came nowe home into Fraunce After a whyle that the byshop had inuested themperour he sent vnto king Ferdinādo Peter paulle Uerger his legate with great authoritie Unto whome he gaue in cōmaundemēt especially to deuise with Ferdinando that he shuld endeuour to let hinder that prouincial coūsel of Germany that in no wyse there should any be holden He handleth his cōmissiō right diligently seketh al meanes possible to hynder the Lutherians and extended his lyberalitie towardes Iohn Faber Eckius Chocleus and Nanseas that they should play the men and made Eckius a Cannon of Ratisbonne as the bishops legate in whose presence the right of Election ceasseth the Emperour came to Auspurg at the Ides of Iune and in his company the Cardinall Campegius with the byshoppes full authoritie The Emperour had purposed to haue rydē into the citie in the middes ther Ferdinando and the Cardinall but because it was against the maner of the Empyre the Archebyshop of Mentz and Collen rode before hym and after hym Ferdinando and Campegius The nexte day was Corpus Christi day the Emperour therfore wēt deuoutly to the churche and the Cardinall of Mentz sayde Masse All the Prynces were present except the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue the two Dukes of Lunenboroug George of Brandenburge and the Countie Anholde The Emperour in dede had both wylled them to be there and to put their preachers to silence but thei neither came them selues nor yet imposed silence to their preachers which they sayd they could not for as muche as the same assemblie was appointed to the intent al mē might speake their consciences Two dayes after was a proclamation made that the preachers on both sydes should kepe silence til the
haue bene denyed them seing that he is content to heare others that be their inferiours muche in matters of lesse importaunce But when he would alter nothyng of his purpose they requyre him to leaue them their boke tyll suche tyme as it hath bene read opēly which graunted they came the next daye and in the audience of all the Prynces and states the Emperour hym selfe being present recite it ouer Afterwardes they delyuer it vnto hym wrytten bothe in Latin and Dutche and if they shall doubte in any thyng they offer a further declaration and in case the matter can not be determined at this present they do not refuse to abyde the counseell so often tymes promysed and looked for The Emperour whiche had layne all the wynter from Nouembretyl March at Bononie in the same place with the bishop of Rome endeuoured as muche as he myght to appease this controuersie in Religion without a counsel For by this meanes he knewe he should please Clement best whose intent was that in case the matter could not be quieted by gētle meanes it shuld be oppressed by force of armes Therfore the .xxvj. of June he calleth before him in his owne hous the Ambassadours of al cities declareth vnto them by Frederick the Palsgraue howe in the assemblye at Spires a decree was made wherunto the moste parte did consent where he was right glad but that certen others contemned the same for the which he was as sory Wherfore he requyred thē not to swarue away from the rest orels to shewe the reason why they should not obey Hereunto aunswered the Ambassadours of the cities of Protestauntes that they had done nothing contrary to their dutie For they haue no lesse desyre than their elders haue had to perfourme their fayth and obedience but where as he woulde knowe the cause why they dyd not admytte the decre they desyre some tyme to make aunswer and after the seuenth of Iuly they put vp their aunswere in wrytyng in effecte lyke vnto that whiche they sent the yeare before by their Ambassadours into Italy Two dayes after that the Emperour causeth one to demaunde of the Duke of Saxō and his felowes whether they wyll exhibite any thynge more They saye nothing els but a brief somme of the same confession whiche they haue delyuered already After he commaundeth the Ambassadours of the Cities that where they saye how they can not for conscience sake kepe the decree of Spyres they should drawe articles briefly of the thynges where with they founde them selues greued And he delyuereth the confessiō of Saxonie to the resydue of the Prynces to be skanned And they agayne to their diuines amonges whome Faber Eckius were pryucipall Who wrote a confutation against it whiche after the Prynces had heard red many iudged it to be much extreme and thought mete that certen should be chosen to reade ouer both their wrytynges and to qualyfie them but their opinion preuayled whiche sayde it shoulde thus be exhibyted to the Emperour and the whole matter be referred vnto hym In the meane tyme they of Strausborough Constance Memming and Lindaue present the Emperour with a confession of their doctryne For touchyng the Lordes supper they beleued otherwyse than did the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes The Emperour debatyng the matter with the byshoppes Legate framed an aunswer to the doctrine of Saxon and sheweth it vnto the Prynces the fyrste daye of August The wyndyng vp of it was vehement and harde cōmaunding them to obserue it vnder paine of outlawing But through the coūsel the of Prynces this thing was mitigated Wherfore the third daye of Auguste he sendeth for al states and declareth to them by Frederick Palsgraue how he hath long and much consulted vpon the cōfession of the Saxons doctryne how he hath also commaundeth certen honest and well learned men to examyne it and to iudge what is Godly therin and what is against the consent of the churche whiche they haue done accordingly and haue declared their myndes in an other wrytynge whiche also he alloweth After this was the confutation of the confession rehearsed in this ordre They had deuided the Saxons bookes in two partes The first part conteined .xxj. chapters of doctrine of these some they receiued and some they reiected certen thinges were partely admitted and partly refused alledginge manye testimonies out of the fathers and counsell They forsoke these good workes deserue nothing Iustification to be ascribed to faith only and not vnto workes also that the churche is the congregatiō of the godly that we can not make satisfaction for sinnes that sainctes be not intercessours for vs other thinges they admitte after a sorte as ceremonies moreouer that the true body and bloud of Christe was in the sacrament so as Christ should be vnder both the kyndes and the wyne and the bread cleane chaunged they allowed their articles of confession so that the people were bound to confesse them euery yere at Easter tellyng all their synnes diligently and receiue the Lordes supper and beleue that there be seuen sacramentes of the church prouided alwayes that no man were appointed to instructe the people but by the byshoppes leaue and consent Moreouer that all lawes and decrees of the churche should be obserued and in suche places as they be abolyshed be restored The seconde parte comprehendeth fyue thynges chiefly the communion of the Lordes supper vnder bothe kyndes as they terme it is reiected and the Emperour desyred that herein they would followe the consent and custome of all Christendome For the marriage of Priestes he sayeth it is to hym maruell they wyll requyre it syns it was neuer vsed from the Apostles tyme vnto this day wherfore it may in no wyse be graunted Their Masse is admitted so that it be consonant to the vse of the Romane churche But in case it be altered it is reiected and also affirmed that the Masse is a sacryfice for the quicke and the dead neyther that the priuate Masse oughte to be abolyshed For Daniell had prophecied long before that when Antichriste shoulde come the dayly offeryng shoulde cease whiche thyng is not yet come to passe saue only in such places where the Masse is layd downe and the Aulters destroyed the Images brent in the whyche churches nothyng is songe nor read nor no lyghtes burne any longer there in deede is the saying of the Prophet represented and verified Wherfore all men must take dilygent hede that they geue none occasion of the comyng of Antichriste the monasticall vowes to be grounded aswell vpon the authoritie of the newe Testament as of the olde wherfore they deserue punyshement whiche contrary to their profession haue forsaken their ordre That the bishop haue authoritie not only to teache but also to gouerne the common wealth therfore ought not to be abridged of their ryght and priuilege whiche they haue obteyned through the liberalitie of their elders Not to abstayne
of Rome woulde abolyshe all his kyngdome If they condempne our doctryne whye seeke we an vniformitie If they do allowe it why do they mainteyne their olde errours But they condemyne it openly Wherfore it is dissimulation and falshode whatsoeuer they go about they labour sore as it appereth about their ceremonies but let them fyrst restore the doctryne of fayth and workes Let them suffer the churche to haue Ministers that wyll doe their dutie They requyre that Monkes maye be set agayne in possession let them restore to vs agayne so manye innocent Godly men as they haue murthered let them restore so many soules destroied through their wicked doctrine let thē restore those great rychesse gotten by fraude disceiptfully let thē restore Gods glory with so many contumelies dishonored Whan they shall haue made satisfactiō for these thynges we shall than talke with them vnto whome the possession belongeth Where as Luther and certen others differed only in opinion touching the Lordes supper whiche the catholykes reioysed at and the rest muche lamented Bucer by the Duke of Saxons procurement went from Auspurge to Luther for an agrement and receyued suche aunswere as he mislyked not in so much as he went thēce to Zwynglius and the Zwycers to the intent they might be ioyned nerer in mynde and opinion When the state of thynges stoode thus all was full of displeasure The Lantgraue maketh a league for syxe yeares with the cities of Zuricke Basill and Strausborough that if any be attempted with force for Religion they shoulde ayde one an other This was concluded in Nouembre The same tyme the Emperour addresseth his letters to the Duke of Saxon commaunding him to be with him at Collon the .xxi. of Decembre for certen weightie affayres of the common wealth Whiche after he had receiued the same the .xxviii. of Nouembre the same daye came a messenger with letters from the Archebishop of Mentz wherein was wrytten how the Emperour had required hym to cal to an assemblie to Princes Electours to create a kyng of Romaynes Wherfore he cited him to appeare at Collon the .xxix. of Decembre for this appertaineth to the byshops office as before hath bene declared Whiche thinge ones knowen the Duke of Saxon dispatchyng his letters to the Lantgraue and to all other Prynces and cities that were Protestantes prayeth and exhorteth them to mete at Smalcalde at the .xxii. of Decembre Neuerthelesse in the meane tyme he sendeth spedely to Collon Iohn Frederick his sonne and with hym certen of his priuie counsell to be there at the daye appoynted by the Emperour By whome he declareth how this citation of the archebishop of Mentz is not rightly nor orderly done how by this creation of the king of Romaines the right and libertie of the Empyre is infrynged and also the lawe of Charles the fourth broken wherfore he wyl not allowe nor ratifie their enterprise After that all were assembled at Smalcalde they deuise a league not offensiuely but defensiuely Unto this subscribed immediatly all the Princes and moreouer Albert and Gebart Erles of Manssteld Maidenborough and Bremen But Strausborough Ulmes Cōstance Lindaue Mēming Cāpedowne Heilbrune Ruteling Biberack Isne do receiue it in such sorte as first to infourme their cities therof within syx wekes to make an directe answere what they wil do herein It was furthermore decreed to follicite by their Ambassadours the king of Denmarke the Dukes of Pomerane Megelbourg the cities of Embeck Northēme Franckfourth Brunswick Gotinge Minda Hannobria Hildesseme Lubecke Stetine other hauon townes When the byshop of Rome vnderstode what was that end of the assemblie at Auspurg he wrote his letters to the kyng of Pole others how he had trusted assuredly that the authoritie presence of the Emperour should either haue quenched or quieted Luthers heresie for vpō this hope for this cause chiefly he came to mete the Emperour at Bononie to the intent he might encourage him forward who notwithstanding of his owne accorde was wel willing for if this thing had ben brought to passe religiō had bene staied many mens soules saued which through this heresie are nowe in daūger then might remedy haue ben foūd against the Turkish fury but where as he vnderstādeth al well by thēperours as also by the letters of his legate how they can not only be in no wise reformed but are waxed also more obdurate he which through that wyll of God gouerneth the shyp of Peter in a time so tēpestuouse susteyneth the greatest part of the whole care for the same consultinge with his Cardinals cāfinde no better remedy thā the which his predecessours haue vsed that is a general coūsel wherfore he doth admonish hym synce the matter is brought to this issue that either hym selfe presentlye or els by hys Deputes woulde further so holye a cause For he entendeth so shortly as may be to appoynte one in Italy in some place conuenient These letters were dated the first daye of December The xxiiii daye of Decembre the Prynces confederated at Smalcalde wryte vnto the Emperour howe they heare it commonly bruted that he pourposeth to create his brother Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes who maketh great sute for the same But what authoritie and ryght the Princes Electours haue herein by the lawe of Charles the fourth howe when the Emperour is dead an other is to be chosen in the name of the whole Empyre it is knowen to all men Notwithstandinge he being alyue and in helth and no suche chaunce happened howe the Archebyshop hath cited them to Collon against the prescripte of the lawe and agaynst the custome of the Empyre They heare moreouer howe the residue of the Electours wyll come thyther at his requeste to accomplyshe the sute of Ferdinando as it were by conuenaunt and promyse for this report is spread farre and neare Wherfore they haue thought good to admonishe hym of certen thynges And al be it they had leuer abstayne from suche kynde of talke yet for as muche as they loue both hym and theyr conntrey and especiallye the lybertie therof which they haue receyued of their auncesters agayne for because now in this later ende of the worlde many thinges are done captiously and crastely they can not otherwyse doe Fyrst therfore he knoweth ryght well how circumspectly howe depely with what wordes and bondes he bounde hym selfe to the Empyre how he gaue his fayth by an othe that he woulde obserue the lawe Carolyne whereupon the lybertie of the Empyre chiefly dependeth howe he promysed cōfirmeth by an othe that he would neither him self do any thing against it nor suffer any other to do And certenly these conuenauntes may not be infrynged broken or chaunged without the consent and aduyse of all states But nowe in case during his lyfe and prosperitie a kyng of Romanes shuld be chosen and that his naturall brother makynge suite and labour for it
after deliberation make hym 〈◊〉 full aunswere by wryting IN the first assembly at Smalcalde this emōges other thynges was agreed vppon that for as muche as their aduersaries did aggrauate the cause and profession of the Gospell with manye sclaunders and broughte it euerye where in to great hatred they shoulde wryte pryncipally to the kynges of Fraunce and of Englande that they would not credite nor be perswaded herin Wherfore the .xvj. daye of February the Protestauntes wryte their seuerall letters to them both of one effecte How they knowe vndoubtedly of the olde complaint that hath bene of long tyme concernyng the vice and faultes of the clergie whiche many notable men and of late memory in Fraunce Iohn Gerson and in Englande Iohn Colet haue sore noted reprehended the same thing hath happened of late yeares in Germany For where as certen freers wēt about with indulgences pardōs whiche they so highly cōmended to the great contumelie of Christe no lesse daunger of mens saluation that they got a shameful an vnreasonable gayne therby And being gētly admonyshed by certen good wel learned men that thei should not so do did not only abstayne from suche vsage but also cruelly condempned them for Heretykes whiche gaue them good counsell in so muche that they were constrayned to stande in the defence of the trewthe vpon whyche occasion many other thynges were espyed and reprehēded but the aduersaries whiche through their impudent marchādise gaue occasion of offence woulde neuer be in quiet tyll this doctryne whiche reuealyng their crafty iuglyng was without dewe examination condempned for wycked And to the intent they might wholy oppresse it haue brought it into great hatred with the Emperour and other kynges Neuerthesse the truthe breakyng out lyke the sonne beames discouered the faultes moste manifestly whiche of euyl customes and preposterous iudgementes were crepte in to the churche in so muche they could not be denied by the byshop of Rome hym selfe whē they had bene exhibyted before to the Emperour by the states of the Empyre in the assemblie at Wormes and after had bene treated of in all assemblies of the Empyre all men iudging for certentie that for reformation therof there were no waye better than a free and a lawfull counsell wherewith the Emperour was also content But at his commyng out of Spayne into Germany through Italy he was addicted wholy at Auspurge to quiet the matter without a counsel And so thei discourse the whole treaty at Auspurge as hath bene before rehersed and howe for the sore decree there made they were compelled to appeale to a free and Godly coūsell lest they should both haue hurt theyr conscience and offended God moste greuously Afterwardes thei confute the false opinions and sclaunders that theyr aduersaries ascribe vnto them to bryng them into hatred with all men and chieslye that the doctrine whiche they do professe is against the authoritie of Magistrates and dignities of lawes but their confession exhibited at Auspurge doth fully aunswere this matter wheren is the office and state of a Magistrate by theyr doctrine declared to be of Gods ordinaūce and agayne the people taught to owe all due obedience to the Magistrate for Gods cōmaundement and for cōscience sake so that it may be truly sayde that the learned men of this tyme and doctrine haue more hyghly commēded the dignitie of lawes and Magistrates than any former age hath done for els seing they are also appointed of God to haue rule and gouernment of others What madnes were it for thē to permitte that doctrine whiche should geue licencious lybertie take awaye obedience and styre vp the people against them Wherfore after this and dyuers other thynges they saye howe that for so much as these sclaunders are reported by them and howe it forceth very much for the cōmon wealth of christendome that they beyng kynges of such wysdome and authoritie should be ryghtly infourmed in the matter therfore haue they thought good in their owne purgatiō to wryte this much vnto them earnestly desyring them to geue no credit vnto sclaūders nor to conceaue any sinistre opinion of them but to keepe theyr iudgement in suspence tyll they may come to the place where to make theyr purgation openly whiche thing they chiefly desyre they beseche them also to exhorte the Emperour that for the weyghty importaunce of the matter and the profit of the whole churche he would call a godly and a free counsell in Germany so shortly as myght be And that he woulde worke no extremitie against them vntyll suche tyme as the cause may be lawfully decided determyned For hitherto haue they alwayes done their duty to the common wealth of the Empyre and nowe that they professe this doctrine they are brought in daunger of no selfe wyll nor obstinacie but for Gods worde and glory whereby they haue the better hope also that they wyll graunte to theyr requestes herein For it were hyghe prayse worthy if they coulde throughe theyr aucthoritie and mediation bryng to passe that these controuersies be not decided by force of armes but that an vpryght iudgement be had that abuses maye be remoued the Churches reconciled and no force or violence done vnto mens consciences Finally if they maye vnderstande by their letters of theyr good wylles towardes them it shall be to theyr great cōforte In February the Duke of Saxon summoneth all his fellowes to be at Smalcade the .xxix. of Marche to cōsulte howe to resiste the force of their ennemies if any thynge be attēpted againste them those were the Prynces and cities before mentioned But the Duke being discrased sent thether his sonne Iohn Frederick At the former meting it was agreed to sollicite Fredericke the kyng of Deumarke and the cities by the sea coaste of Saxonie touchynge their league And nowe that they met agayne rehersall was made what had bene done in the meane tyme and what aunswere euery one made And the kyng in dede saide howe he fauoured the doctrine of the Gospel but in his realme were so many bishoppes of great power and aucthoritie by reason of their rychesse clientes and noble kyndred that he coulde not enter into this league as kyng but as concernyng his other countreis lieng within the Empyre he was contēt Henry the Duke of Megelburge excused the matter for that his deputes had subscribed to the decree of Auspurge notwithstandinge he would be no ennemy to them Berninus Prince of Pomerane was not against it but that his elder brother had as yet in maner that whole gouernment They of Lubecke refused not but for as muche as they had bene at great charges in the warres they desyred that the same myght ve consydered And if it fortuned that Christerne kyng of Dēmarke whome thei had holpe to dryue out of his realme should warre against them they desyred to knowe what ayde they should looke for agayne at theyr handes The citie of Lunenbourge sayde that
and moue his fellowes also to be carefull for the same he would be glad moreouer to make a present aunswer but there be many others of the same religion who with his father Duke Iohn professed the same doctrine in the assemblie at Auspurge before the Emperour so that he can not aunswere of him selfe alone without making them priuie neither is it expedient for the cause so to doe For better it is that the same be done by comon assent And for as much as the Emperour the byshop the last wynter in their letters wrytten to the states of the Empire from Bononie put them in hope of a counsell therfore did he his fellowes appoint a day the .xxiiij. of Iune to mete at Smalcalde to consult of the whole matter wherfore he desireth thē not to be offended with this differment of time for so sone as his fellowes mete at their day prescribed they shal haue answer either by Ambassadours or by letters shortly after And he wold through Gods grace so demeane him self that not only this present age but also the time to come shold perceiue right wel that he wyshed for nothing more thā that the pure religion doctrine peace not only of Germany but of the whole comon wealth of Christendom might also floriche and that the Emperour his chiefe souereigne might haue his due honour dignitie Afterwarde whan his fellowes were come with good deliberation they framed an answere by commō assent in their letters the last of Iune Howe they gaue great thankes to the Emperour whiche for Gods glory preseruation of the cōmon wealth had taken so muche paynes of a good zeale they doubted not And therfore pray God so to confirme direct his mynde to that ende that the truthe may be set forth and embraced And false doctrine wicked worshipinge rites abolyshed and that all errours being cleane weded out of mens myndes Gods true seruice other godly vertues may agayne take place For they chiefly desire a counsel wherin the matter that is in controuersie may duely and orderly be decided Suche a counsell also the Emperour hath promysed long synce and that in all assemblies of the Empyre with great deberation hath bene decreed to be kepte in Germanye For all this dissention sprange vp fyrste of that welle that certen impudent persones ouermuche extolled indulgences and pardons At whiche tyme also other errours were perceyued and detected And all be it that byshop Leo condempned this doctryne whiche brought those errours to lyghte yet haue they hetherto impugned that condempnatiō with the testimonies of the Prophetes and Apostles And therfore hath a counsell ben alwaye thought moste nedefull as well of other Prynces and states of them wherin the cause myght be examined and openly tryed what is true and what is false for that they sawe howe many thynges were crept into Religion whiche were to be refourmed And therfore in the assemblies of the Empyre it was decreed that there should be a free and a christian counsell eyther of all nations or els of the prouince of Germany by those especiall wordes lest that eyther the sentēce of the byshop or the force and power of any other man should be preiudiciall to the cause Agayne that in all this cause iudgement should be geuen not after the byshoppes decrees and opinions of Scholemen but accordyng vnto holy Scripture For yf any mans power should be of more force than the Scriptures than due examination who doubteth But that he that shoulde contende againste the byshop shoulde lose his labour and stryue agaynste the streame Wherfore not without great considerations it hath been decreed that the counsell should be holden in Germany And the Emperour also content it shoulde so be but nowe these requestes of the bysshop to be vtterly against the decrees of the Empyre confyrmed by the seales of the Emperour and the other Prynces For all be it he speaketh of a free councel yet doubtles he intendeth an other thynge whā he goeth about to haue kynges and Prynces bounden to hym For in case he woulde haue it free what shoulde this obligation nede But nowe seyng that he is wholy bent this waye certenly this is his purpose that vnder the name of a counsell he maye maynteyne his power and aucthoritie that no man shall reprehende his faultes and errours or if any doe atttempte it that he shall not escape vnpunyshed They knowe not what other men wyll doe but surelye this demaunde of his is wrytten in suche sorte that it rather maketh them afrayde of a counsell than prouoketh them to it for who woulde bynde hym selfe after this sorte especially beynge not yet knowen what shall be the ordre of the counsell the fourme and maner whether the byshop wyll haue his adherentes to beare there moste aucthoritie or whether the controuersies shall be determined accordyng to the holy Scriptures or after the traditions and lawes of men grounded vpon no Scripture at all The lybertie of the Counsell is also restrayned in that he wyll haue it kept after the olde accustomed maner They doe not refuse the former counselles that are consonant to the Scryptures but suche as haue bene in our tyme or a lyttle before whiche haue attributed more than reason wold to the byshop of Rome and decrees of men farre differing from the auncient counselles therfore where he sayeth it shall be after the olde accustomed maner this is his crafte and policie that there shall not be that lybertye of speache and geuinge of sentences as they both desyre and also the cause requireth but that iudgement shall be geuen accordynge vnto his lawes and vsurped power whiche he taketh vppon hym as by certen of the last coūselles it is manifest but by this vsage and hadling of matters can neither the churches be pacified nor the troubled conscience quieted but are brought into further darkenes bondage wherfore seing that the bishop hath not as yet satisfied the requestes of the Emperour and states of the Empyre they ernestly desyre that Cesar considering the weightines of the cause whiche concerneth the vniuersall cōmon wealth and all nations would see that the matter might be handled indifferently For this is his office and dutie this may he doe by the lawes When in dede the byshop impugneth the truthe for it is to be forseen and prouided that the plaintife or defendaūt be not also iudge in the cause For all nations haue great hope in this counsell and doe both wyshe and pray that at the laste mens consciences troubled and sore afflicted with doubtfull dissentiō may be made free set at libertie and taught the way of saluatiō For these many hondreth yeares hath not bene so muche contention about so weighty matters as is at thys present And this stryfe aryseth of sondry errours and vices whiche haue spronge longe before our tyme But and if men be disceaued of theyr expectation and shall
certen of the chiefest in all the citie that fauour red them moste and tell them what an heuy case is chaunced at theyr house yet do they not vtter what it is but entreate them to take the paynes to come to their seruice at night When they came and the seruice was begonne he that was a lost made a great noyse Beinge demaunded what he would and who he was he signified that he could not speake than is he commaunded to aunswere to their interrogatories by signe there was an hole made where by laying to his eare he might heare and perceyue what the coniurer sayde Than was there a table at hande wherupon being asked a question he clapped beat so that he myght easely be heard beneth Wherfore he was fyrste demaunded whether he were any of them that haue bene buried there After that rekening vp their names in order whose bodies had there bene buried at the laste they come to the Mayres wyfe there by a signe made he sheweth that he is the spirite of her Than they questioned with her whether she were dampned and for what deserte or offence Whether it were for couetousnes pryde or letchery or that she did not the workes of charitie or els for this newe sprong vp heresye and Lutheranisme Furthermore what she ment by this noyse disquietnes Whether that her body being buried within holy grounde shoulde be digged vp and caried to some other place Unto all these thinges he aunswered by sygnes in like case as he was commaunded wherby he affirmed or denied any thynge in so muche as he stroke vpon the table twyse or thryse And whē he had thus sygnified that Luthers heresy was the cause of her dampnation and that her body must be taken vp the freers desyre the citezens that were present to beare witnes of such thynges as they had sene and heard set their handes to it in wryting But they taking aduisement lest they should both offende the Mayor and bring them selues in trouble refused to subscribe Notwithstāding the freers take the pyxe with the hoste as they terme it and all the reliques of sainctes and cary them to an other place and there say their Masses Which thing is acustomably done by the bishop of Romes lawe what tyme a churche is suspended and must be hallowed againe And when the byshops iudge deputed whome they call officiall heard of this he came thether to vnderstande the matter better and associatynge hym selfe with certen honest men cōmaundeth them to coniure in his presence would haue chosen certen to go vp into the Uault to se in case any spirit doth appere there But Steuen of Aras was sore againste this thinge and exhorted them instantly it might not be sayinge that the spirite ought not to be molested And albeit the official did earnestlye vrge them to coniure before hym yet coulde he not bryng thē to it In the meanetyme the Maior makynge his frendes priuie what he would doe went to the kynge and enfourmed hym of the whole matter And for as much as that freers by reason of their priuileges refused to come vnto iudgement the kyng chose certen out of the court of Parliament at Paris to examine the matter and gaue themfull authoritie The same did also Anthony Prate Chauncelour and the Cardinal that was the byshop of Romes Legate in Fraunce Wherfore hauing no exception they were caried to Paris and constrayned to make answere but they woulde confesse nothyng Yet were they kept a parte and the Nouice whiche Fumeus a Senatour had at home with him being often tymes examined woulde vtter nothyng fearyng leste he shoulde after be murthered of them for sclaundering their ordre but when the iudges had promised hym that he should escape free should come no more in the Freers handes he declareth the whole matter in ordre and brought before the others aduouched the same They albeit they were conuicted and in maner taken with the deede yet refused their iudges and bragged of their priuileges but that was in vayne for they were condempned in open iudgement that they shoulde be caried agayne to Orleaunce and put in pryson And afterwardes brought openly to the Cathedral churche and so to the place of punishment where malefactours are executed and there shoulde confesse their owne wyckednes But euen at the same time chaunceth apersecution against the Lutherians which was the cause that the same sentence albeit it was to gentle for so great an offence was not put in execution For because the name of the Lutherians was moste odiouse they feared lest the punishment of these men should not haue bene so muche thought dewe for theyr offence as done to the reproche of the ordre And what soeuer misfortune happened vnto them many iudged that the same woulde be a moste pleasaunt syght and spectacle for the Lutherians And this ordre of Franciscanes was of the common people estemed holye And what time they were caried out of Paris certen women moued with pitie followed them vnto the gate of the vniuersitie with manye teares and syghinges After they came vnto Orleaunce and were bestowed in seuerall prysons they beganne to boaste agayne of theyr liberties and pryueleges and at lengthe after longe imprysonment they were discharged and set at lybertie without any punyshement Whylest they were prysoners they wanted nothynge but hadde all thynges ministred vnto them aboundauntly especially of women Had not these persecutions and fyrynges before mentioned letted the thing the kynge had determined as in dede it was reported to plucke downe all theyr house and make it euen with the grounde But in the Romyshe kyngdome were wonte to be very many spyrites For it was beleued certenly that dead mens soules dyd walke after they were buried Wherefore they shewed that eyther they were dampned or els for a tyme were tourmented in the fyre of purgatory and woulde sollicite their nerest kynsfolkes and frendes to sucour them And moste commonly requyred them eyther to performe their vowes and pylgrimages which they had behight to some sainct in their lyfe tyme or els to cause a trentall of masses to be sayd for thē Whiche thynge increased maruelously the opinion of Purgatory and brought the masse in to highe authoritie and was to the priestes gainful aboue measure But after that Luthers doctrine was spred abroad and knowen those spirites by lytle and lytle vanyshed cleane out of syght For Luther taught by the scriptures howe the soules of dead men were at quiet rest loking for the last daye of iudgement and that suche terrible noyses and visions were styred vp by the deuyl who letteth none occasion slyppe to confirme mens myndes with idolatrie false opinions and to quenche the benefite of our sauiour Christe Whan the Lantgraue had bargayned with the Frenche kynge in the begynnyng of the spring tyme he leuied his armie And than wrytyng their letters both vnto kyng Ferdinando they declared the cause
byshop vsurpeth ouermuche authoritie whan he taketh vpō hym to depose kynges and Emperours whiche nowe he entendeth to put in practyse against the kynge of Englande albeit that the kynge also diuers Cardinalles iutreate him to the contrary The diuines say he is head of the churche by Gods lawe but when the kyng demaunded the place they could not shewe it He misliketh also the defence of pourgatory For of that wel spryngeth masse dirige and al theyr marchaundise But if the masse were taken away their combes were cut and they should no lōger be able to defende their authoritie And whā the kyng had graūted them certen monethes wherin they shold proue purgatory by Scripture they aunswered at the lengthe howe they oughte not to reache their enemies weapons whiche they myght vse against thē As touching monasticall vowes the kyng supposeth that it might be obteined of the byshop that none should be taken in yong and before the vowers were of type yeares and that it should be lawfull for them to depart thence whan they woulde and mary And thinketh not good to deface theyr houses but to conuerte them in to Colleges wherein yought may be brought vp in learnyng and vertue The diuines would in any case haue priestes to liue vnmaried but the king had deuised this meane waye that suche as haue maried wyues shold remayne so styll but the rest not to mary or if they did to absteyne frō the ministration of the churche For concerning y◠whiche is alledged of Paphnutius who in the counsell of niece perswaded the mariage of priestes the diuines aunswere that it can not be proued that priestes haue maried at any tyme Not withstandynge they wyl not deny but that they had wyues before they were admitted to the ordre of priesthod As concerning the lordes supper to be receyued wholye or vnder both kyndes as they terme it the kynge had conference herein with Clement the seuenth and trusteth also that it wylbe obtayned at this byshoppes handes that it shal be lawfull for euery man to receiue after his conscience Moreouer the kynge affirmeth that a hondreth yeare synce in Fraunce they receiued the whole supper not in the myddes of the churche but in chappelles as he had heard old men make relatiō And agayne the kynges of Fraunce do receyue the whole communiō And where as the kynge obiected this vnto them the diuines made aunswere that kynges were anoynted as well as priestes and that the Scripture speaketh of a Priesthode Royall And that the same whiche is lawfull for kynges is not to be permitted to others in lyke case Furthermore in mattins and other dayly seruice the kyng doth acknowledge that many thinges may be cut of and many taken cleane away And that Clemēt the seuenth committed the charge here of vnto Cardinall Crucei a Spaniarde whose boke of the same thing remayneth whiche the diuines of Paris haue condempned for heresy whiche be suche a kynde of men that wyll condempne not onlye the Germaines as wicked and erring in Religion but also the byshop hym selfe with all his Cardinalles and the case require it But seynge the whole matter is full of difficultie the kyng is altogether addicted to haue the churche restored to vnitie and concorde And how he hath talked herein with the Dukes of Bauier whom he fyndeth stiffer thā the diuines of Paris Finally he exhorted them to admitte no place of counsel but by the kyng his maisters and also the kyng of Englandes aduise whiche wyll consent both in one Moreouer how certen yeres past Lewys the Frenche kyng contended that it was not laweful for Iuly the byshop to appointe a counsel without the consent of the Emperour and other kynges And the kyng of Nauarre was than of the same opinion and where as Iuly did excommunicate them both Ferdinando kyng of Spayne by this title inuaded Nauarre And that the kyng is nowe also of that mynde and opinion neyther wyll he admitte any counsel vnlesse the place be sure and not suspected or apt for iniury and wherin a man may speake his mynde frely Besydes the talke before mentioned he was earnestly in hand with them to enter into league with the kynge And this was the principall cause of hys Ambassade But where they did except the Emperour against whom they sayde they myght attempte nothynge he departed without his purpose and to certen he spake in counsell how he marueled that they would neglecte so mightie a kyng and sayde the tyme woulde come wherin they would wyshe to haue redemed his frendshyp derely The kyng of Englande also Henry the eyght sent thether his Ambassade the chief wherof was Edward Foxe byshop of Hereforde who in the begynning made his relation For as muche as the aliaunce and kinred is great betwene the kynges of England the Princes of Saxō the kyng can not but beare muche good wyll towardes hym and hys cōsortes especially synce their chief endeuour is to set forth Gods true knowledge vnto others And al be it that for this cause only they haue susteyned great reproche yet doth he mislyke them neuer a whyt therfore nor iudgeth otherwyse of them than of suche good men as contrary to their dutie and without a reasonable cause wyll doe nothing and to haue this respect only that through the true preachynge of the Gospell Gods glory myght be aduaunced And of the same desyre is the kyng also whiche is sufficiently enough declared by the alteratiō that is now in Englād For by the kinges cōmaundemēt a great part of Errours are abolyshed and by commō assent of the whole Realme the byshop of Rome with all his deceiptfull iugglynges are frō thence cleane banyshed in lyke case as it is in Saxony And for so muche as the same desyre and good wyll is common to them both the kyng hath a wonderfull great affection towardes them that they woulde thus procede and professe al one doctrine for that should doubtles establysh a continuall peace and quiet And what commotions haue arrysen of the diuersitie of opinions the kynge vnderstandeth And the Anabaptistes by theyr example haue declared The byshop nowe pretendeth as though he would calle a counsel and certenly if there remayne any dissention and they doe not agree in their doctrine it wyl make much against them whan they shall come to the counsell Wherein notwithstandyng he imputeth not the fault to the diuines for the state of the churche was neuer so quiet but at some tyme there hath been dissention Whiche thynge is also proued by the example of Peter Paule Barnabas Therfore is an vniformitie to be sought for that maye be grounded vpon the sure foundation of Scripture And the byshop of Rome endeuoureth with all his myght to let that peace and concord Wherfore the kynge is of this opinion that so longe as his authoritie tyranny and crueltie endureth it is vnpossible to come to agrement
an armie to go towardes Millan and by this occasion here is mentioned of the ryght whiche he pretendeth to haue there The Emperour beynge aduertysed of his enterprises commeth to Rome and accuseth the kyng and solliciteth the Pope to holde a counsell The Protestauntes make a league with the kyng of Englande The Pope publisheth the counsell to be kept at Mantua There is warre betwyxt the Emperour and the Frenche kynge The Archebyshop of Collon reformeth his countreis NOWe must we come to the siege of Munster the Metropolitane citie of Westphalia But first are certen thinges to be repeted euen from the beginning vntyll such tyme as the citie was finally taken and the chief malefactours executed I spake of Thomas MuÌ„cer in the fist boke howe he reysed a tumulte of the communaltie and shewed what his doctrine was and also howe he endeth his lyfe Out of his schole procedeth a kynde of prople whiche for their practise and doctrine are called Anabaptistes of whom also is some thing meÌ„tioned before for thei prohibite the christening of children and are theÌ„ selues baptised again affirming that all others ought to do lykewyse and take away al efficacitie from the former baptisme They pretende certen outwarde holynes They teache howe it is not lawful for the christians to go to the law nor to beare office nor to take an othe neither to haue any thynge priuate that al thiÌ„gs ought to be coÌ„moÌ„ vnto al meÌ„ And thê at the begiÌ„ning but afterwardes thei propounde a great deale more heinous matters as I shall hereafter declare And whan they began to spreade ouer all Germany and that Luther almoste all other learned men inueyhed against them and the Magistrate also punyshed them in so much that there could no great nuÌ„bre of them cleaue together At the length they placed them selues in this forsayde citie whiche in dede was of great strengthe and that fortuned thus Not farre from the citie of Munster is there a churche of sainct Morice wherin in the yeare of our Lorde M D. xxxij Barnarde RotmaÌ„ preached the Gospell and had a great audience out of the citie And he where they deuised to receiue him in to the citie The catholickes to hinder that gyue hym a meane summe of money to the intent he should go to some other place to exercise him selfe in learning So he departeth to certen places where he thought to attayne to some further knowledge After a fewe monethes retourneth wherewith they beinge sore offended doe their endeuour to debarre him from preaching but that was in vayne he had so great fauoure of the people Within a whyle certen of the beste and principall Senatours receyue hym into the Citie And where he was kept out of the churche they set vp a pulpet for hym in the churche porche and heare hym without But where as his audience encreased daylye requeste made that the churche myght be open for hym or els should the dores be broken vp And he not longe after through the aduise of certen that the people had chosen writinge his letters into Hessia not far of the Lantgraues countrey desyreth that certen good and well learned men myght be sent thether to helpe hym to preache the Gospell Wherfore a couple were sent thether from Marpurge And when they came thether they consulted with Rotman and thre others howe they myght bannyshe the byshop of Romes authoritie fyrste of all that after they myghte teache the Gospel to the more profit of the hearers For the compassing wherof this waye semed vnto them best They drawe out certen articles of the byshops errors to the numbre of thyrty and delyuer them to the Senate beynge in the meane tyme so prepared that vnlesse they could proue by the Scriptures that all these were directly against Gods worde they would refuse no punyshment The Senate coÌ„maundeth the catholiques of the clergie to come into the court there propoundeth vnto them the forsayde articles of errours And for because they haue alwayes pretended that theyr doctrine was pure and grounded vppon Goddes worde and the Preachers denye the same and wyll ieoperde theyr lyues to proue it They demaunde whether they wyll confute by the Scriptures suche thynges as are obiected Beyng thus spoken vnto and perceyuynge that the Senate tooke pleasure in the thynge they aunswere in fewe wordes that they haue nothyng to alledge for them selues And where they haue affirmed hitherto their doinges to be ryght and good that was done by wening and ignoraunce Than the Senate for as muche as they were conuicte of false doctrine and had nothyng to saye for them selues and confessed their owne naughtines commaundeth from henceforth that they teache no more but geue place in all churches to these newe Preachers whiche haue detected their errours After by the consent of the Senate and the common people churches were assigned to euerye of them where they shoulde preache Whiche thynge the Popyshe priestes toke very displeasauntly especially those that were of the cathedrall churche beynge for the moste parte gentlemen borne of good houses Who at what tyme they coulde not otherwyse preuayle departe thence in great dislikynge and go vnto the byshop of the citie and layinge their heades together doe deuise to stoppe all wayes and passages that there should no corne be brought vnto the citie And a lyttle whyle after whan all the wayes were stopped on euery syde the byshop and the others afore sayde for a further consultation to be had come to Telget which is a litle town a myle without the citie from whence was a messenger sent to the senate with letters of this effect That they shoulde forsake their enterpryse and restore the olde and former state or els they would take theÌ„ for their ennemies The byshop was countie Fraunces Waldeck The last before hym had Frederick brother to the Archebyshop of Collon But he eyther for that he coulde not haue his health in those parties or els for because he smelled some thynge not long before forsoke the place of his owne accorde and was content to lyue a priuate lyfe at home in his countrey The Munsterians consulting of the matter deteyne the messenger setting forth vpoÌ„ Christmas eueÌ„ at night about iâ— C. of them coming vpon theÌ„ soden taking the towne keping the gates that none shold escape they apprehend theÌ„ al. The bishop was gone theÌ„ce the day before as it happened By by they cary the prisoners in to the citie amoÌ„ges whom wer the chief of the clergie diuers others of the nobilitie The senate demaundeth of theÌ„ what their inteÌ„t is and whether they purpose hereafter to disturbe the preaching of that Gospell They make a gentle answer how they wyl do their endeuour that the same doctrine may floryshe wherupon a coÌ„uenaunt is made the copie wherof the Senate sent vnto the Lantgraue requestinge him for the Gospell common wealthes sake he would further
kyng and his two fellowes were caried hither and thither vnto Prynces for a shewe and mockery By the whiche occasion the Lantgraues preachers enter in disputation with the kynge touchynge these opinions chieflye of the kyngdome of Christe of Magistrates of Iustification of Baptisme of the Lordes supper of the incarnation of Christe and of Mariage and by the testimonies of Scripture priuayle so farre that albeit they did not chaūge him wholy which stroue and defended his opinions stifly yet did they turne him cōfounde him so that in fyne he graunted to many things whiche not withstanding he was supposed to haue done to saue his lyfe For whan he retourned vnto him the seconde tyme he promysed if he myght haue his pardon to brynge to passe that the Anabaptistes whiche were in Hollande Brabant Englande and Freselande an exceadyng great numbre shold kepe sylence and obey the Magistrates in all thynges Afterwardes the same preachers reasoned with his fellowes also both by mouthe and wryting of mortification of Christening of Chyldren of the communion of goodes of the kyngdome of Christe What tyme they were brought to Telget the kyng beyng demaunded of the Byshop by what authoritie he durst be so bolde to vsurpe so muche libertie vpon his Citie and people He asked hym again who gaue him that power and aucthoritie ouer the Citie And wher the Byshop made aunswere that by the consent of the College the people he had that rule and iurisdiction And I sayde he was called hether of God At the thirtene kalēdas of February thei were brought again to Munster cōmitted euery man to a seuerall pryson And the same daye also came the Byshop thether accompanied with the Archbishop of Collon and the Ambassadours of the Duke of Cleue The space of two dayes followyng was spent in Godly admonitions that they myght be reduced from their heresy And in deede the kynge confessed his faulte and fled vnto Christe through prayer The other two neyther woulde acknowledge any offence and yet stode obstinatly in their opinions The next daye the king was brought vp to the skaffold and tied to a post There were two hangemen ready and eche of them a payre of tonges read hote at the three first pulles he helde his peace afterwarde callyng continually for Goddes mercy whan he had bene thus turmented an howre and more and at the last was thrust to the harte with a sharpe poynted dagger he left his lyfe and his fellowes had the same punyshement Whan thei were dead they were fastened to grates of iron and hanged out of the hyghest towre of the Citie called saynet Lambertes the king in the myddes a mans height aboue the other two In the moneth of Ianuary of this present yeare died the lady Katherine Dowager whome Henry the eyght kyng of Englande had put away thre yeares before I shewed you in the fourth booke howe Fridericke Duke of Holste was by the helpe of the Lubeckes made kyng of Denmarke After whose death there arrose mortall warre betwene his sonne Christiane that was kinge after him and the Citie of Lubecke But where as the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue Ernest Duke of Lunenburge and the Citie of Breme Hamborough Maydēburge Brunswicke Lunenburge and Hildisseme intreated a peace This yeare in the moneth of February all was pacified Than had Charles Duke of Sauoye a certen space maynteyned warre against the Citie of Geneua beynge ayded by the Byshop of the same Citie or set on rather partely for the profession of the Gospell partly for other matters And the Citie of Geneua was ioyned in league with the Citie of Bernes in Swicerlāde of whome at the length receiuing great ayde they gaue the repulse to their ennemies And they of Bernes marching further subdued al that laye cōmodious for their countrey euen to the loke of Geneua The residue of the Swicers also that bordered vpō Sauoye did the same Whylest this was a working the kynge of Fraunce whiche had longe before purposed to warre in Italye but especially synce the death of Fraunces Sfortia leuieng his Armie in the begynning of the spryng tyme maketh warre also with the Duke of Sauoye his vncle for a controuersie of inheritaunce whiche he said was due vnto him possessed and deteyned by the Duke Who beynge already much inpoueryshed by the Swycers and therfore an vnmete matche for so puissaunt an ennemye was in short tyme dispossessed in maner of his whole Duckdome For the kyng passing ouer the Alpes inuadeth also the countrey of Piedmount and amonges other taketh Turrine the chiefest town in those partes fortifieth it with workes and strength of men by the conduict of Philippe Schabotte Admirall The Duke of Sauoy had marryed Beatriche daughter to Emanuell kyng of Portugall and the Emperours syster Isabel And in the former tyme he addicted him selfe to neyther of them but now where he semed to incline to the Emperour he styred vp the king his nephew by his owne syster Lewesse against him Some reporte howe byshop Clement what tyme he was at Marseilles as in the last booke is recited gaue the kyng this counsell that in case he intended to recouer Millan he should first seke to be lorde of Sauoy and Piedmonte adioyning to the same Howe soeuer it was the kyng in the yeare followyng after a certen newe custome ordeyned through out the Realme of Fraunce legions of Souldiours to the numbre of forty thousande whiche shoulde exercise their weapons and be in a readynes when tyme of seruice came For where as aunciently the kynges of Fraunce haue alwayes maynteined cheualry and their whole force hathe bene horsemen this man would haue also footemen ready monstered that he shold not euermore haue nede of forein souldiours And the kynges purpose was to leade forth his armie and make warre thereby in Lūbardie to the intent he myght recouer the Duckdome of Millā which he had before enioyed syxe yeares together and contented that it was his and the right of his children by Ualentine his grandmother sister to Philippe Uicecounte the last Duke of Millan of that familie And thus the matter standeth The house of Uicecoūtes bare a noble brute in Lumbardie And the first of them is accompted Otho Archebyshop of Millan who in the tyme of Raffe Emperour expulsed the Turrians a noble and worthy familie whome his nephewe Matthewe his brother Theobaldus sonne succeded after hym Galeace Actius Luchine Iohn Matthew the seconde Galeace the seconde Barnabas Iohn Galeace whom the Emperour Wēceslans created the first Duke of Millan He had two sonnes Iohn and Philippe which died both without issewe and one daughter Ualentine Fraunces Sfortia a stoute warriour married the bastarde daughter of Philip and by that occasion vsurped the Dukedome of Millan secludyng Ualētine Philippes syster whome Lewys Duke of Orleaunce brother to Charles the sixt kyng of Fraunce had maried Sfortia had thre sonnes Galeace Lewis
by mo wayes thaÌ„ one For what time their men do require iugedmeÌ„t in any thyng they ar not only admitted but also with contumeliouse wordes reiected As of late they of Humborough were by them coÌ„mauÌ„ded to restore the clergie of their citie not only to their goodes possessions but also to their olde religioÌ„ al their iurisdictioÌ„ And where as they could not so do with a safe conscience they were condemned in a great soÌ„me of money And therfore themperour may se by this one fact what their mynde purpose is For either is thê a matter of religion or els there is none at al And if they may vse the matter after this sorte than was the truce made in vayne And in case by this meane the rites ceremonies that are chauÌ„ged may be restored there shal nede no general counsel wherunto notwithstanding themperour him self saith that al these thinges do belong Wherfore vpoÌ„ iust necessary causes they haue refused that iudgemeÌ„t whan after diuerse exceptioÌ„s they could preuaile nothing Now as touching the persons of the iudges there can not past one or two of our religioÌ„ be found in the whole coÌ„pany but what decre was made at RegeÌ„sburg in thê behalf is not vnknowen For the more fiersly that any of theÌ„ impugneth our doctrine the better is he there accepted And eueÌ„ by their couÌ„tenauÌ„ces it may be easly perceiued what affectioÌ„ thei beare vs in haÌ„dliÌ„g of matters Whiche thing being thus they doubt not but that themperoure wyll coÌ„maunde theÌ„ to surcease And in case themperour thinke that anye prophane matter be mixed with matters of religioÌ„ they refuse not the due examinatioÌ„ of the same so that in the meane tyme the iudgement of the imperial chaÌ„ber may cease And for such as are coÌ„men into their league since the pacification of Norinberge in the former yeres the intercessours did require them at Scwinforte that they should receiue no mo into their league nuÌ„bre but than they refused the same And whan they came after to Norinberge they perseuered in the same opinion But where he sayd that many had promysed coÌ„dicioned not to alter their religion some of them answere thus that they made no promyse at al some againe made exceptions in their priuate compositioÌ„s that they might thus do and some in dede promised but vpoÌ„ condicioÌ„ that themperour put theÌ„ in hope to procure a couÌ„sell to be called wtin sixe monthes which should begin within the yere after But wheras that was longer delayed they in the meane while through Gods benefit vnderstode more rightly the true doctrine thei could differre it no longer thought it their duty to professe that thing which they knew to be true Godly For that byshop of Romes lawe so teacheth that if a man hath also bounde him selfe by an othe to do any thing that is wicked he is not bound to performe it And again like as their aduersaries will not refuse if any of their nuÌ„bre should fall to take their partes no more may they also if any may escape from them and come into their felowshyp let him but that he maye so doe Wherfore they beseche the Emperour that he woulde restrayne the Iudges and suffer not them onlye but others also whyche are synce come to them to enioye the benefyte of the peace for if it be otherwyse or that thei haue any wroÌ„g offered theÌ„ they can not forsake their league fellowes or lyke professours of doctrine in that necessitie which they declared also to FerdinaÌ„do at UieÌ„na For their cause is alone with theirs which if the iudges of the chaÌ„ber shal take vnto theÌ„ preuente the counsell herein who doubteth it to be extortion open wrong against the which they are constrained euen by the lawe of nature to defende theÌ„ selues But what discoÌ„moditie will come therof what wil be the ende of it Themperour of his wisdome can consider Thei doubtles wishe for peace couet to gratifie themperour in all thinges yet so as all men may haue fre accesse to the true doctrine And if they may this obtayne they wylbe the more prest ready to accoÌ„plishe that which the Emperour king FerdinaÌ„do require touching the Turke charges of the chaÌ„bre CoÌ„cerning the counsaile wherunto themperour so greatly perswadeth them They haue red the copie of the letters which Paule the third hath publyshed touching the same perceius therby that he is not of the same minde opinion that themperour is of For although Adrian the sixt in thasseÌ„blie at Norinberge coÌ„fessed there by his legate that in a maner al thinges at Rome were sore corrupted promising to do his endeuour that they might be reformed Yet was Clement the seuenth his successour with in two yeares after cleane of an other minde as appered by his legate sent to the next assemblie in so muche as themperours lieutenauÌ„tes other Princes by a decree there made ordeined a fre general councell might be holden in Germany in the which couÌ„sel what errour or vice so euer had crept into the church might be takeÌ„ away This decre was afterward coÌ„firmed by theÌ„perour at that suite of tharchbishop of MeÌ„zt the Palsgraue Prince Electour Howbeit this Clement a yeare after propouÌ„ded a counsel farre otherwyse thaÌ„ was specified by the decrees of thempire had assigned the place in Italy which thaÌ„ they refused The same thing afterward did Paule the third whom they answered also following the lyke trade as they did before And nowe also doeth the byshop of Rome attempt the same although couertly as did Clement the seueÌ„th openly by expresse wordes For herein doth he by a certen implicatioÌ„ condeÌ„ne their doctrine where he speaketh of late sproÌ„g vp heresies For that he meaneth the same of this doctrine intendeth to plucke it vp by the rootes it is manifest by th execution punishmeÌ„t that he putteth innoceÌ„t persones to for professing this same doctrine yet he through a shamelesse dissembling pretedeth as though he wold reforme those horrible eâ—rours vices of his church of the which these many yeres so many good learned men haue coÌ„plained And that themperour being through his crafty policy perswaded prouoketh theÌ„ to the counsel which he would not do if he knew his fraude disceiptfulnes The same craftes he vseth also what time by his legates he solliciteth kynges and Princes yea and them also to admitte the counsell to the inteÌ„t he may haue theÌ„ as fauourers mainteiners of his wicked purpose by the confirmation of the counsel myght theÌ„ selues condemne their owne doctrine By the whiche craft Iulian the Apostata disceaued in times past the Christen souldiours And although the byshop of Rome susteineth the persone of their aduersary yet taketh he vpoÌ„ him the authoritie of iudge against al right equitie and hath all others consenting to him herein whiche are bounde to him by othe manye wayes But how vnlawful the same
the expresse wordes of the composition sealed and confirmed by the Emperour hath taken vpon them to heare and determine and to call before them diuerse for the alteration of Religion for Rites ceremonies and churche goodes whiche thyng were playnly exempted in the pacification concluded But the iudges of the imperiall chamber being also of a contrary Religion bounden by their othe to geue sentence as well after the prescript of the byshop of Romes lawe as of the Emperours doe lyttle regarde the compositiō of the peace but procede directly against it Wherfore they haue iust cause to refuse theyr iudgement and to desire a reformation and that for diuerse considerations whiche are also before mentioned For first the iudges of the imperiall chamber are for the moste parte of a cōtrary Religion they are bounde by an othe to iudge after the decrees of the Byshop of Rome as wel as after the lawes of the Empire Thei beare fauour to our aduersaries and that manifestly and frowne vpon vs and our fellowes They medle with mere matters of Religion contrary to the Emperours proclamation Finally they haue condēpued our cōfederatours of Hamborough only for matters of Religiō in a great somme of gold so would procede against others in case they were not refused And as touching the names of them that are come into their league synce the peace making they had long synce wrytten and sent to the Emperour in Italy by their Ambassadours Who seing the tyme of the counsell so longe differred ioyned them selues in league with thē iudgyng it mete to preferre their conscience before any ciuile bonde last where hedesyreth to knowe the fourme and maner of their league thei maruell that he will requyre it considering that the Emperour knoweth it well inough and made meanes by the intercessours at Norinberg that they should haue left it but they made hym suche aunswere than as he moued them no more herein howe their aduersaries haue geuen the occasion hereof For what mischiefe they haue deuysed against thē it is right well knowen And this league of theirs is ordeined to iniurie no man but to defende them selues and is framed of suche condicions as if nede require it may be declared to the Emperour or any man els without any shame at all And as concerning suche thynges as he spake of the counsell and of the Emperours mynde towardes the common wealth they lyke very well all Howe they do beleue also that the Emperour knoweth not the byshoppes minde herein therfore procureth the counsell so ernestly But what opinion the Emperour hath of the bishop thei wil leaue vndiscussed Neuerthelesse for as much as his wrytte is cōtrary to the Emperours minde and altogether suspicious they can not dissemble what they thinke thereof For before the counsell do begyune he hath condempned their doctrine not only in word but in dede also and also it is wel knowen how that in all assemblies where religion is treated of albeit thei see that the Scripture maketh against them yet wyl they presume and take vpon them the authoritie of determination And although they are mynded in a lawefull counsel to accuse the byshop and his complices of false doctrine heresy and impietie yet is there no doubte but that he will after his accustomed maner be both partie and iudge also For that is his entent the wrytte it selfe wittenesseth whiche if they should ones allowe it were in vain and to late afterward to talke of any conditions or fourme of disputation in the counsell And whether this be suche a counsell than as the Emperour and the states of the Empyre haue in diuerse assemblies agreed vpon they leaue it to the opinion of any indifferent iudge For euermore those wordes a free and a Christian counsell were wyselye pourposely added and the same in deede not to be so taken as that it should be lawfull only for euery man to speake his minde there but also that neyther the bishop nor his adherentes which are depely bound through their fidelitie and promyse one to an other should pronounce sentence in their owne causes And the other ought not so to be interpreted as though there were no place in the counsell for the Turkes and suche others but that accordinge vnto holy Scripture all partes of doctrine might be examined and determined And how they know moreouer that not in one countrey only but euery where also in the whole worlde are Godly and learned men dispersed here and there whiche thinge refresheth their spirites to thinke vpon considerynge hopyng that in case this vnreasonable power of the byshop of Rome might be diminished and that all thinges shoulde not depende vpon one mans cōmaundement it would come to passe that not only their diuines but also diuers other good men in sondry countreis whiche being now oppressed with his tyrannie hyde thē in coruers and sayde nothyng would applie their whole study and endeuour to the refourmation of the churche And now as concerning the place of the counsell they knowe not where it should better be chosen than in Germany For albeit the counsell doth also appertayne to other nations yet chiefly it concerneth the Germaines whiche must come thether them selues with the ministers of their churches where as other kynges Prynces may do the thing by their deputes after the olde wōted maner of long tyme accustomed Furthermore what the situation and cōmoditie of Mātua is they wyl not dispute of but there is now warre in Italy but in case there were none yet haue they lately declared why that place ought to be of them suspected How the Duke of Mātua him selfe is affected they wyll not reason but his owne brother is one of the chiefest Cardinalles whiche maketh muche to encrease the suspition Therefore if other nations shall heare one of their reasons wherfore they doe refuse both the place and fourme of pleadyng they doubte not but they wyll allowe the same and if they did not than should they in dede conceaue of them a wronge opinion The Emperour knoweth also that in Germany be many cities as commodious for the pourpose as Mantua and the whiche ought chiefly to be respected muche commended for equitie and iustice For those secret and priuie conspiracies to dispatche men out of the waye are not so well knowen and practised in Germany as they be in some other places And where as thei cleaue and sticke on this wyse to the decrees of the Empyre and wyll not permitte them selues to be remoued from the same it ought to seme no maruell nor newes to the Emperour For also in tymes past Liberius Bishop of Rome the frende and fawtour of Athanasius required the Emperour Constantine to call a counsell at Alexandria where the defendant and plaintiues dwelled And albeit that the same place was nothing commodious for the West churche And although the Emperour alledged that Athanasius and his fellowes were by the consent of the whole
of our determination is iust and reasonable yet is there no doubte but our aduersaries be of suche nature that they wyll blame our doyng constrewe it to the worste parte For to the entent they may bryng vs and our cause into hatred they wyll affyrme doubtlesse that we can abyde no examination nor iudgement and that we despyse al other nations amonges whome there haue often bene many excellent learned men This wyll they saye moreouer that it is wickednes to refuse the decrees of the counsell for that it is the hyghe iudicial seate of the churche whiche all men are bound to obey They wyl forge also as though we were ashamed of our doctrine or afraid to come to light or els that we sought contentioÌ„ where no nede is and can not endure â—n vniuersall quiet Nowe if this myght be verefied of vs in dede it were not only wicked but also detestable be heard of Wherfore we must of necessitie shewe the reason of our doynge and we truste than that all good men whether they be in Germany or other places wyll not only credit no suche thynge of vs but wyll also doe their endeuour that this moste weyghty cause of all others may be handled vprightly and that the byshop of Rome be not permitted vnder the forged and coloured name of a counsell to oppresse the manifest truthe by a kynde of tyranny For we shal declare that we do not only professe the pure doctrine but also respecte nothyng els but Gods glory and the preseruation of the common wealth and that there can be no obstinacie or frowardnes obiected vnto vs. And fyrst to proue that we do not contemne the iudgement of other nations or of the churche hereby it appereth manyfestly that al our care is lest the byshop and his clientes should take vpon them the authoritie and iudgement and that all thynges myght be decided by mete and no suspected persones Whiche thyng we trust that all Godly men would lykewyse wyshe for For where as in dyuerse countreis there remayne certen olde wrytinges and complayntes of the false doctrine vices and idolatrie that were than crept into the churche we doubte not but in the same places at this daye there be some Godly and learned men also whiche vnderstande the sounde doctrine although being oppressed with the byshoppes tyrannye they are constrayned to holde their peace These in dede of iuste deserte ought to be present at the couÌ„sel that they myght speake their myndes frely For it is not to be accompted a free counsell that is gouerned by the byshop and his fellowes whiche defende false doctrine by power and violence and of an olde custome make decrees contrary to Gods worde For Christe what tyme he instituted this highe iudiciall seate commaunded that all matters should be referred to the churche that requyred a reformation By the whiche selfe wordes he excludeth all tyranny and lordshyp It is also a sclaunder where they saye perhaps that we are a feard to come abroade and can not abyde the opeÌ„ light For in the assemblie imperial at Auspurg we professed our doctrine openly before the Emperoure and all the states of the Empyre Againe this selfe same doctrine is preached openly in our dominions and our learned men haue set forth bookes of the same and diuerse of our aduersaries do confesse that through our mens wrytinges sondrye articles are called agayne to lyght whiche laye before hidde in darkenes For nowe the true doctrine shyneth agayne of penaunce of faythe in Christe of the remissioÌ„ of synnes of good workes of true worshipping of the vse of SacrameÌ„tes of the authoritie of the keyes of Magistrates of the traditions of men and suche other lyke thinges Neither are we ashamed of the Gospell as Paule sayth but haue an especiall desyre that we myght declare our mynde in these thinges before al men And where it is also obiected to our preachers that they shoulde haue reysed vp agayne the heresies before time condempned neither should nede therfore further disputation or hearing it is false may be easlye excused before them that haue red our confession and the defence annexed to the same For the doctrine that we confesse is not newe but the verey consent of the primatiue churche as moste clerely doth appere Neyther haue we admitted any heresy or wycked opinion but our men haue restored the doctrine of the auncieÌ„t fathers which was oppressed by bishops and monkes It is vntrue also that is reported of vs that we shoulde delight in dissention for we are sory from the botome of our hartes that the ChristeÌ„ commoÌ„ wealth is thus deuided to haue a concorde desyre a lawfull counsell But for as muche as the byshop and his fellowes do coÌ„dempne the true and necessary doctrine and do tormente and persecute the professers thereof exhorting others to do the same we can not but mislike their cruel tiranny For God wil be honored through the confession of his name and it is wickednes for any man to ioyne hym selfe to the byshops tyranny whiche so rageth Moreouer it is manifest that we beare and susteine all maner of charges of the common wealth as the residue of the states do Whereby it is to be seene that we woulde also gladly accorde with others in relygion in case it were lawful Besydes this we vnderstande what dauÌ„ger hangeth ouer vs for the same For the byshoppes haue nowe these many yeares declared manifestly what they go about and how they incense kynges myndes against vs. And were it not extreme madnes to abide all these so great dauÌ„gers and to be at so great charges with out iust cause But we knowe assuredly that we owe this dewtie vnto God And that there is nothing to be so much respected as his commaundement and take God to wytnes that we seke for nothing els Nowe that we haue confuted theyr sklaunders we will come to the seconde part Emonges straungers many parauenture suppose that we of a certen curiositie haue impugned some light faultes which for kepinge of a quiet mighte better haue bene dissembled especiallye consydering that the state of worldly thinges is suche that in a common wealth be euer remaining some thinges whiche must be wincked at But the matter standeth farre otherwise For fyrst in dede errours and false opinions may not be dissembled with For Christ commaundeth vs to beware of false teachers Againe the controuersie is not about light errours but touching the doctrine of faith and the true knowledge of God which is the principall pointe of the Christian life and sincere worshipping of God which ought not to be passed ouer in silence but to be obserued purely and diligentlye taught in the Churche And it can not be denied but this doctrine was wholy extinguished and a newe brought in for it to the greate contuinelie of Christ Moreouer we do reprehende diuerse and sundrye errours and wickednes which others also haue espied longe before
the crime And for asmuche as the Bishop signifieth plainly that this counsell is instituted to confirme his Authoritie we besech al men that they wold not impute this refusal to vs as a fault blame worthy Finally the very place of the counsell we can not like for diuerse causes For it is fitte to offer iniurie and altogether such as should let the libertie of speche And besydes there is muche hatred conceaued againste vs in foreine nations through the sclaunders of our aduersaries as though Religion and honest liuing were exiled from among vs which perswasion when mennes mindes be thus prepared is not without great perill Wherfore it were very expedient for this cause onely that the counsell should be holden in Germany to the entent that straungers might see the order and maner of oure Churches and Cities And not throughe false sclauÌ„ders to hate the trew doctrine The weightines of the cause also requireth that many of vs should come to the couÌ„sell oure selues but to forsake our own limites is no maner way for vs expedient And seyng that for most weightie causes it was decreed that the counsel should be holden in Germany we se not wherfore we should depart froÌ„ the same Considering therfore that this case coÌ„cerneth the preseruation of al Christendome we beseche al kinges princes to geue no credit vnto oure aduersaries but herunto rather to applie theÌ„ selues that the trew knowledge of God might be restored For they caÌ„do nothing that shal more redound to theyr honor The Bishop laboreth to this ende that he mighte perswade theÌ„ to practise crueltie the which thei ought moste chiefly to abhorre For eueÌ„ for this cause are they placed in this degre of dignitie that they shold honor Gods holy name be a light vnto the rest through their good ensample to defende innoceÌ„t persons froÌ„ wroÌ„g violeÌ„ce And if there shal euer at any time be any lawfull counsell thaÌ„ shal we so defende our matter there that all men shall vnderstande how that our endeuours haue bene euer annexed with the preseruation of the common wealth In this assemblie were these The Duke of Saxon Ernestus FrauÌ„ces bretherne Dukes of Luneburge Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberge the Lantzgraue Philip prince of Pomerane the three Erles of Anhalde Albert Counte Mansfelde besides many Ambassadors of the cities with most large ample coÌ„mission For they were admonished what thinges should there be treated Before they departed thence which was the vj. day of March they addresse their letters to the French king wherin first they excused the matter that they had not satisfied his Ambassadoure in the former assemblie and shewe the cause also whie they sende no Ambassadours as nowe vnto him ThaÌ„ they desyre him to continew his frendshippe and seynge they haue set open to him all waies to come to a concorde in religion and yet haue nothing preuailed that he would recompence this theirendeuor with his fauor and beneuolence Fynally they declare what their mynde is touchyng the Counsell and desyre to knowe what he hathe also determined to do herein The kinge afterwardes maketh Aunswere at the tenth kalendes of Iune he accepteth theyr satisfaction and promiseth largely concernynge hys continuall amitie towardes them confutyng the sclaunders of his aduersaries in a wrytynge the whiche he sent with all and saieth that this is his opinion of the counsell and euer hath bene that vnlesse it be lawefull and in a sure place he wyll neuer allowe the same neyther doubteth he but the kynge of Scotlande his some inlawe will also folowe his mynde herin He a lytle before at the beginning of Maye was retorned home with his wyfe which after aboute Midsomer ended her life there In the meane time the Bishoppe of Rome deferreth the Counsell till the kalendes of Nouember and the cause thereof he saieth is for that Friderick the Duke of Mantua mindeth to fortifie his citie with garnisons of souldiours and to employe cost therupon which thinge hath happened contrary to his expectation and saith he is sore affraid lest many folowyng his decree are already commen to Mantua and happely beyng excluded are dryuen to retourne home againe for the which chaunce he is in dede very sory but yet taketh the matter lesse greifefully forasmuche as the thinge hath fortuned throughe another mans faulte and not his And not longe after the king of Englande in his owne name and the nobles of his Realme publisheth a writing That there is a Counsell called by the Bishoppe of Rome which he hath none authoritie to do and called at suche a time whan mortall warre is betwene themperour and the Frenche kynge and the place appointed at Mantua whither it is neyther saufe nor commodious for all men to come He in dede desyreth a Christian Counsell wyth all his harte but vnto the Byshoppes Counsell he wyll nether come him selfe nor yet sende hys Ambassadours For this is alwayes theyr facion that for theyr own lâ—cre sake they wyll in suche maner of assemblies oppresse Christ and his veritie And for his parte he will haue nothynge to do with the Bishoppe of Rome nor regardeth no more his Decree than the wrytynge of anye other Byshoppe Addynge that Counselles were wont to be called by the authoritie of the Emperour and kynges which maner ought to be restored especially at this tyme whan the Byshoppe hath so many graue personages to accuse him Yet neuerthelesse can he neither be reprehended without the daunger of a mans life nor accused presently but in a lawfull Counsel nether is there any prouision made for him or his by saufconduicte and thoughe there were yet manifest daungers shoulde let hym that he coulde not come for it is no newes to the Bishoppes to falsefie theyr faith and to sprincle and desile them selues with innocent bloude And albeit it should be lawfull for others to repaire thither yet were it no saftie for him whome the Bishop hath laide waite for whoÌ„ he hateth deadly whom he seketh to bring in hatred with other kinges for none other cause assuredly than for that his Tyrranny is exiled out of his realme and his yerely reuenewes taken away which thinge in very dede he taketh in most euill part and so much the worse for that he feareth lest other kinges warned throughe his example will hereafter do the like And nowe also is the counsell proroged vntyll the kalendes of NoueÌ„bre And yet not the place appointed where it should be holdeÌ„ and the faulte is imputed to the Duke of Mantua Is not this to delude the whole worlde The Duke of Mantua is surely blameles which wyll not receiue so great a multitude into his citie being vnfurnyshed of a garrison but all the blame is to be ascribed to him alone who doeth nothing syncerely but worketh al thinges by craft and collusion And now in case he shall assigne an other place for the purpose he wyll eyther appointe it in some citie of his
commaūded them that they shoulde espie oute diligently the faultes of the Clergie and all flatterie set apart declare them vnto him He released them also of their othe that they myghte speake their mindes franckly and had commaunded them to kepe the thinge close secret There were chosen Caspar Contarene Peter Theatrire Iames Sadolete and Renalde Poole Cardinals Fridericke Archebishop of Salerne Hierome Aleander Archbishop of Brunduse Iohn Mathew Bishoppe Uerone Gregorie Uenet Abbot and Thomas maister of the sacred Palace These in conclusion after consultation had comprehended the hole matter in writing addressinge theyr stile vnto him extolle him with great praises for the zeale he hath to the trueth wherunto the eares of certen Bishoppes in times past haue bene stopped chiefly through the faulte of flatterers whiche haue ascribed vnto them ouer muche Authoritie what tyme they haue affirmed them clearely to be lordes of althinges and haue power to do what they liste For out of this welspring as out of the horse at Troy haue spronge into the churche so many euils wherwith now it is most greuously afflicted Therfore is his wisedome and vertu great who considereth that the remedie must be fetched from thence from whence the beginning and cause of the disease proceded who followyng the doctrine of S. Paule wil be a minister and a steward and no lorde And for asmuche as he hath committed this charge vnto them they willyng to obey him herin haue accordyng to theyr meane wittes drawen certen Articles whiche do concerne him ▪ the Bishoppes and the Churche For where he susteineth a double person and is not onely the Bishop of the vniuersall Christian Churche but also the Prince of many Regions and Cities they onely touche suche thinges as concerne the Ecclesiasticall administratiō for the ciuile commen weale he gouerneth with muche commēdatiō and wisedom And fyrst of al. they say most holy father in like case as Aristotle commaundeth that lawes be not rashly altered so semeth it vnto vs also that thecclesiasticall lawes be in any case diligently maynteyned and not infringed without some vrgent cause For there can no greater plage inuade a commenwealth than what time thauthoritie of lawes is weakened and disolued whiche oure predecessours would haue to be kept as sacred and holy The next pointe is that the Bishop of Rome Christes Uicar whan for the Authoritie he hathe of Christe he geueth or graunteth anye thinge he take no money or rewarde for the same For seynge that all these thinges are giuen freely Christ will also that the same be freely distributed to others This foūdation once laide it must be foresene that you may haue very manye mete ministers of the churche to gouerne it for mens saluation In the which numbre the Bishoppes occupie the chiefe place but herein is a great abuse in that all kinde of men are receiued into this ordre confusely and without respect neither commended for their learninge nor honest lyuing and diuerse also very yong Wherof arrise sundry offences and holy thinges come in contempt and growe oute of reuerence It semeth good vnto vs therfore that first in the citie of Rome you appoint certen to make a choise of suche as desyre to take orders and after commaunde all Bishops to do the like euery mā within his owne Diocese And that you suffer none to be admitted without the consent of the said commissioners or Bishoppe Let the youth also that purpose to be made pristes haue a Scholemaster appointed to bring them vp in learnyng and vertuouse maners Moreouer in geuing of Benefices and spirituall promotions it is farre a misse in suche especially as concerne the Cure and charge of soules For here haue they this respect on lie that the Beneficed man may be well prouided for laying apart all care of his flocke Therfore whan suche an office is geuen chiefely if it be a Bishopricke it must be diligently forsene that they be good men and learned which both can and will gouerne the Churches themselues as they are bounden by the law Therfore may not an Italian enioy a benefice in Spayne or in Englande nor a Spaniarde or an Englishman in Italy Furthermore there is much fraude vsed what tyme a man leaueth his benefice and resygneth it to another reseruing to him self an yerly pension many times also the whole profytes For no pension maye be reteined vnlesse it be for the pore or some other godly vse Because the fruits are annexed to the benefice and ought no more to be sequestred from it than the bodye from the soule And he that hathe the same is bounden to vse the commodities therof honestly and so much as suffiseth the residew to employ vpon suche vses as is beforesayd Notwithstandyng it shal be lawfull for the Bishoppe if the case so require to impose this bondage that he shall pay a certen thing yerely to some pore man especially beyng of the Clergie wherby he may liue more honestly and better at ease Againe they offende exceadingly in permutatiōs for all thinges are done for lucre And albeit it is not lawefull to gyue Benefices by legacie yet is there a subtill way founde by wyttie men to defeate this law and benefyces are giuen to another yet so as they haue theyr reentrie agayne into the fame with the whole profytes and ministration And thus commeth it to passe that he beareth the name of a Bishoppe which hath no right or Authoritie and he whiche is indede and possession Bishop hath not the name at all And what thing els is this than to make to him selfe an heyre Bishoppe Clementrenewed an olde lawe wherby it was forbydden that the sonne shoulde not enioy his fathers benefice but yet is this permitted truly with an euill example For it can not be denied but the greatest part of sclaunders arryse of this that the churche goods are conuerted to priuate vses Hitherto many haue loked for a redresse of this thynge but nowe they are in vtter dispayre and speake and thinke full euill of vs therefore An other euill vse is to geue out vousons of benefices as it were in a reuertion where an other mans death is wished and looked for And others that better deserue to haue it are secluded from it matter ministered of muche strife and contention What shall we saye to those benefices whiche because they coulde not be employed vpon one man alone were called commonly incompatibles but herin is tholde discipline neglected and to some one also is permitted to haue diuerse Bishoprikes which semeth vnto vs worthy reformation Herunto belongeth these pluralities totquotes and vnitynge of benefices whan many benefices be ioyned together as the partes and membres of one body What is not this to delude the lawes Finally nowe is this disease crept in also that Bishoprickes are giuen vnto Cardinalles and that many vnto one Whiche thynge semeth vnto vs in dede a matter of importaunce and chiefly to be refourmed For the
Religion About this tyme in the moneth of May appered a blasyng starre and shortly after departed Isabel wyfe to Charles the Emperour for whome the Frenche kyng so sone as he heard therof kepte a solempne funerall at Paris as the maner of kynges is I shewed you before of the counsell of Uicence whiche the byshop of Rome had proroged tyll Easter of this yeare But seyng than that none would come he publisheth his letters the tenth of Iune wherin he prorogeth the counsell no more but suspendeth it at his owne pleasure and senate of his Cardinalles The kyng of Englande had certen monethes before set forth another wryttyng touching this Synode of Uicence and declareth howe the Byshop deludeth the whole worlde For where he excused hym selfe by the Duke of Mantua it was a playne mockery For seing he taketh vppon hym so great anothoritie why did he not compelle hym If he coulde not wherfore shoulde he commaunde men to come to a place vncerten and the whiche is not in his power Nowe albeit he hathe chosen Uicence for the same pourpose yet is there no doubt but the 〈…〉 enetians men of so great wysdome wyll no more suffer their citie to be pestred with suche a multitude without garmsons of Souldiours than woulde the Duke of Mantua and that in fyne there wylbe as small resorte thether as was to Mantua There fore it is but delusion what so euer he doeth neyther oughte he to be permitted in this dissolute lybertie any longer There is nothynge in dede better nor more commodious than a lawfull counsell But whan they are applied vnto priuate lucre and commoditie and to the establyshynge of certen mens aucthoritie they brynge a wonderfull destruction to the common wealth Whan the name of the counsell and of the churche was nowe common in euery mans mouthe Luther setteth forth a booke of either of them in the vulgare speache And fyrst he treatefh of the assemblie of the Apostles at Hierusalem whiche is mentioned in the .xv. of the actes After he reciteth the contrary opinions of the Doctours especially Austen and Ciprian concernyng baptisme by the same occasion he maketh mention of those lawes that are called the Canons of the Apostles and proueth by manifest reasons that thei be false and countrefeated and those that geue them that tytle to deserue death Than doeth he recite in ordre those foure counselles which were of chiefe authoritie the counsell of Nyce Constantinople Ephesus and Calcedonie And declareth for what causes they assēbled ther and what they decreed in euery of them After he commeth to the principall question and sheweth what is the aucthoritie of a. counsell Wherfore he sayeth howe a counsel maye not confirme any newe doctryne nor commaunde any newe worke neyther bynde mens myndes with newe ceremonies not to intermedle with ciuile gouernementes nor to make any decrees to establysh the authoritie of a few But the dutie therof to be to abolyshe and condemne newe opinions contrary to holy Scripture and newe ceremonies whether they be superstitious or vnprofitable for the churche And suche thynges as are brought in controuersie to examine and determine after the written text of Gods worde After this he diffineth the churche sheweth by what tokens it ought to be knowen and by a comparyson made declaring what Christe and his Apostles taught he sayeth howe the Byshop of Rome whiche hath brought into the churche a farre cōtrary doctrine and by wicked meanes hath pylled the whole world with intollerable exactions ought to be condempned and dryuen to make restitution Amonges diuerse other thynges wherby in the same boke he declareth what blyndenes men were led into vnder the Byshop of Rome and howe shameful and vyle was the Religion he sayeth how it was come thus farre that a monke or a freers wede was thought to be sufficient to bryng a man to eternall lyfe And manye not onlye meane folkes but also great Prynces would be buried in a freers garment Those that shall come after peraduenture wyl not beleue it but yet is it true and wont to be commonly done in Italy And in our me mory Fraunces Marques of Mantua the seconde of that name put into his last wylle that he myght be buried in a gray freers cote The same did Albertus Pius Prynce of Carpes in Paris And Christopher Longelie a Bourgonnion buried at Padwey a man excellently learned and a great Ciceronian who also wrote an Oration against the Lutherians in lyke case as Alberte did diuers against Erasmus of Roterdame Immediatly after the death of Duke George Henry the Duke of Brunswycke rydeth to the Emperour into Spayne thorowe Fraunce About the same tyme Henry the eyght kyng of Englande calleth a Parliament wherein amōges other thinges were enacted certen decrees for Religiō called the syxe Articles as followeth that vnder the four me of bread and wyne was the true and natural body and bloud of Christe and that after the wordes of consecration there remayned no more substaunce of bread and wyne that the receiuing of the whole supper of the Lorde was not necessary to saluation and that Christ is wholy cōteyned vnder both kyndes How it is not lawful for priestes to marry That the vowes of chastitie ought to be perfourmed That priuate masses were to be reteyned That auricular confession is good and necessary To suche as thought and did otherwyse was appoynted punyshement dewe for heretikes And the same tyme the kynge stoode in termes to marry the Lady Anne of Cleue a mayde of an excellent beautie which after she was affianced within a few monthes was sent to Caleis whether the kyng had sent the Lorde Admirall others with his shyppes to receyue her and transporte her into Englande But he hymselfe accompanied with all the Nobles and Gentlemen of the Realme receiued her vpō blacke Heath and brought her to Grenewitche where shortly after they were married by the Archebyshop of Canturbury Some saye howe the Bishoppes had perswaded the kyng to cōsent to the syxe Articles to the intent they myght bring the Archebyshop of Cantorburye and the Lorde Crumwell whiche were great fauourers of Religion out of aucthoritie creditie This yeare in the mōth of August Barbarousse the Turkes Lieutenaunt taketh by assiege Castelneufe a towne in Slauonie borderinge vpon the Goulfe of Uenise and sleying all the Souldiours leadeth awaye many captiue A yere before in the moneth of October the Emperour and the Uenetians beyng of one confederacie had wonne it And the Emperour in dede put in a garrison of foure thousand Spanyardes and made captayne Fraunces Sarmiento Whiche chaunced to the Uenetians contrary to their expectation for that they sayde the town standing in that coaste ought rather to be theirs Therfore not longe after when they more more mislyked this societie and sawe it wold be very daungerours for them aske truce of the Turke and obteyne it In maner at the same tyme arose
welcome him into the low countrey pourge them selues of the euill reportes of theyr aduersaryes and complayne of the Duke of Brunswike and the Iudges of the Chaumber declare how desirous they be of peace and by howe many waies they haue sought it which they nowe desyre him to graunt and establishe for euer The Emperour telleth them before Granuella that after he hath consulted of the matter he wyll make them an aunswere And in maner about the same tyme that they sent this Ambassade to the Emperour they wrote also to the Frenche kynge reioysinge muche at the great good wyll and amitie betwene the Emperour and hym And with a long proces intreate hym in this cōsent of mindes to further the cause of Religion and publique quiet to the Emperour At the kalendes of Marche the Ambassadours of the Princes cities of Protestauntes met at Smalcald as was appointed with whom also came these diuines Ionas Pomerane Melancthon Cruciger Bucer And they were inioyned to deuise a fourme in wryting wherwith they shoulde thinke mete to treate with their aduersaries for the cōciliation of religion In this assemblie they cōsulted of such matters as were left vndiscussed at Arnstad as before is said In the meane time Dulcie and Burcarte were returned out of Englande the seuenth day of Marche they make reporte at Smalcalde of the state of Religion in England that for the decrees made the yere before there is no great punishement notwithstanding Hugh Latimer byshop of Woorcester and Shaxton byshop of Salisbury are deteined in prison for Religiō and as yet not released The Lorde Cromwell whiche is in moste authoritie doth appease and mitigate the kynges mynde and that also the kyng him selfe in familiar talke opened vnto them his mynde supposeth thus that the diuines of the Protestauntes thinke not rightly cōcerning the mariage of priestes the lordes supper vnder both kyndes and of the priuate masse requireth them to write vnto him of these other necessary questions at large alledging the causes and reasons of their opinions And he wyll see agayne that the learned men of his Realme shall wryte an aunswere that thus a waye may be made to come to the knowledge of the truthe Moreouer Cromwel and certen others thinke it mete and expedient to sende a great Ambassade to the kinge and Melancthon with them For if any meane agrement in religion might be had the kynge woulde bestowe a great somme of money vpon a league that he purposeth to make with them not onlye in the cause of Religion but in generall for the kyng marueleth greatly why they are confederated for Religion only for the tyme wyll come that they shal be attempted with warre vnder a contrary title And a fewe dayes after the diuines exhibite their wryting the some wherof was this Not to swarue from the steppes of the confession at Auspurge and the Apologie afterwardes annexed to the same Which sentence afterwardes all the diuines that were absent did approue by their letters sent thether This tyme came Henry the Duke of brunswick to Gaūt The day before the Ides of March thēperour answereth the protestātes Ambassadours by Cornelles Scepp gētly so so but yet in suche sorte as it coulde not be wel perceiued whether he would graunte them peace or not Wherfore the Ambassadours by the Emperours leaue going a litle asyde by and by retourne and desire hym to inhibite the processe of the Imperiall chamber and graunte them peace whereunto the Emperour sayde he had no more to aunswere them at this tyme he woulde take further delyberation This aunswere was recited at Smalcalde the tenth daye after And on Easter munday which was than the .xxix. of Marche came thether the Princes them selues That tyme was a certen contention and hatred betwyxte Granuella and Heldus which in fine came to this ende that Heldus being displaced departed from the courte and lyued a priuate lyfe For the other was aboue hym in authoritie and brought Heldus into hatred and obloquie for that he was ouer vehement in counsell matters and other affaires and had constreyned the Emperour thinkyng nothyng lesse to haue warres in maner against his wyll And whan Granuella had geuen certen manifeste instructions of his wyll and mynde to be inclyned to peace and concorde beynge requested of the Protestauntes he perswaded the Emperour also to the conditiōs of peace And he hymselfe at the begynning as though it had bene in his owne name sent to Smalcalde intercessours and Ambassadours Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles men of great wysdome and dignitie notwithstanding the first taried by the waye sore sycke Their demaundes were reasonable enough neuerthelesse they signified this that the Emperour was almost perswaded as though they cared not for Religion neyther desyred peace in theyr hartes but altogether sought to conuerte the churche goodes to theyr priuate vses delyghted in discorde bare him no good wyll but were more addicte to take their partes that were his open ennemies And these things were reported to the Emperour partly by their aduersaries partly by the Frenchemen as it is sayde for a certentie For what tyme the Emperour went through Fraunce and all thinges were lyke to growe to a perfite frendshyp then were certen thinges disclosed and the Protestauntes letters vnto the kyng shewed vnto the Emperour some do impute this to the kyng him selfe and other some to the Constable who was than of chief authoritie sought al meanes possible to quiet and agree the Princes and dyd beare the Protestantes no good wyl because of Religion ✚ The thirtene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirtene Booke THe Protestauutes make aunswere to the Emperour demaundes shewyng how they haue more regarde to Religion than to churche goodes They confute also the argumentes of the kyng of Englande touchyng the syxe Articles The Emperour hauing punyshed them at Gaunt sendeth letters to assigne a metyng for the protestauntes against whome speaketh Alexander Farnese the Popes Legate who had followed the Emperour out of Fraunce In the meane tyme the Frenche kyng made a league with the Duke of Cleane whose syster the kyng of Englande than refused At the assemble of Hagenawe certen poinctes of Religion were agreed vpon the resydewe were referred to the conuention that kyng Ferdinando assigned at Woruies Whether Granuellan sendyng first Naues came afterwarde also hym selfe and made an Oration And after hym Campeigius the Popes Legate The conference brake offe and all was differed to that Iourney of Regenspurg In this meane whyle Luther answereth a booke set forth by the Duke of Brunswycke where is spoken of the dere mantell of the Archebyshoppes The counsell beyng begonne at Regenspurge Granuellan presenteth the booke of the Interim The Duke of Cleaue commynge into Fraunce marrieth the
nor yet of mind whom Luther also him selfe whom he maketh his god doth laughe at and contemne Luther thinking the same to concerne his estemation answereth sharpely and saieth it is a sclaunder And for asmuch as the aduersaryes take vpon them the title of the Churche by diuers and sundry argumentes brought in he proueth that they haue cleane forsaken the trew Church by a comparison made he sheweth that the Bishoprike of Rome which hathe altogether defyled and corrupted the trew doctryne of Chryst to be Antechrist of whom so manye yeares synce Daniell and the Apostles haue prophecyed After he obiecteth vnto them that they flye from the lyght though they speake muche of a lawfull counsell yet dare they not abyde it but yf youre church be holy sayth he why is it afearde of a counsell or what nedeth it any reformation or yf it nedeth why cal ye it holy will ye also redresse youre holynes We neuer desyred a counsell to refourme our churche For God hathe already sanctified it with his worde pourged it from all the Romishe fylthynes and restored the trew doctrine howbeit our life doeth not answere to this profession neither do we perfourme in dede so muche as both we are bounden and wishe to do but this was also the complaint of the Prophetes and Apostles whilest they liued And that felicitie shal than happen vnto vs what timr we being deliuered out of this synfull body as out of a prison shall obtaine the like condition with Angels We desyre a counsell to th entēt our churches might be openly heard and that your doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Christe might be condemned that men beyng called agayne from it mighte knowe and folow the trewe Religion of Christ Nowe where ye obiecte vntd vs rebelliō and disobedience it is false euen by the testimonie of the states imperiall who know that our Princes are obeidient to themperour in all thinges For beyng called to any Assemblie or to go a warfare they haue bene euermore ready But if ye raile thus on vs because we obey not thēperours decres that condēne our doctrin We are glad and geue God thankes for shewing no obeidience that way For the thing that is dew vnto god only ought not to be giuen to themperor which should be Gods Client God hath giuen him gouernement ouer realmes and nations but he alone will gouerne his church with his worde neyther doeth he admit any man into the societie of this honor Themperor hath more than ynough to do concernyng thadministration of the common weale For vnto this office hath God appointed him and prescribed him these limites But if he procede any further than doeth he inuade and vsurpe vpon Gods iurisdiction The Duke of Brunswike had written in his inuectiues amonges other thinges that Luther had reised vp this Tragedye of Religion at the motion of Duke Friderik for enuy that Albert Arch bishop of Mentz had the Bishoprike of Madenburge Wherunto Luther answerynge this sclaunder saieth he commeth to the Duke of Brunswicke by the suggestion of Mentz And where he dissembleth to know whan he knoweth best of all I shall declare the cause original of al this busines In the seuentēth yere of grace aboue a thousande and fyue hundreth Iohn Tecell a Dominicke Frere caried about pardons to sell in Germany This Tecel themperor Maximiliā had once condemned to die and had commaunded to be drowned in the riuer at Inspruck but through the intercession of duke Friderick whose chaunce was to be there at that time he escaped the daunger He I say amonges other thinges taught howe he had so great authoritie of that bishop of Rome that although a mā had deflowred that virgin Mary had gottē hir with child he had power to forgeue hī for money Moreouer he did not onely forgeue synnes past but also what so euer a man listed to commit herafter And within a while after that came forth a Boke with the armes and title of Bishop Albert wherein the Pardoners wer cōmaunded most diligently to setforth to the people the vertu of those iudulgences Wherfore it was knowen that Tecell was hired by the said Bishoppe to make those outrageous sermons For Albert was lately than created Archbishop of Mentz vpon condicion that he shoulde redeme his Palle from Rome of his owne costes and charges For thre Bishoppes of that citie wer deceased within short space Bertolde Iames and Uriell and it was ouer chargeable for the Colledge to beare so great a burthen and so often times For that Palle stoode them in as good as xxx thousande crownes or euer it came at home So dere coulde the Bishoppe of Rome sell a sory piece of clothe This money had the Marchantes of Auspurge disbursed wherfore to pay them Albert deuised this kinde of gaine And the Bishop did graunt it him yet so as the one halfe shold be brought to Rome to the buildyng of S. Peters Church But that time knew I none of all this gere therfore wrot I to the Bishoppe of Mentz in humble wyse exhorting him that he woulde inhibite those criers but he answered not one worde The Bishoppe of Brandenburge beyng also moued admonished me to cease and not to bring my selfe in danger After this I propounded certen Theames contrary to those of Tecels which within a fewe dayes were caried ouer all Germany and were gredely red of many For all men complained of Pardons especially of those that Tecell taught And because there was neuer a Bishoppe nor yet doctor that durst gainesay them for that Tecel feared all men with the Bishoppes thunderbolt My name began to be spoken of that there was founde one at the length in all the worlde that did resist But that vaine glory was not to me verye pleasaunte For I scarsely vnderstode than what the name of Indulgences mēt This is the fyrst originall and cause of this motion whiche came not of duke Friderick but proceded of the Bishop of Mentz by the practise of his collector and briber Frere Tecell Wherfore if there be anye thing nowe that nippeth him let him thanke himselfe therfore An other cause of this trouble gaue that moste holye father Leo the tenth what time he cursed me and excommunicated me and manye in all places did triumphe ouer me neyther was there anye man so vnlearned that did not practise his style to write against me I thought assuredly at the fyrst that the Bishoppe would assoile me and condemne Tecell for that the Canon lawe maketh for me whiche teacheth plainely that Iudulgences can not deliuer soules out of Purgatory But lo whilest I loke for a ioyfull sentence from Rome I am striken with the thonderbolt and condemned for the most wicked mā aliue Than began I to defende my doynges settinge forth many bokes of the same insomuche that the matter was brought at the laste into the assemblie of thempire Thus did the wollen threde wherof the
the reformation of the chamber shal now be shortely he exhorteth them they would not refuse to contribute theyr ayde agaynst the Turk of whose not only preparation that is exceading greate but also of hys commyng he is credebly certifyed both by letters messaugers He was infourmed of all that was dooue in the conuention by Nauius that wente vnto hym At the same tyme also he calleth a counsell of thempire at Spier agaynst the laste daye of Nouembre Departyng than frō Genes he spake with the Bisshop of Rome at Busset which is a Towne by the Riuer of Tare betwixte Placence and Cremone There agayne in lyke case as he did before by letters he required him to proclayme hymself enemie to the French Kynge but he sayde howe that was not expedient for the common welth and herin perseuered The Bisshop had geuen to hys sonne Peter Aloise Parma and Placence whiche he had obteyned latelye of the College of Cardinalles by an exchaunge made and because these Cities were sometyme the Dukes of Millan he required that the Emperour by hys authorytie would for a pece of monye confirme hys sonne in the possession of thē and create hym Duke of the same But that did themperoure which helde Millan and wolde deminishe no part of hys ryght refuse They saye moreouer howe the Bysshōppes intente was to haue perswaded themperour for a somme vfmony to haue made his Nephew Octauian Duke of Millan The Emperour breaking of this talke that he might be no longer letted whan he had deliuered vnto Cosmus Medices Duke of Florence the Casteles of Florence and Liburne which he had vntill that time in his owne custodye receyuing of hym therfore two hondreth thousand ducates he procedeth on hys iorney Before he came out of Spayne he had created hys sonne Philip kynge and gaue vnto hym in marriage the Ladye Marye Daughter vnto Iohn kynge of Portugall This yere also did Sigismunde the sonne of Sigismund kyng of Polle mary the Lady Elyzabeth the daughter of Fernando kyng of Romanes Henry the Duke of Brunsewicke going to mete Themperour in Italy heynouslye accuseth the Protestantes at Cremoise Whan Themperour was now comming out of Italy with hys armie the Protestantes whiche had lately receyued hys letters dated at Gene mete together at sinalcalde the .xxiiii. daye of Iune to consulte of sending to hym Ambassadours of matters apperteyning to the defence and kepyng of the Dutchie of Brunswicke and to theyr league to sollicite Duke Maurice of the king of Swecia of Otto Henry Palatine Wuolfange Prince of Bipounte of the Bisshop of Munster whiche than desyred all to be receyued into their league This assemblie ended the .xxi. of Iuly And moche aboute thys same tyme the Emperoure and the Kyng of England make a league agaynste the Frenche Kynge whiche ayded the Scottes as before is sayde But this confederacie the Bisshop of Rome toke in maruelous euill part and therfore thoughte the French frendeship to be nedefull for hym Whan themperour was commen to Spier about th ende of Iuly the Protestantes sende thither Ambassadours Fraunces Burcart George Bemelberg Christopher Ueninger and Iames Sturmius Being admitted the second of Auguste they speake in a maner the same in effecte that they did before to king Fernando the conclusion of theyr tale was that in case they might be sufficiently warraūted to haue peace yf the Iudgement of the chamber myght be refourmed as it was lately decreed at Regenspurg yf the inequalitie of cōtributyng may be takē away they wil not fayle to beare theyr partes in publicke necessities As touchinge the Duke of Brunswicke they re desyre is that the matter maye come to hearyng and they saye howe they will proue manifestly that he whiche firste had done open iniurye to the cities of Goslarie and Brunswicke to haue benryghtlye expulsed and dryuen oute of hys countrey Hereunto Themperoure by Nauius in the presence of Granuellane two dayes after that there was no more to bee required For they were well enouge assured of peace by the fourmer decrees the iudges of the chamber can not bee remoued before theyr cause be heard In the moneth now of October inquisitiō shal be made of them and if any fault may be found in them they shall not escape vnpunnished the moderation of contributinge can not be made without the comon assent of all states let them consider the present state of the publicke weale and because it is a matter of moste daunger vnlesse it be holpen in time let them geue theyr ayd agaynste the Turke lyke as other states doe He muste hym selfe goe now with hys whole force agaynst the Frenche Kyng and the Duke of Cleaue to thentente he maye defende hys subiectes from Iniurye The Duke of Brunswick vrgeth sore to be restored therfore let them saye theyr fantasye in that matter They desire to haue this aunswere deliuered them in wryting that they may the better consyder it Thēperour was content and the nexte day he went frō Spier to Mentz so farre the ambassadours followed hym and whan they had receyued the wryting they shewe Granuellan and Nauius wherfore they are not satisfyed touchinge the peace and because theyr desyre is that the cause of Brunswick might be hearde they haue no further comission in that matter The archebisshop of Collon came to themperoure at Spiers to intreate for the Duke of Cleaue but that was in vaine For excepthe wolde fyrst departe from the posession of Gelderlande Themperour wold heare no mention of peace And where the ambassadoure of Saxonye by hys Princes commaundemente made suite for the Duke of Cleaue to Granuellan at Mentz and to perswade dyd saye howe a priuate iniurye muste bee forgeuen for the common welthes sake especially now that the Turk inuadeth The other maketh aunswer that Themperour wil not goe frō hys pourpos what inuasyon soeuer the Turkes shall make I tolde you before how they of Heldesseme had forsaken the popisshe Religion entred into league with the Protestantes Whom Ualentyne the Bisshop of that Cytye had accused heynousely before to the chamber and to kynge Fernando and nowe also to Themperoure that they had chaunged the religion and Ceremonyes of the churche howe they had appoynted new preachers to teache the people put downe the Masse punnisshed the followers of the olde relygyon howe they haue broken and beaten downe not only aultars and fontstones but also the churches howe they haue taken into theyr handes custody all the mouables goods and Iuelles of the clergie and that of late also they haue setfoorthe gameplayes to mocke and deryde openly the Uirgin Marye and other sainctes that they pourposynge to forsake hys Iurisdiction had lynked themselues in confederacie with the Protestantes and constreyned Monkes and such others to obserue theyr religyon through violence and those that wold not obey them haue put to open shame and also bannished When Themperour had heard thys complaynte the syxte daye of
relygion lyke as you haue hearde before After those places of scripture which the Bisshop doeth vsurpe to establyshe hys supremacie he confuteth moste aboundantly and applyeth them to make agaynst hym Before the booke he set a picture whych by and by declareth the sōme of the argumente The Bysshop sytteth in an hyghe chayre with hys handes ioyned and stretched out in solemne apparel but he hathe asse eares And aboute hym are many deuelles of diuers shapes wherof some set a triple crowne vpon hys head with a tourde in the toppe of it others let hym downe by cordes into hell vnder neth hym hortyble to be holde some bryng wood and colle others as ryght seruyceable staye his feete that he may descend rightly and softely Not longe after came foorthe certene theames of hys whyche he had heretofore disputed of the three gouermentes Ecclesiasticall politycke and Oeconomike Whiche he sayeth God hathe ordeyned agaynste the furye of the Deuill but he vtterlye excludeth the Bysshop from all these for that he condemneth and oppresseth the Gospell for that he bryngeth vnder hys subiection all lawes and euen the ciuile lawe And in asmoche as he forbiddeth matrymony to whom it pleaseth hym Therfore he calleth him the beast which is named in Germany of the beare and the wolfe together There is nothynge sayeth he more fierce and cruell then she Wherfore when a token is geuen and that she is once hearde of streyghte wayes all men get them to theyr weapons to the intent they maye kyll her And yf hapely she should take a caue or anye inclosure and gouernour or Iudges of the soyle wolde exempte her or also defende her she shoulde be persecuted notwithstanding and he that should let or disturbe the hunters myght be slayne lawefully After the selfe same sorte must the Bisshop be resysted if he doe attempte and moue warre lyke a wyld and a rauenyng beast with what aide someuer he is mayneteyned For they that wil serue or helpe a theefe ought to looke for the rewarde of the thynge which they deserue Thā did he also sende foorth an other picture very fonde in dede but yet as it were a prophesye of the thyng to come The Bisshop in hys prelates apparell sitteth vpon a greate sowe with manye dugges whyche he diggeth in with his spurres hauyng two fyngers of hys ryght hand nexte hys thume stretched ryghte vp as the maner is he blesseth suche he chaunceth to mete with In hys lefte hande he holdeth a new smokinge tourde at the smell wherof the sowe lyfteth vp her snowte and with her wyde mouthe and nose thirlles catcheth after her praye but he in derysion blamyng the beast full bytterly I shall ryde thee saieth he with my spurres whether thou wylt or noe Thou haste troubled me longe aboute a counsell that thowe myghtest rayle on me at thy pleasure and accuse me franckelye Beholde nowe thys same is that counsell that thou so greatlye desyrest by the sowe he sygnifyeth Germany These tryfles of hys many mentaunted as vnsemely for hym and not verey modest But he had hys reasons whye he did so was thought to haue had a greater foresyghte in thynges And certenly in hys bookes are diuerse and sondry prophecyes wherof the ende prooved some trewe the residew as yet are in the hande of God In the meane season Themperoure taketh order with Granuellan and Nauius to be in hand with the protestantes touching the counsel and the Turkish warre but after longe decision nothyng could be concluded Grinian the french Ambassadour for because he vnderstode not the latyn tounge conprysed hys matter in wrytyng and vttered it by an interpretour the .xx. daye of Iune the somme of thys oration was to exhort them al to the counsell This Grinian was a nere frende to the Cardinall of Tournon who is thought to haue ben the occasyoner of thys Ambassade for he had ben with Themperoure at Brusselles as I sayde before and had treated of matters concernynge the counsell And than was it thus agreed that the kinge should sende an Ambassadour to exhorte them to the counsell whych Themperoure and he had already approued for thys was thought to bee a meane to make the Protestantes affraid At this tyme dyeth Fraunces Duke of Lorayne leauing behynde hym a yonge sonne Charles a chylde of two yeres olde The Duke had a brother called Niclas Bisshop of Mentz betwene him and the childes mother Christien Themperours Nece arrose a contention aboute the wardeshyp Al the Nobilitie fauoured hym more and lothed the womans gouernement but through Thēperours mediation they were bothe appointed gardins yet so as the mothers authorytie was chiefest In those dayes also departeth the Daughter of Ferdinādo which was maried two yeres before to the son of Sigismunde king of Polle But out of Spayne was brought glad tydinges of the birth of Charles Themperoures Nephewe the sonne of kynge Philip for the whyche cause the Spaniardes made greate Ioye at wormes But a few dayes after came worde that the mother of the childe was dead To Themperoure being at Wormes came the Marques of Piscare and broughte with hym certen of the chiefe inhabiters of Millan It was thought how Themperour was than determined to marye the Daughter of Kynge Fernando to the Duke of Orleans and therfore had sent for these men to vnderstande the state of Lumbardie whiche he had promised to geue hym for her dowarye Whylest Themperoure helde this assemblie the Duke of Brunsewicke goeth to the Frenche kinge That time did Fridericke Rifeberge leuie a certen power of footemen in the Borders of Saxonie for the king of England Henry of Brunswicke espying that occasion promyseth and perswadeth the frenche kyng that incase he wyll geue him monie he shall easely fynde the meanes to scatter thē again And so getteth of hym certen thousandes of Crownes but he neyther letted Rifeberge and cōuerted the monye receyued to warre against the Protestantes as shal be declared herafter Unto this conuentyon came no Princes as I sayde before but after Thēperoure was there the Paulsgraue Electoure came also and at the request of the Protestantes maketh intercession But whan Themperour saw how they wold graunt nothyng to the Turkisshe warre vnlesse they obteyned theyr requeste concerning the counsell and the chamber he sendeth an Ambassadoure to the Turke for trewes Gerarde Ueltuniche a man verye well learned and experte in toungues Duryng thys conuention the Senate of Mentz maketh inquirye after suche as by the olde custome had not receyued at Easter and banisshed them the Towne that were founde herein culpable I shewed you before howe the clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon had appealed to Themperoure and bisshop that they myght hereby hynder thenterprises of theyr Archebisshop but where he stil proceded and wolde not displace the preachers and ministers of the church whyche thyng they chiefly requyred they renewe theyr sute to Themperoure making of hym a greuous
deserued to thintente we maye haue libertie by them afterwarde to establish the common wealth and doe suche thynges as properly concern our office therfore we straytly charge and commaunde that no man ayde thē in any case neither take theyr parte they that shall doe other wyse shall in curre the daunger both of lyfe and goodes And let such as are happely gon already to serue them retourne as soone as they possible can But let all men geue theyr ayde vnto vs and fynde no let or cauillation throughe any league or priuate conuenauntes For we make all these thinges frustrate Moreour we release all the Nobilitie and commons of theyr dominions of theyr allegeaunce othe wherby they are bounden to them and assure them to be in saftye yf they doe obeye But suche as shall refuse to be punnyshed in lyke sort as they The .xxii. daye of Iuly Gerarde Uelduuiche is sente agayne from Regenspurg to Cōstantinople frō whence he was but lately retourned Thēperour whan nothing could here be determined prorogeth the conuentiō of thēpire vntil the kalends of February in the next yere following of the bishop of Romes letters sent to the Heluetiās I haue shewed you before whiche after the Bishops legate Hierome Franch had receiued he sent them from Lucers and writeth to them also hym selfe the .xxv. daye of Iuly That thre dayes synce were deliuered vnto hym the letters of the Bishop Senate of Cardinalles And albeit they are in a maner of the same effecte as wer hys former letters yet for that they conteyne somewhat more he sendeth them nowe a copie of the same with spede and at the nexte conuention he will shew them the principal And forasmuche as in the same league whyche lately nowe at the ende of Iune the Bishop and Themperoure made there is leafte also aspace for others that will come into the same confederacye moreouer because it was couuenaunted that Themperoure shoulde trye whether that hys aduersaryes and enemyes to the Churche of Roome myghte haply with out warre be reduced to theyr dewetye and amendement the Bishop doeth ernestlye require of them that they wolde pronounce with expresse wordes whether they wil be of thys league and whether they wyll obey the decrees of the Counsell of Trente And where they haue appoynted hym a daye at the nexte assemblie at Baden wherein they will make hym an aunswer to hys former demaundes therefore he hathe nowe wrytten to them also to the entente they maye consulte in the meane season Therefore he dooeth beseche them in the blud of our sauioure Chryste that they wolde dilygently consyder with themselues what a noble and famous acte thys wylbe and howe profytable for them and theyr ofsprynge yf they wolde bothe helpe to quenche this fyre in Germany and approue also the decrees of the Generall counsell Where the bishop vttered the cause of the league summe men suppose it to bee donne of hym for a craftie polycie that he myghte by thys meanes put Themperoure to his narrowe shyftes For it is most certen that he tooke it verey displeasauntely that Themperoure pretended an other cause of warre as shal be declared herafter At thys time Alberte sonne to the Duke of Bauer maryeth the Ladie Anne the daughter of Kyng Fernando and the Duke of Cleaue the lady Marye and other of hys Daughters For when the Duke of Cleaue had longe looked for the Daughter of Nauaire out of Fraunce in vayne as before is sayde the Byshop of Roome graunted hym a lycence to marye an other Wherefore he maryeth these same and bothe mariages were solemnised at Regenspurge in the myddes of the vprores tumultes of warre eyther Maryage did concerne a newe bonde of amitie A daye of syttyng was appoynted for the fathers at Trent as before you haue hearde at the end of Iuly but the matter was defferred till the begynnynge of the nexte yere as in hys place shal be declared There were at Trent besides the Cardinalles the Bisshoppes legate and the Cardinalles of Trent and Pacher a Spaniard foure Archebishops .xxxiii. bishops of them two Frenche fyue Spanishe and one Slauonishe the residew were all Italyans Doctours of diuinitie relygious .xxxv. of others that had not professed religion twelue for the most parte all Spaniardes But amonges those foure Archebishops two of thē bare but the name only Olans Magnus of Upsalya and Robert Uenaut a Scotte And that chaunced thus Whā Gustaue kynge of Swecia nere vnto Denmarke altered relygion which was in the yere of our lord about a M.D.xxxvii Iohn Magnus Archebishop of Upsalya who mislyked that alteration forsaking the countrey fled vnto Roome and came thyther with a meane company Afterward going to Uenyse he became Suffragan to the Patriarche of that Citie But in fyne waxing werye of that state he retourneth to Roome and beyng broughte to an exigente and a verey lowe ebbe what tyme he had solde hys horses and in a maner putte awaye all hys seruauntes the Bishop of Roome placed hym in the Hospytall of the holy ghoste wherin he ended hys lyfe full poorelye there was with hym hys brother Olans Unto whom the Bysshop gaue that Archebishopricke of Gothlande thoughe it were out of the precincte of the Church of Roome and commaunded hym to be at the counsell and geueth hym .xv. crownes a moneth to paye for hys bord the other a Scotte whan he had infourmed the Bishop of the Archbishopricke of Armacane in Irelande he obtayned of hym the name and title therof This Scotte was blynde and yet did not only saye masse but also wold ryde in Post Wherfore the Bishop wolde haue these two in the counsel for ostentation only as though those two nations so farre of the Gothes and Iryshemen did acknowledge hys Authorytie where they in verey dede had nothyng but the Shadow and bare name of the thing It is mentioned before how Duke Moris after priuate talke had with Themperour departed from Regēspurge whan he was cōmen home king Fernando followyng shortly after he goeth vnto hym to Prage After the fyrst daye of Auguste Themperour sendeth to Duke of Moris From Regenspurge a copie of the proscription before rehearsed and writing his letters commen to him to his people he reporteth in a maner the same thynges that are comprised in the table of on Lawerie And because he is allied vnto the outlawes by kinred affinitie so nere that he may haply claime som ryght in theyr landes possessions he chargeth him most ernestly that he assist hym with all his force to wynne theyr countries yea that he get all him self so soone as he can and holde it for his owneryght for els wil it come to passe that all shal be his that can catche it who so euer he be neyther shall the ryght of consinage or compactes profet hym any thynge And agayne for contemnynge hys Emperours commaundemente he shall incurre the same penaltie that the others doe
they we made our purgation to you by letters Emperour Charles of suche thynges as we are accused of And albeit reason wold that eyther you shuld haue layde a side your warlike furniture or at the least haue declared the cause of the warre and hearing vs speake lykewise shuld haue don accordyng to the custome of Th empyre and your fayth promised by an othe yet forasmuche as you doe neuerthelesse procede we are also compelled to put on armure to beare of thys vniust violence muche vnworthy your personne For that you nowe seke to extinguishe the doctryne of the Gospel and lybertie of th empyre by sondry of your actes it may be proued For you knowe youre selfe what maner of consultations you haue had nowe many yeres with that Roomish Antichryst and foreyne kynges that you myght eyther ioyne them with you or incense them agaynst vs. And agayne without the aduise of the Princes and states of Th empyre you haue taken trewes with the Turke contrary quite to youre promesse For what tyme Germany gaue you ayde two yeres paste agaynst the Frenche kyng you affirmed that the same warre beynge finished you wold goe your selfe with an armye agaynst the Turke But nowe haue you made a composition with hym verely to thintēt you myght the better accomplish the thyng which you haue intended agaynst vs. And nowe in thys conuention at Regenspurge you haue set a newe collour face of the matter speakyng much of youre owne industrie and zeale to the cōmon wealthe and countrey of Germanie and of the contumacie of certen others Whice doubtles was done of you for this intent that you might seuer vs one from another that ar confederated for relygion For you are not able to charge vs with any faulte of neglectyng our dewtie distrusting your cause you haue not sommoned vs to appere and come to our aunswer before the Senate of thempire yea you did not somuche as once name the parties and yet in the meane season wryting your letters to dyuers Princes and Cities you dissembled ful craftely as though you attempted not warre against religion but to punnishe certen rebelles But it is manifest enough that you shoote at relygion and appereth herof sufficyently in that you sollicited the Bishop for a counsell wherin besydes his clientes and adherentes no man maye haue place nor libertye to speake There were a very fewe that were somwhat franke in speakyng but a meane was founde that they were called awaye worse placed in theyr steade What maner of decrees also the fathers at Trēt haue made now it is knowen to al men wherfore this is not the coūsell that hath ben so often promised in the assemblies of Th empyre as we shewed you the laste yere at Wormes And the same thinges we sayde than we will shuld be nowe repeted Moreouer that it is your pourpos to cōpell vs to approue the counsell it is to be proued by the Bishops letters lately sent to the Heluetians wherin he complaineth sore of diuerse in Germany which reiect the authoritie of this counsel and sayeth how this is the cause for the which he attempteth warre And because you were also prefixed to warre for the same matter he sayeth howe it chaunced to hym luckely and therefore wold imploye therupon all the force and treasure of the churche of Roome and hys owne also Wherefore seeing the Bishop hathe vttered that pretensed pourpose of youres which you wold haue cloked by an other coloure who can doubt any longer but that you pricke at relygion Certenly we knowe oure selues faulty in nothyng which eyther we wold not shuld be heard openly or that we can wel aunswer but it had concerned your office after the example of your predecessours to haue called vs before the Senate of Prynces and lykewyse to haue hearde oure reasons Neyther did it become you thus to vse vs to call vs to the assemblie to propound of the common wealth to axe our aduise counsell and in the meane whyle to prepare warre agaynste vs. For what kynde of thing is thys to leaue the Turke and to bend all the furye rage of warre againste vs as thoughe we were a greate deale worse than he But we truste assuredly that God will impeche and hynder thys so vnworthy a facte For if there were any grudge or displeasure betwene you youre brother Fernando and vs the same was wholye forgeuen at Cadame Uienna Regēspurg and Spier Therfore you maye paynte and set out the matter as muche as you lyste yet knowe we for certentie that there is no other cause but that trewe relygyon shuld be oppressed and Germany lose her lybertye You wryte in dede to diuerse and go aboute to perswade as though you desiered greatly that the doctryne of the Gospell myght be auaunced but the opinions of the vniuersitie of Louayne confyrmed by your iudgement agayne the execution of Godly men within your Realmes and dominions And this confideracie made with that Romish Antichrist declare and shew well enoughe what your intente is verely euen this that you myght recouer and establysh agayne all kynde of Papistrie quenching the trew doctryne that we professed at Auspurge And seing the case is thus and that we made our league for this pourpos that we myght perseuer in thys Relygion and defende it ioyntely together although any man els shuld pretēd some other cause of displesure agaynst any of vs we were dryuen of necessitie to stande to oure owne defence whyche bothe Gods lawe and also the lawe of nature doeth permitte and graunt vs. And albeit that by reason of this your enterprise we are in nothing bounden to you and therfore neded not to declare vnto you any part of our mynd yet for a further assurance we renounce the allegeaunce and dewetye wherby we were boundē to you not that we wold deminishe the ryght and commoditie of th ēpyre but rather preserue and mainteyne the same This therefore we protest openly and that in solemuwyse that we are of this mynd that we purpose to repulse from vs thys warre of you and your fellowes For in so godly and honest a cause we ought to refuse no perill They sent these letters by a yong gentelman and a Trumpeter as the maner is to themperoure in hys campe before Landshut Whiche he did not only refuse to receyue but also cummaunded in paine of theyr life to cary it agayne where they had it And added this moreouer that if any man from hencefoorth came vnto hym from them he shoulde insteade of a chayne of golde be rewarded with an haulter Then deliuereth he vnto them the Table of prescription before saied and geueth them a most streight charge to delyuer the same to theyr princes Before they sent thys epistel it was debated howe themperoure shulde be termed or spoken to And the Duke of Saxon wolde not haue geuen hym the name of Themperoure for otherwyse it is not lawfull
they wold or not The horsmen of Hongary are commonly called Hussares an exceadyng rauenous and cruell kynde of men Wherfore leuing their force also whan they were now passing out of their owne limites Sebastian Weittemulle general of the armie sending his letters the .xx. day of October proclameth warre to the Duke of Sarons people For that certen yeares past their Prince seased into his handes the Abbeye of Dobrilug and that he renoūced lately his fidelitie to the Emperour and his confederates breaking the league that was betwene the Bohemers and the house of Saxon. And albeit the thing requireth no declaratiō for as muche as he is outlawed by the Emperour yet lest any thing might appeare to be omitted he would for his discharge geue them this aduertisement About this tyme the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes assemblie at Ulmes for common cōsultation to be had And wher as out of Saxonie came diuerse messages of the state of things there the Electour sending his letters the .xxvii. day of October chargeth his Ambassadours that were at Ulme to declare the whole matter to their Fellowes and require them to consider his case for asmuche as he hath spared no peryll nor paine that he might defende this higher part of Germany from distruction The counsellours of the warre a few daies past sent worde to the cities of Saxony that they should helpe hym But what they wil do he is vncerten and though they would yet feareth he greatly that they shall not be able to resist so great a multitude of enemies and that there is daunger lest or euer they be ready the enemy wyl haue inuaded his countrey These thinges therfore let them require of their fellowes first in asmuche as it should be a great grief and discommoditie for him in this extremitie to leaue any longer destitute his wyfe children people that they wold geue him counsell herein Moreouer that they would graunte him more ayde wherof the Lantgraue and the counsellours of the warre haue put him in hope already Finally that they do make no peace with the ennemy before he haue recouered that he hath lost Hereunto the Ambassadours aunswere franckly chiefly they intreate him that he would tary with the armie tyll the Emperour shall haue broke vp his campe for this wynter and shewe what daunger it should be if he now departed And if Ferdinando and Maurice doe him any wrong they promyse him ayde and say how ther is no doubt but his fellowes both Princes states wyll according to their league be faithfull and helpfull to hym and wyll conclude no peace before he haue recouered his owne And in case he thought good they would also in lyke maner as the Lantgraue and counsellours of the warre haue done signifie so much to Duke Maurice They trust also vndoubtedly that suche states as be of their cōfederacie in Saxony wyll doe their dutie herein The forsayd .xxvii. day of October Duke Maurice wryteth his letters from Dresda to the Prince Electour that what the Emperour hath commaunded hym to doe and in what peryll the matter consisteth he hath heard lately by the letters of the states of his countrey And now for so muche as the Emperour hath assured him and his people concerning Religion therfore is he determined to the intent that both the Emperour may be satisfied and that his ryght also may remayne vnto hym whole through the aduise of his counsel to fynde the meanes that his lande and prouince doe not come into the handes of straungers and this doth he both in his owne and also in his brother Augustus name denounce to hym And if in tyme to come he shall be agayne reconciled to the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando he wyll not refuse if they wyll suffer it that the states of his iurisdiction shall treate betwyxt them both for an order in the whole matter The selfe same wordes he writeth also to Iohn William the Electours sonne and warneth hym to see the letters adressed to his father conueyed to him In the meane whyle the Bohemers and Nussars make inuasion into Uoetiande the next cositrey of the Electours sleying spoyling burning and rauishing out of measure But the Bohemers taried not long for because as I sayd before they serued vnwyllyngly and at the eleuenth day of Nouember forsakyng their enseignes slyppe home euery man But the Hongarians such others as Ferdinando had hyred ioyne them selues vnto Duke Maurice who taketh by rendring first Swiccauie after Ecne berg and Aldeburg and for the moste parte all the Electours townes and sweareth them vnto hym sauing Gothe Isenack and Wittemberg The newes therof being brought into themperous campe styred vp great ioy and gladnes which the Emperour declared by a great peale of ordenaunce as is accustomed In these dayes the Emperour chaungeth his Campe againe for lyke causes as he did before and chouseth a more commodious and drye ground that he myght somwhat refresh the poore souldiours and releue them also with vitaile All others for the moste part counselled him that the souldiours might retire vnto places where they should wynter But he him selfe was of opinion to continew the armie in the field and maintaine warre All men for the moste part cried out vpon Duke Maurice whiche serued him so sknekyshely whome he oughte to haue honoured as his father who was in a maner the only authour of all that he had he to requite him with such vnthākfulnes And ther came forth in his reproche and dispraise both libelles and verses moste bitter whiche charged him with falsefying his fayth with treason and moste ingratitude and so muche the more that he wold do nothing herein at the intreaty of neyther his wyfe nor his father in lawe That thing knowen he publisheth a wryting to purge him selfe and sheweth what maner of Religion is in his countrey what he hath promised the people and how for the furtheraūce of Religion he hath founded certen Scholes After he saith how the Emperour hath assured him and his people and not hym only but other Princes also concerning Religiō and preseruation of the lybertie of Germany neyther is he of wyll that any thyng be done violently but that the cause maye in lawfull wyse be appeased accordyng vnto many decrees of the Empyre already enacted Wherfore he geueth credit to his promesse and letters by the ensample of those Princes whiche do now serue hym and doe not only at home but in the campe also and a warfare professe this Religion For suche as be familiar with hym and are dayly in his sight may easely knowe his mynde and in case they perceiued any such thyng without all doubt they would not tary with hym And where as the bishop aydeth him that is done for bicause the warre is attempted against thē that are the chiefest aduersaries of his errours and authoritie neither is it so muche to be considered what moueth him as what
authoritie at the self same tyme vnto Adolphe Erle of Schauenburg whome a fewe yeares before that the Archbishop had amōges all others chosen vnto him for his Coadiutour Wherfore the Byshop sending his bulles warneth all the states of the countrey to accept and acknowledge him for their Archbishop Moreouer he vrgeth themperour that he shuld execute his sentence And where as the Archbyshop beyng at sondry times admonished to leaue of his enterprise sayde euer he could not do it with a safe conscience The Emperour hauing almost nowe gotten the victory sendeth to Collō Ambassadours Philip Lalenge gouernour of Gelderlād Uiglie Zwicheme a Lawyer By them he calleth an Assemblie of the States of the whole prouince that cōmyng at a certen daye they shuld forsake their Archebyshop Herman and goe to him that before was his Coadiutour vnto whome they should shewe al fidelitie and obseruance as to their high prelate The Clergie in dede was ready to graunt vnto it for they were the very occasion hereof But the Nobilitie and many of the Clergie also that were of noble houses and againe the Ambassadours of cities declare that it is not lawful for them to forsake him whom thei haue so long tyme obeyed and so many yeares founde a good and a Godlye Prynce vnto whome they owe their fayth and allegeaunce by an othe The matter stickyng at this harde poynte the Duke of Cleaue his next neighbour for the auoyding of further trouble sendeth his Coūsellours thither to make intreatie Whiche after long and much decision obteyne of the Clergie that they wyll be quiet tyll suche tyme as the other States may declare the whole matter to the Archebyshop Wherfore Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles the chiefest of all the nobilitie were sent vnto hym Who through their singular wisdome and eloquence do perswade hym that for the compassion of the people leste the whole countrey should be distroyed with warre he would be content to geue place What tyme therfore he had released all men of their othe and allegeaunce His forsayd Coadiutour whome he had loued as his owne brother doeth succede hym This was the .xxv. daye of Ianuary The Archebyshop had a brother named Fridericke who I tolde you in the tenth booke had bene Byshop of Munster and was nowe prouoste of Bonna He was also depriued of his office and that had Gropper for his Share The lyke chaunced to Counte Stolberge Dean of Collon who had defended the Archebyshop ryght constantly By and by through out the whole Prouince by the commaundement of the newe Byshop the Religion agayne was altered and what so euer Bucer had set forth quite abolyshed Whan the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes had bene with the Frenche kyng they went into Englande that they myght bring the same to passe with them both But nowe was king Henry sore sicke and his disease increasing he departeth out of this life about th end of Ianuary in the .xxxviii. yere of his reigne whā he had by legacie made his son Edward of .ix. yeres his heire after him had substituted his daughter Mary by his first wife Elizabeth by his secōd wife Howbeit before he died he condēneth Thomas the duke of Norfolke whose authoritie was always gret vnto per And beheaded the Erle of Surrey his sonne for speaking certē wordes ouer muche suspected of the king liyng sicke After his death insued the alteration of Religion as hereafter you shall heare For albeit he had expulsed out of all his dominions the Bishop of Romes authoritie albeit it was death if any mā did acknowledge him for the chief head of the churche albeit that in the cōmon prayers of the churche he detested him as a Tiraūt very Antichrist yet kept he still the popish religion as hereto fore hath ben declared He had caused his sonne to be well instructed from his childhode and whan he should depart he appointed him counseilours to the nombre of .xvi. and amonges them Edwarde Erle of Herford the yong Princes vncle Unto whome afterward because it was supposed that he would be moste faithfull to him was cōmitted chefest part of his protection by the rest of the counsailours and an honorable style geuen him that he should be called the Protectour of the kyng his Realme He was also created Duke whan the king had geuen him the Dutchie of Somerset He both loued the Gospel did his indeuour also that the same might be receiued moued the king his nephew to imbrace it in like case and herein had a companion and helper Thomas Cranmer Archebyshop of Canturbury a man of notable learning and primate of England About this time also dieth the wyfe of king Ferdinando Quene Anne the mother of many children For whom the Emperour maketh a funerall at Ulme In the meane season they of Auspurg moued by the example of their fellowes by their owne daunger together hauing intercessours fit for the purpose amongest others Anthony Fugger are receiued into the Emperours fauour being condemned in a hōdred fifty thousand crownes xii great pieces of ordenaunce furnyshed and to fynde a garryson within theyr Cytie of ten enseignes of footemen In the Citie was Captaine Scherteline and had serued them many yeares for their wages Whome the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando hated chiefly for takyng the Castell of Erenberg vpon the Alpes Wherfore albeit the Senate intreated muche for him yet seing the Emperour did stifly refuse other wyse wold not accorde he was constrayned to flie the countrey so went with his hole family to Constaunce a citie in the borders of Swisserlād During the siege at Lipsia the Electour of Brandenburg intreateth a peace and sending Ambassadours to thē both requyreth thē that he myght be permitted to take vp the matter The Electour was content but Duke Maurice blaming him sore the he made so sharp war the sixt day at the length he answereth somwhat straūgly whan he saw that the towne was able to hold out thennemy Wherfore the Marques immediatly doth signifie the same to the Lātgraue praiyng hym to perswade Duke Maurice And for so muche as this ciuile war in Saxony can not well be appeased vnles that publique war of themperour shuld cease also he desireth him that he would geue his minde here unto and the rather perswade him he sheweth him in how great daunger he standeth How that all his fellowes for the most part are already recōciled to themperour And how the Duke of Wirtemburg hath accorded vpon moste straite conditions How thēperour prepareth a new army And in as much as he alone is not able long to resiste so great a power he admonisheth him that he wold not refuse to submit him self and condescende vnto these conditions which he him selfe hath cōceaued and sent him now by his Ambassadours For in as much as for many causes themperours minde is sore
wherfore the fotemen which already possessed the suburbes go to the assault of the towne with a lusty courage wynne it spoyle it and taketh the ordenaunce from the ennemy Whylest these things were thus a working Marques Albert seketh whiche way he might escape and taketh the Ryner but he was intercepted by the Duke of Luneburg brought to the prince Electour The garrison within the town was six enseignes of fotemen They putting them selues into a ringe by the helpe of the other horsmen stand to their defence but vanquished with a multitude they were taken all and striped out of their armure And whaÌ„ they had made promyse not to serue against the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes of six monethes after they were so let go without rauÌ„som The horsemen poursuing after those .iiii. enseignes of footemen that escaped ouer the bridge did slea a great numbre of them which were all for the most part Italians and Spaniards Marques Albert had what of Kyng Ferdinando what of the Emperour as good as a thousand and fiue hundred horsemeÌ„ ten enseignes of foot men and .xiiii. field pieces Thei fought from the breake of the day tyll none The Duke of Saxon lost not many of his men amonges them Wuolfie Theodorick a man of a noble courage who beyng stryken with a gunne lefte his lyfe a fewe dayes after The nombre of them that were slaine within the town was accompted a thousand without the town and in the Ryuer thre hondreth After the conflict the Electour with Albert his prisoner retourneth to Aldenburg and after signifieth the whole matter into Boheme sheweth that he wil do nothing against the league and desireth to haue those punished which had attempted against his subiectes with sword and fyre The Duke of Wirtemberg had condicioned so sone as he might for his sickenes to come make his submission to the Emperour he commeth therfore to Ulme in the moneth of Marche â—han he was not yet recouered and sitting in his saddel by the Emperours permission in asmuche as he could not remoue nor bowe him self by his couÌ„sellors kneling for him he desireth to be pardoned of his fault promising from henceforth aldew obedieÌ„ce Whan themperour hereunto had made a gentle aunswere he departeth immediatly for the war of SaxoÌ„ he goeth to Norling Whilest the Duke of Wirtemberg on this wise made his submission there was a great resort and concourse of people which hauing therof knowledge before came thither flocking thicke and threfolde In those thre forsaid places of the land of Wirtemberg the Emperour had placed garrisons a good while before for the most part all Spaniardes ✚ The nyntenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the nyntenth Booke THe fathers of Trent make their seuenth sessions The Emperour hauing accorded with them of Strasburg marcheth forth with his armie Fraunces the Frenche kyng dyeth shortly after the kyng of England The counsell of Trent is diuided The Duke of SaxoÌ„ taken in battell notwithstanding his condemnation to death remayneth constant in Religion Wittemberge being rendred the vniuersitie is destroyed Suite is made for the agrement of the Lantgraue who coming to the Emperour is stayed prysoner Kyng Ferdinando appeaseth them of Prage A commotion at Naples by reason of the Spanish inquisition The coronation of the Frenche kyng is described The citie of Maidenburg is outlawed An assemblee is holden at Auspurg Peter Aloesse the Popes sonne is murthered The Duke of Somerset wynneth a great battell of the Scottes Whan the Princes of the Protestauntes were vanquyshed the cities were made afrayd Stryfe aryseth for the imprysonyng of the Lantgraue Request is made that the Fathers should retourne to Trent but the Pope and suche as were gone to Boloigne le grasse stode styf in their opinions in so muche that there is great disordre in the counsell of Trent THe third day of Marche was the seuenth Session of the fathers at Trent In this are condeÌ„pned al suche as either say there are fewer Sacramentes of the church thaÌ„ seuen or that al were not of Christes institution who deny that one is of more dignitie than an other who say they be only externall signes of grace or that rightuousnes is receiued through Christe faith who deny that grace is geuen through the receiuinge of the same who say that through Baptisme Confirmation and orders is not imprinted in the soule a spirituall token or marke that can neuer be scraped out or the al men haue lyke authoritie to minister the same or that the accustomed ceremonies of the churche in the administration of the same may be omitted or altered whiche say that the doctrine of the churche of Rome mother and maistres of al others concerning Baptisme is not sincere whiche saye that Uowes made after Baptisme are of no importauÌ„ce and are rather a derogation of the faith which they haue professed And say that Confirmation is an Idle Ceremony and was in tymes past nothing els but an instruction of youth and deny that the vertue and instinction of the holye Ghost is not present at Confirmation which ascribe the coÌ„firmyng of children not to byshops only but take it to be the fuÌ„ction of any other priest After this decrees are made of ecclesiasticall benefices That Byshops other Prelates of the church be lawfully begotten that they be of yeares maners and learning sufficient That no man of what estate or degree soeuer he be of do enioy do Byshoprickes than one and they that possesse many may kepe styll whiche of them they liste and within one yeares space shall put away the rest That suche as haue cure and charge of soules be them selues resident neyther let them substitute others in their place vnlesse it be for a tyme so as if they haue declared a cause of their absence to the Byshop and he hath allowed the same whose part it shal be to forsee that the people be not neglected and that priestes offences be punished and such vices as reigne amonges them be straitly corrected After was the .xxi. day of Aprill assigned for the next assemblie Whan king Ferdinando was come to Duke Maurice at Dresda the eight day of Marche he writeth to the Bohemers howe Iohn Friderick is prefixed to inuade them Therfore let them take hede to their matters and obeye Weittemulle whome he hath appointed his deputie in his absence The Ambassadours of Strasburg whiche as I sayde went to Ulme returning home where the Senate did not mislyke the conditions prescribed of the Emperour they are sent agayn to coÌ„clude throughly As they were traueling they fynde the Emperour at Norlyng there liyng sicke of the Gowte and the .xxi. day of Marche making their submission thei were reconciled The conditions were very tollerable For neyther the Emperour charged them with any garrison and was
the byshops in maner beare no authoritie And in this dissolute oultrage and coÌ„fusion of things innumerable thousandes are in daunger of their saluation Briefly through this same pestilent euill is infected corrupted whatsoeuer before was clere the states of thempire plucked a sonder do obserue no frendship amoÌ„ges them selues In these so many and great euils their only refuge is to the Apostolicall churche Wherfore they hartely pray him euen for the wealth of Germany that he would restore the counsell Whiche if he would there is nothing but he myght loke for at their haÌ„des But if not they caÌ„not see from whence they should seke remedy For stormes and tempestes arrise on euery syde whiche all to repulse God hath ordained the holy churche of Rome as a certen bulwarke and rocke moste strong Let him haue therfore a consideration of their requestes and thinke no lesse but it may be except he prouide for the contrary that some other meanes and deuises may be founde to dispatche this matter For the rest they pray him to take these thinges in good parte For their duty and state of tyme compelleth them so to wryte In these dayes also the Englyshmen vanquish the Scottes in a maigne battell and slewe of theÌ„ many thousandes at the conduict of the Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle The cause of the warre was the same that was before during the lyfe of kyng Henry that is to witte for that the Scottes would not geue their Quene to wyfe vnto king Edward as their promise was After this victory the Englishe nation wan a great part of Scotlande and enlarged their limites farre Concerninge the Emperours demaundes all men were not of one opinion For the Electours that were of the clergie do vrge the counsell of Trent without conditioÌ„ But the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue Duke Maurice and Marques of Brandenburg refused not the same sobeit it were fre and Godly wherin the Byshop should not be iudge and should release other Byshops of their othe and that their diuines also might haue licence to reason and the decrees already made be retracted But all other Princes and states were desirous that the counsell might be continued that the Protestauntes going thether by saufeconduict may be heard constrained to obey the decrees of the counsell Themperour hearing al their mindes the .xviii. day of Octob. answereth desireth them al to submit them selues to the couÌ„sell and treateth with the Paulsgraue and Duke Maurice seuerally that they shuld geue their assent And the Paulsgraue in dede was put in feare vnlesse he consented by reason of the late offence in the yeare before where as that sore was not throughly healed Duke Maurice again which both coueted that the Lantgraue his father in lawe shuld be deliuered And was also muche auaunced of late by the Emperour sawe wel he must nedes do some thing Wherfore whaÌ„ themperour had by messengers seÌ„t betwixt promised largely of his good wil towards theÌ„ and desired instauntly that they would committe the thing to his fidelitie they at the last the .xxiiii. day of October consente therto The rest were only cities whiche sawe what a daungerous matter it were to submitte them selues to the decrees of the couÌ„sell without exception With them did Granuellan and Hasie intreate longe and muche And the meane whyle it was bruted throughout the citie howe they were franticke and out of their wyttes that refused the thyng whiche all the Princes had than approued There were heard moreouer threatnynges that they should be scourged worse than they were of late In fine a meane was founde that both the Emperour was satisfied and they also assured For being called before the Emperour They saye it is not their parte to correcte the aunswers of Princes and delyuer hym with all a wryting wherin they testifie vpon what conditions they doe admitte the counsell The Emperour hearynge their tale aunswereth them by Seldie howe he is verey glad and ioyfull that after the example of others they referre the matter vnto hym and geue their coÌ„sent with the reste So did he attribute more vnto them than they desyred For they did not assente to the reside we but to auoyde displeasure they woulde finde no faulte with the sentence of the Princes And yet leste any thyng should be preiudiciall to them hereafter they declared by wryting in what sort they lyked the counsell that in tyme to come myght remayne a testimony of their myndes This was about the ende of October And the same tyme came thyther Kyng Ferdinando and after also the Electour of Brandenburge The Emperour therfore immediatly in the beginnyng of Nouember sent the Cardinall of Trente to Rome in poste to moue the Byshop to call agayne the Synode to Trente In the moneth of Nouember Christine wyfe to the Lantgraue his sonnes and certen choise counsellours in their letters wrytten to all the Princes and States of the Empyre declare by what meanes he was taken at Hale commyng thyther vnder saufe conduite And in as muche as all the condicions by the Emperour prescribed that could or ought to be perfourmed are accomplished the monie payd the Duke of Brunswick his son set at libertie al the letters of the confederates exhibited the oth of the nobilitie assurasice of the suerties made al his munition deliuered his fortes rased Moreouer in as much as thei are ready neither refuse thei to be pledges theÌ„selues vntil such time as the rest be fulfilled also they can not wout the gret grief vexatioÌ„ of mind se him in this miserable case For before he went to Hale he was in no suche case but that he might haue kept his castelles an honest tyme against the force of the ennemy And that also can the Emperours commissioners whiche sawe the thinges afterwarde testife But for the compassion he had of the people chose peace before war Wherfore they moste hartely praye them to intreate the Emperour in his behalfe and fynde the meanes that being shortly restored to libertie he may retourne home For in case he should be longer dâ—teined it would be doubtles to the vtter decaye of his health And to haue the better successe in their sute the Lantgraues wyfe came her selfe to Auspurg And both her selfe and also by Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburg solliciteth the Princes to sue for him Whiche thing knowen the Emperour before intercession was made the .xxv. day of NoueÌ„ber declareth to the states that he heareth what report is made vnto theÌ„ And in as much as the talke of men is diuerse he wil declare vnto them the plain truthe of the matter so reciteth from the beginning how ofte and by whome the Lantgraue had bene sued for And howe he aunswered theÌ„ al that he shuld yelde and submitte himself without condicion rase his castels and deliuer his munition and than he tolde Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg that he should
neither suffer bodyly punishement nor be deteined in perpetual prison or further punished in his goodes than was in the composition of peace prescribed This was the thing only in none other hope did he put them as they can beare witnesse And after declareth howe he came to Hale 〈…〉 and submitted hym selfe vnto hym And howe he hath bene synce intreated nothyng against promesse This tale of the Emperour the same daye the states do reporte to Duke Maurice and the Marques The next daye they make suche aunswer as they neither blame themperour greatly herein neither wyll much contende whether the fault were in the counsellours or how the matter was mistakē But how someuer the matter was for a common quiet and peace of Germany they did perswade the Lātgraue whan they suspected nothing at all of imprisonment or captiuitie to come vnto Hale desyre pardon and not to refuse the conditions of peace and that he hath lost his libertie is kepte prisoner hitherto not without the great peril of his health how much that is against their honour estimatiō euery mā seeth wel enough Therfore they require thē to be petitioners with thē intreate themperour that he would rather haue consideration of thē which haue done faithful seruice to the Empire than of the Lantgraues offence and not to suffer them to runne in obloquie and sclaunder but restore him vnto libertie especially synce the conditiōs are all in a maner fulfylled and the Emperour put in ryght good assuraunce for the rest Thus therfore with one voyce and assente they made intercession The Lantgraues wyfe had intreated the Lady Regent the Emperours sister to be a meane for him But it auailed nothing And because Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg sayd how they were bound to the Lantgraues sonnes by dede obligatorie so longe as he was deteined the Emperour sendeth Iohn Lirane to the Lātgraue at Norling whether as the Spaniardes had caried him And willeth him to deliuer all the wrytinges of assurasice and dedes obligatory He saieth that they are not in his custody but kept by his sonnes and counsellours Albeit he shuld write yet were it in vain For thei told him when he came away that they would not departe from them vnlesse he were first deliuered Neuerthelesse if he might knowe of the Emperour any certen tyme of his deliueraunce he would do what he coulde that they should be deliuered The Emperour not contented with this aunswer taketh from him all his seruauntes except one or two at the moste About the ende of Nouember Peter Martyr a Florētine leauing Strasburg where he had taught fiue yeares to his great commendation hauing leaue of the Senate goeth into Englande being sent for by the Archebyshop of Canturbury at the kinges commaundement and is appointed to reade the diuinitie lectour in Oxforde He had a compaignion of this iourney Barnardine Ochine of Sene. Who beyng had in great estimation amonges the Italians for his eloquence vertue forsaking the monasticall kinde of lyfe gaue him selue to the doctrine of the Gospell And coming first to Geneua and after to Auspurge set forth certen Sermons in print And muche about the same tyme were the syxe articles made in the life of king Henry as is sayd in the .xii. boke disanulled by acte of parliament And Images and pictures remoued out of the churches This was the beginning of reformation there The .ix. day of December the Cardinall of Trent in the presence of the byshop and a great Senate of Cardinalles propoundeth his matter as he was commaunded and with many weighty wordes declareth what perils and paynes the Emperour hath taken for the counsell and now is the matter brought vnto that passe as he sayeth through his industrie authoritie that all states wyll obeye the counsell Wherfore he requireth for Goddes loue in the name of the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and the whole Empire that he will cōmaunde the fathers that are at Bononie to retourne to Trent to finish vp their worli begon ryght necessary for the cōmon wealth More ouer that he send an Ambassadour or two into Germany that by their aduise some meane howe to lyue well may be establyshed till the ende of the counsell and that there may be a reformation of the olergie Finally let him consider also and decree that if the Byshop chaunce to departe during the tyme of the counsell whether the authoritie of Election shal be in the Fathers of the counsell or in the Cardinalles leste happely if the matter shall so come to passe it may styre vp newe commotiōs The fift day after that the Cardinall of Trent had thus playd the oratour Iames Mendoza by the Emperours commaūdement in the same audience speaketh to lyke effect And sayeth that if the Byshop make any delay or excuse he hath in commaundement that calling to hym the Ambassadours of other kynges and Prynces he shuld openly proteste that the counsell is corrupted The same daye being the .xiiii. daie of December the Archbyshop of Rains that was made Cardinall the sōmer before sent by the Frenche kyng to Rome made a long and a flattering Oration to the Byshop and the Cardinalles in the prayse of kyng Fraunces and other kynges of Fraūce but chiefly in the commendation of Henry the newe kyng who as he sayeth nothing degenerating from his moste noble progenitours beareth such a zelous affection to the churche of Rome that he maketh not only his submission and as a most louing and obedient childe offereth hym selfe in to the bosome of the same but also as the first begotten sonne of the churche chief captaine of the Christian nation promiseth in the defence and maintenaūce of the dignitie hereof to imploye al the force and power of his Realme his owne treasure and person Roialle with many suche other thinges full of great assentation The Frenche kyng vnderstāding well what rancour and malice the Byshop bare in mynde for the slaughter of Peter Aloise saw that through the remouing of the counsell from Trent the displeasure was increased he iudged this a tyme cōuenient wherin he might frame all thinges to his commoditie and purpose Wherfore sending oftentimes Ambassadours to the Byshop he promised him assistaūce and incouraged and strengthened his mynde Whan the Byshop had heard the requestes of the Cardinall of Trente and of Mendoza he sayeth he wyl consult with the fathers that be at Boloigne and also make relation of the thing vnto other Christen Princes Wherfore whan the Cardinall of Trente could get none other aunswere he retourneth home leauing there Mendoza whome the Emperour had commaunded to finishe vp the rest And the .xvi. day of December the Byshop wryting to his chief Legate in the counsell Iohn Mary Mountane Cardinal signifieth both what the Cardinal of Trent and also Iames Mendoza had demaunded in the Emperours name and how he after conference had with his
of her husband But whan Ulrich Duke of Wirtemberge hard of the misery of Brentius all be it he him selfe was in great daunger yet gaue he relief secreatly to him and his family Furthermore the Cities of Sweuia following all for the moste parte the Emperoures authority promised to accomplish his commaundement Wherfore the preachers euery where remoued out of diuers places least they should commit any thing vnworthy their profession Andreas Osiander for this cause leauinge Norinberge wente into the lande of Prusse Spire and Woormez had but ether of them one which fled also to saue them selues William the Earle of Nassowe suffred Erasmus Sarcerius to depart for the same cause Moreouer the Duke of Wirtemberge in whose country were garrisons of Spaniardes euery where as hath bene saied whan the commaundement came from the Emperour caused the Boke setforthe to be recited in the Pulpit and commaundeth that no man do any thing to the contrary and if any man wil say Masse he geueth them liberty and chargeth his subiectes that they disturbe no Priest and putteth awaye those Ministers of the Church which would not allow the boke Amonges whome was Erardus Schueffius The Emperoure by Granuellane and the bishop of Arras moued the Duke of Saxon captiue to obey the decree and followe the doctrine of the Boke setforth And albeit they assaid him with fair promises and shewed him some hope of deliueraunce yet he perseuered constante in his opinion And the laste yere saithe he amōges the condicions whiche the Emperoure propounded this was wrytten also that I shoulde approue the decrees that shoulde be made by him and by the Counsell concerning Religion but whan he perceiued that I coulde not be induced through the terroure or feare of any pearill to assent he released the same condicion and after that neuer moued any thing to me concerning religion Whiche certenlye I toke than in steade of a great benefite and being cased hereof as of a most waighty burthē al the other conditions which the Emperoure at his pleasure determined on my parson and all my goodes I suffered the more easelye and with the better wil trusting that from henceforth I shoulde be permitted to kepe my Religion free but now for so muche as he vrgeth me againe and commaundeth me to subscribe I do heare protest that I was so brought vp in my youth and after by the reading of holye scripture so confyrmed that I do beleue this doctrine to agree throughly with the wrytinges of the Prophetes and Apostles neyther can it be conuicted of any erroure For the whiche cause verelye bothe my father I and certaine other Princes exhibited in times past a confession of the same doctrine comprised in wrytinge and referred it to a lawful counsel considering therfore that God hathe illuminated me with the knowledge of his word it is not lawfull for me to forsake the truthe knowne vnlesse I woulde purchase to my self euerlasting dampnation Wherfore if I should nowe admit thys decree forasmuch as the same dothe in manye and moste waightye places dissent from the holy scripture I should condempne the doctrine of Iesu Christ which I haue professed hitherto And in word and speach should allowe that I know to be naughte and wicked But what thinge els were this than with painted and glosynge wordes to delude the deuine Maiesty and the Emperoure also Than the which thing what more wickednes can be committed For this is that same sinne against the holy ghost wherof Christe hath so diligently warned vs which shall neuer at any time be forgeuen And seinge it is so and that my conscience is tied with these bondes I most earnestly and for the mercy of God which he gaue vnto mankinde through the oblation of his sōne pray and beseche that the Emperoure would not take in displeasure this my refusal For where as I do reteine the doctrine professed at Auspurge I do it for my soules health and setting all other thinges a parte do imagine howe after this miserable life I may be made partaker of the life and ioy euerlasting I heare say moreouer howe it is reported to the Emperour by diuers as though I nothing regarded religion but sought for a vaine glory and what thing els I know not I beseche you what thing coulde happen to me in this worlde more to be wished for especially being thus grose of bodye then liberty then to retourne to my wife and children than quiet and rest at home And I take God to witnes and than will also what time he shall take an accompt of vs all for our doinges that I respected nothinge els than that throughe the true worshippinge of God I might enioy the inheritance of the heauenly kingdōe Which thing I hartely desire that the Emperour would certainly beleue and be fully perswaded of me In all other thinges my will hath bene alwaies ready to gratify him and euer shal be and the infidelity and promesse which I haue made him that will I kepe as becommeth a iuste man and borne of noble parentage Furthermore I beseche him to remit all displeasure and at the lengthe to deliuer me from this continuall captiuity That I be not reported the first of all other Princes that should lead his life with him prisoner Where he perseuered thus constant and immouable they began to hādle him somwhat more hardly and toke from him his bokes of Scripture and was commaunded on daies forbidden to abstaine from fleshe The same preacher also whome by the Emperours licence he kept vntil this time whan he sawe present daunger hanginge ouer his head he chaunged his apparel and conueied him self awaye priuely At the same time came abrode out of the Emperoures court letters which the Lantzgraue was saide to haue wrytten to the Emperoure In those he saieth he hath commaunded his wife and coūselloures that they should fulfil all the reast of the conditions and satisfy such as complaine for the warre past Againe he saieth how he hathe the boke wrytten of Religion And albeit there be manye thinges which he doth not wel vnderstand and the which he cānot affirme by the scriptures yet for somuch as they ground their thinges of antiquitie and authoritye of holy fathers he will not make him self wiser then they and doth both allow that wryting and wil deuise also that his subiectes shall obserue the same After this he offereth him his faith and seruice whether he shall warre with the Turke or with the Bishop of Rome or any forain kinges or with the Swishes or els wil vse him in Germany but he besecheth him for the loue of Christ and all saintes that he would lay awaye all displeafure and set him at liberty For now hath he bene deteyned prisoner a whole yeare and suffred punishmente inoughe and is brought to extreme misery Moreouer for a further assuraunce he will geue his two sonnes pledges vntill he be fullye satisfied And whatsoeuer way
his Nobles and states at Paris and reciting the wronges of Boniface whan both all the Bishops Princes and Nobilitie being demaunded had confessed that they held al their landes and reuenues through his liberality benefit he commaundeth that from henceforth ther be no mony conueid to Rome and causeth alwaies and passages to be watched diligētly But wheras the Senate of Paris made thaccompt how much the bishopprickes and abbotships vacant do pay as before is said this say they is to be vnderstand of former time for now is the paimēt dubled and exceadeth the yearely reuenues in so much that many beneficed men by reason of the great exaction do leaue their buls in the handes of the Banckers And within the realme of Fraunce be xii Archbishopprickes Aygnes Uienne Lions Narbony Tolouse Burdieux Auxi Burges Tours Roan Rains and Sens and Bishopprickes aboute lxxxxvi by the vacations whereof as they terme it is caried to Rome a wonderful some of gold and out of tharchbishopprickes verily about thre score thousand crownes and thre hondreth as thaccompte was made in the time of Lewes the twelfth What time these letters were red the fathers say howe they shal be answered at the next session in case the king wil acknowledge the counsel to be at Trent But such thinges as are nowe in treaty they do not admit but in as much as they may do lawfully and therfore can not graunte him any testimonye or instruction of this action After whan the day of the next session was appoynted the .xi. of Octobre euery man returneth home which was about ii a clock at after none And here semeth a mete place to declare what is the manner and ordre of the publicke session whan the same day came the fathers as they vse to speake assemble in the house of the bishops Legate And stil from the cathedral church vnto his lodging stand souldioures on either side the way about foure hundred and fifty horsmen or mo At ix of the clocke commeth forth the Legate with his Crosier before him and the cardinall of Trent goeth on his lefthand After follow those that are in commission with him and tharchbishops that are Princes electors Than the Ambassadors of themperor and kinge Ferdinando ioyned together afterwarde the residue of the bishoppes euerye man in ordre Whan the last of them are come to the church the Souldiours by and by discharge their pieces and after repair to the market place and there and about the Temple kepe warde till the counsell breake vp All they for the moost part are taken vp in the country that they maye be prest and ready at the same day and the Towne it self also doth kepe many whan they be come into the church they heare Masse that done the decrees of the counsel are recited and the day also assigned for the next session to come Than also if any ambassadours haue ought to say they are hard But by reason of diuers sondry many busy ceremonies that are vsed in all matters thaction is delated til it be far in the day which at the lengthe beinge finished the legate retourneth home with the same pompe In sittinge the Bishops Legate hath the chief place next him the Cardinal of Trent than the Legates copartners after tharchbishops electors on the lefthand sate thambassadors of themperor and other Princes On the middle fourmes sit Archbishops Bishops and other prelates euery man in order as he came The second day of Septembre the the deuines had Themes geuen them to discusse and reason vpon wherof euery man may speake his mind to thintent at the next sitting they may be determined And in pronouncing of sentences of this meane was prescribed that they should cleue to the holy scripture to the traditions of the Apostles to the receiued and approued counsels and authorities of the holye fathers that they vse a breuitie that they abstain from superfluous and vnprofitable questions that they eschue all frowardnes and contention But as cōcerning the ordre it was agreed that those deuines shoulde speake first which the bishop of Rome sent secondly whome the Emperor sent and so forth Moreouer the bishops Legate permitteth them that for the searching out of the truthe and as they saye to confute false opinions they might read ouer all maner of bokes And there were deuines a great nombre Spaniards Italians Germanes whome both the bishop of Rome and themperour and also his sister Mary had sente whome also tharchbishops of Collon Treuers and the bishops of Spaine and of Italy had broughte wyth them Unto whome was referred the knowledge of al matters nether was it lawfull for others than for suche as were of the same profession and that had taken the degre of doctorship to speake any thing Yet for the fauor of the Archbishops of Colon and Treuers was admitted Ihon Gropper a lawyer and Ihon Delphe a batchelor of diuinity but no doctor And for so much as in certaine former sittinges of the yere a M D. xlvi and the yeare following they had made a determination of original sinne iustification and frewil of the vii Sacraments of the new law as they terme it in general and also of baptisme and confirmation particularely they condescended that al those standing in force of the decre they shuld procede to the rest and first in dede to the Sacrament of thanckes geuing Wherfore certain Theames wer deliuered to the deuines with these self same words that they shuld search and try whether they were heretical and mete to be condēned by the holy Senode which Theames they had collected oute of the bokes of Luther Zwinglius Bucer and such others And the deuines vse the matter after this sort They assemble all daily in the house of the Byshops Legate by the space of many hours obseruing thordre be foresaid euery of them reasoneth of the said Theames without any interruption yet so as they submit al their sayings to the iudgment of the church of Rome For none of the protestāts wer ther. This place is open indifferently for all men and the Bishops Legate and the residue of all the fathers are many times ther presēt but the deuines only speake and the wordes and sentences of euery man are registred by the Scribes What time all men had done reasoning which was than accustomed to be done in a Monethes space the bishops resorte to the bishop of Romes Legate and examine the sentences of the deuines whiche the Scribes had noted after out of euery nōbre natiō wer chosē certen which perusing ouer al their opinions might therof make a doctrine what thinge should be determined and beleued in euery poynt after this they cōdemne the contrary doctrin and errours as they call them wyth a greuous sensure yet not with many words al these thinges are in fine related to the whole assemble When they be throughly agreed they come vnto open sessions as I said before
treated of penaunce and extreame vnction Than also the electoure of Brandenburge Ioachim sending his ambassadour Christopher Strasie a doctour of the ciuill law offered his duety and obeisance And certainly thāmbassadour spake manye thinges at large of the great good wil of his Prince They answer again how they haue taken much pleasure to hear his whole Oration especially that part wher the Prince submitteth him self wholy to the counsell and saith that he will obserue the decrees of the same For their truste is that the thing which he hath nowe presently spoken that same will he perfourme in dede After the deathe of Ihon Albert whiche had the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge both wealthy and large the gouernement was committed to Fridericke sonne to thelectour of Brandenburge whome the Colledge had desired for their archbishop but the matter was impeached and could not be broughte to passe at Rome And because thelectour Ioachim was before of the Protestantes religion as it was openly knowen that same was a great let Wherfore to auoid the suspicion this ambassadoure was sent who fawning vpon the Prelates omitted no poynt of exquisit diligence Ther was peace concluded at Wittenberge And all beit the siege was not leuied immediatelye yet were there frendly metinges betwene them the xii day of Octobre And the self same time Duke Moris constraineth the Chats a people in the countrye of Hesse which wer iii. yeres past by themperours sentence taken frō the Lantz graue being prisoner to be sworne vnto him by the consent of the Lātzgraues sonne by reason of the league of inheritāce as he saith which is betwene the house of Hesse and Saxon so that for default of heirs males the one house should succede thother And no man doubted but this concerned the iniury of themperor that had geuen the sentence and some new commotion and all mē marueled what would be th end therof but in the Emperors court was in a manner no talcke of it and made as they knew not therof At this time was the Duke of Somerset vncle to the kinge of Englande apprehended the seconde time and with him the Lorde Paget the Lord Gray and certain others Than had Ihon the Duke of Northumberlande the chiefe rule and gouernemente The cause of his apprehension was as it is reported that the Duke of Northumberland said howe the other laid wait for his life For this by a law newly made was deathe amonges them About the eight day of Octobre the Bishop of Rome created Cardinall George Martinuse bishop of Wardin of high authority in Hongary the common people named him Monke because he was of thordre of Paule the first Hermit How the French ambassadour was commaunded to attend for an answer at the xi daye of Octobre so that the king would acknowledge the counsell I haue tould you before Certes he came not but yet in the Counsels name was setforth a wryting to the king First they recken vp how they loked for most ample things at his hands and that for sondry causes but at the comminge of this messenger and after they had red his letters they conceiued an inward sorow for that they are fallen from their expectation and yet forsomuch as they are neither touched with the gilt of conscience nor haue geuen none any occasion of displeasure they haue not yet laid aside thold hope they had of him wherfore thopinion which he hath conceiued as though this counsel were called for the priuate profit of a few can least of all take place in so worthy a Sinode For the causes of calling this Counsell were propounded not only of this Bishop but also of Paule the thirde verelye that heresies mighte be roted oute the schole of Discipline amended and peace be restored to the Church is not this plaine inoughecan ther be any more godly or Christianlike thing be done For now are heresies spredde not only throughout Germany but in manner in all Countries which great calamity the counsell is in will to redresse This is the very cause and this is also the end of all theyr doyng and all thinges are referred to this poynt Let him therfore permit the Bishoppes of his realme to further so godly a busines For he neaded not to feare least they might not be suffred to speake frely that they thought For lately was his ambassadoure bothe quietly and patiently heard whan he told no ioyfull newes Than seing a priuate man was heardwith such a lei tie why should any man beleue that the same shuld be denied vnto publike parsons such as are placed in so high dignity how be it though he send no man yet shall the counsell neuertheles haue bothe his dignitye and authoritye for that it was lawfullye summoned and now for iust causes restored And where he signified that he would vse the remedies that his progenitoures had done before they supposed he would neuer procede so farre as to reuoke those thinges which were taken away abolished in times past to the great commodity of the kinges of Fraunce and seing that god hath so highly auaunced him and indued him with so great benefites they truste verely that he wil do nothing wherby he shuld seme vnthankeful ether towards God or to our mother holy church let him only haue a respect to his progenitors to that same title and surname of most christen king Finally to his father king Fraunces who honoured the former Sinode by sending thither his bishoppes and ambassadors Men of most excellent learning he oughte to walcke in these fotesteps which are both fresh and domestical and follow this exāple and remit priuate displeasures for the common wealthes sake Themperor and the Bishop had exhorted the Swisses that they shuld be at the counsel but it was in vaine and the Bishop in dede treated with them by Hierome Francke as before is saied but the French king gaue charge vnto Morlet that was his ambassador there that he shuld indeuor to perswade them all that they send no man thither Morlet fineding some difficultye herein sendeth for Uergerius an expert man in such affaires out of Rhoetia and axeth his counsel He both furnished him of argumentes and shortly after setforth a boke of eschuing the counsell Morlet beinge thus instructed came vnto thassemble of Baden and there alledgynge his reasons perswaded not only them which had longe sence forsaken Papistry but also all the residue of the Swisses euen as he desired Wherfore none of them came to Trent Out of Rhetia cam thither at the Bishop of Romes commaundement Thomas Plāt bishop of Chur but whan the Rhetians vnderstode by the aduertisement of Uergerius what the bishop of Rome intended howe he would by him recouer his authority amonges them he was called home againe The Spaniardes which wer in the land of Wirtemberge were sent for about this time by themperor and sent into Italy to serue in the warre of Parma By theyr departure
be imagined or pretēded I am not ignoraunt that men ought to be circumspecte and especially at this time in these sturres of foreine nations that no suspicion of the least daūger is to be neglected Againe I am neyther so cleane voyde of care nor diligence that I wyll let passe with a deaf yeare such thinges as are reported for I haue in a maner in all places espialles to inquire of euery matter And herein do I spare neyther coste nor trauell Howe be it to make a full determinatiō of a thing vpon euery light reporte you your selfe of your wysdome consider how vndiscrete a thing it were And that you shuld nowe leaue the counsell vnlesse some extreme necessitie vrged you it is in no wyse to be committed For considering howe great a furtheraunce consisteth in your presence it is to be feared least through your departure the counsel should not only be dispersed but also Religion it selfe shoulde vtterly peryshe wherin verely bothe the common saluation of men and all your priuate commoditie resteth And consideryng the case standeth thus I hartely desyre you my Lordes of Mentz and of Treuers that altering your counsell you doe not as yet take your iourney And you my lorde of Collon which make not so great haste I exhort ernestly to perseuer styll And generally I require you all that you who occupie the chiefest places amōgest the states of the Empire would helpe one an other with ayde and counsell declaring amonges your selues a brotherly loue and beneuolence In the meane tyme I wil kepe diligēt watch for the common wealth and as muche as I am able by polycie and power will seke to quenche in tyme the flambe that shall haply arise to the intent that ciuile euils oppressed and our force increased forrein warre may more easely be defended and that you hauing your countries quiet and trāquilitie recouered may altogether applie the affaires of the christian commō wealth Yet neuerthelesse I would aduise you that suche of your counsellours and officers as you haue left at home do prouide for all thinges that nothing chaunce vnloked for that they conferre their counselles with such of their frēdes neighbours as are to be trusted Wherin if I may also profite you any thing I will do it gladly So that if any tumulte be which I can not thinke there wyll you may be so muche the more ready what so euer chaunceth And seing there is no great distaunce betwixt vs you shall do me a pleasure in case you shall wryte vnto me of suche thynges as from hence forth you shall haue intelligence of And I shall do the same and whatsoeuer I shall thinke to concerne you and the common wealth I wyl let you vnderstande and as I haue oftentimes promysed you so wyll I in dede perfourme all defence and tuitiō A few daies before Erle Montfort was returned to Trent Unto him therfore go the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg declare howe they haue brought nothing to passe hitherto by the Cardinall and Toletane And for so much as he his fellowes Ambassadours do present there the Emperours persone they require that theyr Princes demaundes might be heard But where as than they receiued no very good aunswer they being almoste in dispaire of the thynge were pourposed to goe home As the Prince had lately commaunded them in case they were longe delayed The Ambassadour also of Strasburge declared his commission to the Erle Monfort as he had done before to Pictaue and he also toke a copie of the commission And now the Diuines disputations ceased and the fathers assembled dayly that searching the opiniōs of all them they might make decrees as I shewed you before And of the contrie of Germany were chosen for the same thre bishops Collō Uienne Nūburg This was Iulius Pssugius And whilest they were occupied with those affaires prepared al things for the next sitting the .vii. day of Ianuary come thither the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice of whome the Emperour had written a litle before Wuolfie Coler and Leonard Badehorne a Ciuilian by their coming the Byshops of whome I spake were well chered vp and chiefly the Emperours Ambassadours for that they thought there was nowe no more doubte in Duke Maurice whiche followed peaceable wayes The thyrde daye after they came they declare their message to the Emperours Ambassadours First they recite howe the Diuines that should come were not sufficiently assured by the counsell and for that cause their Prynce did sende no man He is in dede right wel affected towardes the common wealth and desyreth much that some waye of concorde might be foūd And therfore was fully resolued to sende of his owne suche as are good men and louers of concorde and doubteth not but that diuerse others wyll lykewyse do the same But that the same may be done these be his requestes First that those that shall come may haue saufeconduicte according to the fourme of the decree of Basill as the Bohemers were assured in tymes past That they surcease from all action in the meane tyme tyll they come That when they shal come all fourmer actes may be retracted and the daie appointed for the session be adiourned That there may be had a counsell wherin all nations and people may assemble That the Byshop of Rome take not vpō hym the authoritie of president but submitte hym selfe to the counsell and release all Byshops of their othe that all mens voyces in the counsell may be free and their iudgementes not intangled Whiche thynges also whan they shall thinke good they wyll declare more at large in the assemble of the fathers and make requeste that some thing may be done in it so shortly as may be For the Diuines haue already taken their iourney and are come at the least fortie myles on the waye and tary nowe tyll they be called This was the tenth daye of Ianuary They sayed howe they were both ryght glad of their comming and that also they woulde preferre all these thynges vnto the fathers They signified also the whole matter to the Emperour who to gratifie Duke Maurice did aduise and counsell the fathers that they should aunswere myldly and frendly to his requestes Moreouer the Duke of Wirtemburge where he had heard no certentie before after he knewe that Duke Maurice had sent thyther commaūded his Ambassadours to tary tyll the next sessions and to exhibite theyr wrytinge in the same He sent them also an other wrytinge howbeit very brief of the same tenure in a maner as was the request of Duke Maurice and wylled them to put vp that also with the confession of doctrine The Ambassadour of Strasburge was commaunded to attende till either Duke Maurice men came or that it were certenly knowē they wold not come Whan they were come therfore he communicateth with them the cause of his Ambassade and sheweth them how thinges stode and vnderstandeth by them againe what their commission was
church should be refourmed that al superfluous excesse ambition and dishonest examples of liuing shuld be taken away that euery man be resident in his own church and that eche man shuld haue one benefice and no man be permitted to haue mo Furthermore they purposed also to include within certain limites the power of the bishop of Rome not to attribute vnto his court so great authority ouer all realmes These and such other like thinges they comprise by this word of reformation and those thinges they acknowledge to belong proprely vnto them but touching religion doctrin they will be acknowne of none error yea they decreed that counsels could not erre and thought verely that their aduersaries would in fine reuolt and obey the counsel as it apeareth manifestly by an Epistle written to the French king and by the form of the the safeconduit And this thing also increased their hope and opinion for that they iudged few professors of that doctrine least being so many of them dead banished as before is spoken of Sweuia This was also common there amonges them that whatsoeuer concerned religion should within a fewe monethes be determined For of the chief articles ther remained two only the Lordes supper and Matrimony All other articles of doctrine were all ready discussed The fathers that were at Basill did attribute the whole iudgement to holy scripture and to other wrytinges agreable to the same but these men would be iudges them selues in expoundinge the scripture neither woulde they admit that place of the decree of Basill by thambassadors restored but chaunginge the wordes of the decre determined also to follow the traditions of thapostles in euerye doubtfull matter And whansoeuer they were destitute of scripture they bosted that it was so lefte by thapostles and deliuered them as it were from hande to hande as in the disputations of the deuines was oft times noted Which caused also the ambassadors whan they receiued the safeconduit of themperors oratoures at th end of Ianuary to protest that by the traditions of thapostles they vnderstode those wrytinges which were annexed to the newe Testament or story of the foure Euangelistes I shewed you before how the first of Maye was appoynted the daye of session But now the fathers that remained being in dispair of the thing assemble together and for the discord of kinges and princes proroge the counsell for the space of two yeares or longer in case the dissention be not appeased This was the xxix day of Aprill and nowe was the bishop of Rome agreed with the French king A few daies after themperors ambassadors depart thence also But the Legate of Rome Crescētius deteined by sicknesse abode still who being feared by a vision in the night as it is said fel sicke and began to dispair also of his life notwithstanding that both his frends and also the Phisitians did comforte him Neither was he disceiued in his iudgement For the disease increasing he died at Uerona And this was th end of the coūsel which being right stoutly renued thought verely to restore the Romish doctrine and shortly to establishe the same Besides the Legates of Rome and the Cardinall of Trent ther wer presēt lxii bishops wherof viii wer Germanes fiue and twenty Spaniardes two of Sardinia four of Sicilie one of Hōgary the bishop of Agria all the reast were of Italy and diuines there were xlii and of them xix Spaniards of Germany Flaunders xii By what occasion the Legate Crescentius fel sicke I had purposed not to haue spoken for that there was some suspicion it might be deuised of mallice but in as much as his frendes those of his own family which went to comfort him whan he laye sicke do thus report it I thought mete to adde to the same The xxv day of March he had ben very much occupied in wryting letters to the bishop of Rome and continued this trauel til night At the whiche time arising that he might refresh him self behold he saw a greate blacke dogge going with glistring eies and eares hanging down almost to the ground and went straightway to him and after slipt vnder the table He being astonied and amased whan at the lēgth he was cummen againe to him self he calleth vpon his seruaunts that were in the vtter chamber commaunding them to bringe in a light and to beate out this dogge but whan he coulde no where be found neither there nor yet in the next chamber he toke a great thought and fel sicke as I shewed you before When he lay on his death bed also he is reported to haue cried oute manye times to his seruantes that they should driue out the dogge that came vppon his bed The xxiiij Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charies the fyfte The Argument of the xxiiij Booke DUke Moris publisheth his letters to all the states of thempire not to hinder his enterprises the same doth Marques Albert. The French kinge also publisheth his and nammge him self Protector of Germany taketh Metz in Lorayne and marcheth vp to Strasborough and from thence retireth to Hagenaw Whither came vnto him sondry ambassadors beseching him to stay his army The king retireth his armye oute of Germany Duke Moris and his company hauing won the straites of thalpes putteth themperor to flighte who a little before had enlarged the Duke of Saxon. After they publishe their letters at Auspurge whereb that they restore the ministers of the Churche that preached the Gospell Whilest Duke Moris wente to Passaw for the treaty of peace Marques Albert practiseth great cruelty againste them of Nurinberge and constraineth them to make theyr peace vnto meaner Princes of the peace sondrys thinges were declared aswell by letters as by ambassadoures and they be pleased with certaine conditions They of Seine do reuolt from themperor who cometh to Strasborough goinge to besiege Metz. HOw in the laste assemble of thempire the gouernment of the warre of Maidenburge was by common assente of the Emperoure and other states committed to Duke Moris I haue before declared during the which warre continuinge the space of one yeare he hauinge the armye at hys commaundemente began to seke meanes howe to deliuer the Lantzgraue his father in lawe seinge he had so longe time sued to themperor for the same matter in vaine Wherefore compelling the Chattes by an othe to be true to him and makinge peace with them of Maidenburge and sendinge his ambassadoures to Insprucke as in the former boke is mentioned he entreth into league with the Frenche kinge and assuraunce made on either side by pledges geuen they thoughte good by wrytinges setforthe to declare the cause of the warre to th entent they might win therby the good wils of many Moreouer the Marques Albert of Brandenburge going priuely into Fraunce to the king withdrewe him self wholy to the same businesse In
so in dede and for so muche as they theÌ„ selues haue furthered his enterprise cleane against the Emperours coÌ„maundement therfore must he see for hym selfe howe he may recompence himself for the domage receiued and therfore renounceth their league and amitie The Emperours armie after Turwen was ouerthrowen marching from thence into Artois in the moneth of Iuly toke the Castell of Hesdine by assaute There was slayne Oratius Farnese the Frenche kynges sonne in lawe There were manye of the Nobilitie taken amonges whome was the hyghe Mareshall of Fraunce Marchian that dwelleth in the foreste of Arden The newes of the battell in Saxonie was brought to the Empuâ—y within a very fewe dayes Who after the .xxii. daye of Iuly aunswereth Duke Ericke of Brunswicke whome Marques Albert had sent as before is sayde Howe he is not a little sory that the displeasure is growen so farre for he had muche rather that all this controuersie had bene appeased and vnles it be so he feareth least it wyll come euyll to passe not only to the Empyre but also to Marques Albert especially since that so many of the chiefest States doe set in fote herein and haue made a league Therfore his aduise and request is that with al spede they laye downe theyr weapons and deuise some meanes of concorde If the Marques be so content he wyll deuise that the contrary parte shall surcesse also and distrusteth not but that he shall perswade them And he earnestly desyreth that he refuse not so to doe For otherwyse the case standyng as it doth nowe he can not vse his seruice least he should increase the suspicion that is reysed already Whiche doubtlesse vnto hym that hath nothyng derer than the peace and tranquillitie of the Empyre should be very greuous and displeasaunt About the begynning of the moneth of Auguste Augustus Duke Maurice brother commyng home out of Denmarke a fewe dayes after consultyng with his Counsel taketh an othe of all the people and amongest others of the Wyttembergians to be true to hym and to his heyres males and if none remain to retourne to the fidelitie of Iohn Fridericke and his chyldren in case he obey the Emperour and obserue the compactes of fourmer yeares if not that than they be obedient to the Lantgraue This done he is saluted Prynce Electour and calleth an assemblee of his States to appere before hym the xx daye of Auguste The .xvii. daye of that moneth was a marueilous great earthquake in the towne of Mesen Whan all were assembled at Lipsia at the daye very many Duke Auguste bryngeth in question fyrste whether he should ioyne hym selfe to the newe league of kyng Ferdinando the Prynces and Byshopes and to prosecute his brothers warre against Marques Albert. Secondarely if he should forsake the league how he ought to auenge his brothers death Finally by what meanes he may compounde with Iohn Fridericke For he in his absence sendyng letters to the nobles required that the dignitie of Electourshyp and his possessions that were taken awaye myght be wholy restored to hym The effect of the consultatioÌ„ and counsell was that he should obserue peace with both and that the Electour of Brandenburg should treate a pacificatioÌ„ And hereof an order was made although king Ferdinando by Henry Plauie Chauncelour of Boheme had treated earnestly with Duke Auguste concerning the league In this conuention the Duke of Saxon sending againe an other Ambassade demaundeth his owne and that with sharpe wordes the same did the States of his dominion but that was in vaine And Auguste sayed howe he was not bounde so to doe and that he would sticke to those compactes and conuenauntes which the Emperour had made whan he was takeÌ„ but yet would he not refuse all treatie During that same assemblie Henry Duke of Brunswicke desyred ayde of Duke Auguste against Marques Albert whiche hyred new bandes of soldiours After the death of Duke Maurice the Duke of Saxon sent th one of his soÌ„nes Iohn William into Brabant to the Emperour that he might be restored And in a maner about the same time the nobilitie and states of his dominion sent thyther Ambessadours also in the absence of Duke Auguste that the Emperour wold accept their Prince as by them commended The Duke of Saxon had sent Ambassadours also to kyng Ferdinando and to the kynge of Denmarke about the same matter In the meane season the Bishop of Wirtemburg besegeth Schninfurt which was kept with a garrison of Marques Albert as before is sayd And the Byshop of Bamberge and the Norinbergians whan they had a whyle beseged Collebach leading away the power ioyne theÌ„ selues to Counte Plauie whiche layed batterie to the towne Hosie belonging to the Marques In these monethes were .ix. burnt at Lions whan diuers of them had bene in pryson a yeare and more Articles were propounded to them al of the presence of Christes body in the Lordes supper of Purgatory of the Masse of priuate or auricular Confession of Ceremonies of praiyng to the virgin Mary and other that be dead of the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome of Free wyll of Iustification of workes of the authoritie of the churche and of Byshoppes of Monasticall vowes of choice of meates of vnction and confirmatioÌ„ and of Images And they aunswered to euery point constantly and after one sorte seuerally alledging the testimonies of Scripture Whylest they were in pryson with their letters they comforted not only one an other but also their frendes and other churches and wrote euery thing as it was done What tyme Lewys Marsake one of the prysoners being a maÌ„ of warre alledging many things out of the holy Scriptures the inquisitours that were preseÌ„t demaunded of him whether it were his part to read the bokes of Scripture and asked him how he knewe these thinges to be the Gospell The kinges liftenaunt also sayd there were onely but two Euangelistes Matthew and Iohn For the other two and Paule also had as it were sowed together certen fragmentes and patches And if it were not that the Doctours of the churche did attribute to Paule that authoritie he wold set no more by his Epistles than by Esopes fables And whan Marsake inferred agayne that there were Godly testimonies of the vocation and office of S. Paule especially in the .i. chap. of the Epistle to the Galathians That maketh nothing for the matter saith he for he beareth witnes of him self Unto those that suffer with hym the hangeman put an haltar about their neckes as the maner is But Marsake whome the iudges coÌ„mauÌ„ded to be led without a bande about his necke sayed vnto theÌ„ is their cause better than mine Why wil you not geue me such a chaine also Why will you not dubbe me knight of this noble and excellent order alluding to the accustomed maner of kinges who at what tyme they wyll honour and auaunce their frendes they make them knightes of their owne order and geue them a
cōmon countries sake to renue the former decrees Especially since I beleue there is none of you but both he loueth his countrye and wold prouide for the safegard of him self his lands subiects also wold haue thenterprises of him and his adherents impeched letted Wherfore I charge commaūd vnder the same penalties before expressed that no man aid him or his felowes with any thing nether with help nor counsel relief mony vitails nor artillery And also that nether he nor his fellowes be permitted to make any power or leuy soldiors in any of theyr dominiōs if he attempt any such thing that euerye man let him by alwaies possible and kepe in theyr people and subiectes that they run not oute to him and such as be offēders and will not obey this commaundemente to punishe extremely These letters were set vp in all places in Print At the .xxix. of Decembre king Ferdinando for because of the coūsel wherof I haue spoken before that it shuld be holden at Auspurge came thither and fineding no man there two daies after sendinge both letters and messagers he exhorteth the princes that for so much as they should treat of most waightye affaires of the Empire they would repare thither with spede he him self although to his great losse and hindraunce leauing his own country is commen thither that he might consult with them of the common weale and deuise suche meanes as be profitable necessary for thafflicted state of Germany wherfore let them come thē selues not do the thinge by theyr deputies for so the waightines of the cause requireth and themperor his brother hath geuē him ful authority to treat neither wil he tary them any longer than he neades must Aboute the middes of Ianuary breaketh vp the Parliament at London Amonges many other thinges the restoring of Cardinall Poole was enacted Thactes also of kings of former time concerning the punishing of heretickes and authority of bishops were renued but chieflye the supremacy of the bishop of Rome was wholye restored and all the lawes and statutes that had ben made against the sea of Rome by the space of xx yeares were condempned and abolished Uery many supposed that at the same Parliament king Phillip shuld haue ben crowned but herein was nothing done In the beginninge of February fiue were condemned at London to suffer because they would not returne to the Romish Religion men of excellent learning Ihon Hoper Bishop of Glocester Ihon Bradford Laurēce Saunders Rolland Tailler Doctoure of the ciuil law and Ihon Rogers And he was burned at London where he had taught but the reast were caried euery man home to Glocester Manchester Couentry and Hadley and ended their liues with the like punishment all right constantly A little after also the Bishoppe of Saint Dauid was condemned and sent home to suffer It was wrytten than out of Englād that ambassadoures woulde go to Rome in the name of the whole Realme which shuld both geue the bishop thankes for hys greate clemēcy which he hathe shewed towardes them and promise him also from henceforth al obedience and fidelitye The v. daye of February king Ferdinando though verye fewe Princes were there beginneth the treaty at Auspurge How they them selues knowe for howe waightye and neadefull causes the Emperoure had appoynted this conuention first at Wuolmes after in this Citye to begin at the middes of Nouember And he in dede at the request aduise of his brother wished that the matter might haue ben cōmenced at the same time Howe be it in puttinge his thinges in ordre at home that in his absence all thinges mighte be well gouerned and the neare ennemye be resisted in case he made anye enterprise he was impeched and letted Notwithstandinge at the xxix of Nouember he came hither at the laste to consulte for the common wealth Which thinge also the Emperoure desireth chiefly that is to wit that what so euer cōcerneth Goddes glorye and the tranquillitye of the Empire the same might by the common consente of them all be here determined For how much hath bene alwais themperors dilligence studye paine and care for the zeale he hath to the common country that both the publicke quiet and offences being taken away Religion might be established that is so wel tried and knowen both by all others and also by the decrees that were made in the two laste assembles that it nedeth no further declaration What so euer also he promised at the same time to do he perfourmed in dede but how pernitious cōmotions as well ciuill as foreine haue beyond al expectation chaūced sence by the which all those so holsome decrees were not onlye letted and disturbed but also taken away to the greate damage of the common weale that is so manifest to all men that it nedeth no further rehersall but herein was not the Emperour to be blamed who gaue none occasion of offence vnto any man and hath alwais dealt vprightlye and constantlye and whatsoeuer the sclaunder of his aduersaries be hath chiefly had respecte to the common profit neither doubteth he but they also beleue the same and hold him clearged in this behalf Wher therfore to remeadye these euils themperor hath called this counsell he was certenly purposed to haue ben present him self at the whole treatye but deteined by sicknesse and other affaires he could not yet neuerthelesse he would not that the thing should be longer delaied to thintent verely that bothe this euill increasing might be restrained and he mighte do his duetye to his country which he loueth aboue all other thinges Wherfore he hath made him his Uicegerent and geuen him ful authoritye that together with them he maye deuise meanes bothe honourable and also profitable for the common weale and for the same purpose hathe sente certen men and ioyned them with him in commission to treat of the same and the chief and principal matter shal be concerning Religion For this so long a dissention hath ben the head and welspringe of all these tumultes and miseries that these many yeares now so manye thousandes haue loste not oulye their liues but also their souls and eternal saluation is altogether long of this and that same is so manifestly known that it neadeth no further declaration For doubtles it is a lamentable and an heauy sight that those which are al of one baptime name Empire and lāguage shuld be thus torn a sōdre in the professiō of the same faith which so many hundreth yeares they haue receiued of their elders as it were deliuered from hand to hand but the case is much more greuous for that there ariseth daily not one sect or two but diuers whilest euery man wil maintain his own opinion Whiche thinge doubtlesse is bothe to the reproche of God and breaketh the bonde of charity and disturbeth mennes mindes in such sort that the vulgare people knoweth not what in the world to beleue but the greatest mischief of
iust cause of grief when they being of you clerely destitute ar made subiect to foreine power But herein a great deale more inconuenience shal be when all their goodes lyfe health dignitie shall be at their pleasure the helpe of appealing being taken away For verely appellation is the refuge and sanctuary of innocencie And you are the protectour and defendour both of the appellation and also of innocentes yea besides you no man hath any right ouer the people But and if the lawe and iudgement be nowe committed to the Inquisitours and Byshops officers appellation taken away this were to set open a wyndowe and to make a waye that euen innocentes might be condemned and lose both body and goodes For they being indewed with so great power to witte the kinges ful authoritie will forget their dutie and will kepe no measure what tyme they shall see euery degree to them subiecte and not only common persones but also Noble men Princes to stande in their hande Howbeit yet this meane waye may you take that your iudges shuld heare the cause and geue sentence And if there be any obscure opinion that the same be determined by the clergie Let thē also that be with in orders be iudged of their owne men Concerning appellations let a wrytyng be obteined of the Pope wherby this may be permitted to your iudges And when the matter shall come to this issue that iudgement must be made of suche as haue appealed let there be present certen of your chosen counsellers of the ecclesiasticall order or if suche wante other tried and fit men In the inquisition let this be obserued that the Popes Inquisitour doe substitute and place vnder him in prouinces men of vpright fame and good men that the Byshop doe beare the whole charges and not the defendaunt yet so that the matter being determined the costes be required of whome it behoueth These thinges tende to this ende verely that suche maner of controuersies may be restreyned within certen boundes and limites Notwithstanding for as muche as it appeareth by the punishement of Heretickes al though it be necessary that this hath hitherto bene thereby brought to passe that their facte should be detested rather than that they should be amended Moreouer for bicause it is much better to remedy the disease in time than to geue it space whilest it may increase and after to lay to a medicine it shal be law full for you moste mercifull kyng herein to followe the maner and steppes of the olde primatiue churche For the same was not established either by fyre or sworde but the diligence of the Bishops did euer resiste Heretickes whylest they both preached to them oftentymes Gods worde and shone before them in example of good lyfe Since it was therfore in tymes past by this meane firste confirmed it may nowe by the same also be reteyned and kept so that you would only execute that whiche lieth rather in your power to do This verely that Byshoppes Pastours of shepe should them selues gouerne their churches presently Let also the inferiour ministers do the same Againe that from henceforth suche be made Byshops as are able them selues to teache the people and not to substitute deputies in their steade This is the rote that must be tilled vpon this foūdation must we builde for so may we hope well that heresies wyll by litle and litle vanishe away But in case this waye be neglected it is to be feared least thei wil increase more more what proclamatiōs so euer be finally made or what remedies so euer be vsed This was the .xvi. daye of October when they signified these thinges to the king by Ambassadours letters Then also the Princes that were vmperes for the controuersie of the gouernemēt of Chattes mete againe as was appointed First at Bacherach afterwarde for the sickenes of the Paulsgraue at Wormes The matter in dede was ended and a certen somme of money agreed vpon whiche the Lantgraue shoulde paye to the Erle and abyde styll in possession But where the Erle vnlesse the mony were payd at a certen time would haue this compact to be vaine and his action to remayne to hym whole And the Lantgraue whiche had sent his sonne thither as before reiected this condition they departed the matter not finished In this same moneth the Emperour calleth before him at Brusselles the rulers of all states and speaking of his sicknes sheweth them amongest other thinges that he would goe into Spayne and geueth ouer his gouernement his right and all his power to Philip his sonne and exhorteth them to their dutie These newes were spred abroade ouer al Europe far nere and a nauie was prepared and the day appointed for his iourney at the Ides of Nouember But by litle and litle this brute waxed colde and because wynter was at hande they sayde his nauigation was differred to the next sommer Nowe must we come to the counsell of the Empire of what matters they should treate kyng Ferdinando the fifte daye of February had propounded as is sayde in the ende of the laste booke But where many came very slowly they began not before the nonas of Marche Than at the laste the Ambassadours of the Princes Electours doe consulte of what matter they should first treate And although there were many against it yet doe all consente at the laste to treate fyrste of Religion The same also was thought mete in the Senate of the other Prynces and Cities After muche debatynge they agreed to geue peace to Religion But this thynge came chiefly in controuersie that the Protestauntes woulde haue it lawefull for all men indifferently to followe theyr doctrine But their aduersaries with muche contention did resiste them and sayde that the same was not to be permitted either to the cities that had receiued the decree of Auspurge made seuen yeare before concerning Religion or yet to the whole state of the clergie And yf any Byshoppe or Abbot woulde chaunge hys Religion they woulde haue hym remoued and an other to be substitute in his place Therfore the contention was sharpe and the Protestauntes alledged this cause for their purpose that the promesses of God as well of the olde as of the newe Testament whiche conteine our saluation doe apperteine generally vnto all men And therfore not to be lawfull for them to include the same within any certen limites or brynge them to any restreinte least that they should shutte bothe them selues and others out of the kyngdome of heauen That there is neither Turke nor Iewe of any zeale at all that would not bee glad to bringe all men to his owne Religion Howe muche more than ought we to doe the same whome God hath so earnestly and straightly charged Wherfore they are able to proue that all men in this case oughte to haue libertie graunted them bothe by the holy Scriptures and also by the decrees of the fathers and counselles
commotion at Burdeaur eodem A wonderful conuersion of Uergelius 328 A meting of deuines in Saxony 330 A Diaphora 333 An open disputation at Oxford 335 A communication at Lipsia 336 A rebellion in England eodem A boke in Italian againste the Poope 339 An assembly of Cardinals for to chuse a new Pope 340 A straunge sight neuer hard of 342 A trouble in the Church of Strasburg eodem A iest of the Cardinall of Auspurge 343 A peace concluded betwene Fraunce and England 344 A confession of faith made by the ministers of Auspurge 345 A Regester of the deuines of Louaine 346 A proclamation for printers 347 Andwarpe astomed at the Emperors Proclamation 347 A woman in pearil for a lyght worde 348 An ambassade against them of Maidenburge 350 A cruel decre against the Maidenburgians 351 A wryting of the cleargye againste the city of Maidenburge 354 All godly folke afflicted for the verity 357 A new doctrine of Osiander 359 A cruel Proclamation against the Lutherans 368 A purgation of the french king eodem A decre of Trent of the Lordes supper 369 A decre of penaunce 273 A Cardinall of Dalmatia slaine in hys owne house 378 A brute of warre againste themperor 385 Albertes crueltye to them of Noremberge 402 Assembly at Auspurge 386 A poynt of the law 72 A Monke forsaketh his religion 76 Alteration in Denmarke 45 Archbishop of Mentz answer 22 Aristotle 20 Albert Arch bishop of Mentz 3 Authors of scismes 47 An assembly called at Auspurge 65 A bloudy preacher bloweth a trom 56 A most cruell maner of burning 54 Albert to them of Wolmes 403 Albert of Austrich of whome 466 Ambassadors of Strasburge to themperor 413 Albert ouerthroweth the frēch mē 414 A battel fought betwixt duke Maurice Marques Albert. 421 Augustus brother and heyre to Duke Maurice 423 Albert reconciled to Augustus 426 A disputation in England 428 An end betwixte Iohn Fredericke and Augustus 431 A parliament in England 433 A wryting of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. eodem A place of treaty of peace chosē by the Quene of England 451 A tumult raised at Geneua eodem A vniuersity erected at Dilling 453 A boke of Peter Asot againste the confessiō of the duke of Wittem eodem August Prince elector had a son 454 A wryting of the Papistes to requestes of the protestaunt 456 A wryting of the king Fardinando to the Princes 458 A decre wherby Religion is frely permitted to all men 460 An ecclesyastical parson that changeth his Religion shal be depriued eodem A parlament in England 461 An assemble in Austrich eodem A Comet sene 465 A father killeth his iii. children 466 A slaunder deuised against certain 467 Aucthority of the deuines of Paris 32 Agrement betwixt Luther and Zwinglius 83 A Concord 107 B BIshops of Rome bound as other is to Goddes commaundement 3 Boke burners 27 Bloudye preacher bloweth a trompet 56 Bokes presented to themperor 85 Bōdage no let to christian liberty 63 Bucer laboreth for concord 96 Busy marchauntes 118 Brauling Friers 119 Barbarossa almost taken 121 By what meanes men be disceiued 134 By what means the deuel is van eodē Baptisme condemned 135 Bishops stir vp princes 150 Barbarossa taketh castel Newstat 178 Bucer preacheth at Bonina 201 Barbarossa returneth 213 Bolloigne rendred 214 Bruly burnt at Tourney 216 Bucer declareth how tharticle of iustification wās accorded in 229 Bucer is sent for to Auspurge 310 Bucer is in daunger 313 Bren. wife his children banyshed 316 Bucer and Fragus come into Eng. 331 Baūberge redemeth peace dearly 402 Brunswicke besieged 428 Bradford burned in England 451 Bish of Merspurge answer to Lu. 22 Best thiuges pleaseth fewest men 34 Beginning of fyrst frutes tenthes 42 Bible is to be preferred before al. 43 Bishop of Constaunce maketh a boke in defence of Images 48 Boke of restitution 131 Bi. Munster demaūded his charges 136 Bold answer of the king 137 Barnes aid to Geneua eodem Bolde and profitable Counsell of the Lantzgraue 359 Bhoemers serued against the Duke of Saxon vnwillingly 169 Bohemers refuse war in Saxony 277 Bishop of Strausburge syngeth hys fyrst Masse 331 Bondage of the Germanians 392 Bishop of Winchester dieth 461 Bauarians followeth the Prynce for Religion 465 C CHarge of the Bishoppe of Maidenburge 1. Ciuilians vse of Citing 2 Cardinall Caietane wryteth to the duke of Saxon. 8 Charles is declared Emperour 14 Conditions propounded by Luther 18 Confession of sinnes eodem Counsel of Lateran and Pisa eo Capnio a deuine 19 Catarinus wryteth against Luther 27 Commotions in Spaine 34 Cornelis Scepper a good wryter 42 Cardinall Campeius wryteth to the duke of Saxony 45 Campeius Oration to the Prynces at Norenberge eodem Campeius raileth against Matrimony 49 Christianity taketh not away bondage 61 Carolostadius wryteth against Lu. 65 Carolostadius maketh his purgatiō 65 Counsel at Spires 69 Contention about the Masse 79 Certaine Princes resiste the decree of Spires 81 Ciuil war amongst the Swicers 82 Cardinall Campeius Oration 88 Certaine chosen to accorde Relygyon 90 Conditions of peace 104 Conditions of peace betwene themperor and the Protestauntes 105 Conditions of creating a kinge of Romaines eodem Cristine kinge of Denmarke is taken 108 Christ was called Seditious 112 Conditions of peace 116 Conditions betwixte Fardinando and Duke Ulrich eodem Crafty marchauntes 118 Couetous marchauntes 119 Cruelty vnsemely in Churchmen 122 Condition of peace 128 Ciuill war in the city 129 Cnipperdoling was the chief of that faction 129 Cnipper doling prophecieth 130 Croked necked cattel 134 Comotion in Lincolne shire 141 Captaine Aske executed for Treason eodem Cardinal Pole the Popes ambassador to the French king 142 Cardinals Poles boke against e Kinge Henry the eight eodem Cold reasons for the Popes supremacy 143 Carninall Poole was vnthanckefull eodem Cardinall Pole incenseth the Emperoure against the king of England eodem Cardinals Poles Hipocrisy and falsehode eodem Cristierne king of Denmark receiueth the Gospel 158 Complaintes of Pillage 178 Contention betwixte the electoure of Saxon and Duke Moris 188 Conterme in displeasure with the pope and cardinals 194 Cardinals sent to make peace 197 County William taken Prisoner 213 Cabrier yelded 220 Cardinall Farnesius his comming to Wormes 221 Counte William deliuered 226 Claudius Cenarcleus a yong gētlemā of Sauoy 235 Condityons imposed to the Duke of Wirtemberge 275 Conditions offred to the Lantzgraue 281 Caspar Phlugus captain of the Bohemers army eodem Conditions wherby the duke redemed his life 285 Ciuil war betwixt England and Scotland 310 Countries vnited by mariage 311 Ciuil war in Affrica 330 Contention for thempire betwene the Emperor and Fardinando 353 Complaint of the bishop of Strausboroughe 360 Contrary tales of the king and themperor 364 Causes of callinge the counsel 371 Countries oppressed by the Emperor 394 Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris 397 Cruelty against godly preachers 40 Conditions of peace offred by themperor 48 Conditions of peace 411
Who were outlawed by the Emperour 320 Who impugned the Interim 322 Uergecius vanquished with the truth 328 Uergecius repaireth to Mantua and is put out of the Counsell 329 Uergecius Preacheth the Gospell in Rhetia eodem What thynges offende many 353 Why the Clergie forsake the citee 356 Wonders in Saxonie 360 Wilie begiled 379 Warre in Italie 48 Winchester made Chaunceler 425 Warres renued betwixte the Duke of Brunswick marques Albert. 426 Uercelles surprised 429 Wiat taken and committed to pri 431 Uulpian victualed 452 Uulpian taken raced by the Frenche kyng 453 Whether peace should be giuen to the religion or no. 455 Unconstancie of Clement 53 Uictorie of themperialles eodem Winnyng of Munster 136 Warres of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoy 137 Uenecians league with the Emperour 138 Uenecians Ambassadour to the Turk 169 FINIS ✚ Imprinted at London by Ihon Daie for Nicholas Englande M D. LX. The. 26. daie of September Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luthers letter to the B. of Mentz B. of MaydeÌ„burgs charge Luthers 95 questions at Wittenberge Luthers exception The B. of Mentz clence Ihon Tecell ft. do concl at frankford Luters letters to Pope Leo. Duke Fredericks wisdom Echins booke against Luth. Siluester priers dialogue Silue priers Themes Luth. answer to Sil. priers Scriptur and choldewriters only to be also wed Iudulgences to be vsed after the Canon lawe The CiuiliaÌ„s vse of citing Silut prier seconde aunswer to Luth. Thomas of Aquine Albertus magnus scollar Thomas of Aquine a salt Thomas of Aquin geueth authoritie to the Pope 1274. Thom. of Aq. died Luth. seconde answer to Siluester prier Rome the seat of Antechrist Grece and Bohemes happines Lut. his forsakiÌ„g of Rome The caus whâ— the By. of Rome is extold Princes of necessitie must reforme Ro. The bishop of Rome bounde as other to Gods commaundement Iames Hogestrate wrote against Luther Thassembly at Ausputge by Maximilian The treaty of warre against the Turke Albert archb of Mentz mabe Cardinall The cause of his Cardinalship Maximilians lettre to Pope Leo coÌ„cerning Luther Luther is cited to Rome The Popes letters to the duke of SaxoÌ„ The Popes letters to Gabriel veneius The vniuersitie of Wittenberg writeth for Luther Luther is called to Auspurg His conferens with Cardinal Caietane Luther appeleth The welspring of Pardons The pope vnder the Coun. Gerson of Paris Pope Iohn is deposed Caietan writeth to the duke of Saxonie The dukes letters to the Cardinall The Uniuersitie of Wittenberge writeth for Lut. New pardoÌ„n Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsell The Pope sendeth a golden Rose to the duke of Saxonie The death of Maximilian The swisses banquished Kinges of Naples paye tribute to Rome An oration of the Archebyshop of MeÌ„iz The oration of the Archbi of Treuers Fraunce and Germani wer 〈…〉 ted Themperour Raffe The duke of Saxo. refuseth to be Emperour Charles is declared Emperour Friderick the Paulsgraue sent into Spaine 1500 The byrth of the Emperor The manes of chosing â—he Emperour Erasmus iudgement of Luther The disputatis at Lypsia 1520 Luters letters to the Pope The court of Rome is vnturable Conditions propounded by Luther Flatterats must be eschewed The part of a true frende Luth. boke to the duke of Saronie Confession of synnes The supper vnder bothe kindes The wishe of Pope Pius The counsell of Latherane The counsel of Pisa The Popes Shifie Fraunce is offered to the spoile At Rome they doubt of the immortalitie of the Soule Luth. Bookes condemned at Louaine Capnio Rewcline Ockam Picus mirandula Lawrence Ualla Aristotle WilliaÌ„ OckaÌ„ The story of Reuchliue Hebrew bokes of thre sortes Luthers letters to the emperor Luth. letters to the archbishop of MeÌ„tz His annswere to Luther How scripture must be hadled Luth. letters to the Bish oy Merseburge His aunswers to Luther The pope curseth Luther The Bulle of Leo. The decree of Pius Iuliê° Aeneas Siluius Honors chaÌ„ge maners Luth. impugneth the popes censure Luth. booke of the captiuitie of Babilou Thre Sacrases Which are properly called Sacrament The maner of the CoronatioÌ„ Themperor calleth a couÌ„sel imperial The Pope was subiecte to themperor The lawe of Clement The courte of Rome in Fraunce The duke of Saro incensed againste Luther The answer of duke Friderike Luthers bokes are brâ—â— Luther burneth the Canon laws Booke burners Catarinus writeth against Lut. The Emperour sent for Luther to Wormes The Empe. writeth to Luther The Bul of cursyng The constaÌ„cie of Luth. Lut. coÌ„meth to Wormes Eckius to Luther Lu. pleadeth his cause before themperour and the whole Empire Iohn .xviii. Pope Cost sell may erre Treuers other Princes threateneth Luther Luthers answer to the Princes The offenca of Faith and maners Actes .v. Luth. sent awaye scom Wormes Iohn Wiclâ—ffe an Englishe man Iohn Husse a Bohemer Husse appealeth from the Pope The CouÌ„sel of CoÌ„stauÌ„ce Iohn Husse Hierome of Praga burned Thre Popes deposed The Diuines of Paris condempne Luth. bokes Thauthoritie of the Diuines of Paris The Swysses make a league wyth the Frenche kynge Thirtene townes of Swysses The libertie of the Swysses Luib is ontlawed by the Emperour Luth. is conuetghed out of daunger Sunday bokes of Luth. Of themasse to be abolisshed The best thiges please fewest men Henry kyng of Englande writeth against Luth. Themperor hath warre with FrauÌ„ce The death of Leo the .x. Adrian succedeth Leo. The Turke taketh Belgrade Commotfôs in Spaine The lady Mart assured to theÌ„peror Who is author of single life Lut. rotaurneth to Wittenberge Luther foreseeth the teni pest coÌ„myng Luther writeth to the Bohemers Many sectes in the popish kingdome Three sectes of the Bohemers Lu. writeth againste the Bishoppes Adrian writeth to the duke of Sa. Reucline dieth The Pope writeth letters to at the princes of Germany 1. Corin. 〈◊〉 Luthers Frere The warre of Treuers The Popes letters to Strasburge The stocke of Aorian Dissention betwixt Leo and his Cardinals A disputatioÌ„ at Zuricke The questions of Zuinglius The request of Adrian to dispatch Lu. Luth. compared with Bahomet Iniquitie procedeth froÌ„ the Priestes The synne of Rome spred ouer al the worlde Lut. expoundeth the Popes saiynge The meane to let couÌ„sels The answer of the prices Why Luth. was not punished The maner of a free couÌ„sell An alteratiû in Denmark The king of Denmarke flecth Cornelles Scepper The beginnyng of the first fruictes and tenthes A Romishe Palle Two freres brent at Brusels The Ceremonies of disgratyng Luth. interpreteth the 〈◊〉 of the Princes The Bible to be preferred before all others Lut. wrot to the Senate of Prage Luther wrot of eschewing the doctrine of men The death workes of Hutten The king of Englande writeth to the princes of Saxonie The answer of duke George Adrian the Pope dyeth Clement succedeth Zuinglius is broughtin hatred The eatyng of Fleshe A new disputatioÌ„ at Zu Priestes maried wiues Pope ClemeÌ„t sendeth Campegius to duke Fri. A decree of the Suyses
his wyfe Iohn Alasco Ecclesiastical lawes in Englande The Lady Elizabeth coÌ„mitted to that Tower The siege of Senes The death of Wiat. A ParlameÌ„t in England Thassemble of Auspurge A wrytinge of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. The cruell actes of Marques Albert. Marques Al. goeth to Suinfort His flight The death of Charles D. of Sauoy The letters of king Fardinando to his subiectes of the Lords Supper The states make aswer to that Kinges letters Thabbot of Newstat accused of Herisye Interrogatories ministred to him The frencheÌ„ Kinge muadeth themperours countries Mariburge taken Kinge Phillip arriueth in England The frenche kinges letters Thempeor geueth to his sonne Phyllip the dukedom of Millan Cardinall Poole arriueth in England England returneth to her vomit The Cardinal geueth that Lordes absolution The Emperors letters against Marques Albert. Thimperial counsell of Auspurge 1555. Fiue coÌ„deÌ„nd at London for the Gospell The ministers exiled out of Boheme Ioy at Rome for England reduced to that Romishe Church IndulgeÌ„ces graunted by the Pope for the conuersion of Englande Melancthon comforteth the ministers of Boheme The towne of Cassalle taken by the Frenchmen An assemble of the Princes of Saxonie at Numburge The letters of the Princes of Saxony to themp The Archbyshop of MeÌ„tz dieth The death of Pope Iuly the third Marcellus the second choseÌ„ They of Sene rendre them selues to Themp. Marcellus the second dieth Paule the fourth The secte of Iesuites The trauell of Cardinall Poole to make peace betwene them perour and FreÌ„ch king A place of yâ— treaty of peace chosen by the Quene of England The Empe. letters to the states of the Empire The Duke of Alba sent to Millan Bradforde burnt in Englande Iohn Friderick thelect sonne marieth The Empe. mother dieth A tumult raised at Geneua Porte Hereules taken by Imperials PluÌ„bine besieged of Turkes Controuersie for the dominion of the Chattes Uulpian vitayled Maryburg vnailed The FreÌ„che kinges proclamation against the coÌ„demned of that inquisitours The Lucernates require of that Swisses the doctrine of the Gospell The Nauie of the kinge of DeÌ„marke Sanstorian Camillus Cardinalles led into pryson The Spanishe flete intercepted by the French King Philip came out of England to his father at Brusselles An vniuersitie erected at Dillinge A boke of Peter Asot against the coÌ„fession of the Duke of wirtemberge George Erle of Mount pelicarte marieth that Lantgraues daughter Uulpian taken and rased by the Frenchmen Mountcalue is taken by that Frenchmen The controuersie about the Lordes supper is renewed by that bremers August prince Electour had a sonne borne Ridley Latimer burnt in England Thanswere of the Parliament of Paris to that kinges proclamatioÌ„ of Lutherians Note howe byshops seke authoritie of kinges to coÌ„demne innocentes The meting of Princes about ytâ—aÌ„tgrauet matter The Emre Charles geueth the gouernemeÌ„t to his Sonns Philip. Whether peace should be geuen to Religion or no A wrytinge of the Papistes to requestes of that Protestauntes The office of Archebysh The answer of the Protestauntes to that wryting of the Papistes A wryitng of king Ferdinando to the Princes The bishops whiche chaunge their religion shuld lose their promotions a decrewher by religioÌ„ is frely permit to all men An ecclesiastical person that chaungeth his Religion shal be depriued For churchs goodes al coÌ„trouersies ar taken away The ecclesiasticall lawes shall not be exercised against the protestauntes A parliameÌ„t in England Libelles strowed about in London The byshop of Winchester dieth The wife of Iohn Friderick dieth Frances Uenery displaced Ambassad to the Princes of Germany An assemble in Austriche Iohn Gropper Cardin. King Philip entreth into Andwerpe Thambassadours of Austrtche require of kynge Ferdinando that the true ReligioÌ„ may be permitted them Truce takeÌ„ betwene the Emperour the kynge of Fraunce The answer of king Ferdinando to that Ambassa of the house of Austriche He meaneth the Emper. Sigismonde that burnte Iohn Husse The Ambassadours answer to Ferdinando The answer of king Ferdinando Duke HeÌ„ry of BruÌ„swick marieth a wyfe The byshop of Treuers dieth Fredericke Counte Palatine dieth The Duke of Pruse professeth the coÌ„fession of Auspurge A Camete sene Tharchebyshop of Cantorbu burnt for Religion The Bauarians sollicite their Prince forreligioÌ„ A father killeth his thre children The Pope toke displeasauntly that peace was geuen to religion Kyng Ferd goeth in to Boheme The Duke of Arescot brake out of pryson The Cardinall of Auspurg pourgeth himself by wryting sinisire suspicious spred of the Card. of Auspurg The pourgation of that Cardinall of Auspurg against the suspicious of certen A sclaunder deuised against certi Princes The Pope had no conference with that Emperour against religion or the libertie of Germany The Cardinall of Anspurg addicts to the olde Religion The good will of the Cardinall of Anspurg towardes the duke of Wirtemberg The loue of that Cardinall of Auspurge towardes that Germaines CommotioÌ„s in England for suspicion of a conspiracie Sir Peter Carrowe Syr Iohn Cheke takeÌ„ prisoners Xiii burnt at Stretford at the bewe The Marq. of Baben receiueth the Gospell Peter Martyr goeth to Zurick Cardinalles sent from that Pope to the Emper. and the Frenche kyng Counsell begon at Regenspurg Buda in Latin The Empe. goeth in to Spain with both his sisters Iohn Sleydane dieth
people and pardon his offence so that he obserue conuenauntes and from henceforth omitte not to do his dutie After them came the Ambassadours of Memming Bibrach Rauensburg Kempten Isnen and making their humble supplication desyre pardon of their fault and that they haue offended him they saye it is to be imputed partly to their owne errour partly to the occasion of others And that they flie now vnto him for refuge as vnto the welspring of mercy and beseche him that he woulde forgeue them and restore them to their olde estate and to deminishe nothing of their priuileges and fredome The Emperour than byndeth them by an othe that they be faithful vnto him from henceforth that they obeye the same lawes that other states doe that they forsake the league of the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and ayde them with no kynde of thinge nor make no league against him from henceforth This done he taketh them to mercy and condēpneth the citie of Meming in fifty thousand crownes Before they came into the Emperours presence they desired to be assured not to haue their Religion chasiged But Nauius whom the Emperour vsed chiefly for interpretour in suche matters warned them in any wise to make no mention therof For incase they did the Emperour would surely ascribe it to a certen distruste they had in hym For at the beginning of the warre he declared his mynde here in sufficiently Therfore let them holde them content and requyre no further assuraunce And this was thought to be done for this intent lest if they should haue had a nay it might appere that an other thing were intended than the Emperour had published in his letters before But and if it shold be graūted them by expresse wordes the same shold offende the Byshop of Rome whose purpose was that by this warre the doctrine of the Protestauntes might vtterly be extinguished In these daies arose a rebellion at Gene against the house of Aurie the Prince wherof at the same tyme was Androwe the most expert man on the Sea that than liued and through the Emperours auauncemēt the chiefest of that cōmon welth The chief captaine and ringleader of this vprore was Counte Fliscane and in the same amonges others was murthered the Cosin of Androwe Iohannine Aurie a mā of a great courage And if the Erle of Flisca had not chaunced to slippe into the Sea and drowned it is thought that there would haue bene a blacke daye and muche euyll done But whan he was gone the fellowes of that conspiracie shranke away immediatly streightwayes after that Tempest followed a great Caulme The Emperour affirmeth the Farnesians to be the authours of this enterprise especially the Byshops sonne Peter Aloisse Duke of Placence as shal be declared in his place The sitting of the fathers at Trent whiche shuld haue ben at the ende of Iuly was adiourned vntill this tyme and the xiii day of Ianuary what tyme the fathers were assembled in the Cathedrall churche as their maner is they make a decree of the iustification of man and there are they condēned which affirme that since the fall of Adam man hath not had fre wyl that man is iustified by fayth only in that Christe imputeth rightuousnes and say that iustification is nothing els but a confidence in Gods mercie who forgiueth sinnes for Christes sake or saye it is necessary that a man beleue assuredly and doubte not but his synnes are forgeuen and that he is of the nombre of Gods elect and suche agayne as saye that a man is not able to kepe the commaundementes of God no though he be iustified whiche saye that iustification receiued is not kept and increased thorowe good workes whiche after baptisme affirme that iustifications lost is recouered by fayth only with out the sacrament of penaunce and saye that a penitent synner hath his offence wholy forgeuē and that there remayneth no punishement for the same neyther in this worlde nor in the lyfe to come through purgatory finally whiche affirme that these decrees are a derogation to Gods glory to the merites of Christe Whan the Duke of Saxō was coming with his Armie Duke Maurice fortifieth Lipsia with a garnison burneth the suburbes The same tyme came the ther aboue a thousand horsemen of the Hongarians The .xiii. daye of Ianuary began the siege but the townes men defending them selues moste valiauntly about the ende of the same moneth the enemy departeth without his purpose Howbeit the towne with the nomber of shot that went of as thicke as hayle was wonderfully rent and torne vtterly defaced The Duke of Saxon departing from thēce did not only recouer shortly after al that he had lost in the countreys of Thuring and Meyssen but also wan all Duke Maurice townes sauing only Lipsia Dresda He bringeth also into his possession the Byshoprike of Magdeburg and Halberstat making a composition with the Byshop Iohn Albert. The daye before he assayled Lipsia kyng Ferdinando commaunded the Bohemers that they shoulde take armure and goe ayde Duke Maurice They obeyed him in dede but after they retourned home without cōmaundement Wherfore the king at the ende of Ianuary cōmaundeth them again likewyse There did the commons of Prage whiche citie is of moste authoritie in those parties desire the Senate to sue to the king that he wold stay that cōmaundement which is both against their libertie suche as they can not honestly obey For there is no cause why they shuld haue warre with the Prince Electour of Saxon. And in moste thinges their religion is all one with his Moreouer he hath always shewed him selfe lyke a noble Prince and aided them against the Turkes Wherunto Ferdinando made aunswer amonges other thinges howe the warre was attempted against him not for religion but for rebellion And where they say howe he hath geuen great aide against the Turke the matter is far otherwyse For he sent messengers to the Turke a few monethes past which might procure him to moue war to Hongary and Boheme and that he shuld take no longer truce that he should infringe the same which he had graūted And to the intēt the thing might haue the better successe he would not fayle to inuade on the contrary syde Whan themperour vnderstode how the matter went in Saxony and was aduertised by sondry letters of Duke Maurice he sendeth certen bandes of horsmen and fotemen to ayde him at the leading of Marques Albert than cōmaundeth the forces of Spaniardes Italiās to follow wherof Sandey Marignane wer captains Marques Albert departeth frō Hailbrune with his cōpany the .ix. day of Ianuary Themperour also remoueth frō thēce to Ulmes by the way they of Liudaue Esling were recōciled to him Of the byshop of Rome it is told before how he gaue sentēce depriued tharchbishop of Collō of his ecclesiastical fūction Whā he thus did he gaue away al his right