A08486:100
A famous and godly history containing the lives a[nd] acts of three renowned reformers of the Christia[n] Church, Martin Luther, John Ecolampadius, and Huldericke Zuinglius. The declaration of Martin Luther's faith before the Emperor Charles the fifth, and the illustre estates of the empire of Germany, with an oration of his death, all set forth in Latin by Philip Melanchthon, Wolfgangus Faber, Capito. Simon Grineus, [and] Oswald Miconus, newly Englished by Henry Bennet Callesian.A famous and godly history contaynyng the lyues a[nd] actes of three renowmed reformers of the Christia[n] Church, Martine Luther, Iohn Ecolampadius, and Huldericke Zuinglius. The declaracion of Martin Luthers faythe before the Emperoure Charles the fyft, and the illustre estates of the empyre of Germanye, with an oration of hys death, all set forth in Latin by Philip Melancthon, Wolfgangus Faber, Capito. Simon Grineus, [and] Oswald Miconus, newly Englished by Henry Bennet Callesian.
London: printed by John Awdely, 1561London: printed by Iohn Awdely, 1561
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These words pronounced the Emperors1 Ambassador, who made semblant of good will to check Luther: said that Luther had not answered to any purpose, neither it behaved him to call in question, things in time past condemned and defined by general Councils. And therefore they required of him a plain and no crooked answer, whether he ⟨image 33⟩would revoke or no.
These wordes pronounced the Emperours1 Embassadour, who made semblant of good wyll to checke Luther: sayde that Luther had not aunswered to any purpose, neither it behaued him to cal in question, thinges in tyme past condempned and defined by generall Councels. And therfore they required of hym a playne and no crooked aunswer, whether he ⟨image 33⟩would reuoke or no.
Then Luther answered: Considering that your sovereign Majesty1 and your Honours require a plain answer, I will giveth same, neither crooked ne contumelious in this manner: that if I be not convinced by testimonies of the scriptures, and by probable reason (for I believe not the Pope, neither general Councils) be overcome in the scriptures alleged by me, and the certitude thereof is not found in the word of God, I will not, nor I may not revoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godly ne lawful to do any thing against conscience. Here upon I rest, I know not what else I should say. God help me. So be it.
Then Luther aunswered: Considering that your soueraigne Maiesty1 and your Honours requyre a playne aunswer, I wyll geuethe same, neyther crooked ne contumelious in this maner: that if I be not conuinced by testimonies of the scriptures, and by probable reason (for I beleue not the Pope, neither general Councels) be ouercome in the scriptures alledged by me, and the certitude therof is not found in the word of God, I wil not, nor I may not reuoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godlye ne lefu•l to doo anye thing agaynst conscience. Here vpon I rest, I knowe not what els I should say. God helpe me. So be it.
The Princes consulted together upon this answer given by Luther, And when they had diligently examined the same, the Official of Triers Ambassador of the Empire, began to repel him thus.
The Princes consulted together vpon this aunswere geuen by Luther, And when they had diligently examined the same, the Officiall of Triers Embassadour of the Empyre, began to repel hym thus.
Martin, thou hast more immodestly answered, then beseemed thy person, & also evil to purpose. Thou dividest thy books in three sorts, in such order ⟨image 34⟩that all that thou hast said, maketh nothing to the interrogation proponed. And therefore if thou haddest revoked those, wherein the greatest part of thine errors is contained: the Imperial Majesty, and the natural bounty of other would not have suffered the rest that be sound, to be persecuted with fire. But thou resuscitatest and bringest to light, all that the general council of Constance hath condemned, the which was assembled of all the nation of Germany, & requirest to be convinced with scriptures, wherein thou errest greatly. For what a•ay•eth it to renew disputation of things so long time past condemned by the Church and Councils, unless it should be necessary to give a reason to every man of every thing. That if all such as impugn, that which was decreed by the Church, and Councils may once get this advantage, to be convinced by the scriptures, we shall have nothing certain and established in Christendom.
Martin, thou hast more immodestly answered, then besemed thy person, & also euyl to purpose. Thou deuidest thy bokes in thre sortes, in such order ⟨image 34⟩that al that thou hast said, maketh nothing to the interrogacion proponed. And therfore if thou haddest reuoked those, wherein the greatest part of thyne errours is conteined: the Emperial Maiesty, and the natural bounty of other woulde not haue suffered the rest that be sounde, to be persecuted wyth fire. But thou resuscitatest and bryngest to lyght, al that the general councel of Constance hath condempned, the whych was assembled of al the nacion of Germany, & requirest to be conuinced with scriptures, wherin thou errest greatly. For what a•ayeth it to renue disputacion of thinges so long tyme past condempned by the Church and Councels, vnles it shoulde be necessarye to geue a reason to euery man of euery thyng. That if all suche as impugne, that which was decreed by the Churche, and Councels may once get thys aduauntage, to be cōunced by the scriptures, we shall haue nothyng certain and established in Christendome.
And th•s is the cause wherefore the Imperial Majesty requireth of thee a simple answer, either a negative, ⟨image 34⟩or an affirmative, if thou wilt defend all thy works as Christian, or no?
And th•s is the cause wherfore the Emperial Maiesty requireth of thee a symple aunswer, either a negatiue, ⟨image 34⟩or an affirmatiue, if thou wilt defend al thy workes as Christian, or no?
Then Luther besought the Imperial Majesty not to compel him to yield against his conscience, confirmed w•th the holy scriptures, without manifest arguments, alleged by his adversaries, & declared his answer was not crooked, but simple, and direct, & further he had not to say, then he advertised before, that if his enemies could not extricate with sufficient arguments his conscience occupied (as they said) with errors, he was not able to rid him self out of the snares wherein he was entangled. And whereas the general Councils have ordained certain things, those therefore not to be true, for that they have erred, & often times gainsaid them selves, & for this cause the enemies argument was of no solidity. Further, he was able to prove, and would constantly stand to the trial the Councils had erred, and it was not meet for him to revoke and disannul that which is manifest, and diligently set forth in the Scripture.
Then Luther besought the Emperial Maiesty not to cōpell him to yeld against his conscience, cōfirmed w•th the holy scriptures, without manifest argumentes, alledged by hys aduersaries, & declared his answer was not crooked, but symple, and direct, & further he had not to say, then he aduertised before, that if his enemies could not extricate wyth sufficient argumentes hys conscience occupyed (as they sayd) with errours, he was not able to ryd hym self out of the snares wherin he was entangled. And wheras the general Councels haue ordeyned certain thynges, those therefore not to be tru, for that thei haue erred, & often tymes gaynsayd them selues, & for thys cause the enemyes argument was of no solidity. Further, he was able to prooue, and would constantly stand to the tryall the Councels had erred, and it was not meete for hym to reuoke and dysanull that which is manifest, and diligently set forth in the Scripture.
Whereunto the Official answered ⟨image 35⟩simply to purpose, and said: No man could prove the Council had erred, but Luther alleged he could, & promised to prove. And now night approaching, the Lords rose and departed. And after Luther had taken his leave of the Emperor, divers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging, hallowing & hooping after him a •on• while.
Wherunto the Offical aunswered ⟨image 35⟩simply to purpose, and said: No man could proue the Councell had erred, but Luther alledged he could, & promysed to proue. And now nyght approching, the Lordes rose and departed. And after Luther had taken hys leaue of the Emperour, diuers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging, hallowing & hoopyng after hym a •on• whyle.
The Friday following after, the Princes Electors, Dukes, & other Estates, were assembled: the Emperor sent to all them that were deputed Counsellors, one letter, containing this that followeth: Our Predecessors,1 who truly were Christian Princes, were obedient to the Romish Church, which Martin Luther presently impugneth. And for as much as he is not determined to call back his errors in any one point, we cannot without great infamy and stain of honour degenerate from the examples of our Elders, but will maintain the ancient faith, and give ay•e to the sea of Rome. And further, we be resolved to pursue Martin Luther and his adherents by excommunications ⟨image 35⟩and by other means that may be devised to extinguish his doctrine. Nevertheless, we will not violate our faith, which we have promised him, but mean to give order for his safe return to the place whence he came.
The Fridaye following after, the Princes Electours, Dukes, & other Estates, were assembled: the Emperour sent to al them that were deputed Counseillors, one letter, contayning thys that foloweth: Our Predecessors,1 who truely were Christian Princes, wer obedient to the Romish Church, which Martine Luther presently impugneth. And for as muche as he is not determined to call backe his errors in any one point, we cānot without great infamy• and stayne of honor degenerate from the examples of our Elders, but wyl maintayn the auncient fayth, and geue ay•e to the sea of Rome. And further, we be resolued to pursue Martin Luther and his adherentes by excommuncacions ⟨image 35⟩and by other meanes that may be deuised to extinguish his doctrine. Neuertheles, we wyll not violate our fayth, which we haue promised him, but meane to geue order for hys safe returne to the place whence he came.
The Princes Electors, Dukes and y• other Estates of the Empire, sat & consulted upon this sentence, Friday all the after noon, and Saturday the whole day, so that Luther yet had no answer of the Emperor.
The Princes Electors, Dukes and y• other Estates of the Empire, sat & cōsulted vpon this sentence, Friday all the after noone, and Saturdaye the whole day, so that Luther yet had no aunswer of the Emperour.
During this time divers Princes, Earls, Barons, Knights of the order, Gentlemen, Priests, Monks with other the La•tye and common sort visited him. All these were present at all hours in the Emperors court, and could not be satisfied with the sight of him. Also there were hills set up one against Luther, & the other as it seemed with him. Notwithstanding many supposed, & especially such as well conceived the matter, y• this was subtly done by his enemies, y• thereby occasion might be offered to infringe the safe conduct given him, the which the Roman Ambassadors with all sedulity, endeavoured to bring to pass
During this tyme diuers Princes, Earles, Barons, Knyghtes of the order, Gentlemen, Priestes, Monkes with other the La•tye and common sort visited hym. All these were present at all houres in the Emperours court, and could not be satisfied with the sight of hym. Also ther were hyls set vp one against Luther, & the other as it semed wt him. Notwithstanding many supposed, & especiallye such as wel conceiued the matter, y• this was subtilly done by hys enemies, y• therby occasiō might be offred to infringe the safeconduct giuen him, the which the Romayne Embassadours with al sedulity, endeuoured to bring to passe
The monday following, before supper, the Archbishop of Triers advertised Luther, that on wednesday next he should appear before him at six of the clock before Dinner, & assigned him the place. On Saint Georges day, the Archbishop of Triers great Vicar, about Supper time cam to Luther, by the commandment of his Prince, signifying that at the hour and place prescribed, he must the morrow after have access to his Master.
The monday folowing, before supper, the Archbyshop of Triers aduertised Luther, that on wednesday next he should appeare before him at syxe of the clocke before Dynner, & assigned hym the place. On Saint Georges day, the Archbishoppe of Triers great Vicar, about Supper tyme cam to Luther, by the commaundement of hys Prynce, sygnifieng that at the houre and place prescribed, he muste the morrow after haue accesse to hys Mayster.
The morrow after S. Georges day Luther obeying the Archbishops commandment, entered his palace, being accompanied thither with his said great Vicar, and one of the Emperors Heralds, and such as cam1 in his company out of Saxony to Worms, with other his chief friends Where as Doctor Voeus, the Marquess of Baden's Chaplain began to de clare and protest, in the presence of the Archbishop of Triers, Joachim Marquess of Brandenburg, George Duke of Saxony, the Bishops of Augsburg & Brandenburg, the Earle George, John Back of Strasburg, ⟨image 36⟩Verdeheymer & Peutinger Doctors, that Luther was not called to be conferred with, as of a different or disputation, but only that the Princes had procured licence of The Emperor's Majesty, through Christian charity, to have liberty granted unto the, to exhort Luther benignly & brotherly.
The morrow after S. Georges day Luther obeying the Archbishops commaundement, entred his palaice, beyng accompanied thyther wyth hys said great Vicar, and one of the Emperours Herauldes, and such as cam1 in hys companye out of Saronye to Wormes, wt other his chiefe friends Where as Doctor Voeus, the Marques of Bades Chaplein began to de clare and protest, in the presence of the Archbishop of Triers, Ioachyme Marques of Brandeburge, George Duke of Sarony, the Byshoppes of Ausburg & Brandeburge, the Earle George, Iohn Back of Strasburge, ⟨image 36⟩Verdeheymer & Peutinger Doctors, that Luther was not called to be conferred with, as of a different or disputacion, but onelye that the Princes had procured licence of Themperors Maiesty, through Christian charity, to haue liberty graunted vnto the, to exhort Luther benignely & brotherly.
He said further, that albeit the Coū cels had ordained divers things, yet they had not determined contrary matters. And albeit they had greatly erred, yet their authority was not therefore abased, or at the least not so erred, that it was lawful for every man to impugn their opinions. Further, he alleged certain things of Zacheus & the Centurion, of the decrees and traditions of men, & of the ceremonies ordained, affirming that all these were established to repress the vices, according to the quality & revolution of times, and that the Church could not be destitute of human constitutions. Further, that the tree is known by the fruit, the laws have much profited, and S. Martin, Saint Nicholas, and many other Saints have assisted the Councils.
He said further, that albeit the Coū cels had ordeyned diuers thinges, yet they had not determined contrarye matters. And albeit they had greatly erred, yet their aucthoritye was not therfore abased, or at the least not so erred, that it was lawfull for euerye man to impugne their opinions. Further, he alledged certayne thinges of Zacheus & the Centurion, of the decrees and tradicions of men, & of the ceremonies ordeined, affirmyng that al these were established to repres the vices, according to the quality & reuolucion of tymes, and that the Church could not be destitute of humayn constitucions. Further, that the tree is knowen by the fruit, the lawes haue much profited, and S. Martin, Saint Nicholas, and many other Sayntes haue assisted the Councels.
Moreover that Luther's books would breed great tumult, & incredible troubles, & that be abused the common sort with his book of Christian liberty encouraging them to shake of their •oke, and to confirm in them a disobedience. That presently the world was at an other stay, •he when y• believers were a• of one ha•t & soul, & therefore it was expedient to have laws.
Moreouer that Luthers bokes wold brede great tumult, & incredible troubles, & that be abused the cōmon sort wyth hys booke of Christian liberty encouraging them to shake of theyr •oke, and to confirme in them a disobedience. That presently the worlde was at an other stay, •he when y• beleuers wer a• of one ha•t & soule, & therfore it was expedient to haue lawes.
This was worthy consideration, that albeit he ha• wry•t• many good things, and dout•es with a goodly spirit, as of Triple Justice and other: yet now the devil attempted by wily means, that all his works for ever more should be condemned, and that by these his last works it is easy to know the •re• by the fruit, and not by the blossom.
Thys was worthye consideracion, that albeit he ha• wry•t• many good thynges, and dout•es wyth a goodly spirit, as of Triple Iustice and other: yet now the deuil attempted by wyly meanes, that al hys workes for euer more should be cōdempned, and that by these hys last workes it is easye to knowe the •re• by the fruite, and not by the blossome.
Here he added something of the noon Devil, of the Spirit coming in the dark, and of the flying arrow. All his Oration was exhortatory, full of common places of Rhetoric, of honesty, of utility, of laws, of the dangers of conscience, and of the common and particular health, repeating oft this sentence ⟨image 37⟩in the Proem, middle, and • p••o•• of his Oration. That this adm•n•••on was given him of a singular good will and great clemency. In the shutting up of his Oration, he added m•na•inges, saying: that if he would abide in his purposed intent, the emperor would proceed further & exterminate him the Empire, persuading him deliberately to ponder and advise these and other things.
Here he added somethynge of the noone Dyuell, of the Spirite commynge in the darke, and of the fliyng arrowe. All hys Oracion was exhortatorye, full of common places of Rethoricke, of honesty, of vtility, of lawes, of the daungers of conscience, and of the common and particular healthe, repeatyng oft thys sentence ⟨image 37⟩in the Proeme, myddle, and • p••o•• of hys Oration. That thys adm•n•••on was geuen hym of a singular good wyl and great clemency. In the shutting vp of hys Oration, he added m•na•inges, saying: that yf he would abyde in hys purposed entent, the •mp•rour would procede further & exterminate hym the Empire, perswadyng hym deliberatlye to ponder and aduise these and other thynges.
