A08486:68
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.
THE year of our salvation▪ 1621. about. 17. •ayes after Passover, Martin Luther entered Worms, being sent for by the Emperor Charles the fifth of his name, king of Hispaine & Archduke of Austria. &c. Who the first year of his Empire, made the first assembly of Princes in this regal City. And where as Martin Luther had published three years before, certain new propositions, and such as before were never proponed, to be disputed in the Town of Wittenberg in Saxony, against the ••ranny of the Pope (the which not withstanding ⟨image 26⟩were torn in pieces, condemned and burned by the Papists, and yet by no manifest Scriptures, •• probable reason convinced) the matter began to tend to tumult and mutiny, and yet Luther maintained a• this while openly his cause against the Clergy. Whereupon it seemed good according to the solicitation of the Roman Legates, that Luther should be called, assigning unto him an Herald of Arms, with letter of safe conduct by the Emperor & Princes. Being sent for, he came, and addressed him to the Knights of the Rhodes place, where he was lodged,1 well entertained, and visited of many Earls, Barons, Knights of thord•r Gentlemen, Priests & the Commonly who frequented his lodging till night.
THE yere of our saluacion▪ 1621. about. 17. •ayes after Passeouer, Martin Luther entred Wormes, beyng sent for by the Emperour Charles the fift of hys name, king of Hispaine & Archeduke of Aust•ich. &c. Who the firste yeare of his Empire, made the first assembly of Princes in this regal City. And wher as Martin Luther had published three yeres before, certayne new propositions, and such as before were neuer proponed, to be disputed in the Towne of Witteberg in Sarony, against the ••ranny of the Pope (the which not wythstanding ⟨image 26⟩were torne in peeces, condempned and burned by the Papists, and yet by no manyfest Scriptures, •• probable reason conuinced) the matter began to tende to tumult and mutiny, and yet Luther mayntained a• this whyle opēly his cause against the Clergye. Whereupon it seemed good according to the sollicitacion of the Romayne Legates, that Luther should be called, assigning vnto hym an Herauld of Armes, wyth letter of safe cōduct by the Emperour & Princes. Being sent for, he came, and addressed hym to the Knyghtes of the Rhodes place, where he was lodged,1 wel entertained, and visited of many Earles, Barons, Knights of thord•r Gentlemen, Priestes & the Cōmon•y who frequēted his lodging til night.
To conclude, he came besides the expectation of many, as well adversaries as other. For all be it he was sent for by the Emperors Messenger, & had letters of safe conduct: Yet for that a few days before his access, his books were condemned by public proclamations, every man believed for this prejudice he would not ⟨image 26⟩come. And the rather, for ye his friends deliberated together in a nigh Village called Oppenehim (where Luther was first advertised of these occurrents) & many persuaded him not to submit himself to any danger, considering these beginnings answered not the faith of promise made. Who, when he had heard their whole persuasion & advise, he answered in this wise: As touching me, since I am sent for, I am resolved & certainly determined to enter Worms, in the1 name of the Lord Jesus Christ: yea, although I knew there were so many Devils to resist me, as there are tiles to cover the houses in Worms.
To conclude, he came besides the expectacion of many, as wel aduersaries as other. For al be it he was sent for by the Emperours Messenger, & had letters of safe conduct: Yet for that a fewe dayes before his accesse, hys bookes were condempned by publicke proclamacions, euery man beleued for thys preiudice he woulde not ⟨image 26⟩come. And ye rather, for ye his friendes deliberated together in a nye Village called Oppenehim (where Luther was firste aduertised of these occurrentes) & many perswaded him not to submit himselfe to any daunger, considering these beginninges aunswered not the fayth of promyse made. Who, whē he had heard their whole perswasion & aduise, he answered in thys wyse: As touching me, synce I am sent for, I am resolued & certenly determined to enter Wormes, in the1 name of the Lord Iesus Christ: yea, although I knew ther were so many Deuils to resist me, as ther are tyles to couer the houses in Wormes.
The fourth day after his repair a Gentleman, named Ulricke of Pappenhim, Lieutenant general of the men of Arms of the Empire, was commanded by the Emperor before dinner, to repair to Luther, & enjoin the same at. 4. a clock in the after noon to appear before the Imperial Majesty, the Princes Electors, Dukes & other Estates of the Empire, to understand the cause of his appellation. Whereunto he willingly agreed as his duty was.
The fourth day after his repayre a Gentleman, named Vlricke of Pappenhim, Lieutenant general of ye mē of Armes of the Empire, was cōmaūded by the Emperor before dynner, to repayre to Luther, & enioyne ye same at. 4. a clock in the after noone to appeare before themperial Maiesty, the Princes Electors, Dukes & other Estates of thempire, to vnderstand the cause of his appellation. Whereunto he willingly agreed as his duty was.
And after four of the clock, Ulr•k Pappen him, and Caspar Sturm the Emperors Herald (who conducted Mart•n Luther from Wittenberg, to Worms) came for Luther, and accompanied him through the garden of the Knights of the Rhodes place, to the Earle Palatine's palace, and least the people should molest him, that thronged in frequency on the direct way to the Emperors Palace, he was led by secret stairs to y• place where he was appointed to have audience. Yet many, who perceived the pretence, violently rushed in, and were resisted to no purpose, many ascended the Galleries, because they desired to be hold Luther.
And after foure of the clocke, Vlr•k Pappen him, and Caspar Sturm the Emperours Heraul•e (who conducted Mart•n Luther from W••teberg, to Wormes) came for Luther, and accompanied hym through the garden of the Knightes of the Rhodes place, to the Earle Palatines palaice, and least the people shoulde molest hym, that thronged in frequency on the direct way to the Emperous Palaice, he was led by secret stayres to y• place where he was appoynted to haue audience. Yet many, who perceiued the pretence, violently rushed in, and wer resisted to no purpose, many ascended the Galleries, because they desyred to be hold Luther.
Thus standing before the Imperial1 Majesty, the Electors, Dukes, Earls, & all the Estates of the Empire, assembled there. He was first advertised by Ulricke of Pappenhim to keep silence, till such time as he was interrogated. Then the Ambassador of the Empire named John Ecke, the Bishop of Triers general official, with a loud and intelligible voice first in Latin, then in Dutch, according ⟨image 27⟩to the Emperors commandment, said and proponed this sen•ec• in manner as ensueth or like in effect.
Thus standyng before the Emperial1 Maiestye, the Electors, Dukes, Earles, & all the Estates of the Empire, assembled there. He was first aduertised by Vlricke of Pappenhim to keepe silence, til such tyme as he was interrogated. Thē the Embassadour of the Empire named Iohn Ecke, the Byshop of Triers general official, wyth a loud and intelligible voice first in Latine, then in Dutche, according ⟨image 27⟩to the Emperours commaundement, sayd and proponed this sen•ec• in maner as ensueth or lyke in effect.
Martin Luther, the sacred and invincible Imperial Majesty, hath enjoined by the consent of all the estates of the holy Empire, that thou shouldest be appealed before the throne of his Majesty, to the end I might interrogate thee of these two points. First, if thou confessest these books1 h••e (for he showed a heap of Luther's books, written in the Latin and Dutch tongues) and which are in all places borne, intituled with thy name, be thine, & thou doest affirm them to be thine or no? Secondly, if thou wilt recant and revoke them, and all that is contained in them, or rather meanest to stand to that thou hast written.
Martin Luther, the sacred and inuincible Emperial Maiesty, hath enioyned by the consent of al the estates of the holy Empire, that thou shouldest be appealed before the throne of hys Maiesty, to the end I might •nterrogate thee of these twoo poyntes. Fyrst, if thou confessest these bookes1 h••e (for he shewed a heape of Luthers bookes, wrytten in the Latine and Dutche tonges) and which are in all places borne, intituted wyth thy name, be thyne, & thou doest affirme them to be thyne or no? Secondly, yf thou wylt recant and reuoke them, and all that is contayned in them, or rather meanest to stande to that thou hast wrytten.
Then before Luther prepared to answer, Master Jerome Schurffe,1 appointed Luther's Advocate, exclaimed: let the titles of the books be red. Forthwith the Official of Triers named certain of the books, & those principally which were imprinted at Basil, among the which he nominated ⟨image 28⟩his Commentaries in the Psalter, his book of good works, his Commentary upon the Lords prayer, & divers other, which were not contentious.
Then before Luther prepared to aunswer, Maister Ierome Schurffe,1 appoynted Luthers Aduocate, exclamed: let the titles of the bokes be red. Forthwith the Official of Triers named certen of the bokes, & those principally whych were imprinted at Basile, among the whych he nominated ⟨image 28⟩his Cōmentaries in the Psalter, hys booke of good workes, his Commentary vpon the Lordes praier, & diuers other, which were not contencious.
After this Luther answered thus in Latin & in Dutch: Two things1 are proponed unto me by the Imperial Majesty. First, if I will avow for mine, all those books that bear my name. Secondly, if I will maintain or revoke any thing that hitherto I have devised and published. Whereunto I will answer as briefly as I can.
After this Luther aunswered thus in Latin & in Dutche: Two thynges1 are proponed vnto me by the Emperial Maiesty. First, if I wyl auow for myne, al those bookes that beare my name. Secondly, if I wyl mayntaine or reuoke any thyng that hitherto I haue deuised and published. Whervnto I wyll aunswere as briefely as I canne.
In the first, I can do none other than recognise those books to be mine, which lastly were named, & certainly I will never recant any clause thereof. In the second, to declare if I will wholly defend or call back any thing comprised in them. For as much as there is question of faith, and the salvation of the soul, and this concerneth the word of God, which is the greatest and most excellent matter that can be in heaven or earth, and the which duly we ought evermore to reverence. This might be accounted in me a precipitation of judgement, and ⟨image 28⟩even so a most dangerous attempt, if I would pronounce any thing, before I better advised. Considering I might recite something less then the matter importeth, and more then the truth requireth, if I did not premeditate that that I would speak. The which, two things would set before mine eyes this sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ, where by is said Who so ever shall deny me before men, I will deny him before my Father. I require then for this cause, and humbly beseech the Imperial Majesty, to grant me liberty and leisure to deliberate, so that I may satisfy the interrogation made unto me, without prejudice of the word of God, and peril of mine own soul.
In the first, I can do none other thē recognise those bookes to be myne, which lastly wer named, & certaynly I wil neuer recant any clause therof. In the secōd, to declare if I wil wholy defend or cal backe any thing comprised in them. For as much as there is question of faith, and the saluacion of the soule, and thys concerneth the woord of God, whych is the greatest and moste excellent matter that can be in heauen or earth, and the whych dulye we oughte euermore to reuerence. Thys myght be accompted in me a precipitacion of iudgement, and ⟨image 28⟩euen so a most daungerons attempt, if I would pronounce any thing, before I better aduised. Considerynge I might recite something lesse then the matter importeth, and more then the truth requireth, if I dyd not premeditate that that I woulde speake. The which, twoo thynges would set before myne eyes this sentence of our Lord Iesus Christ, where by is sayde Who so euer shall denye me before men, I will deny hym before my Father. I requyre then for thys cause, and humblye beseche the Emperiall Maiestye, to graunt me libertye and leasure to deliberate, so that I maye satisfye the interrogacion made vnto me, wythoute preiudice of the woorde of God, and peryll of myne owne soule.
Whereupon the Princes began to deliberate. This done, the Official pronounced what was their resolution, saying: All be it Martin Luther, thou hast sufficiently understanded by the Emperors commandment, the cause of thy appellation, & therefore doest not deserve to have opportunity given thee to determine: ⟨image 29⟩Yet •he Imperial Majesty of his mere clemency, • ranteth the one day to m[…] for thine answer, the which to morrow ere this instant hour thou shalt repair to render before him co••tcionally, thou do not exhibit thine opinion in writing, but pronounce the same with lively voice.
Whereupon the Princes beganne to deliberate. This done, the Officiall pronounced what was their resolucion, saying: All beit Martine Luther, thou hast sufficiently vnderstanded by the Emperours commaundement, the cause of thy appellacion, & therfore doest not deserue to haue oportunity geuen thee to determyne: ⟨image 29⟩Yet •he Emperiall Maiestye of hys mere clemency, • raūteth the one day to m〈…〉 for thyne aunswer, the whych to morrowe ar thys instaunt houre thou shalt repaire to render before hym co••tcionally, thou doo not exhibite thyne opinion in wrytyng, but pronounce the same wyth lyuely voyce.
This done, Luther was led to his lodging by the Herald, but herein1 I may not be oblivious, that in the way going to the Emperor, & when he was in the assembly of Princes, he was exhorted of other to be courageous, and manly to demean himself, and not to fear them that can kill the body, but not the soul: but rather to dread him that is able to send both body and soul to everlasting fire. Further, he was emboldened with this sentence: When thou art before Kings, think not what thou shall speak, for it shall be given thee in that hour.
This done, Luther was led to hys lodging by the Heraulo, but herein1 I maye not be obliuious, that in the way going to the Emperour, & when he was in the assembly of Princes, he was exhorted of other to be couragious, and manly to demeane himselfe, and not to feare them that can kil the body, but not the soule: but rather to dread hym that is able to sende both bodye and soule to euerlastyng fyre. Further, he was emboldned wyth thys sentence: When thou art before Kynges, thynke not what thou shall speake, for it shall be geuen thee in that houre.
The next day after four of the clock, the Herald came and brought Luther from his lodging, to the Emperors Covet, where he abode till six ⟨image 29⟩of the clock, for that the Princes wet occupied with grave consultations; a biding there and being environed with a great number of people, and almost smothered for the press that was there. Then after, when the Princes were set, and Luther entered: the Official began to speak in this manner
The next day after four of ye clock, the Heraulde came and brought Luther from hys lodgyng, to the Emperours Couet, where he abode tyi syxe ⟨image 29⟩of the clocke, for that the Princes wet occupied with graue consultacions; a biding there and beyng enuironned wyth a great nomber of people, and almost smothered for the preace that was ther. Then after, whē the Princes were set, and Luther entred: the Official begā to speake in this maner
