A08486:127
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.
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.
And within a small while after, the Archbishops Official, in the presence of the Emperors Secretary, who was Maximilian's Chancellor, said ⟨image 42⟩unto Luther in his lodging, by the commandment of the Emperor: that syn•e he had ben• admonished diversly of the Imperial Majesty, the Electors, Princes, & Estates of the Empire, and that notwithstanding he would not return to unity & concord, there remained that The Emperor as advocate of the Catholic faith should proceed further. And that it was the Emperors ordinance, he should within .xx. days, return securely under safe conduct, and be safely guarded to the place whence he came, so that in the mean while he stirred no commotion among the people in his journey, either in conference or Sermons.
And within a smal whyle after, the Archbishops Offical, in the presence of the Emperours Secretarye, who was Maximilians Chauncelour, said ⟨image 42⟩vnto Luther in his lodging, by the cō maundement of the Emperour: that syn•e he had ben• admonished diuersly of the Emperial Maiesty, the Electors, Princes, & Estates of the Empire, and that notwythstandyng he would not return to vnity & concord, there remayned that Themperour as aduocate of the Catholike faith shuld procede further. And that it was the Emperours ordinaunce, he shoulde wythin .xx. dayes, returne securely• vnder safeconduct, and be safely garded to the place whence he came, so that in the meane whyle he stirred no commocion among the people in hys iorney, eyther in conference or Sermons.
Luther having understanded this, answered very modestly & Christianly: Even as it hath pleased God, so is it come to pass, the name of the Lord be blessed. He said further, he thanked most humbly the Emperors Majesty, & all the Princes & Estates of the Empire, that they had given to him benign & gracious audience, and granted safe conduct to come & to return. Finally he said: he desired ⟨image 43⟩none other in them, then a reformation, according to the sacred word of God, and consonancy of holy scriptures, which effectually in his hart he prayed. Otherwise he was prest to suffer all accidents for the Imperial Majesty, as life and death, good fame and reproach, reserving nothing to him self, but the only word of God, which he would constantly confess, to the latter end, humbly recommending him to the Emperors Majesty, and to all the Princes, and other Estates of the sac•e• Empire.
Luther hauing vnderstanded thys, aunswered very modestlye & Christianly: Euen as it hath pleased God, so is it come to passe, the name of the Lorde be blessed. He sayd further, he thanked most humbly the Emperors Maiesty, & all the Princes & Estates of the Empire, that they had geuen to hym benigne & gracious audience, and graunted safeconduct to come & to returne. Finally he said: he desired ⟨image 43⟩none other in them, then a reformacion, accordyng to the sacred woorde of God, and consonancy of holy scriptures, whych effectually• in hys hart he prayed. Otherwyse he was prest to suffer al accidentes for the Emperiall Maiesty, as lyfe and death, good fame and reproch, reseruing nothyng to hym selfe, but the onely woorde of God, whych he would constantly confesse, to the latter end, humbly recommending hym to the Emperours Maiestye, and to all the Princes, and other Estates of the sac•e• Empyre.
The morrow after which was the .xxvi. day of April after he1 had taken his leave of such as supported him, and other his benevolent friends, that o•t•n times visited him, and broken his fast, at ten of the clock, he departed from Worms accompanied with such, as repaired thither with him. The Emperors Herald Caspar Sturme followed and overtook him at Oppenhim being commanded by the Emperor to conduct him safely home. (⸫)
The morrowe after whyche was the .xxvi. daye of Apryll after hee1 had taken hys leaue of suche as supported hym, and other hys ben•uolent friendes, that o•t•n tymes visited hym, and broken hys fast, at ten of the clocke, he departed from Wormes accompanyed wyth suche, as repayred thyther wyth hym. The Emperours Heraulde Caspar Sturme followed and ouertooke hym at Oppenhim beyng commaunded by the Emperonr to conduct hym safely home. (⸫)
Confirm (O God) in us that thou haste wrought, and perfect the work that thou haste begone in us to thy glory. So be it.
COnfyrme (O God) in vs that thou haste wrought, and perfect the woorke that thou haste begone in vs to thy glorye. So be it.
THE Scholars assembled to hear the Lecture of the Epistle to the Romans, Phillip Melanchthon recited publicly, this that followeth, at nine of the clock before noon, advertising he gave this information, by the counsel of other Lords, for that the Auditors understanding the express truth (for so much as the lords knew certainly Fame would bl•we slanderous blasts every where of the death of Luther) should not credit flying tales and false reports.
THE Scholers assembled to heare the Lecture of the Epistle to ye Romaynes, Phyllip Melācthon recited publikly, thys that foloweth, at nyne of the clocke before noone, aduertisyng he gaue thys informacion, by the counsayle of other Lordes, for that the Auditors vnderstandyng the expresse truth (for so much as ye lords knew certainly Fame woulde bl•we sclaunderous blastes euery where of the death of Luther) should not credit flying tales and false reportes.
My friends, ye know that we have enterprised to expound Grammatical lye the Epistle to the Romans, in the which is contained the true doctrine ⟨image 44⟩of the Son of God, the which our Lord by his singular grace hath revealed unto us at this present by the reverend Father, & our dearly beloved Master Martin Luther. Not withstanding we have received heavy news, which have so augmented my dolour, that I am in doubt if I may continue henceforth in scholastical profession, and exercise of teaching. The cause wherefore I commemorate this thing, is for that I am so advised by other Lords, that ye may understand the true sequel of things least your selves blaze abroad vain •ales of this fatal chance, or give credit to other fables, which commonly are accustomed to be spread every where.
My friendes, ye know that we haue enterprised to expound Grammatical lye the Epistle to the Romaynes, in the which is contayned the true doctrine ⟨image 44⟩of the Sonne of God, the which our Lord by hys singular grace hath reuealed vnto vs at thys present by the reuerend Father, & our dearelye beloued Maister Martin Luther. Not withstanding we haue receiued heauy newes, which haue so augmented my dolour, that I am in dout if I mai continue hencefoorth in scholasticall profession, and exercise of teachyng. The cause wherefore I commemorate thys thinge, is for that I am so aduised by other Lordes, that ye may vnderstand the true sequele of things least your selues blase abroade vayne •ales of this fatal chaūce, or geue credit to other fables, which cōmonly ar accustomed to be spred euery where.
Wednesday last past, the. 17. day of February, Doctor Martin Luther sickened a little before Supper, of his1 accustomed malady, to say, the oppression of humours in the orifice or opening of his stomach, whereof I remember I have seen him oft diseased in this place. This sickness occupied him after Supper, with the which vehemently contending, he required secesse into an next chamber, & there he rested ⟨image 45⟩on bed two hours, whiles the pains increased, Doctor Jonah lying in his chamber, Luther awakened, & prayed him to rise, and call up Ambrose his Children's Schoolmaster, to make fire in an other Chamber. In that which being newly entered, Albert Earle of Mansfeld with his wife and divers other (whose names in these letters for hast, were not expressed) at that in stant came into his Chamber. Finally, feeling his fatal hour to approach, before. 1•. of the clock in the morning the. 18. of February, he commended him to God, with this devout prayer.
Wedensday last past, the. 17. daye of February, Doctor Martin Luther syckned a litle before Supper, of hys1 accustomed malady, to say, the oppression of humors in the orifice or opening of his stomacke, wherof I remē ber I haue senhim oft diseased in this place. Thys sickenes occupied him after Supper, with the which vehemētly contending, he required secesse into an next chamber, & there he rested ⟨image 45⟩on bed two houres, whiles the paines encreased, Doctor Ionas lying in his chamber, Luther awakened, & praied hym to ryse, and call vp Ambrose hys Childerns Schoolemaister, to make fyre in an other Chāber. In yt which beyng newly entred, Albert Earle of Mansfeld wyth hys wyfe and dyuers other (whose names in these letters for hast, were not expressed) at that in stant came into hys Chamber. Finally, feelyg hys fatal houre to approch, before. 1•. of the clock in the morning the. 18. of Februarye, he commended him to God, wyth this deuout praier.
