Cardinals therewith and in name of the whole Empire to demand the continuation of the Council at Trent He ordered Mendoza also to do the same but the Pope took time to consider of it and having thought fit to consult you about the matter obtained from you a dubious crafty and captious Answer Besides he answers the Emperour oddly and shews sufficiently by his tergiversation that he is little concerned for the Publick for the cause of the removal ought to have been proved by credible Witnesses The Emperour King Ferdinand and the Princes by Letters and most ample Embassies declared what the mind of the States was concerning the Council but the Pope believed and preferred the Report of some mean and base People before the Testimony of all these How many tedious and irksome Journeys hath the Emperour made upon the account of the Council What Charges and Expences hath he been at And must all these be lost For most weighty and necessary causes was the Council both called and begun at Trent the Emperour and Germans demanding it and all other Christian Princes consenting thereunto so that unless the publick Authority of all States intervene it cannot be translated to another place for indeed there was no cause for the Translation only something invented for an excuse as some slight Feaver and badness of Air forsooth and for that purpose some Physicians were suborned but chiefly Serving-Maids and Cooks Now what a trifling cause that was the thing it self and the event declared You say that you went away without the Pope's knowledge and advice but the Letter he wrote to you and the Answer he gave the Emperour imply the quite contrary Certainly you ought not to have departed nor changed the place but with consent of the Emperour to whom it belongs to protect all Councils but you posted away in so much haste that ye rejected the Opinion of those who said that the Emperour and Pope ought first to be consulted Now if you must needs have been removing ye ought to have observed at least the Decrees of the Holy Councils and remained within the bounds of Germany that the Germans for whose cause chiefly the Council was called might safely come to it but now ye have chosen Bolonia a Town seated in the heart of Italy and under the Jurisdiction of the Church of Rome whither it is certain the Germans will not come and therefore have you chosen it that to the great prejudice and disgrace of Christendom the Council may be either dissolved or managed at your pleasure The Emperour therefore requireth and that most earnestly that you return to that place which pleased all before especially since all things are now safe and quiet and no more cause of any fear remains But if this you refuse I do here in the name and by command of the Emperour protest against this Translation of the Council as frivolous and unlawful and that all that has been done or shall be done therein is of no force nor effect I also publickly declare That that Answer of yours is silly and full of Lyes and that the prejudice and inconveniences which hereafter shall ensue to the Publick are not to be imputed to the Emperour but to you affirming withal that you have no Power nor Authority to remove the Council And because you neglect the publick Welfare the Emperour as Protector of the Church will take the care of that upon himself in so far as it is lawful for him by Law and the Canons of Holy Church When he had read over that Protestation he delivered a written Copy of it and desired it to be entered upon Record With that the Cardinal de Monte having highly commended the pious intentions of the Fathers called God to witness that they had wrong done them saying They were ready to suffer death rather than that such a practice should be brought into the Church that the Civil Magistrate might call or controul a Council when and how he pleased That the Emperour was indeed a Son of the Church but not the Lord and Master That he and his Colleagues were the Legates of the Apostolick See and did not refuse even then to render first to God and then to the Pope an account of their Commission That after all within a few days they should have an Answer to their Protestation Much about the same time Mendoza having received Instructions from the Emperour made a Protestantion to the same effect at Rome before the Pope and Colledge of Cardinals and in presence of all the Forreign Embassadours whom according to his Instructions he had invited to be Witnesses of it THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH BOOK XX. THE CONTENTS In the beginning it is hotly disputed whether Prussia belong to the King of Poland or rather to the Empire The Pope makes a large Answer to the Harangue that Mendoza made before The Emperour being informed of that and seeing but very little hopes of a Council causes the Book which is called the Interim to be made The Protector of England in a very long Letter to the Scots counsels them to Peace and demands their Queen Vogelsberg is beheaded The Emperour invests Duke Maurice in the Electorship which he had bestowed upon him in the Camp before Wittemberg Bucer refuses to subscribe to the Interim The Pope also publishes a Censure of it which many of the Electors and Princes also did and many refuse it though it was published by the Emperour The Duke of Saxony though a Prisoner with great magnanimity rejects it The Landgrave by Letters which were published from the Emperours Court seems to approve it that he may obtain his freedom Whil'st the Mass is abolished in England by Act of Parliament the free Towns of Germany are solicited to accept of the Interim and especially Strasburg which is pressed by Threats to do it WE have shewn in the former Books that Marquess Albert of Brandenburg did Homage to the King of Poland and altered the Government of Prussia for which he was Outlaw'd by the Imperial Chamber As also that the King of Poland had several times solicited the Emperour and rest of the States in the Publick Diets to reverse that Outlawry because he was his Vassal and under his Protection But since to this day nothing could be obtained and that by this Victory of the Emperours some greater danger seemed to be threatned the King of Poland sends an Embassy to this Diet whereof the chief was Stanislaus Alaski He in the month of January delivered to the Emperour and Colledge of the Princes a Speech in Writing whereof the substance was That the Cause of Prussia had been some times already debated but because it had been always put off to other Diets he was commanded to open it again that the King was in good hopes because of the civil Answers he had often received from them and of the equity of his Cause they would Consider his Affair yet not as
a Dalmatian Bishop of Waradin Cardinal He was a Man of great Authority in Hungary and commonly called Monk because he was of the Order of Paul the first Hermit It has been declared before that the French Ambassador was ordered to attend on the eleventh of October to receive his answer provided the King owned the Council but he came not and nevertheless in name of the Council a Letter to the King was published And first they tell him that for many Reasons they had expected every thing that was good and great at his hands but that upon the coming of his Ambassdor and reading of his Letter it was a great Grief to them to find themselves frustrated of their hopes and that nevertheless since they were not conscious to themselves of any wrong they had done nor of any cause of offence that they had given they had not as yet wholly laid aside the hopes they formerly conceived of him that the Opinion he entertained then as if the Council had been called for the particular interest and advantage of some few ought least of all to take place in that so great an Assembly That the Causes of calling the Council were published not only by the present Pope but also by his Predecessor Paul III. to wit that Heresies might be rooted out that Discipline might be reformed and that the Peace of the Church might be restored Was not that manifest enough Could there any thing be done more Piously or Christianly That Heresies did now spread not only over Germany but in some manner over all Provinces that the Council would apply a Remedy to this great evil that this was the ground and this also the end of all their Deliberations and that all they did aimed only at that that therefore he would suffer the Bishops within his Dominions to come and assist in carrying on so holy a Work that he had no cause to fear but that they should have liberty to speak freely what they thought that with much patience and attention his Ambassador had been lately heard though his Message had not been so very pleasant and that since a private person had been heard with so much mildness and favour why should any Man believe that that would be denied to publick persons and Men of such Dignity too That notwithstanding though he should not send one single person yet both the Authority and Dignity of the Council would subsist as being both lawfully called at first and for just Causes now again restored but that as to what he intimated of using Remedies such as his Ancestors had made use of they did not think that he would ever proceed so far as to revive those things which have heretofore been abolished to the great advantage of the Kings of France And that seeing God had blessed him with so many benefits and favours they could not but hope that he would not do any thing whereby he might seem unthankful to God or to holy Mother Church That he should only look back upon his Progenitors upon his own Title of Most Christian King and in a word upon his Father King Francis who honoured the former Council by the Ambassadors and most learned Bishops whom he sent to it that he should imitate that late and domestick Example and sacrifice private Offences to the publick Good. The Emperour and Pope had exhorted the Switzers to come to the Council but it was in vain And the Pope as we said before made use of the Ministery of Jerom Francâ his Nuncio there to bring that about But the French King sent Instructions to the Ambassador La Morliere who resided in those places that he should endeavour to persuade them all not to send any person to it La Morliere finding that to be a difficult task sent for Vergerio an expert Man in those Affairs to come to him from amongst the Grisons who supplied him with Arguments and a little after published a Book against repairing to the Council La Moliere thus provided came to the Convention at Baden and there alledging his Reasons he persuaded not only those who long before had shaken off Popery but also all the other Cantons to what he desired of them so that none came from them to Trent From the Grisons came by Orders from the Pope Thomas Plant Bishop of Coyre but when the Grisons understood from Vergerio what the Pope was driving at that is by his means to recover his Authority over them he was recalled The Spaniards who Quartered here and there in the Country of Wirtemburg were about this time called out by the Emperour and sent into Italy because of the War of Parma By their departure the whole Province was relieved from a very heavy Bondage under which it had groaned for almost five whole years only the Castle of Achsperg the Emperour still retained with a Garison of Germans in it About the same time also Henry Hasen at the Emperour's Command went over Schwabia and in all places changed the State of the Government putting in new Senators as had been done three years before at Ausburg He turned out also all Preachers and School-masters as had been done lately at Ausburg unless they would obey the Decree about Religion That Duke Maurice and the Duke of Wirtemberg had ordered the Heads of Doctrine to be drawn up which should afterwards be exhibited and that the Senate of Strasburg joyned with them also in that design it hath been said before The Duke of Wirtemburg therefore sent two Ambassadors John Theodorick Plenninger and John Heclin with Instructions publickly to produce that written Confession of Doctrine and to acquaint the Council That Divines would come to treat of it more at large and to defend the same provided they might have a safe Conduct granted them according to the form of that of Basil So soon as they arrived at Trent which was about the later end of October they waited upon Count Montfort shew him their Commission and Credential Letters and acquainted him that they had some things to pâopose in Council in their Princes Name His Discourse seemed to insinuate that it behoved them to apply themselves to the Pope's Legate But they perceiving that if they should have any Communication with him it would be construed as if they owned him to have the chief Right and Authority in judging which would be a prejudice and great disadvantage to their Cause did not go to him but gave their Prince an account of what they had done and expected new Orders from him how to behave themselves In the mean time the Divines were employed after their usual manner in examining and discussing the Points we mentioned of Penance and Extream Unction November the third Count Heideck came from Duke Maurice to Magdeburg and having called out the Officers of the Garison to a Castle hard by the City he fully concluded a Peace and thereupon drew up and signed Articles wherein
' Arche and Caudebec Diepe Caen and Bayeux Man 's taken by them The Triumvirate desire no liberty should be granted to the Protestants The Triumvirate draw out of Paris The Prince of Conde maintain great Order in his Army at first A second Treaty between the Queen and Conde Boigency sack'd Bâois Tours Anger 's taken by the Protestants Tours retaken by the Roman Catholicks Mans deserted by the Protestants Amiens Senlis Normandy The Roman Catholicks retake Poictiers and Bourges The Siege of Roan resolved on The Terms of the Protestants League with England The King of Navar shot at the Siege of Roan He dyes ãâã surrender'd to the King. And also Caen. Diep retaken by the Protestants The Protestants beaten in Guienne Andelot hardly obtains Succours in Germany The Prince of Conde takes the Field Pluviers taken by the Prince of Conde Corbeil besieged by the Prince of Conde The two Armies come in view of each other A Treaty with the Queen and the Terms proposed by the Prince of Conde The Prince marcheth towards Normandy to meet the English Succours * Ablium The King's Army overtake the Prince The Battel of Dreux Montmorancy taken Prisoner St. Andre by the advice of the Duke of ãâã turn the Fortune of the day and gains the Victory on the King 's ââde The Prince of Conde taken ãâ¦ã slain ãâã Coligni The Duke of ãâã force ãâã to ãâã Coligni would have âought the next day Coligni General of the Protestants 1563. The Pope fondly overjoyed with the Victory at Dreux The Prince of Conde carried to Blois The Siege of Orleans The Duke of Guise wounded by one Poltrot The Death and Character of the Duke of Guise The Queen earnestly desires a Peace The Treaty of Peace between the Prince of Conde and Montmorancy The Articles agreed on Coligni not pleased with the Peace The Cardinal of Ferrara leaves France The Causes of the Delay of the Council The Pope's Legates sent to Trent * Proponentibus Legatis The Prohibition of Books taken into consideration A debate whether Episcopacy and Residence are of Divine Right The French Ambassadors Arrival The Demands of the French Ambassadors in the Council The French Kings Reflections on the Proceedings of the Council The Cardinal of Lorrain and the French Clergy arrive at Trent The Pope allarm'd at it as if so many Enemies had invaded him The Popes fears of the French Bishops never to be stopp'd Maximilian Son of Ferdinand chosen King of the Romans Polano in his History of the Council of Trent saith the Election was made the 24 th of November So that the first date seems to be the day of the opening of the Diet. The Emperor dislikes the Proceedings of the Council The Ambassador of Spain received in the Council The Fathers at Trent much dissatisfied with the Peace made in France The French Court shew their Reasons for it The Pope's Bull to the Inquisitors Several French Cardinals and Bishops cited to Rome And the Queen of Navarr also The French King declares against these Proceedings against the Queen of Navarr The Deposing of Princes and disposing of their Dominions the cause of great Calamities The Bishops defended by the King also The Queen complains of the Proceedings of the Council The Pope gained the Cardinal of Lorrain to his side Who went to Rome The Council has no Authority over Princes * Pag 721 The Ambassadors of France put a severer Protestation into the Council The Emperor opposeth the intended Proceedings of the Council against Queen Elizabeth The French Ambassadors leave Trent and go to Venice The last Session of the Council of Trent The censure of the Council The Emperor goes from Inspruck before the Council was ended His sense of the Council The Reasons why the Council had no better success The State of Religion in Piedmont A Tumult in Bavaria for the Cup. Reasons against granting Marriage to the Clergy And the Cup to the Laity The French Affairs after the Peace till the end of the Council The Siege of Havre de Grace The Protestants fight against the English Havre de Grace surrendred to the French. A Plague in London Charles the Ninth declared out of His Minority by the Parliament of Roan The Scotch Affairs in 1562. And 1563. John Hamilton Archbishop of St. Andrews committed for hearing Mass John Knox call'd before the Council for Sedition His bold Answer
of Monsuer Wickfort a great Man of this present Age who saith that Sleidans History is very Good. It will I suppose be expected that I should give an account of this Translation That the Original deserved to be read in more Languages than one is I believe unquestionable and that favourable Reception it has already met with in the German French and Italian Languages besides that universal Applause with which it has been Celebrated by the Learned in all the Countries of Europe did bespeak such a Translation into English as might in some measure answer the native Beauties of this noble Work of which I shall only say that in this all imaginable care hath been taken to keep up that truly great simplicity which is the distinguishing character of this History how far this hath been performed is left to the Judgment of the judicious Reader What I have to say of my Continuation is already set down in my Introduction before it To the most Illustrious Prince AUGUSTUS Elector and Duke of SAXONY Landt-grave of THVRINGE Marquiss of MISNIA and Lord High Marshal of the EMPIRE His most Gracious Master and Lord John Sleidan wisheth much Health and Happiness Illustrious Sir DIvers Authors have discovered to us the manifold and various Accidents which attend humane affairs and the changes in States and Kingdoms And God himself has been pleased heretofore to instruct us and with his Own voice as it were to foretel us what should happen of this Nature many Ages before it came to pass And as to the first four Great Empires of the World He has been pleased by Daniel the Prophet to inform us of their Order Changes and Successions The greatest part of whose excellent Predictions are now by the event exposed and made very plain to us and afford us a knowledge which is both very sweet and full of Consolation The same holy Prophet has also foretold the changes of Religion and the contests concerning its Doctrines and the Apostle St. Paul who followed him has clearly also discovered before-hand many things of that Nature And the accomplishment of these Predictions has been delivered down to us and explain'd by various Writers who have lived in the intermediate Ages But then that change which has hapned in our times is one of the most Illustrious Events which has come to pass The Prophet has foretold that the Roman Empire should be the last and the most powerful and that it should be divided and accordingly it is reduced to the lowest degree of weakness tho it was once of an immense Bulk and vast extent so that now it only subsists within the Confines of Germany and its Fortunes have been very various and unsteady partly by reason of its Intestine Divisions and partly on the account of Foraign Combinations against it Yet after all God has at last given us the most Potent Emperor that has reigned in many Ages For in the Person of this Prince are united the Succession of many Rich and Powerful Kingdoms and Inheritances which by reason of their Situations have afforded him the opportunity of performing great things by Sea and Land above any other of our Princes And as his Power has very much exceeded all the Emperors of Germany which have Reigned since Charles the Great So the things which have happen'd in his time and under his Government have rendred him the most Conspicuous and Memorable of all our Princes And amongst these the Reformation of Religion doth justly challenge the first Place which began with his Reign For this Controversie had not been moved above XIV months when Maximilian the Emperor his Grandfather and immediate Predecessor in the Empire died And when he was chosen by the VII Electors Luther being at the self same time provoked by his Adversaries entred the Lists and maintain'd a publick Disputation against Eckius at Leipsick by which the minds of both the contending Parties were put into a great Commotion The Reign therefore of this great Prince is diligently to be considered and for the better understanding of it ought to be compared with those of the former times For God has ever used to raise up Illustrious and great Princes when the Ecclesiastical or Civil State were to be changed such were Cyrus Alexander the Macedonian C. Julius Caesar Constantine Charles the Great and the Otho 's of Saxony and now in our times at last CHARLES the V. That change I have here in this Story unfolded is such that no man who does clearly understand it can think of it without astonishment and the utmost degree of Admiration and Wonder It s beginning was small and almost contemptible and one man alone a while bore the hatred and violence of the whole World And even he too might easily at first have been quieted and laid to sleep if the condition he so often offered his Adversaries had been accepted by them For he Promised he would hold his Peace if they would do so too But when they refused this and would force him to recant and stood stifly in this Resolution that he should do it And he on the otherside as stoutly replied That he could not retract what he had Advanced till they had shewn him wherein he had err'd The debate between them improved and grew greater and the business was brought before the Dyet of Germany by which means it dilated it self to that degree we now see it in But then upon what reasons it was done What share the Popes of Rome the Vniversities and the Kings Princes and States of Christendom had in this Affair How Luther defended his Cause before the Emperor and the Princes of Germany in the Dyet How many men of great Learning joyned themselves with him How this business was from time to time agitated and debated in the Dyets What ways were proposed for an Accommodation How the Popes solicited the Emperor and other Christian Princes How they frequently promised a Reformation and a General Council What Persecutions and Slaughters were in several Places were stir'd up against those who imbraced this Doctrine What Conspiracies and Leagues were set on foot to the same end not only in Germany but in other Countries as this Religion spread it self How some forsook it and others persevered constantly in it What Tumults Contentions and Wars were occasioned by it These thing in my judgment are so great and so full of Variety that I think it were a sin to suffer them to perish in silence and not commit them to writing To this I may add that I think it very reasonable to give an account what the state of the Empire of Germany has been during the Reign of this Prince by the space of XXXVI years what Wars he has mannaged What Commotions and Disturbances have happned And what has been the fortune of the Neighbour Kingdoms and Provinces in these times But then I shall shew hereafter the method I have followed in this Work. For as this Princes Dominions
Electors opened the Case and told them That the whole Question consisted in three Points to wit Whether Francis King of France Charles King of Spain or else some German was to be chosen As to the French King saith he I think we are barred from chusing him by our Oath and Laws whereby it is provided That this Dignity of the Empire should not be transferred to Strangers and no Man doubts I think but that he is a Foreign Prince Again though his Country were no Hindrance yet it is not for the Interest of the Publick because the French King will think of enlarging his Dominions and make War against Charles King of Spain whom he hateth nay and hath already denounced it so that Germany will be involved in great Troubles But we ought to take Care That no Civil-War be raised among us Austria belongs to the Dominion of Charles If the French King invade this as certainly he will shall we leave it to his Mercy Hath the Emperour Maximilian deserved no better of us and the Empire Do you think that our own Liberty will be long safe if these Provinces be once subdued He hath lately enlarged his Borders by the accession of the Dutchy of Milan the same will he attempt to do in Germany We ought not to be moved by their large and magnificent Promises for Covetousness and Ambition transports Men commonly and makes them forget their Duty There were many Princes heretofore in France but now their Number is contracted within a very narrow Compass for the King now is in a manner sole Monarch they say he is a Prince of great Courage but that aims wholly at Monarchy Aristocracy is the Goverment we ought chiefly to retain They promise great Matters of making War against the Turks that were to be wished indeed as a thing of greatest Advantage to the State nor am I ignorant of how great Moment a conjunction of Germany France and Italy would prove but he will make the first Essay of all their Power and Prowess upon the Provinces of King Charles He 'll attempt the Netherlands and set upon Naples that he may recover it as an Hereditary Kingdom belonging unto him And shall we Arm him for the accomplishment of these things Nor is it to be said that I am Prophecying of future and uncertain Contingences for he is already raising an Army Since therefore the Laws our Oath and the Love of our Country lay an Obligation upon us I declare it to be my Opinion that we cannot chuse him Now will I proceed to the other parts Some of you I believe are against the Election of Charles because Spain lyes at a great distance from us and that Germany will suffer by his Absence either through a Turkish War or Civil Dissensions For my own part I not only acknowledge these things to be true but when also I consider them more attentively I am stricken with horror and apprehension For I think with my self that if the Emperour being any way provoked should come into Germany and bring Spaniards with him our Liberty would be in great danger Nay it runs in my mind too that the Spaniards will be very loath to part with or ever restore to us again this Imperial Dignity but if they chance by their force and valour to recover Milan will endeavour to keep it to themselves So that I am almost inclined to think it safest to chuse a fit Person of our own Country in Imitation of our Progenitors who passing by Strangers have been often content with Natives I would not be thought to deny this however the State of Affairs had another face then and the Age was much happier But now if we have an Emperour weak in Power do ye think that those of the Netherlands and Austria the Subjects of Charles of Spain will be Obedient unto him Or should the French King make War against Charles as he certainly will either in Flanders or Italy must he be an idle Spectator And must this our new Emperour suffer a great part of the Empire to be dismembred by Foreign Nations Nay as the Times are now it is probable that the Princes of Germany despising their own Emperour will make Alliances and Joyn some with the Austrians and others with the French. In the time of the Emperour Frederick III Charles Duke of Burgundy made War in Germany as Philip Maria Duke of Milan did in Italy without controul and certainly much to our disgrace Nay which was more ignominious the Emperour was at that time blockt up in Austria and driven out of his own Country by the Hungarians and nevertheless the Bohemians were then joyned with him as were also my Grand-father Albert Marquess of Brandenburg and Albert Duke of Saxony If that happened then you see what is to be expected at present when some will be Pensioners to some and others to other Princes not to mention many causes that may intervene why Princes and Cities will refuse to give obedience Grievous Troubles and Stirs seem now also to be threatned upon account of Religion for there are Debates arisen about Indulgences the Power of the Pope and Ecclesiastical Laws which look indeed as yet as if they were curable but will in a short time bring along with them great Desolation and Alterations in the Church for very many espouse that Cause and especially the Saxons and Switzers most valiant People nor can the evil be remedied but by a Council Now how can an Emperour low in Power either procure the calling of a Council or defend it especially if other Kings oppose the same There is a Turkish War also to be thought on and that not only Defensive but Offensive also that we may regain what we have lost and above all things restore Greece to its Liberty Now for accomplishing of this there will be need of the Forces of many Nations And how shall an Emperour of small Power and Authority be able to procure them For these Reasons then it is my Judgment that we should chuse some Potent Prince and that Charles Arch-Duke of Austria ought to be preferred before the other Princes of Germany As for those Inconveniences which may seem to scare us I think they are far less than those that would arise if the chief Government were put into the hands of any other For he is both a German by Extraction and has many Provinces holding of the Empire nor will he permit our common Country to truckle under the Bondage of any but will give us a solemn Oath That he shall neither suffer the Empire to be transferred nor our Rights and Liberties diminished The Reasons I have alledged are indeed of very great weight and yet I should not have been moved by them if his Temper and Disposition were not known for he is Religious Just and Modest a hater of Cruelty and a Prince of pregnant Parts These his Vertues will always mind him of his Duty and of the Care of the Government
depart allowing you one and twenty Days to return home in He will also inviolably observe the Safe-Conduct he gave you but charges you not to teach the People by Word nor Writing as you are upon your Way homeward Being thus dismissed he gave Glory to God and April 26 departed being conducted by the same Herald who brought him before He wrote to the Emperor upon the Road and after he had in few words resum'd all that had past he begg'd of His Imperial Majesty That since he had been alwaies hitherto and still was willing to submit to Conditions of Peace and Agreement and desired no more but that the Controversie might be determined by any impartial Judge according to the Authority of holy Scripture he would be pleased to Protect him against the violence and fury of his adversaries That 't was not his private Cause but the publick Concern of the whole World and especially of Germany whose safety and welfare he preferr'd before his own life To the same purpose also he wrote to the rest of the Princes and States and that whensoever it should seem good to the Emperor and them he would come upon safe conduct whithersoever they pleased and debate his cause before impartial and unsuspected Judges Whereas in this work there is frequent mention made of Huss the Council of Constance and the Bohemians I 'll give the Reader a short account of the whole matter In the year of our Lord 1393 there was one John Wickliff in England who wrote many things against the Roman Papacy which were afterwards carried into Bohemia At that time there was a famous University in Prague and therein slourished John Huss a Divine by profession This man Preach'd up Wickliffs Doctrin as holy and saving and dispersed it far and near But being accused of this he was cited to appear before Pope Alexander V. he by his Proctors alledged causes why he could not come And King Wenceslaus also interceded for him desiring the Pope to send Legats into Bohemia to try the matter there but that could not be obtained Huss being therefore condemned for an Heretick published a Book wherein he appealed from the Pope to Christ as Judge The Church of Rome at that time was in a very troublesom State. For the Cardinals being divided into factions had chosen three Anti-Popes Gregory XII Benet XIII and John XXIII which highly displeased other Kings as well as the Emperor Sigismund who having solicited Pope John he at length called the Council of Constance Now Sigismund who was the Brother of King Wenceslaus called John Huss thither and in October 1414 sent him a safe conduct in due form Whereupon Huss being accompanied by some persons of quality came to Constance on the third of November but three weeks after being called to a private Conference with the Pope and Cardinals he was detained prisoner The Emperor Sigismund was absent then and being inform'd of the matter was highly displeased and came thither But the Papists urging that Faith was not to be kept with Hereticks he not only remitted the offence though the Bohemians importun'd him to the contrary and demanded performance of the safe conduct but was also the first that spake bitterly against him In fine on the sixth of July following the Council condemn'd him as an Heretick and Seditious Person and ordered the Books he had written to be burnt Being thus condemn'd he was delivered over to the Emperor and burnt his ashes being afterwards cast into the Rhine that no relick of him might remain After him Jerome of Prague his Disciple and Hearer was put to Death in the same manner In this Council besides the Emperour were the Ambassadours of many Kings three Electoral Princes of the Empire Lewis Prince Palatine Rodulph Duke of Saxony and Frederick Marquess of Brandenburg and a vast number of the other Princes three Patriarchs of Aquileia Antioch and Constantinople eight and twenty Cardinals an hundred and fifty five Bishops very many Divines and Lawyers Italians Germans French English Hungarians and Polonians The Doctrin of Wickliff was here also condemned and a Decree made that his Body should be taken up and burnt in England It was besides Decreed that none but Priests should receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kinds and that all others should be content with one kind which had been impugned by Huss A Law was also made that Faith should not be kept with Hereticks or persons suspected of Heresie though they should come under the Emperours Safe-Conduct to be tryed in Council Lastly the three Popes were degraded and by common Consent Martin V chosen When the News of the Execution of Huss and Jerome was brought into Bohemia it occasioned a terrible Commotion and afterwards a very cruel and bloody War under the Conduct of John Zischa so that Sigismond was forced to beg the Assistanc of the Empire but the greatest Cruelty was exercised against the Priests in hatred to the Pope whom they Cursed whose Dominion they shook off and embraced the Doctrin of Huss adoring his Memory Much about this Time the Divines of Paris condemned Luther's Books and out of that which is entitled Of the Captivity of Babylon and some others also they gathered certain Heads as of the Sacraments the Canons of the Church the Equality of Works Vows Contrition Absolution Satisfaction Purgatory Free-Will the immunity of the Clergy Councils the Punishments of Hereticks Philosophy School-Divinity and many more of the like sort admonishing the Reader and all who professed the Name of Christ to beware of such pernicious Doctrins For that it was the Custom of Hereticks to propose specious Matters at first which sinking once down into the Mind could hardly ever be got out again but that under those alluring Words present Poyson lay hid Then they reckoned up in Order the Hereticks of the several Ages and among these Wickliff John Huss and last of all Luther whom they mightily blamed as an arrogant and rash Man that he should imagine himself alone to know more than all others contemn the Judgments of all the Holy Fathers and Interpreters of all Councils and Schools and that he should reject the Custom and Consent of the Church observed for so many Ages as if it were credible That Christ would have left all that while his only Spouse to wander in so great Darkness of Errour but that it was the usual way with Hereticks to wrest Scripture to their own Sense Having then reckoned up some Books written by him they shew what Hereticks Luther imitated in such and such Opinions and that seeing it properly belonged to their Office and Profession to stifle springing Heresies as much as lay in their Power they had therefore diligently perused his Books that they might direct all Men how to have a Care of them and that after much Reading of his Writings they found that his Doctrin was pernicious deserving to be burnt and that
manner turned out of Place it must not be expected that for the future they would contribute any thing to the defraying of the Charges of that Judicature But all these Courses were ineffectual and King Ferdinand answering the Mediators himself told them That any other City which observed the Emperour's Edicts might be substituted in place thereof After a long Debate about Religion they made a new Decree wherein resuming in a few Words the Acts of the former Dyet of Spire how that it had been ordained there That as to the Emperour's Decree of Wormes all should so behave themselves that they might be able to render an account of their Actions both to God and the Emperour but that it being now abused by many who under colour and pretext thereof excused and defended all sorts of New and Horrid Doctrins it was therefore enacted and decreed to this effect That they who had hitherto observed that Edict should do so for the future and oblige their People to do so also until the meeting of the Council which the Emperour gave great Hopes of very speedily But that they who had changed their Religion and could not now retract for fear of Troubles and Sedition should for the future moderate themselves and make no more Innovations before the sitting of the Council Moreover that the Doctrin of those who dissent from the Church about the Lord's Supper should not be received neither the Mass abolished nor those who were willing hindred from going to Mass in those Places where a New Doctrin was taught That Anabaptists also who obstinately maintain their Tenet should be put to Death and that Ministers should preach according to the Sense and Interpretation of Scripture approved by the Church That they should not meddle with other Points which probably might be controverted but expect the Decree of a Council Besides that all States should live together in Peace do no Injury to one another upon account of Religion and not take the Subjects of others Jurisdiction into their Protection And that such as did otherwise should be put to the Ban of the Empire This Decree was opposed by the Elector of Saxony George Marquess of Brandenburg Ernest and Francis Dukes of Lunenburg the Landgrave and Count Anbald who April 19 publickly read their Protestation against it in Writing And in the first place they repeat the Decree of the former Dyet whereby all are permitted the free exercise of their Religion until the meeting of a Council from which they ought not to recede nor violate those things which for Peace-sake were then agreed upon and confirmed by Oath under Hand and Seal That for their own Parts they were ready in imitation of their Ancestors to comply with the Emperour in any thing and to spend their Lives and Fortunes in his Service But that the present Case concerned their Eternal Salvation and therefore prayed that it might not be taken ill if therein they dissented from the rest For that as the former Decree had been made with the unanimous Consent of all so also could it not be repealed and made void unless all in like manner agreed to it That they were not against it but that they themselves might appoint what Form of Religion they pleased within their own Territories and prayed God that he would enlighten the Minds of all with his true Knowledge That for some Years now past there had been great Dissention and Quarrelling about Religion and that who were the Authors and Causes thereof it had in some measure been made out in the Dyet of Norimberg and by the Confession of the Pope himself and the Grievances and Demands of the Princes and States which to the number of eighty had been delivered to the Pope's Legate whereof nevertheless no redress was as yet made That the Result of all Deliberations had always been this That the readiest way to put an End to Controversies and corrupt Abuses was a free Council But that now laying that Course aside they should Decree That they who had changed the Form of their Religion and could not without Troubles recede from what they had done should make no other Innovations they could not approve nor admit of that unless they would professedly derogate from the Doctrin which hitherto they had owned as True and Holy For to forsake that Doctrin provided it might be done without Stirs and Commotions what was it else than to deny the pure and uncorrupted Word of God which they had than which there could not be a more grievous Sin For that it was to be professed not only in Word but in Deed also Besides that what Mischief such a Denyal would bring with it and how pernicious it would be to many Professors of the Gospel it was easie enough to be conjectured That as to the Popish Mass it was well known How the Ministers of the Churches within their Dominions had by firm and unanswerable Arguments and Testimonies of Holy Scripture quite overthrown it and in place thereof appointed the Lord's Supper according to the Command and Institution of Christ and the manner observed by the Apostles so that neither could they approve that Clause of the Decree nor give leave to their People to repair to Mass which was already abolished For that granting That the use of the Popish Mass were never so Right and Pure yet if they should admit of two contrary Masses in their Churches it was obvious to all Men how bad an example that would give and what grumbling and heart-burning would thereupon ensue That again they wondred very much That they should prescribe to them what they were to enjoyn their People and what Laws they should make within their own Jurisdictions especially seeing if the like were attempted upon them they would by no means suffer it That all Men knew what was taught in their Churches of the Presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament so that it needed no farther Explication But that nevertheless as they had often said before so it still seemed to them That no such Decree was as yet to be made against those who taught otherwise because there was nothing of that mentioned in the Emperour's Commission and besides because the Assertors of that Doctrin were neither called nor heard That therefore it was seriously to be considered How unreasonable and unbeseeming a thing it would be to pass a Judgment at any time upon such difficult and weighty Affairs without hearing those who were concerned speak for themselves Now as to what they said That the Gospel was to be taught according to the Interpretations approved and received by the Church it was right indeed however the Dispute still was Which is the True Church But that since no Doctrin was more certain than that of God's Word since nothing should be taught besides it and that the obscure Places of Scripture could not be better explained than by other clearer Places of the same Scripture they would
the Right and Liberty of the Empire and of the Statute of the Emperour Charles IV And that therefore he did not ratifie nor approve that Proceeding When all met at Smalcalde they drew up the Draught of a League not Offensive but altogether for their own Defence This was immediately signed by the Princes as also by Albert and Gebard Counts of Mansfield the Cities of Magdeburg and Bremen but Strasburg Vlm Constance Lindaw Memmingen Kempen Hailbrun Ruteling Bibrach and Isne engaged only so far as that they would acquaint their Principles therewith and give the rest a positive Answer within six Weeks what they intended to do It was agreed upon to write to George Marquess of Brandenburg and the City of Norimberg because their Deputies had no Commission to act in that affair It was likewise decreed That Ambassadours should be sent to sollicit the King of Denmark and the Dukes of Pomerania and Mecklenburg as also the Cities of Hamburg Embden Northeime Frankford Brunswick Gottingen Minden Hannover Hildesheim Lubeck Stetin and other Maritime Cities When the Pope understood what the Issue of this Imperial Dyet was he wrote among others to the King of Poland That he had fully hoped the Presence and Authority of the Emperour would either have quite crushed or at least quieted Luther's Heresie That he had been put into this Hope from the very first time the Emperour came into Italy which had been the chief Cause why he went to Bolonia that he might spur him on though he was forward enough of himself For if that had succeeded it would have secured Religion and the Salvation of a great many who were in great Danger through that Heresie and then ways might have been found out for resisting the Fury of the Turks But now that he understood by Letters both from the Emperour and his own Legate that they were so far from being reclaimed they were more and more hardened he who sat at the Helm to steer the Ship of S. Peter in so tempestuous a time and bore the greatest share of all the Care and Trouble having consulted with the Cardinals could not think of any safer Remedy than that which his Predecessors had had recourse unto to wit a General Council That therefore he gave him warning that when this Design should be accomplished he would either be present himself or by his Ambassadours promote so Holy a Cause for that so soon as possibly he could he would call a Council to meet in some convenient Place in Italy This Brief was dated December 1. The Confederate Princes we named wrote to the Emperour from Smalcalde December 24 That they heard and it was commonly reported That he had a Design to have his Brother Ferdinand chosen King of the Romans a Dignity which he solicitously courted and canvassed for That it was a thing now known to all Men what Power and Right the Princes Electors had in that affair by virtue of the Statute of the Emperour Charles IV when upon the Death of the Emperour another was to be chosen in the Name of the whole Body of the Empire That nevertheless his Majesty being alive and in Health and no such case having as yet happened the Princes Electors had been summoned by the Archbishop of Mentz to meet at Cologne towards the latter end of this Month quite contrary to the Proscript of the Law and the Custom of the Empire That they likewise heard That at his Request the rest of the Electors were also to be there that Ferdinand's Suit and Pretention might be carried by way of Anticipation and Compact so that this being the Report that went far and near they thought good to represent a few things unto his Majesty and that though they had rather abstain from this kind of Discourse yet for the Love they bore to him and the Liberty of their Country handed down to them from their Ancestors and then in consideration that in this Decrepit Age of the World many things were surreptitiously and craftily brought to pass they could not otherwise chuse but do it That in the first place then his Majesty knew how seriously and solemnly and by what express Words and Articles he had bound and obliged himself to the Empire How he had promised by Oath to observe the Caroline Constitution on which the Liberty of the Empire chiefly depended how he had stipulated neither to act any thing himself contrary thereunto nor suffer others to do it which were Compacts and Promises that could not be violated broken nor changed unless with the Advice and Consent of all the States But that now if whilst he was alive a King of the Romans should be chosen and that his own Brother too who canvassed and made suit for it he himself could not but see that it was plainly contrary to Law contrary to the Right and Liberty of the Empire and contrary to his Compact and Stipulation and the Faith and Promise whereby he bound himself to the State Nay and how convenient and uneasie it must also be both to himself and the whole Empire when at the self same time there would be two Lords and Masters to be obeyed And that seeing they would take it very ill if they themselves should either be upbraided with the Breach of Faith and Promise or with Baseness in not defending the Rights and Liberty of the Government therefore they most earnestly besought his Majesty to impute this their Letter to the love they bore to him and their native Country and the present state of the Times That he would reflect upon things past and according to Duty interpose his Authority for preventing the Election of any new King weighing seriously with himself what Evils and Inconveniences might follow thereupon unless a Remedy were applyed in time That they would write of these things to the rest of the Electors also and were in good Hopes they would do what was expedient for the Commonwealth and endeavour to prevent any Rupture or Division among the States That in fine they were ready to serve his Majesty and do for him to the utmost of their Power Afterwards the Duke of Saxony wrote by himself to the rest of the Princes his Collegues That since he was cited by the Archbishop of Mentz to appear at Cologne he had therefore sent thither his Son and some Counsellors that in his Name they might propound and act what should be thought needful That he believed they had heard already part of his Thoughts from them and should hear the rest on December 29 That however he prayed them to desist from their Purpose and consider with him What Prejudices and Inconveniencies that Action would bring with it both to themselves and to their Posterity also through the Violation of the Rights Dignity and Liberty of the Empire That it was his Desire also That in those things which his Son and Counsellors might treat of with them they would so behave themselves as
was to continue no longer than either till a general Council was conven'd or till the next Imperial Diet the Elector mov'd King Ferdinand that this last Clause might be omitted He also desir'd that those who profess'd the same Religion with other Protestants might enjoy the same Priviledges though they were not comprehended in the Treaty at Nuremburg and that no Prosecutions might be issu'd out against them To this Ferdinand reply'd that he could make no new Provision in this case without the Emperor's consent The Elector of Saxony reply'd that it was very hard since their Adversaries might recede from the Pacification when they pleas'd that himself and his Allies should be barr'd this Liberty The Security which was given them in the Treaty did not design without doubt to keep them in suspence and in the dark without being able so much as to know what they were to hope for or expect Besides as soon as ever a Proclamation for a Diet came out it would be look'd upon as a Signal to break the Peace and be like beating a Charge for new Disturbances from whence great Inconveniences would follow And he must add that if those of the same Religion with himself could not enjoy the benefit of the Pacification and happen'd to be proscrib'd or otherways aggreived it would be very uneasie to him and the rest of his Allies to connive at these things and desert their Friends in their Distress But the Elector gain'd nothing more of his Point by this Remonstrance only one of Ferdinand's chief Ministers reply'd that it was a long time yet before the Empire was to meet unless some great and unexpected occasion should happen and when there shall be a necessity for the holding of a Diet the present affair shall be setled by his Electoral Highness's and the Lantgrave's advice Upon this the Elector press'd this Request no farther But when he desir'd the Treaty might be ratify'd Ferdinand answer'd that he had not omitted to Command the Chamber to desist the last year pursuant to the Articles at Cadan But they told him that there were several Causes purely Secular and Civil intermixt with those that were Sacred now these were perfectly under their Jurisdiction for they did not relate to Faith and Religion but to Estates and yearly Revenues To this the Elector of Saxony reply'd that these mix'd Causes were the only reason which made them so earnest for a Pacification for though they did concern Mens Goods and Estates yet they were grounded upon Religion His Majesty may likewise be inform'd by the Princes of the Mediation the Elector of Mentz and the Palsgrave that these sort of Disputes were mention'd at the Treaty As for other Causes in which their Creed and their Consciences are only concern'd the Chamber never had any thing to do with those neither was there any necessity that himself and his Confederates should desire the Emperor to check the Judges upon such an account as this Besides long before the Pacification at Cadan the Chamber pretended that the fore-mention'd Causes were only Secular and therefore among other things there was a particular Provision made at Cadan that his Majesty should interpose his Authority to restrain that Court. After the Matter was thus discours'd at last the King yielded and promis'd to undertake that none of those Causes which his Highness and his Confederates at the Treaty at Nuremburg counted Religious should be try'd before the Chamber The French Embassadors Speech which I mention'd was answer'd by the Protestants as followeth Notwithstanding there goes various Reports concerning those Executions in France yet because his Excellency says those who suffer'd were contriving an Insurrection they could not blame the King's Proceedings since they did not tolerate such sort of Persons in their own Dominions But in regard all people have not every where the same Opinions of the establish'd Doctrins and Rites they entreat his Majesty that this Severity may not fall upon all Persons without distinction but that those may be spar'd who having laid open the Errors and Corruptions of the Times had reform'd their Creed into the same purity the Scriptures taught it and held to that Confession which themselves had made at Ausburg For it cannot be deny'd that many false and wicked Opinions have broke in upon the Church which are now very confidently maintain'd by ignorant and malitious Men upon Principles of Covetousness and Ambition Now it 's their way and they are Masters of it to forge Accusations against innocent and religious Persons that so they may exasperate Princes into rigour And since Kings and Princes are more peculiarly oblig'd to promote the Honour of God to purge the Church from Error and to check unreasonable Cruelty they earnestly beseech his most Christian Majesty that he would lay out his principal Endeavours upon so good a Work. If he pleases to do this they shall be assur'd that he hath a real regard for them which they hope may prove auspicious both to themselves and the Church What his Majesty discours'd concerning the ancient and constant Friendship between the French Kings and the Princes of Germany was wonderfully entertaining to them And they would make it their business that this Intimacy and good Correspondence might be continu'd for the future And whereas his Excellency offers to excuse the King from some Imputations they are very inclinable to gratifie him in this Point and acquiesce in his Apology desiring above all things that God would vouchsafe a general Peace to Christendom and Protect the Germans in their Liberties which were formerly gain'd at the expence of so much Blood. Now though that which his Excellency mention'd concerning an Accommodation in Religion belongs to an argument too large to be dispatch'd in a few words yet so prudent a Person as the King may easily perceive that the separation is wholly owing to the obstinacy of their Adversaries who have condemn'd all the reform'd Doctrin in a most violent manner They have desir'd nothing more for these many years than that the whole Cause might be argued before a lawful Council but the Pope and his Dependents have oppos'd this Overture with all the rigour imaginable 'T is true Clement the Seventh propos'd a Council under certain Conditions but then they were such as made it sufficiently apparent that he could not endure that Matters should be freely debated And this Pope though he promises a Council yet he will not suffer the Form and Method of it be disputed before-hand and besides he will have it conven'd out of the Territories of the Empire From whence it 's easie to conclude that there is foul play and deceit at the bottom and that nothing else is intended but to get the true Religion suppress'd by the Authority of a Council And since the calling of the Church together does not belong only to the Bishop of Rome but Kings and Princes are equally concern'd in it They beseech his Majesty to interpose so
State and how much it will be expos'd to Misunderstandings and Tumults of the truth of this Allegation the Emperor's Edict which was then publish'd is a sufficient proof It was never their intention to plead in bar to the Jurisdiction of the Chamber in any Causes but those of Religion and they believ'd that Court could not prove the contrary upon them But they were very much troubl'd to hear from his Excellency that the Emperor had given the Chamber Authority to determine the quality of the Cause for they did believe all those Causes to be of a religious Nature and they were really such which could not be decided till the Extent of the word Religion was defin'd in a lawful Council which thing both by Letter and their Embassadors they had several times acquainted the Emperor and King Ferdinand with For this Dispute concerning the meaning and latitude of Religion is a preliminary Question and ought to be setled by the Council before other matters which relate to it are determin'd And in regard Benefices ought to be bestowed in consideration of Merit and Function They said they could not allow that those in their Dominions who were of a different Religion from themselves should enjoy the Revenues of the Church to which they had no manner of right because they were either unwilling to discharge their Office or wanted abilities to do it and since Conscience is more than ordinarily concern'd in the present case the usual Pleas of Law founded upon the right of Possession or Restitution ought not to be urg'd Moreover when the Treaty of Nuremburgh was on foot they particularly mention'd all those Suits and Difference which were then depending in the Chamber and in other Courts and represented them under the notion of Ecclesiastical Causes to the Princes of the Mediation who promis'd that they would endeavour to perswade the Emperor that they should be all exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Courts which was also promis'd by King Ferdinand at the Convention at Cadan besides it 's plain from that Clause in the Emperor's Edict which stops all Prosecutions of this nature that the Chamber of Spire has no Authority to determine the Quality of Causes And to say nothing more severe they could not choose but observe that the apparent Inclination of that Court to give Judgment against them had made a great many Persons much bolder and more contentious than they had formerly been which they were able to prove more than one way For when those of their Party moved that Court in any Cause their Suit was not only rejected but they were sent away with reproachful Language And lately the Hamburghers were commanded by them not only to restore the Clergy of their City their Goods and Estates but also to return them their old Religion and Jurisdiction back again and because they could not do this with a good Conscience they were amerced in a great Sum of Mony and therefore there needs no more Instances to let the Emperor understand what the Design of that Court is for if any Cause relates to Religion this certainly does But if the Judges are allowed to proceed in this manner the Truce serves to no purpose If the Rites and Ceremonies which were abolish'd may be lawfully restor'd by such Methods as these there will be no need of Council and yet the Emperor is pleas'd to grant that all Differences of this nature ought to be determin'd there and since their Exceptions against the Proceedings of the Court were not consider'd they were forc'd to decline the Jurisdiction of it As concerning the Persons of the Chamber there was not above one or two of the whole Bench of their Religion what Provision was made at Ratisbone for this Affair was well known it being apparent that those who were most violent against the Reformed were most acceptable to the Chamber nay a man may plainly discover how they stand affected by observing the air of their Countenances when they are trying of Causes and therefore they hope his Imperial Majesty will send them a positive Order to desist As for the Penalty which his Excellency mention'd was decreed at Ratisbone against Mal-administration that was no advantage to them Indeed if the Cause had related to Property and secular Affairs they might have had a compensation this way but matters of Religion were too weighty to be satisfied with Costs and Damages However if the Emperor is of opinion that they have intermix'd any civil Causes in their request they are willing this matter should be tried provided there may be a stop put to the Proceedings of the Chamber in the mean time Now as concerning those who came over to their Religion since the Pacification of Nuremburgh they confess'd that some few years since the Princes of the Mediation did insist at Schweenfurt that no more might be admitted into their Association which Proposition they then rejected and afterwards at the Convention at Nuremburgh they persisted in the same Opinion As to what his Excellency objects in reference to the Promises and Articles by which several of the States had engag'd themselves not to make any alteration in Religion To this the parties answer That some of them promis'd nothing others in private Treaties reserv'd this Liberty for themselves a third sort it 's true did engage themselves but it was upon the assurance which the Emperor gave them that a Council should be intimated within six Months and opened the year after But since this Assembly was delayed beyond their expectation and God had been pleas'd to give them a fuller apprehension of the true Religion they could not defer so good a Work any longer but thought it their Duty to make an open profession of that Doctrin which they were assur'd had both Truth and Piety to recommend it This the Canon-Law it self would justifie them in for from thence they had learn'd that if any Person had sworn to do a wicked Action this Oath did not oblige Besides as their Adversaries would not refuse any one who offer'd himself for a Convert so neither did they think it lawful to bar any person from coming over to themselves Therefore their earnest request to the Emperor was That the Judges might be check'd and that not only themselves but those who joyn'd them afterwards might be comprehended in the Peace For if matters should be otherwise carried and any violence should be offer'd they could not desert those they were allied to both by Vertue of their League and Religion This had been already declar'd to King Ferdinand at Vienna and that with a great deal of reason for the Cause of these later Confederates no less than their own belongs to the Cognizance of the Council But if the Judges of the Chamber will fore-stall the Hearing and hale in the business of the Council to their Court this is no less than down-right Force and Injustice against which by the Laws of Nature they are bound to defend themselves
Reasons of both Parties being heard a Committee out of the whole Diet was chosen to consider of the Matter The Result of their Deliberation was That the Sentence past against Albert should stand good but nevertheless because they saw that it would prove a most difficult Business to put it in execution they refer the whole Matter to the Emperour Some time after King Sigismund died at a great Age after he had Reigned Two and fourty years Casimire as has been said was his Father He had three Brothers of whom Ladislaus was King of Hungary and Bohemia the Father of King Louis and Anne John Albert and Alexander having successively Reigned after their Father Casimire died without Children and left the Government to their youngest Brother Sigismund to whom succeeded his Son of the same Name and Son in Law to Ferdinand King of the Romans It has been said in the former Book that Mendoza protested against the Council at Rome To that the Pope having called a Consistory of Cardinals February the first made this Answer When you told Us said he my Lord Ambassador that you had Orders from the Emperour to protest against the Council you struck us all with great grief But when afterwards we diligently considered your Commission we took heart again and first I will say somewhat to the cause of our Grief And it is because that kind of protesting is a thing of bad Example made use of chiefly by those who have either wholly shaken off their Obedience or have begun to waver in it Wherefore it grieved me exceedingly who have always born a Fatherly Love towards the Emperor and as it becomes the Pastor of the Church studied Peace and Concord And it grieved both me and the Colledge of Cardinals the more that at this time it was the thing we least expected since the Emperour when he made War against his and the Churches Enemies had Aid and Assistance from me And though my Lord Ambassador you seem to make but small account of this yet it ought to be reckoned as a singular favour For the Aid I sent was very great so as it even exceeded the reach of the Apostolical Chamber and came besides in a most seasonable time What could have been less expected then than that after a Victory and lately obtained too the Emperour should render unto me such fruits of his Faith and Benevolence Such I say as that the end of the War should be the beginning of protesting against me I have now found by Experience what the Prophet complaineth of That I looked for good Grapes but found none but sower Grapes From my entrance into the Popedom I have with much care cherished the Emperour as a most noble Plant that some time or other I might reap a most plentiful Vintage but this attempt of his hath made me almost despair of any fruit You have heard the cause of our Grief now you shall know what it is that hath given us Comfort You have used that Authority which you think has been given you of protesting against me and this sacred Colledge in a manner as was neither Honourable to us nor becoming the Character of the Emperour But in your Letters of Instructions there is not one word which shews it to have been the Emperours will that you should have acted so I say not one word that you may the better understand me that gives you power to do so The Emperour indeed Commands his Agents at Bolonia that they should so protest before our Legats there who changed the place of the Council and when you found that that was done there you would needs use the same form of Protestation here with us but in that you have transgressed the bounds of your Commission If my Lord Ambassadour you were not sensible of that before take now Admonition and acknowledge it For the Emperour's Orders are not that you should protest against us but that you should do it in this our Consistory against the Legats who were the Authors of the Translation Wherefore the Emperour in that did the Duty of a most modest Prince who confined himself within those limits and would have that Protestation to be made before me whom he knew to be the only lawful Judge of the whole Matter Had I indeed refused to take cognisance of the Affair then would he have had a cause of Protestation but you taking another course than you ought to have done made no application to me that I should examine the Matter but made use of a certain Prejudice demanding that I should annul the Decree made for translating the Council and enjoyn the greatest part of the Fathers to give place to a few who remained at Trent And what could more enervate all the Authority of the Council than that Had it not been much more reasonable that if the small number which is at Trent had had any cause of Complaint against the rest who are at Bolonia they should have brought it before me I would not then truly have rejected their demands nor would I neither now reject them Since then it is certain that your way of acting is not consonant to the Emperours Intentions we have cause to thank God who thus disposes his Mind and Purposes we have cause to Congratulate and you also to Rejoyce in your Princes behalf And though by what we have said the foundation of your Plea and Proceeding is wholly overturned so that there is no need of making Answer to your Protestation nevertheless that I may not by my silence seem to acknowledge the truth of your Accusations and thereby offend many especially the weaker sort I will refute them severally And in the first place therefore You seem to have proposed this Scope to your self that you may expose me as negligent a Shuffler and Starter of Delays to baffle the sitting of the Council and make the Emperour appear on the other hand to be a vigilant and active Prince sollicitous for the publick good and wholly bent upon the sitting of the Council Truly I do not nor ought I envy the Emperours Praises and had you stopt there and gone no farther I should have nothing to answer but because you so extol him as to depress me so celebrate his Praises as to render me in some sort Contemptible whilst you say that he urged not only me but my Predecessors Popes of Rome to call a Council the Thing it self requires that I should answer you as to these things Wherefore if it has been always the Emperours mind and desire that a Council should be held I have ever been of the same mind as well as he And besides as I am older than he so also have I wished for this sooner than he which the most eminent Cardinals who were then of this Colledge can testifie When I was made Pope I persevered in the same mind and upon the very least occasion that offered I called a Council first at Mantua and
enough penn'd sharpened them and skrewed them up to the highest pitch of Rigour inviting and encouraging Informers by ample promises of Rewards Which the King as it was thought did with this design that he might curb those who were desirous of a change of Religion in France that they should not take to themselves the greater liberty because of his clasing with the Pope at this time Again that they who honoured the Church of Rome might entertain no suspicion of him as if his mind hankered after a new Religion And lastly that both the Pope and College of Cardinals might perceive that they might have access still to his Friendship when they pleased Afterward a Declaration came forth out of the Emperour's Court wherein the original of the War of Parma is related and how just a cause of Offence the Pope had against Octavio and the Prince of Mirandula of how restless a mind the French King was who laid hold on all occasions and made it his whole study and endeavour to hinder and disappoint the Emperour's most honest and lawful Designs But that the Emperour was so little moved at all these things that he would proceed with greater Courage and Resolution Octavio had given it out that he was necessitated to put himself under the protection of the French King because of the Injuries and Treacheries of Ferdinando Gonzaga but in this Declaration that is refuted For that if there were any cause of fear he himself gave the occasion who had oftener than once laid wait for the life of Gonzaga Then there is an account given how Piacenza fell into the Emperour's hands for that Petro Aloisio the Pope's Bastard Son being invested into Parma and Piacenza governed the Poeple tyrannically and like another Nero practised his detestable Lust not only upon Women but Men also as his custom was that therefore he was slain and murdered in his own House by the Citizens who could no longer suffer so great Cruelties That the Towns-people then perceiving the present danger they were in if they should fall again under the Jurisdiction of the Pope and Church of Rome had no other way of security left than to resign themselves over to the Emperour especially since of old they had been free Denizons of the Empire That therefore they had applied themselves to Gonzaga praying him to receive them into the Emperour's protection for that otherwise they must look for help and patronage somewhere else That it was an idle thing in him then to pretend fear seeing the Emperour had bestowed many favours upon the Family of Farnese that he had chosen Octavio to be his Son-in-law given his Father Peter Aloisio the City of Novara in Fee and Inheritance and honoured him with the Title of Marquess But that they had been very ungrateful at all times but particularly when under a counterfeit mask of Friendship they assisted him in subduing some Rebels of Germany their whole design was at the same time to have taken from him Milan and Genoua for that Joannin D'Oria a brave and valiant Man was basely killed in that Scuffle and Tumult whilst he discharged his duty to the Emperour and stood up for the safety of his Country There came out an answer to this afterward in name of the French King wherein a relation is given how that the Emperour to endear Paul III. to himself had given to his Son Petro Aloisio the Title and Quality of Marquess how that he had taken his Son Octavio to be his own Son-in-law how that he had gratifyed and obliged his other Son Alexander with many Ecclesiastical Preferments and in short how that he had made a League with the Pope wherein it was provided as it is said that the Emperour should confirm the Decree of the College of Cardinals concerning the Principality of Parma and Piacenza to the Family of the Farneses But that when the Emperour was at War in Germany and pretended it was not for Religion but to punish the Rebellion of some that he had taken up Arms it was a very unacceptable Contrivance to the Pope as wel perceiving that by so doing he minded only his own private Concerns and aimed at Dominion And that he had not been out in his Judgment neither for that when the War being over the Emperour stood not much in need of the assistance of the Farneses he had given no dark intimations of his ill will to the Pope for that then his Governours in Italy had had an eye and mind to Piacenza and that not long after Ruffians being subborned to murder Petro Aloisio in his Chamber before that the Citizens heard of the Murder Soldiers had been brought into the Town who seized the Castle in the Emperour's Name That if the Emperour had not been privy to the Fact it had been but reasonable that after the death of Paul the Third he should have restored it to the Church but that he not only restored it not but had also endeavoured to take Parma from his Son-in-law and had even in the life-time of Paul laid his measures for effecting it insomuch that the Trouble and Vexation which the Pope thereupon conceived shortened his days That afterwards Assassines had been apprehended at Parma who voluntarily confessed That they had been employed by Ferdinando Gonzaga to kill Octavio that being reduced then into such streights that they from whom he expected help and his own Father-in-law too had designs upon him to rob him both of Life and Fortune he had implored help and protection from him which upon his humble Supplication he could not refuse THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH BOOK XXIII The CONTENTS The Fathers of Trent meet in Session aâd draw up the form of a safe Conduct for coming to the Council The French King consents not nay he persuades the Switzers to send none to it Peace is fully concluded with the Magdeburgers The Conditions of the Peace are set down Some Cities of Germany send Deputies to the Council The Ambassadors of the Duke of Wirtemberg are deluded Duke Maurice having sent Ambassadors to the Emperour about the Landgrave and obtaining nothing but shifts and delays he presently resolves upon a War. The Bishop of Waradine lately made Cardinal by whose help King Ferdinand had made himself Master of all Transilvania almost is slain in his own House The Emperour in his Letters which he sendeth to appease the Electoral Archbishops tells them That he expects nothing but what is fair and honest from Duke Maurice who the better to cloak and conceal his designs sends his Deputies also to the Council with whom others joyn and demands a safe Conduct for his Divines to come but especially that they who are of a contrary persuasion should not sit as Judges in the Council They depart without success when it began to be spread abroad that their Master Duke Maurice was a preparing for War. The Tridentine Fathers disagree among themselves Shortly after news
enrich himself that for some years past he had served the Emperor and King Ferdinand in their Wars to the great prejudice of his Estate without any other prospect or design but the purchasing of Honour and Reputation by his Services that fair and ample conditions had been several times offered him also but he had rejected them that he might espouse this War for the Liberty and ancient Dignity of his Country That if perhaps in this War the overgrown Power and Authority of the Clergy which is prohibited in holy Scripture should chance to be weakened and impaired he was not to be blamed for that since to say the Truth the chief Bishops of the Empire had been the cause of all these Evils that it was not his design though that those religious Houses which were founded chiefly for the use of the Nobility and Gentry should be destroyed but that the vices being rooted out and those things reformed which could not be suffered they might continue in their own station nay and flourish too and that he would assist them therein provided they were willing and did not suffer themselves to be perswaded by his Adversaries to the contrary The French King also made publick Declaration that it had been his chief design Religion being once setled that he might do good to the publick but especially to his Friends That therefore immediately after the death of his Father he had restored Scotland to its ancient dignity renewed the league with the Switzers recovered Boloigne brought back the People that had been dispersed up and down into their own Lands and Possessions again and made a Peace and strict Friendship with the King of England But that whilst he was intent upon these things the Emperour by close and clandestine Counsels had contrived many things to his ruin and oftener than once given him a cause of War but that to give some ease and refreshment to the publick and to his own People also in private he had been still and winking at these injuries had wholly applied himself to the settling of his Kingdom that this his quietness had been by his Adversaries interpreted Cowardise and Faint-heartedness afterwards but that in the mean time sad and grievous Complaints had been brought to him from many of the Princes and States of Germany who said that under the specious Pretexts partly of Religion partly of a Turkish War and punishing of Rebellion designs had been carried on to bring them into Bondage and that through cunning and crafty counsels Factions and Divisions were fomented and Germany totally exhausted so that it was no longer to be doubted but that he aimed at an universal Monarchy for himself and the house of Austria that that truly had been a great grief to him not only because of the common origine of both Nations but also of the ancient alliance and friendship which had always remained firm and unviolate so long as the craft and subtlety of the Emperor had given it leave for that if the Government should be changed and Germany lose its liberty he well understood how dangerous and prejudicial that would be unto him that Germany was indeed the Bulwark not only of France but of all Christendom also and that therefore he had many times heartily wished and prayed that both People might have united their strength and put themselves into such a condition as not to need to fear any danger but that since there appeared no hopes of that and that in the mean time many craved his assistance but on different accounts he could see no way how he could succour the Empire so much rent and torn Nevertheless that in this so weighty a deliberation God the just Judge of all had offered him a very fit occasion for that Octavio Farnese Duke of Piacenza and Parma for whom the Emperor and Pope Julius laid Snares had implored help from him and by laying open before him all the injuries received had perswaded him to undertake the Protection of him and the Prince of Mirandula that afterwards came those complaints from the Princes of Germany who desired to enter into league with him as being the only way in their opinion to restore the State that he would not mention those weighty and just causes that the Princes had to take up Arms since they might be understood from their own declarations but yet that any Man might consider with himself whether this insatiable ambition of their Adversaries was not a just ground of grief who having ruined the Wealth of Germany swept all into their own Coffers and Treasury Were not the provinces of Utricht Liege and Cambray sufficient instances thereof And what was also Constance and many other free Cities oppressed That the Burgundians now hovering over the People of Treves Cleve and Wirtemberg had left the Prints of their footsteeps upon their Borders and many ways made havock of the Landgraves Territories that in like manner and for the same purpose the Emperor excluded his Ambassadors from the Diets of the Empire prohibited by publick Edict the Germans from serving foreign Princes in their Wars cut off brave and valiant Soldiers and amongst those Vogelsperg whom he himself to glut his revenge saw executed at Ausburg Was it not a thing of bad example that he should encourage and hire Men to kill those who served in his Wars That it was not certainly to be expressed what Arts their Enemies used for such were by them thrust in and admitted into the Judicature of the Imperial Chamber and Diet of the Empire as might make it their whole business to bring about and accomplish whatever they pleased and that indeed the blame of all the Evils that had happened was to be imputed to those kind of Men but especially the Judges of the Imperial Chamber That for these reasons he could not refuse his assistance to the Germans who desired it that therefore he had made a League with them and not only done so but was resolved also to employ all his force nay his very Person in that war that he did not neither look for any private profit or advantage thereby but that it was only his intent that by asserting the Liberty of Germany delivering John Frederick Duke of Saxony and the Landgrave whom he had detained in a tedious and base Captivity he might purchase to himself Praise and immortal Glory as Flaminius had heretofore done in delivering Greece from bondage nor needed any Man to fear Violence for that since he had undertaken that War for the sake of Liberty he would take care that no Man who did not deserve it should receive any hurt that therefore they might believe the Promise which he faithfully made to them and not give credit to their Adversaries who gave it out that it was his design to afflict and plague the Clergy that he was so far from entertaining such thoughts that he took them all under his protection and defence provided they gave him
great Poverty took the opportunity when his Wife was abroad and murder'd all his Children the eldest was a Girl of seven years of age the second a Boy of four years old and the youngest an Infant of about six months old and in the Cradle This Murther was committed the 10th of April There was then also a strong Report That the Pope and his Partisans had entred a secret Combination against those of the Augustan Confession This Opinion was the more easily entertain'd because it was certainly known that the Pope was much incens'd against the Decree made the last year at Ausburg by which Peace and Liberty were granted to those of that Religion And it was believed he had sollicited the Emperour to declare that Edict to be void for he saw that men daily made a defection from his Kingdom and he well knew what had been desired by the Inhabitants both of Austria and Bavaria To this was added a meeting of the Archbishops of Ments Trier and Cologne at the Batbes and it was suspected this meeting was not for nothing King Ferdinand having put an end to the Dyet of Austria went into Bobemia and summon'd a Dyet of that Kingdom and of the near Provinces at Prague in which he demanded and obtain'd Moneys for his defence against the Turks After this he sent Letters to the Deputies who had now expected him some months at Raticbon in which he excus'd his not coming to them and acquainted them with his being necessitated to go to Vienna before he could come thither and then he prorogued their Session to the first of June After King Ferdinand was return'd out of Bobemia the Lgndtgrave went into Misnia and staid some time with Augustus Duke of Saxohy The 10th day of May the Duke of Areschot who was a Prisoner in the Castle of Vincenne which stands not far from Paris made his escape and came safely home The Cardinal of Ausburg about the same time being return'd from Rome where he had continu'd about a year and hearing how suspitiously most men spoke and thought of him as one that was engag'd in close Designs with the Pope for the Ruin of Germany In the end of May he put out a Vindication of himself in the German-Tongue which was to this purpose When the last year after the Death of Julius II. saith he I went to Rome as the duty of my Place obliged me I was one of those who elected the present Pope I then intended to take the first opportunity of returning into Germany but I was detained by the Pope who was then deliberating about the Reformation of the Church and having for that purpose chosen some Learned Men of all Nations he was pleased to appoint me for one though I was not worthy of such a Trust because I was a German But then because my Bishoprick requir'd my presence here I at last obtain'd leave of the Pope to return home which I could not obtain till the last day of March immediately after which I began my Journey hither Now though I have ever since my Advancement to this Dignity and before behaved my self so that no ill thing can truly be laid to my charge which I desire may not be taken for a proud boast and although I have ever been an Adviser and Promoter of Peace to my great damage and hindrance and have ever taken all the care I could for the Honour and Safety of my Countrey yet as soon as ever I arriv'd in Germany I was acquainted by my Friends who are worthy of credit That during my absence there was a Book printed here to defame me as if I had enter'd into a Combination with the Pope and other Italian Princes to involve Germany and especially those of that Nation who embrace the Augustan Confession in a calamitous War. Now they pretended in this Paper That the cause of this Attempt and of this close Treaty was that the Pope was very much offended with the Decree made in the last Dyet at Ausburg that he had laboured to persuade the Emperour to reverse it that he had absolved that Prince from the Oath he had given them that he had promised the Emperour all the help and assistance he could give him for the Conquest of Germany provided the Emperour would assist him in the Recovery of his Spiritual Jurisdiction in Germany that he had to that end procur'd a Truce between the Emperour and the French King that both their Forces might be employ'd in this Work. And they added That German Soldiers were at present to be listed and no other to the end the Design might be the better conceal'd that the King of England was to send 8000 Horse and to be General in this War and that Levies were made in several places In short that all things were manag'd with that care that all the Forces were to begin their March at the same time and suddenly to in vade the Empire whil'st most of the Princes were from home at the Dyet of Ratisbon that both the Pope and the King of England had sent Envoys to several of the Princes of Germany and made them great promises the Pope especially that he would send a great Body of Horse and Foot to their Assistance that I have traduced Otto Henry Elector Palatine Christopher Duke of Wirtemburg and Albert Marquess of Brandenburg as Lutherans Seditious men and worthy to be driven out of their Countreys that the Lantgrave was in the mean time much commended by me in an Assembly of the Cardinals because he had made a defection from his Religion and one of his Ministers called Titelman had both by Word and Writing recanted his Religion at Rome Now because these slanders do not only affect the Pope and the Emperour but Me also and my Reputation and because it is the duty of a good man to justifie his own and his Princes Honour and Innocency it is fit I should answer all the Accusations In the first place therefore I say it is a great affliction to me to find there are still some men who contrary to the old German Virtue Constancy and Fidelity can be induced to lend an assent to such slanders as these and seem to design by these leud Libels and Reports to excite the minds of the Princes of the Empire against their Head and to engage them in a cruel and wicked War amongst themselves I believe many can remember that dismal turbulent and dangerous Galumny which about 32 years since was invented and spread abroad That King Ferdinand the Archbishops of Mentz Saltzburg and Wurtsburg the Elector of Brandenburg William and Lewis of Bavaria and George Duke of Saxony were all combin'd in a League against John Elector of Saxony and the Landtgrave which prevail'd so far that it had like to have ended in a destructive War. Certainly the Princes ought not to forget those times For that Villany was discovered the several Princes as they were obliged having printed each of them
suspicion of Lutheranism disappointed of the Popedom The year of Jubily The Golden-Gate The institution of the Jubily by Boniface VIII Reduced to 50 years And then to 25. The Jubily in the year 1550 earnestly desired by Paul III. But he was disappointed The Death of Paulus Fagius Mass again said at Strasburg 1550 The sight of Mass strange at first A tumult in the Cathedral of Strasburg The Preacher leaves the Pulpit and shifts for himself Saying of Mass interrupted The Priests glad of it A treaty of Peace between the English and French. The Protector of England delivered out of Prison Factions at Rome about chusing a Pope John Maria de Monte is made Pope De Monte changing his name is called Julius III. The French Kings Edict The number of Cardinals Julius inaugurated The opening of the golden gate A Joke upon the Cardinal of Ausburg Ambassadours sent to complement the Pope Parma restored to Octavio The most obscene Letter of Camillo Oliva out of the Conclave The Emperours Letter to the States of the Empire wherein he appoints a Dyet Peace betwixt the English and French. Boloigne restored to the French. Another Manifesto of the Magdeburgers The confession oâ Faith of the Ministers of Magdeburg The Bishop of Strasburg complains to the Emperour of the City Mass again begun there The Emperour and his Son come to Ausburg The Emperours Edict against the Lutherans in the Netherlands The Reward of Informers Many astonished at the Emperours Edict especially those of Antwerp The ãâã against the ãâã The power of the Inquisitors The Questions in the Emperours Edict against the Lutherans The Cardinal of Lorrain the Companion of King Francis dies By whom Metz betrayed Adolph Archbishop of Cologne makes his entry into that City The Duke of Cleve has a Daughter born Duke Maurice his Protestation against the Council The Elector of Mentz Chancellor of the Empire The Cardinal of Ausburgs Sermon against the Lutherans Some Spaniards interrupt Divine Service The death of Granvell The Bishop of Arras in great power with the Emperour Brunswick besieged Dragut a notable Pirate Tripoly taken by the Imperialists The occasion of a Turkish War. At the Emperour's Command Duke Henry and the Senate of Brunswick lay down their Arms. Their Forces were by the Duke of Meckleburg turn'd against the Magdeburgers The death of John Albert Archbishop of Magdeburg Gâââge Duke of Meckleburg wasts the Country of Magdeburg The Magdeburgers engage the Duke of Meckleburg And are overthrown The Emperour complains of the Magdeburgers and Bremers The Princes write to the Magdeburgers and Bremeâs A Woman of Ausburg in great danger for a rash word The Edict about Religion in the Netherlands moderated at the intercession of the Emperour's Sister The Conditions proposed to the Bremers And to the Magdeburgârs The third Declaration and undaunted Courage of the Magdeburgers Forces against the Magdeburgers A fight at Magdeburg The besieged make a sally out A Cessation of Arms. A Deputation sent to the Emperour against Magdeburg The Bremers Letter to the Princes at Ausburg The Answer of the Magdeburgers The death of Vlrick Duke of Wirtemberg A cruel Decree against the Mâgdeburgers Duke Mauric General of the War against Magdebârg Which the Emperour is earnest should be prosecuted The Emperour desires to know the Reasons why the Interim was not observed The Causes why the Decree was not observed The Answer of the Deputies and Catholick Princes to these things Pope Julius his Bull for calling the Council Duke Maurice attacks the Magdeburgers Mansfield and Heideck defeated by Duke Maurice The Emperour's Edict against the Magdeburgers The Landgrave's Sons sue in behalf of their Father Lazarus Schuendi sent by the Emperour to the Landgrave's Sons c. The Landgrave thinks of making his escape But the design is discovered The Emperours Letters to Duke Maurice and Brandeburg concerning the Landgrave's flight Duke Maurice comforts the Landgrave's Sons promising his utmost endeavours The Magdebârgers sally out and get the Victory The Duke of Meckleburg taken Maximilian's return into Germany The Emperour and King Ferdinand's emulation for the Empire Maximilian beloved of all Pope Julius his Bull offended many The Magdebârgers are solicited to surrender The Declaration of the Clergy of Magdebââg against the Senate The actions of the Inhabitants of Magdeburg against the Clergy The value of the damage received The Magdeburgâs answer to the Accusations of the Clergy 1551 King Ferdinand complains of the Turks breach of Truce The Bishop of Winchester turned out of his Bishoprick and committed to prison again Osiander's new Opinion about Justification Condemned by the other Divines Albert Duke of Prussia sides with Osiander Joachim Merlin and some others are banished for Osiander's Doctrine Osiander falls foul upon the Divines of Wittemberg and Melanchton Another of his Opinions The Decree of the Dyet of Ausburg A meeting of the Princes at Norimberg Supplies decreed to King Ferdinand against the Turk The Emperours Edict against those that should assist the Magdeburgers Octavio Farnese in protection of the King of France puts a French Garison into Parma Sentence pronounced against the Landgrave Bucer dies The complaint of the Bishop of Strasburg against the Preachers Prodigies in Saxony The Popes Brief against Octavio Farnese Octavio cited to Rome The Council meets again at Trent Heideck a Friend to the Magdeburgers Farnese being conâumacious undertakes the defence of Parma The Emperours Declaration against Octavio The War of Parma betwixt the Emperour and French. The Popes Brief to the Switzers wherein he desires them to send their Bishops to the Council Prince Philip returns to Spain The French Kings Apology to the Pope Parma of the Patrimony of the Church Conditions of Peace proposed to the Magdeburgers The Empeâour calls the States to Trent Duke Maurice his Confession drawn up by Melanchton The Confession of Wirtemberg Brentius is by the Duke of Wirtemberg restored to the Ministery in the Church A Mâtiny in Magdeburg Duke Maurice his Letter to the Emperour The Decree of the Council of Constance The safe Conduct that the Bohemians had when they came to the Council of Basil The Ministers of Ausburg questioned about their Doctrine The Answer and Constancy of the Ministers The Ministers of Ausburg banished Preaching prohibited The liberality of the Captive Duke of Saxony towards banished Ministers The Reasons why they were served so Henry King of France makes War against the Emperour Cherie and St. Damian taken The Reasons why the French King made War against the Emperour The Turk takes Tripoly Contrary Narratives from the Emperour and King of France The Restauration of the Council of Trent Wherein Cardinal Crescentio presides The French King Letter to the Council And a Debate amongst the Fathers about the Superscription of it The Speech of the French Ambassadour The French Kings Protestation against the Council of Trent Expectative Graces The payment of Annats discharged Pragmatick Sanction The Advice of the Parliament of Paris not to abrogate
Grief of his Heart he daily heard many and grievous Complaints of Luther a profligate Wretch who forgetting his own Order and Profession acted many things sawcily and with great Confidence against the Church of God bragging That being supported by the Favour and Protection of the Prince he stood in awe of the Authority of no Man That he made no doubt but that was falsey given out by him but that nevertheless he was willing to write these few things unto his Highness and to advise him That being always mindful of the Splendour and Dignity of himself and his Ancestors he would not only avoid giving any Offence but even all Suspicion of offending That he knew for a certain That Luther taught most impious and Heretical Doctrines which both he and the Master of his Palace had carefully observed and marked down That that was the Reason why he had both Cited him to Appear and also sent his Instructions to Cardinal Cajetane his Legat as to what further he would have done in the Matter and that seeing this was an Affair of Religion and that it properly belonged to the Church of Rome to enquire into the Faith and Belief of all Men he exhorted and charged his Highness That being thereunto required by his Legate he would use his best Endeavours to have Luther delivered up into his Hands which would be both acceptable Service to God and very Honourable to himself and Family that if upon Tryal he were found Innocent at Rome he should return Home Safe and Sound but that if he proved Guilty then would his Highness be Blameless in no longer protecting a Criminal and that he himself was so mercifully inclined as that neither he would oppress an Innocent Man nor deny a Penitent his Pardon And thus he left no Way unessayed that he might undo Luther The same Year also he wrote to Gabriel Venize the Provincial of the Augustine Fryers exhorting him That by the Authority of his Charge he would put a stop to Luther a Fryer of his Order who attempted Innovations and taught new Doctrins in Germany and solicitously ply him both by Letters and Learned Agents But that Expedition was to be used in the Matter for so it would not be difficult to quench the Flame newly broken out since things in their Infancy and Commencement could not resist Attempts that were any thing brisk but should it be deferred till the Evil had gathered Strength it was to be feared that the Conflagration might afterwards carry all before it for that it was a Contagion that spread more and more daily so that nothing seemed more to be feared than Delay That therefore he should set about the Affair with all Pains Diligence and Industry seeing he had Authority over him When Luther perceived that he was cited to appear at Rome he was very solicitous to have his Cause tryed before Competent and Unsuspected Judges in some Place of Germany secure from Violence But when that could not be obtained the University of Wittemberg sent a Letter to Pope Leo dated September 25 wherein they gave Luther an ample Testimony both of a Pious Life and Learning that seeing he was for some Positions proposed Cited to Rome and could not being a Sickly Man without endangering his Life make an Appearance they prayed his Holiness not to think otherwise of him than of an Honest Man that he had only for Disputation sake offered some things to be argued which were misinterpreted and highly exaggerated by his Adversaries that for their parts they would not suffer any thing to be asserted in Opposition to the Church and that at Luther's Request they could not but give him this Testimony which they earnestly entreated his Holiness to give Credit to With this Letter they sent another to Charles Miltitz a German and Bedchamber Man to Pope Leo Wherein they represent to him That Luther was undeservedly exposed to the Anger and Hatred of the Pope insomuch that being Cited to appear at Rome he could not as yet obtain That his Cause might be tryed somewhere in Germany That for their own Parts they were so zealous not only for Religion but also for the Holy Church of Rome That if Luther were guilty of any Impious Crime or Errour they would not bear with him But that he was a Man so Learned of so upright a Life and Conversation and had deserved so well of the whole University that as Affairs stood they could not but stand by him That Duke Frederick also so Religious and Prudent a Prince would not so long have suffered him to go unpunished if he had not thought him to be a good Man That therefore he would use his Interest and Familiarity he had with the Pope that Impartial Judges might he assigned him not at Rome but in Germany That they did not doubt but that he would act as became a Christian and Divine and make it appear that he did not Wantonly and without a Cause hunt after an Occasion of Contention That they begged this the more earnestly of him in that they had the greater Hopes that he who was himself a German would not in so just a Cause be wanting to a Country-Man who was born down by Calumnies and in danger of his Life Besides the Intercession of these Friends Frederick Prince Elector spoke also to Cardinal Cajetane at Ausburg and so far prevailed that Luther being excused from going to Rome should plead his Cause before the Emperour at Ausburg Being come thither in the Month of October it was three Days before he was admitted to the Speech of Cajetane for they to whom Duke Frederick who upon dissolution of the Diet was gone Home had recommended him forbad him to go to him before he had obtained a Safe Conduct from the Emperour Maximilian but that being at length granted he came and the Cardinal having civilly received him told him That he would not enter into any Dispute with him but end the Controversie amicably and at the same Time proposed to him two Commands in Name of the Pope First That he would repent what he had done and retract the Errours which he had published And next That for the Future he would abstain from such Writings as disturbed the Peace and Tranquility of the Church Luther makes Answer That he was not Conscious to himself of any Errour and desires That if he had erred it might be proved against him With that Cajetane objects That in his Theses he had affirmed That the Merits of our Saviour Christ were not the Treasure of Indulgences which Opinion was repugnant to the Decretal of Pope Clement VI. Again That it was necessary that they who come to receive the Sacrament should have a firm Belief that their Sins were forgiven them Luther replies That that was not so telling him withal That he had read the Pope's Decree and gave his Judgment of it but mention being made of S. Thomas he said The Authority of
then present Peter Bonomus Bishop of Trieste and Bernard Bishop of Trent Alexander declared That the Emperour and other Princes were required to see the Bull of the Pope performed and that the hearing of the Cause was committed to himself and Eckius Duke Frederick because it was a matter of great importance desired time to consider of it and on November 4 not being at leisure himself he gave in this Answer by some of his Council in the presence of the Bishop of Trent That he wondred very much why the Pope should desire this of him who had always taken care to do nothing unworthy of the Virtue and Glory of his Ancestors and to do his Duty both to the Empire and the Church That he understood that Eckius in his absence had given trouble not only to Luther but to several other Learned Men of his Dominions contrary to the Mind and Tenor of his Holiness's Bull which as became him he declared he very much resented That a private Person should take upon him to meddle so much in another's Jurisdiction What Luther or others have done in his Absence since the bringing of the Pope's Bull thither he knows not That it is possible several Persons may have approved of his Appeal That as for himself he never concern'd himself in it But that he should be very sorry if his Doctrin were not Orthodox That two Years ago he procured a Conference between him and Cajetane at Ausburg but they coming to no Agreement Cajetane writ a Letter to complain of him That he then answered it so as he imagined he had given him Satisfaction and for taking away all suspicion he was then willing to have dismissed Luther had not Miltitz opposed it But Richard Archbishop of Triers had been delegated by the Pope for hearing this Cause and that Luther was ready to appear in any Place provided he might have a Safe-Conduct And that he makes as fair and large Proffers as can be desired That several Good and Learned Men imagine that he has proceeded thus far not so much of his own Accord as by the Instigation of his Adversaries That it appears not yet to the Emperour nor to any other Magistrate that his Writings are convicted of Heresie or Impiety for if they had he himself should have been ready to have done the Duty of a good Prince He desires therefore That they would not proceed after this manner but rather procure that the Matter may be lovingly and quietly debated by some Godly and Learned Men that Luther may have a Safe-Conduct and that his Books may not be burnt before he has made his Defence If he should happen to be convinced by Scripture and solid Arguments that then he would by no means countenance him But though he and his Cause should be quite baffled yet he hoped his Holiness would require nothing of him but what might stand with his Honour In all other things he should always behave himself as became a Prince of the Empire and an obedient Son of the Church When the Elector had given in this Answer the Legates after some Consultation began to recite how many things the Pope had done and suffered in order to reclaim Luther but that he had not performed any part of his Promises That it was not now in the Power of the Bishop of Triers to determine in this Cause since the Pope had recalled that Hearing of it before himself to whom only it belonged to judge in matters of this Nature The conclusion of their Speech was That they could not but act conformable to his Holiness's Decree and so not long after they burn all Luther's Works This Aleander was an Italian born at Motola in the Kingdom of Naples very skilful in the Hebrew Tongue He was for some time a Reader in the University of Paris being come to Rome he rose by degrees till he was at last made Archbishop of Brindin and after that created a Cardinal And Caracciolus was also promoted to the same Dignity As soon as Luther heard of this he called together all the Students that were in Wittemberg and in the Presence of a great number of Learned Men he publickly burns the Canon-Law and the Pope's late published Decree on the tenth Day of December And in his next days Lecture he earnestly admonishes all Persons who have any regard to their own Salvation to shake off the Dominion of the Bishop of Rome In a Treatise which he soon after published he declares what it was had moved him to do this acknowledging That it was with his Consent and by his Advice and Means that these Books of the Canon-Law were burnt and that for these Reasons First It has been an Ancient Custom observed in all Ages in this manner to suppress all pernicious Books of which there is an Example in the Acts of the Apostles moreover it was his Duty who is baptized into the Faith of Christ and who is a Professor and publick Preacher of the Gospel to oppose whatever contradicts the Precepts therein contained and to instruct Men in all Sound and Wholesome Doctrins and to purge their Minds from all false and erroneous Opinions That a great many others lay under the same Obligations but if they out of Ignorance or by Cowardise neglected to do as they ought yet that he was not thereby excused unless he endeavoured faithfully to discharge what he thought in Conscience was his Duty That the Pope and those whose Interest it is to uphold his Power were become so desperately Wicked and Obstinate that they not only stopt their Ears against all good admonitions but also condemned the Doctrin of Christ and his Apostles and forced Men to the commission of the grossest Impieties Besides this he supposed those Book-Burners had no Command to act after that manner As for the Divines of Cologn and Louvain who pretended to be authorized by the Emperour to burn his Books he was now very certain that that was a meer sham In the last place because this burning of his Works and the Report of it which would be spread all over the Country might perhaps stagger some and cause great Doubts in the Minds of many more who would judge that such a thing would not be done rashly and without some very weighty Cause Therefore seeing his Adversaries were now grown past cure he had been forced to burn their Books thereby to raise up and confirm and strengthen the Minds of his Followers And he entreats all Men not to suffer themselves to be dazled by the lofty and proud Titles of his Adversaries but to take a nearer View of the Matter by which they would perceive what Impious and Pernicious Tenets are contained in the Canons and Decretals of the Popes And that he might make this the more plain to every Man's Understanding he recites some Passages out of the Canon-Law which tend manifestly to the Reproach of God the Injury of the Civil Magistrate and serve only
to uphold and establish their own Tyranny He quoted about thirty of these places by which he shewed That he had just and sufficient Reasons to burn their Books Then he challenges them to produce but one good Reason to justifie their burning his Works But that so few or none had for some Ages past opposed the Power of Antichrist he says Therefore came to pass because the Scripture had foretold That he should vanquish all his Adversaries and be strengthened by the Alliance of Kings Since then the Prophets and Apostles have predicted such dreadful things one cannot but form to himself a very frightful Idea of his Cruelty That the Constitution of Sublunary things was such that out of the best Beginnings sometimes did arise the greatest Corruptions when he had proved this by some Examples he applies it to the City of Rome which being loaded with all the greatest Blessings of Heaven had wholly degenerated from what it was formerly and with its Poysonous Contagion infected a great part of the World That this Ordinance of the Popes was contrary to Law and all received Customs nor were the Usurpations of that Bishop any longer to be endured since he declined a fair Tryal and would not be bound up by any Decree or Judgment whatsoever In the former Book we told you how Silvester Prierias had wrote against Luther When this had been answered by him very sharply Ambrose Catarine an Italian took up the Cudgels and published a Book in Defence of the Pope's Supremacy To this Luther answers very fully and having expounded some places in Daniel he teaches That the Papal Tyranny was there painted out and that what he has foretold of the Kingdom of Antichrist was only truly applicable to the See of Rome This Catarine was afterwards made Archbishop of Cosenza THE HISTORY OF THE Reformation of the Church BOOK III. The CONTENTS The Emperour is prevailed with by Duke Frederick to write to Luther who relying upon his Majesty's Letter as upon a safe Conduct comes to Wormes there he undauntedly justified what he had written or taught in presence of the Emperour and a great Assembly of the Princes and constantly persevered therein though he was Curs'd and Excommunicated by the Pope in his Bull de Coena Domini threatned with Banishment by the Emperour and tamper'd with by the Princes severally to make him recant his Opinions The Council of Constance is proposed unto him from whence taking occasion he speaks of Wickliff John Huss and John Zischa a Bohemian The Divines of Paris condemn Luther's Books While a League is making betwixt the French King and the Swisse Zuinglius dissuades them from taking Pay or Pensions from any Prince to serve them in their Wars Luther being Outlawed by the Emperour's Proclamation retreats into a more private place The King of England also writes against him Pope Leo X dies and Adrian succeeds him Solyman the Magnificent is prosperous in Hungary The Emperour endeavours to suppress Seditions in Spain and makes a League with the King of England The Bishop of Constance Presecutes Zuinglius Troubles at Wittemberg The Anabaptists rise which gave occasion to the Diet of Norimberg Thither Pope Adrian sent his Brief and Legate Solyman takes Rhodes Zuinglius having set forth the Heads of his Doctrin is attack'd by the Papists but at length the Reformed Religion is received at Zurich WHile Duke Frederick waited upon the Emperour to the Diet of Wormes he procured a Promise of him that he would send for Luther and give him a publick Hearing Luther being informed of this by Letters from Duke Frederick towards the latter end of January wrote back an Answer expressing the great Satisfaction he had that the Emperour would be pleased to take the Cognizance of that Cause which was indeed a publick concern to himself and that for his part he would do all that he could with a safe Conscience and without prejudice to the Reformed Religion Wherefore he entreated the Prince that he would endeavour to obtain a safe Conduct for him that his Person might not be in danger That good and learned Men might be chosen with whom he should Dispute That he might not be condemned before he were convicted of Errour and Impiety That in the mean time his Adversaries might desist from that rage of theirs and not burn his Writings And that if for the future he should attempt any thing else for the glory of God and the discovery of Truth he might have the Emperour's leave to do it That so soon as the Emperour gave him a safe Conduct he would nt fail to come to Wormes and there so maintain his Cause before impartial Judges that all Men should be convinced that he had done nothing frowardly but all for the good of Christendom and chiefly that for the welfare of Germany he had been at this labour and pains in endeavouring to reclaim his Countrymen from many and most gross Errours to the purity of the Gospel and true Religion He moreover prayed that the Emperour and he would seriously reflect upon that dreadful bondage and miserable condition wherewith Christendom was oppressed by the Roman Papacy Wherefore the Emperour being sollicited by Duke Frederick wrote to Luther March the Sixth That since some Books had been published by him he had consulted with the Princes and was resolved to hear from himself Personally what he had to say That therefore he granted him free liberty to come and appear before him and afterwards to return home which that he might safely do he had engaged the Publick Faith as more fully appeared in the safe Conduct sent with his Letter He therefore commanded him forthwith to set out upon his Journey and not fail to be present in the space of One and twenty days That he should not fear any violence or injury for that he would take care that he should not suffer the least prejudice It hath been an old Custom with the Popes of Rome solemnly to Curse and Excommunicate some sorts of Men on Thursday in the Passion Week As first Hereticks next Pyrates then those who impose new Toll and Customs or exact such as are prohibited those who Falsifie or Counterfeit the Bulls and publick Instruments of the Court of Rome who supply the Turks and Saracens with Arms and other Counterband Goods who hinder the Importation of Corn to Rome who offer violence to any that follow and attend the Court of Rome who invade or damnifie the Possessions of the Church of Rome or Places thereunto adjoyning as namely the City of Rome Sicily Naples Sardinia Corsica Tuscany Spoleto Sabina Aucona Flaminia Campania Bolonia Ferrara Benevento Perugia and Avignon Some former Popes among Hereticks named the Garasians Pateronians the Poor Men of Lyons the Arnoldists Speronists Wicliffites Hussites and Fratricelli But Leo X this year clapt Luther and his Followers in with the rest and solemnly Curs'd them on Holy-Thursday This Bull is commonly called
sufficiently weiged the greatness of the Matter and the troubles that this Doctrin hath occasion'd Nay truly I am exceedingly rejoyced to see that the Doctrin I profess hath given occasion to these Troubles and Offences for Christ himself tells us That it is the property of the Gospel to raise grievous Strife and Contentions where-ever it is taught and that among those very Persons too who are most closely linked together by the Bonds of Nature and Blood. It ought seriously then to be consider'd and maturely thought on most Noble Patriots what is fit to be decreed and care had lest by condemning the Doctrin which by the Blessing of God is now offered unto you you yourselves be the cause of the greatest Calamities to Germany Regard should likewise be had that the Government which the young Emperour who here presides hath lately taken upon him be not reckoned inauspicious and fatal by Posterity through any bad Act or Precedent that may entail its Inconveniences upon them For it may be proved by many places of Scripture that Governments have then been in greatest danger when the Affairs of the Publick were managed only by Human Prudence and mere Secular Councils Nevertheless I design not by what I say most Illustrious and Prudent Princes to prescribe or point out to you what you are to do but only to declare the Duty which I shall always be ready to perform to Germany our native Country which ought to be dearer unto us than our very Lives After all I most earnestly beseech you to take me into your Protection and to defend me against the Violence of mine Enemies When he had made an end of Speaking Eckius looking upon him with a stern Countenance You answer not to the Purpose said he nor is it your part to call again into question or doubt of what hath been heretofore determined by the Authority of Councils It is a plain and easie Answer that is demanded of you Do you approve and will you defend your Writings To which Luther made answer Since it is your Command said he most mighty Emperour and most Illustrious Princes that I should give a plain Answer I 'le obey and this therefore is my Answer That unless I be convinced by Testimonies of Holy Scripture and evident Reason I cannot retract any thing of what I have written or taught for I will never do that which may wound my own Conscience neither do I believe the Pope of Rome and Councils alone nor admit of their Authority for they have often erred and contradicted one another and may still err and be deceived The Princes having considered this Answer Eckius again told him You answer said he Luther somewhat more irreverently than becomes you and not sufficiently to the purpose neither when you make a distinction among your Books But if you would retract those which contain a great part of your Errours the Emperour would not suffer any Injury to be done to such others as are Orthodox and right You despise the Decrees of the Council of Constance where many Germans famous both for Learning and Virtue were present and revive Errours that were condemned therein requiring to be convinced by Holy Scripture you do not well and are very far out of the way for what the Church hath once condemned is not to be brought under Dispute again nor must every private Person be allowed to demand a Reason for every thing for should that once be granted that he who opposes and contradicts the Church and Councils must be convinced by Texts of Scripture there would never be any end of Controversies For that Reason therefore the Emperour expects to hear from you in plain Terms What you will do with your Books I beseech you said Luther that by your leave I may preserve a Sound and upright Conscience I have answered plainly and have nothing else to say for unless my Adversaries convince me of my Errour by true Arguments taken from Scripture it is impossible I can be quiet in mind Nay I can demonstrate that they have erred very often and grosly too and for me to recede from the Scripture which is both clear and cannot err would be an Act of greatest Impiety Eckius muttered something to the contrary That it could not be proved that ever a General Council had erred But Luther declared That he could and would prove it and so the matter concluded at that time Next Day the Emperour wrote to the Princes assembled in Council That his Predecessors had professed the Christian Religion and always obeyed the Church of Rome So that since Luther opposed the same and persisted obstinately in his Opinion his Duty required that following the Steps of his Ancestors he should both defend the Christian Religion and also succour the Church of Rome That therefore he would put Luther and his Adherents to the Ban of the Empire and make use of other proper Remedies for the extinguishing that Fire However that he would make good the Safe-Conduct he had granted him and that he might return Home with Safety This Letter of the Emperours was long and much debated in the Assembly of the Princes and some there were as it was reported who following the Decree and Pattern of the Council of Constance thought that the Publick Faith was not to be observed to him But Lewis the Elector Palatine and others also were said to have vigourously withstood that Resolution affirming That such a thing would lye as an eternal Stain and Disgrace upon Germany Wherefore most were of Opinion that not only the Publick Faith and Promise should be kept to him but also that he should not be rashly condemned because it was a Matter of great moment whatever should be decreed by the Emperour whom at that Age they perceived to be incited and exasperated against Luther by the Agents and Ministers of Rome Some Days after the Bishop of Treves appointed Luther to come to him the 24 of April There were present at that Congress Joachim Elector of Brandenburg George Duke of Saxony the Bishop of Ausburg and some other great Men And when Luther came conducted by the Emperour's Herald and was introduced by the Bishop's Chaplain Vey a Lawer of Baden spake to him to this Purpose These noble Princes have sent for you Martin Luther said he not to enter into any Dispute but to treat friendly with you and to admonish you privately of those Things which seem chiefly to concern your self for they have obtained leave from the Emperour to do so And in the first place as to Councils it is possible that at some Times they have decreed things different but never contrary and granting they had err'd yet their Authority is not therefore so fallen that it should be lawful for every Private Man to trample upon it Your Books if Care be not taken will be the cause of great Troubles and many interpret that which you have published of
to our own Hearts Desires Ye your selves shall plainly see God's helping Hand with you for we shall put all our Enemies to flight In several places of Scripture God hath promised to assist the poor and wretched and to bear down the Ungodly Now this Promise belongeth properly to us for we are poor and afflicted and because we desire to maintain and set forth the Knowledge of God we cannot doubt of Success and Victory Let us on the other hand consider the Condition of our Enemies They are called Princes indeed but in reality are Tyrants they take no Care of you but deprive you of your Goods which they squander away in most wicked and unlawful Courses Among God's peculiar People which he chose of old Kings were not to spend their Wealth unprofitably but were commanded rather to be diligent in turning over the Book of the Laws which God himself made But what do our Tyrants or how do they spend their Time they think not themselves at all concerned with the Publick they hear not the Causes of poor afflicted Men they neglect Justice suffer the High-ways to be infested by Robbers punish not such nor other Offenders neither defend not the Fatherless and Widow and take no care of the Education of Youth They not only neglect God's Worship themselves but also hinder others and mind nothing but the getting of all other Men's Estates to themselves and therefore they daily devise new ways of raising Money not directing their Counsels to the maintaing of Peace but that having enriched themselves they may live in Pride and all sorts of Voluptuousness for it is but too well known what great Stirs and Wars they have raised for very idle and slight Causes whereby at length all that poor Men had left is utterly consumed and destroyed These these are the noble Arts and Virtues of your Princes wherein they exercise themselves it is not therefore to be imagined that God will bear any longer with those things but that as of old he destroyed the Canaanites so will he now root out these For granting that what we have now mentioned might be born with do you think that they 'll go unpunished for defending and maintaining that most abominable Impiety of the Clergy for who knoweth not how great Wickedness is committed in that Trafficking and Bartering with Masses not to mention other things Surely as Christ of old cast the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple so now also will he drive out these Mass-Priests and their Defenders Be therefore strong and valiant and do God good Service in destroying this unprofitable Rout for we see not how we can lawfully and with Safety make Peace with them since they will not leave off their old Courses neither restore to us our Liberty nor suffer the true Worship of God Now it is far better to die than that we should approve their Wickedness and suffer the Doctrin of the Gospel to be taken from us Be then assured that God will be with us and that the Victory will be ours for he himself hath so promised to me he I say who cannot lye nor be deceived commanded me to proceed in this manner and to punish all Magistrates for in this the Power of God is chiefly magnified when a vast multitude of Enemies are destroyed by a small handful of Men It is known to you what Exploits Gideon did with a few Jonathan accompanied only with one Servant and David all alone when he fought against the Giant Goliah who was so terrible in his Looks and Stature Now it is not to be doubted but this Day will be made Famous by a like instance and be spoken of to all Posterity for though we seem not to be so well provided of Arms and other things necessary yet shall we overcome the Enemy and this Frame of Heaven and Earth will sooner change than God will forsake us So was the Nature of the Sea changed of old that the Israelites might escape from Pharaoh who pursued them Be not now moved at the suggestions of your own Reason neither be troubled at a certain Shadow and Appearance of Danger that stands in your way but fight valiantly against poor wicked and accursed Enemies and be not afraid of their great Guns for in my Coat will I catch all the Bullets that they shall shoot at you See ye not how gracious God is unto us behold a manifest Sign and Token of his perpetual Good-will towards us lift up your Eyes and see that Rain-bow in the Clouds for seeing we have the same painted in our Banner God plainly declares by that Representation which he shews us from on high That he will stand by us in the Battle and that he will utterly destroy our Enemies fall on then couragiously and with certain Hope of Divine Aid for God will have us to have no Peace with the Wicked For all this Speech his Men were generally in horror and consternation because of the greatness of the present danger but all things were carried on in a tumultuary manner without Order or certain Command Besides there were some bold and profligate Rogues among them fitted for any villany These being naturally inclined to all sorts of mischief were the more inflamed by that Sermon But nothing excited them more than the Rain-bow which as has been said appeared in the Clouds and which they lookt upon as a certain Sign of Victory Besides they were about Eight thousand strong and the place commodious for making a Defence Wherefore these Blades I now mentioned gave a shout calling to all to Arm and bravely advance against the Enemy and withal singing a Hymn wherein they implored the assistance of the Holy Ghost There had been sent to them before a young Gentleman of Quality whom Muncer contrary to the Law of Arms and of Nations caused to be put to Death The Princes being the more exasperated by this gave the Signal of Battel and drew up their Men in order Then Philip Langrave of Hesse though the Youngest rode about the Army exhorting the Soldiers to behave themselves valiantly for that though all they laid to their Charge were true yet it was not lawful for private Men to rise in Arms against their Magistrates as might be proved by many places of Scripture That however he would not excuse neither his own Faults nor those of other Princes That he confessed there were failings and many things that ought to be reformed but that nevertheless Men ought to abstain from Rebellion for that God hath strictly commanded that the Magistrate should be honored That whereas they complained that they were overcharged with Burthens that could be no lawful ground for them to renounce their Duty and Allegiance though yet if things were rightly examined it would be found that they had no cause of Complaining That they paid indeed Subsidies and Customs but for that they enjoyed on the other had many Advantages That they had Houses Wives and Children
laboured the Land bred up Cattel and many ways got Estates by the favour of the Magistrate under whose Protection they were That what they alledged moreover that they were not allowed to have the Doctrin of the Gospel preached among them that was no just cause neither of Rising in Rebellion That when Peter smote with the Sword Christ sharply rebuked him for it That if any Princes did persecute the true Religion yet ought they rather to submit and suffer Punishments than resist by force of Arms That they pretended Religion and the Gospel but in reality intended nothing but Robbery Rapine and such like villanous Crimes And that they were the greater Villiains in that they impudently cloaked their wicked and bloody Designs under so specious a Title for that they aimed at nothing less than to seize other Mens Goods and Estates destroy all Magistrates force others Mens Wives and Children and to have free liberty to commit all sorts of Crimes And that seeing they committed such horrid Abominations under a veil of Purity and Sanctity it was not to be doubted but God would revenge that Blasphemy That therefore they ought to fight valiantly against them as against notorious Robbers in defence of the publick Peace their own private Fortunes and Estates Wives and Children That the cause of the War was most just and that they would never have taken up Arms if they had not known it to be acceptable Service to God who put the Sword into the hands of Magistrates not that they should Rob others but defend their Subjects from unjust Force Robbery and Oppression This Speech being made they charged the Enemy and first played upon them with their great Guns but the poor Wretches stood like Men amazed and out of their senses neither defending themselves nor flying for it but singing that Dutch Song wherein the Assistance of the Holy Ghost is implored for most of them trusting to Muncer's Promises expected Aid from Heaven After the great Guns were discharged when they began to break into their Camp and put all they met to the Sword then at length they fled towards Franckhausen but some of them betook themselves to the other side of the Hill and for a short time made Head against a few Horse and skirmished with them in an adjoyning Valley killing one or two of them For when the Enemy was every where put to flight the Horse dispersed themselves to follow the pursuit where-ever they saw any running for it But having lost some of their Men as has been said Anger and Revenge made them more eager in pursuing so that they killed about five thousand of the Fugitives Presently after the Battel Franckhausen was taken and therein about Three hundred seized and put to death Muncer had fled into the Town and hid himself in a House not far from the Gate whither a Gentleman accidentally came and his Servant going up to view the House found a Man lying abed in a Garret Having asked who he was if he had fled from the Fight and if he was one of the Rebels he denied and said he had been a long while sick of a Fever and Ague His Purse by chance lay by the Bed which the other snatched up that he might take what was in it and having opened it he found therein a Letter written by Albert Count Mansfield to Muncer wherein he admonished him to desist from his Enterprize and not inflame the Common People into a Rebellion After he had read it he asked him if the Letter were directed to him but he denying the other offered him violence whereupon he begg'd quarter and confessed himself to be Muncer Being therefore taken he was carried Prisoner to George Duke of Saxony and the Langrave who asked him why he had so seduced poor miserable Men To which he answer'd That he had done nothing but his Duty and that the Magistrates who could not endure the Preaching of the Gospel were in that manner to be curbed The Langrave replied and proveâ by Texts of Scripture that Magistrates were to be honoured That all Sedition and Rebellion was prohibited by God and that it was not lawful for Christians to revenge Wrongs by their own private Authority To that he was silent and crying out for pain upon the Rack George Duke of Saxony told him Thou art now said he in pain Muncer but consider on the other hand the slaughter of those poor Wretches who being basely abused by thee have perished to day At which bursting out in laughter he said They would have it so Being afterwards carried to Heldrunghen a Town in the Dominion of Mansfield and there severely tortured he confessed his Design and discovered many of his Accomplices in the Conspiracy The Princes going from Heldrunghen to Mulhausen put a great many of the Rebels to death and among the rest Phifer whom we named before Hither also Muncer was shortly after brought into the Camp who in those streights was mightily dejected and troubled in mind and could not rehearse the Articles of his Creed as is usually done on such occasions but as Henry Duke of Brunswick said it before him However when he was about to die he openly acknowledged his Error and Crime and being invironed with Soldiers exhorted the Princes to shew more Mercy to poor Men which would be a means to prevent the like danger for the future advising them likewise diligently to peruse the Chronicles and Books of Kings that are contained in the Scriptures Having made an end of his Speech his Head was struck off and for an Example set upon a Pole in the open Fields When Muncer as we said before being banished Saxony wandred up and down and that there was a report that he intended to go to Mulhausen Luther being informed of this wrote to the Senate seriously admonishing them not to receive him That he was a seditious Person and designed nothing but Robbery and Violence That it was known what he had attempted at Alstet and Zwikaw That he had Spies and Emissaries who every where crept into the Congregations of Men That they could not be prevailed with so much as to come to a fair Tryal That their Doctrin was not only Seditious but Frivolous also Silly and full of Nonsence which they should therefore carefully avoid for that the cheat of it would shortly be discovered That if they thought it not fit to do so they would at last delay for some time until they might learn what they were to think of them That he gave them that Advice as one who was their Friend and concerned for their Welfare but that if they slighted it and fell afterwards into any calamity he would not be blamed for it who had given them such fair and timely warning That the Senate would do well to ask him who had given him Commission and Power to Preach and from whence he had his Call And that if he named God for his Author that then
determined That for his own part he would in this and in all other Causes of the Empire for the Love and Affection he bore to his Country do what in Duty he ought And that therefore he demanded of them all that every one of them would testifie the like Zeal and Good-will towards the Publick The Princes after deliberation had were of Opinion That Religion should be the first thing debated Four Days after Cardinal Campegius made a Latin Speech to the Princes in presence of the Emperour exhorting them That in the cause of Religion they would obey the Emperour whose Virtue and Piety he much extolled that he also would in the Pope's Name endeavour that all should profess the same Faith and with reconciled Minds undertake a War against the Turk Next the Deputies of Austria represented the great Damages they had sustained from the Turks and demanded Aid After this the Elector of Saxony George Marquess of Brandenburg the Duke of Lunenburg and the Landgrave entreated the Emperour to hear their Confession of Faith that was drawn up in Writing He ordered it to be produced and laid down They again insisted and because it was a matter that concerned their Reputation their Lives and Fortunes and the Salvation of their Souls and because perhaps he had been misinformed in the thing they desired it might be heard The Emperour commanded them to wait upon him next Day at Home but in the mean time desired to have the Writing presently They again with all imaginable importunity urged and entreated that it might be read Nor did they think said they that that would have been denied them since he heard Men of far inferiour Rank about Matters of much less importance But when he would not change his Resolution they desired him to leave the Writing with them until it should be read That being granted they come next Day and in the Assembly of all the States read it in the Emperour 's hearing Afterwards they gave it him in Latin and High-Dutch offering to explain any thing in it that might seem obscure and that if the matter could not perhaps be now determined they did not refuse to submit to a Council so often promised and expected The Emperour who had spent the whole Winter from November to March with the Pope in Bolonia and had lived in the same Palace with him designed wholly if he could to accommodate the Difference about Religion without a Council as knowing that to be most acceptable to Pope Clement whose scope was That if the matter could not be composed by fair means it should be crushed by force of Arms. Wherefore June the twenty sixth he sent for the Deputies of all the Cities to come to his Lodgings and there made Frederick Prince Palatine declare unto them in his Name That in the last Dyet of Spire a Decree had been made which was obeyed by most much to his Satisfaction but that some others had rejected the same which he took very ill at their Hands That therefore he required them not to separate from the rest or else to give their Reasons why they did not comply To this the Deputies of the Protestant Cities made answer That they had done nothing undutifully nor were they less desirous than any of their Ancestors had ever been to testifie all Loyalty and Obedience to his Imperial Majesty but that since he demanded to know the Reasons why they had not admitted of the Decree they desired time to deliberate Afterwards on the seventh of July they gave their Answer in Writing much to the same effect as they had done the Year before when as we said they sent Ambassadours to him into Italy Unto which Embassie and the Reasons there alledged they also referred themselves Two Days after the Emperour caused the Question to be put to the Elector of Saxony and his Associates Whether or not they would exhibit any thing more They said no only resumed in few Words the summ of the Confession of Faith already delivered Afterwards he commanded the Deputies of the Cities who pretended That in Conscience they could not obey the Decree of Spire to give in Writing those Heads which they scrupled at and delivered the Duke of Saxony's Confession to the rest of the Princes to be examined by them who presently gave it to their Divines of whom the chief of all were John Faber and Eckius These battered it with a contrary Writing and Confutation which being read over before the Princes some of them judged it to be too sharp and thought fit that some Men should be chosen to peruse the Writings of both Parties and to soften them but their Opinion prevailed who would have it delivered to the Emperour as it was and the whole matter to be committed to him In the mean time the Cities of Strasburg Constance Memmingen and Lindaw delivered a Confession of their Faith to the Emperour also in Writing These as we said before differed in Opinion from the Elector of Saxony and his Associates about the Lord's Supper The Matter being deliberated with the Pope's Legate the Emperour ordered an Answer to be made to the Saxou-Writing which he communicated to the Princes on the first of August The conclusion of it was severe and hard no less than the Ban of the Empire being threatned to those who obeyed not But that was qualified by the Advice of the Princes wherefore August the third he called together all the States and made Frederick Prince Palatine tell them That he had long and much considered the Saxon Confession of Faith and also ordered some Honest and Learned Men to give their Judgment of it What was Orthodox therein and what contrary to the Doctrin and Consent of the Church That they had done so and had given their Judgment in another Writing which he approved Then was the Confutation of the Confession written by the Divines of the contrary Perswasion read and it proceeded in this Method They divided the Saxon-writing into two Parts the first contained one and twenty Chapters of these they had admitted some and rejected others some were admitted in part and in part rejected alledging many Testimonies of Fathers and Councils Among the rejected were these That Good Works are not Meritorious That Justification is attributed to Faith alone and not to Works also That the Church is the Congregation of the Godly That Men cannot make Satisfaction for Sins That the Saints do not make intercession for us Other things they admitted of with certain modification as the Doctrin concerning Ceremonies as also that the real Body and Blood of Christ was so in the Sacrament that Christ was under each Species and that the Bread and Wine were wholly changed The Doctrin about Confession they admitted provided the People were obliged to confess yearly at Easter to declare all their Sins exactly receive the Lord's Supper and believe that there are seven Sacraments in the Church They made a Proviso also That
suffered to enjoy their Religion peaceably until the sitting of a Council they would also contribute Money for the Turkish War. Being therefore sent for next day to appear in Court there was a certain form of Pacification read unto them wherein they only were comprehended who had approved the Decree that was made whereupon a Debate arising and the Deputies alledging it concerned not them or if it did that it ought to have been conceived in clearer terms lest by its ambiguity it might afterward occasion dispute they made answer That they would make report thereof to the Emperour Two days after the Emperour sent for the Deputies of Strasburg and their Associates to come to his Lodgings and in the Assembly of the States ordered the Confutation of their Confession of Faith to be read a prolix and biting Paper especially in that part where it treated of the Lord's Supper The Authors thereof were John Faber and Eckius who having an odious Subject to descant on made use of all the severe Reflections they could that they might incense the Emperour and Princes The upshot of all was That whereas in matters of Religion they professed an Opinion different from all others and approved that most grievous Errour about the Lord's Supper That they had also thrown Images out of the Churches abolished the Mass pulled down Publick and Religious Houses built in former times by the Liberality of Emperours and Kings cherished and promoted several Sects by Books and Pamphlets which they published and dispersed amongst the People all over Germany That therefore he again required them to retract and embrace the Ancient Religion for that otherwise he would certainly do what in Duty he was obliged to do Some time after they made answer That in the Confutation many things were read otherwise than they were contained in their Paper That some things also were so bitterly represented that if true they deserved not only censure but punishment also but that these things were not rightly charged upon them for that no such thing was done within their Cities and if any person whosoever durst break out into the like Licentiousness they would certainly be punished for it That since then they had a clear Conscience that it was a weighty Cause and that the Paper was very long and could not be answered before they had made a Report thereof to their Principals therefore they desired in the first place That a Copy of it might be given to them and then that no Credit should be given to that Charge and Accusation before their Justification were heard and examined That in all other things they were ready to serve his Imperial Majesty to the utmost of their Power The Emperour told them He would consider on 't and five Days after the Elector of Brandenburg made answer in his Name That he could not give them a Copy for that upon weighty considerations the same had been denied to the Duke of Saxony and that all farther Dispute about Religion was prohibited But that if they had a desire to be reconciled and to return again into the Bosom of the Church he would not refuse them the hearing of the Confutation read once or twice more But that he charged them withal That they would profess the same Religion that the other Princes and States did and contribute Aid against the Turk for that unless they would give way and leave off to be so stubborn he would by the Advice of the Pope and other Kings act as it became him After some time granted them for Deliberation they made their Reply in presence of all the States That they had Orders to demand a Copy of what had been objected against their Confession that they might send it home which in their Opinion was done not for more Disputes sake but that if perhaps the Learned Men of the other side should interpret the meaning of their Paper otherwise than it ought or if any Crime might be laid to their Charge they might be in a Readiness to answer and justifie themselves That now since by what they could retain in Memory of the Confutation read they perceived that their Confession was perverted contrary to the Sense and Meaning of their Magistrates and otherwise interpreted than the very Words of it could bear that besides since many horrid things were reckoned up which could in no ways be attributed to them as they had said before they therefore again desired and prayed that they might have a Copy of the Confutation granted them whereby they might be enabled to purge themselves of what was objected against them especially seeing in the close of their Confession they had begged of the Emperour That he would refer this Difference about Religion to the Determination of a Lawful Council of Germany being the only way that had been always lookt upon as the most proper and convenient and that therefore since they were resolved to maintain no errour knowingly nor to be obstinate in any thing they begged again and again that the Cause might be decided by a Free and Holy Council That they would not refuse what should therein be decreed according to the Testimony of Holy Scripture That in the mean time they would serve the Emperour with their Lives and Fortunes and that they had lately acquainted the Deputies of the Cities with their Resolutions as to their contributing Aid and Assistance for the Turkish War which was That if Peace were setled throughout the Empire and security given them for the free Exercise of their Religion until the meeting of a Council they were willing to contribute what in Reason they ought For that the Year before they had liberally given and more too than came to their shares Which being so and that since hitherto they had received no answer they once more most earnestly prayed That Peace might be given to Religion for that otherwise though they might be never so willing yet they would not be able to contribute any thing The Marquess of Brandenburg said That he would make a Report of it to the Emperour In the Afternoon some Commissioners read unto them a Draught of the Pacification wherein they only were comprehended who should receive the Decree as hath been said before of the Duke of Saxony and his Associates They made answer That neither was there a Copy of the Decree given them nor were they comprehended therein so that they could not promise any thing in the Names of their Principals and that since the matter was still left at an uncertainly they expected to know the Emperour's Pleasure therein as they had also declared themselves to the Elector of Brandenburg The Deputies for the State of Strasburg in this Dyet were James Sturmey and Matthias Pharrer and the âormer pleaded the Cause with the Emperour and Princes both in the Name of his own City and also of their Confederates Whilst these Matters were in Debate the Cities of Ausburg Frankford Vlm and Hall declined the Decree
Nurenburg Magdeburg and Vlm did both in their own Names and in the Names of the several Princes and Cities their Allies dispatch Letters of the same purport to both those Princes That they could not but know how of a long time Complaint had been made against Ecclesiastical Corruptions which had often been observ'd and with much Gravity reprehended by many eminent Men and of late for instance by John Gerson in France and John Colet in England That the same thing had of late years happen'd in Germany where a sort of Expiations commonly call'd Indulgences had been carry'd up and down by certain Monks which to the great Reproach of Christianity and the eminent endangering of mens Salvation they every where recommended and in an infamous manner expos'd to sale whereupon they were by some very good and learned Men gently admonished not to do so any more but so far were they from desisting that they flew with great Indignation in the face of their Monitors which put these upon a necessity of undertaking the defence and vindication of the Truth and upon this occasion they were forc'd to inspect and censure several other Practices On the other side the Adversaries who by their impudent Tricks and holy Cheats had given the great occasion of Scandal never rested till they had procur'd this Doctrin which was thus advanc'd against their trifling Impostures to be condemn'd as Impious before any just or legal Cognizance had been taken of it and to the end that they might utterly crush and sink it they had found out ways to render it highly odious both to the Emperor and other Princes But Truth like the Sun displaying it's light made it manifest to all beyond the possibility of denying that many ill things through the depravity of some Men's judgments had crept into the Church That the States of the Empire had in the first Diet which the Emperor held at Wormes exhibited many things by way of Petition which they said ought of necessity to be redress'd Afterwards when the matter had along time been debated in several other Conventions of the Empire between the States and the Emperor's Embassadors it was adjudg'd by the unanimous consent of all That the best and most expeditious way of ending the Controversie would be by a free Council of the Christian World. That the Emperor too was well pleas'd with this Method as soon as he knew of it and from that time the matter under deliberation was the time and place for holding the Council as may appear from the Decrees that then were made But when the Emperor was come from Spain through Italy into Germany his whole endeavour at the Diet of Auspurg was that the matter might be taken up without a Council which they believ'd he did with a good intent and therefore they made a publick recitation of their Confession in that Assembly which they presented to him and offer'd if there should be occasion a farther Explication of it That soon after a Writing was recited in answer to this their Confession of which when they requested a Copy from the Emperor they could not obtain it but upon such a condition as might have prov'd dangerous and ensnaring unto them After this there were some chosen out of the whole number to be as it were Umpires and Arbitrators in the Case but neither could they so agree although 't was profess'd on their side that they would do any thing that might be done with a safe Conscience Then were there some Proposals made by the Emperor to be observ'd till the time that a Council might be call'd but of such a nature that they could not comply with them without offending God and injuring their own Consciences But when after all a very harsh Edict had been set forth by the Emperor they were then of necessity constrain'd to Appeal to a free Religious Council And altho this be the true state of the Case this the present condition of Affairs altho they desire nothing more than that their Cause may be fairly heard and known yet they are inform'd that their Adversaries make it their sole business to exasperate the Emperor and other Princes against them by scandalous Reports that several Opinions unjustly imputed to them are scatter'd up and down such as are not only dissonant from Holy Writ but ev'n from common sense such as should any one endeavour to propagate within their Dominions he would not escape unpunish'd Again how great the dangers are wherewith they are threatned upon the score of their Profession there is no body but plainly sees in which certainly they would never involve themselves were they not assured that this their Doctrin is agreeable to the Word of God and therefore to be adher'd to for the Glory of his holy Name Tho on the other side their Adversaries did insinuate with Strangers that they did not imbrace this kind of Doctrin upon any religious account but only for an opportunity of invading the Goods of the Church but that this Calumny had already been answer'd in the former Diets and would still be more particularly refuted in a general Council In the mean time wise and judicious Men upon comparing their dangers and advantages together might easily see that this Charge is no less absurd and ridiculous than 't is cruel and malicious For is it possible that there should be any Church Possessions within their Territories so great that for their sakes they should so evidently hazard their Reputation and Honour their Wives and Children their Lives and Estates Can there be any advantages so dear and charming to which they would not mightily prefer the Favour of the Emperor and such glorious Kings as themselves Certain it is that their Ancestors and fore-Fathers had not only liv'd in Splendor at home but also help'd to sustain the Publick Charge without laying hands upon consecrated Goods nay they erected and liberally endow'd several new Churches as likewise enrich'd and beautify'd the old ones As to the Ecclesiastical Possessions within their Dominions they are but moderate and though they are necessary for the Support of those Ministers who are appointed for the Instruction of the People and whose annual Incomes are now grown very slender yet do they not refuse if a Council shall judge it fit to have them converted to other pious Uses provided it be such a Council where prejudice and partiality do not prevail But this above all is the foulest Scandal this the highest and most dangerous Charge that the Doctrine which they profess tends to the subversion of Magistrates and to the enervating the force of Laws but to this Accusation an Answer was given in that Writing which they exhibited and recited at Auspurg Nay this moreover may be said that the learned Men of these times have done more towards the adorning of Magistracy and maintaining the Dignity of Laws than any former Age hath done for they made it their business so to instruct and
form the minds of Men that the Magistrate himself might clearly understand his station and condition of life to be highly acceptable to God and the People on the other part might be sensible that Honour and Obedience to the Magistrate was required from them by the Law of God who would not hold him guiltless who should offer Contempt to the Power ordained by Him. Besides since they themselves by the Divine bounty are appointed Governors over others what a madness must it be for them to tolerate such a Doctrine as would let loose the reigns upon the necks of Men dissolve their Obedience and arm the People against themselves What their present sense is of the Governors of the Church they have manifestly declar'd in the foresaid Writing viz. That they are convinc'd of the legality of administring Ecclesiastical Affairs and that the Ministry of the Word or the Power of the Keys is entertain'd by them with the greatest Veneration And now since they understand themselves to be loaded with these and such like Imputations and being sensible how much it would be for the Publick Interest that they who are Princes of so great prudence and authority should have a right and regular understanding of the Cause they were therefore willing for the better clearing of themselves to acquaint them throughly with these things in writing and humbly to intreat them that they would not give Credit to those Calumnies nor entertain any sinister opinion of them but that they would keep themselves unprejudic'd till they have an opportunity given them publickly to clear themselves which is the thing they most earnestly desire They likewise beseech them to use their Interest with the Emperor that since the greatness of the Cause and the good of the whole Church requires it he would convene a free and religious Council in Germany as soon as may be and that he would not determine too severely against them till the matter was legally debated and decided For that hitherto they had always faithfully discharg'd their Duty to the Empire and that 't is neither out of covetousness nor petulancy but for the Glory of God and in Obedience to his Commands that they now make Profession of this Doctrine for which they are call'd in question And this 't is that gives them the greater hopes that their Requests will not be rejected by them For it must needs highly redound to their Honour if by their Authority and Interposition they could so bring it about that these Controversies might not be decided by the Sword but that a right Judgment might be made of things that so these Distempers might be healed and the Churches reconcil'd and no violence offer'd to the Consciences of Men. Lastly they should esteem it a very signal Favour if they would let them understand by Letters their Pleasure in this Affair In the month of February the Elector of Saxony summon'd all his Allies to make their Appearance at Smalcalde on the 29th day of March there to concert about making a Defence against any Hostile attempt that might be made These were those Princes and Cities we before mention'd but the Duke of Saxony being himself ill sent thither his Son John Frederick In the former Convention it was agreed upon to solicite Frederick King of Denmark together with the Saxon and Martime Cities concerning the League Therefore now at their second meeting that Transaction is reported together with what Answer each of them did make The Dane reply'd That truly the Doctrine of the Gospel was very dear unto him but that he had in his Kingdom many Bishops who were very powerful as well in Wealth as in their dependencies and conjunction with the Nobility and therefore it would not be safe for him to enter into the League as King but however he refus'd not to do it in right of those his Provinces which held of the Empire Henry of Mecklenburg excus'd himself upon the account that his Embassadors had subscrib'd the Augustane Decree however he promis'd that he would not be their Enemy Bernin Prince of Pomerania said That he was not at all averse but that the chief management of affairs was yet wholly in the hands of his elder Brother The Lubeckers did not decline it but said it ought to be consider'd that they had been at vast Expences in the War and if Christiern King of Denmark who was driven from his Kingdom should attempt any thing they desired to know what Assistance they might expect from them The Lunenburgers declar'd That they would do whatever should seem good to Ernestus their Prince The next things that fell under their deliberation were the procuring of Votes for the speedy raising of Forces the Contribution of mony for the keeping up those Forces the choice of Commanders and the admitting those into the League which were willing to come in the appointment likewise of Proctors and Advocates who might answer for them in Court if any Suit should arise in the Exchequer either by the Command of the Emperor or the Solicitation of others To this branch of the defence George Duke of Brandenburg together with the Cities of Nuremburg Camin and Heilsburg do make themselves Parties though the League it self they refus'd It was farther decreed That all notorious Enormities should be severely punish'd in each of their Dominions But before they enter'd into the League not only the Lawyers but Divines also were admitted into the Consult It had indeed been always the Doctrine of Luther That Magistrates ought not to be resisted and upon this Subject there was a Book of his Extant But when the Learned in the Law had in this Consult declar'd That Resistance is sometimes permitted by the Laws and had shewn that the present State of affairs was such as the Laws in relation to that case do particularly mention Luther ingenuously confess'd that indeed he had been ignorant of this Legality But now since the Gospel according to his constant Doctrine does not militate against nor abolish political Laws and since things might so fall out in these perilous and difficult times that not only the Law it self but also necessity of Conscience might call upon them to Arm he therefore pronounces that they may justly make a League in their own defence if either the Emperor himself or any body else in his Name should make War upon them He likewise publishes a Writing wherein he expresses how obstinate the Papists had been in the Diet of Auspurg and then strictly charges all Men not to yield Obedience to those Magistrates that should command their assistance in such a War. And having ript up the many grievous Errors of the Popish Doctrines he tells them that whoever list themselves on that side do take up Arms in defence of those Errors and this he saies is highly wicked and sinful Having therefore shewn them how much the minds of Men were in these daies enlightned by the knowledge of the Gospel he exhorts them to
17th day of April what 't is they desire and expect from the Emperor in relation to that Affair requesting that King Ferdinand would wave his design and not carry himself as King of the Romans But if the Emperor shall think that he has occasion for a Coadjutor that then being assisted by the sense and counsel of the Electoral Princes he should Interpret the Caroline Law and by his Edict give it a perpetual Sanction which according to the rules of Justice ought to run to this purpose viz. That hereafter no King of the Romans be chosen during the life of the Emperor unless first the Electors and six other Princes of the Empire shall judge it fit to be done And when it shall plainly appear to them that 't is for the advantage of the Publick then the Elector of Mentz shall Summon his Colleagues together with the other six Princes to some convenient place there to deliberate further about the Affair and when they have throughly weigh'd and discuss'd the Matter then the Electoral Princes alone with the addition of the King of Bohemia shall have the Power of creating a King That the King of the Romans thus chosen while the Emperor is alive shall not manage the Publick Administration in his own Name but in the Emperor's nor shall he arrogate any Power or Dominion to himself That the Princes and States of the Empire shall not be bound in any Oath or Promise unto him till after the death of the Emperor Upon the creation of a new King there shall no Oath be taken but according to the tenour of the Caroline Law nor shall it be in the Power of the Electors to alter that Form And whoever shall be convicted of acting contrary to that Oath or shall be under a violent suspicion of so doing and yet not be able to clear him he shall be depriv'd of his Electoral right for ever Moreover for the avoiding of Prescription three Kings shall not be successively created out of the same Family and no Man shall be created King of the Romans who does not descend from some Family of the Princes of Germany That neither the Emperor nor the King of the Romans shall endeavour to alter what the Caroline Law has ratify'd about the creation of a King. When the Electors shall see it convenient to create a King they shall be under no necessity of giving notice before-hand to the Emperor nor may he in that Case issue out his Orders to the Elector of Mentz to Convene the rest of the Electors but when they shall appear just and substantial Reasons for the Creation of a King during the life of the Emperor then the Archbishop of Mentz shall Summon in his Colleagues to appear at Franckfort upon an appointed day nor shall it be in his Power to appoint any other place for their Meeting unless the Colleagues shall for weighty Reasons allow of it The Elector of Mentz may not without the consent of his Colleagues demand the Crown and Scepter and other Imperial Ensigns from the City of Nuremburg Nor shall he cut off any thing from that in three months space which is allowed to the Princes for their meeting together after they are Summon'd for it might prove much to the prejudice of the Publick should the streightness of time occasion the absence of one or two of them While the Electors are upon their Consultation at Franckfort every body else shall be excluded If any Breach shall be made in these Conditions then the Electors shall not be oblig'd to appear there or to make any stay and whatsoever shall there be transacted by them shall be accounted void Neither the Emperor nor the King of the Romans shall suffer the Arms of the Electors to be display'd in Italy France or other foreign Parts or their proper Offices to be supply'd but by themselves or their Embassadors The King of the Romans shall not accept his final Inauguration but in the presence of the Electors or their Embassadors Neither the Emperor nor the King may hinder the Embassadors of Foreign Kings and Princes from coming to the Imperial Diets and there propounding their business for this is not only consonant to the Law of Nations but is also full of Humanity and Civility Neither the Emperor nor the King of the Romans shall assume to himself any peculiar Power of judging in such Causes as may be depending between the Princes of the Empire but shall suffer them to be legally try'd in the place where they ought That the Emperor be careful to Maintain those things which concern the Glory Honour and Safety of the Princes and the Empire and which he has faithfully promis'd to observe and that he rectifie whatever has been acted otherwise and that it be provided by a Law That whoever is King of the Romans he shall observe the same things If the Emperor will explain and confirm the Caroline Law in this sense the Duke of Saxony promises that he will not be wanting to his Duty whenever the Good of the Publick shall require such a Consultation but if the mediating Princes cannot obtain this of the Emperor he will not however decline a legal Trial provided that King Ferdinand does not in the mean time assume to himself or Usurp the administration of the Affairs of the Empire or any other Authority especially over them or over the two Brothers William and Lewis Princes of Bavaria But if they cannot obtain so much as this then their Request is That the Emperor would be pleas'd to give them a publick Audience in an Assembly of the Princes and other States where they will demonstrate upon what just and weighty Reasons it is that they cannot approve of this Election And now since they understand that they have upon the account of this their non-compliance incurr'd the suspicion of Rebellion not only with the Emperor but also among Foreign Kings and People they therefore earnestly desire that the Emperor would not take it amiss if they make known the reasons of this their action to all Men not only through Germany but also beyond the Limits of the Empire for this they find 't is but necessary for them to do Among other things it has been said That the Electors are to swear according to the tenour of Charles the Fourth his Law. Now the thing is thus When they are come to Franckfort having perform'd their Devotion they go up to the Altar and laying their hands upon a consecrated Book as they call it they in a set Form of words most religiously swear by that Faith which they owe both to God and the Empire that they will choose such a chief Magistrate of the Christian Commonwealth as they think to be worthy of so great a Charge and who is every way fit and qualify'd for it as far as the best of their skill and understanding will give them leave to judge and that this they do without the prepossession
orderly determin'd and such a Council too the Emperor has formerly promis'd and it has been decreed upon weighty deliberation in many Diets of the Empire that the same should be call'd together in Germany For the Fountain from whence these Dissentions have been deriv'd was the overgrown Impudence of some Men who preach'd up things here call'd Indulgencies At which time likewise certain egregious Errors such as could not be dissembled were detected and expos'd And though Pope Leo condemn'd this Doctrin which laid open those Errors yet to this his condemnation they confronted the Testimonies of the Prophets and Apostles Wherefore they always thought a Council to be highly necessary wherein they might come again to a right understanding of the Cause that is wherein it might be made plainly appear what is Truth and what is Error And this was not only their own sense but also the judgment of all the other Princes and States because they plainly saw and confess'd that many things had crept into Religion which ought either to be taken away or reform'd and because they well knew what it was that Men did wish for and what was requisite for the Publick Good. But when the Pope had condemn'd this their Doctrin Decrees were made in the Imperial Diets in these very words viz. That a free and Christian Council should be conven'd either of all Nations in general or else of the German Empire only And the reason that they were conceiv'd in these very words was that the Cause might not be prejudg'd or over-rul'd either by the foresaid Sentence of the Pope or by the force and power of any Man whatever And that Judgment might be made of the whole Controversie not from the Pontificial Laws or the Opinions of the Schools but from the Holy Scriptures For if any Man's authority be so great as to overballance the Holy Scriptures and right reason who can doubt but that all their pains and endeavours will be in vain when plac'd in opposition to the Pope For 't is well enough known what Progress has been made that way in some past Councils where a Reformation indeed has been set on foot but by the Interposition of the Popes has still been wholly set aside It has therefore been for very weighty Reasons decreed that a Council should be held in Germany and this has likewise been approv'd of by the Emperor But these Proposals of the Pope do altogether run counter to the Decrees of the Empire which have pass'd the Seals both of the Princes and the Emperor For though he speaks of a Free Council yet who can doubt but that he has quite another Prospect since his great Endeavours are to bring over Kings and Princes to his side For was he willing it should be Free to what purpose would these Engagements be But since he is so very industrious this way 't is manifest that his design must be this to keep up and maintain his Power and Tyranny by the Authority of a Council that so no body may dare to reprehend these Errors and Corruptions or if any one be so hardy he may pay very soundly for it What others will do they cannot tell but their opinion is that these his Proposals are of such a nature and so contriv'd that they are apt to deter Men from a Council rather then invite them to it For who will ingage himself at this rate especially when it does not yet appear what is like to be the Order form Method of the Council When it is not yet known whether the Pope will not set up his own Authority as Supream there and whether he is willing the Controversie should be discuss'd according to the Holy Scriptures or according to those Traditions and Canons which are not confirm'd by any Testimonies from Scripture The Freedom of the Council is likewise in danger from that expression of his That it shall be manag'd after the ancient and received manner Now though they do not in the least reject those Decrees of ancient Councils which are consonant to the Holy Scriptures Yet they think that there is a vast difference between those Councils and these which have been held within their own Memory or somewhat before wherein the Pope and Humane Decrees have been advanc'd to an extravagant Pitch Therefore when he saies it shall be held after the wonted manner it is a captious expression and may include that there shall not be such a freedom of Votes as they desire and the Cause it self requires but that Judgment shall be giv'n according to his own Laws and that Power which he has arrogated to himself as it has been done in some of the last Council But such proceedings as these are so far from reconciling the Churches and extricating doubtful and afflicted Consciences that they will rather involve them in thicker Darkness and plunge them into a deeper Slavery Since therefore the Pope has not yet answer'd the desire of the Emperor and the other States their earnest Request is that the Emperor would consider the vastness of the Cause wherein the whole Christian Commonwealth is concern'd and endeavour that it may be justly and legally manag'd For this is his proper Province and he has Power by the Laws to do it whenever Truth shall be obstructed by the Pope For care is to be taken that he may not be both Party and Judge at the same time Besides all People are set on tiptoes with the hopes of this Council and 't is the Subject of their most eager wishes and prayers that they may at last be deliver'd from the doubts and anguish of an afflicted Conscience and be set into the right way to Salvation For there have not been for many Ages such struglings about such momentous Affairs as there are now the occasion of which are those numerous Errors and Corruptions which long before our time have broke into the Church Now if the general expectation shall be thus made frustrate and such a Council as has formerly been promis'd cannot be obtain'd we may easily imagine what a surprising sorrow and affliction it will strike upon the minds of Men. Moreover if the Pope shall refuse to come to a fair Judgment of things it is much to be fear'd that both the Church and State will be agitated with more dangerous Tempests than ever But since all the States of the Empire have in all their Diets decreed for a regular Council they cannot doubt but they will stick to their Principles and kick in pieces those Snares which the Pope is preparing for them They likewise expect the same things from the other Princes For this Engagement which is now working is altogether full of trick and design and 't is impossible that Men should ever make a true and right judgment of things unless all their minds be kept free and unbiass'd But if he be resolv'd to go on and to have a Council after his own way they will then commit the whole Affair to God
For what danger can there be in Germany where all the Princes and Cities acknowledge the Emperor's Authority where the Towns are so well Govern'd that Strangers are secur'd from all Affronts and us'd with all the Civility imaginable As for his saying that those who came to the Council should have as much satisfaction of the Pope in their safe Conduct as was customary to receive and in his Power to give They said they did not well understand the meaning of this Period especially when they reflected upon the Practises of the last Age Christendom they were sure had need of a free and religious Council and to such an one they had formerly appeal'd But now since he declares the Form and Method is not to be stated before-hand and gives broad hints as if the setling of this Point belonged to the Pope they cannot imagine that there is likely to be any liberty there Two years since Clement the Seventh made them a Promise of a Council but clog'd it with ensnaring Conditions And now the main Point that is the setling the Freedom of the Council and the Form and Method of Voting is partly omitted out of design and partly given up to the Pope wherein he affirms to have a Right to intimate Councils and preside in them Now the Pope who hath condemn'd their Religion so often is no less than a down-right Adversary but if he who is an Adversary is allow'd to be a Judge too then the Council can never be free To put it into a right Form there ought to be certain unexceptionable Persons chosen out of the whole Company with the consent of the Emperor and other Kings and Princes and the Controversie refer'd to this Committee to be examin'd and determin'd by them according to the Rule of God's Word For Councils are not the Pope's Court only but others also in publick and elevated stations in a Christian-Commonwealth have an Interest in them For it 's easie to demonstrate both from the Scriptures and the practise of the Primitive Church that formerly Princes and other Persons of Quality were concern'd in the Debates of Councils But to prefer the Pope's Power to the Authority of the Universal Church is an unreasonable and tyrannical Assertion The Emperor therefore and the rest of the States are oblig'd to insist upon their Priviledge in Councils and make choice of proper Persons especially in the present case where the Corruptions of the Bishops of Rome their false Doctrin and unlawful Worship is oppos'd for this is no more than what the Canon-Law it self alloweth And since all Christendom both Church and State are concern'd in this Affair it behoveth the Emperor and other Princes to take care that the Controversie may be fairly determined Formerly several Bishops have been condemn'd by their own Diocess and so have Popes by the Emperor and the Church for persisting in their Errors But at this time of day there was a warm Contest about a great many weighty Points which the Pope does not maintain only by force of Argument but by ungodly and sanguinary Bulls and punishes those with the utmost severity who refuse to obey him Therefore since He is an Adversary and a Party in the Cause depending the universal Church the Emperor and other Princes ought in all Justice to interpose their Authority and prescribe the Laws of Disputation and Voting They now therefore repeat the same request they have always made that the Controversie may be managed without design and a just liberty reserv'd for defence for this is both equitable in its self and likewise agreeable to the Holy Scriptures and the proceedings of the ancient Church If the Differences between them are examined with this Order and Integrity they will assist the Council as far as lies in their Power and have great hopes that Truth will be discover'd this way the Glory of our Saviour promoted and the Church re-establish'd in her former Tranquility But if things are otherwise carry'd there is no question but much greater Disturbances will follow In short they would never omit any opportunity to serve the common Interest of Christendom and as they could not depart from the true Religion so in all other cases they would make it their business to promote an Accommodation The French King who was now resolv'd to march an Army into Italy sent William Bellay Seigneur of Langey Embassador to this Convention at Smalcade This Gentleman had his Audience upon the 19th of December And first he excuses the King in reference to the late Severities 'T is true he had punish'd some of his own Subjects but this was no manner of reflection upon them though some ill dispos'd Persons did not stick to say that by executing those Criminals he had as it were condemn'd their Perswasion before-hand But he desires that they would not take any notice of such extravagant Calumnies but examine the whole matter impartially For there was a great many in Germany who were utterly averse to their Opinion and some others did not altogether approve it nay themselves who are now agreed were not always of the same mind His Majesty is very glad that they are come to an uniformity in Doctrin at the last Neither does he question but that their Modesty and Candour is such that they will not offer to prescribe to any Body nor force people into their Religion against their wills His Majesty uses to speak very kindly and obligingly of them and owns that they have determin'd some things most primitively but wishes there had been more temper shewn in other cases For though he is sensible that Negligence Superstition and a long succession of Ages have given occasion to the bringing of several insignificant and needless Ceremonies into the Church yet he does not understand why they should all be abolish'd upon this account without distinction or publick Authority For Ceremonies add both strength and grandeur to Religion and the Contemners of them have always been punish'd with great severity And since they have joyn'd so unanimously in the suppression of the Boars Insurrection since they restrain and chastise the Anabaptists since they are unwilling to be thought to do any thing without a cause why are they not so kind as to entertain the same opinion of a Prince who is their Friend why do they not suppose that He had very pressing Reasons and absolute necessity to punish those Subjects of his though possibly some of them were none of the greatest Malectors what their Crimes were is not proper to relate in this place For oftentimes it is not convenient to assign the reason publickly why things are done and Punishments are sometimes abated sometimes more rigorously executed according to the nature of the Times Now his Majesty who hath so large a Dominion to Govern is oblig'd to have a regard to the future as well as the present and was to take care that his Clemency did not encourage a great many others to grow wicked
For though he was bred and born to nothing but Gentleness and good Nature yet he was constrain'd for some time to put a force upon his Temper and act disagreeably to his Inclinations And as he was willing to hear Men discourse upon any Subject so he could not choose but be displeas'd with those who attempt any rash Alterations without consulting their Superiors whose right it is to Determine Besides those whom he had done Justice upon were of a quite different Perswasion from them Now as to their Religion the King is of opinion that whatever they have done in that was agreed by common consent but how justifiable their Tenents were he should not examine For in cases of that difficulty he was not willing to pretend to be a better Judge than others but believed there were some things to be approved and disapproved in both Communions For the nature of Man is such that if he is once allow'd to pronounce upon his own Sentiments he is in danger of falling into Error and Mistake Afterwards he endeavours to gain their good opinion more directly and confutes those Persons who say that the Germans ought to take care how they hold any Correspondence with foreign Embassadors maintaining that there was great disadvantage and slavery at the bottom of this advice For no State is so well fortify'd in it self as to be able to subsist and flourish for any considerable time without the Friendship and Alliance of its Neighbours Now there hath been a very ancient and intimate Correspondence between the Kings of France and the Princes of the Empire for both Nations are descended from the same Original and by reason of their situation and nearness they may be both a Guard and an Ornament to each other Therefore his Majesty is very much troubled when he hears of any Misunderstandings among the Germans and endeavours to his Power to make up the Breach And has often been afraid lest this disagreement in Religion should have some unfortunate consequence And since he now understands they have form'd an Association to defend their Priviledges and Honour not excluding those of a different Perswasion he hath great hopes that this Expedient will open a way for the reconciling of Opinions Being therefore acquainted with these Occurrences he was willing to send his Embassador to let them know his sense in the Case Now in regard the present State of Affairs is such that a free and general Council cannot be conven'd as yet The King thinks it most proper that all the Germans should meet in the mean time and by joynt consent pitch upon some Method for an Accommodation which may easily be effected provided things are not manag'd with obstinacy and Men do not account it a discredit to change their opinions upon Conviction and to yield to better Information If they proceed in this manner his Majesty will joyn with them and assist them in this Undertaking For the present Pope himself confess'd when the Case was moved to him by the King that Humane Traditions are not to be so rigidly insisted on but that they may be set aside when the exigency of the Times and the Peace of Christendom require it and declar'd that if the Controversie was regularly and fairly debated he would yield a great many things in compliance with the present Conjuncture and to promote a general Agreement Now if they are desirous that some learned French Divines should be present at this Conference or if they please to send any of their own Clergy into France upon this account his Majesty will be extreamly satisfy'd with it and leaves it wholly to themselves to do as they think convenient In fine he desires them that they would live amicably together and fortifie their Interest by keeping up a good Correspondence among themselves for this besides other advantages would contribute to the peace of their Country And as for his Majesty he would not assist their Enemies either with Supplies or Advice as long as they continued the same affection to him which they had hitherto shew'd In the beginning of this Book I observ'd that the Judges of the Chamber of Spire prosecuted the Protestants contrary to the Emperor's Edict The case was this These Judges were most of them Roman Catholicks and being address'd to for Justice by the Ecclesiasticks after the Emperor was return'd into Italy from the War in Austria who complain'd of the Protestants They order'd a Suit to be commenc'd against them And though the Protestants put in their Exceptions and alledg'd that the Cause was of an Ecclesiastical nature and consequently included in the Emperor's Edict who has barr'd all Process relating to Religion yet they over-rul'd these Allegations and went on in their way The Protestants therefore wrote into Italy to the Emperor complaining how they were disturb'd and procure another Mandate from him Upon this the Judges send the Emperor word that they were at a loss how to act and how to obey his Majesties Commands For the Parties often contested the nature of the Causes whether they belonged to Religion or not therefore they desire to know his Majesties Pleasure in this Case The Emperor answers their Request and gives them Authority to determine whether the Causes which come before them relate to Religion or not Being thus fortify'd they proceed briskly not only interposing in mixt Causes but in those which were purely Spiritual for besides Restitution to the Ecclesiasticks they command the Mass and all the Ceremonies and Worship of the Roman Church to be set up again Now while these things were doing it happen'd that the Elector of Saxony had occasion to go to Cadan to King Ferdinand about some other business where he complain'd how himself and his Confederates were us'd and after they had agreed those other Points which I have mention'd Ferdinand confirm'd the Imperial Edict and commanded the Pacification to be observ'd and order'd the Chamber to forbear all Prosecutions But they took no notice of this Order The Protestants therefore solemnly protested against the Jurisdiction of their Court assigning the Reasons they had to look upon them as Adversaries and refer the Dispute to Henry of Megelburg Robert Duke of Bavaria Christiern Duke of Holstein George Duke of Wirtemburg to the Senate of Auspurg and Wormes or to any other indifferent Arbitrators to determine whether the grounds of their Recusation were reasonable or not For things were come to that pass that their Council durst not speak out nor plead their Cause home for fear of disobliging the Court and coming into trouble But the Judges set aside this Recusation and declar'd it null and void as being contrary to the Laws and Customs of the Empire Afterwards the Elector of Saxony came to Vienna to King Ferdinand as hath been already related where he got a new Order against the Chamber but all to no purpose as shall be shewn in its place And because the Pacification granted by the Emperor
Nuremburgh Hall and Hailbrun but being not Confederates they did not concern themselves in the other points When the Protestants had deliver'd themselves to this effect Eldo return'd them an Answer ex tempore where after he had enlarged himself again upon the Emperor's kind Inclinations towards them and concerning the French King his conspiring with the Turk to ruine Christendom he came to the business of the Chamber That no Man was to be prosecuted there for any thing relating to Religion he granted was undeniable But then the Pinch of the Controversie was what matters ought to be comprehended under this notion and what not for those Causes which they call'd Religious others believ'd to be of a civil and secular nature and it was very unjust in them to be unwilling to have the Point argu'd and not to hear the reasons and defence of the other side It 's possible they might mention some Causes to the Princes of the Mediation at Nuremburgh and threw them into the Classis of Religion but then the Emperor did not receive them as such because he did not perfectly understand under what denomination they were to pass Nay possibly those very Princes had not then any exact knowledge of the nature of the Causes nor have at present but only as they are inform'd by those who are concerned in the Dispute who will be sure to say nothing to their own disadvantage Now it 's agreeable to the Municipal Laws to Equity and the holy Scriptures that in all Disputes both Parties should have a sufficient Hearing and that no Sentence should be pronounced upon the Information of one side though the Allegations should be never so true Therefore the Emperor in referring this Debate to the Imperial Chamber had done nothing but what became a Person in his place His Majesty being of opinion that if the Reasons of the Protestants Proceedings were so weighty as they pretended they ought to be brought into view and made publick This was the way to clear the Controversie about the Preliminary Points and to satisfie all Parties what Causes were to be referr'd to the Council and what not And also whether those who had lost their Goods and Estates were to have Restitution made them neither did the Emperor believe the Judges would do any thing in this matter contrary to their Duty and solemn Obligations of this they had given his Majesty an assurance in their Letters intimating that they had not in the least concern'd themselves with any Causes relating to Religion which account they also wrote to himself and added particularly concerning the Hamburgers that all the while the Suit was depending between them and their Ecclesiasticks they did not so much as make the least mention of Religion but when Judgment was given against them and was ready to be executed then they began to insist upon it besides the Judges are willing to give an account of their Proceedings which ought to content them especially since he so lately acquainted them that the Emperor intends to give them Satisfaction as soon as he is assur'd that the Chamber has done them any Injury For his Majesty resolves not only to make good the Damages they have sustain'd but all Causes which appear to have been illegally decided shall be heard over again and all unjust Verdicts set aside and revers'd and for his part he declares he cannot apprehend what the Emperor can or ought to do more than this And whereas they alledge that those who refuse to be of their Religion ought not to be repossess'd of their Estates he does not see any manner of Equity in that Plea for we are not to pronounce in these cases till both Parties have had a Hearing in a legal way For they could not be ignorant that no Law gives any Man the liberty to rob another for the sake of Religion or upon any other account therefore he could not admire this method of proceeding let the Practisers of it be who they would Now to prevent such arbitrary and unaccountable Courses as these there was a Treaty concluded at Nuremburgh upon certain conditions and afterwards by the Emperor's Edict there was a general Peace setled and proclaim'd through the whole Empire And to speak truth it was his opinion that the business of Religion might be much more easily accommodated if they did not graspe so eagerly at the Temporalties Now these secular Advantages ought not to be so highly valu'd in the present Affair especially considering the Gospel prescribes us other Measures and teaches us to set our thoughts and inclinations upon other designs Their saying that either the dispute of the Hamburgers related to Religion or none can was very surprizing to him when there are a great many other Causes which the Chamber hath a right to take Cognizance of both by the Constitution of the Laws and by Vertue of that Edict which the Emperor set forth at Wormes but his Majesty out of a singular kindness to them had order'd the Process of them all to be stopped And since the Emperor will do nothing contrary to what he hath agreed to and expects the same exactness from them he desires they would give him a Categorical answer to this question As to their personal Objections against the Chamber he lately told them those Judges were chosen out of the heart of Germany and though there were very few of the Bench of their Perswasion yet it was not probable Justice would be less impartially administred upon that account because the Judges had no power to act Arbitrarily but were tied up to Rule and bound by Oath to give Sentence according to the Laws and Customs of the Empire which method was constantly observ'd when he was one of their number But let this matter be as it will if they have offended they will be sure to be punish'd neither does he pretend to justifie or excuse them indeed they did not desire he should but are willing to submit their whole Proceedings to Examination Now concerning those who came into their League and Religion afterwards he had lately acquainted them that the Emperor had yet receiv'd no certain account of that matter and his Majesty conceiv'd that those who were not expresly comprehended in the Pacification at Nuremburgh were bound to observe the precedent Laws of the Empire and wait for the determination of the Council And whereas they say that some of their late Confederates made no promises at all some reserv'd themselves a liberty in this point by private Treaties and others thought they did engage it was upon an assurance that a Council would be call'd in a short time whatever the truth of these Allegations may be he does not intend to examine at present but yet as to those who pretend a private Agreement he dares adventure to give them an answer on the Emperors's behalf if they can produce an Instance of any such thing For he could not believe that the Emperor had ever
almost the same minute went and made Luther a visit who lay very ill of the Stone which disrespect the Embassador might see if he pleas'd out of his own Lodgings Before the Bishop of Aix went upon his Employ Vergerius by the Popes Command acquainted him with the State of Germany and how he was to make his Court and salute every Person The fourth day after being the last of February the Protestants gave in their answer to Eldo That they did not question but that the Emperor would stand to the Pacification which he had engag'd himself to do several times both in his publick and private Letters but the Chamber of Spire and himself also in his Speech had advanced such an Interpretation which would not only render that Treaty less intelligible but perfectly void it and make it insignificant For the drift of his Discourse is to prove that only those Matters and Disputes are to be referr'd to Religion which are comprehended in the Edict at Wormes and in some other Decrees of the Empire and not those which are risen since and concern private Persons though they were expresly mention'd at Nuremburgh to the Princes of the Mediation but the Design of this Treaty was quite different from what his Excellency pretends For notwithstanding by the Instigation of Pope Leo the 10th the Emperor happen'd to publish his Edict at Wormes at a time when the true Faith was understood but by a very few yet afterwards that Edict as far as it related to them was suspended by several Decrees of the Empire more particularly in the Diet at Spire about eleven years since where it was agreed That the whole Controversie should be referr'd to a Council with the addition of this remarkable Clause that in the mean time all Magistrates in their respective Jurisdictions should discharge their Office in such a manner as they might be able to give a good account of their actions to God and the Emperor from whence it plainly appears that the foremention'd Edict was laid asleep so that they had no occasion to insist upon a new suspension of it at Nuremburgh For why were all Debates remitted to a lawful Council if the Edict of Wormes was always to be in force or if their Religion had always been accounted condemned But there was a wide difference between the Matter of that Edict and the Pacification at Nuremburgh for the former consider'd nothing but matter of Fact and was design'd for Prosecution the question at that time being only Whether the Edict was violated or not If a breach was prov'd then it 's likely the Chamber if the Decree of the Diet at Spire had not interpos'd might have exercis'd their Jurisdiction as in a secular affair But those things which were the occasion of that Convention and Treaty at Nuremburgh relate to Faith and Religion which beside other Proofs appears plainly from the Emperor's Letters Patents For though the Chamber had no Authority to try any Causes of this nature before yet to prevent Disturbance there was a more comprehensive Provision sign'd at Nuremburgh to make them forbear Besides it appears from the very words of the Emperor's Letters Patents that not only those Disputes which relate to matters of meer Religion were comprehended in the Treaty at Nuremburgh but all others also which are occasioned by the Change of Rites and Ceremonies and arise from Causes of a resembling nature Farther all Agreements are to be interpreted with respect to the circumstances of the thing which was the ground of the Controversie Now from the time of the Decree at Spire till the Treaty at Nuremburgh they do not remember that any of their Partty have been prosecuted or have had the least Disturbance given them by any particular Courts under the Emperor or Princes It 's true the Chamber had usurp'd an Authority in these Matters and commenc'd a Suit against some Persons for changing Religion together with the Rites and Ceremonies as also concerning Property and Estate And when there was a misunderstanding about these things they made express mention of them to the Princes of the Mediation Therefore that Treaty is to be understood to extend not only to those Points which result from the Edict of Wormes but to those also which were controverted at the very time of the Convention For otherwise what made them labour and trouble themselves at the rate they had done why were they at such Expences to remove a Grievance which was already mortifi'd by a solemn Decree of the Empire and from which they had no reason to apprehend the least inconvenience But being afraid the Chamber would occasion a Disorder in the State by commencing of Suits they agreed to a Cessation which can relate to no other Debates but those which were then the Principal Subject of the Controversie and explain'd to the Princes of the Mediation as such And whereas he alledgeth that the Emperor did not know under what Classis those Disputes were to be rang'd this seemeth improbable because that Convention was order'd on purpose to take up those Differences which unless they had been accommodated it was thought some publick Disturbances would have immediately follow'd Neither indeed it is credible that the Princes of the Mediation omitted the sending the Emperor an account of these things or that his Majesty if he disapprov'd any part of them should dissemble his dislike That the Emperor may allow this Liberty for the preservation of Peace is beyond all question and that the Peace cannot continue unless these Terms are granted they have lately prov'd And since by the Laws of the Empire no Man may take away his Neighbours Property therefore they explain'd themselves upon this Point to the Princes of the Mediation at Nuremburgh and declar'd That if the Chamber gave them any trouble for seizing upon the Fortunes of their Monks and Priests who had rejected the Doctrin and Worship of the true Religion they would look upon it as a Force and an Injury And whereas his Excellency thinks it unjust for them not to allow the Chamber to determine the nature of the Cause Whether it is Religious or Secular adding likewise That the more Reasons they had to support their Resolution the more publick they ought to make them They said they had given a sufficient Answer to this Objection before and thought it would have been urg'd no more upon them For though they are not afraid to make their Defence in open Court nay they are very desirous the whole Cause might be tried before equal Judges yet they could not depart from that Order which the Emperor had made in the present Case by which they were not remitted to the Judgment of the Chamber but all Process was stopp'd by his Imperial Prohibition with this Proviso That if any Person acted to the contrary his Majesty or his Embassador was to be acquainted with it As touching the Chamber it was easie for them to answer why they could not admit
Brother George and the Condition expressed in his Testament he had made an alteration in Religion that he obstructed the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Mersburg and Misen and that he kept to himself the summ of Threescore thousand Florins left by his Brother for the use of the League Wherefore he moved the Emperor to reduce him to Duty and if he refused to foreclose him from his Brother's Succession according to the tenour of his last Will and Testament However he did not thus alone but some others of the League joined with him though he was the chief It is now time to speak of the Assembly at Haguenaw It was opened June the Twenty-fifth King Ferdinand having been there a Month before Some days before the Commencement the Protestants had made their Applications to the Electors Palatines Cologne and Treves to Erick Duke of Brunswick and the Bishops of Ausburg and Spire to all privately in their several Lodgings that they would promote a Peace King Ferdinand therefore having on the Day above-mentioned called the Protestants before him declared unto them the Cause of the Assembly And because the Princes came not in Person which the Emperor fully expected from them he required their Deputies to shew him their Commissions and Instructions After that he nominated Commissioners Lowis Prince Palatine John Archbishop of Treves Lowis Duke of Bavaria and William Bishop of Strasburg who being accepted by the Protestants the Treaty began A great many Protestant Divines came thither also as Justus Menius Pistorius Vrbanus Regius Bucer Brentius Blaurerus Osiander Schnepsius and many more but Melancthon fell dangerously sick upon the Rode. Every one of these preached privately in their own Lodgings as it was their Custom but then especially when all the Deputies met together to consult about any matter But this coming to King Ferdinand's Knowledge he discharged them to preach any more though on the other hand the Deputies alledged that they preached not publickly but privately and that his Majesty had no cause to be offended thereat When the Conference should begin the Lantgrave and Duke of Saxony intended to be present and were already on their own Frontiers expecting the News of it that so they might set out upon their Journey The Commissioners Pacificators afterwards required the Protestants to deliver unto them the Heads of the controverted Doctrines drawn up in short They make answer to this That the Confession of their Faith and Apology had been presented at Ausburg Ten Years before to which they still adhered being ready to satisfie any that found fault with it and since they knew not what it was that their Adversaries chiefly censured in that Book they had nothing to propound but rather were to demand of them what the Doctrines were that they thought contrary to the Word of God. That if they would do so and bring the matter to a Conference as had been thought fit at Francfort they were ready to come to any fair Agreement Some Days after the Commissioners make Report That seeing they stuck to the Confession of Ausburg they had in the mean time read over that Book and all the Treaty of Ausburg and find that some Points of Doctrine had been agreed upon there and some not That therefore they were ready to use all their Endeavours to accommodate these and desired them to tell them their Thoughts therein To this the Protestants reply That some Articles had been discoursed on indeed but nothing concluded therein nor any Conciliation made there The matter being thus tossed to and fro when the Protestants urged a Conference and the others alledged that they had Commands from the Emperor and King to proceed according to the Treaty of Ausburg King Ferdinand calling them all together on the Sixteenth of July told them That since nothing could be then determined and especially because the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgrave were absent another Day was to be appointed when the Deputies of both Parties and learned Men should meet in an equal number and conferr among themselves about the Points of the Augustane Confession but so that it should be no derogation to the Decree of Ausburg And that the Pope also if he pleased might send Commissioners thither That again since some complained that the Protestants had turned them out of their Possessions it was but just and reasonable that in the mean time whilst the Controversie about Religion depended those who were rejected should be restored to the Possession of their Church Livings or else be allowed to bring their Actions for them at Law. That moreover for avoiding all Commotions a longer Truce should be made wherein those should be now comprehended who were of the Augustane Confession before the Transaction of Nurimberg so that the Protestants should not reckon those of their Number who had joined with them since nor admit of any others neither for the future Five days after the Protestants declared what they had to expect against in these Proposals That they highly approved of a Conference and wished that the Emperor himself in Person and not his Deputies only might be present at it but that as to the Pope's sending Commissioners thither they should not prescribe Laws to the Emperor As to the Restitution of Church-Lands and the Judicature of the Imperial Chamber they made a long Answer as has been several times mentioned before alledging that the Controversie about Religion ought first to be determined but that they should exclude those who had associated with them since the Peace of Nurimberg and admit of no others for the future it was a thing they said they could not do and that they had no Instructions as to that particular On the other hand King Ferdinand and the Commissioners Pacificators urge the Restitution of Church Livings or at least that they should be put under sequestration until the Cause were determined Besides King Ferdinand told them that he would not grant them Liberty to admit of more into their Society and therefore advised them to comply with the Condditions proposed by him for that though they did refuse yet by Authority from the Emperor he would make a Decree and at the same time he appointed the next Convention to be held at Wormes the Twenty-eighth Day of October They return an Answer to him that they were satisfied with the time and place of the Conference but that they had robbed no Man and that the Question it self belonged to the Conference and future Treaty that besides no sequestration could be made without great prejudice to the State and Constitution of the Church within their Dominions and to the Schools and Poor And that since it was not long to the Time of the Conference they craved that the whole matter might be put off till then that there they would make it appear how much more sollicitous they were for the Glory of God and the Reformation of the Church than for Church-Lands and Revenues and that
that the War against him hitherto hath been so unsuccessful the Reason was plain For first He was informed of the Difference in Religion of the publick and private Janglings of the States of the Temper of Affairs and of what was done and acted in the Empire upon all Occasions by the French King to whom these things were carried In the next place because he was sure of Aid and Assistance from the French King as it was by Letters and Witnesses made out in the last Diet and hath been since verified in effect and though it would have been Advantageous to the Publick to have instantly withstood those Enterprises of France and nipp'd them in the Bud that they might not spread farther yet he was pleased with the Answer they made as to that particular in the last Diet of Nurimberg That however since he animated and excited the common and most cruel Enemy of Christendom against the Publick it was his Expectation that they would look upon the War which he was obliged to make against them no otherwise than if it were undertaken against the Turk himself And that they would not only condemn his Actions and Counsels but also give him their Assistance that being delivered from a Domestick Enemy he might be able to employ all his Force against the Turk That moreover he heard to his Trouble that the Aids which were decreed in former Diets were not given as they ought to have been and much too late for the Necessities of the Publick For that since his Brother King Ferdinand had placed all his Hopes in them who was not able to do much himself as being exhausted by the Charges of the former Years the Turk had this last Year taken from us other Towns and Castles which Misfortune might certainly have been prevented if the Aids that were decreed had been seasonably furnished That since that was the State of Affairs then and that it was the main Design of the Turk that Hungary as the Rampart being subdued and many Ways made open into Germany he might over-run it since the thing it self required it that the Hungarians should be relieved least being destitute of Succours they might be forced to submit to the Turkish Yoke and of Friends to become Enemies it was his Desire that in a Matter of so great Importance they would take it into Consideration how to raise present and lasting Aids not only for a defensive but offensive War also that so they might preserve their Wives Children and Country from utter Ruin and Destruction That in the mean time as to those things which have hitherto been a great Hindrance to all publick Actions he desired as much as in him lay to apply a Remedy That in the matter of Religion they themselves were sensible what Labour and Pains he had been at for many Years past and lately also at Ratisbone but that seeing Differences could not there be accommodated the whole Affair had been referred to a Council and other Diets And then that the Pope at his Sollicitation had called a Council wherein he had resolved to have been present himself if the French King had not made War against him That what had been done in the mean while they had learn'd without doubt from his Deputies But now that the same Difference still remained and was very pernicious to the Publick he put it to themselves to consider on it what way chiefly it might be removed and ended and to represent to him what they themselves thought best to be done in the Matter That he had also taken care already and would omit nothing for the future That the Judicature of the Imperial Chamber the Ground-Work and Stay of publick Peace might be lawfully constituted The same Day King Ferdinand's Ambassadors made a long Narration of the Turkish Invasions and demanded Assistance Presently after the Elector of Saxony the Lantgrave and their Confederates addressing their Speech to the Emperor You know say they most Victorious Emperor that from the very beginning we professed that in this most Honourable Assembly we would declare the Ground of our defending our selves by Arms against Henry Duke of Brunswick and we are still in the same Mind and Resolution not doubting but that after a full hearing of the Matter it will clearly appear to you that we had just and weighty Causes which necessarily obliged us to undertake that defensive War and that he ought not to sit here and consult with the Princes But since we perceive he thrusts himself into this Assembly without our Approbation and Consent all that we can and may lawfully do that the publick deliberations may not be hindred or retarded is that we protest we neither own nor acknowledge him for a Prince of the Empire and that his Presence shall be no ways prejudicial to our Right Whereunto the Duke of Brunswick immediately made Answer by the Mouth of his Chancellor The Elector of Saxony saith he the Lantgrave and their Confederates in defiance to all Law both of God and Man contrary to the Constitutions of the Empire and the publick Faith and Peace have by force of Arms and the highest Injustice robbed me of my Country for which they stand indicted before the Imperial Chamber so that they can have no place in the Diet of the Empire and if any had they have now lost it by that Crime and deserve that all Men should avoid their Company But if I must needs sit with them in Publick Consultations I protest that I consent not that they should have this place and that it shall be no prejudice nor derogation to my Cause The Protestants were then for having read their Plea containing the whole matter of Fact and the Reasons of what they had done in Writing least his Accusation might appear to be true or make an impression upon the Minds of those that heard it But the Emperor ordered Frederick Prince Palatine and Naves to desire them to deferr it till another time because the Day was far spent promising to assign them a Day for a Hearing to which they acquiesced And because the Lantgrave happened then to ãâã next to the Duke of Brunswick John Prince Palatine arose and to prevent any Quarrel sate himself down in the middle betwixt them having first protested that the same should be no prejudice to him nor his Family and this was thought to have been done by the Emperor's Advice The Day before the Duke of Saxony and Lantgrave had prayed Frederick Prince Palatine and Naves that they would procure the Emperor's Order for Brunswick not to appear in the publick Session But that could not be obtained the Emperor alledging that he could not be excluded till the Causes of it were first known The French King might easily imagine that the Emperor would make a sad complaint of him to the Princes of the Empire he therefore resolved to send a most splendid Ambassy to them in the Persons of Cardinal John du Bellay
through Christ That Christ by his Death made satisfaction for our Sins That God doth impute Faith for Righteousness these things he proved and illustrated by Testimonies from Scripture shew'd wherein he agreed and wherein he differed from Malvenda and confuted his Arguments Billick the Carmelite seconded Malvenda and amongst other things refuted what Bucer had said of Justification denying that it had been ever adjusted February the thirteenth Malvenda answered Bucer and concluded these three points that Works do dispose and prepare for Justification that Charity is the form of Righteousness that the Works of men justified consummate Justification and deserve Eternal Life Whilest these things were under debate February the fifteenth the Emperour's Letters are brought to the Doctors wherein he enjoyns them that Julius Pflugg Bishop of Hamburg should be admitted amongst the Presidents that the number both of the Discoursers and Witnesses should not be encreased by supernumeraries that no Clarks should take the Acts in Writing but such as should be appointed by the Presidents that all should take an Oath of Secrecy and not to disclose the Affairs of the Conference to any Man living till they were reported to the Emperour and States of the Empire that what was agreed upon should be subscribed by both Parties but what remained still under controversie should be marked down in as few words as might be relating only in general the chief Points that were thereupon urged by either party and be given to the Clarks to be kept When the Letter was read the Protestants desired time to consider and in their Answer of the second of March say that they were not displeased with the third President provided their Princes also approved him Then they demanded leave to prosecute their Answers which were not as yet finished that the Point concerning the former Accommodation at Ratisbonne might be inserted into the Journals that John Pistorius might be continued Clark and that many Questions might not in debating be confusedly propounded at one and the same time but that one after another handled in order But that as to the Point of so strict a Secrecy they could not oblige themselves to it since it was part of their Instructions that from time they should acquaint their Principles with the state of the Conference These things were long and much debated whil'st the Presidents on the one hand alledged that the Emperour's Commands must be obeyed and the Protestants on the other that they could not recede from the Instructions of their Princes so that the Presidents at length signified to the Emperour in Writing what they demanded In the mean time the Duke of Saxony who approved not the Conditions of the Conference when he came to know them recalled his Deputies that he might examine the whole Affair These being gone Bucer also that he might make a Report of what was done to the Landgrave departed March the twentieth This extreamly vexed the Presidents who as they had before advised those who were present to stay so now some having dropt off they most earnestly dealt with and intreat the rest that remained by all means to expect the Emperour's Answer but they excused themselves saying that there was no staying for them now the chief of their Colleagues were gone but that if the Conference continued they should be ready upon all occasions for the future The Papists afterwards published Books wherein they bitterly enveighed against them for this matter But Bucer sometime after fully answered all their Reproaches and handled at large all that can be said of Man's Justification The Embassadours of the Prince Palatine and Elector of Brandenburg joyned with the Embassadours of the Protestants who were sent to the Emperour to intercede for the Archbishop of Cologne The sum of their desire was that the Emperour would refer the Archbishop's Cause to the rest of the Causes of Religion and annul the Action commenced by the Clergy of Cologne against him seeing that if any violence were offered to him they could not desert him They had their Audience of the Emperour at Utricht the six and twentieth day of February and March the second he sent them his Answer by Naves that hitherto he had shew'd him all good will that both personally and by his Embassadours he had admonished him that he would behave himself fairly and tolerably towards the Clergy and other States of the Archbishoprick which was no more but his Duty but that though he had given great hopes and was very free in promises yet slighting all these things he had acted so violently that for the protection and safety of the whole Province and his own Reputation 's sake he was necessitated to apply a Remedy and that truly a very mild and lawful one which he would not have made use of neither but that having in vain tried all other courses with him he would not yet so much as defer until the ensuing Diet at Ratisbonne but went on in contempt of all his Edicts and Commands trusting to a certain frivolous Appeal which was neither admitted by any body nor could in any manner take place that if he had had a mind to make use of that refuge it had been but just that he had been quiet in the mean while and waited for his and the States of the Empire 's decision but that when he refused to do so it behoved him to put a stop to his career and that he had weighty and good grounds for his so doing nor did he doubt but that if they knew the whole matter they would be of the same opinion since it was well known to them how mildly and gently he had ever behaved himself in all the common causes of the Empire and how sollicitous he had been for the publick good That nevertheless he took in good part this Embassie as thinking it might contribute to the peace and reconciliation of Religion that therefore if the Archbishop would desist and obey his Orders no man should have any cause to find fault with his conduct and that in the ensuing Diet he would make use of the Councils of the Princes and States in that particular that it was his desire the Princes should laying aside all excuses come to it in person that he himself was ready to set out upon this Journey and that though he was hindred by his health nevertheless that once for all an end might be put to their Controversies he would decline no labour nor trouble We told you before that the Council was appointed to meet at Trent the fifteenth of March the Year before Thither the Pope sent his Legates John Maria de Monte Marcello Cervino and Reginald Pool an English-man all Cardinals Thither also came in behalf of the Emperour but not at the day appointed James Mendoza a Spaniard who having made a large Speech in praise of the Emperour and of his great Zeal and good Intentions towards the Church
what I have now declared to you And therefore I trust you will not be wanting to me on your parts that both their sauciness may be curbed and that you may recover your ancient Dignity If you do so you may expect from me all good will and kindness and of this I shall make a more ample Declaration if you send me any Embassadour to that purpose The Emperour wrote also to the Duke of Wirtemberg to the same effect and the very same day the Letters were written Granvell and Naves sent for the Deputies of the Cities I mentioned and having discoursed them severally much to the same purpose told them that this War was not designed against the free Cities but against some Rebels who were guilty of High Treason had contemned the Emperour's Authority invaded the Estates and Possessions of some Princes and Bishops and who if occasion did offer would not spare the free Cities neither That therefore they advised them to be true and faithful to the Emperour and not assist his Enemies that the Emperour might have no cause to be offended with them to whom he wished well that they should with all expedition acquaint their Principals with these things and exhort them to continue in their duty and that the Emperour would himself write and send Embassadours unto them The same day a Decree pass'd at Trent that a Divinity Lecturer should be established in the Abbeyes and Monasteries of Canons Regular and Monks and that some Benefice should be annexed as a Stipend to the Office but that no man be admitted to that place but he whose learning good life and conversation the Bishop or Abbot is assured of and because the preaching of the Gospel is no less necessary than the reading of Divinity the Bishops and all other Guides of the Church are enjoyned to teach the People or if any lawful impediment hinder them that they substitute another in their place Pastors and Curates are likewise commanded that every Lord's-day at least they instruct the People in those things that are necessary to Salvation exhort them to Vertue and deter them from Vice A Penalty is appointed for those that neglect their duty and the Bishops are admonished to be diligent in examining what Doctrines are taught and that if perhaps Heresies or erroneous Opinions be broached they take a course according to Law to prevent the danger of them Then a Decree is made touching Original Sin all the guilt whereof they say is washed away by Baptism That in those who are baptised there remains indeed a disposition to sin or concupiscence and that though St. Paul call that sometimes sin yet he does it not as if it were really and properly sin but because it inclines men to sinning But that the Virgin Mary is not to be comprehended in the Decree and that as to that particular what Sixtus IV. heretofore defined is to be observed And to conclude the nine and twentieth of July is appointed to be the day for the next Session Now Sixtus IV. in the thirteenth Year of his Pontificate made a Decree whereby he excommunicates as Hereticks those who teach that the Virgin Mary was conceived in Original Sin and that the Festival of her Conception appointed by the Church of Rome was not to be observed which Decree is extant in the Extravagants of the Canon Law. In this Session of the Council the French Embassadour Peter Danes made a Speech wherein having extolled the Merits and Zeal of the Kings of France towards the Church of Rome from Clouis the first Christians King and downwards he enlarged in the Praises of King Francis who being descended of such Ancestors was inferiour to none of them in dutifulness to that See having entertained a constant friendship with Leo Adrian Clement and now with Paul III. And in all this tempest and agitation of Religion suffered no alterations within his Dominions because he would have the decision of the whole matter referred to the Church for though he was naturally a most gracious and merciful Prince yet had he inflicted most severe Punishments upon those who through private rashness had presumed to disturb the state of the Church by which strict care and animadversion he had gained this point that now he could put all France into their hands in a peaceful and quiet state For in it there was no strange nor new Doctrines nor any thing but what had been introduced and setled by ancient custom and discipline and since it had been always his opinion that there was nothing more beneficial to the Publick than that the Pope of Rome as Successour of St. Peter should be Head of the Church to whom all others should submit and refer themselves he had always been careful that none should impeach his Supremacy And that though he had been many times sollicited by large offers to do other ways and follow the example of another who had done so yet nothing could ever shake him in his resolutions but that so soon as he had heard that some Fathers were met to celebrate the Council which was lately called he had presently ordered some of his select Bishops to repair hither and that when the Decrees made in some Sessions were brought into France he had dispatched hither him and his Colleagues to declare his will and pleasure unto them First then That it was his desire that once for all they would establish what ought to be followed and believed by all men in general in matters of Religion In the next place That they would prescribe to all Church-men a most strict and austere Rule of Life and Manners assuring them that whatever they decreed in those matters should by the King's command be punctually observed all over France That moreover because the Kings of France had merited very much of the Church of Rome they would not suffer any alteration or diminution to be made in those Rights and Priviledges which the Kings of France had constantly enjoyed from the time of Louis the Debonnair the Son of Charlemaigne Lastly That they would confirm all the Rights Priviledges and Immunities of the Gallican Church the protection whereof was transmitted to him from his Predecessors June the twenty-fourth Lazarus Schuendi came from the Emperour to Strasbourg with the Letters we mentioned a little before and other more ample Instructions having met the rest we named on his way But the Senate having dismissed him not long after writ back to the Emperour acquainting his Majesty that the reason why they did not presently give their answer to Lazarus was because of the difficulty of the Matters proposed which concerned not them alone but others also that what his Majesty was pleased to say of his good Intentions towards Germany they gave him their most humble thanks praying him to continue in the same mind and not to listen to those who would incite him to a Civil War that it was a
Protestants send Ambassadors to the Kings of England and France who as has been said had lately made Peace to sollicite them for Succours In the mean time after that the Duke of Saxony and Landgrave had written privately to the Emperour as we said before they publish a Declaration July the thirteenth wherein they alledge That this War was a War of Religion and that it was the Emperour's Design under a certain colour and pretext of Rebellion and as if he intended but to punish a few to divide and break the Confederates that so he might afterwards more easily destroy them one after another For confirmation of this they bring several Proofs and give a Relation of what King Ferdinand Granvell Naves and others had privately said at Ratisbonne to wit That the Contempt of the Council was the cause of this War. They affirm also That the Emperour had sent Letters to the Magistrates of Ravensberg who had lately received the Reformed Religion That they should within a few days desist from their Enterprise else he threatned to give their Town and Lands to be plundred by his Soldiers but that the Messenger was recalled with his Letters when he was upon the Rode leât it might become publick that Religion was the Ground of the War. That the Archbishop of Cologne also was for attempting a Reformation excommunicated by the Pope and deprived of all his Ecclesiastical Possessions and Dignities and is threatned almost with the very same by the Emperour What was that if not a plain Declaration of the Cause of the War For it was no light Report that went about That the Cardinal of Ausbourg a great Incendiary in these Troubles was by force to be put into his place That it was also given out by some That when they were once vanquished and subdued Forces should be dispersed all over Germany to see that the Decrees made in the Council concerning Religion should in the Emperour's Name be obeyed and put into execution Moreover that many Letters gave an account That the Archbishop of Toledo chiefly and many other Prelates of Spain did contribute vast Treasures for the carrying on of this War which they would not certainly do if any Secular Interest were the cause of it That it was known besides what sort of a Decree it was that past at Ausbourg sixteen years since when the Emperour declared That he could not endure that Sect and Doctrine of Luther but that he and his Friends would hazard all they had Life Strength Blood and all that he might destroy it Root and Branch For should they indeed be subdued which God forbid then would it soon appear that no favour was to be shewn to this Religion but that rather having killed their Ministers ravished their Wives and Children they would again restore Monks and Friars and the rest of that filthy Rout That it was not lawful for the Emperour to use violence against any State nor to proscribe any Man without a Trial nor yet to call into Germany Strangers or Forreign Forces nor indeed to aspire to any Hereditary Right or Succession to the Empire because to these Conditions he was bound by a sacred and solemn Oath For could he in right do otherwise there would be no lasting Form of Government in the Common-wealth That they could not imagine what the Cause of his Quarrel was For as for my part saith the Duke of Saxony all the Difference that he and his Brother King Ferdinand had with me was two years ago wholly ended at Spire and to cement our Friendship Eleanor the Daughter of Ferdinand was freely promised to my eldest Son provided we could agree about Religion The Emperour approved of that then and when I was returning home from the Diet he sent Granvell and Naves to my Lodgings to complement me in his Name and to assure me of his Kindness and of his Good-will towards my Person Children and whole Country What Crime can I have been guilty of since that time that he should from such cruel Resolutions against me But the truth is this is our Case as we said before we refuse the Pope's Counsel and therefore incur his Hatred However he had no reason to act so nor to design such things against the House of Saxony for he knows that after the Death of Maximilian this Imperial Dignity being offered to my Uncle Frederick he by his Vote and Interest secured it to him not to mention many other good Offices which at several times the Family of Saxony have done to the House of Austria But if perhaps he be offended that I turned Julius Pflugg out of the Bishoprick of Numburg as to that I both asserted my Right in a Publick Manifesto and referred my self to any unsuspected Judges and Arbitrators that the Emperour might appoint Now as for my part saith the Landgrave I was fully reconciled unto him five years ago at Ratisbonne and if that some years past I intended to make War against the Bishops and did after assist my Cousin the Duke of Wirtemberg in the recovering of his own for all that and whatever also I might have publickly or privately acted against the Statutes and Written Laws of the Empire I had a Pardon in due form What then should be the Cause of Prejudice or Animosity I cannot at all imagine Besides when I was to wait upon him lately at Spire he was so gracious and obliging to me both in Countenance and Speech that I could not perceive the least sign of Displeasure in him It was stipulated betwixt us five years since at Ratisbonne That if at any time he should attempt any thing against the Duke of Cleve I should not at all meddle in the matter He made War afterwards against him and I performed what I promised and when afterwards he received the Duke of Cleve into favour again which was before Venlo he pardoned all that had served under him or assisted him in his Wars But if he be offended at our Absence and that we did not come to Ratisbonne both of us made our Excuses the Duke of Saxony by Ambassadors and I personally in a Conference at Spire But what Liberty or Form of Government is there then in Germany if that should give a good Cause for War when not only in former Diets but in the very same Diet also of Ratisbonne several Princes were absent And as for the War of Brunswick we cannot be blamed for it is lawful for all Men to withstand Force by Force We frequently moved and earnestly desired in several Diets That a Restraint might be put upon his Boldness but unless it were fair Words and Letters we could obtain nothing And nevertheless the Publick Letters which at our desire King Ferdinand wrote to Duke Henry were accompanied with other Private ones whereby Duke Henry was given to understand that he was not to obey them These Letters under the King 's own Hand were found in Wolffembottel and if need were could be
used against any man for any cause whatsoever but that all things should be done according to the standing Laws and ancient Customs and then he sheweth how the States of the Empire are bound in Duty and Allegiance to him But without any regard had to any of these things says he John Frederick Elector of Saxony and Philip Landgrave of Hesse have with insolent boldness at all times as much as in them lay frustrated all the pains and labour we have been at for the publick good and have continued disobedient nor did they themselves only resist our Authority but inticed likewise the other States to enter into unlawful Combinations with them Besides the Landgrave some Years since under I know not what pretext made War against some of the chief States of the Empire and marching into their Countries raised great vast Sums of Money there then afterward both in conjunction together without any cause given invaded a certain Prince of the Empire drove him out of his Country and seized his Territories Nay they have also appropriated to themselves some Bishopricks and other both Secular and Ecclesiastical Fiefs the Owners whereof by ancient Custom are Members of the Empire and have place in the Assembly of the States and still detain them in that Bondage though they have often sued to Us and implored our Protection in several Diets They have also spoiled many of their Estates and yearly Revenues and received into their Homage the Clients and Vassals of others Lately also they were so strangely bold as to sollicite some of the States not to repair to this Diet that they might thereby hinder the dispatch of all Affairs and bring Us and Our Authority into contempt And all these things they do with the greater security and liberty that they slight Justice and neither fear nor stand in awe of any Magistrate for through their fault the Supreme Judicature of the Empire is suppressed the Laws are silent and now for a long time which is a thing not to be paralelled there has been no Administration of Justice to the great prejudice of many And what is most grievous all these things they act under the specious and sweet Name of Religion Peace and Liberty for these plausible Titles they make use to veil and cloak their Actions when in the mean time they desire nothing less than Agreement in Religion or the Peace and Liberty of Germany Surely they can prove by no Text of Scripture that it is lawful for them in any manner of way obstinately to resist the Supream Magistrate but the contrary is easily made out both from the Word of God and approved History to wit that the ancient Professours of the Christian Doctrine who not only confirmed their Faith by their words and actions but sealed it also by their death obeyed even profane and Pagan Kings How much less then ought they under a pretext of Religion to deny Us their Duty and Obedience for by denying it they make it manifest that their Design is to Usurp our Crown Scepter and Authority and having put all into confusion and disorder to oppress Religion Law Peace and Liberty that with the accession of new Titles and Possessions they may constrain all men to truckle under their Tyranny And indeed nothing less can be gathered from their haughty Words and Menaces and from those scandalous Libels and Pictures scattered abroad in all places among the People to the great dishonour and contempt of Our Person and Authority Moreover they have not only made Leagues against Us in those Conventicles of theirs but also stirred up foreign Kings against Us and under-hand assisted them both with Supplies and Councel Some may be found also that can tell Tales how far they have gone that they might invite the Turk into Germany which is indeed the more credible that such a Juncture would have proved very commodious for their designs By these Acts of their then they break their Allegiance to Us trample upon the Dignity of Our Character and evacuate the force of all Decrees which they look upon as made for no other end but that others should be barr'd from the liberty of resisting Violence and they only allowed a permission to do wrong to all men For all which Causes they have fallen into that most heinous Crime of High Treason and incurred the Penalties thereunto due by the Laws as plainly appears by their Villanies which are so notorious that it is to no purpose to spend time in proving them Now though we might have long ago used Our Authority and punished them according to their deserts nevertheless for peace-sake and for avoiding all stirs and troubles We still shewed them Our Favour and in many things condescended to them more than was becoming and in that We often offended our own Conscience lessened our Authority and neglected the Interests of others Thus We used most gentle means five years ago with the Landgrave at Ratisbonne and two years since with the Duke of Saxony at Spire and that in hopes that being gained by our extraordinary lenity and forbearance they might at length break off their ill purposes and save themselves and Us the trouble of any more violent Remedy But now that We find all our endeavours to have been in vain and that they have plainly cheated Us by their Words in regard that slighting our Decrees and the Laws of the Empire they obstinately go on even contrary to their own Covenents and Engagements and through an unbridled Desire of Rule invade other mens Rights and Possessions having no respect to Law but in all their Actions aiming at the overthrow of the Government so that unless they be restrained there will be so little possibility of composing the Differences of Religion that all the parts of the State must remain discomposed and out of order We are forced to use the power that God hath put into Our hands against them And since their Rebellion is so notorious that they themselves cannot deny it and that they carry all things on in a violent way refusing to submit to Law and Justice We therefore Proscribe and Outlaw them as false Traitors perfidious and seditious Rebels and are resolved to bring them to condign punishment that they may no longer be a hinderance unto Us in setling the State and doing those things which properly belong to Our Character and Place We therefore strictly Charge and Command all and every one of Our Subjects that they presume not in any manner to aid and assist them or otherwise take their part under the pain of forfeiture of Lives and Fortunes and that such as are now in their Service return to their Duty and Obedience to Us without pretending any League or Association to the contrary all which we hereby rescind and annul We moreover absolve all the Nobility Gentry and Commons of their Dominions from their Oath of Allegiance to them assuring them in the Word of an Emperour of all Security and
with the Turk quite contrary to your Promise for when two years since Germany gave you Assistance against the King of France you pass'd your Word that so soon as that War were ended you would go in Person with an Army against the Turk but now have you patch'd up a Truce with him to the end only that you might more conventently accomplish what you had designed against us And now in the Diet of Ratisbonne you have put a colour and new face upon the matter having enlarged much upon your Affection and good Intentions towards Germany our common Country and upon the Contumacy of some Persons which you did with a design of dividing us who were Confederated upon the Account of Religion For you are not able to make out against us any Crime of Undutifulness or Disobedience and distrusting your Cause you cited not the Accused to answer before the Diet of the Empire nor indeed did so much as name them Whereas in the mean time by Letters to several Princes and Free Towns you cunningly pretended that the War you designed was not for Religion but for repressing the Contumacy and Stubbornness of some Men Nevertheless that Religion is the thing you strike at it is even apparent from this that you have procured a Council from the Pope wherein none but his Vassals and Creatures have any place Some there were indeed in that Assembly a little more free in their Speech but ways were found out that they should be recalled and turned out and worse Men put into their places It is also well known to all what sort of Decrees they are which the Fathers at Trent have already made in some Sessions It is not then the Council so often promised in the Diets as we declared unto you a year ago at Wormes and what we then alledged we would have now again here repeated That it is your Design also to compel us to approve the Council will easily appear from the Pope's Letters sent lately to the Suitzers wherein he heavily complains of many in Germany who slight the Dignity of the Council and that he says is the reason why he was willing to undertake a War And because you also had resolved for the same reason to try the Effect of your Arms he says that that had happened very luckily for his purpose and that therefore he would employ not only his own but also all the Force and Treasure of the Roman Church Since then the Pope hath discovered that Purpose of yours which you would have cloaked under another Disguise who can any longer doubt but that our Religion is struck at For we indeed are conscious to our selves of no Fact for which we should either refuse a Publick Trial or that we cannot justifie our selves in But it was your Duty to have brought us before the College of the Princes according to ancient Custom and heard our Reasons and Defences Nor did it become you thus to use us to call us to a Diet to propound Publick Affairs to ask our Counsel and Advice and in the mean time to be projecting a War against us For what indeed can be the meaning of this to leave the Turk and turn all the Rage of the War against us as if we were a great deal worse than he But our Hope and Confidence is in God that he will hinder and put a stop to so base an Undertaking For if you and King Ferdinand your Brother entertained any Grudge or Dispeasure against us that was wholly removed at Cadam Vienna Ratisbonne and Spire so that you may gloss and varnish the Matter as you please we are still certain that there is no other Cause for this War but that with the suppression of the true Religion Germany may lose its Liberty You write indeed to several Persons and endeavour to perswade them that you are very desirous the Doctrine of the Gospel should be propagated but the Decisions of the University of Louvaine confirmed by you the Punishments inflicted upon good and pious Men within your Dominions and that Confederacy made with the Roman Antichrist sufficiently declare that it is your intention to restore Popery in its full extent and to extirpate the Religion which we professed at Ausbourg And since it is so and that we made a League to live and die in this Religion and with united Forces to defend it whatsoever Quarrel or Provocation may be by any pretended against any of us it necessarily behoved us to undertake our own Defence which the Law both of God and Nature allows us And although by reason of this your Design against us we are freed from all Obligation unto you so that we needed not to have declared to you our Resolutions in the Matter yet for the greater security we hereby renounce all Allegiance Homage and Duty that we were any ways bound to perform to you not as if thereby we impeached the Rights and Prerogatives of the Empire but rather that we may assert and defend the same Wherefore we openly and solemnly declare That it is our Purpose and Resolution to defend our selves by way of Arms against the Hostilities of you and your Confederates For the Cause is too good and just that we should be afraid of any Danger This Letter they send by a young Gentleman and a Trumpeter as the Custom is to the Emperour in his Camp at Landishut But he was so far from receiving it that upon pain of Death he commands them to carry it back to their Masters adding withal That if any Man should for the future come from them to him in stead of a Present and Gold Chain he should have the Reward of a Halter Then he gave them the Instrument of Proscription above-mentioned and strictly charges them to deliver it to their Princes Before this Letter was sent it was debated what Title was to be given to the Emperour and the Duke of Saxony was of opinion that he was not to be called Emperour for that then it was not lawful to make War against him But the Landgrave was of another mind and both had those that approved them At length they hit upon this Expedient that they should call him The Pretended Emperour Then they consult whither they should march Some were for going streight to Landishut where the Emperour was but when they were told by those who knew the Country That they had Fens to pass where the Ways were so narrow that for a Mile or two a pair of Horses could not go abreast they change their mind and resolve to march to Ratisbonne where the Emperour had left both a Garrison and Artillery for that there they might chuse a convenient Ground to encamp in and if the Emperour came to the Relief of the Besieged they might hazard a Battel Having then removed their Camp they advance but with a very slow March and about the same time to wit the thirteenth of August the Italian or
himself alone who had viewed the Places before resolved to keep the Army together and pursue the War. Duke Maurice was generally blamed by all Men That he should have so ungratefully served him whom he ought to have honoured as his Father and who was in a manner the sole Author of all his Fortune so that many very invective Libels and Copies of Verses were published against him wherein to his reproach and ignominy he was accused of breach of Faith betraying of his Religion and highest Ingratitude and the more that neither the Intreaties of his Wife nor Father-in-Law could any way prevail with him When this came to his knowledge he published a Manifesto in his own justification declaring what the Religion was that was professed in his Territories what he himself had promised to his People and how that for the promoting of Religion he had founded and endowed publick Schools Then he alledges That the Emperour had given all Assurances to him and his People and not to him only but to other Princes also concerning their Religion and of his own Resolution to maintain the Liberty of Germany that nothing should be done by Force and Violence but that the Cause should be tried and decided according to Law and many Imperial Decrees made for that effect That therefore he gives credit to his Promises and Letters according to the Example of those Princes who now serve under him and yet profess their own Religion not only in their own Houses at home but also abroad in the Camp and Army That those who are familiarly known to him and daily conversant with him may easily discover his Mind and that doubtless if they found any such Resolution in him they would not remain with him And that whereas the Pope assists him it is because the War is made against those who chiefly withstand his Errours and usurped Power but that it ought to be considered not what moveth him but what the Intentions of the Emperour are who carrieth on the War That it does not neither increase the Suspicion that the Emperour retains the Popish Religion also in his Provinces seeing that is left to his own discretion and no Rules can be imposed upon him as to that there being no Prince nor Magistrate that in that matter will suffer himself to be prescribed to by others That since Religion then was secured he sees no reason why in all other things he should not obey the Emperour seeing it was Christ's Command That we should render unto God the things that are Gods and to Caesar the things that are Caesar's That it was not unknown to the Emperour King Ferdinand and many others what care and pains he had taken that these sad Differences might have been amicably composed nor was it his fault that they were not That if he had had no other Reason to make him desirous of Peace but that by Civil War the Turk increased both in Power and Confidence as the History of Greece alone might sufficiently convince all Men yet that that was more than enough to incline him to it But that when there was no more talk of Peace and that strict Orders were brought him from the Emperour that he should seize into his Hands the Lands and Goods of John Frederick and that King Ferdinand was already hovering over that Country not only with his Bohemians but also with Austrians and Hungarians raised for this War it was not lawful for him to resist the Magistrate who is excepted in all Leagues and Confederations That what is said of him as if he coveted all the Lands of his Cousin was an injury done unto him and that he justified himself in that a good while ago by Letters to the Landgrave his Father-in-Law and to the Duke of Saxony himself That he wished Matters were now in the same Condition as they were when he wrote so unto them and that there were none who endeavoured to appropriate to themselves his Possessions but now that the State of Affairs was much altered that King Ferdinand was not to be intreated but would pursue his Point by an Army that his Forces which came from Bohemia had already possessed themselves of some Silver Mines which are in common to him with his Cousin it necessarily behoved him to take care that they might not invade the rest also and make greater Progresses and that he had acquainted the Landgrave and his Cousin with his Design before That in consideration of all which it was his earnest desire no Man would misinterpret his Actions nor give credit to those things which probably might be reported of him abroad seeing he resolved to be constant in the defence of his Religion and had no other aim but that the Lands and Dignities of the House of Saxony should not fall into the Hands of Strangers Now again were the Persecutions in France revived William Brissonet who some years before had been Bishop of Meaux a Town ten Miles from Paris being a great Lover of the Reformed Religion debarred the Monks and Friars and appointed fit Pastors to instruct the People But when for his so doing the Divines of the Sorbonne began to be troublesom unto him and to threaten him with Danger his Constancy failed him and he fell off from his Enterprise Nevertheless the Remains of that Doctrine stuck in the Minds of many and this year at length about threescore of the Towns-people having laid their Heads together chose to themselves a Minister and meeting in Houses privately on certain Days after Sermon took the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the Institution of the Gospel That could not be long kept secret especially since some came from the Country also to the Meetings Wherefore being all apprehended together they are cast into Prison and after they were examined carried to Paris in Carts Being there condemned to die and brought home again fourteen of them were burnt alive at so many Stakes The rest were partly whipped and partly banished As they were returning home from Paris a certain Person met them from the next Village upon the Road and exhorted them to Perseverance for which he was laid hold on and suffered the same Punishment as they did Before they were burnt they were put to the Rack to make them discover their Companions and Fellows in Religion but nothing could be extorted from them Many were of opinion that this was done on purpose at the Instigation of some to break off the Treaty that then was on foot betwixt the King and the Confederates of Smalcalde The Letters of Duke Maurice wherein he defied the Duke of Saxony were on the sixth of November delivered in the Camp. In the former Book we gave you an Account That the Pope having on the sixteenth of April pronounced Sentence against the Archbishop of Cologne excommunicated him and deprived him of all his Ecclesiastical Dignities and Preferments Some days after that he had certain
sent a Person of Quality as Embassadour to you to acquaint you with the Reason why we undertook this War and to desire you to live in Peace and Quiet whereby you might expect all Favour from us Nevertheless setting light by all these things and having no regard to the Allegiance you owe to us you have espoused the Cause of the Outlawed Princes and their Confederates fallen into the same Crime of Rebellion with them and with Men of your Faction surprised first some Towns belonging to our Brother King Ferdinand and other States and afterward some within our Dominions also Nor content with all this you have with extraordinary boldness declared War against us and with opprobrious and scurrilous Language bespattered our Fame and Reputation have endeavoured to deprive us of our Crown and Dignity renounced your Allegiance to us and have had the boldness with the rest of your Conspirators to appear against us with an Army in the Field doing Outrage to a great many of the Dependents and Vassals of our Brother King Ferdinand and us For all which you have incurred the Penalty due to Outlawed Persons and those that are guilty of High Treason Now though this be your Case and that we have weighty and just Causes wherefore we should most severely punish you according to your Deserts nevertheless out of our accustomed Grace and Clemency and that a wretched Multitude of People may not be ruined we strictly command and charge you That upon receipt of these our Letters you forthwith deliver up your self your whole Province Goods and Fortune and whatever you can call your own without any Condition or Restriction into our hands to be disposed of at our pleasure certifying you That unless you obey we will with Fire and Sword pursue you and yours to the last For the Letter which four days since you wrote to us in your own justification does not at all satisfie nor is it sufficient to excuse you or attone for your Crime A Copy of that Letter he sent at the same time to his Subjects commanding them not to obey him for the future but send Deputies to him the Emperour to know what they were to do and absolving them from their Oath of Allegiance unto him Which if they did do he promises to take care that they may live with more ease and safety for the future but if not he threatens them with the same Penalty that he would inflict upon their Duke When the Emperour wrote this Letter his Forces under the Command of the Duke of Alva were upon the Borders of the Dutchy of Wirtemberg Duke Ulrick in the mean time betakes himself to the Castle of Tuel seated out of his Country upon a very high and steep Hill and having received the Emperour's Letters upon the Road on the twentieth of December he wrote to him in a supplicant and very submissive manner That it extremely grieved him he had so far incurred his Displeasure nor would any Accident in the World have more afflicted him but that since some had interceded for him and that he himself had earnestly begg'd Pardon for his Fault he had conceived good hopes that his Anger would have been appeased That he entertained still the same hopes since he was convinced by Experience of the Clemency which he used to shew to humble Supplicants of which many Instances might be given and those but a few years since manifested to some of the Quality of Princes who perhaps had given him much greater cause of Offence than he had done That he made no doubt but that if he would have heard his Embassadours he would have written much more mildly unto him That therefore he implored his Mercy and begg'd that for Christ's sake he would pardon him and not use the Rigour against him a poor wretched Prince nor against his miserable Subjects At this time there came a Recruit to the Emperour of about Five hundred Neopolitan Cuirassiers under the Command of John Baptista Spinelli and not long after his Imperial Majesty went to Hall a Town in Schwabia lately reconciled unto him and thither the Elector Palatine Frederick came to wait on him He had sent Four hundred Horse to the Assistance of the Confederate Protestants when they were at Ingolstadt and therefore it was his Business with the Emperour to perswade him that he had not sent those Troops to fight against him but only because he was bound to do so to the Duke of Wirtemberg by virtue of a private League that was betwixt them The Emperour took him up very sharply and having reckoned up the Favours he had done him severely chid him However he pardoned him wishing him to make amends for that Fault by a more exact Fidelity for the future When in the beginning of the War the Elector Palatine had thoughts of reforming the Church within his Territories he sent for Paulus Fagius an eloquent and learned Man to come to him from Strasbourg to Heidelberg that he might be a Guide in the Doctrine of the Gospel and shew the way to others But the good Fortune and Success of the Emperour overturned all the Fabrick which was there begun to be reared Some days after the Deputies of Ulm come to the Emperour and upon a humble Acknowledgment of their Fault are received into Grace This is the chief City of all Schwabia for Power and Authority so that the dismembring of them from the rest of the Confederates was a matter of great moment But about the latter end of December they acquaint their Friends by Letters That the Reason why they did so was because the Emperour intended presently to have besieged the Town and that they were in a miserable condition deserted by their Friends and had no appearance of any humane help to defend them against so great a power And then also because some of the Confederates of best quality were seeking privately to make their peace with the Emperour They were adjudged to pay to the Emperour an hundred thousand Florins furnish him with twelve pieces of Ordnance and to receive a Garrison of ten Companies of Foot. In the mean time the Count of Buren entering the Country of the Landgrave that is above Frankfurt took the Town of Darmstadt partly by force and partly by composition burnt the Castle and spared the people The place was only defended by the Inhabitants and a Rout gathered together out of the Country Afterward he proceeds beyond Frankfurt and having no hopes of taking it by force especially at that time of the year and when the Souldiers were out of order he orders part of his Forces to pass the Rhine and to stay for him at Mentz and when there was nothing less in his thoughts being about to return home unexpected by the people of Frankfurt sent Deputies to surrender the Town and promise to obey what Commands should be laid upon them Without delay he marches thither and
manner he forced the Body of Cosmo Cherio Bishop of Fano having made his Servants hold him by violence till he did the Fact which abominable Villany lay so heavy upon the poor mans Heart that it is said he died of grief Nor are there wanting some who think he was poysoned by him lest he should have informed the Emperour of that detestable Sodomy Pope Paul nevertheless tenderly loved this Bastard making it his whole care to promote him and when sometimes he was told of his lewd Practices he is reported not to have been much troubled thereat but only to have usually said That he had not learn those Vices of him We mentioned before that the Fathers of the Council leaving Trent had removed to Bolonia This the Emperour was highly displeased at and when he came now to Ausburg he moved the Colledge of the Princes to represent the matter to the Pope Wherefore September the fourteenth the Bishops wrote to him representing the State and Danger of Germany which they say might have been prevented if a timely Remedy had been applied to the growing Distemper to wit a Publick Council wherein they had several times importuned the Emperour that he would procure it to be held within the Limits of Germany that so the Bishops of that Country who were most concerned might be present for seeing their Jurisdiction waâ of ample extent it was not expedient for them especially at that time to be at a great distance from their own Charge That at length when no man would repair to Mantua or Vicenza a Council indeed was by the diligence and care of the Emperour got to be called and begun but without the Bounds of Germany still to wit at Trent which belongs rather to Italy That for that reason also not many of the Germans had come to it nor indeed could they especially in time of War when the Ways were every where beset and intercepted but that now the Storm being over when the Vessel was brought almost into Harbour and all men were in good hopes contrary to all expectation the Council wherein the Publick Safety wholly consisted should be translated to another Place or rather indeed divided was a thing that exceedingly grieved them because of the danger it threatned for that Germany had now no less than these six and twenty years struggled with new and pernicious Doctrines and Sects that the Bishops had lost almost all their Authority and that in this âesolation and Confusion innumerable thousands of men endangered the Salvation of their Souls That in short whatever was formerly sound and sincere was by that pestilent Contagion spoil'd and corrupted and that the States of the Empire being rent asunder had lost all mutual Love and Correspondence That in these their so great Calamities they had no Refuge but to the Apostolick Church That therefore they most earnestly begg'd he would restore the Council which if he did he might expect any thing from them but if not that they could not tell where to look for Help for that noise of stormy Winds and Tempests was heard on all hands against which God had appointed the Church of Rome to be as a strong Bulwark and firm Rock of Defence That he should then have regard to their Demands and reject with himself that if he had not a care other Course may be taken to set things to rights That after all they prayed him to take these things in good part for that both the necessity of the Times and the obligation of their Duty had constrained them to write About this very time also the English obtain a great Victory over the Scots under the Conduct of the Duke of Somerset the King's Uncle The Cause of the War was the same that was before in the time of King Henry his Father to wit because the Scots would not give their Queen in Marriage to King Edward as it had been agreed upon After this Victory the English took many Places in Scotland and advanced a great way into that Country All the Diet was not of the same mind as to the Emperour's Demands for the Ecclesiastical Electors urged the Council of Trent without any Limitation or Condition And again the Deputies of the Elector Palatine Duke Maurice and Brandenburg did not refuse it provided it were free and holy wherein the Pope should not preside but should absolve the Bishops from the Oath they had taken to him wherein their Divines might also have a decisive Vote and the past Decrees be recalled However the rest of the Princes and States urged the Continuation of the Council and that the Protestants might have Safe-conduct to go thither and be heard and then be compelled to submit to and obey its Decrees The Emperour being informed of all their Opinions gave his Answer October the eighteenth desires them all to submit to the Council and deals privately with the Elector Palatine and Duke Maurice that they would assent The Prince Palatine besides was over-awed because of the late Offence he had given the year before as we said that Sore not being as yet well skinned over Duke Maurice who was both desirous that the Landgrave his Father-in-law might be set at liberty and had been lately highly promoted by the Emperour thought himself obliged to do somewhat Wherefore the Emperour having by Messengers given them large Assurances of his Favour and Good-will and put it to them that they would refer themselves to his Faith and Promise at length October the twenty fourth they give their Assent There remained no more now but the Free Towns who thought it a matter of great danger to submit themselves indifferently to the Decrees of the Council These did Granvell and Hasen industriously manage and in the mean time a Report went over the Town that they were stubborn in refusing that which all the Princes had already approved Some Threats were also let fall that they should be far more severely dealt with than formerly At length they found a way both to satisfie the Emperour and to secure themselves Being therefore called before his Imperial Majesty they told him that it was not their part to correct the Answers of the Princes but at the same time present a Paper to him declaring the Conditions upon which they were willing to approve the Council The Emperour having heard their Speech makes them an Answer by the mouth of Selden That he was very well satisfied that after the example of others they referred the matter to him and gave their consent with the rest So that he attributed more unto them than they were desirous of for they had not consented with the rest but that they might give no cause of offence were unwilling to censure the Judgment of the Princes and nevertheless that they might not afterwards be concluded thought fit to give in writing the Conditions upon which they accepted the Council that so they might leave to Posterity some
this Sacrifice wherein we commemorate the Death of Christ the memory of the Saints is to be celebrated that they may intercede with God the Father for us and help us by their Merits That we must also remember the Dead and pray to God for them In the next place it is enjoyned that all the antient Ceremonies which are commonly used in Baptism Exorcism Abrenunciation Confession of Faith and Chrism be retained and that nothing be changed neither in the Ceremonies used at Mass That in every Town and every Church two Masses a day at least be said but in Country Parishes and Villages one especially on Holy-days That nothing at all be altered in the Canon of the Mass and that all the rest be observed according to antient command but that if any thing have crept in which may give occasion to Superstition it be taken away That Vestments Ornaments Vessels Crosses Altars Candles and Images be still kept as certain Monuments That the usual Prayers and that holy singing of Psalms be not taken away and where they are taken away that they be restored That the Obsequies and Funerals of the Dead be performed after the manner of the antient Church and that the Saints Holy-Days and those others also wherein Prayers are appointed to be said be observed That on Easter Eve and Whitsunday Eve the Water in the Font be Consecrated That for subduing Lusts and exhorting the Mind to the duties of Piety on certain days men abstain from eating of Flesh and fast That lastly though it were to be wished that there might be found many Ministers of the Church who would live chastly nevertheless since many up and down have Wives whom they would not turn away And that that cannot without great troubles now be altered a Decree of Council concerning that be expected That the same course be held with those who receive the Sacrament in both kinds yet so still as that they censure not those who do otherwis for that the whole Body and Blood of Christ is contained under either kind After this manner the Book was indeed published as you shall hear hereafter but it was not so compiled at first For it was often Reviewed and Corrected as has been said and the Copy which was shew'd to Bucer was somewhat foster After it had been for a long time then tossed to and again amongst the States privately it was also sent to Rome For though all the Points of Popery in a manner were established in it yet because some things were granted to their Adversaries it was thought fit first to consult the Pope about it His Holiness afterward sent the Emperour by Cardinal Sfondrato some Animadversions thereupon which were these That a Priest in Orders should marry a Wife and still execute his Priestly Office was never heard of That the Custom of receiving the Sacrament in both kinds was abrogated and in those two things no man had power to dispense but the Pope and Council That the Followers of the Old Religion were not to be astricted to these Positions but that if there were any Lutherans that would forsake their new Opinions they were not to be rejected That the singing of Psalms ought to be restored in all places that on Holy-days the Commemoration of the Patron of every Church was to be Celebrated That they who are now or shall hereafter be Priests must abstain from Marriage That a speedy restitution must be made of Church-goods and Jurisdictions for seeing the Robbery and Invasion was manifest the usual forms of Process were not to be observed but as in a self-evident Case it was to be done by an high Hand and Imperial Authority This Censure being interposed the Electors of Mentz Treves and Cologne to whom it was communicated answer the Emperour in the very same manner urge chiefly Restitution and conclude it to be absolutely necessary if the Christian Religion ought to be preserved and recovered again in those places where it was abolished and that peace also could no other ways be setled That therefore care was to be taken in the first place that Churches and Religious Houses should be compleatly restored And that because the Usurpation and Robbery was manifest it was to be done brevi manu that the Worship of God might with all expedition be restored Finally they prayed his Majesty to take these things in good part and defend the Members of the Church by his Power and Protection But the other three Electors were not of that Opinion chiefly the Prince Palatine and Duke Maurice However they had both very good cause not to stand too stifly to it with the Emperour The rest of the Princes who were for the most part Bishops answered in the same manner as the Elector of Mentz and his Colleagues had done and as for the free Towns no great account was made of them Wherefore on the fifteenth of May the Emperour called all the States before him and having premised a few Things of his Love and Affection towards Germany I have found by manifest and clear Arguments said he and the thing it self speaks it that no Peace can be had nor Justice done before an end be made of that Controversie about Religion which now for many years hath caused various Quarrels and Animosities much Hatred Dissension and War in the Empire This hath been the cause why in frequent Dyets and by several Conferences I often sought for a Cure But in the mean time the Contagion not only over-spread all Germany but infected also other Christian People so that no presenter remedy could be thought on than the calling of a General Council This at your earnest solicitation I procured after much ado to be called at Trent and in like manner advised you at the opening of this Dyet that you would submit to the Authority thereof and leave it to my care in the mean time to find out some pious Expedient whereby Germany might live in peace and indeed your compliance therein and confidence in me was then and is still very acceptable unto me Being then wholly intent upon so necessary a Design and having demanded your Opinions to my great grief and sorrow I found that difference in Religion had not only been the cause all our past Evils but unless prevented would be so also for the future And therefore I thought it not good to leave things in that troublesome state until a Decree should be past in Council but to bring them to some moderation and the rather for that new Sects did here and there spring up Whilst I was pondering these things some Persons of eminent Rank and Quality Friends to Peace and Lovers of the Publick presented to me their thoughts of Religion drawn up in writing and promised to observe them Now so soon as that Writing was put into my Hands I referred it to some good and learned Divines to peruse it diligently and examine the Contents thereof When they had consider'd it they
consult with him in what manner they might put in execution their Commission and that afterwards when they understood that it was not possible for them themselves to have access into all places that stood in need of their help they had been necessitated to employ others This Indulgence or Indult of the Popes as they call it the Emperour presently sent to all the German Bishops admonishing them severally to use gentle and mild ways and to try all Courses by fair Language Exhortation and Entreaty before they should come to Threats and Excommunication Wherefore the Archbishop of Mentz writing amongst others to the Landgraves Governours and Counsellors and having said much of his own Pastoral Care and of the Emperour's earnest Concern for the Publick requires them to shew the Pope's Indulgence to the Ministers of the Church and command them to obey it The thing being proposed to the Preachers their answer was That their Doctrine agreed with the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles and that though their Lives and Conversation did not suit with their Profession yet they acknowledged no Error in their Doctrine and that therefore they stood not in need of an Indulgence from the Pope that they had preferred Marriage before an unchast single Life according to the Word of God and that they would not forsake their Wives and Children whom Christ himself commanded us to love cherish and provide for That in administring the Sacrament under both kinds in their Churches they therein followed the command of Christ and the custom of the Primitive Church and that there was no reason to admit of any Alteration therein In the Month of May Peter Martyr and the Divines of Oxford disputed publickly concerning the Lords Supper and the Presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament Martyr proposed these Points to be defended That the substance of the Bread and Wine was not changed and That the Body and Bloud of Christ was not Carnally or Corporally in the Bread and Wine but sacramentally united to them Afterward there was a Book of this published wherein the presidents of the Dispute who were appointed by the King give no obscure intimation that Martyr had the better on 't in that Debate On the Tenth day of June the Queen of France was crowned at St. Denis as the custom is the Ceremony being performed by the Cardinals of Bulloigne Guise Chastillion Vendosme and Bourbon for all the rest were at Rome Six days after the King made a most splendid and magnificent Entry into Paris the chief Town of the Kingdom where he had not been seen publickly since the death of his Father and two days after the Queen During his abode there some were put to death for Lutheranisme and as it is said he himself was a Spectator of the Execution Afterwards July the Fourth he made a solemn Procession and Prayers in the Churches and next day after published a Printed Proclamation declaring the causes of it to have been That he might give God thanks for the many Blessings he had bestowed upon him that he might pray to God for the safety and preservation of himself his Wife and Children and of the whole Kingdom and Commonwealth as also for the Souls of good Men departed especially for the Kings of France his Progenitors and the late King his Father after whose Example he was resolved to take upon himself the protection and defence of the Catholick Religion the Authority and Liberty of the Apostolick See and of the Ministers of the Church that amongst others this was also a chief cause that it might publickly appear how much he detested those who contrary to the command of Christ contrary to the Traditions of the Apostles and the consent of all Antiquity deny the presence of the Body and Bloud of Christ who take away all force and efficacy from Baptism Penance good Works and the Sacraments who professedly despise the Authority and Hierarchial Order of the Church who reject the Worship and Adoration of Saints and Relicks Moreover that by that solemn Procession and Supplication he might make known what his Judgment and Inclinations were to wit that according to the Example of his Forefathers and in a certain Hereditary Imitation he so thought and believed as the Catholick Church the Apostles Creed the first Council of Nice and many other Councils of the Fathers enjoyned as also that he was fully resolved to root out of all his Territories those Heresies which were long ago condemned but now again partly revived and partly contrived by Luther Carolostadius Zuinglius Oecolampadius Melanchton Bucer Calvin and such other monstrous and pestilent Arch-Hereticks and severely to punish such as deserved it This Writing set forth in the Vulgar Tongue he sent all over France commanding it to be published to the People and accordingly publick Processions and Prayers to be made in all places A little while after he caused Monsieur de Vervius to be beheaded for surrendring the Castle and Town of Bulloigne as was mentioned in the Fifteenth Book and confined to perpetual Prison his Father in Law d' Abigny a very ancient Man who had been Governour of all the Bolonese and one of the four Mareschals of France For many Months now he had solicited the Switzers to renew with him the League they had made with his Father and though the Emperour by Messengers and Letters did what they could to dissuade them from it yet they judging it more for their Interest consented and first the Catholick Cantons with the Rhinwalders and Wallisserlanders and afterwards also those of Basil and Schafhawsen to the great astonishment of many because of those Edicts and Punishments we spoke of For it was the general opinion that no League nor Society ought to be made with him who so cruelly persecuted the Reformed Religion and by name condemned their Churches and Doctors But the Cantons of Bern and Zurick following the counsel of Zuinglius as may be seen in the third and sixth Book refused to enter into that League We took notice before of the Convocation at Leipsick But now that some talked and complained that Popery was again stealing in upon them Duke Maurice in his Letters addressed to his Governours July the Fourth tells them that he was informed many partly out of a too solicitous jealousie and partly through the suggestions of others were apprehensive that the old Errours might be by degrees introduced again that some of the Ministers of the Church and other busie and restless spirits that delighted in changed were not altogether free from fomenting of that Calumny that by several Declarations he had formerly made publick what his Purpose and Resolution was which now because of the Slanderous Reports raised he again repeated thereby to convince all that his Religion was dear unto him that therefore he required those who either out of a fond credulity or through the suggestions of others were
he shew'd him his Commission as it was usual telling him That he was sent to joynt with the rest of the Augustane Confession in the prosecution of such means and counsels as might tend to the composing of the difference about Religion and Doctrine and the settling of publick Peace and Tranquillity He having taken a Copy of his Commission which he promised to send to the Emperour and spoken much of the Doctrine and of the dignity of the Council as he was indeed a Learned Man and accustomed to the Bar offered his pains and service This was the last of November And the same day the Divines had the Sacrifice of the Mass assigned them as the subject of their Disputations of which they were to give their Opinions in the manner before mentioned We told you a little before that Duke Maurice had sent Ambassadours to the Emperour in behalf of the Landgrave and with them were joyned the Ambassadours with the Elector of Brandeburg Being admitted the to Audience about the beginning of December and having made their Complements in the names of their Princes You know say they most gracious Emperour the streights and difficulties that the most Illustrious Princes Electors Duke Maurice and the Marquess of Brandeburg lye under upon the account of the Landgrave's confinement which contrary to all expectation they have run themselves into whilst they made it their chief study to procure to your Majesty an easie and honourably Victory lessen the charges of War and recover peace and quietness to their common Country And this also hath been the cause why they have solicited your Majesty sometimes by their Ambassadours and sometimes in person that you would have some consideration of them and set him at liberty offering your Majesty at the same time more ample security if that which they Welsfgang Prince Palatine and all the people of Hesse had granted were not thought sufficient To these their demands Sir you made answer telling Christopher Carlebitz and James Schilling whom they sent last to you that you could not conveniently set him at liberty before it appeared what the issue of the Imperial Dyet then at hand would prove And again that you promised no more but that if he performed his Articles he should not be detained perpetual Prisoner But when their other urgent Affairs would not suffer them to come to the Dyet they made fresh Addresses to your Majesty by Letters and their Agents at Ausburg To these you were pleased to write an Answer wherein having told them why you had more reason to be offended with him than before and that you could not discharge him you absolved them from the Obligation wherein they stood bound to the Sons of the Prisoner Wherefore they were resolved to renew their suit to your Majesty and would have come themselves but you know Sir how they were both hindered by the War of Magdeburg and Brandeburg also by Sickness they therefore have employed us to do it in their name And first then when it was your pleasure that the Landgrave should submit to your Majesty without any Conditions they understood from the Bishop of Arras that your intention was that he should accept and observe the Conditions you thought fit to communicate to them Now if he was to be persuaded to render himself up in this manner it was absolutely necessary to make known to him that he should neither be kept Prisoner nor be liable to more than what was contained in the Articles proposed And so the Princes gave him assurance as was well enough known to your Majesties Counsellors Besides when he desired an Explanation of some of the Articles of the Pacification and that he might be dispatched within six days this was granted him by the Bishop of Arras as in most other particulars the Princes obtained what they would And though in this Treaty things were not understood by both parties in the same sense so that upon his coming in contrary to the assurance given by them he was put into custody yet they never accused you Sir upon that account nor debated the Matter with your Majesty seeing they had treated only with your Counsellors and not with you save only then when the Landgrave was upon his Journy and sent them word to come to him to Norimburg For then they came and waited upon your Majesty to acquaint you that they had persuaded him to embrace the Conditions proposed and that they were going a little way to meet him if you pleased to give them leave Beseeching your Majesty that since relying upon their assurances he was now coming no more should be imposed upon him than what was contained in the Articles of Pacification and your Majesty having graciously promised this they then went to Hall and brought him Now in the last Treaty no mention at all was made of Detention and Custody which they think those you imployed can honestly testifie that is the Bishop of Arras with whom alone they treated and Selden whom sometimes he brought with him And indeed the Princes thought that so soon as he had signed the Articles and made his humble submission he should have been dismissed and many Reasons too they had to make them believe so First because your Counsellours made no mention of detention which is the chief clause in that Instrument and doubtless most of all weighed and considered by the Landgrave Again because in the Articles of Peace there are many things which cannot be performed by a Prisoner but only by a free Prince Besides because when he humbly begg'd pardon you forgave him his fault promising to recal the proscription and to give him a publick Remission under the Great Seal Moreover because you ratified and approved the security by them given whereby it is provided that if he perform not his Articles the People should deliver him up Prisoner and his Sureties compel him to Duty by force of Arms. Since all this was to no purpose and superfluous if they had thought that he was to have suffered in his own person Now when no such thing ever entred their thoughts nor was mentioned by your Majesties Counsellors they confidently sent for him obliging themselves to his Son that if any thing else happened to him they would answer body for body for him and undergo the same Fortune as he did This was their mind and thoughts of the whole Matrer which was also confirmed when after the submission the Duke of Alva invited the Landgrave and them to Supper Since indeed they could not so interpret that Invitation and Hospitable Entertainment according to the manner of Princes and the Custom of Germany that he should go to Alva's Lodgings as to a Prison and that they should wait and attend upon him to his Gaol For if they had had but the least suspition of it who can believe that ever they would have done so For as they are Princes of the Empire and Electors too descended of most Illustrious Families
you left at home that they look carefully about them that no sudden surprize happen and that they consult with their Neighbours whom they think they can safely trust And if I can do you any kindness that way I 'le willingly assist you that if any Commotion happen which I think will not you may be in the greater readiness whatever fall out And seeing we are not far distant one from another I 'le take it kindly if you 'll hereafter write to me of what you hear I shall do the same and not fail to acquaint you with what I think concerns the Publick nor be wanting in giving that necessary protection and defence to all that expect and deserve it Some days before Montfort was come back to Trent and therefore the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg went to wait upon him and tell him That hitherto they had obtained nothing by the help of the Cardinal nor of Don Francisco de Toledo and that since he and his Collegues represented the Emperour there they desired that their Princes demands might be heard But receiving no satisfactory answer then neither they began to despair of success and to think of returning home as the Prince had lately enjoyned them if they found they were put off with longer delays The Deputy of Strasburg gave Count Montfort also an account of the business he came about as he had done before to Poictieres and he likewise took a Copy of his Commission Now were the Disputations of the Divines over and the Fathers met daily that having examined all their Opinions they might frame the Decrees as we told you before Three of the German Nation were chosen for that purpose the Bishops of Cologne Vienna and Julius Pflug Bishop of Naumburg Whil'st these were taken up about that affair and prepared all things for the future Session at length January the Seventh came the Ambassadours of Duke Maurice of whom the Emperour had written a little before and these were Wolf Coler and Leonard Badehorn a Lawyer Their coming cheared up the Bishops whom I named before and chiefly the Emperours Ambassadours who thought that Duke Maurice being peaceably inclined was now no more to be suspected The third day after they came they acquainted the Emperours Ambassadours with their Instructions and at first alledged that the safe Conduct granted by the Council was not sufficient security for the Divines to come and that it was the cause why the Princes had sent none that he himself was very well affected towards the Publick and earnestly desired that some way of Concord might be found that therefore he was fully resolved to send some good and peceable Men and doubted not but most of the rest would do the same but that it might be so his demands were first That those who were to come might have a safe Conduct in the form of that of the Council of Basil which was heretofore given to the Bohemians That when they should come all that had been done before might be reviewed and debated again of new and the day of the ensuing Session prorogued That there should be a Council wherein all Nations and People might meet That the Pope should not take to himself the Authority of President but submit to the Council and absolve all the Bishops from their Oaths of Canonical Obedience that so all the Votes in Council might be free and no constraint laid upon Mens Judgements That they would propose these things more at large in the Congregation of the Fathers when it should be thought fit and move that something might be done therein with all expedition That now the Divines were about forty Miles forward on their Journy and waited only till they should be sent for That was done on the Tenth day of January They made answer That they were very glad of their coming and that they would make a Report of all they had said to the Council They informed the Emperour also of the whole matter who to soften Duke Maurice advised and counselled the Fathers to return a mild and friendly answer to his Demands The Duke of Wirtemberg also hearing that Duke Maurice had sent thither ordered his Ambassadours to stay till the next Session and there exhibit their Writing At the same time the sent another short Paper much to the same purpose that the Demands of Duke Maurice were as will appear hereafter and that he would have also produced with the confession of Faith and Doctrine The Deputy of Strasburg had orders to stay either till the Mauritians came or that it were certainly know they would not come When they were come therefore he communicated to them the cause of his Deputation told them how Affairs stood and learned of them what Instructions they had Those of Wirtemberg did the same and so all joyned in the common cause which they as coming latest did chiefly prosecute and therefore made earnest suit to the three Electoral Archbishops the Cardinal of Trent who was Duke Maurice's familiar Friend and the Emperour's Ambassadors that for the sake of the Publick they would both be favourable to them themselves and persuade the rest of the Fathers also to be so For none of the Ambassadours went to the Legate Crescentio or his Collegues lest they should seem to own their Authority but because in obedience to the Emperour and to comply with the Imperial Decree they had been sent to the Council therefore they applied themselves in all Matters to his Ambassadors who was the chief and supream Magistrate And at the same time News was also brought that Duke Maurice would in a few days be with the Emperour which raised the hopes and expectations of all Men. The King of England's Uncle whom we named before was in this Month beheaded at London and some of his familiar Friends suffered with him No Man doubted but that this was done by the influence of the Duke of Northumberland and wiser Men began now to be concerned for the good King whom they saw more exposed to Danger and Treasons now his nearest Relations were taken out of the way for after the death of the Duke of Somerset Northumberland brought in new Bedchamber-men about the King and amongst these his own Sons and Relations The day of the next Session of the Council now approaching the Emperour's Ambassadors sent for those of Duke Maurice and told them what they had done with the Fathers in their Affair that they had obtained a safe Conduct such as they desired that all farther Action also should rest and be put off until they came and might be present that it was not in the power of the Fathers that all Nations and People should meet there that the Council was lawfully called and though all did not come it nevertheless retained its Authority and Dignity that they themselves might consider how undecent a thing it would be to handle the Decrees already made over again for that it would redound to the
though perhaps not all with the same design But the Legate Crescentio taking that ill chid a certain Physician of Trent a Learned Man for dispersing such kind of Books Count Montfort also told them plainly little less than that they had trespassed against the Conditions of the safe Conduct and that they who had publick security given them to save them harmless ought also to avoid all occasions of giving offence Two days after the private Congregation that was held in the Legates House Poictieres sent the Deputy of Strasburg word in the Night-time after they had had some hours before a long Conference together about entering upon Business again that if they would have him or his Collegues propound any thing to the Fathers they would not sail to do it and at the same time appointed them an hour Wherefore the day following which was the Two and twentieth of March the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg and Strasburg came to the House of Don Francisco de Toledo where Poictieres having spoken first the Ambassadours of Wirtemberg said that they again demanded the same thing which they had moved at their first coming to wit that they might have an Answer to the Demands presented long before that that being done they might the more conveniently proceed to the rest and when after many words on both sides it might easily appear that if they stuck to that a stop would be put to the whole Negotiation the Ambassadours according to their Instruction declare That though they did not obtain what before they had demanded yet that it might be evidently known how very desirous their Prince was of Peace and Concord again that the handling of the cause might no longer be delayed as also that in obedience to the Emperour and in compliance with the Decree of the Empire they were willing in their Princes Name to present their Divines to a publick Disputation but upon this condition still that thereby they may not be thought to pass from any part of their own Right but that they may retain whole and entire to them and theirs all that they can claim by Law and Custom and by the Decrees of the Dyet of Ausburg When they had made this protestation they gave it them in Writing and then stept aside Being again called the Imperialists commended their Action and acknowledged that they aimed at Concord that since it was so the next thing said they that was to be considered was the manner of proceeding and they entreated them to give their opinion as to that The Ambassadours withdrew and having consulted together declared that they had thought on two ways to wit That either the Divines might be heard touching all the Decrees of Doctrine that had been made in the Council or that the Confession of Doctrine given in to the Fathers and now published in Print should be produced openly and the several Heads thereof handled in order for that their Divines were come with that intent that they might more fully explain and demonstrate the Doctrine contained in that little Book and answer those that would oppugne the same that this seemed to them to be a very compendious way and the most convenient that they could think on Then the Deputy of Strasburg said that the Magistrates whom he represented had read the Writing of the Wirtemberg-Doctrine which they approved and professed and had sent Divines thither to joyn in that Confession and together with those of Wirtemberg to defend the same that he was enjoyned to make this profession to them in the name of the City of Strasburg and their Associates To these things they made answer That whereas they made so fair advances and acted so openly and sincerely that the Commonwealth of Strasburg and the other associated Cities joyned also in the Profession of the same Doctrine they were exceedingly overjoyed and thanked them for it promising to make a faithful report of the same to the Emperour who they doubted not but would be glad to hear of it That as to the Theological Disceptation and way of proceeding prescribed by them they would shortly acquaint them what the Fathers Opinion was concerning it Some days after when they heard no news from them when the Bishop of Naumburg was upon his departure and the other two German Bishops who were all that remained preparing also as it was said to be gone the Ambassadours went to Count Monfort to know if the Fathers had as yet given any answer All that he had to say was that the Fathers had not given any answer as yet and when mention was made of the departure of the Bishops he said that Naumburg went no farther than to wait upon the Emperour for that there were some Commissioners coming out of Saxony to treat a Peace with Duke Maurice and that he being of the same Country and one of chief Note too he could not but at their request be there That as for the others he knew nothing of their designs For that since the Emperour was very desirous of the Progress of the Council they also directed all they did and said to that end that Men might not lose all hopes of the main concern The next day which was the twenty seventh of March the Deputy of Strasburg waited upon Poictieres and told him that the state of his Affairs was such that he must needs return home And that therefore he was desirous to know what account he could give upon his return of the Theological Disceptation This gave occasion to some farther discourse about the way how the future Debates of the Divines was to be managed and it was the opinion of the Ambassadour Poictieres that they could not conveniently proceed in the Method which they had lately proposed That now it was the design of the Fathers to determine the business of the Mass in the next Session That therefore he thought that this was first to be debated and then to proceed to the rest in order That nevertheless what he had said was his own private thought not that his Collegues had enjoyned him to say any such thing On the other hand the Deputy of Strasburg alledged That in the same manner as the Divines of the Council had handled all things in order from the first Fundamentals of Religion as the Creation the Fall of Man Original Sin Justification Faith Good Works and at length the Sacraments so also ought their Divines to be allowed to follow the same Method That they had also promised the very same day they delivered the safe conduct about the later end of January that they should be heard about all Matters That it was best to stick to that and not invert the Order and Nature of things For that unless Superiour and Antecedent Points were rightly determined all Disputes about inferiour and subsequent Matters that depend on and are deduced from the former would be fruitless and vain But when they could not agree upon that Matter he told him That as
to his intended departure it could not be granted him That the Emperour had commanded them to suffer no Man to depart After a long Discourse when he told him That he had no more to do that what now remained would be managed by the Divines who had a Commission for that in Writing He bid him go to Count Monfort and shew him the Commission and then civilly dismissed him wishing him a good Journy home When Count Monfort had seen the Commission he could have wished he said that his Affairs would have permitted him to stay longer but that since his occasion so required he could not be against his going and so very kindly dismissed him Next day when he was just ready to set out upon his Journy the Ambassadours sending for him Poictieres told him That though they had the day before condescended to his departure yet having considered better on 't and consulted together they could not give him leave to depart That Matters were now brought to such a maturity that the fruit of the time spent was to be expected And the Actions to be begun again That if the Legate had not been somewhat indisposed something might have been determined that very day That therefore he must needs stay For if he should depart at that juncture of time the Fathers would be offended who knew that he had been there for some Months past That it was the Emperours command also that no Man should withdraw But that if he had Orders from his Principals to be gone he should shew the Letters whereby he was recalled that they might excuse themselves to the Emperour To which he made answer That he did not go because he was recalled by the Senate but because his own Affairs required it And then having told them some Reasons he declared That if it were not for these he would not have stirred one foot from thence That not only the Authority of the Senate who wished that he might tarry longer but the dignity also of their Character who desired it of him and the cause it self which he was very fond of might justly prevail with him to do so That by the coming of the Divines he could be much better spared now especially since all that remained was only to admit them to a hearing That the Ambassadours of Wirtemburg who lately arrived were also present with the Divines and that the cause was common as had been lately declared That if the Matter should be handled seriously and without intermission the Senate perhaps would substitute another in his place for that he had given them by the last Post notice of his coming away To this replied Ambassadour Poictieres that he would stay at least so long till the Action were begun again which would be very speedily And that if the Legate Crescentio recovered not they would endeavour that his Collegues should manage the Matter in his place When he perceived that excuses and entreaties would not prevail he betook himself to his last remedy which he had purposely reserved till then and told them That both he and all the rest of the Augustane Confession had leave granted them by the safe Conduct to depart whensoever they pleased Then at length said Don Francisco de Toledo they had so indeed and that they neither would nor could hinder him from going But that they could do no otherwise than to signifie to him the Emperours Commands and what it was they themselves desired So then having recommended the Publick Cause and the Divines to their Cares he took leave of their Excellencies and departed At that time the Fathers disagreed among themselves nor did they all look one way For the Spaniards Neapolitans Sicilians and all that were on the Emperours side but chiefly the Spaniards and with them the Ambassadours urged hard that the Actions of the Council might be continued But the Pope's Creatures suspecting that the Spaniards had a design to attempt the Reformation of the Court of Rome desired to see some impediments started that might prevent it And because of the Civil Broils the Chief German Bishops were already gone they looked for the same occasion and the rather that they had intelligence daily by Letters that Duke Maurice and the Confederates were already in Arms. The King of France also had employed the Cardinal of Tournon who bestirred himself actively in negotiating a Peace with the Pope And if that took effect since the French King was then in War with the Emperour no Man doubted but for his sake also the Council would be dissolved The Ambassadours of the Emperour therefore who saw and dreaded all these thing made it their whole business to bring about what they most desired by means of the Protestant Ambassadours About the later end of March a certain Franciscan Fryer preaching upon St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans before a numerous Auditory took occasion now and then to rail bitterly against Luther and his Followers and went so far as to say That they who had never had the knowledge of Christ and yet lived an honest Moral Life might be saved That this was the true meaning of the Apostle in the second Chapter of the Romans upon which he preached Some of the Protestant Divines having been present and heard this they all consulted together and wrote a Letter to the Emperours Ambassadours on the last day of March declaring that the cause of their coming was that they might illustrate and defend the Confession of Doctrine exhibited And that it was a grievance to them that nothing was done in Council whose Decrees already made contained hardly any thing else but bitter Censures and Execrations of the Doctrines they professed That a Franciscan Frier t'other day had not only said many absurd things openly which were contrary to the sense of the Church and Ancient Doctors but had also belched out many reproaches against their Doctrine and Churches And that although some said that he did these things against the will of the Fathers yet they saw how well his Sermon took with the Hearers That if that were the only cause why they were called to come thither that they might be made a spectacle and laughing-stock to others and be forced daily to hear their Doctrine reproached and railed at there was no necessity that they should have made the Journy and that all these things might have been done in Writing That therefore it was their earnest suit to them that by virtue of their Character and Authority they would procure not only that they might at length know what the Father 's found fault with in the Confession exhibited but that they also might be publickly heard as to all the Points of it The Ambassadours graciously received the Letter professing that they were glad to find an occasion offered of urging the Council to action so that if the Legate Crescentio did refuse they might put it home to his Collegues and the rest of the Fathers The Frier
the League and to demand of them Ammunition Provisions and a great summ of Money but after a long Treaty when all the other Conditions being set aside they had paid down an hundred Thousand Florins they promised them Peace both in their own Names and in the Names of all their Associates and thereupon gave them an instrument under Hand and Seal in most ample form Being therefore now attacked by Marquess Albert they send their Complaints to them and because Duke Maurice was not as yet come back from Lintz on the third of May the Landgrave's Son wrote back to them from Gundelfingen bidding them be in good Hopes but five days after when Duke Maurice was come back they both wrote promising to observe the Treaty and disapproving the action of Marquess Albert as quite contrary to their Expectation and they assure them besides that they will endeavour to have all restored that hath been taken from them and that they will instantly recall the Forces which they lent him The Norimbergers having received Marquess Albert's Letter wrote him an Answer the same Day shewing him what Duke Maurice and the Princes had promised them by Treaty and telling him that that was the reason why they had not sent Deputies to him Wherefore they earnestly pray and beseech him to restore to them the Castle in good condition and thereby gratify his Confederates He again wrote back three days after that since it was unknown to him what Transaction the Princes had made with them and that the case much concerned the French King to whom he was no less engaged than to them he demands a safe Conduct for a person of Credit whom he would send into the Town to whom they should shew the instrument of their Treaty they comply and produce the same Notwithstanding all this though Duke Maurice and the Confederate Princes carefully interposed on the eleventh of May he again sent them a threatning Note requiring them in the French King's Name chiefly to give him within a few Hours a positive Answer whether they would obey what was commanded them or not and having received an answer not to his liking he plundered burnt and razed to the Ground the Castle of Lichtenaw with the adjoyning Town and having exacted Money of the Towns-People and forced them to take an Oath to be true to him and his Cousin-German George Frederick he laid Siege to the City Wherefore the Landgrave's Son forthwith recalled two Troops of Horse which he had lent him against Wolfgang Master of the Teutonick Order commanding them to return back to him whereat he was mightily offended He therefore began a cruel War and having Plundered an Hundred Villages within their Territories about seventy Mannor and Farm-Houses belonging to the Citizens with the Churches he Burnt not only them but also three Thousand Acres of Wood in a vast Forrest of theirs which supplied both them and their Neighbours with Timber and Fuel He had before this declared War against the Nobility and others who lived thereabouts if they would not obey and especially against the Bishops of Bamberg and Wurtzburg whom also in this state of Affairs he forced to submit to very hard Conditions Insomuch that the Bishop of Bamberg to save himself and whole Province from imminent danger bought a Peace of him at a very dear rate for he was fain to make over to him twenty Towns and Lordships within his Dominion by Deed and Conveyance which he Signed the nineteenth day of May and therewith all his Superiorities and Vassalls But the Bishop of Wurtzburg paid him down two Hundred and twenty Thousand Florins and took upon him the Payment of his Debts which amounted to about three hundred and fifty Thousand Florins more The free Towns of Schuabia which as we said before assembled at Ausburg to the number of twenty six but especially those of Ausburg taking Pity on this sad and deplorable condition of the Norimbergers sent Deputies chosen out of their whole number to mediate an accommodation who being come upon safe Conduct to Norimberg exhorted the Senate to Peace for many Reasons telling them that Erenberg and the Passes of the Alpes were all in the Power of the Confederates and that the state of Italy and Hungary was such that no help nor relief was to be expected from any hand and then they shew them the Conditions proposed by Marquess Albert. The Senate gave them thanks for their Affection and the Pains they had put themselves to and having represented to them how that Marquess Albert had no cause to make War against them and how they had capitulated with Duke Maurice and the Confederates they plainly told them that since the Conditions were such as neither they could perform them nor if they did could justifie themselves to the Emperor and King Ferdinand for so doing they resolved to suffer the Extremity and commit their Cause to God being so well satisfied with their own Innocence that they could make not only the Emperor but all Princes nay the Relations and intimate Friends of Marquess Albert himself their Judges in the case When the Mediators had in as soft and fair words as they could given Marquess Albert the Senate's Answer and found him so far from relenting that he broke out into most outragious threats by Letters dated the fourth day of June they acquaint the Besieged that his Mind was implacable and that they could not by any means bring him to more reasonable terms In the mean time Marquess Albert batters the Town again more furiously than before throws Fire into several places and one Night gives the Assault burning at the same time one of the Suburbs for the greater terror At the same time came to the Camp George Thannenberg and William Schachten Ambassadors sent joyntly from Duke Maurice and the Landgrave's Son to treat of Peace These taking to them the assistance of the Deputies of the Cities who otherwise were about to depart as despairing of any Success after a tedious and laborious negotiation prevailed with both at length and clapt up a Peace for not only was Marquess Albert reinforced with fresh recruits that came to the Army under the Command of James Dalbeck and Christopher Oldenburg but Duke Maurice had written to the Senate also that though he was extreamly troubled at what Marquess Albert did yet he was not able to remedy it at present These were the conditions of Peace that they should pay two hundred Thousand Florins deliver six pieces of Ordnance with their Appurtenances and entertain amity with the Confederate Princes as they of Ausburg did on the other hand that he should restore all he had taken from them Wherefore about the twentieth of June the Siege was raised from before Norimberg one not only of the most famous powerful and Wealthy but also strongest Cities in Germany The Marquess puffed up with this so brave Success wrote from the Camp to those of
the Confederate Princes should make Peace with the Emperor For that it was the Interest not only of one Nation but of all Europe also that it should be so since the civil Broils that disturbed the same threatned no less than its ruin That they made no doubt but the Conditions which the King desired would be obtained For that the Emperor as before so now in these intestine Commotions was well affected towards the Publick and would not have the Liberty of Germany depressed That there was great hopes also that he would shortly set the Princes at Liberty But that as to the renewing of ancient Leagues and confirming new ones the King in his own Prudence knew very well that a matter of so great moment could not be transacted in that Assembly That nevertheless they wished the Friendship and Correspondence that had always been betwixt both People might remain firm and inviolable That it was not only their chief Desire that such private Controversies as he had with the Emperor might be adjusted but that they would also use their utmost Endeavours to accomplish it That nevertheless since the King had hinted that the Emperor detained some things that were his and that he had somewhat to re-demand from him it seemed not unreasonable to them that he would declare what his Pretensions were For that they were resolved to state the Controversie to the Emperor and interpose as Mediators and that they earnesty prayed the King to take these things in good part Now as to the Relation that is betwixt the French and Germans we discoursed in the eighth Book But as to what the French Ambassador spoke of the Family of Luxembourg the matter in short is this Henry Count of Luxembourg had a Son Henry who was afterwards Emperor and the seventh of that Name He again had a Son who by Marriage became King of Bohemia and this Prince aided Philip of Valois in his Wars against Edward the third King of England and being present in a Battel wherein the English got the Victory he was slain there leaving amongst others an eldest Son who was afterward the Emperor Charles IV. the Father of Wenceslaus and Sigismund who were both afterwards Emperors and Sigismund also King of Hungary and Bohemia he who procured the calling of the Council of Constance Albert of Austria of whom he spoke the Son of the Emperor Rodolph when he became Emperor entertained a firm Amity with Philip the Fair King of France though Pope Boniface VIII had eagerly incited him to War. Besides the delivery of the Landgrave Duke Maurice insisted chiefly on two things First that as to those things which wounded the liberty of Germany and had been reckoned up by him King Ferdinand his Son Maximilian and the Mediators would themselves forthwith determine and pronounce Sentence concerning them according to the Laws and ancient Custom of Germany And then that Religion should be let alone in Peace and no Man molested upon that account till all the difference should be fully agreed The Mediators did not disapprove this Course But the Emperor's Ambassadors in his Name interposed and said that their Master thought it but reasonable that they who for their Fidelity to him had incurred Calamities and sustained great Losses should have reparation made them When some Points after much debate had been moderated they came to this Resolution at length that the Emperor should by the third of July give his positive Answer and that in the mean time there should be a cessation of Arms wherefore on the sixteenth of June the Mediators wrote to the Emperor and exhorted him to Peace We told you that after the taking of Erenberg and the plundering of Inspruck the Confederate Princes took another way through the Alpes and about the latter end of May returned to Fiessen Marching from thence they came on the nineteenth of June with all their Forces and Encamped at Aichstadt and Episcopal City upon the Frontiers of Bavaria where they expected the coming of Duke Maurice with great Desire being in some Anxiety for his Absence At length he came and gave them a full account how Affairs stood but on the last day of June took Post back again to Passaw upon Horses purposely laid on the Road that he might be present by the day appointed and the day following the Confederate Princes decamped and after four days March came to Rottenburg a Town on the Danube bordering upon Franconia Notwithstanding all this Marquess Albert still pursued his Point and having brought Norimberg to accept of Peace compelled the Nobility and States in those Places to submit to his Orders For though he acted in the common Cause at first as he promised in his publick Declaration he would yet he was not joyned in that Confederacy and after the siege of Ulm was raised he began in a manner to act separately either because he would take all to himself that the Fortune of War gave him or that he disapproved what Duke Maurice had done or else that being put on by the French King he entertained other Designs but yet he made those who had given Oath to be true to him to swear the same also to the Confederates His next Expedition was into the Territories of the Archbishop of Mentz where along the River of Mayne he did very much damage by Fire and Pillage and demanded a vast sum of Money of him but when Agents being employed to treat could not agree about the Sum the Elector having first sunk his great Guns in the Rhine July the fifth fled for his safety At the same time Marquess Albert who left nothing unattempted demanded of the Archbishop of Treves that he would put into his Hands the chief Castle of his Territories it stands where the Rivers of Rhine and Mosell do meet upon a very high Hill both strong by Nature and very commodiously scituated This demand he made as he said in name of the French King. But the Elector having advised with his Friends made Answer that he could not comply with his Demands Because in the latter part of the Answer which the Princes Mediators made to the French Ambassador as we mentioned before they had said that it seemed reasonable to them that the King would declare what Pretensions he had and what he demanded of the Emperor The Ambassador having received Instructions from the King wrote to them from the Camp at Aichstadt June the nine and twentieth That the King had undertaken that War for no other Cause but meerly for the publick Good and especially that he might retrieve the liberty of oppressed Germany having been thereto much sollicited by some Princes of the Empire That he had not at all proposed to himself any private advantage therein as the thing it self might bear him witness For that he had not possessed himself of any thing in Germany which he could easily have done That he had also given his Confederates
Leave to manage the War at their own Pleasure and that though whilst he himself lay still with his Army upon the Rhine the Enemy had invaded his Country at Home yet he did not stir till he had Information from Duke Maurice that those things for which the War had been undertaken might be obtained in a peaceable manner That he had not a little rejoyced at that News seeing matters went according to his own Hearts desire For that it had been his Advice and Counsel first that the Princes should not let slip so fair an occasion as they had offered them nor that they should not be so far overseen as to suffer themselves to be imposed upon and gulled as formerly and then that since he had given them so eminent an Instance of his Good-will and Friendship a firm Amity might be setled betwixt the two Nations that so he might afterwards have more leisure to mind the other concerns of the Publick That now since Duke Maurice had desired to know of him upon what terms he was willing to listen to Peace It was his Opinion and he must say it that the Emperor had made War against him for no just Cause but that it was not the Custom of the Kings of France to sue for Peace from an Enemy especially from one to whom neither in Strength nor any thing else they were inferiour So that to propound any thing unless there were certain hopes that it would be granted he did not at all think it proper That he entertained so good Thoughts of them that he was confident they would require nothing of him but what might stand with his Honour and Dignity and that he on the other hand had so great a Love and Esteem for them that were they to Treat of the General Peace of the whole World he would be ready for their sakes to remit part of his own Right That he was very willing they should have the Cognisance and Determination of his Demands provided the Emperor submitted to the same and earnestly wished that with the first occasion some Meeting might be held upon that account and that if so then all Men should understand both how much he loved the Publick and how falsly it was given out by his Enemies that he had made a League with the Turks But that if nothing of what he said should take place if all Consultations conspired for his ruin and that the Alliance which he had good reason to expect with the Germans should not be contracted the blame ought not to be imputed to him if greater Troubles did arise This Letter was publickly read before the Princes on the first of July Duke Maurice came to Passaw by the day appointed and next day was the Emperor's Answer brought to King Ferdinand who having thereupon called a Meeting told the Princes that the Emperor had written his Mind but that he did not assent to most things proposed and that since it was so it was to no purpose to tell them what Answer he had given to every Particular But nevertheless that he might make it appear how desirous he was of Peace and how well he wished Germany he would go himself in great Diligence to the Emperor and doubted not but that he might be able to perswade him That in the mean time he earnestly desired Duke Maurice would not be impatient but condescend to a short delay of eight Days which was the least time he could take to go and come in This the Duke immediately refused and King Ferdinand pressed it very hard but all in vain for Duke Maurice calling together the Princes and Ambassadors told them that they themselves knew very well who had been present at all Transactions for the space of a whole Month that he had omitted nothing which might have contributed to the setling of a Peace and doubted not but they would upon Honour testifie as much That therefore he desired them to continue their Good-will and Favour towards him and promote the common Cause of Germany That no more could be granted by him and that because of his forwardness to Treat he began almost to be suspected by his Confederates The Princes having made him a generous Answer and commended his Zeal for the Publick apply themselves to King Ferdinand and desire that in the Emperor's Name he would come to a final Determination That they believed whatever he should do would be ratified by his Imperial Majesty King Ferdinand made Answer that he had no such Power granted him by his Brother else he would not offer to take upon him the trouble of that Journey and that indeed he durst not transgress the Limits that were prescribed to him We told you before that the Princes Mediators had by Letters of the sixteenth of June exhorted the Emperor to Peace To these Letters now the Emperor wrote an Answer from Villach the last day of the same Month to this purpose That from his first entring into the Government he had always been studious of Peace and desired nothing else at present That they needed not then to have recommended it so much unto him but to those rather who had been the Authors of these Troubles they should have have spoken in that Strain and that by their Allegiance to him and the Empire he required them to do so That as to his own private Concerns he was ready for their Sakes to condescend to many things provided that in the way of Treaty the Imperial Authority might not be impeached nor matter left for greater Broils but that as to the substance of the Pacification he had signified his Mind to his Brother King Ferdinand from whom they might learn the Particulars To these Letters they wrote back an Answer on the fifth of July when King Ferdinand returned to the Emperor representing to his Majesty that at his desire and suggestion they came to this Treaty and the more willingly too because he had declared That he would do any thing for the publick Good That with great Labour Care and Diligence they had found out a way of Pacification and that therefore they begged and that most earnestly that he would consider the case of their common Country That many and those the chief States of the Empire had already suffered great Calamity and that the condition of Affairs was such now and so little time given to Deliberation that the rest of the Princes and States especially those who were nearest the Flame could not how willing soever they might be perform the Duty and Loyalty they owed him nay that they were necessitated to take such Courses as might soonest rid them of the imminent Calamity and Misery wherewith they were threatned That if he would not incline to Peace but try the fortune of War sad disorders and dangerous alterations would thereby be occasioned in Germany which might afterwards be communicated to his own Provinces That he could not do better then than to acquiesce to
Literature and he did not only understand the Latin but the Greek and French Tongues and very much loved the Reformed Religion he also Entertained and Protected the Learned Men of Germany Italy France Scotland Spain and Poland Albert having passed the Weser and the two Armies lying near together in Saxony the ninth day of July in the Afternoon they Engaged and after a sharp Fight Maurice who was strongest in Horse gained the Victory but then being shot through the Belly with a Dagg he died two days after of the Wound Albert however escaped to Hanover without any Hurt There was about four Thousand slain the greatest part of which were Horsemen but then the number of the Prisoners was very great Henry Duke of Bunswick lost Charles and Philip two of his Sons in this Battel The day after the Fight five Hundred Bohemian Horse which were sent by Ferdinand King of the Romans came into the Camp. The Lantgrave of Hassia had also sent to Maurice his Assistance about seven Hundred Horse Thus by a wonderful Change of Affairs the Lantgrave Henry Duke of Brunswick and the Bishops sent their Forces to Maurice And Erick of Brunswick who had Married the Sister of Maurice sent his to Albert. It was also the Opinion of many that as Ferdinand King of the Romans openly espoused the Interest of Maurice and sent his Forces against Albert so the Emperor under-hand encouraged Albert and encreased his Numbers but then the Letter which the Emperor wrote afterwards which I shall give the Reader in due time takes no notice of this It is also reported that the King of France had then entered into some new designs with Maurice and that he was very much afflicted for his Death Maurice being carried into his Tent sent that Night a Letter to the Bishop of Wurtzburg on of his Allies and in it desired him to shut up the Passages and endeavour to take Albert in his Flight or at least to intercept his Retreat that way He said whatever the event of his Present Condition were he enjoyed the comfort of a good Conscience for he had entered into this War for no other ends but to repel that Destroyer and to restore the Peace of Germany he died in the three and Thirtieth Year of his Age and was buried the fourteenth day after the Fight at Fridberg a Town of Misnia by Henry his Father and Albert an Infant of his own His Presence is thought to have contributed very much to the Victory many of his own Horse having fled in the Fight and that nothing else deprived Albert of it There were fifty Foot and fourteen Horse Colours taken from the Enemy in this Battel and presented to Maurice that Evening Thus Maurice Duke of Saxony lost his Life but then he very much weakened the Forces of Albert he never afterbeing able to bring a considerable Army into the Field When the Body of Maurice was carried through Leypsick to be Buried Joachimus Camerarius made a Funeral Oration in Commendation of him enumerating also the Prodigies which preceded his Death observing that drops of Blood were found upon the Leaves of some Trees that the Dogs howled more than was usual and that some Dogs had torn others the neighing of Horses the clashing of Armour and many other such noises which were very dreadful That his Tent was blown down by a Whirlwind when none of the rest were And lastly some ominous Words which fell from the Duke and seemed to presage his Death And in truth as to what concerns the drops of Blood they were observed in many Places and amongst the rest at Strasburg to be found frequently in the beginning of July fallen upon Herbs the Leaves of Trees Stones and the Tiles of Houses There was then a vast flight of Butterflies and there were some that were of Opinion that these drops of Blood proceeded from them but then others thought they were Presages of something that was to happen Maurice and Albert being Princes of an equal Degree and Honour had till then lived in the greatest Friendship and Conjunction They had served the Emperor together in the French Smalcaldick and Magdeburgian Wars And they were in the beginning of this fourth War united against the Emperor But some differences arising between them as I have said elsewhere their Friendship ended in this dreadful manner When Maurice died Augustus his Brother was with his Wife in Denmark with his Father-in-Law the King and therefore the Nobility and States of Saxony retained with them a part of the Army for the security of the Province that is about twelve Companies of Foot and five Troops of Horse the rest were dismissed and for the most part after the Funeral returned Home The eighteenth of July Albert sent a Letter to the Subjects of Maurice wherein he insinuated that when he passed through their Country into Saxony he did not commit the least act of Hostility because he had not any anger against them That on the contrary Maurice had not only injured his Subjects but that he might gratifie some wicked and perfidious Bishops had without cause or example broke the ancient League which had been so long between the Houses of Brandenburg and Saxony and made a War upon him And therefore seeing they had assisted their Prince contrary to the Commands of the Emperor who had signed his Treaty with the Bishops he was now to consider how he might retrieve his Loss and recover his Damages and to that end he in his turn did now renounce all those terms of Friendship which till then had been between him and them The Emperor's Army having taken and destroyed Terovanne marched from thence to Artois and took the Castle of Hesdin in the Month of July by Storm In this Action Horatius a Son-in-Law of the King of France was slain and many of the Nobility of France were taken Prisoners and amongst them Marchiane one of the Marshals of France and an Inhabitant of the Forrest of Ardenne The account of the Battel of Saxony was brought in a very few days to the Emperor who the Twenty second of July answered Erick of Brunswick who had been sent to him by Albert as I have above related That he was very sorry the differences had been carried so far that he had much wished the Quarrel might have been compos'd and that he feared if it were not here ended it would have ill effects upon the Empire and especially upon Albert considering the great number of the Princes of great Note which were leagued against him concerned in it That therefore it was his Desire and Command that they should lay down their Arms and consider of the Means of procuring a Peace That if Albert were so content he would take care to perswade those of the other Party to acquiesce in this his Opinion He desired very earnestly that Albert would not deny him this because otherwise in the present state of Affairs he the
Emperor could not make use of Albert's Service witout increasing the suspition which was then in Germany That this would be a very great affliction to him who desired nothing more than the Peace and Tranquillity of the Empire In the beginning of August Augustus the Brother of Maurice returned out of Denmark a few days after having consulted with his Council he caused his Subjects and amongst them those of Wirtemberg to take an Oath of Allegiance to himself and his Heirs-Male and that if he had no Male-Issue that then they should return under the Subjection of John Frederick and his Sons if he were obedient to the Emperor and observ'd the Treaties made some years since but if he did otherwise then they were to admit the Landgrave This being thus done he was proclaimed Electoral Prince and summoned a Diet of his States to meet the Twentieth of August The Seventeenth Day of August there was a very great Earthquake at Meissen in Misnia At the Day appointed the States assembled and a numerous Diet was opened at Leypsick Augustus proposed to their consideration in the first place Whether they would enter into his late Brother's League with King Ferdinand the Princes and Bishops and prosecute the War against Albert. Secondly What should be done in order to a Peace with John Frederick the late Elector because in the absence of Augustus that Prince had sent Ambassadors to the Great Men and demanded to be restored to the Electoral Dignity and to his Possessions which had been taken from him by the Emperor and conferred upon Maurice After Deliberation the States gave Answer That they were of Opinion that he should make a Peace with both Parties and that Albert the Elector of Brandenburg should be induced to enter into a Treaty of Peace and to that purpose there passed an Act of State though Ferdinand King of Bohemia very diligently sollicited them by Henry Plaw his Chancellor to continue in the late League To this Convention John Frederick sent another Ambassy and demanded to be restored to his Inheritance with some sharpness of Words and it was seconded also by those which were his Subjects in this Assembly but it had no effect Augustus pretending that he was not obliged to a Restitution and adhering to the Articles and Agreements made by John Frederick with the Emperor when he was taken Prisoner yet he said he would consent to a Continuance of the Claim and not reject all Treaty thereupon During this Convention of the States Henry Duke of Brunswick desired the Aid of Augustus Duke of Saxony against Albert who was then levying new Forces So soon as ever John Frederick heard of the Death of Maurice he sent John William one of his Sons to the Emperor into the Low Countries to sollicite his Restitution and almost at the same time the Nobility and States in the absence of Augustus sent Ambassadors to recommend him to the Emperor John Frederick at the same time also sent Ambassadors to Ferdinand and to the King of Denmark about the same Affair In the mean time the Bishop of Wurtzburg besieged Schweinfurt which had been Garrison'd by Albert as I have said above and the Forces of the Bishop of Bamberg and of the City of Norimberg when they had sometime besieged Collebach levied the Siege and joyned with the Count of Plaw who then lay before Hosie a Town belonging to the Elector of Brandenburg In this Month Nine Persons were condemned to be burnt at Lyons some of them having been imprison'd above a year There were Questions proposed to them one by one concerning the Presence of Christ's Body in the Eucharist Purgatory the Mass Auricular Confession the Ceremonies of the Church Invocation of the Virgin Mary and the Saints the Primacy of the Pope of Rome Free-Will Justification by Works concerning the Church the Power of the Bishops the Monastick Vows the Choice of Meats Extream Unction Confirmation and Images They all of them severally made the same Answers to every one of these Questions with great constancy alledging for what they said the Testimony of the Scriptures Whilst they were yet in Prison they comforted one another by their Letters and they sent others to their Friends and to the Neighbour-Churches wherein they gave an Account of what had happened One of these Prisoners Lewis Marsac a Souldier reciting several Passages out of the Sacred Scriptures the Inquisitors who examin'd him asked him if it were fit for him to read the Scriptures and how he knew these things were in the Gospels The King's Lieutenant also said there were only two Evangelists Matthew and John the other two and Paul pick'd up a few Scraps or ends of the Story and patch'd them together He said also That if the Doctors of the Church had not given Authority to the Writings of St. Paul he should not have regarded his Epistles more than he did Aesop's Fables When on the other side Marsac replied That there were very excellent Testimonies in the Scriptures concerning the Vocation and Apostleship of St. Paul especially in the 1st Chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians He replied That is nothing to the purpose for he bears witness to himself The Executioner had order to put an halter about the Neck of each of the Prisoners when they were carried to Execution but Marsac having served the Crown as a Souldier the Judges had ordered he should be led without that Mark of Disgrace But Marsac turning to the principal Judge said Is their Cause better than mine I Pray Sir why do you not bestow the same Chain upon me Why should not I too be admitted into the Fellowship of this Noble and Illustrious Order of Knights Alluding to the Custom used by Princes who to honour and exalt their particular Friends admit them into their Order as they call it and give them a Chain or Collar of Gold as an honourable Badge of it Five of these who were Frenchmen had been Students in the University of Lausanne where they had been maintained by the Canton of Bern in which that City stands and when they heard these Students were taken up and in great danger the Canton sent a Memorial to the King and desired these Students might be returned to them But the King disappointed them in this pretending that by Law he could not do so It is thought the Cardinal of Tournon blew the Coles in this Affair We have already spoken of the Death of that Illustrious Prince Edward the Sixth King of England He had before been consumptive and in the beginning of January he fell sick His Disease increasing he became very sollicitous for his Kingdom and the State of Religion and began to consult his more intimate Friends Who was the fittest Person to suceed him For though his Father had by his last Testament made Mary and Elizabeth his two Sisters his Heirs as we have above related yet because now he was come to somewhat a more advanced Age
against him yet in the first of those Meetings we offered that if he would lay down his Arms and commit the case to the Determination of the Law with good Security we also would lay down our Arms and submit our Cause to the Arbitriment of the mediating Princes or to the Judgment of the Emperor and the States and the same Condition was tendered by the Bishops also by the Advice and Command of the Ambassadors of King Ferdinand The Council of the mediating Princes out of a desire of Peace proposed that if the Confederates in the Circle of Franconia would promise to restore him his Territories as they then were both sides should lay down their Arms and take new Securities for the future that then the Proscription should as to that part be âoid and the whole Controversy should be committed to a friendly and a legal Treaty But he in Contempt and Scorn called the Intercessors his Enemies Broakers and said he would not suffer himself to be reduced into such Streights that he did not desire the Outlawry should be reversed that he would hazard the loss of what was left and many other such like things using light and scurrilous Reflections mixed with Threats against all the Princes and States as may be shewn in his Letters Printed at Holansperg And in the next Congress though we offered him more advantageous terms yet he was never the more inclined to a Peace no his whole design then was to prevail against us by Frauds and Ambushes which deserved no great Commendation and are very unworthy of a Prince For at the request of the Mediators he promised to lay down his Arms and to referr the whole Case to the Emperor and some Princes This Compromise was accordingly confirmed by the Emperor's Letters of the fourth of April from Brussells wherein he commanded the States of Franconia to lay down their Arms and to commit the Affair to his Diligence and Faith but the close design which Albert had in this was as it appears by what followed to stop the Emperor's Proceedings for a time that the Execution of the Outlawry might not be committed to the other Provinces of the Empire also that in the mean time he might bring that Army he was then underhand Levying into the Field and oppress us before were aware But by the Blessing of God this Project was discovered his Letters about that time which he sent to his Captains who were dispersed here and there being Intercepted In which he said that he had submitted to the terms Proposed at Rotenburg that he might gain time and surprize his Enemies that if the Interceeding Princes should require them to disband they should not comply with them in it but should continue in a Body and upon no terms be separated and that by way of Excuse they should alledge there were many Months Pay due to them and that they could not disband till they had that Money but that they would remain where they were without doing any Injury till their Arrears were Payed To the same purpose also are his Letters to his Commanders to fall promiscuously and without distinction upon whomsoever they could When therefore his secret Treachery was thus discovered and his Ambassadors at Rotenburg would give ours no positive and certain Answer whether he would stand to the Arbitriment of the Emperor or no by the advice of the Ambassadors of Ferdinand we were forced as we say in our Letters sent then to the Emperor to commit our Cause to God the Emperor and Empire This being the true state of things any Man will hereby be able easily to understand that we are loaded with so many Reproaches Slanders and Miseries only because in Obedience to the Emperor and the Imperial Chamber which is our Supream Court we have endeavoured to repress his Violence and Fury And therefore we earnestly desire all those who love Vertue and Justice and hate Force and Injury that they would consider that if the Sentence given against him by the Imperial Chamber be not put in Execution and his Insolence humbled not only we but they too will thereby be equally in danger Let no Man therefore give him any Assistance Refuge or Protection but as it becomes Princes and the Lovers of their Country let them not only not hinder the Execution of the Decree but with all their might promote the Execution of it and in all things act so that others may by this Example be deterred And we beseech them not to give any Credit to his defamatory and slanderous Libels against us and that if he shall again enter into any Designs against us that then they would lend us their Help and Advice In the Month of May Albert having received the Money above-mentioned for the Ransom of Aumale went into Saxony and getting some forces together marched by unfrequented ways toward Schweinfurt and the tenth of June he entred the Town on that side it was not Besieged with eight hundred Horse and seven Foot Companies But finding the Town very much Impoverished the third day after he entred it he Plundered it and in the Night time drew out all the Soldiers as well Horse as Foot to the number of eighteen Companies together with the Cannon and leaving no Guards to secure the Gates he marched in the dead time of the Night to Kitzingen a Town seated a little lower upon the Mayn When the day broke and the Besiegers saw the Gates of the City without any to defend them they gave the Alaââ in the Camp and began to prepare to follow him but in the Interim many of the Soldiers and especially those that served under Henry Duke of Brunswick rushed into the Town and took and destroyed what the other had left So that the Princes and Commanders were forced to set Fire to the Town in several Places to compel their Soldiers to return to the Camp that Albert might not have time to escape whilst they were Plundering the Town Though Albert had the advantage of some hours in his March yet being retarded by the Cannon and other heavy Carriages he was easily overtaken and forced by the Van-Guard to make a stand to defend himself but the rest of the Army soon coming up when he saw that he was not able to defend himself against so great a Number advising his to shift for themselves as well as they could he with a few Horsemen took his Flight and Swimming over the Mayn arrived safely at Kitzingen with the loss of all his Baggage and Cannon The eighth day after his principal Fortress called Blasseburg was surrendred and fell into the Hands of Ferdinand King of Bohemia Henry Plaw Chancellor of Bohemia the indefatigable Enemy of this Place died before it some few days before it was yielded Thus Albert Marquess of Brandenburg was driven out of all his Territories Whilst things went thus in Franconia Henry Duke of Brunswick demanded Money of most of the Princes Nobility and Cities in the
a Vindication of himself wherein he denied the matter charged upon him and thereupon the Author of this Calumny being discovered he was deservedly executed And I hope this here will have the same event and that God who is the just Avenger of such ill Practices will discover the Authors of this pernitious Invention In the mean time I offer up my Prayers to God That he would give them a better mind and disappoint their wicked Counsels that they may not prevail to the Destruction of our Country For seeing this slander is of the same nature with the former it may easily be concluded the Authors of this had the same Design with the former or rather that it was made by it that what was discover'd and prevented then may now have its effect Now the main design of this Calumniator is to create a belief that the Pope and the Emperour have resolved to rescind the Decree made for the Peace of Religion by a War and that the King of England and the Bishops of Germany are to lend their assistances to it Now I say this feigned and false Invention is designed for the exasperating the minds of Men that their Prejudices and Disaffections being increased a Civil War may be stirr'd up amongst us to overwhelm our Country with the Blood of its Inhabitants And although I do not doubt but the Emperour and the othe Princes who are injur'd by this Seditious and Infamous Libel will take care to defend themselves and to right their own Cause yet at the same time I believe it is a part of my own Duty to clear the Reputation of our Supreme Magistrate And I protest whil'st I was at Rome in my presence or to my knowledge there was not one word spoken concerning the Peace of Religion and therefore it is very falsly laid to the Pope's charge that his main design is to persuade the Emperour and other Kings to destroy that Decree by Force and Arms I say this is false and can never be proved and by consequence what is charged upon the Emperour is false too for seeing there has been no Treaty between them how can a War be agreed and the recovering the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and the Conquest of Germany be resolv'd on This Slander pretends That the Truce is made between the Emperour and the King of France to the intent that the Souldiers which are disbanded on both sides may be employ'd in in this War Now the causes of that Truce are sufficiently set forth in the printed Copies of the Treaty and the Souldiers which were thereupon disbanded are not entertain'd by any Prince except what Forces King Ferdinand has order'd to be levy'd and sent into Hungary against the Turk and some few which have been taken into Pay by the Bishops of Ausburg Norimburg Bamberg and Wurtsburg that they may not be taken altogether unprovided So that all this Invention as it relates to the Pope the Emperour and the Bishops is false in all its parts Now as to what concerns my self I have hitherto followed the Ancient True and Catholick Religion as becomes a German pursuing the footsteps of my Ancestors and continuing in the Communion of that Church in which I had my Education as I have already declared by a Letter I sent to the last Diet and by my Deputies which I sent thither and I intend by the blessing of God to continue in this Opinion nor will I do any thing which is contrary to Honesty and my Duty and yet after all I desire to live peaceably with all men And whereas I am said to have entred into a secret Treaty with the Pope the Emperour the King of England some Princes of the Empire and some private persons to stir up a War this is most false and that also which concerns the Elector Palotine and the Duke of Wirtemberg and the Marquess of Brandenburg is most false and can never be proved and those who spread such Reports of me by Word or Writing are Slanderers and the Enemies of our Country That which relates to the Elector Palatine stands thus The Office and Dignity I enjoy requires me to endeavour the preservation of the Rights of my Bishoprick and that I should preserve the People committed to my Charge in the Ancient and Catholick Religion being therefore inform'd that Otto Henry Elector Palatine endeavorued to gain over to his Religion some Towns that were in my Diocess and that he had placed Preachers in them I could not but take this ill and I had just cause given me to defend my self against him by a Suit at Law and thereupon I being absent my Councel by my Order commenced a Suit against him in the Chamber of Spire where it is still depending nor have I in any thing else so much as in Word hurt or injur'd his Honour so far have I been from designing any thing against his Countries and if it had lain in my power to have served him his Countries or People I would not have omitted it and for this I believe his People would be my Witnesses because they know I have kept my Faith to them and have assisted them sometimes when they were in great distresses To which I may add That I have ever had particular affection for the Palatine Family and I have ever been ready to do it all the good I could nor is that Disposition at all changed in me and I have the same kindness for Christopher Duke of Wirtemberg who is a Good Wise Politick Prince and a great lover of Peace upon the account of these rare qualities I have had a great propension for him ever since I first knew him and have study'd to make this appear in my actions But then as to the driving Him or the Elector Palatine out of their Countries it never entred into my thoughts and if I had known of any Design which had tended to the damage of their Reputations or Estates I should certainly have been very much grieved and have done what was in my power to prevent it I have hitherto so behav'd my self at all times that I believe no man can find any thing in my actions which is contrary to my Profession and for the future I will ever carry my self so that I will raise a greater belief than I now have in the minds of men out of an hope that as I have given no just cause of offence to them so they at last will be prevail'd upon to remunerate me with an equal degree of kindness And as to the Case of Albert Marquess of Brandenburg he himself knows how greatly I am concern'd for his misfortunes for what is it which I have not done and tried in order to restore the Peace of the Empire and to put a stop to that Quarrel In truth I took so much pains and care in that Affair that tho' I aim'd at the Publick Good by it yet at last I was suspected by some as one that favoured his Interest
mean time the Duke de Alva withdrew his Army to the Town of Colonna The Duke of Florence had now obtained what he desired by gaining the State of Sienna the Duke of Guise was gone for France the Pope's Forces were sufficiently baffled and his Towns lay at the Mercy of the Enemy his Treasures were spent and the Venetians had absolutely refused to assist him So that the Pope was now forced to come to a Treaty of Peace in good earnest and it was well he had the King of Spain and the Duke de Alva to treat with considering in what State his Affairs were The Peace was however agreed at last upon these Terms I. That the Duke de Alva in the Name of his Master should beg the Pope's Pardon and it should be granted II. That the Pope should renounce the Amity with France III. That the King of Spain should restore to the Pope one hundred Towns and Castles he had taken in this War the same being dismantled first and that they should restore those Estates they had seized to the proper owners IV. That both Parties should remit all Wrongs Injuries and Losses Sustained during the War and Pardon all that had taken Arms on either Side And that Paliano should be put into the Hands of Bernardo Carbone a Kinsman of the Caraffa's to be kept by him for both Parties with a Garrison of eight hundred Men till they should otherwise dispose of it by mutual Consent These Articles were publickly signed at Cava the fourteenth of September but there was a private Article signed the same Day That John Caraffa should have such a Recompence for Paliano as should be adjudged an Equivalent by the Senate of Venice who were the Arbitrators in this Treaty The Place meant was Rossano a Populous and Rich City in the Kingdom of Naples which was to be granted to him by the King of Spain with the Title of a Principality which he might transfer to whom he pleased if not an Enemy of the King of Spain's That upon the delivery of this Grant and Place Paliano should be dismantled and Caraffa should yield up all his Right in it to the King of Spain which he also might assign to whom he pleased if he were not Excommunicated or the Pope's sworn Enemy which was added to exclude Mark Anthony Colonna and was easily granted by the Duke de Alva in complyance with the Morose and Inexorable Humour they are Thuanus's Words of the Old Gentleman who would soon die and then the King might dispose of Paliano as he thought fit The Duke de Alva in a short time after went to Rome and on his Knees begged the Pope's Pardon with as much Humility as could have been wished And the Pope absolved him and his Master with as much Haughtiness as ever need to have been used The great Desire I had to lay all this Italian War together has made me omit some things that happened in the former Year among which one was the Death of Francis Venero Duke of Venice to whom succeed Laurentius Prioli a Learned Wise Eloquent and Magnificent Gentleman so that for many Years after his Death the Venetians regretted the Loss of him and wished for such another In England the Persecution was so far from extirpating the Reformation that it made it spread but the Quarrels at Frankford among our English Exiles about the Liturgy had a more Pestilent Influence upon that Religion then and in after Times than the former had The Queen in the mean time was very busie in raising the Religious Houses and had nothing to disgust her till the breaking off of the Truce between her Husband and the King of France which very much afflicted her every way The Duke of Guise shipped his Men at Civita Vechia for France and himself took Post-Horses and went by Land. The Cardinal of Caraffa went soon after the Pope's Nuntio to King Philip and Augustino Trivultio to the King of France to procure a Peace between those two Potent Princes who had been engaged in this War by the Pope and his Relations In the Interim the Duke of Ferrara was exposed to the Resentment of King Philip and had certainly been ruined if the Prudence of Cosmo Duke of Florence had not prevented it First by sending slow and small Supplies against the Duke of Ferrara and then by maintaining and fomenting Differences between the Spanish Commanders at last by representing to the Duke de Alva who visited him at Legorn That the King of Spain had no other way of setling his Affairs in Italy than by quieting those Commotions his just Resentment against the Duke of Ferrara had raised That all Italy being weary of Wars promised themselves a Peace would follow upon the Victory of that Prince but now if he should go on to make one War the cause of another he must expect to lose their Affections and that mere Desparation would enforce them to take other Measures and seek new Allies and new Counsels This convinced that Duke That it was his Master's Interest to make a Peace with Ferrara because then there would be neither Prince nor Commonwealth in Italy that would have any dependence upon France Our Author John Sleidan has only given us the Letter or Speech which began the Dyet at Ratisbonne but dyed before he could give us any account of the Transactions there After they had consulted of those things which related to the State and the Turkish War there arose some debate concerning the composing the Differences of Religion And here it was first agreed That all that had been done in the Treaty of Passaw and the Dyet of Ausburg concerning the Peace of Religion should remain firm and immoveable But then those of the Augustane Confession presented to King Ferdinand by their Deputies a Protestation in Writing to this purpose That King Ferdinand had performed a most useful Office for the good of Christendom by setling a Peace in the Matters of Religion between the Princes and the States of Germany But then he had annexed a Limitation which was very Grievous That no Archbishop Bishop Abbat or other Ecclesiastical Person should receive the Augustane Confession but that he should resign his Office and be deprived of the Revenues thereunto belonging That those of the Augustane Confession did not consent to this Limitation nor can they now consent to it because this was a denying them the Benefit of imbracing the Saving and True Doctrin of the Gospel by which not only the Bishops but their Subjects too were driven out of the Kingdom of God which was not fit to be done Besides it was a Reproach to their Religion to suffer those who should imbrace the Augustane Confession to be judged unworthy of the Sacred Ministery And therefore they could not approve this Restriction in the Dyet of Ausburg without doing Injury to the Glory of God and their own Consciences neither can they now consent to it
served only to render that sinking Ship more despicable and hated for Queen Elizabeth when she heard of it was nothing concerned at it but immediately she recalled Karn's Powers and commanded him to come home And Popery from hence forward fared very ill in England but then our Affairs have been so exactly described by others and are so well known to English Men That I shall here dismiss them and apply my self wholly to the Foreign Affairs Thuanus observes That this Year there was rather no War than a Peace in Scotland for that the whole Kingdom was imbroiled with Rapines and the burning of Towns two of the principal Nobility of Scotland being carried away captive by the English William Keth Son of the Earl Marshal and Patrick Gray An English Fleet also under the Command of Sir John Clare infested the Scotch Shoars and burnt a Place by my Author called Cracoviaca Kirk-wall Main-Land the principal of the Isles of Orkney which he saith was the Seat of the Bishop and the principal or rather only Town in those Islands which he supposeth was severely chastized by Heaven by a Tempest which soon after dispersed the Fleet leaving a part of the English on the Island who were all slain by the Islanders and Natives This Year also the Reformation of Religion was much agitated tho not effected in Scotland Alexander Somervill Archbishop of S. Andrews with the assistance of the rest of the Churchmen condemned one Walter Mills an old Priest to be burnt for Heresie and banished one Paul Mefan hoping thereby to restore their lost Authority and curb the People but it had a quite contrary effect the patient and chearful Martyrdom of Mills incensing the People to that height that they spoke very freely or as my Author has it Licentiously and Seditiously of the Church-men and a Solemn Procession being made on the first day of September in memory of S. Eugenius or S. Gile's at Edenburgh of which he was Patron whose Image was then carried about with great Pomp the People tore it out of the Hands of those that bore it and threw it into the common Drought having first broke off the Head Hands and Feet of this Wooden Saint the Monks and the rest of his Friends fleeing and leaving him to shift for himself The Clergy seeing their Authority thus sinking assembled in a Synod the ninth of November to try if the seting a good Face and pretending great Confidence would retrieve their sinking Cause But they of the Reformed Party on the contrary of all Degrees exhorted one another to persevere in the Truth and not to suffer themselves to be oppressed by a small and weak number of Men For if say they these Men proceed by Legal Courses we shall be too hard for them if they make use of Force we are a Match for them They drew up an Address also to the Queen Regent which they sent unto her by one James Sandelands an Honourable Baron and of great account in it desiring That the Publick Prayers and Administration of the Sacraments might be in the Vulgar Tongue and that the Ministers might be elected by the People The Regent tho' a zealous Catholick yet fearing a Tumult commanded the Priests to say the Prayers in the Scotch Language The same Demands were made by the Nobility of the Synod then assembled at Edinburgh Who replyed That they must abide by the Orders of the Canon-Law and the Decrees of the Council of Trent The Nobility perceiving them thus averse to a Reformation sent one John Aresken of Dundee a learned Man to appease them who with great respect besought them At least to grant the People the use of the publick Prayers in their Mother Tongue The Clergy would nevertheless abate nothing of their former Severity and the Queen regent by their Persuasion soon recalled what had been extorted from her But the Death of Queen Mary of England and the Succession of Queen Elizabeth which happened this Month soon turned the Scales and gave her Cause to repent her too great obstinacy The Learned Spotiswood observes That this Mills was the last Martyr that dyed in Scotland for Religion That Patrick Lermoth Bailiff of the Regality absolutely refused to pass Sentence of Death as a Judge upon him after the Bishop had delivered him up to the Secular Power that in the whole City of S. Andrews a Cord was not to be had for Money so that they were forced to take one of the Cords of the Archbishop's Pavilion to tie him to the Stake It had been good Prudence to have desisted when they saw the whole Body of the People thus bent against them but they were hurried on to their Ruine by a blind Rage The People of Scotland were no less incensed on the other Side and resolved openly to profess the Reformed Religion binding themselves by Promise and Subscription to an Oath That if any should be called in question for matters of Religion at any time hereafter they would take Arms and joyn in defence of their Religion and Brethren against the Tyranny and Persecution of the Bishops The principal Men who joyned in this Bond were Archibald Earl of Argile Alexander Earl of Glencarne James Earl of Morton Archibald Lord of Lorne Sir James Sandelands of Calder John Erskin of Dun and William Maitland of Lethington To this Bond vast numbers throughout the Kingdom subscribed so that they found their numbers were at least equal to those that opposed them A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION BOOK II. The CONTENTS The Deaths and Characters of Frederick I and Christian II Kings of Denmark Frederick II conquereth Dietmarsh The Affairs of Italy New Bishopricks erected in the Low-Countries King Philip desirous of a Peace with France that he might be at leisure to extirpate Heresie That Design discovered to the Prince of Orange The Diet of Germany Conditions proposed in it by the Protestants for a Council The Emperor confirms the Peace of Passaw The French Ambassadors come to the Dyet The Life and Death of David George a famous Impostor The Treaty of Cambray produces a Peace at last The Peace occasioneth a Persecution in France The King goes to the Parliament of Paris to awe it into a Compliance Yet some retain their Freedom at the Price of their Lives The King's Answer A French Synod held by the Protestant Ministers The Protestant Princes of Germany write to the King of France in the behalf of the Persecuted A Commission issued to Try the suspected Members of Parliament Du Bourg first Tried The sad condition of France during the Persecution Henry II slain The various Characters of that Prince Francis II succeeds him a Lad of Sixteen Years of age The Persecution goes on Slanders against the Protestants Du Bourg Condemn'd Minart a Persecutor Assassinated Du Bourg Executed His Character The rest of the Members of Parliament restored King Philip prepares for Spain He takes Ship at Flushing Arrives in Spain Raiseth
they would not be wanting to the King Queen and Kingdom at a time of so much need nor suffer themselves to be prejudiced by the false pretences of his Enemies but rather would support and strengthen him in the War which he had engaged in for the Glory of God and the Safety of the King and Kingdom The 11th of April he caused the League which the Protestants had entred into to be printed also which was to last only till the King should be of full Age to undertake the Government of his Kingdom in his own Name and at the same time he caused that entred into by the Triumvirate to be printed which they pretended was Confirm'd by the Authority of the Council of Trent which was about that time opened The same Seventh day of April the King and Queen put out a Declaration at Paris wherein they affirmed that the report of their Captivity was false and scandalously feigned by the Prince of Conde for a colour to his Seditious Practises And that they came willingly and not by force to Paris that they might consult of the means of settling this Commotion The Third day after another Paper was Published by the Queen Navar Bourbon the Cardinal and Duke of Guise and Montmorancy by the Advice of Aumale the Chancellor St. Andre Brisac and Montmorancy the Younger for the Confirming the Edict of January the Pardon of all past offences and forbidding the troubling or endangering any Man on the account of Religion And giving liberty to the Protestants to meet and Preach any where except in Paris and the Suburbs thereof At the same time an Envoy was dispatched to the Elector Palatine and the rest of the Princes of Germany to consult them about the Council of Trent About the same time there was a Barbarous Massacre made of the Protestants at Sens by the Procurement of Hemar President of Sens and as it was believed not without the knowledge of the Cardinal of Guise who was Archbishop of that See who was thereupon said to have had a hand also in that of Vassy There was a report spread in the City that the Protestants had a design to surprize the City and deface the Images whereupon the Rabble rose and drowned in the River and Slew in all 100 People of all Ages and Sexes Plundered and pull'd down their Houses and rooted up their Vines of which Conde made a grievous Complaint to the Queen in a Letter of the 19th of April But there being many Complaints of the like nature brought from other parts of the Nation against the Protestants the thing was neglected And Davila takes no notice of it About the same time many Cities throughout the Kingdom of France were surprized by the Protestants which was in many places not possible to be done without Slaughter and the Profanation of the Churches though their Captains at first carried themselves as moderately as they could The Prince of Conde understanding by a Letter he received from the Elector Palatin That the Princes of Germany were much divided about the Causes of this War and Especially the Catholicks He wrote a Letter to Ferdinand the Emperor the 20th of April to inform him of the Causes of these Tumults asserting the King and Queen were carried away against their wills and that he had been forced to betake himself to Arms to restore them to their former Liberty and therefore he beseeched the Emperour to favour him as an Asserter of the Royal Interest The 15th of April Roan was taken by the Protestants almost without any Tumult or Resistance And when Henry Robert de la Mark Duke de Bouillon Governour of Normandy was sent thither by the King of Navar to Command them in the King's Name to lay down their Arms they slighted his Authority and gave Reasons for what they had done alledging amongst others the Attempts upon the Protestants at Amiens and Abbeville which they said were sufficient to terrifie the most Peceable from laying down their Arms but then they were willing to deliver the Keys of the City to him and to keep it for his use and in his Name He leaving the City thereupon they took St. Catherine's a Monastery without the City and put a Garison into it A Tumult arising the next Night some of the Catholicks were slain and others put into Prison So from the Third of May till the City was re-taken the Exercise of the Romish Religion was totally omitted Soon after they took Pont de l' Arche which being taken by the Roman Catholicks the Protestants took Caudebec beneath Roan and when they might have demolished it they endeavoured to keep it but it was soon after re-taken by the Roman Catholicks and so the City was restrain'd on both sides Upon this 300 Horse and 1500 Foot were sent against them which for some time had the better of the Citizens The Protestants took Diepe the 21th of April without any Resistance and pull'd down the Images and Altars in the Churches The 21th of June Aumale left Roan and Besieged Diepe In the County of Calais the Protestants were the stronger were also taken and Reform'd by the Protestants Man 's was taken by the Protestants the Third of April without Resistance and in the mean time Forces were raised by both Parties the Queen in her Heart being pleased to see the Prince of Conde Espouse her Cause and desiring to abate the Pride of the Guises and therefore she was earnest to have a Treaty hoping by this means to have both the Parties at her Devotion The Prince of Conde the first of May had sent her a Letter with some Terms for an Accommodation which were That the Edict of January which had been violated by the Conspirators should be observed 2. The Injuries committed upon the Protestants severely punished by the Magistrates 3. Guise and his Brothers and Montmorancy who had raised this War should leave the Court and return to their several Governments till the King was of Age to undertake the Government and determine himself this Controversy And then he would lay down his Arms and retire to his home The Fourth of May it was Answered That the King would observe the Edict of January every where but at Paris That all Slaughters Spoilings and Injuries committed should be inquired into and punished but he would not send Guise Montmorancy and St. Andre from the Court because he was satisfied as to their Loyalty needed their Counsel and ought not to set any Mark of Dishonour on them But then they were willing for the sake of the Publick Peace to retire if those that were in Arms in Ocleans and all over the Nation would first go home restore the Places taken by them to their former Liberty and yield that Obedience to the King they ought and that the King of Navar should still retain the Command of the Army The Prince of Conde perceiving by this Answer that the
he was resolved to treat France without any favour In order to this the Pope puts out a Bull dated the 7th of April by which he grants power to the Cardinals appointed Inquisitors General for all Christendom to proceed smartly and extrajudicially as shall seem convenient to them against all and singular the Hereticks and their Abettors and Receivers and those who are suspected to be such abiding in the Provinces and places in which the filth of the Lutheran Heresie hath prevailed and to which it is notorious there is not a safe and free entrance tho' the said persons are adorn'd with the Episcopal Archiepiscopal Patriarchal Dignity or Cardinalate without any other proof to be made of the safety or freedom of the Access But so that Information be first made and that they be cited by an Edict by them to be affixed to the Doors of the Palace of the Holy Inquisition c. admonishing and requiring them to appear personally and not by their Proctors before the said Inquisition within a certain and limited time as the said Inquisition shall think fit upon pain of Excommunication denounced Suspension and other lawful pains And if they shall not so appear they shall be proceeded against in the secret Consistory and a sentence decreed against them tho' absent as convict and confirm'd with a clause of Derogation Tho' this Bull was contrary to all Laws yet the Inquisitors presumed upon it to cite some Bishops of France and with them Odet de Coligni Cardinal de Chustillon who had embraced the Opinions of the Protestants and was now call'd Count de Beauvais he having been formerly Bishop of that City St. Roman Archbishop d'Aix John Monluck Bishop of Valence Jean Anthony Caracciolo Son of the Prince de Melphe Jean Brabanson Bishop of Pamiez Charles Guillart Bishop of Chartres And as if this had been intended but for a step to her the Princess Joan Labrett Queen of Navarr Relict of Anthony late King of Navarr All which I say by a Bull dated the 28th of September and affixed at Rome were cited to appear before the Inquisition within six Months and the Queen was told That if she did not she should be deprived of her Royal Dignity Kingdom or Principality and Dominions as one convicted and the same should be pronounced to belong to whosoever should invade it The King and Queen of France and all the Nobility were extremely exasperated with these proceedings of the Pope and the Bull being read in the Council of State D'Oisel the then Ordinary Ambassador in the Court of Rome was ordered to acquaint the Pope That the King could scarce give any credit to the first reports which were spread in several Pamphlets in France till the Citation which was fixed up in several places in Rome was read to him at which he was much troubled because the Queen of Navarr was in Majesty and Dignity equal to any other Prince in Christendom and had from them the Title of Sister 2. That the danger which threatned her was of ill example and might in time be extended to any of them and therefore they were all bound to assist and defend her in this common cause and the more because she was a Widow 3. But the King of France above all other because nearly related to her and her late Husband who was one of the principal Princes of the Blood Royal and had lost his Life in his service in the last War against the Protestants leaving his Children Orphans the Eldest of which was now in the King's Court and under his care That the King could not neglect the cause of this sorrowful Widow and her Orphan and Children who appeal'd to his fidelity and the Memory of his Ancestors who had in all times of affliction succoured the Princes of Germany Spain and England That Philip the Bold the Son of St. Lewis had with a potent Army defended an Orphan-Queen of Navarr and brought her into France where she was after Married to Philip the Fair from whom Joan the present Queen of Navarr was lineally descended And that John Labrett the Grandfather of this Queen being in like manner persecuted by one of the Popes and driven out of a part of his Kingdom the rest had been defended and preserved by Lewis the Twelfth and his Successors That the Popes themselves have heretofore fled to the French for protection when they have been expelled out of their Sees who had often restored them defended and enriched them with the grant of many Territories That this Queen was so near a Neighbour and such an Allie to the Crown of France that no War could be made upon her without the great damage of France That all Princes were Interested in the Friendship and Peace of their Neighbours and obliged to keep all Wars at a distance from them for the preservation of their own quiet and security Since therefore his Majesty saw by this Bull that there was a design to deprive his Ancient Allies of their Dominions and at pleasure to set up others in their stead he had just reason to fear that as the Spaniards had heretofore on such pretences possess'd themselves of all the Countries to the Pyrenaean Hills so that in time they might pass them too and descend into the Plains of France and so a dismal and destructive War might be rekindled between these powerful Princes to the great hazard and ruin of Christendom Lastly the Queen of Navarr being a Feuditary of the Crown of France and having great Possessions in that Kingdom was under the Protection of the Laws of it and could not be drawn out of it to Rome either in Person or by Proxy no Subject of France being bound to go to Rome but if the Pope had any cause against them he was obliged to send Judges to determine upon the place even in those Cases that came before him by Appeal That therefore this Citation was against the Majesty Law and Security of the Crown of France and tended to the diminishing of the esteem of that King and Kingdom That if the Form of this Proceeding were considered what could be more contrary to the Civil Law than to force a man out of his proper Court and condemn him in another without any hearing For there are Laws That no accused person shall be cited out of the Limits of the Jurisdiction in which he lives and that the Citation shall not be obscure and perfunctory but declared to the proper person or to his family And the Constitution of Pope Boniface the Eighth That Citations set up in certain places of Rome should be of force was recall'd by Clement the Fifth and the Council of Venna as hard and unjust or at least mitigated and it was decreed that they should not be used but when there was no safe coming to the person accused But in France where the Queen of Navarr resides it cannot be pretended that there is no safe coming to
For undoubtedly they would then make a General League against the Catholicks which would be the cause of great Inconveniences We may see by this how hardly this Holy Council was kept from giving the world a Cast of its office in deposing Princes and disposing of their Dominions and absolving their Subjects from their Allegiance tho' we are now told this is none of the Doctrines of that Church but however it is undoubtedly her practice This Admonition was so effectual that the Pope desisted at Rome and revoked the Commission given to that purpose to the Legates at Trent When the French Ambassadors had put these two Rubs in the way of the Council they retired as the King their Master had before commanded them to Venice and gave an account of what they had done to the Cardinal of Lorrain at Rome and to the King of France this last approved it but the former having made his private Market with the Pope who extremely flattered this proud turbulent vain-glorious Prelate was very much displeased with what the French Ambassadors had done in his absence at Trent But when he came there and found the Ambassadors were supported by the King and that there was no fetching them back from Venice till the things proposed by the Council were revoked he perswaded the Legates to compound the difference and the Infallible Council laid by these Decrees which displeased the Crown of France and passed only a general Decree against the Violaters of the Ecclesiastical privileges and Immunities in the Twenty fifth Session This was the last Session of this Council and was held the fifth and sixth of December In it was determin'd the points concerning Purgatory the Invocation of Saints the Worship of Images and Reliques the Prohibition of Duels and all that pertain'd to the Reformation of the Manners of the Clergy All that had been done under Paul the Third Julius the Third and two Years before this in this Convention were then also ratified and confirmed And the Pope was desired to approve the same and so the Council was dismissed with Acclamations The Pope made a grave Oration in a Conclave of the Cardinals and giving God unfeigned thanks that the Council was ended he commended the Emperor the Apostolick Legates and the Bishops and said Tho' he was free from the obligation of all Laws yet he would cause these to be exactly and inviolably preserved and it any thing was omitted he would supply it The Protestant Ministers of Germany at the same time put out a Protestation against this Council subscribed by many of them Thus ended the Council of Trent which was desired and procured by Godly men to reunite the Church which began to be divided but hath so est ablished the Schism and made the parties so obstinate that the discords are become irreconcileable And being intended by Princes for the reformation of the Ecclesiastical Discipline hath caused the greatest corruption and deformation that ever was since Christianity began The Bishops hoped to regain the Episcopal Authority usurped for the most part by the Pope and it hath made them lose it altogether bringing them into greater servitude On the contrary it was feared and avoided by the See of Rome as a potent means to moderate their exorbitant power which from small beginnings mounted by divers degrees to an unlimited excess and it hath so established and confirm'd the same over that part which remains subject unto it that it was never so great nor so soundly rooted Thus far Polano The Emperor who was come as far as Inspruck to promote the Council finding that his being there did not only no good as he thought it would but rather the contrary the Popish Prelates suspecting his designs were against the Authority of the Court of Rome and were accordingly afraid of every thing so that the Difficulties and Suspicions did turn into bitterness and âncrease in number Therefore having other business which would turn more to his Advantage he left that place and returned home but he wrote first to the Cardinal of Lorrain That the Impossibility of doing good in the Council being palpable he thought it was the duty of a Christian and wise Prince rather to support the present evil with patience than by labouring to cure it to cause a greater By which he seems to mean that any enormities were to be endured from the See of Rome rather than to forsake it and so correct them The Catholick Princes being blinded and misled by their Education and not understanding that the right of calling Councils was in themselves as it was of old in the Christian Emperors who call'd all the Ancient General Councils thought that they should by force of Arguments and modesty extort some Reformation from them but when they saw they could not agree amongst themselves what was absolutely necessary France and the Empire asking more than King Philip was willing to admit and the Pope being as stoutly resolved whatever happened not to suffer his Power Grandeur or Wealth to be abated Lastly when they all saw that the Protestants would never submit to any Council that was call'd and managed by the Pope or his Legates they all became weary of it and desired it might be ended as soon as was possible and any way to deliver themselves from the charge trouble and vexation of this unprofitable or rather mischievous Conventicle But then as to the Roman Catholicks of this Age who would fain perswade us that nothing was amiss that there was no need of any Reformation that all the differences arose from misrepresenting the Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome and that this Council was one of the most holy Assemblies of Learned Impartial and Religious men that ever sate These I say are a a pleasant parcel of Gentlemen and presume that we are as ignorant of and unconcern'd for the Histories of former times as those who profess to be led by an implicite faith in all they have the confidence to teach them which is a great mistake From this day forward the Protestants renounced all commerce and friendship with the Church of Rome and she has by this Council put her self out of the power of a Reconciliation so that now the Quarrel is put intirely into the hands of God and all humane wisdom is baffl'd for ever Time the Sword or the Providence of God may perhaps at last put an end to it but no Counsel or Device of men ever shall I should here have ended this Continuation but that I have been forced to leave some things unspoken to continue the thread of my Relation which I will now go back to and gather up that the Story may be the more compleat and perfect Whilest the Council was sitting the Cardinal of Ferrara travelling through Piedmont and Savoy found the Affairs of that Country as to Religion not much other than in France In divers places of the Marquisate of Saluzza
The demands of their Divines in the Council 546. The Protestant Princes make a League at Nuremberg 614. They acquaint the Emperor with it ibid. Their answer in the Diet of Augsbourg to the Papists Allegations 623. Their reply to Ferdinand's Answer to their Papers 626. Prussia vide Albert of Brandenbourg vide Sigismund of Poland vide Wolfgang grand-Master R. RAtisbon Catholick Lords there with Campegio confirm the Decree at Wormes against Luther 74. Make Regulations for the Reformation of the Clergy 75. The Princes do not meet at Ratisbon at the Diet 110. The Diet removes thither from Spire 155. The Articles of the Treaty of Nurenberg are there confirmed 160. A Diet there 272. The Acts of the Diet at Ratisbon 275. The Presidents and Witnesses at the Conference 276. The Acts of the Diet 278. The Decree of the Diet 283. They promise Aid against the Turks ib. A Conference is appointed there 351. The Names of the Conferrers ibid. It is refused by the Papists 352. The Conference opened 358. The Names of the Presidents ibid. The Points disputed upon ibid. It breaks up 359. A Diet there 374. Reformation in Germany its Original 273. Religion those of the Reformed Religion begin to form a League 105. Renate Prince of Orange is killed 327. Reuchlin John Capnio Commissioned to examine Jewish Books 30. His Answer to Maximilian ibid. Answers Phefercorne's Book ibid. Is Cited to Mentz ibid. Excepts to Hogostratus as a Judge ibid. Appeals to the Pope ibid. Is acquitted at Rome ibid. Dies 55. Rhodes taken by Solyman 57. Richard Elector of Triers vide Triers Ridley Nicholas Bishop of London burnt at Oxford for Religion 619. Rochell an Insurrection there 304. Quieted 305. Rome Court of Rome it 's Description 24. A great Inundation there 137. Roman Clergy vide Jews Romans vide King of the Romans Rotman Bernard Preaches up the Reformation at Munster 190. Declares himself an Anabaptist 192. S. SAmson Friar Preaches Indulgences at Zurick 22. Savoy D. of Savoy quarrels with Geneva 203. Loses most part of his Country to the French ibid. Accuses the French King 323. Dies 602. Saxons embrace Luther's Doctrine of the Eucharist 97. Saxony Prince of Saxony's Answer to the Arbitrators 159. Quarrels in the Churches there about Indifferent things 481. Scherteline Sebastian marches towards Inspruck with his Army for the Protestants 388. Leaves the Camp 406. Retires from Strasbourg to Constance 418. A Fine is set upon his Head by the Emperor 554. He raises men in Germany for the French King ibid. Is reconciled to the Emperor and King Ferdinand 594. Schwabian Confederates beat Ulric D. of Wirtemberg 80. They refuse a Truce with the Boors ibid. They rout the Boors at Saltzbourg 81. An Account of the Schwabian League 82. The Schwabian Cities mediate betwixt Albert and the City of Noremberg 562. Schwinfurt a Town upon the Main there the Princes mediate an Accommodation 156. The Treaty is removed to Norenberg 160. Sepsy vide Sepusio Sepusio claims the Crown of Hungary after K. Lewis's death 105. vide Vaivod of Transylvania Dies 269. His Son put under Solyman ' Protection 270. Servetus Michael Burnt at Genoa 593. Seymour Edw. D. of Somerset Protector of K. Edward VI. and the Kingdom in his Minority 418. Is Imprisoned 485. Releas'd and Marries the D. of Northumberland's Daughter 492. Is again made a Prisoner 528. And Beheaded 538. Sforza Francis obtains the Dutchy of Milan of Charles V. 122. Marries Christina the K. of Denmark's Daughter 174. Dies 180. Sibylla of Cleve Wife to John Frederick Elector of Saxony sollicites the Emperor for her Husband 429. Is received Graciously by the Emperor ibid. She dies 596. Sickius Francis at War with the Bishop of Triers 56. Sickness Sweating Sickness in Germany 121. Sidonius Michael a Champion for the Mass at Augsbourg 437. Assists in Compiling the Interim 454. Siena revolts from the Emperor 573. Is Besieged by the D. of Florence 598. Retaken by the Emperor's Forces 615. Sigismund takes Cusanus Prisoner 36. Appeals from the Pope to a Couucil ibid. Calls the Council of Constance 47. Begs the assistance of the Empire against Zisca ibid. Sigismund K. of Poland Wars against Albert Great Master of the Teutonick Order 99. Makes him D. of Prussia ibid. His Answer to the Emperor's Ambassadors 348. His Plea given in by his Ambassador Alaskia about the Dutchy of Prussia 445. He dies 450. Sixtus IV's Decree concerning the Virgin Mary 377. Sleidan John sent by the Protestants Ambassador into England 352. Sent Deputy from Strasbourg to the Council of Trent 529. He applies himself to the Emperor's Ambassadors 531. Complains of Gropper to the Council of Trent 535. Joins with the Wirtemberg and Saxon Ambassadors in their Sollicitations with the Emperor's Ambassadors 537. Takes leave of the Emperor's Ambassador who stops him 545. Leaves Trent 546. Deputy from Strasbourg to the French King 557. Treats with him and the Constable ibid. Dies 638. Smalcald a Town in Franconia belonging to the Landgrave of Hesse vide Protestant League at Smalcald 142. The Confederates of the League expostulate upon the motion to chase a King of the Romans 143. The League renewed 189. A Convention of the Protestants there 212. Solyman makes War in Hungary 50. Takes Belgrade 51. And Rhodes 57. Invades Hungary 103. Besieges Vienna 121. Breaks up the Siege ibid. Makes a new Irruption into Austria 161. His Troops are defeated ibid. Imprisons Alaski Ferdinand's Ambassador 271. Strangles his Son Mustapha 594. Solmes Count vide Naves Spira Francis his dismal Story 475. Spires Bishop of Spires appointed to hear Reuchlin's Cause 30. Decrces in favour of him against Hogostratus ibid. A Diet held there 103. The States there differ about Religion 104. But their Breaches are made up ibid. And they make a Decree about Religion ibid. The Princes Assembled here write to the Senate of Strasbourg about the Mass 116. The Diet there assembled 118. They refuse the Deputies of Strasbourg to sit in the Diet ibid. They make a Decree about Religion ibid. The Princes of the Reformed Religion protest against the Decree 119. As also the Free Cities 120. A Diet call'd thither 152. Removed to Ratisbon 155. Another Diet called there 288. A mighty full Diet 317. A Decree there which angers the Papists 325. States of the Empire Some at Ratisbon desire to referr every thing to the Pope's Legate 279. They treat with tho D. of Cleve to restore Guelderland 285. They send a Message from Nurenberg to the Saxon and Landgrave about the D. of Brunswick 299. Write to the Switzers not to aid the French King 321. They acquaint Maurice the Elector of Brandenbourg with the Emperor's Resolution about the Landgrave 442. Strasbourg Priests marry there 66. The Bishop cites them ib. They justifie themselves ibid. The Bishop writes to Campegio complaining of the Senate 73. The Senate justifie themselves to Campegio ibid. And Parly with him upon his Answer 74. The Popish Clergy complain against the Senate to the
Elector of Saxony The University of Wittemberg interceeds with Duke Frederick for Luther Pope Leo's Bull for the Indulgences Luther's Appeal from the Pope to a Council 1519. Luther's Letter to Pope Leo. The Emperour Maximilian dies Competitours for the Empire Charles King of Spain and Francis King of France The Speech of the Elector of Mentz about the Election of the Emperour The Speech of the Archbishop of Treves The Vote of Frederick Elector of Saxony Charles of Austria chosen Emperour The Elector's Letter to the Emperour His Answer The French King vexed that Charles should be preferred before him The Genealogy of Charles the Emperour The way of chusing the Emperour The Heads of the Golden Bull. * Or Charter because it was sealed with a Seal of Gold instead of Wax The Conditions prescribed to the Emperour Charles V. Erasmus his Judgment of Luther to the Elector of Saxony He writes also to the Archbishop of Mentz and Cardinal Campegio As also to Luther A Disputation at Leipsick betwixt Luther and Eckius Zuinglius preaches at Zurich 1520. Miltitz treatâ with Luther Luther writes to the Pope A Description of the Court of Rome Bernard in his Books of Consideration to Eugenius What Eckius gained by his Dispute Luther makes some overtures for a Peace The mischief of Flatterers Luther's Book of Christian Liberty The Emperor's Voyage out of Spain into Germany Luther's Book to Frederick intitled Tessaradecas His Book concerning Confession Another concerning Vows His Opinion concerning the Communion in Both kinds That the Bohemians always receive it so The Dignity of the Lateran Council The Pisane Council It was called by the Cardinals The Reasons why they did it The Pope's Answer to the Cardinals He prohibits all Persons to come to the Council called by the Cardinals and summons another himself An old trick of the Popes He Excommunicates the Cardinals The Cardinals Proceedings against the Pope The Council remov'd from Pisa to Milan Decius writes in Defence of the Cardinals Maximilian leagues with Julius Matthew Langus created a Cardinal in the Lateran Council Pope Julius dies and Leo X succeeds him The End of the Lateran Council The Immortality of the Soul called in Question at Rome Luther's Book condemn'd at Lovain and Cologn His Answer Ockam condemned at Paris A Comparison between the Jews and Roman Clergy The Authority of Aristotle with the Divines of Loâvain and Cologn Phefercorne's Judgment concerning the suppressing the Jewish Writings The Opinion of Reuchline His Book burnt Approved of by the Bishop of Spire Condemned at Paris The Censure of the Louvain Divines upon Luther's Writings His Letter to the Emperour To the States of the Empire To the Archbishop of Mentz The Archbishop's Answer Luther's Letter to the Bishop of Mersburgh The Bishop's Answer The Pope's Answer to the Elector The Pope's Bull. The Pope and Cardinals condemn Luther's Doctrin and command his Books to be burnt The Decrees of Pius and Julius concerning Appeals Luther is Excommunicated Luther opposes the Pope's Bull. The Electors come to Aix la Chapelle The Emperour enters the Town iâ great state The Ceremonies of the Coronation The Emperour's Oath The manner of making Knights A Dyet summoned to meet at Wormes The Popes anciently subject to the Emperours The Emperours swear Allegiance to the Popes Luther's Works burnt He burns the Canon-Law 1521. Duke Frederick obtains from the Emperor that Luther should have a publick Hearing in the Diet of Wormes Luther's Letter to Duke Frederick The Emperour 's safe Conduct to Martin Luther The Bull De coena Domini The Pope Excommunicates the Lutherans Luther goes to Wormes Luther pleads his own Cause before the Emperor and whole Empire But asked time to deliberate first Eckius Interrogates Luther Luther's Harangne to the Emperor and States of the Empire Eckius to Luther Luther's answer to his Demands Eckius's âeply to Luther Luther's Answer The Emperour's Letter to the Princes And the Princes Disagreement about it A Committee of the States for treating with Luther Vey's Speech to Luther before the Committee Luther's Answer to the Commissioners Luther submits his Works to a General Council Luther returns Home accompanied by a Herald Luther's Letters to the Emperour and States The History of the Council of Constancâe Huss condemned for an Hâretick first by the Pope And then by the Council He and Jerome of Prague burnt Wickliff's Doctrine condemned and his Body taken up and burnt The Parisian Divines condemn Luther's Books Melanchton and Luther answer the Sârbonists The Switzers make Leagues with the Pope and French King But the Canton of Zurick refused the League The Emperour by a publick Decree Proscribes Luther Luther conveyed out of the way The Augustines of Wittemberg forbear saying of Mass And give Duke Frederick their Reasons for so doing Duke Frederick's Answer about abolishing the Mass The Marriage of the Archduke Frederick King Henry of England writes against Luther The Emperor's War with the French King. Pope Leo dies Adrian succeeds Leo. The Emperor returns to Spain to appease Seditions there 1522. A Diet at Norimberg A League betwixt the Emperor and King of England Mary the King of England's Daughter betrothed to the Emperor The Letter of the Bishop of Constance to the Canons of Zurich Zuinglius writes to the Bishop of Constance And to the Switzers The Custom of some Cantons about Priests Concubines Luther returns to Wittemberg And by Letters aquaints Duke Frederick with the Reasons of it Carolostadius casts Images out of the Churches of Wittemberg The Sect of Muncer and other Enthusiasts Luther's Letter to the Bohemians Three Sects in Bohemia Luther's Book against false Bishops Pope Adrian's Brief to the Elector of Saxony Pope Adrian's Letter to the States of Germany A War betwixt the Archbishop of Treves and Francis Sicking Adrian writes to the Senate of Strasburg A short History of Pope Adrian Adrian being declared Pope writes to the Colledge of Cardinals Adrian goes to Rome The Turk taketh Rhodes 1523. The Assembly of Zurich The Reformation received at Zurich Pope Adrian's Instructions about the restraining of Luther Luther's Interpretation of the Pope's Instructions The Princes Answer to Pope Adrian's Legate Troubles in Denmark Christiern King of Denmark banish'd Frederick Duke of Holstein made King of Denmark King Christiern in a publick Declaration answers the Accusations of the Danes and Swedes The Ministers of Norimberg accused by the Pope's Legate The Grievances of Germany presented to the Legate The Acts of the Dyet of Norimberg published Two Augustine Friers burnt at Brussels Luther's Interpretation of the Decree of Norimberg Vlrick Hutton dies Henry King of England's Letters of Admonition to the Dukes of Saxony George Duke Saxony Answers the King of England Pope Adrian dies Priests Marry at Strasburg 1524. An Assembly of the Switzers at Lucern Cardinal Campegius's Letter to Frederick Duke of Saxony Campegius's Speech to the Princes of the Empire The Princes Answer to the Pope's Legate The Legates Reply The Cantons of Switzerland expostulate
Judges but as Honourable and Worthy Prince And in the first place saith he for clearing of the matter I am to speak some things of the Prutenick Order The Kings of Poland made over a good part of Prussia to this Order which is commonly called the Teutonick Order upon condition that they would serve them in the Wars against Infidels and the Enemies of Christendom But they having most ungratefully rebelled turned their Arms against their own Sovereigns So that many times they had Wars together and many times in Treaties the Conditions were renewed which by reason of their antiquity it is to no purpose to relate And I shall only mention that which happened almost in our memory King Casimire the Father of Sigismund having overcome them in a great Battel forced them to accept of Conditions of Peace Amongst other things it was agreed upon at that time that for the future they should acknowledge the King of Poland for their chief Magistrate and swear Allegiance unto him But there were some Masters of that Order afterwards who violated the Conditions and put themselves under the Protection of others Amongst these was Albert of Brandenburg for one who being by his Tenure obliged to do Homage to the King his Uncle within six months refused to do it so that the King who was a great lover of peace was forced to make War against him And though it never came to a pitcht Battle betwixt them yet much mischief was done by Inrodes plundering burning of Houses and smaller skirmishes in so much that Albert being overpowred came to make a Truce with the King. At the very same time some forces came to his assistance out of Germany which made him depart without concluding any thing and begin the War again afresh But being forsaken of them not long after he was now forced to do in good earnest what he had only pretended to do before that he might obtain a Peace So that by the mediation of some Peace was at length concluded upon these Conditions That he should swear Allegiance to the King and perform all those things that a true and faithful Vassal ought to do to his Liege Lord. It is certain then That Prussia hath time out of mind and ever since the Christian Religion was planted there both by the Law of Arms and by Mutual Compacts and Agreements belonged to the Crown of Poland for if any others have claimed right to it that has been done by the Insolence and Injustice of the Masters of the Order who being by the permission of our Kings Natives of Germany have often attempted to bring Prussia under the Dominion of Strangers which hath occasioned many broils and quarrels betwixt the Poles and Germans and was the cause of the Decree whereby Albert stands proscribed But what power had they who proscribed him over the Vassal of another For that he did not appear in Judgment when he was cited by those who were not competent Judges he did so by the Kings Command on whom the whole blame is to be laid if any there be Now if he be outlawed for acknowledging the King to be his chief Magistrate it is really very unjust that a Man should be punished for doing his Duty Wherefore it is the earnest Suit of the King my Master to you most Triumphant Emperour and most Noble States that that unjust and unlawful Decree of Proscription may be abolished Nor is it to be thought that the King out of any ambitious or covetous design intends to enlarge his Dominions by the accession of Prussia For how can he be suspected of any such thing who has refused most ample Provinces offered unto him And indeed he values not this Country so much but that if he could do it with his Honour he could easily dispense with it but since it properly belongs to his Dominions as it hath been already often made out he can do no otherwise for that there have been frequent strifes and contentions about it it hath been always the fault of the Masters of the Order as hath been said whom God failed not now and then to punish for their Audacious Crimes Your Grandfather Maximilian most mighty Emperour and King Ferdinand knew this very well who being mindful of the injuries which both he and his Father Frederick had received from them made a solemn promise to King Sigismund when they had an Interview at Vienna and this Promise he made too both in his own and your Names that he would never give any assistance to that Order Now Maximilian in this did no new thing but therein followed the footsteps of his Ancestors for both Sigismund the Emperour in an Interview with Ladislaus my Masters Grandfather promised not only as much but also to give assistance against them and your Great Grandfather Frederick the Emperour joyned Forces and Arms with Casimire the Father of King Sigismund against Matthias King of Hungary and the Order we now speak of who were at that time Confederates And though King Casimire being entangled in the War of this Order could not send Auxiliaries to the Emperour Frederick yet he supplied him with the Money that he owed him by virtue of their League and Agreement So that it plainly appears that this Order hath been always an Enemy to the House of Austria which hath ever been most closely united to Poland by the Bonds of Leagues and Alliances and that King Sigismund now refers to your serious Consideration For if there be any of that Order that look upon themselves as bound to fight for the Christian Religion there is nothing for them to do in Prussia since all Neighbouring States profess the Faith of Christ They are to look for other places then where they may imploy themselves and indeed Jerusalem for some Ages now has been in the possession of a harbarous Enemy for the defence of which place this Order is said to have been instituted Constantinople also is in the hands of the same People Here is work enough cut out for them if they have a mind to be doing Or if they think the pretension too old and the place too far distant there have been many strong Holds of Christendom lately taken why do not the Order march thither that either they may regain what is lost or defend what remains from the Enemy But if they delight more in Civil War any Man may then judge how ill they deserve their Name This indeed is the Case It is an Order that hath always been out of order And therefore they were not only driven out of Prussia but an hundred years ago out of Bohemia also nor hath any Man as yet sued for a Donation of those places in Bohemia out of which they were expulsed as being publick and vacant Poland alone is thought fit to be molested that way whereas it ought most of all to have been favoured for though that Order is offensive to many yet none has suffered so
II of France slain The various Characters of Henry II of France Francis II a Lad of sixteen Years of Age succeeds him And the Persecution goes on Slaunders against the Protestants Other Slanders spread against the poor persecuted Protestants Du Bourg condemned to Death Minart a Persecutor slain Du Bourg led to Execution His Character The rest of the Members of Parliament were restored Images erected in the Streets to be Worshiped King Philip prepares for Spain He takes Ship at Flushing He raiseth a great Persecution in Spain Constantio the Confessor of Charles V burnt after he was dead Twenty eight Nobles burnt at Vallidolid The Death of Pope Paul IV. The People of Rome express their Hatred of him and the Inquisition The Deaths of several Princes Pius IV elected He changeth his Manners to the Worse Scotâh Affairs Linlithgow The English Affairs relating to Scotland Fradcis II of France claims England in the Right of Mary his Wife The French Provocations against the English The Scotch Complaints against the French. Queen Elizabeth holds off at first but at last is forced to unite with the Protestants of Scotland Reasons assigned for the driving the French out of Scotland The War resolved The War begun Four Divines and two thousand Men sent from France to Convert the Scots The Lords of Scotland Arm against them and depose the Regent She prevails over them 1560. The Scotch Lords go on with their Reformation The English Forces enter Scotland and besiege Leith The French proffer to restore Calais to the English The Death and Character of Mary Queen-Regent of Scotland The French forced to leave Scotland A Parliament in Scotland A Conspiracy in France The Conspiracy of Blois formed at Nantes Thuanus his Reflection on this Conspiracy The discovery of the Conspiracy Andelot and Coligny come to Court on an Invitation Oliver the Chancellor of France hated the Persecution and desired a Reformation Renaudie slain The King of Navar Conde Coligni and Andelot suspected Oliver the Chancellor dies Coligni sent into Normandy by the Queen The Clergy labour to bring the Inquisition into France Conde leaves the Court. An Assembly of the Princes of France Coligni delivers a Petition from the Protestants to the King. The Bishop of Valence seconds it And adviseth the King to call a National Council The Cardinal of Lorrain replies to Coligni A Decree passed for an Assembly of the three Estates and the suspension of the Laws against Hereticks A design upon Lyons The Protestants of France increase wonderfully during the Peace In some places they grow insolent The King of Navarr and Prince of Conde promise to come to the Assembly of the States The Archbishop of Vienne dies The States meet at Orleans Navarr and Conde secured Francis II dies Charles IX succeeds The Prince of Conde fre'd The Protestant Religion breaks out in the Netherlands The Archbishop of Toledo suspected to be a Lutheran A General Council desired by many and opposed by the Pope But prosecutes the Caraffa's to ruine The Duke of Florence come to Rome His Arguments for a General Council With other concurrent Accidents at last prevail'd The Pope's Ambassadors to thee Christian Princes Gustavus King of Sweden dies A Difficulty proposed The Deputy of the Commons speaks against the Clergy And is seconded by the Deputy of the Nobility The Clergy apologize for themselves The Persecution in Piedmont which Occasioneth a War. 1561. A Persecution in the Low-Countries The French Affair Queen Catharine favoureth the Protestants The younger Montmorency's Advice to his Father The pretended Submission of the Cophthites Livonia falls off from the See of Rome The Queen suspects the designs of the Nobility The Differences of Religion occasion Tumults An Edict to restrain them The Edict of July The Cardinal of Lorrain procures the Conference of Pâissy Mary Queen of Scotland leaves France The Three Estates of France Assembled at Pont-Oyse The Clergy of France give the King Taxes to save their Revenues and Jurisdictions The Conference oâ Poissy The Protestant Ministers Their demands The Conference began The Chancellor's Speech Beza speaks Tournon replies with rage The Queens Answer The Points debated Claud d' Espence opposeth Beza The Ordination of the Protestant Ministers Question'd Beza Replieâ Laines General of the Jesuits his Rudeness in the Conference * In the History of the Council of Trent call'd Jaques de Montbrun A Popish Position gives great Offence in France The Council of Trent recall'd The Pope's Bull. Vergerius opposeth the Council Ambassadors sent to the Protestant Princes to invite them to the Council Their Answer to the Emperor The Pope's Legates Admitted Their Answer to the Legates The occasions of the meeting at Naumburg The English reject the Council Erick King of Sweden Crown'd The Cardinal of Caraffa Hanged A National Council desired in France The King of Navar drawn over to the Popish Party by the King of Spain's Arts. A new invented Convention for the Reguâlating matters of Religion in France A Tumult aâ Dijon Scotch Affairs Queen Mary resolves to return into Scotland The Protestant Religion setled in Scotland The Queen angry with the Proceedings Queen Mary goes into Scotland Her beginning very gracious to the Protestants The Preachers would not Tolerate the Queen See Spotiswood pag. 182. Great kindness in shew between Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Queen Mary begins to favour the Romish Party Yet she augments her Revenues out of the Church Lands 1562. The French Affairs A Debate concerning Toleration The Edict of January which granted Liberty of Conscience to the Protestants Injunctions published by the Queen's Order concerning Images Images of the Trinity forbidden The King of Navar pretends still to promote the Reformation The Edict of January opposed by the Guises and others The Duke of Guise called to Court by the King of Navar The Massacre of Vassy happen'd accidentally in that âourny The Duke of Guise uses ill Arts to secure his Servants who began the Tumult The Prince of Conde complains of it to the King. The Duke of Guise entereth Paris The Queen upon this puts her self and the King into the Protection of the Prince of Conde * Aedilit All things in France tend to a Civil War. The Queen out of Fear joyns with the Catholick Lords commonly call'd the Triumvirate Conde comes up towards Fontain-bleau The Triumvirate seize the King. Montmorancy appears very zealous against the Protestants at Paris The Prince of Conde betrayed by the Queen into a disadvantageous War. Orleans surprized by the Prince of Conde Conde Justifies the War. The Catholicks begin the War to deprive the Protestants of the Liberty granted them by the Edict of January The Prince of Conde and the Ministers write to the Princes of Germany The King and Queen affirm they were at Liberty in their Declaration The Massacre of Sens. The Princes of Germany much divided about the true cause of this French War. Roan taken very easily by the Protestants And after that Pont del