soar'd-up to heaven on Concords day Which tended Luther thither on his way Deare Christ since Discord followed with Coates rent Give to thy Spouse Elijahs ornament Upon his Tomb-stone the Universitie of Wittenberg as to her beloved father engraved The body of Martin Luther Doctour of Divinity lieth here interred who in An. 1546. the 12. of the Kalends of March died in Isleben the place of his birth when he had lived 63. yeeres 3. moneths and tenne dayes MARTINI LVTHERIS THEOLOGIAE D. CORPVS H. L. S. E. QVI ANNO CHRISTI M. D. XLVI XII CAL. MARTII EISLEBII IN PATRIA S. M. O. C. V. AN. LXIII M. III. D. X. Thus Luther ran his course this was the period of his travels When first Melancthon heard newes of his death he utttered these sacred words of the scripture The Charriot and horsemen of Israel is gone and tooke his death most heavily For they had lived together 28. Melancthons sorrow for Luthers death yeeres in most religious manner so that Melancthon truely loved him for his admirable vertues and was a faithfull mate and helper to him in clearing the doctrine of the Gospel Their intire love faithfull society For though those times were prone to distractions and mens wavering mindes desirous of dissention yet when as each knew others infirmities there never fell any jarre betweene them which caused any alienation of their affection or parting their company and fellowship But what and how great stormes rose in Germany after the death of Luther out alas What followed Luthers death each Christian knoweth So that Luther said truly and often foretold That whilst he lived by Gods help See Mathel Serm. on Luthers life there would no warre be raysed in Germany but when he was dead the age to come would see the event Concerning the doctrine of the Gospel he uttered this heavenly truth These things will be a great bane to Christian Religion First What will be great hinderances of Christian Religion forgetfullnesse of Gods blessing on us in restoring to us the Gospel Secondly security which already commonly and every where raigneth Thirdly worldly wisdome which would bring all things into good order and cure the publique stirres with wicked Councels There was in this worthy man of God a quicke and prudent understanding Luthers vertues a magnanimous and noble Spirit He was ever constant in known truth His constancy in the truth from the confession whereof he could never be removed with threats or promises So that when upon a time one Papist demanded of another Why do you not stop the mans mouth with gold and silver The other answered See this German beast careth not for money There appeared in him a singular proofe of his valour and noble courage in the Auspurg Assembly when thus he wrote out of his Wildernesse to Spalatinus That Kings and Princes and people Luthers couragious speech about the Gospels successâ— at the Assembly at â—dâ—â—pâ—â—g 1530. rage against the Christ or anointed of God I esteem it a good sign and think it much better then if they flattered For thereupon followeth that he that dwels in heaven laughes at them And when our Lord and King laughes I see no cause why we should weep before their faces He laughes not for his own sake but for ours that we rather trusting to him then to any thing else might laugh at their vain designs so much need is there of faith that the cause of faith may not be looked upon without faith But he that begun this worke he began it without our counsell and contrivance And he himself will forward with it and finish it without and beyond all our counsels and devises of this I make no question I know and am assured hereof He in whom I beleeve is able to do above all which we can aske or conceive Though Philip Melancthon contrive and desire that God should work according to and within the compasse of his counsels that he might have wherein to glory and say Surely thus the businesse should be carried Thus would I have done But this is not well spoken I Philip would have it so This I is too flat and dull too low a style It must be thus The God who saith I am that I am this is his name I am He will have it so It is not yet seen who he is but he will appear as he is and we shall see him But I have done Be you valiant in the Lord and put Melancthon in minde from me that he set not himself in Gods place but fight against that ambition of Deitie which was inbred and took rooâ— in us in Paradise by the devils suggestion for that is an affectation not furthering the businesse now in hand The desire of being like God thrust Adam and Eve out of Paradise and it alone doth trouble us and turn us out of the course of Peace We must be mortall men and not Gods Thus in briefe If we think otherwise everlasting unquietnesse and anguish of heart will be our reward Luther was ready for Martyrdom once or twice and thought his adversaries would have him to it whereupon at his going to Auspurg An. 1518. thus he wrote to his deare freind * Tom. 1. epist p. 85. Melanct. Shew your selfe a man of resolution as you already doe Teach the students Gods truth I am going if God so please to be sacrificed for them and you For I had rather die and never more enjoy which thing alone would be most grievous to me your most sweet societie then to recant and revoke any truth which I have preached and give occasion to overthrow the right course of studies And elsewhere he thus wrote * Tom. 1. epist p. 297. and Tom. 2. p. 340. to Spalatinus I had rather as I have often sayd die by the hands of the Romanists alone And would by no meanes that Charles and his Counsellours should interpose themselves in putting mee to death The Emperour Sigismund unhappy after Hus his death I know what misery befell Sigismund the Emperor after the martyring of Hus how nothing prospered with him afterward how he died without issue male how his daughters sonne Ladislaus also died and so had he his name extinguished in one age of men besides Barbara his Queen became a dishonour to the royall place she held and other matters which you well know But yet if it so please God that I shall be delivered into the hands not only of the Papists spiritual Governours but of Temporal Magistrates also the Lords will be done Amen And againe thus to Lambert Thorn imprisoned I rejoyce with you most heartily and give thanks to our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ that he hath not onely graciously given me the knowledge of his word Tom. 2 Epist but made me see a plentifull and glorious encrease of his grace in you Wretched man that I am It is reported that I first taught
EFFIGIES DOCTISSIMI UIRI MARTIN LUTHER THEOLOGI OBYT 17 FEBRUA Aº 1546. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF Dr MARTIN LVTHER The Passages whereof haue bin taken out of his owne and other Godly and most Learned mens writings who liued in his time MVLIER AMICTA SOLE HABENS LVNAM SVB PEDIBVS CORONATA XII STELLIS Eâ—â—â—esia Milvâ—â—â— 1. Thess 5 12 13 Wee beseech you bretheren to know them Who labour among you etc and to esteeme them very highly for there worke sake and be at peace among your selues LONDON Printed by I L for Iohn Stafford and are to be sould at his shop in Chancery lane ouer against the Rolles 1641. To THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sr. THOMAS ROE Knight Chancellour of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell TO whom rather should I addresse this present discourse then to your Honourable selfe who by your a Ann. Dom 1628. and once since that time Embassie extraordinary for his Majestie of England into Germany well observed the countrey and the present estate thereof where many passages here mentioned were acted And much the rather doe I humbly present it to your Honourable Patronage because upon that happie occasion it pleased our gracious God to put then into your mind and to nourish therein ever since a serious consideration of the deplorable distractions of the Christian Church as he did into good b Nehem. 1. 2. Nehemiahs minde of the lamentable estate of Ierusalem in his time Your compassionate and tender affection was and is still much moved to c Segnius irritant aâ—imos demissa per aures quam que sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus Hor. observe the living stones of the New Ierusalem lying in the dust or drencht in their own blood some of her Priests and their flocks clad in Sackcloth others with their people by sword and fire cast out and banished and which is worst of all your Honour well discerned how difficult a task it was to cure this fearfull maladie because disaffection of parties dissention of opinions unlesse God prevented the mischiefe would not admit the binding up of the wound Nor did these miserable calamities of Gods people only vex and grieve your pious and religious soule but also so rouzed and summoned up your Honours most serious thoughts that with d As the good Samaritan not only pitied but took care of the wounded man an heartie and godlie providence with a sincere and prudent circumspection you presentlie consulted with other most learned religious Christian lovers of Gods Church about the peace thereof so far as possiblie may be attained and so far as it lies in the power of Christian Princes of most judicious Divines and of truly zealous people guided by them both that as much as may be we may all be e Christians shold be peaceable one with another the devill and the world raise stirs too many to molest the Church of one minde and accord and think and speak one and the same thing as the sacred Scripture often and straightly giveth us in charge For this end Mr. Iohn Dury a Divine of singular pietie learning truly studious of the Churches peace and incomparably sedulous to advance the same and first interessed in the work by your Honourable means and incouragement hath so much prevailed with many illustrious f This by severall instruments signed by them will plainly appear Princes States and the most eminent learned men in Germany and the parts adjoyning that the work is very wel promoted and an heartie inclination wrought towards a good correspondencie for Ecclesiasticall peace God grant your Honour life and health that to your great comfort and all true Christians joy you may shortly see the work come to more maturitie and perfection Amidst your Honours grave and weightie intendments for this and other occasions of much concernement may you please to reflect on this discourse I conceive that there be many passages therein very considerable for these and after times and that they will make much for the exciting of our thankefulnesse to God when we behold from what beginnings in an 100 and few moe yeares Gods truth hath risen and Papisticall and Anabaptisticall errour faln It is remarkable that the points by D. Luther mainly opposed were Indulgences the Popes boundlesse power merit of workes Purgatory Communion but in one kinde all g When walled Cities and Castles are taken Villages must yeeld Isor chiefe points and palpably and and undeniably grosse And on the other side that he stood up against the Anabaptists rebaptization of themselves their not baptizing infants as not commanded by Christ their having all things in common as had the Primitive Christians Acts 2.44 and against the Antinomians heresies concerning the law and other like erroneous fancies It is also observable that Dr. Luther striking at the Popes unlawfull power never sought to exalt himselfe to honour or h He left his wife and three children in want and distresse too manifest a signe thereof riches For though as he saith he himselfe with other learned men executed Episcopall Authority in visiting the Churches of Saxony reforming things amisse yet he knowing his talent fittest for the Chaire of Wittenberg never would rise higher but wrote a book concerning Christian Episcopacy and installed Nicolas Amsdorf Bishop of Neoburg and George Anhaltinus Bishop of Mersburg And in regard that Luther studied and read as Professor Philosophie of divers kinds was well versed in the Fathers and in Aquinas Scotus Occam other Schoolmen and attained to the Greek and Hebrew tongues he was thereby i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist inabled rightly and soundly and gravely and not k Some who know nothing doâ—e about questions and strife of worâ—â— c. 1 Tim. 6.4 ignorantly rashly or humorously to judge of these studies and of their use in Theologie It was also very commendable in him that he disliked railing discourse without solid and concluding arguments slighted foolish and groundlesse calumnies reproved young students forward and rash attempts without authority for the promoting of his cause blamed the headie and disorderly tumults raised by the Boores and vulgar sort confessed ingenuously his doubting of some points his ignorance in others and craved pardon if having beene lately a Popish Monk he should in any point erre from the truth Seeing this was D. Luthers prudent and religious course I shall never marvell at his * The cause required it And God sweetly â—â—oderated Luthers vehemency with P. Melancthons mild and calm temper Heroicall Spirit and impregnable confidence of Gods assistance and of the successe of his attempts and on very good ground famous and worthy Princes countenanced and assisted him as a man by his then opposites convicted of no errour doing much good service in the University offering his cause to any just triall appealing from the Pope to the Generall Counsell
desired of Frederick Elector of Saxony Luther having notice hereof mainly indeavoured that the cause might be handled in Germany under competent Judges and at length he prevailed by the mediation of Wittenberg * Tom. 1. pag. 106. Vniversity to the Pope and by Charles Multitius a German the Popes Chamberlain and the mediation of the Elector of Saxony to Cajetan then the Popes Legate that at Auspurg before the Legate himself Luther might plead his own cause About the beginning of October On Saint Marks day Tom. 1. epist p. 83. What was required of him Luther came on foot to Auspurg in his hood borrowed of Wenceslaus Linkius and much wearied with the journey and upon assurance of his safetie was admitted to the Cardinals presence Who admonished him first To become a sound member of the Church and to recant the errours which he had divulged secondly to promise that he would not again teach his former doctrines thirdly that he would abstain from other doctrines which would disturb the peace of the Church Here also it was objected to him that he denyed the Merit of Christ to be a treasure of Indulgences and that he taught that faith was necessary for all which should come to the Sacrament Cajetan defended the Pope Cajetan proved his own opinion by the decree of Clement the sixth and at large extolled the authoritie of the See of Rome as being falsly preferred before all Scriptures and Councels After much debating the matters Luther intreated some time to deliberate thereon and returned the next day and in the presence of some witnesses and a Scribe and foure of the Emperours Counsellors professed Luthers answer to the Cardinal that he gave the Church of Rome all due observance and if he had spoken any thing dissenting from the judgement of the Church be would reverse it but could reuoke no errour being not yet convicted by Scripture of any and did appeale to the judgement of the Church Hereupon the Legate sharply chiding Luther dismissed him and dealt with Staupicius to bring Luther to revoke what he had taught But Luther not convinced as yet by Scripture persisted in the trueth Yet at length fearing least the Cardinal should make more use of his power and greatnesse then Scholarlike disputations he appealed to Rome Tom. 1. epist p. 96. b. 99. b. and departed from Auspurg Octob. 20. Because the Cardinal charged him not to come into his presence unlesse he would recant Yet Luther left behind him an epistle to the Cardinal and affixed thereunto a formal appeale unto the Pope Cajetans Letter to the Duke of Saxony Cajetan took Luthers departure in ill part and wrote to the Duke of Saxony that he would either send Luther to Rome or banish him out of his territories and intreateth him not to give credit to Luthers defenders and to take heed of staining the illustrious Family whence he was descended The Dukes answer The Elector returned answer That now it was not in his power to do this because Luther was not convicted of any errour and did much good service in the Vniversitie and did offer his cause to triall and disputation The resolution of the Duke was more confirmed by an Epistle of Erasmus and the intercession and vote of the Vniversitie of Wittenberg Here I may not passe over a notable proofe of Luthers Heroike courage When Luther came to Auspurg he by the counsell of such as the Prince Elector sent with him waited three dayes for to have the Emperours Letters for his safetie In the mean time the Cardinal sent one for Luther but he denyed to come untill the Emperour granted what he desired At this the messenger was offended and said Luthers conference with the Cardinals messenger Do you think that Prince Frederick will take up armes in your behalfe I desire it not said Luther in any wise Then the Partie Where then will you abide Luther answered Vnder the cope of Heaven The Italian replyed Had you the Pope and the Cardinals in your power what would you do I would said Luther give them all due honour and reverence At this the Messenger after the Italian manner biting his thumbs went away Upon these dealings Luthers spirit fainted not Luther was intended to goe from Saxony yet least he should cause detriment or danger to any one or derive suspicion on his Prince and that he might more freely deale with the Papall crue would have gone into France or some other countrey But his friends on the contrary counselled him to stick firmely to Saxony and that the Popes Legate should be certified that Luther was ready in any safe place appointed him to make his answer But Luther having setled his resolution to depart tooke his leave of the Prince Elector Tom. 1. epist pag. 120. and by a letter sent to him Novemb. 29. thanked his Highnesse for all friendly offices of his love The Prince sent that letter to the Legate and appointed Luther to abide at Wittenberg Of this Luther thus wrote The Prince was fully minded that I should stay but what his minde now is since the Royal proceedings are published and I have appealed to the Councel I know not For he understanding by the Cardinals Letter Luther appealeth from the Pope to the Councel An. 1518. that Judgement should passe on him at Rome he made a new Appeal saying that he was forced of necessitie to appeal from the Pope to the Councel ensuing which was in many respects to be preferred before the Pope About the same time towards the end of the 18 yeere Charles Multitius sent to bring Luther to Rome the Pope sent Charles Multitius a Misnian Knight and bestowed on Prince Frederick a golden Rose according to custome consecrated by the Pope on the fourth Sunday in Lent and exhorted him to continue in the faith of his ancestours He was earnest with Luther to be reconciled to the Pope and had seventie Briefes Apostolicall as they call them to shew that if the Prince would deliver him out of his custody for which cause the Pope sent him the Rose in seventie Townes the seventie Briefes should be set up and so he should be brought safe to Rome But he opened the closet of his heart to Luther himself when he thus spake O Martin His speech concerning Luther Praef. Tom. 1. Luther Lat. worke at Wittenb I conceived you to be an old man and sitting in some solitary place as an ancient Divine in some private manner to have disputed your Tenents But now I see you to be in your best age and full of vigour Had I 25000. armed men I could not be confident that I could bring you to Rome for as I came hitherward I tried how men stood affected and found that where one man stood for the Pope three stood for you against him What Multitius did in this kinde was ridiculous for he asked of women and maids in the Innes
as he came what they thought of the Seat of Rome They not knowing the force of this speech answered What know we whether at Rome ye sit on wooden or stone seats He further required of Luther that he would have a regard to the Churches peace and promised to endeavour that the Pope should do the like Luther freely promised most readily to doe what ever he could with a safe conscience in regard of Gods Trueth and affirmed that himself was desirous and studious of peace and that it was not his fault that these stirres arose for necessitie had urged him to do what he had done Multitius also called unto him Tecelius the cheife original of these debates Multitius reproveth Tecelius and with sharp wordes and threates so daunted the man Tom. 1. ep Luth. p. 152. and 208. Tecelius his death till now a clamorous unaffrighted bold face terrible to all so that ever after he languished and with heartes griefe pined away Luther wrote a consolatory letter to him in this case but for feare of the Popes indignation he died Frederik the Elector a prudent and Religious Prince neither yeelded to the Popes desire nor vouchsafed his Rose any respect though Multitius wonderfully boasted of it at Dresa sayd Doctour Martin is in my power About this time the Bohemians sending a booke written by Iohn Hus to Luther encouraged him to constancy and patience The Bohemians encourage Luther and confessed that the Divinity taught by Luther was sound and right Matters being growne to this height of dispute and Luther having many adversaries at Leipsick a towne in Misnia belonging to George Duke of Saxony Cosen german to Prince Frederik Carolostadius dispute with Eckius in the 19. yeere a disputation was held Thither came Andreas Carolostadius accompanied with Luther Melanchthon and Barninus Duke of Pomerania He at that time was in office in the University of Wittenberg Thither came also Iohn Eckius a Divine of Ingolstad Hereupon the 17. day of June Iohn Eckius and Carolostadius began the disputation about free-will Namely whether there be in man any free will to doe good as of himselfe that is as they say whether in congruitie we deserve grace when we doe what is in us to doe Eckius granted that there is not in man a genuine and naturall power and abilitie to doe a good worke but an acquired On this point eight dayes were spent by his playing the Sophister Luther could by no meanes obtaine leave of Duke George freely with his safety to dispute and thereupon came not as a disputer but an as Auditor to Leipsick under the protection granted to Carolostadius Whereupon Eckius comming to Luthers Lodging said Luther invited by Eckius to dispute that he heard that Luther refused to dispute Luther answered How can I dispute seeing I cannot obtaine protection from George the Duke To this Eckius replied If I may not dispute with you I will no longer dispute with Carolost adius For I came hither to dispute with you If I can obtaine for you the Dukes leave will you dispute When Luther assented thereunto Eckius presently procured for him a publique grant of safety and liberty to dispute This Eckius did out of an assured confidence of victorie and renowne to himselfe by confirming that the Pope is the Head of the Church Whether the Pope be head of the Church Jura Divino Iure Divino by Divine right which Luther denied Hence Eckius tooke occasion at large to flatter the Pope and demerit his favour and to derive much hatred and envie on Luther This the bold champion stoutly attempted in the whole disputation but was not able to make good his cause or confute Luther Eckius chiefe arguments were Eckius his argument that the Church could not be without an head seeing it was a body consisting of severall members Then he produced the place in Matthew Thou art Peter c. and some speeches of St Ierome and Cyprian and the Councel of Constance where against the Articles of the Hussites it was concluded That it was necessary to salvation that men should beleeve that the Pope was the Oecomenicall Bishop or Christs vicar over the whole world Afterward they entred into dispute about Purgatorie and Indulgences but in briefe about repentance about remission both of sin and its punishment and about the power of priests The two last dayes Carolostadius disputed againe and on the 14. day of July the disputation ended This disputation was set forth afterward by Luther who granted that the Pope by humane right was head of the Church Epist Tom. 1. p. 176. Whereupon Duke George inviting Luther and Eckius to dinner and embracing both of them sayd Whether the Pope have his authority by divine or humane right Pope he is Luther afterward changed his opinion about this point Before this disputation at Leipsick Luther was desired by Charles Multitius to goe to Confluence there to plead his cause before him being the Popes Commissary But Luther excused himselfe and shewed that for many reasons he neither could nor ought to goe thither In the yeere 1520. upon Multitius advise Luther wrote to the Pope An. 1520. Luther wrote to the Pope and sent him his booke lately written concerning Christian liberty and offered conditions of peace About this time Frederik the Elector fell into a grievous sicknesse Whereupon Luther moved by some friends and out of Christian charity wrote the booke called Tesseradecas to comfort him Then also he wrote the book Of Confession of sins in which he took occasion to speak of vowes and deplored their torturing of mens consciences And whereas in an other Treatise written by him he had said that he judged it behoofefull if the Councel would so permit that the Lords supper should be administred to all in both kindes This speech because it directly crossed the last Lateran Councel was excepted against by many amongst whom was Iohn Bishop of Misnia who prohibited the the Churchmen under his jurisdiction to administer the Lords supper in both kindes and enjoyned them to suppresse Luthers booke Luther maintained his cause and answered his Edict In the mean time the Divines of Lovan consulting with Adrian Cardinal of Derthuse then in Spain and the Divines of Cullen by a decree censure some of Luthers bookes as wicked and worthy to be burnt The Divines of Lovan and Cullen oppose Luther and held it fit that Luther should recant his opinions When Luther heard of this he answered every particular punctually And because he found so many and so great adversaries he wrote to Charles the fifth newly created Emperour and intreating pardon for this his addresse Luther writeth to Charles the fifth Emperour humbly besought him that he would so long onely afford him protection as that he might give account of his proceedings and overcome or be overcome because it would well beseeme the Imperirial power not to permit
with his writing contrary to his expectation New Broiles thereupon Perhaps he will burst with rage and die like a miserable idiot I could wish that theevish Mericion had taken it in mine owne hand I am so farre from fearing that Satan though I wonder at Scheurferus that not delivered my letter up to them but that he is so familiar with my bitterest enemies I intreat you that with your congregation you would pray against that furious homecide and bloudy ruffian as a man possessed by more then one Devil and breathing out nothing but menaces and slaughter that it would please Christ to save him as he did Saint Paul or confound him For why should this unquiet and mischeivous vassall of Satan be offensive to heaven and earth An. 1530. The assembly at August and conformitie of Protest The remembrance of the thirtieth yeere will never be razed out while men live on earth for in this yeere was held that solemne and numerous assembly before the Emperour and the States of the Empire which was printed and made known to all the nations of Europe Read the Story * Tom. 5. Jer. Germ. Chitr B. 13. Sax. Sleid. b. 2. Luther wrote the seventeen Articles elsewhere We return to Luther He composed the seventeen Articles before the Divines of Saxony took their journey to Augusta In these Articles he omitted scholastick disputes and points unnecessary for the peoples instruction and comprised the summe of holesome and necessary doctrin for the salvation of mens soules and true pietie Other Princes and Cities who embraced the doctrin of Luther commanded their Divines to set down in writing a briefe declaration of the doctrin commonly taught in the Churches of their territories That these seventeen Articles written by Luther Luthers Articles followed by Melanct. were especially made use of by Melancthon in writing the Confession the very words and phrases in most of the Articles retained and the order and methode of the Articles much alike Joh. Elector of Saxony came first to August and the Epistle of Iohn Elector of Saxony dated from Augusta to Luther before Caesars coming do witnesse For Iohn Elector of Saxony came to Auspurg contrary to the opinion and exspectation of all men yea he came thither first of all the Princes accompanied with Iohn Frederik his sonne Francis Duke of Lunenburg his sisters sonne Wolfgang Prince of Anhalt his wives brother and these divines Ionas Philip Spalatinus and Islebius Luther abode at Coburg For when he went from Coburg he left Luther in the Castle because he was banished by the Pope and Emperour and was extreamly hated by the Pontificians yet would that he should remain in that place neere at hand that more easily and speedily he might be consulted with for any matter pertaining to Religion Luther that he might further the common good though he was absent wrote a book to the Bishops and other Divines of note in that assembly in which he deciphered fully what was the state of the Romane Church under the Popedome and opened their cruelty and exhorted them that they would not now omit the occasion of curing this sore He further shewed that the doctrin taught by himself was agreeable to that of the Prophets Apostles that all designes undertaken against God would be frustrate Melanct care in this assembly Melanct. knowing the rage of the Papists Caesars threats was very solicitous troubled thereat not so much for his own as for the issue of these matters and posterities sake and gave himself almost wholly up to griefe sighes and teares Luther having notice hereof did often cheere him up and comfort him by his letters These words are part of one of his epistles In private conflicts I am somewhat weake and you strong In his book written An. 1529. and on the contrary you in publique conflicts are somewhat weake I stronger If I may call that a private conflict which is between me and Satan for you are ready to die if you were called to it but feare the disaster of the publique cause But I am resolute and secure for the publique cause because I am assured that it is just and true that it is Gods and Christs and is not appaled with the guilt of sinne as I a private servant of God am compelled to trembling and palenesse For this cause like a secure spectator and do not regard the menaces and crueltie of the Papists If we fall Christ the Lord and ruler of the world falleth with us And suppose he fall I had rather fall with Christ then stand with Caesar Nor do you alone strive to hold up Gods cause I constantly stand to you with my sighes prayers I wish I might also with my bodily presence For the cause is mine rather I say mine then all yours and attempted by me not out of any rash humour or desire either of glory or gain which thing the Spirit witnesseth to my conscience and the matter it self hath already plainly shewed and will more and more shew it even to the end Wherefore I entreat you for Christs sake not to forget Gods promises and the divine comforts where t is said Psal 55. Cast thy care upon the Lord have thine eyes fixt on the Lord Psal 27. play the man let thine heart be comforted The booke of the Psalmes and the Gospels are full of the like speeches Joh. 16. Be of good comfort I have overcome the world If Christ be the Conquerour of the world why should we feare it as if it would overcome us A man could finde in his heart to fetch such a sentence upon his knees from Rome or Jerusalem And in the same Epistle you would determine of these businesses according to your Philosophy by reason that is cum ratione insanire run wild with humane over-care and kill your self nor do ye see that this matter is beyond your reach and providence and I pray Christ to keep it that it come not into your hand and counsell which is a thing vehemently desired by you For then publikely and apparantly and suddenly we shall perish And in another Epistle Grace and peace in Christ In Christ I say not in the world Amen Concerning your apologie for your silence I will speake elsewhere I extreamely dislike your excessive cares with which you say you are consumed That these raigne so much in your heart is not from the greatnesse of the cause but the greatnesse of your incredulitie For there was greater cause of this in Iohn Hus his time then in ours Then again suppose there be great cause the Agent and chief mover in it is of great power for it is not our cause Why then do you continually and without ceasing macerate your self If the cause be faultie let us revoke it and flie back if it be good why do we make God a lyer who hath made us so great promises and bids us to be of a quiet
as strictly as they can In briefe I wholly dislike this agitation for concord in doctrin as being a thing utterly impossible unlesse the Pope will abolish his Popedome Concerning the Confutation this should have been added that it was a very cold one Of it thus Luther wrote to Melancthon Grace and peace in Christ the Lord over his enemies I thanke God who permitted our Adversaries to devise so fond a confutation Christ is come and reigneth Let the devils if they will turn Monks and Nunnes Nor doth any shape better become them then that in which they have hitherto set forth themselves to be adored by the world Then a little after this Did not I foretell you that you troubled your self in vain about traditions because that point exceedeth very much the capacitie of Sophisters There hath ever been disputation about laws amongst the wisest men and truly it requireth an Apostolicall abilitie to judge purely and surely thereof for there is no Author extant except Paul alone who hath written fully and perfectly of this matter Because it is the death of all humane reason to judge the law the spirit in this case being the onely Iudge What then can Sophisters here performe whose reason is blinded Well we have done our part and well satisfied them Now is the time of working together with the Lord whom I beseech to direct and preserve us Amen In that loving course for composing the differences by the Arbitratours when the point of invocation of Saints was handled and Eckius produced Iacobs speech Let my name be called upon those children Melancthon first answered and then Brentius said that there was nothing extant in all the Scripture of the invocation of Saints Hereupon Coclaus that he might step in as patrone to the Cause did thus excuse the matter That in the old Testament the Saints of God were not prayed unto because they were then in Limbo and not in Heaven Here Iohn Duke of Saxony concluded and said to Eckius Behold O Eckius the speech by you brought out of the old Testament notoriously defended The Confession of our partie which Caesar Ferdinandus his brother the Princes of Bavaria The Confession of the Protestants translated into divers tongues and some Bishops attentively listened unto and the other partie could not endure was translated into Italian for the Pope who was not very well skilled in Latine and into the English Spanish French Boemian Vngarian tongues The issue of all came to this The issue of matters in this assembly that though the Protestants did desire peace of Caesar and space farther to deliberate of the matter they could not obtain their desire The Confession it self was rejected and all who assented to it unlesse they suffered all matters to run in their old Tenour were brought into hazard of their lives and States there were some also appointed to execute Caesars decree Whereas therefore it was daily exspected that the Protestants should be warred against by the Pontificians Luther soon after the Assembly with a noble and Heroik spirit set forth a book to the Germans whose title was * Luthers admonition ad Germanos Warnungan seine liebe deutschen Wherein he exhorted them to embrace peace and shewed that they ought not to obey a wicked Edict and further by armes the persecution of the true doctrin of the Gospel and harmelesse Princes and Churches and fight for Idols and other abominations of the Papists Yet he did not counsell the Protestant side to take up armes before the Pontifician faction should in the Emperours name invade them with warre But if they should resist and defend themselves with force of Armes when they were set upon he excused them from being traduced and condemned as seditious persons and shewed that they must be conceived to stand onely upon their own and their peoples defence Luther studies in the wildernesse at Coburgh Before we leave the wildernesse of Coburg and come thence with Luther observe first what books he there wrote Besides some mentioned before of the rest he thus writeth to Melancthon Though I have been troubled with wearinesse of the taske and head ache and have laid aside Ezekiel yet do I in the meane time translate the small Prophets and in one week more I hope shall finish them by Gods help For now onely Haggai and Malachi remain undone I busie myself herein rather for the comfort I reap by them Luthers ardent prayers then that I am able to undergo the pains Secondly know the fervency of his prayers in this wildernesse of which Vitus Theodorus who accompanied him at Coburg thus wrote to Melancthon No day passeth in which Luther spendeth not three houres at the least and they are the houres most fit for studie in Prayer Once it so fell out that I heard him praying Good God what a spirit what a confidence was in his very expressions with such reverence he sueth for any thing as one begging of God and yet with such hope and assurance as if he spake with a loving father or friend I know saith he that thou art a father and our God I know therefore assuredly that thou wilt destroy the persecuters of thy children If so be thou please not so to doe thy danger will be joyned with ours this businesse is wholly thine we adventured not on it but were compelled thereunto Wherefore thou wilt defend us When I heard him praying in this manner with a cleare voyce as I stood a farre off my mind also was inflamed with a singular kind of ardency because I observed how passionately how gravely how reverently he in his prayer spake of God and urged Gods promises out of the Psalmes as one assured that what he asked should come to passe I doubt not therefore but that his prayers will much advance and further the desperate cause treated of at the Assembly When in that assembly the chiefe and almost the sole dissention between Luther and the Protestants was about the Lords supper this liked the Papists but grieved the Potestants Bucer therfore by the consent of the Duke of Saxony and his Magistrates consent Bucer goeth to Luther went from Auspurg to Coburg to see what agreement could be made betweene him and Luther Nor did he receive a crosse answer but diversly the businesse was hindred Thither also came Vrbanus Regius * See Regius his life for to consult with Luther An. 1531. An. 1531. An interpretation of Caesars edict Luther mildly wrote an Interpretation of Caesars Edict not against the Emperour but against the Princes and Bishops who were the chiefe instruments of the Civill broyles In this he defended diverse chiefe heades of Christian Religion As the Eucharist in both kindes that the Church might erre the Masse and free will he disallowed and shewed that we are justified by faith not by workes Of this point observe his remarkable profession I Martin Luther an unworthy preacher of the Gospel of our
Papists Jesuits diversly play upon The truth of that matter A letter to Frankford he in this book unfoldeth as being the best Expositour of his own meaning He sent also a letter to the Senate and people of Frankford in which he exhorted them to take heed of Zwinglius doctrin and instructed them about the Confession An. 1534. Petrus Paulus Vergerius In the yeere 1534. the Elector of Saxony joyned in pacification with King Ferdinando This highly grieved Petr. Paulus Vergerius so that in the name of Pope Clement he expostulated the matter with Ferdinando This yeere Luther spent in preaching writing Treatises and Commenting And this yeere the German Bible translated by him and brought into one body was first printed as the old priviledge dated at Bibliopolis under the Electors hands sheweth An. 1535. P. Vergerius returneth into Germany In the 1535. yeer this Bible was published Then the fancies of the Anabaptists began to appeare in Westphalia and made a very great combustion This yeere P. Paul Vergerius was sent back by the Pope into Germany He spake to the Duke of Saxony about the holding a Councel at Mantua Luthers labours He also met with Luther and dealt with him about matters of Religion Then Luther wrote many Sermons and Epistles and a book in a popular way about prayer and a Preface to Vrbanus Rhegius book against the Monasterians New Valentinians and Donatists And when the Pope had appointed the Councel at Mantua Councel at Mantua Luther wrote certain asseverations and Theses against the Constantian as he call'd it the Obstantian Councell He sent also a consolatory writing to the Christians of Mittweid expulsed for the Gospels sake and a letter to the Archbishop of Mentz the last he calleth it yet he wrote many after it This yeere Luther began publiquely to preach on Genesis which taske he ended as himself was wont to ominate with his life six yeers after An. 1536. Concord between Luther and Bucer c. In the yeer 36. the forme of the Concord between Luther and Bucer and other Doctors in the Churches of upper Germany was written by Melancthon at Wittenberg And published in the end of May. In Bucers life This elsewhere we spake of and told who subscribed therunto This yeer Philip Duke of Pomerania at Torgaw married Mary daughter of Iohn Elect of Saxony and of Marg. of Anhalt Luther was at the marriage and prayed for Gods Blessing upon the new married couple When all the rites were performed Duke Philip reached out his hand to Luther at this Luther stood a while silent and still held his hand and with a loud voice said The Lord God be with you and keep your posteritie from failing Now when as Barnimus the Vnkle of Philip had no male children Philips wife for foure yeeres was barren so that all the Male stocke of the Duke of Pomerania was likely to be ere long extinct at length by Gods blessing according to the prayer of Luther he had seven sonnes by this wife and wonderfully enlarged that noble Family The Assembly at Smalcald In February the yeere following the Duke Elector of Saxony with the Confederate Princes and Cities and their Divines held an Assembly at Smalcald for matters of Religion that the Princes might deliberate about calling the Councel to Mantua and the Divines conferre about matters of doctrine Luthers articles there approved and to be exhibited to the Councel Hither therefore Luther and Melancthon were called Luther wrote Articles concerning the chiefe controverted heads of Christian doctrine These the other Divines did approve and these were to be exhibited in the Councel of Mantua if ever it were held and put up in the name of the Saxon and neere thereunto adjoyning Churches Commonly they are called the Smalcaldick Articles These were joyned to the Augustane Confession and the Apologie and Luthers Catechismes Luther sick of the stone At this meeting Luther fell sick of a grievous disease so that there was no hope of his life He was pained of the stone and obstruction in the bladder eleven dayes Here he though most of his friends disliked and reasoned against it would be carried thence the event proved his resolution good George Sturk the Physitian being sent for from Erphord went along with him Luther as he was carried along made his will in which he bequeathed his detestation of Popery to his friends and the Pastors as before in the house of Spalatinus in the yeere 1530. where he made this Verse Pest is eram vivus moriens ero mors tua Papa I living stopt Romes breath And Dead will be Romes Death But the night after his departure thence he began to be somewhat better Luthers recovery At Tambach the passages of his urine opened so that he voyded it in great abundance The joy at his recovery shewed by Melancthons Letter and called that Village the place of his happinesse This recovery of Luther was cause of great joy to many godly men even to all who loved Luther especially to Melancthon who signified the same to Luther in these words by his letter I heartily thanke the God of all mercy and our Lord Iesus Christ our high Priest interceding for us and compassionating our infirmities for your recovery from your dangerous disease I rejoyce at my heart both for your and the Churches sake that you enjoy your health againe and the rather because herein we behold the apparent love mercy of God to his Church Your letter expressing your recovery put cheerfulnesse into the countenances of the Princes and all good men they all acknowledg that the light of the Gospel hath been in these dayes made known to the world by your Ministry and know that they are beholding to you for it and foresee what a losse it would be to the Church if they should lose you Therefore with joynt votes they pray that long you may live among us and thanke God who hath restored you from death to life I hope God accepted of this their joy and thanks And I pray God for Christs sake to make you perfectly sound and healthfull Here we have not yet ended our deliberation about giving Caesars messenger an answer to his harsh dispute against our former answer So that neither yet is any answer given to the Pope The Duke of Wittenberg commendeth your noble courage who durst in such a disease travel and fly from this cave He mindeth to follow your example for having been eight dayes sicke he resolveth to be gone to morrow Christ graunt that I may shortly see you in good health I was much grieved for you that the more because being absent I could not performe any friendly office to you I was perplexed at some physical errours by which your disease was augmented so that no man can expresse how extreamity of griefe wrought upon me Nor am I yet freed from all griefe If your malady was onely a
and contented mindes saying Cast thy care upon the Lord. The Lord is neere unto all them who being of a troubled heart call upon him Speaketh God these things into the wind or casts he these pearles to bruits I am often troubled but not perpetually Your Philosophy and not your Divinity doth thus vexe you the same befalleth your Ioachim As if it were possible that you should effect any thing with this unprofitable care I pray you tell me what can the Divell doe more then kill us I beseech you that seeing in all other matters you are a good souldier you would wrastle with your selfe as being your owne greatest enemie by providing such store of Armour for Satan against your selfe Christ once died for sin but for Justice and truth he shall not die but live and raigne If this be true what feare is there for the truth if he raigne But it will be cast downe by the wrath of God let us be cast downe with it but let it not bee done by our selves He who is become our father will be the father of our children I pray for you earnestly and I grieve that you make my prayers the most violent sucking-leech of cares to be fruitlesse I truly as concerning the cause whether it proceed from stupidity in me or from the Spirit Christ knoweth am not troubled much yea I have a better hope then ever I expected God is able to raise the dead He is powerfull also to maintaine his owne cause now ready to fall yea to raise it againe were it fallen and to advance it if it subsist If we be not worthy let it be done by others For if we be not sustained by his promises who I pray you are there in the world to whom they doe belong But more another time so that it be not to carry water into the Sea Christ with his spirit comfort teach and strengthen us all Amen If I perceive that the cause goeth not well with you or be indangered Luthers desire to come to the Assembly Apoc. 9.8 I shall not containe my selfe but shall come with speed unto you that I may see the gastly Jawes of Satans teeth as the Scripture calleth them From our wildernesse Ian. 25 An. 1530. After this the Confession written by Melancthon according to Luthers direction and advise The Protestants Confession was exhibited in the Latine and German tongues in Caesars palace Iun. 25. at 2. a clock in the afternoone and was read by the Chancellor of Saxony before Charls the fifth Ferdinando and all the Electors Princes being assessors that with so shrill loud a voice that not onely in that large hall but also in the Court beneath and in the places adjoyning it was well heard Who subscribed to it They who subscribed to this Confession were Iohn Duke of Saxony George Marquesse of Brandenburgh Ernest and Francis brothers Dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburgh Philip Landgrave of Hassia Wolfgang Prince of Anhalt and two Cities of the Empire Norinberg and Reutling After it was read the Princes judgement was threefold First Some thought fit that the Decree of Wormes should be pressed and the refractary compelled to it Secondly Others would have had the Confession examined by learned and pious men and then to be delivered to Caesar Thirdly Some desired that the Papists should exhibite a confutation of it to the Potestants and that the whole cause should be left to Caesars judgement It was commanded the Papist to confute it if they could To this last most of the Princes agreed Thereupon the Pontifician Divines of whom Iohn Faber and Eckius were chief were injoyned to prepare their confutation They wrote many things bitterly against the Protestants and rather multiplied revilings then arguments When therefore they were bid to new mould their writings the publication of the Pontifician refutation was deferred seven weekes from the exhibiting of the Confession Melancthon Luthers letter each to other In the mean space Luther and Melancthon conferred by their letters concerning many points controverted and discussed what might with a good conscience be yeelded to their adversaries especially concerning humane traditions and matters devised by men in Gods worship Luther also by many Epistles gravely written and by exhortations full of spirit and life which are indeed the treasures of all wholesome and powerfull comfort confirmed the hearts of the Prince Elector Luthers Exhortation and of Pontanus his Chancellour and their Collegues in the prosecution of their attempts for the common safety and peace of peace of the Church and State and posterity and for curing the apparent wounds thereof preventing the distractions of the Church the confusion of Opinions Luther writeth to Albertus Cardinal He sent also to Albertus of Mentz the Cardinal in the time of the Assemblies fitting a printed Epistle He was a man of chiefe authority amongst the rest wherefore Luther endeavoured to perswade him that seeing there was small hope to setle a concord in religion he would obtaine of the Emperour at least a graunt of Political peace At the same time Erasmus wrote a letter of the same argument to Campegius At length the Refutation of the Protestants Confession was new dressed and refined The refutation of the Confession read and on the third day of August was in Caesars Palace publiquely read before the States of the Empire The Emperour professed that he would persist in his opinion and requested the Duke of Saxony and such as joyned with him to give an assent But The copie of it hard to be got when as they could hardly obtain a copie of the confutation and that with these conditions that it should not be published nor transcribed nor any reply made thereunto and could not prevaile to have these conditions omitted the Archbishop of Mentz and his brother the Marquesse of Brandenburgh and Henry of Brunswick requested of the Emperour that he would give them leave to take a friendly course for the composing the controversie Arbiters of the cause When Caesar had yeelded thereunto there were of each partie seven at first and then secondly three chosen out of each seven who were to take a course for setling of concord Here when the Saxon partie seemed to yeeld too farre to the Pontifician Luther wrote thus to Melancthon Luthers admonition to Melancthon Concerning obedience to be performed to the Bishops as in jurisdiction and the common ceremonies I pray you have a care look to your self and give no more then you have lest ye should be compelled again to a sharper and more dangerous warre for the defence of the Gospel I know that you alwayes except the Gospel in those Articles but I feare lest afterward they should accuse us of breach of our covenant and unconstancy if we observe not what they please For they will take our graunts in the large larger largest sense and hold their own strictly more strictly and