A67926:533
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.
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,2 as in the Distinct. 9. & .25. q. i. & .2. where they themselues haue decreed that all such lawes of popes which be repugnant to ye doctrine of the Gospell, and the opinions of the auncient Fathers, are to be iudged erroneous, and reproued.
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.
I could exemplify this with authorities of the Scriptures more effectually,1 as by Pharaoh, the King of Babylon, and the Kings of Israel, who then most obscured the bright sun of their glory, and procured their own ruin, when by sage counsels they attempted to pacify and establish their Governments and Realms, and not by Gods Counsels: for it is he that entrappeth the wily in their wiliness, and subverteth mountains before they be ware. Wherefore it is good, and Gods work, to dread the Lord.
I could examplify this with authorityes of the Scriptures more effectually,1 as by Pharao, the King of Babylon, and the Kinges of Israel, who then most obscured the bright sunne of theyr glory, and procured theyr own ruine, when by sage councels they attempted to pacify and establish theyr Gouernementes and Realmes, and not by Gods Counselles: for it is he that intrappeth the wilye in theyr wylynesse, and subuerteth mountaynes before they be ware. Wherefore it is good, and Gods worke, to dreade the Lord.
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, and your honourable Lordships, beseeching you that I may not incur your displeasures, neither be contemned of you,1 through the pursuit of my adversaries. I have spoken.
I speake not this, supposing that so politique and prudent heades haue need of my doctrine or admonition, but because I would not omit to profite my countrey, and offer my duty or seruice that may tend to the aduancement of the same. And thus I humbly commend me to your most excellēt maiesty, and your honorable Lordships, beseching you that I may not incurre your displeasures, neyther be contemned of you,1 through the pursute of my aduersaryes. I haue spoken.
These words pronounced, then Eckius the Emperors Prolocutor, with a stern countenance began, and said, that Luther had not answered to any purpose, neither it behoved him to call in question, things in time past concluded and defined by general Councils: and therefore they required of him a plain and direct answer, whether he would revoke or no.
These wordes pronounced, then Eckius the Emperors Prolocutor, with a sterne countenance beganne, and sayd, that Luther had not aunswered to any purpose, neyther it behoued him to call in question, thinges in time past concluded and defined by generall Councels: and therefore they required of him a playne and direct aunswere, whether he would reuoke or no.
Then Luther: considering (said he) your sovereign majesty,1 and your honours require a plain answer: this I say and profess as resolutely as I may, without doubling or sophistication, that if I be not convinced by testimonies of the Scriptures, & by probable reasons (for I believe not the Pope, neither his general Councils, which have erred many times, and have been contrary to themselves) my conscience is so bound and captived in these scriptures and word of God which I have alleged, that I will not, nor may not revoke any manner of thing, considering it is not godly or lawful to do any thing against conscience. Hereupon I stand and rest. I have not what else to say. GOD have mercy upon me.
Then Luther: considering (sayde he) your soueraigne maiesty,1 and your honors require a playne aunswere: thys I say and professe as resolutely as I may, without doubling or sophistication, that if I be not conuinced by testimonies of the Scriptures, & by probale reasons (for I beleeue not the Pope, neither his generall Councels, which haue erred many times, and haue bene contrary to themselues) my conscience is so bound and captiued in these scriptures and word of God which I haue alledged, that I will not, nor may not reuoke any maner of thing, considering it is not godly or lawfull to do any thing against cōsciēce. Herevpon I stand and rest. I haue not what els to say. GOD haue mercy vpon me.
The princes consulted together upon this answer given by Luther: and when they had diligently examined the same, the prolocutor began to repel him thus.
The princes consulted together vpon this answere geuen by Luther: and whē they had diligently examined the same, the prolocutor began to repell him thus.
Martin (said he) thou hast more immodestly answered,1 then beseemed thy person, and also little to the purpose. Thou dividest thy books into three sorts, in such order as 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 Emperors Majesty, and the noble clemency of other would have suffered the rest that be sound, to sustain no injury. But thou doest revive and bringest to light again, all that the general Council of Constance hath condemned▪ the which was assembled of all the nation of Germany, & now doest require to be convinced with scriptures, wherein thou errest greatly. For what availeth 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 is concluded? Now were it so, that this should be permitted to every one that gaynestandeth the determination of the Church and councils, that he may once get his advantage,2 to be convinced by the Scriptures, we shall have nothing certain and established in Christendom.
Martin (sayd he) thou hast more immodestly aunswered,1 then beseemed thy person, and also litle to the purpose. Thou deuidest thy bookes into three sorts, in such order as all that thou hast sayd, maketh nothing to the interrogation proponed: and therefore if thou haddest reuoked those, wherein the greatest parte of thine errours is contayned, the Emperours Maiesty, and the noble clemency of other would haue suffered the rest that be sound, to susteyn no iniury. But thou doest reuiue and bringest to light againe, all that the generall Councell of Constance hath condemned▪ the which was assembled of all the nation of Germany, & now doest require to be conuinced with scriptures, wherin thou errest greatly. For what auayleth it to renue disputation of thinges so long time past condemned by ye church and Councels, vnlesse it should be necessary to geue a reason to euery man of euery thing that is concluded? Nowe were it so, that this should be permitted to euery one that gaynestandeth the determination of the Church and councels, that he may once get his aduauntage,
