A08486:113
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.
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.
Martin Luther & Jerome Schurffe reproved these follies, & other vain and ridiculous matters, which Ecke brought forth but modestly, as things not serving to the purpose. Sometime Cochleus would intermeddle his murmuring chats, and laboured to persuade Luther, to desist from his purpose, & utterly to refrain thenceforth to write or teach, & so they departed.
Martin Luther & Ierome Schurffe reproued these folyes, & other vaine and ridiculous matters, whych Ecke brought forth but modestli, as things not seruing to the purpose. Somtyme Cochleus would entermedle his murmuring chattes, and laboured to perswade Luther, to desist from hys purpose, & vtterly to refraine thenceforth to wryte or teach, & so they departed.
About evening, the Archbishop of Triers, advertised Luther by Ambsdorff, the Emperors promise made unto him, was prolonged two days, & in the mean season he would confer with him the next day, and for that cause he would send Doctor Peutinger & the Doctor of Bade the morrow after to him, and he himself would also talk with him.
About euening, the Archbyshop of Triers, aduertised Luther by Ambsdorff, the Emperours promise made vnto him, was prolonged two daies, & in the meane season he would conferre wyth him the next daye, and for that cause he woulde sende Doctour Peutinger & the Doctor of Bade the morrow after to hym, and he himself would also talke with hym.
The Friday then that was Saint Marks day, Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade travailed in the forenoon1 to persuade Luther simply and absolutely to submit the judgement of his writings to The Emperor & Empire. He answered he would do & submit any thing they would have him, so they grounded with the authority of ⟨image 40⟩holy scripture, otherwise he would not consent to do any thing. For god said by his Prophet (saith he:) Trust ye not in Princes, nor in the children of men, in whom there is no health. Also, cursed be he that trusteth in me And seeing them urge him more vehemently, he answered: We ought to submit no more to the judgement of men, then the word of God doth. So they departed, and prayed him to advise for better answer, and said they would return after Dinner.
The Friday then that was Saynt Markes day, Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade trauailed in the forenone1 to perswade Luther simply and absolutely to submit the iudgement of his writinges to Themperor & Empire. He aunswered he would do & submyt any thing they woulde haue hym, so they grounded with the authoritye of ⟨image 40⟩holy scripture, otherwyse he woulde not consent to do any thing. For god sayd by his Prophet (saith he:) Trust ye not in Princes, nor in the children of men, in whom there is no health. Also, cursed be he that trusteth in me And seyng them vrge him more vehemently, he aunswered: We ought to submit no more to the iudgement of men, then the word of God doth. So they departed, and prayed hym to aduise for better aunswer, and said they would returne after Dynner.
After Dinner they returned, exhorting as before, but in vain. They prayed him at the least he would submit his writing to the judgement of the next general Council. Luther agreed thereunto, but with this condition, that they them selves should present the Articles collected out of his books to be submitted to the Council, in this manner, notwithstanding that the sentence awarded by the coū cel, should be authorised by the scripture, and prove the contrary with the testimonies of the same.
After Dynner they returned, exhortyng as before, but in vayne. They prayed him at the least he would submit his writyng to the iudgement of the next general Councel. Luther agreed therunto, but wyth this condicion, that they them selues shoulde present ye Articles collected out of his bookes to be submitted to the Councel, in this maner, notwythstandyng that the sentence awarded by the coū cel, should be authorised by the scripture, and prooue the contrary wyth the testimonies of the same.
Then leaving Luther, they departed and reported to the Archbishop of ⟨image 41⟩Triers that he had promised to submit his writings in certain articles to the next Council, and in the mean space he would keep silence, which Luther never thought, who neither with admonitions, ne yet menaces could be induced to deny or submit his books to the judgements of men, he ha• so fortified them with clear & manifest authorities of the scripture, unless the• could prove by sacred Scripture and apparent reasons he had erred.
Then leauing Luther, they departed and reported to the Archbishop of ⟨image 41⟩Triers that he had promised to submyt hys wrytings in certayn articles to the next Coūcel, and in the meane space he would kepe silence, whyche Luther neuer thought, who neyther wyth admonicions, ne yet menaces could be induced to denye or submyt hys bookes to the iudgements of mē, he ha• so fortified them with cleare & manifest authorities of the scripture, vnlesse the• coulde prooue by sacred Scripture and apparent reasons he had erred.
