A08486:156
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.
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 ⟨image 49⟩of repentannce. This discussed, he declareth what is perfecte penitence, which is the trusty port & assured comfort of the spirite astonyed with the felyng of Gods anger. He hath illumined S. Paules doctrine, whych treateth, ma is iustified by fayth. He hath expressed what difference is betwyxte the Law & the Gospel, betwixt spiritual & ciuil Iustice. He hath explaned what is the true inuocacion of God, and reuoked the Church wholy from al Pagane and prophane lunacy and furor, who fayne that God is inuocated, when the spirites oppressed wyth Academical douts, flee God. He hath exhorted to praier in pure cōscience, & hath guided vs as it wer by the hand to the onely mediatour the Sonne of God, syttynge at the ryghte hande of God the Father, and interceadynge for vs, & not to Images and dead me, as the Infidels moued wyth horrible madnes inuocated Idolles and senceles Stockes.
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.
We know that Luther hath been such, for constantly he hath maintained the sincerity of the Gospel, and retained an integrity of conscience. Now what is he (that hath known Luther) & is ignorant, with what1 humanity he was garnished? How af ⟨image 51⟩fable he was to all such as in familiar conference, or grave devise had to do with him. How void he was of contention & brawl, & yet among these virtues he had such a gravity, as decently became his calling. His manners were good, his words sweet and pleasant. Finally, allthings (as S. Paul saith) were in him true, honest, just, pure, amiable, & renowned, in so much that we may plainly perceive his vehemency proceeded of a zealous affection he bare to the truth, rather then of any natural sharpness, & here of not only we, but many are evident witnesses. As touching the rest of his2 life, which he prolonged to .lxiii. years, employing the same with fervent affection in the fear of God, & in all good & liberal sciences, if I had deliberated to say ought in his praise, what ample theme, what abundance of matter is ministered to me to frame an excellent & goodly Oration. No inordinate desires, no seditious counsels reigned in him. He exhorted to peace & dissuaded war. He meddled not private care with ecclesiastical causes, there by to enrich himself, or advance his friends. ⟨image 52⟩I judge this to be so great wisdom & virtue, that by humane diligence it cannot only be procured, but it behoveth high, vehement, & subtle minds (as it appeareth Luther's was) to be bridled divinely.
We knowe that Luther hath bene such, for constantly he hath mayntained the sinceritye of the Gospel, and retayned an integrity of conscience. Now what is he (that hath knowen Luther) & is ignoraunt, wyth what1 humanity he was garnished? How af ⟨image 51⟩fable he was to al such as in familiar conference, or graue deuise had to do wyth hym. How voyde he was of contencion & brawle, & yet among these vertues he had such a grauity, as decently became hys callyng. His manners wer good, his wordes swete and pleasaunt. Finally, althinges (as S. Paule saith) wer in him true, honest, iust, pure, amiable, & renoumed, in so much that we maye plainly perceyue hys vehemencye proceded of a zelous affection he bare to the truth, rather then of any natural sharpenes, & here of not onely we, but many are euidēt witnesses. As touching the rest of his
What shall I say of other his virtues? I often times came unawares1 upon him, when he with tears berayning his cheeks, prayed for the universal Church. He prescribed certain hours every day to recite some Psalms, and in pronouncing them, he expressed his affection, with mourning & tears. He rebuked ever those that through negligence, or other domestical business, said: they served God sufficiently, in making a secret zealous prayer, declaring to them that we have forms set forth by divine counsel, to the end that in reading we may awaken our minds, and with voice testify what God we call upon.
What shal I saye of other his vertues? I often tymes came vnwares1 vpon hym, when he wyth teares berayning hys chekes, prayed for the vniuersal Church. He prescribed certayn houres euery day to recite some Psalmes, and in pronouncing them, he expressed his affection, wyth mourning & teares. He rebuked euer those that through negligence, or other domestical busines, sayde: they serued God sufficiently, in makyng a secret zelous prayer, declaring to them that we haue fourmes set foorth by diuine counsell, to thend that in reading we may awaken our myndes, and wyth voyce testify what God we call vpon.
And when occasion was offered to enter in consultation about imminent dangerous, we always observed his marvellous constancy of courage, neither would he lurk appalled, neither represent any face ef ⟨image 52⟩fear, with the terror thereof. He leaned always to the Lord, as to his holy anchor, and never waved in any point of his faith.
And when occasion was offered to enter in consultacion about imminent daungerous, we alwaies obserued hys marueilous constancy of courage, neyther would he lurke appalled, neyther represent anye face ef ⟨image 52⟩feare, wyth the terrour therof. He leaned alwayes to the Lord, as to hys holye ancre, and neuer waued in anye poynt of hys fayth.
Further, he was so ingenious, that alone he considered what was necessary1 to be done in doubtful cases. Neither was he (as many suppose) negligent in the consideration of the public weal, neither ignorant of the minds and inclinations of other, but he well understood the state of the common weal, no man better, & perceived most prudently the natural dispositions and wills of them, with whom he was conversant. And albeit he was of a jolly & politic head: yet he most greedily red the Ecclesiastical Writers, old and new, & all the histories, the examples, whereof he converted with a singular dexterity, to the profit of mans life, and present affairs2
Further, he was so ingenious, that alone he considered what was necessary1 to be done in doubtful cases. Neither was he (as many suppose) negligent in the consideracion of the publicke weale, neyther ignoraunt of the myndes and inclinaciōs of other, but he wel vnderstode the state of the common weale, no man better, & perceyued most prudently the natural dispositions and wylles of them, with whō he was cōuersant. And albeit he was of a ioly & politicke head: yet he moste gredely red the Ecclesiasticall Wryters, old and new, & all the histories, the examples, whereof he conuerted wyth a syngular dexterity, to the profite of mans lyfe, and present affaires2
Of his eloquence we have everlasting testimonies, wherein certainly he was equivalent to any that excelled in art Oratory.
Of hys eloquenc•e we haue euerlasting testimonies, wherein certaynly he was equiualent to any that excelled in arte Oratory.
Then with good cause we may lament the lack of him, who in wisdom and liveliness of spirit was so ⟨image 53⟩excellent, so garnished with doctrine▪ so exercise▪ with vie, so adorned with many & those heroical virtues, so elected of God, for the restoration of the Church, and finally with so paternal affection, loving and embracing us, we are like Orphelius, deprived of a faithful and famous father. And albeit necessarily we must obey divine order: yet let us endeavour the memory of his benefits & virtues may remain immortal with us. And let us rejoice that presently he is in the blessed & sweet company of God & his well-beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prophets and Apostles,1 whose so[…]etye through the faith he had in the Son of God, he hath daily desired, and attended. Whereas now he heareth his labours only approved by the judgement of God, and the testimony of all the heavenly Church, which he sustained for the propagation of the Gospel: but also taken out of this mortal body as out of a prison, and entered into a school adorned with more excellent doctrine, he beholdeth the essence of god, the two natures conjoined in the Son, ⟨image 53⟩and all the couns•• of h[…] creation and redemption of the church. The which divine m•ste••es ••r•ked, and with compendious oracles proponed he considered here only by faith, out now more •u•••nt. y veholdyng them, he rejoiceth & fervently inflamed with the love of God, he rendereth thanks for this so great & singular benefit.
Then wyth good cause we may lament the lacke of hym, who in wysedome and lyuelynes of spirite was so ⟨image 53⟩excellent, so garnished with doctrine so exercise wyth vie, so adorned with many & those heroyical vertues, so elected of God, for the restauration of the Curch, and finally with so paternal affection, louyng and embracing vs, we are lyke Orphelius, depriued of a faythful and famous father. And albeit necessarelye we must obey diuine order: yet let vs endeuour ye memory of hys benefites & vertues may remayne immortal wyth vs. And let vs reioyce that presently he is in the blessed & swete company of God & his welbeloued Sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ, the Prophetes and Apostles,
There he learneth wherefore the Son of God is called the word and Image of the eternal Father, & how the holy ghost is the band of mutual love, not only betwixt the eternal Father and the Son, but also betwixt them and the Church. For he had learned the rudiments and principles of this doctrine in this mortal life, and mentioned oftentimes these celestial matters, the difference betwixt true and false invocation, the true knowledge of God, beholding the divine manifestations, & the discerning of the true God, from forged and invented Gods, & these matters he disputed very wisely & grave••
There he learneth wherefore the sonne of God is called the woord and Image of the eternal Father, & how the holy ghost is the band of mutuall loue, not onelye betwyxt the eternall Father and the Sonne, but also betwyxt them and the Church. For he had learned the ru••mentes and principles of thys doctrine in thys mortal lyfe, and mencioned oftentimes these celestiall matters, the difference betwyrt true and false inuocation, the true knowledge of God, beholdyng the diuine manifestacions, & the discernynge of the true God, from foreged and inuented Gods, & these matters he disputed very wisely & graue••
