A08486:79
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.
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
Yesterday at this hour, The Imperial Majesty assigned thee to be here Martin Luther, for that thou hast affirmed those books, that we named yesterday, to be thine. Further to the interrogation by us made, whether thou wouldest approve all that thou confessest in them, or abolish & make boyde any part thereof. Thou diddest require time of deliberation, which was granted, & is now expired. All be it thou oughtest not to have opportunity granted to deliberate, considering it was notorious unto thee, wherefore we accited thee. And as concerning the matter of faith, every man ought to be so prepared, that at all times when so ever he shall be required, he may give certain and constant reason thereof, and thou the rather so highly learned, & long time exercised ⟨image 30⟩in Theology. Then go to, answer even now to The Emperor's demand, whose bounty thou hast proved in giving thee leisure to perpend. Wilt thou now maintain all thy books which thou hast acknowledged, or revoke any part of them? or submit and yield thy self? The Official made this interrogation in Latin and in Dutch.
Yesterday at this houre, Themperial Maiestye assigned thee to be here Martin Luther, for that thou hast affirmed those bookes, that we named yesterday, to be thyne. Further to the interrogacion by vs made, whether thou wouldest approue all that thou confessest in them, or abolishe & make boyde any part therof. Thou dyddest require tyme of deliberacion, whych was graunted, & is now expired. All beit thou oughtest not to haue opportunity graunted to deliberate, considering it was notorious vnto thee, wherfore we accited thee. And as concerning the matter of faith, euery mā ought to be so prepared, that at all tymes when so euer he shal be required, he may geue certen and constant reason thereof, and thou the rather so highly learned, & long tyme exercised ⟨image 30⟩in Theology. Then go to, aunswere euen now to Themperours demaūd, whose bounty thou hast proued in geuing thee leysure to perpend. Wylt thou now maintayne all thy bookes which thou hast acknowledged, or reuoke any part of them? or submit and yelde thy selfe? The Officiall made thys interrogacion in Latine and in Dutche.
Martin Luther answered in Latin and Dutch, in this wise, modestly and lowly, and yet not without magnanimity, and Christian constancy, so as his adversaries would gladly have had him whusted, and abased his courage, but yet more earnestly they desired his revocation, and certain of them persuaded even so, for as much as he obtained leisure to deliberate.
Martin Luther aunswered in Latine and Dutche, in this wise, modestly and lowlye, and yet not wythout magnanimily, and Christian constā cy, so as hys aduersaries would gladly haue had hym whusted, and abased hys courage, but yet more earnestlye they desyred hys reuocation, and certaine of them perswaded euen so, for as muche as he obtayned leysure to deliberate.
¶ His answer was thus.
¶ Hys aunswer was thus.
E Emperor, and my most magnificent Lord, and you most excellent Princes, and my most clement Lords, I appear before you here at the hour prescribed unto ⟨image 30⟩me yesterday: yielding the obedience that I owe, humbly beseeching, for Goods mercy your most renowned Majesty, and your Graces and Honours will minister unto me this courtesy, to attend this cause benignly, which is the cause (as I trust) of Justice and Verity.
E Emperour, and my most magnificent Lord, and you most excellent Princes, and my most clement Lordes, I appeare before you here at the houre prescribed vnto ⟨image 30⟩me yesterday: yelding the obedience that I owe, humblye beseechinge, for Goodes mercye your most renoumed Maiestye, and your Graces and Honours wyll minister vnto me this curtesye, to attende thys cause benignelye, whyche is the cause (as I trust) of Iustice and Veritye.
And if by ignorance I have not given unto every of you your just titles, or if I have not observed the ceremonies and countenances of the Court, offending against them: it may please you to pardon me of your benignities. As one that only hath frequented Cloisters, and not courtly civilities. Neither can I give other testimony of my self, but that I have instructed and written in such simplicity of mind, as only I have esteemed the glory of God, and the institution of the faithful Christians in all sincerity of doctrine.
And yf by ignoraunce I haue not geuen vnto euery of you your iust titles, or if I haue not obserued the ceremonies and countenances of the Court, offendyng agaynste them: it maye please ye to pardon me of your benignities. As one that onelye hath frequented Cloisters, and not courtly ciuilities. Neyther can I geue other testimony of my selfe, but that I haue instructed and written in such simplicity of mynde, as onely I haue esteemed the glory of God, and the institution of the faythful Christians in all sincerity of doctrine.
Most magnificent Emperor, and1 you most noble Princes, my most gracious Lords, being yesterday interrogated of these two Articles objected by your most excellent Majesty If ⟨image 31⟩[…] selves ordain by proper laws, as in the Distinct. 9. and. 25. q 1. and. 2. that the Popes laws repugnant to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the opinions of the ancient Fathers, be judged erroneous and reprobate.
Most magnificent Emperour, and1 you most noble Princes, my moste gracious Lordes, beyng yesterday interrogated of these twoo Articles obiected by your most excellent Maiesty If ⟨image 31⟩〈…〉 selues ordayne by proper lawes, as in the Distinct. 9. and. 25. q 1. and. 2. that the Popes lawes repugnant to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the opinions of the auncient Fathers, be iudged erron•ous and reprobate.
If then I shall revoke these, I can do none other but augment for•e •o their tyranny, & not only open windows, but wide gates, to such an in fernal i•••ety, the which will extend more wide, and with more liberty, then yet she ••st. And by the testimony of this my R•tractacion, their •aso•ent and malicious kingdom shall be made most licentious, and less subject to punishment, most intolerable to the common people, and yet confirmed and established, spectal•y if this be bruited, that I Luther have done this by the authority of your most excellent Majesty, and the sacred Romaine Empire. Oh Lord, what a cover or shadow shall I be then? to cloak their naughtiness and tyranny.
If then I shall reuoke these, I can doo none other but augment for•e •o theyr tyranny, & not onely open w•ndowes, but wyde gates, to such an in fernal i•••ety, the whych wil extend more wyde, and wyth more libertye, then yet she ••st. And by the testimony of this my R•tractacion, theyr •aso•ent and mali•ious kingdome shall be made most licencious, and lesse subiect to punishment, most intollerable to the common people, and yet confyrmed and established, spectal•y if thys be bruted, that I Luther haue done thys by the author•tye of your moste excellent Maiestye, and the sacred Romaine Emp•re. Oh Lorde, what a couer or shadowe shall I be then? to cloke theyr naughtynes and tyrannye.
The rest or third sort of my books are such, as I have written against some private, and some (as they term ⟨image 31⟩them) singular parsons, to say, against such as with tooth and nail laboured to protect the Romish tyranny, and deface true Religion, which I have taught and professed. As touching these, I plainly confess I have been more vehement, then my Religion and profession required. For I make my self no saint, and I dispute not of my life, but of the doctrine of Christ.
The rest or third sort of my bookes are suche, as I haue wrytten agaynst some priuate, and some (as thei terme ⟨image 31⟩them) syngular parsons, to saye, agaynst such as wyth toothe and nayle laboured to protect the Romyshe tyrannye, and deface true Religion, whych I haue taught and professed. As touchyng these, I playnelye confesse I haue beene more vehement, then my Religion and profession requ•red. For I make my self no saint, and I dispute not of my lyfe, but of the doctrine of Christ.
And these I can not without prejudice call back for by this Recantation, it will come to pass, that tyranny and impiety shall reign, supported by my means, and exercise cruelness against God's people, more violently and ragingly, then before.
And these I can not wythout preiuoice call backe for by thys Recantacion, it wyll come to passe, that tyranny and impiety shal raygne, supported by my meanes, and exercyse cruelnesse agaynste Goddes people, more violentlye and raginglye, then before.
Nevertheless, for that I am a man,1 and not God, I can none otherwise enterprise to defend my books, then my very Lord Jesus Christ hath aided his doctrine. Who being exam•ne• of his doctrine before Annas, and having received a buffet of the Minister, said: If I have spoken evil, bear witness of evil.
Neuertheles, for that I am a man,1 and not God, I can none otherwyse enterpryse to defend my bookes, then my verye Lorde Iesus Christe hath ayded hys doctrine. Who beyng exam•ne• of hys doctrine before Annas, and hauyng receyued a buffet of the Minister, sayde: If I haue spoken euyll, beare wytnesse of euyll.
If the lord (who was assured he could not err) refused not to have testimony given against his doctrine, yea of a most vile servant: how much the more I that am but vile corruption, and can do nothing but err, ought earnestly to entreat and attend, if any will bear witness against my doctrine.
If the lord (who was assured he could not erre) refused not to haue testimony geuen against his doctrine, yea of a most vyle seruaunt: how muche the more I that am but vyle corruption, and can doo nothyng but erre, ought earnestly to entreate and attende, yf any wyll beare wytnes agaynste my doctrine.
