of Master of Arts unfolded to them the reason of the change of his course of life It much grieved his parents that so excellent parts should be spent in a life little differing from death But for a moneths space no man could be admitted to speake with him Nor was it povertie but the love of a pious life which bent his minde to the Monastical life In which though he spent his time in the usual schoole learning and read the Writers upon the Sentences and in publique disputations clearly opened their inextricable labyrinths to the admiration of many yet because in this kinde of life he sought not to ennoble his fame but to further his study of a pious life he looked into those studies but upon the by and with much ease attained their Scholastical methods When on a time in the Library of the Colledge Luther meets with a Latine Bible running over the books thereof in order he met with a copie of the Latine Bible which he never saw before There with admiration he observed that there were moe Evangelical and Apostolical texts then what were read to the people in Churches In the old Testament with great attention he read the story of Samuel and Anna his mother and began to wish that he was the owner of the like book which not long after he obtained Hereupon he spent his time on the Propheticall and Apostolicall writings the fountaines of all heavenly doctrine seeking thence to enforme his minde with Gods will and to nourish in himself the feare of God and true faith in Christ from true and undoubted grounds Some sicknesse and feare whet him on to attempt these studies more earnestly It is said Luther fell into a grievous sicknesse An. 1501. A Priest comforted him The Monks used him hardly that in this Colledge Luther in his younger yeers fell into a most violent disease in so much that there was no hope of life and that an ancient Priest came to him and with these words comforted him Sir Be of good courage for your disease is not mortall God will raise you up to be a man who shall afford comfort to many others At the first the Monks handled him somewhat harshly whilest he performed the office of the Custos and was compelled to cleanse the uncleane places as also to walk up and down the Citie with a bagge or wallet But upon the request of the Universitie of which he had been a member he was eased of that burden He was often cheered up by conference with the ancient Priest to whom he revealed his feares and scruples of minde and heard him discoursing of faith at large and going on the Creed to the Article The Article of remission of sinnes explained I beleeve the Remission of sins Which he thus explained Namely that a man must not onely in generall beleeve that sinnes are remitted to some men as to David and to Ester for this the devils beleeve but that God commands that we should each man in particular beleeve that our sinnes be forgiven us in Christ Jesus This exposition said he is confirmed by St. Bernard and shewed him the place in his Sermon upon the Annuntiation where these words are to be found Bernard Sermon of the Annunt But adde this and beleeve this also that thy sins are forgiven thee for Christs sake This is the Testimony in thy heart which the spirit of God giveth saying Thy sins are forgiven thee For the Apostle thus determines of the matter That a man is freely justified by faith Luther said that he was not onely confirmed in the truth but also put in minde of Saint Paul ever in these words asserting this trueth We are justified by faith Concerning this point after that he had read the expositions of divers men he further said that from the speeches of Paul he observed to accrew unto himself much comfort and great light to discerne the vanitie of other interpretations which then were used Then he began to read St Augustines workes He read St Augustine where both in his Comment on the Psalmes and in the booke Of the Spirit and letter he found many evident places which confirmed this doctrine concerning faith c And writers on the sentences and the comfort which was before kindled in his breast Yet did he not utterly cast of the reading of Gabriel and Camaracensis writers on the Sentences but was able to recite them by heart in a manner He spent much time in often reading Occam and esteemed him for acutenesse of wit before Thomas Aquinas and Scotus also he studiously perused Gerson But chiefly he read often Austins workes and kept them well in memory This earnest prosecution of his studies he began at Erphord and spent there five yeares in the Colledge In the yeare 1507. he put on the priests hood He began to say Masse An. 1507. B. 1. Epist 1. The first Masse which he celebrated was May 2. Domini Cantate Then was he 24. yeares old In this course he continued 15. yeares to the yeare of our Lord 1527. At that time Io. Staupicius who endeavored to promote the university of Wittenberg lately begun He was removed to Wittenberg An. 1508. desired that the study of Theologie should there flourish and well knew the wit and learning of Luther and removed him to Wittenberg An. 1508. when he was 26. yeares old Here in regard of his daily exercises in the schooles and his sermons the eminency of his good parts did more and more shew themselves And among other learned men who attentively heard him Martinus Mellurstad commonly cal'd Lux mundi Mellurstads Judgement of Luther the light of the world often said of Luther that there was in him so noble a straine of wit that he did verily presage that he would change the vulgar course of studies which at that time was usuall in schooles and prevailed He was professor of Philosophy at Wittenberg and inveyes against Arist Tom. 1. Epist 10. He went to Rome An. 1510. What manner of Masses at Rome Tom. 6. Ien. Germ. pag. 88. At Wittenberg Luther first explained Aristotles Logick and Physickes yet intermitted not his study of Divinitie Three yeares after that is An. 1510. he was sent into Italy and to Rome in the behalfe of his Covent for the deciding of some controver-among the Monkes There he saw the Pope and the Popes palace and the manners of the Roman Clergie Concerning which he sayth I was not long at Rome There I sayd and heard others say Masse but in that manner that so often as I call them to minde I detest them For at the Table I heard among other matters some Curtisans laugh and boast and some concerning the bread and wine on the Altar to say Bread thou art and bread thou shalt remaine Wine thou art and wine thou shalt remaine He further addeth that the priests celebrated the Masses so hastily and perfunctorily that he left
then that Luther was first to be heard in the Councel before he was to be condemned The Popes Legate accuseth Luther 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. Laurent Campegius the Popes Legate made Pope in Adrians steed sent Laur. Campegius the Cardinal his Legate 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. Erasmus wrote against Luther being much importuned thereunto perswaded by the King of England and Thomas Wolsey Cardinal wrote against Luther He put forth against his will as he wrote to Melancthon the Treatise concerning free-will What was Luhers judgement about the same that which he wrote to Spalatinus sheweth Tom. 2. epist 230. namely It is incredible how I disdaine 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 Muncers writing against Luther 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 The Psalmes put forth c. 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 Of Benno Bishop 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 Luther casts away his monkish weed 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 Of calling a Counsel 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 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 Reformation in the Cathedal Church at Wittenberg Tom. 2. Ep. p. 246. 1525. 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. The Boores rise in armes is famous by the rising of the Boores when this broyle was a hatching and the Rustick 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 Luther exhorts to quell them 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 The contention with Carolostade 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 The Anabaptists 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 The name of Masse 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
EFFIGIES DOCTISSIMI UIRI MARTIN LUTHER THEOLOGI OBYT 17 FEBRUA Aº 1546. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF Dr MARTIN LVTHER The Passages whereof haue bin taken out of his owne and other Godly and most Learned mens writings who liued in his time MVLIER AMICTA SOLE HABENS LVNAM SVB PEDIBVS CORONATA XII STELLIS Eâ—â—â—esia Milvâ—â—â— 1. Thess 5 12 13 Wee beseech you bretheren to know them Who labour among you etc and to esteeme them very highly for there worke sake and be at peace among your selues LONDON Printed by I L for Iohn Stafford and are to be sould at his shop in Chancery lane ouer against the Rolles 1641. To THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sr. THOMAS ROE Knight Chancellour of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell TO whom rather should I addresse this present discourse then to your Honourable selfe who by your a Ann. Dom 1628. and once since that time Embassie extraordinary for his Majestie of England into Germany well observed the countrey and the present estate thereof where many passages here mentioned were acted And much the rather doe I humbly present it to your Honourable Patronage because upon that happie occasion it pleased our gracious God to put then into your mind and to nourish therein ever since a serious consideration of the deplorable distractions of the Christian Church as he did into good b Nehem. 1. 2. Nehemiahs minde of the lamentable estate of Ierusalem in his time Your compassionate and tender affection was and is still much moved to c Segnius irritant aâ—imos demissa per aures quam que sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus Hor. observe the living stones of the New Ierusalem lying in the dust or drencht in their own blood some of her Priests and their flocks clad in Sackcloth others with their people by sword and fire cast out and banished and which is worst of all your Honour well discerned how difficult a task it was to cure this fearfull maladie because disaffection of parties dissention of opinions unlesse God prevented the mischiefe would not admit the binding up of the wound Nor did these miserable calamities of Gods people only vex and grieve your pious and religious soule but also so rouzed and summoned up your Honours most serious thoughts that with d As the good Samaritan not only pitied but took care of the wounded man an heartie and godlie providence with a sincere and prudent circumspection you presentlie consulted with other most learned religious Christian lovers of Gods Church about the peace thereof so far as possiblie may be attained and so far as it lies in the power of Christian Princes of most judicious Divines and of truly zealous people guided by them both that as much as may be we may all be e Christians shold be peaceable one with another the devill and the world raise stirs too many to molest the Church of one minde and accord and think and speak one and the same thing as the sacred Scripture often and straightly giveth us in charge For this end Mr. Iohn Dury a Divine of singular pietie learning truly studious of the Churches peace and incomparably sedulous to advance the same and first interessed in the work by your Honourable means and incouragement hath so much prevailed with many illustrious f This by severall instruments signed by them will plainly appear Princes States and the most eminent learned men in Germany and the parts adjoyning that the work is very wel promoted and an heartie inclination wrought towards a good correspondencie for Ecclesiasticall peace God grant your Honour life and health that to your great comfort and all true Christians joy you may shortly see the work come to more maturitie and perfection Amidst your Honours grave and weightie intendments for this and other occasions of much concernement may you please to reflect on this discourse I conceive that there be many passages therein very considerable for these and after times and that they will make much for the exciting of our thankefulnesse to God when we behold from what beginnings in an 100 and few moe yeares Gods truth hath risen and Papisticall and Anabaptisticall errour faln It is remarkable that the points by D. Luther mainly opposed were Indulgences the Popes boundlesse power merit of workes Purgatory Communion but in one kinde all g When walled Cities and Castles are taken Villages must yeeld Isor chiefe points and palpably and and undeniably grosse And on the other side that he stood up against the Anabaptists rebaptization of themselves their not baptizing infants as not commanded by Christ their having all things in common as had the Primitive Christians Acts 2.44 and against the Antinomians heresies concerning the law and other like erroneous fancies It is also observable that Dr. Luther striking at the Popes unlawfull power never sought to exalt himselfe to honour or h He left his wife and three children in want and distresse too manifest a signe thereof riches For though as he saith he himselfe with other learned men executed Episcopall Authority in visiting the Churches of Saxony reforming things amisse yet he knowing his talent fittest for the Chaire of Wittenberg never would rise higher but wrote a book concerning Christian Episcopacy and installed Nicolas Amsdorf Bishop of Neoburg and George Anhaltinus Bishop of Mersburg And in regard that Luther studied and read as Professor Philosophie of divers kinds was well versed in the Fathers and in Aquinas Scotus Occam other Schoolmen and attained to the Greek and Hebrew tongues he was thereby i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist inabled rightly and soundly and gravely and not k Some who know nothing doâ—e about questions and strife of worâ—â— c. 1 Tim. 6.4 ignorantly rashly or humorously to judge of these studies and of their use in Theologie It was also very commendable in him that he disliked railing discourse without solid and concluding arguments slighted foolish and groundlesse calumnies reproved young students forward and rash attempts without authority for the promoting of his cause blamed the headie and disorderly tumults raised by the Boores and vulgar sort confessed ingenuously his doubting of some points his ignorance in others and craved pardon if having beene lately a Popish Monk he should in any point erre from the truth Seeing this was D. Luthers prudent and religious course I shall never marvell at his * The cause required it And God sweetly â—â—oderated Luthers vehemency with P. Melancthons mild and calm temper Heroicall Spirit and impregnable confidence of Gods assistance and of the successe of his attempts and on very good ground famous and worthy Princes countenanced and assisted him as a man by his then opposites convicted of no errour doing much good service in the University offering his cause to any just triall appealing from the Pope to the Generall Counsell
and in his whole course manifesting l Lutheri vitam apud nos nemo non probat Eras Epis lib 5. a true correspondence of his life with his doctrine Much more I might here adde but will not longer detaine your Honour from the discourse it selfe I humbly beseech our gracious God who inabled D. Luther to be an excellent instrument for the reformation of the Christian Church for beating downe of errour and setting up of Gods Truth that he would implant in us all quiet temperate and Christian affections m Luther endured not to have any one called a Lutheran And Erasmus saith Prorsus odi ista dissidiorum nomina Christi sumus omnes lib. Ep. 2. and love of Christs Name still more and more perfect the setling of Truth and building up of his Church untill we all become living stones in the spiritual Temple fitted for our God The same God of peace crowne your Honourable selfe and all sincere promoters of Christian peace with peace externall and internall here and with eternall blisse hereafter So prayeth he who is Your Honours ever to be commanded Thomas Hayne Christian Reader DAvid a man after Gods owne heart as in other respects so especially in not forgetting any of Gods benefits but frequently and sweetly descanting on them in his sacred songs of praise among many other blessings mentions Gods gracious leading his people out of Egypt teaching them by the ministery of Moses and Aaron The like thankfulnesse to God should we shew in our a These are a chiefe and excellent work of the New Testament Church Rev. 4. Rev. 7.11 12. Rev. 153. hymns of glorie to God as for infinite other favours in these later times so especially for our comming out of the spirituall Egypt by the Ministery of Dr. Mart. Luther The goodnesse of God to the Israelites and Us is much alike in both these our deliverances For when Egypts tyrannie was growne to extremity and Romes heresies at full maturity God seasonably put to his hand and by Moses then bred up in Pharaohs Court and by D. Luther lately trained up in Monkery shewed a like mercy to us both However men did project to bend the excellent endowments of these worthy men to their owne purposes God turned them to better use and seasoning them with his grace fitted them for the confusion of the Old New Egypts God will be b When the event is seene then wee can observe how Godshand was in the worke plainly knowne to have matters of great importance at his owne disposing He of his great goodnesse directs to the right object his servants ardent zeale to do good as in judgement he lets the malicious and envious zeale of both Egypts persist in an evill course to their overthrow Hence it was that as God took off S. Paul from his blinde and unseasonable zeale for Moses Law in the Pharisaicall way and bent it to the advancing of the Gospell So he quelled Luthers raging fury and intent c As S. Paul did to vex and kil Christians Act. 9.1 22.19 to vex and kill the opposers of the Pope put a zealous spirit into him for the maintenance of sacred Truth and the downfall of Popish superstition And indeed rightly did Erasmus judge that d Epist B. 14. pag. 453. those corrupt times called for a sharpe and launcing and fearing Chirurgion to cure their long festered maladies For the worship of God and the truth of Religion was then as amongst the Israelites in Elias time much depraved and defaced and required a magnanimous and undaunted spirit like to that in Elias to reforme matters extreamly out of frame Erasmus saw full well how difficult a taske D. Luther underwent and for his owne part and undertaking was assured that if the e He foresaw that by these Novum saeculun brevi exoriturum lib. Epist 3. knowledge of good Arts of polite Learning of the Originall tongues of the Sacred Scripture florisht that the dark fogs of Popery could not long continue undispel'd And therefore he complyed with all f Even with George Duke of Sax. whom Luther found most opposite to the Gospell Eras epist B. 12 pag. 430. Princes and g Hee praised some for learning that they might strive to be praise-worthy for it Epist pag. 351. men studious of good letters whatsoever to make a knowing world and would in no wise though earnestly set upon both by loving intreaties and kinde usage as also by bitter calumnies and harsh railings of the Pontificians doe any thing of speciall moment against Luther He was confident that if Luther being violently opposed and maliced should faile yet the Truth of Christ by the light of all good literature and Gods blessing would maugre all the Papists malice get the upper hand and spread it selfe But God was abundantly gracious to D. Luther and made him as Ieremy h Ier. 1.18 a defenced citie an iron pillar and a wall of brasse against which his Antagonists could in no wise prevaile Had a spirit of pride or contention or any by-respect set Luther on work against the Pope or had he stood upon questions litigious or of an indifferent nature he could never have begun with that courage gone forward with that confidence come off with that honour which he did The blessing of God and a good conscience bore him out to take such incredible paines in reading preaching translating commenting disputing writing advising the Politicall State directing the Ecclesiasticall restraining the Papists fury from open war counselling some Protestants from too hastie proceedings preventing tumultuous designes avoiding secret traps set for him and in daily praying to God for the prosperity of the Gospell All true Christians will heartily blesse God for him and his resolute and happy beginning of Reformation if Papists who notoriously defamed and slandered him in his life time persist still to calumniate him after his death * Men may judge something now by the good effect of his labours God in the last day will be judge betweene them Luther was and who is not subject to such weaknesses as humanity makes incident to the best men He knew his slips he acknowledged them he craved pardon for them Yea he considering that he was a man and might erre intrusted his learned and faithfull friend i These two by conjoyning their studies setled truth whereas in the Councel of Trent though some Divines saw the Truth yet the major part confirmed errour Melancthon to revise and moderate some of his Tenents after his decease In briefe Luthers faith was admirably strong in his God his labours and studies of singular benefit to Gods Church his books and writings very many and learned his life most pious and therefore his death full of comfort and blessed Accept good Reader this Treatise now presented unto you in an English dresse out of the learned and laborious work of Melchior Adamus and expect the Lives of other
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 Frederik Prince Elector obtained of the Emperour to call Luther to the Court held at Wormes in March An. 1521. Luther sene for to Wormes 1521. And goeth thither 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 Some dehort him 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 in so 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 Luther commeth to Wormes 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 Promise of safety to Luther was to be kept 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. Luther appeareth before Caesar 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 What he is to answer to 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 Luthers answer 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 sometime 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 to morrow about this houre you here present your self 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 Luther incouraged by divers present Mat. 10.19.20 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 Luthers second answer 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 Eckius indignation and reply When he had thus said Eckius with a sowre countenance replyed You answer not to the matter nor doth it pertaine to you to call the authoritie of the Councell into question A plaine and direct answer is required of you whether you desire that your writings should stand good Then said Luther Seeing you O Caesar and the Princes command me to answer punctually I obey This is my resolution Unlesse I be convicted by testimony of Scripture or evident reason I may not revoke any thing which I have written or spoken For I will not in any wise wound my conscience I do not conforme my beleefe to the Popes or the Councels determinations alone for they
have often erred and delivered contrarieties one to another I neither can nor will doe any thing concerning Gods word to the offence of my conscience Seeing it is neither safe nor honest to do any thing against conscience This will I stand to vary from this I may not God helpe me Amen When he was againe urged he persisted in this answer So they departed Caesars Letter to the Princes about Luthers cause The next day Caesar sent a letter to the assembly of the Princes this was the summe thereof Our ancestors and other Christian Princes obeyed carefully the Church of Rome which now Dr Martin Luther opposeth now because he is resolute not to yeeld one inch of his errors we cannot without a blemish to our name depart from the example of our ancestors but must defend the ancient faith and be assistant to the Sea of Rome we will then excomunicate Martin Luther himselfe and all his adherents and take any other course which may conduce to extinquish these disputes But we will not in any wise violate and breake our promise made to him under our seale but give him safe conduct to the place whence he came This Letter of Caesar was diligently and a good while scanned in the Senate by the Princes It is reported that some there were among them who would have followed the decree and practise of the Councel of Constance and held themselves not bound to make good the promise of his safe return But some of the Princes especially Lodowik Prince Palatine as it is reported earnestly withstood them Wherefore they judged that not onely fidelitie was to be observed towards him but also that he was not rashly to be condemned because the matter was of very great consequence whatsoever the Emperour decreed whom being newly come to the Imperiall seat they did well perceive to be pressed and provoked by the Popes instruments against Luther After a few dayes the Archbishop of Triers and other Princes The Archbishop of Triers dealing with Luther Sleidan B. 3. who by Caesars permission were present call Luther April 24. unto them The Bishop then in a friendly manner delt with him to desist from his resolution But Luther giving him thankes for care of his safety stood firmly in his former doctrine and submitted what ever he had written to Caesars and the Princes perusall and judgement so that they tried them by Gods word When the Bishop asked him what remedy he knew or could advise for these stirres Luther answered None other then that of Gamaliel in the Acts of the Apostles If this counsel and proceeding be of Men it will not continue if of God no power of man can dissolve it And this he besought him to signifie to the Pope The Bishop againe said What if the Articles were collected and submitted to the Councel Luther answered Yes they might so that they were not the same which the Councel at Constance condemned The Bishop replying that he feared they would be the very same Luther couragiously answered Those will I defend though I was presently to die Hereupon the Bishop quietly dismissed Luther who intreated him that he might have leave to returne to his friends and have safe conduct from Caesar The Bishop promised to obtaine it for him and a little while after sent Eckius the officer of Caesar to signifie to Luther that he had free liberty to depart under Caesars protection within 21. dayes withall he was bid not to preach in his journey home nor to write any thing which might rayse further stirres Luther answered As it seemeth good to the Lord so be it blessed be the name of God Afterward he gave humble thankes to Caesar and the Princes and commended himselfe to them Luthers departure from Wormes On the 26. of April Luther taking his leave departed from Wormes Casp Sturmius a Messenger some houres after followed him and found him at Openheim Luther being in his journey sent Letters backe both to Caesar and the Princes Electors and States of the Empire commending himselfe and his cause to them and sayd he was ready to doe any thing Luther excommunicate proscribed which was meet except to revoke any thing that he knew to be warranted by Gods word The Emperour hereupon May the 28. proscribed Luther whom Pope Leo on the 28. of March on the day of the administration of the Lords Supper had excommunicated At this all men stood earnestly expecting what those thunder-bolts would effect Frederik the Elector a prudent Prince seeing Luther to have incurred the hatred of all that no danger might seize on him committed the businesse of conveying Luther into some safe place where he might be free from accesse to some faithfull friends of the Nobility that there he should be kept private till Caesar was departed out of Germany They presently faithfully and secretly conveyed him to the Castle of Wartenburg neere Isenack Luther conveyed to Wartenburgh Luthers Patmos This place Luther afterward used to call his Patmos There were but eight privy to this who did it with that secrecy that not any but themselves could know what was become of him It is reported that the Papists set their wisards on worke to descry him but they could not certainly designe the place where he was Luther abode in that woody wildernesse about tenne monethes and in this retirednesse wrote diverse usefull Treatises for the Church Luthers works written in this his retirednesse as the Explications of the Gospels and Epistles dedicated to Albertus of Mansfield the book against Latomus about sinne remaining in the regenerate Besides he cut in two the two sinnewes of the Popes kingdome namely Private masse taken away at Wittenberg Private Masses and Monastick Vowes which books he dedicated to the Augustine Friers who in his absence abrogated private Masses and began to dispute about Monastick Vowes and to his Father They of Wittenberg also gave a reason to the Elector why they did so and shewed to what end Temples and Colledges were instituted at the first that is not for private Masses but that young people might be there brought up piously and that the meanes they were indowed with were for the use of both Readers and scholars that were in want And that this buying and selling of Masses was crept in within foure hundreth yeeres of that time Luther found courteous entertainment and kind respect in that his wildernesse for in his Epistles he often mentions the friendly offices of his Hoste to whom he preached on the Lords day and at Festivall times in his private Chappell Luthers taking the aire and his recreation Some times Luther for his healths sake went forth into the strawberry groves and somewhat farther into the Monasteries which were neere taking upon him the name Iunker George a noble man and accompanied onely with one attendant who was faithfull and secret and would often warne Luther in the places where they were entertained not presently to
The flesh profiteth nothing 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 Ordering of Ministers 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 German songs and a book of the abomination of the Masse in which he galled the Popish sore backtjades Luther writeth to Strasburg about Carolostade 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 Luthers answer 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 the 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 Strasburgh 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 marrieth Luther being fortie two yeers old of a sudden and unexpectedly 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 Schurfius 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 Cameratius in the life of Melancthon 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 pacified 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 many rich and of great power to speak against him bitterly and with open mouth to reproach him when especially the very time did help forward and set them on who were minded so to do And of what power the conveniency of time is in every action all know full well But when he perceived that Luther himself was somewhat troubled with the same thoughts he not onely moderated his passion but did cheere up Luther and endeavoured to ease his griefe and sorrow with pleasant conference and thereby brought him to his wonted cheerefulnesse again What Luthers adversaries did about this marriage Luthers adversaries not onely observed the time of the marriage but proclaimed the marriage to be incestuous in which a Monk married a Nun. Hereupon the King of England in his Answer to Luther stiles this marriage incestuous and there saith among other opprobries put upon Luther that he could not have committed a sinne of higher nature Conradus Collinus Prior of Cullen and Ierome Emsenus * Chaplain to George Duke of Saxony the best Divine among the Papists wrote virulently and disgracefully of this marriage Yea some there were whom Erasmus gave credit unto who laid a sinne to Luthers charge from which the time of his childs birth did acquit him Against these disgraces Luther thus animated himself saying Luthers answer to their opprobries If my marriage be a work of God what wonder is there if the flesh be offended at it It is offended even at the flesh which God our Creator took and gave to be a ransome and food for the salvation of the world if the world was not offended with me I should be offended with the world and should feare that it was not of God which I have done Now seeing the world is vexed and troubled at I am confirmed in my course and comforted in God The cause of Luthers marriage So do you The cause of his marriage he there also relateth saying We resigned the revenew of the Monastery to the Prince I who abode in the Monastery so long as it pleased God now like a private housekeeper I have not married to prolong my life but seeing my dissolution neerer approaching and people with their Princes to rage against me that I might leave mine own doctrine for the weaks sake confirmed by mine own example for my doctrine
Lord Iesus Christ thus professe and beleeve That faith alone without respect to our good workes doth justify us before God An exelent Protestation of M. Luther and that this Article cannot be overthrown by the Roman Emperour or the Turk or the Tartarian or the Persian nor by the Pope or all his Cardinals Bishops Sacrificers Monks Nunnes Kings Princes Potentates of the world and all the Devils This Article will they nill they will stand Hell gates cannot prevayle against it The spirit of God doth dictate this unto me this is the true Gospel For thus the Article in the mouth of all Christian children hath it I beleeve in Iesus Christ crucified and dead Now no man died for our sinnes but Iesus Christ the sonne of God the one and onely sonne of God I say it again again Iesus the one and onely son of God redeemed us from our sinnes This is most surely grounded undoubted Doctrin this the whole scripture crieth out aloud though the devils all the world storme and burst with anger at it And if he alone take away the sinnes of the world we verily cannot doe it with our workes and it is impossible that I can lay hold on Christ otherwise then by faith he is never apprehended by my good workes And seeing faith alone layeth hold on our Redeemer and not our workes the concomitants of our faith it abideth undoubted truth that faith alone before our works or without our works considered doth this which is nothing else but to be justified but to be redeemed from our sinnes Then good works follow our faith as the effects and fruits thereof This doctrin I teach and this the Spirit of God and the whole Christian Church delivereth for truth In this I will persist Amen With these two writings The Admonition to the Germans and The interpretation of Caesars Edict Luther madded the nest of the Popish Hornets who thereupon put forth a book against him but without any mans name to it Luther sharply answered this book In the book Weber den Wrucht c. and gravely acquitted himself of the crimes objected against him that is That he denyed the yeelding obedience to Caesar that he himself was a Trumpet for rebellion and sedition that all things written by him concerning the designes of the Pope were figments and lies But he proved them to be true by many remarkable sayings and deeds of the Pontificians which are contained in * Tom. 5. of his works at len p. 304 c. An. 1532. his German writings and other books by him set out this yeere In the yeere 32. by Gods goodnesse and the intercession of the Archbish of Mentz and the Elector Palatine the Emperour a First peace to the Protestants granted Peace to the Protestant Churches upon some certain conditions propounded to the Duke of Saxony especially Which that he should most willingly embrace Luther by his b Sleid. B. 8. p. 205. letter seriously perswaded the then present Elector and his sonne Frederik who soone after succeeded his father For this very yeere the 16 day of August that godly Duke a most constant confessour of the Evangelicall truth departed this life For the perpetuating of whose memory Luther made two funerall Sermons and Melancthon a funerall oration at his buriall which expressed the Idea or Character of a good Prince An. 1533. Luther comforted the Oschatz In the yeere 1533. Luther comforted the Citizens of Oschatz by his letter who had been turned out for the confession of the Gospel In his letter he saith The Devil is the Host and the World is his Inne so that where ever you come you shall be sure to find this ugly Hoste A controversie with George Duke of Saxony He answered also the Elector of Saxony to this question How farre it is lawfull to take up armes in our own defence Especially now there was a great controversie betweene Luther and George Duke of Saxony who of old hated most vehemently Luther and his doctrin Therefore that the Protestant partie might not be inlarged by his peoples embracing it he bound them all by oath not to receive Luthers doctrin He also provided that the Citizens of Leipsick who coming to Confession after the Papists manner and then received the Sacrament should have a ticket given them which afterward they should redeliver to the Senate About seventie were found without tickets For these consulted with Luther what they should do Luther answered That they should do nothing contrary to their consciences as men which firmely beleeved that they should receive the Sacrament in both kinds and that they should undergo any extreamitie In the Epistle are these words Seeing now Duke George dareth undertake to dive into the secrets of mens consciences he is worthy to be deceived because he will be the Devils Apostle Hereupon Duke George wrote to the Elector of Saxony his cousen German and accused Luther both of giving him base language and also of stirring up the people under his command to rebellion The Elector wrote this to Luther and told him that unlesse he can cleare himself he must receive condigne punishment Upon this occasion Luther refuted this accusation and denyed That he ever counselled them to resist their Prince but that patiently they would endure their banishment And that he was so farre from infringing the authoritie of the Magistrate that no man did more stoutly confirme it or more fully declare it George the Duke called the Devils Angel And that George the Duke was called the Devils Angel for the Subjects sake because they should not thinke that the Edicts were a lawfull Magistrates but the devils Luther comforts the banished Citizens of Leipsick He joyned thereunto an epistle to them of Leipsick to comfort them in their banishment and to counsell them cheerfully to undergo their present calamitie and to give God thanks for giving them courage constancy He told them that this rejoycing of their adversaries was neither sound nor lasting and that it would perish sooner then any man thought and that all attempts of the enemies of the Gospel were hitherto frustrate by Gods singular favour into the ground Luthers lesse Apologie He wrote also a briefe Apologie in which he cleareth himself of these crimes objected against him Namely that he was a lyer a broâ—ker of his promise an Apostate Here denying the former he yeelded himself to be an Apostate or revolter but a blessed and holy one who had not kept his promise made to the Devil and that he was no other revolter then a Mammeluke who turneth Christian or a Magician who renouncing his covenant made with the Devil betaketh himself to Christ To these passages he added divers things concerning Monkery Of the dispute with the Devil And again in a new Treatise he oppugned private Masse and their consecration of Priests In this Treatise he related his Disputation with the Devil which the
difficulty of urine from some stopping I hope all danger is past But if it be from the bignesse of any stone I trust that the danger will be much the lesse and that you have a prudent and faithfull Physitian whom I pray God to direct and assist From Smalcald 1537. An. 1537. Here the Pope rejourned the meeting of the Synod from the first of November to the first of May the yeere following and designed the place for it to be Vincentia a large and renowned City of the Venetians and sent thither some of the Cardinals to begin the Councel He pretended a serious consultation for the purging the Augean Stable and now commended the same busines to some choise men but omitted the propounding of the oath to them and would that no man should know the intent of this reformation Yet was it not long hid and as soone as it was taken notice of in Germany Luther in the vulgar tongue and Iohn Sturmius in Latine wrote to the Reformers an answer Luthers booke by a picture in the frontispice shewed its argument Luthers booke of the Popes reformation For the Pope was pictured sitting on a high throne with some Cardinals standing round who with Fox tails on the end of long poles The Popes reformation turned to smoake as with brushes cleansed all parts above and beneath At length all that reformation came to nothing by whose policy and tricks it is well enough knowne Luther now divulged one of the chiefe Articles of the Papists belief namely concerning Constantines donation with annotations confuting it for the Pontificians sake He published also some Epistles of Iohn Hus which were sent to the Bohemians in the prison at Constance An. 1516. and wrote a preface to the Spiritualty The Legend of Iohn Chrysostom who would be present at the Councel He sent also to the Pope Cardinals and Prelates the Legend concerning Iohn Chrysostome with a preface and annotations Luther of the Helvetians He sent also an Epistle written in a way of friendly compliance to them of the Evangelical league concerning the Concord of the Helvetians and therein shewed his consent and what was his judgement concerning the Supper of the Lord. Here The sect of the Antimonians as if the Church had not contentions enow already the new Sect of the Antinomians start up Their chief ring-leader was Iohn Agricola of Isleben who formerly had been familiarily acquainted with Luther They held that repentance was not to be taught from the decalogue and they reasoned against them who taught that the Gospel was not to be taught to any but to such as were humbled by the Law And they themselves taught that whatsoever a mans life was though impure yet he was justified so that he beleeved the Gospel Thus Luther was put to a new paines and at large confuted them And shewed that the Law was not given that we might be justified by it but to shew us our sinnes and to terrifie our consciences Therefore the Law was first to be taught and the Gospel afterward which sheweth the Mediator Iohn Agricola being better instructed by Luther acknowledged his errour and revoked it under his owne hand in publique An. 1538. Sim. Lemnius his libel About this time An. 1538. neere Whitsontide Melancthon being Rector of the University the summer halfe yeere one Sim. Lemnius put forth a booke of Epigrams by which some thought the fame of diverse men and women was blemished Luther hereupon shewed himselfe to be as ever a detester of such notorious libels and wrote an Epistle to the Church of Wittenberg in which he inveighed against the Author of the libell and shewed how he disliked the course of this base Poet. But the Author escaped and afterward by most impudent lying set forth so filthy and impure writings that all good people judged Sleid. b. 12. Camerarius in Melancthons life that he was not to be pardoned for his former folly and that what evill soever befell him it was farre lesse then his wickednesse and madnesse deserved This yeere also were put forth the three Oecomenicall Creeds with Luthers annotations and exposition In the yeere 1539. An. 1539. were agitated deliberations with much care and difficultie concerning the obtaining peace of the Emperour because many feared an attempt unjustly to oppresse the State Luther therefore together with his Collegues of Wittenberg Of lawfull defence composed and put forth a Treatise concerning a Defence lawfull approved and not contrary to Gods will Of the name of Councels and the Church And because now the name of the Councell and Church were in every mans mouth Luther put forth a book in their mother tongue concerning both of them In the Preface whereof he saith that the Pope by calling a Councell doth play with the Church of Christ as they do with a Dog who offer him a crust of bread on the point of a knife and when the Dog taketh it knock him on the nose with the handle thereof to make such as see it laugh Luther in that booke declared the authoritie of the Scriptures And then treats of the councell Apostolicall of the Nicene Constantinopolitan Ephesine Carthaginian Councels And sheweth what a Councell is and which to be called true what are the signes and works thereof and that Christian Schooles are perpetuall Councels and therefore that they are with great care to be maintained as much advancing the good of the Ecclesiasticall Politicall Oeconomicall Hierarchy on earth About the Conclusion of the Smalcald Assembly George Duke of Saxony dyeth Henry succeeds April 24. George Duke of Saxony died childlesse and declared Henry his brother with his sons Maurice and Augustus his heires upon condition that they should not alter the Religion which if they should attempt he bequeathes his whole territories to King Ferdinando to have and hold the same till the condition was observed But whilest the Embassadours treat with Henry about the same Protestancy in Mâ—snia making glorious propositions to him and promising him mountaines of gold He resolutely denyed to do it George died before the Embassadours could returne so that George otherwise then he intended held Henry for his heire Hereupon in Misnia was presently made such an alteration that whereas in Easter Holidaies the Papisticall Priests preached at Whitsontide Luther * Now fiftie yeeres old and his Schollers had free possession of the Pulpits So Luther here began Reformation others after him added perfection thereunto An. 1540. The conference at Hagenaw In the yeere 1540. it was decreed that the Divines should meet at Hagenaw on the Rhine and peaceably conferre about the Doctrin of controverted points Melancthon sick in his journey Melancthon journying thither fell into a grievous disease at Vinaria so that there he stayd and made his Will and prepared himself for death Hither Luther and Cruciger at the Electors instance took their journey both by night and day Here
Luther finding Melancthon pittyfully consumed with the disease weeping and sighing cried How excellent and usefull an instrument of the Church do we find miserably sick and almost dead And when he had saluted him Luther prayeth for Melancthon c. He fell down on his knees and heartily prayed for him and then performed what friendly offices he could by comforting admonishing and sometimes chiding the sick man Of this Melancthon thus wrote to Camerarius I cannot by words expresse what paines I have undergone into which sometimes I have a relaspe I perceived also that Doctor Luther was much afflicted in minde for me but he concealed his sorrow because he would not encrease mine And endeavoured to cheere me up with his noble courage sometimes comforting sometimes reproving me somewhat sharply Had he not come to me I had died This yeere Robert Barnes a learned Divine was burnt at London the last of Iune Robert Barnes burnt at London for witnessing to Gods truth He was familiarly known to Luther upon his coming to Wittenberg in the Embassie about the divorce made by King Henry His confession printed by Luther Luther caused the Confession of this his friend and the faithfull Martyr of Christ to be printed with his Preface and besides admonished the Pastours by another peculiar Treatise to inveigh against Usurers and Usury In the beginning of the yeere 1541. An. 1541. Myconius sick and comforted by Luther Luther wrote a consolatory letter to Frederik Myconius lamentably spent with a Consumption and affirmed that himself could have no joy to live if he died and thereupon wished that he himself might first lay down the tabernacle of his weake body and said that he was verily perswaded that his prayers should be granted for Myconius life As indeed it came to passe for Myconius out-lived Luther six yeers and would say that Luther obtained this for him by his prayers After Easter Bernard the infant sonne of Iohn of Anhalt was baptized at Dessaw Here Luther preached two Sermons to the Courtiers the Brother of the Prince of Anhalt and the Bishop of Brandenburgh which were printed He wrote also an Answer to a rayling book of one Iohn â—udding whom he calleth Hans Wurst Wherein he defended himself and his doctrin against the Papists and their Popish errours Tom. 7. Jen. He put forth also an Exhortation to prayer against the Turk and answered the Princes questions concerning Transubstantiation Free-will Justification by faith and other points About this time the Bishoprick of Neoburg by Sala was voyd There Nicolas Amsdorf a Divine born of a noble Family An. 1542. was enstalled by Luther at the command of the Elector of Saxony the Patron of that Diocesse and Iulius Pflugius whom the Canons of the Colledge chose was refused Luther placed him in the Bishoprick Ian. 20. An. 1542. This thing as many conceived gave occasion to other stirres and very much offended the Emperour who much affected Pfugius for divers respects Of this see more in Amsdorfs life After this Luther wrote a book in the German tongue and call'd it The Pattern of the inauguration of a true Christian Bishop The Alcoran in the German tongue He published at that time the Alcoran which by Richard a Dominican was translated into the vulgar tongue He added to it a faithfull admonition concerning the abandoning the Turks doctrin and affirmed that not the Turk but the Pope was Antichrist And upon a difference rising between the Elector of Saxony and Maurice concerning the territories and town of Wurceâ— so that warre was likely to ensue Luther with weightie reasons in his letters disswaded both the Princes from their designes He further also opened his judgement about a Position some yeeres agone by him propounded Namely that to warre against the Turk was nothing else but to fight against God who useth him as his whip to scourge us Now also he wrote a consolatory letter concerning abortive birthes and bringing forth dead children The yeers 1543 and 44 An. 1543. produced many great troubles and stirres For now the Sacramentary contention began afresh to Melancthons great grief Camerarius in the life of Melancthon whom some attempted to set at jarres with Luther Some there were also who sought to coole Luthers heat and spake little more favourably of the Rhenan Churches then of the Turks Wherefore when Christopher Froschoverus the Printer of Tigur sent Luther a copie of his Tigurin Bible then Printed Luther to the Printer to Tigur Luther admonished him by his letter that he should not publish anything which came to him from the Ministers of Tigur and that he had nothing to do with them nor would receive or read their books that the Churches of God could not joyne in Communion with them who already were running into the way of Perdition and would bring others into hell and damnation and that he would oppugne them with his prayers and books whilest he lived Luther writeth against the Jews And now Luther first wrote against the Jews and refuted their lies and their blasphemous conceit about Shemhamphoras the name of God expounded He also wrote his judgement His answer to C. Schwenckfeld and a short answer to Casp Schwenckfelds book and letter whom he bad not to mention him in his writings and sent him away with this answer The Lord reprove Satan who is in thee confusion befall the Spirit which called thee and the course which thou runnest and all the Sacramentarians and Eutychians who partake with thee and all thy blasphemies Thou doest as they of whom it was written they ran and I sent them not they spake and I commanded them not His judgement about ceremonies and excommunication He wrote also his minde to others concerning the Ceremonies and excommunication he desired that there should be few Ceremonies and they tending to edification and that excommunication should be brought into the Church as a profitable discipline but could scarce hope to see it He admonished the young students at Wittenberg to avoyd fornication with which some then were taxed yea he threatned that he would hold no societie with men of that ill condition Luther at Mersberg and tarried some time at Mersburg with the Prince of Anhalt But afterward he was call'd to his ordinary taske by the University sending for him an honourable Embassie A commentary upon Davids last words About this time he wrote an excellent Commentary upon the last words of David wherein he soundly and plainly declared the Article of the Trinitie the distinction of the persons Christs Deitie and humanitie An. 1544. Commentary on Genesis In the yeere 1544. he finished the first part of his Commentaries on Genesis in which he often blameth the Sacramentarians and foretelleth that after his death many would oppugne Luthers doctrin Then in September he published the briefe and last Confession concerning the Eucharist wherein he expressely explaineth what in the