A08486:118
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.
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 slenderlye 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.
It chanced then by y• special grace of god, that the Archbishop of Triers sent for Luther, resolved presently to hear him. And when he perceived otherwise then Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade had told him, he affirmed that Luther should not have revoked for a great deal, that he had said, unless he had heard him speak, but that straight he would have gone to the Emperor, and declared what the Doctors had reported.
It chaunced then by y• special grace of god, that the Archbishop of Triers sent for Luther, resolued presently to heare hym. And when he perceiued otherwise then Peutinger, & the Doctor of Bade had tolde hym, he affirmed that Luther should not haue reuoked for a great deale, that he had sayd, vnles he had heard him speake, but that straight he would haue gone to the Emperour, and declared what the Doctors had reported.
Then the Archbishop treated and1 conferred with Luther very gently, first removing such as were present, as well of the judgement of the Emperor ⟨image 41⟩and Empire, as of the sentence of the next general Council. In this conference Luther concealed nothing from the Archbishop, affirming it was dangerous to submit a matter of so great importance to them, who after they had called him under safe conduct, attempting him with new commandments, condemned his opinion, and approved the Popes Bull.
Then the Archbyshop treated and1 conferred wyth Luther very gently, fyrst remouyng such as wer present, as well of the iudgement of the Emperor ⟨image 41⟩and Empire, as of the sentence of the next general Councell. In this conference Luther conceled nothyng from the Archbishoppe, affirmyng it was daungerous to submyt a matter of so great importance to them, who after they had called hym vnder safeconduct, attempting hym wyth newe commaundementes, condempned his opinion, and approued the Popes Bull.
Moreover, the Archbishop bedding a friend of his draw nigh, required Luther to declare what remedy might be ministered to help this. Luther answered: There was no better remedy, then such as Gamaliel1 allegeth in the fy•te▪ Chapter of the Apostles, witness Saint Luke, saying: If this council or this work proceed of men, it shall be dissolved, but if it be of God, ye cannot dissolve it. And that the Emperor and the Estates of the Empire might advertise the Pope that he knew certainly if this his enterprise proceeded not of God, it would be abolished within three, yea within two years.
Moreouer, the Archbyshop bedding a friend of hys drawe nygh, required Luther to declare what remedye myghte bee ministred to helpe thys. Luther aunswered: There was no better remedy, then suche as Gamali•l1 alledgeth in the fy•te▪ Chapter of the Apostles, wytnes Saynte Luke, saying: If thys councel or this worke procede of men, it shall be dyssolued, but if it be of God, ye cannot dissolue it. And that the Emperour and the Estates of the Empyre myghte aduertyse the Pope that he knewe certaynelye yf thys hys enterpryse proceeded not of God, it woulde be abolished wythin three, yea wythin two yeares.
The Archbishop enquired of him what he would do, if certain articles were taken out of his books to be submitted to the general Council. Luther answered: So that they be not those, which the council of Constance condemned. The Archbishop said I fear they will be the very same: but what then? Luther replied: I will not nor I cannot hold my peace of such,1 for I am su•e by their decrees the the word of God was condemned. Therefore I will rather lose head and life, then abandon the manifest word of my Lord God.
The Archbishoppe enquired of hym what he would do, if certain articles wer taken out of his bookes to be submitted to the generall Councell. Luther aunswered: So that they be not those, which the councel of Constāce condempned. The Archbishop sayd I feare they wyll be the very same: but what then? Luther replied: I wyl not nor I cannot hold my peace of suche,1 for I am su•e by their decrees the the woord of God was condempned. Therfore I wyl rather lose head and life, then abandon the manyfest word of my Lord God.
Then the Archbishop, seeing Luther would in no wise submit the word of God to the judgement of men, gently bad Luther farewell, who at that instant prayed y• Archbishop to entreat the Emperors Majesty to grant him gracious leave to depart. He answered: he would take order for him, and speedily advertise the Emperors pleasure.
Then the Archbishop, seing Luther would in no wyse submit the word of God to the iudgement of men, gently bad Luther farewell, who at that instant prayed y• Archbishop to entreate the Emperours Maiestye to graunt hym gracious leaue to depart. He answered: he would take order for hym, and speedelye aduertise the Emperours pleasure.
