A67926:527
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.
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.
Now to answer to the second article, I beseech your most excellent majesty, and your graces,1 to vouchsafe to give ear. Al my books are not of one sort. There be some, in which I have so simply and soundly declared & opened the religion of Christen faith and of good works, that my very enemies are compelled to confess them to be profitable and worthy to be read of all Christians. And truly the Popes Bull (how cruel and tyrannous so ever it be) judgeth certain of my books inculpable, albeit the same with severe sentence, thundereth against me, and with monstrous cruelty condemneth my books, which books if I should revoke. I might worthily be thought to neglect and transgress the office of a true Christian, and to be one alone, that repugneth the public confession of all people There is an other sort of my books, which contain invectives against the Papacy, and other of the popes retinue, as have with their pestiferous doctrine, and pernicious examples, corrupted the whole state of our Christianity. Neither can any deny or dissemble this, whereunto universal experience, and common complaint of all bear witnesses that the consciences of all faithful men be most miserably entrapped, vexed, and cruelly tormented by the Popes laws and doctrines of men. Also that the goods and substance of Christen people are devoured, especially in this noble and famous country of Germany, and yet without order, and in most detestable manner, are suffered still to be devoured, without all measure, by incredible tyranny: notwithstanding that they themselves have ordained to the contrary in their own proper laws,2 as in the Distinct. 9. & .25. q. i. & .2. where they themselves have decreed that all such laws of popes which be repugnant to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the opinions of the ancient Fathers, are to be judged erroneous, and reproved.
Now to answeare to the second article, I beseech your most excellent maiestye, and your graces,1 to vouchsafe to geue eare. Al my bookes are not of one sort. There be some, in which I haue so simply and soundly declared & opened the religion of Christen faith and of good workes, that my very enemyes are compelled to confesse them to be profitable and worthy to be read of all Chrystyans. And truely the Popes Bull (how cruell and tyrannous so euer it be) iudgeth certayne of my bookes inculpable, albeyt the same with seuere sentence, thundreth against me, and with monstruous cruelty condēneth my bookes, which books if I shuld reuoke. I might worthely be thought to neglect and transgresse the office of a true Christian, and to be one alone, that repugneth the publicke confession of all people There is an other sort of my books, which containe inuectiues agaynst the Papacie, and other of the popes retinue, as haue with theyr pestiferous doctrine, and pernicious examples, corrupted the whole state of our Christianitie. Neyther can any deny or dissemble this, whereunto vniuersall experience, and common complaynt of all beare witnesses that the consciences of all faythfull men be most miserably entrapped, vexed, and cruelly tormented by the Popes lawes and doctrines of men. Also that the goodes and substaunce of Christen people are deuoured, especially in this noble and famous countrey of Germanye, and yet without order, and in most detestable maner, are suffered still to be deuoured, without all measure, by incredible tyranny: notwithstanding that they themselues haue ordayned to the contrary in theyr owne proper lawes,
If then I shall revoke these, I can do none other, but add more force to their tyranny, and open not only windows, but wide gates to their impiety, which is like to extend more wide, and more licentiously then ever it durst heretofore: And by the testimony of this my retractation, their insolent kingdom shall be made more licentious, and less subject to punishment, intolerable to the common people, and also more confirmed and established, especially 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 do none other, but adde more force to theyr tyranny, and open not onely wyndowes, but wide gates to theyr impiety, whiche is like to extend more wide, and more licenciously then euer it durst heretofore: And by the testimonie of this my retractation, their insolent kingdome shalbe made more licencious, and lesse subiect to punishment, intollerable to the cōmon people, and also more confirmed and established, especially if this be bruited, that I. Luther haue done this by the authoritie of your most excellent maiestie, and the sacred Romaine empyre. Oh Lord, what a couer or shadow shall I be then to cloke theyr naughtines and tyranny?
The rest, or third sort of my books are such as I have written against certain private and singular persons, to wit, against such as with tooth and nail labour to maintain the Romish tyranny, and to deface the true doctrine and 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 thyrd sort of my bookes are such as I haue written against certaine priuate and singular persons, to wyt, against such as with tooth and nayle labour to maintaine the Romish tyranny, and to deface the true doctrine and religion, which I haue taught and professed. As touching these, I playnly confesse I haue bene more vehemēt, then my religion and professeion required. For I make my selfe no Sainct, and I dispute not of my life, but of the doctrine of Christ.
And these I cannot without prejudice call back. For by this recantation it will come to pass, that tyranny and impiety shall reign, supported by my means, and so shall they exercise cruelty against people, more violently and ragingly then before.
And these I cannot without preiudice cal back. For by this recantacion it will come to passe, that tyrannie and impietie shall raigne, supported by my meanes, and so shal they exercise crueltie against people, more violently and ragyngly then before.
Nevertheless, for that I am a man, and not God, I can none otherwise enterprise to defend my books,1 then did my very Lord Jesus Christ defend his doctrine. Who being examined of his learning before Annas, and having received a buffet of the minister, said, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.
Neuertheles, for that I am a man, and not God, I can none otherwise enterprise to defend my bookes,1 then did my verye Lorde Iesus Christ defende his doctrine. Who being examined of his learning before Annas, and hauing receiued a buffet of the minister, sayd, If I haue spoken euill, beare witnesse of the euill.
If the Lord (who was perfect, and could not err) refused not to have testimony given against his doctrine,1 yea of a most vile servant: how much the more then I, that am but vile corruption, and can of my self do nothing, but err, ought earnestly to see and require, if any will bear witness against my doctrine?
If the Lord (who was perfect, and could not erre) refused not to haue testimony geuē agaynst his doctrine,1 yea of a most vile seruaunt: howe much the more then I, that am but vile corruptiō, and can of my selfe doe nothing, but erre, ought earnestlye to see and require, if any will beare witnesse agaynst 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, here to lay in his testimony, convict my errors, and confute me by the Scriptures, either out of the Prophets or the Apostles, and I will be most ready (if I be so instructed) to revoke any manner of error: yea and will be the first that shall consume mine own books and burn them.
Therfore I require, for Gods mercy, your most excellent maiesty, your graces and right honorable Lordshyps, or what so euer he bee of high or lowe degree, here to lay in his testimony, conuict my errours, and confute me by the Scriptures, either out of the Prophetes or the Apostles, and I will be most ready (if I be so instructed) to reuoke any maner of errour: yea and will be the first that shall cō sume mine owne bookes and burne them.
I suppose hereby it may appear, that I have perpended,1 and well weighed before, the perils and dangers, the divisions and dissentions which have risen throughout the whole world, by reason of my doctrine, whereof I was vehemently and sharply yesterday admonished. Concerning which divisions of mens minds, what other men do judge, I know not, as touching my self, I conceive no greater delectation in any thing, then when I behold discords and dissensions stirred up for the word of God, For such is the course and proceeding of the Gospel. Jesus Christ saith: I came not to send peace but a sword. 2I came to set a man at variance with his father.
I suppose hereby it may appeare, that I haue perpended,1 and well weyed before, the perils and daungers, the diuisions and dissentions which haue risē throughout the whole world, by reason of my doctrine, wherof I was vehemently and sharply yesterday admonished. Concerning which diuisions of mens minds, what other mē do iudge, I know not, as touching my selfe, I conceiue no greater delectation in any thing, then when I behold discords and dissensions styrred vp for the word of God, For such is the course and proceeding of the Gospell. Iesus Christ sayth: I came not to send peace but a sworde. 2I came to set a man at varyance with his father.
And further, we must think, that our God is marvellous and terrible in his Councils, least perhaps that which we endeavour with earnest study to achieve and bring to pass (if we begin first with condemning of his word) the same rebound again to an huge sea of evil: and least the new reign 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 thinke, that our God is maruellous and terrible in his Coūcels, least perhaps that which we endeuour with earnest study to atchieue and brynge to passe (if we begynne first with condemning of hys worde) the same rebound agayne to an huge sea of euill: and least the newe raigne of this younge and bounteous Prince Charles (in whome next after GOD, we all conceaue singular hope) be lamentable, vnfortunate, and miserably begunne.
