A08486:39
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.
Behold what were the beginnings of this controversy, wherein Luther neither suspecting ne dreaming of any change that might happen in the ceremonies, did not utterly reject the Indulgences, but required a moderation in them. And therefore they falsely accuse him, that blaze he began with plausible matter, and whereby he might get praise, to the end in process of time, he might change the state of the Common weal, and purchase authority, either for him self or other.
Beholde what were the begynnynges of thys controuersye, wherein Luther neyther suspecting ne dreamyng of anye chaunge that myghte happen in the ceremonyes, dyd not vtterly reiect the Indulgences, but required a moderacion in them. And therefore they falselye accuse hym, that blase he beganne wyth plawsible matter, and whereby he myghte get prayse, to the ende in processe of tyme, he myght chaunge the state of the Common weale, and purchase authoritye, eyther for him selfe or other.
And sure, he was not suborned or stirred by Courtiers, as the Duke of Brunswick wrote that the Duke Frederick was sore offended that such contention and controversy should arise, having regard to the sequel thereof, that all be it this beginning proceeded favourably, yet the flame by little and little kindled, would have spread further, as Homer maketh mention of Fame.
And sure, hee was not suborned or sturred by Courtiers, as the Duke of Brunswike wrote that the Duke Fredericke was sore effended that suche contencion and controuersye should aryse, hauyng regarde to the sequele thereof, that all be it thys begynnyng proceeded fauourablye, yet the flame by lyttle and lyttle kyndeled, woulde haue spreadde further, as Homere maketh mencion of Fame.
¶ Fame is an evil, then the which1