A67926:542
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.
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,
And this is the cause wherefore the Emperors majesty requireth of thee a simple answer, either negative or affirmative, whether thou mindest to defend all thy works as Christian or no?
And this is the cause wherefore the Emperours maiesty requireth of thee a simple aunswere, either negatiue or affirmitiue, whether thou mindest to defend all thy works as Christian or no?
Then Luther turning to the Emperor, and the nobles, besought them, not to compel him to yield against his conscience confirmed with the holy Scriptures, without manifest arguments alleged to the contrary by his adversaries. I have declared and rendered (said he) mine answer simply and directly: neither have I any more to say, unless mine adversaries with true and sufficient probations grounded upon the Scripture, can reduce and resolve my mind, and refel mine errors, which they lay to my charge. I am tied (as I said) by the Scriptures, neither may I, or can with a safe conscience assent unto them. For as touching general Councils,1 with whose authority only they press me, I am able to prove, that they have both erred, and have defined many times things contrary to themselves: and therefore the authority of them, he said not to be sufficient, for the which he should call back those things, the verity whereof standeth so firm and manifest in the holy Scripture: that neither of him it ought to be required, neither could he so do without impiety.
Then Luther turning to the Emperour, and the nobles, besought them, not to compell him to yeelde agaynst his conscience confirmed with the holy Scriptures, wythout manifest argumentes alledged to the contrary by hys aduersaryes. I haue declared and rendred (sayd he) myne aunswere simply and directly: neyther haue I any more to saye, vnlesse mine aduersaryes with true and sufficient probations grounded vpon the Scripture, can reduce and resolue my minde, and refelle mine errours, which they lay to my charge. I am tyed (as I sayde) by the Scriptures, neither may I, or canne with a safe conscience assent vnto them. For as touching general Councels,1 with whose authority onely they presse me, I am able to proue, that they haue both erred, and haue defined many times things contrary to themselues: and therefore the authority of them, he sayd not to be sufficient, for the which he should call back those thinges, the verity wherof standeth so firme and manifest in the holy Scripture: that neyther of him it ought to be required, neither could he so do without impiety.
Whereunto the Official again answered, denying that any man could prove the Councils to have erred. But Luther alleged that he could, and promised to prove it, and now night approaching, the Lords rose and departed. And after Luther had taken his leave of the Emperor, divers Spaniards scorned and scoffed the good man in the way going toward his lodging, hallowing and whopping after him a long while.
Wherunto the Official agayne answered, denying that any man could proue the Coūcels to haue erred. But Luther alledged that he coulde, and promised to proue it, and now night approching, the Lordes rose and departed. And after Luther had taken his leaue of the Emperour, diuers Spaniardes scorned and scoffed the good man in the way going toward his lodging, halowing and whoping after him a long while.
Upon the friday following, when the Princes electors, Dukes, and other estates were assembled, the Emperor sent to the whole body of the council, a certain letter containing in effect as followeth.
Upon the friday folowing, when the Princes electors, Dukes, and other estates were assembled, the Emperour sent to the whole body of the councell, a certaine letter conteining in effect as foloweth.
Our predecessors, who truly were Christian princes,1 were obedient to the Romish Church, which Martin Luther presently impugneth. And therefore in as much as he is not determined to call back his errors in any one point, we cannot without great infamy and stain of honour, degenerate from the examples of our elders, but will maintain the ancient faith, and give aid to the see of Rome. And further, we be resolved to pursue Martin Luther and his adherents, by excommunications and by other means that may be devised, to extinguish his doctrine. Nevertheless we will not violate our faith, which we have promised him, but mean to give order for safe return to the place whence he came.
OVr predecessours, who truely were Christian princes,1 were obedient to the Romish Churche, which Martin Luther presently impugneth. And therfore in as much as he is not determined to call backe his errors in any one poynt, we cannot without great infamy and stayn of honor, degenerate from the examples of our elders, but will mayntayne the auncient fayth, and geue ayde to the see of Rome. And further, we be resolued to pursue Martin Luther and his adherentes, by excommunications and by other meanes that may be deuised, to extinguish his doctrine. Neuerthelesse we will not violate our fayth, which we haue promised him, but meane to geue order for safe returne to the place whence he came.
The Princes electors, Dukes,1 and other estates of the Empire, sate and consulted upon this sentence, on friday all the after noon, and saturday the whole day, so that Luther yet had no answer of the Emperor.
THe Princes electors, Dukes,1 and other estates of the Empire, sate and consulted vpon this sentence, on fryday al the after noone, and saterday the whole daye, so that Luther yet had no aunswere of the Emperour.
During this time, divers Princes, Earls, Barons, Knights of the Order, Gentlemen, Priests, Monks, with other the laity and common sort, visited him. Al these were present at all hours in the Emperors Court, and could not be satisfied with the sight of him. Also there were bills set up, some against Luther, and some, as it seemed, with him. Notwithstanding many supposed, and especially such as well conceived the matter, that this was subtly done by his enemies, that thereby occasion might be offered to infringe the safe conduct given him, the which the Roman Ambassadors with all diligence endeavoured to bring to pass.
During this time, diuers Princes, Earles, Barons, Knightes of the Order, Gentlemen, Priestes, Monkes, with other the laitie and common sort, visited him. Al these were present at al houres in the Emperours Courte, and could not be satisfied with the sight of him. Also there were bylles set vp, some against Luther, and some, as it seemed, with him. Notwithstanding many supposed, and especially such as wel conceiued the matter, that this was subtilly done by his enemies, that therby occasion might be offered to infringe the safe conduct giuen him, the which the Romane Ambassadours with all diligence endeuoured to bring to passe.
The Monday following, before supper, the Archbishop of Triers advertised Luther,1 that on Wednesday next he should appear before him, at nine of the clock ⟨p. 852⟩before dinner, and assigned him the place▪ On Saint Georges day a certain Chaplain of the Archbishop of Triers, about supper time came to Luther, by the commandment of the Bishop, signifying that at that hour and place prescribed, he must the morrow after have access to his master.
The Monday following, before supper, the Archebyshoppe of Triers aduertised Luther,1 that on Wednesdaye nexte hee shoulde appeare before hym, at nine of the clocke ⟨p. 852⟩before dynner, and assigned hym the place▪ On Sainte Georges daye a certaine Chapleine of the Archebishop of Triers, about supper tyme came to Luther, by the commaundement of the Byshop, signifying that at that houre and place prescribed, he must the morowe after haue accesse to his maister.
