crueltie as hath not bene hearde of that hauyng taken two townes of their dominion Altorfe and Lanse he shut in not the townes men only but also the people he could fynde in the countrie and eattell and after set them on fyre in sondry places but chiefly about the gates pourposing doubtlesse to burne them all vp In the which fire they say chyldreÌ and women with chylde and many sicke persones which were not able to breake down the walles and escape were there miserably brent Touchinge that he saieth of altering their ReligioÌ they declare to be false for the league is made only to repulse violence from them and theirs And that he careth for no Religion it is well knowen to many and they also haue many thinges to saye in this behalfe But for the noble familie he commeth of and for certen Princes his kinsmen they wyll temper them selues The fift daye of Iuly Sigismunde kynge of Pole marieth the Lady Katherine daughter of kyng Ferdinando which had bene wyfe to the Duke of Mantua where as ten yeares synce he had maried his syster as is mentioned in the .xv. boke Edwarde the syxte kyng of Englande a Prynce of vndoubted and excellent hope the syxt daye of Iuly as it was knowen abroade departed out of this lyfe of a consumyng disease beyng of .xvi. yeares of age to the exceadynge great grief of all good and Godly men For after his death ensued a maruelous alteration of thynges in Englande as shal be declared hereafter It was bruted abroade that he was poysoned Certenly there was not in Europe a kyng of so great expectation these many yeares From his very chyldhode he was excellently well brought vp and instructed in vertue and learnyng and had not only the Latin tongue but the Greke and Frenche also and loued the doctrine of the Gospell exceadyngly and gaue vnto all learned men enterteinement and succour to Germaines Italians Frenchemen Scottes Spanyardes and Polonians What tyme both armies were not farre a sonder in Saxonie and the Marques was come ouer the water of Weser the nynth daye of Iuly at after none they ioyned in battell with all theyr forces After a longe fyght Duke Maurice whiche excelled in horsemen had the victory but he hym selfe beyng striken with a dagge through his bowels died within two dayes after The Marques came to Hanobrie in safitie There were slayne aboute foure thousande in a maner al horsemen There were taken exceadyng many Henry the Duke of Brunswycke loste in that conflicte two sonnes Charles and Philippe The nexte daye came fiue hondreth horsemen out of Boheme sent by kynge Ferdinando to Duke Maurice The Lantgraue had also sent to Duke Maurice seuen hondreth horsemen At the same tyme therfore there were together in one campe the Lantgraue and the Duke of Brunswick with the Byshoppes by a maruelous chaunge and contrarietie in thinges where Duke Ericke of Brunswicke that had maried Duke Maurice syster ayded Marques Alberte Many menne thought that tyme that lyke as kinge Ferdinando gaue ayde against Marques Albert so did the Emperour incourage and strengthen the Marques against Duke Maurice Howebeit the Emperours letters whiche hereafter I shall recite importe no suche kynde of thynges The Frenche kyng was sayde than to haue treated of newe deuises with Duke Maurice was ryght sory for his death Duke Maurice being caried into his Tente the same nyght wryteth letters to the Byshop of Wirtemburge his fellowe in that warre wherein he declareth the whole matter and saieth howe the victory is his but that he is sore wounded And supposeth that Albert is fliyng He admonysheth hym therfore that he commaunde the wayes to be layde for hym in certen places that he may be intercepted and not suffered to passe What so euer his owne state or ende shal be he is of a good conscience For he toke in hande this warre that he myght suppresse that disturber and recouer the quietnes of Germany He was buried at Fridberge a Towne of Meissen the fourtenth daye after the battell by Henry his father and his yong sonne Albert. He was .xxxii. yeares olde and vpwarde His presence was thought to be a great cause of the victory or els it was supposed that the Marques should haue wonne the fielde For many of his horsemen were fled There were taken of the ennemies and brought vnto hym out of the battell .liiii. enseignes and .xiiii. guidons For the whiche Duke Maurice in dede spent his owne lyfe but yet he ouerthrewe the force and power of the Marques For after that battell he was neuer able to gather any mayne power Whan the corps went through Lipsia Ioachim Camerarie made the oration funerall and speakyng muche in his commendation he rekened vp the wonders that went before his death Droppes of bloude styckynge vpon the leaues of trees the moste importune barkynge of Dogges and werieng one an other The neyinge of Horses hearde and the clatterynge and clankynge of Harnesse and certen other thynges full of terrour Againe his owne Tente ouerthrowen with a whirlewynde the residue standing still and not touched and certen wordes of his owne as forespeaking and prognosticating his death to come And certenly as touching those red droppes they were commonly sene in diuerse places and euen at Strasburge aboute the beginning of Iune what tyme they fell vpoÌ bowes grasse tyled houses and stones That tyme did there flie a wonderfull number of butterflies and some there were that sayde howe these bloudy droppes came of them Againe others iudged that it did pourteÌde and signifie some thing Betwene Duke Maurice and Marqes Albert being both of one age there had bene alwayes very great frendship so that there could be no derer frendes For thei both had serued the Emperour in thre warres together in the Frenche the Protestauntes and the warre of Maydenburge after this fourth and laste warre they attempted against the Emperour But displeasures arysing as before is sayd their amitie had at length this doulefull and sorouful ende What tyme Duke Maurice died his brother Augustus was in Denmarke with his wyfe with the kyng his father in lawe Wherfore the Nobilitie and States doe retaine parte of the armie for to defende his countrie about .xii. enseignes of fotemen and fiue guidons of horsemeÌ The residue are discharged and for the moste part retourned home with the funerall But the .xviii. daye of Iuly Marques Albert wryteth letters to the nobilitie and people of Duke Maurice Where as of late he went through their couÌtrie into Saxon he passed without harme doing for that he had no hostilitie in his mynde But Duke Maurice hath not only hurt men of his dominion but also to the intent to gratifie certen wicked periured bishops had renounced that auncient league that is betwene his familie and the house of Saxon in a maner for no cause after a strauÌge example had made warre against him Whiche thing being
that there be no fraude vsed towardes the preuileges and liberties of thempire that he impose no custome or droicte with out the assent of thelectours neither that through his letters he diminish the custome of thelectors that dwell by the Rhine If he haue any action agaynst any man that he shall trye the lawe and vse no force to suche as will aunswere to the lawe but stande to the ordre of lawe The goodes of the Empire whiche shall chaunce to be vacant he shall geue away to no man but a lotte them to the publicke Patrimonye If he shall wynne any foreine countrey throughe the aide of the states of Germany he shal annexe it to thempire if he shal recouer any publike thinge by his owne force and power he shall restore the same to the common welth that he shall ratifie that which was done in the vacation of thempire by the countie Palatine and the Duke of Saronie That he take no counsel to vnite Thempire to his house and posteritie as his propre inheritaunce but that he leaue to the seuen Princes fre Election according vnto the lawe of Charles the fourth prescript of the Canon lawe if he do any thinge otherwise to be frustrate and of none effect That so shortly as may be he repaire into Germany to be inuested What time the Ambassadours had approued these thinges with an othe in his name they deliuered vnto eche of the electors writinges therof sealed That whiche is here spoken of the Cannon lawe is conteined in the Epistle decretall of Innocentius the thyrde which testifieth that the seuen Princes electours haue fre authoritye to create themperor And that thempire goeth not by succession but by election Which InnoceÌtius liued about the yere of our Lord M.ii. C. Nowe let vs retourne to Luther About this same time Erasmus of Roterdam wrote letters from Andwarp to Frederick Duke of Saxonie wherein amonges other thinges he maketh mention of Luther saying that his bokes are ioyfullye receiued and red of good and well learned men and moreouer that his life is of no man reprehended for that it is farre from all suspicion of auarice or ambition But that the deuines of Louain hearinge that he is greatly oppressed with thaucthoritie of the Cardinall Caietan do nowe triumphe And in all theyr sermons and bankettes raile vpon him callynge him Heretike and Antichrist declaringe with mo wordes the same to be much contrary to theyr profession so to slaunder any man before he be comiicte of Heresye He wryteth also in a maner with the same woordes to the Archebishop of Mentz and to Cardinall Campegius tauntyng these sophisticall Diuines and Monkes whiche can not abide the studye of tonges and of eloquens nor of any good learnynge He writeth also to Luther very frendly from Louain and sayth howe he hath receyued receiued his epistle whiche declareth both the excellencie of his witte and also his christian hert shewinge him what a Tragedie his bokes haue styrred vp their and what hatred and suspicion he ronneth into of the Diuines and that he can preuaile nothinge by excusynge the the matter And howe there be many in Englande of great Estimation whiche thinke rightwell of his workes And that he himselfe hath tasted of his CoÌmentaries vpoÌ the Psalmes trusteth that they shall profit many for they like him very well but of one thing he would admonishe him that a man shall more preuaile with a certeine ciuile modestie then if he be to vehement And that he muste rather thunder against them which abuse the bishop of Romes authoritie then against the Bishoppes themselues with certeine other good counsels whiche he gaue him exhorting him to procede as he hath begonne Luther hauing thus manye aduersaries there was a disputation appoynted at Lypsia a towne of Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxonie Uncle to duke Friderike Thither came Luther Melanthon which read the Greeke Lecture at Wittenberge Thither came also Iohn Eccius a Diuine bothe stoute and bolde who the fourth day of Iulye began the disputation with Luther touching the supremacie of the bishop of Rome affirming that they which said that the church of Rome was not the fyrst and chiefest of all others euen before the time of Ciluester did erre for he that hathe the Seate and faith of Peter was euer taken for his successour and Christes Uicar in earthe For Luther had setforth one contrary to the same that suche as dyd attribute the supremacie to the Churche of Rome did ground themselues onely vpoÌ the Bishoppes decrees whiche were made foure hundreth yeres syns Which decrees are coÌtrary to all Histories written a thousande yeres past contrary to the holy scripture and to the counsell of Nice most famous of all others But Eccius mainteyneth the supremacie of the Bishoppe of Rome and called Luther which dissented from the same a Bohemer because Iohn Husse was in times past of the same opinion Luther aunswereth that the Churche of Christe was spreade abroade farre and nere twentie yeres before Peter came to Rome to establishe the Churche there therfore is it not the fyrst nor the chiefest by the law of God as he saieth then they disputed of Purgatory of IndulgeÌces of Penaunce of Remission of synne and of the authoritie of Priestes And ended their disputation the fourteneth day of Iuly whiche was not appointed for Luther but for Andrewe Carolostadius Eccius But Luther comming onely for the company of Carolostadius and to here was drawen forth by Eccius which had got him a saufe coÌduict of Duke of George so that he muste nedes dispute For Eccius was of a lustie courage by reason of the matter it selfe Wherein he thoughte him selfe assured of the victorye At the whiche disputation Luther set forth afterwardes And of the wordes wrytinges of his aduersaries throughe his wittye obseruation he collected diuerse articles of doctrine altogether as he termeth them hereticall to thintent he mighte playnely declare howe they whilest they speake and write all thinges in the fauor of the Bishop of Rome and of a desyre to maynteine theyr cause straiynge farre a broade do confounde most thinges which beynge nerer looked to conteyne ofte tymes great errours wickednes At the same tyme Ulrichus Zwinglius taught at Zuricke and shortly after the Byshop of Rome sent thither a Pardoner one Sampson a Graye Frere of Millan to gather vp money whom Zwinglius stoutly resisteth declarynge him to be a disceyuour of the people ¶ The seconde Booke of Sleidans Commentaries ⧠The argument of the seconde Booke AT the motion of Charles Miltice Luther wryteth to the Pope and dedicateth vnto him a Boke of the Christian Libertie Themperour hauynge passed throughe Englande came into his lowe countreyes Luther writeth a Boke of Fouretene Images of consolation of confession of Uowes prouyng that the Lordes Supper ought to be permitted to all meÌ vnder both kyndes There was obiected the Counsell of Laterane vnder Iuly the .ii.
saufe conscieÌce Wherfore he besecheth him to prouide so that he may be out of all daunger that good and well learned men may be chosen for him to dispute with that he be not condemned before he be conuicte of Heresie that in the meane time his aduersaries may refraine theyr wonted rayling and cease from burnynge of his Bookes And that in case he shall nede hereafter to enterprise anye thinges els for Gods glorye and the trouthes sake that he be not by the Emperor impeched herin promisyng not to fayle but to come to Wormes whan he shall haue receyued themperors sauffeconduit Where he trusteth in such sorte to demeane him selfe and his cause before indifferent iudges that all the worlde may vnderstande that he hath done nothing by rebellion but for the common wealth chieflye of Germany to haue taken al this trauell to reduce men from many grosse errours to the sownde and pure doctrine He desyreth him moreouer that the Emperor and he woulde haue a regarde to the horrible bondage and miserable estate of Christientie oppressed throughe mere Papistrie Wherfore Cesar Collicted by the Duke wrote vnto Luther the syxte day of Marche That for so muche as he had setforth certeine bookes he was determined to heare the matter him selfe before the princes wherfore these be to signifie vnto him that he hath free libertie to passe and repasse safely without any daunger as more plainely doeth appere by the saufe conduict sent here with he commaundeth him therfore to take his iorney spedely and not to fayle to be with him within one and twentie dayes The Byshoppes of Rome haue accustomed on Thursedaye in the Passion weeke solemnely to curse and banne certeine kyndes of men Fyrst Heretikes secondarely Pirates then suche as eyther Reyse vp new customes or extorte that is forboden Also suche as couÌtrefeit the Bulles or Iustrumentes of the courte of Rome Moreouer they that sell any Armure to Turkes or Sarasyns and suche other vnlawfull wares They that let or hinder corne to be brought to Rome they that hurt any man suyng or belongynge to the Courte of Rome Furthermore all suche as worke any damage or violence to the possessyons or neighbours dominions of the Churche of Rome as namely the Citie of Rome Sicilie Naples Cardinie Corf Hetruria Spolete Sabine Ancona Flaminie Campanie Bononie Farrare Beneuent Perusie Auenion The former Bishoppes haue named for Heretikes the Garasians Pateronians the pore menne of Lions the Arnoldistes Speronistes Wicleuistes Hussites and the Fratricelles Leo the teÌth put to also the Lutherians and curseth them full blacke this curse is commonly called the Bull of the Lordes Supper Which Luther got afterwardes and translated it into Duche not without much myrthe and pastime When Luther had receued the Emperours letters he went to Wormes with the same Heralt but when he came almooste there there were diuerse that diswaded hym puttynge him in mynde howe his bokes were brent which was a certen preiudice of his condemnation and howe the same might chaunce to him as ded to Iohn Husse but he with a stoute courage contemned all perill sayinge that it was plainely the Deuyll that woulde put him thus in feare seynge that his kingdome should quayle by the confession of the trewth in so notable a place so came he to Wormes the syxt day of April The next day he was brought before the Emperour and the whole counsell of Princes Where as by the Emperours commaundement Eckius the the Lawyer spake vnto him on this wise There be two causes Martin Luther for the whiche the Emperor by the consent of the Princes and all the states hath sent forth commaundyng me to enquire of thee the same First wherther thou wilt acknowledge these Bookes to be thine and made by thee Againe whether thou wilt reuoke any thing in them or stande to the defence of all that is written therin Luther had brought with him a lawies of Wittenberge one Hierome Schurffe he had that the titles of the Bokes should be read and shewed which done Luther briefly repeting the questions propouÌded as concerning my Bookes saieth he I confesse and acknowledge them to be myne but whether I will defende all that I haue written to the intente I make trewe aunswere and do nothyng rashely and forsomuch as the thinge is of weightie importaunce I require a time to take deliberation When the thing was debated Albeit saieth he that thou myghtest easely haue knowen by the Emperours letters why thou waste sent for therfore nowshouldest seke no delay to answere yet Cesar of his clemencie graunteth thee one dayto take aduisement commaunding thee to be here to more we this time do declare what thou wilte do herein by mouthe and not by writynge For that he made this delay many supposed that he would not be constant When he came the next daye Eckius sayde vnto him yesterday thou wouldest not aunswere to the seconde demaunde but required a time whiche myghte ryght well haue bene denied the for euery man ought to be so certen of his fayth that he should aunswere therto at al times much lesse should a great diuine doubt or premeditate an answere but what so euer the matter be What sayest thou nowe wilt thou defend thine owne writinges Then Luther addressyng his aunswer to the Emperor and the Counsell of the Princes besought them to heare him paciently and if he should ought offende them eyther in wordes maners or gestures vnsemely for suche a presens to beare with him and pardoÌ him for the kinde of lyfes sake that he hath bene brought vp in for of my selfe saith he I can witnesse nothinge els but that I haue taughte syncerly hitherto those thinges whiche I beleue do concerne the glorye of God and the saluation of men And as concernyng my bookes I answered yesterday that they were made written by me but if any other hath added to any thyng that will I not take for mine Now to the secoÌde question The bokes that I haue wrytten be of sundrie argumentes For some apperteine onely to the doctrine of fayth and vertue whiche myne aduersaries them selues do commeÌde If I should abiure them I should not play the parte of an honest man others there be wherein I reprehended the Byshoppe of Rome and hys doctrine whereby he hath sore afflicted the Christian common wealth For who seeth not how pitifully mens consciens are vexed with his lawes and decrees Or who can deny howe craftely and disceiptfully he robbeth all countreis and chieflye Germany and maketh not yet an ende of hys rauenynge If I should abolishe these bokes I shoulde confyrme their tyrrannye And it shoulde be the greater preiudice to be done nowe by the authoritie of the Emperour and the Princes The thirde kynde is written agaynste certeine priuate men whiche woulde defende the Romishe wickednes and seke euery where to in trap me in the which I confesse to haue bene more vehement then became
neuer take wages nor stypende of anye Prince to serue him in his warres After this was borne the kynges sonne Charles whome the Swyces sendynge theyr deputies Christened at the Fontestone The Heluetians or Swicesse consiste of thirtene Townes Zuricke Bernes Lucerna Ura Swite Unterualde Tugie Glarea Basille Solodure Friburge Schafusiane and Apecelle These are ioyned in a most straite leage by an othe vsynge one and the same law and gouerne as it were in common theyr common weale The fyrst of all that made this leage were the Uranites the Swyces and Unterualdians what tyme they expulsynge their nobilitie vnder whome they were oppressed procured their owne libertie This was in the yere of our Lorde M.CCC.xv After came vnto theÌ they of Lucerne next them the Tugians in the syxte place the men of Zuricke and last they of Bernes and of Basille Than ioyned wyth them in societie but not in the same lawes nor so great frendshippe the Rhetians Lepontians Sedunites Ueragrites Sangallians Mullusians and they of Rotuuille The Emperour beyng now past one twenty yeres of Age banisheth Luther by a common decree the eyght day of May takyng the begynning therof of his owne parson for that it was his part and office not onely to establishe and augment the Empire but also to forese that no blemishe nor Heresye should springe vp within the limittes of the same And that his Progenitours in dede haue bene diligent men herin Wherfore it is mete that he vnto whoÌ God hath giuen so large and ample dominioÌs should folow their steppes for vnlesse he should punishe nowe the Heresyes lately spronge vp in Germany he shoulde bothe hurte his owne conscience in the beginning now of his reigne sore blemisshe his name and dignitie that it is well knowen vnto all men what wicked doctrine Luther hathe spread abroade nowe these three or foure yeres agaynste the Byshoppe and Churche of Rome against the decrees of the auncient fathers and namely against the couÌsel of Constance to the great reproche of theÌperor SigismuÌde and the Princes of Germany that were there present Wherfore syns that in hys bokes is nothing els conteined but sedition discorde warre murther and mischief so that he appereth not to be a man that wrote theÌ but rather a Deuil in a mans likenes He for the zeale that he beareth to the common wealth and the dignitie of the Bishoppe of Rome doth condemne and proscribe him as aucthor of Scismes as a manyfest and an obstinate Heretike commaundynge all men vnder a great penaltie so to accepte him and after thre weekes wherin he gaue him leaue to retourne to apprehende him and bringe him vnto him and al such as shall fauour or aide him in his doynges he banisheth in like case he commaundeth also his Bokes should be brent appoyntynge a greate penaltie herafter for the Stationers commaunding this decree of his which he sayeth was made by the common consent and assent of the Princes to be well obserued Men say how this decree was made by a very fewe for diuerse of the Electours confessed that they were not made priuie to it as shall be declared hereafter of the Archebyshoppe of ColleÌ The Archbishoppe of Mentz beyng Chauncelour of the Empire maye do muche in such matters But how so euer it came to passe the Emperour hereby wanne muche fauoure in so muche that the Bishoppe of Rome cleane forsakynge the Frenche kynge made a league with him as shall be declared hereafter From the tyme of this publication Duke Fridericke appointed certein of his nobilitie whom he especially trusted to conueighe Luther out of the way in to some secrete place that he might eschewe the dauÌger whiche thinge was done bothe diligently and closelye In this carefulnes Luther wrote diuerse epistles to his Frendes and also bokes concernyng the abrogating of the priuate Masse whiche he dedicateth to his brethren the Austen Freres of Religious Uowes to his father Iohn Luther and a booke agaynst Iames Latomus a Doctor of Louaine The Austen Freres beganne nowe fyrste of all men to leaue of Massyng and for that cause Luther compiled this Booke for them that he might encourage the weake and confyrme the skylfull exhortinge them muche to perseuer in the same purpose Whiche thinge knowen Duke Friderick fearing that some great trouble or commotion should arrise therof commaunded that the opinion of the whole Uniuersitie herein should be knowen and brought vnto him The Uniuersitie chose iiij for the same purpose Iustus Ionas Philip Melanchthon Nyclas Amstorfe and Iohn Dulce Who conferryng with the Austen Freres brought worde what theyr inteÌt was And furthermore declared what an iniury was done to the lordes Supper Wherfore they beseche the Prince that he would abolish so great a wickednes not out of one Churche onely but also in all places and set vp the trew vse of the Lordes Supper accordyng to Christes commaundement and the maner of the Apostles stoutly contemnyng al the reproches of the aduersaries for it hath euerbene sene that who so taketh in hande to maynteine the trew doctrine of the Gospel must suffre many thinges and that he ought greatly to foresee that he accept reuerently this present gifte of God wherwith he is chiefly adorned by reason of the lyght of Ghospell spronge vp amonges his people Wherunto the Duke answered that he would leaue nothing vnattempted that might be for Gods glory but for so muche as the thing is ful of difficultie he thinketh good not to beto hastie for litel it is that so fewe can bringe to effect but in case the matter be grownded on the Scriptures they shall doubtles haue mo to take theyr parts And theÌ shall that alteration which shall seme both Godly and necessary more conueniently be brought to passe For he him selfe which is ignoraunt in the Scriptures caÌ not tel what time this accustomed vse of masse which you reproue came vp or when that maner that the Apostles vsed was lefte But as he taketh it the most part of Colledges and Churches were fownded for Masses whiche if they should be put downe and the landes taken awaye that were geuen for the same purpose euery man might well consyder what hurly burly would follow vpon the same Wherfore his aduise shal be that they go and consult further of the matter with the rest of good and well learned men of the vniuersitie that all theyr heades leyde together suche meanes may be fouÌde as maye kepe a Godly quiet These men after more deliberation had make him answer admoshing him as before to put downe theÌ Masse that the thinge maye be done without any tumult And thoughe it coulde not yet that whiche is righte and godlye woulde not therfore be lefte vndone that they be fewer in numbre it is no newes For euer syns the worlde began the greater part of men haue resisted the trewe doctrine moreouer that those onely shall receiue this ryght vse of the
therfore departing from Wittenberge as before is mentioned had kept familiaritie with those secrete teachers that fayned themselues to see visions and to haue talke with God for the whiche causes the Dukes of Saxony had banyshed hym out of his countrey And he had set forth bookes against Luther and his fellowes callyng them newe flatterers of the Romyshe byshop and suche as taught amysse concernyng the masse confession of synnes Images and other thinges And those wordes of Christ This is my body he interpreted thus here sytteth my body and rayleth on the Duke for exylyng hym but layde all the blame in Luther Whereunto Luther aunswered at large defendyng his opinions and affirmed the cause to be iust wherfore the prince had banyshed him Now after this sedition was opressed the armies of the commoners discoÌfited and many executed dayly in al places Carolostadius beyng afrayde of his own parte coÌpyleth a booke wherin he pourgeth him selfe ryght dilygentlye affirmynge that they doe vnto hym great iniurye that reporte hym to be one of the authors of this seditioÌ And writiÌg his letters to Luther desyreth hym earnestly to set forth this same booke to defende his innocensie that he be not vniustly condempned and neuer come to his aunswere Luther wryting an epistle that all be it he dissented much from hym yet for asmuche as in this distresse he fleeth vnto hym for sucour he sayeth he would not disceyue his expectacion herein considering chiefly that this is the very dewtye of a Christenman Wherfore he desyreth the Magistrates and all others in generall that in so muche as he vtterlye denyeth the thyng that is layde to his charge and refuseth not to come to his answere before any lawful iudge the same might be grauÌted him whiche standeth both with equitie and iustice After this Carolostadius sendeth Luther an other boke wherin he protesteth that suche thinges as he wrote of the Lordes supper was not to defyne or determine any thing but by way of disputatioÌ to searche out the truth Luther admitteth the excuse but he warneth al men to beware of his opinion for so much as he is doubtful in it him selfe or els if thei doubt in lyke case to suspende their iudgement tyl such tyme as it be certenly knoweÌ what to beleue therin for in thynges that we must beleue we ought not to doubte or wauer but to be so certen that rather than to forsake our opinion we should not refuse to dye a thousand tymes In those dayes Luther maried a Nunne wherby he gaue occasion to his aduersaries to speake euyll of hym For than they sayd playnly he was madde and became the seruaunt of the deuill At this tyme Zwynglius the minister of the congregation at Zurick agreing with Luther in all other thynges dissented from him touching the lordes supper For those wordes of Christ this is my body Luther vnderstode barely and symply after the texte of the letter admitting none other interpretation affirming the bodye and bloude of Christe to be verely in the bread and wyne and so to be receyued with the mouthe also but Zuinglius taketh it to be a trope or a fygure as many others mo are to be found in the Scriptures and expouÌdeth the wordes thus This signifieth my body Wherunto subscribed Oecolampadius a preacher at Basill interpretyng it thus This is a signe of my body The matter was haÌdled on eyther syde with much contention wryting The SaxoÌs held the opinioÌ of Luther the Zwicers of Zwynglius There followed others which did expouÌd it otherwise but they all agreed in this opinion that the body blud of Christ is receiued spiritnally not corporally nor with the mouth but with the hart This coÌtention endured the space of .iii. years at the last by the meanes of the Lantgraue they came to a coÌmunication at Marburg as hereafter you shal here Also the couÌsel of thempire appointed a litle before at Auspurg because few came thither by reason of the tumultes in Germany was proroged to the first of May in the next yeare folowyng at the which time Ferdinando put theÌ in hope that the Emperour would be there him self and the place was appointed at Spyres Neuerthelesse it was decreed that in the meane tyme the preachers should expound the scriptures to the people after the mindes of the doctours whiche the churche had receiued and not to teache sediciously but so as Gods name may be gloryfied quietnes maintained Whilest Fraunces the French kyng was prisoner in Spayne Ales his mother had the gouernment Who to kepe in the byshop of Rome signified vnto him by letters messagers what a zeale and affection she bare towardes him and the churche of Rome Wherupon ElemeÌt the seuenth writing to the court of parliament in Paris signifieth how he vnderstode by her that certen heresies began to spring vp in Fraunce against the auncient faith and religion how they haue wittely forseing the thing chosen certen men to punishe such offendours whiche thing he confirmeth also by his authoritie wyllyng them to be diligent herein both for Gods glory and also for the welth of the Realme With many other faire wordes of exhortation to perseuer in so doing Which letters being dated at Rome the xx day of May were deliuered to the Senate at Paris the .xvij. daye of Iune Moreouer in the kinges absence the diuines of Paris had so euill entreated Iames Faber of Stapulles who hathe written dyuers workes both of Philosophie and diuinitie that they droue hym out of Fraunce Wherof the kyng being certified by the lettres of his sister Margaret which loued Faber for his vertue writeth to the Senate of Paris in his behalfe geuyng him a Godlye testimony for his learnyng and vertue and that he is in much estimation amonges the Italians and Spanyardes wherfore he wileth them to surcease and let the action falle till his retourne or his pleasure further knowen beyng assured that it is by euyl wyll commenced against hym by the doctours of Serbone for the matter was heard before his commyng from home These letters being dated at Madricea town in Spayn the .xij. of Nouembre were delyuered at Paris the .xxviij. of the same moneth It was a thyng geuen to the deuines in tymes paste to rayle vpon learned men the cause was that they sawe their ignoraunce dispised This yeare was the state of the common wealth altered in the lande of Pruse the vttermost prouince in Germany bordering on the We shall repete the matter from the beginninge In the Empyre of Henry the syxth the sonne of Frederick Barbarosse what tyme the Christians warred to recouer Hierusalem there was instituted an order of Knyghtes of Germany whiche because they fought for religioÌ did weare the whyte crosse on their garmeÌts as a badge of their profession This was the yeare of our Lorde M. C. and foure score and ten The first maister of that order was chosen
Ascanius Wherof Lewis inuaded the Dukedome and begot two sonnes Maximilian and Fraunces The Duke of Orleaunce had by Ualentine Charles Philippe and Iohn Charles was father to Lewis Duke of Orleaunce whiche was after king of Fraunce the twelfth of that name Philippe died without issewe Iohn Erle of Engolesme had a sonne named Charles father to kyng Fraunces who toke Maximilian Sfortia prisoner and subdewed all Lumbardie But Leo the tenth and the Emperour dispossessing hym agayne restored Fraunces Sfortia an exile Who being nowe dead kyng Fraunces to reclayme his ryght as he saieth and to be aueÌged moueth warre agayne For that after the death of Sfortia the Emperour had taken the possessioÌ of Lumbardie by Anthony Leua whoÌ he left his depute there what tyme he sayled into Barbaria as before is mentioned Wherfore so sone as he had anye knowledge of the kynges enterpryse he leuieth immediatly all the power he myghte in Germanye and other places to come into Italy And coming froÌ Naples to Rome in the beginning of Aprill within a fewe dayes after his repayre he required that a Senate might be called wherin before the byshop and a great numbre of Cardinalles and the Ambassadours of foreyne Prynces he had a graue and a vehement oration against the Frenche kyng who breakyng league of an olde hatred and malice hindreth impecheth his moste worthy and Godly enterprises The ende of his oration was to declare that he was ready to fight with him the combat to the intent that through the priuate losse of one of them two rather than by publique domage of the whole worlde the warre might ones haue an ende Before he departed from Naples The Uenetians entred into league with him against the Turke the rather for that they hoped well that he would delyuer the possession of Millan to some priuate man For the states of Italy chiefly the Uenetians wouldneyther that the Emperour nor yet the Frenche kyng should enioye the goodly Dukedome of Millan And therfore in these former yeares they conspyred oftentymes one whyle against the Frenche kynge an other whyle against the Emperour that Fraunces Sfortia myght be restored of whome they supposed to stande in lesse daunger For the league which Clement and the Uenetians made against the Emperour ten yeares before was for this cause only Thinkyng that the Emperour hauyng displaced Sfortia would haue kept to his owne vse all Lumbardie whiche in dede they supposed would be to their great hinderaunce And where at the intercession of Byshop Clement sixe yeares past he restored Sfortia at Boloigne la grasse he got him wonderfull fauour and great good wyll At Naples also the Emperour finished vp the mariage of his bastarde daughter with Alexander Medices whome he had made Duke of Florence as I tolde you in the seuenth booke This Alexander was the bastard sonne of Laurence Medices which had to father Peter whiche was drowned in the mouth of Lire as in the last boke is mentioned You haue heard howe Uergerius was sent into Germany Whan the Emperour was arriued at Naples the byshop calleth hym home againe who returning with great expedition whan he came to Rome declareth his Ambassade how the protestauntes required to haue a free and a Christian counsell and that within the precinct of the Empyre in a place conuenient as the Emperour had made them promyse Of Luther and the rest there is no hope vnlesse they be dispatched out of the way And as concerning the king of Englande the Protestauntes wyll not assente to it and the reste of the Princes are very colde Howe George Duke of Saxonye affirmeth that there is great daunger of the Lutherians whiche can not be otherwise eschewed or auoyded vnlesse the Emperour and the Byshop make warre against them ryght shortly Whiche thynge whan the Byshop vnderstode he sendeth hym to Naples with all spede to recite these thynges to the Emperour especially concernyng the warre to be attempted agaynste the LutheriaÌs Aterwardes whaÌ the Emperour was come to Rome he was earnestly in hande to haue a counsel called and coueted greatly to cary with hym the letters patentes of the same The Byshop said he was content notwithstaÌding he woulde chouse some citie in Italy and prescribe therein certen conditions necessary for the churche of Rome Hereunto the Emperour so that he woulde do it ones he cared for no more For he would bryng the greater parte of Germany to followe hym herein so therfore the Byshop chouseth out nyne of that nuÌbre to make the wrytte Those were Campegius Cesius Simonet Ginucius CoÌtarene Poole Cardinals The Archebishop of Brunduse the Byshop of Rhezo and Uergerius thaÌ made byshop of Modruse and not long after of Instinopulis All these together first in the Byshops presence afterwardes seuerally by them selues deuise the forme of Somoning the counsell You haue heard before of the Ambassadours of Englande with whome it was accorded at Smalcalde vpon certen conditions that the kyng should set forth the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they professed at Auspurge and maynteyne the same with them in a lawefull counsell if any suche shal be that neyther of them admitte the calling or place of a counsell but by coÌmon assent Neuerthelesse if it may appere by certayne and manifest reasons that any suche counsel is like to be as hath bene declared to Peter Paule Uerger the Byshoppes legate that it be not refused but in case the byshop continue his purpose that than his enterpryse be letted and by open protestation be refused And lyke as the kynge hath ioyned hym selfe to their religion so lykewyse to ioyne with them in league also and to be called the Patroneand defendour of the same That common opinion of the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome to be vtterly reiected for euer If anye warre be attempted against other parte for Religion or other cause that no ayde be geuen vnto hym that inforceth the same That for the defence of the league the kyng shal paye one hundreth thousand crownes wherof the one halfe the confederatours shall and may employe whaÌ nede shall requyre the rest of the charges to be borne of their own money whiche they shall contribute amonges them but if the warre shal longe endure and the force of the ennemy driue them to it thaÌ the king to disburse two hundreth thousand crownes for as much as they if the lyke chaunce should fortune stande also bounde not only to speÌd their goodes but their bloud and lyfe also And of this somme also the like consideration to be had as before and that it be not emploied to any other vse than to defende the league and the remainder to be restored whan the warre is finished That the Ambassadours shall wryte to the kyng hereof and whan they knowe his mynde to aduertise the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue therof that after a commoÌ Ambassade maye be sent vnto hym Whan
money excepte perauenture they haue fyrst had carnall copulation than is it lawfull to punyshe them by the purse and the money to be employed immediatly to good vses But the vyce of Simonie whiche hath his name of Simon magus reigneth so in the churche nowe adayes that men are nothynge ashamed For they offende herein moste boldely and seke to be assoyled by geuyng of money and the benefices thus wyckedly gotten they enioye this not withstanding We doe not denye but youre holynes may pardon theyr offence touchynge the punyshement which they haue deserued but that the occasion of transgressynge may be taken awaye we thynke you had nede to deale more strayghtly and not to remitte the punyshement For what more shamefull or detestable thyng can be than this bieng and sellyng There must be a prouiso had that the clergie geue not away by legacie any part of the churche goodes without great causes lest that to the hinderauÌce of the poore some other shal haue aboundaunce to spende in riot and voluptuousnes Also licence is graunted for euery man to chouse a chaplaine where he lyste and to haue masse in priuate houses whiche ought not rashlye to be graunted lest that secrete thinges should come in contempt and especially the chiefest sacrament of all Iudulgences and pardoÌs ought not to be geuen so commonly but only ones in the yeare and that in great cities Uowes may not lightly be chaunged nor conuerted to an other worke vnlesse it be correspondent to the vowe Sometyme the last wyl of the testatours is wont to be chaunged whiche happely had bequethed some portion of money to Godly vses and that chaunceth coÌmonly by reason of the pouertie of the heires or wylmakers but there must hede be takeÌ that vnlesse the testatour fall in pouertie so that the wil can not well be perfourmed it be not suffered For it is wickednes els to alter the deades wyll And nowe that we haue declared our mindes in thiÌges coÌcerning the vniuersal churche we shal adde to the same a fewe cases whiche properly belong to the byshop of Rome Where as this citie churche of Rome is the mother and maistres of all churches it were comlye and decent that it should excelle others in Religion and honestie of life But in the churche of S. Peter haunte many vnlearned filthie priestes appareled with so vile garmentes both of their owne of their churche that it were also vndeceÌt to the like worne in the priuate houses of the porest sorte And in these garmentes say masse to the great offence of the lokers on Therfore must the Archedeacon or the CoÌmissarie be coÌmauÌded that first in this citie and after also in other places suche filthines be auoyded out of mens sight What shall we saye of the vnchaste women and strompetes whiche in apparell and all kynde of ornamentes differ nothing in this citie froÌ matrones of honour rydyng vpon their Mules through the middes of the citie euen at none dayes accompanied with the familiar frendes and seruauÌtes of the chiefest Cardinalles and suche other like Certenly we haue not sene suche intemperancie and dissolute liuing vsed in ani other citie but in this which ought in dede to be a spectacle and ensample to the whole vniuersall world These Courtisanes are also maynteyned to inhabit gorgeous houses which doubteles is great shame There be also in this citie great contentions and factions It is your parte to amende all these thinges it shal be requisite that you oppointe certen Cardinalles mete for the purpose to appease all strife and to reconcile the myndes of the citezens Last of all the prouision of the wydowes other pore people properly apperteineth to your charge And these are the thinges moste holy father whiche we haue thought mete to be refourmed And albeit we were vnmete for this charge yet haue we done that laye in vs vttered our coÌscience vprightly we are entred into a great hope that vnder your gouernment we shal see the church pure cleane quiet to the perpetuall immortall glory of your name You haue takeÌ to you the name of Paule wherfore we trust it will come to passe that after his example you will embrace the churche with a certen earnest seruent zeale God chose Paule as a singular instrument to preache the Gospell to the Gentyles so truste we also that you are chosen to cal again to light the name of Christ by the geÌtyles defaced to remedy publique diseases to reduce the flock of Christe into one shepefolde and tourne away Gods wrath which haÌgeth now ouer vs dewe for our offeÌces This reformation was in deede conceaued in woordes but neuer brouâght to effecte nor published Finally the byshop delayeth the couÌsell from the beginninge of Nouembre to the kalendes of May in the next yeare followyng and assigneth the place at Uicentia a large and a plentifull citie belongyng to the state of Uenise and sendeth thither three Cardinalles Campegius Simonet and Brunduse whiche should both begynne the treatie and receyue them that came The byshop would haue had the matter of reformation kept close as is sayde before but it was not longe hydde And what tyme it was brought from Rome into Germany Luther answered it in the duche tongue and Iohn Sturmius in the Latine framynge theyr style to the commissioners of the reformation Before Luthers booke was sette out a picture whiche playnely declared the argument For the byshop was placed in an hyghe seate and certen Cardinalles standing about him whiche with foxes tayles tied to staues lyke besomes sweepe all thinges vpsyde downe There was amoÌges these Cardinalles Nicholas Archebyshop of Capua who coulde abyde no reformation He beinge sente by Bishop Paule as it is crediblie reported contended sore that nothynge should be redressed at all And amonges other thinges he sayde howe than the Lutherianes would make their boast that they wer driueÌ of theÌ so to doe in maner by compulsion Wherupon the Byshop and the Cardinalles were coÌtenthed to be perswaded to alter no thing And yet he him selfe that so letted them is reported to haue sent a booke priuely to a certen frende of his in Germany whiche manye men take so as though he would haue both the byshop and the sayde commissioners lawghed to scorne for their labours Others thynke that the bishop was made priuie to that booke of reformation that by setting forth of the same there might appeare in hym some wyll of amendement of thynges and yet vnderstande it by an other meane as though he hym selfe would haue done greater thinges in case he had entended to haue publyshed any suche like matter And as touchynge the colloquies of Erasmus thus it standeth Amonges manye other workes wherby Erasmus wonderfully auaunced learning he made also a booke of Dialogues for chyldren And seyng it red so gredely he ofte augmented the same And as he was a man of an excellent witte
and of great eloquence he toke pleasure to wryte of sondry argumentes taken out of naturall thynges and of the lyfe of men And with a certen maruelous dexteritie and style moste pleasaunt he setteth forth precpres of Godlye and vertuouse maners and noteth with all by the same occasion olde accustomed errours and vices whereof commeth this complaynte of hym In the moneth of Februarye the Frenche kyng made Annas Momorauncie Conestable of Fraunce whiche is the hyghest degre of honoure there This office had bene euer voyde synce the death of the Duke of Bourbon For the kyng beyng greuously offended with his treason had bestowed the same vpon no man vntyll this tyme. And the same office hath had but bare lucke in more than one or two whilest they abusing their authoritie haue styred vp against them either the kynges them selues or the nobilitie In the meane tyme the Protestauntes assemble at Brunswicke about the ende of Marche to treate of matters coÌcernyng their league And they receyue Christiane kyng of Denmarke in to their league He was sonne of Frederick and had receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and had appointed Iohn Pomerane whome he called from Wittenberge to set ordre in his churches and by him was annoynted and crowned kyng Iohn also Marques of BrandeÌburg the brother of Ioachim prince Electour made meanes by the Duke of Saxon to be admitted into the league He therfore was appointed to treate with him vpon certen coÌditions at his retourne home and thaÌ to receiue hym in all their names The same requeste also made Albert Duke of Pruselande whome syxe yeares before the chamber had outlawed and that was the chiefest cause whye he was not receyued in to this societie Neuerthelesse they promysed hym all their fauour and good wyll Whan the Duke of Saxony the Lantgraue and their coÌsortes were goyng to this assemblie Henry Duke of Brunswycke denied to geue them saufe conduicte whan they should passe through his countrey For euen than he imagined warre as hereafter you shall heare In the Duke of Saxons company was Maurice nephewe to Duke George by his brother Henry a young man of seuentene yeares olde Henry was of the Protestauntes Religion and therfore the Duke toke his sonne Maurice beyng his kynsman to bring vp The kyng of Denmarke hym selfe came than also to Brunswicke In the nynth booke I spake of the persecution that was in FrauÌce for Lutheranisme It were long to recite al but this yeare at the Ides of Apryll whiche was than nyne dayes before Easter a young gentleman of Tolouse learned about twenty yeares of age was brent at Paris for eatyng of fleshe not alyue in dede but yet so as beinge hanged ryght ouer he felte the fyre kyndled vnder hym whiche after the maner there was accompted as a great benefite for that he in prison before he was brought forth to execution feared with the cruell wordes of Morine the iudge threatenyng hym confessed that he had done wyckedlye and agaynste Religion For the maner of repentaunce is there only that he shal suffer with the lesse torment But suche as abyde constant are moste cruelly tourmented Two younge men of Flaunders were in the lyke daunger but admonyshed therof by a certen Senatour learned and of a good iudgement they escaped death by flyeng awaye In the moneth of May the Bishoppe of Rome goeth to Nice a hauen towne in Ligurie Thyther also came the Emperoure and the Frenche kynge at his request chiefly he with a Nauie out of Spaine and the kynge by lande accompanied amonges others with a power of Almaignes whiche were lead by Wylliam Countie FursteÌberge After a longe treatie albeit they coulde not throughlye agree yet a trewee was made in the moneth of Iune for ten yeares Here was the lady Margaret the Emperours bastarde daughter ensured to Octauius Duke of Parma the Byshoppes nephew by his sonne Peter whom Cosmus duke of Florence woulde fayne haue maried after the death of Alexander Medices The two kynges spake not together in this place albeit the Byshoppe desyred it muche But a fewe dayes after whan he was departed they mette at Aegnes Mortes a Towne of the Prouince in the mouth of the Riuer of Rhosne whither the Emperour retorninge into Spaine came with his Nauie at the Ides of Iulye The kinge had sent to mete him Uelius his Ambassadoure and Galleis to conduicte him Whan the Emperour came nere vnto Aegnes the Conestable of Fraunce was there readye to entreate hym that he woulde arriue there with his Nauie For he saied the kynge woulde be there within these two houres and would come into his Barke to him Whan the Emperour sawe that the rest of the Shippes which were scattered the daye before by reason of a miste were come together he putteth into the hauen And not longe after commeth the kynge also and accompanied amonges others with Anthony Duke of Loraine and the Cardinall his brother goeth streight waye to the shippes The Emperour goynge forth as farre as the ladder of the shippe to mete him receaueth him in But it can not be spoken what embracynges and gratulations were there Whan they were set downe in the Sterne of the Shippe the nobles aboute the Emperour come and salute the kinge lowly and right curtesly There the Emperour sent for Andrewe Aurie his Admirall Prince of Melphite who forsoke the kynge tenne yeares before as is mentioned in the sixte Booke to come and salute the kyng Whan he came the kynge said Prince Andrewe for as muche as you are frende and seruiture to the Emperoure And that it is his pleasure that I should speake wyth you I am contente to gratifie him herein whom I esteme as my brother After whan they had talked familiarlye and frendly together by the space of an howre the kynge departeth The next day in the mornyng As sone as it was light day the Emperour gyueth commaundement by a Trompet that no man go a lande but he himselfe garded wyth certen of his nobles saileth out to dyne with the kynge When he came to lande the kinge and the quene and his two sonnes most gently do embrace him and lead him into the Palace towardes euenynge themperour aduertiseth Androwe de Aure who remained within borde howe at the request of the kinge and the queene his syster he purposed to lie in the towne that night And the next day at after diner to retourne to his Nauie Whiche he did for this intent leste he should throughe his absence conceaue some false suspicion in hys minde Wherfore the next day the Emperour came againe to the sea accompanied with the king and all his nobles And whan they had drunken together in the Emperours cabben of the shippe they departed great frendes Which thing once knowen at Paris and other places they songe Tedeum and made bonefyers The Bishop had requested them at Nice whan the peace was concluded that they woulde go to the
the Emperor Than will he amongs other thinges treat with him also of these matters presently and that also with his diuines should come Moreouer the ambassadors and diuines of certain Princes and Cities amonges the which he named the Duke of Pomeranes cosins the copy of the which letters th one of thambassadors for that his felowe was not yet retourned from his iourney sendeth to the Cardinall of Trent at Brixna which was lately gon thither For he because he was both most seruiceable to the Emperor and also loued Duke Moris by reason of muche familiarity dearely well and chiefly wished that the counsel might procede toke very heauely this dissention growing wherof ther was much talk And that was the cause that thambassador sent these letters wherwith he knew he should be comforted And he verely after he had receiued those letters where before he doubted now at the length he began to take more comforte and to hope well and wrote againe to thambassador that so sone as Duke Moris shall come to Insprucke he will go thither immediatly to him or a great way further For by reason of the amity and frendship that was betwene them he thoughte he could perswade him to peaceable waies And these letters were subscribed wyth Duke Moris own hand and to them was also annexed letters of theyr commission to exhibite if nede required for the same was before neglected Not long after tharchbishop of Treuers to refresh him self departeth from Trent homeward the xvi day of February For that they said how themperor had geuen him leaue that so sone as he might recouer his health he should come thither again yet left he the Frier Pelarge ther that he might be present at al actions Tharchbishops of Mentz and Collon brought him goinge a mile or two on his way And he tourned on the lefthande and toke not his iourny by Insprucke wher themperor lay Shortly after many began to mutter how the counsell shoulde be proroged and that Duke Moris making league with the freÌch king prepared to warre vpon themperor This rumour was not great at the first but it increased daily and secreatly was one sent from Trent to themperor to vnderstaÌd his pleasure After also came one thither from themperor but all thinges were kept very close The seconde daye of Marche whiche was than Ashewedensday the Bishop of Romes Legate settinge vp papers on the churche walles whiche they call indulgences or pardones graunteth remission of sinnes to al men in generall but specially to Bishops Ambassadoures and deuines whiche either haue or will confesse their sinnes by a time prescribed will go to certaine Churches in Trent on daies appoynted And there saying fiue Pater nosters fiue Aue Maries other praiers will pray to God for the concord of Princes for the consent and vnity of the church and for the lucky successe of the counsell and how this so great a benefit is geuen by the high bishop Iuly the third who is careful for the health of soules that men may as wel enioy the same at Trent as at Rome Wherfore many ran daily to the churches both Bishops others especially Spaniardes obseruing the difference of daies For they attributed to this religion one while les time an other while more In this great taciturnitye as before is saide the ambassadoure of Strasburge inquired of themperors ambassador Pictaue of the state of thinges who said how the brute that went that the counsel shoulde be proroged was vntrue and that themperor would haue them in any wise to proceade and continue their action where also ther hath nothing bene done of late that is for theyr cause whiche haue put the fathers in hope of the comming of the diuines This was in the beginning of Marche whan Duke Moris had aboute th end of February called backe the deuines from Norinberge who after the brute was raised that he should come to themperor wheÌ he had passed a certain way of his iourny retourneth home and beginneth to take munsters as in the nexte boke shal be recited When these things wer knowen and sondry messagers came daily one after another and that the matter was now out of doubt the Archbishops of Mentz and Colon vnto whome came lately great plenty of vitaile out of the nether partes of Germany prepared theÌ selues to horsbacke with great expedition and the eleuenth day of March they depart in the dawning of the day wheras ouer nighte the bishops of Romes Legate accompanied with the residue of the Bishops of Italy and Spaine came vnto them to bid them farewel The same day came thither new ambassadours from the duke of Wirtemberge Werner Munchinge and Hierome Gerarde a ciuilian They go the next day to themperors ambassadoures and shewing their commission in wryting desyre to haue an answer of theyr Princes demaunds exhibited to the fathers the .xxiiii. of Ianuary And say moreouer how the deuines wil be ther within these few dais to declare more at large the confession of doctrine that was lately put vp the whole assembly Wherat they meruailed greatly I know not for what cause except it wer that one of theÌ had made all things ready to take his iourny and was purposed to go home which than of necessity must tary ther ful sore against his will It was answered them how they must deuise and haue conference of the matter with the fathers and loke what they shall hear of them they will let them vnderstand In the meane tune duke Moris ambassadors were in great distres and carefulnes For they wer supposed both to haue handled the matter craftely and to haue bene priuy to their princes doings and to haue plaid all together the dissemblers where they againe affirmed that neither they knew any thing that was don at home nor yet receiued any letters from thence and knew not which way to retourne home out of daunger And for so muche as they sawe that the longer they taried the more daunger it were for them the xiii day of March they depart as priuely as they coulde assone as the day apeared and speding them hastly to Brirna axe thaduise of the Cardinall of Trent what is best to be done At the last th one of thambassadors which before he came to Trent had made longe abode at Iuspruck and in his princes name had with the rest made intercession to themperor for the LaÌtzgraue hauing first receiued except I be disceiued a safe conduit came to Insprucke made his purgation to themperors counsel proueth that he was not made priuy to this war in such sort as they did credit him From theÌce he goeth straight home and thother taking his iourny through Carnia returneth into Saxonie When tharchbishops of Mentz and Collon approched nere vnto Inspruck they were honorably receiued of such as themperor sent to mete them Amonges whom was the bishop of Arras After they both talking long much with the Emperor alone spede
haue nowe declared and of others that wryte stories But when I speake of Historiographers I meane not those of our time which study only to extoll and highly commend what part they list and ouerwhelme thother with contumelious and railynge wordes They that are of such sort be not worthy to be so called Ihon Cocles .vi. yeares past setforthe Commentaries in a manner of the same argument that mine are but all thynges are heaped vp with such horrible forged and abhominable sclaunders and lyes as haue not bene hard Cardinall Poole in the boke lately setforthe calleth the Doctrine renewed in Germany Turkishe seede Of suche lyke wordes are al theyr bokes full But what like thing is found in all my woorke I haue verely wrytten the wonderfull benefite of God geuen eo thys our time orderly and as truely as I could possible and for the same purpose I gathered .xvi. yeares since what soeuer belonged herunto neither haue I wrytten rashlye but with a sure iudgemente proceaded And what labour and paines this worke hath cost me nexte the liuing God I know For his glory haue I chiefly regarded and leauing the practise of the law I haue applied in a maner all my study herevnto and verely I must confesse that throughe Gods motion I haue ben after a sort drawen vnto this labour And nowe where diuers requite me so vnworthye thanckes for my so greate trauell and paines I wil coÌmit to him whose cause chiefly I toke it in haÌd for I know vndoubtedly that I haue offred vp vnto him a most acceptable sacrifice with the same verely good conscience I comfort and sustain my self especially seing that my labor is commended of learned men whiche bothe geue me thanckes and confesse also that they haue receiued much frute therby Wherefore I desire all louers of the veritye that they wold geue no credit to the sclander of a few certen meÌ but wold gentelly accept my labors faith and dilligence nether conceiue any sinistre opinion of me Furthermore I protest that I do acknowledge the Emperour and king of Romaines for the high Magistrate whome God hath ordained and to whom in al things that be not against God we ought to obey as Christ and thapostles teach FINIS ¶ A Table containing all the Principall matters in this Boke A A Counsel promised 92 An Apology deliuered but not receiued eodem A beastly cruelty 104 A blasing starre 109 A consecrating of Cardinals 113 Andrew Gritie duke of Uenise 117 A boke of Romish Marchauntes 118 A straunge chaunge eodem Alteration in England for Reli. 125 A Prophet inspired 129 A new king of Anabaptistes 131 A boke of the misteries of the scrip 133 A blinde asse 134 A counsel called 147 An oration against the french king eo A reformation of Collon 141 A sword hallowed 142 A wryting of Auspurge 143 Athanasius Arius and Liberius 148 A propre saying of Ciprian 153 A priestes sonne not enioy his Fathers benefice 155 Auarice and concupiscence let couÌ 156 Annas Momorancy made Constable of Fraunce 157 A gentleman of Tolowse burnt 158 Andrew de Aury saluteth the king 159 A colledge erected at strasborough 160 A league of the Papistes againste the protestauntes 173 Ambassadors sent to Henry brother to George duke of Saron 176 A Friers wede maketh the deuell a. 177 An assembly at Smalcald 169 A wryting exhibited by the deuines eo A confutation of the .vi. articles 171 An oration of a yong Cardinal 172 A priuy hatred of the french king eod An exceading hot sommer 174 A disputation betwixt Eckius and Melanchthon 176 A great assemble at Regenspurge eo A mean to get mony by pardons 177 A most costly stole or Paile eodem A wollen halter to straÌgle the pope 178 A boke presented to the collotors 179 A great tempest destroid his ships 184 An assemble at Spires 186 A soden fear in the french court 88 An army against the Turke eodem Any pleasaunt life is not to be eodem A consolation of the prisoners eodem A counsel called at Trent 198 An assembly at Norinberge 163 Ambassadors to the duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue 194 A rebellion at Rochelle 197 A supplication of the protestaunts 194 A boke called Antididagma 201 An assemble at Spire 202 A league of themperor and the king of England against the french king 203 A boke of Caluine against Sorbo 204 A boke of the relikes of saints eodem A false report of themperors death eo A great assemble of Spiere 206 A straunge tale of the duke of BruÌ 209 An image buried in the stede of Eue. 209 A decre for religion 212 A peace concluded betwixte themperor and Fraunce 314 An ambassade said to the king 216 A Commention of deuines at Mil. 217 An assembly at Wormes 218 A lamentable departing 219 A soldsoure geueth the Merundo 220 A cruell fact of Miners eodem A terrible example of cruelty eodem A captain defendeth the women eodeÌ A sharp answer of the king eodem A frere obseruant stirreth themperour to warre 221 A skirmish betwixt the Duke 225 A conflict betwixt the Duke eodem A league of them of Strasborow Zuricke and Bernes 85 A confutation of the Protestantes 88 A confession of the Zwinglians 88 A story of the king of Fraunce 101 A controuersy of the bishoppe of Bantberge with the Marques of Brandenburge 103 A bishops office 111 An assemble at Regenspurge 73 An assembly at Spires 79 A treatise of peace betwixt Fraunce England 227 A brute of warre againste the Protestauntes 228 Ambassadors to themperor for tharchbishop of Collon 230 A decre of the Sinode read 231 Alphonse Diaze commeth into Germany 234. Alphonse returneth to Nuburge to kill his brother eodem A communicatioÌ of the Lantzgraue others 237 A diuision amonges thelectors 241 A statute of Trent 243 A decre of originall sinne eodem An aunswer of them of Strasborough to themperor eodem An heape of euils of ciuel war 244 A league betwixt the Pope and themperor 246 A preatence of mouinge war 247 Albert of Brunswicke hurt 265 Alteration in Sauoy 266 A warlike pollicy of themperor 267 An other pollicy of themperor eodem Aucthoritye can not beare equallitye 271 A decre of the counsel at Trent of iustification 276 A Dolphe substituted to Hermon archbishop of Collon 277 Alteration of Religion 278 Alteration in the Courte of Fraunce 282 A pergidu of the sonne 285 An assembly of the Empyre at vrmes 286 An assemble at Auspurge 291 An holy boxe sent downe from heauen you may be sure eodem A conspiraty against the Popes sonne 294 A reformation of Religion in EnglaÌd 297 Albert receiued into the tuition of the king of Pole 3021 A disordained ordre of knightes 303 A composition of peace 305 A counsel called at Trent twise 309 An euil compiled booke ofte corrected 314 Ambrosa Blaurer the chiefest minister of the church 324 At Strausburge the Consull of th ãâ¦ã riâ eodem Augustus married a wife 327 A
A FAMOVSE Cronicle of oure time called Sleidane's Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and common wealth during the raigne of the Emperour Charles the fift with the Argumentes set before euery Booke conteyninge the summe or effecte of the Booke following Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Ihon Daus ¶ Here vnto is added also an Apology of the Authoure â CHE SARà SARà ⧠â To the right honorable and his singular good Lord Fraunces Earle of Bedford Lord Russel one or the Quenes highnes most honorable priuy counsel Ihon Daus his daily oratour wisheth helth peace and coÌsolatioÌ In Christ Iesu with thincrele of honor and digntiy AMonges all other wryters that compile Bookes for the knowledge and instruction of others right honorable and my singular good Lord thei in my opinion deserue best of the common welth which commit to wrytinge stories wherby men maye learne by thexamples of others set before their eies how to guide and gouern theyr life what thinges to embrace or eschue and to iudge by matters past what shal be the consequent and end of things to come For which cause the most eloquent orator Cicero calleth an history the mystres of maÌners the guid light of life the sercher out of vertues driuer away of vices with many such other like goodly titles which he attributeth to the same And certenly if ther wer euer any story written whereof men might reape frute and commodity or worthy to be had in hand practised in the common vse of mans life ether for the worthines ofihargumente which is concerning the state of religion and common wealth or for the report of things done lately of fresh memorye it is thys same work of Sleidane For he treateth not only of thenterprises of men with the casuall chaunces of things that happen But climing higher and auauncing the minde of man vp vnto heauen constraineth the same to maruel at the woÌderful prouidence of the liuing God touching the gouernement of the Churche And induceth men to wonder at the vnsearchable counsel of God almighty who hath preserued the same in somany troublesome stormes and tempestes ful of pearil and daunger And as concerninge the author the dilligence and fidelity that he hath vsed deserueth doutles to be highly commeÌded of all men for so much as he hauing more respect to the common wealth than regard to his priuate commodity hath wholy imploid him self to consecrate the best and most excellent matters that maye be to euerlasting memory It is said how Thucidides was so desyrous of the verity and so doubtfull and scrupulous in wryting of his story that he gaue a great some of monye euen to his ennemies to haue the truth of matters to know how all thinges went Assuredly the same may we say also by Sleidan who as he him selfe confesseth not content to go by heare say or by common report of people hathe fished for the certenty of his Story out of common recordes or at the least by report of men worthy credit and herein hath spared nether cost nor paine For although he hath wrytten many thinges which he him self hath sene in Germany Fraunce Italy other places yet muste he of necessitye be holpen herein with the eies and eares of many to compact an history of so many seuerall nations and places so far distante one from an other Seing therefore that thys story of Ihon Sleidane is compiled of matters of so singuler and excellent perfection worthy of perpetuall memory J haue thought it expedieÌt for sondry causes to present your honoure with the same And that as wel for the great good wil zeale that your good Lordship beareth towards lerninge christen religion and common wealth of your natiue country As also for the place and dignity to the which by the iudgement of al meÌ you are most worthely called coÌsidering how it shal be neither vnprofitable nor vnnedeful for your honor to vnderstand the state of other realmes and coÌmon welthes with the tormoils of the church in the same which things do here aboundantly and sufficiently appear And to thend it may be easely knowen in what place euery matter may be found I haue set before the beginnyng of euery boke the some or argumeÌt conteining the most matters comprised in the same most humbly beseching your honour to accept this simple translatioÌ dedicated to your good Lord ship and wrytten for the vtility of our common couÌtry into your honorable tuition that throughe your good Lordships authority the tonges of euil speakers being repressed put to silence all others that are disposed may receiue commodity and profit by readinge of the same For doutlesse a more profitable boke than this is hath not ben setforth in thenglish tong now of many yeres Thus the liuing God preserue and increase you in honor and so replenish your noble mind with the light and grace of his holy sprite to perswade and treat with the Quenes highnes moste honorable in such wise that all thinges ther condescended and agreed vpon may wholy redownd to the glory of Gods holy name The Kalendes of August Anno. 1560. ⧠The. Translator to the Boke GO forth my painful Boke Thou art no longer mine Eche man may on the loke The shame or praise is thine But seke thou for no praise No thanke nor yet reward Nor eche man for to please Haue thou no great regard The labor hath bene mine The trauell and the paine Reproches shal be thine To beare we must be fain Yet hath my study bene To profit others mo Some men thereby to win And trust it shal be so For as to pleasure many I haue bene euer glad Right so to displease any I wold be loth and sad But if thou please the best And such as be of skill I passe not for the reast Good men accept good will Thou mightst with me remaine And so eschue all blame But since thou wouldst so faine Be gon goe in Gods name ¶ To the most excellent Prince Augustus Prince Electour Duke of Saxon Lantzgraue of Turing Marques of Meissen high Mareschall of thempire his singuler good Lord Ihon Sleidane wisheth health DIuers authors most excelleut prince haue setforth vnto vs many and sondrye alterations of kingdomes And God him self wold that we shuld be taught these thinges as it were with his mouth long before they shoulde come so passe And of those foure greate Monarchyes of the worlde of theyr greate aulteration and succession he taughte vs by the Prophette Daniell Whose Prophecies for the mooste parte of them are alreadye made euidente and manifest vnto vs wyth a certaine knowledge most pleasaunt and ful of consolation And of the alteration and contention that shoulde be about Relygion and Doctrine both the same prophet hathe spoken before and S. Paule comminge after him prophecieth also manifestlye But in what sorte the same shal be it is setforth and declared by mo than one or two Howe be
wherevpon by the way is spoken of Iuly his actes and of the sayd counsell In the meane while the Diuines of Louayne condemne Luthers Bokes In his defence the articles of Picus Erle of Mirandula the Questions of Ockam and the controuersie of Rewcline with the same Diuines are recited Seyng him selfe assayled with so many enemies he writeth to themperour and shortely after to tharchbishoppes of Mentz and of Marseburge Duke Fridericke beyng aduertised that he had cuill will at Rome by reason of Luther he maketh his purgation by letters Luther in lyke case And yet this notwithstanding the Pope by an extreme Bulle doeth excommunicate Luther who contrary to a decree of Mantua by the waye recited maketh his appellation hauinge set forthe in Print a Boke of the captuitie of Babilon The emperour at the same tune goeth to be crowned at Acon the solemnities and maner whereof be there recited The Pope beginneth agayne to sollicite Duke Fridericke agaynst Luther but nothing preuailyng he causeth Luthers workes to be burnt and likewise Luther burneth the Popes Decretals and sheweth the cause why afterwarde he aunswereth Ambrose Catarine who had written agaynst him WHen Charles Meltice that was sent from Leo the tenthe vnto Duke Fredericke with the golden Rose perceiued howe Luthers doctryne was so farre spreade abroade and so highly estemed of many that it shoulde be hearde and almost vnpossible to quench it he sought all meanes possible to heale the wounde with a plaster of reconciliation Wherfore after longe conferens with Luther and his frendes at the last the meanes was fouÌde that Luther should write his letters to the Bishop reportyng of hym muche honour And so did he at the request of his Frendes aboute the syxte day of Aprill The tenure of his letters was this that albeit he had appealed from him to the Counsel Yet neuerthelesse he ceased not to make his prayers vnto God for his healthe And for as much as he is sore blamed to haue hurt and offended his name and dignitie he is hartely sorye to be so charged and this to be the cause of his writinge at this present signifiynge that in dede he hathe bene earnest in rebukyng of vice and errours but hath euermore written of him right honorablie as it is to be sene in his bokes And in that he doth so frankely taunte false doctrine he doeth it by the example of Christe his Prophetes and Apostles but that such reprehensions and holsome admonishementes can as yet take no place to be long of naughtie flatterers which tickle men in the eares And that he regardeth gods glory and seeketh onely that the truth might appere if he may this obtaine to be willinge ynough to giue place in other matters but to leaue of the professyng of Gods veritie he can by no meanes Then commeth he to the Court of Rome as they call it and sayeth it is more corrupt wicked then euer was Sodome or Babilon and that there caÌ be no more mischiefe wrought then is there no not of Antichrist him selfe wherefore he is sory that he is there as a Lambe amonges manye Wolues For Rome is not worthy to haue so good a man to gouerne it that it were muche better for him to be content with a meane benefice or to liue of his owne landes and reuenewes farre from suche pestiferous slatterers whiche to serue their owne lust and ambition do depraue his name and dignitie he addeth that Barnarde bewailed the state of Eugenius when Rome was better then it is at this present but now for asmuche as it is the most filthy sinke of al the places in the Uniuersall worlde and a rakehell heaped of all mischief he ought much more to be lamented And this to be the cause why he inueighed so soore agaynst it whiche appertayneth nothing to his reproche but rather to his saluation and he would wishe that all learned men woulde set on with touch and nayle to ouercome that Monstre Touching the thing it selfe whan he had set forth certeine litle bokes and sawe that his attempt was vayne he was willyng to haue left of his enterprise imployed all his frudye to the profite of his bretherne in the same house but than rose vp Eccius who disturbed all these quiet cogitations and desyred leasure wherin he did nothing els but more aptely disclose the shame wickednes of Rome After he toucheth in fewe wordes howe he was vsed before Cardinal Caietane who he saieth might haue appeased all the matter if it had pleased him vnto whom the faulte is to be imputed if any thinge be a misse not to him And that afterwarde came Charles Meltice who had quieted the kinge had it not bene for the importune disputation of Eccius whiche prouoked him to reason matters agaynst his will and is in dede his enemie which fyrst of all men kindled this fyre And nowe for asmuch as he was requested by Melticius others his betters to write to him in the waye of submission he would refuse nothing that appertained to reconcilement First therfore he required him that his aduersaries might kepe silence not raile vpon him as they did secondarely that he were not driuen to recante or bounden to interprete the scriptures after the prescript of maÌ for the doctrine of the Gospell which bringeth libertie to the myndes of men can not be bounden within any certen limites if these thynges may be graunted him he is content to do any thinge so that it lyeth in him nowe to ende the strife if he will vnderstande the matter commaunde either partie to silence But herein he must chiefely beware of flatterers and with a deafe eare sayle besydes theyr songes as the enticementes or daungerous rockes of the Sirenes which ascribe vnto him a godlines and affirme him to be the head of all the world preferring him aboue all generall counselles for there is nothing more pestiferous than is this kynde of Parasites but that he credite them rather which admonishe him of his dewtie and put him in remeÌbraunce that he is a man and this to be the dewtie of a very frende Finally he dedicateth to him his booke which he had lately written of Christen libertie commendinge the same in fewe wordes for that it conteyned the summe of trew doctrine In the begynning of the springe time Themperour taketh shippinge in Spaine to sayle into Englande where he was royally receiued of kynge Henry the eight who had maried hys Aunte Katherine which amonges other kyndes of his princelike liberalite builded a goodlye lodginge purposely for him vpon the Riuer of Themse called Bridewell and from thens he sayled into Flaunders where he was ioyefully receyued of almen About the same time duke Fridericke fell sore sicke Wherfore Luther compiled a boke to coÌforte him and in his letters to him he saith it is the coÌmaundemeÌt of Christ that amonges other workes of Charitie whiche we oughte to
Rome he woulde haue hys owne oppinion to take place against the iudgement of meÌ Wherfore it is wittely done of him to haue no familiarytie with so pestilent a fellowe nor to alowe hys errour In the whiche thinge all graue and wise men do muche commende his vertue And chieflye he giueth God hertie thankes that he hath giuen him suche a mynde affirming moreouer that he hath suffered and borne with his rashenes a while to see if he woulde amende but now for asmuche as he hathe nothinge preuailed with gentle admonishmentes he is compelled to vse an extreme remedy fearyng lest throughe his contagion he shoulde infecte many Wherfore callyng a counsel of Cardinalles and learned men to debate the matter he hath made a decree by the instinction of that holy spirite whiche neuer faileth the Churche of Rome the copie wherof he hath sent vnto him to the intent he might see what monstrouse errours that minister of Sathan defendeth he wilieth him therfore that vnlesse he do openly and solemnely recant with in the daye prescribed he should commit him toward for so shall he put away all shame from his house and from Germany wynne muche honor and do God highe seruice The decree is ouerlonge but the summe is this Fyrst the Byshoppe Leo callynge vpon Christe Peter and Paule and other sainctes to tourne awaye the daunger hangynge ouer the Church most lamentably complayneth that now there should spring vp a doctrine conteinyng bothe the Heresies already condemned and also newe errours and great wickednes And that in Germany that was wont to do so muche for the Churche of Rome bothe longe sins and of late dayes concernyng Husse and theÌ of Boheme But because the numbre of Christians throughout the vniuersall worlde are committed vnto his charge by Christ he can no lenger wyncke at so great a matter After reciting Luthers opinions saieth that they be against Christian charitie and the reuerens that all men owe of duetie to the Churche of Rome and agaynste the counsell of the aunciente fathers Wherfore by the consent of his Cardinalles he condemneth both him and his works to be brought forth and burned and by the aucthoritie whiche he saieth he hath he commaundeth all Magestrates namelye in Germany to se the thing executed accordingely Then commeth he to Luther shewyng with howe fatherly a loue he sought to refourme him howe he cited him to Rome and promised him to beare his charges And howe in contempte therof he appealed from him to the couÌsell contrary to the decrees of Pius and Iulius And all be it he had hereby deserued the punishement condigne for Heretikes yet did he of his clementie gyue him a longer time if happely as the prodigal child amended through his owne misery he would retourne to the bosome of the churche And to be yet also of this minde yea and moste hertely besecheth him and his adherentes to trouble the church no more promysing them great good will if they wyll cease from theyr errours Notwithstandynge he commaundeth Luther to teache no more prescribynge him .lx. dayes wythin the whiche time he shoulde amende burne his owne bokes and recante his doctrine openlye if he did not he condemneth him as an Heritike to suffer accordynge to that lawes he suspendeth him out of the Church commaunding al men to eschew his talke and his company vnder the lyke penaltie and this decree to be red in all Churches assemblies of people at certen dayes appointed Touching Pius and Iulius thus it standeth This Pius hilde a Counsell at Mantua in the yeare of our Lord M. CCCC.lix chiefely because of the Turkisshe warre And there amonges other he made a decree that no man should appeale from the Byshoppe to the Counsell for that vnder the Coope of heauen he said there coulde nothinge be founde better then Christes Uicar And not longe after he suspended Sigismunde duke of Austriche for takinge the Cardinall of Cusane prisoner The duke appealed from him to the counsell Wherfore the Byshoppe did excommunicate George Heimburge the worker herof commaunding the Senate of Norinburge to banishe him the Citie and to spoile him of his goodes Whiche decree was after renewed by Iuly to maynteyne him selfe agaynst the Cardinalles that swarued from him agaynst kynges and princes and the vniuersitie of Paris whiche vsed ofte suche refuge This Bishop Pius called before Aeneas Siluius was at the Counsell of Basill wrot euery thing praysing the decrees that there were made exceadyngly But when he was auaunced to this highe degree of dignitie he chauÌged his opinion and would haue the counsell subiecte to the Byshop When Luther hearde that he was condemned at Rome he goeth to his former appellation wherin he appealed from the Bishoppe to the counsell And nowe forsomuche as the Byshoppe perseuerynge in hys wicked tyrrannye hath proceded so farre to condemne him nether called nor heard nor yet conuicte of Heresye he saieth howe he appealeth from him againe to the counsel chiefly for foure causes for that he hath condemned him at his pleasure not hearyng the controuersie for that he coÌmaundeth him to denie faith to be in sacramentes necessary that he preferreth his owne decrees and dotages of men before the Scriptures and for that he leaueth no place to anye Counsell Wherefore he calleth him Tyrran a proude contemner of the Churche and fynallye Antichriste affirmynge that he will shewe and proue al these thinges whensoeuer it shall please his superiours And therfore prayeth themperour and other Magistrates to accepte this his appellation for the defence of Gods glory and the libertie of the counsell that they would bridell his tyrranny and thynke that the decree made concerned nothynge nor that they would styrre nothinge tyll the cause were lawfully decided Before he had thus appealed about the .xvij. day of Nouembre he had written a boke of the Captiuitie of Babilon in the preface wherof he saieth howe he profiteth dayely more and more in the knowledge of holy Scripture And howe a fewe yeares paste he set forth a booke of the Byshoppes pardons and that tyme wrote renerently because he stoode than in great feare of the Romisshe tyrranny and had it in great estimation but now his iudgement is farre otherwise and beynge styrred vp by the prouocation of his aduersaries he hath lerned that the See of Rome is nothynge els but the kyngdome of Babilon and the power of the stronge Hunter Niutroth Afterwardes he disputeth of the Sacramentes of the Churche and holdeth that there be but three onelye Baptisme Penaunce and the Lordes Supper and then treateth also of the other foure confirmation order Matrimonye and Unction But these he calleth no Sacramentes because they haue no sygnes annexed to the promesse other sacramentes which haue no promise to theÌ ioyned he saith are but vare signes therfore thinketh that Penaunce can not be couÌted in the numbre of theÌ if we wil properly exactly
agaynste the syxte daye of Ianuarye As concernyng that which the Archebishop of Mentz spake howe the Bishoppe of Rome had confyrmed the Emperours creation thus haue they tourned Totnam into Frenche of late yeres For in tymes past the Bishoppes of Rome were wonte to be approued by themperours when they were but pore but encreased in wealth they did not onely begyn to rule at theyr pleasure but also at the length brought it vnto this passe after muche strife and contention that in dede they permitted that the seuen Princes of Germany might electe hym but saye how it lyeth in theyr power onely to coÌfirme and ratifie the same And this Authoritie haue they vsed many tymes in maner throughe all realmes but chiefly in Italy Fraunce and Germany what tyme they haue put downe kynges and substituted others in theyr place For besides other places of the Canon lawe in thepistles decretall of Gregory the ix Innocentius the iij. affirmeth that the aucthoritie of chosyng themperor was by the benefit of the Bishoppes and Churche of Rome conueighed from the Grekes to the Germanes in the tyme of great Charlemaigne and howe it is theyr partes to know iudge whether the person be mete And yet not coÌteÌted with that they haue also extorted his faithe by an othe from the highest Magistrate of the whole vniuersall worlde Whiche thynge hathe bene often tymes the cause of great warres and muche other mischief And in fyne ClemeÌt the fift bounde them to it by a lawe who lyued in the yere of our lorde a thousande and thre hundred For wheras Henry the seuenth Emperour of that name of the house of Lucemburge woulde not after thys sort be bounden for that he said it was a matter newly inuented neyther vsed in former time ClemeÌt for them that should come after openeth the matter at large declarynge what is in same othe conteyned that is to say that themperour shoulde defende the Church of Rome that he banish Heretikes and haue no company with wicked meÌ that he by al meanes possible mayneteine the Dignitie of the Bishoppes of Rome that he defend kepeal priuiledges grauÌted to the church of Rome at any tyme but especially such as were geuen by CoÌstantine Charlemaigne Henry Otto the fourth Fridericke the secoÌd and Rodulphe that he chalenge no parte of the landes and possessions of the Church of Rome by any maner of title or pretence In these thinges saith he the Emperour is bounden to him And that Henry also by messengers promised hym no lesse howe soeuer he dissembled afterwarde Thys decree came forth after the death of the Emperour Henrye The same Clement was the first of all that called forth the Cardinals froÌ Rome to Lyons and kept his Court in Fraunce Syns the whiche time the authoritie and power of Emperours hathe decreased in Italy daylye more and more And the power and dignitie of Bishoppes bene augmented in so much that at these our dayes and a lytle before our time Emperours haue supposed that they owe this faithe and obediens to them euen of bounden dewtie But the chiefe of the Bishoppes that haue molested oure Emperours are these Gregory the seuenth and the .ix. Alexandre the thyrde Innotentius the thyrde and the fourth Nicolaus the thyrde Bonisace the eyght and Clement the fyste Nowe let vs retourne to our pourpose In the meane tyme that Cefar was yet at Collen the Byshoppe of Rome sent Marinus Carracciolus and Hierome Aleander to encense the Duke of Saxonie againste Luther who speakynge fyrste in the praise of him and his familie than tellynge of the daunger that haÌged ouer all Germany for the deuilishe workes of Luther demaunded of him in fine two thinges Firste that he would commaunde all his bokes to be caste in the fyre secondarelye that he woulde eyther see hym executed or send him bounde to Rome This was before Peter Bonhomme of Tergeste and Barnarde of Trent Bishoppes They had also commission that Cesar and all other Princes of Germany beyng required of ayde should accomplishe the Byshoppes request who had committed as they sayde to this Aleander and doctor Eckius the herynge of the matter Duke Fridericke because it was a matter of importaunce axynge a tyme of deliberation the fourth daye of Nouembre maketh them aunswere by hys counsell for that he hym selfe was otherwise occupied in the presence of the Bishoppe of Trent Howe it is farre beyonde his expectation that the Bishoppe of Rome shoulde demaunde anye suche thynge of him who hathe alwayes indeuoured him selfe to do nothing vnworthy the vertue and dignitie of his auncestours to do his faithfull seruice to the Empire and his dewe obseruaunce to the Churche And howe he hath heard that whilest he hath bene froÌ home Eckius hath gone about to bring in trouble not onely Luther but others also of his dominion coÌtrary to the order maner of the Canon lawe whiche thinge as righte is he taketh in euil part that a priuate maÌ should take vpoÌ him to medle so muche in any other maÌsiurisdictioÌ What Luther or others haue done in his absence sins the Byshoppes decre was brought he knoweth not but he had neuer any thinge to do with his matter neyther nowe will haue Howebeit if he teache not rightly he is the more sory Two yere past through his labour and meanes he was broughte to Cardinall Caietaine at Auspurge But when they had spoken together they coulde not agree in so muche that Cardinall Caietane wrote vnto hym letters of complaint which he so answered at the same time that he thought he had satisfied him yea and to take awaye all suspicion he would than haue put Luther from him if Miltitius had not letted the matter Moreouer howe oftener that that the Archbishop of Treuers was appointed to heare the matter and howe Luther wyll appere in any place when so euer he is commaunded so that he may be assured and maketh so large and great an offer that no more can be required This is the opinion of good and well learned men that he hathe thus farre proceded not of his owne accorde but pricked forwarde of his aduersaries as yet he hath neyther bene so heard of the Emperor or of any others that his workes should be so conuicte of Hercsye that they ought to be burnt or els would he already haue done the duetye of a good Prince He requireth them therefore that they woulde not deale after this sorte but rather fynde the meanes that some Godlye learned menne maye be chosen that shall frendely and quietlye heare the whole matter that Luther maye haue a good safeconduicte and that his bookes be not burned before he hathe pleaded his cause And if he can by the testimonies of Scripture and sownde argumentes be conuicted than will not he holde with hys doynges And although that bothe he and his cause shoulde take the foile yet woulde he trust that the Byshoppe would requyre him to
do nothyng but that might stande with his honoure In all other thynges throughe Gods helpe he would do as shoulde become a Prince of the Empire and an obdient childe of the church What tyme this answere was geuen them After some deliberation they began to recite howe many thynges the Byshoppe of Rome had done and suffered that Luther mighte at the length retourne into the right way but that he hath kepte no parte of his promyse And that it lyeth not nowe in the Archbishoppe of Treuers to here the matter for so muche as the Bishoppe of Rome hathe taken to him selfe the same to whom onely it apperteineth to be iudge in suche causes the conclusion of theyr talke was that they said how they must procede according to the Bishoppes decree And so not longe after they burned Luthers workes Aleander was an Italian borne right skilful in the Hebrew tonge he was sometyme a Reader in Paris commynge to Rome he grewe in estimation and was first made Archebistoppe of Brunduse after that Cardinal To the same degre of dignitie came also Carracciolus When Luther vnderstoode this he calleth forthe all the studentes of Wittenberge and in the presens of many learned men he burneth the Byshop of Romes law and the decree lately published openly the teÌth day of Decembre And the next day in his lecture admonisheth al men that regarde theyr saluation to beware of that Bishoppes kyngdom Afterwarde he set forth a boke wherin he sheweth the causes why he burned the Canon lawe First that it hath bene an olde custome obserued at all times that naughtie and Pestilent bokes should be burned a testimony wherof is yet in the actes of the Apostles Moreouer that it concerneth his dewtie that is baptised in Christe whiche is a professour and an open teacher of holye Scripture to impugne wycked doctrine and to teache men that is holesome and to plucke out of meÌs mindes false and erronious opinions And that the same apperteineth also to many others And although that they bryng letted eyther through ignoraunce or for feare of perill do not that they oughte to do yet can that be none excuse to him vnlesse he do his dewtie Moreouer the Bishoppe of Rome and all his rable are so obstiuate and shamelesse that not onely they wyll heare no good admonitions but also condempne the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and compell men to committe open Idolatry Furthermore he supposeth howe these booke burners haue no commission to burne his bookes no more than had the Diuines of Collen and Louain of the Emperour Finally for as muche as his workes beyng burnt and the brute therof spread abroade ouer all countreis many will growe to be weaker and doubtfull supposynge they were not caste into the fyre withoute cause therefore dyd he seynge his aduersaries past all remedy burne theyr Bookes also that he might therby erecte confyrme the mindes of men Wherfore he besecheth all men that laying a syde thambitiouse and proude titles of his aduersaries they would looke nerer to the thinge that is howe wicked and pestilent opinions are conteyned in those bokes of the Law Which thinge that it maye be the better perceyued of innumerable he hath gathered a fewe thynges whiche belonge to the reproche of almightie God to the iniurie of the ciuill magistrate and to the establisshing of their owne tyranny to the numbre of thyrtie places whereby he sheweth that he had iuste cause to burne them Than prouoketh he them to shewe the reasons wherfore they burnt his workes And the cause why fewe or none haue in diuerse ages past attempted anithing agaynste the tyrannye of Antichrist he saieth hathe bene for that the Scripture hath prophecied howe he shoulde destroy his aduersaries and haue the kynges to assist him Seyng therfore that the Prophetes and Apostles haue tolde vs before of suche tyrrible thynges to come it is easye to consydre howe greate it behoueth hys crueltye to be For so commeth it to passe ordenarily in worldly matters that of the best begynnynge of thinges procedeth the worste ende Whiche after he hathe proued by diuerse examples he inuergeth agaynste the Citie of Rome whiche beyng indewed of God with many benefites and ornamentes is vtterly gone out of kynde and with her contagion hathe infected a great part of the world that this the Byshoppes ordinauÌce is agaynst the lawes agaynst good customes nether is he to be suffered for that he fleeth from lawful iudgement for that he affirmeth him selfe to be aboue all lawes and iudgementes I tolde you in the fyrste Boke how Syluester Prierias wrote agaynst Luther whan he had answered him sharpely Ambrosius Catarinus an Italian toke in had to defende him setting forthe a booke of the dignitie of the Bishoppe of Rome to the whiche Luther aunswereth at large and interpretynge certen places of Daniell teacheth that the Byshoppes Tyrrannye is there paynted out and proueth that suche thinges as he hathe prophecied of the kyngdome of Antichriste do altogether concerne the See of Rome After this was Catarinus made Archbyshoppe of Cossent The thirde Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirde Booke DUke Fridericke obteyneth letters of safeconduict for Luther to come to Wormes there to defende his opinions and writinges before themperor and the other states and perseuereth constantly although themperor threateneth him wyth banishment and the Pope had cursed hym in the Bulle of the Lordes supper And the Prynces seuerally soughte to peruerté him The counsell of Constaunce was set before his eyes vpon which occasion mention is made of Wyclese of Iohn Hussc and of Ê ischa a Bohemer the Sorbonistes condempne Luthers bokes Whilest the Pope and the Frenche kynge made a league with the Swisses Ê wmglius diswadeth theÌ from takyng Pensions of theÌ Luter beyng exiled by letters patentes auoydeth The kynge of Englande writcth agaynst him Pope Leo dyeth Adrian succedeth Solyman the greate Turke hathe luckie successe in Hongary Commotions in Spaynè themperor couetyng to appease them after he had treated wyth Englande goeth thyther The Byshoppe of Constance persecuteth Ê wynglius Troubles at Wittenberge The Annabaptistes aryse for the which there is an assemble at Norinberge The Pope sendeth thyther letters and Ambassadours The Turke taketh the Rhodes Ê winglius hauyng set forth hys doctrine by certeyne Articles is assayled by the Papistes but in fyne the Ghospell is receyued at Ê uricke DUke Fridericke accompaniynge the Emperour to the assemblie at Wormes had obteyned that Cesar sayde he would call for Luther and heare his matter whiche Luther vnderstanding by the Dukes letters wrote agayne aboute the latter ende of Ianuary that he was exceadyng glad that the Emperor would vouche saufe to heare this matter which in dede is a common cause And that he shal be content to do any thing that he may do with a
me but I ascribe to my selfe no holines nor my profession is not of life or maners but of trewe doctrine Yet wyll I retracte nothynge in these same for in so doyng I should set open a windowe to the arrogancie of manye And yet I would not be so taken as thoughe I toke vpon me that I could not erre but for so muche as it is the propertie of a man to erre and be disceaued I take for the defence of my cause that saying of our sauior who speakynge of his doctrine what time he was striken of a seruaÌt sayeth If I haue spoken euyll beare wytnesse of euyll Wherefore if Christ which is all perfection refused not the witnes of a most vile seruaunt against him Howe muche more I that am a synner by nature should come whan I am called to here if any man can testifie or bring forth any thing against my doctrine Wherfore I desyre you for the honour of God if any of all you haue any thynge to obiecte agaynste the doctrine that I professe he would not hide it but come forth and shew the errour by the testimony of Scripture whiche thinge done I will be so lytell obstinate that the fyrst of all men I shall caste myne owne Bokes into the fyre And hereby maye a man iudge that I am not led rashely or like one that were rauished of his wittes but to haue waied diligently the weightines of the thinge and the troubles that are ingendred by this doctrine And I reioyse greatly whaÌ I perceyue that my doctrine is cause of so great offences For Christ him selfe saith how it is the nature of the gospell to styrre vp strife and contention euen amonges suche as be ioyned most nere in bloud Nowe therfore O noble men ye ought grauely and with greate deliberation to consyder and to foresee leste in condemnynge a doctrine throughe the syngular beuefyte of God offred you ye be not cause of muche incoÌuenience that may therby chaunce vnto you and all Germany You muste haue respecte also that this newe Empire of the yonge Emperor here present be not made vnlucky and vnfortunate by some vngodly and vnprofitable example for our posteriti For it is to be proued by diuerse places of the Scripture that there haue Empires fallen into greate perils what tyme the common wealth hath bene gouerned onely by counsel and mans wisedome Notwithstandyng most wyse and honourable Princes myne intent is not to shewe you what you haue to do but I speake this for the zeale I beare to Germany which is our natife couÌtrie and ought to be derer vnto vs than oure owne lyues For the rest I besethe you to receyue me into your tuition and protection agaynst the forse of myne enemyes What tyme he had made an ende Eckius with a stowning comutenaunce sayd vnto him Thou answerest nothing to the purpose noyther is it thy part to call agayne in question such thinges as haue bene determined intimes past by the aucthoritie of Counsels Thou shouldest make a playne and directe answere whether thou wilte abide by thy writynges Then sayd Luther for asmuche as it is your commaud dement most mightie Cesar and most noble Princes that I shall answere directly I will obey This therfore is myne aunswere that vnlesse I be conuinced by the Testimonies of holy Scripture or by manifest reason I can not reuoke any parte of that whiche I haue written or taught for I will neuer do that thynge that should hurte myne owne conscience And as for the Bishoppe of Rome and the Counsels onely I do not beleue nor admitte their authoritie for they haue erred often tymes and set forthe thinges contrary one to another And they may erre and be disceaued When the Princes had layde theyr heades together touchyng this aunswere Then sayd Eckius thou aunswerest Luther more vnreuerently then it becommeth thee and not sufficientlye to the matter of thy Bookes thou makest a difference but in case thou woulde retract those which conteyne a greater part of thyne errours Cesar woulde suffer no iniurie to be done vnto suche as be well written Thou dispisest the Counsell of Constaunce wheras were manye noble and well learned men of Germany and renewest the errours therein condemned and wilt be conuinced by holy Scripture Herein thou doest not well but art farre abused for loke what thinges the Church hath once condemned the same maye come no more into any newe disputation for if euery man will seke for a reason of eche thinge and he that speaketh against Counsell must be reproued only by the Scriptures there shall be nothyng certeinly determined For the whiche cause the Emperour wyll haue thee to pronounce openly what thou determinest of thy Bookes I beseche you saieth Luther gyue me leaue to kepe my conscience safe and sounde I haue answered playnely and haue none other thinge to say for vnlesse myne aduersaries can shew me by trew argumentes taken out of the Scripture and take away my errour I can not be quiet in my minde for I am able to shew that they haue oftentimes and shamefully erred And for me to swarue from the Scripture whiche is manifest and cannot erre were a very wicked dede the other sayd it could not be proued that euer generall counsel had erred But Luther sayd he both could and would and so they departed at that time The next day the Emperour sent letters to the Princes syttyng in Counsell signifiyng that his progenitours had both professed the Christian Religion and euermore obeied the Church of Rome And now seing that Luther doth impugne it perseueryng obstinately in his opinion hys dutie requireth that folowynge the steppes of hys auncestours he defende the Christian Religion and succor the church of Rome Wherfore he wyll banishe Luther and his adherentes and vse other fitte remedies to quenche this fyre but touching his promise he will kepe it that he may retorne home agayne safe and sound This Epistle was muche debated and skanned amonges the Princes And there were some that saide there was no promise to be kept with him according to the decree made in the Counsel at Constance but against that were manye others and namely Lewes the Countie Palatyne Prince Elector affyrminge that it would redounde to the perpetuall shame of Germany Wherupon diuerse thought mete not only to kepe theyr promise but also not to condempne him rasshelye for that it is a weightie matter consyderyng how themperor at these yeares is soone moued and exasperated agaynst Luther by the Byshoppe of Romes ministers A fewe dayes after the Bishoppe of Treuers appoynteth Luther to come to him the .xxiiij. daye of Aprill There were present Joachin Marques of Brandenburge electour George Duke of Saxonie the Byshop of Auspurge other nobles And whan Luther was brought in by the Archebishoppes Chapplaine and the Emperours Heraulte Ueus a Lawyer of Badon sayde vnto him Where these noble Princes haue sent for thee Martin Luther it is
not to enter into any disputation with thee but to treate freÌdly with thee and priuatly to admonishe thee touching thine owne profyt For the Emperour hath geuen them leaue so to do And fyrst it may be that counsels haue taught dyuerse thinges but not contrary And albeit they haue erred yet is not theyr authoritie so decaied herby that euery man may treade it vnder foote Thy bokes if it be not well loked to wyll styrre vp greate trouble For many interprete the same which thou hast written of Christen libertie after theyr owne affections to the entent they maye do what they lyste This worlde is nowe more corrupte than it hath bene here tofore And therfore men must worke more warely There be some of thy workes that can not be reproued but it is to be feared lest the Deuill in the meane tyme petswade thee to set forth others agaynste Religion and godlines that so thy bokes may be altogether condemned For those that thou hast set forth last declare ryght well how the tree is to be knowen by the fruites and not by the blosome Thou art not ignoraunt how diligently the Scripture warneth vs to beware of the noone Deuill and the fliynge Arrowe that enemye of mankynde ceaseth not to lye in waite for vs and many times vnder a Godly pretence intrappeth and leadeth vs awaye into errour Therefore thou oughtest to consider bothe thine owne saluation and other mens and it would become thee to foresee lest suche as Christ hath through hys death redemed from death euerlastynge beyng through thy faulte bokes and prechinges seduced from the Churche perishe againe the dignitie of the which Church all men ought to acknowledge reuerently For in all the world is there nothing better thaÌ the obseruation of the lawes And lyke as no coÌmoÌ weale consisteth wtout lawes euen so vnlesse the moste holy decrees of our forefathers be reuerently kept there shall be nothing more troublesome than the state of the Church which should be most quiet and stable These noble and vertuouse Princes here present for the singular zeale they beare to the commoÌ weale and for thy cause and wealth also thoughte good to admonisshe thee of all these thinges For doubtles if thou wylte perseuer thus obstinatlye in thine opinion and not relent the Emperour wyll bannishe thee out of the Empire and wyll forbyd thee to haue anye restynge place of Germany to the ende thou maiest the better consyder thine owne state Wherunto Luther replied For this your great good will and gentlenes most noble Princes shewed vnto me I gyue you most hertye thankes for certenlye I am a man of a baser sorte than that it shoulde beseme so noble men to take suche paines for me But as concernynge the Counsels I do not reprehende all but chiefly that of Constaunce and haue iuste cause so to do For Husse defyned the Churche to be the fellowshippe of Gods electe bothe this and that saying of his he beleued the holy Churche they condemned also more worthy them selues to be condemned for he spake bothe truely and like a Christen man Therfore I will suffer any punishement yea spend my life sooner than I will swarue from the manifest worde of God for we muste rather obey God then men touching the offence that connneth by my bookes I neyther can nor ought to eschewe For the offences of Charitie and of faythe differ much wherof that which consisteth in life and maners must in anye wyse be auoyded but thother whiche cleaueth to Godes worde is not to be regarded for the trewth will and commaundemeÌt of the heauenly father must be accomplished though the whole world should be offended The Scripture calleth Christ himselfe the stone of offence And the same appertayneth also likewise to all suche as preach the Gospell I knowe that we ought to obey lawes and Magistrates and so haue I euermore taught the people also my writinges do sufficiently beare witnes howe muche I do ascribe to the dignitie of the lawes But as touchyng the decrees of the churche there is an other consideration to be had For if Gods word were taught sincerely if the Bishops pastours of the church did their dewtie like as Christ his apostles haue ordeined it nede not to impose vnto meÌs mindes conscieÌces that heauie intollerable burtheÌ of mens traditioÌs Moreouer I am ignoraÌt not how the scripture admonisheth vs to refrain our own affectioÌs which thiÌg is truely spoken I wil be glad to perfourme it neither will I do any thinge obstinately so that I may onely professe the doctrine of the gospel Whan he had sayd thus he was coÌmaunded to depart Whan they had consulted of the matter Ueus amonges other thinges began to perswade him to submitte his writynges to the knowledge of the Emperour and the princes content saith he I wil neuer seme to refuse the iudgemeÌt of Cesar and the states of thempire so it maye be done by Scripture and Gods worde whiche maketh so much for me that vnlesse the same do reproue my errour I can not forsake mine opinion For Paule commaundeth not to beleue an Aungel comming from heauen if he bringe an other doctrine Wherfore he besecheth the Princes that he might kepe a saufe conscience which if by theyr mediation to the Emperour he mighte obtayne he was content to do any thing Then said the Marques of BraÌdenburge Wilt thou not geue place except thou be conuict by Scripture No in dede saieth Luther or els by manyfest reasons Wherfore when the counsell was broken vp the Archbishoppe of Treuers toke him a parte and began to admonishe him againe but it might not preuaile The next day also he moued him to commit the iudgement vnto Cesar and to the senate of Princes without conditioÌ But it was in vaine At the after noone the Bishoppe and certeine others required him at the lest to submitte his workes to the nexte generall counsell He agreeth therunto so that the matter be handled by the Aucthoritie of Scripture After this the Archbishop in priuate talke with him alone demaunded of him what remedy would helpe this greuous disease He sayde the best counsell is that Gamaliel in tymes past gaue to the Scribes and Phariseis and not to contende with God In fyne when he coulde not preuaile he letteth him depart gently and sayd he would deuise for him that he should retourne home by saufeconduicte And not longe after commeth Eckius the Lawier and saieth vnto him For asmuche as thou hast refused the admonishmentes of Cesar and the Princes the Emperour from hence forth will do as to his office apperteineth and now commauÌdeth thee to depart hence immediatly graunting thee one and twentie dayes for thy retourne looke what promise he made thee the same wil he kepe vnbroken charginge thee moreouer that in thy retourne home thou styrre vp no people by the way neither by word nor writing On this wise beyng suffered to depart
Religion so that they wyll be constant and vtterly refuse the fylthines and wickednes of the Romisshe Bishoppe As concernyng the Bohemers thus it standeth After the death of Iohn Husse the people of Boheme wer deuided into three sectes Oue part toke the Bishoppe of Rome for the head of the Churche and the Uicar of Christ Another sorte receyued the Lordes Suppes in both kyndes and in their Masses had certeine thynges rehersed in their vulgare tounge differing in nothing els from the Papistes The thyrde sort were called Picardes they call the Bishop of Rome Antichriste and the whore of Babilon described in the Reuelation they admitte nothynge but the Bible they chose theyr owne priestes and Bishoppes they forbid no man to mary they pray not for the dead as for holy dayes and ceremonies they haue but very fewe After this Luther compiled a Boke againste the false named order of Bishops in the preface wherof he saith it is to them great shame that so many of them as they be with their great liuinges and honourable titles prosessyng them to be maisters of the whole Scriptures that they dare not come to dispute with him onelye before indifferent Iudges beyng so ofte prouoked therunto Wherfore he saieth that from hence forth he will no more submitte his writynges vnto them as he dyd at Wormes for the Doctrine is not his but Christes Who lyueth and reigneth for euer who will once restraine theyr madnes and bluddye enterprises By the decrees of the Bishop of Rome and theÌperor the name and marke of that great Beast is taken from him for the which he thaÌketh God highly that hath deliuered him out of the stiking doÌgeon of most filthy errors and wicked doctrine and lightened him with the trewe knowledge of his worde wherof he is so certein that he will not herafter submit his doctrine to the iudgement no not of any Angell but by the testimony therof to iudge both him selfe and all them and the Angels also Wherfore he warneth theÌ to put no trust in theyr tyrany for the more that they swell in theyr malice and enuie against hym the more boldely will he proceds in his purpose for Christ liueth and reygneth which can and will confounde their cruell and bloddy enterprises he would wishe in dede theyr amendment but if that wil not be he wil haue such continual warre with theÌ as shall neuer be recoÌciled And where as they charge him that his franke rebuking of theÌ shuld styrre vp the people against him in that they do him muche wronge for it is to be proued by the Scriptures that such repreheÌsions are necessary when the pastors of Churches bevnlearned wicked obstinate neither doynge their dutie theÌselues nor permitting others to do that would can do it right well Now to the couÌsel at Norinberge Lewis king of HuÌgary sent his ambassadors who lameÌtably coÌplaining of the Turkes great crueltie desyred stroÌge coÌtinual aide Thither sent also AdriaÌ Bishop of Rome Hierome Rorare one of his chaÌberlaines with letters to duke Friderike signifiyng that he was right glad to heare of thasseÌbly at Norinberge trusting that there shal be some thing done that shall coÌcerne the coÌmon weale for the which cause he hath also determined by the coÌsent of his Cardinals toseÌd his Ambassador thither And in that meane while thought good to seÌde this maÌ before to signifie vnto him whoÌ he hath euermore loued derely his good will affectioÌ towardes the common wealth as he shall better know by his Ambassador that foloweth he exhorteth praieth hi that he which is a price of theÌpire in the tuition of the which Empire the church of Rome coÌsisteth wold trauaile coÌsult diligeÌtly for the things that coÌcerne the dignitie of thapostolical church and the traÌquilitie of the coÌmon weale to folow herein the steppes of his noble progenitors desyringe him to giue further credite to Ierome in suche thynges as he hath wylled him to debate with him FarnaÌdo Archduke of Austriche was a straight executer of the senteÌce giuen the yere before against Luther in the Dukedome of Wittenberge which he helde at the same time he set forth a sore proclamation the .xxvj. day of NoueÌbre promisyng rewardes to the promotors in all his own prouinces he punished extremely all those that obeied not the Popes lawes This yere departed Reucline a pure aged man whoÌ Erasmus of Roterodame commended with a goodly Dialoge attributyng vnto hym immortalitie and the excellencie in the knowledge of all three tonges At the latter ende of Nouembre Adrian Bishop of Rome sendeth letters to the whole assemblie at Norinberge That sins the time he was first chosen to thoffice of Apostleship he neuer wished for thinge more than that he might in euery coÌdition accomplish the dewtie of a good pastour suffring no one shepe of his flocke to go farre a stray for asmuch as might be done through his vigilant eye and carefulnes And herof he taketh God to be his witnes who hath auaunced him vnworthy to this dignitie which he neuer loked for And to the intent he might more easely atteine to his purpose he hath greatly exhorted all kynges and princes to absteine froÌ ciuil warres And if they will nedes make warre to bende all theyr forse and power againste the enemies of the Christian faith And the same that he assaied to perswade others he hathe performed him self hauing sent a great sum of money to the knights of the Rhodes which at this present are in great daunger of theÌperor of Turkes Afterwardes calling home his remeÌbrauÌce of forein periles loking more narrowly vpoÌ domestical euils he heareth to his great discoÌfort that Martin Luther who hath ofteÌtimes bene gently fatherly admonished at the length whan there was none other remedy coÌdemned banisshed by certein Uniuersities by Leo his predecessor also by themperor by the coÌmon coÌsent is not yet put to sileÌce but styll at libertie setting forth dayly new bokes by the which the christiaÌ religioÌ al honest liuing is sore decaied Which thing greueth hi so much the more for that he heareth saye howe diuerse of the nobilitie fauoure hym and that the matter is so farre gone that Ecclesiasticall parsons are in dauÌger to lose both laÌdes dignitie through out Germany touching the which things certein haue already styrred vp ciuil war It is trewly spokeÌ of Paule that iiedes there must be Heresies but as thinges staÌd now it chauÌseth most out of ceason But the deuill is disposed to wrap vs in sondry calamities at one time for through his instigation the fury of the Turkes the Heresie of Luth. oppresse vs both at once And although it were for vs possible to discoÌfite the foreine enemie yet so loÌg as this domestical aduersarie is vnuaÌquished it should litel preuaile What time he was yet in Spaine he hearde muche of Luthers false opinions albeit it greued him
eschewe the present daunger that hangeth ouer their owne heades Furthermore if there be any that say howe Luther was condemned before his matter was heard or that it were reason the thing shold be debated before he were executed they thinke not well for Christ hath taught vs the rule of faith Religion whose authoritie we must folowe and not reason of the articles of our faith nor inquire the cause of this or that precept He is in dede to be hearde when he is examined whether he spake this thinge or that in hys sermon whether he setforth this boke or that but touching faith and the Sacramentes we may not permit him to reason or defend those thinges whiche he hathe written thereof for in this we muste folowe the vse and custome of the Church and in no wise swarue from the same Againe sith hys doctrine is suche as hath bene heretofore condemned by generall counsels there is none accompt to be made therof Moreouer there should be no ende of coÌtention if it might be lawfull for euery priuate man to call in question those thinges which wittie and great learned men haue with muche deliberation established wheresoeuer is any asseÌblie or felowship of meÌ there be certein lawes which all they are bounden to obserue howe muche more oughte the same to be done what time anye thynge is openlye establisshed in the churche But seyng these men do not onely contempne the lawes and decrees of counsels and auncient fathers but also burne them they ought suerly to be punished as breakers of the common peace quietnes Neuertheles he confesseth howe that God which is the reuenger of all wronge doeth thus plage his churche for the synnes of the ministers therof as the Scripture saieth The iniquitie of the people procedeth from the priestes and elders for certenlye saieth he they haue synned at Rome these many yeres full greuously by sundry wayes euen from the highe Bishoppe to the lowest Ecclestasticall parson and not one to be excused for the which cause callynge mekely to God for pardon He wyll endeuour to redresse the thing and see that the court of Rome which perchaunce hath bene the occasion of all this mischief be fyrst sharpely refourmed And that as it hathe bene the example of vice so it may be the begynning of amendement and Patron of vertu which he saieth he must do by lytell and litell for that al sodayne mutations be daungerous and as the common prouerbe is He that bloweth his nose ouermuche shall wringe out bloude This writing dyd Luther translate in to the vulgare toungue and set to his notes in the margente and where he sayeth by lytell and lytell Luther affyrmeth that to be the space of many mens liues But in that he so frankely bewrayed the vicious lyuyng of the court at Rome he gote no great loue of the Cardinals as it is reported Neuertheles this they say is euer the bishop of romes policie when he wil deferre the couÌsel or delay the hearynge of the matter he will promise largely that whilest men trust vpon his promyse he maye fynde the meanes what by the fauoure of Princes and what by force of Armes to mainteine hys power dignitie which is like to fall in some daunger by fyre and generall counsels Whilest the Byshoppes Ambassador declared thus the Princes complained that the leagues which they had made in times past with Byshoppes of Rome were broken there diuerse wayes Whereof the Byshoppe beyng certifyed by the letters of his Ambassadour answereth them by the same that suche thynges as his predecessours dyd it lieth not in him to helpe but he misliked the handelyng of the matters at Rome when he was but a priuate man and purposed no lesse but to refourme the same thoughe no man had spoken therin and to suffer no man to susteine any wronge muche lesse them whom for the common countrey sake he coueteth chiefly to gratifie And where they desyre that their actions commenced might be retourned in to Germany so soone as the Iudges and aduocates whiche are fled oute of Rome for the Plage shall retourne he will inquire of the case and do therin that which shall seme resonable He commaunded moreouer his Ambassadour to require an aunswere of the Princes what in theyr opinion were the best way to destroy this pestiferous secte that he maye vnderstande in time what shall be his part to do therin These thinges beyng declared to the counsel the Princes and other states make aunswere Fyrste in recityng briefly his demaundes they say they are ryght glad that it hath pleased God to place him in the gouernement of the church which in this perilous time had nede of such a Pastour who beareth suche a zeale to the common wealthe and taketh suche paynes to set kynges at quietnes and emploieth hys treasure to the repressing of the Turkes violence whiche thynges they reioyse to heare of for by these ciuill warres thempire is decaied and the Turkes power increased where no man prepareth any Armye to resist him Here be the Ambassadours of the kyng and Princes of Hungary which not without great lamentation haue recited what cruell thinges they haue suffered and what daunger they stande in dayely Wherfore they desyre him which is the father Pastour of all others that he will perseuer in this most holy purpose and trauaile that eyther a suer peace or els a long treuce may be taken that in the meane time they may make preparation to withstande the Turkes violence and recouer the countreis of the Empire which are loste Whereunto they promise their aide bothe of men and money As concernyng Luther if any displeasure be growen in Germany by the meanes of his doctrine they are right hartely sory therefore as it becommeth them no lesse and desyre also to remedy the euyll knowyng it to be theyr duetie to obey both him and themperour nother wil they degenerat from their progenitours herein where he complaineth that he is not already punished according to the Emperours decree it is vpon no lyght consyderation omitted for all degrees do complayne most heinously of the courte of Rome And in maner al men are so wel instructed by the preachinges and bokes of Luther that in case the decree should be put in execution it would doubtles styre vp great sedition and many would so coustre it to be done for this intent that the trueth should be oppressed and the lyght of the Ghospell extinguisshed for the mayntenaunce of suche open crymes as were not to be borne withall which perswasion most certeinly would styrre vp a rebellion of the people against the Magistrates for it tan not be denied and he himselfe graunteth also that they lyue dissolutely vitiously at Rome to the great decay of Religion Wherefore in that he dyssembleth nothing nor clooketh the disorder of the court at Rome but promyseth a reformation it deseruith muche praise especially if he performe
declareth howe the Church hath power and authoritie to iudge of euery doctrine and to appoint ministers But fyrste he defyneth the Churche to be where so euer the Ghospell is syncerely taught And the Byshoppes he calleth Images and heades without braynes wherof there is not one that doth his duetie in any place namely in Germany And not longe after he wrote of the eschewynge of mens doctrine wherin he saieth he holdeth not with them which do in dede conteÌne the lawes and traditions of men And yet do nothynge which belongeth to the dwetie of a trewe Christian After this he prescribeth how the Masse and Communion should be vsed in the Churche of Wittenberge And saieth howe he hath hitherto wrought slouthfullye by reason of mens infirmitie and to haue had a care one lye howe he myghte plucke wicked opinions out of mens myndes but nowe that many be confyrmed it is time to suffer vngodlines in the churche no longer but that all cloking and simulation set a parte sincere workyng maye ensewe vpon pure doctrine And to this he addeth an other wrytyng of holy ceremonies to be obserued in the Churche And againe of the abhomination of the priuate Masse which they call the Canon Wherin he exhorteth the people to flee froÌ the accustomed sacrifices of the masse as they woulde do from the Deuyll hym selfe for the demonstration wherof he reciteth in order the Canon of the Masse declaryng howe full it is of blasphemies againste God Amonges other learned men of Germany that fauoured Luther Ulriche Hutten a noble man borne was one who died this yere not farre from Zurick There be certein workes of his remaining which declare his excellent witte In the iij. boke I shewed you how Luther made answere to Henry king of Englande Whiche after the kynge had read he writeth his letters to the Princes of Saxonie Fridericke and John his brother to his vncle George and greuously coÌplaining of Luther he sheweth them what daunger hangeth ouer them and all Germany by reason of his doctrine And that it is not a thinge to be contemned or neglected for the great crueltie of the Turkes which is nowe spred so farre a broad had his beginning of a naughtie man or two And Boheme hard by them may be a warning for them to see the thing reformed in time he admonisheth theÌ also that they suffer not Luther to translate the newe Testament into the Uulgare tong for he is wel knoweÌ to be such a practisioner that there is no doubt but suche thinges as are well written he with his euill translation wil corrupt and depraue Unto these letters Duke George answereth very frendly blaming also Luther excedingly whose bokes he saith he hath banished out of al his dominioÌs as the most hurtfull enemies that can be Moreouer howe he is righte sory that he hath written so extremely against him and hath giuen coÌmaundement throughe out all his countrey that no man reade it nor sell it and howe he hath punished the Printer that brought the fyrste Copie thyther In the assemblie at Norinberge besydes matters of Religion the Princes entreated of peace and lawes of the punnisshement of those that obeyde not the lawes of the Empire of continuall aide againste the Turke Which two last were not agreed vpon And al the cities of thempire because certein thinges were enacted which they sowe should be preiudiciall to them sent theyr Ambassadours into Spâine to the Emperour Which ariuynge at Ualolet the sixt day of August The thyrde day after declared theyr message Unto whom the Emperor aunswered gently and frankely Notwithstandynge he sayde the Byshoppe of Rome had complained to him in his letters of Strauseborough Norinberge and Auspurge as fauorers of Luthers doctrine he trusted it were not trewe yet woulde he not hyde it from them to th entent they might obserue the Byshoppes decrees and his as he thinketh they will do These Ambassadors pourge them selues faiyng that they do what they can to accomplishe his will and pleasure In the meane time dieth Byshoppe Adrian at the Ides of Septembre in his place was chosen Clement the vii of the house of Medices They of Zuricke onely folowed Zuinglius doctrine the rest of the Suices hated the same Wherfore in a coÌmon assemblie had for the falâe purpose at Bernes some accused Zuinglius that he preached openly howe that suche as made league with other nations dyd sell bloud and eate mens fleshe Zuinglius heringe therof wrote that he spake not so but that he said in generall howe there were some which abhorred as a wicked thing to eate fleshe beyng forbidden by the Bishoppe of Romes lawe which thinke it none offence to sell mens fleshe for gold and destroy it with weapon But herin he named no nation And seyng that vice doeth nowe so muche abound it is his dewtie to rebuke it but the same doeth nothing concerne the good and innocent parsons Zuinglius amonges other things taught that images shuld be had out of the Church and the Masse to be put down as a wicked thing For the which cause the Senate called a new assemblie in their Citie whither came great resorte in the moneth of October And the disoutation coÌtinued thre daies About this time in sundry places and namely at Strausburgh Priestes maried wiues which thinge made muche contention For being accused for so doyng they answered that they had done nothinge agaynste Gods lawe permittinge all men to marie indifferently The Senate of Strausburghe had muche a do with the Bishoppe in this case who called them the .xx. day of Ianuary to appeare before hym at the towne of Sabernes to heare what sentence shoulde be gyuen agaynst them for contractyng of Matrimonye wherein he saieth they haue broken the lawes of the Churche of the holy Fathers and Byshoppes of Rome of the Emperoure also and of the Empire and haue done great iniurie to the order and offeÌded the diuine Maiestie When the Priestes had receiued this Citation they make suite to the Senate to haue theyr cause hearde before them And refuse not to suffer death if they be founde to haue done any thing againste the coÌmaundement of God The senate intreateth the Bishoppe that for as much as they refuse not to come to theyr aunswere if he should punish them it were like to brede much trouble coÌsyderinge that the reside ââo kepe Harlots openly and are nothynge saied to he would at the lest defferre it to th ende of the imperial counsell Which was than at Norinberge where doubtles suche like cases should be decided To this later couÌsel holden this yere at Norinberge Clement the Bishop of Rome sent his Legate Cardinal Campegius who had his letters moreouer to Friderike duke of Saxonie written very friendly in Ianuary Signifiynge howe he reioysed to heare of this assemblye where he shoulde be presente him selfe trustynge that some thynge shoulde be there
nuÌbre of holye dayes be in measure These woulde Campegius haue enacted in the counsell of the Empire But when he could not bring it to passe he held this assembly a part Whan Luther vnderstode that the Emperoure and diuerse Princes woulde practise the decree of Wormes he bewaileth the state of Germanye whiche beynge so ofte admonisshed neglecteth her own wealthe And calleth vpon the Princes them selues that beynge so openly and wickedly disceaued of the Romishe Byshoppes they maynteyne neuertheles theyr dignitie and seke all his distructioÌ which wissheth best vnto them Wherfore he saith for this great ingratitud and frowardenesse inexcusable there hangeth a most terrible Plage ouer Germany He warneth them also that they attempte not rasshelye to warre vpon the Turke who in counsell and moderation doeth farre excell our Princes And liuing as we do we may hope of no victorye Furthermore he calleth it a mockery that theÌperour and the kynge of Englande which can not lengthen theyr lyues one momeÌt should cai them selues defendors of the Church and the faith He besecheth God to sende suche Magistrates as will seke and tendre Gods glory The golden Rose which the Pope had lately consecrated as is atcustomed three weekes before Easter he sendeth to Heury the eyghte kynge of Englande as a notable token of his singular good wyll and beneuolens Aboute this tyme came forth Erasmus boke of Freewill Wherunto Luther aunswered with a contrary tytell of Bondewyll The kynge of Englande and the Cardinal of Yorke caused Erasmus to write his booke as he him selfe confesseth in a certeine Epistle to the Cardinall which is in printe About this time also Anthony Duke of Loraine made this decree For so muche as Luthers Doctrine is condemned of the Bishop of Rome of the Emperor of famous Uniuersities he commaundeth that none of his do preache any such doctrine And that all suche as haue any bokes set forthe by Luther do exhibite the same within a certeine day appointynge a penaltie to suche as dyd disobey This yere Henry ZutphaÌ was put to death with exceadinge paines and torment for the doctrine of the gospel by theÌ of Dietmary which is in the marces of Germany for beyng called he went thither after he had taught two yeres amonges the Bremers I tolde you before of a couÌsell that should haue bene at Spires the same was altered and themperor when he knewe writing his letters out of Spaine to the states of theÌpire at the Ides of Iuly doth blame them exceadinly for the decree made For wheras certeine yeres paste in the counsell at Wormes by the common assente of all states he had with moste weygtie wordes condemned Luthers doctrine as Hereticall and pestilent where also the Byshoppe of Rome had after dewe examination condemned his Bokes commaundyng them to be breÌt he marueyleth greatly and is sory also that they shoulde forbed onely his sclaunderous Bookes or skornefull Pictures to be sold as though that decree at Wormes were not ryghtly and orderly made And moreouer he is not a lytell moued that they woulde both haue a counsell holden in Germany and haue spoken to the Legate Campegius that he would write to the Byshop herin as thoughe the same concerned not more the Bishoppe or him than it doeth them for if they thought it so expedient for Germany to haue a counsel why made they not him preuie to it that he might haue obteyned the thing of the Byshop And nowe albeit he perceiueth rightwell howe muche the Bishoppes authoritie and his also is by this decree diminished yet consyderynge that the waye shal not be vnprofitable for the coÌmon wealth he approueth the counsell also yet so that it may be done by the Bishoppes authoritie and in tyme and place conueniente so as he maye be presente there him selfe as he is fully determined And whereas they haue appoynted an assemblie agaynste the .xi. day of Nouembre to establisshe Religion till the begynnyng of the counsell where they haue also chosen certeine learned men to gather the summe of a Doctrine he neyther can nor wyll consent therto in any wyse But accordynge to hys office in so muche as he is the defendor and protectour of the Byshop of Romes Churche he doth by all meanes prohibite this decrre lest he should procure to him selfe the displeasure of God of the Bishop also for what greater coÌtumelie caÌ be wrought against the christiaÌ church thaÌ if the reuereÌs dew to the highest power should be thus shakeÌ of if Germany which hath bene euer most coÌmended for vertu obeidieÌce should a lone alter that religioÌ which no Princes nor the bishop of Rome him self euer durst do Which neuer man forsoke hitherto but he felt of Gods vengeaunce for his wickednes if they should forsake abolish that hath bene of so long coÌtinewauÌce in all ChristendoÌ at the craftye perswasion of Luther who endeuoureth with painted words to disceaue abuse meÌ as in times past did Mahomet what plages of god might they loke for He besecheth God to loke mercifully vpon Germany and not to suffer so great a mischiefest to take place ther so loÌg as he liueth Wherfore let theÌ obey the decre of Wormes vnlesse they will smart for it defer all matters of religioÌ till a general couÌsell may be had at the Bishop of Rome his appointmeÌt which are theyr chief magistrats After the selfe same sorte writeth he also priuatly to certein states amoÌges others to the senate of Strauso And thus was the decre of the next asseÌblie abolished for themperor hauing both his hands full of the Frenche warres sought to winne the Bishop of Rome by all meanes possible This sommer Charles duke of Bourbon CoÌstable of FrauÌce which the yere before partly by his owne accorde partely laboured by themperor fell froÌ the French king beseged Marselles but in vain Whom departing thence into Italy the kyng foloweth with great expedition and taking many holdes in LuÌbardy the citie of Millan it selfe towardes wynter he besegeth Pauie a towne by the riuer of Ticine In the moneth of Nouembre the countrey people of Suelande began to ryse against theyr lord the countie Lupse for charges wherwith they complayned to be ouer muche burthened Lykewise others in other places nere vnto the same rebelled against theyr magistrats in so much that the counsel of theÌpire which gouerneth the coÌmon welth in themperors absence beyng then at Eslinge sent theyr ambassadors appeased certeine coÌtrouersies But this broile ceased not as shal be told herafter This was that begining of the greatest most dauÌgerous coÌmotion that pearsed afterwards throughout a great part of Germany What tyme Luthers doctrine was set forth in all places the Clergie did resist it with all their forse fearyng to lose all theyr goodes and benefices And certein of Straceborugh complained to the senate of the Empire of the townes men that
before a noble yong man Whom Muncer against the lawes of Armes had slayne wherwith the princes being more displeased caused the trompettes to souÌde to the battel set their meÌ in order ThaÌ Philip Lantzgraue of Hesse though he were yongest of them all ryding vp downe froÌ one coÌpany to another exhorted the soldioures to be valcauÌt And although the thinges were trew wherof they were accused yet were it not lawfull for the subiectes to rebell against their princes or magistrats vnto whom God hath giuen the sword wold haue them obeyed as may be proued by sundry places of Scripture He wente not aboute to execuse eyther his owne faultes or any other Princes but to confesse theyr fault graunt that many thinges ought to be amended yet ought the people neuerthelesse to absteyne from all seditioÌ For where they alledge that they are not permitted to haue the doctrine of the Gospel it is no iust cause to make any rebellion Whan Peter stroke with the sworde he was rebuked of Christ if any Princes do persecute the trew religion they ought to beare with them yea suffer death rather than to resist by force of Armes They take the name of the gospell for a cloke but theyr intent is in dede to take other mens goods to sley the Magistrates to force other mens wiues that no crimes should be punished and for asmuche as they pretende the name of holynes in these so shamefull deedes there is no doubte but God wyll plage their Hypocrisie and reuenge the blasphemie of his holye name When he had with these and suche other like wordes encouraged hys men to fyght they gaue the charge on theyr enemies and fyrst wente of the ordinaunce And the other poore wretches standyng all amased and as men rauished of theyr wittes neither defended them selues nor sought theyr saftie by flight but songe in Duche mytre requiringe the aide of the holy ghost For many trustyng to Muncers promise looked for helpe from heauen When the greate peces were shotte of and that they entred theyr campe and had slayne many at the laste they fled towarde the towne of Franckuse others went againe to thother syde of the Hill and in the valley beneth skirmished wyth certeine horsemen and slewe two or three of them For the Horsemen scattered them selues when theyr enemies fledde and folowed the chase oute of a raye But when they missed of their company they wer in such a rage that to reuenge theyr felowes death they slewe fyue thousand And immediatly after the battell was the towne taken and thre hundreth there beheaded Muncer was fled into the Towne and hyd him selfe in a house not farre from the gate Hither by chaunce came a gentleman and his seruaunt goyng vp to see the house founde in a chamber aboue one lying in his bed He asketh what he is and if he be not one of the rebels that fled He sayd nay he had layue there sycke a good whyle of the Ague His Purse as it chaused laye vpon his bed that chatcheth vp the other thinkyng to haue a pece of money After he had opened it he fouÌd letters which Albert Countie Mansfelde had sent to Muncer admonishynge him to cease from his enterprise and styrre not vp the people to rebellion When he had red the letters he demaunded of him whether the letters were written vnto him He denied it thother threatened him then he desyred him to be content and confessed that he was Muncer Then was he led to duke George of Saxonie to the LaÌtz graue and beynge demaunded of them why he had thus abused the poore and simple people He aunswered that he had done nothinge but his dewtie And that the Magistrates whiche can not abyde Godes word ought thus to be punished The Lantzgraue replied and proued to him by Scriptures howe God hath commaunded the Magistrate to be honoured and obeyed howe he hath forbidden all sedition and that it is not lawfull for anye Christian to reuenge his owne wronge Wherunto he aunswered nothing And beynge examined vpon the Racke when he cried oute for paine The duke said vnto him thou art nowe Muncer in payne but remembre againe the losse of so many men as beyng wickedly abused thys day haue bene distroied Then with a greate laughter he saide they would haue it so Afterwardes being led to Helderunge a towne of the couÌtie MaÌsseldes vpon the Pymebanke there he appeached many companions confederats of his conspiracie which were beheaded at Mulhuse and amonges others Phifer before mentioned When he should be executed he was not hable to receite his belefe but as Henry duke of BruÌswicke saide it before him But when he shoulde die he acknowledged his offence and error And beynge inuironed with soldiours he exhorted the Princes that they would shewe more mercy to poore men and reade ouer diligently the bokes of Scripture that are written of kynges He had no souer spokeÌ thus but the sword was in the neck of him and for an exaÌple his head set vp on a pole in the middes of the feldes What time he was banished out of Saxonie as I saide before wanderyng from place to place and at the last as it was reported purposed to come to Mulhuse Luther hearing thereof wrote his letters to the Senate admonishyng them in no case to receiue Muncer For he was a sedicious parson and imagined nothing but murther and mischiefe signifiyng what thinges he had attempted at Alstet and other places Moreouer his doctrine to be fonde and pernicious whereof he wylled them to beware for shortly would his craft be knowen with other frendly wordes which he saide if they contempted and fell after into misery he shold be without blame that had so diligently warned them and they should repente them to late Likewise before anye tumolt was in Germany And yet all thynges lyke to come to suche a passe Luther set forth a boke wherein he warned all men to abstayne from sedition declaryng that the same is not the way to refourme the tyrrany of the Clergie which shall fall and be confounded by no force of men but by the spirite of God and commyng of our Sauior Christ as appere in Daniell and sainct Paule This to be the grounde of hys opinion and to be right well assured that they that seke to redres the thinge by force of Armes shall trauaile in vayne Yet for so muche as some great tumult and daunger haÌgeth ouer the Cleargie the thing requireth counsell he wyll Franckly declare his opinion And fyrst to be the Magistrates dewtie to foresee that the people susteine no hinderaunce through the fault of others And that trew religion be not defaced by false doctrine This to be theyr propre office to vse all theyr power that is giuen them to the glory of God and welth of the people But for as muche as they do the contrary and let one
as it is reported in the Campe before the cytie of Ptolomais After wardes dyd they subdue Pruse lande when Frederick the second was Emperour And after they had kept warres of long tyme with the kynges of Polande beyng vanquyshed in battell they became subiect geuyng their fidelitie by an othe to Casunire kyng of Pole the father of Sigismund From the first maister to the Marques Albert of BrandeÌburg were thritty and thre This Albert being chosen the yeare of our Lorde M.D.xi. kept great warres for two yeares together with Sigismunde kyng of Polle And in the yeare M.D.xxi. there was a trewce takeÌ for .iiij. yeares In this tyme Albert sued oft to the Emperour and the states of the Empyre for ayde and commyng to the councell at Nurrenberg wherof we haue ofte tymes spoken had his place amonges them as a Prynce of the Empyre For the cause of the warre was that he wold not be sworue to the kyng But what tyme the Emperour was empeched with the Frenche warres and the Turke inuaded Hongary and Germany was so tourmoyled with the sedition of the communaltie that no ayde was to be looked for from thence and the tyme of the trewce was expyred he maketh peace with the kyng of Pole geuyng hym him his faythe as to his suprome Magistrate receyue the doctrine of the Gospell alteryng the order he taketh Pruse for his own And he that before was maister no we by the kynges assente is called Duke of Pruse And shortly after he maried Dorothe the daughter of Frederick kyng of Denmarke and foundeth the vniuersitie of Conningsberge called the kynges mount Wherby he had the displeasure of all the order for al be it he kept the countrey and was supported here in by the kyng of Pole yet by a common assent was chosen in his rowme Walther Cronberge which shold represent the auncieÌt name and dignitie who after in all assemblies complayned vpon hym greuously Againe he defended his cause by wrytyng declaryng howe he was dryuen by extreme necessitie beinge vtterly forsaken of the Empyre to submytte hym selfe vnto the kyng There is an epistle of Leo the tenth to Sigismunde and Alberte exhorting them vnto concord and eyther to committe their matter to his legate whiche he wold sende or to the counsell of Laterane for that it is moste conuenient that the coÌtrouersies of Princes shold be decided and determined by generall counselles â The syxthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the syxth Booke LUther wrote to the kyng of England and to Duke George but thei both reiected the same Christerne kyng of DeÌmarke had moued Luther to do so the sycknes of the Frenche king duryng his imprysonment hasted the treaty of Madrice The king being deliuered his two Sonnes were geuen as pledges Whylest the estates were assembled at Spyres aboute matters of Religion the Turke entreth into Hongarry A disputation was hoïoen at Baden in Swycherlande Pope Element and the Frenche kynge make a league The Emperour and the kyng complayne sore the one of the other Rome is sacked by the Duke of Burbon The Frenche kyng sendeth Lawtrecke into Italy The secte of Anabaptistes beginneth A disputation is kept at Bernes for a reformation A contention betwyxt Ferdinando and the Uayuode Paccius is beheaded at Andwarpe The Emperour and the Frenche kyng offer them selues to the combat The Masse is abolished at Strasburge Troubles at Basyll for relygion The CaÌâous Papistes make a league with Ferdinando An assembly is holden at Spyres where the name of Protestauntes hath his begynning Ciuile warre emonges the Swychers a treate of peace at Cambray Uienna beseged of the Turke The sweatyng sycknes The Protestantes make a league YOu haue heard heretofore howe the kynge of Englande wrote agaynst Luther and Luther agaynst hym But when he had hearde certen thynges that sounded muche to the kynges coÌmendation delighted with that reporte he writeth to hym with great submission Doubting not but he had sore offended his hyghnes by setting forth his booke neuerthelesse he dyd it not so muche of his own accorde as by the instigation of others And where as he is so bolde to trouble hym with hys letters at this present it proceadeth of his Prynclyke humanitie whiche is hyghly commended of manye Moreouer for that he vnderstandeth howe the bookes set forthe agaynst hym were not of hys owne doynge but wrytten of certen Sophisters whiche full craftely tooke an occasion And speakynge here by occasion of the Cardinall of Yorke he calleth hym the plage of Englande And that he heareth moreouer to his great comforte howe that his grace mislyketh that naughtye sorte of men and gyueth his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe Wherfore he besecheth hym to pardon hym that one facte And that it woulde please hym to remembre that syns he is a man mortall he ought not to beare ennemytie immortall And if he shal commaunde him he wyl confesse his faulte openly and commende his pryncelike vertues in an other worke After he exhorteth his maiestie to gyue no eare to sklaunderous tales that reporte him to be an heretyke For the chief point of his doctrine is how al we must be saued by fayth in Christ whiche bare the punyshement of our synnes on his necke shoulders and al his body who dyed for vs rose agayne reigneth with his father for euer And this to be the doctrine of all the Prophetes and Apostles This foundatioÌ ones layde he teacheth the dewty of charitie what one ought to do for an other howe we must obey the magistrate and applye our whole lyfe to the profession of the Gospel If there be anye errour or wyckednes in this doctrine why do not his aduersaries shewe it hym Why do they condeÌpne and banyshe him beyng neyther examined nor conuicted where as he writeth against the byshop of Rome and his adherentes he doeth it for that they teache contrary to Christ his Apostles for their owne gayne and lucre to the intent they may coÌmaunde all men lyue lyke gluttons in all voluptuousnes for vnto this ende tende all their denises and doinges whiche thing is so well tryed and knowen that they them selues can not deny it but in case they wold amende their liues and not leade this idle beastly lyfe to the losse iniury of manye the stryfe myght sone be quieted Diuers prynces and cities in Germany haue embraced his doctrine acknowledging it reuerently to be Gods benefite and he woulde gladlye wyshe that he myght also be accoÌpted in that nombre And where as the Emperour and certen others do attempte thynges agaynsthym it is no newes For Dauid hathe prophecied longe synce that kynges and other people should conspire and imagine many thynges agaynst the Lorde and his annoynted reiectyng his lawes and commaundementes So that when he considereth suche places of Scripture he maruayleth
auoyd the daunger they haue determined to differ the same vntil the next assemblie of the Empyre whiche they haue appointed at Regensburg the first day of April next folowyng to treate of the Turkysh warre trusting the either by that time they shal haue some better occasioÌ to sende or that he shal haue some intelligence of the thing in the meane time Al be it that Cesar wrote thus to the byshop of Rome his Cardinals yet wold it preuaile nothing but the coÌfederatours sending vnto him Ambassadours as was agreed vpoÌ require him to depart froÌ his armies to restore Sfortia Duke of Millan to receiue the money for his raunsome send home the kyngs sonnes whome he deteineth as pledges to repay the money that he borowed of the kyng of England hereunto answered the Emperour at Ualolete the .xij. of February That he caÌ not dismisse his armies in any short time notwithstaÌding he wil not refuse to take truce for thre yeres or more to seÌd the armies on both partes agaiÌst the Turke our coÌmon ennemie in the meane time to treate of peace Sfortia holdeth his landes of the Empire and is accused of treason he can not therfore be restored before his matter be examyned Wherfore let hym answere to the lawe and his accusers and he wyll appoynt hym indifferent iudges To restore the kynges chyldren vpon the receipte of the money he can not and the same is agaynste the kynges promesse othe and fidelitie Where they require him to repaie the kinge of England his money he marueleth not a litle consydering they haue no coÌmaundement of him in this matter for the kyng he be such frendes as a mony matter can not breake their frendshyp Wherfore seinge the requestes be vnsitting he willeth them to bryng forth others for his part he wyl do nothyng obstinatly but shal be content to beare with many thinges for the coÌmon wealthes sake Wherfore the Ambassadours thus departing without any thing concluded they renewe the warres againe with all their force power In those daies Iohn Frederick sonne heire to the prince electour of Saxony married Sibille daughter to Duke Iohn of Cleaue the lady Catharine that Emperours yongest sister was promysed him writinges made of the same But when this alteratioÌ of religion chauÌced in Saxony they swarued froÌ their couenauntes And Hawnart which was then Emperours Ambassadour in Germany sayd plainly that there was no promise to be kept with Heretikes following herein as I suppose the fote stepes of the couÌsel at Constance as in dede the Duke of Saxony reciteth in a certen writing EmoÌges others of themperours captaines was Charles Duke of Bourbon who going with a certen power to Naples by the way toke the citie of Rome sacked it the next daye after he there arriued being the sixt day of May. ClemeÌt the byshop the Cardinals and other prelates fleing in to Castell aungell were beseged a certen tyme being trenched in on euery syde whiche after they had endured siege seuen monethes were at the laste deliuered by the Emperours commaundement It is harde to expresse with wordes the great crueltie and oultrage of the Germanes and Spanyardes at Rome For besydes the cruell slaughters destruction spoyling and raueshynge of women they left of no kynde of contumelious reproches mockinges of the bishop and his Cardinalles The Emperour excused the facte diligently affirmyng that it was not done by his commauÌdement And chiefly he wrote therof to the king of England that albeit he supposeth the thyng to haue happened vnto hym by the iust iudgement of God who auenged the wronge and iniurie done vnto hym yet he sayeth he wil so vse the matter that this same calamitie shal be the beginning and occasion of the helth of the common wealth Whan newes were brought into Spayn of the sackiÌg of Rome Cesar immediatly coÌmauÌded to cease froÌ playing of pageantes interludes whiche were theÌ set forth for ioy of his son Philip newly borne The king of EnglaÌd answe red nothiÌg to themperours letters and the bishop of Rome being captiue vnto whom he bare a great zeale reuerence themperours power increasing daily he fixed his mind vpoÌ warre sending the Cardinal of yorke ambassadour into Fraunce To the couÌsel of RegeÌsburg came the Prynces but sent their Ambassadours only Wherfore there was nothing coÌcluded sauyng that they sent letters to the Emperour the xviij day of May signifiyng that for diuers causes his presence were requysite and nedefull In this tyme sprange vp a newe kynde of doctryne of suche as are called Anabaptistes They condempne the baptisme of infantes and are baptysed agayne them selues teachyng that all thynges should be common Against these wrote Luther Zwynglius and diuers others And the magistrates punished in euery place They boaste of visions dreames and at Sangal a town in Swycerlande one of them cut of his brothers head in the presence both of father and mother whome he had perswaded that God had coÌmaunded hym so to do but being apprehended of the magistrate he suffered the lyke punyshment Now how muche they increased and what coÌmotions they styred vp in Germany hereafter shal be declared This yeare the Senate of Strasborough decreed that none shoulde from henceforth be buried within the citie and appointed certen places for the buriall of the dead without their citie When the Frenche kynge heard that Rome was taken makyng league with the kyng of Englande he sent a great armie into Italy by the conduicte of Lautrech a Gascon to rescewe the byshop Who comming into Lumbardy and ayded by the Uenetians taketh first AlexaÌdria and after Pauie partly by force and partly by composition but the souldiours in their rage and fury for that the king was there taken after a wouÌderful slaughter of the townes men spoyled the citie The .xxvij. day of Iuly Charles Duke of Burbon lately stayne in the assaulte at Rome was condempned at Paris by the court of parliameÌt of treason his name and memoriall accursed his Armes plucked downe and his landes and goodes confiscated Anthony Prate Chauncelour gaue the sentence This Duke bare a mortall hatred to the kynge and what tyme he went to besege Marseilles as is mentioned before in the fourth boke for because at the same tyme the kynge of Englande toke the Emperours parte he wrote to the Cardinall of Yorke emonges other thinges that he would spare no paynes nor peryll that kyng Henry might by his helpe recouer the ryght and tytle that he hath to Fraunce For Englyshe men doe clayme all Fraunce to be theires for a two hundreth yeares since and aboue especiallye Normandye Gascoyne and Gwyne In these letters therfore did Bourbon prouoke the kynge to clayme and chalenge his ryght Whiche letters the Frenche kyng afterwardes chauncing vppon conceyued muche more hatred against hym There was in the dukedome of Bauarie one Leonarde Cesar a professour
owne or of some Prince that is bound to him For he hath him self ryght ample and large dominions and in the same many goodly cities which his predecessours haue gotten by force and subtiltie he with as small fidelitie kepeth But seing there is no hope to haue a true couÌsel as men of witte and iudgemeÌt do suppose he thinketh it best that euery Magistrate in his own dominions seke the reformation of Religion And if perchaunce the Bishop should obiecte vnto them custome the same taketh no place For euen by the testimonie of Cypriane custome that is grounded vpon no counsell as he hath sayde before but if any man haue an other way that is better he wil not refuse it The Emperour remained al this yere in Spaine but his armie in Flaunders by the conduict of Counte de Bure wan by assaulte the towne and castel of Sanpulle in Artois in the moneth of Ianuary and put al to the sworde and from thence went and beseged the citie of Terowen but yet in vayne There at the length was a truce taken for ten monethes in those parties only For in PiedmoÌte was hote warre neuerthelesse and the town of Cherie was taken by assaulte of the imperialles who made a wonderfull slaughter both of souldiours and citezens And whan after the garrison of Turrin suffered great penury being on euery syde beseged and stopped from virtualles the Frenche kyng in haruest tyme leuied a power and sente thether his eldest sonne Henry the Daulphin and MommoraÌcie who making waye and entring perforce releued their present famine In the moneth of October the armie of kyng Ferdinando wherin were the horsemen of Saxony and Meissen of Franckonie and Austriche the Carinthians Bohemers and Hongarians whome the Germaines cal Hussares beseged the towne Exechium vpon the Ryuer of Draue whiche was kept with a strong garryson of the Turkes And where they tracted the tyme and were constrayned for wante of victualles to leuie the siege in the retire they fel into the lappes of their ennemies which had layd for them ambusches in the woodes and kept all the straytes that they could no way escape In this distresse firste certen Centurions and captaynes of souldiours and the Hongarians fled after also went Cacianer the kinges Lieutenaunt But the reste who detested the shame of running away exhorting them selues vnto manhode especially the horsemen of Almaigne aboade the charge and violent force of their ennemies but in fine being vaÌquished of the greater numbre were all for the moste parte slayne and manye of the captaynes taken prisoners and led to Constantinople in to moste miserable captiuitie The fourth Ides of Octobre the kyng of Englande had a sonne borne at Hamptoncourt Prince Edwarde by Quene Iane Semer whome he maried after the death of Quene Anne In the meane whyle the byshop of Rome for so muche as truce was taken be twyxt Fraunce and Flaunders went about to procure the like also in al other places to the entent that through this occasioÌ he might worke his purpose and ceased not tyll he had brought it to passe The bishops deuise was as it is reported that setting them at peace he myght stire them vp against the kyng of England whom he hated vnto the death and against the Lutherians About this tyme also Christina the Emperours nece by his syster Quene of Denmarke Duchesse of Millan leauing Italy retourneth into Flaunders through Germanye and there was a treaty of a mariage betwene her and William Duke of Cleaue but it toke not effect Than also the men of Gelderland began to rebelle against their Prince Charles Egmonde whiche was al his lyfe tyme of the Frenche parte and therfore sore hated of the Burgundians and than as it was sayd went about to make his country FreÌche He was so chased out by his owne people euery where in this outragious tumulte that he had scarsly a towne or two lefte hym to flye into He was alwayes a great mainteiner of the bishop of Romes doctrine and abstained not from sore punishment Paule the third in the first beginning of his byshoprike made his two yonge nephewes Cardinalles as before is wrytten For the whiche thing being euyll reported of he vouched saufe to call other worthy men also both in nobilitie and learning to the same degre of honour partly to asswage the enuie and displeasure partely to haue mete champions whiche were able to defende hym by their learnyng and eloquence amonges whome was Caspar Contarene Reginalde Poole Iohn Bellie Frederick Fregose vnto whom within a shorte space after he added moreouer Sadolete Alexander and Bembus And purposed also Erasinus as in a certen Epistle to a frend of his Erasinus himselfe reporteth There remayne also certen Epistles written of Sadolet to Erasinus wherin after he hath spoken muche of the great good wyl of the byshop towardes hym he sayth that within shorte tyme he wyl auaunce him to hyghe dignitie Contarenus was a noble man a Senatour of Uenise for his learnyng ryght famous and beyonde all expectation whan he had craued nothynge was sodaynly promoted to this dignitie â The twelfth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne in the Empyre of Charles the fyste ⧠The argument of the twelfth Booke POpe Paule by his deputes ordeyned a reformation touching the abuses of the Churche as permutations voisomes benefices incompatibles Cardinalles courtiers Chaplelaynes Courtisanes Pardoners and the Colloquies of Erasmus prohibited The Protestauntes mete at Brunswycke whether came the king of Denmarke Persecution aryseth at Pans The Pope the Emperour and the Frenche kyng mete at Nice there the kynge kissed his foote A Colledge and a Frenche churche are erected at Strasborough The kyng of Englande burneth the bones of Thomas Becket The Prince Efectour of Brandenburgh aduertiseth the Duke of Saxon of the preparation of the great Turke A secte of Antmomians aryseth The conspiratie of Heldus and the Duke of Brunswycke are discouered by the takyng of his Secretary An assembly is holden at Franckeforte decrees are there made and appointment mode for a conference to be had for the peace of the Protestauntes whiche to let Duke Henry of Brunswicke leuiâth an armie George Duke of Saxon ennemy of the veritie dieth Henry his brother succedeth hym The kyng of Englande hauyng set forth a booke against the counsell of Uicence callseth certen articles to be made concerning Religion They of Gaunt rebell The Emperour hauing saufeconduicte passeth through Fraunce The Uenetians make peace with the Turke but certen Senatours had disclosed their secretes I Haue shewed you before how the Counsels wer deferred til the kalendes of NoueÌb but the same also was made frustrate Notwithstandyng the Bishoppe to the intent he myght feed men with hope and seme to do some thinge had longe before chosen out certen of his owne sect amoÌges the whole numbre and had streightly
counsell Uicentia and sende thither suche Prelates as they had than in theyr companyes And also to sende commaundement to the rest at home to repayre thither in like maner But when they had excused them selues of both those thinges And the Cardinals whiche he had sent thither aduertised him that there was great solitarinesse Againe he deferreth the day of the Counsell till Easter folowyng sendyng abrode his letters touching the same matter the fourth kalendes of Iuly whan he was retornyng homewarde at Genes At the fyrst metyng the kyng kissed his right foote as he sate in his chayre and after the rest of the nobles Notwithstandyng there were diuerse in the kinges traine that refused to do it although the Conestable had warned them before as Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge william couÌtie Furstemberge Germanes Mareschall Marchan a Frencheman and George Gluchie the Ambassadour of the kynge of Denmarke At the selfe same time departed out of this life Charles Ecmonde Duke of Gelders In the former boke you haue harde howe he was in a maner turned out of al his possessions And brought to this distresse whaÌ he laye sicke he deuised with his cosin William duke of Cleaue who after by the consent of the nobilitie and commons brought all to hys owne gouernement not without themperours highe displeasure as shal be declared in his place A litle before that dieth also Erarde Marchian Cardinall Bishoppe of Liege no man tourmented more for Religion than he In the Cathedrall churche of Liege he had many yeares before builded him a Tombe most sumptuous and had Masse and Dirige songe for him yerely as the Papistes are wonte for the deade For he iudged these merits of priestes to be more auaileable to him beyng a liue wherunto they do attribute the deserte and rewarde of eternall life They that knewe the man well affirme that he did this for a certen ostentation for that he was most desyrous of vayne glorie and toke pleasure in that pompe and solemnitie This time were the Englishe Bibles in printyng at Paris which by the kinges commaundement should be had in all churches through out Englande but after it was knowen it was prohibited and the Printer was in daunger In Fraunce they haue not commonlye the Scripture in the vulgare tongue neither doth it want suspicion if any man chaunce to read the Newe Testament or suche a like thinge in Frenche neyther is is lawfull for any to studye the Scripture but such as professe Diuinite but the common sort of men know nothing at all and the towne wiues whan they go to here Masse cary with them bokes of Latin prayers which they muÌble vp after a sorte knowing not what they saye at all and are perswaded that the same is to God more acceptable than if they should praie in their mother tonge This is a practise of the priestes vnto whom the ignoraunce of others is gainefull The Bishoppe retourning home in the begynnyng of August was receiued into the citie of Rome with a merueilous pompe and triumphe And all the stretes and waies beyng hanged and spired with rich and costly carpets and posies written in euery place wherin they extolled him wonderfully for restoryng peace vnto the world and recoÌciling the Princes This yeare at Strauseborough was erected a Colledge or a graÌmer Scoole for youth by the meanes chieflye of Iames Sturnne a principall Senator whiche in shorte time thoroughe the diligence of learned men so florished that there repared thither not onely from the furthest partes of Germany but also out of foreine nations the maner of teaching the youth and diuiding them into fourmes and the whole order was deuised by Iohn Sturmie whiche he fyrst exhibited to the Senate and afterwardes in a booke put forth he declareth it more at large And wheras many were fayne to flie for Religion and conscieÌce sake out of Fraunce and Flaunders and the Senate appointed them a churche wherof Iohn Caluine was fyrste for certeine yeres the superintendent and after him Peter Brulie of whose ende I wil speake herafter But in Englande Thomas of Canturbury was of long time had in great reuerence And his body was shryned in siluer and hanged rounde about with costly Iewelles of Gold and precious stones beyonde measure And amonges others there was one riche Iewell called the Regal of Fraunce This yeare did king Henry take him out of his shrine and burne his Reliques This Thomas surnamed Becket was in time past Archebishop of Canturbury And where he stode styffe in defending the liberties of the Clergie he fell into the displeasure of the kyng of Englande Henry the seconde of that name commaunded into exile he fledde to the Bishoppe of Rome Alexander the thyrde who at that tyme for themnitie of themperour Friderick Barbarousse was in Fraunce At the length Thomas Becket by the intercession of him and of Lewes the vij kinge of Fraunce was reconciled and retourned home the seuenth yere of his exile And when afterwarde he troubled certen Bishoppes that toke the kynges parte and did excoÌmunicate them the kyng beyng againe offended said he was in a miserable estate that could not liue in quiet for one priest he lameÌted also that there was no man aboute him that woulde deliuer him from suche disquietnes whiche wordes so ticled many that knowing it should be no displeasure to the kinge they went to Cantorbury and slewe Thomas The kynge pretended a great sorowe And sendynge Ambassadors to Rome to make his purgation in fyne entreated the Bishoppe to sende inquisitours into England to enquire and examine the matter And what time the Bishoppe at the laste had sente two Cardinals and the murther could not be searched out the kyng pourgeth him selfe by an othe And because of the former hatred and wordes spoken there was some suspecion and fault in him in conclusion he was reconciled vpon this condicion that after the yeares he shuld go into Syria and warre vpon the Saracenes This murther was committed in the yeare of mans saluation M.C.lxxi And not longe after the memoriall of Thomas waxed famous throughe miracles which the Monkes of Canturbury sayd he wrought Whereof when the Bishoppe of Rome was aduertised by the Legates that came out of Englande he Canonised him and made him a saint What time the metyng was at Nice Ioachim Marques of Brandenburge prince Electour the sonne of Ioachin in the beginninge of Iune sent his Ambassador Eustace Schlebie to the Duke of Saxon with these instructions howe Sigismunde kinge of Pole and Iohn Wayuode kynge of Hungary had aduertised hym that the Turkes made great preparation to inuade Hungary and so fortifiyng Buda to make an incursion into Germanye And this same did themperour of Turkes signifie vnto Uayuode And where it was once inioyned his father in an open assemblie that whan he had any intelligence of Turkishe matters he should aduertise the other states therof therfore can not
Prynces also to geue their assistaunce after the forme of the league What time these thinges were thus come to light because there was great daunger towarde and the occasion of warre was sought of them the LaÌtgraue furthwith wrote his letters to his father in lawe Duke George and declaringe the whole matter as it stoode sheweth how he hath great wrong offered him how he maketh no preparation for warre About the same time Matthias Helbus rode in great post haste through FrauÌce into Spayne to the Emperour Afterwardes the Lantgraue wrote to king Ferdinando and to his syster Mary Regent of Flaunders to the Princes Electours the Dukes of Bauier after the same sorte as he did to Duke George his father in lawe and maketh his purgation Whan the Duke of BruÌswicke perceiued that the matter was disclosed and heard of the Lantgraues letters he aunswereth that he hath not susteined wrong at his handes only whiche nowe hath taken his Secretary but also by the Duke of Saxon the last yeare whan by the commaundement of kyng Ferdinando in the Emperours name he went to Duke George of Saxony and againe comming home from Norinberge what tyme the league was made than did he laye wayte for him Unto this the Duke of Saxon aunswereth For as muche as he denied him and his fellowes saufeconduicte whan they went to brunswicke against the lawe and custome of the Empyre he coulde thinke none otherwyse of hym but to be his ennemye he had dyuerse tymes before gone with two or thre with hym disguysed in seruauntes apparell that he should not be knowen through his and his brothers countrey priuely neyther did he whiche knewe this well enough empeche or lette him But after he would haue the passage stopped for hym and his league frendes why should he thinke to haue more libertie with other men than he wyl graunt vnto them Wherfore vpon this occasion they began to write one against an other which not long after ended in most sharpe and bitter inuectiues hauing in dede the beginning of the Duke of Brunswicke whiche after a rare example amonges Princes let passe no kynde of raylyng and opprobrious wordes as bokes set forth in prynte doe declare Whylest these thynges are a workynge dieth Iohn Duke of Cleaue leauyng William his sonne and heyre whome Conradus Heresbachius from his chyldhode had instructed in good letters and maners What tyme they were come to Franckefurte in the moneth of Februarye accordyng to the appoyntment After much sondrye and sharpe debatynge of the matter they concluded at the last the nyntene daye of Apryll vpon these conditions The Emperour to the intent a coÌmunication of learned meÌ may be had coÌcerning religion graunteth to the coÌfederatours of the doctrine professed at Auspurge whiche are nowe in that numbre truce for .xv. monethes and commaundeth that in this meane tyme they be not molested in any case concernyng Religion The peace of Norinberge and the Emperours decree at Regenspurge are also for this tyme ratified And if duryng the tyme of this truce they can not fully agree in Religion yet shall that peace be of force vntyll the nexte assemblie of the Empyre And if perchaunce there be an assemblie before the truce be expyred yet neuerthelesse that peace shall take place vntyll the other assemblye In the meane whyle during the tyme of this truce the Emperour doeth suspende all suites and actions in the lawe commenced againste the Protestauntes and also the outlawyng of the Cytie of Myndin and if anye thynge be otherwyse done he commaundeth it to be frustrate Where it is wonte to be obiected vnto them as though for the profession of this Religion they myght not consiste in iudgement the same shall take place no longer but they shall enioye the benefite of the lawe without exception Agayne the Protestauntes shall moleste no man and durynge this truce shall take none in theyr league yet so as no man susteyne anye wronge in the quarell of their Religion The Emperour shall also forsee that no man be receyued more ouer in to the contrary league The Protestauntes shall permytte the clergie to enioye all those yearelye profites whiche they haue at this daye By the consent of the Emperour a daye shall be assigned at the kalendes of Auguste at the whiche daye should mete at Norinberge the Cathoqliues and ProtestauÌtes such as were good men and desirous of peace and not contentions or frowarde Those shal chouse out a certen numbre of diuines whiche quietly and frendly may conferre of religion with them also shal be ioyned others that professe not diuinitie but yet experte men and sobre Moreouer the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando if they lyste maye haue their deputes in this conference and what soeuer shall there be agreed vpon by consent of eyther partie shal be signified to the states that be absent who approuing the same the Emperours Ambassadour also shal ratifie it or els the Emperour him self in the next asseÌblie of thempire after he shal haue coÌfirmed shal coÌmaund to be kept inuiolate Both parties shal lay away the preparatioÌs vnto war he that shal seme to go about any thiÌg shal be enforced to shew the cause why he doeth it yet so as no maÌ be inhibited to kepe a defeÌce necessary in al other thiÌgs the law of theÌpire shal be of both parties obserued In this truce are coÌpreheÌded neither Anabaptists nor others that followe a doctrine coÌtrary to the coÌfessioÌ of Auspurg The protestaÌtes shal haue in a redines ayde for the Turckish warre that ther be no delay And whan the Princes Electours and other principall states shall at the Emperours commaundement sende their deputes to Woormes at the .xviij. daye of May the ProtestauÌtes shall sende theirs also that they may consulte of soden ayde against the Turke and what someuer there shal be agreed vpon by the consent of the more parte to the same shall they also subscribe And if the Turke shall moue warre duryng the tyme of the truce they shall resiste hym with the reste And these thynges to be ratified in case the Emperour within syre months shall allowe the same begynning from the kalendes of May. And in the meane tyme that agrement concerning the truce and not to augmente the league shal be of force And in case the Emperour do not declare his mynde within the same tyme âyet shall the peace of Norinberge be in as full strength and vertue hereafter as it was before The Emperours depute here was Iohn Archebyshop of Londe for Heldus was gone into Spayne as before is sayde And kyng Ferdinando also sent thether his Ambassadours The Protestauntes were there many and the Duke of Saxon him selfe and the Lantgraue whiche brought with them certen diuines The Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburg both Electours did intreate as meanes The Duke of Saxon amonges other thynges protested this at that tyme that he would not attribute to Ferdinando the title of
a sedition at Gaunte Whiche citie is of great force and aucthoritie in those parties and hath oftentymes made many sore bickeringes for their lybertie with the Gouernours of Flaunders in whose dominion it standeth The Emperour hauing intelligence hereof where he firste had thought to haue gone through Italy into Germany he altered his purpose and determined to passe through Fraunce seyng the kyng required hym instantly so to doe and promysed hym all thynges franckely In the meane tyme the Palsgraue and the Marques of Brandenburge intercessours addressyng their letters to the Emperour of the pacification at Franckfurte had requyred hym to permitte a conference of learned men to be had at Norinberge But he sayde that the death of his wyfe and certen other affaires would not suffer hym to entende suche matters Whan the intercessours had sent a copie of these to the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and yet had not signified whether the Emperour had confirmed that truce of .xv. monethes The .xix. daye of Nouember an assemblie was appoynted at Arustet a towne of Turingia Here they consulted to augmente their confederacie for their nedefull defence in case the Emperour wyll not allowe the peace makyng at Franckefurte for well disposyng the churche goodes to sende Ambassadours into Englande touching the syxe Articles and to mitigate the kinges mynde to moue the Frenche kynge that innocente persones be not tormented for ReligioÌ Moreouer to sende Ambassadours to the Emperour so sone as they shall vnderstande of his commyng into Flaunders And for because certen of the confederatours were absent and other some had not commission to determine of certeÌ matters an other daye was assigned at Smalcalde at the kalendes of Marche wherin to treate of the reste Here were receiued into the League the men of Rigen a citie in Linonia whiche were at coÌtencion with their Archebyshop lyke as many others were in Germany Neyther wer they receyued vpon other condicion than to be defended in the counsel chaÌber by the commoÌ procurers therfore payed to the confederatours a thousande and fyue hundreth crownes Henry Duke of Saxon was taken into the league two yeares before without any charge because he was but poore but yet vpon condition that if he were at any tyme enriched he should beare like charge with the reste Nowe therfore that he was auaunced to this goodly inheritaunce in this Assemblie they treated with hym touching the same whiche assemblie ended the tenthe of Decembre The Prynces were not there present but had sent their deputes And the Duke of Saxon had sent Iohn Dulcie and Fraunces Burcarte vicechauncelour into Englande in the moneth of Nouembre to be is his name present at the marriage betwene the kynge and the Lady Anne of Cleane for he had married her syster Sibille as is mentioned in the syââ booke Wherfore vpon this occasion they were enioyned at Arnstade to treate with the kyng in the name of the ProtestauÌtes for these matters before sayd The Emperour receyuing a saufe conduictetoke his iourney with a small company in the moneth of Nouembre Whan he came to the frontiers of Fraunce borderynge vpon Spayne he met the kynges two sonnes Henry and charles which were come thether in poste and the Constable which was gone thether long before with a great parte of the nobilitie of Fraunce of whom being receyued and conduicted through the myddes of Fraunce the greatest cities whaÌ he came to Loche in Burges he mette with the kynge hym selfe who was than scarcely ameÌded of a late disease After passyng through Or leaunce on Newe yeares daye rydynge in the myddes betwene the kynges two sonnes he entred into the citie of Paris and the Constable bare the sworde before him For no kinde of ioyful myrth and gladnes no honour or solemnitie that the mynde of man coulde delight in was left vndone Thether came the Byshoppes Legate Alexander Farnesius Cardinall who together with Cardinall Bellaye the Byshop of the citie Receiued the Emperour into the Cathedrall churche at Paris Where the Emperour remaining seuen dayes afterwardes departeth the kynge hym selfe accompanying hym into Uermandois and his sonnes brought hym as farre as Ualencenes a towne in Henaulte The kynge was brought into a great and almoste a sure hope to recouer Millan but it chaunced farre otherwyse as hereafter I purpose to declare What tyme the Emperour was with the Frenche kynge in Fraunce they sent both their Ambassadours to the Uenetians moste nobly accoÌpanied The Emperour sent Alphonse Daualle gouernour of Millan and the king Claudie Hannebalde Lieutenant of Piedmonte These exhorted the Senatours with a longe discours to ioyne them selues in amitie with these two most myghty Princes and to put to theyr good willes and power to ouerthrow the Turke But they whan they had most honorably dimissed the Ambassadors considering the thing more diligently thought mete to reconcile them selues to the Turke with whom they had trewce already Wherfore concluding at the last to rendre vnto him Nanplia and Epidaurum they obteyned at his hande peace Some saye that the Frenchemen albeit exhorted them openly as did themperours Ambassadour yet secretly whispered in their eares that they should prouide for themselues not enter into such a daunger for the which they were fyrst like to smarte the king him selfe in an Apologie against themperour reporteth that the common wealth of the Uenetians of him destroyed was through his meanes releued and recouered Aloisius Bardnarius the Ambassadoure of the Uenetians sente to the Turke for peace ãâã as commaunded fyrst to offer al other conditions and reserue those two cities for extreme necessitie But the Turke which by priuie espiall knewe the determination of the Senate longe before did expostulate with him that he did not declare his commission plainely and directly And without those two places deliuered would not conclude Who beyng amased seyng the priuities of the common wealth were bewrayed full sore againste his will permitteth him to haue them at laste But whan he was retourned to Uenise and had declared the whole matter the Senatours greatly astonied after moste diligente inquisition apprehende certen and fyndynge them giltie cut of theyr heades One of them was fledde into the Frenche Ambassadours lodgyng the Bishoppe of Mompelier as into a Saintuary wherefore officers were sent to haue searched all the house But whaÌ they might not be suffered to enter the Senate commaundeth certeine great pieces to be fetched out of theyr ordenaunce house to ouerthrow the lodging Wherupon the Frenchmen consyderinge theyr owne daunger bring him forth vnto them The Senate afterwarde wrote vnto the kinge the cause why they so dyd lest he shoulde thynke his Ambassadour had susteined wrong When themperour came into Flaunders kyng Ferdinando comming out of Austriche met there also After the Protestantes Ambassadors as it was condescended at Arnstad who the xxiiii daye of February beyng admitted to the Emperours speach at Gaunt
welcome him into the low countrey pourge them selues of the euill reportes of theyr aduersaryes and complayne of the Duke of Brunswike and the Iudges of the Chaumber declare how desirous they be of peace and by howe many waies they haue sought it which they nowe desyre him to graunt and establishe for euer The Emperour telleth them before Granuella that after he hath consulted of the matter he wyll make them an aunswere And in maner about the same tyme that they sent this Ambassade to the Emperour they wrote also to the Frenche kynge reioysinge muche at the great good wyll and amitie betwene the Emperour and hym And with a long proces intreate hym in this coÌsent of mindes to further the cause of Religion and publique quiet to the Emperour At the kalendes of Marche the Ambassadours of the Princes cities of Protestauntes met at Smalcald as was appointed with whom also came these diuines Ionas Pomerane Melancthon Cruciger Bucer And they were inioyned to deuise a fourme in wryting wherwith they shoulde thinke mete to treate with their aduersaries for the coÌciliation of religion In this assemblie they coÌsulted of such matters as were left vndiscussed at Arnstad as before is said In the meane time Dulcie and Burcarte were returned out of Englande the seuenth day of Marche they make reporte at Smalcalde of the state of Religion in England that for the decrees made the yere before there is no great punishement notwithstanding Hugh Latimer byshop of Woorcester and Shaxton byshop of Salisbury are deteined in prison for ReligioÌ and as yet not released The Lorde Cromwell whiche is in moste authoritie doth appease and mitigate the kynges mynde and that also the kyng him selfe in familiar talke opened vnto them his mynde supposeth thus that the diuines of the Protestauntes thinke not rightly coÌcerning the mariage of priestes the lordes supper vnder both kyndes and of the priuate masse requireth them to write vnto him of these other necessary questions at large alledging the causes and reasons of their opinions And he wyll see agayne that the learned men of his Realme shall wryte an aunswere that thus a waye may be made to come to the knowledge of the truthe Moreouer Cromwel and certen others thinke it mete and expedient to sende a great Ambassade to the kinge and Melancthon with them For if any meane agrement in religion might be had the kynge woulde bestowe a great somme of money vpon a league that he purposeth to make with them not onlye in the cause of Religion but in generall for the kyng marueleth greatly why they are confederated for Religion only for the tyme wyll come that they shal be attempted with warre vnder a contrary title And a fewe dayes after the diuines exhibite their wryting the some wherof was this Not to swarue from the steppes of the confession at Auspurge and the Apologie afterwardes annexed to the same Which sentence afterwardes all the diuines that were absent did approue by their letters sent thether This tyme came Henry the Duke of brunswick to GauÌt The day before the Ides of March theÌperour answereth the protestaÌtes Ambassadours by Cornelles Scepp geÌtly so so but yet in suche sorte as it coulde not be wel perceiued whether he would graunte them peace or not Wherfore the Ambassadours by the Emperours leaue going a litle asyde by and by retourne and desire hym to inhibite the processe of the Imperiall chamber and graunte them peace whereunto the Emperour sayde he had no more to aunswere them at this tyme he woulde take further delyberation This aunswere was recited at Smalcalde the tenth daye after And on Easter munday which was than the .xxix. of Marche came thether the Princes them selues That tyme was a certen contention and hatred betwyxte Granuella and Heldus which in fine came to this ende that Heldus being displaced departed from the courte and lyued a priuate lyfe For the other was aboue hym in authoritie and brought Heldus into hatred and obloquie for that he was ouer vehement in counsell matters and other affaires and had constreyned the Emperour thinkyng nothyng lesse to haue warres in maner against his wyll And whan Granuella had geuen certen manifeste instructions of his wyll and mynde to be inclyned to peace and concorde beynge requested of the Protestauntes he perswaded the Emperour also to the conditioÌs of peace And he hymselfe at the begynning as though it had bene in his owne name sent to Smalcalde intercessours and Ambassadours Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles men of great wysdome and dignitie notwithstanding the first taried by the waye sore sycke Their demaundes were reasonable enough neuerthelesse they signified this that the Emperour was almost perswaded as though they cared not for Religion neyther desyred peace in theyr hartes but altogether sought to conuerte the churche goodes to theyr priuate vses delyghted in discorde bare him no good wyll but were more addicte to take their partes that were his open ennemies And these things were reported to the Emperour partly by their aduersaries partly by the Frenchemen as it is sayde for a certentie For what tyme the Emperour went through Fraunce and all thinges were lyke to growe to a perfite frendshyp then were certen thinges disclosed and the Protestauntes letters vnto the kyng shewed vnto the Emperour some do impute this to the kyng him selfe and other some to the Constable who was than of chief authoritie sought al meanes possible to quiet and agree the Princes and dyd beare the Protestantes no good wyl because of Religion â The thirtene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirtene Booke THe Protestauutes make aunswere to the Emperour demaundes shewyng how they haue more regarde to Religion than to churche goodes They confute also the argumentes of the kyng of Englande touchyng the syxe Articles The Emperour hauing punyshed them at Gaunt sendeth letters to assigne a metyng for the protestauntes against whome speaketh Alexander Farnese the Popes Legate who had followed the Emperour out of Fraunce In the meane tyme the Frenche kyng made a league with the Duke of Cleane whose syster the kyng of Englande than refused At the assemble of Hagenawe certen poinctes of Religion were agreed vpon the resydewe were referred to the conuention that kyng Ferdinando assigned at Woruies Whether Granuellan sendyng first Naues came afterwarde also hym selfe and made an Oration And after hym Campeigius the Popes Legate The conference brake offe and all was differed to that Iourney of Regenspurg In this meane whyle Luther answereth a booke set forth by the Duke of Brunswycke where is spoken of the dere mantell of the Archebyshoppes The counsell beyng begonne at Regenspurge Granuellan presenteth the booke of the Interim The Duke of Cleaue commynge into Fraunce marrieth the
these matters of the maner of the othe of the noÌber also of the disputers and of geuing of voyces they had a longe altercation For when the catholickes perceyued that the counsellours of the Paulsgraue the Marques of BraÌdenburg electours also of the Duke of Cleaue were inclined towardes the Protestants fearing lest they shoulde be ouer cooÌmen with voices of a set pourpose differred the matter from day to day tyll such tyme as they had other worde from themperour as herafter I shall declare And the second daye of Ianuary they doe propounde new and straunge condicyons that of the whole nomber ther should be choseÌ two diuines to reason the matter that the scribes should wryte theyr argumentes and delyuer them to the presydentes that the lesse parte shoulde not bee bounden to followe the opinion of the greater vnlesse themperoure and the states of th empyre shoulde thynke it expediente that the notaryes shoulde not write all the talke of the reasoners but the bare sentences whether they wer agreed vpon or left in controuersie that the decree of Auspurge and such other lyke shoulde neuertheles be of force But the Protestantes agayn require that forasmuche as ther bee .xxii. on bothe partes appoynted to conferre euery man mighte speake hys mynde And that not only the bare sentences but also the Argumentes and reasons with the probations of the same be committed to wrytyng They declare also that it is vnreasonable in this most holy cause of al others to follow the opinion of any part not rather the prescripte of gods worde or to compell any man that he shoulde eyther thynke or speake against it Whilest the time was thus prolonged the Protestantes ofteÌtimes coÌplain thereof and desire that the disputation of the doctrine propounded at Auspurge may accordinge to the decree of Hagenawe be forthewith commenced especially consyderyng the same to be a frendly disceptation and not captious to th entent a certen way vnto concorde might be prepared The diuines also which were there very many required the same as Melancthon Capito Bucer Osiander Brentius Caluine Alesius a Scot sent thither by the marques of Brandenburge diuers others vnto whom wer annexed Symon Grineus and Iohn Sturmius At the last aboute the Ides of Ianuary the catholickes choose Iohn Eekius and thothers Melancthon to dispute together And first of all to th entent they might procede in order they Reason of originall synne by course in open consistory but beholde the thirde day after the disputation began Themperours letters wer brought to Granuellan and to the rest of Ambassadours wherin he differreth the whole matter vntill the assemble at Regenspurge commaunding chiefly the Protestantes to come thither Granuellan to repare vnto hym with all syede These letters beyng red in the consistorie the xviii daye of Ianuary Granuellan exhorteth them to obey themperoure and come vnto Regenspurge for he is very desyrous of peace And yf he him self by occasion of talke hath spoken any thyng roughly he desyreth them not to take it in euell part and promiseth to beare hys good wyll towards the publyke weale Whereunto the Protestantes say how they are ryght sory that the disputation had not begoÌ a great whyle souner and that they caÌnot now procede further therin but for asmuch as themperour doeth so commaund they must obey Wherfore they wyll now retourn home to declare howe all thinges stande and doubte not but their Princes and cities will gratifye theÌperour herin Notwithstandyng in case it be longe or euer they come or sende they ar to be holden excused by reason the time is but shorte In thys assemble was also Peter Paul Uerger bishop of Iustinople in worde as for the Frenche kyng but sent in dede by the Bishop of Roome who supposed that he myght serue hys tourne better beynge there in another mans name he made an oration of the vnitie peace of the churche and settyng it foorthe in prynte he gaue it there to dyuers Wherein he goeth about chiefly to proue that we maye not ones thynke vpon a counsell prouinciall for that same Assembly dyd represente a certen shew of the lyke thyng and semed to prepare the waye for the Byshop coulde abyde nothynge worse and Uergerius knewe hys mynde full well By hym therefore and by suche others of the bisshops ministers the thynge was letted and at the lengthe dyssolued For in tractyng of the tyme fyndyng of delayes they seeke startyng holles and wayes to escape In the begynnyng of Ianuary themperoure takyng hys Iorney from Brussels came vnto Mentz the head citie of Lorayne from thence by Spires he goeth to Regenspurge by the way sent those for sayd letters to GraÌuellaÌ he traueled by Norinberge whiche citie he had not sene before and was receyued with moste sumptuous preparation The eleuenth day of Februarye Philyp Schabotte Admirall of Fraunce a man of great honour beyng brought into suspicion with the kynge for not acquitinge himselfe in the warre of Sauoye beefore mentyoned after longe and mooche inquisityon of hys demeanoure was condemned of extortyon and treason and depriued of al his honour dignities which he had most ample without all hope of restitution and was committed to prison at Uincen not farre froÌ Paris William Poiet ChauÌcelor of FrauÌce gaue this sentence at Mellon at the which Iudgement were all the notable men and Iudges in the lawe in all Fraunce Albeit that sentences geuen after this sort are wont euer to be dissolued or altered yet by the kynges authoritie not longe after he was cleane released as ye shall heare afterwardes About this time also Maurice the son of Henry Duke of Saxonie maried Agnes daughter to the Lantzgraue In the moneth of Marche diuers Princes and states resorted to Regenspurge when themperor had taried for them a certen space Thither came also the Lantzgraue with a great company almost atthende of Marche And the nexte daye wente to themperor with his garde about him of whom he was receiued right gentlye The duke of Saxonie sent thither a most honorable Ambassador and Diuines among whom was Melanchton From the Bishoppe of Rome also came Caspar Contarene a right famous Cardinall There were present the prince Elector of Brandenburg Friderick and Otto Henry Paulsegraues William and Lewis dukes of Bauier Henry duke of Brunswike Charles duke of Sauoie George marques of Brandenburge Philip Duke of Pomerane moreouer the Bishops of Mentz Salisburg Breme Bamberg Spires Auspurge Eistet Constance Hildessene Brixie Passaw Aboute this time came forth and was brought to Regenspurge a boke of Martin Luthers very vehement written in the vulgare tounge against the Duke of Brunswycke In the last boke before this I meÌtioned of this dukes inuectiues against the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue And where in a booke set forth of late he called the Duke of SaxoÌ Heretike rebel Cain Monster Eesope hauing nether vertu or qualitie of body
confirmyng of the lordes supper of penaunce absolution matrimony vnction of the bond of charitie of the dignitie of the churche and of the authoritie to establishe the weale publicke of images masse and ministration of the sacramentes of the discipline of the churche bothe for the ministers and the people In the moneth of May the Protestantes wryting their letters froÌ Regenspurg to the Frenche kynge entreate for such as at the same tyme in Fraunce for the profession of the gospell wer partly in prison partly in exile partly hyd in corners and led a miserable lyfe And because many were receyued into fauour incase they woulde abiure they require that he woulde release them from that condicyon declarynge howe heynous a matrer it is to wounde the conscience The cause of thys persecution was by a sentence geuen agaynst the Merindolans in the prouince by the president Bartholomew Chassanie a lawyer which beyng terrible and cruell beyonde measure put the poore men in a wonderful feare not withstanding the full execution therof was differred tyll an other tyme and the persecution of thys yere was but a balle playe in comparison of that whiche followed foure yeares after as shal be recited in hys place Whylest these thynges were done at Regenspurge the Duke of Cleaue hauing themperour hys heuye Lorde for the possession of Gelderlande goeth priuely into Fraunce appoynting such as he would haue with hym a day and a place wher they going an other way should mete hym what tyme therfore he arryued at Paris aboute th ende of Aprill being receiued of the kynges officers and conducted throughe Orleans the sixte daye of Maye he came to the kyng at Ambose a towne in Turin by the Riuer of Loire who imbracing him none otherwise than the father would his owne sonne sent word immediatly to the kyng of Nauarre and hys syster that they shoulde repayre vnto hym with all expedition and brynge theyr Daughter with them for they wer the same time in Gascoigne And after they wer coommen the kyng by and by began to entreate of the maryage And albeit the parentes than did not greatly lyke it and the yonge mayde also was somewhat vnwyllyng not somoch of her owne iudgement or contempte of hym as by the whispering and perswasyon of sertayne whych dispysed Germanye as rude and barren in comparison of the delycacye and pleasauntenes of Fraunce yet vanquished by the kynges authoritye whiche iudged the same affinitie very fit for hys pourpose at the last they gaue place Wherfore at the Ides of Iune the maryage was solemnised the kynge hymselfe leadyng the bryde hys nece to the churche and the Cardinall of Turnon played the prest The kynge gaue them a goodly dyner And ther were thambassadours of Roome Englande Portugall Uenise and Saxonye For themperours had made an excuse After a fewe dayes the Duke retourned homewarde leauing his yong spouse in Fraunce whom her mother woulde haue to remayne with her tyll she wer of rype yeares for a man Before the Dukeof of Cleaue came into Fraunce the kyng had enlarged the Admirall that we spake of before and sent hym home to hys owne house and after in the moneth of May commaunded hym to come vnto hym whom receiued most gently he restored to hys former dignitie and called as it wer out of hel into light agayne and after a straung example and seldome heard of made the sentence geuen agaynst hym by all the princypal iudges of hys realm cleane frustrate partlye for hatred of the constable as it is thoughte and partly at the requeste of madame Destamps whych was allyed to the Admirall by a new affinitie Therfore Memorancie the Counstable which loued not thadmirall his egall and was oute of the kynges fauoure for themperours passage as before is sayed beyng had in contempt gotte hym home and led a priuate lyfe where before he had ruled the Kynge wholye hymselfe alone â The fourtenth Boke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concernyng the state of relygion and the common Weale duryng the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fourtenth Booke IN the processe of the communication they treated of an order to be establyshed in the churche sondry aduyses and aunswers bee there gathered Eckius dispray syng the booke there presented accuseth hys fellow collocutours Themperoure hauing intellygence of the Turkes commyng remitreth thys colloquie to the counsel Fregose Rincon thambassadours of the French kynge to the greate Turke at taken and slayne Wherupon the Bastarde of Maximilyan is arested The Turke taketh possession in the cytie of Buda TheÌperoure arryueth at Argiers The plage is in Germany and great calamities in Austriche A supplication of the princes of Austriche to kynge Ferdinando that they myght haue the Gospell Wherunto he aunswereth After the ouerthrowe in Hongary an assemblye was holden at Spires where Oliuier beeing for the French kynge made a longe Oration Cardinall Maron the Popes Ambassadour offereth a counsell at Trcent Luther Wryteth a booke intitled the sermon of Soldiours comparyng papistry with the Turkes Alcorane The warre beyng proclaymed betwene the Frenche kyng and the Emperour Marten van Rossem inuadeth Brabante decrces are made in Fraunce agaynste the Lutheranes Farell preacheth at Mentz ABoute the ende of Aprill the disputation began as I shewed yon before but Eckius was vnpatient and froward for both he abhorred the booke and mislyked hys fellowes and a lyttell after fell into an agewe so that he coulde not bee there yet went his fellowes to him and conferred with hym of al thynges And certen places of the boke exhibited were throughe conference amended by common assent but of some other they coulde not agree of the churche and authoritie therof of the sacrament of the body and bloud of Chryst of the recytall of synnes of satisfaction of the vnitie order of thecclesiastical ministers of sainctes of masse of the vse of the whole sacramente of the single lyfe So was the booke deliuered vp to themperoure as it was corrected and the Diuines of the Protestantes had written theyr mindes vpon these forsayd opinions which were leafte in controuersy this was the last of Maye Themperoure commendeth theyr good endeuour and lyketh it well And incase the matter herafter do so require he exhorteth theÌ to shew the like good-will and dilygence Than in the eyght day of Iune in the consistorie before the Princes and other states he maketh relation what hathe ben done and howe farre they haue proceded howe the collocutours haue handled the matter dilygentely and haue reconcyled dyuerse weyghty articles of doctryne And touching the rest that are not yet agreed vpon the diuines of the Protestantes haue opened they re myndes After he exibiteth vnto ether of them boothe the wrytinges requiring them that so shortly as may bee they woulde consulte thervpon and vtter theyr mindes in either of them And moreouer would consyder howe the state of the weale publike
is the head of the churche and of counselles yf in dede they omitte the same vnto whom agayne it woulde bee displeasaunte in case they should not do it for the same would styre vp great stryfe and offence not onlye in Germany but also in other countries This he doeth admonisshe them of bothe by the commaundement of the Bysshoppe and also of hys owne dewtye The same day the Princes make hym aunswere howe the Bysshop maye auoyde all offension in case he will call a counsell whyche hathe been so longe promysed Yf not the state of Germany to bee suche as they muste of necessitie fynd some other waye to salue the sore And therfore require him earnestly that he wold of hys wysdome and gentlenes so further the cause to the Byshoppe that a remedie might be founde Moreouer the diuines of the Protestantes doe confute those letters and reasons of Contarene by a longe wrytyng and proue manifestly how it apperteyneth vnto all prouinces to establishe gods trewe seruice and Religion This done themperour causeth a decree to be made and red the xxviii of Iuly he referreth the conference of the learned men and the whole treatie vnto the counsell to the Synode of all Germany or of the states imperial in hys Iorney into Italy he promiseth to intreat diligently the Bisshop of Roome for a counsell And yf neyther generall nor prouinciall counsell can be obtayned than wyll he call a convocation of th empyre within .xviii. monethes for to quiet the cause of Religion and will deuyse that the Bifshop shall also sende hys legate thither he chargeth the ProtestaÌtes that they attempt no new thing besydes the articles alreadye accorded and the Bisshoppes that they should clense their churches of theyr faultes and enormities In that decree were certen articles that Religious houses shoulde not be defaced that the churche goodes shoulde not bee put to prophane vses that no man should be allured to a contrary Religion of the iurisdiction and Iudges of the chamber Whiche thinges whan the Protestants dyd mislyke themperour in a certen priuate wryting declareth seuerally what his opinion is herin In the doctrine not as yet conciliated he doth prescribe vnto them no measure Monkes houses wold not in dede bee pulled downe but yet mete to bee reuoked to a godly reformation the lyke is to bee thought of the churche reuenewes no man that is of an other iurisdiction oughte to be intysed to theyr Religion and so bee mayneteyned but yet shall it bee lawefull for them to receyue any that will come vnto them vncalled furthermore the decree of Auspurge concernynge relygion and doubtfull causes of the same for a common quyet he suspendeth tyll the cause be determined eyther in a counsell or other assemblie and commaundeth that no maÌ shal be reiected of the Chamber for a contrarye relygion but that the lawe shal be ministred vprightly vnto all men What tyme they had these thynges confyrmed vnder themperours seale they promise hym ayde agaynste the Turke of whose commynge it was bruted daylye more and more And the Ambassadours of Hongary and Austryche were commen thither which with greate intreaty required ayde So was there a sodayn ayde of Almaignes sent into Hongary by the coÌduict of Friderick countie Fursteinberg In thys assemblie Themperoure the thirde day of Iuly before al the states had a greuous complaynt of wyllyam Duke of Cleaue for the possession of Gelderland He exhibiteth also a booke vnto them wherin he declareth hys ryght tytle to the same and sayeth how he willed hym to haue ben there but he tooke a contrary waye signifyinge couertly Fraunce as before is sayd There were present the ambassadours of Cleaue which excused theyr prince and when they proceded to declare his title themperour xiseth vp and departeth The .xxi. day of Iuly the Princes and states all go to themperoure intreate him for the Duke of Cleaue and request hym that he wold receyue him in to the tuition of thempire permit that the case may be decided freÌdly and promise to take paynes in the thynge and in case they cannot make an ende in it they beseche hym to make clayme to it and to recouer his right by the law Wherunto themperoure maketh aunswer by Iohn Nauie Forasmoche as this assemblie is called for the common welthes sake to th entent that all dissention and discorde taken a waye Germany myght be restored to quyetnes and herin hath moch tyme ben consumed and yet nothyng concluded by reason of contention and diuersitie of myndes vnto his greate griefe and hinderance of hys owne affaires he sayeth he marueleth greatly that in this on cause which is properly hys they can so wel agree Thus he sendeth them awaye not withoute displeasure The next day Raymunde the Frenche kinges ambassadour in a longe oration written reciteth the cause of expulsing Charles Duke of Sanoye who a few daies before had accused the kinge to the Emperoure and al the states Durynge this assemblie the Frenche kynge sendeth Cesar Fregose an Italyan of Genes and Anthony Rincon a Spaniarde exiled Ambassadours to themperour of Turkes who sayling on the Riuer of Po towards Uenise wer taken and flayne abont the kalendes of Iuly That time was William Bellaye the kynges lyeutenaunt in Piedmount who beynge sertifyed of the thynge as he was maruelous circumspecte and industrious immediatly aduertiseth the kyng and also the fyfte day of Iuly wryteth from Turryn to Alphonsus Daualus marques of Piscare than gouernoure of Millan and all Lumbardie that he woulde see that the kynges Ambassadours which wer taken might be restored whom he knewe for certentie that hys menne had apprehended or els for the same cause shoulde the trewes be broken which was made thre yeares past by thintercession of the Bisshop of Rome And he required they might be restored eyther for because at the first he knewe not els dissembling that he knewe not what had hapned to them The Marques maketh it very straunge as though he knew nothing of the matter and to pourge himselfe sendeth Counte FrauÌces Ladron Ambassadour to the kynge Langeus in a certen epistle whych he wrote to the Marques the eleuenth of Iuly I would not doubte sayeth he in the counsell of the whole worlde to speake of diuine matters and that as aptely as euer did your kinsman and auncestre Thomas of Aquyne yf I were as experte in diuinitie as soom of youre familiars are perfit and priuie to this murther For Alphonsus hys graundfather called Indicus the sonne of Rodorick a Spaniard maryed a great inheriter of the house of Aquinas And this Alphonsus was cosyn germane to Fernando Dauall of Piscare a most worthye captayne The. xx day of Iuly the king answereth Alphonce by letters from Liner a Towne of Burges admonisshing hym to regarde hys honour and estimation and sheweth hym that vnles they be restored he can not neglect the iniury done to hys men Many
manifestly mayneteyne the cause of Pflugius through the suite of hys freÌdes the matter was vtterly lyke to brede ciuile warre For eyther of them had their meÌ vp in armure but through that mediation of the Lautzgraue it was appeased This was the beginning of the displeasure betwyxt them whiche after increased in tyme wrought a deadlye wounde to Germanye as shal be recited in place And certenly many men marueiled at Maurice that he would be so earnest and bitter agaynst him that brought hym vp and whome both he and his father may thanke for all theyr good fortune But certen of the couÌsellers that were with Duke George were thought to haue set forwarde this matter whiche neyther loued Religion nor yet the Prince Electour Whan the decree was made and all men prepared theÌ selues to the warre Luther set for the a booke in the vulgare tongue an exhortation to the warre whiche he dedicated vnto Philip the Lantgraue And after hathe declared the cause why he wrote of the contrary argument in his yong days the to warre against the Turkes were nothing elles but to resiste God whiche vseth hym for a scourge to afflicte vs whiche sentence Leo the tenth had amonges other thynges condempned for the Byshop of Rome so ofte as he mynded to procure a masse of monie out of Germany vsed euer this collour to gather it for the Turkishe warre and had shewed all the reasons that moued hym than and amonges others that a Christen man ought not to reuenge nor resiste euil but to suffer all thynges according to that saying of Christe of leauinge thy rote and agayne that the Emperour is not to be excited vnto warre as the head of Christendome Protectour of the churche and defendour of the faithe For the tytles are false and vayne glorious and iniurious to Christe who allone can defende his churche and the iniurie is the more for that certen kynges and Prynces are moste bytter ennemies to his true doctrine and therfore concludeth that the Turke is not to be warred vpon or resisted for the diuersitie of his religion but because he robbeth and spoyleth and maketh vniust warr and bringeth in with him most shameful examples of lyfe By a coÌparison made he proueth that the byshop of Rome is nothing better thaÌ the Turke for as he by his Alcorane so hath the Byshop by his decreetales quenched the doctrine of the Gospell That whiche he doeth by force the same doth the byshop by his curse but thei both worke reproche vnto matrimony abide punishment for the contempte of Gods lawe which ordeined holy matrimony what time god geueth theÌ ouer to their filthy lustes that they burne in most detestable desires worke most wickedly against the order of nature Finally speakig of the turkish power he admonisheth theÌ not to be carelesse in warfare but to knowe how thei haue to do with a moste fierse ennemy These and diuerse other suche lyke thinges he treateth of in that first boke but now what time the state of theÌpire had at the request of thempe king FerdinaÌdo decreed war he coÌpiled an other worke as I said a warlike exhortation or sermon to th enteÌt that such ministers of the churche as followed the warres myght haue some forme and order howe to teache and exhorte First therfore sayth he that men may vnderstande what is to be thought of the Turke the Scripture speaketh of two houge and cruell Tyrantes which shall destroy Christendome before the laste daye of iudgement one through false doctrine of whome prophecied Daniel and after him Paule this is verely the Byshop of Rome And an other by power and force of armes that is to saye the Turke of whome Daniel in the seuenth chapter speaketh Those therfore that wylbe christians let them plucke vp their hartes and loke for no peace and quietnes nor pleasauÌter life froÌ henceforth For that miserable tyme which he prophecied of before is now come but let vs comforte our selues with the comming of Christe and with our finall deliueraunce whiche immediatly after those afflictioÌs shal appeare and let vs knowe for certentie that al the woodnes and malice of the deuyll is powred wholy vpon vs by the Turke for neuer did Tyrante practyse suche crueltie as he doeth After he expoundeth the seuenth chapter of Daniel whiche is of the foure beastes coÌming out of the Sea declaring that the Turkishe Empire is there described For this is that same litle horne whiche sprang vp betwene those ten hornes of the fourth beast And albeit it is wonderfully increased yet can it not be that it should be in power like to the Romaine Empyre for the Prophet doeth there describe foure Empyres only which should succeade in order and the last to be the Empyre of Rome therfore shall there be none other that may be coÌpared in greatnes to the Romayne And for asmuche as Daniel did attribute vnto him three hornes only whiche he should plucke of from those ten his violence from henceforth shall not proceade muche further for those three are plucked of long synce Asia Grece and Egipt whiche beinge three of the greatest prouinces in the Empire the Turke now possesseth with in the whiche limites the Prophet hath included him wherfore there is good hope that from henceforth he shall possesse no prouince of the Empyre And where he is nowe so busy in Hongary and also readye to inuade Germany this is the last acte of the tragedy for it may bee that he shall inuade those countries but he can not thynke that euer he shall haue them in quiet possession as he hathe Asia Grece and Egipt for the prophecie is playne and manifest After this he treateth of all the other partes prouokyng them chiefly to repentaunce and exhorteth them all to be ready and wylling to obeye the Magistrate commaunding vnto this warre and not only to employe their goodes herein but also to serue with their bodies The prisoners also whiche eyther be nowe in the Turkes handes or hereafter shal come into the same captiuitie he comforteth with many perswasions and admonisheth them to be well ware of that fayned and pretensed Religion of the Turkes for he heareth saye howe many that haue professed Christ doe of their owne accorde falle into their Religion for that it hath a certen shewe of vertue and holines and that they suffer this bondage patiently and serue their maisters faithfully though thei be prophane and wicked neyther that they runne away from them or fordo them selues for vnpatientnes and lothsomenes of that estate but to beare alwayes in memory that same which Peter and Paule wryte of the dutie of bounde seruauntes but what tyme they shal attempte warre against the christians to hasarde their lyues rather than to serue vnder theÌ for they be murtherers and make warre against the sainctes as Daniell sayeth and shead innocent bloude therefore muste they chiefly beware that they be not partakers
the same tyme he sayed he muste nedes gooe whan in deede he fled and leafte Germany for appraye to the enemie than approchynge throughe hys faulte the yong infante of Iohn Uayuode and his owne brother Fernando and all the Realme of Hongary are fallen into thys calamitie he telleth with a brauerye as thoughe he came to Aegnesmortes to confirme the peace but yf there be any prayse in thys thynge it ought rather to bee ascribed vnto hym whiche wente fyrste in to the Shyppe to hym and after also sente hys chyldrene thyther wherein surely there was great daunger bothe of hym selfe that can truste no man and also of Androwe de Anxie hys Admirall a man of a subtyll and craftie witte After he tooke hys Iorney through Fraunce at his requeste in dede but when he had fyrste by hys Ambassadour letters and Messagers craued thys of hym and offered hym Millan he alledgeth nonne other causes but he was constrayned of necessitie for the Rebellion of Gaunte to passe that waye where he sayeth howe consultation was had to haue stayed hym it is faulse neuer came into hys thought He did the Duke of Sauoye no wronge but when he denyed him bothe hys mothers dowarye and in herytaunce and woulde not permitte hym to redeme Nice and besydes dyd euyll intreate hys Lieutenauntes and soldiours he recouered by foorce of Armes that he coulde not gette by lawe and equitie especyallye syns he wrought all thinges in a maner at the Emperours pleasure whose vse and propertye is to perswade other Kynges subiectes to reuolte after to bryng them to miserye As for example the Dukes of Bourbon Sauoye the Prynce of Salarne And Duke Henry of Brunsewicke He is also chargeable and hurtful to his kinse folkes and alies to Christierne king of Denmarke to Fernando his brother to hym chieflye whiche hathe maried his eldeste syster For that the Turke hathe of late inuaded Hongarye and taken the chyefe Cytye it ought not to be ascribed vnto hym but to hymselfe and hys brother whiche layed wayte for the yonge Heyre Uayuodes sonne and made warre agaynste hym And so aunswereth to euerye poynte of the Emperoures Letters concernynge the Turke and hys Ambassadoures sente vnto hym touchynge the Germanes Relygyon and counsell that he will seme to bee in no faulte but to deserue well the Title of the mooste Christian Kynge geuen longe syns to hys noble progenitours And in fyne desyreth the Bisshop to geue no credyte to the sclaunderous reporte of hys aduersary but to thynke howe there is nothynge that he wyll not bee glad to doe for the common welthes sake and hys and for the Churche of Roome A little before this time dyed Willyam Bellaye of Langeis of whom wee haue oftetymes mentioned a man of moche honoure and vertue and an especyall ornamente of the Frenche Nobilytye by reason of hys notable learnynge Eloquence Experyence and syngular aptnes in all affayres farre vnlyke vnto the moste parte that followe the lawe which seeke onlye to auaunce and augemente they re ryches but he was of so noble a courage that he had thys respect onely howe he myght through more vertue wynne trewe renowne and serue hys Prynce trewelye thoughe it were to hys owne hynderaunce I tolde you beefore of Fraunces Lander a preacher of Paris Whan he had made a doubtfull aunswer to the articles propounded and perseuered styll in hys Preachynge two or three dayes before Easter he was commytted to warde Thys was doone by the procuremente of the Diuines which had accused hym to the lieutenaunte Criminell Within a fewe daies after the Kynge came to Sangermane whyche is a little Towne and Castell by the Ryuer of Seine fyue myles benethe Paris and beyng infourmed of the whole matter calleth the Preacher beefore hym He whan he came thither beynge put in feare by some mennes woordes whyche sayed howe the kynge was sore offended declared not that constancye whyche many men looked for at hys hande And beynge caryed agayne vnto Parys the .xxix. daye of Aprill he was enforced to recant suche thynges as he had taught before For on that day in the Cathedral Church did assemble the Senatours and iudges of the Parlamente moreouer all the Magistrates and officers of Parys and a great nomber of Diuines After the Church dores wer made faste and men set in Armure to dryue a waye the people Whan all were placed hys opinions were recyted and beynge demaunded of euery one what he beleued therein he aunswered as pleased them confessynge howe he had erred and promyseth all obedyence from hencefoorthe and acknoweledgeth those Articles of doctryne which fryste the Diuines and after the Kynges counsell propounded vnto hym to bee trewe and godlye After the same sorte also they handled an other Preacher Depensius thoughe not with so greate a solemnitie for whan he had at the fyrste made hys retractatyon nothynge playnlye he was compelled an other daye in hys sermon beefore the people to declare eche thynge distinctelye and apertelye tyll the Divines there present were fully satisfyed In Fraunce liued Clemente Marotte who in the vulgare tounge surmounted far al Poetes that eyther wee before hys dayes or that liued also in his tyme. He had no greate knowledge in the latyn tongue but yet through the company of learned menne he profyted verye moche Neyther was there any thynge almost in the bookes of Poetes but he kneweit so that out of theyr woorkes he tooke moche and applyed it to hys pourpose Thus did he translate certeÌ thinges couertly out of Tibullus Propertius and Ouide into hys owne elegies And our of Gaââllus he tooke the Marriage of Hercules Duke of Farrare and Senate Armoricke Daughter to Lewes the .xij. Kynge of Fraunce He translated also moste excellently the fyrst booke of Ouides Metamorphosys And in his later dayes he bente all his writynges to holy scripture and was prefixed to haue expressed Dauid his Psalter in Frenche metre but taken away through sickenes he finished only fyfty Psalmes which now remaine and are red not without thadmiration of hys excellent wit for nothinge is more pleasaunte than hys style nothynge purer than his speache nothyng apter or more pleasaunt than hys Rythme And he set them foorthe thys yeare at Geneua whither he repaired what tyme hee myghte not safelye make longer a bode in Fraunce for suspycyon of Lutheranisme he had prynted .xxx. Psalmes two yeares before in Parys but with moche diffycultye for thys myghte he not doo beefore the Doctours of Sorbone had pronounced that there was nothynge conteyned in that booke contrary to the Chrystyane fayth Thys peraduenture maketh not moche to our pourpos but I thought good to commend the name of so excellent an Artificer also to other nations for in Fraunce hys memoryal shal endure to the last posterytie and most men be of thys opinion that it shall be ryght harde for anye man to matche hym in thys kynde of
LaÌtzgraue neuerthelesse prepareth for the battell and styll shoutyng of his ordenaunce approcheth nere hys enemye and stayeth aboute fyue hoÌdreth passes from hym and sendeth woorde to Duke Morys by CoÌrade HausteÌ how he caÌnot be in quiet for that he feareth lest through occasyon of talke Duke Henry shoulde escape awaye Duke Moris sayeth how he must nedes tary till he haue spoken with him and praieth hym so longe to absteyne A little whyle after he retourneth and sheweth how Duke Henry with plentifull teares be wayleth his myserye and wyll render hym selfe and hys sonne and desyreth hym that he wolde vse no cruell wordes towardes hym When the Duke was commen and hys sonne Charles Uictor the Lantzgraue sayde vnto hym If I were in thy power as thou art nowe in myne thou woldest not suffer me to lyue longe But I wyll vse thee a greate deale better then by thy desertes what came into thy mynde that thou wouldest not obey the Emperoure refusyng the sequestration for certenlye by thys meane thouhadst wel prouyded for thee and thyne speakyng on thys wyse he appoynteth theÌ both vnto kepers But in thys meane whyle the Lantzgraues armye had lyke to haue bickered with the enemye and had not the Lantzgraue and Duke Moris with greate expedition runnen betwixte them there had ben a wonderful slaughter The Duke of Brunswickes armye pourposed to depart wholy to gether in one companye but because there was daunger leste by occasyon they shoulde attempte some newe enterpryse the Lantzgraue followeth them and ouertakyng them vpon a playne compelleth theÌ that they should teare in pieces their enseignes promiseth hym vpoÌ theyr fydelytie that they shoulde not serue agaynste hym nor hys fellowes within these sixe monethes Than taketh he a waie from theÌ all theyr munition to the nomber of xviii pieces with all that therunto belongeth and marching foreward recouereth the Castel of SteÌbrucke and sweareth the people to be trewe to hym and commaundeth to geue God thankes for the victorye Then he punnisheth Iohn Schamburge Otto Ritberg Erles for aydyng hys enemie and so discharging hys army retourneth home In thys tyme dyeth Albert Cardinall of Mentz and Sebastian Husestene succedeth hym And the Bishopricke of Maydenburge had Iohn Alberte hys cosen germayne whyche was hys suffragan therebe fore A reporte was afterwarde bruted by Duke Maurice as though with disceiptefull captious woordes he shoulde haue brought the Duke of Brunswicke into bondage that knowen he setteth foorthe a wrytynge and sheweth for what cause beyng requyred of the Duke of SaxoÌ and the Lantzgraue he coulde not denye them and recyting the whole matter in order declareth that he sustayneth iniury And yet neuerthelesse intreateth that he maye be deliuered But Luther in a booke set foorthe exhorteth the Prynces that they wolde not let goe theyr prysoner For thys victorye without bludshed was geuen them of God And in maner aboute thys tyme Countie William of Furstemberge whan he had ben prisoner at Paris vntil now paying .xxx. thousand crownes for hys raunsome was delyuered and passyng through Flaunders whan he had declared hys mysfortune to Themperoure retourneth home Themperoure wylleth hym to espye out some meane whereby thys dammage may be recompensed And herin promiseth him his fauour good will Whan Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke his soÌne were takeÌ the Duke of Saxon the Lantzssaue immediatly signifye to themperour by letters the whole matter inasmoch as he conteÌninge all his proclamations had disquieted Germany with a newe warre they require that both he his fellowes for breaking the publycke peace may be outlawed after the fourme and condicions of the SequestratioÌ before conuenaunted After thys the last of October the Lantzgraue accusing countie Ritberge to themperour making meÌtion of the former letters whan he had made the same request he sayeth how after the Duke of Brunswicke was taken he found sondrye letters of great importaunce of secret deuyses in hys tentes which shew well enough that he went about some great mischief eyther agaynste him or kinge Ferdinando For amonges others ther is an epistle whiche a prince electour wryteth agayne to hym how he maye not vpon such condicions come into that league coÌfederacy but that it is rather his dewty to vtter such maner of counsel which doubtles he wolde haue done had he not promised him vpon his fydelytie to haue kept it close Wherfore let hym moue hym nomore in the matter from henforth for yf he doe it shal be no counsell these and suche other lyke thinges hath he to shew If now he shall thynke that anythynge concerneth hys person he maye sende some trusty man of hys he shal shew him the letters let him haue a copie of the same Themperour beyng that tyme at Bruges a Towne in Flaunders the syxte daye of Nouember sendeth to the Lantzgraue Nicolaus Conricius with this message He heareth in what sorte the Duke of Brunswicke and hys sonne came into hys haÌdes And albeit he wold haue wisshed that he had accepted the condicioÌ of sequestration yet seing the matter is coÌmen to this poynt he supposeth it not nedefull to punishe hym moreouer for breakinge the publyke peace hys truste is also that he wyll so moderately vse thys victory that no man shall nede to feare hys vyolence he admonyssheth hym moreouer that accordyng to the auncyente custome of Prynces he doe intreate hys prisoners quyetlye and honestyle neyther that he enforce them to any vnreasonable condicyon or vnworthye for them but permytte that the matter maye bee frendelye and indifferentlye hearde Wherin verelye he for hys offyce and place wyll omytte nothynge And because neyther he nor hys confortes neede nowe to feare anye further daunger hee requyreth hym to dyscharge hys Armye and obserue peace And yf he haue oughte to saye to any man for the Socyetye of warre or ayde minystred he wolde trye it by the Lawe and he wyll doe herein that shall be reasonable When Conricfus had thus declared the .xviii. daye of Nouember the Lantzgraue the same day auÌswered him at Cassels For asmuch as the Duke of Brunswicke and hys fellowes haue moe wayes than one broken the imperial decrees he trusteth that Themperoure wyll playnly declare in how euill parte he taketh thys theyr doyng one of the chiefest of hys adherentes is Otto Erle of Ritberge his client whoÌ he hath punysshed therfore therbe also diuerse others of whom he myght iustely be auenged but to th entent Themperour and all men shoulde clearly see howe littell he and hys fellowes loue trouble he hathe done nothyng to them and hath discharged hys soldiours And seeyng it is thus and that he tooke in hand a nedeful defencion he desyreth ernestyle that Themperoure wolde bannishe the Duke hys fellowes for though he be taken yet are hys adherentes to bee punyshed notwithstandyng whych also wyll shew themselues styll lyke enemyes Hys prisoners are intreated metely lyberally
winne nothyng therby and for vs is prepared a kyngdome euerlastynge This Psalme whiche at that tyme he applyed to relyeue sorrowe and heuynes whan he had translated it into the vulgare toungue somethynge wrastynge the sence he made it also in metre and set a note to it verye consonant to the argument and a mete tune to styre vp the minde And so euer synce that tyme thys Psalme hathe also been muche songe amonges all others And that there was suche a decree made at Auspurge he ascribeth all the blame therof in a booke setfoorthe afterwarde to Clement the seuenth and hys Legate Campegious but speaketh all honoure and good of Themperoure whose name and authorytie they vsed for a clooke and reporteth hym to bee blameles â The seuententh Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the seuententh Booke IOhn Diaze beyng sent Ioinetly with Bucer to the colloquie of Regenspurge is murthered of hys owne brother Alphonse The Lantzgraue commyng to Themperours speche declareth vnto hym the conditions of the counsell whyche the Protestantes requyre and afterward makyng his excuse that he cannot come to the assemblee taketh hys leaue frendly of Themperour Sentence of excommunication thondereth at Roome against the Archebisshop of Collon TheÌperoute couertly maketh preparation to warre in Germany Those of the Counsel of Trent make theyr decrees and Peter Danes is Ambassadour there for the Frenche kynge Themperoure soliciteth certen cities of Germany and also the Swysses through polycye to do them to vnderstand The Protestantes hauinge intelligente hereof take them to theyr weapons The Tenure of the league betwixt the Pope and Themperour is recyted Themperour is so vrged by the Pope that he letteth alone the Turke and falleth vpon the Protestantes The Castell of Erenberge and Tonauert surprysed Themperoure by hys letters Patentes bannissheth the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue The Popes armye commeth to ayde Themperoure A Lyttle before was mention made of the conference at Regenspurge Iohn Diazius a Spaniarde wente thyther with Bucer He had ben many yeres a student at Paris in the diuinitie of the Sarbonites but when he had red the bookes of Luther and others and dilligentlye studied the scriptures that doctryne began to waxe vyle to him euery day more more And at the last to th entent he might profit so much the more leauing Paris he went to Geneua where Caluine was minister of the churche And whan he had there remained a while went to Strasburge and because Bucer perceiued in him much learnyng and an ernest zeale a few monethes after whan he should go to the disputation at Regenspurge he moued the senate to appoint him to be his companion and felow that iorney Commyng therfore to Regenspurge in the moneth of December he goeth to this Peter Maluenda whom he knewe at Paris He as one amased bewayleth lamenteth to see him in these parties and that in the company of the Protestantes whiche wil trihumphe more of one Spaniard allured vnto their opinion than of a great meany thousandes of Germanes And therfore begaÌ to admonish him that he wold haue a respect to his name not so shamefullye staine and spot his countrey and honest familie Diazius aunswereth hym modestly commendyng the Protestantes doctrine and so departeth for that tyme. And whaÌ he came againe a fewe daies after as was accorded Maluenda planteth al his ordenaunce that he myght to put hym in feare And speaking many thinges of the authoritie of the bisshop of Roome he rekeneth vp at large how daungerous a thing his curse is Again because Themperoure should come thyther shortely he aduiseth him not to tary hys commyng which perchaunce will be daungerous for him but counselleth hym to goe mete him by the waye and fallinge downe at the feete of Themperours confessour craue perdon for hys offence and promiseth to be a furtherance to hym herein Wherunto Diazius aunswereth stoutely and throughlye And sayeth howe the doctryne of the Protestantes is consonant to the doctrine of the Apostels and Prophetes and lamenteth the miserye of Spayne his nat if countrey which is in so great darkenesse he rebuketh Maluenda and his fellowes which impugne the manifest veritie and geue Themperoure euill counsell and ernestly warneth him to leaue he refuseth his counsell and sheweth hym how he wyl through Gods helpe professe thys holsome doctryne and wyll refuse no daunger of hys lyfe therefore Whan Maluenda sawe hym so strongelye confyrmed thy commyng hither sayeth he is in vayne For here shal be nothing determined And yf you liste to doe any good openly as you seme to boast you shoulde haue gone to Trente After this metinge Diazius came nomore in hys company But Maluenda wryting his letters to Themperours cofessour repeteth the whole matter and exhorteth him most ernestly to helpe the disease in tyme. When these letters were delyuered there was a Spaniard by Marquina whiche came lately from Roome Who vnderstandyng the accusation beganne to excuse Diazius whom he knew verye wel And after a few dayes he retourneth home agayne and declarech the matter to Diazius brother Alphonsus a Lawyer at Roome what he had hearde of Themperours confessour In the meane season Diazius went from RegeÌspurge to Nuburge a Towne of Otto Henry the Paulsgraue standyng by the Riuer of Thonawe twelue myles aboue Regenspurge the cause of hys goynge thyther was to ouersee the correction of a booke that Bucer sent thyther to be prynted Hys brother Alphonsus kyndled with the tale of Marquina haply also with the letters of som others besides immediately prepareth him selfe to take his iorney and in greate hast cometh first to Auspurge and from thence to Regenspurge And whaÌ he vnderstode where Diazius was he hasteth thyther And to hym that marueled not a lyttell at his sodan comming declareth the cause After he vseth in a maner the selfe same argumentes reasons as did Maluenda at Regenspurge Whan he had assayed that in vayne he promiseth hym a greate yerely pension out of hys benefyces so that he wil goe with him to Roome When that wolde take no place nother After certen dayes he confesseth himselfe to be vanquisshed and fayneth as though he loued the doctrine of the gospel and exhorteth him that leauing Germany which hath aboundance of learned men and nedeth not hys trauell he wolde goe with him into Italye where he maye profit many First they shall come to Trent there be many men of singular learnynge and iudgement which wil be right glad of hys company After they will goe to Roome and Naples so shall it come to passe that when many shal be ryghtly instructed of hym in sondrye places in Italye by this occasyon the same doctryne maye be set forth also in Spayne therfore he prayeth and besecheth hym to follow his aduise herein he
Chauncelour whan he had tolde him the cause and occasion of hys comming It is not in one place nor in Germany only but also in foreine Nations reported moste myghty Emperoure that throughe the Bysshop of Roomes procurement you shulde mynd great displeasure to the Protestantes There goeth abrut also that at the conclusyon of the peace you shuld haue perswaded the French kyng to ayde you in punnisshyng the same Moreouer that you sollicite the Turke for a trewes that you may so muche the easelyer brynge youre pourpos to passe and therefore they saye the Bisshop hathe called and coÌmaunded a counsell that vpon the decrees made in haste the matter myght be put in execution it maketh vs the rather to think this report to be trewe to see howe ernestly and busyly the suite procedeth againste the Archebisshop of Collon And certenly forasmuche as we haue ayded you chargeablye against the French kyng and the Turk and offered to doe more as was declared at Spier because we haue donne more also then euer our aunceters were accustomed moreouer inasmuche as you haue graunted vs large warrauntes concerninge the peace and the law bothe at Regenspurg at Spier these thinges chaunce to vs now beyonde all expectation Yet we trust that before you departe out of Germany you wyll cause that relygion be established after the prescripte of Goddes woorde by a prouinciall counsell of Germany and in case the dissention can not be throughly accorded yet that the peace whiche was promised vs at Spier you wold commaunde to be wholy obserued in suche wyse as it bee neyther chaunged nor taken awaye by the decree of any counsell Hereunto Themperoure aunswereth by Nauius Howe sondrie reportes haue commen to hys eares of them also that they should attempte some enterpryse yet wolde he not credite the same especiallye after he had hearde hys letters written to Nauius and nowe also beleueth it muche lesse As concernynge that whyche he spake of the Frenche kynge there is no man able to proue it he hathe pease with him only and nothynge els It is the guise of Fraunce to braue and bragge of matters that bee vayne he moued the Turke of a trewes chiefly for the loue of Germany for seyng that in sondrie assemblyes of Thempire they complayned of the greate charges and the pouertye of the people he thought this the best waye to relyeue them that duryng the tyme of the trewes they myght consulte how to make war agaynste him and to set an order in Religion but herein as yet is nothyng determyned for hereof must he conferre with hys brother Fernando the Counsell which they haue so many yeres requyred of him is nowe throughe hys greate suite and labour assembled And what so euer he hathe done therin he hathe donne it of a good affectyon to the publicke weale And where some perchaunce taketh it otherwise it is not well donne of them he hathe vsed the Archebisshop of Collon frendlye but he coulde abyde no delaye at all What is hys preparatyon to warre he seeth preseÌtly there is no man with him but his housholde seruauntes neyther doeth he gather any power And the cause whie he sent for him is for that he supposeth him to be a man that desireth peace And therfore requireth him to declare his fantasye howe Relygion may be appeased or what he thinketh maye be obteyned of his fellowes And if he list not now he wil appoint of his couÌsel to coÌferre with him in the matter TheÌ the Lantzgraue speaking himselfe yf it laye in me noble Emperoure to doe anye thynge for the welthe of Germanye and maynteynge of Amytye beetwene you and the states of Thempire certenly I wold spare no paines for this cause chiefly came I hither I wisshed surelye to haue had some moe of my fellowes here but that could not be for shortnes of tyme. The Duke of SaxoÌ is to farre of and Iames Sturmius is troubled with sicknes I beleue ryghte well that you haue hearde sondrye reportes but doubteles the trewthe is so as I wrote to Nauius for there was no consultation had agaynst you at Frankefurte but we treated onlie howe we myght bothe perseuer in oure relygion and also repulse vniuste violence Of the French king it was shewed vs that for the affinitie of the Duke of Orleans the king had promised you ayde against vs Many wise meÌ marueled that you sued to the Turke for trewes and supposed that no lyght cause moued you so to doe especiallye hauyng peace with the Frenche kyng but now forasmuche as you saye it is done for the common welthes sake I haue nothyng to obiecte against it For Germany had nede longe synce to haue ben vnburthened of suche charges we desyred a counsell the treweth is so but the same to be free godly and holded in Germany And why we doe not esteme thys of Trent to be suche we did sufficientlye declare it vnto you at Woormes For to shewe any waye howe to accorde relygion I maye not withoute the aduise of manye fellowes and I perceyue well I should haue but small thanke of neyther partie yet will I not refuse to conferre with your counsell herein so it be not preiudiciall I haue in dede no hope in the counsel where all others secluded the bisshoppes onlye and such others as be the Bisshop of Roomes sworne men shall determyne all thynges but I suppose a synode of Germany shulde not be vnprofitable for as yet other nations differ muche from vs in opinions and doctrine And the thyng is so farre entred in Germany that it can not be altered Therfore were there nothyng better than yf you woulde permit relygion there to be free yet so as all men shulde obserue the peace I suppose you ordeyned the colloquie at Regenspurge of a verye good intent but I heare by som that were present howe there be certen bitter Freers which call agayne in questyon the articles already accorded and be of so naughtye a lyfe withal that there is no good to be looked for at theyr handes The Archebisshop of Collon is doubteles a goodman And what so euer he dooeth in thys matter he supposeth it to bee hys dewtye especyallye syth the decree of Regenspurge inioyned hym to refourme his Churche And that reformatioÌ he caused to be made as temperately as might be taking awaye no more thaÌ was nedeful in the church goodes he altered verie littel And his boke is agreable to the holy scripture coÌfirmed with the testimonies of the auncient Doctours TertuliaÌ AusteÌ Ambrose others which wer nerer the time of the apostles wherfore if any violence should be offered hym for thys matter the same might be awarnynge to others that had altered a great deale more Than sayeth Themperoure I leaue the treaty of Franckfurte for I neither beleued the tales that wer tolde me neyther haue I geuen anie occasyon that it shoulde so be And I haue not procured the counsell
the hylle beforesayde and there planteth part of hys Ordenaunce He placeth hys menne also on the lefte hande and on the ryghte The same did the Duke of Saxon whan he was commen thyther with hys companye â The eightenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eyghtenth Booke THe Erle of Bure passeth the Rhyne by meanes of the Archebyshop of Mentz The counsell of the Lantgraue is not allowed to set vpon the Emperour The Switzers wyll not meddle in this warre Wherfore the Duke and the Lantgraue sollicite the Bohemers aunswer fully to the accusations and dissemblinges of the Emperour They remoue theyr Campe to cutte the waye from the Erle of Bure Peter Strosse kepeth not promyse to lende them money Touruert being rendred to the Emperour Duke Maurice holdeth an assemblee of his states against the Duke of Saxon vnto whome the Lantgraue aunswereth The Duke of Saxons countrey is set on fyre and destroyed by the Hongarians and Duke Moris surpriseth certen of his townes Fourtene Martyrs brent at Meanx The Protestauntes hauyng leuied their campe are pursued The Duke of WitteÌberg and certen cities make their peace with the Emperour The father of Trent establish the Article of the institution of man After the death of kyng Henry the eight the Gospell had fre passage in Englande Marques Albert is taken prysoner by the Duke of Saxon. WHan MaximiliaÌ the Erle of Bure of whoÌ is meÌtioned before had assembled al the power he coulde in the lowe couÌtrey which were foure thousand horsemen and ten thousand fotemen and emonges them certen bandes of Spanyardes and Italians whiche had serued the kyng of England in his warres against Fraunce marching forwarde with the same out of BrabaÌt in the moneth of August passeth ouer the Rhine aboue and beneath Mentz whersoeuer he coulde get shipping notwithstandinge that the Protestauntes had layde a power on the other syde at the leading of Christopher Oldenburge and Riseberge which shuld haue stopped their passage The Archbishop of MeÌtz was thought to haue holpen much in this matter When the whole armie of the Protestauntes was come to the forsaid place they shot of al their ordinauÌce into themperours caÌpe most terrible Euen ther the Lantgraue calling before the Duke of SaxoÌ the counsellours captains of yâ war if I had yâ gouernmeÌt alone saith he as I had what time I restored yâ Duke of WirteÌberg I wold first vndertake to geue yâ charge vpoÌ theÌnemy with ii legioÌs bring the pioÌners to cast down their treÌches that done assaile theÌ with the whole force power but herein whilest thopinioÌs of meÌ were diuers some diswaded yâ thing as ful of most peril others misliked not yâ same so that ther wer no dauÌger to be feared of the townes men which had great store of shot munition that the horsemen were also at the first charge giuen nothyng was attempted Whiche thing doubtles is so much reproued of many that this same errour is thought to be the cause and beginning of their calamitie and of the Emperours victory For they farre excelled in horsemen and than was the Emperours campe intrenched but with a lowe ditche only so that it was but of small force But what time the Emperour had susteined the shot and brunt of that day the next night followyng he so well fortified his campe that after he was of better confideÌce and might endure more easely all stormes that came But they saye how in this so great a daunger the Emperours harte and courage was wonderfull good and not only declared no token of feare him selfe but also boldened others exceadingly and offered to take suche part as they did How the Emperour solicited the Switzers by his Treasurer of Burgundy I shewed in the last boke Unto those requestes was aunswere made in the assemblie of Baden holden in the moneth of August as before is mentioned How they wil not infringe the league that they haue with the house of Austriche and Burgundy Moreouer they wyll call home agayne suche as are gone forth a warfar and vnlesse they shall obeye punyshe them accordingly Thus aunswered those nyne townes that are of the popysh ReligioÌ But they of Zurich Bernes and Basill and also the Schafusians for as muche as the Emperours and Byshoppes letters did not importe one and the same cause of this warre againe in as muche as the copy of the Emperours and Byshoppes league which was shewed them by the Byshoppes Ambassadour spake playnly how this warre was attempted to roote out the Religion of the Protestauntes they tolde the Emperours Ambassadour that they would take deliberation in makyng an aunswere and attende vntyl suche tyme as the Emperour had aduertised them whether he would permitte them to kepe styll their Religion in safitie Whan the Emperour harde of this the seuen and twenty day of August he addresseth to them his letters out of the CaÌpe before Ingolstad Where they haue not made the same answer that the rest haue done he can not perceiue the cause supposeth that this is done through the craft of his aduersaries For he heareth how in the former assembly of BadeÌ they went about to perswade with them as though he had moued war not to punish rebellious princes but against certeÌ cities to thinteÌt that through the bishops aid the doctrine of the Gospel also the libertie of Germany might be oppressed he hereth moreouer how thei haue sollicited theÌ not only for aid agaiÌst him but also concerning a league wherof as he vnderstandeth they haue put them in good hope that in the next assembly they shal make theÌ a direct aunswer And as touching the cause of yâ war for as much as they haue vnderstaÌden the same as wel by his priuate letters writteÌ vnto theÌ as such also as he hath published opeÌly it nedeth not here to be repeted For that he hath ether molested any man for Religion sake or giuen occasion of rebellion it can not be shewed nor proued but that streight wayes froÌ the beginning of his preparatioÌ vnto war he treated freÌdly gently with diuerse more also thaÌ was decent for his person to do to men of so meane estate degre Nether can this excuse their rebellioÌ for that the byshop of Rome doth assist him for not only the Princes of Italy but certen also of Germany and diuerse gentlemen of right noble houses emonges theÌ som of the religion league of the Protestauntes do ayde him now wil venter their liues spend their blud in this war Whiche doubtles thei wold not do in case the matter stode as these seditiouse persons do falsly report And that they haue alwayes gone about vnder the preteÌce of religion to resiste their hygh magistrate to oppresse religioÌ the libertie
is the Emperours minde which maketh the warre Wherfore seing that Religion is assured he seeth no cause why he should not obey themperour in al other thinges For Christ commaundeth to geue both to God and also to the Emperour that whiche is his What trauell and payn he hath taken that this matter might without ciuile warre haue ben pacified it is not vnknowen to the Emperour to kyng Ferdinando and to diuerse others But where as no peace could be graunted and the Emperour sent out streight coÌmaundement to sease vpon the landes of Iohn Friderick and that also kyng Ferdinando hauing leuied the forces of Hongary Boheme and Austriche was ready to inuade and would not be intreated but sent in his armie and had taken already certen syluer mynes whiche were common betwene his cosin and hym he was dryuen of necessitie to prouide that they got not the resydue or inuaded further And what his purpose was he first declared boeth to the Lantgraue to the Duke his Cosyn and also to his Sonne And seing it is so he desyreth that no man mistake his doyng nor credit suche thynges as shall haply be reported by hym For in mainteyning of Religion he wylbe constant and hath none other respecte in this thinge than that the landes and dignities of the house of Saxon shuld not come into straungers handes About this tyme began again persecutioÌ in Fraunce There is a town in those parties called Melda ten miles from Paris the byshop therof in former yeares was WilliaÌ Brissonet Who being desirous of purer doctrine appointed good preachers instructours of the people excluding al freers And what tyme for the same cause the diuines of Sorbone procured him some daunger he shewed no constancie but refused his enterpryse Notwithstanding the remnaunt of that doctrine remayned in the mindes of many and this yeare about thre score townes men consulting of the matter chouse them selues a preacher of the worde and assembling in priuate houses whan the Sermon was ended on certen dayes they receiue the Lordes supper after the order of the Gospell and Christes institution This thing could not long be kepte secret especially sythe that dyuerse also came to them out of the countrey Wherfore beyng taken whan they were all together they are put in pryson and after their examination caried to Paris in cartes There receyuing sentence of death and caried home agayne fourtene of them bounden to seuerall stakes were burnte quicke all at one tyme the residewe were whypped and bannished As they were retournyng home warde from Paris one commeth runnyng to them out of the next village and exhorteth them to perseuer to the ende Wherfore beyng apprehended he suffered lyke punyshement as the others did Before ther were brent they were put on the torture to the intent they should vtter the fellowes and followers of theyr doctrine but they could extorte nothyng out of them Many supposed this to be done of pourpose to breake the amitie that was than in knitting betwene the kynge and the Protestauntes Duke Maurice letters of defiaunce to the Duke of Saxon were delyuered in the Campe the syxt daye of Nouember In the fourmer booke I haue shewed you howe the Byshop the .xvi. daye of Apryll gyuing sentence agaynst the Archbyshop of Collon depriued hym of al his ecclesiasticall offices Nowe where he heard fyrst therof for any certentie the fourth daye of Nouember as he hymselfe mentioneth a fewe dayes after settyng forthe a wryting and declaryng the causes why he can not acknowledge the Byshop for hys iudge who is accused already both of heresy and idolatrie he appealeth from that sentence vnto a lawfull counsell of Germany and whan the same shall begynne he sayeth he wyll persecute his suite against the Byshop The Protestauntes Ambassadours whiche I shewed you before were assembled at Ulme aboute the ende of October whan they could not agree in sentences in the moneth of Nouember they went to the Campe at Gienge that the consultation might be the easier There is propounded for so muche as some fellowes of their religioÌ geue no ayde of their coÌfederates they of Luneburg Pomerane certen others and again the rest of the States and cities in Saxonie helpe not muche and nothyng is brought out of Fraunce and by reason that the soldiours doe dayly slippe awaye for the tyme of the yeare and other discommodities the armie is deminished they must chouse one of these thre thynges eyther to geue the battell or departe the field retyring the soldiours into places where they may wynter or els make peace and truce The matter being debated they condescended to make mention of peace and they assigned Adam Trotte who through the cause of the Electour of Brandenburg had accesse to Marques Iohn his brother to breake the matter But where as the Emperour whiche by espiall knewe throughly before all their case and discommoditie and had lately receyued glad tydiuges out of Saxony propounded verey harde conditions it is determined that all the reste of their force beyng led into Saxonie a thousande horsemen and eight thousande fotemen should wynter there in certen places at the coste and charges of the Duke of Wirtemberge and the cities of the vpper partes of Germany After the thre and twenty day of Nouember they retyre makyng fyrst a decree that an other Ambassade should be sent into Fraunce and Englande And at the two and twenty daye of Ianuarye to mere agayne at Frankefurte And thus was the warre gouerned nothyng luckely of the whiche misfortune this was thought to be the the principal cause that the matter was not wrought by the order and wyll of one For where the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were in authoritie egall it chaunced that many goodly oportunities through disceptation were omitted The same whiche was also decreed of placyng their Soldiours came to none effecte whan many refused to be contributaries any longer After the Emperour had intelligence of theyr departure he maketh forth horsemen immediatly to vnderstande of their iourney And shortly after commaundeth the Duke of Alba and the Erle of Bure to followe and he him selfe also goeth forth with the Horsemen of Germany leauing the fotemen and coÌmaunding them to remayne The moste part of the protestaÌtes were already in their campe where they should reste al nyght But the Lantgraue albeit he led the forwarde the same day yet he taried with the Duke of Saxon and either of theÌ had ten guidons of horsemen only and about fiue hondreth guÌners With these they stayed vpon an hill and plaÌted redy such field pieces as they had with theÌ And thus abiding their ennemies whan it was almost darke night the Emperour calleth his meÌ back and than went they also softely forwarde tyll they came to their Campe be besydes Heydenem in the lande of Wirtemberg escapyng moste present dauÌger For if the Emperour had geuen the charge they whiche were so fewe
Emperour from henceforth obediently and according to his dutie That he obserue suche decrees as the Emperour shall make for the preseruation of the common wealth That he sende ayde against the Turke at all suche tymes as other Princes do That he forsake all confederacies but namely the league of Smalcalde and deliuer to the Emperour all suche kynde of wrytinges That he make no league at any tyme wherin shall not be comprysed the Emperour and king Ferdinando That he do forbid the Emperours ennemies to come within his dominion If the Emperour lyke to punishe any man he shall not take vppon hym to defende the same He shall geue the Emperour leaue to passe through hys countrey whan the thing shall so require That such subiectes of his as shall serue in the warres againste the Emperour or kyng Ferdinando he punyshe extremely And suche as do serue at this present that he calle them home againe so that with in these .xiiii. days they forsake their enseignes and vnles they obey to make theÌ forfeate all their goodes whiche shall than come to the Emperours vse For the charges of the warre he shall pay to the Emperour within foure monethes an hoÌdreth and fifty thousand crownes That all suche Castelles and fortes as he hath saue Zegenheme or Cassell he shall rase them down to the grounde and the garisons and and Captaynes that he shall place in the same he shall sweare to be true to themperour That hereafter he fortifie no piece but by the consent of the Emperour That he deliuer to the Emperour immediatly all his munition the Gunnes with their whole furniture Of the whiche the Emperour shall graunt him so many as shal be sufficient for the defence of that place whiche he wyll permit him to kepe That he obey the iudgemet of the chamber which the Emmperour shall establyshe and beare his part towades the charges of the same That he set at libertie HeÌry the Duke of Brunswick and his sonne and reÌder vnto him his prouince and release his subiectes of their othe compounde with him for the harmes done That he restore suche thinges as he hath takeÌ from the Marques of Pruse and froÌ others by force That he attempte nothing against the king of Denmarke or any others for that either they ayded him not or that they toke the Emperours part He shal deliuer all the prysoners that serued vnder the Emperour without raunsome He shall aunswer all men that wyll trie any matters with him in the lawe These conditions shall his sonnes also confirme The same shall his Nobilitie and subiectes do lykewyse and if he shall not obserue conuenauntes they shall apprehende and delyuer him to the Emperour For all these thinges the Electour of BraÌdenburg Duke Maurice Woulfange the Paulsgraue his sonnes in lawe become suerties and except he accomplishe the premisses promesse to bende and ioyne all their forces against him Whan he had receiued and perused these thinges by the common aduise and consent of all his states the Lantgraue admitteth the same yet so as he desyred a further declaration in diuerse pointes The sixte day of Iune whan the Emperour should remoue his campe he calleth again his souldiours out of WitteÌberge And immediatly Duke Maurice putteth in his and the same daye calling the Consulles and Senate into the Castel saith that he will demishe no parte of their priuileges and liberties and so causeth them all to be sworne to him For Wittemberge is the principall towne of the Electourship whiche the Emperour had lately geuen to Maurice confiscating all Iohn Friderickes landes as before is said The townesmen and the Nobilitie after this desire Duke Maurice that he would repare their Scoole whiche was fallen in this tumulte of war This promiseth he to do and commaundeth that the countrey men whiche were fled to be sent for againe promiseth them stuffe for the building and Wheate for seede and bread corne to the poore frely and to lende it vnto the rest Than putteth he Iulius Perflugius in possession of the byshoprike of Numburge and displaceth Nicholas Amstorfe instituted by Duke Iohn Fridericke as is mentioned in the .xiiii. boke Moreouer Lazarus Schendie was sent with a force of men both to rase the castel of Gothe And also to deliuer Marques Albert that was there in captiuitie The laste wynter the Archebyshop of Maydenburge had made a composition with Duke Iohn Friderick and geuen place to him in his prouince But at this chaunge of fortune when both the Emperour and also the clergie toke it in euill parte he had a Coadiutour assigned him Fridericke sonne to the Prince Electour of Brandenburg Kyng Ferdinando retourning from the Campe of Wittemberge into the lande of Boheme stayed a whyle at Letmerice a frontier town there From thence at the beginning of Iune he wrote his letters to al the states of Boheme Wherin he complaineth again of the league saying that the same is made against him Wherfore he commasideth them to forsake the thing and that euery man wryte vnto him seuerally what his mynde is therin For he knoweth that many haue falleÌ for lacke of experieÌce whom he is mynded to pardon and to moleste no man but suche as haue coÌmitted high treason against his Princelyke Maiestie Whan the states were come to Ulme the Emperours Ambassadours before named recite with a long circuÌstaunce how greatly the Emperour and king Ferdinando haue traueled for the peace of Germany aswel in publique as also in priuate affayrâs But the Duke of Saxon the LaÌtgraue hauing no respect to the same haue not only rebelled them selues but also procured others to do the like and breaking al lawe equitie haue tourmoiled al thinges in Germany Therfore hath theÌperour bene driuen by reason of his office dignitie to attemp warre not without the great dauÌger of his life losse of goodes And what harmes these rebelles outlawes haue done to the lordships of Mentz Maydenburg Halberstat Eistet Auspurg Fulden Stolberg Mansfeld the citie of Gemund in this warre it is to wel knowen And in asmuche as themperour seketh all meanes that Germany might haue quietnes he thinketh it verye requisite that some league were made coÌcerning the peace therof Of the same mynde is also king Ferdinando and will come both into this coÌfederacie to thintent that both this present tumulte and if any other shall hereafter aryse it maye be lightly repressed For euen for the commoditie of the coÌmon couÌtrey they will omitte no diligence And loke againe that they should do the lyke This coÌsultation of theirs was interrupted by a vehement plage Wherfore at the length they remoue to Auspurge where as themperour was prefixed to holde a great assemblie as shal be declared hereafter Whan themperour had taken order for thinges at Wittemberge he remoueth to Hale in Saxony a towne by the Riuer of Sale to go from thence in to Hesse vnlesse the Lantgraue did
neither suffer bodyly punishement nor be deteined in perpetual prison or further punished in his goodes than was in the composition of peace prescribed This was the thing only in none other hope did he put them as they can beare witnesse And after declareth howe he came to Hale ãâ¦ã and submitted hym selfe vnto hym And howe he hath bene synce intreated nothyng against promesse This tale of the Emperour the same daye the states do reporte to Duke Maurice and the Marques The next daye they make suche aunswer as they neither blame themperour greatly herein neither wyll much contende whether the fault were in the counsellours or how the matter was mistakeÌ But how someuer the matter was for a common quiet and peace of Germany they did perswade the LaÌtgraue whan they suspected nothing at all of imprisonment or captiuitie to come vnto Hale desyre pardon and not to refuse the conditions of peace and that he hath lost his libertie is kepte prisoner hitherto not without the great peril of his health how much that is against their honour estimatioÌ euery maÌ seeth wel enough Therfore they require theÌ to be petitioners with theÌ intreate themperour that he would rather haue consideration of theÌ which haue done faithful seruice to the Empire than of the Lantgraues offence and not to suffer them to runne in obloquie and sclaunder but restore him vnto libertie especially synce the conditioÌs are all in a maner fulfylled and the Emperour put in ryght good assuraunce for the rest Thus therfore with one voyce and assente they made intercession The Lantgraues wyfe had intreated the Lady Regent the Emperours sister to be a meane for him But it auailed nothing And because Duke Maurice and the Marques of Brandenburg sayd how they were bound to the Lantgraues sonnes by dede obligatorie so longe as he was deteined the Emperour sendeth Iohn Lirane to the LaÌtgraue at Norling whether as the Spaniardes had caried him And willeth him to deliuer all the wrytinges of assurasice and dedes obligatory He saieth that they are not in his custody but kept by his sonnes and counsellours Albeit he shuld write yet were it in vain For thei told him when he came away that they would not departe from them vnlesse he were first deliuered Neuerthelesse if he might knowe of the Emperour any certen tyme of his deliueraunce he would do what he coulde that they should be deliuered The Emperour not contented with this aunswer taketh from him all his seruauntes except one or two at the moste About the ende of Nouember Peter Martyr a FloreÌtine leauing Strasburg where he had taught fiue yeares to his great commendation hauing leaue of the Senate goeth into Englande being sent for by the Archebyshop of Canturbury at the kinges commaundement and is appointed to reade the diuinitie lectour in Oxforde He had a compaignion of this iourney Barnardine Ochine of Sene. Who beyng had in great estimation amonges the Italians for his eloquence vertue forsaking the monasticall kinde of lyfe gaue him selue to the doctrine of the Gospell And coming first to Geneua and after to Auspurge set forth certen Sermons in print And muche about the same tyme were the syxe articles made in the life of king Henry as is sayd in the .xii. boke disanulled by acte of parliament And Images and pictures remoued out of the churches This was the beginning of reformation there The .ix. day of December the Cardinall of Trent in the presence of the byshop and a great Senate of Cardinalles propoundeth his matter as he was commaunded and with many weighty wordes declareth what perils and paynes the Emperour hath taken for the counsell and now is the matter brought vnto that passe as he sayeth through his industrie authoritie that all states wyll obeye the counsell Wherfore he requireth for Goddes loue in the name of the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and the whole Empire that he will coÌmaunde the fathers that are at Bononie to retourne to Trent to finish vp their worli begon ryght necessary for the coÌmon wealth More ouer that he send an Ambassadour or two into Germany that by their aduise some meane howe to lyue well may be establyshed till the ende of the counsell and that there may be a reformation of the olergie Finally let him consider also and decree that if the Byshop chaunce to departe during the tyme of the counsell whether the authoritie of Election shal be in the Fathers of the counsell or in the Cardinalles leste happely if the matter shall so come to passe it may styre vp newe commotioÌs The fift day after that the Cardinall of Trent had thus playd the oratour Iames Mendoza by the Emperours commauÌdement in the same audience speaketh to lyke effect And sayeth that if the Byshop make any delay or excuse he hath in commaundement that calling to hym the Ambassadours of other kynges and Prynces he shuld openly proteste that the counsell is corrupted The same daye being the .xiiii. daie of December the Archbyshop of Rains that was made Cardinall the soÌmer before sent by the Frenche kyng to Rome made a long and a flattering Oration to the Byshop and the Cardinalles in the prayse of kyng Fraunces and other kynges of FrauÌce but chiefly in the commendation of Henry the newe kyng who as he sayeth nothing degenerating from his moste noble progenitours beareth such a zelous affection to the churche of Rome that he maketh not only his submission and as a most louing and obedient childe offereth hym selfe in to the bosome of the same but also as the first begotten sonne of the churche chief captaine of the Christian nation promiseth in the defence and maintenauÌce of the dignitie hereof to imploye al the force and power of his Realme his owne treasure and person Roialle with many suche other thinges full of great assentation The Frenche kyng vnderstaÌding well what rancour and malice the Byshop bare in mynde for the slaughter of Peter Aloise saw that through the remouing of the counsell from Trent the displeasure was increased he iudged this a tyme coÌuenient wherin he might frame all thinges to his commoditie and purpose Wherfore sending oftentimes Ambassadours to the Byshop he promised him assistauÌce and incouraged and strengthened his mynde Whan the Byshop had heard the requestes of the Cardinall of Trente and of Mendoza he sayeth he wyl consult with the fathers that be at Boloigne and also make relation of the thing vnto other Christen Princes Wherfore whan the Cardinall of Trente could get none other aunswere he retourneth home leauing there Mendoza whome the Emperour had commaunded to finishe vp the rest And the .xvi. day of December the Byshop wryting to his chief Legate in the counsell Iohn Mary Mountane Cardinal signifieth both what the Cardinal of Trent and also Iames Mendoza had demaunded in the Emperours name and how he after conference had with his
any time anye commotion to arrise within the Empire or without the same may be alwaies in a readinesse And when a fewe daies had passed betwene kynge Ferdinando raccompteth how he for waightie causes whiche they them selues vnderstand wel inough and nede not to be recited sendinge an Ambassade made truse with the Turke for fiue yeares wherof one is past And albeit he hath commaunded his men to do nothing to the contrary yet he requireth them neuerthelesse to geue him that aid which they haue already promised to the intent that if he breake couenauntes he may be easely resisted Again inasmuch as he doth fortifye his frontier Townes with stronge garrisons that he also be negligent in this behalf Therfore is he purposed to fortifye in all places and to kepe garrisons but for the intollerable charges of the warres in these former yeares he is not hable to sustaine so greate a burthen Wherfore he requireth them that whilest this truse shal indure they would pay the mony yerely to be imploid vnto these vses For this concerneth the quiet and preseruation of them all In the meane time Maximilian the eldest sonne of king Ferdinando departinge from Auspurge goeth into Spaine to take in Mariage the Lady Mary the Emperours eldest daughter his cosin Germane The Cardinall of Trent was sente wyth him and a fewe monethes before the Duke of Alba. At the ende of Maye the horsmen of Nalpes that before were in Norgouia come into the contrie neare vnto Strausburge and there remaine by the space of three Monethes and hardly can it be expressed how arrogantly they vsed them selues Many times woulde they come into the Citie neither wanted that thinge great suspicion Duke Moris not long after the Emperours decree was setforth departeth theÌce But Marques Ihon of Brandenburge the brother of Ioachim the electoure goeth to the Emperour and kinge Ferdinando standinge by besecheth him to fauor him in this matter and speakinge somewhat of his seruice towardes him saieth that he vppon this affiaunce chiefly serued him in this last warre for that he had assured him touchinge Religion The Emperoure sheweth him howe this is the consente of the states imperiall and saieth that no man oughte to swarue from the same he replied againe that all had not assented and aunswered him plainly that he could not with a good conscience praise the same decree and still vrged his promesse and couenaunt Whan the Emperour might not preuaile he commaundeth him to departe whiche men suppose to be done for this cause least he should through his example and talke coÌfirme the mindes of others Wherfore the same day towardes euening he taketh his iourney homewardes and in all his dominion altered nothing The Prince Electoure his brother who indeuoured alwaies to please themperoure made no assistaunce Nor yet the Paulsgraue hauing the Emperoure at the same time not his very good Lorde The Ambassadoures of the Cities suche as were of the confession of Auspurge when they were vrged did intreate that they mighte firste aduertise their Senates to the intent they might answer according vnto their mindes which thing was permitted them to do The Emperoure commaunded Wuolfgange Prince of Bipount of the house of Palatine which had his Ambassadours there to come him selfe And whan he came he doth instaunt him to confirme the decre He saieth he knoweth none other Religion saue that in the which he was borne and brought vp in vnto this day Wherfore he requireth him to haue some consideration of him and saieth he wil do herein whatsoeuer he maye with a safe conscience The Emperoure for that time letteth him so departe but afterwarde he vrged him sharply by letters and by messagers as shall be rerited in his place Whilest the Senate of Auspurge consulted the Emperoure placeth souldiours throughe out the Citie There was a righte famous Minister of the Church Wuolfgange Musculus he seinge Godlinesse go to wracke and the Senate tunorouse and could not approue the booke departeth from thence to Bernes in Swisserland At Hale in Sweuia was Ihon Brentius He was in greate daunger two yeres past what time as the protestantes retourned home the Emperour came vnto Hale and now was in much more daunger For then a little before the Emperour came thither which was in the beginning of Decembre certain Spanish souldioures comming into the Towne went straightwaies vnto his house and require to be let in or els threaten much cruelty Which beinge receiued did many thinges fierselye and arrogantlye Wherefore he biddeth his wife and his family hauing none other place to repare to to get them into the hospitall house of the City and a little after followeth he him selfe leauinge one at home to geue them vitailes and thinges necessary But the next daye commeth a noble man of Spaine which was of the Cleargy and thrusting them oute at the dores kepeth the whole house to him self and going into his studie searcheth all thinges There whan he had founde certaine letters wrytten to Brentius from his frendes concerninge the trouble of this time he seketh to procure him much displeasure whan he had vttred the same to his Countrye men Wherefore he followinge the aduise of his frendes in a cold and sharpe winter nighte conueieth him self into the country least by his presence he should hinder his Citezens But when the Emperoure was come thither and shewed clemency and semed to be nothing offended for anye kinde of Doctrine taught there Brentius at the last retourned thither and executed his srunction vnto this time that the Emperoure woulde haue all men to receiue the decree made concerning Religion For beyng commaunded as many other learned men were thorowout Germany to declare what he thought of that boke Albeit he vnderstode his owne daunger yet to thintent he might perfourme hys duetie to the coÌgregation he pronouÌceth the same to be contrary to the Scriptures and so declareth it by writing Which after that it came into the Bishops handes Granuellan in themperours name coÌmaÌded thambassadours of Hale that they should finde the meanes that he might be brought bounden to Auspurge But beinge admonished by his freindes he steppeth a side into the countrey by And not longe after commeth to Hale a bande of Spanierdes the Captaine wherof goeth immediatly to the house of Brentius and seketh euery where diligently if he might find any pray to cary away but the most part of his stuffe was conueied by his frendes alies vnto another place Thus therfore he whiche had taught there xxvi yeares was exiled And his wife also thoughe she had a greuous sicknes whereof she died shortly after was banished withall his family Wherefore she pore wretch wandred vp and downe with .vi. children and knewe not where to become or to haue any refuge all men were so sore afraid of the Spaniardes And this thing augmented her disease sorow that she knewe not in the meane while what was become
of her husband But whan Ulrich Duke of Wirtemberge hard of the misery of Brentius all be it he him selfe was in great daunger yet gaue he relief secreatly to him and his family Furthermore the Cities of Sweuia following all for the moste parte the Emperoures authority promised to accomplish his commaundement Wherfore the preachers euery where remoued out of diuers places least they should commit any thing vnworthy their profession Andreas Osiander for this cause leauinge Norinberge wente into the lande of Prusse Spire and Woormez had but ether of them one which fled also to saue them selues William the Earle of Nassowe suffred Erasmus Sarcerius to depart for the same cause Moreouer the Duke of Wirtemberge in whose country were garrisons of Spaniardes euery where as hath bene saied whan the commaundement came from the Emperour caused the Boke setforthe to be recited in the Pulpit and commaundeth that no man do any thing to the contrary and if any man wil say Masse he geueth them liberty and chargeth his subiectes that they disturbe no Priest and putteth awaye those Ministers of the Church which would not allow the boke Amonges whome was Erardus Schueffius The Emperoure by Granuellane and the bishop of Arras moued the Duke of Saxon captiue to obey the decree and followe the doctrine of the Boke setforth And albeit they assaid him with fair promises and shewed him some hope of deliueraunce yet he perseuered constante in his opinion And the laste yere saithe he amoÌges the condicions whiche the Emperoure propounded this was wrytten also that I shoulde approue the decrees that shoulde be made by him and by the Counsell concerning Religion but whan he perceiued that I coulde not be induced through the terroure or feare of any pearill to assent he released the same condicion and after that neuer moued any thing to me concerning religion Whiche certenlye I toke than in steade of a great benefite and being cased hereof as of a most waighty burtheÌ al the other conditions which the Emperoure at his pleasure determined on my parson and all my goodes I suffered the more easelye and with the better wil trusting that from henceforth I shoulde be permitted to kepe my Religion free but now for so muche as he vrgeth me againe and commaundeth me to subscribe I do heare protest that I was so brought vp in my youth and after by the reading of holye scripture so confyrmed that I do beleue this doctrine to agree throughly with the wrytinges of the Prophetes and Apostles neyther can it be conuicted of any erroure For the whiche cause verelye bothe my father I and certaine other Princes exhibited in times past a confession of the same doctrine comprised in wrytinge and referred it to a lawful counsel considering therfore that God hathe illuminated me with the knowledge of his word it is not lawfull for me to forsake the truthe knowne vnlesse I woulde purchase to my self euerlasting dampnation Wherfore if I should nowe admit thys decree forasmuch as the same dothe in manye and moste waightye places dissent from the holy scripture I should condempne the doctrine of Iesu Christ which I haue professed hitherto And in word and speach should allowe that I know to be naughte and wicked But what thinge els were this than with painted and glosynge wordes to delude the deuine Maiesty and the Emperoure also Than the which thing what more wickednes can be committed For this is that same sinne against the holy ghost wherof Christe hath so diligently warned vs which shall neuer at any time be forgeuen And seinge it is so and that my conscience is tied with these bondes I most earnestly and for the mercy of God which he gaue vnto mankinde through the oblation of his soÌne pray and beseche that the Emperoure would not take in displeasure this my refusal For where as I do reteine the doctrine professed at Auspurge I do it for my soules health and setting all other thinges a parte do imagine howe after this miserable life I may be made partaker of the life and ioy euerlasting I heare say moreouer howe it is reported to the Emperour by diuers as though I nothing regarded religion but sought for a vaine glory and what thing els I know not I beseche you what thing coulde happen to me in this worlde more to be wished for especially being thus grose of bodye then liberty then to retourne to my wife and children than quiet and rest at home And I take God to witnes and than will also what time he shall take an accompt of vs all for our doinges that I respected nothinge els than that throughe the true worshippinge of God I might enioy the inheritance of the heauenly kingdoÌe Which thing I hartely desire that the Emperour would certainly beleue and be fully perswaded of me In all other thinges my will hath bene alwaies ready to gratify him and euer shal be and the infidelity and promesse which I haue made him that will I kepe as becommeth a iuste man and borne of noble parentage Furthermore I beseche him to remit all displeasure and at the lengthe to deliuer me from this continuall captiuity That I be not reported the first of all other Princes that should lead his life with him prisoner Where he perseuered thus constant and immouable they began to haÌdle him somwhat more hardly and toke from him his bokes of Scripture and was commaunded on daies forbidden to abstaine from fleshe The same preacher also whome by the Emperours licence he kept vntil this time whan he sawe present daunger hanginge ouer his head he chaunged his apparel and conueied him self awaye priuely At the same time came abrode out of the Emperoures court letters which the Lantzgraue was saide to haue wrytten to the Emperoure In those he saieth he hath commaunded his wife and couÌselloures that they should fulfil all the reast of the conditions and satisfy such as complaine for the warre past Againe he saieth how he hathe the boke wrytten of Religion And albeit there be manye thinges which he doth not wel vnderstand and the which he caÌnot affirme by the scriptures yet for somuch as they ground their thinges of antiquitie and authoritye of holy fathers he will not make him self wiser then they and doth both allow that wryting and wil deuise also that his subiectes shall obserue the same After this he offereth him his faith and seruice whether he shall warre with the Turke or with the Bishop of Rome or any forain kinges or with the Swishes or els wil vse him in Germany but he besecheth him for the loue of Christ and all saintes that he would lay awaye all displeafure and set him at liberty For now hath he bene deteyned prisoner a whole yeare and suffred punishmente inoughe and is brought to extreme misery Moreouer for a further assuraunce he will geue his two sonnes pledges vntill he be fullye satisfied And whatsoeuer way
warned meune to beware and eschewe the same as a mooste presente Pestilence One of these was Caspar Aquila chiefe minister of the Church of Saluelde in Thuringie Thoccasion why he wrote was Islebie who retourning home from Auspurge gloried muche in the boke by the way and said there was now a golden world toward and that Aquila had also assented After he hearde of this he answereth moste vehementlye and reproueth him for his liynge and affirmeth the boke to be ful of erroneous opinions And in Fraunce also Robert bishop of Abrincen wrote against it how be it after a contrary sort and chieflye dispiseth the boke for so much as it permitteth Priestes to marrye and the common people to receiue the whole Supper of the Lord and so taketh occasion to inuey against Bucer with most opprobrious words for maryinge his seconde wife Moreouer one Romeus generall of the Austen Friers at Rome wrote againste it for the same purpose Thus doth the boke incurre reprehension on euerye side Themperour sent an ambassadour to them of Norinberge and to certain others to perswade them vnto this decre Whan he came by the way to the duke of Saxons sonnes he moued them hereunto but they constantly denied it wherfore at his returne to themperour he declareth the whole matter wherupon themperour solliciteth againe the Duke theyr father prisoner and complaineth of his soÌnes how they contemne the decre lately made suffer men to speake against it both in theyr preachings wrytinges he requireth therfore that he would treat with them to content him in ether thing Wherunto he maketh answer howe he lately declared the cause whye he hym self could not allow the doctrin of the boke setforthe to Granuellan and the bishop of Arras wherfore he can not perswade hys sonnes to do that thyng whych he hym selfe can not with a quiet conscience he besecheth him to take it in good part and defeÌd both him and his childreÌ This coÌstancie of his magnanimiti in so great aduersity got him great loue euery wher amoÌgs al men Like as in Saxony they of Breme and Maidenburge so also in high Germanye onlye they of Constance borderynge vppon the Swisses were not yet reconciled to themperor but at the last obtaining a saufcoÌduit they send ambassadors to Auspurge to treat a peace Themperor propoundeth right hard conditions and amoÌgs other things also that they shuld admit the boke setforth after that to frame their religion Thambassadors require to haue the coÌditions mitigated but that was in vain and are commaunded to make answere by a certen day That knowen the Senate wryting their humble letters the xiii day of Iuly do beseche him that they be not constrained to do any thing against their soules health their own conscience how they se theyr owne daunger and are in a greate parplexitie for vnlesse they do obey they stand in pearill to lose both life and goods but if they shuld follow his appetite they must abide the vengaunce and iudgement of God Wherfore let him spare them and put not them pore wretches to so great an extremity especially seinge they haue no more offeÌded than others and haue for thempire for the house of Austrich suffred in time past exceding great misery now do refuse no charge that caÌ ought of them to be performed although their treasure is very smal their substance not great yet wil they geue for amendes .viii. M. crownes and .iiii. greate peces of ordenaunce but they beseche him to permit the same Religion whiche they haue kept now these .xx. yeres vntil the decre of a lawful couÌsel and unpose no heauier burthen to the Citye than it is hable to beare Their bishop Ihon Wesel who was also called Archbishop of Londen as is mentioned in the .xii. boke had threatned theÌ sore at Auspurge after the Emperors boke was setforthe but within a few daies he died of the same disease that he praied might fal vpoÌ them that is of a sodeÌ palsy Where they say how they haue sustained great domage for the loue of the house of Austrich thus it staÌdeth The Emperoure Maximilian by the aid of the Sweuical league wherof we haue spoken in the fourthe boke made warre with the Swisses wherfore the Citye of Constance being than of the same league and lieth nexte them receiued much displesure The Swisses were aided by them of Rhoetia of Seon and SaÌmaurice whiche were lately made their felowes and also by the Frenche Kynge Lewes the .xii. At the length by the intercession of Lewes Sfortia Duke of Millan the matter was pacified aboute the yeare of oure Lord a thousand and fiue hundreth Maximilian had in Mariage Mary Blancke the sister of Sfortia Themperor the third day of August calleth before him the consuls and all the Senate of Auspurge and diuers others of the chiefest Citezens and by Seldus the Ciuilian speaking muche of the good wil zele that he and his progenitors haue borne to them he saith their common welth hath now these many yeres bene euill seditiously gouerned the cause wherof hath bene that men of none experieÌce crafts meÌ for nothing les mete theÌ to haue gouernmeÌt haue bene chosen senators wherfore he who beareth good will to their city to thintent this euil may be remedied displaceth them al not for any reproche vnto them but for the common welthes sake After he coÌmaundeth their names to be red whoÌ he hath apoynted senators of the which noÌbre were the Welsers Relingers BuÌtgarners Fuggers PeÌtingers whoÌ he bindeth after by an oth assigneth vnto euery of theÌ his office function coÌmandeth theÌ straitly that they loue the coÌmon welth obei the decre of religion be vnto him obedient He doth also abrogate al fraternities coÌmaundeth vnder pain of death that from henceforth ther be no conueÌticles or asseÌbles made And coÌmaundeth that al wrytings of gildes fraternities of priuileges fredoÌ be immediatly deliuered to the new Senate coÌmaundeth this state of publike weale to be proclaimed by an officer of armes geueth charge vnder pain of death that no man do impugne the same The Senate geueth him thankes promiseth al due obeisaÌce In the meane while that these things were in doing al the gates were shut and the souldiours set to warde There had bene a loÌg sute many yeres betwene the Lantzgraue William the Erle of Nassow for the lordship of Chats which now at the length themperor in these daies decided geuing sentence againste the Lantzgraue The .v. day of this month themperour answereth thambassadours of the City of Constance by the bishop of Arras and sendeth them away withoute their purpose and because he seeth them so little careful for peace he saith how he wil deuise an other way The same day the Spaniardes which we said went into those parties to the nombre of thre thousand fotemen go straite
and Italy In the meane tyme the Archebyshoppes of Germany especially of Mentz Collon and Treuers euery man in his owne diocese holde conuocations to thintent to refourme their churches after the order prescribed by the Emperour For this had they promised him to do In the prouince of Collon Bucer had taught before as in the .xv. boke is specified and there were diuerse ministers of the churche that had maried wyues But although the Emperours decree did permitte the mariage of priestes tyl the counsell should determine the same yet sayed the Bishop of Collon how that appertained only to the Lutherians and not to suche as folowed the churche of Rome Wherfore by a decree made he disanulleth matrimonies contracted and declareth them to be incestuouse and commaundeth the children be gotten of suche to be bastardes The Archebyshop of Treuers hath but a small prouince conteining only thre Byshoprykes Metz Tully and Uerdon There neded no suche lawe For the priestes in these places had rather haue coÌcubines thaÌ wyues But in the Archebyshopryke it selfe where there appered to be more daunger he decreed as his fellowes did The iurisdiction of Mentz is moste large For vnder hym be .xii. Byshops and almost all Hesse is also win his prouince Therfore he began to instaunt and vrge them to obey the Emperours decree Like wyse did the Archebyshop of Treuers who had also some iurisdictioÌ there But the Lantgraues sonnes and the other rulers and counsellours heard these thinges with deafe eares The Archbyshop of Mentz sent also to FraÌckfurth his suffragan Michel Sidonie Who first hallowyng the churches there preacheth teacheth after his maner The Byshop of Auspurge compelled certen priestes that were not constante to abiure their religioÌ and doctrine I spake before of the Frenchmen which in sommer went to ayde the Scottes They at the last bryng away in to Fraunce Mary the yonge Quene daughter and heire to the kyng that dead is beyng thaÌ syx yeares of age that they might thus take away from the Englyshemen all hope of optaynyng her This yeare that Byshop of Rome created Charles Uandome a Frencheman Cardinal After that Maximilian of Austrich was arryued in Spayne and had maried the lady Mary themperours daughter Phylippe the Emperours sonne a younge Prince of .xxi. yeares of age being sent for of his father prepareth him selfe to take his iourney And leauing behinde hym his cosin Germane the same his brother in lawe to gouerne the common wealth in his absence whan he was imbarked had set vp sayle the .xxv. daye of Nouember he arriueth at Genes with fiftie Galeis and as many shyppes of burthen by the conduite of Androwe Daurie who had transported Maximilian accompanied with a great nomber of Nobles amongest others the Duke of Alba and the Cardinall of Trente A fewe dayes after his arriuall he remaineth wout the walles in the house of Androwe Daurie the Admirall in the meane tyme that the Shippes were vnlading and preparation made in the citie The second daye of December he entred and was receiued moste sumptuously and being there furnyshed aswell of money as all other thinges mete and requisite to trauell by lande he departeth thence the eight daye after and passing by Alexandria and Pauie goeth to Millan At Pauie were the great battering peces which the Emperour had taken from Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxon and sent thither as before is sayde At Millan where he arriued the .xix. daye of December were set vp in euery place triumphant arkes pageoÌs and images with honorable posies written At his entring were ready to receiue him the Duke of Sauoye the Ambassadours of Uenise Florence Ferrare Seines About this tyme at Bruisselles died Maximilian Erle of Bure of a disease in the throte called the Quinancie whan his Phisition had tolde hym before as they saye the very houre of his death as sone as he sawe him whose name was Andrew Wessel I shewed you before of Duke Manrice how after the decree of ReligioÌ was red he departed from Auspurg Whan he was come home he assembleth the Nobilitie and the other states And propoundeth the whole matter at Misene declaring vnto them what the Emperours mynde is They vrge the Emperours promesse and his also and requyre instauntly that they may be suffered to kepe styll the Religion professed at Auspurge After it was agreed that the diuines of Wittemberge and of Lipsia should be called to counsell Wherfore they met first at Begge after at Celle last at Iuterbock Thither came also Iohn Islebie sent froÌ the Marques of BraÌdenburg Here was a decre made of thinges indifferent suche as are called Adiaphora the last conuention of all was at Lipsia Here was a fourme of Religion written whiche all men should obserue vnder the dominions of Duke Maurice Which boke afterwardes bred much contention as shal be declared in his place In the meane tyme the Emperours sonne procedeth on his iourney and passing by Mantua and Trent he coÌmeth to Auspurge and so to Spire After he passeth through the laÌd of Luke to the Emperour his father accompanied amongest others with the Cardinall of Trent The Emperour had sente to mete hym in Germany a goodly nomber of Horsemen at the conduite of the Duke of Arescot Duke Maurice goyng forth to mete him as farre as Trent rode forth with a small coÌpany to see Mantua and Uenise and was moste honorably interteyned of the Senate He intreated diligeÌtly the Prince of Spain that he would be a meane to the Emperour for the Lantgraue his father in lawe whiche after also he signified vnto him for as muche as the other had promysed right gently he byddeth hym be of good comfort yet neuerthelesse admonyshynge hym to dissemble the matter and not to be acknowen therof At this tyme was muche trouble in the partes of Barbarie Affrica For one Zeriphius as they say arrising of a smal beginning and atteyning to a kingdome had erpulsed Fesanus a kyng by hym out of his Realme who came after to the Emperour at Auspurge complayning of his misfortune and desyryng ayde Nicolas byshop of Metz the son of Anthony Duke of Lorayne and Tutour to the Duke his Nephew as I shewed you in the xvi boke forsaking ecclesiasticall order maried one of the house of Eckmount whiche was an inheritour in Brabant So the Bishoprike returned to the Cardinal of Loraine In what sorte the Ambassadours of Strasburge treated with the Emperour at Collon is before declared Whan they were retourned home shortly after they began to conferte with the Byshop who callyng before hym the Nobilitie sheweth them what the Emperours pleasure is to haue done and commaundeth them all to obey He chargeth also straightly the Clergie of Strasburg to followe the same And where he propounded ouer harde thinges the Senate the .xii. daye of February sending Henry Cope Ambassadour with letters to the Emperour saie howe they haue treated diligently
heafter shal be sayde The Bishop whiche was euer accompted to be of a mylde and a quiet nature was not thought to haue done this so muche of his owne accorde as through the instigation of others that were about hym whiche affirmed that this occasion of recoueryng his iurisdictioÌ was not to be neglected sayd moreouer that vnlesse he were earnest in that matter he might feare theÌperours displea He vsed for his chief doer in these cases Christofer Welsinger a Ciuilian who sometime was student in the vniuersitie of Wittemberge Againe the clergie of the head church of Strasburg had for their aduocate Iohn Tischel a doctour of that ciuile lawe In the last boke is mention made of Wuolfgange Prince of Bipounte how after the decre of ReligioÌ was enacted he was sent for to Auspurg Whome the Emperour had pressed with soÌ dry letters that he should obeye the decree And for so muche as he had referred the matter to the Byshoppes the Emperour demaundeth of hym whether he wyll ratifie the decree And whether he wyll displace the ministers of the churche that wil not obeye the same Wherupon he writing his letters to themperour in Frenche repeteth in fewe wordes what was done in the somer before at Auspurg And saieth howe at his retourne home he set forth vnto the people that part of the decree that concerned holy daies and fasting daies coÌmaunding the same to be obserued Howe he hath also red ouer diligently oftener than once the decree of ReligioÌ and graunteth that therin are many thinges which are consonant to his faith by the which he loketh for eternal saluation And that ther be many things also which differ much from the same Neuerthelesse he hath charged the preachers ministers of the churche to way euery thing diligently after to declare vnto him how they suppose the thing may be instituted But where al they with one voice affirme that they can not allowe the same in al thinges with a quiet conscience he thought it not his part to compell them to worke against their conscience Wherfore he required the byshops that they them selues wold take some order in it But what thing they haue aunswered he hath certified heretofore being in good hope that nothing more of him shuld be required But now saith he in as much as you wil haue a direct answer most mightie Emperour I wyl say what myne opinioÌ is And first as concerning the religioÌ rites ceremonies which haue bene certen yeres obserued within my dominioÌ verely I was borne brought vp in the fame as I haue also shewed you before Cesar eueÌ vntil this day neuer heard any other kind of doctrine moreouer I haue bestowed my study paines therin so farre forth as my wyt is able to coÌceaue it appereth plainly to be agreable vnto Gods worde For this must I nedes confesse seing I am asked the question least I should both hurt myne own coÌscience litle regarde my saluatioÌ This is the coÌsideratioÌ also why I can not approue yâ decre otherwise most willing ready after that maner exaÌple of mine auncestours to do any thing for Howebeit your highnes whiche is the supreme Magistrate maye determine herein what shall seme good vnto you It is wholy at your pleasure This only I beseche you that I be not constrayned to doe against myne owne iudgement nor yet the people that be vnder my dominion As touching the ministers of the churche I desyred you in my last letters that they might tary through your licence for the christening of chyldren and visityng of the sicke chiefly tyll others were substitute in their place Notwithstanding if you shall commaunde them to departe immediatly not abydyng tyll others come albeit thesame shal be a great grief and hynderaunce to the people yet shal it be done accordingly For many of them are gone already and in those thinges that may or ought to be perfourmed I know that all loialtie obeysaunce must be shewed you What time in the dominions of Duke Maurice there was a great apparence that Religion should be altered the ministers and preachers of Lubeck Luneburge and Hamburge compiled a boke wherin they confuted at the full the booke and decree of Auspurge Wherof the chief authour was Iohn Epine Moreouer the doctours of Maydenburg Nicolas Amstorfe and especially Matthie Flacie borne in the citie of Albone in Slauonie Nicolas Ganles bende them selues earnestly against the diuines of Wittemberge and of Lipsia and in many little bookes set forth do reprehende them as though they should deale dissemblyngly and shoulde through their indifferent or meane thynges set open a waye to the Romish Religion Finally they place this as a generall Rule that all rites and ceremonies al though they be of their owne nature indifferent be no longer meane thynges whan force an opinion of holines and necessitie byndeth men and whan occasion of wickednes therby is geuen This Flacie had bene certen yeares Phillippe Melanchthons schollar but in this contentioÌ he went to MagdeÌburg setting forth a boke afterwarde wherin he declareth the cause of his so doing Furthermore they of Hamburge addressinge their letters to them of Wittemberge especially to Melanchthon doe recite what they call indifferent or meane thynges and declare in what cases they ought to be admitted desyryng them also to wryte what thynge they would haue comprysed vnder that name to the intente men maye haue some certen thynge to followe and not to wauer in theyr myndes and least that name of indifferent thynges geue occasion to sondrye errours whiche may crepe in by lyttle and lyttle Unto the which epistle MelanchthoÌ maketh answer amoÌgst other thinges sayeth how some boÌdage is to be borne withall so it be not annexed to wickednes The Archebyshop of Mentz in the beginning of May holdeth a counsell prouinciall The decrees wherof he setteth forth in a boke afterward Lykewyse do the Archebyshoppes of Treuers and Collon who hath also a large prouince That booke amonges other thynges establysheth for confession that no maÌ be admitted to the Lordes supper vnlesse he be first confessed Of the hallowyng of Salt water and other thynges which through exorcismes and praiers are prepared as they say for the vse of faithful men Of the Reliques of the inuocation and adoration of Saincts of Pilgrimages of prayers for the dead of pourgatory of fasting and choyse of meates of the canonical houres as they terme them of the tremblable misteries of the Masse Unto this Synode came Maurice Byshop of Eistet The residue sente Ambassadours But that ordynaunce of hallowyng and consecratyng aparteineth to many matters Euery seuenth daye whiche is called the Sonday whan there be many people in the churche the priest exorciseth as they terme it first Salte after Water And whan he hath mixed the salte and the water together he sprincleth the people withall And this sprinklyng is thought to geue health
who was afterward supposed to haue holpen greatly that the towne of Metz a city of thempire came into the hands of HeÌry the french king as hereafter shal be declared In the last session at Trent was decreed amoÌgs other things that such as had mo Bishopprickes than one should kepe of them which they list forgoe the rest as before in the .xix. boke is specified Neuertheles so long as Paul liued the thing was not put in executioÌ but wheÌ this maÌ was made bishop the cardinals of FrauÌce obeyed it in dede in aparence but to no losse of theyrs For wheras diuers of theÌ had ii or iii bishoppricks many others aspired to that dignity by an exchaÌge made they permitted some other to inioye one and in steade of one bishoppricke which they left they had of them again many abbotships or such other like promoitoÌs In the month of Iuly Adolphe bishop of Colon making a composition with the Senate entreth the city of Colon with an exceading great pomp and train hauing gotten together all his Clients kinred and alies that they might honor him with theyr presence the same day He was accompanied as they report with ii M. horse aboue And the duke of Cleue verely had brought him a notable baÌd of horsmeÌ he had lately a daughter born by his wife Mary the daughter of king Ferdinando Her Godmothers at the fount stone where both the Emperors sisters Elenore the French Quene and Mary Quene of Hongary and tharchbishop of Colon was her Godfather but not long after ther arose a great dissention betwene the Duke and the Archbishop about thecclesiasticall iurisdiction The .xxvi. day of Iuly the Emperor beginneth the counsel imperial at Auspurge Wherin he propoundeth of followynge the generall Counsel of obseruing the decre of religion lately made at Auspurge of punishinge rebelles of restoryng the iurisdiction and goodes of the Church This asseÌbly was armed also albeit that the state of things was soÌwhat more quiet The princes of Mentz and of Treuers were presente the reast of thelectours sent ambassadours Moreouer there were presente WuolfgaÌge master of Prusse and the bishop of Wirciburge Eistet Costintz Auspurge Trent Cambray Merseburge and none of thother princes besides the duke of Bauier at the length also HeÌry the duke of BruÌswick The matter being debated the most part were content that the counsel should be followed but duke Moris by his deputies declareth that he can allow the same none otherwise vnlesse the whole matter from the beginninge may be retracted the deuines of the protestants not only heard but that they may also haue power to decide matters that the bishop of Rome do submit him self to the counsel not occupy the place of a iudge there and that he release the bishops of their othe to thinteÌt they may speke their mind frely After this protestation of his was red opeÌly his deputy wold haue had it recorded as the manner custom is but the same was denied him the whole doing of such matters is in the power of tharch bishop of Mentz chauncelour of thempire Themperor afterward moued the bishop for a counsel The seuenth day of August the cardinall of Auspurge in his Sermonne inueighed soore againste the Lutheranes And a few dayes after certain Spanyardes in mockery and contempt of the Citezens which were than hearing the Gospell preached plaied certain partes in the church in such sort that the matter was like to haue tourned to some great tumult But at the comming of the Consull the thing was by a goodly meane appeased and quieted About th end of the month of August Granuellan who came lately from Bezonse a Towne in high Burgundie to Auspurge leaueth his life not withoute themperoures greate heauines as it is reported he had succeded Marcurine Castinarie Cardinal as I shewed you in the .vii. boke and by the space of xx yeares had ben in chief authority and was priuy in manner alone to all themperours secreat counsels and working In whose place and function succeded his sonne Anthony bishop of Arras a man of great learning who before in thabseÌce of his father was woÌt to answer the matters of the common welth was very familier with themperor In the mene seasoÌ Henry the duke of Brunswick laieth siege to the city of Brunswick to the which he had born great hatred these many yeres for religioÌ for other things whan he had don theyr couÌtry much harm by firing and spoiling yet could not win the city through the mediatioÌ of certen themperor coÌmaÌdeth both partes to leue theyr war and pleade theyr cause before him Thys was in the month of Septembre The Emperours army besieged than Affrick a towne of Barbarie some men suppose it to be Leptis howbeit Liuie maketh also mentioÌ of the city of Affricanes that city kept Dracutus a notable Archpirate who had lately ioyned hiÌ self with the Turke Themperor had coÌmitted the chiefe gouernenient to the Uiceroy of Sicilie Who after he had beaten the town wyth his ordenaunce a certain time being certified that Dragutus was comming with a newe army saw he had nede to make haste Wherfore the tenth day of Septembre he geueth the assault bothe by sea and land and within a fewe houres space taketh it by force The Knightes of the Rhodes that were vpon the sea did themperor that day good seruice but the Spaniards which fought by laÌd and excelled in nombre whan the City was taken had the mooste part of the spoyle The nombre of the prysoners was great aboute an .viii. thousand which being put into Shippes were led awaye captiue into Sicilie Sardinie and to other places The situation of the city is said to be very pleasant by reason of grene medowes and hilles set with Oliues palme trees and fair springes of water Not far from thence is reported to be a goodlye corne Country which with a most ample increse yeldeth again to the plowmeÌ that it hath receiued Cosmus the duke of Florence sent themperor men in this war vnder the conduit of Iordane Ursine Alastor Balion For because winter was now at hand and vitaile coulde not be prouided the Uiceroy leauing there a garrison of Spaniards retourneth with his army into Sicilie Dragutus fled to the Turke traueling to Constantinople This thing was thoccasion of a new warre which the Turke attempted afterward not only againste the Emperour but also against King Fardinando Whan themperour had commaunded Duke Henry and the Senate of Brunswick to lay a side their weapons their armies were discharged on bothe parties but all those forces afterwarde George Duke of Megelburge the sonne of Albarte a younge man that had serued Duke Henry allured vnto him The cleargy of Maidenburge and Prelates of the head church most of them gentlemen borne who were chiefly offended with the city had waged him with great rewards promesses as it
iustified The matter was handled with great coÌtentioÌ He him self verely pretended as I said as though Luther had ben of his opinioÌ But in the meane time he made his auaunt amongst his adherentes as it is written that Luther MelaÌchthoÌ had made coÌpiled a diuinitie after Aristotels doctrine which sauereth more of the fleshe than of the spirite Albert the Duke of Prusland desired at that first that the matter might haue ben appeased by mediatours But perswaded by Osiander after much debating he became of his opinion coÌmaundeth his aduersaries to depart out of his dominioÌ Amongst whoÌ was Ioachim Merlin who must nedes be packing although not only the citezens but also womeÌ children besought that Prince right huÌbly that they might not be depriued of such a pastour This Osiander taught many yeres at Norinberg that much to his coÌmeÌdation neuer made busines but semed in al things to folowe Luthers doctrine so long as he liued But whan after themperours decree of religion he forsoke Norinberg went into the land of Pruisse he reised vp this same questioÌ Which many meÌ supposed that he durst neuer do so long as Luther liued He chiefly prouoketh them of WitteÌberg to confute these thinges if they can sayth how he wil defend his opinioÌ whosoeuer impugne thesame taunteth Melanchthon bitterly Whose opinion al learned men for the most part namely in Saxonie reproued by bokes set forth rebuked that in a time moste troublesome he disturbed the congregation And where he had haÌdled so vngodly Melanchthon a man of so great modestie learning with that were al men offended exceadingly In an other certen booke he contendeth that albeit mankinde had not ben lost through the sinne of Adam yet shuld Christ haue bene borne neuerthelesse The eight day of February is dissolued the couÌsell of thempire Therin made themperour a decre forsomuch saith he as this great dissention in religion can by no meanes be better appeased than by a general Godly fre counsell Again for that in that former assemble the states haue submitted theÌ selues vnto the counsel therin perseuer this shal be coÌfirmed ratified That thing also which I my self than promised I wil procure with all trauell diligence that eche thing may be orderly rightly done And sithe that this bull of the byshop of Rome apperteyneth vnto all christian Realmes prouinces I suppose verely that all kinges rulers remembring their dutie will obeye furder so Godly a busines to thuttermost of their power what soeuer also shal become me to do therin as the aduocate of the church defendour of counselles that same will I performe And to al such as wil repare to the couÌsel whether they haue chaunged their religion or not I wil graunte saufe conduicte that they may there remayn propouÌde such thinges as they shal thinke to concerne the quiet of their conscience after shal may safely retourne home againe garded with a coÌmon coÌduct Moreouer I will indeuour that the whole matter shal be treated determined Godly christiaÌly al affections set apart according to the holy scripture doctrine of that fathers that as wel the ciuile as ecclesiasticall state may be reformed all errours false opinions cleane taken away I intende moreouer to remain within the limites of thempire or at the least very neare to thintent to defende the couÌsel so that it may come vnto th ende wished for the fruict therof may redouÌde vnto al men may be chiefly for the coÌmoditie of Germany Wherfore I require exhort al princes states but chiefly theÌ of the clergie those that haue altered their religion cleaue to the confession of Auspurg that according to the byshops bul they prepare theÌ selues come thither furnished least after they complayne that they were through ouermuch haste supplanted or els not admitted to the sufficieÌt declaration of their cause For as I said I will assure them by saufe conduict bring to passe that they shal be heard so much as shal be requisite But where as the states haue alledged sondry reasons why the decrees of the former conuention of Auspurg concerning religion reformation be not kept al this I reuoke to mine owne consideration wil know of eche man seuerally what impediment there is Therfore let euery man for see that the matter may come to rehersall It was also decreed the at the first day of April thambassadours of thelectours of syx other Princes shuld mete at Norinberg to consulte howe that mony which was taken out of the coÌmon treasorie for the war of Maydenburg shuld be restored Whatsoeuer they shall determine is coÌmaunded to be of like force as if the same had ben enacted in the full assemble of thempire And for so much as this war shuld concerne the welth of al Germany it shal be lawfull for euery Magistrate to taxe that people for that same cause Againe in case any citezen of thempire or straunger shall ayde them of MaydeÌburg thaÌ doeth theÌperour also promise to be at charge As concerning the iurisdiction goodes of the churche themperour saith he wil forese that being sued to by theÌ whom it concerneth he wil minister iustice vnto theÌ that euery man shal recouer inioye his own They decreed to ayde king Ferdinando against the Turke although vnwillingly with suche ayde as was promised him in the former conuention Finally because therles of Mansfelde Hedeck mustring men the last wynter had intended to aide theÌ of Maidenburg as before is sayd the Emperour chargeth coÌmaundeth that in case any souldiours assemble hereafter in any part of Germany the Princes states next theÌ shal immediatly ioyne their forces together to subdue theÌ to queÌche that flambe before it be of force or violeÌce In this selfsame time Henry the Frenche king receiueth into his faith tuition Octauins Farnesius who was both mortal ennemy to Ferdinando Gonzage themperours lieftenauÌt in LuÌbardy for the slaughter of his father also being so nere vnto PlaceÌce which theÌperour held fearing least he shuld not be able to kepe Parma by his owne force craued foreine aide receiued into the citie a garrison of FrenchmeÌ Which theÌperour toke right displeasauntly especially the bishop of Rome as shal be declared hereafter In these daies gaue theÌperour sentence against the Lantgraue for the contie or lorship of Diece For he was condeÌned of conteÌpt for that he answered not But he said how it lay not in his power to answer for so muche as he might not coÌferfrely with his couÌsellours for the awayting harkening of theÌ the had him in their custody For after that it came to light how be would haue made an escape lately as I shewed you before no man might haue accesse to him nor speake with him without a witnesse The .xxviii. daye of
he hath done also the same at Boloigne Lagrasse trusting both to their industry and fidelity also and now in as much as the counsell is called and latelye the first day of May begon at Trent occasion is geuen him to wryte vnto them wher therfore their presence should be a great help and furtherance to so godly and nedeful a worke he exhorteth them very much that such prelates of the church as be within their iurisdiction and liberties be not wanting but be there at the next session the first day of Septembre the rest they shall vnderstande of S. Hierome Franch Knight his ambassadour whose faith and diligence hath of them now many yeres ben wel tried again for because the matter in hand is greatly to his conteÌtation he wil send or it beloÌg one of his principal bishops which may treat with them touchinge the counsel more at large About th end of May the Emperoures sonne departing from Auspurge by Italy returneth into Spain with him wente Maximilian his Cosin and Brother in lawe to fetche awaye his wife the mother of two Children In the meane time the kinge of Fraunce to appease the Bishoppe and Senate of Cardinals declareth at Rome by his ambassadoure Mounsour de Thermes that where he hath receiued into his tuition Octauian the Prince of Parma it deserueth no reprehension For thys thing proprely belongeth vnto kings to succor thafflicted Moreouer that he hath sought no priuate commodity in that matter but whatsoeuer he hath done to haue done it for the church of Romes sake after thexaÌple of his progenitors which haue ben more beneficial to the same than any others many times also defeÌded it by force of armes For seing that Parma is the patrimony of the churche he was very careful to forsee that it shuld not come into other mens handes and for the same cause is at great cost charge daily wherfore he desireth him and that most earnestly that he wold take it in that part and leaue the opinion that he hath conceiued of him for the same shal be to the great coÌmodity of the coÌmon weale But if he refuse this satisfaction and chuse warre before peace he him self seeth how greatly that wil be to the damage and daunger of all Italy and Europe and that also there can be no certen treaty had in Religion that may continue wherefore concerninge the moost pearillous commotions that shal arise hereof that the counsell already called can not assemble or if it do of necessity muste be dispersed and that in this troublesome time he can sende none of the bishops of his realme vnto Trent of all these thinges ther can be no fault laid in him who is willing not only to offer conditions of peace but also to take this so protesteth so openly Howe be it the bishop trusting to thaid and promesses of themperor was nothing the mileder for thys ambassade The xvii day of Iune duke Moris graunteth againe safeconduite to them of Maidenburge that they should send vnto him ambassadours concerning peacs Who taking theyr iourney being conducted by Marques Alberte finde Duke Moris at Pirne a Towne of Meissen For he was retourned home and semed to worke slackly When they were come in themperors name he propoundeth these conditions That they should yelde them selues without any condition and humblye desire pardon They shal make no leage against themperor king Ferdinando Austriche or Burgundie they shal obserue al the decrees of th empyre They shall aunswere to the law and recompence the cleargy for domage done that they cast down theyr fortifications Rampires and admit into theyr City a garrison of a M. and CC. soldiours They shall receiue themperor Kinge Fardinando and theyr deputies at all times wyth what power someuer they brynge with them that they deliuer twelue greate pieces of ordenaunce paye an C M. Crownes and confirme all these conditions by an oth These thinges although they were not able to perfourme yet did they not vtterly refuse through thintercession of Counte Hedecke by little little some thing was remitted Themperor before this sending his letters into Germany especially to the states of the protestants religion had sufficiently assured theÌ by safeconduit exhorting theÌ to be at Trent the first day of Maye but inasmuch as for the war of Parma the day of the counsell was differred to the first of SepteÌbre as I said before he admonisheth them again that they come in any wise promising theÌ all equity faithfulnes But albeit ther were very many of the same profession yet did they not confer together which thing hath ben chiefly necessary either for that they dispaired touching the successe of the thing or els for that they feared themperors displesure or for that they waxed faint hearted as it were in the very entrance of the daunger And amonges the cities only they of Strausburge sent messagers to enquire what thinge both they that were nere and also far of wer purposed to do herein And certenly duke Moris gaue in coÌmaundement to Philip Melanchton that he shuld pen tharticles of doctrine which shuld after be exhibited openly whan that boke was finished the prince commaunded al the diuines ministers of the church to mete at Lipsia the viii of Iuly wheras the same was red and approued by conseÌt of them al. The same ordre also toke Christopher duke of Wirtemberge who caused Brentius to compile a boke of the same argument And albeit that the sence of either wryting was all one yet wold Duke Moris haue his boke exhibited by it self least if many together should propound the same thing in common themperour might conceiue a suspition of some conspiracy made Neuerthelesse seÌding their bokes to and fro both they of Wirtemberge approued the Saxons boke the Saxons the boke of Wirtemberge and the diuines of Strausburge ether of them both whan they had red the same and so it was agreed that when time shuld serue ther shuld be sent to the counsel certen to prefer and defend these things The Duke of Wirtemberge after thexample of his father made muche of Ihon Brentius for his excellent learning vsing his aide in restoring of the godly doctrine after also he restored him to the Ministration of the Church and made him president of Stutgarde The .xxv. day of Iuly the Marques Albert in thabsence of Duke Moris reiecteth such thinges by a trompetter as they of Maidenburge had answered to the conditions of peace propounded at Pirne by duke Moris The day before he had taken an ouerthrow for they bickered with greater forces than euer they did before About the viii day of August ther had like to haue bene a greate sedition in the city For letters wer brought to the soldioures wherein this was conteined how ther wer certen of the Senators which wold betray the city to thenemy and amonges them was Henry Alman Wherfore the soldiors flocking together cal for him
his Nobles and states at Paris and reciting the wronges of Boniface whan both all the Bishops Princes and Nobilitie being demaunded had confessed that they held al their landes and reuenues through his liberality benefit he commaundeth that from henceforth ther be no mony conueid to Rome and causeth alwaies and passages to be watched diligeÌtly But wheras the Senate of Paris made thaccompt how much the bishopprickes and abbotships vacant do pay as before is said this say they is to be vnderstand of former time for now is the paimeÌt dubled and exceadeth the yearely reuenues in so much that many beneficed men by reason of the great exaction do leaue their buls in the handes of the Banckers And within the realme of Fraunce be xii Archbishopprickes Aygnes Uienne Lions Narbony Tolouse Burdieux Auxi Burges Tours Roan Rains and Sens and Bishopprickes aboute lxxxxvi by the vacations whereof as they terme it is caried to Rome a wonderful some of gold and out of tharchbishopprickes verily about thre score thousand crownes and thre hondreth as thaccompte was made in the time of Lewes the twelfth What time these letters were red the fathers say howe they shal be answered at the next session in case the king wil acknowledge the counsel to be at Trent But such thinges as are nowe in treaty they do not admit but in as much as they may do lawfully and therfore can not graunte him any testimonye or instruction of this action After whan the day of the next session was appoynted the .xi. of Octobre euery man returneth home which was about ii a clock at after none And here semeth a mete place to declare what is the manner and ordre of the publicke session whan the same day came the fathers as they vse to speake assemble in the house of the bishops Legate And stil from the cathedral church vnto his lodging stand souldioures on either side the way about foure hundred and fifty horsmen or mo At ix of the clocke commeth forth the Legate with his Crosier before him and the cardinall of Trent goeth on his lefthand After follow those that are in commission with him and tharchbishops that are Princes electors Than the Ambassadors of themperor and kinge Ferdinando ioyned together afterwarde the residue of the bishoppes euerye man in ordre Whan the last of them are come to the church the Souldiours by and by discharge their pieces and after repair to the market place and there and about the Temple kepe warde till the counsell breake vp All they for the moost part are taken vp in the country that they maye be prest and ready at the same day and the Towne it self also doth kepe many whan they be come into the church they heare Masse that done the decrees of the counsel are recited and the day also assigned for the next session to come Than also if any ambassadours haue ought to say they are hard But by reason of diuers sondry many busy ceremonies that are vsed in all matters thaction is delated til it be far in the day which at the lengthe beinge finished the legate retourneth home with the same pompe In sittinge the Bishops Legate hath the chief place next him the Cardinal of Trent than the Legates copartners after tharchbishops electors on the lefthand sate thambassadors of themperor and other Princes On the middle fourmes sit Archbishops Bishops and other prelates euery man in order as he came The second day of Septembre the the deuines had Themes geuen them to discusse and reason vpon wherof euery man may speake his mind to thintent at the next sitting they may be determined And in pronouncing of sentences of this meane was prescribed that they should cleue to the holy scripture to the traditions of the Apostles to the receiued and approued counsels and authorities of the holye fathers that they vse a breuitie that they abstain from superfluous and vnprofitable questions that they eschue all frowardnes and contention But as coÌcerning the ordre it was agreed that those deuines shoulde speake first which the bishop of Rome sent secondly whome the Emperor sent and so forth Moreouer the bishops Legate permitteth them that for the searching out of the truthe and as they saye to confute false opinions they might read ouer all maner of bokes And there were deuines a great nombre Spaniards Italians Germanes whome both the bishop of Rome and themperour and also his sister Mary had sente whome also tharchbishops of Collon Treuers and the bishops of Spaine and of Italy had broughte wyth them Unto whome was referred the knowledge of al matters nether was it lawfull for others than for suche as were of the same profession and that had taken the degre of doctorship to speake any thing Yet for the fauor of the Archbishops of Colon and Treuers was admitted Ihon Gropper a lawyer and Ihon Delphe a batchelor of diuinity but no doctor And for so much as in certaine former sittinges of the yere a M D. xlvi and the yeare following they had made a determination of original sinne iustification and frewil of the vii Sacraments of the new law as they terme it in general and also of baptisme and confirmation particularely they condescended that al those standing in force of the decre they shuld procede to the rest and first in dede to the Sacrament of thanckes geuing Wherfore certain Theames wer deliuered to the deuines with these self same words that they shuld search and try whether they were heretical and mete to be condeÌned by the holy Senode which Theames they had collected oute of the bokes of Luther Zwinglius Bucer and such others And the deuines vse the matter after this sort They assemble all daily in the house of the Byshops Legate by the space of many hours obseruing thordre be foresaid euery of them reasoneth of the said Theames without any interruption yet so as they submit al their sayings to the iudgment of the church of Rome For none of the protestaÌts wer ther. This place is open indifferently for all men and the Bishops Legate and the residue of all the fathers are many times ther preseÌt but the deuines only speake and the wordes and sentences of euery man are registred by the Scribes What time all men had done reasoning which was than accustomed to be done in a Monethes space the bishops resorte to the bishop of Romes Legate and examine the sentences of the deuines whiche the Scribes had noted after out of euery noÌbre natioÌ wer choseÌ certen which perusing ouer al their opinions might therof make a doctrine what thinge should be determined and beleued in euery poynt after this they coÌdemne the contrary doctrin and errours as they call them wyth a greuous sensure yet not with many words al these thinges are in fine related to the whole assemble When they be throughly agreed they come vnto open sessions as I said before
Friderick the Electour of Palatine Woulfgange Prince of Bipounte Iohn Marques of Brandenburg Henry and Iohn Albert Dukes of Magelburge Ernestus Marques of Baden and Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge Their Ambassadours streight way after the oration before rehersed whan they had shewed their coÌmission Duke Maurice say they and the Marques of BrandeÌburg Electours wher for the deteining of the Lantgraue they were in great perplexitie and sayde they would make sute to your highnes for hym moste mercifull Emperour intreated our Princes that they would sue with them to the intent the treatie myght be of more commendation and importaunce Whiche dutie verely they could not in so iust a cause denie theÌ for the great frendshyp and alliaunce that is amongest them Considering therfore that the matter is thus as hath bene sufficiently heard of either of their Ambassadours And because if he be longer deteyned the same shulde be greatly to the obloquie and defamation of them that haue promised him their fidelitie The Princes whiche haue sent vs do praye and beseche you to ponder all these thynges dilligently For they suppose it to concerne them also that their dignitie honour and estimation be preserued neyther can any thinge chaunce vnto them more greuous than if any blotte should redounde to their noble fame Whiche doubtles wyll come to passe vnlesse the captiue be deliuered Wherfore they moste instauntly require you that these intercessions and praiers maye take place with you and that he may be shortly deliuered especially since he hathe both acknowledged his faulte and humblie also craued pardoÌ and bene nowe deteined captiue a long season but chiefly because the great necessitie of two Princes Electours so requyreth Who at what tyme they handled the matter right faithfully and would gratifie you fell into this pecke of troubles And albeit peraduenture that in the treatie some errour was committed and some thinges not wel vnderstande yet were it conuenient and comly for your clemencie to preferre equitie before extremitie and not to regarde so muche the captiue as the fatall necessitie of the Electours and deale frankely with them after the example of your progenitours Who had euer a great respect and care to the dignitie of the Princes imperial This verely should both redounde to your honour amongest almen and also more excite them to shewe vnto you all fidelitie and beneuolence and make them preste and willing to doe all thinges for your sake The king of Denmarke also sending his Ambassadours maketh intercession in a maner to like effecte The Emperour a fewe dayes after maketh aunswere For as muche as the matter is weightie and requireth deliberation and that in the meane season mention is made vnto hym of Duke Maurice that for certen other weightie causes he wyll shortly repare to him in so muche that hauing wrytten his letters to him he loketh for him dayly therfore will he bycause the matter may beste be treated of whan he is present differ it vntil than And as for theÌ they may retourne home vnto their Princes and shewe them in his name that he will remember their intercession and so vse the matter that they may vnderstand how their coÌmendation was of him not lightly estemed Not long after William the Lantgraues eldest sonne came to Duke Maurice And bycause he had put him in hope of the intercession to be made and certen moneths were now past since the Ambassadours toke their iourney he inquireth what is done He saieth for that the Ambassadours of Denmarke came late and not till the Emperour went from Auspurg to Insprucke the thing was delayde and againe sheweth him what answer the Emperour made And bycause he desireth to speake with him differreth the matter till than Albeit he is lothe at this present to leaue his countrie yet for that he tendreth the case greatly he sayeth he is determined to go hauing first receiued letters from him Than sayeth the other the answer is vncerten doubtful neither can he see what good is to be loked for In the meane whyle his fathers estate is miserable who pineth a way for sorrowe and lothesomnes of the pryson Whome he may by no meanes leaue destitute bothe bycause of his duty and also of his promesse Therfore let hym indeuour and bryng to passe that within a certen and that a shorte tyme there be made a direct aunswere If the same be not done neyther he nor the Marques of Brandenburge may take it displeasauntly if they be sued and coÌmauÌded to answer to their obligatioÌ As coÌcerning his iourney he wold he shuld take further delibe For he knoweth not whether it be wysdome for him so to do These thinges were thus handeled for a countenaunce before certen counsellours whome Duke Maurice woulde not make priuie to this deuise of his For since he firste began to treate with Counte Hedecke which was at what tyme he allured to him ââme part of his force as I told you in the fourmer booke he would scarsly let any of his owne couÌsell know any thyng of that matter in so muche that none of them vnderstode wherfore Fraxineus the Frenche Ambassadour came or what he made there Whan he had therfore receiued this answer from themperour by and by he fixed his minde to make warre and taried only for the seasonable tyme of the yeare And touching those forsayd theames they began to dispute the seuenth daye of December And the sixt daye after whiche was the shortest daye of wynter Maximilian entring into Trent with his wyfe children was receiued of the Byshop of Romes Legate and of the Byshops of Spayne Italy and diuers also of Germany but not yet of the Electours He brought with him out of Spayne an Olyphaunt of Inde whiche the kyng of Portugall had geuen him a rare spectacle and a beast not often sene in Germany The next daye after it fortuned that Iohn Gropper of whome I spake before did dispute and after that he waxed hote he inueâed sore against Melanchthon and Bucer though he were dead and rayled moste bitterly on theÌ both being a Germain where both the Spaniardes and Italians were a great deale more temperate Whiche thing was against the decree of thempire and also against the lawe by them selues made that verely the matter should be treated all affections set aparte and without rayling Wherfore a few daies after Iohn Sleidane by occasion of talke spake of the same to the Emperours Ambassadour Pictaue and complaineth that they should be permitted to haue suche libertie He sayde they did it cleane contrary to their willes and also the mindes of the fathers that they haue bene moste earnestly admonished that thei should abstayne And albeit that perchauÌce they are prouoked to do this by the example of their aduersaries whiche haue nowe these many yeares triumphed in this kynde yet will they take suche order that it shall no more be so And that the Emperour wold also be loth
that any occasion of offence shuld be geueÌ any maÌ About the .xviii. daye of December the Byshop of Wardin in Hongary lately made Cardinall was slaine at home in his owne house for suspicion of a conspiracie with the Turkes The authour of this murther was Iohn Baptiste Castalde an Italian whome the Emperour had before sent into Hongary to assiste king Ferdinando with his ayde and counsell Sfortia Palauicine was also present at the same After the Byshop of Rome heard of the murther he appointed certen to examine the matter and also doeth excommunicate the parsons aboue named Whan the wydowe of Iohn Uayuode sawe that she coulde hardely defende Transsyluania she made a conuenaunt with king Ferdinando and permitted him to haue the gouernment and deliuering him the armes and ornameÌtes of the Realme retourned into the lande of Poole By this meane therfore Ferdinando possesseth in a maner all Transsyluania by the helpe of the byshop of Wardin But because he appered afterwardes to attempt newe deuises and to aspire to the gouernment he lost his life I shewed you in the fourmer boke of the preachers and ministers of the churche that were expulsed froÌ Auspurg wherfore the moste part of the church were distitute of priests not without the great grudge of the people who supposed that the senate had caused the Emperour thus to do Where therfore it was to be feared least this heate would somtime breake out at the length whan they had sought long and much they fouÌd one Caspar Huberine whiche professed the fourme of doctrine prescribed by the Emperour There be certen bokes of his wrytten concerning Religion whiche were alwayes very wel commended euen of Luther him selfe But why nowe he had altered his mynde I can not affirme Who after he came to Auspurge began not to preache by and by for that he feared the mutinie of people but at Christmas after he began to the woÌder of many which had red his bokes before The soldiours as well suche as beseged Maydenburg as those that defended the same wyntered in Thuringe and there aboutes and did much harme especially to men of the churche and amongest others also to the Archebyshop of Mentz whose limites reache vnto those places Tharchebyshops of Mentz Treuers Collon being herewith offended he for the damage receiued they for that they sawe also that the same chaunce might redounde vnto them determined to retourne home sending bothe letters and messengers to the Emperour of the same matter But the Emperour who desired greatly to haue the counsel continued answering the third day of Ianuary your letters saith he of the xxi of DeceÌber are come to my handes And bycause I had commaunded Fraunces Toletane to treate with you of suche matters as you wryte vnto me of againe for as much as the byshop of Arras had declared vnto your Procurer here certen thinges of the same sorte in my name I had thought you had bene satisfied But for so much as I heare say how for an vnpleasauÌt brute reised you intende to retourne home I thought good to admonishe you by this wryting that you geue not credit to althinges that are reported For although there hath ben now for a certen tyme a brute as though it were to be feared leaste there should be some commotioÌ in Hessia yet am I credible informed that if there be any thing at all it is but the deuise of a fewe whiche the greater part also discommendeth wherfore it is the rather to be thought that they theÌ selues wil be mindful not only of their othe and fidelitie wherby they be bounde to me but also of their dutie whiche they owe both to me and to the common wealth neither trusting to thinges vncerten will take so great daunger vpon them Moreouer I haue sent intermessagers vnto all the Princes states and cities thereaboutes and haue searched diligently what the matter shoulde be and what euery man goeth about But I haue founde all men to be obsequious and to do their dutie For surely I haue geuen none occasion of offence to any man Of Duke Maurice in dede there went a reporte also not long since whiche peraduenture had his original hereof that he had bene captaine before of the same bandes whiche after the rendring of Maydenburg assembled together and did hurt in certen places But he wryting to me his letters of late sending his Ambassadours also promiseth al his endeuour And euen at this present two of his Ambassadours shal go from hence to morrowe to the couÌsell at Trent Furthermore he hath signified that he him selfe will repayre vnto me for certeÌ weightie and necessary affaires and I knowe by certen reportes that he wyll either this daye or to morrowe at the furthest take his iourney hytherwarde out of Maydenburg Finally he maketh me so large and ample promesse of his loialtie and obeisaunce that I ought to loke for nothing at his hande but that is honorable in case there be any fayth in this worlde yet remaining And seing he is both in bloud and birthe a Germayne I can not be brought to beleue that he should attempte or imagine so craftie deuises but as concerning those bandes that were at Maydenburg I haue heard many complaine certen states be carefull least they will remoue their campe worke some greater mischief But after I vnderstode that for lacke of paiment of their wages they flocke together worke this oultrage sending Ambassadours gouernours I coÌmaunded thei see that in any wyse there were mony leuied to paie them And not that only but wryting my letters also to Duke Maurice became suertie for the same money that is owyng so that the soldiours may be discharged And this I did not bycause I was bounde but for that I loue chiefly the peace and tranquillitie of Germany Nowe therfore I loke in a maner euery moment that the same be done and suppose verely that they shal slippe awaye without the dammage of any man and all this mutinie and trouble be appeased but in case whan the payment is made the armie be not discharged than is it easely perceiued that there is some other deuise in hande Than shall we also take an other waye whiche we haue in our head at this present Nowe as touching other reportes that are brought vnto me whiche are many in dede but yet doubtfull and ful of contrarietie al these I suppose be imagined for the moste part of our ennemies and according to their olde maner and lightnes spred abrode to disturbe the counsell peace of Germany But I truste in God that suche priuie conspiracies shall at the last come to lyght and haue an ende according to their demerites For since the rendring of Maydenburge all thinges were quiet in Germany and all Princes and states do so louingly obediently demeane them selues towardes me that certenly I can not see what cause of any new mutinie can or ought to
doctrin and churches and all be it that many will say that he dothe these things against the wil of the fathers yet se they with what an assent he teacheth and is hard if this be thonly cause why they wer sent for hither that they might be verely a spectakle and laughing stock to others and should be compelled to hear daily thiniuries reproches of theyr doctrin ther was doubtles no nede to haue taken this iourney in hand and all these things might haue ben declared by wryting wherfore they earnestly require them according to their office and authority they would bring to passe that both the fathers would at the last declare what lack they find in the confession exhibited and that they may againe also be openly hard in all matters Those letters thambassadors receiue very geÌtly and say they are glad also that they haue an occasion ministred to vrge the matter to thintent that if the Legate Crescentius do refuse they may treat with his fellowes and with the fathers Than also the same Frier left reading excusing the matter by sicknesse The first day of Aprill Duke Moris and his league frends laid siege to the city of Auspurge and toke it the third day after by composition as in the boke that foloweth shal be declared The v. day of Aprill the Ambassadors of the Duke of Wirtemberge beinge sent for to the house of Toletane came and brought with them as they were coÌmaunded two diuines Brentius and Ihon Marpache of Strasburge Pictaue beginneth to declare first of their owne good will and zeale after of the Legates sicknesse and how vnlesse he were present neither his fellowes nor yet the fathers wold do any thing and that the fault hath not bene in them that they do not procede and sheweth that they will also hereafter omit no manner of diligence and hereof maketh protestation Thothers whan they had consulted say that they know rightwell their good will and diligence howbeit they had loked for an other and a more certain answer to their demaundes which they might haue signified to their Magistrates but now sith the matter is thus they must take couÌsel the best they can for them selues Than said he againe that the matter is not brought to that poynt neither ought it so to be taken as though ther wer no hope of any further action remaining to aduertise their Magistrates and signify vnto them in what case all thing stand it is wel done of them and according to their duty nether doubt they but they when they shal hear therof wil both maruel at this long delay and surceasing and will take it also in euill part Howbeit he requireth them to take paciently the tediousnesse of a few daies In the meane time they will trauell that they may haue a direct answer Unto this say they they will gladly for their sakes acconsent The next day with great expedition came messagers and letters that Auspurge was taken and howe the Princes marched straightway toward thalpes to stop all the wais and passages Wherefore they were commaunded to take armure in the county of Tiroll and bandes of soldiors hired and commaunded all to repair to Insprucke Now wer all the bishops of Germanye departed thence ther remained only the deputies of the bishops of Spier and Manster Whan these newes were broughte immediatly the bishops of Italy flee carying all their baggage down the riuer of Athesis Wherfore thambassadors of Wirtemberge being herewith moued what time of their own accord the councell nowe slipped away come to themperors orators and shew theÌ for what cause they purpose to go home with the diuines also Who in dede at the first were sore against it and say howe they may not assente therunto except themperors pleasure be knowne but when that might not preuaile they require to haue the causes of their departing deliuered to them by writing signed with their own hands to thintent they may make an excuse to themperor and to the fathers Pictaue demaunded this also if haply after theyr departure the fathers shall proceade in thaction what than shall the diuines say wherunto thambassadors conferring with the diuines vppon the matter say they wil make them answer and the viii day of Aprill early in the morning they deliuer vnto them a wrytinge In the same they recite what time the confession of their doctrine was exhibited wherfore the diuines came How they haue in vain sollicited hitherto that they might receiue an answer to their Princes demaundes How vnto that day ther appeared no hope of any action that should be Now also ther is war raised so that not only that bishops of Germany but also of Italy do depart that all states are now so intangled with troubles that they can loke for nothing at this present Moreouer the bishops of Germany being absente perauenture it were not expediente that anye progresse shoulde be made And if any time hereafter chance wherin this busines may be treated wel and ordrely they suppose how their Prince will not be wanting The diuines moreouer thinke thus that ther be many decrees made both in this and also in the former counsel which might be wel reproued in case they be lawfully hard And if the fathers do now procede herein it is to be thought that their doings wil be like the reast Neuerthelesse in case ether the decrees already made may be amended or such may hereafter be decreed as are consonant to the holy scripture ther is no doubt but the same will be receiued with most obedient harts This thing vnto them doutles will be most sorowful as in certain places of the confession exhibited hath bene declared which wryting verely they iudge to be good and godly and also whan time shal serue will declare it more at large They pray them therfore to take in good part their departure and say in dede how they might by vertue of the safeconduite depart thence what time they list and are not bounden to make any man priuy to it but for so much as they haue manye times proued their gentlenes they wold not omit this kind of duety Thus therfore taking their leaue they departe aboute none time and a fewe hours after they met with the Cardinall of Trent whiche rode in great poste hastr from Brixna to Trent And whan he heard that they were of Wirtemberge inquiring for Brentius he spake vnto him and gaue them all most gentle wordes Two daies after met them king Ferdinandoes daughters which went by Insprucke to Brunecke a towne in the Alpes bordering on the limits of the Uenetians Of the fathers I shewed you before how they drue not all by one line The Spanish bishops in dede semed of all others most diligente diuers also of the Germanes pretended as thoughe the thing required much reformation but the mind of them that thought best of al others was this that the schole of correction and maners of the
what they wyll doe herein he coÌmaundeth them to sende playne worde by the brynger of these letters Unto the whiche letters they aunswer briefly that whylest they be saufe and so longe as they haue lyfe they wyll doe no suche thynge as he demaundeth The Frenche king passing out of Germany with his army deuided in thre partes came at the last to Walderfing whiche is a litle towne of the dutchie of Lorayne by the Riuer of Sare There vniting his armie the .xxv. day of May marching forth and passing ouer the riuer of Mosel what tyme he came into the lande of Lutcemburg he distroied all before him with spoiling and burning prouoked by the example of Rosseme as they theÌ selues reporte and recouereth the towne of Asteney voyde of soldiours to defende it For Marten Rosseme was retourned home Againe pitching his tentes he taketh a little towne by surrender called Danuillers after that also Iueye one of the chiefest fortes there In the same town was Count Mansfield Ernestus gouernour of the whole countrey with the floure of the youth there with him Al they were taken prisoners Afterwarde was the towne spoyled of the outragious soldiours against the kinges will as they reporte Now let vs retourne to Duke Maurice He for to treate a peace as I said was gone to Passa we There he repeting the treatie that was at Lintz the first of Iune propouÌdeth declareth al thinges more at large There were themperours Ambassadours kyng Ferdinando Albert Duke of Bauier the Byshops of Salisburge Eistet and of all the chief Princes of Germany the Ambassadours also of Cleaue and of Wirtemberge and many others besides He complaineth that the state of thempire whiche chiefly ought to be free is gouerned by straungers that thauthoritie of the Princes Electours is deminished that many things be done with out their aduise knowledge That certeÌ thinges also are plucked away alienated froÌ thempire Howe meanes are deuised that thautoritie of electing theÌperour may be takeÌ from theÌ in coÌmon assemblies the Electours voices are in a maner neglected that the priuate conuentions of the Electours are for a certen feare omitted and their liberties infringed whylest the chamber imperiall receiueth those that appeale from theÌ contrary to the auncient custome That the controuersies of the states Imperial are purposly maynteined and be neuer accorded before either partie haue susteined losse and dammage Howe in the Emperours courte a man can hardly be heard speake neyther is his matter exactly knowen chiefly for that they vnderstande not the tongue and that there is muche losse not only of costes but of tyme also In open assemblies matters are handled nothyng frendly and if any man propounde ought for the common wealth it is taken in euyl parte That Germany is sore impoueryshed and beggered with those ofte and dayly conuentions and at home oftentymes are many thynges neglected and neyther yet is the publique state any whyt amended yea it is made worse and more intricate By strayghte proclamations it is prohibited that no man serue in foreyne warres That suche as be reconciled are bounde that they shall not warre against the Emperours countrey and so are plucked from the Empyre In the ProtestauÌtes warre such as serued their Lordes according to their dutie were punished by the purse such as in the same war remained in theÌperours frendshyp were commaunded to paye also and that their landes and goodes should be put to sale vnlesse they payed immediatly and their Ambassadours bicause they did not by and by assent were commaunded vnder paine of death that they shuld not departe from the court That foreine soldiours haue bene oftentimes brought into Germany and the last warre beinge finished were distributed hither and thither into Prouinces whiche haue done many thinges dissolutely and vitiously and haue gloried of the conquest of Germany and haue sayde how it should be annexed ãâã the Emperours patrimonie and that in the head cities should be buylded castelles and fortes Howe muche ordenaunce and warlike munition was as it were in a mockerie caried out of Germany into foreine nations Howe diuerse men for a certen ambition haue caused the armes of the Princes of Germany to be set vpon the gunnes which they made for themselues as though they had taken them from theÌ How there be set forth bokes that with the Emperours priuilege whiche sounde to the great reproche and infamie of Germany as though it were coÌquered and brought in bondage That in common assemblees vnder the name of the Emperours prouinces certen men were placed amonges the Princes and states and this to be wrought through secret deuises that the noÌber being augmented they may preuayle by the nomber of voices Howe foure yeares past was ordeyned the iudgemeÌt of the chamber imperial and lawes made by a very fewe which wer after published to the great hynderaunce of many especially of them that be of the Protestauntes Religion For all those are vtterly excluded from that benche Wherfore the thinge it selfe requyreth that those lawes be better skanned in the next conuention These and suche other lyke thynges he propoundeth and for as muche as they chiefly concerne the Emperour he requyreth that they be redressed out of hande and that the Empyre be restored to the fourmer dignitie and that others be not permitted to delude and contempne the same The intercessours conferring together iudged nothinge amisse in these requestes Howebeit to the intent that both the Emperours dignitie should be mainteined and might so much more easely be perswaded they thynke that many thynges whiche concerne the reformation of the state publique may be ryght well differred tyll a generall conuention of the Empyre There was present the French Ambassadour Fraxineus Who the thyrd daye of Iune made an oration before the Princes How betwene the FrenchemeÌ and the Germaines in old time and before the name of Francons was knowen there was so great lykenes of life and maners that the Germains be thesame people whiche the Romaines in times past called the brethren of the Frenchemen But after that the Francons had planted them selues in Fraunce both natioÌs were so vnited that there was one Empire one Prince and the same lawes for both Afterwarde whan an alteration chaunced and that th empyre was deuolued to the Germains The Dukes of Saxon other Emperours for that they had their originall of the kinges of Fraunce had continual amitie with the FrenchmeÌ in so much that Philip king of Fraunce caused the auncient league whiche could scant be read for the olde antiquitie therof to be written out in goldeÌ letters and layd vp in an holyer place And verely not without iust cause For during that league of amitie the coÌmon wealth of either nation was in dede moste florishing And certenly the force of Germany was thaÌ so great that it prescribed lawes not only to the Hongarians Bohemers PoloniaÌs and Deanes but also to the Italians
chayne of Golde as a token of honour Fiue of them studied at Losanna Frenchemen in dede borne but founde at the charges and liberalitie of the Lords of Bernes Whan therfore they had heard that they were taken and vnderstode their dauÌger they made diligent sute to the king desiring him thei might be geuen to them But it was in vayne where the kyng alledged that he might not doe it by the lawes The Cardinall of Tournon was thought to haue bene the occasion hereof I spake a litle before of the death of the moste noble Prince Edwarde the sixte kyng of England He was in a consumptioÌ and in the moneth of Ianuary he fell sicke And where as his sicknes increased being carefull for his Realme and Religion he conferreth with his counsell of the matter and inquireth of them vnto whome chiefly he should committe the gouernmeÌt For albeit that king Henry his father whaÌ he died had appointed next in succession vnto him Mary and Elizabeth as before is sayd yet for so muche as he him selfe was of lawefull yeres he accoumpted it to lie in his power to make his heire especially seing that moste men doubted of the lawful birth of his syster and Mary was also of the Byshop of Romes Religion which if she should haue the gouernment he sawe howe there was great daunger least both this present Religion should be subuerted and the Realme also be gouerned by a straunger Wherfore after deliberatioÌ had it was agreed to chose the lady Iane of Suffolke daughter to the Lady FrauÌces nece to kinge Henry the eight Whan the rest of the Counsell and the Maior of London and the Lordes of the Realme had this allowed The Archebyshop of Cantorbury primate of Englande was sent for to the court that he myght subscribe whiche he refuseth to doe vnlesse he maye first heare the kyng speake Wherfore being admitted to his speache whan he had reasoned the matter with him familiarly as he laye he asseÌted being of him earnestly required hereunto Whan the kyng was departed whiche was the syxt daye of Iuly as before is sayd the fourth daye after the Lady Iane is proclaimed Quene and a proclamation openly set forth howe kyng Edwarde by the consent of his Nobles for moste weighty causes had disherited the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth his systers and lefte the succession of the Realme to the Lady Iane. The Nobilitie and commons toke this moste displeasauntly not so muche for the loue of the Lady Mary as for the hatred of the Duke of Northumberlande where no man in a maner doubted but that he was the authour of this counsell to the intent that by this meane he myght as it were conuey the kingdome into his own house Whylest these thinges were a workyng the Lady Mary fleeth into Norfolke and from thence to the castell of Framingham in Suffolke and wryting abroade for ayde taketh vpon her as Quene That knowen the Duke of Northumberlande assembleth a power and setting forth of LondoÌ marcheth towardes her by the consent of the reste to apprehende her But in the meane season the counsellours that remayned in the citie perceiuing the hartes of the people that the forces of Norfolke and Suffolke resorted to Quene Mary chaunging their myndes and pourpose proclaimed Quene Mary and kepe the lady Iane in pryson After these newes came into the Campe al meÌ for the moste parte bycause they serued against their wylles hated the Duke do reuolte And whan letters and commission came from Frammingham thei take the Duke at Cambridge and the .xxv. daye of Iuly bryng him agayne into the citie It is vncredible with what rebukes railinges the people receiued hym whylest some cal him traytour some parracide others the murtherer of the moste innocent kyng For in as much as he was thought to haue brought his sonnes wyfe to the Roial crowne there arose a suspicion that he had imagined these thynges longe before and layde in wayte for the kynges lyfe After were apprehended his sonnes and his brother and certeÌ other Nobles and the kynges scholemaister Sir Iohn Cheke knight a maÌ of great vertu and learning Yet was he discharged afterwardes but put in a maner from all his lsuing After came Quene Mary to London entring into the holde which they call the Towre deliuereth out of prison the Duke of Norfolke who had bene almoste seuen yeares in captiuitie Gardiner Byshop of Winchester and Tunstall Bishop of Duresme and certen other Byshops of the popyshe Religion whiche had bene put from their Byshoprikes and restoreth them to their fourmer places And certenly that byshop of Winchester although in bookes set forth he had defended the doing of king Henry what tyme he diuorsed him selfe from the Lady Katherine the mother of Quene Mary as in the .ix. booke is mentioned yet nowe he obteined the place of the chauncelour whiche is there the highest degree of dignitie For where the lady Katherine alledged the Byshop of Romes licence Iuly the second who had confirmed that matrimony and the kyng againe sayde it was naught and therfore sent the Byshop of Winchester before he was Byshop to Rome that Clement might pronouÌce thesame frustrate Who comming thither in the moneth of February in the .xxix. yeare was an importune suter The Bishop of Rome who as the prouerbe is helde the woulfe by both eares where as both he coueted to gratifie the kyng and also feared themperours displeasure aunswereth that he wyll wryte to themperour that the true licence vnder seale might be shewed He assenteth in dede but he requireth to haue two monethes only appointed for the same matter Whan that tyme shal be runne out Gardener requireth the the licence might be compted vnlawfull But that thought the Byshop of Rome both straunge and also vnreasonable and seketh with gentle wordes to satisfie the kyng But the Ambassadour tolde hym playnly that vnles he might obteyne the kynges request it would be to the great hinderaunce of the See of Rome Agayne the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando the .xxvii. daye of Aprill by Ambassadours declare their grief and expostulate with byshop Clement that he fauoured the kyng onermuche and would haue the matter iudged in Englande and also appointed their procurers with large and ample commission whiche should treate and followe the cause in their names at Rome Wherfore the Byshop commaunding at the last Campegius to retourne home reuoketh the suite to him selfe so much the rather for that he vnderstode by the Cardinall of Yorke of the kynges new loue as I said in the .ix. booke The .xxii. daye of August the Duke of Northumberland coÌdemned of treasoÌ was beheaded and whan he was brought to the Scaffolde made an oration and amonges other thinges he exhorteth the people to perseuer in the same religion whiche they had receiued of their forefathers as it wer from hand to hande For he iudgeth this to be the only cause of
highest meane and lowest degrees as it is to be proued by those letters that are in Printe at Holansperge After at the nexte assemble althoughe we offered more largely yet was he nothing the rather inclined to peace yea he went about craftes policies neither commendable nor princelike For at the request of the intercessors committinge the whole matter to the Emperor and certen Princes he promised not to attempt longer warre and that same compromise themperor sending letters from Bruissels the fourth of Aprill did ratifye and willed the states of Frankonie that they should leaue warre also and coÌmit the cause to his care and fidelity And this did Marques Albert for this intent ful craftely as it appeareth by such thinges as folowed that both he might staye themperor that he shuld not coÌmauÌd certen prouinces of thempire to put the outlawry in execution that he him self also might haue space to leuy an army which he was gatheringe that time in all places to haue oppressed vs vppon a soden but through Gods benefit the matter was detected by his own letters at the same time intercepted which he sent hither and thither to his chief Captains and CeÌturions wherin was this that he hath admitted the treaty of Roteburge for this purpose only that in the meane season he may prepare him self and set vpon his enemies and nowe if thintercessors shal haply require them to forsake their enseignes let them not obey but kepe together and in no wise scatter abrode and for an excuse let them alledge this cause that they haue many months wages owing them and therfore may not depart before they be paid but say how they will remaine in those parties without any hurte doing til they haue receiued theyr mony Hitherto appertaine also those letters of his wherin he commaundeth his chieftaines wyth out delay to set vpon al men whosoeuer they be whan this treason therfore was brought to light and wheras our men demaunded of of his ambassadors sent to Roteburge whether he would stand to the compromise and could haue no certain answer by the aduise of king Ferdinandoes ambassadors we wer constraind to commit the matter vnto God first and to themperor and thempire as oure letters sent to themperor the same time declare And seing the matter is thus and for so much as euery man may easily perceiue by such thinges as we haue truelye rehearsed that we are hitherto driuen by so manye railinges reproches and displeasures to repulse his fury and violence that we haue obeied the commaundement of the high and chief Magistrate therefore we beseche all men that loue vertue and honesty and hate violence and iniurye to consider diligently that vnlesse the sentence geuen shoulde be put in execution and this his boldnesse be repressed how great daunger hangeth ouer not vs only but them also Wherfore let no man aid or assist him or geue him any succoring place or refuge but as it becommeth noble Princes such as loue their country we wish they would not only not impeche th execution of the commaundement but that they them selues also would se the thinge executed to the vttermooste of theyr power and woorke so herein that all others may be made afraide by his example And that also they geue no creadite to hys famous libels and slaunders sette forthe agaynste vs and if he shall againe attempt anye thinge againste vs that they further hym not wyth theyr aide or Counsell we requyre them moste earnestlye Marques Albert receiuing mony of duke D'anmalle as before is said hasteth into Saxony and there hiringe soldiors in the monthe of Maye goeth to Schuinfurt priuely and the tenth daye of Iune with viii hundreth horsmen and vii enseigns of fotemen in the dawning of the day he entreth the towne on that side that was not besieged And for because they wer in great penury of al things the third day after whan he had spoyled the Towne in the night he leadeth out al the soldiors aswel horsmen as fotemen to the nombre of xviii enseignes with the artillery leauing no ward at al to kepe the gates and taketh his iourny to Kitzing a town standing beneath on the riuer of Moene Whan it was now light day and thenemies perceiued the gates vnfurnished at the sound of the TroÌpet they prepare them selues euery man to follow and pursue after him but diuers and that chiefly the soldiors of the Duke of Brunswick wer commaunded of him to enter the towne who spoile and destroy all that was left Wherfore the chief captains and gouernours of the field least through the delay and taryinge of the reaste Marques Albert should haue time to escape set the towne on fire in diuers sondry places so they being driuen to depart repair vnto tharmy And albeit the Marques was gon certain hours before them yet for that he was so letted and hindred with thordenaunce that he could make no speade he was staide of the forewarde and with them he bickereth but the reast of tharmy approching whan he saw him self to weake for so great a multitude exhortinge his men to make the best shift they can euery maÌ for him self he accompanied with a few horsmen goeth spedely out of sight and by swimming ouer the riuer to Kitzing escapeth losing all his munition and cariage The viii day after was the Castell of Blasseburgh his chiefest Fortresse rendred vp and came into the handes of king Ferdinando when the Chauncelour of Boheme Counte Plauie which beseged the same continually was dead a little before Thus therefore Marques Albert was expulsed and driuen out of all his dominion Whilest these thinges were done in Franconie Henry Duke of Brunswicke in the lower partes of Darony compelleth diuers aswell Princes as Cities and many of the Nobility to pay mony and be vnder his subiectioÌ as the Duke of Megelburge the dukes of Luneburge the Princes Anhaldes and Earles of Mansfelde An other part also of his and the bishops power hauing discomfited the Marques taken Schuinfurt punished right sore Roteburge a Towne imperiall and Counte Henneberge amonges others and were thus bent that except they might recouer the charges of the warre which they said appartained to all men they pretended to worke much violence but through mediation the matter was appeased and the war ceased In manner about this time Charles duke of Sauoy depriued of a great part of his dominion as I tolde you in the tenth booke departeth oute of this life leauinge his sonne Philibert his heyre who had serued themperor in his warres now many yeares King Fernando setting forth of late a Proclamation had commaunded his subiectes that nothing should be altered in the Sacramente of thanckes geuing and that after thold custom such as receiued the Lordes supper should be contented with th one kind as they terme it but the Nobles Gentlemen and Cities wheras they had diuers times before sued to him herein now again they require
Turke seke the destruction of thempire let them ponder therfore what commodities they receiue of these discordes and domesticall euils which they vndoutedly haue craftelye raised and supported that in this dissention of the states they might accomplish theyr gready lust and by a soden inuasion might bring al men into their subiection and bondage for other nations which haue bene so vanquished by them and supplaÌted ought to be a warninge for them to take hede to theÌ selues and to take such counsel wherby both the present tempest and ruine of the country may be blowen ouer and the Empire consiste and perseuer in full strengthe and authoritye and all foraine violence as in times paste so nowe also maye be manfullye and valeauntly repulsed And what so euer the Emperoure and he are able to do here in bothe with theyr aide and counsell they will do it right gladlye and that in suche sorte as all men maye vnderstande what intier loue they beare to the common Countrye And let them perswade them selues of this to be moste assured What time this Oration of kinge Fardinando was published throughoute Germanye it was wrytten at the self time out of sondry places that he had exiled out of Boheme about two hundreth ministers of the churche It was signified also bi letters how cardinal Morone shuld com froÌ Rome to the counsell of thempire which would assay to do the like in Germany that Cardinall Poole had already brought to passe in England For it is thought assuredly that for the recoueringe of England the bishop of Rome and all his clients conceiued a wonderful hope in their mindes For in as much as the thing had so lucky successe therfore thought they now or els neuer that God was on theyr side and that they maintained a most iuste cause neither that theyr church could be conuict of any error thus they now chiefly beleued or at the least so pretended And whan they send ambassadours into Germany they do it for this intent not to acknowledge any faut of theyrs but that they may helpe and succor as they saye mennes infirmity About the end of February Ihon Albert Duke of Megelburge who I said was in league with Duke Moris and whoÌ Henry the duke of Brunswicke afflicted sore the yere before what time he kept war in Saxonie marieth the daughter of Albert duke Pruisse Whan I had proceded thus farre I was aduertised oute of England that of those fiue of whome I spake a little before Bradford althoughe he were condempned was reserued in prison and that the mindes of manye through the constancy of the reaste that suffered wer wonderfully astonied and amased The xxvi Booke of Sledaines Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte The Argument of the xxvj Booke ENgland brought againe in subiection to the Bishop of Rome a wrytinge is seâte for the with Indulgences The Duke of Saxon by his ambassadoures maketh his purgation to Ferdinando and excuseth him selfe that he can not be at thassemble The ministers of the Churche expulsed oute of Boheme are comforted by the wrytinges of godly learned men Townes taken by the French men The Princes of Germany mete and enter also into league Pope Iuly being dead immedidiatly after that Mercellus was chosen in his stead he dieth And Paul the fourth of that name founder of the sectes of the Iesuites succedeth whilest they of Sene do yelde them to the Emperoure Cardinall Poole solliciteth themperor and the French kinge vnto peace in vaine The Quene of England being therin a meane and persecuting cruelly the true Christians At which time a rose tumultes at Geneua and Lucerues The Senate of Paris indeuoureth to mitigate and call in the Proclamation setforth by the French king against the true Christians Thinges done at Rome by the Bishop and by the Normens against the Spaniardos Uulpian taken by the French men dissention amonges the Ministers of the Churche concerning the Lordes supper Whilest the compact was made for the Lordship of Chattes themperor going into Spain committeth the gouernment to his sonne Thinges doue in thassemble of thempire concerninge Religion And extraordinary wryting of the Papistes in the same thanswer also of Ferdinando and of the Protestantes to them bothe and what decrec insued vpon the same The Parlament and state of England They of Austriche by their ambassadoures requiringe that they mighte be permitted to haue the true Religion are denied it by the diuers answers of Fardinando and sue in baine In manner at the same time the Bauarians sollicite theyr Duke about the like matter in vaine At the lengthe was truce taken betwixte the Emperoure and the Frenche kinge The Duke of Prusse imbrasing the confession of Auspurge therror of Dsiander is quenched About this time appeared a blasinge starre The matter of Marques Albert is heard Tharchbishop of Cantorbury openly and constantly professyng the true Religion is burnt The Pope seketh priuelye to infringe and disseuer the confession of Auspurge The Cardinall of Auspurge accused of treason purgeth him self declaring plainly of what nature and faction he is of A suspition of a conspiracye in Englande brodeth trouble and increaseth crueltye againste the faithfull that xiij were burnte together at a stake Fardinando alledgeth the reuoltinge of Transtiuania and diuers Townes from him And also the Turke now ready to inuade as causes and lettes why he can not come to thassemble which hitherto he had so oft differred Themperor now at length taketh shipping into Spaine leauing his soone gouernor of the lowe countries Sleidan departeth out of thys life HOw England submitted it self againe to the Bishop of Rome it hathe bene shewed in the former boke When these newes with a wonderfull expedition were broughte to Rome greate ioye a rose in the Citye and Te Deum was song in euery Church After on Christmasse euen The Bishoppe sendeth forth this wryting Since I lately heard saith he that England which of many yeares nowe was separated and plucked from the body of the Church is through the vnmeasurable mercye of God broughte againe to the Communion of the same Church and to the obedience of the sea of Rome by the singuler dilligence fidelitye trauell and industrye of kinge Phillip and Mary his wife and Cardinall Poole I toke greate pleasure in my minde And also as reason was gaue thankes vnto God as hartely as I could and omitted nothing but that the frute and profit of this my gladnesse might redound to the whole City But like as that father of whom the Gospel mentioneth hauing recouered his sonne lost not only reioyseth exceadingly and is priuately glad in his minde but also inuiteth others to feasting and making good cheare together with him Euen so I verely to thintent that al the world may vnderstand how great is my ioy and gladnes will that common thanckes and praiers be made Therfore by the power that I haue I
permit euery man in generall that he maye chuse him a priest whom he list vnto whom he may confesse his sinnes rightly And geue to the same priest authority that he may forgeue al manner of sinnes be they neuer so greuous euen those whiche are reserued to my power alone and are wonte to be excepted by name that he may remit not only the trespasse but the paine also for sinnes due that he may impose such satisfaction as behoueth and may release all vowes except chastity and Religion so yet that they be recompensed by an other worke yea trusting vpon Gods mercye and the intercession of sainctes Peter and Paule I graunt full remission of all sinnes which is wont only to be geuen but euery fifty yeare to all those that with an humble hart do conuert to God and wholy confessing their sinnes whan they shall vnderstande this indulgence to be setforth by vs will twise or thrise a weke fast and geue Almose and vse other godly exercises and after receiue the Sacrament with thanckes geuing and praiers vnto God that he with the light of his countenance would illumine those that walke in darknesse that he would geue peace and moue the heartes of kinges to concord And this so great a benefite I graunt to them also which are hindred either by reason of age or sicknesse so that they can not performe the thinges before said And to the intent that these oure wrytinges may be euery where knowne I charge and commaund all Patriarches Archbishops and suche other like that so sone as they shall haue receiued a copy of the same by and by they cause it to be published euery man through out his Prouince and since the gift is fre that they set it forth without any gain In the last boke I shewed you how Blassenburge the head castell of Marques Albert wherin the hope of the whole country coÌsisted by surrendry was taken And at this time least being recouered it mighte geue an occasion of further displeasure his aduersaries do subuert and rase it to the ground not without the greate displeasure of the house of Brandenburge and the Marques kinred Ferdinando king of Romaines both before he came froÌ home and than also when he was commen to Auspurge to the assemble by messagers and letters exhorted the Princes to make haste and come thither in parson as in the last boke hath ben said And chiefly he had sollicited the Prince elector of Saxony to come to Auspurge who had both excused him selfe before that he could not come namely for the state of Saxony not very quiet and now sending ambassadours thither excuseth the matter againe by occasion falling into the mention of the Turk sheweth in what pearill Germany standeth which in times past being mightye and feared of others is now almost destitute and void of strength hauing receiued so many displeasures and plagues And that this euill is so much the worse that there is amonge the states so greate an alienation of mindes and distrust amonges them selues And how the Emperour him self to remeadye this disease had omitted no kind of diligence but yet that al labour hitherto hath ben taken in vain For the minds of men to be so bitterly exasperated alwais so set open to displeasure that vnneth any hope of reconcilement is to be had how a few yeares past his brother Moris had ordained that certain Ceremonies and things indiffereÌt should be kept still in Churches of his dominion but that the same commaundement was of so little force that it was also taunted with the libels and bitter raylings of many In so much that it was not in his power to confirm it vnles he would bring him self in daunger And therfore are many afraid for attempted any thingin this behalf Now on thother side they that be on the contrary part and impugn the doctrin professed at Auspurge how little they thincke to establish any godly and lawfull reformation it is known wel inough by the doings of former time when the matter was attempted ether by talk and conference or els by counsels Consideringe therefore that after so much labour taken and counsels holden the waye of concorde can not be found God peranenture so willinge and reuenginge oure sinnes he besecheth him earnestlye that the same Booke that conteineth the some of the Christen doctrin and was in times past exhibited at Auspurge he would not take for an euill or wicked boke But know it for a certenty to be a pure and a godlye wrytinge which can shewe vnto vs the sonne of God authoure of saluation whiche in Doctrine dothe plainly agree with thauncient churche and with those foure chiefe Counsels whiche teacheth and fetteth forthe true Christen worckes and exhorteth the people to shew obedience to the Magistrate Wherefore in case a sure peace in that assemble maye be established there is no doubte but that the Emperoure and he maye haue greate aide in Germanye againste the Turke where as elsse they that are of the Protestauntes Religion and manye of theim in dede borne and broughte vp therein will perseuer constantlye in the same Religion For vnlesse such a peace may be had that may comprise bothe Religion and also the Churche goodes and if the matter as manye times it hathe bene shoulde be differred to an other assemble and delaied from daye to daye and the people be lefte in this doutfull state of thinges to be vncertaine howe pacientlye all menne woulde take it For though he and other Princes should be quiet and do their duety and shewe all obedience yet that it maye be that menne of the meaner and baser sort may raise some tumulte and maye pretende this vncertaintye of state and feare of pearill for Religion Especiallye in those places whiche geue oportunitye to attempte suche thinges Since therefore the case of the Empire is suche he earnestlye requireth him to prouide for the common tranquillity for so muche as he hathe full authoritye of the Emperoure to determine But of late yeares this condition was propounded of his brother Moris at Passawe that in case the controuersy of Religion mighte not be reconciled that yet neuerthelesse an assured peace might be had til the thing might be throughli appeased and although the Emperor would not than admit the same condition for that he saide it apperteined to all thestates of the Empire yet in as muche as at the same time he reproued it not and with expresse woordes added to the Composition that he woulde see that in the Counsell the matter shoulde bee handeled indifferentlye neyther that there shoulde be anye crafte vsed in the voices concerning ReligioÌ he trusteth for the same cause that he will moue in this behalfe not only those whiche were that tyme at Passawe but other states also so sone as the counsel be ginneth and perswade them to peace When thambassadours had spoken to this effect the fourth daye of February the nexte daye after king Ferdinando propoundeth
to the states in suche sorte as I shewed you in the last boke The ministers of the churche driuen out of the lande of Boheme the learned men that were in Meissen and in Wittemberge and amongest others MelaÌchthon comfort them with an epistle and shew the craft of the coÌtrary part who affirmed that they kept a necessary order in the churche that those whiche either had not receiued orders at the Byshops hande or had wynes could not minister the Sacramentes For this cause of expulsion they fayned that they should not seme to haue a desire to oppresse the true doctrine but these men shewe how it is a starke tyraÌny that maried priestes should be put from the holy ministery For SathaÌ was the authour of prohiting matrimony as it is euideÌt by the scriptures And that we ought not to seke to be ordeined of the byshops that are the open ennemies of the Gospell and defende idols but of that fellowship which hath pure doctrine therfore hath the keyes of the kingdome of heauen For it were to absurde dauÌgerouse if Shepeheardes should be ordeined of wolues The churche to haue had alwayes right to chouse mete ministers and that so was the decree of the counsell of Nice And they that were so chosen and tried to haue bene confirmed of them that gouerned Godly congregations The same maner to bee nowe also obserued and therfore that it is a sclaunder to saye that they disturbe or breake order Since therfore the matter is so and that for the true professing of the Gospell they be expulsed they ought to take this calamitie so muche more moderatly For God wyll not fayle them in his tyme And that they be ready with theyr next churches to shewe them all loue and hospitalitie Where the Frenche men at the Ides of DeceÌber of the yeare before had by the conduit of Brissake taken Eporedia a towne in the Alpes by the water of Durie This yeare the third daye of Marche they intercept the town of Casale nere vnto the Poo wherin was a garrison of Spaniardes and Almaynes vpon the sodayne and with in a fewe dayes after the Castell also Afterwarde bringe many other thinges into their subiection And amongest others thei rase and make euen with the grouÌd Ualence and Saluadore The sixt day of Marche August Duke of Saxony Ioachim Marques of BrandeÌburg Princes Electours The sonnes also of Duke Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraue certen other Princes of thesame countrie assemble at Numburg vpon the Riuer of Sale there renew the league of inheritauÌce whiche is betwixt the houses of Saxon BrandeÌburg Hessia as I shewed in the .xxiiii. boke also determine that they would sticke constantly to the coÌfession of Auspurg And least there should any suspicion arise of any new or secret couÌsell the fift day after that they came thether they signifie the cause of their assemble to the Emperour in wryting In the former yeare what time a compact was made betwene Augustus Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie this was also agreed vpon yâ the old familiar leage should be renewed To witte that league whiche was made an hondreth yeres since more after established by a lawe And therfore that they haue now met for the same cause as that league was profitable to their elders all the people so likewyse thei trusted that it shuld com theÌ luckely to passe since thei sought for nothing els but peace traÌquillitie did it to the displeasure of no man Moreouer that after the maner of their auÌcesters they haue excepted his highnes his brother king of Romains and as they intende priuatly to kepe mutual amitie amongest theÌ selues so wil they also openly doe that their dutie requireth which may become obedient Princes of thempire And that in Religion they wil not procede any further than is limited in the confession of Auspurg but for as much as in the same are coÌteined the chief articles of the Christian doctrine no wicked sedicious opinion can be found therin thei wil through Gods grace perseuer in thesame doctrine neither wil they fayle also the coÌmon welth of Germany so far forth as thei are able with their trauel counsel treasures And for as much as at this time being not moste quiet for the auoiding of a further discoÌmoditie they abide at home they haue sent Ambassadours to thasseÌblee of thempire who haue in coÌmaundemeÌt to refer al their counsels doings vnto peace so that neither for religioÌ nor any ciuile cause any force or violeÌce should be feared For the peace once established it shal be an occasion that other coÌtrouersies may be the better appeased That the state doubtles of the coÌmon welth now is such that it is great nede to ioine together all their forces mindes that a wyder entrie be not set open to the Turkes to inuade vs How they know wel enough howe greatly he desireth that so sone as may be a sufficieÌt army might be prepared to repres thennemies violence Wherfore now in case such a peace might be established ther is no doubt but the states of thempire wold gladly imploy their substaunce vpon the same war which verely hitherto by reason of sondry tumultes ciuile discordeshath bene omitted That they wil be alwaies ready haue coÌmaunded their ambassadours to offer these thinges in their name at the counsel thesame day they write to king FerdinaÌdo in a maner to the same effect as before I said the Duke August did by his Ambassadours For both they vrge yâ same coÌpact of Passawe shew how desirous they are of peace Thei coÌmend the doctrine coÌfessed at Ausperge and exhort him to confirme the peace and also pray him that he wold geue no credit to such as haply seke to disturbe the quiet of Germany At the Ides of March the Archbishop of Mentz departed out of this life whom we saied to haue bene at the counsel of Trent after was put to flight by Marques Albert Whom Daniel BreÌdel succedeth The. viii day after that byshop of Mentz which was the .xxiii. day of March dieth Pope Iuly the third Who for bicause he had so easely beyond al expectatioÌ recouered England was thought to haue coÌceaued also a woÌderful hope of Germany And had therfor sent thither Cardinal Morone who the next day after that he was dead came to the couÌsell of thempire at Auspurg But with in eight daies after hearing newes therof the last day of March he departeth thence againe and with Truckesse Cardinal of Auspurg spedeth him to the ElectioÌ at Rome The Cardinals that wer at Rome not tarieng for the rest made hast the .ix. day of April proclaime Pope Marcellus the secoÌd of that name The same that was sent Ambassadour with Cardinal Farnese to the Emperour of Paul the third as I shewed you in the .xiii. boke The Cardinal of Auspurg a fewe
Rome homewarde The Pope allowed well enough al other thinges that they had retourned to repentaunce and craued pardon But that the churche goodes should not be restored he saide it was in no wyse to be suffered AmoÌgest the Ambassadours was the Byshop of Ely The king of Denmarke had a nauie at that time which sailing towardes the North made men to talke diuersly For some said it was done by the Emperours counsell who mynded to put the kinges sonne or his brother in to the possession of Scotlande Others sayde it was prepared for the vse of the Frenche kyng others for this cause only that if the Emperour or king Philip his sonne whose power was waxed great by reason of Englande should straye any further they might be restrayned And therfore were the cities of the Sea coaste thought also to haue borne the charges of the same nauie After loÌg and great expectation all this rumour vanished away and all this preparation was found to be made against Pirates Than was the state of Rome troublesome For that Pope hauing coÌceiued a suspicion of certen nobles prouided him garrisons and placing soldiours here and there in the Citie committed Ssortia Cardinall of Sanflorian and Camillus of the house of Columnois to prison And for as muche as they were of the Emperours part many men thought he went about a greater matter And that suspicion was increased what tyme he required of the Duke of FloreÌce the Emperours client a wonderous great summe of mony whiche both Clement the seuenth lent Alexander Medices and lately Iuly the third lent him at the siege of Sene. The captiue Cardinalles at the length putting in suerties are inlarged The Spanishe flete that tyme came towardes Flaunders laden with all kynde of Marchaundise And when it came vpoÌ the coastes of Normandie the Frenchemen whiche knewe it long before set vpon them with a great force And the fight conflicte was terrible the shippes being sunke and burnte on either parte and very many loste wherof some with weapon others with fire many swallowed vp of the billowes did perishe The Frenche men caried away certen shippes that they toke into Depe hauon from whence they came This was in the monthe of August whereas about the end of the same moneth kyng Philip sayling out of Englande into Flaunders came to the Emperour his father at Brusselles accompanied with the Nobles of Englande Truckesins Cardinall of Auspurge had a fewe yeares past founded an Uniuersitie at Dillinge a towne situated vpon the Riuer of Danubius by the wyll and permission of Pope Iuly the thirde who had graunted for the same a publique bull with exceading great fredoms priuileges as a wryting set forth in print declareth Hither therfore amonges other came he whome themperour of many yeares had vsed for his ghostly father or confessour as they terme him Peter Asot a Spaniarde a blacke freer He this yeare began with a contrary wryting to impugne the booke conteyning the soÌme of the christen doctrine the which boke Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge sent by his Ambassadours to the fathers of the counsell of Trent as before is sayde whiche also he was not afrayde to dedicate to the same Duke But Iohn Brentius about this time aunswereth it at large and confuteth his sophisticall reasons Whiche boke of Brentius Uergerius afterwarde translated into Italian to the ende that men of his owne nation might vnderstande both what thing came in to controuersie and whether parte handled the scriptures more purely and sincerely About the Ides of September George Counte of Mountpelicarte vncle to the Duke of Wirtemberge maried the Lady Barbara the Lantgraues daughter After the arriuall of the Duke of Alba in Lumbardie the king of Fraunce also sendeth thither new ayde and many warlike captaines which ioyned them selues to Monsour Brissake as companions of his perils and fortune There is a towne wherof we haue spoken before called Uulpian which fortified with a garrison of Spaniards was a great annoyaunce to Frenche matters seing that from thence roades were made as farre as Taurin and further To the intent therfore that this only let might be taken away that they might haue victualle the Frenchemen towarde the ende of August besiege it with al their force and batter it with muche harme done and receiued At the length the .xxii. day of September they take it by surrendry and rase the walles both of the towne and Castell and make it in shape of a Uillage And a fewe dayes after they take also the Towne and Castell of Mountcalue betwixt Aste and Casale The dissention that hath bene nowe these .xxx. yeares betwixt learned men aboute the Lordes supper and of the presence of Christes body began at this time to be renewed and bokes were set forth by the ministers of the churches of Breme and Hamborough namely againste Caluine Iohn Alascus Caluine afterward aunswereth sharpely and defendeth the cause Thesame doeth Bullinger and Iohn Alascus also For setting forthe a booke to the Kyng of Poole he complayneth and bewayleth that there is no examination had or made by talke or coÌference of the sentences but that the opinion is only condemned by preiudice verely after the maner of the Papistes whiche also procede not by argumentes and scripture but only by wyll and violence About the end of September Augustus Duke of Saxony had a sonne borne called Magnus his Godfathers at the foÌtstone were amongest others Henry Duke of Brunswicke and Iohn Fridericke the Lantgraues sonne in lawe I haue spoken before of the Archebyshop of Cantorbury of Ridley Byshop of London and Hughe Latimer howe they being caried to Oxforde and reasoning with the diuines there were of them condemned being therfore kept in prison vnto this tyme nowe at the last in the moneth of October Ridley and olde father Latimer were burnt The Archebyshop was also brought forth with them and at the place of execution did openly call vpon God for mercy with them but he was lead againe to pryson In this same moneth the Cardinalles of Lorayne and Tournon went to Rome Then also the Senate of Paris whiche they cal the Parliament aunswering the king to that whiche the Cardinall of Loraine requested them to as before is mentioned By that proclamation of yours say they whiche came forth foure yeares since moste mighty kyng you reserued to your selfe and to your iudges the examination and punishment of Luthers heresie Neither in it was any thinge exceptep vnlesse it were what time it required any declaration of heresie or that sentence were to be pronounced of suche as had taken orders But this proclamation of yours that is now set forth doth plainly establish the contrary For it submitteth the people of your Realme to the ecclesiasticall iudgement and to the Inquisitours and by this meane it diminished your dignitie wherby you excelle all men and geueth to your subiectes a
ministers of the church vpoÌ scholes other good vses they shal not be troubled for the same nor sewed in the law therfore but such goodes to wit those which do not beloÌg to the states of thempire or to others that be subiecte to thempire the possession wherof the clergie had not at the time of the pacification of Passawe nor after also shall remayne as they be are coÌprised in this peace Neyther shall it be lawfull for the iudges of the chamber imperiall to graunte out any proces or decree any thing against them for vsurpinge the same goodes That the ecclesiastical iurisdiction be not exercised nor take place against the ProtestauÌtes ReligioÌ faith rightes lawes and ecclesiasticall ministerie But remayne in suspence and stayed and moleste them in nothing tyll the controuersie be throughly ended and taken away But in al other matters that concerne not Religion ceremonies lawes and ministerie let it be of force and be exercised after the olde custome and lawe Againe that the goodes customes rightes remaine whole to all the state ecclesiasticall yet so that they in whose iurisdictioÌ such goodes be lose no part of their politicke law which they had before this coÌtention in religion Moreouer that of these selfsame goodes the necessary ministeries of the churche parishes scholes almouses hospitalles for the poore sicke people as they were founded in times past the so they be now also established mainteined without any respect had of what religioÌ they be to whose vse the almouse or sustenauÌce is imployed And if there fortune any strife or contention to arise by reason of this sustenauÌce or that measure therof that bi the coÌsent of the partes arbitrers be chosen who viewing the thing within the space of half a yeare shall determine make an estimate howe much ought to be decided bestowed vpon suche vses ministeries In the meane season til the matter be decided that that thet whose part it is to geue suche ayde be not molested in their possession but loke what they were wont to geue bestowe in tymes past let theÌ geue now also till the matter be determined In October and Nouember was a Parliament holden in Englande many supposed that they would haue there treated of the coronation of king Philip but nothing was propouÌided The Quene motioned for the restoring of abbey landes for as muche as the Pope vrged the same But many Noble men and gentlemen doe possesse theÌ Wherfore nothing could be brought to passe The Quene her selfe in dede whiche with al she coulde do restored to the clergie the first fruictes teÌthes of benefices during the tyme of this ParliameÌt certen biting libelles were sowen abroade in London wherin were some thinges to whet the people against the Spaniardes some other that might haue withdrawen the Quenes minde froÌ king Philip. When inquisition was made nothing could be tried out Before the end of the parliament the Byshop of Winchester Chauncelour died of the dropsie In whose place was substituted Doctour Heth Archebishop of Yorke which had bene in tymes past with the Archebyshop of Cantorbury in Germany and thought rightly of the pure doctrine About the nones of NoueÌber the wife of Iohn Friderick the Lantgraues daughter died of whose mariage is spokeÌ before FrauÌces Uenerie Duke of Uenise for that he had not handled him selfe well in the vytayling of the citie and set more by his priuate profit thaÌ by the publique was displaced What time themperour had geuen ouer all his gouernmeÌt in the couÌtries Philip his sonne sendeth his Ambassadours to the chief Princes cities of Germany signified to theÌ that same and offereth theÌ his good wil amitie At the same time also the Ambassadours of king FerdinaÌdo sollicited the Princes of Germany that for as much as a moste present dauÌger hanged euer by the Turke who required al Transyluania to be geueÌ him a couÌtrie of nature most stroÌg fertile ful of horsemeÌ they wold at the day appointed be present them selues in the couÌsel of the Empire to consulte for the common wealth He helde also a couÌsel of his subiectes for the same cause in that whiche assemblee they of Austriche required that religioÌ might be permitted theÌ fre But the king differred them to the couÌsel of thempire that should be next at Regenspurg also toke order that they shuld be before him at Uienne at the Ides of Ianuary the next yere The Marques Marignane diyng at Millan the Cardinall of Trent is sent into Lumbardy by the Emperour or king Philip his sonne to haue the gouernment there And the Duke of Alba is made viceroy of Naples On Christmas day the Pope after his maner createth newe Cardinalles amongest others Iohn Gropper Counsellour to the Archebyshop of Collon of whome often mention is made in the fourmer bokes Than also Reinold Poole when of a Cardinall deacon he was made a priest as they call it began to singe Masse For this is not law full for Deacons by the Popes lawe In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary throughout Saxonie Meissen and Boheme were horrible tempestes thondering and lightening and thonderboltes whiche dyd muche harme euery where but especially in churches In the same moneth at Uirodure whiche is a towne in Swicerlande two mile from Zuricke in the night about suppertyme fyre bursting out of one of the towres of the church cracked so that all men came running to queÌch it When they came thither ther was no flame twyse this happened one tyme after an other to witte the fourth daye of the same moneth and the .xiiii. daye Certen men of the townes of Heluetia being moued by the Pope go afterwardes to Rome not without the great suspicion of many Kyng Philippe beginning his newe gouernmeÌt whiche he had receiued of his father with great pompe and solemnitie the .xviii. day of Ianuary entreth into Andwerpe the chief towne of that couÌtrey In the meane tyme there is great persecution and burning in Englande About the Ides of Ianuary thaÌbassadours of the prouinces of Austriche assemble at Uienne as was appointed There the king with an oratioÌ graue long declareth in how great dauÌger they stode all of the Turke now iminent and therfore doth admonish them that so sone as may be they would helpe hym with men mony that his great outragiouse crueltie might be repressed Then they that are of that lower partes of Austriche saye how thei were coÌmaunded of theirs that thei shuld treate first of Religion Therfore they recite what they haue done in the selfsame cause by the space now of .xiiii. yeares how oft they haue intreated put vp supplicatioÌs what maner of proclamations he hath set forth contrary to their expectatioÌ Again for as muche as hitherto say they al couÌselles against the Turke are taken in vaine not only as yet he could
common assemblee of the Empire And where certen Princes and cities receiued also this doctrine the fire went further abroade the matter was handled by diuerse meanes tyll at the laste it ended in warre And in all this same description a man may see what care and diligence the Emperour toke that the dissentioÌ might be takeÌ vp It is to be sene also what the ProtestanÌtes and states haue aunswered and what maner of conditions they haue oftentimes offered But when the matter fel out into warre the handling of it was variable and diuerse And the Emperour in dede that I may bryng of many examples one sending his letters to diuerse Princes and cities after also setting forth a publike wryting declared the cause of his enterprise This wrytinge wherin the foundation of themperours cause consisteth with the aunswere of the contrary part might not be omitted For than I praye you what maner of story were it to be thought whiche raccompteth but the doinges of the one part only And yet howe I haue demeaned my selfe herein howe I haue moderated and tempered my style it may be sene by conferring the dutche with the Latin wherunto I referre my selfe also The warre being now driuen of tyll wynter the Emperour had the vpper hande where the ennemies were gone euery man home These victories and triumphes of his also firste in highe Germany and after in Saxonie I recite faithfully all and this order is kept euery where For neither I take awaye nor attribute to any man more than the thing it selfe requireth permitteth whiche thing fewe men haue perfourmed as it is euident For many in the narrations put also their iudgement as well touching the persones as the thinges And to speake nothing of olde wryters it is knowen howe Platine hath described the Popes liues And a litle before our dayes a worthye knyght Sir Philip Commines set forth a notable historie of his tyme and amonges other thinges he sheweth howe after the death of Charles Duke of Burgundy who was slayne in battell a little from Naunce Lewys the .xii. king of Fraunce toke away from the daughter heire of Duke Charles either Burgundy and also the countrie of Artois And albeit that Commynes was bounde to Fraunce by his othe although he were one of the kinges counsell yet he saieth that this was not weldone of him About the .xxiiii. yeares past the Senate of Uenise appointed Peter Bembus to describe the warres which they had made with the Emperour Maximilian with Lewys the Frenche kyng and with Pope Iuly the seconde with others Which he did comprising the matter in .xii. bokes And amongest other matters he reporteth howe Lewys the .xii. kynge of Fraunce denounced warre to the Uenetians He sayeth howe the Herault of armes after that he came before the Duke and the whole Senate spake these wordes To thee Lawredane Duke of Uenise and to all other citezens of the same Lewys kyng of Fraunce commaunded me to denounce warre as to meÌ vnfaithfull possessing townes of the Byshoppes of Rome and of other kynges gotten by force and by wronge and sekyng to catche and bryng al thinges of al men disceiptfully vnder your gouernement He him selfe cometh to you armed to recouer the same These wordes would some man saye for as much as they be heinouse against the Uenetians Bembus shoulde haue omitted But he would not so but wrote them out of the coÌmon recordes into his boke and added to the aunswer made to the Herault no lesse byting And the workes was printed at Uenise with the priuilege of the Senate Paulus Iouius besides other wrytinges wherin he compriseth the forces of certen noble meÌ hath not loÌg since set forth also two Tomes of thinges done in his tyme But howe frankely he wryteth those that haue red them can testifie Not withstanding that in certen places he doth the Germanes wrong And yet the same worke came forth authorised by sondry priuileges Who so wyll may seke the ninth leafe of the seconde Tome also in the life of Leo the .x. leafe .xciii. and .xciiii. And in the lyfe of Alphonse Duke of Farrare leafe .xlii. All the bokes of good authours be full of examples And Comines is for this cause chiefly commended that he wrote so indifferently But he kepeth this maner as I sayde also before that not only he discribeth the thinges but also addeth his iudgement and pronounceth what euery man hath done be it right or wrong And albeit that I do not so yet is it vsed of many But that whatsoeuer is done on either part should be recited that same is not only reasonable but being frequented in all times is nedefull also For otherwyse can not the History be compiled Where so euer be factions where war and sedition is there doubtles are al thinges full of complaintes accusations and defensions with other coÌtrary wrytings Now he that reciteth all these thinges in suche order as they were done doeth iniurie to neither part but followeth the lawe of the story For in those brawlinges and complaintes euery thing is not by by true that one obiecteth to an other When there is grudge hatred and malice amonges them it is knoweÌ and tried howe the matter is vsed on either syde If the euill wordes that Popes and Byshops and suche other lyke haue powred out against the Protestauntes .xxxvi. yeares past were true what thinge could be imagined more wicked than they Paule the thirde being Pope sent his nephewe by his sonne Cardinall Farnese Ambassadour to the Emperour to Brussels the yeare of our Lorde M. ccccc.xl He there gaue counsell against the Protestauntes whiche not long after was set forth in printe and is of me recited in the .xiii. boke of my History After many contumeliouse wordes amonges other he sayth that the protestauntes do resiste Christ no lesse but rather more thaÌ the Turkes do For these sleye the bodies only but they leade The soules also into euerlasting pardition I pray you what more heynouse or horrible thing can be spoken And in case these thinges shuld not haue bene recited then might the Protestauntes haue hed iust cause of complaint against me but the matter is farre otherwise For neither be thinges true because he said so And if I should haue omitted this I might iustly haue commen into suspition as though I handled not the matter vprightly and would gratify more the one part And that it is thus as I haue plainly declared I doubt not but reasonable men will iudge that I haue done nothing contrary to the law of an history and so much the rather for that the moste thinges are taken out of common recordes which had ben setforth in Print before Therfore they do nothinge frendly no they do me plaine wronge which thus do sclaunder my worcke and so much the more wronge if they vnderstand thorder of compiling an history but if they knowe it not I would they should learne of such thinges as we
Commotion in Kent 430 Cardinall Pole arriueth in England 438 Controuersy for the dominioÌ of Chatz 452 Cinistre suspition spread of the Cardinal of Auspurge 456 Commotions in England for suspition of a spiratie 469 Cardinals sent from the pope to themperor and Freuch king eodem Counsel begon at Regenspurg 470 Cause why Luther was not punished 41. Complaintes of them of Zurick 51 Cause of them hatred eodem Constancy of them of Zurick 52 Confession of the Protestauntes 88 Conspiraty of the Papistes against the Protestauntes 93 Complaint of the Pope to the kinge of Pole 97 Common wealth hath neade of manye remeadies 102 ContentioÌ betwene Erasmus and Luther 114 Clement the seuenth dieth 117 Counsel of Constaunce 149 Counsel of Myllen broken of 152 Craft of Popes eodem Cardinall Montaine striken with a fury 300 Cruel actes of Marques Albert. 434 D DUke Fredericke his wisdome 2 Disputation at Lipsia 18 Dissention betwixte Leo and hys Cardinals 38 Decrees of Pius and Iulius 23 Dyssentyon at Basill for Relygyon 80 Daunger of the Turke 85 Duke Ulrich expulsed out of his countrey 113 Disputation with the king of Anabaptistes 136 Duke George of Saxon dieth 176 Doctor barnes burnte in Smithfielde 174 Dure the chiefest Towne in those partes is taken 196 Depensius driuen to recant 20 Duke of Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the church 202 Duke Moris foundeth three Scholes eodem Duke Moris is beneficiall to the vniuersity of Lipsia eodem Dissention in Scotland 205 Duke Moris serued themperor at Landerssy 206 Duke Moris intreateth a peace 405 Duke Henry and his Sonne yeld them selues eodem Diaze goeth to Maluenda Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepareth to warre Duke Frederick chosen Emperor Donauerde taken Donauerde rendred 265 Duke Maurice consulteth agaynste the Potestauntes 266 Duke Maurice letters to the Electour 269 Duke Maurice blamed of all men 270 Duke Maurice Excuses eodem Duke Maurice nothing couetous eod Duke Maurice followeth Doeg 275 Duke Ericke discomfited 287 Duke Maurice and the elector of BraÌdenburge intreat for the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue eodem Duke Maurice intreateth liberallye to the deuines of Wittemberge 291 Duke of Placence depryued Hierom. 294 Daughter of Nauarre married to the duke of Uandome 321 Duke Henry besiegeth the city of BruÌswicke 348 Dracutus an archpirate 348 Duke Maurice general of the war 351 Duke Maurice besiegeth Maidenburg 352 Duke Maurice letters to the Emperoure 363 Duke Morice seaseth vpon the dominion of Chatz 370 Duke Morice entendeth to warre vpon themperor 373 Discipline amongst the fathers 374 Duke Maurice feared of themperours 380 Duke Maurice ambassadoure sente away 381 Duke Maurice letters to hys ambassadours 384 Duke Maurice taketh Auspurge by coÌposition 388 Diuers minds in the counsel of Trent 389 Duke Moris goeth to the field 395 Duke Moris letters to the king 399 Duke Moris nie slaine 40 Duke Moris weary of delaies 47 Duke Moris reburneth his fellowes 48 Duke Moris admitteth peace 410 Duke de Anmalle taken Prysonner 44 Duke Morleague wyth the Duke of Brunswicke 420 Duke Maurice wan the field and loste his life 422 Duke Henry of Brunswicke marrieth a wife 465 Duke Frederickes answer 26 Deuines of Paris condempn Luthers bokes 32 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue prepare them to warre 78 Duke of Saxon Marshall of the Empyre 90 Duke of Saxon letters to the Prynces 98 Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue wryte to the French king 166 Death of the french king 282 Daughter of Scotland affiansed to the king of England 308 Death of Sigismund king of pole 305 Duke of Swaybrige molested for Religion 332 Death of Pope Paule the thyrd 336 Disputation at Baden 71 Decre for religion 70 Decre of the duke of Loraine 50 Disputation at Zuricke 44 Decre of the Swices 45 Daniel expounded how 89 Deluge at Rome and in Seland 94 Dombe sprite walking 114 Dukes Confession of the duke of Wittemberge 386 E ECkius boke against Luther 2 Erasmus iudgemente of Luther 16 Eneas Siluius 23 Erkius to Luther 28 Erasmus boke of fre wll 50 Eckius the Popes champion 52 England hath title to Fraunce 74 Erasmus boke against Gospellers 83 Erasmus wryteth to Campeius 90 English Bibles Printed at Parys 160 Ebleb a noble Gentleman dyeth for sorow 29 Execution done in the frenche kynges syght 335 Erle Hedecke frende to them of Maydenburge 361 Erenberge taken away 40 Ecclesiasticall lawes in England 432 England is tourned to her vomyt 439 Emperour sendeth for Luther 28 Emperour wryteth to Luther eodem Emperours letters to the Princes of Germany 65 Ende of the Papistes dectrine 67 Emperoure marrieth a wife 71 Exhortation of the Lantzgrane 57 Excuse of some to the Protestauntes 94. Emperor of necessity graunteth peace to Germany 108 Emperoure goeth into Italy 109 Erroures of the Anabaptist 133 Erroures of the MuÌsterians in fayth 135 English ambassadors winter at Wittenberge 139 Emperoure inuadeth the frenche prouince 140 Erasmus death eodem Emperour French king and the pope mete at Nice 59 Emperors and French kings ambassador to the Uenerians 168 Emperors priuate wryting for the protestauntes 183 Emperors letters to them of Collon 203 Emperors answer to the pope 195 Emperors letters to the states of Boheme 283 Emperors soÌne commeth into Flaunders and he is receiued at Millan 330 F FRaunce and Germany were vnited 12 Frederick the Paulsgraue sent into Spain 14 Flatterers must be eschued 18 Fraunce is offred to the spoiles 19 Feare for the host 47 Feare in Muncers camp 57 Faith ought not to wauer 65 Faber driuen out of Paris 66 Fardinando forsaking king Lewes 77 Fardinandoes title to Hongary eo Fraunces Sfortia reforced to the dukedom of Millan 83 Florence rendred 90 Florence loseth her liberty eodem Fardinando proclaimed Kinge of Romaines 98 Frances Sfortia marrieth the Emperors Niece 117 Folish pity marreth the city 122 Fredericke forsaketh the bishoppricke 128 From the horse to the asse 130 Franckfurt receiued into the league 139 False doctrine is not to be born wyth 151 Fardinando his army destroyed 154 Fardinandoes request 173 Fiers in Saxony 174 Fardinando besieged Buda 184 FardinaÌdo defeateth the request of his nobles 186 Frances Lander coÌmitted to Pryson his weaknes and recantation 200 Few Spaniardes loue the Gospel 233 Friers be disturbers of peace 236 Friers are vile in life and learnynge 237 Feare in themperors campe 259 Force ought not to be vsed in Religyon 260 Fraunce denied to aid Protestauntes 264 Fardinando Sebastian deputye proclaimeth war to Saxony 269 Fardinando to the Bohemera 283 Fardinando ambassadour to the Bohemers 284 FardinaÌdo goth which his army to Proge 291 Freight with others caried to prisone 325 Frances Spiera dispaired 327 Fraunces Spiera his recantation his death in despair with comfort 328 Forces bent against Maidenburge 350 Folish ceremonies 358 Fiue of them studentes of Lossaunce french men borne 424 Fiue condempned at London for the Gospel 440 For Churche goodes all coutrouersyes are taken away 461 Fraunce
venery displeased eodem Fredericke Counte Palatines death 465 French king taken prisoner 43 Faith of Abraham obtained greate benefites of God 56 French league against themperor 71 Frenche kinges letters to the Prynces of Germany 73 French kinges inuentions against the Emperour 79 French kinges oration 120 French kinges letters eodem French warreth againste the Duke of Sauoy 38 Frenche kinge kissed the Popes ryght fote 159 French king geueth counsel to the Duke of Wittemberge 166 French kinges answer to themperors letters 199 French king coÌpared to the Turk 207 French king hated of all men for the Turkes societe 211 Frowardnesse of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 French king is receiued into Paris 235 French dischargeth his army 410 French kinges Proclamation against condemned of thinquisition 452 G GRece and Bohemes happines 3. Gerson of Paris 8 Gesmer captain of the boures 54 Gods power appeareth in fewest men 56 Gods wrath is slow but yet sore 58 George Duke of Saxon hateth the gospel 67 Godlines is not to be sought for in the Court 68 Great ghostly fathers 89 God bridleth the power of Sathan 134 Great execution done at Gaunt 171 Granuellans oration at Wormes 174 George of Austryche apprehended at Lions 184 God offreth hys worde before he Plageth 185 Gropper commended Bucer 187 Gwelphians eodem Gibellines whiche were names of the Emperiall eodem Geneua 192 Grashopper in Germany and Italy 193 Gropper forsaketh the gospel 202 Greate Princes sue for the Popes fauour 305 Griniam the French ambassador 309 Granuellan his answer to the Lantzgraue 409 General counsel promised 72 Great slaughter 105 Great alteration in England 113 Great assemble at Regenspurge 176 Gonzage gouerne of Millane 501 God is not the author of wrong 263 Gropper had the spoile of Frede. 277 Godly preachers flie 315 Ganimede nourished by the pope 348 God woundeth and healeth 357 Germany the fortresse of Christendom 394 George duke of Megelburge slain 408 Great frendship betwixt duke Maurice and Marques Albert. 422 George Earle of Mount Pelicart marieth the Lantzgraue daughter 453 Gospell is slaundred wyth rebellyon 63 Godly constancye of the Duke of Saxons children 322 H HEbrue bookes of thre sortes 20 How the scripture muste be handled 22 Honoures chaunge manners 23 Henrye King of Englande wryteth against Luther 34 How the yoke of Papistes is to be shaken of 48 Henry Zutphan put to death 50 How the magistrate should deale wyth the Papistes 58 How wicked dominion is to be shaken of 58 Hunting hauking and fishinge prohited 60 How ministers should be ordained 62 Hipocrisy of bishops 75 How scripture should be expounded 82 Hugh Capet Earle of Paris 101 How a free counsell is to be vnderstaÌd 111 Hirman Stapred 128 Heldus the Emperoures ambassador 143 Heldus Oration at Smalcald eodem Harlots honored at Rome 157 Hatred betwixt counsellers 170 His arme discomfited 184 Howe the Turkes atcheued the Empyre 187 His death 194 His weakenes before the king 202 Holy men haue had leagues wyth men of contrary Religion 211 Hermon leueth his Bishopprick 277 How miserable is it for the Quene for to marry with a straunger 311 He that doth against his conscience procureth him self hel fire 316 Hallowing of churches 333 Hallowing of Belles 334 Hallowing of altares 334 Hedeck and Mansfield discomfyted by Duke Morice 352 How much the papistes esteme Scripture 383 Heldius answer 147 I IHon Tecel a Dominican Frier set vp conclusyons at Frankfurt 1. Indulgences to be vsed after the Canon law 2. Iames Hogestrate wrote againste Luther 3. Ihon Wickliffe an English man 32 Ihon Husse a Boheme eodem Ihon Husse appealeth froÌ the pope eo Ihon Husse and Ierom of Prage burned eodem Iniquity procedeth froÌ the priestes 40 It is not lawful for vs to kil any maÌ 43 Images burnt at Zurick 48 Ihon Fredericke of Saxon marrieth Sthel of Cleaue 74 Ihon Uaivodes letters to the states of th empyre 76 Ihon Uayuodes ambassadors takeÌ 77 Images put downe 80 Images burnt on Ashwedensday eod Inas king of Brittain 114 Idle Nunnes marchant women 120 Ihon Leidan an Anabaptiste 128 Ihon Mathew the high Prophet 130 Iesting punished eodem Ihon Leidan inuadeth the kingdoÌ eo Ihon Leidans pompe 131 Ihon Husse at Constance 199 Ihon Caluin and Peter Bruly superintendantz of the Colledge of Stras borough 168 Ihon Isleby chief of the Antimo 172 Inuectiues vnmete for princes 174 Ioy in France at themperors losse 185 Ihon Miners president of the Counsel at Agnes 219 Iustus Ionas asked whether we shall know eche other in the life to come 232 Ihon Diaze a Spaniard 233 Ihon Isseby a Reuolt 310 It is daunger to vse forain aides 311 Ihon Marques of BraÌdeÌburge refuseth thinterim 315 Isseby rewarded of themperor 320 Inquisitions of Uergetius 320 Iuly the third consecrated bishop 343 Interrogatories for the Ministers of Auspurge 383 Ihon Sleidan ambassador for Strausburg to thempire 373 Ihon Frederick demaundeth laÌds and dignities 423 Ihon a Laisco a Polonian 432 Interrogatories Ministred to the Abbot of Newstat 436 Ioy at Rome for Englande reduced to the Romish church 443 Indulgences graunted by the Pope for the conuersyon of England eodem Ihon Fredericke the electours Sonne marieth 451 Ihon Gropper made Cardinall 461 Ihon Sleidane dieth 470 Iudges of the chamber trouble the protestauntes 123 Ihon Laydon parradocsises 131 Iudges of the chambre 144 Ignorannce of the people is gaine full to the priestes 150 Iudges of the chambre shal kepe theyr place 212 Ignoraunce of the people for lacke of teachinges 237 Interim permitteth Priestes to keepe theyr wines stil 313 K KInges of Naples paye Tribute to Rome 11. King Henry the eighte calleth hys mariage in question 113 Kingdoms destroid for Idolatry 185 Kinges of Fraunce moste addict to the Pope 200 King HeÌry banished the Pope but not Popery 278 King Ferdinando moueth the Bohemers to warre 279 King of Fraunces fautour of âear 282 King Fardinandoes letters to the Bohemers 286 King Fardinando requyreth mouye of the states 314 King Phillip inuested in Flaun. 337 Kinges haue long armes 279 King Edward sore sicke 408 King Fardinando proclaimeth warre against Albert. 408 King Phillip arriueth in Eng. 437 Kinge Phillippe came to his father to Brurels 453 King Phillip entreth into And. 462 King Fardmando goeth into Boheme 466 King of Denmarke slieth 41 King of England wryteth to the princes of Sarony 44 Kinges sonnes are pledges 69 King of Hongary slain 71 King Henry hated againste the Pope 114 Kinges supper and murder 132 King of England patrone of the Protestauntes league 139 King Edward the .vi. borne 154 King of Englande refuseth the Counsell eodem King of Englande hated of the Pope eodem King of England maried the .vi. wife 187 Kinges purgation 191 King of Denmarke warreth vppon the imperials 266 King of England warneth the Protestaunts of the daunger 227 King of Denmarke aided not the Protestauntes 275 King is apparelled like a deacon 292 L LUthers letters to the Bishoppe of Mentz 1. Luthers questioÌs at
Wittenberge 1 Luthers exception eodem Luthers letters to Pope Leo. 2 Luthers answer to Siluester Prierias eodem Luthers second aunswere to Siluester Prierias 3 Luthers forsaking of Rome eodem Luther cited to Rome 4. Luther is called to AuspurgeÌ 5. Luthers conference with Cardinal Caietane eodem Luther appealeth 6 Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsel 9 Luthers letters to the Pope 17 Luthers boke to the duke of Saxon. 18 Luthers boke condemned at Louain 19. Laurence valla eodem Luthers letters to themperor 21 Luthers letters to the archbishoppe of Mentz eodem Luthers letters to the bishop of Merseburge 22 Luther cursed of the pope 23 Luther impugneth the Popes censure 24 Luthers boke of the captiuity of Babilon eodem Luthers bokes are burnt 26 Luther burneth the Canon law 27 Luther cometh to Wormes eodem Luther pledeth his cause before themperor and the hole Empire 1. Luthers answer to the princes 39 Luther sent away from Wormes 31 Luther is outlawed by themperor 33 Luther wrote suÌdry bokes in his exile eodem Luther is conueied out of daunger eo Luther returneth to Wittenberge 35 Luther foreseeth the tempest comming eodem Luther wryteth to the Bohemerâ 36 Luther wryteth against the bishops eo Luther a Frier 38 Luther compared with Mahomet 40 Luther expoundeth the Popes laying eodem Luther interpreteth the decrees of the Princes 43 Luther wrote to the Senate of Prage eodem Luther wrote of eschuing the doc 44 Luther compared to Mahomet 50 Luther disswageth al men from sedi 58 Luther did more with the worde then could haue bene done by forc eodem Luthers answer to the boures 60 Luthers office 63 Luther bloweth the troÌpet against 64 Luther to vehement 65 Luther married a Nonne eodem Luther and Zwinglius mete at 66 Luthers letters of submission to the. 67 Luthers letters to George duke of eo Leonard Cesar apprehended for the. 74 Lawes of disputation 75 Lantrech besiegeth Naples eodem Luther and Zwinglius dispute at 83 Luther wrote a boke to the bishops 96 Luther comforteth Melancthon eodem Luthers opinion of mens traditioÌs eo Letter of the duke and Lantzgraue 103 Luthers counsel 112 Luthers purgation eodem Luther comforteth thexiles eodem Luthers opinion touching the spri 116 Luthers wryting of Munster 134 Legions of soldiors in Fraunce 137 Luthers constancy 138 Like lips like lettes 151 Longolnis oration against the Lu. 167 Lascus committed to prison 175 Luthers boke against the Duke of 176 Luther is cursed of the Pope 175 Langeus letters to Alphonse 184 Luthers oration for the field 189 Lawes against deflowrers of vir 202 Laundersey besieged 205 Luthers boke of the Lordes supper 215 Luthers answer to them of Louain 218 Luthers boke against the Pope 222 Luthers Themes of iii. gouern eodem Luthers picture against the pope eodeÌ Luther a Prophet eodem Luther chosen arbitror 231 Luther wareth sicke 232 Luthers last prayer eodem Luthers birth eodem Luther sent to Rome eodem Luther eloquent in the dutch eodem Lightning caused destruction 255 Liberty is exiled out of the counsel 256 Letters for the Lantzgraue to 295 Letters of Strasborough to them 326 Luther brought in contempte the Popish Ceremonies 334 Lewes Marsile one of the prisoners 423 Libels strowed about in London 461 Lady Clinor commeth into France 86 Lantzgraue departeth from Ausp 89 Lantzgraue goeth to the freÌch king 113 Lantzgraue boroweth Monye of the French king eodem Lady Mary proclaimed bastard 114 Lantzgraue taketh his leaue of themperoure 240 M MAximilians letter to Poope Leo concerning Luther 3 Maximilians death 10 Many sectes in the popish kingdom 36 Maner of chusing themperor 10 Matrimony lawful for all men 47 Muncer a great Anabaptist 55 Muncer wil haue a token of God eodeÌ Muncer maketh gunnes eodem Muncer teacheth that all thinges shuld be common eodem Muncer raileth on the princes 56 Muncer disceyueth the people by the rainbow eodem Muncer is taken his cruel answer and he is reproued of the Lantzgraue 57 Muncer repenteth at the hour of death eodem Mishaps of the french king 82 Matters receiued in religion 89 Monestical vowes 124 Munster a city of Westphalia 137 Maidens do prophecy 130 Mariage counted whoredome 135 Many filthy actes of Monkes 156 Meanes to restore the ecclesiastical 181 Melancthon and pristor come to 201 Miners president of Aygwes 219 Miners leuieth a power againste Ualdois 219 Maluenda treateth of iustification 229 Marquin excuseth Diaze 234 Mariages in broil of warre 254 Maurice loueth his townes 276 Marques Albert sent to aid 277 Mendoza ambassade from the Frenche King to Strasburge 279 Marques Albert taken prisoner 280 Mihel Sidonie a great MasmoÌger 294 Muskel borowe field 296 Muleasses king of Tones 313 Maximilian marieth his cosen 315 Musculus departeth to Bernes 316 Maximilian warred against the Swissers 322 Maried Priestes plucked from they re wyues 329 MelanthoÌ defeÌdeth the Adiaphorist 333 Monseur Ueruine beheaded 336 Maximilian cometh out of Spayne 353 Melanthon best learned 359 Mony gathered for the warre of Mayden burge 760 Maximilian entreth into Trent 378 Marques Albertes letters agaynst theÌperoure 393 Marten van Rossem spoileth Champanie 399 Marques Albert warreth for hym selfe 406 Marques Albert the scourge of Pristes 410 Marques Albertes request to Straseburge 410 Marques Albert refuseth peace 101 Marques Albert entreth Treuers 412 Marques Antonius Ambassadoure of Uenisse 413 Marques Alberte reconciled to Themperoure 413 Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperoure 420 Marques Albert outlawed 429 Marques Albert goeth to Sewinforte and flyeth 436 Maryburge taken 473 Melanthon conforteth the mynisters of Boheme 449 Marcellus the Second choseÌ Pope 450 Marcellus the Second dyeth 450 Maurenburge vitaled 452 Mount Calue is taken by the Frenchmen 453 Masse abolished at Zuricke 54 Madnes of the Munsterians 57 Magestrates is as necessarye as the Sonne to the worlde vi Marques letters to the state of Duke Maurice 42 Ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 N NEw pardons 9 No man may be kepte froÌ the gospell 6â Newes of the Turkes Coming 200 Newes of the Turkes approche 1â Nauius hath the place of Heldus 174 Nuburge rendered to the Emperoure 264 Notes of the Interim by the Bishop of Rome 314 No man oughte to be compelled to hys fayth 319 New ambassadours from Wittenberg 375 Norinberge hath peace with the Marques 402 Nyne bournte at Lyons 423 Note how Bisshoppes seke authoritie of kinges to condemne 454 Nombers of great gonnes taken front protestauntes 29 Notes of the Interim by the bysshops of Rome 313 O O Eham condemned in Paris 19 Of the original of the Turkes 190 Of ecclesiasticall benefites 281 Out of the conclaue came most fylthys Letters 343 Ortauious Farnesius clieÌt to the freÌch kinge 360 Oration of tharchbishop of Treuers 12 Opinion of the Cyties touchynge the king of Romaines 102 Othe of the Electors 406 Oration of the Popes ambassadour to the Duke of Saxon. 109 Oration of Themperours Ambassadour 109 OratioÌ of the french ambassadours 123 Ofspring of
118 The cruelty of Iohn Morine 118 The pryce of a Masse is somtime 118 The Pope the old Marchant 119 Thieuish Marchauntes 119 The maner of executioÌ in Fraunce 120 The Lutherians are abhorred 120 The Lantgraue is recoÌciled to Fer. 121 TheÌperours voyage into Barbaria 121 The duke of Saxon answer to ver 121 The protest answer to Uergerius 122 The Popes craft is espied 122 Themperour may order CouÌselles 122 Themperous letters to the Iudges 123 The answer of the protest to the freÌch 123 The dutie of Princes 124 The kinges opinioÌ of matters in eod The comoÌ places of Melanthon eod The masse mainteneth purgatory eod The kinges of FrauÌce Nauar ex 125 The prot would make no league 125 The oration of Bishop Foxe ambassadour for the king of England 125 The state of the church troubelsome 125 The protest league is renewed 126 The Erle of Nassowe hath mitted 126 The Gospell receiued at Auspurge 126 The papistes coÌfesse their ignoraÌce 128 The papiste for sake their Citie eodem Thei of MuÌster oppresse the papiste eod They Anab. banished the Citie eod The constauncie of Fabricius 129 The prophecie inspired with fury 130 The diuition of Germany into prouente eodem The falsed of Iohn Berdan eodem The euyll Iudges eodem The madnes of Knipperdolan 131 The Appose of munster 132 The preachers of munster eodem The preachers raked eodem The preachers obstinacy eodem The king taketh hede to him self eod The diuition of the world 133 The presente age coÌpared to Esaie 133 The craft of an ignoraunt deuill 134 The assemble at wormes 135 The citie warre requered to render 135 Two escaping betrayed the Citie 135 The king is taken 136 The king his fellowes taried ab 136 The cruell death of the King 137 The popes couÌsel to inuade Sauoy 137 The house of Uicecountes in LoÌb 137 The FreÌch kinges title to Millain 138 Themperours oratioÌ against the French King 138 The duke of Florence maried the Emperours basterd 138 The kinges letters to the protest 139 The king of England requered a conference of learned men 139 The protestant sent to themprour 140 Themperours letters to the prot 140 The death of Frances Dolphin 141 The Pope wil refourme the court 141 The king of Scottes maried the FreÌch Kinges doughter 141 The duke of slorener slaine by his 142 The Swicers sewe to the king for 142 The protest ambassadour to theÌpe 143 The dukes of Saksones answer 144 The place of the Counsell 148 The protest decree mariyng of mi. 149 The authoritie of Iudgment in yâ 150 The crafte of the Pope 151 The of spring of Cayne 152 The protest letter vnto the FreÌch 152 Terwine besieged in vaine 153 The pope intendid to make Eras 154 The pope hath a duble office 155 The Couls maketh not the MoÌcke 157 The cardinal of Cappira can abide 158 The Coloquie of Erasmus eodem The duke of Pruse is outlawed eod The metyng of the emperor the. 159 The bishop of lige made his graue 159 Thomas Becket archbishop of caÌt 160 The Markes of Brandenburg of ye. 161 The lady Elizabeth sister to the lantzgraue is referred into the league 162 The secte of the Antinomions 162 The citie of Mynden outlawed 163 The duke of BruÌswick desirous of 163 The Lantgraue intercepteth the. 163 The death of Iohn duke of cleane 164 The duke of Saxson wold not giue to Ferdinando the title of the king 165 The Cannons comenly called of yâ 167 The sixe Articles eodem The lady Anne of Cleaue eodem TheÌperour passeth through frauÌce 168 The emperour entreth into Paris 168 Themperors French kings amb 168 The secrete of the senate vttered to 169 The treators executed eodem Themp. arriueth in Flaunders eodem The prot write to the French king eod The Lord Cromwell eodem The answer of the prot to CroÌwel 170 Themp. letters to the protestantes 171 The protest answer to themperour 171 The protest comparid to Turkes 172 The duke of Cleaue ioyned with eod The pope warreth vpoÌ the perusians eo The lord Cromwell beheadid eodem The king marieth Katherine Haw eo The duke of Brunswick accused eod The assembly of Hagenaw 173 The decree of Hagenaw 173 The death of Iohn vaynode king of 173 Three prote burnt three papistes 174 The death of Budey 174 The euill that cometh of disceÌsion 174 The Turke receyueth the infant of 175 The papistes seke delays 175 The admiral of Fraunce condeÌned 176 Themperour goddes Clyent 177 The blasphemie Friere Tecell 177 The maner of making this Palle 178 These fires were set on by the duke eo The treatie of Regenspurge eodem The chosen by themp eodem The rashnes of Eckius eodem The contentes of the boke 179 The protestauntes letters to the FreÌch king for such as were persecuted 179 The Duke of Cleaue goeth priuely 179 The duke of Cleaue marieth the. 179 The Admirall restored 179 The CoÌstable put out of the Court. 179 The colloquie of lerned meÌ at Reg. 180 The worse part ouer cometh by ye. 180 The Popes legate 181 The diligence of the prot in teach 181 The diuines of the prot answers 181 The princes electours answer 181 The answer of the popish princes 182 The bishops are inioyned to ref eod The presumptuousnes of Eckius eod The protestantes confute his lett 183 Themperours coÌplaint of the duke 183 The princes make intercession for 183 The oration of the French ambass 183 The French ambassadors intercep 183 The emperours iorney into Barb. 184 The plague in Germany by the. 185 The nobilitie of Austrich put vp a. 185 The plages that God sent to Aust 185 The Turke is the scourge of God 185 The chiefe article of doctrine is in 186 The nobles reiterate theyr sute eodem The oration of the French ambass 187 The policie of the Romaines in est 187 The concord of England 187 The opinion of the popes Ambassa 188 The Pope suspecteth Germany 188 The pope coÌpared with the Turke 189 Two mighty tyrannes eodem The turke shal not be of such force eo The last acte of the Turke eodem The praier of Luther 161 The Markes of piscare accuseth the. 191 The FreÌch king proclaymeth war 192 The Duke of Languile Martin van Rossen inuade Brabant 192 The maÌner to serche out the Luth. 192 The articles of the Sorbonistes 193 Two Friers preach the gospell at Metz. 193 The duke of Saxon lantgraue moue war against the Duke of Brunswike who flieth 193 The ChauÌcelor of Fraunce put in 194 The Palsgraue the Gospell 195 The enterprice of fregose RincoÌ 195 The French king is accused of ambission 196 The presidentes of the couÌsell at Tret 196 The Scottes taken at Solymosse eod The king of scottes dieth eod The Duke of Saxon and Lantzgraue refuse the iudgment of the chaÌber 197 The duke of Cleaue recouereth Dure 197 The kinges oration to them of Rochell eodem The Clemency of king Fraunce eod The assembly of
Nurremberge eodeÌ The treatye of Norunberge 198 The Turkes increase by the losse of Christians 198 The decree of Norunberge 199 The duke of cleaue refuseth truce eod The death of the bishop of Auspurge eo The duke of Sauoye frend to thep 200 The death and prayse of William Bellay 200 The prayse of Clement Marot 201 The Archbishop of Collon calleth a coÌuocation eodem The Bishops boke of reformatioÌ eod The protestauÌtes ambassadour to theÌperor 203 Themperors viage against the duke of Cleaue eodem They of Hyldesseme are accused to the Emperour eodem The Popes to the clergie of Collon eod The French king fortifieth landersey 204 The Turkes nauie arriueth in the. eo The Castell of Nice besieged eodem Two cities full of Relicques eodem The duke of Cleaue craueth pardoÌ 205 The duke condicions to him imp eod The doughter of Nauarris sent to 205 The preachers of the gospell thrust eod The siege is leued at Nice eodem The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to king Edward eodem The duke of Cleaue renounceth yâ 206 The departure of the French men 206 Three Eclipses of the moone eod The causes of the Turkes prospe 207 The protestaÌtes oratioÌ to the emp. eo The duke of Brunswick accuseth eod The French ambassador to the asse eod The French herauât euill receyued 208 The ambassadors retorne by night eo The Popes aunswer eodem The meane to heale the comon eodeÌ The Princes letters to the swisses 209 The protestantes accuseth duke of eod The tenure of his letters eodem The duke of Brunswicke contemneth his owne religion eodem The French victory at Carignaue 210 The duke of sanoye accuseth the. eod The swisses aunswer the Princes eod The English Nauie inuadeth scot eod The oration of the French ambas 211 The duke of Saxon is set through 211 The states of thempire decree a ãâ¦ã 212 Themperours genâelnes to the lantz 212 The Duchye of Brunsewicke com 212 Thamperours Iorny into fraunce 212 The king besieged Bollognie 213 The death of the Prince Orenge 213 The feare slight of the Parisians 213 The conditions of the peace 214 The towne of Pery was burnt 214 Three most mighty enimies of FrauÌce that is themperour the Germaynes and the kyng of England 214 The enemies of the Romish church 215 The pope cannot abide no super eod TheÌperour is the popes eldest sonne eo The creation of Cardinalles eodem The Clergie of Collon to the arch 216 The clergie appeale âo the pope 216 The articles of Lonaine 217 The protestauntes make aunswer 218 The counsell trent vnlawfull eodem The deuise of the popish princes eodeÌ Their be in the FreÌch prouince a people called valdois 219 The Cardinall of fournon 219 The Meridolâns flie into the woodes 219 The Swisses intreate for the valdois 220 The confession of the valdois doctrine 221 The death of Lewis duke of bauier eo TheÌperours ambassadour to the king of Poole eodem The kinges answer to theÌperour eod The wilde Beast 222 The ignorance of Grimian eodem The death of Fraunces Duke of Loraine eodem The birth of Charles sonne to kynge Philip. 223 The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth mony of the French king 223 Themperours taketh truce with the Turke eodem The clergie and vniuersitie of Collon agaynst theyr Archebishop eodem Themperour citeth the Archbish eod The decree of Auspurg 224 The warre of Fraunce EnglaÌd eod The protestantes sende Ambassadours into Fraunce and England eod The death of the duke of OrelauÌce eo The armie of the duke of brunswick eo The lantz goeth against him eodem The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswicke 225 The death of the Cardinal of Mentz 226 The Lantzgraues letters to theÌp eod Themperour to the Lantzgraues eod The Palsegraue ordeneth ministers in his Churches 227 The protestantes accused of conspi 228 The laÌtzgraues letters to Nauius 229 The colloquie of the learned menne at Regenspurg 229 The colloquie dissolued 230 The popes Legates in the counsell of Trent eodem The beginning of the Counsell 231 The warning of Esoras Nehem. 231 The seconde session of the Synode 231 The quiet departure of Luther 232 The inuincible constaunce of Luth. 232 The victory conquest of the word 233 The traytorous minde of AlphoÌse 234 The murtherer killeth Daze 235 TheÌperours letter for a paracide eod Themperour visiteth the Lantzgraues doughter eodem The Lantzgraue cometh to themp eo The Lantzgraue spake vnto theÌp 236 The boke of reformatioÌ at Collon 236 The archbushoppe of Collon is accouÌted vnlearned 237 The diuines are stubburne and ob 238 Themperour ought to couÌsell the pope to his dutie 239 The ende of the Scripture eodem The best thinges please fewest eod The minde of the Paulsgraue eodem The Lantzgraue is arbittor betwixt the duke of Saxon duke moris eod Themperour thaÌketh lantzgraue eod The thirde sessioÌ in the Sinode at 240 The popes letters to the Bushoppe of Sedune Chur certaine Abb. eod The Archbushoppe of Collon excomunicated by the pope eodem TheÌperour cometh to Reuspurg 241 The murther of Diaze vnpunished 241 The brute of warre against the prot eo The falshode of Marques Albert and Iohn Brandenburge eodem The Lantzgraue is circumspect eod Themperours letters to the Cities of the protestauntes 242 Themperours Crafte eodem The oration of the Frenche Amb. 243 The French kinges request 243 The pope tiraunt 244 The clergie abused the church goods eo The good will of the protestauÌts eod Themperour had secrete talke with duke Moris 245 Themperours ambassadour to ye. eod The cities of wirteÌberg put on ar eod The oratioÌ of Balthazar to the sold eod The protestauntes letters to the Uenetians 246 The Churche goodes in Spaine to be imployde 246 The cardinal Scotlande slaine 246 The teares of the Crocodile 247 The pope attempteth the matter 247 The Paulsgraue axeth the cause of 247 The Paulsgraue seketh to recoÌsile the protestaunte to themperours 248 The duke of SaxoÌ letters to theÌp eod Themperour periured eodem The authors of this warre eodem Themperours letters to the Archebusshoppe of Cellon 248 Themperours policie 249 The Cardinal of Auspurg the fire braÌd of this warre 249 The Iudges of the Chamber bee Papistes 250 The league betwixte the three houses Saxon Brandenburg and Hesse 250 Thintent of the Papistes 251 The Popes bull agaynste the Protestauntes 251 The diligence of the Protestantes in leuyng theyr armye 251 The Lantzgraue sente his sonne to Strausburge 251 The fyrste enterprise to the Protestauntes 251 The Castell of Erenburge 251 Themperoures power 252 The Duke of Saxon Lantzgraue are out lawed by Themperoure 252 The popes letters to the Swysses 257 The pope bringeth themperour into hatred 254 The nuÌber of the fathers at trent 254 The king of Swetia receiueth the. 254 TheÌperours letters to dukemoris 254 The protestauntes letters to the Duke of Bauer 255 The Swysses auÌswer to the Prote 255 The death of Diazius vnpunished 256 The Protestantes proclaime
Who were outlawed by the Emperour 320 Who impugned the Interim 322 Uergecius vanquished with the truth 328 Uergecius repaireth to Mantua and is put out of the Counsell 329 Uergecius Preacheth the Gospell in Rhetia eodem What thynges offende many 353 Why the Clergie forsake the citee 356 Wonders in Saxonie 360 Wilie begiled 379 Warre in Italie 48 Winchester made Chaunceler 425 Warres renued betwixte the Duke of Brunswick marques Albert. 426 Uercelles surprised 429 Wiat taken and committed to pri 431 Uulpian victualed 452 Uulpian taken raced by the Frenche kyng 453 Whether peace should be giuen to the religion or no. 455 Unconstancie of Clement 53 Uictorie of themperialles eodem Winnyng of Munster 136 Warres of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoy 137 Uenecians league with the Emperour 138 Uenecians Ambassadour to the Turk 169 FINIS â Imprinted at London by Ihon Daie for Nicholas Englande M D. LX. The. 26. daie of September Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luthers letter to the B. of Mentz B. of MaydeÌburgs charge Luthers 95 questions at Wittenberge Luthers exception The B. of Mentz clence Ihon Tecell ft. do concl at frankford Luters letters to Pope Leo. Duke Fredericks wisdom Echins booke against Luth. Siluester priers dialogue Silue priers Themes Luth. answer to Sil. priers Scriptur and choldewriters only to be also wed Iudulgences to be vsed after the Canon lawe The CiuiliaÌs vse of citing Silut prier seconde aunswer to Luth. Thomas of Aquine Albertus magnus scollar Thomas of Aquine a salt Thomas of Aquin geueth authoritie to the Pope 1274. Thom. of Aq. died Luth. seconde answer to Siluester prier Rome the seat of Antechrist Grece and Bohemes happines Lut. his forsakiÌg of Rome The caus whâ the By. of Rome is extold Princes of necessitie must reforme Ro. The bishop of Rome bounde as other to Gods commaundement Iames Hogestrate wrote against Luther Thassembly at Ausputge by Maximilian The treaty of warre against the Turke Albert archb of Mentz mabe Cardinall The cause of his Cardinalship Maximilians lettre to Pope Leo coÌcerning Luther Luther is cited to Rome The Popes letters to the duke of SaxoÌ The Popes letters to Gabriel veneius The vniuersitie of Wittenberg writeth for Luther Luther is called to Auspurg His conferens with Cardinal Caietane Luther appeleth The welspring of Pardons The pope vnder the Coun. Gerson of Paris Pope Iohn is deposed Caietan writeth to the duke of Saxonie The dukes letters to the Cardinall The Uniuersitie of Wittenberge writeth for Lut. New pardoÌn Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsell The Pope sendeth a golden Rose to the duke of Saxonie The death of Maximilian The swisses banquished Kinges of Naples paye tribute to Rome An oration of the Archebyshop of MeÌiz The oration of the Archbi of Treuers Fraunce and Germani wer ãâ¦ã ted Themperour Raffe The duke of Saxo. refuseth to be Emperour Charles is declared Emperour Friderick the Paulsgraue sent into Spaine 1500 The byrth of the Emperor The manes of chosing âhe Emperour Erasmus iudgement of Luther The disputatis at Lypsia 1520 Luters letters to the Pope The court of Rome is vnturable Conditions propounded by Luther Flatterats must be eschewed The part of a true frende Luth. boke to the duke of Saronie Confession of synnes The supper vnder bothe kindes The wishe of Pope Pius The counsell of Latherane The counsel of Pisa The Popes Shifie Fraunce is offered to the spoile At Rome they doubt of the immortalitie of the Soule Luth. Bookes condemned at Louaine Capnio Rewcline Ockam Picus mirandula Lawrence Ualla Aristotle WilliaÌ OckaÌ The story of Reuchliue Hebrew bokes of thre sortes Luthers letters to the emperor Luth. letters to the archbishop of MeÌtz His annswere to Luther How scripture must be hadled Luth. letters to the Bish oy Merseburge His aunswers to Luther The pope curseth Luther The Bulle of Leo. The decree of Pius Iuliê° Aeneas Siluius Honors chaÌge maners Luth. impugneth the popes censure Luth. booke of the captiuitie of Babilou Thre Sacrases Which are properly called Sacrament The maner of the CoronatioÌ Themperor calleth a couÌsel imperial The Pope was subiecte to themperor The lawe of Clement The courte of Rome in Fraunce The duke of Saro incensed againste Luther The answer of duke Friderike Luthers bokes are brââ Luther burneth the Canon laws Booke burners Catarinus writeth against Lut. The Emperour sent for Luther to Wormes The Empe. writeth to Luther The Bul of cursyng The constaÌcie of Luth. Lut. coÌmeth to Wormes Eckius to Luther Lu. pleadeth his cause before themperour and the whole Empire Iohn .xviii. Pope Cost sell may erre Treuers other Princes threateneth Luther Luthers answer to the Princes The offenca of Faith and maners Actes .v. Luth. sent awaye scom Wormes Iohn Wiclâffe an Englishe man Iohn Husse a Bohemer Husse appealeth from the Pope The CouÌsel of CoÌstauÌce Iohn Husse Hierome of Praga burned Thre Popes deposed The Diuines of Paris condempne Luth. bokes Thauthoritie of the Diuines of Paris The Swysses make a league wyth the Frenche kynge Thirtene townes of Swysses The libertie of the Swysses Luib is ontlawed by the Emperour Luth. is conuetghed out of daunger Sunday bokes of Luth. Of themasse to be abolisshed The best thiges please fewest men Henry kyng of Englande writeth against Luth. Themperor hath warre with FrauÌce The death of Leo the .x. Adrian succedeth Leo. The Turke taketh Belgrade Commotfôs in Spaine The lady Mart assured to theÌperor Who is author of single life Lut. rotaurneth to Wittenberge Luther foreseeth the teni pest coÌmyng Luther writeth to the Bohemers Many sectes in the popish kingdome Three sectes of the Bohemers Lu. writeth againste the Bishoppes Adrian writeth to the duke of Sa. Reucline dieth The Pope writeth letters to at the princes of Germany 1. Corin. ãâã Luthers Frere The warre of Treuers The Popes letters to Strasburge The stocke of Aorian Dissention betwixt Leo and his Cardinals A disputatioÌ at Zuricke The questions of Zuinglius The request of Adrian to dispatch Lu. Luth. compared with Bahomet Iniquitie procedeth froÌ the Priestes The synne of Rome spred ouer al the worlde Lut. expoundeth the Popes saiynge The meane to let couÌsels The answer of the prices Why Luth. was not punished The maner of a free couÌsell An alteratiû in Denmark The king of Denmarke flecth Cornelles Scepper The beginnyng of the first fruictes and tenthes A Romishe Palle Two freres brent at Brusels The Ceremonies of disgratyng Luth. interpreteth the ãâã of the Princes The Bible to be preferred before all others Lut. wrot to the Senate of Prage Luther wrot of eschewing the doctrine of men The death workes of Hutten The king of Englande writeth to the princes of Saxonie The answer of duke George Adrian the Pope dyeth Clement succedeth Zuinglius is broughtin hatred The eatyng of Fleshe A new disputatioÌ at Zu Priestes maried wiues Pope ClemeÌt sendeth Campegius to duke Fri. A decree of the Suyses
spake with Luther The answer of the Prot. Crueltie is vnsemely in churchmen Their craft is spied The Empe. may order counsels Pepes concempned of Heresy The oration of the FreÌch Ambassad Folysh pitie marreth a citie Of Fraunce and Germany one ofspring The iudges of the chamber trouble that ProtestaÌtes The Emp. letters The answer of the Protestauntes to the Frenche Ambassad The duty of Princes The kinges opinion of matters in controuersie The commoÌplaces of Malancthon The masse mainteineth purgatory Monasticall voues Paphnutius The Lordes suppervnder both kyndes The kynges of Fraunce and Nauane ercommunicated The protest would make no league with the kyng the oratioÌ of byshop Fore Ambassa for the kynge of Englande The alteration of Religion in Englande The state of the churche troublesome The rage of Antichrist The protest league is renewed The Erle of Nassowe The Gospel receiued at Auspurge Munster a citie of Westophalia The original of Anabaptistes their doctrie and maners Rotman a Preacher The papists coÌ sesse their ignoraunce The papists forsake the citie Frederick forsaketh the byshoprike They of muÌster oppresse the papistes Condicious of peace Iohn LeidaÌ an Anabap. Herman Stapred The Anab. banished the citie Rotman became an Anabaptist The constaÌcie of Fabritius Peter Wirtemie A Prophet inspired Eiuile war in the citie Cnipperdolyng Iohn Matthewe the high prophet Maydens do prophecie Iestyng pânyshed The prophet inspired with ãâã Cnipperdoling prophecieth From the horse to the Asse The diuisioÌ of Germany into prouice The salshod of Leidane Twelue iudges The Paradoxes of iohn Leiden Sedition in the citie Iohn LeidaÌ inuadeth the kingdome A new king of Anabap. His pompe the madnes of Cnipper The boke of restitution Who wrote against theÌ A supper The Apost of Munster The kinges murther The preachers of MuÌster They be racked Their obstiuacie The Kynge taketh hede to hym selfe the errours and mischief of Anabap. A booke of that miââries of scripture The diuisioÌ of the world This preseÌt age cumpared to Esaw The kynge beheaded the Quene A blynd asse Luthers writig of MuÌst God bridleth the power of Sathan By what meanesmen be disceaued Croked necked cattell The craft of an ignorauÌt Deuyll Gods wrath By what meanes the deuil is vanquished The errours of the Munsterians in fayth In baptisme Of mariage The assemblie at Wormes The citie was required to rendre The coÌplait of the Munsterians Two escaping betraye the citie The wynnyng of MuÌster The kyng is taken Rotman desperate The byshop of Munster demaundeth his charges The kyng his fellowes caried about ãâ¦ã Disputation with the king ãâ¦ã The bolde aunswer of the kyng The cruell death of the kyng The death of quene Katherine The warre of Geneua with the duke of Sauoy The ayde of Bernes The FreÌche king against the Duke of Sauoye The Popes counsel to inuade Sauoy Legions of Souldiours The house of vicecouÌtes The FreÌche kinges title to Millan The Emperous oration against the FreÌche king The Uenetians league with the Emperour The Duke of Florence marieth the Emperours bastarde Luthers constancie Uergerius sent to the Emperour The diuisers of the bâll The king of England is patrone of the Proâ league The english Ambassad wynter at Wittebergâ The kinges letters to the Protestants The king of England requireth a coÌference of lerned men The kinges deuorcemeÌt Receyued in to league The lamentable death of Quene Anne A counsel is called Against the FreÌch kyng The Protestantes send to the Emp. The Empe. letters to the Protestant The Empe. inuadeth the French prouinces Peronne beseged The death of Fraunces the Dolphin A reformation of Collon The death of Erasmus Commotion in Linkcolnshyre Captayne Aske The Pope wyl reforme the court of Rome The king of Scottes maried that FreÌch kinges daughter The Duke of Florence slayne by his cosyn The Swycers sewe to the king for the Gospellers Hesdine rendred Cardinall Poole the Popes Ambassadour to the Frenche kyng A sworde hallowed Pooles boke against king Henry the eyght Cold reasoÌs for the popes supremacie He inceÌseth the Emper. against the king of Englande Poole was vnthankful His hipocrisie falshod A wryting of Auspurg The Prote Ambassad to the Emp. Heldus the Emperours Ambassad His sration at Smalcald The FreÌche practises The iudges of the chaÌber The Dukes aunswere The answer of Heldus The Popes Ambassad The Popes Ambassad vispysed The Popes errours The Popes vnreasonable authoritie Of the place of the couÌsel Athanasius Arrius Liberius The craft of Paule the. Popes haue Emperours in subsectioÌ The counsel of CoÌstasice Iohn Hussâ The Protestaunâes decre for mainteining Ministers Reason why the Protest refuse the Counsel Who ought to be at the counsell The Preachers of the Gospel haue brought godly workes to lyght It is false that they styre vp ãâã heresies Byshoppes styre vp prices False doctrine is not to be borne with Why the innocentes be in perill Thaâthoritie of iudgement is in the churche The Pope is accused of Idolatry Heresye Like lippes like lettuse The craft of the Pope Thosspring of C ãâ¦ã The Counsell of Mill ãâ¦ã broken of The Potest letters to the FreÌch king The queene of Scottes dieth The king of England re suseth the Counsell A proper saying of Cipriane TeroweÌ beseged invain Ferdinando his armie destroyed The birth of kiÌg Edward the sixt The Pope hateth the kyng Rebellion in Gelderland Pope Paule euil reported The Pope entended to make Erasmus Cardinall The Pope hath a double office Wherof ãâã meth the coÌtempt of the Clergie Who ought to be made Bishoppes Unlawefull to geue benefices by legacye A pristes son may not inioy his fathers benefice Why Cardinals were fyrst made Aâarice and concupisceÌce let counsels Many filthy actes of Monkes The cowle maketh not the Monke Simony reigneth in the churche Harlottes honoured at Rome Presidentes of the couÌsel 1538 The Cardi ⪠of Capua caÌ abide no reformation The Colloquie of Erasmus MomoraÌciâ made constable of Fraâ Christiane kinge of DeÌmarke receiueth the gospell The Duke of Pruse is outlawed A gentlemaÌ of Tolouse burnt at Paris Themperor the frenche king and the pope meets at Nice Andrâw de Aurie The meting ofthemperor the kynge The FreÌche kinge kissed the Popes right foote The Bishop of Liege made his graue yet liuing English Bibles were printed at Paris The ignoraunce of the people is gainefull to priestes A colledge erected at Strausâ Iohn Caluin Peter Brulie Thomas Becket Newes of the Turkes approche The Marquses of ãâ¦ã denburge of the Protestantes Religion The lady Elizabeth sister to the Lantgraue is receiued in to the league of Protest The fecte of AntinomiaÌs Iohn Isleby A lege of the Papistes against the ProtestaÌtes The citie of Mynden ouâ lawed The Duke of Brunswick desyrous of war The Lantgraue intercepteth the Dukes letters 1539. Inuectiues vnmete for Princes The death of Iohn Duke of Cleaue The Duke of Saxony woulde not geue to Ferdinando the title of kyng of Romains The FreÌcha kyng geueth touÌsel to
the Duke of wittemberge The Duke of Saxon the Lantgr write to the FreÌch kyng Duke George of Saxon âirth Ambassadours sent to his brother Henry The Can ãâ¦ã coÌmonly called of the Apostles are false A Freers were maketh the deuyll afrayd Langelius Oration against the Lutherians The syr Articles The Lady Anne of Cleaue Barbarouse taketh Castel newes Rebellienat Gaunte The Emperour passeth throughe Fraunce 1540. The Emperour entreth into Paris The Emperours and FreÌch kings Ambassade to the Uenetians The Uenetians Ambassador to the Turke The secrets of the senate vttered to the Turke The trators executed Themp. arriueth in Flaunders The Prote wryte to the FreÌche king An assembly at Smalcald Latimer Shaxton The Lorde Cromwell A wrytinge exhibited by the diuines The Emp. aunswer to the Protest Hatred betwixt counsellers The false perswasioÌ of the Emper. The answer of the Prot. to GraÌuellaÌ A confutatis of the six Articles Great execution done at Gaunt The Emp. letters to the ProotestaÌt The answer of the Prot. to the Emp. letters An oratieÌ or a yeuÌg Cardinall The Prote ãâã to Turkes A priuy hatred of that freÌche kynge against the Emperour The Duke of Cleaue ioyned with the Frenche kynge The Pope warreth vpoÌ the PerusiaÌs The Lorde Crumwell beheaded The kynge marieth Katherine Hawarde The Duke of BruÌswik accused the Protestaun The assemble of Hagenawe Preachyngs forbydden FerdinaÌdos request The decree of Hagenaw The death of Iohn Uayuode king of Hungary Fyres in Saxony Doctor Bernes burnt in Smithfielde Thre Prot. burnt and thre Papistes hanged all at one tyme. The death of Budey An erceadig hote soÌmer Nauius hath the place of Heldus The oratioÌ of Granvellan at Wor. The euils that coÌmeth of the discention in Religion The Turke receiueth the infant of Uayuode Lascus committed to prised The papists seke delayes A disputation betwixte Eekius and Melancton The oratioÌ of Uergerivs The admiral of frauÌce condemned A greate assemble at RegeÌspurg Luthers boke agaist the Duke of Brunswick Why the Protest desyre a counsell Themperor Gods client What moued Luth. to writ against the papistes The blasphemie of frere Tecell A most costly stole or palle A meane to get money by pardons Luther is cursed of the Pope A wolleÌ halter to strangle the pope The maner of makynge this Palle Complaints of pillage These Fyeres were set on by the duke of BruÌswike The treatie of Regenspurge The chosen by themp The rashnes of Eckius A boke presented to the Collocutours The conteÌts of the boke The Protestantes letters to the FreÌch king for suche as wer persecuted for the gospell The Duke of Cleaue goeth priuely into Fraunce The Duke marieth the daughter of Nauarre The Admirall restored The constable put out of the courte The colloquie of lerned men at Regtnspurg The worse parte ouer cometh by the nomber of voyces Meanes to restore thecclesiasticall function Simons must be takeÌ awaye The popes Legate The diligence of the protestantes iu teaching of children The diuines of the Prote aunwer to that Popeslegate The princes electours answer Themperour The answer of the popish princes The bishops are inioyned to reforme their church The presumtuousnes of Eckius The protestantes confute his letters and reasons The Emperours priuat wrytiug for the Protestantes The Emperours complaynte of the Duke of Cleaue The princes make intercession for the Duke of Cleaue The oratioÌ of the FreÌch Ambassador The FreÌche ambassadors intercepted by thimperiall Langens letters to Alphonse George of Austriche apprehended at Lyons Ferdinando besegeth Buda His armie discomfited The Emperours torney into Barbarie A great tempest distroyed hys ships Syr Henry Kneuet The plage in Germani by the Rhine Ioye in Fraunce at temperours losse The nobilitie of Austrich put vp a supplication for the Gospell Kingdoms distroyed for âdolatry The plages that god seÌt to Austriche and Germany The Turke is the scurge of God God offereth his word before he plageth The chiefe article of doctrine is iustification Ferdinando desfateth the request of his uobles The nobles resterut their ââte Strife about the bisshop ricke of NuÌ burge 1542. An assemble at Spires Gropper coÌmended Bucer The king of EnglaÌd maried the syxte wyfe Theioration of the freÌche ambessrdour PerswasioÌs to warre against the Turke The policie of the Romaines in establishing their empire The concord of England Howe the Turkes acheued their empyre GwelphiaÌs Wibellines The opinion of the Popes Ambassad The Pope suspecteth Germany A soden fear in the FreÌch courte An Army agaynste the Turke Contention betwixte the elector of saxon Duke Moris Luthers oretion for the field The Pope ââpared with that Turke Two mighty Tyrantes Any pleasant lyfe is not to be loked for The Turke shal not be of such force as were the Romaines The last act of that Turke A cousolatioÌ of the prysoners with the Turkes The prayer of Luther Of the originall of the Turkes The Markes of Piscare accuseth the FreÌch king The kinges purgation A counsell called at Trente The FreÌche king proclaimeth warre The Duke of Languile and Martin van Rossen invade Brabant Perpigusan beseged The maner to sârche out that LutherinÌs S. Genefeua The articles of the Sorbe nistes Two friers preache the Gospell at Metz. WilliaÌ Farell grashoppers in Germany and Italy The Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue mouewar againste the duke of BruÌswicke who flieth An assembly at Noriberg Ambassadors to the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue Contarene in displesure with that pope cardinalles Hys death The ChauÌcelour of Fraunceput in prison The Palsgraue receyueth the Gospell The Empe. aunswered the Popo The enterprises of Fregose Rincon Peace is disceiptful The FreÌche king is accused of ambition Cardinalles sent to maks a peace The Presydentes of the counsell at Trente Dure is taken Warre betwixte England Scotlande The Scotes taken at Solymosse Theyr king dieth The Duke of SaroÌ and the Lantzgraue refuse the iudgmeÌt of the chaumber The Duke of Cleauerecouereth Dure A rebellion at Rochelle 1543. The kynges oratioÌ to theÌ of Rochell The clemeÌcy of king FrauÌces The assemblie of Nurrenberge The treatye of Norinberge A supplication of the protestantes The Turks increase by the losse of christians The decre of Norinberg The Duke of Cleaue refuseth truce The death of the bishop of Auspurg The French kinges aunswer to the Emperours letters Kinges of Fraunce most addicteth the pope The Dukes of Sauoye frend to theÌperoure The death praise of W. Bellay Frances LaÌder coÌmmitted to prison His weknes before the kynge His recantation Depensius driuen to recante The prayse of Clements Marot Psalmes translated by Marot The Archebisshop of Collon calleth a convocation Bucer preacheth at Bomia The bisshops boke of reformatioÌ Melancthon and Pistor come to Collon A booke called Antidagma Gropper forsaketh the Gospell Duke Moris maketh lawes for the ministers of the churche He foundeth three scooles He is beneficiall to the Uniuersitie of Lipsia Lawes agaynst deflowerers of Uirgins adulterers An assemble at Spier
The Pope woulde bye Millan Philip created kynge of Spayne A league of themp the king of England against the Frenche kyng The protest ambassad to themperor Themp. viage againste the Duke of Cleaue They of Hildisseme are accused to the emperour Themperours letters to them of Collon The Popes letters to the clergie of Colion The French king fortifyeth Landersey The turkes Nauie arriueth in the prouince The Castell of Nice beseged Batchelaurs Abooke of Caluine againste the Sorbonistes A booke of the relieques of Sainctes Two Cities full of relicies Afalsereport of the Emperours deathe The Duke of Cleaue craueth pardon of themperoure CondicioÌns to him imposed The daughter of Nauaris sent to the Duke of Cleaue Laundersey beseged The preachers of the gospel thrust oute of metz The sege is leuied at Nice Dissencion in Scotland The yonge Quene of Scottes affiaunced to Kynge Edwarde The king of Denmarke warreth vpoÌ theÌ perialles The duke of Cleaue renounceth the Frenche Leage The departure of the Frenchmen from LaÌdersey Duke moris County willyam forsaketh the Frenchking 1544. Thre eclipses of the moone A great Assemble at Spiere The causes of the turkes prosperitie The French king compared to the Turke The Protestantes oration to themperoure The Duke of Brunsewicke accuseth the Protestauntes The French ambassade to the assemble at Spier The French Herault euil receyued at Spier The ambassadors retorne by nighte The princes letters to the Pope The Popes aunswer The meane to heale the comon welth The princes letters to the Swisses The protestantes accuse the Duke of Brunswicks The tenure of his letters The Duke of Brunsewicke conteÌneth hys owne religion A straunge tale of the saide Duke An Image buryed in the sleâe of Eue. The French victory at Carignane The Duke of Sauoye accuseth the FreÌch king The swysses aunswer the Princes letters Thenglishe Nauie inuadeth scotlaÌd The oration of the FreÌch Ambassadours Holy men haue had leagues with men of a contrarye relygyon The duke of Saxon is set throughe with kynge Ferdinando The French king hateâ of all men for the turks societie The states of thempire decree an aide against the Frenche Kynge A decree for relygion Of the chaÌber Themperoures gentlenes to the Lantzgraue The duchye of Brunsewicke committed to theÌperoure Themperoures Iornoy into Fraunce barbarossue retourneth The deathâ of the Duke of Lorayns The kyngs besegeth Bollogns The deathe of the Prince of Drenge Counte willyam taken prisoner Eperney brunte The feare flyghte of the Parisians Bollon rendred A peace concluded betwixte themperour and Fraunce The condicions of the peace Three moste myghty enemyes of Fraunce The Popes letters to the Emperoure The enemies of the romish church The Pope can abide no superiour Themperoure is the Popes eldest sonne Great princes swe for the Popes fauoure The creatyon of Cardinalies A counsel is called Luthers booke of the Lordes supper The clergie of Collon to the Arche Bisshop They appeale to the Pope and Emperour An Ambassade to the Kynge of Englande Peter brulie 1545. Brulie burnte at Tourney Hys examination A conuentioÌ of diuines at mellon The Articles of Lovayne Luther aunswereth theÌ of Louayne An AsseÌble at wormes The ProtestaÌtes make aunswer The counsel of TreÌt vnlawefull The deuise of the popish Princes Grinian the French ambassadour The Ualdois The cruell sentence at Aygnes Iohn Myners The Cardinal of tournon Miners presidente of Aygwes He leuieth a power agaynste the Ualdois The merindolans flee into the woodes A lamentable departynge A soldioure geueth them warnynge A Captayne defendeth the women A cruell fact of Miners Cabrier yelded A terryble example of crueltye The Swisses intreate for the Ualdois A sharpe aunswer of the kynge The confession of the Ualdois doctryne The deathe of Lewes Duke of Bauier Cardinall Farnesius his coÌming to wormes Themperours Ambassadour to the kyng of Poole The kinges aunswer to themperour The pope most desyrous of war A frere obseruaunte stireth TheÌperoure to warre Luthers boke against the Pope Luthers themes of thre gouernmentes The wylde beaste Luthers picture against the Pope Luther a prophet The ignoraÌce of Grinian The deathe of Fraunces Duke of Lorayne The birth of CharlessoÌns to kyng Philyp The Duke of Brunsewicke getteth monye of the FreÌch kynge Themperoure taketh truce with the Turke The clergie and vniuersitie of ColloÌ against their Archebishop Temperourciteth the archebishop The Pope citeth the archebishop of Colon. The decre of Auspurg The frowardenes of the Duke of Brunswick The warrâ of Fraunce England The Protestantes send Ambassadours into FrauÌce and Englande The deathe of the duke of OrleauÌce The armye of the Duke of bruÌswick The Lantzgraue goeth against him Duke Moris intreateth a peace A skirmishe betwirte the Duke the Lantzgraue The vanitie of the Duke of Brunswick A conflicte betwixte the Duke the LaÌtzgraue Duke HeÌry and hys son yelde themselues The deathe of the Cardinall of Mentz CouÌte willyam deliuered The Lantzgraues letters to theÌperoure Themperoure to the LaÌtzgraue A treatie of peate beetwirt frauÌce England 1546. The king of Englande warneth the Protestants of the daunger The Palsegraue ordeineth ministers in hys Churches A brute of war against the Protestantes Granuellan his aunswer to the Lantzgraue Sebastian Scherteline The Protestantes accused of conspiracie The Lantzgraues letters to Nauius The coll ãâ¦ã quie of the learned meÌ at RegeÌspurg Maluenda treateth of iustification Bucers aunswer Pflugius amonges the Presidentes The colloquie dissolued Ambassadours to theÌperoure for the archebisshop of Collon Gonzage go uernour of Millane The Popes Legates in the counsell of Trente Preachinge Freers A bul of perdonnes The begynnyng of the counsell The oratioÌ of the popes Legates TheÌ was ãâ¦ã g of Esedras and Nehemias A decree of the Sinode redde The seconde session of the Synode Luther chosen arbiter Luther is sicke Whether we shall knowe eche other in the lyfe to come Luthers last prayer The quiet departure of Luther Luthers birthe Luther sent to Rome Luthers eloquence in the Dutche tongue The inuincible constaÌcie of Luther The victory and conquest of the word Iohn Diaze a Spaniard Diaze goeth to Maluenda Fewe Spaniardes loue the Gospell Marquins excuseth Diaze His brother Alphonse coeth into Germany The traytorous mind of Alphonse Alphonse retourneth to Nuburge to kill his brother The murtherer killeth Diaze Cladius Senaclyus Themperours letters for a paracide TheÌperoure visiteth the Lantzgraue hys daughter The Lantzgraue commeth to theÌperoure The Lantzgraue to theperoure What counsell the Protestantes desyred Freers be disturbers of peace The boke of reformation at Collon The Archebisshop of ColloÌ is accoumpted vnlearned The ignorance of the people for lacke of teachyng A communication of the LaÌtzegraue and others Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng Diuines stubburne obstinate Themperoure ought to compell the Pope to do his dutie The ende of Scripture The beste thinges please sewest The mynde of the Pauls graue What profit hath theÌperoure out of Germany The Lantzgraue is arbiter beetwirte the Dukes of
Strasburg compounde with themperour Conditions offered to the Lantgraue Caspar Phlugius Captaine of the Bohemers armie The Duke of SaxoÌ sendeth an Ambassadour in to Boheme The Bohemers letters to the Morsuians The death of the FreÌch kyng AlteratioÌ in the court of Fraunce King FrauÌces the fauiour of learning His knowledge The notable library of kyng FrauÌces The death of two kinges was happy for the Emperour The ouerthrowe of the Emper. armie The Empe. letters to the states of Boheme Ferdinando to the Bohemers Part of the counsell of Trent flitt to Banonie Two executed at Frankefurte The Lantgraues purgaââon Unreasonable torment isaperillous matter FerdinaÌdos Ambassad to the Bohemers The Empe. iourney against the Duke of Saxon. The Emperours celeritie in ouerta king that Du. The Empe. fighteth a battell with the Duke of Saxon. The Duke taken fighting A perdigieof the Sunne The Duke condempned to lose his head Conditions wherby the Duke redemed his life An assemble of th empyre at Ulmes Kyng Ferdinandos letters to the Bohemers WitteÌberge rendred The buriall of kyng Fraunces Duke Erick discomfited Duke Maurice and the Electour of Brandenb intreate for the Lantgraue Duke Maurice letters to the Lantgraue The Lantgraues sons in lawe WitteÌberge a town of electorship The Scoole fallen there The treatis of Ulmes The Lantgraue commeth to the Emperour at Hale The Lantgraue kneleth to the Emperour The Emperours aunswere The Lantgraue is driuen into the net vnwittingly The Lantgraues captiuitie The noÌber of great gun res takeÌ froÌ the Protst Ebleb dieth for sorowe Ferdinando cometh with his army to Prage The Bohemers subdued by Ferd. Sedition at Naples for that Spanish inquisition The Cardinals of FrauÌce sene to Rome An assemble at Auspurg Duke Maurice intreateth liberally the Diuines of Wittemberge The coronation of the French king and the maner therof The twelue Peres of Fraunce An holy box sent down from heaueÌ you may be sure The king is appaâeled like a deach The Empe ⪠eâacieth money in Germany They of MaydeÌburg outlawed The Emperour moueth the Swisses to a league An armed assemble The churches new halowed Michel Sidonie a great masmonger Peter Alois the Popes sonne slayne Hierome Palauicine A conspiracie against the Popes son The Pope a Negromancier The hatred of the citezens towardes Peter The monstrous lustes of hym The couÌsell of Trent of two partes Muskelborough field The Protestauntes intised or feared Letters for the Lantgraue to themper The Empe. aunswer to the states Toe conditions wherby the Lantgraue submitted hymselfe The answer of Du. Maurice and the Marques The Emperour requireth the wâitinges of the Lantgraue Peter Martyr goeth in to England A reformation of Religion in Englande The oratioÌ of the Cardinall of TreÌt The OratioÌ of the bishop of Rains to the Pope The FreÌche king contendeth with the Emperour for eldership The Popes letters to his Legate The pope to Mendoza the Emperours Ambassad 1548. The Popes letters to the Byshops of Germany The pope is ignoraunt of all thinges The pope is a watchman The constaÌcie of the Romish church The Emp. Ambassad sent to Boloigne le grasse The Popes Legate to the Emperours Ambassad The Empe. Ambassad to the fathers The malapertnes of the Legate The letters of protestatioÌ from the counsell The Emp. carefulnes for the counsell The Authours of remouing the counsell Mountane striken with a fury The oration of the Kyng of Pols ambassadour The beginning of thorder of knight had in Duchland The victory of King Casimire Albert receyued into the tuitioÌ of the king of Pol. Prusse beloÌgeth to Pole The war of Emperours and kynges of Pole against this order of knightes A disordred order of knightes The OratioÌ of the Marques of Pruse The Originall of this order of knighthode The Duke of Muscouia The Prince of Lituania made king of Pole A composition of peace The people rebell The conditions of peace betwixt the king of polle and the knightes Prusse beloÌgeth to them yere The commotion in Boheme for the doctrine of John Husse The death of Sigismsid king of pole The Popes aunswer to Mendoza The warre finished by the Popes army The Empe. prayses set the Pope a fyre So I will so coÌmaund A counsell called at Trent twise The fathers must be prouided forwel The Pope may be weake negligeÌt The Auctours of the Interim Ihon Isleby a reuolte Bucer is set for The couÌcell of England wryte to the Scottes Ciuille war betwene Englande and Scotland The daughter of Scotlande assiauÌced to that king of England The gouernour of Scotlanda leage breaker How miserable is it for the Quene to mary a straunger It is dauÌger to vse forain aydes The Britanes expulsed by that Saxons The Pictes by that Scots CouÌtryes vnited by maryage Two ways to finish war Uogelsberg appreheÌded His constaÌcy at his death Persecution in Fraunce The ceremonie wherby Duke Maurice was created Elect. The Marques of BraÌdenburge of fended wyth Bucer Bucer is in daunger Muleasses Kinge of Tunnes The coÌtents of the Interim Worckes of superogatioÌ Two sacrifices of Christ after these in terimistes The Interi permitteth Priestes to kepe their wiues stil An euil coÌpiled boke ofte corrected Notes of the Interim bi the Bishoppe of Rome Thelectors dary opinioÌ The craft of tharchbishop of Mentz in a prouing of yâ Interim King FernaÌdo requireth monet of the states Maximilian marieth hys cosen Iohn Mark. of Brand. refuseth the Interim The coÌstaÌce of the Duke of Swebrig Musculus departeth to Bernes The labor perill of BreÌtius The pleannes and god lines of BreÌtius His wife and his childreÌ banished Godlie preachers flee The fearfulnes of that duke of Wyrtemberge The constancy of the duke of Saxonie He that doth agaist his coscience procureth to himself hell fyre Sinne agaist the holy gost The Dukes godly mind Cruelty shewed to D. of Sax. Prisoner Whilest the Masse is set vp in germanye it is put down in englande Thobstinat mind of winchester The Ecclesiastical reformatioÌ of the Emperour The treÌblable misteries of the Masse ExcoÌmunication Menes made that Strausburge shulde receiue thinterim Theyr aunsweare Uyolence is not to be vsed in religion but reasoÌ and truthe No maÌ ought to be coÌpelled to his faith The Emperour wil not discharg hyâ souldioures ãâ¦ã promes ãâ¦ã sawefull counsel repeted Islebi rewarded of themperoure The decre of the Uenetians The wisdoÌe of the Uenetians in matters of religion Who were out lawed by the emperor Daughter of Nauarre maried to the Duke of UaÌdome The story of Lewes Auila of the germains war Who impugned the Interim Robert of AbrinceÌ wrote against thiuterim The godly constancie of the Duke of Saxons children The duke of Saxon beloloued of almen They of CoÌstance wryte to the Emperoure Maximilian warred againste the Swisses The Emperour maketh newe Senatoures He abrogateth fraternities Spanyardes go to coÌstaÌce Constance assalted The Emperor delited in the Frenche tonge The letters of strausburg to the Emperoure Ambrose Blaurer At Strausburge
to warre with hym but the Lantzgraue was of a contrary minde And eyther of them had soothers and vpholders of their saing And at the length thys meane waye was diuised that they shulde call hym as it were he that vsed the place of Themperoure After they consult whither to goe some sayde to Landshut where Themperoure was but when they that were experte in the knowledge of the countrey had shewed them howe they must goe through fennes where the wayes were so narrowe that oftentymes by the space of a myle there coulde goe but one horseman at once alteryng theyr purpose they determine to goe to Regenspurg where Themperoure had leaft a garnison and munition For there was bothe a place commodious to incampe in and if themperoure wolde come to rescowe them that were beseged they myght trye the matter with hym in the playne felde Wherefore remouing theyr Campe they march foreward howebeit verey flowly And in maner aboute the same tyme whyche was at the Ides of August arriued at Landshut the Italians or Bishoppes force which were ryght welcome to Themperoure who beyng aduertised by espiall of the progresse of hys enemyes sente diuers and sondrye messagers exhortynge them to make haste The footemen were teen thousande and fyue hundreth demilaunces Ouer al these had the Bishop made hys nephewe by hys sonne Octauius Farnesius general Under hym serued many noble Captaynes Alexander Uitellius Iohn Baptiste Sabello Ssortia Palauicino Fridericke Sabello Paullus Uitellio Iuly Ursine Alexius Lascaris Hierome of Pise Iohn Mary of Padowaye Niclas Plumbine Niclas Petilian With this power also Cosmus Medices Duke of Florence sente two hundreth horsemeÌ at the conduite of Rafe Balion and Hercules Duke of Farrare a hundreth by AlphoÌso his bastard brother The bishop had ioyned with Octauius the Cardinall hys brother Alexander Farnesius as it were to espie what Themperours doinges were also to be aspurre vnto hym to prycke hym forewarde yf nede required Whan Farnesius departed out of Italy he shulde saye as it is reported that he wolde make suche a slaughter in Germany that hys horse myghte swymme in the bludde of the Lutheranes Not longe after came also the Spaniardes whom themperoure had called out from Naples Millan aboute syxe thousande olde and expert soldiours all Theyrechieftaynes were Philip Lauoye Prince of Sulmone Aluar Sandey Alfonse Uiues Iames Arzie Themperours lieutenaunte was Fernando Toletane Duke of Alba the next place after hym had Iohn Baptiste Castalde The Cardinall of Auspurge was head commissioner for vitayle There serued Themperour also Maximilian of Austriche Emanuell Philiberte sonne to the Duke of Sauoye Ericus Duke of Brunswicke and Philip the sonne of Duke Henry prisoner George Duke of Megelburg George Duke of Brunswicke brother to Henry a man of the Church Friderick Furstemberg and Renard Solmen Erles with diuerse others In the teÌtes of the ProtestaÌtes were Iohn Ernest Duke of Saxon brother to the Prynce Electour and Iohn Fridericke the electour hys sonne Philip Duke of Brunsewicke with hys foure sonnes Ernest Albert Iohn and Wuolfange Fraunces Duke of Luneburge Wuolfang Prynce of Anhalde Christopher Henneberge George Wirtemberge Albert Mansfelde with hys two sonnes Iohn and Uolrate Lewis Oetingen with his sonne of the same name William Furstemberge Christopher Oldenburge Hubert Bichling and Iohn Hedecke Erles all Moreouer Recorde and Rifeberge and eyght Enseignes of Swisses Wherfore whan all these forces were commen together besydes that power which Cosite de Bure brought oute of the lowe countrie the Emperoure remouyng hys Campe marcheth towardes Regenspurge That knowen many beganne to suspect that he wolde into Meyssen and Saronie Wherfore they made Bridges and transported theyr armye ouer the Ryuer of Thonnawe And when they had marched a little waye towardes Norgouia they had intellyngence that Themperoure wente froÌ Regenspurge to Ingolstad Then tournynge againe ouer Rough an vneuen wayes they repare to Dannbius leste Themperour shuld take Nuburg which is thre miles aboue Ingolstad and Donauerd and so shoulde haue the waye open into the lande of Wirtemberge Whan they were comen to Nasielse the nexte daye the Lantzgraue wente foorthe with no greate company of Horsemen to take the vieu of Ingolstad knowyng not that Themperours armye was there For he had hearde only of a fewe Spauiardes that laye therin garrison and them wold he haue prouoked to escarmouche But whylest he marcheth there appere certen horsemen of the Prynces of Sulmone The charge beyng geuen dyuerse were slayne on both partes but yet moe hurte and taken It was knowen by them that were taken that Themperoure wolde encampe the same daye at Ingolstad Thys facte of the Lantzgraue the Electour of Saxon toke displeasauntly and greuousely and yf he doe the lyke hereafter without makinge hym priuie to it he protesteth that he wyll departe After marchynge foorthe a little waye with theyr whole armye in suche order as yf they shulde haue foughte a battell they retyred with theyr soldiours to theyr campe The same nyght followyng when men were in theyr fyrst slepe the Spaniardes enter the campe where Counte Hedecke laye who was appoynted vnder the Duke of Saxon and kyll to the number of an hundreth of hys fotemen and lost dyuerse of their owne men also Wherfore there was a greate vprore throughoute all the campe whych by reason of the darknes was also more encreased The nexte daye whyche was the .xxix. of August certen Centuryons and Captaynes were sente oute to vieu the situation of theyr enemies Campe. Upon whom the horsemen of Italy breakyng out of an Ambushe gaue the charge sodaynely And when many were slaine on cyther syde they retourned agayne without theyr pourpose Wherfore the nexte Mornynge the Lantzgraue accompanyed with a fewe others chosen oute of the whole number goeth foorthe to knowe some certentye and fyndyng a foorde where the Horsemen that were sent oute before hym sayde there was nonue at all he retourneth backe to the Duke of Saxon and sheweth hym howe Horsemen maye passe the Riuer The laste daye therefore of Auguste they were agreed to setfoorthe in the mornynge as soone as daye appered and to take the hygher grounde where in tymes paste stoode the watche Tower of Ingolstad and there to plant certen pieces of Ordenaunce to shoute into they re enemyes Campe to see yf they can perauenture prouoke Themperoure to battell When it was far foorthe nyght the Duke of Saxon aduertysed the Lantzgraue twyse at sondrye tymes that Themperoure was departed and how hys Campe smoked But he geuynge no credite to that reporte sente foorthe Whilliam Schacht with fyue bandes of hys owne Hersemen to kepe the foorde and to make Brydges for the Munition and footemen shortly after followeth he with hys whole power and Munition in greate haste When he was commen to the watersyde Schachte shewed hym howe Themperoure was not remoued oute of hys place When he had sente the Duke of Saxon intellygence hereof he marcheth to
wanted nothynge to hyghe felicitie and we myght than establyshe a moste florishyng Monarchie But if thys waye moue you nothynge at the leste wyse let the calamitie lately receyued and the mysery nowe hanging ouer your headdes perswade you Let the feare of Goddes vengeaunce also moue you For God is the reuenger of faith and conuenauntes brokeÌ and detesteth al desire of warre and plageth the same with greuous punishementes We desire your Quene as is conuenaunted and the waye of peace whiche God of his infinitie goodnes hath shewed the same we followe and wyshe that you also wold walke in the same steppes And if we can obtain nothing we protest that of necessitie we must attempt warre through Gods conduite whose worde and voice you contemne we wyll prosecute our right with sword fire Wherfore if there he any good men amoÌgst you which are sory for the calamitie of their countrey whiche thinke that faith and promyse is to be kepte and obserued they may come vnto vs safely whosoeuer they be we shall shewe them all loue and fauour That the trafficke also of marchauÌdise may frely be vsed amongst vs the kyng hath lately prouided set forth by proclamation to the intent there might be a token of his beneuolence towardes you And if he shall perceiue this benefite to be wel imployed he intendeth to bestowe vpon you greater hath coÌmaunded all these thinges to be signified to you in his name In the former boke I shewed you of Sebastian Uogelsberg which brought the French kyng out of Germany ten enseignes of fotemeÌ Who in Autumne retourned home and discharged his bandes For that he serued the Frenche kyng the Emperour toke it greuously displeasauÌtly and seking an occasion he commaunded Lazarus Schuendie to se if he could apprehende him Who commyng to Wisseburg where he had a hous toke him and brought him to Ausburge Streight waies was he put vpon the Racke and examined by torture of diuerse others that were had in suspicion before as though they fauoured the Frenche partie And although that through a valeaunt stoutnes both of body and mynde he vttered nothing for all the tourment yet for that he was reported to haue bene in societie with rebelles to haue broken the Emperours proclamations and deuised crafty counselles he was condemned to die and two other CeÌturions with him Iames Mantel Wuolf Thomas Wherfore the seueÌth day of February he was brought forth into the marketh place foure days after he came thether There were certen enseignes of fotemen in ar mure and great resort of people Whan he was come into the higher place of executioÌ loking about him with a bold stoute courage for asmuch as the noblemen of all degrees loked out of the wyndowes houses on euery side he saluteth theÌ with great reuerence and speaking of the kinde of his life declareth how he hath heretofore serued the Emperour in his warres sayth the only cause of his death is that that last yere he brought the Frenche king a force of men what time he was crowned at Rains Now was this Uogelsberg of a goodly comely personage and where he shewed no toke at al of any terrour or feare of death he allured all men to beholde him After him were heheaded the CeÌturions before named Two iudges gaue the sentence whiche followe the Emperours court campe alwayes the one Biruiesca a Spaniarde the other a Germane Niclas Zinner both lawyers He had blamed Schuendie as though he had bene circumuented by him But thei setforth a wryting and declare wherfore he was executed excuse Schuendie affirme that he did nothing but the Emperours coÌmaundement and proteste that accusation to be false At this tyme through out Fraunce but chiefly at Paris was burning persecution renewed for Lutheranisme where contrariwyse in Englande they consulted vtterly to abolishe the Popish masse Themperour as I sayd before had geueÌ to Duke Maurice the dignitie of Electourship the greatest part of the Duke of Saxons couÌtrie in the campe before Wittemberge But in this conuentioÌ by a publique solemne ceremonie he putteth him as it were inpossession and receiueth him into the tuition of him of the Empire which thing he had promised him thaÌ This was done the xxiiii day of February which was TheÌperours birth day And that cerimony was after this sorte In the market place was buylded a pauilion of bordes of a great breadth wheruÌto they went vp by steps Thither came themperour about thre of the clock at after none accoÌpanied with the Princes Electours After he goeth froÌ hence into an house by and putteth on his solemne Robes both he the Princes Electours From thence he cometh forth again sitteth down vnder his cloth of estate Likewise do they euery man in his place on the backside ouer themperour vpon a stage were placed the Trompetters Than cometh forth the first band of Duke Maurice runne their horses to themperours pauilion as the maner is In the meane season Duke Maurice with an other band staieth right ouer against them accompanied with a noÌber of Princes next before him were .xii. Trompetters Immediatly issued out of yâ same band HeÌry the duke of BruÌswick WuolfaÌge prince of BipouÌt brother to the elector of Palatine And albert the yoÌg duke of bauer wheÌ thei had coursed their horses to the place before said they alight go vp to theÌ per ãâ¦ã huÌbly require hi that he wold auaÌce duke moris for the commoÌ benefit of thempire to the digniti of electorship Themperor coÌsultiÌg with thelectors maketh answer by tharchbishop of ãâ¦ã eÌtz that he is coÌteÌt so to do in case he wil coÌe hiÌ self demaÌd the same wheÌ he had receiued that answer duke Moris coÌmeth riding forth with the hole troupe before him wer born .x. enseignes with the armes of as many regioÌs wherin he desired to be inuested whaÌ he was come vp before themperor he kneled down vpoÌ his knees desireth yâ same Hoier earl of MaÌsfeld was sent of his brother august to make the like request Wherfor themperor answereth by tharchbishop of meÌtz chaÌceler of thempire Forasmuch as they both haue don hiÌ faithful seruice he wil geue vnto duke Moris his heires males or if none be to his brother Augustus to the heirs of his body thelectorship of saxonie al the laÌds of IhoÌ Friderick so much excepted as is alredy graÌted to his childreÌ Afterward tharchbishop of MeÌtz readeth the oth wherw t thelectors are bouÌdeÌ and whaÌ Duke Moris reciting it after him had sworn themperor deliuereth vnto him the sworde with this ceremony putteth him as it wer into full possession He geueth thaÌkes promiseth al fidelity obeisaÌce After those baÌueÌrs of armes before meÌtioned wheÌ duke Moris had receiued theÌ of themperor wer thrown down amoÌgs the people as is accustomed al these things might Duke IhoÌ Friderick behold
out of the house where he lodged did so wtout fail for it was in the same market place Bucer who was seÌt for to Auspurge came at the last to thelector of BraÌdeÌburge And now was the boke finished which I shewed you before was coÌpiled of religioÌ which the marques deliuereth to Bucer desireth him to subscribe WheÌ he had red it ouer for that he saw the bishop of Romes doctrine therein established he said he could not allow the same Thelector toke this displesaÌtly was much of feÌded with him iudged the wryting moderat for so had Islebie perswaded hiÌ GranuellaÌ also vrged Bucer by messeÌgers if he wold subscribe promised hiÌ ample rewards wheÌ he might not preuail by large promises he begaÌ to threateÌ him so he returned home not wtout daÌger sor throughout al the laÌd of Wirtemberge were baÌds of Spaniardes as before is said In the month of Aprill tharchbishop of ColloÌ lately made priest saÌg his first masse as they term it Wherat were themperor king FerdinaÌdo and of other Princes a great noÌbre After he maketh them a moste sumpteous dinner About this time also came to Auspurge Muleasses king of TuÌnes whome the Emperour .xiii. yeres paste had restored to his kingedome and expulsed barbarous as I shewed you in the ninth boke Now had his eldest son put out both his eies vsurped the crown wherfore like a miserable exile he came hither to themperor out of Barbarie And not loÌg after came thither also his secoÌd soÌne The boke coÌpiled of religioÌ treateth first of the state of maÌ before after his fal of our redeÌptioÌ by Christ of charity good works of the coÌfideÌce in the remissiâ of sinnes of the church of vowes of authoriti of the ministers of the church of the high bishop of the sacrameÌts of the sacrifice of the masse of the memorial inuocatioÌ intercessioÌ of saintes of the memorial of such as haue died godly of the coÌmunion to be annexed to the sacrifice of ceremonies vse of sacraments And these things amongs others are taught that those workes which besides the coÌmauÌdemeÌt of god are godly honestly wrought which are coÌmoÌly called the works of superogatioÌ are to be coÌmeÌded yâ maÌ caÌnot wtout distrust of his imbecillity beleue that his sins be forgeueÌ how the church hath autority to interprete the scriptures oute of the same together setforth doctrins power to minister the law to iudge of doutful matters by a general couÌsel to make lawes and that ther is one high bishop which is aboue al yâ residue for the prerogatiue grauÌted to Peter vnto whoÌ the gouernment of the vniuersall church was committed of Christ yet so as other bishops also haue part of the cure euery maÌ in his own church that by coÌfirmatioÌ chrisme is receiued yâ holy gost so that they may resist the deceits of the deuil the flesh the world that the bishop only is minister of this sacrameÌt how the sins must be rehersed to the priest such as come to memory That by satisfactioÌ which coÌsisteth in the frutes of repeÌtaÌce especially through fasting praying almosgeuing are cut of the causes of sinnes temporal punishment ether taken away or mitigated that holy vnctioÌ hath bene in the church since the time of the Apostles that ether it might help the body or the mind it self against the firy darts of the deuil wherfor it must be vsed what time the hour of death apeareth to draw nere how mariage contracted wtout the coÌseÌt of the pareÌts ought to be ratified but yet are the childreÌ to be admonished in sermons that they folow thaduise of their pareÌts how christ at his last supper did institute the sacrameÌt of his body blud first that the same might be receiued of the faithful as the holsom meat of the soul secondli that it might be offred vp in memorial of his death For ther be in al .ii. sacrifices of christ the one blody vpoÌ the crosse thother wherin vnder the form of bread and wine he him self offred vp vnto his father his body blud after deliuered yâ same to his apostles successers to be don in the memorial of him vnto the worlds end by the first was maÌkind reconciled to god the father but through this same that is not blody Christ is represeÌted to his father not that we shuld agaiÌ deserue that remissioÌ of sins but that we might apply vnto our selues yâ recoÌcilemeÌt prepared by the death of Christ and that in this sacrifice wherin we celebrate the death of Christ the morial of saints must be renued that they may make intercessioÌ for vs to god the father help vs by their merits we must also remeÌber the dead coÌmend theÌ to almightye God After this is prescribed that the old ceremonies accustomably vsed in baptisme be stil obserued the xorsisme renouncing coÌfession of the faith Chrisme Moreouer that in the ceremonies of the masse ther be nothing chauÌged that in al towns great churches ther be saide daily .ii. Masses at the least in the country villages one especially on holy daies and that in the canoÌ of the inasse nothing at all be altered and that al the rest be obserued after thold vsage yet if any thing be crept in that may geue occasioÌ to superstitioÌ let it be takeÌ away Let vestments ornaments vessels crosses altars caÌdels images be kept stil as certein monumeÌts let not those ordinari praiers godly singing of Psalmes be abrogated wher they be takeÌ away let theÌ be restored let the obits for the dead be kept after the maner of thold church also sainctes holy daies yea let theÌ be worshipped also vnto whoÌ it is decreed that supplicatioÌ shuld be made The day before Easter Witsontide let the water in the foÌtstone be hallowed after a soleÌne maner let riot be refrained to thintent to stir vp the mind to godly exercises certen daieâ let meÌ fast abstain froÌ flesh finally though it wer to be wished that ther be diuers many ministers of the church fouÌd that would liue chast yet for that many haue wiues euery wher whiche they will not forsake nether can this now be altred without a great tumult therfore must we tary herein for a decre of a generall counsel likewise are we coÌteÌted to bear with theÌ that receiue the Lords supper vnder both kindes yet so as they shal not reproue others that do the contrary For vnder ether kind the body bloud of Christ is conteined wholy After this sort was the boke setforth at the last as after you shal heare but not so peÌned at the beginninge For it was oft corrected the copy that Bucer saw was somwhat purer Wherfore after it had ben tost loÌg much among the states of thempire it was seÌt also to Rome