And the kinges of Fraūce for the maintenaunce of religion haue warred many times against thennemies of Christendom The Saracenes Turkes both in Asia Affricke Europe and haue had moste noble victories But after chaunced a time more vnfortunate whan certen Emperours as newly entred and not very Germaines nor worthy of the dignitie haue forsaken that amitie with the kinges of Fraunce and haue induced great calamitie to the common wealth But this sore plage through Gods benefite was healed by the noble house of the Dukes of Lutcemburg out of the whiche haue issued certen Emperours men of great vertue linked moste assuredly to the kinges of Fraunce For the father of themperour Charles the fourth died in battell for the kyng of Fraunce The like good will beare also the Princes of Austriche amongest others Albert the firste who neither for promesse nor threatening of the hyghe Byshops could be brought to warre against Fraunce These thynges he reciteth for this intent that they may see howe euell certen councellours and ministers of the moste puissaunt Emperour Charles the fyfte prouyde for the common wealth whylest they worke not thys thinge only that they plucke a sonder the one from the other these two moste excellent nations but also through their craft and subtiltie haue brought this to passe longe synce that the moste noble Prince kyng Fraunces was iudged an ennemie his cause not harde This do they to their owne priuate gaine but to the exceading great hinderasice of the cōmmon wealth For how harde it were for them during the amitie of the two nations to infringe the libertie of Germany and to buylde vp that their kyngdome it doeth hereof sufficiently appeare for that they being nowe affrayde of the force of Fraunce be not so importune as they were nor doe not so muche vrge that Spanyshe yoke and bondage These be verely they whiche by intreatie and tributes obteyning peace of the Turke vnder the colour of Religion and obedience haue brought in dissentions and factions into Germany who ayded with the power of Germaynes haue warred against Germany whiche haue exacted money of all men and made the State of the Empyre miserable by placing here and there garrisons of Spanyardes by vnarmyng the armaries and openyng the waye to confiscation For the matter is brought to that passe that bothe the seale of the Empyre and the iudgement of the chamber and also the ryght and libertie of assemblies depende only vpon the pleasure of the Byshop of Arras For what example is this or what equitie is it that suche as to get their liuing serue in foreine warres should be therfore executed outlawed and with great rewardes set forth be in daūger of murtheryng to omit in the meane season so many murthers lecherous actes spoylynges and robbinges of townes and especially the handlyng of Religion whiche hath not bene after one maner but diuers according to the tyme. Certenly what so euer hath bene done these many yeares nowe tendeth all to this ende that contrary to the lawes of the Empyre kyng Ferdinando being herunto eyther compelled or els by fayre promesses allured the Prynces also by a certen feare and terrour subdued the Prince of Spayne might be made Emperour And shuld not noble courages wyshe for death rather than to beholde the lyght of the Sun in suche distresse and miseries Assuredly there can no man be imagined so very a coward or so barbarouse whō these thyngs would not moue Wherfore no man ought to maruell that in the ende ther should arrise some Princes and amongest them Duke Maurice thelectour of Saxony which thought it their parts euen with the hazarde of their liues to recouer the libertie of their natife coūtrie And they being of thē selues not able nor of power sufficiēt to sustein such a charge alone haue desired the ayde of the king of Fraūce And he doubtles setting a part the displeasure of former yeares hath not only made thē partakers of al his fortunes but hath also imploied him selfe wholy to the same busines making a league with them wherein amongest other thinges it is prouided that thei may not cōpounde with the ennemie but by the kinges consent Howbeit Duke Maurice although he be tied with that same bonde yet for the weale of his countrie and to followe the mynde of kyng Ferdinando requiring him hereunto hath lately demaunded of the moste christian king how he could be content to haue peace Whiche thing chaunced vnto him in dede som what contrary to his expectation for that considering his benefite is so great he supposed that in matters touching him he shuld not haue sent to him a far of but to haue deuised with him presently Neuerthe lesse because he setteth much more by publique thā by his own priuate profites he would deny nothing to a Prince of his confederacie Wherfore if the woundes of the cōmon wealth may be healed as they ought from henceforth assuraunce made that they breake not out again if the captine Princes may be released vpon suche conditions as be in the league expressed Moreouer in case the olde leagues of Fraunce with the Empire and this new confederacie also made of late with the Princes may so be confirmed that they may take place for euer if these thines I saye may be brought to passe he is so well affected towardes the common wealth that not only he wyll assent gladly to the treatie of peace but also wyl giue God hartie thākes that his aduise and helpe hereunto hath not wanted As touching his priuate matters for so much as the Emperour deteineth many thinges by force and hath made warre vpon no iust cause the king thinketh it reason that he the hath first done wrong should first seke also to make satisfactiō He verely althoug he neither distruste his force nor yet his cause will so demeane him selfe that it may be well perceyued both how desirous of peace he is and how willing also to gratifie Duke Maurice them all Hereunto the Princes aunswere Howe that recitall of antiquitie repeted of fourmer memory cōcerning the coniūctiō of Fraūce and Germany was to them right ioyfull and no lesse pleasaūt to heare that the kyng preferreth the common wealth aboue his priuate cōmodities and is not against but that the Princes confederate may conclude a peace with the Emperour For that it should so be it is for the profite not only of one nation but also of all Europe whiche afflicted with ciuil discorde ten deth to distruction And suche conditions of peace as the kyng requyreth they doubte not but that they may be obteyned For the Emperour both before this tyme and also in this trouble thinketh well of the common wealth and wyll not haue the libertie of Germany deminished There is good hope moreouer that he wyll shortly delyuer the captiue Princes But that both the olde leagues should be renewed and the newe confirmed the king of his wysdome vnderstandeth that
same should be longer wanting so many learned men not only of Germany but also of foreine nations instantly requiringe me that I wold gratify them herein There be comming doubtlesse moste greuous commotions and wonderful alterations Which thing also the holy Scripture dothe nether doubtfullye nor daroklye Prognosticate and the present state of thinges doth plainly signify so that such as will applye theyr minde here vnto shall not want matter to wryte of but the same cause that moued me to wryte that is publicke vtility the self same perswadeth me nowe also that some thinges as I haue written and be comprised in these xxvi bookes I shoulde suffer to come abrode into others mens handes And this my labor and all my pains taken I wil dedicate whole vnto you moosie excelient Prince whiche are descended of that noble house and familie whiche fyrsto gaue harborow and refuge to thys Religion whose father did earnestly imbrace the same whose brother for the education of youth in true Religion and learning imploied a wonderful substaunce whose father in law for the self same cause hath a famous name among kinges And for so much as you also walke in these theyr fotesteps to your great commendation this worke which I hope wil profite many I trust will be to you also not vnpleasaunt The liuing God preserue your highnes safe and healthful Geuen the .x. Kalends of April in the yeare of our Lord. 1555. The first Boke ⧠The firste Booke of Sleidans Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common wale during the reigne of the Emperour Charles the fyfte The argument of the fyrst Booke THe Pardon 's graunted by Byshop Leo Luther reproueth by preachyng and wryting of proposicions and Letters sent to Tharchbishoppe of Ments the which are fyrst unpugned by Frete Tckell and Eckins and after by Siluester Prier as Hogestrate Upō this the Pope sendeth Cardinal Caietane taduertise Thēperour Maximilian to cite Luther to Rome but Fridericke Duke of Saxon founde the meanes that Luther aunswered Caietane at Auspurge The Cardinal what with threatenynges and what with thalligations of decrees mainteyneth thauthoritie and supremacie of the Pope Luther at his depertynge thence set by an Appellation Caietane solliciteth by letters the Duke of Saxon but in vaine whiche the Pope perceyuing publisheth a new remission of synnes by pardons And to wynne Duke Fridericke sendeth him a goldē Rose In the meane tyme dieth Maximilian and great suite and meane was made taspire vnto thempire whiche in fine Charles of Austriche atchieued and word was sent him into Spaine The golden bulle lawes of Thempire are here recited Erasmus commendeth Luther And at the same time that the disputacion was at Lipsia Zwinglius preached at Zuricke and as Luther had don resisteth a perdoner there one Samson agraye Frere THE Bishoppe of Rome Leo the tenth of that name a Florentine borne after the vsurped auethoritie of his predecessours which he pretēded to haue ouer all Churches had sent forth into al realmes vnder his Bulles of Lead indulgēces pardōs wherein he promysed cleane remissyon of synnes and euerlastynge saluation to all suche as would gyue money for the same for the leuiyng wherof he sent his Collectours into all Prouinces who gathered together and heaped vp great treasures in all places but speciallye in in Germanie And affirmed their doynges to be good bothe in wordes and writyng which pardons the Papistes call by an olde accustomed terme indulgences Grauntyng moreouer for money licences to eate whitmeat and fleshe on daies prohibited The same time was Martin Luther an Augustine Frere and professed diuinitie in the Uniuersitie of Wittemberge who beynge not a little tickled with the preachinges fonde bokes of these collectours for that he sawe howe the simple people beleued the thinges to be true that they bragged of began to admonishe men to be more ware and circumspecte and not to bie their marchaundise so dere For that the same which they bestowed vpon such trifles might be much better emploied This was in the yeare of our lorde a thousande fiue hondreth and seuentene And to thintent he might woorke the thynge to more effect he wrote also to the Archebyshop of Mentz the firste of Nouembre signifying both what they taught and also lamenting that the ignoraunt people should be so far abused as to put the whole trust of their saluation in pardons and to thinke that what wickednes so euer they had committed it should by them be forgeuen And that the soules of them that were tormented in Purgatory so soone as the mony were cast into their boxe should straight wayes flie vp into heauen and fele no more payne he sheweth him how Christ cōmaunded that the Gospell should be taught and that it is the propre office of a Byshop to see that the people be rightly instructed Wherfore he putteth him in remēbraunce of his dutie and prayeth him that for the authoritie whiche he beareth he would eyther put those prattelinge pardoners to silence or els prescribe them a better order in teachinge lest a further inconuenience might growe vpon the same as doubtles there wil doo vnlesse they be inhibited The cause why he wrote vnto him was that for so muche as he was also Byshop of Maydenburg the care of al such matters belonged vnto him And with these letters he sent certen questiōs whiche he had lately set vp at Wittenberg there to be disputed to the nombre of foure score and fiftene In the whiche he reasoneth muche of purgatory of true penaunce of the dutie of charitie and of their indulgences and pardōs at large and inueigheth against their out rageouse preachinges only of a certen desyre to boulte trie out the truth For he prouoked all men to come to that disputation that hadde anye thinge to saye and such as could not be there present he desyred to send their myndes in wrytinge protesting that he would affirme nothing but submitte him selfe and the whole matter to the iudgement of holy churche Neuerthelesse he sayd how he woulde not admitte Thomas of Aquine and suche other lyke writers but so farre foorth as they be consonaunt to holy Scripture and decrees of the auncient fathers To this the byshop aunswered not a woords But shortly after Iohn Tecela Frere Dominick set vp other conclusions at Franckford quite contrary to those of Luthers wherin he extolleth the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome with the frute of his pardōs and other lyke thinges in so muche as he compareth him with Peter the Apostle the crosse whiche he commaundeth to be set vp in churches with the crosse that Christ suffered vpon But where as no man of the cōtrary parte wold repeare to the disputacion at Wittenberge the questions were suche as many were destrous to reade Luther wrote a longe exposition of the same and sent them first to Hierome byshop of Braundenburge and to one Stupice Prouinciall of
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
offices of Cardinals and Bishoppes be distinct and diuerse and agree not in one person for the Cardinalles were ordeined for thys cause onely that they should remayne about you most holy father and neuer departe from your syde and should gouerne the vniuersall Churche together with you But vnto Bishoppes it belongeth to fede theyr flocke committed to them of God which in dede can not be done vnlesse they be present with them as we see the Shepardes be with their Shepe Moreouer the thynge it selfe doeth harme by that example For with what face or audacitie shall we redresse the faultes of others which are most apparent and best sene in our fellowshyppe For they may not thinke that because they are placed in dignitie they may therfore take more libertie no but let them vnderstande that they oughte rather to vse more temperauncie for because they ought to shine before others in life and maners neyther must we folow the Phariseis whiche made lawes and themselues kept them not but Christ who florished in word and worke This libertie also is a great let to good Counsels whan the minde is before possessed with lust and Auarice Besydes this diuerse cardinals frequent the courtes of kynges to obteyne of them Bishoprikes and for this cause are so addicte vnto them that they dare vtter nothynge frankely And woulde God this waye were inhibited And the Cardinals otherwise prouided for that they might honestly fynde them selues and theyr families and that Equalitie were obserued herin that the yerely reuenewes of all were egall Which thinge semeth vnto vs not harde to be broughte to passe if we could forsaking all couetousnes folowe the fotesteppes of Christ Whan these faultes are redressed and mete ministers in the Churche appointed it is chiefly to be loked to that the Bishoppes do inhabite amonges theyr owne people for they be the husbandes of the Church But what more heuie or sorowefull sighte can be shewed than euerye where to se congregations forsaken and flockes destitute of Pastors deteyned in the handes of Hirelinges Therfore oughte they to be extremely punisshed whiche leade their flockes to deserte and to be excommunicated or outlawed onely but also to lose theyr liuinges for euer vnlesse they craue pardon of you within a short tyme. For by auncient lawes it was decreed that a Bishoppe might not be aboue three wekes absent from his congregation We se also that very many Cardinals are absent from Rome and do nothynge that properlye belongeth to their office We graunt it to be expedient that certeine of them be resident in theyr owne prouinces For by them as by certein brauÌ„ches and rotes of trees stretched out farre and wide in the Christiane worlde men are kept in theyr dewtie and dewe obeidience of this our common wealth but yet were it requisite that the most parte of them were by you called againe to Rome For so shoulde they bothe execute theyr office and also theyr presence shoulde be there bothe honourable and profitable to the courte of Rome Moreouer in punyshynge of crimes and vices there wanteth a greate seueritie of discipline For suche as haue offended and deserued punishment fynde a meane wherby to conuey themselues out of the iurisdiction of their Bishoppe or iudge ordinary or in case they cannot do this than go they to the master of the Pentionaries and fyne with him for a pece of money And that do they chiefly that are of the clergie which thing doeth offende many Wherfore we beseche you in the bloud of Christ wherewith he redemed washed and sanctified his churche that this licentious libertie may vtterly be abolished For seyng that no common wealth maye longe endure wherein synne is vnpunished howe muche more ought the same to be looked to in the Churche Emonges the Monckes also are many abhominable Actes committed wherefore we thinke good that their Colledges and Couentes be dissolued not sodeÌ„ly or through violence but so that no maÌ„ from henceforth be admitted into that order For so shall they by litle and litle decay And afterwardes may honester men be placed in theyr houses Neuerthelesse we thinke mete that all yong Nouices which haue not yet professed religion by a vow solempnely made be presently remoued from thence There muste also be diligent hede taken that they be mete persons which are set to here confession And herin ought the Bishoppe to haue a vigilante eye but chiefly that there be nothinge done for money For the same free gyfte which we spake of before concerneth not you onelye but all others in like maner Moreouer in the houses of Nunnes and sacred Uirgins namely â–ª where they be gouerned of Monkes are many and that open crimes committed after a most filthy and detestable example therfore must the ouersight of suche be takeÌ„ from the Monkes coÌ„mitted vnto others of whom no perill or suspicion can be had Now wheras in many places and chiefly in Italie certen wicked opinions are disputed not onely in vniuersities but also in churches it deserueth muche dispraise Therfore the Bishoppes muste be charged that in suche places wheras vniuersities or Scholes be they admonish the teachers that they propounde no suche thynge herafter but instructe and bringe vp youth in vertue and feare of God nor that they haue any open disputations of matter of diuinitie but within theyr priuate houses Likewise muste Princes and Magistrates be admonished to giue commaundement to the Printers that they set not forthe all sortes of bokes but suche onely as be permitted There is commonly read in al scooles a boke of Colloquies compiled by Erasmus of RoterdaÌ„ wherin be many thynges whiche may beate in to younge and tender myndes vngodlynes and infecte the frayle and bryckel age Therfore this and suche other lyke bookes must be bannyshed the Scooles Further more where it is permitted to Monkes that haue professed Religion by a vowe to put of theyr owne wede and putte on other apparell we thinke it not well done for the garment is as a badge of the monasticall vowe Therfore if they ones forsake theyr cootes let them be depriued of theyr lyuinges and all ecclesiasticall function Also suche as cary about the relyques of saincte Anthony and other lyke are in our iudgementes worthy to be vtterly abolyshed for through innumerable superstitions they brynge the ignoraunt people in to erroure and playnly abuse them Oftentymes also they aâ—e permytted to marrye whiche haue taken holy orders but this ought to be graunted to no man but for vrgent causes as whan the whole stocke and defence of a Realme is brought to one man And because the Lutherians permitte all men to marry without respecte therfore must we more stifly resyste the same Nother may they be suffered to mary together which are at the seconde degree of bloud or affinitie vnlesse it be vpon moste weyghtie considerations but suche as are further of maye haue more lybertie graunted them and that to be done without
Prynces also to geue their assistaunce after the forme of the league What time these thinges were thus come to light because there was great daunger towarde and the occasion of warre was sought of them the LaÌ„tgraue furthwith wrote his letters to his father in lawe Duke George and declaringe the whole matter as it stoode sheweth how he hath great wrong offered him how he maketh no preparation for warre About the same time Matthias Helbus rode in great post haste through FrauÌ„ce into Spayne to the Emperour Afterwardes the Lantgraue wrote to king Ferdinando and to his syster Mary Regent of Flaunders to the Princes Electours the Dukes of Bauier after the same sorte as he did to Duke George his father in lawe and maketh his purgation Whan the Duke of BruÌ„swicke perceiued that the matter was disclosed and heard of the Lantgraues letters he aunswereth that he hath not susteined wrong at his handes only whiche nowe hath taken his Secretary but also by the Duke of Saxon the last yeare whan by the commaundement of kyng Ferdinando in the Emperours name he went to Duke George of Saxony and againe comming home from Norinberge what tyme the league was made than did he laye wayte for him Unto this the Duke of Saxon aunswereth For as muche as he denied him and his fellowes saufeconduicte whan they went to brunswicke against the lawe and custome of the Empyre he coulde thinke none otherwyse of hym but to be his ennemye he had dyuerse tymes before gone with two or thre with hym disguysed in seruauntes apparell that he should not be knowen through his and his brothers countrey priuely neyther did he whiche knewe this well enough empeche or lette him But after he would haue the passage stopped for hym and his league frendes why should he thinke to haue more libertie with other men than he wyl graunt vnto them Wherfore vpon this occasion they began to write one against an other which not long after ended in most sharpe and bitter inuectiues hauing in dede the beginning of the Duke of Brunswicke whiche after a rare example amonges Princes let passe no kynde of raylyng and opprobrious wordes as bokes set forth in prynte doe declare Whylest these thynges are a workynge dieth Iohn Duke of Cleaue leauyng William his sonne and heyre whome Conradus Heresbachius from his chyldhode had instructed in good letters and maners What tyme they were come to Franckefurte in the moneth of Februarye accordyng to the appoyntment After much sondrye and sharpe debatynge of the matter they concluded at the last the nyntene daye of Apryll vpon these conditions The Emperour to the intent a coÌ„munication of learned meÌ„ may be had coÌ„cerning religion graunteth to the coÌ„federatours of the doctrine professed at Auspurge whiche are nowe in that numbre truce for .xv. monethes and commaundeth that in this meane tyme they be not molested in any case concernyng Religion The peace of Norinberge and the Emperours decree at Regenspurge are also for this tyme ratified And if duryng the tyme of this truce they can not fully agree in Religion yet shall that peace be of force vntyll the nexte assemblie of the Empyre And if perchaunce there be an assemblie before the truce be expyred yet neuerthelesse that peace shall take place vntyll the other assemblye In the meane whyle during the tyme of this truce the Emperour doeth suspende all suites and actions in the lawe commenced againste the Protestauntes and also the outlawyng of the Cytie of Myndin and if anye thynge be otherwyse done he commaundeth it to be frustrate Where it is wonte to be obiected vnto them as though for the profession of this Religion they myght not consiste in iudgement the same shall take place no longer but they shall enioye the benefite of the lawe without exception Agayne the Protestauntes shall moleste no man and durynge this truce shall take none in theyr league yet so as no man susteyne anye wronge in the quarell of their Religion The Emperour shall also forsee that no man be receyued more ouer in to the contrary league The Protestauntes shall permytte the clergie to enioye all those yearelye profites whiche they haue at this daye By the consent of the Emperour a daye shall be assigned at the kalendes of Auguste at the whiche daye should mete at Norinberge the Cathoqliues and ProtestauÌ„tes such as were good men and desirous of peace and not contentions or frowarde Those shal chouse out a certen numbre of diuines whiche quietly and frendly may conferre of religion with them also shal be ioyned others that professe not diuinitie but yet experte men and sobre Moreouer the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando if they lyste maye haue their deputes in this conference and what soeuer shall there be agreed vpon by consent of eyther partie shal be signified to the states that be absent who approuing the same the Emperours Ambassadour also shal ratifie it or els the Emperour him self in the next asseÌ„blie of thempire after he shal haue coÌ„firmed shal coÌ„maund to be kept inuiolate Both parties shal lay away the preparatioÌ„s vnto war he that shal seme to go about any thiÌ„g shal be enforced to shew the cause why he doeth it yet so as no maÌ„ be inhibited to kepe a defeÌ„ce necessary in al other thiÌ„gs the law of theÌ„pire shal be of both parties obserued In this truce are coÌ„preheÌ„ded neither Anabaptists nor others that followe a doctrine coÌ„trary to the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of Auspurg The protestaÌ„tes shal haue in a redines ayde for the Turckish warre that ther be no delay And whan the Princes Electours and other principall states shall at the Emperours commaundement sende their deputes to Woormes at the .xviij. daye of May the ProtestauÌ„tes shall sende theirs also that they may consulte of soden ayde against the Turke and what someuer there shal be agreed vpon by the consent of the more parte to the same shall they also subscribe And if the Turke shall moue warre duryng the tyme of the truce they shall resiste hym with the reste And these thynges to be ratified in case the Emperour within syre months shall allowe the same begynning from the kalendes of May. And in the meane tyme that agrement concerning the truce and not to augmente the league shal be of force And in case the Emperour do not declare his mynde within the same tyme â—yet shall the peace of Norinberge be in as full strength and vertue hereafter as it was before The Emperours depute here was Iohn Archebyshop of Londe for Heldus was gone into Spayne as before is sayde And kyng Ferdinando also sent thether his Ambassadours The Protestauntes were there many and the Duke of Saxon him selfe and the Lantgraue whiche brought with them certen diuines The Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburg both Electours did intreate as meanes The Duke of Saxon amonges other thynges protested this at that tyme that he would not attribute to Ferdinando the title of
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
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
content with xxx thousand crownes and demaunded not aboue .xii. pieces of ordenaunce The Prince Electour of Brandenburg was an ernest suter for the Lantgraue and also preferred the matter to kyng Ferdinando But the conditions were moste vnreasonable Those were that he should allowe without exception al the decrees of the Empyre to be enacted hereafter that he shuld geue one of his sonnes for a pledge That he should release the Duke of Brunswicke Henry and his sonne and here in stande to the Emperours arbitrement That he should ayde hym against the Electour of Saxonie and his fellowes with certen centaynes of horsemen and eight enseignes of fotemen at his propre costes and charge for the space of syx monethes That he do submitte hym selfe to the Emperour and cōfesse his faultes openly But these conditions he refused and vnlesse they were mitigated in as muche as he can not with his honour assente vnto them he signifieth in his letters to his frendes that rather he wyll abyde what fortune soeuer happen Themperour the same daye that he accorded with them of Strasburg departed from Norlinge towardes Nurrinberg And the next day after adressing his letters to the States of Duke Maurice for as much saith he as Iohn Friderick that outlaw retourning home by flight hath not only recouered those places whiche Maurice Prince Electour toke from him by our commaundement but sutch also as my brother Ferdinando had seased in those parties for that they were vnder the tuition of Boheme We are entred verely vpon our iourney to represse his boldnes and rebellion Wherfore we will that you first foresee that in suche places wherby we shal passe with our armie there want nothing that is necessary and that the souldiours be wel vsed Moreouer that contemning all the others cōmaundementes you perfourme vnto your Prince al loue and due obedience as in dede you haue done hetherto For euen for this intent haue we taken this warre in hande that his fiersenes being oppressed peace quietnes may be for you recouered The same daye also he wryteth to the counsellours and gouernours of Prage How he is prefixed to be auenged vpon Iohn Fridericke according vnto his demerites Let them prouide therfore that his campe may be vitayled out of their countrey The .xxiiii. of Marche the nobles and cities of Boheme whiche had lately made a league whan they were assembled at Prage as it was determined they make warlike lawes and suche as are requisite for the warres if nede requyre and committe the chief gouernment to Caspar Phulgius About this tyme king Ferdinando Duke Maurice and his brother Augustus came with their forces to Priccie Whiche the Bohemers toke in displeasure that thei were entred already vpon their Frontiers Wherfore they requyre Ferdinando by their letters that he woulde not suffer straunge nations to inuade their countrey For the example is straunge and perillous They wryte moreouer to Duke Maurice and his brother Augustus that they departe immediatly out of their limites without any hurt doyng For otherwyse wyll they doe as their counsell shall serue them Wherunto Ferdinando aunswereth the .xxvi. daye of Marche howe they shall not nede to feare For they are come only into those parties to the intent they might ioyne them selues with the Emperour nowe approching Againe he wryteth to them of Prage that they bestowe no superfluous coste For the Duke of Saxon is retyred The electour had sent into the land of Boheme an Ambassadour Nicolas Minquit to renew the auncient league But he falling sicke by the way whan he was not able to go to Prage wryting his letters desyred them to sende some mē of credit to him with whom he may treate cōclude Whan these letters were receiued the Noble men of Boheme wryte to the Duke of Saxon from Prage the .xxviii. daye of Marche signifieng what Minquit required and howe desyrous they be to gratifie him herein and graunt that reason would it should so be Howe beit they are impeched by reason of this troublesome tyme and present disquietnes For Duke Maurice and his brother are come with their force into Boheme intending to doe some mischief and all through the procurement of kyng Ferdinando praying him not to take this so as though they would not that the league should be renewed For they wyll both kepe the same and perseuer in the olde amitie as well as if it were already renewed They wyll also doe their indeuour that it shal be confirmed again as sone as may be For therfore is this power lenied force prepared against them for that they refuse to breake the league to moue war against hym They require him therfore that in case Duke Maurice do procede he wyl vouchsaufe to ayde them If he shal this do there is no daunger so great that they wyl refuse to venter vpon for his preseruation They saye how Ferdinando is nowe at Priccie and from thence wyll marche with his armie into the Uale of Ioachime as it is reported If he so do they ar purposed a fewe daies after to marche with their armie and leade the same thether as nede shall require The last day of Marche sauing one they wryte to the Lordes of Morauie exhorting thē according to their mutuall league that they would take armure and come to them with spede to the intent their common countrey may be defended from that wicked and Sodomiticall kynde of men the Spaniardes and Hussars buggerers which the Emperour and kyng Ferdinādo bring with them Fraunces the Frenche kyng whan he had reigned .xxxii. yeares he ended his lyfe the last daye of Marche at Rambolet whiche is a dayes iourney from Paris Whome his sonne Henry succeded a man about .xxviii. yeares of age He immediatly sendeth for the Cōstable Annas Momorancie who had for the space of sixe yeares liued a priuate life out of fauour and restored him to his former dignitie and had him in great estimatiō Againe such as were in chiefest authoritie before partly grow out of fauour partly are displaced and committed to prison Those were the Cardinall of Tournon Anebalde the Admiral Grinian the gouernour of the Frenche prouince the Duke of Longeuale Bayarde Poline especially she whiche had bene the kinges darling Madame Destampes The death of kinge Fraunces chaunced vnfortunately for studentes learned mē For he loued all liberal sciences no man better or that shewed more liberalitie to auaunce the same Through long vse custome he had gotten muche knowledge For dining supping his talke was commonly of learning and that moste earnestly vsing many yeares for the same purpose Iames Coline a learned man and in the vulgare tonge moste eloquent And after him Peter Castellan Of these two had he learned whatsoeuer was wrytten in the bokes of Poetes Historiographers Cosmographers Moreouer he knew perfitly whatsoeuer Aristotel Theophraste Plinie and suche other like haue wrytten of the nature of Plantes
may be deuised But that was yet in vayne Moreouer he releaseth by his letters the Princes bounde and pronoūceth them fre from that bonde Wherfore whan the Lantgraue sawe no hope he was fully prefixed to make an escape if he might and deuiseth sondry meanes with his seruauntes whō he had sent for out of Hesse some of them Gentlemen of good houses But they being afrayd of the daunger sought delayes At the last he perswadeth two Conrade Bredesten and Iohn Rommelie which all the waye from Hesse vnto Machlin layed post horses whiche he might leape vpon and escape But the matter came to light by a certen man of his who had told one Frendely at Machlin that within a fewe houres his maister shuld be at libertie The same going from one to an other was reported to the captaine of the garde in the very same moment and instant that he should haue fled in Than was al that matter dashed and two of his seruauntes were slayne out of hand others taken and beheaded and he him selfe caried to a straiter pryson The Emperour when he knewe therof toke it most displeasaūtly and wryting his letters to Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg signifieth that this so bolde an enterpryse apperteineth to the iniury of hym and his dominion and saith he wil be sore auenged of them that haue geuen him either aide or counsell herein The copie of these letters they sende to William the Lantgraues sonne and amongest other thynges they saye that in case there be any suche parte played from henceforth they wyl stande no more bounde to them Yet neuerthelesse Duke Maurice seuerally comforted them and to deliuer their father promyseth to spende not only his goodes but his life and bloud also And than sayeth ther shal be a tyme conuenient to yelde him selfe whan the state of thinges shal be suche as the displeasures of certen are lesse to be feared The .xix. daye of December all the fotemen and horsemen of Maydenburge that were not appointed to the watche issue out of the citie at after midnight that they might oppresse the stoute courage of their ennemies in a vyllage not farre of The enterpryse was very daungerous for that they must passe through theyr ennemies campe But yet it chaunsed luckely for before the ennemy could be armed thei had taken the Uillage and set it on fyre in diuers places They had all put ouer their harnesse white shirtes as the maner is in Camisado So many of their ennemies as resisted wer slayn which wer many noble gentlemen Diuerse fought out of the houses but the same being set on fire they were burnt Uery many of the Nobilitie wer taken and immediatly brought into the citie with two hōdreth and lx horses On the morrowe as sone as the daye appeared they retired home warde and by the way met a troupe of horsemen whiche were led by the Duke of Megelburge who at the laste geuing the charge whan the horsemen pressed him before and the fotemen gaue the onset at his back was takē and brought into the citie euen he whiche had first begon the warre In these dayes also came out of Spaine to Auspurg Maximilian of Austriche the Emperours sonne in law created king of Boheme in his absence called home by his father king Ferdinando betwene whom and the Emperour was than a great contention about the succession of the Empire for the whiche cause also the Emperour was sayde to haue sent for his syster Mary who retourned thither in the moneth of Ianuary that she might be a meane where she had departed from thence in September before For the Emperour who knewe what commoditie it were to annexe Germany to his inheritaunce coueted to establishe his sonne whiche should reigne ouer so many large and diuers Regions with this as a sure fortresse But kyng Ferdinādo hauing the same respect thought that nother his nor the expectation and commoditie of his children ought to be diminished herein Moreouer Maximilian who was a Prince of great towardnes could speake sondry languages especially the highe dutche and in Prince like maners excelled was very muche fauoured and beloued of all mē Those letters wherby the counsell was denunciatour as before I haue said the Byshop promulgat at Rome at the latter ende of December In the whiche are many thynges whiche myght offende mens myndes of the which sorte is that he sayth it is his part to gouerne counselles that he calleth hym selfe Christes vicar that he will haue the action continued and not repeted from the beginning that he chalengeth to him self the place and authoritie of the president that he semeth to call thither only mē of his own order These thinges also the Emperour whan the letters were deliuered hym is sayde to haue noted right well to haue required of him that suche thinges as were somwhat rough might be altered fearing as it was thought least the Germaines being affrayde of these thinges as mariners be of Rockes would either refuse the sommoning or els fynde some let or delay in this busines which he with so great labour had brought to passe I wyll not affirme this to be true and suche maner of coūselles ar wont to be kept secret But if it be trwe it is manifest that he obteined nothyng For the same fourme that I spake of the Byshop published not one worde altered Yea there be some that suppose he dyd it of a sette pourpose that he might feare awaye the Germaines from the counsell that they should not come there or if they came he might haue them intrapped by certen snares Certenly Paule the thirde was reported to haue vsed this policie as I haue sayde in the ix boke that after he had learned by his espialles what the Protestauntes could beare and what they refused calling than a counsell he would vrge and propounde those thinges chiefly where with he knewe their myndes to be moste offended as a man may aso perceiue in this bull of Iulius whiche is framed after that same of Paule the thirde In these dayes Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenburge offer conditions of peace to them of Maydenburg requyre them to render them selues and shewe their fidelitie vnto them to their Archebyshop Thus if they wyll doe they shal be permitted to haue and retaine the Religiō and doctrine exhibited in times past at Auspurge there shal be nothing deminished of their priuileges lawes and lyberties the fortifications also of the citie and goodes shal remayne safe and no violence offered vnto any man Moreouer they promyse to make intercession to the Emperour that he wyl abolysh the sentence of publication verely vpon these conditions That as other Princes and cities so they also may humbly desire pardon and deliuer him .xvi. pieces of ordenaunce and an hondreth thousand crownes to the end they may inioye their goodes already confiscated And that somme of mony they saye they
in this same conuention so great a matter can not be finished Neuertheles they wyshe vnfainedly that the same amitie which hath bene alwayes betwene bothe nations may remayne ferme and vnuiolable That suche priuate suites as he hath with the Emperour myght be appeased they both couet chiefly and also wyll refuse no paynes and trauell therin And where as the kyng affirmeth that the Emperour deteineth diuerse thinges that ar his and signifieth plainly that he hath thinges to lay clayme to they thinke it not against reason that he shewe what thing that is For they are mynded to preferre the controuersie to the Emperour be as meanes therin And they desire very much that the kyng would accept these thinges in good part Nowe as concerning the alliaunce betwene the Germaynes FreÌ„che men I haue spoken in the eight booke And that whiche the Frenche Ambassadour speaketh here of the house of Lutcemburge thus it standeth The Erle of Lutcemburge Henry had a sonne named Henry whiche was after made Emperour the seuenth of that name he had a sonne Called Iohn whiche by mariage was made king of Boheme Who aided Philip Ualose the Frenche kyng against the kyng of Englande Edwarde the third goyng hym selfe with hym to the fielde and the battell being foughten where the Englishmen had the victory he was slayne and amonges others lefte a sonne called Charles whiche afterwarde was made Emperour the fourthe of that name father to Wenceslaus and Sigismunde whiche were after both Emperours and this Sigismunde also kyng of Hongary and Boheme the procurer of the counsell of Constance Albert of Austriche of whome he speaketh the sonne of Raffe the Emperour whan he was Emperour he obserued perfit amitie with Philip le beau kyng of Fraunce notwithstanding that the Byshop of Rome Boniface the eight did wonderfully incense him vnto warre Duke Maurice besydes the deliueraunce of his father in lawe vrged two thynges chiefly One that of suche matters as annoyed the libertie of Germany the whiche he hym selfe had recited by name kyng Ferdinando MaximiliaÌ„ his sonne and the intercessours themselues shuld nowe forthwith examine and according to the lawes and custome of Germany determine the same Another was that peace myght be graunted to Religion and that no man should he molested therfore tyl suche tyme as the whole coÌ„trouersie were fully reconciled This way did not thintercessours discoÌ„mend but themperour by his Ambassadours declareth what lacke he findeth therin thought it reason that those which had bene faithfull to him and therfore had chaunced into extreme miserie should be first recompeÌ„sed their losse After much debating what time diuerse pointes were mittigated they agreed at the length that the third day of July the Emperour shuld answer directly that the war should cease in the meane time Wherfore thintercessours wryting their letters the .xvi. day of June exhorte themperour vnto peace Whan that castel of Ereberg was taken and afterwarde Inspruck spoyled I shewed you howe the Princes retorning through thalpes about th ende of May came backe again to Fiessa And marching froÌ„ thence the .xix. day of June pitched their tentes at Eistet which is the Byshops town bordring vpon Bauier and ther the whole army longed sore for Duke Maurice coÌ„ming not without great thought carfulnes Who comming thither at the length sheweth them in what case the matter stode and the laste daye of Iune he retourneth from thence to Passaw by post horses that he might be there at the daye appointed and his fellowe Princes remouing their campe the next morning the fourth day after came to Roteburg whiche is a towne nere vnto Francony by the riuer of Duber But Marques Albert neuerthelesse pursued his enterprise and hauing driuen the citie of Norinberge to make their peace he compelled also the nobilitie and states in these parties to be at coÌ„maundement For albeit he mainteined the common cause at the first as in the writing set forth he professed to do yet was he not of the same league and whaÌ„ the siege of Ulmes was leuied he went about his priuate affaires whether it were for that he would wynne to hym selfe alone what soeuer the chaunce of warre had geuen hym or that he myslyked Duke Maurice his doinge or els moued by the Frenche kynge was bent otherwyse Notwithstanding those that he toke the faith of he commaunded to perfourme the same fidelitie also to his felowes Afterwarde inuading the prouince of the Archâ—bishop of Mentz by the Ryuer Meyne doeth exceading muche harme with burning and spoyling and demaundeth of hym a wonderfull summe of money And where diuers made intercession neither yet could thei agree vpoÌ„ the summe The Archebyshop fyrste synkynge hys great Artylarie in the Rhyne the fyrste daye of Iuly fled awaye to saue hym selfe The selfe same tyme also Marques Albert whiche lefte nothynge vnattempted wylleth the Archebyshop of Treuers to deliuer vnto him the chiefest castell of his dominion whiche is situated where the Riuers of Rhine and Mosell mete vpon an hyghe hyll naturally strong and very commodious And he sayd howe he required this of him in the FreÌ„che kynges name He after he had conferred with his counsell sent him worde that he could not accomplyshe his request herein For as muche as the Princes intercessours in the latter part of their aunswere that they made to the Frenche Ambassadour as before is mentioned sayd howe they thought it reason that the kyng should declare what he required of the Emperour The Ambassadour by the kyng aduertised whan he was with the armie besydes Eistet the .xix. daye of Iune wryteth to them agayne how the kyng hath attempted this war for none other cause doubles but to profit the whole common wealth and chiefly to restore the libertie of Germany sore opressed what tyme certen Prynces had long and muche requested hym to the same And assuredly sought no priuate gayne to him selfe therein and that may the thing it selfe beare witnes For he had taken nothyng at al in Germany where it had not bene harde for him to haue done He permitted the Princes also to warre frely as they list And albeit that in the meane tyme that he hymselfe laye styll with his armie by the Riuer of Rhine his ennemies had inuaded Fraunce yet did he not once remoue tyll he was aduertised by Duke Maurice that suche thinges myght be obteyned by peaceable meanes for the whiche this warre was attempted Whiche thing knowen he was not a litle glad whan he sawe the thinge procede after their hartes desire For his aduise and counsell was first that the Princes should not neglect so goodly an occasion as this was neither disceiue them seluws or by others be abused as they were before Moreouer for so muche as he had shewed so notable a token of his good wyl and fidelitie that the amitie of both nations might assuredly be established to thintent that he himself may afterwardes haue better
iust cause of grief when they being of you clerely destitute ar made subiect to foreine power But herein a great deale more inconuenience shal be when all their goodes lyfe health dignitie shall be at their pleasure the helpe of appealing being taken away For verely appellation is the refuge and sanctuary of innocencie And you are the protectour and defendour both of the appellation and also of innocentes yea besides you no man hath any right ouer the people But and if the lawe and iudgement be nowe committed to the Inquisitours and Byshops officers appellation taken away this were to set open a wyndowe and to make a waye that euen innocentes might be condemned and lose both body and goodes For they being indewed with so great power to witte the kinges ful authoritie will forget their dutie and will kepe no measure what tyme they shall see euery degree to them subiecte and not only common persones but also Noble men Princes to stande in their hande Howbeit yet this meane waye may you take that your iudges shuld heare the cause and geue sentence And if there be any obscure opinion that the same be determined by the clergie Let thē also that be with in orders be iudged of their owne men Concerning appellations let a wrytyng be obteined of the Pope wherby this may be permitted to your iudges And when the matter shall come to this issue that iudgement must be made of suche as haue appealed let there be present certen of your chosen counsellers of the ecclesiasticall order or if suche wante other tried and fit men In the inquisition let this be obserued that the Popes Inquisitour doe substitute and place vnder him in prouinces men of vpright fame and good men that the Byshop doe beare the whole charges and not the defendaunt yet so that the matter being determined the costes be required of whome it behoueth These thinges tende to this ende verely that suche maner of controuersies may be restreyned within certen boundes and limites Notwithstanding for as muche as it appeareth by the punishement of Heretickes al though it be necessary that this hath hitherto bene thereby brought to passe that their facte should be detested rather than that they should be amended Moreouer for bicause it is much better to remedy the disease in time than to geue it space whilest it may increase and after to lay to a medicine it shal be law full for you moste mercifull kyng herein to followe the maner and steppes of the olde primatiue churche For the same was not established either by fyre or sworde but the diligence of the Bishops did euer resiste Heretickes whylest they both preached to them oftentymes Gods worde and shone before them in example of good lyfe Since it was therfore in tymes past by this meane firste confirmed it may nowe by the same also be reteyned and kept so that you would only execute that whiche lieth rather in your power to do This verely that Byshoppes Pastours of shepe should them selues gouerne their churches presently Let also the inferiour ministers do the same Againe that from henceforth suche be made Byshops as are able them selues to teache the people and not to substitute deputies in their steade This is the rote that must be tilled vpon this foūdation must we builde for so may we hope well that heresies wyll by litle and litle vanishe away But in case this waye be neglected it is to be feared least thei wil increase more more what proclamatiōs so euer be finally made or what remedies so euer be vsed This was the .xvi. daye of October when they signified these thinges to the king by Ambassadours letters Then also the Princes that were vmperes for the controuersie of the gouernemēt of Chattes mete againe as was appointed First at Bacherach afterwarde for the sickenes of the Paulsgraue at Wormes The matter in dede was ended and a certen somme of money agreed vpon whiche the Lantgraue shoulde paye to the Erle and abyde styll in possession But where the Erle vnlesse the mony were payd at a certen time would haue this compact to be vaine and his action to remayne to hym whole And the Lantgraue whiche had sent his sonne thither as before reiected this condition they departed the matter not finished In this same moneth the Emperour calleth before him at Brusselles the rulers of all states and speaking of his sicknes sheweth them amongest other thinges that he would goe into Spayne and geueth ouer his gouernement his right and all his power to Philip his sonne and exhorteth them to their dutie These newes were spred abroade ouer al Europe far nere and a nauie was prepared and the day appointed for his iourney at the Ides of Nouember But by litle and litle this brute waxed colde and because wynter was at hande they sayde his nauigation was differred to the next sommer Nowe must we come to the counsell of the Empire of what matters they should treate kyng Ferdinando the fifte daye of February had propounded as is sayde in the ende of the laste booke But where many came very slowly they began not before the nonas of Marche Than at the laste the Ambassadours of the Princes Electours doe consulte of what matter they should first treate And although there were many against it yet doe all consente at the laste to treate fyrste of Religion The same also was thought mete in the Senate of the other Prynces and Cities After muche debatynge they agreed to geue peace to Religion But this thynge came chiefly in controuersie that the Protestauntes woulde haue it lawefull for all men indifferently to followe theyr doctrine But their aduersaries with muche contention did resiste them and sayde that the same was not to be permitted either to the cities that had receiued the decree of Auspurge made seuen yeare before concerning Religion or yet to the whole state of the clergie And yf any Byshoppe or Abbot woulde chaunge hys Religion they woulde haue hym remoued and an other to be substitute in his place Therfore the contention was sharpe and the Protestauntes alledged this cause for their purpose that the promesses of God as well of the olde as of the newe Testament whiche conteine our saluation doe apperteine generally vnto all men And therfore not to be lawfull for them to include the same within any certen limites or brynge them to any restreinte least that they should shutte bothe them selues and others out of the kyngdome of heauen That there is neither Turke nor Iewe of any zeale at all that would not bee glad to bringe all men to his owne Religion Howe muche more than ought we to doe the same whome God hath so earnestly and straightly charged Wherfore they are able to proue that all men in this case oughte to haue libertie graunted them bothe by the holy Scriptures and also by the decrees of the fathers and counselles
that betwene the Byshop and them there wyll be no great good wyll For where it is reason that according to the lawes of the foundation mete persones should gouerne and rule holy offices and if they do against those lawes or relinquishe their state that thā their Collegers should remoue them and forsee that the same reuolting hurt but him alone Certenly their demaunde ought not to be refused Wherfore I exhorte you agayne and agayne that you contende no further herein For amonges other thinges you ought to consider how they do not prescribe vnto you what meane and waye is to be kept in gouerning of suche offices Colleges and benefices as to your selues you haue vsurped nor yet what is to be done with the ministers of churches of your dominions whiche breake the lawes set forth by you and neglecte their dutie For lyke as it should be greuously and euyll taken of you in case they would haue suche ministers as forsake and impugne your Religion of you to be reteyned So should it be muche more greuouse vnto thē if both the gouernment and possession of landes and goodes should be left vnto them whiche should both forsake and impugne their Religiō For what other thing myght hereof be loked for but debate strife and contention The foundation therfore of the thinge that is nowe in hande to witte peace it selfe by this meane should be vtterly taken away The eight daye after they aunswere Howe it is not their intent to prescribe the clergie herein muche lesse that the holy gouernmentes should be brought to desolation or that their nature altered they should be made ciuile or prophane For we' ar not ignoraūt say they that some part of the Empire consisteth in these matters and possessions whiche we couet not to deminishe or decaye but by al meanes to mainteyne them It would haue pleased vs right well that this question had neuer bene moued but to haue stande in the decrees of fourmer yeares made at Norinberge Regenspurg Spiers whiche include in the peace al the parteners of the cōfession of Auspurge And at the first in dede the Ambassadours of the thre Archebyshops Electours did wittely consider this also But after when this doubte began to be moued of others they went vnto their syde They that first moued this question had peraduenture some cause so to doe but what hath insued therof nowe appereth For if this let had not chaunced by the way al the matter in our opiniō had now ben brought to a good ende But why we should not admitte that cōdicion there wer Godly and weighty causes For euery man doeth easely perceiue howe muche it should be to the contempte and hinderaunce of our Religion if we should permitte that suche as imbrace the same should be displaced and depriued of all their honour dignitie and accompted in the nomber of heretikes What the first foundations of Colleges were and what vices haue crept in since we wyl here passe ouer in silence But we suppose that many of the same statutes be not against our Religion Again to assente that none of the ecclesiasticall state should be of that Religion whiche as the true Christen Religion we professe were doubtles no smal offence For by the same facte we should cōdemne it as wicked and vnworthy the state of pristes whiche ought chiefly to set forth Religion And seing it is thus moste mightie kyng we beseche you to waye these thinges in your mynde and for the authoritie that you haue of the Emperour you would suffer that part to be omitted But he maketh aunswere that nothynge more can be graunted them And sayeth moreouer that those thinges are nowe permitted them which of so many yeares could neuer be obteined Therfore let them haue consideration hereof for els shall they be fayne to departe without any thing finished Whiche if it so come to passe and any incōuenience arise therof there is no cause why the blame shuld be layde either in the Emperour or in him who so quietly patiently hath handled the matter and hitherto hath remayned Whiche nowe he can defer no longer Therfore he geueth them ten dayes that in the meane time they may wryte these thinges home to their Princes and make him a direct answer When the daye came these men for that they had omitted no diligence that al others were prouided for concerning religiō and for that they might not prescribe any measure herein to the king or Emperour doe assent especially since the king also released certen thinges as hereafter shal be shewed Therfore the seuenth Kalendes of October the decree made was red openly as the maner is to this effect For the doctrine of Protestauntes faith and Religion the Emperour king Ferdinando and the residue of Princes and states shall hurte no man of the whole Empire in any wyse neither shall they compell any man to forsake his Religion ceremonies and lawes whiche in their dominion the Protestauntes haue already ordeined or hereafter shall ordeyne by commaundemētes or any other meane nor yet contemne the same But permitte them this Religion free and also their goodes faculties customes possession and rightes so that peaceably they may inioy them That the controuersie also of Religion be appeased by none other but by godly frendly and quiet meanes In like case shall they that be of the confession of Auspurg demeane them selues towardes the Emperour king Ferdinando and the rest of Princes and states addicte to the olde Religion as well sacred as ciuile towardes the whole state ecclesiastical and colleges of the same whether so euer they shal finally remoue to dwel so that their ministerie be well ordered as beneath shall be sayde To all these shal they permitte their Religion lawes and ceremonies possessions customes and all other rightes frely neither by any meane hinder but that they may quietly inioye them and what so euer displeasure or strife shall arise be determined on either syde after the custome lawes of the Empire That suche as be of neyther Religiō be not comprysed in this peace If any Archebyshop Byshop Prelate or other ecclesiastical persone shall reuolte from the olde Religion he shall immediatly departe from his Byshoprike office benefice and also from all the prosites that he receiueth therof And it shall be lawfull and free for the College or those to whome the same thing shal by ryght or custome apperteyne to chose or substitute an other in his place whiche is of the olde Religion to the intent that the ryghtes of the foundation election presentation confirmation and such other like may remayne to them whole with the quiet possession of the goodes Yet so that nothinge hereby be taken away from the foresayde reconcilement of Religion that shal be And bicause diuerse states of the Empire and their progenitours haue taken to them certen ecclesiasticall gouernementes abbeies and suche other like goodes of the church haue disposed the same to the
Reliques of the holy gost The Cardinall writeth to the Duke of Saronis Campegius oratioÌ„ to the Princes at Norinberge The princes aunswere The decre of Wormes repeted The pope is wel monied The Suises are offended with them of Zuricke Yeare for the Hoste The Marchaundise of the clergie The answer of them or zuricke Authors of Scismes Matrimonie lawfull for all men What nedeth gold in the churche What is true coÌ„fessioÌ„ Howe the yoke of the Papistes is to be shaken of The Bishop of CoÌ„stance maketh a booke in defence of Images Images breÌ„t at Zuricke The decre of Norinberge Suite betwixt the Bishop senate of Strauso Thomas Murner Campcgsus raileth agaiâ—â— holye Matrimony A decree of Papistes against gospellers The lamentatioÌ„ of Lut. The golden Rose sent to the kynge of Englande Erasmus boke of Free will A decree of the duke of Loraine Henry Zutphan The Emperor biameth the Princes Themperor defendour of the Romishe churche Lut. coÌ„pared with Mahomet The duke of BourboÌ„ besieged Marfelles The begynnynge of the rustical war The Papistes fight for their bely The coÌ„plaiÌ„te of them of Zuricke The cause of theyr hatred To serue foreine princes is vile The eraâ—t of the Papistes Ecksuc theÌ„ Popes champion The pouertie and boundage of the Swices The riches and libertie of the same The constaÌ„cie of them of Zurieke The FreÌ„che kyng taken prisoner The vnconstaÌ„cie of Clement The victors of themperâ—alles The coÌ„motion of the bulgare people Theyr demaundes The duke of Wirtemberge atteÌ„pteâ—â— warrs The fyrste slaughter of Bowres Another slaughter The great crueltie of the Bowres A most cruel maner of burnynge The warre of Bowres in Loraine The slaughter of Bowres The crueltie of the Archebishop of Treuers Geismer captaine of the Bowers The league of Swelane The Masse abolisshed at Zuricke Muncer a great anabaptists Muncer will haue a token ared of God He teacheth that all thinges should be common Muncer maketh gonnes Phifer his companion Phifers enterprise The death of Fridericke the noble duke of Sax. The princes make a power A seditious oration of Muncer The saith of Abraham obteined of god great benefites Muncer rai leth on the Princes A blouddy Preacher bloweth the Crompet Gods power appeareth in sewest men Iud vii .i. Sam .xiiii. and .xvii. Muncer disceaueth the people by the Rainebowe Fearein MuÌ„cers Campe. A messenger slaine agaist the lawe of Armes An exhortaci on of the Lantzgraue The madnes of the Munceriane The slaughter of the MuÌ„cerians Muncer is taken His cruell answere He is reproued of the Lantzgraue The vnreasonable laughter of Muncer At the houre of death he repenteth Lut. diswadeth theÌ„ from sedition ii Thess .ii. The dewtie of a good Magistrate How the Magistrate shold deale wyth the Papistes Gods wrath is slowe but yet sore Thauthors of rebellion are wythout excuse What thing rebellion is How wicked dominion is to be shaken of The best way to ouer threw the popes authoritie Lu. did more with that word thaÌ„ cold haue bene don by force of Armes It appereth by the Prophecies of Briget and others The Practise of the deuill The popishe kingdoÌ„ maie not long indure Preachers ought to be circumspect Theyr demaundes Huntinge Haukyng Fishyng prohibited Lut. answer to the Bowres The Bours vse Godlye titles Gen. 7 Gene. 19. Math. 26. Roma 13. We are all blind in our own cause The state of a magistrate wherin it coÌ„sisteth The Magistrate is as necessary as the seune to the worlde The law of nature aloweth a Magistrate The christiaÌ„ lawe Math. 5. The christeÌ„ profession is harde The nature of veritie The craftes of the deuill to oppresse the Gospel Aunswere to the demaundes of the bowers No maÌ„ may be kept from the Gospell Howe ministers shoulde be ordayned Tithes must be payde Christianitie taketh not away boÌ„dage Bondage is not let to christen libertie Luters office The false title of the bowers Psal 107. The Gospel is sclasidered with rebellioÌ„ The rasers of tumultes The part of a wyse man The dutie of a Magist The ende of tyranny Of Not Daniel and â—ob Luther bloweth the troÌ„pet against the boures Ther can be nothig worse then sedicioÌ„ Lut. to vehement TheÌ„perors letters to the princes of Germany An assemble called at Auf. Carolostadius writeth against Lu. Carolostadius maketh his porgatioÌ„ Faith ought not to vauer Luther maried a NuÌ„ne Luther and Zwynglius met at Marpurge The Popes letters to theÌ„ of Paris Faber driueÌ„ out of Paris The kynges letters for Faber The story of Pruse Lut. letters of submissioÌ„ to the kynge of England The chief point of Lu. doctrine The ende of the Papistes doctrine Luth. letters to George Dake of Saxon. Duke George hateth the Gospel Thomas wulley Cardinal a Butchers sonne A league betwene EnglaÌ„d FrauÌ„ce Godlines is not to be sought for in the court The peace of Madrice The lady Elenor The kynges sonnes are pledges Counsell at Spyres The Emperours letters The Turke inuadeth HuÌ„gary A league betwene the venetians Pope FreÌ„che kyng Against false Freers The noÌ„ber of holy days A decree for Religion The begynninge of the ProtestaÌ„tes league The kynge of Hungary slayne The Emperour maried a wyfe A disputatioÌ„ at Baden A Priest burnt Discorde in Hongary The FreÌ„che league agaist the Emper. The Popes benefites to the Emper. The Emperours aÌ„swer The kyngdoÌ„ of Naples A point of that lawe Rome is the treasure house of that whole worlde The Pope the Emper. are two gret lyghtes The Pope is a warrier A counsell promysed The frenche kyngs leters to the prynces of Germany The Empe. confuteth the letters An apologie for the freÌ„ch kyng The princes letters to the Emperour An assemble at Regensburg Iohn Fridmarrieth Sibille of Cleue Rome is sacked The king of Englande The begynning of Anabaptistes The FreÌ„che Armye The Duke of Baurbon conoempned at Paris Englande hath title to Fraunce Leonarde Cesar Hopocrisy of byshops The power of Bernes Lawes of their disputacion Theames or conclusions Prayers for the dead are superfluous Religion reformed The prebids departe Ambrose Blaures Religion reformed at Geneua The victory of the gospel The kinges of FrauÌ„ce EnglaÌ„d Amballade to the Emperour The FreÌ„che kings inuectiue against the Emper. He offereth the Emper. the combat The letters of Iohn Uaiuode to the states of the Empyre His Ambassadours takeÌ„ Kyng FerdinaÌ„do forsoke kyng Lewis FerdinaÌ„dos title to Hongary The duke of Saxon the Lantgraue prepare theÌ„ to warre Paccen beheaded The Emperours aunswer to the FreÌ„ch king Themper Heraulde came at Paris An assemble at Spires Lantrech be segeth Naples Contention about the Masse The papists forboden to preache The Ambassadour of the chamber imperiall to Strausbor The bishops letters The Masse put down at Stansbor Dissentid at Basil for religion They of Basill take armure Images put downe The Masse put downe Images breÌ„t on â—sh wednesday The assemblie of Spir. The papists iÌ„ SwicerlaÌ„d make leage with kynge Ferdinando The Ambâ— of Srausborough excluded The
praiyng him also that he woulde further his suite to the Duke his maister that Luther the childe of Sathan might be punished that the noble house of Saxonie might not thorowe him be blemished And to the same effecte also he wrote to George Spalatine whom the better to perswade he said he was wholy geuen to plucke vp euillwedes out of Christes felde And after the same sorte wrote his vice Chauncelour also to degenart desyring him to moue Duke Fridericke to the imitation of his auncestors that he commit nothing vnworthy their famouse memory Whā Meltice was come into Saxonie and had exhibited his Rose he folowed his suite right stoutly Whiche thynge once knowen Luther the thirde day of Marche writeth to the Bishop of Rome letters full of submission wherin he declareth howe greuously he is complained vpon vnto the Duke whose displeasure is no smal grief vnto him besydes that he is stil called vpon to recāte which if it might be for the honoure and dignitie of the Churche of Rome he will not refuse But since that in Germany therbe many wittie wel lerned men that are hable to iudge of the controuersie it should be rather a blotte and hinderaunce to the Churche of Rome than anye furtheraunce or dignitie for he hath done no iniurie therunto But those Collectours and Pardoners who for couetousnes vttered shamefull thynges to the people haue complained and accused him without deserte for he beareth such an affection towardes him and the Churche of Rome that he will attempt nothinge againste it And the power thereof to be so great that Christ onely excepted there is nothinge in this worlde more excellent He besecheth him not to credite his enemies And of Pardons he wyll make no further mention so that hys aduersaries maye be lykewyse commaunded to kepe silence He wyll also admonishe the people in his Sermons to thinke well of the Churche of Rome that they do not ascribe vnto it the auarice of others nor yet folowe his example who thorowe the Impudencie of his aduersaries was enforced to treate it vnreuerently briefely to do all thinges for a quietnes so that no errour or false parswasion remayne in the mindes of men Before Meltitius came into Germany Themperour Maximilian was departed out of this life in Austriche the vij daye of Januarye That time wer Princes Electours Albert of Mentz Herman of Collon Rycharde of Treuers Archebyshoppes Lewes the Palsegraue Fridericke duke of Saxonie Joachin Marques of Brandenburge the kingdome of Boheme had Lewes kinge of Hungry These beynge called to an assemblie by the Archebyshop of Mentz after the custome of the Empire in the month of June mette at Franckefourt a towne by the Ryuer of Moene all except the kinge of Boheme who sent thither his depute Ladislaus Sterneberge The Archebyshop of Mentz beginneth an oratiō who speakyng much of the weightie importaunce of the thing exhorteth them vnto concord declaryng by many exāples what an heape of euilles the dissention of the Princes Electours had brought into Germany within their fathers memorye And that they should nowe be all of one mynde and consent it is so muche the more requisite for that the greater daunger hāgeth ouer them by the Turke and others which seke the spoyle of Germanye Two did aspire to the dignitie of thempire Charles Archeduke of Austriche who had three yeres before succeded Ferdinando kinge of Spaine his graundfather on his mothers side And Fraunces the Frenche kynge whiche foure yeares past had vanquisshed the Heluetians at Marignane and possessed the Dukedome of Millan And the kynge of Spaines Ambassadoures were comen alreadye to Mentz whiche is fyue miles from Franckefurt And the Frenche Ambassadours staied at confluence a Towne of the Archebishoppes of Treuers where the Rhine and Moselle mete From whence either partie by letters and messagers commended eche their prince to the Electours with the beste reasons they had to perswade Especially the Frenche mē who perceiued their cause to be lesse fauoured for that they differed frō the Germans in lāguage lawes and maners They sente therefore to the Heluetians praiynge them to further the matter to the Princes who notwithstandyng dyd cleane contrarye exhortyng them not to chose him but some one prince of Germany And the Swises also wrote to Leo the tenthe praiynge him that for asmuche as it was hys parte to inueste and confirme the Emperour beyng once chosen he woulde se that it should not be geuen to any foreine Prince And he aunswered that he heard say there was one laboured for it that might not haue it by the lawe for the kynges of Naples are tributaries to the Bishoppe of Rome and haue promysed their faith not to couet the Empire but to be content with the one or the other and that he hath admonished the princes hereof alreadye He ment in this tale Charles of Austriche for he fauoured more the Frenche kynge euer syns he subdewed the Heluetians and led awaye Maximilian Sfortia Duke of Millan captife into Fraunce whiche was the yere of our Lorde M.D.xv. aboute the Ides of Septembre with whome in Decembre folowinge he mette at Bonony and there made a perfecte league of amitie with him Touching the kingdome of Naples thus it standeth What time Manfredus the Bastarde sonne of the Emperour Fridericke the seconde made warre agaynste the Churche of Rome Clement the fourthe Byshoppe of that name in the yeare of oure Lorde M. CCCCC.xv to th entent to represse hym did that whiche his predecessor Urban the fourth was aboute to doo And sent for Charles the Erle of Gaunte of the Prouince in Fraunce into Italy and made him kynge of Sicilie and of Naples yet vnder this condition fyrst that for suche a benefite receiued he should pay yerely to the churche of Rome fortie thousand Ducates Moreouer that he shoulde at no time sewe to be Emperour nor yet take it vpon him beynge offered freely When the Princes were comen to consulte the Archebishoppe after he had talked seuerally with Fridericke Duke of Saxonie whose Authoritie was verye greate begynneth the matter whiche he saieth is diuided into three questions Whether that Fraunces the Frenche kyng or Charles the king of Spaine or els some Germane be chosen Emperour Touchinge the French kynge saieth he I suppose we are prohibited both by our lawes and our othe also wherby it is prouided that the dignitie of the Empire should not be alienated to straungers And I thinke there is no man that doubteth but that he is a foreine prince And albeit that were no let yet were it not for the commune weale For he seketh all meanes to enlarge his kingdome he hath ioyned to it Millan he will attempte the same in Germany he will warre vpon Charles whome he hateth yea and hathe proclamed it already Germanye shall be tormoiled with vprores and we ought to forese that we styrre vp no Ciuill warres If he inuade Austriche as suerly he will do shall
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
Friderick the .iij. brought forth a son called Philip He maried the lady Iane the daughter of Ferdinādo kig of Spaine had by her ij sons Charles Ferdinādo Whan this lady was with child she went into Flaūders was brought abed of Charles at Gaūt in the yeare of our Lorde M.D. the xxiiij day of February And here is some thynge to be sayd of Ferdinādo thēperours graūdfather by his mothers side who was king of Aragonie and Sicilie had to wife Elizabeth the daughter and heyre of Iohn the seconde kyng of Spaine in fine had also the kingdome of Naples He begotte of her fyue children Iohn Isabel Iane Mary Katherine Iohn and Isabell deynge without Issewe the inheritaunce by the lawes of the Realme came vnto Iane the next syster By this meanes all that the duke of Burgūdie had which was exceding much whatsoeuer Ferdinando king of Spaine had came wholy to Charles the sonne of the lady Iane For the landes of the house of Austriche in the diuisiō of thinheritaūce went to Ferdinādo his brother Wherfore of a long time Germany had not an Emperour of greater power His father died whā he was but sixe yere olde and his graūdefather Ferdinādo whan he was sixtene At the whiche tyme he wēt into Spaine there remained til he was elected Emperour came into Germany as shal be declared herafter And now forsomuch as we arecome to this place it shal not be much out of purpose to speak some thing of the creatiō of themperor Charles kinge of Boheme the iiij Emperor of that name made a law herofin the yeare 1356. called comenly the golden Bull wherof this is one thing that thēperour being dead tharchbishop of Mentz so soone as he knoweth therof shal immediatly signifie the same to the residew of the prices Electors and appoint thē a day within .iij. monthes to mete at Frāckfourt either in their owne parsons or to sende their deputies with their ful authoritie to elect a new Emperor or king of Romanes And if it fortune that the saide Archbishop do neglect it that yet neuertheles the rest shall there assembe within the time prescribed accōpanied euery mā with .ij. C. horse not aboue whā they enter into the towne 50. of thē to be in Armure He that neither cōmeth himselfe nor yet sendeth his Ambass or depute tofore the busines be ended shall lose his right of Electiō for that time The officers of Frākefurth shal shew al fidelitie to thelectours duringe the time of thelectiō suffer nomāto enter besides the princes their families After that all be cōmen together they shal haue a messe of the holy Ghost in the church of s Bartholomew thē euery mā sweare that they shal do nothing in that matter for any bargain bribe reward or promise Afterward to come to the electiō not to depart thēce before thēperor be chosē And if the thing be differred aboue .xxx. daies thē to haue nothing geuē thē but bread water whō the more part shall chose to be of as muche effect as if he were chosen with the cōmen assent of almē and that themperor thus elected shal first of all cōfirme al their priueleges and whatsoeuer apperteineth to their honor dignitie libertie fredō Moreouer it is prouided and ordeined how one shall suffer another to passe through his coūtrey what place eche of thē shal haue in the consistory in what sort they shall giue their voices and what office euery of thē shall haue what time Thēperor either dineth abroade or doth any thig opēly Furthermore that durig the vacatiō of thēpire the coūtye Palatine shal haue the gouernemēt in Sueuelāde Frākeconie about the Rhine the duke of Saxo. in such places as they vse the lawes of Saxnie That when a prince elector is departed his eldest sonne shal succed him or his brother Germayne that if the Electour be vnder .xviij. yeares of age his next kinsman shall supplie the rowme til he come of age that the electours mete euery yere once to consult of the comē wealth That Frankefurth be the place of election and Agnon in the base contrey the towne where he shal be inuested I spake before of the conditions prescribed by the princes and ratified by the Emperours Ambassadours puttyng in a Caution as the maner is and writinges made of the same in his name whiche were these That he shall defend the christen comen wealth the Bishoppe and churche of Rome whereof he is aduocate that he shall minister the law vprightly and seeke to maynteine peace That he shall not only confyrme and establish al the lawes of thempire and chiefely that which is called the golden Bulle but also by theyr aduise when time shall require encrease the same That he appointe a Cenate or counsell within the empire chosen of Germaines onely which shall minister the comon wealth That he shall not breake or diminishe the lawes priueledges the dignitie of the Prynces and states of thempire That it shal be lawful for the electoures when nede shall requyre to assemble and to consult of the common welth And he shall be no let hereunto nor take it in euill parte That he shall abolishe all confederacies and conspiracies of the nobilitie and commōs against their Princes and prohibite by a law that there be no such made hereafter That he make no league nor compacte with strangers touching the matters of thempire without the assent of the .vii. Princes that he neither alienate nor lay to pledge anye parte of thempire or deminishe the same and that such goodes or landes of the Empire as other nations haue plucked away and do occupy he seeke forthwith to recouer yet so as he infringe not the lawes or priueleges Also if he him selfe or any of his house do possesse any parte of thempire vnlawfullye gotten that he restore the same beinge required of the .vii. princes that he kepe peace and amitie withall Christen Princes and that he attempte no warre for the affaires of the empire without the consent of al the states but chiefly of the Princes electours either within the empire or wythout that he bring no straunge souldiours into Germany without their assent And if any man moue warre against him or thempire that then it shal be lawfull for him to vse what aide he can That he cal none assēbly of the Empire nor commaunde any taske or tribute but by the consent of the Electours And the same also to be within the limittes of the Empire And that for publike affaires he appointe no Foreyners but Germaines and that of the nobilitie And that all writinges be made in Latin or in the Duche tonge That no man be sommoned to appere in any court with out the bondes of thempire And forasmuch as many thinges are done at Rome contrary to couenaūtes made in time past with the Bishoppes therof that he deuise with the Bishop
that there be no fraude vsed towardes the preuileges and liberties of thempire that he impose no custome or droicte with out the assent of thelectours neither that through his letters he diminish the custome of thelectors that dwell by the Rhine If he haue any action agaynst any man that he shall trye the lawe and vse no force to suche as will aunswere to the lawe but stande to the ordre of lawe The goodes of the Empire whiche shall chaunce to be vacant he shall geue away to no man but a lotte them to the publicke Patrimonye If he shall wynne any foreine countrey throughe the aide of the states of Germany he shal annexe it to thempire if he shal recouer any publike thinge by his owne force and power he shall restore the same to the common welth that he shall ratifie that which was done in the vacation of thempire by the countie Palatine and the Duke of Saronie That he take no counsel to vnite Thempire to his house and posteritie as his propre inheritaunce but that he leaue to the seuen Princes fre Election according vnto the lawe of Charles the fourth prescript of the Canon lawe if he do any thinge otherwise to be frustrate and of none effect That so shortly as may be he repaire into Germany to be inuested What time the Ambassadours had approued these thinges with an othe in his name they deliuered vnto eche of the electors writinges therof sealed That whiche is here spoken of the Cannon lawe is conteined in the Epistle decretall of Innocentius the thyrde which testifieth that the seuen Princes electours haue fre authoritye to create themperor And that thempire goeth not by succession but by election Which Innocētius liued about the yere of our Lord M.ii. C. Nowe let vs retourne to Luther About this same time Erasmus of Roterdam wrote letters from Andwarp to Frederick Duke of Saxonie wherein amonges other thinges he maketh mention of Luther saying that his bokes are ioyfullye receiued and red of good and well learned men and moreouer that his life is of no man reprehended for that it is farre from all suspicion of auarice or ambition But that the deuines of Louain hearinge that he is greatly oppressed with thaucthoritie of the Cardinall Caietan do nowe triumphe And in all theyr sermons and bankettes raile vpon him callynge him Heretike and Antichrist declaringe with mo wordes the same to be much contrary to theyr profession so to slaunder any man before he be comiicte of Heresye He wryteth also in a maner with the same woordes to the Archebishop of Mentz and to Cardinall Campegius tauntyng these sophisticall Diuines and Monkes whiche can not abide the studye of tonges and of eloquens nor of any good learnynge He writeth also to Luther very frendly from Louain and sayth howe he hath receyued receiued his epistle whiche declareth both the excellencie of his witte and also his christian hert shewinge him what a Tragedie his bokes haue styrred vp their and what hatred and suspicion he ronneth into of the Diuines and that he can preuaile nothinge by excusynge the the matter And howe there be many in Englande of great Estimation whiche thinke rightwell of his workes And that he himselfe hath tasted of his Cōmentaries vpō the Psalmes trusteth that they shall profit many for they like him very well but of one thing he would admonishe him that a man shall more preuaile with a certeine ciuile modestie then if he be to vehement And that he muste rather thunder against them which abuse the bishop of Romes authoritie then against the Bishoppes themselues with certeine other good counsels whiche he gaue him exhorting him to procede as he hath begonne Luther hauing thus manye aduersaries there was a disputation appoynted at Lypsia a towne of Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxonie Uncle to duke Friderike Thither came Luther Melanthon which read the Greeke Lecture at Wittenberge Thither came also Iohn Eccius a Diuine bothe stoute and bolde who the fourth day of Iulye began the disputation with Luther touching the supremacie of the bishop of Rome affirming that they which said that the church of Rome was not the fyrst and chiefest of all others euen before the time of Ciluester did erre for he that hathe the Seate and faith of Peter was euer taken for his successour and Christes Uicar in earthe For Luther had setforth one contrary to the same that suche as dyd attribute the supremacie to the Churche of Rome did ground themselues onely vpō the Bishoppes decrees whiche were made foure hundreth yeres syns Which decrees are cōtrary to all Histories written a thousande yeres past contrary to the holy scripture and to the counsell of Nice most famous of all others But Eccius mainteyneth the supremacie of the Bishoppe of Rome and called Luther which dissented from the same a Bohemer because Iohn Husse was in times past of the same opinion Luther aunswereth that the Churche of Christe was spreade abroade farre and nere twentie yeres before Peter came to Rome to establishe the Churche there therfore is it not the fyrst nor the chiefest by the law of God as he saieth then they disputed of Purgatory of Indulgēces of Penaunce of Remission of synne and of the authoritie of Priestes And ended their disputation the fourteneth day of Iuly whiche was not appointed for Luther but for Andrewe Carolostadius Eccius But Luther comming onely for the company of Carolostadius and to here was drawen forth by Eccius which had got him a saufe cōduict of Duke of George so that he muste nedes dispute For Eccius was of a lustie courage by reason of the matter it selfe Wherein he thoughte him selfe assured of the victorye At the whiche disputation Luther set forth afterwardes And of the wordes wrytinges of his aduersaries throughe his wittye obseruation he collected diuerse articles of doctrine altogether as he termeth them hereticall to thintent he mighte playnely declare howe they whilest they speake and write all thinges in the fauor of the Bishop of Rome and of a desyre to maynteine theyr cause straiynge farre a broade do confounde most thinges which beynge nerer looked to conteyne ofte tymes great errours wickednes At the same tyme Ulrichus Zwinglius taught at Zuricke and shortly after the Byshop of Rome sent thither a Pardoner one Sampson a Graye Frere of Millan to gather vp money whom Zwinglius stoutly resisteth declarynge him to be a disceyuour of the people ¶ The seconde Booke of Sleidans Commentaries ⧠The argument of the seconde Booke AT the motion of Charles Miltice Luther wryteth to the Pope and dedicateth vnto him a Boke of the Christian Libertie Themperour hauynge passed throughe Englande came into his lowe countreyes Luther writeth a Boke of Fouretene Images of consolation of confession of Uowes prouyng that the Lordes Supper ought to be permitted to all mē vnder both kyndes There was obiected the Counsell of Laterane vnder Iuly the .ii.
but no man can shewe it they haue often times required herin the Bishoppe of Constaunce of Basill and of Courtes certeine Uniuersities and them also but vnto this day ther is nothing done Therfore their Ministers gyue none occasion of diffention in the commō wealth but the Bishoppes and suche as for their owne profit teache that which is contrary to Godes worde For they deceiue the people offende God greuously which feare to lose any of theyr commodities and wer loth to forsake theyr pride and auarice As touchyng the eatyng of Egges and Fleshe Albeit it be free and not forbidden by Christ yet haue they made a lawe to auoide offence and rashenes God is the Aucthour of Matrimony and hath ordeined it for almen S. Paule also commaūdeth that the minister of the church should be the husband of one wife And sins that Bishoppes do permit priestes for money to kepe Concubines and Harlots by a filthy example And they neither can nor wyll be without women they thinke it not good to resist God who ordeyned holy wedlocke sufferyng them that haue not the gifte of Chastitie to marrie rather than in singlenes to lyue a fylthy lyfe Colledges and such other places were fyrst founded for the pore but now for the most part they possesse them which haue enough besides And often times it is sene that one hath as much as wold find many Wherfore they think it reasonable that suche goods were againe conuerted to the vse of the poore wherin notwithstandyng to vse this moderation that suche as be in possession already be permitted to enioye the rente during theyr liues leste any man shoulde haue cause to complaine That the Iewels of the Churche apperteine not to the trewe worshipping of God But this to be more acceptable vnto God what time the pore and nedye are releued The order of Priesthode is not of them dispised but muche set by in case they do their dewtie and teach syncerely But as for the rest of the rabble that doeth no good but harme If it be by litell and litel diminished without offence and theyr possessions put to some godly vse there is no doubte but the same woulde be vnto God most acceptable For whether that God do accept their singing and seruice in Latin it is muche to be doubted of For many of them vnderstande not what they say and yet are they hired to do the same The order of Monkes is the inuention of man and not the ordinaunce of God Howe muche Auricular confession is of valewe that numbreth the sinnes they wil leaue vndiscussed but that wherby trewe penitentes haue accesse vnto Christe theyr mediator they iudge not onely profitable but also necessary for consciences troubled and pressed down with the burthen of sinne And this to be trewly to repent when a mā doeth amende his life The Sacraments which were instituted of God are not of them contemned but had in great reuerence notwithstandyng they must be vsed accordyng vnto Gods worde and the Lordes supper not to so applied as if it were an oblation or a sacrifice And if the Clergie that thus complaineth can fynde out any error amonges thē or prone that they be hindred or empeched by thē they will make them amendes if not it were reason that they should be commaunded to do theyr dewtie that is to teache the treuth and to abstaine from sklaūdering of others Where as they desyre to be deliuered from the pillage and vsurped aucthoritie of the Bishoppe of Rome and his clientes they are exceadyng glad to heare it whiche thinge can be done by no meanes better than if Godes worde may be throughly receiued for so longe as theyr lawes and decrees shall take place let vs looke for no deliueraūce For it is onely the preaching of Gods word that shaketh theyr power and dignitie For the force of the Gospell and veritie is suche that they distrusting theyr owne strength seeke forthe aide of kynges Wherefore if they should in this case vse the helpe of Scripture it is requisite that the same be done lyke wise in all other thinges that all that God is offended with may be abolished for the reformation whereof they wyll be glad to bestowe not onely theyr trauaile counsel but their goods also for this would haue bene done longe syns Wherefore they desyre them to accept this in good part and to weighe it diligently They conet nothing more than peace and quiotnesse and will do nothing contrary to theyr league But in this case which concerneth theyr euerlastyng saluation they can not otherwise do vnlesse theyr errour can be detected they desyre them therfore that if they thinke theyr doctrine to be against the Scriptures it maye be shewed them before the ende of Maye For so longe will they tary for an answere from them and frō the Byshoppes and also from the Universitie of Basill In the meane while the Bishoppe of Constaunce calling a conuotion made a boke to answere them of Zuricke the ende wherof was to declare that where the Scripture speaketh againste Images it is to be vnderstand onely of the Idoles that were amonges the Iewes and Gentiles And that the Images receyued of the churche are to be kept styll Then treateth he of the Masse the which he proueth by many testimonies of Bishoppes of Rome and theyr coūsels to be an oblation and a sacrifice This boke sendeth he to Zuricke the fyrst daye of Iune exhortynge the Senate with many weightie wordes that they neither take downe theyr Images nor abrogate the Masse nor suffer the people to be taught otherwise The Senate make the answere the eighteneth day of Auguste howe that they are glad that he hathe setforth this booke for now it shall appere whether partie defendeth the iuster quarell After they declared the mindes of theyr learned menne teaching the contrary by the Scriptures But before they wrote an aunswer the Senate had commaunded throughout theyr incisdiction all Images to betaken downe brent Yet without any trouble this was in the moneth of Iune and within a fewe monethes after the Canons of Zuricke make a compact with the Senate and order was taken how the landes and goods of their Colledge should be imploied The Emperor sent to the Counsel at Norinberge Iohn Hawnart and complainyng that the decree made at Worines by their common assent and counsell was broken to the great losse of Germany he commaunded that from hence forth it should be diligentlye obserued The Princes answer that they wyll do herein what they can Finally the .xviij. of Aprill it was there decreed that by the assent of the Emperour the Bishop of Rome so shortly as might be shoulde all a free counsel in Germanye in some place conueniente That the estates of the Empire do assemble at Spires the xi of Nouember there to consult what they shall folowe vntill the begynninge of the counsell That the Princes shall assigne
certeine good and well learned men in euery Prouince to gather out of Luthers bookes and others all questions disputable and exhibite them to the Princes at the next assemblie that they maye procede more spedely when they shall come to the counsell And that by the meane and diligens of the magistrate the gospel may be purely taught and soberly according to the interpretatiōs approued by the churche Moreouer that herafter therebe set forthe no mo famous Libelles and Pictures Finally that suche thinges as the Princes haue to charge the court of Rome and the Clergie be treated of and discussed in the next assemblie at Spires For the counsel Campegius dyd vndertake and promysed the Princes to declare it to the Byshop diligently The Princes at this assemblie were Lewes countie Palatine Wylliam and Lewes Dukes of Bauare Friderike Palatine Casimire Markes of Brandenburge Byshoppes of Treuers Bamberge Wirciburge Trent and Brixine and Albert of Brandenburge master of Pruselande I tolde you howe the Senate of Strasebrough intreated the Bishoppe therof for the maried priestes whome he had cited to appeare at Sabernes which came not at theyr day appointed wherfore the Bishop writeth to the Legate Campegius complaynyng of the Senate by whom he saith he is letted so that he can not execute his office nor punisshe them that haue maried contrarie to the Byshoppe of Romes lawes Thomas Murner a Graie Frere was the messager who complained greuously of the Senate to the Cardinall But the Ambassadours of the same Towne beynge present at Norinberge came before him and made their purgatiō that they neither had nor would be any let to the Bishoppe but had signified vnto him by their letters that looke what actiō he had against the maried priestes agreable to Gods law that he might come and execute it And they would assiste him but he called them out of the liberties contrary to an ordre that was takē betwixt him and them And whereas they claimed theyr liberties they were condemned theyr cause neyther hearde nor knowen They sayde moreouer how the most part of the Clergie at Strausb liued viciously kepīg strōptes at home with thē after a lewd example And yet the Bishop doth not punish one of thē Wherfore if the Senate should permit him to handle these extremely for not obseruing the Bishop of Romes law let the cōmon whoremonges that breake the lawc of God escape vnpunished doubtles the people would grudge styre thereat To this Cāpegius answered that what cōpaet or bargaine was betwixt thē he knew not but surely theyr act was manifest neded no greate triall in the law for they wer sequestred frō the felowship of the church by the dede doyng And for bycause others kept harlots lyued dishonestly that doeth not excuse theyr cryme he knoweth it to be the maner of the Bishops in Germany to permit theyr priestes for money to kepe lemans which is euil done in dede they shal yeld an accōpt for it one day Neuerthelesse it is a greater offence for priestes to Mary than to kepe at home with them many harlots for they are perswaded that they do well And these do acknowledge theyr synne for all men are not so chaste as Iohn Baptist yet was it neuer sene that they myght lawefully refuse the sole life no not amonges the Grekes which in theyr rites and customes differ much frō vs Wherfore he praieth them to giue theyr aide to theyr Bishoppe in this matter The Ambassadors say that if he would fyrst punishe the whoremongers than might the Senate assiste him the better in correcting of these others But he was in hand with them againe First to assist theyr Bishop And than if he woulde not punishe whoredome he would come thither him selfe and see them punished accordingely After the assemblie at Norinberge Fernando Campegius the Cardinall of Salisburge the dukes of Bauare that Bishops of Trent of Regenspurge also thambassadors of the Bishops Bāberge Spires Straus Auspurge Cōstance Basil Frisinge Passame Brixine mette at Ratisbone agreed vpon this opiniō the sixt day of Iuly For as muche as Themperor folowing herin the Iudgement and request of Leo the tenth cōdemned at Wormes by a publik decree the doctrine of Luther as wicked And for that it is likewyse decreed in the assemblie at Norinberge aswell fyrst as last that al men should obey the same as much as in them lieth they therfore at the request of Cardinall Campegins who hath ful auethoritie of the Bishop of Rome concernynge that matter will and commande that the foresayde decree and the decrees made in the laste assemblies be obserued and kepte wythin theyr iurisdictions That the Ghospell and others Scriptures be taught in churches after the interpretation of the aūetent fathers which in puritie of life excelled through theyr great vertu confyrmed theyr doctrine by martyrdome they that teach any Herestes already cōdemned or any thing els to the reproch of Christ our Lady or the saints or the which may be an occasion of sedition let him be punished according to the tenure therof That no man be admitted to preach without he haue the Bishoppes license Such Ecciesiastical lawes as cardinal Cāpegius hath writtē by cōmō assēt to take away vice to reforme maners whē they be ons published shal be obserued Touching the Masse Sacramēts and al other things let nothing be altered But done as hath bene accustomed by oure forefathers They that receyue the Lordes supper wtout confession absolutiō they that eate fleshe on dayes forbiddē Also Mōcks or Nones that ron out of their ordre Priestes Deacōs or Subdeacōs that marrye shal be punished Let nothing be put in Print but by the cōsent of the Magistrate Namely of Luthers his cōpanions let nothing be set forth nor sold That such as be of theyr iurisdiction studying now at Wittēberge wtin thre monethes after they shall heare of this decree made retourne home or go some where els wheras Luth. poison taketh no place They that shall do otherwise shal be depraued of theyr benefices lose theyr inheritāce And all those that shall cōtinew in the Uniuersitie of Wittēberge shal neyther enioy benefice nor haue the charge to brynge vp youthe That certeine fit men be chosen in euery place to see these thinges executed That the offenders so many as can be taken be committed to warde the rest that shall be banisshed to haue no place of refuge so farre as theyr rule or dominiōs do rtretche if any cōmotiō or sedition should fortune to arrise by reason of this decree wtin any of theyr limittes that the rest shall come aide him The Ecclesiasticall lawes whiche Campegius had deuised were these Let the priestes liue honestly go comely appareled nother by nor sell as marchantes haūt not the Tauernes let thē not be couetous nor for theyr ministration extorte money gredelye let such as kepe Cōcubines be displaced let the
with you Moreouer because we folow not the steppes of Luther but of holy Scripture we ought not to be accompted in that numbre But in as muche as we knowe not what is done amonges you and be complained on to you by malicious parsons as though we had spoken for the aide of certeine cities we protest it to be a false sclaunder Of like sort is that where they say howe we wil sodainly by the so side of a dromme cause men to take Armure and so to surprise Baden and certeine other places Which lies are deuised for this entente and purpose that you might take those Townes and laye in them garuisous against vs. Which thing if it were done they doubt not but that some greater tumult would therby arrise which might kindle amonges vs domesticall and ciuile warre And besydes these there go manye other sclaunderouse reportes of vs as this is one Howe we shoulde teache that Mary the mother of Christe had mo sounes and that the yonger Iames an Apostle died for vs and not Christ him selfe These suche other like thinges would we haue cōfuted at Lucerne but you wold not suffer our men to speake vnto the people What tyme also that Eckins promised to come and shewe Zuinglius his errours we were right glad therof sent not onely him but also others a Safecouduict exhorting him earuestly to come and promisyng to shewe him all fauour Finally as we heare say the plucking downe of Images hath procured vs no finale displeasure But hereof we haue declared the cause and reason before Wherfore seyng we haue doné nothing against the conditions of our league seyng we refuse no perill for the safgarde of oure common countrey and beare you the lyke loue that we haue done alwayes in case you will permitte vs for to do Why suffer we this diuisyon to be made amonges vs It is knowen in what state and condition some of our Auncesters were which content with a poore liuinge that they gote with sore labor for them and their householde were oppressed of the nobilitie with extreme bondage But God looked mercyfully vpon them for they expulsed the tyrrauntes and gote libertie And after they were inriched with the substaunce of suche as they had driuen oute they fortified them selues with a league by the force wherof they were able to defende theyr coūtrey from the inuasions of all forein power and had many times the victory ouer theyr enemies For many they were the sought to seauer and break that societie but yet in vaine And what aide and power oure elders prepared at the same time we doubte not but you haue in remembraunce And these fewe wordes may suffice touching the begynnyng of our league For as for the faith indeuor and diligence that hath bene shewed of vs euer sins in amplifiyng the dignitie of our common countrey nede not to be recited And doubtles the same mynde and good will that we haue shewed euer hitherto remaineth styll in vs. And seynge it is thus it greueth vs exceadingly that you should through the perswasiō of others that seke theyr owne commoditie therby be so incensed against vs. Call rather to your remembraūce what amitie hath bene alwaies betwene vs what time in sundry places aswel at home as a broad we haue abiden the like chaunce of warre and done many thinges ryght worthely Assuredly the memoriall hereof ought not onely to bynd vs but also our posteritie with a most streight bonde of amitie If the cause of Religion or any other facte of oures do offende you why do we not reason the matter quietly and frendly amonges our selues as becommeth felowes and frendes knitte together in a brotherlye league we wyll neyther be frowarde obstinate nor vntractable but as we haue alwayes saide wil be content and glad to be reformed by suche as can teache vs better thinges And for so muche as the profession of the ghospell for sakynge of the Frenche league and moreouer many sclaunders inuented against vs haue torned your good willes from vs and altered your former mindes we must write these thinges of necessitie in defence of oure owne estimation For as we haue often saied vnlesse our errour canne be shewed vs by the Scripture we may not forsake our religiō what force so euer be bent against vs for the same Aboute the middes of February the Senate of Strausburge aunswered the letters that were sente them from the chamber imperiall and confuted all thynges that those three accusers for mo say they can not be founde had charged them with whom they reporte to be troublesome parsons which are fled out of the citie to styrre vp strife contension And therefore require them to gyue no credyte to them but to haue the same opiniō of the Senate as is mete to be had of thē which after the example of theyr elders seke the concorde and wealth of the Empire Also the Preachers thēselues wrote the same time vnto those counselers And in a longe oration declare the reasons of theyr doyng And for so muche as they haue committed nothyng againste Goddes lawe they require them moste humbly to geue no credite to theyr aduersaries nor determine any thing agaynst them before the matter be knowen That time the warre in Italy waxed hote betwixt the Emperor and the Frenche kynge who after he had beseged Pauie all winter aboute the later ende of February was taken in battell and caryed to the Emperour in Spaine In this warre the Bishoppe of Rome Clement was secretly of the Frenche parte but after this chaunge of fortune he gaue vnto themperors Captaines a greate summe of money to paye theyr souldiours Anthony Lena kept Pauie with garnisons of Germanes and Spaniardes The kyng had a wonderfull great armye in so much that the Imperialles beyng in dispaire of Lumbardie consulted howe to conueigh their armye and to kepe Naples but encouraged throughe the oration of Fernando Daualle marques of Piscare they gate the battell and wanne the felde and by takyng of a most mightie kinge they obteined a noble victorie and riche spoiles The Chirstaine was Charles de Lanoy a Bourgonion He pretendyng at the fyrst as if he would haue led the kyng to Naples takyng shypping he chaūged his course and sayled into Spaine that the matter might the sooner be pacified The Battel was foughten the same day that the Emperor was borne on the foure and twenteth of February In the begynnyng of the spring time began a newe commotion in Sueuelande and that parte of Germany that lyeth by the riuer of Thonawe of the bulgare people against the Prelates of the Churche pretendyng a cause as thoughe they would defende the Gospell brynge them selues out of bondage The magistrates promised to heare theyr complaintes and to reforme that was a misse but they perseuered still and encreased dayly And set forth certeine demaundes to the numbre of xii wherin they would be
into his handes The Frenche kyng whiche was retourned home leauing his children for pledges in Spayne sayde the conditiōs of peace were vnreasonable Wherfore sendyng Ambassadours to and fro the byshop of Rome and the Uenetians enter into league with hym the effect wherof is this That for the defence and quietnes of Italy they shall fynde an armye of .xxx. thousand fotemen of men at armes and lyghthorse men syxe thousande They shall also prouide an Nauie of two and thirtye galleys with Shippes of bourthen that what tyme they shall haue vanquyshed the enemy in Lumbardye and Italye they shall muade the kingdome of Nayles both by sea and lande which beyng ones wōne to remayne in the power of the churche of Rome yet so as .lxxv. thousande duckates be payde yerely to the Frenche kyng which claymeth a tytle in it That the dignitie of the house of medicees be maynteyned in the citie of Florence The Frenche kyng leaueth the Duckdome of Myllan to Fraunces Sfortia whome the Emperours men besegyng in the Castell of Millan constrayned to rendre and promiseth him his owne ayde and the Swycers to helpe hym also a wyfe in Fraunce of the bloud royall yet vpon this condition that he shal paye vnto him therfore yeare fyfty thousande crownes and fynde his brother Maximilian whiche is prysoner in Fraunce After this the byshop of Rome wrytyng his letters to the Emperour recyteth his benofites towards hym what goodly offers he refused at the Frenche kynges handes for his sake howe that when the kynge was taken he gaue a hondreth thousande Duckates to his captaynes vpon certayne conditiōs that he hath vttered vnto hym oftentymes the coūsels of his enemies that what time his men dyd besege Frances Sfortia in the Castel of Millan and certen men of great power moued hym to ioyne in league against hym he would not heare them For all the whiche thynges he is full euyll recompensed For his souldiours haue wrought suche iniuries shame and mysery to hym and the churche of Rome as hathe not bene hearde moreouer that neyther the condicions are fulfylled nor his money restored how it appeareth what good wyll he beareth hym whiche woulde not make hym prinie vpon what conditions he concluded with the Frenche kynge that he vtterly reiected his suite intercession made for Sfortia howe he sent the Duke of Burbon frō the siege at Marseilles to reyse vp a newe kynde of warre in Italye for the whiche causes he is of necessitie constrayned to make a league with suche as loue the quiet and wealth of Italy Wherfore if he wyl also be content to embrace peace well and good if not he shal not wāt force and power to defende Italy and the common wealth of Rome In this league was comprysed the kyng of England and with great promyses was desyred to be the protectour therof Unto this epystle Cesar aunsweryng at Granato the .xviii. of September reaccompteth his desertes and benefites done vnto hym Howe that by his sute and meanes he was made byshop of Rome howe before that tyme he gaue hym an yerely pension of ten thousande duckates out of the reuenewes of the Archebyshop of Toledo when he was legate to byshop Leo notwithstandyng that he had conspyred against hym with Albert prince of Carpes to haue dispossessed hym of Naples and Sicily When the Frenche men were dryuen out of Italy by the conducte of Bourbon he could not deny him but that he myght warre in Fraūce or els where to recouer of the Frenche kyng his owne he graunteth the kyngdome of Naples to be holden of hym not withstandynge in case sayeth he you should make any warre there you shoulde thereby lose all your right and tytle for euen for the same causes that the Cliente loseth the benefite graunted for the selfe same also doth the Patrone lose his prerogatiue Before the kyng was taken you entreated of a peace but it was to the intent you might haue inioyed the Dukedome of Millan And therfore the Uenetians and Florentines withdrewe their ayde through your motion from my captaynes against their league For the Frenche kyng confesseth openly howe throughe your prouocation he entred into a newe league before he went out of Spayne And I knowe by certayne reporte that you haue dispensed with him for his othe wherby he is bounden to me Furthermore you haue moued warre before the letters wherein it was proclaymed were vnto me deliuered seking not only to dryue me out of all Italy but also to depose me from the dignitie of the Empyre For all this am I able to proue by the letters of Ferdinando Daualle Marques of Pistare whome you would haue entysed in to your league promising hym the kyngdome of Naples I haue tytle to Millan by mo wayes than one yet for the quiet of Italye I suffered Sfortia to enioye it And whan he was greuously syck I would haue placed in his steade the Duke of Bourbon for that I sawe it pleased you well and dyuers others in Italy And the cause why Sfortia was besieged in the Castel of Millan was that he had committed treason against me by ioynyng in league with you wherof beyng detected he would not delyuer to my captaynes the Castelles of Cremone and Millan neyther make his pourgation nor come to any talke in the matter Your request was that I should forgyue hym altogether whiche I neyther coulde nor in deede ought to doe lest by an euyll example I shoulde gyue an occasiō vnto Clientes to offende against their patrones Touchyng the peace concluded with the Frenche kyng I kept nothing secret from your Ambassadours for the condicions be suche as I would not haue concealed for they tende to a publique peace and to the resistaūce of Christes ennemies But se the vnworthines of that thing Ther commeth more money yearely to Rome out of my Realmes and prouinces than doth from all other nations That is to be proued by the requestes of the Prynces of Germany what tyme they complaynyng greuously of the court of Rome desyred a reformation Whose cōplaint at that tyme I neglected for the zeale I bare to the churche of Rome Whiche thynge considered and for as muche as I haue geuen you none occasion of offence I do instantly requyre you to lay down your armies And I wyll doe lykewyse And seynge we are bothe appoynted of God as two great lyghtes let vs endeuour our selues so as the whole worlde maye be lyghtened through vs and not that by reason of dissention there should aryse an Eclypse Let vs regarde the publique weale and attempt to dryue out the Turkes to quenche the secte and errours of Luther For this appertayneth vnto Gods glorye and hereof ought we to begynne and after to debate other controuersies you shall haue me ready vnto all these thynges which if I can not obtaine but that you wil nedes perseuer to play the man of warre I do proteste here that I
appeale to a general counsell in the same maye all griefes be decyded and I requyre that the same maye be called so shortlye as may be Where he speaketh of two lightes he followeth herein the wordes of Innocentius the thyrd which applieth the two great lyghtes that God created the one to guyde the day the other the nyght to the byshops and princelyke dignitie But that whiche ministreth Godly thinges to be muche more excellent then that which gouerneth polytike matters only And loke what different is betwyxte the sonne and the mone so great a diuersitie is there betwyxt the office of the high byshop a kinges office Whan Cesar had made this aunswere to Clemēt he wryteth also to the coledge of Cardinalles the sixt day of October signifiyng that he is not a little sory to heare that byshop Clement is confederated with the French kyng who reneweth warre agaīst him afreshe how the bishop hath sent him letters of defiance which he supposeth were writtē by their cōmon assent wherat he marueleth not a little considering there is no kyng that beareth more loue and affection to the churche of Rome than he Witnes Parma Placence whiche being cities of the Empyre and plucked from it of late he hath not withstanding restored to the churche all be it he was by no ryght bounde so to do And the princes and states of Germanye cōplayned vnto him at Wormes of sondry iniuries done by the courte of Rome and required a recompence but he for a singular loue naturall inclination towardes the churche of Rome passed ouer their requestes with deaf eares And where as great sedition and trouble ensued therupon through out all Germanye and the Princes there had appointed another counsel he for the indemnitie of the bishop church of Rome countremaunded the same vnder a great penaltie and to appease their myndes he put them in hope of a general counsell to be holden out of hande Wherfore the byshop hathe done hym great iniury whiche hath done so muche for his sake that he hath by the same meanes lost the good wylles of the princes of the Empire he desyreth them therfore to admonyshe the byshop of his duty that he appointe a counsell and perswade hym to incline his mynde to peace rather then to warre whiche if he refuse and wyll differre the counsell that then they would call it for if the christian cōmon wealth susteyne any losse or dammage eyther for the want of a counsell or for long delaye of the same it ought not hereafter to be imputed to him After the newes came out of Hongary of the great ouerthrowe there the prynces set forward their Ambassade appointed at Spires to the Emperour with the great spede And for the more expedition they intreate the Frēche kyng to graunt them a saufeconduicte to passe into Spayne through Fraunce whiche he graunted prescribing them a certen tyme to passe in and toke an occasion hereby to wryte vnto them the .vj. of Octobre That for the losse of Hongary the death of Lewis the kynge and the daunger that approched Germany he had conceiued an inwarde sorowe in his minde and nothyng lesse lamented that the publique wealth also peryshed through ciuile warres it was not surely lōg of him that Christome is not quiet but this to be the Emperours faulte who refuseth al honeste and reasonable conditions of peace And for so much as he is neither moued with the cōmon losse destruction nor with the moste vnworthy death of his brother in lawe king Lewis nor yet with the miserable estate of his owne sister now a wydowe nor cōsidereth not in what daunger standeth Austriche they shal do wel according to their dutie if they can exhorte perswade him vnto peace to kepe loue amitie with kinges that dwell nere hym and refrayne this vnmeasurable couetousnes for this should be more honorable for hym than if he styll endeuour to get other mens landes and possesse all him selfe alone his progenitours kynges of Fraunce haue often times fought many battelles with the ennemies of christentie the same myght nowe be done with their powers ioyned in one if the Emperour be so mynded wherfore in case they can deuise to bring this thing to passe he wyll bestowe on the Turkyshe warre al his force and him selfe also but if not no man blame hym if he assaye to recouer by force of armes suche thynges as by good wyll he can not for it stādeth him vpon rather to seke for peace which is nerer the Turkes daunger thā he is Whan Cesar was aduertysed of these letters the .xxix. of Nouēbre he writeth to the Princes and first he rehearseth howe mercyfully and gently he vsed the Frenche kynge prysoner howe he set hym at lybertie howe he gaue hym in marriage his eldest syster to hym in degree of succession the seconde And where as he all thynges beyng quyeted as he supposed was takynge his iourney into Italye to the entent he myghte bende hys whole force agaynste the perpetuall ennemyes of the Christiane Religion he breakynge his fidelitie and makynge a league wyth Byshop Clement and certen others and deuydynge emonges them the kyngdome of Naples whiche they had alreadye in hope conceyued to be theyr owne Renewed mortall Warre By meanes whereof he coulde not delyuer the countrey of Hongary from the violent fury of the Turkes being forced to defende his owne limites And where as he pretendeth to lament the death of kyng Lewis and destruction of Hongary it is a playne dissimulatiō to the intent he myght by some meane put to silence such as founde his letters and do constantly affirme that the Turke attēpted this warre through his instigation When he was in Spayne and synce his retourne home also he confirmed by his letters the obseruation of conue nauntes but for as muche as he hath his kingdome liyng in the middes of all Europe he is carelesse and seketh warres contention therby to make his profite Besides the wrytinge before mentioned there came forth in the French kinges name an Apologie in his defence declaring the causes why he stādeth not to the peace of Madrice Wherunto an answere was made in the Emperours behalf at large For as muche as the Turke had Buda with a great parte of Hongary oppressed the people miserably being a great terrour to Germany Certē princes of the Empire consulted at Eslyng to write spedely to the Emperour intreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly as might be in consideration to the great daunger that than hanged ouer the Empire in these letters written the .xix. of Decēbre they make mentiō of the Ambassade that they were determined to haue sent vnto hym but because they should haue trauailed through Fraunce the kynge wold graunt them saufe conduict but only for .iiij. monethes wherof one was past before the Ambassadours should mete together the time wold be much shortned Therfore to
auoyd the daunger they haue determined to differ the same vntil the next assemblie of the Empyre whiche they haue appointed at Regensburg the first day of April next folowyng to treate of the Turkysh warre trusting the either by that time they shal haue some better occasiō to sende or that he shal haue some intelligence of the thing in the meane time Al be it that Cesar wrote thus to the byshop of Rome his Cardinals yet wold it preuaile nothing but the cōfederatours sending vnto him Ambassadours as was agreed vpō require him to depart frō his armies to restore Sfortia Duke of Millan to receiue the money for his raunsome send home the kyngs sonnes whome he deteineth as pledges to repay the money that he borowed of the kyng of England hereunto answered the Emperour at Ualolete the .xij. of February That he cā not dismisse his armies in any short time notwithstāding he wil not refuse to take truce for thre yeres or more to sēd the armies on both partes agaīst the Turke our cōmon ennemie in the meane time to treate of peace Sfortia holdeth his landes of the Empire and is accused of treason he can not therfore be restored before his matter be examyned Wherfore let hym answere to the lawe and his accusers and he wyll appoynt hym indifferent iudges To restore the kynges chyldren vpon the receipte of the money he can not and the same is agaynste the kynges promesse othe and fidelitie Where they require him to repaie the kinge of England his money he marueleth not a litle consydering they haue no cōmaundement of him in this matter for the kyng he be such frendes as a mony matter can not breake their frendshyp Wherfore seinge the requestes be vnsitting he willeth them to bryng forth others for his part he wyl do nothyng obstinatly but shal be content to beare with many thinges for the cōmon wealthes sake Wherfore the Ambassadours thus departing without any thing concluded they renewe the warres againe with all their force power In those daies Iohn Frederick sonne heire to the prince electour of Saxony married Sibille daughter to Duke Iohn of Cleaue the lady Catharine that Emperours yongest sister was promysed him writinges made of the same But when this alteratiō of religion chaūced in Saxony they swarued frō their couenauntes And Hawnart which was then Emperours Ambassadour in Germany sayd plainly that there was no promise to be kept with Heretikes following herein as I suppose the fote stepes of the coūsel at Constance as in dede the Duke of Saxony reciteth in a certen writing Emōges others of themperours captaines was Charles Duke of Bourbon who going with a certen power to Naples by the way toke the citie of Rome sacked it the next daye after he there arriued being the sixt day of May. Clemēt the byshop the Cardinals and other prelates fleing in to Castell aungell were beseged a certen tyme being trenched in on euery syde whiche after they had endured siege seuen monethes were at the laste deliuered by the Emperours commaundement It is harde to expresse with wordes the great crueltie and oultrage of the Germanes and Spanyardes at Rome For besydes the cruell slaughters destruction spoyling and raueshynge of women they left of no kynde of contumelious reproches mockinges of the bishop and his Cardinalles The Emperour excused the facte diligently affirmyng that it was not done by his commaūdement And chiefly he wrote therof to the king of England that albeit he supposeth the thyng to haue happened vnto hym by the iust iudgement of God who auenged the wronge and iniurie done vnto hym yet he sayeth he wil so vse the matter that this same calamitie shal be the beginning and occasion of the helth of the common wealth Whan newes were brought into Spayn of the sackīg of Rome Cesar immediatly cōmaūded to cease frō playing of pageantes interludes whiche were thē set forth for ioy of his son Philip newly borne The king of Englād answe red nothīg to themperours letters and the bishop of Rome being captiue vnto whom he bare a great zeale reuerence themperours power increasing daily he fixed his mind vpō warre sending the Cardinal of yorke ambassadour into Fraunce To the coūsel of Regēsburg came the Prynces but sent their Ambassadours only Wherfore there was nothing cōcluded sauyng that they sent letters to the Emperour the xviij day of May signifiyng that for diuers causes his presence were requysite and nedefull In this tyme sprange vp a newe kynde of doctryne of suche as are called Anabaptistes They condempne the baptisme of infantes and are baptysed agayne them selues teachyng that all thynges should be common Against these wrote Luther Zwynglius and diuers others And the magistrates punished in euery place They boaste of visions dreames and at Sangal a town in Swycerlande one of them cut of his brothers head in the presence both of father and mother whome he had perswaded that God had cōmaunded hym so to do but being apprehended of the magistrate he suffered the lyke punyshment Now how muche they increased and what cōmotions they styred vp in Germany hereafter shal be declared This yeare the Senate of Strasborough decreed that none shoulde from henceforth be buried within the citie and appointed certen places for the buriall of the dead without their citie When the Frenche kynge heard that Rome was taken makyng league with the kyng of Englande he sent a great armie into Italy by the conduicte of Lautrech a Gascon to rescewe the byshop Who comming into Lumbardy and ayded by the Uenetians taketh first Alexādria and after Pauie partly by force and partly by composition but the souldiours in their rage and fury for that the king was there taken after a woūderful slaughter of the townes men spoyled the citie The .xxvij. day of Iuly Charles Duke of Burbon lately stayne in the assaulte at Rome was condempned at Paris by the court of parliamēt of treason his name and memoriall accursed his Armes plucked downe and his landes and goodes confiscated Anthony Prate Chauncelour gaue the sentence This Duke bare a mortall hatred to the kynge and what tyme he went to besege Marseilles as is mentioned before in the fourth boke for because at the same tyme the kynge of Englande toke the Emperours parte he wrote to the Cardinall of Yorke emonges other thinges that he would spare no paynes nor peryll that kyng Henry might by his helpe recouer the ryght and tytle that he hath to Fraunce For Englyshe men doe clayme all Fraunce to be theires for a two hundreth yeares since and aboue especiallye Normandye Gascoyne and Gwyne In these letters therfore did Bourbon prouoke the kynge to clayme and chalenge his ryght Whiche letters the Frenche kyng afterwardes chauncing vppon conceyued muche more hatred against hym There was in the dukedome of Bauarie one Leonarde Cesar a professour
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
my selfe beyng very yonge gaue the repulse to Maximilian whan he moued warre against vs wold haue done the lyke to his enemy also but that he contendeth with me rather by craft and subtyltie than he doth by power and manhood Hytherto haue I borne with this iniury as I might But thinke with your selues moste noble Prynces howe greuous a thynge it is to be cast downe out of the hyghest degree of power dignitie to the state of a priuate man I suppose there can none be found so mylde and patient that sufferyng so many iniuries woulde not loke about hym on euery syde for all the ayde he myght get Wherfore seyng that at no tyme synce I receyued the gouernment of the commō wealth I haue refused any conditions reasonable nor wyll not yet doe and had rather doe any thyng than styre vp cyuyle warre and myne aduersarye proceadeth obstinately I doe proteste that it ought not to be layde to my charge as blame worthy if for myne owne defence I seek the best meanes I can For in case the common wealth doe susteyne thereby any dommage that maye not be ascribed vnto me that hath soughte all wayes to haue peace but to myne ennemie whiche inuadeth an other mans Realme through great iniury He hathe layde dylygent wayte in all wayes and passages that nothynge be conueyed vnto you Notwithstandynge I suppose you haue hearde howe he forsoke his brother in lawe kyng Lewys vnto whome beyng ofte and earnestly requyred he sent neyther men nor munition nor any other ayde agaynst the violence of his ennemie And why for he loked after his death to be kyng Moreouer the common ayde of the Empyry appoynted for Hongary he sent to his brother to disquiet Italy Where as I sent to kynge Lewys at the same tyme my brother with three thousande men of myne owne costes and charges and woulde haue bene at the battell my selfe had I not bene commaunded by the kyng to remayne in Transiluania My brother dyed in the battel ryght valeantlye Ferdinando promysed by an othe that vnlesse he dyd fyrste recouer Belgrade and certen other castelles of the Turkes he wold not take vpon him the gouernment but his fayth fayled herein for the Turkes haue inuaded further destroyed and spoyled the coūtrey and haue wonne the castell of Iaice the chiefest fortresse of all Bosna Whiche Castel kyng Matthias with a great losse of his men recouered in times past of the Turkes mine vncle Emerick defēded the same afterwards induring a long sege the kinges haue fortified synce that time to their exceading great charges now lost by our valeaūt captaine that made so many goodly promises and I thinke not lōg to he wil for very necessite cal vpon you for ayde as though he stode in daūger for the defence of Germany but his mynde is an other waye For he intendeth not to warre vpō the Turke vnto whom he is cōtent to pay tribute yearely hath sent his Ambassadours thither for the same purpose but he myndeth with your men and money to helpe his brother in Italye to destroye me and brynge the Realme of Hongarye into bondage And seyng the matter is thus I most earnestly beseche you to forsee that this priuate iniurye donne vnto me turne not to the great hynderaunce of the common wealth And after a whyle he wrote also to the Emperour muche lyke to this in effecte exhortinge him to appease his brother And thus much for the defēce of his case but Ferdinādo grounded him self vpō the cōposition whiche themperour Maximilian had made with the Hongarians and their king Ladislaus in the yeare M. iiij C. xci by the whiche it was prouided that if Ladislaus died without heire male that then Maximilian and his heyres descending in of the right line shold possesse that kingdome Wherfore whan Lewys the sonne of Ladislaus was dead without issue as I tolde you before Ferdinando nephewe to Maximilian by his sonne Philip and Archeduke of Austriche and moreouer hauīg maried the syster of kyng Lewys affirmed the kyngdome to be his by good right And this selfe same tyme the Lantgraue of Hesse and the prince electour of Saxony mustering their mē prepared thē selues vnto warre the cause therof was this One Otto Paccius a Lawer and a gentle man borne one of the chiefest councellours about George Duke of Saxony by occasion of talke admonyshed the Lantgraue to loke to his owne thynges For nowe of late had Ferdinand the Marques of Brandenburge the Cardinall of Mentz and Salisburge George the Duke of Saxon William and Lewis Dukes of Bauer and certen byshops as Bamberge and Wirciburge made a league to destroye him the Duke of Saxon electour and Luthers religion And for the more credit of the thing he shewed him the copie of the confederacie promysing hym also the principall Whylest they leuie their Armies make preparation for the warres all men marueled muche wherfore it was and what would come of it some sayde one thynge and some an other as in suche cases is accustomed Whan they had all thynges in a redynes sendyng abroade their letters and messengers into all partes thei published the copie of the cōfederacie which was brought vnto them and wrote also vnto them whiche were thought to haue made this league and sent their Ambassadours to knowe what their intent was But they al pourged them selues euery man seueral and sending abrode their letters affirme it to be a forged matter and that it can not be proued And Duke George the Lantgraues father in law vrged him chiefly to bryng forth the partie that tolde hym whiche if he did not he wyll thynke none other wyse but that it is his own deuyse to styre vp stryfe and disturbe the quietnes of German ye Their fyrst attempt shoulde haue bene to haue set vppon the byshoppes that were next them and therfore they toke vp and waged men as many as they could get vpon suche a soden But when Paccius coulde not shewe the dede it selfe according to his promyse Than the Lantgraue begaune to waxe colde in the busynes And at the laste by the mediation of countie Palatine and Richarde Archebishop of Treer they dimysed their armies vpon condicion that the byshoppes shoulde paye vnto the Lātgraue for the charges of this warre a hūdreth thousand ducates the Archebyshop of Mentz fortie thousande Wirciburge as muche and Bamberge twenty thousande Afterwardes what tyme the Ambassadours of the prynces did mete at a day prescribed whom in dede this accusation did touche Paccius whome the Lantgraue there presented was conuicted of falsihode Yet by his meanes put at lybertie whan he had wandered in straunge countreis certen yeares at the last was beheaded at Andwerpe When the matter was thus pacified the prynces confederated of the Sweuicall league accused the Lantgraue that he had done wrong and iniury to their felowes And where a new sturre had lyke to haue growen vpon the same
free and Godly counsell for to haue the controuersie decided by waye of disputation rather then by that sworde lyke as theyr requeste is so semeth it vnto him also to be both more honeste and profitable for the common wealth whiche shall suffer great misfortune in case the matter come to handstripes Where he speaketh of the familiaritie and alliaunce betwyxt Fraunce and Germanye thus it is The Germanes of Franconie bordering vpon Swaues in times past makyng inuasiō into Gawles subdued the people about Treers Gelderlande Cleauelande and so down to Terwen and Tourney and vanquyshed Amiens Beanuois and the Soissons setlinge them selues at the last in that parte of Gawles which is yet called Fraunce vnto this day the chief citie wherof is Paris And where as many of their kynges there reigned and enlarged their dominiō at the last the gouernemēt cam vnto Pipine also to his sonne charles which was after for his worthy actes called Charlemaigne All people saluted hym with the tytle of the Emperour Auguste he possessed Germany Italy and Fraunce Afterwarde his sonne Lewis and his ofspryng were kinges of Fraunce Wherunto kyng Fraunces doth ascribe his originall and sayeth howe he is lineally descended of the stocke of Frankons The same perswasions vsed he also what tyme after the death of the Emperour Maximilian he did seke the dignitie of the Empyre For knowyng that by an aūcient lawe no straūger myght attayne the crown imperiall he went about also to proue hym selfe a Germayne But in dede the laste kynge of Fraunce of the heyremales of Charlemaigne was Lewys the fifte who died without isshewe in the yeare of grace nyne hōdreth foure score and eyght whan that possession of that kingdome had remained in the same familie two hondreth and eight and thyrty yeares After his death the succession had descended by ryght to Charles Duke of Lorayne vncle to kyng Lewys But Hughe Capet Erle of Paris as they reporte whose mother fetched her petygrewe from great Charles discomfiting and takynge the Duke of Lorayne prysoner vsurped the kyngdom and left it to his sonne Robert whose heyres males continued afterwardes vntill kyng Fraunces Some there be that saye howe that this Hughe Capet was of lowe and base hyrth but the moste parte of the wryters of Frenche Cronicles recite his originall as I haue sayde heretofore Henry the eight kyng of England writeth to them agayne the thyrde day of Maye That he hath red their letters to his great cōtentation for as muche as they be inclined and bent that true religion remayning styll saufe and peace conserued the faultes and abuses of the churche and clergie maye be refourmed and all suche thynges redressed as haue bene eyther by the wyckednes or ignoraunce of men corrupted and depraued Moreouer howe he toke great displeasure to reade ouer the whole discourse of their procead inges That a reporte in dede went of them that was not very good as though they should maynteine certen franticke personnes whiche sought to disturbé and tourmoyle all thynges vpsyde downe But he gaue therunto no credite first for because that Christiā charitie doth so requyre secondly knowyng for certentie that suche kynde of sclaunder can take no place in mē of suche dignitie Nobilitie and wysdome And all be it he would neuer haue beleued anye suche reporte before he had certenly tried and knowen it to be true Yet for as muche as they haue thus pourged them selues he is glad for thys cause that he was not disceaued in his opinion and iudgement And where as they desyre a refourmation in that they doe agree with his mynde and the opinion of all other good men For the state of worldly thynges is after suche a sorte that lyke as mans body so also in the cōmune wealth and publique administration there is nede of continual remedies wherfore they deserue great prayse that can lay to such medicines as wyll so heale and cure the disease that they doe not brynge to an outrage the matter And doubteth not but that their endeuoure tendeth to the same ende Notwithstanding howe they had nede to take diligent care of that sorte of men who seke alterations woulde haue all men a lyke and brynge the Magistrate in contempt For he hath had certen of that secte within his Realme whiche came thether out of Germany And for because in their letters they mētioned of the obedience vnto Magistrates therfore he thought good to admonishe them at fewe wordes that they geue no man ouermuche lybertie For if they beware of this and seke a reformation they shall doubtles doe hygh seruice vnto the common wealth Howe he also desyreth chiefly a generall counsell besechyng God to styre vp the hartes of Prynces vnto this desyre And hath so good an hope of them in all thynges that there is nothyng that he wyll not ve glad to doe for their sakes And wyll be a peticioner for them to the Emperour that meanes of peace and concorde may be founde and wyll worke so herein as they them selues shall from tyme to tyme thinke best for theyr purpose When the daye came of their assemblie at Franckefourth the Ambassadours of the Cities as it was agreed vppon declare what they thought touchyng the creation of the kyng of Romanes And after long consultation they founde that it was not expedient for the title style of king Ferdinando to enter in to any sute or trouble For so long as the Emperour lyueth or is within the lymites of the Empyre the whole power is his And in his absence it commeth in dede to Ferdinando but as to the depute or lieutenaunt of the Emperour They haue at sondry tymes promysed to do what so euer laye in their power And nowe in case they should resiste the creation of the kynge many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne and therfore would beare thē the lesse good wyll and woulde also worke against them whiche els woulde haue done nothyng at al against the cause of Religion It is also to be feared lest suche as would haue ioyned them selues vnto this league wyll be affcayde nowe of this and withdrawe them selues For that which cause they may not be against the election of kyng Ferdinando but holde it indifferent as it is But if Ferdinando shall commaūde any thyng cōtrary to Gods worde they wyll not obeye it or if he attēpte any force then wyll they worke after the prescripte of the league and defend to the vttermoste of their power But the Prynces wrote vnto the Emperour and Ferdinando that they could not allowe that thing which was done against the custome and lybertie of the Empyre nor attrybute vnto hym the tytle of kyng of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon in his letters to the Emperour added this moreouer that if the matter might be lawfully vsed he would not be vnlyke his auncestours As concernyng the Swycers whome the citie would gladly haue receyued into
written vpon certen of his Prophetes whiche of learned men are muche commended At the .xxix. daye of December the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes mete agayne at Frankeforte to finishe vp the rest concernyng the preparation of their defence In the which assemblie the cities of Goslarie Embecke were receiued into their league a litle be fore that they also of Eslyng But George the Marques of Brandenburgh and the citie of Norinberg Campedown and Hailbrune were absent For all be it they professe that same Religion yet were they not of that league The Emperour in the begynning of Ianuary toke his iourney from Bruselles to go to Regenspurge for the assemblie before mentioned By the waye when he came to Mentz at the begynnynge of February the Archebyshop there and the Palsgraue intreate hym agayne for peace whiche the Emperour grauntinge vnto they aduertyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue wyllynge them to doe the lyke Wherfore by theyr letters sent to and fro they appoynte to mete at Schwinfurte a towne Imperiall by the Ryuer of Moene at the begynning of Apryll There dyd they begynne to treate of a peace whiche shoulde continue vnto the generall counsell The Prynces that were intercessours were there present and by ordre geuen by the Emperour do propounde these conditions That besydes the writyng exhibited at Auspurge touching Religion they should alter nothing teache nothyng nor publyshe any thing but remayne in those boundes vntyll the tyme of the counsell so as they haue nothyng to doe with the Zwynglianes and the Annabaptistes Neither that through the occasion of Religion they do allure vnto thē other Prynces subiectes and permitte any of their Ministers to preache out of their owne countrey that they abstayne from wordes of reproche that they disturbe not the iurisdiction rytes and ceremonies of the churche that they geue their ayde agaynst the Turke and obey the decrees of the Empyre whiche concerne the common wealthe and politike gouernaunce that they be obedient to the Emperour kynge of Romaynes And if they haue made any league againste the Emperour kyng or other states of the contrary Religion to abolyshe the same If they wyl thus do they truste how the Emperour and the king wyll leaue and forget all displeasure paste The Duke had sent thether his sonne Iohn Fridericke being him selfe sore sicke There was also Fraunces Duke of Lunenburg and Counte Anhalde agayn the Ambassadours of other Prynces cities whereunto came also the Nortusians and Halbestans of Swelande After muche debatyng the intercessours aduertise by their letters the Emperour of the whole matters who was than at the assemblie of Ratisbonne to knowe his further pleasure in matters Unto that demaunde whiche was that the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes should obey the kyng of Romains They wryte an aunswere to the Emperour what lacke they fynde and what they woulde requyre hym to doe therein and deliuered the same sealed to the intercessours the .xvij. daye of Apryll the effect wherof was that Ferdinando should not take vpon hym to be kyng of Romaines but in case the Emperour had nede of a coadiutour that than by the aduyse and counsell of the Prynces Electours he should so interprete the lawe Caroline makyng an acte therof for euer the it myght be done lawefully after this sorte That as longe as the Emperour lyueth there should neuer hereafter be chosen a kynge of Romaines vnlesse the seuen Princes Electours and sixe other Prynces of the Empyre ioyned with them iudge it so mete to be done And what tyme it shall appeare to be for the profite of the common wealth that than the Archebyshop of Mentz shall appointe the rest of the Electours syxe other Prynces to mete in a place conuenient for a further consultation to be had therin And whan they shall haue considered the whole matter diligently that than the Prynces Electours only with the kyng of Boheme shall haue authoritie to electe a kyng of Romaynes who so long as the Emperour lyueth shall gouerne the cōmon wealth in the Emperours name onlye and otherwyse to take vppon hym none aucthoritie or gouernment That the Princes and states of the Empyre be not bound to him by any fidelitie or othe except it be after the Emperours death And whan a newe kynge shall be created that he be sworne after the order of the lawe Carolyne and that it be not in the Electours power to alter the same He that shal be proued to haue done contrary to that othe or els be had in great suspicion therof and maketh not his purgation shal be depriued of all ryght of Electourshyp for euer Moreouer that there be not chosen three kynges successiuelye of one house of Prynces that none be chosen kyng of Romaynes except he be of some house of the Princes of Germany Suche thynges as are establyshed by the lawe Caroline concernyng the kynges election neyther the Emperour nor kynge of Romaynes maye chaunge Whan it shal seme good to the electours to create a king of Romaines that they shall not nede to signifie the same before to the Emperour Neither that it shal be lawfull for the Emperour in this case to commaūde the Archebyshop of Mētz to assemble the Princes electours but what tyme there shall appeare iust cause to electe a kynge of Romaynes duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that the Archebyshop at a certen daye call his company to Franckfurth And that it lie not in his authoritie to appointe the assemblye els where vnlesse his collegues doe vpon weyghtie considerations permitte hym that the Archebyshop of Mentz shall not demaunde the Crowne Scepter and other ornamentes of the Empire of them of Norinberge but by the consent of his peres Neyther that he diminishe anye parte of thre monethes which after they be sommoned is graūted to the Prynces to haue cōference together for it may be daungerous to the Empyre and cōmon wealth if one or two comyng not in tyme should be absent That whilest the Electours consulte at Frankeforth all others be shut out If any of those matters be infrynged that thē the Electours be not bonde eyther to repare thether or there to remaine and what soeuer is there done to be voyde and of none effect That neyther the Emperour nor king of Romans in Italy Fraūce or other places do permitte harmes of the Princes Electours to be borne before hym or their offices to be executed but by the Electours them selues or their deputes That the kyng of Romaynes do not solemnyse his laste coronation vnlesse eyther the electours or their deputes be present that neyther the Emperour nor kyng of Romaynes be a let to the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes wherby they may not come to the counselles of the Empyre there to propounde their matters for that this apperteyneth both to the lawe of nature and is also a thyng full of humanitie ciuile dutie That neither the Emperour nor kyng
of theyr enterpryse And whylest Ferdinando referreth the matter to the trial of the lawe they marche forwardes with their armie and the fourtene day of May chauncing to mete with theyr ennemies which were twelue thousand foote men they shotte of theyr ordinaunce and put them to flyght besydes the towne of Lausene in the lande of Wirtemberge The generall of Ferdinando his armie was Philip Counte Palatine who at the same battell had his hele stryken of with a great pece In the chase many were drowned in the Ryuer of Neccar wher into they ran headlong for feare of their ennemies that pursued them Whan the battell was done all men for the moste parte of the Dukedome of Wirtemberge yelded them selues to their naturall Prynce Ulrichus Asperge situated vpon a verey hyghe mountayne standyng alone also Urach Tubinge and Nipha all stronge castelles of nature in fine rendred also Ferdinando the fyrst of Maye set forth a proclamation that no man shoulde ayde that faction but that al men should resiste them to the vttermoste of their power and had wrytten to the Protestauntes his seueral letters touching the same matter And likewise had the Emperour done a litle before and openly no man did assiste them And al men marueled to what end this stiring wold grow to About the tyme of this warre the archbyshop of Mentz George Duke of Saxon the Lantgraues father in lawe sought the reconcilement of kyng Ferdinando and the Prince Electour of Saxon. And at Cadamea town of Boheme the last day of Iune sauing one they concluded a peace with those cōditions For religiō no force to be attempted nor any sute in the lawe commensed and the same peace that Cesar hath made to be obserued Ferdinando in the Emperours place shall brynge to passe that the Iudges of the chamber shall surcease from al proces against the Protestauntes amonges whome notwithstanding neyther Anabaptistes nor Sacramentaries nor any other suche lyke sectes be comprehended The Duke of Saxon and his fellowes shall acknowledge Ferdinādo for king of Romaines gyue him that title Ferdinando shall againe within a certen tyme deuise so with the Emperour other princes Electours that a decree be made after this sorte Whan tyme shall hereafter require to make a kynge of Romaines duryng the lyfe of the Emperour that than the Electours do first assemble and consulte whether the cause be iuste and reasonable and if it so appere that than they do proceade after the Tenure of the lawe Carroline That whiche shall be otherwyse done to be frustrate And vnlesse this decree be made within ten monethes than the Duke his fellowes not to stande bound to these cōdicions and that within the same time the Emperour shall also cōfirme the Dukes succession in the possessious of his father progenitours Ferdinando shal also endeuour that the Emperour do ratifie such compactes of matrimony as are betwixt the Dukes of Saxō and of Cleaue Whilest thei treate of these matters they take in hande also an other peace making And the Duke of Saxon offereth for the Lātgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge as their substitute that they shal ratifie what so euer they should agree vpon After muche debating the Dukedome beinge wholy recouered they cōdicioned thus Ulrich the Prince his heires males shall holde the Dukedome of Wirtemberge of kyng Ferdinando as Archeduke of Austriche and so to be his wardes and clientes if it fortune the house of Wirtemberge to be without heyres males than the Princes of Austriche to possesse that region to holde the same of the Empyre whiche they shal be bounden therunto Ulriche to acknowledge Ferdinando for king of Romaynes to make no league againste hym That the Lantgraue and Duke Ulriche restore suche goodes as they haue gotten in this tyme of warre to their owners that they doe constreyne no man to chaunge his Religion that it shall be lawefull for suche as are fled for feare or for shamefastnes to retourn home And they that lyste to take theyr goodes and goe where they wyll The peces of ordinaunce that were for the defence of Auspurge shall remaine to kyng Ferdinando the kinges debtes for his own priuate affayres he him selfe shall paye but that which was employed for the cōmoditie of the countrey the Duke shal aunswere For suche landes of the Dukedome as are holden of the kyngdome of Boheme the Duke and his heire shall holde styl of Ferdinādo his heires as kings of Boheme That Philip the Palsgraue and the residue of the prysoners be let go without raunsome that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall submitte them selues aske pardon of kyng Ferdinando either in their own persons or by their deputes than Duke Ulriche to receiue full state and possession of kyng Ferdinando Ferdinādo shall entreate that the Emperour will also forgeue thē for the charges of the warre nothinge to be required on either parte that the Lantgraue and the Duke shall sende vnto Ferdinando out of their armes fyue hondreth horse men and thre thousand fotemen whiche shall immediatly go to the sege of Munster of their cost and charge there to promyse their fidelitie to Ferdinando by an othe and if nede requyred to serue him for a thre monethes For at the same time was Munster a towne of Westphalia kept by the Anabaptistes beseged as hereafter shal be declared Wherfore king Ferdinando requyred of thē this aide for the winning of the towne Whan the Duke had by this meane recouered the countrey of Wirtemberge made his peace with Ferdinando before the yeare was ended he repaied the French king his money recouereth the possession of Mompelicarte And the lone money the king forgaue him whiche was no small somme This peace making did Peter Paule Uerger the byshops legate toke not very well And in Clements name did expostulate sore with king Ferdinando that he had taken Luther princes into his amitie And he answered that he dyd it in cōsideratiō of the time for the auoyding of further trouble What time Duke Ulriche was expulsed his sonne Christopher being a child of .iiij. yeares olde was first brought vp vnder the tuicion of his vncle Williā Duke of Bauer after that he was remoued frō thence to Insprouek a towne of Ferdinandos in the countie of Tirol And whē after the Turkes retire as I sayde before the Emperour retourned into Italy he through the motion aduise of his frendes cōueyeth him self out of the Emperours traine repareth again into Bauier For being the sole only heire this was thought to be the deuise that he sholde haue bene lead into some straūge countrey made religious but after that his father was restored he wēt into Fraūce attended vpon the frēch king When the matter was pacified the Lātgraue sent a messager with letters to the Emperour in Spain the cōditions of peace in writing craning pardon for him self for duke Ulrich
from henceforth promiseth al due obediēce for him for the other This was in the moneth of Iuly And in Septēbre following the Emperour answereth hym by letters frō Ualentia how that he vnderstode the whole matter already by his brother Ferdinādo vnto whome he hath written his mynde in this behalf now sheweth him more by his Ambassadour by whō he may vnderstand of his clemencie and desire of peace and quietnes Wherfore he doth admonishe him to perfourme in deede the thinges which he hath promised in wordes vsing him self obediētly eschewig all troublesome coūsell During the warres of Wirtēberge Fraunces Sfortia duke of Millā taketh to wife Christine the daughter of Christierne king of Denmarck captiue the Emperours nece by his syster The Frenche kyng would haue moued warre agaynst hym But the death of Clement the seuenth with whome as I sayde before he had made a league was supposed to haue bene the lette and delaye therof For he being diseased in the stomack whan after the aduise of his phisicion Curtius he had chaunged his diet being an aged man dieth in this moneth of Septembre and had to his successour Paule the third surnamed Farnesius whiche shortly after made Alexander his young Nephewe by his Bastarde Sonne Peter Aloise and his Nephewe Ascanius by his bastarde daughter Constance bothe Cardinalles After that he calleth home Peter Paule Uerger oute of Germany to vnderstande the state of the countrey And he consulteth with his Cardinalles howe the counsell myght be differred tyll suche tyme as by their priuie practyse they might fynde the meanes to set the Emperour and other kynges together by the eares In conclusion they agreed to sende Uerger againe into Germany to make promyse of a generall counsell and that he should so handle the matter that their craft and subtiltie were not suspected as it was in Clementes tyme And that he should aduertyse the prynces howe the counsell should be holden at Mantua and there to entreate of the condicions And that he shoulde chiefly marke what forme of disputation the Protestauntes would seke to haue that one 's knowen he myght after prescribe vnto them suche lawes as he knewe they woulde not come there for the same He had also commaunded him to incense the hartes of Prynces against the kyng of Englande whose Realme he intended to geue awaye for a pray to hym that coulde get it And that he shoud see more ouer whether that Luther and Melancthon myght throughe anye meanes be broughte from their purpose Also certen Cardinalles and byshoppes were chosen to deuise some refourmation for the Clergie whiche in fyne was made and puplished as in place shal be declared Kynge Ferdinando was causer that Paule sent againe Uerger saying that he was a very fitte man for the purpose At this tyme was Andrewe Gritte Duke of the state of Uenyse a man of great authoritie for his singular wysdome and experience Who what tyme he liued at Constantinoble had a bastarde sonne called Lewys whiche being there brought vp frō his yougth where he had a good witte by his syngular industrie had attayned to great ryches and throughe his lyberalitie had gotten many Frendes first by the gentlemen of the courte and after by the meanes of Ibrain Bascha who at that tyme myght doe all thynges alone he was so well knowen with the Emperour Soliman that he was also admitted vnto his priuate talke Thus vsing the oportunitie of tyme through the beneuolence and liberalitie of the great Turke he came in to Hongary with great power dignitie to possesse that part of Slauonie that is next vnto the borders of Uenife to his own priuate vse to kepe the nether part of Hongary wherof Belgrade is chiefe for the Emperour of the Turkes He had a sonne named Anthony bishop of Quineueecclesia whom bishop Clement purposed for his father grādfathers sake to haue made Cardinall But in the meane whyle that Lewys was in hope of no lesse than a kyngdome and had in muche reputation of all men And that his father was glad exceadingly of the good and lucky successe of his Sonne by occasion of a grudge and a faction reysed againste him he was taken by his aduersaries and beheaded aboute the same tyme that Paule succeded Clement In this meane tyme beginneth anewe persecution in Fraunce againste them that were anye thynge suspected of Lutheranisme wherof in dede the occasion was this In the citie of Paris and certen other places and euen within the kynges palace aboute one tyme in the night season sondry billes were set vp against the masse and other poinctes of Religion And streight wayes inquyrie and searche was made and many were apprehended some by information and some by suspition whiche after they were racked were brent alyue and vnstrangled whiche was terrible to beholde For they beyng fastened to an engyne and lifted vp in to the ayre wer after let downe into the fyre from on hyghe and there fynged skorched were hoysed vp agayne and at the length the hangeman shoulde cut the corde and they fall downe into the fyre vnderneath them And suche also as were any thynge learned had their tongues cut out lest either thei should vtter the cause of their death or declare vnto the people the somme of their doctrine And for this busines was Iohn Motine the Lieuetenaūt Criminell a very mete minister For as he could moste craftely smel and searche them out that were any thynge at all suspected so lykewyse whan he had founde them in execution and extreme punyshement he passed in all extremitie Neuerthelesse at the same tyme came forth a booke in Frenche without the name of the authour against Romyshe marchauntes tempered with mirth and grauitie And first he sayeth howe that marchandise is a kynde and trade of lyfe neyther dishonest nor vnprofitable for the common wealth so it be voyde of fraude and auarice For of this kynde of men Christe toke his similitude what tyme he commaunded that the talentes receiued should be occupied that they might be made gainfull Whiche place in dede is to be vnderstande in a mistery for nothynge lesse becommeth the pastours and ministers of the churche than the lest suspicion of filthy lucre Notwithstanding almighty God being offended with the wickednes of men hath suffered to enter into his churche not only ryche and welthy marchauntes but also theues and murtherers For who wyll not call hym a thefe that eyther selleth an othermans goodes for his owne or counterfeited wares for ryght and true Is not the bier foule disceaued But this thyng hath chaunced vnto vs longe synce For in steade of true shepeheardes are crept in exceadyng rauenyng wolues And al be it that no mans witte or tongue is sufficiētly able to expresse theyr craft and subtiltie yet wyll I touche it a little Wherfore these marchauntes of whome I speake here are craftie beyonde
Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within thē selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtheraūce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religiō and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who cōmaunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion cōprysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innocēt persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned mē of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse cōmissions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the
byshop vsurpeth ouermuche authoritie whan he taketh vpō hym to depose kynges and Emperours whiche nowe he entendeth to put in practyse against the kynge of Englande albeit that the kynge also diuers Cardinalles iutreate him to the contrary The diuines say he is head of the churche by Gods lawe but when the kyng demaunded the place they could not shewe it He misliketh also the defence of pourgatory For of that wel spryngeth masse dirige and al theyr marchaundise But if the masse were taken away their combes were cut and they should no lōger be able to defende their authoritie And whā the kyng had graūted them certen monethes wherin they shold proue purgatory by Scripture they aunswered at the lengthe howe they oughte not to reache their enemies weapons whiche they myght vse against thē As touching monasticall vowes the kyng supposeth that it might be obteined of the byshop that none should be taken in yong and before the vowers were of type yeares and that it should be lawfull for them to depart thence whan they woulde and mary And thinketh not good to deface theyr houses but to conuerte them in to Colleges wherein yought may be brought vp in learnyng and vertue The diuines would in any case haue priestes to liue vnmaried but the king had deuised this meane waye that suche as haue maried wyues shold remayne so styll but the rest not to mary or if they did to absteyne frō the ministration of the churche For concerning y◠whiche is alledged of Paphnutius who in the counsell of niece perswaded the mariage of priestes the diuines aunswere that it can not be proued that priestes haue maried at any tyme Not withstandynge they wyl not deny but that they had wyues before they were admitted to the ordre of priesthod As concerning the lordes supper to be receyued wholye or vnder both kyndes as they terme it the kynge had conference herein with Clement the seuenth and trusteth also that it wylbe obtayned at this byshoppes handes that it shal be lawfull for euery man to receiue after his conscience Moreouer the kynge affirmeth that a hondreth yeare synce in Fraunce they receiued the whole supper not in the myddes of the churche but in chappelles as he had heard old men make relatiō And agayne the kynges of Fraunce do receyue the whole communiō And where as the kynge obiected this vnto them the diuines made aunswere that kynges were anoynted as well as priestes and that the Scripture speaketh of a Priesthode Royall And that the same whiche is lawfull for kynges is not to be permitted to others in lyke case Furthermore in mattins and other dayly seruice the kyng doth acknowledge that many thinges may be cut of and many taken cleane away And that Clemēt the seuenth committed the charge here of vnto Cardinall Crucei a Spaniarde whose boke of the same thing remayneth whiche the diuines of Paris haue condempned for heresy whiche be suche a kynde of men that wyll condempne not onlye the Germaines as wicked and erring in Religion but also the byshop hym selfe with all his Cardinalles and the case require it But seynge the whole matter is full of difficultie the kyng is altogether addicted to haue the churche restored to vnitie and concorde And how he hath talked herein with the Dukes of Bauier whom he fyndeth stiffer thā the diuines of Paris Finally he exhorted them to admitte no place of counsel but by the kyng his maisters and also the kyng of Englandes aduise whiche wyll consent both in one Moreouer how certen yeres past Lewys the Frenche kyng contended that it was not laweful for Iuly the byshop to appointe a counsel without the consent of the Emperour and other kynges And the kyng of Nauarre was than of the same opinion and where as Iuly did excommunicate them both Ferdinando kyng of Spayne by this title inuaded Nauarre And that the kyng is nowe also of that mynde and opinion neyther wyll he admitte any counsel vnlesse the place be sure and not suspected or apt for iniury and wherin a man may speake his mynde frely Besydes the talke before mentioned he was earnestly in hand with them to enter into league with the kynge And this was the principall cause of hys Ambassade But where they did except the Emperour against whom they sayde they myght attempte nothynge he departed without his purpose and to certen he spake in counsell how he marueled that they would neglecte so mightie a kyng and sayde the tyme woulde come wherin they would wyshe to haue redemed his frendshyp derely The kyng of Englande also Henry the eyght sent thether his Ambassade the chief wherof was Edward Foxe byshop of Hereforde who in the begynning made his relation For as muche as the aliaunce and kinred is great betwene the kynges of England the Princes of Saxō the kyng can not but beare muche good wyll towardes hym and hys cōsortes especially synce their chief endeuour is to set forth Gods true knowledge vnto others And al be it that for this cause only they haue susteyned great reproche yet doth he mislyke them neuer a whyt therfore nor iudgeth otherwyse of them than of suche good men as contrary to their dutie and without a reasonable cause wyll doe nothing and to haue this respect only that through the true preachynge of the Gospell Gods glory myght be aduaunced And of the same desyre is the kyng also whiche is sufficiently enough declared by the alteratiō that is now in Englād For by the kinges cōmaundemēt a great part of Errours are abolyshed and by commō assent of the whole Realme the byshop of Rome with all his deceiptfull iugglynges are frō thence cleane banyshed in lyke case as it is in Saxony And for so muche as the same desyre and good wyll is common to them both the kyng hath a wonderfull great affection towardes them that they woulde thus procede and professe al one doctrine for that should doubtles establysh a continuall peace and quiet And what commotions haue arrysen of the diuersitie of opinions the kynge vnderstandeth And the Anabaptistes by theyr example haue declared The byshop nowe pretendeth as though he would calle a counsel and certenly if there remayne any dissention and they doe not agree in their doctrine it wyl make much against them whan they shall come to the counsell Wherein notwithstandyng he imputeth not the fault to the diuines for the state of the churche was neuer so quiet but at some tyme there hath been dissention Whiche thynge is also proued by the example of Peter Paule Barnabas Therfore is an vniformitie to be sought for that maye be grounded vpon the sure foundation of Scripture And the byshop of Rome endeuoureth with all his myght to let that peace and concord Wherfore the kynge is of this opinion that so longe as his authoritie tyranny and crueltie endureth it is vnpossible to come to agrement
the Ambassadours had sent these requestes vnto the king going than to Wittemberge they passed away the rest of the wynter there And in the meane whyle reasoned with the diuines there of certen articles but their chiefe controuersie was about the mariage of Priestes the Lordes supper the Popyshe masse and monasticall vowes But their chief desyre was that the diuines would approue the kynges diuorsement but they sayde they coulde not do it by the scriptures And whan they had alledged many thinges to perswade the matter and this one chieflye that the byshop Clement varied in his sentence and had declared to the Frenche king in priuate talke what he thought The diuines answered that in case it were so the king had great cause so to do But where they vrged theÌ„ to say the cause was most iust to that would they not grauÌ„t And now when letters were come out of Englande pourporting the declaratioÌ„ of the kynges mynde herein the Ambassadours do aduertise the prince Electour hereof And the .xij. day of Marche at Wittemberge whether the Duke was at that tyme come speaking first many thinges of the kynges great good wil declare how the most part of the requestes do content him if a fewe might be amended And albeit that in England all thinge is quiet neither is there any cause wherfore the kynge should feare any man and if happely any cause hath bene the same is now taken away by the death of his wyfe forsaken neuerthelesse to recouer and mayntayne the true doctrine he doth not refuse to deâ—ray the somme of money whiche they requyre so that the league goe forwarde and hereof wyll treate more at large with theyr Ambassadours And where they offer vnto hym this honour that he shoulde be defendour and paîrone of the league he geueth them great thankes and acknowledgeth their good wil. And although he vnderstandeth with howe muche enuie and displeasure the same is annexed yet for the common wealthes sake he could be contente if they can agree vppon the fyrst and seconde demaunde For vnlesse there be an vniformitie in doctrine he supposeth that this charge can not be greatly to his honour But he would chiefly wyshe that the learned men of his Realme and theirs myght be wholy of one opinion And where he seeth well that the same wyll not be vnlesse certen places of the confession and Apologie of their doctrine maye before through priuate talke be some thynge qualified Therfore he desyreth them instantlye to sende their Ambassadours and amonges them some one that is excellently learned whiche may conferre with his diuines of the whole doctrine and ceremonies and determine the matter And where he sheweth him selfe so lyberall vnto them he requyreth agayne that in case anye man attempte warre againste hym fyrste they wyll ayde hym eyther with fyue hondreth horsemen or els with ten Shippes well manned and fournyshed for foure monethes Further more that vpon his own charges they shall prouyde hym two thousande horsemen and fyue thousande fote men Finally that the sentence whiche the diuines of Wittemberge prononced touchinge the diuorcement made they wold approue also and defende in the next counsell The Duke aunswereth that for as muche as the whole matter concerneth his consortes he wyll make them priuie to it and vse their counsell in the same After the foure and twenty daye of Aprill was assigned for all to mete at Franckeforth both for this and other causes And firste they prescribe there a fourme for their Ambassadours to followe whiche should be sent into Englande wherein it was prouided amoÌ„ges other thinges that whan they shall come thether perchaunce coÌ„clude vpoÌ„ a league that in al thinges they do except by expresse wordes the Empire the Emperour vnto whom they are bounde by their othe fidelitie Ambassadour for the citie was appointed Iames Sturmius and the diuines were Melanchthon Bucer and George Draco In this assemblie were receyued into the league Ulriche Duke of Wyrtemberge Bernine and Philippe brethren Dukes of Pomerane George and Ioachime bretherne Countes of Anhalde Moreouer the cities of Auspurge Franckeforte Kempten Hamborough Haunobria they treated also of other thynges appertayning to the league and defence therof of the iudgement of the imperial chaÌ„ber It was decreed moreouer to sende messengers and letters to the Emperour thereby to aunswere to the Epistle sent them froÌ„ Naples And where as George Duke of Saxon for the exceadyng hatred he bare to Luthers doctrine was oftentymes at great coÌ„tention and sute with the Prynce Electour of Saxon this mans father and at the last an agrement was made and nowe broken againe by the sayde Duke George diuerse wayes The Prynce Electour declaringe the whole matter by his Ambassadours to his consortes in this assemblie requestyng to be assisted with their ayde and counsell in case he attempte anye force or violence After the assemblie brake vp the tenth day of May. And in the begynning of Iune the kynge of Englande hauyng coÌ„dempned his wyue Quene Anne of adultrye and inceste but vniustly as it is supposed and proued synce causeth her head to be stryken of after that she had borne hym a daughter calleth Elizabeth And with her were executed certen Gentlemen of the kynges priuie chaumbre Noreis Weston Brewton and one Markes whiche contrary to his conscience as it is reported for hope of preferement subscribed to a byll whereby he condempned both hym selfe and all the reste For where the Lorde Admirall Fizt Williams that was after Erle of Southhampton sayde vnto hym subscribe Markes and see what wyll come of it he subscribed and receyued therfore a rewarde vnloked for And also the Lorde of Rochforte the Quenes brother through the false accusation of that errant strompet his wyfe whiche afterwardes suffered therfore accordynge to her desertes Whiche doulfull tragedie toke cleane awaye the Ambassade that should haue been sent into Englande Whan the warre was hotely begonne betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng Paule the thyrde publisheth a wrytinge vnder his Bulles of lead the somme wherof is to call a counsell at Mantua against the .xxiij. day of May in the yeare followyng commaunding al Archbishops and byshops other heads of churches to be there at the same day vnder the penaltie by the ecclesiasticall lawes prescribed for disobedieÌ„ce Furthermore he chargeth desireth the Emperour kings and princes al others which either by lawe or custome haue interest to be there for the loue of Christe the coÌ„mon welthes sake to come in persone or if they be otherwyse letted thaÌ„ to send their Ambassadours with their full authoritie to remayne tyll the ende of the counsell that the churche may be refourmed heresies weded cleane out and warre attempted against the ennemies of ReligioÌ„ This was the effect therof whereunto subscribed sixe and twenty Cardinalles The seuenth of Iune kyng Ferdinando sent Iames Sturcelly a Ciuilian Ambassadour from Insprucke to the Swycers I
these matters of the maner of the othe of the nōber also of the disputers and of geuing of voyces they had a longe altercation For when the catholickes perceyued that the counsellours of the Paulsgraue the Marques of Brādenburg electours also of the Duke of Cleaue were inclined towardes the Protestants fearing lest they shoulde be ouer coōmen with voices of a set pourpose differred the matter from day to day tyll such tyme as they had other worde from themperour as herafter I shall declare And the second daye of Ianuary they doe propounde new and straunge condicyons that of the whole nomber ther should be chosē two diuines to reason the matter that the scribes should wryte theyr argumentes and delyuer them to the presydentes that the lesse parte shoulde not bee bounden to followe the opinion of the greater vnlesse themperoure and the states of th empyre shoulde thynke it expediente that the notaryes shoulde not write all the talke of the reasoners but the bare sentences whether they wer agreed vpon or left in controuersie that the decree of Auspurge and such other lyke shoulde neuertheles be of force But the Protestantes agayn require that forasmuche as ther bee .xxii. on bothe partes appoynted to conferre euery man mighte speake hys mynde And that not only the bare sentences but also the Argumentes and reasons with the probations of the same be committed to wrytyng They declare also that it is vnreasonable in this most holy cause of al others to follow the opinion of any part not rather the prescripte of gods worde or to compell any man that he shoulde eyther thynke or speake against it Whilest the time was thus prolonged the Protestantes oftētimes cōplain thereof and desire that the disputation of the doctrine propounded at Auspurge may accordinge to the decree of Hagenawe be forthewith commenced especially consyderyng the same to be a frendly disceptation and not captious to th entent a certen way vnto concorde might be prepared The diuines also which were there very many required the same as Melancthon Capito Bucer Osiander Brentius Caluine Alesius a Scot sent thither by the marques of Brandenburge diuers others vnto whom wer annexed Symon Grineus and Iohn Sturmius At the last aboute the Ides of Ianuary the catholickes choose Iohn Eekius and thothers Melancthon to dispute together And first of all to th entent they might procede in order they Reason of originall synne by course in open consistory but beholde the thirde day after the disputation began Themperours letters wer brought to Granuellan and to the rest of Ambassadours wherin he differreth the whole matter vntill the assemble at Regenspurge commaunding chiefly the Protestantes to come thither Granuellan to repare vnto hym with all syede These letters beyng red in the consistorie the xviii daye of Ianuary Granuellan exhorteth them to obey themperoure and come vnto Regenspurge for he is very desyrous of peace And yf he him self by occasion of talke hath spoken any thyng roughly he desyreth them not to take it in euell part and promiseth to beare hys good wyll towards the publyke weale Whereunto the Protestantes say how they are ryght sory that the disputation had not begō a great whyle souner and that they cānot now procede further therin but for asmuch as themperour doeth so commaund they must obey Wherfore they wyll now retourn home to declare howe all thinges stande and doubte not but their Princes and cities will gratifye thēperour herin Notwithstandyng in case it be longe or euer they come or sende they ar to be holden excused by reason the time is but shorte In thys assemble was also Peter Paul Uerger bishop of Iustinople in worde as for the Frenche kyng but sent in dede by the Bishop of Roome who supposed that he myght serue hys tourne better beynge there in another mans name he made an oration of the vnitie peace of the churche and settyng it foorthe in prynte he gaue it there to dyuers Wherein he goeth about chiefly to proue that we maye not ones thynke vpon a counsell prouinciall for that same Assembly dyd represente a certen shew of the lyke thyng and semed to prepare the waye for the Byshop coulde abyde nothynge worse and Uergerius knewe hys mynde full well By hym therefore and by suche others of the bisshops ministers the thynge was letted and at the lengthe dyssolued For in tractyng of the tyme fyndyng of delayes they seeke startyng holles and wayes to escape In the begynnyng of Ianuary themperoure takyng hys Iorney from Brussels came vnto Mentz the head citie of Lorayne from thence by Spires he goeth to Regenspurge by the way sent those for sayd letters to Grāuellā he traueled by Norinberge whiche citie he had not sene before and was receyued with moste sumptuous preparation The eleuenth day of Februarye Philyp Schabotte Admirall of Fraunce a man of great honour beyng brought into suspicion with the kynge for not acquitinge himselfe in the warre of Sauoye beefore mentyoned after longe and mooche inquisityon of hys demeanoure was condemned of extortyon and treason and depriued of al his honour dignities which he had most ample without all hope of restitution and was committed to prison at Uincen not farre frō Paris William Poiet Chaūcelor of Fraūce gaue this sentence at Mellon at the which Iudgement were all the notable men and Iudges in the lawe in all Fraunce Albeit that sentences geuen after this sort are wont euer to be dissolued or altered yet by the kynges authoritie not longe after he was cleane released as ye shall heare afterwardes About this time also Maurice the son of Henry Duke of Saxonie maried Agnes daughter to the Lantzgraue In the moneth of Marche diuers Princes and states resorted to Regenspurge when themperor had taried for them a certen space Thither came also the Lantzgraue with a great company almost atthende of Marche And the nexte daye wente to themperor with his garde about him of whom he was receiued right gentlye The duke of Saxonie sent thither a most honorable Ambassador and Diuines among whom was Melanchton From the Bishoppe of Rome also came Caspar Contarene a right famous Cardinall There were present the prince Elector of Brandenburg Friderick and Otto Henry Paulsegraues William and Lewis dukes of Bauier Henry duke of Brunswike Charles duke of Sauoie George marques of Brandenburge Philip Duke of Pomerane moreouer the Bishops of Mentz Salisburg Breme Bamberg Spires Auspurge Eistet Constance Hildessene Brixie Passaw Aboute this time came forth and was brought to Regenspurge a boke of Martin Luthers very vehement written in the vulgare tounge against the Duke of Brunswycke In the last boke before this I mētioned of this dukes inuectiues against the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue And where in a booke set forth of late he called the Duke of Saxō Heretike rebel Cain Monster Eesope hauing nether vertu or qualitie of body
as well ciuile as ecclesiasticall maye or ought to be reformed he for hys parte will leaue nothyng vndone herein doubtyng not but the bishops legate is also inclyned to the same The Senate of Princes consisteth for the moste parte of Bisshops Therefore the nomber of them preuayled whyche bothe reiected the booke exibited by themperoure and also the whole treaty of the collocutours and the reason therof was cōprised in writing somewhat extremely but what tyme the Electours and certain other prynces that loued the common wealth would not assent therto another wryting was framed and delyuered to themperoure the second day of Iuly wherin they doo admonyshe hym that as the advocate and defendour of the churche he doe communicate the whole matter with the Bysshops Legate accordyng to the decree of Hagenaw especially those articles which the collocutours haue agreed vpon and that they bee wayghed dilligentlye whether there bee anye thynge in them that eyther in sence or in woordes is agaynst the doctryne of the godly exposytours or also the custom of the church moreouer incase any thyng be darkely spoken that it may be declared and that after that done he hymself do make reporte to the states of their opinion and what his mynde is touching the same and that he wold be in hande with the Protestantes that they woulde be contented to be instructed in the resydewe of the articles that be in controuersie or yf that can not be obtayned that than the matter be referred either to a generall counsell or els to a prouinciall Sinode of Germanye Amonges the states wer sertayne that hyndred the reformation of Relygion and it is thought that by their motion the whole treaty was referred to the Bisshops legate Themperoure aunswered to the same the .vii. day of Iuly How he had supposed that the collocutours wold haue vttered theyr myndes more playnly especially consyderyng that they had the booke so long by them but for asmoche as they stick herein he wyll follow theyr counsell and will know the legates mynd in euery poynte to th entent he will omit nothynge that conserneth hys dewtie The Protestantes also declare vnto themperour by wryting what theyr mynde is and open more at full the doctryne reconsyled and shew that it is not harde to accord the reste in lyke case and saie that they kepe thē selues to their confession at Auspurge Than touching the third request of the Emperour cōcerning the ciuil gouernment of the cōmen wealth they say howe the lawes that were made .xi. yere since at Auspurge must be put in vre execution and shew how thecclesiastical function may be restored if the gospel be taught sincerely if according to the aunciēt lawes the ministers of churches may be chosen by the cōsent of the people if the bishops doe retaine styll in their own hādes the ciuile ministration for asmuch as of an old custome they them selues neither wil nor can do it they appoint others to execute their spiritual office finde them of their reuenewes if the ministers of the churche may be frely permitted to mary If that foule bying sellyng whiche is of sondry sortes of Simon Magus is called Simony may be vtterly taken away if the goodes may be so distributed as the law made long since prescribe if chyldrē be brought vp invertue in their yougth learne the first principles of the christiā doctrine if notable offēdours be expulsed out of the cōmuniō of the church til they come again to amēdement that the Magistrate do his duty herein abolishe al idolatrie if thecclesiastical iudgemētes might be had as it were censours or maisters of maners apointed to enquire diligētli of the behauiour of the ministers people of their faultes vices Themperour as I told you before doth cōmunicate the whole matter with the bishops legate nd requireth him instantly that the state of the cōmon wealth but chiefly of the church myght be refourmed Wherunto the legate answered for as muche as the protestātes in certen opinions do swarue from the cōmon consent of the churche and yet there is some hope that in fine they wil come into the way againe he after diligent cōsideration of the whole cause thinketh mete that there be no further determinatiō made touching any matter but that the whole treaty be referred to the byshop who assuredly wyl either by a generall counsell or by some other meane fitte for the tyme deuyse that thing in this controuersie that shal profit the whole common wealth but chiefly of Germanye Afterwarde to the intent he might seme to be desirous of a refourmation he calleth home to hym al the byshops there geueth them lessons how they should demeane thē selues in al things gouerne their families haue care of the flock cōmitted to their charge how they should beware of errours appoint learned preachers to resiste them bestow their benefices vpon mete persones how they ought to imploy the churche goodes to the vse of the poore and not to spende thē in riot or in any superfluous vse howe they should se yougth brought vp in good litterature knowledge of tongues which thing the protestantes do exceadingly by that meanes allure all yougth vnto them infecte them with their doctrine how it is the dutie of the bishops to warne the parētes that thei sēde not their children to suche places where there is daunger of heresie with diuers other lyke thinges which after he delyuered in wryting to bysshops that desyred it and also themperoure Who the .xii. day of Iuly reporteth to all the states what aunswere he had made And for by cause it appeareth that there can be nomore determined in this assēbly concernynge relygion and the Turke maketh great preparation both by sea and lande to inuade Christendome he thinketh it chieflly requisite that the treaty be brought to an ende and that decrees bee made concernyng religion peace and ayde against the Turke wherfore he requireth to know theyr mindes whether they thinke it expedient that those articles of doctrine which the collocutours haue accorded shal be receyued till a generall or an other imperyall counsel to th entent the controuersy of Religion for the whiche they haue so many yeares bene tourmoyled may be somewhat abated that the residue not as yet agreed vpon may hereafter more easelye be brought to an vniformitie For he wyll go streight way to the Byshop that he may certenly knowe what to trust to as shortly as he can wyll retourne into Germany to se to the common wealth prouided always that these thinges be nothing preiudiciall to the decree of Auspurge Whan the diuines of the Protestantes had red the two forsayd wrytinges of Contarene they aunswer with one accorde and shewe that he doth them wrong and say that considering his learning they loked for much better things at his hande where also he exhorteth the Princes to punishment and
the same tyme he sayed he muste nedes gooe whan in deede he fled and leafte Germany for appraye to the enemie than approchynge throughe hys faulte the yong infante of Iohn Uayuode and his owne brother Fernando and all the Realme of Hongary are fallen into thys calamitie he telleth with a brauerye as thoughe he came to Aegnesmortes to confirme the peace but yf there be any prayse in thys thynge it ought rather to bee ascribed vnto hym whiche wente fyrste in to the Shyppe to hym and after also sente hys chyldrene thyther wherein surely there was great daunger bothe of hym selfe that can truste no man and also of Androwe de Anxie hys Admirall a man of a subtyll and craftie witte After he tooke hys Iorney through Fraunce at his requeste in dede but when he had fyrste by hys Ambassadour letters and Messagers craued thys of hym and offered hym Millan he alledgeth nonne other causes but he was constrayned of necessitie for the Rebellion of Gaunte to passe that waye where he sayeth howe consultation was had to haue stayed hym it is faulse neuer came into hys thought He did the Duke of Sauoye no wronge but when he denyed him bothe hys mothers dowarye and in herytaunce and woulde not permitte hym to redeme Nice and besydes dyd euyll intreate hys Lieutenauntes and soldiours he recouered by foorce of Armes that he coulde not gette by lawe and equitie especyallye syns he wrought all thinges in a maner at the Emperours pleasure whose vse and propertye is to perswade other Kynges subiectes to reuolte after to bryng them to miserye As for example the Dukes of Bourbon Sauoye the Prynce of Salarne And Duke Henry of Brunsewicke He is also chargeable and hurtful to his kinse folkes and alies to Christierne king of Denmarke to Fernando his brother to hym chieflye whiche hathe maried his eldeste syster For that the Turke hathe of late inuaded Hongarye and taken the chyefe Cytye it ought not to be ascribed vnto hym but to hymselfe and hys brother whiche layed wayte for the yonge Heyre Uayuodes sonne and made warre agaynste hym And so aunswereth to euerye poynte of the Emperoures Letters concernynge the Turke and hys Ambassadoures sente vnto hym touchynge the Germanes Relygyon and counsell that he will seme to bee in no faulte but to deserue well the Title of the mooste Christian Kynge geuen longe syns to hys noble progenitours And in fyne desyreth the Bisshop to geue no credyte to the sclaunderous reporte of hys aduersary but to thynke howe there is nothynge that he wyll not bee glad to doe for the common welthes sake and hys and for the Churche of Roome A little before this time dyed Willyam Bellaye of Langeis of whom wee haue oftetymes mentioned a man of moche honoure and vertue and an especyall ornamente of the Frenche Nobilytye by reason of hys notable learnynge Eloquence Experyence and syngular aptnes in all affayres farre vnlyke vnto the moste parte that followe the lawe which seeke onlye to auaunce and augemente they re ryches but he was of so noble a courage that he had thys respect onely howe he myght through more vertue wynne trewe renowne and serue hys Prynce trewelye thoughe it were to hys owne hynderaunce I tolde you beefore of Fraunces Lander a preacher of Paris Whan he had made a doubtfull aunswer to the articles propounded and perseuered styll in hys Preachynge two or three dayes before Easter he was commytted to warde Thys was doone by the procuremente of the Diuines which had accused hym to the lieutenaunte Criminell Within a fewe daies after the Kynge came to Sangermane whyche is a little Towne and Castell by the Ryuer of Seine fyue myles benethe Paris and beyng infourmed of the whole matter calleth the Preacher beefore hym He whan he came thither beynge put in feare by some mennes woordes whyche sayed howe the kynge was sore offended declared not that constancye whyche many men looked for at hys hande And beynge caryed agayne vnto Parys the .xxix. daye of Aprill he was enforced to recant suche thynges as he had taught before For on that day in the Cathedral Church did assemble the Senatours and iudges of the Parlamente moreouer all the Magistrates and officers of Parys and a great nomber of Diuines After the Church dores wer made faste and men set in Armure to dryue a waye the people Whan all were placed hys opinions were recyted and beynge demaunded of euery one what he beleued therein he aunswered as pleased them confessynge howe he had erred and promyseth all obedyence from hencefoorthe and acknoweledgeth those Articles of doctryne which fryste the Diuines and after the Kynges counsell propounded vnto hym to bee trewe and godlye After the same sorte also they handled an other Preacher Depensius thoughe not with so greate a solemnitie for whan he had at the fyrste made hys retractatyon nothynge playnlye he was compelled an other daye in hys sermon beefore the people to declare eche thynge distinctelye and apertelye tyll the Divines there present were fully satisfyed In Fraunce liued Clemente Marotte who in the vulgare tounge surmounted far al Poetes that eyther wee before hys dayes or that liued also in his tyme. He had no greate knowledge in the latyn tongue but yet through the company of learned menne he profyted verye moche Neyther was there any thynge almost in the bookes of Poetes but he kneweit so that out of theyr woorkes he tooke moche and applyed it to hys pourpose Thus did he translate certeÌ„ thinges couertly out of Tibullus Propertius and Ouide into hys owne elegies And our of Gaâ—â—llus he tooke the Marriage of Hercules Duke of Farrare and Senate Armoricke Daughter to Lewes the .xij. Kynge of Fraunce He translated also moste excellently the fyrst booke of Ouides Metamorphosys And in his later dayes he bente all his writynges to holy scripture and was prefixed to haue expressed Dauid his Psalter in Frenche metre but taken away through sickenes he finished only fyfty Psalmes which now remaine and are red not without thadmiration of hys excellent wit for nothinge is more pleasaunte than hys style nothynge purer than his speache nothyng apter or more pleasaunt than hys Rythme And he set them foorthe thys yeare at Geneua whither he repaired what tyme hee myghte not safelye make longer a bode in Fraunce for suspycyon of Lutheranisme he had prynted .xxx. Psalmes two yeares before in Parys but with moche diffycultye for thys myghte he not doo beefore the Doctours of Sorbone had pronounced that there was nothynge conteyned in that booke contrary to the Chrystyane fayth Thys peraduenture maketh not moche to our pourpos but I thought good to commend the name of so excellent an Artificer also to other nations for in Fraunce hys memoryal shal endure to the last posterytie and most men be of thys opinion that it shall be ryght harde for anye man to matche hym in thys kynde of
ouerthrowe at Argiers suffered Shipwreake was drowned And this opinion was so setrled in the myndes of the Cleauois that they would neyther credite them whiche sayed they had sene hym nor scarsely those that had spoken with hym The Prynce hym selfe also was lykewyse perswaded by acerten fatall credulitie The Frenche men were thought to be authors and forgers of this vanitie lest the Cleauois should releÌ„t and for feare of Themperours power fall to some coÌ„position Themperour receyuing this aunswer whan he had fortyfyed his camp and furnished it with all thinges the .xxiiii. day of August before the soÌ„ne rysyng he beginneth to make his battery and after geueth thassault especyally by the Spanyardes whyche were exceadyng preste and wyllyng They beyng often repulsed and hauyng loste many of their men neuer ceased before they had taken it by force The fortune of the Townes men was suche as is wonte to bee whan the waye and entrie is made by the sword Howbeit here was wont to be shewed the head of Saint Anne our Ladyes mother and thither came yearelye a greate multitude of people at the. xxvi daie of Iuly whyche is dedicated to that sainct But the Spaniardes being victours caried that head inclosed in golde with a greate pompe deuoutely into the graie Freres Churche lest it shoulde bee lost in that Ruine and burnyng of the Churche After the Towne was spoyled and distroyed by fyre Themperour Marchinge forewarde had rendred vnto hym Gulick and than Ruremunde a stronge Towne of Gelderlande situated where the Ryuer of Rure and the Mase mete For the sodein distructyon of Dure broughte all men into a wonderfull feare and perplexitie From Ruremunde he goeth to Uenlon Thither at the laste came the Duke of Cleaue to hym into his Campe accompanyed with Henry Duke of Brunsewicke and the Ambassadours of the Archebishop of Collon And what time he humbly besought Themperoure to perdon hym the Duke of Brunswicke also and the Ambassadours ernestly intreated for hym Themperoure at the last ryseth vp and appoynteth the Prynce of Orenge and Granuellane to prescribe lawes vnto hym Therefore vpon these conditions he was receyued againe into fauoure the seuenth daye of September He shall not departe from the relygyon of the Catholycke Churche yf he haue altered any thynge let it be restored that he promyse hys fydelytie allegeaunce to themperour to king Fernando to thempire that he doe renounce the league of Fraunce and of Denmarke He shall make no confederacie wherin he shall not excepte Themperoure Fernando and their heires He shall leaue the possession of all Gelderlande and release the people of they re othe And in case any place or places shall refuse to render that he shall than ayde the Emperoure to recouer the same The Emperoure agayne restoreth vnto hym the Lande of Gulycke latelye Conquered excepte two Townes Henseberge and Syttarde whyche hee wyll kepe for a tyme tyll he haue somme experience of hys fydelytie and Loyaltye Whylest the Emperoure wente agaynste the Duke of Cleaue the Frenche Kynge Marcheth throughe Champagne towardes the lande of Luke And sendeth for the Lady Iane hys Systers Daughter whyche was despoused and solemnelye Maryed two yeares before to the Duke of Cleaue to carye her to her Husbande She wente full sore agaynste her wyll as I shewed you beefore Howbeit she obeyed the Kynge her Uncle The Kynge appoynted vnto her Cardynall Bellaye Bysshop of Parys as a man mooste meete to perswade with her and kepe her companye all that Iorneye When she was commen nowe to the Soyssons to goe from thence to the Kynge woorde was broughte that the Duke of Cleaue was subdewed Wherwith beeyng greatlye reioyced she sawe then that shee nede to feare the thinge no longer and knewe what wolde bee the ende thereof Neyther was she deceaued at all For the Kynge at these newes was sore astonyed And so she retourneth home but he neuerthelesse procedynge taketh the Cytyo of Lucemburge aboute th ende of September and after delyberatyon had fortyfyeth it Aboute thys tyme also Henry the eyghte Kynge of Englande confederated latelye with the Emperoure sendeth hym a power of men by the conducts of Syr Iohn wallop Capytayne of Guisnes whyche Ioynynge with Themperoures Armye beesege the Towne of Landersey In the Moneth of October Charles Rosset a Lawyer was sente by the Emperoure to Mentz who there tooke order with the Senate Monkes and Clergie for the obseruing of the olde relygion bannysshynge the Preachers and others that were inclyned to the Protestantes vnles they shoulde reconcile them selues within a certeine tyme. Whan Barbarousse had beeseaged the Castell of Nice in vayne and that Themperoures power out of LuÌ„bardye also approched whyche was led by the Marques of Piscare he leuyed the sege and somewhat sooner than the tyme of the yeare requyred he leadeth backe hys Armie to wynter at Tollon for that Towne had the Kynge assigned hym commaundyng all the CitezeÌ„s and inhabiters to auoyde thence This yeare was moche dissention and trouble in Scotlande the mindes of the nobles beyng deuyded For those Lordes whyche we sayed were prisoners in Englande being libâ—â—ally dismissed of the kynge furthered hys cause as moche as they myght But the Cardinall of Scotlande who had great yerely reuenewes by benefyces in Fraunce and the Quene beynge Daughter to the Duke of Guyse tooke the Frenche Kynges parte After the death of the Scottish king Henry the eyght was wholy in this that the yonge Quene of Scottes might be affianced to Prince Edward his soÌ„ In the which thing those nobles that I spake of did him good seruyce And when they had perswaded HameltoÌ„ the gouernour they toke the Cardinall and besege the Quene in a certen castell and makyng the wrytynges confyrme the marriage But where the French kynge disturbed this deuyse And the Nobilitie also pitied moche the Quenes chaunce and the gouernoure reuolted to thother syde they brake theyr conuenauntes And the warres beganne agayne afresihe betwixt them and England as shal be declared herafter The kyng of Denmarke had also warre with Themperialles of the low countrye for Kyng Christierne that was captiue And he axed ayde of the Protestantes but they saye how thys quarel concerneth not theyr league for it was prouyded that in case he shoulde haue warre for hys religion that then he shoulde by their coÌ„mon ayde be defended When the Duke of Cleaue had made hys peace with TheÌ„perour he sendeth his Ambassadoure to the Kynge of Fraunce and renounceth hys league and requyreth that his wyfe maye bee sente hym for whose passage he hathe obteyned a saufe conduite of Themperoure The kynge aunswereth the Ambassadour howe there hath ben no let in hym that he hath not bothe had his wyfe delyuered and an Armye also sente but that it hath ben hys owne faulte which certifyed that ther was neyther open way for them to passe in those parties nor vitaile to be had What
many thinges of the Roades invasions of the Turkes craueth aide After this immediatly the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue with their confederates addressing their oratiō to thēperour you know saye they moste victorious Emperoure howe we haue offered oure selues euer syns the beginnynge to declare before this moste honorable Senate the cause of our defence taken agaynst Henry of Brunswicke And be yet also of the same will and mynde doubtyng not but when the matter shal be hearde there shall appeare vnto you weyghty and iust causes wherfore we were dryuen to it of necessitie and that it is not lawfull for hym to be present here in the counsell of Princes Howbeit because we see hym put hymselfe in prease to occupie a place in thys most noble consistorye moche agaynste oure willes in as moche as we can or maye we doe protest that wee neyther take hym nor acknoweledge hym for a Prynce of Thempire neyther will that any right of oures shoulde through hys presence be diminished Wherunto the Duke of Brunswicke aunswereth streyghte waye by hys Chauncelour The Duke of Saxō sayeth he the Lantzgraue and theyr fellowes breakyng both gods law and mans law infringing the statutes of thempire and the faythe publicke by violence and open wronge haue spoiled me of my countrey For the which cause I haue accused thē to the Iudges of the chāber And seeyng it is so they ought to haue no place in the Senate of Thempire and yf they had any they haue nowe lost the same by committing that acte and are worthye whose companye all men shoulde eschewe But if it so be that I muste nedes syt by thē in comon counselles I protest that I do neyther attribute this place vnto them nor will therfore that the same should be preiudicial to my case The Protestantes were verye desyrous euen than to haue recited the cause of theyr enterpryse and the whole matter in wrytynge leste hys complaynte shoulde appere to be trewe or settle in mennes heartes But Thēperour by Fridericke Palatyne and by Nauius required them forasmoch as the day was farre spent that they wold differre it affirming also that he wolde assigne thē a day for the pourpos and so they followed hys mynde And because as the Princes sat in counsell it fortuned that the Lantzgraue sate next to the Duke of Brunswicke the Prince of Palatine Iohn Suner for the auoyding of stryfe arryseth out of hys place and sytteth downe in the myddes betwixte them bothe protestyng before that the same shoulde bee no preiudice to hym or to his familye Yt was thought he did it at Thēperours request The day before the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue had intreated Fridericke the Paulsegraue and Iohn Nauie that they wold so deuise with Themperour that the Duke of Brunswicke might not come in the comon assemblie but it could not be obtayned Themperour alledging that he might not be excluded vnlesse the causes were fyrst declared The Frenche kyng knowing for certētie that Themperour wold make a greuous complaynte on hym to the Prynces determineth a most honorable Ambassad Iohn Bellaie Cardinal Fraunces Oliuer chauncelour of Alensō Affricane Malley presydent of Diuion whan these wer commen to Nance a Towne in Lorayne they remayne there lookyng for Themperours saufcondict For the king had sent before to Spier an Heraulte for the same cause with letters to Themperour and seuerall letters also to the Princes Electours wherin he required saufe conduite for hys Ambassadours And when he came to Spier about the ende of Februarye in hys rich cote of armes as is accustomed he was stayed by Granuellan vnto whom he delyuereth the kyng his maisters letters written to Themperoure whan he myghte not otherwyse doe and declareth the cause of hys comyng requyring that Thambassadours which are not farre of maye accordyng to the law of Armes haue saufconduite beyng cōmaunded to tary within and dilligētly watched that no man should come to speake with hym the fourth day after he was dismissed with most sharpe wordes that he had played a fond part and was in daūger to haue lost hys head whych durste presume to come thyther For the kynge beyng enemy to Germany hathe not to doe with in the lymites of Th empyre neyther is he worthy to enioye the law of Nations let hym retourne home therfore and tell the kynge thus Howe ther is no cause that herafter either he or any other may comefor him And nowe in dede this fault is forgiuen and perdoned more of themperours clemencie than of his desert but let him take hede from hēceforthe or els he wil not escape vnpunnisshed For he hath don against the law of armies neyther was it laweful for hym to haue comen into Themperours habitation without his leaue and permissiō And touchyng the letters whyche he sayeth he hath the kyng hath so well deserued of the Christen publicke weale and chefely of Germanye that in thys present state of thynges Themperour neyther wyll nor ought to receyue them lest by hys accustomed maner of writing and promises eyther he or also others myghte be disceaued This aunswer was delyuered vnto hym wrytten in Frenche And thus was he sent back with the kynges letters wrytten to Themperour and Prynces and certen horsemen were sente with hym to conduite him to Nance To this were not the Princes made priuie And many thoughte it was done agaynst the custome of th empyre Thys thyng knowen the Ambassadours were in a pecke of troubles and toke great thought how to retourne home without daunger and vsing the counsell of Authony Duke of Lorayne they went a waye secretly in the nyght season and so retourned into Fraūce Whylest they yet remayned at Nance Christine the Dukes daughter in lawe was sente to Spier that the thing which neither he could nor certen others that might she which was Themperours Nece by his sister through her intreaty teares and by a certen commendation of her kind obtayne but yet was this in vayne For Themperour was wholy bent to haue warre And hys counsellours sayde he muste so doe to mayntaine hys estimation and dignytie The Duke of Lorayne albeit he was addicte to neyther had long syns couenaunted with them both that he myght be a newter yet for asmoche as the warre was to be kepte vpon hys frontiers and sawe howe that coulde not be done without hys greate losse domage was verye carefull for peace The .ix. daye of Februarye certen Priuces through Themperours motion wryt letters frō Spire to the Bisshop of Roome partely commendyng hym for that the laste yere he adioyned hys force with Themperours to rescue the Castell of Nice partly requiring him that for as moch as the enemye is now reparyng his nauie at Tollone to repare agayne to Nice and to win that Castell which shoulde be a greate shame and a sore anoyeaunce vnto Italy the Churche of Roome all the common welth he which is the
yeres before as is declared And Sygismunde Kynge of Poole defended hym as hys Cliente And nowe what tyme an other was inuested as I haue sayed the kynges Ambassadoure proteâ—ted openlye that thys creation was vnlawfull neyther that it oughte to bee any derogation to the Kynge hys Master vnder whose defence and protection is the Lande of Prusse Whan the Ambassadours of Hongary had recited theyr misfortune and losse of the yeare paste they requyred ayde of Th empyre For nowe is the matter broughte to the verey extremitie and yf they bee nowe leafte destitute they must nedes doe as men are wont in matters desperat and for the which no man can blame theÌ„ they wil accept right harde conditions yea boÌ„dage it selfe rather that whilest other men sit still loke on they should fal into present destructioÌ„ How the FreÌ„ch kings Heraulte was sent away from Spier with his letters it is before declared whan the ambassadours therfore wer retourned home the oratioÌ„ which they should haue had before the states of germany they set forth in print In the beginning to get good will they say how bothe nations haue one the same originall neither can any thing chaunce vnto germany which apperteineth not as wel vnto Fraunce ThaÌ„ do they coÌ„fute the reportes of their aduersaries as though the king with an other warre should disturbe the coÌ„mon welth haue made league with the Turke vsing a certeÌ„ preface to appeace themperour And affirme how the former warre was begon for that the king could not obteine of the duke of Sauoie his mothers inheritauÌ„ce And this later for the kinges ambassadours which wer slain against the law of all nations And that the king hathe no league nor societie with the Turke but for marchandise coÌ„mon quiet such as the Uenetians PoloniaÌ„s others haue And albeit ther wer any league betwixt theÌ„ it wer not to be reprehended for asmoch as in times past both AbrahaÌ„ Dauid SalomoÌ„ Phineas the children of Tobie captaines of the Machabeis haue done the like After also themperours Honorius CoÌ„staÌ„tine Theodostus the yonger Iustinian the secoÌ„d Palaologus Leo Frederick the first second haue vsed the aide succour of nations of a contrary religioÌ„ And doubtles Fredericke the second was euen vpon the shoulders of the saracens caried again into Italy froÌ„ whence the bisshopes of Rome had expulsed him They know how great powers aide the king hath oftener than once promised to the Turkish warre Hereof also the Bishop and Senate of Cardinalles are good wytnesses The cause whye the Turke inuaded Hongarye was for the contentyon aboute the gouernemente And after was moore provoked by the war in Affricke for the taking of Townes And where of late the Turkisshe nauie came into the Ligurian Sea it is not to be imputed to the kynge neyther maketh it to the pourpose that Poline the kinges seruaunt was in the same For thinteÌ„t of Barbarousse was to searche and take Androwe de Aurie his enemie And when he could not fynde hym he beseged the castell of Nice and that of hys owne determination The kyng in dede hath taken trewes with the Turke lyke as he hath at other tymes shewed them which is honest hurtfull to no man for the which he ought not to be blamed consydering that the greatest men that be haue also lately muche desyred the same The state of the publyke weale is sore afflicted and for that is the kynge right sory And by this meane maie peace be recouered if Themperoure will restore to the Kinge that thinge that is his owne ryghte and in heritaunce Yf they can brynge thys to passe the kinge wyll spare neyther trauell cost nor perill to defende Germanye from all foreine violence In the fourmer bookes you haue hearde how the Duke of Saxon wolde not acknoweledge Fernando to be kynge of Romanes but in thys conuention that matter wente through in the moneth of Maye and the Duke promised to honour hym accordingly Themperour agayne ratifyeth the Marriage conuenauntes betwixte hym and the house of Cleaue whiche euer before he refused permitteth that in case the Duke of Cleaue fortune to dye withoute heyres malles that the Duke of Saxon whiche had maryed hys syster and his heires males should succede him yet vpon thys condicioÌ„ if before that chaunce they shal agree vpoÌ„ religion And for a further bande of amitye Fernando by Themperours consente promiseth to geue his daughter Elenore in marriage to the Duke of SaxoÌ„s eldest sonne yf a reconcilemente in religion may be had before she be marying able This latter thyng was kepte verey secret and closely couered on eyther syde so that neyther the Lantzgraue and hys fellowes knewe anye thynge thereof For the matter was done by a fewe counsellours and Themperoure vsed Granuellane Feruando Hoffeman the Duke of Saxon Pontane and Burcarte The King of DeÌ„marke also sendynge hys Ambassadours fell to a composytion with Themperoure where before he had kepte hys power all the wynter longe for the chaunce that myghte haue happened he semed to forsake the Frenche Kynges frendeshyp for the Turkyshe confederacye for somuch the Ambassadours dyd sygnyfye in famylyar talke with their fellowes Nowe wyll we retourne to the demaundes of Themperoure and Kynge Fernando The matter beyng longe and muche debated the tenth daye of Iune the conuention ended The States of Th empyre albeit they thoughte it muche to bee charged with double ayde yet supposynge that they shoulde the better warre agaynste the Turke yf the domesticall enemie were fyrste broughte vnto hys bewtye graunted to Themperoure monye to fynde foure thousande Horsemen and .xxiiii. thousande footemen for halfe a yere agaynst the Frenche kynge And with parte of that monye Themperouce departeth to hys brother Fernando to thentente he shoulde fortifye suche places as are nere the Turkes And for the Turkishe warre to come they agreed that moneye shouldbe gathered of euerye man throughe oute Germany all men to be seased after theyr landes and goodes and no man to bee exempted and enacted that no man shoulde serue any foreine Prynces especyally the Frenche Kynge and the Magistrate permitted to execut those that were taken with the maner Because the controuersy of relygyon could not in these warlycke affaires bee treated on it is differred tyll the nexte assemblye to bee holden in the moneth of December In the meane season wyll Themperoure appoynte certen good and well learned men to compile some godlye fourme of reformation and also exhorteth the Princes to do the lyke to the ende that throughe a Conference made in the next assemblye somethyng by common assent may be establysshed to be obserued vntyll a generall counsel to be holden in Germany or a prouincial Sinode of the same In the meane tyme let all men be quyet and styre vp no trouble for the dyuersitie of Relygion and that the Churches also of what relygion so euer they bee maye
inioye theyr commodytyes on eyther partie and parte of those goodes to be imployed to the fynding of the mynisters of the Churche of free Schooles and the poore the iudges of the Chamber shall kepe theyr place vntyll the tyme prefixed whan the same shal be expired than shall all be receyued into that nomber indifferently without respecte of relygion The decre of Auspurge and all actions commenced agaynst the Protestantes for doctryne sake the case also of Goslarie and Minden to hang in suspence vntill the nexte treaty The Anabaptistes to suffer punishement long synce for them determined Yet shall the magistrates assigne learned and godlye men to shewe them theyr errour and call them agayne to amendemente The Catholickes mislyked thys decree and resisted it withal theyr force But when the byshopes of Collon Munster held with the Protestantes also the duke of Cleaue and the Marques of Baden referred althinges to thēperours pleasure which after lōg disceptation had deuised thys way as a meane tollerable for both parties They being wel shortned of their nūbre say that certēly they wil not assent to it howbeit they will not prescribe themperour nor resyst hys authorytie but are cōtent to suffer it Friderick the Paulsgraue the Marques of Brandenburge Princes electours had intreated that it might be thus decreed The protestātes desired also that the duke of Brūswickes case might haue ben cōprised in the same decree but it could not be obtayned themperour vrged thē that eyther they should restore him or els permit vnto him the prouince by sequestration til the matter be tryed And therof he treated with the Duke the Lantzgraue when they were present and after theyr departure moche more with theyr deputies The Cities at the fyrst refused the ayde of the French warre by reason of theyr intercourse and trade of Marchandise But what tyme the Prynces had assented and the Frenche kynges cause was full of hatred they subscribed also thoughe sore agaynste they re willes especyally that were nere vnto Fraunce The Ambassadours of the Dukes of Luneburge and wirtemberge refused also but they were admonysshed priuately and chastened in woordes that they alone shoulde not lette the good will of the residewe Whan the Lātzgraue was ready to goe home and came to take hys leaue of Themperoure he had most gentle intertaynement And Themperoure said howe he wolde not trouble hym at thys tyme to serue agaynste the Frenche Kynge for thys cause only that he wolde not bringe hym into hatred but whan thys warre is doone he wyll goe streight waye agaynste the Turke and than wyll he make hym hys lyeutenaunte and generall of all the warre And whan he with a certen modestie excused and abased hymselfe as vnmete for suche a charge you haue done righte well or euer nowe sayeth Themperoure bothe for youre selfe and for the others And we doubte not but that you can doe vs also ryght good seruice with these wordes taketh hys leaue of hym moste Frendely He beyng full of good hope and ioyefull that he had Themperoure so moche hys good Lorde whan he had declared the same to certen of hys Frendes retourneth home Touching the sequestration after longe and moche pleadinge they agreed that all the landes of the Dutchie of Brunswicke should be committed to Themperoure as to the hyghe Magistrate tyll the case were heard and determined eyther frendely or by ryghte and lawe And that Themperour shoulde committe the gouernement of the Contrye eyther to the Paulsgraue or to the Electoure of Brandenburg moreouer to Duke Maurice or the Duke of Cleaue They that shall not abyde thys ordre to suffer the penaltye of breakynge the Publycke Peace That Themperoure doe aduertyse the Duke of Brunswicke to obeye the same yf not to punish him according to the lawes of thempire These condicions at the last Themperour propounded herin perseuered Thā did the protestantes ratifie the same as shal be declared herafter The assēblie being ous finsshed thēperour goeth frō Spier to Mētz Nowe was all his armie assembled in Lorayne vpon the borders of Fraunce And about th ēd of May he had recouered the citie of Lucēburg by cōposition In this warre ther serued thēperour duke Maurice of Saxonie the Marques Albert with ether of them a thousand Horsemen moreouer Counte william of Furstemburge Captayne of the footemen and Sebastian Sherteline all of the Protestantes relygion Whylest Themperour was at Mentz there was takē in Lorayne Huberte Erle Richlynge a Germane that serued the Frenche kynge beyng brought to Mentz he is condēned to suffer The Coūtesse hys wyfe whan she was comen thither and fel downe prostrate at Themperours feete coulde fynde no fauoure And nowe were all thynges prepared for the executiō At the length was procured Maximylyan the sonne of kyng Fernando whom Themperour had lately receyued he in th ende obtayned hys pardon and saued hys life In the meane tyme Barbarousse eyther for that hys bufynes requyred so orheyng perswaded by the kynge or els fearyng leste the Frenche Kyng should conclude a peace with Themperoure retourneth home and what so euer places by the Sea syde apperteyned to Themperoure or thempire he inuadeth and spoyleth But from the Bisshop of Romes landes he refraineth as it is most lyke by the French kinges perswasion Themperours armye marchynge forewarde taketh the Towne and Castell of Lyney three myles from Barrey And from thence goeth to Sandesyre a Frenche Towne standyng vpon the riuer of Marne which was kept with a stronge garrison ouer whom Mounser Landren was Captayne who so valeauntely the yere beefore had defended the Towne of Landersey from Themperour and from Thenglishemen Whilest these thynges are thus a woorkynge Anthony the Duke of Lorayne departeth out of this lyfe not so moch for age as for thoughte and care he tooke for thys nere and almoste domesticall warre whom Fraunces hys sonne succeded whiche had maryed Themperours Nece Christine as before is sayde In thys meane whyle the Kyng of England sendeth ouer the Sea to Caleis the Duke of Northfolke with one Armye who marchynge throughe Bollonois went and beseged Moustrell here Maximilyan Countiede Bure by Themperours accorde serued the Kynge of England And immedyately after sente an other stronge Armye with the Duke of Suffolke who layed sege to Bollogne and thyther came the king in person The Frenche Kynge had appoynted Gouernoure there Mounser Ueruyne a man of honoure Whan Themperour had enuironed Sādesyre with his army he maketh the Batteri the Bretch onse made geueth thassault at that Ides of Iuly but where the townes men stode to theyr owne defence moste valeauntelye Themperialles were repulsed and fyue hondreth Soldiours slaine Fynally in the seconde moneth what tyme Landrey the gouernoure was slayne with the fall of an House and the Gunners wanted pouder the Towne was rendred Durynge thys seege Renate Prynce of Orenge beeynge stryken with a greate Peece
man be admitted to the office of reading but of whose learning maners and lyfe the Bishop or Abbot be certayne of And because the preachyng of the Gospel is nothyng lesse necessarye than the readyng it selfe the Bisshops and al other prelates of the churche are commaunded to instructe the people or yf they haue any lawful impedimēt to substitute others that shall Moreouer the headpristes pastoures of the people are charged at the lest euery sondaye to declare vnto men those thinges that are necessary for saluation and that they exhort them vnto vertu and feare them from vice and syn And a penaltie appoynted for such as neglect their dutye The Bisshops also are admonished to note dilligentlye what thinges are taught and incase heresies or absurde opinions be sowen abrode to vse the remedie by the lawes prescribed After are decrees made of originall synne and saye that the whole spot thereof is taken awaye through baptisme And that there remayueth in dede in them that be baptised a motion to synne or concupiscence And albeit Paul sometyme calleth it synne yet is it not done because it is synne in dede and properly so but because it inclineth to sinne But the Uirgin Marye is not comprysed in thys decree and that is to be obserued which in tyme paste was ordeyned by Bysshop Sirtus the fourthe of that name Than is the nexte daie limited to sit in the .xxix. of Iune Now did this Sixtus the fourth make a decre wherin he did excommunicate them as heretickes whyche teache that the Uirgyn Mary was conceaued in oryginall synne and that the daye consecrated by the churche of Roome in the memoryall of her conceptyon oughte not to be kept holy Thys decre is written in that part of the Byshops law that is called extrauagātes In this foresayd counsell sitting Peter Danese ambassadour to the French king made an oration and speakynge many thynges of the desertes and godly zeale of the kinges of Fraunce towardes the Churche of Roome begynnynge from kynge Clodowey declareth howe kinge Fraunces descendinge of the same progenitours is in no kynde of dewtye inferyour to them who was lynked with Leo the tenth in a continuall bonde of amytie and likewyse with Adrian Clement and now with Paull the third whyche in all this tempestuous storme of Religion hathe ben well ware that no alteration hath ben within hys dominions for that he wold haue the whole iudgement of the matter to be referred to the church for albeit he be of hys owne nature moste mercifull yet hathe he put them to most greuous tormentes which by a certen priuate rashenes haue assayed to diminyshe the state of the church through the which dillygence and seueritie he hath this obteined that he deliuereth now vnto them all Fraunce in peasable wyse For in it is no new nor straūge doctryne which is not of auncient custome and olde discipline confyrmed And where he hathe alwayes thought it profytable for the publycke weale that in the church there shuld be one namely the bisshop of Roome as the successour of Peter vnto whom all others as to the head myght referre all theyr doynges he hath ben euermore carefull that thys magistrate myghte styll kepe the supremacye and albeit he hath often times with large offers ben moued to the contrary and to followe thexample that an other hathe shewed before hys eyes yet coulde he neuer bee remoued from hys pourpos and of late whan the counsell was called that he hearde howe certen fathers were there assembled forthewhich he commaunded certen of hys cheife Bisshops to repayre thyther whan after a few decrees were made brought into Fraunce he appointed hym and his fellowes to come and declare hys lykyng opinion touchyng the same Therfore his fyrst request is that they wold ones establishe in generall what thyng in relygion is to be followed and beleued And agayne that for thecclesiasticall persons they wolde prescribe a moste sharpe disciplyne of lyfe maners What so euer they shal decree let thē put no doubte but that through hys commaundement it shall be obserued in all Fraunce Moreouer for as muche as the kynges of Fraunce haue done very muche for the churche of Roome that they wolde not suffer any thyng to be dimisshed or altered the possession wherof the kynges of Fraunce haue had euer synce Lewis surnamed Pius the sonne of great Charles Finally that of all the Frenche Churches whereof he hathe the patronage left hym of hys elders they wolde confyrme all ryghtes priueleges and lybertyes With the letters before mentioned and with further credite also came Lazarus Schuendius to Strasburge the .xxiiii. daie of Iune when he had by the waye spoken with the rest of the cytyes But the Senate sendyng hym awaye not long after wrote vnto thēperoure and for that they made no directe aunswer to Lazarus they saye it was for the straungenes and difficultie of the thing which did not concerne thē only but others in lyke case Nowe where he saieth that he beareth such a loue to Germany they geue hym great thākes and besecheth hym to perseuer in the same and suffer not hym selfe to be styrred vp to ciuyll warre where he complayneth moreouer of certen that doe not theyr de wtie neither shew theyr dew obedience they were sory to heare it yet they trust that there be none of theyr Religion culpable in so greate a crime For the fault hath not ben in vs saye they that relygion hath not ben accorded For you knowe ryght wel noble Emperoure howe willinge and confyrmable we haue been to haue a recontilemente bothe fyue yeres paste at Regenspurge and also synce and before at all tymes where certen others through thaduise and perswasion of the Bishop haue refused the same and referred althinges to Roome But the Bisshop intendeth through violēce and power to reteyne styll those greate errours for the whyche arrose all thys dissentiō in the church doeth so handle the matter in al thinges that we maye not cōmit the cause vnto his iudgment wherby it may wel be perceyued that we susteyne wrong yf any man shulde lay the blame in vs that thys controuersye is not appeased And where it is obiected vnto them that they shulde seke to plucke the church goodes in to theyr owne handes vnder the pretence of relygion it is vnfrendly sayde For you haue heard and knowen Cesar why oure fellowes coulde suffer no longer that monkishe lyfe in theyr dominions which was growen so farre out of order and howe they haue conuerted the same to better vses as fyndyng of Scooles and releuing of the poore Where agayne it is well knowne howe men of the contrary relygiō heape vp the churche goodes and abuse them to all voluptuousnes yet nothyng spokē of furthermore you your selfe haue made decrees bothe at Regenspurg and lately at Spier how for a common quiet those goodes oughte to be vsed Nowe incase there
case foreine soldiours should inuade his Cosyns prouince it were a daunger lest his countrey shuld also sustain great hurt therby They se also how it is not good that forein nations should remaine in these parties And seing the matter is thus he desyreth them both in his own and also in his brother Augustus name that they would way the whole case diligently help him with their ayde counsell And he eftsones wyl omitte nothing that shal be his duty ta do agayne for thē The matter being debated they condescended immediatly to aduertyse the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue of the Emperours commaundement of the preparation of kyng Ferdinando and to desyre them both that for auoyding of destruction they would permitte that Duke Moris myght enter into the possessions of their countrey For so shuld they both eschew forein warre and kepe safe their Religion after whan matters appeased a great deale more easely obtayne the same agayne at his handes thā of others Therfore writing their letters to this effect the eleuenth day of October thei desire them to way with them selues the whole matter be cōformable to this counsell which is doubtles the best that may in this troublesome tyme be geuē They requyred also the Lātgraue in his letters that he would perswade the Prince Electour to take the same way Duke Moris wrote also his letters to the Lantgraue his father in lawe of much like inportaunce And because the foreine soldiour was now at hande he sayeth howe he must of necessite prouide that Saxony be not ouerrunne After that he promyseth hym muche good wyll and amitie and sheweth that he desyreth nothyng that is his He sayeth moreouer how the kyng of Polle wyl be a petitioner to the Emperour which thyng he is glad to heare of wherfore let hym so be content and not be exasperated with any wordes and lykewyse to perswade the Electour neyther that he refuse to submit him self to the Emperour For this is in maner the only waye to come to a reconcilement and that he wil also helpe to make a peace To the conuention at Fridberg Iohn William the Electour sonne of Saxonie whan he heard of the preparation of kyng Ferdinando sending Ambassadours requyreth Duke Moris that according to the league of inheritaūce he wold ioyne his force with his to saue the common countrey from daunger Duke Moris sayth again how he hath spared no payne that the matter might haue bene appeased And seing he hath takē that labour in vaine and that they be now in armure he may do nothing against the supreme Magistrate whome also that aunciēt league doth except It was song or euer the protestaūtes heard of the Emperours going to Donauerd The nex day ther purpose to go to Lawging a towne vpō the Riuer of Thonaw thre miles aboue Donauerde that by night but whan they were vncerten whether the Emperour were gone forward if they should leaue him at their back many said it was daunger lest he should take Norling and after by the vale of Remsie inuade the lande of Wirtemberg altering their purpose they remayned there one day This toke Scherteline displeasauntly as likewise other thinges going to Auspurg from the which citie he was sent forth into the warres he leadeth away the garnison that was at Lawging returneth no more to the field In the meane season themperour marching forward frō Dona uerde taketh by cōposition Dilling Hochstet shortly after Lawging Gundelfing by the riuer of Brent Wherfore hauing gotten the possession of the water of Thonawe he had great cōmodities to serue his purpose leauing algarnisō at Lawging whan he had passed ouer Brent he pitcheth his Tentes at the village at Sontheyn in the way to Ulmes which was thre myles from the same place The .xiii. day of October the protestātes at the length remouing their campe whan they heard that the Emperour kept on his iourney towardes Ulmes the nex daye came to Sieng a town by the same Riuer a litle aboue Sontheim so as the water was in the mids betwixt both armies As they staied here and had not yet pitched their Tentes they espie certen horsemen on the top of the next hyll Amongs the whiche was thēperour him self who rode forth with the Duke of Alba to escoute abroad the same day the Duke of Saxon had the forewarde and hasteth spedely toward the enemy and sendeth also worde to the Lantgraue to make haste after hym But what time the enemies fled he slacketh the matter and tarieth for the Lantgraue on the hyll There as it is thought was lost agayne a moste goodly oportunititie of well doing For there was no foorde to ryde ouer the Ryuer and but one brydge in al those parties and though the Emperour peraduenture had escaped by the same yet had his chief Captaines bene in great distresse as thei them selues afterward ar reported not to haue hid The Emperour omitting his iourney to Ulme lest that leuing his enemies behinde his back he should lose the vitall of Thonawe he goeth another way to worke and at the Ides of October in the next wood he laieth an Ambusche of thre thousand Arcubusiers And whan the Prince of Eulmone had offered them the skermysche with his light horsemē the charge being geuen infayning that he fled had allured them to the wood side thei by by breake out of thēbuschemēt discharge at them That seing the Lantgraue came streight wayes to rescue his company that were in daūger which were fowre bandes of horsemen Wherfore there was a sore conflicte all day till it was night and the field pieces were brought to the bickering This whyle the Duke of Saxon abode with the armie that in case the Emperour should in this tumulte haue assaulted their Campe he might be ready to gyue him the repulse Whan this wold take no place the Emperour attempteth the matter by a Camisade in the night and chouseth out of the whole nombre the fotemen of Almaignes and Spanyardes cōmaundeth them to put on whyte shirtes ouer their harnesse he appointeth them also horsemen and the Duke of Alba to be their Captain and sendeth them forth at night as sone as the watche was set that they myght go styll and closely to their enemies campe And he him selfe immediatly after followeth with the rest of his power Whan they came thither they perceiued that the nomber of the watchemen were increased and that they were vp in armure Wherfore this enterpryse was in vayne for as muche as they vnderstode the matter by espiall a fewe howres before For the wante of forage and vytayle the tyme of the yeare and continual rayne they died sore in themperours Campe and about this tyme also Cardinall Farnese departeth out of the Campe homeward with certen bandes of Italian horsemen The Emperour also for the same cause was compelled to chaunge his
greueth me and that exceadingly whome he bringing foreine cruel and barbarous soldiours hath plaged with robberies spoyling and murther It greueth me also that the ministers of the churche and preachers ar euery where driuen out and put to flight yea virgins and matrones defiled Which autragious crueltie I doubt not but God wyll ones auenge But muche more greueth troubleth me the handlyng of the thing so trayterously spitefully and vnloked for attempted through your coūsell vndoubtedly whiche after the example of the traytour Iudas are hyred vnto it with bribes and rewardes There is a cause pretēded why he should take possession of my landes for that Charles hath so commaunded and Ferdinando vrgeth hym But Cosinage and nere aliaunce and the league and conuenauntes whiche are commen to both houses ought to be preferred far aboue theyr proclamations For touching al thinges that concerne not religion Charles Ferdinando and I were agreed long synce and the crimes that are ascribed to vs are false and we ar troubled for Religion only If his commaundement doe moue you why doth not the vnworthines of the thing it selfe moue you more Why did you not consider whether your Prince might lawfully execute so wicked a commaundement and grounded of no reason But you brought to counsel with you a cankred mind long synce corrupt with affectiōs you your Prince liked my Dukedome better than you did equitie it selfe or true iudgement For otherwyse reason would haue shewed you in as muche as we are condempned and came not to our aunswer that the same outlawing or prescription is against the lawes decrees and conuenauntes wherby he is bound to the Empire Maurice also might easely haue sene that it had not ben lawfull for him to obeye so wicked and wylfull a commaundemēt and shuld haue regarded more the preseruation of the cositrey But he had rather walke in the fotesteppes of wicked Doeg with a fayned necessitie of dutie cloke couer his fact Neither maketh it for the matter where you saye that he woulde haue done no suche thyng had not Ferdinando approched my lande with an Armie For the matter is farre otherwyse and it hath bene reported to me by credible men first that you your selues and Maurice through craftie and subtill counselles moued all these thynges to the Emperour and Ferdinando at Regenspurg and also at Prage as the tyme it self hereafter wil bring to lyght Moreouer that the same was not done by the commō assent of all but that this mischeuous acte was contriued by a fewe chosen out of the whole nomber Nowe therfore in as muche as through the goodnes of God I am retourned home with my armie I am fully determined to requite your Prince with lyke thankefulnes and to attempte all thinges whiche are requisite for my defence and recouery of my prouince In the whiche thing verely I will so reuenge me vpon you especially whiche were authours of so mischeuous a counsell according to the wickednes hereof that you shal wel vnderstand how cruell was the iniurie and wrong that I haue susteyned It greueth me suerly that the matter is come to this passe I am sory for the dommage of the common countrey But sythe the beginning commeth of you and the thing it selfe requyreth that I should defende myne owne from violent wrong I proteste that what euyll so euer shall hereafter come therof it is not to be imputed to me If there be any of you also fre from this misdede that wyll trie their innocencie before me it shall be lawfull for them so to do I wyll vse them courtesely gently The king of Denmarke albeit he was a cōfederate yet gaue he no ayde to the protestauntes The Emperour remouing from Hala to Hailbrune and receiuing the townes men into fauour sendeth the Duke of Alba to inuade the lande of Wirtemberg as is sayd before He taking certen places by rendryng doth verey muche harme But through the sute of the Paulsgraue the Duke of Wirtemberg the third day of Ianuary is reconciled vpon these conditions For so muche as he is sicke and can not let him sende Ambassadours to make his submissiō and desire the Emperour mercy Thesame shall he doe in persone within sixe weakes he shal obserue the Emperours decrees concerning the common wealth He shal giue no ayde to the Duke of Saxon and the Lātgraue but assist the Emperour that the proclamatiō of outlawry set forth against them may be put in execution He shall permitte the Emperours ennemies to haue nothing to doe within the precinct of his dominion He shal make no league at any time wherin both the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and the house of Austriche shal not be comprised If any of his subictes shall fortune to serue against thēperour king Ferdinādo the house of Austriche he shall punishe them moste extremely Moreouer he shall bynde the nobilitie by an othe that none of them serue against him As oft as it shal please thēperour to passe through his countrey he shall make him way for all thinges The munition whiche his fellowes haue left within his prouince he shall deliuer euery piece with the furniture Towardes the charges of the warre he shal pay thre hondreth thousand crownes the one half out of hande and the residue within .xxv. dayes For assuraunce he shall deliuer Asperge Kirchene Schorendorffe that the Emperour may place in them garrisons at his pleasure He shall compound with suche as he hath iniuried in this warre if he can not he shall stande to the Emperours arbitrement Both he and his sonne shall followe the custome of the court of high Burgundie whan they shall haue any matters in the lawe in those parties He shall not be auenged vpon his subiectes whiche haue rendred vnto him That the Title of kyng Ferdinando remayne vnto hym whole That within syxe wekes his sonne Christopher and his people doe confirme and ratifie the same That his brother George shall not inioye the benefite of this peace What time these thynges were drawen out in wryting the third day of Ianuary as before is said the Ambassadours of Duke Ulriche Balthasar Gultting Lewis Frauenburg and Iohn Fesler a Ciuilian the fift daye after came to Hailbrune and falling prostrate at Themperours feete saye howe the Duke is letted by sicknes can not come and hath gyuen them in charge to make his excuse And howe he confesseth his fault openly and is wonderfull sory for the of fence committed and desireth for Gods loue that he might be receiued to mercy and that no extremitie be shewed to him his poore subiectes For he doth both ratife the conditions of peace and also as sone as he is able will come him selfe to requyre the same and wyll neuer forget so great a benefit Hereunto the Emperour maketh aunswere by Nauius Forasmuch as he acknowledgeth his faulte and asketh pardon he is satisfied and sayth howe he wyll of his mercy spare the
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
there be commaunded to remain till thei receiue further aduertisemēt The same was thought to be done for this intēt that through their meanes the Byshop might be wholy inclined to the kynges frendship and if he should fortune to dye for he was already foure score yeare olde an other myght be chosen that fauoured the kyng of Fraunce Howbeit some saide this was wrought thorowe the policie of the Conestable to get them out of the way that he might rule the king alone for they all in a maner wold be at the kinges heles whethersoeuer he went The Byshop had a litle before sent his legate into Fraunce Hierome Romane with a moste large commission to graūt many thynges whiche are forbidden also by the lawes and decrees of the counsell He created also Cardinall at the same tyme Charles of Guise the sonne of Duke Claudie Archebyshop of Rains in whom he knew the kyng delighted much Again the Frēche king to purchase further amitie offreth in mariage his bastarde doughter about .ix. yeres of age to Orace Farnese the Bishops granchilde by his sonne The Emperour remouing from Hale cometh to Bamberge that being so nere he might be a greater terrour to the Bohemers and a strengthe vnto his brother Whilest he was here the third daye of Iuly he calleth an assemblie of the Empire and cōmaundeth that all mete at Auspurg the first day of Septembre the Princes them selues in persone the residues Ambassadours with full authoritie And saieth he was letted by the warres that he helde not a cōuention at the kalendes of February last past as he had determined at Regenspurge But now that he hath the authours of trouble in his custody he would no longer differ but that the corrupt members of the commō wealth may be healed And the consultaciō shal be of suche matters as should haue bene treated vpon at Wormes and a yeare synce at Regenspurge This conuention should haue bene at Ulme but for the infectiō of the plage the place was chaunged as before is also mentioned After from Bamberge he goeth to Norinberge As he there was he receiueth into fauour certen cities of Saxony and the .xvi. daye of Iuly he publisheth a wryting wherin he declareth what hath bene done with the Lantgraue and vpon what conditions he hath pardoned him And because that he is carefull leste that many should haply through ignoraunce worke violence to his landes and subiectes therfore at his request doth he straightly charge and commaunde all men to absteyne and if they haue any matter against him to trie it by the lawe In this self same tyme Duke Maurice sendeth for Melanchthon Pomerane Cruciger diuines of Wittemberge and receiueth them ryght gently at Lipsia and speaking muche of his zeale towardes religion committeth vnto them the order both of the church and Scoole also requiring them to procede after their wonted maner he appointeth them stipendes as they them selues wryte sendeth thē away not without great rewardes For Pomerane in a litle boke that he set forth after commendeth highly his liberalitie and gentlenes The Frenche kyng that succeded his father at the kalendys of Aprill the .xxv. day of Iuly cometh to Rains to be crowned And being receiued before the cathedral churche with thr 〈…〉 Cardinalles he is led to the hyghe aultar and after he had kissed there the relickes of saintes enclosed in gold said his prayers he goeth to supper After supper retourning and making his prayers againe whan he had confessed his synnes to a priest he departeth and goeth to bedde The next day he sendeth certe◠of the nobilitie to intreate the Abbot of saint Remige that he would bring the boxe of holy oyle whiche they say came down from heauen After resorte to the churche those that are called the Douzeperes of Fraunce which are twelue in nomber The Byshop of Rains Landune Langres Beauuois Noion and Challon Than the kyng of Nauarre the Dukes of Uandome Guise Niuerne Mompenser and Anmalle These represented the Dukes of Burgundie Normandie and Guienne moreouer the Erles of Tolouse Flaunders and Champaine Of the Byshoppes were chosen two Langres and Beauuois also two Cardinalles to go fetche the kyng to the churche Whan they came into his chamber after certen prayers sayde they lift vp the kyng liyng on his bedde as the ceremony is and accompanied with a multitude of priestes leade him to the church and the Conestable beareth before him the sworde drawen The king what tyme he had prayed before the aultar was led by the Byshoppes to his seate And in the meane whyle tyl that boxe cometh the Archebyshop of Rains After he had finished the prayers conteyned in the boke of ceremonies sprinkleth with holy water the kyng and all the reste And whan worde was brought that the boxe was coming whiche in the absence of the Abbot the Prior of the monkes brought sitting vpon a white hambling palfrey and accompanied with the Monkes of hys order and the Noble mē that the king had sent for it as before is sayd the Archebyshop with the other byshops goeth to mete him at the churche dore with the crosse borne before him ther receiued of him the boxe deliuering hym a gage to restore it againe And whan he came agayn to the aultar the king rysing out of his seate doeth him reuerence After the Archebyshop goeth into the reuestrie and there being solemnely decked in his pontificalibus cometh forth and taketh his othe and fidelitie of him by the whiche after an auncient custome kynges are bounde to the churche Than is the king led to the aultar by two Byshops There putting on other garmētes he kneleth downe and is girded with a sworde which he as thei terme it hath consecrated with many prayers After this the Archebyshop prepareth the oyle in a redines whylest the other priests synge their seruice prayeth softly with the kyng lying both grusselyng on the groūd Than he annointeth the kinges head breste and both shoulders and the elbowes of either arme in saying that accustomed prayers That done the kyng hath put on him new garmentes like a minister of the church and is annointed in the palmes of his handes After he layeth both his handes on his breste and putteth on hallowed gloues as they call them But the Archebishop putteth a rynge vpon his fynger and deliuereth him the Sceptre in his ryght hande And in the selfe same moment the Chauncelour calleth forth the Douzeperes In their presence the Archebyshop taketh frō the aultar the crown of Charles the great and whan the Peres haue touched it setteth it on the kinges head and bringeth the king into a roiall throne whiche is made in an higher place the whole company of Nobles followyng And there hauing ended his prayers kisseth him Likewyse do the Peres and Nobles making a great shoute and acclamation pray all God saue the kyng and to reioyce mens hartes the Trompettes blowe After is gold
was he constrayned in sadues to intreat for peace Whiche being ones concluded by the mediation of certen it was conditioned that he should geue his fayth to the kyng by an othe and doe all thynges as becommeth a faythful and trusty Cliente It is certen therfore that the lande of Prusse hath euer synce the memory of mā and from the tyme they fyrst receiued the Christen Religion both by the lawe of armes and also by sondry conuenauntes aparteyned to the Realme of Polle For if any others haue made any title or claime to it the same hath ben through the arrogancie wrong of the maisters of thorder who being through y◠kinges permissiō Germains borne haue about oftentimes to intitle others in the ryght of Prusse Whiche thing assuredly hath bred muche distention betwixte the Germaines and Polonians and caused also this same decree wherin Duke Albert was outlawed But what ryght haue they to outlaw an other mans cliente For in that he came not to iudgemēt when he was sited not of his iudges that ded he by the kynges commaundement vnto whome all the faulte is to be imputed in case there be any at all But if he should be outlawed for this cause that he acknowlegeth the king for his Magistrat that were very vnreasonable that any man should suffer punishemēt for doing his duty Wherfore most triumphāt Emperour and states most noble the king doeth hartly requyre you that this vniust and vnlawfull decree of outlawery prescription may be repressed Neither is there any cause why any man should thynke that the kyng would for any ambition or desyre to enlarge his kyngdome bryng Prusse vnder his subiection For he that hath refused most Goodly prouinces that haue bene frely offred him how should he come then into the suspicion of this matter Certenly that coūtrey is not so much worth vnto hym but that if he myght with his honour he coulde be content to forgoe it But sith it doth properly belong vnto his dominion he can not other wyse doe For the cause why oftentimes trouble cōtētion hath risē about it was euer through the faulte of the Maisters of the order as I shewed you before And God in dede hath often plaged their bolde enterpryses And these thinges knew ryght well most noble Emperour and king Ferdinādo your grandfather Maximilian who remembring the iniuries which he and his father Friderick receiued of them made a faithfull promyse to kyng Sigismunde what tyme they met at Uienne promised as well in his owne as in your names also that he woulde geue no maner of ayde vnto this order And this dyd Maximilian after no newe example but followyng the trade of his auncestours For both the Emperour Sigismunde metyng with kyng Ladislaus grādfather to the king my Maister did not this much only but also promised aide against them And the Emperour Friderick your great grādfather ioyned his force and power with Casimire the father of king Sigismund against Matthie kyng of Hongary and this foresayd order of one cōfederacie And although that kyng Casimire being let impeched with the warres of this ordre could sende themperour Fridericke that time no ayde of men yet did he ayde him with monie so much as his couenāt was Wherby it is euident how this order hath always ben enemies to the hous whiche hath euer bene linked to Polle with bondes of leagues and affinities Wherof king Sigismūde requireth you to haue some consideration For in case there be any of the same order that thinke them selues bounde to fight for the christian faith and Religion there is nothing for them to do in Prusse For all that be round about it doe professe the christiane religiō Therfore must they seke vnto other places where they may exercise them selues For now of many yeares Hierusalem is possessed of a barbarous ennemy for the defence of the whiche place it is said how this order was in times past instituted Constantinople also is kept of the same nation Here lieth their worke busines Or if this be thought ouer olde or to far of there are many strong cities of Christendome wonne lately Why do not these worthy knyghtes go thether that thei might either recouer that is loste or defende the rest frō the ennemy But if they delight more in ciuile warre than euery man may iudge howe vnworthy they are of that name But thus the case standeth this order hath bene alwayes without order For the whiche cause also they were expulsed not out of Prussie only but out of Boheme lyke wyse well nexe an hondreth and fiftie yeares past And yet hath no man hetherto desyred the same places out of the whiche they were expulsed as common and vacant to be geuen them But only Polle sement fit to be molested herein whiche ought moste of all to be fauoured For albeit that order hath offended many yet hath it done moste hurt of all to the Realme of Polle For sauing a few of the first scarsly were there any maisters of that order that did their duty but contrariwyse for the moste part leauing the Barbarous ennemies haue tourned their weapons against their Magistrate kynges of Poolle And not that only but haue brought into their confederacie also the Tartarians a cruell kynde of people and mortall ennemies to all Christians as is wrytten of Michell Cochmester Wherfore if any man would make the rekening cōsider the paines perilles charges warres tumultes battails slaughters desolations wherof this order hath chiefly bene cause of he shal find that it is hardly so much worth And the kinges desire is that there myght ones be an ende of these euils For if any man should attempte warre against Albert Duke of Prusse the kyng wyll not altogether sit styll and see hym take wrong for as muche as he is both Uncle to hym and Patrone There are threateninges and menaces brought to the kynges eares whiche doubtles he is sory to heare For he loueth peace and quietnes but chiefly the concorde of Christendome Howe be it in case any man shall attempte violence he wyll in dede vnwillyngly put on Armure yet for all that wyll he doe it to defende him and his He desyreth the frendshyp of all Prynces but chiefly yours moste mighty Emperour and kyng Ferdinādo and wysheth the same to continue for euer He hath often times heretofore intreated you by letters and messengers that the prescription decreed against Duke Albert might be abolyshed But where the same is not done hetherto he doeth not so muche impute it vnto you as to the aduersitie of tyme. But nowe that alwayes are made playne and lettes taken awaye he supposeth you haue occasion now to perfourme the thyng whiche you haue right franckely promysed whan not by one lettre or two you haue signified how that you were more ready in wyll than in power to gratifie hym But in case this order wyll not cease but steare vp warre and
trouble he trusteth that after the example of your progenitours you will kepe assuredly the conuenauntes of Maximilian and Fridericke Empeperours An other thing that I haue in commission apperteineth to the cities Danske and Elunige For these albeit they be vnder the dominion of Polle yet are they called to the assemblies of the Empyre Wherfore the kyng requireth that they be not so vsed hereafter but synce that no man besydes him hath to doe with them they may from henceforth be suffered to vse his owne lawes Whan the Emperour had heard his demaundes he made relation therof to the states of the Empire and geueth a copie of the Oration to Wuolfange Marques of Prusse Who the .xxiii. daye of Ianuary maketh aunswere in the vulgar tongue and after a certen preface In this saith he resteth the whole controuersie of the matter whether Prusse be vnder the dominion of Polle or of the Empire If I shall proue the later to be true the matter shal be easy to determine And thus standeth the case moste triumphant Emperour moste mighty kyng and moste noble Princes and states as I shall declare About foure hondreth yeares past whan a publique war was attempted against the Barbarians whiche vexed sore the men of our religion throughout al Asie Affricke this order wherof we speake was instituted whiche both Emperours haue liberally auaūced and the high Byshops also confirmed After the knyghtes of this same ordre for the space of certen yeares kept great warres in those parties for the vniuersall Christen weale but in fine hauing a great ouerthrowe they were discomfited and dispersed into sondry places At the same time it fortuned that Conrade Duke of Moscouia was greuously assayled by the Prussians being than the ennemies of Christen Religion And whan he was no longer hable to mainteine warres and defende him selfe against them he sued first to the Byshop of Rome that he setting forth a celestiall and immortall rewarde as the maner was would incourage men to this warre After he adioyned to him this order of ours and gaue them all the countrey of Culmen borderyng vpon Prusse and the rather to encourage them gaue them al the land of Prusse to holde for euer This dede of gift the Emperour Friderick the second confirmed permitted Herman Salcie that than was Maister of the order to moue warre against the Prussians and if he did subdue them to inioye their lande for euer This was in the yeare of our Lorde M CC. xxvi Thus verely did my order through the ayde of the Emperour Byshoppes of Rome Princes of the Empyre continewing the warre by the space of liii yeares at the last conquer the lande of Prusse and bring it to the christian Religion beautified it with certen Colleges Byshoprikes and builded therin also both Castels and Cities that there might be in those parties as a walle and fortresse of the Empire and a refuge for the Nobilitie of Germany And so hath parte of the same Region remained in our gouernement vnto the yeare of saluation M CCCC l. and an other parte therof tyll Albert of Brandenburg After what tyme the Lituanes and Tartarians together made warre against the Polonians and Moscouites our knightes remembring their profession and order toke armure and cleane disconfited the Lituanians inuading far within their limites For the which cause we had long time peace and amitie with the Polonians vntill suche time as a certen Prince of Lituania was created king of Polle Who to auenge the losse and shame of his nation moued warre against vs sodenly and ayded of the Barbarians did very muche hurte But being of our men repulsed and put besides and a great part of his Realme had no ioyfull ende of that warre in so muche as he made his complaint to the counsel of Constance After came forth a decree that suche part of Polle as our men helde by the lawe of armes should be restored Thus beyng againe reuiued he forgot the benefit receiued and renewed warre and contended that certen prouinces of our order belonged to the dominiō of Polle And albeit that through the intercession of the two kynges of Hongary and Boheme the matter was taken vp yet the sore brake out agayne and at last the case was referred to the Emperour Sigismunde who approued the fourmer composition that the kynges had made Howebeit the king of Polle could not reste thus but attempted warre agayne whiche the .xxiiii. yeare after was accorded at Tournie whan Ladistaus was king In the whiche composition of peace he forsaketh all suite and strife neither calleth he him selfe Lord or inheritour of Prussie and byndeth all his successours that within one yeres space after they come to the Crowne they shall sweare to accepte ratifie the same peace and compelle the byshoppes and other states of the Realme to take the same othe and that euery tenth yeare this othe should be renewed This was also cōdicioned at the same tyme if any king of Polle shall hereafter moue warre vpon the Maister of Prussie that the people be not bounde to obeye or assiste hym but that peace be continually kept on either partie And this composition was confirmed with two hondreth Seales as it is to be shewed Yet did not the peace indure aboue .xiiii. yeares For in the yeare of our Lorde M. CCCC.I the people making a rebellion conspired against the maister And albeit that the Byshop of Rome and the Emperour Fridericke the thirde did outlawe them Albeit the maister desired that the matter might be heard yet did they so litle regarde all this that about .lxx. townes and castels revelled in one daye Unto this conspiracie of theirs ioyned him selfe the kyng of Polle Casinure father to Sigismunde and brought vs vnto suche a perplexitie that Lewys Erlinsusie who than was maister of the order constrayned through feare of the present daunger as a moste constant man might doe in such a case to the intent he might both hepe still his prouince and also saue him selfe in the same accorded with him vpon conditions moste vnreasonable without the authoritie either of the Byshop or the Emperour or yet the states of the Empyre The cōditions of this peace amonges other thinges are these That the Maisters of Prussie frō hence forth shal within sixe monethes after he be chosen Magistrate come vnto the king of Polle and by an othe acknowledge hym for their Souraigne and shall ayde hym against all men they shal also receaue into the order aswell Polonians as Germaines shall admitte them to beare office and for suche landes as they shall wynne hereafter to do homage to the kynges of Polle Whiche conditions verely do not only cōcerne the priuate losse and rebuke of my order but also the publique domage and reproche of the Empire Nobilitie of Germany Wherefore since that time haue there bene maisters Which considering the vnreasonablenes of the thing haue made greuous
he shall prescribe that will he be ready to accomplishe But he preuailed nothing for all these praiers was oftētimes by his kepers which were Spaniardes remoued frō place to place first from Donauerde to Norling Than to Hailbrune after to Hale in Sweuia Whilest the Emperoure attempteth these thinges in Germany the Masse is abrogated in Englande by acte of Parlaiment And not longe after was apprehended Stephen Bishop of Winchester who contended that the lawes whiche were made in the kinges noonage were of none effect He was commaūded the yere before to kepe his own house and not to come abrode but being newlye enlarged whan he was thoughte to haue thaimged his opinion he made a Sermon before the king and his counsell in the which whan he had declared his minde he was committed to warde The Emperoure the. xiiii day of Iune commaundeth to be red vnto the Cleargy the fourme of reformation as they call it In the which were contained these Chapiters following of ordeininge of the offices of the ecclesiasticall state of Monasteries of scholes of hospital houses of the ministration of Gods word of the ministration of the Sacramentes of the Ceremonies of the Masse of the Ceremonies of the Churche of the discipline of the Cleargye and laietie of the Pluralitie of benefices of visitations of Saintes of excommunication And amonges other thinges are these setfor the chiefly that such as come to take holy orders be diligentlye examined of their belief of maners and learning but especiallye of heresies spread abrode chiefly in this time and whether they beleue the same that the catholicke apostolicke and Church of Rome doth beleue The inquisition of manners is commaunded to be made as s Paule prescribeth in the thirde chapter of the firste Epistle to Timothe but that same which Paule amonges other thinges admonisheth that the minister of the Church shoulde be the husbande of one wife which could well gouerne his house and had obediēt and faithfull children is cleane omitted That no man be admitted to the office of a Bishop except he be first Priest or promise to receiue the reast of the orders so shortly as is possible That Bishops take cure of their shepe and fede them with doctrine and with the sacramentes That they also visite ofte their Churches and ouersee that other Ministers do theyr dutye that the wolues do not wortye the flocke That the monasticall life be instituted againe in places where it is left That in scholes be nothing taughte excepte it be agreable to the Catholike Church That the Sacramentes and Ceremonies of the Churche be ministred in the Latin tounge least if the people vnderstand them they should come in contempte That the Canon of the Masse remaine whole and be spoken softlye to the intente those tremblable misteries maye retaine theyr aunciēt dignitye That in accustomed Ceremonies nothinge be aultered that Salte Water Hearbes the Paschall Lambe newe frutes also Temples Churches Chappels Chalices Aultares Coopes Uestmentes and Uessels belonginge to the Churche be hallowed throughe Prayer againste the deceites of the Deuill and inchantmentes That Tapers shall burne in the Churche and Incense be sacrificed Moreouer that supplications be made at the Churches dedicated to Sainctes let the Cleargye liue temperatelye and sobrely and eschue whoredome let them put awaye their Concubines or els be punished That the ciuile Magistrate shall assiste the Byshoppes that a reformation be made of manners and Discipline And that the Ecclesiasticall liberties may be wholye mainteined let the Saintes in euerye diocesse be put in vre againe and kepte twise euerye yeare wherein shall inquisition be made of euerye mannes manners and vices suche as may not otherwise be reformed shall be excommunicated let al men flee theyr speach and companye and not to be receiued againe into the Communion before they humbly desire forgeuenesse and promesse amendment This reformation being red the day before saide the Bishoppes after a little deliberation do confirme and saye that shortlye after they be come home they will kepe Saines howe be it in diuers thinges they desire that the Bishoppe of Rome maye be moued to geue his assente This boke also was after put forthe in Printe I shewed you before of the Ambassadoures of the Cities howe they signified the matter home but whereas they of Strausburge whiche were the chiefest of them were longe or euer they aunswered The Emperoure calleth vppon them by Granuellan who the .xxviii. day of Iune sendeth for the ambassadoures whereof Iames Sturmie was the principall and there by Henry Hasy which was interpretoure saieth howe they knowe in what sorte the states requested the Emperoure and put him in truste to deuise some meane which mighte be obserued till the Counsell whiche thinge he hathe done accordinglye and hathe caused learned men to compile a Booke which al the Princes a fewe excepted and the chiefest Cities haue approued And wheras they and certaine others intreated themperoure that they might aduertise theyr Senate at home he graūted them and hathe loked euer sence for an aunswere And that he hath heard nothinge hitherto he is somewhat offended and therefore hathe commaunded him to knowe what theyr meaning is They whan they had declared the cause of their longe scilence exhibite letters addressed to the Emperoure from the Senate Howe they wished for nothing more than that they might gratify him in all thinges but they and theyr Citezens were perswaded that in case they should throughly admit this decre they shuld bothe hurt their owne conscience also osfēd God most greuously seing he of his wisedome can consider how terrible a thing that were they desire him for Christes sake that in so waightye a matter whiche concerneth not landes or goodes but the saluation of their soules and life euerlasting he would haue some consideration of thē and as he hathe done to others of the contrary parte so he woulde permit also that they mighte vse the Religion confessed at Auspurge vntill the decree of the generall counsel as ofte times in assembles hathe bene determined and not compell them to professe otherwise with their mouth than theyr heart thincketh and they wil againe foresee that in their City be nothing done vnreuerently or against Religion and that euill opinions take no place And that no cause of complaint be geuen to their neighboures Whan Granuellā had heard these letters he saieth how the Emperour hath had alwais a good opinion of their Citie and for as muche as all for the moste parte haue commended and ratified the decree made let them not thincke to be exempted For they are commaunded to admitte no suche kinde of aunswer therefore is this Supplication in vaiue wherefore let them aunswere plainely what the minde of the Senate is Hereunto they saye where the matter was committed to the Emperoure that did they and the other ambassadours vnderstand euermore of Politike matters and not of Religion for that they supposed it
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
Sueuia whā his wife had eftsones ben an hūble suter for hym and put them in suerall boates There is by the Ryuer of Rhine a towne of the Lantgraues called Sanguner and a Castell set vpon the toppe of a stepe hyl Whan the Emperour came hither he was benighted and rode at Ancker and setting a lande the watchemen only commaundeth al the reste to remaine within borde The Senathe of Strasburge was commaunded as is sayd before to aunswere within a moneth Whan themperour therfore was come to Spire Ambassadours were sent vnto him the second day of September Iames Sturmius Matthew Giger Lewys Grempe Finding him not at Spire followed after vnto Mentz And what time thei had geuē knowledge to thēperour of their cōming the Germain coūsellours were out of the way which serued Thēpe in those affaires thei were byd follow to Collō In that mean time that bishop of Strasburg sēding letters to that clergie wtin the citie that of September willeth them to obey the decree of th empyre ordeyne the thyng after the fourme prescribed And with al sendeth themperours letters touching the same matter which I sayde were writtē the tenth day of Iuly Moreouer he writeth to the Senate also that they would not impeche them Thambassadours of Strasburg after thei were come to Collon ye. viii day of September exhibite to themperour from the Senate an other epistle wrytten in Frenche of this importaunce Al be it moste triumphant Emperour what time we were recōciled vnto you We made no promise to obserue such things as shuld be decreed Albeit we neuer assented that the cause of Religion should be handled on this wyse yet in al thinges that we possible may we are ready to gratifie your Maiestie not only in ciuile but also in diuine matters We perceiue wel enough that your highnes the rest of the Princes will haue no consideration of our doinges that it is reason that we shuld folow your fotesteppes Yet this notwithstanding we beseche you eftsones to consider that for so muche as euery mā must render vnto God an accōpt of his own doing we haue iust cause to be careful for our saluation to forsee that we do nothing at any tyme against our conscience for which cause also we were in very good hope that after you had heard our diuines you would haue mitigated the decree But considering that you referre vs to the counsel say how the matter shall there be debated according vnto holy scripture we are thus contented And least we shuld seme contentious or obstinate do not refuse but that the Byshop of our citie may set forth that order of yours in certen churches with vs by men of his facultie And we shal deuise with hym for the churches neither wil we disturbe him in any thing neither for bid the citezens to repare thither but that it may be fre for euery man to followe suche religion as he shal thinke good hym self yet vnder this condicion that we may haue again a few churches in the which Gods worde may be purely taught the sacramēts ministred as it is decēt that in the vulgare tongue We wil prouide also that the people shal be kept in order that nothing be otherwise done than is semely Againe we shal cōmaund that holy daies fasting daies be kept wil suffer nothing to be done either in sermōs or other places that may be any offēce vnto others And for so much as this doctrine hath now these many yeares ben so depely roted in mens mindes that it can not without that hurt of cōscience be taken away so sodenly And againe for so much as by this meane which we haue shewed you your highnes decre may take place amōgst vs we besech you in the hartiest maner that we can to graunt our requestes to suffer vs in this religiō vntil the tyme of the counsel Which shal be both a most thākeful duty vnto God make chiefly for that peace of our citie and whole Prouince After themperour had heard this letters And besides such thinges as Iames Sturmius with his great eloquence declared at large he made answer by Seldie speaking many thinges of his zeale towards Germany after long debating at that length he sendeth thē away after this sorte that they should go through with their bishop yet vpon this condition that if they can not agre they should stande to his arbitrement Whan themperour was come into Brabant it was his pleasure to haue the Duke of Saxon with him but the Lantgraue he sent to Audenarde a towne in Flaūders On the borders of Brabāt he dischargeth all those forces that he brought with him from Auspurg I haue spoken before of the iudgemēt of the chāber imperial how the states permitted themperour that he shuld establish the same The first day therfore of October as before was enacted it is renewed thre Aduocates are displaced for suspicion of Lutheranisme al the rest amongest other thinges were cōmaūded that they shuld perseuer in the doctrine of the catholike church or els to be remoued frō that place There began Henry the Duke of Brūswicke to cōmence suite against the Protestātes for the former war what time he was expulsed He had in dede conditioned whā he was deliuered out of prison and that by an othe also that he would attempt nothing But he went from that conuenaunt not he only but also tharchbyshop of Mentz the maister of Prussia the Erle of Nassow Reuart counte of Solmen with others moued suit against that Lātgraue The mē of Cōstānce lately outlawed wher as they were in great perplexitie sawe no way how to saue thē selues flee vnto that last refuge and geue thē selues to the house of Austriche for euer Wherupon kyng Ferdinando receiueth them into his tuition sendeth thither immediatly a noble man to be their gouernour Who about the middes of October propoūdeth vnto them these conditions That they shall acknowledge Ferdinando and his children and heyres for their Lordes from hence forth and shewe vnto them al faith and dew obedience shall not reuolte from them at any tyme neyther make any league or confederacie Suche lawes and statutes as Ferdinando and his deputes shall make concerning Religion and other matters they shal throwly obeye In warre and other affaires thei shall be ready at all tymes to ayde and serue kyng Ferdinando his children and heyres obediently as the rest of his subiectes The same conditions afterwarde they receiue by an othe two daies after the gouernour calleth the Senate and demaūdeth of them what is the somme of their cōmon treasure that their gunnes with al their fourniture be brought into an accompt He cōmaundeth also that no townes man do weare any longe sworde that no man presume to come to the fortifications nor where the watche is That their names whiche during the war admonyshed the citie of daunger
he hath done also the same at Boloigne Lagrasse trusting both to their industry and fidelity also and now in as much as the counsell is called and latelye the first day of May begon at Trent occasion is geuen him to wryte vnto them wher therfore their presence should be a great help and furtherance to so godly and nedeful a worke he exhorteth them very much that such prelates of the church as be within their iurisdiction and liberties be not wanting but be there at the next session the first day of Septembre the rest they shall vnderstande of S. Hierome Franch Knight his ambassadour whose faith and diligence hath of them now many yeres ben wel tried again for because the matter in hand is greatly to his contētation he wil send or it belōg one of his principal bishops which may treat with them touchinge the counsel more at large About th end of May the Emperoures sonne departing from Auspurge by Italy returneth into Spain with him wente Maximilian his Cosin and Brother in lawe to fetche awaye his wife the mother of two Children In the meane time the kinge of Fraunce to appease the Bishoppe and Senate of Cardinals declareth at Rome by his ambassadoure Mounsour de Thermes that where he hath receiued into his tuition Octauian the Prince of Parma it deserueth no reprehension For thys thing proprely belongeth vnto kings to succor thafflicted Moreouer that he hath sought no priuate commodity in that matter but whatsoeuer he hath done to haue done it for the church of Romes sake after thexāple of his progenitors which haue ben more beneficial to the same than any others many times also defēded it by force of armes For seing that Parma is the patrimony of the churche he was very careful to forsee that it shuld not come into other mens handes and for the same cause is at great cost charge daily wherfore he desireth him and that most earnestly that he wold take it in that part and leaue the opinion that he hath conceiued of him for the same shal be to the great cōmodity of the cōmon weale But if he refuse this satisfaction and chuse warre before peace he him self seeth how greatly that wil be to the damage and daunger of all Italy and Europe and that also there can be no certen treaty had in Religion that may continue wherefore concerninge the moost pearillous commotions that shal arise hereof that the counsell already called can not assemble or if it do of necessity muste be dispersed and that in this troublesome time he can sende none of the bishops of his realme vnto Trent of all these thinges ther can be no fault laid in him who is willing not only to offer conditions of peace but also to take this so protesteth so openly Howe be it the bishop trusting to thaid and promesses of themperor was nothing the mileder for thys ambassade The xvii day of Iune duke Moris graunteth againe safeconduite to them of Maidenburge that they should send vnto him ambassadours concerning peacs Who taking theyr iourney being conducted by Marques Alberte finde Duke Moris at Pirne a Towne of Meissen For he was retourned home and semed to worke slackly When they were come in themperors name he propoundeth these conditions That they should yelde them selues without any condition and humblye desire pardon They shal make no leage against themperor king Ferdinando Austriche or Burgundie they shal obserue al the decrees of th empyre They shall aunswere to the law and recompence the cleargy for domage done that they cast down theyr fortifications Rampires and admit into theyr City a garrison of a M. and CC. soldiours They shall receiue themperor Kinge Fardinando and theyr deputies at all times wyth what power someuer they brynge with them that they deliuer twelue greate pieces of ordenaunce paye an C M. Crownes and confirme all these conditions by an oth These thinges although they were not able to perfourme yet did they not vtterly refuse through thintercession of Counte Hedecke by little little some thing was remitted Themperor before this sending his letters into Germany especially to the states of the protestants religion had sufficiently assured thē by safeconduit exhorting thē to be at Trent the first day of Maye but inasmuch as for the war of Parma the day of the counsell was differred to the first of Septēbre as I said before he admonisheth them again that they come in any wise promising thē all equity faithfulnes But albeit ther were very many of the same profession yet did they not confer together which thing hath ben chiefly necessary either for that they dispaired touching the successe of the thing or els for that they feared themperors displesure or for that they waxed faint hearted as it were in the very entrance of the daunger And amonges the cities only they of Strausburge sent messagers to enquire what thinge both they that were nere and also far of wer purposed to do herein And certenly duke Moris gaue in cōmaundement to Philip Melanchton that he shuld pen tharticles of doctrine which shuld after be exhibited openly whan that boke was finished the prince commaunded al the diuines ministers of the church to mete at Lipsia the viii of Iuly wheras the same was red and approued by consēt of them al. The same ordre also toke Christopher duke of Wirtemberge who caused Brentius to compile a boke of the same argument And albeit that the sence of either wryting was all one yet wold Duke Moris haue his boke exhibited by it self least if many together should propound the same thing in common themperour might conceiue a suspition of some conspiracy made Neuerthelesse sēding their bokes to and fro both they of Wirtemberge approued the Saxons boke the Saxons the boke of Wirtemberge and the diuines of Strausburge ether of them both whan they had red the same and so it was agreed that when time shuld serue ther shuld be sent to the counsel certen to prefer and defend these things The Duke of Wirtemberge after thexample of his father made muche of Ihon Brentius for his excellent learning vsing his aide in restoring of the godly doctrine after also he restored him to the Ministration of the Church and made him president of Stutgarde The .xxv. day of Iuly the Marques Albert in thabsence of Duke Moris reiecteth such thinges by a trompetter as they of Maidenburge had answered to the conditions of peace propounded at Pirne by duke Moris The day before he had taken an ouerthrow for they bickered with greater forces than euer they did before About the viii day of August ther had like to haue bene a greate sedition in the city For letters wer brought to the soldioures wherein this was conteined how ther wer certen of the Senators which wold betray the city to thenemy and amonges them was Henry Alman Wherfore the soldiors flocking together cal for him
sore afflicted and seing the matter is thus for so much as he dealeth so sharply roughly with him which is theldest sonne of the church he protesteth as he saith is likewise done at Rome first that for the most troublesome tumultes of warre he may not send the bishops of his realme vnto Trent again that he taketh not this for a publike or general coūsel but rather for a certain priuate conuention which is not instituted for the profit of the common wealthe but for the vtilitye of a few Finally that nether he nor any man within his realme can be bounden to the decrees therof but declareth also furthermore that he wil vse suche remedies if the case so require as in a like matter his progenitors haue accustomed he will be euer of a sounde and sincere mind towardes religion and the Church of Rome neither wil he cōmit any thing worthy of iust reprehension but in as much as he is burthened with thiniuries and hatred of certain without his desert he can not otherwise do at this present Therfore let thē take this protestation in good parte and Communicate vnto him the doctrine or testimony of this action to th end he may certify other Princes and people of Christendome concerninge the whole matter But wheras he saith he wil vse the remedies of his progenitoures thus it standeth like as in all other Regions so also in Fraunce if any Bishoppricke or Abbotship be vacant such as are called Chanons or Monkes had fre election to chuse them but the meane benefices which were not electiue as they terme it the Bishops and Patrones bestowed Moreouer all maner of sutes and controuersies touching benefices or matters of the church wer decided within euery prouince But bishops of Rome as Couetousnes increased began to subuert those elections and by reseruatiōs and graces expectatiue as they name them haue deriued all the gaine to Rome and to them selues called also to Rome all sutes euen the fyrst instaunces as they call them And the beginning of this alteration chanced in Fraunce in the time of King Lewes the ninth but he resisted stoutly and in the yeare of our Lord M CC. lxvii made a law that thold custome shuld be reteined nether that any tribute shuld for that cause be paid to the bishop of Rome This law was verely of force many yeares but at the lengthe the violence of the bishops preuailed against it and so far as christendome stretcheth they published those foresaid graces and reseruations and were very chargeable to all men vntill the Synode of Basill toke away this kinde of pillage and restored the aunciente lawes of contributions and elections and prohibited firste frutes to be paid This decre of the counsel the King of France Charles the seuenth by thaduise of his Counsell did ratify and in the yeare M CCCC xxxviii confirmed by Proclamation But Eugenius the fourth pronounced this counsell to be frustrate and of none effect as I said in the first boke and the Bishops that succeded him reiected that decre and said it was Scismaticall and in dede Pius the second sendinge his Ambassadoure to Lewes the eleuenth sonne to Charles the seuenth moued him earnestly to abolish that same confirmation and the king asketh counsell of the Senate of Paris the moost famouse of all Fraunce which in a maner consisteth wholy of lawyers They repeting many thinges of great antiquity declare what the bishops of former time what the Counsels and finally what his progenitors Clodowey Charles that great Phillip Deodate Lewes the ninth Philip le Beau Lewes Hutine Ihon the first and laste what his father and grandfather haue herein determined and except thauncient lawes be obserued it wil come to passe say they that al thecclesiastical ordre shal be brought to confusion and that Fraunce shal be lesse populous whan so many shal run to Rome and shal be so much impouerished that churches and many such other sumptuous buildings in France shal be neglected and fall to ruine And as touching the mony matter vnles your fathers confirmation of the decree at Basill maye be of force there shal be caried yerely out of Fraunce vnto Rome ten C M. Crownes For to let other thinges passe in the time of Pius the second now bishop there haue bene vacant at the least twentye Bishopprickes which haue paid euery one of them aswel for their first frutes as for other charges vi M. There haue fallen abbotships about lx and euery one of them haue paied two thousand of other benefices haue bene void aboue two hondreth whiche haue paid v C. crownes a piece Moreouer within your realme are an hondreth thousand parishes and aboue out of the which an infinite quantity of gold hath bene gathered by that same deuise of the bishop of Rome Walke therfore in your fathers fotesteps swarue not from the decre of Basil Certainly this was the counsell of the Senate but the king being ouercommen with the Bishops either authority or policy would neades abolish the confirmation the chief worker of this matter was Cardinall Baluen in great fauor with the king whom the bishop of Rome had corrupted how be it both the kinges procurer and also the vniuersity of Paris whome it much concerned resisted with a stout courage and appealed frō the bishop to the counsel Afterward Lewes the twelfth had great emnity for the same cause with Iuly the secōd and the matter was brought into the counsel of Laterane and Fraunces the firste that succeded Lewes concluded at the length with Leo the tenth vpon certaine conditions at Bononie after he had taken Millan verely that when a Bishoppricke or Abbotship were vacante the Couent in dede should not haue thelection therof but that the king shoulde within .vi. monethes nominate some man to the Bishop of Rome whome he thought worthy of that office This same therfore is the thing amongs others which King Henry now by his ambassador signified vnto them of a remeady For kings are on this wise wōt to bridle the bishops when they are at dissention with them and so to put in practise the confirmation of the decre of Basil espectally at this time when their thondrebolt is not so greatly feared as it was in time paste And for so muche as the Realme of Fraunce is both most large and rich also Rome can not without great hinderance want the reuenues therof And that which he signified here that he would do the same did he not longe after as you shal hear The same remeadye also in times paste vsed the King of Fraunce Phillip le Beaw against Boniface the eight For wheras he commaunded him to war against the Sarazens and refusing his excuse forbad that he shuld take no mony of the churches within his owne Realme which the King was driuen to do for the necessitye of his warres and vnlesse he obeyed the same did suspend him out of the Church he assembleth all
was the whole country deliuered from a most greuous seruitude wherwith it had ben oppressed by the space of fiue yeares onlye the Castell of Asperge the Emperoure reserued to him self placing in it a garrison of Almaines In these daies also Henry Hasie by the Emperors commaundement traueling throughout Sweaden euery wher chaungeth the state of the common wealth and ordeineth newe Senators he dischargeth also the preachers and Scholemasters vnles they wyll obey the decre of Religion as was latelye done at Auspurge It is mentioned before how Duke Moris and the Duke of Wirtemberge had commaunded Articles of Doctrine to be wrytten which after shuld be exhibited how also the Senate of Strashurge had ioyned them selues vnto this theyr doing Wherfore the duke of Wirtemberge sending two ambassadoures Ihon Theodoricke Pleninger and Ihon Hecline commaunded them both to exhibite openly this confession of doctrine and to say also that the deuines shuld come which shal treat al thinges more plentifully and defend the same so that they may haue safecōduit according to the decre of Basill They so sone as they came to Trent which was almoste at the end of Octobre go vnto the Earle Mounforte and exhibite vnto him the commission of theyr ambassade and shew him how in theyr princes name they would propound certaine thinges in the counsell he in his talke tended to this end that he thoughte good they should repair to the bishoppes Legate but they seinge that if they should confer with him any thing it wold apere that they shoulde attribute vnto him the chiefe right and authoritye of iudgemente wherin they perceiued a preiudice and hinderance of their matter Wherfore they come not at him but wryting letters to theyr prince fary for an answer of his pleasure herein In the meane season the deuines do reason after theyr manner of the questions before propounded concerning penaunce and vnction The third day of Nouembre Counte Hedeck being sent of Duke Moris came to Maidenburge and calling out the captains of the souldiors into a place without the city made a ful end and wrytinges of the same matter were drawen and sealed And the soldiors in dede were assured by safe conduit that they might safely depart This was the viii daye of the same month but so sone as they were discharged they were priuelye reteined and hired againe by the duke of Megelburge which was now by the pacification released for Duke Moris purposely woulde not do it in his owne name And the conditions of peace were these That they should humbly craue pardon of themperor that they shuld do nothing against the house of Austrich and Burgundy that they submit thē selues to the chambre that they obey the last decre of Auspurge That they answer al mē to the law That they cast down the fortification of the city at themperoures pleasure That they admit into theyr city themperors garrison at all times and set open theyr gates for him That they pay L M. crowns to themperors cofers That for the charges of the warres they deliuer to themperor xii great pieces of ordenaunce that they set at liberty the duke of Megelburge thother prisoners Whan the soldiors of the garnison wer gon out of the citye the same daye which were to the nombre of ii M fotemen and an hondreth horsmen Duke Moris sent in v. enseignes of footemen and the nexte day the Senate going forth to mete him he entreth the city with hys whole army and receiueth them al into thobeisance of themperor thempire of him self which had bene chiefe captain of the same warre after leauing there a garrison he leadeth away the reast Than causeth he the preachers to be sente for and by his counselloures Faccie Carlebice and Mortisie he complaineth of iniurye done him by reason of the bokes and pictures setforth by them as though he shuld haue forsaken the doctrin of the gospel as though he should haue moued warre against the city for the constant professing of the true doctrine wherfore he hath iust cause to be offended if he would followe his affections but all these thinges he remitteth for the common wealthes sake requireth that they wold from henceforth exhort the people to amend their liues and honor the Magistrates he commaundeth also praiers to be openly made for the Emperoure for him selfe and for all other Magistrates he saith moreouer howe there is at this presente a counsell holden at Trent wherin he will exhibit the confession of a godly doctrine as well in his owne name as also of other Princes and states let thē pray therfore that God would prosper and turn to good the whole action of the counsell and that they raile not againste the same as they haue accustomed to do They deliberating vppon the matter make answer that in dede they set not forth those pictures how be it they iudge them worthy no reprehension and that certaine with in his dominion haue by the space of iii. yeares swarued from the pure doctrine of the Gospell it cannot be denied for there be bokes and monuments extant and that the city was besieged because of the Gospell it is easy to proue if a man consider only the fyrste authors of the warre In admonishinge the people they haue omitted nothing the same wil they also do hereafter for the counsel which is assembled to quench the verity wherin that Romish Antichriste obteineth the highest place they can none otherwise pray than that God may confound breake and dissipate their enterprises and deuises for there is no good thinge to be loked for at theyr handes Such conditious of peace were in dede spread abrode but certaine it is that they were well assured both for their liberty and religion Duke Moris also had rather the City should be open for him then for themperour as thend declared afterward After this sorte they of Maidenburge being deliuered besides thexpectation of many got them selues great praise and renowne amonges foraine nations for so much as in manner they alone throughout al Germany declared by theyr example what thing constancy may do Moreouer thend of theyr misery was thentry and beginning of the warre against them by whose aid and counsel they were afflicted as here after shal be declared Whilest Duke Moris was in the city he declared sufficiently what his intent was that is to wit how he wold hazard his life to deliuer his father in-inlawe Neither did he dissemble the same the next daye after being moued by a certen man He had sent Ambassadours to the Emperour before for the deliueraunce of the Lantgraue And had also ioyned with him herein the king of Denmarke and many Princes of Germany as you shall heare hereafter And vnlesse he could bringe it to passe was fully determined to attempte the thing by force and was already at a compact with the French kyng touching the same who had sent to him priuely Iohn Fraxinie Byshop of Baion a man
well acquainted in Germany and that vnderstode the tongue But the Emperour appered to be nothing moued with all these thinges and was wholy addicte to the war of Parma and the treaty of the counsell of Trent About this tyme also Maximilian the Emperours sonne in-inlawe cōming out of Spaine arriued at Genes with his wyfe and children The Frenche men sayling out of the porte of Marseilles and bording certen of his shippes toke and spoyled the same The cause whereof was said to bee for that those horsemen which king Ferdinando had sent into Italy to receiue and conduicte his sonne comming out of Spayne had ayded Ferdinando Gōzage in a certen warlike exploicte But the Frenchemen before that also vnder the pretence of amitie entring into the hauon of Barcelona had takē away a Galley six shippes of burthē furnished with all thinges necessary for the vse nauigatiō of Maximilian as certenly the imperialls recite in a certē inuectiue wherin they complaine of the iniuries of the Frenchmen the peace broken The Princes had intreated the Emperour in the conuentiō at Auspurg that in case he might not be present at the least he wold not be far from the place of the coūsel Which thing he graūted to do had said vnto thē how he wold remaine vpō the borders of thempire as I shewed you before Wherfore departing frō Auspurge in the beginning of Nouēb he came to Inspruck which is thre daies iourney from Trent This he thought to haue done both for bicause of the coūsell also for the warre of Parma that being so nere al thing shuld be done with more diligence Shortly after about the .xxi. day of Nouēb Iohn Sleidane Ambassadour for the citie of Strasburg came to Trent that he might further the cōmon cause ioyntly with Duke Maurices the duke of Wirtēberges Ambassadours And vnto this citie had ioyned themselues Esting Rauēsburg Rutelinge Bibrach and Lindawe and gaue commission that they should treate also in their names But why they of Frankefort and chiefly of Norinberge sent not it may be doubted Ulmes hadde before chaunged theyr Religion after the prescript of the Emperour From Auspurg and other places were all the preachers bannished lately as I sayde before So that they could not well sende any Howbeit though the same had not chaunced the Senate would haue done nothinge herein but by the Emperours consent In the moneth of Nouember the Byshop of Rome in one daye created .xiii. Cardinalles all Italians For they be wont to prouide such as it were garrysons to defende them selues Whan the .xxv. day of Nouēber was come and the fathers placed in their seates accordingly the decrees were recited That penaunce is a Sacrament instituted of Christe and necessary for suche as after Baptisme fall vnto synne agayne That it is also a seuerall Sacrament from Baptisme and as it were an other table of saluation after the shipwrake hath chaunced That the same wordes of Christe by the whiche he geueth to his Apostles the holy Ghost ought to be vnderstande of the power to forgeue sinnes by this Sacrament That the sinn shuld be forgeuen thre thinges be required contricion confession satisfaction And that contrition is in dede a true and profitable sorrowe which prepareth the man vnto grace And confession or the maner secretly to recite the synnes to the Prieste to bee ordeyned by Goddes lawe and necessary to saluation That all sinnes whiche come to remembraunce and circumstaunces of the same are to be rehersed That confession ought to be euery yeare once at the least and that chiefly in the tyme of Lent That absolution is not a bare ministery wherby the remission of sinnes is denounced but an act iudicial That only priestes though they be neuer so synfull haue authoritie to geue absolution Where as Byshoppes doe reserue vnto them selues certen cases and offences for the whiche other priestes can not assoyle to be well done Although the crime be remitted yet is not the punishement therfore released and that satisfaction consisteth in worke and not in fayth That by such penaunce as eyther God sendeth vpon vs or the prieste inioyneth or els of our owne fre wyll we chose vnto our selues the synnes are clensed concerning temporall punyshement That satisfactions wherby synnes are redemed be Goddes seruice That the prieste hath power to bynde and lowse And therfore may inioyne penaunce to hym that confesseth his synnes And this muche concerning penaunce They decree that extreme vnction is a Sacrament instituted of Christe for that it geueth grace remitteth synnes and comforteth the sycke The vse of this Sacrament to be the same wherof spake Saint Iames the Apostle Those seniours also wherof he made mention not to be aunciēt in yeares but priestes and thei only to be the Ministers of this Sacrament This doctrine they commaūde to be celebrated and obserued Suche as teache or beleue other wyse they deteste and accurse as pestilent and wicked The next daye after the sessions were brought the Duke of Wirtemberges letters to his Ambassadours Whome he commaunded that they should procede and in the assession at the xxv daye of Nouember they shoulde exhibite the confession of the doctrine wryttē When therfore those letters were brought so lyttle tyme to late and that it was a long season to the next sitting and Earle Mounfort was also absente they goe to the Cardinall of Trent and saye they haue certen thynges whiche they should in their Prynces name propounde in the counsell And howe the same should haue bene done in the laste session but that the letters came so late that the occasion was paste Wherfore they requyre that he whiche is a Germayne borne would both for the loue of the countrie and for their Prynces sake also whome he knewe further thē in this case and bring to passe that the fathers being called together they myght declare their message He with moste ample wordes promiseth great beneuolence Howe he wyl preferre the matter to the byshops Legate But sayeth howe it is agreed amonges the fathers that no man shal propounde any thyng openly vnlesse it be first knowen what maner a thyng that should be And how the Frenche Ambassadour was cause of the same decree whan lately in the opē sittyng there was reysed an vnsemely vprore and a very clamorouse outcrie Wherfore he inquireth what should be the effect of their requeste Who for the desire they had to further the matter shewe him the letters of their cōmission Wherby vnderstanding that they should exhibite some boke of doctrine he letteth thē so departe at that time as he put them in hope that within a fewe daies the thing might take effect The next daye he calleth for them againe and saieth howe he hath conferred with the legate of the whole matter for the better credit also shewed him the letters of cōmission But that he is sore offended for that they shoulde thynke to exhibite a
maintaine theyr liberty For what time the Frenche king went out of his owne pale which was aboute the eighte day of Marche sendinge vnto them letters and messagers he desired only that they would prepare him vitaile that he might passe through theyr country with his armye promisinge all benenolence And he vsed for his minister the Cardinall Lenoncurt bishop of the Citye who setforth his good will and zeale to the Senate The conestable also wrote vnto them moste frendlye but whan he came neare vnto the citye with his force he desired to be let in and obteined the next day he was master of the gates and of al the fortifications Thither came also afterwardes the kinge him selfe at the xviii day of Aprill and there remaining four daies after he had taken thothe of the Senate and people he appoynted Mounsir Gōnorie to be theyr gouernoure and commanded their armure to be deliuered and caried into one place and the Citye to be fortified likewise doth he in the Townes before named and in Loraine and sending his messagers before to Strasburge to Haganawe and other places neare and to the bishoppe of Strasburge required to be aided with Wheate and Uitaile Whan Auspurge was taken as I said and thold Senate restored which themperoure had displaced and the liberty of geuinge of voices restored also to the people the Princes contederated marched towarde Woulmes that refused theyr league Whan they came thither the xii day of Aprill they ride aboute this Citye And whan they were shot at with the greate pieces they damaunde to be satisfied for the iniuries done them with the summe of three hondreth thousande Crownes which denied they becommed their enemies But duke Moris goinge from thence wente to Lintz a towne of Austriche that he mighte vnderstande by kinge Farnando the conditions of peace For he as I said by the Emperoures consent was a meane to intreat a peace Afterwarde the Emperoure exhorted by his letters the chiefest Princes of Germanye that they woulde assaye to quenche this fire and deuise some meanes of peace the whiche he woulde not be againste And where as diuerse required his aide for that thei were able to do nothing against so great a power comforting their myndes he answereth that he hopeth wel that the treatie of peace commenced shall haue a lucky successe if not than will he neyther faile them nor the common weale Whan Woulmes had bene beseged six daies the Princes the .xix. day of Aprill remoued to Stocach a towne of Hegouia There they receiued mony in the French kinges name for thre monethes as is conuenaunted and Gamey Marchiane the Frenche pledge was deliuered For the other Nantoliet died by the waye The Princes pledges whiche they gaue to the Frenche kyng were Christopher Duke of Megelburg and Philip the Lantgraues sonne The last of Aprill the Princes retourne to Thonaw certen myles beneth Woulmes In the meane seasō Marques Albert burneth the townes and villages belonging to Woulmes and extorteth money and taketh their castell of Helfesteyne situated on a high hill and placeth therin a garrison and the towne of Gissing nere vnto it whiche is thre myles frō Woulmes with certen villages by the same he condemneth to paye .xviii. thousand crownes Whā Duke Maurice was come to Lintz he propoundeth of deliuering the Lantgraue his father in lawe of appeasing the dissention of Religion and doctrine of wel ordering the common wealth of peace to be made with the French kyng their fellowe and confederate of the outlawes to be receiued agayne into fauour Those were the Ryngrane and others before named and also Erle Hedecke whiche in fourmer yeares gaue hym selfe into the tuition of Duke Maurice as before is sayde Howheit the Emperour had appointed no rewarde against his lyfe least he should offende Duke Maurice as it is to be thought Unto these demaundes Ferdinando with whom were Maximilian his sonne and his sonne in lawe Albert Duke of Bauier and also the Emperours Ambassadours maketh aunswere Howe the Emperour is content that the Lantgraue be set at lybertie yet so that the warre maye cease immediately Touchinge Religion and the common wealth he is well pleased that the matter be determined in the next conuention of German But the Emperour is very lothe that the Frenche kyng shoulde be herein comprised Neuerthelesse Duke Maurice may knowe of him in what sorte he wyl be accorded The outlawes may also be taken to mercie in case they wyl obeye the condition offered by the Emperour Moreouer Ferdinādo requested that whan peace were once concluded Duke Maurice would helpe him in Hongary and that the soldiours should not slippe away to the Frenche kyng Wherunto whan Duke Maurice had aunswered and sayde that that he could determine nothing without the consent of his fellowes they departed so as at the .xxvi. day of May they should mete againe at Passawe whiche is a towne betwene Lintz and Regenspurge where the Ryuers of Thonawe and Oene mete Thither should come also the Princes that were intercessours and their deputies On Maydaye the Lantgraues sonne and Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburg leade the armie of Gundelfinge there lye eight whole dayes together lokyng for Duke Maurice retourne out of Austrich Whan he was come the next daye was the armie munstred at Lawginge a towne of Otto Henry the Pausgraues For they had also recouered his prouince possessed by the Emperour and had expulsed the Byshop of Auspurge out of his countrie And verely Otto the Paulsgraue ioyned hym selfe vnto their league From thence they goe towarde the Alpes And it chaunced at the same tyme that kyng Ferdinando had obteyned of them a truce whiche beginning the .xxvi. daye of May should ende the eight daye of Iune In the meane tyme Themperour leuied a power at the fote of the Alpes whiche assembled at the Towne of Rwe In this hurly burly the Byshop of Auspurge Cardinall which before was not very ryche and had nowe susteyned great losse as I sayde went to Rome that he myght obteyne of the Byshop new promotions and benefices wherwith he might fill vp those sinkes agayne After this the iudges of the chamber imperial flie away from Spiers For by the Frenche king and the Princes in their forsaide wrytinges signified plainly a displeasure ascribed to thē in a maner the blame of all their trouble The Frenche king came with his armie by the borders of Loraine to Saberne the third day of May foure myles from Strasburg a town belonging to the bishop He had before requested them of Strasburg to ayde his armie with thinges necessary For the whiche cause Ambassadours were sent vnto him to Sarburg seuen myles from Strasburg whiche should offer him a certen quantitie of wheate wyne those were Peter Sturmie Fridericke Gotesseme and Iohn Sleidane But the Conestable accompted that as nothynge whiche they offered And albeit the Ambassadours departed from hym in suche sorte as that they would aduertyse
what they wyll doe herein he cōmaundeth them to sende playne worde by the brynger of these letters Unto the whiche letters they aunswer briefly that whylest they be saufe and so longe as they haue lyfe they wyll doe no suche thynge as he demaundeth The Frenche king passing out of Germany with his army deuided in thre partes came at the last to Walderfing whiche is a litle towne of the dutchie of Lorayne by the Riuer of Sare There vniting his armie the .xxv. day of May marching forth and passing ouer the riuer of Mosel what tyme he came into the lande of Lutcemburg he distroied all before him with spoiling and burning prouoked by the example of Rosseme as they thē selues reporte and recouereth the towne of Asteney voyde of soldiours to defende it For Marten Rosseme was retourned home Againe pitching his tentes he taketh a little towne by surrender called Danuillers after that also Iueye one of the chiefest fortes there In the same town was Count Mansfield Ernestus gouernour of the whole countrey with the floure of the youth there with him Al they were taken prisoners Afterwarde was the towne spoyled of the outragious soldiours against the kinges will as they reporte Now let vs retourne to Duke Maurice He for to treate a peace as I said was gone to Passa we There he repeting the treatie that was at Lintz the first of Iune propoūdeth declareth al thinges more at large There were themperours Ambassadours kyng Ferdinando Albert Duke of Bauier the Byshops of Salisburge Eistet and of all the chief Princes of Germany the Ambassadours also of Cleaue and of Wirtemberge and many others besides He complaineth that the state of thempire whiche chiefly ought to be free is gouerned by straungers that thauthoritie of the Princes Electours is deminished that many things be done with out their aduise knowledge That certē thinges also are plucked away alienated frō thempire Howe meanes are deuised that thautoritie of electing thēperour may be takē from thē in cōmon assemblies the Electours voices are in a maner neglected that the priuate conuentions of the Electours are for a certen feare omitted and their liberties infringed whylest the chamber imperiall receiueth those that appeale from thē contrary to the auncient custome That the controuersies of the states Imperial are purposly maynteined and be neuer accorded before either partie haue susteined losse and dammage Howe in the Emperours courte a man can hardly be heard speake neyther is his matter exactly knowen chiefly for that they vnderstande not the tongue and that there is muche losse not only of costes but of tyme also In open assemblies matters are handled nothyng frendly and if any man propounde ought for the common wealth it is taken in euyl parte That Germany is sore impoueryshed and beggered with those ofte and dayly conuentions and at home oftentymes are many thynges neglected and neyther yet is the publique state any whyt amended yea it is made worse and more intricate By strayghte proclamations it is prohibited that no man serue in foreyne warres That suche as be reconciled are bounde that they shall not warre against the Emperours countrey and so are plucked from the Empyre In the Protestaūtes warre such as serued their Lordes according to their dutie were punished by the purse such as in the same war remained in thēperours frendshyp were commaunded to paye also and that their landes and goodes should be put to sale vnlesse they payed immediatly and their Ambassadours bicause they did not by and by assent were commaunded vnder paine of death that they shuld not departe from the court That foreine soldiours haue bene oftentimes brought into Germany and the last warre beinge finished were distributed hither and thither into Prouinces whiche haue done many thinges dissolutely and vitiously and haue gloried of the conquest of Germany and haue sayde how it should be annexed 〈◊〉 the Emperours patrimonie and that in the head cities should be buylded castelles and fortes Howe muche ordenaunce and warlike munition was as it were in a mockerie caried out of Germany into foreine nations Howe diuerse men for a certen ambition haue caused the armes of the Princes of Germany to be set vpon the gunnes which they made for themselues as though they had taken them from thē How there be set forth bokes that with the Emperours priuilege whiche sounde to the great reproche and infamie of Germany as though it were cōquered and brought in bondage That in common assemblees vnder the name of the Emperours prouinces certen men were placed amonges the Princes and states and this to be wrought through secret deuises that the nōber being augmented they may preuayle by the nomber of voices Howe foure yeares past was ordeyned the iudgemēt of the chamber imperial and lawes made by a very fewe which wer after published to the great hynderaunce of many especially of them that be of the Protestauntes Religion For all those are vtterly excluded from that benche Wherfore the thinge it selfe requyreth that those lawes be better skanned in the next conuention These and suche other lyke thynges he propoundeth and for as muche as they chiefly concerne the Emperour he requyreth that they be redressed out of hande and that the Empyre be restored to the fourmer dignitie and that others be not permitted to delude and contempne the same The intercessours conferring together iudged nothinge amisse in these requestes Howebeit to the intent that both the Emperours dignitie should be mainteined and might so much more easely be perswaded they thynke that many thynges whiche concerne the reformation of the state publique may be ryght well differred tyll a generall conuention of the Empyre There was present the French Ambassadour Fraxineus Who the thyrd daye of Iune made an oration before the Princes How betwene the Frenchemē and the Germaines in old time and before the name of Francons was knowen there was so great lykenes of life and maners that the Germains be thesame people whiche the Romaines in times past called the brethren of the Frenchemen But after that the Francons had planted them selues in Fraunce both natiōs were so vnited that there was one Empire one Prince and the same lawes for both Afterwarde whan an alteration chaunced and that th empyre was deuolued to the Germains The Dukes of Saxon other Emperours for that they had their originall of the kinges of Fraunce had continual amitie with the Frenchmē in so much that Philip king of Fraunce caused the auncient league whiche could scant be read for the olde antiquitie therof to be written out in goldē letters and layd vp in an holyer place And verely not without iust cause For during that league of amitie the cōmon wealth of either nation was in dede moste florishing And certenly the force of Germany was thā so great that it prescribed lawes not only to the Hongarians Bohemers Poloniās and Deanes but also to the Italians
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
chayne of Golde as a token of honour Fiue of them studied at Losanna Frenchemen in dede borne but founde at the charges and liberalitie of the Lords of Bernes Whan therfore they had heard that they were taken and vnderstode their daūger they made diligent sute to the king desiring him thei might be geuen to them But it was in vayne where the kyng alledged that he might not doe it by the lawes The Cardinall of Tournon was thought to haue bene the occasion hereof I spake a litle before of the death of the moste noble Prince Edwarde the sixte kyng of England He was in a consumptiō and in the moneth of Ianuary he fell sicke And where as his sicknes increased being carefull for his Realme and Religion he conferreth with his counsell of the matter and inquireth of them vnto whome chiefly he should committe the gouernmēt For albeit that king Henry his father whā he died had appointed next in succession vnto him Mary and Elizabeth as before is sayd yet for so muche as he him selfe was of lawefull yeres he accoumpted it to lie in his power to make his heire especially seing that moste men doubted of the lawful birth of his syster and Mary was also of the Byshop of Romes Religion which if she should haue the gouernment he sawe howe there was great daunger least both this present Religion should be subuerted and the Realme also be gouerned by a straunger Wherfore after deliberatiō had it was agreed to chose the lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady Fraūces nece to kinge Henry the eight Whan the rest of the Counsell and the Maior of London and the Lordes of the Realme had this allowed The Archebyshop of Cantorbury primate of Englande was sent for to the court that he myght subscribe whiche he refuseth to doe vnlesse he maye first heare the kyng speake Wherfore being admitted to his speache whan he had reasoned the matter with him familiarly as he laye he assēted being of him earnestly required hereunto Whan the kyng was departed whiche was the syxt daye of Iuly as before is sayd the fourth daye after the Lady Iane is proclaimed Quene and a proclamation openly set forth howe kyng Edwarde by the consent of his Nobles for moste weighty causes had disherited the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth his systers and lefte the succession of the Realme to the Lady Iane. The Nobilitie and commons toke this moste displeasauntly not so muche for the loue of the Lady Mary as for the hatred of the Duke of Northumberlande where no man in a maner doubted but that he was the authour of this counsell to the intent that by this meane he myght as it were conuey the kingdome into his own house Whylest these thinges were a workyng the Lady Mary fleeth into Norfolke and from thence to the castell of Framingham in Suffolke and wryting abroade for ayde taketh vpon her as Quene That knowen the Duke of Northumberlande assembleth a power and setting forth of Londō marcheth towardes her by the consent of the reste to apprehende her But in the meane season the counsellours that remayned in the citie perceiuing the hartes of the people that the forces of Norfolke and Suffolke resorted to Quene Mary chaunging their myndes and pourpose proclaimed Quene Mary and kepe the lady Iane in pryson After these newes came into the Campe al mē for the moste parte bycause they serued against their wylles hated the Duke do reuolte And whan letters and commission came from Frammingham thei take the Duke at Cambridge and the .xxv. daye of Iuly bryng him agayne into the citie It is vncredible with what rebukes railinges the people receiued hym whylest some cal him traytour some parracide others the murtherer of the moste innocent kyng For in as much as he was thought to haue brought his sonnes wyfe to the Roial crowne there arose a suspicion that he had imagined these thynges longe before and layde in wayte for the kynges lyfe After were apprehended his sonnes and his brother and certē other Nobles and the kynges scholemaister Sir Iohn Cheke knight a mā of great vertu and learning Yet was he discharged afterwardes but put in a maner from all his lsuing After came Quene Mary to London entring into the holde which they call the Towre deliuereth out of prison the Duke of Norfolke who had bene almoste seuen yeares in captiuitie Gardiner Byshop of Winchester and Tunstall Bishop of Duresme and certen other Byshops of the popyshe Religion whiche had bene put from their Byshoprikes and restoreth them to their fourmer places And certenly that byshop of Winchester although in bookes set forth he had defended the doing of king Henry what tyme he diuorsed him selfe from the Lady Katherine the mother of Quene Mary as in the .ix. booke is mentioned yet nowe he obteined the place of the chauncelour whiche is there the highest degree of dignitie For where the lady Katherine alledged the Byshop of Romes licence Iuly the second who had confirmed that matrimony and the kyng againe sayde it was naught and therfore sent the Byshop of Winchester before he was Byshop to Rome that Clement might pronoūce thesame frustrate Who comming thither in the moneth of February in the .xxix. yeare was an importune suter The Bishop of Rome who as the prouerbe is helde the woulfe by both eares where as both he coueted to gratifie the kyng and also feared themperours displeasure aunswereth that he wyll wryte to themperour that the true licence vnder seale might be shewed He assenteth in dede but he requireth to haue two monethes only appointed for the same matter Whan that tyme shal be runne out Gardener requireth the the licence might be compted vnlawfull But that thought the Byshop of Rome both straunge and also vnreasonable and seketh with gentle wordes to satisfie the kyng But the Ambassadour tolde hym playnly that vnles he might obteyne the kynges request it would be to the great hinderaunce of the See of Rome Agayne the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando the .xxvii. daye of Aprill by Ambassadours declare their grief and expostulate with byshop Clement that he fauoured the kyng onermuche and would haue the matter iudged in Englande and also appointed their procurers with large and ample commission whiche should treate and followe the cause in their names at Rome Wherfore the Byshop commaunding at the last Campegius to retourne home reuoketh the suite to him selfe so much the rather for that he vnderstode by the Cardinall of Yorke of the kynges new loue as I said in the .ix. booke The .xxii. daye of August the Duke of Northumberland cōdemned of treasō was beheaded and whan he was brought to the Scaffolde made an oration and amonges other thinges he exhorteth the people to perseuer in the same religion whiche they had receiued of their forefathers as it wer from hand to hande For he iudgeth this to be the only cause of
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
of May make answer at large and addressinge theyr wryting vnto all the states both confute al thinges in ordre and verify the most thinges of him and recite vpon what conditioÌ„ they gaue Monye to Duke Moris and his fellowes and declare who is the author of the warre For euen at the same time say they that the Princes intercessoures met at Hedelberge he by his vauÌ„tcurrers leuied as muche power as he possible mighte in Saxonye and that is to be proued aswell by others as also by those letters which one of his curriers William Grumpache wrote vnto him the xxix of March Than if king Ferdinando duke Moris and the dukes of BruÌ„swicke had not imploid all theyr force yea their liues and blud for theyr country he would doubtlesse haue made an horrible destruction and waste through oute all Germany He had driuen the Byshops of Franckonie to conditions most vnreasonable but that coÌ„position the Emperor made after frustrate and gaue them leaue to recouer againe theyr owne Wherfore the Bishoppe of Bamberge wan againe certaine of his Townes and gouernments longe before that he was receiued againe into the Emperors fauor and euen than at what time by reason of his high treason not onlye his landes and possessions but his life also might haue bene taken froÌ„ him lawfully Afterward by the Emperors commaundemente we made this league for the defence of oure prouinces Than was â—e reconciled to the Emperor and obteined of him the confirmationâ— the compactes made but yet vppon condition that he should be true to him and to the Empire but he all be it the Emperor permitted him no violence in the time of the siege of Metz wrote home to hys captains that they should feare the bishops and vnlesse they wold restore that they had taken to worke force and violence So they in the monthe of Ianuary followinge makinge an inuasion recouered manye thinges by force of armes Wherefore the Bishop of Bamberge admonished his fellowes to aide him according to theyr league we neuerthelesse least we should do any thing rashly by sondrye letters and intermessagers exhorted Marques Albert to peace but he answeringe contemptuouslye and opprobriously said amongs other thinges that the mo ennemies he had the more honor and praise should he win This was in the beginning of March and not long after began that treatye at Hedelberge And whan he ther refused moste ample and large conditions his kinffolkes and allies intercessors exhorting him vnto peace he went home and leuied an army we being sollicited and moued againe by the Bishoppes did than at the last professe our selues his enemies This was the last yere the first of Aprill And wheras he him self hath moued a most cruell warre after a very straunge example and such as hath not bene heard of in Germany he goeth about to charge vs with that crime But assuredly it is vntrue neither was ther euer any such like thinge complained of vnto vs. But his soldiours haue omitted no kind of cruelty and chauncing on a time to find plowmen in the field hanged them vp both the fathers and the sonnes in a manner before oure faces and haue not only inforced women a liue but haue also digged them vp whan they haue bene dead The last yere in the moneth of May a certaine gentelman of Franconie Nicholas Eglofsten was inforced to yelde vp his castell of Conrute but he did not only burne it but also fineding ther about a fortye country men and with them the minister of the church commaunded them to be haÌ„ged vp all in an Orchard adioyning to the Castel and caried away with him his wife and his mother Prisoners He wente aboute in dede to excuse this matter by letters to the Nobility of Franconie but nothing to the purpose How he also intreated his prisonners both our men and the pledges of Bamberge whiche he haled with him into Saxonie can declare and all other such as he hath deteined in prisone For bothe he demaunded of them an vnreasonable summe of mony and mooste greuously tormented them vppon the racke and also sterued them for honger and cold so that many died and the residue hauing their limmes starke deade by reason of the cold wer faine to haue them cut of and taken away And wheras certain of them had nothing either to paye their raunsome or to liue by he forbad they shoulde haue any meate geuen them And if the souldioures of the warde being vanquished with their lamentations and pitiful cry had not somtime cast them a piece of bread that was so drye and moulded with longe kepinge that no Cattell nor brute beastes vnlesse it were for extreme honger woulde haue touched they had died all for want of meate And all be it that som of them made a piece of mony by theyr frendes yet hardly could they therfore get a little straw water Wherfore certaine were staruen for honger and thurste not onlye in the terrible darknesse but also in the stench of the prison in the mids of thordure Uermen venemous beastes And whan they had thus perished the coarses wer not than drawn out nor remoued froÌ„ theÌ„ce but lefte with them that were aliue there and increased the Prison with stench But howe gently we haue intreated his Prisonners both captaines and certen centurions and euen suche as deserued worst of vs and haue rendred them selues without condition that may be knowen by their owne testimony And howe vnwilling he is to haue peace that may well appeare by the two last treaties of Roteburge as you know moste noble Princes which either wer there your selues or sente thither your ambassadoures For althoughe we susteined by him wonderfull losse and calamity and all be it he was already outlawed yet in the former conuention we made this offer That if he wold leaue his warre and demeane him selfe well from henceforth and woulde trye the matter by the law we would also lay a part oure weapons and put the matter to tharbitrement of the Princes that were intercessours or to the iudgement of themperor and states of the Empire the same offer made the Bishoppes by the aduise and consente of the ambassadours of King Ferdinando The counselloures also of the Princes intercessoures for the loue of peace added this moreouer that if the states of Franconie that be in confederacy would promise to restore him his prouince as it was than they shoulde cease warre on both sides and kepe peace from henceforth and that the Publication in that behalf should be frustrate and the whole controuersy committed to a frendly and lawfull treaty But he in a contempt and mockery called the intercessors his enemies procurers and saide he woulde not suffer him selfe to be broughte into suche distresse neither did he couet to haue this outlawry as yet reuearsed and would also put in hazard the reaste of that he had and spake many such other like things both rashly opprobriously and with threatninges to the
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
herein relent any thyng And although all wayes and meanes of concorde being set open of vs I had thought that he because of a cōmon quiet would not haue dealte obstinatly yet are they at this time broken of without any good done Neuerthelesse for the better stay of Christendome I refuse not peace vpon such reasonable conditions as hitherto haue bene propounded And when occasiō shall serue I wyll wholy indeuour that those thinges may be restored to the Empire and may be in a better state hereafter The Emperour had a little before sent the Duke of Alba into Lumbardie that he might there make warre where as Ferdinando Gonzaga had discharged him selfe of that office and retourning home out of Flaunders liued a priuate life Of many monethes before there had bene a report and that in dede most certen but chifly at this tyme that the Quene of Englande was with childe and nere her time But the expectation was vain Then also they began to burne againe in Englande and the same Bradforde whome in the ende of the .xxv. booke I sayde was a fewe monethes before condemned and caried againe to pryson was than at last burnt amongest others At the ende of the moneth of May Iohn Fridericke the eldest sonne of Duke Iohn Fridericke toke to wyfe Agnes the Lantgraues daughter whiche had bene wyfe to Duke Maurice Thither came many Princes whiche vpon this occasion also consulted againe of their own matters at Numburge In maner at this same tyme the Lady Iane the Emperours mother departed out of this lyfe Kyng Ferdinando kept her funerall at Auspurge A certen tumult in the night was raysed than at Geneua by certen of the Senatours who thought to bring the gouernment of the citie to them and to their faction And chiefly they hated Caluine And those which for persecutiō were come thither out of Fraunce they sought to expulse And where there was running vp and downe in the night season in sondry places as a token or watche worde they cried that the Frenchemē were vp in harnesse the citie was betrayed But where they kept them selues in their houses the matter at length was appeased and after were certen executed Many saued thē selues by flight The cause why they would haue expulsed the French men that were straungers amongest others was this that many of them were of late chosen in to the nomber of the citezens wherby they sawe their owne force weakened the nomber of the other part being increased The Turkes nauie as in certen former yeares so nowe also sayled on the Tuscane sea threatening Hetruria Wherfore or euer they went any further or ioyned with the Frenche nauie the Marques of Maarignane lieftenaunt of the Emperours armie inuaded the porte of Hercules kept by the Frenchemen and by force of his souldiours wynneth the castell putting the garrison to the sworde This was at the Ides of Iune The Turkes afterwarde besiege the Towne of Plumbine And when after an ouerthrowe the matter would not succede thei attempt Ilua an Ilande of the Dukes of Florence but in vayne also Than were certen politicke lawes set foorth at Metz in the whiche citie the Frenche kyng had a garrison a gouernour also a iudge to execute iustice There was wrytten amongest other thinges if any brother or sister or vncle or tutour or gardien be bawed to any mayde or woman that he should haue a rynge of Iron put about his necke and where he shall openly vse suche practise being subiect to the iniuries and rebukes of all men let him be beaten with roddes and bannished But if the father or mother shall do the lyke they shal lose their head Many men marueled that these thinges were so set forth for that such vnaccustomed vices and not euery where vsed semed not so muche to be forboden as shewed But howe corrupt maners be in our tyme hereof it may be easely gathered Of that same controuersie which hath nowe many yeares vene betwixt the Lantgraue and William Erle of Nassow for the Lorship of Chattes we haue spoken heretofore oftener thā once Wherfore to the intent at the last an ende might be made least that any further inconuenience might arrise therof certen Princes intreate the matter and as indifferent arbitrers appointe a daye at Wormes the first of Iuly These were the Paulsgraue Prince Electour Christopher Duke of Wirtēberg William Duke of Cleaue the Lātgraue sent thither William his eldest sonne The conditions there propounded and a certē tyme debated at the last are permitted to a further deliberatiō and a certen tyme appointed for the same matter In the meane season the Frenchemen to the intent they might haue victualles in a readines plucke downe many villages in the countrie of Mountfarrate least if the ennemie should possesse them Casale should be brought in distresse There is in those partes a towne Uulpiane of great force and estimatiō The same was kept by Spaniardes And where at the newe comming of the Duke of Alba a great power was gathered the towne was vitayled At the same tyme also the Frenchemen vitayled Maryburge taken the yeare before in Flaunders and kept from the Emperour The Frenche kyng being moued by his counsell set forth a proclamation wherby he commaunded all his officers that suche as the ecclesiastical iudges and Inquisitours of the fayth should condēne they should for the greatnes of the fault without any delaye or respecte had of appealyng put them to death The Cardinall of Lorayne deliuered this proclamation to the Senate of Paris that after the old custome being of thē allowed and set forth it might be registred in the common recordes but they somewhat astonied at the newnes of the thing for that the helpe of appealing was takē away require a time for to take deliberatiō and after sending to the king their Ambassadours she we what is their opinion as shal be declared in his place There is a towne in Rhaetia next Italy called Lucarne whiche belongeth to the common citie of the Heluetians The citezens of the same towne required of the Swisses that they would permitte them to haue the doctrine of the Gospell But they for as muche as they were in Religion diuerse varied in sentence where some thought mete to graunte them their requeste and others that it ought not to be permitted And there was lyke some ciuile tumulte to arise therof But in the ende their voices preuailed wherby it was decreed that they should remayne in the Religion of their elders and that it should be lawfull for thē that would not to go dwel els where So there were founde very many whiche leauing their houses went to Zurick whiche citie in dede receiued them and dealt liberally with them About this time the English Ambassadours which were sent to the Pope in the name of the whole Realme as I shewed about the ende of the laste booke retourne from
howe those whiche take vpon them the title of olde and Catholique Religion not without the great dishonour of God handle Religion and abuse the churche goodes Neuerthelesse to establishe a peace they do permitte that they may kepe styll their lawes Rites and ceremonies and inioye all their goodes landes and possessions customes rightes and priuileges tyll suche tyme as the dissention in Religion be accorded Wherfore they can not allowe that they shoulde prescribe that condition to the Byshoppes For so should it come to passe that they them selues shoulde be bounde to impugne the approuers and felowes of their owne Religion And to theyr great dishonour they shoulde condemne their owne cause For this were saye they to graunte our Religion and doctryne not to be worthy of the Churche goodes and that the same goodes haue bene hetherto applied amisse to our Churches and Ministeries We should also confesse theyr wicked doctrine and ministerie to be grounded vpon Goddes worde and that the Churche goodes are consecrated to this fylthie lyfe of theyrs Lawes and Ceremonies But howe greate an assence woulde this thynge ingender yf we shoulde maynteyne the cause and lyuynges of them whyche doe perfourme no profitable nor necessary dutie to the Churche And shoulde betraye them who for the same Religion oughte of vs to bee moste set by The aduersaryes amonges other thinges saide this if the Clergie should be permitted to alter their Religion it would come to passe that Byshoprikes and suche other like colleges should be made prophane and by litle and litle being plucked away from the churche should come into the handes of Princes and be made their inheritaunce But they affirme that this was neuer their intēt But to haue had a respect to this only that being called again to their olde foundation they might be imployed to the true vses and that the same goodes might be annexed to the same churches for euer And to take awaye all doubtes they promise to put in good assuraunce that in what Byshoprikes or Colleges soeuer Religion shall be altered no part of their goodes to be alienated and that after the death or resignation of the byshop free election and administration should be permitted to the College But where after muche reasoning they could not agree they exhibite on both partes to kyng Ferdinando their reasons comprised in wrytinge and requeste hym that he wold fynde some waye This was after the Ides of Iune For they proceded very slowly The cause wherof many thought to be that the conclusion of peace betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng was loked for For that the same was thought to make not a litle for either parte But the Papistes made as it were an extraordinary wryting vehement and byting to the intent they myght the more set forth their matter And firste saye they the protestauntes haue propounded fiue conditions First that the catholiques should allowe that doctrine which many yeares past in this our time also by by so sone as it sprāg vp of the ordinary magistrate hath bene alwayes condēned Secondly that the sacrileges which they by the space of these .xxx. whole yeres haue cōmitted should be ratified allowed that neither by law nor by other godly lawful meanes the church may recouer that same goodes But they wold also haue peace to be made with them where notwithstāding it is forboden to haue any cōpany with them Moreouer that thei might place in the colleges churches of archbishops of other prelates wicked ministers to set forth dotestable condēned doctrine to abolish the true seruice ceremonies of the church to bring in new wicked in their place that they may norish those false preachers of the churche goodes directly against tholde lawes custome of the churche Further more that it should be lawefull for all persones as well ecclesiastical as ciuile which as yet followe the catholique religiō to reuolt frō their true religion to come and followe their lore Finally when any of the Princes or Byshops do reuolt to their syde that it shall not concerne the same persone only but must apperteine to the people also that are subiecte to his gouernement and to the goodes and the whole ecclesiasticall iurisdiction Nowe although these thinges do striue with the lawes of God and man albeit thei be contrary to the othe both of themperour and of the king and of al the Prelates in so muche that the catholiques may not conueniently receiue them vnlesse they would breake both their fayeth and promesse yet for as much as they sticke obstinatly to their pourpose and threaten force also the catholiques at the length are contented so farre forth as they ought to do by the pacification of Passawe and haue declared the same sufficiently in the Senate of the Empire shewyng how they can not graunt that libertie of chaunging religion indifferently to all men For so should it come to passe that the Empire shoulde be broughte to desolation and that hyghe top of dignitie taken away from Germany For it is the dutie of Archebyshops and other Prelates that not only they do not permitte any Religion condemned but also that they should admonishe and put in feare Byshoppes and suche others yea the vnlearned that are ready to reuolte and suche as continue in their errour to present to the Catholique and Romishe churche For this maner hath euer since the tyme of the Apostels bene obserued as it is to be proued by sondry testimonies of counselles but chiefly by that of Calcedonie Neyther ought any man to thinke that suche as do reuolte should be left to their owne conscience For in thinges that concerne our fayth euery man ought not to be permitted to haue his cōscience free But when any departeth from the commō consent of the churche he ought to be punished and restreyned And in case he obeie not he must be excommunicated after the example of those counselles whiche are accompted the chief whiche condemned Arrius Macedonius Nestorius Eutyches And in dede the counsell of Calcedonie deposed Dioscorides the maynteyner of Eutyches from his Byshoprike For where it is sayde that euery man ought to haue his iudgement and conscience free And that neyther Christe nor his Apostles did euer compelle any to beleue yea when many went awaye from Christe there was none holden against his wyll this same verely is grounded vpon no foundation And is confuted by Saint Augustine at large in the two hondreth and fourth Epistle For if it should be free for Byshoppes forsaking the catholique Religion to reuolte to an other they wyll not relinquishe theyr Byshoprike for they wyll saye that they can nōt doe it with a saufe conscience but they wyll desyre ayde of the Protestaūtes that they wyll assiste them in mainteining their state and keping of the people in their Religion If this be done there is no doubt but these wyl take in hande to defende them
carefulnes I haue suppressed the parte of the proclamation touching the Lordes supper promysing hereafter all diligence that a reconcilement may be had For what causes I can not reuolte from the lawes and ceremonies of the churche I haue shewed For both Christ sayeth that the church must be heard and also the thing it selfe teacheth the fourmer age whiche renewyng nothing abode in the Religion of their forefathers to haue bene muche more quiet and fortunate in all thinges than this is nowe where all thinges are tourmoyled with sectes and dissentions and many men rauished toste hither and thither with euery wynde of doctrine Wherby I would the rather haue thought that you would not haue answered in this sorte And nowe albeit that this aunswere of yours may be throughly confuted yet for as much as we must treate of contributions and subsidies and therof shortly determine vnlesse you be determined to suffer extreme miserie I wyll not be ouer longe trusting also that you wyl doe both as the matter it selfe and also as the consideration of your dutie requyreth They agayne solicite the same thing and saye howe they can not leaue it And in case they can obteyne nothinge they saye it wyll be the cause that the same consultation of geuing him ayde wyl surely be hindered and letted For that they haue no commission to promyse any thing herein vnlesse they haue first good assuraunce for Religion and Ministers of the churche and for Scholemaisters that they may be authorised to teache frely In the moneth of February Henry Duke of Brunswick taketh to wyfe the sister of Sigismunde king of Poole About this tyme dieth Iohn Isemburg Byshop of Treuers and hath Iohn Ley his successour The .xxvi. daye also of the same moneth departeth at Alzeme Fredericke the Pausgraue Prince Electour a man of great yeares Whome Otto Henrick his brothers sonne succedeth who had lōg since receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and was in daunger therfore to haue lost al his possessions Taking an othe of his people he commaundeth by and by that no man within his dominion should say Masse or vse any other ceremonies Of the trouble that Osiander styred vp in Prusse who had brought in a newe doctrine of iustificatiō is spoken in the xxii boke But where as the moste part of learned men reprehended that opinion Albert Duke of Prusse by open wryting professeth that he wyll followe the doctrine of the confession of Auspurg He commaundeth therfore the ministers of the churche that they teache according to the same and promyseth to saue them harmeles in case they obeye And to the ende the matter might be throughly appeased Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburge sonne in lawe to the Duke of Pruse a Prince excellently learned going thither and hauing learned men about hym brought Iohn Funccius who was chief of the secte of Osiander to that poinct that both he acknowledged his errour and affirmed that he would confesse it openly and would hereafter teache after the confession of Auspurg Where as others would do the same they were agreed with the other diuines and the state of the churche was appeased The fourth daye of Marche began to shine a blasing starre and is sene by the space of twelue dayes In this moneth the Ambassadours of Princes and cities mete at Regēspurge and treate the cause of Marques Albert of Brandenburge For his aduersaries in the counsell of the last yeare had againe required the ayde of Princes against him but through the mediatiō of his frendes and that the matter should be heard by intercessours Where he therfore in the moneth of February of this yere came out of Fraūce into Germany his matter was heard the causes of thempire differred till the moneth of Aprill The Archebishop of Cantorbury already condēned after the death of Ryddley Latimer retourned to prison as before is said the .xxi. of this moneth is burnt at Oxforde Certen daies before being put in some hope of life through the perswasion of certen he had reuoked diuerse articles of doctrine neither shewed he constancie And when he sawe he must die he made an oration to the people and speaking many thinges of the amendement of life of maners to the ende he might haue his audience attētiue at the lēgth sheweth how greuously he had offended God by denying of the truthe reciting the chief articles of doctrine declareth briefly what he thought and confirmeth Papistrie to be the kingdome of Antichriste He had no so ner said so but he was had thence not without moste bitter railyng wordes to the place of execution And when he came thither stretching forth his right hand this hād saith he hath wickedly offended in subscribing to the wicked opinions which the ennemies of the truthe had propounded to me Wherfore it shall first suffer punishment Thus being tied to the stake so sone as the fire began to burne he stretched forth his hande into if as far as he coulde reache that it might first fele the torment And so was burnt the primate of Englande a man of greatest learning authoritie From the time that the Popishe marke was taken from him they call it degrading whiche is wont to be done with many cerimonies they put vpon him a most vile garmēt so brought him forth amonges the people to be laughed at But many hauing cōpassion of his vnworthy chaūce could not kepe thē frō sheding of teares although thei doubted nothing but that he should flitte out of this miserable lyfe in to the heauenly countrie and life euerlasting His promotions got Cardinall Poole made Archebyshop when he had Massed before And like as they of Austriche so also the Bauariās sollicited Albert their Duke cōcerning religiō in maner at the same time The Duke seing that kyng Ferdinando his father in lawe had permitted some thing to his subiectes he also when he exacted mony graunted some thing for a time that they might receiue the Lordes supper whole and on daies prohibited when necessitie requireth to eate flesh Howbeit he prosesseth with many wordes that he wyll not departe from the Religion of his auncesters nor alter any thing in ceremonies such other thinges for the same not to be lawfull for him to doe without the consent of his supreme Magistrate both spirituall and temporall And where he permitteth these two to be for a tyme only tyll some thing be established by publique authoritie or a reconcilement made For he wyll that his proclamations of fourmer tyme concerning Religion be exactely and stryghtly kept these two thinges only excepted He wyll procure also as muche as in him lieth that the Metropolitane and Byshops shall confirme this graunte and that they shall not for this cause seke to moleste any man This proclamation was written the daye before the Kalendes of Aprill The Metropolitan of whome he speaketh is the Archebyshop of Salisburg At this time certen noble men of
in the league 33 The liberty of the Swisses eodem The Masse to be abolished eodem Themperour hath war with frauÌ„ce 34 The death of pope Leo the tenth eod The Turke taketh Belgrade eodem The Lady Mary assured to themper 35 The Sectes of Bohemers 36 The Pope writeth to the Princes of Germany 37 The Watre of Treuers 38 The Popes letters to Strasburg eod The stocke of Adrian eodem The disputation of Zurick 39 The request of Adrian to dispatch Luther 39 The sinne of Rome spread ouer all the world 40 The meane to let Counselles 40 The answere of the Princes 41 The maner of a free Counsell 41 Two Friers burnt at Brussels 43 The Ceremonies of disgreding eod The death and workes of Hutten 44 The aunswer of Duke George eodem The eating of flesh eodem The Princes aunswer to CaÌ„peius 46 The decree of wormes repeted eodem The Pope is well monyed eodem The Swisses are assendid with them of Zurick eodem The Marchaundise of the Clergie 47 The aunswer of them of Zurick 47 The decree of Norinberge 48 Thomas Moouer a Graye frier 48 The lamentation of Luther 49 The Golden Rose sent to the kynge of England 50 Themperour blameth the princes eod Themperour defendour of the Romish Churche eodem The duke of BurboÌ„ne besiegeth Marselles eodem The beginning of the Rusticall war eod The papistes fight for their belly 51 To serue foreyne Princes is vyle eod The crafte of Papistes eodem The pouerty and boÌ„dage of the Swissers 52 The Riches liberty of thesame 52 The Comotion of the vulgare people 53 Their Demaundes 53 The Duke of Wittenberg attempted Warre eodem The slaughter of the Boores. eodem The great cruelty of the Boores. eod The warre of the Boores in Loraine 54 The slaughter of the Boores. 54 The cruelty of tharchbishop of treu 54 The death of Frederick duke of 56 The Princes make a power 56 The slaughter of the Muncerians 57 The vnreasonable laughter of muÌ„c 57 The dewty of a good Magistrate 58 Thautors of rebellion are without excuse 58 The best way to ouerthrow the popes auctoritie 58 The practice of the Deuell 59 The popish kingdome not long eod The demaundes of the preachers eod The Boores vse godly titles 60 The state of a Magistrate wherin 61 The Christian Lawe eodem The Christian profession is hard eod The nature of veritie 62 The craft of the deuill to oppresse eod The aunswer to the Boores dema eod Tythes must be payde eodem The false title of the Boores. 63 The rayser of tumultes 63 The part of a wise man 64 The dutie of a Magistrate eodem The ende of tiranny eodem Their can be nothing worse then 65 The popes letters to them of Paris 66 The kinges letters for Faber eodem The story of Pruse eodem The chief point of luthers doctrine 67 Thomas woolsey cardinall a butchers Sonne 68 The peace taken at Madrice 68 Themperours letters 69 The Turke inuadeth Hongary 69 The beginning of the prot league 70 The popes benefites to themperour 71 Themperours aunswer 71 The kingdome of Naples 72 The pope and thempâ—ar two great 72 The Pope is a waryour 72 Themperour confuteth the French 73 The princes letters to themperour 73 The beginning of the Anabaptistes 74 The French army inuadeth Italy 74 The power of Bernes 75 The duke of Burbon condemned at 75 The prebendes of Constance dep 76 The victory of the Gospell eodem The English French ambassad eod The French king offreth themp eodeÌ„ Themperours answer to the French 78 The Papistes forbidden to Preach 79 The ambassadours of thimperiall chaÌ„ber to Strasborow 79 The Bishoppes letters 79 The masse put down at strasborow 80 They of Basill take armure 80 The Masse put downe 80 The assembly of Spires 80 The ambassadors of Strasborow 81 The decree of Spires 81 The decree of wormes 82 Thoriginall of protestantes 82 The peace of Cambray 82 The Turke besiegeth Uienna 83 The sweating Sicknes 83 Two Clerkes burnt at Collon 83 The protest ambassadors to theÌ„p 84 Themp. aunswer to the protestantes 84 Thambassadours appeale 85 The honesty of a Bishoppe 85 The ChaÌ„bre writeth to Smalcald 86 TheÌ„perors Coronation at Bonony 86 The diuines of the protestantes 86 The princes that wold not haue masse 87 The Duke of Saxons office eodem The turkes victory in HoÌ„gary eodem The turkes cruelty eodem ThaÌ„bassadour of Austrich his comp 88 Thinges refused in religion 89 That the Masse is a sacrifice 89 The warre of florens 90 The pope in league with theÌ„p eodem The Turkes power eodem The protestantes were laboured eodeÌ„ The Bohemers borne withall 91 TheÌ„p oration to the protestantes 91 The ProtestaÌ„tes answer to themp 91 Themperour to the Protestantes 93 The protestantes spite no man 93 The drone bees desire to be restored 93 The answer to the coÌ„futation of zwin 94 The decree of Auspurge 95 The Church oppressed with tiraÌ„ny 96 The papistes are accused of aerag 96 The Lantzgraue made a league with Strasborow Zurick and Basill 96 The league of the protest at smalcald 97 The pope is a Sayler 97 The prot letters against FerdinaÌ„do 67 The causes of creating king of rom 98 The protestantes letters to the king of England and Fraunce 99 The protestantes appellation 99 The bishoppes of Denmark resist 100 The lawes permit the inferrour magistrate in some causes to resist the. 100 Tharchbishop of Treuers departeth 101 The aunswere of the French kinge to the protestantes 101 The amytie of FrauÌ„ce Germany 101 The auÌ„swer of the king of EnglaÌ„d 102 The duke of Saxons doubt of the. 102 The Palsgraue tharchbishop of 102 The Appellation of the Marques 103 Therles of Nassow Nauenar come to the Duke of Saxon to intreate 103 The intercessors and protestantes 103 They of Zurick discomfited 104 The death of Swinglius 104 The death of Decolampadius 105 The assembly of Regenspurge 105 The dukes of Bauier misliked the. 106 The annswer of the duke to the in t 107 The crafte of the Papistes 107 The number of Protestantes 108 The assembly at Regenspurg eodem The Turke inuadeth Austrich eodem The death of the duke of Saxon. eodem The slaughter of the turkes 109 The pope serueth the time eodem The Popes policie eodem The duke of Saxons answer eodem The protestantes answer to the pope 110 The couÌ„sell are swarued from their 110 Themperours part is to defend rel 111 The Pope is plaintife defendant 111 The Popes snares eodem The Pope slieth to the CouÌ„sell eodem The craft of duke George to find of 112 The inconstancy of pope Clement 113 The vniuersitie of paris Sentens 113 The death of Cardinall Wolsey 114 The tragedy of the graye friers 114 The game players carried to paris 115 The condemnation of false Friers 115 The victory of the Lantgraue 116 The liberality of the French king 117 The Lantgraues letters to theÌ„p eodeÌ„ Themperours aunswer eodem The punishment of the Godly
house of Lucenburg 406 The battaile of Cressie eodem The Frenche kynges aunswere to the intercessours 407 Themp. letters to thintercessours 408 Their aunswere to themperour eodeÌ„ The Ambassadours commentaries intercepted 409 The aunswere of Strausburge 410 The death of Bernard Archebishop of Colon. 412 The duke of Saxon goeth home to his owne house eodem The Emperour goeth with his armie toward Loraine 413 TheÌ„perorentreth into Strasburg eod The spoyle of the souldiours eodem The death of Caspar Hedio and Andrewe Osiander eodem The Emperour besiegeth Metz. eodem The batterie of Metz. 414 The Duke of Brunswik driuen out of his countrie eodem The duke of Guise defended Metz. eod The Frenche kinges writyng against the Emperour 415 The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. eodem The armes of Electourship eodem The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambicion eodem The father and the sonnes contend for inheritaunce 417 Terwen raced eodem The Ladie Iane of Suffolke maried Guilford Dudley 418 The Marques maketh war i Sar. eodeÌ„ The spoilyng of Albert. 419 The complainte of Duke Moris vpon Marques Albert. eodem The marques answer to duke Mo. 420 The Bishop in his absence inuade his countrie 421 The great crueltie of marques Al. eode The death of good kyng Edward eodeÌ„ The vertues of Edward the sixt eodem The wonders before Duke Maurice death 422 The death of Orace Fernese eodem The blasphemie of the lieutenanÌ„t 424 The ladle Iane. eodem The lady Mary proclaimed quene eodeÌ„ The Duke of Northumberlande condempned 425 Thomas Palmer knighte professeth the doctrine of the Gospell eodem The constancie of the Archebishopp of Cantorburse eodem The bishops caried to prison 426 The Popishe religion restored in Englande eodem The Turkishe naute taketh the Iland of Corsica 427 The FreÌ„che king atteÌ„pteth Cam. codeÌ„ The bloode of Innocentes gainfull to many 428 The Duke of Brunswickes letters to the Duke of Saxon. eodem The Duke of Brunswicke is reconciled to the duke of Saxon. eodem The Turke hanged his sonne Mustapha 429 The Archebishop of Cantorburie and others condempned eodem The Godlie lawes of good kynge Edward repealed 430 The duke of Norffolke forsaken of his menne eodem The duke of Suffolke 431 The Ladie Iane and her husbande beheaded eodem The duke of Suffolke beheaded eodem The godly ende of IhoÌ„ Frederick codeÌ„ The godlines of his wife 432 The Lady Elizabeth committed to the Towre eodem The slege of Senes eodem The death of Wiat eodem Thassemble of Auspurge 433 The death of Char. duke of Sanot 436 The letters of king Ferdinando to his subiectes of the lordes Supper eodeÌ„ The states make aunswere to the kinges letters eodem The Abbot of Newstat accused of Hereste eodem The Frenche kyng inuadeth the Emperours countries 437 The Frenche kynges letters 438 The Emperour giueth to his soonne the dukedome of Millane eodem The Cardinall giueth the Lordes absolution 439 The Emperours letters against Marques Albert. eodem Themperiall counsel of Auspurg 440 The ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 The Towne of Cassell taken by the Frenchmen 449 The letters of the princes of Saxon to the Emperour eodem The archbishop of Metz dieth 450 The death of Pope Iuly the third eodeÌ„ Theâ— of Senes render theim selues to themperour eodem The secte of Iesuites eodem The trauaile of Cardinall Poole to make peace betwene the Emperour and Frenche kyng eodem The Emperours letters to the States of the Empire 451 The duke of Alba sent to Millane eodeÌ„ The Emperours mother dieth eodem The Frenche kinges Proclamacion again condeÌ„ned of thinquisitors 452 The Lucernates require of the Swisses the doctrine of the Gospell eodeÌ„ The Naute of the Kyng of Denmarke 453 The Spanish Flete intercepted by the Frenche kyng eodem The controuersie about the lordes supper is renued by the Bremers eodeÌ„ The aunswere of the Parliamente of Paris by the kynges Proclamacion of Lutherians 454 The meting of princes about the LaÌ„tzgraues matter 455 Themperour Charles giueth the gouernement to his sonne Philip. eodeÌ„ The office of the Archbishops 456 The aunswere of the Protestantes to the writyng of the Papistes 457 The bishops which chaunge their religion should lâ—se their promocioÌ„ 459 Thecclestastical lawes shal not be exercised against the Protestantes 461 The wife of IhoÌ„ Frederick dieth eodeÌ„ The ambassadours of Austrich require of Ferdinando that true Religion male be permitted vnto them 462 Truce taken betwene the Emperoure and the kyng of Fraunce 463 The aunswere of Ferdinando to the Ambassadours of the house of Austrich eodem The Emperours Sigismonde burned Husse eodem The Ambassadours aunswere to Ferdinando 464 The aunswere of Ferdinando eodem The bishop of Treuers dieth 465 The Duke of Pruse professeth the confession of Auspurge eodem The Archebishop of Cantorburie burned for Religion eodem The Pope was displeased that peace was graunted to Religion 466 The Duke of Arestat brake out of prison eodem The Cardinalle of Auspurge purgeth hymself by writyng eodem The Cardinall of Auspurge addicte to the olde religion 468 The good will of the Cardinall of Auspurg toward the Duke of Wittenberge eodem The loue of the Cardinall of Auspurg toward the Germaines 469 Twelue burnt at Stratford bow eodeÌ„ The marques of Barden receiueth the Gospell eodem Themperour goeth into Spaine with bothe his sisters 470 VV. WHy the Bisshoppe of Rome is extolde 3 Whiche are properlie called Sacramentes 24 Who is aucthour of single life 35 What nedeth gold in the churche 47 What is true confession eodem What thyng Rebellion is 58 Wee are all blinde in our owne cause 61 Who be the aucthours of dissencion 81 Uergecius the Popes ambassadour 86 Upon what condicions the duke of Saxon will come to the assembly 103 Warres in Swiserlande 104 Whereof sprang the dissencion in Religion 110 Wilâ—e Marchauntes 120 Uergecius message to the Duke of Saxon 121 Uergecius spake with Luther 122 Who wrote against the Anabaptistes 131 Uergecius sent to the Emperour 138 Who ought to be at the Counsell 150 Why Innocentes be in perill 151 Whereof cometh contempt of the clergie 155 Who ought to be made bishop eodem Unlawfull to giue benefices by legacis eodem Why Cardinalles wer first made 156 Uergecius his oracion 176 Why the Protestantes desire a Counsell 177 What moued Luther to write against Papistes eodem Willyam Farell 192 Warre betwixte England and Scotlande 196 William Countie forsaketh the FreÌ„ch kyng 206 Whether we shal knowe eche other in the life to come 232 What Counsell the Protestauntes desired 237 What profite hath the Emperour out of Germanie 239 Ulmes reconciled to the emperour 273 Unreasonable tormente is a perillous matter 283 Wittenberg rendered 286 Wittenberge a Towne of Electorship 287 Uogelsburge apprehended 312 Uogelsburge coÌ„stancy at his death 312 Workes of superogacion 313 Whilest the Masse is set vp in Germanie it is put doune in England 317 Uiolence is not to be vsed in Religion but reason and truthe 318
decres of Spires Certen princes resist the same Who be the authors of dissention Howe scripture shoulde be expouÌ„ded The decre of Wormes Thorigicall of Protestantes Ciuil warre emong the Swicers Mishappes of the freÌ„che kyng The peace of Canbrey The Turke besegeth Uienna The sweating sicknes Sondry plages Two clerks brenct at Collon Luther and Zwinglius dispuie at Marpurg The maner of their agrement Erasmus boke againste Gospelers Fraunces Sfortia The Ambassadours of the Protestants to the Emp. The Emperours aunswere Daunger of the Turke The Ambassadours appeale GraÌ„unulane A boke presented to the Emperour The honeste of a byshoy An assemble at Smalcald A league of theÌ„ of Stransborough Zuricke and Bernes The chambre wryteth to Straush The Protestantes asseÌ„ble at Norinberge An assemble at Auspurg The Emperours coronatioÌ„ at Bonony The diuines of that protest The lady Eleuour commeth into Fraunce Uergerius that popes ambassadour The princes that woulde not heare Masse The office of the Duke of Saxon. The Turks victorye in Hongary The Turks crueltie The oration of Cardinall Campega The coÌ„plais of the Ambassadour of Austriche The confession of the protestantes A consultation of the ProtestaÌ„tes doctryne A confession of the Zwinglians Thinges refused Matters receiued That the Masse is a sacrifice A fayre exposition of Daniel Good ghostly fathers The Lantgraue departeth from Auspurg Duke of Saxon Marschall of the Empyre The warre of Florence The Pope made a league with the Emperour Florence rendred Florence loseth her libertie Certen chosen to accord Religion The Protestantes were laboured Erasmus writeth to Campegius The Power of the Turk The Bohemers The Empeoracion to the ProtestaÌ„tes Their aunswere to the Emperour A decree made A counsell promysed Scripture is the touche stone of all doctryne An Apologie deliuered but not receiued The Emp. to the Protest Prayers mixt with threatnings The conspiracie of the Papistes againste the ProtestaÌ„tes The protest spoyle no maÌ„ The protest accused of sedition The drone bees desyre to be restored into the hyue The excuse of some to the ProtestaÌ„tee A deluge at Rome in Selande A coÌ„futatioÌ„ of Zwilius doctrine Their aunswer to the same Poore Luther maketh many men ryche The decree of Auspurg Luth. wrote a booke to the byshoppes Luther comforteth Melancton Luthers opinion of mis-traditions The church oppressed with Tyranny is to be excused The papists are accused of rerages Bucer laboreth for a coÌ„corde The Lantgraue made a league with Strausbotough Zurick and Basyn The league of the Protestantes at Smalcalde The coÌ„plait of the Pope to the kynge of Poole The Pope is a sayler The Protestauntes letters against Ferdinando The duke of Saxons letters to the Princes The causes of creating a kyng of Romaines Ferdinando proclaimed kyng of Romaines The protest letters to the kynges of Fraunce of Englande Gerson Collet Their appelation The bishops of DeÌ„marke resute the Gospell The lawes permitte that the inferiour Magistrate maye in som cases resist that superiour Newes of that Turkes coÌ„myng The Archebyshop of Treers departeth Bucer set order in that churches at Uimes The quene of Hungary made regeÌ„t of FlauÌ„ders The aunswere of the FreÌ„ch kyng to the protestauntes The amitie of Fraunce and Germa A story of that kyng of fraunce Charles the great Lewys the fyfte Hugh Capet The answer of the kynge of England The commoÌ„wealth hath nede of many remedies The opinsoÌ„ of the cities of the kynge of Romains The Duke of Saxons doubte of that Swycers The Palsgraue and that archbyshop of Mentz intercessonrs A controuersy of the byshop of BaÌ„berge with the Marques of Brandenburg The Appellation of the Marques The Erles of Nassowe Neuenar Upon what conditions the Duks of Saxon wyll come to the assemble The intercessours and Protestant Letters of that Duke the Lantgraue to the intercessours Warres in SwycerlaÌ„ce Condicions or peace Thei of Zarick disconfited The death of Zwyng A beastlye cruelite An other slaughter The death of Oecolampadius The Assemble of RegeÌ„spurge Conditions of a peace betwene the Emperour and Protest Conditions of creatinge a kynge of Romaynes The othe of theelectoars The Dukes of Bauer misliked the election of FerdinaÌ„do The aunswer of the Duke to the itercessours The craft of the Papistes A cancorde The Emperour of necessitie graunteth peace to Germany The â—â—ibre of Protest The assemble at RegeÌ„spurge Christierne kyng of Denmarck is taken The Turck inuaded Austriche The death of the Duke of Saxon. The slaughter of that Turkysh warre A blasyng Starre The Empe. goeth into Italy The Pope serueth the tyme. The OratioÌ„ of the Popes Ambassad to the Duke of Saron The Popes policie The OratioÌ„ of the Emperours Amb. The Duke of Saxons aunswere The Prote aunswere to the Pope Emperour Wherof sprang the dissention of Religion How a free counsel is to be vnderstaÌ„d The couÌ„sels are swarued from their old puritie The Empe. part to d 〈…〉 d Religion The Pope is plentife defendauÌ„t iudge The Popes snares The bishops office Uergerius The Pope sleeth the couÌ„sell The craft of Duke George to fynde out the Lutherians Luthers couÌ„sell Luthers purgation Christe was called seditious He comforteth the eriâ—es Pope Clement coÌ„meth to Macilles For many suppose hym a bastarde A consecrating of Cardinalles Unmete mariage The Lantgraue goeth to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke Ulrich expulsed The Lantgraue boroweth monye of the FreÌ„ch kyng A great alte ratioÌ„ in Englande Kyng HeÌ„ry The inconstancie of Pope Clement The vniuersities of Paris others quene Anne loued the Gospell The death of Cardinall Woolsey The Lady Mary a bastarde The kinges hatred against the Pope Inas kyng The conteÌ„tion betwen Erasmus Luther The traged of the Grey freers The soleÌ„ne burieng in Fraunce False doctours The dume Spirite Questions moued to that dome spirit The game prayers called to paris The condeÌ„pnation of fal 〈…〉 rs Persecution against Lutherians Spirites in the Popyshe kingdome Luthers apt 〈…〉 oÌ„ touching the spirites The victory of the Lant Conditions of peace Condicions betwixt Ferdinando and Duke Ulri The liberal 〈…〉 tie of that freÌ„ch kyng The Lantgraues letters to the Emperour The Empe. aunswere Sfortia married that Emp. Nece The death of Clement the seuenth Paule the .iii. Paule was 〈…〉 r than Clement The practise of Prelates Andrewe Gritte Lewys his sonne Hongary Persecution in Fraunce The punyshment of the Godly The crueltie of Iohn Morin A booke of marchauÌ„ted Crafty marchauntes Busy marchauntes A straunge chaunge The Price of the masse is derer som tyme after as the parsoÌ„ is the od marchaunt Pope Iohn a woman Couetous marchaunts Proude marchauntes Theuishe marchaunts Brawlynge Freers Selling of benefices Angry salutes Wyly marchauntes Idle N 〈…〉 S. Geneuefa that goddes of Paris The kinges oration The maner of execution in Fraunce The Lutherians are ab borred The FreÌ„che kinges letters The Lantgraue The Emperour voiage into Barbaria Barbarossa Rochestr More beheaded Rochester Cardinall The death of Sfortia Uergerusto the Duke of Saxen The Dukes aunswer Uergerus
his wyfe Iohn Alasco Ecclesiastical lawes in Englande The Lady Elizabeth coÌ„mitted to that Tower The siege of Senes The death of Wiat. A ParlameÌ„t in England Thassemble of Auspurge A wrytinge of the city of Norinberge against Marques Albert. The cruell actes of Marques Albert. Marques Al. goeth to Suinfort His flight The death of Charles D. of Sauoy The letters of king Fardinando to his subiectes of the Lords Supper The states make aswer to that Kinges letters Thabbot of Newstat accused of Herisye Interrogatories ministred to him The frencheÌ„ Kinge muadeth themperours countries Mariburge taken Kinge Phillip arriueth in England The frenche kinges letters Thempeor geueth to his sonne Phyllip the dukedom of Millan Cardinall Poole arriueth in England England returneth to her vomit The Cardinal geueth that Lordes absolution The Emperors letters against Marques Albert. Thimperial counsell of Auspurge 1555. Fiue coÌ„deÌ„nd at London for the Gospell The ministers exiled out of Boheme Ioy at Rome for England reduced to that Romishe Church IndulgeÌ„ces graunted by the Pope for the conuersion of Englande Melancthon comforteth the ministers of Boheme The towne of Cassalle taken by the Frenchmen An assemble of the Princes of Saxonie at Numburge The letters of the Princes of Saxony to themp The Archbyshop of MeÌ„tz dieth The death of Pope Iuly the third Marcellus the second choseÌ„ They of Sene rendre them selues to Themp. Marcellus the second dieth Paule the fourth The secte of Iesuites The trauell of Cardinall Poole to make peace betwene them perour and FreÌ„ch king A place of yâ— treaty of peace chosen by the Quene of England The Empe. letters to the states of the Empire The Duke of Alba sent to Millan Bradforde burnt in Englande Iohn Friderick thelect sonne marieth The Empe. mother dieth A tumult raised at Geneua Porte Hereules taken by Imperials PluÌ„bine besieged of Turkes Controuersie for the dominion of the Chattes Uulpian vitayled Maryburg vnailed The FreÌ„che kinges proclamation against the coÌ„demned of that inquisitours The Lucernates require of that Swisses the doctrine of the Gospell The Nauie of the kinge of DeÌ„marke Sanstorian Camillus Cardinalles led into pryson The Spanishe flete intercepted by the French King Philip came out of England to his father at Brusselles An vniuersitie erected at Dillinge A boke of Peter Asot against the coÌ„fession of the Duke of wirtemberge George Erle of Mount pelicarte marieth that Lantgraues daughter Uulpian taken and rased by the Frenchmen Mountcalue is taken by that Frenchmen The controuersie about the Lordes supper is renewed by that bremers August prince Electour had a sonne borne Ridley Latimer burnt in England Thanswere of the Parliament of Paris to that kinges proclamatioÌ„ of Lutherians Note howe byshops seke authoritie of kinges to coÌ„demne innocentes The meting of Princes about ytâ—aÌ„tgrauet matter The Emre Charles geueth the gouernemeÌ„t to his Sonns Philip. Whether peace should be geuen to Religion or no A wrytinge of the Papistes to requestes of that Protestauntes The office of Archebysh The answer of the Protestauntes to that wryting of the Papistes A wryitng of king Ferdinando to the Princes The bishops whiche chaunge their religion shuld lose their promotions a decrewher by religioÌ„ is frely permit to all men An ecclesiastical person that chaungeth his Religion shal be depriued For churchs goodes al coÌ„trouersies ar taken away The ecclesiasticall lawes shall not be exercised against the protestauntes A parliameÌ„t in England Libelles strowed about in London The byshop of Winchester dieth The wife of Iohn Friderick dieth Frances Uenery displaced Ambassad to the Princes of Germany An assemble in Austriche Iohn Gropper Cardin. King Philip entreth into Andwerpe Thambassadours of Austrtche require of kynge Ferdinando that the true ReligioÌ„ may be permitted them Truce takeÌ„ betwene the Emperour the kynge of Fraunce The answer of king Ferdinando to that Ambassa of the house of Austriche He meaneth the Emper. Sigismonde that burnte Iohn Husse The Ambassadours answer to Ferdinando The answer of king Ferdinando Duke HeÌ„ry of BruÌ„swick marieth a wyfe The byshop of Treuers dieth Fredericke Counte Palatine dieth The Duke of Pruse professeth the coÌ„fession of Auspurge A Camete sene Tharchebyshop of Cantorbu burnt for Religion The Bauarians sollicite their Prince forreligioÌ„ A father killeth his thre children The Pope toke displeasauntly that peace was geuen to religion Kyng Ferd goeth in to Boheme The Duke of Arescot brake out of pryson The Cardinall of Auspurg pourgeth himself by wryting sinisire suspicious spred of the Card. of Auspurg The pourgation of that Cardinall of Auspurg against the suspicious of certen A sclaunder deuised against certi Princes The Pope had no conference with that Emperour against religion or the libertie of Germany The Cardinall of Anspurg addicts to the olde Religion The good will of the Cardinall of Anspurg towardes the duke of Wirtemberg The loue of that Cardinall of Auspurge towardes that Germaines CommotioÌ„s in England for suspicion of a conspiracie Sir Peter Carrowe Syr Iohn Cheke takeÌ„ prisoners Xiii burnt at Stretford at the bewe The Marq. of Baben receiueth the Gospell Peter Martyr goeth to Zurick Cardinalles sent from that Pope to the Emper. and the Frenche kyng Counsell begon at Regenspurg Buda in Latin The Empe. goeth in to Spain with both his sisters Iohn Sleydane dieth
the Duke of wittemberge The Duke of Saxon the Lantgr write to the FreÌ„ch kyng Duke George of Saxon â—irth Ambassadours sent to his brother Henry The Can 〈…〉 coÌ„monly called of the Apostles are false A Freers were maketh the deuyll afrayd Langelius Oration against the Lutherians The syr Articles The Lady Anne of Cleaue Barbarouse taketh Castel newes Rebellienat Gaunte The Emperour passeth throughe Fraunce 1540. The Emperour entreth into Paris The Emperours and FreÌ„ch kings Ambassade to the Uenetians The Uenetians Ambassador to the Turke The secrets of the senate vttered to the Turke The trators executed Themp. arriueth in Flaunders The Prote wryte to the FreÌ„che king An assembly at Smalcald Latimer Shaxton The Lorde Cromwell A wrytinge exhibited by the diuines The Emp. aunswer to the Protest Hatred betwixt counsellers The false perswasioÌ„ of the Emper. The answer of the Prot. to GraÌ„uellaÌ„ A confutatis of the six Articles Great execution done at Gaunt The Emp. letters to the ProotestaÌ„t The answer of the Prot. to the Emp. letters An oratieÌ„ or a yeuÌ„g Cardinall The Prote 〈◊〉 to Turkes A priuy hatred of that freÌ„che kynge against the Emperour The Duke of Cleaue ioyned with the Frenche kynge The Pope warreth vpoÌ„ the PerusiaÌ„s The Lorde Crumwell beheaded The kynge marieth Katherine Hawarde The Duke of BruÌ„swik accused the Protestaun The assemble of Hagenawe Preachyngs forbydden FerdinaÌ„dos request The decree of Hagenaw The death of Iohn Uayuode king of Hungary Fyres in Saxony Doctor Bernes burnt in Smithfielde Thre Prot. burnt and thre Papistes hanged all at one tyme. The death of Budey An erceadig hote soÌ„mer Nauius hath the place of Heldus The oratioÌ„ of Granvellan at Wor. The euils that coÌ„meth of the discention in Religion The Turke receiueth the infant of Uayuode Lascus committed to prised The papists seke delayes A disputation betwixte Eekius and Melancton The oratioÌ„ of Uergerivs The admiral of frauÌ„ce condemned A greate assemble at RegeÌ„spurg Luthers boke agaist the Duke of Brunswick Why the Protest desyre a counsell Themperor Gods client What moued Luth. to writ against the papistes The blasphemie of frere Tecell A most costly stole or palle A meane to get money by pardons Luther is cursed of the Pope A wolleÌ„ halter to strangle the pope The maner of makynge this Palle Complaints of pillage These Fyeres were set on by the duke of BruÌ„swike The treatie of Regenspurge The chosen by themp The rashnes of Eckius A boke presented to the Collocutours The conteÌ„ts of the boke The Protestantes letters to the FreÌ„ch king for suche as wer persecuted for the gospell The Duke of Cleaue goeth priuely into Fraunce The Duke marieth the daughter of Nauarre The Admirall restored The constable put out of the courte The colloquie of lerned men at Regtnspurg The worse parte ouer cometh by the nomber of voyces Meanes to restore thecclesiasticall function Simons must be takeÌ„ awaye The popes Legate The diligence of the protestantes iu teaching of children The diuines of the Prote aunwer to that Popeslegate The princes electours answer Themperour The answer of the popish princes The bishops are inioyned to reforme their church The presumtuousnes of Eckius The protestantes confute his letters and reasons The Emperours priuat wrytiug for the Protestantes The Emperours complaynte of the Duke of Cleaue The princes make intercession for the Duke of Cleaue The oratioÌ„ of the FreÌ„ch Ambassador The FreÌ„che ambassadors intercepted by thimperiall Langens letters to Alphonse George of Austriche apprehended at Lyons Ferdinando besegeth Buda His armie discomfited The Emperours torney into Barbarie A great tempest distroyed hys ships Syr Henry Kneuet The plage in Germani by the Rhine Ioye in Fraunce at temperours losse The nobilitie of Austrich put vp a supplication for the Gospell Kingdoms distroyed for â—dolatry The plages that god seÌ„t to Austriche and Germany The Turke is the scurge of God God offereth his word before he plageth The chiefe article of doctrine is iustification Ferdinando desfateth the request of his uobles The nobles resterut their â—â—te Strife about the bisshop ricke of NuÌ„ burge 1542. An assemble at Spires Gropper coÌ„mended Bucer The king of EnglaÌ„d maried the syxte wyfe Theioration of the freÌ„che ambessrdour PerswasioÌ„s to warre against the Turke The policie of the Romaines in establishing their empire The concord of England Howe the Turkes acheued their empyre GwelphiaÌ„s Wibellines The opinion of the Popes Ambassad The Pope suspecteth Germany A soden fear in the FreÌ„ch courte An Army agaynste the Turke Contention betwixte the elector of saxon Duke Moris Luthers oretion for the field The Pope â—â—pared with that Turke Two mighty Tyrantes Any pleasant lyfe is not to be loked for The Turke shal not be of such force as were the Romaines The last act of that Turke A cousolatioÌ„ of the prysoners with the Turkes The prayer of Luther Of the originall of the Turkes The Markes of Piscare accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The kinges purgation A counsell called at Trente The FreÌ„che king proclaimeth warre The Duke of Languile and Martin van Rossen invade Brabant Perpigusan beseged The maner to sâ—rche out that LutherinÌ„s S. Genefeua The articles of the Sorbe nistes Two friers preache the Gospell at Metz. WilliaÌ„ Farell grashoppers in Germany and Italy The Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue mouewar againste the duke of BruÌ„swicke who flieth An assembly at Noriberg Ambassadors to the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue Contarene in displesure with that pope cardinalles Hys death The ChauÌ„celour of Fraunceput in prison The Palsgraue receyueth the Gospell The Empe. aunswered the Popo The enterprises of Fregose Rincon Peace is disceiptful The FreÌ„che king is accused of ambition Cardinalles sent to maks a peace The Presydentes of the counsell at Trente Dure is taken Warre betwixte England Scotlande The Scotes taken at Solymosse Theyr king dieth The Duke of SaroÌ„ and the Lantzgraue refuse the iudgmeÌ„t of the chaumber The Duke of Cleauerecouereth Dure A rebellion at Rochelle 1543. The kynges oratioÌ„ to theÌ„ of Rochell The clemeÌ„cy of king FrauÌ„ces The assemblie of Nurrenberge The treatye of Norinberge A supplication of the protestantes The Turks increase by the losse of christians The decre of Norinberg The Duke of Cleaue refuseth truce The death of the bishop of Auspurg The French kinges aunswer to the Emperours letters Kinges of Fraunce most addicteth the pope The Dukes of Sauoye frend to theÌ„peroure The death praise of W. Bellay Frances LaÌ„der coÌ„mmitted to prison His weknes before the kynge His recantation Depensius driuen to recante The prayse of Clements Marot Psalmes translated by Marot The Archebisshop of Collon calleth a convocation Bucer preacheth at Bomia The bisshops boke of reformatioÌ„ Melancthon and Pistor come to Collon A booke called Antidagma Gropper forsaketh the Gospell Duke Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the churche He foundeth three scooles He is beneficiall to the Uniuersitie of Lipsia Lawes agaynst deflowerers of Uirgins adulterers An assemble at Spier
The Pope woulde bye Millan Philip created kynge of Spayne A league of themp the king of England against the Frenche kyng The protest ambassad to themperor Themp. viage againste the Duke of Cleaue They of Hildisseme are accused to the emperour Themperours letters to them of Collon The Popes letters to the clergie of Colion The French king fortifyeth Landersey The turkes Nauie arriueth in the prouince The Castell of Nice beseged Batchelaurs Abooke of Caluine againste the Sorbonistes A booke of the relieques of Sainctes Two Cities full of relicies Afalsereport of the Emperours deathe The Duke of Cleaue craueth pardon of themperoure CondicioÌ„ns to him imposed The daughter of Nauaris sent to the Duke of Cleaue Laundersey beseged The preachers of the gospel thrust oute of metz The sege is leuied at Nice Dissencion in Scotland The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to Kynge Edwarde The king of Denmarke warreth vpoÌ„ theÌ„ perialles The duke of Cleaue renounceth the Frenche Leage The departure of the Frenchmen from LaÌ„dersey Duke moris County willyam forsaketh the Frenchking 1544. Thre eclipses of the moone A great Assemble at Spiere The causes of the turkes prosperitie The French king compared to the Turke The Protestantes oration to themperoure The Duke of Brunsewicke accuseth the Protestauntes The French ambassade to the assemble at Spier The French Herault euil receyued at Spier The ambassadors retorne by nighte The princes letters to the Pope The Popes aunswer The meane to heale the comon welth The princes letters to the Swisses The protestantes accuse the Duke of Brunswicks The tenure of his letters The Duke of Brunsewicke conteÌ„neth hys owne religion A straunge tale of the saide Duke An Image buryed in the sleâ—e of Eue. The French victory at Carignane The Duke of Sauoye accuseth the FreÌ„ch king The swysses aunswer the Princes letters Thenglishe Nauie inuadeth scotlaÌ„d The oration of the FreÌ„ch Ambassadours Holy men haue had leagues with men of a contrarye relygyon The duke of Saxon is set throughe with kynge Ferdinando The French king hateâ— of all men for the turks societie The states of thempire decree an aide against the Frenche Kynge A decree for relygion Of the chaÌ„ber Themperoures gentlenes to the Lantzgraue The duchye of Brunsewicke committed to theÌ„peroure Themperoures Iornoy into Fraunce barbarossue retourneth The deathâ— of the Duke of Lorayns The kyngs besegeth Bollogns The deathe of the Prince of Drenge Counte willyam taken prisoner Eperney brunte The feare flyghte of the Parisians Bollon rendred A peace concluded betwixte themperour and Fraunce The condicions of the peace Three moste myghty enemyes of Fraunce The Popes letters to the Emperoure The enemies of the romish church The Pope can abide no superiour Themperoure is the Popes eldest sonne Great princes swe for the Popes fauoure The creatyon of Cardinalies A counsel is called Luthers booke of the Lordes supper The clergie of Collon to the Arche Bisshop They appeale to the Pope and Emperour An Ambassade to the Kynge of Englande Peter brulie 1545. Brulie burnte at Tourney Hys examination A conuentioÌ„ of diuines at mellon The Articles of Lovayne Luther aunswereth theÌ„ of Louayne An AsseÌ„ble at wormes The ProtestaÌ„tes make aunswer The counsel of TreÌ„t vnlawefull The deuise of the popish Princes Grinian the French ambassadour The Ualdois The cruell sentence at Aygnes Iohn Myners The Cardinal of tournon Miners presidente of Aygwes He leuieth a power agaynste the Ualdois The merindolans flee into the woodes A lamentable departynge A soldioure geueth them warnynge A Captayne defendeth the women A cruell fact of Miners Cabrier yelded A terryble example of crueltye The Swisses intreate for the Ualdois A sharpe aunswer of the kynge The confession of the Ualdois doctryne The deathe of Lewes Duke of Bauier Cardinall Farnesius his coÌ„ming to wormes Themperours Ambassadour to the kyng of Poole The kinges aunswer to themperour The pope most desyrous of war A frere obseruaunte stireth TheÌ„peroure to warre Luthers boke against the Pope Luthers themes of thre gouernmentes The wylde beaste Luthers picture against the Pope Luther a prophet The ignoraÌ„ce of Grinian The deathe of Fraunces Duke of Lorayne The birth of CharlessoÌ„ns to kyng Philyp The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth monye of the FreÌ„ch kynge Themperoure taketh truce with the Turke The clergie and vniuersitie of ColloÌ„ against their Archebishop Temperourciteth the archebishop The Pope citeth the archebishop of Colon. The decre of Auspurg The frowardenes of the Duke of Brunswick The warrâ— of Fraunce England The Protestantes send Ambassadours into FrauÌ„ce and Englande The deathe of the duke of OrleauÌ„ce The armye of the Duke of bruÌ„swick The Lantzgraue goeth against him Duke Moris intreateth a peace A skirmishe betwirte the Duke the Lantzgraue The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswick A conflicte betwixte the Duke the LaÌ„tzgraue Duke HeÌ„ry and hys son yelde themselues The deathe of the Cardinall of Mentz CouÌ„te willyam deliuered The Lantzgraues letters to theÌ„peroure Themperoure to the LaÌ„tzgraue A treatie of peate beetwirt frauÌ„ce England 1546. The king of Englande warneth the Protestants of the daunger The Palsegraue ordeineth ministers in hys Churches A brute of war against the Protestantes Granuellan his aunswer to the Lantzgraue Sebastian Scherteline The Protestantes accused of conspiracie The Lantzgraues letters to Nauius The coll 〈…〉 quie of the learned meÌ„ at RegeÌ„spurg Maluenda treateth of iustification Bucers aunswer Pflugius amonges the Presidentes The colloquie dissolued Ambassadours to theÌ„peroure for the archebisshop of Collon Gonzage go uernour of Millane The Popes Legates in the counsell of Trente Preachinge Freers A bul of perdonnes The begynnyng of the counsell The oratioÌ„ of the popes Legates TheÌ„ was 〈…〉 g of Esedras and Nehemias A decree of the Sinode redde The seconde session of the Synode Luther chosen arbiter Luther is sicke Whether we shall knowe eche other in the lyfe to come Luthers last prayer The quiet departure of Luther Luthers birthe Luther sent to Rome Luthers eloquence in the Dutche tongue The inuincible constaÌ„cie of Luther The victory and conquest of the word Iohn Diaze a Spaniard Diaze goeth to Maluenda Fewe Spaniardes loue the Gospell Marquins excuseth Diaze His brother Alphonse coeth into Germany The traytorous mind of Alphonse Alphonse retourneth to Nuburge to kill his brother The murtherer killeth Diaze Cladius Senaclyus Themperours letters for a paracide TheÌ„peroure visiteth the Lantzgraue hys daughter The Lantzgraue commeth to theÌ„peroure The Lantzgraue to theperoure What counsell the Protestantes desyred Freers be disturbers of peace The boke of reformation at Collon The Archebisshop of ColloÌ„ is accoumpted vnlearned The ignorance of the people for lacke of teachyng A communication of the LaÌ„tzegraue and others Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng Diuines stubburne obstinate Themperoure ought to compell the Pope to do his dutie The ende of Scripture The beste thinges please sewest The mynde of the Pauls graue What profit hath theÌ„peroure out of Germany The Lantzgraue is arbiter beetwirte the Dukes of