Christs Disciples into diuers parts of the world And the same course hath God obserued euery wherein our time In the yeare 1522 that noble Gentleman Frauncis Sickingen had gathered so many worthy men into his Castle of Landscale as might seeme to haue beene sufficient to haue furnished some Vniuersitie and famous Schoole For at one and the same time hee had with him Iohn Oecolampadius Martin Bucer Iohn Schwebelius Iaspar Aquila Now no long time after when he was besieged by certaine Princes he left it to the pleasure of those Diuines to goe for their best safety and securitie where euery one of them would By which occasion of that siege of their dispersion Iohn Schwebelius going to the Count-Palatine Lewes Duke of Biâ—ont he laid there the first stone of the Euangelicall reformation Martin Bucer went to Strawsborowe which with what fruit and benifit of the Church he did it is manifest by the common voice and testimonie of all Germanie Iohn Oecolampadius tooke his iorney to Basile to which Citie he so made knowen and apparent his learning and pietie that he was invited and desired with most earnest request to take paines to read and preach vnto them Wherevnto after that he had yeelded in the space of a few yeares he so aduanced the cause of Religion that the said Citie greatly reioyced at the sight of a full reformation procured by him amongst them Iasper Aquila he went to Thuringia and there furthered the edification of the Church of Christ with great zeale and happy successe A like occasion almost about the same time fel out at Treptqaine a place in Pomerland which was this There florished a certaine Colledge that was famous by the learning of certaine men of which Colledge Iohn Bugenhagius was the Rector Now it fell out that Luthers booke of the Babylonicall captiuitie being sent from Lipsia were deliuered there to Bugenhagius to be read ouer who hauing slightly looked vpon it is reported to haue said to his fellowes bretheren the Sun did neuer see a greater Heriticke then Luther But after a few dayes looking more diligently and attentiuely into the said booke he chaunged his opinion and testimony of him openly before the same bretheren and said that all the world had bin drowâ—ed hitherto in most palpable errours Which he aâ—terwards set so clearely before them as that they all consented in iudgement with him Which after that the Bishop of Camintum came to the knowledge of by and by as the manner is he began fiercely to persecute them Wherefore they began all to fly and prouide for the safety of their life And Bugenhagius going to Wittenberg tooke an Ecclesiasticall charge and afterwards reformed the Churches of Hanborow and Lubeck and of all the Kingdome of Denmarke Andrew Cnophius went into Leif land and there brought the Cittie of Riga to acknowledge and to receaue the truth of the Gospell which at the beginning brake out into so great flames that straightwaies Darbetum and Reualia came thither as it were from the brightnesse of it to kindle their light The rest of them flying from Treptum bestowed themselues abroad in the towne of Pomerland and handled the cause of the Gospell so happily with so great successe as that by the authoritie and commaundement of Barnim and Philip Dukes of Pomerania the states of the land being assembled together in that towne by common councell and decree Popish abuses were banished out of all Pomerland Now let vs view France and namely Meaux in France there Bishop Bricomet with great earnestnes vndertooke to maintaine the cause of the Gospell And hauing called together thether very many learned men and amongst them Iohn Faber Stapulensis a man of eminent and great name he commanded them publickely to preach the true doctrine of the Gospell But after when the Bishop being terrified and put in feare fell away from true religion all the ministers also were compelled to forsake the countrye whereof some went into the Kingdome of Nauarre and some to Paris and althougth priuately and in secret places they instruct the people by their Sermons Many of them also in the Citie of Metz whither they had fled began the building of that goodly Church which euen to this day doth continue and flourishe Others also weÌ„t to other places of that Kingdome where they made Christ and the doctrine of the Gospell more famous And is there any man who herein may not acknowledge admire and publish the wisedome of God especially considering that he then sheweth forth his mightie power for the helpe and aduancement of his Church when we thinke it most of all abandoned and forsaken The like thing hapned also in Italy which for the profession of the Gospell banished many godly persons from Naples Luca Pisa and Locarne All which persecutions the wisedome of God directed to that ende that by the seruice of the same men which had beene banished from these places the building vp of the Churches in other countries might be excellently raised vp The same we know to haue beene done at Geneva Zarick London in England and in other places In like maner the small Caldian warre being finished the brethreen and professors which were driuen out of Bohemia and Morauia came to Pole-land where they who had beene refused by King Sigismond found a very gratious patron of Albert Duke of Borussia Yet some of these turning backe againe into Polonia were receiued by diuers noble men in Pole-land And what came of their returne In the space of eight yeares there was so much effected by their industry and labour as that Peter Vergerius hauing ben sometimes Bishop of Iustinopolis and the Popes legate in Germany by the writings of our men which hee had vndertaken to confute was brought to the acknowledging of the truth euen he confessed that hee found in Pole-land forty Churches established in good order by those brethren which they neuer thought would come to passe who had banished them with so great crueltâ—e Moreouer it cannot be denied but that the persecution in the Low-countries furnished the dominion of the Palatine Elector with many teachers and Preachers of the word adorned with all kinde of good learning and knowledge whose godly labours did greatly aduance the worke of reformation begun by Frederick the third Elector The like also fell out in this countrey For when as after the blessed decease of that most worthy pious and vertuous Prince some alteration in Religion had driuen and dispersed Ministers of the word into other places by these ministers in like manner the doctrine of the truth was propagated and spread into other places Furthermore by what meanes thinke we that the most famous Dukedome of Wirtenberg was brought to the acknowledging of the Gospell was it not when the Duke Huldrick himselfe was dispossessed and cast out of his Dukedome for whereas hee liued priuately with Phillip the Landgraue of Hassia and there heard the teachers of the sincere Religion preaching had
contrite and wounded hearts of men were led as by the hand from their confidence in their owne merits to the precious ransome of the death of Christ it is incredible to be spoken with how great celeritie and speede and with what great successe the puritie of true Religion pierced into all countries For it rested not now onely in Cities neither was it content to remaine amongst the inferiour of the Nobilitie and gentry but it entred into the Courts euen of Kings and Emperours and gat their allowance and approbation May it please you then for proofe hereof that we first viewe the Cities Amongst these the first that flourished and were famous for the praise of sinceritie of the Gospell were these Strausborough Breme Norinberge Worms Erford Hoslaria and Embden of Frize-land All these chearfully with ready mindes receiued and entertained the trueth comming vnto them in the very first beginning These also kindled by by a ferueÌ„t zeale of Religion in other countries Amongst these were Maydenborow Hamborow Lubeck Brunswick Wismaria Rostochium and almost all the Cities of the Empire Nay furthermore in Liâ—feland the cities of Riga Derbatum Renalia in Heluâ—tia or Switzerland Basile Scafhusium Tigâ—rum or Zurich Berne and diuers others All which Cities as they embraced the doctrine of the Gospell with great gladnes gratulations so Wolfgongus Capito hath left written a singular memorable act in this respect of the men of Berne which is this Hauing receiued the Gospell they set their prisoners at libertie and proclaimed freedome for such as they had banished out of the land to returne into their Country againe yeelding this notable reason for their so doing For said they if we would haue dismissed discharged our malefactors and prisoners in the honour of an earthly King that should haue come vnto vs. How much more now ought we then sith Christ the King of glory is come vnto vs bringing with him the most glorious benefit of euerlasting redemption And therefore we most earnestly wish and desire that as much as might be all men may be made partakers of so great a benefit and deliuerance as is now bestowed vpon vs. In going out from the Cities let vs view the degree of Knighthood In this degree there attained a perpetuall Crowne of honour that noble Frauncis of Sickengen Huldrick of Huttâ—n and Siluester of Schawenburg For when Luther was miserably vexed and persecuted by the Pope they vndertooke the defending and protecting of him with al their force and power And when Luther was excommunicated and was thinking to flie into Bohemia for refuge Schawenbergius before mentioned offered him free accesse vnto him and promised him a company of a hundred horsemen of Franconia to conduct him safely to him Of this praise are also pertakers the Landshadii Steinacenses Helmstatenses Gemingenses and Mensingenses who euery one of them from the yeare 1521 and 1522 had procured the sinceritie of the Gospell to bee publickly preached in their territories In whose steps Iohn of Salhausen of Bohemia treading did the same and being accused for it to Lewis King of Hungary and Bohemia hee defended himselfe with a notable Apology Now amongst the Princes that receiued the Gospell the heroicall worthies of the house of Saxonie obtained the principall place to wit Frederick the wise Iohn the sincere and Iohn Frederick the constant being Electors whose most commendable example euen straightwayes from the beginning followed Lewis Count Palatine the Duke of Bipont George Marques of Brandborow Marques Albertus Duke of Prussia Ernestus Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg Frauncis Duke of Luneburg Phillip Landgraue of Hassia Wolfgangus Prince of Anhalt and Frederick the second Duke of Silesia Lignicum and Briga From thence the fame of the Gospell sounding all abroad there opned their gates also to the Lord Iesus Christ in their countries these Princes Iohn Duke of Cleue and his successor William although there fell 1533. out some such causes and times as suffered them not to finish and perfect the reformation which they had begun so as it had beene to be wished These princes also embraced the Gospell Huâ—drick 1534. Duke of Wirtemberg with his brother George Earle of Wirtemberg and Mâ—nbelgard and Barâ—inus and Phillip 1537. Dukes of Pomerania Ioachin the second Elector of 1538. Brandenburg his brother Iohn Seuerus Henry Duke 1539. of Saxonie father of Mourice and Augustus Electors 1543. Hermannus Arch-bishop of Coullen Charles Marques of Baden Iulius Duke of Brunswicke Gotthardus Duke 1556. 1568. of Curland William Prince of Orenge to whom the lowcountrymen are much beholding in that respect For what should I speake of the Arch-Palatine countrey wherein wee haue the reformation made by the Electors that is begun by Frederick the second 1546. continued by Otto Henricus and finished brought to perfection by Frederick the third to his eternall and greatest honour and our vnspeakeable benefit and comfort Neither was Lewis the peaceable Elector estranged from fauouring the Gospel seeing that 1538. his brother Frederick graciously graunted free exercise of the Religion of the Gospell to eight cities lying in one precinct in the higher country of the Palatinate which are Amberg Neufore Kam Nafurg Weiden Nanpurg Auâ—bac and Châ—mnate Herein also it secmeth most worthy to be remembred that a Prince of the Empire George Earle of Anhalt a Prince of most 1548. approued pietie and holinesse is saide to haue esteemed the doctrine of the Gospell so precious that hee doubted not himselfe in his own person out of a rare and extraordinary zeale to deliuer it to his subiects preaching vnto them We haue heard also that the same Prince graâ—ed with a mariage-Sermon the Elector Augustus and his noble wife being publickely maried according to the accustomed right and manner of the Church For which cause the Queene of Denmarke ioyfully gratulating the spouse her daughter saide often that no greater grace could happen to her in the world After these Princes followed also Kings euery of them in their seuerall times and distances of yeares Amongst these the first was Frederick King of Denmarke who hauing shaken off the yoake of the Pope embraced the pure doctrine of the word of God Soone after followed him Gustarus King of Sweden Mary Queene of Hungary sister to the Emperour Charles Margaâ—et of Valoys Queene of Nauarre sister to Frauncis King of Fraunce to whom shee most earnestly coÌ„mended often-times the cause of such Christians as being exiled fled for refuge into Fraunce yeelding her selfe most gratious vnto them yea and as if she had borne the kind affection of a mother towards them Such a one was also Renata the daughter of Lewis the twelfth King of Fraunce who hauing beene maried to Hercules Duke of Ferrary enlightned the darkenesse of Italy it selfe with the light of the Gospell And when shee had returned widow and dowager into Fraunce in the tempestuous and stormy time of the most foule and
and benefit more then I doe the glory of God Certainely your expectation doeth much deceiue you With which answere hee dismissed those messengers adding to his former speach this notable sentence that hee had rather bee poore with Christ then rich with the Pope Which memorable act of his religious pietie wanted not his reward from God For before that the legates and messengers had returned some Duke Georg his brother dying without executing that his determination altogether against his will left Duke Henry his heire and successor And what should I speake of Iohn Frederick Elector of famous memory Of whom the Emperour Ferdinandus himselfe is reported to haue said to Doctor N 〈…〉 vius chiefe Phisitian of the Elector of Saxony that Iohn Frederick Flector was a Prince of a magnanimous and high courage whose valour and vertue if his Souldiers had followed in the Warre with like animositie and bouldnesse hee had neuer beene ouercome Further hee is reported to haue said that hee stood by the Emperour Charles and beheld with how chearefull and gratious a countenance hee came to the Emperour presenting himselfe not as a captiue and prisoner but chearefull as one that should haue led a daunce And surely that he excelled in the greatnesse of an inuincible minde and courage he made it manifest in his very imprisonment and captiuitie to the wonder and admiration of all men For in the assembly at Ausburge the Emperour had drawen all the States of the Empire to his purpose that stricken with feare they freely professed that they would receiue whatsoeuer the Generall Councell that was to be called should determine of Religion Then he required and commaunded the Prince being prisoner to doe the like But he then answered that in all other things he was ready with all submission to yeeld his seruice and obedience but in that which concerned Religion and conscience hee humbly be fought him in his gracious clemency to respect him So great was the magnanimitie of this Prince Elector when he was a prisoner so great was his zeale for the true worship of God when the other States being yet free and yet affrighted with the feares of daungers professed that they would willingly obey the decree of the counsell that was to be held whose iudgement was yet vnknowen what it would bee Therefore Melanchthon a most religious Diuine notably in verse commended the constancy of this likewise most religious Prince and Elector saying He won more praise by constant profession of faith then if he at home had fought fierce and terrible battels Furthermore the County Palatine is able to shew also in this glorious field and to this day commendeth to all posteritie those most famous Princes Otto Henry and Frederick the third of that name either of them Electors and most constant defenders of the trueth Ottho Henricus desired rather to loose the principalitie of Neuburg then by forsaking the truth of Religion to keepe it and to win the fauour of Caesar and of the Pope which faithfulnes and constancy in Religion God recompenced with a large ample blessing For he not onely restored vnto him the foresaid dominion but also Frederick the second being dead he gloriously aduanced him to the Electorship Behold also the Count Palatine Frederick the third him to whom pietie it selfe gaue his Sir-name so that he was renowned called Fredericus Pious and consider with me a little his diuers and great trials which he endured for the cause of Religion He was constrained sometimes to auoide the darts of his brother sometimes to withstand his children and sometimes to resist his kins-folke yea at the length in the assembly at Ausborow he had the Emperour himselfe and the Princes and States of the sacred Empire greatest aduersaries vnto him Yet surely Caesars Maiestie notably made answere for him to the Electors and Princes that would haue excluded and shut out the saide Frederick Pius out of the peace of the Empire saying I must answere you as Christ did Salome you knowe not what you aske Doe you not know that he is a Prince of the Empire will you be at discord among your selues Notwithstanding the same Emperour very seuerely and peremptorily commaunded the same Elector Frederick to change and vtterly forsake his Religion which was said to be a diuers Religion from that which was said to be allowed at Ausburge and infected as they said with the error of Caluinisme Then the Elector openly and plainly as the loue of Religion perswaded him to this effect declared his minde to the Imperiall Maiestie that in the matter of Faith and Religion hee did acknowledge one onely Lord to wit God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords That such question and businesse concerned not the losse of any temporal estate or of this present life but the euerlasting saluation of the soule which as he had receiued and had it recommended vnto him from Christ his Lord and Sauiour so he both ought and would keepe it entire and whole without hurt or blemish vnto him euen with the daunger and losse of this present life Furthermore he said that hee was willing and ready to yeelde to any whatsoeuer they were a iust reason apologie and defence of his Catechisme and Faith Which magnanimitie and courage of a constant faith Augustus Duke of Saxony and Elector admiring friendly and brotherly striking with his open hand the shoulder of this most pious Prince Frederick said Frederick thou doest farre excell vs all in pietie and Religion Behold a chearefull minde of a Prince in the profession of the truth nobly resembling the Emperour Iouinian who being taken by the Souldiers to receiue the Imperiall dignitie refused to take it vpon him except the Army by whom hee was chosen would cast away their Idols and embrace the sinceritie of Christian Faith Our owne Prince also in like manner a most constant professor of Religion resolued rather to loose the dignitie to be one of the seauen Electors then to abandon the truth of the Gospell if hee could not keepe his Electorship without the losse of true Religion Now let vs proceede from Germany to Italy and bring out before you two worthy champions for the faith out of the Kingdome of Naples to wit Galeacius Caracciolus Vice-Marques and the same a sonne of the sister of Pope Paul the fourth the other Iohn Berniardin Boniface Marques of Oria. Both these were enflamed with so great a zeale of Religion as that all their worldly dignities neglected and the honour of their life and state despised they forsooke their houses and their countrey and led the rest of their mortall liues in such a voluntary banishment as the sinceritie of Religion laid vpon them Heere also I could name you many other worthy and famous personages in Spaine Italy Scotland and Germanie which some of them secretly and some of them by open violence suffred death for the profession of the Gospell But the Martirologies and stories of the