the Right and Liberty of the Empire and of the Statute of the Emperour Charles IV And that therefore he did not ratifie nor approve that Proceeding When all met at Smalcalde they drew up the Draught of a League not Offensive but altogether for their own Defence This was immediately signed by the Princes as also by Albert and Gebard Counts of Mansfield the Cities of Magdeburg and Bremen but Strasburg Vlm Constance Lindaw Memmingen Kempen Hailbrun Ruteling Bibrach and Isne engaged only so far as that they would acquaint their Principles therewith and give the rest a positive Answer within six Weeks what they intended to do It was agreed upon to write to George Marquess of Brandenburg and the City of Norimberg because their Deputies had no Commission to act in that affair It was likewise decreed That Ambassadours should be sent to sollicit the King of Denmark and the Dukes of Pomerania and Mecklenburg as also the Cities of Hamburg Embden Northeime Frankford Brunswick Gottingen Minden Hannover Hildesheim Lubeck Stetin and other Maritime Cities When the Pope understood what the Issue of this Imperial Dyet was he wrote among others to the King of Poland That he had fully hoped the Presence and Authority of the Emperour would either have quite crushed or at least quieted Luther's Heresie That he had been put into this Hope from the very first time the Emperour came into Italy which had been the chief Cause why he went to Bolonia that he might spur him on though he was forward enough of himself For if that had succeeded it would have secured Religion and the Salvation of a great many who were in great Danger through that Heresie and then ways might have been found out for resisting the Fury of the Turks But now that he understood by Letters both from the Emperour and his own Legate that they were so far from being reclaimed they were more and more hardened he who sat at the Helm to steer the Ship of S. Peter in so tempestuous a time and bore the greatest share of all the Care and Trouble having consulted with the Cardinals could not think of any safer Remedy than that which his Predecessors had had recourse unto to wit a General Council That therefore he gave him warning that when this Design should be accomplished he would either be present himself or by his Ambassadours promote so Holy a Cause for that so soon as possibly he could he would call a Council to meet in some convenient Place in Italy This Brief was dated December 1. The Confederate Princes we named wrote to the Emperour from Smalcalde December 24 That they heard and it was commonly reported That he had a Design to have his Brother Ferdinand chosen King of the Romans a Dignity which he solicitously courted and canvassed for That it was a thing now known to all Men what Power and Right the Princes Electors had in that affair by virtue of the Statute of the Emperour Charles IV when upon the Death of the Emperour another was to be chosen in the Name of the whole Body of the Empire That nevertheless his Majesty being alive and in Health and no such case having as yet happened the Princes Electors had been summoned by the Archbishop of Mentz to meet at Cologne towards the latter end of this Month quite contrary to the Proscript of the Law and the Custom of the Empire That they likewise heard That at his Request the rest of the Electors were also to be there that Ferdinand's Suit and Pretention might be carried by way of Anticipation and Compact so that this being the Report that went far and near they thought good to represent a few things unto his Majesty and that though they had rather abstain from this kind of Discourse yet for the Love they bore to him and the Liberty of their Country handed down to them from their Ancestors and then in consideration that in this Decrepit Age of the World many things were surreptitiously and craftily brought to pass they could not otherwise chuse but do it That in the first place then his Majesty knew how seriously and solemnly and by what express Words and Articles he had bound and obliged himself to the Empire How he had promised by Oath to observe the Caroline Constitution on which the Liberty of the Empire chiefly depended how he had stipulated neither to act any thing himself contrary thereunto nor suffer others to do it which were Compacts and Promises that could not be violated broken nor changed unless with the Advice and Consent of all the States But that now if whilst he was alive a King of the Romans should be chosen and that his own Brother too who canvassed and made suit for it he himself could not but see that it was plainly contrary to Law contrary to the Right and Liberty of the Empire and contrary to his Compact and Stipulation and the Faith and Promise whereby he bound himself to the State Nay and how convenient and uneasie it must also be both to himself and the whole Empire when at the self same time there would be two Lords and Masters to be obeyed And that seeing they would take it very ill if they themselves should either be upbraided with the Breach of Faith and Promise or with Baseness in not defending the Rights and Liberty of the Government therefore they most earnestly besought his Majesty to impute this their Letter to the love they bore to him and their native Country and the present state of the Times That he would reflect upon things past and according to Duty interpose his Authority for preventing the Election of any new King weighing seriously with himself what Evils and Inconveniences might follow thereupon unless a Remedy were applyed in time That they would write of these things to the rest of the Electors also and were in good Hopes they would do what was expedient for the Commonwealth and endeavour to prevent any Rupture or Division among the States That in fine they were ready to serve his Majesty and do for him to the utmost of their Power Afterwards the Duke of Saxony wrote by himself to the rest of the Princes his Collegues That since he was cited by the Archbishop of Mentz to appear at Cologne he had therefore sent thither his Son and some Counsellors that in his Name they might propound and act what should be thought needful That he believed they had heard already part of his Thoughts from them and should hear the rest on December 29 That however he prayed them to desist from their Purpose and consider with him What Prejudices and Inconveniencies that Action would bring with it both to themselves and to their Posterity also through the Violation of the Rights Dignity and Liberty of the Empire That it was his Desire also That in those things which his Son and Counsellors might treat of with them they would so behave themselves as
was to continue no longer than either till a general Council was conven'd or till the next Imperial Diet the Elector mov'd King Ferdinand that this last Clause might be omitted He also desir'd that those who profess'd the same Religion with other Protestants might enjoy the same Priviledges though they were not comprehended in the Treaty at Nuremburg and that no Prosecutions might be issu'd out against them To this Ferdinand reply'd that he could make no new Provision in this case without the Emperor's consent The Elector of Saxony reply'd that it was very hard since their Adversaries might recede from the Pacification when they pleas'd that himself and his Allies should be barr'd this Liberty The Security which was given them in the Treaty did not design without doubt to keep them in suspence and in the dark without being able so much as to know what they were to hope for or expect Besides as soon as ever a Proclamation for a Diet came out it would be look'd upon as a Signal to break the Peace and be like beating a Charge for new Disturbances from whence great Inconveniences would follow And he must add that if those of the same Religion with himself could not enjoy the benefit of the Pacification and happen'd to be proscrib'd or otherways aggreived it would be very uneasie to him and the rest of his Allies to connive at these things and desert their Friends in their Distress But the Elector gain'd nothing more of his Point by this Remonstrance only one of Ferdinand's chief Ministers reply'd that it was a long time yet before the Empire was to meet unless some great and unexpected occasion should happen and when there shall be a necessity for the holding of a Diet the present affair shall be setled by his Electoral Highness's and the Lantgrave's advice Upon this the Elector press'd this Request no farther But when he desir'd the Treaty might be ratify'd Ferdinand answer'd that he had not omitted to Command the Chamber to desist the last year pursuant to the Articles at Cadan But they told him that there were several Causes purely Secular and Civil intermixt with those that were Sacred now these were perfectly under their Jurisdiction for they did not relate to Faith and Religion but to Estates and yearly Revenues To this the Elector of Saxony reply'd that these mix'd Causes were the only reason which made them so earnest for a Pacification for though they did concern Mens Goods and Estates yet they were grounded upon Religion His Majesty may likewise be inform'd by the Princes of the Mediation the Elector of Mentz and the Palsgrave that these sort of Disputes were mention'd at the Treaty As for other Causes in which their Creed and their Consciences are only concern'd the Chamber never had any thing to do with those neither was there any necessity that himself and his Confederates should desire the Emperor to check the Judges upon such an account as this Besides long before the Pacification at Cadan the Chamber pretended that the fore-mention'd Causes were only Secular and therefore among other things there was a particular Provision made at Cadan that his Majesty should interpose his Authority to restrain that Court. After the Matter was thus discours'd at last the King yielded and promis'd to undertake that none of those Causes which his Highness and his Confederates at the Treaty at Nuremburg counted Religious should be try'd before the Chamber The French Embassadors Speech which I mention'd was answer'd by the Protestants as followeth Notwithstanding there goes various Reports concerning those Executions in France yet because his Excellency says those who suffer'd were contriving an Insurrection they could not blame the King's Proceedings since they did not tolerate such sort of Persons in their own Dominions But in regard all people have not every where the same Opinions of the establish'd Doctrins and Rites they entreat his Majesty that this Severity may not fall upon all Persons without distinction but that those may be spar'd who having laid open the Errors and Corruptions of the Times had reform'd their Creed into the same purity the Scriptures taught it and held to that Confession which themselves had made at Ausburg For it cannot be deny'd that many false and wicked Opinions have broke in upon the Church which are now very confidently maintain'd by ignorant and malitious Men upon Principles of Covetousness and Ambition Now it 's their way and they are Masters of it to forge Accusations against innocent and religious Persons that so they may exasperate Princes into rigour And since Kings and Princes are more peculiarly oblig'd to promote the Honour of God to purge the Church from Error and to check unreasonable Cruelty they earnestly beseech his most Christian Majesty that he would lay out his principal Endeavours upon so good a Work. If he pleases to do this they shall be assur'd that he hath a real regard for them which they hope may prove auspicious both to themselves and the Church What his Majesty discours'd concerning the ancient and constant Friendship between the French Kings and the Princes of Germany was wonderfully entertaining to them And they would make it their business that this Intimacy and good Correspondence might be continu'd for the future And whereas his Excellency offers to excuse the King from some Imputations they are very inclinable to gratifie him in this Point and acquiesce in his Apology desiring above all things that God would vouchsafe a general Peace to Christendom and Protect the Germans in their Liberties which were formerly gain'd at the expence of so much Blood. Now though that which his Excellency mention'd concerning an Accommodation in Religion belongs to an argument too large to be dispatch'd in a few words yet so prudent a Person as the King may easily perceive that the separation is wholly owing to the obstinacy of their Adversaries who have condemn'd all the reform'd Doctrin in a most violent manner They have desir'd nothing more for these many years than that the whole Cause might be argued before a lawful Council but the Pope and his Dependents have oppos'd this Overture with all the rigour imaginable 'T is true Clement the Seventh propos'd a Council under certain Conditions but then they were such as made it sufficiently apparent that he could not endure that Matters should be freely debated And this Pope though he promises a Council yet he will not suffer the Form and Method of it be disputed before-hand and besides he will have it conven'd out of the Territories of the Empire From whence it 's easie to conclude that there is foul play and deceit at the bottom and that nothing else is intended but to get the true Religion suppress'd by the Authority of a Council And since the calling of the Church together does not belong only to the Bishop of Rome but Kings and Princes are equally concern'd in it They beseech his Majesty to interpose so
State and how much it will be expos'd to Misunderstandings and Tumults of the truth of this Allegation the Emperor's Edict which was then publish'd is a sufficient proof It was never their intention to plead in bar to the Jurisdiction of the Chamber in any Causes but those of Religion and they believ'd that Court could not prove the contrary upon them But they were very much troubl'd to hear from his Excellency that the Emperor had given the Chamber Authority to determine the quality of the Cause for they did believe all those Causes to be of a religious Nature and they were really such which could not be decided till the Extent of the word Religion was defin'd in a lawful Council which thing both by Letter and their Embassadors they had several times acquainted the Emperor and King Ferdinand with For this Dispute concerning the meaning and latitude of Religion is a preliminary Question and ought to be setled by the Council before other matters which relate to it are determin'd And in regard Benefices ought to be bestowed in consideration of Merit and Function They said they could not allow that those in their Dominions who were of a different Religion from themselves should enjoy the Revenues of the Church to which they had no manner of right because they were either unwilling to discharge their Office or wanted abilities to do it and since Conscience is more than ordinarily concern'd in the present case the usual Pleas of Law founded upon the right of Possession or Restitution ought not to be urg'd Moreover when the Treaty of Nuremburgh was on foot they particularly mention'd all those Suits and Difference which were then depending in the Chamber and in other Courts and represented them under the notion of Ecclesiastical Causes to the Princes of the Mediation who promis'd that they would endeavour to perswade the Emperor that they should be all exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Courts which was also promis'd by King Ferdinand at the Convention at Cadan besides it 's plain from that Clause in the Emperor's Edict which stops all Prosecutions of this nature that the Chamber of Spire has no Authority to determine the Quality of Causes And to say nothing more severe they could not choose but observe that the apparent Inclination of that Court to give Judgment against them had made a great many Persons much bolder and more contentious than they had formerly been which they were able to prove more than one way For when those of their Party moved that Court in any Cause their Suit was not only rejected but they were sent away with reproachful Language And lately the Hamburghers were commanded by them not only to restore the Clergy of their City their Goods and Estates but also to return them their old Religion and Jurisdiction back again and because they could not do this with a good Conscience they were amerced in a great Sum of Mony and therefore there needs no more Instances to let the Emperor understand what the Design of that Court is for if any Cause relates to Religion this certainly does But if the Judges are allowed to proceed in this manner the Truce serves to no purpose If the Rites and Ceremonies which were abolish'd may be lawfully restor'd by such Methods as these there will be no need of Council and yet the Emperor is pleas'd to grant that all Differences of this nature ought to be determin'd there and since their Exceptions against the Proceedings of the Court were not consider'd they were forc'd to decline the Jurisdiction of it As concerning the Persons of the Chamber there was not above one or two of the whole Bench of their Religion what Provision was made at Ratisbone for this Affair was well known it being apparent that those who were most violent against the Reformed were most acceptable to the Chamber nay a man may plainly discover how they stand affected by observing the air of their Countenances when they are trying of Causes and therefore they hope his Imperial Majesty will send them a positive Order to desist As for the Penalty which his Excellency mention'd was decreed at Ratisbone against Mal-administration that was no advantage to them Indeed if the Cause had related to Property and secular Affairs they might have had a compensation this way but matters of Religion were too weighty to be satisfied with Costs and Damages However if the Emperor is of opinion that they have intermix'd any civil Causes in their request they are willing this matter should be tried provided there may be a stop put to the Proceedings of the Chamber in the mean time Now as concerning those who came over to their Religion since the Pacification of Nuremburgh they confess'd that some few years since the Princes of the Mediation did insist at Schweenfurt that no more might be admitted into their Association which Proposition they then rejected and afterwards at the Convention at Nuremburgh they persisted in the same Opinion As to what his Excellency objects in reference to the Promises and Articles by which several of the States had engag'd themselves not to make any alteration in Religion To this the parties answer That some of them promis'd nothing others in private Treaties reserv'd this Liberty for themselves a third sort it 's true did engage themselves but it was upon the assurance which the Emperor gave them that a Council should be intimated within six Months and opened the year after But since this Assembly was delayed beyond their expectation and God had been pleas'd to give them a fuller apprehension of the true Religion they could not defer so good a Work any longer but thought it their Duty to make an open profession of that Doctrin which they were assur'd had both Truth and Piety to recommend it This the Canon-Law it self would justifie them in for from thence they had learn'd that if any Person had sworn to do a wicked Action this Oath did not oblige Besides as their Adversaries would not refuse any one who offer'd himself for a Convert so neither did they think it lawful to bar any person from coming over to themselves Therefore their earnest request to the Emperor was That the Judges might be check'd and that not only themselves but those who joyn'd them afterwards might be comprehended in the Peace For if matters should be otherwise carried and any violence should be offer'd they could not desert those they were allied to both by Vertue of their League and Religion This had been already declar'd to King Ferdinand at Vienna and that with a great deal of reason for the Cause of these later Confederates no less than their own belongs to the Cognizance of the Council But if the Judges of the Chamber will fore-stall the Hearing and hale in the business of the Council to their Court this is no less than down-right Force and Injustice against which by the Laws of Nature they are bound to defend themselves
consult with him in what manner they might put in execution their Commission and that afterwards when they understood that it was not possible for them themselves to have access into all places that stood in need of their help they had been necessitated to employ others This Indulgence or Indult of the Popes as they call it the Emperour presently sent to all the German Bishops admonishing them severally to use gentle and mild ways and to try all Courses by fair Language Exhortation and Entreaty before they should come to Threats and Excommunication Wherefore the Archbishop of Mentz writing amongst others to the Landgraves Governours and Counsellors and having said much of his own Pastoral Care and of the Emperour's earnest Concern for the Publick requires them to shew the Pope's Indulgence to the Ministers of the Church and command them to obey it The thing being proposed to the Preachers their answer was That their Doctrine agreed with the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles and that though their Lives and Conversation did not suit with their Profession yet they acknowledged no Error in their Doctrine and that therefore they stood not in need of an Indulgence from the Pope that they had preferred Marriage before an unchast single Life according to the Word of God and that they would not forsake their Wives and Children whom Christ himself commanded us to love cherish and provide for That in administring the Sacrament under both kinds in their Churches they therein followed the command of Christ and the custom of the Primitive Church and that there was no reason to admit of any Alteration therein In the Month of May Peter Martyr and the Divines of Oxford disputed publickly concerning the Lords Supper and the Presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament Martyr proposed these Points to be defended That the substance of the Bread and Wine was not changed and That the Body and Bloud of Christ was not Carnally or Corporally in the Bread and Wine but sacramentally united to them Afterward there was a Book of this published wherein the presidents of the Dispute who were appointed by the King give no obscure intimation that Martyr had the better on 't in that Debate On the Tenth day of June the Queen of France was crowned at St. Denis as the custom is the Ceremony being performed by the Cardinals of Bulloigne Guise Chastillion Vendosme and Bourbon for all the rest were at Rome Six days after the King made a most splendid and magnificent Entry into Paris the chief Town of the Kingdom where he had not been seen publickly since the death of his Father and two days after the Queen During his abode there some were put to death for Lutheranisme and as it is said he himself was a Spectator of the Execution Afterwards July the Fourth he made a solemn Procession and Prayers in the Churches and next day after published a Printed Proclamation declaring the causes of it to have been That he might give God thanks for the many Blessings he had bestowed upon him that he might pray to God for the safety and preservation of himself his Wife and Children and of the whole Kingdom and Commonwealth as also for the Souls of good Men departed especially for the Kings of France his Progenitors and the late King his Father after whose Example he was resolved to take upon himself the protection and defence of the Catholick Religion the Authority and Liberty of the Apostolick See and of the Ministers of the Church that amongst others this was also a chief cause that it might publickly appear how much he detested those who contrary to the command of Christ contrary to the Traditions of the Apostles and the consent of all Antiquity deny the presence of the Body and Bloud of Christ who take away all force and efficacy from Baptism Penance good Works and the Sacraments who professedly despise the Authority and Hierarchial Order of the Church who reject the Worship and Adoration of Saints and Relicks Moreover that by that solemn Procession and Supplication he might make known what his Judgment and Inclinations were to wit that according to the Example of his Forefathers and in a certain Hereditary Imitation he so thought and believed as the Catholick Church the Apostles Creed the first Council of Nice and many other Councils of the Fathers enjoyned as also that he was fully resolved to root out of all his Territories those Heresies which were long ago condemned but now again partly revived and partly contrived by Luther Carolostadius Zuinglius Oecolampadius Melanchton Bucer Calvin and such other monstrous and pestilent Arch-Hereticks and severely to punish such as deserved it This Writing set forth in the Vulgar Tongue he sent all over France commanding it to be published to the People and accordingly publick Processions and Prayers to be made in all places A little while after he caused Monsieur de Vervius to be beheaded for surrendring the Castle and Town of Bulloigne as was mentioned in the Fifteenth Book and confined to perpetual Prison his Father in Law d' Abigny a very ancient Man who had been Governour of all the Bolonese and one of the four Mareschals of France For many Months now he had solicited the Switzers to renew with him the League they had made with his Father and though the Emperour by Messengers and Letters did what they could to dissuade them from it yet they judging it more for their Interest consented and first the Catholick Cantons with the Rhinwalders and Wallisserlanders and afterwards also those of Basil and Schafhawsen to the great astonishment of many because of those Edicts and Punishments we spoke of For it was the general opinion that no League nor Society ought to be made with him who so cruelly persecuted the Reformed Religion and by name condemned their Churches and Doctors But the Cantons of Bern and Zurick following the counsel of Zuinglius as may be seen in the third and sixth Book refused to enter into that League We took notice before of the Convocation at Leipsick But now that some talked and complained that Popery was again stealing in upon them Duke Maurice in his Letters addressed to his Governours July the Fourth tells them that he was informed many partly out of a too solicitous jealousie and partly through the suggestions of others were apprehensive that the old Errours might be by degrees introduced again that some of the Ministers of the Church and other busie and restless spirits that delighted in changed were not altogether free from fomenting of that Calumny that by several Declarations he had formerly made publick what his Purpose and Resolution was which now because of the Slanderous Reports raised he again repeated thereby to convince all that his Religion was dear unto him that therefore he required those who either out of a fond credulity or through the suggestions of others were
the publick Inns That they should deliver in all the Books written or printed by David George and not keep any by them in the Dutch Tongue and that they should send their Children to the School of Basil to be instructed That they should pay a Pecuniary Mulct if required and that they their Wives and Children should appear in the Church and make Profession of the True Faith and-Renounce that of David George Two days after his Body was sentenc'd to be taken up and burnt together with his Books and Effigies by the Hands of the Common Hang-man in the place where they usally executed Malefactors and all his Goods they sez'd to the Publick Treasure adding That if any Person presum'd to blame this their Decree he should be liable to the same Punishment His Body was found very perfect so that it might be known by his yellow Bâ—ard from another Man's though he had been buried two Years and six Months and was accordingly burnt in a vast concourse of Men. In the beginning of February the Ambassadours met again at the Castle of Cambray to conclude the Treaty which was broke up upon the Death of Mary Queen of England Queen Elizabeth who succeeded her Sister Mary a Princes of a Masculine Soul and of a Prudence above her Sex fearing if she relied upon the Spaniard she might either be deserted or dishonoured by his Protection had in the mean time made a separate Peace with France After which she changed the Religion of England in her first Parliament abolishing all the Laws made by her Sister Mary and reviving those made by her Brother Edward VI and rejecting all Obedience to the Pope of Rome This Peace with France did much facilitate the Treaty of Cambray In which among other things these Princes promised to do their utmost that a General Council should be held as soon as was possible to the Glory of God and the pacifying Men's Consciences This last Clause by the perverse Counsels of these Princes in a short time raised a War in the Low-Countries and France which was more lasting and more fatal than any former Wars This Treaty was signed at Cambray April 3. These two Kings having thus regained their Peace and disburthened themselves of the Cares which the War brought upon them they betook themselves solely to the Care of Religion which in France had been under consideration the two foregoing Years and was then omitted on account of the War and Treaty but was now reassumed in the heat of a Marriage-Feast There was one Diana Dutchess of Valentinois a Court-Lady and one of the King's Mistresses who used to beg the Estates of all such as suffered for any Crime And the Duke of Guise who were the Promoters of this Persecution the latter aiming at nothing but Popular Applause These two insinuated this Belief into the King That the Venome of Heresie was much spread in France and that in truth he was not King of those Provinces in which that prevailed That the Impudence of those who imbraced it was so great that they did not whisper it as heretofore in the Ear but preached it openly and boldly throughout the Kingdom by which the name of God was blasphemed and his Majesties Royal Authority was endangered for when the Law of God was once confounded who can Question say they but that all Human Laws will soon be subverted And that they might the more easily prevail they employed Giles Maistre president of the Parliament Jean de S. Andre Anthony Minart and Giles Bourdin the King's Attorney and principally the first of these who was a Man of a fierce Disposition and Temper to incense the King's Mind against the Sectaries he being no way inclined to such Severities To this end they tell him That there would little be gained by the Peace of a more cruel War was fomented and carried on at Home For that the Disease had already got such Strength that if his Majesty dissembled a little longer the Sword of the Magistrate and the Laws of the Land would not be able to suppress it but he must levy Armies and himself take the Field against them as had been done in the case of the Albingenses That what had hitherto been done had not had its desired effect because all the severity had been spent upon the populace and the mean people the hatred and detestation of which had affected all Men but very few had taken example by it That now it was fit to begin with the Judges many of which had imbraced their Doctrin secretly or favoured them on other accounts and by their connivance nourished the Distemper suffering this Offence either to go unpunished or very lightly corrected This they said was the very Root of the Evil and that all labour was in vain tâ—ll it were pulled up Not long after this the King was prevailed upon to come into the Parliament in Person whilst the Members were debating about the Punishment of the Sectaries June 14. He seemed rather to labour to conceal his Anger than to have come with a calm Mind Among other things he told the Parliament That having made a Peace he hoped it would turn to the general Good but he was much concerned that the business of Religion which was one of the principal Cares of a good Prince had been during the War tumultuously and seditiously treated by some That therefore he desired for the future more care might be taken of the Christian Religion And because he heard that affair was this Day to be debated by them he was come thither and he admonished them to proceed in it with Freedom saying It was God's Cause who knew all our Hearts and Thoughts Tho' the Members of the Parliament knew the King was brought thither to deprive them of their Liberty yet there were some who resolved to retain their ancient Freedom at the price of their Lives and having declaimed against the Manners of the Court of Rome and its ill Customes which had degenerated into most pernicious Errors and given occasion to the rise of many Sects they thence inferred That the Penalties of Heresie were to be mitigated and the Severities of the Law abated till the differences of Religion were composed by the Authority of a General Council and the Discipline of the Church reformed And this was the Opinion of all the good Men in the Parliament Arnold du Ferrier President of the Criminal Court an honest and a wise Person and the best Lawyer in France was the first who proposed this Method and was followed by many others among which was Lewis du Faur a Man of great Sense and of a generous Temper who added That all were agreed that the Differences in Religion had occasioned great Disturbances but then said he we ought carefully to enquire Who caused these Disorders lest as Elijah answered Ahab when he reproached him as the Troubler of Israel it might be said to us It is thou that hast
Grief of his Heart he daily heard many and grievous Complaints of Luther a profligate Wretch who forgetting his own Order and Profession acted many things sawcily and with great Confidence against the Church of God bragging That being supported by the Favour and Protection of the Prince he stood in awe of the Authority of no Man That he made no doubt but that was falsey given out by him but that nevertheless he was willing to write these few things unto his Highness and to advise him That being always mindful of the Splendour and Dignity of himself and his Ancestors he would not only avoid giving any Offence but even all Suspicion of offending That he knew for a certain That Luther taught most impious and Heretical Doctrines which both he and the Master of his Palace had carefully observed and marked down That that was the Reason why he had both Cited him to Appear and also sent his Instructions to Cardinal Cajetane his Legat as to what further he would have done in the Matter and that seeing this was an Affair of Religion and that it properly belonged to the Church of Rome to enquire into the Faith and Belief of all Men he exhorted and charged his Highness That being thereunto required by his Legate he would use his best Endeavours to have Luther delivered up into his Hands which would be both acceptable Service to God and very Honourable to himself and Family that if upon Tryal he were found Innocent at Rome he should return Home Safe and Sound but that if he proved Guilty then would his Highness be Blameless in no longer protecting a Criminal and that he himself was so mercifully inclined as that neither he would oppress an Innocent Man nor deny a Penitent his Pardon And thus he left no Way unessayed that he might undo Luther The same Year also he wrote to Gabriel Venize the Provincial of the Augustine Fryers exhorting him That by the Authority of his Charge he would put a stop to Luther a Fryer of his Order who attempted Innovations and taught new Doctrins in Germany and solicitously ply him both by Letters and Learned Agents But that Expedition was to be used in the Matter for so it would not be difficult to quench the Flame newly broken out since things in their Infancy and Commencement could not resist Attempts that were any thing brisk but should it be deferred till the Evil had gathered Strength it was to be feared that the Conflagration might afterwards carry all before it for that it was a Contagion that spread more and more daily so that nothing seemed more to be feared than Delay That therefore he should set about the Affair with all Pains Diligence and Industry seeing he had Authority over him When Luther perceived that he was cited to appear at Rome he was very solicitous to have his Cause tryed before Competent and Unsuspected Judges in some Place of Germany secure from Violence But when that could not be obtained the University of Wittemberg sent a Letter to Pope Leo dated September 25 wherein they gave Luther an ample Testimony both of a Pious Life and Learning that seeing he was for some Positions proposed Cited to Rome and could not being a Sickly Man without endangering his Life make an Appearance they prayed his Holiness not to think otherwise of him than of an Honest Man that he had only for Disputation sake offered some things to be argued which were misinterpreted and highly exaggerated by his Adversaries that for their parts they would not suffer any thing to be asserted in Opposition to the Church and that at Luther's Request they could not but give him this Testimony which they earnestly entreated his Holiness to give Credit to With this Letter they sent another to Charles Miltitz a German and Bedchamber Man to Pope Leo Wherein they represent to him That Luther was undeservedly exposed to the Anger and Hatred of the Pope insomuch that being Cited to appear at Rome he could not as yet obtain That his Cause might be tryed somewhere in Germany That for their own Parts they were so zealous not only for Religion but also for the Holy Church of Rome That if Luther were guilty of any Impious Crime or Errour they would not bear with him But that he was a Man so Learned of so upright a Life and Conversation and had deserved so well of the whole University that as Affairs stood they could not but stand by him That Duke Frederick also so Religious and Prudent a Prince would not so long have suffered him to go unpunished if he had not thought him to be a good Man That therefore he would use his Interest and Familiarity he had with the Pope that Impartial Judges might he assigned him not at Rome but in Germany That they did not doubt but that he would act as became a Christian and Divine and make it appear that he did not Wantonly and without a Cause hunt after an Occasion of Contention That they begged this the more earnestly of him in that they had the greater Hopes that he who was himself a German would not in so just a Cause be wanting to a Country-Man who was born down by Calumnies and in danger of his Life Besides the Intercession of these Friends Frederick Prince Elector spoke also to Cardinal Cajetane at Ausburg and so far prevailed that Luther being excused from going to Rome should plead his Cause before the Emperour at Ausburg Being come thither in the Month of October it was three Days before he was admitted to the Speech of Cajetane for they to whom Duke Frederick who upon dissolution of the Diet was gone Home had recommended him forbad him to go to him before he had obtained a Safe Conduct from the Emperour Maximilian but that being at length granted he came and the Cardinal having civilly received him told him That he would not enter into any Dispute with him but end the Controversie amicably and at the same Time proposed to him two Commands in Name of the Pope First That he would repent what he had done and retract the Errours which he had published And next That for the Future he would abstain from such Writings as disturbed the Peace and Tranquility of the Church Luther makes Answer That he was not Conscious to himself of any Errour and desires That if he had erred it might be proved against him With that Cajetane objects That in his Theses he had affirmed That the Merits of our Saviour Christ were not the Treasure of Indulgences which Opinion was repugnant to the Decretal of Pope Clement VI. Again That it was necessary that they who come to receive the Sacrament should have a firm Belief that their Sins were forgiven them Luther replies That that was not so telling him withal That he had read the Pope's Decree and gave his Judgment of it but mention being made of S. Thomas he said The Authority of
sufficiently weiged the greatness of the Matter and the troubles that this Doctrin hath occasion'd Nay truly I am exceedingly rejoyced to see that the Doctrin I profess hath given occasion to these Troubles and Offences for Christ himself tells us That it is the property of the Gospel to raise grievous Strife and Contentions where-ever it is taught and that among those very Persons too who are most closely linked together by the Bonds of Nature and Blood. It ought seriously then to be consider'd and maturely thought on most Noble Patriots what is fit to be decreed and care had lest by condemning the Doctrin which by the Blessing of God is now offered unto you you yourselves be the cause of the greatest Calamities to Germany Regard should likewise be had that the Government which the young Emperour who here presides hath lately taken upon him be not reckoned inauspicious and fatal by Posterity through any bad Act or Precedent that may entail its Inconveniences upon them For it may be proved by many places of Scripture that Governments have then been in greatest danger when the Affairs of the Publick were managed only by Human Prudence and mere Secular Councils Nevertheless I design not by what I say most Illustrious and Prudent Princes to prescribe or point out to you what you are to do but only to declare the Duty which I shall always be ready to perform to Germany our native Country which ought to be dearer unto us than our very Lives After all I most earnestly beseech you to take me into your Protection and to defend me against the Violence of mine Enemies When he had made an end of Speaking Eckius looking upon him with a stern Countenance You answer not to the Purpose said he nor is it your part to call again into question or doubt of what hath been heretofore determined by the Authority of Councils It is a plain and easie Answer that is demanded of you Do you approve and will you defend your Writings To which Luther made answer Since it is your Command said he most mighty Emperour and most Illustrious Princes that I should give a plain Answer I 'le obey and this therefore is my Answer That unless I be convinced by Testimonies of Holy Scripture and evident Reason I cannot retract any thing of what I have written or taught for I will never do that which may wound my own Conscience neither do I believe the Pope of Rome and Councils alone nor admit of their Authority for they have often erred and contradicted one another and may still err and be deceived The Princes having considered this Answer Eckius again told him You answer said he Luther somewhat more irreverently than becomes you and not sufficiently to the purpose neither when you make a distinction among your Books But if you would retract those which contain a great part of your Errours the Emperour would not suffer any Injury to be done to such others as are Orthodox and right You despise the Decrees of the Council of Constance where many Germans famous both for Learning and Virtue were present and revive Errours that were condemned therein requiring to be convinced by Holy Scripture you do not well and are very far out of the way for what the Church hath once condemned is not to be brought under Dispute again nor must every private Person be allowed to demand a Reason for every thing for should that once be granted that he who opposes and contradicts the Church and Councils must be convinced by Texts of Scripture there would never be any end of Controversies For that Reason therefore the Emperour expects to hear from you in plain Terms What you will do with your Books I beseech you said Luther that by your leave I may preserve a Sound and upright Conscience I have answered plainly and have nothing else to say for unless my Adversaries convince me of my Errour by true Arguments taken from Scripture it is impossible I can be quiet in mind Nay I can demonstrate that they have erred very often and grosly too and for me to recede from the Scripture which is both clear and cannot err would be an Act of greatest Impiety Eckius muttered something to the contrary That it could not be proved that ever a General Council had erred But Luther declared That he could and would prove it and so the matter concluded at that time Next Day the Emperour wrote to the Princes assembled in Council That his Predecessors had professed the Christian Religion and always obeyed the Church of Rome So that since Luther opposed the same and persisted obstinately in his Opinion his Duty required that following the Steps of his Ancestors he should both defend the Christian Religion and also succour the Church of Rome That therefore he would put Luther and his Adherents to the Ban of the Empire and make use of other proper Remedies for the extinguishing that Fire However that he would make good the Safe-Conduct he had granted him and that he might return Home with Safety This Letter of the Emperours was long and much debated in the Assembly of the Princes and some there were as it was reported who following the Decree and Pattern of the Council of Constance thought that the Publick Faith was not to be observed to him But Lewis the Elector Palatine and others also were said to have vigourously withstood that Resolution affirming That such a thing would lye as an eternal Stain and Disgrace upon Germany Wherefore most were of Opinion that not only the Publick Faith and Promise should be kept to him but also that he should not be rashly condemned because it was a Matter of great moment whatever should be decreed by the Emperour whom at that Age they perceived to be incited and exasperated against Luther by the Agents and Ministers of Rome Some Days after the Bishop of Treves appointed Luther to come to him the 24 of April There were present at that Congress Joachim Elector of Brandenburg George Duke of Saxony the Bishop of Ausburg and some other great Men And when Luther came conducted by the Emperour's Herald and was introduced by the Bishop's Chaplain Vey a Lawer of Baden spake to him to this Purpose These noble Princes have sent for you Martin Luther said he not to enter into any Dispute but to treat friendly with you and to admonish you privately of those Things which seem chiefly to concern your self for they have obtained leave from the Emperour to do so And in the first place as to Councils it is possible that at some Times they have decreed things different but never contrary and granting they had err'd yet their Authority is not therefore so fallen that it should be lawful for every Private Man to trample upon it Your Books if Care be not taken will be the cause of great Troubles and many interpret that which you have published of
depart allowing you one and twenty Days to return home in He will also inviolably observe the Safe-Conduct he gave you but charges you not to teach the People by Word nor Writing as you are upon your Way homeward Being thus dismissed he gave Glory to God and April 26 departed being conducted by the same Herald who brought him before He wrote to the Emperor upon the Road and after he had in few words resum'd all that had past he begg'd of His Imperial Majesty That since he had been alwaies hitherto and still was willing to submit to Conditions of Peace and Agreement and desired no more but that the Controversie might be determined by any impartial Judge according to the Authority of holy Scripture he would be pleased to Protect him against the violence and fury of his adversaries That 't was not his private Cause but the publick Concern of the whole World and especially of Germany whose safety and welfare he preferr'd before his own life To the same purpose also he wrote to the rest of the Princes and States and that whensoever it should seem good to the Emperor and them he would come upon safe conduct whithersoever they pleased and debate his cause before impartial and unsuspected Judges Whereas in this work there is frequent mention made of Huss the Council of Constance and the Bohemians I 'll give the Reader a short account of the whole matter In the year of our Lord 1393 there was one John Wickliff in England who wrote many things against the Roman Papacy which were afterwards carried into Bohemia At that time there was a famous University in Prague and therein slourished John Huss a Divine by profession This man Preach'd up Wickliffs Doctrin as holy and saving and dispersed it far and near But being accused of this he was cited to appear before Pope Alexander V. he by his Proctors alledged causes why he could not come And King Wenceslaus also interceded for him desiring the Pope to send Legats into Bohemia to try the matter there but that could not be obtained Huss being therefore condemned for an Heretick published a Book wherein he appealed from the Pope to Christ as Judge The Church of Rome at that time was in a very troublesom State. For the Cardinals being divided into factions had chosen three Anti-Popes Gregory XII Benet XIII and John XXIII which highly displeased other Kings as well as the Emperor Sigismund who having solicited Pope John he at length called the Council of Constance Now Sigismund who was the Brother of King Wenceslaus called John Huss thither and in October 1414 sent him a safe conduct in due form Whereupon Huss being accompanied by some persons of quality came to Constance on the third of November but three weeks after being called to a private Conference with the Pope and Cardinals he was detained prisoner The Emperor Sigismund was absent then and being inform'd of the matter was highly displeased and came thither But the Papists urging that Faith was not to be kept with Hereticks he not only remitted the offence though the Bohemians importun'd him to the contrary and demanded performance of the safe conduct but was also the first that spake bitterly against him In fine on the sixth of July following the Council condemn'd him as an Heretick and Seditious Person and ordered the Books he had written to be burnt Being thus condemn'd he was delivered over to the Emperor and burnt his ashes being afterwards cast into the Rhine that no relick of him might remain After him Jerome of Prague his Disciple and Hearer was put to Death in the same manner In this Council besides the Emperour were the Ambassadours of many Kings three Electoral Princes of the Empire Lewis Prince Palatine Rodulph Duke of Saxony and Frederick Marquess of Brandenburg and a vast number of the other Princes three Patriarchs of Aquileia Antioch and Constantinople eight and twenty Cardinals an hundred and fifty five Bishops very many Divines and Lawyers Italians Germans French English Hungarians and Polonians The Doctrin of Wickliff was here also condemned and a Decree made that his Body should be taken up and burnt in England It was besides Decreed that none but Priests should receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kinds and that all others should be content with one kind which had been impugned by Huss A Law was also made that Faith should not be kept with Hereticks or persons suspected of Heresie though they should come under the Emperours Safe-Conduct to be tryed in Council Lastly the three Popes were degraded and by common Consent Martin V chosen When the News of the Execution of Huss and Jerome was brought into Bohemia it occasioned a terrible Commotion and afterwards a very cruel and bloody War under the Conduct of John Zischa so that Sigismond was forced to beg the Assistanc of the Empire but the greatest Cruelty was exercised against the Priests in hatred to the Pope whom they Cursed whose Dominion they shook off and embraced the Doctrin of Huss adoring his Memory Much about this Time the Divines of Paris condemned Luther's Books and out of that which is entitled Of the Captivity of Babylon and some others also they gathered certain Heads as of the Sacraments the Canons of the Church the Equality of Works Vows Contrition Absolution Satisfaction Purgatory Free-Will the immunity of the Clergy Councils the Punishments of Hereticks Philosophy School-Divinity and many more of the like sort admonishing the Reader and all who professed the Name of Christ to beware of such pernicious Doctrins For that it was the Custom of Hereticks to propose specious Matters at first which sinking once down into the Mind could hardly ever be got out again but that under those alluring Words present Poyson lay hid Then they reckoned up in Order the Hereticks of the several Ages and among these Wickliff John Huss and last of all Luther whom they mightily blamed as an arrogant and rash Man that he should imagine himself alone to know more than all others contemn the Judgments of all the Holy Fathers and Interpreters of all Councils and Schools and that he should reject the Custom and Consent of the Church observed for so many Ages as if it were credible That Christ would have left all that while his only Spouse to wander in so great Darkness of Errour but that it was the usual way with Hereticks to wrest Scripture to their own Sense Having then reckoned up some Books written by him they shew what Hereticks Luther imitated in such and such Opinions and that seeing it properly belonged to their Office and Profession to stifle springing Heresies as much as lay in their Power they had therefore diligently perused his Books that they might direct all Men how to have a Care of them and that after much Reading of his Writings they found that his Doctrin was pernicious deserving to be burnt and that
form the minds of Men that the Magistrate himself might clearly understand his station and condition of life to be highly acceptable to God and the People on the other part might be sensible that Honour and Obedience to the Magistrate was required from them by the Law of God who would not hold him guiltless who should offer Contempt to the Power ordained by Him. Besides since they themselves by the Divine bounty are appointed Governors over others what a madness must it be for them to tolerate such a Doctrine as would let loose the reigns upon the necks of Men dissolve their Obedience and arm the People against themselves What their present sense is of the Governors of the Church they have manifestly declar'd in the foresaid Writing viz. That they are convinc'd of the legality of administring Ecclesiastical Affairs and that the Ministry of the Word or the Power of the Keys is entertain'd by them with the greatest Veneration And now since they understand themselves to be loaded with these and such like Imputations and being sensible how much it would be for the Publick Interest that they who are Princes of so great prudence and authority should have a right and regular understanding of the Cause they were therefore willing for the better clearing of themselves to acquaint them throughly with these things in writing and humbly to intreat them that they would not give Credit to those Calumnies nor entertain any sinister opinion of them but that they would keep themselves unprejudic'd till they have an opportunity given them publickly to clear themselves which is the thing they most earnestly desire They likewise beseech them to use their Interest with the Emperor that since the greatness of the Cause and the good of the whole Church requires it he would convene a free and religious Council in Germany as soon as may be and that he would not determine too severely against them till the matter was legally debated and decided For that hitherto they had always faithfully discharg'd their Duty to the Empire and that 't is neither out of covetousness nor petulancy but for the Glory of God and in Obedience to his Commands that they now make Profession of this Doctrine for which they are call'd in question And this 't is that gives them the greater hopes that their Requests will not be rejected by them For it must needs highly redound to their Honour if by their Authority and Interposition they could so bring it about that these Controversies might not be decided by the Sword but that a right Judgment might be made of things that so these Distempers might be healed and the Churches reconcil'd and no violence offer'd to the Consciences of Men. Lastly they should esteem it a very signal Favour if they would let them understand by Letters their Pleasure in this Affair In the month of February the Elector of Saxony summon'd all his Allies to make their Appearance at Smalcalde on the 29th day of March there to concert about making a Defence against any Hostile attempt that might be made These were those Princes and Cities we before mention'd but the Duke of Saxony being himself ill sent thither his Son John Frederick In the former Convention it was agreed upon to solicite Frederick King of Denmark together with the Saxon and Martime Cities concerning the League Therefore now at their second meeting that Transaction is reported together with what Answer each of them did make The Dane reply'd That truly the Doctrine of the Gospel was very dear unto him but that he had in his Kingdom many Bishops who were very powerful as well in Wealth as in their dependencies and conjunction with the Nobility and therefore it would not be safe for him to enter into the League as King but however he refus'd not to do it in right of those his Provinces which held of the Empire Henry of Mecklenburg excus'd himself upon the account that his Embassadors had subscrib'd the Augustane Decree however he promis'd that he would not be their Enemy Bernin Prince of Pomerania said That he was not at all averse but that the chief management of affairs was yet wholly in the hands of his elder Brother The Lubeckers did not decline it but said it ought to be consider'd that they had been at vast Expences in the War and if Christiern King of Denmark who was driven from his Kingdom should attempt any thing they desired to know what Assistance they might expect from them The Lunenburgers declar'd That they would do whatever should seem good to Ernestus their Prince The next things that fell under their deliberation were the procuring of Votes for the speedy raising of Forces the Contribution of mony for the keeping up those Forces the choice of Commanders and the admitting those into the League which were willing to come in the appointment likewise of Proctors and Advocates who might answer for them in Court if any Suit should arise in the Exchequer either by the Command of the Emperor or the Solicitation of others To this branch of the defence George Duke of Brandenburg together with the Cities of Nuremburg Camin and Heilsburg do make themselves Parties though the League it self they refus'd It was farther decreed That all notorious Enormities should be severely punish'd in each of their Dominions But before they enter'd into the League not only the Lawyers but Divines also were admitted into the Consult It had indeed been always the Doctrine of Luther That Magistrates ought not to be resisted and upon this Subject there was a Book of his Extant But when the Learned in the Law had in this Consult declar'd That Resistance is sometimes permitted by the Laws and had shewn that the present State of affairs was such as the Laws in relation to that case do particularly mention Luther ingenuously confess'd that indeed he had been ignorant of this Legality But now since the Gospel according to his constant Doctrine does not militate against nor abolish political Laws and since things might so fall out in these perilous and difficult times that not only the Law it self but also necessity of Conscience might call upon them to Arm he therefore pronounces that they may justly make a League in their own defence if either the Emperor himself or any body else in his Name should make War upon them He likewise publishes a Writing wherein he expresses how obstinate the Papists had been in the Diet of Auspurg and then strictly charges all Men not to yield Obedience to those Magistrates that should command their assistance in such a War. And having ript up the many grievous Errors of the Popish Doctrines he tells them that whoever list themselves on that side do take up Arms in defence of those Errors and this he saies is highly wicked and sinful Having therefore shewn them how much the minds of Men were in these daies enlightned by the knowledge of the Gospel he exhorts them to
For though he was bred and born to nothing but Gentleness and good Nature yet he was constrain'd for some time to put a force upon his Temper and act disagreeably to his Inclinations And as he was willing to hear Men discourse upon any Subject so he could not choose but be displeas'd with those who attempt any rash Alterations without consulting their Superiors whose right it is to Determine Besides those whom he had done Justice upon were of a quite different Perswasion from them Now as to their Religion the King is of opinion that whatever they have done in that was agreed by common consent but how justifiable their Tenents were he should not examine For in cases of that difficulty he was not willing to pretend to be a better Judge than others but believed there were some things to be approved and disapproved in both Communions For the nature of Man is such that if he is once allow'd to pronounce upon his own Sentiments he is in danger of falling into Error and Mistake Afterwards he endeavours to gain their good opinion more directly and confutes those Persons who say that the Germans ought to take care how they hold any Correspondence with foreign Embassadors maintaining that there was great disadvantage and slavery at the bottom of this advice For no State is so well fortify'd in it self as to be able to subsist and flourish for any considerable time without the Friendship and Alliance of its Neighbours Now there hath been a very ancient and intimate Correspondence between the Kings of France and the Princes of the Empire for both Nations are descended from the same Original and by reason of their situation and nearness they may be both a Guard and an Ornament to each other Therefore his Majesty is very much troubled when he hears of any Misunderstandings among the Germans and endeavours to his Power to make up the Breach And has often been afraid lest this disagreement in Religion should have some unfortunate consequence And since he now understands they have form'd an Association to defend their Priviledges and Honour not excluding those of a different Perswasion he hath great hopes that this Expedient will open a way for the reconciling of Opinions Being therefore acquainted with these Occurrences he was willing to send his Embassador to let them know his sense in the Case Now in regard the present State of Affairs is such that a free and general Council cannot be conven'd as yet The King thinks it most proper that all the Germans should meet in the mean time and by joynt consent pitch upon some Method for an Accommodation which may easily be effected provided things are not manag'd with obstinacy and Men do not account it a discredit to change their opinions upon Conviction and to yield to better Information If they proceed in this manner his Majesty will joyn with them and assist them in this Undertaking For the present Pope himself confess'd when the Case was moved to him by the King that Humane Traditions are not to be so rigidly insisted on but that they may be set aside when the exigency of the Times and the Peace of Christendom require it and declar'd that if the Controversie was regularly and fairly debated he would yield a great many things in compliance with the present Conjuncture and to promote a general Agreement Now if they are desirous that some learned French Divines should be present at this Conference or if they please to send any of their own Clergy into France upon this account his Majesty will be extreamly satisfy'd with it and leaves it wholly to themselves to do as they think convenient In fine he desires them that they would live amicably together and fortifie their Interest by keeping up a good Correspondence among themselves for this besides other advantages would contribute to the peace of their Country And as for his Majesty he would not assist their Enemies either with Supplies or Advice as long as they continued the same affection to him which they had hitherto shew'd In the beginning of this Book I observ'd that the Judges of the Chamber of Spire prosecuted the Protestants contrary to the Emperor's Edict The case was this These Judges were most of them Roman Catholicks and being address'd to for Justice by the Ecclesiasticks after the Emperor was return'd into Italy from the War in Austria who complain'd of the Protestants They order'd a Suit to be commenc'd against them And though the Protestants put in their Exceptions and alledg'd that the Cause was of an Ecclesiastical nature and consequently included in the Emperor's Edict who has barr'd all Process relating to Religion yet they over-rul'd these Allegations and went on in their way The Protestants therefore wrote into Italy to the Emperor complaining how they were disturb'd and procure another Mandate from him Upon this the Judges send the Emperor word that they were at a loss how to act and how to obey his Majesties Commands For the Parties often contested the nature of the Causes whether they belonged to Religion or not therefore they desire to know his Majesties Pleasure in this Case The Emperor answers their Request and gives them Authority to determine whether the Causes which come before them relate to Religion or not Being thus fortify'd they proceed briskly not only interposing in mixt Causes but in those which were purely Spiritual for besides Restitution to the Ecclesiasticks they command the Mass and all the Ceremonies and Worship of the Roman Church to be set up again Now while these things were doing it happen'd that the Elector of Saxony had occasion to go to Cadan to King Ferdinand about some other business where he complain'd how himself and his Confederates were us'd and after they had agreed those other Points which I have mention'd Ferdinand confirm'd the Imperial Edict and commanded the Pacification to be observ'd and order'd the Chamber to forbear all Prosecutions But they took no notice of this Order The Protestants therefore solemnly protested against the Jurisdiction of their Court assigning the Reasons they had to look upon them as Adversaries and refer the Dispute to Henry of Megelburg Robert Duke of Bavaria Christiern Duke of Holstein George Duke of Wirtemburg to the Senate of Auspurg and Wormes or to any other indifferent Arbitrators to determine whether the grounds of their Recusation were reasonable or not For things were come to that pass that their Council durst not speak out nor plead their Cause home for fear of disobliging the Court and coming into trouble But the Judges set aside this Recusation and declar'd it null and void as being contrary to the Laws and Customs of the Empire Afterwards the Elector of Saxony came to Vienna to King Ferdinand as hath been already related where he got a new Order against the Chamber but all to no purpose as shall be shewn in its place And because the Pacification granted by the Emperor
almost the same minute went and made Luther a visit who lay very ill of the Stone which disrespect the Embassador might see if he pleas'd out of his own Lodgings Before the Bishop of Aix went upon his Employ Vergerius by the Popes Command acquainted him with the State of Germany and how he was to make his Court and salute every Person The fourth day after being the last of February the Protestants gave in their answer to Eldo That they did not question but that the Emperor would stand to the Pacification which he had engag'd himself to do several times both in his publick and private Letters but the Chamber of Spire and himself also in his Speech had advanced such an Interpretation which would not only render that Treaty less intelligible but perfectly void it and make it insignificant For the drift of his Discourse is to prove that only those Matters and Disputes are to be referr'd to Religion which are comprehended in the Edict at Wormes and in some other Decrees of the Empire and not those which are risen since and concern private Persons though they were expresly mention'd at Nuremburgh to the Princes of the Mediation but the Design of this Treaty was quite different from what his Excellency pretends For notwithstanding by the Instigation of Pope Leo the 10th the Emperor happen'd to publish his Edict at Wormes at a time when the true Faith was understood but by a very few yet afterwards that Edict as far as it related to them was suspended by several Decrees of the Empire more particularly in the Diet at Spire about eleven years since where it was agreed That the whole Controversie should be referr'd to a Council with the addition of this remarkable Clause that in the mean time all Magistrates in their respective Jurisdictions should discharge their Office in such a manner as they might be able to give a good account of their actions to God and the Emperor from whence it plainly appears that the foremention'd Edict was laid asleep so that they had no occasion to insist upon a new suspension of it at Nuremburgh For why were all Debates remitted to a lawful Council if the Edict of Wormes was always to be in force or if their Religion had always been accounted condemned But there was a wide difference between the Matter of that Edict and the Pacification at Nuremburgh for the former consider'd nothing but matter of Fact and was design'd for Prosecution the question at that time being only Whether the Edict was violated or not If a breach was prov'd then it 's likely the Chamber if the Decree of the Diet at Spire had not interpos'd might have exercis'd their Jurisdiction as in a secular affair But those things which were the occasion of that Convention and Treaty at Nuremburgh relate to Faith and Religion which beside other Proofs appears plainly from the Emperor's Letters Patents For though the Chamber had no Authority to try any Causes of this nature before yet to prevent Disturbance there was a more comprehensive Provision sign'd at Nuremburgh to make them forbear Besides it appears from the very words of the Emperor's Letters Patents that not only those Disputes which relate to matters of meer Religion were comprehended in the Treaty at Nuremburgh but all others also which are occasioned by the Change of Rites and Ceremonies and arise from Causes of a resembling nature Farther all Agreements are to be interpreted with respect to the circumstances of the thing which was the ground of the Controversie Now from the time of the Decree at Spire till the Treaty at Nuremburgh they do not remember that any of their Partty have been prosecuted or have had the least Disturbance given them by any particular Courts under the Emperor or Princes It 's true the Chamber had usurp'd an Authority in these Matters and commenc'd a Suit against some Persons for changing Religion together with the Rites and Ceremonies as also concerning Property and Estate And when there was a misunderstanding about these things they made express mention of them to the Princes of the Mediation Therefore that Treaty is to be understood to extend not only to those Points which result from the Edict of Wormes but to those also which were controverted at the very time of the Convention For otherwise what made them labour and trouble themselves at the rate they had done why were they at such Expences to remove a Grievance which was already mortifi'd by a solemn Decree of the Empire and from which they had no reason to apprehend the least inconvenience But being afraid the Chamber would occasion a Disorder in the State by commencing of Suits they agreed to a Cessation which can relate to no other Debates but those which were then the Principal Subject of the Controversie and explain'd to the Princes of the Mediation as such And whereas he alledgeth that the Emperor did not know under what Classis those Disputes were to be rang'd this seemeth improbable because that Convention was order'd on purpose to take up those Differences which unless they had been accommodated it was thought some publick Disturbances would have immediately follow'd Neither indeed it is credible that the Princes of the Mediation omitted the sending the Emperor an account of these things or that his Majesty if he disapprov'd any part of them should dissemble his dislike That the Emperor may allow this Liberty for the preservation of Peace is beyond all question and that the Peace cannot continue unless these Terms are granted they have lately prov'd And since by the Laws of the Empire no Man may take away his Neighbours Property therefore they explain'd themselves upon this Point to the Princes of the Mediation at Nuremburgh and declar'd That if the Chamber gave them any trouble for seizing upon the Fortunes of their Monks and Priests who had rejected the Doctrin and Worship of the true Religion they would look upon it as a Force and an Injury And whereas his Excellency thinks it unjust for them not to allow the Chamber to determine the nature of the Cause Whether it is Religious or Secular adding likewise That the more Reasons they had to support their Resolution the more publick they ought to make them They said they had given a sufficient Answer to this Objection before and thought it would have been urg'd no more upon them For though they are not afraid to make their Defence in open Court nay they are very desirous the whole Cause might be tried before equal Judges yet they could not depart from that Order which the Emperor had made in the present Case by which they were not remitted to the Judgment of the Chamber but all Process was stopp'd by his Imperial Prohibition with this Proviso That if any Person acted to the contrary his Majesty or his Embassador was to be acquainted with it As touching the Chamber it was easie for them to answer why they could not admit
what I have now declared to you And therefore I trust you will not be wanting to me on your parts that both their sauciness may be curbed and that you may recover your ancient Dignity If you do so you may expect from me all good will and kindness and of this I shall make a more ample Declaration if you send me any Embassadour to that purpose The Emperour wrote also to the Duke of Wirtemberg to the same effect and the very same day the Letters were written Granvell and Naves sent for the Deputies of the Cities I mentioned and having discoursed them severally much to the same purpose told them that this War was not designed against the free Cities but against some Rebels who were guilty of High Treason had contemned the Emperour's Authority invaded the Estates and Possessions of some Princes and Bishops and who if occasion did offer would not spare the free Cities neither That therefore they advised them to be true and faithful to the Emperour and not assist his Enemies that the Emperour might have no cause to be offended with them to whom he wished well that they should with all expedition acquaint their Principals with these things and exhort them to continue in their duty and that the Emperour would himself write and send Embassadours unto them The same day a Decree pass'd at Trent that a Divinity Lecturer should be established in the Abbeyes and Monasteries of Canons Regular and Monks and that some Benefice should be annexed as a Stipend to the Office but that no man be admitted to that place but he whose learning good life and conversation the Bishop or Abbot is assured of and because the preaching of the Gospel is no less necessary than the reading of Divinity the Bishops and all other Guides of the Church are enjoyned to teach the People or if any lawful impediment hinder them that they substitute another in their place Pastors and Curates are likewise commanded that every Lord's-day at least they instruct the People in those things that are necessary to Salvation exhort them to Vertue and deter them from Vice A Penalty is appointed for those that neglect their duty and the Bishops are admonished to be diligent in examining what Doctrines are taught and that if perhaps Heresies or erroneous Opinions be broached they take a course according to Law to prevent the danger of them Then a Decree is made touching Original Sin all the guilt whereof they say is washed away by Baptism That in those who are baptised there remains indeed a disposition to sin or concupiscence and that though St. Paul call that sometimes sin yet he does it not as if it were really and properly sin but because it inclines men to sinning But that the Virgin Mary is not to be comprehended in the Decree and that as to that particular what Sixtus IV. heretofore defined is to be observed And to conclude the nine and twentieth of July is appointed to be the day for the next Session Now Sixtus IV. in the thirteenth Year of his Pontificate made a Decree whereby he excommunicates as Hereticks those who teach that the Virgin Mary was conceived in Original Sin and that the Festival of her Conception appointed by the Church of Rome was not to be observed which Decree is extant in the Extravagants of the Canon Law. In this Session of the Council the French Embassadour Peter Danes made a Speech wherein having extolled the Merits and Zeal of the Kings of France towards the Church of Rome from Clouis the first Christians King and downwards he enlarged in the Praises of King Francis who being descended of such Ancestors was inferiour to none of them in dutifulness to that See having entertained a constant friendship with Leo Adrian Clement and now with Paul III. And in all this tempest and agitation of Religion suffered no alterations within his Dominions because he would have the decision of the whole matter referred to the Church for though he was naturally a most gracious and merciful Prince yet had he inflicted most severe Punishments upon those who through private rashness had presumed to disturb the state of the Church by which strict care and animadversion he had gained this point that now he could put all France into their hands in a peaceful and quiet state For in it there was no strange nor new Doctrines nor any thing but what had been introduced and setled by ancient custom and discipline and since it had been always his opinion that there was nothing more beneficial to the Publick than that the Pope of Rome as Successour of St. Peter should be Head of the Church to whom all others should submit and refer themselves he had always been careful that none should impeach his Supremacy And that though he had been many times sollicited by large offers to do other ways and follow the example of another who had done so yet nothing could ever shake him in his resolutions but that so soon as he had heard that some Fathers were met to celebrate the Council which was lately called he had presently ordered some of his select Bishops to repair hither and that when the Decrees made in some Sessions were brought into France he had dispatched hither him and his Colleagues to declare his will and pleasure unto them First then That it was his desire that once for all they would establish what ought to be followed and believed by all men in general in matters of Religion In the next place That they would prescribe to all Church-men a most strict and austere Rule of Life and Manners assuring them that whatever they decreed in those matters should by the King's command be punctually observed all over France That moreover because the Kings of France had merited very much of the Church of Rome they would not suffer any alteration or diminution to be made in those Rights and Priviledges which the Kings of France had constantly enjoyed from the time of Louis the Debonnair the Son of Charlemaigne Lastly That they would confirm all the Rights Priviledges and Immunities of the Gallican Church the protection whereof was transmitted to him from his Predecessors June the twenty-fourth Lazarus Schuendi came from the Emperour to Strasbourg with the Letters we mentioned a little before and other more ample Instructions having met the rest we named on his way But the Senate having dismissed him not long after writ back to the Emperour acquainting his Majesty that the reason why they did not presently give their answer to Lazarus was because of the difficulty of the Matters proposed which concerned not them alone but others also that what his Majesty was pleased to say of his good Intentions towards Germany they gave him their most humble thanks praying him to continue in the same mind and not to listen to those who would incite him to a Civil War that it was a
Cardinals therewith and in name of the whole Empire to demand the continuation of the Council at Trent He ordered Mendoza also to do the same but the Pope took time to consider of it and having thought fit to consult you about the matter obtained from you a dubious crafty and captious Answer Besides he answers the Emperour oddly and shews sufficiently by his tergiversation that he is little concerned for the Publick for the cause of the removal ought to have been proved by credible Witnesses The Emperour King Ferdinand and the Princes by Letters and most ample Embassies declared what the mind of the States was concerning the Council but the Pope believed and preferred the Report of some mean and base People before the Testimony of all these How many tedious and irksome Journeys hath the Emperour made upon the account of the Council What Charges and Expences hath he been at And must all these be lost For most weighty and necessary causes was the Council both called and begun at Trent the Emperour and Germans demanding it and all other Christian Princes consenting thereunto so that unless the publick Authority of all States intervene it cannot be translated to another place for indeed there was no cause for the Translation only something invented for an excuse as some slight Feaver and badness of Air forsooth and for that purpose some Physicians were suborned but chiefly Serving-Maids and Cooks Now what a trifling cause that was the thing it self and the event declared You say that you went away without the Pope's knowledge and advice but the Letter he wrote to you and the Answer he gave the Emperour imply the quite contrary Certainly you ought not to have departed nor changed the place but with consent of the Emperour to whom it belongs to protect all Councils but you posted away in so much haste that ye rejected the Opinion of those who said that the Emperour and Pope ought first to be consulted Now if you must needs have been removing ye ought to have observed at least the Decrees of the Holy Councils and remained within the bounds of Germany that the Germans for whose cause chiefly the Council was called might safely come to it but now ye have chosen Bolonia a Town seated in the heart of Italy and under the Jurisdiction of the Church of Rome whither it is certain the Germans will not come and therefore have you chosen it that to the great prejudice and disgrace of Christendom the Council may be either dissolved or managed at your pleasure The Emperour therefore requireth and that most earnestly that you return to that place which pleased all before especially since all things are now safe and quiet and no more cause of any fear remains But if this you refuse I do here in the name and by command of the Emperour protest against this Translation of the Council as frivolous and unlawful and that all that has been done or shall be done therein is of no force nor effect I also publickly declare That that Answer of yours is silly and full of Lyes and that the prejudice and inconveniences which hereafter shall ensue to the Publick are not to be imputed to the Emperour but to you affirming withal that you have no Power nor Authority to remove the Council And because you neglect the publick Welfare the Emperour as Protector of the Church will take the care of that upon himself in so far as it is lawful for him by Law and the Canons of Holy Church When he had read over that Protestation he delivered a written Copy of it and desired it to be entered upon Record With that the Cardinal de Monte having highly commended the pious intentions of the Fathers called God to witness that they had wrong done them saying They were ready to suffer death rather than that such a practice should be brought into the Church that the Civil Magistrate might call or controul a Council when and how he pleased That the Emperour was indeed a Son of the Church but not the Lord and Master That he and his Colleagues were the Legates of the Apostolick See and did not refuse even then to render first to God and then to the Pope an account of their Commission That after all within a few days they should have an Answer to their Protestation Much about the same time Mendoza having received Instructions from the Emperour made a Protestantion to the same effect at Rome before the Pope and Colledge of Cardinals and in presence of all the Forreign Embassadours whom according to his Instructions he had invited to be Witnesses of it THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH BOOK XX. THE CONTENTS In the beginning it is hotly disputed whether Prussia belong to the King of Poland or rather to the Empire The Pope makes a large Answer to the Harangue that Mendoza made before The Emperour being informed of that and seeing but very little hopes of a Council causes the Book which is called the Interim to be made The Protector of England in a very long Letter to the Scots counsels them to Peace and demands their Queen Vogelsberg is beheaded The Emperour invests Duke Maurice in the Electorship which he had bestowed upon him in the Camp before Wittemberg Bucer refuses to subscribe to the Interim The Pope also publishes a Censure of it which many of the Electors and Princes also did and many refuse it though it was published by the Emperour The Duke of Saxony though a Prisoner with great magnanimity rejects it The Landgrave by Letters which were published from the Emperours Court seems to approve it that he may obtain his freedom Whil'st the Mass is abolished in England by Act of Parliament the free Towns of Germany are solicited to accept of the Interim and especially Strasburg which is pressed by Threats to do it WE have shewn in the former Books that Marquess Albert of Brandenburg did Homage to the King of Poland and altered the Government of Prussia for which he was Outlaw'd by the Imperial Chamber As also that the King of Poland had several times solicited the Emperour and rest of the States in the Publick Diets to reverse that Outlawry because he was his Vassal and under his Protection But since to this day nothing could be obtained and that by this Victory of the Emperours some greater danger seemed to be threatned the King of Poland sends an Embassy to this Diet whereof the chief was Stanislaus Alaski He in the month of January delivered to the Emperour and Colledge of the Princes a Speech in Writing whereof the substance was That the Cause of Prussia had been some times already debated but because it had been always put off to other Diets he was commanded to open it again that the King was in good hopes because of the civil Answers he had often received from them and of the equity of his Cause they would Consider his Affair yet not as
Reasons of both Parties being heard a Committee out of the whole Diet was chosen to consider of the Matter The Result of their Deliberation was That the Sentence past against Albert should stand good but nevertheless because they saw that it would prove a most difficult Business to put it in execution they refer the whole Matter to the Emperour Some time after King Sigismund died at a great Age after he had Reigned Two and fourty years Casimire as has been said was his Father He had three Brothers of whom Ladislaus was King of Hungary and Bohemia the Father of King Louis and Anne John Albert and Alexander having successively Reigned after their Father Casimire died without Children and left the Government to their youngest Brother Sigismund to whom succeeded his Son of the same Name and Son in Law to Ferdinand King of the Romans It has been said in the former Book that Mendoza protested against the Council at Rome To that the Pope having called a Consistory of Cardinals February the first made this Answer When you told Us said he my Lord Ambassador that you had Orders from the Emperour to protest against the Council you struck us all with great grief But when afterwards we diligently considered your Commission we took heart again and first I will say somewhat to the cause of our Grief And it is because that kind of protesting is a thing of bad Example made use of chiefly by those who have either wholly shaken off their Obedience or have begun to waver in it Wherefore it grieved me exceedingly who have always born a Fatherly Love towards the Emperor and as it becomes the Pastor of the Church studied Peace and Concord And it grieved both me and the Colledge of Cardinals the more that at this time it was the thing we least expected since the Emperour when he made War against his and the Churches Enemies had Aid and Assistance from me And though my Lord Ambassador you seem to make but small account of this yet it ought to be reckoned as a singular favour For the Aid I sent was very great so as it even exceeded the reach of the Apostolical Chamber and came besides in a most seasonable time What could have been less expected then than that after a Victory and lately obtained too the Emperour should render unto me such fruits of his Faith and Benevolence Such I say as that the end of the War should be the beginning of protesting against me I have now found by Experience what the Prophet complaineth of That I looked for good Grapes but found none but sower Grapes From my entrance into the Popedom I have with much care cherished the Emperour as a most noble Plant that some time or other I might reap a most plentiful Vintage but this attempt of his hath made me almost despair of any fruit You have heard the cause of our Grief now you shall know what it is that hath given us Comfort You have used that Authority which you think has been given you of protesting against me and this sacred Colledge in a manner as was neither Honourable to us nor becoming the Character of the Emperour But in your Letters of Instructions there is not one word which shews it to have been the Emperours will that you should have acted so I say not one word that you may the better understand me that gives you power to do so The Emperour indeed Commands his Agents at Bolonia that they should so protest before our Legats there who changed the place of the Council and when you found that that was done there you would needs use the same form of Protestation here with us but in that you have transgressed the bounds of your Commission If my Lord Ambassadour you were not sensible of that before take now Admonition and acknowledge it For the Emperour's Orders are not that you should protest against us but that you should do it in this our Consistory against the Legats who were the Authors of the Translation Wherefore the Emperour in that did the Duty of a most modest Prince who confined himself within those limits and would have that Protestation to be made before me whom he knew to be the only lawful Judge of the whole Matter Had I indeed refused to take cognisance of the Affair then would he have had a cause of Protestation but you taking another course than you ought to have done made no application to me that I should examine the Matter but made use of a certain Prejudice demanding that I should annul the Decree made for translating the Council and enjoyn the greatest part of the Fathers to give place to a few who remained at Trent And what could more enervate all the Authority of the Council than that Had it not been much more reasonable that if the small number which is at Trent had had any cause of Complaint against the rest who are at Bolonia they should have brought it before me I would not then truly have rejected their demands nor would I neither now reject them Since then it is certain that your way of acting is not consonant to the Emperours Intentions we have cause to thank God who thus disposes his Mind and Purposes we have cause to Congratulate and you also to Rejoyce in your Princes behalf And though by what we have said the foundation of your Plea and Proceeding is wholly overturned so that there is no need of making Answer to your Protestation nevertheless that I may not by my silence seem to acknowledge the truth of your Accusations and thereby offend many especially the weaker sort I will refute them severally And in the first place therefore You seem to have proposed this Scope to your self that you may expose me as negligent a Shuffler and Starter of Delays to baffle the sitting of the Council and make the Emperour appear on the other hand to be a vigilant and active Prince sollicitous for the publick good and wholly bent upon the sitting of the Council Truly I do not nor ought I envy the Emperours Praises and had you stopt there and gone no farther I should have nothing to answer but because you so extol him as to depress me so celebrate his Praises as to render me in some sort Contemptible whilst you say that he urged not only me but my Predecessors Popes of Rome to call a Council the Thing it self requires that I should answer you as to these things Wherefore if it has been always the Emperours mind and desire that a Council should be held I have ever been of the same mind as well as he And besides as I am older than he so also have I wished for this sooner than he which the most eminent Cardinals who were then of this Colledge can testifie When I was made Pope I persevered in the same mind and upon the very least occasion that offered I called a Council first at Mantua and
a Dalmatian Bishop of Waradin Cardinal He was a Man of great Authority in Hungary and commonly called Monk because he was of the Order of Paul the first Hermit It has been declared before that the French Ambassador was ordered to attend on the eleventh of October to receive his answer provided the King owned the Council but he came not and nevertheless in name of the Council a Letter to the King was published And first they tell him that for many Reasons they had expected every thing that was good and great at his hands but that upon the coming of his Ambassdor and reading of his Letter it was a great Grief to them to find themselves frustrated of their hopes and that nevertheless since they were not conscious to themselves of any wrong they had done nor of any cause of offence that they had given they had not as yet wholly laid aside the hopes they formerly conceived of him that the Opinion he entertained then as if the Council had been called for the particular interest and advantage of some few ought least of all to take place in that so great an Assembly That the Causes of calling the Council were published not only by the present Pope but also by his Predecessor Paul III. to wit that Heresies might be rooted out that Discipline might be reformed and that the Peace of the Church might be restored Was not that manifest enough Could there any thing be done more Piously or Christianly That Heresies did now spread not only over Germany but in some manner over all Provinces that the Council would apply a Remedy to this great evil that this was the ground and this also the end of all their Deliberations and that all they did aimed only at that that therefore he would suffer the Bishops within his Dominions to come and assist in carrying on so holy a Work that he had no cause to fear but that they should have liberty to speak freely what they thought that with much patience and attention his Ambassador had been lately heard though his Message had not been so very pleasant and that since a private person had been heard with so much mildness and favour why should any Man believe that that would be denied to publick persons and Men of such Dignity too That notwithstanding though he should not send one single person yet both the Authority and Dignity of the Council would subsist as being both lawfully called at first and for just Causes now again restored but that as to what he intimated of using Remedies such as his Ancestors had made use of they did not think that he would ever proceed so far as to revive those things which have heretofore been abolished to the great advantage of the Kings of France And that seeing God had blessed him with so many benefits and favours they could not but hope that he would not do any thing whereby he might seem unthankful to God or to holy Mother Church That he should only look back upon his Progenitors upon his own Title of Most Christian King and in a word upon his Father King Francis who honoured the former Council by the Ambassadors and most learned Bishops whom he sent to it that he should imitate that late and domestick Example and sacrifice private Offences to the publick Good. The Emperour and Pope had exhorted the Switzers to come to the Council but it was in vain And the Pope as we said before made use of the Ministery of Jerom Francâ— his Nuncio there to bring that about But the French King sent Instructions to the Ambassador La Morliere who resided in those places that he should endeavour to persuade them all not to send any person to it La Morliere finding that to be a difficult task sent for Vergerio an expert Man in those Affairs to come to him from amongst the Grisons who supplied him with Arguments and a little after published a Book against repairing to the Council La Moliere thus provided came to the Convention at Baden and there alledging his Reasons he persuaded not only those who long before had shaken off Popery but also all the other Cantons to what he desired of them so that none came from them to Trent From the Grisons came by Orders from the Pope Thomas Plant Bishop of Coyre but when the Grisons understood from Vergerio what the Pope was driving at that is by his means to recover his Authority over them he was recalled The Spaniards who Quartered here and there in the Country of Wirtemburg were about this time called out by the Emperour and sent into Italy because of the War of Parma By their departure the whole Province was relieved from a very heavy Bondage under which it had groaned for almost five whole years only the Castle of Achsperg the Emperour still retained with a Garison of Germans in it About the same time also Henry Hasen at the Emperour's Command went over Schwabia and in all places changed the State of the Government putting in new Senators as had been done three years before at Ausburg He turned out also all Preachers and School-masters as had been done lately at Ausburg unless they would obey the Decree about Religion That Duke Maurice and the Duke of Wirtemberg had ordered the Heads of Doctrine to be drawn up which should afterwards be exhibited and that the Senate of Strasburg joyned with them also in that design it hath been said before The Duke of Wirtemburg therefore sent two Ambassadors John Theodorick Plenninger and John Heclin with Instructions publickly to produce that written Confession of Doctrine and to acquaint the Council That Divines would come to treat of it more at large and to defend the same provided they might have a safe Conduct granted them according to the form of that of Basil So soon as they arrived at Trent which was about the later end of October they waited upon Count Montfort shew him their Commission and Credential Letters and acquainted him that they had some things to pâ—opose in Council in their Princes Name His Discourse seemed to insinuate that it behoved them to apply themselves to the Pope's Legate But they perceiving that if they should have any Communication with him it would be construed as if they owned him to have the chief Right and Authority in judging which would be a prejudice and great disadvantage to their Cause did not go to him but gave their Prince an account of what they had done and expected new Orders from him how to behave themselves In the mean time the Divines were employed after their usual manner in examining and discussing the Points we mentioned of Penance and Extream Unction November the third Count Heideck came from Duke Maurice to Magdeburg and having called out the Officers of the Garison to a Castle hard by the City he fully concluded a Peace and thereupon drew up and signed Articles wherein
to his intended departure it could not be granted him That the Emperour had commanded them to suffer no Man to depart After a long Discourse when he told him That he had no more to do that what now remained would be managed by the Divines who had a Commission for that in Writing He bid him go to Count Monfort and shew him the Commission and then civilly dismissed him wishing him a good Journy home When Count Monfort had seen the Commission he could have wished he said that his Affairs would have permitted him to stay longer but that since his occasion so required he could not be against his going and so very kindly dismissed him Next day when he was just ready to set out upon his Journy the Ambassadours sending for him Poictieres told him That though they had the day before condescended to his departure yet having considered better on 't and consulted together they could not give him leave to depart That Matters were now brought to such a maturity that the fruit of the time spent was to be expected And the Actions to be begun again That if the Legate had not been somewhat indisposed something might have been determined that very day That therefore he must needs stay For if he should depart at that juncture of time the Fathers would be offended who knew that he had been there for some Months past That it was the Emperours command also that no Man should withdraw But that if he had Orders from his Principals to be gone he should shew the Letters whereby he was recalled that they might excuse themselves to the Emperour To which he made answer That he did not go because he was recalled by the Senate but because his own Affairs required it And then having told them some Reasons he declared That if it were not for these he would not have stirred one foot from thence That not only the Authority of the Senate who wished that he might tarry longer but the dignity also of their Character who desired it of him and the cause it self which he was very fond of might justly prevail with him to do so That by the coming of the Divines he could be much better spared now especially since all that remained was only to admit them to a hearing That the Ambassadours of Wirtemburg who lately arrived were also present with the Divines and that the cause was common as had been lately declared That if the Matter should be handled seriously and without intermission the Senate perhaps would substitute another in his place for that he had given them by the last Post notice of his coming away To this replied Ambassadour Poictieres that he would stay at least so long till the Action were begun again which would be very speedily And that if the Legate Crescentio recovered not they would endeavour that his Collegues should manage the Matter in his place When he perceived that excuses and entreaties would not prevail he betook himself to his last remedy which he had purposely reserved till then and told them That both he and all the rest of the Augustane Confession had leave granted them by the safe Conduct to depart whensoever they pleased Then at length said Don Francisco de Toledo they had so indeed and that they neither would nor could hinder him from going But that they could do no otherwise than to signifie to him the Emperours Commands and what it was they themselves desired So then having recommended the Publick Cause and the Divines to their Cares he took leave of their Excellencies and departed At that time the Fathers disagreed among themselves nor did they all look one way For the Spaniards Neapolitans Sicilians and all that were on the Emperours side but chiefly the Spaniards and with them the Ambassadours urged hard that the Actions of the Council might be continued But the Pope's Creatures suspecting that the Spaniards had a design to attempt the Reformation of the Court of Rome desired to see some impediments started that might prevent it And because of the Civil Broils the Chief German Bishops were already gone they looked for the same occasion and the rather that they had intelligence daily by Letters that Duke Maurice and the Confederates were already in Arms. The King of France also had employed the Cardinal of Tournon who bestirred himself actively in negotiating a Peace with the Pope And if that took effect since the French King was then in War with the Emperour no Man doubted but for his sake also the Council would be dissolved The Ambassadours of the Emperour therefore who saw and dreaded all these thing made it their whole business to bring about what they most desired by means of the Protestant Ambassadours About the later end of March a certain Franciscan Fryer preaching upon St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans before a numerous Auditory took occasion now and then to rail bitterly against Luther and his Followers and went so far as to say That they who had never had the knowledge of Christ and yet lived an honest Moral Life might be saved That this was the true meaning of the Apostle in the second Chapter of the Romans upon which he preached Some of the Protestant Divines having been present and heard this they all consulted together and wrote a Letter to the Emperours Ambassadours on the last day of March declaring that the cause of their coming was that they might illustrate and defend the Confession of Doctrine exhibited And that it was a grievance to them that nothing was done in Council whose Decrees already made contained hardly any thing else but bitter Censures and Execrations of the Doctrines they professed That a Franciscan Frier t'other day had not only said many absurd things openly which were contrary to the sense of the Church and Ancient Doctors but had also belched out many reproaches against their Doctrine and Churches And that although some said that he did these things against the will of the Fathers yet they saw how well his Sermon took with the Hearers That if that were the only cause why they were called to come thither that they might be made a spectacle and laughing-stock to others and be forced daily to hear their Doctrine reproached and railed at there was no necessity that they should have made the Journy and that all these things might have been done in Writing That therefore it was their earnest suit to them that by virtue of their Character and Authority they would procure not only that they might at length know what the Father 's found fault with in the Confession exhibited but that they also might be publickly heard as to all the Points of it The Ambassadours graciously received the Letter professing that they were glad to find an occasion offered of urging the Council to action so that if the Legate Crescentio did refuse they might put it home to his Collegues and the rest of the Fathers The Frier
enrich himself that for some years past he had served the Emperor and King Ferdinand in their Wars to the great prejudice of his Estate without any other prospect or design but the purchasing of Honour and Reputation by his Services that fair and ample conditions had been several times offered him also but he had rejected them that he might espouse this War for the Liberty and ancient Dignity of his Country That if perhaps in this War the overgrown Power and Authority of the Clergy which is prohibited in holy Scripture should chance to be weakened and impaired he was not to be blamed for that since to say the Truth the chief Bishops of the Empire had been the cause of all these Evils that it was not his design though that those religious Houses which were founded chiefly for the use of the Nobility and Gentry should be destroyed but that the vices being rooted out and those things reformed which could not be suffered they might continue in their own station nay and flourish too and that he would assist them therein provided they were willing and did not suffer themselves to be perswaded by his Adversaries to the contrary The French King also made publick Declaration that it had been his chief design Religion being once setled that he might do good to the publick but especially to his Friends That therefore immediately after the death of his Father he had restored Scotland to its ancient dignity renewed the league with the Switzers recovered Boloigne brought back the People that had been dispersed up and down into their own Lands and Possessions again and made a Peace and strict Friendship with the King of England But that whilst he was intent upon these things the Emperour by close and clandestine Counsels had contrived many things to his ruin and oftener than once given him a cause of War but that to give some ease and refreshment to the publick and to his own People also in private he had been still and winking at these injuries had wholly applied himself to the settling of his Kingdom that this his quietness had been by his Adversaries interpreted Cowardise and Faint-heartedness afterwards but that in the mean time sad and grievous Complaints had been brought to him from many of the Princes and States of Germany who said that under the specious Pretexts partly of Religion partly of a Turkish War and punishing of Rebellion designs had been carried on to bring them into Bondage and that through cunning and crafty counsels Factions and Divisions were fomented and Germany totally exhausted so that it was no longer to be doubted but that he aimed at an universal Monarchy for himself and the house of Austria that that truly had been a great grief to him not only because of the common origine of both Nations but also of the ancient alliance and friendship which had always remained firm and unviolate so long as the craft and subtlety of the Emperor had given it leave for that if the Government should be changed and Germany lose its liberty he well understood how dangerous and prejudicial that would be unto him that Germany was indeed the Bulwark not only of France but of all Christendom also and that therefore he had many times heartily wished and prayed that both People might have united their strength and put themselves into such a condition as not to need to fear any danger but that since there appeared no hopes of that and that in the mean time many craved his assistance but on different accounts he could see no way how he could succour the Empire so much rent and torn Nevertheless that in this so weighty a deliberation God the just Judge of all had offered him a very fit occasion for that Octavio Farnese Duke of Piacenza and Parma for whom the Emperor and Pope Julius laid Snares had implored help from him and by laying open before him all the injuries received had perswaded him to undertake the Protection of him and the Prince of Mirandula that afterwards came those complaints from the Princes of Germany who desired to enter into league with him as being the only way in their opinion to restore the State that he would not mention those weighty and just causes that the Princes had to take up Arms since they might be understood from their own declarations but yet that any Man might consider with himself whether this insatiable ambition of their Adversaries was not a just ground of grief who having ruined the Wealth of Germany swept all into their own Coffers and Treasury Were not the provinces of Utricht Liege and Cambray sufficient instances thereof And what was also Constance and many other free Cities oppressed That the Burgundians now hovering over the People of Treves Cleve and Wirtemberg had left the Prints of their footsteeps upon their Borders and many ways made havock of the Landgraves Territories that in like manner and for the same purpose the Emperor excluded his Ambassadors from the Diets of the Empire prohibited by publick Edict the Germans from serving foreign Princes in their Wars cut off brave and valiant Soldiers and amongst those Vogelsperg whom he himself to glut his revenge saw executed at Ausburg Was it not a thing of bad example that he should encourage and hire Men to kill those who served in his Wars That it was not certainly to be expressed what Arts their Enemies used for such were by them thrust in and admitted into the Judicature of the Imperial Chamber and Diet of the Empire as might make it their whole business to bring about and accomplish whatever they pleased and that indeed the blame of all the Evils that had happened was to be imputed to those kind of Men but especially the Judges of the Imperial Chamber That for these reasons he could not refuse his assistance to the Germans who desired it that therefore he had made a League with them and not only done so but was resolved also to employ all his force nay his very Person in that war that he did not neither look for any private profit or advantage thereby but that it was only his intent that by asserting the Liberty of Germany delivering John Frederick Duke of Saxony and the Landgrave whom he had detained in a tedious and base Captivity he might purchase to himself Praise and immortal Glory as Flaminius had heretofore done in delivering Greece from bondage nor needed any Man to fear Violence for that since he had undertaken that War for the sake of Liberty he would take care that no Man who did not deserve it should receive any hurt that therefore they might believe the Promise which he faithfully made to them and not give credit to their Adversaries who gave it out that it was his design to afflict and plague the Clergy that he was so far from entertaining such thoughts that he took them all under his protection and defence provided they gave him
it to the Chancellor that it might be read which being done the Chancellor ask'd the States if they ratified it Which being affirm'd by them the King and Queen rose up and presented it to the Cardinal He having read the Petition delivered to them the Bull of his Legation which was also openly forthwith read that all might know that the Pope had given him Power to absolve them after which he made a Speech wherein he shewed them how acceptable Repentance was to God and how much the Holy Angels rejoyced in the Repentance of a Sinner and having given them many Examples of this he gave God great Thanks that inspired into them a Mind desirous of Amendment This being done he arose as did also the King and Queen and their Majesties kneeled down whilst he addressed himself to God imploring his Mercy and beseeching him to look mercifully upon the People and to forgive them their sins And saying that he was sent as Legate from the Pope Christ's Vicar to absolve them he lifted up and stretched out his Hand over them as their manner is blessing all of them and absolving them at the same time From thence they went to the Chappel where solemn Thanks were again offered up to God with much Musick and all the Signs of a Festival Joy according to the Custom of the Nation They who were intimately acquainted with Cardinal Pool and had enjoyed his Conversation and knew his Customs did much admire this Action and did expect something from him very different from what they found The 18th of December the Emperor from Brussels sent a Letter to all the Princes and States of the Empire the Contents of which were these The great Causes for which Albert Marquess of Brandenburg was about a year since out-law'd by the Imperial Chamber of Spire and declared guilty of High Treason have been clearly shewn to you by the Letters of that Chamber which were publickly set up and also by those Letters and Commands you afterwards received from us And whereas I am informed that he stubbornly continues in his said turbulent and seditious Counsels and doth certainly design new Troubles that he may yet further afflict and vex Germany which is our common Countrey and lastly because he has made his Retreat and found shelter and refuge with some I think it necessary to renew the former Sentence for the Welfare of our Countrey I do this the rather because I believe there is not one amongst you who does not love his Countrey and desire that care may be taken for the preservation of himself his Territories and the People and that the ill designs of the said Marquess and his Adherents may be hindred and retarded Wherefore upon the Penalties heretofore proposed I again command That no man presume in any wise to assist him or his Adherents with Help Counsel Entertainment Money Victual or Ammunition and Arms As also I will that every of you make it his greatest care that neither he nor his Adherents may be suffered to gather any Forces or list any Souldiers in the Territories belonging to any of you and that every of you do to the utmost of his Power hinder those within his Territories from running over to the said Marquess and punish all such as shall be found Breakers of this our Order and disobedient to our Commands This Letter was Printed and sent into all Parts The Twenty Ninth Day of December Ferdinand King of the Romans came to Ausburg on the account of the Diet I have so often already mentioned but finding none of the Princes or States there two days after he sent Letters and Envoys to the several Princes representing to them That seeing that there being many things of the greatest moment to be transacted in this Assembly he to his great loss and trouble had left his Territories and was come thither that he might consult with them That they might together consider of the necessary and safe Means of relieving the afflicted state of Germany He therefore earnestly desired that they would forthwith personally come thither and not send their Deputies for such was the greatness of the Cause now under consideration that it could not be well otherwise dispatched That the Emperor his Brother had given him a full Power and that he would not detain them longer than was necessary The Sixteenth of January the Parliament of England was dissolved Amongst many other Acts passed in this Parliament after the Repeal of the Act of Attainder against Cardinal Pool the Acts made in the times of the former Kings R. 2. H. 4. and H. 5. against Hereticks and in favour of the Bishops were revived The Papal Power was entirely restored and whatsoever Acts of Parliament had been made against the See of Rome within Twenty years last past were repealed Most thought the Crown of England would in this Parliament have been given to King Philip but there was nothing of that Nature done In the beginning of February there were Five condemned to be burnt for persisting in the Protestant Religion and refusing to return to the Roman Catholick Religion John Hooper Bishop of Gloucester John Bradford Lawrence Sanders Rowland Taylor a Lawyer and John Rogers all men of eminent Learning The last of these was burnt in London where he had been a Preacher the rest were sent into their respective Countries Gloucester Manchester Coventry and Hadley who all of them suffered Death with great Constancy The 30th of March Ferrar late Bishop of St. Davids was burnt also at Carmarthen by Morgan his Successor in that See. There were also three Ambassadors sent from England to Rome to thank the Pope for his great Clemency shewn to them and promise his Holiness an entire Obedience and Fidelity for the future The Fifth Day of February King Ferdinand opened the Diet at Ausburg though few of the Princes were then arrived there by a Speech wherein he told them That they very well knew for what grand and necessary Causes this Diet had been first appointed to be held at Ulm by the Emperor who had afterwards commanded it to be opened in this City the 13th of November That he for his part desired to have begun it that day pursuant to the Desire and Command of his Brother but that he was kept at home by the necessity of Affairs that so he might secure his Countries from the Insults of a near Enemy in case any Attempt had been made upon them and that he might so order his Affairs at home in this Interval that all things might go regularly forward during his Absence That after this forced Delay he arrived here the 29th of December in order to the holding this Diet. He said The Sum of the Emperor's Desire was That whatever tended to the Glory of God and the Tranquillity of the Empire might be established by the Council of all the Princes and States That as to the Diligence Study Labour and Care which the
served only to render that sinking Ship more despicable and hated for Queen Elizabeth when she heard of it was nothing concerned at it but immediately she recalled Karn's Powers and commanded him to come home And Popery from hence forward fared very ill in England but then our Affairs have been so exactly described by others and are so well known to English Men That I shall here dismiss them and apply my self wholly to the Foreign Affairs Thuanus observes That this Year there was rather no War than a Peace in Scotland for that the whole Kingdom was imbroiled with Rapines and the burning of Towns two of the principal Nobility of Scotland being carried away captive by the English William Keth Son of the Earl Marshal and Patrick Gray An English Fleet also under the Command of Sir John Clare infested the Scotch Shoars and burnt a Place by my Author called Cracoviaca Kirk-wall Main-Land the principal of the Isles of Orkney which he saith was the Seat of the Bishop and the principal or rather only Town in those Islands which he supposeth was severely chastized by Heaven by a Tempest which soon after dispersed the Fleet leaving a part of the English on the Island who were all slain by the Islanders and Natives This Year also the Reformation of Religion was much agitated tho not effected in Scotland Alexander Somervill Archbishop of S. Andrews with the assistance of the rest of the Churchmen condemned one Walter Mills an old Priest to be burnt for Heresie and banished one Paul Mefan hoping thereby to restore their lost Authority and curb the People but it had a quite contrary effect the patient and chearful Martyrdom of Mills incensing the People to that height that they spoke very freely or as my Author has it Licentiously and Seditiously of the Church-men and a Solemn Procession being made on the first day of September in memory of S. Eugenius or S. Gile's at Edenburgh of which he was Patron whose Image was then carried about with great Pomp the People tore it out of the Hands of those that bore it and threw it into the common Drought having first broke off the Head Hands and Feet of this Wooden Saint the Monks and the rest of his Friends fleeing and leaving him to shift for himself The Clergy seeing their Authority thus sinking assembled in a Synod the ninth of November to try if the seting a good Face and pretending great Confidence would retrieve their sinking Cause But they of the Reformed Party on the contrary of all Degrees exhorted one another to persevere in the Truth and not to suffer themselves to be oppressed by a small and weak number of Men For if say they these Men proceed by Legal Courses we shall be too hard for them if they make use of Force we are a Match for them They drew up an Address also to the Queen Regent which they sent unto her by one James Sandelands an Honourable Baron and of great account in it desiring That the Publick Prayers and Administration of the Sacraments might be in the Vulgar Tongue and that the Ministers might be elected by the People The Regent tho' a zealous Catholick yet fearing a Tumult commanded the Priests to say the Prayers in the Scotch Language The same Demands were made by the Nobility of the Synod then assembled at Edinburgh Who replyed That they must abide by the Orders of the Canon-Law and the Decrees of the Council of Trent The Nobility perceiving them thus averse to a Reformation sent one John Aresken of Dundee a learned Man to appease them who with great respect besought them At least to grant the People the use of the publick Prayers in their Mother Tongue The Clergy would nevertheless abate nothing of their former Severity and the Queen regent by their Persuasion soon recalled what had been extorted from her But the Death of Queen Mary of England and the Succession of Queen Elizabeth which happened this Month soon turned the Scales and gave her Cause to repent her too great obstinacy The Learned Spotiswood observes That this Mills was the last Martyr that dyed in Scotland for Religion That Patrick Lermoth Bailiff of the Regality absolutely refused to pass Sentence of Death as a Judge upon him after the Bishop had delivered him up to the Secular Power that in the whole City of S. Andrews a Cord was not to be had for Money so that they were forced to take one of the Cords of the Archbishop's Pavilion to tie him to the Stake It had been good Prudence to have desisted when they saw the whole Body of the People thus bent against them but they were hurried on to their Ruine by a blind Rage The People of Scotland were no less incensed on the other Side and resolved openly to profess the Reformed Religion binding themselves by Promise and Subscription to an Oath That if any should be called in question for matters of Religion at any time hereafter they would take Arms and joyn in defence of their Religion and Brethren against the Tyranny and Persecution of the Bishops The principal Men who joyned in this Bond were Archibald Earl of Argile Alexander Earl of Glencarne James Earl of Morton Archibald Lord of Lorne Sir James Sandelands of Calder John Erskin of Dun and William Maitland of Lethington To this Bond vast numbers throughout the Kingdom subscribed so that they found their numbers were at least equal to those that opposed them A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION BOOK II. The CONTENTS The Deaths and Characters of Frederick I and Christian II Kings of Denmark Frederick II conquereth Dietmarsh The Affairs of Italy New Bishopricks erected in the Low-Countries King Philip desirous of a Peace with France that he might be at leisure to extirpate Heresie That Design discovered to the Prince of Orange The Diet of Germany Conditions proposed in it by the Protestants for a Council The Emperor confirms the Peace of Passaw The French Ambassadors come to the Dyet The Life and Death of David George a famous Impostor The Treaty of Cambray produces a Peace at last The Peace occasioneth a Persecution in France The King goes to the Parliament of Paris to awe it into a Compliance Yet some retain their Freedom at the Price of their Lives The King's Answer A French Synod held by the Protestant Ministers The Protestant Princes of Germany write to the King of France in the behalf of the Persecuted A Commission issued to Try the suspected Members of Parliament Du Bourg first Tried The sad condition of France during the Persecution Henry II slain The various Characters of that Prince Francis II succeeds him a Lad of Sixteen Years of age The Persecution goes on Slanders against the Protestants Du Bourg Condemn'd Minart a Persecutor Assassinated Du Bourg Executed His Character The rest of the Members of Parliament restored King Philip prepares for Spain He takes Ship at Flushing Arrives in Spain Raiseth
as Honourable Terms as he could get The 28th of July the Articles were Signed the next day there came sixty Ships and 1800 men to the Relief of the place but it was too late so the English that remain'd were sent on Board the Fleet who had the misfortune to carry this Plague with them into England and within one year there died in London only 21530 persons of this Disease There was so much joy in France for the recovery of this small place that the Chancellor of France said openly That now the most malicious must needs confess That the granting Liberty of Conscience had at once delivered France from a most destructive Civil War united the Princes of the Blood Royal and enabled them to recover too what had been seized by their Enemies during the War and that chiefly by the help of the Protestants who before were so dreadful to them whilest they fought for their Religion The Queen to cut off all pretences to the Guardianship of the King by the advice of the Chancellor resolved to have him declared out of his Minority by the Parliament of Roan pursuant to a Constitution of Charles the Fifth King of France made in the year 1373 tho' he had then entered only into the Fourteenth year of his age which was accordingly done the 19th of August when he declared again That he was resolved not to suffer his Edicts to be disputed by his Subjects as had been done during his Minority and especially the last for the peace of Religion which he was resolved to make all his Subjects obey till it was otherwise setled by a Council This Decree met with some opposition from the Parliament of Paris which pretends to be the Supreme Court of that Kingdom and said they ought to have had the honour of declaring the King of Age and no other which was soon over-rul'd The desire I had to prosecute the Affairs of France and the Story of the Council of Trent has kept me from mentioning Scotland and its Affairs so that I am behind hand with that Kingdom two years In the beginning of the year 1562 Mary Queen of the Scots took her Progress towards the North At Sterling she was Petition'd by certain Commissioners of the Church for the Abolishing of the Mass and other Superstitious Rites of the Roman Religion the punishing Blasphemy the contempt of the Word of God the Profanation of the Sacraments the Violation of the Sabbath Adultery Fornication and other like Vices condemn'd by the Word of God but not punishable by the Laws of Scotland That all Suits for Divorce should be remitted to the Judgment of the Church or at least trusted to men of good knowledge and conversation and that Popish Church-men might be excluded from places in the Session and Council This Petition being read by the Queen she replied That she would do nothing to the prejudice of the Religion she professed and that she hoped before a year was expired to have the Mass and Catholick Profession restored through the whole Kingdom And so in a rage turn'd her back and left them In January 1563. John Hamilton Archbishop of St. Andrews was committed to the Castle of Edinburgh for saying and hearing Mass the Abbot also of Corsragnal and Prior of Withern had the same treatment and divers Priests and Monks were censured for the same cause The Scots thought by these Severities to terrifie the Queen into a compliance with their Religion And it is certain that in a Parliament held at Edinburgh in May this year she passed many Acts in favour of the Reformation However certain it is some of the Protestants made her an ill requital For in August following certain of the Queens Family remaining in the Palace of Edinburgh call'd Holy-Rood House and having a Priest to attend them and perform the Romish Service in the Chapel divers of the Inhabitants of Edinburgh out of curiosity or devotion resorting thither great offence was taken at it and the Preacher began to complain of it as a disorder Whereupon some of the Citizens went thither to see if it were so these being denied Admittance they forced the Gates of the Queens Palace took several of those who were there assembled and carried them to prison the Priest and some few others escaping by a Postern or Back-door This Uproar was very great and yet it was related to the best advantage to the Queen who was then out of Town she was very much incensed as she had good reason against these Zealots and swore she would shortly make them Examples of her Royal Indignation The Earls of Murray and Glencarne however wisely interposed and appeased her anger for the present Soon after John Knox was call'd before the Council and charged as the only Author of this Insolent Sedition and likewise for stirring up the people by his Circular Letters to Tumults whenever he thought fit He answered That he was never a Preacher of Rebellion nor loved to stir up Tumults contrariwise he always taught the People to obey their Magistrates and Princes in God. As to the Convocation of the Subjects he had received from the Church a Command to advertise his Brethren when he saw a necessity of their Meeting especially if he saw Religion to be in peril And had often desired to be discharged of that burthen but stil was refused Then speaking to the Queen with wonderful boldness He charged her in the name of Almighty God as she desired to escape his heavy wrath and indignation to forsake that Idolatrous Religion which she profess'd and by her power maintain'd against all the Statues of the Realm He was going on when the Earl of Morton then Chancellor of Scotland fearing the Queen might be yet more exasperated against all the Protestants of her Kingdom by his indiscreet zeal commanded him to hold his peace and go away After this things were carried more peaceably between the Queen and the Church the Earl of Murray making it his business to propound their Petitions to her and to return her Answers to them FINIS A TABLE OF THE Principal Matters Contained in this HISTORY A. ADiaphorists who Pag. 478 481. Adolph Count Schawenburg is made Archbishop of Cologne by the Pope 417. Enters upon the Resignation of the Archbishop 418. His first Mass 457. Makes his publick Entry into Cologne 499. He leaves Trent 543. He makes a League with the House of Burgundy 560. Adrian succeeds Leo X. 50. Sends a Legate to the Diet of Nuremberg 54. And a Breve to Frederick Ibid. Writes a long Letter to the States assembled at Nuremberg 55. And to Private Persons against Luther 56. As also to the Senate of Strasburg Ibid. An account of his Life Ibid. He is chosen Pope 57. Writes to the College of Cardinals Ibid. And to the People of Rome Ibid. Goes to Rome Ibid. His Instructions to the Diet at Nuremberg 58. Desires an Answer to them 60. Dies