A08486:108
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.
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.
Martin Luther answered: Most noble Princes, & my most gracious Lords, I render most humble thanks for your benignities and singular good wills, whence proceedeth this admonition. For I know my self to be so base, as by no means I can deserve admonition of so great Princes.
Martine Luther aunswered: Most noble Princes, & my moste gracious Lordes, I render most humble thankes for your benignities and syngular good wylles, whence proceedeth thys admonicion. For I knowe my selfe to be so base, as by no meanes I can deserue a•monicion of so great Princes.
Then he frankly pronounced, he1 had not reprove• all Councils, but only the Council of Constance, and for this principal cause, that the same condemned the word of God, which appeared in the ••n•empnacion of this Article proponed, by John •usse. The Church of Christ is the Communion of the P•••e••inate.
Then he frankely pronounced, he1 had not reproue• all Councels, but onely the Councel of Constance, and for this principal cause, that the same condempned the word of God, whych appeared in the ••n•empnacion of thys Article proponed, by Iohn •usse. The Churche of Christ is the Communion of the P•••e••inate.
It is evident the Counc•l of Const•c• abolished this article, & consequently this article of our faith: I believe the holy Church universal. And that he was ready to spend life and blood, s• he were not compelled to call back the manifest word of God, for in defence thereof, we ought rather to obey God then men.
It is euident the Counc•l of Const•c• abolished thys article, & consequently thys article of our faith: I beleue the holy Church vniuersall. And that he was ready to spend lyfe and bloud, s• he were not compelled to call backe the manyfest word of God, for in defence therof, we ought rather to obey God then men.
And that in this he coulde not ad-2noyde the scandal of faith, for there is two scandals or offences, to say, of Charity & of Faith. The scandal1 of Charity consisteth in manners & in life. The scandal of Faith or doctrine resteth in the word of God, & as touching this last, he could escape it no manner of ways, for it lay not in his power to make Christ not y• stone of scandal. If Christs sh•pe were fed with pure pasture of the Gospel. If the faith of Christ were sincerely preached, & if there were any good & Ecclesiastical Magistrates, who duly executed their office: we should not need to charge the Church with mens traditions. Further he knew well we ought to obey the Magistrates & higher powers, how unjustly & peruers•• so ever ⟨image 38⟩they lived. We ought also to give place to our judgment, all which he had taught in all his works, adding further, he was ready to obey them in all points, so that they enforced him not to deny the word of God.
And that in thys he coulde not ad-2noyde the scandale of fayth, for there is two scandales or offences, to saye, of Charity & of Fayth. The scandale1 of Charity consisteth in maners & in lyfe. The scandale of Fayth or doctrine resteth in the word of God, & as touching thys last, he could escape it no maner of wayes, for it laye not in his power to make Christ not y• stone of scandale. If Christes sh•pe wer fed wyth pure pasture of the Gospell. If the fayth of Christ wer sincerely preached, & if ther were any good & Ecclesiastical Maiestrates, who duly executed their office: we should not nede to charge the Church with mens tradiciōs. Further he knew wel we ought to obey the Maiestrates & higher powers, how vniustly & peruers•• so euer ⟨image 38⟩they lyued. We ought also to geue place to our iudgmet, al which he had taught in al hys workes, adding further, he was ready to obey them in al pointes, so that they inforced him not to deny the woord of God.
Then Luther was bid stand aside, and the Princes con•u••ed what answer they might give him. This done they called him into a Parlour, where as the Doctor of Bade repeated his former matters, admonishing Luther •o submit his writings to the Emperor and Empires judgement.
Then Luther was byd stand aside, and the Princes con•u••ed what aunswer thei might geue him. This done they called him into a Parlour, wher as the Doctor of Bade repeated hys former matters, admonithyng Luther •o submyt hys writinges to the Emperour and Empires iudgement.
Luther answered humbly and modestly, he could not, neither would permit that men should say he would thunne the judgement of the Emperor, Princes, & supreme Estates of the Empire, weighing so slenderly their examination, that he was contented to suffer his writings most diligently to be read over, considered & judged of the simplest, so y• this were done, with the authority of the word of God, & holy scripture. And that the word of God made so much for him, and was so manifest unto him, that he would not give place, unless they ⟨image 39⟩taught sound doctrine, then the word of God. And y• S. Austen writeth, he had learned to give this honour only1 to those books, which are called Canonical, that he believed them to be true And as touching the other Doctors, albeit in holiness and excellency of learning, they passed, he would not credit them, unless they pronounced truth. Further, that Saint Paul had written to the Thessalonians, prove all things, follow that is good. And to the Galatians: although an Angel should descend from heaven, if he preach otherwise, let him •e accursed, and therefore not worthy to be believed. Finally he meekly besought them not to urge his conscience, fastened with the •andes of the word of God and holy scripture, to deny that same excellent word. And thus he con mended his cause and him self to them, and specially to the Emperors Majesty, requiring their help, he might not be compelled to do any thing in this matter against his conscience. And otherwise he would submit him self in all causes most obediently.
Luther aunswered humbly and modestly, he coulde not, neyther woulde permit that men should say he would thunne the iudgement of the Emperour, Princes, & supreme Estates of the Empyre, weying so s•lenderlye their examinacion, that he was contented to suffer his writings most diligently to be read ouer, considered & iudged of the simplest, so y• this were done, with the authority of the word of God, & holy scripture. And that the word of God made so much for hym, and was so manyfest vnto hym, that he woulde not geue place, vnles they
And answering thus, Joachim Elector, Marquess of Brandenburg, demanded if he had said he would not yield, unless he were convinced with the scripture Yea truly right noble Lord (quoth Luther) or else by ancient and evident reasons.
And answering thus, Ioachime Elector, Marques of Brandeburge, demaunded if he had sayd he would not yelde, vnles he were conuinced wyth the scripture Yea trulye ryght noble Lord (quoth Luther) or els by auncient and euident reasons.
Thus the assemble brake, and the Princes repaired to the Emperors court. The Archbishop of Triers abode, accompanied with his Official John Ecke, & Cochleus, & commanded Luther to come into his chamber, Jerome Schurff, & Nicholas Ambsdorff assisted to maintain Luther's cause. Then the Official began to frame an argument like a Sophist & Canonist, defending the Popes cause: That for the most part at all times holy scriptures have engendered errors, as the1 same of Heluidius the Arian, out of that place in the Gospel, where is expressed, Joseph knew not his wife till she was delivered of her first child. Further, he grew to overthrow this proposition, that the Catholic Church is the Communion of Saints, presuming also of Cocle to make wheat, & of bodily excrements to compact members.
Thus the assemble brake, and the Princes repayred to the Emperours court. The Archbishop of Triers abode, accompanied with hys Official Iohn Ecke, & Cochleus, & cōmaūded Luther to come into hys chamber, Ierome Schurff, & Nicholas Ambsdorff assisted to mayntaine Luthers cause. Then the Official began to frame an argument like a Sophist & Canonist, defending the Popes cause: That for the most part at al tymes holy scriptures haue engendred errors, as the1 same of Heluidius the Arian, out of that place in the Gospel, where is expressed, Ioseph knew not his wyfe til she was deliuered of her fyrst chylde. Further, he grew to ouerthrow thys proposiciō, that the Catholik Church is the Cōmunion of Sayntes, presuming also of Cocle to make wheat, & of bodily excremēts to cōpact mēbers.
