Who were outlawed by the Emperour 320 Who impugned the Interim 322 Uergecius vanquished with the truth 328 Uergecius repaireth to Mantua and is put out of the Counsell 329 Uergecius Preacheth the Gospell in Rhetia eodem What thynges offende many 353 Why the Clergie forsake the citee 356 Wonders in Saxonie 360 Wilie begiled 379 Warre in Italie 48 Winchester made Chaunceler 425 Warres renued betwixte the Duke of Brunswick marques Albert. 426 Uercelles surprised 429 Wiat taken and committed to pri 431 Uulpian victualed 452 Uulpian taken raced by the Frenche kyng 453 Whether peace should be giuen to the religion or no. 455 Unconstancie of Clement 53 Uictorie of themperialles eodem Winnyng of Munster 136 Warres of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoy 137 Uenecians league with the Emperour 138 Uenecians Ambassadour to the Turk 169 FINIS â Imprinted at London by Ihon Daie for Nicholas Englande M D. LX. The. 26. daie of September Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Luthers letter to the B. of Mentz B. of MaydeÌburgs charge Luthers 95 questions at Wittenberge Luthers exception The B. of Mentz clence Ihon Tecell ft. do concl at frankford Luters letters to Pope Leo. Duke Fredericks wisdom Echins booke against Luth. Siluester priers dialogue Silue priers Themes Luth. answer to Sil. priers Scriptur and choldewriters only to be also wed Iudulgences to be vsed after the Canon lawe The CiuiliaÌs vse of citing Silut prier seconde aunswer to Luth. Thomas of Aquine Albertus magnus scollar Thomas of Aquine a salt Thomas of Aquin geueth authoritie to the Pope 1274. Thom. of Aq. died Luth. seconde answer to Siluester prier Rome the seat of Antechrist Grece and Bohemes happines Lut. his forsakiÌg of Rome The caus whâ the By. of Rome is extold Princes of necessitie must reforme Ro. The bishop of Rome bounde as other to Gods commaundement Iames Hogestrate wrote against Luther Thassembly at Ausputge by Maximilian The treaty of warre against the Turke Albert archb of Mentz mabe Cardinall The cause of his Cardinalship Maximilians lettre to Pope Leo coÌcerning Luther Luther is cited to Rome The Popes letters to the duke of SaxoÌ The Popes letters to Gabriel veneius The vniuersitie of Wittenberg writeth for Luther Luther is called to Auspurg His conferens with Cardinal Caietane Luther appeleth The welspring of Pardons The pope vnder the Coun. Gerson of Paris Pope Iohn is deposed Caietan writeth to the duke of Saxonie The dukes letters to the Cardinall The Uniuersitie of Wittenberge writeth for Lut. New pardoÌn Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsell The Pope sendeth a golden Rose to the duke of Saxonie The death of Maximilian The swisses banquished Kinges of Naples paye tribute to Rome An oration of the Archebyshop of MeÌiz The oration of the Archbi of Treuers Fraunce and Germani wer ãâ¦ã ted Themperour Raffe The duke of Saxo. refuseth to be Emperour Charles is declared Emperour Friderick the Paulsgraue sent into Spaine 1500 The byrth of the Emperor The manes of chosing âhe Emperour Erasmus iudgement of Luther The disputatis at Lypsia 1520 Luters letters to the Pope The court of Rome is vnturable Conditions propounded by Luther Flatterats must be eschewed The part of a true frende Luth. boke to the duke of Saronie Confession of synnes The supper vnder bothe kindes The wishe of Pope Pius The counsell of Latherane The counsel of Pisa The Popes Shifie Fraunce is offered to the spoile At Rome they doubt of the immortalitie of the Soule Luth. Bookes condemned at Louaine Capnio Rewcline Ockam Picus mirandula Lawrence Ualla Aristotle WilliaÌ OckaÌ The story of Reuchliue Hebrew bokes of thre sortes Luthers letters to the emperor Luth. letters to the archbishop of MeÌtz His annswere to Luther How scripture must be hadled Luth. letters to the Bish oy Merseburge His aunswers to Luther The pope curseth Luther The Bulle of Leo. The decree of Pius Iuliê° Aeneas Siluius Honors chaÌge maners Luth. impugneth the popes censure Luth. booke of the captiuitie of Babilou Thre Sacrases Which are properly called Sacrament The maner of the CoronatioÌ Themperor calleth a couÌsel imperial The Pope was subiecte to themperor The lawe of Clement The courte of Rome in Fraunce The duke of Saro incensed againste Luther The answer of duke Friderike Luthers bokes are brââ Luther burneth the Canon laws Booke burners Catarinus writeth against Lut. The Emperour sent for Luther to Wormes The Empe. writeth to Luther The Bul of cursyng The constaÌcie of Luth. Lut. coÌmeth to Wormes Eckius to Luther Lu. pleadeth his cause before themperour and the whole Empire Iohn .xviii. Pope Cost sell may erre Treuers other Princes threateneth Luther Luthers answer to the Princes The offenca of Faith and maners Actes .v. Luth. sent awaye scom Wormes Iohn Wiclâffe an Englishe man Iohn Husse a Bohemer Husse appealeth from the Pope The CouÌsel of CoÌstauÌce Iohn Husse Hierome of Praga burned Thre Popes deposed The Diuines of Paris condempne Luth. bokes Thauthoritie of the Diuines of Paris The Swysses make a league wyth the Frenche kynge Thirtene townes of Swysses The libertie of the Swysses Luib is ontlawed by the Emperour Luth. is conuetghed out of daunger Sunday bokes of Luth. Of themasse to be abolisshed The best thiges please fewest men Henry kyng of Englande writeth against Luth. Themperor hath warre with FrauÌce The death of Leo the .x. Adrian succedeth Leo. The Turke taketh Belgrade Commotfôs in Spaine The lady Mart assured to theÌperor Who is author of single life Lut. rotaurneth to Wittenberge Luther foreseeth the teni pest coÌmyng Luther writeth to the Bohemers Many sectes in the popish kingdome Three sectes of the Bohemers Lu. writeth againste the Bishoppes Adrian writeth to the duke of Sa. Reucline dieth The Pope writeth letters to at the princes of Germany 1. Corin. ãâã Luthers Frere The warre of Treuers The Popes letters to Strasburge The stocke of Aorian Dissention betwixt Leo and his Cardinals A disputatioÌ at Zuricke The questions of Zuinglius The request of Adrian to dispatch Lu. Luth. compared with Bahomet Iniquitie procedeth froÌ the Priestes The synne of Rome spred ouer al the worlde Lut. expoundeth the Popes saiynge The meane to let couÌsels The answer of the prices Why Luth. was not punished The maner of a free couÌsell An alteratiû in Denmark The king of Denmarke flecth Cornelles Scepper The beginnyng of the first fruictes and tenthes A Romishe Palle Two freres brent at Brusels The Ceremonies of disgratyng Luth. interpreteth the ãâã of the Princes The Bible to be preferred before all others Lut. wrot to the Senate of Prage Luther wrot of eschewing the doctrine of men The death workes of Hutten The king of Englande writeth to the princes of Saxonie The answer of duke George Adrian the Pope dyeth Clement succedeth Zuinglius is broughtin hatred The eatyng of Fleshe A new disputatioÌ at Zu Priestes maried wiues Pope ClemeÌt sendeth Campegius to duke Fri. A decree of the Suyses
we leaue them in the Breres hath Themperour Maxilimilian deserued thus of vs and of the Empire And if those countreis be ouer runne howe longe thinke you shall our libertie continewe We maye not truste their fayre promises for oftentimes couetousnesses and ambition cary awaye men headlonge from doyng theyr dewtie In times paste there were many noble houses in Fraunce Which nowe be but fewe in nombre for the kinge in maner hathe all in his owne handes They say he is a stouce prince the more like to brynge all to a Monarchie but we seke to maintaine this present state of nobilitie he promiseth great aide agaiÌst the Turke which in dede is a thinge to be wished for that Germany mighte ioyne wyth Fraunce and Italy but first he wil bend his power againste the house of Burgundy and warre vppon Flaunders and Naples and shall we aide him in these enterprises And least any maÌ should say I prophecied of dreames and doubtfull matters he is now in leuying his armye Forasmuche therfore as we are letted by oure lawes othe and loue of our natiue country I protest and iudge him vnmete to be elected And nowe to the rest of the parties I suppose that some of you thyncke it vnmete that Charles shoulde be chosen because Spaine is so farre of and that through his absence it should not go well with Germany either for the Turkishe warre or for ciuile dissentions Which thinges I do not onlye graunte to be true but also when I consider depelye I am so moued that in maner I quake for feare for I waye this also If the emperour at any time come into Germany in displesure and bring with him the Spaniardes we shal be in daunger to lose our liberty I consider moreouer that it may be that the Spaniards wil hardly at any time restore vnto vs again this dignitie of thempire And if by their force and power they recouer Millan they will kepe it hereafter to them selues So that almost it semeth better to create one of our owne nation that is fit for it after the example of our elders whiche passinge ouer foreine Princes haue chosen an inhabiter of the contrie This wil not I deny but the state of that tyme was theÌ farre otherwise and the worlde a great deale better But nowe if the Emperour be of small power thinke you that Austriche and other countries will obey him Or if the Frenche kinge warre vpon Charles as without doubte he wyll do eyther in the lowe countrey or in Italie shall he geue them the lokyng on or shal our new Emperour suffer straunge nations to spoile a great parte of the Empire Yea and as the world goeth now a daies it is to be thought that the Princes of Germany contemnynge theyr Emperour will ioyne them selues some with the house of Austriche and some with the Frenchemen When Fridericke the third was Emperour Charles the Duke of Burgundie warred in Germany And Philip Maria Duke of Millan in Italy and no maÌ did represse them but the same was to our dishonour Moreouer a greater shame whan the Emperour was beseged in Austriche Yea and driuen then oute of his owne countrey by the Hungarians And yet at the same time dyd the lande of Boheme take his parte and so did also my graundefather Albert Marques of BraÌdeÌburge the Duke of Saxonie of the same name If it chaunce so theÌ you see what is like to ensew at these daies when some princes are addicted to others for stipendes I leaue of to speake howe many incidente causes maye chaunce for the whiche the Princes and Cities maye refuse to shewe their obeidience Moreouer now we are like to haue great tumultes troubles for religioÌ For ther are spronge vp disputations of indulgences the authoritie of the Byshoppe of Rome and of the Ecclesiasticall lawes whiche seme as yet curable but or euer it be longe they will cause a great Ruine and alteration of the Churche For manye do subcribe and myghtye Nations maynteine the cause the Saxons and the Heluetians neither can this mischief be holpen but by a generall counsell And howe shall an Emperour of small power eyther call a counsell or defende the same especially if other kinges be agaynst it there remayneth the Turkish warre the which we must not onely defende but make also to recouer that is lost and restore Grece vnto libertie for the doynge whereof we haue nede of the aide of many and sundry nations which if the Emperour haue but small power and litle authoritie howe shall he gather greate Armies of meÌ For which causes I iudge it mete to chose some mightie Prince and Charles of Austriche to be preferred before all other Princes of Germanie And if any incommoditie should put you in feare so to do I thinke it is a great deale lesse then that will be which shall ensew in case the gouernement be committed to anye other For he is bothe a Germayne borne and hath many countries holdynge of the Empire and will not see his owne countrey brought in bondage besydes that he shall sweare neither to alienate nor diminish thempire nor to break or infringe our liberties And albeit these be great causes which I haue here mentioned yet should they not moue me one whit vnlesse his towardnes were wel knowen For he loueth Religion Justice and chastitie he hateth all crueltie and hath a good witte which vertues shall euer admonishe him to mainteine the comonwealth They that know him throughly do muche commende him And if we consyder well hys father Philippe and his graundfather Maximilian we can not doubt of him He is of no great age but yet fitte and ripe to gouerne He shall haue his graundefathers counsellours and certeine Princes of Germany chosen for the purpose And whereas I said before that the worst were if he shoulde be longe oute of Germany we shall condition with him for that matter and for asmuche as he hathe greate possessions in Germany it can not be but that some time he will come see them So shall the Turke be driuen out of Hungary and the Frenchemen oute of Italy the Church shal be refourmed and established and many others holpen which thynges when I coÌsyder I care the lesse for his absens for his owne naturall courage the loue of his countrey and the verye necessitie of thinges shall prouoke him to come ofte amonge vs. When the Archebyshop had ended his Oration and had exhorted the rest to speake their myndes the others after they had talked a litle together desired the Archebishoppe of Treuers to succede Who for his syngular witte and experience was of muche estimation And he began his tale of a prophete that sayd Maximilian should be the last Germaine Emperour Nowe saieth he me thinketh it is almost comen to passe forasmuche as my Lorde of Mentz who hath spoken many thinges wittely hath gon aboute to perswade vs to commit the gouernement of the Empire to a
of Rome woulde abolyshe all his kyngdome If they condempne our doctryne whye seeke we an vniformitie If they do allowe it why do they mainteyne their olde errours But they condemyne it openly Wherfore it is dissimulation and falshode whatsoeuer they go about they labour sore as it appereth about their ceremonies but let them fyrst restore the doctryne of fayth and workes Let them suffer the churche to haue Ministers that wyll doe their dutie They requyre that Monkes maye be set agayne in possession let them restore to vs agayne so manye innocent Godly men as they haue murthered let them restore so many soules destroied through their wicked doctrine let theÌ restore those great rychesse gotten by fraude disceiptfully let theÌ restore Gods glory with so many contumelies dishonored Whan they shall haue made satisfactioÌ for these thynges we shall than talke with them vnto whome the possession belongeth Where as Luther and certen others differed only in opinion touching the Lordes supper whiche the catholykes reioysed at and the rest muche lamented Bucer by the Duke of Saxons procurement went from Auspurge to Luther for an agrement and receyued suche aunswere as he mislyked not in so much as he went theÌce to Zwynglius and the Zwycers to the intent they might be ioyned nerer in mynde and opinion When the state of thynges stoode thus all was full of displeasure The Lantgraue maketh a league for syxe yeares with the cities of Zuricke Basill and Strausborough that if any be attempted with force for Religion they shoulde ayde one an other This was concluded in Nouembre The same tyme the Emperour addresseth his letters to the Duke of Saxon commaunding him to be with him at Collon the .xxi. of Decembre for certen weightie affayres of the common wealth Whiche after he had receiued the same the .xxviii. of Nouembre the same daye came a messenger with letters from the Archebishop of Mentz wherein was wrytten how the Emperour had required hym to cal to an assemblie to Princes Electours to create a kyng of Romaynes Wherfore he cited him to appeare at Collon the .xxix. of Decembre for this appertaineth to the byshops office as before hath bene declared Whiche thinge ones knowen the Duke of Saxon dispatchyng his letters to the Lantgraue and to all other Prynces and cities that were Protestantes prayeth and exhorteth them to mete at Smalcalde at the .xxii. of Decembre Neuerthelesse in the meane tyme he sendeth spedely to Collon Iohn Frederick his sonne and with hym certen of his priuie counsell to be there at the daye appoynted by the Emperour By whome he declareth how this citation of the archebishop of Mentz is not rightly nor orderly done how by this creation of the king of Romaines the right and libertie of the Empyre is infrynged and also the lawe of Charles the fourth broken wherfore he wyl not allowe nor ratifie their enterprise After that all were assembled at Smalcalde they deuise a league not offensiuely but defensiuely Unto this subscribed immediatly all the Princes and moreouer Albert and Gebart Erles of Manssteld Maidenborough and Bremen But Strausborough Ulmes CoÌstance Lindaue MeÌming CaÌpedowne Heilbrune Ruteling Biberack Isne do receiue it in such sorte as first to infourme their cities therof within syx wekes to make an directe answere what they wil do herein It was furthermore decreed to follicite by their Ambassadours the king of Denmarke the Dukes of Pomerane Megelbourg the cities of Embeck NortheÌme Franckfourth Brunswick Gotinge Minda Hannobria Hildesseme Lubecke Stetine other hauon townes When the byshop of Rome vnderstode what was that end of the assemblie at Auspurg he wrote his letters to the kyng of Pole others how he had trusted assuredly that the authoritie presence of the Emperour should either haue quenched or quieted Luthers heresie for vpoÌ this hope for this cause chiefly he came to mete the Emperour at Bononie to the intent he might encourage him forward who notwithstanding of his owne accorde was wel willing for if this thing had ben brought to passe religioÌ had bene staied many mens soules saued which through this heresie are nowe in dauÌger then might remedy haue ben fouÌd against the Turkish fury but where as he vnderstaÌdeth al well by theÌperours as also by the letters of his legate how they can not only be in no wise reformed but are waxed also more obdurate he which through that wyll of God gouerneth the shyp of Peter in a time so teÌpestuouse susteyneth the greatest part of the whole care for the same consultinge with his Cardinals caÌfinde no better remedy thaÌ the which his predecessours haue vsed that is a general couÌsel wherfore he doth admonish hym synce the matter is brought to this issue that either hym selfe presentlye or els by hys Deputes woulde further so holye a cause For he entendeth so shortly as may be to appoynte one in Italy in some place conuenient These letters were dated the first daye of December The xxiiii daye of Decembre the Prynces confederated at Smalcalde wryte vnto the Emperour howe they heare it commonly bruted that he pourposeth to create his brother Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes who maketh great sute for the same But what authoritie and ryght the Princes Electours haue herein by the lawe of Charles the fourth howe when the Emperour is dead an other is to be chosen in the name of the whole Empyre it is knowen to all men Notwithstandinge he being alyue and in helth and no suche chaunce happened howe the Archebyshop hath cited them to Collon against the prescripte of the lawe and agaynst the custome of the Empyre They heare moreouer howe the residue of the Electours wyll come thyther at his requeste to accomplyshe the sute of Ferdinando as it were by conuenaunt and promyse for this report is spread farre and neare Wherfore they haue thought good to admonishe hym of certen thynges And al be it they had leuer abstayne from suche kynde of talke yet for as muche as they loue both hym and theyr conntrey and especiallye the lybertie therof which they haue receyued of their auncesters agayne for because now in this later ende of the worlde many thinges are done captiously and crastely they can not otherwyse doe Fyrst therfore he knoweth ryght well how circumspectly howe depely with what wordes and bondes he bounde hym selfe to the Empyre how he gaue his fayth by an othe that he woulde obserue the lawe Carolyne whereupon the lybertie of the Empyre chiefly dependeth howe he promysed coÌfirmeth by an othe that he would neither him self do any thing against it nor suffer any other to do And certenly these conuenauntes may not be infrynged broken or chaunged without the consent and aduyse of all states But nowe in case during his lyfe and prosperitie a kyng of Romanes shuld be chosen and that his naturall brother makynge suite and labour for it
of Romaynes in cases of the Prynces of the Empyre take vpon them any authoritie of determining but suffer the same to be lawfully decided in place where they ought to be That suche thinges as shal apperteine to the honour welth and preseruation of the Princes and of the Empyre and suche as the Emperour hath promysed vpon his fidelitie to obserue he doe maynteyne and in case any thynge be otherwyse done to refourme it and bynde the kynge of Romaynes by a lawe to obserue the same And if the Emperour woulde after this sorte expounde and confyrme the lawe of Charles the fourth the Duke of Saxon woulde not faile to doe his dutie when so euer the common wealth should requyre any suche consultation But in case the intercessours coulde not obtayne these thynges of the Emperour that they woulde not refuse any lawfull hearyng of the matter Yet so that in the meane tyme king Ferdinando should neyther take vpon him nor vsurpe any gouernement of matters of the Empyre nor authoritie namely ouer theÌ ouer WilliaÌ and Lewys brethren Dukes of Bauier And if this wyl not be grauÌted them that then the Emperour would heare theÌ openly in the couÌsayle of the Princes and other states where they wyll declare vpon how weightie and iuste causes they disalowe this election And for so muche as for the refusall of the same they perceyue how they incurre not only with the Emperour but also with foreine kinges and natioÌs in to the suspicion of rebellion they desyre muche that the Emperoure would not take it displeasauÌtly that they should make theyr purgatioÌ as well within Germany as also without the lymites of the Empyre for this must they do of necessitie Where amonges other thynges it is sayde that the Electours should sweare after the ordre prescribed in the Caroline thus it standeth What tyme they be comen to Franckeforth when masse is done they go vp to the Aultar and there lay their handes vpon the holy boke as they call it and certen wordes beynge spoken take a solempne othe by the fayth that they owe to God and to the Empyre that they wyll chose a newe and hyghe Magistrate suche a one as they shall thynke moste worthy mete and necessary for that office so farreforth as thei can coniecture by their wytte and iudgement without any compacte bribe rewarde or promyse Where they accompte the Dukes of Bauier to be of their numbre this is the consideration They also misliked the election of kyng Ferdinando takynge their counsell herein entred into league with the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue and the Frenche kynge to defende the lybertie of Germanie And indede the kyng of Fraunce delyuered into cucustody of the two brethren Dukes of Bauer an hondreth thousande crownes to be alwayes in a readines if nede requyred The Prynces that were intercessours make aunswere hereunto the .xx. day of April Howe they treate of these matters for a concorde neyther had they thoughte that they woulde haue propounded these thynges For in that they haue chosen a kynge of Romaynes the Emperour yet lyuyng they haue moste weightie causes whiche were at the same tyme declared to Iohn Fredericke his fathers deputie there and if nede requyre may be yet more playnely expounded but synce this matter coÌcerneth not them only but the Emperour also and the kyng and residue of their fellowe Prynces they wyll not make many wordes therof but leaue it alone to the intent they may come more easelye to the reconciliation of the rest Neuerthelesse if they be constrayned to make aunswere for their doinge they wyll not refuse iudgement herein and doubt not to approue their doynges in suche sorte that nothinge can iustly be layde to their charge But in case these thynges should be reported to the Emperour they feare muche that it should not only take no place but also let and hynder the whole treatie of peace Wherfore that both truce may be taken and a reconcilement may be had as wel for Religion as for the Election and that neyther be separated from that other they ernestly beseche bothe the father and the sonne Dukes of Saxon that they would consyder the thyng and forsake their opinioÌ And in so doing they doubte not but that the Emperour and the king woul put them in good assuraunce that this election shoulde not be hurtfull to them nor to their heyres and woulde shewe them besydes all the pleasure they coulde as well in matters of Religion as otherwyse For that Religion shoulde haue peace graunted and the matter of election remayne vndertermined they feare muche that this coulde not be obtayned Thus verely doe they frendly counsell them and requyre them to take it in that parte and so vse theÌ selues that they may perceyue their aduise is regarded and their diligence well imployed Hereunto aunswereth Duke Iohn Fridericke the fourth daye after that he loked for no suche aunswere of them For where they sayed lately amonges other thinges that the kyng of Romaines was elected for the welth and dignitie of the Empyre they oughte of necessitie to to aunswere to this poinct for the satisfiynge as well of his father as his fellowes who are perswaded that this electioÌ is not good nor profitable to the Empyre And where as they susteyne the persones of intercessours he had thought certenly that they woulde neuer haue defended the matter but haue left the same doubtful and vndetermined for such thinges as they haue spoken do not concerne them that be intercessours but ought to be referre dvnto that time whaÌ these things shall come in comon consultation In dede at Collon what tyme the Emperour desyred to ioyne with hym his brother Ferdinando in the fellowship of the Empyre he adledged certen causes why it ought so to be But those semed not to be so great as therfore the lawe Caroline the ryght and libertie of the Empyre ought to be infringed At what tyme he and other of his fathers Ambassadours did aunswere them why it ought not so to be done Wherfore the thynge that was spoken in the last place nowe they repete agayne also that in case the Emperour wyll not admitte theyr requestes that then the matter determined in lawfull iudgement where the reasons of theyr refusall may be heard And seyng they treate of equitie he supposed they wold also in this case haue founde out some way and honest meane and profitable for the Empyre But in as muche as it is not so done in this coÌtrouersie he wyll no further moleste them herein But vndoubtedlye his father and his fellowes wyll declare yet to the iniury of no man howe the lawe of libertie of the the Empyre are by this meane infringed he trusteth also that for so much as these thynges concerne the honour and preseruation of the common wealth the Emperour wyl not take them displeasauntly In the reste of theyr demaundes that same first poinct whiche is touching the
sayeth howe he wil go to kyng Ferdinando abiding there for their aunswere He had been before in Saxony and had spokeÌ with Luther at wyttemberge And in his retourne to kyng Ferdinando he met with the Duke comming from thence homewarde The Protestauntes were appointed before to mete at Smalcalde the sixte of December for other matters Wherfore the .xxi. of the same they framed an aunswere for the byshops of Romes Ambassadour whiche they saye is not so exacte as the thynges requyreth yet for as muche as he desyred to haue the same with expedition playne manifest And first howe they haue declared their myndes concerning a counsell both in diuerse assemblies and also two yeare synce to the Emperours and byshop Clementes Ambassadours For they also wyshe to haue a lawfull counsel for the preseruation of the coÌmon wealth and common saluation of all men and haue required this of the Emperour ioyntly with other Princes who also thought it nedefull hym selfe doubting not but all good men do desyre suche a counsell as may helpe and profite the common wealth For it greueth many good men that the true and holsome doctrine is through the wicked crueltie of certen men euery where oppressed the members of the churche tone a sondre and open crymes mainteined but suche crueltie becommeth not the Rulers of the churche Wherfore if euer there were any nowe is moste nede of a counsell that bothe the olde accustmed vyces maye be roted out and also vniuste violence and crueltie be restrayned and the churche from henceforth set in due ordre They therfore wyll not fayle the common wealth herein but wyll ryght gladlye come vnto suche a counsell as in sondrye assemblies of the Empyre hath bene agreed vpon Besechyng God that all the doinges there may redounde vnto his glory and the saluation of men And wher as the bishop hath chosen Mantua to be the place they truste assuredly that the Emperour wyll not in this poynte swarue from the decrees of the Empyre and his owne promyse also in as muche as it was prouyded that the counsell should be holden in Germany For where he sayeth it is daungerous keping of the same there the truthe is farre other wyse for what peryll can be there where all the Prynces and Cyties are obedient to the Emperoure onlye Where the Cyties be so ordered that they defende straungers from iniuries and saue them from all peryll Therfore oughte it chieflye to be kepte there to the intent that matters in controuersie might duely be debated that men might frankely speake and iudge vpryghtly and feare no force nor faction but saye theyr myndes freely Two yeares paste Clement the seuenth promysed a counsell with conditions verye captions And nowe the chiefest point is craftely left out touchyng the lybertie of the counsell and more of the treatie and partlye referred to the Byshop of Rome whose office they saye it is to call and ordre the counsell Nowe is the byshop whiche hath so ofte condempned theyr religion and doctrine their opeÌ enemie But in case they should permitte theyr aduersary to geue iudgement than coulde not the counsell be free wherein by the aduyse of the Emperour and other Prynces Mete men should be chosen out of the whole numbre whiche accordyng vnto Gods worde might heare and determine the cause For a counsell is the iudiciall seate not only of the byshop of Rome but of all other states also for it is to be proued by the examples of the primatiue churche and also by holy scripture that Prynces and other states haue in tymes paste been admitted in counselles for the hearyng of matters But wheresome woulde haue the byshoppes power to be aboue the authoritie of the whole churche it is agaynst all reason and full of tyrannye For it belongeth as well to the Emperour and other ciuile states to set in foote in counselles and to chose experte men especiallye in suche causes where the byshoppes errours be impugned that is to wytte false doctrine and Idolatry for this thynge is permitted also by the byshop of Romes lawe And feinge that this is the vniuersall cause of all men and concerneth the whole common wealth it is the Emperours parte and other Prynces to forsee that vpryght iudgement be had For both other byshops of their owne people and also byshoppes of Rome haue in times paste bene condempned for Heresy and obstinacie of the Emperoure and the churche together And at this tyme there is contention of manie weightie matters whiche the byshop doth defende not in wordes only but also by wycked and cruell decrees punishyng most sharpely suche as obey not the same For as muche therfore as he is an aduersary and susteineth the one halfe of the sute the thinge it selfe requireth that the whole church the Emperour other kinges take in hande to prescribe an ordre for the deciding of the matter wherfore as they haue done euer so they requyre nowe also that the matter maye be handled vpryghtlye accordynge to the examples of holye wrytte and the olde primatiue churche And if it so maye be they wyll not be behynde with theyr partes trustynge that truthe shall come to lyghte and the glorye of our Sauioure Christe be aduaunced and tranquillitie be restored to the Churche but if it be otherwyse there is no doubte but greater commotions wyll arryse therof than hytherto hath bene seen for their partes they wil at no tyme neglecte the common wealth And as they can not forsake nor shrynke from the true doctrine so lykewyse in all other matters they will do all thynges for peace and concorde The kyng of FrauÌce whiche was fully determined to make warre in Italy sent Ambassadour WilliaÌ Bellaye to this assemblie at Smal calde Who the .xix. daye of Decembre had there an eloquent oration And first he excuseth the kynges seueritie in punyshynge certen of his owne subiectes whiche not withstanding was nothing preiudicial or hurtfull to their cause of Religion though some euill tongues dyd reporte so no more than it was displeasure to him what tyme they with all their force did suppresse the rebellion of their commons and punyshed the Anabaptistes doing yet nothing without iust cause wherfore he distrusteth not but they be men of such wysdome and grauitie that they wyll of no lyght reporte conceaue any euill opinion of so noble a kynge that is their frende who was nowe for vrgent causes not here to be spoken of constrayned against his nature to vse extreme punishment lest hauing so large a Realme he should through ouermuche lenitie set open the wyndowe of wickednes to the temeritie of manye And touching their religion and doctrine the kyng wyll not take vpoÌ him the persone of the iudge but in dede lyketh many thinges well the rest he leaueth vndiscussed After this he goeth about to wynne theyr fauour and confuteth theyr opinion whiche had warned them to be ware of forayne
the crime And for asmuche as the Bishop signifieth plainly that this counsell is instituted to confirme his Authoritie we besech al men that they wold not impute this refusal to vs as a fault blame worthy Finally the very place of the counsell we can not like for diuerse causes For it is fitte to offer iniurie and altogether such as should let the libertie of speche And besydes there is muche hatred conceaued againste vs in foreine nations through the sclaunders of our aduersaries as though Religion and honest liuing were exiled from among vs which perswasion when mennes mindes be thus prepared is not without great perill Wherfore it were very expedient for this cause onely that the counsell should be holden in Germany to the entent that straungers might see the order and maner of oure Churches and Cities And not throughe false sclauÌders to hate the trew doctrine The weightines of the cause also requireth that many of vs should come to the couÌsell oure selues but to forsake our own limites is no maner way for vs expedient And seyng that for most weightie causes it was decreed that the counsel should be holden in Germany we se not wherfore we should depart froÌ the same Considering therfore that this case coÌcerneth the preseruation of al Christendome we beseche al kinges princes to geue no credit vnto oure aduersaries but herunto rather to applie theÌ selues that the trew knowledge of God might be restored For they caÌdo nothing that shal more redound to theyr honor The Bishop laboreth to this ende that he mighte perswade theÌ to practise crueltie the which thei ought moste chiefly to abhorre For eueÌ for this cause are they placed in this degre of dignitie that they shold honor Gods holy name be a light vnto the rest through their good ensample to defende innoceÌt persons froÌ wroÌg violeÌce And if there shal euer at any time be any lawfull counsell thaÌ shal we so defende our matter there that all men shall vnderstande how that our endeuours haue bene euer annexed with the preseruation of the common wealth In this assemblie were these The Duke of Saxon Ernestus FrauÌces bretherne Dukes of Luneburge Ulriche Duke of Wirtemberge the Lantzgraue Philip prince of Pomerane the three Erles of Anhalde Albert Counte Mansfelde besides many Ambassadors of the cities with most large ample coÌmission For they were admonished what thinges should there be treated Before they departed thence which was the vj. day of March they addresse their letters to the French king wherin first they excused the matter that they had not satisfied his Ambassadoure in the former assemblie and shewe the cause also whie they sende no Ambassadours as nowe vnto him ThaÌ they desyre him to continew his frendshippe and seynge they haue set open to him all waies to come to a concorde in religion and yet haue nothing preuailed that he would recompence this theirendeuor with his fauor and beneuolence Fynally they declare what their mynde is touchyng the Counsell and desyre to knowe what he hathe also determined to do herein The kinge afterwardes maketh Aunswere at the tenth kalendes of Iune he accepteth theyr satisfaction and promiseth largely concernynge hys continuall amitie towardes them confutyng the sclaunders of his aduersaries in a wrytynge the whiche he sent with all and saieth that this is his opinion of the counsell and euer hath bene that vnlesse it be lawefull and in a sure place he wyll neuer allowe the same neyther doubteth he but the kynge of Scotlande his some inlawe will also folowe his mynde herin He a lytle before at the beginning of Maye was retorned home with his wyfe which after aboute Midsomer ended her life there In the meane time the Bishoppe of Rome deferreth the Counsell till the kalendes of Nouember and the cause thereof he saieth is for that Friderick the Duke of Mantua mindeth to fortifie his citie with garnisons of souldiours and to employe cost therupon which thinge hath happened contrary to his expectation and saith he is sore affraid lest many folowyng his decree are already commen to Mantua and happely beyng excluded are dryuen to retourne home againe for the which chaunce he is in dede very sory but yet taketh the matter lesse greifefully forasmuche as the thinge hath fortuned throughe another mans faulte and not his And not longe after the king of Englande in his owne name and the nobles of his Realme publisheth a writing That there is a Counsell called by the Bishoppe of Rome which he hath none authoritie to do and called at suche a time whan mortall warre is betwene themperour and the Frenche kynge and the place appointed at Mantua whither it is neyther saufe nor commodious for all men to come He in dede desyreth a Christian Counsell wyth all his harte but vnto the Byshoppes Counsell he wyll nether come him selfe nor yet sende hys Ambassadours For this is alwayes theyr facion that for theyr own lâcre sake they wyll in suche maner of assemblies oppresse Christ and his veritie And for his parte he will haue nothynge to do with the Bishoppe of Rome nor regardeth no more his Decree than the wrytynge of anye other Byshoppe Addynge that Counselles were wont to be called by the authoritie of the Emperour and kynges which maner ought to be restored especially at this tyme whan the Byshoppe hath so many graue personages to accuse him Yet neuerthelesse can he neither be reprehended without the daunger of a mans life nor accused presently but in a lawfull Counsel nether is there any prouision made for him or his by saufconduicte and thoughe there were yet manifest daungers shoulde let hym that he coulde not come for it is no newes to the Bishoppes to falsefie theyr faith and to sprincle and desile them selues with innocent bloude And albeit it should be lawfull for others to repaire thither yet were it no saftie for him whome the Bishop hath laide waite for whoÌ he hateth deadly whom he seketh to bring in hatred with other kinges for none other cause assuredly than for that his Tyrranny is exiled out of his realme and his yerely reuenewes taken away which thinge in very dede he taketh in most euill part and so much the worse for that he feareth lest other kinges warned throughe his example will hereafter do the like And nowe also is the counsell proroged vntyll the kalendes of NoueÌbre And yet not the place appointed where it should be holdeÌ and the faulte is imputed to the Duke of Mantua Is not this to delude the whole worlde The Duke of Mantua is surely blameles which wyll not receiue so great a multitude into his citie being vnfurnyshed of a garrison but all the blame is to be ascribed to him alone who doeth nothing syncerely but worketh al thinges by craft and collusion And now in case he shall assigne an other place for the purpose he wyll eyther appointe it in some citie of his
they we made our purgation to you by letters Emperour Charles of suche thynges as we are accused of And albeit reason wold that eyther you shuld haue layde a side your warlike furniture or at the least haue declared the cause of the warre and hearing vs speake lykewise shuld haue don accordyng to the custome of Th empyre and your fayth promised by an othe yet forasmuche as you doe neuerthelesse procede we are also compelled to put on armure to beare of thys vniust violence muche vnworthy your personne For that you nowe seke to extinguishe the doctryne of the Gospel and lybertie of th empyre by sondry of your actes it may be proued For you knowe youre selfe what maner of consultations you haue had nowe many yeres with that Roomish Antichryst and foreyne kynges that you myght eyther ioyne them with you or incense them agaynst vs. And agayne without the aduise of the Princes and states of Th empyre you haue taken trewes with the Turke contrary quite to youre promesse For what tyme Germany gaue you ayde two yeres paste agaynst the Frenche kyng you affirmed that the same warre beynge finished you wold goe your selfe with an armye agaynst the Turke But nowe haue you made a composition with hym verely to thinteÌt you myght the better accomplish the thyng which you haue intended agaynst vs. And nowe in thys conuention at Regenspurge you haue set a newe collour face of the matter speakyng much of youre owne industrie and zeale to the coÌmon wealthe and countrey of Germanie and of the contumacie of certen others Whice doubtles was done of you for this intent that you might seuer vs one from another that ar confederated for relygion For you are not able to charge vs with any faulte of neglectyng our dewtie distrusting your cause you haue not sommoned vs to appere and come to our aunswer before the Senate of thempire yea you did not somuche as once name the parties and yet in the meane season wryting your letters to dyuers Princes and Cities you dissembled ful craftely as though you attempted not warre against religion but to punnishe certen rebelles But it is manifest enough that you shoote at relygion and appereth herof sufficyently in that you sollicited the Bishop for a counsell wherin besydes his clientes and adherentes no man maye haue place nor libertye to speake There were a very fewe that were somwhat franke in speakyng but a meane was founde that they were called awaye worse placed in theyr steade What maner of decrees also the fathers at TreÌt haue made now it is knowen to al men wherfore this is not the couÌsell that hath ben so often promised in the assemblies of Th empyre as we shewed you the laste yere at Wormes And the same thinges we sayde than we will shuld be nowe repeted Moreouer that it is your pourpos to coÌpell vs to approue the counsell it is to be proued by the Bishops letters lately sent to the Heluetians wherin he complaineth sore of diuerse in Germany which reiect the authoritie of this counsel and sayeth how this is the cause for the which he attempteth warre And because you were also prefixed to warre for the same matter he sayeth howe it chaunced to hym luckely and therefore wold imploye therupon all the force and treasure of the churche of Roome and hys owne also Wherefore seeing the Bishop hathe vttered that pretensed pourpose of youres which you wold haue cloked by an other coloure who can doubt any longer but that you pricke at relygion Certenly we knowe oure selues faulty in nothyng which eyther we wold not shuld be heard openly or that we can wel aunswer but it had concerned your office after the example of your predecessours to haue called vs before the Senate of Prynces and lykewyse to haue hearde oure reasons Neyther did it become you thus to vse vs to call vs to the assemblie to propound of the common wealth to axe our aduise counsell and in the meane whyle to prepare warre agaynste vs. For what kynde of thing is thys to leaue the Turke and to bend all the furye rage of warre againste vs as thoughe we were a greate deale worse than he But we truste assuredly that God will impeche and hynder thys so vnworthy a facte For if there were any grudge or displeasure betwene you youre brother Fernando and vs the same was wholye forgeuen at Cadame Uienna RegeÌspurg and Spier Therfore you maye paynte and set out the matter as muche as you lyste yet knowe we for certentie that there is no other cause but that trewe relygyon shuld be oppressed and Germany lose her lybertye You wryte in dede to diuerse and go aboute to perswade as though you desiered greatly that the doctryne of the Gospell myght be auaunced but the opinions of the vniuersitie of Louayne confyrmed by your iudgement agayne the execution of Godly men within your Realmes and dominions And this confideracie made with that Romish Antichrist declare and shew well enoughe what your intente is verely euen this that you myght recouer and establysh agayne all kynde of Papistrie quenching the trew doctryne that we professed at Auspurge And seing the case is thus and that we made our league for this pourpos that we myght perseuer in thys Relygion and defende it ioyntely together although any man els shuld preteÌd some other cause of displesure agaynst any of vs we were dryuen of necessitie to stande to oure owne defence whyche bothe Gods lawe and also the lawe of nature doeth permitte and graunt vs. And albeit that by reason of this your enterprise we are in nothing bounden to you and therfore neded not to declare vnto you any part of our mynd yet for a further assurance we renounce the allegeaunce and dewetye wherby we were boundeÌ to you not that we wold deminishe the ryght and commoditie of th eÌpyre but rather preserue and mainteyne the same This therefore we protest openly and that in solemuwyse that we are of this mynd that we purpose to repulse from vs thys warre of you and your fellowes For in so godly and honest a cause we ought to refuse no perill They sent these letters by a yong gentelman and a Trumpeter as the maner is to themperoure in hys campe before Landshut Whiche he did not only refuse to receyue but also cummaunded in paine of theyr life to cary it agayne where they had it And added this moreouer that if any man from hencefoorth came vnto hym from them he shoulde insteade of a chayne of golde be rewarded with an haulter Then deliuereth he vnto them the Table of prescription before saied and geueth them a most streight charge to delyuer the same to theyr princes Before they sent thys epistel it was debated howe themperoure shulde be termed or spoken to And the Duke of Saxon wolde not haue geuen hym the name of Themperoure for otherwyse it is not lawfull
they wold or not The horsmen of Hongary are commonly called Hussares an exceadyng rauenous and cruell kynde of men Wherfore leuing their force also whan they were now passing out of their owne limites Sebastian Weittemulle general of the armie sending his letters the .xx. day of October proclameth warre to the Duke of Sarons people For that certen yeares past their Prince seased into his handes the Abbeye of Dobrilug and that he renouÌced lately his fidelitie to the Emperour and his confederates breaking the league that was betwene the Bohemers and the house of Saxon. And albeit the thing requireth no declaratioÌ for as muche as he is outlawed by the Emperour yet lest any thing might appeare to be omitted he would for his discharge geue them this aduertisement About this tyme the Ambassadours of the Protestauntes assemblie at Ulmes for common coÌsultation to be had And wher as out of Saxonie came diuerse messages of the state of things there the Electour sending his letters the .xxvii. day of October chargeth his Ambassadours that were at Ulme to declare the whole matter to their Fellowes and require them to consider his case for asmuche as he hath spared no peryll nor paine that he might defende this higher part of Germany from distruction The counsellours of the warre a few daies past sent worde to the cities of Saxony that they should helpe hym But what they wil do he is vncerten and though they would yet feareth he greatly that they shall not be able to resist so great a multitude of enemies and that there is daunger lest or euer they be ready the enemy wyl haue inuaded his countrey These thinges therfore let them require of their fellowes first in asmuche as it should be a great grief and discommoditie for him in this extremitie to leaue any longer destitute his wyfe children people that they wold geue him counsell herein Moreouer that they would graunte him more ayde wherof the Lantgraue and the counsellours of the warre haue put him in hope already Finally that they do make no peace with the ennemy before he haue recouered that he hath lost Hereunto the Ambassadours aunswere franckly chiefly they intreate him that he would tary with the armie tyll the Emperour shall haue broke vp his campe for this wynter and shewe what daunger it should be if he now departed And if Ferdinando and Maurice doe him any wrong they promyse him ayde and say how ther is no doubt but his fellowes both Princes states wyll according to their league be faithfull and helpfull to hym and wyll conclude no peace before he haue recouered his owne And in case he thought good they would also in lyke maner as the Lantgraue and counsellours of the warre haue done signifie so much to Duke Maurice They trust also vndoubtedly that suche states as be of their coÌfederacie in Saxony wyll doe their dutie herein The forsayd .xxvii. day of October Duke Maurice wryteth his letters from Dresda to the Prince Electour that what the Emperour hath commaunded hym to doe and in what peryll the matter consisteth he hath heard lately by the letters of the states of his countrey And now for so muche as the Emperour hath assured him and his people concerning Religion therfore is he determined to the intent that both the Emperour may be satisfied and that his ryght also may remayne vnto hym whole through the aduise of his counsel to fynde the meanes that his lande and prouince doe not come into the handes of straungers and this doth he both in his owne and also in his brother Augustus name denounce to hym And if in tyme to come he shall be agayne reconciled to the Emperour and kyng Ferdinando he wyll not refuse if they wyll suffer it that the states of his iurisdiction shall treate betwyxt them both for an order in the whole matter The selfe same wordes he writeth also to Iohn William the Electours sonne and warneth hym to see the letters adressed to his father conueyed to him In the meane whyle the Bohemers and Nussars make inuasion into Uoetiande the next cositrey of the Electours sleying spoyling burning and rauishing out of measure But the Bohemers taried not long for because as I sayd before they serued vnwyllyngly and at the eleuenth day of Nouember forsakyng their enseignes slyppe home euery man But the Hongarians such others as Ferdinando had hyred ioyne them selues vnto Duke Maurice who taketh by rendring first Swiccauie after Ecne berg and Aldeburg and for the moste parte all the Electours townes and sweareth them vnto hym sauing Gothe Isenack and Wittemberg The newes therof being brought into themperous campe styred vp great ioy and gladnes which the Emperour declared by a great peale of ordenaunce as is accustomed In these dayes the Emperour chaungeth his Campe againe for lyke causes as he did before and chouseth a more commodious and drye ground that he myght somwhat refresh the poore souldiours and releue them also with vitaile All others for the moste part counselled him that the souldiours might retire vnto places where they should wynter But he him selfe was of opinion to continew the armie in the field and maintaine warre All men for the moste part cried out vpon Duke Maurice whiche serued him so sknekyshely whome he oughte to haue honoured as his father who was in a maner the only authour of all that he had he to requite him with such vnthaÌkfulnes And ther came forth in his reproche and dispraise both libelles and verses moste bitter whiche charged him with falsefying his fayth with treason and moste ingratitude and so muche the more that he wold do nothing herein at the intreaty of neyther his wyfe nor his father in lawe That thing knowen he publisheth a wryting to purge him selfe and sheweth what maner of Religion is in his countrey what he hath promised the people and how for the furtherauÌce of Religion he hath founded certen Scholes After he saith how the Emperour hath assured him and his people and not hym only but other Princes also concerning ReligioÌ and preseruation of the lybertie of Germany neyther is he of wyll that any thyng be done violently but that the cause maye in lawfull wyse be appeased accordyng vnto many decrees of the Empyre already enacted Wherfore he geueth credit to his promesse and letters by the ensample of those Princes whiche do now serue hym and doe not only at home but in the campe also and a warfare professe this Religion For suche as be familiar with hym and are dayly in his sight may easely knowe his mynde and in case they perceiued any such thyng without all doubt they would not tary with hym And where as the bishop aydeth him that is done for bicause the warre is attempted against theÌ that are the chiefest aduersaries of his errours and authoritie neither is it so muche to be considered what moueth him as what
people and pardon his offence so that he obserue conuenauntes and from henceforth omitte not to do his dutie After them came the Ambassadours of Memming Bibrach Rauensburg Kempten Isnen and making their humble supplication desyre pardon of their fault and that they haue offended him they saye it is to be imputed partly to their owne errour partly to the occasion of others And that they flie now vnto him for refuge as vnto the welspring of mercy and beseche him that he woulde forgeue them and restore them to their olde estate and to deminishe nothing of their priuileges and fredome The Emperour than byndeth them by an othe that they be faithful vnto him from henceforth that they obeye the same lawes that other states doe that they forsake the league of the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue and ayde them with no kynde of thinge nor make no league against him from henceforth This done he taketh them to mercy and condeÌpneth the citie of Meming in fifty thousand crownes Before they came into the Emperours presence they desired to be assured not to haue their Religion chasiged But Nauius whom the Emperour vsed chiefly for interpretour in suche matters warned them in any wise to make no mention therof For incase they did the Emperour would surely ascribe it to a certen distruste they had in hym For at the beginning of the warre he declared his mynde here in sufficiently Therfore let them holde them content and requyre no further assuraunce And this was thought to be done for this intent lest if they should haue had a nay it might appere that an other thing were intended than the Emperour had published in his letters before But and if it shold be grauÌted them by expresse wordes the same shold offende the Byshop of Rome whose purpose was that by this warre the doctrine of the Protestauntes might vtterly be extinguished In these daies arose a rebellion at Gene against the house of Aurie the Prince wherof at the same tyme was Androwe the most expert man on the Sea that than liued and through the Emperours auauncemeÌt the chiefest of that coÌmon welth The chief captaine and ringleader of this vprore was Counte Fliscane and in the same amonges others was murthered the Cosin of Androwe Iohannine Aurie a maÌ of a great courage And if the Erle of Flisca had not chaunced to slippe into the Sea and drowned it is thought that there would haue bene a blacke daye and muche euyll done But whan he was gone the fellowes of that conspiracie shranke away immediatly streightwayes after that Tempest followed a great Caulme The Emperour affirmeth the Farnesians to be the authours of this enterprise especially the Byshops sonne Peter Aloisse Duke of Placence as shal be declared in his place The sitting of the fathers at Trent whiche shuld haue ben at the ende of Iuly was adiourned vntill this tyme and the xiii day of Ianuary what tyme the fathers were assembled in the Cathedrall churche as their maner is they make a decree of the iustification of man and there are they condeÌned which affirme that since the fall of Adam man hath not had fre wyl that man is iustified by fayth only in that Christe imputeth rightuousnes and say that iustification is nothing els but a confidence in Gods mercie who forgiueth sinnes for Christes sake or saye it is necessary that a man beleue assuredly and doubte not but his synnes are forgeuen and that he is of the nombre of Gods elect and suche agayne as saye that a man is not able to kepe the commaundementes of God no though he be iustified whiche saye that iustification receiued is not kept and increased thorowe good workes whiche after baptisme affirme that iustifications lost is recouered by fayth only with out the sacrament of penaunce and saye that a penitent synner hath his offence wholy forgeueÌ and that there remayneth no punishement for the same neyther in this worlde nor in the lyfe to come through purgatory finally whiche affirme that these decrees are a derogation to Gods glory to the merites of Christe Whan the Duke of SaxoÌ was coming with his Armie Duke Maurice fortifieth Lipsia with a garnison burneth the suburbes The same tyme came the ther aboue a thousand horsemen of the Hongarians The .xiii. daye of Ianuary began the siege but the townes men defending them selues moste valiauntly about the ende of the same moneth the enemy departeth without his purpose Howbeit the towne with the nomber of shot that went of as thicke as hayle was wonderfully rent and torne vtterly defaced The Duke of Saxon departing from theÌce did not only recouer shortly after al that he had lost in the countreys of Thuring and Meyssen but also wan all Duke Maurice townes sauing only Lipsia Dresda He bringeth also into his possession the Byshoprike of Magdeburg and Halberstat making a composition with the Byshop Iohn Albert. The daye before he assayled Lipsia kyng Ferdinando commaunded the Bohemers that they shoulde take armure and goe ayde Duke Maurice They obeyed him in dede but after they retourned home without coÌmaundement Wherfore the king at the ende of Ianuary coÌmaundeth them again likewyse There did the commons of Prage whiche citie is of moste authoritie in those parties desire the Senate to sue to the king that he wold stay that coÌmaundement which is both against their libertie suche as they can not honestly obey For there is no cause why they shuld haue warre with the Prince Electour of Saxon. And in moste thinges their religion is all one with his Moreouer he hath always shewed him selfe lyke a noble Prince and aided them against the Turkes Wherunto Ferdinando made aunswer amonges other thinges howe the warre was attempted against him not for religion but for rebellion And where they say howe he hath geuen great aide against the Turke the matter is far otherwyse For he sent messengers to the Turke a few monethes past which might procure him to moue war to Hongary and Boheme and that he shuld take no longer truce that he should infringe the same which he had grauÌted And to the inteÌt the thing might haue the better successe he would not fayle to inuade on the contrary syde Whan themperour vnderstode how the matter went in Saxony and was aduertised by sondry letters of Duke Maurice he sendeth certen bandes of horsmen and fotemen to ayde him at the leading of Marques Albert than coÌmaundeth the forces of Spaniardes ItaliaÌs to follow wherof Sandey Marignane wer captains Marques Albert departeth froÌ Hailbrune with his coÌpany the .ix. day of Ianuary Themperour also remoueth froÌ theÌce to Ulmes by the way they of Liudaue Esling were recoÌciled to him Of the byshop of Rome it is told before how he gaue senteÌce depriued tharchbishop of ColloÌ of his ecclesiastical fuÌction WhaÌ he thus did he gaue away al his right
not to heare you yet vpon condition that this pleading do neither hinder vs nor profite you and that it shal be free for vs neuerthelesse to continew and procede in the counsell and to appointe suche punishment against al disobedient rebelles as by holy lawes and constitutions is determined After this the Emperours Ambassadour Uargas desyreth to haue this recorded in the common recordes that he was impeched and letted that he could not speake first Afterwarde in as much saith he as you haue already sene the Emperours letters of credit now wyll I declare what our commission is We appeare here before you to treat of a matter most weighty and not only we but also the whole common wealth of Christendome with earnest prayers do beseche you that you would shew equitie in the same For all men iudge this certenly that in case you wyll obstinatly perseuer in the opinion whiche very vncircumspectly you haue ones embraced it wyll tourne to a maruelous calamitie of the common wealth But if you will surceaâe and be ordered by themperour all thinges shal luckely succede Which thing that all men the better may vnderstande we shall repete the whole matter more depely For so shal it appeare how fowly you shall erre vnlesse you alter your pourpose And how gret good wil the Emperour beareth to the commoÌ wealth And herein wil adde no word of our own but wil treade in the fotesteps of the commaundement we haue receiued There agayne Cardinall Mountane I am here also sayeth he president of this sacred counsell and deputed Legate of Paule the third Bishop of Rome the successour of Peter and Uicar of Christ in earth Here be also these most reuerende fathers to procede in the couÌsell lawfully remoued from Trent vnto Gods glory and saluation of mankynde Wherfore we desire the Emperour to alter his sentence and assiste vs in this matter and commaunde the disturbers of the counsell vnto silence For he is not ignoraunt that who so euer they be that are any let or impediment to holy counselles do deserue moste greuouse punishemeÌt by the prescript of the lawes But how so euer the matter falleth and what terrours so euer be threatened yet wyll we cleaue fast to the libertie and dignite both of the churche and counsel and of our own also After whan Uargas had openly recited the letters of their commission his fellowe Uelascus readeth the protestation In the beginning is raccomted how oftentymes the Emperour hath desired a counsell of Leo Adriane Clement last of Paule the third what time the Germaines were erneste suters to him for the same Again how Paule the third first at Mantua after at Uicence finally whan it could not be kepte in those places appointed the same at Trent by the assent of the Emperour and the other states for so muche as the same place was commodious for Italians and Spaniardes French men and Germaines and wanted not thinges nedefull Therfore what time this seate was chosen for the Synode The Byshop sent thether Cardinals Parise Morone and Poole And in the Emperours name also came the Byshop of Arras his Father Granuellan and Iames Mendoza But where as that tyme semed not to the Byshop conuenient enough the matter being differred againe there came newe Legates from Rome Mountane Crucei and Poole Cardinalles And from the Emperour thesame Mendoza and Fraunces Toletane The Ambassadours of other Princes came also and others out of all partes repared to Trent in great noÌber And at the same time the Emperour had warre in Germany chiefly for the defence maintenaunce of Religion that suche as he could not rule by reason he might compelle by force of armes And what time he hauing lucky successe in his warres had in a maner vaÌquished all and had called into the way againe such as contemned the counsell before tyme beholde you whiche vsurpe vnto you the name of the Legates of the See of Rome sodenly without making the Byshop priuie as you say your selues faining a cause I can not tell what do propounde of remouing the counsell geuing scarsely any tyme to consulte in departe from Trent in great haste where as many worthy and vertuous fathers did not assent but sayd how the cause of this flitting was not reasonable and protested that they would remaine at Trent In the meane season the Emperour going into Saxony vanquisheth the ennemy at Albis and taketh both the Captaines of the warre in battell and by submission and neuerthelesse both before and after the warre was finished he desired the Byshop oft by letters and messengers sent that he woulde commaunde the Fathers to retourne from Boloigne to Trent For otherwyse would the matter be daungerous After he called a conuention at Auspurge wherin at the Emperours request the Prynces and all states with whole coÌsent did approue the couÌsell of Trent and promised that they wold obeie the same with out any condition Whan he had this obtained he sent forth with the Cardinall of Trent to Rome whiche might declare these thinges to the Byshop and Senate of Cardinalles and in the name of the whole Empyre myght require the continuaunce of the counsel at Trent He commaunded the same thing also to Iames Mendoza his Ambassadour But the Byshop toke delay in aunsweryng and thought mete first to consulte with you and receiued an answer from you ful craftie subtile and captious and eftsones did aunswer the Emperour vnsittingly and by his starting holes backsteppes declareth well enough how little he careth for the common wealth For to proue the cause of remouing ther had neded witnesses worthy of credite The Emperour kyng Ferdinando and the Prynces sending their letters and a moste honorable Ambassadour declared what the opinion of all States was coÌcerning the couÌsell But omitting their testimony the Byshop would rather geue credit to vile and abiecte persones Howe many tedious and painful iourneis hath the Emperour taken for this counsell And what costes charges hath he bene at And shall all these thinges be lost Upon moste weightie and necessarie causes at the request of the Emperour through the suite of the Germaines and by the assent of other Christian Princes was the counsell both called also coÌmenced at Trent Wherfore with out the publique authoritie of al states coÌsented therto it may not be holden els where For there was no cause of remouynge the same but some thing was inuented for an excuse Uerely certeâ agues and infection of the ayre And herein they followed the aduise of certen PhisicioÌs but chiefly of their maydes and cookes But howe trifelyng and vaine a cause that was the thinge it selfe and ende declared You saye that you departed not making the Byshop priuie But his letters wrytten vnto you and aunswer sent to the Emperour do testifie farre another thing Certenly you ought not to haue remoued or chauÌged the place without the consent of the Emperour vnto whoÌ is
of her husband But whan Ulrich Duke of Wirtemberge hard of the misery of Brentius all be it he him selfe was in great daunger yet gaue he relief secreatly to him and his family Furthermore the Cities of Sweuia following all for the moste parte the Emperoures authority promised to accomplish his commaundement Wherfore the preachers euery where remoued out of diuers places least they should commit any thing vnworthy their profession Andreas Osiander for this cause leauinge Norinberge wente into the lande of Prusse Spire and Woormez had but ether of them one which fled also to saue them selues William the Earle of Nassowe suffred Erasmus Sarcerius to depart for the same cause Moreouer the Duke of Wirtemberge in whose country were garrisons of Spaniardes euery where as hath bene saied whan the commaundement came from the Emperour caused the Boke setforthe to be recited in the Pulpit and commaundeth that no man do any thing to the contrary and if any man wil say Masse he geueth them liberty and chargeth his subiectes that they disturbe no Priest and putteth awaye those Ministers of the Church which would not allow the boke Amonges whome was Erardus Schueffius The Emperoure by Granuellane and the bishop of Arras moued the Duke of Saxon captiue to obey the decree and followe the doctrine of the Boke setforth And albeit they assaid him with fair promises and shewed him some hope of deliueraunce yet he perseuered constante in his opinion And the laste yere saithe he amoÌges the condicions whiche the Emperoure propounded this was wrytten also that I shoulde approue the decrees that shoulde be made by him and by the Counsell concerning Religion but whan he perceiued that I coulde not be induced through the terroure or feare of any pearill to assent he released the same condicion and after that neuer moued any thing to me concerning religion Whiche certenlye I toke than in steade of a great benefite and being cased hereof as of a most waighty burtheÌ al the other conditions which the Emperoure at his pleasure determined on my parson and all my goodes I suffered the more easelye and with the better wil trusting that from henceforth I shoulde be permitted to kepe my Religion free but now for so muche as he vrgeth me againe and commaundeth me to subscribe I do heare protest that I was so brought vp in my youth and after by the reading of holye scripture so confyrmed that I do beleue this doctrine to agree throughly with the wrytinges of the Prophetes and Apostles neyther can it be conuicted of any erroure For the whiche cause verelye bothe my father I and certaine other Princes exhibited in times past a confession of the same doctrine comprised in wrytinge and referred it to a lawful counsel considering therfore that God hathe illuminated me with the knowledge of his word it is not lawfull for me to forsake the truthe knowne vnlesse I woulde purchase to my self euerlasting dampnation Wherfore if I should nowe admit thys decree forasmuch as the same dothe in manye and moste waightye places dissent from the holy scripture I should condempne the doctrine of Iesu Christ which I haue professed hitherto And in word and speach should allowe that I know to be naughte and wicked But what thinge els were this than with painted and glosynge wordes to delude the deuine Maiesty and the Emperoure also Than the which thing what more wickednes can be committed For this is that same sinne against the holy ghost wherof Christe hath so diligently warned vs which shall neuer at any time be forgeuen And seinge it is so and that my conscience is tied with these bondes I most earnestly and for the mercy of God which he gaue vnto mankinde through the oblation of his soÌne pray and beseche that the Emperoure would not take in displeasure this my refusal For where as I do reteine the doctrine professed at Auspurge I do it for my soules health and setting all other thinges a parte do imagine howe after this miserable life I may be made partaker of the life and ioy euerlasting I heare say moreouer howe it is reported to the Emperour by diuers as though I nothing regarded religion but sought for a vaine glory and what thing els I know not I beseche you what thing coulde happen to me in this worlde more to be wished for especially being thus grose of bodye then liberty then to retourne to my wife and children than quiet and rest at home And I take God to witnes and than will also what time he shall take an accompt of vs all for our doinges that I respected nothinge els than that throughe the true worshippinge of God I might enioy the inheritance of the heauenly kingdoÌe Which thing I hartely desire that the Emperour would certainly beleue and be fully perswaded of me In all other thinges my will hath bene alwaies ready to gratify him and euer shal be and the infidelity and promesse which I haue made him that will I kepe as becommeth a iuste man and borne of noble parentage Furthermore I beseche him to remit all displeasure and at the lengthe to deliuer me from this continuall captiuity That I be not reported the first of all other Princes that should lead his life with him prisoner Where he perseuered thus constant and immouable they began to haÌdle him somwhat more hardly and toke from him his bokes of Scripture and was commaunded on daies forbidden to abstaine from fleshe The same preacher also whome by the Emperours licence he kept vntil this time whan he sawe present daunger hanginge ouer his head he chaunged his apparel and conueied him self awaye priuely At the same time came abrode out of the Emperoures court letters which the Lantzgraue was saide to haue wrytten to the Emperoure In those he saieth he hath commaunded his wife and couÌselloures that they should fulfil all the reast of the conditions and satisfy such as complaine for the warre past Againe he saieth how he hathe the boke wrytten of Religion And albeit there be manye thinges which he doth not wel vnderstand and the which he caÌnot affirme by the scriptures yet for somuch as they ground their thinges of antiquitie and authoritye of holy fathers he will not make him self wiser then they and doth both allow that wryting and wil deuise also that his subiectes shall obserue the same After this he offereth him his faith and seruice whether he shall warre with the Turke or with the Bishop of Rome or any forain kinges or with the Swishes or els wil vse him in Germany but he besecheth him for the loue of Christ and all saintes that he would lay awaye all displeafure and set him at liberty For now hath he bene deteyned prisoner a whole yeare and suffred punishmente inoughe and is brought to extreme misery Moreouer for a further assuraunce he will geue his two sonnes pledges vntill he be fullye satisfied And whatsoeuer way
the Lantgraue doubtles aboue al other things Agayne for that in the pacification are many things contayned that cannot be perfourmed of a captiue Prince but onely of him that is at libertie After when he had made his submission you pardoned his offence promysed to abolysh the prescription and to geue him letters of reconcilement moreouer for that ye were content with their suertyship wherby it was prouided that in case he obserued not coÌuenauntes the people should present him to you captiue and the suerties by force of armes shoulde compell him to his dutye Certeinely all these things were to no purpose and al together superfluous if ther had supposed that he should haue suffred punishment with his owne body But where as they neuer thought of any such matter nor yet your own couÌsellours had made any mention therof vpon this truste and coÌfidence they sent for him and if any thing shoulde chaunce vnto him besyde they promysed were bound to his sonnes to abyde the lyke fortune that he shoulde This was their minde and opinion which was also coÌfirmed what time after the submission the Duke of Alba badde them and the Lantgraue to supper Which bedding hospitalitie they for the maner of Princes and custume of Germany could not so interprete the thing that he shoulde goe to the Duke of Alba his house as vnto prison they shoulde accompany him and bring him thyther For if they had conceaued the leaste susspection in the world of that matter who shoulde beleue that euer they wolde haue done it For seing they be Princes of the Empyre and that electours borne of moste noble houses they wolde neuer haue imployed their seruyce in that sorte as to in tyse a noble Prince being their nere friend and kynsman into such distresse and themselues as it were bring him to prison But they neither knew any thing therof till it was after supper For then ded the Duke of Alba fyrste say vnto them howe he muste remaine in the Castell as in custodie But howsoeuer it be they ded it of a very good mynde as we sayd at the begenning And for so moch as they be bounden to him of their fidelitie you may easely perceiue that in case after so great long suite and suerties put in he shoulde be longer detayned howe greuous and harmefull the same wolde be to them their chyldren and kynsfolkes You se also most mightye Emperour coÌsydering you are come of the Germaynes race for asmoch as the Lantgraues sonnes poursue theyr ryght vrge them to yelde them selues captyue after the fourme of the obligation what is mete for them to doe to maintayne ther honour and estimation according to the auntient and accustumed manner of the Nobilitie of Germany and how they can haue none excuse vnto other Princes although eyther the power to sue them or dede of obligation which they haue should be taken a waye And if peraduenture the Lantgraue which neither by coÌpositioÌ nor geuyng his faith but by the same occasion as we haue shewed you is deteyned prisoner for a certeyne wearynes and impacience of long imprisoÌment hath sought som meanes to obteine liberty and that perchauÌce his ministers haue attempted any thing against his kepers the Princes doe besech you that the same be not to them preiudicial But for somoch as by reason of ther obligatioÌ they ar in a great perplexitie out of the which you only nexte after almighty God may delyuer them For so moch as it is not vnknoweÌ vnto you how they stroke vpoÌ these rocks for so moch as you haue certen inteligence of their good will fidelitie and duty what time in your aduersitie they employed all their lands and goods lyfe and bloude for your commoditie followyng herein the fotesteppes of their auncesters they moste hartely and earnestly require you that you would in releasing your captiue succour them and haue respect herein not so much to the Lantgraues doinges as vnto theÌ which honour you exceadingly Especially since that a fewe of their families haue for your progenitours and for the house of Austriche and Burgundy spared neither coste nor perill And in case you feare least he being set at libertie should not kepe conuenaunt your highnes knoweth well enough whan the matter shal come to that issue what the nobilitie people of Hesse haue promised you by an othe what the Princes haue done likewyse by suertishyp But and if you require a further assuraunce they haue both made you the offer diuerse tymes heretofore and nowe do also and haue geueÌ vs authoritie to treate of the same matter Moreouer concerning the conditions for suche as might streight wayes be accomplished they suppose there can no lack be founde And where as the castels were not so sodainly rased if you knewe wel the cause they doubted not but for that matter you would holde the Lantgraues sonnes excused Furthermore if any lacke be founde they wyll do their whole indeuour that you may be coÌtented and satisfied Wherfore if thei themselues haue at any time or their fathers and grandfathers done any thing that hath bene acceptable either to you or to the Emperour Maximilian and the rest of your progenitours or if you thinke that they may doe or perfourme any thing in tyme to come that to you may be pleasaÌt and ioyfull they desire you moste effectually that you woulde suffer them nowe to receiue some fruicte of the same and that you would cause that hope promesse to appeare whiche first you made them at Hale after at Numburge last also at Auspurg to the intent verely they maye honor you from heÌceforth with so muche the more industrie courage and may reioyce that their sidelitie and seruice which thei haue done you hath bene well imployed and largely rewarded For if it should be otherwyse and should nowe obteyne nothing you may coniecture moste puissaunt Emperour what discommodities wyl in sue what tyme they shal be enforced to answer the matter and to declare their innoceÌcie but they hope vndoubtedly that you will graunt their requestes Whiche verely they will accept for an high benefite and not they only but also the Lantgraue with his sonnes and all his frendes shall euermore endeuoure that they may requite this your benefite And for bycause the same thing doeth so muche concerne their estimatioÌ they haue also intreated other Princes to make intercession with them whose Ambassadours you se here And this haue they done for this intent that the thynge whiche they could not yet obteine of you by prayers messeÌgers and letters that same myght they bryng to passe through their commendation and fauour and praye you to take it in that parte What tyme they had thus spoken they deliuer vnto hym the letters of Ferdinando kyng of Romaines of Albert Duke of Bauier of the brethreÌ Dukes of Luneburge wrytten in the behalfe of the Lantgraue And the Princes that sent Ambassadours were these
carefulnes I haue suppressed the parte of the proclamation touching the Lordes supper promysing hereafter all diligence that a reconcilement may be had For what causes I can not reuolte from the lawes and ceremonies of the churche I haue shewed For both Christ sayeth that the church must be heard and also the thing it selfe teacheth the fourmer age whiche renewyng nothing abode in the Religion of their forefathers to haue bene muche more quiet and fortunate in all thinges than this is nowe where all thinges are tourmoyled with sectes and dissentions and many men rauished toste hither and thither with euery wynde of doctrine Wherby I would the rather haue thought that you would not haue answered in this sorte And nowe albeit that this aunswere of yours may be throughly confuted yet for as much as we must treate of contributions and subsidies and therof shortly determine vnlesse you be determined to suffer extreme miserie I wyll not be ouer longe trusting also that you wyl doe both as the matter it selfe and also as the consideration of your dutie requyreth They agayne solicite the same thing and saye howe they can not leaue it And in case they can obteyne nothinge they saye it wyll be the cause that the same consultation of geuing him ayde wyl surely be hindered and letted For that they haue no commission to promyse any thing herein vnlesse they haue first good assuraunce for Religion and Ministers of the churche and for Scholemaisters that they may be authorised to teache frely In the moneth of February Henry Duke of Brunswick taketh to wyfe the sister of Sigismunde king of Poole About this tyme dieth Iohn Isemburg Byshop of Treuers and hath Iohn Ley his successour The .xxvi. daye also of the same moneth departeth at Alzeme Fredericke the Pausgraue Prince Electour a man of great yeares Whome Otto Henrick his brothers sonne succedeth who had loÌg since receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and was in daunger therfore to haue lost al his possessions Taking an othe of his people he commaundeth by and by that no man within his dominion should say Masse or vse any other ceremonies Of the trouble that Osiander styred vp in Prusse who had brought in a newe doctrine of iustificatioÌ is spoken in the xxii boke But where as the moste part of learned men reprehended that opinion Albert Duke of Prusse by open wryting professeth that he wyll followe the doctrine of the confession of Auspurg He commaundeth therfore the ministers of the churche that they teache according to the same and promyseth to saue them harmeles in case they obeye And to the ende the matter might be throughly appeased Iohn Albert Duke of Megelburge sonne in lawe to the Duke of Pruse a Prince excellently learned going thither and hauing learned men about hym brought Iohn Funccius who was chief of the secte of Osiander to that poinct that both he acknowledged his errour and affirmed that he would confesse it openly and would hereafter teache after the confession of Auspurg Where as others would do the same they were agreed with the other diuines and the state of the churche was appeased The fourth daye of Marche began to shine a blasing starre and is sene by the space of twelue dayes In this moneth the Ambassadours of Princes and cities mete at RegeÌspurge and treate the cause of Marques Albert of Brandenburge For his aduersaries in the counsell of the last yeare had againe required the ayde of Princes against him but through the mediatioÌ of his frendes and that the matter should be heard by intercessours Where he therfore in the moneth of February of this yere came out of FrauÌce into Germany his matter was heard the causes of thempire differred till the moneth of Aprill The Archebishop of Cantorbury already condeÌned after the death of Ryddley Latimer retourned to prison as before is said the .xxi. of this moneth is burnt at Oxforde Certen daies before being put in some hope of life through the perswasion of certen he had reuoked diuerse articles of doctrine neither shewed he constancie And when he sawe he must die he made an oration to the people and speaking many thinges of the amendement of life of maners to the ende he might haue his audience atteÌtiue at the leÌgth sheweth how greuously he had offended God by denying of the truthe reciting the chief articles of doctrine declareth briefly what he thought and confirmeth Papistrie to be the kingdome of Antichriste He had no so ner said so but he was had thence not without moste bitter railyng wordes to the place of execution And when he came thither stretching forth his right hand this haÌd saith he hath wickedly offended in subscribing to the wicked opinions which the ennemies of the truthe had propounded to me Wherfore it shall first suffer punishment Thus being tied to the stake so sone as the fire began to burne he stretched forth his hande into if as far as he coulde reache that it might first fele the torment And so was burnt the primate of Englande a man of greatest learning authoritie From the time that the Popishe marke was taken from him they call it degrading whiche is wont to be done with many cerimonies they put vpon him a most vile garmeÌt so brought him forth amonges the people to be laughed at But many hauing coÌpassion of his vnworthy chauÌce could not kepe theÌ froÌ sheding of teares although thei doubted nothing but that he should flitte out of this miserable lyfe in to the heauenly countrie and life euerlasting His promotions got Cardinall Poole made Archebyshop when he had Massed before And like as they of Austriche so also the BauariaÌs sollicited Albert their Duke coÌcerning religioÌ in maner at the same time The Duke seing that kyng Ferdinando his father in lawe had permitted some thing to his subiectes he also when he exacted mony graunted some thing for a time that they might receiue the Lordes supper whole and on daies prohibited when necessitie requireth to eate flesh Howbeit he prosesseth with many wordes that he wyll not departe from the Religion of his auncesters nor alter any thing in ceremonies such other thinges for the same not to be lawfull for him to doe without the consent of his supreme Magistrate both spirituall and temporall And where he permitteth these two to be for a tyme only tyll some thing be established by publique authoritie or a reconcilement made For he wyll that his proclamations of fourmer tyme concerning Religion be exactely and stryghtly kept these two thinges only excepted He wyll procure also as muche as in him lieth that the Metropolitane and Byshops shall confirme this graunte and that they shall not for this cause seke to moleste any man This proclamation was written the daye before the Kalendes of Aprill The Metropolitan of whome he speaketh is the Archebyshop of Salisburg At this time certen noble men of
Reliques of the holy gost The Cardinall writeth to the Duke of Saronis Campegius oratioÌ to the Princes at Norinberge The princes aunswere The decre of Wormes repeted The pope is wel monied The Suises are offended with them of Zuricke Yeare for the Hoste The Marchaundise of the clergie The answer of them or zuricke Authors of Scismes Matrimonie lawfull for all men What nedeth gold in the churche What is true coÌfessioÌ Howe the yoke of the Papistes is to be shaken of The Bishop of CoÌstance maketh a booke in defence of Images Images breÌt at Zuricke The decre of Norinberge Suite betwixt the Bishop senate of Strauso Thomas Murner Campcgsus raileth agaiââ holye Matrimony A decree of Papistes against gospellers The lamentatioÌ of Lut. The golden Rose sent to the kynge of Englande Erasmus boke of Free will A decree of the duke of Loraine Henry Zutphan The Emperor biameth the Princes Themperor defendour of the Romishe churche Lut. coÌpared with Mahomet The duke of BourboÌ besieged Marfelles The begynnynge of the rustical war The Papistes fight for their bely The coÌplaiÌte of them of Zuricke The cause of theyr hatred To serue foreine princes is vile The eraât of the Papistes Ecksuc theÌ Popes champion The pouertie and boundage of the Swices The riches and libertie of the same The constaÌcie of them of Zurieke The FreÌche kyng taken prisoner The vnconstaÌcie of Clement The victors of themperâalles The coÌmotion of the bulgare people Theyr demaundes The duke of Wirtemberge atteÌpteââ warrs The fyrste slaughter of Bowres Another slaughter The great crueltie of the Bowres A most cruel maner of burnynge The warre of Bowres in Loraine The slaughter of Bowres The crueltie of the Archebishop of Treuers Geismer captaine of the Bowers The league of Swelane The Masse abolisshed at Zuricke Muncer a great anabaptists Muncer will haue a token ared of God He teacheth that all thinges should be common Muncer maketh gonnes Phifer his companion Phifers enterprise The death of Fridericke the noble duke of Sax. The princes make a power A seditious oration of Muncer The saith of Abraham obteined of god great benefites Muncer rai leth on the Princes A blouddy Preacher bloweth the Crompet Gods power appeareth in sewest men Iud vii .i. Sam .xiiii. and .xvii. Muncer disceaueth the people by the Rainebowe Fearein MuÌcers Campe. A messenger slaine agaist the lawe of Armes An exhortaci on of the Lantzgraue The madnes of the Munceriane The slaughter of the MuÌcerians Muncer is taken His cruell answere He is reproued of the Lantzgraue The vnreasonable laughter of Muncer At the houre of death he repenteth Lut. diswadeth theÌ from sedition ii Thess .ii. The dewtie of a good Magistrate How the Magistrate shold deale wyth the Papistes Gods wrath is slowe but yet sore Thauthors of rebellion are wythout excuse What thing rebellion is How wicked dominion is to be shaken of The best way to ouer threw the popes authoritie Lu. did more with that word thaÌ cold haue bene don by force of Armes It appereth by the Prophecies of Briget and others The Practise of the deuill The popishe kingdoÌ maie not long indure Preachers ought to be circumspect Theyr demaundes Huntinge Haukyng Fishyng prohibited Lut. answer to the Bowres The Bours vse Godlye titles Gen. 7 Gene. 19. Math. 26. Roma 13. We are all blind in our own cause The state of a magistrate wherin it coÌsisteth The Magistrate is as necessary as the seune to the worlde The law of nature aloweth a Magistrate The christiaÌ lawe Math. 5. The christeÌ profession is harde The nature of veritie The craftes of the deuill to oppresse the Gospel Aunswere to the demaundes of the bowers No maÌ may be kept from the Gospell Howe ministers shoulde be ordayned Tithes must be payde Christianitie taketh not away boÌdage Bondage is not let to christen libertie Luters office The false title of the bowers Psal 107. The Gospel is sclasidered with rebellioÌ The rasers of tumultes The part of a wyse man The dutie of a Magist The ende of tyranny Of Not Daniel and âob Luther bloweth the troÌpet against the boures Ther can be nothig worse then sedicioÌ Lut. to vehement TheÌperors letters to the princes of Germany An assemble called at Auf. Carolostadius writeth against Lu. Carolostadius maketh his porgatioÌ Faith ought not to vauer Luther maried a NuÌne Luther and Zwynglius met at Marpurge The Popes letters to theÌ of Paris Faber driueÌ out of Paris The kynges letters for Faber The story of Pruse Lut. letters of submissioÌ to the kynge of England The chief point of Lu. doctrine The ende of the Papistes doctrine Luth. letters to George Dake of Saxon. Duke George hateth the Gospel Thomas wulley Cardinal a Butchers sonne A league betwene EnglaÌd FrauÌce Godlines is not to be sought for in the court The peace of Madrice The lady Elenor The kynges sonnes are pledges Counsell at Spyres The Emperours letters The Turke inuadeth HuÌgary A league betwene the venetians Pope FreÌche kyng Against false Freers The noÌber of holy days A decree for Religion The begynninge of the ProtestaÌtes league The kynge of Hungary slayne The Emperour maried a wyfe A disputatioÌ at Baden A Priest burnt Discorde in Hongary The FreÌche league agaist the Emper. The Popes benefites to the Emper. The Emperours aÌswer The kyngdoÌ of Naples A point of that lawe Rome is the treasure house of that whole worlde The Pope the Emper. are two gret lyghtes The Pope is a warrier A counsell promysed The frenche kyngs leters to the prynces of Germany The Empe. confuteth the letters An apologie for the freÌch kyng The princes letters to the Emperour An assemble at Regensburg Iohn Fridmarrieth Sibille of Cleue Rome is sacked The king of Englande The begynning of Anabaptistes The FreÌche Armye The Duke of Baurbon conoempned at Paris Englande hath title to Fraunce Leonarde Cesar Hopocrisy of byshops The power of Bernes Lawes of their disputacion Theames or conclusions Prayers for the dead are superfluous Religion reformed The prebids departe Ambrose Blaures Religion reformed at Geneua The victory of the gospel The kinges of FrauÌce EnglaÌd Amballade to the Emperour The FreÌche kings inuectiue against the Emper. He offereth the Emper. the combat The letters of Iohn Uaiuode to the states of the Empyre His Ambassadours takeÌ Kyng FerdinaÌdo forsoke kyng Lewis FerdinaÌdos title to Hongary The duke of Saxon the Lantgraue prepare theÌ to warre Paccen beheaded The Emperours aunswer to the FreÌch king Themper Heraulde came at Paris An assemble at Spires Lantrech be segeth Naples Contention about the Masse The papists forboden to preache The Ambassadour of the chamber imperiall to Strausbor The bishops letters The Masse put down at Stansbor Dissentid at Basil for religion They of Basill take armure Images put downe The Masse put downe Images breÌt on âsh wednesday The assemblie of Spir. The papists iÌ SwicerlaÌd make leage with kynge Ferdinando The Ambâ of Srausborough excluded The
it the alteration that hath chaunced in this our time is most notable of all others The Romain Empire whyche should both be the last and also much greater then the rest the prophet said shuld be deuided and brought from that huge and vnmeasurable great quantity to a right small thing as it is now manifest whiche only consisteth within the limites of Germany and hathe bene manye times in great hasard and daunger partly by reason of domesticall euils and partly throughe the factions of forain enemies But at the length God hath geuen vs such an Emperour as a more mighty hath not bene these many hondreth yeres For vnto him haue descended mooste ample realmes and prouinces which as they be most ritch and welthy so also be they mooste commodious for the doing of thinges in sondrye places bothe by sea and lande And like as he him self excelleth in power all other Emperors of Germanye that haue bene sence the tyme of Charles the great so also by reason of the thinges that haue chaunced in his time and gouernment is he most famous and notable But amonges all other thinges the alteration of Religion hath the chiefest place whiche with the beginninge of his raigne toke her originall For at that time whan the Emperour Maximilian departed out of this present life that matter had not ben in hand aboue .xiiii. monthes but what time the Princes electours chose this manne Emperour in a manner the self same time Luther beinge prouoked came forthe to reason the matter and disputed openly with Eckius at Lipsia and than fell men to theyr study on ether side Wherefore thempire of this man ought to be considered dilligentlye and waied with the memory of former times For god hath at euery time stirred vp certain great princes more no table thaÌ the rest wheÌ ether the state of religion or comon welth shuld be altred of the which sort was Cirus Alexander of Macedonie Iulius Caesar Constantine Charlemaigne Also Ottous of Saxonie and now he of whom we speake Charles the fift And certenly this alteratioÌ is of such sort wherof we now make mention that no man that knoweth the thing perfectly can thinck theof without great maruel and wonder For the beginning was ful small and in manner to be contemned and one man alone susteined the malice violence of all the world And yet might he him self haue ben appeased and quieted in case his aduersaries would haue taken the condition which at the beginning he offred them For he promised to kepe silence so that they would do the like But when they refused that and prescribed him a recantation and herein perseuered and he said that vnlesse they could first shewe his erroure he coulde not chaung his opinion the dissention increased the matter was brought before the counsell of thempire now is come to such a great maner as we se And by what meanes it came so to pas what thing the Bishops of Rome what the vniuersities what Kings Princes haue at tempted how he him self hath pleaded his own cause before themperour and counsell of princes how diuers men of excellent learning haue ioyned them selues with him howe the matter again hath ben debated in thassembles of thempire howe meanes of reconcilement haue bene assaid how oftentimes the Bishops of Rome haue bene in hand with the Emperour and other Kinges how oft they haue put them in hope of a reformation and of a counsel what persecution and burning ther hath ben what leagues and conspiracies haue hen made how this same religioÌ hath ben setforth not only in Germany but in other places also how diuers haue reuolted and others remained constant what tumultes warres and battels haue risen by this occasion these I say so great and sondry things to leaue vnspoken and not to commit them to memory by wryting I think ther is no man but would iudge it blame worthy Moreouer it is not to be passed ouer in silence what was the state of the common wealthe during this mans Empire by the space now of six and thyrty yeres what wars he hath kept what commotions and tumultes haue ben in the meane season and what things haue chaunced in all realmes and prouinces Neuerthelesse thordre that in this argumente shal be obserued hereafter shal be declared For like as this Emperor raigneth ouer moste large and ample dominions so hath he had also most strong and puissant enemies Wherfore the matters haue ben wonderful great that haue chaunced in this our memorye and duringe the raigne of thys Emperor And therfore certen yeres past diuers worthy and wel lerned men when they chanced to talke of such matters began to perswade with me that whosoeuer had chanced in these dais especially touching the cause of Religion I shuld put in wrytinge And here vnto dyd exhort me not for that I could do this best or for that ther wer not others much more mete for this purpose but because they saw me delite much in that same kinde of exercise and therefore supposed that through acerten natural inclination to the thing I should not bestow my time and labor amisse I my self doubtlesse who knew wel enough what a daungerous sea I muste enter into and how that case required an other maner of man endued with a greater wit eloquence Albeit I was almost in despair that I could bring the thing to passe yet vanquished by theyr auchority which had that opinion in me I determined to assay the thing And beginning from the time that Luther began to inuey against the selling of pardons brynging the matter still vnto the disputation of Lipsia appoynted by Duke George that same that I hadde so composed I sente vnto them that were my setters on at Woormes where that time was the counsel of thempire ten yeres past to read and peruse ouer They afterward by their letters by mouth also did more importune me that I should procede but not longe after ther chaunced a sorowfull time to Germany whan there arose warre which as it was a great let and hindraunce to study learning so did it also disturbe and let all my purpose doings For nether could I procede as I desired many times must I tarye and make delay but so sone as I was relieued from those euils especially those iii. yeares paste I imploide all my study and trauel herein and neuer reasted till I came to thend wished for And surely this worke is made chiefly and principally concerning Religion neuerthelesse for obseruynge an order I thought good also to put in polliticke matters Now as touching the whole narration after what sort that is euery man by reading shall easely perceiue Nothing becommeth an history better then truth sidelity And doubtlesse I least any man should finde lacke in me in this behalf haue traueled diligently For I haue written nothinge by lighte reportes or by hear say but I haue compiled my worke of publick records
same should be longer wanting so many learned men not only of Germany but also of foreine nations instantly requiringe me that I wold gratify them herein There be comming doubtlesse moste greuous commotions and wonderful alterations Which thing also the holy Scripture dothe nether doubtfullye nor daroklye Prognosticate and the present state of thinges doth plainly signify so that such as will applye theyr minde here vnto shall not want matter to wryte of but the same cause that moued me to wryte that is publicke vtility the self same perswadeth me nowe also that some thinges as I haue written and be comprised in these xxvi bookes I shoulde suffer to come abrode into others mens handes And this my labor and all my pains taken I wil dedicate whole vnto you moosie excelient Prince whiche are descended of that noble house and familie whiche fyrsto gaue harborow and refuge to thys Religion whose father did earnestly imbrace the same whose brother for the education of youth in true Religion and learning imploied a wonderful substaunce whose father in law for the self same cause hath a famous name among kinges And for so much as you also walke in these theyr fotesteps to your great commendation this worke which I hope wil profite many I trust will be to you also not vnpleasaunt The liuing God preserue your highnes safe and healthful Geuen the .x. Kalends of April in the yeare of our Lord. 1555. The first Boke ⧠The firste Booke of Sleidans Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common wale during the reigne of the Emperour Charles the fyfte The argument of the fyrst Booke THe Pardon 's graunted by Byshop Leo Luther reproueth by preachyng and wryting of proposicions and Letters sent to Tharchbishoppe of Ments the which are fyrst unpugned by Frete Tckell and Eckins and after by Siluester Prier as Hogestrate UpoÌ this the Pope sendeth Cardinal Caietane taduertise TheÌperour Maximilian to cite Luther to Rome but Fridericke Duke of Saxon founde the meanes that Luther aunswered Caietane at Auspurge The Cardinal what with threatenynges and what with thalligations of decrees mainteyneth thauthoritie and supremacie of the Pope Luther at his depertynge thence set by an Appellation Caietane solliciteth by letters the Duke of Saxon but in vaine whiche the Pope perceyuing publisheth a new remission of synnes by pardons And to wynne Duke Fridericke sendeth him a goldeÌ Rose In the meane tyme dieth Maximilian and great suite and meane was made taspire vnto thempire whiche in fine Charles of Austriche atchieued and word was sent him into Spaine The golden bulle lawes of Thempire are here recited Erasmus commendeth Luther And at the same time that the disputacion was at Lipsia Zwinglius preached at Zuricke and as Luther had don resisteth a perdoner there one Samson agraye Frere THE Bishoppe of Rome Leo the tenth of that name a Florentine borne after the vsurped auethoritie of his predecessours which he preteÌded to haue ouer all Churches had sent forth into al realmes vnder his Bulles of Lead indulgeÌces pardoÌs wherein he promysed cleane remissyon of synnes and euerlastynge saluation to all suche as would gyue money for the same for the leuiyng wherof he sent his Collectours into all Prouinces who gathered together and heaped vp great treasures in all places but speciallye in in Germanie And affirmed their doynges to be good bothe in wordes and writyng which pardons the Papistes call by an olde accustomed terme indulgences Grauntyng moreouer for money licences to eate whitmeat and fleshe on daies prohibited The same time was Martin Luther an Augustine Frere and professed diuinitie in the Uniuersitie of Wittemberge who beynge not a little tickled with the preachinges fonde bokes of these collectours for that he sawe howe the simple people beleued the thinges to be true that they bragged of began to admonishe men to be more ware and circumspecte and not to bie their marchaundise so dere For that the same which they bestowed vpon such trifles might be much better emploied This was in the yeare of our lorde a thousande fiue hondreth and seuentene And to thintent he might woorke the thynge to more effect he wrote also to the Archebyshop of Mentz the firste of Nouembre signifying both what they taught and also lamenting that the ignoraunt people should be so far abused as to put the whole trust of their saluation in pardons and to thinke that what wickednes so euer they had committed it should by them be forgeuen And that the soules of them that were tormented in Purgatory so soone as the mony were cast into their boxe should straight wayes flie vp into heauen and fele no more payne he sheweth him how Christ coÌmaunded that the Gospell should be taught and that it is the propre office of a Byshop to see that the people be rightly instructed Wherfore he putteth him in remeÌbraunce of his dutie and prayeth him that for the authoritie whiche he beareth he would eyther put those prattelinge pardoners to silence or els prescribe them a better order in teachinge lest a further inconuenience might growe vpon the same as doubtles there wil doo vnlesse they be inhibited The cause why he wrote vnto him was that for so muche as he was also Byshop of Maydenburg the care of al such matters belonged vnto him And with these letters he sent certen questioÌs whiche he had lately set vp at Wittenberg there to be disputed to the nombre of foure score and fiftene In the whiche he reasoneth muche of purgatory of true penaunce of the dutie of charitie and of their indulgences and pardoÌs at large and inueigheth against their out rageouse preachinges only of a certen desyre to boulte trie out the truth For he prouoked all men to come to that disputation that hadde anye thinge to saye and such as could not be there present he desyred to send their myndes in wrytinge protesting that he would affirme nothing but submitte him selfe and the whole matter to the iudgement of holy churche Neuerthelesse he sayd how he woulde not admitte Thomas of Aquine and suche other lyke writers but so farre foorth as they be consonaunt to holy Scripture and decrees of the auncient fathers To this the byshop aunswered not a woords But shortly after Iohn Tecela Frere Dominick set vp other conclusions at Franckford quite contrary to those of Luthers wherin he extolleth the supremacie of the Byshop of Rome with the frute of his pardoÌs and other lyke thinges in so muche as he compareth him with Peter the Apostle the crosse whiche he commaundeth to be set vp in churches with the crosse that Christ suffered vpon But where as no man of the coÌtrary parte wold repeare to the disputacion at Wittenberge the questions were suche as many were destrous to reade Luther wrote a longe exposition of the same and sent them first to Hierome byshop of Braundenburge and to one Stupice Prouinciall of
praiyng him also that he woulde further his suite to the Duke his maister that Luther the childe of Sathan might be punished that the noble house of Saxonie might not thorowe him be blemished And to the same effecte also he wrote to George Spalatine whom the better to perswade he said he was wholy geuen to plucke vp euillwedes out of Christes felde And after the same sorte wrote his vice Chauncelour also to degenart desyring him to moue Duke Fridericke to the imitation of his auncestors that he commit nothing vnworthy their famouse memory WhaÌ Meltice was come into Saxonie and had exhibited his Rose he folowed his suite right stoutly Whiche thynge once knowen Luther the thirde day of Marche writeth to the Bishop of Rome letters full of submission wherin he declareth howe greuously he is complained vpon vnto the Duke whose displeasure is no smal grief vnto him besydes that he is stil called vpon to recaÌte which if it might be for the honoure and dignitie of the Churche of Rome he will not refuse But since that in Germany therbe many wittie wel lerned men that are hable to iudge of the controuersie it should be rather a blotte and hinderaunce to the Churche of Rome than anye furtheraunce or dignitie for he hath done no iniurie therunto But those Collectours and Pardoners who for couetousnes vttered shamefull thynges to the people haue complained and accused him without deserte for he beareth such an affection towardes him and the Churche of Rome that he will attempt nothinge againste it And the power thereof to be so great that Christ onely excepted there is nothinge in this worlde more excellent He besecheth him not to credite his enemies And of Pardons he wyll make no further mention so that hys aduersaries maye be lykewyse commaunded to kepe silence He wyll also admonishe the people in his Sermons to thinke well of the Churche of Rome that they do not ascribe vnto it the auarice of others nor yet folowe his example who thorowe the Impudencie of his aduersaries was enforced to treate it vnreuerently briefely to do all thinges for a quietnes so that no errour or false parswasion remayne in the mindes of men Before Meltitius came into Germany Themperour Maximilian was departed out of this life in Austriche the vij daye of Januarye That time wer Princes Electours Albert of Mentz Herman of Collon Rycharde of Treuers Archebyshoppes Lewes the Palsegraue Fridericke duke of Saxonie Joachin Marques of Brandenburge the kingdome of Boheme had Lewes kinge of Hungry These beynge called to an assemblie by the Archebyshop of Mentz after the custome of the Empire in the month of June mette at Franckefourt a towne by the Ryuer of Moene all except the kinge of Boheme who sent thither his depute Ladislaus Sterneberge The Archebyshop of Mentz beginneth an oratioÌ who speakyng much of the weightie importaunce of the thing exhorteth them vnto concord declaryng by many exaÌples what an heape of euilles the dissention of the Princes Electours had brought into Germany within their fathers memorye And that they should nowe be all of one mynde and consent it is so muche the more requisite for that the greater daunger haÌgeth ouer them by the Turke and others which seke the spoyle of Germanye Two did aspire to the dignitie of thempire Charles Archeduke of Austriche who had three yeres before succeded Ferdinando kinge of Spaine his graundfather on his mothers side And Fraunces the Frenche kynge whiche foure yeares past had vanquisshed the Heluetians at Marignane and possessed the Dukedome of Millan And the kynge of Spaines Ambassadoures were comen alreadye to Mentz whiche is fyue miles from Franckefurt And the Frenche Ambassadours staied at confluence a Towne of the Archebishoppes of Treuers where the Rhine and Moselle mete From whence either partie by letters and messagers commended eche their prince to the Electours with the beste reasons they had to perswade Especially the Frenche meÌ who perceiued their cause to be lesse fauoured for that they differed froÌ the Germans in laÌguage lawes and maners They sente therefore to the Heluetians praiynge them to further the matter to the Princes who notwithstandyng dyd cleane contrarye exhortyng them not to chose him but some one prince of Germany And the Swises also wrote to Leo the tenthe praiynge him that for asmuche as it was hys parte to inueste and confirme the Emperour beyng once chosen he woulde se that it should not be geuen to any foreine Prince And he aunswered that he heard say there was one laboured for it that might not haue it by the lawe for the kynges of Naples are tributaries to the Bishoppe of Rome and haue promysed their faith not to couet the Empire but to be content with the one or the other and that he hath admonished the princes hereof alreadye He ment in this tale Charles of Austriche for he fauoured more the Frenche kynge euer syns he subdewed the Heluetians and led awaye Maximilian Sfortia Duke of Millan captife into Fraunce whiche was the yere of our Lorde M.D.xv. aboute the Ides of Septembre with whome in Decembre folowinge he mette at Bonony and there made a perfecte league of amitie with him Touching the kingdome of Naples thus it standeth What time Manfredus the Bastarde sonne of the Emperour Fridericke the seconde made warre agaynste the Churche of Rome Clement the fourthe Byshoppe of that name in the yeare of oure Lorde M. CCCCC.xv to th entent to represse hym did that whiche his predecessor Urban the fourth was aboute to doo And sent for Charles the Erle of Gaunte of the Prouince in Fraunce into Italy and made him kynge of Sicilie and of Naples yet vnder this condition fyrst that for suche a benefite receiued he should pay yerely to the churche of Rome fortie thousand Ducates Moreouer that he shoulde at no time sewe to be Emperour nor yet take it vpon him beynge offered freely When the Princes were comen to consulte the Archebishoppe after he had talked seuerally with Fridericke Duke of Saxonie whose Authoritie was verye greate begynneth the matter whiche he saieth is diuided into three questions Whether that Fraunces the Frenche kyng or Charles the king of Spaine or els some Germane be chosen Emperour Touchinge the French kynge saieth he I suppose we are prohibited both by our lawes and our othe also wherby it is prouided that the dignitie of the Empire should not be alienated to straungers And I thinke there is no man that doubteth but that he is a foreine prince And albeit that were no let yet were it not for the commune weale For he seketh all meanes to enlarge his kingdome he hath ioyned to it Millan he will attempte the same in Germany he will warre vpon Charles whome he hateth yea and hathe proclamed it already Germanye shall be tormoiled with vprores and we ought to forese that we styrre vp no Ciuill warres If he inuade Austriche as suerly he will do shall
straunger But I maruell muche why he preferreth the Spaniarde before the Frencheman Certes I lament the state of Germany For if we folowe the steppes of oure elders we shoulde nede no forayne helpe But nowe seyng that we seke vpon straungers what other thinge do we then procure our owne bondage But leauynge of this complainte I will folowe the same order that my lorde of Mentz hath done and speake fyrst of the lawe and of oure othe And the chiefe cause and ground of the law I suppose to be this lest if a foreine prince should be chosen that had no certen habitation in Germany the dignitie of thempire shoulde by litle and litle be alieuated to straungers If this be the meaning of the lawe then can no more the Spaniarde be chosen then the Frencheman But now if Charles may be created because he hathe landes lyinge within the Empire of necessitie the same must be of force also in Fraunces which hath Millan and other membres of our common weath Wherefore of two thinges propounded let vs see whether is better Certaynly whaÌ Fraunce was vnited to Germany then did our Empire most florishe in so muche that the remembraunce of that time doth not a litle delite me when I chance to reade the stories therof And now is the like occasion offered vs whiche certainly would not be let slippe Foreyne nations are also of this opinion the bishop of Rome the venetians all the Princes and cities of Italie For the Frenchmen come of the same ofspringe that we do and vse almost the same lawes and maners shewyng all loue and gentlenesse to our men And for the vicinitie therof are very necessary for the ItaliaÌs and vs. If any tumult shall arise straight waies shall an armye be ready and Fraunce shall paye their wages And if the Turke shall inuade either Hungary or Italye as verelye I thincke he wil shal it not be a goodly matter to haue so nere and so florishing an Emperoure fournished with the strength of either nation As for the Spaniards though they be accompted warlicke what notable thing did they euer in Italye without the healpe of the Germanes Furthermore because they be so farre from vs We can loke for no helpe at their handes in time And though they would neuer so faine yet can they not healpe vs greatlye For Spaine is so wasted with continual sayling that it can send forth no great nombre of men Moreouer we shall haue the Frenchmen our fellow souldiours and companions of our trauell and paines But the Spaniardes if any thing be wel done will haue al the praise to them selues they will enioye our boaties and rule our countries Then shal we bewaile our bondage all to late But I will leaue this comparison and come to the election If we chose the kynge of Fraunce there shal be none occasion of warre in Italy For he hathe Millan nowe in possession and we shall perswade him that he shall attempte nothinge against Naples nether against the base countreis of FlauÌders Artois so that they wil be quiet And yet I see not why we shoulde thincke that these countreis ought to be defended of vs. They be in dede oure neigbours but we haue no league with them neither do they obserue the lawes of thempire nor geue any thing towardes our coÌmon charges no more theÌ doth EnglaÌd or ScotlaÌde Seing than that the FreÌch kiÌges power is greatest that he hath LuÌbardy in quiet possessioÌ is furnished with al thinges necessary he wil attempt greater enterprises more honorable moue warre namely against the Turke bend al his power thither wardes that the cruel enemie expulsed out of HuÌgary Italy Germany maye liue at rest But in case we preferre Charles before him O liuing God what tumultes shall we raise vp in Italy He wil recouer Millan that wil be a long warre whilest this goodly couÌtrey shal be thus tourmoyled the Turkes will inuade Hungary with theyr whole power Who I praye you shall resiste them Or be able to bringe a sufficient Armie agaynst them These thinges would be consydered more diligently and not passed ouer lightly Nowe what the end of the Italyan warre shal be it is vncerten If the Frenche kynge conquere he will couet Naples and it maye be that the Byshoppe of Rome throughe his impulson will vndo oure Election what trouble will arise thereby euerye manne perceyueth righte well Agayne if Charles get the better hande let vs not loke to haue Italy restored againe the Spaniardes will kepe that to them selues foreuer And not onely that but wyll hardely let out of theyr handes this our Empyre About the kepyng of Naples the possession wherof it is wel knowen how they came by what misery haue they suffered they may not therfore be brought into Italy Now will I speake some thinges of either king I doubt not but king Charles is of a milde and gentle disposition for so is he reported of many but being but a yonge man howe can men discerne such vertues in him as be required in a mightye prynce The common welth had nede of suche a one as besides other thinges could establish reforme the state of the church as my Lord of Mentz here did wittely admonishe This verely can king Fraunces performe best of all men for he hath both a good wit and a good iudgemente hath oftentimes conferens with lerned men of religion and readeth muche him selfe Moreouer the state of this presente time requyreth a Prince and captaine skilfull in warres payneful and lucky But who shall in this behalf take the price away from Fraunces for his vertue is rightwell tried and knowen Of king Charles we haue noue experiment but that his towardnes promiseth some thinge but the other in prowes and dedes of Armes doeth farre excell all his auncestours For he hath latly ouercome in battaill the Swisers a mighty nation and neuer subdued syns Iulius Cesars time A yonge man therefore oughte in no wyse to be preferred before so worthye a Capitayne My lorde of Mentz doeth accompte it a discommoditie if theÌperour shold be longe out of Germanye but yet he biddeth vs take no thoughte for that matter But I thinke it a matter full of greate daunger to haue an Emperour absente farre withoute the borders of the Empire For who shall resiste the inuasions of the Turkes Who shall represse the sodayne insurrections and Ciuile vprours And there arise a tempest Who shall saue the Shyppe that wanteth her Master He shal know no certentie of oure affayres beynge absent many thynges shal be told him vntruely he shall haue no Germaines of his counsell but Spaniardes onely he wyll make many decrees and send them vnto vs farre out of tyme and season Afterwardes if he beynge tyckled wyth false complaintes and sklaunders should come into Germany at anyetyme an Armye of foreine souldiours In what state thinke you shall be our wyth Empire then
do one for another we shoulde also comforte the sicke therfore he which for so many causes was so greatly bouÌden vnto him had for his sake gathered this litle boke beyng not otherwise able to comfort him signifiyng that like as in mans body if the head do ake it greueth the rest of the membres taking the same to apperteine priuatly to euery of them so nowe that he lieth sicke the people not with oute iuste cause are all in teares and mournyng For the greatest part of Germany doth depeÌde vpon him and reuerence him as their chiefe ornament and refuge Afterwarde he maketh a booke of confession where he teacheth that we ought not to leane to the trust of confessioÌ but to the promise of God whiche forgeueth oure sinnes And that firste of all we muste confesse vs vnto God that who so confesseth him muste hate sinne and couet to amend his life That therehersall of euery sinne particularly is not necessary nor possible to be performed with diuers other things and last of vowes wherof he wrote a seueral work afterwardes In an other certaine boke he had said that he thought it expedient if by the authority of the counsel it might be permitted that all men shuld receiue the whole supper or as they vse to speke vnder both kindes Which saying for that it was contrary to the decrees of the last counsel of Laterane did offend many and among others Ihonbishop of Misene who coÌmaunded to be taught throughoute his dioces that the whole supper was comprised vnder one kinde and condemned Luthers boke whiche thing he vnderstanding maketh answer in such sort that he layeth not the fault thereof in the bishop but in certaine other vnlearned and troublesome persons vnto whome he saith that this wishe of his that such a decre might be made by the counsell deserued no iust reprehension no more then if he had wisshed that by a decree of the counsell it might be lawfull for pristes to haue wiues whiche Pius the seconde Bishoppe of Rome saide and wished Wherefore he oughte not to be blamed for wishyng the same He graunteth this to be a Decree of the counsell of Laterane But yet neuertheles the same to be contrarye to the fyrst and eldest counselles and the aunciente maner of the churche Agayne we dispraise the men of Boheme because they receaue vnder bothe kyndes wheras we kepe vs to the one halfe onely and yet haue they to make for them the institution of Christe and the maner obserued in the churche from the Apostels time til it was now of late daies And we haue nothing to aledge against them but the counsels of Laterane whiche is a lighte and verye weake reason for what maner of couÌsel that was it is wel knowen euen laughed at of the Romanes theÌ selues And thoughe it were of neuer so greate aucthoritie Yet for as muche as they can not proue the thinge by any reason of more antiquitie it is but a very mockery But concernyng the counsell of Laterane thus it was Iulius the seconde when he was elected Byshoppe promysed by a solemne othe with in two yeares space to holde a generall counsell this was in the yere of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundreth and three But whilest he made warre one while against the Frenche kynge another while against the Uenetians and nowe with the duke of Farrare and nowe with others and troubled all Italy Nine Cardinalles departed from him and came to Millan and called a general counsell at the Citie of Pisa the .xix. day of May the yere of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth and eleuen to begynne at the kalendes of September folowyng the chiefest of these was Bernardinus Cruceius William of Preneste Fraunces Cossentine wyth whome were annexed the Ambassadours of the Emperor Maximilian and of Lewes the Frenche king which intended by the same counsell to depose him from his bishopprike which he had got by briberye And nowe for as muche as he had broken his othe in that he had bene Bishoppe so many yeres and called no counsel nor pourposed to do they could suffer the christian common weale to be no lenger deluded And because these letters coulde not saufly be conueighed vnto him they set them vp in all his Townes in Italy admonishinge him to appeare there in parson at the daye appoynted Iulius vnderstandynge the matter maketh answere the fyrst of August That what time he was Cardinall he desyred nothing more than a generall counsell whiche is well knowen to kinges and princes to the whole College of Cardinals For euen for this cause was AlexaÌder the syxt sore offended with him And that he is still of the same minde also Howe be it that the state of Italy hath of late yeres bene so troublesome and was so lefte by Byshoppe Alexander that there coulde be no counsell called in suche aduersitie of time After he coÌfuteth their appoyntment for the shortnesse of time and the discommoditie of the place For Pise was a Towne torne and defaced with the warres of former yeres and all the countrie aboute layde waste Neyther that men can safely repayre thither by reason of the warres betwixte the Florentines and them of Seue Moreouer howe they haue none Authoritie to call it and that theyr causes alledged be most vntrewe Wherefore he commaundeth vnder the paine of excommunicatynge that no man obeye them Then called he a Counsell agaynste the nexte yeare to begynne at Rome vpon the ninetenth daye of Aprill in the Churche Laterane Where vnto subscribed one and twentie Cardynalles For this they saye is euer the Byshoppes policie when they are afrayde of a Counsell to appoyncte an other in some place mete for theyr purpose After this he warneth the Cardinalles that were agaynste hym to leaue of theyr enterprise and come to Rome offerynge them pardon but after they would not come he bannished them the xxiiij of Octobre and namely those thre which I spake of as Heretykes scisinatykes and traitours sendynge the copie of theyr prescription to Maximilian and alother kinges And because many Byshoppes of Fraunce had ioyned them selues with these Cardinalles he bannisheth them also vnlesse they forsake them and within a certeine tyme make their pââgation Againe when the cardinals had diuerse times rised him to the counsell in vaine and had sytten eyght tymes they suspends him from al as well ciuill as Ecclestasticall iurisdiction commaunding all meÌ ingenerall that hereafter they obey hym not Thys was in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fyue hundred and twelue the one twentye of Aprill The same tyme at Pauie was Philippe Decius a Euntian excellently well learned who set forthe a Booke in the defence of the Cardinalles cause againste the Byshoppe of Rome Afterwardes Maximilian forsakyng the Cardinals made a league with Iulius and with Fardinando kinge of Spaine and sent to the Counsell at Rome Mathew Lang Byshoppe of Gurce which at the sametime was
saufe conscieÌce Wherfore he besecheth him to prouide so that he may be out of all daunger that good and well learned men may be chosen for him to dispute with that he be not condemned before he be conuicte of Heresie that in the meane time his aduersaries may refraine theyr wonted rayling and cease from burnynge of his Bookes And that in case he shall nede hereafter to enterprise anye thinges els for Gods glorye and the trouthes sake that he be not by the Emperor impeched herin promisyng not to fayle but to come to Wormes whan he shall haue receyued themperors sauffeconduit Where he trusteth in such sorte to demeane him selfe and his cause before indifferent iudges that all the worlde may vnderstande that he hath done nothing by rebellion but for the common wealth chieflye of Germany to haue taken al this trauell to reduce men from many grosse errours to the sownde and pure doctrine He desyreth him moreouer that the Emperor and he woulde haue a regarde to the horrible bondage and miserable estate of Christientie oppressed throughe mere Papistrie Wherfore Cesar Collicted by the Duke wrote vnto Luther the syxte day of Marche That for so muche as he had setforth certeine bookes he was determined to heare the matter him selfe before the princes wherfore these be to signifie vnto him that he hath free libertie to passe and repasse safely without any daunger as more plainely doeth appere by the saufe conduict sent here with he commaundeth him therfore to take his iorney spedely and not to fayle to be with him within one and twentie dayes The Byshoppes of Rome haue accustomed on Thursedaye in the Passion weeke solemnely to curse and banne certeine kyndes of men Fyrst Heretikes secondarely Pirates then suche as eyther Reyse vp new customes or extorte that is forboden Also suche as couÌtrefeit the Bulles or Iustrumentes of the courte of Rome Moreouer they that sell any Armure to Turkes or Sarasyns and suche other vnlawfull wares They that let or hinder corne to be brought to Rome they that hurt any man suyng or belongynge to the Courte of Rome Furthermore all suche as worke any damage or violence to the possessyons or neighbours dominions of the Churche of Rome as namely the Citie of Rome Sicilie Naples Cardinie Corf Hetruria Spolete Sabine Ancona Flaminie Campanie Bononie Farrare Beneuent Perusie Auenion The former Bishoppes haue named for Heretikes the Garasians Pateronians the pore menne of Lions the Arnoldistes Speronistes Wicleuistes Hussites and the Fratricelles Leo the teÌth put to also the Lutherians and curseth them full blacke this curse is commonly called the Bull of the Lordes Supper Which Luther got afterwardes and translated it into Duche not without much myrthe and pastime When Luther had receued the Emperours letters he went to Wormes with the same Heralt but when he came almooste there there were diuerse that diswaded hym puttynge him in mynde howe his bokes were brent which was a certen preiudice of his condemnation and howe the same might chaunce to him as ded to Iohn Husse but he with a stoute courage contemned all perill sayinge that it was plainely the Deuyll that woulde put him thus in feare seynge that his kingdome should quayle by the confession of the trewth in so notable a place so came he to Wormes the syxt day of April The next day he was brought before the Emperour and the whole counsell of Princes Where as by the Emperours commaundement Eckius the the Lawyer spake vnto him on this wise There be two causes Martin Luther for the whiche the Emperor by the consent of the Princes and all the states hath sent forth commaundyng me to enquire of thee the same First wherther thou wilt acknowledge these Bookes to be thine and made by thee Againe whether thou wilt reuoke any thing in them or stande to the defence of all that is written therin Luther had brought with him a lawies of Wittenberge one Hierome Schurffe he had that the titles of the Bokes should be read and shewed which done Luther briefly repeting the questions propouÌded as concerning my Bookes saieth he I confesse and acknowledge them to be myne but whether I will defende all that I haue written to the intente I make trewe aunswere and do nothyng rashely and forsomuch as the thinge is of weightie importaunce I require a time to take deliberation When the thing was debated Albeit saieth he that thou myghtest easely haue knowen by the Emperours letters why thou waste sent for therfore nowshouldest seke no delay to answere yet Cesar of his clemencie graunteth thee one dayto take aduisement commaunding thee to be here to more we this time do declare what thou wilte do herein by mouthe and not by writynge For that he made this delay many supposed that he would not be constant When he came the next daye Eckius sayde vnto him yesterday thou wouldest not aunswere to the seconde demaunde but required a time whiche myghte ryght well haue bene denied the for euery man ought to be so certen of his fayth that he should aunswere therto at al times much lesse should a great diuine doubt or premeditate an answere but what so euer the matter be What sayest thou nowe wilt thou defend thine owne writinges Then Luther addressyng his aunswer to the Emperor and the Counsell of the Princes besought them to heare him paciently and if he should ought offende them eyther in wordes maners or gestures vnsemely for suche a presens to beare with him and pardoÌ him for the kinde of lyfes sake that he hath bene brought vp in for of my selfe saith he I can witnesse nothinge els but that I haue taughte syncerly hitherto those thinges whiche I beleue do concerne the glorye of God and the saluation of men And as concernyng my bookes I answered yesterday that they were made written by me but if any other hath added to any thyng that will I not take for mine Now to the secoÌde question The bokes that I haue wrytten be of sundrie argumentes For some apperteine onely to the doctrine of fayth and vertue whiche myne aduersaries them selues do commeÌde If I should abiure them I should not play the parte of an honest man others there be wherein I reprehended the Byshoppe of Rome and hys doctrine whereby he hath sore afflicted the Christian common wealth For who seeth not how pitifully mens consciens are vexed with his lawes and decrees Or who can deny howe craftely and disceiptfully he robbeth all countreis and chieflye Germany and maketh not yet an ende of hys rauenynge If I should abolishe these bokes I shoulde confyrme their tyrrannye And it shoulde be the greater preiudice to be done nowe by the authoritie of the Emperour and the Princes The thirde kynde is written agaynste certeine priuate men whiche woulde defende the Romishe wickednes and seke euery where to in trap me in the which I confesse to haue bene more vehement then became
Lordes Supper vnto whome it shall be gyuen from aboue Furthermore that Colledges were fyrst instituted not for Masses but that youth myght there be vertuousely brought vp in learnynge And the landes gyuen to fynde some to teach and some to learne and the reste to the vse of the pore And this vse to haue continewed in maner to the time of Barnarde But aboute foure hundreth yeares syns this Marchaundise of Masses began whiche is vtterly to be taken awaye And albeit the originall thereof were yet more auncient yet is not so great a wickednes to be suffered And in case any busynes shold come therof the same ought not to be ascribed to the doctrine but to the wickednes of them which for their owne lucre will impugne the truthe against their conscience And that we ought not to regard such inconueniences but to procede constantlye what trouble so euer shall come therof for all these thinges were shewed before of Christ Thys yeare Themperours brother Farnando Archduke of Austriche marieth the lady Anne sister to Lewes the kinge of Hongary Emonges so many aduersaries as Luther had Henry the eyghte Kynge of Englande wrote soore agaynst him And fyrst he confuteth his iudgement touching Indulgences and defendeth the Bishops authoritie After he reproueth all his disputations concerning the Sacramentes of the Churche taking the occasion of writing out of his boke intitiled of the captiuitie of Babylon Whan Luther knewe therof he answered most vehemently shewynge that in the defence of this cause he did not one whit respecte the highnes or dignitie of any parson For this cause the Bishop Leo gaue the kynge an honorable title callyng him the defendour of the faith Howe kynge Charles was chosen Emperour it is here to fore declared And wheras euer syns certen priuate dyspleasures did growe betwixte hym and the Frenche kynge it brake out into warres But fyrst in the borders of Spaine and of Flaunders The same tyme the Frenchmen kept Parma and Placence in Italy which the Bishoppe Leo was right sory for And when they had also of late atteÌpted Rhegium he vtterly forsoke them and entred into league with the Emperour wherof the chief condicions were these That the dignitie of the Churche of Rome should be defended that suche Townes as the Frenchemen of late had taken from him should be recouered that Frances Sfortia that time a banished man should be restored to his fathers seat and to the dukedome of Millan Thus ioyning their powers together they recouered of the frenchmen Parma and Placence and by force toke the citye of Millan and droue the French king out of Lumbardy which he had kept in quiet possession fullye .vi. yeares and afterwardes restored Sfortia by the conduit of prosper Columne Fernando Daualle marques of Piscare And not loÌg after these newes wer brought Leo departed not without the suspicion of poysening He was soÌne vnto Laurens Medices and had to his great grandfather Cosmus that was that great honor of that house Leo was made Cardinall when he was but .xiii. yeares old he liued not past seuen and forty his successor was Adriane the sixt a HollaÌder who had bene tutor to the emperour About the same time Soliman lately created Emperour of Turkes moued warre vpon Lewes king of Boheme and Hungary which had maried the Lady Marye themperours sister and besides many other townes and Castels he tooke Belgrade the chief fortresse of Hungary and placed therin a garrison Whilest Cesar maketh his abode in Flaunders and Germany greate seditions arose in Spaine Wherfore to the intent he might remedye the thing in time hauing first appoynted a couÌsel to minister the law and to see to the affaires of thempire he saileth againe into Spaine But before he toke his iorney the states of Thempire were all readye assembled at Norinberge concerninge diuers matters but chieflye the Turkyshe warre And Cesar sending forth his proclamation at the later ende of Marche warneth chiefly all ecclesiasticall parsons to pray and make theyr supplications vnto God Afterwardes the fyrste of Maye was aide graunted to kynge Lewes Themperour in his retourne goeth agayne to see the kynge of Englande whom to haue his assured frende agaynst the Frenche kynge he promyseth to geue hym yerely a hundreth and three and thyrtie thousande Duckates For so muche did the Frenchkynge paye yearely to the kynge of Englande and to his syster Mary the French quene Wherfore vnlesse he mighte be saued harmeles he would attempt nothing against him This treatie was made the thirtene day of Iune in the Castell of Wyndsore .xx. myles from LoÌdon And for a more entiere loue and frendship it was agreed that the Emperour shoulde take to wyfe the lady Mary the kynges daughter by his aunte Quene Kataryne and marry her wheÌ time should serue for she was then but seuen yeares of age Whethersoeuer brake of to pay to the other foure hundred thousande crownes The Frenche kynge bendeth all his force towardes Italy to recouer that he had lost you haue heard before of Zuinglius and now Hugh Byshoppe of Constance within whose prouince Zuricke is aduertised the Senate what complaintes he heard of Zuinglius and what a kynde of newe doctrine he had broughte in he defendeth hys cause before the Senate whome he satisfied After the Byshoppe wrote his letters to the College of Canons wherof Zuinglius was one speakyng muche of new doctours that troubled the Churche he exhorteth them to take hede and beware of them And for so muche as Leo the Bishop of Rome and the Emperour also haue by most streigth proclamations condemned thys doctrine he warneth them that they obey the same and neyther alter nor chaunge any thinge till they that haue Authoritie should decree some thinge by a generall counsell this was in the moneth of Maye When this Epistle was read in the Colledge Zuinglius whome it concerned wryteth agayne to the Byshop that he vnderstondeth right well by whose motiou he doeth this He admonisheth him not to folow theyr counsell for the trueth is inuincible and can not be resysted Afterwardes with a longer letter he answereth those whiche styrred vp the Bishoppe to write Then Zuinglius and certein others intreate the Bishop by their letters that he would not hynder the doctrine of the Gospell nor suffer any longer that filthy and sklaunderous life of pristes but permitte them to marrye And of the same effecte he writeth to all the Heluetians admonishyng theÌ not to stop the course of the trewe doctrine nor to worke any displeasure agaynste maryed priestes for of the single life the Deuill him selfe was author In many of theyr Townes it is the maner that whan they receyue a newe minister of the churche they bidde him take a Leman lest he attempt to defyle honest women whiche custome althoughe it be laughed at of many yet was it wittelye diuised as the tyme serued and in so greate darkenes of doctrine
depraued And the same that they did touchinge theyr concubines ought nowe to be euery where receiued for lawfull wines In the meane tyme Luther who had kepte him selfe closse cercertein monethes retorneth to Wittenberge fearinge lest the duke should it take in euyll part he writeth vnto him in Marche signifiyng that where as he is retourned without his commaundement he dyd so of no euill wyll or contempte he knoweth that some will beare him in hande that the same shall be daungerous for his grace for asmuche as he is condemned bothe by the Bishoppe of Rome and themperour Whose powers bothe are great this did he consyder before longe and ofte but there be three causes of his retourne fyrst that he was oftentimes requested by sundrye letters of the Churche of Wittenberge to retourne whose desyre he coulde not but accomplishe for that the same people are properly committed to his charge of God ought not to be neglected And albeit that some are muche offended with this refourmation of doctrine and reporte euill therof yet knoweth he moste certenly that this his profession is vnto God most acceptable Secondarely in the tyme of hys absence throughe the crafte of the Deuill who can not abyde this lyght of the Ghospell there was styrred vp trouble in his churche whiche vnlesse he him selfe were present coulde not be well appeased which matter was so great and weightie that it might be in no wise neglected for if the thinge might haue bene dispatched by letters he coulde righte easelye haue forborne Wittenberge Thyrdely he sayeth he feareth and doth in maner foresee a woÌderfull great tempest in Germany which so racklesly doeth contemne this present benefite of God For many in dede do embrace the trewe doctrine but in their liuyng they sklaunder it abusynge the libertie of the spirit after theyr carnall appetit Others be wholy gyuen to queÌch and oppresse the worde they rare not howe whiche contempte of his word God must nedes punnishe with one plage after an other as he did in times past the Iewes and theyr citie Hierusalem Wherefore it is his part and suche others as he is to admonishe all men hereof with their whole force and diligeÌce for albeit they should trauaile in vaine and be laughed at yet may not they therfore leaue theyr office vndone seyng that it pleaseth God who hathe committed vnto them the cure of soules wherefore he prayeth him not to be offended that he is thus retourned beyng neither called nor commaunded of him for sythe it is altogether Christes cause his trust is that he shall sustayne no displeasure or perill for his retourne The trouble whiche in his absence he sayde was in his Churche was this Andreas Caralostadius in the meane tyme that Luther was absente preached contrary doctrine and disorderlye styrred vp the people to caste the Images oute of the Churche For the which cause Luther beyng called againe of his frendes dispraiseth the rashenes of Carolostadius shewyng that fyrste the Images should haue bene remoued out of the peoples harts being instructed that God is not pleased with Images but with faith onely And then if they should be taken away the same to be done by the Magistrates and not by the tumulte and rage of the common people The same tyme began a secte of them that saide they had talke with God who had commaunded them that sleyng all wicked men they should begin a new world wherin onely the holy and innocent people should lyue and beare rule These kepte them selues priuelye in that parte of Saronie that lyeth by the riuer of Sala whose opinion as saith Luther Carolostadius also fauoured And when he could not bringe hys matters to passe at Wittenberge beynge defaced by Luthers aucthoritie he went from thens vnto them Of this sorte of men was Thomas Muncer whiche styrred vp the people against theyr magistrates in Thuringe and Franconie as shall be recyted in his place Luther hearyng that in the lande of Boheme there were some whiche in common assemblies counseiled to receiue agayne the Bishop of Romes aucthoritie or elles there shoulde neuer be ende of contention and controuersies he wryteth vnto them in the moneth of Auguste that their name was in times past odiose and hated of him before such tyme as he knewe the Bishop of Rome to be Antichriste But nowe syns God hath restored to the worlde the lyght of the Gospell he iudgeth farre otherwise and so hath professed in his workes in so muche that nowe the Byshoppe and all his Clientes are much more offended with him theÌ they are with them His aduersaries haue many tymes saied howe he was fledde into Boheme and in dede he hath ofte wisshed to go thyther but lest they shoulde call his iourney a runnynge awaye he hath altered his purpose And nowe is the matter brought to suche a passe that there is good hoope howe the Germaynes and the Bohemers shall professe the gospell the same Religion together Where many be sory that they be deuided into sectes they are not greued without iuste cause but if they reuolte vnto Papistrie they shall not onely not take awaye theyr sectes but increase and swarme in the same For there is no where mo sectes than is in the Romishe kyngdoÌ as is to be sene by the graye Freres which differ much amonges themselues And yet are all suche thinges done and mainteined by the Byshop of Rome whose kyngdome throughe mens discorde is nourished and establsshed For this is the verye cause whye he setteth Princes together by the eares and seketh alwaies to styrre vp matters of grudge and displeasure Wherfore let theÌ take goodhede lest whilest they go about to abolish those lesser sectes they fal into more pernicious as al those Romish be vtterly vncurable FroÌ the which now thorow Gods benefit Germanye is latelye delyuered And howe there is no better medicine to take awaye euill than if the Pastours of the Churche woulde setforth the doctrine of the Gospell purely and syncerely And in case they can not reteyne the weake people in theyr dewtie but that they wyll reuolte at the lest wyse let them indeuour to kepe styl the Lordes Supper wholy and the memoriall of Husse and Hierome of Prage vndetiled For it may be that the Bishop will attempt to take these two thinges from them chiefly Wherfore if any of them relent and graunr the tyrant bothe it shall not be well done of them Howe be it though ãâã Boheme do reuolte yet will he set forth and commende the doctrine of Husse vnto all posteritie Wherfore he praieth and exhorteth them ãâã perseuer in that state of Religion whiche they haue defended ãâã with muche bloud and valeauntnes neither through their ãâ¦ã yng blemishe the gospell that nowe florisheth And all beit that al thinges be not wel established amonges them yet will not God fayle them but whan he seeth time he will styrre vp some faythfull minister to reforme
eschewe the present daunger that hangeth ouer their owne heades Furthermore if there be any that say howe Luther was condemned before his matter was heard or that it were reason the thing shold be debated before he were executed they thinke not well for Christ hath taught vs the rule of faith Religion whose authoritie we must folowe and not reason of the articles of our faith nor inquire the cause of this or that precept He is in dede to be hearde when he is examined whether he spake this thinge or that in hys sermon whether he setforth this boke or that but touching faith and the Sacramentes we may not permit him to reason or defend those thinges whiche he hathe written thereof for in this we muste folowe the vse and custome of the Church and in no wise swarue from the same Againe sith hys doctrine is suche as hath bene heretofore condemned by generall counsels there is none accompt to be made therof Moreouer there should be no ende of coÌtention if it might be lawfull for euery priuate man to call in question those thinges which wittie and great learned men haue with muche deliberation established wheresoeuer is any asseÌblie or felowship of meÌ there be certein lawes which all they are bounden to obserue howe muche more oughte the same to be done what time anye thynge is openlye establisshed in the churche But seyng these men do not onely contempne the lawes and decrees of counsels and auncient fathers but also burne them they ought suerly to be punished as breakers of the common peace quietnes Neuertheles he confesseth howe that God which is the reuenger of all wronge doeth thus plage his churche for the synnes of the ministers therof as the Scripture saieth The iniquitie of the people procedeth from the priestes and elders for certenlye saieth he they haue synned at Rome these many yeres full greuously by sundry wayes euen from the highe Bishoppe to the lowest Ecclestasticall parson and not one to be excused for the which cause callynge mekely to God for pardon He wyll endeuour to redresse the thing and see that the court of Rome which perchaunce hath bene the occasion of all this mischief be fyrst sharpely refourmed And that as it hathe bene the example of vice so it may be the begynning of amendement and Patron of vertu which he saieth he must do by lytell and litell for that al sodayne mutations be daungerous and as the common prouerbe is He that bloweth his nose ouermuche shall wringe out bloude This writing dyd Luther translate in to the vulgare toungue and set to his notes in the margente and where he sayeth by lytell and lytell Luther affyrmeth that to be the space of many mens liues But in that he so frankely bewrayed the vicious lyuyng of the court at Rome he gote no great loue of the Cardinals as it is reported Neuertheles this they say is euer the bishop of romes policie when he wil deferre the couÌsel or delay the hearynge of the matter he will promise largely that whilest men trust vpon his promyse he maye fynde the meanes what by the fauoure of Princes and what by force of Armes to mainteine hys power dignitie which is like to fall in some daunger by fyre and generall counsels Whilest the Byshoppes Ambassador declared thus the Princes complained that the leagues which they had made in times past with Byshoppes of Rome were broken there diuerse wayes Whereof the Byshoppe beyng certifyed by the letters of his Ambassadour answereth them by the same that suche thynges as his predecessours dyd it lieth not in him to helpe but he misliked the handelyng of the matters at Rome when he was but a priuate man and purposed no lesse but to refourme the same thoughe no man had spoken therin and to suffer no man to susteine any wronge muche lesse them whom for the common countrey sake he coueteth chiefly to gratifie And where they desyre that their actions commenced might be retourned in to Germany so soone as the Iudges and aduocates whiche are fled oute of Rome for the Plage shall retourne he will inquire of the case and do therin that which shall seme resonable He commaunded moreouer his Ambassadour to require an aunswere of the Princes what in theyr opinion were the best way to destroy this pestiferous secte that he maye vnderstande in time what shall be his part to do therin These thinges beyng declared to the counsel the Princes and other states make aunswere Fyrste in recityng briefly his demaundes they say they are ryght glad that it hath pleased God to place him in the gouernement of the church which in this perilous time had nede of such a Pastour who beareth suche a zeale to the common wealthe and taketh suche paynes to set kynges at quietnes and emploieth hys treasure to the repressing of the Turkes violence whiche thynges they reioyse to heare of for by these ciuill warres thempire is decaied and the Turkes power increased where no man prepareth any Armye to resist him Here be the Ambassadours of the kyng and Princes of Hungary which not without great lamentation haue recited what cruell thinges they haue suffered and what daunger they stande in dayely Wherfore they desyre him which is the father Pastour of all others that he will perseuer in this most holy purpose and trauaile that eyther a suer peace or els a long treuce may be taken that in the meane time they may make preparation to withstande the Turkes violence and recouer the countreis of the Empire which are loste Whereunto they promise their aide bothe of men and money As concernyng Luther if any displeasure be growen in Germany by the meanes of his doctrine they are right hartely sory therefore as it becommeth them no lesse and desyre also to remedy the euyll knowyng it to be theyr duetie to obey both him and themperour nother wil they degenerat from their progenitours herein where he complaineth that he is not already punished according to the Emperours decree it is vpon no lyght consyderation omitted for all degrees do complayne most heinously of the courte of Rome And in maner al men are so wel instructed by the preachinges and bokes of Luther that in case the decree should be put in execution it would doubtles styre vp great sedition and many would so coustre it to be done for this intent that the trueth should be oppressed and the lyght of the Ghospell extinguisshed for the mayntenaunce of suche open crymes as were not to be borne withall which perswasion most certeinly would styrre vp a rebellion of the people against the Magistrates for it tan not be denied and he himselfe graunteth also that they lyue dissolutely vitiously at Rome to the great decay of Religion Wherefore in that he dyssembleth nothing nor clooketh the disorder of the court at Rome but promyseth a reformation it deseruith muche praise especially if he performe
enacted that mighte helpe the Common ãâã for the which cause he hathe sent thither Cardinall Campegius ãâã man of excellent vertue who can enfourme the Princes of his carefulnesse and ãâã towardes the Common weale and deuise with him priuately of the meanes of peace and quietnesse whereunto he exhorteth him ãâã gyue his mynde for the same thyng concerneth the prosperitie and dignitie of al magistrats And how he beareth a great good will vnto Germany hauynge good hope that they wyll not fall from their auncient vertue but helpe to eschewe publike daungers Wherfore he requireth him to shewe all good will and fauoure to hys Legate of whome he shall heare all thinges more at large At the sixe and twentie day of Ianuary the HeluetiaÌs called a conuocation at Lucerne There was a decree made that no man shoulde mocke or contemne Gods worde whiche had bene taught these thousande and foure hundred yeares nor the Masse wherein the bodye of Christ is consecrated to his honor and comfort of the quicke the dead that suche as be of lawfull age to receyue the Lordes supper do coÌfesse them selues to the priestwise in the Lent season that al men absteine from fleshe on daies forbidden and in Lent also from egges and chese That nothing of Luthers or any newe doctrine be taught priuely nor openly That suche as cary about the reliques of the holy gost the virgin Mary or of S. Anthony be not laughed at and that they do obserue all other olde customes they that offende herein to be presented to the Magistrates punished WheÌ CaÌpegius was coÌmen to Norinberge Duke Friderike was departed thence wherefore he wrote vnto hym the laste daye of February and sendinge also the Bishoppes letters he lamenteth that vnhappye chaunce that he can not speake wyth him presently hauyng many thynges to talke with him from the Bishop of Rome whiche can not so well be done by letters and messengers and be of suche sorte as maye abyde no delaye But seynge it will be no better after muche gretyng made in the Bishops name and his own he saieth that albeit the reporte be great that he should be a fauorer of these newe spronge vp Heresyes yet can not the Bishoppe hitherto nor he be so perswaded for the manyfold and excellent vertues which they perceiue to be in him And especially for that he hath bene euer a great fauourer of Religion and of the Apostolicall Churche whereupon he will not truste the iudgementes of others nother leaue the good opinion that he hath of him before he shall see cause and know it him self Germany hath bene wonderfully altered with in these fewe yeres coÌcernyng Religion but he vnderstandeth howe muche the commoÌ people do differ from the nobilitie and Princes the rulers of the lawes amonges whom he is as principal aswel by his own as also by deserte of his auÌcesters which haue euermore done great honor to the church of Rome Wherfore the Bishop requireth him that in these dauÌgerous dayes he woulde after the example of his elders declare his vertue of stoutenes not onely in mislyking this lybertie of the people but also in extremely punishing the same for vnlesse theyr licentious boldnes and malapertenes be restrained it will bring the lyke miserie and confusion into Germany that it did before tyme into Boheme and Hongary which are not yet quieted For they that do stubberuely contemne the sacred Lawes and Ecclesiasticall Magistrate will also vndoubtedly worke their violence against the Ciuil Magistrates whom they loue not Manye are nowe glad to see the Pastours of Churches and the Courte of Rome thus troubled and dispised whiche perceaue ful litel what daunger they them selues stande in But the Byshoppe whiche as the master of a shyppe sitteth watching at the Healme doeth foresee this storme approching and hath sent hym to warne all the Princes and him especially to beware of this tempest which is like to distroy not onely the citie of Rome but also Germany it selfe And for the same cause also hath sent letters by him and willed him to treate diligently with him of all these matters to the intente the tranquilitie and quietnes of Germany might be recouered For he is purposely sent to lifte vp them that are fallen and to receiue vnto grace such as are peniteÌt Whereunto albeit he is not very fit yet trustynge vpon his gentlenes he wil attempt it with al diligence wherfore seing that he hath taken this wery and painefull iorney he praieth him that he maye not want his helpe and fauor herein And that he woulde write agayne shortly what he thinketh best to be done And he will do for him againe what he can in the worlde After in the Counsell of the Princes he fyrste declareth howe that no man was willyng at Rome to take this voiage into Germany at the last was he appointed as one that may thanke the Germanes for all his promotions hauing two thinges to treate of Religion and the Turkishe warre And fyrst he marueleth muche that so manye greate and worthy Princes can beare with this alteration suffer the same Religion Rites and Ceremonies wherin they were borne brought vp and theyr fathers also and progenitours dead in to be thus defared and set at naught Which thing if it be not spedely reformed wil styre vp doubtles great commotions and rebellion of the people agaynste theyr magistrates This the hyghe Bishoppe fearing and consyderyng hath sent hym to deuise a way with them howe to remedie this matter Whose diligens herein if it be refused which as a good father and pastour wissheth well to all his Children and shepe there is no cause hereafter to laye any blame in him As touchynge the Turkes he denieth not but that there was money gathered for the same purpose and brought to Rome which albeit it was not employed all that wayes yet may not the coÌmon welth therfore in this calamitie of time be neglected what hurt that cruell enemie hathe done it is not vnknowen for by the negligens and cowardise of our owne men he hathe taken the Rhodes and the chiefest foretresse of Hongary The Rhodes endured an harde siege many monethes and at laste wantynge all thynges necessarye whan they saw no aide would come they yelded the like chauÌce was in Hongary Which if he should subdew wholly and bringe vnder his subiection it is to be feared lest they wyll become our enemies muche worse than be the Turkes But vnlesse this contention procedynge of this new doctrine be fyrst taken away the other part of the common wealth can not in his opinion be well holpen Hereunto the Princes answere that wheras he beareth this good will vnto Germany they are glad that he came thither and amonges them all they wyll chose certeine to conferre with him supposing that he hath some order prescribed him of the Bishoppe and his cardinals which they haue willed him to folow knowyng the matter so
wel as they do for the laste yere what tyme another Ambassador was here they wrote vnto him theyr mindes howe the daunger of this alteration should be foreseen and remedied And also what they required of him to be done for his parte Wherof if he haue brought any aunswer they desyre him to vtter it to the intent they may the better procede in the cause And as touching Turkishe matters they confesse to be as he hath sayd notwithstandyng that great warre doth not only concerne The Empire but all together kynges and princes of Christendome in like maner For vnlesse that they be at peace amonges them selfes and giue their aide ther can nothing be done to continew But for asmuch as the Turke nowe maketh great preparation vnto warres both by sea and Lande they would also knowe his opinion herin The Legate said againe that whether there were any such way by them deuised to appease the strife aboute Religion or whether it were deliuered to the Bishoppe and Cardinalles or no he can not certeinly tell but the Bishoppes good wyll is muche who hathe gyuen him full aucthoritie in all suche matters but they whiche knowe the men the maner and custome of the countrey must fynd out that way that may lead them to the ende wished for In the counsell at Wormes the Emperor by theyr common assent made a decree to haue bene executed thorowout all Germany which some obeied and some not Wherefore this great diuersitie should be in the Empire he knoweth not But he thinketh good before any thynge be determined to consulte howe it maye be executed he is not comen thither to styrre vp fyre and dissention as some reporte but all his desyre and the Bishoppes in like case is to make peace and concorde to th entent that suche as haue erred and straied may be reduced into the waie that the decrees of the counsels Themperors and Princes proclamations might be obserued concernynge their requestes whether they were made to be sent to Rome he knoweth not But three copies were brought thither to priuate men whetof he had one but the Byshoppe and the Colledge of Cardinalles coulde not be perswaded that they should be made by the Princes but thought rather that some priuate men had deuised for hatred and malice that they bare to the citie of Rome Wherin be diuerse thinges that deny the Byshoppes authoritie smell of Heresye and be suche as he can not meddle withall But for others that are not against the Bishop such as are grounded vpon equitie and reason he will not refuse to treate of Howe be it it semeth vnto him that the demaundes should haue bene propounded with more modestie if they had ought to say to the highe Bishop For so dyd lately the Spaniardes which sendyng an Ambassade to Rome declared geÌtely what theyr request was But wheras they be printed and publisshed abrode he thinketh that ouer muche And yet there is no doubte but that the Bishoppe of Rome wyll do for Germany what he can Moreouer what power the Turke hath and what preparatioÌ he maketh the bishop hath good intelligence And hath alredy great treasure in a readines and will haue more And for so muche as the concorde of Christen Princes is very requisite he hath done what he can that the Emperor the Frenche kynge and the king of England hauyng peace together might set vpon the Turke on all handes and he will employ therupon all his treasure This doeth the Bishoppe as a good sheperde foresee and care for peace and quietnes But in case the shepe wyll not folowe the voyce of the Sheperde he can do no more but take it paciently and commit the whole matter vnto God Amonges the Suyces encreased dayly coÌtention for Religion And the rest of townes sendynge theyr Ambassadors to them of Zurycke shewed theyr grief How that in tymes past all thinges were at a godly quiet and no contention of Doctrine at all But nowe through the meanes of Luther that fyrst began and Zuinglins and Leo Iude that preached amonges them interpretinge Godes worde after theyr owne iuste and appetite that godly peace and quietues of the churche and the common weale is nowe tourned into trouble and dissention And besydes that these incommodities do ensew vpon fastyng dayes they eate bothe Egges and Flesshe Religious folkes aswell men as women forsaking theyr profession and orders do marrie Gods seruice is laide downe they singe no more in the Churche they neglect confession and penaunce the Masse is railed on our Lady and the sainctes dishonoured theyr Images pulled downe and broken the sacramentes had in contepte in so muche that nowe a daies the sacred holy host that representeth Christes body can skarsely be safe in the Priestes haides These are thinges to be lameÌted and to be auenged also with the losse of life and goods Wherfore they desyre them to leaue their newe doctrine and perseuer in the olde religion of their fathers for they can beare this gere no longer But in case there be any thinge wherin they fynde them selues offended with the Bishop of Rome Cardinals Byshoppes and suche others whan they entre into benefices choppe and chaunge them and gather vp all the money in the countrey vsurping and taking ouer muche vpon them if these and suche other like things do molest and greue them they will not refuse to helpe to reforme the same for they do mislyke them very muche them selues The Senate of Zuricke aunswered the .xxi. daye of Marche that their ministers of their church had preached there fyue yeares Whose doctrine at the begynnynge semed vnto them newe because they had not heard the like before but after that they vnderstode how the ende therof was to shewe Iesus Christ the aucthor of saluation who dyed for the sinnes of the world who a loue deliuered vs wretches froÌ death euerlasting being the onely aduocate of mankinde to God the father they could not but wyth feruent desyre embrace so ioyful newes there was great agrement and concorde in times past betwixt the Apostles and those which after theyr time embraced Christes doctrine the same they trust shall be nowe also amonges such as giue their minds hereunto And if Luther or any other do so teache it is well done neyther ought Gods word to be called his doctrine And although they do honor Christ only yet do they no iniurie therfore to the virgin Marye or other saints For al they being here in earth loked for eternall saluatioÌ by the onely name of Christ and nowe is there such a light giuen that in maner all men within their citie do reade the Bible diligently so that the ministers can not wrast a wrye that is so continuallye in all mens handes wherefore there can be no secte obiected vnto them but that name accordeth to them which to mainteine their lucre and dignitie wraste Gods worde whither they list They are said to be in an error
before a noble yong man Whom Muncer against the lawes of Armes had slayne wherwith the princes being more displeased caused the trompettes to souÌde to the battel set their meÌ in order ThaÌ Philip Lantzgraue of Hesse though he were yongest of them all ryding vp downe froÌ one coÌpany to another exhorted the soldioures to be valcauÌt And although the thinges were trew wherof they were accused yet were it not lawfull for the subiectes to rebell against their princes or magistrats vnto whom God hath giuen the sword wold haue them obeyed as may be proued by sundry places of Scripture He wente not aboute to execuse eyther his owne faultes or any other Princes but to confesse theyr fault graunt that many thinges ought to be amended yet ought the people neuerthelesse to absteyne from all seditioÌ For where they alledge that they are not permitted to haue the doctrine of the Gospel it is no iust cause to make any rebellion Whan Peter stroke with the sworde he was rebuked of Christ if any Princes do persecute the trew religion they ought to beare with them yea suffer death rather than to resist by force of Armes They take the name of the gospell for a cloke but theyr intent is in dede to take other mens goods to sley the Magistrates to force other mens wiues that no crimes should be punished and for asmuche as they pretende the name of holynes in these so shamefull deedes there is no doubte but God wyll plage their Hypocrisie and reuenge the blasphemie of his holye name When he had with these and suche other like wordes encouraged hys men to fyght they gaue the charge on theyr enemies and fyrst wente of the ordinaunce And the other poore wretches standyng all amased and as men rauished of theyr wittes neither defended them selues nor sought theyr saftie by flight but songe in Duche mytre requiringe the aide of the holy ghost For many trustyng to Muncers promise looked for helpe from heauen When the greate peces were shotte of and that they entred theyr campe and had slayne many at the laste they fled towarde the towne of Franckuse others went againe to thother syde of the Hill and in the valley beneth skirmished wyth certeine horsemen and slewe two or three of them For the Horsemen scattered them selues when theyr enemies fledde and folowed the chase oute of a raye But when they missed of their company they wer in such a rage that to reuenge theyr felowes death they slewe fyue thousand And immediatly after the battell was the towne taken and thre hundreth there beheaded Muncer was fled into the Towne and hyd him selfe in a house not farre from the gate Hither by chaunce came a gentleman and his seruaunt goyng vp to see the house founde in a chamber aboue one lying in his bed He asketh what he is and if he be not one of the rebels that fled He sayd nay he had layue there sycke a good whyle of the Ague His Purse as it chaused laye vpon his bed that chatcheth vp the other thinkyng to haue a pece of money After he had opened it he fouÌd letters which Albert Countie Mansfelde had sent to Muncer admonishynge him to cease from his enterprise and styrre not vp the people to rebellion When he had red the letters he demaunded of him whether the letters were written vnto him He denied it thother threatened him then he desyred him to be content and confessed that he was Muncer Then was he led to duke George of Saxonie to the LaÌtz graue and beynge demaunded of them why he had thus abused the poore and simple people He aunswered that he had done nothinge but his dewtie And that the Magistrates whiche can not abyde Godes word ought thus to be punished The Lantzgraue replied and proued to him by Scriptures howe God hath commaunded the Magistrate to be honoured and obeyed howe he hath forbidden all sedition and that it is not lawfull for anye Christian to reuenge his owne wronge Wherunto he aunswered nothing And beynge examined vpon the Racke when he cried oute for paine The duke said vnto him thou art nowe Muncer in payne but remembre againe the losse of so many men as beyng wickedly abused thys day haue bene distroied Then with a greate laughter he saide they would haue it so Afterwardes being led to Helderunge a towne of the couÌtie MaÌsseldes vpon the Pymebanke there he appeached many companions confederats of his conspiracie which were beheaded at Mulhuse and amonges others Phifer before mentioned When he should be executed he was not hable to receite his belefe but as Henry duke of BruÌswicke saide it before him But when he shoulde die he acknowledged his offence and error And beynge inuironed with soldiours he exhorted the Princes that they would shewe more mercy to poore men and reade ouer diligently the bokes of Scripture that are written of kynges He had no souer spokeÌ thus but the sword was in the neck of him and for an exaÌple his head set vp on a pole in the middes of the feldes What time he was banished out of Saxonie as I saide before wanderyng from place to place and at the last as it was reported purposed to come to Mulhuse Luther hearing thereof wrote his letters to the Senate admonishyng them in no case to receiue Muncer For he was a sedicious parson and imagined nothing but murther and mischiefe signifiyng what thinges he had attempted at Alstet and other places Moreouer his doctrine to be fonde and pernicious whereof he wylled them to beware for shortly would his craft be knowen with other frendly wordes which he saide if they contempted and fell after into misery he shold be without blame that had so diligently warned them and they should repente them to late Likewise before anye tumolt was in Germany And yet all thynges lyke to come to suche a passe Luther set forth a boke wherein he warned all men to abstayne from sedition declaryng that the same is not the way to refourme the tyrrany of the Clergie which shall fall and be confounded by no force of men but by the spirite of God and commyng of our Sauior Christ as appere in Daniell and sainct Paule This to be the grounde of hys opinion and to be right well assured that they that seke to redres the thinge by force of Armes shall trauaile in vayne Yet for so muche as some great tumult and daunger haÌgeth ouer the Cleargie the thing requireth counsell he wyll Franckly declare his opinion And fyrst to be the Magistrates dewtie to foresee that the people susteine no hinderaunce through the fault of others And that trew religion be not defaced by false doctrine This to be theyr propre office to vse all theyr power that is giuen them to the glory of God and welth of the people But for as muche as they do the contrary and let one
shoote al at this marke to haue all equalle and of one state and condition whiche is fonde and absurde For this ciuile lyfe and gouernment of the publyque wealth can not endure vnlesse there be a difference of persones that theremaye be some free and some bounde some to rule and some to obeye The rest concerning wylde beates wooddes waters pastures paymentes of money and suche other lyke I leaue to be disputed of Lawyers for they touche not my dutie whiche is to instructe the myndes of men in Godlynesse And nowe ye men and brethren this is my mynde and counsell whiche you desyred to knowe Nowe shall it be your partes for as muche as you saye ye wyll obeye the Testimonies of Scrypture to hearken vnto the same And not by and by so soone as it shall comme to your handes to make an outcrye as though I flattered the Magistrates and taught you not ryghtly but ponder the whole matter and waye all my reasons dylygentlye For certenly the cause is your owne And aboue althinges be ware of those preachers that pricke you forwarde I knowe that sorte of men ryght well they leade you head longe into daungers that they myght get preferment and ryches through your peryll The cause why Luther doeth so muche caste in their tethe the false tytle that they bragged of was this for that in all their lettres that they wrote to prouoke and allure others to their felloweshyppe they made their boaste that they toke armure vppon them for Gods commaundement and for a certen loue and zeale to the common wealth to the intent the doctrine of the Gospell myght be set forth augmented and mayntayned that truthe equitie and honest lyuyng myght reingne and floryshe and that they myght so prouyde for theÌ and theirs that hereafter they be not oppressed with any violence and whan thei had thus at fewe woordes declared the cause of their enterpryse they woulde than commaunde their neighbours by and by to put on Armure and come vnto them immediatly and helpe them if not than would they threaten to come vpon them withall their power What tyme Luter had thus aunswered the commotioners admonyshyng also the Princes and the nobilitie by wrytynge sayeth vnto them All the trouble and busynes that is at this daye is altogether longe of you chieflye that beareth the Tytle of the Churche whiche cease not yet at this daye for all my preachynge to persecute the doctrine of the Gospel and that again your conscience secondarely you that are Prynces and cyuyl Magistrates beyng wholly addicted to exacte and gather vp money you care not by what meanes so that the poore people are no longer hable to beare the burthen and al to mainteyne your ryot pryde and voluptuousnes Wherfore there hangeth assuredly a wounderfull daunger ouer you as a sworde dependynge ouer your neckes by a twhyne threde And yet are you in the meane tyme so carelesse as though no man were hable to displace you but this securitie wyll doubtles hurte you one daye for God powreth out some tyme his indignation vpon Prynces as it is read in the Psalmes I haue oftentymes admonyshed you to beware therof but no warning wyll serue Wherfore Gods whrath wil fall upoÌ your heads vnlesse you amende your lyues The signes and wounders that are seene in all places doe pretende no good We maye easely coniecture that Gods anger boyleth against vs for that he permitteth false doctours to be so muche estemed amongst vs to the intent we beinge lead by them into errours and darkenes myght be plaged worthely Moreouer this rebellion of the people whiche wyll vtterlly destroye Germany vnlesse God moued with our Prayers send some remedy And your gouernment is at this daye after suche a sorte that men neyther can nor wyl nother ought in dede to suffer it any longer You must be cleane altered and gyue place vnto Goddes worde And if the people bryng it not to passe at this tyme others shal succede for albeit you kyl vp these yet God wil reise new which worketh this warreth against you and seketh to plage your wickednes Dyuers of you haue made your boaste that you would spende al the goodes and laÌdes you haue vpon condicion that Luthers doctrine myght cleane be taken away And what is not the thing brought no we to the effect God forbydde I should ieste in these weyghty matters The Iewes in tymes paste sayde how they had no kyng but at the last the state of their common wealth came vnto that passe that they want a kyng for euer for many of you not content with your former faultes woorke a newe iniury to the Gospell affirmyng that all this hurly burlye is the fruicte that spryngeth of my doctrine Well go to rayle on styll hardely you wyll not knowe what my doctrine is nor vnderstand the voyce of the Gospell whiche is the signe of an obstinate and a malicious minde I haue euer from the beginnyng taught quietly and haue abhorred all sedicion I haue earnestly exhorteth the people to be obedieÌt to the hygher powers nay rather I haue admonyshed theÌ to beare with your Tyranny and wicked gouernment And hereof you your selues can beare witnes Therfore hath not this sedition proceaded of me but those bloudy Prophetes no lesse ennemies to me than to you haue brought in this mischief seducing the people haue ben about this thre yeares and more and no man hath resisted them so muche as I alone If god hath now for your synne permitted sathaÌ by those bluddy prophets to styrre vp the rage and fury of the people against you and that it shall not lye in me to let or appease the storme say I pray you what faulte can be layde in me or the Gospell whan this doctrine whiche I professe hath not only borne with your crueltie hitherto but also prayed vnto God for you hath commended your authoritie and state to the people and maynteined the same with high commendacion But and if I coueted nowe to auenge the iniuries that you haue done me I myght laughe in my slyue and be a loker on this cruel tragedy or assist the furious people and as the common saiyng is increase the flamme with oyle and be as sharpe nayle in the sore wherfore noble Princes I require you earnestly that you despyse not myne admonition nor set lyght by this same sediton Not for that I feare left they shoulde be able to destroye you for I would not you should dreade that but that the Ire of God should be be fearfull vnto you For if he intede to plage you worthely whiche thynge I feare you shall not escape the daunger although the power of your ennemies be neuer so small Therfore if any place as yet remayne for counsell I pray you gyue place vnto fury and appease this matter wittely And for so much as the end is vncerten and Gods wyll vnknowen it shall be mete for you firste to trie
therfore departing from Wittenberge as before is mentioned had kept familiaritie with those secrete teachers that fayned themselues to see visions and to haue talke with God for the whiche causes the Dukes of Saxony had banyshed hym out of his countrey And he had set forth bookes against Luther and his fellowes callyng them newe flatterers of the Romyshe byshop and suche as taught amysse concernyng the masse confession of synnes Images and other thinges And those wordes of Christ This is my body he interpreted thus here sytteth my body and rayleth on the Duke for exylyng hym but layde all the blame in Luther Whereunto Luther aunswered at large defendyng his opinions and affirmed the cause to be iust wherfore the prince had banyshed him Now after this sedition was opressed the armies of the commoners discoÌfited and many executed dayly in al places Carolostadius beyng afrayde of his own parte coÌpyleth a booke wherin he pourgeth him selfe ryght dilygentlye affirmynge that they doe vnto hym great iniurye that reporte hym to be one of the authors of this seditioÌ And writiÌg his letters to Luther desyreth hym earnestly to set forth this same booke to defende his innocensie that he be not vniustly condempned and neuer come to his aunswere Luther wryting an epistle that all be it he dissented much from hym yet for asmuche as in this distresse he fleeth vnto hym for sucour he sayeth he would not disceyue his expectacion herein considering chiefly that this is the very dewtye of a Christenman Wherfore he desyreth the Magistrates and all others in generall that in so muche as he vtterlye denyeth the thyng that is layde to his charge and refuseth not to come to his answere before any lawful iudge the same might be grauÌted him whiche standeth both with equitie and iustice After this Carolostadius sendeth Luther an other boke wherin he protesteth that suche thinges as he wrote of the Lordes supper was not to defyne or determine any thing but by way of disputatioÌ to searche out the truth Luther admitteth the excuse but he warneth al men to beware of his opinion for so much as he is doubtful in it him selfe or els if thei doubt in lyke case to suspende their iudgement tyl such tyme as it be certenly knoweÌ what to beleue therin for in thynges that we must beleue we ought not to doubte or wauer but to be so certen that rather than to forsake our opinion we should not refuse to dye a thousand tymes In those dayes Luther maried a Nunne wherby he gaue occasion to his aduersaries to speake euyll of hym For than they sayd playnly he was madde and became the seruaunt of the deuill At this tyme Zwynglius the minister of the congregation at Zurick agreing with Luther in all other thynges dissented from him touching the lordes supper For those wordes of Christ this is my body Luther vnderstode barely and symply after the texte of the letter admitting none other interpretation affirming the bodye and bloude of Christe to be verely in the bread and wyne and so to be receyued with the mouthe also but Zuinglius taketh it to be a trope or a fygure as many others mo are to be found in the Scriptures and expouÌdeth the wordes thus This signifieth my body Wherunto subscribed Oecolampadius a preacher at Basill interpretyng it thus This is a signe of my body The matter was haÌdled on eyther syde with much contention wryting The SaxoÌs held the opinioÌ of Luther the Zwicers of Zwynglius There followed others which did expouÌd it otherwise but they all agreed in this opinion that the body blud of Christ is receiued spiritnally not corporally nor with the mouth but with the hart This coÌtention endured the space of .iii. years at the last by the meanes of the Lantgraue they came to a coÌmunication at Marburg as hereafter you shal here Also the couÌsel of thempire appointed a litle before at Auspurg because few came thither by reason of the tumultes in Germany was proroged to the first of May in the next yeare folowyng at the which time Ferdinando put theÌ in hope that the Emperour would be there him self and the place was appointed at Spyres Neuerthelesse it was decreed that in the meane tyme the preachers should expound the scriptures to the people after the mindes of the doctours whiche the churche had receiued and not to teache sediciously but so as Gods name may be gloryfied quietnes maintained Whilest Fraunces the French kyng was prisoner in Spayne Ales his mother had the gouernment Who to kepe in the byshop of Rome signified vnto him by letters messagers what a zeale and affection she bare towardes him and the churche of Rome Wherupon ElemeÌt the seuenth writing to the court of parliament in Paris signifieth how he vnderstode by her that certen heresies began to spring vp in Fraunce against the auncient faith and religion how they haue wittely forseing the thing chosen certen men to punishe such offendours whiche thing he confirmeth also by his authoritie wyllyng them to be diligent herein both for Gods glory and also for the welth of the Realme With many other faire wordes of exhortation to perseuer in so doing Which letters being dated at Rome the xx day of May were deliuered to the Senate at Paris the .xvij. daye of Iune Moreouer in the kinges absence the diuines of Paris had so euill entreated Iames Faber of Stapulles who hathe written dyuers workes both of Philosophie and diuinitie that they droue hym out of Fraunce Wherof the kyng being certified by the lettres of his sister Margaret which loued Faber for his vertue writeth to the Senate of Paris in his behalfe geuyng him a Godlye testimony for his learnyng and vertue and that he is in much estimation amonges the Italians and Spanyardes wherfore he wileth them to surcease and let the action falle till his retourne or his pleasure further knowen beyng assured that it is by euyl wyll commenced against hym by the doctours of Serbone for the matter was heard before his commyng from home These letters being dated at Madricea town in Spayn the .xij. of Nouembre were delyuered at Paris the .xxviij. of the same moneth It was a thyng geuen to the deuines in tymes paste to rayle vpon learned men the cause was that they sawe their ignoraunce dispised This yeare was the state of the common wealth altered in the lande of Pruse the vttermost prouince in Germany bordering on the We shall repete the matter from the beginninge In the Empyre of Henry the syxth the sonne of Frederick Barbarosse what tyme the Christians warred to recouer Hierusalem there was instituted an order of Knyghtes of Germany whiche because they fought for religioÌ did weare the whyte crosse on their garmeÌts as a badge of their profession This was the yeare of our Lorde M. C. and foure score and ten The first maister of that order was chosen
appeale to a general counsell in the same maye all griefes be decyded and I requyre that the same maye be called so shortlye as may be Where he speaketh of two lightes he followeth herein the wordes of Innocentius the thyrd which applieth the two great lyghtes that God created the one to guyde the day the other the nyght to the byshops and princelyke dignitie But that whiche ministreth Godly thinges to be muche more excellent then that which gouerneth polytike matters only And loke what different is betwyxte the sonne and the mone so great a diuersitie is there betwyxt the office of the high byshop a kinges office Whan Cesar had made this aunswere to ClemeÌt he wryteth also to the coledge of Cardinalles the sixt day of October signifiyng that he is not a little sory to heare that byshop Clement is confederated with the French kyng who reneweth warre agaiÌst him afreshe how the bishop hath sent him letters of defiance which he supposeth were writteÌ by their coÌmon assent wherat he marueleth not a little considering there is no kyng that beareth more loue and affection to the churche of Rome than he Witnes Parma Placence whiche being cities of the Empyre and plucked from it of late he hath not withstanding restored to the churche all be it he was by no ryght bounde so to do And the princes and states of Germanye coÌplayned vnto him at Wormes of sondry iniuries done by the courte of Rome and required a recompence but he for a singular loue naturall inclination towardes the churche of Rome passed ouer their requestes with deaf eares And where as great sedition and trouble ensued therupon through out all Germanye and the Princes there had appointed another counsel he for the indemnitie of the bishop church of Rome countremaunded the same vnder a great penaltie and to appease their myndes he put them in hope of a general counsell to be holden out of hande Wherfore the byshop hathe done hym great iniury whiche hath done so muche for his sake that he hath by the same meanes lost the good wylles of the princes of the Empire he desyreth them therfore to admonyshe the byshop of his duty that he appointe a counsell and perswade hym to incline his mynde to peace rather then to warre whiche if he refuse and wyll differre the counsell that then they would call it for if the christian coÌmon wealth susteyne any losse or dammage eyther for the want of a counsell or for long delaye of the same it ought not hereafter to be imputed to him After the newes came out of Hongary of the great ouerthrowe there the prynces set forward their Ambassade appointed at Spires to the Emperour with the great spede And for the more expedition they intreate the FreÌche kyng to graunt them a saufeconduicte to passe into Spayne through Fraunce whiche he graunted prescribing them a certen tyme to passe in and toke an occasion hereby to wryte vnto them the .vj. of Octobre That for the losse of Hongary the death of Lewis the kynge and the daunger that approched Germany he had conceiued an inwarde sorowe in his minde and nothyng lesse lamented that the publique wealth also peryshed through ciuile warres it was not surely loÌg of him that Christome is not quiet but this to be the Emperours faulte who refuseth al honeste and reasonable conditions of peace And for so much as he is neither moued with the coÌmon losse destruction nor with the moste vnworthy death of his brother in lawe king Lewis nor yet with the miserable estate of his owne sister now a wydowe nor coÌsidereth not in what daunger standeth Austriche they shal do wel according to their dutie if they can exhorte perswade him vnto peace to kepe loue amitie with kinges that dwell nere hym and refrayne this vnmeasurable couetousnes for this should be more honorable for hym than if he styll endeuour to get other mens landes and possesse all him selfe alone his progenitours kynges of Fraunce haue often times fought many battelles with the ennemies of christentie the same myght nowe be done with their powers ioyned in one if the Emperour be so mynded wherfore in case they can deuise to bring this thing to passe he wyll bestowe on the Turkyshe warre al his force and him selfe also but if not no man blame hym if he assaye to recouer by force of armes suche thynges as by good wyll he can not for it staÌdeth him vpon rather to seke for peace which is nerer the Turkes daunger thaÌ he is Whan Cesar was aduertysed of these letters the .xxix. of NoueÌbre he writeth to the Princes and first he rehearseth howe mercyfully and gently he vsed the Frenche kynge prysoner howe he set hym at lybertie howe he gaue hym in marriage his eldest syster to hym in degree of succession the seconde And where as he all thynges beyng quyeted as he supposed was takynge his iourney into Italye to the entent he myghte bende hys whole force agaynste the perpetuall ennemyes of the Christiane Religion he breakynge his fidelitie and makynge a league wyth Byshop Clement and certen others and deuydynge emonges them the kyngdome of Naples whiche they had alreadye in hope conceyued to be theyr owne Renewed mortall Warre By meanes whereof he coulde not delyuer the countrey of Hongary from the violent fury of the Turkes being forced to defende his owne limites And where as he pretendeth to lament the death of kyng Lewis and destruction of Hongary it is a playne dissimulatioÌ to the intent he myght by some meane put to silence such as founde his letters and do constantly affirme that the Turke atteÌpted this warre through his instigation When he was in Spayne and synce his retourne home also he confirmed by his letters the obseruation of conue nauntes but for as muche as he hath his kingdome liyng in the middes of all Europe he is carelesse and seketh warres contention therby to make his profite Besides the wrytinge before mentioned there came forth in the French kinges name an Apologie in his defence declaring the causes why he staÌdeth not to the peace of Madrice Wherunto an answere was made in the Emperours behalf at large For as muche as the Turke had Buda with a great parte of Hongary oppressed the people miserably being a great terrour to Germany CerteÌ princes of the Empire consulted at Eslyng to write spedely to the Emperour intreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly as might be in consideration to the great daunger that than hanged ouer the Empire in these letters written the .xix. of DeceÌbre they make mentioÌ of the Ambassade that they were determined to haue sent vnto hym but because they should haue trauailed through Fraunce the kynge wold graunt them saufe conduict but only for .iiij. monethes wherof one was past before the Ambassadours should mete together the time wold be much shortned Therfore to
the Swycers Zuricke and Bernes agreed in one Religion the Lucernaites Urites Swites Unternaldians and Engians whiche abhorred moste this doctrine make a league with kyng Ferdinando Clement byshop of Rome the .xiij. day of Aprill sendeth Iohn Thomase of Mirandula to exhorte the prynces to warre against the Turke And al be it that he hath susteyned great losses of late yeares yet promyseth he to assiste them with ayde and to doe his endeuoure that the Emperour and the Frenche king being accorded the counsell may begynne immediatly to the intent that Germanye may embrace again the same religion that other countreis do In this assemblye the Senate of the Empire woulde not permitte Daniel Miege Ambassadour for the citie of Strasborough to sitte in counsel for by cause the Masse was abrogated before this counsell imperiall not withstanding that they were intreated to the contrary wherfore Iames Sturmius Ambassadour for the same citie sayed vnto them that in case they were thus displaced contrary to the lawe custome of the Empire let them not loke from henceforth that they wyll beare any part of charges But all might not preuayl and Ferdinando hym self aunswering the intercessours bad that any other citie that obserued the Emperours decrees should be substituted in the place of the other After a longe dispute of Religion the fourmer actes of Spires were repeted and a new decree made on this wyse They which haue hitherto obserued the Emperours decree let theÌ obserue the same styl vntyll the generall counsell and bynde the people to do lykewyse but suche as haue altered their Religion and can not nowe departe from the same for feare of sedition let them staye from henceforth and alter nothynge besydes vntyll the tyme of the counsell Furthermore that their doctrine whiche teache otherwyse of the Lordes Supper than the churche doth be not receyued nor the Masse abolyshed nor that in suche places where this newe kynde of doctryne is anye man be letted to go to Masse that wyll The Anabaptistes also such as defende their opinion obstinately shall suffer death the ministers of the churche are commaunded to teache according to the interpretacioÌ receiued by the church referring al disputable questions to be in the couÌsell decided Moreouer that all states kepe the common peace none to hurte other for the cause of Religion neither one to take the defence of an others subiecte they that shall do otherwyse to be accompted in the numbre of outlawes This decree resisted the Prince electour of Saxony George Marques of Brandenborge Ernest and Frances Dukes of Lunenborough the LaÌtgraue counte Anhald who the .xix. of April recite openly in wryting the causes why they doe not consent thereunto And firste they doe repete the decree of the former assemblie whereby euery man hathe his Religion permitted him frely vntyll the counsell from this maye they not departe nor infrynge those thynges whiche after great delyberation were for a common quiet establyshed and with their sygnetes and othes also confirmed They woulde in deede be glad after the example of their progenitours to do all thynge that myght content the Emperour and as for their goodes and lyues also they wyll spende them wyllinglye in his hyghnes seruice but this present cause coucerneth the euerlastyng saluation of all men Wherfore they desire them not to be offended with them for that thei herein dissente from them for like as the former decree was made by the common assent of all so can not the same be broken with out all their consentes They wyll not be against that they shall in their own countrey establysh what religion shal seme good vnto them beseching God to illuminate the hartes of all men with the light knowledge of his truthe And where as there hath bene dissention and controuersie about religion certen yeares it was declared in the counsel at Norinberge who haue bene the authours and causers therof as well by the confession of the byshop of Rome hym self as also by the requestes of Prynces and states of the Empyre which were delyuered to the byshoppes legate to the numbre of foure score wherof notwithstanding as yet no redresse is made And that of al consultations this hath euer bene the ende that for the debating of controuersies and refourmyng of vices there is nothyng better than a generall counsell And where as the same left a parte they haue nowe decreed that suche as haue chaunged their Religion and can not nowe without muche trouble forsake the same shal alter nothyng from henceforth that can they neither coÌmende nor allowe vnlesse they should discredite the doctrine whiche they haue professed hitherto as both true and Godly graunt moreouer that they ought to leaue the same if thei might with any tumulte or vprores And what thynges els were that thaÌ to denye gods worde whiche is taught them purely and syncerely whiche were the moste heynous offence that coulde be committed For they must confesse it not in wordes only but in very deede also Moreouer what an hynderaunce this abnegation would be and howe muche preiudiciall to the fauourers of the Gospell it is easy to coniecture As coÌcernyng the Masse it is ryght well knowen with howe strong and inuincible testimonies of holy Scripture the preachers within their dominioÌs haue confuted the Popishe Masse and in steade therof instituted the Lordes supper according to the institution of Christe and the maner by the Apostles obserued wherfore they can neither admitte this part of the decree neyther permitte their subiectes to heare Masse whiche is abolyshed For though the byshop of Romes Masse were neuer so good and godly yet if they should haue in their churches two coÌtrary Masses al meÌ may wel perceiue what grudge dissentioÌ would there vpon ensewe Moreouer where they do prescribe what they shal commaunde their owne subiectes and what lawes they shall make with in their owne dominions they can not a lytle maruell consyderynge that they them selues would not suffer any man to doe the lyke with them Furthermore what thyng is taught in their churches touchyng the presence of the body and bloud of Christe is so euydent to all men that it nedeth no further declaratioÌ Notwithstandyng as they haue sayde oftentymes so thynke they it good now also not as yet to make any decree against theÌ that teache otherwise for that the Emperours commissioÌs teach the Latin beneth maketh no mentioÌ therof And agayne for as muche as the maynteners of that doctrine are nother called nor hearde whiche in so weyghty matters is muche to be considered that nothyng be determyned at any tyme and they not hearde speake whome the matter doth chiefly concerne And where as they saye that the Gospell must be taught after the interpretations approued by the churche that is very well but all the stryfe is which is the trewe church But seyng there is no doctrine more certen than Gods worde and besydes that
be first heard to make their purgatioÌ especially seyng they make alwayes offer that if they maye be more ryght instructed by the scriptures they wil do nothyng obstinatly or against their dewty Wherfore they desyre hym to accepte theÌ in to his defence and protection and as shortly as may be to aunswer them mercyfully and louyngly by wrytyng And because the whole matter can not be declared by mouthe as he hath also commaunded therfore haue they comprehended in wrytyng what thynge so euer is nedefull for the further knowledge of the matter whiche they delyuer vnto him the Emperour aunswereth them by an interpretour that he hath heard what their sute is and lyketh well also the obsequiens seruyce that they offer in theyr Prynces behalfe wherfore whan he hath talked with his counsell he wyll make them an aunswer reasonable Fynally the twelth of Octobre he gaue them an aunswere in writing as their request was That he vnderstode by kyng FerdinaÌdo his brother and the residue in commission with hym of the decree made at Spyres before thei came to him and howe he is ryght sory for the dissention that is amongest them And for as muche as it is his dewtie to forsee that suche thynges happen not or at the leste whan they are chanced to see them refourmed therfore after longe delyberation had with priuie counsell of the whole matter he findeth howe the same decree was made to the intent nothyng hereafter should be altered that there should be no place for any newe secte from henceforth as there be many al ready euyll fauoured enough and that peace and concorde myght be had throughout the Empyre Therfore the Duke of Saxon and his fellowes ought of ryght to haue consented to al these thinges for both he and other Prynces set as muche by the healthe of theyr soules and tranquillitie of their consciences as they doe And he for his parte no lesse desyreth a generall counsell for a staye to the common wealth than they do whiche not withstandyng were not all together so nedefull if the lawes and decres as that of Woormes and others whiche are made by comon assente of all states myght be obserued as they them selues wyll graunte that suche decrees oughte to be fyrme and stable Whiche thynge considered and seyng that the vse and custome is that loke what the more parte of the states of the Empyre do decree the same may not be disolued by a fewe persones therfore hath he in his letters to the Duke and his fellowes commaunded them that they doe accepte this decree as ratisfied and attempte nothyng against it but obeye the same vpon theyr allegeaunce that they owe vnto hym and the Empyre If not it wyll come to passe that for aucthoritie and examples sake he must punyshe them extremely but he supposeth that his letters be already delyuered vnto them or wylbe shortelye and that they wyll obey his coÌmaundemeÌt wherof he wold be ryght glad especialy at this tyme wherin he is credibly infourmed howe the great Turke the common ennemy of christendom is at this present marchynge through Hongarye with all his power into Germanye Wherfore it were now requysite to haue domestical concorde to the inteÌt this myghty and cruell ennemy myght be repulsed against whome he intendeth so sone as he shal haue stayed all thynges in Italy to bende all his force and power wherfore he trusteth that they consyderyng well the daunger wyll doe that whiche they are bounden of dutie What tyme the Ambassadours had red this aunswere they delyuered an appellation whiche was ready made to Alexander Schneissie callyng wytnes to the thyng as the maner is Who at the fyrst would not receyue it but in fyne he was content to take it and caried it to the Emperoure and the same daye at after none he retourneth and hauyng ended his other talke he sayeth howe the Emperour commaundeth them not to styre one foote out of their Inue that they wryte nothing home nor sende any of their men til he bring them further newes in payne of for fayting life goodes if they should do other wyse Why left this charge was geuen it fortuned that Michaell Cadene was not within his lodging and being hereof immediatlye certified by a seruant he wryteth the whole matter to the Senate of Norinberge and dispatcheth awaye his letters with great expedition for he was not bounde vpon fidelitie as his fellowes were At the length the last daye sauyng one of Octobre at Parma whether they were coÌmauÌded to folowe Nicolais Granuellane who executed the office of Cardinall Mercurine lieng sicke she weth them that all be it The Emperour taketh in euyll parte the appellation that was sent hym yet doth he neuerthelesse permytte them to retourne home in to their countrey But he commaundeth Michaell Cadene to remayne styll vnder payne of death if he disobeye the cause wherof is this The Lantgraue when he came forth had geuen hym a booke fayre garnyshed whiche conteyned briefly the somme of the Christiane doctryne to the intent he should delyuer it to the Emperour He vpon an occasion when Cesar went to Masse did present it and the Emperour agayne delyuered it to a certen Spanyshe Byshop to vnderstande what it was He fortuned to lyght on the same place where as Christ warneth his Disciples that they desyre not soueraignitie for the same is not theyr profession but the kynges of the gentyls doe vsurpe vnto them such authoritie that place had the authour emoÌges other things expounded declaryng the dutie of suche as be ministers of the church but he lokyng vpon it superficially when the Emperour asked hym what it was he made aunswere as though the booke toke away the authoritie of the sworde from the Christian Magistrate and permitteted only the Gentyls to vse it whiche were farre from the Christian Religion And for this cause was he stayed Granuellan sayde this moreouer howe the Emperoures pleasure was that he shoulde delyuer the lyke booke to the Byshop of Rome And where he sought to excuse his doynges and receyued no pleasaunt aunswer perceyuyng by the wordes of Granuclane what dannger he was in he tooke his horse priuely and roode to Farrare in poste and from thence goyng to Uenyse retourned home When the Senate of Norenbergh had receyued Cadenes letters before mentioned immediatly they certified the Duke of Saxon the Lantgraue theyr fellowes therof the. xxiiij of Octobre the matter being debated they agreed to mete at Smalcaldia about the ende of NoueÌbre Thyther came the Duke of Saxon and Iohn Frederick his sonne Erneste and Frances brethren Dukes of Lunenburgh Philip the Lantgraue and certen counsellers of George Markes of Brandenburgh moreouer these cities Strausborough Norinberge Heilprune Rutelynge Constance Menynge Campodune Ulmes and Lindaue It is mentioned before how the Prynces and certen of these Cities differed in opinion touchynge the Lordes supper wherfore they of Strausborough had already made
cause of religion were decided notwithstanding howe the Emperour in the meane time should appointe certen that should preache without the reproche of any maÌ this was proclaimed by the herault vnder a great penaltie The twenty of Iune the parliament began and the Emperour goyng to heare Masse as the maner is coÌmaundeth the Duke of Saxon to be there to beare the sworde before him For that is the of fice of the house of Saxon in such SoleÌnities he asked the aduise of that preachers who said how that he might be there present for as muche as he was called forth to do his office Then weÌt he not to heare masse as gods seruice but to execute his office accoÌpanied with George Marques of Brandenburg none of the rest came there from masse he came to the court of parliameÌt There Frederick couÌte Palatin excuseth the long abseÌce of themperour repeteth the causes of the calling of that asseÌblie After this was recited a loÌg oration writteÌ as the maner is wheriÌ was aswel declared the cause of themperours departure out of Germany into Spayne of his loÌg abode there as also of his returne now the calliÌg of this asseÌblie which is instituted chiefly for two causes th one for establishing of religioÌ for the which sins his depature he hath heard to his great griefe what tumultes and commotions haue bene in Germany the other for the Turkyshe warre coÌsidering what turmoyle of late the Turkes haue made in Hongary taken Beigrade and many other fortes castels slayne kynge Lewis wonne all the towres fortresses betwixt the riuers of Saue Draue spoyled and brent the whole countrey slayne of meÌ ful many a thousaÌd how sins that also they haue inuaded Slauonie lieng aboue the Goulfe of Uenise from whence after they had doue exceadynge muche mischiefe in slaughter burnyng spoylyng destroying and rauyshynge they led awaye .xxx. thousande in to moste myserable captiuitie and howe this laste yeare they made an incursion into Austriche with an Armye innumerable and beseged the chiefe citie Uienna destroyed the countrey farre and nere tyll they came almoste to Lincie workyng all the crueltie that coulde be imagined cuttinge a sondre in the myddes yonge infantes deffouring and rauyshing yong maidens and wyues and driuing them awaye before them lyke a sorte of beastes At the whiche tyme he was fully determyned to haue coÌmen with his whole power against them and so he wrote to his brother Ferdinando the Prynces and captaynes that were beseged in Uienna that they shoulde defende it valeauntly and loke certenly for his commyng but hearyng that the Turke had leuid his sege he chaunged his purpose supposyng it moste requisite to sette all thynges at quiet in Italy and to conferre with byshop Clement for the establyshyng of religion here in Germany to the intent that peace and coÌcorde and one vniformitie of Religion had in all places the Turke may the better be resysted of all handes and stronger armies sent against hym than haue bene For al be it he toke not Uienna at this present but caried his Armie back agayne yet lefte he behynde hym in the borders garysons and captaines not only to vexe Hongary but Austriche also and Stiria and all other places nere And seyng that he hath his limites extended vnto ours there is no doubte but at the next occasioÌ he wyll retourne with a greater power to the vtter destruction of all especially Germanye wherfore to be very neful requisite to coÌsulte nowe how that houge and cruell ennemy whiche seketh to brynge all men vnder his subiection yea to bannyshe them quyte out of the bondes of nature may not only be resisted repulsed and discomfited but also subdued vaÌquished and dryuen out of all Europe Wherunto we haue nede to be contributaries for greater ayde of Men and mony the highe byshop hath promysed him for his parte largely and liberally and although he hathe bene at all the charges of his coronation at Bononie him selfe alone whiche hath cost hym a great quantitie of treasure yet in so holye and necessary a businesse he wyll doe that whiche shall become his estate and lykewyse his brother kyng Ferdinando whiche is nowe set forth as a strong bulwarke of christendom but chiefly of Germany to flaÌke the Turkyshe rage And also other kynges and Prynces wil not faile to helpe vs wherin he hath wrytten to some alreadye and wyll be in hande with the reste And where there hath bene dissention in religioÌ euer synce the first begynnyng of his empyre to his great discomforte he according to his office and dutie intendyng to prepare a remedy in tyme made a decree at Wormes by their common assentes whiche if it had bene obserued Germany had not bene these yeares past so sore afflicted with the sedicion of the commonaltie and the wycked secte of the Anabaptistes And where as at sondry assemblies touchyng the same nothynge coulde be concluded hytherto thinkyng that his presens shoulde be auayleable herein he hath called this assemblie to the intent that euery man may herein propounde what he wil in writing that the matter may so muche the soner and more easely be vnderstaÌde and determined and that he wyll both in this and all other causes of the Empyre do that thynge that shall concerne his office and dewtie for the loue he beareth to the common wealth and countrey and requyreth that all others would bryng hyther with them the lyke mind and affection euery man for his parte The Prynces after deliberatioÌ taken iudged it mete first to treate of relygion The fourth daye after in the consistory before the Emperour and the other Prynces Cardinall Campege made an oration in Latin exhorting the whole numbre there present that in matters of religion they would folowe and obey the Emperour commending his vertue and deuotioÌ And that he wil in the name of the high byshop do his endeuoure that all maye professe one and the same fayth that their mindes being reconciled they might moue warre against the Turke This done the Ambassadours of Austriche come in and declare what an ouerthro we they haue had by the Turke and desyre ayde After this the Marques George the electour of Saxony the Dukes of Lunenburge and the Lantgraue intreate the Emperour that he would heare the confession of their doctrine comprysed in wrytinge he commaundeth the writing to be exhibited and layde downe agayne thei for as muche as the same thing concerneth their estimatioÌ their lyfe landes and goodes and also their euerlasting saluation and for because happely the thyng hathe bene other wyse reported vnto hym than it is in dede requyre hym instantlye to be heard The Emperour commaundeth them to come home to his house the next daye but the wryting to be deliuered hym nowe They agayne vrge hym and beseche hym as earnestlye as they could deuise saying howe they had thought ful little that this should
graunte that theyr doctryne should be establyshed by the testimonye of Goddes worde And where of a syngular clemencie and loue of peace he hathe wylled the decree to be thus deuysed and herein hathe abased hym selfe ouer muche therfore he requyreth them that they wyll admytte the same in lyke case as other Prynces doe and consyder with them selues that vnlesse they so doe what great occasion they shall gyue to muche michief for the whiche they shal rendre a strayght accompte to God one daye Moreouer howe it was neuer set forth by no wryting that it should be lawfull to spoyle men and afterwardes to excuse it thus as though he that hath sustayned losse shoulde make no restitution And as concernynge the Apologie wrytten against the confutation he had shewed them before that he would admytte no further disputation about Relygion for as muche as he maye not nother is it any part of his office And for this cause hath he refused it For vnlesse they wyll allowe and confirme this decree he wyll doe as he shall see cause that thynge whiche shall be come his estate office The Marques sayde this moreouer howe they knewe what trauell and paynes the reste of the Prynces and states had taken that this controuersie myght be ended quietly And nowe besought them to way with them selues howe muche it were bothe for their priuate profyte and also to the common wealthes to obey the Emperour and admitte the decree whiche vnlesse they wyll do doubtlesse al the other states wyl do herein what soeuer themperour shal coÌmaunde theÌ For they haue promysed hym already vpon their fidelititie that they wil in this quarell spende with him al their substaunce their bloud and their life also to fynishe vp the matter and he hath promysed theim againe to bende hytherwardes all his force and power and not to departe out of the limites of the Empire before he haue brought it to passe And that he was commaunded to saye this muche to them by all the Prynces and states Agayne the Protestauntes maynteyne theyr doctryne to be agreable to Gods worde whiche the gates of hell are notable to resist and the same to be further declared in the wryting lately preseÌte but for the decree made they can not alowe it with a saufe conscience wherfore thei desyre to haue a copie therof to the intent after good deliberation they maye frame a determinate aunswere whiche shall be as conformable as Gods worde shall permitted them And in al other causes they wyll not sticke to spende lyfe and goodes for his sake but to heare that the Princes and states haue bounden them selues to the Emperour in suche sorte they can not a little maruell consyderynge they haue giuen them none occasion so to do and that there is nothing whiche they are not ready after the example of their auncesters to do for the Emperour and when nede requyreth wyll not be the last And where as he sayed that no man ought to be spoyled of his goodes they doe confesse the same also and herein are nothynge culpable For as touchynge Religious houses they haue oftentymes protested so to vse the matter vntyll the counsell as it maye be certenly sene and perceyued that they seeke not their owne priuate lucre or commoditie After muche deliberation the Emperour aunswered them agayne by the Marques of Brandenburge that he wyl not confesse nor graunt that which they baoste of their religioÌ And that he hath also a regard to his conscience and his soules health as well as they and wyll cleaue to the auncient Religion of the olde fathers In the decree made there can nothyng be chaunged if they wyll allowe it well and good if not he hath an occasion gyuen hym to deuyse with the rest for an other decree to be made wherby these newe spronge vp sectes maye be plucked vp by the rotes Germany set vp at quietnes and the auncieÌt Religion of the churche fayth and cerimonies be had in estimation whiche thing belongeth chiefly to his office and dutie For except they wyll be ordered he wyll declare all to the hyghe byshop and to other kynges and vse both their counsell and ayde herein Unto that where they saie they haue gyuen none occasion of offence there is much to be obiected For their preachers were a great occasion of the coÌmotion rusticall warre wherin almoste an hondreth thousande were slayne And many thinges haue bene done in their dominions to the open reproche contempt and mockery of the byshop of Rome and of hym and of other states also therfore not to be so clere without blame as they would make it Moreouer that the prynces and states haue of no priuate affection but according to their duty offered their assistaunce especially seynge howe they wyll admitte no waye of vnitie and concorde Fynally he wylleth and coÌmaundeth them to restore in to theyr former estate the Abbottes MouÌkes and other ecclesiastical persons whiche they haue expulsed For he heareth their dayly complayntes is troubled almoste continuallye about the restitution of them After a lytle respyte the Protestantes do replie thus For as muche as they can not obtayne the Copie of the decree nor tyme to consulte of the whole matter it is but foly to make any further discoursynge thereof Wherfore they do committe the whole cause vnto God in whom thei repose the chiefe hope of their saluation But where they are charged with the sedition of the commons thei be vtterly clere in that matter for what they did at the same tyme and howe they spared neither cost peryll nor paynes it is manifestly knowen to all men And the cause originall of that sedition was declared also foure yeares synce in the assembly of Spyres Wherfore it is not well done to lay this thyng to their charge but therein they suffer iniurie for if there be any man that wyll trye the lawe with them in this or any other matter they refuse not to abyde iudgement Wherfore they beseche hym he woulde conceaue no hainous displeasure against them nor be incensed with hatred malice coÌsidering that al they haue is as well at his commaundemeÌt as any thyng els of the other states When they had thus sayde they axed leaue and departed leauing certayne of their couÌsellers for their deputes But before they went the Archebyshoppes of Mentz and Triers and also the Palsgraue sent to declare vnto them that the same that the electour of Brandenburg spake of gening their ayde and assistaunce for the defence of Religion was done without their commaundement whiche thynge also they hyd not from the Emperour shewyng him howe they had none occasion of ennemitie or displeasur against them Wherfore in case they had conceaued any euyll opinion against them they desyred them to leaue it The Prince of Saxony was content with that purgation and bad them againe to loke for al good wyll and frendshyp at his
he seeth hym selfe howe directly it were againste the lawe againste the ryght and lybertie of the Empyre agaynste promyse and conuenaunt and the fayth that he oweth to the common wealth confyrmed by a solemne othe Moreouer howe incommodiouse also it were for hym and howe chargeable to the whole Empyre to haue two Rulers at one tyme whome they must obeye And because they woulde be sory if any suche thynge shoulde be layde to his charge for breakynge his fidelytie or also vnto them for their sloughtsulnes in defending the coÌmon wealth therfore do they ernestly beseche him to impute this their writing to the loue of him their couÌtrey and to the world that now is that he would call to his remembraunce thynges past and by his office and aucthoritie prohibite the creation of this new kinge that he woulde consyder well wyth hym selfe to how many euils mischiefes this thinge wyll hereafter geue occasion vnlesse it be forseen signifyeng howe they wryte also touching the same matters to the resydue of the electours trusting that they wyll worke for the profit of the coÌmon wealth and do their endeuour that there be no diuision made amonges the states of the Empyre for the rest they will doe as muche for his sake as their habilitie and power wyl extende to Afterwardes the Duke of Saxon writeth his seuerall letters to the Prynces hys colleges that for as muche as he was somoned to Collon by the arche byshop of Mentz therfore hath he sent thither his sonne and certen of his couÌsayle which shal do in his name that shal be requisite He requireth them to leaue of their enterprise and to waye with them selues what a preiudice and discommoditie this wil be vnto theÌ and al theyr posteritie for to breake the right libertie and honour of the Empyre he desyreth them also that in suche thinges as his sonne and counsellours haue to treate with them of they woulde so vse them selues as it may appeare and be perceiued that they loue the common wealth of their countrey The Duke of LuneÌburge the Lantgraue Counte Anhald and the Erles of Mansfelde wrote vnto the Electours at the same time long letters of the same effect admonishing them righte ernestlye that they doe not suche an open wronge to the lawes to their countrey sayeng howe it is reported that the matter is handled with brybes and promesses whiche is also openly agaynst the lawe Caroline After this the laste of Decembre as well the Princes as cities before named by coÌmon assent wryte their letters to the Emperour wherin they recite the treatie of religion at Auspurge how long they sued for peace what aunswer he made also what maner of decree was there made afterwarde And al be it he him selfe did mitigate the wordes of the Electour of BrandeÌburge affirming that he had made a compact with the rest of the Princes for his owne defence only and not to offende others Yet if that authoritie be committed to the chambre imperiall as the decree purporteth to whome can it be doubtful but that the same thinge apperteyneth both to force and violeÌce but seyng that both they and their auÌcesters haue shewed many testimonies of great good wyll to him and his progenitours they beseche him in as muche as he hath mitigated the saying of the Electour of Brandenburge he woulde also qualifie in deede and take away the terrour of confiscation to the intent they may be assured that vntyll the ende of a Godlye and free counsell they shall nede to feare no violence The causes which the Emperour alledged to create a king of Romains at the first coÌmunication with the princes in ColloÌ were these First because that he had the rule of sondry realmes nations could not be always in Germany agayne for that the state of christendom was troublesome namely in Germany by reason of the dissention in Religion and for the violent power of the Turkes for the late sedition and rurall warre and for disobedience within the Empyre Wherfore he thought it very necessary and for the profit of the common wealth that there should be a kyng of Romaynes chosen vnder hym as it were an other head of the Empyre in his absence which should be wyttie cyrcumspect industrious of great power that loued peace and concorde and were skilfull in matters of the Empyre and in euery poynte suche a one as he myght repose his whole truste and confideÌce in And he knoweth none more mete for that charge than his brother Ferdinando king of Boheme and of Hongary For his realmes and dominions are a defence vnto Germany against the Turkyshe oultrage The Princes electours after delyberation had intreate the Emperour that he woulde not forsake Germany but to sette and plante himselfe there but where he persisteth stiffe in his opinion conferrynge their counsels together The fyft daye of Ianuary they proclayme Ferdinando kynge of Romaynes The Duke of Saxon as muche as laye in hym by his sonne protested that this election was faultie and shewed the causes why and that he coulde not allowe it Longe before they departed from Auspurge The brute was that Ferdinando should obtayne that dignitie Afterwardes they went all from Collon to Aquon where FerdinaÌdo was crowned kyng the .xvj. day of Ianuary and streightwayes were letters dispatched into al partes of Germany to signifie the same Cesar also commaundeth by his letters patentes that all men shall acknowledge him for kyng of Romaines and therof sent his seueral letters to the Protestantes This done from Aquon the Emperour weÌt to Brussel in Brabant â The eyght Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eyght Booke THe Protestauntes from Smalcalde sent letters to the kinges of Fraunce of Englande agaynst sondry false reportes and sollicite the kyng of Denmarcke and the cities by the sea coaste to entre into their league Into this league the Swycers are not admitted The kyng of Fraunce who is descended of the Almaines aunswereth their letters so doeth also the kynge of Englande About the strife of the creation of kyng Ferdinando An assemble was holden at Franckforth where was also debated the controuersic betwixt the byshop of Bamberge and George Marques of Brandenburge The Emperour appointeth a metyng at Spyre whether the Duke of Saxon being moued to come excuseth hym selfe Conditions are put in wryting whiche graunted the Protestauntes offer them selues to be there The fyue Cantons geue battell to them of Ê uricke wherein Ê wynglius is slayne Shortly after dieth Ecolampadius A peace is graunted to the Protestauntes vntyll a counsell Christierne kyng of Denmarke is committed to pryson The Turke inuadeth Austryche but he is thence repulsed The Pope by his Ambassadour sent to Duke Iohn Fredericke who had lately succedeth his father the conditions of the counsell The Duke and his associates
Emperour his vncle The chiefest consultation in this assemblie was about the Turkyshe warre And whan newes came daylye by letters messengers howe the Turke had sent before great bandes of horsmen to the Ryuer of Danubius and also the Ambassadours of Austriche and of other countreys nere had declared in what daunger they werein they decreed to geue their ayde so as al the states of the Empyre shuld ayde not with mony but with soldiours Wherfore the .xxvj. daye of Iuly ended this assembly and al men prepared them to warre At the Ides of Auguste the Duke of Saxon Prynce electour ended his lyfe and Iohn Fridericke his sonne did succede him Whan Solyman the Emperour of Turkes was come to Belgrade he taketh the waye on the left hande and attempteth the towne and castell of Giunte in vayne being manfully defended by Nichas Iurixe after that he sent forth Captaine Cason with fiftene thousande horsemen to spoyle the countrey who inuaded the countrey as far as Lintzie aboue Uienne and destroying all farre and nere leaueth no kynde of crueltie vnpractised but in his retourne he fel in to the lappes of our horsemen which were made out to kepe hym from the spoyle and so beyng fought with in sondry places to his vtter destruction at the lengthe hym selfe was slayne Solyman tournyng more and more on the left hande marcheth vnto Gratin a towne of Stiria Whiche thynge ones knowen the Emperour beyng than at Lintze taketh aduisement what was beste to be done At the last it was determied that he should encampe with his whole armie at Uienna abydyng his ennemie there Thus in fyne SolimaÌ retyreth without any notable exploict done The Emperour had intreated the Frenche kyng for ayde but he made him aunswere as the Emperour that tyme reported that Germanye was able enough to resyste the Turke alone The kyng of Englande also wrote agayne somewhat doubtfullye The byshop of Rome Clement sent hym ayde by the conduicte of Hipolitus a Cardinall of the house of Medices The Swycers beyng requested by the Emperour would not for all that styre one fote This yeare was sene a blasyng Starre in Septembre and Octobre before the sonne rising After the Turke was retyred with his armie the Emperour mislykyng their aduyse that thought good to pursue the ennemye dischargeth his armie for that wynter was at hande and from Uienne toke his iourney into Italy And being at Mantua he appointeth in his letters wrytten to the states of the Empyre that his brother kyng of Romaines shall gouerne the coÌmon welth in his absence he was for weightie causes gone in to Italy and there woulde treate with the byshop of Rome concerning a counsell as it was decreed at Ratisbone He wylleth all menne therfore to maynteyne the peace whiche was of late proclaymed and be as obedient to his brother as they would be to him selfe Departyng from thence to Bononie he entred into talke with Clement the seuenth deuysynge amonges other thynges of Religion and a generall counsel He maketh also a legue with hym and with the resydue of the Prynces in Italy in wordes to mayntayne the peace and quiet of Italy But in verye deede to kepe out the Frenche men The Embassadours of the Frenche kyng were sore against it but the byshop admonished them not to be so ernest priuely signifiyng that it should not long endure for the Emperour had brought with hym a great nombre of Spanyardes which the byshop wold fayne haue dispatched out of Italy And for this cause made the league obser ãâ¦ã g the occasion of tyme. The Emperour shortly after sayled into Spayne in the moneth of Marche And not longe after that the byshop of Rome sendeth a legate into Germanye Hughe Rangon byshop of Rhegio And whan he came to the Duke of SaxoÌ accompanied with the Emperous Ambassadour he made a long oration the effect wherof was this How after muche and long conference had betwene the byshop and the Emperour about the controuersie that is in Religion in fyne they concluded that for the remedy therof there is no waye better thaÌ a generall counsell wherof they perceiued the Prynces of Germany to be also very desyrous And this to be the cause of his message euen to declare vnto hym and the other Prynces how both the byshop and the Emperour are determined to haue a counsell free and common for all men suche as the olde fathers were accustomed to haue in tymes past whose myndes vndoubtedly were gouerned by the holye ghoste prouided alwayes that suche as shall repare thyther make faythfull promesse to obserue the decrees therof for els should all their labour be spent in vayne if they should make lawes whiche none woulde obserue and kepe As concerning a place both for holsome ayre and plentye of victuall commodious the byshop thinketh either Placence or Bononie not vnmete for the purpose or els Mantua whiche is a citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany of a goodly situatioÌ and plentiful of all thynges necessary of the whiche thre it shall be lawfull for them to chose one Whereunto if the kinge of Romaines he and other Prynces of Germany woulde make some reasonable aunswere Than the byshop consulting also with other kynges would cal the same within this halfe yeare to begynne within one yeare after to the intent suche as dwel very farre of may prepare theÌ selues to take their iorney Whan he hadde spoken this and more he deliuereth certen Articles comprysed in wryting to the Prynce Electour from the byshop of Rome Afterwardes the Emperours Ambassadour speaketh on this wyse For as muche as in al former assemblies the recoÌciliation of religion hath bene hetherto atteÌpted in vayne is supposed that by a couÌsel the matter might be pacified therfore hath the Emperour of late obtayned that same of the byshop of Rome that is to say that it be holdeÌ after the same maner time place as his Ambassadour hath declared And therfore is he sent of the Emperour to beare witnesse that the byshop of Rome is content to haue a counsell and because his Ambassadour hath spoken sufficientlye of the whole matter he nedeth to saye no more but to desyre hym to credite his tale and make hym a frendly aunswere The Duke of Saxon sayeth that because the matter is weightie he wyll take delyberation this was at Weymer After a fewe dayes the Duke aunswereth that where the Emperour and the byshop haue agreed vppon a counsell he is exceadinge glad for the state of the common wealth doth chiefly requyre such a one as ofteÌtimes the Emperour hath promised the Germanes wherin the cause may be duely examined according to the prescripte of Gods worde Whiche if it might be he would nothing doubte but that all thinges should go wel he wil both pray vnto God to graunt this and also admonishe the people vnder his iurisdiction to do the lyke he will applie his whole studie hereuÌto
mother holy churche An therfore the people beleue that there is nothynge more hurtfull and wicked in all the worlde than this kynde of people And it is coÌmonly seen there that whan they are burning in flammes of fyre the people wyll gnashe theyr teeth at them and euen in the myddes of theyr tourmentes wyl curse and deteste theÌ as wicked and vnworthy to loke vpoÌ the sonne And where as the Turkes Ambassadours were at the same tyme in Fraunce and the kyng hymselfe had heard that he was for this same cause brought into hatred and suspicion throughout Germany And that this fyryng had offended manye the first day of February he addressed his letters vnto all the Prynces and states of the Empyre excusyng both the commyng of the Turkes Ambassadours into FrauÌce by the example of others whiche haue sent receyued Ambassadours from the Turke in lyke case And also the burnyng of Lutherians saiyng that he was constrayned to be seuere against his owne nature wyll by reason of the rashenes of certen whiche vnder the pretence of Religion intended the destruction of the common wealth and so excuseth the matter as though it had bene for rebellion and not for Religion that these men were executed At the first beginning of the spring tyme the Lantgraue went vnto king Ferdinando as in the yeare before it was agreed vpon for a full reconcilement and there founde he Peter Paule Uerger newly come thither from Rome Who vpoÌ this occasion did his message to the Lantgraue concerning the counsel before mentioned but he taking deliberation made him none other aunswere After that Uerger traueling to the rest of the Princes applied his busines with diligence And a fewe monethes after the Lantgraue Duke Ulriche also went vnto kyng FerdinaÌde For where as it was conuenaunted that they should both come and aske him pardon commyng at seueral tymes it was easely graunted Howe beit Duke Ulriche was sore offended both with the Lantgraue and also with the Duke of Saxon that they had consented that he shoulde holde his landes of the house of Austriche and was of long tyme doubtful whether he woulde ratifie the peace made or no at the lengthe by the perswasion of his frendes he went to Ferdinando according to the conuenauntes In the moneth of Aprill the Emperour tooke shippinge at Barchin and transported his armie into Barbarie And whan he had wonne the citie of Tunnes and taken the castell of Golete he restored the kynge of that countrey Muleasses being of Mahumetes ReligioÌ whome Barbarossa the Turkes admirall had before expulsed byndyng hym to paye him tribute and after he had fortified the Castell with a strong garnyson he sayleth into Sicilie Unto this warre byshop Paule sent certen Galleis furnyshed by the coÌduicte of virginie Ursine also did permit him to take tenthes of the clergie in Spaine Barbarossa through our mens negligence and ignoraunce steppynge asyde escaped And first he fled to Hippon and from thence to Argiers where he repared his nauie and returned to Constantinople In Englande were two notable men Iohn Fysher byshop of Rochester and syr Thomas Moore knyght both very well learned For the fyrst wrote sondrye bookes against Luther and Moore also whilest he was Chauncelour whiche is the chiefest office there extremely punished suche as were suspected to be of Luthers doctrine They neither approued the kings diuorsemeÌt much lesse the act of ParlameÌt which denying the byshop of Romes supremacie affirmed the kyng to be head of the church of EnglaÌd wherupoÌbeing both apprehended wher they perseuered obstinatly iÌ their opininioÌ thâ yere in the month of Iuly they were beheaded The byshop of Rome had made Rochester Cardinall whylest he was prysoner in the Towre which thyng was supposed to haue kyndled more hatred against hym Afterwarde about the ende of Octobre Fraunces Sfortia Duke of Millan died without issewe whiche gaue the occasion of a newe warre as shal be shewed hereafter In the meane tyme the Emperour came out of Sicilie vnto Naples and in his letters written the laste daye of Nouembre to the Protestauntes he sayd in dede that he wold obserue the peace of Norinberge notwithstandyng he was informed howe thei had taken churche goodes and did withholde the same and whan iudgement was geuen that they should make restitution they refused alledging the pacification of Norinberge which appereth vnto hym vnreasonable and can not but discontente and offende hym About this time also went the prince Electour of Saxony vnto kyng Ferdinando in Austriche and hauing dispatched his busines for the whiche he went thether in his retourne home at Prage the chief citie of Bohemy met him the byshoppes Legate Peter Paule Uerger who declared vnto hym his message touchyng the generall counsell whiche the byshop Paule intended as he sayed to holde at Mantua free Godly and lawfull without any condicions whereunto al other Prynces had consented for he had bene with them all namely in Germany Wherfore if he should nowe refuse it men woulde suppose that nothinge could contente hym When both the Emperour and kynge Ferdinando are willyng with the thing and the place and the byshop so ernestly desyreth the same that vnlesse he brynge it to passe he wyll doubtles be wery of his lyfe Therfore nowe the tyme requyreth that he should declare howe muche he loueth the aduauncement of Gods glory and the common wealth willing him not to let passe this preseÌt oportunitie whiche he should hardely at any tyme hereafter recouer And albeit he woulde nothynge further the counsell yet neuerthelesse should it procede and Christ they trusted would not fayle them Wher vnto the Duke of Saxon sayd whaÌ he had deuised with his fellowes he wold make him an answere requiring him to deliuer vnto him such thinges as he had spoken in wrytinge Wherfore at the kaleÌdes of Decembre exhibiting a wryting he declareth thinges more at large and otherwyse than he had spoken before howe other Ambassadours were sent vnto other kinges and he vnto king Ferdinando the Princes of Germany how Mantua is the place agreed vpon by the Emperour other kynges that Germany is ful of SacrameÌtaries Anabaptists and suche other sectes that it is to muche daunger for other nations to kepe a counsell emonges them for they are for the moste parte Franticke and without all reason Agayne such as supposed that the byshop woulde gyue place in his ryght that hath bene of so longe time confirmed to be farre disceaued And they also that beleue howe the Emperour can holde a prouinciall counsell of Germanye agaynste the byshops wyll are as muche abused And where as they talke of a saufe conduicte and pledges for theyr commyng into Italy there is no cause why it should so be For Mantua is a Citie of the Empyre nere vnto Germany and nexte the dominions of the Emperour and the Uenetians wherfore there is no daunger Finally he
Ambassades For he proueth that the same doth tende to theyr owne hynderaunce and bondage sayinge that there is no people so stronge that can long prosper and floryshe vnlesse they be mainteined by the league and amitie of theyr neyghbours But the frendshyp of the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Germanye hath bene of suche auncientie and both nations procedinge of one originall and lye so borderynge together that they maye be not onlye an ayde and strengthe but also an honour and beautie the one vnto the other Therfore whan the kynge hearde saye howe the Germaynes dyd hardely agree amonge them selues he was ryght sorye and as muche as in hym lyeth wysheth a reconcilement fearyng lest this dissention in Religion should come to some sorowfull ende Wherfore vnderstandinge that for theyr owne preseruation they were nowe here assembled the kynge had sent hym to declare vnto them his aduise to be thus That for as muche as a free and general counsel could not as yet be obtained the Germains within theÌ selues shold assemble altogether come to some vnitie concord for the furtherauÌce of the which cause in case they be so contented he will chose out certen well learned men and experte diuines in Fraunce and sende them into Germany to be at the same reconcilement or els if they woulde sende some of theirs in to Fraunce for the lyke purpose they should do him a maruelous great pleasure In the meane tyme he doth exhorte them to be at peace amonges them selues knitte their mindes with mutual consent brotherly loue and the king wyl neuer ayde their ennemies neyther with his helpe nor counsell in case they continue their good wyll towardes hym as they haue done alwayes hitherto In the beginnyng of this booke I shewed you howe the iudges of the imperiall chamber contrary to the Emperours decree made out proces against the Protestauntes For the iudges in dede wer of the Romish religioÌ and what tyme the Emperour was retourned from the warre of Austriche into Italy they at the suite of the clergie whiche had complayned on the Protestauntes attempted the lawe against them And albeit the Emperours proclamation were to the contrary yet did they proceede against them The protestauntes wrote herein to the Emperour And the Duke of Saxon him selfe traueled to kynge Ferdinando who coÌmaunded the lawe to cease and ratifieth the peace made by the Emperour but that would not staye them Than did the Protestauntes vtterly refuse their iudgement as suspected and their enemies declaryng the causes wherfore But that would not be admitted for they were encouraged by the Emperours letters whereby he gaue them authoritie to iudge whiche were matters of Religion and which not so that after that they proceaded not onlye in doubtfull causes but in suche also as concerned religion and nothyng els After this the Duke of Saxon obtayneth a newe commaundement from the kyng Ferdinando but all was in vayne Finally after muche adoe Ferdinando consented that he would fynde the meanes to staye all matters in the lawe whiche the Duke and his fellowes had touchyng Religion coÌprysed in the peace of Norinberge Unto suche thynges as the French Ambassadour had spoken this answere was made Albeit that of the execution done reportes went diuersly yet for that he sayeth how thei went about sedicion they can not be muche offended with the kynges doynges herein whiche in deede woulde suffer no suche thynge them selues in their owne countrey Neuerthelesse they woulde wyshe the kynge should haue a respecte vnto suche as do professe the pure doctrine of the Gospell whiche they protested in the assemblye at Auspurge and not to punyshe them with the rest for it can not be denied but many false and wicked opinions are crept into the churche which vnlearned and malicious persones do defende with great crueltie to maynteyne their lucre and Authoritie and they through a maruelous polycie do forge oftentimes great crymes vpon the good and innoceÌt persones to exasperate the kynges mynde agaynst them But seyng that it is the propre office of kynges and Princes to seeke Gods glorye to pourge the churche of crrours and to inhibite vniuste crueltie they desyre instantly that the same moste mightie kyng would wholy applye him selfe hereunto for if he so doe than wyll they suppose that he beareth a frendly and louyng mynde towardes them which they wyshe to be lucky and fortunate to his highnes to the churche Touchinge the auncient alliaunce and frendshyp betwixt the kynges of Fraunce and the Prynces of Almaygne all his talke was to them ryght pleasaunt and they wyll to their powers endeuour that the same mutuall loue and amitie may long continue And as concernyng the reconcilement of opinions in religion they desyre nothyng els but that the matter may be heard indifferently and determined by a lawfull counsell And for as muche as it is not the office of the byshop of Rome only to appointe the counsell but that the same thynge also concerneth other kynges and Princes they desyre the kynge to forsee that there be no violent counsell called in a place suspect perillous to the intent that vnder the name of a counsel the true doctrine be not extinguished but that in so weyghty matters as concerne the preseruation and peace of the vniuersall churche and euery particular persone free disputations and vpright iudgement be had accordingly Whiche thinge should get the kyng immortal fame and thankes not only in this present age but also in tyme to come so longe as the worlde should endure As for the conferens to be had betwene the learned meÌ of Fraunce and Germany it requireth a long deliberation and diuerse coÌmissions extende not to suche matters But so sone as any thyng may be determined herein they wyll aduertyse the kyng by their letters For they desyre nothyng more than that holsome doctrine myght be set forth and auaunced last of all where he sayde howe the kynge would geue none ayde against them they were very glad to heare thereof wherfore in all thynges that concerne not the Emperour and the Empyre they also wyll assist no man against hym The Ambassadour had also priuate talke with Pontane with Melancthon with the Lantgraues learned men and with Iames Sturmins of sondry doctrines and declared what was the kynges opinion in euery article and the myndes also of other learned men in Fraunce especially of Paris Of the byshop of Romes supremacie of the Lordes supper of masse of the inuocation of sainctes of Images of free wyl of purgatory of iustification of monastical vowes of marriage of priestes And that in moste of these thynges the kyng agreeth with the booke that Melancthon hath wrytten of common places touchyng the byshop of Rome the kynge is wholy of Philippus opinon that he is not chief supreme by Gods lawe but by mans lawe as he affirmeth but the kyng of England denieth both And certenly the
warre against them as other wycked Prynces doe for they are holy men and good people The Lantgraue readinge ouer their booke and their letters noted what he thought blame worthy and coÌmaunded his learned meÌ to aunswer it And for as muche as they had in fewe wordes and those abscure written that their king was not so muche of theirs as of Gods appointment he demaundeth of theÌ wherfore they did not expresse those places of Scripture wherby they thought it lawefull thus to doe And why they dyd not confirme the thynge before with signes and wonders For of the coÌminge of Christe God had declared longe before by all the Prophetes so euidently that it was well knowen not only of what house or familie but also whan and where he should be borne They had also requested that the matter might be heard wherunto the Lantgraue answered that the same might not now take place For so much as they had takeÌ vpon them the aucthoritie of the sworde and had bene the workers of so muche mischiefe For all men see what marke they shoute at certeÌly to subuerte all lawes and common wealth And lyke as their intente is wicked and detestable so is nowe their requeste to haue their cause heard fayned and dissembled He doubtles sent vnto theÌ faythful preachers and ministers of the churche of whome they were ryghtlye instructed And where as they nowe conteÌpning their doctrine do resist the magistrate take other mens goodes mary sondrye wyues haue chosen them a newe kynge Where also they denye that Christe toke the humane nature of the virgyn Mary where they affirme that man hath free wyll where they compell men to make their goodes coÌmon where they saye there is no remission for a sinner that falleth all these thynges are against the lawes both of God and man Whan this answer was brought vnto theÌ they wryte agayne and sende a booke with all compyled in the vulgare toÌgue of the misteries of Scripture And againe in an Epistle they amplefie their cause and defende their opinions And in this booke they deuide the course and tyme of the whole worlde into thre partes the fyrst age from Adam to Noe they saye was destroyed with the Deluge of water the secoÌd wherein we are nowe at this daye shal be consumed with fyre but the thyrde shall be cleane a newe worlde wherein iustice shall reigne neuerthelesse before this last tyme shall appeare this present age must be pourged by fyre but that shall not be tofore that Antichriste shall be reuealed and his power vtterly abolyshed ThaÌ shall it come to passe that the scate of Dauid whiche is decayed shal be newly erected and Christe shall possesse his kyngdome here in earth and the wrytinges of the Prophetes shall be accomplyshed And that this present worlde now is lyke the tyme of Esaw For iustice kepeth silence and the Godly are persecuted But as after the captiuitie of Babylon so nowe also the tyme of restauration is at hande to delyuer vs from all these myseries and to rendre vnto the wycked aboundantly after their demerites as in the Apocalipse is declared And that in this same Restauration goeth before the worlde to come to the intent that all the vngodlye beynge destroyed the house and seate of iustice myght be prepared and beautified Whan the Lantgraue had red this booke he set in hande the Ministers of his churche to wryte against it The residue of the states imperial assembled at Essinge do mislyke the doinges of them that were at coÌffuence affirming that they had no authoritie to impose or charge them with any burthen vnlesse it had bene by the consent of the Emperour and all states In the moneth of February Corne within the citie waxed very scarse in so muche that some also died for honger and wante of meate It fortuned that one of the Quenes pitieng the people had sayde to the rest howe she supposed that God woulde not that men should peryshe thus with famine The kyng whiche had his stoore houses furnyshed at home not only for necessitie but also for riot and voluptuousnes after he knewe it brought her forthe in to the Market place and all the reste with her and commaundynge her to knele downe stroke of her heade and whan she was dead vttered her to haue played the whore This done the residewe syng and gyue thankes to God the heaueÌlye father After that the kynge daunceth wyth them and exhorteth the rest of the multitude whiche had nothynge lefte them but breade and salte to dauncynge and mery pastymes Whan Easter came and no deliueraunce appered at all the kyng whiche had promysed so stoutely to inucnte some excuse fayned him selfe sicke for the space of syxe dayes After he commeth abroade amonges the people and telleth theÌ howe he hath ryden on a blynde Asse and that God the father hathe layde vpon his backe the synnes of the people Wherfore they are now made cleane and delyuered from euery spotte And this to be the deliueraunce whiche he promysed wherwith they ought to holde them coÌtented Luther amonges other thynges whiche he set forth in the vulgar tongue about this tyme wrote also of this tragedye of Munster Alas sayeth he howe should I complayne or lamente those wretched men for the thynge it selfe declareth that there dwell deuylles thycke and threfolde but yet ought we to praye the infinite mercy of God herein and haue good cause so to doe For albeit that for the contempt of the Gospell the reproche of Goddes holy name and the shedyng of innocent bloud Germany hath iustly deserued to be plaged yet hathe God hetherto restrayned the force and violence of Sathan and hath not permitted him to haue the reignes at libertie but mercifully admonysheth vs and by this tragedye of Munster nothinge at all artificious calleth vs to the amendement of lyfe For vnlesse God had brydeled hym and holden hym backe I doubte not but that moste subtille fynde and wylie artificer would haue handled the matter farre other wyse But nowe that God hathe made a restraynte he rageth and tourmoyleth not so muche as he woulde but so much as he is permitted For the wycked spirite that seketh the subuersion of the Christian fayth goeth not this way to worke to perswade the marriage of many wyues For seyng both the vnlawfulnes and the fylthye beastlynes of the thynge is apparent in the syght of all men he perceiueth well enough that men woulde abhorre it In dede the politicke and ciuile gouernemeÌt may through this meane be disturbed but the kingdom of Christ must be attempted with other weapons and Ingines He that would circumuente and deceaue men maye not affectate rule and gouernment and playe the tyraunt For all men disalowe this and see playnely what his intente is But he must attayne thereunto by secrete meanes as it were by certen bypathes To goe in olde and euyll fauoured apparell to
the Ambassadours had sent these requestes vnto the king going than to Wittemberge they passed away the rest of the wynter there And in the meane whyle reasoned with the diuines there of certen articles but their chiefe controuersie was about the mariage of Priestes the Lordes supper the Popyshe masse and monasticall vowes But their chief desyre was that the diuines would approue the kynges diuorsement but they sayde they coulde not do it by the scriptures And whan they had alledged many thinges to perswade the matter and this one chieflye that the byshop Clement varied in his sentence and had declared to the Frenche king in priuate talke what he thought The diuines answered that in case it were so the king had great cause so to do But where they vrged theÌ to say the cause was most iust to that would they not grauÌt And now when letters were come out of Englande pourporting the declaratioÌ of the kynges mynde herein the Ambassadours do aduertise the prince Electour hereof And the .xij. day of Marche at Wittemberge whether the Duke was at that tyme come speaking first many thinges of the kynges great good wil declare how the most part of the requestes do content him if a fewe might be amended And albeit that in England all thinge is quiet neither is there any cause wherfore the kynge should feare any man and if happely any cause hath bene the same is now taken away by the death of his wyfe forsaken neuerthelesse to recouer and mayntayne the true doctrine he doth not refuse to deâray the somme of money whiche they requyre so that the league goe forwarde and hereof wyll treate more at large with theyr Ambassadours And where they offer vnto hym this honour that he shoulde be defendour and paîrone of the league he geueth them great thankes and acknowledgeth their good wil. And although he vnderstandeth with howe muche enuie and displeasure the same is annexed yet for the common wealthes sake he could be contente if they can agree vppon the fyrst and seconde demaunde For vnlesse there be an vniformitie in doctrine he supposeth that this charge can not be greatly to his honour But he would chiefly wyshe that the learned men of his Realme and theirs myght be wholy of one opinion And where he seeth well that the same wyll not be vnlesse certen places of the confession and Apologie of their doctrine maye before through priuate talke be some thynge qualified Therfore he desyreth them instantlye to sende their Ambassadours and amonges them some one that is excellently learned whiche may conferre with his diuines of the whole doctrine and ceremonies and determine the matter And where he sheweth him selfe so lyberall vnto them he requyreth agayne that in case anye man attempte warre againste hym fyrste they wyll ayde hym eyther with fyue hondreth horsemen or els with ten Shippes well manned and fournyshed for foure monethes Further more that vpon his own charges they shall prouyde hym two thousande horsemen and fyue thousande fote men Finally that the sentence whiche the diuines of Wittemberge prononced touchinge the diuorcement made they wold approue also and defende in the next counsell The Duke aunswereth that for as muche as the whole matter concerneth his consortes he wyll make them priuie to it and vse their counsell in the same After the foure and twenty daye of Aprill was assigned for all to mete at Franckeforth both for this and other causes And firste they prescribe there a fourme for their Ambassadours to followe whiche should be sent into Englande wherein it was prouided amoÌges other thinges that whan they shall come thether perchaunce coÌclude vpoÌ a league that in al thinges they do except by expresse wordes the Empire the Emperour vnto whom they are bounde by their othe fidelitie Ambassadour for the citie was appointed Iames Sturmius and the diuines were Melanchthon Bucer and George Draco In this assemblie were receyued into the league Ulriche Duke of Wyrtemberge Bernine and Philippe brethren Dukes of Pomerane George and Ioachime bretherne Countes of Anhalde Moreouer the cities of Auspurge Franckeforte Kempten Hamborough Haunobria they treated also of other thynges appertayning to the league and defence therof of the iudgement of the imperial chaÌber It was decreed moreouer to sende messengers and letters to the Emperour thereby to aunswere to the Epistle sent them froÌ Naples And where as George Duke of Saxon for the exceadyng hatred he bare to Luthers doctrine was oftentymes at great coÌtention and sute with the Prynce Electour of Saxon this mans father and at the last an agrement was made and nowe broken againe by the sayde Duke George diuerse wayes The Prynce Electour declaringe the whole matter by his Ambassadours to his consortes in this assemblie requestyng to be assisted with their ayde and counsell in case he attempte anye force or violence After the assemblie brake vp the tenth day of May. And in the begynning of Iune the kynge of Englande hauyng coÌdempned his wyue Quene Anne of adultrye and inceste but vniustly as it is supposed and proued synce causeth her head to be stryken of after that she had borne hym a daughter calleth Elizabeth And with her were executed certen Gentlemen of the kynges priuie chaumbre Noreis Weston Brewton and one Markes whiche contrary to his conscience as it is reported for hope of preferement subscribed to a byll whereby he condempned both hym selfe and all the reste For where the Lorde Admirall Fizt Williams that was after Erle of Southhampton sayde vnto hym subscribe Markes and see what wyll come of it he subscribed and receyued therfore a rewarde vnloked for And also the Lorde of Rochforte the Quenes brother through the false accusation of that errant strompet his wyfe whiche afterwardes suffered therfore accordynge to her desertes Whiche doulfull tragedie toke cleane awaye the Ambassade that should haue been sent into Englande Whan the warre was hotely begonne betwene the Emperour and the Frenche kyng Paule the thyrde publisheth a wrytinge vnder his Bulles of lead the somme wherof is to call a counsell at Mantua against the .xxiij. day of May in the yeare followyng commaunding al Archbishops and byshops other heads of churches to be there at the same day vnder the penaltie by the ecclesiasticall lawes prescribed for disobedieÌce Furthermore he chargeth desireth the Emperour kings and princes al others which either by lawe or custome haue interest to be there for the loue of Christe the coÌmon welthes sake to come in persone or if they be otherwyse letted thaÌ to send their Ambassadours with their full authoritie to remayne tyll the ende of the counsell that the churche may be refourmed heresies weded cleane out and warre attempted against the ennemies of ReligioÌ This was the effect therof whereunto subscribed sixe and twenty Cardinalles The seuenth of Iune kyng Ferdinando sent Iames Sturcelly a Ciuilian Ambassadour from Insprucke to the Swycers I
worlde condempned and excoÌmunicated Albeit that he contended Liberius to be one man emoÌges all others that sought to disturbe the publique quiet Yet neuerthelesse did he relent nothyng and than whan the Emperour had denied the same a long time after the errour of Arrius reigned but in fine the doctrine of Athanasius had the vpper hande and preuayled for euer And who is able to recite what bloud was spilte in the quarell of his doctrine And the condition of their Religion to be like vnto the same whether aconuenient place be geuen or otherwyse For a lyke cause also suche as were at the counsell of Basill refused Ferrare where as Eugenius the byshop had summoned an other counsell The Emperour Henry the seuenth had a great sute and coÌtrouersie with Robert kyng of Sicilie had cited hym to appere to Pisa but the same was thought vnreasonable to the byshop Clement the firste whiche bothe defended the kyng also shewed reasons wherfore he was not boside to come thether nothynge so weighty as these of ours Therfore wher they no we refuse suche maner of counsel the faulte ought not to be imputed vnto them but to the byshop For so ofte as they haue referred their matter to a counsell they ment it of suche a counsell as the Emperour and states of the Empyre had decreed For they were not ignorant that in case the byshoppes might be permitted to haue the whole orderyng of the matter but that they would worke all to their owne auauntage and oppressing the true doctrine woulde establyshe theyr owne wyckednes And yet for all that doth Paul the thyrde so collour the matter with wordes to the Emperour as though he woulde vse the thynge vpryghtly and sincerely where he intendeth the contrary Moreouer what counsell they requyred thei haue declared by writing to Peter Paule Uerger the Ambassadour not only of Clement but also of Paule the thyrde And where as he sayth that the Emperours mynde is that errours and vices might be reformed there is none apparence therof at all in the byshops wryting For in case he intended a true and a nedefull reformation he would not haue coÌdempned theyr doctrine before they were heard And albeit they distruste not the Emperours equitie and are so muche the more sory that they can not gratifie hym herein yet are they nothing furthered through this his good wyl and diligence For albeit the Emperour him selfe be present at the counsell yet is it well enough knowen what authoritie the bishoppes wyll permitte eyther hym or other kynges also to haue in suche maner of cases For the moste that they wyll graunte to shal be perauenture to vse their counsell in matters for as to determine any they wyll not permitte them but reserue that authoritie to themselues only to the entent that in case the Emperour and ciuile Magistrates went some thynge to farre they myght hereby as with a bridel hamper them in in fine determine al thinges at their own pleasure They desire therfore that the Emperour would not be offeded with them in that they seke to eschew these snares of the bishop where with he wold intrappe them For this is geueÌ naturally euen vnto brute beastes to shunne the place where they knowe they are layde in wayte for to be taken Furthermore it is commonly knowen howe the matter was handled in the counsell of Constance with the Emperour SigisinuÌde For albeit he had graunted a saufeconduicte to Iohn Husse yet did the byshops deminishe his authoritie saying howe it was lawfull neyther for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them in this behalf wherwith the Emperour being vaÌquished gaue place to their authoritie whiche they chalenged to them selues not with out sighinge in their opinion but yet to the miserable destruction of hym who trustinge vppon the saufe conduicte fell into that calamitie Wherby it appereth euidently how muche the Emperour is able to helpe theÌ herein though he wold neuer so fayne after they haue ones intrapped them and enclosed theÌ as it were in a pinnefolde therfore must they worke circuÌspectly and yet for all that lest any thyng should be imputed to them they are ready not only to abyde lawfull iudgement but also moste earnestly beseche the Emperour to waye and pounder these so weightie matters diligently and to call a lawfull counsell in Germany wherin neither the byshop nor his consortes shall occupie the place of iudgemeÌt And if the byshop wyl let or impeche the Emperour in so doing and shal not permitte a sincere counsel to be holden in Germany they do proteste opeÌly that the faulte is not in them that the matter is not brought to a coÌcorde What incommoditie also shall arise therof the same to be wholy ascribed to the Byshop in conclusion they requeste hym to make this same reporte vnto the Emperour and declare their good wylles and dutie to wardes hym Whan the matter was thus decided amonges them And Heldus had promysed them to make relation to the Emperour of all thynges the Protestauntes decree also howe to mainteyne the ministers of their churches in lyuing for the erecting of free scholes that their churches and common wealth might neuer want learned men last of suche thynges as concerne their league and defence As concerning the Turke they had aunswered the Ambassadour before that if they and theirs might haue quietues in other matters they would be glad and wyllynge to ayde the Emperour against hym but nowe the brute went howe kyng FerdinaÌdo prepared warre against John Uayuode and therfore requyred ayde In the whiche perplexitie lest haply they should not do theyr dutie to the common wealthe it was decreed in the absence of Heldus that the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue sendynge abroade espialles of the common charges should get intelligence what thynges were a brewyng if the Turke entended to inuade Germany that they should than assemble agayne to consulte what eche mans dutie is herein Moreouer to the entent that all men myght vnderstand what iust cause they had to refuse the counsell they condescended to compryse the whole matter in wryting Whiche after wardes they set forth in print and speaking of foreine kynges and nations Paule the thyrde saye thei hath sent forth his bulles of late to sommoÌ a counsel at Mantua to begynne nowe at the .xxiij. daye of May and alledgyng certen causes therof Moreouer he hath sente his Ambassadours to kynges and Prynces as well Germanes as others to aduertyse them of the counsell and to exhorte them eyther to come thither theÌ selues or send their protectours And where he moued vs also by his Ambassadour here vnto and so did the Emperour in lyke maner the thynge it selfe requireth that we should therfore declare what peryll and losse it were not for vs only but also for the whole common wealth of Christendome if men should obeye hym herein And notwithstandyng that the cause
of their wonted rygour had lately outlawed the citie of Myndin for a sute betwyxte them and the clergie of their citie whiche thynge ones knowen the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue in their own names and their league frendes publyshe a wrytynge at the Ides of Nouembre wher in they recite in ordre what trouble they haue had with the chamber these certen yeares paste And because they can neuer be quiet and vpon moste iuste causes haue bene refused And yet neuerthelesse procedyng obstinatlye haue nowe prescrybed theyr fellowes the citezens of Myndyn they doe admonyshe and praye all Prynces and states that they would repute the sentence geuen as vniuste and not suffer them selues to be styred vp to any violence For if it were other wyse and that the sentence were put in execution they would not sure neglecte the iniuries of their confederatours In the meane tyme the Emperour beyng moued by kyng Ferdinando as before is sayde sent his letters in to Germany declarynge his good wyll towardes the common wealth And howe muche he desyred to appease thys controuersie in Religion And because a fewe dayes paste he receyued aduertysement that the Protestauntes also dyd not refuse the concondicions of Peace and required a treatie so that his consente were therto therfore he vnto whome nothynge is lieuer than the publique tranquilitie doeth both allowe this waye and maketh his deputes the Archebyshop of Londe and Matthie Helde or one of them and geueth them ful aucthoritie by these presentes that they together with the counsellers of his brother kyng Ferdinando and the other Prynces that be intercessours may treate and determyne the matter what soeuer they shall doe he wyll ratifie These letters were dated at Toledo the .xxv. daye of Nouembre And whan they were afterwardes brought into Germany the twelfth daye of February was assigned at the whiche daye all shoulde mete at Franckefurte I tolde you a litle before of a league made at Norinberge The chief ryngeleaders hereof were Lewis Duke of Bauier and Henry Duke of Brunswycke whiche was wholy addicted to disturbe the common quiet And did his endeuour to styre vp warre agaynste the Protestauntes And where he had about the same tyme receyued letters from the Archebyshop of Mentz on the morowe after Christmas day he aunswereth at fewe wordes committing the reste in credite to hys Secretary Stephen Faber whome he sente withall And the last daye saue one of December it chaunced not farre from the towne of Cassel that the Lantgraue going a hunting mette with him and an other yonge man of the Archebyshop of Mentz that had brought the letters There the Lantgraue after the Almaigne facion demaunded of the younge man which firste mette hym what he was I am sayeth he seruaunt to the Prynce Electour of Brandenburge what is the other And he lykewyse whan Stephen nowe came nere hym he asketh of hym selfe what he was He aunswered as the other had done he enquireth whether he was goyng He sayde to Spyres howe doeth the Prynce in health After beyng demaunded whether he woulde iustifie these thynges to be trewe He sayde yea that he woulde and so was dimissed Afterwarde whan he was gone a little waye one of the Lantgraues seruauntes tolde howe that it was the Duke of Brunswickes Secretary whiche after that an other had also affirmed that knewe hym the Lantgraue sent to fetche them back to Casselle tyll he came from huntynge hym selfe In the meane tyme Stephen Faber whylest he was in the Stowffe plucketh out of his bosome a lether bagge and takynge out of it certen letters hasteth out of the doers one of the houshold seruauntes perceiued it and gaue notice to the Stewarde who as it chaunced was there present lookynge downe out of the stowffe wyndowe into the courte vnderneth wherfore being asked for his letters he draweth theÌ out of his bosom The Steward receiueth theÌ into his custody and delyuered them to the LaÌtgraue whan he came from hunting Those were two letters wherof the one was directed to the Archebyshop of Mentz the other to Matthie Helde And with al were certen tables of remembraunce or instructions of thinges he had incredite And seing the matter was of it selfe very suspicious and the notes within the table increased the suspition more the Lantgraue openeth them both The somme of the Archebyshoppes letters was this That he had receyued his letters and reioseth muche that he hath hym in contynuall remembraunce and that he is all his to commaunde and howe he hath sent vnto him Stephen his Secretary a trustye man by whome he maye vnderstande the whole matter and what newes was brought hym out of Bauier Unto whome he desyreth hym to geue credit After he wysheth well to hym and theyr adherentes but his aduersaries he commendeth to Sathan of the same effecte he had wrytten also to Heldus howe he had sent agayne Stephen with instructions he desyreth to heare hym gently and gyue no lesse credite to hym than if he spake presently to hym in persone so longe as he lyueth he wyll take the Emperours parte howe so euer the matter falleth out Neyther doubteth he but the Emperour wyll deuyse for all thynges well enough In the remembraunce of the Archebyshop was this How the Lantgraue was vnquiet and could take no slepe nor reste and was so geuen to huntynge that he was almoste madde Wherby the thing myght the better be done And some parte of it was already brought to passe And what the Lantgraue goeth aboute is not vnknowen to to the Dukes of Bauier and is moste certen that he wil make warre againste the one of them two Wherfore he muste perswade the fellowes of his college to come into the league He shall doe very well also to addicte him selfe wholy vnto this league and haue respect to them of whome beynge ones forsaken he receyued muche displeasure Howe the Duke of Bauier and he intende to talke together and by conferryng their counselles to determine some thyng Moreouer how the state of Sweuia are moued vnto this league and the matter brought almoste to an ende The instructions to Heldus were these How his truste is that the Emperour wyl come shortly out of Spayne and that if he perseuer coÌstante in his purpose all thynges shall procede well For than he trusteth that other kynges also whiche as yet haue not vttered them selues wyll fauour the same waye And if all the confederatours be of the same mynde and wylle that he is of there shall wante nothynge But howe soeuer others vse them selues he wyll euer remayne constant and obedient to the Emperour Howe he thynketh it good that the chamber coÌmaunde the Lantgraue to laye aparte his weapoÌs in the meane whyle wyll he and the Duke of Bauier be in a readines And if he do not obeye that than the chamber may coÌmaunde the Duke of Bauier and him to forsee that the coÌmon wealth susteine no daÌmage inioyne other
welcome him into the low countrey pourge them selues of the euill reportes of theyr aduersaryes and complayne of the Duke of Brunswike and the Iudges of the Chaumber declare how desirous they be of peace and by howe many waies they haue sought it which they nowe desyre him to graunt and establishe for euer The Emperour telleth them before Granuella that after he hath consulted of the matter he wyll make them an aunswere And in maner about the same tyme that they sent this Ambassade to the Emperour they wrote also to the Frenche kynge reioysinge muche at the great good wyll and amitie betwene the Emperour and hym And with a long proces intreate hym in this coÌsent of mindes to further the cause of Religion and publique quiet to the Emperour At the kalendes of Marche the Ambassadours of the Princes cities of Protestauntes met at Smalcald as was appointed with whom also came these diuines Ionas Pomerane Melancthon Cruciger Bucer And they were inioyned to deuise a fourme in wryting wherwith they shoulde thinke mete to treate with their aduersaries for the coÌciliation of religion In this assemblie they coÌsulted of such matters as were left vndiscussed at Arnstad as before is said In the meane time Dulcie and Burcarte were returned out of Englande the seuenth day of Marche they make reporte at Smalcalde of the state of Religion in England that for the decrees made the yere before there is no great punishement notwithstanding Hugh Latimer byshop of Woorcester and Shaxton byshop of Salisbury are deteined in prison for ReligioÌ and as yet not released The Lorde Cromwell whiche is in moste authoritie doth appease and mitigate the kynges mynde and that also the kyng him selfe in familiar talke opened vnto them his mynde supposeth thus that the diuines of the Protestauntes thinke not rightly coÌcerning the mariage of priestes the lordes supper vnder both kyndes and of the priuate masse requireth them to write vnto him of these other necessary questions at large alledging the causes and reasons of their opinions And he wyll see agayne that the learned men of his Realme shall wryte an aunswere that thus a waye may be made to come to the knowledge of the truthe Moreouer Cromwel and certen others thinke it mete and expedient to sende a great Ambassade to the kinge and Melancthon with them For if any meane agrement in religion might be had the kynge woulde bestowe a great somme of money vpon a league that he purposeth to make with them not onlye in the cause of Religion but in generall for the kyng marueleth greatly why they are confederated for Religion only for the tyme wyll come that they shal be attempted with warre vnder a contrary title And a fewe dayes after the diuines exhibite their wryting the some wherof was this Not to swarue from the steppes of the confession at Auspurge and the Apologie afterwardes annexed to the same Which sentence afterwardes all the diuines that were absent did approue by their letters sent thether This tyme came Henry the Duke of brunswick to GauÌt The day before the Ides of March theÌperour answereth the protestaÌtes Ambassadours by Cornelles Scepp geÌtly so so but yet in suche sorte as it coulde not be wel perceiued whether he would graunte them peace or not Wherfore the Ambassadours by the Emperours leaue going a litle asyde by and by retourne and desire hym to inhibite the processe of the Imperiall chamber and graunte them peace whereunto the Emperour sayde he had no more to aunswere them at this tyme he woulde take further delyberation This aunswere was recited at Smalcalde the tenth daye after And on Easter munday which was than the .xxix. of Marche came thether the Princes them selues That tyme was a certen contention and hatred betwyxte Granuella and Heldus which in fine came to this ende that Heldus being displaced departed from the courte and lyued a priuate lyfe For the other was aboue hym in authoritie and brought Heldus into hatred and obloquie for that he was ouer vehement in counsell matters and other affaires and had constreyned the Emperour thinkyng nothyng lesse to haue warres in maner against his wyll And whan Granuella had geuen certen manifeste instructions of his wyll and mynde to be inclyned to peace and concorde beynge requested of the Protestauntes he perswaded the Emperour also to the conditioÌs of peace And he hymselfe at the begynning as though it had bene in his owne name sent to Smalcalde intercessours and Ambassadours Theodoricke Manderschitte and William Nuenarie Erles men of great wysdome and dignitie notwithstanding the first taried by the waye sore sycke Their demaundes were reasonable enough neuerthelesse they signified this that the Emperour was almost perswaded as though they cared not for Religion neyther desyred peace in theyr hartes but altogether sought to conuerte the churche goodes to theyr priuate vses delyghted in discorde bare him no good wyll but were more addicte to take their partes that were his open ennemies And these things were reported to the Emperour partly by their aduersaries partly by the Frenchemen as it is sayde for a certentie For what tyme the Emperour went through Fraunce and all thinges were lyke to growe to a perfite frendshyp then were certen thinges disclosed and the Protestauntes letters vnto the kyng shewed vnto the Emperour some do impute this to the kyng him selfe and other some to the Constable who was than of chief authoritie sought al meanes possible to quiet and agree the Princes and dyd beare the Protestantes no good wyl because of Religion â The thirtene Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirtene Booke THe Protestauutes make aunswere to the Emperour demaundes shewyng how they haue more regarde to Religion than to churche goodes They confute also the argumentes of the kyng of Englande touchyng the syxe Articles The Emperour hauing punyshed them at Gaunt sendeth letters to assigne a metyng for the protestauntes against whome speaketh Alexander Farnese the Popes Legate who had followed the Emperour out of Fraunce In the meane tyme the Frenche kyng made a league with the Duke of Cleane whose syster the kyng of Englande than refused At the assemble of Hagenawe certen poinctes of Religion were agreed vpon the resydewe were referred to the conuention that kyng Ferdinando assigned at Woruies Whether Granuellan sendyng first Naues came afterwarde also hym selfe and made an Oration And after hym Campeigius the Popes Legate The conference brake offe and all was differed to that Iourney of Regenspurg In this meane whyle Luther answereth a booke set forth by the Duke of Brunswycke where is spoken of the dere mantell of the Archebyshoppes The counsell beyng begonne at Regenspurge Granuellan presenteth the booke of the Interim The Duke of Cleaue commynge into Fraunce marrieth the
vnto them the cause of that assemblye And because the Prynces came not them selues whiche the Emperour thought verely they woulde haue done he wylleth them to she we their commission and aucthoritie After he nameth intercessours Lewys the Paulsgraue Iohn Archebyshop of Treuers Lewys Duke of Bauier and William Byshop of Strasborough When they were contente with them they beganne the treaty Thether came also the diuines of the Protestantes a great number Iustus Menius Pistorius Urbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blanrer Osiander Shirepsius and many others MelanchthoÌ fell sore sycke by the waye These preached at home euery man to their company but chiefly what tyme al the Ambassadours mette together to consulte vpon any matter But Ferdinando whan he vnderstoode it forbade them the Ambassadours agayne shewed hym howe they preached not openly but only priuatly neyther was there anye cause why he should be offended The Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were about to come in case the talke had gone forwarde and taried vpon the froÌtiers to the entent that hearing newes therof they might haue bene there by and by The intercessours requyre the ProtestaÌtes to deliuer them in a brief somme the Articles that are in controuersy they say how they did exhibite the somme and confession of their doctrine ten yeares synce at Auspurge an Apologie to the same whiche they sticke vnto and to none other beyng ready to make aunswere if any man fynde lacke therin And for because they knowe not what thynge chiefly their aduersaries do reprehende therin they haue nothyng to exhibyte but the same is rather to be requyred at their haÌdes to shewe what they suppose to be contrary to Gods worde Whiche if they doe and that the matter come to disputation as was thoughte mete at Franckefurte they wyll not be against a coÌcorde They shew them againe within a fewe dayes after that forasmuche as they dwel styll in their confession exhibited at Auspurge they doe fynde in readinge of the treaty there that certen thinges were brought to a conciliation and certen not Nowe that the reste also myght come to a reconcilement they wyll doe their endeuours and desyre them to vtter their myndes herein The Protestauntes agayne saye that there was in dede a talke of certen Articles but nothyng concluded nor anye agrement at al made there Thus the matter being debated to and fro where the Protestauntes requyred that they myght come to disputation and they againe sayd howe it was coÌmaunded them by the king and the Emperour that they should procede accordinge to the treaty at Auspurge Kyng Ferdinando the .xvi. daye of Iuly callyng them al before hym forasmuche sayth he as the matter standeth thus that nothyng can nowe be determined and that chiefly for the absence of the Duke of SaxoÌ the LaÌtgraue an other day must be appointed wher in the Ambassadours learned men of both partes shall mete of lyke number to conferre of the Articles professed at Auspurge And than after a longe controuersie betwyxt the kyng and the Protestauntes for the peace of them and all their confederatours about the restitution of churche goodes and the iudges of the chamber Ferdinando the .xxviij. daye of Iuly maketh a decree and reciting the whole matter appoynted the day for a coÌmunication to be at Wormes the. xxviij daye of October vpon condicion that the Emperour be so content The Prynces Electours the Dukes of Bauier and the Duke of Cleaue and the byshoppes of Madenburge Salisburge and Strasburge are commaunded to sende thether their counsellours and the Protestauntes also theirs so that there be eleuen on eyther part And also as many Scribes to wryte diligently what euery man sayeth the conference to be had of the Protestantes doctrine professed at Auspurge and that request be made to the Emperour that he wyll call a counsell of the Empyre And in the meane tyme he commaundeth all men to obserue peace and abstayne from violence vnder a great penaltie appointed by the Emperours commaundemeÌt Prynces before mentioned at this assemblie were Christopher the byshop of Trent Henry Duke of BruÌswycke but he went home before the matter was ended The greatest peace makers in this assemblie were the byshop of Collon and the Paulsgraue Electours and also the byshop of Auspurge For all the reste were extreme agaynst the Protestauntes Duryng this assemblie died Iohn Uaiuode kyng of HoÌgary leauing behinde hym a younge sonne Stephen whome Isabell daughter to Sigismunde kyng of Pole had borne hym a lytle before whiche was a cause also that kyng FerdinaÌdo beyng aduertysed therof by letters hasted homewarde About this time also were certen townes and villages of the Protestantes set on fyre in Saxony there aboutes and burnt vp cleane This wicked acte was sayde to be done by the Duke of Brunswyck as shal be declared hereafter The seconde kalendes of Iuly Robert Barnes Doctour of Diuinitie was brent at London in Smithfield He was for a certen tyme fled out of Englande for the doctrine of the Gospell and what tyme he vnderstode howe kynge Henry gaue his mynde to the knowledge of the truthe he retourned home agayn and was after in the Ambassade sent into Germany and was one of them whiche treated with the diuines at WitteÌberge touching the kinges diuorsement as is wrytten in the tenth boke But where as the kyng had exiled the name of the byshop of Rome but kept styl his doctrine this man whiche loued the truthe was chieflye by the meanes of the byshop of Wynchester this daye executed after he had protested hys fayth openly there in the place of execution And with hym also were brent two others of the same Religion And the same daye in the selfe same place were three others hanged vpon the Gallowes that helde with the supremacie of the byshop of Rome so that neyther raÌke Papists nor ernest Protestauntes escaped punishement In the moneth of August ended his lyfe at Paris WilliaÌ Budey maister of the requestes a man of great learning and worthy to be had in perpetuall memory for this cause only that he and Cardinal Bellaye byshop of Paris did counsell and perswade Fraunces the Frenche kyng to do a moste noble acte that is to appoint great stipendes for the readers of tongues and good artes at Paris For out of this welspryng no maÌ can beleue what clere and plentiful ryuers flowe out not only into Fraunce but also into other countreis The lyke hath Henry the eight done in Englande both in Cambridge and Oxforde And Buden would be buried without any solemnitie This yeare was notable by reason of an intollerable heate and drought Than also was excellent good wyne In the meane tyme the kyng of Fraunce dispatchyng abroade his letters to all his byshoppes commaunded them to go a procession in all places For albeit he had peace with the Emperour whiche he would not willingly breake yet feared he greatly leste
crueltie they reproue him therfore exceadingly and byd him not thinke that they wil euer allow such errours as thei nowe do condemne or at any time retourne vnto that churche whiche defendeth so manifest vices Whan Contarene in the meane tyme heard that his aunswere was diuersly taken by thaduise of certen he sendeth to the states the third wryting how he wil not assent the the articles newly accorded shal be receiued vntil the couÌsell but referreth al thinges in general to the highe Byshop The next day after the ides of Iuly the Princes Electours make answer to Themperours demaunde saye howe they are contented that the articles agreed vpoÌ should be receiued vntil the time of a couÌsel for the same is both expedieÌt for the auoiding of further incoÌuenieÌces hereafter wil be also a great helpe vnto a further agrement and if there be any hope that the rest myght at this tyme be accorded they desire him to shew his fauour herin but if the shortnes of time wil not suffer it that thaÌ according to his fre êmesse he wold deuise with the bishop and other kinges that there might be with al expeditioÌ a couÌsell appointed in some coÌuenient place of Germany either general or prouincial that he wold sende his legate thether if the same can not be obteined as they haue no truste it shall that than he wold retourne againe into Germanye and declare the same fidelitie to the countrie that he hathe doone hitherto and establisshe peace and quietnes But the Protestantes desyre themperour that he wolde commaund the articles of religion al ready accorded to be enacted and taught for so shal the truthe be opened more and more and this shal be as a waye to amende the diseases of the churche And that also he wolde take awaye and abrogate the decree of Auspurge as vnprofitable for concorde or at the lestwyse leaue it in suspence what their opinion is concernyng the counsel and how they wil not permit the bisshop or his clieÌtes to be iudges therof and of what sorte it ought to be they haue declared heretofore and remayne in the same opinioÌ and if percase such maner of counsel wil not be had and that ther be any assemblie of the states in germany by his coÌmaundement in the same wil they declare their doctrine After the other princes amonges whom the bisshops were chief and with them the two bretherne Dukes of Bauier and Henry of Brunswicke declare what theyr aduise is to themperour seuerally which was that so many vices sectes heresies and dissentions did now not only in Germani but also in other places in maner through out christendoÌ ouerflow that they could not be holpen but by a counsell and that there shoulde now be any alteration of religion and ceremonies thai had so many yeares continewed they could in nowise geue theire assent especially considering that the bisshop by his legate doth promise a counsel and he him selfe will moue him herein presently and say how they are determined to sticke to the old religion couÌsels doctrine of their forefathers which hath continewed from the apostles tyme vnto this day And alledgeing moch other matter but to no great pourpose they thinke it most expedient to differ the cause of religion vnto the counsell especially for that the bisshops legate is of the same opinion the residew of the cities whyche were not of the nomber of Protestantes Collon Mentz Spier wormes Tully Hagenaw Regenspurg Schwinfurth Colmaria Semund Roteburg and dyuers others whan they were excluded from cousultation and that the princes wolde not geue them the copie of the aunswere they complayne herof to themperoure as they had don ofte before requestinge him that they myght not be hindered in theyr ryght and many of them were content that the articles agreed vpon shoulde be receyued Whan themperoure had hearde all mens opinions he maketh a new propositioÌ and recytyng euery thyng in order because the whole matter cannot be determined and they most certenly stande in great daunger of the Turke and the time is farre spente he sayeth he will referre the matter to the couusel wherof both the Bisshops legat hath put him into an vndoubted hope and he himselfe also will be in hande with the Bisshop for he promiseth also to retourne shortly into Germany and desyreth the Protestantes that they wyll in the meane tyme attempt nothyng els besydes those thinges wherin the diuines are accorded Than warneth he the Bishpops than they deuyse the meanes wherby euery one of theÌ maye reforme their owne churches to the intent ther be a way prepared for a coÌmon redresse This mind of Themperoure for the moste parte al men commended and thinke inete that the Bisshops Legate should geue also an ernest streighte charge to the Bishops that they redresse and pourge theyr churches And the Protestantes concernyng the conciliation of doctryne and all other thynges promise to do according to theyr dewtie require that it may be lawful for all other Princes ther to propounde in their churches the articles nowe accorded You haue hearde how Eckius abhorred bothe the booke exhibited of themperoure and also the Collocutours Wherefore after the conference had whan the booke was agayne restored to themperoure the matter debated in the counsel of the Princes he lying sick of a feuer sendeth an epistle to the princes of this effecte that he neuer lyked that foolyshe booke wherin he fyndeth so many errours and therfore ought not to be admitted for the custome of the olde fathers and the church layde a syde the stepes and phrasis of Melanchthon are in it well perceyued moreouer he sayeth he sawe not the booke whiche his fellowes corrected and after restored to themperoure but as he laye sycke there wer red vnto hym only certen opinions of the Lutheranes Moche lesse did he allow that wrytyng that was presented to themperoure with the boke for he neuer saw it This thing knowne Iulius Pfiugius and Iohn Gropper whiche thought how the same concerned their estimation desyre the Presidentes and hearers of the conference as witnesses of the whole matter that they would defend theyr honestie againste the sclaunders of Eckius They informe themperoure of all the matter who after in a publicke writing gaue vnto them bothe a goodly and an honorable report affirming that they haue donne herein as becoÌmeth honest men It is before mentioned that the cause of religyon was referred to a generall or prouinciall counsell of Germany After that Contarene vnderstoode it the .xxvi. day of Iuly he wrote to the states and Princes requiryng that the last might be crossed and cancelled for the controuersies of religion ought not to be determined by suche maner of counselles but the same to belonge to the vniuersall churche and what someuer is determined in suche cases of any one nation to be of none effect wherfore they shall shew a greate pleasure to the Bisshop who
the Grekes supplaÌted thus also were the Germains deluded by Tiberius what time they moued war in Italy only Britaine which now is Englande escaped this yoke for that they vnderstode their subtill fetches always in coÌmon perill powred out all their ciuile hatred vpon their ennemy And by the same meanes at the length were the Romains theÌ selues subdewed Philip also king of the MacedoniaÌs by this craft conquered Grece setting together be th eares the men of Athens Corinthe Thessalie Ottoman the firste Emperour of this Turkishe nation toke Bythinia through the dissentioÌ that was there among Christen Princes at last by the same occasion the Turke inuaded Europe coÌquered Thrace al Grece Morea yea the Turkes haue these thre hondreth yeres wonne stil through our discorde treason What time the citie of Constantinople was taken all Italy was ful of sedition whilest one sorte wold be called GwelphiaÌs an other Gibellines whiche were names of themperial and popyshe faction what chaunced lately at Rhodes what in Hongary by what occasion it is no nede to recite But thus indede the Turkes a poore vile barbarous nation creping out of the corners of Scithia haue increased through our dissention atteyned to so great an Empire whylest eyther the light Grekes opened theÌ a gate into Europe or that faithles meÌ of Genes haue transported theÌ by the sea of HelespoÌte or the Prynces of Peloponesus brethren falling at variaunce sent for them the one to destroye the other whilest they of Epyrus did ayde theÌ or the Mysians conspyred with them or the Hongarians of their owne accorde dyd moue them to come Therfore to mainteine their common lybertie they must fall to an vnitie and concorde and may not thynke that whylest they them selues sytte styll and doe neglecte it beynge denyded into sectes and factions that foreyne nations wyll take this cars in hande for them This he sayeth is the kynges aduyse and counsell whiche he desyred them to accepte in good parte and of hym to loke for all amitie and frendshyp The Byshop sente thether his Legate Iohn Morone Byshop of Mutma who beyng demaunded of kyng Ferdinando and by the Emperours deputies of the byshop of Romes mynde the .xxiij. day of Marche speaketh on this wyse The last yere whan the Emperour went into Africa passing through Italy he coÌferred with the hyghe byshop concerninge the turkyshe warre and a generall counsell but sythe the matter was very weighty the Emperour made great haste nothynge was determined and Granuellan remayned in Italy with whome the case was further debated afterwarde Than he declareth howe the Byshoppes mynde is and euer hath bene to warre vpon the Turkes and that he wil sende ayde of fyue thousande fotemen in case the Emperour come to the fielde hym selfe if not halfe that nombre And lykewyse is coÌtent that there shal be a counsell but that the same should be holden in Germany neyther his age can beare who both wyll and ought to be present nor also the farre iourney and alteration of the ayre wyll permitte therfore he lyketh better Mantua or Farrare Bolognia la gras or Placence whiche are all ample cities and fyt for suche a purpose howe beit if none of these wyll please them he wyll not refuse to kepe it at Trent whiche is a towne nere vnto the frontiers of Germany and woulde haue had it begonne at a Whytsontyde but for shortenes of tyme hath differred it to the Ides of Auguste praying them that al displeasure set aparte they woulde wholy applie them selues hereunto King Ferdinando with the Emperours deputies and all the Catholyque Prynces geue hym thankes and if a meter place maye not be had in Germanye as Regenspurge or Collon they saye howe they are contente with Trente But the Protestanntes doe neyther allowe the Bysshoppes counsell nor the place nor that there was anye mention made thereof in the decree and openly pronounce to the contrary Whan the Frenche kynges Ambassadours coulde not preuayle and the states were inclyned to the Turkyshe warre and sawe that the Emperours men both lothed and suspected their presence before the ende of the assemblye they departe halfe in displeasure Trent is in the Alpes by the Riuer of Athese a towne in FarnaÌdo hys dominion thre dayes Iorney on this syde Uenise and not two from Uerona After the chauncelour of the Dutchie of Alenson was retourned home the kyng begaÌ streight wayes to prepare for the war And albeit he had already in effecte restored the Admiral vsed hym frendly Yet lest it should be herafter preiudicial to him or his childreÌ he causeth the whole matter to be comprised in writing and restoreth him to his possessions dignitie and fame and protesteth that hee had committed neyther treason nor yet extortion releaseth and geueth hym the condemnation of seuen hondrethe thousande crownes commaunding that these letters should be enrolled at Paris and in other places to remayne as matter of recorde this was the twelfte daye of March Whan the French kynge was at the same tyme besydes Paris in castell Uincenne word came to him in the night of a sodeÌ tumult as though the enemies out of themperours contrie shoulde make an incursion in to the contrie of Uermandoeis in Picardie whereuppon the princes that chaunced that time to bee there were sent thither in al hast the Dukes of Uandome Guise Aumall Niuerne and diuerse others with a great nomber of gentlemen Whan they came there al was hushte neyther saw they nor heard of any man Many men sayd how thys brute was reysed that the people might be perswaded that themperour sought warre wherof the kinge him self wold not be accoÌpted the author whan he had already vtterly determined the same as shal be declared herafter Forasmuch as the state of Germany was such as before I haue shewed you great ayde was decreed on commaunded that an armie should be leuied which ioyned with the power of Fernando might resist the Turkishe force and recouer that was lost The leading and ordering wherof was both by common assent and also by themperours pleasure committed in charge to Ioachim Marques of Brandenburge Prince electour who in continently departing from Spier prepareth him selfe for the Iorney For this war was gathered polle money through out all Germany and graunted that the magistrates might for this cause impose a taxe They agreed moreouer to demaund ayd of the Suises and other princes especially of the king of Denmarke and of the Italians furthermore it was decreed that all meÌ should obserue the peace and reise no tumult within the limites of thempire the .xi. day of April the assemblie was dissolued And in maner at the same time in Saxonie ther grew a greate hatred betwene the Prince Electour Duke Moris who than succeded Henry his father lately departed The contention was for the lymites a certen Towne And Maurice did
of so great a mischiefe and wickednes Unto this Oration he annexeth a maner of praying against the Turkysh fury and about the ende discoursing the vice that reigneth in this our tyme in all sortes of men he sheweth howe Germany whiche is so corrupted and wholy infected can not longe continewe in prosperitie And this fourme of prayer he prescribeth Oeuerlasting father we haue verely deserued to be sore afflicted but punnyshe vs thyne owne selfe Lorde not in thy wrath and displeasure but according to thy great mercy for it is muche better for vs to falle in thyne than into the handes of men and our ennemies for thy merci is vnspeakeable and infinite we haue certenly offended the and transgressed thy commaundementes but thou knowest O heauenly father howe the deuill the Byshop and the Turke haue no rightnor cause to punyshe vs for we haue trespassed nothyng against them but thou vsest them as a scourge to whippe vs which haue mo ways than one al our life time styred the vp against vs. They I saie haue no quarell against vs but would rather that we should euer after their example offende the moste greuously that through idolatry false doctrine lyes disceiptfull and craftye iugglynge with murther thefte and extortion fornication adultery and sorcerie we myght offende the maiestie of thy name This is the thing that thei most wishe for and because we confesse and honour the God the father and thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lord and the holy spirite one and euerliuing God that same is our offence and wickednes for the whiche they so greuously hate and persecute vs. If we should forsake this fayth and fal vnto their lore thaÌ should we loke for no displeasure at their haÌds Uouchesaufe therfore to loke vpon vs O God the father and to send a remedy for they be more thyne aduersaries than ours whan they doe tormente vs they tormente the for the doctrine that we professe is not ours but thyne And Sathan can not abyde it but wylbe worshipped in thy place and thy worde set asyde goeth about to feede vs with lies And the Turke also in the steade of thy sonne Iesu Christ wold place his Mahomet Nowe yf thys be synne that we professe thee the father and thy sonne and the holy ghost to be the trewe and only God certenly than arte thou a synner whiche so teachest vs and requyrest this dewty of vs and whaÌ they for this cause persecute vs they do hate and afflicte thee also Awake therfore my God and take in hande thy selfe to aueuge thy sacred and holy name which they defyle and deface neyther suffer thou this iniurie at their hande which punnishe not our synnes and vices but seke to quenche thy worde in vs and doe what they can that thou shouldest not reigne at all neyther shouldest haue any people whiche might serue and honour thee Nowe touching the ofspringe encrease of the Turkes because many haue written it nedeth not to note any thing therof in this place of a smal beginnyng they haue had a maruelous encrease Their first Emperour is accompted Othomanne aboute the yere of our lord a thousand and thre hoÌdreth whom after succedeth Orchanes Amurathes who fyrst transported his armye ouer the sea of Hellesponte into Europe and inuaded Thrace Than Baiazethes Cyriscelebes Moses Mahoniethes Amurathes Mahomethes Baiazethes Selime Solyman About this same tyme Alphonse Marques of Piscare before mentioned sendyng a booke to the princes of Germany accuseth and blameth the frenche kinge whiche in so troublesome a tyme of the comon welth goeth about to styre vp stryfe to thentente he might hinder the most noble enterprises of themperoure and al the states pretendeth a lyght and a forged matter for Anthony Rincon Ce. Fregose that should be intercepted vnto whom what thing hath chauuced he could not after long and diligent searche fynd out The FreÌch Kinge whan he knew thereof declareth that he had an exceadinge great iuiurie done him to haue his Ambassadours so cruelly destroyed of this thinge hathe he ofte complayned sore to the Bisshop and to themperoure and hath requyred that he might be satisfysed herin but it was in vayne And seing it is so vnworthie an act he can not without the greate shame and dishonoure of his name neglecte it After the second of Maye addressing hys letters to the Senate of Paris to th ende sayeth he that god maye illumine our heartes and graunt vs the constancie of fayth and bring again those that ere into the way of saluation and sende vs peace throughe recompence for the iniuries that we haue susteyned by the vsurping of our right and the outrage donne to oure messagers and ambassadours or if in dispayre to haue peace we must nedes haue warre that he would graunt vs victorye our request is that the people go a prosession and pray in all churches And that by some fyt preacher the cause therof be recyted to the coÌgregation Moreouer in case any ther be that thinketh not rightly of oure fayth and religion neither will promise amendement we commaund that he suffer openlye for his offence Not longe after he sendeth the Duke of Longuill to the prince of Cleaue who leauing ther a power in the somer season by the conduicte of Martyn van Rossen looked for an occasion to doe some exploicte In the meane season at the kalendes of Iune the bisshop appoynted a connsell at Trente agaynste the fyrst of Nouember at the which time he commaundeth to repayre thither Patriarches bisshoppes abbottes and suche other lyke which eyther by right or priuiledg haue interest to be preseÌt at counsels and are permitted there to speake their minde He exhorteth also themperoure and the French kyng that eyther they wolde come them selues or send theyr proctours to commaunde their bisshoppes to be there but the bisshops of Germany he inuiteth aboue all others for that for theyr cause chiefly and at theyr requeste is all this payne and trauaile taken In the moneth of Iuly the Frenche kinge with moste hatefull woordes proclaymeth warre against themperoure and in a wryting publysshed geueth his subiectes libertie to spoyle and distroy his contries by sea and lande by what meanes so euer they might A littel before the Duke of Longeuill and Martyu Rossen had made an inuaston into Brabant and were a wonderful terrour to men vnprouided and commyng vpon the sodayne had lyke to haue taken Andwerpe Louayne but wantyng thinges necessarie for munition they could make no battery and marching forewarde whiche way so euer they wente they diftroyed al before them with fyer and sword and extorted many And thus making theyr waie by force in August they ioyne themselues with the kinges sonne Charles Duke of Orleans which warred that tyme in the land of Luke In this force were foure hondreth horsemen sent by the kynge of Denmarke Besydes Danuillier Uirton and Iuey was taken also Lucemburge the chiefe
Turke This is nowe only the surest and fittest meane to establysh the coÌmon wealth With these letters he sent away the Ambassadour about the eyghtene daye of October For asmuche as the Duke of Longeuille and Martyn Rossen had leuied their armye in the dominions of the Duke of Cleaue the emperialles by the conduiet of the Prince of Orenge inuade Gulicke and distroye the countrie with fyre farre and wyde and take by composition Dure the chiefest Towne in those parties For Gulicke Mounten came to the Duke of Cleaue by his mother At this time also the Emperiall armie in Hongary no exploite done when they had attempted in vayne to wynne the Towne of Pesta retourneth home and through infection dyed many thousandes Duke Maurice of Saxonye serued in thys warre voluntarily a yonge prince aboute xxi yeares of age who on a certen daye ryding out of the campe and but one maÌ with him meting by chaunce with certeÌ Turkes foughte with them and hauing his horse slayne vnder him was smitten to the ground Than his sernaunt being a gentel man borne lay downe vpon hys lorde and with his body couered the Duke and defended him and bare of the stripes so longe vntill certen horsemen came and rescewed the Prince And so he saued hys lyfe but his man hauing receiued many woundes was caried into the Camp and dyed shortly after Thus ended the warre in Hongarye The bisshop had sente ayde of thre thousand footemen whiche wer led by Alexander Uitellius At thys tyme also began hote warre betwene England Scotland the occasion wherof was ministred a yere before for that the Scottish king when he had promised to mete hys vncle the king of Englande at Yorke to make an accorde touching theyr limites being diswaded by hys mother and certeÌ of his nobles came not And it fortuned that the Scottes had this yere in the beginning of december a great ouerthrowe at a place called Solymosse In the whiche battell were taken the most part of all the lordes in Scotelande For the which losse the kynge toke suche thought that retournyng home he dyed within a fewe dayes after which was the day before the Ides of December when the eight day before the quene had brought him forth a daughter Mary whiche thinge also did greatly augmente his sorrowe for that he wanted an heyremale For in the yere before he had loste two sonnes in sondri places within the space of foure and twenty houres And he had to wyfe Marye daughter to the Duke of Guyse of the house of Lorayne When the Scottes werre in thys calamitie the Frenche kynge sent them monye and munition After the kynge was dead the gouernement was committed to Iames Hamelton Erle of Arrayne whiche was the kinges greate cosyn The next place vnto hym had the Cardiuall of S. Andrewes most addickte to the kynge of Fraunce I shewed before how Henry the Prince of Saxonie had for him selfe and his sonne Maurice entred into league with the Protestantes But after his death Duke Maurice being moued herein sayed how hys father coulde not bynde hym neyther wolde he be tyed to the bondes of his father WheÌ Henry Duke of Brunswicke was expulsed as before is sayd he accused the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue and theyr consortes to the imperial chamber Who being afterwarde cited in the moneth of December do refuse theyr iudgemente in all thinges and sendinge ambassadours thither declare this vnto them and also do protest that they doe not refuse a lawfull and ordynarye Iurisdiction but take exceptions to the Iudges themselues which are all of a contrary relygion which prayse the decree made at Auspurge twelue yeres past and haue confirmed the same by an othe which for the same cause dissent from them exceadingly and beare theÌ greate mallice whiche take them for heretikes and thinke them vnworthy to haue any iustice ministred which by soÌdry preiudices haue oft tymes vttered and bewreyed this theyr hatred In the conuentioÌ at Regenspurg it was decreed that the chamber would this yeare in the moneth of Ianuary be refourmed This did the Protestantes allow so that men also of theyr rellgion might be admitted to be of that nombre which thing Themperour graunted them and king Fernando renewed after in the assemblie at Spier and appoynted the moneth of Iune for the same reformation and by this meane obteined of them ayde for the Turkishe warre For yf it had ben otherwyse they tolde him that tyme plainely that they wolde not only beare no charges froÌ henceforth touching the iudges of the chamber but also wold refuse hereafter to obey theyr decrees When therefore nothinge was donne hitherto they as before is sayde sending Ambassadours doe refuse theire iudgment And agayne the iudges after in a wrytyng set forth dooe reiect that same refusall They agreed in theyr last metinge at Norrinberge there to assemble agayne about the Turkish warre the xiiii daye of Nouember but the matter was differred And in the most sharpe time of winter the Duke of Cleaue besegeth and recouereth Dure What tyme the Frenche kynge beseged Perpignan there arrose a rebellion at Rochel an haueÌ towenin Pantois verey famous and situated in a place right commodious It was ones possessed of Englysh men but it was rendred Frenche in the tyme of Charles the first sonne and heire to his father Iohn The cause of that commotyon was for a garison placed there by the king vnder the gouernemeÌt of Iarnacke the Admirall his kinsinaÌ And in other places also there aboutes they were vp for a tribute of Saltepittes and droue awaye with reproche the kinges officers and treasurers that came thither So soone as the kinge vnderstode it he sente thither a new garrison of horsemen and footemen Iarnake also taketh from them all they re munition and armure and kepte the gates with watche and warde The laste day of December followyng the kyng hym selfe came thyther and the next daye settyng in place of iudgement whan both the Townes men theyr neyghbours aboute them laye prostrate before hym and besought hym of mercy Albeit sayeth he what tyme I and my thildren were occupied in moste weightie affayres for the defence of oure whole Realme and of you al you forgetting your dewtie that you owe vnto vs haue made a rebellion and an vprore in suche wyse as we haue iuste cause to punnishe you and for the estate of oure person and enormitie of your offence myght dryue you to fyne Yet for that we accompt it no lesse honorable and prayse worthye for a prince to extend mercy to his people than it is honest for hys subiectes to remain in their duty againe because we set more by this your submission and wyllyng myndes than by the rigour of the lawe we doe intende to forget the iniurie that you haue done vnto vs and to haue a consideration not so much of your errour and trespasse as of
soeuer he hath promised he hath lyberally perfourmed and soÌwhat more also than he was bounden But he hath not donne well who forgettyng his noble lynage and estate hathe brought hym selfe into suche bondage As concernynge hys Nece he maie knowe what her mynde and her parentes is he is in nothyng further bounden to hym Whan Themperoure had establysshed thynges in Gelderlande in the moneth of October he came to Landresey with an exceadynge greate armye Thyther came also the French kynge with hys whole force and the thynge was none other lyke but to haue commen to a battell But when the Frenche men had vytayled the Towne they went awaye by nyght so pryuely that the enemy perceiued it not before it was day light Than at the length pursuing after them they ouer tooke the rerewarde slew many And because winter came on Themperour thinking good to attempt no further whan he had seÌt a certen power to the sege of LuceÌburg he dischargeth the rest of hys army Duke Maurice serued themperour at Landresey of hys owne voluntarye mynde wherby he gote moche good wyll and made the way to obteyne hys frendship In the winter season the Duke of Lorayne and certen others intreate for peace but that was in vayne Themperoure retournynge home from Landersey sent Fardinando Gonzage Uiceroy of Sicilie to the Kyng of England that he might incense hym more agaynste the Frenche kynge I haue oftentymes mentioned of William Countie FursteÌberge he beyng made a strauÌger with the Frenche kinge made suite by Granuellan to come in to Themperours fauour And to declare hys fydelytie he leuyed a certen power of foote men in hys owne Iurisdictyon and wente in the myddes of wynter to Lucemburge and ioyned hym selfe with TheÌperours Armie But when the Frenche men by the conduite of the Duke of Longouile had vitayled them within he departeth without any thynge doon after that many were dead for colde and honger I shewed you before howe the counsell of th empyre was appoynted at the last of Nouember Wherfore the Protestantes assemble together at Franckfourd to consulte before what thynges they shoulde treate of in the whole assemblye And where the matter was delayd by reason of the Frenche warres the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue in the moneth of Nouember addressyng their letters to themperoure do aduertise hym howe they wyll come to the counsell yf he hymselfe wyll bee there and graunte them saufecounduite for them and theyr league freÌdes Wherunto Themperour aunswered froÌ Brusseles the x. day of Decembre that he would come doubtles and that in the moneth of Ianuarye and sendeth withall a saufconduite Howebeithe excludeth suche as are addicte to hys enemyes by promesse faythe or conuenaunte signifyinge the priuie espialles of the Frenche kynge Than in the begynnyng of Ianuary takyng hys iorney he commeth to Spire The .xxiiii. day of thys moneth was a great Eclipse of the Sonne in the daye tyme so that all men beheld it not without great wonder This yeare also were thre ful eclipses of the Moone A matter in dede to bee wondred at and the whyche as the astronomiers saye hathe not chaunced synce the tyme of great Charles Alexander Farnese Cardinall passyng throughe Fraunce spoke with Themperoure goynge towardes thassemblye and tooke hys leaue of hym at Wormes The cause of his ambassade was thought to be a treaty of peace This assemblie of Spier was exceading great For booth king Farnando and all the Prynces Electours which is seldome seene in maner all other Princes were there and amonges them also the Duke of Cleaue As the Duke of Saxony was comyng whych was the .xviii. day of February the Lantzgraue the Archebisshop of ColoÌ Friderick the Paulsgraue and the Uiceroye of Sicilye went foorth and met hym Two dayes after the counsel began And Themperour propoundeth for what causes leauynge Spayne he is nowe retourned into Germany and hath called this conuention he hath sufficieÌtly declared by hys letters dated at Gene neyther is it nede to recyte howe moche he hathe euermore loued the Publyke weale that all thynges put in order at home he myghte warre agaynst the common enemye of Christendome but howe he hath ben impeached hytherto and by whom it is not vnknowen For thys last yere by the procurement of the French kyng the Turkisshe nauie is comen into the Sea of Ligurie and hath inuaded the countrey of the Duke of Sauoye a Prince of Thempire taken the Citie and hauen of Nice and with greate force beseged the Castell and vattered it ryght sore And albeit they were constrayned throughe hys Armye approchynge to leuye theyr siege yet haue they syns attempted other places of Th empyre and of Spayne also and are nowe wholy aboute to distroie all together Therfore is the matter nowe brought into an extreme daunger and vnlesse they ioyne theyr mindes and powers to helpe it it is to be feared lest Germanye shall acknoweledge and bewayle hys miserye al to late He hath often wisshed to redresse these euilles but the FreÌch Kynge mouing warre agaynst hym insondry places he could neither retourne into Germanye nor Ioyne his power with theyres And that the Turke doeth so boldly inuade Germany that the warres also attempted agaynste hym haue had so euell successe hytherto the cause hathe ben fyrst that he hath ben aduertysed from tyme to tyme by the Frenche kyng of the dissention in relygion of the publycke and priuate dyspleasure of al degrees of the state of Th empyre and what thynges are donne therein Secondlye for that he seeth howe at the Frenche Kynges hand he fyndeth fauour and socour ready as it hath not been only declared by witnesse and letters but nowe also proued in dede For asmoche therfore as he styreth vp and armeth the comon and moste cruell enemye of all others agaynste the Christen publyke weale he supposeth that they shoulde esteme thys warre whyche he is constreyned to maynteyne agayste hym non otherwyse than if it were attempted agaynste the Turke trustynge moreouer that they wyll not onlye condemne hys practyse and enterpryses but also wyll assiste hym to thentente that beyng delyuered from the domestycall enemye he maye dysplaye hys whole force agaynste the Turke After thys expostulatyng that the ayd decreed for the Turkish warre was not sente accordyngly for the wante wherof the Turke hathe agayne thys laste yere preuayled and taken certen Townes and Castels in Hongarye he requyreth them that seeyng the Turke goeth about to wynne Hongarye that he maye after inuade Germanye they wolde consyder depelye so weyghtye a matter that they may haue ayde not oulye to defend but to inuade also to th ende thys moste noysoÌ plage may ones be driuen away from theyr wyues children and natif contrie declaring moreouer how willing he is the thinges amisse shoulde be refourmed and emongs other the iudgement of the chamber The same day king FernaÌdo by hys ambassadours speakiÌg
many thinges of the Roades invasions of the Turkes craueth aide After this immediatly the Duke of Saxon the Lantzgraue with their confederates addressing their oratioÌ to theÌperour you know saye they moste victorious Emperoure howe we haue offered oure selues euer syns the beginnynge to declare before this moste honorable Senate the cause of our defence taken agaynst Henry of Brunswicke And be yet also of the same will and mynde doubtyng not but when the matter shal be hearde there shall appeare vnto you weyghty and iust causes wherfore we were dryuen to it of necessitie and that it is not lawfull for hym to be present here in the counsell of Princes Howbeit because we see hym put hymselfe in prease to occupie a place in thys most noble consistorye moche agaynste oure willes in as moche as we can or maye we doe protest that wee neyther take hym nor acknoweledge hym for a Prynce of Thempire neyther will that any right of oures shoulde through hys presence be diminished Wherunto the Duke of Brunswicke aunswereth streyghte waye by hys Chauncelour The Duke of SaxoÌ sayeth he the Lantzgraue and theyr fellowes breakyng both gods law and mans law infringing the statutes of thempire and the faythe publicke by violence and open wronge haue spoiled me of my countrey For the which cause I haue accused theÌ to the Iudges of the chaÌber And seeyng it is so they ought to haue no place in the Senate of Thempire and yf they had any they haue nowe lost the same by committing that acte and are worthye whose companye all men shoulde eschewe But if it so be that I muste nedes syt by theÌ in comon counselles I protest that I do neyther attribute this place vnto them nor will therfore that the same should be preiudicial to my case The Protestantes were verye desyrous euen than to haue recited the cause of theyr enterpryse and the whole matter in wrytynge leste hys complaynte shoulde appere to be trewe or settle in mennes heartes But TheÌperour by Fridericke Palatyne and by Nauius required them forasmoch as the day was farre spent that they wold differre it affirming also that he wolde assigne theÌ a day for the pourpos and so they followed hys mynde And because as the Princes sat in counsell it fortuned that the Lantzgraue sate next to the Duke of Brunswicke the Prince of Palatine Iohn Suner for the auoyding of stryfe arryseth out of hys place and sytteth downe in the myddes betwixte them bothe protestyng before that the same shoulde bee no preiudice to hym or to his familye Yt was thought he did it at TheÌperours request The day before the Duke of Saxon and the Lantzgraue had intreated Fridericke the Paulsegraue and Iohn Nauie that they wold so deuise with Themperour that the Duke of Brunswicke might not come in the comon assemblie but it could not be obtayned Themperour alledging that he might not be excluded vnlesse the causes were fyrst declared The Frenche kyng knowing for certeÌtie that Themperour wold make a greuous complaynte on hym to the Prynces determineth a most honorable Ambassad Iohn Bellaie Cardinal Fraunces Oliuer chauncelour of AlensoÌ Affricane Malley presydent of Diuion whan these wer commen to Nance a Towne in Lorayne they remayne there lookyng for Themperours saufcondict For the king had sent before to Spier an Heraulte for the same cause with letters to Themperour and seuerall letters also to the Princes Electours wherin he required saufe conduite for hys Ambassadours And when he came to Spier about the ende of Februarye in hys rich cote of armes as is accustomed he was stayed by Granuellan vnto whom he delyuereth the kyng his maisters letters written to Themperoure whan he myghte not otherwyse doe and declareth the cause of hys comyng requyring that Thambassadours which are not farre of maye accordyng to the law of Armes haue saufconduite beyng coÌmaunded to tary within and dilligeÌtly watched that no man should come to speake with hym the fourth day after he was dismissed with most sharpe wordes that he had played a fond part and was in dauÌger to haue lost hys head whych durste presume to come thyther For the kynge beyng enemy to Germany hathe not to doe with in the lymites of Th empyre neyther is he worthy to enioye the law of Nations let hym retourne home therfore and tell the kynge thus Howe ther is no cause that herafter either he or any other may comefor him And nowe in dede this fault is forgiuen and perdoned more of themperours clemencie than of his desert but let him take hede from heÌceforthe or els he wil not escape vnpunnisshed For he hath don against the law of armies neyther was it laweful for hym to haue comen into Themperours habitation without his leaue and permissioÌ And touchyng the letters whyche he sayeth he hath the kyng hath so well deserued of the Christen publicke weale and chefely of Germanye that in thys present state of thynges Themperour neyther wyll nor ought to receyue them lest by hys accustomed maner of writing and promises eyther he or also others myghte be disceaued This aunswer was delyuered vnto hym wrytten in Frenche And thus was he sent back with the kynges letters wrytten to Themperour and Prynces and certen horsemen were sente with hym to conduite him to Nance To this were not the Princes made priuie And many thoughte it was done agaynst the custome of th empyre Thys thyng knowen the Ambassadours were in a pecke of troubles and toke great thought how to retourne home without daunger and vsing the counsell of Authony Duke of Lorayne they went a waye secretly in the nyght season and so retourned into FrauÌce Whylest they yet remayned at Nance Christine the Dukes daughter in lawe was sente to Spier that the thing which neither he could nor certen others that might she which was Themperours Nece by his sister through her intreaty teares and by a certen commendation of her kind obtayne but yet was this in vayne For Themperour was wholy bent to haue warre And hys counsellours sayde he muste so doe to mayntaine hys estimation and dignytie The Duke of Lorayne albeit he was addicte to neyther had long syns couenaunted with them both that he myght be a newter yet for asmoche as the warre was to be kepte vpon hys frontiers and sawe howe that coulde not be done without hys greate losse domage was verye carefull for peace The .ix. daye of Februarye certen Priuces through Themperours motion wryt letters froÌ Spire to the Bisshop of Roome partely commendyng hym for that the laste yere he adioyned hys force with Themperours to rescue the Castell of Nice partly requiring him that for as moch as the enemye is now reparyng his nauie at Tollone to repare agayne to Nice and to win that Castell which shoulde be a greate shame and a sore anoyeaunce vnto Italy the Churche of Roome all the common welth he which is the
relygion lyke as you haue hearde before After those places of scripture which the Bisshop doeth vsurpe to establyshe hys supremacie he confuteth moste aboundantly and applyeth them to make agaynst hym Before the booke he set a picture whych by and by declareth the soÌme of the argumente The Bysshop sytteth in an hyghe chayre with hys handes ioyned and stretched out in solemne apparel but he hathe asse eares And aboute hym are many deuelles of diuers shapes wherof some set a triple crowne vpon hys head with a tourde in the toppe of it others let hym downe by cordes into hell vnder neth hym hortyble to be holde some bryng wood and colle others as ryght seruyceable staye his feete that he may descend rightly and softely Not longe after came foorthe certene theames of hys whyche he had heretofore disputed of the three gouermentes Ecclesiasticall politycke and Oeconomike Whiche he sayeth God hathe ordeyned agaynste the furye of the Deuill but he vtterlye excludeth the Bysshop from all these for that he condemneth and oppresseth the Gospell for that he bryngeth vnder hys subiection all lawes and euen the ciuile lawe And in asmoche as he forbiddeth matrymony to whom it pleaseth hym Therfore he calleth him the beast which is named in Germany of the beare and the wolfe together There is nothynge sayeth he more fierce and cruell then she Wherfore when a token is geuen and that she is once hearde of streyghte wayes all men get them to theyr weapons to the intent they maye kyll her And yf hapely she should take a caue or anye inclosure and gouernour or Iudges of the soyle wolde exempte her or also defende her she shoulde be persecuted notwithstanding and he that should let or disturbe the hunters myght be slayne lawefully After the selfe same sorte must the Bisshop be resysted if he doe attempte and moue warre lyke a wyld and a rauenyng beast with what aide someuer he is mayneteyned For they that wil serue or helpe a theefe ought to looke for the rewarde of the thynge which they deserue ThaÌ did he also sende foorth an other picture very fonde in dede but yet as it were a prophesye of the thyng to come The Bisshop in hys prelates apparell sitteth vpon a greate sowe with manye dugges whyche he diggeth in with his spurres hauyng two fyngers of hys ryght hand nexte hys thume stretched ryghte vp as the maner is he blesseth suche he chaunceth to mete with In hys lefte hande he holdeth a new smokinge tourde at the smell wherof the sowe lyfteth vp her snowte and with her wyde mouthe and nose thirlles catcheth after her praye but he in derysion blamyng the beast full bytterly I shall ryde thee saieth he with my spurres whether thou wylt or noe Thou haste troubled me longe aboute a counsell that thowe myghtest rayle on me at thy pleasure and accuse me franckelye Beholde nowe thys same is that counsell that thou so greatlye desyrest by the sowe he sygnifyeth Germany These tryfles of hys many mentaunted as vnsemely for hym and not verey modest But he had hys reasons whye he did so was thought to haue had a greater foresyghte in thynges And certenly in hys bookes are diuerse and sondry prophecyes wherof the ende prooved some trewe the residew as yet are in the hande of God In the meane season Themperoure taketh order with Granuellan and Nauius to be in hand with the protestantes touching the counsel and the Turkish warre but after longe decision nothyng could be concluded Grinian the french Ambassadour for because he vnderstode not the latyn tounge conprysed hys matter in wrytyng and vttered it by an interpretour the .xx. daye of Iune the somme of thys oration was to exhort them al to the counsell This Grinian was a nere frende to the Cardinall of Tournon who is thought to haue ben the occasyoner of thys Ambassade for he had ben with Themperoure at Brusselles as I sayde before and had treated of matters concernynge the counsell And than was it thus agreed that the kinge should sende an Ambassadour to exhorte them to the counsell whych Themperoure and he had already approued for thys was thought to bee a meane to make the Protestantes affraid At this tyme dyeth Fraunces Duke of Lorayne leauing behynde hym a yonge sonne Charles a chylde of two yeres olde The Duke had a brother called Niclas Bisshop of Mentz betwene him and the childes mother Christien Themperours Nece arrose a contention aboute the wardeshyp Al the Nobilitie fauoured hym more and lothed the womans gouernement but through TheÌperours mediation they were bothe appointed gardins yet so as the mothers authorytie was chiefest In those dayes also departeth the Daughter of FerdinaÌdo which was maried two yeres before to the son of Sigismunde king of Polle But out of Spayne was brought glad tydinges of the birth of Charles Themperoures Nephewe the sonne of kynge Philip for the whyche cause the Spaniardes made greate Ioye at wormes But a few dayes after came worde that the mother of the childe was dead To Themperoure being at Wormes came the Marques of Piscare and broughte with hym certen of the chiefe inhabiters of Millan It was thought how Themperour was than determined to marye the Daughter of Kynge Fernando to the Duke of Orleans and therfore had sent for these men to vnderstande the state of Lumbardie whiche he had promised to geue hym for her dowarye Whylest Themperoure helde this assemblie the Duke of Brunsewicke goeth to the Frenche kinge That time did Fridericke Rifeberge leuie a certen power of footemen in the Borders of Saxonie for the king of England Henry of Brunswicke espying that occasion promyseth and perswadeth the frenche kyng that incase he wyll geue him monie he shall easely fynde the meanes to scatter theÌ again And so getteth of hym certen thousandes of Crownes but he neyther letted Rifeberge and coÌuerted the monye receyued to warre against the Protestantes as shal be declared herafter Unto this conuentyon came no Princes as I sayde before but after TheÌperoure was there the Paulsgraue Electoure came also and at the request of the Protestantes maketh intercession But whan Themperour saw how they wold graunt nothyng to the Turkisshe warre vnlesse they obteyned theyr requeste concerning the counsell and the chamber he sendeth an Ambassadoure to the Turke for trewes Gerarde Ueltuniche a man verye well learned and experte in toungues Duryng thys conuention the Senate of Mentz maketh inquirye after suche as by the olde custome had not receyued at Easter and banisshed them the Towne that were founde herein culpable I shewed you before howe the clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon had appealed to Themperoure and bisshop that they myght hereby hynder thenterprises of theyr Archebisshop but where he stil proceded and wolde not displace the preachers and ministers of the church whyche thyng they chiefly requyred they renewe theyr sute to Themperoure making of hym a greuous
LaÌtzgraue neuerthelesse prepareth for the battell and styll shoutyng of his ordenaunce approcheth nere hys enemye and stayeth aboute fyue hoÌdreth passes from hym and sendeth woorde to Duke Morys by CoÌrade HausteÌ how he caÌnot be in quiet for that he feareth lest through occasyon of talke Duke Henry shoulde escape awaye Duke Moris sayeth how he must nedes tary till he haue spoken with him and praieth hym so longe to absteyne A little whyle after he retourneth and sheweth how Duke Henry with plentifull teares be wayleth his myserye and wyll render hym selfe and hys sonne and desyreth hym that he wolde vse no cruell wordes towardes hym When the Duke was commen and hys sonne Charles Uictor the Lantzgraue sayde vnto hym If I were in thy power as thou art nowe in myne thou woldest not suffer me to lyue longe But I wyll vse thee a greate deale better then by thy desertes what came into thy mynde that thou wouldest not obey the Emperoure refusyng the sequestration for certenlye by thys meane thouhadst wel prouyded for thee and thyne speakyng on thys wyse he appoynteth theÌ both vnto kepers But in thys meane whyle the Lantzgraues armye had lyke to haue bickered with the enemye and had not the Lantzgraue and Duke Moris with greate expedition runnen betwixte them there had ben a wonderful slaughter The Duke of Brunswickes armye pourposed to depart wholy to gether in one companye but because there was daunger leste by occasyon they shoulde attempte some newe enterpryse the Lantzgraue followeth them and ouertakyng them vpon a playne compelleth theÌ that they should teare in pieces their enseignes promiseth hym vpoÌ theyr fydelytie that they shoulde not serue agaynste hym nor hys fellowes within these sixe monethes Than taketh he a waie from theÌ all theyr munition to the nomber of xviii pieces with all that therunto belongeth and marching foreward recouereth the Castel of SteÌbrucke and sweareth the people to be trewe to hym and commaundeth to geue God thankes for the victorye Then he punnisheth Iohn Schamburge Otto Ritberg Erles for aydyng hys enemie and so discharging hys army retourneth home In thys tyme dyeth Albert Cardinall of Mentz and Sebastian Husestene succedeth hym And the Bishopricke of Maydenburge had Iohn Alberte hys cosen germayne whyche was hys suffragan therebe fore A reporte was afterwarde bruted by Duke Maurice as though with disceiptefull captious woordes he shoulde haue brought the Duke of Brunswicke into bondage that knowen he setteth foorthe a wrytynge and sheweth for what cause beyng requyred of the Duke of SaxoÌ and the Lantzgraue he coulde not denye them and recyting the whole matter in order declareth that he sustayneth iniury And yet neuerthelesse intreateth that he maye be deliuered But Luther in a booke set foorthe exhorteth the Prynces that they wolde not let goe theyr prysoner For thys victorye without bludshed was geuen them of God And in maner aboute thys tyme Countie William of Furstemberge whan he had ben prisoner at Paris vntil now paying .xxx. thousand crownes for hys raunsome was delyuered and passyng through Flaunders whan he had declared hys mysfortune to Themperoure retourneth home Themperoure wylleth hym to espye out some meane whereby thys dammage may be recompensed And herin promiseth him his fauour good will Whan Henrye the Duke of Brunswicke his soÌne were takeÌ the Duke of Saxon the Lantzssaue immediatly signifye to themperour by letters the whole matter inasmoch as he conteÌninge all his proclamations had disquieted Germany with a newe warre they require that both he his fellowes for breaking the publycke peace may be outlawed after the fourme and condicions of the SequestratioÌ before conuenaunted After thys the last of October the Lantzgraue accusing countie Ritberge to themperour making meÌtion of the former letters whan he had made the same request he sayeth how after the Duke of Brunswicke was taken he found sondrye letters of great importaunce of secret deuyses in hys tentes which shew well enough that he went about some great mischief eyther agaynste him or kinge Ferdinando For amonges others ther is an epistle whiche a prince electour wryteth agayne to hym how he maye not vpon such condicions come into that league coÌfederacy but that it is rather his dewty to vtter such maner of counsel which doubtles he wolde haue done had he not promised him vpon his fydelytie to haue kept it close Wherfore let hym moue hym nomore in the matter from henforth for yf he doe it shal be no counsell these and suche other lyke thinges hath he to shew If now he shall thynke that anythynge concerneth hys person he maye sende some trusty man of hys he shal shew him the letters let him haue a copie of the same Themperour beyng that tyme at Bruges a Towne in Flaunders the syxte daye of Nouember sendeth to the Lantzgraue Nicolaus Conricius with this message He heareth in what sorte the Duke of Brunswicke and hys sonne came into hys haÌdes And albeit he wold haue wisshed that he had accepted the condicioÌ of sequestration yet seing the matter is coÌmen to this poynt he supposeth it not nedefull to punishe hym moreouer for breakinge the publyke peace hys truste is also that he wyll so moderately vse thys victory that no man shall nede to feare hys vyolence he admonyssheth hym moreouer that accordyng to the auncyente custome of Prynces he doe intreate hys prisoners quyetlye and honestyle neyther that he enforce them to any vnreasonable condicyon or vnworthye for them but permytte that the matter maye bee frendelye and indifferentlye hearde Wherin verelye he for hys offyce and place wyll omytte nothynge And because neyther he nor hys confortes neede nowe to feare anye further daunger hee requyreth hym to dyscharge hys Armye and obserue peace And yf he haue oughte to saye to any man for the Socyetye of warre or ayde minystred he wolde trye it by the Lawe and he wyll doe herein that shall be reasonable When Conricfus had thus declared the .xviii. daye of Nouember the Lantzgraue the same day auÌswered him at Cassels For asmuch as the Duke of Brunswicke and hys fellowes haue moe wayes than one broken the imperial decrees he trusteth that Themperoure wyll playnly declare in how euill parte he taketh thys theyr doyng one of the chiefest of hys adherentes is Otto Erle of Ritberge his client whoÌ he hath punysshed therfore therbe also diuerse others of whom he myght iustely be auenged but to th entent Themperour and all men shoulde clearly see howe littell he and hys fellowes loue trouble he hathe done nothyng to them and hath discharged hys soldiours And seeyng it is thus and that he tooke in hand a nedeful defencion he desyreth ernestyle that Themperoure wolde bannishe the Duke hys fellowes for though he be taken yet are hys adherentes to bee punyshed notwithstandyng whych also wyll shew themselues styll lyke enemyes Hys prisoners are intreated metely lyberally
addresseth hys letters by Hierome Franch whom he sent than backe to the Swysses vnto the Bisshoppes of Sedune and Chur and to certen Abbottes in those partyes Howe he hathe called all the prelates of Christendome to a generall counsell at Trent And it is reason that they which represente the Churche of the Swisses shoulde come thyther chieflye For the people of that nation are vnto hym more derely beloued than the rest for that they be as it were the peculiar children of the See Apostolicke and defendours of the Ecclesiastical liberties and to TreÌt are commen alreadye verey manye Bisshopes oute of Italy FrauÌce and Spayne and the nomber encreaseth daylye Wherefore it is not semely that those which dwell so farre of shoulde preuente them that are nere hande A greate parte of theyr people are infected with Heresyes and had so muche the more nede of a Counsell Wherefore let them nowe with dilygence recompence thys slackenes and get them thyther immedyatelye all delaye set a parte vnlesse they wyll incurre the penaltye by the Lawes prescribed and the cryme of neglectynge theyr dewtie and playne dysobedyence The reste shall hys Ambassadour tell them vnto whom he prayeth them to geue credyt The clergie and Uniuersitie of Collon followed theyr suite at Roome against theyr Archebysshop verey ernestlye Wherfore the Bisshop of Roome the .xvi. daye of Aprill for asmuche as forgettyng hys owne saluatyoÌ he hath offended diuersesly agaynst the ecclesiastical rules doctrine agaynst the traditions of the Apostles rites ceremonyes of the christiane religion in the church accustomed coÌtrary to the censure of Leo the tenth setfoorth against Luther and his fellowes he doeth excommunicate him out of the communion of the church depriueth him of his Archebishopricke al others his benefices priueleges dignities and commaundeth the people of hys iurysdiction in generall that froÌ henceforch they obey hym not he releaseth them also of theyr othe by the whyche they are bounden to hym and commaundeth hym to sylence and awardeth hym to pay to the contrary parte costes and doÌmage With them of Collon ioyned the Byshops of Liege and of Utreiche and the Uniuersitie of Louain this senteÌce was after imprinted at Roome in the moneth of August When Themperour came to Regenspurge and was infourmed of the whole matter by the presydentes of the conference he toke the going awaye of the Diuines in most euill parte and dispatching hys letters throughe out Germany complayneth greatly therof and exhorteth the princes moste ernestly to come themselues From the Protestantes came Ambassadours only but thyther came Duke Moris Ericke Duke of BruÌswicke Iohn Albert of Brandenburge the Bishoppes of Trent Auspurge Bamberge Wirciburge Passawe Hildesseme Aboute th ende of Maye came also kyng Ferdinando The second daye of Iune the ProtestaÌts goe to Themperoure and complayne of the murtheryng of Diazius and desyre that the murtherer may suffer accordyngly Themperour sayeth he wyll consulte wyth hys brother Ferdinando moued also maketh the lyke aunswer With the Protestantes then were the Ambassadours of the Paulsgraue of the Archebysshop of Collon of MuÌster Norinberge Regenspurge and Norling The thirde daye after Themperoure calleth before him al the states and declareth the cause of callynge thys conuention and after he hath complayned muche of the absence of the Prynces he fyndeth hym selfe no lesse greued that the Collocutours were so sodaynely broken of and departed wherefore inasmuche as he coueteth greatlye that Relygion myght be set at some staye in Germany he desyreth theyr aduise and counsell what is further to be don herein moreouer how the iudgment of the chamber maye be refourmed he vnburthened of the charges therof Fynally he sheweth them howe for the relyfe and quyet of Germany he hathe throughe the meanes of the Frenche Kynge taken trewes with the Turke for one yere but seeyng the trewes commeth oute at October nexte as his brother king Ferdinando telleth him is broken also already and he knoweth not what wylbe the ende therof he supposeth that they shal be fayne whan tyme requyreth to geue hym that ayde whych heretofore they promysed and he wyll for the defence of th empyre mynister all the helpe and counsell he is able The Princes Electours were wonte to consulte and conferre together But at thys tyme the Ambassadours of Mentz and Treuerse forsake the Ambassadours of Collon Palatyne Saxon Brandenburge reuolt to the Catholickes and after conference had with theÌ they approue the counsell of Trente and exhorte Themperoure that he wolde maynteyne the same and perswade the Protestantes that bothe they wolde goe thither and also submytte them selues vnto the decrees and iudgement of the Synode But the Protestantes desyre Themperoure that he wolde establyshe a fyrme peace and vpryghte iustyce that he wolde referre the cause of Religion to a laweful counsell of Germany or assemblie of th empyre or to the conference of learned men to be had vpon certen condycions and shew how the counsell of Trente is not the same that hathe ben promysed by the decrees of Th empyre Whylest they consulted aboute these matters behold it was bruted a brode that Themperoure Kynge Ferdinando and the Bysshoppe of Roome made greate preparatyon for warres For insomuche as Themperoure had peace with Fraunce and trewes with the Turke for thys yere the oportunytye of tyme semed fytte to work they re feate in Certen Bysshoppes and Themperours Confessoure with whom the Bysshop of Roome had practysed were thought amonges others to haue been a greate occasyon hereof Wherefore whan Themperoure was fullye resolued to haue warre the .ix. daye of Iune he sendeth the Cardynall of Trente in greate poste haste to Roome in message to the Bisshop to procure the ayde promysed two dayes after he dispatcheth awaye Captaynes and chieftaynes with money to goe leuie men incontinentlye He had before commaunded Marimilian the Erle of Bure to bring him out of the low countries al the force he could get bothe of horsemen and fotemen he commauÌdeth also Marques Albert and Marques Iohn of Brandenburge Wulfangus the master of the order in Germany to gether bandes of horsemen And those two though they were of the Protestantes religion and Marques Iohn also in league with them yet for asmuche as themperoure sayde howe he attempted that warre not for religion but agaynst certen rebelles they promysed hym their seruice And Marques Iohn had maried the Duke of BruÌswickes daughter that was prisoner with the Lantzgraue The Ambassadours of the ProtestaÌtes being troubled to heare of these matters and taking care for the coÌmon daunger of Germany desyre the other states of thempire that they wold goe with theÌ to themperoure to intreate that he wold haue no warre but that was in vaine especially the ambassadours of Mentz Treuers vtterly refused them The Lantzgraue who had good espialles euery where seÌdyng oft his letters to RegeÌspurge aduertised them what
intelligence he had out of sondry places admonished them that the bandes of horsemen whiche for the suspicion of warre they had hyred before shuld be styl reteyned newe taken vp and prouyded but they for asmuch as theÌperours demaundes preteÌded no likelynes of warre but Lenitie and desire of peace thoughte verely there shuld haue ben no warre that yeare But what tyme the thing it self declared that the brute was not vayne whan nowe not only in Germany but also in Italy powers were leuied and moreouer the force of Spaniardes did approche the .xvi. daye of Iune they goe to Themperoure and for because all places are full of warlycke motions they inquyre of hym whether these thynges be don through hys commaundemente For in asmuche as the reporte goeth that he myndeth no warre agaynst the Turke nor other foreine Prince they maruell to what ende all thys preparatyon tendeth And with them were the Ambassadours of ColloÌ and Palatine hereunto had themperoure appoynted Nauius to make them aunswer With what loue he hath imbraced Germany euer synce he fyrst was Emperoure it is no nede to recyte And is nowe of the same wyll also neyther hath he any other pourpos but that peace and iustice maye be obserued in th eÌpyre and that all states may be reconcyled herein such as shall obeye hym he commaunded them to looke for all good wil of hym against those that shall doe otherwyse he sayeth howe he must procede accordyng to hys ryght and authorytie The nexte daye addressyng his letters to dyuerse Cities that were in league with the Protestantes especyally to Strasburge Norinberge Auspurge and Ulmes I doubt not sayeth he but you know well enough howe derely beloued Germany the common countrie of vs al hathe ben to me alwayes what trauell and paynes I haue taken and what charges I haue been at not with out the great dammage of my realmes and kyngdomes to thintent that weightie daungerous dissention of religion might be appeased Wherin doubtles I haue not sought myne owne priuat coÌmoditie but alwayes don my indeuoure that offences taken a waie Germany might be in quiet For this the decrees doe testifye so oft by me renewed albeit that certen doe enterprete these thynges otherwyse and doe falsely ascribe vnto me the contrary Moreouer in thys my gouernemente of the common welth I haue had euermore an especyall care for the preseruation of the free Cities that they shulde not be oppressed by certen whyche yf they myghte fynde an occasyon to brynge theyr pourpose to passe wolde not fayle to do it Which thing I suppose you as you be wyse meÌ haue marked by former actes don Nowe though certen men haue oftentymes atteÌpted diuerse thinges to the hynderaunce boothe of you and of other states and of me also yet in asmuche as I could not without a greate sturre redresse them I haue suffered hytherto in good hope surelye that I shoulde at the lengthe reape the fruyte of thys my pacyence and lenitye to the profyt of the publycke weale whiche doubtles had so commen to passe had not some men by secrete and wonderfull polycyes letted thys agremente certes not for thys cause that eyther they loue Relyon or respect gods glory but that vnder a certen pretence of holynes wherwith they myghte cloke theyr wickednes they myght oppresse other states and bryng theyr goodes and landes into theyr owne handes For the reuenewes of some they haue vsurped already and violently deteyne the same to the greate iniurye of many And nowe that they haue brought the matter to thys passe that iustyce set asyde they now feare nothyng they shoute now at my office by moe wayes than one and raseshely demynisshe the same for thys intente certenly that they maye subdewe the states of Th empyre and especyallye the Cytyes partely by force and partely by craftie meanes Whose talke maketh me to beleue the thynge to be certenly trewe whan they bragge as I am credebly infourmed and threateÌ also that they wil attempt force and warre agaynste me The same thyng is wytnessed by so many of theyr forged sedytions and famous lybelles and pictures which they setforthe to reyse sedition and inflame the people againste me Therfore can I haue no hope that euer they shulde through my lenitie and pacience waxe the better amend or leaue these insolent faccioÌs For certenly hitherto I haue so littell profyted by this meane these many yeres now that they are not only become nothing at al the better but also worse then themselues more obstinate more rebelles and desperate Whiche thing certenly tendeth to the distruction of the publycke weale and vnlesse a remedy be found it wyll come to passe that Germany shall fall from hys auncyent lybertye into a moste greuous boÌdage and tyranny but that maye I neyther beare nor suffer anye longer neither caÌ it by any meane be excused though I wold Wherfore to thintent my dygnytie may be preserued that peace and iustice maie consist in their vertu and strength that the iminent daunger may be repulsed from the Empyre and from youre heades I haue prefixed to bring those disturbers of the common welth to theyr dutye and to restore Germany to her olde beautie and lybertie Which inteÌt of myne I thought good to sygnifye vnto you that you shuld geue no credite vnto such as haply shal brute a broade that my pourpose is otherwise For I doe assure you vpoÌ my honour that I doe it for none other respect theÌ for the same that I haue now declared Therfore I trust also that you will not faile me herein that bothe their boldnes may be repressed that youre dignitie may also be recouered If you shall thus doe I bed you looke for all goodwill at my handes which I wil further declare incase you send me an Ambassadoure touching the same the like thing in effect he wrote also to the Duke of WirteÌberge The same daye wherein these letters were in dited Granuellan and Nauius calle vnto them the ambassadours of the cities beforesaide and speaking to euerie of them seuerally in maner after one sort saye how this warre is not ment nor prepared against the Cyties but againste certen rebelles that haue committed treason and infringed themperours authoritye which haue taken the possessions of certen Princes and bishops whiche in dede by occasyon wil not spare the cities neyther Wherfore looke they shewe theyr fayth and allegeaunce to TheÌperoure and ayde not his enemies that Themperoure haue no cause of displeasure agaynste them vnto whom he wissheth wellâ let them wryte thys whome with spede and exhorte theyr cyties to remayne in theyr de wtye Themperoure will also wryte vnto them like wise sende ambassadours The same daye at Trent it is ordeyned that in the Abbeies of Monkes Chanons there be some learned man appointed to reade a lecture of diuinitie herunto some benefyce assigened out in steade of a pension And that no
it Al this time was themperoure at Regenspurg besides thre thousand Spaniardes about fiue thousand fotemen of Almaignes and seuen hundreth horsemen he had no more power commen to him at that time He had sent for the Spaniardes out of Hongary And it were the same whyche after the peace concluded with the French kyng wintered in Lorayne after went through Germany into Hongary as I shewed you in the laste booke The peace lately made betwene Fraunce England chauÌced luckely for the Protestantes for that the Almaignes which had serued the French king came vnto theÌ through the coÌduite of Counte Bichling George recrode which was client to the Lanzgraue TheÌperour that xx day of Iuly by his letters patens doeth outlaw the Duke of SaxoÌ and the Lantzgraue In the beginning he accompteth at large what paynes he hath taken hytherto that Germany myght throughly be quyeted what decrees he hath made for the same that no force shulde be don to any man for any kynde of matter but that al thinges might be don by law and custom Agayne he sheweth how the states of th empyre be bounden to him and what fidelitie they ought to perfourme But all these thinges saieth he neglected Iohn Fridericke Electour of Saxonie and Philip Lanzgraue of Hesse by a certen rash boldenes haue at all tymes as muche as in them laye hindred all oure trauaile and paynes taken for the publicke weale neyther haue they ben obedient and haue not only them selues resisted vs but haue also intised other states to doe the lyke and with them to make vnlawful coÌspiracies And the Lantzgraue certen yeares past pretending a cause I knew not what attempted war against som of the chiefest states of thempire and inuading their dominions did extort agreat somme of monie And after they both together set vpoÌ an other prince of th empyre the cause not knowen and droue him out of his prouince kepte it to them selues They haue also gotten into theyr owne gouernmeÌt sondry Bishoprickes and offices as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuile the Lordes wherof are of an auncyente custome vnder the iurisdiction of Th empyre haue theyr place in the consistory amonges other states and as yet also thoughe they haue ofte complayned and sued to vs in all assemblies they deteine them styll in that seruitude They haue also spoyled many of theyr goodes and yerely reuenewes and receyued into theyr tuition the clientes and subiectes of others And nowe lately also throughe a certen singuler boldnes haue sollicited diuers states that they should not come at thys conuention to thintent they myght let our procedynges and brynge vs in contempt And all these thinges doe they so much the more boldely for that they contemne iudgementes and neyther acknowledge nor feare the magistrate For throughe theyr fault the hyghe iudiciall place of Th empyre is taken awaye the lawes kepe silence and of a long tyme now there hathe ben no iustice ministred to the great losse and domage of many and after a straunge example suche as hathe not ben hearde of before And that which is worste of all they worke all these thynges vnder that goodly and pleasaunt name of Religion peace and lybertie For these vse they as clokes to couer theyr doinges where they desyre nothyng lesse than eyther the agrement of relygion or of Germany the peace and libertie certes they can proue by neuer a place of scripture that it is lawfull for them obstinately to resiste theyr hyghe Magistrate in any case but the contrary is most manifest aswell by holy scripture as also by autenticke historyes that those auncient professours of the christen doctryne which confirmed their faithe not in wordes only but also by theyr dedes and death did obey heatheÌ princes Wherfore doubtles they ought much lesse to denie vs theyr dewtie vnder the pretence of religion And when they denie that they declare euidently that theyr intente is to take froÌ vs the crowne imperiall scepter and all oure authoritie and vsurpe the same to theÌselues and when they haue confounded all thinges to oppresse religioÌ law peace and lybertye And thus auaunced hyghly with new honours and possessions to bring all men vnder theyr tyrany For this do their wordes testifye ful of malicious threatninges and also their famous libelles and pictures dispersed into all places to the great mockerye contempt of our name Moreouer they haue not only made leagues againste vs in those their conuenticles but haue also styred vp forein kinges against vs secretly aided the same with theyr helpe couÌsel Ther be somme olso that cantel what they haue attempted to induce that Turke into Germany Which thing is the rather to be credited for that the same shuld be verey fitte and commodious for their pourpos Wherfore by these theyr doinges they breake theyr allegeaunce that they owe vnto vs and infringe the dignitie of oure office they reiecte all decrees which they neuer estemed otherwyse than yf they had beÌ made for thys intent that others myght not repulse violence froÌ them selues but that it were permitted to theÌ only to doe iniurie to all meÌ Therefore they haue fallen into that moste heynous crime of treason and into the condygne punishement for suche an offence by the lawes prescribed And because theyr doinges beknowen there is no nede to declare theÌ And albeit that through the authoritie that we haue we might haue punnished them long synce according vnto their demerites yet for the loue of peace and to auoyde trouble we haue fauoured them verye muche graunted to them ofte in many thynges more also than became vs and herin haue oftener than once hurte our owne conscience and minished oure authoritie and not well prouyded for others Thus did we fyue yeres synce at Regenspurge deale moste gentlye with the Lantzgraue two yeres past at Spier with the Duke of Saxon of thys hope verely that they beyng vanquished through our great lenitie pacience and clemencie shulde at the length leaue theyr vngodly deuises and shuld nede of no extreme remedy But where in dede I perceyued that this did no good at all that they abused our gentlenes inasmuche as contemning the decrees of thempire breaking conuenauntes they procede obstinately throughe a licencious lust to rule take other mens landes possessions and wil be bounden to no lawes But seke to subuert the whole state of the publicke weale And certenly vnlesse they be first put to silence neyther can Relygion be accorded nor the other partes of the coÌmon weale established and refourmed we are constrayned to vse agaynst theÌ the authoritie that god hath geuen vs. And because theyr rebellion is manifest insomuch as they themselues cannot denye agayne for that they woorke by violence and will abyde no iudgment Therfore doe we outlaw them as false rebelles seditious of treason giltie and disturbers of the coÌmon quiet and we are prefixed to punnishe them as they haue
the hylle beforesayde and there planteth part of hys Ordenaunce He placeth hys menne also on the lefte hande and on the ryghte The same did the Duke of Saxon whan he was commen thyther with hys companye â The eightenth Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the eyghtenth Booke THe Erle of Bure passeth the Rhyne by meanes of the Archebyshop of Mentz The counsell of the Lantgraue is not allowed to set vpon the Emperour The Switzers wyll not meddle in this warre Wherfore the Duke and the Lantgraue sollicite the Bohemers aunswer fully to the accusations and dissemblinges of the Emperour They remoue theyr Campe to cutte the waye from the Erle of Bure Peter Strosse kepeth not promyse to lende them money Touruert being rendred to the Emperour Duke Maurice holdeth an assemblee of his states against the Duke of Saxon vnto whome the Lantgraue aunswereth The Duke of Saxons countrey is set on fyre and destroyed by the Hongarians and Duke Moris surpriseth certen of his townes Fourtene Martyrs brent at Meanx The Protestauntes hauyng leuied their campe are pursued The Duke of WitteÌberg and certen cities make their peace with the Emperour The father of Trent establish the Article of the institution of man After the death of kyng Henry the eight the Gospell had fre passage in Englande Marques Albert is taken prysoner by the Duke of Saxon. WHan MaximiliaÌ the Erle of Bure of whoÌ is meÌtioned before had assembled al the power he coulde in the lowe couÌtrey which were foure thousand horsemen and ten thousand fotemen and emonges them certen bandes of Spanyardes and Italians whiche had serued the kyng of England in his warres against Fraunce marching forwarde with the same out of BrabaÌt in the moneth of August passeth ouer the Rhine aboue and beneath Mentz whersoeuer he coulde get shipping notwithstandinge that the Protestauntes had layde a power on the other syde at the leading of Christopher Oldenburge and Riseberge which shuld haue stopped their passage The Archbishop of MeÌtz was thought to haue holpen much in this matter When the whole armie of the Protestauntes was come to the forsaid place they shot of al their ordinauÌce into themperours caÌpe most terrible Euen ther the Lantgraue calling before the Duke of SaxoÌ the counsellours captains of yâ war if I had yâ gouernmeÌt alone saith he as I had what time I restored yâ Duke of WirteÌberg I wold first vndertake to geue yâ charge vpoÌ theÌnemy with ii legioÌs bring the pioÌners to cast down their treÌches that done assaile theÌ with the whole force power but herein whilest thopinioÌs of meÌ were diuers some diswaded yâ thing as ful of most peril others misliked not yâ same so that ther wer no dauÌger to be feared of the townes men which had great store of shot munition that the horsemen were also at the first charge giuen nothyng was attempted Whiche thing doubtles is so much reproued of many that this same errour is thought to be the cause and beginning of their calamitie and of the Emperours victory For they farre excelled in horsemen and than was the Emperours campe intrenched but with a lowe ditche only so that it was but of small force But what time the Emperour had susteined the shot and brunt of that day the next night followyng he so well fortified his campe that after he was of better confideÌce and might endure more easely all stormes that came But they saye how in this so great a daunger the Emperours harte and courage was wonderfull good and not only declared no token of feare him selfe but also boldened others exceadingly and offered to take suche part as they did How the Emperour solicited the Switzers by his Treasurer of Burgundy I shewed in the last boke Unto those requestes was aunswere made in the assemblie of Baden holden in the moneth of August as before is mentioned How they wil not infringe the league that they haue with the house of Austriche and Burgundy Moreouer they wyll call home agayne suche as are gone forth a warfar and vnlesse they shall obeye punyshe them accordingly Thus aunswered those nyne townes that are of the popysh ReligioÌ But they of Zurich Bernes and Basill and also the Schafusians for as muche as the Emperours and Byshoppes letters did not importe one and the same cause of this warre againe in as muche as the copy of the Emperours and Byshoppes league which was shewed them by the Byshoppes Ambassadour spake playnly how this warre was attempted to roote out the Religion of the Protestauntes they tolde the Emperours Ambassadour that they would take deliberation in makyng an aunswere and attende vntyl suche tyme as the Emperour had aduertised them whether he would permitte them to kepe styll their Religion in safitie Whan the Emperour harde of this the seuen and twenty day of August he addresseth to them his letters out of the CaÌpe before Ingolstad Where they haue not made the same answer that the rest haue done he can not perceiue the cause supposeth that this is done through the craft of his aduersaries For he heareth how in the former assembly of BadeÌ they went about to perswade with them as though he had moued war not to punish rebellious princes but against certeÌ cities to thinteÌt that through the bishops aid the doctrine of the Gospel also the libertie of Germany might be oppressed he hereth moreouer how thei haue sollicited theÌ not only for aid agaiÌst him but also concerning a league wherof as he vnderstandeth they haue put them in good hope that in the next assembly they shal make theÌ a direct aunswer And as touching the cause of yâ war for as much as they haue vnderstaÌden the same as wel by his priuate letters writteÌ vnto theÌ as such also as he hath published opeÌly it nedeth not here to be repeted For that he hath ether molested any man for Religion sake or giuen occasion of rebellion it can not be shewed nor proued but that streight wayes froÌ the beginning of his preparatioÌ vnto war he treated freÌdly gently with diuerse more also thaÌ was decent for his person to do to men of so meane estate degre Nether can this excuse their rebellioÌ for that the byshop of Rome doth assist him for not only the Princes of Italy but certen also of Germany and diuerse gentlemen of right noble houses emonges theÌ som of the religion league of the Protestauntes do ayde him now wil venter their liues spend their blud in this war Whiche doubtles thei wold not do in case the matter stode as these seditiouse persons do falsly report And that they haue alwayes gone about vnder the preteÌce of religion to resiste their hygh magistrate to oppresse religioÌ the libertie
vnto the Emperour the men at Armes of Naples to the numbre of fiue hundreth at the leading of Iohn Baptiste Spinello After this the Emperour goeth marching to Hale a towne of Sweuia vnto him lately reconciled Thether came vnto hym Fridericke the Paulsgraue Prince Electour he had ayded the ProtestauÌtes with foure hondreth horsemen whiche came vnto them at Ingolstad Wherfore he goeth vnto the Emperour and sheweth hym that this was not done to resist him but to fulfyll a league wherby he was bounde to the Duke of Wyrtemberge Themperour taketh him vp sharply accompting how much he had done for him blameth him sore Neuerthelesse he remitteth the offence and warneth him that hereafter he do recompence this fault and errour with a more trusty fidelitie Alitle before the warres whan the Paulsgraue intended to haue set an ordre in his churches he had sent for Paulus Fagius a maÌ learned and eloquent to come to him from Strasburg to Hedelberg that he might be a guide in the doctrine of the Gospel and shew the way vnto others But in this successe of the Emperour all that was there begonne was quite dasshed A fewe daies after came to him Ambassadours from Ulme who after they had made their submission and craued pardon were reconciled This citie was of chiefest force and authoritie in al Sueuia Wherfore their breaking of froÌ their felowes was a great matter but they writing their letters to their freÌdes at th ende of December signifie how the cause why they so did was that the Emperour was prest to haue beseged their city rouÌd about and they were vtterly forsaken of their fellowes and sawe no mans helpe that was able to defende them against so great a power Moreouer for that certen of the chiefest of the confederates sued vnto the Emperour priuatly to be reconciled The Emperour condempneth theÌ in a hondreth thousand crownes and twelue pieces of ordenaunce and put into their citie ten enseignes of fotemen In this meane whyle the Erle of Bure inuadeth the Lantgraues dominion liyng aboue Franckfurt and the towne and castell of Darmestat he wynneth partly by force partly by surendrie he fireth the castell and spareth the people For none defended it but the inhabitauntes and a company taken out of the couÌtrey After he passeth by Franckfurt And where as he was out of hope to wynne the same by violence especially that tyme of the yeare and his soldiours in so euyl plyght he sendeth away parte of his army before to passe ouer the Rhyne and willeth them to tary him at Mentz And whan he thought nothing lesse and was now returning home behold they of Franckfurt sending Ambassadours offer to render and say they wil be at commaundement He without any tariyng turneth backward with them and entryng the town with his armie bringeth them in subiectioÌ to the Emperour And as he was a Gentleman of a plain nature whan the Senate gaue him a supper he iested with them as it is reported for rendryng so lightly and timourously saiyng howe they of Darmstat are worthy to inhabite Franckfurt and they to be remoued and dwell at Darmstat Which towne in comparison of Franckefurte is but a village Howbeit the cause why they did so amonges others was for that they sawe howe Ulme and the Duke of Wirtemberg should be reconciled And again fearing lest the marte should be taken from them for all their welth standeth by the same Neither were thei ignoraunt that they of Mentz and wormes laboured for it to the Emperour either citie for them selues to haue it froÌ them After sending Ambassadours they are receiued againe into the Emperours fauour paying him foure score thousand crownes Whan the Duke of Saxon was come with his armie to his own froÌtiers the .xxii. day of December sending his letters to the states of Duke Maurice where as I made no aunswere sayeth he to your letters bearing date the .xi. daye of October I did it purposely and would tary to se the ende but what hath ben done in the meane tyme it is openly knowen Howbeit by reason of the Cosynage league and amitie that is amonges vs and for my benefites toward your Prince certenly I loked for no suche thing either of him or yet of you Nor I woulde neuer haue thought that euer he would haue vsed me and my people in suche sorte as hs hath done Much lesse that you wold geue him suche counsell as shoulde tende to the destruction of the whole countrey and your owne dommage also But I thinke this tyme semeth vnto you conuenient wherin should be vttered the craftie deuises and counselles of certen of you contriued many yeares since but of God alwayes repressed For consider with your selues what an acte of yours was this whan you counselled Duke George to disherite his brother and hys brothers chyldren because of their contrary Religion and to make the Emperour king Ferdinando his heires vnles they would professe and restore the byshops Religion And where as the wyl and legacie toke no place but the whole inheritaunce was reduced to his brother Henry and the doctrine of the Gospell reteyned that was chiefly wrought through the meanes and industrie of me and my league frendes And albeit that he professing our Religion entred into our league also and wrytynges made of the same and sygned aswell in his owne as also in his sonnes name yet did you for as muche as your fyrste hope was frustrate moue him as much as you might to swarue from this his couenaunt And whan he was departed hys sonnes also followed the steppes of their father vndoubtedly through your counsell And like as that inheritaunce against your willes descended vnto Henry and his sonnes so did also the frendshyp that I had with Henry not a litle greue you full ofte haue assayed that the same might be vntwyned Neyther was your enterpryse altogether frustrate and that which you could not bryng to passe whylest he liued you haue now at the last obteined of his sonnes especially of Maurice of whom I had conceiued in my mynde moste hope of vertue and frendshyp For fiue yeares synce not long after he was made a Magistrate you styred him vp against me whiche had not deserued that at his handes and that in suche wyse as the matter wanted not great daunger And albeit that the tempest was bloweÌ ouer through the mediation of the Lantgraue and a bonde made that no suche thyng should be attempted hereafter but that the matter should be ordered on both parties according to thauncieÌt league yet haue you in my abseÌce perswaded hym his brother Augustus to sease vpoÌ my prouince Which thing assuredly greueth me so muche the more for that he both wryting and receiuing again ryght frendly letters did signifie no suche thinge Againe that he would do nothyng herein at the request of the Lantgraue and his fellowes The calamitie of the innocent people and of my subiectes
committed in charge the tuition of all counselles But you went so hastely away that you reiected suche as sayd how you ought first to aske aduise of the Emperour and Byshop And if you must nedes haue remoued at the lest you should haue obserued the decrees of holy counselles and haue remayned within the borders of Germany to the intent the Germaines whose cause was chiefly in hande myght come to the counsell safely But nowe haue ye chosen Bononie a citie in the middes of Italy and subiect to the churche of Rome whether you are assured that the Germaines will not come And therfore haue you chosen the same that to the decaye and reproche of the vniuersall weale the counsel myght either be dossolued or handled and vsed at your pleasure The Emperour therfore requireth that moste earnestly that you wold retourne to the same place whiche before contented all men especially synce all thinges are safe and quiet neither remaineth there any further cause of feare Whiche thyng if you shall refuse I doe here in the name and by the commaundemeÌt of the Emperour proteste this remouing of the counsell to be vayne vnlawful and the whole doyng to be voyde of none effect And do also testifie the answer of yours to be fond full of lies and the the coÌmodities that hereafter shal insue to the coÌmon wealth ar not to be ascribed to theÌbut vnto you and affirme moreouer that you haue no authoritie to remoue the counsell And in asmuch as you haue neglected the publique health of men the Emperour as Protectour of the churche wyll take charge therof so far forth as he may by the lawes and and decrees of holy fathers Whan he had red these thinges he deliuereth the copie of the Protestation written and requireth that it maye be recorded for matter of recorde There Cardinall Mountane by the consent of the Fathers speakyng grauely declareth that they are not well vsed and taketh God to witnesse and saieth howe they are ready to dye rather than to suffer suche an example to be brought into the churche that euer the ciuile Magistrate should at his wyll and pleasure comptrolle the counsell The Emperour in dede is the eldest sonne of the church but neyther Lord nor Maister But he and his colleges are Legates of the See Apostolicke refuse not presently to reÌder an accompt both first vnto God after also to the Byshop of their Ambassade And that more within a fewe dayes their Protestation shal be aunswered In maner to the same effect and about the same tyme Mendoza whan letters were come from the Emperour wherby he was commauÌded to procede did proteste at Rome before the Byshop and Cardinalles callyng therunto as he was cemmaunded the Ambassadours of foreine kynges and Princes â The twenty Booke of Sleidanes Commentaryes concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the reigne of the Empyre of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the twenty Booke THe treaty is of a controuersie whether the lande of Prusse belong to the kyng of Poole or to the Empyre The Pope maketh an ample aunswere to the protestation before made by Mendoza Wherof the Emperour being aduertised leauing all hope of a counsell begynneth to set forth his Interim The Protectour of Englande wryting to the Scottes in ample wyse demaundeth their Quene Uogelsberge is beheaded The Emperour in his campe before Wittemberge gaue to Duke Maurice the ryght of Electourshyp and nowe createth him with all solemnities Bucer refuseth to subscribe to the Interim The Pope himselfe coÌdemneth the Interim Lykewyse do some of the Electours and Prynces Certen also refuse it al though that the Emperour had caused it to be proclaimed The Duke of Saxon prysoner with great magnanimitie refuseth it The Lantgraue by letters set forth in his name maketh semblant to consent therunto to be deliuered Whilest the Masseis abolished in England the cities and townes of Germany are sollicited to accept the Interim and aboue all others Strasborough yea with threatchynges IN the fourmer bokes is declared howe Albert of the house of Brandenburge did homage to the kynge of Polle howe he altered the state of the coÌmon welth in Prusse and was therfore outlawed of the chaÌber Againe howe the kyng of Polle in commoÌ assemblies of the Empyre had oftentymes sued to the Emperour and other States that in as muche as he was his Cliente they would reuerse his outlawerie But where as nothynge was obtayned vnto this daye and in this great victory of the Emperour it was to be feared lest the matter should haue come to further daunger the kynge of Polle vnto this assemblie sendeth an Ambassade the chief wherof was Stanislaus Lascus He in the moneth of Ianuary deliuereth to the Emperour and Senate of Princes an Oration wrytten the effect wherof was this Howe the cause of Prusse had bene oftentymes debated But for as muche as it hath bene alwayes differred vntyll other assemblies he is nowe coÌmaunded agayne to declare the same And the kinges truste is that inasmuch as they haue at al times made him geÌtle answers the cause it self being rightful they will haue some consideration and mynde of hym yet not not as Iudges but as Prynces worthy all honour and reuerence And first of all sayeth he I wyll speake diuerse thynges of the order of Prusse to the intent the thyng may be manifest In times pait the kynges of Polle gaue a great part of Prusseland to the order of knighthode in Dutche land vpon coÌdicion that they might haue their seruice against the enemies of christendome But they very vnthankefull breakyng conuenauntes tourned their force against ther owne Lordes So had they oftentymes warre and oftentymes their conuenauntes were renewed Which by reasoÌ of antiquitie it is not requisite to rehearse But that whiche in maner chaunced in our memory I shall recite Kyng Casimire father vnto Sigismunde subde wyng them in a great battell brought them to conditions of peace Than amonges other thinges it was accorded that from henceforth they should acknowledge the kynges of Polle for their Magistrate geuyng theÌ their fidelitie by an othe But afterwardes certen Maisters of that order brake conuenauntes geuynge them selues in to the tuition of others Of the whiche Albert of Brandenburge was one who being bounde by conuenaunt to doe homage vnto the kyng his Uncle within the half yeare wold not Wherfore the kyng albeit he loued peace yet was of necessitie constrayned to attempte warre And albeit they neuer ioyned in battell with their whole forces yet by Roades made fyryng spoyling and escharmoushing was much harme done in so muche that Alberte being to weake came vnto the kyng to take truce But at the selfe same tyme came a force of Germaines to ayde hym For the whiche cause he departed without concludyng the same and began to renewe warre But not long after beyng of them forsaken where he dyd but dissemble before than
trouble he trusteth that after the example of your progenitours you will kepe assuredly the conuenauntes of Maximilian and Fridericke Empeperours An other thing that I haue in commission apperteineth to the cities Danske and Elunige For these albeit they be vnder the dominion of Polle yet are they called to the assemblies of the Empyre Wherfore the kyng requireth that they be not so vsed hereafter but synce that no man besydes him hath to doe with them they may from henceforth be suffered to vse his owne lawes Whan the Emperour had heard his demaundes he made relation therof to the states of the Empire and geueth a copie of the Oration to Wuolfange Marques of Prusse Who the .xxiii. daye of Ianuary maketh aunswere in the vulgar tongue and after a certen preface In this saith he resteth the whole controuersie of the matter whether Prusse be vnder the dominion of Polle or of the Empire If I shall proue the later to be true the matter shal be easy to determine And thus standeth the case moste triumphant Emperour moste mighty kyng and moste noble Princes and states as I shall declare About foure hondreth yeares past whan a publique war was attempted against the Barbarians whiche vexed sore the men of our religion throughout al Asie Affricke this order wherof we speake was instituted whiche both Emperours haue liberally auauÌced and the high Byshops also confirmed After the knyghtes of this same ordre for the space of certen yeares kept great warres in those parties for the vniuersall Christen weale but in fine hauing a great ouerthrowe they were discomfited and dispersed into sondry places At the same time it fortuned that Conrade Duke of Moscouia was greuously assayled by the Prussians being than the ennemies of Christen Religion And whan he was no longer hable to mainteine warres and defende him selfe against them he sued first to the Byshop of Rome that he setting forth a celestiall and immortall rewarde as the maner was would incourage men to this warre After he adioyned to him this order of ours and gaue them all the countrey of Culmen borderyng vpon Prusse and the rather to encourage them gaue them al the land of Prusse to holde for euer This dede of gift the Emperour Friderick the second confirmed permitted Herman Salcie that than was Maister of the order to moue warre against the Prussians and if he did subdue them to inioye their lande for euer This was in the yeare of our Lorde M CC. xxvi Thus verely did my order through the ayde of the Emperour Byshoppes of Rome Princes of the Empyre continewing the warre by the space of liii yeares at the last conquer the lande of Prusse and bring it to the christian Religion beautified it with certen Colleges Byshoprikes and builded therin also both Castels and Cities that there might be in those parties as a walle and fortresse of the Empire and a refuge for the Nobilitie of Germany And so hath parte of the same Region remained in our gouernement vnto the yeare of saluation M CCCC l. and an other parte therof tyll Albert of Brandenburg After what tyme the Lituanes and Tartarians together made warre against the Polonians and Moscouites our knightes remembring their profession and order toke armure and cleane disconfited the Lituanians inuading far within their limites For the which cause we had long time peace and amitie with the Polonians vntill suche time as a certen Prince of Lituania was created king of Polle Who to auenge the losse and shame of his nation moued warre against vs sodenly and ayded of the Barbarians did very muche hurte But being of our men repulsed and put besides and a great part of his Realme had no ioyfull ende of that warre in so muche as he made his complaint to the counsel of Constance After came forth a decree that suche part of Polle as our men helde by the lawe of armes should be restored Thus beyng againe reuiued he forgot the benefit receiued and renewed warre and contended that certen prouinces of our order belonged to the dominioÌ of Polle And albeit that through the intercession of the two kynges of Hongary and Boheme the matter was taken vp yet the sore brake out agayne and at last the case was referred to the Emperour Sigismunde who approued the fourmer composition that the kynges had made Howebeit the king of Polle could not reste thus but attempted warre agayne whiche the .xxiiii. yeare after was accorded at Tournie whan Ladistaus was king In the whiche composition of peace he forsaketh all suite and strife neither calleth he him selfe Lord or inheritour of Prussie and byndeth all his successours that within one yeres space after they come to the Crowne they shall sweare to accepte ratifie the same peace and compelle the byshoppes and other states of the Realme to take the same othe and that euery tenth yeare this othe should be renewed This was also coÌdicioned at the same tyme if any king of Polle shall hereafter moue warre vpon the Maister of Prussie that the people be not bounde to obeye or assiste hym but that peace be continually kept on either partie And this composition was confirmed with two hondreth Seales as it is to be shewed Yet did not the peace indure aboue .xiiii. yeares For in the yeare of our Lorde M. CCCC.I the people making a rebellion conspired against the maister And albeit that the Byshop of Rome and the Emperour Fridericke the thirde did outlawe them Albeit the maister desired that the matter might be heard yet did they so litle regarde all this that about .lxx. townes and castels revelled in one daye Unto this conspiracie of theirs ioyned him selfe the kyng of Polle Casinure father to Sigismunde and brought vs vnto suche a perplexitie that Lewys Erlinsusie who than was maister of the order constrayned through feare of the present daunger as a moste constant man might doe in such a case to the intent he might both hepe still his prouince and also saue him selfe in the same accorded with him vpon conditions moste vnreasonable without the authoritie either of the Byshop or the Emperour or yet the states of the Empyre The coÌditions of this peace amonges other thinges are these That the Maisters of Prussie froÌ hence forth shal within sixe monethes after he be chosen Magistrate come vnto the king of Polle and by an othe acknowledge hym for their Souraigne and shall ayde hym against all men they shal also receaue into the order aswell Polonians as Germaines shall admitte them to beare office and for suche landes as they shall wynne hereafter to do homage to the kynges of Polle Whiche conditions verely do not only coÌcerne the priuate losse and rebuke of my order but also the publique domage and reproche of the Empire Nobilitie of Germany Wherefore since that time haue there bene maisters Which considering the vnreasonablenes of the thing haue made greuous
albeit Mendoza thou semest to esteme thys lyghtly yet ought it to be accepted for a great benefite For the ayde was exceading great that I sente in so muche that it far surmounted the abilitie and power of the holy treasure came to him moste in season What thing therfore could lesse be loked for than that after the victory obtained and that so lately the Emperour should rendre vnto me suche fruicte of Godly zeale beneuolence Uerely that the ende of the same warre should be the beginning of protesting against me Certes it hath chaunced vnto me that the Prophet complayneth of that lokyng to gather grapes I should fynde wylde beries I haue euer synce the tyme I was first called to this dignitie pastorall with earnest study tilled cherished themperour as a moste noble plante that I myght once haue a plentifull vintage But this enterpryse of his hath almoste taken away froÌ me al hope of fruicte Thou hast heard the cause of our grief heare also how we were relieued of the same Thou as though thou hadst had authoritie geuen thee to proteste against me and this sacret senate hast so vsed the same as is neither vnto vs honorable nor mete or condigne for the Emperour But in the letters of coÌmission there is not one worde that sheweth it to be themperours wil that thou shouldest thus procede I say there is not one worde to the intent thou mayest better vnderstand it that geueth the authoritie thus to do The Emperour coÌmauÌdeth his deputies at Boloigne that they should proteste thus before our Legates there whiche haue chaunged the place of the counsel Which after thou didst perceiue once done thou woldest vse the same maner of protesting here also in our preseÌce But herein hast thou passed the bondes of thy coÌmission And if thou hast not perceiued this before Mendoza acknowledge now at the last hauing warning For themperour coÌmauÌdeth that to protest not against vs nor before this presence but against our legates that were autours of that remouing Wherfore theÌperour hath done herein the duty of a teÌperate Prince which hath stayed within those bondes limites wold not that the protestation shuld be made before me whom he knoweth to be the lawfull only iudge of al suche causes For if I had refused to haue heard the matter than shuld be haue had iust cause of protestation But thou MeÌdoza not taking the way that thou shuldest haue done didst not desire me to examine the matter but requirest that I shuld disanul the decree made of remouing the counsel coÌmaunde the greatest part of the fathers to geue place to a few the remained at TreÌt And what thing can more deminish thauthoritie of the whole couÌsel than this Had it not ben much more reasonable that those few which are at Trent if thei had any cause of coÌplaint of the fathers which be at Boloigne shuld haue made the same vnto me Certenly I wold neither haue refused their requestes thaÌ nor yet wold at this preseÌt Where therfore it is certen that themperours minde is not coÌsonaÌt or agreable to your fact we haue cause to giue God thankes which ruleth his minde after thys sort We may reioyce to our selues thou thy self mayst be glad for thy Princes sake And albeit that by this same which is saide already the fouÌdatioÌ of your pleade is so fallen that I nede not to answere thy protestation yet lest the through silence I might appeare to acknowledge thine accusatioÌs by the same thing of send many especially such as be ignorauÌt I will coÌfute theÌ all And first what time thou hast set this marke before rhine eies that thou mightest declare me to be negligent to draw backward seke delayes thou the couÌsel shuld not be holdeÌ but theÌperour to be carefull for the common wealth Uigilaunt and industrious and wholy addicte to the kepyng of the counsel thou procedest in speakyng thy pleasure Assuredly I doe not nother ought I to enuie the Emperours prayses And if thou haddest stayed there I had had nothinge to aunswere But in as muche as thou doest extolle hym to depraue me so laude and commende hym that thou myghtest bryng me in contempte whylest thou sayest that he hath desyred a counsell not of me only but also of my prodecessours Byshoppes of Rome The thing it selfe requyreth that I should aunswere thee to the same For if thys were alwayes the Emperours mynde and desyre that a counsell myght be holden of the same mynde haue I bene euer as well as he Agayne as I am his elder in yeares so haue I desired this thyng before him as the moste honorable Cardinalles can tell whiche were of the same nomber at that tyme. And whan I was chosen Byshop I continued of the same mynde styll And hauing the leste occasion in the world I called a couÌsell first at Mantua and after at Uicence But thether came none at all and hether but very fewe And the Legates which I sent taried there halfe a yeare lokyng for the other Bishops whiche I had summoned sending a broad letters and messengers into all partes Howbeit thou sayst that these cities were not commodious for other nations to repare to but that TreÌt was fit for the pourpose But al men knowe that Trent is not to be compared vnto these neyther in quantitie nor plentie of all thynges Therfore the incommoditie of the place was not the let but the warres of Prynces Nowe consyder with me whether was more feruent in this behalfe The Emperour whiche letted the counsell with warlyke tumultes or the Byshop whiche was euer a peace maker who neuer ayded any Prynce in warre sauing the Emperour only and that in the same warre whiche semed to open the way vnto the counsell Whether the Emperour were constrayned to warre brought vnto it against his wyll I dispute not But certen it is that the counsell was let by the warres I come vnwillingly vnto this comparison because the contention is of the prayse of vertu which is al dewe vnto God alone but thou Mendoza hast geuen the occasion I will not be tedious and will only warne thee to coÌsider euery yeare of my byshoprike and marke wel what care and study I haue taken For verely these two thinges haue bene euer before my eyes to make peace amongest Princes and to kepe a couÌsel and herein haue spared neyther coste nor payne for all myne olde age But neyther doest thou reproue any thyng before the counsel and blamest only my Legates in that they remoued to Boloigne without my knowledge Moreouer this doeth offende thee that I call the congregation of the Fathers at Boloigne a counsell and thynkest that they susteyne iniurie therby that remayne at Trente But what euill is in that For thus all men speake howe the Counsell is remoued from Trent to Bononie Wherfore if I should doe the dutie of an vpryght iudge I ought so to call it
For albeit that al papistry in a maner was therin established yet for asmuch as certeÌ things wer permitted to the contrary part they thought it first expedieÌt to make the bishop priuy Who after openet ãâ¦ã themperor by cardinal Stoudrate these notes or any inaduersioÌs That a priest which hath takeÌ ordres shuld mary execute stil yâ holy ministry was neuer hard of that the vse of receiuing the Lords supper vnder both kinds is abrogated nether hath any maÌautority to permit that liberty sauing the bishop of Rome the sinode that the folowers of the old religioÌ are not to be bouÌdeÌ vnto these doctrins but if any Lutheranes wil forsake their opinions thei are not to be refused That of the .ii. masses ought only to be vnderstaÌd of the Lutheranes that the singing of Psalmes ought to be restored in al places that on holy daies they must celebrate the memoriall of the patrone of the church that suche as are priestes already or hereafter shal be muste abstayne froÌ Mariage that a spedy restitution of the church goodes and iurisdictioÌ must be made For the Robbery is manifest nether must they folow herein thordinary proces of the law but determin of yâ thing that is euideÌt execute the matter by regal power WheÌ this ceÌsure was inferred tharchbishops of MeÌtz Treuers Collen vnto whoÌ it was deliuered answer theÌperor directly after the same sort especially vrge restitutioÌ declaring the same to be right necessary if christeÌ religioÌ shuld be maintained in places wher it is abolished shuld again be restored Moreouer the coÌmon peace caÌ not otherwise be established wherfore it is chiefli to be prouided that religious houses be wholy restored And in as much as the spoil extortioÌ is manifest they must go spedeli to work that gods seruice may withal spede be recouered Finally they desire him to take these things in good part with his protectioÌ to defeÌd the meÌbers of the church The .iii. other electors wer not of the same opinioÌ especially the Paulsgraue Duke Moris yet ether of theÌ had causes why they shuld not gainsai themperor The rest of the princes whiche wer for the most part bishops answer in like maner as did the iii. Archbishops As for the cities ther was no great accompt made of theÌ Themperour therfore at the Ides of Maye calleth all the States before him And in the preface speaking of his zeale towardes Germany saieth we perceiue by manifest arguments by the thing it self the neither the peace can be established nor law iustice ministred vnlesse the coÌtrouersie of religioÌ the first appeased which hath now many peares sturred vp thempire muche grudge dyssention hatred discorde ciuile warres This hath bene verely the cause why by many coÌueÌtions coÌfereÌces we haue often sought a remedy But in the meane time not only in Germany but also into other natioÌs and people of ChristeÌdome hath this same coÌtageous infection pearsed in so much that ther appereth no more present remedy than a general couÌsel which at the leÌgth at your request we procured to be holdeÌ at TreÌt and moued you also at the beginning of this conuentioÌ to submit your selues to thauthoritie of yâ same And that yâ charge might be coÌmitted vnto vs in the meane seasoÌ to deuise some godly meanes wherby they might liue quietly the meane while in Germany which coÌteÌtatioÌ and coÌfydeÌce of youres was vnto vs both thaÌ now also right acceptable What time therfore we gaue our selues wholy vnto this carefulnes demauÌded your opinions we than perceiued not without the great grief of our mynde that the disagrement in religion was thoccasion of all the former euils And vnlesse it be foresene hereafter wylbe Wherefore we thought it not good to leaue the matter in that troublesome state vntyll the decree of the counsell but that it oughte to be broughte to some moderation especially sith that oftentimes new sectes did arise Whilest we were poÌdering these things certain of high degre nobility desirous of peace louers of the coÌmon weale exhibite to vs in wryting theyr opinioÌ coÌcerning religioÌ promise due obeisaÌce We than receiuing yâ wryting deliuered the same to certaine good learned deuines that they shuld among theÌ selues consider al things diligeÌtly which after they had perused it made report that yâ same being wel vnderstand did not impugne the catholike religion and doctrine nor the lawes and coÌstitutions of the church two opinions only excepted wherof th one is of the mariage of priestes thother of the Lordes supper but said it was wel deuised to establish the concord of Germany which thing dousles vnto vs shuld be most of all acceptable for what more ioyful thing could happeÌ theÌ to se al states in mindes agreable follow one the same forme of Religion And seing it is eueÌ so we require such as haue obserued hitherto the lawes custome of the catholike church to their great coÌmendation that they perseuer in the same alter nothing as they haue promised vs heretofore And those also which haue chauÌged their religioÌ we desire most earnestly to passe with thother states professe the same religion that they do or els to coÌfyrme their doctrine after the order of this boke in euery poynt to follow the steps hereof besides that to ordaine nothing but to stay within these boundes limites and neither by wryting nor preaching to attempt any thing to the contrary but obedieÌtly to atteÌd the decre of a general couÌcel that the same may be had as shortly as is possible we wil indeuor with al diligeÌce now ar occupied in this thing wholy how to coÌceaue a forme for the reformatioÌ of the clergie WhaÌ he had spokeÌ thus by his secretary as is accustomed he coÌmauÌded the boke to be red Ther tharch bishop of meÌtz which occupieth the chiefest place amoÌg thelectors not seking what thopinioÌ of stats shold be ariseth vp as it wer in the name of al the rest geueth vnto theÌperor for so much trauel pain care diligeÌce loue of yâ couÌtrey imortal thaÌks in asmuch as thei haue already coÌmitted the thing to his fidelitie now paines hath beÌ takeÌ therin he saith it is reason that they should with most willing minds acknowledg thesame obey the decre This thaÌks geuing did theÌperor take for a coÌmon assent coÌfirmatioÌ after wold admit none excuse as I shall herafter declare coÌmaundeth the boke to be set forth in print both in latin duch also The iiii day after he declareth to the stats with how much labor cost he hath restored peace vn to Germany because the thing it self requireth that it be also prouided for in time to come he supposeth it veri mete necessari some great treasure of money beleuied and in certeine places be kept the common treasurie that if it fortune at
any time anye commotion to arrise within the Empire or without the same may be alwaies in a readinesse And when a fewe daies had passed betwene kynge Ferdinando raccompteth how he for waightie causes whiche they them selues vnderstand wel inough and nede not to be recited sendinge an Ambassade made truse with the Turke for fiue yeares wherof one is past And albeit he hath commaunded his men to do nothing to the contrary yet he requireth them neuerthelesse to geue him that aid which they haue already promised to the intent that if he breake couenauntes he may be easely resisted Again inasmuch as he doth fortifye his frontier Townes with stronge garrisons that he also be negligent in this behalf Therfore is he purposed to fortifye in all places and to kepe garrisons but for the intollerable charges of the warres in these former yeares he is not hable to sustaine so greate a burthen Wherfore he requireth them that whilest this truse shal indure they would pay the mony yerely to be imploid vnto these vses For this concerneth the quiet and preseruation of them all In the meane time Maximilian the eldest sonne of king Ferdinando departinge from Auspurge goeth into Spaine to take in Mariage the Lady Mary the Emperours eldest daughter his cosin Germane The Cardinall of Trent was sente wyth him and a fewe monethes before the Duke of Alba. At the ende of Maye the horsmen of Nalpes that before were in Norgouia come into the contrie neare vnto Strausburge and there remaine by the space of three Monethes and hardly can it be expressed how arrogantly they vsed them selues Many times woulde they come into the Citie neither wanted that thinge great suspicion Duke Moris not long after the Emperours decree was setforth departeth theÌce But Marques Ihon of Brandenburge the brother of Ioachim the electoure goeth to the Emperour and kinge Ferdinando standinge by besecheth him to fauor him in this matter and speakinge somewhat of his seruice towardes him saieth that he vppon this affiaunce chiefly serued him in this last warre for that he had assured him touchinge Religion The Emperoure sheweth him howe this is the consente of the states imperiall and saieth that no man oughte to swarue from the same he replied againe that all had not assented and aunswered him plainly that he could not with a good conscience praise the same decree and still vrged his promesse and couenaunt Whan the Emperour might not preuaile he commaundeth him to departe whiche men suppose to be done for this cause least he should through his example and talke coÌfirme the mindes of others Wherfore the same day towardes euening he taketh his iourney homewardes and in all his dominion altered nothing The Prince Electoure his brother who indeuoured alwaies to please themperoure made no assistaunce Nor yet the Paulsgraue hauing the Emperoure at the same time not his very good Lorde The Ambassadoures of the Cities suche as were of the confession of Auspurge when they were vrged did intreate that they mighte firste aduertise their Senates to the intent they might answer according vnto their mindes which thing was permitted them to do The Emperoure commaunded Wuolfgange Prince of Bipount of the house of Palatine which had his Ambassadours there to come him selfe And whan he came he doth instaunt him to confirme the decre He saieth he knoweth none other Religion saue that in the which he was borne and brought vp in vnto this day Wherfore he requireth him to haue some consideration of him and saieth he wil do herein whatsoeuer he maye with a safe conscience The Emperoure for that time letteth him so departe but afterwarde he vrged him sharply by letters and by messagers as shall be rerited in his place Whilest the Senate of Auspurge consulted the Emperoure placeth souldiours throughe out the Citie There was a righte famous Minister of the Church Wuolfgange Musculus he seinge Godlinesse go to wracke and the Senate tunorouse and could not approue the booke departeth from thence to Bernes in Swisserland At Hale in Sweuia was Ihon Brentius He was in greate daunger two yeres past what time as the protestantes retourned home the Emperour came vnto Hale and now was in much more daunger For then a little before the Emperour came thither which was in the beginning of Decembre certain Spanish souldioures comming into the Towne went straightwaies vnto his house and require to be let in or els threaten much cruelty Which beinge receiued did many thinges fierselye and arrogantlye Wherefore he biddeth his wife and his family hauing none other place to repare to to get them into the hospitall house of the City and a little after followeth he him selfe leauinge one at home to geue them vitailes and thinges necessary But the next daye commeth a noble man of Spaine which was of the Cleargy and thrusting them oute at the dores kepeth the whole house to him self and going into his studie searcheth all thinges There whan he had founde certaine letters wrytten to Brentius from his frendes concerninge the trouble of this time he seketh to procure him much displeasure whan he had vttred the same to his Countrye men Wherefore he followinge the aduise of his frendes in a cold and sharpe winter nighte conueieth him self into the country least by his presence he should hinder his Citezens But when the Emperoure was come thither and shewed clemency and semed to be nothing offended for anye kinde of Doctrine taught there Brentius at the last retourned thither and executed his srunction vnto this time that the Emperoure woulde haue all men to receiue the decree made concerning Religion For beyng commaunded as many other learned men were thorowout Germany to declare what he thought of that boke Albeit he vnderstode his owne daunger yet to thintent he might perfourme hys duetie to the coÌgregation he pronouÌceth the same to be contrary to the Scriptures and so declareth it by writing Which after that it came into the Bishops handes Granuellan in themperours name coÌmaÌded thambassadours of Hale that they should finde the meanes that he might be brought bounden to Auspurge But beinge admonished by his freindes he steppeth a side into the countrey by And not longe after commeth to Hale a bande of Spanierdes the Captaine wherof goeth immediatly to the house of Brentius and seketh euery where diligently if he might find any pray to cary away but the most part of his stuffe was conueied by his frendes alies vnto another place Thus therfore he whiche had taught there xxvi yeares was exiled And his wife also thoughe she had a greuous sicknes whereof she died shortly after was banished withall his family Wherefore she pore wretch wandred vp and downe with .vi. children and knewe not where to become or to haue any refuge all men were so sore afraid of the Spaniardes And this thing augmented her disease sorow that she knewe not in the meane while what was become
to be alwaies referred to the counsell that there both partes being heard the determination might be made but in this boke are determined in a manner all articles of religion whithe if they should now admit without any due examination before had or the learned men of their part heard speake than should they be no longer in controuersy neither neade they the authority of the counsell and wher diuers Princes and states haue allowed the decree made it is no maruel for the same is for their commoditye for those haue al things permitted them safe and whole but they haue a fourme of religion prescribed them and are commaunded to forsake those opinions which haue bene euer in controuersy the matter neuer heard where notwithstanding in all assemblies that whole cause hathe bene referred to a generall counsell For certainlye to compel any man that he should do any thing against his conscience is a heauy matter yea though he be in errour before it be detected They suppose that ther be many good men on both parties which yet notwithstanding may differ in opinion and iudgement against whom no force is to be vsed but the matter to be decided by reason truthe and argumentes Wherefore consideringe that in all other thinges whiche do not concerne Religion they commit vnto the Emperoure whatsoeuer they haue they desire him that he woulde preferre vnto him this one suite of the Senate They know howe greate the Emperoures power is and what daunger they take vp on them in case he will attempt to try the matter by force wherefore vnlesse they were parswaded that God woulde be greuouslye offended with the confirmation of this decree it were starke madnes if they should not obey him herein There Granuellan whan he had repeted their former sayinges affirmeth how they at what time they were reconciled to the Emperoure promised to obserue such thinges as he should enacte for the wealth of the Empire of the which sort is this decre made by the aduise of learned men and by the moste parte approued therefore maye it not be refused forso muche as it agreeth and consenteth with the Churche and wyll they take so much vppon them that they should thincke to se more than the whole Church doeth And shoulde make a departure from the reast They ought not to haue altered Religion but by the common consent of the whole world wherefore if they haue none other commission let them know of their Senate whether they wil obey or no Where they say how they vnderstode it only of Politike gouernement whan the cause was committed to the Emperoure it skilleth not how they vnderstode it but howe the moste part of the states toke the thing Againe they saye howe they and suche other like Ambassadours were estranged and excluded in manner from all consultation neither were they called to counsell thaÌ what time this cause was referred to the Emperoure wherefore they did not otherwise take it than before is sayed yea and certain Princes also toke it after the same sort what time they made their peace wyth the Emperoure they toke vpon them no obseruaunce for that they feared least the same should in fine be applied vnto religion which thing is not vnknowen to his sonne the bishop of Arras who then also in the Emperoures name promised that the whole cause of religion shoulde be referred to a lawfull Counsell but wher he saieth how this decree must be receiued as a common act of the Empire they do refuse no burthen of the common wealth but this presente cause do the concerne theyr soules health and life euerlasting and againe the whole burthen of the decre should reast vpon the godly people for the other multitude whiche contempne religion careth nothing what be ordeined but no man oughte to be constrained to imbrace his faithe they put no doubte in the Emperoure but he loueth peace and concorde yet neuerthelesse if this waye be taken that men shall be compelled againste their conscience to speake and do it is muche to be feared leaste so sodaine an aulteration do raise vp greate commotions That boke was in dede compiled of certen learned men of whome some had the knowledge of the truthe for the same dothe well appeare but certaine others haue intermixed many thinges which are not consonante to the scriptures and doctrine of the fathers as it is to be proued if place were permitted to speake it They haue made no separation from others but in the chiefest articles do agree with the true Churche wherfore they desire him againe that the letters mighte be deliuered to the Emperoure to the intent they might so aduertise the Senate For other thing haue not they in commission to say Than began he to speake more angerly and vrged them with the decree and made a digression to other thinges and saide howe the nobles in Fraunce made theyr boaste that they of Strausburge would not admit the decre which thinge was reported to the Emperoure and raised some suspicion the conclusion was that he said how the Emperoure required a plaine and direct aunswere and that no man is in dede to be inforced vnto any faith but that is to be vnderstand of such as are no Christians for those that do denye the faithe whiche they once professed may be compelled to it by the fire Wherevnto the ambassadoures aunswere what brute the Frenchmen haue raised they know not but certaine they are that the Senate hath as yet made no decree nor anye thing els done than this same which they now do sollicite seing therefore they refuse to deliuer their letters to the Emperoure they will no further intreat them but make reporte to the Senate by fire may a man be taken out of this life but can not be compelled thereby to beleue otherwise and thus ended theyr talke They had treated with the Ambassadours of other cities seuerallye in sort much like and menaced them with threatninges and assigned a day by the which they shoulde make answere and commaunded to tarye till they had aunswere broughte them from home but no such thinge was prescribed to the Ambassadoures of Strausburge Touching the monye which the Emperoure required to be leuied for chaunces to come the states thoughe muche againste their willes approued and promised also kinge Fernando euery yeare duringe the truse an hondreth thousand crownes but they desire the Emperoure againe that he woulde take awaye hys Garrisons and discharge his Souldiours which were placed ouer all Germanye and did much hurt both in towne and country and releue the pore that complained much thereof especially since all thing is now quiet and peaceable The Emperoure saieth there be vrgent causes wherfore he can not at this time discharge his forces and concerning the hurt done there is none to his knowledge for seing he doth paye them it is aagainste reason and his will also that they shoulde do anye man wronge suche lyke thinge hathe bene reported to
Sueuia whaÌ his wife had eftsones ben an huÌble suter for hym and put them in suerall boates There is by the Ryuer of Rhine a towne of the Lantgraues called Sanguner and a Castell set vpon the toppe of a stepe hyl Whan the Emperour came hither he was benighted and rode at Ancker and setting a lande the watchemen only commaundeth al the reste to remaine within borde The Senathe of Strasburge was commaunded as is sayd before to aunswere within a moneth Whan themperour therfore was come to Spire Ambassadours were sent vnto him the second day of September Iames Sturmius Matthew Giger Lewys Grempe Finding him not at Spire followed after vnto Mentz And what time thei had geueÌ knowledge to theÌperour of their coÌming the Germain couÌsellours were out of the way which serued TheÌpe in those affaires thei were byd follow to ColloÌ In that mean time that bishop of Strasburg seÌding letters to that clergie wtin the citie that of September willeth them to obey the decree of th empyre ordeyne the thyng after the fourme prescribed And with al sendeth themperours letters touching the same matter which I sayde were writteÌ the tenth day of Iuly Moreouer he writeth to the Senate also that they would not impeche them Thambassadours of Strasburg after thei were come to Collon ye. viii day of September exhibite to themperour from the Senate an other epistle wrytten in Frenche of this importaunce Al be it moste triumphant Emperour what time we were recoÌciled vnto you We made no promise to obserue such things as shuld be decreed Albeit we neuer assented that the cause of Religion should be handled on this wyse yet in al thinges that we possible may we are ready to gratifie your Maiestie not only in ciuile but also in diuine matters We perceiue wel enough that your highnes the rest of the Princes will haue no consideration of our doinges that it is reason that we shuld folow your fotesteppes Yet this notwithstanding we beseche you eftsones to consider that for so muche as euery maÌ must render vnto God an accoÌpt of his own doing we haue iust cause to be careful for our saluation to forsee that we do nothing at any tyme against our conscience for which cause also we were in very good hope that after you had heard our diuines you would haue mitigated the decree But considering that you referre vs to the counsel say how the matter shall there be debated according vnto holy scripture we are thus contented And least we shuld seme contentious or obstinate do not refuse but that the Byshop of our citie may set forth that order of yours in certen churches with vs by men of his facultie And we shal deuise with hym for the churches neither wil we disturbe him in any thing neither for bid the citezens to repare thither but that it may be fre for euery man to followe suche religion as he shal thinke good hym self yet vnder this condicion that we may haue again a few churches in the which Gods worde may be purely taught the sacrameÌts ministred as it is deceÌt that in the vulgare tongue We wil prouide also that the people shal be kept in order that nothing be otherwise done than is semely Againe we shal coÌmaund that holy daies fasting daies be kept wil suffer nothing to be done either in sermoÌs or other places that may be any offeÌce vnto others And for so much as this doctrine hath now these many yeares ben so depely roted in mens mindes that it can not without that hurt of coÌscience be taken away so sodenly And againe for so much as by this meane which we haue shewed you your highnes decre may take place amoÌgst vs we besech you in the hartiest maner that we can to graunt our requestes to suffer vs in this religioÌ vntil the tyme of the counsel Which shal be both a most thaÌkeful duty vnto God make chiefly for that peace of our citie and whole Prouince After themperour had heard this letters And besides such thinges as Iames Sturmius with his great eloquence declared at large he made answer by Seldie speaking many thinges of his zeale towards Germany after long debating at that length he sendeth theÌ away after this sorte that they should go through with their bishop yet vpon this condition that if they can not agre they should stande to his arbitrement Whan themperour was come into Brabant it was his pleasure to haue the Duke of Saxon with him but the Lantgraue he sent to Audenarde a towne in FlauÌders On the borders of BrabaÌt he dischargeth all those forces that he brought with him from Auspurg I haue spoken before of the iudgemeÌt of the chaÌber imperial how the states permitted themperour that he shuld establish the same The first day therfore of October as before was enacted it is renewed thre Aduocates are displaced for suspicion of Lutheranisme al the rest amongest other thinges were coÌmauÌded that they shuld perseuer in the doctrine of the catholike church or els to be remoued froÌ that place There began Henry the Duke of BruÌswicke to coÌmence suite against the ProtestaÌtes for the former war what time he was expulsed He had in dede conditioned whaÌ he was deliuered out of prison and that by an othe also that he would attempt nothing But he went from that conuenaunt not he only but also tharchbyshop of Mentz the maister of Prussia the Erle of Nassow Reuart counte of Solmen with others moued suit against that LaÌtgraue The meÌ of CoÌstaÌnce lately outlawed wher as they were in great perplexitie sawe no way how to saue theÌ selues flee vnto that last refuge and geue theÌ selues to the house of Austriche for euer Wherupon kyng Ferdinando receiueth them into his tuition sendeth thither immediatly a noble man to be their gouernour Who about the middes of October propouÌdeth vnto them these conditions That they shall acknowledge Ferdinando and his children and heyres for their Lordes from hence forth and shewe vnto them al faith and dew obedience shall not reuolte from them at any tyme neyther make any league or confederacie Suche lawes and statutes as Ferdinando and his deputes shall make concerning Religion and other matters they shal throwly obeye In warre and other affaires thei shall be ready at all tymes to ayde and serue kyng Ferdinando his children and heyres obediently as the rest of his subiectes The same conditions afterwarde they receiue by an othe two daies after the gouernour calleth the Senate and demauÌdeth of them what is the somme of their coÌmon treasure that their gunnes with al their fourniture be brought into an accompt He coÌmaundeth also that no townes man do weare any longe sworde that no man presume to come to the fortifications nor where the watche is That their names whiche during the war admonyshed the citie of daunger
the Lutherians by conuenasit promesse or othe from all those bondes to absolue monkes that be falleÌ into heresie and haue forsaken their houses and to permitte them chaunging their coates to serue in an other vocation of the churche Moreouer to geue pardon to eate milke butter chese egges and fleshe hauing a respect to the place and persone Finally to permit theÌ to receiue the whole Supper of the Lorde who laying asyde all other errours shall allowe the decree of the counsel of Constance whiche will openly confesse that there is as muche receiued vnder one kynde as vnder both and that the churche erred not for making that decre of one kynde only And that this may be graunted them for a certen tyme as shal be thought mete yet so as they them selues doe this seuerally at an other tyme and place and not at the same tyme whan others doe receiue vnder one kynde only Lastly they haue authoritie to compounde with the possessioners of churche landes for the fruictes receiued and spent so as they wyll departe from the possession from hencesorth Furthermore to punishe obstinate persones by the censure of the churche and herein to craue assistaunce of the Magistrates And lykewyse to chouse and substitute Byshoppes throughout Germany whiche shall put the thing in execution These Ambassadours of Rome followynge this commission in such places as they thought moste nedefull did substitute Byshops wherof the Byshop of Strasburg was one whome they commaunded to execute thinges before rehersed And so finally to receiue into fauour ecclesiastical persons if they first would forsake and put away their wyues And meÌ saye howe they went to the Emperour to haue coÌference with hym touchyng the measure and maner of execution And after they vnderstode that it was not possible for them to go vnto al places whiche had nede of remedy of necessitie they suborned others This graunte or indulgence as they terme it of the byshoppe of Rome the Emperour sendeth immediatly to the byshoppes of Germany and warneth theÌ all seuerally to handle the matter gently and peaseably and that they first trye and and assay al wayes by fayre speach exhortations and praiers before they come to excommunication and cursyng Wherfore the Archebyshop of MeÌtz addressing his letters both to diuerse others also to the gouernours counsellours of that LaÌtgraue And speakyng many thynges of his cure and charge pastorall and of the Emperours fayth and dilygence requyreth them to exhibite this order sent from the Byshop of Rome to the ministers of the churche commaunding them to obeye the same The preachers being moued herein saye how their doctrine is consonant to the doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles the lyfe it selfe in dede doeth not aunwere to the profession but yet do thei acknowledge no errour in their doctrine Wherfore thei haue no nede of the Byshops indulgence They haue preferred mariage before the filthie sengle lyfe accordinge vnto Gods worde neither can they forsake their children wyues whome Christ him self commaundeth to embrace with all loue fidelitie and beneuolence Where ther churches do receyue the Lordes supper wholy the same is done by the commaundement of Christe and after the custome of the primatiue churche And they wyll admit no alteration herein In the moneth of May was an open disputatioÌ at Oxforde betwene Peter Martyr the Diuines of the same vniuersitie coÌcerning the Lordes supper and the presence of Christ his body These conclusions dyd Martyr set vp and defende That the substaunce of bread and wyne is not chaunged That the body and bloud of Christe is not carnally or corporally in the bread and wyne but to be vnited to them sacramentally Afterwarde there was set forthe a boke of the same wherin the presidentes of the disputation appointed by the kynges commaundemeÌt do sufficiently declare that Martyr had the maistrie in that contention The tenth day of the moneth of Iune the Quene of FrauÌce was crowned at Sainct Denis as is accustomed by the Cardinalles of Bolon Gwise Chattilion Uandome and Bourbon for al the rest were at Rome The .vi. daye after the kyng with a maruelous goodly trayne and richely apparrelled entreth into Paris the head citie of his Realme where he had not bene yet sene opeÌly synce the death of his father two days after him the Quene Whyles he soiourned there diuers were put to executioÌ for Lutheranisme whiche as it is sayde he behelde him selfe After that the fourth day of Iuly he coÌmaundeth to go on procession in euery church The next day after he publisheth a wryting in prynte declaring this to be the cause therof that he might geue God thankes for his manifold benefites imployed vpoÌ him And that he might praye to God for the preseruation of hym selfe his wyfe and his children and of the whole Realme and commoÌ wealth and coÌmende vnto him the soules of godly meÌ but chiefly the kinges of FrauÌce his progenitours his father lately departed after whose example he was fully prefixed to vndertake the defence and tuition of the catholique fayth Religion the authoritie and liberties of the See Apostolique ministers of the churche amoÌgest the causes this also to be one principall that it mygh be openly knowen howe muche he abhorreth them whiche contrary to Christes commaundement contrary to the traditions of the Apostles and consent of al antiquitie denie the presence of the body and bloude of Christe whiche take away all vertue and strength from Baptisme penaunce good workes and Sacramentes whiche do vtterly coÌtemne the authoritie of the churche and order archepreistship whiche reiecte the praying adoration and reliques of saintes Moreouer that by that deuoute supplication he might testifie what his opinion and mynde is verely that after the example of his progenitours and by a certen imitation of inheritauÌce he doeth so thinke and beleue of all opinions as doeth the Catholique churche the Crede of the Apostles the first counsell of Nice and many other counselles of the holy fathers Further more that he is fully determined to bannish out of his realme and dominions the heresies long since condemned but in this tyme partely reuined and partly inuented by Luther Carolostadius Zwinglius Oecolampadius Melanchthon Bucer Caluine and suche other Archeheretikes monstrouse and pestiferous persones and to punishe moste extremely suche as shall offende herein This wryting setforth in the vulgare toÌgue he sendeth abroade into all partes of Fraunce commaunding theÌ to go a procession in all places and declare the same vnto the people Not long after he beheaded Monsour Ueruine for rendring the towne and castel of Boloigne to the king of EnglaÌd as is spoken in the .xv. boke And his father in lawe Mouns Dubees an aged maÌ which was gouernour of al Boloignois and one of the foure Mreschalles of Fraunce he coÌdemneth to perpetuall prison He had diuerse monethes past sollicited the Swisses to renewe the league whiche they had
treated of penaunce and extreame vnction Than also the electoure of Brandenburge Ioachim sending his ambassadour Christopher Strasie a doctour of the ciuill law offered his duety and obeisance And certainly thaÌmbassadour spake manye thinges at large of the great good wil of his Prince They answer again how they haue taken much pleasure to hear his whole Oration especially that part wher the Prince submitteth him self wholy to the counsell and saith that he will obserue the decrees of the same For their truste is that the thing which he hath nowe presently spoken that same will he perfourme in dede After the deathe of Ihon Albert whiche had the Archbishoppricke of Maidenburge both wealthy and large the gouernement was committed to Fridericke sonne to thelectour of Brandenburge whome the Colledge had desired for their archbishop but the matter was impeached and could not be broughte to passe at Rome And because thelectour Ioachim was before of the Protestantes religion as it was openly knowen that same was a great let Wherfore to auoid the suspicion this ambassadoure was sent who fawning vpon the Prelates omitted no poynt of exquisit diligence Ther was peace concluded at Wittenberge And all beit the siege was not leuied immediatelye yet were there frendly metinges betwene them the xii day of Octobre And the self same time Duke Moris constraineth the Chats a people in the countrye of Hesse which wer iii. yeres past by themperours sentence taken froÌ the Lantz graue being prisoner to be sworne vnto him by the consent of the LaÌtzgraues sonne by reason of the league of inheritaÌce as he saith which is betwene the house of Hesse and Saxon so that for default of heirs males the one house should succede thother And no man doubted but this concerned the iniury of themperor that had geuen the sentence and some new commotion and all meÌ marueled what would be th end therof but in the Emperors court was in a manner no talcke of it and made as they knew not therof At this time was the Duke of Somerset vncle to the kinge of Englande apprehended the seconde time and with him the Lorde Paget the Lord Gray and certain others Than had Ihon the Duke of Northumberlande the chiefe rule and gouernemente The cause of his apprehension was as it is reported that the Duke of Northumberland said howe the other laid wait for his life For this by a law newly made was deathe amonges them About the eight day of Octobre the Bishop of Rome created Cardinall George Martinuse bishop of Wardin of high authority in Hongary the common people named him Monke because he was of thordre of Paule the first Hermit How the French ambassadour was commaunded to attend for an answer at the xi daye of Octobre so that the king would acknowledge the counsell I haue tould you before Certes he came not but yet in the Counsels name was setforth a wryting to the king First they recken vp how they loked for most ample things at his hands and that for sondry causes but at the comminge of this messenger and after they had red his letters they conceiued an inward sorow for that they are fallen from their expectation and yet forsomuch as they are neither touched with the gilt of conscience nor haue geuen none any occasion of displeasure they haue not yet laid aside thold hope they had of him wherfore thopinion which he hath conceiued as though this counsel were called for the priuate profit of a few can least of all take place in so worthy a Sinode For the causes of calling this Counsell were propounded not only of this Bishop but also of Paule the thirde verelye that heresies mighte be roted oute the schole of Discipline amended and peace be restored to the Church is not this plaine inoughecan ther be any more godly or Christianlike thing be done For now are heresies spredde not only throughout Germany but in manner in all Countries which great calamity the counsell is in will to redresse This is the very cause and this is also the end of all theyr doyng and all thinges are referred to this poynt Let him therfore permit the Bishoppes of his realme to further so godly a busines For he neaded not to feare least they might not be suffred to speake frely that they thought For lately was his ambassadoure bothe quietly and patiently heard whan he told no ioyfull newes Than seing a priuate man was heardwith such a lei tie why should any man beleue that the same shuld be denied vnto publike parsons such as are placed in so high dignity how be it though he send no man yet shall the counsell neuertheles haue bothe his dignitye and authoritye for that it was lawfullye summoned and now for iust causes restored And where he signified that he would vse the remedies that his progenitoures had done before they supposed he would neuer procede so farre as to reuoke those thinges which were taken away abolished in times past to the great commodity of the kinges of Fraunce and seing that god hath so highly auaunced him and indued him with so great benefites they truste verely that he wil do nothing wherby he shuld seme vnthankeful ether towards God or to our mother holy church let him only haue a respect to his progenitors to that same title and surname of most christen king Finally to his father king Fraunces who honoured the former Sinode by sending thither his bishoppes and ambassadors Men of most excellent learning he oughte to walcke in these fotesteps which are both fresh and domestical and follow this exaÌple and remit priuate displeasures for the common wealthes sake Themperor and the Bishop had exhorted the Swisses that they shuld be at the counsel but it was in vaine and the Bishop in dede treated with them by Hierome Francke as before is saied but the French king gaue charge vnto Morlet that was his ambassador there that he shuld indeuor to perswade them all that they send no man thither Morlet fineding some difficultye herein sendeth for Uergerius an expert man in such affaires out of Rhoetia and axeth his counsel He both furnished him of argumentes and shortly after setforth a boke of eschuing the counsell Morlet beinge thus instructed came vnto thassemble of Baden and there alledgynge his reasons perswaded not only them which had longe sence forsaken Papistry but also all the residue of the Swisses euen as he desired Wherfore none of them came to Trent Out of Rhetia cam thither at the Bishop of Romes commaundement Thomas PlaÌt bishop of Chur but whan the Rhetians vnderstode by the aduertisement of Uergerius what the bishop of Rome intended howe he would by him recouer his authority amonges them he was called home againe The Spaniardes which wer in the land of Wirtemberge were sent for about this time by themperor and sent into Italy to serue in the warre of Parma By theyr departure
Friderick the Electour of Palatine Woulfgange Prince of Bipounte Iohn Marques of Brandenburg Henry and Iohn Albert Dukes of Magelburge Ernestus Marques of Baden and Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge Their Ambassadours streight way after the oration before rehersed whan they had shewed their coÌmission Duke Maurice say they and the Marques of BrandeÌburg Electours wher for the deteining of the Lantgraue they were in great perplexitie and sayde they would make sute to your highnes for hym moste mercifull Emperour intreated our Princes that they would sue with them to the intent the treatie myght be of more commendation and importaunce Whiche dutie verely they could not in so iust a cause denie theÌ for the great frendshyp and alliaunce that is amongest them Considering therfore that the matter is thus as hath bene sufficiently heard of either of their Ambassadours And because if he be longer deteyned the same shulde be greatly to the obloquie and defamation of them that haue promised him their fidelitie The Princes whiche haue sent vs do praye and beseche you to ponder all these thynges dilligently For they suppose it to concerne them also that their dignitie honour and estimation be preserued neyther can any thinge chaunce vnto them more greuous than if any blotte should redounde to their noble fame Whiche doubtles wyll come to passe vnlesse the captiue be deliuered Wherfore they moste instauntly require you that these intercessions and praiers maye take place with you and that he may be shortly deliuered especially since he hathe both acknowledged his faulte and humblie also craued pardoÌ and bene nowe deteined captiue a long season but chiefly because the great necessitie of two Princes Electours so requyreth Who at what tyme they handled the matter right faithfully and would gratifie you fell into this pecke of troubles And albeit peraduenture that in the treatie some errour was committed and some thinges not wel vnderstande yet were it conuenient and comly for your clemencie to preferre equitie before extremitie and not to regarde so muche the captiue as the fatall necessitie of the Electours and deale frankely with them after the example of your progenitours Who had euer a great respect and care to the dignitie of the Princes imperial This verely should both redounde to your honour amongest almen and also more excite them to shewe vnto you all fidelitie and beneuolence and make them preste and willing to doe all thinges for your sake The king of Denmarke also sending his Ambassadours maketh intercession in a maner to like effecte The Emperour a fewe dayes after maketh aunswere For as muche as the matter is weightie and requireth deliberation and that in the meane season mention is made vnto hym of Duke Maurice that for certen other weightie causes he wyll shortly repare to him in so muche that hauing wrytten his letters to him he loketh for him dayly therfore will he bycause the matter may beste be treated of whan he is present differ it vntil than And as for theÌ they may retourne home vnto their Princes and shewe them in his name that he will remember their intercession and so vse the matter that they may vnderstand how their coÌmendation was of him not lightly estemed Not long after William the Lantgraues eldest sonne came to Duke Maurice And bycause he had put him in hope of the intercession to be made and certen moneths were now past since the Ambassadours toke their iourney he inquireth what is done He saieth for that the Ambassadours of Denmarke came late and not till the Emperour went from Auspurg to Insprucke the thing was delayde and againe sheweth him what answer the Emperour made And bycause he desireth to speake with him differreth the matter till than Albeit he is lothe at this present to leaue his countrie yet for that he tendreth the case greatly he sayeth he is determined to go hauing first receiued letters from him Than sayeth the other the answer is vncerten doubtful neither can he see what good is to be loked for In the meane whyle his fathers estate is miserable who pineth a way for sorrowe and lothesomnes of the pryson Whome he may by no meanes leaue destitute bothe bycause of his duty and also of his promesse Therfore let hym indeuour and bryng to passe that within a certen and that a shorte tyme there be made a direct aunswere If the same be not done neyther he nor the Marques of Brandenburge may take it displeasauntly if they be sued and coÌmauÌded to answer to their obligatioÌ As coÌcerning his iourney he wold he shuld take further delibe For he knoweth not whether it be wysdome for him so to do These thinges were thus handeled for a countenaunce before certen counsellours whome Duke Maurice woulde not make priuie to this deuise of his For since he firste began to treate with Counte Hedecke which was at what tyme he allured to him ââme part of his force as I told you in the fourmer booke he would scarsly let any of his owne couÌsell know any thyng of that matter in so muche that none of them vnderstode wherfore Fraxineus the Frenche Ambassadour came or what he made there Whan he had therfore receiued this answer from themperour by and by he fixed his minde to make warre and taried only for the seasonable tyme of the yeare And touching those forsayd theames they began to dispute the seuenth daye of December And the sixt daye after whiche was the shortest daye of wynter Maximilian entring into Trent with his wyfe children was receiued of the Byshop of Romes Legate and of the Byshops of Spayne Italy and diuers also of Germany but not yet of the Electours He brought with him out of Spayne an Olyphaunt of Inde whiche the kyng of Portugall had geuen him a rare spectacle and a beast not often sene in Germany The next daye after it fortuned that Iohn Gropper of whome I spake before did dispute and after that he waxed hote he inueâed sore against Melanchthon and Bucer though he were dead and rayled moste bitterly on theÌ both being a Germain where both the Spaniardes and Italians were a great deale more temperate Whiche thing was against the decree of thempire and also against the lawe by them selues made that verely the matter should be treated all affections set aparte and without rayling Wherfore a few daies after Iohn Sleidane by occasion of talke spake of the same to the Emperours Ambassadour Pictaue and complaineth that they should be permitted to haue suche libertie He sayde they did it cleane contrary to their willes and also the mindes of the fathers that they haue bene moste earnestly admonished that thei should abstayne And albeit that perchauÌce they are prouoked to do this by the example of their aduersaries whiche haue nowe these many yeares triumphed in this kynde yet will they take suche order that it shall no more be so And that the Emperour wold also be loth
be imagined or preteÌded I am not ignoraunt that men ought to be circumspecte and especially at this time in these sturres of foreine nations that no suspicion of the least dauÌger is to be neglected Againe I am neyther so cleane voyde of care nor diligence that I wyll let passe with a deaf yeare such thinges as are reported for I haue in a maner in all places espialles to inquire of euery matter And herein do I spare neyther coste nor trauell Howe be it to make a full determinatioÌ of a thing vpon euery light reporte you your selfe of your wysdome consider how vndiscrete a thing it were And that you shuld nowe leaue the counsell vnlesse some extreme necessitie vrged you it is in no wyse to be committed For considering howe great a furtheraunce consisteth in your presence it is to be feared least through your departure the counsel should not only be dispersed but also Religion it selfe shoulde vtterly peryshe wherin verely bothe the common saluation of men and all your priuate commoditie resteth And consideryng the case standeth thus I hartely desyre you my Lordes of Mentz and of Treuers that altering your counsell you doe not as yet take your iourney And you my lorde of Collon which make not so great haste I exhort ernestly to perseuer styll And generally I require you all that you who occupie the chiefest places amoÌgest the states of the Empire would helpe one an other with ayde and counsell declaring amonges your selues a brotherly loue and beneuolence In the meane tyme I wil kepe diligeÌt watch for the common wealth and as muche as I am able by polycie and power will seke to quenche in tyme the flambe that shall haply arise to the intent that ciuile euils oppressed and our force increased forrein warre may more easely be defended and that you hauing your countries quiet and traÌquilitie recouered may altogether applie the affaires of the christian commoÌ wealth Yet neuerthelesse I would aduise you that suche of your counsellours and officers as you haue left at home do prouide for all thinges that nothing chaunce vnloked for that they conferre their counselles with such of their freÌdes neighbours as are to be trusted Wherin if I may also profite you any thing I will do it gladly So that if any tumulte be which I can not thinke there wyll you may be so muche the more ready what so euer chaunceth And seing there is no great distaunce betwixt vs you shall do me a pleasure in case you shall wryte vnto me of suche thynges as from hence forth you shall haue intelligence of And I shall do the same and whatsoeuer I shall thinke to concerne you and the common wealth I wyl let you vnderstande and as I haue oftentimes promysed you so wyll I in dede perfourme all defence and tuitioÌ A few daies before Erle Montfort was returned to Trent Unto him therfore go the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg declare howe they haue brought nothing to passe hitherto by the Cardinall and Toletane And for so much as he his fellowes Ambassadours do present there the Emperours persone they require that theyr Princes demaundes might be heard But where as than they receiued no very good aunswer they being almoste in dispaire of the thynge were pourposed to goe home As the Prince had lately commaunded them in case they were longe delayed The Ambassadour also of Strasburge declared his commission to the Erle Monfort as he had done before to Pictaue and he also toke a copie of the commission And now the Diuines disputations ceased and the fathers assembled dayly that searching the opinioÌs of all them they might make decrees as I shewed you before And of the contrie of Germany were chosen for the same thre bishops ColloÌ Uienne NuÌburg This was Iulius Pssugius And whilest they were occupied with those affaires prepared al things for the next sitting the .vii. day of Ianuary come thither the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice of whome the Emperour had written a litle before Wuolfie Coler and Leonard Badehorne a Ciuilian by their coming the Byshops of whome I spake were well chered vp and chiefly the Emperours Ambassadours for that they thought there was nowe no more doubte in Duke Maurice whiche followed peaceable wayes The thyrde daye after they came they declare their message to the Emperours Ambassadours First they recite howe the Diuines that should come were not sufficiently assured by the counsell and for that cause their Prynce did sende no man He is in dede right wel affected towardes the common wealth and desyreth much that some waye of concorde might be fouÌd And therfore was fully resolued to sende of his owne suche as are good men and louers of concorde and doubteth not but that diuerse others wyll lykewyse do the same But that the same may be done these be his requestes First that those that shall come may haue saufeconduicte according to the fourme of the decree of Basill as the Bohemers were assured in tymes past That they surcease from all action in the meane tyme tyll they come That when they shal come all fourmer actes may be retracted and the daie appointed for the session be adiourned That there may be had a counsell wherin all nations and people may assemble That the Byshop of Rome take not vpoÌ hym the authoritie of president but submitte hym selfe to the counsell and release all Byshops of their othe that all mens voyces in the counsell may be free and their iudgementes not intangled Whiche thynges also whan they shall thinke good they wyll declare more at large in the assemble of the fathers and make requeste that some thing may be done in it so shortly as may be For the Diuines haue already taken their iourney and are come at the least fortie myles on the waye and tary nowe tyll they be called This was the tenth daye of Ianuary They sayed howe they were both ryght glad of their comming and that also they woulde preferre all these thynges vnto the fathers They signified also the whole matter to the Emperour who to gratifie Duke Maurice did aduise and counsell the fathers that they should aunswere myldly and frendly to his requestes Moreouer the Duke of Wirtemburge where he had heard no certentie before after he knewe that Duke Maurice had sent thyther commauÌded his Ambassadours to tary tyll the next sessions and to exhibite theyr wrytinge in the same He sent them also an other wrytinge howbeit very brief of the same tenure in a maner as was the request of Duke Maurice and wylled them to put vp that also with the confession of doctrine The Ambassadour of Strasburge was commaunded to attende till either Duke Maurice men came or that it were certenly knoweÌ they wold not come Whan they were come therfore he communicateth with them the cause of his Ambassade and sheweth them how thinges stode and vnderstandeth by them againe what their commission was
Whiche thinges considered they them selues deuise a new fourme following the fotesteppes of the decree of Basil But in the meane tyme Toletane sent his seruauÌt once or twyse for the paper fearing as it appered ouermuch diligeÌce But they neuertheles procede at the last whaÌ the thing was finished Duke Maurice Ambassadours come againe vnto Toletane comparing th one with thother shewe him what lack they find therin Than began he to stomack the matter was right sore offended For why should they not be content with the whiche they with great labour dilligence had obtained For suche as should come were assured sufficiently For the chiefest point is wherby it is prouided that they may safely come safely goe All other thinges serue nothing to that purpose but only concerne the maner of treatie in the couÌsell Which thing might a great deale better be determined what time the Diuines be present than now They make aunswer how they may not passe the boÌdes of their coÌmission which is that they may not receiue a saufeconduicte contrary to that of Basill Two dayes after the fathers assemble all in the house of the byshops legate and with them themperours Ambassadours Who call before them there thambassadours of the Duke of WirteÌberge which the day before they had sayd they would doe Whan they were brought in they are coÌmaunded to declare their message Who after they had shewed their coÌmission made a brief preface bring forth the confession of doctrine written deliuer it to the scribe of the counsel as the maner is And said also that Diuines should come from their Prince whiche should treate of all things more aboundantly howbeit vpoÌ these coÌditions First that by coÌsent of both parties conuenieÌt iudges shuld be chosen which shuld heare the diuines reason iudge vprightly of matters that be in coÌtrouersie For in asmuch as the Prince perceiueth that the doctrine of his diuines doth for the most part disagre with the doctrine of the bishop of Rome of other bishops whiche ar many wayes bouÌd to him he thinketh it very vnreasonable against al right that they which susteine the parsone either of plaintife or defendaÌt shuld chalenge to theÌ selues thauthoritie of iudgement Secondly that it was decreed in thassembles of thempire at Auspurg that the counsel shuld be continued althinges Godly rightly done And this was euermore so takeÌ of their Prince that such thinges as were decreed in the counsel in fourmer yeares ought not to haue the force of a law but that all thinges should be repeted froÌ the beginning For what right or reason were it whan two men go to the lawe that the thing whiche is decreed whan the one hath iust cause to be absent should be taken for ferme and stable Moreouer seing many dcerees were made not only in the fourmer but also in this same counsell contrary to the holy Scriptures and also many olde errours established their Prince requireth that the same be of none authoritie but the al thinges may come to a dew examinatioÌ Those same articles coÌprised in writiÌg they exhibited together with the coÌfessioÌ of doctrine WhaÌ this was done answer made them that the fathers whaÌ they sawe time should shew them their opinion thus were they dimissed Thesame daye in the euening they sent like wise for thambassadours of Duke Maurice They whan they came recite with a long oration the demaundes of their Prince in like sorte as they did of late to the Emperours Ambassadours sauing that the ende was more pithie Wher this was said moreouer that the same seruice order that is vsed in the popish churches was not the true religion but a countrefeated thing as it were a shadowe of religion Whan they had made an end of thoration they were answered with the selfsame wordes as before were the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg Amongst other thinges this greued theÌ moste that their religion was described by so vile conteÌptuouse a name Which was afterward well knowen Thambassadours had intended to haue vttered their message openly in the publique assize But to auoyde this which they knew certenly they wolde do they were heard priuatly For either must thei nedes do this or els leaue al to the coÌmon treatie They had brought with theÌ a confession of doctrine written by Philip Melanchthon as I showed you before but where as they had no coÌmaundemeÌt of this thing I know not for what cause thei did not present the same The next day which was the .xxv. of Ianuary was thopensassions the bishops legate was brought to the church with the pompe before rehersed Than was the noÌber of soldiours much augmeÌted also a greater resort of people out of soÌdry places for that they supposed that the treatie of thesame day shuld be very notable Whan the masse all other ceremonies were fully finished it was recited in the pulpit how for the protestaÌtes cause the whole matter should be differred till the .xix. daye of Marche before the whiche day they will be here in good time to propound their matters And this to be frendly grauÌted theÌ for that the counsel trusteth that they wil come not obuÌinatly to impugne the catholique faithe but for a zeale to knowe the truth that they will in fine admitte obeie the decrees of the churche schole of correction How they haue more ouer a larger saufeconduicte so that no lack can be founde Furthermore that in the next sitting the treatie shal be of the SacrameÌt of Matrimonie The third daye after whan nothing came forthe at al the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice their fellowes demaunded of Fraunces Toletane with whom they chaunced to dine that day a copie of thesame saufecoÌduict which was spoken of openly Who made them a gentle answer but whaÌ other thre daies were past thambassadour of Strasburg at the request of the residue goeth vnto Pictaue He coÌplaineth that this is the sixt daye wherin they can heare nothing And that before was a longer delay for that the saufeconduicte was not sufficient nowe is the time tracted again And certenly the diuines wil not come before suche time as the magistrates be contented with their saufeconduicte He saide howe there was no faulte in him marueiled why Toletane thus differred them who had the chiefest place amongest them He would go talke with him doubted not but the matter should be dispatched the same day That thing whiche he should learne by him he wolde she we him And thus went to him This was the last daye sauing one of Ianuary Within a fewe houres after al thambassadours were commaunded to come to the house of Toletane who deliuered to euery of them a copie of the saufecoÌduicte signed vnderneth by the scribes of the counsell There was also the Earle Monfort Pictaue beginneth the talke first in dede he excuseth the delay made and than speaking much of their own zeale and
than shall the state and condition of all Germaines be common but in case anye manne beare armure againste him and his felowes him wil he persecute with sword and fire There goeth a brute he saieth of him and his fellowes as thoughe they wold bring into Germany forein nations and euen the Turk him selfe but this is a false and an absurd sclaunder For what a madnesse were it to procure so greate a daunger to them selues theyr countrye It is vaine also that diuers report of him as though he shoulde attempte this warre to enriche him selfe he hathe serued nowe manye yeares the Emperoure and kinge Ferdinando and hereby hathe soughte no gaine but rather praise and honor Not without the great losse of his substaunce he hath had also large offers made and not to be contemned but all those refused he hathe fixed his minde on this warre wherin the liberty and former dignity may be restored to the common country In the which warre if it fortune that the same ouermuch authority of the Clergy and prohibited by holy Scripture be infringed and weakned no man ought to blame him therfore For certainly the chiefe bishoppes of the Empire haue bene the occasion of al these euils yet is it not his intent that those Colleges which were founded chiefly for the nobility shoulde be distroyed but that the vices beinge taken awaye and those thinges amended that can not be borne with they maye remaine in their vocation and be auaunced also wherunto he will be a furtherer to them so that they will be contente and not suffer them selues to be perswaded otherwise by his enemies The king of Fraunce also in his letters setforth saithe he hathe this respecte chiefly that Religion being established he may profite the publike weale and chiefly his frendes And therfore immediately after the death of his father he had restored Scotlande to their former dignity renued the league with Swisses recouered Boloigne and broughte againe the old inhabiters and Citezens dispersed hither and thither into theyr landes and possessions he hathe made peace also with the king of England and entred with him into perfite amity and whilest he was occupied with these matters the Emperoure by secreat deuises hath Imagined many thinges for his distruction and oftner than once hath geuen occasion of warre how beit both for the common wealthes sake and priuatelye also to relieue his people he would attempt nothing but winckinge at the iniuries he gaue his minde whollye to the establishmente of his realme but this his quietnesse afterward by his aduersaries was ascribed to a certaine timerousnesse and cowardlinesse but in the meane season were broughte vnto him greuous complaints of the Princes and states of Germany whiche saide that occasion was sought partly for Religion partlye for the Turkishe warre and to punish rebellion to bringe them in to bondage and that by craftye counsels dissention and faction are mainetained and Germanye impouerished so that it can no longer be doubted but that he goeth about to make a monarchy for him selfe and the house of Austrich of the which thing verelye he conceiued an inwarde sorowe both for the common originall of either nation and also for the old amity and frendship which euer continued ferme and inuiolated so long as it might by themperoures crafte and policye For if that state should haue an alteration and Germanye lose her liberty he perceiueth well what damage and daunger the same will be for him and all his realme For Germany is not only the fortresse and strength of Fraunce but also of the whole christian commoÌ welth And therfore hath he desired oft with earnest prayer and wishing that either nation with their forces ioyned together might so stay them selues that they should nead to be afraid of no man where no hope of this thing appeared and yet many craued his healpe he coulde not see by what meanes he mighte succoure the Empyre so rente and torne a sondre but in this consultation so waighey God which is a righteous iudge hath shewed a goodly way For Octauian Frenese Duke of Placence and Parma whome themperour and the Bishop of Rome Iuly laide in waite for required aide of him and declaringe al their iniuries hathe perswaded him to take vppon him the defence of him and the countye of Mirandula After this came also those complaintes of the Princes and states of Germany which required they might enter into league with him for that they said howe by that meanes onlye the common wealth mighte be restored but howe iuste and waighty causes they be for the whiche the Princes attempte warre he will not recite for that the same may be vnderstande by theyr owne wrytinges Notwithstanding let euery man way with him selfe whether this vnsatiable couetousnesse of oure aduersaries dothe not geue a moste iuste occasion of griefe whiche destroyinge the wealthe of the Empire swepe all into theyr owne coffers and treasury The Burgonians do nowe inuade them of Treuers Gelderland and Wirtemberge and make inuasion into their countries and destroyeth the LaÌtzgraues dominion diuers waies of lyke sorte is it that themperor excludeth his ambassadors from thassemblies of the Empire that he prohibiteth that no manne may serue in foreine warres that he putteth to death noble capitains and worthy seruiceable men and amonges others Uogelsperge whose execution he him self beheld at Auspurge to thintent he mighte satisfye his bloudye minde Is if not a mooste euill an example that he shoulde prouoke and hyre men with greate rewards to slay such as serue him in the warres Assuredlye it can not with fewe wordes be expressed what craftes oure ennemies vse For into the same iudgemente of the Chamber and consistorye of the Empire are admitted and placed such as by their meanes they may bring to passe and obtaine what they liste For doubtles the blame of all these euils is to be imputed to thys kinde of menne Especiallye to the iudges of the Chamber For the which causes verely he could not deny the Germains requiring his aid Therfore hath he made league with them and not only that but also is determined to imploy vpon this warre all his force and his royall parson Neither yet doth he looke for anye priuate profite or gain therby but minedeth this thinge only that Germany beinge restored and Ihon Fridericke the Duke of Saxon and the Lantz graue deliuered whome he hathe detained prisoners in longe and vnworthy captiuity he maye win praise and renowne immortall as did in times past Flamminius for deliuering Grece from bondage neither is there cause that any man shoulde feare anye force or violence For in as much as he attempteth this warre for liberty he will wholly endeuoure that no man be hurt vndeseruedly let them truste therefore to this promesse whiche he confirmeth vnto them faithfully and geue no creadit to aduersaries which say his purpose is to afflicte and plage the Cleargy For he not only intendeth no such
And the kinges of FrauÌce for the maintenaunce of religion haue warred many times against thennemies of Christendom The Saracenes Turkes both in Asia Affricke Europe and haue had moste noble victories But after chaunced a time more vnfortunate whan certen Emperours as newly entred and not very Germaines nor worthy of the dignitie haue forsaken that amitie with the kinges of Fraunce and haue induced great calamitie to the common wealth But this sore plage through Gods benefite was healed by the noble house of the Dukes of Lutcemburg out of the whiche haue issued certen Emperours men of great vertue linked moste assuredly to the kinges of Fraunce For the father of themperour Charles the fourth died in battell for the kyng of Fraunce The like good will beare also the Princes of Austriche amongest others Albert the firste who neither for promesse nor threatening of the hyghe Byshops could be brought to warre against Fraunce These thynges he reciteth for this intent that they may see howe euell certen councellours and ministers of the moste puissaunt Emperour Charles the fyfte prouyde for the common wealth whylest they worke not thys thinge only that they plucke a sonder the one from the other these two moste excellent nations but also through their craft and subtiltie haue brought this to passe longe synce that the moste noble Prince kyng Fraunces was iudged an ennemie his cause not harde This do they to their owne priuate gaine but to the exceading great hinderasice of the coÌmmon wealth For how harde it were for them during the amitie of the two nations to infringe the libertie of Germany and to buylde vp that their kyngdome it doeth hereof sufficiently appeare for that they being nowe affrayde of the force of Fraunce be not so importune as they were nor doe not so muche vrge that Spanyshe yoke and bondage These be verely they whiche by intreatie and tributes obteyning peace of the Turke vnder the colour of Religion and obedience haue brought in dissentions and factions into Germany who ayded with the power of Germaynes haue warred against Germany whiche haue exacted money of all men and made the State of the Empyre miserable by placing here and there garrisons of Spanyardes by vnarmyng the armaries and openyng the waye to confiscation For the matter is brought to that passe that bothe the seale of the Empyre and the iudgement of the chamber and also the ryght and libertie of assemblies depende only vpon the pleasure of the Byshop of Arras For what example is this or what equitie is it that suche as to get their liuing serue in foreine warres should be therfore executed outlawed and with great rewardes set forth be in dauÌger of murtheryng to omit in the meane season so many murthers lecherous actes spoylynges and robbinges of townes and especially the handlyng of Religion whiche hath not bene after one maner but diuers according to the tyme. Certenly what so euer hath bene done these many yeares nowe tendeth all to this ende that contrary to the lawes of the Empyre kyng Ferdinando being herunto eyther compelled or els by fayre promesses allured the Prynces also by a certen feare and terrour subdued the Prince of Spayne might be made Emperour And shuld not noble courages wyshe for death rather than to beholde the lyght of the Sun in suche distresse and miseries Assuredly there can no man be imagined so very a coward or so barbarouse whoÌ these thyngs would not moue Wherfore no man ought to maruell that in the ende ther should arrise some Princes and amongest them Duke Maurice thelectour of Saxony which thought it their parts euen with the hazarde of their liues to recouer the libertie of their natife couÌtrie And they being of theÌ selues not able nor of power sufficieÌt to sustein such a charge alone haue desired the ayde of the king of FrauÌce And he doubtles setting a part the displeasure of former yeares hath not only made theÌ partakers of al his fortunes but hath also imploied him selfe wholy to the same busines making a league with them wherein amongest other thinges it is prouided that thei may not coÌpounde with the ennemie but by the kinges consent Howbeit Duke Maurice although he be tied with that same bonde yet for the weale of his countrie and to followe the mynde of kyng Ferdinando requiring him hereunto hath lately demaunded of the moste christian king how he could be content to haue peace Whiche thing chaunced vnto him in dede som what contrary to his expectation for that considering his benefite is so great he supposed that in matters touching him he shuld not haue sent to him a far of but to haue deuised with him presently Neuerthe lesse because he setteth much more by publique thaÌ by his own priuate profites he would deny nothing to a Prince of his confederacie Wherfore if the woundes of the coÌmon wealth may be healed as they ought from henceforth assuraunce made that they breake not out again if the captine Princes may be released vpon suche conditions as be in the league expressed Moreouer in case the olde leagues of Fraunce with the Empire and this new confederacie also made of late with the Princes may so be confirmed that they may take place for euer if these thines I saye may be brought to passe he is so well affected towardes the common wealth that not only he wyll assent gladly to the treatie of peace but also wyl giue God hartie thaÌkes that his aduise and helpe hereunto hath not wanted As touching his priuate matters for so much as the Emperour deteineth many thinges by force and hath made warre vpon no iust cause the king thinketh it reason that he the hath first done wrong should first seke also to make satisfactioÌ He verely althoug he neither distruste his force nor yet his cause will so demeane him selfe that it may be well perceyued both how desirous of peace he is and how willing also to gratifie Duke Maurice them all Hereunto the Princes aunswere Howe that recitall of antiquitie repeted of fourmer memory coÌcerning the coniuÌctioÌ of FrauÌce and Germany was to them right ioyfull and no lesse pleasauÌt to heare that the kyng preferreth the common wealth aboue his priuate coÌmodities and is not against but that the Princes confederate may conclude a peace with the Emperour For that it should so be it is for the profite not only of one nation but also of all Europe whiche afflicted with ciuil discorde ten deth to distruction And suche conditions of peace as the kyng requyreth they doubte not but that they may be obteyned For the Emperour both before this tyme and also in this trouble thinketh well of the common wealth and wyll not haue the libertie of Germany deminished There is good hope moreouer that he wyll shortly delyuer the captiue Princes But that both the olde leagues should be renewed and the newe confirmed the king of his wysdome vnderstandeth that
in this same conuention so great a matter can not be finished Neuertheles they wyshe vnfainedly that the same amitie which hath bene alwayes betwene bothe nations may remayne ferme and vnuiolable That suche priuate suites as he hath with the Emperour myght be appeased they both couet chiefly and also wyll refuse no paynes and trauell therin And where as the kyng affirmeth that the Emperour deteineth diuerse thinges that ar his and signifieth plainly that he hath thinges to lay clayme to they thinke it not against reason that he shewe what thing that is For they are mynded to preferre the controuersie to the Emperour be as meanes therin And they desire very much that the kyng would accept these thinges in good part Nowe as concerning the alliaunce betwene the Germaynes FreÌche men I haue spoken in the eight booke And that whiche the Frenche Ambassadour speaketh here of the house of Lutcemburge thus it standeth The Erle of Lutcemburge Henry had a sonne named Henry whiche was after made Emperour the seuenth of that name he had a sonne Called Iohn whiche by mariage was made king of Boheme Who aided Philip Ualose the Frenche kyng against the kyng of Englande Edwarde the third goyng hym selfe with hym to the fielde and the battell being foughten where the Englishmen had the victory he was slayne and amonges others lefte a sonne called Charles whiche afterwarde was made Emperour the fourthe of that name father to Wenceslaus and Sigismunde whiche were after both Emperours and this Sigismunde also kyng of Hongary and Boheme the procurer of the counsell of Constance Albert of Austriche of whome he speaketh the sonne of Raffe the Emperour whan he was Emperour he obserued perfit amitie with Philip le beau kyng of Fraunce notwithstanding that the Byshop of Rome Boniface the eight did wonderfully incense him vnto warre Duke Maurice besydes the deliueraunce of his father in lawe vrged two thynges chiefly One that of suche matters as annoyed the libertie of Germany the whiche he hym selfe had recited by name kyng Ferdinando MaximiliaÌ his sonne and the intercessours themselues shuld nowe forthwith examine and according to the lawes and custome of Germany determine the same Another was that peace myght be graunted to Religion and that no man should he molested therfore tyl suche tyme as the whole coÌtrouersie were fully reconciled This way did not thintercessours discoÌmend but themperour by his Ambassadours declareth what lacke he findeth therin thought it reason that those which had bene faithfull to him and therfore had chaunced into extreme miserie should be first recompeÌsed their losse After much debating what time diuerse pointes were mittigated they agreed at the length that the third day of July the Emperour shuld answer directly that the war should cease in the meane time Wherfore thintercessours wryting their letters the .xvi. day of June exhorte themperour vnto peace Whan that castel of Ereberg was taken and afterwarde Inspruck spoyled I shewed you howe the Princes retorning through thalpes about th ende of May came backe again to Fiessa And marching froÌ thence the .xix. day of June pitched their tentes at Eistet which is the Byshops town bordring vpon Bauier and ther the whole army longed sore for Duke Maurice coÌming not without great thought carfulnes Who comming thither at the length sheweth them in what case the matter stode and the laste daye of Iune he retourneth from thence to Passaw by post horses that he might be there at the daye appointed and his fellowe Princes remouing their campe the next morning the fourth day after came to Roteburg whiche is a towne nere vnto Francony by the riuer of Duber But Marques Albert neuerthelesse pursued his enterprise and hauing driuen the citie of Norinberge to make their peace he compelled also the nobilitie and states in these parties to be at coÌmaundement For albeit he mainteined the common cause at the first as in the writing set forth he professed to do yet was he not of the same league and whaÌ the siege of Ulmes was leuied he went about his priuate affaires whether it were for that he would wynne to hym selfe alone what soeuer the chaunce of warre had geuen hym or that he myslyked Duke Maurice his doinge or els moued by the Frenche kynge was bent otherwyse Notwithstanding those that he toke the faith of he commaunded to perfourme the same fidelitie also to his felowes Afterwarde inuading the prouince of the Archâbishop of Mentz by the Ryuer Meyne doeth exceading muche harme with burning and spoyling and demaundeth of hym a wonderfull summe of money And where diuers made intercession neither yet could thei agree vpoÌ the summe The Archebyshop fyrste synkynge hys great Artylarie in the Rhyne the fyrste daye of Iuly fled awaye to saue hym selfe The selfe same tyme also Marques Albert whiche lefte nothynge vnattempted wylleth the Archebyshop of Treuers to deliuer vnto him the chiefest castell of his dominion whiche is situated where the Riuers of Rhine and Mosell mete vpon an hyghe hyll naturally strong and very commodious And he sayd howe he required this of him in the FreÌche kynges name He after he had conferred with his counsell sent him worde that he could not accomplyshe his request herein For as muche as the Princes intercessours in the latter part of their aunswere that they made to the Frenche Ambassadour as before is mentioned sayd howe they thought it reason that the kyng should declare what he required of the Emperour The Ambassadour by the kyng aduertised whan he was with the armie besydes Eistet the .xix. daye of Iune wryteth to them agayne how the kyng hath attempted this war for none other cause doubles but to profit the whole common wealth and chiefly to restore the libertie of Germany sore opressed what tyme certen Prynces had long and muche requested hym to the same And assuredly sought no priuate gayne to him selfe therein and that may the thing it selfe beare witnes For he had taken nothyng at al in Germany where it had not bene harde for him to haue done He permitted the Princes also to warre frely as they list And albeit that in the meane tyme that he hymselfe laye styll with his armie by the Riuer of Rhine his ennemies had inuaded Fraunce yet did he not once remoue tyll he was aduertised by Duke Maurice that suche thinges myght be obteyned by peaceable meanes for the whiche this warre was attempted Whiche thing knowen he was not a litle glad whan he sawe the thinge procede after their hartes desire For his aduise and counsell was first that the Princes should not neglect so goodly an occasion as this was neither disceiue them seluws or by others be abused as they were before Moreouer for so muche as he had shewed so notable a token of his good wyl and fidelitie that the amitie of both nations might assuredly be established to thintent that he himself may afterwardes haue better
the Albertines wer coÌmaunded to lay away their armor They of Wuolmes recouering their castell of Helsesteine by expulsinge the garrison which Marques Albert had there lefte rased it downe to the harde ground Themperor enforced by th extremity of the cold winter about th end of Decembre being in dispaire of the thinge leuied the siege and remouing from theÌce to Dedehouie and so returning into Flanders coÌmaundeth certen legions to remain in the countrye of Treuers amonges the whiche was also Marques Albert. By cold and sicknesse themperor lest the third part of his army The French men the xxii day of Ianuary go a procession about all the Churches in Metz geuing God thankes for theyr good fortune The next day are searched out al Lutherian bokes in the citezens houses and by the hangman are brente openlye After this the Duke of Guisse leauing ther his deputie returneth into FraÌce In this same moneth the captain of Marques Albert wone many things again from the Bishop of Bamberge and after the siege of Metz was leuied whan Marques Albert had wintred a while in Treuers til themperor had paied him his wages in the moneth of February returning into Germany the Bishop of Bamberge the .xvii. day of the same moneth obteyneth newe letters of the chaÌber wherof in one was commaunded agayne thesame as was before in thother are inioyned the nobilite of Franckeconie they of Norinberge the Paulsgraue electour and Iohn Friderick Duke of Saxon as his next neighboures to helpe him About th ende of the moneth of February the French king which was puft vp with pride that Metz was so defended setteth forth a wryting in printe vnto all the states of the Empire verye stinginge and hatefull to the Emperoure For he goeth aboute to bringe him in hatred and contempt also How he verely is nowe no more to be feared whose power is all readye in fringed and the craft of many yeares detected whiche is also so sicke and diseased that they can hardlye kepe life in him he doubtles wil be alwais of one mind towards theÌ that is to wit frendly and liberall And all be it that diuers of theÌ whiche haue receiued of him greate benefites haue not shewed theÌ selues verye thanckefull yet wyll not he therefore renounce the Frendship of the reast After that Marques Albert was aduertised of the commaundement of the chamber Imperiall he wryteth manye letters to the Bishop of Arras to the Duke of Alua and to the Emperoure him selfe signifyinge what the Bishops go aboute and howe they breake couenauntes and for so muche as he hathe ratified those compactes that were made him he requyreth that ther maye be a penaltye appoynted vnlesse they obey the same Afterwarde sendinge a messager to the chamber at Spier declareth how the Bishoppes haue not only broken couenauntes but themperors commaundemente also wherefore he requireth them that they woulde suffer none action to be commenced againste him and that they woulde abolishe the letters whiche his aduersaries had obtained Wherunto they make answer how it is theyr partes and duety to minister the law vnto all men which they coulde not denie the bishoppes also requiring the same But he again after a longe confutation requireth the same that he did before For els in case he sustain any losse he shal haue good cause to require amendes and recompence at their hands Themperor the xiii of March wryteth an answer to the letters of Marques Albert. How he ratified that compacte he can not deny How he paied him also and his men theyr wages most liberallye to his owne greate hinderaunce where he gaue to the residue nothinge And he woulde haue bene righte glad if the Bishoppes woulde haue stirred no more in the matter and for the same cause he sent an ambassadoure to them to perswade them but since they haue refused and haue appealed both to him and also to the Princes electors and to the Chamber imperiall he seeth well inoughe how this can not be denied them Especially consideringe howe diuers states haue conceiued a suspition of him and spreade diuers brutes For in case he should now accomplishe his request and coÌmaunde them to kepe couenauntes it woulde be saide that he did wronge and it shoulde increase suspicion For his office is to minister iustice indifferently vnto all men and prohibite wronge and violence Therefore the only way is this that the matter maye be frendly taken vp and he doubteth not but he him self if he ponder the matter diligently wil take this same way and to the intent the matter may the more easely and purposelye be broughte to passe he will appoynt his owne kinsmen the Dukes of Bauier and of Wirtemberge that they shall be meanes in the matter The bishops verely in diuers and sondry letters haue complained to him greuously Neuerthelesse he trusteth that they will not refuse the treaty for the controuersy that is betwene the Duke of Brunswicke and his nobility he hath committed the hearinge of the matter to Ihon Marques of BraÌdenburge And hath appoynted also the dukes of Bauier and Wirtemberge to end the matter betwene therles of Deting the father and the sonnes In manner about this time both tharmy of counte Mansfeld shrank away and thambassadors of Ihon Friderick duke Moris met together to accord theÌ two For he in his letters coyne that he stamped vsed stil the name of elector and ii swords a crosse which is tharmes of Electorship by themperors permissioÌ fortified again his castel of Goth which thing duke Moris toke greuously coÌplaineth therof to his states the opinioÌ of al theÌ was to deuise meanes of peace wherfore as I said ambassadors wer seÌt but yet in vain In this time also Robert the bishop of Metz Cardinal LenoÌcurt most addict to the french king came to Metz chalengeth to him selfe the hole iurisdictioÌ saith it beloÌgeth to him which is a prince of themand ordeineth a newe Senate and placeth in that nombre diuers of the Cleargy and fortifieth Marsey a little Towne standinge at the Frontiers of Germany with fortificatioÌs garrison of french men His letters wer before intercepted wherein he desired of the king that he would permit him to haue the iurisdiction whiche the Bishoppes his predecessors haue had For his intent is to ordain a new Senate and to receiue none into the same but that shall be wholly addicted to him or els will it come to passe that such as be of the Emperors part shall remaine there and the others shall depart thence which doubtlesse woulde be to his great hinderaunce For vnlesse all suspected personnes be cleane remoued let him not loke to kepe the City in quiet possession And he desireth to declare his hart and good wlil towardes him For euen for the same cause chiefly came he into these parties and receiued this bishoppricke that he might do him some notable seruice Than was Marques Albert at Hedelberge
iust cause of grief when they being of you clerely destitute ar made subiect to foreine power But herein a great deale more inconuenience shal be when all their goodes lyfe health dignitie shall be at their pleasure the helpe of appealing being taken away For verely appellation is the refuge and sanctuary of innocencie And you are the protectour and defendour both of the appellation and also of innocentes yea besides you no man hath any right ouer the people But and if the lawe and iudgement be nowe committed to the Inquisitours and Byshops officers appellation taken away this were to set open a wyndowe and to make a waye that euen innocentes might be condemned and lose both body and goodes For they being indewed with so great power to witte the kinges ful authoritie will forget their dutie and will kepe no measure what tyme they shall see euery degree to them subiecte and not only common persones but also Noble men Princes to stande in their hande Howbeit yet this meane waye may you take that your iudges shuld heare the cause and geue sentence And if there be any obscure opinion that the same be determined by the clergie Let theÌ also that be with in orders be iudged of their owne men Concerning appellations let a wrytyng be obteined of the Pope wherby this may be permitted to your iudges And when the matter shall come to this issue that iudgement must be made of suche as haue appealed let there be present certen of your chosen counsellers of the ecclesiasticall order or if suche wante other tried and fit men In the inquisition let this be obserued that the Popes Inquisitour doe substitute and place vnder him in prouinces men of vpright fame and good men that the Byshop doe beare the whole charges and not the defendaunt yet so that the matter being determined the costes be required of whome it behoueth These thinges tende to this ende verely that suche maner of controuersies may be restreyned within certen boundes and limites Notwithstanding for as muche as it appeareth by the punishement of Heretickes al though it be necessary that this hath hitherto bene thereby brought to passe that their facte should be detested rather than that they should be amended Moreouer for bicause it is much better to remedy the disease in time than to geue it space whilest it may increase and after to lay to a medicine it shal be law full for you moste mercifull kyng herein to followe the maner and steppes of the olde primatiue churche For the same was not established either by fyre or sworde but the diligence of the Bishops did euer resiste Heretickes whylest they both preached to them oftentymes Gods worde and shone before them in example of good lyfe Since it was therfore in tymes past by this meane firste confirmed it may nowe by the same also be reteyned and kept so that you would only execute that whiche lieth rather in your power to do This verely that Byshoppes Pastours of shepe should them selues gouerne their churches presently Let also the inferiour ministers do the same Againe that from henceforth suche be made Byshops as are able them selues to teache the people and not to substitute deputies in their steade This is the rote that must be tilled vpon this fouÌdation must we builde for so may we hope well that heresies wyll by litle and litle vanishe away But in case this waye be neglected it is to be feared least thei wil increase more more what proclamatioÌs so euer be finally made or what remedies so euer be vsed This was the .xvi. daye of October when they signified these thinges to the king by Ambassadours letters Then also the Princes that were vmperes for the controuersie of the gouernemeÌt of Chattes mete againe as was appointed First at Bacherach afterwarde for the sickenes of the Paulsgraue at Wormes The matter in dede was ended and a certen somme of money agreed vpon whiche the Lantgraue shoulde paye to the Erle and abyde styll in possession But where the Erle vnlesse the mony were payd at a certen time would haue this compact to be vaine and his action to remayne to hym whole And the Lantgraue whiche had sent his sonne thither as before reiected this condition they departed the matter not finished In this same moneth the Emperour calleth before him at Brusselles the rulers of all states and speaking of his sicknes sheweth them amongest other thinges that he would goe into Spayne and geueth ouer his gouernement his right and all his power to Philip his sonne and exhorteth them to their dutie These newes were spred abroade ouer al Europe far nere and a nauie was prepared and the day appointed for his iourney at the Ides of Nouember But by litle and litle this brute waxed colde and because wynter was at hande they sayde his nauigation was differred to the next sommer Nowe must we come to the counsell of the Empire of what matters they should treate kyng Ferdinando the fifte daye of February had propounded as is sayde in the ende of the laste booke But where many came very slowly they began not before the nonas of Marche Than at the laste the Ambassadours of the Princes Electours doe consulte of what matter they should first treate And although there were many against it yet doe all consente at the laste to treate fyrste of Religion The same also was thought mete in the Senate of the other Prynces and Cities After muche debatynge they agreed to geue peace to Religion But this thynge came chiefly in controuersie that the Protestauntes woulde haue it lawefull for all men indifferently to followe theyr doctrine But their aduersaries with muche contention did resiste them and sayde that the same was not to be permitted either to the cities that had receiued the decree of Auspurge made seuen yeare before concerning Religion or yet to the whole state of the clergie And yf any Byshoppe or Abbot woulde chaunge hys Religion they woulde haue hym remoued and an other to be substitute in his place Therfore the contention was sharpe and the Protestauntes alledged this cause for their purpose that the promesses of God as well of the olde as of the newe Testament whiche conteine our saluation doe apperteine generally vnto all men And therfore not to be lawfull for them to include the same within any certen limites or brynge them to any restreinte least that they should shutte bothe them selues and others out of the kyngdome of heauen That there is neither Turke nor Iewe of any zeale at all that would not bee glad to bringe all men to his owne Religion Howe muche more than ought we to doe the same whome God hath so earnestly and straightly charged Wherfore they are able to proue that all men in this case oughte to haue libertie graunted them bothe by the holy Scriptures and also by the decrees of the fathers and counselles
set before their eyes and to remember the same tyme. For bothe the wyckednes of that deuiser was detected where as euery Prynce for his parte denied the thing by open wryting and the sclaunderer afterwarde loste his head as he deserued Whiche I truste shall nowe come to passe also that euen God beyng reuenger the authours of so wycked a deuise may be disclosed For my parte I praye God to sende them a better mynde and to confounde theyr counselles that they redounde not to the distruction of the Countrie For seinge that thys is a lyke sclaunder as that furmer was it may be easely perceiued that the authours haue forged it of the selfe same mynde that the other dyd or after the imitation of hym to haue attempted this to the intente verely that they myght nowe bringe to passe that thynge whiche he than coulde not finishe But for as muche as the intente of this Sclaunderer is that he myght perswade that the Pope and the Emperoure woulde by force of armes breake that decree made for peace in Religion and that the kyng of Englande and the Byshoppes of Germany would also ayde them herein I proteste that it is wyckedly forged and inuented for this intent verely that mens myndes beyng exasperated and displeasures increased all places myght swymme full of ciuyle bloud And although I doe not doubte but that the Emperoure and other Princes to the iniurie of whom this seditiouse and famouse libelle apperteineth wyll them selues defende theyr cause yet for duty sake I can not omitte but that I must also pourge the highe Magistrate Unfaynedly all the tyme that I remained at Rome in my presence or to my knowledge ther was not one worde spoken at Rome of that same peace of Religion It is falsely therfore ascribed to the Pope as though he should applie all hys Counsell to force and violence as though he went about to perswade hereunto the Emperoure and other kynges It is falsely I saye imputed to him neither can it be proued And seing that is so it is like wyse false that is wrytten of the Emperour For since there was no coÌference nor treatie betwene them for this matter howe coulde they determine vpon warre or make a compacte betwene them for the recoueryng of the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction or subduinge of Germany This defamer sayth that truce was made betwyxt the Emperour and Frenche kyng to the intent that the soldiours being of either discharged might be led to this warre What the cause of the truce was the copie of the same declareth Againe those soldiours were not reteined of any Prynce but so many as kyng Ferdinando commaunded to be taken vp and sent theÌ into Hongary against the Turke those also excepted whome they of Auspurge and of Norinberge and the Byshoppes of Bamberge and Wirtemberge hired least haply they should be oppressed vpon the soden This part therfore of their deuyse falleth touchyng the Pope the Emperour and of the other Byshoppes Nowe as concerning my selfe I haue verely hitherto followed the olde trewe and catholique Religion and as it becommeth a Germayne borne I treade in the footesteppes of my elders and perseuer in the same communion of the churche that I was brought vp in as also in the last counsel imperiall I declared both by my letters and counsellours In this mynde I pourpose through Gods grace to perseuer Neither am I mynded to doe any thynge that may striue with honestie or consideration of my dutie And yet neuerthelesse I couet to be at peace with all men But where it is sayde that I haue had secret conference with the Pope with the Emperour with the kyng of Englande and with other States of the Empire and and with certen priuate men about the framyng of this war Agayne that same of the Paulsgraue the Duke of Wirtemberge and the Marques of Brandenburge to be moste false neyther that it can be proued of any man Yea they that bringe vp suche tales of me whether it be done by woorde or wrytinge I saye they be sclaunderers and ennemies of the common countrie And touching Counte Palatine thus standeth the matter The maner and dignitie of my vocation requyreth that I should maynteyne the ryght of my Byshoprike and kepe the people committed to my charge in the olde and Catholique Religion And beynge aduertysed that Otto Henry Prince Electour went aboute to make certen Townes of my Byshopryke of his Religion and had placed Preachers in them I toke this doubtles in euyll parte and had cause why I should defende me by the lawes Therfore my counsellours in my absence howbeit yet by my commaundement brought the matter in to the chaÌber imperiall where the matter dependeth as yet so Otherwyse not so much as in worde I neuer hurte his name nor estimation muche lesse haue I attempted any thyng against his countrie But if I coulde doe any thyng that might tourne to the commoditie of hym selfe his countrie or people I would omitte nothing and I suppose that the people of his couÌtrie can beare witnes of this thing for they knowe what I haue done for them in tymes paste in their great aduersitie Moreouer I haue euermore loued the house of Palatine being readye to gratifie them by what soeuer meanes I myght And the same wil is neuer a whit chauÌged In semblable wyse am I affected towardes Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge a good man wyse skylfull a louer of peacei And haue euer synce the tyme we were fyrst acquaynted borne hym great good will and haue studied also to perfourme the same in dede But that eyther he or the Paulsgraue should be dryuen out of theyr countrie the same not only came neuer into my mynde but also in case I had knowen any suche matter as myght haue tended to the losse of their estimation or goodes I would both haue bene ryght hartely sory for the same and woulde haue letted it also to the vttermoste of my power that no suche thinge should haue chaunced And hitherto in dede I haue so demeaned my selfe alwayes that I suppose they haue founde nothyng so shal I also vse my selfe from henceforth that I shall geue them a more occasion so to thynke vpon this hope verely that for as muche as I haue geuen no cause to be offended they wyll beare me the lyke good wyll And howe muche I lamented the chaunce of Marques Albert he is not ignoraunt hym selfe for what haue not I assayed what haue I not proued that this discorde myght bee taken awaye and quietnes be restored to the Empire Doubtles my trauell in that thyng hath bene so muche and my industrie so great that although I regarded herein the common wealth yet came I in suspition with many that I tendered his commodities ouermuche and sought to hynder others But howe vpryghtly I handled the matter my letters wrytten to hym can shewe Seyng therfore I am of this mynde towardes theÌ neyther is there any duty wantyng
Wittenberge 1 Luthers exception eodem Luthers letters to Pope Leo. 2 Luthers answer to Siluester Prierias eodem Luthers second aunswere to Siluester Prierias 3 Luthers forsaking of Rome eodem Luther cited to Rome 4. Luther is called to AuspurgeÌ 5. Luthers conference with Cardinal Caietane eodem Luther appealeth 6 Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Counsel 9 Luthers letters to the Pope 17 Luthers boke to the duke of Saxon. 18 Luthers boke condemned at Louain 19. Laurence valla eodem Luthers letters to themperor 21 Luthers letters to the archbishoppe of Mentz eodem Luthers letters to the bishop of Merseburge 22 Luther cursed of the pope 23 Luther impugneth the Popes censure 24 Luthers boke of the captiuity of Babilon eodem Luthers bokes are burnt 26 Luther burneth the Canon law 27 Luther cometh to Wormes eodem Luther pledeth his cause before themperor and the hole Empire 1. Luthers answer to the princes 39 Luther sent away from Wormes 31 Luther is outlawed by themperor 33 Luther wrote suÌdry bokes in his exile eodem Luther is conueied out of daunger eo Luther returneth to Wittenberge 35 Luther foreseeth the tempest comming eodem Luther wryteth to the Bohemerâ 36 Luther wryteth against the bishops eo Luther a Frier 38 Luther compared with Mahomet 40 Luther expoundeth the Popes laying eodem Luther interpreteth the decrees of the Princes 43 Luther wrote to the Senate of Prage eodem Luther wrote of eschuing the doc 44 Luther compared to Mahomet 50 Luther disswageth al men from sedi 58 Luther did more with the worde then could haue bene done by forc eodem Luthers answer to the boures 60 Luthers office 63 Luther bloweth the troÌpet against 64 Luther to vehement 65 Luther married a Nonne eodem Luther and Zwinglius mete at 66 Luthers letters of submission to the. 67 Luthers letters to George duke of eo Leonard Cesar apprehended for the. 74 Lawes of disputation 75 Lantrech besiegeth Naples eodem Luther and Zwinglius dispute at 83 Luther wrote a boke to the bishops 96 Luther comforteth Melancthon eodem Luthers opinion of mens traditioÌs eo Letter of the duke and Lantzgraue 103 Luthers counsel 112 Luthers purgation eodem Luther comforteth thexiles eodem Luthers opinion touching the spri 116 Luthers wryting of Munster 134 Legions of soldiors in Fraunce 137 Luthers constancy 138 Like lips like lettes 151 Longolnis oration against the Lu. 167 Lascus committed to prison 175 Luthers boke against the Duke of 176 Luther is cursed of the Pope 175 Langeus letters to Alphonse 184 Luthers oration for the field 189 Lawes against deflowrers of vir 202 Laundersey besieged 205 Luthers boke of the Lordes supper 215 Luthers answer to them of Louain 218 Luthers boke against the Pope 222 Luthers Themes of iii. gouern eodem Luthers picture against the pope eodeÌ Luther a Prophet eodem Luther chosen arbitror 231 Luther wareth sicke 232 Luthers last prayer eodem Luthers birth eodem Luther sent to Rome eodem Luther eloquent in the dutch eodem Lightning caused destruction 255 Liberty is exiled out of the counsel 256 Letters for the Lantzgraue to 295 Letters of Strasborough to them 326 Luther brought in contempte the Popish Ceremonies 334 Lewes Marsile one of the prisoners 423 Libels strowed about in London 461 Lady Clinor commeth into France 86 Lantzgraue departeth from Ausp 89 Lantzgraue goeth to the freÌch king 113 Lantzgraue boroweth Monye of the French king eodem Lady Mary proclaimed bastard 114 Lantzgraue taketh his leaue of themperoure 240 M MAximilians letter to Poope Leo concerning Luther 3 Maximilians death 10 Many sectes in the popish kingdom 36 Maner of chusing themperor 10 Matrimony lawful for all men 47 Muncer a great Anabaptist 55 Muncer wil haue a token of God eodeÌ Muncer maketh gunnes eodem Muncer teacheth that all thinges shuld be common eodem Muncer raileth on the princes 56 Muncer disceyueth the people by the rainbow eodem Muncer is taken his cruel answer and he is reproued of the Lantzgraue 57 Muncer repenteth at the hour of death eodem Mishaps of the french king 82 Matters receiued in religion 89 Monestical vowes 124 Munster a city of Westphalia 137 Maidens do prophecy 130 Mariage counted whoredome 135 Many filthy actes of Monkes 156 Meanes to restore the ecclesiastical 181 Melancthon and pristor come to 201 Miners president of Aygwes 219 Miners leuieth a power againste Ualdois 219 Maluenda treateth of iustification 229 Marquin excuseth Diaze 234 Mariages in broil of warre 254 Maurice loueth his townes 276 Marques Albert sent to aid 277 Mendoza ambassade from the Frenche King to Strasburge 279 Marques Albert taken prisoner 280 Mihel Sidonie a great MasmoÌger 294 Muskel borowe field 296 Muleasses king of Tones 313 Maximilian marieth his cosen 315 Musculus departeth to Bernes 316 Maximilian warred against the Swissers 322 Maried Priestes plucked from they re wyues 329 MelanthoÌ defeÌdeth the Adiaphorist 333 Monseur Ueruine beheaded 336 Maximilian cometh out of Spayne 353 Melanthon best learned 359 Mony gathered for the warre of Mayden burge 760 Maximilian entreth into Trent 378 Marques Albertes letters agaynst theÌperoure 393 Marten van Rossem spoileth Champanie 399 Marques Albert warreth for hym selfe 406 Marques Albert the scourge of Pristes 410 Marques Albertes request to Straseburge 410 Marques Albert refuseth peace 101 Marques Albert entreth Treuers 412 Marques Antonius Ambassadoure of Uenisse 413 Marques Alberte reconciled to Themperoure 413 Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperoure 420 Marques Albert outlawed 429 Marques Albert goeth to Sewinforte and flyeth 436 Maryburge taken 473 Melanthon conforteth the mynisters of Boheme 449 Marcellus the Second choseÌ Pope 450 Marcellus the Second dyeth 450 Maurenburge vitaled 452 Mount Calue is taken by the Frenchmen 453 Masse abolished at Zuricke 54 Madnes of the Munsterians 57 Magestrates is as necessarye as the Sonne to the worlde vi Marques letters to the state of Duke Maurice 42 Ministers exiled out of Boheme 442 N NEw pardons 9 No man may be kepte froÌ the gospell 6â Newes of the Turkes Coming 200 Newes of the Turkes approche 1â Nauius hath the place of Heldus 174 Nuburge rendered to the Emperoure 264 Notes of the Interim by the Bishop of Rome 314 No man oughte to be compelled to hys fayth 319 New ambassadours from Wittenberg 375 Norinberge hath peace with the Marques 402 Nyne bournte at Lyons 423 Note how Bisshoppes seke authoritie of kinges to condemne 454 Nombers of great gonnes taken front protestauntes 29 Notes of the Interim by the bysshops of Rome 313 O O Eham condemned in Paris 19 Of the original of the Turkes 190 Of ecclesiasticall benefites 281 Out of the conclaue came most fylthys Letters 343 Ortauious Farnesius clieÌt to the freÌch kinge 360 Oration of tharchbishop of Treuers 12 Opinion of the Cyties touchynge the king of Romaines 102 Othe of the Electors 406 Oration of the Popes ambassadour to the Duke of Saxon. 109 Oration of Themperours Ambassadour 109 OratioÌ of the french ambassadours 123 Ofspring of
emperour 324 The Constancie of the ministers 325 The Duke of Saxon and the LaÌtgraue led awaye prisoners 325 The reformation of the Chamb. 326 They of Constaunce geue them selues to the house of Austrich 326 The slaughter that was at Burdour 327 The abhominable filthines of an archbushoppe 329 The inheritor of Scotland led into Fraunce 330 They of Madenburge are made a praye for their godlines 331 Trouble in Englande eodem The Admirall of england beheaded 331 Thomas Crammer a furtherer of learning and Codlines 331 The duke of Swaybrig plaine trouth 332 The Interim confuted by them of Bubeck and others 333 The force of Hohwater eodem The popes legates to themperour 334 The Pope graunted licence to eate fleshe 335 The Archbishop of Metz to the counsellors of the Lantgraue eodem The Godly auÌswer of the preachers eod The king commaundeth to go on presession eodem The French king stealeth fortes 337 The Senate of Strausburge do compound with their Bishop eodem The perill of feare of them of Maydenburge eodem The Purgation of them of Maydenburge eodem The cause why them of Maydenburge cannot gette their pardon eodem The sayng of goodnes the. 338 They betray the trouth that hold it in Silence eodem The moÌstruous lechery of the pope 339 The Popes rauening eodem The Pope sister a whore made her brother a Cardinall eodem The mayseres of ceremonis 340 The custody of the conclaue eodem The orders of the Cardinall eodem The maner to chuse the pope 341 The factions of the Cardinall eodem The cause why pole was not pope eod The yeare of Iubiley eodem The protectour of England 343 The Frenche kinges proclamation against Lutheranes eodem The opening of the Golden gate eod Themperiours letters to the states of th empyre 344 The cleargye of Strausburge renueth their ministers 345 The talcke of faith is forbidden 346 The death of the cardinall of Loraine 347 The Archbushop of Collon entreth the City with Pompe 347 The Protestation of the Duke Moris against the Counsell 348 The knauery of Spanierdes eodem The death of Granuellan eodem The taking of the Ciue of Africa eod The ouerthrow of the Maiden Burgians 349 The princes letters to them of Mayden burge 349 The Proclamation for religion mutigated 349 The answer of the Maydenburgians 350 The death of viriche Duke of WirieÌb 351 The causes that the decree is not obserued eodem They repare to trent before condemned 352 Themperours Proclamation agaynst them of Maydenburge eodem The Lantgraues Sonnes sue for theyr father eodem The Lantzgraues purpose of sliyng bewrayed eodem The issuyng out victory of the Maydenburgians 353 The duke of Megelb takeÌ prisoner 353 They of Maydenburge are moued to render eodem The Actes agaynst the Clergy 354 The slaughter of the Citizens 355 The answer of the Citizens 356 The prayse of great Otto 358 The duke of Pruisse addicte to OuÌ 359 The decree of Auspurge 359 The death of Bucer 360 The pope accuseth Octauian far 360 The counsell at Trent is solde 361 The warre of Parma betwixt themperour and the French king eodem The Frenche Kinges excuse to the Pope eodem The fierse minde of the Pope 362 The confession of duke Moris by Melanthon eodem The humanity of the Duke of Wittemberge towarde Brentius eodem The burnt child the fire dreades 363 The Constancy of the Prelates 363 The Preachers exiled 364 The French king warieth vpon themperour 364 The Counsell renued at Trent 365 The French kinges letters to the. 365 The Some of Mony that is caried to Rome 366 The vniuersitie of paris appeleth from the Pope eodem The arrogantie of Pope Boniface against the king of Fraunce eodem Twelue archbishoprikes in frauÌce eod Theames geuen to the diumes 367 The order of speaking eodem The maner of making the Articles of the faith eodem The maner of making the decrees eod The holy gost at the popes coÌmaundement 368 The Frenche kinges writing against the Pope eodem The wiked lustes of the Pope eodem The cause of dissentioÌ betwixt the pope and themperour 369 The safe counded of the fathers at 370 The Marques of Brandenburge mocketh the Counsell eodem The duke of somerset appreheÌded eod The Counsell writeth to the Frenche king 371 The FreÌch king disswadeth the Swisses from the Counsell eodem The land of Wittenburge deliuered of Spanyerdes eodem The ambassadour of Wittenburge to the Counsell 372 The pacification of Maydenburge eod The noble same and constancy of Maydenburge eodem The Pope created xiii Cardinalles 373 The amba of witteÌberg deliuered 374 The amb of Duke Mauri ãâ¦ã he Marques of Brandenb to themper 374 Their oration 375 The Lantzgraue kept prisoner against the league 375 The Lantzgraue biddeÌ to Supper and kept prisoner 376 The names of the Princes that intreat for the Lantzgraue 377 The Lantzgraues Sonne cometh to Duke Morice 377 The rayling of Cropper 378 Themperours letters to the Bushoppe electors 378 Their is craft in daubing 379 The ambassador of duke Maurice come to the Counsell 380 The Duke of Somerset beheaded 381 The saufeconduct altered 382 The fraukespeache of Duke Maurice Ambassadour to the fathers 383 Thambassador of the prot deluded ideÌ The diuines come to Norinberge 384 The bitternesse of Frere Pelarge against the Protestantes eodem The diuines of Wittenburge 386 ThaÌbassodours of Strasburg det 387 The blasphemio of a gray Frere 388 The requestes of the Protestauntes diuines eodem The Fathers flie from Trent 389 The answere of the Protestantes Ambassadour eodem The churche cannot erre 390 The Counsell of Basell purer then Trent eodem The last session of the Counsell eodem The French Kynge hath peace with the Pope eodem Th ende of the counsell of Trent eodeÌ The death of the Popes Legate eodem The seconde cause of warre 392 The Lantzgraue deteined prisoner against fidelitie eodem The thirde cause eodem The heauie burthens of Germany 393 The storie of Lewes Auila of the Protestauntes warre eodem The Frenche kynges letters 394 The armes of libertie 395 The prince of Salerne reuolteth from the Emperour 396 The FreÌche king subdneth Lorain eod The cardinall betraied the cites eodeÌ The pledges of FrauÌce German 397 The couÌtry of Oto HeÌry recouered âdeÌ The Iudges of the chamb flie eodem The Conestable chideth with theim of Strasburge 398 The kinges answer to the princes 399 The sute of the Suises to the king eodeÌ TheÌperour flieth awaie by night 400 The duke of Saxon set at libertie eodeÌ The Emperours stuffe spoiled eodem The Princes restore the ministers of the churche eodem The Marques Albertus armie 401 The Frenche kyng destroieth the Emperours countrie 403 The assemble at passaue eodem The coÌplaint of the princes elector 403 The affinitie of Frenchmen and. 404 The libertie of Germanie restored by the power of Fraunce 405 The waie opened for the Prince of Spaine to be Emperour eodem The princes aunswere his oracioÌ eodeÌ The
the counsell The Pope createth xiii Cardinals A decree of penaunce A discipline amongst the fathers The Ambassadours of Wirtimb deluded Thambassadours of D. Mauris and the Marques of BrandeÌb to the Emp. Their Oration The Lantgraue kepte prisoner againste the leage made The Lantgraue blodâ to supper was kepte prisoner The names of the Princes that intreated for the Lantgraue The OratioÌ of the Prices aÌbassadours to the Emp. The Empe. aunswer to the Ambassabours The Lantgraues son cometh to D. Maurice Maximilian entreth into Trent The railing of Groppes A Cardinal of Dalmatia slayne in his owne house 1552. The Empe. letters to the Byshops Eleciours There is craft in dawbyng Wyly begyâed Kings haue long armes ThaÌbassad of Du. Maurice come to the counsell D. Maurice feared of the Emperour The Duke of Somerset beheaded D. Maurice Ambassad sent awaye The saufecoÌduict altered The franke speache of D. Maurice Ambassad to the Fathers The Ambassadours of the Protest deluded How muche the papistes esteme the Scripture The diuines come to Norinberge The bitternes of freer Pelarge againg that protestauntes Duke Maurice letters to his ambassadours A brute of war against themperor Pardons New ambassadors from WirteÌberge The diuines of Wyrtemberge The confession of the duke of Wirtemberge Thambassador of Strasburge deteyned The blasphe my of a gray Frier The requestes of the protestantes deuines Duke Moris taketh Auspurge by coÌposition The fathers fle froÌ Trent The answer of the protestantes ambassadors Diuers mindes in the counsel of Trent Refourmation of the papistes The Church can not erre The counsel of Basil purer theÌ TreÌt The last session of that couÌsell The frenche Kinge hathe peace with the Pope The ende of the Counsel at Trent The death of the popes Legate The seconde cause of war The Lantzgraue deteyned prisoner against sidelity The thirds cause The boÌdage of Germany Marques Alberts letters agaynste the Emperoure The heauye burthens of Germany The story of Lewes Auila of the protestants war The frenche kingsletters Germanye the fortresse of Christendoe CouÌtryes oppressed bi the Emperoure Tharmes of liberty Duke Moris goeth to the field The Prince of Salerne reuolteth from themperor The frenche subdueth Loraine The Cardinall betraied the Citye of Metz. The pledges of Fraunce Germanye Conditions of peace offered by Duke Moris The couÌtrie of Oto Henry recouered The iudges of the chamber slie The Conestable chideth with them of Strash The request of the Prynces to the kyng D. Maurice letters to the kyng The kinges answer to the Prynces Martin van Rossem spoyleth ChaÌpanye The suite of the Swisses to the Kyng Skirmyshes of the Princes with the in Eperialles Erenberge take agayne RebellioÌ in D. Moris caÌp Duke Morisuye slayne The Empe. sleeth away by nyght The Duke of Saxon set at libertie The Empe. staffe spoiled Crueltie against godly preachers The princes restore the ministers of the churche The Marq. Albertes armie Albertes crueltie to them of Normberg Bamberge redemeth peace dearelye Norinberge hath peace with the Mar. Albert to theÌ of Wolmes The FreÌche king destroyeth Themperour couÌtrie Thassemble at Passawe The coÌplain te of Prynces Elect. The oration of the Frenche Ambas Thaâânitie of FreÌchmeÌ and Germaines The libertie of Germany restored by the power of Fraunce The way opened for the Prynce of Spayne to be Emper. The princes aunswer his oration The house of LuceÌburg The battell of Cressie Albert of Austriche Marques Albert warreth for himselfe The FreÌche kinges aunswer to thin tercessours D. Maurice weary of delayes The Empe. letters to the intercessours Their aunswer to the Emperour D. Maurice retourneth to his fellowes George Du. of Megelbu slayne Conditions of peace offered by the Emperour Thambassadors commeÌtaries intercepted Duke Moris admitteth peace The French king dischargeth his army Marques Albert y scourge of priests His requests to Strasbo The answer of Strausbo Conditions of peace Marques Albert refuseth the peace The deathe of Herman Archebishop of Colon. His wish Marques Albert entreth Treuers The duke of Saxon goth home to hys owne house Themperor goeth wyth his army toward Lorain Ambassadors of Strasburge to the Emperor Themperor entreth into Strasburge Sir Richard Morisine ambassadour of England Marques Antonius Ambassadour of Uenise The spoil of the soldiors The deathe of Caspar Hedio Andrew Osiander Themperor besegeth Metz. Marques Albert reconciled to themperor Albert ouerthroweth the French men Duke de Anmalle taken prisoner The greate battery of Metz. The duke of Brunswicke driuen out of his country The duke of Guise defended Metz. 1553. The french kinges wryting against themperor The Emperours letters of aunswere to Marques Albert. Tharmes of Electorshyp The Cardinall Lenoncourtes ambition The spoylinges burninges of Marques Albert The father the soÌnes coÌtend for inheritaunce Terwen rased The Lady Iane of Suffolke maried to Buylford Dudley Kinge Edward sore sicke War in Italye The Mar. maketh war in Saxonye King FernaÌdo proclameth warre agaynste Albert The spoylinges of Al. The complaint of D. Moris vpon Marques Al. Duke Mor. league with the Duke of BruÌswicke The Mar. annswere to duke Moris Marques Albert sendeth to the Emperor The bishops in his absence inuade his counitie The great crueltie of Mar. Albert The death of good kyng Edward The vertues of Edward the sixt A battell fought betwixt Duke Maurice and Mar. Albert. D. Maurice wan that fielde and lost his lyfe The woÌders before his death Great frendship betwixt D. Maurice and Marqu Albert. The Marq. letters to that states of D. Maurice The death of Orace Farnese Augustus brother and hesre to Du. Maurice Iohn Frederick demauÌdeth his landes and dignities Nyne burnt at Lions Lewys Marsake The blasphe my or that lieftenaunt Fiue studeÌts of Losanna The lady Iane. The Lady Mary proclamed Quene Winchester made ChauÌcelour The Duke of Northumberland condemned His incoÌstancie at hys death Thomas Palmer The coÌstancie of the archebyshop of Cantorbury The bishops caried to prison The popishe Religion restored in Englande Warres reuiued betwixt the D. of Brunsw Marques Albert. Albert recoÌciled to Augustus The Turkishe Naute taketh the Iland of Corsica The FreÌche king attemteth CaÌbray Pestilence firing at Paris The bloud of innoceÌtes gaynfull to many Brunswick beseged The Duke of Brunswletters to the D. of Saxon The Du. of Brunswick is reconciled to the Duke of Saxon. A disputatioÌ in England Serueto a Spanyarde burnt at Geneua Reynold Poole Cardinall Uercelles surprised The Turck hanged his sonne Mustapha The Archbyshop of Cantorbury and others condemned Marques Albert outlawed The Godly lawes of good Edward repealed Quene Mary affiauÌced to the Emperours sonne 1554. Commotion in Kent The Duke of Norfolke forsaken of his men The quenes oration to that commons in yelde hall The Duke of Suffolke Wiat taken and committed to PrisoÌ The Lady Iane her husband beheaded The Duke of Suffolke beheaded Sibille Duches of SaxoÌ departeth The Godly end of Iohn Friderick An end made betwixt him and Augustus The Godlines of
agaynste the syxte daye of Ianuarye As concernyng that which the Archebishop of Mentz spake howe the Bishoppe of Rome had confyrmed the Emperours creation thus haue they tourned Totnam into Frenche of late yeres For in tymes past the Bishoppes of Rome were wonte to be approued by themperours when they were but pore but encreased in wealth they did not onely begyn to rule at theyr pleasure but also at the length brought it vnto this passe after muche strife and contention that in dede they permitted that the seuen Princes of Germany might electe hym but saye how it lyeth in theyr power onely to coÌfirme and ratifie the same And this Authoritie haue they vsed many tymes in maner throughe all realmes but chiefly in Italy Fraunce and Germany what tyme they haue put downe kynges and substituted others in theyr place For besides other places of the Canon lawe in thepistles decretall of Gregory the ix Innocentius the iij. affirmeth that the aucthoritie of chosyng themperor was by the benefit of the Bishoppes and Churche of Rome conueighed from the Grekes to the Germanes in the tyme of great Charlemaigne and howe it is theyr partes to know iudge whether the person be mete And yet not coÌteÌted with that they haue also extorted his faithe by an othe from the highest Magistrate of the whole vniuersall worlde Whiche thynge hathe bene often tymes the cause of great warres and muche other mischief And in fyne ClemeÌt the fift bounde them to it by a lawe who lyued in the yere of our lorde a thousande and thre hundred For wheras Henry the seuenth Emperour of that name of the house of Lucemburge woulde not after thys sort be bounden for that he said it was a matter newly inuented neyther vsed in former time ClemeÌt for them that should come after openeth the matter at large declarynge what is in same othe conteyned that is to say that themperour shoulde defende the Church of Rome that he banish Heretikes and haue no company with wicked meÌ that he by al meanes possible mayneteine the Dignitie of the Bishoppes of Rome that he defend kepeal priuiledges grauÌted to the church of Rome at any tyme but especially such as were geuen by CoÌstantine Charlemaigne Henry Otto the fourth Fridericke the secoÌd and Rodulphe that he chalenge no parte of the landes and possessions of the Church of Rome by any maner of title or pretence In these thinges saith he the Emperour is bounden to him And that Henry also by messengers promised hym no lesse howe soeuer he dissembled afterwarde Thys decree came forth after the death of the Emperour Henrye The same Clement was the first of all that called forth the Cardinals froÌ Rome to Lyons and kept his Court in Fraunce Syns the whiche time the authoritie and power of Emperours hathe decreased in Italy daylye more and more And the power and dignitie of Bishoppes bene augmented in so much that at these our dayes and a lytle before our time Emperours haue supposed that they owe this faithe and obediens to them euen of bounden dewtie But the chiefe of the Bishoppes that haue molested oure Emperours are these Gregory the seuenth and the .ix. Alexandre the thyrde Innotentius the thyrde and the fourth Nicolaus the thyrde Bonisace the eyght and Clement the fyste Nowe let vs retourne to our pourpose In the meane tyme that Cefar was yet at Collen the Byshoppe of Rome sent Marinus Carracciolus and Hierome Aleander to encense the Duke of Saxonie againste Luther who speakynge fyrste in the praise of him and his familie than tellynge of the daunger that haÌged ouer all Germany for the deuilishe workes of Luther demaunded of him in fine two thinges Firste that he would commaunde all his bokes to be caste in the fyre secondarelye that he woulde eyther see hym executed or send him bounde to Rome This was before Peter Bonhomme of Tergeste and Barnarde of Trent Bishoppes They had also commission that Cesar and all other Princes of Germany beyng required of ayde should accomplishe the Byshoppes request who had committed as they sayde to this Aleander and doctor Eckius the herynge of the matter Duke Fridericke because it was a matter of importaunce axynge a tyme of deliberation the fourth daye of Nouembre maketh them aunswere by hys counsell for that he hym selfe was otherwise occupied in the presence of the Bishoppe of Trent Howe it is farre beyonde his expectation that the Bishoppe of Rome shoulde demaunde anye suche thynge of him who hathe alwayes indeuoured him selfe to do nothing vnworthy the vertue and dignitie of his auncestours to do his faithfull seruice to the Empire and his dewe obseruaunce to the Churche And howe he hath heard that whilest he hath bene froÌ home Eckius hath gone about to bring in trouble not onely Luther but others also of his dominion coÌtrary to the order maner of the Canon lawe whiche thinge as righte is he taketh in euil part that a priuate maÌ should take vpoÌ him to medle so muche in any other maÌsiurisdictioÌ What Luther or others haue done in his absence sins the Byshoppes decre was brought he knoweth not but he had neuer any thinge to do with his matter neyther nowe will haue Howebeit if he teache not rightly he is the more sory Two yere past through his labour and meanes he was broughte to Cardinall Caietaine at Auspurge But when they had spoken together they coulde not agree in so muche that Cardinall Caietane wrote vnto hym letters of complaint which he so answered at the same time that he thought he had satisfied him yea and to take awaye all suspicion he would than haue put Luther from him if Miltitius had not letted the matter Moreouer howe oftener that that the Archbishop of Treuers was appointed to heare the matter and howe Luther wyll appere in any place when so euer he is commaunded so that he may be assured and maketh so large and great an offer that no more can be required This is the opinion of good and well learned men that he hathe thus farre proceded not of his owne accorde but pricked forwarde of his aduersaries as yet he hath neyther bene so heard of the Emperor or of any others that his workes should be so conuicte of Hercsye that they ought to be burnt or els would he already haue done the duetye of a good Prince He requireth them therefore that they woulde not deale after this sorte but rather fynde the meanes that some Godlye learned menne maye be chosen that shall frendely and quietlye heare the whole matter that Luther maye haue a good safeconduicte and that his bookes be not burned before he hathe pleaded his cause And if he can by the testimonies of Scripture and sownde argumentes be conuicted than will not he holde with hys doynges And although that bothe he and his cause shoulde take the foile yet woulde he trust that the Byshoppe would requyre him to
do nothyng but that might stande with his honoure In all other thynges throughe Gods helpe he would do as shoulde become a Prince of the Empire and an obdient childe of the church What tyme this answere was geuen them After some deliberation they began to recite howe many thynges the Byshoppe of Rome had done and suffered that Luther mighte at the length retourne into the right way but that he hath kepte no parte of his promyse And that it lyeth not nowe in the Archbishoppe of Treuers to here the matter for so muche as the Bishoppe of Rome hathe taken to him selfe the same to whom onely it apperteineth to be iudge in suche causes the conclusion of theyr talke was that they said how they must procede according to the Bishoppes decree And so not longe after they burned Luthers workes Aleander was an Italian borne right skilful in the Hebrew tonge he was sometyme a Reader in Paris commynge to Rome he grewe in estimation and was first made Archebistoppe of Brunduse after that Cardinal To the same degre of dignitie came also Carracciolus When Luther vnderstoode this he calleth forthe all the studentes of Wittenberge and in the presens of many learned men he burneth the Byshop of Romes law and the decree lately published openly the teÌth day of Decembre And the next day in his lecture admonisheth al men that regarde theyr saluation to beware of that Bishoppes kyngdom Afterwarde he set forth a boke wherin he sheweth the causes why he burned the Canon lawe First that it hath bene an olde custome obserued at all times that naughtie and Pestilent bokes should be burned a testimony wherof is yet in the actes of the Apostles Moreouer that it concerneth his dewtie that is baptised in Christe whiche is a professour and an open teacher of holye Scripture to impugne wycked doctrine and to teache men that is holesome and to plucke out of meÌs mindes false and erronious opinions And that the same apperteineth also to many others And although that they bryng letted eyther through ignoraunce or for feare of perill do not that they oughte to do yet can that be none excuse to him vnlesse he do his dewtie Moreouer the Bishoppe of Rome and all his rable are so obstiuate and shamelesse that not onely they wyll heare no good admonitions but also condempne the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and compell men to committe open Idolatry Furthermore he supposeth howe these booke burners haue no commission to burne his bookes no more than had the Diuines of Collen and Louain of the Emperour Finally for as muche as his workes beyng burnt and the brute therof spread abroade ouer all countreis many will growe to be weaker and doubtfull supposynge they were not caste into the fyre withoute cause therefore dyd he seynge his aduersaries past all remedy burne theyr Bookes also that he might therby erecte confyrme the mindes of men Wherfore he besecheth all men that laying a syde thambitiouse and proude titles of his aduersaries they would looke nerer to the thinge that is howe wicked and pestilent opinions are conteyned in those bokes of the Law Which thinge that it maye be the better perceyued of innumerable he hath gathered a fewe thynges whiche belonge to the reproche of almightie God to the iniurie of the ciuill magistrate and to the establisshing of their owne tyranny to the numbre of thyrtie places whereby he sheweth that he had iuste cause to burne them Than prouoketh he them to shewe the reasons wherfore they burnt his workes And the cause why fewe or none haue in diuerse ages past attempted anithing agaynste the tyrannye of Antichrist he saieth hathe bene for that the Scripture hath prophecied howe he shoulde destroy his aduersaries and haue the kynges to assist him Seyng therfore that the Prophetes and Apostles haue tolde vs before of suche tyrrible thynges to come it is easye to consydre howe greate it behoueth hys crueltye to be For so commeth it to passe ordenarily in worldly matters that of the best begynnynge of thinges procedeth the worste ende Whiche after he hathe proued by diuerse examples he inuergeth agaynste the Citie of Rome whiche beyng indewed of God with many benefites and ornamentes is vtterly gone out of kynde and with her contagion hathe infected a great part of the world that this the Byshoppes ordinauÌce is agaynst the lawes agaynst good customes nether is he to be suffered for that he fleeth from lawful iudgement for that he affirmeth him selfe to be aboue all lawes and iudgementes I tolde you in the fyrste Boke how Syluester Prierias wrote agaynst Luther whan he had answered him sharpely Ambrosius Catarinus an Italian toke in had to defende him setting forthe a booke of the dignitie of the Bishoppe of Rome to the whiche Luther aunswereth at large and interpretynge certen places of Daniell teacheth that the Byshoppes Tyrrannye is there paynted out and proueth that suche thinges as he hathe prophecied of the kyngdome of Antichriste do altogether concerne the See of Rome After this was Catarinus made Archbyshoppe of Cossent The thirde Booke of Sleidanes Commentaries concerning the state of Religion and the common Weale during the Empire of Charles the fyfte ⧠The argument of the thirde Booke DUke Fridericke obteyneth letters of safeconduict for Luther to come to Wormes there to defende his opinions and writinges before themperor and the other states and perseuereth constantly although themperor threateneth him wyth banishment and the Pope had cursed hym in the Bulle of the Lordes supper And the Prynces seuerally soughte to peruerté him The counsell of Constaunce was set before his eyes vpon which occasion mention is made of Wyclese of Iohn Hussc and of Ê ischa a Bohemer the Sorbonistes condempne Luthers bokes Whilest the Pope and the Frenche kynge made a league with the Swisses Ê wmglius diswadeth theÌ from takyng Pensions of theÌ Luter beyng exiled by letters patentes auoydeth The kynge of Englande writcth agaynst him Pope Leo dyeth Adrian succedeth Solyman the greate Turke hathe luckie successe in Hongary Commotions in Spaynè themperor couetyng to appease them after he had treated wyth Englande goeth thyther The Byshoppe of Constance persecuteth Ê wynglius Troubles at Wittenberge The Annabaptistes aryse for the which there is an assemble at Norinberge The Pope sendeth thyther letters and Ambassadours The Turke taketh the Rhodes Ê winglius hauyng set forth hys doctrine by certeyne Articles is assayled by the Papistes but in fyne the Ghospell is receyued at Ê uricke DUke Fridericke accompaniynge the Emperour to the assemblie at Wormes had obteyned that Cesar sayde he would call for Luther and heare his matter whiche Luther vnderstanding by the Dukes letters wrote agayne aboute the latter ende of Ianuary that he was exceadyng glad that the Emperor would vouche saufe to heare this matter which in dede is a common cause And that he shal be content to do any thing that he may do with a
Townes nere by warned men of their secte that leauing all their goodes behynde them they shoulde repare vnto them with all possible diligence And what soeuer they left behinde them they shoulde receiue ten tymes as muche in recompence They being allured with so large and ample promises came thether in great nombres both men and women hauing an assured hope to attaine to better fortune especially suche as were poore and not able to lyue at home resorte to the citie of Munster But the tounes meÌ especially those that had any great substaunce when they sawe theyr citie full of straungers conueyed them selues thence as well as they myght leauing the Anabaptistes and the other multitude This was about shroftyde in the moneth of February M.D.xxxiiij And what tyme the one parte was thus weakened the Anabaptistes doe chouse newe senatours all of their owne factioÌ and also make new conselles and one of them was Cnipperdolyng And shortly after they fyred the churche of saint Morice in the suburbes and all the other buyldinges thereabout Than spoyle they all the churches and vndermyne the cathedrall churche within That done they flocke together in euerye strete and crye first repente repente And by and by auoyde thence quickly ye wicked men vnlesse you intende to hazarde your lyues Finally they assemble in armure and al that were not of their secte immediatly they thrust out of the citie without respect of age or sexe in so muche that in that hurly burly diuerse women miscaried of chylde And as sone as they had put them to flyghte streight wayes they toke their goodes And albeit that this happened that day before that they besieged the citie yet neuerthelesse where as certen of theÌ that fled chauÌced into the byshoppes handes he toke them as his ennemies and dyuerse of them lost their heades and emonges others one or two preachers of the Gospell And the same Peter Wirtemie beyng in daunger amonges the rest at the request of the Lantgraue was preserued Whiche thynge moued the residue of the honest citizens that all be it they were mynded to forsake the towne yet seyng the present dauÌger without they were in a maner constrayned to tary agaynst their wil. At this same tyme the chiefest Prophet amonges them for that name they doe vsurpe to themselues Iohn Mathewe commaunded them that loke what golde or syluer euery man had he shoulde brynge it all foorth vnder payne of death and for the same purpose was a common treasure house appointed The people beyng fore astonied at this cruel decree durst not but obeye Neyther myght any man disceiue or begile theÌ of any part for two certen yonge maydens that prophecied coulde declare what fraude was vsed neither did they only bryng their own but toke also to their owne vse the goodes of theÌ whome they had expulsed After this the same Prophet cominaunded that no man from henceforth should haue or kepe any booke sauing the holy Byble All others he commaunded to be brought forth and brent This commauÌdement sayde he was geuen hym from aboue therfore were bookes brought thether in a wonderfull numbre and all consumed with fyre It chaunced at the same tyme that one Hubert Trutelynge a smyth had spoken some thynge in ieste against them whiche named them selues Prophetes Whan this was knowen they called the people together and commaunded them to put on harnesse by and by the maÌ was accused and coÌdemned to die whiche thinge astonied the people maruelously Than the chief Prophet before named taketh this poore man and casteth hym downe flat vpon the grounde thrusteth his speare into hym yet he gaue him not his deadly wounde although he pearsed hym with great violence that done he commaunded him to be caryed away to another place Then caught he a boore speare out of a young mans hande that stode next him and as he laie iobbed him in with the staffe heade and seyng that the man would not by by die for all this he sayde howe it was declared vnto hym out of heauen that his tyme was not yet come to dye and that God had grauÌted him his pardon Notwithstandyng he died within a fewe dayes after Whiche thyng whan the Prophet knewe he toke a long morispike and rode vp and downe the towne a great pace crieng that God the father had commaunded hym to discomfite the ennemies without the citie and put them to flyght Whan he came nere to their campe a souliour encountred with him ran him through And albeit that his false prophecie was thus detected the seconde tyme yet had his fellowe Prophetes so bewitched men and made the matter so fayre to the common people that they were ryght sory for the losse of hym saying that there hanged some great plage ouer them that so worthye a man was taken from them The next prophet vnto hym Iohn Leidan bad them be of good comforte for it was reuealed vnto hym longe before that he shoulde thus ende his lyfe and that he should marry his wyfe Two daies before Easter they ran in to euery churche and there range all the belles at ones And after a fewe dayes Cnipperdoling prophecieth that such as are placed in high dignitie shal be cast downe and others preferred to their rowmes that be of lowe and base degree than he commaundeth that all churches should be destroyed affirminge earnestlye that this commaundement came from God Therfore was he obeyed and the commaundement whiche he sayd came from heauen was accomplyshed with great diligence Not longe after this Iohn Leidane deliuereth the sworde of execution vnto Cnipperdoling and appointeth hym to be hangeman for thus it hath pleaseth God that he whiche had before borne the hyghest office of consulshyp should now haue the lowest office of the hangeman He not refusyng toke his offer in very good part also Whan the byshop had nowe by the space of two or thremonethes borne the whole charges of this warre alone Herman the Archebyshop of Collon and Iohn Duke of Claeue sent hym money munition and certen bandes of horsemen and fotemen for his ayde And the Archebishop weÌt also to the campe tasist hym with his couÌsell and not longe after the citie was assaulted in diuers places But when they were out of hope to wynne it by assaulte they buylded seueÌ bulwarkes or fortes about the citie to take away their victualles and put into euery forte an enseigne of fotemen with certen baÌdes of horsmen to wynter there And for the continuance of the siege of warre whiche aswell concerned others the byshop of Munster desyred ayde of those Princes and cities that are of the prouince of Rhine by reason they were nere at hande For the whiche cause an assemblie was appointed at coÌfluence the .xiij. daye of Decembre of the yeare M.D. xxxiiij for all Germany is deuided into sixe prouinces into Frankony Bauier Swelande Saxonie the coaste of the Rhyne and Burgundy Within the whiche
limites all Princes and cities are of an auncieÌt custome accoÌpted in the assemblies of the Empyre But now is Saxonye deuided into hyghe and lowe and agayne the base countrey of Germany Westphalia and Austriche are added hereuÌto so that now the Empyre conteineth ten regions After the assaulte was attempted in vayne Iohn Leidane gaue him self to reste and slepeth thre whole daies together and what tyme he did awake he spake not a worde but at the last called forpaper wherin he wrote the names of twelue men wherof certen were gentlemen whiche as the twelue trybes of Israel should rule and gouerne all thynges for this sayde he was the wyll of the heauenly father When he had thus by the meanes of these twelue men prepared awaye for his kyngdome he propoundeth certeÌ opinions to the preachers whiche he requireth to haue them confuted by the testimonies of Scripture for if they can not than will he vtter them to the people that they may be approued and ratified The some wherof was this that a man was not bouÌden to one wife but might lawfully marry as many as he list But whan the preachers reproued his opinion he calleth them into the counsell house and the twelue meÌ also And when they were all come thither he taketh of his cloke and throweth it on the grounde and the newe Testament withall Witnessing and swearing by the same that the thinge whiche he had propounded was reuealed vnto him from heauen Therfore he thretneth them with right high wordes as thoughe they should not haue God to be theyr frende vnlesse they consented to him In fine they agree in opinions and the Doctors preache of Matrimony three dayes together And streight waies he marieth three wyues at ones Wherof the one was the wife of the aforesaid great Prophet Iohn Mathew Whose example afterwardes others folow in so muche as it was all accompted a praise to be often married But diuerse honest citezens which misliked their doynges geuing a notice throughout the Citie called all suche as professed the doctrine of the Gospell into the market place And afterwardes apprehended the Prophet and Cnipperdolinge and all their Preachers Whiche thing when the rascall people vnderstode they came in armure tooke away the prisoners from them and slewe of them about fiftie with great crueltie For they tyed them vnto trees or pillers and shotte them in with dagges theyr highe prophet greatly commendinge them wylling them that would do God pleasure to shoote first howbeit others were otherwise murthered At the eight kalendes of Iuly arriseth a newe prophet which was a Goldsmith Who calling an assemblie of the people into the market-place declareth vnto them howe it is the will and commaundement of the heauenly father that Iohn Leidane should possesse thempire of the whole worlde And that he marchyng forwarde with a puissaunt armie should distroy all kinges and princes without respecte spare only the multitude at the least such as loued righteousnes And that he should possesse the seate of Dauid his father vntill suche time as the father should reuoke the kingdome into his owne handes And howe the wicked beyng destroyed godly men should reigne in his life When these thinges were openly declared Iohn Leidane immediately fell downe vpon his knees and liftyng vp his handes vnto heauen said Men and brethren this thing knew I many dayes sins Yet would I neuer speake it For to the intent it might be of better credit the father hathe vsed another minister And beynge thus made kinge forthwith he displaceth the xii men and after the custome of kynges chouseth vnto him nobles and commauÌdeth also that a sworde with á gylte seabarde two crownes a cheyne a sââptre and suche other like ornamentes should be prouided for him of pure golde After that he appointed certen dayes wherin he wyll heare them openly that haue any sutes to hym As ofte as he came abroade he was accoÌpanied with his nobles and officers of houshold Next after him followed two yoÌgmen ryding wherof the one of the ryght hande caried the crowne and the byble and the other bare the sworde drawen with the lyke pompe went his chief wyfe for he had diuers at ones In the market place was prepared for hym an highe seate hanged with cloth of golde such complaintes and sutes as came before him were all for the moste part concerning wyues and diuorcementes whiche were then moste common cases in so much as many which had liued together a long time were now first diuorsed And it fortuned that what tyme the people stoode thicke about him preasing to heare beholde Cnipperdoling lea peth forth creping vpon the mens heades and sholders that stoode thick together and breathing into their mouthes sayd vnto euery one the father hath sanctified the receiue the holy ghost At an other certen tyme when he daunced before the kyng thus sayeth he was I wonte to playe in tymes past with my whore and the father hath commaunded me to do lykewyse before the kyng And where he was ouer tedious and could make none ende the kyng being offended departed thaÌ getteth he vp into the kynges seate and toke vpon him to be king But the kynge retourning in the meane tyme plucked him down headloÌg and kepeth him in pryson thre dayes During the siege they compyle set forth a booke whiche they call a restauration wherein amonges other thinges they teache that the kyngdome of Christe shal be of this sorte before the last daye of iudgement that his elect and chosen shold reigne the wicked being vtterly destroyed in all places They teache moreouer howe the people may put downe the Magistrate Further more albeit the Apostles had no commaundement to vsurpe any iurisdiction yet suche as are nowe ministers of the churche ought to take vpon them the ryght of the sworde and by force to establyshe a newe common wealth and that no man ought to be suffered in the churche whiche is not a true christian Againe that no maÌ can be saued vnles he make all his goodes common and kepe nothing priuate to hym self They saie also that Luther and the bishop of Rome be false prophetes yet of both is Luther the worse Finally they saye how the mariage of such as are not lyghtened with the true fayth is polluted and filthie and rather to be reputed for whoredome or aduoutrie These opinions of their were comfuted chiefly by MelanchthoÌ Iustus Ionas Menius Urbanus Regins whose workes full of eloquence remayne touching the same Than a fewe weakes after the newe Prophet that I spake of blewe the trompet in euery strete and commauÌded all men to arme them selues and repayre to the head churche porche for the enemy must be driuen from before the citie Whan they came thether they fynde their supper ready and being commaunded there sate downe to the numbre of foure thousand Afterwardes also suppe thei which had watched
is the Emperours minde which maketh the warre Wherfore seing that Religion is assured he seeth no cause why he should not obey themperour in al other thinges For Christ commaundeth to geue both to God and also to the Emperour that whiche is his What trauell and payn he hath taken that this matter might without ciuile warre haue ben pacified it is not vnknowen to the Emperour to kyng Ferdinando and to diuerse others But where as no peace could be graunted and the Emperour sent out streight coÌmaundement to sease vpon the landes of Iohn Friderick and that also kyng Ferdinando hauing leuied the forces of Hongary Boheme and Austriche was ready to inuade and would not be intreated but sent in his armie and had taken already certen syluer mynes whiche were common betwene his cosin and hym he was dryuen of necessitie to prouide that they got not the resydue or inuaded further And what his purpose was he first declared boeth to the Lantgraue to the Duke his Cosyn and also to his Sonne And seing it is so he desyreth that no man mistake his doyng nor credit suche thynges as shall haply be reported by hym For in mainteyning of Religion he wylbe constant and hath none other respecte in this thinge than that the landes and dignities of the house of Saxon shuld not come into straungers handes About this tyme began again persecutioÌ in Fraunce There is a town in those parties called Melda ten miles from Paris the byshop therof in former yeares was WilliaÌ Brissonet Who being desirous of purer doctrine appointed good preachers instructours of the people excluding al freers And what tyme for the same cause the diuines of Sorbone procured him some daunger he shewed no constancie but refused his enterpryse Notwithstanding the remnaunt of that doctrine remayned in the mindes of many and this yeare about thre score townes men consulting of the matter chouse them selues a preacher of the worde and assembling in priuate houses whan the Sermon was ended on certen dayes they receiue the Lordes supper after the order of the Gospell and Christes institution This thing could not long be kepte secret especially sythe that dyuerse also came to them out of the countrey Wherfore beyng taken whan they were all together they are put in pryson and after their examination caried to Paris in cartes There receyuing sentence of death and caried home agayne fourtene of them bounden to seuerall stakes were burnte quicke all at one tyme the residewe were whypped and bannished As they were retournyng home warde from Paris one commeth runnyng to them out of the next village and exhorteth them to perseuer to the ende Wherfore beyng apprehended he suffered lyke punyshement as the others did Before ther were brent they were put on the torture to the intent they should vtter the fellowes and followers of theyr doctrine but they could extorte nothyng out of them Many supposed this to be done of pourpose to breake the amitie that was than in knitting betwene the kynge and the Protestauntes Duke Maurice letters of defiaunce to the Duke of Saxon were delyuered in the Campe the syxt daye of Nouember In the fourmer booke I haue shewed you howe the Byshop the .xvi. daye of Apryll gyuing sentence agaynst the Archbyshop of Collon depriued hym of al his ecclesiasticall offices Nowe where he heard fyrst therof for any certentie the fourth daye of Nouember as he hymselfe mentioneth a fewe dayes after settyng forthe a wryting and declaryng the causes why he can not acknowledge the Byshop for hys iudge who is accused already both of heresy and idolatrie he appealeth from that sentence vnto a lawfull counsell of Germany and whan the same shall begynne he sayeth he wyll persecute his suite against the Byshop The Protestauntes Ambassadours whiche I shewed you before were assembled at Ulme aboute the ende of October whan they could not agree in sentences in the moneth of Nouember they went to the Campe at Gienge that the consultation might be the easier There is propounded for so muche as some fellowes of their religioÌ geue no ayde of their coÌfederates they of Luneburg Pomerane certen others and again the rest of the States and cities in Saxonie helpe not muche and nothyng is brought out of Fraunce and by reason that the soldiours doe dayly slippe awaye for the tyme of the yeare and other discommodities the armie is deminished they must chouse one of these thre thynges eyther to geue the battell or departe the field retyring the soldiours into places where they may wynter or els make peace and truce The matter being debated they condescended to make mention of peace and they assigned Adam Trotte who through the cause of the Electour of Brandenburg had accesse to Marques Iohn his brother to breake the matter But where as the Emperour whiche by espiall knewe throughly before all their case and discommoditie and had lately receyued glad tydiuges out of Saxony propounded verey harde conditions it is determined that all the reste of their force beyng led into Saxonie a thousande horsemen and eight thousande fotemen should wynter there in certen places at the coste and charges of the Duke of Wirtemberge and the cities of the vpper partes of Germany After the thre and twenty day of Nouember they retyre makyng fyrst a decree that an other Ambassade should be sent into Fraunce and Englande And at the two and twenty daye of Ianuarye to mere agayne at Frankefurte And thus was the warre gouerned nothyng luckely of the whiche misfortune this was thought to be the the principal cause that the matter was not wrought by the order and wyll of one For where the Duke of Saxon and the Lantgraue were in authoritie egall it chaunced that many goodly oportunities through disceptation were omitted The same whiche was also decreed of placyng their Soldiours came to none effecte whan many refused to be contributaries any longer After the Emperour had intelligence of theyr departure he maketh forth horsemen immediatly to vnderstande of their iourney And shortly after commaundeth the Duke of Alba and the Erle of Bure to followe and he him selfe also goeth forth with the Horsemen of Germany leauing the fotemen and coÌmaunding them to remayne The moste part of the protestaÌtes were already in their campe where they should reste al nyght But the Lantgraue albeit he led the forwarde the same day yet he taried with the Duke of Saxon and either of theÌ had ten guidons of horsemen only and about fiue hondreth guÌners With these they stayed vpon an hill and plaÌted redy such field pieces as they had with theÌ And thus abiding their ennemies whan it was almost darke night the Emperour calleth his meÌ back and than went they also softely forwarde tyll they came to their Campe be besydes Heydenem in the lande of Wirtemberg escapyng moste present dauÌger For if the Emperour had geuen the charge they whiche were so fewe
wryting and thynketh thus that those whiche ought of dutie reuerently to receiue and obeye the rule and order of doctrine woulde prescribe theyr Elders whiche thynge is both absurde and vncommely Other aunswere coulde he get none at thys present but yet woulde he bee in hande wyth hym agayne And biddeth them also to be of good comforte Within a fewe dayes after what tyme Maximilian of Austriche approched nere the Cardinal going forth to mete him at Mantua admonisheth the Ambassadours of Wixtemberg that for so much as he must nedes departe thei should repare to Toletane the Emperours Ambassadour Who both by vertue of his office and authoritie may profite them greatly and will do it right gladly euen for his sake whiche hath coÌmended the matter vnto him They followyng his counsell spake vnto him Who promising them gently many thynges so departeth But whan thei came againe the second tyme he began to make an excuse by reason of the disputations that the Diuines should nowe haue wher at the fathers must be present Whiche finished he would espie an occasion It is to be thought that he receiued a muche like aunswere as the Cardinall had done before But least he shuld take awaye all hope of being heard hereafter he alledged this cause especially considering bothe howe the Emperour hath had procured the counsell and that it was permitted by a publique decree of the Empire that euery man myght frely propounde of what matters soeuer he wold In the meane season the Ambassadour of Strasburge goeth to the Emperours Ambassadour William Pictaue in the absence of the Erle Monforte And for so muche as they were all of lyke condition and authoritie he sheweth him the commission of his Ambassade as the maner and custome is and sayeth he is sent thither to the intent he might conferre and consulte with the residue of the profession of Auspurge howe this controuersie of religion and doctrine myght be appeased and a publique quiet established He taking a copie of his commission whiche he sayde he would sende to the Emperour and speakyng many thinges of the doctrine and dignitie of the counsell like as he was in dede a learned man and an oratour offered his seruice and diligeÌce This was the laste of Nouember And at the same tyme the Diuines had Theames deliuered them touchynge the sacrifice of the Masse as they terme it that they myght speake their myndes of the same after the maner before mentioned Howe Duke Maurice sent his Ambassadours to the Emperour for the Lantgraue is declared before And with theÌ were ioyned the Ambassadours of the Prince Electour of Brandenburge Wherfore being admitted to his speache aboute the begynnynge of December whan they had in theyr Prynces name done theyr commendations You knowe saye they moste redoubted Emperour in what distresse ar the moste Noble Princes electours Duke Maurice the Marques of BrandeÌburg for the deteyning of the Lantgraue wher into thei chauÌced beyond all expectation whilest by their singuler industrie they wolde procure vnto you an easye and honorable victorye demynysh the charges of the warre and restore to the common countrye peace and quietnes Which thing hath ben the cause also that they haue ofte intreated you sometime by their Ambassadours and somtime in their own persons that you wold haue coÌsideratioÌ of them and set him at lyberty At the which time verely they added this moreouer that in case ye requyred a further assuraunce besydes the suertyshipp wherwith they both and Wulfegange countie Palatyne with all the people of Hesse are bounden to you they wolde not refuse Unto these their requestes you made aunswer to Christopher Carlebyce Iames Schillinge whom they sent laste vnto you that to deliuer hym before it should appeare what the action of the Emperiall assemblee should be whiche was than at hande you myght not Againe that you promised nothing els but that if he kept conuenauÌtes he should not be deteined in prison perpetual And where they being occupied with other affaires could not them selues come to the assemblee they moued you agayne by their counsellours and letters at Auspurg but you writing againe the cause why you were offended wyth him and might not deliuer him did pronounce them free from the bonde wher by they are bounde to the Lantgraues sonnes Wherfore they determined to moue your highnes againe And woulde haue come their selues but you knowe howe they were both letted by the war of MaydeÌburge and the Marques also by sicknes And therfore wold haue the thing done by vs. And first in dede whan your pleasure was that the Lantgraue should submitte him self vnto you without condition they receiued intelligeÌce by the Byshop of Arras what your mynde was this verely that he should admitte and obserue the conditions of you propounded and deliuered vnto them Nowe if he should haue ben perswaded to render him selfe in this sorte it was assuredly nedeful to declare vnto him that he shold neither be deteined prisoner nor farther burthened than was in the pacification prescribed So therfore the Prince did assure him Which thing also your couÌsellours vnderstode right well And where he desired that certeÌ articles of that same peacemaking might be further declared vnto him also requested that he might not be staied in the same matter aboue .vi. daies the thing signified to the bishop of Arras in other thinges also the Princes in a maner obteined what they would And albeit that in this same treaty the case was not vnderstande of all men after one sorte in so muche that he whan he came was contrary to their promyse committed to warde Yet did they neuer blame you Cesar for the same neyther stode they in termes with you therfore for that they had had to do only with your counsellours not with you sauing than whan the Lantgraue was coming and had signified vnto them that they should come vnto him to Numburg For thaÌ spake they with your selfe and sayde how they had perswaded him to admitte the conditions propounded and that he was coÌming not far of and how they if you wold permit them wold go to mete him And for so moch as he was come thither vpon ther fidelitie they besought you that he might not otherwyse be burthened then was in the pacification comprised Which thing when your selfe had graunted then frankely they went forth brought him to Hale And in the last treatie ther was no mention made that he shoulde be detayned prisoner Which thing thei suppose that your owne men can also testify namely the Bishop of Arras with whom onely they had conference and Seldus whome he many times ded associate vnto him For after the coÌditions admitted and his humble submission the Princes beleued verely that he shoulde haue bene released immediately and that for many causes they thought so Fyrst bycause youre counselours made no mention of imprisoÌment which is the chiefest point of the same peacemakyng and diligeÌtly marked of