A08486:208
A famous and godly history containing the lives a[nd] acts of three renowned reformers…A famous and godly history contaynyng the lyues a[nd] actes of three renowmed reformers…
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.
Ye see brethren in what state mine1 affairs rest, the Lord approacheth to call me hence, I am therefore desirous to confirm & establish my soul with the perfect joy of our Lord, & consolation of you my dear friends. What shall we the servants of God say in this fatal farewell, ye jointly be coupled together in like love towards the Lord, like study, like care, & like doctrine? Salvation is procured for us, the faithful hope of Gods kingdom by ⟨image 76⟩Christ is conquered for us, his doctrine is true, his light shineth even at our feet, wherefore abandon all sorrow, all dread of death, all error & all doubt. What resteth then but constantly & faithfully to follow Jesus Christ, as we long sith have begun: First in purity of doctrine, secondly in life conformable to the lively word of God. Christ puissant enough, will of his infinite mercy give order for the rest and preserve his Church. Endeavour then with all alacrity of mind, my dear brethren, to make your light2 shine, so as God the Father may be glorified, and the name of Christ resplendish and have light by the brightness and integrity of your conversation. Love one another unfeignedly, having god ever more before your eyes. Men preach the truth in vain, and little prevail words, for if we will subdue Satan, if we determine to shape this world after Christ, this specially that now is we had need of a clear and holy life, of a heavenly courage and mind. See ye not what clouds appear, what tempest begins to noise, what alienation of minds, what ⟨image 76⟩impiety reign, yet ye must be constant and courageous, assured the Lord will dispose all in just order. O ye I might be with you in your tribulations, and expose this my life for the truth, but it may be so, for as much as the love of godly men, and the band in Christ is indissoluble, and have all things common among them. Such discourse had Ecolampadius concerning religion, generally with us his brethren, and then he began to touch him self. Where I am slandered (saith he) that perversely I have corrupted the truth. I force not, for praised be god, I depart to appear before the throne of Christ in pure conscience there shall I truly know if I have seduced the Church, I leave you witnesses