A08486:91
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 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.
Therefore I require for Gods mercy, your most excellent Majesty, your Graces, and right honourable Lordships, or what so ever he be of high or low degree bear witness, if ye can prove I have erred, or if ye surpass me in the knowledge of the prophets and Apostles writings, convince mine errors, and I will be most ready (if I be so instructed) to revoke any manner of error. Yea & the first that shall consume my books with flaming fire.
Therefore I requyre for Gods mercy, your most excellent Maiesty, your Graces, and right honourable Lordshyps, or what so euer he be of hyghe or low degree beare wytnes, if ye can proue I haue erred, or if ye surpasse me in the knowledge of the prophets and Apostles writings, cōuince mine errours, and I wyl be most ready (yf I be so instructed) to reuoke any maner of error. Yea & the fyrst that shall cōsume my bokes with flaming fyre.
I suppose by these it is apparent, that I have perpended, & well weighed, the perils and dangers, or the divers opinions and dissentions that have risen and grown throughout the whole world, by reason of my doctrine, of which I was vehemently & r•bukefully admonished. As touching ⟨image 32⟩my self, I conceive no greater delectation in any thing, then when I behold discords and dissensions, resuscitated for the word of God. For such is the course an• issue of the Gospel, Jesus Christ saith: I cam not to send peace, but a sword. I came to set man at variance against his Father.
I suppose by these it is apparent, that I haue perpended, & wel weyed, the peryls and daūgers, or the diuers opinions and dissentions that haue rysen and growen throughoute the whole worlde, by reason of my doctrine, of whych I was v•hemently & r•bukefully admonished. As touching ⟨image 32⟩my selfe, I conceiue no greater delectacion in any thing, then when I behold discordes and •issencions, resuscitated for the word of God. For such is the course an• issue of the Gospell, Iesus Christ saith: I cam not to send peace, but a sword. I came to set man at variaunce against his Father.
And further, we must think that our God is marvellous and terrible in his counsels, least perhaps y• that we endeavour with earnest study to achieve & bring to perfection (if we begin, after we have condemned the word of God) that same turn not to a huge sea of evil, and (whereof we had need to be provident) least the Empire of this young and bounteous Prince Charles (in whom next after God, we all conceive singular hope) be lamentable, unfortunate, and miserably begun.
And further, we must thynke that our God is marueilous and terryble in hys counsels, least perhaps y• that we endeuour with earnest study to atchieue & bryng to perfection (if we begyn, after we haue condempned the word of God) that same turne not to a huge sea of euyl, and (wherof we had neede to be prouident) least the Empire of thys younge and bounteous Prince Charles (in whom next after God, we all conceiue singular hope) be lamentable, vnfortunate, and myserably begonne.
I could exemplify this with authorities of the Scriptures more effectually, as by Pharaoh, the King of Babylon, and the Kings of Israel, who then most eclipsed the bright Sun of their glory, & procured their own ruin, when by sage counsels they attempted ⟨image 33⟩to pacify and establish their governments and Realms. It is he that entrappeth the wily in their wiliness, and subverteth mountains, ere they feel• his might. Wherefore fear is the work of God.
I could e•emplify this with authorities of the Scriptures more effectually, as by Pharao, the Kyng of Babilon, and the Kinges of Israel, who then most eclipsed the bright Sunne of theyr glorye, & procured their own ruine, when by sage counsels they attempted ⟨image 33⟩to pacify and establishe theyr gouernments and Realmes. It is he that entrappeth the wyly in their wylin•s, and s•buerteth mountaynes, ere they feel• hys myght. Wherefore feare is the woorke of God.
I speak not this, supposing that so politic and prudent heads have need of my doctrine or admonition: but because I would not omit to profit my country and offer my duty or service that may tend to the advancement of the same. And thus I humbly commend me to your most excellent Majesty, & your honourable Lordships, beseeching I may not incurr• your displeasures, neither be contemned of you, through the pursuit of my adversaries. I have said.
I speake not thys, supposyng that so politicke and prudent heades haue neede of my doctrine or admonicion: but because I would not omit to profit my country and offer my dutye or seruice that may tend to the aduaūcement of the same. And thus I humbly commend me to your most excellent Maiesty, & your honorable Lordships, beseching I maye not incurr• your displeasures, neither be contemned of you, throughe the pursute of my aduersaries. I haue sayd.
These words pronounced the Emperors1 Ambassador, who made semblant of good will to check Luther: said that Luther had not answered to any purpose, neither it behaved him to call in question, things in time past condemned and defined by general Councils. And therefore they required of him a plain and no crooked answer, whether he ⟨image 33⟩would revoke or no.
These wordes pronounced the Emperours1 Embassadour, who made semblant of good wyll to checke Luther: sayde that Luther had not aunswered to any purpose, neither it behaued him to cal in question, thinges in tyme past condempned and defined by generall Councels. And therfore they required of hym a playne and no crooked aunswer, whether he ⟨image 33⟩would reuoke or no.
Then Luther answered: Considering that your sovereign Majesty1 and your Honours require a plain answer, I will giveth same, neither crooked ne contumelious in this manner: that if I be not convinced by testimonies of the scriptures, and by probable reason (for I believe not the Pope, neither general Councils) be overcome in the scriptures alleged by me, and the certitude thereof is not found in the word of God, I will not, nor I may not revoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godly ne lawful to do any thing against conscience. Here upon I rest, I know not what else I should say. God help me. So be it.
Then Luther aunswered: Considering that your soueraigne Maiesty1 and your Honours requyre a playne aunswer, I wyll geuethe same, neyther crooked ne contumelious in this maner: that if I be not conuinced by testimonies of the scriptures, and by probable reason (for I beleue not the Pope, neither general Councels) be ouercome in the scriptures alledged by me, and the certitude therof is not found in the word of God, I wil not, nor I may not reuoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godlye ne lefu•l to doo anye thing agaynst conscience. Here vpon I rest, I knowe not what els I should say. God helpe me. So be it.
The Princes consulted together upon this answer given by Luther, And when they had diligently examined the same, the Official of Triers Ambassador of the Empire, began to repel him thus.
The Princes consulted together vpon this aunswere geuen by Luther, And when they had diligently examined the same, the Officiall of Triers Embassadour of the Empyre, began to repel hym thus.
Martin, thou hast more immodestly answered, then beseemed thy person, & also evil to purpose. Thou dividest thy books in three sorts, in such order ⟨image 34⟩that all that thou hast said, maketh nothing to the interrogation proponed. And therefore if thou haddest revoked those, wherein the greatest part of thine errors is contained: the Imperial Majesty, and the natural bounty of other would not have suffered the rest that be sound, to be persecuted with fire. But thou resuscitatest and bringest to light, all that the general council of Constance hath condemned, the which was assembled of all the nation of Germany, & requirest to be convinced with scriptures, wherein thou errest greatly. For what a•ay•eth it to renew disputation of things so long time past condemned by the Church and Councils, unless it should be necessary to give a reason to every man of every thing. That if all such as impugn, that which was decreed by the Church, and Councils may once get this advantage, to be convinced by the scriptures, we shall have nothing certain and established in Christendom.
Martin, thou hast more immodestly answered, then besemed thy person, & also euyl to purpose. Thou deuidest thy bokes in thre sortes, in such order ⟨image 34⟩that al that thou hast said, maketh nothing to the interrogacion proponed. And therfore if thou haddest reuoked those, wherein the greatest part of thyne errours is conteined: the Emperial Maiesty, and the natural bounty of other woulde not haue suffered the rest that be sounde, to be persecuted wyth fire. But thou resuscitatest and bryngest to lyght, al that the general councel of Constance hath condempned, the whych was assembled of al the nacion of Germany, & requirest to be conuinced with scriptures, wherin thou errest greatly. For what a•ay•eth it to renue disputacion of thinges so long tyme past condempned by the Church and Councels, vnles it shoulde be necessarye to geue a reason to euery man of euery thyng. That if all suche as impugne, that which was decreed by the Churche, and Councels may once get thys aduauntage, to be cōu•nced by the scriptures, we shall haue nothyng certain and established in Christendome.
And th•s is the cause wherefore the Imperial Majesty requireth of thee a simple answer, either a negative, ⟨image 34⟩or an affirmative, if thou wilt defend all thy works as Christian, or no?
And th•s is the cause wherfore the Emperial Maiesty requireth of thee a symple aunswer, either a negatiue, ⟨image 34⟩or an affirmatiue, if thou wilt defend al thy workes as Christian, or no?
Then Luther besought the Imperial Majesty not to compel him to yield against his conscience, confirmed w•th the holy scriptures, without manifest arguments, alleged by his adversaries, & declared his answer was not crooked, but simple, and direct, & further he had not to say, then he advertised before, that if his enemies could not extricate with sufficient arguments his conscience occupied (as they said) with errors, he was not able to rid him self out of the snares wherein he was entangled. And whereas the general Councils have ordained certain things, those therefore not to be true, for that they have erred, & often times gainsaid them selves, & for this cause the enemies argument was of no solidity. Further, he was able to prove, and would constantly stand to the trial the Councils had erred, and it was not meet for him to revoke and disannul that which is manifest, and diligently set forth in the Scripture.
Then Luther besought the Emperial Maiesty not to cōpell him to yeld against his conscience, cōfirmed w•th the holy scriptures, without manifest argumentes, alledged by hys aduersaries, & declared his answer was not crooked, but symple, and direct, & further he had not to say, then he aduertised before, that if his enemies could not extricate wyth sufficient argumentes hys conscience occupyed (as they sayd) with errours, he was not able to ryd hym self out of the snares wherin he was entangled. And wheras the general Councels haue ordeyned certain thynges, those therefore not to be tru, for that thei haue erred, & often tymes gaynsayd them selues, & for thys cause the enemyes argument was of no solidity. Further, he was able to prooue, and would constantly stand to the tryall the Councels had erred, and it was not meete for hym to reuoke and dysanull that which is manifest, and diligently set forth in the Scripture.
Whereunto the Official answered ⟨image 35⟩simply to purpose, and said: No man could prove the Council had erred, but Luther alleged he could, & promised to prove. And now night approaching, the Lords rose and departed. And after Luther had taken his leave of the Emperor, divers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging, hallowing & hooping after him a •on• while.
Wherunto the Offical aunswered ⟨image 35⟩simply to purpose, and said: No man could proue the Councell had erred, but Luther alledged he could, & promysed to proue. And now nyght approching, the Lordes rose and departed. And after Luther had taken hys leaue of the Emperour, diuers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging, hallowing & hoopyng after hym a •on• whyle.
