Byshop had lately appointed at Mantua And for as muche as the Emperour had oftentymes promysed them a free counsell in Germany and especially in the peace concluded at Norinberge and what this shall be they can not perceiue by the wryting they desyre hym that he woulde see the matter myght be indifferently heard and vsed In this same moneth the byshop of Rome publysheth an other wryting and sayeth howe in the meane tyme tyll the counsel begynne he wyl refourme the holy citie of Rome the head of all christendome and maistres of doctrine maner and disciplyne and washe it cleane from all spottes and vyce to the intent that his owne house being first well pourged he may after more easely take ordre for the rest and because the nature of man is full of imbecillitie neyther can he do so great a thing alone and also dispatche other affaires of the common wealth therfore hath he chosen certen Cardinalles whome the liuing God hath ioyned to hym as the coadiutours and companions of his cure and of office to be the workers of this necessary and holsome busynes the Cardinall of Ostia Sauseuerine Ginute Simonet and with them thre byshops whome he commaundeth all men to obeye vnder a great penaltie In the moneth of Octobre the Emperour imbarketh him selfe at Genes to sayle into Spayne The Frenche kynge came afterwardes to Paris and on new yeares day gyueth in mariage madame Magdalene his eldest daughter to Iames the fift kynge of Scottes who came into Fraunce in Autumne before And in maner about the same tyme Laurence Medices through treason in the nyght murthered Alexander Medices Duke of Florence of his owne kyndred and familie whan he had allured hym home to his house putting hym in hope to enioye a noble matrone that was his neyghbour who in beautie honest fame farre excelled others Who being slayne the gouernment came vnto Cosmus Medices which after by the Emperours consent married Elenor daughter to Peter Toletane Uiceroy of Naples At the Ides of Ianuary the kyng of Fraunce came in to the court of Parliament at Paris whiche thinge is seldome accustomed And there in a great audiēce he maketh a sore complaint of the Emperour and declared causes why the countries of Flaunders and Artois whiche the Emperour holdeth of the kynges of Fraunce as his elders haue done also ought to be called againe to the patrimony of Fraūce The speaker hereof was Capell the kynges aduocate and he named hym not Emperour but Charles of Austriche In the meane tyme the cities of Zuricke Bernes Basyll and Strausborough make sute to the Frenche king for such as were imprisoned for Religion intreating hym that the exiles myght be restored the kyng graunted partly vnto their requestes but yet accomplished not their desyre Wherfore whan they had receyued their aunswere the foure and twenty of February by Annas Momorantie the Conestable and suspected that the kynge through his impulsion dealt the lesse frendly with them the Ambassadours vsed afterwardes the helpe of the Quene of Nauarre the kinges owne syster a very good ladye and whiche bare a great zeale to the true doctrine In this meane whyle the kyng hauing mustred his men in the beginning of Marche leadyng his army towardes Arras besegeth the towne and strong castell of Hesdine whiche he had rendred to hym within a moneth At the selfe same tyme came to the kynge an Ambassadour from the byshop of Rome Reignalde Poole an Englysh mā borne of the bloud roial lately made Cardinal The cause of his ambassade was thought to be to worke some mischief against the kinge of Englande About the same tyme that the kyng of Scottes maried the Frenche kynges daughter the byshop had sent him for a present a fayre sworde riche well wrought and did exasperate him against the kyng of Englande For the byshoppes are accustomed on Christmas daye at nyght amōges other thinges with certen ceremonies to consecrate as thei terme it a sworde whiche after for an honour and token of beneuolence they geue or sende vnto some man to whome it lyketh them Sixtus the fourth was first authour of this custome as is mentioned in the booke of their ceremonies Afterwardes Cardinall Poole wrote a booke whiche he had intitled a defence for the vnitie of the churche And he addresseth his style and speache vnto king Henry and reprehēdeth him sore that he toke vpon him to be head of his churche for that title to be longe only to the Byshop of Rome whiche is the Uicar of Christe and the successour of Peter whome Christe appointed Prince of the Apostles For he it was only that aunswered how Christe was the sonne of God vpon hym as vpon a Rocke Christe buylded his churche And howe Christe prayeth for his fayth that he being conuerted myght also conuerte his brethren And that Iohn after Christes death did euer obeye Peter And what tyme they made haste bothe to Christes Sepulchre he wold not go in before but gaue him this honour The cure and charge to fede the shepe was committed chiefly to hym of Christ And the nette also ful of fysshe whiche many were not able to hale vp was drawen vpon the shore by Peter alone Than hath he a long discourse of the deathes of the byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore detestinge his crueltie Moreouer howe the kyng had afflicted all the states of his realme And into how muche mysery he had brought a moste floryshynge kyngdome what daunger he stode in of the Emperour for the diuorsement of his Aunt and subuersion of Religion and sheweth hym how he neyther can nor ought to loke for any ayde eyther of his owne subiectes or any other men whiche hath deserued so euyll of the common wealth And tourning his tale to the Emperour with many wordes stireth him vp prouoketh him and prycketh hym forewarde to auenge that notable reproche done vnto his familie and sayeth howe the Turkyshed seede is sowen abroade in Englande and in Germany signifiyng the doctrine that is contrary to the byshop of Rome Finally after many opprobrious wordes and sharpe rebukes he prouoketh hym to regentaunce telleth hym howe there is none other remedy but to retourne agayne to the bosome of the churche whiche ones he defended by setting forth of bookes greatly to his honour This booke printed at Rome bearyng no date was of long tyme kept close and at the last after manye yeares it came to one or two in Germany And he sayeth the cause of his wrytinge therof was for that the kynge had desyred hym to wryte his opinion And albeit that certen learned men in Englande whiche had done the lyke had lost their lyues yet could not he whiche was so muche bounde vnto hym dissemble what his opinion was neyther ought it to be imputed to hym as raylynge or cursed speakynge for he doeth both of his naturall disposition and also by a certen ordre
nūbre 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 distructiō 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 thēperour and the kynge of Englande which can not lengthen theyr lyues one momēt 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 Zutphā was put to death with exceadinge paines and torment for the doctrine of the gospel by thē 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 coūsell 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 thēpire 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 brēt 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 cōmon 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 cōtumelie cā be wrought against the christiā church thā if the reuerēs dew to the highest power should be thus shakē of if Germany which hath bene euer most cōmended for vertu obeidiēce should a lone alter that religiō 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 cōtinewaūce in all Christendō at the craftye perswasion of Luther who endeuoureth with painted words to disceaue abuse mē 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 lōg as he liueth Wherfore let thē obey the decre of Wormes vnlesse they will smart for it defer all matters of religiō till a general coūsell may be had at the Bishop of Rome his appointmēt which are theyr chief magistrats After the selfe same sorte writeth he also priuatly to certein states amōges others to the senate of Strauso And thus was the decre of the next assēblie 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 Cōstable of Fraūce which the yere before partly by his owne accorde partely laboured by themperor fell frō the French king beseged Marselles but in vain Whom departing thence into Italy the kyng foloweth with great expedition and taking many holdes in Lūbardy 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 thēpire which gouerneth the cōmon welth in themperors absence beyng then at Eslinge sent theyr ambassadors appeased certeine cōtrouersies But this broile ceased not as shal be told herafter This was that begining of the greatest most daūgerous cōmotion 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
vertue and as Tullye reporteth of Cesar he maketh all wyse menne a frayde to wryte Some others haue taken in hande the same Argumente and in deede better learned than he but they doo not attayne to that fynes of perfectyon In the tenth booke is mentioned of the Archebisshop of Collon how he coueted to refourme hys churche and allowed not that Synode of hys prouynce notwithstandynge that the booke went foorthe in hys name And after that in the conuention at Regēspurge Bisshops were enioyned bothe by kinge Fernando and also by the Bisshop of Roomes Legate that euery man in hys owne dyocesse shoulde see a godly reformation to bee had he calleth a conuocatyon of hys states whych are the clergye of the cathedrall churche the Erles the Nobilitie and Ambassadours of cities The matter beyng debated they agreed all that so godly and holsome a worke shoulde be taken in hand Therefore he appoynteth certen to conceaue in writyng a draughte of the reformation that shal be and to espye out good men to bee mynisters of the churche Thys wryting he sendeth to the Diuines of Collon and wylleth them to iudge thereof by the Scriptures and to shew theyr opinion but where hys requeste was not sasatisfyed and hauing not conuenyent ministers to instructe the people he sent for Martyn Bucer at Strasburg whō both Iohn Gropper had alwayes commended vnto hym highly and he hymselfe also knewe ryght wel by familyar comunication Who commyng thither the laste yere in Decembre in the begynnyng of thys yere at the commaundemente of the prince beganne to preache at Bomia a Towne vpon the Rhine fyue miles aboue Collō After at the Ides of March the Bisshop calleth a newe assemblie of states at Bomia and requireth that they wolde consulte vpon a godly reformation But where the clergie had assigned no man for this pourpos the rest of the states desyre the Archebishop that according to hys owne iudgemente hee wolde chouse mete men for the thynge Wherfore he committeth thys charge vnto Bucer that he shoulde penne oute the articles of the christian doctrine and to th entent all thynges might the better be donne he intreateth the Prince Electour of Saxonye that he wolde Ioyne vnto hym Melancthon When he was commen and Iohn Pistor frō the Lantzgraue and that the woorke was fynished the Archebishop sent it to the clergie of the head church in Collon whych are all of noble houses and requireth them that they wolde ponder dyligently the doctryne of that booke After at the .xxii. daye of Iuly he calleth an other Synode and exhibited vnto them the booke of reformation requiring them that euery state wold chose certen whyche myght pervse that booke ouer and conferre with hys to th entent some tollerable and godly accorde myghte in fyne bee had But the clergie before sayed vrged this obstiuately that Bucet especially and certen others appoynted of late to instructe the people myghte bee dysplaced After they require a further tyme of delyberation touching the booke and refuse to conferre with the rest He albeit he knewe well enoughe for what pourpose they made thys delaye yet to th ende they should fynd no lacke graunteth them tyme to consulte in And where they spake of remouing of Bucer and hys companions he did not refuse in case any man were able to conuicte them eyther of false doctryne or of euyll lyfe And at sondrye tymes offered them lybertie to trye it beyng ready to exhibite them before any lawefull or indifferent Iudg. Whā the matter therfore stayed here they prepare a contrary booke and in title it Antididagma In the preface of the same booke after a wonderfull raylynge agaynst the Lutheranes they affirme with expresse wordes that they had rather lyue vnder the dominion of the Turkes than vnder a Magistrate that wolde followe and defend that reformation The author and diuisor of this booke as they say was Gropper For he albeit he was very familiar with Bucer two yeres before at Regenspurge Albeit that comyng home from thence he cōmended hym maruelously not only to the Archebisshop but also euerye where to all others albeit he had written him many and that most frendely letters yet whan the matter was brought vnto this poynt he forsoke his frendeship altogether and leauynge hys prince by whom he had all hys preferment he reuolted into the tentes of his aduersaries The same did Barnarde Hagie his Chauncelour which had bothe of them many fatte benefyces The diuines of Collon affailed Bucerfore and rattled hym vp with manye opprobrious wordes But he requyred that the matter might come to disputatiō and protested that he wold defende this doctrine agaynste them in all assemblies In hys defence also Melanethon set forthe a booke at the same tyme and exhortinge them vnto modestie sheweth them what shamefull errours they defende Duke Moris of Saxonye maketh certen lawes at this tyme to be obserued within hys dominiō And fyrst in dede he exhorteth the preachers and ministers of the church to execute theyr office diligently to preache the Gospel sincerely and to shyne before theyr stock with honest examples of lyfe that they exhorte men to prayer and mutuall loue that they rebuke vice sharpelye and sequester desperate persons from the communion of the church by the consent of the Magistrat vntyll they amende And suche as will not thus be refourmed to present vnto the Magistrate Secondly forasmoch as youthe is the store of the Churche and the publicke weale he founded three Grammer Scooles at Misene Merseburge and Porte And in euerye place he fyndeth a certen nombre of Scolars bothe theyr apparell and commons And payeth also yerely stipendes to theyr Scolemasters And to thys vse doeth he applye the reuenewes of the relygious houses wherin Monkes had dwelt and suche others He graunteth that the youthe shal remaine there for the space of sixe yeres of the same lands also he geueth in Augementation to the Uniuersitie of Lipsia two thousand crownes yerely and certen Rasers of wheat Moreouer he forbiddeth beggynge and appoynteth an yerelye somme of monye in certen places to releue poore householders After this for suche as defloure maydes and mary them not he appoynteth thys punishement that albeit they sett them foorthe afterwardes and marye them to others yet shall they be committed to pryson And commaundeth that aduouterers shall dye by the sworde And noble men that marie suche wyues as they haue accompanied with beefore he punnishethe thus that he taketh awaye from theyr children that were borne before the Marriage the possession and profites of suche landes as they holde of him in fee. In the meane time themperoure cōming oute of Spaine arriueth with his Nauie at Genes And the .xxvi. day of May addressyng his letters from thence to the Duke of Saron the Lantzgraue and theyr consortes For as moche as they are alreadye sufficientlye warranted by hys proclamations for publyke peace and that also
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 cōmit to him whose cause chiefly I toke it in hād 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 mē 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 coū 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 strāgle 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 Brū 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 eodē 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 communicatiō 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 Englād 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 〈…〉 ri◠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 ✚ CHE SARÀ SARÀ ⧠✚ 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 cōsolatiō 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 māners 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 wōderful 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 commēded 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 expediēt 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 mē you are most worthely called cōsidering how it shal be neither vnprofitable nor vnnedeful for your honor to vnderstand the state of other realmes and cōmon 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 argumēt conteining the most matters comprised in the same most humbly beseching your honour to accept this simple translatiō dedicated to your good Lord ship and wrytten for the vtility of our common coūtry 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
which I haue gathred vp dilligently of the verity wherof no man nodeth to dout I had also the aid and helpe of a worthye and noble man lames Sturmie who hath ben occupied in publicke and waighty affaires these xxx yeres and mo to his commendation who of his gentlenes shewinge me frendship whan I somtime doubted and sticked fast on the rockes and shelues he as an expert sailer many times brought me again into the right course void of daÌ„gers the most part of the work he red ouer at my request before his sicknesse wherof he died admonished me diligently of suche things as wer nedeful Here is also much mention made of forein matters especially french Englishe And therein haue I also folowed the same ordre and haue put in nothing but that which was tried certenly knowne and the French matters for the most part I my self haue sene in these .ix. yeres that I dwelt ther. For diuers executions and burnings whereof is mention made again many decrees made and actions commenced by the diuines of Paris againste certen ministers of the Church and shortly after articles of religion setforth factions of the court chaunced at the same time whan I was in those parties but warlike matters suche other like affaires I do not omit for that I mighte in no wise do Yet haue I not professed to to treat of them expresly For as I said a little before this laboure was purposed chiefly to the cause of religion Therfore wold I haue the reader warned that whan he shal come vnto such places he loke for no long discourse of those affaires For nether is it mine intent they may read it in other mens works which haue taken in hand to wryte of that part so much as herein shal be wanting An other thing that I said is to be obserued in a history is fidelity or vprightnes that is to wit that nothing be told of affection which although it some very harde because it is of few performed and albeit that perauenture I shall not perswade all men that I haue ben dilligently ware of the same yet I require them instantly that I be not burthened with any suspition before there be cause This worke of mine is wholy compiled as I sayde of publick recordes collected with great dilligence wherof also a great part was setforth in print before partly in the Latin partly in the vulgare some in Italian and some also in French And it hath many orations and demaunds and answers and diuers accusations and consutations also All these thinges I recite plainly simply and truely as euerye thinge was done For neither I adde to any thing of mine own or speak mine own iudgement but leaue that to the reader free neither vse I also any collour of Rhethorick nor wryte any thing in the hatred or fauor of any man I frame my stile only and vse mine own words that the speache may be alwaies like and equal and I bestow eche thing in his place as they followed in ordre In those first yeres Bishop Leo and Adrian spake many thinges bitterly againste Luther from whose wrytinges as I take away nothing so likewise do I adde nothing vnto Luthers answers neyther make I their complainct worsse nor yet his defence better The Bishops that succeded theÌ„ Clement and Paule and this man especially whan Luthers dostrine was now spred abroade farre and neare making digression from his person haue inueyed most spitefully against princes also and cities Here I follow the same ordre and throughout the whole volumne kepe the self same trade Wherfore I beseche the reader that he lay a part all disliking and know firste the matter it self and tender my laboure which hath surely bene very great with theyr good wil and fauor For certenly vnlesse the same causes which moued me to write at the first had not eftsones allured me to procede deuour all tediousnes I had long since forsaken my enterprise when ther appeared so great variety much a do but my stomack strength came to me first because I supposed that the same shuld concern the glory of God who had opened in this our time his omnipotency wonderful counsel And again the comon vtility moued me For euen in Germany few remember the things past forain nations know no certenty at all many mennes mindes disposed to dislikinges thinck farre otherwise of many matters than they ought Furthermore I had a respect to posterity if at the leaste wise my wrytinges may abide light and continuaunce besides this also many things of the like fort are by others put in wryting nether truely nor modestly And ther is one of our natioÌ„ that setforth a boke vi yeres since at Mentz moste full of lies and slaunders trisling rayling wordes And in these last yeares past came forth two tomes at Florence the authour wherof handleth in dede in most larg and ample wise the history of his time but wherso euer he speaketh of Germain matters especially concerning Relegion he bewraieth the disease of his mind For the things be vntrue false and sclaunderous what so euer he wryteth as it may be euidently proued I omit here so manye Orations Epistles Prefaces whiche are setforthe in â—rinte whan they touch these matters they do handle all things not only of hatred and mallice but swarue also most far from the truth For these causes I say I thought good to proceade and not to permit that the ordre of actes done should be vntruely set out ether for this present age or els for the time to come For in this kind of thing what is more vile or les to be suffred thaÌ„ that the same things which shuld make the reader more expert shuld wyth false tales lies be depraued Assuredly the Magistrate ought to foresee that nothyng be done herein licentiously And thys faulte is vsed in oure dayes that verye manye of those wryters seke to pike a thanke and whilest they indâ—uour to please and gratifye one man they deserue euil of many and induce mo into errour Doutlesse I for my part whiche yet I would shuld be spoken without ostentation am so affected herein that if I knew ther wer anye thing in this work vntruely wrytien I my self wold scrape out the same and frankly warn the reader that be should geue no credit to it But I trust assuredly that no vntruthe can be obiected to me For what study paines and dilligence I haue taken these certen yeres that I might know eche thing exactly both manye good men can witnesse and as I trust also the thing it self shall declare Notwithstanding although I comprise those thinges that haue chaunced in thys Emperors gouernement al be it he be yet aliue and hath the gouernment although many thynges mo yet may fortune in his daies yet forsomuch as these former actes do chalenge the first chiefest and greatest part vnto them I wold not that the
Religion that excepte their Bybles all other Bookes shoulde be burned This was in the yere of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundred and ten Reuchline which was both a lawier and right skilful in the Hebrewe tongue when he had receiued the Archbishoppes letters he wrote againe his mynde and said how the Hebrewes bokes were of three sortes there were Histories Bookes of Phisicke and of Prophecies and these laste to also of dyuers sortes in the whiche albeit there were many fonde and supersticiouse thinges yet are they for this purpose profytable for that they will serue well to confute their Errours and their dotages This his opinion he sente to the Archebyshoppe sealed After that Phefercorne knewe this he made not a lytell a doe but set oute a Booke agaynste him callinge hym the fautoure and defendour of the Iewes Reuchline in the defence of his estimation aunswereth him with another by the which he offended certein vniuersities but especially Collen in the which were then of moste reputation Iames Hogostrate and Arnolde Tōgre who wrot an Inuectiue against him in like case as Phefercorne had done dedicating the same to thēperor Maximiliā And after that they wente to the lawe with him before the Archebyshoppe of Mentz and Hogostrate was plaintife whome Reuchline as his ennemy resused And first aunswered the vlatter by attourney and in fine came him self to Mentz accompanied with diuers gentlemen and other learned men whiche Ulriche Duke of wirtemberge had sent with him but after they had soughte meanes to haue quieted the matter and coulde not he appealeth vnto Rome The Bysshoppe of Rome committeth the hearyng therof to George Palatine Bishop of Spires commaunding that no mā els shoulde medle with all This notwithstandyng they of Colon condēned Reuchlines boke and burned it in the moneth of February in the yere M.D.xiiij This did the Bishoppe of Spires take in maruelous euil part And because the Plaintife beynge called at seuerall tymes as the maner is appered not he geueth sentence with Reucline approuynge his Booke to be good and condemneth this Hogostrate in costes and domage But he to the intent to make this sentence frustrate trauayleth to Rome In the meane time his fellowes at home labored and wrot to Paris and to Lewis the Frenche kinge by the mediation of Erarde Marchiaue Byshoppe of Liege who was at the same tyme greate with Lewis the twelfeth Wherofore the Uniuersitie of Paris after longe debatynge of the matter condempned the booke also as worthye to be burnte and the author to be dryuen to recant and those Hebrews bokes to be brent in like maner as they haue bene in times past This was in Auguste followynge The Duke of Wirtemberge had intreated them by his letters And Reucline him selfe wrote vnto them gentely for that he had bene there studiēt and sent them the Copie of the Sentence pronounced by the Bishoppe of Spires but all was in vaine When this Hogostrate had sued at Rome three yeres and could not preuaile he retourneth home againe as he wente For diuers of the Cardinalles vnto whome Leo committed the hearynge of the matter loued Reuchline intierlye for hys excellente learnynge and amonges others Adrianus that wrote a booke of the Latin tounge He was also commended vnto them by Erasmus of Roterodame whose Epistles in hys behalfe do yet remaine Before the menne of Louaine hadde publyshed theyr sentence of Luther they tooke theyr aduise of Adriane Cardinall of Derthuse in Spayne a Hollander borne and brought vp amonges them at Louaine by whome they were boldned to do it Wherefore when Luther had so manye and so greate ennomyes he wrote an Epistle to the newlye created Emperoure Charles the fifte and fyrste crauynge pardone that beinge a manne of so lowe degree he shoulde attempt to write to so highe a Prince he saithe the matter is weightye that causeth him to doe it and altogether suche as appertaineth to the glory of Christ signifying how he had written certaine bokes whiche had procured him the displeasure of manye through no desert of his for he was broughte into this contention by his aduersaries agaiust his wikhe had muche rather haue setten still but this hath bene his chief and only studye that the pure doctrine of the go spell might appere against the false traditions of men and that many good and excellent learned men can beare witnes of the same And this to be the cause of all the hatred disdaine reproches pearils and displesures that he hath bene in these thre yeres that he had done as much as lay in him that the matter might be taken vp But the oftner that he sought quietnes the more were his aduersaries offended and where he hath oftentimes required them to shew him wherin he had erred and to teach better thinges hitherto they haue aunswered in maner nothing but by railing wordes and cruell iniuries sekinge only how to quench both him and the doctrine of the Gospell For the which causes he is now constrained to vse the last remedy and after the ensamples of Athanasius to flie vnto him for succour besechynge him to take vpon him the tuition of the christian doctrine and to defende him againste all violence and iniurie till the matter be further knowen that he will desyre no defence in case he be proued to maynteyne an euill cause but desyreth onely that the thing may be tried and knowen and nothing to be determined before That this apperteineth to his office and for this cause hath he this highe power geuen him of God to minister Iustice and to mainteine right and equitie And to defende the pore and weake agaynst the iniuries of the stronger In like effect he writeth after that to all the states of the Empire reciting in fewe wordes howe vnwillynge he was to fall into this contention howe desyrous he hathe bene to haue it taken vp what conditions he hath offered and yet doeth the same Not longe after he writeth to the Archebishop of Mentz Cardinall with greate submission beynge sory as he saieth that he is complained vpon to him by suche as were wont to praise his doinges But he admonisheth him to gyue no credit to talebearers and to beware of Flatterers by the example of kynge Dauid disceaued by the flatteter Siba that he would set a part all sinistrall suspicion of him and of his workes vntill suche time as he had leasure to reade them him selfe for there were two kindes of men that condemned his writinge one was of them that neuer red them another of suche as read them in dede but with a malicious minde these did depraue his doynges wherin if any man coulde fynde any errour and teache him that were better he woulde be glad to folowe it and hathe oftentymes so protested And for asmuche as he trusted well in his great humanitie and was borne and brought vp in the same prouince that he hath cure of he coulde not but write thus vnto hym The
Rome he woulde haue hys owne oppinion to take place against the iudgement of mē 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 thē 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 coūsell 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 chaūged 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 cōmaundeth 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 thē ioyned he saith are but vare signes therfore thinketh that Penaunce can not be coūted in the numbre of thē if we wil properly exactly
not to enter into any disputation with thee but to treate frēdly 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 thā the obseruation of the lawes And lyke as no cōmō 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 commō 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 commaundemēt 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 mēs mindes consciēces that heauie intollerable burthē of mens traditiōs Moreouer I am ignorāt not how the scripture admonisheth vs to refrain our own affectiōs which thīg 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 cōmaunded 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 iudgemēt 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 Brādenburge 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 conditiō 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 commaūdeth 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
black Freres And he againe affirmed it to be agreable to the Scriptures that he was able to proue the senate of Zuricke called a coÌ„uocation of all the priestes within their Jurisdiction at the .xxix. of January for the controuersie about ReligioÌ„ at what time all men shal be heard there so much as shal be requisite They require also very louingly by theyr letters the Bishop of Constance that either he would come him selfe or sende his deputie Where thefore there came many at the dai appointed amoÌ„ges others Iohn Faber the Bishoppes deputie The Borowmaster speaketh these wordes Forasmuche as great dissention is rysen about Religion therfore this assemblie is called to the inteÌ„t that if any maÌ„ hath ought to say against that doctrine of Zuinglius he may speake the same frely Now had Zuinglius before comprised his doctrine into certein common places and Themes to the nuÌ„bre of .lxvij. and had published the same in all places to the intent men might come to the disputation fournished and prepared And what time the Borowmaster had done speakyng he propouÌ„ded the same againe desyring them to ioyne with hym in disputation There whan Faber had shewed the cause of hys commyng he goeth about to perswade that the place was not mere to decide matters of Religion but that the same apperteineth to a generall counsell whiche he trusted should be shortely But Zuinglius required him to dispute and if he had any thinge to saye not to dissemble the matter he said he would confute his doctrine by writyng After many wordes had betwixt them when neither he nor any other would come forth to dispute the Senate breakynge vp the assemblie commaundeth that throughe out their dominions the traditions of men layde a syde the ghospell should be taught syncerely out of the Bokes of the olde and new Testament ⧠The fourth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fourth Booke POpe Adriane by his Ambassadoure vttereth manye thinges and confesseth the wickednes of Rome The Princes of Germany answere him and propounde conditiond of the counsell An alteration is in Denmarke Christierne the kyng sleeth He speaketh of the impostes ouer Germany of the fyrst fruictes and the tenthes Of the dere Mantel of the Archbishops Of the burning of two Austen Freres Of the decree of Norinberge expounded by Luther and of certeine bokes written by him Of the complaint made of him by the kyng of EnglaÌ„d Adriane dieth Clement succedeth him Trouble in Swysserlande for Ê’ uinglius doctrine at Strasbourgh for the mariage of Priestes At the assemblie of Norinberge Cardinall Campegius came Ambassadour from Clemente who prayeth Duke Friderike to be there After hauinge spoken to the Counsell the princes make him aunswere and replie Troubles arrise in Swiserlande againste them of Ê’ uricke who rendre a reason of theyr doctrine to the Ambassadours sent by the other CaÌ„tons The Byshop of Constance defendeth Images and yet not wythstandyng his wrytyng Images were beaten downe through out al the dominion of Ê’ uricke To the foresaid assemblie of â—orinberge themperor sent his Ambassade They of Strasburgh and their Byshop vtter theyr controuersie to Campegius After the sayde assemblie Kynge Ferdinando and others make a league agaynst the Gospell The warre of the Bowres BEsides the former letters Bishop Adrian had prescribed to his Ambassadour what he should furthermore saye and expressed the same in writing Fyrst that he should accompt before the Princes what a grief it was to him that Luther shoulde styrre vp this trouble and sedition for that the thing concerned the losse of soules and destruction of the flocke committed hym of Christ to kepe secondly that it hath chasised in the same cuntreye where he hymselfe was borne which nation was euer furthest of from all suspecion of Heresye Wherfore he desyreth greatly that they would helpe to remedye the matter so soone as might be lest through longer delaye the same thinge happen vnto Germany as dyd to the lande of Boheme Affyrmyng that he wyll neyther spare cost nor labour herin beseching them that they will euerye man after his power do the lyke there beynge many weightye causes whie they so oughte to do Fyrste for the glory of Gods holy name which throughe this Heresye is chiefly obscured the Rites and Ceremonies of the Churche defaced and in maner quite abolished the loue of oure neighboure vnto whom Charitie bindeth vs to shewe the right waye For Germany which was wont to haue the chiefe prayse for Religion now by reason of this reuolting theyr fame and estimation groweth in contempt and ignomie For where they might easely haue dispatched Luther also quenched his heresies they would not degenerating herin from their auncestours which left a notable example of theyr vertu at CoÌ„stance Is it not a most open wronge that he doeth both to them and also to theyr elders For where as they folowed the Religion of the catholick churche of Rome nowe by his iudgement that condemneth the same Religion they are all damned Let them wey and consyder with them selues what these fellowes do purpose and intende Uerely vnder pretence of the libertie of the Gospel to subuerte and take away al lawes and Magistrates And albeity t Luther semed in the begynning to impugne onely the ecclesiastical power as tyrranical wicked yet is this his intent that after he hath once perswaded that Christians are by no lawes bounden to obeye the Magistrate he maye open the waye vnto all men to worke what mischief they liste And therfore greate daunger hangeth ouer them also Hitherto they do craftely and traiterouslye hyde theyr purpose and flatter the Magistrate to the intent they may frely vtter theyr malice vpon the clergie but when they be oppressed they wyll doubtles atteÌ„pt further For they may see already by experience what grudge hatred tumultes offences this Heresie hath alreadi brought into the common wealth Whiche euyles vnlesse they be suppressed in time it is to be feared lest God who hathe gyuen them the power of the sworde wyll plage this theyr so great negligence bothe with their owne priuate and also with the common destruction of all Germany For Luther differeth not muche from the secte of Mahomet which permitteth men to mary many wiues and after to forsake the same by the whiche policie that mischieuous man bewitched and allured the greatest part of the worlde whiche thing thoughe Luther permitteth not yet doth he aduise all them to mary which haue vowed chastitie gyuing the reignes of lybertie to mans lust and concupiscens that he maye haue the mo of his confyderacie to the vtter destruction of the common wealthe namely of Germany He sayd therfore to be theyr partes to put in execution the decrees of Leo and Cesar to the intent they may auenge Gods glorye auoyde the sklaunder of the countrey and
but no man can shewe it they haue often times required herin the Bishoppe of Constaunce of Basill and of Courtes certeine Uniuersities and them also but vnto this day ther is nothing done Therfore their Ministers gyue none occasion of diffention in the commō wealth but the Bishoppes and suche as for their owne profit teache that which is contrary to Godes worde For they deceiue the people offende God greuously which feare to lose any of theyr commodities and wer loth to forsake theyr pride and auarice As touchyng the eatyng of Egges and Fleshe Albeit it be free and not forbidden by Christ yet haue they made a lawe to auoide offence and rashenes God is the Aucthour of Matrimony and hath ordeined it for almen S. Paule also commaūdeth that the minister of the church should be the husband of one wife And sins that Bishoppes do permit priestes for money to kepe Concubines and Harlots by a filthy example And they neither can nor wyll be without women they thinke it not good to resist God who ordeyned holy wedlocke sufferyng them that haue not the gifte of Chastitie to marrie rather than in singlenes to lyue a fylthy lyfe Colledges and such other places were fyrst founded for the pore but now for the most part they possesse them which haue enough besides And often times it is sene that one hath as much as wold find many Wherfore they think it reasonable that suche goods were againe conuerted to the vse of the poore wherin notwithstandyng to vse this moderation that suche as be in possession already be permitted to enioye the rente during theyr liues leste any man shoulde haue cause to complaine That the Iewels of the Churche apperteine not to the trewe worshipping of God But this to be more acceptable vnto God what time the pore and nedye are releued The order of Priesthode is not of them dispised but muche set by in case they do their dewtie and teach syncerely But as for the rest of the rabble that doeth no good but harme If it be by litell and litel diminished without offence and theyr possessions put to some godly vse there is no doubte but the same woulde be vnto God most acceptable For whether that God do accept their singing and seruice in Latin it is muche to be doubted of For many of them vnderstande not what they say and yet are they hired to do the same The order of Monkes is the inuention of man and not the ordinaunce of God Howe muche Auricular confession is of valewe that numbreth the sinnes they wil leaue vndiscussed but that wherby trewe penitentes haue accesse vnto Christe theyr mediator they iudge not onely profitable but also necessary for consciences troubled and pressed down with the burthen of sinne And this to be trewly to repent when a mā doeth amende his life The Sacraments which were instituted of God are not of them contemned but had in great reuerence notwithstandyng they must be vsed accordyng vnto Gods worde and the Lordes supper not to so applied as if it were an oblation or a sacrifice And if the Clergie that thus complaineth can fynde out any error amonges thē or prone that they be hindred or empeched by thē they will make them amendes if not it were reason that they should be commaunded to do theyr dewtie that is to teache the treuth and to abstaine from sklaūdering of others Where as they desyre to be deliuered from the pillage and vsurped aucthoritie of the Bishoppe of Rome and his clientes they are exceadyng glad to heare it whiche thinge can be done by no meanes better than if Godes worde may be throughly receiued for so longe as theyr lawes and decrees shall take place let vs looke for no deliueraūce For it is onely the preaching of Gods word that shaketh theyr power and dignitie For the force of the Gospell and veritie is suche that they distrusting theyr owne strength seeke forthe aide of kynges Wherefore if they should in this case vse the helpe of Scripture it is requisite that the same be done lyke wise in all other thinges that all that God is offended with may be abolished for the reformation whereof they wyll be glad to bestowe not onely theyr trauaile counsel but their goods also for this would haue bene done longe syns Wherefore they desyre them to accept this in good part and to weighe it diligently They conet nothing more than peace and quiotnesse and will do nothing contrary to theyr league But in this case which concerneth theyr euerlastyng saluation they can not otherwise do vnlesse theyr errour can be detected they desyre them therfore that if they thinke theyr doctrine to be against the Scriptures it maye be shewed them before the ende of Maye For so longe will they tary for an answere from them and frō the Byshoppes and also from the Universitie of Basill In the meane while the Bishoppe of Constaunce calling a conuotion made a boke to answere them of Zuricke the ende wherof was to declare that where the Scripture speaketh againste Images it is to be vnderstand onely of the Idoles that were amonges the Iewes and Gentiles And that the Images receyued of the churche are to be kept styll Then treateth he of the Masse the which he proueth by many testimonies of Bishoppes of Rome and theyr coūsels to be an oblation and a sacrifice This boke sendeth he to Zuricke the fyrst daye of Iune exhortynge the Senate with many weightie wordes that they neither take downe theyr Images nor abrogate the Masse nor suffer the people to be taught otherwise The Senate make the answere the eighteneth day of Auguste howe that they are glad that he hathe setforth this booke for now it shall appere whether partie defendeth the iuster quarell After they declared the mindes of theyr learned menne teaching the contrary by the Scriptures But before they wrote an aunswer the Senate had commaunded throughout theyr incisdiction all Images to betaken downe brent Yet without any trouble this was in the moneth of Iune and within a fewe monethes after the Canons of Zuricke make a compact with the Senate and order was taken how the landes and goods of their Colledge should be imploied The Emperor sent to the Counsel at Norinberge Iohn Hawnart and complainyng that the decree made at Worines by their common assent and counsell was broken to the great losse of Germany he commaunded that from hence forth it should be diligentlye obserued The Princes answer that they wyll do herein what they can Finally the .xviij. of Aprill it was there decreed that by the assent of the Emperour the Bishop of Rome so shortly as might be shoulde all a free counsel in Germanye in some place conueniente That the estates of the Empire do assemble at Spires the xi of Nouember there to consult what they shall folowe vntill the begynninge of the counsell That the Princes shall assigne
All theyr requestes wer euery where a like beginning in Suelāde and passing so vnto others reaching from Thuringe and the borders of Saxonie vnto the toppe of the Alpes and into the coūtrey about Salisburge whither after the rebellion appeased in Frāckonie came also the armye of the Princes confederated and distroied and banished many amōges whom was theyr captein Geismer who passed through the Alpes by streyght passages with a part of his hoste to the Uenetians of whom he had an yerely stipende and dwelled at Padwey wheras after he was slaine by treason And this was th end of the Bowres warre in the whiche were slaine in one sommer at the least fiftie thousande The Princes that were of the confederacie and league of Swelād so oft mentioned werethese Cesar as Prince of Austriche and his brother Fernando tharchbishop of Mentz the Palsegraue the Bishoppe of Salisburge Bamberge Wirciburge Aistet and Auspurge Wylliam and Lewes brethren Dukes of Bauar Otho Henricke Philip brethren Counties Palatine George Marques of Brandēburge and Albert his nephewe Philip the Lantzgraue of Hasse diuers others both of the nobilitie and Clergie Moreouer the most part of all the cities in Sweuia and amōges other Norinberge About the eight day of Aprill the Masse was put downe at Zuricke by the commaundement of the Senate aswell within the citie as without And in stead of that was instituted the Lordes Supper Lykewise all Ceremonies abolished the Doctrine of Godes worde taketh place and a lawe made againste Fornication and adulterie and Iudges appointed to heare the causes of Matrimony ✚ The fyfthe Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common We ale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the fyfth Booke MUncer by his newe doctrine teaching goodes to be had in common inflamed the rage of the people hauinge Phifer to his companion Duke Fredericke departeth the princes assemble against Muncer Who perswading the people to resist is discomsited and after executed Luther had written against him toy e senate of Misshuse the requestes which the wurs made at the beginning are here recited Wherunto Luther answereth sheweth their disordre exhorting the magistrate to destroy such wicked men Themperor vnderstanding these troubles appoynteth a counsel at Auspurge Carolostadius exiled from Wittenberg goeth about to make his purgation Luther marieth a nonne ʒ winglius and he meete at Marseburge to conferre of theyr controuersie of the Lordes supper Whilest the French king was prisoner Pope Clement receiuing letters from the kynges mother solliciteth the parlamente of Paris to make persecusion Faber was constrained to flee wherof the king wing aduertised causeth such suites and actions against learned men to surcease the common welth of Pruse is altered from the Knightes of Germany to a Duke donie and receiueth the Gospell AGreat occasion of this terrible Warre came by rashe lewd preachers wherof Thomas Muncer was principall who leauing of the preaching of the Gospell set forth a new kind of doctrine in Alstet atowne of the Dukes of Saxonye in Thuringe and taughte not only against the byshop of Rome but against Luther also contendinge that bothe their doctrines were vyle and naught the byshop byndeth mens consciences with straight and ouer harde lawes whiche bondes he saide Luther in deede hath lowsed but offended in the contrary parte in geuing ouermuche libertie and not teaching those thinges that are of the spirite The bishops decrees we maye fafely contemne for that they helpe nothynge vnto saluation whiche to obtayne saith he we must first eschewe open crymes as murther adultery blaspheming of gods name the body must be chastened and made leane with fasting simple apparel the coūtenaunce must be framed vnto grauitie speake seldome weare a long beard These such other like thigs he called the crosse the mortifiēg of the flesh a discipline wherw t he that was furnished he said must get him out of cōpany thike oft of god what he is whether he hath any care ouer Whether Christ died for our sakes Whether our religion be better thā the Turkes Moreouer to axe of God a sygne wherby he maye testifie that he careth for vs and that we be in the true Religion And albeit he shew not a token by and by yet must we neuertheles procede praie still yea expostulate and braule with God that he dealeth not well with vs For seyng that the Scriptures promiseth that he will graunt such thinges as be demaunded it is not righte that he doeth not exhibite a signe to a man that seketh the true knowledge of him This expostulation anger saieth he is of God well accepted for that he perceiueth herby our earnest minde and zeale And than no doubt but being thus instantly sollicited he will declare him selfe by some notable signe and quenche the thirste of our minde dealinge with vs as he did intymes paste with tholde fathers He taughte moreouer that God opened hys minde by dreames wherin he builded the foundation of his intēt and loke whose dreame he could interprete him would he praise openly in his sermon And when he had by this meanes allured many to him then began he to take stipulation of them and wrot theyr names that promised him by an othe to ayde him in his pretensed mischiefe For he said he was commaunded of God to distroy all wicked Princes and subsistute new in theyr places He taughte moreouer that all thinges should be cōmon al mē of like fredom dignitie wherupon the cōmon people leauīg theyr daily labor toke such things as they neded of others that had store euē agaist their wils The dukes of Sax. had banished him what time he begā fyrst to preach seditiously thence wēt he to Norin frō thēce to Mulhuse wherhe altered the senate droue out the Mōkes entred into theyr possessiōs takig vpō hi not only as a preacher but also as a Senator determining al matters as he list For he sayd how he had all thinges shewed him by reuelation loke what he said was to thē sacred holy These partes plaied he for the space of two or thre monethes And whē the Bowres were vp in Swelande Frankonie to the nūbre of fourtie thousand had discomfited a great parte of the nobilitie taken spoyled fyred many holdes castels as before is mentioned thē began he to set hāde on seing the time seruing so well for his purpose he cast felde peces in the Gray friers and gote a wonderfull numbre of people out of the Coūtrie thinking to get some thīg He had of his counsell one Phifer a bold and a desperate felow which was much gyuen to dreames and visions in the nighte who dreamed that he sawe in a certeine stable an innumerable sorte of Myse which he put to flight al This toke he as that God had cōmaunded him to lead forth his armie
before a noble yong man Whom Muncer against the lawes of Armes had slayne wherwith the princes being more displeased caused the trompettes to soūde to the battel set their mē in order Thā Philip Lantzgraue of Hesse though he were yongest of them all ryding vp downe frō one cōpany to another exhorted the soldioures to be valcaūt 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 seditiō 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 foūd 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 Lātz 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 coūtie Māsseldes 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 Brūswicke 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 spokē thus but the sword was in the neck of him and for an exāple 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 hāgeth 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
the .xiiij. daye of Nouembre pronounceth it to be of none effecte The fyft daye after in the Emperours presence was the decree recited before all the states and after a long discourse of the handlyng of all matters the Emperour decreeth that they shuld no longer be suffered that teache otherwyse of the Lordes supper than hath bene obserued hytherto that in the Masse eyther common or priuate nothyng be altered that chyldren be confyrmed with chresme sycke folkes annoynted with oyle consecrated that no Images be remoued and where they be taken awaye to be restored that the opiniō of them that denye man to haue fre wyll be not receyued for that it is beastly and also contumeliouse against God that nothyng be taughte any where agaynst the authoritie of the magistrate that the opynion that fayth only iustifieth take no place that the Sacramentes of the church be in numbre and place accustomed that the ceremonies of the churche rites obsequies for the dead and suche other be obserued that benefices vacant be imployed vpon mete persones that suche priestes and men of clergie whiche haue maried before this tyme be depriued of their benefices whiche immediatly after this assembly shal be geuen to others But suche as forsakyng theyr wyues wyll retourne to their olde profession and be absolued the byshop may restore by the consent of the byshop of Rome or his legate But the others to haue no refuge in any place but banyshed or extremely punyshed that the priestes be of honest conuersation their apparell decent and commonly that they auoyde all sclaunder That the preachers exhorte the people to heare Masse to praye to the virgyn Mary and other sainctes to kepe their holy dayes and fasting dayes to abstayne from meates forbodene to releue the poore to tell the Monkes howe they may not forsake theyr profession and ordre briefly that nothyng be altered in Religion they that shall do otherwyse to lose bodye and goodes that where as Abbeys be pulled downe they be reedified and what soeuer hath bene taken awaye from the clergie to be restored that the wonted ceremonies and rites may be accomplyshed And suche as be followers of the olde Religion dwellyng within the lymites of the cōtrary parte and allowe this decree shall be receyued in to the protectiō of the Empire and shall flitte whether they lyste without any hynderaunce that the byshop of Rome shal be called vpon to apoynte a counsell in some place conuenient within syxe monethes that afterwarde the same may begynne as shortly as may be and at the furthest within a yeares space that all these thynges be ratified and establyshed Al exceptions or appellations made to the contrary to be voyde and of none effect And to the intent this decree may take place and be obserued as cōcerning religion the force and power that God hath geuē them shal be wholy applied hereunto and their lyfe and bloude also spent in the same quarell Duryng this Parliament Luther by the commaundement of his Prynce was at Coburge in the borders of Frankony to the intent he myght be nerer Auspurge in case the matter requyred his aduyse or counsell And though he were absent yet to the intent he myght some what further the commō benefit he wrote a booke to the byshoppes Prelates in that assemblye wherein he sheweth what the state of the churche hath bene vnder the byshop of Rome what wicked doctrine what shamefull errours And with moste weightye wordes admonisheth thē of their dutie chargeth them to be of cruell bloudy mindes and agayne exhorteth them not to let slippe the occasion nowe to redresse their euyll He sheweth them howe his doctrine is agreable to the bookes of the Prophetes Apostles and proueth that is in vaine what soeuer they consulte or imagine against God In this malyce threatheninge of the Emperour and Byshops Melancthon was discouraged and careful in his mynde not for his owne cause but for posterities sake and gaue hym selfe wholy to pensiuenes wepynge and mournynge But when Luther knewe therof he comforteth hym with sondrye letters And for as muche as it is no mennes matter but the cause of almyghtie GGD he admonyshed hym that layinge al thought and care a parte he caste the whole burthen vpon hym And why sayeth he doest thou thus afflicte and tourment thy selfe If God hath geuen his sonne for vs why do we tremble and feare why doe we syghe and lamente Is Sath an stronger than he Wil he that hath geuen vs so great a benefite forsake vs in lyghter matters Whye shoulde we feare the worlde whiche Christe hath vanquyshed If we defende an euyll matter why doe we not chaunge or pourpose If the cause be iust and Godlye why truste we not to Gods promyses Certenly the Deuyll can take no more from vs but our lyfe But Christ liueth and reigneth for euer in whose protection consisteth the veritie He wyll not cease to be with vs vnto the Worldes ende If he be wyth vs. I beseche you where shall he be founde If we be not of his churche doe you thynke that the byshop of Rome and our other aduersaries be of it We be synners in dede dynerse wayes but yet for all that Christe is no lyer whose cause we haue in hande Let kynges and nations fret and fume as muche as euer they lyste He that dwelleth in heauen shall laughe them to skorne God hathe gouerned and maynteined this cause hetherto without our counsell the same shall also from henceforth bryng it to the ende wyshed for Touchyng lawes and traditions of men that you wryte of the aunswere is not harde For both the fyrst cōmaundement and al the Prophetes also doe cōdempne suche maner of workes They may be a bodely exercyse but if they come ones to worshyppyng it is idolatry As for any agremēt it is in vayne loked for for neyther can we depose the byshop of Rome neyther can the true doctrine be in safetie so longe as Popery shall endure In that you wyll haue the Lordes supper to be communicated wholy and geue no place to your aduersaries whiche holde it to be indifferent you doe well For it is not in our arbitremēt to decree or suffer any thynge to be vsed in the churche whiche hathe not Gods worde to beare it They crye out that we condempne the whole churche but we saye how the churche was violently taken and oppressed with tyrannye when the communion was deuided in the middes and therfore to be holden excused as the whole Synagoge was excused that in the captiuitie of Babylon it kepte not the lawe of Moses other ceremonies beyng by force prohibited that they coulde not doe it Take hede in any wyse that you graunt not to the byshops ouer muche iurisdiction lest more trouble ensue there of hereafter All this treaty of a concorde in doctryne is cleane agaynst my mynde For the labour is spent in vayne vnlesse the byshop
they and their fellowes will open their doctrine more at large In the meane tyme they beseche them to be meanes to the Emperour that there be no extremitie wrought within the Empyre but that suche as nowe do or hereafter shall professe the Gospell may lyue in quiet vntyll suche tyme as the decree authoritie of a lawfull counsell may determine the matter And if they shall thynke good to treate howe to conclude the peace and appointe a daye for it they wyll sende theyr Ambassadours thither And if in theyr doctrine exhibited at Auspurg any man shall thynke to fynde an errour and wyll shewe it or if he cannot proue it to stande to the testimony of Scripture that would they and all their fellowes be glad of And if it shall please the Emperour to assigne a daye for it at Spires graunting a saufe conduicte for them their fellowes and for Luther whome they intende to bryng with them amonges other ministers of their churche and wyll permitte them to haue free and open preachinges of Gods worde and the vse of the Lordes Supper according vnto Christes institution prescribyng no difference or choyce of meates than wyll they either come themselues or els sende theyr deputes with large commission and make declaration of their doctryne vnto all men And if at the same metyng theyr doctryne can not by the Scriptures be confuted than truste they that the Emperoure wyll no further moleste them but that they may styll perseuer in the same Religion And for as muche as they haue appealed to a lawfull general counsell and as yet nothyng is founde in theyr doctrine that is agaynst Gods worde where also by the order of the lawe and equitie duryng the appellation no extremitie ought to be shewed vnto the partie that appealleto their trust is that the Emperour wyll the rather at theyr requestes suffor Germany to haue peace and quietnes I shewed you before of an assemblye that should haue bene in Septembre at Spyres But the Emperour being aduertised by sondry letters and messengers of the Turkyshe preparation prorogeth the same to the moneth of Ianuary followynge appoyntynge the place at Regenspurge that he myghte be so muche the nearer Austriche where he perceyued the warre woulde be I shewed you before in the syrt booke howe the warre whiche they of Zurycke and Bernes would haue made vppon the fyue townes was pacifyed by the intercession of other Cities But this yeare the Sore brake out agayne and those two Cities steppynge all streightes and passages woulde permitte no victuall to be brought vnto them This was when the dayes were at the longest And where as great trouble was lyke to ensue therof the Frenche kyng and certen other cyties of the Suysses laboured to take vp the matter and drewe certen conditions of peace but all was in vaine Than did they of Zuricke and Bernes declare by wryting with what great wronges and iniuries they were coÌ„streyned to stop their victualles And now for as muche as they refuse the coÌ„dicions of peace whiche the intercessours haue deuised and propounded they declare their malicious hartes against them and howe they haue brokeÌ„ the fourmer conuenauntes made betwene them wherfore it is lawefull for them to cut oâ— theyr victualles And if any hurte come therof it ought to be ascribed vnto them whiche seeke nothyng elles but dissention this was the nynth daye of Septembre And what tyme these fyue townes were in great want and penury the nynth of Octobre they armed them selues secretly and marched forwarde And before any man was ware of them come vnto the borders of Zurick where as laye a garrison of a thousand men or more Which sent diuerse messengers into the citie to warne their men to come to them with spede but their ennemies approched so faste that they coulde hardely come to their reskewe For when they were come to the toppe of the Hylle whereby they must nedes passe they sawe theyr men in great dauÌ„ger in the next valley Than exhorting incouraginge one an other they ranne downe the hyll who myght go foremoste but the nature of the hylle was suche as there coulde but one go downe at ones whiche was the cause that where as they coulde not marche in ordre of battell they were of a greater multitude vanquyshed and put to flyghte This was the eleuent daye of Octobre Amonges the nombre of them that were slayne was Zwynglius For it is the maner of Zuricke that when they go forth in warfaye the chief minister of theyr churche goeth with them Zwynglius also of hym selfe beynge a man of a stoute and bolde courage consyderyng that if he shoulde rary at home and they shoulde go by the worse what displeasare he should susteyne as one that in his Sermons woulde encourage others and hym selfe faynte whan any daunger was would nedes take such â—â—te as other did They shewed great crueltie vpon his dead corps and their hatred towardes him was so muche that theyr malice was not satisfied with his death He was fourty and foure yeares olde foure yeares yonger than Luther At the same moneth of August before was seen a blasyng Starre at the same tyme died Lewys the Frenche kynges mother syster vnto Charles Duke of Sauvy The citie of Bernes hearyng of this ouerthrowe comforted them of Zuricke promysing to sende them ayde to come with their whole power to auenge them of their ennemies Whan they were all commen together whiche was aboute the eight daye after the battell and they of Bernes whiche before desyred to take the matter in hande alone were than nothyng hasty the citie of Zuricke whiche had ayde sent them from the Schaffusians Mullusians and also from Sangall and Basill of the whole numbre chose out certen enseignes whiche settynge foorth in the nyghte laye in the Hylle besydes Mencinge pourposynge whan the Moue rose to take the towne of Tugie thereby vpon the sodayne But theyr ennemies whiche had encamped them selues not farre from thence knowynge of this by espeiall went thether spedely and set vpon them beynge a slepe the .xxiiij. daye of October And to put them in the greater feare they made a wonderfull clamourous outcrye Many were slayne on both partes And all be it the fyue Townes had the vpperhande yet woulde they of Zuricke nothyng relent in their Religion At the last through mediation a peace was concluded whereunto was added that they of Zuricke Bernes and Basill should forsake the league whiche they had latelye made with the cytie of Strausborough and the Lantgraue lykewyse shoulde the fyue townes breake of their league with kyng Ferdinando And hereof were obligations made and sealed in the later ende of Nouember Oecolampadius departed out of this presente lyfe as it was supposed for the inwarde sorowe and thought he conceaued for the death of Swynglius whome he loued intierly he wanted but one yeare of fifty there be of his workes
any thyng determyned wherwith the kyng toke excedyng muche displeasure Neuerthelesse lest it should appeare that he should do anythyng vniustly the kynge sent into Fraunce Italy and Germany to enquyre the opinions of all vniuersities And the moste part consented to the kyng and emonges other the diuines of Paris approued the kynge by the vniuersitie Seale and as it was thoughte were lyberally rewarded therfore But amōges others of the quenes maydes there was one of an excellent beautie called Anne Bolen whome the kyng began to fantasy in so muche as men myght easelye perceyue that he entended to marrie her to his wyfe Whan the Cardinall of Yorke perceyued this whiche was chief about the kyng and as they saye authour of the diuorsement he chaunged his purpose admonyshyng the byshop of Rome by his letters that he should not approue the diuorsement For than shoulde an other succede Quene Katherine whiche was infected with Luthers opinions Whiche thyng whan the kyng vnderstode by his Ambassadour that was ledger at Rome he was sore offended And not longe after for this and other thinges whiche he had practised in 〈…〉 e where he was Chauncelour of the Realme and had thre of the beste byshop 〈…〉 hes York Duresme and Wynchester first he displaced hym from his office and after taketh away two of his byshoprikes And in conclusion what time he leading a priuate lyfe at home had spooken certen wordes that were arrogant and importing a desire of reuengement the kyng sent Syr William kingstone Captaine of the garde to discharge his house and brynge hym to London but fallyng in to a vehement 〈…〉 ixe by the way he dyed and was buried at Lecester But the byshop of Rome to the intent Campegius myght haue some excuse to departe reuoked the sute into his own handes And perceiuing that the marriage of quene Anne would be to hym preiudiciall he warneth the kyng full ofte and goeth about also to feare him with threateninges that he should leaue of his enterpryse But whan he could not preuayle to please the Emperour he gaue sentence with his a 〈…〉 t Katherine this yeare the .xxiij. of Marche where as the kynge had a yeare before married an other forsakynge Katherine proclaiming his daughter Marie a bastarde But after he perceiued that sentence was geuen against hym he conceaued a mortall hatred against the byshop And immediatly maketh a lawe whereby he declareth him self to be head of the church through out Englande abolishyng the byshop vtterly and commaundeth vnder payne of death and maketh it treason if any man ascribe vnto the byshop of Rome the supremacie he denieth also the yearely pension whiche was wont to be geuen to the bishoppes Collectour And with moste weightie wordes enacteth that from henceforth no monye be conueyed to Rome and this did he by the consent of the whole nobilitie and commons of the Realme by ordre of the hyghe courte of parliament Fraunces the Frenche kynge was thoughte to haue furthered very muche this diuorcement to the intent he myght thus cleane with drawe him from the frendshyp of the Emperour concerning the trybute payed to Rome thus it standeth Inas kyng of Britane aboute the yeare of our Lorde fiue hundreth and forty for the opinion of Religion and deuotion made the Realme tributory to the byshop of Rome as it is leaft in memory in ioynyng euery house to paye a penny Wherfore the byshoppes had their Collectours cōtinually there to gather this annuall stypende called of the common people Peter pence The byshoppes collectour at this tyme was Peter Uan who retourned not to Rome but remayned styll in Englande And where as this money had bene continually payed frō that time vnto these our daies kynge Henry firste of all men made a restrainte therof and an inhibitiō that it should be payed no more You haue heard how Erasmus and Luther wrote one againste the other of free wyll in the fourthe booke And this yeare their contention began a freshe And Luther takyng an occasiō by one of his frendes epistles chargeth Erasmus sore as though he should call the christian Religion in doubt mocke it and condempne it And also alledgyng certen places of his owne workes goeth about to proue the same and sheweth that in his wrytyng he is ambiguous and with his eloquence practyseth a kynde of Tyraunye And for as muche as in Godly thynges he trifleth dalieth thus with doubtfull wordes where as he coulde oughte to speake more playnly he aduoucheth that all thynges ought to be construed agaynst him Wherunto Erasmus afterwarde aunswered and that ryght sharpely for he feared most of al other thynges left his workes should lose their grace and authoritie About this tyme in Fraunce the Grey freers of Orleaunce wrought a terrible and a bloudy enterpryse And thus the thinge was The Mayers wyfe of the citie prouided in her wyll that she would be buried without any pompe or noyse For whan any departeth in Fraunce the Belmen are hyred to goe about the Citie and in places moste frequented to assemble the people with the sounde of the bell and than to declare the name and title of the partie deceased also wher and whan they shal be butied and last to exhorte the people to praye for the dead And whan the coarse is caried forth for the moste parte these beggyng freers go with it all to the churche and many torches are borne before it and the more pompe and solempnitie is vsed the more is the concourse and gasyng of people but this woman wold haue none of all this gere done for her Wherfore her husbande which loueth her well followed her mynde herein and gaue vnto the Graye freers in whose churche she was buried besydes her father and her grandfather syxe crownes only for a rewarde where as they looked for a great deale more And afterwardes whā he cut down a wood folde it the freers craued to haue part therof without money and he sayde them nay This toke they in maruelous euyll parte And where as they loued hym not before they deuise now a waye to be reuenged saying that his wyfe was damned euerlastingly The workers of this tragedy were Coliman and Stephen of Arras both doctours of diuinitie and the first in dede was a coniurer and had all his trynkettes and furniture concerning suche matters in a redinesse And they vsed the matter thus They set a yoūg man that was a Nouice aboue ouer the vaulte of the churche And when they came to mumble vp their mattyns at mydnyght after their accustomed maner he made a wonderfull noyse and shryking a lofte than goeth this Colman to crossynge coniuring but the other aboue woulde not speake beynge charged to make a signe to declare if it were a dume spirit he rustleth maketh a noyce agayne that was the signe and token Whan they had layd this foundation they go to
kyng and his two fellowes were caried hither and thither vnto Prynces for a shewe and mockery By the whiche occasion the Lantgraues preachers enter in disputation with the kynge touchynge these opinions chieflye of the kyngdome of Christe of Magistrates of Iustification of Baptisme of the Lordes supper of the incarnation of Christe and of Mariage and by the testimonies of Scripture priuayle so farre that albeit they did not chaūge him wholy which stroue and defended his opinions stifly yet did they turne him cōfounde him so that in fyne he graunted to many things whiche not withstanding he was supposed to haue done to saue his lyfe For whan he retourned vnto him the seconde tyme he promysed if he myght haue his pardon to brynge to passe that the Anabaptistes whiche were in Hollande Brabant Englande and Freselande an exceadyng great numbre shold kepe sylence and obey the Magistrates in all thynges Afterwardes the same preachers reasoned with his fellowes also both by mouthe and wryting of mortification of Christening of Chyldren of the communion of goodes of the kyngdome of Christe What tyme they were brought to Telget the kyng beyng demaunded of the Byshop by what authoritie he durst be so bolde to vsurpe so muche libertie vpon his Citie and people He asked hym again who gaue him that power and aucthoritie ouer the Citie And wher the Byshop made aunswere that by the consent of the College the people he had that rule and iurisdiction And I sayde he was called hether of God At the thirtene kalēdas of February thei were brought again to Munster cōmitted euery man to a seuerall pryson And the same daye also came the Byshop thether accompanied with the Archbishop of Collon and the Ambassadours of the Duke of Cleue The space of two dayes followyng was spent in Godly admonitions that they myght be reduced from their heresy And in deede the kynge confessed his faulte and fled vnto Christe through prayer The other two neyther woulde acknowledge any offence and yet stode obstinatly in their opinions The next daye the king was brought vp to the skaffold and tied to a post There were two hangemen ready and eche of them a payre of tonges read hote at the three first pulles he helde his peace afterwarde callyng continually for Goddes mercy whan he had bene thus turmented an howre and more and at the last was thrust to the harte with a sharpe poynted dagger he left his lyfe and his fellowes had the same punyshement Whan thei were dead they were fastened to grates of iron and hanged out of the hyghest towre of the Citie called saynet Lambertes the king in the myddes a mans height aboue the other two In the moneth of Ianuary of this present yeare died the lady Katherine Dowager whome Henry the eyght kyng of Englande had put away thre yeares before I shewed you in the fourth booke howe Fridericke Duke of Holste was by the helpe of the Lubeckes made kyng of Denmarke After whose death there arrose mortall warre betwene his sonne Christiane that was kinge after him and the Citie of Lubecke But where as the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue Ernest Duke of Lunenburge and the Citie of Breme Hamborough Maydēburge Brunswicke Lunenburge and Hildisseme intreated a peace This yeare in the moneth of February all was pacified Than had Charles Duke of Sauoye a certen space maynteyned warre against the Citie of Geneua beynge ayded by the Byshop of the same Citie or set on rather partely for the profession of the Gospell partly for other matters And the Citie of Geneua was ioyned in league with the Citie of Bernes in Swicerlāde of whome at the length receiuing great ayde they gaue the repulse to their ennemies And they of Bernes marching further subdued al that laye cōmodious for their countrey euen to the loke of Geneua The residue of the Swicers also that bordered vpō Sauoye did the same Whylest this was a working the kynge of Fraunce whiche had longe before purposed to warre in Italye but especially synce the death of Fraunces Sfortia leuieng his Armie in the begynning of the spryng tyme maketh warre also with the Duke of Sauoye his vncle for a controuersie of inheritaunce whiche he said was due vnto him possessed and deteyned by the Duke Who beynge already much inpoueryshed by the Swycers and therfore an vnmete matche for so puissaunt an ennemye was in short tyme dispossessed in maner of his whole Duckdome For the kyng passing ouer the Alpes inuadeth also the countrey of Piedmount and amonges other taketh Turrine the chiefest town in those partes fortifieth it with workes and strength of men by the conduict of Philippe Schabotte Admirall The Duke of Sauoy had marryed Beatriche daughter to Emanuell kyng of Portugall and the Emperours syster Isabel And in the former tyme he addicted him selfe to neyther of them but now where he semed to incline to the Emperour he styred vp the king his nephew by his owne syster Lewesse against him Some reporte howe byshop Clement what tyme he was at Marseilles as in the last booke is recited gaue the kyng this counsell that in case he intended to recouer Millan he should first seke to be lorde of Sauoy and Piedmonte adioyning to the same Howe soeuer it was the kyng in the yeare followyng after a certen newe custome ordeyned through out the Realme of Fraunce legions of Souldiours to the numbre of forty thousande whiche shoulde exercise their weapons and be in a readynes when tyme of seruice came For where as aunciently the kynges of Fraunce haue alwayes maynteined cheualry and their whole force hathe bene horsemen this man would haue also footemen ready monstered that he shold not euermore haue nede of forein souldiours And the kynges purpose was to leade forth his armie and make warre thereby in Lūbardie to the intent he myght recouer the Duckdome of Millā which he had before enioyed syxe yeares together and contented that it was his and the right of his children by Ualentine his grandmother sister to Philippe Uicecounte the last Duke of Millan of that familie And thus the matter standeth The house of Uicecoūtes bare a noble brute in Lumbardie And the first of them is accompted Otho Archebyshop of Millan who in the tyme of Raffe Emperour expulsed the Turrians a noble and worthy familie whome his nephewe Matthewe his brother Theobaldus sonne succeded after hym Galeace Actius Luchine Iohn Matthew the seconde Galeace the seconde Barnabas Iohn Galeace whom the Emperour Wēceslans created the first Duke of Millan He had two sonnes Iohn and Philippe which died both without issewe and one daughter Ualentine Fraunces Sfortia a stoute warriour married the bastarde daughter of Philip and by that occasion vsurped the Dukedome of Millan secludyng Ualētine Philippes syster whome Lewys Duke of Orleaunce brother to Charles the sixt kyng of Fraunce had maried Sfortia had thre sonnes Galeace Lewis
heare saith he how the Frēche kyng hath requyred your ayde but not obteined which was to me great pleasure and I haue aduertised the Emperour hereof And certenly reason would it should so be For the Emperour gaue none occasion of this warre but was fully resolued this sommer to haue warred vpon the Barbarians and the ennemies of our Religion Notwithstanding the Frenche kynge immediatly after the death of Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan albeit he hath no right nor title therunto a composition made touchyng the whole matter certen yeares paste contrary to the conuenauntes sought to renewe warre and to recouer Lumbardy And at the same tyme passing the Alpes with a great armie inuaded the Duke of Sauoye a Prynce of the Empyre to the intent that hauing ones subdued his countrey he might haue the way open to passe further And nowe that the Emperour hath leuied an armie to resiste hym as he was in dede constreined I am informed that he craueth nowe ayde agayne of you Neuerthelesse for as muche as he breakyng his fidelitie hath commenced warres a freshe I desyre you that you doe not assiste hym Whereby you shall do the Emperour and me pleasure and preserue the quiet of your owne commō wealth In this meane while the Protestantes had sent an Ambassade to the Emperour in Italy to make their purgation in that he had charged them by letters to haue taken the churche goodes and further more to complayne of the iudges of the Emperiall chamber But before the Ambassadours were arriued the Emperoure the seuenthe of Iulye had sent letters to the Protestauntes from the Towne of Sauilie signifieng how he hath at al tymes both present and absent by his letters and Ambassadours sought the quiet of Germany and hath both promysed them peace in theyr Relygion and also perfourmed the same And nowe for as muche as the Frenche kynge against whome he is enforced to rayse an armie maye perauenture by false suggestion perswade with them that he would now take occasion to breake that treuce of Religion therfore hath he thought good to admonyshe them by his letters to beleue no suche thinge but assure them selues that he woulde obserue his promyse neyther would he moue warre vpon any man for religion nor styre vp any trouble in Germany for all this preparation of warre is to mainteyne his ryght and authoritie Wherfor let them quiet them selues and styre not what so euer they shal heare For this shall be both to hym acceptable and to them also profitable Whan the Emperours power was come altogether he marched through the myddest of Italye with a stronge armie tyll he came in to prouynce of Fraunce The kynge had incamped hym selfe at Auignion betwyxte the Ryuers of Rhosne and Druence and destroyinge the countrey Whereinto he perceiued the Emperour woulde come and kepyng hym selfe from geuynge the battell he brought his ennemies into great perplexitie and myserie For the Emperour enforced through the penurie and scarscitie of all thynges and the losse of manye thousandes whiche died for famine and pestilence and also for the death of Anthony Leuie dischargeth the reste of his Armye and retourneth to Genes An other Armie of his that warred this sommer in Uermandoys beseged the towne of Peronne by the cōduicte of Henry Erle of Nassowe but preuayling not leuied the siege about the same time that the Emperour retyred in the prouince and the reporte of eyther newes brought vnto Paris the same daye reioysed the citie exceadynglye For they were in verye great feare and the Preachers in their Sermons to the people inuehed sore against the Emperour And the kynges Lieutenauntes began to intrenche the cytie and kepte the gates with watche and warde William Furstemberge a Germane serued the Frenche kynge in this warre About the begynning of this warre ended his lyfe the Frenche kynges eldest sonne Fraunces the Daulphin eyghtene yeares of age the reporte went that he was poysoned and one Sebastian de moute Cuculo an Italian beyng had in suspicion was fyrste racked and after torne in pieces with sondrye horses at Lions And the kynge afterwardes in his letters to the Prynces of Germanye amonges other made a greuous complainte hereof against Anthony Leuie and Ferdinando Gonzage the Emperours Lieutenauntes in whome he layd all the blame Herman Archebyshop of Collon of long tyme intending a reformation of his churche holdeth at this tyme a counsell of his owne prouince callynge to it as the maner is the Byshoppes within his iurisdiction of Liege Utreicht Munster Osenbridge and Myndes Herein were decrees made of ceremonies and doctrine and after set forth in a booke compyled by Iohn Gropper wherein were al Popyshe Ceremonies for the moste parte paynted out with new colours whiche booke dyd not contente the Byshop than as hereafter shal be declared About this tyme also in the moneth of Iuly Erasmus of Roterdam departed out of this lyfe an olde man of thre score and ten yeares and was buried at Basill Howe excellently learned and howe eloquent a man he was and howe muche al learnyng is bounde to hym his own workes shall testifie By occasion of puttyng downe papistrie in Englande and suppressing of certen Abbeyes vnder thre hundreth markes of yearely valewe there arose a commotion in Lynkcolneshyre in a market towne they call Lowthe styred vp by Doctour Mackerell a false Monke who named him selfe captayne Cobblar and after that it was appeased by the Duke of Southfolke the kynges Lyeutenaunt an other began in Yorke shyre a grear deale worse For those Rebelles were manye and stronge and came as farre as Dankcaster where the Duke of Northfolke met them with the kinges power and when they should haue ioyned together in battell by the mediation of the Erle of Shrewisbury which was a man welbeloued of the commons the matter was taken vp without bloudshed Their chief Captaine was Robert Aske who was after executed for his treason with certen others of the Nobilitie his adherentes Unto the letters which the Emperour wrote in Iuly the Protestaūtes answer the nynth day of Septembre and where it pleased hym to wryte so gentle and so lyberally they shewe hym howe they conceaue great pleasure in theyr mindes for albeit they did neuer distruste his promise yet for as much as diuerse reportes of his displeasure came to their eares and agayne for that the iudges of the imperiall chamber and others makyng none accompte of the peace concluded did procede diuerse wayes agaynste them they had some cause to doubte and feare the matter But nowe that he hath wrytten againe so louingly and playnly they are out of all doubtes that he wyll perfourme the same and refuse the sclaunderous reportes of their aduersaries lykewyse wyll they doe and geue no credite vnto suche as shall otherwyse reporte of him and in al other thinges also doe according to their dutie than came they to the counsell which the
of life cleane abhorre that vice But in that he endeuoureth to reduce him agayne into the waye which deceiued by flatterers was strayed farre out of the ryght pathe he geueth hym a great benefite Kynge Henry had brought him vp in his yought in good letters and done very much for him But whan this alteration was in Englande whiche I haue spoken of and he myslyked it Paule the thyrde through the commendation of Contarene made hym Cardinal and sent for hym to Rome They that are familiarly acquaynted with him say how he knoweth ryght well the doctrine of the Gospell and suppose the cause to haue been why he wrote so against kyng Henry to auoyde the suspicion of Lutheranisme He caused the booke to be printed at Rome of his own coste and charge as they reporte And taking to him selfe all the Copies gaue it to reade only to the byshop him self and to the Cardinalles and others of his dere frendes for vnto such he wold be commended and feared on the other syde leste if it should be red openly of all men he should incure the rebuke and obloquie of them that had oftentymes heard hym speake the contrary ✚ The eleuenth 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 eleuenth Booke THe Protestantes hauing declared to the Emperour by ambassade three poyntes Heldus cōming to Smalcald maketh them answer to the which they reply and vrge a fre counsel such as was promised vpon this the Pope sendeth the Bishop of Aste The Protestants set forth an Apologie vpon the refusal of such a counsel and writ therof to the French king The king of England writeth against this coūsaile of the Pope I Spake of the Citie of Auspurge in the nynthe booke and of the chaunge of Religion there for the whiche cause the Clergie being for the moste parte of noble house forsoke the citie Wherupon the Senate in a writing directed to the Emperour kyng Ferdinando and all the states of the Empyre declareth the cause of their doynges howe frendly they dealte with them how many thynges they suffered and howe scornefully they behaued them selues and howe often they went about to stire vp sedition in the citie Whereunto not long after Christopher the byshop aunswered for him selfe and the reste and after many contumelious wordes exhorteth the Emperour and Princes that for as muche as the daungers concerneth aswel them as him self they would loke to it in time You haue heard in the last booke of the Ambassadours which the Protestauntes sent to the Emperour in Italy to whom they gaue commaundement chiefly thre thynges to treate of First to confute the brute whiche was raysed vp that they shoulde haue made a league with the kynge of Fraunce and of England secondly that the Emperour would restrayne the iudgement of the counsell chaumbre thirdly that suche as were come into their league since the composicion of the peace at Norinberge myght inioye the same peace Whiche requestes the Emperour in dede hearde but being wholy occupied with warelyke matters he sayde howe he woulde sende his Ambassadour into Germany who should make them aunswere Wherfore at his departure from Genes into Spayne he sent Matthie Helde his vicechaūcelour into Germany Whan the Protestauntes vnderstode that by their Ambassadours nowe retourned they appoynte a generall metyng at Smalcalde the seuenth daye of February And because the daye of the counsell approched nere neyther was there any doubte but that the Emperours Ambassadour would haue some talke of the same they were agreed also to bring with them their chiefest diuines Wherfore at the daye assigned besydes the Prynces Ambassadours of the cities came thether Luther Melanchthon Bucer Osiander and diuerse other Whan the Ambassadour was come to Smalcalde the fyftene daye of February he speaketh thus before them all Howe the Emperour had commaunded hym to doe his message only to the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue But for as muche as they haue thought good to make their consortes also partakers of the same he is contente to followe their mindes herein he saith in dede that he knoweth not al the Ambassadours of the league wherfore in case there be any amongs them whom this answere of the Emperous doth not concerne there is no cause why they shoulde suppose that any treaty is made with thē but chiefly they of Auspurge which haue oftentymes sollicited the Emperour both in Italy and Spayne about Religiō and nowe also lately at Genes by their Ambassadour Unto whome the Emperour sayde howe he would sende his Ambassadour into Germany whiche shoulde make them an aunswere And they not abyding his commyng haue altered the state of Religion not without both the contempte and also making of the Emperour Therefore whan he came to Auspurge beinge constrayned of necessitie to chaunge his purpose he treated with them nothynge at all and hath wrytten to the Emperour the whole matter as it standeth After whā he had exhibited the testimoniall of his Ambassade he procedeth And where they had so diligently pourged them selues of the Frenche and Englysh league the Emperoure was ioyfull to heare it whiche doeth both credit them also cōmendeth their vertue that they haue so wittely eschewed the Frenche practises full of disceirfulnes Afterwards discoursing the warre of Sauoy and speakynge many thinges of the Frenche kyng sayde that he was not only a lette vnto the Emperour that he could not bende his whole power against the Turke but also that he consulted with the Turkes prouoked thē to inuade Cristendome And that this is also his daily practise to styre vp stryfe and ciuile warre in Germany and nowe endeuoureth al that he may to perswade them that the Emperour wyll not kepe promyse with them He desireth them therfore not to credite his crafty counselles For the Emperour to be of suche honour and vertue that he wyll not shrinke from his promyse And that may they well perceiue by mo experimēts than one As touchinge the iudgement of the imperiall chambre The Emperours commaundemēt was they should meddle with no cases of Religion But they aduertised him by their letters that there was oftentymes controuersies whiche partely concerned religion partlye not And therfore the Emperour cōmaunded thē that of such matters as thei supposed were sequestred from religiō thei should iudge indifferently For it were pitie but the lawe should haue his course And seyng the Emperour hath commaunded them to surcease from determining matters of Religion they ought to be contente there with And if the iudges haue done ought contrary to the Emperours decre they shall not escape free but shal be punished according to the lawe made at Regenspurge But the Emperour againe admonished them that they would do nothing rashely neither prescribe the imperiall chambre For this thinge is neither lawfull nor voyde of seditiō and
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 cōcernyng 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 Brandēburg 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 cōditions at his retourne home and thā 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 cōsortes 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 Fraūce 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 Furstēberge 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
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 coūtie 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 whā 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 mūble 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 recōciling the Princes This yeare at Strauseborough was erected a Colledge or a grāmer 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 consciēce 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 excōmunicate them the kyng beyng againe offended said he was in a miserable estate that could not liue in quiet for one priest he lamēted 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 LaÌ„tgraue 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 FrauÌ„ce 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 BruÌ„swicke 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 coÌ„munication of learned meÌ„ may be had coÌ„cerning religion graunteth to the coÌ„federatours 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 ProtestauÌ„tes 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 asseÌ„blie of thempire after he shal haue coÌ„firmed shal coÌ„maund to be kept inuiolate Both parties shal lay away the preparatioÌ„s vnto war he that shal seme to go about any thiÌ„g shal be enforced to shew the cause why he doeth it yet so as no maÌ„ be inhibited to kepe a defeÌ„ce necessary in al other thiÌ„gs the law of theÌ„pire shal be of both parties obserued In this truce are coÌ„preheÌ„ded neither Anabaptists nor others that followe a doctrine coÌ„trary to the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of Auspurg The protestaÌ„tes 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 ProtestauÌ„tes 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 â—yet 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
Palle was made breede matter of contention And nowe is the same so fast wrought and of suche strength that the Bishoppe of Rome is in daūger to be strangled withall And seyng it is so let thē impute the fault to them selues which so impudently and excessiuely handled the matter I maye well laughe in my sleue For he that dwelleth in heauen hath strikē them and would not suffer so great wickednes to raigne any longer and hath brought his people out of that darkenes of Egipte into the most cleare light and pleasant syght of the sonne This Palle so often here mentioned is geuen onely to Archbishops and as a syngular benefite to a fewe other Bishoppes of the whiche numbre the Bishop of Bamberge in Germany is one And it is made with thys Ceremonie In the Feast of S. Agnes the Uirgyn whiche is the xxi day of Ianuary what time they come to Agnus dei in the Messe two white Lambes are laide vpon the Aultar which afterwarde are deliuered to the Subdeacon of S. Peters churche And they put them forth to pasture and whan shering time commeth do clippe them of the which Woll mingled with other woll whan it is sponne into fine threde are made these Palles which are not past three fingers brode and hange downe from the shoulders to the midde breast and to the Reines of the backe like a stoale and at eche ende are thinne plats of leade of the same breadth Beyng thus wouen and wrought they are caried to the bodies of Peter and Paule and there certen prayers beyng said ouer them they are left there al that night The next day the subdeacons receaue them againe and keps them diligently vntil such time as some Archbishoppe that hathe nede of one or his Proctor do sue for it And than it is deliuered with many ceremonies they that haue the cariage therof are inioyned that they remaine not aboue one night in a place This ware whiche is neither costely nor curiouslye wrought do the Archebishoppes redeme of the Bishoppe of Rome for a wonderfull some of money For it is not lawefull for him to weare the same that his predecessor did but euery one of them is bounden to purchase a newe for him selfe at Rome Againe in case he become Patriache or Metropolitan of another churche throughe promutation or any other meane althoughe he had bought one before yet must he of necessitie bie another againe Of suche kinde of pillage greate complaintes haue bene often made of all nations as I shewed you in the fourth boke but chiefly in Germany And in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundreth xviii what tyme Leo the tenth in the assemblie of Auspurge by Cardinall Caietan exhorted Maximilian and the Princes to the Turkish war and went about that all states should pay money and the Cleargye for theyr partes the tenthes Answer was made him that there was no hope to obteine that of thecclesiasticall persons who were so manye waies and by newe policies pilled and poled by the courte of Rome And the people if anye thinge shoulde be imposed woulde make great exclamations that they haue so oft geuen theyr money for thys purpose and maruell how it is consumed or whither that money goeth that is gathered yearly in Germany I tolde you before of sundry fyers that were kindled of late in Saxonie Whan diuerse of the malefactours were apprehended and taken in sundry places and examination had they testified howe they were hired for money by the captaines and officers of Henry duke of Brunswike and set on by them to do it And this they affirmed to the last breth For this cause therefore and for other matters the Lantzgraue and thambassadours of Saxonie accuse the duke of Brunswicke to the Emperor at Regenspurge and exhibite in writyng the seuerall confession of euery one of these make fyers And ioinetly with them did William of Brunswik accuse his brother Henry sore who had kept him many yeares in pryson Whan all the most part were commen together they began to sit the fyft day of Aprill And in thēperours name as the maner is was propounded what trauaile and paine he had alwayes takē that the publike weale might be well established And after a longe discourse of all that he had done aswell for the appeasynge of the controuersye that is in Religion and reformation of the churche as also for the defence of th empyre against the cruell inuasions of the Turkes In fine themperor demaunded of them all but chiefly of the Protestauntes that they would geue him leaue to chose out certeine to conferre and herein to trust him who will do nothing that shall not concerne the preseruation of the countrey Whan they had this graunted him the xiij day of Aprill he appointeth by Friderike the Paulsgraue to thys talke Iulius Pflugius Iohn Eckius Iohn Gropper Philippe Me lanchton Martin Bucer Iohn Pistor that they should treate of the oppinions that be in controuersie and after make reporte and bringe them to him and the princes Againe the two and twentie daye of Aprill he calleth them vnto him and gyueth them a great charge that in the handling of this matter they should giue nothing to affections but that all pertialitie set apart they should onely haue respecte vnto Gods glory They full modestly do excuse themselues and require al that other more mete might be appointed sauing Eckius For he said he was well prepared and fournished but where themperor dyd instant them to take it vpon them they were content and also intreate him that he would assigne some to be as presidentes of the disputation others to bee as witnesses and hearers of the matter And so he commaundeth Fridericke Palatine and Granuellan to bee as governours and willeth Theodorycke Countie Manderschit Eberhart Ruden Henry Hasie Fraunces Burcarte Iohn Figius Iames Sturmins to be there to beare witnes And when all these came together the xxvii day of April Fridericke the Palsgraue admonisheth the Collocutours that they should seriously go to the matter and conferre together frendly After Granuellan exhibiteth a booke written which he sayd was delyuered to themperour of certayne good well learned men as fit for a reconcilement and that themperour woulde to th entent they might haue a lawful argument and matter to treat of that they shoulde reade ouer the same booke also and waye it and looke what they shoulde all allow therein to commende and the rest to correcte This booke contayned these articles following of the creation of man and before the fall of the integritie of nature of freewill of the cause of synne of originall synne of the iustification of man of the church and of the tokens and authoritie of the same of the notise of the woorde of repentaunce after the fal of the authoritie of the churche in discerning and interpretyng the scripture of the sacramentes of order baptesme
Fraunce shoulde bee theyres or the kynge shoulde be at commaundemente who had three moste myghty enemyes Themperoure the Germannes and the Kyng of Englande ✚ The sixtenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyste ⧠The argument of the sixtenth Booke ¶ The Pope by letters admonisheth taunteth threateneth Themperoure hys sonne and maketh new Cardinalles The clergie of Colon resisteth the Archebishop Master Peter Bruly for preachynge at Tournay was brent quicke Whilest the assemble was at Woormes they of Merindolle and Cabriere named Uandois be sacked and burnt The Pope notwithstandyng the counsell by hym called burned with desyre to make warre agaynst the Protestātes Luther wryteth against hym and paynteth hym in hys collours Grignian is sente to the Protestantes to cause them to approue the counsell The Archbisshop of Colon is cited to Roome Open warre betwixte the Duke of Brunswicke and the Lantzgraue wherin the Lantzgraue had the victory the Palsgraue prince Electour receyueth the Gospell Bruites of warre are sowen agaynst the Protestantes a Colloquie was ordeyned at Regenspurge to dispute of Relygion which broken the Counsell of Trente is publysshed and the sessions beginne in the meane tyme Luther departeth oute of this presente lyfe WHan the warres were hotest the Bysshop of Roome at the eyghte kalendes of Septembre wryteth hys letters to Themperoure wherin he rebuketh hym sharpelye for vsurpinge as he sayeth hys authorytie and intermedlinge with the reformation of Relygion whiche neuerthelesse he dooeth not ascribe to hys owne nature but to the malycyous perswations of such euell men as he hathe lately made league and frendship with he threateneth him with thexamples of Dathan Abiron and Core whiche wolde haue taken vpon them the authorytye of Moyses Aaron And also of Kyng Ozias whom God strake with Leprosie for that he wolde attempte to burne incēse vpon the Aultar he telleth hym playnely that he hath nothing to doe with the reformation of Churches but the same to be longe vnto hys office chyefly whom God hath geuen authorytie to bynde and loose Than proueth he by ensamples that suche Emperours as haue aided the See of Roome and the Bisshoppes therof God hath euer rewarded with great gyftes and benefytes as greate Constantyne Theodose and Charlemaygne Agayne such as haue resisted them to haue ben punnyshed with greate misfortunes as Morys Constans Phylyp Leo Henry the fourthe and Fridericke the seconde whyche came vnto shamefull endes and were some taken some also slayne of their owne chyldren And that for suche disobedience not only kynges and Emperours but also whole nations haue ben plaged as namelye the Iewes and Grekes the one for crucifying of Chryst the sonne of God the others for contemnyng of hys vicar Moreouer he wylleth him to imitate the example of greate Constantyne who refused to be iudg in the Bisshops causes Notwithstandynge he coulde be contente to vse hym as a coadiutour in matters of relygion but herin to be head and gouernour he can not abyde hym Fynally he warneth him frō hence foorthe to treate no more of relygion in the assemblies of Th empyre but referre that vnto hys indgement and that he disanulle and abrogate all suche thynges as he hath through ouer moche fufferaunce already graunted to those rebelles and aduersaryes of the Churche of Rome or els must he be constrained to deale more roughly with him than either hys custome nature or will also can beare Yet wil he not neglect hys dewtie for the example of gods plage vpon Helithe prest is euer before his eyes Hitherto he hath vsed the clementie of a father but if thys will not serue he must feele another waye therfore let him consider whether it shal be more for hys honour to assist his olde age in recouerynge the tranqullytie of the Churche or els to fauour those that seke the desolation of the same It is thought that the Frēch king set hym on to wryte thus extremely who made the matter odious by reason of the Englysh league to incense the bysshop the more for herof cometh it that he wryteth of the Societie of euel mē For they both are wont to swe and craue hys frendship right busyly bothe by letters and ambassadours especyallye in tyme of warre and eche laboureth for hym selfe that they may bee to hym most acceptable Aboute thys tyme Stephen Bisshop of Winchester set foorth a boke agaynst Bucer verey opprobrious and bitter Wherin emonges other thinges he defendeth the sengle lyfe This yere the Bisshop created Cardinalles Christopher Madruce of the Trente and Otto Truckesse Bishop of Auspurge Germanes George Arminiack Iames Anuebald Frēchmen Fraunces Mendoza Bartholomewe Cueua Spaniardes to gratifye the Emperoure Fernando and the Frenche Kynge At the same tyme also he calleth a counsell whyche had ben hindered heretofore by reason of the warres agaynst the Ides of Marche in the yere following And because Themperour and the French king wer now at peace he vttereth greate gladnes and the writte wherewith he reneweth the connsel beginneth of that place of Scripture Letare Ierusalem-In these dayes also cometh foorthe a booke of Luthers touchyng the Lordes supper wherin he reneweth the olde controuersie and speaketh many thynges agaynste Zwinglius and the fellowes of the same doctryne Which was aunswered by them of Zuricke that ryght sharpelye I tolde you before of Clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon howe they with theyr whole force resisteth the Archebisshop in the reformation of religion But where as he procedeth they sendyng agayne Ambassadours letters requyre hym to leaue and attende the decree of the counsell yf not they must cōplayne to the higher magistrate and fynde remedy to quyet theyr conscyence and pacifye Gods wrath They are lothe to take that waye but yf he goo forewarde they muste nedes do it Whan they coulde not thus preuayle the .ix. daye of October they assemble in the head Churche of Collon and there recyte by wrytyng amonges other thynges what hath ben done at Wormes .xxiij. yeres past what Luther by the common assēt of all Princes was condemned of Themperoure what was decreed at Auspurge what at Regenspurge and what latelye at Spyer All these thynges neglected they saye how theyr Archebysshop Herman hathe gon a new waye to worke and hath sent for Bucer an Apostata and twyse polluted with incestuous mariage a sacramentary and a defendour of that opinion and to hym hath committed thecclesiasticall function and hath appointed euery where new preachers lewde and euill persons by them also was a fourme of a refourmation diuised set forth by the princes commaundement All the which thinges they haue euer to theyr powers resisted and ofte desired the Archebisshop that he woulde staye vntyll the counsell or at the leste vntill the conuention of thempire but all was in vayne And nowe forasmuche as the state of the prouince is lamentable
in the life euerlasting we shal know one an other And what time they were all desyrous to learne that of hym what sayeth he chaunced to Adam He had neuer seene Eue but what tyme God shaped her he was caste into a maruelous depe and sounde slepe But awakyng out of the same whan he sawe her he axeth not what she is or whence she came but sayeth she is fleshe of his flesshe and bone of his bones But howe knew he that Uerely beyng full of the holy ghost replenisshed with the trew knowledge of god he spake thus In lyke maner shall we also in another lyfe be renewed by Chryst and shall know more perfitly our parentes wyues children what so euer is besydes than Adam that tyme knewe Eue. After supper whan he went a side to praie as he was accustomed the payne of his stomake began to increase There by the aduise of certen he dranke of an Unicornes horne in wine After he slept quietly in the trindle bed of the stowfe by the space of an houre or two Than awakyng he goeth to hys chamber and laieth hym downe againe to rest and biddyng hys frendes good nyghte that were with hym he wylled them to praye to god that he wold graunt vs to kepe still the doctryne of the gospell For the Bisshop and the counsell at Trente are a workynge some great mischief Whan he had thus sayed and al was hushte he slepeth a good whyle but the force of hys disease increasing vpon hym at after midnight he complayneth of the straytenes of hys stomake and perceyuing that th ende of his lyfe drewe nere he calleth to God with these wordes O god my heauenly father and the father of oure Lord Iesus Chryst God of al consolatiō I geue the thankes that thou hast reuealed vnto me thy sonne Iesus Chryst whō I haue beleued whom I haue professed whom I haue loued whom I haue set foorthe honored whom the Bisshop of Roome and al that wicked rabel doe persecute and dishonour I beseche thee my Lord Iesus Chryst receyue my soule my heauēly father although I be taken out of thys lyfe albeit I must now leaue thys body yet know I assuredly that I shall remayne with thee for euer and that noman can take me out of thy handes Not long after thys prayer sayde whan he had ones or twyse cōmended hys soule into the handes of God as though he had fallen a slepe by little and littel he departeth oute of this lyfe withoute any paine of hys body that could be perceyued And thus he dyed in hys owne natyfe countrey whyche he had not seene of manie yeres the .xviii. daye of Februarye to the greate lamentation of many The Erles of Mansfelde were desirous that he myght haue ben buried in theyr countrey because he was borne there but at the commaundemēt of the Prince electour he was honorably caried to Wittemberge and buryed the fyft daye after of yeres he was aboute lxiii for he was borne the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande .iiii. hondreth fourescore and three the tenthe daye of Nouember of ryght honest good parentes Iohn and Margarite he learned hys fyrst prynciples at home from thence beynge sente to Maydēburge and then to Isenacke he farre excelled all hys fellowes After he came to Erford and gaue hym selfe wholie to the studye of logicke and Philosophye And whan he had ben there a whyle makyng neyther parētes nor frēdes priuie to it he professed hym selfe into the College of Austen Freres applyed all hys studye to the scripture forsakyng the lawe whyche he studied before That time was an Uniuersitie newly erected at Wittemberge wherefore Stupicious of whom mention is made in the fyrste booke hauynge the charge hereof bryngeth Luther thyther to reade diuinitie Than was Luther sent to Roome by the conuente of hys order aboute a suite that hanged there in the lawe Thys was in the yere of our lord M.D.x. Whan he was retourned home through the motion of hys frendes he commenced Doctour at the charges of Duke Fridericke What force and plētie of eloquence was in him his workes doe sufficiently declare certenly the Dutch toungue he beautifyed and enryched exceadingly and hathe the chiefe commendation therin and hathe translated out of the latin toungue such thynges as were thought vnpossible and expresseth the matter with most apte proper termes and many tymes by one worde he setteth before youre eyes the whole matter He wryteth in a certeine place of the Bisshop howe he hathe polluted the Lordes supper and hathe also applied the masse to them that be dead he sayeth he hathe pearsed with hys masse not only in to all corners of Christendome but also into Purgatorye it selfe but he vseth the Dutche word whyche representeth that noise as is wont to be made whan a man doeth rattle or shake together a nomber of dead mens bones or cast aboute amonges them he was of courage inuincible What tyme he beganne fyrste to preache agaynst pardons he knewe not what the matter mente as he hym selfe confesseth and did that thing only and therfore wrote than verey lowly bothe to the Bisshop others but whan he had profited in the knowledge of scripture dayly more and more and perceyued that his doctryne was agreable to Gods worde he withstode the violence of hys enemies the malice of the whole world with a most stoute courage and lyke awalle of Brasse remayned styll vnmouable despysynge all daunger Whan Themperoure helde a counsell of the states imperyall at Auspurge immediately after he was crowned at Bononie by Clement the seuenth a terrible tempest was lyke to enswe as in the seuenth booke is specifyed Than did he couinfort bothe hys Frendes priuately all others openly and applying to thys pourpose the .xlvi. Psalme God sayeth he is oure sure castell and Bulwarke that olde enemye of mankynde taketh the matter in hande now with all hys force and power he layeth to all hys munition And indede our powers is but small neyther can we longe susteyne so greate a violence Howbeit that noble champion whom God hym selfe hath chosen vnto hym he hathe put on Armure and fyghteth for vs If you are who that is knowe forcertentie that he is that Iesus Chryst who muste nedes haue the victory and conquest And albeit the whole compasse of thys worlde be full of Deuilles yet are we not affrayde but with a most assured confidence doe looke for a ioyefull successe For although Sathangnasshe hys teethe and rage neuer so fiersely yet shall he nothyng preuayle agaynste vs For he is iudged already and throughe the worde only falleth downe all hys armure Thys worde shall not the aduersaryes take from vs but will they nyll they shall leaue it behynde them For he is in our tentes and armye who with his spirite and gyftes defendeth vs yf they take awaie lyfe goodes wife chilchildren take it patiently For they
restrayned wold take them cleane a waye I am constrayned to attempte war that I may reduce them to theyr dewtie And for as muche as I heare saye how they goe aboute all that euer they can to allure you others to their fellowship I commaund you fyrst that throughout your whole prouince you let proclame and doe foresee that no man serue in this war vnlesse he serue me and my captaynes suche as shall haue commission to shewe secondly yf any be gonne foorthe already to serue that you call them againe immediately and commaund them to tary at home and attende vpon our commaundement And suche as will not obey that you punnish them extremelye so demeane youre selfes that I maye perceyue that you loue the quyet of Germany except you thus doe know for certentie that it shal be to your great daunger losse of all that you haue These letters whan the Archebishop had receiued he published in all places and commaunded they shuld be obeied Besydes he gaue commaundement that they shulde praye in Churches that God of hys mercy wolde tourne awaye the greate daunger that nowe hanged ouer Germany At the same tyme the Protestantes sēd their ambassadours to the kinges of Fraunce and England newely reconciled making suite to them for ayde After the Duke the Lātzgraue had wrytten thus to Themperoure priuately as before is sayd at that Ides of Iuly they set forth a publicke writing also wherin they declare howe thys warre is made againste Religion and this to bee Themperours intent that vnder a serten pretence of rebellyō and as though he wolde punnysh but a fewe he myght plucke awaye the fellowes of the league one from an other and so muche the more easelie at the length subuert them all And hereof they bryng manye proues and reporte what kynge Fernando what Granuellan what Nauius and others spake priuately at Regenspurge verelye that the contempt of the counsell was cause of thys warre Moreouer they saye howe Themperoure sent commaundement to them of Rauensburge whyche had lately receyued the doctryne of the Gospell that within a few dayes they shuld for sake theyr enterpryse or els wolde he geue theyr Citie and Landes to be deuyded amonges the Soldiours but the Messager was called backe with the letters by the waye leste it shuld come forthe a brode that the war were agaynst relygion Forasmuch also as the byshop of Rome hath geuē sentēce against I the Archbishop of Collon for the reformatyō of doctrine hath depriued him of hys dignitie for that Thēperoure in a maner doeth threatneth the same doeth not that sufficiētly declare the cause of the war For it is a cōmon brure how theyr drift is that the Cardinal of Auspurg who hath set this matter a fyre shall throughe violence be substituted in hys place It is reported moreouer that when they bee vanquished bandes of Soldiours shal be placed in all partes of Germany whych in Themperours name shall see the decrees of the counsell concernyng relygion maynteyned and put in execution Furthermore it is wrytten by dyuers men howe the Archebysshop of Toledo chiefly and such other prelates in Spayne do geue a great summe of monye to thys warre which they wold not haue donne if it had not ben for religion It is wel knowen also what maner of decree was made at Auspurge .xvi. yeres synce what tyme Themperoure protested that he could not abyde thys secte and doctryne of Luther but that to distroye the same vtterly he wold bestowe all hys force treasure lyfe and blud also For yf they were once oppressed as God forbid than shuld it quickely appere whether they wolde spare thys religion and wolde not rather slaye the ministere of the churche inforce theyr wyues and their children and restore Monkes and Freers and all that relygious rabbell But Themperoure may not lawfully worke force agaynst any state nor bannish any man before his cause behearde nor bryng foreyn soldiours within the bondes of Germany or chaleng to hym self any inherytance or succession belonginge to thempire For he is bounden to these condicions and hath confyrmed them by an othe For yf it were lawful for him to doe otherwise the state of the publycke weale could not long endure And what cause of displeasure shulde haue agaynste them they cannot in the worlde perceiue For touching me saieth the Duke of Saxon what so euer dissention was betwene him his brother Fernando and me it was wholy quenched two yeares paste at Spier and for a nerer frendship the lady Elenore daughter to kynge Ferdinando was promised freely to my eldest sonne so that we could agree in religion The same did Themperoure than cōfyrme what tyme I shoulde retourne home from that assemblie he sent to me into my owne lodging Granuellan Nauius with moste large wordes offered all good wil and frendship to me and my children my whole countrey And what great cryme haue I commytted synce that time that he should intēd this crueltie against me But doubteles the matter is euē so as we haue shewed you before because we refuse the bisshoppes counsell we incurred displeasure But reason wolde that he shulde not imagine these thinges againste the house of Saxon For he knoweth how after the death of Maximilian mine vncle Duke Fridericke hauing the crowne imperiall offered hym through hys voyce and meanes gaue it vnto hym to omitte in the meane tyme many other benefites which the house of Saxon hathe imploied on the house of Austriche And in case he were offended for putting Iulius Pūugius from the Bishopricke of Nunburge I haue in bookes setfoorthe declared my ryght and tytle of Patronage and if Themperour wold appoynte indifferent iudges offered to abyde theyr iudgment Nowe concerning my owne parte sayeth the Lantzgraue I was throughly reconciled to hym fyue yeres synce at Regenspurge And for that I intended a fewe yeares past to haue warred on certen Bisshops and for that afterwardes I did helpe my cosyn the Duke of Wirtemberg to recouer hys owne all thys and what so euer I had haply don besydes agaynste the lawe wrytten or decrees of Thempire eyther priuely or apartely it was for geuen me and wrytinges made therof cōfirmed with handes and seales Therfore can not I deuise or imagin what should be the cause of thys grudge Againe whan I spake with him nowe lately at Spyre he shewed hym selfe so frendelye bothe in wordes and countenaunce that I could perceyue no sparke of displasure And it was couenaunted fyue yere synce at Regenspurge that if he shuld attēpt any thyng herafter agaynst the Duke of Cleaue that I shuld not meddle in the matter After he moued war agaynst him and I kept touche and promise And than what time he receyued the same Duke agayne to hys fauoure whiche was before Uerlone he perdoned all that had serued or assisted hym with ayde But yf he should take in euill parte our absence that we
and syluer throwen amonges the common people Than goeth the Archebyshop to Masse And after that the Gospell is done the king carieth to the aultar certen pieces of gold bread and wyne And whā Masse is ended receiueth the lordes supper after their maner And than go al to dyner For this vse and purpose to the intēt nothing should disquiet this coronation the kyng would seme to haue hired the Almaigue fotemē through the conduite of Uogelsberge as afore is mentioned In the meane tyme the Emperour demaundeth of the residue of the states imperiall money for the charges of the warres whiche he sayeth was chiefly attempted for their sakes the welth of Germany Moreouer all the Nobilitie and suche as serue with the Protestantes are put to their fine throughout all Germany And the somme of that money which the Emperour leuied of the Princes and cities aswell of the Catholikes as Protestauntes amounteth aboue .xvi. hondreth thousande crownes as appereth by accomptes made And some also them perour refused as rebelles and vtterly denied them his fauour And amonges others Doctor George of Wittemberge Albert Erle of Mansfelde Iohn Hedecke Erle Lewys Counte of Oeting the father and the sonne For he punished him in such sort as he gaue all his landes clerely to his other sonnes Friderick and Wuolfange whome for their fidelitie seruice done hym he fauoured So the Erle of Oeting exiled with his wyfe and the rest of his children and tourned out of all that euer he had came to Strasburge and after that wandered vp and downe many yeares in sondry places vntil an alteratiō of time came that the Emperour forgaue them as shal be spoken hereafter Furthermore the Emperour by his letters publyshed outlaweth them of Maydenburg And also king Ferdinando for the warre attempted against his countreis doth exact money of the Protestauntes especially the Cities and fleseth Auspurg and Ulme of a great some of money After he commenceth processe against the Duke of Wirtemberge for his whole Dukedom as though he had broken fidelitie and conuenaūtes made in four mer yeares Neither did it auaile him any thing at all that he had so lately redemed peace of the Emperour vpon most strayte condicions Lykewyse the Cardinall of Auspurg doth extorte also of the citie a great quantitie of gold Moreouer the Cardinall of Trent asketh them money saying howe he ayded kinge Ferdinando with men to recouer the passage in the Alpes taken as is sayde by Scherteline Themperour also moueth the Swisses vnto a newe league Yet doeth he exempte Basill Zuricke Schafuse and certen others for that he sayd they apperteined to the Emperour They by one assent make aūswere how they haue a league alredy with the house of Auslrich and Burgundie wherunto they cleaue surely and other confederacie will they none make The same do they loke for agayne of him also About the end of Iuly the Emperour cōmeth to Auspurge with the Duke of Saxon prysoner And the Lantgraue he left at Donauerde garded with Spaniardes whiche dyd many thynges dayly in his contempt and mockery This was an armed assemblie For there was a ga 〈…〉 ison in the citie before of .x. enseignes of sotemen And in the countrey round about were forces of Sparnyardes and Italians Of whome to be voyde and free they of Meming payde thirty thousand and Kemptem twenty thousand crownes Besydes there came out of nether Germany about syx hondreth horsemen whome the Emperour bestowed in the coūtrie nere vnto the citie Twelue enseignes of Spaniardes whan they had wyntered a whyle at Bibrach they were led into those parties that border on the lake Brigantine At Wisseburg a town of Norgouie wyntered seuen hondreth horsemen of Naples Gerarde Uelthuiche who went to the Turke as I sayd in the .xvii. boke retourneth to the Emperour the .xii. daye of Auguste hauing made truce for fyue yeares After the Emperour came to Auspurg he taketh the head churche and certen others to him self and leaueth the rest for the Senate and people But his chaplaines before they wold saye any seruice in their churches pourged and hallowed them againe with many ceremonies as suspended and polluted with Lutheranisme The Emperour appointed preacher in the Cathedral churche Michell Sidonie Suffragan to the Archebyshop of Mentz He amongest other thinges made diuerse sermons of the sacrifice of the Masse whiche after he set forth in print And where as in their churches came in maner none of the citezens the catholikes as it is reported offered money to the porer sorte to come be present at their seruice This assemblie was maruelous great All the Princes Electours were there and amongest them Adolphe Archebyshop of Collon and Duke Maurice Thither came also kyng Ferdinādo and the Cardinall of Trent Henry the Duke of Brunswick the Duke of Cleaue the lady Mary the Emperours syster and his Niece the Duchesse of Lorayne wydowe At the kalēdes of September they began to sytte There whan Maximilian of Austriche had in the Emperours name made a short preface the Emperours Secretary declared by wryting what thinges should be there decided whiche were chiefly two how Religion might be accorded and the controuersies about the same appeased And again how the chamber should be established the lawe there ministred wherin he requireth them to geue theyr faithful aduise and counsel The tenth day of this moneth Peter Aloise the byshop of Romes sonne Paule the thirde was slayne at Placence at home in his own house and shortly after Ferdinando Gonzage the Emperous lieftenaunt in Lumbardie taketh the citie The newes hereof within a fewe dayes came to Auspurge And as the matter was reported to the Emperour the same story as they sayd was communicated also to the Princes and deliuered vnto them in wryting The whole discourse redoundeth to the infamie and disprayse of Peter Aloise And thus the case standeth as the same wrytyng specifieth Whan after the exchaunge made Peter Aloise was created Duke of Placence and Parma he did many thinges cōtrary to lawe and equitie and through his rigour offended all sortes of men And amonges others he depriued Hierome Palauicine of all his landes and possessions And where he to eschewe the daunger fled to Creme a towne belonging to the State of Uenise he caste his wyfe and his chyldren in pryson Where as the same matter was like to growe to some great cōmotion the Cardinall of Trent who bare good wyl to the house of Farnese by his letters wrytten intreateth the matter but the Duke aunswered frowardly His sonne Octauius came after to Trent retourning from the Emperours campe homeward Unto whome the Cardinall declareth the whole matter desyring him to be a peticioner to his father in the same He promiseth so to do and after letteth him vnderstande that Hierome may be receiued againe into fauour so that he wyll come hym selfe and humblie require pardon And where it was to be feared leste
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 thēce 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 cōfirme 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 cōgregation he pronoūceth 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 cōmāded 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 amōges 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 burthē 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 sōne 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 kingdōe 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 hādle 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 coūselloures 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 cānot 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 sōnes 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 defēd both him and his childrē This cōstancie of his magnanimiti in so great aduersity got him great loue euery wher amōgs 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 saufcōduit they send ambassadors to Auspurge to treat a peace Themperor propoundeth right hard conditions and amōgs other things also that they shuld admit the boke setforth after that to frame their religion Thambassadors require to haue the cōditions 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 offēded than others and haue for thempire for the house of Austrich suffred in time past exceding great misery now do refuse no charge that cā 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 coūsel 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 thē 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 vpō them that is of a sodē palsy Where they say how they haue sustained great domage for the loue of the house of Austrich thus it stādeth 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 Sāmaurice 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 experiēce crafts mē for nothing les mete thē to haue gouernmēt 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 cōmaundeth their names to be red whō he hath apoynted senators of the which nōbre were the Welsers Relingers Būtgarners Fuggers Pētingers whō he bindeth after by an oth assigneth vnto euery of thē his office function cōmandeth thē straitly that they loue the cōmon welth obei the decre of religion be vnto him obedient He doth also abrogate al fraternities cōmaundeth vnder pain of death that from henceforth ther be no conuēticles or assēbles made And cōmaundeth that al wrytings of gildes fraternities of priuileges fredō be immediatly deliuered to the new Senate cōmaundeth 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 obeisāce 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 lōg 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
fourmer bokes howe the Byshoppes of Rome Clement and Paule haue vsed the seruice of Uergerius before in germany Certes he was in hygh fauour with king Ferdinando whilest he was in Hongary in so much that whan his daughter Catharine was borne Uergerius George Marques of Brandenburge and Iohn Archebyshop of Lunden were her godfathers at the fountestone But after he reuolted from the Byshop of Rome by a wonderfull occasion Whan he was sent for to Rome from the conference of Wormez whiche was in the beginning of the yeare M. CCCCC xli as before is said The Byshop going about to make newe Cardinalles appointed him also amongest others But there were some that priuely whispered in his eare that he was now through muche familiaritie with the Germains become a Lutherane After that Uergerius had heard this by Cardinall Ginucius vnto whome the Byshop had tolde it he was maruelously astonied And to the intent he myght pourge hym selfe he goeth home into his countrey and begynneth a boke whiche he intituled against the Apostatas of Germany And whylest to confute their argumentes he tourneth ouer diligently the bookes of his aduersaries and pondering depely their reasons he feleth hym selfe taken and vanquished Than casting away all hope of his Cardinalshyp he goeth to his brother Iohn Baptist Byshop of the citie of Pole and reciting the whole matter asketh his counsell His brother being afrayde at the beginning lamenteth his case much But after he was perswaded by hym to applie hym selfe to the searching of the Scripture and had considered diligently that article of iustification comparinge the sentences together he geueth place and iudgeth the bishop of Romes doctrine to be false Wherupon they reioysed the one to the other And as the very duty of Byshops is began to instruct the people in Istria and preache diligently the benefite of Christe imployde vpon mankynde and declare what workes God requireth of vs to the intent they myght call men againe to the true Religion But there sprang vp many aduersaries especially Freers suche as are called obseruauntes who reported the thing to the inquisitours the chief wherof was Anniball Gryson and ioyned with him in commissiō Hierome Mutius whiche after wrote an inuectiue against Uergerius and not that only but set forth a boke also wherin for the Hatred of Religion he diffameth Germany with moste sclaunderous rayling wordes Whan Grison was come to Pole and to Iustinople he rusheth into mens houses and searched if they had any bokes prohibited Than whan he had spokē many thynges in his Sermon he cursed all those that wold not presente such as were suspected of Lutheranisme Yet he promysed a lesse punishment vnto suche as would come to amendement of their owne fre wyll aske hym pardon But on those that would not wyllyngly cōfesse their crime and were after accused of others he sayde he would be auenged by fyre and entringe into euery house feared all men Wherfore there were founde diuerse that accused them selues for feare refused nothyng Of the which nomber the rycher sorte pryuely and poorer openly were constrayned to confesse their errour Suche as confessed how they had red the newe Testament in the vulgare tongue he disswaded moste earnestly to abstayne hereafter Than the common multitude whose myndes were stryken with feare accused one an other full busely without any respect had eyther of kynred frendshyp or benefites For the sonne spared not the father nor the wyfe her husbande nor the cliente his Lorde and patrone The complaintes were all for the moste parte of triflyng matters suche as one reprehended in an other for superstitiō Hereunto were added preachinges against the doctrine of Uergerius And on a certen daie whan there was a great audience of people assembled in the head churche of Iustinople The inquisitour Grison whiche sayed masse than pourposly getteth him vp into the pulpet in a rych vestiment amongs other things to the intent he might thrust in his sting at this time saith he and these certen yeares past you haue had many stormes and much vnseasonable weather which destroyeth one whyle your Oliues an otherwhyle your Corne And nowe marreth your Uines now eftsones your cattell other goods And the cause of all these euilles commeth of your Byshop and the other sort of Heretikes And neuer loke for any better vnlesse they be first restrayned Therfore the next way is to set vpon them stone them Through this their violence Uergerius was constreined to repaire to Mantua vnto the Cardinall Hercules Gunsage with whome he was familiarly acquainted But where bothe diuerse at Rome and also Iohn Case the Byshops Legate with the Uenetians admonyshed the Cardinall by letters and messengers that he should no longer mainteine suche a man he goeth to Trent where the coūsel was holden at the same time to make his pourgation Whan the Byshop of Rome knewe therof albeit he had rather haue had hym deteyned prisoner yet least any suspicion should aryse namely in Germany as though the counsell were not free he wryteth agayne to his Legates there that they permitte hym not to haue any place in the session but that they commaunde hym to departe from thence Being after this sorte repulsed he wēt to Uenise Here the Bishops Legate before named exhorteth him by al meanes that he would go to Rome But he whiche vnderstode his daūger refused Than the other a fewe daies after cōmaunded him in the Byshops name that he retourne no more to Iustinople Therfore went he to Padwey And whylest he there was he behelde this miserable example before rehearsed Wherewith being wehemently moued whan he had sene presently the wrath of God wherwith that wretched man was stryken he began more and more to be confirmed and than he determined plainly to forsake contrie and all that euer he had and go into volūtary exile rather and to be in place where he might frely professe Christe Whiche he did within a fewe monethes after and taking his iourney out of the countrey of Bergome he came in to Rhetia bordering vpon t the same And whan he had preached the Gospel there and also in the vale of Tely that ioyneth next vnto Italy certen yeares Christopher the Duke of Wirtemberge sent for hym to Cubinga Before he departed out of Italy the Byshop of Polle his brother was dead and it was suspected that he was poysoned Moreouer many notable mē besides Uergerius sawe Spiera in the same state and amongest others Matthewe Gribalde a Ciuilian of Padwey who compry sing in wryting the whole matter whiche he presently saw and heard set it forth in printe As Uergerius did also and Sigismunde Gelowe a Polonian and Henry Scotte The Archbyshop of Beneuento before mentioned compyled a booke of Buggery and so filthy as nothyng can be deuised more For he is nothing ashamed to extolle and prayse the moste detestable vice of all others yet commonly vsed in Grece
the cardinals doth pronounce how many voyces euerye man hathe If the nombre be not such as is required the papers are cast againe into the chalice Than doth the other deacon ring the siluer bel straightwais commeth the masters of the ceremonies that tarieth without and bringing in a fire panne with coles burneth all those little papers And euery cardinall maye at one time geue foure seuerall voyces to didiuers men but that chaunceth seldome And this verelye is the manner of theyr election Nowe let vs retourne to our purpose The Cardinals being thus inclosed the second day of Septēbre as before is said begin the matter how be it they wēt to it but slowly for that they heard say how the Cardinals of Fraunce were cōming Many men supposed that they should haue sene a newe bishop of Rome before Christmas but their expectation was vaine The Cardinalles were all deuided into thre partes or factions whereof one was with the Emperoure another with the Frenche king and the third was of the Farnesians The Frenchmen wold haue chosen the Cardinall of Traues Saluiate Rodulphe Lorayne or Theatine And the imperialles Pole Burges Carpes Crucey Moron or Sfoudrate And of Poole and Saluiate there was a great brute raised in the City For all be it they would that the thing should be kept very closely as before I haue said yet for as much as oft times diuers went oute of the Conclaue eyther for cause or faining of some sicknes it is could not be kept secreate in so much as it is said how the Emperoure and the Frenche Kinge were aduertised of all that was done And the cause which Cardinall Poole obteined not the place was throughe the meanes of Cardinall Theatine who said as it is reported that he smelled of Lutheranisme For many both in Italy and others also bear witnes that he was of a right iudgemente concerninge the true Doctrine as is said in the tenth boke At the same time were very manye Pilgrimes were at Rome whyche were come thyther oute of diuers countries and nations to th entent they might at the beginning of the new yere which was than as it is commonly called the yere of Iubeley receiue cleane remission and forgeuenes of theyr sinnes Upon Christmas euen they resorted all to the porche of S. Peters Church hoping wel that the same which is called the golden gate should haue bene opened by the newe Bishop And albeit that long delay was to them very displeasaunte yet thoughte they not good to depart before the election were paste And that matter standeth thus Bonifacius the .viii. Bishop of Rome in the yere of oure Lorde M. CC .xcv. ordeined the yeare of Iubiley firste of all men and commaunded that it should be renued euery C. yere and promised vnto all such as shuld than come to Rome and ther make their deuoute prayers at the Sepulchres of S. Peter and Paule ful remission of al theyr sinnes After his death whan thys distance of time serued ouer long Clemēt the sixt reduced the same vnto fifty yeres Whose decre also remaineth wherin he commaundeth the angels that they should carry vp into the heauenly kingdome such as died in the time of this Pilgrimage And Sixtus the fourth decreed that this benefite should be graunted to men euery .xxv. yere Whan therfore the yere after the incarnation of Christ a M.D. L. was at hand Paule the third a fewe monethes before sente abrode his letters vnto all nations most earnestly exhortinge them not to let passe so goodly an occasion of vnburtheninge thē of theyr sinnes and obteining the kingdome of heauen He him self also reioysed much that he had liued vnto this time sayd that day wold be to him most delectable wherin he should deserue so wel of mankinde but this his ioy was not effectuall for a fewe wekes before that same day which he so greatly desired he departed as before is specified Paulus Fagius which went with Bucer into Englād about the end of Nouembre died at Cambridge of a Feuer Quartane How the matter was taken vp by arbitrement betwixt the bishop of Strausburge and the Senate I haue shewed you before Now had the bishop intended to begin the thing in his churches at Christmasse and had prescribed the cleargye an ordre whiche they should followe but for that they were not fully furnished he differred it till the first of February Than in those thre temples which the Senate by composition had graunted him the Priestes begin againe fyrst to sing theyr Euensong and the next day masse which for the space of .xxi. yeares hadde bene omitted there was a great concourse especially of yong people For vnto them it was a strāge sight and before neuer heard of to see there so manye with shauen crownes and in a new kind of apparel whiche sange that no man could vnderstand Tapers and Lampes burning at noone dayes smoking and perfuming with sensours to se the priest and his ministers standing at the aultare pronouncing al thinges in a strāge language vsing manye curtesies and sondrye gestures bowynge downe with his handes fast closed one while castinge abrode hys armes an other while bringing in the same somtime turning him self about now crying out a loud and now again muttering something in great secreatnes somtime loking vp a loft somtime down to the ground and cannot stand stil in a place but remouinge now to the right hand and now to the left hand of the aultare to crosse blesse with his fingers to breethe in the chalice and lifte it vp on highe after to set it downe againe in certaine places to name one while the quicke an other while the dead to break the host as they call it and put it into the chalice to knocke on his breaste wyth his fist to sigh and to wincke as thoughe he were a slepe to a wake againe to eat one part of the bread and suppe of the reaste wyth the wine least any drop should remaine to washe his handes to crosse and blesse with the gilt patent to put the same to his foreheade and breast to kisse one while the aultare another while an Image inclosed in timbre or metall these thinges I say and such other like the yong people beheld not without great maruel and wonder nor certainly without laughter and could hardly be kept vnder At after none a certain priest whom they had procured thither from an other place maketh a Sermon in the head church wher he had no great audience yet diuers resorted as they are wōt in a new thing There did a certaine yonge man make a noyse I know not what whome one of the Sergeaunts rebuked and made a busines with him as though he would haue caried him to pryson By and by the youth came al flocking about him and as in suche a case it is commonly sene there arose an vprore and tumult while euery man inquireth what the
only againste whome if anye proclamation come forthe or if any decrees be made the matter is clearely out of doubt that the same oughte to be reiected and refused but of this sort is the decre made at Auspurge concerning religion Therfore can not we obey them that woulde make vs to receiue the same Mauger our heades and take from vs the lighte of the Gospel and setforth that Romish Idoll that they might draw vs into euerlasting damnation And seinge the case standeth thus ther can no rebellion of right be obiected vnto vs again euery mā may easely perceiue how vnlawful it is to worke anye violence against vs for in that are not we only assaied but this thing is wrought to th end that the professors of the true doctrine might vtterlye be extinguished that through our side mighte be wounded Christe him self and al godly people For we are al the members of Christe Wherfore such as defile them selues with so wicked a facte what thing els may they loke for but Gods vengaunce Touchinge the fortes and villages taken we haue spoken in our last former wryting neither is it neadefull to repeate the same For so sone as we shal be assured of peace we will restore them to the right owners Where also our enemies haue raised a brute as though there were vsed amonges vs an intermixed vncerten lechery it is a most impudēt lie Therfore we beseche you for the honor of God that ye do not defile your selues with innocent blud but pray God that he would confound the bloudy coūsels of the wicked if it fortune to be war that they wold not deny them their aid After in the month of Aprill the ministers of the church setforth a wryting wherein they recite the confession of their doctrin and declare how it is lawful for the inferior magistrate to defend him self against the superior compelling him to forsake the truth and here they speke vnto and beseche themperor that he wold geue no credit to suche as incense him to practise vniust and wicked cruelty but that he wold first truly and duely examine the whole matter Finally they make earnest request that they may haue no war and if the thinge come so to passe they desire aid also of the inhabiters next them Of the trouble that I said fortuned in the head church at Strausburge the bishop made complaint to themperor but the Senate by an ambassadour sent declareth that ther was no fault in them wherfore themperour adressing his letters to the bishop commaundeth him to renue hys worke omitted to procede therin The bishop taketh firste assurance by othe of the Senate that ther shuld be no violence shewed nor any disturbance in theyr doing Thus at the length the clargy at the feast of Pentecost which was than the .xxiiii. of May began their matter again A few daies at the first the consuls certen other Senators wer ther in thother side of the Cathedrall church least any tumult shuld be raised And the clargy of the said church had inclosed that part of the chauncel as they go into the reuestry with grates of yron that no man could come nere At th end of May themperor departeth from Brussels with his sonne Phillip goeth to thassembly at Auspurge leading with him the duke of Saxon prisoner leauing the Lantzgraue at Machlin Not long after his departing thence ther was setforth a proclamation against the Lutheranes which was written both in French Flemish the .xxix. day of April and that was after this sort albeit saith themperor I haue alwaies indeuored that thauncient and true religion might within al my dominions be obserued albeit I haue bene euermore wholly bent that therrors sectes heresies which haue now these many yeres bensowen ouer al christendom might vtterly be abolished albeit that for the same cause I haue setforth sōdry proclamations with most extreme penalties yet hearing saye not without the great grief of my mind that not only men of our own dominiō but also strāgers which dwel within our prouinces occupy the trade of marchandise haue spread abrode thinfection of this mischief far and nere in such sort as it is doutles requisite to lay to this disease some corrasine or other sharp medicine make diligent inquisitiō after the offenders that the same plage maye be plucked vp by the rotes as in the last assemblies prouincial I admonished the states and gouernors that euery man for his part shuld diligētly apply him self hereunto and stil remain in thold and catholick religiō Especially cōsidering how it is openly sene of al men what tumultes commotiōs this infection hath stirred vp to speake nothing in the meane time of the losse of saluation of soules Wherfore by thaduise of our most derely beloued sister and assent of oure nobles we make this new law straitly charge and commaund that no man whatsoeuer he be haue bie or distribute any bokes of Luther Oecolāpadius Zwinglius Bucer or Caluine or any other bokes set forth xxx yeres past without the names of the authors as in the registre of the deuines of Louain is furthermore conteined moreouer that no man kepe any Image or picture made in contempt or mockery of our Lady or other saincts nether that he cast down or breake any Image painted or pourtraied in the honor of any saint that no man open his house vnto priuy conuenticles wherin bothe erroures are wont to be sowen men and wemen rebaptised and also conspiracies made against the church and the common wealth that no man either priuely or apartly dispute of the holy scripture especially of hard and doubtfull matters or take vpon him thinter pretation of the same vnlesse he be a deuine aucthorised by some commendable vniuersity they that shall otherwise do shal be punished as seditious persons and disturbers of the common tranquility and if they be men they shal die with the sword and womē shal be buried in the ground quick in case they wil forsake theyr error but if they will be obstinate they shall be burnt and theyr goodes confiscated whether punishment so euer they suffer Againe they shall haue none authority to make any will and whatsoeuer they shall do herein since the time they first began to infringe thys oure law shal be frustrate and take no place Furthermore we charge cōmaund that no man receiue into his house or aid with any thing such as he knoweth to be suspected of heresy but that he aduertise immediatly thinquisitour or gouernour of the place and shal suffer punishment if he do it not Such as not of obstinate malice but throughe infirmitye haue fallen into errour and heresies and yet haue not transgressed thys our law and haue done nothing seditiouslye but of their owne accord haue retourned to amendement and after they haue abiured be receiued again to grace shal after that haue no conference amongs them selues of matters
who was afterward supposed to haue holpen greatly that the towne of Metz a city of thempire came into the hands of Hēry the french king as hereafter shal be declared In the last session at Trent was decreed amōgs 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 executiō but whē this mā was made bishop the cardinals of Fraūce obeyed it in dede in aparence but to no losse of theyrs For wheras diuers of thē had ii or iii bishoppricks many others aspired to that dignity by an exchāge 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 promoitōs 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 bād of horsmē 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 assēbly was armed also albeit that the state of things was sōwhat more quiet The princes of Mentz and of Treuers were presente the reast of thelectours sent ambassadours Moreouer there were presente Wuolfgāge 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 Hēry the duke of Brūswick 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 thintēt they may speke their mind frely After this protestation of his was red opēly 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 thabsēce of his father was wōt to answer the matters of the common welth was very familier with themperor In the mene seasō Henry the duke of Brunswick laieth siege to the city of Brunswick to the which he had born great hatred these many yeres for religiō for other things whan he had don theyr coūtry much harm by firing and spoiling yet could not win the city through the mediatiō of certen themperor cōmādeth 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 mentiō of the city of Affricanes that city kept Dracutus a notable Archpirate who had lately ioyned hī self with the Turke Themperor had cōmitted 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 lād 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 plowmē 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
to pike a thanke that our intent was to oppresse the nobilitie and states of this Byshoprike it is a starhe lie and can not be proued For we haue euerntore honoured the Nobilitie But if we haue indammaged suche as haue done violēce toward our men as they haue passed by to and fro who is so vnreasonable a iudge that will impute that thing vnto vs as a crime blame worthy Touching that they reporte of the swordes founde after the battell is a fained thing As for the haltars collars we denie not For the vse of thē was right necessary for our wagons and other cariage as it is manifest The condicions of peace that were offered by Duke Maurice the Marques of Brandenburg we could not admit for causes moste weightie For in case we had yelded receiued a power it is easy to vnderstande what should haue bene the state both of Religiō and the common wealth also God of his infinite mercy hath opened vnto vs the knowledge of his Gospel Whom we befeche to graunt vnto vs this so great a benefite perpetually but those whiche promise vs assistaunce herein howe it is credible that they can or also wyll perfourme the same whan they them selues be of wauering myndes in Religion and study to please men that our aduersaries may recouer their goodes and that dāmage done on both parties may be egally borne we refuse not But that they should retourne in the citie agayne set vp their idolatrie that can we by no meanes suffer Thei say how they were no impediment to vs in religion but certenly they wanted no wil therunto But we haue cause to geue God thākes that sent shrewed cowes short hornes The bodies of dead men were not so intreated as thei report But where as for our own defence we plucked down certē churches nere vnto the citie so many bodies as were founde not wholy cōsumed were cōueied to an other place buried deper Again it was permitted vnto al men that such of their kinred as they foūd there they might transporte whether they would That same of thēperour Otto the first is moste false a shameful lie by them deuised For we are not ignorant what honour is due to that chief magistrate especially to him of whom they speake thēperour Otto who did many worthy actes was a moste earnest defendour protectour of that libertie of Germany That seruice which they call holy Godly which they complaine that we haue disturbed in their churches is nothing lesse than holy but cōcerneth the high reproche of God They thēselues had lōg before caried out of the citie their vestimentes chalices other ornamētes But their wrytinges publique monumētes we kepe safely haue not abolished as they falsly accuse vs. Moreouer their priestes wer not whipped but they thēselues spoiled the churches caried the pray els where The college or monastery of Hamerslebie which neuerthelesse belōgeth not to thē therfore did we assaile at the last for that our ennemies had a place of refuge therin there deuided the boties takē frō our felowes vs. Wher they adde moreouer that our men did many thinges there insolētly outrageously that same was forged by the monkes As cōcerning the iniuries which they say were done vnto thē in the citie thus standeth the matter About .xxv. yeres since whā they on the eight day before Easter whiche is called Palm sondaye were in hand with their fond trifling ceremonies they were laughed at by the cōmon people that thether resorted but whose rashnes boldnes proceded further such as brake glasse wyndowes they were suerly punished of vs banished for other iniuries we knowe none neither haue they euer brought thē before vs. Wherfore we haue done nothing contrary to our promesse or cōposition neither haue we geuē our aduersaries any cause of warre And seing the matter is thus we desire all mē that they geue no credite to their sclaundrous reportes but to lament our chaunce which are cōstreined to defend the warre that is attēpted against vs to thintent we might mainteine the pure doctrine of the Gospel the liberties receiued of our elders for the which thinges also godly kinges magistrates of fourmer times the Machabeis men of most stoute courage haue refused no perill or daunger We wishe for peace moste chiefly aboue al thinges But that is denied vs hetherto Wherfore being lōg sore afflicted with the inuasions of our nere neighbours we could not repulse frō vs vniust violēce Wherby we haue also the better confidence that suche as we haue prouoked with no iniury wil iudge this war to cōcerne thē nothing stande in the awe feare of God the reuenger of al vnrighteousnes For the self same cause that hath stired vp this trouble against vs wyl shortly after wrap vp thē also in great distresse perils so many as couet to retein maintein the pure doctrine The letters wherwith the byshop of Rome had called the coūsell Themperour the fifth day of Ianuary cōmaundeth to be red in the Senate of states Princes exhorting thē that they wold prepare thēselues The same day king Ferdinādo informeth the states how in that truce time the Turks waxe busy in Hongary build a castel within his dominion went about to surprise his castel of Zolnock fortifie theirs with a garrison how also they haue made an inrode into Transsyluania Wherof verely he hath geuen them none occasion doth al that he can that the truce taken may be obserued but in case the Turke shal refuse he desired to haue aide geuen him I told you in the xx boke of Stephen byshop of Winchester for what cause he was apprehēded in Englād And where he perseuered in his opinion wold neither allowe the statutes already made nor suche as shuld be made hereafter cōcerning religion during the kinges nonage he was depriueth of his byshoprike this yeare in the moneth of Ianuary cōmitted again to warde Andrew Osiāder whom I sayd went into Prusse set forth this time a new opiniō affirming the man is not iustified by faith but by the rightuousnes of Christ dwelling in vs saith that Luther was also of his opinion But the rest of the diuines his fellowes did stoutly impugne it affirming that he said of Luther to be false who not many monthes before his death left a most ample goodly testimony in the preface of the first Tome of Melāchthons boke wherin are treated the cōmon places of holy scripture Where therfore he inueieth against Melanchthon he maketh also Luther his aduersary for that they were both of one opiniō Moreouer by a conference made they proued manifestly that Luther taught cleane cōtrary to him in this matter and say that his doctrine is pestiferous which saith that the iustification of fayth cōsisteth not in the bloud death of Christ wherby we are redemed
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 diligētly 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 paimēt 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 cōcerning 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 condēned 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 protestāts 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 presēt 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 nōbre natiō wer chosē 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 cōdemne 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
so many yeares in framinge maye at the lengthe be established The third and chiefe poynt is that which concerneth all men and our common natiue country of Germany whose state doubtles is most miserable For contrary to the lawes and couenauntes forain souldiours are brought within the limits of thempire whiche haue now many yeres ben here setled and euery wher bothe in towne and Country consumeth other mens goods and exercise al kind of filthy lust Moreouer many times ther be new wais inuented to get mony and the auncient liberty diuers waies infringed neither is any state no not the Princes electours in this case spared thambassadors of foren kings which be sory for these things and loue the wealthe of Germany are prohibited to come at anye publike assembles clean against the manner of thempire Finally this is altogether wroughte that all men maye be broughte into a shamefull and straight bondage for the which thing doubtles our posterity and ofspring may haue moste tuste cause to detest the cowardise and slouthfulnes of this time wherin that moste precious iewell and goodly ornament that is the liberty of our coūtry shuld be lost seing therefore that the case standeth thus at the laste is he awaked and William the Lantzgraue the sonne of Phillip whōe the iust sorow for his fathers miserye hathe raised and makinge a league with the french king whom thenemy seketh also to depriue of that he hath are determined for the deliuerāce of the Lātzgraue and the duke of Saxon to maintaine their honor and recouer the liberty of all men to attempt the matter by force of armes therfore doth he exhort that no man disturbe this his enterprise but that al men do further and professe the same and put in good assuraunce For if it be otherwise and if any man by one meane or other and the aduersary he wil take him for his ennemy Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburge subscribed also to the same letters chiefly for the preseruation of religion forsomuch as duke Moris had said howe he warred for the same cause also And the Marques Albert of Brādenburge publisheth a wryting in manner of the same effecte and complaineth that the liberty of Germany is oppressed enē of them which of duety ought to maintain and auaunce the same he saithe ther is holden now a counsel wherin be a few assembled for to subuert the truthe and that also there be many assemblies of the Empire Wherof the end is this that by certaine corrupted with bribes and faire promises mony maye be gotten by some subtile fetche to the vtter vndoing of Germany and the same to be wrought chiefly by the cleargy which in the consistory of the Empire surmounte in nombre and now is the matter brought to that passe that the effect of al counsels dependeth almost of one mannes pleasure which is neither gentleman nor Germaine borne nor annexed to the Empire to the great reproche assuredlye and hinderance of all Germaines And if this ought to be the state of the weale publike it were much better to call none assembles at all but that mony shoulde be frelye and franckly geuen whansoeuer it is cōmaunded and required for so shuld ther be no losse of time and besides great charges shoulde be spared By suche like craft also is the seale of thempire commen into straungers hands which foreiners at theyr pleasure abuse to the damage of Germany yet is ther no man at al that dare bewail these things vnlesse he wil enter into high displeasure Nether yet are the Germanes matters and sutes dispatched but are most lōg delaid in so much that many men complain much of the same For the state of the things is such that the Germanes had nede to learn other lāguages in case they should be there to do them selues anye good of the same sort is this wher against tholde custome of Germany it is prohibited that no man may serue anye foreine Prince in his warres that the protestantes being reconciled ouer aboue most greuous penalties wer constramed to admit other more vnworthy conditions and for that a great some of mony arose of the Protestants clients for seruing them in theyr warres The same burthen also was laid vpon other states and Princes that had nothinge offended and as thoughe that warre had bene made for the common wealth they were commaūded to pay mony to recompence the charges of the warres for this intent verelye that ther should no sinewes nor force at all be lefte in all Germany Of like sort is it that ciuill controuersies of moste waighty matters are committed not to the publick iudgement of thempire but vnto a few commissioners that it may be in their power either to establish or displace great princes Againe that it is prohibited that no Prince maye set his owne Image in his coyne that newe Senators are made in euery towne of the Empire that this bondage is imposed in manner vppon all Germanes that they be constrained to suffer forreine souldiors in their country whiche bothe do verye much harme and bring many men to beggery and also practise al kinde of arrogancy and lechery that hath not ben hard of For his own land was not spared although he promised him better for the fidelitye and seruice done to themperor Howbeit at what time he was deteined by reason of the warre of Maidenburge and about matters of the common wealth was absent soldiors wer brought into his country Notwithstanding that his officers desired much to the contrary and thus certainly both he and other princes whiche in the former war against the protestants for his preseruation and dignity put in great hazarde their liues and goodes haue receiued a goodly recompence in that boke which Lewes Auila setforth of matters done in the same war a naughty and a lying fellow whilest he speaketh of all Germany so coldly so disdainfullye and straungely as though it were some barbarous or vile nation whose originall were skarcely knowen And the vnworthinesse of the thing is so much the more for that the same boke is printed and setforth by a certain especiall priueledge of themperor Now verely be many thinges excused by letters sent throughout Germany but it is the self same song that hath ben songen now many yeres and all thinges tend hitherto that they say how accordinge to the state of times the decrees must be altred and that men muste obey the present counsels or els suffer punishment And wheras certen Princes haue taken armure to repulse this ignominye and seruitude he hathe also promised them all aide and fidelity yea and his life also And this he protesteth openlye and desireth that no man aid their aduersaries but that all men woulde further this endeuoure of him and his fellowes and defend the commen cause For although very many perchaunce will followe the contrarye parte yet let no man promise him self better things if the aduersary may vanquishe for
immediatly after declared also to others For besides many others displeasures that you did the Bishoppricke of Halberstat which themperor as you knowe hathe committed to my protection you imposed a great some of Monye and spoyled theyr colledges in the country neuerthelesse The same did you also in the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge which is likewise comprised vnder my tuition and haue exacted Monye of the Northusians and Mullusians And Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke with whome I haue made a league righte honest in dede and not repugnant to the treatye of Passawe you haue persecuted with sword and fire so sone as I had aduertised you by letters of the league and the reast of my fellowes These thinges doubtles be not correspondent to certain of your former letters Now therfore although that king Ferdinando I and our fellowes do greatly desire peace especiallye of Germany euer sence the pacification of Passaw to indeuor that al thinges may be quiet Especially in these parties which thing also very manye of the nobility of Brunswicke which serue now in your camp can testify yet for so much as you haue remoued the war into these parties declare manifestly whan you inuade our fellowes what your intēt is Moreouer for so muche as there is a brute that you are hyring of greater forces though it be in an others mās name which you are not hable to find except you permit them to robbe and spoyle and worke what mischief they list in so much that not only Frankonie but other prouinces also stand in great danger of you which your selfe can not dissemble whilest you saye you will brynge to passe that no man els shall be in better case than you are For these causes I say and for so muche as you leaue no place vnto Concorde king Fernando I and our fellowes seing we are next the dāger are constrained to put on armure to repulse from vs violence and iniury to the end we may deliuer our natiue countrye and recouer the Publike quietnesse For this do the lawes of the Empire not only permit but inioyne vs also and the high court of the chambre imperiall commaundeth vs to aid and assist our neighbors of Frā konye And althoughe at this time that you leuye men in you pretend to do it in themperors name yet knowe we assuredly that the same is forged and famed For he hath declared what his mind is not only to you but to vs and other also and shortly you shal know more what he thincketh But since this our enterprise is attempted for the common wealthes sake and therfore neaded no declaration of our mind yet to thintent you shall not be ignorant we both do protest that we will do hereafter as the thinge it selfe shall require that this your dissolute and more than Tirannicall cruelty may be suppressed And this verelye in oure owne name and oure fellowes we do you to vnderstand and hear testify that the blame of all the calamity that shall chaunce in this warre is wholy to be imputed vnto you which will come to no reasonable condition nether doubt we this also but the euerliuing God will assiste rather those that seke the safegard of their countrye than him that goeth about destruction and warreth on his natiue country What time these letters were deliuered in the campe of Marques Albert the Ambassadoures of the electoure of Brandenburge were sente to perswade a peace Whan he had red the letters he cōsulteth of the matter with his captaines demaundeth of them whether they will take his part Who affirming he calleth for the yong gētleman that brought the letters and tourning his talke to him Thy Prince saith he hathe thrise broken his faith before this and hath done wickedly thys is the fourth fact of the same sort let him come hardly I wil proue what he can do This tell him in my name With these wordes he geueth him certaine crownes in rewarde and sendeth him a waye There the ambassadoures that were intercessors shall we do nothing than say theyrnothing saith he you may retourne home Whan therfore he perceiued the waight of the warre he sendeth Duke Ericke of Brunswick to the Emperor the third day of Iuly and signifieth vnto him how through the policy of certen ther wer many aduersaries raised againste him whiche indeuor that the couenaunts be not only not kepte but also that he might be expulsed out of al his lands and possessions by reason of a new conspiracy and that is he able to proue that certen Princes electors and the chiefest of all Germanye haue conspired to chuse a newe Emperour And the cause why the Bishoppes be so sore against him is long of the iudges of the Chamber He prayeth hym therfore that he would not be offended if he shall attempt ought against them His aduersaries also to bryng hym in hatred and to allure mo vnto them haue reysed this brute of him as though he hath conspyred with him to oppresse the libertie of Germany This doubtlesse haue certen Prynces obiected vnto hym and letters are caste abroade in Germany as sent from the Byshop of Arras howe he verely for this intent hyreth an armie that he myght accomplyshe his wyll For the Duke of Alba shall brynge his sonne the Prynce of Spayne into Germany to the next conuention of the Empyre that he may be denounced the successour of the Empyre With this is kyng Ferdinando so fully perswaded that entryng into league with his ennemies he hath proclaimed warre againste hym He hath verely excused this vnto many ryght dilligently but the suspicion increaseth dayly Therfore is he subiecte vnto great perilles and daungers in a maner for this cause only that he wyll not forsake his frendshyp Wherfore he humbly besecheth hym that he wyll bothe ratifie those compositions of the Byshoppes and also defende hym and his This if he wyll doe he wyll brynge vnto hym whan the matter shall be agreed vpon .ix. thousande horsemen and an hondreth enseignes of footemen In the meane tyme the Norinbergians and the Byshops in the absence of Marques Albert inuade his dominion he publishyng letters blamed sore them of Norinberge as those that had broken their fayth and conuenauntes and entrynge into league with the faulse Byshoppes imbraced agayne the Popishe doctrine Wherunto they afterwarde setting forth a boke make aunswere and recite the whole matter in order euer synce the yeare before howe cruel warre he hath kept how they made compacte with hym howe after by the Emperours permission and consente they made a league with the Byshoppes aboute them howe he hathe refused mooste reasonable conditions offered by the same Byshoppes and againe moued warre agaynste them and howe at what tyme bothe for the league made and also for the commaundement of the Chamber they ayded theyr fellowes he inuaded agayne theyr Countrie lately Amongest others of hys wycked Actes they recite this as a rare example of suche
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 chyldrē 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 Religiō 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 vpō 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 pourtēde 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 horsemē 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 coūtrie 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 straūge example had made warre against him Whiche thing being
gates for their pleasure being altogether carelesse Wherfore fynding this occasion and exhorting his men to be valiaunt ryding vpon the spurre setteth vpō them quickely and putting them to flight followeth after and entring in at the gates with them whan the towns men reioysing at his sight and presence came running to him he slewe the moste parte of them He founde there great pieces of Artillerie and certen others whiche they call field pieces but without any cariage or furniture For the enemies had caried awaye all that were furnished to make the batterie at Birnte Leauing ther an enseigne of fotemē he goeth to Blasseburg his chief castell After he came awaye from Brunswick Duke Henry beseged the citie and battered it sore with shot But the Byshoppes and they of Norinberge whiche supported all that armie sendyng hym worde that he should repayre to them Duke Henry demaundeth of the citezens about foure thousande crownes Whan they refused this and the Souldiours vnlesse they were payde their wages woulde beare none enseignes they being afrayde of their owne daunger promyse to geue hym so muche Than at the lengthe leuieng the siege whan he had appoynted his Soldiours a daye whan they shoulde be payed he taketh his iourney through Turinge That knowen the Duke of Saxon Iohn Friderick for that he was not as yet made at one with him goeth him selfe his thre sonnes to Gothe leauing his wife at Weymer for that she was not very wel in health Duke Henry being now furnished to take his iourney sending vnto him letters albeit sayeth he I haue had iust cause and good occasion also in these certen yeares past to reuenge the iniuries of fourmer time done vnto me yet for so muche as you were in the Emperours custody I haue attempted nothing against either your subiectes or children but haue permitted the thing to lawe iudgement But you not contented with fourmer iniuries haue holpen now of late also with your ayde and counsel Albert of Brandenburg the disturber of Germany and my vttermoste ennemy whiche I knowe for certentie although you wrought it secretly Wherfore in case my army now shal doe any hurte to your countrie there is no cause to cōplaine therof For that beginning is of your selfe Duke Henry was determined to haue playd the vtter ennemy with Albert Uolrate Erles of Mansfeld for the last yeres war Howbeit through thintercessiō of Duke August whō they sought vpon the matter was appeased Iohn Fridericke receiuing the Duke of Brunswickes letters began to treate with him by ambassadours to mitigate his minde so that he shuld come to Weymer with two guidons of horsemen fiue enseignes of fotemen the residue of his armie be placed in the coūtrie therabout Hither came to him from the Prince Minquice his chaūcelour declaring his cōmissiō perswaded him throughly to quietnes And where before he required a great sōme of monie the same now doth he partly remit remaining there two daies without doing any hurt departeth frendly At the .xviii. day of October began a disputation at Londō by the Quenes cōmaundement of the presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the altar as they terme it The matter was reasoned six daies not without opprobrious wordes where one of the Romsh dictrine Doctor Westō that was proloqutour demeaned himselfe disorderly what was decreed of the same and what was th end of that parliament I wyll declare here after About the end of October Michael Serueto a Spaniarde was executed at Geneua He had many yeares since set forth diuerse bookes amongest other thinges of the trinitie vtterly repugnaunt to that cōmon consent of the church And whan at the length he came this yeare to Geneua the Senate being certified of him cōmaūdeth him to be aprehended and after appointeth Caluine who before had wrytten against him other ministers of that churche to haue conference with him Wherfore there was a great and a bitter disputation amongst them where as he would many tymes tell Caluine he lied very immodestly But the Senate least any thing should be done in so weightie a matter rashely asketh counsell touching the same opinions of the Doctours of Bernes Zurick Basill and Schafusians They all make aunswer that the same thinges redounde to Gods high contumelie And where he wold not only not forsake his opiniō but also with opprobrious wordes cursed speakinges defende the same he was condēned to die Whan he came to that place of execution William Farell did exhorte hym he would not call vpon Christe the eternall sonne of God And where he she wed no token of repentaūce yet did he not defend his cause vnto the people Many men ascribed the blame of his death to Caluine But he setting forth a booke reciteth his opinion and all the matter as it was declareth that heretikes may be punished with death The laste sauing one of October Iames Sturmie a man moste iuste and wittie and the very beaultie of the Nobilitie of Germany both for his excellent gyftes of mynde and notable lerning departeth out of this life at Strasburg whā he had layne sicke of a quartaine by the space of two moneths He was past thre score and thre yeares olde In these dayes Reynold Poole an Englisheman borne a Cardinal comming from Rome goeth through Germany to the Emperour And whan he was come to the frontiers of the Paulsgraues countrie receiuing newes from the Emperour who sent vnto hym Mendoza he retourneth to Dilling whiche is a towne of the Byshops of Auspurge by the water of Thonawe and there attendeth till he shal heare more from the Emperour The Duke of Brunswicke departing from Weymer the seuenth daye of Nouember came to his fellowes Campe whiche was than at Lichtefelse a Towne belongyng to Bamberge In the whiche Towne were placed the Soldiours of Marques Albert a .ix. enseignes of fotemen the selfe same that had bene a little before at Birnthe And the Counte Plauie and his Fellowes had beseged it And what tyme the great pieces of Artillerie came from Norinberge wherwith the Towne myght be battered they makyng surrendrie the tenth of Nouember yelde them selues in their ennemies hādes Who taking certen of the Captaines let goe the reste without armure or enseignes That done they go to Colembach a Towne of Marques Albertes and batter it very sore And the townesmen perceiuing that they were not able to defende it from the ennemie carie out all their goodes and houshold stuffe into the castel of Blasse burge and after setting the houses on fire flie thether them selues also Thus in fine the ennemy entreth the towne and kylling diuerse that were founde there quencheth the fire and spoyleth the reste that was lefte Afterwardes whan Coūte Plauie had taken by surrendrie the castell of Lichteberge and the townes of Biruth and Hofie and rased the walles he besegeth the castell of Blasseburge the chiefest forte that the Marques had
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 cōmit 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 cōmaūd 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 Cēturions 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 Trōpet 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 mā 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 subiectiō 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 supplaÌ„ted 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 seâ—te 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
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 Melāchthon comfort them with an epistle and shew the craft of the cōtrary 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 tyrāny that maried priestes should be put from the holy ministery For Sathā was the authour of prohiting matrimony as it is euidēt 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 daūgerouse 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 Decēber 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 groūd Ualence and Saluadore The sixt day of Marche August Duke of Saxony Ioachim Marques of Brandēburg 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 inheritaūce whiche is betwixt the houses of Saxon Brandēburg Hessia as I shewed in the .xxiiii. boke also determine that they would sticke constantly to the cōfession of Auspurg And least there should any suspicion arise of any new or secret coūsell 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 y◠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 thē luckely to passe since thei sought for nothing els but peace trāquillitie did it to the displeasure of no man Moreouer that after the maner of their aūcesters they haue excepted his highnes his brother king of Romains and as they intende priuatly to kepe mutual amitie amongest thē 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 cōteined 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 cōmon 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 discōmoditie they abide at home they haue sent Ambassadours to thassēblee of thempire who haue in cōmaundemēt to refer al their counsels doings vnto peace so that neither for religiō nor any ciuile cause any force or violēce should be feared For the peace once established it shal be an occasion that other cōtrouersies may be the better appeased That the state doubtles of the cōmon 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 sufficiēt 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 cōmaunded their ambassadours to offer these thinges in their name at the counsel thesame day they write to king Ferdinādo in a maner to the same effect as before I said the Duke August did by his Ambassadours For both they vrge y◠same cōpact of Passawe shew how desirous they are of peace Thei cōmend the doctrine cōfessed 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 Brēdel 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 expectatiō recouered England was thought to haue cōceaued also a wōderful hope of Germany And had therfor sent thither Cardinal Morone who the next day after that he was dead came to the coūsell 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 Electiō at Rome The Cardinals that wer at Rome not tarieng for the rest made hast the .ix. day of April proclaime Pope Marcellus the secōd 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
the power of the counselles and churche to propounde or commaunde any newe doctrine besides the same whiche is left vs by the Prophetes of Christ and his Apostles That they speake of the consecrating of ministers to be fonde and worthy to be laughed at For that folishe and histrionicall annointing maketh nothing for the purpose Finally their wryting to be full of rayling opprobrious wordes but this they committe to God and would only aunswer the thynge in fewe wordes When this was the state of thinges king Ferdinādo whom both partes had requested that he would shewe some waye as before is sayde about the beginning of Auguste sendeth Ambassadours to the Electours certen other Princes with this message howe to obeye the Emperour his brother and to further the common wealth he came to Auspurge the third Kalēdes of Ianuary not without the losse and hinderaunce of his owne affaires Againe when he was come thither how he was driuen to tary long because fewe or none were come before he could propounde any thing For the matter was differred tyll the nonas of February Than firste he declared the causes of sommoning the sayde assemblee But in consultations to haue had wonderfull delayes and not before the tenth Kalendes of Iuly was there any aunswere made hym and that but of one only point of the deliberation that is to witte of the peace in Religion and that selfe same aunswere not of one mynde but diuerse and contrary He verely fearyng this longe before had admonished them diligently that they woulde haue bene present at the counsell them selues If they followed his aduise herein the matter in his opinion might haue bene brought to an ende wyshed for Upon the other parte whiche concerneth the publique peace they doe nowe consulte but because it is to be thought that it can not be dispatched in a short tyme. Againe for bicause the state of his countries requyred his presence for as muche as the Turkes semed to attempte new matters and threaten sore notwithstanding that he treateth with them for peace Moreouer for as muche as nothing can be done or determined to any pourpose vnlesse they be present them selues therfore he thinketh good that the counsell be differred tyll an other tyme and that nowe a decree be made after this maner For as muche as through the absence of the Prynces nothynge can be determined they are agreed that all treatie be differed tyll the nexte assemblee the begynnynge whereof to be made at Regensburge aboute the Kalendes of Marche of the yeare followyng There the Princes them selues to bee present that they may together with the Emperour or with hym determine and ordeine those thynges wherof they haue nowe consulted and hereafter shall doe In the meane season the pacification of Passawe to remayne in full strength And for as muche as it conteyneth this fyrst that in the counsell of the Empyre should be treated whether that by a generall or by a prouinciall counsell of Germany or els by the conferrence of learned men the cause of Religion ought to be appeased Secondly that the thynge be done by the common coūsel of al states not without the ordinary power of themperour Therfore he whiche loueth peace and concorde hath determined at the next assemblee to exhibitie a certen booke compiled for the reconciling of suche matters as are in controuersie but in it to be none intrapping and to be made only for this ende that the discorde shuld growe no further and that the offences might be mitigated Moreouer to thintent that they them selues may the better determine whether by the meane declared in the boke the dissention may be taken vp or whether that an other way must be sought for Therfore he requireth them to take this proroging in good part and that to the next counsell they would come them selues after his example who for the cōmon welthe sake hath bene nowe so longe tyme out of his prouinces And that he hath chosen the place at Regenspurge for bicause for the iminēt daūger of the Turke he may not depart far out of his owne countrie Let them aduertise him therfore what they wil do herein to the ende he may be certen that the matter shall not be forslowed that with vaine expectation the better part of the time do not passe away as it hath heretofore oftener than ones These requestes hearde the most part of the Princes thought it not good that he should departe before the peace confirmed For al Germany to be in great expectation of this matter And since they agree nowe better in voyces than euer they did before this time they beseche him that he woulde make an ende before his departure To the intent verely that in the next assemblee they might with so muche more expedicion take order and determine of Turkishe matters which yet remained As touching the boke which he wold exhibite many of them sayde howe the like would come of that as chaunced to the other boke whiche seuen yeares paste was wrytten also of Religion and set forth For yet it is freshe in memory with what rayling wordes it was taunted For where it was set forth and priuileged by the Emperour to haue made a cōcorde there arose occasions therof of many offences and dissentions When Ferdinando had heard these of his Ambassadours about the eight Kalendes of September the daye before the kalendes of the same moneth he declareth what his opinion is of the wrytinges of both partes to him exhibited and amongest other matters that chief poinct that concerneth byshops that in case they chaunge their Religion they should forgo their office and goodes also by his wyll and with many wordes moueth the Protestauntes that they would assente to the same For this cōdition sayth he taketh from you nothing but doth this only that when a byshop forsaketh his order and departeth from the olde Religion his benefices and promotiōs may neuerthelesse remaine in the same state wherin they were instituted whiche thinge is both agreable to the ciuile lawe and also to the lawes of the Empire and to the pacification of Passawe Whiche sayeth by playne wordes that those whiche followe the olde Religion as well of the state ecclesiasticall as ciuile not to be molested in their Religion Ceremonies goodes possessions rightes priuileges but that they should inioye all these thinges quietly without the interruption of any man I can not se therfore how this condition can be denied them whiche apperteineth to the ende that we spake of that is that they may inioye their thinges quietly Whiche in dede can not be if they should release this condition For so should it come to passe that suche as happely forsake and relinquishe the holy order and auncient Religion would kepe styll neuerthelesse their office goodes and possessions neyther should it be lawefull for their colleges in the meane time to trie the lawe with them in this case And this inconuenience wil come also
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 dissentiō might be takē vp It is to be sene also what the Protestan̄tes 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 mē 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 cōmon 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 mē hath not lōg 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 cōtrary 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 knowē 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 thā 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
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 coÌ„uocation eodem The Bishops boke of reformatioÌ„ eod The protestauÌ„tes ambassadour to theÌ„peror 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 protestaÌ„tes oratioÌ„ to the emp. eo The duke of Brunswick accuseth eod The French ambassador to the asse eod The French herauâ—t 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 〈…〉 212 Themperours genâ—elnes 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 FrauÌ„ce 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 TheÌ„perour is the popes eldest sonne eo The creation of Cardinalles eodem The Clergie of Collon to the arch 216 The clergie appeale â—o 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 FreÌ„ch prouince a people called valdois 219 The Cardinall of fournon 219 The Meridolâ—ns 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 TheÌ„perours ambassadour to the king of Poole eodem The kinges answer to theÌ„perour 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 EnglaÌ„d eod The protestantes sende Ambassadours into Fraunce and England eod The death of the duke of OrelauÌ„ce 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 theÌ„p eod Themperour to the Lantzgraues eod The Palsegraue ordeneth ministers in his Churches 227 The protestantes accused of conspi 228 The laÌ„tzgraues 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 AlphoÌ„se 234 The murtherer killeth Daze 235 TheÌ„perours letter for a paracide eod Themperour visiteth the Lantzgraues doughter eodem The Lantzgraue cometh to themp eo The Lantzgraue spake vnto theÌ„p 236 The boke of reformatioÌ„ at Collon 236 The archbushoppe of Collon is accouÌ„ted vnlearned 237 The diuines are stubburne and ob 238 Themperour ought to couÌ„sell 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 thaÌ„keth 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 TheÌ„perour 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 protestauÌ„ts eod Themperour had secrete talke with duke Moris 245 Themperours ambassadour to ye. eod The cities of wirteÌ„berg 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 recoÌ„sile the protestaunte to themperours 248 The duke of SaxoÌ„ letters to theÌ„p 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 braÌ„d 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 nuÌ„ber of the fathers at trent 254 The king of Swetia receiueth the. 254 TheÌ„perours letters to dukemoris 254 The protestauntes letters to the Duke of Bauer 255 The Swysses auÌ„swer to the Prote 255 The death of Diazius vnpunished 256 The Protestantes proclaime
the Swycers Zuricke and Bernes agreed in one Religion the Lucernaites Urites Swites Unternaldians and Engians whiche abhorred moste this doctrine make a league with kyng Ferdinando Clement byshop of Rome the .xiij. day of Aprill sendeth Iohn Thomase of Mirandula to exhorte the prynces to warre against the Turke And al be it that he hath susteyned great losses of late yeares yet promyseth he to assiste them with ayde and to doe his endeuoure that the Emperour and the Frenche king being accorded the counsell may begynne immediatly to the intent that Germanye may embrace again the same religion that other countreis do In this assemblye the Senate of the Empire woulde not permitte Daniel Miege Ambassadour for the citie of Strasborough to sitte in counsel for by cause the Masse was abrogated before this counsell imperiall not withstanding that they were intreated to the contrary wherfore Iames Sturmius Ambassadour for the same citie sayed vnto them that in case they were thus displaced contrary to the lawe custome of the Empire let them not loke from henceforth that they wyll beare any part of charges But all might not preuayl and Ferdinando hym self aunswering the intercessours bad that any other citie that obserued the Emperours decrees should be substituted in the place of the other After a longe dispute of Religion the fourmer actes of Spires were repeted and a new decree made on this wyse They which haue hitherto obserued the Emperours decree let thē obserue the same styl vntyll the generall counsell and bynde the people to do lykewyse but suche as haue altered their Religion and can not nowe departe from the same for feare of sedition let them staye from henceforth and alter nothynge besydes vntyll the tyme of the counsell Furthermore that their doctrine whiche teache otherwyse of the Lordes Supper than the churche doth be not receyued nor the Masse abolyshed nor that in suche places where this newe kynde of doctryne is anye man be letted to go to Masse that wyll The Anabaptistes also such as defende their opinion obstinately shall suffer death the ministers of the churche are commaunded to teache according to the interpretaciō receiued by the church referring al disputable questions to be in the coūsell decided Moreouer that all states kepe the common peace none to hurte other for the cause of Religion neither one to take the defence of an others subiecte they that shall do otherwyse to be accompted in the numbre of outlawes This decree resisted the Prince electour of Saxony George Marques of Brandenborge Ernest and Frances Dukes of Lunenborough the Lātgraue counte Anhald who the .xix. of April recite openly in wryting the causes why they doe not consent thereunto And firste they doe repete the decree of the former assemblie whereby euery man hathe his Religion permitted him frely vntyll the counsell from this maye they not departe nor infrynge those thynges whiche after great delyberation were for a common quiet establyshed and with their sygnetes and othes also confirmed They woulde in deede be glad after the example of their progenitours to do all thynge that myght content the Emperour and as for their goodes and lyues also they wyll spende them wyllinglye in his hyghnes seruice but this present cause coucerneth the euerlastyng saluation of all men Wherfore they desire them not to be offended with them for that thei herein dissente from them for like as the former decree was made by the common assent of all so can not the same be broken with out all their consentes They wyll not be against that they shall in their own countrey establysh what religion shal seme good vnto them beseching God to illuminate the hartes of all men with the light knowledge of his truthe And where as there hath bene dissention and controuersie about religion certen yeares it was declared in the counsel at Norinberge who haue bene the authours and causers therof as well by the confession of the byshop of Rome hym self as also by the requestes of Prynces and states of the Empyre which were delyuered to the byshoppes legate to the numbre of foure score wherof notwithstanding as yet no redresse is made And that of al consultations this hath euer bene the ende that for the debating of controuersies and refourmyng of vices there is nothyng better than a generall counsell And where as the same left a parte they haue nowe decreed that suche as haue chaunged their Religion and can not nowe without muche trouble forsake the same shal alter nothyng from henceforth that can they neither cōmende nor allowe vnlesse they should discredite the doctrine whiche they haue professed hitherto as both true and Godly graunt moreouer that they ought to leaue the same if thei might with any tumulte or vprores And what thynges els were that thā to denye gods worde whiche is taught them purely and syncerely whiche were the moste heynous offence that coulde be committed For they must confesse it not in wordes only but in very deede also Moreouer what an hynderaunce this abnegation would be and howe muche preiudiciall to the fauourers of the Gospell it is easy to coniecture As cōcernyng the Masse it is ryght well knowen with howe strong and inuincible testimonies of holy Scripture the preachers within their dominiōs haue confuted the Popishe Masse and in steade therof instituted the Lordes supper according to the institution of Christe and the maner by the Apostles obserued wherfore they can neither admitte this part of the decree neyther permitte their subiectes to heare Masse whiche is abolyshed For though the byshop of Romes Masse were neuer so good and godly yet if they should haue in their churches two cōtrary Masses al mē may wel perceiue what grudge dissentiō would there vpon ensewe Moreouer where they do prescribe what they shal commaunde their owne subiectes and what lawes they shall make with in their owne dominions they can not a lytle maruell consyderynge that they them selues would not suffer any man to doe the lyke with them Furthermore what thyng is taught in their churches touchyng the presence of the body and bloud of Christe is so euydent to all men that it nedeth no further declaratiō Notwithstandyng as they haue sayde oftentymes so thynke they it good now also not as yet to make any decree against thē that teache otherwise for that the Emperours commissiōs teach the Latin beneth maketh no mentiō therof And agayne for as muche as the maynteners of that doctrine are nother called nor hearde whiche in so weyghty matters is muche to be considered that nothyng be determyned at any tyme and they not hearde speake whome the matter doth chiefly concerne And where as they saye that the Gospell must be taught after the interpretations approued by the churche that is very well but all the stryfe is which is the trewe church But seyng there is no doctrine more certen than Gods worde and besydes that
nothyng ought to be taught and such places of Scripture as appeare to be some what obscure can not be better expouÌ„ded than by other more manifest places of the same Scripture therfore wyll they dwell herein endeuourynge that the bookes of the olde and newe Testament may be taught syncerely and playnly For this is the onely meane and waye that is euermore certayne sure And as for mens tradicions they are grounded on a weake foundation The decree of the last assemblie was enacted for peace and concorde but in case this decree should take effecte it would opeÌ„ the waye to muche trouble and displeasure for euen nowe all be it the decree of Wormes was suspended doe some Princes seke to make some of their subiectes to forfyte their goodes for not obseruyng that decree where of men may easely coÌ„iecture what wyll insewe if the same decree shal nowe take place agayne and that some of them wyl vse force and coÌ„pelle men to suche thinges as can not be done with a saufe conscience But that is not well spokeÌ„ that the fourmer decree was penned with suche wordes as many did abuse the same thyng tyl the counsell were called they myght doe what they lyste this is bruted of them chieflye whiche are lytle afrayde of the last iudgement whan all thynges shal come to lyght for their partes they wyll not refuse to aunswer before indiferent iudges to suche as wyll saye that they haue in anye poynte broken the same decree Whiche thynges standyng thus they can not consent to this their decree And howe they wyll aunswere the matter both openly before all men and also to the Emperour hym selfe And in the meane tyme tyll eyther a generall or els a prouinciall counsell of Germany shal be called they wyll do nothyng that shall deserue iuste reproufe Unto this protestation of Prynces certen of the chief cities laying their heades together did subscribe as Strausborough NoreÌ„berge Ulmes Constance Rutelinge Winsseme Meminge Lindane Campedune Hailbrune Isne Wysseburge Norling and Sangall And this is in dede the first original of the name of ProtestauÌ„tes which not only in Germany but also emonges foreyn nations is nowe coÌ„mon and famous Ferdinando was departed out of the assemblie of Princes before thei had protested notwithstanding that the Duke of Saxon and his felowes required him to tary a litle After this the protestantes deuise a certen appellation wherein they doe appeale from the decree made at Spires vnto the Emperour to the next lawful general or prouinciall counsell of Germany and to all iudges that be not suspected and determined also to sende Ambassadours to the Empeperour Not long after this the men of Zurick and Bernes sent forth their armies against their ennemies of the fiue townes that made league with Ferdinando declaryng why they so did by wryting And emonges sondry causes and iniuries whiche they recite this is one that what tyme certen of their Citezens came for money that was dewe vnto them the Snites whypped them naked and the UnterualdiaÌ„s had in despyte hanged vp their Armes and also the Armes of the Cities of Basil and Strausborough vpon the gallous and howe they haue all ioynctely made a league wyth kynge FerdinaÌ„do to oppresse Religion and to roote them out of the couÌ„trey wherby they haue not onlye infringed the lawe of nature but also broken the bondes that were betwene them in conspiring with their moste vtter and mortall ennemie whome to subdue they haue long and many yeares euen froÌ„ the first beginning of their league with one assent ioyned together al their force and power When both armies were ready to ioyne in battel by the mediation of their neyghbours and by them of Strausborough the matter was taken vp FerdinaÌ„do had sent theÌ„ ayde which came as farre as the Rhine emoÌ„ges other thinges it was agreed vpoÌ„ that they should haue no warre for religion and that from henceforth they should absteyne from all opprobriouse wordes vnder a great penaltie The Frenche kynge consyderynge the state of his chyldren whiche he had lefte pledges in Spayne and what euyll successe he had of his warres in Italye hauynge loste bothe his Armie and also his chieftayne Latrechus And more ouer Androwe de Aure of Genes a Captaine of the Sea moste skylfull who about the same tyme that Lantrech the Coronell dyed reuolted from the Frenche kyng to the Emperour restoryng his countrey vnto lybertie he inclined hys mynde to peace Wherfore at Cambrey a Cytie in Artoys mette the Ladye Margaret the Emperoures Aunte and Ales the kynges mother and many other Nobles and emonges others Erarde Marchiane Cardinall and Byshop of Liege whyche concluded a peace in the moneth of Auguste wherein they recite the decree which was made thre yeare before in Spayne agaynste the Lutherians whiche they newely ratified the other conditions were partely altered For the Emperour permitteth the Frenche kyng to inioye Bourgundy in case he haue a sonne by his sister And the kyng paieth vnto the Emperour for the delyuery of his sonnes tweÌ„ty hoÌ„dreth thousand crownes accompting herein the debte dewe to the kyng of Englande Not loÌ„g after the Emperoure imbarked hym selfe in Spayne and arryued at Genes At what time also Soliman the Emperour of Turkes by the prouocation of Iohn Uaynode made by his Ambassadour Hierome Laske a Hongarian a man of an excellent wytte marcheth with an armie innumerable through HoÌ„gary into Austrice and in the moneth of Septembre layeth sege to Uienna the chief citie of that countrey He assayed to vndermyne it and where as he had ouerthrowen the walles he gyueth the assaulte desperatly but seynge the Souldioues of the garnyson whiche were Germaines whose chief captaine was Philip the Palsgrane defendyng the breache moste valiauntly by the space of one moneth about the eight day of Octobre he raised his siege and departed without his purpose many thousandes of meÌ„ in his retourne partely slayne and partly lead away into myserable and vyle captiuitie At his departure he created the Uayuode kynge at Buda This yeare also was Germany sore afflicted with a newe kynde of disease called the Sweathing sicknes Men were sodainly takeÌ„ with a pestilent sweate and within foure and twenty howres eyther they died or amended And before the remedye was knowen many thousandes peryshed It began at the Ocean sea and in a very small tyme spred ouer all Germany and with vnspeakeable spede lyke a fyre conâ—â—med all thynges farre and nere it is called in Germany the English sickenes For in the first yeare of Henry the seuenth kyng of England whiche was the yeare of our Lorde M cccc lxxxvj the same death began in that Ilande and because in a new disease the remedy was not knowen it made a wounderful destruction Moreouer this yere was small plenty of wyne and corne wherfore all those thynges whiche God in his displeasure is wonte to caste vpon vnthankefull people sedition warre sycknes
the ministers of the churche whom they wolde should be remoued vnlesse they doe theyr dewty of the magistrate whom they graunte to be ordeyned of God to defende the good and to punnysh the transgressours And how they owe hym not loue only but also tribute and custome no man herein to be excepted euen by the example of christ who payed tribute hym selfe of baptisme which they saye is a visible and an outward sygne that represēteth vnto vs the renewyng of the spirite and the mortifycation of the members of the Lordes supper whych they saye is a thankes geuing and a memory all of the benefit receyued throughe Chryste of matrimony which beyng holy and instituted of god ough to be inhibited to no mā of good workes which they saye we must obserue and exercise as holy scripture teacheth of false doctryne whiche because it leadeth vs a waye from trewe worshippyng they saye it ought to be eschewed to be brief the order and rule of theyr faythe they affirme to be the olde and new Testamente and doe protest that they beleue all those thynges that are conteyned in the crede of the Apostles Finally they desyre the kyng to geue credyt to thys declaration for incase he be otherwyse informed it is not trew and that they say they wyll proue yf they maye be heard That tyme was the king occupyed with affaires of warre and therfore the matter slept but whē peace was made it was renewed and through the prouocatiō of many brought to thys wonderful crueltie I shewed before of the Spaniardes whom Themperour had placed in Lorayne for the wynter season They after they had wrought moche euyll in those parties by Themperours cōmaundement depart thence in the moneth of Aprill and trauelyng by Strasburge whē they had there passed ouer the Rhm they goe through Sweuia into Austriche about three thousande footemen At thys tyme ended hys lyfe Lewis the Duke of Bauier the brother of Wyllyam hauynge no chyldren For so it was accorded that he should not marie for the kepyng together of thinheritaunce The Duke of Brunswicke and he were exceadyng great frendes For they were the chiefe captaynes of the league that was deuised against the protestātes And whan Henry of Brūswicke was dryuen oute of hys countrey he fled fyrst vnto hym After thys the .xvi. daye of Maye came Themperour to Wormes And the next daye after Cardinal Farnesius What was the cause of his commyng I am not able to saye but it was thought for certentie that he came to styre vp warre agaynst the Lutheranes He did nothinge openly and comynge from Roome he passed not throughe the lande of Wirtemberge but whan he had stayed a tyme at Dilling a Towne of the Cardinalles of Auspurge vpon the Riuer of Danubius he torned an other way Kyng Fernando had written to the Duke of Wirtemberge that for his sake he wold let hym passe sassye and shewe all the fauour that myghte bee he made aunswer that he had rather he wolde take some other waye neuerthelesse to doe hym pleasure yf he were disposed to passe that waye he wolde not let hym But he as I sayd tooke an other waye and came to Wormes one daye after thēperour Themperoure so soone as peace was made with the French kyng sollicited other prynces also to further and helpe forewarde the Counsell And for thys cause only sente ambassadours to the kynge of Polle requyring hym to sende hys deputes to the counsell of Trente who amonges other thinges sayed that for asmoche as Themperour supposed howe the Protestantes whyche had ben euen stubburne wold not forsake the cōfession of theyr doctryne exibited at Auspurge nor also obey the publycke decrees of the counsell the thinge it selfe requyred that kynges and princes should take the matter in hande and yf they doe not obey to bee auenged on them as the disturbers of the publycke weale and all godlye relygion And where as he amonges others hath the comendation of a godly and a christian kyng Themperoure prayeth hym to thynke vpon the Turkisshe warre subcribe to the counsell of Trente and yf the Protestantes will not beframed to amendement to assiste hym with hys ayde and counsell as also other kynges haue promised The king of Polle agayne made aūswer how he desyred that he myghte see that day whan chrystian kynges Prynces all ciuille warre and discorde layde a parte shoulde bende theyr whole power at ones agaynste the Turke For then wold he be none of the last And as concernyng the counsell and the Protestātes he wil doe all thynges that maye profite the publycke weale and trāquillitie of the churche neyther yf nede repuyre wyll in greate daunger fayle Themperoure hys Frende and alie The same tyme it was wrytten from Rome how the Bisshop notwithstandyng that he had called a Counsell and sente hys Legates thyther was so desyrous of warre agaynst the Lutheranes that hereunto he promised aide of xii thousande footemen and fyue hondreth horsemen And that priuelye also he hyred Centurions and Captaynes And whan it was shewed hym agayne howe the time was farre spent and no great good could be donne that yere and how they must tary for some better occasyon he declared the same immediately to hys captaynes and put them in hope of the next yere following On the morrow after the feast of Pētecost a Frere obseruaunt an Italian made a sermon before Themperour kyng Fernando Cardinal Farnesius the Bisshop of Auspurg and Granuellan and in hys sermon makinge a digression to the Lutherans when he had inueyhed moche and spoken dispitefully against thē it is tyme no we sayeth he most victorious Emperour that at the laste you doe your offyce certenly it hathe ben delayed ouer longe for the thyng shoulde haue ben don long since God hath blessed you with many great gyftes and ordeyned you defendour of his church Wherfore extende youre power and dispatche out of the waye that pestiferous sorte of men For it is not lawefull for them any longer to behold the sonne whiche doe thus pollute and confounde althynge Neyther say that you will doe it For it shoulde haue ben done already already I saye and long syns therfore may ther be no longer delay For how many thousand people do you thinke to be in daunger of euerlasting saluation through theyr madnes All the whych God shall requyre at your handes vnlesse you fynd the remedye It is sayde how Granuellan was moche offended with thys Trompete eyther for that he fayned so or els for that he sawe howe it was a warnynge to the Protestantes Not many daies after this sermō Farnesius departeth secretly by nyght and retourneth to Rome with great expedition In these dayes Luther setforth a boke in the vulgare toungue intitled against the Bisshoprycke of Roome ordeyned by Sathan in the which booke he aunswereth fyrst to the Bysshoppes letters wherby with so vehement wordes he diswadeth Themperoure from the reformatiō of
relygion lyke as you haue hearde before After those places of scripture which the Bisshop doeth vsurpe to establyshe hys supremacie he confuteth moste aboundantly and applyeth them to make agaynst hym Before the booke he set a picture whych by and by declareth the sōme of the argumente The Bysshop sytteth in an hyghe chayre with hys handes ioyned and stretched out in solemne apparel but he hathe asse eares And aboute hym are many deuelles of diuers shapes wherof some set a triple crowne vpon hys head with a tourde in the toppe of it others let hym downe by cordes into hell vnder neth hym hortyble to be holde some bryng wood and colle others as ryght seruyceable staye his feete that he may descend rightly and softely Not longe after came foorthe certene theames of hys whyche he had heretofore disputed of the three gouermentes Ecclesiasticall politycke and Oeconomike Whiche he sayeth God hathe ordeyned agaynste the furye of the Deuill but he vtterlye excludeth the Bysshop from all these for that he condemneth and oppresseth the Gospell for that he bryngeth vnder hys subiection all lawes and euen the ciuile lawe And in asmoche as he forbiddeth matrymony to whom it pleaseth hym Therfore he calleth him the beast which is named in Germany of the beare and the wolfe together There is nothynge sayeth he more fierce and cruell then she Wherfore when a token is geuen and that she is once hearde of streyghte wayes all men get them to theyr weapons to the intent they maye kyll her And yf hapely she should take a caue or anye inclosure and gouernour or Iudges of the soyle wolde exempte her or also defende her she shoulde be persecuted notwithstanding and he that should let or disturbe the hunters myght be slayne lawefully After the selfe same sorte must the Bisshop be resysted if he doe attempte and moue warre lyke a wyld and a rauenyng beast with what aide someuer he is mayneteyned For they that wil serue or helpe a theefe ought to looke for the rewarde of the thynge which they deserue Thā did he also sende foorth an other picture very fonde in dede but yet as it were a prophesye of the thyng to come The Bisshop in hys prelates apparell sitteth vpon a greate sowe with manye dugges whyche he diggeth in with his spurres hauyng two fyngers of hys ryght hand nexte hys thume stretched ryghte vp as the maner is he blesseth suche he chaunceth to mete with In hys lefte hande he holdeth a new smokinge tourde at the smell wherof the sowe lyfteth vp her snowte and with her wyde mouthe and nose thirlles catcheth after her praye but he in derysion blamyng the beast full bytterly I shall ryde thee saieth he with my spurres whether thou wylt or noe Thou haste troubled me longe aboute a counsell that thowe myghtest rayle on me at thy pleasure and accuse me franckelye Beholde nowe thys same is that counsell that thou so greatlye desyrest by the sowe he sygnifyeth Germany These tryfles of hys many mentaunted as vnsemely for hym and not verey modest But he had hys reasons whye he did so was thought to haue had a greater foresyghte in thynges And certenly in hys bookes are diuerse and sondry prophecyes wherof the ende prooved some trewe the residew as yet are in the hande of God In the meane season Themperoure taketh order with Granuellan and Nauius to be in hand with the protestantes touching the counsel and the Turkish warre but after longe decision nothyng could be concluded Grinian the french Ambassadour for because he vnderstode not the latyn tounge conprysed hys matter in wrytyng and vttered it by an interpretour the .xx. daye of Iune the somme of thys oration was to exhort them al to the counsell This Grinian was a nere frende to the Cardinall of Tournon who is thought to haue ben the occasyoner of thys Ambassade for he had ben with Themperoure at Brusselles as I sayde before and had treated of matters concernynge the counsell And than was it thus agreed that the kinge should sende an Ambassadour to exhorte them to the counsell whych Themperoure and he had already approued for thys was thought to bee a meane to make the Protestantes affraid At this tyme dyeth Fraunces Duke of Lorayne leauing behynde hym a yonge sonne Charles a chylde of two yeres olde The Duke had a brother called Niclas Bisshop of Mentz betwene him and the childes mother Christien Themperours Nece arrose a contention aboute the wardeshyp Al the Nobilitie fauoured hym more and lothed the womans gouernement but through Thēperours mediation they were bothe appointed gardins yet so as the mothers authorytie was chiefest In those dayes also departeth the Daughter of Ferdinādo which was maried two yeres before to the son of Sigismunde king of Polle But out of Spayne was brought glad tydinges of the birth of Charles Themperoures Nephewe the sonne of kynge Philip for the whyche cause the Spaniardes made greate Ioye at wormes But a few dayes after came worde that the mother of the childe was dead To Themperoure being at Wormes came the Marques of Piscare and broughte with hym certen of the chiefe inhabiters of Millan It was thought how Themperour was than determined to marye the Daughter of Kynge Fernando to the Duke of Orleans and therfore had sent for these men to vnderstande the state of Lumbardie whiche he had promised to geue hym for her dowarye Whylest Themperoure helde this assemblie the Duke of Brunsewicke goeth to the Frenche kinge That time did Fridericke Rifeberge leuie a certen power of footemen in the Borders of Saxonie for the king of England Henry of Brunswicke espying that occasion promyseth and perswadeth the frenche kyng that incase he wyll geue him monie he shall easely fynde the meanes to scatter thē again And so getteth of hym certen thousandes of Crownes but he neyther letted Rifeberge and cōuerted the monye receyued to warre against the Protestantes as shal be declared herafter Unto this conuentyon came no Princes as I sayde before but after Thēperoure was there the Paulsgraue Electoure came also and at the request of the Protestantes maketh intercession But whan Themperour saw how they wold graunt nothyng to the Turkisshe warre vnlesse they obteyned theyr requeste concerning the counsell and the chamber he sendeth an Ambassadoure to the Turke for trewes Gerarde Ueltuniche a man verye well learned and experte in toungues Duryng thys conuention the Senate of Mentz maketh inquirye after suche as by the olde custome had not receyued at Easter and banisshed them the Towne that were founde herein culpable I shewed you before howe the clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon had appealed to Themperoure and bisshop that they myght hereby hynder thenterprises of theyr Archebisshop but where he stil proceded and wolde not displace the preachers and ministers of the church whyche thyng they chiefly requyred they renewe theyr sute to Themperoure making of hym a greuous