Whereupon he humbly submitted himself (as much as words and behaviour could evidence) promising to intermeddle no further, if he had gone too far, and to comply with us in the same judgement. This so overruled my belief, that I was satisfied. But it being otherwise construed, yea vaunted of, in pamphlets sent hither▪ that Doctor Martin and M. Eisleben were in good terms; I further pressed him to publish in print, an open Recantation, there being no other remedy left, to expel this poison from the town of Eisleben and the country round about. To this likewise he willingly assented, & offered himself. fearing he should not hit it so well, as to gain a due approbation by it; he most earnestly referred the matter to my self, entreating me to do it, as well as I could, professing for his part that he would be well contented with it. This induced me to undertake it, & now presently to perform it, especially least it should be given out,1 after my decease, either by M Eslebius himself, or by any other, that I had neglected these things, and permitted them to pass without control.
To come then to the matter; the said I. Eisleben, Mr. of Arts, willeth me to make a recantation in his behalf, of what he had preached, or written against the Moral Law, or Ten Commandments; and to profess that he is of the same judgement as we are here at Winterberge, as likewise at Augsburg, according to the tenor of our confession and Apology tendered to the Emperor: And if hereafter he shall hold or teach the contrary, ⟨p. 71⟩he willeth me to pronounce the same to be Null and condemned. I could find in my heart to commend him for stooping so low, but it being so manifest, that he was one of my best and nearest friends, I will spare my praises for another, least the cause should be prejudiced by it, as if I had not gone in good earnest about it. If he continue in this lowliness of mind, God can, and will exalt him, but if he transgress, he may be sure that God can as well throw him down.
Let me therefore entreat you, good M. Doctor, that you would take this to be written not as to your self alone, but that you would make it known to others, wherever you can, especially to those that cannot read. For therefore also it is printed, that every one, who will, or can read, may peruse it, least it should be conceived that it was penned only for your sake:
Wherupon he humbly submitted himselfe (as much as words and behaviour could evidence) promising to intermeddle no further, if hee had gone too farre, and to comply with us in the same judgement. This so overruled my beleife, that I was satisfied. But it being otherwise construed, yea vaunted of, in pamphlets sent hither▪ that Doctor Martin and M. Eisleben were in good tearmes; I further pressed him to publish in print, an open Recantation, there being no other remedy left, to expell this poyson from the towne of Eisleben and the country round about. To this likewise he willingly assented, & offered himself. fearing he should not hit it so well, as to gaine a due approbation by it; he most earnestly referred the matter to my selfe, intreating mee to doe it, as well as I could, professing for his part that he would be well contented with it. This induced me to undertake it, & now presently to performe it, especially least it should be given out,1 after my decease, either by M Eslebius himselfe, or by any other, that I had neglected these things, and permitted them to passe without controule.
To come then to the matter; the said I. Eisleben, Mr. of Arts, willeth me to make a recantation in his behalfe, of what he had preached, or written against the Morall Law, or Ten Commandements; and to professe that he is of the same judgement as we are here at Winterberge, as likewise at Augspurg, according to the tenour of our confession and Apology tendered to the Emperour: And if hereafter he shall hold or teach the contrary, ⟨p. 71⟩he willeth me to pronounce the same to be Null and condemned. I could finde in my heart to commend him for stooping so low, but it being so manifest, that he was one of my best and neerest friends, I will spare my prayses for another, least the cause should be prejudiced by it, as if I had not gone in good earnest about it. If he continue in this lowlinesse of minde, God can, and will exalt him, but if he transgresse, hee may be sure that God can as well throw him downe.
Let me therefore intreat you, good M. Doctor, that you would take this to be written not as to your selfe alone, but that you would make it knowne to others, wherever you can, especially to those that cannot read. For therefore also it is printed, that every one, who will, or can read, may peruse it, least it should be conceived that it was penned only for your sake:
- 1D. M. Luth. vehement against Antinomians who abolish the Law, setteth down the Recantation of John Islebius in the name of Islebius.D. M. Luth. vehement against Antinomians who abolish the Law, setteth downe the Recantation of John Islebius in the name of Islebius.
