and if the Gospel was purely to be preached ought to be mitigated The Emperour was somewhat offended with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tempted by his Legate to take it away but all in vain For this businesse was farre otherwise concluded of in heaven then at Norinberg as Luther wrote For the Princes and Cities of the Empire strove who first should admit the reformed doctrin This was done in Denmark Prussia Livonia Silesia and elsewhere In this yeere Luther set forth the book concerning the dignitie and office of the Civil Magistrate Frederik the Elector was much delighted with this book He wrote also to the Waldenses commonly called the Picards concerning the adoring the Sacrament In which book he first mentions the opinion of Berengarius concerning the Lords Supper before he began the contention with the Helvetians He now also set forth the five books of Moses in the German tongue three thousand yeers since the death of Moses He published also a book to the Senate of Prague about ordaining of Ministers and another about avoyding the doctrine of men He wrote this yeere also to the Livonians and shewed his great joy at their entertaining the Evangelicall doctrin which many tyrants in Germany sought obstinately to oppresse and forewarned them that they must expect cruell persecutions of the same kind to the undergoing whereof he gravely and piously exhorted them encouraging them to be resolute and to persevere valiantly in the truth of the Gospel which they had received He further did instruct them briefly and pudent and brasen forehead For this he called Amsdorfe to witnesse and sayd that all of them except three were want on persons and not to be maintained yea that it was the duty of the Magistrats to prohibite their whoredom compell them to marry For though no man can be compelled and forced to the truth yet publique wickednesse is to be taken away At the least the Masses might be forborne which were maintained at the Princes charge and were wickedly performed and to no good end Iohn the Prince of Anhalt by Doctour Ieronymus and a Franciscan warned Luther to acquite himselfe of holding a new Article with which Ferdinand of Norinberg did charge him namely that he held that Christ was the seed of Abraham At the first Luther conceived that they jested with him but when he found that they spoke it sadly he was forced to give credit to their speech that he was in very deed so accused Pope Adrian then opposed the Gospel and by his Bull as they call it very much blamed Frederik Electour of Saxony for the neglect of his duty in not punishing or banishing Luther And then warned and intreated the Prince that now at length he he would doe it and if he would not he should try how keen the Popes and Emperours swords were The same request Henry the eight King of England and Lodowik King of Hungary and Bohemia made To all these the Elector returned no other answer then that Luther was first to be heard in the Councel before he was to be condemned The Popes Legate also accused Luther at the Norician assembly as being most like to Mahomet For as the Turkes by Polygamy so Luther taking away the vowes of Chastity doth loose the reines to all licentiousnesse and overthrow the state of the Church and therefore he might be condemned before he was heard besides as now he did shew his cruelty against the Ecclesiasticall state he would afterward doe the like against the Political In this yeere Christiern King of Denmark and his wife sister of Charles the fifth were expulsed their Kingdome for his too violent government And being in banishment at the Court of his Unkle Frederik Elector of Saxony heard Luther preach In the 24. yeere Clemens the 7. made Pope in Adrians steed sent Laur. Campegius the Cardinal his Logate to Norinberg He wrote at large to Frederik the Elector and highly praysed the Popes good will and did undertake that a Councel should be called Then also Caesar and most of the Princes of the Empire pressed for the decree of Wormes Which thing when Luther had notice of he bewayled the state of Germany and complained of the blindnesse of men That yeare Erasmus Roterod perswaded by the King of England and Thomas Wolsey Cardinal wrote against â—…ker He put forth against his will as he wrâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…thor the Treatise concerning fâ—… What was Luthers judgement about the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he wrote to Spalatinus sheweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the booke of Eras. concerning free-will and yet I have scarce read eight leaves thereof It grieveth me to answer so unlearned a book of a man so learned That book was answered by Luther An. 1526. with which delay the mindes of learned men were held in suspence what would be the issue of the controversie This yeere was remarkable for the unhappy Sacramentary controversie The beginning and proceeding whereof is related in the life of Carolostade Zwingl and Oecolamp and I list not here to renew our griefe by opening the sore again About this time came forth the fanatick writing of Tho. Muncer of Stolberg and the Preacher of Alstet in which he disgorged his venemous fury against the Lutherans The book which he wrote against Luther was dedicated to Christ Prince of Princes He rayled on Luther because he wanted an Enthusiasticall spirit and had nothing in his writing but a carnall spirit The same Muncer wrote to Melancthon a letter plainly shewing his fanaticall spirit Luther now put forth Davids Psalter in the German tongue a book against the seditious and an Epistle to Frederik and Iohn Princes of Saxony against the enemies of images and Enthusiasts who boasted of illumination and conference with God He also set forth a booke about the Exaltation of Benno a Bishop once of Misnia whose bones were on the sixteen day of May digged up at Misnia exalted and placed in a marble Tombe which act some took to be religious other jested and laughed thereat This yeere in October Luther laid aside his Monkishhood and declared his judgement concerning the Synode to be called for determination of the ceremonies saying thus I thinke it not very safe to call together a Councell of our men for the setling an uniformitie of Ceremonies for it will set a bad example though it be attempted with a good zeale as appeareth by all Councels from the beginning So that in the Apostolicall Synode they did more treat concerning matter of action and Traditions then of faith In the Synodes after this they never disputed about faith but alwayes about opinions and questions that the name of Councels is more suspected and hated by me then the name of free will If one Church will not of its own accord imitate another in externall matters what need is there to compell them by the decrees of Councels which presently are changed into lawes
William Duke of Bavaria Of this mans Martyrdome thus Luther writes I have received the relation concerning Leonard Keisars death as also all his manuscripts from his Vnkles son which shall shortly be published God willing Pray for me who have been much buffetted by the Angel of Satan that Christ should not for sake me O wretch that I am and so much inferiour to Leonard I am a preacher onely in wordes in regard of him so powerfull a preacher by his suffering Who can make me fit that not by his Spirit double on me but by one halfe of it I may overcome Satan put a period to this life Blessed be God who among so many monsters hath shewed us unworthy sinners this one glorious spectacle of his grace that he may not seeme wholly to have forsaken us Then also by the advise of Luther and the Command of Iohn the Elector was ordained a visitation of the Churches in Saxony The chiefe care of this businesse was committed to Iohn a Plaunitz a noble Knight to Ierom Schurfius a Lawyer Asmus Hanbicius and Melancthon Many matters were hereby discried which needed speedy redresse many faults were found which must necessarily be amended nor can I easily say how great was the benefit of this visitation For faults of many yeeres continuance were reformed the Churches falne backe were in many places confirmed and their safety for time to come was well provided for This visitation ended An. 1528. in which yeere Luther put forth the Institution of Visiters and the large Confession concerning the Lords Supper which were added for their direction There it is that Luther thus writeth to Amsdorf We * are visiters that is Bishops and we find poverty and scarsity every where The Lord send forth workmen into his harvest Amen And in another place to Spalatinus Our visitation goeth on of what miseries are we eye witnesse and how often doe we remember you when we find the like or greater miseries in that harsh natured people of Voytland Let us beseech God to be present with us and that he would promote the work of his poore Bishops who is our best and most faithfull Bishop against all the Arts and forces of Satan Amen And again In our visitation in the territories of Wittenberg we find as yet all pastors greeing with their people but the people not so forward for the Word and Sacraments The 1. part of the book called The Great Consession of the faith concerning the Lords supper dealeth with Zwinglius the 2. part with Oecolampadius and blameth both of them To this Oecolampadius and Zwinglius replyed at large and dedicated their books to the Prince of Saxony and Landgrave of Hessen Bucer also in the German tongue answered Luther in a Dialogue where he maketh Sebaldus and Arbogastus speakers These are the last books which these men wrote against Luther This yeer also Carolostadius wrote a letter to George Pontamus Chancellour of the Duke of Saxonie in which he layeth down the ground-work of his Tenents concerning the Lords supper This was answered by Luthers Epistle to the same Pontamus Luther therein admonisheth that care must be taken that no blemish be layd upon the Electour by whose connivence Carolostade doth there divulge his own dreams and heresies Luther also * wrote to Carolostadius and confuted his Arguments and in the end of his letter graunteth that Christ alone doth give his body but denieth that thence it followeth that the Minister doth not give it by the Lords command In the beginning of the yeere 1529. Luther put forth his greater and lesser Catechismes for the good of the under sort of people and admonished the Pastors and Ministers that they would seriously attend their offices and teach carefully in the Villages That they would preach still the same things about the same points and often presse them upon the people Here also Luther put forth a book against the Turk in the German tongue this he did partly because it was then reported that the Turk was comming upon Hungary and Germany which appeared true by his besieging of Vienna partly because some Pastors endeavoured to perswade the people that warre was not to be waged against the Turk Yea some proceeded to that height of folly that they desired that the Turk would come and lay his yoake upon them And when at that time there was held an Assembly at Spire where first arose the Name of Protestants and Luthers assistants whose helpe he used in translating the Prophets were seperated he himselfe being sickly that he might be in some imployment in Melancthons absense translated the booke of Wisdome which was afterward revised by Melancthon and printed In October this yeere Philip Landgrave of Hessen with a pious intent called together the Prime Doctors of the Saxon and Helvetick Churches Among whom Luther beeing sent for returned this answer That little good was to be hoped for by that conference except the adverse part came thither to yeeld and that himselfe could not yeeld because he was assured that he was in the truth In this meeting the chiefe heads of Divinity were handled and concluded of No one point was with choler contended about nor did they depart alienated or divided in their affections by any controversie as else where * is shewed In the last yeere a fame was spread of a league made by some Popish Princes against the Duke of Saxonie and Landgrave of Hessen Of this thus Luther writeth to Wenceslaus Lincus That ungodly league of wicked Princes though they deny it what stirres hath it caused but I do interpret the sleight and poore excuse of Duke George as a confession of the fact But let them deny excuse dissemble it I know that that league was not a Chimera or a thing of no being a Monster cannot be but monstruous and conspicuous enough And the world knoweth well that they with most pertinacious mindes deeds edicts designes have hitherto publiquely attempted and still do attempt the like For they desire that the Gospel was abolished this none can deny But why write I thus to you who know this to be undoubtedly true I doe it onely that you may know that we will not trust that wicked crew though we offer them peace The Lord confound the Counsels of that * Morotatos Moores bundle of folly who like Moab dares attempt more then he can effect and as ever so still is proud above his power Let us pray against such men-slayers Hitherto they have been forborn if again they plot anything first we will pray to God then we will admonish Princes of them that they may be destroyed without pitty seeing they be unsatiable bloud-suckers and cannot be at rest unlesse they see Germany weltring in her her bloud This letter intercepted and brought to Duke George gave occasion of a great disaffection between the Duke and Luther
nor ought to goe thither In the yeere 1520. upon Multitius advise Luther wrote to the Pope and sent him his booke lately written concerning Christian liberty and offered conditions of peace About this time Frederik the Elector fell into a grievous sicknesse Whereupon Luther moved by some friends and out of Christian charity wrote the booke called Tesseradecas to comfort him Then also he wrote the book Of Confession of sins in which he took occasion to speak of vowes and deplored their torturing of mens consciences And whereas in an other Treatise written by him he had said that he judged it behoofefull if the Councel would so permit that the Lords supper should be administred to all in both kindes This speech because it directly crossed the last Lateran Councel was excepted against by many amongst whom was Iohn Bishop of Misnia who prohibited the the Churchmen under his jurisdiction to administer the Lords supper in both kindes and enjoyned them to suppresse Luthers booke Luther maintained his cause and answered his Edict In the mean time the Divines of Lovan consulting with Adrian Cardinal of Derthuse then in Spain and the Divines of Cullen by a decree censure some of Luthers bookes as wicked and worthy to be burnt and held it fit that Luther should recant his opinions When Luther heard of this he answered every particular punctually And because he found so many and so great adversaries he wrote to Charles the fifth newly created Emperour and intreating pardon for this his addresse humbly besought him that he would so long onely afford him protection as that he might give account of his proceedings and overcome or be overcome because it would well beseeme the Imperirial power not to permit the innocent to be violently handled and trampled on by their wicked adversaries To the same purpose he wrote to other the Dukes and Lords of the Empire and shewed them how he began and was drawn into these attempts Not long after he wrote to Albertus Archbishop of Mentz Cardinal and in submissive manner shewed how he was condemned by two sorts of men one who never read his books the other who read them but with hearts full of hatred and prejudice The Bishop answered that he heartily desired that all sacred matters should be handled both by Luther and all other Divines as it was meet religiously reverently modestly without tumults envie contumely He said moreover that it was a griefe to him to heare that some great men disputed concerning the Primacie of Rome free-will and other sleight matters so he call'd them not much pertaining to a Christian indeed and that such like rash opinions could not be broached among the ignorant people but with incouraging them to disobedience He wrote also about the Lords Suppers celebrating in both kinds and about the Authoritie of Councels And shut up his letter with Gamaliels verdict If thy work be of God it will stand firme and unmoveable if it was begun of envie or pride it will easily be blown away In like manner Luther wrote to Adolphus Bishop of Mersberg who answered him to the same purpose and admonished him that he would over-rule his pen with the love of Christ the Author of our peace At the same time it befell that Frederik Duke of Saxony had some occasion to send to Rome and gave the businesse in charge to Valentine a Dithleben a German He brought word back that the Elector was in disgrace at Rome for Luthers sake because he permitted his new opinions to be dispersed The Prince hereupon thus wrote in his own defence and answered That he never defended the doctrine and books of Luther nor was of that bent and though he did heare that many learned men approved Luthers judgement yet he opened not his minde therein Further he said that Luther was ready to give an account of his doctrine before the Popes Legate so that he might be assured of safe conduct and that if his error was detected he would change his opinion and that Luther of his own accord would have departed out of those coasts had not Multitius perswaded to detaine him there rather then to permit him to settle elsewhere that so he might more freely and safely attempt some higher designe And therefore that there was no cause why any one should have an ill opinion of him To this Letter the Pope returned answer and sending a Copie of the Bull which Eckius had obtained desired that the Elector would make Luther to recant or if he refused so to do he would imprison him and keep him safe till he further declared his pleasure At this the Court of Saxony was somewhat * troubled and Luther began to think of some retired place where he might conceale himself Some Noble Germans approvers of Luthers judgement hearing this offered Luther entertainment and protection as namely Francis a Sickengen Hulderike Hutten Sylvester de Schavenburgen Of whom the said Sylvester wrote to Luther and intreated him not to depart into Bohemia or into any other countrey but to come to him during the time of the Popes exasperation and menaces and promised that an 100. French Horse should attend his safetie Hereupon Luther taking courage admonisheth Spalatenus that this course should by the Letter of Duke Frederik be made known to the Cardinal of St. George These are Luthers words I send you the Letter of Sylvester Schavenb the French Knight and were it not displeasing to you I desire that by the letter of the Prince notice may be given to the Cardinal of St. George whereby they may know that should they with their threats and curses expell me from Witten they should effect nothing else but to make a bad matter much worse For now there are not onely in Bohemia but even in the midst of Germany such Princes who both will and can defend me from the threats thundred out against me by mine adversaries And then perhaps it may so fall out that biding under their protection I shall more strongly bend my forces against the Romanists then if under the Princes government I should publiquely performe my place as Reader of Divinitie This unlesse God prevent it will doubtlesse be the issue of this matter Hitherto I have given all due respect to the Prince but then if I be provoked by ill usage I shall not need to submit unto him And therefore in what matters soever I have not so roughly dealt with them let them attribute my forbearance therein not to my modesty nor to their tyranny nor their deserts but to my respect to the Prince and to his authoritie as also to the common good of the Students of Wittenberg Concerning my self I venture upon the danger and contemne Romes both fury and favour Let them censure and burne all mine I will not be reconciled to them nor at any time hereafter joyne with them On the contrary I unlesse I can get no fire will
sentent et re judic. c. Pastoralis 22. The Pope teacheth that it is just and lawfull for a Christian by force to repulse force and violence 23. That inferiors and subjects may be disobedient and resist their Princes and that the Pope can depose Kings 24. The Pope laboureth to have power to dissolve and breake all oathes leagues obligements made between superiours and inferiours 25. The Pope hath power to break and alter vowes made to God De vot et vot red 26. The Pope teacheth that he that delayes to pay his vow commanded by God is not to be censured as a breaker of his vow ibid. 27. The Pope teacheth that no married man or woman can serve God 28. The Pope compareth his unprofitable lawes with the Gospels and sacred scriptures 29. The Pope hath power to interpret and unfold or expound the sacred scripture at his pleasure and will and to permit no man to interpret the same otherwise then the Pope himselfe pleaseth 30. The Pope receiveth not his authority power strength and dignitie from the scripture but the scripture from the Pope This in briefe is the summe of the whole Canon Law The Pope is God on earth supreame in all heavenly earthly spirituall and secular matters And All things are the Popes to whom none dare say what doe you Here Prederik Prince Elector obtained of the Emperour to call Luther to the Court held at Wormes in March An. 1521. Luther receiving the Emperours graunt for his safety went from Wittenberg and was conducted thence by Casparus Sturnius Herauld and accompanied with Iustus Ionas Ier. Schurfius and Nic. Amsderfe Of the students he tooke onely Peter Suavenus a Dane as his companion who afterward being called by Christian King of Denmarke to his Court did much advance good letters and did the Church good service When he came to Hidelberg he proffered to dispute publiquely with any that would Here many did dehort Luther from going to Worms Others said that by the burning of his books he might know what was the Popes censure concerning himselfe Others told him of the usage of Hus and Savonarola But Luther with a resolute courage lightly regarded their advise and sayd that these discouragements were but cast into his way by Satan who knew that by the profession of the truth especially inso illustrious a place his kingdome would be shaken and indamaged He further brake forth into these words If I knew that there were so many Devils at Wormes as tiles on the houses yet would I goe thither Also Francis of Sickingen one in high esteeme with the Emperour at Bucers request did invite Luther to come to his Castle at Ebernburgh where the cause might more commodiously be agitated But Luther answered that he was sent for by the Emperour not to Ebernburgh but to Wormes and thither he would goe So taking his journey he came to Wormes on April the sixth which was the third Holyday after Misericordias Domini They say the Duke of Bavaria his Iester whether suborned by others or by some instinct met Luther at his entrance into the towne with a Crosse as is wont in funerals and sung with a loud voyce Welcome comest thou hither and much desired of us who sate in darknesse Presently some counselled Caesar that Luther was to be delt with as they did with Hus. But Caesar thought it just to make good his promise and especially Lodowik the Elector Palatine withstood the designment and prudently sayd That if they should take that course with Luther it would set a brand of imfamy and eternall disgrace on the name of Germany On the 17. day of April at 4. a clock in the afternoon he appeared before the Emperour and many Princes his Assessours Here Iohn Eckius a Lawyer Caesars Spokesman and Officiall of Triers upon command said with an audible voyce Martin Luther there are two causes why Caesar with the consent of the Princes and States have sent for you which I now propound to you and expect your answer First Whether these Books here he held up a bundle of books written in the Latine German tongues were written by you and do you acknowledge them to be yours The second Whether you will revoke and recant any thing in them or stand in defence of them Ierome Schurfius a Lawyer on Luthers part desired that the titles of the books might be recited and spoken publiquely which being done Luther briefly repeated what was desired of him and answered Concerning the books now named I professe and acknowledge that they be mine but concerning my defence of what I have written that I may answer rightly thereunto seeing it is a matter of very great moment I desire that I may not speake rashly and against my conscience some time to deliberate After some debate of the matter Eckius said again Though by Caesar letters missive you might well understand the cause why you were sent for and therefore need not to delay but make your answer presently yet Caesar such is his clemency granteth you one day for to deliberate on the matter and commands that tomorrow about this houre you here present yourself and make your distinct answer by word of mouth and not by writing Upon Luthers desiring of respit some thought that he would not be constant but they failed in their opinion Here I may not passe it over in silence that when Luther drew neere to Caesars throne many of the Princes Counsell encouraged him saying that he should be of good courage and not faint Nor feare them who could kill the body onely but not hurt the soule Others put him in minde to meditate on this When ye shall appeare before Kings and Princes be not solicitous how and what to answer For in that moment it shall be given you what you shall say The day following Luther appeared at the houre appointed And after that Eckius had asked him What now was his resolution he first humbly desired of the Emperour and Princes That they would grant him their gentle attention and then said Of the books which I have written some of them tend to faith and Pietie to these my adversaries give ample Testimony Should I recant these I might be justly censured as a wicked man Other of my books are against the Pope of Rome and Papisticall doctrine which both hath and still doth much trouble the Christian world and doth much mischiefe These should I revoke I should confirme their tyranny The third sort of my books are against some private men who defend the Papists cause and by many calumnies upon me In these I confesse I have been too vehement and besides I confesse that I am not of an unerring perfection but yet I can not safely revoke these books unlesse I will set open a gap to the impudency of many Being a man I may erre and therefore desire any one better to instruct me by the testimony of Scripture
and snares to intangle mens soules Rather let one Church freely follow the good example of another or let each Church enjoy her owne wayes so that the unitie of the spirit be kept intire in faith by the word of God though there be diversitie and outward ceremonies and elements of the world About this time the Priests of Wittenberg keeping their Popish rites were at length evicted and in the end of the yeere abrogating private Masse began a Reformation in the Cathedrall Church Luther had long pressed them to this and had written thus to Spalatinus in this yeere By Gods help I will abrogate private Masse or venture upon another designe The yeere 1525. is famous by the rising of the Boores when this broyle was a hatching and the Ruftick fury did not yet breake forth into taking up armes Luther did disswade all men from sedition as being a crime of very high nature He also handled the Articles of the Boores and shewed how most of them were contrary to the word of God He wrote also to the Princes and Nobilitie and put them in minde of their dutie and by another Treatise exhorted all men to joyne for the subversion of the theevish insendiaries as for the quenching of a common fire This book was censured by some as too sharp but was at large defended by Luther In the beginning of this yeere Luther answered Carolostadius his books intitling his book Against the Celestiall Prophets At Wittenberg then the chieftains of the Anabaptists were called Prophets because they boasted of secret revelations and propheticall spirits the principall men were Muncer Ciconius Cellarius and his friend Carolostad Luther in the first part of his book speaketh of images private Masse and Carolostade and affirmeth that images were forbidden in the old Testament not in the new and that Carolostade was not expelled by his meanes and that the name of Masse was given by the Apostles to the Sacrament of the altar The subject of the second book was the Eucharist where he first dealt against Carolostades exposition of the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} This and then answered the Arguments of Carolostade and said that the words which is given for you have this sense The body which you eate in the bread ere long when it is not eaten shall be given for you And as it is not written Take the body and eate it so neither is it written Take the bread and eate it And that Christs speech The flesh profiteth nothing is to be taken as spoken not of the flesh of Christ but of the sense of the flesh which is death Rom. 8. That the breaking the bread is the distribution of the body and that the bloud of Christ which is powred out for us now sitteth at the right hand of God but that the efficacy of that effusion of his bloud is for ever And finally that it is unknown how the bread becometh and is the body of Christ and that we must stick to the very words of Christ Against this Zwinglius and Oecolampadius wrote as is said in its due place Now also Luther renewed the ordination of Ministers of the Gospel in the Church Of whom George Rorarius was the first and now first the Masse was celebrated at Wittenberg in their mother tongue And now was set forth a booke of German songs composed by Luther and others the last yeere and a book of the abomination of the Masse in which he galled the Popish sore backcjades and made many of them kick against him He wrote also a letter to them of Strasburg where he heard that Carolostade abode and disswaded them from devouring his poyson On the contrary Strasburg sent George Caselius the Hebrew Professor and entreated Luther that he would not break the unitie of the Church for the controversie of the Eucharist that he would acknowledge Zwinglius and Oecolampadius learned men and of good fame for Brethren that he would write of the Lords Supper and shew what he taught was consonant to the truth Luther returned this answer by Caselius Namely That nothing was more to be desired then peace but to be tyed to a continuall silence was not safe that answer could not be made without condemning them and that he word condemn was censured as opprobrious That he was censured of those most modest men as a Cannibal and a worshipper of God turned bread and eatable that he liked not the advise of the Divines Straburgh concerning silence about the question of the bodily presence and preaching faith and other parts of the word That either he himself or they were ministers of Satan and that therefore in this case there was counsell to be taken and no mean between both to be followed That the reasons brought to make the speech tropicall were of no force And that it must be proved that the verb est not in other places of Scripture but here is in effect significat that where Paul saith The rock was Christ he speaketh not of the corporall but the spirituall drink for he addeth the drank of the spirituall rock And that there was a manifest mistake in that This Lambe is the Lords Passeover for this phrase is no where extant in the Scripture and therefore he besought the brethren for Christs sake that they would avoyd this errour Luther being fortie two yeers old of a sudden and unexspectedly married Katherin a Bora a noble virgin late a Nun and this was the occasion Luther had a purpose that this Katherine should have been married to M. Glanus the Pastor of Orlamund Of this she having intimation acquainted Amsdorf Luthers inward friend therewith and by him intreated Luther to alter his determination and to signifie to him that she would enter into the honourable estate of Matrimony with any other rather then with Glanus When Luther heard this and what Ierom Schursius had said namely that if that Monk should marry her the whole world and the devill himself would laugh thereat and so the Monk should undoe all that formerly he had done Here Luther to grieve the world of Papists and the devill and gratifie her father perswading him thereunto resolved to marry her And on the 13. day of Iune inviting to supper Pomeranus and Apelles the Lawyer and Luke the Limmer was betrothed to her and not long after married her This Luthers enemies much disliked so did his friends also not because they thought the marriage unlawfull but because they wished it had been done at some other time For thus writeth Camerarius It fell out that when these turbulent and dangerous broyles were not yet pacisied Martin Luther married not long after the death of Frederik the chiefe of the seven Electors of the Empire Philip Melancthon much grieved at Luthers marriage not that he condemned it as unlawfull but because hereby an occasion was given to Luthers enemies and ill willers who were
I never saw ought but one letter about it O how he reprobates Luther I know saith he that Luther is forsaken of the Lord All those Spirits differing each from other contend with subtle arguments all of them boast of revelations obtained by prayer and teares and agree onely in this that all of them fight each with other for us This Christ effecteth for us Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Iohn Husse of Breslow a Teacher of the Gospel notwithstanding the scandall raised by the Heretiks and their fighting against the Articles of our Faith and in speciall manner he animated him against Schwenfeld and Crantwald saying You speak the Truth friend Hesse Hitherto the combate was about points not grounded in the Scriptures as about the Pope and Purgatory and the like Now ye come to more serious matters and to the battell already won concerning points in the Scripture Here we shall see the Dragon fighting or rather we shall combat with him Michael being our Captain in these Heavenly fights When the Dragon shall pull down the third part of the stars with his tayle to the earth then the cause will call for our strength in Christ Here you shall see what manner a warriour and how strong a champion Satan is whom yet you have not sufficiently tried or had experience of Schwenkfeld and Crantwald which I much lament are reserved for these mischiefes But the foundation of God standeth firme having this seale The Lord knoweth who are his let this be our comfort and in this let us be confident to prevaile over the gates of Hell Besides other studies of Luther he now expounded Ecclesiastes which was not easie and plain as he said for an Interpreters labour There are saith he therein many Hebraismes and obstacles in that tongue not yet well made known Yet by the grace of God I break thorow them This yeere he wrote a forme of the Masse in the German tongue in which he permitted some ceremonies to be used or not used at mens pleasures Among other speeches thus he saith Yet we retain those garments altars waxecandles used at the Masse till they grow old or that it seeme good to change them If it please any man to do otherwise I permit him to do as he liketh best But in the true Masse among Christians unmixt with Papists it is fit that the altar should not remain but that the Minister should turn himself to the people as Christ doubtlesse did at the first celebration of the Lords Supper But let this also await its due time He wrote also foure consolatory Psalmes to Mary Queen of Hungary upon the miserable death of her husband King Lodowick who was drowned He then also divulged other Treatises which are mentioned in his works In the 27. yeere the Anabaptists broached their new doctrin about the not baptizing of Infants and were themselves rebaptised they also taught communitie of goods Both Luther and Zwinglius wrote against them and the Magistrates punished them in divers places Luther wrote also upon the question whether souldiers lived in a kinde of life tending to happinesse In which discourse he learnedly and godly handled many things concerning warre and its discipline He dealt also against the Sacramentarians as he calleth them and in his book averreth that Christs word This is my body yet stand firme Of the book thus Luther writeth to Spalatinus I doubt not but that I have throughly moved the Sacramentarians for though my book be full of words and not so learned yet I am perswaded that I have touched them to the quick Bucer hath written most virulent letters against me unto our Jonas already they make a Satan of Luther what suppose you that they will do when they be gauled with that book But Christ liveth and raigneth Amen He also comforted them of Hall for the death of George Winckler their Pastor who was slain by conspiracy He also answered Iohn Hessus to the question Whether a Christian man may flie in time of Pestilence and to an other question namely Whether after the truth of the Gospel is made known a man may for feare of the tyrants forbeare to administer the Lords Supper in both kinds which Luther denyed against the Prischanists About the beginning of the yeere 27. Luther fell suddenly sicke of a congealing of bloud about his heart which almost kil'd him but the drinking of the water of Carduus Benedictus whose vertue then was not so commonly knowne he was presently helped But he wrastled with a farre worse agony afterward on the Sabbath after the visitation of the blessed Virgin This is recorded by Iohn Bugenhagius and Iustus Ionas who saw his affliction Here he indured not onely a corporall malady but also a spirituall tentation which Luther called a buffiting of Satan It seemed to him that swelling surges of the sea in a tempest did sound aloud at his left eare and against the left side of his head yet not within but without his head and that so violently that die he must except they presently grew calme Afterward when it seemed to come within his head he fell downe as one dead and was so cold in each part of his body that he had remaining neither heat nor bloud nor sence nor voyce But when his face was besprinckled with cold water by Jonas for so Luth. had bidden he came again to himself and began to pray most earnestly and to make a confession of his faith to say that he was unworthy of Martirdom which by his proceedings he might seemed to run upon His will and Testament concerning his wife with child and his young sonne this he made Lord God I thank thee that thou wouldest have me live a poore and indigent person upon Earth I have neither house nor lands nor possessions nor mony to leave Thou hast given me wife and children them I give back unto thee Nourish teach keep them O thou the father of orphans and Iudge of the widow as thou hast done to mee so do unto them But by using daily prayers and continuall fomentations after that he had sweat thoroughly the griefe by degrees decreased so that in the evening of that day he rose up and supped with his friends and confessed that his spirituall temptation was farre sorer then his corporall sicknesse Hereupon the day following he sayd to Iustus Ionas I will take speciall notice of the day last past in which as in a schoole I was put to the try all of my progresse And sate in a most hot sweating house The Lord bringeth to the graves mouth and fetcheth back againe He often makes mention of this tentation in his letters to his friends and consirmed the faith by receiving absolution from a Minister and the use of the Sacrament This yeere also he put forth the Story of Leonard Keisar his friend who was burnt for the Gospels sake at the Command of
it he further said Lord I render up my spirit into thy hands and come to thee And again Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit thou O God of truth hast redeemed me Here as one falling asleep and without any bodily pain that could be discerned he departed this life And when Doctor Ionas and Caelius said O reverend father do you die in the constant confession of that dectrin of Christ which you have hither to preached He answered so as he might be heard yea which was the last word he spake Thus he in his native countrey not having seen it many yeers before dyed much lamented by many This fell on the eighteen of February on the day in the Calender ascribed to Concord about three a clock in the morning in the great climaclericall yeere of his age Soone after his body put into a coffin of Lead was carried in funerall manner to the Temple of Isleben where Iustus Ionas preached Then the Earles of Mansfield desired that his body should be interred within their territories But the Elector of Saxony required that it should be brought back to Wittenberg In the return thereof which way so ever it went it was honourably attended and with much griefe accompanied out of each Princes Dominion and at length upon the 22. of February in the afternoon was brought to Wittenberg and was carried into the Temple Neere adjoyning to the Castle with such a troop of Princes Earles Nobles their living as students and other people that the like was seldome or never seene in that town When the funerall rites were performed Pomeranus preached to an assembly of many thousands And after that Melancthon with many teares and sighes made a funerall Oration When this was done the coffin with his body was put by the hands of divers learned men into the tomb neere to the pulpit in which he had made many learned Sermons before divers Princes Electors and the Congregation of many faithfull Christians In a brazen plate his picture lively deciphered was there set up with verses by it to this effect This Sepulchre great Luthers Corps containe This might suffice yet read these following strains HEer in this Vrne doth Martin Luther rest And sweetly sleep in hope to rise most blest By whose rare pains firme faith and Christs free Grace Which formerly thick Fogs of Error base And duskie Clouds of Works desert bid quite Were well reduced to their ancient Light For when blind Superstition ruled All And did faire Truth long time suppresse and thrall He by Gods Word and Spirits inspiration The Gospels Light re-spred for every Nation And well-instructed by Pauls sacred voyce choice Scorning Romes Cheats to teach pure Truth made And as Iohn Baptist in the Wildernesse Did Gods Lamb who heales Sin Preach and expresse So O Sweet Christ did Luther cleare thy book When all the World was caught with Errors hook And what the difference was betwixt the Law Whose tables Moses brake though God he saw Vpon Mount-Sinai and the Gospel sweet meet Which heales Sin-conscious hearts which Gods wrath This difference lost to th' world He did restore That so Christs gifts of Grace might shine the more He stoutly did oppose Romes Cheats and Charmes And Papal rule which wrought Gods Saints great harms Exhorting all Romes idols for to flie He many soules wan to true pietie And maugre all Romes threats and snares most slie Finisht in Faith his Course most valiantly Dying in peace his Soule with Christ doth rest Crown'd with immort all Glory truly blest For which rare Doctor let both high and low Blesse God that they so cleare Christs truth do know And pray the Lord that these his Gospels rayes May to the World shine-forth for datelesse dayes Philip Melancthon Dead is grave Luther worthy all due praise Who set forth Christ in Faith illustrious rayes His Death the Church laments with Sighs sincere Who was her Pastour nay her Patron deare Our Israels Chariots and Horsemen rare Is Dead with me let All sad Sables weare Let them their griefe in groaning verses sing For such sad Knells such Orphans best may ring Theodore Beza Rome tam'd the World the Pope tam'd Rome so great Rome rul'd by Power the Pope by deep Deceit But how more large than Theirs was Luthers Fame Who with One Pen both Pope and Rome did tame Go fictious Greece go tell Alcides then His Club is nothing to great Luthers Pen John Major By Luthers labours Leo the tenth is slain Not Hercles Club but Luthers Pen's his bane Joachim a Beust When Luther dy'd then with him dy'd most sure A Crown and credit of Religion pure His Soul soar'd-up to heaven on Concords day Which tended Luther thither on his way Deare Christ since Discord followed with Coates rent Give to thy Spouse Elijahs ornament Upon his Tomb-stone the Universitie of Wittenberg as to her beloved father engraved MARTINI LVTHERIS THEOLOGIAe D. CORPVS H. L. S. E. QVI ANNO CHRISTI M. D. XLVI XII CAL MARTII EISLEBII IN PATRIAS M. O. C. V. AN. LXIII M. III. D. X. Thus Luther ran his course this was the period of his travels When first Melancthon heard newes of his death he utttered these sacred words of the scripture The Charriot and horsemen of Israel is gone and tooke his death most heavily For they had lived together 28. yeeres in most religious manner so that Melancthon truely loved him for his admirable vertues and was a faithfull mate and helper to him in clearing the doctrine of the Gospel For though those times were prone to distractions and mens wavering mindes desirous of dissention yet when as each knew others infirmities there never fell any jarre betweene them which caused any alienation of their affection or parting their company and fellowship But what and how great stormes rose in Germany after the death of Luther out alas each Christian knoweth So that Luther said truly and often foretold That whilst he lived by Gods help there would no warre be raysed in Germany but when he was dead the age to come would see the event Concerning the doctrine of the Gospel he uttered this heavenly truth These things will be a great bane to Christian Religion First forgetfullnesse of Gods blessing on us in restoring to us the Gospel Secondly security which already commonly and every where raigneth Thirdly worldly wisdome which would bring all things into good order and cure the publique stirres with wicked Councels There was in this worthy man of God a quicke and prudent understanding a magnanimous and noble Spirit He was ever constant in known truth from the confession whereof he could never be removed with threats or promises So that when upon a time one Papist demanded of an other Why do you not stop the mans mouth with gold and silver The other answered See this German beast careth not for money There appeared in him a singular proofe of his
neglect the word of God and his work he will permit shortly a dismall day to come upon us which will bring with it whole Wain-loads of cares which we shall neither have power or meanes to escape Divers other things he also foretold He had his health competently well but that sometimes he was troubled with headach especially in his elder yeeres Whereupon he was afraid of some violent Apoplexie and when he felt a swimming in his head or noyse in his eares he used to say Lord Iesu smite me gently for I am absolved from my sins according to thy word and am fed unto life eternall by thy body and bloud Thine Apostle John and our Elector were taken out of this world by this kinde of death He endured often tentations whereupon he said All here are in health except Luther who is sound in body and without suffers at no mans hand in the world onely the Devil and all his Angels vex him He was of an indifferent stature of strong body of so Lionlike a quicknesse of his eyes that some could not endure to look directly upon him when he intentively beheld them They say that one of mild spirit who could not endure in private to talk with Luther was courteously used by Luther yet was so pierced with the quicknesse of his eyes that being amazed he knew no course better then to run from him His voyce was mild and not very cleare whereupon when on a time there was mention at table about Pauls voyce which was not very perfect and full Luther said I also have a lowe speech and pronuntiation To whom Melancthon answered But this small voyce is heard very farre and neere In wedlock he lived chastly and godly above twentie yeers and when he died left three sonnes and Catharin de Bora a widow who lived after his death seven yeeres To her it was a great grief that her husband died in a place farre from her so that she could not be with him and performe the last conjugall offices to him in his sicknesse In the time of the warre which presently followed she wandred up and down with her orphans and in banishment was exposed to many difficulties and dangers And besides the miseries of widowhood which are full many the ingratitude of many did much afflict her for where she hoped for kindnesse in regard of her husbands worthy and noble deserts of Gods Church often she was put of with great indignitie When afterward her house at Wittenberg in time of pestilence was infected she for her childrens safetie as became a godly mother betooke her self to Torg where was also an Universitie But in the way when the horses affrighted ran out and seemed to indanger the waggon she amazed not so much for her own as her childrens preservation lept out of the waggon whereby poore wretch she grievously bruised her body in the fall and being cast into a poole of cold water caught thereby a disease of wch she lay sick three monethes in banishment and pining away at length died quietly in the yeere 1552. Luthers writings were published at Wittenberg and Iene in severall Towns both in Latine and the German tongue Part of them were expositions of Scriptures part doctrinall part polemicall Of these this was his own judgement Above all I beseech the godly Reader and I beseech him for our Lord Iesus Christs sake that he would read my writings judiciously and with much pittying my case And let him know that I was formerly a Monk and a most furious Papist when I first entred into the cause undertaken by me yea I was so drunk drowned in the opinions of Papisme that I was most ready to kill all men if I could or to assist and consent to their attempts that did kill them who even in one syllable should dissent from the Pope Such a Saul was I as some that be yet alive I was not so cold and calme in defending Popery as was Eckius and his mates who more truly for their bellies sake seemed to defend Popery then that they were serious in the cause yea they seeme still to me to laugh at the Pope in secret as Epicureans But I proceeded in the Popes defence earnestly because I set before mine eyes the last day of judgement and trembled there at and desired from my very heart to attain salvation In another of his writings he in a manner wisheth his books extinct saying Alas my friends should not trouble me I have enough to do with the Papists and might almost say with Job and Jeremy would I had not been born yea almost say I would I had not published so many books and would not care if they were all perished Let other such spirited mens writings be sold in every shop as they desire Luther also was much against it that any man should be called a Lutheran after his name Because the doctrin was not his neither did he die for any one and because Saint Paul would not endure to have it done by his own person 1 Cor. 3. Against this humour of men also Luther said How should it come to passe that I a sack of wormes meat should be accessary to this that the children of Christ should be called after my base and unworthy name He also much opposed the title of Lutherans because we be all Christians and professe the doctrin of Christ as also because the Papists are guiltie of this crime by calling themselves Pontificians We ought not to imitate them in evill Of Luthers books thus writeth Sturmius I remember that in an epistle of Luthers to Wolfgangus Capito which is in Conradus Huberts Library some yeeres ago I read That he himself took content in none of his books but onely in his Catechisme and his book against Free Will For a conclusion I will here adde Melancthons judgement concerning the Talents by God bestowed on Luther and others Pomeranus saith he is a Gramarian and explains the force of words I intend Logick and shew the context of the matter and the Arguments Justus Jonas is an orator and copiously and elegantly discourseth But Luther is all these a very miracle among men What ever he saith what ever he writeth it peirceth mens minds and leaves behind it a wonderfull sting in their hearts And Camerarius speaketh thus of Luther The name of Luther is so odious to some that they detest the hearing it on the contrary other endure not that any thing should be found fault with which either he speak or did if any man dare speake against him they declaime against him presently as one guilty of impiety They who thus extoll the name and authority of Martin Luther as not doubting to elevate him above the condition and measure of Mortall men should see to it that they doe not wrong the good name of so excellent and admirable a man by attributing too much to him and that they
Charles Multitius sent to bring Luther to Rome His speech concerning Luther Praef. Tom. 1. Luther Lat. worke at Wittenb Multitius reproveth Tecelius Tom. 1. ep. Luth. p. 152. and 208. Tecelius his death The Bohemians encourage Luther Carolostadius dispute with Eckius Luther invited by Eckius to dispute Whether the Pope be head of the Church Jura Divino Eckius his argument Epist. Tom. 1. p. 176. Luther wrote to the Pope An. 1520. The Divines of Lovan and Cullen oppose Luther Luther writeth to Charles the fifth Emperour Luther writeth to the Archbishop of Mentz The Archbishops answer Tom. 2. Lat. Witt. pag. 48. 1520. The Duke of Saxon maliced for Luther His excuse Tom. 2. Lat. Wittemb p. 50. Ton 2. Lat. Wittemb pag. 51. c. The Popes Bull * Tom. 1. epist. pag. 249. Luther thought of a place to retire himself in Tom. 1. epist. Tom. 2. Lat. p. pag. 66. Book of Captivitie of Babyl on The Pope called Antichrist An. 1520. Erasmus judgement about Luther desired Tom. 2. Lat. Sleidan Luthers judgement Tom. 2. Lat. Luthers book burnt Erasmus is instigated against Luther Lady Margarets answer Tom. 1. Epist. p. 290. Luther burneth popish books Thirty errors of Popery Tom. 2. lat pag. 125. De Constit. c. Translat 25. 9. 1. Jdco permittexte Luther sent for to Wormes 1521. And goeth thither Some dehort him Luther commeth to Wormes Promise of safety to Luther was to be kept Luther appeareth before Caesar What he is to answer to Luthers answer Luther incouraged by divers present Mat. 10. 19. 20. Luthers second answer Eckius indignation and reply Caesars Letter to the Princes about Luthers cause The Archbishop of Triers dealing with Luther-Slcidan B. 3. Luthers departure from Wormes Luther excommunicate proscribed Luther conveyed to Wartenburgh Luthers Patmos Luthers works written in this his retirednesse Private masse taken away at Wittenberg Luthers taking the aire and his recreation Hunting is a resemblance of the devils practise He came privately to Wittenberg Tom. 1. epist. pag. 367. Luthers infirmitie Tom. 1. epist. pag. 361. He returned to Wittenberg Tom. 2. epist. pag. 47. Luthers confidence and relying on God Another cause of Luthers return Carolostade offended with Luther 1522. Luther translated the New Testament and printed it * Melanct. used about it Tom. 2. epist. p. 55. epist. 1. to Camerar a Tom. 2. epist. pag. 85. Luthers dealing with the ring-leaders of the Anabaptists Luthers harsh answer to the King of England Luthers excuse for so writing Sebastian Earl of Schlick 1523. An assembly at Norinberg A Councell to be held in Germany The hundred grievances of Germany Sleid. lib. 4. pag. 29. Luther interprets the Decree Sleidan 4. pag. 83. Caesar was offended at the Decree The Gospel propagated Tom. 2. epist. pag. 121. Luthers book concerning the Civill Magistrate 1523. The German Pentateuch Luther excusing bimselse Tom. 2. pag. 121. Frederik Duk. of Saxony warned to punish Luther The Popes Legate accuseth Luther Laurent Campegius the Popes Legate Erasmus wrote against Luther being much importuned thereunto Tom. 2. epist. 230. Muncers writing against Luther The Psalmes put forth c. Of Benno Bishop of Misnia Luther casts away his monkish weed Of calling a Counsel Reformation in the Cathedal Church at Wirtenberg Tom. 2. Ep. p. 246. 1525. The Boores rise in armes Luther exhorts to quell them The contention with Carolostade The Anabaptists The name of Masse The flesh profiteth nothing Ordering of Ministers German songs Luther writeth to Strasburg about Carolostade Luther marrieth Camerarius in the life of Melancthon What Luthers adversaries did about this marriage * Chaplain to George Duke of Saxony Luthers answer to their opprobries The cause of Luthers marriage Anabaptists at Anwerp Luther writeth to Anwerp The Articles of the Anabaptists Tom. 2. Ep. 290. Luther writeth to the King of England c. An. 1526. * Tom. 2. ep. 270. Erasm. his Hyperasp Tom. 2. epist. 314. Epist. pag. 324. Sixe Sects of the Sacramentarians Luthers speech of comfort to Hessus Tom. 2. epist 318. The forme of the German Masse His work at Jen. Tom. 3. p. 277. An. 1527. The Anabaptists Of the military life Tom. 2. epist. p. 331. What strange portent was before his death See Tom. 2. epist. pag. 337. Luther sicknesse 1527. A worse sicknesse afterward Luthers last Will Luibers recovery Leon Keisar burnt for Religion Tom. 2. pag. 354. b. An. 1527. 1528. * Tom. 2. ep. p. 394. Ibid. p. 394. Answer to Zwinglius and Oecolampadius Bucers Dialogue Carolostade Epistle to Pontanus Luthers answer * Tom. 4. Ep. Ien. An. 1529. The greater and lesse Catechisme Luthers booke against the Turk The assembly at Spire The name of Protestants Conference at Marpurg Luther called Tom. 4. Ien. p. 46â—… * The life of Oecolampadius and others Tom. 2. Ep. p. 386. Fame of the Popish Princes league Luthers letter about it * George Duke of Saxonie The letter intercepted Ep. Tom. 2. p. 389. New Broiles there upon An. 1530. The assembly at August and conformitie of Protest * Tom. 5. Jer. Germ. Chitr B. 13. Sax. Sleid. b. 2. Luther wrote the seventeen Articles Luthers Articles followed by Melanct. Joh. Elector of Saxony came first to August Luther abode at Coburg Melanct care in this assembly In his book written An. 1529. Psal. 55. Psal. 27. Joh. 16. Luthers desire to come to the Assembly Apoc. 9. 8. The Protestants Confession Who subscribed to it It was commanded the Papist to confute it if they could Melancthon Luthers letter each to other Luthers Exhortaion Luther writeth to Albertus Cardinal The refutation of the Confession read The copie of it hard to be got Arbiters of the cause Luthers admonition to Melancthen The Confession of the Protestants translated into divers tongues The issue of matters in this assembly * Luthers admonition ad Germanos Luther studies in the wildernesse at Coburgh Luthers ardent prayers Bucer goeth to Luther * See Regius his life An. 1531. An interpretation of Caesars edict An exelene Protestation of M. Luther In the book Weber den Wrucht c. * Tom. 5. of his works at Ien. p. 304 c. An. 1532. a First peace to the Protestants b Sleid. B. 8. p. 205. An. 1533. Luther comforted the Oschatz A controversie with George Duke of Saxony George the Duke call'd the Devils Angel Luther comforts the banished Citizens of Leipsick Luthers lesse Apologie Of the dispute with the Devil A letter to Frankford An. 1534. Petrus Paulus Vergerius An. 1535. P. Vergerius returneth into Germany Luthers labours Councel at Mantua An. 1536. Concord between Luther and Bucer c. In Bucers life The Assembly at Smalcald Luthers articles there approved and to be exhibited to the Councel Luther sick of the stone Luthers recovery The joy at his recovery shewed by Melancthons Letter An. 1537. Luthers booke of the Popes reformation The Popes reformation turned to smoake The Legend of Iohn Chrysostom Luther of the Helvetians The sect of the Antimonians An.