A08486:149
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.
AL best in this common sorrow my voice shall be troubled with dolour & tears: yet I must say somewhat in this frequent assembly, not (as the Pagans solemn custom was) to sing the Encomye of the dead, but rather to admonish this company of the marvellous government, & perils of the Church, that we may consider for what causes we ought to be careful & pensive, what things we have special need of, & to what examples we ought to direct our life. For although profane men beholding this horrible confusion in this mortal estate, supposing allthings are transported by adventure, and governed by Fortune: yet we confirmed with ⟨image 46⟩many evident testimonies of God, let1 us separate the Church from the ungodly multitude, let us persuade our selves the same hath been preserved, and ruled by divine providence, & •et us perpen• what is the policy of the same. Let us acknowledge the true governors, and endeavour to frame our cou••e conformable to theirs. Let us ••ec• Guides & cove••ent Instructors, whom we may godly imitate & have in reverence. It shall be most expedient for so meditate and speak of these weighty & grave matters, as of ten & when mention shall be made of the Reverend man Martin Luther, our dearly beloved Master. Whom we must tenderly love & commend, since we know that he was divinely raised to be a Minister of the Gospel, although many profane men, & such as contemned the Gospel, hated him deadly. We ought also to collect testimonies,2 whereby we may demonstrate his doctrine contained no seditious opinions injuriously and with temerarious affection sown, as the Epicurean sect imagineth, but that by his doctrine, the will and faithful ⟨image 47⟩worshipping of God, & his holy scriptures are expressed, & the word of God y• is, the glad tidings of Jesus Christ sincerely announced. Al be it in these Dracions accustomably made in this place, we were wont orderly to depaint the particular ornaments of them, whom we praised: yet I omitting that member of Oration, intend to treat only of this principal article, Ecclesiastical function. For the wise & godly will deliberate & determine in them selves resolutely this:
AL best in thys common sorrow my voyce shalbe troubled wyth dolour & teares: yet I must saye somewhat in thys frequent assembly, not (as the Paganes solemne custome was) to sing the Encomye of the dead, but rather to admonish this companye of the marueilous gouernment, & perils of the Church, that we may consider for what causes we ought to be careful & pensiue, what thinges we haue special neede of, & to what examples we ought to direct our lyfe. For although prophane men beholding this horrible confusion in thys mortall estate, supposing althinges are transported by aduenture, and gouerned by Fortune: yet we confirmed wyth ⟨image 46⟩many euident testimonies of God, let1 vs separate the Church from the vngodly multitude, let vs perswade our selues the same hath bene preserued, and ruled by diuine prouidence, & •et vs perpen• what is the policye of the same. Let vs acknowledge the true gouernours, and endeuour to frame our cou••e conformable to theirs. Let vs ••ec• Guides & coue••ent Instructors, whom we maye godly imitate & haue in reuerence. It shalbe most expedient for so meditate and speake of these waighty & graue matters, as of ten & when mencion shall be made of the Reuerend man Martine Luther, our dearely beloued Maister. Whom we must tenderly loue & commende, synce we know that he was diuinely reysed to be a Minister of the Gospel, although many prophane mē, & suche as contempned the Gospel, hated him deadlye. We ought also to collect testemonies,2 whereby we may demonstrate his doctrine contayned no sedicious opinions iniuriously and wyth temerarious affection sowen, as the Epicurean sect imagineth, but that by hys doctrine, the wil and faythful ⟨image 47⟩worshipping of God, & hys holy scriptures ar expressed, & the word of God y• is, the glad tidyngs of Iesus Christ sincerely announced. Al be it in these Dracions accustomably made in this place, we wer wōt orderly to depaint the particular ornamentes of them, whō we praysed: yet I omit•yng that member of Oration, entend to treate only of this principal article, Ecclesiastical function. For the wise & godly wyll deliberate & determine in them selues resoluteli this:
If Luther hath manifested the necessary doctrine of salvation in y• Church, great thanks are to be given to God, who hath raised him, & we must commend his industry, faith, constancy, & many other his celestial virtues, and endeavour the memory of this man may be embraced and reverenced of every man.
If Luther hath manyfested the necessarye doctryne of saluacion in y• Church, great thankes are to be geuen to God, who hath raised him, & we must commend hys industry, faith, constancy, & many other hys celestiall vertues, and endeuour the memory of thys man may be embraced and reuerenced of euery man.
Let this then be the Proem of my Oration. The Son of God (as Paul saith) sitteth at the right hand of the everlasting father, & ministereth good things to men, that is, the voice, of the Gospel, & the holy ghost, and to distribute these gifts, he raiseth Prophets, Apostles, Doctors & Pastors, • ⟨image 47⟩taketh these out of our congregation, such as do learn, who profess, hear & embrace the Prophets & Apostles1 writings. And calleth not only those to this warfare, which have ordinary power, but also he denounceth war against them often times, by Doctors chosen of an other estate. It is most comfortable, & a pleasant spectacle to consider the Church of all ages, & to remember the bounty of God, who from time to time hat sent successively godly Doctors, to the end that when the first were in battle consumed, other might supply their ranks to achieve that the former begun.
Let thys then be the Proeme of my Oration. The Sonne of God (as Paule sayth) sitteth at the right hand of the euerlasting father, & ministreth good things to men, that is, the voice, of the Gospel, & the holy ghost, and to distribute these giftes, he rayseth Prophets, Apostles, Doctors & Pastors, • ⟨image 47⟩taketh these out of our congregacion, such as do learne, who professe, heare & embrace the Prophetes & Apostles1 writings. And calleth not only those to this warfare, which haue ordinari power, but also he denounceth warre against them often times, by Doctors chosen of an other estate. It is moste comfortable, & a pleasaūt spectacle to consider the Churche of all ages, & to remember the bountye of God, who from time to time hat sent successiuely godly Doctors, to thend that when the first were in battayl consumed, other might supply theyr rankes to atchieue that the former begonne.
The continual order of y• first fathers1 Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah Noah Shem is notorious. This Shem living & inhabiting the country nigh to Sodom, when the people had forgotten the doctrine of Noah, & every where honoured Idols, Abraham was raised to be Shem's companion to assist him, to perform this great work. After succeeded Isaac, Jacob Joseph, y• which Joseph in y• universal territory of Egypt (which then excelled all other kingdoms in y• world) illumined the light of doctrine. ⟨image 48⟩Then followed Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, whose Auditor was Isaiah. After Isaiah cam Jeremiah, after Jeremy, Daniel, after Daniel Zechariah, immediately succeeded Esoras and Omas, after Onias the Maccabees. Then after ensued Simeon, Zechariah, John Baptist, Jesus Christ, & the Apostles. It is convenient to consider this continual sequel, for that it is an evident testimony of Gods presence in the Church.
The cōtinual order of y• first fathers1 Adam, Seth, Enoch, Mathusalē Noe Sem is notorious. This Sem liuing & inhabiting the country nigh to Sodome, when the people had forgotten the doctrine of Noe, & euery wher honored Idols, Abraham was raysed to be Sems compagniō to assist hym, to performe this great worke. After succeded Isac, Iacob Ioseph, y• which Ioseph in y• vniuersal territori of Egipt (which thē excelled all other kingdōs in y• world) illumined the light of doctrine. ⟨image 48⟩Then folowed Moses, Iosue, Samuel, Dauid, Elias, Elizeus, whose Auditor was Esay. After Esay cam Ieremy, after Ieremye, Daniel, after Daniel Zachary, immediatly succeded Esoras and Omas, after Onias the Machabees. Then after ensued Simeon, Zachary, Iohn Baptist, Iesus Christ, & the Apostles. It is conuenient to consider thys continual sequele, for that it is an euidēt testimonye of Gods presence in the Church.
After the Apostles followed an other1 flock, the which albeit weaker, yet adorned with the testimonies of God, as Polycarp, Ireneus, Gregory Neocesariē, Basil, Austen, Prosper, Marimus, Hugo, Bernard, Tau lerus, and many other in divers places. All be it this last age was more gross, and stuffed with ordures, yet God preserved always some remnants. And it is clear the Gospel hath received much light by the preaching of Luther.
After the Apostles followed an other1 flocke, the whych albeit weaker, yet adorned wyth the testimonyes of God, as Policarpe, Ireneus, Gregory Neocesariē, Basile, Austen, Prosper, Marimus, Hugo, Bernard, Tau lerus, and many other in diuers places. All be it thys last age was more grosse, and stuffed wyth ordures, yet God preserued alwayes somme remaintes. And it is cleare the Gospell hath receiued much light by the preachyng of Luther.
Then must we collocate him among this select & blissful Troupe of godly and excellent Mirrors, whom God hath sent to gather & restore his ⟨image 48⟩Church, that we may understand this was the principal flower of human kin•• ▪ Solon, Themistocles, Scipio. Augustus, were excellent & worthy men, who established and governed large Realms & great Empires: yet were they mu•• inferior then these our Guides. Esa• John Baptist, S. Paul, Austen, and Luther. It is necessary for us to understand these differentes in the Church.
Then muste we collocate hym among this select & blisful Troupe of godly and excellent Mirrours, whom God hath sent to gather & restore hys ⟨image 48⟩Church, that we may vnderstand this was the principal flower of humaine kin•• ▪ Solon, Themistocles, Scipio. Augustus, were excellent & woorthy men, who established and gouerned large Realmes & great Empires: yet were they mu•• inferiour then these our Guides. Esa• Iohn Baptist, S. Paule, Austen, and Luther. It is necessary for vs to vnderstand these differentes in the Church.
What then are the absolute & true matters y• Luther hath manifested, which giveth great glory to his works, and maketh his praise live in the mouth of men? Many cry out that the Church is disturbed, & controversies planted in them, not easy to be unfolded. I answer to these: Such is the government of the Church, when the holy Ghost argueth the world, many dissentions grow through the perverse stubbornness of the wicked, & they are in fault, y• will not hear the1 Son of God, of whom the Father pronounceth: Hear him. Luther hath revealed the true & necessary doctrine, for it is most certain, there was wonderful gross darkness in the doctrine ⟨image 49⟩of repentance. This discussed, he declareth what is perfect penitence, which is the trusty port & assured comfort of the spirit astonied with the feeling of Gods anger. He hath illumined S. Pauls doctrine, which treateth, man is justified by faith. He hath expressed what difference is betwixt the Law & the Gospel, betwixt spiritual & civil Justice. He hath explained what is the true invocation of God, and revoked the Church wholly from all Pagan and profane lunacy and furor, who feign that God is invocated, when the spirits oppressed with Academical doubts, flee God. He hath exhorted to prayer in pure conscience, & hath guided us as it were by the hand to the only mediator the Son of God, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and interceding for us, & not to Images and dead me, as the Infidels moved with horrible madness invocated Idols and senseless Stocks.
What then are the absolute & true matters y• Luther hathe manifested, which geueth great glory to his workes, and maketh hys praise liue in the mouth of men? Many cry out that the Church is disturbed, & controuersies planted in them, not easy to be vnfolded. I aunswer to these: Suche is the gouernment of the Churche, when the holy Ghost argueth the worlde, many dissentions growe through the peruers stubbornes of the wycked, & they are in fault, y• wyll not heare the1 Sonne of God, of whom the Father pronoūceth: Heare hym. Luther hath reueled the true & necessary doctrine, for it is most certain, ther was wonderfull grosse darknes in the doctrine
He hath also instructed other duties acceptable to God, and so a dourned and fortified civil life, as none to this day with more perfection. Further ⟨image 49⟩he hath sequestered childish institution of human ceremonies, y• customs and laws letting true invocation from necessary works. And that this heavenly doctrine manifested might come to posterity, he translated the Prophets and Apostles works, into his maternal tong, with such perspicuity, that his traduction giveth more light to the Readers, then the Commentaries of divers other.
He hath also instructed other dutyes acceptable to God, and so a dourned and fortefied ciuil life, as none to thys day wyth more perfection. Further ⟨image 49⟩he hath sequestred childish instituciō of humain ceremonies, y• customs aud lawes lettyng true inuocation from necessary workes. And that this heauenly doctrine manyfested might come to posteritye, he translated the Prophetes and Apostles workes, into hys maternal tong, wyth such perspi•uitye, that hys traduction geueth more lyght to the Readers, then the Commentaries of diuers other.
Hereunto he hath added many Enarrations, the which as Erasmus1 in time paste affirmed, passed all others, that be extant. And as it is reported of such as reedified Jerusalem that they builded with one hand, and held the sword with the other: even so Luther fought against y• enemies of Christian doctrine, and at that instant devised enarrations, replenished with heavenly doctrine, and in2 this exploit, he hath comforted and relieved the consciences of many with faithful Counsels.
Hereunto he hath added manye Enarrations, the whych as Erasmus1 in tyme paste affirmed, passed all others, that be extant. And as it is reported of such as reedified Ierusalem that they buylded with one hand, and held the sword wyth the other: euen so Luther fought agaynst y• enemyes of Christian doctrine, and at that instant deuised enarracions, replenished wyth heauenlye doctrine, and in2 thys exployte, he hath comforted and releued the consciences of many with faythfull Councels.
And as it appeareth the greatest part of his doctrine, surmounteth the compass of humane capacity, as the doctrine of remission of since & faith. ⟨image 50⟩So must we necessarily confess he was taught of God, and divers of us have seen his conflicts, in the which he learned, that we should persuade our selves this, that by faith we are heard and received of God.
And as it appeareth the greatest part of his doctrine, surmounteth the compasse of humayne capacity, as the doctrine of remission of syns & fayth. ⟨image 50⟩So muste we necessarilye confesse he was taught of God, and diuers of vs haue sene his conflictes, in the which he learned, that we should perswade our selues this, that by fayth we are heard and receaued of God.
The sincere & godly wits shall celebrate forever, the benefits which God hath conferred to his Church by Luther, and first they shall render thanks to God, then protest, they are much obliged to his learned labours: albeit the Atheists, who universally have the church in derision, esteem an• judge these true offices and duties, a childish pastime, a mere folly, and alienation of the mind.
The sincere & godly wyts shal celebrate foreuer, the benefites whyche God hath conferred to his Church by Luther, and fyrste they shall render thankes to God, then protest, they ar much obliged to hys learned labors: albert the Atheistes, who vniuersally haue the church in derisiō, esteme an• iudge these true offices and dutyes, a chyidysh pastime, a mere folye, and alienacion of the mynde.
He hath not excitated indissoluble disputations, neither proponed to the Church, the Apple of contention, nor published obscurities & enigmes. For he is easy to the faithful & godly, and such as be of sound understanding, & slanderously will not give judgement, by conference of sentences to consider what agreeth with the heavenly doctrine. and what dissenteth. And that more is, the godly are fully resolved▪ that these differentes were long ⟨image 50⟩since appointed. For since Gods pleasure is we should behold & know his will in the Prophets and Apostles works (in the which he hath manifested himself) we may not think his words are doubtful, as the leaves of Sibilla.
He hath not excitated indissoluble disputacions, neither proponed to the Church, the Apple of contencion, nor published obscurities & enigmes. For he is easy to the faythful & godly, and such as be of sound vnderstandyng, & sclaunderouslye wyll not geue iudgement, by conference of sentences to cō sider what agreeth with the heauenly doctrine. and what dissenteth. And that more is, the godly are fully resolued▪ that these differentes were longe ⟨image 50⟩synce appointed. For since Gods pleasure is we should behold & know hys wyll in the Prophetes and Apostles workes (in the which he hath manyfested hymselfe) we maye not thynke hys woordes are doubtfull, as the leaues of Sibilla.
But some (which were not perverse) have complained that Luther was1 more vehement, then n•de required. I will not dispute against any: but I answer this that Erasmus hath often said: God hath given this last age a sharp Physician, because of y• great diseases of the same, & therefore since he hath raised such an organ against the truths enemies, and against the proud and impudent, as he hath said to Jeremiah, behold I have placed my words in thy mouth, to the end thou shouldest destroy & edify, & also hath pleased him to set before their beards this Gorgon or buckler, in vain they quarrel with God. God governeth his Church not by mans Counsels, neither will have his organs all alike. This is a common thing, mean and moderate spirits cannot brook vehement motions, whether they be ⟨image 51⟩good or evil. Aristides beholding Themistocles enterprise great matters, with a pathetical incitation of the mind, whereof he had prosperous success, although he did gratulate the common weals prosperity: yet he laboured diligently to revoke Themistocles vehement mind from y• course.
But some (which wer not peruers) haue compiayned that Luther was1 more vehement, then n•de required. I wyl not dispute against any: but I aunswer this that Erasmus hath often said: God hath giuen this last age a sharpe Phisiciō, because of y• great diseases of the same, & therfore synce he hath reysed such an organe against the truthes enemies, and agaynst the proude and impudent, as he hath said to Ieremy, beholde I haue placed my wordes in thy mouth, to thende thou shouldest destroy & edefye, & also hath pleased hym to set before their beards this Gorgon or buckler, in vaine thei quarell wyth God. God gouerneth hys Church not by mans Counsels, netheir wyll haue hys organes all alyke. This is a common thing, mean and moderate spirites cannot brooke vehement motions, whether they be ⟨image 51⟩
Neither I deny that sometimes vehement motions offend, there is none in this infirmity of Nature, void of spot. Yet if there be any such as the authentic writers have reported of Hercules, Cimon, and other, deformed & misshapen: yet apt and upright in excellent exploits. Certainly I must confess that these be good and praise worthy, and as S. Paul saith, if he do his duty well in the Church, observing faith, and a pure conscience, he is acceptable to God, and we ought to reverence him.
Neyther I deny that sometymes vehement mocions offend, ther is none in thys infirmity of Nature, voide of spot. Yet if ther be any such as the autentick writers haue reported of Hercules, Cimon, and other, deformed & misshapen: yet apt and vpryght in excellent exploictes. Certaynly I must confesse that these be good and praise worthy, and as S. Paule sayth, yf he do hys duty wel in the Church, obseruyng fayth, and a pure conscience, he is acceptable to God, and we oughte to reuerence hym.
