A67926:518
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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 fourth day after his repair, a Gentleman, named Ulricke of Pappenhim, Lieutenant general of the men at arms of the empire, was commanded by the emperor before dinner, to repair to Luther, and enjoin him at four of the clock in the after noon, to appear before the Imperial majesty, the Princes Electors, Dukes, and other estates of the Empire, to understand the cause of his sending for: Whereunto he willingly agreed, as his duty was.
The fourth daye after his repayre, a Gentleman, named Ulricke of Pappenhim, Lieutenaunt generall of the men at armes of the empire, was commanded by the emperour before dynner, to repayre to Luther, and inioyne hym at foure of the clocke in the after noone, to appeare before the Emperial maiestie, the Princes Electors, Dukes, and other estates of the Empire, to vnderstande the cause of his sendyng for: Wherunto he willingly agreed, as hys duetie was.
And after iiij. a clock Ulricke Pappenhim: and Casper Sturm the Emperors Herald (who conducted M. 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, he was led by secrete stairs to the place where he was appointed to have audience. Yet many, who perceived the pretence, violently rushed in, and were resisted, albeit in vain many ascended the galleries, because they desired to behold Luther.1
And after iiij. a clocke Ulricke Pappenhim: and Casper Sturm the Emperors Heraulde (who conducted M. Luther from Wittenberge to Wormes (came for Luther, and accompanied him through the garden of the knightes of the Rhodes place, to the Earle Palatines pallace: and least the people should molest him, that thrōged in, he was led by secrete stayres to the place where he was appointed to haue audience. Yet manye, who perceyued the pretence, violently rushed in, and were resisted, albeit in vaint many ascended the galleries, because they desired to behold Luther.1
Thus standing before the Emperor, the Electors, Dukes, Earls, and all the estates of the Empire, assembled there, he was first advertised by Ulricke of Pappenhim, to keep silence until such time as he was required to speak. Then John Eckius above mentioned,1 who then was the Bishop of Triers general official, with a loud and intelligible voice, first in Latin, then in Dutch, according to the Emperors commandment, said & proponed this sentence in manner as ensueth, or like in effect.
Thus standing before the Emperour, the Electours, Dukes, Earles, and all the estates of the Empire, assembled there, he was first aduertised by Ulricke of Pappenhim, to keepe silence vntil such time as he was required to speake. Then Iohn Eckius aboue mentioned,1 who then was the Bishop of Triers general officiall, with a loude and intelligible voyce, first in Latine, then in Dutche, according to the Emperours commaundement, saide & proponed this sentence in maner as ensueth, or like 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 demand of thee these two points.
Martyn Luther, the sacred and inuincible Emperiall maiestie hath enioyntd by the consent of all the estates of the holye Empyre, that thou shouldest be appealed before the throne of his maiestie, to the ende I might demaunde of thee these twoo poyntes.
First, whether thou confessest these books here (for he showed a heap of Luther's books written in the Latin and Dutch tongues) and which are in all places dispersed, entitled with thy name, be thine, and thou doest affirm them to be thine, or not Secondly, whether thou wilt recant and revoke them, and all that is contained in them, or rather meanest to stand to that thou hast written?
First, whether thou confessest these bookes here (for hee shewed a heape of Luthers bookes written in the Latine and Dutch tongues) and which are in all places dispersed, intituled with thy name, be thine, and thou doest affirme them to be thine, or not Secondly, whether thou wylt recant and reuoke them, and al that is contayned in them, or rather meanest to stand to that thou hast written?
Then before Luther, prepared to answer, Master Jerome Scurffus, a Lawyer of Wittenberg,1 required that the titles of the books should be read. Forthwith the foresaid Eckius named certain of the books, and those principally which were imprinted at Basil, among the ⟨p. 850⟩which he nominated his Commentaries upon the Psalter his book of good works, his Commentary upon the Lords prayer, and divers other, which were not contentions.
Then before Luther, prepared to aunswere, Mayster Ierome Scurffus, a Lawyer of Wittenberge,1 required that the tytles of the bookes should be read. Forthwith the foresaid Eckius named certayne of the bookes, and those principally whiche were imprinted at Basill, among the ⟨p. 850⟩whiche he nominated his Comentaries vpon the Psaltar his booke of good works, his Commentary vpon ye Lords prayer, and diuers other, which were not contentions.
1After this Luther answered thus in Latin & in dutch, Two things are proponed unto me by the Imperial majesty. First, whether I will avouch for mine, all those books that bear my name: Secondly, whether I will maintain or revoke any thing that hitherto I have devised & published. Whereunto I will answer as briefly as I can,
1After this Luther answered thus in Latine & in dutch, Two things are proponed vnto me by the Emperial maiestie. First, whether I will auouche for mine, all those books yt beare my name: Secondly, whether I will maintayne or reuoke any thing that hytherto I haue deuised & published. Whereunto I wil answere as breifly as I can,
In the first, I can do none other then recognise those books to be mine,1 which lastly were named, & certainly I will never recant any clause thereof. In the second to declare whether I will wholly defend, or call back any thing comprised in them: forasmuch as there be questions of faith & the salvation of the soul (& this concerneth the word of God, which is the greatest & most excellent matter that can be in heaven or earth, & the which we ought duly evermore to reverence:) this might be accounted in me a rashness of judgement, & even a most dangerous attempt, I• I would pronounce any thing before I were better advised, considering I might recite something less then the matter importeth, and more then the truth requireth, if I did not premeditate the which I would speak. The which two things well considered doth set before mine eyes this sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein it is said: Whosoever 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,2 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 then recognise those bookes to be mine,1 which lastly were named, & certaynely I will neuer recant any clause therof. In the second to declare whether I will wholy defend, or call backe any thing cōprised in them: forasmuch as there be questiōs of faith & ye saluation of the soule (& this concerneth ye word of God, which is the greatest & most excellent matter that can be in heauen or earth, & the which we ought duely euermore to reuerēce:) this might be accoūted in me a rashnes of iudgemēt, & euen a most dangerous attēpt, I• I wold pronoūce any thing before I wer better aduised, cōsidering I might recite something lesse then the matter importeth, and more then the truth requireth, if I did not premeditate ye whiche I would speake. The which two thinges well considered doth set before mine eyes this sentence of our Lord Iesus Christ, wherin it is said: Whosoeuer shall deny me before mē, I will deny him before my father. I require then for this cause and humbly beseech the Emperiall maiestie, to graunt me liberty and leysure to deliberate,
Whereupon the princes began to deliberate. This done Eckius the prolocutor pronounced what was their resolution, saying: Albeit M. Luther, thou hast sufficiently understanded by the Emperors commandment, the cause of thy appearance here, & therefore doest not deserve to have any further respite given thee to determine: yet the Emperors majesty of his mere clemency, granteth thee one day to meditate for thine answer, so that to morrow at this instant hour thou shalt repair to exhibit thine opinion, not in writing, but to pronounce the same with lively voice.
Wherupon the princes began to deliberate. This done Eckius the prolocutor pronounced what was their resolution, saying: Albeit M. Luther, thou hast sufficiently vnderstanded by the Emperoures commaundement, ye cause of thy appearance here, & therfore doest not deserue to haue any further respite geuen thee to determine: yet the Emperous maiestie of his mere clemencie, graunteth thee one day to meditate for thine answere, so that to morow at this instant houre thou shalt repayre to exhibite thyne opinion, not in writing, but to pronounce the same with liuely voyce.
This done, Luther was led to his lodging by the herald. But herein I may not be oblivious, that in the way going to the Emperor & when he was in the assemble of princes, he was exhorted of other to be courageous, & manly to demean himself,1 and not to fear them that kill the body, but not the soul: but rather to dread him that is able to send both body and soul to everlasting fire.
This done, Luther was led to hys lodging by the herauld. But herein I may not be obliuious, that in the way going to the Emperour & when he was in the assemble of princes, he was exhorted of other to be couragious, & mā ly to demean himself,1 and not to feare them that kil the body, but not the soule: but rather to dread him that is able to send both body and soule to euerlasting fire.
Furthermore he was encouraged with this sentence: When thou art before kings, think not what thou shalt speak: for it shall be given thee in that hour.1
Furthermore he was encouraged with this sentence: When thou art before kinges, thinke not what thou shalt speake: for it shall be geuen thee in that houre.1
The next day after four a clock, the Herald came & brought Luther from his lodging to the emperors court, where he abode till six a clock, for that the princes were occupied in grave consultations, abiding 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, Eckius the Official began to speak in this manner.
The next day after foure a clocke, the Herauld came & brought Luther from his lodging to the emperors courte, where he abode till sixe a clocke, for that the princes were occupyed in graue consultations, abiding there and being enuironed with a great number of people, and almost smothered for the prease that was there. Then after when the Princes were set, and Luther entred, Eckius the Officiall began to speake in this maner.
Yesterday at this hour, the Emperors majesty assigned thee to be here M. Luther,1 for that thou didst affirm those books that we named yesterday to be thine. Further, to the interrogation by us made, whether thou wouldest approve all that is contained in them, or abolish and make void any part thereof, thou didst require time of deliberation, which was granted, & is now expired. Albeit thou oughtest not to have opportunity granted to deliberate, considering it was not unknown to thee wherefore we cited thee. And as concerning the matter of faith, every man ought to be so prepared, that at all times when soever he shall be required, he may give certain & constant reason thereof, & thou especial being counted a man of such learning, and so long time exercised in Theology. Then go to, answer even now to the Emperors demand, whose bounty thou hast proved in giving thee leisure to deliberate. Wilt thou now maintain all thy books which thou hast acknowledged, or revoke any part of them, and submit thy self. The Official made this interrogation in Latin and in Dutch. Martin Luther answered in Latin and in Dutch in this wise, modestly and lowly, and yet not without some stoutness of stomach and Christian constancy, so as his adversaries would gladly have had his courage more humbled and abased, but yet more earnestly desired his recantation, whereof they were in some good hope, when they heard him desire respite of time to make his answer.
Yesterday at this houre, the Emperours maiestie assigned thee to be here M. Luther,1 for that thou didst affirm those books yt we named yesterday to be thine. Further, to ye interrogation by vs made, whether thou wouldest approue al yt is contayned in thē, or abolish and make voyde any part therof, yu didst require time of deliberation, which was graunted, & is now expyred. Albeit thou oughtest not to haue oportunitie graunted to deliberate, considering it was not vnknowne to thee wherefore we cited thee. And as concerning the matter of fayth, euery man ought to be so prepared, that at all times when soeuer he shalbe required, he may geue certayne & constant reason therof, & thou especiall being counted a man of such learning, and so long tyme exercised in Theologie. Then goe to, aunswere euen now to the Emperours demaund, whose bountye yu hast proued in geuing thee leisure to deliberate. Wilt thou now maintayn all thy bookes which thou hast acknowledged, or reuoke any part of them, and submit thy selfe. The Officiall made this interrogation in Latine and in Dutche. Martine Luther answered in Latine and in Dutch in this wise, modestly and lowly, and yet not without some stoutnes of stomacke and Christian constancie, so as his aduersaries woulde gladlye haue had hys courage more humbled and abased, but yet more earnestly desired his recantation, wherof they were in some good hope, whē they heard him desire respite of time to make his answere.
His answer was this.
His aunswere was this.
Most magnificent Emperor, and you most noble princes and my most gentle Lords,1 I appear before you here at the hour prescribed unto me yesterday: yielding the obedience that I owe, humbly beseeching for Gods mercy, your most renowned majesty, and your graces & honours, that ye will minister unto me this courtesy, to attend this cause benignly, which is the cause (as I trust) of Justice and verity. And if by Ignorance I have not given unto every one of you your just titles, or if I have not observed the ceremonies and countenance 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. And first, as touching my self, I can affirm or promise no other thing, but only this, that I have taught hitherto in simplicity of mind, that which I have thought to tend to Gods glory, & to the salvation of mens souls.
MOst magnificent Emperor, and you most noble princes and my most gentle Lordes,1 I appeare before you here at the houre prescribed vnto me yesterday: yelding the obedience that I owe, humbly beseeching for Gods mercy, your most renowmed maiesty, and your graces & honors, that ye will minister vnto me this curtesy, to attende this cause beningly, which is the cause (as I trust) of Iustice and verity. And if by Ignoraunce I haue not geuen vnto euery one of you your iust titles, or if I haue not obserued the ceremonies and countenaunce of the Court, offending against them: it may please you to pardone me of your benignities, as one that onely hath frequented cloysters, and not courtly ciuylities. And first, as touching my self, I can affirme or promise no other thinge, but onely this, that I haue taught hitherto in symplycytye of minde, that which I haue thought to tende to Gods glory, & to the saluation of mens soules.
Now as concerning the two articles objected by your most excellent majesty,1 whether I would acknowledge those books which were named, and be published in my name, or whether I would maintain & not revoke them: I have given resolute answer to the first, in the which I persist & shall persevere for evermore, that these books be mine, and published by me in my name, unless it hath sith happened that by some fraudulent misdealing of mine enemies there be any thing foisted in them, or corruptly corrected? For I will acknowledge nothing, but that I have written, and that which I have written, I will not deny.
Now as concerninge the two articles obiected by your most excellente maiestye,1 whether I woulde acknowledge those bookes which were named, and be publyshed in my name, or whether I would mainteine & not reuoke thē: I haue geuē resolute answere to the first, in the which I persist & shall perseuer for euermore, yt these bookes be myne, and publyshed by me in my name, vnlesse it hath syth happened that by some fraudulent misdealing of myne enemies there be any thyng foysted in them, or corruptly corrected? For I will acknowledge nothing, but that I haue wrytten, and that which I haue wrytten, I will not deny.
