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
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
they did infringe theyr liberties and priueleges diuerse waies howe they had appointed maryed priestes and Monkes as Capito Bucer others to haue the gouernement of their Churches that they receiued the Lordes supper vnder both kindes that they had rasshely cast the Images out of theyr churches For the which cause two of the chiefest counselors of thempire Friderick coūtie Palatine and Philip marques of Baden in their letters written frō Esling in the moneth of Ianuary admonishing the senate to leaue of theyr chaūge restore eche thing to his place Diuers of the Swices namely the Schafusians they of Basill where Oecolampadius then taught begā by litel litel to giue ouer theyr displeasure towards them of Zuricke but in maner al the rest could by no meanes be pacified And whā the Captaine of Turege wherunto Zurick belongeth had taken a priest in the night was cariyng him awaye he makinge an outcry calling for helpe of his neighbours reised vp a sodē tumult and euery man gote him to his weapons Whan they of Zuricke had suffered this and many other iniuries the fourth day of Ianuary they wrote theyr letters to al theyr confederates and felowes complaining on this wise Christ say they cōmaundeth that to him that stryketh thee on the one cheeke thou shalte offer the other And we folowinge this his doctrine haue suffered many thinges and that patiētly But now sith ther is no ende nor measure of iniuries we are inforced to flie to that same which Christ him self vsed And if we haue done any euill we desyre that the same may be taught shewed vs. Undoubtedly for as much as we susteine suche hatred and malice and are euery where euill reported of all men the thynge it selfe requireth and constreineth vs to to make answere Wherfore we wil declare the cause of al this malice confute the sclaunders and shewe howe we be affected towards our common countrey And fyrste in dede wheras Fraunces the Frenche kyng had made great and long suite to enter into league with vs and had your consent therto we notwithstandynge that you were ofte in hande with vs did vtterly refuse the same And that for diuerses causes but chiefly for that the maner liked vs not to witte that we shold sende our strength and souldiours vnto straungers which for money should be hired to warre on them that neuer did them harme to bring vp suche an euill example and maineteine them in Idlenes whiche if they should die in the warres theyr wiues and childrē should come to extreme miserie For we iudged it an vusittynge thynge to oure owne great losse and hynderaunce to serue the kynges torne and to brynge our countrey men into suche a bondage to him And therefore haue we iudged it best to retaine and kepe the same libertie both of bodie and goods which our elders with great valeaūtnes and blouddy handes haue gotten vs wyth like vertue and constauncie And this is al the matter this is the very cause and as it wer the welspringe and begynnyng of all the displeasure for if we woulde haue ratified the league we thinke there should haue rysen no displeasure at all For when you were often tymes in hande with vs that we should not forsake your league we shewed you our mynde that was to kepe amitie with the kynge accordynge to the composition of peacetions of our olde league that was made for the wealth and preseruaalready established And moreouer that we would obserue the condition of our common Countrey And because we perseuer herein we haue gotten displeasure abroade For syns the lyghte of the ghospell sprange vp we haue shaken of our shoulders that moste weigtie burthen whiche the Bishoppe of Rome and his adherentes had laide vpon vs abolished manifest errours This occasion haue some of you taken of late and by your Ambassadors sent haue intreated vs that we should conuerte and amende And we aunswere thereunto as before that we worke after the prescripte of Goddes worde if any man can shewe vs that we be in errour we will alter our purpose if not surely it is more reason to obey God than men Than stode vp Egly the Captein of Lucerne threatenyng vs that vulesse we forsake the doctrine of Luther and Zuinglius the Lucernates Uranites Switensians Unterualdians Tugiaus and they of Friburge will sit no more in counsel with vs from henceforth And not longe after that they had confyrmed this thing amonges them selues by a law the Captaine of Turege had taken in the night season Iohn Oxeline a preacher of the ghospell in hys owne house and caried him away prisoner Which vnto vsis a double iniurie in that our owne man is taken out of our owne liberties And whereas many ran oute the same night of al parts at the outcry and did many thinges wickedly all the blame was layde vpon vs and our men that happened to be amonges them Nowe the seconde matter that you charge vs with all procedeth of that assemblie whiche Ferdinando Archeduke of Austriche helde the last yere at Regenspurge with the rulers of his countrie also with the Bishoppes and suche others as hate the doctrine of the Ghospell But what they endeuor and go about it is not vnknowen verely to make dissention amonges vs and to plucke vs a sonder Which thinge greueth vs the more that you will credite suche as in time past you haue knowen at the leaste some of them to be lewde and wycked parsous whome we also vnderstandyng theyr craft and treason haue banished out of our limittes Euen they nowe for so muche as we woulde gyue no eare to them are fled vnto you and accuse vs nowe as though we had brokē the league that was made with the house of Austrich They say how we sent aide to them of Walsute against theyr Prince Ferdinando but that is vntrew For wher 's the Walsutensiās were in daūger for theyr Religion and could not be suffered to speake for them selues a fewe of our men against our knowledge ran thither to saue the harmeles men from iniurie and violence Whom so sone as we knew therof we called backe againe Therefore is the grounde of theyr accusation vntrewe And Ferdinando haue any thing more to shewe that the league should be brokē let him bring it forth and he shall be aunswered in suche sort as al men may plainly see whether parte hath kept couenauntes Where therefore you haue had secret talke with Ferdinando his Ambassadours a part from oures we can not a litell maruel for if you treated of tholde league than ought our mē to haue bene made priuie to the same but if it were of Religion whye than deale you not with vs after the same conditions which we haue many times offered you The report góth that you haue conspired to destroy the secte of Luther whiche althoughe it were trew yet for so much as we are ioyned in league aswel with him as
suspected company these that are called Cannons departed thence in great displeasure Ambrose Blaurer was preacher ther who was a gentleman borne but had professed him selfe a Monke in the Abbey of Alperspacke in the Dukedome of Wyrtinberge whyche by the readyng of Luthers workes chaunged his mynde and his cote together returnyng home agayne to his frendes His Abbot woulde haue had hym agayne and wroote earnestlye to the Senate of Constance for him Wherfore Blanrer expresseth the whole matter in writyng and propoundeth certen conditions where vpon he was contēt to retourne but they were suche as the Abbot refusyng he remayneth styll at Constance Where after the disputation at Bernes Images Aultares Masse and Ceremonies were vtterly abolyshed Lykewyse they of Geneua in remouinge their Images and ceremonies dyd imitate them of Bernes wherfore the byshop and clergie forsoke the citie in anger The Religion being thus altered they of Bernes renoūced the league made with the Frenche kynge prohibitynge the hyred warfare as they of Zuricke had done and were contented with that yearely pension that the kyng payeth them to kepe peace And wrote the daye and yeare wherein they forsoke the Popyshe religion vpon apyllour in golden letters that it myght be an euerlastyng memory all to their posteritie I shewed you how the Cardynal of Yorke was sent into Fraunce When they were agred vpon the matter both kinges sent their ambassadours to the Emperour And the Frenche king requireth to take his raunsome delyuer his sonnes that were pledges The kyng of Englande agayne his debte to be payde him which is threfolde first thre hondreth thousande Crownes that he lent hym secondarely fyue hundreth thousande for not obseruing the contracte of Matrimonie thirdly foure yeares pension whiche the Emperoure promysed hym as before in the third boke is declared When the Emperour hereunto had aunswered not after their myndes the kynge of Englande also sent hym defiaunce by an Herault of Armes who at the same tyme was consultynge howe he myght be deuorced from Catherine the Emperours haunt and Marry an other whiche he did afterwardes as shal be recyted in his place the Emperoure in his letters to other kynges accused the Frenche kyng moste greuously that he kept not his fayth and promyse and had ofte tymes sayd so muche to the Frenche Ambassadours Where vpon the kynge in his letters wrytten at Paris the .xxviij. of Marche which he sent by an Herault By the talke sayth he whiche thou hast had with some of myne I perceiue that thou braggest certen thinges that founde to my dishonour as though I had escaped thy handes against my fidelitie And nowe al be it that he whiche after the compacte made hath put in pledges is hym selfe quytte from bonde so that I am hereby sufficiently excused yet neuerthelesse in the defence of my honour I thought to wryte this briefly vnto the. Therfore if thou blame this facte of mine and my departure or sayest that euer I did any thyng contrary to the dutie of a noble Prynce I tell the playnly thou liest For I am determined to maynteyne myne honour and estimatiō whylest I haue a day to lyue We nede not many wordes therfore and if thou wylt ought with me thou shalt not nede hereafter to wryte but appointe the place where we may fyght hande to hande For if thou darest not mete me and in the meane tyme ceasest not to speake euyll of me I protest that all the shame therof belongeth vnto the for by our combat all the stryfe shall be parted I tolde you before of the contention betwene kynge Ferdinando and the Uayuode of Transiluania Whan the same burst out in to a cruell warre and Ferdinando was of the greater power the Uayuode in the moneth of Apryll wryting his letters to the states of The empyre After the lamentable death of kyng Lewis sayeth he I was by the common assent of the nobles chosen and crowned kinge of Hongary except three whome pouertie hatred and hope of better fortune had seduced that forgettyng the wealth of their countrey they subscribed to Ferdinando kyng of Boheme And what tyme I was wholy addicted to succour my countrey to recouer that was lost and by the same meanes to procure your quiet beholde he inuadeth my Realme with violence taketh certen Townes and by those whiche were of his faction was created kyng at Posonye I marueled not a lytle and it greued me also exceadingly that this nation should be molested by hym whiche ought moste of all to succour and releue the misery of the same It had not bene harde for me at that tyme to haue gyuen hym the repulse but I would not hasarde rashely the remnant of the power lefte of so manye shypwrakes and losses of that Realme hath had of late I complayned vnto Clement the seuenth to Fraūces the Frenche kyng to Henry kyng of England and to Sigismūde kyng of Pole And in dede the kynge of Pole sendynge his Ambassadour without my knowledge entreated him that he wold not in this daungerous tyme make away through ciuile discorde to let in the foreyne enemy whiche after neyther he nor yet any other should be able to kepe out but that he would kepe peace with me ioyne his power to myne to resiste the common ennemye And where as Ferdinando answered that he would attempt nothing against ryght and equitie it was agreed vpon that a certen daye fytte men should be sent to debate the matters of controuersie I was content and sendyng also my Ambassadours vnto you and submytting my selfe vnto your arbytriment I made request that you woulde gyue none ayde to myne aduersarie but what tyme they came into Ferdinando his countrey beyng taken and deteyned as prysoners against the lawe of all natiōs they could not declare their commission And from you they shoulde haue gone to the Emperour And al be it that this same was an extreme wronge iniury neuerthelesse at the daye appoynted by the kyng of Pole I sent certen others that were very desyrous of peace both of themselues and also by my commaundemēt Notwithstanding Fardinando his men propounded thinges so farre out of reason that ther could be nothyng concluded Whylest these thinges were a workyng certen of the nobilitie entysed by the crafte and polycie of Ferdinādo breake their fidelite which before they had gyuen me And for somuche as the waye is layde that I can neyther come nor sende vnto you I thought good to declare vnto you by my letters howe vniuste warre he attempteth peraduenture intending to recouer the same that his auncetours Frederick and Maximilian Emperours haue lost here to fore for the one of them when he was triumphyng and thought hym selfe sure of the kyngdome of Hongary myne vncle Emeryck expulsed out of the whole countrey And my father Stephen Sepuse when Matthie was kyng did disconfite them both in suche sorte as he adioyned Uienna to Hongary And I
the Swycers Zuricke and Bernes agreed in one Religion the Lucernaites Urites Swites Unternaldians and Engians whiche abhorred moste this doctrine make a league with kyng Ferdinando Clement byshop of Rome the .xiij. day of Aprill sendeth Iohn Thomase of Mirandula to exhorte the prynces to warre against the Turke And al be it that he hath susteyned great losses of late yeares yet promyseth he to assiste them with ayde and to doe his endeuoure that the Emperour and the Frenche king being accorded the counsell may begynne immediatly to the intent that Germanye may embrace again the same religion that other countreis do In this assemblye the Senate of the Empire woulde not permitte Daniel Miege Ambassadour for the citie of Strasborough to sitte in counsel for by cause the Masse was abrogated before this counsell imperiall not withstanding that they were intreated to the contrary wherfore Iames Sturmius Ambassadour for the same citie sayed vnto them that in case they were thus displaced contrary to the lawe custome of the Empire let them not loke from henceforth that they wyll beare any part of charges But all might not preuayl and Ferdinando hym self aunswering the intercessours bad that any other citie that obserued the Emperours decrees should be substituted in the place of the other After a longe dispute of Religion the fourmer actes of Spires were repeted and a new decree made on this wyse They which haue hitherto obserued the Emperours decree let thē obserue the same styl vntyll the generall counsell and bynde the people to do lykewyse but suche as haue altered their Religion and can not nowe departe from the same for feare of sedition let them staye from henceforth and alter nothynge besydes vntyll the tyme of the counsell Furthermore that their doctrine whiche teache otherwyse of the Lordes Supper than the churche doth be not receyued nor the Masse abolyshed nor that in suche places where this newe kynde of doctryne is anye man be letted to go to Masse that wyll The Anabaptistes also such as defende their opinion obstinately shall suffer death the ministers of the churche are commaunded to teache according to the interpretaciō receiued by the church referring al disputable questions to be in the coūsell decided Moreouer that all states kepe the common peace none to hurte other for the cause of Religion neither one to take the defence of an others subiecte they that shall do otherwyse to be accompted in the numbre of outlawes This decree resisted the Prince electour of Saxony George Marques of Brandenborge Ernest and Frances Dukes of Lunenborough the Lātgraue counte Anhald who the .xix. of April recite openly in wryting the causes why they doe not consent thereunto And firste they doe repete the decree of the former assemblie whereby euery man hathe his Religion permitted him frely vntyll the counsell from this maye they not departe nor infrynge those thynges whiche after great delyberation were for a common quiet establyshed and with their sygnetes and othes also confirmed They woulde in deede be glad after the example of their progenitours to do all thynge that myght content the Emperour and as for their goodes and lyues also they wyll spende them wyllinglye in his hyghnes seruice but this present cause coucerneth the euerlastyng saluation of all men Wherfore they desire them not to be offended with them for that thei herein dissente from them for like as the former decree was made by the common assent of all so can not the same be broken with out all their consentes They wyll not be against that they shall in their own countrey establysh what religion shal seme good vnto them beseching God to illuminate the hartes of all men with the light knowledge of his truthe And where as there hath bene dissention and controuersie about religion certen yeares it was declared in the counsel at Norinberge who haue bene the authours and causers therof as well by the confession of the byshop of Rome hym self as also by the requestes of Prynces and states of the Empyre which were delyuered to the byshoppes legate to the numbre of foure score wherof notwithstanding as yet no redresse is made And that of al consultations this hath euer bene the ende that for the debating of controuersies and refourmyng of vices there is nothyng better than a generall counsell And where as the same left a parte they haue nowe decreed that suche as haue chaunged their Religion and can not nowe without muche trouble forsake the same shal alter nothyng from henceforth that can they neither cōmende nor allowe vnlesse they should discredite the doctrine whiche they haue professed hitherto as both true and Godly graunt moreouer that they ought to leaue the same if thei might with any tumulte or vprores And what thynges els were that thā to denye gods worde whiche is taught them purely and syncerely whiche were the moste heynous offence that coulde be committed For they must confesse it not in wordes only but in very deede also Moreouer what an hynderaunce this abnegation would be and howe muche preiudiciall to the fauourers of the Gospell it is easy to coniecture As cōcernyng the Masse it is ryght well knowen with howe strong and inuincible testimonies of holy Scripture the preachers within their dominiōs haue confuted the Popishe Masse and in steade therof instituted the Lordes supper according to the institution of Christe and the maner by the Apostles obserued wherfore they can neither admitte this part of the decree neyther permitte their subiectes to heare Masse whiche is abolyshed For though the byshop of Romes Masse were neuer so good and godly yet if they should haue in their churches two cōtrary Masses al mē may wel perceiue what grudge dissentiō would there vpon ensewe Moreouer where they do prescribe what they shal commaunde their owne subiectes and what lawes they shall make with in their owne dominions they can not a lytle maruell consyderynge that they them selues would not suffer any man to doe the lyke with them Furthermore what thyng is taught in their churches touchyng the presence of the body and bloud of Christe is so euydent to all men that it nedeth no further declaratiō Notwithstandyng as they haue sayde oftentymes so thynke they it good now also not as yet to make any decree against thē that teache otherwise for that the Emperours commissiōs teach the Latin beneth maketh no mentiō therof And agayne for as muche as the maynteners of that doctrine are nother called nor hearde whiche in so weyghty matters is muche to be considered that nothyng be determyned at any tyme and they not hearde speake whome the matter doth chiefly concerne And where as they saye that the Gospell must be taught after the interpretations approued by the churche that is very well but all the stryfe is which is the trewe church But seyng there is no doctrine more certen than Gods worde and besydes that
nothyng ought to be taught and such places of Scripture as appeare to be some what obscure can not be better expouÌ„ded than by other more manifest places of the same Scripture therfore wyll they dwell herein endeuourynge that the bookes of the olde and newe Testament may be taught syncerely and playnly For this is the onely meane and waye that is euermore certayne sure And as for mens tradicions they are grounded on a weake foundation The decree of the last assemblie was enacted for peace and concorde but in case this decree should take effecte it would opeÌ„ the waye to muche trouble and displeasure for euen nowe all be it the decree of Wormes was suspended doe some Princes seke to make some of their subiectes to forfyte their goodes for not obseruyng that decree where of men may easely coÌ„iecture what wyll insewe if the same decree shal nowe take place agayne and that some of them wyl vse force and coÌ„pelle men to suche thinges as can not be done with a saufe conscience But that is not well spokeÌ„ that the fourmer decree was penned with suche wordes as many did abuse the same thyng tyl the counsell were called they myght doe what they lyste this is bruted of them chieflye whiche are lytle afrayde of the last iudgement whan all thynges shal come to lyght for their partes they wyll not refuse to aunswer before indiferent iudges to suche as wyll saye that they haue in anye poynte broken the same decree Whiche thynges standyng thus they can not consent to this their decree And howe they wyll aunswere the matter both openly before all men and also to the Emperour hym selfe And in the meane tyme tyll eyther a generall or els a prouinciall counsell of Germany shal be called they wyll do nothyng that shall deserue iuste reproufe Unto this protestation of Prynces certen of the chief cities laying their heades together did subscribe as Strausborough NoreÌ„berge Ulmes Constance Rutelinge Winsseme Meminge Lindane Campedune Hailbrune Isne Wysseburge Norling and Sangall And this is in dede the first original of the name of ProtestauÌ„tes which not only in Germany but also emonges foreyn nations is nowe coÌ„mon and famous Ferdinando was departed out of the assemblie of Princes before thei had protested notwithstanding that the Duke of Saxon and his felowes required him to tary a litle After this the protestantes deuise a certen appellation wherein they doe appeale from the decree made at Spires vnto the Emperour to the next lawful general or prouinciall counsell of Germany and to all iudges that be not suspected and determined also to sende Ambassadours to the Empeperour Not long after this the men of Zurick and Bernes sent forth their armies against their ennemies of the fiue townes that made league with Ferdinando declaryng why they so did by wryting And emonges sondry causes and iniuries whiche they recite this is one that what tyme certen of their Citezens came for money that was dewe vnto them the Snites whypped them naked and the UnterualdiaÌ„s had in despyte hanged vp their Armes and also the Armes of the Cities of Basil and Strausborough vpon the gallous and howe they haue all ioynctely made a league wyth kynge FerdinaÌ„do to oppresse Religion and to roote them out of the couÌ„trey wherby they haue not onlye infringed the lawe of nature but also broken the bondes that were betwene them in conspiring with their moste vtter and mortall ennemie whome to subdue they haue long and many yeares euen froÌ„ the first beginning of their league with one assent ioyned together al their force and power When both armies were ready to ioyne in battel by the mediation of their neyghbours and by them of Strausborough the matter was taken vp FerdinaÌ„do had sent theÌ„ ayde which came as farre as the Rhine emoÌ„ges other thinges it was agreed vpoÌ„ that they should haue no warre for religion and that from henceforth they should absteyne from all opprobriouse wordes vnder a great penaltie The Frenche kynge consyderynge the state of his chyldren whiche he had lefte pledges in Spayne and what euyll successe he had of his warres in Italye hauynge loste bothe his Armie and also his chieftayne Latrechus And more ouer Androwe de Aure of Genes a Captaine of the Sea moste skylfull who about the same tyme that Lantrech the Coronell dyed reuolted from the Frenche kyng to the Emperour restoryng his countrey vnto lybertie he inclined hys mynde to peace Wherfore at Cambrey a Cytie in Artoys mette the Ladye Margaret the Emperoures Aunte and Ales the kynges mother and many other Nobles and emonges others Erarde Marchiane Cardinall and Byshop of Liege whyche concluded a peace in the moneth of Auguste wherein they recite the decree which was made thre yeare before in Spayne agaynste the Lutherians whiche they newely ratified the other conditions were partely altered For the Emperour permitteth the Frenche kyng to inioye Bourgundy in case he haue a sonne by his sister And the kyng paieth vnto the Emperour for the delyuery of his sonnes tweÌ„ty hoÌ„dreth thousand crownes accompting herein the debte dewe to the kyng of Englande Not loÌ„g after the Emperoure imbarked hym selfe in Spayne and arryued at Genes At what time also Soliman the Emperour of Turkes by the prouocation of Iohn Uaynode made by his Ambassadour Hierome Laske a Hongarian a man of an excellent wytte marcheth with an armie innumerable through HoÌ„gary into Austrice and in the moneth of Septembre layeth sege to Uienna the chief citie of that countrey He assayed to vndermyne it and where as he had ouerthrowen the walles he gyueth the assaulte desperatly but seynge the Souldioues of the garnyson whiche were Germaines whose chief captaine was Philip the Palsgrane defendyng the breache moste valiauntly by the space of one moneth about the eight day of Octobre he raised his siege and departed without his purpose many thousandes of meÌ„ in his retourne partely slayne and partly lead away into myserable and vyle captiuitie At his departure he created the Uayuode kynge at Buda This yeare also was Germany sore afflicted with a newe kynde of disease called the Sweathing sicknes Men were sodainly takeÌ„ with a pestilent sweate and within foure and twenty howres eyther they died or amended And before the remedye was knowen many thousandes peryshed It began at the Ocean sea and in a very small tyme spred ouer all Germany and with vnspeakeable spede lyke a fyre conâ—â—med all thynges farre and nere it is called in Germany the English sickenes For in the first yeare of Henry the seuenth kyng of England whiche was the yeare of our Lorde M cccc lxxxvj the same death began in that Ilande and because in a new disease the remedy was not knowen it made a wounderful destruction Moreouer this yere was small plenty of wyne and corne wherfore all those thynges whiche God in his displeasure is wonte to caste vpon vnthankefull people sedition warre sycknes
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
Byshop had lately appointed at Mantua And for as muche as the Emperour had oftentymes promysed them a free counsell in Germany and especially in the peace concluded at Norinberge and what this shall be they can not perceiue by the wryting they desyre hym that he woulde see the matter myght be indifferently heard and vsed In this same moneth the byshop of Rome publysheth an other wryting and sayeth howe in the meane tyme tyll the counsel begynne he wyl refourme the holy citie of Rome the head of all christendome and maistres of doctrine maner and disciplyne and washe it cleane from all spottes and vyce to the intent that his owne house being first well pourged he may after more easely take ordre for the rest and because the nature of man is full of imbecillitie neyther can he do so great a thing alone and also dispatche other affaires of the common wealth therfore hath he chosen certen Cardinalles whome the liuing God hath ioyned to hym as the coadiutours and companions of his cure and of office to be the workers of this necessary and holsome busynes the Cardinall of Ostia Sauseuerine Ginute Simonet and with them thre byshops whome he commaundeth all men to obeye vnder a great penaltie In the moneth of Octobre the Emperour imbarketh him selfe at Genes to sayle into Spayne The Frenche kynge came afterwardes to Paris and on new yeares day gyueth in mariage madame Magdalene his eldest daughter to Iames the fift kynge of Scottes who came into Fraunce in Autumne before And in maner about the same tyme Laurence Medices through treason in the nyght murthered Alexander Medices Duke of Florence of his owne kyndred and familie whan he had allured hym home to his house putting hym in hope to enioye a noble matrone that was his neyghbour who in beautie honest fame farre excelled others Who being slayne the gouernment came vnto Cosmus Medices which after by the Emperours consent married Elenor daughter to Peter Toletane Uiceroy of Naples At the Ides of Ianuary the kyng of Fraunce came in to the court of Parliament at Paris whiche thinge is seldome accustomed And there in a great audiēce he maketh a sore complaint of the Emperour and declared causes why the countries of Flaunders and Artois whiche the Emperour holdeth of the kynges of Fraunce as his elders haue done also ought to be called againe to the patrimony of Fraūce The speaker hereof was Capell the kynges aduocate and he named hym not Emperour but Charles of Austriche In the meane tyme the cities of Zuricke Bernes Basyll and Strausborough make sute to the Frenche king for such as were imprisoned for Religion intreating hym that the exiles myght be restored the kyng graunted partly vnto their requestes but yet accomplished not their desyre Wherfore whan they had receyued their aunswere the foure and twenty of February by Annas Momorantie the Conestable and suspected that the kynge through his impulsion dealt the lesse frendly with them the Ambassadours vsed afterwardes the helpe of the Quene of Nauarre the kinges owne syster a very good ladye and whiche bare a great zeale to the true doctrine In this meane whyle the kyng hauing mustred his men in the beginning of Marche leadyng his army towardes Arras besegeth the towne and strong castell of Hesdine whiche he had rendred to hym within a moneth At the selfe same tyme came to the kynge an Ambassadour from the byshop of Rome Reignalde Poole an Englysh mā borne of the bloud roial lately made Cardinal The cause of his ambassade was thought to be to worke some mischief against the kinge of Englande About the same tyme that the kyng of Scottes maried the Frenche kynges daughter the byshop had sent him for a present a fayre sworde riche well wrought and did exasperate him against the kyng of Englande For the byshoppes are accustomed on Christmas daye at nyght amōges other thinges with certen ceremonies to consecrate as thei terme it a sworde whiche after for an honour and token of beneuolence they geue or sende vnto some man to whome it lyketh them Sixtus the fourth was first authour of this custome as is mentioned in the booke of their ceremonies Afterwardes Cardinall Poole wrote a booke whiche he had intitled a defence for the vnitie of the churche And he addresseth his style and speache vnto king Henry and reprehēdeth him sore that he toke vpon him to be head of his churche for that title to be longe only to the Byshop of Rome whiche is the Uicar of Christe and the successour of Peter whome Christe appointed Prince of the Apostles For he it was only that aunswered how Christe was the sonne of God vpon hym as vpon a Rocke Christe buylded his churche And howe Christe prayeth for his fayth that he being conuerted myght also conuerte his brethren And that Iohn after Christes death did euer obeye Peter And what tyme they made haste bothe to Christes Sepulchre he wold not go in before but gaue him this honour The cure and charge to fede the shepe was committed chiefly to hym of Christ And the nette also ful of fysshe whiche many were not able to hale vp was drawen vpon the shore by Peter alone Than hath he a long discourse of the deathes of the byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore detestinge his crueltie Moreouer howe the kyng had afflicted all the states of his realme And into how muche mysery he had brought a moste floryshynge kyngdome what daunger he stode in of the Emperour for the diuorsement of his Aunt and subuersion of Religion and sheweth hym how he neyther can nor ought to loke for any ayde eyther of his owne subiectes or any other men whiche hath deserued so euyll of the common wealth And tourning his tale to the Emperour with many wordes stireth him vp prouoketh him and prycketh hym forewarde to auenge that notable reproche done vnto his familie and sayeth howe the Turkyshed seede is sowen abroade in Englande and in Germany signifiyng the doctrine that is contrary to the byshop of Rome Finally after many opprobrious wordes and sharpe rebukes he prouoketh hym to regentaunce telleth hym howe there is none other remedy but to retourne agayne to the bosome of the churche whiche ones he defended by setting forth of bookes greatly to his honour This booke printed at Rome bearyng no date was of long tyme kept close and at the last after manye yeares it came to one or two in Germany And he sayeth the cause of his wrytinge therof was for that the kynge had desyred hym to wryte his opinion And albeit that certen learned men in Englande whiche had done the lyke had lost their lyues yet could not he whiche was so muche bounde vnto hym dissemble what his opinion was neyther ought it to be imputed to hym as raylynge or cursed speakynge for he doeth both of his naturall disposition and also by a certen ordre
vnto them the cause of that assemblye And because the Prynces came not them selues whiche the Emperour thought verely they woulde haue done he wylleth them to she we their commission and aucthoritie After he nameth intercessours Lewys the Paulsgraue Iohn Archebyshop of Treuers Lewys Duke of Bauier and William Byshop of Strasborough When they were contente with them they beganne the treaty Thether came also the diuines of the Protestantes a great number Iustus Menius Pistorius Urbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blanrer Osiander Shirepsius and many others Melanchthō fell sore sycke by the waye These preached at home euery man to their company but chiefly what tyme al the Ambassadours mette together to consulte vpon any matter But Ferdinando whan he vnderstoode it forbade them the Ambassadours agayne shewed hym howe they preached not openly but only priuatly neyther was there anye cause why he should be offended The Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about to come in case the talke had gone forwarde and taried vpon the frōtiers to the entent that hearing newes therof they might haue bene there by and by The intercessours requyre the Protestātes to deliuer them in a brief somme the Articles that are in controuersy they say how they did exhibite the somme and confession of their doctrine ten yeares synce at Auspurge an Apologie to the same whiche they sticke vnto and to none other beyng ready to make aunswere if any man fynde lacke therin And for because they knowe not what thynge chiefly their aduersaries do reprehende therin they haue nothyng to exhibyte but the same is rather to be requyred at their hādes to shewe what they suppose to be contrary to Gods worde Whiche if they doe and that the matter come to disputation as was thoughte mete at Franckefurte they wyll not be against a cōcorde They shew them againe within a fewe dayes after that forasmuche as they dwel styll in their confession exhibited at Auspurge they doe fynde in readinge of the treaty there that certen thinges were brought to a conciliation and certen not Nowe that the reste also myght come to a reconcilement they wyll doe their endeuours and desyre them to vtter their myndes herein The Protestauntes agayne saye that there was in dede a talke of certen Articles but nothyng concluded nor anye agrement at al made there Thus the matter being debated to and fro where the Protestauntes requyred that they myght come to disputation and they againe sayd howe it was cōmaunded them by the king and the Emperour that they should procede accordinge to the treaty at Auspurge Kyng Ferdinando the .xvi. daye of Iuly callyng them al before hym forasmuche sayth he as the matter standeth thus that nothyng can nowe be determined and that chiefly for the absence of the Duke of Saxō the Lātgraue an other day must be appointed wher in the Ambassadours learned men of both partes shall mete of lyke number to conferre of the Articles professed at Auspurge And than after a longe controuersie betwyxt the kyng and the Protestauntes for the peace of them and all their confederatours about the restitution of churche goodes and the iudges of the chamber Ferdinando the .xxviij. daye of Iuly maketh a decree and reciting the whole matter appoynted the day for a cōmunication to be at Wormes the. xxviij daye of October vpon condicion that the Emperour be so content The Prynces Electours the Dukes of Bauier and the Duke of Cleaue and the byshoppes of Madenburge Salisburge and Strasburge are commaunded to sende thether their counsellours and the Protestauntes also theirs so that there be eleuen on eyther part And also as many Scribes to wryte diligently what euery man sayeth the conference to be had of the Protestantes doctrine professed at Auspurge and that request be made to the Emperour that he wyll call a counsell of the Empyre And in the meane tyme he commaundeth all men to obserue peace and abstayne from violence vnder a great penaltie appointed by the Emperours commaundemēt Prynces before mentioned at this assemblie were Christopher the byshop of Trent Henry Duke of Brūswycke but he went home before the matter was ended The greatest peace makers in this assemblie were the byshop of Collon and the Paulsgraue Electours and also the byshop of Auspurge For all the reste were extreme agaynst the Protestauntes Duryng this assemblie died Iohn Uaiuode kyng of Hōgary leauing behinde hym a younge sonne Stephen whome Isabell daughter to Sigismunde kyng of Pole had borne hym a lytle before whiche was a cause also that kyng Ferdinādo beyng aduertysed therof by letters hasted homewarde About this time also were certen townes and villages of the Protestantes set on fyre in Saxony there aboutes and burnt vp cleane This wicked acte was sayde to be done by the Duke of Brunswyck as shal be declared hereafter The seconde kalendes of Iuly Robert Barnes Doctour of Diuinitie was brent at London in Smithfield He was for a certen tyme fled out of Englande for the doctrine of the Gospell and what tyme he vnderstode howe kynge Henry gaue his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe he retourned home agayn and was after in the Ambassade sent into Germany and was one of them whiche treated with the diuines at Wittēberge touching the kinges diuorsement as is wrytten in the tenth boke But where as the kyng had exiled the name of the byshop of Rome but kept styl his doctrine this man whiche loued the truthe was chieflye by the meanes of the byshop of Wynchester this daye executed after he had protested hys fayth openly there in the place of execution And with hym also were brent two others of the same Religion And the same daye in the selfe same place were three others hanged vpon the Gallowes that helde with the supremacie of the byshop of Rome so that neyther rāke Papists nor ernest Protestauntes escaped punishement In the moneth of August ended his lyfe at Paris Williā Budey maister of the requestes a man of great learning and worthy to be had in perpetuall memory for this cause only that he and Cardinal Bellaye byshop of Paris did counsell and perswade Fraunces the Frenche kyng to do a moste noble acte that is to appoint great stipendes for the readers of tongues and good artes at Paris For out of this welspryng no mā can beleue what clere and plentiful ryuers flowe out not only into Fraunce but also into other countreis The lyke hath Henry the eight done in Englande both in Cambridge and Oxforde And Buden would be buried without any solemnitie This yeare was notable by reason of an intollerable heate and drought Than also was excellent good wyne In the meane tyme the kyng of Fraunce dispatchyng abroade his letters to all his byshoppes commaunded them to go a procession in all places For albeit he had peace with the Emperour whiche he would not willingly breake yet feared he greatly leste
complaintes hereof to the Byshops of Rome and Emperours yet haue they bene constrained to sweare And certenly Prussie remained in the tuition of the Empyre till Friderich of Saxon and Albert of Brandenburg were Maisters of the order For they would do no homage to the kynges of Polle for that neither the Byshop nor the Emperour had confirmed that cōposition of king Casimire And that in the yeare M. CCCCC the Emperout Maximilian in the assemble at Auspurge made a decree wherin he commaunded them to geue their fayth to the Empyre only And where after to appease the controuersie Maximilian had appointed a daye at Passawe in the yeare a M D. x. sending thether Ambassadours there could be nothing at all concluded Wherupō ensued that last warre Moreouer Albert him selfe .xxiiii. yeares past in the conuention at Norinberge as a Prince of the Empyre had his place amonges others and signed the decree there made Wherfore it is euident that the king of Polle hath no right to Prusse and that it was not lawfull for Albert to withdrawe him self vnto his tuition and protection Nowe where the Ambassadour reproueth my ordre of vnthankefulnes and breakyng of conuenauntes herein he doeth vs wrong and it is to be proued by olde wrytinges that scarsely haue any kinges of Polle kepte touche and promesse with vs. Was there euer wryting sene confirmed with mo Seales than the same wherby we accorded with king Ladislaus might there any more assuraunce be made And yet breaking the seales and wryting the warre was renewed against vs. This recompence had we of them for restoryng vnto them Sarmatie a great part of Lituania He named certen Emperours of fourmer tyme and sayeth how they were offended with our order But the truthe is farre otherwyse For Sigismunde did not only sequestre strife and geue sentence with vs as before is mētioned but also gaue vs ayde against the enemie Againe the Emperour Fridericke what tyme the people rebelled as I said before shewed vs all the fauour that might be and banyshed the cōspiratours and for the same cause helde an assemble of the Empyre at Norinberge in the which conuention a decree was made to ayde vs. The lyke good wyll and fauour did Maximilian she we vs. For he neither would that we should sweare to the kyng of Polle and therfore both in his owne name and also of the whole Empyre he wrote sondry letters to kyng Sigismunde and made than a decree for vs right honorable This oratour procedeth and in the waye of mockery demaundeth of vs why we do not recouer Hierusalem and such other like places surely I am not so cleane without experience but I could taunte againe neuerthelesse by reason of this honorable audience I wyll refrayne wil aske him but this question only First why the kyng of Polle doth not recouer those places which the Prince of Moscouia hath taken frō him within these fewe yeares Whiche are in comparison as muche as all Prussie Againe why in so great fortune he doeth not defende his owne limites from the dayly inuasions of the Tartarians Uerely these are plages for breaking his fidelitie He sayeth our order in tymes past was expulsed out of all Boheme Why he should thus saye I knowe not vnlesse that by this example he would shewe that they myght also lawfully spoyle vs of our goodes and tourne vs out of landes and possessions For the distruction of the tyme touched not only our order but pearsed also through out all the lande of Boheme and was extended vpon thē chiefly which followed the olde Religion what tyme great tumultes were reysed there for the doctrine of John Husse Dur order hath warred with kinges of Polle I confesse it but that euer they gaue the occasiō of warre I denie vtterly For they neuer attempted warre but either to defende their right or els to recouer their owne He sayeth we haue made leagues with the Cartarians This may well be verefied of them For it is manifest that they haue vsed their ayde against men that professe the Christen religion Againe the situation of the countrey declareth easely whether the Tartarians lie more commodious and nerer vs or them And that whiche he spake laste of the cities Danske and Eluinge is grounded vpon no reason For eyther citie is of our dominion belongeth to the Germane Empyre neither hath the kyng of Polle any other title there than that whiche he hath obtayned through the rebellion and treason of the citezens as it may be proued by sondry reasons And seyng these matters are thus moste redoubted Emperour most mighty kyng and States most honorable I besech you that the sentēce already geuē may be put in executiō For this to obtein at your handes ought both the equitie of the cause and dignitie of the Empyre and State of Religion and the honour all so cōmoditie of the Nobilitie of Germany The Ambassadour of Polle had prepared a contrary wryting but did not exhibit the same For whan the reasons were heard on both partes certen were chosen out of the whole nōbre to examine the matter whose determination was that the sentence pronounced against Albert should be maynteined But yet consideryng the great difficultie that would be in the execution of the same they referre all to the Emperour And shortly after kyng Sigil munde departed for pure age whan he had reigned .xlii. yeres He was sonne vnto king Casimire as before is sayde He had thre brethren Wherof Ladislaus was kyng of Hōgary and Boheme the father of kyng Lewys and Anne Iohn Albert and Alexander whan they had reigned in order after their father Casimire leauing behinde them no children passed ouer the gouernment to their yongest brother Sigismunde Unto whome nowe succeded his sonne of the same name who had maried the daughter of Ferdinando kyng of Romaynes I shewed you of Mendoza in the fourmer boke how he protested at Rome concerning the counsell Wherunto at the halendes of February followyng the Byshop calling a Senate of Cardinalles made this aunswere What tyme Mendoza thou saidest how the Emperour had commaunded thee to make protestation against the counsell thou madest vs right sorowfull But after we had more diligently wayed the letters of thy commission we were comforted agayne And first I wyll speake of the cause of our grief heuines For that maner of protesting is after an euill example and chiefly vsed of suche as are either reuolted wholy from dewe obedience or haue begon to wauer therin Therfore did it greue me exceadingly whiche haue alwayes borne a fatherly loue to the Emperour and as becommeth the pastour of the church haue euer desyred concord And it greued me and the Senate of Cardinalles so much the more for as muche as at this time we loked for nothing lesse For the Emperour hath made warre with his aduersaries and the ennemies of the churche and hath done it through the ayde of myne armie And
be reuealed That an inuentory of their goodes be taken whiche are absent and flit from thence and that the same be deteined That they delyuer vp all publique writinges And that some man that is expert therin declare whereunto euery of them aperteineth After this he cōmaundeth all the ministers of the churche to depart out of the citie within eight daies In this moneth Augustus brother vnto Maurice Duke of Saxony taketh to wyfe the lady Anne the daughter of Christian king of Dēmarke In the cōuenaūts of mariage it was condicioned that Duke Maurice should assigne him his portion not out of the lādes of Iohn Fridericke but of his owne inheritaunce The same time was a great cōmotion in Guienne for saltpits customes The head citie of all that countrie is Burdewx a great towne of much welth lieth open to the Sea which in time past was vnder the dominion of Englād They also chiefly rebelled had slaine the kings Lieftenaunt Wherfore whan so shrewed an example was shewed the thing tended to a further daunger the French king sent thither the Conestable of Fraunce Duke Danmal with a power of .xxxi. enseignes of fotemē wherof .xi. were Almaignes and a force of horsemen Which thing once knowen they of Burdeux make meanes to the Conestable say that they are cōtented that he shal enter with the Frenchmē armed but they beseche him not to suffer the Germanes to come within their citie He made answer that thei shuld not prescribe him the Germains serue the king aswell as the rest Therfore wil he doe herein as he shall thinke good And albeit they set not open the gates of their citie yet hath he keyes wherwith to vnlock that same Wherfore thus he entred the xix day of October And whā he had placed his men here there in due order and also planted his ordenaunce in place conuenient first he cōmaundeth the citezēs to bring forth al their armure weapons the same to be caried into the castel so were spent two daies The third daye they began to make inquisitiō from house to house a great nōber of sedicious persones were apprehēded After they came to an horrible slaughter For they wer not executed with one kind of death There were also brought forth .xiiii. Gentlemē with haulters about their neckes wherof one or two were executed But the Almaine Captaines made intercession for the rest and begged their pardon of the Constable This soroufull and bluddy spectacle lasted .xii. daies And besides those that were put to death in this tyme very many were also condempned to the Galees Moreouer all wrytinges wherin their fredomes and priuileges of the cōmon wealth were conteined were burnt all they themselues making the fyre And because they had murthered the kynges Lieftenaunt the Constable driueth them to scrape vp the earth wherwith he was couered and buried without any toole euen with their nayles and fingers Whan they had thus scraped the dead coarse out of his graue the same was buried againe with a great solemne pompe of Freers priestes All the citezens folowe after to the nomber of fiue thousande with euery man a candell in his hande And as they came before the Conestables lodging the Bere was set downe and stayed betwene times Than doe they fall downe there vpon their knees and with a lamentable crie beseche him of mercie they deteste their owne offence and geue thankes vnto the kyng for that he hath not punyshed the same more extremely Whan all these thinges were finished the .ix. daye of Nouember they departe thence leauing behinde them a garnison About this tyme there chaunced a maruelous thing in Italy There is besydes Padwey a towne belonging to the state of Uenise called Citadella Herein dwelte a citezen named Fraūces Spiera an experte man in the lawe and a great pleader of causes Who with a wonderfull feruent zeale began to imbrace the doctrine of the Gospel And whan he profited therin dayly more and more he declared not only at home amonges his frendes what he thought of euery article but also abroad amonges all men wheresoeuer he came This thnig could not long be hidde and at the length was reported to the Boshop of Romes Legate whiche was than at Uenise Iohn Case Archbyshop of Beneuento Whan Spier vnderstode this he perceyued easely in what daunger he stode Whan he had therfore taken long deliberation and cōsulted euery way what was best to be done at the last he resolued being sent for to goe speake with the Legate Wherfore going to Uenise and confessing his errour as he thought or els said for feare craueth pardon and promiseth obebience from henceforth The Legate although he were glad of this voluntary cōfession yet for an example to all others he commaundeth him that retourning home he do openly suche thinges as he hath spoken before He was cōtent And albeit he began euen than to repent him of his doing yet through the instigation of his frendes affirming that the whole hope not of him only but also of his wyfe children and substaunce consisted herein he did obeye But shortly after he fell into sickenes both of body and minde and began to dispayre of Gods mercy Therfore by the aduise of his frendes he was caried from Citadella to Padwey that he might haue ready at hand both helpe of good Phisitions and cōfort of learned men The Phisitions Iohn Paulus Crassus Bellacata Frisimelega as sone as they sawe him iudged by by the disase to come of a vehement thought and that there was no better remedy than the cōsolation of the mynd Wherfore many learned men resorted to him daily and by the testimonies of holy scripture whiche declare vnto vs the great mercy of God they endeuoured to cure his mynde But he sayd he could not in dede denye these thynges howbeit they concerned him nothing For in as muche as he had once abiured the truthe knowen for feare of perill he affirmed that he was appointed to euerlasting tourmentes and that in his minde he felte and sawe them already neither could he loue God but hate him exceadingly And here in he perseuered neither would he nowe eate any more meate and whan it was crommed into him by violence oftentymes would spitte it out againe It were long to recite all thinges whiche eyther he him selfe spake or other men alledged out of the holy scriptures to bryng him from desperatiō What tyme therfore all their counselles were spent in vaine and both the infirmitie of his body also the anguysh of his mynde increased daily more and more he was caried home againe and there died miserably in the same state and desperatiō As he lay sicke at Padwey there came often to comfort hym amongest many others Peter Paule Uerger Byshop of Instinople whiche is in Histria a towne vnder the dominion of the state of Uenise It hath bene declared in the
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
the Senate and after make reporte vnto hym yet sente he the nexte daye two Gentlemen for a spedy aunswere speakyng muche of the kynges great good wyll and zeale towardes Germany and also for what intent the kyng had moued his warre verely that he might restore the libertie of Germany oppressed An other request was that for so much as the soldiours had nede of many thinges they might bie the same in their citie and that artificers might be suffered to bryng forth their wares and sel them within the campe Wherunto the Senate made this answere that in suche matters of weightie importaunce there is nothing wont to be determined but by the consent of the whole state Whan the matter shal be debated they wyll sende agayne Ambassadours to declare what their mynde is Whan they were thus sent away the next daye the same Ambassadours were sent again into the campe which was than at Saberne Whan they were heard speake and offered some what more thā before and had also declared causes why the soldiours might not be permitted to come within the citie the Conestable began to speake displeasauntly and makyng a comparison how partiall iudges they were both of the kynges benefites and also of the Emperours iniuries gaue very sharpe language The conclusion of his talke was that the nexte daye they shoulde heare the kyng hym selfe speake whiche would affirme al that he had nowe sayde On the morrowe were the Ambassadours sent for before the kyng with whome was the Cardinal of Loraine the Duke of Uandome and the Conestable And there reporte vnto hym what talke they haue had with the Conestable at two seuerall times and offer as many rasers of Otes as thei did before of wheate and after also some what more wyne beseching the king that both for the olde amitie that the kinges of Fraunce haue had with the state of Strasburge and also of his owne humanitie he would take in good parte their offer For they haue great force of soldiours within their citie and a great nomber of people also be fled thither out of the countrie so that the citie can not spare that corne that they haue for theyr prouision The kyng after he had fyrst conferred with his counsell began him selfe to declare for what cause he came into Germany to the selfe same effect that the Conestable had the daye before Saying that vitayle was moste necessary and not to be denied any man that would paye for the same vnles he wer an ennemy If the Soldiours want that they wyl fynd a waye howe to come by the same But what inconuenience wold come therof euery man may easely perceiue That thing whiche was offered the kyng in dede refused not but he would haue had it deliuered in bread Thābassadours again in corne Where vpon when they coulde not agree they departed with out the matter concluded Whan the Ambassadours were retourned the Senate made a decree For as muche as no parte of that wheate whiche is in the citie can be spared that there should be as much bread made as myght be in the places theraboutes For the Ambassadours had alledged both to the Conestable and the kyng also that the state of the citie and condiciō of time was suche that from thence was nothing to be loked for But in case any thyng myght be gathered in the countrie belonging to the same they should haue it right gladly And this did the Senate decre least any extremitie shuld be wrought vpon the plowmen and people of the countrey And so that whiche could sodenly be gotten in townes and villages with out the citie was caried to the Campe but that same was very litle Whan the countrey of Loraine and citie of Metz were taken they of Strasburge immediatly toke vp to the nomber of fiue thousand souldiours to defende their citie agayne they pulled down very many aswel publique as priuate buildinges about the citie and cut downe trees and orcherdes and what so euer did let the prospecte or that might be a succour to the ennemie and where moste nede was began to fortifie their citie This same was a great displeasure to the Frenchmen and in the later communication the Conestable did not dissemble the same to the Ambassadours For it is thought howe they were in a certen hope that like as by a certen face of frendship they entred Metz so also they should not haue bene shut out of Strasburg But whan they knewe that the citie was exceading strong and sawe moreouer all thinges prouided so diligently for the defence of the same chaunging their purpose as it is to be thought they tourned an other way and remouinge their campe the seuenth day of May marched towarde Haganawe and Wisseburg Hither came vnto the king Ambassadours from the Paulsgraue Electour from the Archebyshoppes of Mentz and of Treuers commissioners and from the Dukes of Cleaue and Wirtemberge whiche for the common wealthes sake were lately assembled at Wourmes Whose requeste was this that the kyng would absteyne from spoyling the countrie and spare the poore people And for so muche as he protesteth to make warre for the lybertie of Germany that he woulde staye with his armie For if he shuld goe further the same wold be to the great losse and dammage of the Empyre And they requyre hym to geue his mynde to the wayes of peace whereof they bothe haue alreadye made mention to the Emperoure and wyll doe also hereafter and truste that all shall be well Where he writeth of entring into league with him they desire him to consider herein their honour and estimation For by reason of their othe and faith they owe to the Empire they are not able to perfourme it But yet will they do their endeuour that a generall peace may be established Furthermore they require him moste instauntly that he would spare the dominiōs of Strasburg whiche is a fre citie of the Empyre and that by his mediation Marques Albert would intreate more gently the Byshop of Wirciburge At the selfsame tyme which was the .xi. day of May letters were brought to the king frō Duke Maurice wherin was wrytten what was done at Lintz Duke Maurice required moreouer that the kyng whom he wold haue also comprised in the treatie of peace would declare vpon what conditions he would accorde with the Emperour Whan these letters were receiued the kyng vnto whome this thing was thought to haue chaunced vnloked for two dayes after remoueth his campe and leauing Germany marcheth agayne towardes Loraine But before his departure he aunswereth the Ambassadours of the Princes before named How he hath already obteined the same thyng for the whiche he came with his army into Germany For the captiue Princes shall be deliuered And this was the cause of his warre He therfore hath wonne honour enough And if there chaunce any tyme hereafter wherin Germany may requyre his ayde he wyll spare neither paynes coste nor perill And nowe leading
backe his army he intendeth to retourne home chiefly for that his ennemies haue inuaded Fraunce As concerning the complaintes of the poore people he is hartely sory Howbeit there can not be so good order taken in any Armie but that licentiouse soldiours wyll alwayes do some harme Notwithstanding he taketh moste dilligent hede that bothe as little harme be done as is possible and also that offences be moste straytely punyshed Touchyng that whiche they wryte of the Emperour and of peace he loketh certenly for at their handes Through his paynes force and dilligence Germany is released from those miseries wherewith it laye oppressed Nowe must they well forsee that they doe not dishonestly lose theyr libertie by hym restored For theyr request touchynge them of Strasburge he can not saye them naye not withstanding that what tyme he was there with his army the soldiours of that citie vsed great presumption and arrogancie towardes his men Whan the king was entred into Germany the Emperours power of the low countreis by the conduict of Marten Rosseme inuaded Champaignie in Fraunce burning and destroying all before them and toke the towne of Asteney standing by the Ryuer of Mase belonging to the Duke of Loraine but lately surprysed by the Frenchemē This was thought to be one cause why the kyng retourned with his armie another for that he misliked Duke Maurice doinges and againe for that his hope failed hym at Strasburge Whan he had remoued from Wisseburge Ambassadours came to the kyng sent from all the Swisses King Ferdinādo hath a Region ioyning to the Heluetians called Sontgouia And they of Enseme are the chiefest of all that countrey who being afrayde of their partes had intreated the Swisses that for the aucthoritie and fauour that they had with the kyng they would make intercession for them Wherfore at their request and charges takynge their iourney they commended to the king also the cities nere vnto the same Colmar Seletstat and Strasburg saying how this countrie was linked vnto them in great amitie both for the nerenes therof and also chiefly for that they serue them in a maner of all their wheat so muche as to them is nedefull so that no displeasure can be done to them whiche they shall not feele also Unto whome the kyng maketh aunswer the .xx. daye of May besides Bipont Howe he doth forgeue them of Ensem so that they wyll release suche of his soldious as they haue prisoners As touching the reste for whome they spake he neuer ment them euill And albeit that the souldiours of Strasburg receiued his men somwhat roughly before the gates and put them back that came thither to bie thinges yet wil he not forsake their amitie therfore euen for their sakes that intreate be meanes for them Nowe that he possesseth Lorayne he shall be their nere neighbour and wyll do nothing against the maner of neighbourhead And loketh again for the same good wil and dutie of them also There were before at Saberne Ambassadours sent to the king by the Senate of Basill about thesame matter vnto whome also was made a gentle aunswere I shewed before of Duke Maurice howe he departed from Lintz Kyng Ferdinando also whan the conuention was done went immediatly to the Emperour at Inspruck to infourme him of all the matter And Duke Maurice retourning to the campe marcheth with his fellowes toward Thalpes as before is said And whan he came almost there by the perswasiō of the Frēch Ambassadour he determined to set vpon the soldiours whiche the Emperour had leuied in those partes And where as ye. xvii daye of Maye he was not far from Fiessa which is a towne situated at the entring vp to the Alpes by the ryuer of Leyche he sendeth forth espialles to vnderstande of the ennemie They all in a maner bryng worde howe they kepe the straytes and narrow passages of the moūtaines and haue so fortified themselues that they can be hurt by no meanes Wherfore the Princes sende forth certen horsemen chosen out of the whole nomber whiche riding almoste to their ennemies campe intercept diuerse and bring them away to the Princes By whome they vnderstande many thynges and the next daye marching forewarde with their fotemen and hauing with them but two hōdreth horsemē only they go to Fiessa And what time thei were not farre of Rewe they come vnto the straytes whiche were kept by the Emperours soldiours to the nomber of eight hondreth and with two field peces Upō whom geuing the charge whan they were once entred into the straytes ouerthrowe their ennemies who slipping away by flight made them that incāped at Rwe to feare and tremble The Princes pursuing with spede geue charge vpon thē also finally put them to flight Wherof a thousand wer taken and slayne and drowned in the Ryuer of Leych And lost also one enseigne The next morning they go to the Castell of Erenberge wherof we haue ofte made mention And whan as fortune would they had taken the fortresse standing vnderneth the castel and had wonne the straite wayes and passages and had moreouer surprised diuerse peces of great ordenaūce furnished they clyme vp the stepe pitchell hill vnto the castell and albeit they were layde at with many weapons yet toke they it by surrender There were in the castell .xiii. enseignes of fotemen Wherof .ix. were taken and. iiii escaped of the whiche thre were of Germaines and one of Italians And they that were taken were about thre thousand where they lost but fewe of their owne men After that was Duke Maurice in great daunger For whan he woulde haue marched forewarde the soldiours that were vnder Riseberge would not vnlesse they might haue an extraordinary paye for the wynning of the castell But Duke Maurice sayd that was no reason and commaunded with al to apprehēde a seditious felowe that was more clamorouse than the rest There all the rest make towardes him not only with their pykes but also with their handgunnes in so muche that with moste spedy flighte he could hardely saue his life The .xxi. day of May two legions were sent by the Alpes to Inspruck whiche was from thence two dayes iourney Al the horsemen were left with one legion of fotemen about Fiessa and Rwe to defende and kepe the passage The next daye Duke Maurice his felowes Princes followyng after ioyne with the army of fotemen at Zirley whiche is not two great myles from Insprucke But when the Emperour heard that Ereberge was wonne he departed sodenly in the night awaye from Insprucke with his brother Ferdinādo who was lately come thither to perswade a peace as I sayd before and through the Alpes as they go to Trente tourning on the left hande he came to Uillace a towne in Carnia by the Riuer of Draue whan he had a little before set at libertie Iohn Friderick Duke of Saxon which had bene fiue yeres prisoner least his ennemies shuld ascribe this
nothing and which way so euer they wēt after their manner they spoyled all thinges The Duke of Alua was lieftenant generall of the whole armye and all manner of complaintes were brought vnto him neither might any man be suffred to speke with themperor which was thought to haue any such thing to sai In the meane season the Frenchmen by the conduit of the duke of Guise fortify chiefly Metz and Nancey and also conuey thither al the wheat and forage of the country Ther serued themperor Thō the Marques of Brandenburge Alphonse Duke of Holst brother to the king of Denmarke Philiberte sonne to the duke of Sauoy The outlawes refusinge the condition of peace remained still in Fraunce The Duchesse of Lorayne expulsed oute of the country spake with themperor her vncle at Strasburge and after went in to Brabant The xvii daye of the monthe of October died Caspar Hedio the chief minister of the church of Strasburge The same day also died Andrew Osiander at Coningsperge which is a town in Pruse by the sea coast Themperor remoueth from Hagenaw to Landaw and ther making abode xvi dais of very faire weather not without the great wonder of many at the length he taketh the way to Metz and the xxii day of Octobre besiegeth the City Uery many citezens and Senators by the permission of the Frenche men went their waies some into Loraine some to Strasburge Than was the Marques Albert in the borders of Lorayne at the Towne of Pontamosse with l. ensesgnes of fotemen and no smal power of horsmen but wher the French king and he could not agre vpon wages aswell for the time past as also for the time to come through the mediation of certaine he was reconciled to themperor who both pardoned him for all his offence and prohibiteth that no action should be commēced against him for his enterprises in this warre and ratifieth the compacts made with the bishops of Bamberge and Wirciburge and releaseth him of the warfare into Hongary and for his sake pardoneth the Earle of Oetinge the father and the sonne of whose misfortune before is mentioned likewise Albert the Earle of Mansfeld and his sonnes This thing known Duke d'Anmalle brother to the duke of Guise who was sent into Lorayne with a great power of horsmen by the king least that Marques of whom they stode in doubt of should worke any mischiefe was purposed to set vppon him For nowe had the French men secreatly plucked from him one legion of fote men at the conduit of Riseberge for he was reuolted to the Frēch king Afterward they attempted the reast of his army also and their purpose was that for want of mony being made naked and destitute of his men thei mighte put him to flighte with shame Duke d'Anmalle had of his counsell Ihon Fraxine Bishop of Baion And whan he exhorted him to do likewise he gaue the charge with his whole force The fotemen for want of a paye refused to fighte wherefore his whole trust was in his horsmen whome the Marques speaking frendly to and exhorting them to be valeaunte set vpon them and fortune fauored his bold enterprise For breaking throughe their maigne battell he ouerthroweth them and putteth them to flighte all be it they were far mo in nombre slayinge many euen of the nobilitye Fraxine the bishop escaped away by flight duke d'Anmalle receiuing thre woundes is taken This was the fourth day of Nouembre whan Marques Albert had obteined this victorye he came to Metz with duke d'Anmalle prisoner and pitcheth his tents by the riuer of Moselle and what time he healed his prisoner of his woūdes he sent him into Germany to be kept his lieuetenāt was now as also in the protestants war George of the noble house of Lichteberges After he adnertiseth the bishop of Bamberge of the compactes confirmed by themperor and admonisheth him that he kepe his promesse and restore vnto him his townes he commaundeth his captains also that vnles he so do they recouer them by force of armes In this self same time themperors army of the low countries inuadeth Fraunce and taketh Hesdine the strongest castell in those parties which after a certaine time the French king recouereth again and sending his letters into Germany taunteth the Emperor bitterly and exhorteth them to kepe amitye with him as mindful of a benefit receiued and of theyr liberty by him restored About this time the iudges of the chamber imperiall of whose fleinge I haue spoken before retourne to Spiers The Emperoure who had yet remained at Dedehoue whiche is a towne by the Riuer of Moselle foure miles beneath Metz the twenty day of Nouembre came into the campe Than chiefly was the city maruelouslye beaten with shot the violence wherof was so great that the noise and Thondering thereof was hard not only to Strasburge but also iiii Dutche miles beyond the Rhine And Strasburge is from Metz xviii great dutch miles Duke Moris whom I said went with his army into Hongary for the king Fardinando about this time retourneth home That time Uolrate the sonne of Albert Earle of Mansfeld made warre against Henry the Duke of Brunswicke and had in a maner driuen him out of his whole Countrye Duke Henry therefore commeth to the Emperor at Metz complaining of his misfortune and desireth aid but that was out of time Counte Mansfelde had serued vnder the Marques Albert whilest he was yet of the frēch party Whilest themperor besiegeth Metz Wuolfgange maister of the Almaigne order taketh the Towne of Eluange There is a very ritch promotion ecclesiasticall whiche he had sued for manye moneths The fellowes or prebends of that Colledge haue authority to chuse the Prouost as they commonly call him Whan therfore they had chosen one of a noble house he which was sory that it passed by him vpon the soden surpriseth the place This known the Duke of Wirtemberge whome the fellowes of that Colledge had besought to defend their righte leuieth his men immediatly and setting forth in the cold winter season recouereth that easely and besides winneth an other Town or two from him till he were recompenced for the charges he was at with his soldiors The French men that wer besieged make many sales oute especially into Mar. Alberts Camp amongs others Lichteberge his lieftenaunt was sore wounded The winter was very sharpe with frost and snow And althoughe themperor had an exceadinge great army yet did he abstaine from the assault and attempted the thing by mines but that was in vain whan both the time of the yere was a let therunto thenemy also knew it by espial Ther defēded the City most chosen captaine commen of noble houses but the chief gouernor was the duke of Guise What time the lieuetenauntes of the Marques Albert hired souldiours by his commaundemente the bishop of Bamberge complaininge therof to thimperiall chamber the xxix day of Decembre obtaineth letters wherby
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
ministers of the church vpō scholes other good vses they shal not be troubled for the same nor sewed in the law therfore but such goodes to wit those which do not belōg to the states of thempire or to others that be subiecte to thempire the possession wherof the clergie had not at the time of the pacification of Passawe nor after also shall remayne as they be are cōprised in this peace Neyther shall it be lawfull for the iudges of the chamber imperiall to graunte out any proces or decree any thing against them for vsurpinge the same goodes That the ecclesiastical iurisdiction be not exercised nor take place against the Protestaūtes Religiō faith rightes lawes and ecclesiasticall ministerie But remayne in suspence and stayed and moleste them in nothing tyll the controuersie be throughly ended and taken away But in al other matters that concerne not Religion ceremonies lawes and ministerie let it be of force and be exercised after the olde custome and lawe Againe that the goodes customes rightes remaine whole to all the state ecclesiasticall yet so that they in whose iurisdictiō such goodes be lose no part of their politicke law which they had before this cōtention in religion Moreouer that of these selfsame goodes the necessary ministeries of the churche parishes scholes almouses hospitalles for the poore sicke people as they were founded in times past the so they be now also established mainteined without any respect had of what religiō they be to whose vse the almouse or sustenaūce is imployed And if there fortune any strife or contention to arise by reason of this sustenaūce or that measure therof that bi the cōsent of the partes arbitrers be chosen who viewing the thing within the space of half a yeare shall determine make an estimate howe much ought to be decided bestowed vpon suche vses ministeries In the meane season til the matter be decided that that thet whose part it is to geue suche ayde be not molested in their possession but loke what they were wont to geue bestowe in tymes past let thē geue now also till the matter be determined In October and Nouember was a Parliament holden in Englande many supposed that they would haue there treated of the coronation of king Philip but nothing was propoūided The Quene motioned for the restoring of abbey landes for as muche as the Pope vrged the same But many Noble men and gentlemen doe possesse thē Wherfore nothing could be brought to passe The Quene her selfe in dede whiche with al she coulde do restored to the clergie the first fruictes tēthes of benefices during the tyme of this Parliamēt certen biting libelles were sowen abroade in London wherin were some thinges to whet the people against the Spaniardes some other that might haue withdrawen the Quenes minde frō king Philip. When inquisition was made nothing could be tried out Before the end of the parliament the Byshop of Winchester Chauncelour died of the dropsie In whose place was substituted Doctour Heth Archebishop of Yorke which had bene in tymes past with the Archebyshop of Cantorbury in Germany and thought rightly of the pure doctrine About the nones of Nouēber the wife of Iohn Friderick the Lantgraues daughter died of whose mariage is spokē before Fraūces Uenerie Duke of Uenise for that he had not handled him selfe well in the vytayling of the citie and set more by his priuate profit thā by the publique was displaced What time themperour had geuen ouer all his gouernmēt in the coūtries Philip his sonne sendeth his Ambassadours to the chief Princes cities of Germany signified to thē that same and offereth thē his good wil amitie At the same time also the Ambassadours of king Ferdinādo sollicited the Princes of Germany that for as much as a moste present daūger hanged euer by the Turke who required al Transyluania to be geuē him a coūtrie of nature most strōg fertile ful of horsemē they wold at the day appointed be present them selues in the coūsel of the Empire to consulte for the common wealth He helde also a coūsel of his subiectes for the same cause in that whiche assemblee they of Austriche required that religiō might be permitted thē fre But the king differred them to the coūsel of thempire that should be next at Regenspurg also toke order that they shuld be before him at Uienne at the Ides of Ianuary the next yere The Marques Marignane diyng at Millan the Cardinall of Trent is sent into Lumbardy by the Emperour or king Philip his sonne to haue the gouernment there And the Duke of Alba is made viceroy of Naples On Christmas day the Pope after his maner createth newe Cardinalles amongest others Iohn Gropper Counsellour to the Archebyshop of Collon of whome often mention is made in the fourmer bokes Than also Reinold Poole when of a Cardinall deacon he was made a priest as they call it began to singe Masse For this is not law full for Deacons by the Popes lawe In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary throughout Saxonie Meissen and Boheme were horrible tempestes thondering and lightening and thonderboltes whiche dyd muche harme euery where but especially in churches In the same moneth at Uirodure whiche is a towne in Swicerlande two mile from Zuricke in the night about suppertyme fyre bursting out of one of the towres of the church cracked so that all men came running to quēch it When they came thither ther was no flame twyse this happened one tyme after an other to witte the fourth daye of the same moneth and the .xiiii. daye Certen men of the townes of Heluetia being moued by the Pope go afterwardes to Rome not without the great suspicion of many Kyng Philippe beginning his newe gouernmēt whiche he had receiued of his father with great pompe and solemnitie the .xviii. day of Ianuary entreth into Andwerpe the chief towne of that coūtrey In the meane tyme there is great persecution and burning in Englande About the Ides of Ianuary thābassadours of the prouinces of Austriche assemble at Uienne as was appointed There the king with an oratiō graue long declareth in how great daūger they stode all of the Turke now iminent and therfore doth admonish them that so sone as may be they would helpe hym with men mony that his great outragiouse crueltie might be repressed Then they that are of that lower partes of Austriche saye how thei were cōmaunded of theirs that thei shuld treate first of Religion Therfore they recite what they haue done in the selfsame cause by the space now of .xiiii. yeares how oft they haue intreated put vp supplicatiōs what maner of proclamations he hath set forth contrary to their expectatiō Again for as muche as hitherto say they al coūselles against the Turke are taken in vaine not only as yet he could
A FAMOVSE Cronicle of oure time called Sleidane's Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and common wealth during the raigne of the Emperour Charles the fift with the Argumentes set before euery Booke conteyninge the summe or effecte of the Booke following Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Ihon Daus ¶ Here vnto is added also an Apology of the Authoure ✚ CHE SARÀ SARÀ ⧠✚ To the right honorable and his singular good Lord Fraunces Earle of Bedford Lord Russel one or the Quenes highnes most honorable priuy counsel Ihon Daus his daily oratour wisheth helth peace and cōsolatiō In Christ Iesu with thincrele of honor and digntiy AMonges all other wryters that compile Bookes for the knowledge and instruction of others right honorable and my singular good Lord thei in my opinion deserue best of the common welth which commit to wrytinge stories wherby men maye learne by thexamples of others set before their eies how to guide and gouern theyr life what thinges to embrace or eschue and to iudge by matters past what shal be the consequent and end of things to come For which cause the most eloquent orator Cicero calleth an history the mystres of māners the guid light of life the sercher out of vertues driuer away of vices with many such other like goodly titles which he attributeth to the same And certenly if ther wer euer any story written whereof men might reape frute and commodity or worthy to be had in hand practised in the common vse of mans life ether for the worthines ofihargumente which is concerning the state of religion and common wealth or for the report of things done lately of fresh memorye it is thys same work of Sleidane For he treateth not only of thenterprises of men with the casuall chaunces of things that happen But climing higher and auauncing the minde of man vp vnto heauen constraineth the same to maruel at the wōderful prouidence of the liuing God touching the gouernement of the Churche And induceth men to wonder at the vnsearchable counsel of God almighty who hath preserued the same in somany troublesome stormes and tempestes ful of pearil and daunger And as concerninge the author the dilligence and fidelity that he hath vsed deserueth doutles to be highly commēded of all men for so much as he hauing more respect to the common wealth than regard to his priuate commodity hath wholy imploid him self to consecrate the best and most excellent matters that maye be to euerlasting memory It is said how Thucidides was so desyrous of the verity and so doubtfull and scrupulous in wryting of his story that he gaue a great some of monye euen to his ennemies to haue the truth of matters to know how all thinges went Assuredly the same may we say also by Sleidan who as he him selfe confesseth not content to go by heare say or by common report of people hathe fished for the certenty of his Story out of common recordes or at the least by report of men worthy credit and herein hath spared nether cost nor paine For although he hath wrytten many thinges which he him self hath sene in Germany Fraunce Italy other places yet muste he of necessitye be holpen herein with the eies and eares of many to compact an history of so many seuerall nations and places so far distante one from an other Seing therefore that thys story of Ihon Sleidane is compiled of matters of so singuler and excellent perfection worthy of perpetuall memory J haue thought it expediēt for sondry causes to present your honoure with the same And that as wel for the great good wil zeale that your good Lordship beareth towards lerninge christen religion and common wealth of your natiue country As also for the place and dignity to the which by the iudgement of al mē you are most worthely called cōsidering how it shal be neither vnprofitable nor vnnedeful for your honor to vnderstand the state of other realmes and cōmon welthes with the tormoils of the church in the same which things do here aboundantly and sufficiently appear And to thend it may be easely knowen in what place euery matter may be found I haue set before the beginnyng of euery boke the some or argumēt conteining the most matters comprised in the same most humbly beseching your honour to accept this simple translatiō dedicated to your good Lord ship and wrytten for the vtility of our common coūtry into your honorable tuition that throughe your good Lordships authority the tonges of euil speakers being repressed put to silence all others that are disposed may receiue commodity and profit by readinge of the same For doutlesse a more profitable boke than this is hath not ben setforth in thenglish tong now of many yeres Thus the liuing God preserue and increase you in honor and so replenish your noble mind with the light and grace of his holy sprite to perswade and treat with the Quenes highnes moste honorable in such wise that all thinges ther condescended and agreed vpon may wholy redownd to the glory of Gods holy name The Kalendes of August Anno. 1560. ⧠The. Translator to the Boke GO forth my painful Boke Thou art no longer mine Eche man may on the loke The shame or praise is thine But seke thou for no praise No thanke nor yet reward Nor eche man for to please Haue thou no great regard The labor hath bene mine The trauell and the paine Reproches shal be thine To beare we must be fain Yet hath my study bene To profit others mo Some men thereby to win And trust it shal be so For as to pleasure many I haue bene euer glad Right so to displease any I wold be loth and sad But if thou please the best And such as be of skill I passe not for the reast Good men accept good will Thou mightst with me remaine And so eschue all blame But since thou wouldst so faine Be gon goe in Gods name ¶ To the most excellent Prince Augustus Prince Electour Duke of Saxon Lantzgraue of Turing Marques of Meissen high Mareschall of thempire his singuler good Lord Ihon Sleidane wisheth health DIuers authors most excelleut prince haue setforth vnto vs many and sondrye alterations of kingdomes And God him self wold that we shuld be taught these thinges as it were with his mouth long before they shoulde come so passe And of those foure greate Monarchyes of the worlde of theyr greate aulteration and succession he taughte vs by the Prophette Daniell Whose Prophecies for the mooste parte of them are alreadye made euidente and manifest vnto vs wyth a certaine knowledge most pleasaunt and ful of consolation And of the alteration and contention that shoulde be about Relygion and Doctrine both the same prophet hathe spoken before and S. Paule comminge after him prophecieth also manifestlye But in what sorte the same shal be it is setforth and declared by mo than one or two Howe be
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
straunger But I maruell muche why he preferreth the Spaniarde before the Frencheman Certes I lament the state of Germany For if we folowe the steppes of oure elders we shoulde nede no forayne helpe But nowe seyng that we seke vpon straungers what other thinge do we then procure our owne bondage But leauynge of this complainte I will folowe the same order that my lorde of Mentz hath done and speake fyrst of the lawe and of oure othe And the chiefe cause and ground of the law I suppose to be this lest if a foreine prince should be chosen that had no certen habitation in Germany the dignitie of thempire shoulde by litle and litle be alieuated to straungers If this be the meaning of the lawe then can no more the Spaniarde be chosen then the Frencheman But now if Charles may be created because he hathe landes lyinge within the Empire of necessitie the same must be of force also in Fraunces which hath Millan and other membres of our common weath Wherefore of two thinges propounded let vs see whether is better Certaynly whā Fraunce was vnited to Germany then did our Empire most florishe in so muche that the remembraunce of that time doth not a litle delite me when I chance to reade the stories therof And now is the like occasion offered vs whiche certainly would not be let slippe Foreyne nations are also of this opinion the bishop of Rome the venetians all the Princes and cities of Italie For the Frenchmen come of the same ofspringe that we do and vse almost the same lawes and maners shewyng all loue and gentlenesse to our men And for the vicinitie therof are very necessary for the Italiās and vs. If any tumult shall arise straight waies shall an armye be ready and Fraunce shall paye their wages And if the Turke shall inuade either Hungary or Italye as verelye I thincke he wil shal it not be a goodly matter to haue so nere and so florishing an Emperoure fournished with the strength of either nation As for the Spaniards though they be accompted warlicke what notable thing did they euer in Italye without the healpe of the Germanes Furthermore because they be so farre from vs We can loke for no helpe at their handes in time And though they would neuer so faine yet can they not healpe vs greatlye For Spaine is so wasted with continual sayling that it can send forth no great nombre of men Moreouer we shall haue the Frenchmen our fellow souldiours and companions of our trauell and paines But the Spaniardes if any thing be wel done will haue al the praise to them selues they will enioye our boaties and rule our countries Then shal we bewaile our bondage all to late But I will leaue this comparison and come to the election If we chose the kynge of Fraunce there shal be none occasion of warre in Italy For he hathe Millan nowe in possession and we shall perswade him that he shall attempte nothinge against Naples nether against the base countreis of Flaūders Artois so that they wil be quiet And yet I see not why we shoulde thincke that these countreis ought to be defended of vs. They be in dede oure neigbours but we haue no league with them neither do they obserue the lawes of thempire nor geue any thing towardes our cōmon charges no more thē doth Englād or Scotlāde Seing than that the Frēch kīges power is greatest that he hath Lūbardy in quiet possessiō is furnished with al thinges necessary he wil attempt greater enterprises more honorable moue warre namely against the Turke bend al his power thither wardes that the cruel enemie expulsed out of Hūgary Italy Germany maye liue at rest But in case we preferre Charles before him O liuing God what tumultes shall we raise vp in Italy He wil recouer Millan that wil be a long warre whilest this goodly coūtrey shal be thus tourmoyled the Turkes will inuade Hungary with theyr whole power Who I praye you shall resiste them Or be able to bringe a sufficient Armie agaynst them These thinges would be consydered more diligently and not passed ouer lightly Nowe what the end of the Italyan warre shal be it is vncerten If the Frenche kynge conquere he will couet Naples and it maye be that the Byshoppe of Rome throughe his impulson will vndo oure Election what trouble will arise thereby euerye manne perceyueth righte well Agayne if Charles get the better hande let vs not loke to haue Italy restored againe the Spaniardes will kepe that to them selues foreuer And not onely that but wyll hardely let out of theyr handes this our Empyre About the kepyng of Naples the possession wherof it is wel knowen how they came by what misery haue they suffered they may not therfore be brought into Italy Now will I speake some thinges of either king I doubt not but king Charles is of a milde and gentle disposition for so is he reported of many but being but a yonge man howe can men discerne such vertues in him as be required in a mightye prynce The common welth had nede of suche a one as besides other thinges could establish reforme the state of the church as my Lord of Mentz here did wittely admonishe This verely can king Fraunces performe best of all men for he hath both a good wit and a good iudgemente hath oftentimes conferens with lerned men of religion and readeth muche him selfe Moreouer the state of this presente time requyreth a Prince and captaine skilfull in warres payneful and lucky But who shall in this behalf take the price away from Fraunces for his vertue is rightwell tried and knowen Of king Charles we haue noue experiment but that his towardnes promiseth some thinge but the other in prowes and dedes of Armes doeth farre excell all his auncestours For he hath latly ouercome in battaill the Swisers a mighty nation and neuer subdued syns Iulius Cesars time A yonge man therefore oughte in no wyse to be preferred before so worthye a Capitayne My lorde of Mentz doeth accompte it a discommoditie if thēperour shold be longe out of Germanye but yet he biddeth vs take no thoughte for that matter But I thinke it a matter full of greate daunger to haue an Emperour absente farre withoute the borders of the Empire For who shall resiste the inuasions of the Turkes Who shall represse the sodayne insurrections and Ciuile vprours And there arise a tempest Who shall saue the Shyppe that wanteth her Master He shal know no certentie of oure affayres beynge absent many thynges shal be told him vntruely he shall haue no Germaines of his counsell but Spaniardes onely he wyll make many decrees and send them vnto vs farre out of tyme and season Afterwardes if he beynge tyckled wyth false complaintes and sklaunders should come into Germany at anyetyme an Armye of foreine souldiours In what state thinke you shall be our wyth Empire then
Wherfore if you thinke it good and that it be oure destinie that a foreine prince shall at this time weare oure Crowne vpon his heade certenly I thinke mete to preferre the Frenche kynge before the Spanishe But if the lawe do prohibite vs to chose the Frenchekinge letthe same take place in the Spanishe kinge and let vs not throughe a subtill interpretation accompt king Charles a Germanie but let vs espie out amonges all the Princes one whiche hath no mansion but in Germany which is a Germanie in birthe language maners and dispotition My lorde of Mentz supposeth that suche an Emperour shoulde for his small abilitie be dispised but if we chose a mete man Germanie is riche and stronge enough to beare vp this burthen Raffe the xj Emperour before Maximilian was a man but of Small power but he excelled in vertue And he restored Thēpire that was ful weak and sore afflicted with great warres in such sorte that all the kinges about him did feare him What a good opinion had also foreine princes and amonges others Lewes the xij king of Fraunce of themperor Maxilian onely for his wit vertue I suppose you knowe righte well For doubtles the princes of Germany haue bene euer of muche estimation And as yet their noble fame is not extinguished but florisheth stil And amōges others at this day there be thre principal houses in Germani the house of Bauar Saxonie Brādenburge And of these houses also diuers worthy mē Wherfore if we chose one of thē assist him with our aides as surely we are boūden we shal nede to feare no straūgers so that we be all of one minde and will althinge shal be in saftie Therfore setting a part straungers let vs create some one of our owne coūtreymen it shal proue right wel for there be many domestical examples of vertue wherof I shall recite one Matthias kinge of Hūgary a stout warriour a fortunate proclaimed warre vpon a time againste your father my lord of Saronie but whē he perceiued a sufficient armie prepared againste him his anger was sone pacified So mighte now also the meanes be founde that an Emperor of our owne nation being elected might mainteinehis estate and authoritie both at home and a broad Thirdly spake the duke of Saxonie who after he had proued the Frenche king to be excluded by the lawe king Charles to be a Germayne Prince to haue an habitation in Germany he said the common weale had nede of some mightie prince but he knew noue to be compared with Charles therfore he was contented that he should be declared Emperor but yet vpon certen conditions that Germany shall reteike her libertie and that those daungers which were mentioned should be eschewed Finallye when the rest had approued this sentence the Archbyshoppe of Treuers sayde◠I see the fatall destenye of Germany and the alteration euen nowe at hande not withstandynge for asmuche as it semeth so good to you I will confourme my wyll vnto your iudgemente This was the xxviij daie of Iune when it was darke night Wherfore they departed and mette agayne the next daye There they began to treate what conditions should be propounded to the Emperour the matter was in debating certein daies at the lengthe when they were agreed vpon they were written out and sent to his Ambassadours to Mentz Whan they had receiued them all theyr voices were committed to writinge as the maner is and sealed the daye before thempire was offered to Friderick duke of Saxonie but he with a stout courage refused it gaue his voice vnto king Charles whose Ambassadours for his so doynge offered hym a great sūme of money which he vtterly refused would not suffer his mē also to take one farthing After this tharchbishop of Mentz calling the nobilitie comon people into the church of Saint Bartholomew in his sermō declareth Charles Archduke of Austrich king of spaine to be king of Romanes in the stede of Maximiliā departed And for that he was chosen with such a cōsent he saieth they ought to geue God thankes exhorting thē to shew to him all fidelitie obeysaūce speaking much in his praise he declareth why they chose him before all others Than thambassours which were comen with in a myle were sent for Those were Matthew the Cardinall of Salisburge Erarde Bishop of Liege Barnard Bishoppe of Trent Fridericke countie Palatine Casimire Marques of Brādēburge Henry Erle of Nasso Maximiliā of Sibebouge certē others of his coūsel Whē they were comē they cōsulted howe the common wealth be gouerned vntill suche tyme as he came him selfe into Germany Howe Casimire the Paulsgraue should leuie a force of men place them in garisons and foresee that the state take no harme Afterwardes the Princes Electours sente Ambassadours with their letters to king Charles to declare the whole matter The chief of thē was Fridericke the Paulsgraue Howbeit in the meane time diuerse messengers went into Spaine amonges other one went frō Franckefurth to Barcelona in nine dayes The Countie Palatine arriued there at the ende of Nouembre deliuereth the Princes letters the content wherof was this That he would receiue thempire offered him and all delaye sette a parte repaire into Germany so soone as he mighte He aunswereth ryght curtesiye by the mouthe of Mercurine Cattinar that all beit there was muche trouble towardes him what by the Turkes and what by the Frenche men yet this not withstondyng he sayd he neither coulde nor woulde faile the common countrie chiefly syns that so noble Princes had such an opinion of him required him so to do Wherfore he receiueth their honour offered him right thankefully so shortly as may be will imbarke him self to come to the borders of thempire And in maner with the same wordes he writeth to the Princes Electours and sendeth home Fridericke honourably rewarded Thus was he made Emperor the fift of that name being than xxj yeres of age The Frenche kyng toke the repulse the more greuouslie for that he perceiued a greater daūger to hang ouer his state seing the power of his enemie whom before he suspected herby to be muche increased for he had rather any man els had bene chosen than he He had geuen great sommes of money to haue bene cōsydered And so did they of Flaūders in like case as it is reported but herein I can affirme nothing certenly Here will I declare the Petiegre of kinge Charles Charles the fift surnamed wise king of Fraūce gaue the Dukedō of Burgūdy which fel vnto him to Philip his yongest brother which Philip maried afterwards the lady Margaret thonly daughter of Lewes Erle of Flaūders had by her a sonne called Iohn And he had a sonne named Philip the father of Charles the stoute warriour which was slaine before Nancey leauing a daughter called Mari an inheritour of many great coūtreis She was maried to Maximiliā sonne to thēperor
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
All theyr requestes wer euery where a like beginning in Suelāde and passing so vnto others reaching from Thuringe and the borders of Saxonie vnto the toppe of the Alpes and into the coūtrey about Salisburge whither after the rebellion appeased in Frāckonie came also the armye of the Princes confederated and distroied and banished many amōges whom was theyr captein Geismer who passed through the Alpes by streyght passages with a part of his hoste to the Uenetians of whom he had an yerely stipende and dwelled at Padwey wheras after he was slaine by treason And this was th end of the Bowres warre in the whiche were slaine in one sommer at the least fiftie thousande The Princes that were of the confederacie and league of Swelād so oft mentioned werethese Cesar as Prince of Austriche and his brother Fernando tharchbishop of Mentz the Palsegraue the Bishoppe of Salisburge Bamberge Wirciburge Aistet and Auspurge Wylliam and Lewes brethren Dukes of Bauar Otho Henricke Philip brethren Counties Palatine George Marques of Brandēburge and Albert his nephewe Philip the Lantzgraue of Hasse diuers others both of the nobilitie and Clergie Moreouer the most part of all the cities in Sweuia and amōges other Norinberge About the eight day of Aprill the Masse was put downe at Zuricke by the commaundement of the Senate aswell within the citie as without And in stead of that was instituted the Lordes Supper Lykewise all Ceremonies abolished the Doctrine of Godes worde taketh place and a lawe made againste Fornication and adulterie and Iudges appointed to heare the causes of Matrimony ✚ The fyfthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common We ale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fyfth Booke MUncer by his newe doctrine teaching goodes to be had in common inflamed the rage of the people hauinge Phifer to his companion Duke Fredericke departeth the princes assemble against Muncer Who perswading the people to resist is discomsited and after executed Luther had written against him toy e senate of Misshuse the requestes which the wurs made at the beginning are here recited Wherunto Luther answereth sheweth their disordre exhorting the magistrate to destroy such wicked men Themperor vnderstanding these troubles appoynteth a counsel at Auspurge Carolostadius exiled from Wittenberg goeth about to make his purgation Luther marieth a nonne ʒ winglius and he meete at Marseburge to conferre of theyr controuersie of the Lordes supper Whilest the French king was prisoner Pope Clement receiuing letters from the kynges mother solliciteth the parlamente of Paris to make persecusion Faber was constrained to flee wherof the king wing aduertised causeth such suites and actions against learned men to surcease the common welth of Pruse is altered from the Knightes of Germany to a Duke donie and receiueth the Gospell AGreat occasion of this terrible Warre came by rashe lewd preachers wherof Thomas Muncer was principall who leauing of the preaching of the Gospell set forth a new kind of doctrine in Alstet atowne of the Dukes of Saxonye in Thuringe and taughte not only against the byshop of Rome but against Luther also contendinge that bothe their doctrines were vyle and naught the byshop byndeth mens consciences with straight and ouer harde lawes whiche bondes he saide Luther in deede hath lowsed but offended in the contrary parte in geuing ouermuche libertie and not teaching those thinges that are of the spirite The bishops decrees we maye fafely contemne for that they helpe nothynge vnto saluation whiche to obtayne saith he we must first eschewe open crymes as murther adultery blaspheming of gods name the body must be chastened and made leane with fasting simple apparel the coūtenaunce must be framed vnto grauitie speake seldome weare a long beard These such other like thigs he called the crosse the mortifiēg of the flesh a discipline wherw t he that was furnished he said must get him out of cōpany thike oft of god what he is whether he hath any care ouer Whether Christ died for our sakes Whether our religion be better thā the Turkes Moreouer to axe of God a sygne wherby he maye testifie that he careth for vs and that we be in the true Religion And albeit he shew not a token by and by yet must we neuertheles procede praie still yea expostulate and braule with God that he dealeth not well with vs For seyng that the Scriptures promiseth that he will graunt such thinges as be demaunded it is not righte that he doeth not exhibite a signe to a man that seketh the true knowledge of him This expostulation anger saieth he is of God well accepted for that he perceiueth herby our earnest minde and zeale And than no doubt but being thus instantly sollicited he will declare him selfe by some notable signe and quenche the thirste of our minde dealinge with vs as he did intymes paste with tholde fathers He taughte moreouer that God opened hys minde by dreames wherin he builded the foundation of his intēt and loke whose dreame he could interprete him would he praise openly in his sermon And when he had by this meanes allured many to him then began he to take stipulation of them and wrot theyr names that promised him by an othe to ayde him in his pretensed mischiefe For he said he was commaunded of God to distroy all wicked Princes and subsistute new in theyr places He taughte moreouer that all thinges should be cōmon al mē of like fredom dignitie wherupon the cōmon people leauīg theyr daily labor toke such things as they neded of others that had store euē agaist their wils The dukes of Sax. had banished him what time he begā fyrst to preach seditiously thence wēt he to Norin frō thēce to Mulhuse wherhe altered the senate droue out the Mōkes entred into theyr possessiōs takig vpō hi not only as a preacher but also as a Senator determining al matters as he list For he sayd how he had all thinges shewed him by reuelation loke what he said was to thē sacred holy These partes plaied he for the space of two or thre monethes And whē the Bowres were vp in Swelande Frankonie to the nūbre of fourtie thousand had discomfited a great parte of the nobilitie taken spoyled fyred many holdes castels as before is mentioned thē began he to set hāde on seing the time seruing so well for his purpose he cast felde peces in the Gray friers and gote a wonderfull numbre of people out of the Coūtrie thinking to get some thīg He had of his counsell one Phifer a bold and a desperate felow which was much gyuen to dreames and visions in the nighte who dreamed that he sawe in a certeine stable an innumerable sorte of Myse which he put to flight al This toke he as that God had cōmaunded him to lead forth his armie
Emperour his vncle The chiefest consultation in this assemblie was about the Turkyshe warre And whan newes came daylye by letters messengers howe the Turke had sent before great bandes of horsmen to the Ryuer of Danubius and also the Ambassadours of Austriche and of other countreys nere had declared in what daunger they werein they decreed to geue their ayde so as al the states of the Empyre shuld ayde not with mony but with soldiours Wherfore the .xxvj. daye of Iuly ended this assembly and al men prepared them to warre At the Ides of Auguste the Duke of Saxon Prynce electour ended his lyfe and Iohn Fridericke his sonne did succede him Whan Solyman the Emperour of Turkes was come to Belgrade he taketh the waye on the left hande and attempteth the towne and castell of Giunte in vayne being manfully defended by Nichas Iurixe after that he sent forth Captaine Cason with fiftene thousande horsemen to spoyle the countrey who inuaded the countrey as far as Lintzie aboue Uienne and destroying all farre and nere leaueth no kynde of crueltie vnpractised but in his retourne he fel in to the lappes of our horsemen which were made out to kepe hym from the spoyle and so beyng fought with in sondry places to his vtter destruction at the lengthe hym selfe was slayne Solyman tournyng more and more on the left hande marcheth vnto Gratin a towne of Stiria Whiche thynge ones knowen the Emperour beyng than at Lintze taketh aduisement what was beste to be done At the last it was determied that he should encampe with his whole armie at Uienna abydyng his ennemie there Thus in fyne Solimā retyreth without any notable exploict done The Emperour had intreated the Frenche kyng for ayde but he made him aunswere as the Emperour that tyme reported that Germanye was able enough to resyste the Turke alone The kyng of Englande also wrote agayne somewhat doubtfullye The byshop of Rome Clement sent hym ayde by the conduicte of Hipolitus a Cardinall of the house of Medices The Swycers beyng requested by the Emperour would not for all that styre one fote This yeare was sene a blasyng Starre in Septembre and Octobre before the sonne rising After the Turke was retyred with his armie the Emperour mislykyng their aduyse that thought good to pursue the ennemye dischargeth his armie for that wynter was at hande and from Uienne toke his iourney into Italy And being at Mantua he appointeth in his letters wrytten to the states of the Empyre that his brother kyng of Romaines shall gouerne the cōmon welth in his absence he was for weightie causes gone in to Italy and there woulde treate with the byshop of Rome concerning a counsell as it was decreed at Ratisbone He wylleth all menne therfore to maynteyne the peace whiche was of late proclaymed and be as obedient to his brother as they would be to him selfe Departyng from thence to Bononie he entred into talke with Clement the seuenth deuysynge amonges other thynges of Religion and a generall counsel He maketh also a legue with hym and with the resydue of the Prynces in Italy in wordes to mayntayne the peace and quiet of Italy But in verye deede to kepe out the Frenche men The Embassadours of the Frenche kyng were sore against it but the byshop admonished them not to be so ernest priuely signifiyng that it should not long endure for the Emperour had brought with hym a great nombre of Spanyardes which the byshop wold fayne haue dispatched out of Italy And for this cause made the league obser 〈…〉 g the occasion of tyme. The Emperour shortly after sayled into Spayne in the moneth of Marche And not longe after that the byshop of Rome sendeth a legate into Germanye Hughe Rangon byshop of Rhegio And whan he came to the Duke of Saxō accompanied with the Emperous Ambassadour he made a long oration the effect wherof was this How after muche and long conference had betwene the byshop and the Emperour about the controuersie that is in Religion in fyne they concluded that for the remedy therof there is no waye better thā a generall counsell wherof they perceiued the Prynces of Germany to be also very desyrous And this to be the cause of his message euen to declare vnto hym and the other Prynces how both the byshop and the Emperour are determined to haue a counsell free and common for all men suche as the olde fathers were accustomed to haue in tymes past whose myndes vndoubtedly were gouerned by the holye ghoste prouided alwayes that suche as shall repare thyther make faythfull promesse to obserue the decrees therof for els should all their labour be spent in vayne if they should make lawes whiche none woulde obserue and kepe As concerning a place both for holsome ayre and plentye of victuall commodious the byshop thinketh either Placence or Bononie not vnmete for the purpose or els Mantua whiche is a citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany of a goodly situatiō and plentiful of all thynges necessary of the whiche thre it shall be lawfull for them to chose one Whereunto if the kinge of Romaines he and other Prynces of Germany woulde make some reasonable aunswere Than the byshop consulting also with other kynges would cal the same within this halfe yeare to begynne within one yeare after to the intent suche as dwel very farre of may prepare thē selues to take their iorney Whan he hadde spoken this and more he deliuereth certen Articles comprysed in wryting to the Prynce Electour from the byshop of Rome Afterwardes the Emperours Ambassadour speaketh on this wyse For as muche as in al former assemblies the recōciliation of religion hath bene hetherto attēpted in vayne is supposed that by a coūsel the matter might be pacified therfore hath the Emperour of late obtayned that same of the byshop of Rome that is to say that it be holdē after the same maner time place as his Ambassadour hath declared And therfore is he sent of the Emperour to beare witnesse that the byshop of Rome is content to haue a counsell and because his Ambassadour hath spoken sufficientlye of the whole matter he nedeth to saye no more but to desyre hym to credite his tale and make hym a frendly aunswere The Duke of Saxon sayeth that because the matter is weightie he wyll take delyberation this was at Weymer After a fewe dayes the Duke aunswereth that where the Emperour and the byshop haue agreed vppon a counsell he is exceadinge glad for the state of the common wealth doth chiefly requyre such a one as oftētimes the Emperour hath promised the Germanes wherin the cause may be duely examined according to the prescripte of Gods worde Whiche if it might be he would nothing doubte but that all thinges should go wel he wil both pray vnto God to graunt this and also admonishe the people vnder his iurisdiction to do the lyke he will applie his whole studie hereūto
in the meane tyme 〈◊〉 a thousand The kyng the quene with theyr familie serued what tyme they had eateÌ„ wel and that supper was almoste done the king him selfe reacheth bread vnto euerye one with these wordes take eate shewe the death of the Lorde And the Quene geuing the Cuppe sayeth drynke and shewe the Lordes death This done the Prophete before mentioned goeth in to the pulpet and demaundeth of them whether they wyll obey Gods worde Whan they had all sayde yea It is the heauenly fathers commaundement saith he to sende forth preachers of his worde to the numbre of twenty eight whiche going into the foure partes of the worlde may preache the same doctrine that is taught in this Citie Than he reciteth their names and she weth whether eche man shall go Wherfore sixe were sent to Osenbridge as many to WarreÌ„dorfe eight to Soest and as many to Cosâ—elde And than the kynge and the Quene suppe with the rest of the seruitours and the Preachers that were appoynted to be sent forth In supper tyme the kynge ryseth vp and sayeth he hath a little busines that the father hath communded him it chaunced that a souldiour was taken prysoner whome the kyng accuseth of treason as an other Iudas and beheaded hym his selfe After this he retourneth to his supper and telleth merely what he had done After supper these foresaid eight twenty were sent away about nyght and besydes their charges euery man had deliuered him a piece of golde whiche they were commaunded to leaue in suche places as would not admitte their doctrine Whiche should be a token of their destruction and death euerlasting for refusyng of peace and holsome doctrine offered Who setting forth whan euery man came to his place they cried throughout the townes that men shoulde repent and do penaunce or els they should shortly be destroyed they spread their clothes vpon the grounde before the Magistrate and threwe down vpon the same the pieces of golde whiche they had receiued affirming how they are sent of the father to offer them peace which if they wyl receyue thei bid theÌ„ to communicate their ryches But if they refuse so to doe than do they by this sygne witnesse their acte and vnthankefulnes For this is the same tyme that all the Prophetes haue spoken of before wherin God would haue ryghteousnes obserued through out the whole vniuersall worlde And whan the kyng shal accordyng to his duty haue brought the matter so to passe that iustice shall reigne in all places than shall Christ deliuer vp the kyngdome to his father What tyme they had spoken thus they were apprehended and fyrst by gentle meanes and afterwardes by tormentes being examined of their beliefe and kynde of lyfe and the fortification of the citie They make aunswere howe they only haue the true doctrine and that woulde they witnesse and stande to the death For since the Apostles tyme hitherto the worde of God was neuer preached ryghtly neither hath there bene any iustice And that there be foure Prophetes wherof two are iuste Dauid and Iohn Leidane and two vniuste the byshop of Rome Luther who is worse than the other is Being damauÌ„ded why they did expulse the innocent people out of the citie contrary to their fidelitie and promyse taking their goodes their wyues and their childre and by what place of Scripture they could proue and defend this their iustice They say that nowe is the tyme come wherin Christ sayd how the meke should possesse the earth And that after the same sorte in times paste God gaue the goodes of the Egiptians vnto the people of Israell Afterwardes speakyng of the numbre of men and victualles within the citie they affirmed that diuerse and many had aboue fiue wiues Moreouer howe they loked dayly for a greater power out of Hollande and Friselande So sone as they should come the kyng would marche forwarde with his whole Armie to subdue and coÌ„quere the world destroying kinges and Princes for that they had not ministred iustice After their racking whan they perseuered styl in their purpose and would acknowledge no Magistrate besides their owne kynge they were rewarded with the losse of their heades Neuerthelesse one escaped But nowe was the citie on euery syde so narrouly and straightlye besieged that there was no waye to go out Wherfore the citezens fearing famine being carefull for their owne perill thought to apprehende the kynge and sende hym to the byshop bouÌ„de But the king hearing therof chose out twelue amonges them all whiche he thought were moste faithful vnto him and called them Dukes and appointed to euery of them a garde and some part of the towne to kepe lest there should aryse anye tumulte amonges the people Than maketh he promyse to the multitude howe at Easter they should be deliuered both from siege and penurie But vnto the twelue Dukes whiche he chose he promised more ample thinges a great deale telling them howe they shoulde haue the chiefe rule and gouernment namyng also what couÌ„treis townes and Castels he would geue vnto euery one of them He sayd he would only spare the Lantgraue for that he trusted that he woulde take his parte at the length I shewed you before of the assemblie appointed at Confluence in the moneth of Decembre for the states of the prouince of Rhine Unto whom also Friderick the Prince Electour of Saxony annexed him selfe of his owne accorde In this assemblie after consultation had was decreed to ayde the byshop of Munster immediately with thre hundreth horsemen and thre thousande footemen for syxe monethes ouer the whiche garryson and the whole warre also Wiricke Countie Obersted had the charge They decreed moreouer to sollicite the residue of the states imperiall for their ayde And because the Emperour was in Spayne to entreate king FerdinaÌ„do that against the moneth of Aprill he assigne a generall metyng for the same purpose After this they admonishe them that were beseged by their letters earnestly wrytten that they should leaue forsake theire enterprise whiche was so dishonest and wicked as nothynge could be more And vnlesse thei would obey and submit them selues vnto their laweful magistrate they do proteste that the byshop who nowe besegeth them shal not wante the ayde of the whole Empyre This was at the ende of Decembre And at the Ides of Ianuary in the yeare a M D. xxv Thei write again with many wordes in dede but to smal purpose yet so as they coÌ„mended and mainteined their quarel but vnto that whiche was obiected vnto them for makynge of a kynge they aunswered nothynge at all Howe be it in theyr letters to the Lantgraue they go about to excuse the matter speakinge many thynges of the salle and destruction of all wickedmen and of the deliuerauÌ„ce and kyngdome of the Godly in this lyfe And sende him withall the booke of Restauration before mentioned admonyshyng him to amende and that he attempte no
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
heare saith he how the Frēche kyng hath requyred your ayde but not obteined which was to me great pleasure and I haue aduertised the Emperour hereof And certenly reason would it should so be For the Emperour gaue none occasion of this warre but was fully resolued this sommer to haue warred vpon the Barbarians and the ennemies of our Religion Notwithstanding the Frenche kynge immediatly after the death of Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan albeit he hath no right nor title therunto a composition made touchyng the whole matter certen yeares paste contrary to the conuenauntes sought to renewe warre and to recouer Lumbardy And at the same tyme passing the Alpes with a great armie inuaded the Duke of Sauoye a Prynce of the Empyre to the intent that hauing ones subdued his countrey he might haue the way open to passe further And nowe that the Emperour hath leuied an armie to resiste hym as he was in dede constreined I am informed that he craueth nowe ayde agayne of you Neuerthelesse for as muche as he breakyng his fidelitie hath commenced warres a freshe I desyre you that you doe not assiste hym Whereby you shall do the Emperour and me pleasure and preserue the quiet of your owne commō wealth In this meane while the Protestantes had sent an Ambassade to the Emperour in Italy to make their purgation in that he had charged them by letters to haue taken the churche goodes and further more to complayne of the iudges of the Emperiall chamber But before the Ambassadours were arriued the Emperoure the seuenthe of Iulye had sent letters to the Protestauntes from the Towne of Sauilie signifieng how he hath at al tymes both present and absent by his letters and Ambassadours sought the quiet of Germany and hath both promysed them peace in theyr Relygion and also perfourmed the same And nowe for as muche as the Frenche kynge against whome he is enforced to rayse an armie maye perauenture by false suggestion perswade with them that he would now take occasion to breake that treuce of Religion therfore hath he thought good to admonyshe them by his letters to beleue no suche thinge but assure them selues that he woulde obserue his promyse neyther would he moue warre vpon any man for religion nor styre vp any trouble in Germany for all this preparation of warre is to mainteyne his ryght and authoritie Wherfor let them quiet them selues and styre not what so euer they shal heare For this shall be both to hym acceptable and to them also profitable Whan the Emperours power was come altogether he marched through the myddest of Italye with a stronge armie tyll he came in to prouynce of Fraunce The kynge had incamped hym selfe at Auignion betwyxte the Ryuers of Rhosne and Druence and destroyinge the countrey Whereinto he perceiued the Emperour woulde come and kepyng hym selfe from geuynge the battell he brought his ennemies into great perplexitie and myserie For the Emperour enforced through the penurie and scarscitie of all thynges and the losse of manye thousandes whiche died for famine and pestilence and also for the death of Anthony Leuie dischargeth the reste of his Armye and retourneth to Genes An other Armie of his that warred this sommer in Uermandoys beseged the towne of Peronne by the cōduicte of Henry Erle of Nassowe but preuayling not leuied the siege about the same time that the Emperour retyred in the prouince and the reporte of eyther newes brought vnto Paris the same daye reioysed the citie exceadynglye For they were in verye great feare and the Preachers in their Sermons to the people inuehed sore against the Emperour And the kynges Lieutenauntes began to intrenche the cytie and kepte the gates with watche and warde William Furstemberge a Germane serued the Frenche kynge in this warre About the begynning of this warre ended his lyfe the Frenche kynges eldest sonne Fraunces the Daulphin eyghtene yeares of age the reporte went that he was poysoned and one Sebastian de moute Cuculo an Italian beyng had in suspicion was fyrste racked and after torne in pieces with sondrye horses at Lions And the kynge afterwardes in his letters to the Prynces of Germanye amonges other made a greuous complainte hereof against Anthony Leuie and Ferdinando Gonzage the Emperours Lieutenauntes in whome he layd all the blame Herman Archebyshop of Collon of long tyme intending a reformation of his churche holdeth at this tyme a counsell of his owne prouince callynge to it as the maner is the Byshoppes within his iurisdiction of Liege Utreicht Munster Osenbridge and Myndes Herein were decrees made of ceremonies and doctrine and after set forth in a booke compyled by Iohn Gropper wherein were al Popyshe Ceremonies for the moste parte paynted out with new colours whiche booke dyd not contente the Byshop than as hereafter shal be declared About this tyme also in the moneth of Iuly Erasmus of Roterdam departed out of this lyfe an olde man of thre score and ten yeares and was buried at Basill Howe excellently learned and howe eloquent a man he was and howe muche al learnyng is bounde to hym his own workes shall testifie By occasion of puttyng downe papistrie in Englande and suppressing of certen Abbeyes vnder thre hundreth markes of yearely valewe there arose a commotion in Lynkcolneshyre in a market towne they call Lowthe styred vp by Doctour Mackerell a false Monke who named him selfe captayne Cobblar and after that it was appeased by the Duke of Southfolke the kynges Lyeutenaunt an other began in Yorke shyre a grear deale worse For those Rebelles were manye and stronge and came as farre as Dankcaster where the Duke of Northfolke met them with the kinges power and when they should haue ioyned together in battell by the mediation of the Erle of Shrewisbury which was a man welbeloued of the commons the matter was taken vp without bloudshed Their chief Captaine was Robert Aske who was after executed for his treason with certen others of the Nobilitie his adherentes Unto the letters which the Emperour wrote in Iuly the Protestaūtes answer the nynth day of Septembre and where it pleased hym to wryte so gentle and so lyberally they shewe hym howe they conceaue great pleasure in theyr mindes for albeit they did neuer distruste his promise yet for as much as diuerse reportes of his displeasure came to their eares and agayne for that the iudges of the imperiall chamber and others makyng none accompte of the peace concluded did procede diuerse wayes agaynste them they had some cause to doubte and feare the matter But nowe that he hath wrytten againe so louingly and playnly they are out of all doubtes that he wyll perfourme the same and refuse the sclaunderous reportes of their aduersaries lykewyse wyll they doe and geue no credite vnto suche as shall otherwyse reporte of him and in al other thinges also doe according to their dutie than came they to the counsell which the
is how it ought not to be graūted thē themperour doubtles other kings in their opiniō can iudge For that the byshop of Rome hath brought errours into the churche a doctrine cleane cōtrary not only to Gods worde but also to the auncient toūselles doctours mainteineth the same that he hath also made exceading many lawes against Gods cōmaundemēt wherby the true knowledge is vtterly oppressed defaced the same vereli haue their diuines through Gods gift declared And therfore do they intēde to accuse the byshop his fellowes in any lawfull counsell of these so great matters to coudēpne thē of the same How also through euil craftes and dishonest meanes yea through force guyle they achiefe their dignities how filthie a life they leade what euil examples thei geue how they do no part of their dutie how thei neglect such as are cōmitted to their charge wallowe in all wickednes of lyfe it is so wel knowen tried that it nedeth no further declaratiō For the which causes also it is not lawfull for the bishop euen by the testimony of his owne lawe to appoint there coūsel muche lesse to be iudge in the same Neither may his sworne clientes vsurpe the persone of the iudge seing they may not in dede be any part of a lawful coūsel moreouer the place of the coūsel is appointed in Italy cleane cōtrary to the decrees of themperour states of thempire which he scornefully dispiseth Thei know not more ouer as yet whether other princes of Christendom wil allowe that place that there be weighty causes for the which it shold be daūgerous for them theirs to come thither For albeit they should haue a saufe conduicte yet for so muche as the byshop hath there his clientes euerye where which hate this doctrine most bitterly ther is great daūger of lieng in wayte priuie cōspiracies which in those parties are much to be feared Furthermore since this matter is most weighti such as vnder the sonne can arrise no greater which doubtles cōcerneth either euer lasting saluatiō or dānatiō And seing that the greatnes of the matter requireth that they should in great nūbre with the ministers of their churche preachers be there present not to cōmit so weighty a matter to their deputes proetours alone it should be a great griefe vnto thē to passe out of the limites of thempire go into Italy leauing their coūtrey people in suche grudge of mindes as is now in Germany wtout garde and their churches any long time without preachers Wherfore they moste humbly beseche that the Emperour would way with hym selfe all these poinctes diligently and seing he is the high and supreme magistrate vnto whom chiefly belongeth the setting forth of the trew doctrine that he wold applie him self wholy that the true knowledge of God might be aduaunced for they doe embrace no wicked kynde of doctrine nor seke any other thyng than the glory of Gods holy name And this aunswere concerning the counsell agreed vnto also the Ambassadours of George Marques of Brandenburge and of the cities of Norinberge Halles and Hailbrune in other thinges they medled not because they were not of the league What time the Protestantes had thus spoken Heldus the Ambassadour aunswereth by and by speaking many thinges againe of the great good will of the Emperour of the Frenche kyng whiche had conspired with the Turkes to the distruction of the cōmon wealth he cometh to that matter touching the iudgement of the imperial chambre and sayeth in deede that peace is graunted for matters of Religion no man to say the cōtrary but all the strife to consiste in this which be matters of religion which not And where as they take suche for cases of religion as others do accōpte for ciuile prophane how farre against reason is it that the thyng should not be debated the causes obiectiōs of either part be heard so procedeth further to the meaning of that same matter And as touching such as are lately receiued into their league that Emperour thiketh thus that they that be not cōprised within the peace of Norinberg are bounde al to the decrees of thempire ought to yelde to the authoritie of the coūsel And for asmuch as themperours minde is wholy addicte to peace cōcorde he requireth estsones that they wyl ayde him with men mony for the Turkish warre nedeful charges of the imperial chābre And if the Turke inuade not that thā they wold a few monthes assiste themperour with like ayde against the French king whiche if they wil doe it shall not repēt thē of that seruice wherin he desireth to know a direct answer that he may aduertise themperour therof And as concerning the coūsel they thē selues knowe what labour trauayle themperour had to bring it to passe And how his trust is that in the same shal be appeased all cōtrouersie that is in religion with quietnes the state of the cōmō wealth be reformed to the glory of God preseruatiō of men Wherfore them perour trusteth assuredly that they should make none exceptions nor swarue from the rest of men for if they should persiste herein it would be grieffull for him to heare And after he had againe vsed sondrye perswasions amonges other that the Emperour would through saufeconduicte saue them harmelesse he requyred to haue a determinate aunswere herein and besydes the names of them which are come vnto them synce the peace of Norinberge Wherein was wrytten that Marques George the cities of Norinberge Weysenburg Hailbrine Winsem and Hales were of the same Religion but not of the league Wherefore in the Emperours name he desyred to knowe what their league was and the condition of the same The selfe same daye came thether the Romyshe legate the byshop Aques with letters from the byshop of Rome to the Duke of Saxon exhorting him to come to the counsell whome the byshop of Rome sent into Germany in the place of Peter Paule Uerger hopinge well that the newe Ambassadour should some thing haue brought to passe but he also loste his labour was as little regarded in so muche that on a certen day whan he desired to speake with the Lātgraue he tolde him he was at no leasure and in maner at the same instant went to see howe Luther did who at the same tyme laye sore sycke of the stone Which thyng the Ambassadour myght see out of his lodging Uergerius had geuen this Ambassadour instructions of the whole state of Germany and how euery man in the byshops behalfe must be enterteined and vsed The fourth daye after whiche was the last of February the Protestauntes aunswer Heldus That for the Emperour him self they neuer doubted but that he woulde obserue the peace made whiche he hath also promised both in publique and priuate letters but the imperiall chamber contrary to
the king of Romains but stode to the conuenaūtes of Cadame Uienne that same Archebyshop of Londe was a Germayne borne and counsellour to Christierne kyng of Denmarke who beyng expulsed was also exiled and lost his byshopryke than came he agayne into Germany attended vpon the Emperour and afterwardes was made byshop of Constaunce Whylest this treaty was at Frankefurte certen bandes of Souldiours were assembled in Saxony and were commaunded by their gouernours to go lye in the countreis of the citie of Breme of the Duke of Lunenburge and others of the same Religion and there to remayne tyll the campe remoued It was kept very secrete at the first by whose conduicte or aucthoritie they were leuied but at length it was certenly knowen that they were mustred by Henry Duke of Brunswycke and his brother Christopher Archebyshop of Bremen They that were i 〈…〉 ried by them complayned in dede to the imperial chāber but it was in vayne The Protestaūtes afterwardes through their industrie lest they should do any more harme procured the same men to serue them whome notwithstanding they vsed to the iniurie of no man At the request of the Princes that wer intercessours Stephen Faber was set at libertie by the Lantgraue who gaue him passeporte He had sayde of his owne accorde that he woulde not retourne to his Prince for that he trusted hym no more But whan he was released he went streight way to him In this assemblie William Duke of Cleue by his Ambassadour did exhibite a wrytinge to the Protestauntes wherin he declared by what ryght tytle he possessed Gelderlande And prayed them that they would be meanes for him to the Emperour and to commende his cause also to the Emperours Ambassadours there The Frenche kyng had aduertised Ulrich Duke of Wirtenberge by his Ambassadour that he heard saye howe he through the motion of his confederatours was determined to make warre vppon certen Byshoppes in Germany But this pourpose did not he alowe and for his good wyll he beareth hym doth admonyshe hym that he do it not For if he did he should offende the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando vnto whome he was lately reconciled and bryng him selfe and al that euer he had into great Daunger The Duke geuyng him thankes for the good admonishement sayth he is sclaundered and howe he supposeth the same to be reysed vp by the Dukes of Bauier who hathe fasly sowen a lyke bruite of hym in Germany he desyreth hym to geue no credit to it For it is neither his entent nor yet his fellowes to styre vp any trouble or to attēpte any thyng by force of armes vnlesse they be constrayned And doubteth not also but when they shal heare therof they wyl pourge them selues herein Wherfore whan he had declared this to his fellowes at Franckefurte the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue the .xix. daye of Aprill addresse their letters to the kynge And saye howe they vnderstande by Duke Ulriche what reporte of them was made vnto hym but to be a sclaunder forged by their ennemies and euill wyllers For they entende to make no warre and how muche they desyre peace that can the Princes tell that were intercessours For albeit they are more wayes than one prouoked albeit theyr fellowes citie is outlawed and a league made of dyuerse for the defence of vniusle decrees though bandes of Souldiours by them hired for great and vnaccustomed wages are nowe spoyling the countreys of their league frendes yet are they quiet and styre not one whytte for they loue their natiue countrey and remitte all iniuries for the cōmon wealthes sake But their aduersaries are lead with a certen impudent hatred and followe no temperate wayes nor wyll admitte no lawefull reasonyng but seke only that Germany maye swymme with ciuile bloud And seyng it is thus they desyre hym not to credit these false reportes but to geue his ayde that the churche maye be quieted by godly meanes For this is properly the dutie of kynges to maynteine truthe and innocencie And where as they defende the cause of Religion it is done of none euyll pourpose but of a certen Godly dutie for they doubte not but that the doctrine whiche they doe professe is agreable vnto Gods worde whiche they maye in no wyse forsake About the ende of this assemblie the .xxiiij. daye of Apryll died George Duke of Saxony without chyldren For his two sonnes were departed before without issewe whereof the one had maried Elizabeth the Lantgraues syster and the other one of the house of Mandesfielde Wherfore Duke George by legacie maketh his heyres his brother Henry and his sonnes Maurice and Auguste vnder this condition that they alter not the state of Religion Whiche vnlesse they shall perfourme he geueth his whole landes to the Emperour and to kyng Ferdinando vntyll suche tyme as eyther he or his sonnes or the nexte kynsman of that familie doe accomplyshe this condition This wyl of his so made he sheweth first to the Nobilitie and cōmons of his countrie beinge nowe olde sickly and wylleth them to confirme the same by an othe neuer to alter this his last wyll But they fearyng leste it should be the occasion of warre betwene the kinsmē intreate him that he would be content to sende to his brother Henry For they truste that he wyll consente to alter nothing in Religion Whereupon Ambassadours were sent to perswade with him and whan they had alledged sondry reasons and especially sayd how there was muche ready Money and a great quantitie of Plate and goodly stuffe whiche should come wholy to his handes in case he would obeye his brothers wyll He aunswered them by and by thus Certenly your message semeth vnto me to resemble the same that is writtē in the Gospel what tyme Sathan promysed Christe the kyngdomes of the whole worlde so that he would falle downe and worshyp hym Doe youthynke that I sette so muche by any ryches that I would therfore forsake the truthe and pure religion Assuredly you are farre abused if you so thinke Wherfore whan they had this answere and were departed without their purpose before they came at home Duke George had lefte hys lyfe His brother Henry going immediatly to Dresda and other townes bindeth the people to hym by an othe which was the more easely done by reason he was in league with the Protestauntes Moreouer the Prince Electour of Saxony hearyng of his death hasteth home with all expedition that if nede were he myght ayde Henry The Princes of the Popysh parte for the losse of so sure a pyllour and so lucky successe of the Protestauntes were sore agreued especially the Archebyshop of Mentz and the Duke of Brunswycke as hereafter you shal heare Thus had Duke George a successour and heire cleane contrary to his wylle And he whome he hated moste of all men duryng his lyfe tyme namely Luther was sent for by the new Prince to Lipsia to preache and to alter the
is the head of the churche and of counselles yf in dede they omitte the same vnto whom agayne it woulde bee displeasaunte in case they should not do it for the same would styre vp great stryfe and offence not onlye in Germany but also in other countries This he doeth admonisshe them of bothe by the commaundement of the Bysshoppe and also of hys owne dewtye The same day the Princes make hym aunswere howe the Bysshop maye auoyde all offension in case he will call a counsell whyche hathe been so longe promysed Yf not the state of Germany to bee suche as they muste of necessitie fynd some other waye to salue the sore And therfore require him earnestly that he wold of hys wysdome and gentlenes so further the cause to the Byshoppe that a remedie might be founde Moreouer the diuines of the Protestantes doe confute those letters and reasons of Contarene by a longe wrytyng and proue manifestly how it apperteyneth vnto all prouinces to establishe gods trewe seruice and Religion This done themperour causeth a decree to be made and red the xxviii of Iuly he referreth the conference of the learned men and the whole treatie vnto the counsell to the Synode of all Germany or of the states imperial in hys Iorney into Italy he promiseth to intreat diligently the Bisshop of Roome for a counsell And yf neyther generall nor prouinciall counsell can be obtayned than wyll he call a convocation of th empyre within .xviii. monethes for to quiet the cause of Religion and will deuyse that the Bifshop shall also sende hys legate thither he chargeth the Protestātes that they attempt no new thing besydes the articles alreadye accorded and the Bisshoppes that they should clense their churches of theyr faultes and enormities In that decree were certen articles that Religious houses shoulde not be defaced that the churche goodes shoulde not bee put to prophane vses that no man should be allured to a contrary Religion of the iurisdiction and Iudges of the chamber Whiche thinges whan the Protestants dyd mislyke themperour in a certen priuate wryting declareth seuerally what his opinion is herin In the doctrine not as yet conciliated he doth prescribe vnto them no measure Monkes houses wold not in dede bee pulled downe but yet mete to bee reuoked to a godly reformation the lyke is to bee thought of the churche reuenewes no man that is of an other iurisdiction oughte to be intysed to theyr Religion and so bee mayneteyned but yet shall it bee lawefull for them to receyue any that will come vnto them vncalled furthermore the decree of Auspurge concernynge relygion and doubtfull causes of the same for a common quyet he suspendeth tyll the cause be determined eyther in a counsell or other assemblie and commaundeth that no mā shal be reiected of the Chamber for a contrarye relygion but that the lawe shal be ministred vprightly vnto all men What tyme they had these thynges confyrmed vnder themperours seale they promise hym ayde agaynste the Turke of whose commynge it was bruted daylye more and more And the Ambassadours of Hongary and Austryche were commen thither which with greate intreaty required ayde So was there a sodayn ayde of Almaignes sent into Hongary by the cōduict of Friderick countie Fursteinberg In thys assemblie Themperoure the thirde day of Iuly before al the states had a greuous complaynt of wyllyam Duke of Cleaue for the possession of Gelderland He exhibiteth also a booke vnto them wherin he declareth hys ryght tytle to the same and sayeth how he willed hym to haue ben there but he tooke a contrary waye signifyinge couertly Fraunce as before is sayd There were present the ambassadours of Cleaue which excused theyr prince and when they proceded to declare his title themperour xiseth vp and departeth The .xxi. day of Iuly the Princes and states all go to themperoure intreate him for the Duke of Cleaue and request hym that he wold receyue him in to the tuition of thempire permit that the case may be decided frēdly and promise to take paynes in the thynge and in case they cannot make an ende in it they beseche hym to make clayme to it and to recouer his right by the law Wherunto themperoure maketh aunswer by Iohn Nauie Forasmoche as this assemblie is called for the common welthes sake to th entent that all dissention and discorde taken a waye Germany myght be restored to quyetnes and herin hath moch tyme ben consumed and yet nothyng concluded by reason of contention and diuersitie of myndes vnto his greate griefe and hinderance of hys owne affaires he sayeth he marueleth greatly that in this on cause which is properly hys they can so wel agree Thus he sendeth them awaye not withoute displeasure The next day Raymunde the Frenche kinges ambassadour in a longe oration written reciteth the cause of expulsing Charles Duke of Sanoye who a few daies before had accused the kinge to the Emperoure and al the states Durynge this assemblie the Frenche kynge sendeth Cesar Fregose an Italyan of Genes and Anthony Rincon a Spaniarde exiled Ambassadours to themperour of Turkes who sayling on the Riuer of Po towards Uenise wer taken and flayne abont the kalendes of Iuly That time was William Bellaye the kynges lyeutenaunt in Piedmount who beynge sertifyed of the thynge as he was maruelous circumspecte and industrious immediatly aduertiseth the kyng and also the fyfte day of Iuly wryteth from Turryn to Alphonsus Daualus marques of Piscare than gouernoure of Millan and all Lumbardie that he woulde see that the kynges Ambassadours which wer taken might be restored whom he knewe for certentie that hys menne had apprehended or els for the same cause shoulde the trewes be broken which was made thre yeares past by thintercession of the Bisshop of Rome And he required they might be restored eyther for because at the first he knewe not els dissembling that he knewe not what had hapned to them The Marques maketh it very straunge as though he knew nothing of the matter and to pourge himselfe sendeth Counte Fraūces Ladron Ambassadour to the kynge Langeus in a certen epistle whych he wrote to the Marques the eleuenth of Iuly I would not doubte sayeth he in the counsell of the whole worlde to speake of diuine matters and that as aptely as euer did your kinsman and auncestre Thomas of Aquyne yf I were as experte in diuinitie as soom of youre familiars are perfit and priuie to this murther For Alphonsus hys graundfather called Indicus the sonne of Rodorick a Spaniard maryed a great inheriter of the house of Aquinas And this Alphonsus was cosyn germane to Fernando Dauall of Piscare a most worthye captayne The. xx day of Iuly the king answereth Alphonce by letters from Liner a Towne of Burges admonisshing hym to regarde hys honour and estimation and sheweth hym that vnles they be restored he can not neglect the iniury done to hys men Many
Religion they do alter nothing tyll suche tyme as the matter be fully determined by a generall or a prouinciall counsell of Germany or els by some conuocation of the Empyre And not to thynke that the decree of Regenspurge concerned them any thynge at all wherof the meaning is that the catholickes should remayne in the olde and the Protestauntes in the same Religion whiche they followed at the tyme of this reconcilement tyll some one of these counselles were appointed within eightene monethes and seing it is so he may not permitte his subiectes to do any thyng to the contrary They desyre him againe at fewe wordes that the true Religion of Christe maye be auaunced and that the good preachers be not brought in daunger for otherwyse let hym neuer loke to haue any victory or lucky successe as the Turkes hande A litle after this dyed the Bysshop of Numburge in whose steade the College chose Iulius Pffugius before mentioned but the Prince Electonr of Saxon contended that they myght not doe it withoute his consente and reiectyng the Flugins substituted in his roume Nicolas Amstorfe of a noble house a doctour of diuinitie of Wittemberg whome Luther stalled in the moneth of Ianuary and after set forthe a booke of the same in dutche wherin he declareth howe the flocke of Christe ought not to be cōmitted to Pffugius as ennemie to the pure doctrine Pffugius being thus repulsed complayneth to the states of the Empyre howe wrongfully he is put from his ryght The Prynce agayne aunswereth howe the gyfte belongeth properlye to the house of Saxon and reciting many olde presidentes of great antiquitie alledgeth amonges other causes wherfore he can not suffer him to bee Byshop this also for one that he is openlye againste the confession of Auspurge After the ouerthrowe in Hongary as is said before the Emperour calleth an assemblie of the states at Spiers by his brother Ferdinando to begynne in the moneth of Ianuary and appointeth ioyneth to him for assistaunce Hughe Monforte and Iohn Nauie The Princes that were there presente were the Marques of Brandenburge Electour Fredericke the Palsgraue Albert Duke of Megelburge Ernest Marques of Baden the Byshoppes of Mentz Wormes Spier Constance Hildessem the residue sent Ambassadours What tyme they were assembled the nynth daye of February kynge Ferdinando in the Emperours absence propoundeth as the maner is the cause of that assemblie whiche was in brief to consulte howe the Turke myght be kept out of Hungary for ayde touchyng the same After the assemblie of Regenspurge whan Iohn Gropper ambassadour to the Archebyshop of Collon was retourned home he cōmended Bucer exceadingly and sayde he was metest of all others to take in hande the reformation of Religion for he was bothe well learned a louer of peace and of a pure lyfe The Byshop therfore whiche knewe Bucer well enough before and thought to vse his helpe sendeth for hym in February to come to hym to Bonna where he was verey gentlye receyued namely of Gropper who intreated hym to goe with hym to Collon And so for that tyme was lycenced of the Bishop to departe and to come agayn whan he should be sent for as I wyll declare hereafter Moreouer about this time also was beheaded Catharine Haward in Englād and for that where the king had maried her for a mayde he founde that she had troden her showe a wrye He that had defloured her was gone into Irelande and had an office there but beynge called home againe by her whan she was Quene and taken into her seruice he was beheaded after her as were also certein others partly for concealement partly for lyke offence After her deathe the kynge marieth the syxte wyfe Catherine Parre that had bene wyfe to the Lorde Latimer and syster to the Marques of Northhamton To the assemblye at Spiers the Frenche kyng sent an Ambassade the chiefe wherof was Fraunces Oliuer Chauncelour of Alenson Who in the presence of all the states whan they consulted of the Turkyshe warre the fourtene daye of Februarye made a longe Oration in the begynnyng whereof he sekynge to wynne theyr fauour reciteth howe the yeare before the kynge vnderstandynge that the Turke woulde inuade Hongarye for the loue he bare vnto Germanye sent Ambassadours immediatly to him to perswade him if he myght to the cōtrary but the Emperours men toke them in Italy as yet it is not certeinlye knowen whether theibe dead oraliue wherby not only the truces is broken but also the lawe of armes And where as certein do encourage the Germaines to warre against the Turke in the defence of Hōgary and al Christientie alledgyng that albeit he be of great power yet maye he ryght well be vanquyshed by the example of Iohn Hunniades Matthie kyng of Hongary Scanderbeg lorde of Epirus and Tamberlane Emperour of the Srythiās al the whiche haue wonne honour at his haude as also they themselues did at Uienne a fewe yeares past and vse diuerse other perswasions to pricke thē forward he contrary wyse affirmeth that those whiche geue this counsell doe not well consyder the state of Germany howe full it is of dissention nor the daunger that of this warre myght ensue For a myghtyer or crueller ennemye is not in the whole worlde nor one that is better furnyshed of all thynges belongynge to the warres Neither can this warre be finyshed with one battell or two but euer requyreth newe and freshe men continuall and marneylous greate charges The force power of Germany is in dede exceading great but yet is the Turkes ten tymes greater whiche passeth litle of the losse of two or thre hondreth thousand men where if they should lose but one battell in what daunger should the whole countrey be in before they should leuie an other in this grudge dissention of mindes therfore his aduise is that they attēpte not warre against the Turke neyther seke to recouer that he hath already gotten in Hongarye for feare of a further mischief But in case he should at any tyme inuade Germany that it should stande vpon their honours to bende all their force against him stoutely to giue him the repulse otherwyse not to medle vntill suche time as they shal be fully throughly accorded in matters of religiō in like case as they be partly already namely in the chiefest articles of iustificatiō of faith workes for certenly without a perfit cōcorde the state of Thempire can not long endure especially the Turke stil inuading The Romains became lordes of al the world not so much by power force of armes as by a certē craft policie for loke what natiō thei purposed to subdue vnto their empire thei wold euer practise to weaken by ciuile discorde for a time wold maintein th one parte of the faction till at last thei had vanquished thē both By this meane were the people of Carthage of all Asia the French men and
at the last he departed thys yere in th end of August not without the suspicion of poison Whan his frende Cardinall Fregose was also dead a little before they that knowe him well say that he beleued ryghtly touching mans iustification he was a man excellently learned and wrote a boke of the Magistrates comon welthe of the Uenetians In this same moneth the Chaunceloure of Fraūce williā Poret by the kings cōmaundement who went thā to Perpignan was taken in the night as he laye in his bed carried to prison What time the brute therof came to Paris al men reioised exceadingly For in those foure yeres that he had ben in that office he had offended all sortes of men and from some lady of the kynges courte came this misfortune to him The condēnation also of the Admiral augmēted the hatred as before is said He was in a great in maner an assured hope to bee made a Cardinall therfore two or three monethes before he wold nedes take holy orders which thing notwithstāding som mē saied he did that forasmuch as he was in the hatred of mani he might the better beare it escape the daunger of his life in case that heat should at any tyme breake out boyle ouer This was the third mockeri of fortune that chaunced in Fraūce with in a few monethes together For where these three before mentioned the Constable Admirall and Chauncelour were in the highest degre of dignitye They burned in mutuall mallice declared by theyr ensample the disceiptefullnes vncertentye and slyppernes of woordly thynges At this tyme Otto Henry the Palsegraue embraced the doctryne of the Gospell The same dyd they of Heildessem I tolde you before of the counsell the Byshop sent immediatly letters and Bulles therof to the Emperoure into Spayne Wherunto Cesar aunswereth the fyue and twenty daye of Auguste Fyrst he cōmendeth his endeuour and zeale towardes the common wealth but it greueth hym that the Frenche kyng should be compared vnto him for he is that prodigall chylde but for hym selfe which neuer swarued from his dutie he sayeth he ought more derely to be imbraced for he hath refused no paynes peryll nor coste that a counsel myght once be had that the whole common wealth beyng pacified they myght sette vpon the Turke on all handes Contrary wyse he mynded euer an other waye wherfore he fyndeth some lacke in his letters The other was wonte to make his boaste that he had the Cardinalles at hys becke Wherfore he doubteth whether the thynge be trewe or countreseared But howe soeuer it be he resteth vpon a good conscience both their doinges are openly knowen He hym selfe hath bene ouergentle to hym and fauoured hym a great deale to muche For all the labour he hath taken these many yeares is in vayne he hath ofte bene warned of his dutye sondrye great iniuries haue bene remitted leagues with hym haue often tymes bene remoued but with all these thynges he is waxed worse and vtterly doeth abuse his lenitie and patience Who brake the league and gaue the occasion of warre he hathe declared at Rome What hathe happened since he wyll vtter now also For how frendly desirous of peace he hath bene hereby may easely appeare that after the truce taken at Nice he came into talke with him at Aegnes mortes cōmitted him self vnto him the yeare followyng he passed through Fraunce to the great admiration and not without the reprehension of many For seing he hath oftener than once broken his fayth and is fickell vnconstant in all his counselles it was sure a great daunger to hazarde his persone vpō his fidelitie promesse Moreouer he knoweth for certeintie that thei deliberated to deteine him at the same time And where as many say that for the rebellion of Gaunt he must nedes passe that waie that was nocause at all For that rebellion was stired vp of a very fewe that of the basest sorte of men al the coūtrey remayned in their allegeaunce and fidelitie the quene his sister could haue remedied those matters How beit where he was prefixed to retourne into Germany through Italy he was moued by his intreaty to chaunge his purpose went through Fraūce which thing he is able to proue by his own letters by the letters of his sōnes nobles For he requested this thing of him so ernestly that he rekened he should be dishonoured in case he toke any other way than through Fraunce And what tyme he was with hym in Fraunce he affirmed many times that he wold obserue the truces made But after he began to complayne that Millan was not redred vnto him according to the promesse where not withstandinge vnto the same promesse was added thys condicyon that he should restore hys vncle the Duke of Sauoie and doe serten other thinges And yet syns that tyme hathe he practised agaynste hym in sondry places in Germanie in Italy with the Turke with Iohn Uaiuod and his wyfe the widdow and with certen noble men of Hongatye by whose meanes the Turke had the citie of Offen And yet in the meane season he coulde full well cloake hys mallice promise hym greate frendshyp through a subtill fetche and polycie that he myght tracte the tyme and set vppon hym vnware And than tooke he first occasyon what tyme hys ministers Fregose and Rincon were intercepted In the which thing how he wolde in dede haue satisfyed hym he hymselfe can tell whiche was chosen vmpere in the arbitrement betwene them This therfore dyd he pretende to bee the cause of a newe trouble and disturbaunce of the weale publicke whan he had prefyxed it long before But what Fregose and Rincon attempted by hys commaundemente in Italye and Turkie and what seruyce they had oftetymes donne hym was knowen well enoughe For they wente aboute throughe treason to haue broughte the Christen common welth into great daunger therfore coulde not they inioye the benefyte of the peace Nicene whyche had them selues infrynged the publycke peace Agayne they wente by stealthe and priuelye throughe Lumbardie with a companye of oute lawes whyche is deathe by the custome of the countrye He blameth sore the Marques of Piscare but he offered to abide iudgment And whye he shoulde refuse it and also forsake other satysfactions it is not vnknowne he certenly thinking he had been satisfyed passed ouer into Barbarie and sendynge hys Ambassadoure commended vnto hym the publycke peace and queyet And albeit hee made fayre promises yet did he attempte diuerse thinges agaynste hym in Germany Denmarke other places he intēded also to inuade Nauarre Agayne in the assemblie at Spier he did what he coulde to nurryshe stryfe in religion whilest he promysed seuerally to eyther partye hys amytie and fauour he indeuoured moreouer to diswade the states of the empire from the Turkisshe warre he sollycited the Turke he sent a power into Italye and mooued warre agaynste hym
our own accustomed gentlenes vpon this trnste and confidence that you wyl committe no suche lyke facte hereafter For els in a steade of a gentle and mercifull Prince you shall haue a seuere executour of iustice and that through your owne faulte whiche doubtles ought to be accoūpted no lesse than that for the which in these laste yeares past the Gantois were handled extremely whan they were not only executed and punished but also lost their liberties for euer Whiche example in dede though we myght followe without reprehension because we haue neyther susteyned lesse iniurie neyther are inferiour vnto hym in any thynge whiche hath thus reuenged his griefe Yet for as much as we loke to encrease rather through the loue fidelitie beneuolence of our subiectes thā to be enriched by their goodes substaūce we do clerely forgeue you this act restore you to your former estate Notwithstanding suche thinges as you haue frely and lyberally geuen vs we doe accepte and reteyne What so euer also hath bene taken from you in this tumulte we wyll that it be restored you agayne Whan after this Oration of the kyng there ensued a reioysing a confused noyse of the audience by and by was heard a moste swete and plesaunt melodie in the steple of the head churche of saynct Bartholomewe testifying the publique ioye and gladnes After that the Senate made the kyng a moste costly supper The next daye the kyng beyng ready to departe sayde to the chief of the people we goe nowe into an other parte of our Realme to defende the same from the ennemy defende you this as we truste assuredly you wyll doe Moreouer if there be any thyng that apperteineth to the bettering of the cōmoditie of your citie we wyll not denye your requeste The seuentene day of Ianuary kyng Ferdinando and his two sonnes came to Nurrenberge to the assemblie And the eyght daye after came thether also Granuellan out of Spayne who comming by Trente with his sonne the byshop of Arras had exhorted there the byshoppes legates In this conuention the Emperour had substituted for his deputies Fridericke Palatine the Bishop of Auspurge Iohn Nauie The seconde kalend of February king Fernando maketh hys proposition And forasmuch as in certen assemblies before continual ayde agaynst the Turk hath been decreed he admonissheth and requireth them that they wyll all condescend vpon this nowe that nothing nedefull be wantyng for it is reported of all men that he wyll retourne thys yere into Hongarye with an exceadynge greate power and that he is prouoked so to doe by certen christian Princes And albeit his countries be sore impouerished with almoste continuall warres yet will he not faile them for his part And how great a matter it is to defend Hongary Austrich Morauia and other countries adioining to the same there is no man in maner but knoweth And for the better perswasion were red diuerse letters sente vnto king Fernando others from sondry places all the which in a maner pourported thys that the Turke prepared a new armie and a Nauie to warre bothe by sea and land There wer also the Ambassadours of quene Marie who gouerned the lowe coūtrye for themperour Wiricke Criechinge and Uiglie Zwichem a Lawyer They in a longe oration accused sore the Duke of Cleaue that through hys ayde and counsell the French kyng by the conduict of Martyn Rossenn had made warre in those parties wherfore they requested them to reduce and frame him to his dewtie that he myght leaue the possession of Gelderland recompence the dommage don After the fifte daye of Februarie Granuellan shewed his commission And what the good will of themperour was towardes the publicke weale he sayd it was no nede to recite but he reioysed not a lyttle the last yere whan it was she wed hym how they made oute theyr powers together ioyntely agaynst the Turke and wolde in dede haue ben therepresent hym selfe and had prepared all thynges for the same iorney but then did the French king and the Duke of Cleaue moue war agaynst hym vnloked for which thing certēly disapoynted his former pourpos for the force which he had intended to haue sent agaynst the perpetuall enemie of Christianitie he was constrayned to reteyne aboute him for his owne defence especially seynge his enemyes bragged also verey moche of the Turkisshe Nauie wherin they sayd came great soccour for them But all thys notwithstandyng he perseuereth styll in the same mynd that he hath euer ben of and also declared and is determined to spende not only hys Treasure but also hys lyfe and bloude in the Turkisshe warre so that they will agayne ayde hym agaynst the French king and the Duke of Cleaue Wherunto both his will and zeale towardes the common welth and also the state of this dangerous tyme onght to perswade thē How the French king hath expulsed his vncle the Duke of Sauoie oute of his inheritaunce it is not vnknowen the same he intendeth to doe also vnto others astune and occasyon will serue And for because themperoure dooeth let his violent enterprises therfore doeth he beare hym all thys hatred and mallice They heard ryght nowe by the letters that wer redde what he worketh with the Turke and what he practiseth in Germany and how he seketh to hynder the Turkisshe warre And forasmuch as the Duke of Cleaue is ioyned in league with hym and also distourbeth themperours moste worthye exploictes and is a let to the saufgarde of Germany it is requisite that ayde be decried agaynste them bothe that theyr insolente Rasshenes may be repressed In the meane tyme the Protestantes deliuer a supplycation to king Fernando and themperours deputies wherin they make a longe rehersal what hath ben don in Religion these many yeres how the peace was geuen at Norinberge and how the iudges of the chamber haue infringed it howe themperour made them a prouiso two yeres past at Regenspurg and declared playnely hys mynde and howe a decree was made there for the reformation of the chamber and vpryght ministration of Iustice what they also did protest than openly vnlesse the decree were obserued And seing there is nothing redressed hitherto And that the iudges of the chamber do stil molest them after theyr wonted maner first for theyr defence agaynste the Duke of Brunswicke secondly for not paying the stipendes of the chamber therfore haue they refused their whole iurisdiction which thing in dede they protested longe before in the open assemblie that they wolde doe Now therfore yf the matter be otherwise reported vnto them they desyre them to geue no credit for they were constrayned of necessitie thus to doe and vsed lawefull remedy whych both the law and equitie it selfe doeth permitte For if they should on this wyse procede and vsurpe the authoritie of iudgement and pronounce publycations other penalties the same wolde not be to them only but also to the publicke weale hurtfull For what time
the nexte daye after whan he had made his Cosyn the Erle of Nassow hys sonne his heire he ended his lyfe not without a great grief to Themperoure That tyme were the Protestantes Ambassadours in Lorayne that they myght confyrme the couenauntes of Sequestration latelye propounded by Themperour And fyrst they rested at Metz and after at Tullie and sendynge dyuerse letters to Themperour and to Granuellan they declared the rause of theyr commyng But Themperoure at the last excusyng hym selfe by hys warlyke affayres bad them go home agayne and differreth the whole matter to the next conuention of th empyre or to some other tyme more conuenient Whan Sandesyre was taken themperour the .xxv. day of August marcheth on styll and leauing Catalāne a Towne of Champagnie pitcheth his Tentes by the Riuer of Marne on the other syde wherof laye certen bandes of Frenche horsemen in an Ambusshe There Counte Willyam of Furstemberge whyche knewe the sytuation of Fraunce and euery passage goeth foorthe in the nighte and but one man with him to searche in what place of the ryuer they myght wade ouer at a foorde and passe with theyr Armie And hauing a pesaunt of the Contrie to bee hys guyde whan he had founde a forde and was gone ouer on the other syde he was intercepted by Frenche horsemen and caryed in to theyr Campe in greate derysyon and not withoute reproches for that he seruinge there before had caryed a greate deale of Golde oute of Fraunce and from thence was sente to Parys This thyng chaunced to Themperonre contrary to hys expectation and helde hym long in suspence The French king because the Swysses were not commen eschewed the battell And Themperoure procedynge foorth by the Ryuer syde dayly auaunced hys campe In those partyes is the Towne of Eperney There was moche store of victualles Munition and other warlycke furniture whiche thynges leste they shoulde come into the enemyes handes were conueyed in greate haste downe the Riuer All that coulde not bee caryed awaye was consumed with fyre the Frenche men themselues settyng the Towne a fyre Wherfore Themperoure withoute resistance marched to Castell Theodoricke a Towne by the same Ryuer not two dayes Iorneye from Paris And albeit the Frenche kynges Ambassadours sente to entreate for peace were in Themperours Campe yet marched he forewarde neuer the lesse and whan he was commen thus farre there arose a wonderfull feare amonges them at Parys All men that were of any welthe fled thence neyther coulde they be kepte backe by the kynges proclamation forbiddynge that any man should flee and the vilest sorte remayned styll And therfore was there some daunger leste the greatest Citie in all Europe and exceadyng ryche also shoulde euen through those same haue been spoyled In the same Uninersitie is a wonderfull nombre of Studentes out of al countries in christendom they fled also and the king had in dede proclamed that all alienes shoulde departe immediatlye vnder payne of deathe thys was in the begynnynge of September A fewe dayes after the kynge of Englande hauynge sore shaken and battered Bollen with hys myghtye ordenaunce had it rendred vnto hym whiche neyther hys father nor the kynges of former tyme could euer wynne For he dyd not batter the walles only with canon shot and shake a sondre the Castell and Bulwarkes with vndermynyng whyche in wynnynge of stronge places is the common practise of other Princes but also had greate and heuge Morter peces whyche were shotte of suche a compasse that they fell ryght downe and looke where they lyghted brake downe all beefore them to the grounde so that many wer oppressed with the ruine that they made and the rest that loued theyr lyues were driuen to kepe in caues and sellars vnder the earth At the last the .xxiiij. day of September Thēperour maketh peace with the Frenche kynge whan he was commen to Castell Theodoricke a towne of the Soissons the peace makers of Themperours parte were Gonzage the Uiceroye of Sicilie and Granuellan And for the Frenche kynge was Claudie Annebalde the Admirall Charles Nulley and Gilbart Baiarde And the condicions wer these What soeuer hathe ben taken on eyther syde syns the trewes of Nice is restored agayne The French kyng shall render to the Duke of Lorayne the Towne of Asteney for because it is vnder the protection of Lucemburg They shall aydeone an other and Ioyne al their forces together that the olde relygion concorde of the churche maie be restored The Frenche king promiseth to ayde Themperour in the Turkissh warre with sixe hondreth men of Armes and ten thousand footemen He renounceth the title and clayme of Arragonie Naples Flaunders Artois and Gelderlande Themperour agayne renounceth hys ryght to the Countie of Bollonois Perone other townes standyng vpon the water of Some Moreouer to lowe Burgundye and the contrie of Macon Than promiseth he to geue in Maryage to the kynges sonne the Duke of Orieans the Lady Mary hys eldest doughter or els the daughter of hys brother Fernando whether of them he wyll geue he shall declare with in foure moneches yf he geue his daughter he promiseth for her dowary Brabant Gelderlande Lucemburge Limburge Flaunders Holland Henaulte Artois Namures Friseland Utrecht and all hys dominions there and also hyghe Burgundie that after hys deathe they maye inioye possesse the same Yf he thus doe than the kyng for hymselfe hys Chyldren renounceth hys ryght to Millan And if it fortune themperours daughter to dye hauinge no Children than the Duke of Orleans departeth from all that possession and the ryghte in Millan remayneth wholy to the Frenche kynge and to Themperoure the ryghte of the House of Burgundie Yf he geue the daughter of Fernando he graūteth for her dowarie the Dukedome of Millan howe so euer the mariage be it shal be accomplisshed within a yeres space And the Kynge shall wholy restore the Duke of Sauoie The Kynge also is permytted to kepe Hesdin Themperour promiseth his whole endeuour that peace maye bee made also betwixte Fraunce and Englande As concernynge the Duke of Cleaue beecause the kynge and Quene of Nauarre did affirme that theyr Daughter neuer consented to that Marriage but also witnessed the contrarye after the solemne and accustomed maner the Frenche Kynge shall sende that protestation to Thēperoure within syxe weekes that some thynge maye bee determyned In thys peace are comprised the Bisshop of Roome Kynge Fernando Portugall Polle Denmarke the Uenetians Swyses the dukes of Sauoye Lorayne Florence Farrane Mantua Urbine the Cytyes of Gene Luke Senes the Prynces Electours and al the states of Th empyre that are obedyente to Themperoure Thys peace concluded Themperoure dyschargynge hys Armye retourneth home to Brusselles All men woondred at thys peace makynge For euen those whyche were Themperours frendes and famylyare with hym loked most certenly for a Conquest before they went in to the Fielde and made theyr boast that with in a fewe monethes
the law were ministred indifferentli and how that should be don it was in the last conuention at Spier decreed They for theyr partes are redy to accomplissh the same Therfore if these two partes may be decided they wil not refuse to consulte of the Turkisshe warre The reste of the prynces and states amonges whom were the archebisshopes of Mentz and Treuers do determine that the case of religion shal be referred to the counsell already sommoned and the chamber to be establisshed according to the auncient lawes of th empyre and iudgement to be geuen after the law written and that certē should be chosen out of the whole nomber to conferre of the Turkish warre To that of the Protestantes kyng Fernando the Emperours deputes make aunswer howe the decree made at Spier touchinge peace pleased them well enough than without exception where as the counsel was that tyme called and should beginne shortly after In to the Senate of the Chamber also shoulde mete men be receyued accordyng to the decree made at Spier And seyng it is thus reason wolde that they shoulde requyre no more but conferre with the reste of the Turkyshe warre They againe saye how it was inacted at Spier first that ther should bee no troubled moue for Relygion secondlye that thys dissention should be accorded through a godly and frendly disputation For vppon thys foundation resteth the peace of Germanye neyther wolde they haue founde any lacke at all yf the matter myghte thus haue remayned But nowe inasmoche as the Bysshop hathe called a counsell to let and disturbe this reconcilement wherin he alone with hys adherentes hathe power to determyne by whose decree also moste men affirme that the foormer pacification shoulde bee finished they haue nede of a further assurance howe they haue euermore refused that by solemne protestation the Bisshoppes counsell and haue many yeres synce set foorth bookes declaryng the causes of the same Nowe albeit there were non exception made of thys thyng at Spier yet in case they should haue warre with the Turke it is requisyte that first all thynges be quyet at home For the people must pay monye to thys warre But by what equitie or by what countenaunce can a man exact mony of his cōmons vnlesse he put them in a sure hope that they with there wiues children shal liue safely at home in their Religion For euen for this cause doe they warre agaynst the Turke that euery mans goodes the cōmon welth and trew religion may be cōserued But to warre with the Turke in the meane seasō to be in daunger at home what great differente is betwixte these two Therfore haue they iust cause to demaund a further suerty Cōcerning the chamber they are contēted as they haue sayed that it be established accordinge to the decree of Spier And touchīg the charges of the same they wil consult with the rest They contended about these thinges frō the begynning of Aprill til it was the .vii. day of Maye And than hearing that Themperour had taken his iorney king Fernando differred thē tyll his cōming and also requyred them in the meane tyme to consult with the residew of the turkish matters The princes were not there present neyther Protestantes nor catholyckes saue only the Cardinal of Auspurge The French kyng sent thither his ambassadour Grinian the gouernour of the prouince in Fraunce In whose absence arrose great persecutiō in those parties Ther be in the French prouince a people called Ualdois They of an aunciente custome doe not acknowledg the bishop of Rome haue had alwayes somwhat a more pure doctrine after that Luther florished gotte vnto thē gredely a more ample knowledge For this cause were they ofte cōplayned vpon to the king as though they contēned the magistrate wold make a rebellion For this kinde of accusation many vse nowe a daies more odious than trewe There is of them certen Townes Uillages amonges the which Merindolum is one Sentence was geuē against thē fiue yeres paste at Aignes which is the high iudgmēt place of the prouince that all should bee destroyed without respect that the house should be pulled downe the village made euē plain with the groūd the trees also should bee cut downe the place made altogether a desert Howbeit though it were thus pronounced yet was it not thā put in execution by the meanes of certē men that perswaded the king to the contrary amonges thē William Bellaye who was at the same tyme the kinges Lieutenaunt in Piedemount But at the last this yere the .xii. day of April Iohn Miners presidēt of the counsel at Aygnes calling the senate readeth the kinges letters cōmaunding thē to execute that sentēce geuen Which letters this Miners had obteined by the meanes of cardinal Tournō through a fyt sollicitour Philip Cortin Therfore where he receiued thē in the moneth of Januarie he shewed them not by and by but kept them for a tyme cōuenient to worke the feate When the letters were red certen of the Senate wer chosen to execute the matter when the Presidente Miners promised to assist for that in the absence of Grmian the gouernoure of the Prouince he ruled the common welth Now had he euery where by the kinges cōmaundemēt mustered men before for Thenglish warres but he vsed them for this his pourpos Moreouer at Marselles Aygnes Arles other great Townes he toke vp all that were able to weare armure Then had he ayde sente hym oute of Auingnon and the places there aboutes of the Bisshop of Roomes dominion Wherfore the fyrst impression was made not vpon the Merindolanes but on the countrye aboute the Towne of Peruse And at the Ides of April Miners garded with a company of nobles and captaynes commeth to Cadenet but in the meane season certen Centurious set vpon a village or two by the Riuer of Druence and there distroying al with slaughter spoilyng and fyrynge dryue awaye a greate nomber of Cattell The lyke also did others in sondrye places at the same time The Merindolāes seyng all burne rounde aboute them leaue theyr houses and flee in to the wooddes and with a wonderful feare reste alnight at the vilage of Sanfalese And than were the inhabiters there readye to flye also For the Bysshop of Cauallon deputie to the Bishops Legate had appoynted certen captaynes to go and slaie them The nexte daye they-go a little further and hide them selues in the woodes For there was daunger on euery syde and Miners had commaunded vnder payne of deathe that no man shoulde ayde them with any thynge but that they shoulde bee slayne withoute redemption whersoeuer they were founde The same proclamation was of force also in the Bisshop of Roomes dominions therby and it is sayde how the Bisshops of that Countrie did fynde a great part of that armie Wherfore they wente a werye and a paynefull Jorney carying theyr children
the ministers of the churche whom they wolde should be remoued vnlesse they doe theyr dewty of the magistrate whom they graunte to be ordeyned of God to defende the good and to punnysh the transgressours And how they owe hym not loue only but also tribute and custome no man herein to be excepted euen by the example of christ who payed tribute hym selfe of baptisme which they saye is a visible and an outward sygne that represēteth vnto vs the renewyng of the spirite and the mortifycation of the members of the Lordes supper whych they saye is a thankes geuing and a memory all of the benefit receyued throughe Chryste of matrimony which beyng holy and instituted of god ough to be inhibited to no mā of good workes which they saye we must obserue and exercise as holy scripture teacheth of false doctryne whiche because it leadeth vs a waye from trewe worshippyng they saye it ought to be eschewed to be brief the order and rule of theyr faythe they affirme to be the olde and new Testamente and doe protest that they beleue all those thynges that are conteyned in the crede of the Apostles Finally they desyre the kyng to geue credyt to thys declaration for incase he be otherwyse informed it is not trew and that they say they wyll proue yf they maye be heard That tyme was the king occupyed with affaires of warre and therfore the matter slept but whē peace was made it was renewed and through the prouocatiō of many brought to thys wonderful crueltie I shewed before of the Spaniardes whom Themperour had placed in Lorayne for the wynter season They after they had wrought moche euyll in those parties by Themperours cōmaundement depart thence in the moneth of Aprill and trauelyng by Strasburge whē they had there passed ouer the Rhm they goe through Sweuia into Austriche about three thousande footemen At thys tyme ended hys lyfe Lewis the Duke of Bauier the brother of Wyllyam hauynge no chyldren For so it was accorded that he should not marie for the kepyng together of thinheritaunce The Duke of Brunswicke and he were exceadyng great frendes For they were the chiefe captaynes of the league that was deuised against the protestātes And whan Henry of Brūswicke was dryuen oute of hys countrey he fled fyrst vnto hym After thys the .xvi. daye of Maye came Themperour to Wormes And the next daye after Cardinal Farnesius What was the cause of his commyng I am not able to saye but it was thought for certentie that he came to styre vp warre agaynst the Lutheranes He did nothinge openly and comynge from Roome he passed not throughe the lande of Wirtemberge but whan he had stayed a tyme at Dilling a Towne of the Cardinalles of Auspurge vpon the Riuer of Danubius he torned an other way Kyng Fernando had written to the Duke of Wirtemberge that for his sake he wold let hym passe sassye and shewe all the fauour that myghte bee he made aunswer that he had rather he wolde take some other waye neuerthelesse to doe hym pleasure yf he were disposed to passe that waye he wolde not let hym But he as I sayd tooke an other waye and came to Wormes one daye after thēperour Themperoure so soone as peace was made with the French kyng sollicited other prynces also to further and helpe forewarde the Counsell And for thys cause only sente ambassadours to the kynge of Polle requyring hym to sende hys deputes to the counsell of Trente who amonges other thinges sayed that for asmoche as Themperour supposed howe the Protestantes whyche had ben euen stubburne wold not forsake the cōfession of theyr doctryne exibited at Auspurge nor also obey the publycke decrees of the counsell the thinge it selfe requyred that kynges and princes should take the matter in hande and yf they doe not obey to bee auenged on them as the disturbers of the publycke weale and all godlye relygion And where as he amonges others hath the comendation of a godly and a christian kyng Themperoure prayeth hym to thynke vpon the Turkisshe warre subcribe to the counsell of Trente and yf the Protestantes will not beframed to amendement to assiste hym with hys ayde and counsell as also other kynges haue promised The king of Polle agayne made aūswer how he desyred that he myghte see that day whan chrystian kynges Prynces all ciuille warre and discorde layde a parte shoulde bende theyr whole power at ones agaynste the Turke For then wold he be none of the last And as concernyng the counsell and the Protestātes he wil doe all thynges that maye profite the publycke weale and trāquillitie of the churche neyther yf nede repuyre wyll in greate daunger fayle Themperoure hys Frende and alie The same tyme it was wrytten from Rome how the Bisshop notwithstandyng that he had called a Counsell and sente hys Legates thyther was so desyrous of warre agaynst the Lutheranes that hereunto he promised aide of xii thousande footemen and fyue hondreth horsemen And that priuelye also he hyred Centurions and Captaynes And whan it was shewed hym agayne howe the time was farre spent and no great good could be donne that yere and how they must tary for some better occasyon he declared the same immediately to hys captaynes and put them in hope of the next yere following On the morrow after the feast of Pētecost a Frere obseruaunt an Italian made a sermon before Themperour kyng Fernando Cardinal Farnesius the Bisshop of Auspurg and Granuellan and in hys sermon makinge a digression to the Lutherans when he had inueyhed moche and spoken dispitefully against thē it is tyme no we sayeth he most victorious Emperour that at the laste you doe your offyce certenly it hathe ben delayed ouer longe for the thyng shoulde haue ben don long since God hath blessed you with many great gyftes and ordeyned you defendour of his church Wherfore extende youre power and dispatche out of the waye that pestiferous sorte of men For it is not lawefull for them any longer to behold the sonne whiche doe thus pollute and confounde althynge Neyther say that you will doe it For it shoulde haue ben done already already I saye and long syns therfore may ther be no longer delay For how many thousand people do you thinke to be in daunger of euerlasting saluation through theyr madnes All the whych God shall requyre at your handes vnlesse you fynd the remedye It is sayde how Granuellan was moche offended with thys Trompete eyther for that he fayned so or els for that he sawe howe it was a warnynge to the Protestantes Not many daies after this sermō Farnesius departeth secretly by nyght and retourneth to Rome with great expedition In these dayes Luther setforth a boke in the vulgare toungue intitled against the Bisshoprycke of Roome ordeyned by Sathan in the which booke he aunswereth fyrst to the Bysshoppes letters wherby with so vehement wordes he diswadeth Themperoure from the reformatiō of
in the life euerlasting we shal know one an other And what time they were all desyrous to learne that of hym what sayeth he chaunced to Adam He had neuer seene Eue but what tyme God shaped her he was caste into a maruelous depe and sounde slepe But awakyng out of the same whan he sawe her he axeth not what she is or whence she came but sayeth she is fleshe of his flesshe and bone of his bones But howe knew he that Uerely beyng full of the holy ghost replenisshed with the trew knowledge of god he spake thus In lyke maner shall we also in another lyfe be renewed by Chryst and shall know more perfitly our parentes wyues children what so euer is besydes than Adam that tyme knewe Eue. After supper whan he went a side to praie as he was accustomed the payne of his stomake began to increase There by the aduise of certen he dranke of an Unicornes horne in wine After he slept quietly in the trindle bed of the stowfe by the space of an houre or two Than awakyng he goeth to hys chamber and laieth hym downe againe to rest and biddyng hys frendes good nyghte that were with hym he wylled them to praye to god that he wold graunt vs to kepe still the doctryne of the gospell For the Bisshop and the counsell at Trente are a workynge some great mischief Whan he had thus sayed and al was hushte he slepeth a good whyle but the force of hys disease increasing vpon hym at after midnight he complayneth of the straytenes of hys stomake and perceyuing that th ende of his lyfe drewe nere he calleth to God with these wordes O god my heauenly father and the father of oure Lord Iesus Chryst God of al consolatiō I geue the thankes that thou hast reuealed vnto me thy sonne Iesus Chryst whō I haue beleued whom I haue professed whom I haue loued whom I haue set foorthe honored whom the Bisshop of Roome and al that wicked rabel doe persecute and dishonour I beseche thee my Lord Iesus Chryst receyue my soule my heauēly father although I be taken out of thys lyfe albeit I must now leaue thys body yet know I assuredly that I shall remayne with thee for euer and that noman can take me out of thy handes Not long after thys prayer sayde whan he had ones or twyse cōmended hys soule into the handes of God as though he had fallen a slepe by little and littel he departeth oute of this lyfe withoute any paine of hys body that could be perceyued And thus he dyed in hys owne natyfe countrey whyche he had not seene of manie yeres the .xviii. daye of Februarye to the greate lamentation of many The Erles of Mansfelde were desirous that he myght haue ben buried in theyr countrey because he was borne there but at the commaundemēt of the Prince electour he was honorably caried to Wittemberge and buryed the fyft daye after of yeres he was aboute lxiii for he was borne the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande .iiii. hondreth fourescore and three the tenthe daye of Nouember of ryght honest good parentes Iohn and Margarite he learned hys fyrst prynciples at home from thence beynge sente to Maydēburge and then to Isenacke he farre excelled all hys fellowes After he came to Erford and gaue hym selfe wholie to the studye of logicke and Philosophye And whan he had ben there a whyle makyng neyther parētes nor frēdes priuie to it he professed hym selfe into the College of Austen Freres applyed all hys studye to the scripture forsakyng the lawe whyche he studied before That time was an Uniuersitie newly erected at Wittemberge wherefore Stupicious of whom mention is made in the fyrste booke hauynge the charge hereof bryngeth Luther thyther to reade diuinitie Than was Luther sent to Roome by the conuente of hys order aboute a suite that hanged there in the lawe Thys was in the yere of our lord M.D.x. Whan he was retourned home through the motion of hys frendes he commenced Doctour at the charges of Duke Fridericke What force and plētie of eloquence was in him his workes doe sufficiently declare certenly the Dutch toungue he beautifyed and enryched exceadingly and hathe the chiefe commendation therin and hathe translated out of the latin toungue such thynges as were thought vnpossible and expresseth the matter with most apte proper termes and many tymes by one worde he setteth before youre eyes the whole matter He wryteth in a certeine place of the Bisshop howe he hathe polluted the Lordes supper and hathe also applied the masse to them that be dead he sayeth he hathe pearsed with hys masse not only in to all corners of Christendome but also into Purgatorye it selfe but he vseth the Dutche word whyche representeth that noise as is wont to be made whan a man doeth rattle or shake together a nomber of dead mens bones or cast aboute amonges them he was of courage inuincible What tyme he beganne fyrste to preache agaynst pardons he knewe not what the matter mente as he hym selfe confesseth and did that thing only and therfore wrote than verey lowly bothe to the Bisshop others but whan he had profited in the knowledge of scripture dayly more and more and perceyued that his doctryne was agreable to Gods worde he withstode the violence of hys enemies the malice of the whole world with a most stoute courage and lyke awalle of Brasse remayned styll vnmouable despysynge all daunger Whan Themperoure helde a counsell of the states imperyall at Auspurge immediately after he was crowned at Bononie by Clement the seuenth a terrible tempest was lyke to enswe as in the seuenth booke is specifyed Than did he couinfort bothe hys Frendes priuately all others openly and applying to thys pourpose the .xlvi. Psalme God sayeth he is oure sure castell and Bulwarke that olde enemye of mankynde taketh the matter in hande now with all hys force and power he layeth to all hys munition And indede our powers is but small neyther can we longe susteyne so greate a violence Howbeit that noble champion whom God hym selfe hath chosen vnto hym he hathe put on Armure and fyghteth for vs If you are who that is knowe forcertentie that he is that Iesus Chryst who muste nedes haue the victory and conquest And albeit the whole compasse of thys worlde be full of Deuilles yet are we not affrayde but with a most assured confidence doe looke for a ioyefull successe For although Sathangnasshe hys teethe and rage neuer so fiersely yet shall he nothyng preuayle agaynste vs For he is iudged already and throughe the worde only falleth downe all hys armure Thys worde shall not the aduersaryes take from vs but will they nyll they shall leaue it behynde them For he is in our tentes and armye who with his spirite and gyftes defendeth vs yf they take awaie lyfe goodes wife chilchildren take it patiently For they
winne nothyng therby and for vs is prepared a kyngdome euerlastynge This Psalme whiche at that tyme he applyed to relyeue sorrowe and heuynes whan he had translated it into the vulgare toungue somethynge wrastynge the sence he made it also in metre and set a note to it verye consonant to the argument and a mete tune to styre vp the minde And so euer synce that tyme thys Psalme hathe also been muche songe amonges all others And that there was suche a decree made at Auspurge he ascribeth all the blame therof in a booke setfoorthe afterwarde to Clement the seuenth and hys Legate Campegious but speaketh all honoure and good of Themperoure whose name and authorytie they vsed for a clooke and reporteth hym to bee blameles ✚ The seuententh 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 seuententh Booke IOhn Diaze beyng sent Ioinetly with Bucer to the colloquie of Regenspurge is murthered of hys owne brother Alphonse The Lantzgraue commyng to Themperours speche declareth vnto hym the conditions of the counsell whyche the Protestantes requyre and afterward makyng his excuse that he cannot come to the assemblee taketh hys leaue frendly of Themperour Sentence of excommunication thondereth at Roome against the Archebisshop of Collon Thēperoute couertly maketh preparation to warre in Germany Those of the Counsel of Trent make theyr decrees and Peter Danes is Ambassadour there for the Frenche kynge Themperoure soliciteth certen cities of Germany and also the Swysses through polycye to do them to vnderstand The Protestantes hauinge intelligente hereof take them to theyr weapons The Tenure of the league betwixt the Pope and Themperour is recyted Themperour is so vrged by the Pope that he letteth alone the Turke and falleth vpon the Protestantes The Castell of Erenberge and Tonauert surprysed Themperoure by hys letters Patentes bannissheth the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue The Popes armye commeth to ayde Themperoure A Lyttle before was mention made of the conference at Regenspurge Iohn Diazius a Spaniarde wente thyther with Bucer He had ben many yeres a student at Paris in the diuinitie of the Sarbonites but when he had red the bookes of Luther and others and dilligentlye studied the scriptures that doctryne began to waxe vyle to him euery day more more And at the last to th entent he might profit so much the more leauing Paris he went to Geneua where Caluine was minister of the churche And whan he had there remained a while went to Strasburge and because Bucer perceiued in him much learnyng and an ernest zeale a few monethes after whan he should go to the disputation at Regenspurge he moued the senate to appoint him to be his companion and felow that iorney Commyng therfore to Regenspurge in the moneth of December he goeth to this Peter Maluenda whom he knewe at Paris He as one amased bewayleth lamenteth to see him in these parties and that in the company of the Protestantes whiche wil trihumphe more of one Spaniard allured vnto their opinion than of a great meany thousandes of Germanes And therfore begā to admonish him that he wold haue a respect to his name not so shamefullye staine and spot his countrey and honest familie Diazius aunswereth hym modestly commendyng the Protestantes doctrine and so departeth for that tyme. And whā he came againe a fewe daies after as was accorded Maluenda planteth al his ordenaunce that he myght to put hym in feare And speaking many thinges of the authoritie of the bisshop of Roome he rekeneth vp at large how daungerous a thing his curse is Again because Themperoure should come thyther shortely he aduiseth him not to tary hys commyng which perchaunce will be daungerous for him but counselleth hym to goe mete him by the waye and fallinge downe at the feete of Themperours confessour craue perdon for hys offence and promiseth to be a furtherance to hym herein Wherunto Diazius aunswereth stoutely and throughlye And sayeth howe the doctryne of the Protestantes is consonant to the doctrine of the Apostels and Prophetes and lamenteth the miserye of Spayne his nat if countrey which is in so great darkenesse he rebuketh Maluenda and his fellowes which impugne the manifest veritie and geue Themperoure euill counsell and ernestly warneth him to leaue he refuseth his counsell and sheweth hym how he wyl through Gods helpe professe thys holsome doctryne and wyll refuse no daunger of hys lyfe therefore Whan Maluenda sawe hym so strongelye confyrmed thy commyng hither sayeth he is in vayne For here shal be nothing determined And yf you liste to doe any good openly as you seme to boast you shoulde haue gone to Trente After this metinge Diazius came nomore in hys company But Maluenda wryting his letters to Themperours cofessour repeteth the whole matter and exhorteth him most ernestly to helpe the disease in tyme. When these letters were delyuered there was a Spaniard by Marquina whiche came lately from Roome Who vnderstandyng the accusation beganne to excuse Diazius whom he knew verye wel And after a few dayes he retourneth home agayne and declarech the matter to Diazius brother Alphonsus a Lawyer at Roome what he had hearde of Themperours confessour In the meane season Diazius went from Regēspurge to Nuburge a Towne of Otto Henry the Paulsgraue standyng by the Riuer of Thonawe twelue myles aboue Regenspurge the cause of hys goynge thyther was to ouersee the correction of a booke that Bucer sent thyther to be prynted Hys brother Alphonsus kyndled with the tale of Marquina haply also with the letters of som others besides immediately prepareth him selfe to take his iorney and in greate hast cometh first to Auspurge and from thence to Regenspurge And whā he vnderstode where Diazius was he hasteth thyther And to hym that marueled not a lyttell at his sodan comming declareth the cause After he vseth in a maner the selfe same argumentes reasons as did Maluenda at Regenspurge Whan he had assayed that in vayne he promiseth hym a greate yerely pension out of hys benefyces so that he wil goe with him to Roome When that wolde take no place nother After certen dayes he confesseth himselfe to be vanquisshed and fayneth as though he loued the doctrine of the gospel and exhorteth him that leauing Germany which hath aboundance of learned men and nedeth not hys trauell he wolde goe with him into Italye where he maye profit many First they shall come to Trent there be many men of singular learnynge and iudgement which wil be right glad of hys company After they will goe to Roome and Naples so shall it come to passe that when many shal be ryghtly instructed of hym in sondrye places in Italye by this occasyon the same doctryne maye be set forth also in Spayne therfore he prayeth and besecheth hym to follow his aduise herein he
may leuye there alwaies force and power at hys pleasure and maye assemble greate armyes in Germany where others maye not doe the lyke how muche is thys to be estemed Our aduersaryes are more clamorous than we yet wyll they not follow good coūsell For we bothe allowed the decree of Spierand the articles accorded fyue yeres synce at Regenspurge we desired to haue enrolled for matter of recorde and admitted also al reasonable condicions of the laste conference contrary wyse they did none of al these neyther wolde they be brought to any cōformitie but with open protestation at Wormes refused the communication Now can not I go to Regenspurge the charge will be so greate There is also a matter in controuersye betwene the Electour of Saxonye Duke Moris which because theyr counsellours can not determyne it is put to my arbitrement Neuerthelesse I wyll sende Ambassadours to the assemblye with large commission Thus departing a fewe houres after commeth Nauius agayne to the Lantzgraue he telleth him how this daies talke hath pleased Themperour and solliciteth him again to come hymselfe to Regenspurge also he enquireth of hym whether he wolde talke agayne with Themperoure the same daye in the euenyng he refuseth not and whan he came Themperoure geueth hym thankes by Nauius fyrste that he came thyther secondely for that he seeth that the Paulsegraue and he are bothe desyrous of a concorde Howebeit he supposeth the Collocutours wil retourne againe to Regenspurge yf they doe not he wyll sende for them agayne but in the meane tyme he requireth him that he wolde come hym selfe to the assemblie though not at the begynnyng yet towardes the later ende He hym selfe hath verely all other affaires layde a parte taryed these three yeres in Germany to th entent he myght quyet the same Wherunto the Lantzgraue aunswered that of the departure of the Colloquitours he hearde not before thys daye he hath also recyted the causes wherfore he thinketh it was done But yf it be his desyre and that his fellowes be content that the same Diuines of the contrary parte doe retourne agayne hys also shall not tary from thence But for him selfe he may not goo thyther for that he hath ben at great charges in the warre of Brunswicke and hath lately maryed a daughter and is chosen vmpere betwene the Dukes of Saxon and for that he can not goe thyther with out a great company and because that through hys absence hys countrey might be in daunger by the confederates of the Duke of Brunswicke his prisoner Than sayeth Thēperour that hys intent is not to burthen hym with vnnecessarye charges but he desireth hym ernestlye to come for that he supposeth howe hys presence wolde further the whole consultation and that the Saxons and others myght be so in couraged And there is no cause that he shoulde be any thing affraide of Duke Heuries fellowes For neyther is their power so greate and thoughe they shoulde attempte any thynge yet wolde he let it and not suffer that any man shal disturbe the publycke quyetnes The Lantzgraue agayne recytyng the causes saieth he can promise nothyng neuerthelesse he wyll sende Ambassadours whiche shall trauell for peace whych yf they can not in all thynges obeye and gratifye hym he desyreth hym not to take it displeasauntelye neyther thynke it to be don of any obstinacie or mallice but for feare of godes displeasure For thys lyfe tyme is verey shorte and vncerten therefore must they thinke of an euerlastingnes Themperour againe speaking of hys owne paines taken sayeth the matter of Saxon maye be differred therfore let hym come and set all lettes a parte for he hym selfe beyng present myght bothe counsell and cause hys league frendes to shewe themselues tractable and be a meane that the beginning of the treaty maye be reasonable After this the Lantzgraue complayninge of dyuers that had ayded the Duke of Brunswicke maketh a briefe rehersall of the whole matter and howe he was taken and sayeth how Duke Morys he doe susteyne by them great iniurye For they are light persons and borne to styre vp trouble amonges whom Friderick Spedius tolde him yesterdaye that yf he wolde heare hym he wold open certen secret and priuie deuises that are nowe a working but in asmuche as he trusted not to the man he refused to talke with hym and wylled hym to sygnyfye vnto hym by wryting such thinges as he wold haue tolde hym presētly Whan the Lantzgraue had this declared Thēperour was maruelous angrie with Spedius wherfore after thys communication had amonges them the Lantzgraue takyng hys leaue of Themperoure was bad farewel ryght frendely And went from thence to Hedelberge and after home And Themperoure went streyght to Regenspurge And the selfe same time that is to saye at the kalendes of Aprill the Ambassadours of the Protestantes assemble at wormes to consult of the whole matter But because Themperoure sent awaye the Lantzgraue so gently they receiuing letters from hym of the same who in the meane tyme had reported the matter to the Duke of Saxon the .xxiii. daye of Aprill depart that they myght consulte of the same matters at Regenspurge whyther they must go to the imperiall assemblie In thys conuention they of Rauēspurge entred into league with the Protestantes The eight daye of Aprill was the thirde sytting of the fathers in the Counsell at Trent There are recited the bokes of the olde and new Testament and are cōmaunded to be taken for sacred and holy no parte nor iote of them omitted And the olde and common translation of the Bibell is only commaunded to be vsed in churches and Scooles It is also decreed that no man interpret the holy scripture after his owne sēce vnderstanding but that al mē follow herin the cōsent of the church and of the aunciente fathers Moreouer Printers are commaunded that they prynte or set foorth nothing but by consent of their ordinary Bysshop Furthermore it is forbidden the any man shal vse the termes or testimonyes of scripture to triflyng thynges or vayne fables about superstition inchauntmente or witchecrafte or also in ralyng slaunderous libelles and a daye was appointed for the next syttyng at the seuententhe daye of June Themperours Ambassadour there at the same tyme was Fraunces Toletane and when he had spoken much in Themperours prayse and had declared moreouer howe ioyefull that daye was to Themperoure wherin the bishop of Rome cōmenced the counsel he sheweth that he is ioyned in commission with Didaco Mendoza who hauing caught an ague is retourned to Uenise to his olde Ambassade and promysing hys seruice he sayeth we must praye to God that he wold long continew this consent of myndes in the Bisshop and Themperoure that is so godlye and holsome for the publycke weale to the intent that vices refourmed and euill weedes plucked vp by the rootes the Lordes felde maye receiue the auncient tillage In the eleuenth daye of Aprill the Bisshop
addresseth hys letters by Hierome Franch whom he sent than backe to the Swysses vnto the Bisshoppes of Sedune and Chur and to certen Abbottes in those partyes Howe he hathe called all the prelates of Christendome to a generall counsell at Trent And it is reason that they which represente the Churche of the Swisses shoulde come thyther chieflye For the people of that nation are vnto hym more derely beloued than the rest for that they be as it were the peculiar children of the See Apostolicke and defendours of the Ecclesiastical liberties and to Trēt are commen alreadye verey manye Bisshopes oute of Italy Fraūce and Spayne and the nomber encreaseth daylye Wherefore it is not semely that those which dwell so farre of shoulde preuente them that are nere hande A greate parte of theyr people are infected with Heresyes and had so muche the more nede of a Counsell Wherefore let them nowe with dilygence recompence thys slackenes and get them thyther immedyatelye all delaye set a parte vnlesse they wyll incurre the penaltye by the Lawes prescribed and the cryme of neglectynge theyr dewtie and playne dysobedyence The reste shall hys Ambassadour tell them vnto whom he prayeth them to geue credyt The clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon followed theyr suite at Roome against theyr Archebysshop verey ernestlye Wherfore the Bisshop of Roome the .xvi. daye of Aprill for asmuche as forgettyng hys owne saluatyō he hath offended diuersesly agaynst the ecclesiastical rules doctrine agaynst the traditions of the Apostles rites ceremonyes of the christiane religion in the church accustomed cōtrary to the censure of Leo the tenth setfoorth against Luther and his fellowes he doeth excommunicate him out of the communion of the church depriueth him of his Archebishopricke al others his benefices priueleges dignities and commaundeth the people of hys iurysdiction in generall that frō henceforch they obey hym not he releaseth them also of theyr othe by the whyche they are bounden to hym and commaundeth hym to sylence and awardeth hym to pay to the contrary parte costes and dōmage With them of Collon ioyned the Byshops of Liege and of Utreiche and the Uniuersitie of Louain this sentēce was after imprinted at Roome in the moneth of August When Themperour came to Regenspurge and was infourmed of the whole matter by the presydentes of the conference he toke the going awaye of the Diuines in most euill parte and dispatching hys letters throughe out Germany complayneth greatly therof and exhorteth the princes moste ernestly to come themselues From the Protestantes came Ambassadours only but thyther came Duke Moris Ericke Duke of Brūswicke Iohn Albert of Brandenburge the Bishoppes of Trent Auspurge Bamberge Wirciburge Passawe Hildesseme Aboute th ende of Maye came also kyng Ferdinando The second daye of Iune the Protestāts goe to Themperoure and complayne of the murtheryng of Diazius and desyre that the murtherer may suffer accordyngly Themperour sayeth he wyll consulte wyth hys brother Ferdinando moued also maketh the lyke aunswer With the Protestantes then were the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue of the Archebysshop of Collon of Mūster Norinberge Regenspurge and Norling The thirde daye after Themperoure calleth before him al the states and declareth the cause of callynge thys conuention and after he hath complayned muche of the absence of the Prynces he fyndeth hym selfe no lesse greued that the Collocutours were so sodaynely broken of and departed wherefore inasmuche as he coueteth greatlye that Relygion myght be set at some staye in Germany he desyreth theyr aduise and counsell what is further to be don herein moreouer how the iudgment of the chamber maye be refourmed he vnburthened of the charges therof Fynally he sheweth them howe for the relyfe and quyet of Germany he hathe throughe the meanes of the Frenche Kynge taken trewes with the Turke for one yere but seeyng the trewes commeth oute at October nexte as his brother king Ferdinando telleth him is broken also already and he knoweth not what wylbe the ende therof he supposeth that they shal be fayne whan tyme requyreth to geue hym that ayde whych heretofore they promysed and he wyll for the defence of th empyre mynister all the helpe and counsell he is able The Princes Electours were wonte to consulte and conferre together But at thys tyme the Ambassadours of Mentz and Treuerse forsake the Ambassadours of Collon Palatyne Saxon Brandenburge reuolt to the Catholickes and after conference had with thē they approue the counsell of Trente and exhorte Themperoure that he wolde maynteyne the same and perswade the Protestantes that bothe they wolde goe thither and also submytte them selues vnto the decrees and iudgement of the Synode But the Protestantes desyre Themperoure that he wolde establyshe a fyrme peace and vpryghte iustyce that he wolde referre the cause of Religion to a laweful counsell of Germany or assemblie of th empyre or to the conference of learned men to be had vpon certen condycions and shew how the counsell of Trente is not the same that hathe ben promysed by the decrees of Th empyre Whylest they consulted aboute these matters behold it was bruted a brode that Themperoure Kynge Ferdinando and the Bysshoppe of Roome made greate preparatyon for warres For insomuche as Themperoure had peace with Fraunce and trewes with the Turke for thys yere the oportunytye of tyme semed fytte to work they re feate in Certen Bysshoppes and Themperours Confessoure with whom the Bysshop of Roome had practysed were thought amonges others to haue been a greate occasyon hereof Wherefore whan Themperoure was fullye resolued to haue warre the .ix. daye of Iune he sendeth the Cardynall of Trente in greate poste haste to Roome in message to the Bisshop to procure the ayde promysed two dayes after he dispatcheth awaye Captaynes and chieftaynes with money to goe leuie men incontinentlye He had before commaunded Marimilian the Erle of Bure to bring him out of the low countries al the force he could get bothe of horsemen and fotemen he commaūdeth also Marques Albert and Marques Iohn of Brandenburge Wulfangus the master of the order in Germany to gether bandes of horsemen And those two though they were of the Protestantes religion and Marques Iohn also in league with them yet for asmuche as themperoure sayde howe he attempted that warre not for religion but agaynst certen rebelles they promysed hym their seruice And Marques Iohn had maried the Duke of Brūswickes daughter that was prisoner with the Lantzgraue The Ambassadours of the Protestātes being troubled to heare of these matters and taking care for the cōmon daunger of Germany desyre the other states of thempire that they wold goe with thē to themperoure to intreate that he wold haue no warre but that was in vaine especially the ambassadours of Mentz Treuers vtterly refused them The Lantzgraue who had good espialles euery where sēdyng oft his letters to Regēspurge aduertised them what
came not our selues to Regēspurge we haue bothe made oure excuse the Duke by hys Ambassa dours and I by presente talke with hym at Spier But what is then the lybertye of Germany or state of the publicke weale yf we must haue warre therfore whan bothe in others heretofore and also in this conuention nowe at Regenspurge many other Prynces are absent And as for the warre of Brunswicke we are not to bee blamed For it is lawfull for all men to saue them selues from violence We haue often tymes desyred in sondry assemblies that hys vyolence myghte be restreyned but more than wordes letters we could obteyne nothing And yet in those letters whych Fernando at our request wrote herof to Duke Henry openly wer other letters inclosed wherby he myghte easely perceyue that he neded not to obeye the others These Letters were founde in the castel of Wuolsbuttell subscribed with the kinges owne hande and are foorth commynge and nede be But in case the lyke seueritie had ben extended to the Duke of Brunswicke as themperoure sheweth nowe vnto vs albeit we haue not deserued it there had ben no warre at all But in asmuche as he impugned vs who for the profession of the Gospell doe susteyne greate hatred they coulde winke at hys myscheuous actes And Thēperoure knoweth how we commytted the prouince taken to gardience and for the defence takē in hande we offered our selues to abyde the order of the lawe and arbitrement by hym appoynted yf he would haue taken the same way and had not forsaking the Arbiterment and contemnyng Themperours order attēpted a new warre but wolde haue tryed the matter with vs by the lawe the way had ben easy enoughe For if we being conuict in iudgement had not obeyed than shulde Themperour haue had iuste cause to put the lawe in execution but nowe that he shulde thus doe he hath not at al. Finally from the time that this Duke and his son were taken themperoure did neuer demaunde thing of vs for the same therfore there is no cause wherfore we should be accused for negletynge oure dewtie And in case it shoulde bee ascribed to vs as though we shuld impeache the law then haue we to muche wronge For in asmuche as of many yeres now those only were receiued to be iudges of the chamber whych hated our religiō most bitterly for that the same iudges all cōpositions set a part gaue sentence against vs our fellowes in matters of religion also in ciuill causes wolde let vs haue no iustice we did as we myght doe euen by order of lawe necessarely and lawfully refuse them as suspected our aduersaries protestyng that we wold declare more at large the causes of the refusal before chosen iudges Therfore can there nothing be imputed vnto vs in this be halfe Moreouer two yeres past it was decried at Spier that the chamber shuld be establyshed vprightly why it was not so don it cānot be ascribed to vs nor our fellowes And it is not vnknowē to themperoure how the last yere in the assēblie at Wormes ther did no man resist this decree of his more than they themselues whiche wyll seme to be loyall obedient princes for this intent verely that where as they be oure aduersaries they myght be oure iudges also We doe heare moreouer that this is layed to our charge as much blame worthy that we seke to allure vnto vs certē of the Nobilitie But maruell it is that we should be reproued for this matter For it is to be founde proued that this hath ben alwaies the maner in the dayes of oure forefathers that they should ioyne vnto thē not only the gentelmen of their owne coūtries but the bishops also And though there wersom fault therin it is therfore lawful to moue warre against vs our cause not heard and albeit that in the league of in heritaunce which is betwene the houses of Saxon Brandenburg Hesse themperour is excepted yet ought this to be so taken if he do not abuse his authoritie Wherfore let Albert Iohn of Brandenburge cosins who haue promised to serue Themperour against vs consider with thēselues dilligently what they doe remēber their othe wherwith they ar boūdē we wold they shuld haue this knowledg and warninge as they also which being our clientes take wages vnder thē in this war Neither are they excused if haply they wil say how thēperour is pourposed to punnish certen princes for disobedience For they knewe themselues howe there can be no such thing imputed to vs iustly But if Themperoure had accused vs of any crime as reason wold haue requyred that we could not haue confuted the same he shulde not haue neded to vse all these polycies and sollicite our fellowes to withdraw themselues from vs. For yf he coulde haue shewed our offence they wolde haue forsaken vs of theyr owne accorde and in a cause that had not ben good few wold haue a biden the commō daunger Furthermore what tyme we with the rest gaue hym ayde two yeres synce against the Frence king he promised than that when that warre shulde be finished he wolde goe into Hongary hymselfe agaynst the Turke And nowe doe the Turkes inuade Hongary and the places ther aboutes with great force power as in dede it is reported of many doubteles therbe in those parties both at Offen and Pest great garnisons of Turkes But the poore mens liues of that countrie are neglected which are now cast vnto theyr enemyes as a praye and in the meane while they seke howe to make slaughter in Germanye and that all thynge maye swymme full of theyr blud that professe Chryst And seing it is so we trust surely that moste men will pitie and lament our case and wil not assist our aduersaryes whiche seke only to extinguish the doctrine of the Gospell as they haue donne in all others places of they re dominions and bring vs into extreme bondoge but wil be content for reasonable wages rather to followe oure campe than theirs wherin is the Romish Antichriste and his adherentes whose chyfe endeuour is thys that euen with the slaughter of all Germany they maye establish agayne and confirme theyr wicked and deuelishe doctryne And in asmuche as after muche intreatinge for peace beyng of no crime as yet cōuicted we are enforced to warre to defend our selues from violence we trust that God will assist the treweth agaynst lyes and in thys hys cause wil be our hygh Emperour enseigne bearer againste the wicked deuises of the bishop Unto him verely doe we commit the whole matter and beseche hym to confounde the cruell counselles of blud thirsters and euer more and more to auaunce the maiestie glory of hys name The same daye they wryte to Iohn Marques of Brādenburge And because he is bothe in the league of the Protestantes as by his owne letters can be proued and agayne in priuate confederacie
dominiōs extremely and therby haue purchased no small hatred to our selues But lately that innocent man Iohn Diazius was so cruelly and detestably murthered as neuer man was from the beginning of the worlde vntyll this day That Fratricide his brother apprehēded and accused Certen Princes made request that so horrible a fact myght be punyshed but what insued therof the matter it selfe declareth He imputeth the cause of all displeasure and trouble vnto vs But his decree of Wormes was cause of all together wherunto our aduersaries cleaued as to a moste sure foundation especially the Duke of Brunswick whiche made a confederacie with diuerse before the conuentiō of Auspurg where as what maner of decree was made it is openly knowen Certenly those cruell and fierce wordes ther pronounced caused vs to make the league and cōfederacie that we are in at this daye The Byshops adherētes haue bene euermore busy with vs in al assemblies and would haue compelled vs to the choise of meates and holy dayes of their owne makyng Moreouer we permitted the Emperour at Auspurg whan he promysed vs faire and largely that he should appoint preachers But it is knowen wel enough how wicked and how ignoraunt men he assigned to that office It is an auncient custome of thempire that whā any Prince is minded to retourne home from thassemblie he may do it by the Emperours leaue How be it my father sayth the Duke of Saxon what tyme he was at Auspurg could not obtaine licence of him to departe and heard it also reported that in case he prepared to goe he should yet be stayed against his wyll And albeit my vncle Friderick had done muche for hym yet would he neuer as long as my father liued confirme hym in his own Dukedome only because of the decree of Wormes and Religion Seing therfore that the cause of this warre is manifestly knowen we desyre all men to geue no credit to the contrary and defende with vs their common and natife countrey As for our own subiectes and clientes whom he hath released of their allegeaūce which they owe vnto vs we doubt not but they wyl do their duty vnto vs as they are bunden The protestaūtes letting slippe that occasiō of fight at Ingolstad as before is sayd and remayning there thre dayes after whan the Emperour in the meane season had fortified his Campe strongly the fourth day of Septēber they remoued thence that they might encountre with the Erle of Bure or stop his passage Notwithstanding that some were against it and said how they nede to go no further to seke the enemy which was in sight and before their eies They pitched the next tyme at Neuburg which they had fortified with a garnison before two days after they marched to Donauerd The tenth day of September they encāped besydes Uending a towne of the Erles of Oeting sending from thence espialles to bring them some intelligence of the Erle of Bure That perceiuing the Emperour sent aduertisement to the Erle who turning out of his way and marching from Norinberg to Regenspurg came to the Emperour at Ingolstad in safitie Wherfore the Protestauntes being frustrated of their hope the third day after returne vnto Donauerde Hether came vnto them Christopher Counte Oldenburg and Friderick Rifeberg with two legions and the Erle of Bichling with fiue enseignes of fotemē In the meane tyme the Emperour remoued his campe to Nuburg And whan no aide came the souldiours of the garnyson rendred the towne The Emperour pardoned them al taking stipulation of them that they shoulde no more weare armure against him Than the report went how the Emperour would to Auspurg Wherfore the Germaines passe ouer Thonawe to let him of his iourney But whan he leauing a garnison at Nuburg marched toward Marxeme they returne back into their former campe I tolde you before how they had sent Ambassadours for ayde both into Fraunce and Englande but that was in vaine And the king of Fraunce in dede excused the matter for that hauing made peace with the Emperour he sayd he could not How beit for that he would not haue the Emperours power increased he desyred Peter Strosse a Florētine a man of war and exceading riche to lende them thre hondreth thousand crownes and to the intent he might the easelier doe it he payeth a great somme of money that he ought him He was content for asmuche as they of Strasburg Auspurg and Ulmes became suerties goeth forth with Iohn Sturmius that was sent Ambassadour into Fraunce to the Princes in their campe at Donauerde Whan he came thither he was honorably receiued and departed in suche sorte as he would assuredly defray the money but when the tyme came that he shuld disburse it he could no where be found in all Fraunce Many men suppose that this was wrought by the policie of the Cardinall of Tournon Who for the hatred he bare to Religiō wyshed all aduersitie to the protestauntes and was than chief in authoritie with the king About th ende of September the protestauntes write again to them of zurick Bernes Basill to the Schafusians and shew them what themperour intēdeth what daunger they shal stand in also in case he get the victory and will them to consider whether it be not wisdome for thē to declare them selues ennemies to the Emperour and byshop of Rome after to inuade the Emperours countrie next thē If they wyll so doe they promyse them all ayde and fidelitie Wherunto they make aunswere Howe not they only but all the rest of the Swysses in lyke case haue a league by inheritaūce with the house of Austriche and Burgundy out of the whiche countreis they haue all their wyne and bread corne Whiche league if they should them selues infringe the Swisses their fellowes whiche be of a contrary Religion should haue iuste cause to assiste the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando and to opē the strayte passages in the Alpes whiche they haue through their great labour shut vp and closed and so ioyne with their ennemies Moreouer wynter is now at hande so that albeit they would neuer so fayne yet can they do no great thing this yeare and if they should leaue their owne countrey naked it is to be feared leste others would take possession in the meane season Therfore it is muche better that they tary styl at home For so shall not their fellowes styre as they haue already declared It is not vnknowen that they beare them ryght good wil and wyshe them to prosper after their owne hartes desyre howebeit they thinke it not mete for thē to enter into so great daunger And therfore desyre them to take it in good parte The Emperour remoueth from Marxeme to Donauerde but fyndyng no place conuenient to encampe in he tourneth on the left hand and the thyrde daye of October marcheth to Monheyme It fortuned than to be a great myste and the escoutes that were sent
out to knowe whiche waye the Emperour went brought contrary reportes but in fine whan Lewys the Erle of Oetinge brought certen worde that he was passed with a great part of his Armie ouer the Ryuer of Wernize they followed after immediatly about two of the clocke at after none and towardes nyght pytche their Tentes not passing halfe a myle from the Emperour Hitherto came vnto them messengers from the city of Norling who seing themperour so nigh required ayde who were aunswered frankely The nex day again it was a myste The forewarde led the Duke of Saxon the Lātgraue the middle ward and George Malspurg and Rifeberg the rerewarde The Duke of Saxon marching forwarde with fiue legions with many troppes of horsemen approcheth nere vnto thennemy there was ryding pricking coursing vp down on both partes Whan it waxed clere themperour perceiuing the the vantwarde kept on the way towardes Norling that the rereward was not come yet in sight he auaunceth al his horsemen as though he would geue the battell The Lantgraue therfore being in the mids what time the whole armie of his enemies made towards him asketh coūsel some aduised him to folow the Duke of Saxō but because the reward was yet far behind which through his departure he sawe shuld be like to fal into the lapse of their ennemies he thought not good to depart but sending messēgers both to haste them forward to cal back the Duke of Saxō he kept the hilles that he was vpon stired not In the midway betwixt both armies was the Riuer of Egra which was in dede but smal yet hard to passe ouer especialy for themperour if he wold haue foughten the battel Unto this riuer was come the Erle of Bure with his power And whan it was very like that they shuld haue ioined in battel themperour calleth him back cōmaundeth him straitly to go no further Thus they returned both into their campe the protestauntes pitched not far frō Norling On the next daye certen troupes of themperours horsemen ryde nere vnto their enemies gaue thē a very hote skirmysche In this conflict was hurt Albert Brunswick the sonne of Duke Philip going vnaduisedly after he had wel tippled he was caried to Norling where he died not long after The Emperour remayning there certen dayes sendeth in the meane tyme Octauius Farnesius with his owne force and with the Almaigne fotemen and munitiō to take Donauerd Fortune fauoured the mans deuise And settyng forwarde by night whan he was come thither as sone as day appered and was auauncing his ladders to scale the townes men yelded them selues The souldiours of the Garnyson were fayne to saue thē selues by flyght This done themperour marcheth to Donauerd The protestantes intent was to haue assaulted the Emperour in his campe but his departure altered that purpose it is thought how themperour had some intelligence therof by espial In those days the Duke of Alba sent to demaūde of the Lantgraue why he kept so much the hilles and mountaynes why cometh he not downe into the plaine fielde and trye the matter in battell The Lantgraue sent him word again howe he and his fellowes were fiue dayes together in the plain fieldes before Ingolstad and offered battell why would he not fight Why did he not bicker at Norlinge where he taried for him the whole daye Whylest this was done in Sweden there fell a great alteration in Saxonie How the Emperour had deuised with Duke Maurice at Regenspurg and Ferdinando at Prage again how the Emperour commaunded him to inuade and enter in possessions of the Electours of Saxonie and the Lantgraues countreis it is before specified Wherupon Duke Maurice in the first beginning of the warre retourning home from Regenspurg calleth a conuention at Chemnice of al the states within his dominion and there cōsulteth what is nedefull to be done They counsell him to know certenly of the Emperour whether he wyll permitte them to kepe their Religion safely secondly that he and the Marques of Brandenburg Electour should make intercession And in case they may be in assuraunce for Religion and that intercession wil take no place they exhorte him that in as much as he is bounden in al other matters besides Religion to obey the Emperour he would sit quiet hire a power to defende his countrey Unto the which thing they promise him ayde chouse syx out of the whole nūber to assiste him at all times with their aduise counsel But whan themperours cōmaundemēt before said came vnto hym and king Ferdinando also mustred men in Hongary leuied a power in Boheme he holdeth another assembly of his states at Fridberg the eight day of October There he reciteth the former treaty sayth how after their aduise the Marques of Brandēburg he haue solicited the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue to permitte that they might intreate the matter haue earnestly admonyshed them also what perill is in the thing that they would ponder it diligently How be it as yet in dede they haue receiued no conuenient aunswer and libelles are set out the matter come to hand stripes they haue bickered together haue had sondry smal cōflictes and albeit that thei haue at diuers times required his ayd yet forasmuch as themperour hath giuen him sufficiēt warraūtise for religiō therfore hath he following their coūsel stired nothing but hath kept soldiours for the defence of his prouince conferred in matters of coūsell with the six chosē But now is the time so troublesome perillous that the thosē say how thei ar not able to beare so great a burthē wherfore at their request is this assēbly called For thēperours cōmaundementes are brought vnto hym which he will shewe them that are sore and of moste importance and of such sorte that in case they be neglected the whole countrey therby is like to come in a wounderfull daunger Moreouer the Bohemers and theyr fellowes prepare warre and are comen out of their countrie al ready purposing to inuade the prouince of Duke Iohn Friderickes And albeit that he hath first by letters after by his Ambassadours last of al going him selfe also intreated king Ferdinando to the contrary yet could he obtayne nothing And in asmuche also as he supposeth that the same is done by Themperours commaundement he neither may neither lieth it in his power to resist it he would in dede right gladly that the ciuile warre being once appeased the Turkish violence might be repressed How beit they knowe in what sorte both coūtreis be lincked together in hope of succession And howe he hath siluer mines also comon with the Prince Electour And to suffer all these thinges to be plucked away from the house of Saxonie to come into a straungers handes it should be a great grief to him Moreouer the whole coūtrey lieth so intermingled by per celles that in
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
refused to doe And sayeth he wyll not go one fote with him vnlesse he be drawen forth by violence Than Duke Maurice the Marques intreate him exceadingly and beseching him that he wold not refuse to go And to perswade him the more they take him by the righthād and in the presence of diuerse noble men make him promesse that they wyl not departe from the Emperours courte before he be deliuered And ryding forth with him to Numburg they go after to the Emperour to make suite for him Thre dayes after whiche was the .xxv. of Iune They sende vnto him Carlebice And where as they followe themperour no further they desire him not to take it displeasauntly For he hath vtterly forbiddē thē that thei shuld not For if thei do he wil send him into Spain Neuerthelesse if that C. fifty M. crownes were payd that he make him assuraunce to performe the rest of the cōuenaūtes thei perceiue so much that he shuld be deliuered within a fourtenight after how thei wil shortly ryde to thassemblie at Auspurg wil omit no ernest paines nor diligent suite for hym He which toke his chaunce most vnpatiētly saith that for the paiment of y◠mony rasing of his castels he wil deuise care for trusteth that loke what thei promise shal be performed After warde passing out of the borders of Thuring with the Spāiardes whā he came to Greuetalle he sheweth the Duke of Alba the letters of saufecōduit assuraūce by obligatiō he saith how thēperour graūted nothing to the intercessours but of perpetual imprisonmēt Why thā saith the Lantgraue what measure or ende may this captiuitie haue or wtin what time shal it be expired Although saith he he detein you prisoner .xiiii. yeres or lōger yet shal thēperour do nothing against his promise But he to the intēt he might soner recouer his libertie not lōg after paieth al his monie defaceth his castelles deliuereth his ordenaūce But the nomber of the battering pieces which the Emperour gate partely of him and of the Duke of Saxon partely of the Duke of Wirtemberge and the cities in vpper Germany was great And as it is reported to the nomber of fiue hondreth Wherof he sent afterwarde diuerse to Millan some to Naples and some into Spaine the residue he bestowed in sondry places of his lowe countreis belongyng to the house of Burgūdy as monumentes and tokens of victory The Lantgraues captiuitie Ebleb a noble Gentlemā that was messenger betwixt toke moste heuely and as many men iudge for very thoughte and sorowe died shortly after The Emperour had intended to warre vpon the citie of Magdeburg on the Riuer of Albis two dayes iourney benethe Wittemberge For they in maner only did not compounde nor agree with him But at the same time Henry the Frenche kyng toke vp men in Germany by Sebastian Uogelsberge about ten enseignes of fotemen That matter did the Emperour suspecte Wherfore both for this cause as it is thought also for that he supposed thei might be repressed by an other meane departing from Hale he toke his iourney into the hygher partes of Germany and the .xxvii. day of Iune he sēdeth the Marques of Marignaue to aide his brother Ferdinando with eight enseignes of Almaigne fotemen That tyme was Ferdinando at Letmerice attending for the oportunitie of tyme to worke his purpose And hearing of themperours successe taking of the Lantgraue at the kalēdes of Iuly wryting his letters to Prage he cōmaundeth them to be before him in the castell of Prage the sixt day of Iuly there to make answer After he came thither with his force he declareth in open consistory their whole doynges past and howe many wayes they haue trespassed against him and saieth howe they haue cōmitted the offence of treason and commaundeth them to answere vnto euery pointe There do they in most humble wyse submit them selues to his will and pleasure and desire him not to trie the matter with thē neither by lawe nor otherwyse Wherupō the king whan Ferdinādo his sonne August brother to Duke Maurice and certen others were suters for them the .x. daie of Iuly propoundeth these cōditions At the next assemblie they shal vtterly abolishe the league made pluck from it euery mās seale That they deliuer vnto him al their charters writings of their Fredom priuileges to thintēt he may correct some such as shal like him graunt vnto them again confirme thē That they deliuer also al the writinges cōcerning fraternities fellowships for that diuerse of thē haue ministred occasiō of trou Moreouer that they deliuer vp their Castelles and fortresses with all their iurisdictions and customes and againe all the wrytinges of the league that they haue both made with others and also with Iohn Fridericke That the same excise of Bere that was promysed for thre yeares be payed from henceforth continually That they bryng all their munition and warlike furniture into the Castell all their priuate armure into the towne house If they shall thus doe he sayeth he wil spare the multitude except diuerse whiche he wyl reserue vnto such punishement as they haue deserued and deteyne them prysoners for the commoditie of the common wealth Whan the matter was reported to the commons after he had released about fifty prysoners it was cōcluded Certen of the Nobilitie beyng sent for where they did not appere at the daye prescribed sentence was pronounced against them to lose both life and goodes Certen other cities and Noble men followyng the example of them of Prage do submitte them selues without condition But Caspar Pfluge whome the confederates as I said before had made their generall is condempned of treason and proclamation made that who so could bring him quick or dead shuld haue fiue thousand crownes in rewarde After at the next conuention whan they had disanulled their league brokē their seales he obteined of thē in a maner all that he had demaūded Whilest the Emperour triumpheth in Germany ther arose a sore seditiō at Naples the cause wherof was that Peter Toletane the Uiceroye would after the Spanish maner inquire of euery mans faith and Religion The citezens toke this vnpaciently whiche lothed the Spanyardes gouernmēt also before And after muche slaughter on both partes within the cytie the Spanyardes at the length preuailed by reason that they kept the fortes and Castell Wherfore some they put to death the residue they banyshed This Spanishe inquisition whiche is so vniuersall at this day was first ordeined in those parties by king Ferdinando and quene Elizabeth against the Iewes whiche after Baptisme kept still their lawes and ceremonies But nowe since the name of Luther was published a broade it is practised against all men in generall which be neuer so little suspected and that both sharply and sodainly In these selfe same dayes seuen Cardinalles of Fraunce by the kynges commaundement go to Rome and
wyll geue no iust cause to be thought negligent in matters cōcerning the churche Neuerthelesse if it so fortune through the imbecillitie of mans nature I shall not be offended if my negligence maye styre vp and sharpen the Emperours dilligence to succour the Churche so that he staye hym selfe within the precincte and limittes prescrybed that is If he followe herein the rule of ryght and lawes of the holy Fathers Finally as concerning the chiefe point of your Protestation where you contende the remouing of the counsell to be vnlawfull in as muche as the effecte of all the controuersie theron dependeth I take vnto my self the examination therof by vertue of my power and authoritie and committe the hearing of the same to the moste worthy Cardinalles Parise Burges Poole and Crescent And commaunde that in the meane tyme whylest they do examine the thing no man what so euer he be attempte any thynge to the contrary And also charge the fathers aswell that be at Bo nonie as also at Trent that if they haue any thing to saye or alledge in this matter they do it within this moneth And lest I should seme in any point to hinder the commoditie of Germany I wyll not refuse to sende myne Ambassadours thether suche as may cure the infirmitie of their people if I shal vnder stande the same not to be vnthankeful to them and to the Emperour Besydes all this whan the iudgement is ended in case it shall appere that they did not wel to remoue vnto Boloigne I will deuise by all meanes that the Synode may be cōtinued at Trent And at fewe wordes will do what I can that in fine the auncient Religion may agayne be restored to Germany The Cardinall of Trent was before this retourned to Auspurge as I said Whan the Emperour than hearing his talke and also receiuing letters frō Mendoza dated at Rome about the ende of December sawe but small hope of the counsell the xiiii daye of Ianuary declareth the matter to the states in what case it standeth and how he hath signified to his Ambassadour Mendoza that he should make protestation at Rome concerning the remouing of the counsel After the same shal be done he wyll gette them the copie to wryte out And albeit the hope of the counsell is not vtterly to be neglected yet by reason of the long delay whiche is like to come betwixt he thinketh it to be requisite and necessary that in the meane tyme there be some meane founde to conserue the peace of Germany They haue in dede committed vnto hym the charge of this matter but he thinketh it expedient that out of the whole nombre be chosen a fewe good and well learned men to haue the doing hereof And he wyll also appoint certen to consult with them Wherfore he requireth them to be wylling hereunto and al affectiōs layde asyde to cōsider what commoditie it were for the cōmon wealth and euery of thē also that a reconcilement were made Let them call to remembraunce howe before this dissention Germany was the moste florishyng Region of all others and as a mirrour and a spectacle for al nations to beholde Let thē consider moreouer that where he toke so muche trauel pain that the counsell might be continued at Trent that he ded the same of his duty and of a singuler zeale to the cōmon coūtrey Therfore were dyuers chosen to treat of the matter but when they coulde not agre the whole matter was referred to themperour Wherfore he appointed certen to penne articles of doctrine ceremonies and reformation of the clergie Those were Iuly Pflugie Byshop of Numburge Michaell Sidonie Iohn Islebie Agricola who .xviii. yeares past had defended the doctrine of the Protestauntes with Melanchton and Brentius as is wrytten in the seuenth booke These therfore wryte a boke of Articles but very secretly and whan they had bene lōg about it and had printed it sondry tymes at length exhibite the same to the Emperour as I wyl shewe you hereafter Ioachim the Electour of Brandenburg whiche laboured sore for a reconcilement deuising first with Iames Sturmius intreated the Senate of Strasburg by his letters that for the cause of Religion they would sende vnto him Bucer For in asmuche as the Byshop had withdrawen the coūsell the Emperour had taken an other way and that there was great hope of a reformation Whereupon Bucer is sent who taking his iurney priuely about the ende of Ianuary whan he came almoste to Auspurg stayed there tyll the Prince sent for hym In the former boke is declared how the Englyshemen ouercame the Scottes in a mighty battell But where the Scottes would not relent nor chaunge their pourpose and trusted to the Frenche kynges promesses the Duke of Somerset Protectour of England and the rest of the counsell the first day of February wryte vnto thē a long exhortation vnto peace Albeit say they it were requisite that the beginning should procede of you whiche in the cause are inferiours and goe by the worse And albeit we possesse a great part of your dominion yet can we not but admonishe you of your wealth and preseruatiō The last yeare before the battel we prouoked you to peace and amitie and declared what our mynde was but that wryting was suppressed by your captaines and gouernour of your Realme and not suffered to come to your handes For so that they may do wel them selues they care full litle what chaunceth vnto you Wherfore if they shall now also vse the same disceiptfulnes not suffer you to vnderstande any part of our wyll and counsell in this wryting we do openly proteste that we haue omitted no part of our dutie Englande hath oftentymes kepte warre with Scotlande and that exceading great And there is no doubt but they that shall reade the histories or heare of the feates done would maruell muche that the people of one countrie and langage shuld be at so great dissention amonges themselues and woulde accompt it a thing chiefly to be wyshed for if the whoale Ilande might by some meane agree in one be ruled by one gouernement But al men do confesse that there is no redier waye here unto than by mariage And this way God hauing compassion vpon you hath shewed you and offered you a moste goodly occasion as it were into your bosome Your kyng whan he had broken his promesse had an ouerthrow in battell died shortly after whether it were for sorowe or for some other cause He had thre children two sonnes a daughter and they indede might haue ben a let so that ther shuld not haue ben made an attonemēt betwixt vs. But God toke thē away both in a maner in one day whan thei were infantes left but one inheriter a daughter borne a litle before the death of her father And vnto vs hath geuē a king of great exspectatiō Edward sonne heire vnto Hery the eight What do you
wanted nothynge to hyghe felicitie and we myght than establyshe a moste florishyng Monarchie But if thys waye moue you nothynge at the leste wyse let the calamitie lately receyued and the mysery nowe hanging ouer your headdes perswade you Let the feare of Goddes vengeaunce also moue you For God is the reuenger of faith and conuenauntes brokē and detesteth al desire of warre and plageth the same with greuous punishementes We desire your Quene as is conuenaunted and the waye of peace whiche God of his infinitie goodnes hath shewed the same we followe and wyshe that you also wold walke in the same steppes And if we can obtain nothing we protest that of necessitie we must attempt warre through Gods conduite whose worde and voice you contemne we wyll prosecute our right with sword fire Wherfore if there he any good men amōgst you which are sory for the calamitie of their countrey whiche thinke that faith and promyse is to be kepte and obserued they may come vnto vs safely whosoeuer they be we shall shewe them all loue and fauour That the trafficke also of marchaūdise may frely be vsed amongst vs the kyng hath lately prouided set forth by proclamation to the intent there might be a token of his beneuolence towardes you And if he shall perceiue this benefite to be wel imployed he intendeth to bestowe vpon you greater hath cōmaunded all these thinges to be signified to you in his name In the former boke I shewed you of Sebastian Uogelsberg which brought the French kyng out of Germany ten enseignes of fotemē Who in Autumne retourned home and discharged his bandes For that he serued the Frenche kyng the Emperour toke it greuously displeasaūtly and seking an occasion he commaunded Lazarus Schuendie to se if he could apprehende him Who commyng to Wisseburg where he had a hous toke him and brought him to Ausburge Streight waies was he put vpon the Racke and examined by torture of diuerse others that were had in suspicion before as though they fauoured the Frenche partie And although that through a valeaunt stoutnes both of body and mynde he vttered nothing for all the tourment yet for that he was reported to haue bene in societie with rebelles to haue broken the Emperours proclamations and deuised crafty counselles he was condemned to die and two other Cēturions with him Iames Mantel Wuolf Thomas Wherfore the seuēth day of February he was brought forth into the marketh place foure days after he came thether There were certen enseignes of fotemen in ar mure and great resort of people Whan he was come into the higher place of executiō loking about him with a bold stoute courage for asmuch as the noblemen of all degrees loked out of the wyndowes houses on euery side he saluteth thē with great reuerence and speaking of the kinde of his life declareth how he hath heretofore serued the Emperour in his warres sayth the only cause of his death is that that last yere he brought the Frenche king a force of men what time he was crowned at Rains Now was this Uogelsberg of a goodly comely personage and where he shewed no toke at al of any terrour or feare of death he allured all men to beholde him After him were heheaded the Cēturions before named Two iudges gaue the sentence whiche followe the Emperours court campe alwayes the one Biruiesca a Spaniarde the other a Germane Niclas Zinner both lawyers He had blamed Schuendie as though he had bene circumuented by him But thei setforth a wryting and declare wherfore he was executed excuse Schuendie affirme that he did nothing but the Emperours cōmaundement and proteste that accusation to be false At this tyme through out Fraunce but chiefly at Paris was burning persecution renewed for Lutheranisme where contrariwyse in Englande they consulted vtterly to abolishe the Popish masse Themperour as I sayd before had geuē to Duke Maurice the dignitie of Electourship the greatest part of the Duke of Saxons coūtrie in the campe before Wittemberge But in this conuentiō by a publique solemne ceremonie he putteth him as it were inpossession and receiueth him into the tuition of him of the Empire which thing he had promised him thā This was done the xxiiii day of February which was Thēperours birth day And that cerimony was after this sorte In the market place was buylded a pauilion of bordes of a great breadth wherūto they went vp by steps Thither came themperour about thre of the clock at after none accōpanied with the Princes Electours After he goeth frō hence into an house by and putteth on his solemne Robes both he the Princes Electours From thence he cometh forth again sitteth down vnder his cloth of estate Likewise do they euery man in his place on the backside ouer themperour vpon a stage were placed the Trompetters Than cometh forth the first band of Duke Maurice runne their horses to themperours pauilion as the maner is In the meane season Duke Maurice with an other band staieth right ouer against them accompanied with a nōber of Princes next before him were .xii. Trompetters Immediatly issued out of y◠same band Hēry the duke of Brūswick Wuolfāge prince of Bipoūt brother to the elector of Palatine And albert the yōg duke of bauer whē thei had coursed their horses to the place before said they alight go vp to thē per 〈…〉 hūbly require hi that he wold auāce duke moris for the commō benefit of thempire to the digniti of electorship Themperor cōsultīg with thelectors maketh answer by tharchbishop of 〈…〉 ētz that he is cōtēt so to do in case he wil cōe hī self demād the same whē he had receiued that answer duke Moris cōmeth riding forth with the hole troupe before him wer born .x. enseignes with the armes of as many regiōs wherin he desired to be inuested whā he was come vp before themperor he kneled down vpō his knees desireth y◠same Hoier earl of Māsfeld was sent of his brother august to make the like request Wherfor themperor answereth by tharchbishop of mētz chāceler of thempire Forasmuch as they both haue don hī faithful seruice he wil geue vnto duke Moris his heires males or if none be to his brother Augustus to the heirs of his body thelectorship of saxonie al the lāds of Ihō Friderick so much excepted as is alredy grāted to his childrē Afterward tharchbishop of Mētz readeth the oth wherw t thelectors are boūdē and whā Duke Moris reciting it after him had sworn themperor deliuereth vnto him the sworde with this ceremony putteth him as it wer into full possession He geueth thākes promiseth al fidelity obeisāce After those bāuērs of armes before mētioned whē duke Moris had receiued thē of themperor wer thrown down amōgs the people as is accustomed al these things might Duke Ihō Friderick behold
out of the house where he lodged did so wtout fail for it was in the same market place Bucer who was sēt for to Auspurge came at the last to thelector of Brādēburge And now was the boke finished which I shewed you before was cōpiled of religiō which the marques deliuereth to Bucer desireth him to subscribe Whē he had red it ouer for that he saw the bishop of Romes doctrine therein established he said he could not allow the same Thelector toke this displesātly was much of fēded with him iudged the wryting moderat for so had Islebie perswaded hī Granuellā also vrged Bucer by messēgers if he wold subscribe promised hī ample rewards whē he might not preuail by large promises he begā to threatē him so he returned home not wtout dāger sor throughout al the lād of Wirtemberge were bāds of Spaniardes as before is said In the month of Aprill tharchbishop of Collō lately made priest sāg his first masse as they term it Wherat were themperor king Ferdinādo and of other Princes a great nōbre After he maketh them a moste sumpteous dinner About this time also came to Auspurge Muleasses king of Tūnes whome the Emperour .xiii. yeres paste had restored to his kingedome and expulsed barbarous as I shewed you in the ninth boke Now had his eldest son put out both his eies vsurped the crown wherfore like a miserable exile he came hither to themperor out of Barbarie And not lōg after came thither also his secōd sōne The boke cōpiled of religiō treateth first of the state of mā before after his fal of our redēptiō by Christ of charity good works of the cōfidēce in the remissi◠of sinnes of the church of vowes of authoriti of the ministers of the church of the high bishop of the sacramēts of the sacrifice of the masse of the memorial inuocatiō intercessiō of saintes of the memorial of such as haue died godly of the cōmunion to be annexed to the sacrifice of ceremonies vse of sacraments And these things amongs others are taught that those workes which besides the cōmaūdemēt of god are godly honestly wrought which are cōmōly called the works of superogatiō are to be cōmēded y◠mā cānot wtout distrust of his imbecillity beleue that his sins be forgeuē how the church hath autority to interprete the scriptures oute of the same together setforth doctrins power to minister the law to iudge of doutful matters by a general coūsel to make lawes and that ther is one high bishop which is aboue al y◠residue for the prerogatiue graūted to Peter vnto whō the gouernment of the vniuersall church was committed of Christ yet so as other bishops also haue part of the cure euery mā in his own church that by cōfirmatiō chrisme is receiued y◠holy gost so that they may resist the deceits of the deuil the flesh the world that the bishop only is minister of this sacramēt how the sins must be rehersed to the priest such as come to memory That by satisfactiō which cōsisteth in the frutes of repētāce especially through fasting praying almosgeuing are cut of the causes of sinnes temporal punishment ether taken away or mitigated that holy vnctiō hath bene in the church since the time of the Apostles that ether it might help the body or the mind it self against the firy darts of the deuil wherfor it must be vsed what time the hour of death apeareth to draw nere how mariage contracted wtout the cōsēt of the parēts ought to be ratified but yet are the childrē to be admonished in sermons that they folow thaduise of their parēts how christ at his last supper did institute the sacramēt of his body blud first that the same might be receiued of the faithful as the holsom meat of the soul secondli that it might be offred vp in memorial of his death For ther be in al .ii. sacrifices of christ the one blody vpō the crosse thother wherin vnder the form of bread and wine he him self offred vp vnto his father his body blud after deliuered y◠same to his apostles successers to be don in the memorial of him vnto the worlds end by the first was mākind reconciled to god the father but through this same that is not blody Christ is represēted to his father not that we shuld agaī deserue that remissiō of sins but that we might apply vnto our selues y◠recōcilemēt prepared by the death of Christ and that in this sacrifice wherin we celebrate the death of Christ the morial of saints must be renued that they may make intercessiō for vs to god the father help vs by their merits we must also remēber the dead cōmend thē to almightye God After this is prescribed that the old ceremonies accustomably vsed in baptisme be stil obserued the xorsisme renouncing cōfession of the faith Chrisme Moreouer that in the ceremonies of the masse ther be nothing chaūged that in al towns great churches ther be saide daily .ii. Masses at the least in the country villages one especially on holy daies and that in the canō of the inasse nothing at all be altered and that al the rest be obserued after thold vsage yet if any thing be crept in that may geue occasiō to superstitiō let it be takē away Let vestments ornaments vessels crosses altars cādels images be kept stil as certein monumēts let not those ordinari praiers godly singing of Psalmes be abrogated wher they be takē away let thē be restored let the obits for the dead be kept after the maner of thold church also sainctes holy daies yea let thē be worshipped also vnto whō it is decreed that supplicatiō shuld be made The day before Easter Witsontide let the water in the fōtstone be hallowed after a solēne maner let riot be refrained to thintent to stir vp the mind to godly exercises certen daie◠let mē fast abstain frō flesh finally though it wer to be wished that ther be diuers many ministers of the church foūd that would liue chast yet for that many haue wiues euery wher whiche they will not forsake nether can this now be altred without a great tumult therfore must we tary herein for a decre of a generall counsel likewise are we cōtēted to bear with thē that receiue the Lords supper vnder both kindes yet so as they shal not reproue others that do the contrary For vnder ether kind the body bloud of Christ is conteined wholy After this sort was the boke setforth at the last as after you shal heare but not so pēned at the beginninge For it was oft corrected the copy that Bucer saw was somwhat purer Wherfore after it had ben tost lōg much among the states of thempire it was sēt also to Rome
him heretofore but whan inquisition was made there coulde nothinge in a manner be founde Neuerthelesse he will do what he can to knowe the certaintye For no man shall escape vnpunished that hathe oughte offended At this time also the states do graunte that the Emperor maye at his pleasure constitute the iudgemente of the Chamber and ioyne vnto them other iudges for assistaunce And they them selues promise to beare the charges of the same Of the treatye begonne concerninge a league before saide the winedinge vp was this that the Emperoures prouinces whiche he hathe in Germanye and lowe Dutchlande and all that belonge to the house of Burgundy should be vnder the tuition and defence of the Empire and be contributaries vnto publicke affaires yet so as they maye vse their owne lawes and iurisdiction And that Germanye shall againe looke for the like aide and defence of the Emperoures Prouinces ✚ The .xxi. Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the syfte ⧠The Argument of the .xxi. Booke THe authoures of the Interim are rewarded which neuerthelesse many impugned whereof the Duke of Saxon is accused They of Constance were so vrged to admit the Interim that ambushes of fotemen were laied to surprise the Citie whiche at the laste receweth the Interim They of Strausboroughe make theyr purgation to the Emperoure A commotion chaunseth at Bourdeux The dispaire of Spiera is recited and the conuersion of Uergerius The Scottishe Quene transported into Fraunce Maydenbourge is setforth for a praye The Admirall of Englande is beheaded they at Strausboroughe are at contention with their Byshop They of Wittemberge are accused to be Adiphoristes to wit indifferent or newters A disputation in Englande touchinge the Lordes Supper Ueruine is beheaded in Fraunce Pursute against them of Maidenburge the death of Pope Paule and the horrible actes of the same The description of the place of election at Rome and the maner of chusinge the Pope Masse againe at Strausborough a proclamation in in Fraunce against Lutheranes Pope Iulius and his little Cardinall THe last day of Iune the conuention was dissolued In the. xix boke I shewed you howe the Emperor perswaded all men to submit them selues to the Counsell and that on his warrantise who wold se that thaction shuld be lawfull Nowe therefore a decre is made that the counsel shuld be continued at Trēt and the Emperour saith he will deuise that it be there recommēced so shortly as may be Which thing whā it shal be brought to passe he requireth that they all especially of the clergy of the religion of Protestants which come thither vnder his saufeconduit for he wil take order than the whole matter shal be godly and christenly decided and determined according to the holy scriptures and doctrine of the fathers all affections laid apart and that they thē selues also shal be hard speak so much as shal be thoughte requisite After are other decrees red as is accustomed especially that of religion a strait charge geuē that al men obey the same as was also before declared at the Ides of May the .iii. authors of the boke are before named of whō Ihō Islebie receiued for his paines taken a liberal reward bothe of the Emperour and also of king Ferdinando And Michel Sidonie afterward was made bishop of Merseburge in Saxony Wherof arose a iest how they defended the bishop of Romes oyle chresme as an holy thing and necessary to saluation to the intent they them selues might therby be the better gresed auoynted Not long after the Emperour sent his letters to the princes that were absent especially vnto those where he thought most nede was commandeth them immediatly to obey this decre And the tēth day of Iuly he wryteth to Erasmus bishop of Strausburge to see the thinge which he had brought to passe through his great trauel put in execution if he wanted conueniēt ministers to take them els wher The report of this decree was incontinentlye spread abrode farre and wide And the Uenetians make proclamation the .xix. daye of Iuly that whosoeuer haue any bokes wherin is any thing wrytten against the catholicke faith they bringe them vnto certen men within .viii. daies for after shall inquisition be made and suche as haue deserued shal be punished to the promotours they promise a reward and to kepe their counsel The Bishop of Rome hath his ambassadours there continually as in kinges courtes also They with the eies and eares of many do se and heare muche and oftentimes are causes that such decrees be made but yet the Senate of Uenise vseth this prouision that they suffer not the Bishops or inquisitors of Rome to geue sentence of iudgemente but ioyne with them alwaies their officers and lawyers which shall heare the examination and se that nothing be done malitiouslye or cruellye against any man within their iurisdiction This law made they in the yere of our Lord M.D.xxi. what time those inquisitours vsed great cruelty against pore men in the countrye aboute Brixia as though they had bene inchauntors and had medled with the deuil and now sence Luthers doctrine was depely roted spred abrode the same law is of force stil though the bishops gnashe their tethe at it and wold neuer so fain haue it abolished About this time did the French King send aid into Scotland against the English men and amonges others the Ringraue with a force of Germaines But the Emperoure banisheth the Earle of Bichlinge Huberte and Sebastiane Scherteline al in one wryting and shortly after the Ringraue counte Hedecke Recrode and Riseberge and also desireth all foreine Princes that they would not maintaine them but gratify him herein and biddeth them whan occasion shal serue to loke for the like at his hand The Ladye Iane daughter to the King of Nauerre which was affianced and Maried .vii. yeres before to the Duke of Cleaue as we haue specified is now ioyned in Mariage with the Duke of Uandome a Prince of the bloud royal Elenor the French Quene sister to the Emperor leauing Fraūce goeth into Flaunders Duke de Ammalle sonne to the Duke of Guyse whan he had bene a longe suter to the Emperoures Nece the Duchesse of Lorayne he marieth the Daughter of Hercules Duke of Farrare About this time Lewes Auila a Spaniard setforth in print the history of the Germane warre done by the Emperoure wrytten in the vulgare tonge where he speaketh of the takyng of Marques Alberte at Rochlice he sayeth how he was so intangled with the wantounesse of women that he coulde not prosper The same booke came forthe afterwardes in Italian Latin and Frenche Althoughe the Emperoure had moste straightlye commaunded that no man should in any wise impugne the boke set forth concerning Religion yet were diuers wrytinges published whiche did condempne the whole Doctrine thereof and
who was afterward supposed to haue holpen greatly that the towne of Metz a city of thempire came into the hands of Hēry the french king as hereafter shal be declared In the last session at Trent was decreed amōgs other things that such as had mo Bishopprickes than one should kepe of them which they list forgoe the rest as before in the .xix. boke is specified Neuertheles so long as Paul liued the thing was not put in executiō but whē this mā was made bishop the cardinals of Fraūce obeyed it in dede in aparence but to no losse of theyrs For wheras diuers of thē had ii or iii bishoppricks many others aspired to that dignity by an exchāge made they permitted some other to inioye one and in steade of one bishoppricke which they left they had of them again many abbotships or such other like promoitōs In the month of Iuly Adolphe bishop of Colon making a composition with the Senate entreth the city of Colon with an exceading great pomp and train hauing gotten together all his Clients kinred and alies that they might honor him with theyr presence the same day He was accompanied as they report with ii M. horse aboue And the duke of Cleue verely had brought him a notable bād of horsmē he had lately a daughter born by his wife Mary the daughter of king Ferdinando Her Godmothers at the fount stone where both the Emperors sisters Elenore the French Quene and Mary Quene of Hongary and tharchbishop of Colon was her Godfather but not long after ther arose a great dissention betwene the Duke and the Archbishop about thecclesiasticall iurisdiction The .xxvi. day of Iuly the Emperor beginneth the counsel imperial at Auspurge Wherin he propoundeth of followynge the generall Counsel of obseruing the decre of religion lately made at Auspurge of punishinge rebelles of restoryng the iurisdiction and goodes of the Church This assēbly was armed also albeit that the state of things was sōwhat more quiet The princes of Mentz and of Treuers were presente the reast of thelectours sent ambassadours Moreouer there were presente Wuolfgāge master of Prusse and the bishop of Wirciburge Eistet Costintz Auspurge Trent Cambray Merseburge and none of thother princes besides the duke of Bauier at the length also Hēry the duke of Brūswick The matter being debated the most part were content that the counsel should be followed but duke Moris by his deputies declareth that he can allow the same none otherwise vnlesse the whole matter from the beginninge may be retracted the deuines of the protestants not only heard but that they may also haue power to decide matters that the bishop of Rome do submit him self to the counsel not occupy the place of a iudge there and that he release the bishops of their othe to thintēt they may speke their mind frely After this protestation of his was red opēly his deputy wold haue had it recorded as the manner custom is but the same was denied him the whole doing of such matters is in the power of tharch bishop of Mentz chauncelour of thempire Themperor afterward moued the bishop for a counsel The seuenth day of August the cardinall of Auspurge in his Sermonne inueighed soore againste the Lutheranes And a few dayes after certain Spanyardes in mockery and contempt of the Citezens which were than hearing the Gospell preached plaied certain partes in the church in such sort that the matter was like to haue tourned to some great tumult But at the comming of the Consull the thing was by a goodly meane appeased and quieted About th end of the month of August Granuellan who came lately from Bezonse a Towne in high Burgundie to Auspurge leaueth his life not withoute themperoures greate heauines as it is reported he had succeded Marcurine Castinarie Cardinal as I shewed you in the .vii. boke and by the space of xx yeares had ben in chief authority and was priuy in manner alone to all themperours secreat counsels and working In whose place and function succeded his sonne Anthony bishop of Arras a man of great learning who before in thabsēce of his father was wōt to answer the matters of the common welth was very familier with themperor In the mene seasō Henry the duke of Brunswick laieth siege to the city of Brunswick to the which he had born great hatred these many yeres for religiō for other things whan he had don theyr coūtry much harm by firing and spoiling yet could not win the city through the mediatiō of certen themperor cōmādeth both partes to leue theyr war and pleade theyr cause before him Thys was in the month of Septembre The Emperours army besieged than Affrick a towne of Barbarie some men suppose it to be Leptis howbeit Liuie maketh also mentiō of the city of Affricanes that city kept Dracutus a notable Archpirate who had lately ioyned hī self with the Turke Themperor had cōmitted the chiefe gouernenient to the Uiceroy of Sicilie Who after he had beaten the town wyth his ordenaunce a certain time being certified that Dragutus was comming with a newe army saw he had nede to make haste Wherfore the tenth day of Septembre he geueth the assault bothe by sea and land and within a fewe houres space taketh it by force The Knightes of the Rhodes that were vpon the sea did themperor that day good seruice but the Spaniards which fought by lād and excelled in nombre whan the City was taken had the mooste part of the spoyle The nombre of the prysoners was great aboute an .viii. thousand which being put into Shippes were led awaye captiue into Sicilie Sardinie and to other places The situation of the city is said to be very pleasant by reason of grene medowes and hilles set with Oliues palme trees and fair springes of water Not far from thence is reported to be a goodlye corne Country which with a most ample increse yeldeth again to the plowmē that it hath receiued Cosmus the duke of Florence sent themperor men in this war vnder the conduit of Iordane Ursine Alastor Balion For because winter was now at hand and vitaile coulde not be prouided the Uiceroy leauing there a garrison of Spaniards retourneth with his army into Sicilie Dragutus fled to the Turke traueling to Constantinople This thing was thoccasion of a new warre which the Turke attempted afterward not only againste the Emperour but also against King Fardinando Whan themperour had commaunded Duke Henry and the Senate of Brunswick to lay a side their weapons their armies were discharged on bothe parties but all those forces afterwarde George Duke of Megelburge the sonne of Albarte a younge man that had serued Duke Henry allured vnto him The cleargy of Maidenburge and Prelates of the head church most of them gentlemen borne who were chiefly offended with the city had waged him with great rewards promesses as it
will laye out and debource for them that they restore vnto the Clergie their goodes Concerning the hurte done on either syde touchyng the habitation of the clergie and ceremonies of the cathedrall churche they them selues will take order And to the intent the Emperour may the easlier be perswaded that a garrison be receiued into their citie tyll the Emperour haue confirmed the pacification and the rest of the condicions shal be accomplished And that the soldiours shal do them no iniury thei them selues wyll forsee But in case the Emperour refuse these thinges than wyll they haue out their souldiour immediatly restoring vnto them their citie safe and in euery point such as they founde it But the Senate refused to make surrender or to receiue a power into the citie In the moneth of December the States of the Byshoprike of maydenburg but thiefly the Clergie set forth a wrytinge in the vulgare tongue against the Senate and people of Maydēburge and saye howe they haue aunciently and by right apperteined to the iurisdiction of them and of the Archebishop and that is to be proued by the letters of Otto the first Emperour And many thinges saye they haue they proudly and presumptuously done chiefly against Burcarte and Gunther Archebyshops but being reduced to their dutie they haue suffered condigne punishment as by histories it may be declared But in the tyme that Ernest of the house of Saxon and Albert of Brandenburge were Byshops a composition was made for all controuersies but they kept not conuenauntes And so ofte as the Byshops by the common assent of the other states decreed any thyng for the profit of the common wealth they alwayes drew backwarde and sought the meane howe they myght rule the rest And what tyme the Cardinall of Mentz had reciued Iohn Albert his cosyn to be his coadiutour They would not only allowe the same but also toke from hym the title and honour due vnto hym although they were oftentymes spoken to for the same And agayne whan he had succeded in the Byshopryke after the death of Cardinal Albert they would neither take hym for their Byshop nor geue hym their fidelitie and herein perseuered so longe as he liued albeit noble men ofte times intreated therin And this did they for this intent that they myght obteine the gouernment whiche may easely appere vnto any man that wyll consyder their doinges And albeit that in bookes set forth to the intent to reyse a commotion they go about to perswade the people as though they had nothing offended as though they were clerely faultles as though they stoode in daūger for the truth sake only and for Religiō but the matter is far otherwyse For their Religion hath had no let nordisturbaunce although thei possessed that churches of our Iurisdiction And for so much as they sayd how they would aunswer it in a lawful coūsell we suffered all thinges patiently But they not content therwith made a conspiracie entring into a league whiche thing was not lawfull for them to doe but by our consent and the Archebyshoppes would haue inforced vs to theyr Religion Wherof it doth well appere that they sought not religion but the goodes of the churche And that this was wrought that they might vnder some honest pretence couer and cloke their treason and rebellion Full many seditious thinges haue thei wrought against the Emperour and states of the Empire neither can all be recited but we shall touche those thynges whiche properly apperteine vnto vs. And foure yeares past breakyng their faith and conuenauntes wherby they are boūd to vs. Thei gaue vs the defiaunce and entring into our houses toke our goodes and expulsed vs some also they cast in prison wherof some are dead and the rest doe remaine captiue at thys present Than bete they down our houses euen with the groūd and brought our townes landes and gouernmētes into their subiection And fortifiyng their citie strongly that they might the more safely rebelle they imposed to the commō people payment of mony monethly and certen other charges The churches and houses of Religion partly they rased and partly defaced and casting downe the belles out of the steples made gunnes of them and toke vp the dead bodies not only of monkes and priestes but also of Noble men and cast them vpon their rampares Images aultars and grauestones they haue cowched layde in their walles In the churches that were standing thei haue put downe all Gods seruice What ornamētes or precious Iwelles what wrytinges or monumentes so euer they founde in churches they spoiled and beating the priestes and other ministers of the churche with their fistes and scourges droue thē out of the holy places yea from the very aultars They haue in sondry places exacted new tributes cleane contrary to the custome of the countrey Yea they haue broken down in their fury the sepulchre of our founder great Otto the Emperour And these be domestical euils But not contented herewith they inuaded the byshoprike of Halberstate there spoyling the College of Hamersleb plucking the priestes that were saying masse from the aultars some they woūded some they stewe and polluting all thinges hallowed trode the hoste consecrated vnder their feete After disguising them selues in Monkes apparell whan they had done many thinges in great oultrage mockerie they returned home loden with spoyles boties And a certen wall or rampare of that countrey that was made with a very gret cost was right necessary in those parties they cast down without any cause burning cutting vp the bridges that no mā might passe Moreouer they haue sought to take away our liues as they do also at this presēt insomuch the we can neither remaine in our own houses nor with our frēdes without gret daunger and whome they suspected to geue vs lodgyng they would breake into their houses by night take their goodes cary away diuers of the nobilitie captiue whom they also put vpon the racke Yea they haue spoyled Noble matrones virgins striped them out of their apparel so euil intreated thē that thei haue brought them in daunger of their life and haue not kept their handes also frō yonge babes children Briefly we suppose that there is not the like example of crueltie sene amongest the Turkes And if any man wold make an estimate aswel of those goodes that they haue gotten of ours as also of the harmes done vs he shal finde it at that least to a mount aboue viii C. M. crownes To speake nothing in the meane season of the contumelious reproches raylinges of the famous libels picturs which they haue set forth in contēpt mockery of thēperour states imperial of the iniuries also which we haue susteined fully now xxvii yeares For they haue cast stones at vs throwen vpon vs the filthe of the stretes and as we haue gone through the citie haue oftētimes made a clamorous outirie against
them did inhabite the citie And if we had bene disposed to haue wrought any violēce against them it was not harde to be done But we attempted nothing And whan the state of our thinges was such that we were constraimed to feare the power of our ennemie we called together the fellowes of the cathedral church And for so much as the light of the Gospel is reuealed and God also requireth the profession of the same we requyred them dilligently as we had doue many tymes before that they them selues woulde choyse some experte Diuine whiche myght teache Goddes worde in the Cathedrall churche For the same were boeth of it selfe very Godly and wold also helpe greatly to increase mutuall loue and beneuolence betwene them and the citezens And where as they refused we our selues prouided the thyng And because the ennemie was at hande and had already inuaded our limites we requyred of them that they would paye vs a certen somme of mony that they should sende no letters out of the citie that they should remayne with vs and inioye their owne possessions But they not long after departed out of the citie and beyng after requyred of vs to sende theyr Ambassadours at a certen day to Salsie with whome we might treate they proudely reiected the talke Wherfore whan they vttered their malice and spitefull hatred against vs we were also constreyned to requite them with the lyke For in case they had remayned with vs all this trouble myght haue bene auopded But they burned in malice against vs and many times to our distruction forged new diuises so must we of necessitie take armure for our own defence For vnlesse we had taken their townes villages there had bene a place of refuge left for the enne my And seing they be the reuenewes of the church of Mayden burg not theirs which persecute the church they may be rightly imployed to the defence of religion against false doctrine idolatrie Neither doeth the thing want examples of fourmer tyme. Themperour hath in dede outlawed vs but by no desert of ours as we haue heretofore oftener than once declared And this fortune or state is common to vs with the Prophes Apostles finally with Christe him selfe who for the profession of that truthe were afflicted as seditiouse rebelles and moste hurt full men of all others We haue intreated the Emperour cōcerning our religion liberties but hitherto we labour in vayne to what ende belonge all their deuises in our former wrytinges we haue sufficiently declared verely the thing it self speaketh that this is ment only how wicked papistrie may be restored This controuersie hath oftentimes bene brought to a cōmunication and certen conuētions haue ben had for the same cause but in the principall pointes we neuer were satisfied for that thambassadours sayd how their cōmission stretched not so far Assuredly it greueth vs that exceadingly if any man shuld susteyne any dāmage for our cause But yet such as are godlymē we doubt not but they will thinke as we doe will iudge all thinges to be suffered rather than the confession of the truthe shuld be forsakn For seing Christ hath so lōg before prophecied of the incōmodities that insue vpō this profession hath also appointed euerlasting rewardes for them that leaue their wyues chyldren and possessions for his sake why do we not truste to these certen and large promesses Certenly they that relent for feare of their owne daunger and feare displeasures those procure vnto them selues euerlastyng damnation vnlesse they repente That thing whiche our aduersaries impute vnto vs may be rightly ascribed vnto them For they lyue a fylthie shamefull and a beastly lyfe and which places as thei beare rule there can the citezens very hardly desende from them the chastitie of their wyues and daughters We toke of the commons a litle monie and not with suche an extremitie as they fayne we dyd Unto that whiche they speake of the custome aunswere myght be made yf they had spoken more playnly The Rampare wherof they make mention whiche yet belongeth nothyng to them we cut a sonder for a commune commoditie For through the meanes therof many tymes hath hurte bene done in our countrey and whan thei had taken their botie the spoylers were wont to escape that waye and to retyre them selues out of daunger Theycrie out that we haue intreated euill the Gentlemen that are our neighbours But what so euer we haue done in that behalfe we haue bene constreyned to doe it whan we had a yeare and more suffered the iniuries of many That whiche they saye concerning women and maydens we vtterlye denie such of the Nobilitie as were taken prysoners we released with their seruaunts without raunsome and the matter was quieted emongest vs by cōposition They enlarge exceadinglye the accoumpte of the harmes done and name it to be eight hondreth thousand crownes What if we shuld shew againe into how much mysery thei haue brought vs Pictures suche other thinges haue bene set forth priuely in mo places then one but al the blame is layd on vs. Where as for certentie we haue straightly commaunded by setting vp letters openly that no man should attempte to do any thyng presumptuously against the Emperour or any other Prince And certen also haue therfore bene punished There haue bene other bookes also set forth amongest vs we denie not wherin both Idolatrie is impugned and many mens consciences erected We confesse that we had an ouerthrowe the good wyll of God being so not vtterly to distroye vs but to alure vs to the amendemēt of life Certenly thei died honestly and Godly for the glory of Gods holy name and preseruation of the common wealth And we doubt not but God when he seeth tyme will mercifully loke vpon our affliction and also punishe our aduersaries Neither chaunced this thing by fortune as they pretende For they intised hereunto George Duke of Megelburg with large giftes and promesses And yet in the meane tyme through a crafty policie they called the other states of the byshopryke to Stasfort as it were to consulte by what meanes they might driue those robbers as they themselues than called them out of their cositrie For it is to be proued by their own letters that they hired soldiours yea they boaste and glory that they care not greatly for common hurte and dammage For beit that they susteyne some losse and hinderaunce yet saye they howe the lande and grounde remaineth in their possessiō What time therfore word was brought vs that the towne Wanslebe was by them sodenly taken spoyled and brent a great nomber also of villages distroyed in so muche that there came rūning vnto vs out of the countrey husband men women and maidens with plentie of teares desiring our aids we could not assuredly fayle thē And although the thing had no good successe yet doubt we not but that we did God thanckfull seruice And now where they saye
so many yeares in framinge maye at the lengthe be established The third and chiefe poynt is that which concerneth all men and our common natiue country of Germany whose state doubtles is most miserable For contrary to the lawes and couenauntes forain souldiours are brought within the limits of thempire whiche haue now many yeres ben here setled and euery wher bothe in towne and Country consumeth other mens goods and exercise al kind of filthy lust Moreouer many times ther be new wais inuented to get mony and the auncient liberty diuers waies infringed neither is any state no not the Princes electours in this case spared thambassadors of foren kings which be sory for these things and loue the wealthe of Germany are prohibited to come at anye publike assembles clean against the manner of thempire Finally this is altogether wroughte that all men maye be broughte into a shamefull and straight bondage for the which thing doubtles our posterity and ofspring may haue moste tuste cause to detest the cowardise and slouthfulnes of this time wherin that moste precious iewell and goodly ornament that is the liberty of our coūtry shuld be lost seing therefore that the case standeth thus at the laste is he awaked and William the Lantzgraue the sonne of Phillip whōe the iust sorow for his fathers miserye hathe raised and makinge a league with the french king whom thenemy seketh also to depriue of that he hath are determined for the deliuerāce of the Lātzgraue and the duke of Saxon to maintaine their honor and recouer the liberty of all men to attempt the matter by force of armes therfore doth he exhort that no man disturbe this his enterprise but that al men do further and professe the same and put in good assuraunce For if it be otherwise and if any man by one meane or other and the aduersary he wil take him for his ennemy Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburge subscribed also to the same letters chiefly for the preseruation of religion forsomuch as duke Moris had said howe he warred for the same cause also And the Marques Albert of Brādenburge publisheth a wryting in manner of the same effecte and complaineth that the liberty of Germany is oppressed enē of them which of duety ought to maintain and auaunce the same he saithe ther is holden now a counsel wherin be a few assembled for to subuert the truthe and that also there be many assemblies of the Empire Wherof the end is this that by certaine corrupted with bribes and faire promises mony maye be gotten by some subtile fetche to the vtter vndoing of Germany and the same to be wrought chiefly by the cleargy which in the consistory of the Empire surmounte in nombre and now is the matter brought to that passe that the effect of al counsels dependeth almost of one mannes pleasure which is neither gentleman nor Germaine borne nor annexed to the Empire to the great reproche assuredlye and hinderance of all Germaines And if this ought to be the state of the weale publike it were much better to call none assembles at all but that mony shoulde be frelye and franckly geuen whansoeuer it is cōmaunded and required for so shuld ther be no losse of time and besides great charges shoulde be spared By suche like craft also is the seale of thempire commen into straungers hands which foreiners at theyr pleasure abuse to the damage of Germany yet is ther no man at al that dare bewail these things vnlesse he wil enter into high displeasure Nether yet are the Germanes matters and sutes dispatched but are most lōg delaid in so much that many men complain much of the same For the state of the things is such that the Germanes had nede to learn other lāguages in case they should be there to do them selues anye good of the same sort is this wher against tholde custome of Germany it is prohibited that no man may serue anye foreine Prince in his warres that the protestantes being reconciled ouer aboue most greuous penalties wer constramed to admit other more vnworthy conditions and for that a great some of mony arose of the Protestants clients for seruing them in theyr warres The same burthen also was laid vpon other states and Princes that had nothinge offended and as thoughe that warre had bene made for the common wealth they were commaūded to pay mony to recompence the charges of the warres for this intent verelye that ther should no sinewes nor force at all be lefte in all Germany Of like sort is it that ciuill controuersies of moste waighty matters are committed not to the publick iudgement of thempire but vnto a few commissioners that it may be in their power either to establish or displace great princes Againe that it is prohibited that no Prince maye set his owne Image in his coyne that newe Senators are made in euery towne of the Empire that this bondage is imposed in manner vppon all Germanes that they be constrained to suffer forreine souldiors in their country whiche bothe do verye much harme and bring many men to beggery and also practise al kinde of arrogancy and lechery that hath not ben hard of For his own land was not spared although he promised him better for the fidelitye and seruice done to themperor Howbeit at what time he was deteined by reason of the warre of Maidenburge and about matters of the common wealth was absent soldiors wer brought into his country Notwithstanding that his officers desired much to the contrary and thus certainly both he and other princes whiche in the former war against the protestants for his preseruation and dignity put in great hazarde their liues and goodes haue receiued a goodly recompence in that boke which Lewes Auila setforth of matters done in the same war a naughty and a lying fellow whilest he speaketh of all Germany so coldly so disdainfullye and straungely as though it were some barbarous or vile nation whose originall were skarcely knowen And the vnworthinesse of the thing is so much the more for that the same boke is printed and setforth by a certain especiall priueledge of themperor Now verely be many thinges excused by letters sent throughout Germany but it is the self same song that hath ben songen now many yeres and all thinges tend hitherto that they say how accordinge to the state of times the decrees must be altred and that men muste obey the present counsels or els suffer punishment And wheras certen Princes haue taken armure to repulse this ignominye and seruitude he hathe also promised them all aide and fidelity yea and his life also And this he protesteth openlye and desireth that no man aid their aduersaries but that all men woulde further this endeuoure of him and his fellowes and defend the commen cause For although very many perchaunce will followe the contrarye parte yet let no man promise him self better things if the aduersary may vanquishe for
than shall the state and condition of all Germaines be common but in case anye manne beare armure againste him and his felowes him wil he persecute with sword and fire There goeth a brute he saieth of him and his fellowes as thoughe they wold bring into Germany forein nations and euen the Turk him selfe but this is a false and an absurd sclaunder For what a madnesse were it to procure so greate a daunger to them selues theyr countrye It is vaine also that diuers report of him as though he shoulde attempte this warre to enriche him selfe he hathe serued nowe manye yeares the Emperoure and kinge Ferdinando and hereby hathe soughte no gaine but rather praise and honor Not without the great losse of his substaunce he hath had also large offers made and not to be contemned but all those refused he hathe fixed his minde on this warre wherin the liberty and former dignity may be restored to the common country In the which warre if it fortune that the same ouermuch authority of the Clergy and prohibited by holy Scripture be infringed and weakned no man ought to blame him therfore For certainly the chiefe bishoppes of the Empire haue bene the occasion of al these euils yet is it not his intent that those Colleges which were founded chiefly for the nobility shoulde be distroyed but that the vices beinge taken awaye and those thinges amended that can not be borne with they maye remaine in their vocation and be auaunced also wherunto he will be a furtherer to them so that they will be contente and not suffer them selues to be perswaded otherwise by his enemies The king of Fraunce also in his letters setforth saithe he hathe this respecte chiefly that Religion being established he may profite the publike weale and chiefly his frendes And therfore immediately after the death of his father he had restored Scotlande to their former dignity renued the league with Swisses recouered Boloigne and broughte againe the old inhabiters and Citezens dispersed hither and thither into theyr landes and possessions he hathe made peace also with the king of England and entred with him into perfite amity and whilest he was occupied with these matters the Emperoure by secreat deuises hath Imagined many thinges for his distruction and oftner than once hath geuen occasion of warre how beit both for the common wealthes sake and priuatelye also to relieue his people he would attempt nothing but winckinge at the iniuries he gaue his minde whollye to the establishmente of his realme but this his quietnesse afterward by his aduersaries was ascribed to a certaine timerousnesse and cowardlinesse but in the meane season were broughte vnto him greuous complaints of the Princes and states of Germany whiche saide that occasion was sought partly for Religion partlye for the Turkishe warre and to punish rebellion to bringe them in to bondage and that by craftye counsels dissention and faction are mainetained and Germanye impouerished so that it can no longer be doubted but that he goeth about to make a monarchy for him selfe and the house of Austrich of the which thing verelye he conceiued an inwarde sorowe both for the common originall of either nation and also for the old amity and frendship which euer continued ferme and inuiolated so long as it might by themperoures crafte and policye For if that state should haue an alteration and Germanye lose her liberty he perceiueth well what damage and daunger the same will be for him and all his realme For Germany is not only the fortresse and strength of Fraunce but also of the whole christian commō welth And therfore hath he desired oft with earnest prayer and wishing that either nation with their forces ioyned together might so stay them selues that they should nead to be afraid of no man where no hope of this thing appeared and yet many craued his healpe he coulde not see by what meanes he mighte succoure the Empyre so rente and torne a sondre but in this consultation so waighey God which is a righteous iudge hath shewed a goodly way For Octauian Frenese Duke of Placence and Parma whome themperour and the Bishop of Rome Iuly laide in waite for required aide of him and declaringe al their iniuries hathe perswaded him to take vppon him the defence of him and the countye of Mirandula After this came also those complaintes of the Princes and states of Germany which required they might enter into league with him for that they said howe by that meanes onlye the common wealth mighte be restored but howe iuste and waighty causes they be for the whiche the Princes attempte warre he will not recite for that the same may be vnderstande by theyr owne wrytinges Notwithstanding let euery man way with him selfe whether this vnsatiable couetousnesse of oure aduersaries dothe not geue a moste iuste occasion of griefe whiche destroyinge the wealthe of the Empire swepe all into theyr owne coffers and treasury The Burgonians do nowe inuade them of Treuers Gelderland and Wirtemberge and make inuasion into their countries and destroyeth the Lātzgraues dominion diuers waies of lyke sorte is it that themperor excludeth his ambassadors from thassemblies of the Empire that he prohibiteth that no manne may serue in foreine warres that he putteth to death noble capitains and worthy seruiceable men and amonges others Uogelsperge whose execution he him self beheld at Auspurge to thintent he mighte satisfye his bloudye minde Is if not a mooste euill an example that he shoulde prouoke and hyre men with greate rewards to slay such as serue him in the warres Assuredlye it can not with fewe wordes be expressed what craftes oure ennemies vse For into the same iudgemente of the Chamber and consistorye of the Empire are admitted and placed such as by their meanes they may bring to passe and obtaine what they liste For doubtles the blame of all these euils is to be imputed to thys kinde of menne Especiallye to the iudges of the Chamber For the which causes verely he could not deny the Germains requiring his aid Therfore hath he made league with them and not only that but also is determined to imploy vpon this warre all his force and his royall parson Neither yet doth he looke for anye priuate profite or gain therby but minedeth this thinge only that Germany beinge restored and Ihon Fridericke the Duke of Saxon and the Lantz graue deliuered whome he hathe detained prisoners in longe and vnworthy captiuity he maye win praise and renowne immortall as did in times past Flamminius for deliuering Grece from bondage neither is there cause that any man shoulde feare anye force or violence For in as much as he attempteth this warre for liberty he will wholly endeuoure that no man be hurt vndeseruedly let them truste therefore to this promesse whiche he confirmeth vnto them faithfully and geue no creadit to aduersaries which say his purpose is to afflicte and plage the Cleargy For he not only intendeth no such
vnto their glorie whiche thing in dede the prisoner also hym selfe woulde not Whā he was at libertie he followed the Emperour neuerthelesse whyther soeuer he went In the selfe same tyme quene Marie the Emperours syster helde an assemblee at Achen in lowe ducheland to make a league with the princes about her And the Duke of Cleaue in dede excuseth the matter by Ambassadours But Adolphe Archebishop of Collon comming thither entreth into league with the house of Burgsidy Likewise doth the Byshop of Luke George of Austriche Whan Duke Maurice came to Insprucke what thinge soeuer was founde there of the Emperours and of the Spaiardes and the Cardinalles of Auspurge it was spoyled But to kyng Ferdinandos and the citezens goodes there was no harme done And for so muche as there remayned but thre daies only vnto the truce whiche for the treatie of peace was taken as before is mentioned Duke Maurice went from thence to Passawe And the other Princes Marching the same way they came the .xxviii. day of May retourne to Fiessa and afterwarde by menssengers as well in their own as in the name also of Duke Maurice they publyshe letters at Auspurge of this effect In what sorte saye they the ennemies of truthe haue alwayes done their indeuour that all Godly Preachers oppressed the Romishe idolle might be restored and that the yought being brought vp in those errours and false opiniōs might by litle and litle increase in the same that thing is so manifest that it nedeth no further demōstration For euen at the same time whan they did not sticke to proteste that they sought not Religion they wrought with all their force that the pure doctrine might be cleane roted out For they did not only caste the Godly preachers in pryson but in this citie also compelled them by an othe with great vngentlenes that they should departe out of the limites of the Empire And albeit that same othe was very wicked and therfore is grounded vpon no lawe nor reason yet least any sclaunder might aryse we haue called home agayne those selfe same preachers and scholemaisters whiche our aduersaries had exiled thinking it our dutie so to doe Wherfore all suche as after this sorte were bannished as before is sayd we do clerely release from that bonde of othe wherunto through force violence contrary to the lawes thei were bounde and restore them vnto libertie in ioyning them that not only in this citie but also in other places according to their vocation they teache Gods worde syncerely according to the confession here in tymes past exhibited and rightly and godly bring vp yougth in learning trusting vnto our defence and tuition We cōmaunde also that no man moleste them with wordes or iniuries as though they should do contrary to their faith geuen For inasmuche as not through their deserte but only for the profession of the truthe they haue liued many monethes in exile we doubte not but all good men wyll lamente their chaunce and accompte them worthy of all good wyll and fauour And for as much as those which in their absence haue preached in this citie be men suspected and vnconstant insomuch that they may not conueniently be with these that we haue called agayne by reason of their contrarietie in teachinge we require the Senate to put them to silence and so to demeane them selues that this decree of ours may stande in ful strēgthe and authoritie Whan the Princes had thus proclaimed the seuenth day of Iune the fift day after they restore the ministers of the churche to their places and geue them agayne authoritie to preache to the great reioysing contentation of the people Before Duke Maurice retourned from Lintz Marques Albert going a parte with his armie doeth much harme with spoyling and burning to Wuolfgang maister of the Almaigne order as they call hym and whan he had exacted mony of him inuadeth the countrie of Norinberge and the fift day of May taketh by composition Lightnaw a castell of theirs standyng fiue myles from the citie with the towne ioyning to the same His armie was of two thousand horsemen and .xix. enseignes of fotemen The nexte daie sending his letters to them of Norinberge albeit the Frenche king saieth he and the Princes cōfederated haue declared by wrytinge sufficiently and at large what they thought of the common wealth and how thei were bent to recouer the libertie of Germany and Religiō also vpō hope and confidence that all good men with wylling myndes woulde not only imbrace this their enterpryse but would also with all their force and indeuour further thesame whiche many haue done in dede yet haue you neyther declared what your mynde and pourpose is nor as I heare haue sent no Ambassadours to the assemblee appointed at Auspurge but prepare all thinges for defence plantyng your ordenaunce here there on your walles and Bulwarkes and hiring force of soldiours make auaunt that you wyll perseuer to the vttermoste extremitie as I am credible informed and it maketh me to beleue it the more for that hetherto you haue sent no Ambassadours to me for peace Whiche some notwithstandinge haue done bothe Princes and Cities further of Where therfore the same wryting of the kyng and Princes confederated doth manifestly declare that suche as either shall resiste this enterpryse of theirs or not further thesame shall be taken as ennemies And againe for so muche as I am adioyned to the same warre to the ende to bryng all those in whose limites I come to do their dutie and to leaue behynde my backe no fortified place out of the whiche any force or saleinge out is to be feared therfore haue I taken from you whiche as yet haue not satisfied my expectation the castell of Lightnaw whiche was a great annoyaunce to my campe preseruing the souldiours of the garrison whome neuerthelesse I might haue otherwyse vsed But bycause the chief thing yet remaineth I require you both in the Frenche kinges name and my fellowes that you wyll make a direct aunswer what you are purposed to doe for the defence of the libertie of Germany and for the stablishyng of Religion and let me vnderstande it tomorrowe that I may knowe what thyng is to be loked for of you and in what sorte I ought to accept you Howbeit what tyme Duke Maurice and his fellowes were at Schwinfurte whiche was the .xxvi. daye of Marche as before is sayde they demaunded of them of Norinberge faith societie munition vitayle a great somme of monie But after muche debating all other conditions omitted what tyme they had paied them an hondreth thousand crownes they promysed them peace as well for them selues as their fellowes by letters deuised in moste ample wyse Nowe therfore what tyme Marques Albert assayled them they make complainte to them And bycause Duke Maurice was not yet retourned from Lintz the Lantgraues Sonne wrytynge to them agayne the thyrde daye of May from Gundelfynge byddeth
leasure to se vnto other cōmodities of the cōmon wealth And because Duke Maurice hath demaunded of him in what sorte he would be accorded this is his opinion that he sayth howe the Emperour moued warre against him without any iust cause And the kinges of Fraunce be not wont to desire peace of their ennemy especially of suche one as neither in power nor other thing they be inferiours to Now to propounde any thing vnlesse there were certen hope to obteine that same he seeth no cause why And as touching them selues he supposeth that they wil require nothing of him but that may stande with his honour and dignitie And he so loueth them againe and so estemeth them that in case he may se them treate the cōmō peace of the whole worlde he would for their sakes geue ouer a great parte of his right And is contented also that they shall bothe heare and determine his requestes so that the Emperour refuse not to doe likewyse and wysheth greatly that for the same cause there might some conuention be had as sone as might be And if it may so be than shall all men vnderstande both how much he loueth the common wealth and also howe farre from the truthe are those thinges whiche are bruted of him by his aduersaries cōcerning the Turkishe league But if these thinges can take no place and that all consultations be referred only to his discretion neither can obteine that league of amitie with the Germaines whiche by good deserte he loked for the blame ought not to be imputed to him if there chaūce further trouble to arise These letters were red before the Princes the first day of Iuly Whan Duke Maurice was come to Passawe at the day on the morowe was brought the Emperours aunswere to king Ferdinando Than he whan the Princes were set sayd howe the Emperour in dede had written his mynde but did not assente to many thinges And for so muche as it is so it is not nedefull to declare expressely what thing he hath aunswered to the rest Neuerthelesse to thintent it may appere how greatly he himselfe desireth peace and howe well he wysheth vnto Germany he wyll go with great expedition to the Emperour doubting not but that he shall perswade him Wherfore he desireth ernestly that Duke Maurice woulde be content to expect so long as he may goe and come whiche shall not passe eight daies at the moste Whiche thing when he refused immediatly the king was very importune But that was in vayne and Duke Maurice calling vnto him the Princes and Ambassadours saith how they them selues know right well whiche haue bene present and priuie to all doinges for the space of a moneth that he hath lefte nothing vndone that he might eyther by study or trauel worke to conclude a peace And doubted not but that they wolde assuredly witnesse with him the same Wher fore he requireth them that they would still beare him their good will helpe to further the cōmō cause of Germany for he may graunte no further respite for this long treatie is had in suspition of his fellowes already Wherunto whan they had made a gentle aunswer cōmending his good will they desire king Ferdinando that he in themperours name would make a playne determination For they suppose that what soeuer he did the Emperour would confirme and ratifie Unto this Ferdinando answered that his brother had geuen him no such authoritie For than would he not take so muche paines to trauell to and fro For he might in no wyse passe the bōdes by him prescribed I shewed you before how the Princes that were intercessours by their letters wrytten the .xvi. day of Iune exhorted themperour to peace Unto the whiche letters the last of Iune thempe rour answereth from Uillace How from the time he first receiued the crowne imperiall he hath euer desired peace yea and now wisheth for nothing els Wherfore there is no cause that they should cōmend the same so greatly to him but vnto them whiche be thauthours of these cōmotions And that thei wold so do he requireth thē by the faith they owe vnto him As touching his owne priuate affaires he will for their sakes graunt very muche And concerning the whole pacification he hathe wrytten his minde to his brother king Ferdinando of whome they shall heare al thinges Unto the which letters they write againe the fift day of Iuly what time king Ferdinando returned to the Emperour Howe thei at his request and desire came first vnto this treatie and so muche the rather for that he promised to doe any thing for the commō wealthes sake And how they haue through their exceading great labour carefulnes diligence founde out the way of peace Wherfore they beseche him eftsones that moste intierly that he would haue some respect to the cōmon countrie Many and the chiefest states of thempire keping their faith vnto him haue already susteined great calamitie and nowe the condicion of thinges is suche the occasion of deliberation to be had so brief that the other Princes states especially suche as are nere the fire although they would neuer so faine perfourme vnto him al faith and loialtie yet can they not so do no they are constreined to consult by what meanes they may spedely esche we the present calamitie and distructiō And in case he refuse peace intēding to make warre there wyll doubtles moste greuouse and perillous alterations arrise therof in Germany whiche afterwarde wyll redounde to his prouinces also Wherfore ther were nothing better than that he would content him selfe with the conditions of peace whiche they wyth so great trauell haue procured especially since the chiefest pointes were first approued at Lintz the fourme and fotesteppes of the whiche treatie they haue followed herein Againe for as muche as all suche thinges whiche properly concerne his dignitie are pourposly referred to the cōuention of thempire to the ende they may there more gently quietly be treated The same day wherin this was done Duke Maurice departeth thence and whan he was come to his fellowes the .xi. day of Iuly which that tyme incamped at Mergetheme he sheweth them what is done and saith howe kyng Ferdinando is ryden in poste to the Emperour and supposeth that very shortly he will sende of his counsellours whiche shal bring a full and determinate aunswer And in this doubtfull state of thinges least they should sit stil and do nothing and bycause there was at Franckefurt a garrison of the Emperours of .xvii. enseignes of fotemen and a thousand horsemen at the leading of Conrade Hansteyne so that they of Hessebye were in no small daunder they condescended to goe thither Wherfore whan they had done much harme to Woulfgange Maister of Prusse by burning and spoiling his countrie where they were at the same time marching forwarde through the lande of the Archebyshop of Mentz the .xvii. day of Iuly they come to Frācfurt But the Princes
To be brief that is his intente and purpose and the Emperours of Turkes also vtterly to vndoe him and his brother Ferdinando to thintent they may afterward bring the whole common wealth but chiefly Germany into extreme danger distres but how wel these thinges do agre with his fair promesses and what care he taketh for the wealth of Germany any man may easilye perceiue For the thinge it selfe declareth what his minde is For that the chiefest states of thempire wer this yere sore vexed afflicted and vtterly distroid that many others wer in most pearil danger that through the help of the Germains that linketh thē selues with him certain places of thempire wer brought into his tirannical power and are nowe by him also fortified the whole blame is to be ascribed vnto him seing therfore that the case standeth thus he cannot see what credit may be geuen to his ambassadors letters vtterly forged and fained and in dede after his opiniō it had ben much better to haue reiected the same than to haue receiued any such kinde of answer and if they consider al thing diligently he douteth not but they shal perceiue what he by his ambassador intendeth goeth about and forsomuch as that same wryting maketh not for this presēt treaty he thinketh it nothing nedeful to answer any more to the same About the xiiii of Iuly king Ferdinando sente Henrye of the noble house of the Plauians Burgraue of Meissen chancelor of Boheme vnto the camp before Frankfurt Who cōming to duke Moris the xxiiii of Iuly after the matters wer a while debated at the last parswadeth him to peace Wherfore the last day of Iuly cōtrary to many mens expectation they concluded of the whole matter as hereafter ye shal heare amonges other reasons which he had to perswade this was one also Let him consider with him self vnles he receiue the conditions what danger he standeth in bothe of the Emperor which hath now a puissant army and also by the Duke of Saxon Ihon Fridericke whome themperor hauinge inlarged will incontinently send home Let the Lantzgraues sonne also cōsider into what pearill he shall bring both his father being prisonner and also his whole prouince The gunnes of the Paulsgraue elector which he was constrained to lend them as before is saide whan the peace was made wer receiued into the towne least they should come into the hands of Marques Albert. In the monthe of Iuly the French king hauing taken certen townes of the Duchie of Lucemburge as before is said brought his armye into Artois but without any notable exploict done to the end he might relieue his army from trauel and infection dischargeth his power him self returneth home hauing fortified such places as he had taken with garrisons fortifications Ouer al the which things he made gouernor the Duke of Guise a Prince of great authority through out Fraunce And he commaunded the Duches of Loraine widow to depart the country which was neare to themperor by his sister She the xii of Iuly came to Strasburge and ther remained certen dais with her husbands sister which was also cōmaunded by that french king to depart To Strasburge came also driuē frō his coūtry the forenamed Wuolfgange master of thorder of Knighthode in Germany which in the consistory of thempire hath the next place to tharchbishops Marques Albert who ioyned him self by the way to his felowes going to Franckfort leauing them at the siege goeth to the Rhine and subdueth Wuormes and Spiers exacting of them both mony and also munition Which way someuer he went the priests either wer fled away before or els chaunged their apparell and dissembled theyr profession and order And what time the army came neare vnto Frankonie the bishops ther abouts thother prelates of the same ordre sought to saue them selues by flight and tharchbishop of Mentz who for fear of the Marques was gon longe before the xxv day of Iuly came fleing to Strasburge and lodgyng ther one night passed ouer the Rhine The bishop of Spiers a very aged man fled to Saberne wher he died not long after The Bishop of Wuormes through the mediatiō of the Paulsgraue returned home after he had paid xii thousand Crownes Whan he had taken these cities before said Marques Albert the xxviii of Iuly sending his letters to the Senate of Strausburge requireth that he and his fellowes may haue accesse into theyr city at al times and ther to place a garrison whan neade shal be and they to shew them fidelity as well in hys own as also in the French kings name For all this war saith he is moued to reuenge al Germany nether shal it be honest or profitable for them to resist this enterprise For to the intent they maye bring this to passe therfore hath he and his fellowes ioyned together again now al theyr power To which the Senate two dais after wryteth again These many yeres now they haue wished for no thing more than that the true Religion of Christ and also thanciēt siberty might florish throughout al Germany and to this end haue they bent not only all their doinges and counsels but also haue alwais imploid hitherto their mony goods and are now of the same mind also nether wil they at any time fail either the wealth or dignity of the cōmon country for so much as they are able at all times to performe They know moreouer that thys is theyr bounden duty for the same oth and fidelity by the which they are bounden to that Emperor And seing it is so there nedeth no further declaration of theyr wil The king of Fraunce also what time he was in Alsatia had demaunded no such thing of them Again that wryting wherof he maketh mention setforthe by the Princes confederated was not sent nor shewed vnto them Wherfore they desire him to accept this satisfaction and work no violence to them nor to their coūtry In this self same instant Marques Albert being aduertised that duke Moris intended to make peace leuing at Spiers a garrison returneth with his army to Franckfurt renueth the siege which Duke Moris hauing made peace had forsaken pitching his tents on thother side of the town on this side the riuer of Meyne vppon the higher ground somwhat from whence he might very commodiously beat the town with his ordinaunce And this pacification he toke most displeasantly and spake euil words of duke Moris and would not be comprised therein The conditions of peace be these That the Princes confederated shal leaue theyr armure before the xii day of August and so discharge their army that they may serue king Farnando if he so will and neither annoye themperoure nor Germany At the same day also the Lantzgraue being set at liberty shal be deliuered at his castel of Rinfelse which he hath vpō the Rhine putting in first surety to obserue couenaunts geuen by the Emperor at Hale in
aboutes The bishop in the meane season was in the castel which I said was situated where the Rhine and Moselle mete neither was there any prelate of the same ordre there Themperor remaininge certaine daies at Auspurge displaceth the Senate whiche the princes had lately ordeined and abrogateth all the tribes restoreth the same state of the common weale and the Senate by him established of the ministers of the churche he remoueth thre and the reaste he permitteth to teach and minister according to the fourm and order of the confession of Auspurge which thinge declared in the pulpit made many mēright glad This was the xxv day of that mōth of August Wheras in the yeare before they were in a manner the same day exiled as I haue in the xxii boke declared After that departing thence the first day of Septembre and leauing behind him a garrison of vi enseignes of fotemen two daies after he came to Wuolmes but his army wente an other waye till they came to the borders of Wirtemberge which was done for their sakes of Wuolmes least theyr country which had shewed to themperor so greate fidelity should sustain a new domage The same day that themperor departed from Auspurge he sente awaye Ihon Fridericke the Duke of Saxon with most gentle wordes promised very largely of his beneuolence towardes him who on the next day toke hys iourney homeward The Lātzgraue also being released the fourth of Septembre retourneth home the sixt day after The same time came forth the fourth Tome of Luthers worckes To the whiche Melanchthon making a preface reioyseth much at the Dukes returne and highly commendeth his constancy which he vsed in the time of his most aduersity In the meane time that Marques Albert was at Treuers all the churches were shut vp who remaining there viii daies whan he had burned certen Abbaies and a castel of the bishops not far from the towne he leaueth in the city a garrison of xii enseignes Afterward marching towards Sircke which is a towne of the Duchie of Loraine in the midway betwixt Metz and Treuers the xiii day of Septēbre he passeth ther with his army ouer the riuer of Moselle and inuadeth the land of Lucemburge and from thence retourneth again into Loraine and euery wher doth very much harme attending to se what manner of condition the french king would offer him How he had sore afflicted the bishops in Franctonie it is before recited but whan themperor approched neare being sued to of the Bishops he dothe discharge those compactes and chargeth them that they stand not to them but seke to recouer theyr owne the same doth he permit also to them of Norinberge and after exhorteth them that for the defence of theyr country they would make a league the same thinge wryteth he to them of Sweuia to the inhabiters of the Rhine and others aswell princes as cities Wherfore these foresaide Bishops with the state of Norinberge do fortify them selues afterwarde by a league and what time Marques Albert at the Emperors comming went into Loraine the bishop of Bamberge aboute the end of August and in Septembre recouered the townes of Forcheme and diuers others Themperor passing out of the land of Wirtemberge held the way toward Spiers but whan he came to Bret which is a town of the Prince Palatines altering his purpose he tourned on the lefthand marched towards Strasburge At his coming vi miles frō the city came vnto him ambassadors Iames Sturmie Friderick Gottesseme and Lewes Grempre to intreat him that he would spare their country and lead his army another way neither that he him self would enter into the city with any great power or alter any thing in their cōmon wealth Who after he had right gently receiued them saith how he knoweth rightwell how worthely and valiauntly that city hath lately shewed it selfe and what a benefit they haue done to him the whole Empire which thing he wil beare in perpetuall memory and in very dede wil declare as occasion serueth how much he is bounden to them for the same Afterward he excuseth diligently his sodain cōming by reason of the ships brēt by Marques Albert for the newes that came how the Frenchmen inuade Alsatia and also for the time of that yere which requireth expedition that they may come to thenemy so sone as is possible wherfore he wil lead his army a long by the Citye wherinto he him self wil enter with his owne family only and taking a dinner wil not tary ther one night Whan therfore the .xv. day of September he was cummen into a certaine village a mile without the City his whole army destowed here and there in the country abouts he remaind ther v. dais In the which time all his cariage was conueied down the Rhine wherin was no small difficulty and assone as it was day commaūding his army to march forth he him self with no great company about none came into the City which he had neuer sene before and was both louingly honorably receiued of the Senate It was his chance to passe by the headchurch whan he came thither he alighted and being led in by the priestes making ther small abode went straight to dinner The Senate than presenteth him with a gift after the custome of the city praying him to accept it in good part he answereth that it is to him right acceptable and that whiche he had spoken certaine dais past cōcerning his good wil towards them for theyr stout gouerning of theyr state in a most doubtfull and pearillous time he repeteth again and for that the townes men haue hurt done them without the city by the soldiors in their Orchardes and heritages he saith he is right sory but for somuch as it is vnpossible to saue al vpright amonges so great a multitude he praieth them to take it patiently chiefly for that this warre is made for thempire Afterward toward the Euening entring into the way of Hagenaw he tourned into the next village and ther reasted al night What time he was at Strasburge going to Metz he commaunded thambassadors of forain Princes which followed his court to go to Spier and there remain That time was sir Richard Morisine knight ambassador of Edward the vi King of England who amongs mē learned hath a worthy name and for the state of Uenise Marcke Anthony Amulie who also was him self very well learned and a great fauorer of learning In those few dais that themperor staid at the city no man would beleue what hurt the souldiours did in the country and it was an heauy sight to se the pore husband mē their wiues and children come running into the citye spoyled of all that euer they had The matter was complained vppon to the Duke of Alua by the Senate And all be it he saide he was very sory for it and would se that the like shuld not be done from henceforthe yet did it preuail
with the Paulsgraue elector and had sente those foresaid letters to the iudges of the chamber That time came also to Hedelberge by themperors commaundement the Dukes of Bauier and Wirtemberge for a pacification thither came also the Duke of Cleaue The matter being longe debated whan the Bishoppes had offred him a wonderfull summe of mony especially Bamberge that he might haue his Townes in quiet and the intercessors also approued this condition The Marques which would haue his couenauntes obserued which themperor had also confirmed wheras in the same time his captaines leuied horsmen for him in Saxony and was now assured of certen other mennes aid he departeth and nothing done the intercessors being sore offended and bendeth him selfe to war and publishing a wrying the xxvii of March repeteth the whole matter in order complaining mooste greuouslye of his aduersaries for breaking theyr promesse and confuteth that reason whereby the Bishoppes alledge that they maye alienate nothing of the church goodes and sheweth how he is driuen of necessitye to defende hys righte by force of armes The bishop of Wirciburge was ther him self Bamberge had sente deputies The grudge and controuersy was betwene the Duke of Wirtemberge and the maister of the Almaigne order through the mediation of princes was here appeased where this man to recouer his townes again paid xxx thousand Crownes At the second day of Aprill whyche than was Easter daye Duke Moris came also vnto the Princes at Hedelberge vsing greate expedition Thre dais after he returneth home againe in poste These prynces that were intercessoures make a league that they maye defende them selues from iniurie and therin be cōprised also the Archbishops of Mentz and Treuers Whan Marques Albert refusing the condicions wente from Hedelberge to gather his armye the Bishoppes of Bamberge and Wirciburge procure other letters from the chāber in the which both the Archbishoppe of Mentz the Paulsgraue Duke Moris the Maister of Pruisse the Duke of Saxon the Duke of Wirtemberge the Lantzgraue the Norinbergians and all theyr neyghboures are commaunded to assist them This was the second day of May. Duke Moris who suspected Marques Albert and supposed that he was also pricked at by the same for his owne assuraunce maketh a league with the Duke of Brunswicke and promiseth aid to the Bishoppes and Norinbergians In the meane season Marques Albert hauinge leuied his power marcheth forewarde and in the Countries of the Bishoppes and state of Norinberge he destroyeth all with burninge and spoylinge and taketh the Citye of Bamberge the head Towne of all that Countrye and threatneth warre to the Nobilitye of Frankonie vnlesse they will obey and surpriseth Schuinfurt a Towne imperiall and fortifieth it with a garrison The Norinbergians because they hold certain townes and Castels by the benefite of the Realme of Boheme had intreated king Farnando that they might leuy certaine horsmen in hys dominions to defend those places The king was content and permitted them to gather fiue hondreth but the Marques as they were comminge intercepteth them and taketh also certaine of the foresaide Townes and Castels Againe on the other side Henrye Duke of Brunswicke which had drawen vnto him a greate parte of Counte Mansfeldes army by Phillip his sonne moueth warre againste his neighboures inuadinge the borders and Countries of the Bishoppes of Munster and Minden and of his Cosin also Duke Erike of Brunswicke and of the state of Breme and extorteth of them a maruelous great some of Monye Aboute this tune the controuersy that the Duke of Cleaue had with the Archbishop of Collon for a certaine iurisdiction by the mediation of the Paulsgraue and the Bishoppe of Treuers whiche met at Bacheracke was throughly appeased A little while after at the beginning of the monthe of Iune the Paulsgraue tharchbishop of Mentz thambassadors of the dukes of Bauier and Wirtemberge by themperors cōmaundement mete at Franckfurt aboute the warre of Franckonie The Emperoure had ambassadors ther Coūte Conigsten therle of Solmen Hēry Hasie king Ferdinando had theralso diuers And wher the bishops brged the Emperours abrogation the Marques his cōfirmatiō thelectors admonish his ambassadors to signify this vnto him to thintent he may aduertise them whether he wil haue to take place Themperor the xvii day of Iune maketh answer Wheras in the last yeare past he had hard of the composition of Marques Albert and the bishops at the sute and request of certen he abolished the same cōmaunding the bishops not to kepe it for that it was a matter of an euil president to compell any man to suche subiection for doing of his duety to him and to thempire But afterwarde whan Marques Albert would none otherwise accord with him excepte those former compositions were ratified he to eschue a further in conuenience which was than like to insue vpon all Germany serued the time present And for so much as he had an armye readye and Counte Mansfeld also in his name was gatheringe a newe power in Saxonie and he him self being troubled with the french warres could not suppresse him neither was ther in al Germany that was hable one day to abide his force he made peace with him in hope verely that he shuld quiet him afterward Especially if the Princes that be his kinsmen should trauell in the thing and certēly if God had sente him good successe before Metz he had deuised meanes wherby he shuld haue ben satisfied For he did him muche good seruice in the same warre in so much that he was desirous to gratify him but after that the siege toke no place he assaid howe to make a concord by them at Hedelberge and wher the Marques refused the conditions ther propounded and again hath moued war it was to him very displeasaunte and therfore did he assigne thys other conuention at Franckfurt And now it is reported vnto him that he attempteth warre not only againste the Bishoppes but against certen others also which thing both greueth him exceadinglye and is done also contrarye to the compactes For he what time he was receiued into fauoure promised faithfull seruice hereafter bothe to him and to thempire And yet if he would now at the least obey he coulde be contente to forget all thinges past but where he him selfe also is had in suspicion of diuers it is wrongfullye done wherfore let them indeuoure wyth all theyr force to make a pacification and require no further declaration of him in this matter The same shall be to him mooste acceptable and in matters concerninge the Empyre he will do nothinge from henceforth but by theyr aduise and Counsell At the lengthe they departed frō Frāckfurte wythoute the matter ended Aboute the same time also by themperors commaundemente the Duke of Bauier and of Wirtemberge with others assemble at Lawginge that they might pacifye the Earles of Detinge the father and his Sonnes For euer since the Protestantes warre vnto the siege of Metz Lewes the father and his
eldest sonne of the same name haue wandred vp down at most vncertenty for that they warred against themperor but all his landes and possessions by themperors permission had his sonnes Fridericke and Wuolfgange whiche were of a contrarye Religion Whan they came to the treaty the father accuseth them of moste ingratitude and all be it the Prynces laboured the matter diligently yet coulde there be nothing determined The xxv Booke of Sledaines Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte The Argument of the xxv Booke THe warre beginning in Piedmount Duke Moris and the Marques Albert being at desiaunce loyne in battell wherin Duke Moris was slaine but the Marques lost the field Augustus his brother succedeth Duke Moris Iohn Fridericke maketh reclaime to hys landes At this time are nine martirs executed at Lions The good king Edward of Englād being dead his sister Mary is proclaimed Quene and the Popish bishops restored to their dignity Marques Albert hauing lost the field against Henry Duke of Brunswicke surpriseth the towne of Holse After he is banished A disputation in England about the Sacramente of thaultare The Lady Iane which was proclaimed Quene is beheaded greate execution is done in England The blessed death of the Duke of Saxon and his wife Alberte again exiled worketh greate crueltye Marye Quene of Englande maried to kinge Phillip Cardinall Poole geueth full absolution to England An assemble at Auspurge Many excellente parsonages are condemned in Englande being wholy reconquested to the Pope TO the intent some remeady might be founde for these troubles and tumults in Germany the Emperour in the month of May calleth an assembly of thempire the xiii day of August And whan he had besieged the Citye of Terwen in the dominion of Fraunce from the end of Aprill The xx day of Iune he taketh it by an assaulte spoyleth burneth and raseth it down to the ground The Constable sonne was taken in the same The king of Englande sendinge an honorable ambassade by the space of certaine monthes intreated a peace The same did the bishop of Rome but that was in vain In the month of May Ihon Duke of Northumberlād which after the death of the Lord Protector the Kinges Uncle had the chief gouernment as before is saide marieth one of his Sonnes to the Lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraunces whiche was Nece to Kinge Henrye the eighte by his Sister the Frenche Quene That time was Kinge Edwarde greuouslye sicke Than was it warre also in Piedmont and in the hither partes of Italy For the Emperour purposed to recouer Senes sendinge thither a power from Naples vnder the conduit of the Uiceroy Peter Toletane but wheras he died and the Turkish Nauy to the whiche the Prince of Salerne going out of Fraunce had ioyned him self was sailing on the Seas of Grece and Italy the soldiors retourned home to repulse the neare and domesticall daunger Marques Albert kepinge warre in Franconie Duke Moris and his fellowes send their army thither The Marques therfore leauing a garrison at Schuinfurt and other places whan he had euerye where exacted Monye hasted with greate expedition into Saxony leading away with him many pledges oute of the dominions of Norinberge and Bamberge captiues Whan he was cōmen to Arustet there were the ambassadors of Ihon Fridericke Duke of Saxon to intreat him that he would not hurte his country he promised right gently and kept it After marching into the limites of Erfurde he spoyleth there manye villages Duke Moris amased at his soden comming which had sente his armye into Franckonie as I saide commaundeth all his Nobility after also thother states to put on armure and hyreth as many as he coulde but the Marques passing through his countrye with oute doinge anye hurte whan he came to Halberstat he taketh the gates and imposeth to the Cleargye there a greate summe of Monye after that he burneth and destroyeth the Countrye of Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke beinge aided by Duke Ericke and the Nobilitye of Brunswicke The Duke of Brunswickes armye whiche I saide before was gone into Franckonie by the conduit of Phillip his Sonne whan they had attempted Schuinfurte in vaine and saw ther was pearill at home retourne into Saxonie likewise do the Souldioures of Duke Moris whereof the Earle Hedecke had the leading and ioyn with Duke Moris about Northuse And for so much as the Marques tourned downe into the prouince of Minden Duke Moris thinckinge that he woulde haue gone throughe Hesse and againe made inuasion into Franconie from Northuse marcheth to Embecke that he mighte preuente him Than in the ende ioyninge all his forces together he incampeth in the countrye of Hildesseme at Osterode and the first day of Iuly not only he but also the Chaūcelour of Boheme Henrye Plauie in kinge Fardinandoes name Proclaime warre againste him and sending abrode theyr letters Themperor say they in these former yeares hath by common assent and consent of the princes and states established peace throughe out the Empire and gaue commaundement that what action some euer any man had he should try it at the law and worcke no force nor violence And certainly the state of Germany which hath bene nowe certaine yeares nowe sore afflicted with Ciuill warres doth much require peace and quietnesse Wherfore what time there arose warre lately within the limits of the Empire kinge Ferdinando with the healpe of others indeuoured and toke paines that the warre was appeased And here in at the lengthe had the Princes consentes that were chiefe Captains of the warre and finally through the Emperoures permission concluded peace Wherin it was prouided amongs other thinges not only that nothing be done to the contrary but that suche also as be in dāger shuld be aided and assisted but that same peace did not Marques Albert refuse only but also did wryte openly to certen renowmed princes that the same tēded to the great reproche and dommage of Germany and was more worthye to be called a treason than a peace making By which wordes you declare sufficiently what minde you beare to your natiue country Again whā you had with spoyling and burning distroied the countrye that lieth by the Rhine wheras you had no good successe in Fraunce and themperor had an army prepared throughe intercession you were reconciled to him vpon respect only that he would confirme youre composition with the Bishops of Bamberge and Wirciburge But you straightwaies abusinge this confirmation of themperor who permitted you to shew no violence haue by youre ministers manye times put in feare either prelate with most terrible threatninges saying how you would inforce them by tharmies of the Earles of Mansfeld and Oldenburge to obserue their couenauntes as it is by your own mens letters to be proued And that also you mighte bring this to passe the soldiors which you discharged after the siege
immediatly after declared also to others For besides many others displeasures that you did the Bishoppricke of Halberstat which themperor as you knowe hathe committed to my protection you imposed a great some of Monye and spoyled theyr colledges in the country neuerthelesse The same did you also in the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge which is likewise comprised vnder my tuition and haue exacted Monye of the Northusians and Mullusians And Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke with whome I haue made a league righte honest in dede and not repugnant to the treatye of Passawe you haue persecuted with sword and fire so sone as I had aduertised you by letters of the league and the reast of my fellowes These thinges doubtles be not correspondent to certain of your former letters Now therfore although that king Ferdinando I and our fellowes do greatly desire peace especiallye of Germany euer sence the pacification of Passaw to indeuor that al thinges may be quiet Especially in these parties which thing also very manye of the nobility of Brunswicke which serue now in your camp can testify yet for so much as you haue remoued the war into these parties declare manifestly whan you inuade our fellowes what your intēt is Moreouer for so muche as there is a brute that you are hyring of greater forces though it be in an others mās name which you are not hable to find except you permit them to robbe and spoyle and worke what mischief they list in so much that not only Frankonie but other prouinces also stand in great danger of you which your selfe can not dissemble whilest you saye you will brynge to passe that no man els shall be in better case than you are For these causes I say and for so muche as you leaue no place vnto Concorde king Fernando I and our fellowes seing we are next the dāger are constrained to put on armure to repulse from vs violence and iniury to the end we may deliuer our natiue countrye and recouer the Publike quietnesse For this do the lawes of the Empire not only permit but inioyne vs also and the high court of the chambre imperiall commaundeth vs to aid and assist our neighbors of Frā konye And althoughe at this time that you leuye men in you pretend to do it in themperors name yet knowe we assuredly that the same is forged and famed For he hath declared what his mind is not only to you but to vs and other also and shortly you shal know more what he thincketh But since this our enterprise is attempted for the common wealthes sake and therfore neaded no declaration of our mind yet to thintent you shall not be ignorant we both do protest that we will do hereafter as the thinge it selfe shall require that this your dissolute and more than Tirannicall cruelty may be suppressed And this verelye in oure owne name and oure fellowes we do you to vnderstand and hear testify that the blame of all the calamity that shall chaunce in this warre is wholy to be imputed vnto you which will come to no reasonable condition nether doubt we this also but the euerliuing God will assiste rather those that seke the safegard of their countrye than him that goeth about destruction and warreth on his natiue country What time these letters were deliuered in the campe of Marques Albert the Ambassadoures of the electoure of Brandenburge were sente to perswade a peace Whan he had red the letters he cōsulteth of the matter with his captaines demaundeth of them whether they will take his part Who affirming he calleth for the yong gētleman that brought the letters and tourning his talke to him Thy Prince saith he hathe thrise broken his faith before this and hath done wickedly thys is the fourth fact of the same sort let him come hardly I wil proue what he can do This tell him in my name With these wordes he geueth him certaine crownes in rewarde and sendeth him a waye There the ambassadoures that were intercessors shall we do nothing than say theyrnothing saith he you may retourne home Whan therfore he perceiued the waight of the warre he sendeth Duke Ericke of Brunswick to the Emperor the third day of Iuly and signifieth vnto him how through the policy of certen ther wer many aduersaries raised againste him whiche indeuor that the couenaunts be not only not kepte but also that he might be expulsed out of al his lands and possessions by reason of a new conspiracy and that is he able to proue that certen Princes electors and the chiefest of all Germanye haue conspired to chuse a newe Emperour And the cause why the Bishoppes be so sore against him is long of the iudges of the Chamber He prayeth hym therfore that he would not be offended if he shall attempt ought against them His aduersaries also to bryng hym in hatred and to allure mo vnto them haue reysed this brute of him as though he hath conspyred with him to oppresse the libertie of Germany This doubtlesse haue certen Prynces obiected vnto hym and letters are caste abroade in Germany as sent from the Byshop of Arras howe he verely for this intent hyreth an armie that he myght accomplyshe his wyll For the Duke of Alba shall brynge his sonne the Prynce of Spayne into Germany to the next conuention of the Empyre that he may be denounced the successour of the Empyre With this is kyng Ferdinando so fully perswaded that entryng into league with his ennemies he hath proclaimed warre againste hym He hath verely excused this vnto many ryght dilligently but the suspicion increaseth dayly Therfore is he subiecte vnto great perilles and daungers in a maner for this cause only that he wyll not forsake his frendshyp Wherfore he humbly besecheth hym that he wyll bothe ratifie those compositions of the Byshoppes and also defende hym and his This if he wyll doe he wyll brynge vnto hym whan the matter shall be agreed vpon .ix. thousande horsemen and an hondreth enseignes of footemen In the meane tyme the Norinbergians and the Byshops in the absence of Marques Albert inuade his dominion he publishyng letters blamed sore them of Norinberge as those that had broken their fayth and conuenauntes and entrynge into league with the faulse Byshoppes imbraced agayne the Popishe doctrine Wherunto they afterwarde setting forth a boke make aunswere and recite the whole matter in order euer synce the yeare before howe cruel warre he hath kept how they made compacte with hym howe after by the Emperours permission and consente they made a league with the Byshoppes aboute them howe he hathe refused mooste reasonable conditions offered by the same Byshoppes and againe moued warre agaynste them and howe at what tyme bothe for the league made and also for the commaundement of the Chamber they ayded theyr fellowes he inuaded agayne theyr Countrie lately Amongest others of hys wycked Actes they recite this as a rare example of suche
shall chaunce to leade his armie nere vnto the limites of Duke Augustus he shall go forth without harme doing That Duke Auguste shall beware that what tyme he dischargeth his armie thei go not to the Marques ennemies Finally that the league of inheritaunce whiche is betwene the house of Saxon and of Brandenburge be renewed so shortly as may be The next day whiche was the .xii. of September Marques Albert leadeth his armie out of Brunswicke And where as he chaunced vpon his ennemies not far without the citie he geueth the charge But vanquished with the nōber especially where he had none and the Duke of Brunswick had .xx. enseignes of footemen he was discomfited and put to flight albeit he left to the ennemy a bluddy victory After the battel he retourneth to Brunswick In the meane season thei were in great distresse whome Coūte Plauie and his companions had besieged at Hoffie For where the towne was both very sore battered with shot and the Marques was vanquished in battell and no rescowe came beinge dryuen through penurie and want of all thynges they render vp the towne And Counte Plauie sweareth the townes men to be true to hym and his chyldren and leaueth there in garrison one enseigne of fotemen and the great ordenaunce We haue spoken before of the Turkishe flete Unto whome ioyned them selues certen Frenche captaines setting forthe of Marseilles and in maner in these dayes take the Iland of Corsica belonging to the state of Genes a fewe townes excepted Howe the Emperour toke the castell of Hesdine by force is before said And the same he raseth as he had done Terwen before The French king in the meane season leuieth his armie about Amiens and attendeth tyll the Swysses whiche he had sent for were come Whan Hesdine was now ouerthrowen the Emperour at the ende of Auguste was in mynde to attempte Dorlans but whan the Constable heard therof by espiall he leadeth forth a great number of horsemen and some part of footemen so spedely that he set vpon them or euer thei were aware and putteth them to flight slaying and takyng many of them And what tyme the Swisses were come about the beginninge of September a ten thousande footemen the kyng went vp the water of Some on the banke wherof standeth Amias and commeth to Corbie From thence sending out certen guidons of horsemen he runneth about the Towne of Bappam as though he would besiege it But the seuenth daye of September sendyng an Herault of Armes to Cambraye he requireth to be certified what hartes the Townes men beare towardes hym that is a very large towne belongyng to the Byshop and aunciently to the Empire and in the same warre whiche the Emperour made with the Frenche king it was a neuter town indifferent to both but at this tyme it was more of the Emperous parte The king therfore sendeth them worde that he wil do nothing against cōuenauntes so that they wyl do the same and let their citie be set open for him who is protectour of thēpire be ready to serue him in all thinges as wel as they be to themperour But when that gouernour of that town had signified the matter to the Emperour he made aunswer that for so muche as the Frenchmē had with spoyling and burning distroyed al the coūtrie that he should take them for his ennemies But before this message came againe from the Emperour the kynge making roades out began to assaie the citie certē daies But wher nothing preuailed about the middes of September he rayseth his campe and pitcheth his tentes two myles from the Emperours campe whiche was than at Ualencene a towne of Henault nere vnto the riuer of Scalde Thā he approcheth nerer and certenly the thing was like to haue come to a batell but that end was this that the king for that he had approched so nere that Emperours fortifications after he had loste very many of his men retourned with his army the .xviii. day of September At his departing he distroyed all far and nere with fire The matter was after wrytten priuatly vnto frendes the Frenchemē in dede saie howe the Emperour would not fight but this the imperials deny The king retourning home dischargeth the Swisses In this same moneth are discharged the garrison of sixe enseignes of fotemen whiche had by the Emperours commaundement bene all that yeare at Auspurge as I sayd in the fourmer boke About this tyme also met at Hailbrune the Pauls graue the Archebyshop of Mentz the Duke of Bauier and the Duke of Wirtemberge From the Archebyshop of Treuers and the Duke of Cleaue came Ambassadours There was present in the name of king Ferdinando the Byshop of Passawe This sommer the rage of that plague made a great slaughter at Paris and in the meane time diuers were burnt there also for Lutheranisme The king had a darling whose husband in tyme past had bene gouernour of Normandy The same woman being a wydowe had two sonnes in lawe at the same time prisoners Duke de Anmalle and the Mareschall Marchian as before I sayed And for the raunsome of Duke de Anmalle Marques Albert demaundeth a hondreth thousande crownes but that was aboue his habilitie Wherfore the brute went that she which might do with the king what she list to that ende she might make the monie without her owne hinderaunce had obteined that the kynge should geue her their landes and goodes that were condemned for heresie For the custome of Fraunce is that the kynge taketh not only the lyfe of suche as be condemned but their goodes also What tyme therfore this praye was obtayned many they saye were brought in daunger I wyll not certenly affirme this but it commeth to passe many tymes in Fraunce and in other places that the bloude of innocent persones is not only a pleasure but also a gaigne to many Marques Albert after his ouerthrowe in battell retourneth to Brunswicke as a little before I haue sayed but where he vnderstode by espiall that the Duke would besege the citie making no longe aboade he gathered vp what horsemen he could and commaundeth them to abide his comming in Turingia and sending to his kinsfolkes and allies for ayde Whan he was holpen of them he hasteth into Turinge and the fifth daye of October vsing great expedition beyond al mens expectation came to Weymer where he was ryght gently receiued of Iohn Fridericke and there remayning two nightes that he myght refreshe his souldiours after their trauaile that laye scattered a broade in the coūtrie he marcheth towardes Franckony That tyme the Erle Plauie and his fellowes beseged a towne of his named Birnt But hearing of his comming they leuied their siege and gote them to Bamberge But he being accompanied with no great bande of horsemen goeth forthe the .xi. day of October to espie what is done at Hosie the town lately loste The soldiours of the garrison chaunced than to be some what vn warely without the
kept with a great garrison This tyme the Frenche men going priuely out of Piedmount vpon the soden take Uercelles a towne of Turin whiche the Spanyardes kept But where they thought them selues hardly able to defend the same being so nere Millan and Gonzago the Emperours lieftenaunt approched also with a power they spoyled the towne and retourned home in due season laden with boties Not long after it was signified and written both from Uenise and other places of Solyman Emperour of Turkes who had hanged his eldest sonne Mustapha for suspicion of treason They reporte that the murther was committed through the procurement of his seconde wyfe whiche coueted to haue her sonne auaunced and to succede his father I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury He and Quene Iane with thre sonnes of the Duke of Northumberlande being brought to the barre in the moneth of Nouember were cōdemned to suffer for treason but according to the custome of the Realme thei were caried again to pryson and through the intercessiō of certen were reserued Sebastian Scherteline of whome ofte mention is made for whose death the Emperour had appointed a great rewarde as in the last boke is declared was at this tyme reconciled to the Emperour and king Ferdinando and recouered all his goodes At the suite of the byshoppes and their consortes the iudges of the chamber imperiall with a solemne ceremonie the fyrste of December do outlawe Marques Albert of Brandenburg as a disturber of the publique quiet and of the Empire dispatching abroade their letters hither and thether and the same set vp openly and permitted his lyfe and goodes to be spoiled of al mē Duke Henry of Brunswicke leauing Counte Plauie at the siege of Blasseburg the sixt day of December goeth with his power to Schuinfurte whiche towne in dede being situated on the banke of the Riuer of Moene the Marques kept with a strong garrison The Duke had an ayde of Soldiours that came from Norinberge and Forcheme But Marques Albert suspectinge the matter firste what vitaile so euer was in places thereaboutes he brought it into the Towne after he burnte all the buildinges about it to the intent he might take away the occasion of besieging from the ennemie that tyme of the yeare Wherfore Duke Henry without any exploicte done hauinge lost also many of his men what tyme the Marques saleed out and fought retourneth home with no great company passing through the countrie of Iohn Fridericke without harme doing Whan Marques Albert vnderstode that he was outlawed by the chāber he sueth to the Emperour that he would reuerse the iudgement But he sayeth howe he may not let the execution of the lawe So than he refuseth the iudgement as corrupted with bribes and rewardes and maketh a protestation in a wryting set forth of the same But the iudges do commaūd the next prouinces of the Empire to se the thinge executed This tyme was holden in Englande a parliament of al the States of the Realme And for so muche as in kyng Edwardes tyme there were actes made of the Lordes supper of ceremonies of the ministration of the Sacramentes of the mariage of priestes of the election of Byshoppes of ordeining the ministers of the churche of the fourme of praying and of such other like thinges In this parliamēt it was enacted that those statutes should take no place but that all men should followe the same Religion whiche was obserued at the death of kyng Hēry Moreouer that no man should moleste or disquiet suche priestes and ministrs of the churche as shal be ordeined hereafter Furthermore the diuorcement of Quene Katherine the Quenes mother is pronoūced to haue bene onlawfull Finally there was debated amonges the Nobles concerning the Quenes mariage and a greed that she should be espoused to the Emperours sonne king Philippe Of whome there went a report before that he should marie his Cosin daughter to Emanuell king of Portugale and to his aunte Elenore Whan this was agreed vpon the Emperour sendeth for Cardinall Poole The cause why the Emperour would haue hym to staie in Germany was this as many supposed least he being of the bloud roiall and well beloued in his countrie should haue bene some let to the mariage In stede of those Byshoppes whiche I sayd before were thrust in prison were created others at this tyme. For the full confirmation of the Matrimony the Emperour sent a moste honorable Ambassade into Englāde which might affiaunce Quene Mary to kyng Philippe being absent The chief Ambassadour was Counte de Egmonde They arriuinge at London about the beginning of Ianuary after they had treated of the matter a fewe dayes bryng it to passe The commons of the Realme toke this matter moste greuously and diuerse also of the Nobilitie and laiyng their heades together do rebelle The chiefe authour and rynge leader hereof was syr Thomas Wiat. Who reysing a rebellion in Kente made greuous and bitter orations against the Quene and her counsell how through the mariage of a straunger they wyll procure to the Realme of Englande a perpetuall and moste miserable bōdage and seke also that the true Religion being extinguished they may agayne establishe papistrie And Kente is a countie by the sea coaste nexte vnto Fraunce by reason of the citie of Cantorbury right famouse The brute of this commotion was brought to London the .xxv. daye of Ianuary and not long after was heard also of Henry the Duke of Suffolke who reysed vp men in Lecester shyre Wherfore the Quene assembleth what power she coulde ouer whome she maketh generall Thomas the Duke of Norfolke lately deliuered out of prison Who about the ende of the same moneth meting with his enemies at Rochester bridge being forsaken of his soldiours was faine to saue himselfe by flight and with much payne came to London Wherfore amongest these tumultes the Emperours Ambassadours to mitigate the rebellion for their own daunger together the first day of February take shipping depart And the same daie came the Quene into the citie of London making in her oration a greuous complaint against Wiat declareth what his intent is and what loue she beareth vnto them and sayeth howe she hath determined nothing of her mariage without the consent of her counsell For she hath liued a good part of her tyme a mayden and doteth not so of mariage but that she would remayne in the same kynde of lyfe styll in case her Nobles and commons iudged mete that it shoulde so bee For that the Realme should be in daunger bycause of her mariage and that all should be ful of slaughter it should be to her moste greuous Wherfore let them perseuer in doinge theyr dutie and assiste her in reuenging the treason of wicked persons For this is their dutie to doe whiche haue commaunded her as the lawefull heyre of her father by common assente to bee Quene Whan she had on
highest meane and lowest degrees as it is to be proued by those letters that are in Printe at Holansperge After at the nexte assemble althoughe we offered more largely yet was he nothing the rather inclined to peace yea he went about craftes policies neither commendable nor princelike For at the request of the intercessors committinge the whole matter to the Emperor and certen Princes he promised not to attempt longer warre and that same compromise themperor sending letters from Bruissels the fourth of Aprill did ratifye and willed the states of Frankonie that they should leaue warre also and cōmit the cause to his care and fidelity And this did Marques Albert for this intent ful craftely as it appeareth by such thinges as folowed that both he might staye themperor that he shuld not cōmaūd certen prouinces of thempire to put the outlawry in execution that he him self also might haue space to leuy an army which he was gatheringe that time in all places to haue oppressed vs vppon a soden but through Gods benefit the matter was detected by his own letters at the same time intercepted which he sent hither and thither to his chief Captains and Cēturions wherin was this that he hath admitted the treaty of Roteburge for this purpose only that in the meane season he may prepare him self and set vpon his enemies and nowe if thintercessors shal haply require them to forsake their enseignes let them not obey but kepe together and in no wise scatter abrode and for an excuse let them alledge this cause that they haue many months wages owing them and therfore may not depart before they be paid but say how they will remaine in those parties without any hurte doing til they haue receiued theyr mony Hitherto appertaine also those letters of his wherin he commaundeth his chieftaines wyth out delay to set vpon al men whosoeuer they be whan this treason therfore was brought to light and wheras our men demaunded of of his ambassadors sent to Roteburge whether he would stand to the compromise and could haue no certain answer by the aduise of king Ferdinandoes ambassadors we wer constraind to commit the matter vnto God first and to themperor and thempire as oure letters sent to themperor the same time declare And seing the matter is thus and for so much as euery man may easily perceiue by such thinges as we haue truelye rehearsed that we are hitherto driuen by so manye railinges reproches and displeasures to repulse his fury and violence that we haue obeied the commaundement of the high and chief Magistrate therefore we beseche all men that loue vertue and honesty and hate violence and iniurye to consider diligently that vnlesse the sentence geuen shoulde be put in execution and this his boldnesse be repressed how great daunger hangeth ouer not vs only but them also Wherfore let no man aid or assist him or geue him any succoring place or refuge but as it becommeth noble Princes such as loue their country we wish they would not only not impeche th execution of the commaundement but that they them selues also would se the thinge executed to the vttermooste of theyr power and woorke so herein that all others may be made afraide by his example And that also they geue no creadite to hys famous libels and slaunders sette forthe agaynste vs and if he shall againe attempt anye thinge againste vs that they further hym not wyth theyr aide or Counsell we requyre them moste earnestlye Marques Albert receiuing mony of duke D'anmalle as before is said hasteth into Saxony and there hiringe soldiors in the monthe of Maye goeth to Schuinfurt priuely and the tenth daye of Iune with viii hundreth horsmen and vii enseigns of fotemen in the dawning of the day he entreth the towne on that side that was not besieged And for because they wer in great penury of al things the third day after whan he had spoyled the Towne in the night he leadeth out al the soldiors aswel horsmen as fotemen to the nombre of xviii enseignes with the artillery leauing no ward at al to kepe the gates and taketh his iourny to Kitzing a town standing beneath on the riuer of Moene Whan it was now light day and thenemies perceiued the gates vnfurnished at the sound of the Trōpet they prepare them selues euery man to follow and pursue after him but diuers and that chiefly the soldiors of the Duke of Brunswick wer commaunded of him to enter the towne who spoile and destroy all that was left Wherfore the chief captains and gouernours of the field least through the delay and taryinge of the reaste Marques Albert should haue time to escape set the towne on fire in diuers sondry places so they being driuen to depart repair vnto tharmy And albeit the Marques was gon certain hours before them yet for that he was so letted and hindred with thordenaunce that he could make no speade he was staide of the forewarde and with them he bickereth but the reast of tharmy approching whan he saw him self to weake for so great a multitude exhortinge his men to make the best shift they can euery mā for him self he accompanied with a few horsmen goeth spedely out of sight and by swimming ouer the riuer to Kitzing escapeth losing all his munition and cariage The viii day after was the Castell of Blasseburgh his chiefest Fortresse rendred vp and came into the handes of king Ferdinando when the Chauncelour of Boheme Counte Plauie which beseged the same continually was dead a little before Thus therefore Marques Albert was expulsed and driuen out of all his dominion Whilest these thinges were done in Franconie Henry Duke of Brunswicke in the lower partes of Darony compelleth diuers aswell Princes as Cities and many of the Nobility to pay mony and be vnder his subiectiō as the Duke of Megelburge the dukes of Luneburge the Princes Anhaldes and Earles of Mansfelde An other part also of his and the bishops power hauing discomfited the Marques taken Schuinfurt punished right sore Roteburge a Towne imperiall and Counte Henneberge amonges others and were thus bent that except they might recouer the charges of the warre which they said appartained to all men they pretended to worke much violence but through mediation the matter was appeased and the war ceased In manner about this time Charles duke of Sauoy depriued of a great part of his dominion as I tolde you in the tenth booke departeth oute of this life leauinge his sonne Philibert his heyre who had serued themperor in his warres now many yeares King Fernando setting forth of late a Proclamation had commaunded his subiectes that nothing should be altered in the Sacramente of thanckes geuing and that after thold custom such as receiued the Lordes supper should be contented with th one kind as they terme it but the Nobles Gentlemen and Cities wheras they had diuers times before sued to him herein now again they require
with Masses Praiers Fastinges and Almose dedes whether there be a place of Purgatory whether the time of Lent and other times of fasting appoynted by the Churche oughte to be obserued whether on daies by the Church forboden we ought to abstain frō eating of flesh whether the people ought to be stirred vp vnto religion by Ceremonies what Ceremonies be godly and whiche not Unto these dothe he make answer the xxvii daye of May at large And althoughe he confirmed his sayinges with the Testimonies not only of scripture but of the doctors also yet was he condemned the xxv of Iune and depriued of all his function About th end of Iune the french king marching with an army out of Chāpaigne taketh the way to the riuer of Mase and inuading the Emperors country ioyning to Tournay surpriseth amonge many other thinges The Townes of Bouine and Dinaunt spoyleth them and raseth the castels there and taking Mariburg fortifieth it with munition and garrison Themperor going out of Bruissels with hys army commeth to Namures which is a town by the riuer of Sabie v. miles beneath Dinant The French king appeared to haue desired the battell but whan the time was tracted he tourneth into Henault and taketh Biuse a town and castel of Quene Maries the Lady Regent of Flaunders wher she had a house of pleasure all the which he spoileth and burneth and destroyeth all the country farre and neare with spoyling and burning After he commeth to the siege of Rentie a towne in the borders of Artois but at the Emperors comming whose army was now wholly assembled the siege was leuied after light conflictes had and skirmishing on either side This was in the moneth of August wheras in a manner the same time the kinges armye in Italy at the conduite of Peter Strosse set vpon by themperors power wherof was gouernor the Marques of Marignan receiued a great ouerthrow Uery many of the Swisses were slain which as I said before wer sent thither by the king In the meane time the Emperors sonne Phillip the xix day of Iuly arriueth in England with a Nauy oute of Spaine and the fourth day after in the euening commeth to Winchester where the Quene taried for him and going to the Cathedrall Churche wyth all the Nobility before him was receiued of the bishop of Winchester and certaine others Emonges other Princes there was with him the Duke of Alua. The next day he goeth to the Quene talking with her long and much verye familiarely the seconde daye which was kept holy to S. Iames the Patrone of Spain the mariage was solempnised And ther was themperors ambassadoure who affirmed openly howe themperor had geuen to his sonne for his mariage the kingdom of Naples Afterwardes departing frō thence at the last he entred into London the head city with greate pompe and solempnitie In the moneth of August certen states of thempire mete again at Wourmes for that themperor called vpon th execution against Marques Albert. Who being expulsed out of his country went first into Loraine and after into Fraunce wher the king denied him not intertainmente And because it was to be feared least he should attempt something least he shoulde make a roade into Alsatia or the parties neare vnto it they that are of the prouince of Rhine about th end of Septembre sent certen guidōs of horsmen into the borders of Loraine to kepe the passages But they at the last without any exploict done returne home not without the domage of them wher they lay In the moneth of Octobre they assemble again at Frankfurt both for this and for other causes Unto the which conuention wer broughte the letters of Marques Albert wherin he complaineth of his enemies last war and speaking much of that bishop of Arras he taunteth spitefully amōges others the bishops of Treues and Strasburge and also the Lantz graue and calleth those bloudy horsmen that laye in waite for hys life There were letters also red in the name of the Frenche kinge wrytten in the Dutch tonge the first day of Octobre And speaking of thold amitie of Fraunce and Germany our eunemies are wholy addict saith he to infringe the same And certen yeres past they wrought the matter so far that my father was declared an enemy but I neuerthelesse when about two yeres since the state of thempire was miserable and cleane out of order forgetting the offences past declared plainly what good will I bare you following here in the fotesteps of my progenitors which soughte euer to auaunce your honor and dignity For it can not be proued that euer they offered you wronge but our aduersaries haue many waies gone aboute to plucke from you all your liberties and goodes also what time they haue deuised sondry policies not only to exact mony but haue also kindled factions betwene noble houses as you knowe rightwell And albeit the case standeth thus yet through their procurement I heare say howe certaine states which are in dede my neighbors of whom verely I loked for no such thing haue moued warre against me wher they haue proclaimed the same before Which doubtles is to me great maruel and so much the more in dede for that there is no quarrell betwixt vs. For in that which is commonly spoken of Marques Albert as though I shoulde aide him against you I receiue wrong For inasmuch as I shewe him fauor I do it both for the same old frendship whiche I saide hathe bene alwaies betwene vs and also for that this hath bene euer the custome and entertainment of the kinges of Fraunce that Prynces in aduersity especiallye Germaines shoulde haue with them a safe refuge and succoring place It were much more pleasaunte to me surely to se him in honor at home and all thinges safe and wel than to se him thus discomfited expulsed and destitute of all succor I would haue wished also that he had not chaunced into this calamity or at the least wise might now be reconciled vpon reasonable conditions And for so much as through the fault of mine aduersary he is brought into this distresse which he hathe pronounced the same thing frustrate and after hath ratified it why shuld I be had in suspition for hauinge compassion of his misfortune but that I shuld geue him aid against thempire it neuer came in my thought neither will I do it here after and that you maye be assured of so that you again do nothing against the lawes of amity And wheras youu ought to loke for nothing els of me but that is peaceable and frendlye I require of you againe that you be not circumuented through their craftes which neither loue me nor you so that either you should make warre your selues with me or aid them with men and monye For this is theyr endeuor that they maye make theyr priuate affaires common But rather obserue amity and take the condition that is offered you And what you intende herein I require you
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
Transiluania do reuolte from kinge Ferdinand Ferdinando also prorogeth the counsel of the Empire to a time vncerten and leuieth an army whiche he sendeth downe the riuer of Danubius into Hōgary There is a town of Alsatia called Obereyne thre leages from Strasburg A certen citezen of that towne being a labourer about vines for penury want when his wyfe was absent the tenth daye of Aprill sleeth his thre children a daughter of seuē yeares a sonne of foure yeares olde and a sucking babe in the cradell not fully halfe a yeare olde That tyme there was a brute and reporte went of the secret conspiracie of the Pope his adherentes against the Protestauntes It increased this opinion for that there was no doubte but that the Pope toke moste displeasauntly the decre of the last yeare made at Auspurge wherby peace and libertie was graunted to Religiō It is thought also that he sollicited the Emperour to make it frustrate For he sawe how many reuolted daily from his kingdome and vnderstande what they of Austriche and what the Bauarians went about Moreouer the Archebyshops of Mentz Treuers and Collon by occasion of the bathes met that tyme together Whiche was thought to be done not without cause King Ferdinando breaking vp his assemblees in Austriche goeth into Boheme and calling the countries there about to Prage against this iminent daunger demaundeth mony and hath it graunted Than sending letters to them whiche had bene now certen monethes at Regenspurg he excuseth his absence and bicause he must retourne to Uienna he appointeth the assemblee of the Empire the first of Iune After the departure of king Ferdinando the Lantgraue came in to Meissen was a certen tyme with Auguste Duke of Saxony The tenth day of May the Duke of Arescot being prisoner in castel Uincent not far from Paris escaped and came home safe The Cardinall of Auspurge who had taried a whole yeare at Rome when he being lately retourned frō thence had heard how sinistrally and many euill men spake and thought of him as though he should practise with the Pope priuie and perniciouse counselles for Germany he pourgeth him by an open wryting set forth in the vulgar tongue about th ende of May. And where as the last yeare sayth he after the death of Iulius the third I went to Rome as my dutie was to do and was present at the Election of him that now ruleth I had pourposed doubtles to haue retourned home into Germany with expedition but I was deteined of the Pope who went about than a reformation of the churche And chosing certen excellent men of all nations for the same purpose chose me also although vnmete for so weightie a matter bycause I was a Germane to be of that nomber But where the charge of my Byshoprike required my presence askyng leaue of the Byshop the day before the Ides of Aprill I retourned home Neuerthelesse although I haue so vsed my self both alwayes before and after also that I came to this kynde of lyfe that I now am in whiche I wold should be spoken without boasting that no shamefull matter can be truly obiected to me although I haue bene oft the coūsellour and authour of peace not without my great losse and hinderaunce although the welth and dignitie of my countrie hath bene to me alwayes dere yet so sone as I came againe in to Germany I heard of great mē and worthy credit that were my frendes how in myne absence certen wrytynges were caste abroade whiche sounded to my dishonour as though I should not only at Rome with the Pope but also euery where through out Italy with secret diuises practise this that Germany namely the league fellowes of the confession of Auspurg shuld againe be vexed with a moste greuous warre And in the same wrytinges they alledged this to be the cause of this enterprise and fecret working that the Pope did greatly mislike the decre made the last yeare at Auspurg cōcerning religion in so much that he perswaded the Emperour that he woulde abolishe the same that he had dispensed with him for his faith promesse herein that he had promysed him all the ayde and power that he could make to subdue Germany so that themperour againe would not fayle hym in recouering the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in Germany that therfore he had made truce betwixt the Emperour and the Frenche kynge that bothe their Armies might be conuerted to this vse Thei added moreouer that this was written in the same libelle that no foreyne Soldiours should be leuied but only of Germaynes that the thing might the better be hidde Moreouer that the kyng of England wold hire eight thousande horsemen and be gouernour of the whole warre and that mounsters shoulde be take in sondry places Briefly that the whole matter shoulde be handled so circumspectly that all these powers should set forwarde together at one tyme and should inuade the Protestauntes vppon the soden than when many shall be from home at the counsel at Regenspurge Furthermore that both the Pope and the kyng of Englande sending Ambassadours to certen Prynces in Germany doe promyse them largely and that the Pope in dede prepareth a greate army of horsemen and fotemen to sende for ayde Furthermore that I should sclaunder Otto Henrick the Paulsgraue Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge and Albert Marques of Brandenburge as Heretickes and seditiouse and worthie to be driuen out of their countrie And should hyghly commende the Lantgraue in the Senate of Cardinalles for that he had forsaken his Religion and that Titell man one of the Ministers of his churche had reuoked his doctrine at Rome both by worde and wryting Now for as muche as this sclaunder toucheth not only the Pope and the Emperour but hurteth also my name and estimation And bycause it is the part of an honest man to defende both his owne and also the honour and innocencie of his Magistrate I must nedes aunswere to the same And to begynne with all it was surely very greuous and paynefull for me to heare that any were yet remayning and to be founde whiche contrary to the auncient vertue of Germany faythe and constancie doe geue their myndes to suche sclaundering and here to applie them selues that through moste wicked libelles and lewde talke they myght styre vp the Prynces of the Empyre against their hyghe Magistrate and set the Prynces together by the eares in a wycked warre How cruel troublesome and full of perill was the sclaunder diuised .xxviii. yeares past I suppose full many doe remember When kyng Ferdinando the Byshoppes of Mentz Salisburg Bamberge and Wirseburge the Prynce Electour of Brandenburge Lewys and William brethren Dukes of Bauier and George Duke of Saxony were sayd to haue conspired against Iohn Duke and Electour of Saxony and the Lantgraue where the matter was brought to that poinct that al thinges tended to a moste cruell ciuile warre Doubtles Princes ought to
set before their eyes and to remember the same tyme. For bothe the wyckednes of that deuiser was detected where as euery Prynce for his parte denied the thing by open wryting and the sclaunderer afterwarde loste his head as he deserued Whiche I truste shall nowe come to passe also that euen God beyng reuenger the authours of so wycked a deuise may be disclosed For my parte I praye God to sende them a better mynde and to confounde theyr counselles that they redounde not to the distruction of the Countrie For seinge that thys is a lyke sclaunder as that furmer was it may be easely perceiued that the authours haue forged it of the selfe same mynde that the other dyd or after the imitation of hym to haue attempted this to the intente verely that they myght nowe bringe to passe that thynge whiche he than coulde not finishe But for as muche as the intente of this Sclaunderer is that he myght perswade that the Pope and the Emperoure woulde by force of armes breake that decree made for peace in Religion and that the kyng of Englande and the Byshoppes of Germany would also ayde them herein I proteste that it is wyckedly forged and inuented for this intent verely that mens myndes beyng exasperated and displeasures increased all places myght swymme full of ciuyle bloud And although I doe not doubte but that the Emperoure and other Princes to the iniurie of whom this seditiouse and famouse libelle apperteineth wyll them selues defende theyr cause yet for duty sake I can not omitte but that I must also pourge the highe Magistrate Unfaynedly all the tyme that I remained at Rome in my presence or to my knowledge ther was not one worde spoken at Rome of that same peace of Religion It is falsely therfore ascribed to the Pope as though he should applie all hys Counsell to force and violence as though he went about to perswade hereunto the Emperoure and other kynges It is falsely I saye imputed to him neither can it be proued And seing that is so it is like wyse false that is wrytten of the Emperour For since there was no cōference nor treatie betwene them for this matter howe coulde they determine vpon warre or make a compacte betwene them for the recoueryng of the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction or subduinge of Germany This defamer sayth that truce was made betwyxt the Emperour and Frenche kyng to the intent that the soldiours being of either discharged might be led to this warre What the cause of the truce was the copie of the same declareth Againe those soldiours were not reteined of any Prynce but so many as kyng Ferdinando commaunded to be taken vp and sent thē into Hongary against the Turke those also excepted whome they of Auspurge and of Norinberge and the Byshoppes of Bamberge and Wirtemberge hired least haply they should be oppressed vpon the soden This part therfore of their deuyse falleth touchyng the Pope the Emperour and of the other Byshoppes Nowe as concerning my selfe I haue verely hitherto followed the olde trewe and catholique Religion and as it becommeth a Germayne borne I treade in the footesteppes of my elders and perseuer in the same communion of the churche that I was brought vp in as also in the last counsel imperiall I declared both by my letters and counsellours In this mynde I pourpose through Gods grace to perseuer Neither am I mynded to doe any thynge that may striue with honestie or consideration of my dutie And yet neuerthelesse I couet to be at peace with all men But where it is sayde that I haue had secret conference with the Pope with the Emperour with the kyng of Englande and with other States of the Empire and and with certen priuate men about the framyng of this war Agayne that same of the Paulsgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge and the Marques of Brandenburge to be moste false neyther that it can be proued of any man Yea they that bringe vp suche tales of me whether it be done by woorde or wrytinge I saye they be sclaunderers and ennemies of the common countrie And touching Counte Palatine thus standeth the matter The maner and dignitie of my vocation requyreth that I should maynteyne the ryght of my Byshoprike and kepe the people committed to my charge in the olde and Catholique Religion And beynge aduertysed that Otto Henry Prince Electour went aboute to make certen Townes of my Byshopryke of his Religion and had placed Preachers in them I toke this doubtles in euyll parte and had cause why I should defende me by the lawes Therfore my counsellours in my absence howbeit yet by my commaundement brought the matter in to the chāber imperiall where the matter dependeth as yet so Otherwyse not so much as in worde I neuer hurte his name nor estimation muche lesse haue I attempted any thyng against his countrie But if I coulde doe any thyng that might tourne to the commoditie of hym selfe his countrie or people I would omitte nothing and I suppose that the people of his coūtrie can beare witnes of this thing for they knowe what I haue done for them in tymes paste in their great aduersitie Moreouer I haue euermore loued the house of Palatine being readye to gratifie them by what soeuer meanes I myght And the same wil is neuer a whit chaūged In semblable wyse am I affected towardes Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge a good man wyse skylfull a louer of peacei And haue euer synce the tyme we were fyrst acquaynted borne hym great good will and haue studied also to perfourme the same in dede But that eyther he or the Paulsgraue should be dryuen out of theyr countrie the same not only came neuer into my mynde but also in case I had knowen any suche matter as myght haue tended to the losse of their estimation or goodes I would both haue bene ryght hartely sory for the same and woulde haue letted it also to the vttermoste of my power that no suche thinge should haue chaunced And hitherto in dede I haue so demeaned my selfe alwayes that I suppose they haue founde nothyng so shal I also vse my selfe from henceforth that I shall geue them a more occasion so to thynke vpon this hope verely that for as muche as I haue geuen no cause to be offended they wyll beare me the lyke good wyll And howe muche I lamented the chaunce of Marques Albert he is not ignoraunt hym selfe for what haue not I assayed what haue I not proued that this discorde myght bee taken awaye and quietnes be restored to the Empire Doubtles my trauell in that thyng hath bene so muche and my industrie so great that although I regarded herein the common wealth yet came I in suspition with many that I tendered his commodities ouermuche and sought to hynder others But howe vpryghtly I handled the matter my letters wrytten to hym can shewe Seyng therfore I am of this mynde towardes thē neyther is there any duty wantyng
the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of BrandeÌ„b to the Emp. Their Oration The Lantgraue kepte prisoner againste the leage made The Lantgraue blodâ— to supper was kepte prisoner The names of the Princes that intreated for the Lantgraue The OratioÌ„ of the Prices aÌ„bassadours to the Emp. The Empe. aunswer to the Ambassabours The Lantgraues son cometh to D. Maurice Maximilian entreth into Trent The railing of Groppes A Cardinal of Dalmatia slayne in his owne house 1552. The Empe. letters to the Byshops Eleciours There is craft in dawbyng Wyly begyâ—ed Kings haue long armes ThaÌ„bassad of Du. Maurice come to the counsell D. Maurice feared of the Emperour The Duke of Somerset beheaded D. Maurice Ambassad sent awaye The saufecoÌ„duict altered The franke speache of D. Maurice Ambassad to the Fathers The Ambassadours of the Protest deluded How muche the papistes esteme the Scripture The diuines come to Norinberge The bitternes of freer Pelarge againg that protestauntes Duke Maurice letters to his ambassadours A brute of war against themperor Pardons New ambassadors from WirteÌ„berge The diuines of Wyrtemberge The confession of the duke of Wirtemberge Thambassador of Strasburge deteyned The blasphe my of a gray Frier The requestes of the protestantes deuines Duke Moris taketh Auspurge by coÌ„position The fathers fle froÌ„ Trent The answer of the protestantes ambassadors Diuers mindes in the counsel of Trent Refourmation of the papistes The Church can not erre The counsel of Basil purer theÌ„ TreÌ„t The last session of that couÌ„sell The frenche Kinge hathe peace with the Pope The ende of the Counsel at Trent The death of the popes Legate The seconde cause of war The Lantzgraue deteyned prisoner against sidelity The thirds cause The boÌ„dage of Germany Marques Alberts letters agaynste the Emperoure The heauye burthens of Germany The story of Lewes Auila of the protestants war The frenche kingsletters Germanye the fortresse of Christendoe CouÌ„tryes oppressed bi the Emperoure Tharmes of liberty Duke Moris goeth to the field The Prince of Salerne reuolteth from themperor The frenche subdueth Loraine The Cardinall betraied the Citye of Metz. The pledges of Fraunce Germanye Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris The couÌ„trie of Oto Henry recouered The iudges of the chamber slie The Conestable chideth with them of Strash The request of the Prynces to the kyng D. Maurice letters to the kyng The kinges answer to the Prynces Martin van Rossem spoyleth ChaÌ„panye The suite of the Swisses to the Kyng Skirmyshes of the Princes with the in Eperialles Erenberge take agayne RebellioÌ„ in D. Moris caÌ„p Duke Morisuye slayne The Empe. sleeth away by nyght The Duke of Saxon set at libertie The Empe. staffe spoiled Crueltie against godly preachers The princes restore the ministers of the churche The Marq. Albertes armie Albertes crueltie to them of Normberg Bamberge redemeth peace dearelye Norinberge hath peace with the Mar. Albert to theÌ„ of Wolmes The FreÌ„che king destroyeth Themperour couÌ„trie Thassemble at Passawe The coÌ„plain te of Prynces Elect. The oration of the Frenche Ambas Thaâ—â—nitie of FreÌ„chmeÌ„ and Germaines The libertie of Germany restored by the power of Fraunce The way opened for the Prynce of Spayne to be Emper. The princes aunswer his oration The house of LuceÌ„burg The battell of Cressie Albert of Austriche Marques Albert warreth for himselfe The FreÌ„che kinges aunswer to thin tercessours D. Maurice weary of delayes The Empe. letters to the intercessours Their aunswer to the Emperour D. Maurice retourneth to his fellowes George Du. of Megelbu slayne Conditions of peace offered by the Emperour Thambassadors commeÌ„taries intercepted Duke Moris admitteth peace The French king dischargeth his army Marques Albert y scourge of priests His requests to Strasbo The answer of Strausbo Conditions of peace Marques Albert refuseth the peace The deathe of Herman Archebishop of Colon. His wish Marques Albert entreth Treuers The duke of Saxon goth home to hys owne house Themperor goeth wyth his army toward Lorain Ambassadors of Strasburge to the Emperor Themperor entreth into Strasburge Sir Richard Morisine ambassadour of England Marques Antonius Ambassadour of Uenise The spoil of the soldiors The deathe of Caspar Hedio Andrew Osiander Themperor besegeth Metz. Marques Albert reconciled to themperor Albert ouerthroweth the French men Duke de Anmalle taken prisoner The greate battery of Metz. The duke of Brunswicke driuen out of his country The duke of Guise defended Metz. 1553. The french kinges wryting against themperor The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. Tharmes of Electorshyp The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambition The spoylinges burninges of Marques Albert The father the soÌ„nes coÌ„tend for inheritaunce Terwen rased The Lady Iane of Suffolke maried to Buylford Dudley Kinge Edward sore sicke War in Italye The Mar. maketh war in Saxonye King FernaÌ„do proclameth warre agaynste Albert The spoylinges of Al. The complaint of D. Moris vpon Marques Al. Duke Mor. league with the Duke of BruÌ„swicke The Mar. annswere to duke Moris Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperor The bishops in his absence inuade his counitie The great crueltie of Mar. Albert The death of good kyng Edward The vertues of Edward the sixt A battell fought betwixt Duke Maurice and Mar. Albert. D. Maurice wan that fielde and lost his lyfe The woÌ„ders before his death Great frendship betwixt D. Maurice and Marqu Albert. The Marq. letters to that states of D. Maurice The death of Orace Farnese Augustus brother and hesre to Du. Maurice Iohn Frederick demauÌ„deth his landes and dignities Nyne burnt at Lions Lewys Marsake The blasphe my or that lieftenaunt Fiue studeÌ„ts of Losanna The lady Iane. The Lady Mary proclamed Quene Winchester made ChauÌ„celour The Duke of Northumberland condemned His incoÌ„stancie at hys death Thomas Palmer The coÌ„stancie of the archebyshop of Cantorbury The bishops caried to prison The popishe Religion restored in Englande Warres reuiued betwixt the D. of Brunsw Marques Albert. Albert recoÌ„ciled to Augustus The Turkishe Naute taketh the Iland of Corsica The FreÌ„che king attemteth CaÌ„bray Pestilence firing at Paris The bloud of innoceÌ„tes gaynfull to many Brunswick beseged The Duke of Brunswletters to the D. of Saxon The Du. of Brunswick is reconciled to the Duke of Saxon. A disputatioÌ„ in England Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua Reynold Poole Cardinall Uercelles surprised The Turck hanged his sonne Mustapha The Archbyshop of Cantorbury and others condemned Marques Albert outlawed The Godly lawes of good Edward repealed Quene Mary affiauÌ„ced to the Emperours sonne 1554. Commotion in Kent The Duke of Norfolke forsaken of his men The quenes oration to that commons in yelde hall The Duke of Suffolke Wiat taken and committed to PrisoÌ„ The Lady Iane her husband beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Sibille Duches of SaxoÌ„ departeth The Godly end of Iohn Friderick An end made betwixt him and Augustus The Godlines 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